This week’s Snippet is Vacations or Exotic Locations. I love this excerpt from Egyptian Voyage. The story is exotic and takes our hero and heroine, and their resident bad guy, on a trip through the Mediterranean to Egypt. Enjoy! And don’t forget to visit all of our fabulous Snippet authors via the links at the end of this excerpt.
“Mah, come to me,” he whispered around his toothbrush. At least his eyes were open and he was beginning to recall how to focus. Damn, he was tired. Mahpiya eased to the forefront of his mind, the slabs of dense muscle under her tawny coat flexing as she moved. He closed his eyes a second and grinned when the great cat flopped down on her stomach, raised her amber eyes and waited for him to speak.
Glad no one was around, so that he could speak out loud, Rahn jumped right in and said, “I wonder what the hell happened to Chrysalyn, Mah. I mean, the last time I saw her, she was engaged to that asshole, Kevin or Calvin or something like that. What the bloody hell went down? It’s times like this I wish you could pop over to wherever she is and read her mind.”
Shaking his head in wonder, he was still unable to believe the one woman he knew he couldn’t live without was somewhere around this sprawling apartment. And she was available. Heading for the shower, he stopped short at Mahpiya’s next words.
*There is no need for mind reading. Chrysalyn Geyer is your mate.*
Whoa! Back up. Rahn spun around so fast the clear glass door to the huge stall he’d just opened smacked him soundly on the knuckles. Rubbing the now-tender skin, he reached into his mind, demanding an explanation.
“Mah, how the hell can you know that?” When she didn’t immediately reply, he summoned the feline onto this plane so he could look her in the eyes. “Mahpiya, come to me. Right now.”
The sleek African lioness disappeared from behind his eyes and shimmered into her corporeal form right in front of him. Damn, she was huge—four feet tall and almost four-hundred-eighty pounds of raw power. At the top of the food chain, her earthly cousins were the perfect hunters. And Mahpiya was no less formidable. With the ability to speak mind-to-mind with those in her care, Rahn tended to forget how majestically imposing Mahpiya was. He immediately lowered his head and asked her forgiveness for his impertinence. After all, she served him at her pleasure. He was blessed to have such a wise companion.
Stepping into the shower, he dunked his head under the lukewarm flow and exhaled sharply. The scent of his favorite sandalwood soap filled the oversized stall.
“Okay, Mah, what do you mean, Chrysalyn is my mate?” Could it be? Chrysalyn, the woman perfect for him? He should have been shocked, so why wasn’t he? Because Chrysalyn had been everything he’d ever dreamed of in a woman, a real class act. All he’d had to do was pursue her. But noooo, he’d been an idiot and allowed himself to be, uh, distracted by woman who’d chased after him instead. He’d learned later that same woman not only pursued him, but any other cock she could get her hands on. Hell, she had even slept with his best friend. Claimed it was all part of the job as an undercover. Yeah, right.
Obviously, their relationship hadn’t lasted, but by the time he’d pulled his head out of his ass, Chrysalyn had moved on to someone who treated her like she deserved. The two had been engaged to be married and the woman seemed happy enough. So what happened?
He was snapped out of his musings by Mahpiya’s sharp words and sultry voice.
*Get dressed,hoksila. You must be about your business. Your mate awaits you.*
With that, Mahpiya herded him out of the shower and back into his room with an urgency that had him moving double time. Was something wrong? Was Chrysalyn in danger? And where the hell was the woman, anyway? And hadn’t Mah mentioned a spirit guide before?
*If you stop thinking, you can move faster,* Mahpiya growled before swatting him across the backside with a large paw.
“Ouch! Damn it, that hurt,” Rahn yelped, hoping the impending welts didn’t cause him too much discomfort later. A faint sound caught his attention as he fished around for underwear and a pair of sport socks in his dresser drawer. Lifting his eyes toward the quiet splash, Rahn spied an unlikely vision through the glass doors leading out to the deck.
Holy shit! Chrysalyn basked under the early morning sunshine, her body partially hidden by the swirling rush of hot water in the oversized hot tub. Arms spread out to her sides, the swell of her breasts was just visible above the waterline. Her delicious, cinnamon skin gleamed enticingly, wet from the steam and droplets peppering her beautiful body. The leopard-print swimsuit plastered to her curves sent a rush of heat straight to his cock. Her hair was loose and little curls framed her
strong jawline as she laid her head back, eyes closed and…puffed? On a cigar?
His cock screamed as he stood there, mute and unable to get a single muscle in his body to move. She was so damned sexy. And here he stood with another chance to have her and he couldn’t draw his eyes away from the window.
Another swat across his buttocks took care of that.
“Okay, already! I’m going, Mah.”
*Excellent,* she purred as her corporeal form shimmered away.
I think this is one of my favorite snippets – it’s all about getting your groove on! Woohoo! In this case, it’s really more like getting prepared for a little undercover lovin’.
Blurb: Astin Pharmaceutical and Biotech has its share of mad scientists. Delaine must get the goods on the crackpot who is using his scientific genius to create his own personal harem. During her investigation, she meets a man who would give Adonis a run for his money. After a messy divorce, Delaine is in no hurry to love anytime soon, but her spirit guide, a sleek, black mountain lion, is convinced he’s their mate.
When Justin lays eyes on Delaine, he’s dying to get next to her. There’s one problem—he’s seen her walking around a secret part of the Astin facility that she had no clearance to enter. Is she in league with the corrupt scientist he’s tailing? Or is she a mole who could blow his case, or worse, his cover?
When Delaine discovers the man she’s taken a chance on is undercover, a decision must be made. Should she kick his butt for not being honest about his undercover status while working her case? Or should she simply shoot him for sleeping with her best friend?
NOTE: If you have trouble viewing the flippable pages via Amazon or other sites that don’t display it, please visit me here: http://www.tjmichaels.com/2010/07/10/snippet-saturday-dancing/
This week’s theme is, “Is this a date?” I guess sometimes we wonder, don’t we? And in the case of successful executive, Sydni Cannes, she’s not sure what to make of this first, er, second meeting with a man hot enough to burn butter. The problem is…that same man just got her out of jail after a case of very mistaken identity. So, what’s he doing here?
Enjoy a snippet from Caramel Kisses, available for Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook and directly from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave ;D (links are in the snippet)
NOTE: Some sites, like Amazon, won’t display the book flipper. If you have trouble viewing the pages, please visit my site directly at TJ Michaels dot com
There comes a time in every hero or heroine’s life that their mate does something stupid. And stupid requires an apology…well, unless you’re just a jerk, right? Luckily, our guy, Kenoe Hatsept, isn’t a jerk. And eventhough his sweetheart is angry and upset, he’s so good at making up, she may just decide to pick fights on purpose ;D
Enjoy this Snippet from Hatsept Heat – Vampire Council of Ethics Bk 2
This week’s Snippet Saturday theme is secondary characters. I must admit, I love secondary characters, whether they are friends or family. They make a story feel ‘big’ and well-rounded. I’ve picked a snippet from Caramel Kisses (forgive me for the cover – I know it looks like our leading man can’t even grow a beard yet ;D but I promise he’s in his 30′s and, er, nicely proportioned). Here, Syndi has just gotten out of jail (total case of mistaken identity) and it’s all her sister’s fault, of course.
Click the Full Screen option to enjoy this ‘flippable’ excerpt from Caramel Kisses (if you have trouble viewing the excerpt from Amazon or other sites, visit my site directly, ‘kay? ;D
I’m trying a new bookflip software to share my excerpts with you all. Let me know what you think of this excerpt of my latest release, Shards of Ecstasy.
This week’s Snippet Saturday theme is a hard one. There are some books I like more than others in regard to novels I’ve penned, but I must admit that they ALL have a favorite scene.
The following scene is from Egyptian Voyage, a book with two snarky spirit guides who are responsible for two bone-headed human undercover agents. The story takes place mostly on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. Enjoy the banter!
With a smile at the light banter going on in her head, Chrys followed an immaculately clean waiter through the restaurant. Rice paper lanterns sent a gentle glow from the center of each large circular table. Japanese kanji symbols strategically placed along the walls and the rich red cinnabar ornaments here and there, gave a feeling of “rightness” to the atmosphere. She wasn’t really into Feng Shui, and doubted the decorators of this Japanese restaurant were either, considering the art was of Chinese origins. Either way, her spirit guides seemed to love the energy of the place.
Chrys settled down in her chair, sat back and allowed a sense of peace and relaxation to envelop her—something she hadn’t felt since she learned of the case Rahn was working.
The Mastersens were seated and already sipping on frozen, delicious-looking green cocktails. Several couples Chrys didn’t recognize were in the middle of ordering the same thing when Mrs. Mastersen spoke to her.
“Chrysalyn, dear,” Mrs. Matersen beamed. “I’m so glad you could join us for dinner. You must try one of these. It’s a Midori Sunrise and tastes like tropical paradise.”
Mrs. Mastersen was an all-out chatterbox. On the way back aboard ship on Ibiza, the woman had amused Chrys when she’d spotted the bag of specialty cigars she’d purchased. She’d introduced herself and her husband, then asked to try one without an ounce of shame. Gray-haired, feisty and carefree, the two were enjoying their retired years sailing around the world. Chrys had loved them on sight.
“Your dress is downright sexy, young lady. Now where is that delightfully handsome beau of yours? And he let you out looking like that? He’d better be careful or Harold here might put the moves on you. Mr. Mastersen was quite the rake in his day. Still has great skill…”
Chrys wondered if the woman had taken a single breath.
“And even after all these years, he still makes sure I come before he does.”
Chrys coughed on the iced water she’d been sipping. Way more information than she needed to know. Clearing her throat, a quiet giggle escaped between words.
“Thank you for the compliment on my dress, ma’am. As for Rahn, an earlier outing took a bit longer than he thought.”
Captain Laurens sat down at the head of the table and said, “That would be my fault, I’m afraid. Hope we didn’t put too much of a dent in your plans.”
Chrys smiled and said, “When I left, Rahn was getting ready. He sends his apologies and should be walking in the door any minute now. So, I think I’ll order his drink for him. Waiter?” Chrys called, and another smartly dressed young man headed her way. “I’d like a glass of your best chilled rice wine for my, er, friend. And I’ll have one of those green things, please.”
“Friend, eh?” Mrs. Mastersen gawked excitedly. “How fabulous for you, my dear. You’ve dated a while, have you?”
“We’ve worked together for more than six years and know each other well.” The rest of it was none of anyone’s business. Out of nowhere, the image of Rahn in the shower burst into her thoughts.
*I am sure my charge would blush if he knew what you were thinking just now. Can you think of nothing but his cock?* Mahpiya whispered to Chrys, her tongue lolling to the side.
‘Oh, hush up, you. You’re not supposed to tell all my secrets, and I can tell from the way the bond feels that Adonei is listening in.’
*Of course I am listening in. It is my job, is it not?* Adonei sniffed indignantly, then turned to Mah, fussing. *And do you have to speak so boldly regarding your charge’s private parts?*
Chrys almost laughed out loud. Didn’t the big cat know by now not to set himself up like that? Before she could form a single smart-assed response, Mah was all over him.
*My dear Adonei, I believe you are in need of schooling, and given your old age,* Mah paused for dramatic effect, *you know I certainly do not have to use the word cock. I have been a spirit guide for eons. There are many other ways to express myself, mate.*
Chrys clamped her lips together, picked up her water and sipped, trying to hide the smile at the corner of her lips. Oh, boy, here it comes.
*I could have called it by some of the other words I have heard over the years, like bacon bazooka…*
*Bacon what?* Adonei queried, his brow pulled down in a confused frown.
