Sunday Snippet: Blending In

I got slammed with a nasty cold and definitely feel it this week. Completely derailed my daily relaxation stress reducer posts. I'll hopefully catch back up next week or start over again for the new year.

Finished up several work-related projects and added a few to my calendar. Hoping to start the new year off with a full slate to stay busy.

Not a bad week of television, even with the icky cold making me super tired and exhausted.

Watched another episode of My Life Is Murder and enjoyed it. I'm still trying to get used to the New Zealand locale with the second season. Still a fun show.

Caught the second half of Agatha Raisin. Feel very badly for James, who kind of seems like the odd man out of the group. Loved how this one played out.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and not sure on the new pathologist. He's not bad, I guess. Clearly, it's time to shake things up for Jack, which probably means things won't go well when his brother gets out of prison.

Enjoyed another Death in Paradise, which is one I didn't remember. I'm getting into the Humphrey episodes I missed on the first watch.

Watched another episode of Elementary and quite liked the dynamic. I'm very interested in getting into more of what happened with Joan's medical career. Sherlock is definitely true to form and I'm getting into this version.

Caught another episode of The Batman. I think I have one or two more episodes of the first season then a bit of a shift to the second one.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. For some reason, I think I might have missed a season or at least some episodes. I'll do a run through after I finish up the sixth season.

Continued with The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I'm intrigued by how the season is unfolding and I'm kind of interested in where things are going to go.

Finished out the week with an episode of VIP. Some familiar early aughts faces in this one. Also a fun episode.

That's pretty much it on the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Blending In, a novella that puts a couple undercover and brings them together despite their best intentions of staying apart.

Here's the miniblurb:

Wren and Ethan go undercover in the seedy Bottoms. Ethan's by the book style clashes with Wren's off the cuff attitude, but when a powerful mage makes a threat, they'll have to forge an unbreakable bond or go down in flames.

And a preview snippet…

Ethan considered Wren's justification. "Okay, what's next?" He might as well roll with tide.

She suggested an info gathering opportunity. "No engagement. We go in, get some intel, and come out. That's it." She made a few adjustments to her outfit, knotting the T-shirt under her breasts and letting her hair down.

Ethan followed Wren into Hunter's Glen, his heart pumping with both anticipation and trepidation. He didn't do on-the-fly work and he feared it would show. He didn't want to let her down.

Once inside, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior. "I'll follow your lead. I need a few minutes to get into the role and follow the vibe." And maybe get his shit together.

Wren jerked her head, acknowledging the request. She led him through the throng of people and directly by the trio who'd drawn their attention. The mood coming from the bar area consisted of boisterous bravado mixed with an angry undertone.

Ethan adopted a besotted demeanor, trailing behind Wren like he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. Not a hard sell for him. This might not be as difficult as he'd thought.

She led him to a corner table in a shadowy recess close to the bar. Good cover and strategically located. He admired her quick and spot-on assessment.

Tugging him close, she spoke quietly in his ear. "Look oblivious to everyone but me but pay very close attention to the conversations." She settled onto a chair and gave him a sexy smile.

He scooted his around so he could play the part she assigned to him. Leaning one arm over her shoulder, he twisted her toward him so they looked extra cozy. Her eyes went wide but she didn't resist. And a note of admiration crept into the dark depths. He'd made the right move.

She tilted her head toward him, doing a good impression of a private conversation, but her attention focused on the bar. Ethan tracked the conversations at the line of pool tables. Deviating from the plan might end up paying off if the first hour they spent barely touching their drinks and eavesdropping indicated anything.

He leaned in, speaking in low tones. "Sounds like the triple threat is here to meet the wall of muscle on table two." He eased back and gave her a bold stare.

Wren tipped her chin. "Sounds right. They're waiting until the weasel-faced guy leaves. They don't trust him." She scooted closer, almost sitting on his lap.

But it put her in a prime position when the trio of Orion men made their way to the pool tables. Under the guise of practically making out, Ethan and Wren spent the next sixty minutes carefully catching the bulk of the planned attack on a group of fae intermediaries. Wren's eyes widened when the crucial piece of information dropped. The big ringleader told the trio to be ready within the week.

Ethan made a move to stand, pushing his chair back a little, but Wren slid up onto his lap.

She rested her forehead against his. "Not yet. Too obvious. Let the game wind down first." She eased back and held his gaze.

He didn't argue and gave a barely perceptible nod. Moving his hands up, he palmed her thighs, keeping her from shifting back to her seat. Her lips quirked but she didn't resist.

The final ball sank into the pocket and a round of drinks was raised to the winners. Ethan checked his urge to make tracks. He'd follow Wren's lead again.

When they drew a stare or two from the burly bikers and some raunchy commentary, Wren did a sensuous slide off his lap and tugged him upward.

They left to whistles and catcalls and thankfully before anyone tried something stupid.

Once outside, she clasped his palm. "We're primed with some good intel. Keep acting the part until we clear the next block." She shivered a little from the bite in the wind.

Ethan wrapped an arm around her and tucked her into his side. Neither spoke, pretending to be too into each other to talk. They made their way across the street and headed for the little apartment over the thrift shop.

This story is getting a second book because Ethan and Wren have more to say about their relationship.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye