McKenna Jeffries

Today’s snippet theme is Worldbuilding.To get you into the world I created I’m letting one of my character’s do the talking. Below is part of an exclusive feature I posted to my chat group last year. It is called Between the Pages a sort of inside look into what the characters are thinking and feeling. There were various part for the characters, excerpts and so on. Giving you the heroine’s perspective of her hero. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.

Between the Pages
Conquering Jazz
Heroine Perspective
By: McKenna Jeffries
Copyright © 2008 by McKenna Jeffries
All rights reserved.

Below is the Heroine Perspective, a conversation with Jasmine Hamlin from Conquering Jazz. This is not an excerpt from the novel but a look at what Jasmine is thinking.

*****

A conversation with about JASMINE. “JAZZ” HAMLIN, about REESE BRYANT

Sitting on her sofa in her living room Jasmine Hamlin leans forward sinking her fingers into her hair as she speaks about Reese.

“How can I resist a man who knows me so well that I can’t make a choice to either run for my life or rip his clothes off and just take him? Oh god why is he such a delectable temptation. Damn it Reese Bryant should wear a label that says in big neon red letter. “Beware to sexy to be handled without combat gear.”

Raising her head and dropping her hands, her chocolate brown eyes furious Jasmine crosses her arms across her chest as her bare foot starts to tap against the lush carpet.

“Reese thinks he is slick trying to romance me like were going to be a couple. All I wanted was S-E-X. SEX . Hot mind-blowing sex. And that’s what I got but now with these little romantic gestures of his. He thinks I don’t know what he is doing.”

In agitation, she rises and starts to pace back and forth before the couch.

“He thinks that with time he can show me what we can have. It won’t work. ”

In a voice soft with despair, Jasmine leans against the couch her hands gripping the arm tightly.

(more…)

Today’s snippet theme is Holiday. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Distantly, he heard her say, “Your afternoon appointments have been cancelled.”

Jasmine looked up at him lazily. Her smile beckoned him. She pulled his head to her, and as she started to kiss him, she whispered, “Come with me.”

He sank into the sweet taste of her mouth. He would follow her anywhere.

****

Reese pulled the car into the driveway and turned it off, looking at the beautiful, large stone house. It had the look of a quaint cottage. The sign as they drove in had read “Ellis Hideaway,” but it should have been called Paradise. The place had a charming feeling about it. The unique stones on the house were complimented by wide bay windows, an oak door, and a wraparound porch. Counting the terraces, Reese realized there seemed to be a separate one for each room in the structure’s six floors.

Jasmine asked, “What do you think?”

Turning, he saw she had a smiling, smug look on her face. Usually, he had been the one to initiate them going on a weekend getaway. He leaned in and kissed her, softly and thoroughly, before pulling away.

He saw pleasure fill her eyes when he replied, “You’re beautiful.” Her melodious laughter made his body clench in reaction.

“Come on,” Jasmine said, opening the door and getting out.

Chuckling, Reese got out of the car on his side while she walked around to join him. She hooked her arm with his, gazing at the house. Reese studied the cobblestone walkway, surrounded by lush vegetation on both sides. Manicured gardens of roses and many different flowers were as far as the eye could see. Huge weeping willow trees surrounded the property, making a gate made from nature. Cocking his head, Reese could swear he heard water running. But glancing around, he couldn’t find the source.

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

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

Lauren Dane
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels
Jody Wallace
Lacey Savage

Today’s snippet theme is Foodies. Below is a sexy explicit food scene from my book. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz….

Turning, she walked away to the refrigerator in the corner. Reese watched as she opened it, taking out a bottle of honey.

Eyeing the honey, Reese asked huskily, “What’s that for?”

Looking at him from under her lashes, Jasmine questioned. “What?” Reese gestured to the honey in her hand.

In a mischievous tone, Jasmine said, “I use this for my tea in the morning. Don’t you remember?”

Confused, Reese looked from her to the honey. “I do. But you plan to make tea now?”

“No, I plan for you to make it for me—after.” She moved over to the couch, putting the honey on the table beside Reese.

Smiling at her, Reese said, “You won’t have enough energy for tea.”

(more…)

Today’s snippet theme is Humor. Here is a look at a fun interaction between Reese, my hero and Jermaine, his best friend. It is long so placed it behind a link. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Looking up, he saw Jermaine framed in the doorway. He came forward to sit on the side of Reese’s desk. His grin tipped Reese off that Jermaine was going to ask him to do something he wouldn’t like.

“Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

Jermaine chuckled. “How can you say no, and you don’t even know the question yet?”

“Like this. No. See how easy that was?”

Jermaine gave him a pleading look. Reese laughed, shaking his head. Jermaine put his palm to his head and slid off the desk to the floor. Reese stood, walked around the desk, and saw him lying on the floor on his back. When Jermaine saw Reese, he started laughing. Shaking his head, Reese watched him. The man was crazy.

From his prone position, Jermaine said, “You wound me, buddy. Haven’t I, without question, supported you in anything you needed…?”

Reese leaned back on his desk, getting comfortable as Jermaine tried to guilt him into doing whatever it was that he wanted done. Knowing Jermaine’s usual mode of operation, it could take a while for him to get to the point. Reese listened as his friend expounded on the virtue of his struggle to be a nice, forgiving man, sensitive to others and their needs. He continued on with how no one asked about his needs and wants. If he didn’t know Jermaine so well, Reese would have thought he was serious. Each time Jermaine really wanted something, he would deliver a flowery speech to lull you into submission, or a coma. Jermaine was slick, and if you weren’t careful, you would agree, just out of self defense, before you even heard what he wanted.

Chuckling, Reese thought of the last time Jermaine had talked him into doing him a favor that he lived to regret. He had come into the room and slid across the floor, belting out his own version of what friendship meant, to the beat of Proud Mary.

Reese remembered he had laughed so hard, he had agreed to finish up the negotiations for the Simpson account without knowing it. He would have normally had no problem with it, but he had to go to the Simpson’s chateau to finish it up. Still no problem, except Jermaine had forgotten to mention one tiny detail about Mr. Simpson’s wife, who was prone to show up naked in unsuspecting men’s rooms.

Jermaine hadn’t warned him to be careful, and he’d had a hell of a time running around the room trying to duck her, and then convincing her to leave. He did convince her, eventually, and when he had asked Jermaine about the lack of warning upon his return, Jermaine had laughed his head off, like he was doing now. Reese’s gaze narrowed. Jermaine really was up to something.

Wondering if Jermaine had found out him and Jasmine, Reese watched him closely. He didn’t seem upset as he lay on the ground. Jermaine seemed to be in one of his more playful moods.

He finally wrapped up by saying, “Isn’t it moi who came up with the idea to start this firm, and the one who is the senior partner?”

Reese made a rude snort at that. Jermaine looked at him, trying to act offended, but failing as he laughed. Standing, he leaned next to Reese, throwing his arm around his shoulder.

“My buddy and old friend, I need you to do something for me.”

Watching him, Reese thought, here it comes. He braced to say no.

Jermaine caught him off guard by saying, “Actually, I need two things from you. The first is easy for you to do, but the second is a little more complicated. First, I want you to find out who Jazz’s new man is.”

(more…)

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:

Lauren Dane
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
HelenKay Dimon
TJ Michaels

Today’s snippet theme is Vacations/Exotic Locales. Here is a look at the romantic getaway my characters went on in the story. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Reese pulled the car into the driveway and turned it off, looking at the beautiful, large stone house. It had the look of a quaint cottage. The sign as they drove in had read “Ellis Hideaway,” but it should have been called Paradise. The place had a charming feeling about it. The unique stones on the house were complimented by wide bay windows, an oak door, and a wraparound porch. Counting the terraces, Reese realized there seemed to be a separate one for each room in the structure’s six floors.

Jasmine asked, “What do you think?”

Turning, he saw she had a smiling, smug look on her face. Usually, he had been the one to initiate them going on a weekend getaway. He leaned in and kissed her, softly and thoroughly, before pulling away.

He saw pleasure fill her eyes when he replied, “You’re beautiful.” Her melodious laughter made his body clench in reaction.

“Come on,” Jasmine said, opening the door and getting out.

Chuckling, Reese got out of the car on his side while she walked around to join him. She hooked her arm with his, gazing at the house. Reese studied the cobblestone walkway, surrounded by lush vegetation on both sides. Manicured gardens of roses and many different flowers were as far as the eye could see. Huge weeping willow trees surrounded the property, making a gate made from nature. Cocking his head, Reese could swear he heard water running. But glancing around, he couldn’t find the source.

Reese turned at the sound of the door opening. He was unable to see the person clearly in the shadows of the porch, but assumed it was a woman by the shape. She came forward and waved at them, and Jasmine waved back.

Curious, he asked, “You know someone here?”

Jasmine glanced at him. “Don’t you recognize her?”

Reese observed the lovely woman coming toward them. She looked familiar. Then realization dawned, and he chuckled. “I thought Chantal was in Italy.”

“She came back a couple of months ago, after this place was ready.”

“She’s the owner?”

“Yes, and Karim is ecstatic that he was able to convince her to buy this place and open the bed and breakfast she always wanted. He’s very pleased to have his sister living nearby.”

Chantal arrived in front of them, embracing Reese before turning to Jasmine and doing the same. She stepped back and studied Jasmine from head to foot, then glanced at him, giving him a wink.

In a lightly accented voice, Chantal said, “Reese Bryant, it’s been a long time, il miele. Still sexy as ever. Why don’t you dump this la vecchia mucca and run away with me?”

Laughing, he took her hand, kissing it as he said, “Chantal, I can’t even dream of having someone of your beauty. Ouch.” He rubbed his stomach where Jasmine had hit him.

“Don’t call me an “old cow,” Chantal,” Jasmine said. Noting her friend’s surprised look, she continued, laughing. “Hah! Didn’t think I knew what you said, did you? I’ve been learning so I can know when you’re insulting me. You better behave, before I forget that you’re family.”

Chantal pouted playfully. “Come on, Jazz, you know I’m kidding with my favorite cousin.”

“Batting those eyes at me won’t work. You only say that to get out of trouble. Try it on your brother, and mine.”

“Pash, my brother is too smart to fall for it, but your brothers are another story. Would it work on you, Reese?”

Chantal started to touch him, but Jasmine stopped her. “Don’t you dare!” Chantal laughed, Jasmine joined her, and they hugged again.

Looking at them, Reese joined in their laughter. Chantal Ellis, Jasmine’s cousin, had lived in Italy for a number of years. She was a lovely woman, trim with light toffee-colored skin, sculpted features, and short, curly hair. Her eyes were the most startling shade of lavender. He knew they were inherited from her father. She gave him a warning glare over Jasmine’s shoulder.

He smiled, trying not to laugh. Chantal was very protective of Jasmine, even though Chantal was younger. Frowning, Reese remembered the last time she had come for a visit. It was right after the Derek fiasco, and it had taken all of them to stop her from going after him. She had a nasty temper.

Chantal had whisked Jasmine away to Italy. After she returned, Jasmine had refused to talk about Derek, and acted as if he never existed. With this trip out of town, Jasmine had ruined his plan to go see Derek. But he was still going, as soon as they got back to New York.

Reese ignored Chantal’s questioning look and shook his head. He sighed as her expression changed to curiosity. A curious Chantal was a bad thing. Unless he could distract her, she would torture him until she found out what was going on.

She stepped back from Jasmine, saying, “I missed you, Jazz. It’s been so long since you came to see me. I thought since I lived closer now, you would come and see me, but you haven’t. Been too busy, I see.” Chantal pointedly looked in Reese’s direction.

Grinning, Reese winked.

Shaking a finger at him, Chantal continued talking to Jasmine. “I was going to drop in on you when I came to New York in a couple of weeks to see Auntie Raina. I’ve been trying to reach her to set it up, but I can’t get her. Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Mom is in Paris on a buying trip for the boutique. She’ll be gone for a few months, but you can still come for a visit. You can stay with me.”

“I might. Tell her hi for me when you speak with her,” Chantal said. Then she gestured to the magnificent structure behind her. “So, what do you think?”

“The last time I was here, I knew it was going to be nice, but this is fabulous!” Jasmine replied enthusiastically.

“Thanks. It took me a lot of hard work and time to get it just right, but at last, it’s almost the way I want it. Come on in. You must be tired from the trip. I’ll send the bell hop for your bags.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll get them,” Reese replied.

Chantal nodded her agreement. She hooked arms with Jasmine and started toward the house. Reese watched them stroll up the walkway, and their laughter followed in their wake. Jasmine glanced back over her shoulder, giving him a sizzling look and winking at him before turning around.

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

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Jody Wallace
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd

Today’s snippet theme is Playlists. Music and I have a love affair. One that has gone back for as long as I can remember. My dad loved music and passed that onto me. Music is an integral part of my creative process and my every day life.

I’ve created a few different Writing Playlists for my books. It goes by which scene I am working on. Sexy songs for love scenes or intense songs for those black moments. Here is a partial list of one of my Writing Playlist.

We can’t be Friends by Deborah Cox
No One by Alicia Keys
Truth Is by Fantasia
Halo by Beyonce
Last Night’s Letter
Diamond and Pearls by Prince
As we Lay by Kelly Price
Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston
Shameless by GArth Brooks
Kiss of a Rose by Seal
Te Quiero by Belida and Flex
Rainy Dayz by Mary J. Blige and Ja Rule
Yesterday by Leona Lewis

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
Shelley Munro
Eliza Gayle
Ashley Ladd
Lauren Dane

Today’s snippet theme is Dancing. This is one of my fav scences =. It is with my heroine, her brothers and friend. Enjoy.

An snippet from Conquering Jazz…

Opening the door of Visions, Jasmine remembered how Reese had looked when she left for work–sexy and tousled. It was hard for her to get out of bed with him looking so delicious, but she had work to make up for after leaving early on Friday. Going inside the lobby, she locked the door behind her, then noticed that there was no sound in the office.

Listening carefully, she confirmed it. She started to sing I Had a Hot Night Last Night, a song she and her brothers had made up to tease each other with when they were caught out late, or came to any function late. Singing at the top of her lungs, she knew she was off-key and didn’t care. She knew her Aunt Ainsley, who was singer before she got married, would be horrified to hear her. Walking further into the room, she dropped her briefcase on the ground and kicked off her shoes, then climbed up on the burgundy couch.

Facing the wall, she kept singing and started to dance. Jasmine felt exhilarated as she moved along the couch, bumping and grinding her hips from one end to the other, kicking the cream and hunter green cushions onto the floor. Coming back, she stopped in the middle of the couch and spread her arms wide, shimmying and moving.

A pair of hands grabbed her off the couch, startling her. Hearing his husky laugh, she knew it was Jamison. He turned her and she glanced up into his twinkling hazel gaze. Then he twirled her, and all she could do was hang on. He stopped, then started to dance himself. From the moves, Jasmine knew it was the Samba.

Picking up his rhythm, she joined him. She saw a flash of red, then glanced over to see Wolfe and Mia dancing the Salsa. They moved perfectly together. A whistle from Jamison caught her attention. Wolfe looked up, nodded and then she was twirling. Everything was a blur, and the wind blew across her face.

Jasmine felt Jamison’s arm ripple as he twirled her. Then he let go and she was sent into Wolfe’s arms. He caught her and, without breaking a step, changed to the Tango. All Jasmine could do was hold on and go with him.

Wolfe still dances beautifully. I wonder if Reese still knows how to do this, Jasmine thought as they started across the floor.

Jasmine knew they all could dance beautifully. After all, their mother, Raina Hamlin, had been a professional dancer at one time. She had taught all the Hamlin kids, Mia included, to dance. Jasmine couldn’t believe she still remembered the steps to the dance number her mother had created for the family, which she dubbed the “Hamlin Special”.

Hearing Mia shriek, she glanced at her in time to see Jamison swing Mia behind his back, and then pull her between his legs. Jasmine laughed in delight, then felt Wolfe shift his hold. He did the same thing as Jamison, but brought her up in the air, over his head, and held her there.

Looking up at the ceiling, Jasmine balanced as she had been taught all those years ago. She knew from experience that Wolfe wouldn’t drop her. He was one of the few people she trusted to try this move and never break his hold. He brought her back down smoothly, and into a deep dip, then went back into the Tango. Glancing over, she saw Mia and Jamison were doing the same thing. Wolfe spun her into his body, then out, letting her go. The turn lifted her dress. Then she stopped, and saw that she and Mia had ended up next to each other, as they always had.

Glancing down, she quickly put on her shoes. She needed them for the next part. Looking back at her brothers, she laughed as they did the Tango around the room, waiting for her to finish. They couldn’t decide who would lead. Nodding at Mia, Jasmine started the finale for the dance. Her brothers stopped and waited for them.

Jasmine started toward them in sexy strut, leg over leg. Then she stopped, halfway turning to face Mia. Bending from the waist, Jasmine put her hands to the floor before straightening slowly. Mia kicked one leg into the air and balanced on one shoe. Shaking her head, Jasmine didn’t try the move. She had never gotten it perfected, as Mia had. Mia slowly lowered her leg to the floor. Picking up the next step, Jasmine, along with Mia, continued to the men.

