Sunday Snippet: Zip Cuffs

How did we get to the halfway mark of November already? See, the month is flying by again. At least I didn't have any illness or medical drama this week. LOL

I caught some television but not much. Watched several more episodes of Silent Witness. I'm happy to have the opportunity to see how Leo and Harry were introduced. I originally started watching the show sometime around season nine, I think.

I also spent a fair amount of time catching up on laundry and watched a few episodes of Blue Heelers. The new guy is finally starting to grow on me.

I also caught my usual mystery shows on Ovation and did a brief dive into classic Perry Mason. I've been in the mood for mysteries lately.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Zip Cuffs, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt. This is also a working title until the sages give me a good one.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Thrayce Stratton finally has the man she wants, Dino Singer, but when all evidence points to him as the culprit behind several gruesome fae murders, she'll absolutely do her job as an enforcer—including using zip cuffs to get what she needs from Dino.

And a preview snippet…

Dino led Thrayce to the exit and outside then paused by the door. "My place?" He hadn't thought that far ahead.

She nodded. "It's closer. Not that distance matters all that much." She leaned into his side, shivering a little from the cold wind.

He started forward, draping an arm around her. "What's up with tracking? Done for the night?" She should be, but he had no idea how she ran things now that they weren't partners anymore.

Thrayce shrugged. "Pretty much. Could always get a call later." Not like they never got settled in for the night only to get an emergency send out.

Which he didn't miss all that much. But he still got late-night calls but they didn't involve going out to track anyone.

They walked to his place in companionable silence. Thrayce didn't miss a step on the way, her feet traveling the several block trek numerous times. He could do the same going to hers.

She followed him up the steps to his front door and placed her hand on his. "Why now?" Her steady gaze held his.

She didn't need to clarify. It had been months and he could've made a move at any time.

So many reasons, but he gave her the important one. "Because I miss you, more than I ever thought possible." Everything else, all the other roadblocks, paled in comparison.

Her eyes widened at the admission but she grinned. "'Bout time." She lifted her chin and pressed her mouth against his.

And, damn, he'd definitely missed her lips.

Not breaking the kiss, he unlocked and opened the door to drag her inside. He kicked the solid oak shut and leaned back, hauling her against him. She flung her coat off, letting it hit the floor. He worked his hands under her shirt while she slid his jacket over his shoulders. One arm at a time, he shrugged the garment off. Thrayce fisted her hand in his shirt and backed toward the stairs. Still kissing, he paused only long enough to drag his shirt over his head. Up one step, she did the same to hers. Two more and they each shoved pants out of the way. Leaving the garments where they landed, they made it up several more steps before her bra dropped to the ground. At the top of the stairs, they broke their lip-lock long enough to shed the last remaining barriers then found themselves skin-to-skin.

Dino cupped her ass, hauling her close, and nudged her into the bedroom. She turned within his arms and led the way to the soft mattress, tugging him down beside her. His lips found her throat and she moaned.

The sound ignited his blood and he didn't want to be anywhere else but in bed with her for the foreseeable future.

Or at least for the rest of the night.

Nuzzling her collarbone, his hands explored her, ghosting over her skin. She did the same, knowing exactly where to touch and how to make him hot and hard for her. Familiarity settled over him and he hated how much he'd freely given up.

I'm excited about how this story is coming together. I still have a few quirks to figure out but the sages are cooperating and giving me good ideas.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Zip Cuffs

I hope everyone who celebrated Thanksgiving had a wonderful one. Ours was low key, exactly the way I like it.

Somewhat of a short week for television. I did enjoy The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Getting some insight into Mick's world made me happy. The big crossover is coming up on Monday and I'm kind of excited to see it.

Arrow's Thanksgiving episode turned out to be excellent. Love having Thea back and hopefully back in true Thea form.

As usual, I'm behind on a few of my binge watch shows but I'm addicted to the Hallmark Channels' holiday movies. I really love having something going pretty much 24 / 7.

Looking forward to the return of Riverdale next week.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Zip Cuffs, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt of writing a crime drama with handcuffs.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Thrayce Stratton finally has the man she wants, Dino Singer, but when all evidence points to him as the culprit behind several gruesome fae murders, she'll absolutely do her job as an enforcer—including using zip cuffs to get what she needs from Dino.

And a preview snippet…

When the door of Mourning Glory's burst open, Thrayce Stratton angled her head around to see who entered. "As I live and breathe, Dino Singer." She signaled the bartender for another shot.

She'd need it to stay steady. Her former partner left her behind when he received the nomination to become a fae elder almost six months ago. He hadn't looked back since. Going from enforcer to the upper echelon sealed their fate.

They'd never be able to pursue the spark they set off when they'd worked together.

Dino made his way directly toward her, his face impassive and unreadable. Whatever. Shouldn't take her too long to discover why he'd decided to slum it for the evening.

When he parked his ass on the stool next to hers, she gave him a snarky greeting. "It's only been a month. Missing the lesser life already?" She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of looking at him.

Dino propped his forearms on the bar. "No. I'm tired of being told what's appropriate now that I'm an elder." He flagged the bartender and ordered a drink. "Since I am an elder, I should be able to do what I want."

Thrayce lifted a brow. "You make a great point." She downed her shot. "And I'm guessing you have a huge desire to slum it with the underfae? Why else would you be here?" She finally slid him a sideways glance.

