Sunday Snippet: Organic Chemistry (Civil Revolution)

Welcome June and another month where time will probably fly by too quickly. Doesn't help that I'm under the weather right now and feeling yucky. Hopefully whatever this is will pass quickly and I can get back to normal.

Had a solid work week. Finished up a cozy mystery proofread and made progress on a developmental edit. Also got a lot of writing done, which makes me happy because I've been hitting walls lately.

Fairly good viewing this week. Managed to go through my show list twice. I might start adding in a few more shows but I like this current group.

Finished up the fourth season of Suspects. I'll be starting the fifth and final season this week. Looks like a banger ending for this series.

Caught two episodes of Brokenwood Mysteries. Both were excellent. Very fun to see how Halloween is celebrated in New Zealand, especially since it's spring there instead of fall. Very cool.

Watched two episodes of Best in Paradise. I'm enjoying the intros by the actors and I'm enjoying their picks for favorite episodes.

Also enjoyed two episodes of Death in Paradise. I'd seen bits of both episodes but not the whole thing. Loved the one with the zoo. Also like how much Jack is becoming a part of the community.

Caught two episodes of Elementary. Interesting to see Gregson's personal life on a bit of a display. Also thoroughly enjoying Sherlock's interactions with Joan as he fully sinks into the partnership.

Watched two episodes of The Batman. Fun to have Harley Quinn introduced. And I very much enjoyed the New Year's Eve episode.

Also enjoyed two episodes of Classic Rugrats. I'd forgotten they started to work three vignettes in after the movie. Not sure if I really like that in hindsight.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Organic Chemistry, a novella that folds into the Civil Revolution series. Or Uncivil Revolution. I can't quite decide which one I like better.

Here's the miniblurb:

Dominic Marinelli and Etta Morgan meet under very difficult circumstances, but form a relationship built on one basic need … sex. When Etta decides to strike out on her own, Dom has to figure out why it bothers him so much.

And a sneaky peek…

Dom stood outside Etta's room, propped up against the wall, a sloppy grin on his face.

He sobered. "What the hell did I just let happen?" The last person anyone should get involved with would be him.

But Etta didn't want anything hot and heavy. She wanted to get laid. Why the hell should he turn that down?

Maybe because she might not get emotionally involved, but he almost always did.

He pushed away and started down the hall, retracing his steps to the main entrance. He thought briefly about forgetting the scheduled visit, but he'd talk himself into keeping it. Pathetic as it made him, he craved some human female contact. And since the woman he wanted would never be his, he'd seek it with another.

And if that makes me a huge asshole, I'll get over it.

Snagging his jacket, he shoved the main door open and stood outside. He'd planned to go out for a long ride but opted to walk around the perimeter of the spa grounds instead.

Why did Etta Morgan push his buttons? He'd known her what? For a while now. Since the night he'd found her left for dead outside the sector barricade. During her recovery, they'd talked a good bit, and he enjoyed her company, enough to be comfortable with her.

Thought he knew her fairly well despite the short span of time.

He so hadn't.

With one simple challenge he'd been ready to drop trou and have a go at her. No … with her. She brought out something feral … primal … a little wild in him. Her honesty about what she wanted and how she wanted it turned him on.

And a walk on the wild side sounded damn good at the moment.

Maybe he needed it. Etta had one thing right. Truth equaled Char and Lex forever. They were meant for each other. He could let it eat at him or move the fuck on.

Etta would make the latter a hell of a lot more interesting.

Maybe he'd been too wrapped up in Char to see the possibilities with Etta. Char had been something sweet, and he'd needed that. Char had, too. But she'd held a big part of herself back. She never laughed the lusty laugh with him like she did with Durben.

And he might not have had the instant spiral of feeling for Etta that consumed him when he met Charlotte. But he'd admired Etta's grit from the moment he'd found her in the tall grass fighting for her life. Her tenacious spirit served her well.

Making a turn, he headed along the final side of the perimeter boundary. "Okay, Etta … let's see where this mutually beneficial arrangement takes us."

I love how this one is coming together. Dom and Etta are one of my favorite couples and telling their story is so much fun.

 

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Organic Chemistry (a Civil Revolution novella)

Had a slower work week and got a good bit of cleaning and clearing done. I also got some solid viewing time in. I'm also somewhat stunned that August is just around the corner. This year is flying by.

I started my watch week with Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries and got two episodes finished. The first one did indeed have Percy the Putz involved in his usual shenanigans. The second one made my heart ache but I thoroughly enjoyed getting some background on Birdie. I'm loving the episode titles for the second season as much as I loved the first season's. Can't wait to finish season two up this week, which I think is probably doable.

Caught two episodes of Silent Witness. These finished out the eleventh season and I'm getting into the seasons I've definitely watched before. I'll be starting season twelve this week.

Enjoyed two arcs of Classic Who and I'm getting close to the end of the seventeenth season. Not sure how many more Four has but I'm excited to start Five's tenure soon.

Finished up UFOs: The Lost Evidence. I thoroughly enjoyed both seasons and got a few neat little plot bunnies from what I viewed.

Caught four episodes of The Muppet Show and finished out the second season. The guest stars were Bob Hope, Teresa Brewer, John Cleese, and Cloris Leachman. Looking forward to starting season three.

This was my week for finishing up seasons. I watched the last two episodes of The Hardy Boys and I'm so excited there's going to be a second season. I really enjoyed how everything played out and I'm so happy everyone got the ending they deserved. Also kind of thrilled there's a seed planted for more possibilities for the eye.

Watched two episodes of Peak Practice. The first one finished out the third season where everyone said good-bye to Beth and Jack. The second started season four with Will on the hot seat trying to save the practice. Glad to see Andrew sticking around for a bit and I kind of liked the new doctor.

I finished up the Master Class with David Carson. I enjoyed getting his insight to graphic design and learned some new things. I also started a new class with LeVar Burton on storytelling. I'm very excited to work through this series of classes.

Caught two episodes of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. I'm loving how accepting the group is being about Theo and I'm kind of interested in how the academy stuff is playing out. I like Nick okay but I'm a little twitchy about his motives. Can't wait to find out if there's more going on there.

Enjoyed two more episodes of the Brokenwood Mysteries. I loved this show. The wine episode ended up being a great little mystery and the golf course episode was thoroughly enjoyable. I loved seeing the story play out on that one.

Started Star Trek: Discovery and have to admit I'm cautiously optimistic. I quite enjoyed the first episode. I'm looking forward to more.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med and have to say again I'm so glad I'm finally getting to watch this series from the beginning. I'm getting close to the end of the first season and I'm looking forward to the season two.

Passionflix premiered season two of Driven and the first episode rocked. I loved the first actor that played Colton but the recast works very well. Looking forward to the next three episodes!

Started UFO Witness and liked the first episode. It's only a single season so I'll see where things go.

For nostalgia's sake, I started the new version of the Rugrats (heretofore referred to as New Rugrats). The original will always have a special place in my heart since all three of my kiddos loved the show. It had the rare ability to appeal to little ones and grown-ups with so many inside jokes. The new version is quite charming and I'm happy to say I think I'll enjoy it.

Last but not least, I started a new episode of Blue Heelers. It's a two-parter and looks to be kind of interesting with lots of bridges being burned and internal affairs out for blood.

Whew. That's if for television this week. Tonight's post is from Organic Chemistry, an Civil Revolution novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dominic Marinelli and Etta Morgan meet under very difficult circumstances, but form a relationship built on one basic need … sex. When Etta decides to strike out on her own, Dom has to figure out why it bothers him so much.

And a sneaky peek…

It's just not right. I saw her first. Wanted her first.

Had her first.

Too bad Dom hadn't been able to keep her.

Dom Marinelli cursed the twisted fates of inconvenience. One look at Lex Durban and Dom had lost Charlotte forever. They'd hit the refugee underground after spending a solid week living in each other's pockets and the only thing Char had to do was smile and Durban had been on her like a shit ton of bricks.

Not that Dom had been any different. He'd pulled Charlotte out of a bad situation and offered to get her to the camp. She'd hopped on the back of his bike, scared and shaking, but ready to go.

