Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Catching Fireflies for this week's MidWeek Tease

June 6, 2018
**updated 4/2/21 - the MidWeek Tease blog hop is no longer operational**

Welcome to this week's MidWeek Tease! Thanks to our host, Angelica Dawson, the MidWeek Tease blog hop presents some of the best teases you'll read this week. 

Today I have an excerpt from Catching Fireflies, the final-to-date story set in the Southern Cross circle of friends. 

Be sure to check out all of this week's blog hop participants either by using the linky list at the end of this post or by visiting midweektease.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!

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“That glass had better have the same amount in it when I get back.”
Aubrey swiped his index finger over his heart, specifically his left nipple, up and down then side-to-side. The man was all tease and I liked it. I wasn’t ready for anyone serious.
I carried his glass over to Mark and requested another. I watched as he made Aubrey another drink - virgin. I looked at him, questioningly.
“Apparently Aubrey doesn’t touch anything with alcohol in it. I’ve no clue why. The man’s a mystery to everyone except Chad.”
I thanked him for making the drink as he handed it to me. “A little mystery isn’t a bad thing, is it?”
“No, Dale, it’s not. But don’t expect too much. He’s only here for the commitment ceremony.”
“Thanks. That’s good to know.” I turned and reclaimed my spot beside Aubrey, handing him his drink as I sat. Brett was delivering the first steaks to those who liked to hear it go “moo” when they stuck a fork into it. Aubrey echoed my preference for medium-well to well when Brett asked. I touched my glass to his again. 
“Ah, I’ve learned something else about you. Now I’ve got a very important question for you. Sauce, or no sauce?”
“Hon, I’ve been thinking of nothing but sauce since I saw you standing in the driveway.”
I grinned at him, appreciating his wicked sense of humor. “You are so bad. I was talking about steak sauce.”
“If you see me put anything on a steak, you’ll know it was ruined before it got to me, and I’m pretty sure Brett isn’t going to do that.”
“I have a feeling you’re right about that.” I sipped my drink, wondering if I should pry into why he didn’t imbibe. He beat me to it.
“You’re wondering why I don’t drink.”
It was a statement, not a question, and I gave him a nod. “So you’re psychic, too?”
“No, but everyone wonders why a man of my comparative youth isn’t out getting inebriated every night of the week, a behavior best described as gauche.”
“That’s not a word I hear often. Hmm…Brett just motioned for us to get our plates.”
Aubrey batted his eyelashes and smiled at me. I shook my head.
“Nope. You have to go fix your own plate.” I stood and held my hand out to pull him up. He sighed and wrapped his fingers around mine. I was right - his hands were strong.
We fixed our plates with a veritable feast. Steak, grilled mushrooms and peppers, fresh diced tomatoes in light vinaigrette, a cold couscous salad, macaroni salad and fresh fruit. I gathered from the conversation meals at Brett and Mark’s place were somewhat potluck. The hosts simply looked in the larder and presented what appealed to them on the spur of the moment, and whatever leftovers they had in the refrigerator, but it sure worked. I grabbed the last steak knife and squeezed in at the table beside Sam.
Drat that flirty Aubrey for parking his very fine little butt between the two old guys. I’m sure he did it because they fawned over him - and he was just as bad over them. It was honest and genuine, and fun to watch even with so many questions hammering inside my head.
Would he really take a walk with me this evening? The sun was well on its way toward the far horizon, and I loved being along the shore at dusk…crap.
How the hell had this happened? When I crawled out of bed this morning all I had on my mind was a long, peaceful, albeit cold, winter on the island. I was going to rest, relax, rejuvenate - and not get all hot and bothered over any guy that crossed my path. But here I sat doing just what I didn’t want to do.
Funny how life constantly gives a person what they think they don’t want.
Aubrey smiled at me.
Shit. I’d taken his bait and if I wasn’t careful, he’d set the hook. 


ABOUT CATCHING FIREFLIES:


Dale Langley longs for some triple R time - rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. He accepts his cousin’s invitation to winter over on Ocracoke Island, far away from the hustle and bustle of life on the mainland. He’s always loved being a rolling stone, traveling for his job without the worry of a place to call home, but it’s time for something different. Now Dale anticipates several blissful months to learn how to be still with no demands on his time while he prepares for the next phase of his life.

Aubrey Zimmerman came to Ocracoke to attend a friend’s commitment ceremony. Never one to settle down, Aubrey’s had enough of involvements that took him from man to man without a place to call home. He needs a break - and a little solitude. House sitting while his friend is on his honeymoon is the perfect way to clear his head and catch up on his sleep. At least it seemed that way until Dale arrived and Aubrey realized sleep is the last thing he needs.

Fate has changes in store for Dale and Aubrey, the sort neither one knew they wanted. Sometimes the more you wander the closer to home you get

AVAILABLE AT:

store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/catching-fireflies-4





 KC Kendricks

Life through the eyes of Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com





5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonder what will happen on that walk! Fab tease :-)

Susanne Matthews said...

Excellent tease.

Christiane France - Author said...

Fab snippet. I've read this book and loved it.

Angelica Dawson said...

Would getting hooked really be so bad? LOL Great tease.

Christina Mandara said...

But you need to get hot and bothered over a hot guy. It would be a great way to warm up winter on the island ;) Fab snippet!