Sunday Snippet: Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Yeesh. I'd really like Ohio weather to calm the eff down. We've had storms all week and we're getting hammered today. Severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado warnings, it's wild.

We did have a break in the yucky weather on Friday and got to attend a fun concert to benefit our local botanical garden and a local pet shelter. We had a truly great time and my extended family participated in the musical lineup.

Had a busy work week filled with some tedious little stuff and some technology problems. I did manage to get a copy edit finished up and worked on formatting a family history book that has a ton of images in it. That one is kind of challenging because the copy edit can't be done with the images in the document and I'm pulling them out and adding design tags.

Not a bad viewing week. I made it through my usual slate and started a back-burner episode. The weather kind of affected being able to finish that one. I also did another binge watch of Death in Paradise on Ovation.

Started with an episode of Marple and enjoyed it. I rather liked the cast of characters in this episode and, whew, did it have some twisty turns.

Started a new series for me with Adrian Dunbar's Coastal Ireland. I love seeing the landscape and shorelines of the country. It's so beautiful.

Caught an episode of Beyond Paradise and I'm so bummed that Humphrey has to reduce his staff by one. I hope it ends up working out by the end of the season. I also wish I understood more about why Esther doesn't want to be happy with Archie. Maybe they'll delve into that a little more.

Watched an episode of Poirot and truly enjoyed it. Always nice to see old friends and the behind-the-scenes machinations were interesting.

Elementary had a great opening to its sixth season. Sherlock's struggle post-concussion adds an interesting layer of conflict and I'm happy with Joan's response.

Caught an episode of Young Justice and enjoyed it. Great to see the team pull together and also nice to see the Justice League's trust in their ability.

Enjoyed the season opener of Star Trek Lower Decks season five. Very fun to see a mirror of the crew and how different things could turn out.

Watched The Thin Man again because I was in the mood for something fun. I need to find the other Nick and Nora movies somewhere, because they're so enjoyable.

Started an episode of Peak Practice but the thunderstorms put a halt to finishing it. I'll maybe get to it later this week.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Take a Walk on the Wild Side, a follow up to Long Time No See.

Here's the minblurb:

After dealing with repercussions from the Vallas clan, Val Janison steps into a leadership role he's not thrilled to have. Jonni Mars works behind the scenes as a liaison between the three ruling families and tries to broker a peaceful resolution. In the middle of everything, the couple makes an attempt to keep their relationship solid … with mixed results.

And a preview snippet…

Val's mood instantly improved the moment his mouth touched Jonni's. I could stand here all day with her.

He eased away, resting his forehead against hers. "Damn. I've missed you." He hadn't realized how much until her voice came through the speaker on his desk.

Sliding his hand down her arm, he laced their fingers together. "Come with me…" He moved into the prep kitchen and stopped before a paneled wall.

Tapping a notch in the wood, he released a lock and the wall slid inward.

Jonni's eyes widened. "Of course you have a secret passageway." She shook her head but followed him inside.

Val grinned. "We'll go directly to my suite, which will bypass anyone who might be looking for me." He made a turn at a junction in the narrow corridor.

Jonni glanced toward the route they didn't take. "Where does that one lead?" Her curiosity came through loud and clear.

Val shrugged. "To a room behind the main stairwell. It's used during large gatherings to go from the kitchen to the foyer so servers can quickly reach the ballroom and meeting room." He paused and nodded toward a set of stairs. "We'll go up this flight and one more then be where no one can bother us." Making the first step, he tugged her behind him.

Jonni laughed. "This could be very convenient for us." Her voice dropped to low growl. "Unless Anton gets in the way."

Val frowned but continued up the next flight of stairs then down to the panel to his suite. He pulled the piece of wall toward him and nodded for Jonni to precede him into the space.

She walked through and her head swiveled back and forth. "You've definitely come up in the world." Turning to face him, her lips twisted in a wry curve.

Val resealed the wall and moved to her side. "It's an empty tomb most of the time." He cupped her face. "And I'm going to chat with Anton. I don't care how he works time with you into my schedule, but he's going to." He brushed his lips over hers. "I need you to function and didn't realize how much until seeing you today." His fingers slid under the hem of her shirt, inching the fabric upward.

Jonni tilted her head to one side. "So what? I'm your battery charger now?" She pulled his button-down from the waistband of his pants.

Val stopped her. "No. You don't merely keep me charged up." He dragged her shirt over her head. "You sustain me…" His mouth moved along her shoulder and up the column of her throat.

Jonni shivered. "And you do the same for me … it's why I had to come here. Because I can't stand being so far apart." She popped the button of his pants and lowered the zipper.

Val pushed her leggings down then scooped her up, carrying her to the huge bed between two floor-to-ceiling windows. He quickly shed his trousers and crawled up on the mattress, his erection straight and proud. Jonni splayed her legs and his dick ached to be inside her.

Jonni crooked her finger. "Don't make me wait. I'm so ready for you." She leaned back into the pile of pillows and cupped her breasts.

Val's mouth captured a taut nipple at the same moment he slid home in a smooth thrust.

Jonni gasped then moaned. "Perfect. This is perfect." Her hips rose to grind against his groin.

Val decided they'd never go so long without each other again.

This is the conclusion of an unnamed series and it's in the beginning stages so far. I love writing this couple and can't wait to see what they get into in this one.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye