McKenna Jeffries

Today’s snippet theme is Arrivals. Below is a scene from a book I co-authored Aliyah Burke. Enjoy.

A snippet from Wicked Burn…

One night as she stood in the kitchen barefoot, making herself a salad for dinner, the doorbell chimed. Munching on a carrot, she walked to the door and pulled it open. The sight on the other side almost caused her to choke. The man who’d been haunting her dreams stood there, holding the cute little girl in his arms, a bag on one shoulder.

“H…h…hi,” she managed to mutter. Holy hell, he’s even hotter than I dreamt.

Shelby cooed and reached for her, and without thought, Yasmine took her into her arms. The gentle scent of innocence washed over her.

“Would you believe we were in the neighborhood?” One side of his mouth curved up in a disarming smile. Yet she could see in the depths of his eyes more than a bit uncertainty.

Did she? And did she really care? “Come on in,” she said, stepping back to allow them in the house.

“We’re not interrupting, are we?” he asked as he moved past her.

“Nope, fixing a bite to eat before Rufus and I go for a walk.”

“Rufus?” Sedeo asked.

Jerking her head toward the door, she said, “The one putting nose prints on my sliding glass door.”

“Puppy!” Shelby cried and struggled to get down.

With a smile, Yasmine set her on her feet, well aware Rufus was fine with kids.

“Is she…is he okay? Will she…?” Sedeo babbled.

Without thought, she placed a hand on his arm and said, “She’ll be fine. Rufus loves kids.”

The heat from his skin seared her palm, and she swallowed rapidly. Removing her hand, she moved to the door, opening it to allow Rufus to come inside. Keeping her gaze on the two on the floor, she made sure all was good between dog and child. She longed to stand near him again, but part of her make-up was following the rules and doing what was best. Getting involved with Sedeo Parker was not what was best.

A shadow fell across her, and she looked up at the man who stood a few inches taller than her. He stared down at her with longing in his gaze. Her belly churned, and her legs became shaky. Everything in the room shrank to the two of them, nothing more, and nothing less. In slow motion, he cupped the side of her face and lowered his mouth to hers.

Nothing else mattered, aside from the fact his lips were nearing hers. At first touch, she whimpered. His lips were made for kissing. He nibbled gently before covering her mouth. She moaned as his tongue slid along her lips and sought entrance. Yasmine opened on a sigh.

It was a slow exploration of the recess of her mouth, and Yasmine allowed him to set his pace. Her fingers curled into her palms so she didn’t grab him. It was finished almost before it started, and when he pulled back, his eyes swirled with barely restrained passion.

“Hate me if you must, Yasmine Van Cort, but I had to kiss you,” he mumbled against her lips.

Copyright © 2009 Aliyah Burke and McKenna Jeffries
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

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Today’s snippet theme is Black Moment. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Bracing for him to leave her, she turned to look at him. Seeing the sorrow and pity in his eyes was an even worse blow. She knew Reese would feel obligated to stay with her now, but she couldn’t let him. Turning away, she got up and walked to the other side of the room, away from him.

“I can’t give you what you want, Reese, so leave. I know you feel sorry for me now that you know, but I don’t want that. And I don’t want you to miss out on having children. I was selfish, just wanting you for me, but…”

Jasmine jumped as he roared, “Who the hell do you think you are?”

Turning to face him, she instinctively backed up at the rage she saw on his face. Catching herself, she stopped and stood her ground. In awe, she watched him battle to control his anger. His eyes snapped with not only anger, but also hurt.

His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “How could you think I wouldn’t want you, or still love you, because you can’t have kids? My love isn’t that shallow. This is real, Jasmine. It’s not about what you can give or not give me. I love you, Jasmine.” He stopped, waiting expectantly.

Hope blossomed in her as she looked into his angry face. Thinking of how happy she could be with him, Jasmine started toward him. But she stopped as she remembered what happened the last time she let herself love. Putting her arms around her stomach, she knew she couldn’t allow it. Emptiness filled her, making her heart ache. Battling tears, she looked at him. He deserved a whole woman, not someone as broken as she was.

Forcing herself, she said the words she knew would drive him away. “Ha! I thought what I had with Derek was real. Look what it got me. Nothing but pain and anguish. I can’t love you, Reese. I never can.”

Her breath caught at the devastation on his face. She waited for him to storm out. He looked at her through wounded eyes, and silently took a small jewelry box out of his pocket. His movements stiff, he walked over to the center table and flung the box down. It bounced from the table onto the floor as he turned, walking out the door and slamming it behind him.

The silence echoed after he left. Shaken, Jasmine stood frozen in place. Her body ached. Finally, she moved forward, and taking the box off the floor, opened it. Seeing his mother’s engagement ring, she collapsed onto the floor. Silent tears rolled down her face. Rocking back and forth, she wrapped her arms around her body, trying to ward off the pain.

After a while, she drew a shaky breath, wiped her eyes, and stood slowly, each movement agony. Closing the box, she placed it slowly onto the table. Listlessly, she gathered her bag and went out the door. She hurried to her car and got behind the wheel. She started the car and pulled out of the drive. Briefly, she glanced at Reese’s house and saw he wasn’t there. Turning, she drove down the street as tears flowed, blurring her vision.

Copyright © McKenna Jeffries, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Liquid Silver Books.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

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