Sunday Snippet: Escape on Equinox

I'm looking forward to seeing the end of May. It hasn't been a bad month or anything. It's nice to feel like I'm starting with a clean slate.

We've had some rainy weather but it's keeping the temperatures mild, which I love. Really hoping the cooler weather sticks around for another week or two. I have some yard and garden work I want to do.

Work ended up being pretty okay. I still have the wordsmithing author making changes, but I think the project manager is putting a stop to that. Hopefully, we'll be able to get the proofread over the finish line. I'll be finishing up the science book proofread this week. And I have a copy edit that should finish sometime tonight or tomorrow. It's the twisty mystery thriller and it's definitely been a wild ride.

Not a bad week for viewing. I got through my usual list of shows but didn't end up adding any of my reserve ones.

Started out by finishing up the episode of Foyle's War. I have one episode left then some bonus material to watch.

Caught another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries and quite enjoyed it. Very interesting to see Mike move house and how the transition worked into the case.

Finished up the second part of Silent Witness. Super happy to see Jack accepted as a professor. Also rather liked the resolution of the case.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. Always fun when he's kind of on his own. The case was very interesting also. I like it when he's solving old ones.

Elementary ended on an interesting note. I'm wondering if the mention of Sherlock's dad is going to come into play for the second half. Also fun to see Kitty again.

Watched an episode of Young Justice and I'm intrigued. The addition of Artemis could prove interesting. I'm leaning toward double agent.

Caught another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. Fun to see Boimler handle his first away mission. Also really fun to watch the other three try to outsmart their superior officers.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Escape on Equinox, a novella in the Capital City Seasons series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Jim Hodges, an elite officer in a specialized tactical unit, finally meets a woman with a sweet disposition and a naughty sense of humor. But when she's taken hostage and his team is called in, he's determined to make sure a quick resolution takes place, which won't be easy because he's ordered to step aside and let his fellow members handle everything.

And a sneaky peek…

Roz gave a cautious answer. "Uh, yeah. I'd like to do something." She hesitated on being specific. "Can I call when I finish up? Maybe see what we have time for?" Hedging gave her a little wiggle room.

Jim nodded. "Sure. And no pressure. If you have a shit day and want to postpone, we can." He took a large gulp of his coffee. "Gonna hit the shower. I left a go cup on the counter. Help yourself before you leave." Setting his mug on the nightstand, he headed for the bathroom.

Roz stopped him by clasping his forearm. "You're seriously too good to me." She leaned up and brushed her lips over his. "Thanks for not pushing."

Jim wrapped his arms around her. "Not my thing. You know that." His mouth briefly melded over hers. "Let me know what you decide." He started back toward the bath.

Roz ducked out of the bedroom, hit the kitchen, and poured more coffee into the disposable cup. Placing the cap on, she grabbed her bag and headed out to her car … waiting for the fear to settle in.

Except it didn't.

Her gut didn't churn the way it used to after her ugly split from Walter Heinz aka Walter the wacko.

Sliding inside her vehicle, she started the engine. "Not sure split can be considered the right word." They hadn't really dated.

They spent one weekend together, and Roz didn't like the vibe. She turned Walter down when he asked her out again, thinking that would be the last she'd see him. I was so wrong. For six months, he'd stalked her. To the point, she'd finally moved to another province.

She figured that would be the end of things. Nope. For three more years, he found her no matter where she went. He finally got arrested when he tried to kidnap her. He now served a mandatory fifteen years because he had a weapon.

Merging into Capital City traffic, her lips quirked. "Now, Jim. I liked the sparks from the word go." And considering she'd more or less jumped him at their second meeting … probably a good thing.

Her mind spun back to the moment she'd run out of the hospital after a harrowing experience in the emergency department. She spied Jim coming out of the administrative hub and a burst of adrenaline collided with the array of emotions rolling through her and she didn't think. She reacted and knew exactly what she wanted.

Jim caught sight of her and headed in her direction. "Roz, hi. Are you okay?"

No. Not at all.

She grabbed Jim and shoved him into a supply closet in the parking garage. "Not really. Just lost a patient." And the death hit her hard.

The cold weight of loss settled over her like a shroud.

She had his pants undone and cock out before he could think straight. Didn't take him long to catch up. He yanked his shirttail free and undid the buttons.

He asked one question. "You sure this is gonna help?"

Her head bobbed up and down. "I need to feel warm again. I can't stand the cold I'm feeling right now."

He didn't waste time. He covered her mouth with his and used his tongue to tease and tantalize. They didn't have a lot of room, but he lifted her up on the small counter and cupped her ass.

Hard and ready, he asked one more time. "You're sure?"

She gave him a jerky nod. "Please, Jim. Now." She couldn't say or do anything else.

Jim lifted his chin and slid her scrub bottoms down and flung them over his shoulder. He slid her panties to one side and thrust forward, going deep. She came alive, her nerve endings humming and her blood pumping through her veins. With every push of his hips, she rose higher from the frozen depths of despair to the heated ceiling of the passionate encounter.

Reaching out, she grabbed the sides of his shirt and hauled him closer, her mouth crashing against his. His lips blazed a path along her jawline up to her ear. She shivered when he bit down lightly on the lobe.

His breath fanned against her skin. "This is intense and I'm not gonna last long." His voice rasped. "You gonna come for me, Roz?"

Her core tightened and he groaned, his pace kicking up a notch.

Roz gasped. "So close. Just a little … more." Her heels dug into his ass.

His head dropped to her shoulder. His hips surged forward and he ground against her. The extra bit of friction sent her over the edge and she shuddered through an orgasm.

His breath hissed between his teeth and he followed her over, his arms going taut to stay upright.

Roz blinked to clear the pinpoints behind her eyelids and looked into his hooded gaze.

She unwrapped wobbly legs from around him and pulled her scrubs from his shoulder.

Holding them to her chest, she whispered, "Thank you." When he eased back and away from her, she slid down to her feet.

Instead of feeling as awkward as she should, she had a buzzing energy flowing through her. Stepping into her pants, she smiled. Bizarre place aside, having sex with Jim might have been the best she'd ever experienced.

I love this series so much and I really need to finish up the three books to finish out the quad series.

 

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

ML Skye