I’ve been married, to the same man for 14 1/2 years and we
have 3 great, but active, children. He works full-time and I work from home
part-time as well as write when time allows. As you can imagine, I usually fall
into bed or crash on the couch after a long day. Yet, there is a dinner that
needs to be made and dishes to be washed and probably clothes that need
folding. And don’t get me started on the bathrooms!
Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and would battle a bear
for them, but I hate all of these chores...with a passion. I don’t mind cooking
the food and washing the clothes, it’s the follow through I can’t stand.
So to this working housewife, nothing is sweeter than when
my husband handles it all. When he’s washing dishes, all soapy and hot, ain’t
nothing sexier than a man taking care of his family and his wife’s needs.
Sure,
I’d love a foot rub, but iron the clothes and I’ll purr like a kitten. Scratch
my back or filling me with chocolate doesn’t make my motor run like watching
him vacuum. Don’t buy me flowers because I’d rather watch you bent over the tub
working the grout clean.
If there are any men reading this blog, which you all
should, take my advice. Flowers and candies will only work so much. You want to
flip your lady’s switch, get your hands wet and start scrubbing!
To find out what else can be sweet and sexy, grab a $.99
copy of the
Sweet But Sexy boxed set, available at all e-book retailers.
My Brother’s Wedding
Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she
returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with
memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, her reason for leaving and
forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining a fake
romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and
Allison struggles to remember what’s real.
Excerpt:
“Adam, this is George Fitzepatrick. He’s my…”
“Boyfriend.”
George stepped forward and thrust his hand in Adam’s direction.
Adam looked back at Allison’s guilty smile. “A
boyfriend? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
“Yeah,” Allison replied, fighting to find better words.
She stepped back from her brother’s hold, feeling his arm fall from her
shoulders. “Surprise. Your sister is dating someone.” She shrugged hoping he’d
interrogate her later.
“Since we work together, we’ve kept our relationship a
secret. Although, now that we’ve both taken off at the same time, I’m sure
everyone will know,” George offered.
Allison was grateful for George’s quick words. She
hadn’t rehearsed her part well. In fact, she arrived in St. Louis unprepared
for any sort of questioning about her relationship with George. Rooky move on
her part. Her mother listed off questions when she called a few weeks prior to
announce her plus one. Then, Allison offered simple, short answers not giving
up many details. She’d hoped her mother relayed her answers to Adam. Obviously
not.
Adam released George’s hand and looked back over his
shoulder at his sister. Allison swore his eyes reflected hurt. She couldn’t
risk telling Adam the truth. She needed to get through the week and George, her
pretend boyfriend, was the only way. Once she was safely sitting in her lonely
apartment in Chicago, she’d confess to her brother. She’d tell him how George
was her only friend in Chicago. That her long hours at work kept her out of the
dating scene and the highlight of her day was sharing lunch with a hot guy who
couldn’t careless how she looked naked. She’d also add how George preferred,
rather insisted, on dating men.
Mrs. Daughtry shook her towel at the small group forming
in her kitchen. “You three go sit down and I will make you a plate.” Her mother
moved to the stove and stopped. “Where’s Sarah? I’m sure she’s hungry, too.”
“She got dragged into the dining room by Crazy Aunt
Phyliss. Something about wedding hair or I don’t know. Girl stuff.”
“You just left her alone with those people.” Allison
stared at her brother in disbelief and concern.
“Excuse me,” their mother interrupted. “Those people are
family.”
“Yes, Mom, but they’re crazy.” Allison turned back to
her brother. “You have to save her.”
Adam waived at his sister. “Nah. She’s tough. Plus, she
likes them all, for some reason.”
Allison gagged. “Maybe you should get her checked out.
She’s sounds like she’s getting a little nutty. You don’t want to have babies
with a nut job.”
“That’s enough you two. Now,” Mrs. Daughtry grabbed her
son’s arm and pulled him toward the small kitchen table. “Sit, eat and I’ll
bring Sarah a plate.” Their mom slid plates in front of Allison and George
loaded with steaming beef, potatoes and carrots. “There’s plenty on the stove.”
“Yes mom,” they both offered. Adam hunched over his
plate with both elbows rested at his side. Allison snuck a peek at George and
watched him push the food around with his fork. His usual lunch consisted of a
diet soda, salad or a piece of fruit. In fact, her lunch had consisted of
mainly the same due to the limited funds and lack of time to eat. George caught
her watching, smiled and shoved a piece of roast in his mouth.
After fifteen minutes of being hunched over a plate,
Adam sat back, rubbed his belly and grunted in approval. “Mmm. Good.”
“What’s good?” A new voice asked from the kitchen door.
Almost in slow motion, Allison turned her head, sending
her ponytail flying. Her eyes began their feast. Dark jeans sat low on a slim
waste followed by a pale blue button-up shirt with a v of a white T-shirt
winking at her. His teeth almost shined like a prince in a cartoon with a
sparkle from the track lighting fixture dancing in his dark eyes. A hand ran
through the slight curl in his brown hair, tousling the locks before they fell
against his temples.
A gasp escaped her lips.
Ryan Johnson.
