Snippet Saturday ~ Music

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! Today's theme is Music. So hang around and check out my excerpt from Protecting Phoebe, and then hop on over to the other blogs listed below!

Phoebe's work at Second Chances, a women's shelter, has gone a long way toward her own healing after surviving an abusive relationship in college. She's moved on in every sense—except when it comes to dating.

Everything changes when Craig visits the shelter. The hot, young cop sets her pulse racing in a way that makes her consider making a move—and moving him into her bed for a casual fling. The first step: ask him out. Subtly, of course.

Craig has been attracted to Phoebe for months, so he's more than happy for the chance to get to know her better, in bed and out. His interest goes way beyond casual, but convincing her to think long term is going to take some time.

When it becomes clear her violent ex has come out of the woodwork, though, time is the one thing they don't have…

And here's my fun excerpt! Enjoy!

After five minutes of shimmying his Hyundai into the tiny parking spot, Craig climbed out and clicked on the alarm.

He smoothed his hands down the crisp designer shirt and wondered for the tenth time since he'd left

his house what the hell he was doing.

Jogging across the street when there was a break in traffic, he drew in a deep breath and shook his

head. The line outside The Retro had dwindled to only a few people.

The man who stood outside, checking IDs and taking money, glanced up and spotted Craig. His bored

expression morphed into a scowl of dismay.

"What the hell, you'd think they'd send someone else undercover this time. I promise, man, I'm not

letting any minors in."

Craig grinned and lifted his hands. "I'm off duty tonight. I swear."

The bouncer lifted an eyebrow and held out his hand. "ID and ten dollars."

Craig fished his wallet out of his jeans and drew out his license and the money.

The bouncer glanced down at the license and took the money. "Twenty-five? Hell, you're older than

you look." He handed back the ID. "Don't know why you're shitting in the same place you eat, bro, but go

on in."

"Thanks." Craig slipped the license back into his wallet and stepped through the doors of the bar.

The snap of the bass greeted him, driving the beat of the laidback seventies funk song the band

played.

He wove through the crowd, scanning the group of people for her. Though it was possible she hadn't

even come. She sure hadn't seemed all that excited when she'd told him of her plans tonight.

But she had told him. The blood rushed through his body, tightening his dick and making him draw in

an unsteady breath. Damn.

He'd been called out to the Second Chances office many times in the past few months. And each time

he'd noticed her.

Phoebe Jeffries. She was confident, friendly, and sexy as hell. And up until today, he hadn't let

himself think for one moment that she held even a spark of attraction toward him.

But today, when they'd been closed in her office together, discussing her past…

His fists clenched at his side and his jaw tightened. He'd never have imagined her having been an

abuse victim. She was too strong. Didn't put up with shit.

But maybe that's what happened to someone when they overcame that type of horror.

As if his internal sensor knew she was near, his gaze swung to a table in the corner of the bar.

Phoebe sat on the outside edge, nursing a beer between her palms and looking uncomfortable.

His blood pounded a little harder as his gaze ran over her. Damn.

Her black curls hung loose around her face, instead of being pulled back in a clip like she usually

wore it. And he hadn't thought it possible, but she was even sexier outside of work than she was in the

skirts she wore to the office.

He thought about the thigh she'd inadvertently flashed him earlier today, when she'd crossed her legs

during their conversation. They'd been so smooth and pale, and the sight of her soft-looking skin had

almost given him an erection on the spot.

There was no skirt on her tonight—her denim-clad legs under the table gave that fact away, but the

light blue blouse was cut low and he knew when he saw her up close it would be a near match to her eyes.

Her gaze lifted toward where he stood, almost as if she'd known he was there. He saw her eyes widen

and her mouth part slightly.

She leaned over to whisper something to Gabby. A second later, Phoebe slid out of the booth and

crossed the crowded floor toward him.

"Hi." Flipping a curl off her shoulder, she gave him a hesitant smile. "I'm surprised to see you here,

Officer. Are you working tonight?"

The light caught her face, her gaze sparkling up at him. He was right, her shirt was an almost-exact

match for her eyes. They were the prettiest blue.

"You can call me Craig. And, no, I'm off duty." He moved his gaze over her face before letting it

drop for just a moment to her cleavage. "You mentioned this place earlier and I thought I'd drop by."

He lifted his head again to watch her expression, wondering how she'd react to his blunt reply.

Though the fact that he'd shown up at all should be a clear sign of his interest in her.

She didn't look at all uncomfortable, if anything her smile grew.

"I'm glad. You should join us."

"You sure your friends are cool with that?"

Phoebe lifted an eyebrow. "Did you forget that part where Gabby practically threw me at you

earlier?"

He gave a soft laugh. "No, I didn't forget." Unable to stop himself, he reached out and wrapped one

glossy black curl around his finger. "Why do you think I really showed up tonight?"

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

Eliza Gayle

Shelli Stevens

TJ Michaels

Lauren Dane

Jody Wallace

Sasha White