TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT - "CHOCOLATE" - THE RESCUED HEART.

 Welcome to my Tuesday Tales piece written to the word "chocolate". This week we have another installment of the WIP, THE RESCUED HEART.

Last time, Dr. Hack Roberts carried the pug he injured with his bike, Baxter, to Rory's apartment. 

THE RESCUED HEART 

“Look Miss…”

“Rory.”
“Yes, yes, Rory, whatever. I’m not responsible for your hardship. If you hadn’t leapt out…”  Hack sank down on her sofa and stroked Baxter’s ears.
“You admitted losing control of your bike. And the officer is a
witness.”
He shrugged. “Sue me. Take me to court.” He dropped his hand from the dog who promptly nudged him to continue.
She narrowed her eyes, “Maybe I will.”
“It takes a lot of money to bring a lawsuit.” Baxter nosed his face under Hack’s hand. The vet continued to pet the pug.
“Don’t be so confident I won’t. My brother is a lawyer. It’ll cost me zip-o to sue you.”
He stood up. “I don’t mean to be rude, but…”
“Rude? That’s exactly what you mean to be. You and Miss, Miss Toothpick of 2013. Nasty, self-satisfied, smug…”
“Enough!”

 
“You haven’t heard anything yet.” Suddenly Rory’s aggressive manner appeared to seep out of her like helium out of a balloon. She glanced at Baxter then back at Hack. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. My boyfriend and I just broke up. I’m all alone.” Her words came out in a whisper. “How will I take care of Baxter.”
Despite rapid blinking, tears ran down her cheeks.

Hack looked down at his hands. Please turn off the waterworks. I can’t stand it. “Maybe I could pay for a dog walker…for Baxter.
Until you get the cast off.”
“That’d help,” she sniffled. Hack whipped out his handkerchief and poked it at Rory. She took it and wiped her face. “Need The Toothpick's approval?”
“Her name’s Felicia…”
“Do you sleep with her? How can you have sex with someone who disappears when she turns sideways?”
Bet you’re great in bed…so fiery and soft.  
“It’s not all red roses and Godiva Chocolates, but we’re compatible.” His groin tightened when he glanced at Rory’s chest.
“Compatible? Sounds like a real love match,” she snickered.
“How much do you need for a dog walker?” He stood up. If I don’t leave, I’m going to do something stupid.
“I…I don’t know.”
“You’re a dog walker yourself and you don’t know?” He raised his eyebrows.
“I don’t know who has free time. I’ll get back to you.”
I’ll get to talk to her again.

“Fine. You have my card.” Rory pushed to her feet as Hack moved toward the door. Baxter barked, causing her to turn sharply toward him and lose her balance. Hack caught her before she fell against the wall. His arm blocked her from a collision, forcing his fingers to close around her breast.
“Sorry,” he murmured removing his hand and helping her stand. Wow. Nice. Very nice.
“I’ll bet,” she mumbled, turning away to hide the blush in her cheeks.

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TEASERS FROM HOLLYWOOD HEARTS

The third book in the Hollywood Hearts series is coming out next month. Here are a few teasers from books one and two.

IF I LOVED YOU

With a trembling hand, Meg picked up her list of questions then cleared her throat. When her gaze met his, she noticed an amused air, as if he was stifling a chuckle. Andy interrupted them to bring in the coffee and water. Chaz closed long fingers around his coffee cup and leaned back. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She put the paper down on her desk. “Look, I know you’re famous. My brother is famous…”

“Mark Davis. Star quarterback for the Delaware Demons, right?”
“He’s my twin.”

“You don’t look at all alike. Can you toss a football?” A smile curled his lips.
“Like I haven’t heard that one before. I don’t give a damn you’re famous, okay. Can we get that straight? I’m not impressed, not going to grovel at your feet. You’re simply a potential client whose money I may be managing. No more and no less. I’m not going to swoon and ask for an autograph or throw myself at you. Of course, I’ll do my best to take care of your money as if it was my own, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“Way to use your charm on me to win my business.” Chaz leaned forward.
“I don’t need charm; I have brains.” A smug smile crossed Meg’s lips.
“Whoa! Oh, yes…Harvard M.B.A., right? Harvey told me.” Chaz sat back in his chair again.
“Right.” Meg leaned back, too, folding her arms across her chest.

“Yale School of Drama here. So don’t condescend to me. I’m not a ‘dumb’ actor in love with himself. And you’re dressed pretty hot for a financial advisor with only dollars and cents on her mind. Not that I’m objecting. I love eye candy…great rack, too…” He grinned at her then pulled out his cell phone.
“Eye candy? Rack? Did you say rack? Why the nerve! Is that your cell phone? Turn it off…” She rose up out of her seat.
“My cell phone is my livelihood. I’m not going to miss an audition or an opportunity to read a script because you want my phone off. And rack is a more polite term than some men would use.”
Megan sank down in her chair, speechless, while Chaz returned a text message.
“I think perhaps you should talk to someone else here…” She stood up and moved toward the door, but Chaz’s strong grip on her arm stopped her.
“Sit down,” he said quietly.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

BOOKSTRAND

SECRET CRAVINGS

RED CARPET ROMANCE

Raven-haired Susanna Barnes pushed open the unlatched door. Quinn Roberts, stuck up, rich boy movie star. With a kid. Great.

“Hello?” She called out, stepping just inside the doorway.

“In here…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty,” called a deep voice.
She moved toward the sound, stopping a few feet from the entrance to the living room. When she glanced up, she saw the almost-naked, suntanned body of a muscular man, hanging by his hands from a metal pull-up bar stretched high across the entryway. Her gaze wandered over the flexing, sweaty muscles of his shoulders then back and down to his hips. Boxers…cute butt. Farther down were strong thighs tapering to Bermuda-shorts-perfect calves and bare feet.
When she cleared her throat, he dropped off the exercise device and turned around.
“Do you always greet people in your boxers, Mr. Roberts?” She cocked an eyebrow as her stare roved over his damp chest covered with a smattering of brown curly hair, stopping at his waist. Shoulders as wide as a basketball court.
He grabbed a black, terry towel from a nearby chair and wrapped it around his middle. Color flooded his cheeks.
“Sorry about that. Is it ten already?” He stuck out his hand to shake hers. “And it’s Quinn.”
His lopsided grin, dark turquoise eyes, crinkling at the corners, and sexy brown hair falling over his forehead caught her off guard. His presence filled more than the small hallway, it filled the entire apartment.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

SECRET CRAVINGS

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

BOOKSTRAND
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COVER ART GALLERY!

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "NOISY"

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales on Saturday! This is a continuation of my story, "Rescue My Heart" Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to visit the other writers, click the link at the bottom.

RESCUE MY HEART

“Was that a crack?” The skinny woman asked.
“What? No. Really, no.” Rory bit her lip to keep from smiling.
“Don’t be bothering Dr. Roberts with your trivia.”
Mary had retreated to a back room and now came out carrying Baxter. The pug barked and wagged his tail when he saw Rory. 

"Noisy dog," Felicia muttered.  
“Baxter!” Rory stroked his head. He licked her hand, then her face.

"No charge, Ms. Sampson,” Mary said.
“How am I going to get him home?”
“I’ll take you,” Hack piped up.
“Don’t you think that’s a little far to go?” Felicia asked.
“I live only three blocks away,” Rory piped up.

 Hack picked up Baxter, who struggled for a bit until he got comfortable. The doctor held the door for Rory with his free hand.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said to Mary.

Rory talked to the pug while she walked along with the tall man.

“Do you always talk to your dog?”
“He’s my muse, helps me write.”
“What do you write?”
“Romance stories.”
Hack found himself blushing yet couldn’t figure out why.
“I know what you think. Frankly, I don’t care.”
Her sharp tongue pissed him off. He glared at her, but she was too busy navigating her way around obstacles and talking to Baxter to pay attention to him. That disturbed him. The mirror told him he was an attractive guy. Square jaw, blue eyes, shiny brown hair, great build. Women flirted with him…at the coffee house, on the subway, everywhere.
But Rory, didn’t pay him any mind and it irked him. He glanced at her, giving her the once over. She had a great body, what he could see of that wasn't hidden by her sling and baggy shorts. Nice rack, something a man could get a grip on. And her bottom…nicely rounded. A small tingle shot up his fingers at the thought of giving it a squeeze. Before he could begin to undress her with his eyes, they were in her tiny, studio apartment.
“Where’s the bedroom?” he asked.
“You’re standing in it. One room fits all.” She put down her purse and keys.
Hack laid Baxter down gently on the beige faux suede sofa and sat next to the animal. He examined him briefly. Rory was filling a small bowl with water. She placed it next to Baxter’s food dish.  The little pug struggled to get off the sofa so Hack lifted him down. The dog, leg in splint, clunked over to his water bowl and took a drink. Rory sank down on a wing chair and sighed. Rapid blinking kept her tears at bay.
“I can’t even dress myself without help.”
Her dark blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail was thick with a slight curl. Her eyes were large and light blue, almost translucent.
“I’m a master at unhooking a bra,” he snickered.
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Yeah? And I’m a master at neutering,” she glanced at her watch. “Why don’t you get back to that beanpole you call your fiancée.”
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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "FUNNY"

Thanks for stopping by. I'm continuing my new story this week, entitled RESCUE MY HEART. As of last week, Rory was on her way to the hospital after being hit by a bike in Central Park. To connect with the talented Tuesday Tales writers, click on the link on the bottom.

         Rory left the hospital with a prescription for pain medicine, a large hospital bill, and her broken left arm in a sling. A kind man flagged a taxi for her. She gave the driver the address on Dr. Roberts’ card.

      The car pulled up to the Manhattan Animal Clinic and Rory got out. She was feeling weak after the accident and not having eaten all day. She managed get through the door and up to the front desk.
“Dr. Roberts, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?” The older woman behind the desk asked.
“No. He has my dog.”
“Has you dog?”
Rory checked the badge the lady wore and learned her name. “Yes, Mary. Baxter, the pug he ran over in the park today?”
“Oh, oh. Yes. Just a moment.” Mary smiled at her and picked up the phone.

A minute later, Hack Roberts came around the corner.

“Hello, Ms…uh, Ms…Aurora?”

“Ms. Sampson. Where’s Baxter? How is he?”

“You and Baxter have a lot in common, Ms. Sampson. Baxter has a broken leg and you look like you broke your arm. Not your funny bone, I trust.”

“Nothing funny about it. I didn’t break my arm, you broke it for me with your damned, bike.” Anger seethed in her chest. “Is that all that’s wrong with Baxter.”
“Yes, Baxter was a very lucky pug.”
“When can I take him home?”
“Right now. By the way, bring me the hospital bill when you get it.”
“I have it right here.” Rory pushed the papers at him.
“I’ll take care of it.” He took the papers and stuffed them into his pants pocket.
“Damn right you will. But what about my life? I’m a writer and I walk dogs. Now I can’t do either.”
“That’s not my problem. If you hadn’t stepped in front of my bike…”
“Stepped in front of your bike? If you had been going the proper speed and stopped at the light…”
“It’s all water under the bridge now, Ms. Sampson. I guess you’ll have to figure out how to get along. I can’t be responsible for your life.”
A tall, extremely thin woman wearing a short dress, very black, very short hair, too much eye makeup and an attitude approached. She looked over Rory with a disdainful eye.
“Who the hell are you?” the woman asked, directing her words to Rory but her gaze at Hack.
“She’s the woman who got in the way of my bike in the park this morning.”
“Really? Scruffy…”
“I came right from the hospital to pick up my dog.” Rory tried to smooth out her blood-stained shirt with one hand.
“Eww. Please. Get your dog and be done.”

“This is Felicia Adams, my fiancée.”
Rory raised an eyebrow at the woman and muttered under her breath. “Is that a woman or an ironing board?” 
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