Sunday Snippet: Trip the Light Fantastic

Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate. For me, this includes those who mentor others because being a mom isn't always about giving birth to a person or have fur babies.

Had another busy work week and I'm thrilled to have multiple projects to dig into. I love what I do and being freelance means being happy when the work is rolling in.

Had a limited viewing week with so many other things going on. I sadly lost one of my aunts I've been particularly close to and needed some quiet reflection time.

I did get the double-header of the last two episodes for the first season of Battlestar Galactica in, and they held up as being one of the most perfect season finales of all time.

I also finished up the episode of Only Murders in the Building. Gotta say I had a feeling the artist would do something creepy and she totally did.

Other than that, I watched my classic standby of Perry Mason and also caught some early seasons of Midsomer Murders.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Trip the Light Fantastic, a Chaos series novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Esme Von Staunton and Ashton Sylvester think they might be going insane. Ashton's weird attunement with Esme draws her into his bizarre nightmare of hallucinations and doing things neither remember. Esme's brother Eric stumbles onto a plot by Baron Mobride and races to save his source and his favorite couple, but Mobride has other ideas and doesn't plan to let Eric thwart him.

And a preview snippet…

Eric Von Staunton quietly entered the seductively lit room, his gaze drinking in the sight of Bonnie Lancaster while she lightly powdered the apples of her cheeks. "My gorgeous woman, you don't need facial enhancement. You're perfect as is." For six months he'd been visiting her and paying for her services.

But only to keep up appearances.

Bonnie swiveled around and leapt to her feet. "Eric! I'm happy to see you." She dropped the brush to her vanity and launched herself toward him.

He caught her in his arms and slanted his mouth over hers. He welcomed her enthusiastic response of a low moan in her throat. Long ago, he'd hoped to have a shot with her, but circumstances drove a wedge into that plan. He took up the fight against the horrific conditions most of the populace had to work under and Bonnie fell on hard times and took a position in the privacy rooms at the Emporium of Entertainment. By chance, Eric bumped into her when Ash sent Eric to ferret out some information. Their renewed acquaintance brought old feelings to the surface and Eric tumbled headlong into love with her again. Bonnie returned the sentiment but remained as a top draw at the emporium.

Bonnie eased away from him. "How long can you stay? Do we have the night?" She loosened the sash of her robe, easing it from her shoulders.

Eric nudged her toward the bed. "You're most definitely spoken for until dawn breaks over the horizon." He shrugged out of his jacket but stopped when she shook her head.

Her hands smoothed over his shirt. "Let me. I love undressing you." She made short work of undoing the buttons and sliding her palms against his skin. "It's like unwrapping a lovely present and revealing a longed-for gift." Pushing the garment from his body, she started on his pants.

Eric gave her free rein. He'd like her to leave the emporium, but he wouldn't press the issue. He couldn't offer her a home ... yet. He shared the carriage house on Ashton Sylvester's estate with Delphinius Dieter and they had a standing agreement to keep their romantic entanglements elsewhere. Eric didn't like accepting charity from Ash, and Esme argued with Eric about how Ash didn't consider Eric a burden. Ash appreciated Eric's brilliant ideas and liked to invest in sure bets, which Eric would happily accept. But he also wanted to make his own way. So … Eric had meetings about his inventions with manufacturers scheduled.

Bonnie cupped Eric's erection. "Time to turn your brain off, my love, and enjoy our precious time together." Her fingers circled his length then glided along his shaft.

Eric nodded. "You're right." He swept an arm under her thighs and scooped her up. "Starting right now." Depositing her on the bed, he pulled the laces of her camisole loose and helped her shrug out of the garment. "I hope you're ready for a long night…" His head dipped and he captured a taut nipple between his lips.

I'm so happy Eric is finally coming together. The sages weren't telling me what he wanted, and Bonnie ended up being exactly right for him.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye