Whew! What a week.
It's been something of a wild ride. My daughter starts graduate school in
Athens the week of August 25, and we're still trying to figure out her
financial aid. She's headed to Ontario Canada this week for a theater festival,
which is what she'll be getting her master's degree in. My work inbox is
overflowing! I'm so grateful for all the new projects but also a little daunted
by how much I have stacked up and waiting for me to get to. My car also has an
issue that we're hoping is not the computer. I'll know more on Monday. Ugh!
I didn't get much
done on the viewing front. Too many things needed my focus elsewhere. Between
the phone calls for school and car problems, my brain turned to mush. Bleh.
I did get an
episode of Best in Paradise in. I enjoyed it again. It's fun to have the introductions
from the cast members.
I also got to watch
the closing episode of Death in Paradise season eight. A very interesting and twisty
episode with a really cool gesture at the end from the commissioner.
And I also finished
up the main draft of a holiday manuscript I've been working on for, geez,
almost a year. The sages finally cooperated and threw a bunch of ideas out. I'm
so happy about that.
That's pretty much
it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Relative Chemistry, a
novel in the Uncivil Revolution series. Or maybe the Civil Revolution. I'm not
sure on the title yet.
Here's the miniblurb:
In a nation torn apart by an uncivil war, Wallis Canton is
allowed to live if she keeps the men at a covert human trafficking location
sated and satisfied. When Etta Morgan is brought and held for sale to the
highest bidder, Wallis finds a kindred spirit and rediscovers her will to be
free. When Dom Marinelli arrives on the scene to save Etta, he almost takes out
the one man, Perry Norris, who didn't abuse and degrade Wallis. With Perry's
help, the four escape the facility and live to fight another day, and Perry
helps Wallis navigate life on the outside, showing her good men do exist and
love can flourish from tragic circumstances.
And a sneaky peek…
Wallis Canton shuffled along in
front of her armed escort. Her head throbbed and her muscles ached. Twelve
hours with no food and barely any water sapped all of her energy. Taking care
of five clients didn't help. Sex burned a lot of calories.
I'm running on empty.
The man behind her grunted. "You're
home. No work tomorrow. Rest up." His mouth twisted in a sneer.
The heavy steel door opened and
Perry Norris, one of the caretakers, stepped to one side. "Instructions?"
He spoke to the armed escort.
Wallis itched to get inside the
facility, to have a shower, and find her bed. Her rumbling stomach and parched
throat would need attention first. After that, she might curl up on the nearest
flat surface and crash hard.
The goon—she never remembered their
names—shook his head and nudged Wallis across the threshold. Perry lifted his
chin and quickly closed the door, turning the deadbolt before he put out a
steadying hand.
Wallis nearly crumpled at the
supportive gesture. "Need water." Her voice cracked and rasped
between her dry lips.
Perry pressed a bottle into her
hand. "I figured. They never think past collecting the fee and moving on
to the next stop." He guided her toward the bathroom in the old high
school that functioned as a makeshift dorm for the sex workers.
She twisted the cap off and slowly
drank a few sips of the clear liquid. "Thanks." Her stomach gurgled
and roiled … the water making her queasy, even as it quenched her thirst.
Perry reached into his shirt pocket
and tore the wrapper from a protein bar. "Didn't feed you either, did
they?" He handed the food over.
She gratefully took the offering
and bit into the mix of granola, peanut butter, and honey. "No." She
chewed and swallowed, following with another longer drink. "Not usually
out as long as I was today." A yawn escaped before she could stop it.
Perry angled her toward him, his
gaze sweeping over her. "You're dead on your feet. Would you rather go to
your room instead of the restroom?"
She shook her head. "I want a
shower. I need to get … clean." Her gaze met his. "You know?" Especially
after the long sex-filled day.
Perry dipped his chin. "Yeah.
I do." He led her into the cavernous former locker room and over toward
the line of showers. "Finish the food and water. I'll get the water warm
for you." He pointed to the bench by the stalls.
She sank down then jumped back up.
"Wait! You're fully—" The spray of water drowned her voice out.
Dressed. He's fully dressed.
Sitting back down, she nibbled the
protein bar and sipped the water. The infusion of calories eased the emptiness
in her stomach and the water soothed her throat, but her body still ached from
the overexertion of the day. She might fall asleep right here.
Perry returned, his clothes damp.
"All warmed up. You're good to go." He grabbed a towel from the rack
and dried his hands off.
Wallis heaved a sigh and slowly got
to her feet, swaying a little.
Perry caught her elbow. "You
okay?" Concern etched his features.
Wallis lifted a shoulder. "Not
sure. Can't really think straight." She moved forward, pausing by the
stall. "Ugh. I don't even have the energy to get undressed." Her
vision swam.
Perry put his hands on her
shoulders. "Look, I'm not trying to be creepy or anything, but let me
help. You can't stay upright much longer."
She gave a nod and held her arms
up. Perry walked behind her and lifted her shirt over her head. Then he slid
her pants down until she could step out of them and her clogs. She slowly made
her way into the stall and under the hot spray of water.
Perry pulled the curtain. "I'll
be right outside. Call out if you need anything."
She paused, wiping the water from
her face. "Can you stay? I won't be long." As much as she'd love to
spend the next twelve hours under the steamy mist, she wouldn't be able to stay
awake much longer.
Perry grunted his acknowledgment.
"I'll stay."
I'm very excited
about writing this one. I think it's the final book in a three book series and
the ideas have been rolling around in my head for more than a decade.
That's it for this
week. Catch everyone on the flipside.
ML Skye
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