Sunday Smooch with Louisa George

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!

Today we have a smooch from Louisa George, but first ...

the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is --Tammy!

Tammy, can you please contact Nicole on Nicole (at) nicoleflockton (dot) com to receive your copy of Rescuing Dawn!

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Louisa George's medical romance How To Resist A Heartbreaker

Back cover blurb: Nurse Gabby Radley knows exactly the type of man that super sexy Dr Max Maitland is — a hot-shot surgeon with no strings attached. So, attempting to balance a fling, working together and Gabby's runaway past? It all points towards a relationship with a seriously complicated health warning!

The only problem is, giving in to their sizzling chemistry is one thing, but trusting him with her heart is a whole different story…

Set up: Gabby and Max have just met for the first time in the pub. Gabby normally keeps everyone at arm’s length and is well aware of Max’s playboy reputation, but on today of all days she wants to get drunk and forget. She’s just been rating his chat-up lines and now she’s going home, turning down his offer for no strings-attached sex…

‘Thank you, but I’m fine on my own.’ She dragged on her jacket, lost her balance and slid off her chair slamming into his hard wall of stomach. 'Ooops.'

‘Are you sure about that?’ His voice breezed against her neck sending ripples of something hot pattering through her stomach. ‘Because if there’s anything I can help you with….’

Well, she had been sure. Sure she wasn’t tipsy, sure she was going to walk away.

But now? Not so much. Maybe the mojitos had made her a bit whoozy after all. She wasn’t used to drinking, to meeting men in bars. To the dizzy lights of a strange new city, or the safe embrace of a man like Max Maitland.

Strong arms circled her waist as he hauled her upright and led her outside into the dark street. Heat fizzed through her body. His smell, woody and heady, washed over her. She put her hands out to his chest to create space, but something held her there- her body flat refused to move. A wave of awareness jolted through her.

As her gaze traveled up his chest, over his too-damned-sexy mouth and up to his brightest blue eyes, she realised it was no good fighting it. What he hadn’t offered in words she could see from the spark, feel from his increased respiratory rate. God, she was still thinking like a goddamned nurse. How long had it been?

Too long.

She’d managed to keep that bridge between her and intimacy for so long fortified by Nonna’s rules and ugly experience.

But what he was offering her. What she thought he was offering her. Hot and quick. Would take her off that bridge with a wide leap. She’d spent ten years clinging on by her fingertips, frightened of what might happen. Of how much she’d have to give and lose all over again.

But this was different. He was different. Max wasn’t asking for anything but a good time - he wasn’t the type to make promises or offer her any more, she'd been warned about that already. Which was fine with her.

So either she could go back to the people she didn’t know in her cold unfamiliar house, and spend the night alone with her memories. Like she’d done for a decade. Or she could take him up on his offer. One night of heat, and fun and danger.

She could scramble back onto the bridge tomorrow.

The mojitos made her bolder. Instead of pushing away from him, as she knew she should, she held on to his arm and looked straight into his eyes. Made sure he got the message. What she wanted. Where they were headed.

Never had she felt so brazen, so alive. ‘Actually, I can think of a few things I need help with.’

‘Then I’m your guy.’ For a second he seemed to still, confused no doubt by her see-sawing signals. Then heat ignited in his pupils. He tipped his head, his mouth a fraction away from hers.

 An ache spread from her abdomen, to her groin, rushing through her blood to every nerve ending. When his hands reached for her waist and pulled her closer she stepped into his arms, pushing away any negative thoughts.

When his thumb rubbed against her hip bone her heart-rate spiked. Then his mouth was covering hers with a force she’d never experienced before.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepened the kiss, opening her mouth to his tongue. His hardness pressed between them and she rocked against it. The desire he’d unleashed in her only seemed to grow more intense as she curled into his heat.

Something about Max Maitland made her feel so sexy- and knowing it was for one night only she played along. God, if her Nonna could see her…no. No. No. She hauled Max closer and lost herself in his heat, erased any thoughts of home from her brain.

Shivers tingled down her spine as he cupped her face and crushed his mouth to hers.

Eventually he pulled away, his breathing ragged. ‘Okay, Gabby.’ Still keen to play games with her. Good. She wanted to play. ‘You want to rate me now?’

She pretended to think for a moment, pressed her lips together- relishing the unfamiliar stinging sensation from his kiss. ‘Nine.’

‘Nine?’

She bit her bottom lip and leaned closer to his ear. Breathed in the scent that had started to drive her wild. ‘Okay, nine-point-five.’

‘Really? And I lost half a point for what exactly?’

‘It didn’t last anywhere near long enough.’

You can find Louisa’s book at Amazon and in book stores now!

Louisa is giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter!  So her question to you is:

How To Resist A Heartbreaker features some of the worse chat-up lines I’ve come across- what would be the worse (or the best) chat-up line you’ve heard?

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from The Cattleman’s Ready-Made Family by Michelle Douglas will be posted!

Two Heads are Better Than One

I'm very excited because my new release is just about to hit the shops! Even more excited because the story came from a collaboration between myself and fellow lovecat Sue MacKay!

Around this time last year our editors approached us and asked if we would be interested in writing a duet- two linked stories with an overarching theme. Having been critique partners, conference roommates and good friends for years we jumped at the chance! So after a few long-distance phone calls and some in-conference brainstorming an idea or two were born, run by the editors, tweaked and then...we were off! It was so exciting to see our ideas shape and take form.

The overarching theme of the duet is about twin brothers who have a grudge- they work in the same hospital but barely speak to each other and compete for everything- including women. The first book, The Gift of A Child, belongs to Sue and charts Mitchell's story introducing ties that start to bind the brothers again. The second, How To Resist A Heartbreaker, is my book and - I hope- gives the brothers the satisfactory and fitting end the deserve.

The adage two heads are better than one was so fitting here- it was lovely to be able to bounce ideas off someone who 'gets' you. To write for the same company and the same line is brilliant, but to write two halves of the same story was special. After years of supporting each other it's such a thrill to see our names on the same cover!

Writing a book as part of a series was a new experience for me- I usually beaver away on my own, living in my thoughts and with the voices in my head. This time I had to rethink that process and wonder how my story fitted with Sue's, whether the boys would behave in a certain way, what their collective experiences were etc. It was a challenging exercise, but so rewarding.

What about you- are you more a 'go it alone' kind of person, or do you like to collaborate when it comes to work/tasks etc?

Indolent summer days in New York

by Emmie Dark

As you might have gathered from my regular contributions to LoveCats, I’m lucky enough to get to travel quite a bit. And right now, I’m writing to you from a very, very warm New York City. (I'm not sure what 93F is in celsius, but I'm guessing it's HOT!)

Thankfully earlier this week it was more reasonable – perfect weather for strolling the delight-filled streets of Soho, and exploring the history of Little Italy.

Right now I’m in Midtown, which is kind of the central business district of New York. There’s lots of concrete, and steamy sidewalks, and impatient cab drivers. And not really much in the way of green – unless, of course, you count the big stretch of grass and trees  just a few blocks up. (Central Park, of course!)

On Sunday I strolled with a friend through the wonders of Fifth Avenue. We popped our heads in at St Patrick’s Cathedral, which is one of the most stunning churches (even if it’s currently covered in scaffolding) and joined in the service that was underway for a short time. I'm not really a church-y person, but I do like that bit where you turn to people and shake their hands and say, "Peace be with you". I wished peace on lots of New Yorkers (and probably a few tourists).

Then we moved on to worshipping of a different kind. Saks Fifth Avenue was having a sale! Most of the merchandise in the store is well beyond my credit card's boundaries, but the sale in the lingerie department did prove a little too hard to resist.

And we had the most amazing fun in the shoe department. Unfortunately I can't connect my camera to the computer right now, because I took a photo of the most amazing gem-encrusted Louboutins! There were many beautiful shoes that really belonged on a shelf, not on feet. At least not on my feet -- I'd break an ankle!

Yes, I did make my last stop a Barnes and Noble where I rushed to the Romance section filled with anticipation, but alas, no. There was no copy of Just For Today sitting on the shelf. I chose to believe that's because it was sold out!

All Aboard......

My Dad was a railway man. He started working for the railway at 14 and retired at 56. 

Hence, I grew up travelling on trains. Some of my earliest and best childhood memories involve family holidays going somewhere on a train. One of my best ever memories is travelling from Brissy to Sydney on a train in a sleeping compartment with my then boyfriend (now husband) :-) And a few years back we took the kids from Brissy to Longreach - outback Queensland - on the train because I wanted them to have great memories of train travel too. Of course it was then that I realised that probably my parents didn't have such great memories of travelling on trains with four kids.....

So, it's fair to say that I freaking love trains!

There is nothing like the clickety clack of wheels on a track and the rock and sway of a carriage to put you to sleep at night. Nothing! Nothing like sitting in a dining car with a big window at your side, watching the world go by or watching it all whizz past from the luxury of your bed as you glance up from your book or your afternoon doze.

It's always been a dream of mine to do all the world's great train journeys. The Orient Express is on my bucket list as is the Trans Siberian Railway.  

And this train - The Indian Pacific.

4352 km from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. An epic journey spanning a continent.

I've always wanted to go on this train. Since I was a little kid and Mum and Dad used to talk about how wonderful it would be.

And finally I'm going! The Romance Writers of Australia conference being in Perth this year has given me the perfect opportunity to say - we're doing it!

Three glorious days and nights in the luxury of Platinum class. A great big bed, an ensuite, a menu that makes my mouth water just thinking about it and all food and alcohol included.

And best of all books! I'm going to read so much on this train I may never want to leave!

Is it costing a freaking fortune? Yes it is. But life is short and at 43 I've waited long enough to fufill this childhood dream.

And you can bet your last cent there's going to be a train book out next year!

Oh and for those who have been following me on my very pulic FB weight loss journey - this trip is my reward for sticking to my low carb diet for the next 6 weeks. I'm warning you all now - there will be carbs on this train!

This is the train of carbs! And there will not be one single solitary moment of guilt!

What about you - like train travel? Ever been on any of the "biggies". What's your favourite mode of transport?

Sunday Smooch with Nicole Flockton......

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from Nicole Flockton, but first ...

the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- Tash!


Can you please contact Amy Andrews on ....... amy (at) amyandrews (dot) com (dot) au to receive your copy of Taming The Tycoon!


And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Rescuing Dawn by Nicole Flockton........

He helps save lives, now he wants to save hers.

Dawn Granger has loved and lost and it’s a road she’s not prepared to travel again, that is until her

past turns up and has her questioning her resolve. 

Andrew Holmes has sailed the globe numerous times, when he almost loses his life, he decides he needs to give something back so he returns home and trains as a paramedic. When he runs into his former sweetheart he is surprised to find an attraction he thought dead come to life. When he sees the sadness in Dawn he knows he will do anything to make her smile again. 

Dawn tries to resist Andrew but their past pulls at her in ways she thought long dead. Can she trust a man who's run out on her once before? Can she risk putting her heart on the line again? Or will it all be taken from her again.

Scene set-up: [Dawn and Andrew are out having a coffee date – their first ‘date’ in ten years. Ever since Andrew saw Dawn in the ER again, he’s been pestering her to meet him. She’s finally given in and agreed to met him. They’re getting ready to leave and Andrew is trying to convince Dawn to see him again]

Kiss Scene  

“I don’t know.” Fatigue hit her and she knew she had to get home soon, otherwise she’d be falling asleep in her car and that wouldn't be good at all. “I just don’t know. I can’t think straight when I’m tired.”

“Fair enough.” He looked at his watch and grimaced. “It’s getting late, if you could call nearly eight-thirty in the morning late. I'm sure from all that you've told me, being awake at this time isn’t normal for you. I’d offer to drive you home, but I need to be at the station in five minutes.” He gulped down the rest of his drink and slid along the bench seat.

Following suit, Dawn gathered up her handbag. “Thanks for the hot chocolate and Danish.”

Andrew grabbed her hand and helped her as she slipped out of the booth. “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” She had to stop the shiver that threatened to overtake her body when he tucked a finger under her chin and lifted it. She looked deep into his eyes, almost drowning in the sea of blue radiating towards her, like an incoming tide. “Promise me you’ll think about what I said, about getting to know you again.”

Speech was impossible at that moment so she just nodded.

Andrew grinned a little wider and cheekier. “Perhaps this will help the decision along.”

Dawn was frozen to the spot as she knew what was about to happen. He lowered his head and as his lips touched hers softly her eyes drifted shut. She sighed, opening her mouth a fraction to give his lips better access to hers. Her skin tingled and warmth started to fill the places that had been cold for so long. She gripped her handbag a little tighter. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, deepen the kiss.

But as quickly as it started, the kiss was over and Andrew was stepping away, taking the warmth she wanted so desperately with him.

As she opened her eyes she became aware of where they were, in the middle of a busy café. Fortunately no one seemed to have noticed the kiss they’d shared, unless they were being polite. Andrew took a firmer hold of her hand and led her towards the exit. She forced one foot in front of the other and eventually her body’s instinct took over and she was able to leave the café without crumbling in a heap on the ground.

Rescuing Dawn was released on June 10th

Crimson Romance         Amazon 

Nicole is giving away an eCopy of Rescuing Dawn to one commenter who answers this question - Have you ever had someone pester you to go on a date?

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from How To Resist A Heartbreaker by Louisa George will be posted!

The Rise Of Zombies....

By Helen Lacey

I hadn't actually  intended writing a blog about Zombies....but yesterday I saw the trailer for Brad Pitt's new movie, World War Z. It got me thinking how the humble Zombie seems to have become the favourite monster of the moment, taking over from the avalanche of vamp and werewolf movies and books from the past five or more years.

So I Googled Zombies and discovered a whole lot of information about these undead, slow moving, unkempt, often moaning creatures I certainly would want to come face to face with.

According to Wikipedia - Zombies are fictional undead creatures regularly encountered in horror and fantasy themed works. They are typically depicted as mindless, reanimated corpses with a hunger for human flesh, and particularly for human brains in some depictions. Although they share their name and some superficial similarities with the zombie from Haitian Vodun, their links to such folklore are unclear. Many consider George A. Romero's seminal film The Night of the Living Dead to be the progenitor of these creatures.

Why have these creatures become so popular? I mean, they're not mysterious and sexy like a vampire or strong and powerful like a werewolf. Is it that they are a simple enemy? Not easily conquered but easily understood? With vampires morphing from the creepy Boris Karloff to the seductive and angsty Edward Cullen over the course of a couple of generations, or werewolves no longer being mindless animals simply out for blood, it's easy to see why the zombie has become so popular.

Did you know there was something called a Zombie Walk? Where a large group of Zombie enthusiasts get together in costume and act out zombie moves? Here's the link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_walk

Zombies, it seems, are suddenly cool.

Are you a zombie fan? Do you have a favourite book or movie like Shaun Of The Dead or I Am Legend? Will you be going to see World War Z?

And the winner is....

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Caribbean Cheer post.  And, the winner of The Love Deception ebook is Jenny Brigalow. Congratulations Jenny! 

Can you please contact Jennifer St George by visiting her website - www.jenniferstgeorge.com - and filling out the contact form to receive your prize.

Research - for fun and profit! Annie West

Paris Square

It was only after I was first published that I realised the importance of research. I discovered there is always someone who knows, (or believes they know) what you've written about in detail. Sometimes that knowledge is a source of pleasure and leads to a friendly discussion between reader and author, and maybe a sharing of reminiscences. If you get the detail wrong, its a source of dissatisfaction to a reader.

Desert sunset

As a contemporary author I'm lucky. I don't have to remember the intricacies of social mores in another time period, but there are still things to trip up an unwary author.

My first book was set partly in Wollemi National Park, NW of Sydney. A friendly reader contacted me saying they'd enjoyed the story but letting me know I'd erred in mentioning a Death Adder in the bush there. She'd lived in the Sydney region all her life and said Tiger Snakes and Browns were the ones in that area. Fortunately I knew that there were also death adders as I'd seen them when I'd bush walked in the same area as my characters. But that experience reminded me that readers DO care what they read and they care about whether you get it right.

Blue Mountains

Over the years I've had to research a range of topics - on the net, in person and via email. I've rung strangers in embassies to check on the likely prison sentence for a conviction of manslaughter in Italy. I've discussed the treatment illnesses with people who've experienced or treated them. I've visited a gun shop to have an in depth discussion on the use and abuse of certain firearms. I've chatted with people about their families' favourite recipes from their country of origin, learned about scuba diving near the Arabian Peninsula, watched programs on underwater archaeology and interrogated experts on the preservation of books and old documents. And that's just a taste of my research.

Alpine sleigh ride

Along the way I've discovered the research I enjoy most is the sort where I get to experience things first hand. In order to write my stories I rely on a strong sense of place. The location for my books must be vivid in my mind for me to proceed. I write based on places I know or places I've created in my mind, based on localities I've visited.

Here are a few places I've visited specifically for my writing. Paris has appeared in a couple of my books now and I love setting scenes there. Visiting that gorgeous city provided inspiration for quite a few scenes in my books and I know it's going to crop up again.

I've written quite a few sheikh romances but it was a while since I was in the Middle East so on a trip to Europe a few years ago I made a point of stopping and visiting some of the places I wanted to write about - including the desert at sunset and the souk (particularly the spice markets and the jewellery stores). The pictures I took are a source of inspiration but so too are memories of how it felt to be there and even the scent of the place.

Sleeping in a castle

'Undone By His Touch' was set in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Declan watched his brother fall to his death while climbing on a sheer cliff there and he still bears the scars. Walking in the mountains, and climbing those cliffs (albeit on stairs cut into the cliff rather than by rope) helped me visualise the location and write those scenes.

military uniform

Then there were the royal stories, set in an alpine kingdom that owed a lot to Ruritania. The first of these stories included a romantic sleigh ride through fresh powder snow in a gorgeous mountain setting. Yes, I could have written it without riding in a sleigh, but wow! Writing the scene was so much more vivid for having experienced it myself.

And if you're writing a royal story there's something to be said for visiting a castle. Not just visiting but staying there. I was lucky enough to spend a night in a castle overlooking the Rhine on a wintry night near Christmas. The skies weren't blue but the place was almost deserted because it was off season. As a result it felt as if we had the place to ourselves - just what you want if you're trying to imagine living there. And being a Cinderella story there was the question of uniforms. My Prince Charming needed an old style dress uniform for a ball - a perfect reason to check out a local historical museum for the finer points of dressing my alpha male.

Garden at Clos Luce

I'm including a photo of Clos Luce in Amboise, France. This is the garden surrounding the lovely old manor where Leonardo da Vince lived out his final years. After spending an afternoon there I had a stack of ideas for my book 'Defying Her Desert Duty' (which, despite the title is set mainly in France). I set several chapters in the house and the beautiful gardens, which inspired a pivotal scene I hadn't planned till my visit. It was being there in person that helped me work out, not merely the location, but the direction of the story.

I'm hoping to do plenty more research for future books, hopefully with a little travel thrown in and definitely with a chance to chat with interesting people.

How about you? If you're a writer what's the most interesting thing you've done in the name of research? If you're not a writer, what would you like an excuse to research?

Funday Monday!

I'm on the road and without internet connection!  

So I'm leaving you with this lovely "cat hug" from JigZone!

Take care and I'll chat when I get back!

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from  Amy Andrews, but first ...

the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is -- bn100


Can you please contact kammychetty(at) yahoo (dot) com to recieve your prize

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Taming the Tycoon by Amy Andrews.

Real estate tycoon Nathaniel Montgomery is one deal away from making his first billion and fulfilling a promise to his dying father. Nothing will stop himfrom tearing down the decrepit St. Agnes hospital and erecting posh condos in its place. Not even the crystal-wearing, health food store owner whose publicity stunt lands him in the hospital.

After her brush with death five years ago, child prodigy Addie Collins learned what's truly important--health, happiness, and the two-hundred-year-old rose garden at St. Agnes. To make amends for the accident, she agrees to pose as Nathaniel's girlfriend at his eccentric grandmother's birthday party.

But Addie has an ulterior motive. To repay her debt to the universe, she must show him there's more to life than making money. Nathaniel hates to lose, but as she breaks through his defenses, losing himself in Addie's arms might be exactly what this tycoon needs…

Scene Set-Up
Hippy chick Addie has been trying to show uptight tycoon Nate that there's more to life than counting money. And what a better way to demonsrate then showing him some of the hidden pleasures of the magnificent city they live in  - London. 

Now, on to the smooch!

Fifteen minutes later they were crammed like sardines into a tube carriage. Addie had slowly worked them towards the far back corner and Nathaniel had followed. It was hot from the warm weather and the press of bodies but her, “I’d keep that on if I were you,” when he’d tried to remove his jacket on the platform had prevented him from cooling down.

“I think I’ve been on the Tube enough now,” he grumbled as bored strangers crowded in around them. He was shielding her with his body and very conscious of the friction between them that built with every rock and sway of the train.

“Well, let’s see if I can make it worth your while,” she whispered as her fingers undid the two buttons holding his jacket together and slid inside as it flapped open.

When her thumb brushed against his fly, a jolt went through him and his eyes narrowed. “What are you doing?”

“Groping you,” she murmured as her fingers drifted back and forth.

He looked down, her furtive moments covered by the press of their bodies and the confines of his jacket. He checked around him. People stared into space, some with ear pieces in, others read, some people lucky enough to score seats chatted.

Mostly people avoided eye contact.

His groin stirred at her light finger strokes. He felt himself thicken and grow hard as she touched him through his trousers in front of hundreds of oblivious passengers.

“You brought me on the tube to grope me?” he whispered, dropping his mouth to her ear, his eyes shutting as she squeezed his throbbing erection

Addie smiled as she pressed the flat of her palm against him. “Yup.”

The air in his lungs grew thick and heavy as he resisted the overwhelming urge to push himself into her hand. “My mother warned me about girls like you,” he said, his voice low.

Authors are great people watchers and one of my favourite places in the world is an airport arrival/departure lounge. Public transport comes a close second! Ever witnessed any passionate moments whilst people-watching? Let me know in a comment and you go into the draw for an e-copy of Taming the Tycoon

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced -- and a smooch from  Rescuing Dawn by Nicole Flockton will be posted!

Celebrating The Love Deception with Some Traditional Caribbean Cheer

It’s the launch week of my new release, The Love Deception, which I’m just a tad excited about. Part of the book is set in Barbados.  Sadly, I’ve not been to the Caribbean, but my sister-in-law, Lisa, is part Jamaican so I was able to quiz her on all things Caribbean for the story. 

As this week is a celebration, she’s shared a special recipe with me, Caribbean Guinness Punch. This is what Lisa says about this concoction:

‘My grandfather's housekeeper used to make this fairly regularly.  It's quick to make, but the hardest part was waiting for it to chill. This "health" drink was supposed to give you vigour. I remember my first taste…all creamy and a hint of sharpness from the Guinness - magical!’

So here is how to whip up this tropical magic:

Ingredients:

            • 1 large can Guinness

            • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

            • ½ teaspoon nutmeg

            • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

            • 1 raw egg (beaten)

Method:

            • Break and beat the raw egg in a bowl

            • Place the Guinness, egg and condensed milk in a blender and mix

            • Pour the drink into a jug

            • Add cinnamon and nutmeg

            • Stir lightly and cover

            • Place in the refrigerator to chill.

            • Serve cold over a few cubes of ice

My heroine, Felicity Carter and my hero, Damon Fullbright don’t get the chance to try Caribbean Guinness Punch but they do eat in a fabulous ocean-front restaurant. Seafood is a specialty of the region and Felicity enjoys a platter of coconut shrimp followed by Cajun salmon with pesto cream sauce, grilled zucchini and tomato salsa. She doesn’t get time to eat dessert as disaster descends.

I wrote The Love Deception a few years ago and entered it into a number of competitions.  This scene was consistently commented on as a favourite. So, here’s a taste:

‘I can understand now why you didn’t want to hire me.’ Defeat and shame suffused her words.

‘Mmm.’

‘I don’t know what happened.’

‘Not your usual behaviour?’ His voice softened from rock hard to gritty gravel.

‘No.’ She flicked furiously at her eyes with her fingertips. Great, now she might cry in front of him. ‘I never behave that way,’ she said. ‘Never.’

Damon sat. He studied her carefully. ‘I suppose everyone makes mistakes.’

Mistakes! He’d just earnt a lifetime of gratitude for his understatement.

‘Yeah, but stripping in front of your future boss, while so drunk you don’t know what you’re doing, has to be a career-killing move.’

‘I hope your work is as good as your dancing.’

Her heart pulled back on the throttle. A joke. At a time like this. After her accusations, she wouldn’t have blamed him for calling Security.

‘I’ll do anything to prove I’m not that person.’ She sounded pitiable and needy, but he had to be convinced.

‘I can’t simply forget what happened.’ His voice had lost its accusatory edge. ‘I’m not convinced that night was just a one-time thing.’

‘I understand.’

‘Show me what you’ve got professionally, and we’ll see how things work out.’

‘Thank you.’ The oxygen levels improved. She breathed a deep, controlled and calming breath. ‘I won’t disappoint you.’ Her gaze slipped slightly off-centre. Left and down. ‘I promise.’

‘We’ll see.’

She stood and walked to the door. Opening it, she turned.

‘Thank you.’

‘Don’t let me have cause to haul you back in here for another dressing-down,’ he said.

She hoped from now on they could omit any mention of dressing, or lack thereof, from their relationship.

‘You can count on it.’

But she lied. Damon was probably only days away from discovering who she was. Then this little fracas would look like a flicker next to a nuclear explosion.

Do you have a traditional family recipe or an old faithful (you know the one that makes you look like Nigella in the kitchen). Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Love Deception e-book. 

The Love Deception is available now from Amazon, Apple, Kobo and Destiny Romance.