*Do you not like that word? ‘Tis much better than cock, don’t you think? No? Perhaps pork sword?*
*What is it with you and pig meat?* Adonei groaned, clearly wishing he hadn’t said anything.
*Fine. No more pork. So what about tally whacker? Tickle-gizzard? Wanker? Tube steak?*
Chrys’ own eyebrows flew up at that last one. Tube steak? Eww. Adonei swiped a huge paw at Mah, but the lioness dodged it with a laugh and simply kept right on.
*Maypole? Meat whistle? Milk bone? Mr. Happy?*
Adonei rolled his eyes and grumbled something about the Great Spirit’s sense of humor and boneheaded mates.
National Bestselling author, Lauren Dane, invented Snippet Saturday to bring you the very best bits from your favorite authors. This week’s theme should really be called, ‘Get your groove on!’
One of my favorite scene related to music is when Bix and Carin from Carinian’s Seeker are dancing at a big vampire shindig. The music is funky and hip, and they get close to doing more than dancing – woot!
But I also love the scene from Shards of Ecstasy where De’alla Isaacs soulful R&B artist takes the time to sing to her…in the middle of his sold out concert!
Enjoy a snippet from Shards of Ecstasy and then visit the other Snippet Saturday authors through their links at the bottom of this post.
Blurb: De’alla Isaacs is a typical businesswoman in Seattle, but away from the day job she lives another life. She is Chosen. Her job—carry and protect a precious jewel. Each Piece of Eight is part of a key, the only thing standing between this world and complete demonic devastation. Dee’s job would be easy except for one problem—Faison Dow, R&B singer, celebrity playboy and all-out dog has appeared on the scene.
If he’s such bad news, why does he make her heart pound, body temperature soar, set her crystal buzzing and send her mind on a one-way trip to Gimme Some? Is it his sultry voice? His pursuit of her as if she’s the only woman for him?
Whatever it is, they’d better hurry and figure it out because the Prince of Hell has arrived.
*******
Dressed in a pair of tailored gray slacks and a black dress shirt open to the middle of his chest, Faison appeared on stage. The crowd exploded. An overhead spotlight illuminated his skin. Immediately his dark gaze found and settled on her, picking her right out of the crowd with ease. Almost like some kind of De’alla radar. And that gaze brought with it a beam of lust and light that seared her to her very core. And it felt good. Right. And she was out of her damn mind to think so.
God the man was sexy. All that dark hair and those beautiful eyes. And lord, forget about that sinfully handsome face. To her surprise, she even enjoyed his snarky sense of humor and odd pursuit of her. It made her feel good to know that Faison really wasn’t an old hat at flirting or getting a woman out of her clothes. Oh and forget about the fact that his voice set her pussy on pure-dee fire.
Then Faison played to the crowd as he made his way up and across the stage. With one toe planted on the very edge, the man sang to her. His eyes never left hers and she didn’t have the strength of will to look away. Nor did she wish to. As the words of the melody drifted out to the audience, to Dee the crowd melted away until it was just the two of them.
Faison seemed to glow, as if his aura flowed out of him as he poured his heart and soul into his music. Suddenly the breeze picked up and Dee sensed that this particular love song was more than words set to pretty music for Faison. It reached deep and unexpectedly touched her heart just as the warm summer air wrapped around her body and gently embraced her. The elemental energies inside her reacted to the wind’s touch in a way she’d never experienced before, as if her gift craved to open up to the flow of air around her. It was strange yet comforting. Unsettling yet exhilarating. Foreign yet welcome.
Dee had heard Faison sing plenty of times in Japan, both in person and on CD. Even on a couple of soundtracks for a few Japanese movies while she’d been in Tokyo. Something about his voice had always called to her. Called to her enough that she’d kept up with his albums. But to her, it had been about his songs and only the songs because the man himself had such a rotten reputation that it stank to high heaven. Yet here she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, happily flying into the fire without a care for how the heat might destroy her.
