I love Valentine’s Day! The red, the hearts, the love quotes! Funny thing is, I don’t celebrate. Maybe because it’s way too close to my birthday, among several other family member’s birthdays, or because my husband and I don’t see the need to anymore since we’ve been together so long. I think it’s a great time for new lovers, those who need that extra push, and even children! I always loved it as a child, and I think it’s a great time to show appreciation and respect to those we love (it doesn’t always have to be romance)!
As a child, I always loved the old shoe boxes we decorated, and the care we took in slipping each Valentine card into those boxes. My coworkers and I were just talking about that today, and how memorable and fun it was, and she mentioned her son’s class doesn’t do that. I’m not sure if school stopped doing that or what, but I think it’s sad.
This Valentine’s Weekend, I have big plans. I’m helping host a baby shower for a friend on Saturday, and my husband and I are actually going out on Valentine’s Day, but that’s only to see Deadpool! Can’t wait to see it! Then, of course, there’s the new episode of The Walking Dead! And let’s not forget the big news: Liberation’s release day!
To celebrate here, I wanted to share a snippet of Valentine’s Day from Burn on the Western Slope.
In this scene, we see our hero, Garret, up on stage singing karaoke, and our heroine, Rayma, thinking of…well, read the excerpt and you’ll see. We also meet Chayton, the bartender and Garret’s brother, and Naomi, Reagan’s cousin. Those two end up together in the next novel, Fatal Snag. Join me tomorrow for an excerpt from their story, and on Sunday for a special excerpt from Liberation!
In this particular scene, Chayton, who owns a bar, is hosting a Valentine’s party. If you like what you see, you can always pick up a copy of Burn on the Western Slope here.
Without further ado…
Excerpt:
That weekend, Reagan and Naomi went to Air Dog, sporting grins and laughter. She tried to convince herself she wouldn’t care if Garret didn’t make it to the Valentine’s Party at Air Dog. It’d be best if he didn’t. Something about the red hearts gave Reagan a crazy longing to truly experience love and devotion. To have red roses and dark chocolate delivered to her door. Silly, silly thinking.
Red lights glimmered across the ceiling, emitting low, sexy illumination. A beam of lights corralled atop the dance floor, emanating a stream of colors. Tables flaunted small red candles and white bears.
The décor wasn’t set for sweet. It was set for sexy.
Chayton stood behind the bar with a bright red jersey shirt advertising the number sixty-nine. Only he could look good wearing a shirt like that. With extra help, he tended a flurry of customers. The other bartender was the woman she knew as Simone. The lights flickered off blonde and cherry streaks to make it appear outrageous in an appealing way.
Just the kind of woman Chayton would like. Reagan perceived Naomi’s sigh more than she heard it.
“Ladies, ladies, welcome.” Chayton retrieved two glasses hanging above the counter. “What can I get you? You want to try my Valentine Rose?”
“What’s that?” Naomi asked.
“My specialty. You have to try at least one.”
“Hit me,” Naomi said, and glared when Chayton winked. And here Reagan thought they were getting along.
“And you, Reagan?”
“I’ll try it,” she said, trying not to be too conspicuous as she searched for Garret. Even if it was best he didn’t come, she longed to see him. It wouldn’t be hard to blend in here. Masses of people swarmed the bar and the dance floor brimmed with patrons.
Reagan watched Chayton concoct the beverages. Naomi focused her attention away from the bar.
“I thought you and Chayton were friends,” Reagan said.
Naomi nodded. “We are.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Chayton returned, furnishing their requested beverages.
Reagan popped a couple bucks in the tip jar. “What’s going on tonight?” she asked.
“Entertainment night. Tourists and locals play music, tell jokes, karaoke, whatever they want to do onstage as long as it’s legal. Gets pretty crazy but it’s loads of fun.”
“Where’s Garret?” Naomi asked, as if she knew Reagan was dying to ask but wouldn’t.
He nodded behind them before turning to another customer.
Reagan swiveled her chair to look. Garret stood on stage, a guitar strapped around his neck. The loud music overhead stilled and Garret sat on a chair in the middle of the stage. The lights dimmed.
Reagan swallowed. The pulse in her throat ached. A bright flash of panic seared her eyes. She blinked.
His hair, mussed to perfection, coasted across his forehead and curled at his neck. She resisted the urge to jump him, right there on stage. Her thoughts grew naughtier as she imagined the stage lights illuminating their bodies as they made love.
Reagan gripped Naomi’s hand. “Ohmigod. He sings.”
“That’s yet to be determined,” Naomi said.
“He’s a Greek God.”
“Yes, he is.”
“And I haven’t slept with him yet.”
Naomi coughed as her drink sputtered to her nose. Reagan slapped her back with the palm of her hand. Okay, not the best move if her friend had been choking, but whatever.
“Yet?” Naomi asked.
“I should live a little dangerously, right? I can’t help that the first guy I see is fine, intelligent, and sings. Remember, I’m being wild? Leaving my safe little past behind?”
“Okay, so you’re ready to make the first move?”
“Give me a few more of these,” Reagan said as she held up her drink, “and I will.”
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