Sunday Snippet: Kick in the Burn

The final weekend of 2020 is very chilly and snowy in Ohio. We got about eight inches over the holiday and I can't complain. I wouldn't mind temperatures above the teens but as long as we bundle up, it's not bad. I got the doggos some fleece vests to keep them a little warmer when we go out for potty breaks in the wee hours of the morning.

Watched some holiday fare for a good part of the week. Mainly some classic television special episodes, which are always fun.

I did start Gabriel's Inferno part three and have it ready to go again sometime tomorrow. So far, I'm enjoying it. The sleazy ex finally made an appearance and is getting ready to wreak havoc on Gabriel and Julia. Should be fun.

I caught an episode of Silent Witness, the second to last with Amanda Burton. It ended on a cliffhanger so I need to watch the next one ASAP.

Also started a new episode of Blue Heelers. I'm really enjoying this one. One of the heelers is suspected of murder but he didn't do it. So far, it's a great episode.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Kick in the Burn, a sexy short that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jaden Scratch and Ridge Quartermain spend a lot of time comparing notes about flying. Working late into the night filling out fitreps on their pilots, their conversation takes a very personal turn and kick in the burn takes on a whole new meaning.

And a sneaky peek…

Jaden kept going over the flirty banter she shared with Ridge. "Has it really been two days ago?" The promise of things to come gave her crazy dreams the first night.

But she got a solid eight hours of sleep last night and took a giant step back. Her deepest fantasy had the potential to play out in the near future. Conflicted much?

Grabbing a tray, she went through the line in the mess hall. What if reality doesn't measure up to the exquisite visions dancing in my dreams?

Right. Reality would probably surpass everything in her imagination. If sex isn't pleasurable for both parties, it's not sex. It's something else entirely. If anything, she'd fall short. She usually hooked up to scratch an itch but didn't find the need overwhelming … meaning she didn't have a ton of experience.

Doubt wormed its way into her psyche. Why me? What's the attraction for him? Other than flying and being so embarrassingly organized he wanted her help, she didn't move in his circles.

Toying with her food, she rolled her eyes. "Maybe that's the draw. I'm the new flavor of the week." But he admitted he wanted something different.

But her? She struggled between being giddy and gloomy.

Ridge entered the mess hall and made a beeline for her table. He plopped down across from her and snagged a piece of fruit. She pushed her tray toward him.

He shook his head. "I owe you, Scratch. The colonel is officially off my back." He snapped up one more piece of fruit.

Jaden cracked a smile. He looked damned good wearing casual fare of fatigues and T-shirt. She took a long sip of her water to keep from drooling.

Ridge leaned in. "Seriously, thank you for saving my ass." He trailed a finger over the top of her hand.

She suppressed a shudder but couldn't stop goosebumps from rising on her arm.

She shrugged. "Anytime. I've got your six." She settled back in her seat.

He flashed a sexy grin. "You make that sound more exciting than it should be." His eyebrows waggled.

Suddenly, the whole thing between them seemed too unreal.

She sobered. "Kind of like slumming it with me will be exciting?" She had to know what he really wanted.

Ridge flinched as if she'd slapped him. Her heart sank. He had genuine interest.

His eyes went a little cold and he schooled his features. "The idea of you is exciting. If you don't feel the same, no harm, no foul." He scooted his chair back. "If you get over yourself long enough to pursue whatever this thing between us is … I'll be in the alcove for the next hour." He got up and exited the mess hall.

Jaden wanted to crawl under the table. She feared risking her heart. Taking a chance on a guy who played the field like a contact sport could be her downfall.

But she didn't want to miss the chance with Ridge—even if they failed spectacularly and flared out instead of kicking in the burn.

Getting up, she dropped her tray at the washing station. "Win or lose, I'll take my shot."

This is a fun little romp with a small bit of angst. I love Jaden and Ridge.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye