Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 28

 

Sam and Dr. Stewart continue their conversation. Sam asks if she believes in soul mates.

"As a matter of fact, I do. Why? Is Emma your soul mate?"

"I think so. I've thought about that too, read up on it. I study any subject that interests me. In juvie, about all I had to keep me going was reading. There are a lot of opinions, pro and con, but I believe it with all my heart. I don't know if we've always been so tortured, but we've always been together—me taking care of Emma."

"Never the other way around?"

He shook his head, shrugging. "I never thought of that. I don't think so. But hell, what do I know? I'm a troubled teen." He made quote marks by his head.

"Is that how you see yourself?"

"Nope, that's how I'm labeled."

"How do you see yourself?"

He sat straighter in his chair, sitting up tall and strong. "Sir Galahad."

Dr. Stewart saw his entire aspect change. He went from a nervous boy to a confident man in seconds. She directed the conversation away from Emma and focused on Sam's beliefs instead. They talked about karma and reincarnation for the remainder of the session. Sam surprised the doctor with his knowledge and his ability to quote several different authors accurately. She had done a lot of studying of it herself and realized that he knew nearly as much as she did on the subject. She found herself liking Sam a great deal and hoped he would be able to accomplish the goals he had set for himself. If anyone could help set Emma on the right path, it was he. The only chink in his armor was the fear of losing Emma. If he did, Dr. Stewart suspected his entire world would fall apart.

He was just leaving when Robbie brought Emma in. They met at the door. Emma looked terrified until Sam took her hand, squeezing her fingers reassuringly. He kissed her cheek, mumbling something that the doctor couldn't hear. Emma visibly relaxed, walking into the office with more confidence than she had first shown. Sam waved at her, closing the door behind him.

Emma sat in a very guarded position, ankles crossed, arms folded over her chest, head down. Robbie introduced them like she had Sam. Instead of leaving right away, she glanced at the doctor, shrugging one shoulder. The two women had worked together long enough to have developed a non-verbal shorthand. That gesture meant, Want me to stay?

Dr. Stewart leaned toward Emma, hands folded on her desk. "Emma, would you feel more comfortable if Robbie stayed? She won't say anything about what goes on here. She's bound by the same rules I am."

Emma's head popped up, eyes wide and expectant. "Can she?"

"Sure. I'm not busy right now. If you want me to, I'll stay."

"Please? Can I ask what Sam said?" Emma asked nervously. "About—about me?"

"I can only answer about things directly pertaining to you, not him."

"Did he tell you—about my—father?"

"Yes. Would you like to start there?"

Emma burst into tears, pulling her feet onto the chair, curling up in a ball. It took several minutes for her to calm down, but the women let her cry. Robbie held her, Dr. Stewart handed her tissues. Neither of them said anything, letting her vent a little. It seemed to help having them accept her grief quietly, non-judgmentally. Emma eventually calmed down enough to talk. She spoke openly of her father's abuse.

"The first time he did it, he brought me Oreo cookies and milk and talked to me while I cried. I threw up. I haven't had Oreos since. Even thinking about them makes me sick. What did I do to make him think that was okay? Is it my fault that he raped me over and over again?"

"No, Emma. You never did anything wrong. Your father has a problem. Very likely, he was abused when he was a child."

"Does that mean I'll do the same thing when Sam and I have kids?"

Dr. Stewart found it interesting that she made that assumption. Good. She had a thought of stability and staying with Sam.

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 27

 

Sam gives Dr. Stewart some background on himself, as well. He talks about being abandoned by his parents, and how awful that was.

"Worse than finding out Emma was pregnant?"

Sam glanced at the files on her desk, understanding how she knew that.

"That wasn't so bad. Going with her when she had her abortions, that was horrible. Her folks wouldn't go. If anyone saw them there, it would be a scandal. They sent her out of town just to be sure she wouldn't be recognized. The first time, I broke her dad's nose when we got back."

"Why?"

"He made a comment about her being a slut and a whore. I took it personally. She's neither one. I made it clear I wouldn't tolerate it."

"Was that the first time he had you arrested?"

"Nope. About the third, I think. I lost track."

"Did he know you two were having sexual relations?"

"Probably. Who knows with him?"

"It sounds like he resented you. Not like a father, but as a rival. Had you ever considered that?"

"Yeah, but does it make a difference? The man's a jackass who needs to be taken down. I'm the man to do it. One day I will."

"You have to let go of the resentment, Sam. You can't save the world single handed."

"Maybe not, but I can sure as hell save Emma. This place is step one."

"What's step two?"

"Never going back. Moving away where they won't think to look for us."

"So is that the game plan? Moving far away?"

"Yes."

"Does Emma agree?"

"Yes."

She looked surprised. "She doesn't want to go back home?"

"To what? A drunken iceberg of a mother and a father who abuses her? Would you?"

"Can they stop her?"

"She's eighteen. They can't do shit."

"You've thought this all out fairly thoroughly."

"I spend a lot of nights staring at the ceiling. It gave me something to think about, especially all the nights Emma spent in the hospital with me on vigil. I've been planning this for the last six months."

"I think you're doing the right thing, Sam. My one stipulation in all this will be that you find a program and a support group wherever you go."

"I already thought about that, Doc. We need something to keep us going. It's too damn easy to slip back into the life. I want what's best for Emma."

"What if the best thing for Emma was giving her up? Could you still do that?"

Sam stared at the diplomas on the wall, his gaze traveling from one to the other without speaking. He sat silently so long, the doctor thought he wouldn't answer. His body slumped forward so his arms rested on his thighs.

"Obviously, I hope that's not the case." He cleared his throat, shifting uneasily in the chair, fighting tears. "I hope—I hope I'd do the right thing for Emma. If being away from her made her healthy, then I would try like hell to leave. But I don't think deserting her isn't the solution. If I left her, I think it would kill her."

"What would it do to you?" she asked gently.

He cleared his throat, blinking rapidly. She could see the vein in the side of his neck throb. He shifted nervously, adjusting his clothing, his eyes focusing on a spot in the corner opposite her head.

"You don't like thinking about that, do you, Sam?"

His eyes met hers with a penetrating force.

"Emma's been the center of my life forever. If I lost her, I'd die. I don't mean I'd kill myself, I mean I'd shrivel up and die." He paused a moment, considering before he went on. "Do you believe in soul mates, Doctor?"

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 26

 Sam has his first session with Dr. Stewart.

"Stupidity. Not saying no when I should have. I tried to justify the partying by telling myself I was there for Emma, but that wasn't true. I was there because she was there, but I was in it for me, too. I mean, there are a lot of drunk, women at those parties, who are willing to exchange favors."

"I see." She said nothing more.

"Do I need to spell it out for you, Doc?"

"Not unless you think you need to. I know what goes on at the parties."

"You think it's wrong to take advantage of a girl that's drunk or high, don't you?"

"It's not what I think that's the issue. The question is, do you think it's wrong?"

"Right now, I would say yes. At a party with a few drinks in me, I'd give you a resounding no. I'm a guy. I'm going to use whatever I can to my advantage. Drunk and horny isn't a good combination for me, Doctor."

"You're right. Having been that before, I completely understand. I used to be the party girl, willing to do anything. It's not pretty, but the truth so often isn't. I'm not proud of it, but it gives me a unique perspective with my clients. It's easy to get sucked into that life."

"Yeah, incredibly easy. It's very seductive. Easy to forget all my problems when I'm stoned. Life's still shit, but it doesn't matter. I can ignore it as long as I keep that level of inebriation. If it drops too low, the life sucks thing kicks in again and I start all over."

Dr. Stewart nodded. She sat opposite him on a large, comfortable chair, feet pulled up beside her. She leaned against the back of the chair with her head on her hand. Her pose was open, relaxed. Sam eased into a more comfortable position. Dr. Stewart offered him a bottle of water from a small fridge and reached over from her chair.

"Tell me about Emma," she said as she closed the fridge.

"You'll meet her in a little while. But the basics.... Emma's cool. We've been friends since grade school. Before my folks broke up, we lived just up the street from Emma's family. Then a few years later, they moved to a better part of town, and my parents got divorced. But Emma and me, we stayed friends. We've always been there for each other. Then when her dad started in on her, she turned to me."

"Started in on her?" She knew, but she wanted him to say it.

"Yeah. Abusing her sexually. Her dad's a pervert."

"I sense that this has impacted your life as well."

"Emma's my best friend, my girlfriend, my lover. Her dad's a piece of shit on two legs. I can't tell you how many times I've beaten the hell outta him."

"I've got your record here." She pointed to her computer. "All those visits to juvenile detention were attacks on him?"

"No. Some of them were guys I jumped at school. They said something bad about Emma. I couldn't let them do that."

"She has quite a reputation?"

"Look, it's been well earned. She's never treated herself right. But I'm not gonna let some sleazy guy make tacky remarks about her when he doesn't even know her. He doesn't know shit about her, has no idea why she does what she does. That's wrong."

"And beating him up isn't?"

"No, ma'am, that's justice."

"I see. So, do you blame Emma's dad for your problems too?"

Sam scoffed. "No, that would be stupid. His actions have impacted my life, that's for sure. But he's not to blame for the stupid shit I've done. He threatens Emma's well being. What hurts her, affects me."

"Do you blame Emma for your problems?"

"Do I? I don't think so. I did this to myself. I'd love to blame my folks, but they weren't around long enough. Dad left first, then Mom. I was twelve. I spent the night at my friend Grant's house. It was Mother's Day weekend. I had a gift that Grant's folks helped me buy. I walked in the house, and she was gone. She left a note on the fridge telling me she was going to the grocery store. She never came back. Grant's folks took me in for a week or so, but the school ended up calling and reporting me as abandoned. That was the worst day of my life."

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Books and Entertainment Network Presents What's Write for Me with Rachel and Marta

Usually, my co-host doesn't say much, other than to introduce herself. Wednesday, September 23 from 4-6 PM Eastern we turn the tables, and the co-host becomes the guest! Join Dellani and Rachel when we chat about the business end of writing. We're also being joined by another of our network hosts, Marta Moran Bishop.

2020 has become the year of the pandemic but it also is the year of a world-wide recession. That has many authors worried but if we stay calm, we could come out of this better off. Find out how to survive the publishing business during the 2020 recession with some common sense tips and advice with Rachel Rueben and Marta

Rachel Rueben is a romance and YA author as well as a blogger. Her books include: Fedelta, Eternal Bond and Hag all available on Wattpad. Her self-publishing blog: Writing By The Seat Of My Pants focuses on things like marketing, social media and the publishing industry at large. She also assists several podcasts on the Books & Entertainment Network, where books, authors and writing are always the topic of interest.

Marta Moran Bishop has been writing for most of her life and has over 30 books and stories out in print. She is an award-winning author and poet and has a radio show, makes book and music videos and works with a promotional marketing team. Her motto comes from her mother, “just go for it.” 

Join Us Live or Listen at Your Leisure!

Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 25

 

After orientation, Robbie shows them around. She takes them to the library, which is glorious.

Emma stood in the middle of the room, spinning in a slow circle, her arms out from her body as if she were trying to embrace the room. Sam and Robbie watched her with silly grins on their faces.

"I tell you what, Emma. Your therapy session is after Sam's. Why don't you stay here? I'll come get you when it's time."

"Oh, can I? That would be fantastic!" She hugged Robbie, kissed Sam and scampered off to explore.

"Catch you later then," Sam said, jokingly sarcastic. "I'll miss you, sweetie pie!" He called in a girlish tone.

"I'll miss you too, pooter princess!" Emma called from the balcony. "Have fun in therapy."

"Oodles and boodles," he tossed back as he followed Robbie out.

"She's in love," Sam grinned. "I sure wish she'd greet me with the same enthusiasm."

"Give it time," Robbie said. "You're familiar, the library isn't. I still have that reaction to it from time to time. This way to therapy."

"I'm a little nervous," Sam admitted as they walked down a long corridor. "I've never been good at this."

"Tell the truth, hold nothing back, be yourself, and talk about anything. I give that advice to all our guests. You're scheduled with Dr. Stewart. I think you two will get along very well."

"Is Emma seeing Dr. Stewart too?"

"Yes. I scheduled you first, because I think there are things you might want to share with the doctor, to make the session with Emma smoother."

Robbie tapped on an office door. A woman's voice called for them to enter.

"Hi, Robbie. Who have you brought me today?"

"This is Sam, Dr. Stewart. He and his friend Emma came in yesterday afternoon."

"Welcome, Sam. Find a place to sit and I'll be right with you. Just finishing up a couple things."

Robbie bid them farewell and walked out, closing the door. Dr. Stewart sat at her desk, tapping some keys on her computer. She frowned slightly, pursing her lips and wrinkling her forehead.

"What the hell?" She exclaimed. "Oh, no you didn't! Bastard!" She typed very quickly, pounding the enter key as she fussed. "Gotcha! Eat that!"

Sam watched her in growing puzzlement. She caught his eye, giggling somewhat nervously. "Mafia Wars. I'm totally hooked. I've had some jerk attacking me during the night. He wiped out my casinos. I just set my Mafia on him."

Sam started to chuckle, then laughed out loud. "Don Alfredo, 920th level Maniac." He waved at her.

"No, really? You're in my Mafia! I have you as my Mastermind. I'm Dona Electra."

He started laughing louder, shaking his head. "Freudian, hm? Gonna have to watch what I say to you about my mother."

She giggled, shaking her head. He looked at her carefully for the first time. Dr. Stewart was a small woman, with pale blonde curls to her shoulders. Blue eyes sparkled behind dark framed glasses. She wore dark slacks and a soft, loose sweater in shades of pink. She could have been anywhere between 20 and 40. It was hard to tell. Given the number of diplomas on the walls, he opted for forties. She was attractive, pleasant, easy to relate to.

"So, Sam. Tell me about yourself. Why are you here?"

"I came cause I'm a drug user. I drink, too."

"Would you classify yourself as an addict or alcoholic?"

"Depends on your definition of addict. Do I use on a daily basis? Pot, yes. Do I drink heavily? On weekends I get pretty wasted. Friday night through Monday is usually a blur. The occasional hit of X. Am I using anything habit forming? No. My girlfriend, Emma, uses pretty heavily, and I started because of her. Following her to parties to keep an eye on her, I got into it, too. Before last year, I smoked cigarettes, that was about it."

"What made you start more frequently?"

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 24

 

Sam and Carlos have a candid conversation about Donna. Both men find themselves attracted to her, even though their affections lie in different places. Emma and Sam meet with Robbie, for orientation. They meet a group of doctors, who are leaving the room as they enter.

"Our newest guests?" A tall, spare man with graying hair and silver glasses asked. His smile was warm and genuine.

"Yes, Dr. Spiner. Meet Sam and Emma."

"Welcome, Sam and Emma." He shook hands with them. His hand seemed a little cool, but his grip was firm and reassuring. "May I introduce my colleagues, Dr. Cybil Abernathy and Dr. Anton McNulty. They are two of our therapists here."

Sam and Emma greeted the doctors politely, though neither of them offered to shake hands. Dr. McNulty frowned. He was a shorter, heavy set man, his gut slightly paunchy. His dark hair was thick and curly. His chin showed a shadow, though he was clean shaven.

Dr. Abernathy was an attractive Asian woman. She was quite petite, trim figured and pleasant looking. She managed a tight smile, hands firmly in the pockets of her lab coat. Nodding, she followed Dr. Spiner out the door.

Robbie ran through the rules of living at Ravenwood. "No drugs, drinking or cursing—at least not around Molly. I've been known to say a few colorful words from time to time. We do allow cigarettes, unless you'd like to quit while you're here?"

