Day #2

Welcome to day #2 of my easy-peasy contest!  All you have to do is leave a comment, telling me which character has you most intrigued.  Yesterday's winner is....

Cara Marsi!!

Email me at storimom2@aol.com and let me know what format you'd prefer.  Now, back to the excerpts.

“Drink,” he told her. “You’ll feel better soon.”

She heard the motor turn over and sipped the scalding coffee, glancing at him in surprise. “How did you…” Her voice trailed off as she tasted her favorite latte flavor.

He flashed a smile as he put the vehicle in gear. “I’m your boss. I’m supposed to notice little details, like what you drink every morning. Besides,” he continued as he pulled out onto the busy street, “filing charges isn’t easy. When we get back to the office, I’ll give you Grant Coleman’s number. He handles all the legal details at Harmony House.”

“Grant Coleman? The gentleman whose wedding reception we just planned? Maybe he won’t want to take on a new client so soon.”

“Nonsense. Grant’s the best, and, besides, he owes me a favor. Don’t worry about it. In fact, when we get back to the office, go home. Roxie and I can handle things for the rest of the day.”

Cara sipped her coffee, marveling at the fact that Austin was so understanding. I’ve seen him bring staff members to tears and yet he’s really a compassionate man. Why can’t I find anyone like him?
Because right now you have no time for anyone else. Caring for Mama and staying employed are your top priorities, not romance!

Off The Clock is now available at Freya's Bower and All Romance Ebooks.

Steve and Angie:
“You don’t have to be scared of me, baby,” he cajoled, shoving his hands back in his hip pockets.  “You’re all I’ve ever thought about the entire time.  What we had and what I threw away…”

Angie found her voice and her anger at the same time.  “We had a good friendship and I trusted you,” she said, her voice getting firmer as she spoke.  “You broke into my home.…you tried to steal the TV, for god’s sake!  Not to mention my stereo.”  She slapped her hands on the counter.  “Do you know how hard it was for me to sleep after that?  I can’t even sleep now, unless I know every single door and window is locked tight.  You took away my security, my self-respect….and you think you just made a mistake?”  She moved around from behind the counter and rounded on him.  Smack!  She balled her fist and punched him in the face.  Shaking her stinging knuckles, she slapped him across the other cheek with the opposite hand, and poked a finger in his chest, not even noticing he was stepping backwards.
“How dare you come into my shop, my business, and spout your prison counselor’s platitudes,” she said hotly.  “I am over you, Steve.  Get that? Over!  So get out of here and leave me the hell alone.”  By this time, they’d reached the door, with Steve blindly reaching for the doorknob, rubbing his sore face. “Angie, honey…”
“I am not yours anymore, now get out.”  Angie gave him a push which sent him sprawling through the doorway just as he managed to open it.  
            
“You haven’t seen the last of me,” he thundered back at her.  “I try to make amends, but no; you won’t listen, as usual!”  He threw her one last angry look and rubbed his jaw again before stomping down the sidewalk.

Angie slammed the door so hard the bell above the door fell off, narrowly missing her head.  She sagged against the door frame and stuffed her fist in her mouth, sinking to the floor as she gave into the tears.  She sat there for several minutes, shaking so violently her feet tapped on the bare floor.  Gradually, the tears ceased, and the realization of what she’d done gave her courage again.  She hadn’t run from him. She’d actually thrown him out of her store…. Laughter welled up inside of her as she remembered him practically cart wheeling out the door.  Drying her cheeks with her shirttail, she slowly got to her feet and poured herself a cup of coffee to drive the sudden chill from her body.  Curling her hands around the Styrofoam cup for warmth, she was struck by another thought.  What if he brought charges against her?  He’d already filed a complaint against the café…

“Too late to worry about that now.”

*****
Brad and Emma:
Emma reached for the hot wings Gavin had ordered and told the waitress to bring her a Coors.

“Gavin likes that crap, but I prefer to stick with a Colorado beer,” she stated as Brad shifted in his seat again. “Something wrong, Mr. Morrison?”

“No, no. It’s just I’ve had too much good food the past two days,” he lied.

“Don’t they feed you back home?” Emma stretched her arm back and patted Gavin on the back. Brad swallowed at the sight of her nipples through the fabric and looked away. Keep breathing, remember Angie…

“Actually, my girlfriend is quite a cook.” Brad managed to get his tongue working. He reached for a wing at the same time she did, and as their fingers brushed, Brad felt an electric jolt all the way to his groin.

“Maybe she doesn’t feed you enough,” Gavin laughed, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents.

Brad was spared by the appearance of the waitress, ready to take their orders. Brad and Gavin ordered the Prime Rib; Emma opted for the shrimp scampi. Brad ordered another beer, and then excused himself to the men’s room, hoping to get his raging hormones under control.

Wild At Heart is now available at Secret Cravings Publishing and Amazon.

Remember, leave me a comment and I'll draw a random winner later tonight.  Tomorrow night, all names go in a hat for the Grand Prize.  The more you comment, the better your chances:)