Hello friends! I know I have been quiet. Lots going on here in Bat Country. Of course there is NaNo and editing, but I am also getting the final polish on Secrets for you so it will be ready on the 22nd. Woohoo! I just sent it for formatting and so far everything is going well. So I thought I would share a juicy excerpt of the book with you if that's okay.
Secrets
Urban Fantasy Book 1 Guardian Trilogy
“I’m Olivia Martin.” I extended my hand towards him. Instead of shaking it, he took my fingers and planted a smooth, cool kiss on the back of my hand without breaking eye contact. His eyes weren’t cold when they looked back into mine. This time they were warm and inviting . . . hungry even. He kept my fingers in his cool grasp, then slowly, deftly pulled me closer to him. No thoughts, warnings, or alarms were in my head, the only thing on my mind were his lips moving closer and closer to mine.
“Holden, I’m bored,” said a whiny voice from behind us. My eyes flickered from him to see who was interrupting. He gave a low growl of frustration and pulled away, releasing my hand.
“Candi … Didn’t you look at the pictures?” His patent expression of boredom was back in place, masking his face.
“It’s Cathi.” Holden shrugged as if her name was a minor detail. “Besides they're only of ugly people.”
A bitter laughed slipped out of my mouth. A slight smile touched Holden’s lips. He wasn’t apologetic or embarrassed though, he was amused which irritated me further.
“Cathi, this is the photographer, Olivia Martin.”
“Neat,” she said as if she couldn’t care in the least. I extended my hand towards the 60% plastic model who obviously lived to make others feel inferior, because I was determined to be an adult. She looked at my hand as if it might not be safe to touch me—some plainness might wear off on her—but eventually shook it. I resisted the urge to squeeze her fingers together until she said mercy. Like I said, I was being an adult.
“It’s lovely meeting you, Candi was it?” I asked innocently
“Candi, why don’t you go get our jackets? I'll meet you at the door.”
“Cathi—”
“Does it matter? Please get them.” He brushed his hand against hers and her face went blank. She went towards the coat check line. Holden gave me his attention again, raising an eyebrow.
“Can you not remember all of your girlfriends’ names, or was that for my benefit?”
He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “I bet I'll remember your name, Olivia.” His breath was warm and made me want to press up against him. And the way my name rolled out of his mouth like a caress made my cheeks flush.
“Only time will tell,” I whispered back, then forced myself to step away, and flashed him a dazzling smile. I wouldn’t let him muddle my thoughts; his girlfriend was waiting. “It was nice meeting you, Holden.”
“And you,” he said with a slight bow. He walked out of the door with stripper Barbie. Story of my life.