Sunday Snippet: Star Chasers

Had a less than productive week after having two teeth extracted. It's strange because they really weren't difficult to remove—well, one of them ended up being a little harder than the other—but it still threw me off. I think because they were on opposite sides with one on top and the other on the bottom, which made eating a tad challenging.

I also took time away on Friday to meet my daughter so we could do early voting. Very happy to have that done! I voted to raise my taxes for the school and emergency services levies.

Work stayed busy with some cleanup on two drafts and two copy edits. I also checked changes on two proofreads. Those were kind of dropped in on the fly.

Didn't quite make a full round of my usual shows this week, but I did get through about half.

Watched another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder and it was one I'd seen at least part of. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Caught another London Kills and I'm liking this show. The overarching mystery of what happened to the DCI's wife folded into the two cases is interesting to me. I'm a little worried about the trainee DC. Things could go really sideways for her if she's not careful.

Enjoyed another Death in Paradise episode. I kind of feel like this is the season where Commissioner Patterson gets a lot more screen time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy him.

Finished the second half of Silent Witness and, whoo boy, what a ride this two-parter was. I'm going to be very interested in seeing if there's any fallout from everything that went down.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Star Chasers, which will probably end up being the series or duology's name … but I haven't quite decided yet.

Here's the miniblurb:

Marnie Ritoli, a kick-ass mechanic for the premier team in the galaxy, is presented with a dilemma: choose a new mate or leave the Chasers. But Marnie knows Luce Carrington isn't dead, and she won't play second fiddle to anyone, so she does what she's best at and finds a loophole in the league rules, picking Luce's best friend … the person who backs her into a corner in the first place.

And a sneaky peek…

Marnie breezed into Win's lounge and made her announcement. "I choose you."

Win looked up from his accounting books. "What?" Confusion marred his handsome face.

Marnie reached behind her and pushed the door shut. She had a feeling things might get a wee bit loud in the next few moments.

Walking closer to the desk, she repeated. "I pick you. As my mate." She crossed her arms and waited for the explosion.

Win tossed his pen on the desk and rose slowly. He leaned forward, getting a good look at her very serious face. Opened his mouth, closed it and shook his head.

"Are you insane?"

Pretty much the reaction she expected. "Nope. You're all mine, big man." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying more.

Win rounded the desk and grabbed her arms. "You can't pick me, Marnie. It's not allowed."

She raised a brow. "Yeah, I can. League rules state I can choose whomever I want, as long as they're not attached to anyone else." She looked around behind him. "You hiding a woman under the desk, Win?" She knew the moment she had him, his eyes went flat and cagey.

He let go and stepped back. "You know I'm not. And you know why." He perched his ass on the edge of the desk. "As president, I'm free to do whomever I want, whenever I want." He gave her a determined stare. "It's gonna stay that way."

Marnie snorted. "No. It's not." She crossed her arms in front of her again. "I checked the charter. That's not a stipulation for this crew."

He shot up. "Son of a bitch, Marnie. It's accepted as one."

She shrugged. "Not anymore. I'm taking you out of play." She almost hated being evil about it.

Win snarled and raked his hand over his head. "You bitch." He spun around and paced back and forth.

Marnie winced but stood her ground. He couldn't deny her request. Not when he'd put her on the spot to make it.

Win turned and faced her, a calculating edge to his voice. "Fine. I'm out of play." He prowled toward her. "And you'll be ready and willing when I decide to collect on my rights to your tasty and tempting treats, yeah?" He trailed a finger down her arm.

She'd known he'd try to brazen it out and threaten her with that one.

She smiled sweetly. "You can give it your best shot." Her hands smoothed down his chest. "But if you do … you can expect my size eight boot up your ass…" She cupped her hand between his legs. "And this big dick of yours in a vice." She lifted her gaze to his. "Don't think it won't happen."

Win swallowed and stepped away. "Why?"

She prepared an answer for that one, too. "Because you put me in a corner. I'm returning the favor." Emotion clogged her throat when she choked the words out.

Win sighed, beaten. "Damn you." He sank down on the edge of the desk.

She'd won the battle, which didn't make her feel better. Only Luce could do that. But … with her point made and status safe, Marnie headed for the door.

Before she opened it, she turned back. "You should already know that without Luce, damned is exactly what I am." Her hand twisted the knob, and she exited the lounge, dejected and depressed … probably only a little bit less than Win at the moment.

I'm so excited about this two-book story. It's going to get a little messy, but I'm having a lot of fun planning this one out.

 

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

 

ML Skye