Sunday Snippet: Rack and Ruin

Halfway through the month and it's nonstop gangbusters. I'm planning a super-secret thing I can't talk about for this Friday. I seriously hope I can pull this off.

The weather is warming up a little, so the snow is finally melting. That also means it's muddy and squishy outside during the day and slippery and slidey at night. I have a pond in my driveway when it's sunny and an ice rink when it gets dark.

Work projects are steady and still coming. I finished up a nightmare project—I hope—and I'm glad to move on from that one. Completed a copy edit and started a new one. Had some hourly editorial review work I started and finished this week. I had another one going that I'm making headway on and I'm finishing up a developmental edit, which I hope to have completed by next week. I also have a backburner project that I need to jump back into. All in all … yeah, it's been busy.

I did manage to get through my usual slate of shows. I even watched some of the Olympic events, but I'm not really following anyone or anything. The skeleton events fascinate me. My idea of fun is definitely not jumping on a tiny sled while going seventy-plus miles—headfirst—down an icy super-slide of death. That said, kudos to the athletes who make it look easy. And scary.

Started the week with Midsomer Murders and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. I've been waiting for this one, because the previews were intriguing. Death by cuckoo clock is a wild way to go. Just saying.

Finished up season six of Foyle's War, and I'd forgotten how bleak the end of the war ended up being for everyone. I mean there was obviously a call for celebration, but the uncertainty for all the characters, or most of them, is very strong.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and quite enjoyed Jack and Nikki realizing they don't have a lot of friends outside of their work. I'm very interested in the little beat about Nikki maybe leaving the Lyell to start a new facility. That could prove interesting for next season.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. It's always fun when Miss Lemon saves the day with research. And really nice to see Poirot support a young woman's dreams.

Elementary ended up being very interesting. I love how much Joan wants to help her former patient, but she also didn't discount the aunt's concerns. And Sherlock's ruthless takedown of the CEO ended up being a chef's kiss moment.

Caught another Batman Beyond episode and I believe I'm near the end of the series run. Not sure what I'll pick up next, but I might dive into another Batman series.

Watched the opening episode for season three of Star Trek: Lower Decks and thoroughly enjoyed seeing Beckett interact with her dad. Also loved seeing everyone else in civilian mode. Season three should be a fun ride.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Rack and Ruin, a novella that explores what happens when two characters catch each other in compromising positions.

Here's the miniblurb:

Vespa Thorn, a maintenance adept for the Mage Ministry of Defense, is an addictive gambler—whenever, wherever, she'll go all in. Hale Walterson, a special forces soldier has a problem with sex—he can't get enough of it. Vespa wants Hale, but he's the one thing she won't bet on … until he challenges her to keep up with him.

And a preview snippet…

Shit. No, she didn't usually do anything extracurricular in her jumpsuit.

She glanced around the room before responding. "Actually, no." She should probably explain the anomaly. "Sometimes, when I get off late and there's a big game getting started, I shave corners."

But she usually didn't do that at the hotel.

She cocked her head to one side. "Wait a minute. Were you following me the same night?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I stumbled on to you the same way anyone from the ministry would. I walked into Dino's for a drink and the crowd in the corner drew my attention. There you were work suit tied around your waist." His lips quirked in a bit of a smirk.

Vespa huffed out a breath. "I don't do that often. I had a stake in that game from the night before." Not that he needed to know that information.

Hale rolled a shoulder. "Hey, it's none of my business—except if you get busted, we'll lose our top tech. And that would suck."

She basked a little in the compliment.

Then she sobered. "I'm careful who I play with. None of them would compromise me." She believed that with her whole being.

Hale gave a nod. "Maybe not. But those suits with that coloring are highly recognizable. The players might be fine but the bystanders? Probably not so much."

Well, hell. He made a good argument.

She clicked her tongue against her teeth. "True enough." Meeting his gaze, she lifted her chin. "Thanks for the heads-up."

His head bobbed. "Same. Looks like we need to be a little more careful."

Too right.

She asked the question burning in her mind. "You never worry about your companions?" Kind of a stupid question when she had zero concern about her gambling crew.

One side of Hale's mouth curved upward. "Nina and Tina are paid to be discreet."

Vespa's mouth dropped open. He pays for sex? Seriously?

Hale snorted. "Pick your jaw up. I use their agency because they're vetted and don't leak information. My drive for sex ruins relationships and a string of ex-girlfriends is more dangerous to my health and job than the expense is to my wallet."

Her curiosity went into overdrive. "I'd wager you haven't met the right woman yet then." Did she really just say that?

Especially the implied meaning being she might be the right female.

Hale flicked his tongue against his teeth. "You volunteering?" His gaze narrowed.

Am I? She had to admit he presented a challenge, because she had no idea if she could keep up, but she wanted to find out. And … she'd wager he'd take her on one hell of a ride.

She lifted her chin. "Maybe." She side-eyed the room. "Not really the place to discuss this topic."

Hale grunted. "Fair enough. Since I owe you dinner, at the very least, why don't we meet up top and continue this conversation."

As much as she loved the Willow, her gut said they needed to keep the hotel neutral ground … for now.

Tilting her head to one side, she made a different suggestion. "Let's meet off site. No sense mixing work and play here anymore than we already do."

He held her gaze a long moment then nodded. "Okay. What did you have in mind?"

She pushed away from the table. "Pick me up at my place." She gave him her address. "We'll see where the night takes us."

Hale got to his feet. "Deal. But we're definitely going to be talking about that maybe you threw out."

Vespa grinned and stuck out her hand. "You're on!" After a firm shake, she made her way out of the room.

She might be jumping into a fire, but she couldn't resist.

I love how this story is coming together. Vespa and Hale are fun characters who like to challenge each other and everyone else.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye