In my books, I always look for opportunities to insert humor, even in the most stressful situations. Sometimes, you just need some classic comic relief to lighten the mood. Other times, it's necessary to make a scene more interesting and entertaining. Describing sex or innuendo can be challenging. Sometimes the writing comes easily; other times, I make four or more attempts to get one paragraph right. If I'm too frustrated, I switch to another scene, leave a marker, and come back to it when I have the right idea. Usually, I just need to have a conversation with my muse. She's the one with the witty comebacks, quips, and funny ideas.
Ryan Griffith wants to have an uneventful vacation with friends in La Paz. He meets Sara, his friend's sister. Since they are both divers, she rents a boat, and they spend time on the sea together.
What he doesn’t know is that Sara has had a crush on him ever since he arrived at the family home…
Excerpt
Sara’s hand traveled across his shoulder beyond his collarbone. Smiling tentatively, she bit her lower lip. “Hmm, I noticed you shave your chest.”
Ryan, smiling lopsidedly, told her with a glance it was quite a change of subject. “Yes, I do. I read that most South American men consider this... strange and would never do it.”
“I haven’t seen it before. Most men like that mass of hair as if it makes them more... manly. Stress their heritage or their male accessories. I don’t see it that way. A man shouldn’t be judged by his hair... or lack of it.” Sara giggled. “May I?”
“Touch my chest? Do you think you need permission after we’ve already played in the water?”
Sara smiled and gently reached out to touch him with her fingertips.
Ryan cocked his head, lowering his chin to give her an inviting grin. “Now, that was kinda shy. May I ask you again—will you touch me? And put a little feeling into it?”
Sara flicked her tongue across her lips, brows arched. “Are you... shaven someplace else? Beyond your face?”
Ryan hesitated, evading her glance once again. “Yes.”
She put her hand over her mouth, holding back her words, but with a sparkle of curiosity asked, “Why?”
Again, Ryan hesitated.
“Too personal, hmm?” Sara flinched. “Sorry. Sometimes my mouth is faster than my brain.”
“It’s just a good feeling,” Ryan said quietly. “I like it that way.”
Sara nodded, inching closer to put both hands on his chest, gently caressing him up to his shoulders. In slow motion, she sat on his lap in a way that sped up his pulse immediately. His mouth was dry.
“Would you mind me...” She stopped, searching his face.
Ryan swallowed, putting down the bottle. The tension had been building, and still a part of him didn’t want to follow the feeling. His voice was breathy. “You want permission to have a look? Or more?”
“I’d go for more.” A smile curled the corner of her lips sans lipstick. He found her lovely just the way she was. “And I bet I won’t be disappointed.”
Ryan placed his hands on her shoulder blades, searching for words for his mixed emotions of how the morning had evolved.
She stopped his attempt with a finger on his lips. “I’m not talking about from here to eternity, Ryan. We’re both grown-up, right? And we’re both free of any obligations.”
Her skin was soft and warm to the touch, and all he wanted was to hold and touch her some more. “But your family—”
“I’m not going to tell my family. This is between us.” She replaced her finger with her lips and kissed him tenderly. “Hmm, I can feel your hesitation. Am I doing this too fast?”
He pulled her close. “You can never be too fast for a man.”
“Are you showing off?” she asked after another, more intimate kiss.
“Are you challenging a guy with my assets?”
Sara touched her brow to his as he caressed her back. “Assets?”
He searched her eyes, trying to determine whether she was serious about her intentions. “What I’ve got in my pants.”
“Ah! Yes, I want to challenge you. I want to see you with all you have. Without pants. For starters.”
He stood, supporting her weight on his hips. “When you ask so nicely, how could I resist?” Close to the door to the lower compartment, he stopped. “Or do you want me to show more resistance? Struggle?” He pretended to throw her overboard, and she clung to him, giggling. “Chase you through the waves once more?”
Sara pulled up and dropped her shoulders. He could tell she read between the lines and chose not to take the exit he offered.
“No, we can dance with the waves later.”
* * *
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1 comment:
I love books with humor. To me, humor humanizes characters and makes them likeable, especially guys. Gone are the days of the 'brooding' hero who snarls at everyone. Honestly, for a guy like that I'd smack him upside the head and tell him to get lost.
A Bodyguard in Jail sounds like a great book, Ann. Enjoyed the excerpt. :)
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