The song was over but the spell remained. Even as he moved about the stage and worked the crowd Dee felt as if her very soul swam in him, connected in a way that didn’t make sense.
*It would make perfect sense if you simply believed what your instinct is telling you.*
“She, your timing sucks,” Dee silently grumbled.
Besides, Dee knew her instincts couldn’t be correct, not if Angela’s story from so many years ago was right. Faison would have to have a crystal that matched hers, a Piece of Eight. And so far she hadn’t seen anything. Even right now while sweat poured from his body and his shirt was open nearly to the waist there was nothing around his neck. No pendent. No necklace. So he couldn’t be the one.
So what was this thing she was feeling? Could she just be so horny that a rogue like Faison made her hot and wet? Sticky and needy?
Perhaps he was Asmodeus? That would explain why she was out of sorts, right?
No, no, no, no and no!
Her sisters had made it pretty clear what being in that demon’s presence was like. She didn’t feel drained of life in Faison’s presence but energized and, to her surprise, deeply cherished. But if Faison didn’t have a stone, why did she feel so gaga around him?
Hmmm, she didn’t feel nearly as loopy or attracted to the guy she’d recently met, Devon something-or-other, also knows as Mr. Faceplant in the Sand. He was cute, nicely built and very smart. Not to mention he wanted to fuck her brains out. Question was how the hell did Dee know that? She wasn’t empathic like her sister, Charlotte, but there was no mistaking the nasty and deliberate emotions she’d picked up from the man. Or was it herself? It was hard to tell. It seemed as if her thoughts were not her own when around that guy. A simple thought about sex turned into
the raunchiest fantasies imaginable. It made her extremely uncomfortable.
But not because she was uncomfortable with her sexuality. No, the thoughts made her uneasy because she was comfortable with what she wanted in bed. It didn’t make sense because to Dee sex was beautiful and nothing about it was tainted, out of bounds or wrong. So why did it feel wrong in Devon’s presence? Why was it so dark, forbidden and perverted?
But enough about Devon. The concert was almost over and just thinking about seeing Faison at the private after-party set her pulse to a gallop. Maybe he would kiss her again. Replaying the reaction of her body to his kisses in her mind, she certainly hoped so.
Interesting. She’d gone full circle from thinking she was a fool to come here to straight anticipation of spending a few minutes in Faison’s embrace.
“Gods, what a mixed-up elemental I’m turning out to be.”
She laughed quietly in the small corner of Dee’s head. Dee rolled her gaze up to the dimming sky and huffed. She laughed harder.
(Spirit of the Pryde received the Erotic Dreams Reader’s Choice award for Best Paranormal Romance of 2007. Enjoy the other Snippets authors whose links are the bottom.
The land below took Jason’s breath away as the pilot pointed out the beginning of Pryde lands. When the jet landed, he had yet to see the boundary marking the end. He’d never seen such beautifully wide-open spaces. The place seemed to go on forever. The land was green with trees, plenty of scrub and grasses that swayed with the wind. The Medicine Bow River wound its way through the property and sparkled under the morning sun as if it the fast-running waters were full of diamonds.
The second they touched down on the private airstrip, he popped the hatch and found a set of jetway stairs already rolling toward the opening.
At the bottom of those stairs stood a goddess.
“Hi, I’m Neesia Pryde. Thanks for bringing this equipment on such short notice.”
The woman’s voice flowed over him like rich chocolate. The sweet confection was obviously named after her beautiful cinnamon skin, which was clearly visible, compliments of a formfitting white tank top. She was dark, velvety and surely delicious. The thought of tasting her made Jason’s tongue dance around in his mouth until he snapped it closed. Lips, full and ripe, had him swallowing hard. And the golden hue of her eyes was simply arresting, like little orbs of the purest honey. The woman was, in a word, fine as hell. Well, that was three words, but it summed her up pretty well.
But judging from Neesia Pryde’s strong and fit physique, she’d probably deck him if he stepped up and started licking the side of her neck. With a mental shake, he reminded himself that he was here to do a job.
“Mr. DiCaplis, right?” she asked, probably wondering if he was some kind of dimwit, staring at her for at least thirty seconds without a word.
“Uh, yes, hi. Sorry, I’m not usually up at dawn and I’m a bit slow this morning,” he said with a bright smile. He extended his hand, noticing her strength as she firmly pumped it up and down. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. Most of the ones he came across were simpering annoyances. But Neesia seemed far from being such a woman. Damn, he would love to get to know her. And since he wasn’t investigating Neesia, there was nothing unethical about tempting the temptress, right?
By the way, had the gods invented blue jeans? Hers fit like a dream. The light blue fabric accentuated a trim waist and a firm, wide ass tapering down to endless legs. Damn, had he ever seen such a nice ass? Physically restraining himself, he practically shook with the urge to reach out and touch. Her rich, sinful voice snapped him out of his musings.
“Broglio here will help you unload the crates,” she said, motioning to an older, salt-and-pepper-haired man sitting on a small forklift. She held out her hand and jangled something on the end of her long fingers. He looked down at her hand and gulped.
Snap out of it, idiot. Hell, he was practically slobbering on himself, imagining the feel of those fingers. Mentally slapping himself in the back of the neck, he focused on her words and tried not to look at the yummy lips speaking them. If he kept this up, he’d blow his cover. Among other things.
“Here are the keys to the jeep over there,” she said, nodding her head toward a sporty-looking four-wheeler parked off to the side. “Just tell Broglio which crates you want brought up to the house and he’ll help you get them into the jeep. There’s plenty of storage space, but you don’t have to take it all up right now. Load whatever you don’t immediately need on the flatbed over there and bring it up to the house later. All right with you?”
“Sure, thanks.” She turned to walk away and his mind scrambled for something to say, anything to keep her from leaving. What the hell was wrong with him? Certainly he couldn’t be this hard up for a woman? Hell, who was he fooling? This was a terrible time for his cock to remind him how horny he was.
“Oh, I forgot,” she said as she stopped and turned to pin him with her light, tawny stare. Jason’s heart practically beat out of his chest. “All the wiring and setup for the new surveillance system is going to take a couple of weeks. We told your employer it would be best if you stayed here. Just follow Broglio back to the main house and we’ll get you settled, all right?”
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Thanks,” Jason mumbled, sounding like some goofy schoolboy as he dragged his eyes away from her smile. And those lips. Tempting was such an inadequate word.
“We’ll start tomorrow with the grounds around the house, then move out onto the ranch. A schematic is in the jeep for you to study.”
Waving at the captain who’d come out of the cockpit to help unload the cargo, she called out as she headed back to her own vehicle.
“Thanks for flying on such short notice, Harry! Come up to the house and get a bite to eat before you take off!”
The pilot grinned like a loon and bounded down the stairs. “Come on, boys, let’s put our backs into it.”
But Jason knew the man’s eagerness to get the unloading done had more to do with Neesia’s invitation to visit the house rather than a desire to get back in the air.
This is actually more of a lost and found love ;D And though it’s almost Springtime here, I just can’t resist a hot winter romance where the hero is determined to create his own second chance, to do whatever it takes to make up for being an idiot in the past, and convince the woman of his heart that he will take good care of her…this time around.
Blurb: Melaniece is looking forward to spending a nice quiet holiday at her vacation home up in the mountains. Expecting to enjoy ripping open gifts with her family, she’s surprised when they spring the ultimate present on her: Michael Bannon. What the hell is he doing here? Could it have anything to do with the strange vampire dreams she’s been having lately? Nah, because there’s no such thing as vampires, right?
Michael is determined not to blow a second chance with the woman he should have loved years ago, even if it means revealing his true nature. Is a good guy willing to be very bad to get what he wants? Hell, yes…including drive Melaniece out of her mind. Over and over again.
EXCERPT from GIFT WRAP:OPTIONAL
By TJ Michaels
Copyright 2006 Ellora’s Cave All Right Reserved
Melaniece Matthews muttered to herself, carefully navigating the icy winding road leading up to the high country.
“Man, what a weird dream. Michael, a vampire?” The same strange dream plagued her at least twice a week for the past six months. They’d started immediately after she’d returned from a short trip home to California. It had been so good to see her friends and family after being away for eight years. And beyond lovely to see Michael Bannon again—the man she’d always loved. And, sigh, the man who’d seen her as just a great friend. Instead of marrying her, he’d hooked up with someone else, a woman named Janna. The end result? Six years of hell on earth for him. And now he haunted her in her sleep.
While Melaniece could admit she’d thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with him after so many years, she sure as hell wasn’t going to admit he’d been on her mind ever since. Her dream crept around the edges of her mind. “What if he is a vampire?” she smirked to herself, a sarcastically evil grin plastered across her lips. “That would explain why he ripped my heart out by marrying Janna. There’d certainly been plenty of blood to go around.”
Peering through the cold, clear windshield, Melaniece grimaced as her thoughts turned to her favorite holiday. Instead of the usual elation about Christmas, she was assailed with a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite nail down. There was the thrill of spending time with her children after a whole year of separation, chased by a longing for intimate companionship so acute she found herself on the verge of tears. Then, right there at the back of her mind was an elusive sense of naughty anticipation. But for what? A good lay? Not likely. She had no prospects and no interest in hunting for any. Michael’s handsome face popped into her head complete with fangs and a roguish grin, just like in her dream. Damn, she could practically feel the gorgeous, redheaded hunk making love with her as his incisors rasped over her skin. Yep, right there on the big sheepskin rug in front of the fireplace. Perfect spot.
“Hah, right!” she laughed with an unmistakable snort and waved the image away. But her breathing quickened in spite of a refusal to acknowledge the fine-assed man with fangs dancing around in her head. Give it a minute and her pulse would return to normal, right? Woo, she needed to turn off the heat. In spite of the freezing cold, the car was hot as hell. After a quick glance down at the console, she rolled her eyes up to the roof of the car. The damned heat wasn’t even turned on!
“Good grief, I’m hopeless,” she quietly grumbled. And it was all her dream man’s fault. Key word—dream. First off, she’d long given up hope in that quarter. Second, there was no such thing as vampires. So Michael was single again. Big deal. They’d had a great time reuniting in California six months ago. Who cared? None of it meant he wanted her now any more than he had eight years before.
With the car packed full of wrapped packages and luggage, Melaniece focused on the upcoming holiday. A glimpse at the pile of boxes in the backseat brought a small smile as she reminded herself this was a season to give generously to those you loved…and those who loved you back. And boy was she prepared to do just that.
Her children had spent the past year in an exchange program teaching English in Japan. It was amazingly expensive to live on the exotic little island. With most of their meager salaries going toward rent, groceries and train fare, the two had gone without some conveniences. When they returned to Minato-ku, a suburb of Tokyo, they’d sure as hell take lots of top-of-the-line goodies with them. Nothing but the best for her kids.
Christmas Day was fast approaching. She looked into the rearview mirror and spoke sharply to the woman reflected in the narrow glass.
“Okay you,” she said to herself. “No more goofy dreams, no more wasting time mooning over someone you can’t have and no more vampire nonsense. It’s Christmas and you’re gonna accept whatever Santa decides to give you. Got it?”
Got it. She popped a classic holiday CD into the player and hummed along with “Santa Baby”. With genuine laughter, Melaniece let Nat King Cole chase away her blues as she headed up the highway to her vacation home to meet her family. Up there among the snow-capped peaks, the long-toothed boogeyman was not allowed, no matter how yummy he looked in her sleep, damn it.
Enjoy all the other Snippet Saturday excerpts by clicking through to the links below. Happy Saturday!