He met her gaze, holding it for several long moments before he answered. "No. I came here to find you." Draining his glass, he tapped the bar for another.

Thrayce widened her gaze. "Did you maybe get hexed by someone?" Seeking her out would garner attention he didn't need.

Dino's lips quirked. "No, I didn't." He sobered. "I finally achieved a life goal, but what good is attaining something if I've got no one to share it with?" Again, he held her gaze, making his meaning clear.

Well, a slap in the face wouldn't have shocked her more.

She tilted her head to one side. "Why me? You pretty much have your pick of any fae out there." Disbelief warred with a strong desire to push hard to see how far he'd take this crazy idea. "I mean, you're young, incredibly good-looking, and hold a position of power. I'm pretty sure any number of hot, sexy females are dripping with anticipation." Not to mention swimming in lust and possibly dying to get a leg up in the fae hierarchy.

Dino leaned in close. "The only woman I want wet and tingly is you." His voice rumbled against her ear.

Holy shit.

Thrayce shuddered. "Jesus. I can't believe you just said—you did just speak, right? I didn't imagine it?" Honestly, maybe she'd been hexed.

Dino's lips curved in a half-smile. "I did. And no, you didn't." He trailed a finger over her hand.

She blinked. "Why?" Did she really care?

His brow quirked and he opened his mouth, probably to repeat what he'd already said.

Thrayce shook her head. "Sorry, wrong question. When?" She met his gaze and held it.

He extended his hand. "What's wrong with now?" An eyebrow shot up.

What's wrong with now? Aside from dead fae piling up all over the city and the fact elders didn't mingle—or have sex with—enforcers, not a damn thing. Her brain's inability to wrap around the reasons warred with her libido and a potent desire to finally achieve one of her life goals.

Her sex drive won, hands down.

Reaching out, she grasped his fingers. "Let's go."

I'm kind of excited about where this story is going. Can't wait to dive back in and see what happens next.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Zip Cuffs

AHHHHH! Season finale for The Walking Dead tonight and I'm excited and actually a little frightened. Last week's ending kind of hurt, right?

Let's see… what else from this fairly big week of TV? The Flash messing with the timeline proved kind of interesting. I have to wonder if maybe Wells didn't get split, or possibly has an evil twin wandering around. Not sure how I feel about the idea, but I could probably get behind it. Arrow blew my mind again. So in love with this show. I won't get into too much detail, but every actor is pretty much spot on and giving their all. I LOVE it.

Bitten also brought the goods. Watching Greyston Holt go really creepy as Sean Rogerson's Alestair proved to be great. Nice bit of acting there. I have one small quibble. For all the times the witches have claimed to know everything, they sure get shit wrong an awful lot. Frankly, I expect more from Ruth, but I also like the huge changes in storyline deviating from the books, so… yeah, there's that. I'm just not sure I like how they come across as so uninformed, yet give off the vibe they know it all. But hey, I love Paige and Nick, so hopefully the witches can stick around. :D

And, that's it for TV this week.

Tonight's post is from Zip Cuffs, a sexy novella where my main characters are pitted against each other by an outside force.

Here's the tagline:

Thrayce Stratton finally has the man she wants, Dino Singer, but when all evidence points to him as the culprit behind several gruesome fae murders, she'll absolutely do her job as an enforcer—including using zip cuffs to get what she needs from Dino.

And a preview snippet…

Thrayce stepped out of the shower and gingerly dried off. Her skin still tingled from the early morning romp. Dino's stubble left two tender spots on her inner thighs. Pulling open the door to her bedroom, she barely got her underwear on before her phone rang. Reaching across the bed, she grabbed the device and sighed. Work. Figured.

She swiped her finger over 'answer'. "Stratton." Cradling her cell between her chin and her shoulder, she fished around for a bra.

"Notice how there isn't a dead body this morning?"

She paused, frowning. The voice on the other end did not belong to her boss. Not the first time she'd received helpful information from an unknown source, but her gut roiled with nervous tension.

She'd play along for now. "Yes, I noticed." Giving up on the bra, she snagged a t-shirt from her drawer and planted her butt on the mattress. "Why? You have any information on that?"

"We believe it's because the killer was otherwise occupied last night…" The speaker paused for one long moment. "With you."

No. Fucking. Way.

But her disbelief hit right up against a sense of betrayal. She couldn't discount the idea just because Dino Singer could make her scream with pleasure.

She gritted her teeth together. "You've got my attention. I'm listening."

"Come to the Mystic Tea Room. I'll give you everything you need to make your case."

Swallowing down the bile rising up in her throat, Thrayce agreed. "Give me fifteen. I'll be there." She ended the call and tossed her phone on the dresser.

There had to be some kind of mistake. Her greatest dream landed in her lap last night and the will to ignore the call, the timing, everything grabbed hold of her.

But she wouldn't be the top enforcer if she always let emotion get in her way. Rising, she yanked her shirt over her head and scrambled into a pair of black cargo pants. She picked up her phone and shoved it into the side pocket. Crossing through her room and out into the parlor, she jammed her feet into a pair of shoes and grabbed her jacket. She didn't bother with her keys, choosing to walk instead. She wanted a cool head when she met with… whomever. And they'd better have damned solid information or Thrayce would make sure they suffered for wasting her time.

And ruining the one thing she wanted most in the world before it even got truly started.

Should be fun to see where this one goes. The sages have some great ideas pinging back and forth.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye