Personal Best
What do cocky Olympic water polo players have in common with cranky equine surgeons? Nothing, thank heaven, recently-divorced Eve Ransom would say, and she decides to teach hunky athlete Cain Nadeau a lesson about chatting up strangers on planes by tricking him into performing some handyman duties. But things quickly go awry, and before she knows it, he’s stripping more than just her house paint—he’s stripping away her resistance to him one kiss at a time…
Personal Best is a free read. Download it here.
Excerpt
Her seat jerked with whip-lash violence as something heavy hit the adjoining seat and forced it to sag. Holy fuck, was it her imagination or did she hear the metal groan through her earplugs? Don't look. She resisted the urge to rub her maltreated neck and squeezed her lids shut tighter. It was one of the giants, she knew it. Don’t open your eyes, Eve, don’t do it. A flurry of vibrations shook her. What the fuck was he doing? No. She would NOT open her eyes. She was a general holding the strategic bridge of sleep against a horde of sleep-depriving enemies, and all was lost if she raised even one lid. The scent of pool chlorine teased her nostrils, enticing her to look, but she tightened her jaw and breathed deep resolute breaths. Victory was hers—so long as she stood firm.
A warm, heavy weight fell on her shoulder and she cracked a lid open to slide it a sideways glance. A tanned cinder block of a hand rested there, its friend a ridiculously large bicep at eye-level, the bicep partying with a thick shoulder, sturdy neck and chiseled jaw. That jaw…and the sexy little cleft in the chin. Far too sexy. Midnight stubble painted both chin and cheek with dark, manly hotness. From below raven brows and lashes, a piercing gaze of electric blue seared her vision.
Personal Best is a free read. Download it here.
Excerpt
Her seat jerked with whip-lash violence as something heavy hit the adjoining seat and forced it to sag. Holy fuck, was it her imagination or did she hear the metal groan through her earplugs? Don't look. She resisted the urge to rub her maltreated neck and squeezed her lids shut tighter. It was one of the giants, she knew it. Don’t open your eyes, Eve, don’t do it. A flurry of vibrations shook her. What the fuck was he doing? No. She would NOT open her eyes. She was a general holding the strategic bridge of sleep against a horde of sleep-depriving enemies, and all was lost if she raised even one lid. The scent of pool chlorine teased her nostrils, enticing her to look, but she tightened her jaw and breathed deep resolute breaths. Victory was hers—so long as she stood firm.
A warm, heavy weight fell on her shoulder and she cracked a lid open to slide it a sideways glance. A tanned cinder block of a hand rested there, its friend a ridiculously large bicep at eye-level, the bicep partying with a thick shoulder, sturdy neck and chiseled jaw. That jaw…and the sexy little cleft in the chin. Far too sexy. Midnight stubble painted both chin and cheek with dark, manly hotness. From below raven brows and lashes, a piercing gaze of electric blue seared her vision.
About Personal Best
Why write about a U.S. Olympic water polo player?
Well, a picture speaks a thousand words.
Plus, there’s something endearing about a sport with brutality fouls
Once I read up on the sport I decided it had possibilities.
It’s an ‘intensely aggressive sport, and fouls are 'very common’. (Yay, nothing says ‘alpha male’ like aggression.)
Also, according to Wikipedia, ‘Water polo players need remarkable stamina’. (Excellent, don’t want the poor lad pulling up short of breath during the first love scene.)
And there’s a ‘sin bin’ for water polo. How cute is that? Ejections (being sent out of the pool) are usually for trying to drown or intentionally punch another player. (Note to self: avoid playing water polo.)
Wikipedia also coyly alludes to unsportsmanlike players who grab each other’s nuts during play. “Other injuries take place underwater as many things can not be seen from above the surface and not much padding is used to protect the players.” (I figure it’s a useful trait for the hero to be used to having his wedding-tackle grabbed, that way he won’t be alarmed if the heroine tries it.)
And the sport has some epic grudge matches, such as the infamous Blood in the Water match at the Melbourne Olympics saw Soviet player Valentin Prokopov spill the claret of Hungarian player Ervin Zador with a well-aimed punch to the head. (Passionate and punchy, perfect character traits for generating conflict!)
Well, a picture speaks a thousand words.
Plus, there’s something endearing about a sport with brutality fouls
Once I read up on the sport I decided it had possibilities.
It’s an ‘intensely aggressive sport, and fouls are 'very common’. (Yay, nothing says ‘alpha male’ like aggression.)
Also, according to Wikipedia, ‘Water polo players need remarkable stamina’. (Excellent, don’t want the poor lad pulling up short of breath during the first love scene.)
And there’s a ‘sin bin’ for water polo. How cute is that? Ejections (being sent out of the pool) are usually for trying to drown or intentionally punch another player. (Note to self: avoid playing water polo.)
Wikipedia also coyly alludes to unsportsmanlike players who grab each other’s nuts during play. “Other injuries take place underwater as many things can not be seen from above the surface and not much padding is used to protect the players.” (I figure it’s a useful trait for the hero to be used to having his wedding-tackle grabbed, that way he won’t be alarmed if the heroine tries it.)
And the sport has some epic grudge matches, such as the infamous Blood in the Water match at the Melbourne Olympics saw Soviet player Valentin Prokopov spill the claret of Hungarian player Ervin Zador with a well-aimed punch to the head. (Passionate and punchy, perfect character traits for generating conflict!)