Teaser Tuesday
December 2, 2008 | Teaser Tuesday
Long ago, before I knew anything about writing conventions I started this story, All I Want For Christmas . Just for fun I’m going to post the first chapter in installments. Consider it an early Christmas present for Dangerously Sexy fans. Perhaps, someday I’ll get a chance to finish this Christmas tale. I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments are welcome.
And just for Sheila, a special note–when I wrote this I’d never considered anything mundane like actually plotting.
One more note, there are no real villains in this story. Sometimes love is the most dangerous risk of all.
Under the mistletoe dangling from the archway between the front hall and the living room, Jenny closed her eyes and made a Christmas wish.
She knew mistletoe wasn’t for wishing. But, since she’d wished for kisses, it might just work. She opened her eyes, turning around slowly. For a few seconds, hope sang in her heart.
A little moan drifted in from the kitchen. “Oh Peter.”
A deep masculine chuckle followed the weak protest as Dad kissed Mom’s neck.
Jenny bit her tongue to keep from groaning in frustration. If they didn’t cool it, she would wind up finishing the gravy and making excuses about where her parents had disappeared to. Terrific. Nothing new about that.
That was so not the kiss she had in mind. She shot a glare at the malfunctioning mistletoe. It was great to have a loving family and all that, but she wanted more.
Her brother Rich yelled over the hubbub in the den where the guys were watching football. “Hey Jen, we’re getting low on chips and I need another brew.”
“Me too, don’t forget the dip,” Mark added in a tone that was a shade too hearty in an attempt to fit in with her rowdy brothers.
Jenny swallowed a sigh, stepped around a toddler construction crew, and headed for the kitchen, calling back, “Coming right up.”
She should be happy. Mark would propose on Valentines. He might even get down on one knee, but probably not. The proposal was a technicality.
Everyone knew that she and Mark were made for each other. Because they were both so boring and dull, a rebellious inner voice whispered snidely. She shushed the private naysayer with a reminder that he cared for her, even loved her, in his own fashion.
Yeah sure, he’s wild about you baby, the inner critic shot back.
That’s why he acts more like an older brother than a lover and you already have three of those.
To her relief, she found her mom alone in the kitchen. She blurted out, “How did you know Dad was the one?”
Her Mom didn’t glance up from the basket she was filling with rolls, but her hands slowed. “It was a feeling, one that grew stronger the longer I knew him.”
“How long did you date before you got married?”
“Sweetie, you’ve heard this story a hundred times.” Her mother’s fingers picked up speed again as she lined a second basket with a napkin.
Jenny persisted. “Dad always just says it was love at first sight. He never says exactly how long you two dated.”
For a few moments, the tick of the kitchen clock and the clicking of
icemaker were the only sounds in the kitchen.
“Two weeks,” her mother admitted with an uncomfortable laugh.
“Dad wasn’t kidding about first sight.”
It almost looked like a blush on Mom’s cheeks.
“What’s all this about Jenny?” She tucked the napkin around the rolls, setting them aside before she faced her.
“I’m not sure. Mark and I’ve never…”Jenny let the words trail off as heat raced up her neck to color her cheeks.
“Oh sweetie, is that what you’re worried about? There’s nothing wrong with waiting. Mark’s a gentleman, he respects you.” Mom got all misty eyed. She squeezed Jenny in a reassuring hug. “You’re so beautiful and special.”
“Thanks Mom.” She dropped the subject.
She would much rather talk to Lia, her best friend, about her doubts. Except, Lia thought Mark was a total dork. So, she wasn’t exactly the voice of reason on this subject.
Her family, Mark’s mother, and everybody they knew, expected them to marry, have two children, and join the PTA. Not that there was anything wrong with any of that. But, getting married with only the hope her feelings would grow into love got scarier by the day.
Jenny retraced her steps to the kitchen, to get the beer, chips, and dip she’d gone for in the first place. Balancing a fully loaded tray, she headed for the den.
“Thanks Jen.” Rich reached for the dip, removing it from the bowl of chips without taking his eyes off the football game.
“Thanks honey.” Mark scooped into the seven-layer dip, craning his neck not to miss any of the action.
“You’re blocking the picture,” Rich complained.
No one was big enough to block that picture, certainly not a string bean like her. But, Jenny moved to one side with a sigh, setting down the cold beers. Mark never even looked up.
She took advantage of his football trance to study him. Blonde, tan and smooth with warm brown eyes, he had a long lean body. He had a wicked wit and was both smart and successful.
Listing all of his good points just worsened her resentment. So, she was silly, shallow, and stubborn. There was no point in kidding herself. She wanted more. But, she was also too impulsive and Mark balanced her.
He was real big on planning. Last September, he’d gone over their combined budget. The lecture included a spreadsheet of their projected net worth in ten years. He’d scheduled their first child for late spring or early summer, allowing for flexibility, three years from this June. When, he’d explained, she would be twenty-five–the ideal age for childbearing.
No doubt, he’d meant to be reassuring.
But, Jenny hadn’t been reassured by his master plan. She wanted a family too. The whole forecast thing seemed more like a business arrangement than a real romance. Not that she was any expert. Her brief dating history included one nice guy and one jerk. Not exactly a stellar resume.
Mark continued watching TV, talking to Rich, and showing absolutely no sign that he wanted to kiss her.
So, he wasn’t comfortable with public displays of affection. She understood that. It was natural, considering his reserved family. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their whole relationship would be different if she were the kind of woman who lit a fire in his belly.
The bells in the wreath on the front door jingled. Jenny got there in time to see George stomping his feet on the entryway runner, depositing clumps of snow.
“George!” Jenny launched herself into her brother’s arms. He caught her, and swept her off her feet in an enthusiastic hug and then set her down carefully.
“Hey Jen, look who I roped into coming for dinner.” Her brother tugged the arm of a tall stranger, pulling him forward.
“Another one of Treeland’s finest, my partner, Trouble.” George grinned at the stranger called Trouble, and nodded his head toward her, “My kid sister, Jenny.”
She looked over her brother’s shoulder. Instantly, she was caught by a pair of black eyes that seemed to see right into her heart. Her gaze held his for too long. Her pulse accelerated.
“Nice to meet you, Trouble.” Her voice came out cool and assured, revealing nothing of the constriction banding her chest.
“Normal people call me Collin. Or, if you want to be real official, Officer Donahue.” He shot George a dirty look, and then turned back, flashing a killer grin at her.
“Nice to meet you, Collin.” She hesitated briefly, and then held out a hand to him. Her lips curved in what she hoped passed for a friendly smile. But, her whole face felt stiff.
His wicked grin stunned her. She was staring, but she didn’t seem to be able to stop. Trouble seemed like a much more accurate name for him than Collin. He was even bigger than George was and as dark, with those hypnotic eyes.
His killer grin faded as he took her hand. Her cold fingers disappeared into his warm and callused grip. A distinct tingle coursed up her arm. Static electricity, she told herself, maybe a bit stronger than usual, nothing strange about that, there was a lot of him.
Jenny retrieved her hand, shook it slightly and gave him another tight smile. She had the feeling that he could read her thoughts. She hoped so. She knew his kind, a conceited jerk. He would just have to get used to the idea that there was at least one woman in the world who didn’t fall all over herself at the mere sight of him.
To be continued next Tuesday….
When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:54 am
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April 21st, 2009 at 5:17 am
[...] chapter I published it last last year, during the holidays as a present for dangerously sexy fans. The first installment is here. The second is here And the final installment [...]