Reaching them, they walked around them once, then stopped to face them. Wolfe’s hand gripped her waist, and Jasmine dropped backward, curling her back. He held her as he swept her body across the floor, then took her into his arms and started the dance.

The steps were intricate and choreographed by their mother, a mixture of Modern, Italian, and Jazz. Jasmine enjoyed the exhilaration of letting loose. She hadn’t realized before how much she missed doing this with her brothers.

I’ll ask Reese if he wants to go dancing, or maybe we’ll have a private dance, she mused.

Laughing, she kicked her leg up around Wolfe’s waist and he held her, lowering her leg to the floor, then pulling her straight up before spinning her and going into a deep dip. Breathing harshly, Jasmine gasped for air. Looking at Wolfe, she saw he wasn’t even out of breath. He was laughing down at her.

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

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd
Lauren Dane

Today’s snippet theme is Is this a date? 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.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Jody Wallace
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Emma Petersen
HelenKay Dimon
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Ashley Ladd

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

A snippet from Wicked Burn…

“Are you meditating, or is there a reason you’re at my door?”

His eyes snapped open at the sound of the smoky voice he had missed so much. He met her topaz gaze hungrily. It still made his heart race. Her dark brown hair was in her usual braid, resting on one shoulder. Her broad forehead was wrinkled in a frown, while her full nose flared. She was so sexy and cute all at once. She licked her lush, dark pink lips. Thoughts of her taste filled his head.

“Have you gone mute?” Yasmine asked.

She crossed her arms over her breasts and leaned against the doorjamb.

“No. Can I come in?” He found his voice.

“Are you here to make more grand declarations?” She looked at him with the suspicious look he loved.

“No.” He stifled a smile.

He had missed her sharp tongue. She stepped back and walked into the house. He stepped in, closing the door behind him. He followed her, watching the sexy sway of her full ass. He had missed a lot of things. Yasmine strode through the kitchen, then out the back patio doors. She sat on a chair by the patio table and curled her legs under her. Sedeo leaned on the railing close to her. He studied her.

“Are you going to speak anytime soon?”

“I’ve missed you, Yasmine.” He smiled softly.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. “Really? No word for more than three weeks, and you missed me, huh?”

He looked off to the ocean and said, “I couldn’t face you with false promises, without knowing for sure I can deal with what you do.”

“I guess you came to a realization. From your tone, I already know what’s coming. So what is it, Sedeo? The great break up? We already went through this!” Yasmine snapped.

He looked at her. She was sitting with her arms crossed, her back stiff.

“Yes, we have. And Yasmine, I know I can never accept what you do. I’ll always have this ball in my gut when you go to work,” he stated.

“So much for not making any great declarations. Just leave, Sedeo.” Yasmine jumped up and stood at the porch railing, as far away from him as she could get.

She gripped the wood tightly and looked out at the ocean. Sedeo followed her and leaned against the rail next to her. Yasmine stiffened.

“God, Sedeo. I can’t do this again. Please leave.” Her voice was hoarse.

“I can’t,” he replied.

“Why?” She turned to him, her fists clenched.

Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. Sedeo closed the distance between them, and she flinched in response. He ignored her reaction and stiff posture and pulled her against him.

“I can’t live with what you do, but I find not being with you supersedes everything else.”

“What are you saying?” She blinked at him.

“From the first time I laid eyes on you, even though it was during the worst moment of my life, I felt as if I’d been burned. You were burned into my soul. I hated myself for lusting after you when my sister lay dying. For weeks, I thought of you. Then when you came to me all I could think of was I wanted you. But I was still ashamed of myself for it. For weeks after, I stayed away, and then came to you. As I got to know you, I knew then it wasn’t just a sexual attraction, but something more. I fought it because I didn’t want to face what you are. You fight fires, and they killed someone I love.” He raised a trembling hand and smoothed it against her cheek. “I’m afraid it will take you from me.”

“Sedeo, we don’t have any control over when it’s our time to die.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “I know. God, I do. But it scares me your life is in danger whenever you go to work.” He paused and studied her face, then continued. “That will never change, but I can’t be without you. Can’t stand one more moment without you. Holding you and being with you. I love you, Yasmine.”

Yasmine was silent as she studied him. After a few moments, she raised her hand and slapped him upside the head.

“You’re such a dunderhead, Sedeo Parker.”

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

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