Welcome back! Time to share an excerpt from The Victorian’s Lure. Why not my favorite scene? That first moment when Dakota starts to ‘warm’ toward Leathan. This scene is not only domestic but gives you a taste of how she sees him as all things paranormal and also as a flesh and blood… Scotsman!
EXCERPT…
Leathan polished off the last bite of his eggs and pushed his plate away. “Let me out of here. I’ll get the dishes started.”
Dakota saw her escape. “Me too, I’ll help.”
Everyone moved, and they slid out. Leathan grabbed the pans while she opened the dishwasher. For a few minutes they worked together in perfect harmony while the others chatted at the table. She’d never had a live in boyfriend and surely had never spent enough time in the kitchen to share such a domestic scene with a man. The snow fell in heavy, penny-sized flakes beyond the window above the sink. An apple cinnamon scented candle flickered invitingly on the sill.
“Almost feels like we should have some Christmas music playing in the background, huh?” Leathan rinsed off a pan and put it in the washer.
Smiling, she put some plates in next to his pan. “I wouldn’t think folks like you celebrated Christmas.”
“Folks like me?” he said, amused. “I suppose you think we should only recognize Halloween.”
Dakota glanced at him, relieved to see a glint of humor in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I can’t picture you decorating a
Christmas tree and singing carols. I suppose that was narrow-minded of me.”
“Not at all.” He flashed his straight white teeth. “I definitely do not sing Christmas Carols. As for the tree, sure, why not?”
A small, unexpected thrill shot through her. It had almost felt like he was saying he’d be more than willing to decorate a tree alongside her. But of course, that hadn’t been what he said. He’d merely expressed he wasn’t above decorating a tree with anyone. Where was her mind going? She didn’t even decorate Christmas trees! At least she hadn’t in a very long time. Sell the idea of vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, creatures of the night, that’s what she did.
Nothing else.
Dakota kept washing dishware while he cleared the plates and silverware off the table. She rinsed a clump of silverware and leaned over at the exact moment he did. They tried to shove silverware into the same slot and their hands brushed.
“Sorry,” he said and shoved his bunch into the next slot.
With a shrug, she wedged the silverware into its holder and got busy cleaning the sink, all the while feeling incredibly hot. Had someone turned up the heat? Out of the corner of her eye she watched him return to the coffee maker and refill his mug. Sweatpants made the firm globes of his backside stand out in a way jeans never could. Was he wearing underwear? She went to swallow, choked instead. Coughing and sputtering, she held a hand over her mouth.
Turning, coffee mug in hand, Leathan arched one brow at her. “You okay?”
Nodding, Dakota continued to cough, convinced she must be turning thirteen shades of red. She grabbed a cup from the cupboard, filled it with water and gulped. At last, the tickle in her throat passed. Thankfully, no one made a big deal out of it but continued chatting. The last dish in, she filled the soap dispenser, shut the washer and turned it on.
“You like coffee?”
Leathan had approached so quietly she jumped but not before a nervous hiccup escaped. She covered her mouth with her palm, eyes round.
“Excuse me!” she mumbled into her hand.
His lips flattened in an obvious attempt not to laugh. “No problem. Maybe an anti-acid would be better?”
Dakota uncovered her mouth, bit the corner of her lip and hid a smile. So he did have a sense of humor after all. “I do like coffee…even better than anti-acids.”
Standing within inches, the smile he bestowed made her grasp the counter behind her. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he must be the poster boy for the Scottish Highlands. Her mind drifted once more to the sight of his backside. Dakota couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever worn a kilt. Did they even wear those there anymore? Probably not. As if she was into guys wearing skirts anyway…please.
“Like it light and sweet?” He asked.
“What?”
“Your coffee.”
Of course that’s what he meant. After all, no such thing as a light and sweet kilt! She chuckled.
He cocked his head. “You should laugh more often, Dakota,” he murmured, still standing close.
“I should?”
“Aye, lass.”
The way he said it─brogue soft and full of encouragement─made her find the counter with her other hand. Full support was needed. Lord. Only ten hours ago, no, two, she had found him obnoxious and overbearing.
Now she wasn’t so sure.
“Was I right about the coffee?” he asked.
Coffee? Right, light and sweet. “Yeah, how’d you know?”
His eyes fell to her lips. “Just a feeling.”
“Good feeling,” she said softly. The room faded away. Idle chatter vanished. She liked the sensual cut of his lower lip. The edges curved down a bit, as though he spent too much time frowning. His top lip was carved into strong slopes. She imagined running her tongue between his lips, tracing the smooth edges. Where had that thought come from?
When he leaned across to set his mug on the counter, he came so close she could smell a fresh, soapy spice burn from his skin. Or was that the candle? He was so tall, lips so close. If she only moved forward a fraction, closed the distance, would his lips taste as good as they looked?
Leathan’s eyes rose to hers. She knew as she gazed into their rich depths, he wanted the same. Blood rushed through her limbs, made her lips throb in anticipation. What harm could one little kiss do? Just to see.
Sky here. Hope you enjoyed! Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a PRINT copy of The Victorian Lure!
Purchase The Victorian Lure at Amazon, The Wild Rose Press and Barnes & Noble
Twitter @SkyPurington
*GIVEAWAY*
Sky will be giving away a PRINT copy of The Victorian Lure to one lucky commenter! Please leave your E-mail address with your comment so we may contact you should you win! Winner will be picked at random once the Spotlight is over on Friday November 25th, 2011- Good luck!
*GIVEAWAY*
Sky will be giving away a PRINT copy of The Victorian Lure to one lucky commenter! Please leave your E-mail address with your comment so we may contact you should you win! Winner will be picked at random once the Spotlight is over on Friday November 25th, 2011- Good luck!
3 comments:
Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope you and yours had a wonderful day! :-)
Awesome, fun and hot excerpt! You had me hooked! Hope you had a fun Thanksgiving, Sky and Andrea!
author (at) vondasinclair.com
YOU AS WELL SKY AND ANDREA! I SEARCHED ALL OVER FOR A FOUR LEAF CLOVER! ROFL
Post a Comment