Sunday Snippet: Cupid's Folly

Ugh. So many small irritants combined to make the week rather challenging. Car problems, house problems, and too many things hitting at once. I'll get through it all, but I'm stressing out, which isn't fun.

The great news is we didn't lose power even with the wild back and forth temperatures. I have a feeling April won't be much better than March when it comes to stabilizing the weather patterns. If only the world could figure out what's causing all the bizarre weather. Yes, that's sarcasm. The world knows what the problem is.

Got a lot of work completed over the week. I have four main projects on my schedule and I'm plugging away at all of them. Finishing up two but have two more waiting in the wings. I also have a couple of backburner projects that I'll be dipping into again.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. Two of my projects involve some tedious cleanup and it's nice to have something on in the background to keep things interesting. I made it through most of my usual shows.

I started with Foyle's War and enjoyed the episode. Kind of sad to see his female counterpart moved to the sidelines again. Lovely to see Sam help her husband get elected as an MP.

Caught another episode of Return to Paradise. I remembered most of this one and enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from other shows I've watched set in Australia.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. Really fun to see a couple of very young costars in this one. Also thoroughly enjoyed the mystery.

Elementary had a great episode. I didn't quite make it all the way through because I got distracted, but I enjoyed it.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I'm about two episodes from the end of the series and I need to decide what I'll be watching next. Maybe a Justice League series.

Caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and very much enjoyed watching Boimler lose his mind. Very fun!

I also had a chance to use my library membership to watch a Stevie Nicks concert via the Kanopy app. I'm going to work hard to make sure I'm taking advantage of everything my local libraries offer. The concert was so good!

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Cupid's Folly, a novella that brings a couple together after they definitely get off on the wrong foot.

Here's the miniblurb:

Jinx Jersey just signed on as the XO of the Cupid's Folly, captained by Alrick Cates and he's given her fair warning she picked the worst time to start her new post and develop an attraction for him. The pleasure ship is booked solid for the couples' cruise, and they don't have time for romance.

And a sneaky peek…

Alrick paced back and forth on the bridge. "Moving on from the update on XO Barrick, while he's out, the civilian board saw fit to assign a temporary executive officer." He paused. "Jinx Jersey will be joining us for this cruise." And only this cruise. "A word of warning. She's brand new. You know what the couple's cruise is like. I'm warning you to not get any ideas." He started walking back and forth again. "The XO is off limits—" He broke off when he glanced up to find Jinx, looking incredible in her uniform, gazing at him with rage in her eyes.

Dammit, she would show up early. Yep. And she caught you out, dumbass.

She lifted her chin. "Sorry for interrupting." Moving further onto the bridge, her gaze never leaving his, she tilted her head. "Did I miss the memo about the earlier briefing?"

Dead silence met her question and none of the others would meet her gaze when she swept it around the assembled crew members. Which answered her query clearly enough. And Alrick kind of hated how bad they all looked right now.

Jinx gave a nod. "I see. Well then, let me apologize for dragging you all from your racks earlier than usual." She found a seat and got settled, smoothing her features into efficient professionalism. "Captain, if you'll continue the briefing…"

A measure of respect nudged its way into him, but he squashed it. He'd give her two full shifts before one of his crew or the passengers made a play for the little sexpot.

Flipping his folder open, he finished the briefing by giving everyone their assigned posts for the launch. "Any concerns?" He closed the file.

Jinx rose. "I have one." She addressed the other officers. "Will any of you have a problem taking orders from me?" She stood with her shoulders squared and her hands behind her back, a military stance.

All crew members shook their leads.

Jinx slowly met Alrick's gaze. "Well, Captain, guess it's a good thing my magnificent rack won't get in the way of my mouth issuing orders, isn't it?" She gave him a nod. "If there's nothing else, I'll be at my assigned post." She made a crisp turn and exited the bridge to head for the aft section of the ship where she'd oversee making sure the cargo got secured in the hold.

Alrick stood in stunned silence for a full minute, gazing at the empty spot she'd vacated. She hadn't raised her voice. She didn't show outward disrespect toward him or any of the crew. She had been quietly restrained when faced with his unwarranted hostility.

A throat clearing snapped his attention back to the bridge.

He blinked, his vision clearing to find raised eyebrows and questioning gazes directed his way. "Right. That's it. You're all dismissed."

A very low hum of buzzing voices started as soon as the crew cleared the bridge, with the exception of remaining members taking their places at their stations. Their almost eerie silence unnerved him. Normally, the chatter of prelaunch acted as his guidepost.

Five minutes later, Alrick finally grasped how his new XO had pretty much handed him his ass with brutal calm and served it up on a platter with lethal coldness. And showed him just how much of a dick he could be.

And, damned if wasn't the hottest thing I've ever seen.

Having a lot of fun with this story. Jinx and Alrick have a lot of friction, but they also have a lot of attraction.

 

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

ML Skye