Sunday Snippet: Consortium of Chaos

Hello, March! It seems weird that a year ago next week, I went out with friends to celebrate birthdays and a week later we started the state shutdown. It's been both the longest and shortest time span between the two. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it's definitely how the last twelve months have been for me. LOL

My middle kiddo, who is actually a grown adult, ended up being admitted to the hospital on Monday. He's got some health issues going on and he's really tired of trips to urgent care, the ED, and various doctors. I'm hoping he eventually gets a solid diagnosis and starts to find some relief soon.

Had another fairly busy week with work. My projects have slowed down a little since last June, which is a blessing and a curse. I like having more time to hit some side projects but I also like to stay busy so I don't lose my groove.

Not a bad week for television. I caught a couple episodes of Silent Witness. Season nine started on such a downer but one of the things I love about British dramas is how they explore the journeys characters take. US television doesn't do that as often.

Watched another episode of No Offence. I'm still enjoying this show. I like the overreaching arc of a serial killer and the case of the week stuff also. Good show.

I caught another episode of Peak Practice. I'm almost finished with the second season and I'm looking forward to easing back into this show on a regular basis.

For fun, I started watching The Muppet Show series. I remember experiencing the original run with my two brothers. It was one show we all agreed on and watched together without fighting. Brings back good memories.

Caught a binge marathon of Hawaii Five-0 and I'm almost at the point where I stopped watching regularly. Not sure if seasons eight through the end will be on, but I'll try to finish out the series.

Finally, caught another arc of Classic Who and started season fourteen. I can't remember how many seasons the fourth doctor had, but I think I'm at the halfway point.

And that's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Consortium of Chaos, the opening book of the Chaos series, which has a bit of a steampunk flair.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A missing brother, a madman's sinister plot to make a perfect world, and a connection so strong it saves a life hundreds of miles away. Ashton Sylvester and Esme Von Staunton never have a dull moment.

And a preview snippet…

Ash smiled. "I can absolutely do that." And without using his attunement skill.

Other than an occasional emergency, like the warming calm, he rarely gave free rein to his ability.

His fingers plucked at the buttons of her vest, one of her ingenious inventions. The pockets held all sorts of odds and ends. He pushed the heavy fabric off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

Esme leaned in and Ash caught her lips, working the buttons of her shirt loose. His mouth dropped down, ghosting along her throat before stopping to nuzzle her collarbone. Esme moaned, low in her throat, and her hands busied themselves removing his jacket.

Ash helped and shrugged out of the coat, but kept his hands on Esme. He craved the contact, fingers gliding down her arms, sliding the thick cotton shirt along with them. It hung by the cuffs at her wrists and he trailed nibbling kisses along each arm before working the cuffs off her hands.

He skimmed his fingers along her sides, then slid the thin straps of her camisole over her shoulders. Esme's impatient fingers freed the buttons of his shirt and Ash dipped his head to snag her lips again. Her mind filled with need and he decided not to toy with her any longer. He tugged the ribbon in the center of her camisole, loosened the laces and spread the fabric to reveal her breasts.

Esme shivered, the cool air puckering the nipples. Ash cupped her breasts with the warmth of his hands and gently kneaded them. Hurried now, Esme shoved his shirt off his shoulders and dropped her hands to unfasten his trousers. Ash grinned. She always got in a rush when he wanted to slow things down.

He leaned in and whispered against her ear. "You're impatient, my love. We have all night." The pad of his thumb worried over a pebbled nipple.

Esme pushed his trousers past his hips and his cock sprang forward. "You're primed and ready, let's not waste time." Her hand wrapped around his length and applied firm pressure. Not enough to hurt, only to entice. "I want to stoke the fire while I can."

She loosened her pants, the ones Ash loved. He never cared how scandalized other got when she wore them. They hugged her curves and let his imagination run wild.

Esme tugged forward on his shaft and gave her hips a twist. The clinging fabric slid down her legs and pooled at her feet. She took his breath away.

The wanton look of her, chemise gaping open, breasts exposed, holding his cock in her hand, made him swell and harden. "Gads, Es. Stoke the fire much more and you won't achieve your goal for the evening."

She threw him a sly grin and kissed him hard on the mouth. "Oh, yes, Ash. I will." Her hands moved to his hips, drawing him closer.

He stepped out of his trousers, lifted her, and urged her legs to warp around his waist.

His cock nestled snug in the crease of her buttocks and her slippery wetness drenched his groin. "Mmm … you're very eager tonight, love." His hands moved to cup her ass. "Won't be able to make it last." His mouth met hers and he carried her to the bed.

He sat on the foot end of the mattress, Esme's hot center, heating his blood.

She broke the kiss and eased her head back. "Don't care if it's fast. I need you, Ash." She nudged him backward, planted her hands on his chest and lifted her hips.

Poised above his rigid shaft, her gaze held his, a myriad of emotions passing through her eyes. Desire. Need. Want. But most prominent … love. Ash understood her silent declaration and when he nodded Esme made a slow descent, enveloping his cock inch by inch.

She drew him in and held fast, squeezing her walls around his length. Ash moaned and lifted his head, crushing his mouth against hers. Esme rode him, slowly at first, but when his hands cupped her breasts, her hips rocked faster and harder, dragging them quickly to the edge of reason.

Esme broke the kiss, gasping for air, and tossed her head back. Her fingers curled into her palms and her hands pressed hard into his chest. Ash held on by a thread, wanting … needing her to break first.

Her hips twisted and he choked out a harsh breath. "God, Es. So close." He sucked in another breath and begged. "Come with me. Please." His thumbs brushed over her nipples and Esme tensed then shuddered, an orgasm rocking through her.

A little steamy but this scene came together better than I'd hoped. Esme and Ash are a joy to write.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye