Fifty Cents For Your Soul
Page 34
To tell the God’s honest truth, I think my best performance took place inside a certain hotel room, with an X-rated Disney movie in the background.
There, my forever love directed me in the art of making love.
Too bad he was a doppelganger.
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Although I didn’t sit next to Matthew Broderick, who sat next to his Emmy-nominated wife, I couldn’t have been happier.
I sat next to Cat, who sat next to Lynn Beth, who sat next to Bonnie. Sol and Peggy had surprised me by flying in for the show. Surrounded by friends, I didn’t even care if they called my name.
Instantly, I pictured Disney’s Pinocchio. Okay, so I did care.
But only because of Mom, who had stuffed everyone she knew into the Rosen’s plastique living room. There, she watched the show on TV.
Pinocchio’s imaginary nose grew longer, and I giggled.
“Something funny?” Cat whispered.
“It’s been nine months since Victor’s death, and I can’t seem to get rid of Disney images.”
She squeezed my hand and said, “You look gorgeous.”
“I look like a beached whale.”
“Hush. They’re up to your category. God, I’m excited.”
“Me, too.”
With a big grin on his handsome face, Jeremy Glenn stood in front of the microphone. He announced the nominees, then said, “And the Emmy goes to…Frannie Rosen!”
“Francine Rose,” I murmured.
Cat laughed. “Go get your prize, sweetie.”
As I stood up, pain coursed through my body. “Shit,” I said, “I think the baby’s coming.”
Cat’s beautiful eyes widened. “When did your labor pains start?”
“Around noon-thirty.”
Deja vu all over again, except I was at the Emmys, not the Oscars.
I heard a voice say Maybe that’ll happen someday.
Twenty minutes later, I heard Cat’s voice.
“It’s a girl, Frannie, and she’s not happy. Listen to her scream. She’s going to be a little devil. What are you planning to call her?”
“Victoria,” I said…and smiled.
~*~
Denise Dietz
Denise Dietz is the best-selling author of several novels, including Footprints in the Butter, Beat Up a Cookie, Dream Dancer, Eye of Newt, and the highly-acclaimed paranormal romance, Hallie’s Comet. Her publishers include: Walker, Kensington, Delphi, Harlequin, Triskelion, and Five Star. Deni has been a professional singer, a journalist, an extra for Paramount, and a waitress. An avid Denver Broncos fan, Deni lives on Vancouver Island with her husband, novelist Gordon Aalborg, and her “mostly Norwegian Elkhound,” Pandora.
You can visit Denise on the Internet at http://www.eclectics.com/denise/.
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Read on for a tantalizing glimpse of
Dark Knights 1: Eternity of Darkness
by Ann Jacobs, writing as Shana Nichols
Available at Loose Id
Dark Knights 1: Eternity of Darkness
What a beautiful night! A bright golden moon rose over Lake Michigan, and a light breeze ruffled Julie's hair as she walked along, Noodles in tow. Though she disliked going out alone so late at night, the dog had insisted, scratching and whining until Julie had grabbed her leash and given in.
She'd stay close to civilization, on the adjacent street where hotel doormen stood vigil all hours of the day and night. Meanwhile, she'd enjoy the cool air, the streetlights dotting the night with cheerful color.
When she glanced toward the hotel where her new friend Louis had mentioned he was staying, she saw him.
The most beautiful man she'd ever had the privilege of looking at up close. Tall, dark, with wavy black hair and…she knew even when looking at him fully clothed that he'd have a body she'd love to paint -- or sculpt. His shoulder muscles rippled visibly beneath the v-neck sweater that clung lovingly to well-developed pecs and skimmed a flat belly she imagined would be deliciously ridged. Snug jeans outlined buns to die for, and an impressive bulge that made her itch to fondle him there.
His features were half-hidden in the shadows, but even then she noticed a deep laceration on one cheek that gave him a rough-edged, dangerous look. A look that drew her, made her want to learn what secrets lurked behind an enigmatic smile. Though it was fully dark and she couldn't tell their color, she imagined his eyes would be a deep, rich brown, like the darkest, most succulent Belgian chocolate.
Julie had always been a sucker for Belgian chocolate. Pity she had to finish restoring the painting she'd promised by tomorrow for a restaurateur over on Oak Street. Even more the pity that her mama had raised her better than to accost a stranger on the street and proposition him then and there, because the temptation to do that nearly overwhelmed her.
What was she thinking? She'd never felt this way before about a man she hadn't even met. About any man. She couldn't drag her gaze off him, couldn't shake the feelings that had gripped her. A feeling that she'd come face to face with destiny.
Damn, but she wanted to paint him…taste him. She longed to stroke the classic planes of his face, explore all the textures in his short, professionally layered hair. Soothe that wound that marred his cheek and caress his chiseled jaw. Maybe…no, she'd felt desire, but nothing quite this intense before. No perfect stranger had ever before made her want to toss away good sense, throw herself into his arms.
When Noodles lunged against the leash, and it slipped from Julie's slack grip. Julie spun, crying out as her pet made a dash for something -- maybe one of the feral cats she often saw hanging out in alleys behind the hotels. A horn blared. Tires squealed on the asphalt pavement. Julie screamed, then bolted after her pet. A black SUV bore down on them. Noodles was surely going to die. She was going to die, too. The driver screeched to a halt mere inches from her frozen body. Unable to make herself move, she stood, trembling, her eyes closed. She'd survived, but no way could the driver have missed hitting Noodles.
“Lady, get the fuck out of the road,” the driver yelled. “What are you, crazy?”
“I'm… I'm sorry.” Julie tried to move, but her legs wouldn't obey her brain. Oh, God, she couldn't bear looking. Seeing Noodles smashed on the pavement.
A strong arm encircled her waist, tugged her out of the path of the vehicle. “Be on your way, man. Can't you see the lady is in shock?” The voice surrounded Julie like a caress. A voice like the mellow, supremely male one she'd heard inside her head last night. “This is yours, I believe?”
When she opened her eyes, she saw him. The beautiful man she'd been ogling…and Noodles, looking small, helpless, and unharmed, apparently quite satisfied to be held in the crook of her savior's muscular arm. “Oh, yes. Thank you.” When she reached out to retrieve her dog, their hands touched. Sensual awareness sizzled, set off by the merest hint of physical contact. Did he feel it, too? “Thank you so much. I don't know if I could have stood it if I'd lost… What can I do to repay you?”
“I'm sure you'll think of something appropriate. I'm Stefan d'Argent. At your service.” One eyebrow lifted, giving him a slightly sardonic expression.
“Julie. Julie Quill. And that's Noodles. Noodles, you're a bad, bad girl.”
He glanced down at her dog, who seemed in no hurry to leave the safety of his arms. “Noodles almost became part of the pavement out there.”
“I know.” Guilt washed over Julie, because now, as a few moments ago, she found herself mesmerized, her body responding to the simple proximity of him. She'd nearly lost her precious pup, and all she could think about was this gorgeous man -- Stefan seemed a very appropriate name -- and how she imagined she'd feel if he touched her the way he was now stroking an appreciative Noodles. “I can't thank you enough.”
He set Noodles down, but made no move to hand Julie her leash. “There is a way.” He caught and held her gaze, and the heat that sizzled between them nearly made her jump back, take refuge in the night.
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What people are saying about
Dark Knights 1: Eternity of Darkness
Eternity of Darkness is a wonderful new start to the Dark Knights series. Ms. Nichols shows the dangers and obstacles that need to be overcome when mortal and vampire hearts entwine. The pages sizzled and I had to run for ice on several occasions. Ms. Nichols has found a real niche with this series in its uniqueness. This story is not your average vampire erotica, the characters are more developed, and as well as the sex, there is a wonderful story. I would not hesitate to recommend this book, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
-- Jaynie Ritchie, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
First up in Shana Nichols new vampire series, Eternity of Darkness will captivate readers. Shana Nichols writes a delightful and bewitching story of a vampire family that protects the world from evil. Eternity of Darkness is Stefan's story, and I can't wait for the next book in the series, Darkness of Night, Alina's story.
-- Sinclair Reid, Romance Reviews Today
Luna Ten: Cassiopeia
…an erotic and pleasurable tale…distinctive and sexy...will hook readers right away…it is a great short story I heartily recommend. If you like romantic futuristic stories that are out of the ordinary, Luna Ten will be a series to watch for!
-- Enya Adrian, Romance Reviews Today
…deliciously hot…a lovely introduction to Ms. Jacob’s new series for Changeling Press. With loving bondage and a “to die for hero”, this novel kept me hungrily turning pages to the end. I’m waiting with great expectation for the next one.
-- Meribeth McCombs, Road to Romance
Luna Ten: Cassiopeia is now available from Changeling Press