Sunday Snippet: Quelling Hunger

Had a crazy busy week with multiple projects coming due and, thankfully, I made the deadlines. I'll freely admit there might have been some wine to help along the way. More as a reward at the end of the week than during the actual crunch time.

I made a lot of progress on the three shows I'm currently watching. This means I haven't seen any of the premieres of the new seasons yet. I'm weirdly out of sync with everyone else and I'm not eager to dive into the new stuff yet.

I continued with season three of Peter Gunn and have a handful of episodes left to watch. Season three marks the end of the run and I'm not sure what I'll replace this show with, but I think I'd like to go with another classic television series. We'll see what I can find.

I'm through season seven of Classic Who and have a start on season eight. I'm in the Mind of Evil arc. The Master is now a nemesis and it's fun to watch how the long-standing rivalry started between the Doctor and the Master.

I've also finished up series eighteen of Midsomer Murders and should start nineteen soon. That leaves about twelve or so episodes left before I finish up the entire run. Not sure what I'll replace this one with either. I might finish The Coroner if it's still available.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Quelling Hunger, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When a storm destroys the food warehouses in the city, Rita Steed and Fletch Lancaster are tasked with keeping the peace while half-rations are necessary until the rooftop gardens can produce more crops. Heading up the sector patrol, neither is certain they can maintain the status quo when quelling hunger seems to be impossible.

And a preview snippet…

The hazy warmth of several glasses of wine on a less than full stomach spread comfortably through Rita.

She kicked back on the small futon Fletch had dragged inside their makeshift quarters. "Nothing like a little vino to wash away a crappy day." She swirled the last swallow in her glass.

Fletch picked her feet up and started a massage. "We might end up counting alcohol as a food group soon." His hand slid up her calf, squeezing and kneading her muscles.

Rita's head dropped back and she moaned. "I can't believe they opened another holding facility." She straightened. "Damn. They're gonna cut rations again." No way would that go over well.

Fletch's fingers paused. "Uh… where did you come up with that?" He turned to face her, dislodging her feet.

Rita shrugged. "Projection? Why open a new center when we're a few weeks away from the first replacement harvest?" Her gut churned and not from the wine.

Fletch's eyes slid shut. "Unless there's a delay or something else wrong with the new growth." He blew out a harsh breath. "Shit. I'll find out in the morning briefing."

Rita maneuvered around to straddle Fletch's thighs. "I'm a total mood-killer. Can we forget I said anything and go back to you accepting the challenge of proving you're the best thing on the planet?" She wiggled her butt for good measure.

Fletch narrowed his eyes. "Gonna be a tough job. Maybe you should help me out."

Rita grinned. "Thought you'd never ask." She worked her fingers under the hemline of his shirt and dragged it up and over his head.

The smooth planes of his chest drew her palms forward to glide over his skin.

Fletch caught her leg in his grip and toppled her sideways to stretch out on the futon. With practiced ease, he lowered the back, giving him space to recline next to her. His mouth met hers and he scrunched up the material of her tank top. When the fabric cleared her breasts, his head dropped down to capture a nipple between his lips.

Rita pulled the shirt off and started on her pants. Fletch took over, tugging the stretchy garment past her hips and down her legs. She kicked them out of the way and slid her hands under the warm-ups he wore. He helped her get them removed and hauled her close.

His palms kneaded her ass. "Forget everything else. Tonight is about you and me." He brought her hips flush with his.

His erection jutted against her stomach and Rita wrapped her fingers around the length. "I'm down with that. And you're definitely up for it." She hooked her leg over his hip and guided his cock to her core. "Show me how much."

I like the dynamic between Fletch and Rita. They're kind of beat down but still able to find golden moments to cherish.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Quelling Hunger

Is the holiday season in full swing at your house? It's definitely rockin' at mine. LOL

Holiday shows were something of a theme this week. The Flash and Arrow had their Christmas shows and I thoroughly enjoyed.

Teen Wolf is creeping me out with the riders. I kind of love the blend of old and new but really need to see some Stiles on my screen. Agents of SHIELD threw a total twisty twist in at the end of their episode. Can't wait for the hiatus to be over to see what's going to happen next.

The Librarians continues to make me happy. Also love The Talking Dead, especially when I skip the episode of The Walking Dead. I'm just not at all interested in Neegan and his machinations.

Legends of Tomorrow introduced the Legion of Doom and that makes me happy. Having Merlyn and company pop up now and again should keep things very interesting.

MacGyver also makes me happy. I love the reboot of Jack's character more than I can say.

The Great Holiday Binge Watch continues. I've made it through the complete Whoverse and look forward to the new special on Christmas Day. Started on NCIS and have the first two holiday episodes watched.

Also caught up on Murdoch Mysteries. I'm loving this season so much!

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Quelling Hunger, a novella that got a start with the two-word prompt, "eat me", but has taken on a life of it's own.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When a storm destroys the food warehouses in the city, Rita Steed and Fletch Lancaster are tasked with keeping the peace while half-rations are necessary until the rooftop gardens can produce more crops. Heading up the sector patrol, neither is certain they can maintain the status quo when quelling hunger seems to be impossible.

And a preview snippet…

Fletch warmed up the single dinner and poured two glasses of wine. Rita's dark humor concerned him. The haunted and hunted look in Rita's gaze spoke of upheaval on epic levels. Nothing rattled her. Usually.

Then again, the shortage of food brought out the worst in their denizens. More and more citizens were acting out over the half-rations. Fletch shook his head. People could do with less, but they didn't want to. How many scuffles had he broken up today? How many had Rita? They couldn't even work as a team anymore because the callouts were increasing on a daily basis.

Rita emerged from the shower area, a towel wrapped around her torso. "Showers are the best thing on the planet right now." She grabbed a white tank top and black knit pants, her comfort clothes, and quickly dressed.

Fletch put the entrée on the small table then retrieved the goblets. "Hey, I thought I was the best thing on the planet." He settled onto the chair and quirked an eyebrow.

Rita dropped down across from him. "Maybe after we've shared our food and had a couple glasses of wine, you can prove that to be true." Her lips curved in a sexy smirk.

Fletch grabbed a fork and speared a mouthful of food. "Challenge accepted." He popped the bite into his mouth and nodded for Rita to dig in.

She twirled her utensil between her fingers. "You know, we should stay home tomorrow. Let the morons go after each other." Stabbing a forkful of food, she frowned. "If the hospitals start filling up with injured people, at least they'd be off the streets and not causing problems. We don't have much room left in the holding cells." She popped the combination of beef and noodles into her mouth.

Fletch winced. "They've converted a former warehouse into a second facility. New cells went in today." He hated delivering the news.

Rita closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. "So, what? The plan is to keep everyone locked up until the harvest is completed?" She snagged another bite of the dinner. "That's crazy."

Fletch didn't disagree. "Yep. And the new location is across town, so they'll be shipping meals from the distribution center to the jail and the temporary holding cells." Which meant security would be a nightmare.

Rita picked up her glass and drained it. "Forget one more glass of wine. We're finishing the bottle."

Fletch refilled her goblet then lifted his. "Here, here." He clinked his rim against hers. "I see a lot of firestorm and binding spells in our future."

I'm having fun with this one. The conflict is slowly revealing itself and the sages are happy with where things are going.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye Ritchey

Sunday Snippet: Quelling Hunger

August 3, 2014

Another long week, but at least some great TV to ease the stress. Currently watching The Last Ship, which continues to keep me entertained. The new season of Doctor Who starts in a few weeks and my fingers are crossed. Really not sure I'm going to like Twelve.

Getting ready to start season two of La Femme Nikita, probably when I completely fell in love with the show. I'm also still loving Defiance and can't wait to see where the season ends.

New and pics from Comic Con made my week. The casts from Orphan Black, Sons of Anarchy, and Arrow were super awesome and shared tons of stuff. I so enjoy it when the actors love what they do and give lots to their fans.

Tonight's post is from Quelling Hunger, a novella where my main characters are in a big pinch.

Here's the tagline:

When a storm destroys the food warehouses in the city, Rita Steed and Fletch Lancaster are tasked with keeping the peace while half-rations are necessary until the rooftop gardens can produce more crops. Heading up the sector patrol, neither is certain they can maintain the status quo when quelling hunger seems to be impossible.

And a preview snippet…

Rita pushed a combatant into the holding cell and slammed the door closed. "Forty-eight hours and you'll be released." She sighed. "If you would just follow the damned ration plan for a few more weeks, you'll have more than enough when the new crops are harvested." She shook her head. "Raining lightning down on the line won't get you any more than you're due."

The prisoner sneered. "Maybe not, but I would've received it sooner."

Rita spun and exited the holding area before she zapped him with a firestorm. Weary of the constant skirmishes over half-rations, Rita stomped down the corridor, up the stairs and mentally dared anyone to get in her way. Her co-workers got the message and steered clear. When she finally made it to the temporary staff quarters, she paused outside the door and took a deep, cleansing breath. She twisted the knob and entered the old infirmary, then pushed the heavy curtain aside to the tiny alcove she called home for the moment. The scent of soap and sage hit her nose and she smiled for the first time in hours.

Fletch angled his head around, his hair still damp from a shower, and lifted a brow. "Wow. Rough day?" He helped her remove her jacket and undid the buttons of her shirt.

She rolled her eyes. "You have no idea." Shrugging out of the shirt, she turned so he could unfasten her bra. "I'm at the point where I'm ready to tell people to just shoot me and chow down. I can't stand this bullshit anymore." She let the lingerie fall to the floor and turned to face Fletch.

He blinked then snorted. "Cripes, Rita. That's not funny." His fingers popped the button on her jeans and he helped her wriggle the denim past her hips. "And you can't say it out loud. Someone will be stupid enough to take you up on it."

She kicked the pants aside and reached for a towel. "You're right, and all over half-rations. Can you imagine if we had to drop down to quarter shares?" She shook her head and made her way to the shower area, switching the water on and letting it warm.

Fletch shuddered. "No. The ugly stuff we're dealing with now would escalate to epic horror." He pushed her gently under the water, taking her towel and draping it over the metal rack. "But enough shop talk. Finish your shower and we'll relax over our single entrée." He pulled the plastic barrier, more to keep the water from spraying everywhere than to provide privacy.

She leaned her head against the wall and let the water wash away the tension of the day. A little food and a lot of wine would definitely chase the stress away. And if no one else did anything insanely idiotic, she and Fletch might just ease more pressure with some fantastic sex.

If she didn't fall asleep under the steaming spray.

Rita is character who appreciates the simpler things in life. :D

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye