Hi again!
It's been a busy week at work, shovelling lots of snow, and tying a big bow around my edits before I send them off. This is so exciting for me since this is my first book!
Here's an excerpt!
Hugs
Marquete
“I have an idea what I’m getting myself into, young lady,” he growled. His features went serious. Setting the sunglasses on his head, he pushed away from the tree trunk, and hobbled towards Toni, buckling his belt.
“Answer this, Miss Costilla do you know what you’re getting yourself into? Charging off into a path of heavies, and as you say, crooked police?” he barked. Cal snapped a branch off a tree to improvise as a cane.
“You have no clue what my life has been like, so back off!”
“I’m not one of your mother’s perverted johns who you can push a damn knife at,” he stopped in front of her. “You’re safe with me, Toni,” he vowed sternly. He held out his hand.
Her eyes were wide and staring. Cal saw that she was scared, confused and hurt. He gripped down hard on his improvised cane indenting the flesh on his palm. He wanted to pound the idiots who hurt her.
The sirens shrilled louder.
Cal glanced across the grassland, the police cars barely visible. He shot his gaze back on Toni. The last time he doubted her, a lot of shit happened. He wanted to be with her, to protect her. But she made it hard.
“Why are you doing this Toni? I’m on your side.”
“Do you ever give up?”
“No, not when it comes to you baby,” he said quietly, moving slowly towards her.
She raised the knife, calming the pleasant tremble from his endearing words. “Don’t do this to me, Cal,” she whispered. “You really have no idea.”
“Let me be the judge of that. I’m a big boy.”
Please Cal, just go,” she swallowed back a sob. “They will kill you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. Sensing her dissolve, he hobbled a bit closer and snatched the knife from her. He slid the dagger in his side pocket.
Like a mad woman she lunged at him, striking at him for not listening to her heed. Her life has been one peril after the other. The only man she loved was her father, and he’s dead. Now she’s encountered a more dangerous paramount in her life with this amazing man standing before her, she felt more compassion and emotion for him than ever possible.
Cal grabbed her wrists and ushered backwards toward the truck. He pinned her against the driver’s door, and caged her with his arms. She felt the sudden thwack and gasped. Toni fumbled behind her for the door handle.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” she panicked. “This isn’t funny Cal,” she fearfully looked out into the field. “They’re on to us!”
“They’re too close for us to dodge them. Pretend we are lovers,” he bent to kiss her.
“Is this your plan?” she squeaked.
“There’s less chance for suspicion, Toni,” he murmured against her pout mouth, lifting his gaze out towards the highway.
Toni felt their beating bodies thrum against each other. They could get caught any minute. Get killed in a split second. Dread shivered through her. She found it harder to defy this man, to remove him from her life and her melting heart.
Cal kissed Toni tenderly, passionately. Toni returned each stroke and thrust of his tongue. He could feel the wild beauty dispel her anxiety, trusting him more. And more and more she was seducing his heart.
“You take my breath away, Toni,” he murmured huskily. “Don’t run away from me again.”
She drew back. Saw the seriousness on his face. Her mouth parted wanting to say something about his egotistical demands. But there was no need when she studied his gorgeous face and saw the concern in the depths of his eyes. He had more compassion than she cared to let on.
Sirens became more raucous.
Cal sensed Toni’s struggle. “Just wait.” He stared with the movement of the police cars surpassing his direct view.
“We’re going to be okay, baby,” kissing her forehead.
Suddenly, tires squealed and clomped, plunging into the field. Cal and Toni anxiously saw the police cars racing across the grassy meadow. Gun shots rang. Birds fluttered from the trees.
Toni screamed, and whacked Cal on the chest. “Your grandioso plan didn’t work big guy!”
“Then we drive. Fast!” Cal shoved Toni inside the truck, and threw all the knapsack and cane in the pick-up. Quickly, he climbed behind the wheel. Sliding his sunglasses down over his face, he turned his attention to the approaching police cars. He didn’t have much of a lead.
“Fasten your seat belt, baby.”
Cal stomped on the clutch, and shifted, the tires spitting out grass. His large body wrenched. His biceps bulged, shifting and speeding the old truck across the spacious field.
Toni shuddered, a mix of heart pounding terror and mind blowing sexual arousal. She gawked at his rippled physique, suddenly not caring at that minute of the day they were in a life and death situation. All she could think about was how his cock would drive into her like the way he drove his truck.
Gun shots zipped past the moving vehicle.
“Doesn’t anyone believe in discussing a matter!” Cal protested.
Toni screamed, scolding herself for her momentary lapse. With gelled hands she pulled her sunglasses down to shade the desire in her eyes. She gripped the dashboard and passenger door to brace herself. The truck hitting pot holes making the ride rough.
“That’s how they sometimes do it around here. Shoot first, ask questions later.”
“I’ll be the one asking them the damn questions, chasing an innocent woman,” he growled. “Give this fucking Rattlesnake a piece of my mind.”
The old truck charged across the field.
“Hang on, Toni! The highway is coming up.” Cal thrust his arm out to brace Toni. The truck whooshed upward onto the road and clamored on the pavement, spinning sideways. Cal mastered the truck to the fore and picked up speed.
Toni’s stomach lurched at the sudden boost up, drop, and slide, her head tugging back. Bracing herself, she glanced in the side-view mirror, the flashing lights close on their trail.
