For today’s MFRW Book Hooks hop, I have an excerpt from Wild About That Thing, one of the six polyamorous novellas in my boxed set Triad.
This post was inspired by an email from artist James at GoOnWrite.com, who is responsible for many of my favorite covers. He is currently branching out into trailers and animated book covers. Just for the heck of it, he sent me a brief animation of the original Triad cover.
I was pretty impressed... and I’ve been even more impressed by some of his other animations. If you’re interested in learning more, I encourage you to visit his web site referenced above, or to contact him directly at HumbleNations [at] Gmail.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my three-way hook.
Wild About That Thing Blurb
There’s more than one way to beat the blues
Ruby Jones has clear priorities. Her teenage son comes first, then her struggling blues club. Her love life ranks as a distant third, despite the efforts of Zeke Chambers to convince her otherwise. Zeke’s the lead singer in her house band, a devoted friend, and an occasional lover. He can drive her wild with desire, but can’t get her to make a commitment. Deserted by her cheating ex-husband, Ruby’s determined she’s going to make it on her own. She’s hot-blooded like her bluesman daddy, happy to satisfy her physical cravings, but she’s not about to let any man into her heart.
The stranger who takes the stage on open mike night upsets the delicate balance in Ruby’s world. From the moment Ruby sets eyes on him, Remy Saint-Michel inspires irresistible lust and inexplicable sympathy. Confused, guilty and worried about her prized independence, Ruby decides that the only way to deal with the two men is to push them both away. Zeke and Remy, however, have other ideas.
The Hook
Ruby sat at the bar for a moment, gazing at the stage. She could picture them up there, singing their hearts out. Remy and Zeke. Had she made a mistake, pushing them away? But she couldn’t handle them both. It was just too complicated. And how could she give one of them up? Would they still be part of her world if she had to give up the club? What would happen to them all?
Tears gathered in her eyes as she started up the stairs. She noticed in passing that the door to her office was ajar. She pushed it open and took a step inside.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Zeke sat at her desk. He waved a sheet of paper in her face. She recognized the fancy stationery. “Damn it, Ruby, I’m your friend. When you’re in trouble, I wanna know!” His normally fair complexion flushed beet red. His brows drew together in a furious scowl and his eyes were blue steel.
“I—I didn’t want to bother you,” Ruby stammered. “It—um. Well, it’s my problem. I figured I’d deal with it.”
“Your problems are my problems.” He rose to tower over her. “When are you going to understand?” For a moment she thought he was going to take her in his arms. She held her breath, watching the struggle on his face. Please, she begged silently. She desperately needed the comfort she knew he could provide.
But he turned away, sinking back into her chair, burying his face in his hands. After a moment, he looked up. His anger had fled. In its place she saw pain and resignation.
“This isn’t working, Ruby. I think it’s time for me to get out of here. I can’t get through to you. Sure, you’ll give me your body—though lately not even that—but you won’t allow me into your heart. I’m heading back to Mississippi. New York’s just too cold for me.”
“Zeke—no—please…” Ruby grabbed his arm. Life without Zeke… The idea was too bleak to consider. She’d tried not to depend on him, but now she couldn’t imagine what she’d do without him.
“Don’t go! Please! I’m sorry I’m so prickly. It’s just that—after Otis… Well, I swore that I’d make it on my own, without any man to prop me up. After taking care of myself for so long, it’s hard for me to let go. But I love you, baby, honestly I do. And if you stay, I promise to show you.”
She pulled Zeke out of the chair and into her arms, holding on for dear life. At first he held back, but after a moment he returned the hug. His warm, masculine scent surrounded her, flooding her with carnal memories.
He nibbled her ear and palmed her breasts through her best silk blouse. “God, I’ve missed you, darlin’. I’ve rubbed myself raw, thinkin’ of you…”
“Let’s go upstairs.” Ruby reached down to stroke him. “We’ve got the place to ourselves right now…”
As though to contradict her, someone rang the bell on the street level. “What the hell?”
Zeke rumbled, licking his way down her throat. “Just ignore it.”
“Ah—um… It could be Isaiah. He’s supposed to be at a friend’s this afternoon but he might have forgotten his keys.” Reluctantly, Zeke released her so she could check the security camera.
Ruby gasped. The lean, leather-clad figure outside rang again.
“What’s he doing here?” It was impossible to miss the suspicion in Zeke’s voice.
“I don’t know.” She pressed the button to release the lock. Remy bounded up the stairs and burst into the office.
“I’ve got to talk to you, Ruby!” He seized her hand. As usual, his touch made her burn. “There’s something you need to understand. I’m so sorry, I should have told you—” He stopped, sniffed, and sucked air into his lungs, as if inhaling her essence. “Oh, chere, I’ve missed you so these last few days…” Before she could protest, Remy engulfed her, his mouth cemented to hers in a kiss that left her weak and breathless.
“Uh—hum.” Zeke’s voice shattered the lascivious trance induced by Remy’s presence. “So I was right after all.” He stood up, favoring them with a half-smile. “If you’ll just let me past, I’ll excuse myself so you two can be alone.”
Ruby released her hold on Remy so she could block Zeke’s path. “Wait! Zeke, please! I don’t want you to leave, baby. I love you.”
Remy whirled her around to face him. “What about me, chere? Should I go, then? I was under the impression that you wanted me, but perhaps I was wrong.” Fury blazed in his dark eyes, but Ruby saw that was only a mask. Underneath lurked an ocean of sorrow, threatening to drown him.
“No, no—I do want you. Oh God, Remy! I think I love you, too.”
“You can’t love both of us, darlin’. Be reasonable. You’ve got to choose.” Zeke shrugged. “He’s younger than I am, handsomer, a lot richer. Hell, he’s even a better musician. Take him. I’ll understand.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re the one who’s loved and supported her, who’s helped her build her dream. I’m basically a stranger. Ruby, chere, I don’t know if I can live without you, but Zeke’s your true love. It’ll break my heart, but I’ll go. Choose him. It’s only right.”
Ruby looked from one of her lovers to the other, as each pleaded the other’s case. They were both so dear…
Triad is exclusive on Amazon and free for KU subscribers. However, the individual books in the collection are all available wide. See my website for details and buy links: https://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html
Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book Hooks!