"I smoke," Sam admitted. "When I can afford cigarettes. But I can do without."

"Gotcha." She handed each a form to fill out. "I will need a complete list of all the drugs you were taking prior to admission, as well as any repeat offenders you might have taken in the past."

"Repeat offenders?" Sam frowned.

"LSD mostly. If you aren't sure, but you think you might unknowingly have ingested it, check the box. We will do a urine and hair follicle test as well. And Sam, there is a physical. We have Emma's results from the hospital work-up."

"No problem. Whatever you need."

They chatted while filling out the papers. Sam had a short physical and they both submitted their hair and urine samples.

"After all that fun, I'm sure you'd like a look around," Robbie said.

They followed Robbie as she showed them the facility. They were surprised to find a full gym complete with weight room. There was a swimming pool for lap swimming or water exercise and a dance studio that doubled as the music room. It was in a building behind the main facility, with a hardwood floor and mirrors on all the walls.

"Do you have anything like a wood working shop?" Sam asked. He'd always liked to build things.

Robbie pursed her lips, eyes downcast. "We thought of it, but decided against it. Power tools and addicts—well, you can see it might be a tad unpredictable."

"True. Good point. D.T.'s and a nail gun, could be fatal."

"Exactly. Oh, I didn't show you the library yet. You like to read?"

"We love it," Emma answered happily.

She had been rather quiet and withdrawn as they walked around the facility. Sam could see that she was overwhelmed by their environment. She liked it, but she wasn't sure what to make of it. It was so different from home, she couldn't quite understand that she was in a fear free zone.

They walked into the library together. The room was two stories tall and reminded Sam of the library in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The walls were lined floor to ceiling with books. A balcony ran around three quarters of the wall. Rolling ladders gave access to balconies and books up top. Soft chairs were scattered about the room. Hassocks, beanbags, benches and tables filled the rest of the space on the main floor. Emma was in heaven. For her, books represented freedom, a chance to escape the horrors of her life for a little while.

Sam liked to read, but he'd never been as into it as Emma. Then again, his life had never been as horrendous as hers either. Sure, his folks were addicts, they were dysfunctional and they abandoned him, but no one had ever done to him what Emma's dad had done to her.

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 23

Breakfast is good and plentiful. Sam rejoices in the fact he's actually got a full belly after a meal.

"Ain't nothin' like the real thing for those really hard to reach spots," Donna commented as she passed them. She turned on her runway strut, tossing her hair as she looked over her shoulder at them.

Carlos laughed loudly, blowing her a noisy kiss. Sam didn't know what to think. It wasn't often that women flirted with him, particularly gorgeous, super model women. He was embarrassed to admit to himself that not only was he attracted to a woman other than Emma. His body betrayed him, like his early days of puberty.

They lined up at the sink to wash up. Standing closer to Donna than he wanted to, he felt like an adolescent again. He finished quickly, rushing from the room, making the excuse that he had to go to the bathroom. He did, but not for the normal purpose. Unfortunately, Carlos followed him to his room. Before he could escape to the sanctity of his bathroom, and find a little relief the old fashioned way, he was stuck in a conversation not of his making.

Carlos flopped on his bed, staring at him expectantly. "Okay, so you aren't going to bring it up—well...." He let his gaze drift to Sam's pants, raising an eyebrow. "At least not verbally.... Let's talk about it before it becomes an issue. If you admit it, you'll feel better."

Sam glanced at his door. It was shut. Sitting on his desk chair, he lowered his head to his hands, elbows on his knees. "Why does she have to be so damn hot? Why am I so attracted to her? Jesus! I love Emma. I don't want anyone but her."

"Donna's job is to sell sex," Carlos said. "She can't help it. God gave her the gift of amazing beauty. If it's any consolation, she had the same effect on all of us, when she first arrived. She's dead sexy, moves like a jungle cat in heat, smells amazing.... Even my bad boys stood at attention. One whiff of her, and I was totally hooked."

"What cologne does she wear? It's—God!"

"She doesn't wear any. None of us are allowed cologne. She uses the same shampoo and soap the rest of us do. It's just how she smells, dude."

"What am I gonna do? I can't react like that every time I'm around her. What's she gonna think?"

"I honestly don't think she notices. If she does, she never says a thing. Now Emma—"

"Don't. Please don't. She'll flat kill me if she suspects I'm attracted to anyone else."

"Donna's got a boyfriend on the outside."

"Not enough of a deterrent. He's not here."

"He's huge, jacked, could kill us all with a flick of his finger."

"Still not enough."

"He's her bodyguard...."

"The only thing that's gonna kill this, is if she turns out to be my long lost sister. Since that's not very likely, I guess I just live with it."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Emma poked her head around the door without being invited to.

"Hi, guys. Sammy, we've got our appointment with Robbie in a couple minutes."

"I'll be right there. Gotta hit the head real fast."

"Okay. See you in a few." She smiled at him, winked at Carlos and went out.

"Damn ...." Sam groaned.

"Make sure that when you whack it later, you don't think of Donna. Cause trust me, that makes it worse."

"Christ, am I that obvious?"

"No, man. I just know what I did. Big mistake."

"What's it like being attracted to both men and women?"

"Confusing. Whatcha think of Freddie?"

"Who? What?" Sam was caught totally off guard by the question.

"Gotcha!" Carlos pointed at Sam, laughing.

"Well, you successfully killed it. Thanks. I now have my cock block."

Carlos chuckled as he opened the door. "We all have our little crosses to bear. In your case, not so little...." He scooted out the door ahead of Sam, who threw a halfhearted punch at him.

Sam and Emma met Robbie in her office. She got them scheduled for their sessions, then led them to the orientation room. A group of doctors were leaving as they entered. They stood aside for Robbie to enter.

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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Emma, Dangerous by Dellani Oakes – Part 22

Emma's shopping is fun and lucrative. She even gives Sam a pair of Sponge Bob boxers. He realizes it's not going to be easy, not making love to her while they're at Ravenwood.

"Damn!" He whimpered, running down the entire forbidden words list, saying some of them more than once. Finding no relief in that, he took a long, purgative shower, only getting out when Raleigh knocked on the door, warning of lights out. Dressed in his Sponge Bob boxers, he got into bed and turned out his lamp. The TV was on, casting an eerie bluish glow around the room. A night light in the bathroom provided enough light for him to find it in the dark. Sam fell asleep, confident that when he woke, his first day as a free man would bring good things.

Morning came earlier than Sam anticipated. At 6:30, an alarm sounded from an intercom mounted on the wall above the bed. The only way to shut it off was to stand up. Sam did so, grudgingly. He was used to rising early, his school started at 7:30, but this was somehow more intrusive. At home, he could hit snooze and get a few minutes more sleep. Not at Ravenwood.

After a trip to the bathroom, he came back to find Carlos waiting for him. "Hiya. Raleigh made me your buddy for the week. We take turns with the new folks. I hope you don't mind that I'm gay."

"No, man. What you do in your spare time ain't my bidniz." Sammy smirked, tapping his knuckles. "Dude, s'long as you don't try to rape me in the shower, we're cool."

Carlos didn't know whether to be offended or not. He chose not to, but shot Sam a strange look.

"Seriously, Carlos, I've got gay friends. It doesn't bother me. I'm cool with who they are, and I'm comfortable with myself."

"Then why you do drugs?"

"Cause my life sucks?" He shook his head. "Cause it was one thing Emma and I always did together. I know, not the best choice, but her life really did suck balls, and she thought drugs made it better. I got drawn in, and couldn't say no."

"To Emma or the drugs?" Carlos asked with unexpected insight.

"Both." Sam shoved his hands in his pockets, head down.

"Hey, man, I'm sorry. Bad subject before breakfast."

"Actually, it's better to talk about it, right?"

"Suggestion though. Hands in the pockets, head down—man that's a dead give that you're not as comfortable as you think you are. One thing I learned in therapy, face the problem. That's the only way to fight it down."

"Good point, Carlos. Thanks." He took his hands out of his pockets, squaring his shoulders.

Breakfast was huge. Sam had never had so much to eat. It felt good to have a full stomach. He'd never had enough to eat at home, because his parents spent the money on their addictions. In foster care, he hadn't eaten his fill because he didn't want to be a burden. With difficulty, he controlled a burp. Turning red around the ears, he ducked his head when Molly glanced at him.

"I do believe that's a compliment," she smirked. "Sure you can't eat anymore? A man looks better with a bit o' meat on him. Muscles and meat. Don't you agree, ladies?"

"Yeah, don't like skinny men," Vera said. "They give you bruises in places that you'd rather they didn't."

"How would you know?" Carlos asked her. "When did you ever make it with a guy anyway?"

"Probably more often than you, sweetheart," she snipped, picking up her dishes.

"Tempers, children." Raleigh cautioned.

"She really chaps my sack," Carlos muttered to Sam. "Sometimes I find her so hot, it makes me want to scream. Other times, I could just kill her."

"All women have that effect at some point," Sam replied. "But I thought she wasn't into guys."

"She's like me, goes both ways. Just has a preference for chicks and dildos. Go figure."

©2020 Dellani Oakes

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His Soul to Hold (Dark Knights of Heaven Book 2) by TW Knight

Celebrating TW Knights birthday September 10th,

All 4 of her books ON #SALE 99 ₵ each Sept 8-11

Meet Author TW Knight

Tricia was born in Michigan and knew at an early age that she had a creative soul and a connection to the paranormal.

After moving to Maryland her first artistic expressions were in the forms of crafts, sketches and paintings. In later years she even dabbled in comic book art, before getting her Associates Art Degree in Studio Art.

During the 1980's Tricia branched out into jewelry design creating a small handmade jewelry business, which is still operating today.

While Tricia had begun writing in her early teens it was not until 2007 when she met a wonderful group of likeminded women (through of all things an online fan club discussion for one hot young vampire) who encouraged her to take that first step and introduce her intriguing stories to the world. After that the dam of creativity broke and a multitude of plot bunnies burst forth.

By day, Tricia is a Customer Service manager for an insurance brokerage handling clients numerous daily needs; by night, she wields her mighty keyboard to craft otherworldly universes filled with fantastical - and often lusty - creatures, who beckon us to join them in their irresistible adventures that determine the fate of men and angels."

Tricia has been inspired by everything from music, art, cultural and religious mythology, ancient aliens' theory, and history.

Over the years a collection of writers have helped to shape her thinking and views of the world, including Ursula Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Tanya Huff, JD Ward, Gena Showalter, Larrisa Ione, Alexandria Ivy, Kresley Cole, Jeaniene Frost, Kevin Hearne, Colleen Doran, and Mercedes Lackey.

To Ends of the Earth: High Plains to Patagonia by Nelda Bedford Gaydou

On the road to seek work in the cotton fields of Texas, an old Ford Model T truck breaks down and forces a change of destination that ultimately leads the protagonists to the Argentine Patagonia. Follow the anecdote-driven story of a devoted couple who spent their childhood in the U.S. Southwest during the Great Depression, met and married during World War II, and together undertook a lifelong journey of adventure and service.

“This is a great book that will inspire and give readers that boost they might need to begin again and be better to ourselves and others.” Cross Stepping Your Way to Success: The Power to Transform Your Life One Step at a Time by Carolyn Bowen

 

When surfers hit the waters, they use a technique called cross-stepping, or moving their weight forward and backward to stay standing. Cross-stepping isn't just a good idea for surfers, though - you, too, can metaphorically use the same strategy of zig-zagging motions to achieve success. In "Cross-Stepping Your Way to Success," career coach Carolyn Bowen shows you how to zig-zag your way to success one step at a time. She examines grieving, life planning, owning your power, becoming health conscious, learning to love again, and more. With "Cross-Stepping Your Way to Success," you'll discover how to maintain your balance on the choppy waters of life!