FREE READ - NEW BEGINNINGS

Here is the second episode of my free read for Secret Cravings Publishing, New Beginnings, Love Knows No Boundaries.

  Sam Caldwell, fresh from the Army in 1968 goes to Jefferson College in Washington, D.C. He meets a beautiful girl, Ellen Wells, on his first day. But he's skunked by another guy who moves in on her before Sam can get the chance. This picks up where we left off:

The registration lines at the administration building were long leaving Sam tired and irritable when he got to his dorm. The big brick building consisted of small rooms set up to house one freshman each. Sam threw his duffle in the armoire and dumped his book and papers on the desk. He lay down on the bed. 

 Six-inch mattress. Beats the cot in ‘Nam.

A knock on the door woke him. He got up and found himself face-to-face with Bill Ryan.

“What the hell do you want” Sam glared at his rival.

“Navy. You’re a vet, too, right.”

“Army. What’s it to you?” Sam squared his shoulders.

Ryan cupped his hand to his mouth to shield his words.

“Have you noticed the pussies around here?”

Sam’s eyes perused the hall. He saw baby-faced eighteen-year-olds, some not even shaving yet.

“I bet all of these guys are virgins,” Bill whispered.

Sam opened his door wider to admit Bill, then returned to the bed.

“What’s your major, Ryan?”

“Chemistry. Planning on chem engineering Masters. You?”

“Bio. Not sure what advanced degree.”

“These pussies are going to be getting drunk, barfing all over the place trying to get laid…kindergarten. We may have to bust a few heads.”

 “I came here to get an education not wet nurse these ass wipes.”

“Me, too. Where’s the mess tent?”

“You mean the cafeteria?” Sam chuckled. “You’re so handy with the map, find it yourself.” A smug smile formed on Sam’s lips.

“Pissed I beat you out with the babe?” Bill leaned against the armoire.

“I saw her first.” Sam sat up.

“She gets to pick who she wants to screw.”

“Don’t think she’s an easy-lay type.”

“And you got that intel from fifteen seconds of chitchat?” Bill cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah…no…well, something about her. She’s classy.”

“She’s a broad, like all broads, Caldwell.”

“You think she’s an easy lay? Put your money where your mouth is.”

“I’ll get her into bed…starting Friday.” Bill sank into the uncomfortable looking desk chair.

“Friday? You’ve got a date with her already?” Sam pushed to his feet.

“Hell, yeah. You thought I wanted to borrow her pen? An excuse, buddy.”

“Okay, hot shot. Five bucks says you can’t seduce her in five dates.”

“Five? Hah, piece of cake. You’re on.” A wicked grin spread across Bill Ryan’s handsome face.

 “I’m coming, too. Gotta keep you honest.”

“You gonna get in bed with us?”

“I’ll get a date. Then we’ll see.”

“Bet she can find someone for you. I’ll call her.”

“You got her number, too?” Sam stood in awe.

 

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First Chapter Friday - Champagne for Christmas

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by on this First Chapter Friday. I have the first chapter of Champagne for Christmas for you today. Although it was written as a Christmas story, it starts out in the summertime. So let's begin there. I've added some pix of Pine Grove, too. Here is the lake. Perfect for skinny dipping!

 A little bit about the book

 Can a craving for mint chip ice cream and a passion for the theater turn a summer romance into everlasting love? Clint is a high school English teacher and a budding playwright. Nina is a former actress, now a beautiful and wealthy widow...who is more than a little lonely. A chance meeting over mint chip ice cream brings them together. Their love of the theater joins their minds while love blossoms despite a gap in their ages. But ultimately, the theater may present the one hurdle they can’t clear. Take the journey with Nina and Clint through their discovery of each other, their joy and the ultimate compromise they must make to live their dream of footlights, fame and love.

Leafy lover's lane in Pine Grove.

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TUESDAY TALES! PROMPT, CITY - MY CHOICE. NEW YORK CITY!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I have a new WIP begun some time ago that I've just started revising this week. Here is the opening scene from a brand-new work-in-progress titled, To Love or Not to Love. The city I chose for my prompt this week is New York City.

One minute he was running on the bridle path in Central Park, the next he was flying through the air! Penn Robinson landed flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him for a second. He looked up into a pair of soulful brown eyes belonging to a handsome Golden Retriever.

Buddy! Was it Buddy, his beloved golden, who died seven years ago?