She didn't know him, but she'd put her trust in his ability to get her where she needed to be.

Safety.

And in that exact moment he'd fallen for her. It didn't matter that she had a price on her head. Or that the corporation she did R&D for had put it there. It didn't even bother him they had to lay low and take a very circuitous route to get to the underground.

Because he considered every moment with Charlotte a gift.

Two days into their journey they had the sweetest sex he'd ever experienced. He opened up and told her things he'd never shared with anyone else. Told her about his craptastic childhood. Maybe if they'd met differently—extreme circumstances provided a shared intimacy almost from the first instant—he wouldn't have fallen so hard. And maybe he'd just been alone too long.

Neither had made any promises, but Dom thought they might have a chance.

Until Lex.

Dom really wanted to hate Durban. But he couldn't. In fact, Lex proved to be a good man, one Dom called friend.

Durban took charge, got in everyone's face, and rode their asses. Everything Dom didn't do, or would think of doing. A natural leader, Durban often made himself a target to protect others.

Dom worked more effectively in the background, hovering in the shadows, to watch and observe. His ability to blend in and ferret out pertinent information made him a good counterpoint to Lex's sometimes swaggering presence.

In spite of the elephant in the room, Lex and Dom worked well together. Dom's feelings for Charlotte rarely got in the way. If he needed a break from the happy couple, he left the compound and scouted for intel. So what if he pushed the envelope sometimes and stayed out longer than Lex's limitation of forty-eight hours?

Dom usually made the extra time worth it. A foraging excursion, a resupply of necessities, liberating medical goods … he never came back empty-handed.

And okay, he kinda liked that Char worried about him and fussed over him when he came back.

He never claimed not to be a sick bastard.

Durban would eventually rip Dom's ass for constantly breaking protocol, but until he did, Dom had some control. Not that he made it a power play. Dom had no desire to give orders and be responsible for the refugee compound. He did his bit and pitched in wherever they needed him.

Lex should kick Dom's ass for thumbing his nose at the rules. They were there for a reason. Dom had a feeling the other man cut him slack because he got it. He understood Dom sometimes needed to lick his wounds and be alone.

Like now.

I'm so excited about this series, especially if it comes together the way I'm hoping it will. There's at least one more book, possibly two after this one.

 

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Organic Chemistry (Uncivil Revolution book two)

Well… I'm coming off a bittersweet week. I got to spend my birthday with almost my entire family, which is terrific, but the reason not so much. We buried my beloved Gram on Wednesday and, being in Ohio, the weather ran the gamut from rain to snow to a sleet / hail mixture. Finally, the sun came out toward the end of the day.

Television had a good week. Legends had a great episode even if I can't quite decide if I actually like Damian's campy antics or if I really hate them. It's pretty much a toss-up.

Tuesday's shows are on my list to catch up on. The draining day left me with little to no brain power to watch television. The same goes for Riverdale on Wednesday.

I did catch Arrow and, as always, I enjoyed the episode. I rather like how they keep changing up the versions of Laurel. And having Roy back is always kick ass. I've missed him. I'm also interested in seeing how things play out with Dinah and Oliver. In all honesty, I'm a little on the fence about the Dinah character. Her thirst for vengeance isn't one I bought into, but I'll finish watching to see what happens.

I need to catch up on Gotham also. Totally forgot it returned at the beginning of the month.

Watched a little more of season five of Chicago Fire and still love the show. Looking forward to another DVD this week to see what else happens.

Started Jessica Jones this weekend and season two feels like it's going to be a wild ride. Can't wait to see what else the show has in store for me.

I'll be playing catch up on Murdoch Mysteries again, but I did see episode fifteen and thoroughly enjoyed.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Organic Chemistry an Uncivil Revolution novella.

Here's the tagline:

Dominic Marinelli and Etta Morgan meet under very difficult circumstances, but form a relationship built on one basic need… sex. When Etta decides to strike out on her own, Dom has to figure out why it bothers him so much.

And a sneaky peek…

Etta's shoulders hit the wall. "That." The word gasped out just when Dom pushed her up against the surface.

And then shoved his tongue down her throat.

No prelim, no tenderness, pure animal lust. It hit almost every kink she had. And she loved it. Craved it.

Wanted more.

She responded in kind. Inhaling him, kissing him back with wild abandon. Her boobs tingled and a burst of instant hot wetness pooled between her folds. Her clit throbbed when his hand cupped her, pushing the seam of her jeans roughly against it. It wouldn't take much to have her writhing in orgasm if he kept it up.

Between bruising kisses, their tongues tangled and dueled for dominance over the other. Dom won the battle when his other hand found her tits, grabbed onto one and applied pressure. Not enough to hurt… oh, no, just enough to arouse.

A groan escaped and he won by default. She couldn't fence tongues when she had to gasp for air.

As abruptly as it started, it ended. Dom flung himself away from her and threw his head back. He won his war for control and tossed out a challenge.

"That dirty enough for you?"

Mouth gaping, she could only answer. "God, yes." Her body literally screamed for more.

A look of almost pain crossed his face and he shook his head back and forth. "Right. So… we fuck like animals and then what?"

Tamping down her raging desire, she struggled to act nonchalant. "If it's good—and, trust me, it will be—we each have something to take the edge off."

"And when it's done?"

She shrugged. "I won't go weeping woman on you, if that's your concern. You go back to wallowing in Unrequitedville and I find another willing participant."

Dom arched a brow. "That easy, huh?"

She nodded. "Yep. If I want it to be."

"I don't think that's true."

She pushed off the wall. "You want truth? Here it is. Charlotte doesn't love you. You'll never feel her legs wrapped around you in lust, love, or anything else. That's true." She watched him flinch, but held her ground.

"And your point is?"

"You can be Mr. Dark and Stoic. I don't want sweeping romance." She walked slowly toward him. "I don't need flowery love words or grand gestures." Stopping in front of him, her voice went husky. "All I'm looking for is a hard cock and a willing body." Her hand cupped his erection. "Like it or not, you definitely fit the bill."

Dom eased away and pondered her a moment. "You've got a deal." He stuck out his hand to shake on it.

The antiquated notion surprised her. Less than two minutes ago, he'd had his hands all over her, his tongue down her throat, and she'd been this close to coming. And now he wanted to go all honorable?

Sensing the importance of the handshake, instead of brushing it off, she accepted the overture and sealed their deal, applying firm pressure when she grasped his hand.    

Dom cocked his head sideways and studied her.

Did he doubt her word? Maybe not, because he gave her a curt nod.

"Okay then." Letting go of her hand, he brushed past her and headed for the door.

The door? But, she'd thought. "Uh, I thought… when are we—" Gonna get laid. She really wanted him now.

He paused, hand on the knob. "Tonight. 2300. I'll come here." His lips twitched. "You didn't think I'd let you call all the shots, did you?" He'd thrown her and he liked it.

Heaving a sigh, she gave him an honest answer. "I had hoped."

His face went dark and dangerous. "Two-way street. Equal partnership." His eyes flashed. "This won't happen any other way."

She studied him a moment. Could it be possible she'd underestimated him?

Not completely certain, she caved anyway. "I'm down with that. 2300. Knock twice, then once, so I know it's you."

He gave her a two-fingered salute. "Done." And then he was gone.

Sinking down to the mattress, she wondered what she'd gotten herself into.

I'm excited about this series and I need to dive back in and get things organized. I've a bit of a quandary about whether to introduce the couple in book four in the opening book or not. Once I figure that out, I hope to finalize the outlines and finish up the series.

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Organic Chemistry - Civil Revolution Book Two

Wow, some gorgeous weather today. I love having a true spring with mild temperatures and lovely breezes, instead of a chilly thirty degrees one day and eighty-five with loads of humidity the next. LOL

Today's post is from the second book in the Civil Revolution saga. Organic Chemistry features the same folks from Bad Chemistry but the focus is on Dom and Etta's relationship. Etta is a fascinating character to write and she speaks very loud and clear when I try to go in a direction she doesn't like. LOL I wish all my characters had such strong opinions. :D

Here's the tagline:

Dominic Marinelli and Etta Morgan meet under very difficult circumstances, but form a relationship built on one basic need: sex. When Etta decides to strike out on her own, Dom has to figure out why it bothers him so much.

And here's the sneaky peek…

The walls of the former spa turned way station for refugees closed in on him. He snagged his jacket, turned and bumped into Etta Morgan.

Literally, almost knocking her on her ass.

"Damn. Sorry." His free hand reached out to steady her. "You okay?"

Etta laughed lightly. "I'm fine. Fine." Her fingers were warm when they closed over his bicep.

Kind of like her eyes when she looked at him.

"I wasn't paying attention." Her hand slid down to his forearm and rested there.

Dom stepped back a little, needing some space, but didn't try to shake her hand free. Etta looked over his shoulder, her gaze landing on Lex and Char then dropping down to the jacket in his other hand.

A brief shadow of something entered the depths of her eyes and her mouth flattened to a thin line. But only for a moment. She let go of his arm and smiled brightly in his direction.

"I'm glad I found you…" She angled her head in the direction she'd come from. "Do you have a minute? Or are you heading out?"

Damn. He really wanted to escape into the shadowy dusk. He felt honor bound to assist her though.

His mouth turned up in a brief smile. "I've got more than one if you need it." He flung his jacket over the back of a chair.

Etta's eyes crinkled with a genuine smile. "I promise I won't keep you long." Spinning around she led him to her room and pushed open the door. It hung slightly lopsided and Dom figured out what she needed him for.

Resetting the hinge.

Etta dug into her back pocket and produced the missing pin.

Ding. Ding. Ding. He'd totally called that one.

"This spa is a great place to crash for a few days, but the eight foot doors are just a tad above my reach." She lifted her gaze and jerked her head upward. "Would you mind?"

Dom took the pin from her outstretched hand. "Not at all." She lifted up on the door and lined up the slots of the oversized hinge.

He slid the rod home and swung the door back and forth a few times to make sure it would hold. "Thanks." The assistance hadn't been necessary, but he appreciated it.

Etta grasped the handle and pushed the door shut. Then she turned and pressed her back against it.

"They're perfect together."

He didn't have to ask who she meant, but he so did not want to talk about it.

He frowned. "Yeah, I know." His voiced sounded harsh, even to his own ears. He should probably work on that.

"Why not let it go? Hook-up with someone else?"

Dom shot her a sideways look. "You volunteering?"

Etta shrugged. "I might be." She eyed him up and down. "You interested?"

He swept appraising eyes over her from head to toe. She had a certain rough beauty. Sorta raw and sensual, enough to make his dick twitch under his jeans.

Right. He wouldn't be going down that road again.

He sighed. "Even if I were, I wouldn't be." A hard on didn't make him stupid. She looked the type to tease, tempt and walk away.

Actually she looked offended before her eyes dropped to the bulge in his pants.

"Why not?" An arched brow worked for her. The slightly triumphant gleam in her eyes didn't.

Dom cut to the chase. "You don’t wanna be a substitute. Don't you deserve better?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's not about what I deserve. I'm WAY past that."

Baffled, Dom queried. "Then why make an offer that'll open you up to abuse? Because right now—with me—that's what it would be."

Her laughter caught him by surprise.

"Abuse? Really?" She walked around him, putting her hands on his arms, grasping at the muscles of his biceps. "Because you don't feel all tender and gooey toward me?" She snorted. "Not exactly what I'm looking for."

Okay. She had him intrigued.

"What, exactly, are you looking for?"

"Something hot, hard, dirty, and fast." Her gaze flicked up and down, lingering just a moment too long on his crotch. "Three outta four isn't bad. I'd take it."

Dom gave her a tight smile. "And which one do I fall short on?"

She smirked. "For all your big, bad talk of abuse, I seriously doubt you have it in you to be as dirty as I want." Shrugging she turned away. "But I can live with—"

Yeah, sorry, gonna leave it right there. LOL Needless to say, Etta pushes just the right button to get a reaction from Dom. Seriously, delicious fun to write her. :D

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

ML Skye