Sunday Snippet: Unlawful Acts

Well, had a better week than the last one. Still not completely tip-top but feeling way better with the worst of the cold finally over. We got more snow this week, but warmer temperatures are around the corner. At least for a few days.

I got caught up on my work projects and lined up a potential new one. I'll be starting a new copy edit on one of my favorite mystery series and continuing my read through on the nonfiction project.

I'm setting up a storefront for Tip Jar Shorts. I'm kind of doing things a bit backward, but the more I thought about it, the more I figured a storefront would lend legitimacy to this endeavor. I wanted to keep things super simple and offer various methods of payment and I might still be able to do that, but I also thought it would be best to have immediate access to a downloadable file instead of waiting on a delivery to an inbox. We'll see which version works out the best.

Had an okay week of viewing. I didn't make a full cycle through of my shows, but I did get the back half watched. And I might be adding one additional show to the roster. I'll let everyone know if that happens.

Watched another episode of Elementary and rather enjoyed this one. Sherlock's dynamic with Joan is different and getting more settled. And Kitty is fitting in with both in ways I didn't expect.

Also caught an episode of Batman Beyond. I remembered this one and enjoyed it. I did forget the interaction with Terry and his brother so that was a nice reminder.

Enjoyed another new-to-me episode of Classic Rugrats. I sometimes wish Nickelodeon had continued with the plans for the pre-school show and added more of All Grown Up. The nostalgia is strong with this franchise. Instead, Spongebob and other weird stuff took off.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Unlawful Acts, a sexy short that puts a couple in close proximity to work out their differences.

Here's the miniblurb:

Effy Carmichael, an up-and-coming officer, wants the job of alpha team leader and deserves it, except she's a few years too young to hold the position. When the spot goes to one of her oldest friends, Jonah Kirkland, Effy has to swallow her pride and welcome him even while she fights the powerful attraction between them. Hooking up with Jonah is against regs, but it may be worth committing an unlawful act to finally realize one of her most closely held desires.

And a sneaky peek…

Effy's heart kicked against her ribs. How the hell to answer? Maybe with the truth … even if it might be scary ugly …

She laid it out. "I wanted the team leader job. And I should've had it." Sighing, she conceded the loss. "Except, of course, I didn't qualify." Waiting a beat, she put the period at the end of the sentence. "And then they send you." She shrugged. "Which should be awesome but, honestly, I'm having a hard time separating my personal feelings from the professional…" She trailed off because the admission cost some pride.

Jonah blinked. "Personal feelings?" His thumb brushed over the top of her hand. "As in … wait, why haven't I ever gone after that before feelings or just the age-old friendship type?"

Effy narrowed her eyes. "Are you making fun of me?"

He shook his head. "No, Eff. I'm not. Believe me, I'm not." He huffed out a laugh. "Heh, you've never given me a hint of hope that you saw me as anything but a brotherly type of friend." His hand squeezed hers.

She pursed her lips because … true fact. "Maybe you didn't look hard enough." Her lips twitched.

Jonah snorted. "And maybe your poker face is too good for me to see through."

She rolled a shoulder. "There is that." She'd become very good at keeping her true feelings hidden behind a mask.

Jonah tugged her a little closer. "So … if I'd never received this promotion, we'd have spent the rest of forever not getting it on?" His palms skimmed along her torso.

Awareness skittered through her. "Maybe." Anticipation thrummed through her veins.

Jonah's mouth curved. "Well, that sucks."

She agreed with a nod.

Jonah sobered. "Can we get past this whole thing? The job situation? Because if we can't, I'll transfer out of here." His voice held a note of conviction.

She didn't hesitate. "We can get past it. I just needed to be pissed off for a couple of months." He couldn't leave now.

Jonah lifted his chin. "And you're over it now?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Pretty much."

Jonah got serious again. "In that case … I can think of a very inappropriate way for you to thank me." He tipped his head toward her. "Right now."

When she opened her mouth to utter a comeback, Jonah slanted his mouth over hers.

A very effective way to shut her up, and she probably wouldn't give him another opportunity like this … ever.

The helmet forgotten, she let the kiss consume her. They could've kept dancing around this for years. Effy slid her tongue along his lower lip as she leaned into the embrace.

She became the aggressor, backing away, she pulled him upright and started tugging at his shirt. "Off. Now." She stepped back and slid her sweatshirt over her head, then started on her sports bra.

Jonah made short work of his shirt and, after tossing it behind him, pulled her to him and kissed her again. His lips slid to her shoulder and his hands began to unbutton her pants.

She cupped his chin. "We're going to do this?" She left the here unvoiced. "Technically, sex on the premises constitutes an unlawful act." Not that she gave a damn.

He pushed her pants down as far as they would go. "Don't much care at the moment."

Effy stepped out of her fatigues. "Okay, yeah. We're going to do this." She reached forward and ran her finger down his chest and stopped at the waistband of his sweatpants before looking up at him. "Think you can handle it?"

I love Effy and Jonah. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes to write.

 

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

ML Skye