Hi everyone. Whew, busy week. I had a plot problem I couldn’t resolve, and retreated to the yard for manual labor and think time. Soooo…the Halloween decorations are up, fall chrysanthemums planted, fish pond prepped for winter, pool closed down, and my rake and I are poised to do battle with the leaves already falling from the trees.
For this week’s snippet, I’m posting another scene from Acquisitions & Mergers, the reason my yard received all that attention.
The bell over the door still jangled from Cain’s hasty exit as Bern’s quarry, the lovely Elizabeth of the enchanting bottom, rounded on him and asked, “Why are you here, Mr. Martin?”
“Bern,” he corrected her. “We didn’t finish our last,” he paused, letting his gaze caress her very fine mouth, and linger on her plump lower lip, before he added, “conversation.”
“I disagree. I had nothing more to say, and what you said, I had no desire to hear.”
Bern stepped closer, deliberately crowding her. “Odd—my memory of the occasion differs. From the sweet sounds of your pleasure at the time of our discourse, I would have said you quite enjoyed our little chat; were in fact, eager for more.”
Synopsis:
Bernard Frederick Martin III, wealthy scion and ruthless banker, is in Annona and that can only mean trouble for Elizabeth Harper. The wickedly handsome rogue was once Beth’s boss. She doesn’t want to leave her home and friends, but It’s only a matter of time until he makes her pay for calling him names and bashing him over the head.
Bern was intent on learning the family business from the ground up until the charming bottom of a lowly bank-teller distracted him. After a calculated and skillful seduction, he proposed—that she become his mistress. The little witch threatened to slit his gullet (whatever the hell that meant), clubbed him with a bottle of his best champagne, and fled.
He’s tracked the lovely widow to Texas, not sure once he’s located her, how best to proceed. But after catching a glimpse of Beth at the Annona Ice Cream Social, Bern’s goal becomes clear—acquire and merge.
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Have a great week!
gem
Oh, ho, sounds like he’s biting off more than he can chew with this. I’m eager for her response. Great snippet, Gem. 🙂
I also resort to some physical activity when I’m stuck on something I’m writing.
There is a sexy arrogance to Mr. Martin than might need another bash over his head. 🙂
I seriously doubt that’s the right way to go about convincing her. Then again, anger=passion. Of a sort . . . 😉
I’m liking this story as much as the last one, Gem!
Totally captivated by your writing, Gem. Dialogue is so. . right.
He’s clueless. He won’t get anywhere this way. Lovely excerpt.
This scene sizzles!
Did all of that manual labor work out the plot problem? 🙂
Sounds like more than just a chat. Mmhmm. Ready for more.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/09/wewriwa-on-last-weekend-of-september.html
“‘Odd—my memory of the occasion differs. From the sweet sounds of your pleasure at the time of our discourse, I would have said you quite enjoyed our little chat; were in fact, eager for more.'”
Silver-tongued devil?
Or is she the devil in disguise?
Nice snippet!
Sensual scene, how can she resist!
What a disagreement. I wonder what her response will be?
Love it. He is really trying to put on the charm here.
Deliberately throwing someone off their game can either end very well or very badly… can’t wait to find out next week! (kind of hopes she has another bottle handy)
Apparently he was quite mistaken or she might not want to “talk” about it in front of others. I wonder what’s going on but she doesn’t seem very pleased.
I love the use of language in this snippet, really great!
Oh great scene. They’re dishing it out tit for tat, as it were. 🙂
History Sleuth – Milk Carton Murders
Oh, he’s wonderfully obnoxious. I’m with the others who think she should smack him again. Very nicely done.
I agree with Emmy G (hey! That rhymes!) — I hope she has another wine bottle handy.
Great snippet, but he has quite the ego, I think.
And I’m curious to know if all of that work solved the plot problem. If it did, I’m going to be spending a lot of time trying to find yard work to do. (We have a small yard and I’m struggling with two of them — an “order of events” issue in one outline and an “I’m missing some key element to tie this all together” in another outline.)
Oh, heavens.I’m heavily intrigued by this couple. The word play is absolutely fantastic.
Oh wow. This is interesting.Are you branching out again (from historical to a paranormal to contemporary)?
😀 I am, but not with this title. Acquisitions & Mergers is the next book out in my American historical series–Unlikely Gentlemen.
Labor &/or exercise is always a good strategy for untangling plot issues. Hope it worked for you!
Love the snippet–not sure if i want her to kiss him or smack him one. 🙂
~Charley
How well does he understand how deeply he has insulted her?
Love this! I was smiling right from the “lovely Elizabeth of the enchanting bottom” on:)
Very nice… the tension is palpable. Looking forward to the next bit.