He reached up to touch the dog he didn’t believe was real when he heard a voice.

“Are you hurt? Should I call 911?”

Penn switched his gaze from the dog, who had now begun to lick his face, to the most beautiful pair of green eyes, framed in black lashes he had ever seen. Her face with a peaches-n-cream complexion was framed with long hair as dark as midnight.

“Lucky didn’t mean to knock you over. See, he’s sorry.” The dog continued to lick him. “Are you okay? Can you talk?”

Penn pushed himself into a sitting position.

“I’ll live. Is this your dog?” He petted Lucky’s back.

 “I’m his dogwalker.”

“Some dogwalker…can’t keep control of your dog.” His eyes moved from Lucky to the stunning woman crouched before him. His gaze roamed over her luscious figure with curves in all the right places.

“You’re okay?” Her brows knitted.

“No thanks to Lucky, here…or you, for that matter.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. When he sees a squirrel, he bolts. My fault all the way. I’m Miranda Bradford.” She stood up then extended her hand.

Penn used it to pull himself up.

“Penn Robinson.”

“What can I do to make it up to you?” Miranda picked up the dog’s leash.

It was a gorgeous day in Central Park in New York City, warm, with clear blue skies and sunshine so bright it coated all the flowers and leaves with brilliance. It was a day like every other day in early June in New York City. Penn looked at his watch.

“Have breakfast with me at the boathouse.”

“I can’t…Lucky here.”

“We’ll eat outside. He’s allowed to sit with us.”

“Glad to see your injury isn’t fatal. It hasn’t killed your appetite.” She tried to hide a smile.

She wore black bicycle shorts topped by a low-cut turquoise tank top. The outfit molded her figure perfectly, leaving little to his imagination – which kicked into overdrive anyway.

“My stomach…and my appetite…have remained unharmed. Will you join me?”

So has my appetite for beautiful young women.

“Guess so. If you’re a serial killer, Lucky’ll protect me.”

“How? By licking me to death?” Penn continued to pet the retriever as they moved toward the lake. A smile played with his lips.

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FREE READ! NOW AND FOREVER: THE BEGINNING

Since there seems to be a glitch in the posting of my free read today, I'm posting it here for those who are following. Just today's and last week's' episodes as you can get the earlier ones on the Secret Cravings Website.

So here it is and thanks a million for following and reading the story!

Part Fourteen – 06/05/12

                        “Don’t keep me in suspense, Sam.”

                        “I want to hear the final piece you’re going to play.”

                        “And so we’re going to…?”

                        “The practice rooms.”

                        “Now?”

                        “Now.”

                        Ellen’s face lit up with a huge smile. She squeezed his hand and quickened her pace to keep up with his long stride.

                        “I’d love to play for you.”

                        When they got to the music building, Ellen fished the key entrusted to her by Professor Smythe out of her handbag. She opened the door, turned on the hall light then led Sam up the stairs to the practice room on the second floor.

                        He opened the windows to let in the cool, moist evening air while Ellen dragged a chair nearer to the piano. She opened the file cabinet, thumbed through papers until she found her music. Sam sat in the metal chair, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles. Ellen began the piece.

                        While she played, Sam sat back, listening. This is beautiful. She has a gift. The sweet music washed over him and his mind wandered. An image of him sitting in a comfortable chair reading a newspaper, listening to his wife play piano lodged in his mind. Wife? No, no, no. Not ready, not now. Still he couldn’t shake the image until she finished the piece.

                        “God, I messed up there in the middle, could you tell? Professor Smythe will know. Crap.”

                        “It was perfect.”

                        Ellen smiled.

                        “You’re my friend, of course you’d say that.”

                        Ellen switched off the light, stood up and stretched, raising her hands above her head. Sam walked over behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Using his thumbs, he massaged the tension out of her taut muscles. Ellen rotated her head and sighed softly.

                        “That better?”

                        “Much…don’t stop.” She closed her eyes as his strong fingers kneaded the flesh above her shoulder blades. She slumped a bit and leaned back against Sam. He leaned over and planted light kisses up and down her neck as he snaked his arm around her waist. 

                        Without words, Ellen turned slowly and fell into his arms. Sam’s mouth claimed hers in a demanding kiss. His tongue coaxed Ellen’s out to meet his while his fingers caressed the back of her neck. When he stepped back, his eyes connected with hers. He detected a flicker of passion behind her cautious look. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself up against his hard chest.

                        Sam bent his head and kissed her again. He took his time, his tongue swiping lightly over her bottom lip. Then his mouth pressed down hard on hers and his hands moved to her shoulders. He unbuttoned the top three buttons of her blouse and rested his cool hand against the warm skin of her chest. Blocked by her bra, he slipped the strap down allowing his lips to trail down from her neck to her chest. His hand eased her cotton dress out of the way.

Part Fifteen – 06/12/12

            A soft moan escaped Ellen’s mouth as Sam’s hand closed over her breast, gently kneading, arousing her. He hit the point where she stopped boys lucky enough to get this far. As soon as she detected the slightest arousal in herself, she’d call a halt. Not tonight.

            Drawn to Sam’s maturity, intelligence, wit and good looks, Ellen had grown hungry for his affection. She itched to get closer to him, lose herself in his embrace. Taunted all year by his bright blue eyes teasing her, caressing her with their gaze, Ellen had fought hard to stand fast. She denied her feelings, pushed them away. Yet she often found herself in his presence, seeking out his company. She blushed when she caught herself staring at his lips and wondering what delights they’d bring if she got closer. The touch of his hand on hers raised goosebumps.

            This evening, her resolve deserted her, her ability to resist evaporated. Sam’s hand on her breast excited her, filling her with hot anticipation. He unbuttoned her dress to her waist and quickly unfastened her white cotton bra. His fingers crept beneath the stiff material and closed around her eager flesh.

            His lips sought hers again as he continued his massage, pressing her nipple gently between two knuckles. She gasped as his gentle pressure shot a zing of desire straight from her peak to her core. An unknown feeling began inside her and traveled upward. Sam’s lips moved down her chest and stopped to savor her breast. His tongue flicked out to taste her skin and she moaned.

            He passed his thumb lightly over her hard nipple while his other hand traveled down to her bottom. He cupped it and pressed her against him. Ellen’s control was at the breaking point. She opened two buttons on his shirt to slip her hand inside. She rested her palm on his bare chest. Burying her face in his neck didn’t help as the fragrance of Canoe mixed with his masculine scent pleasantly teasing her nose. She wanted him like she had never wanted another man. Pressing her thighs together only made the ache worse.

            He stepped back from her slightly and kissed her breast taking her nipple into his mouth. His tongue laved it once then Sam raised his head and dropped his hand to hers, removing it from his chest. The seduction came to an abrupt halt. Ellen stood, trembling, as he wrapped his arms around her for a quick embrace. She sucked in air, breathing deeply, trying to compose herself.

            “I promised…promised to stop,” he murmured as his gaze fell on her exposed chest. “You are even more beautiful than in my dreams.”

            “No one has ever touched me like…like that before,” she whispered, then folded her arms across her chest.

            “You should be loved, passionately, every day of your life, Ellie.”

            Before Ellen could answer, the door opened and the overhead light blasted brilliance into every corner of the room.

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Tuesday Tales, Written to the Prompt "Tree"

Thanks for stopping by. Here is a bit from my WIP, "If I Loved You". This scene takes place in Central Park at night. Chaz Duncan, movie star, is walking with his financial advisor, Megan Davis. They have been dancing warily around each other unable to avoid mutual attraction. 

The breeze picked up making Megan wrap her arms around her torso. Chaz took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The rustling of the trees, green with new spring leaves was pleasant and they moseyed along the path, in no hurry to reach their destination.

“It must have been horrible for you…when you dad disappeared.”

“For a long time I expected him to come walking in the door. But it’s been so many years with no contact at all. I can’t believe he would leave us like that, without a word.”

Chaz draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close to him. She sighed and fell into step with him.

“My life was no bed of roses either.”

Megan looked at him.

“If this hits the papers, I’ll know where it came from,” he warned.

Megan crossed her heart with her finger.

“I promise to keep your confidence.”

“My mother was a crack addict. I was born in the South Bronx without a dad. Mom died from an overdose. By age nine I was living in foster homes. I escaped into fantasy…it was the only way I could deal with my life. One day I was a brilliant scientist, the next I was a superhero incognito, anyone except who I really was. It kept me sane though my teachers didn’t appreciate it. Foster parents thought I was nuts, so I was shuffled from one foster home to another.

Megan gasped, unable to stop herself.

“One middle school teacher, Emily Gold, took pity on me. She encouraged my fantasies, my acting and made me the star of the school play. Once I heard applause, I was hooked.”

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