Tag Archives: erotic fiction

Surrogates is FREE in the UK! Sizzling Garden Porn Just in Time for Summer

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surrogatesTis the season for …. You guessed it! Garden Porn! And what could possibly be better than a FREE smutty romp in a steamy garden! I’m very excited to announce that my petite novel, Surrogates, is now FREE on Amazon UK! Not yet on Amazon US, but hopefully VERY soon! Now’s your chance to appreciate a very hot UK summer with Francie, Simon and Dan as they have their voyeuristic, masturbatory, naughty, unusual threesome all around the gorgeous grounds and gardens of Dan’s palatial estate.

While I’m spending my time in the veg beds, you can curl up with a cool drink and a raunchy read as you find out why Francie has way more fun in her veg patch than even a picnic in the allotment will allow. It’s sex al fresco with lots of sexy, sizzling, twists and turns. To whet your appetite for a little filthy fun in the garden, here’s an excerpt along with links. US folks, I’m doing my best to see why the delay for you, but will shout it out loudly when Surrogates goes free for you too!

Blurb:

DANIEL ALEXANDER III takes his marriage vows seriously. Until he gets the balls to ask his wife, BEL, for a divorce, watching each other masturbate is all he can offer his beautiful gardener, FRANCIE CARTER. But when Dan’s friend, SIMON PARIS, agrees to be his surrogate, affairs of the heart get complicated.

Excerpt

Dan groaned. ‘It’s all such a mess. I wasn’t lying when I said Francie’s not my mistress. Well she’s not my mistress in a physical sense. I’m faithful to my wife. We, Francie and I, only ever masturbate together.’

Simon couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter, but the look Dan shot back stopped him mid-guffaw.

‘I know what you think, and I know how utterly ridiculous that sounds, but I swear to you it’s true. I’m crazy about the woman, but I pledged my trough to Bel.

‘You what?’

‘I made a promise, and I’ll not break it. I’ll stay faithful to Bel until I get the balls to ask her for a divorce. I’ll not be like my father was.’

Simon studied Dan for a minute as they walked. ‘And Francie’s OK with this.’

‘Of course she’s not OK with it. That’s the problem.’

‘Then, just ask Bel for a divorce,’ Simon said.

‘Oh I will, I will. It’s just now’s a difficult time. I’ve got so much on my mind. And Bel’s going through some difficult times too, and I just can’t do it right Villa d'este 2imagesnow. It wouldn’t be right.’ He chuckled softly and shot Simon a sideways glance. ‘Remember at Tivoli, when you caught me with Gabriella, and we asked you to join us.’

Simon smiled. ‘It’s like deja vu all over again, only you two weren’t exactly having a wank, as I recall. One of the regrets of my youth, not joining your little party. Had a few good wanks thinking about it though.’

It took Simon a second to realize Dan had stopped walking. He stood in knee high grass, his brow drawn tight in deep concentration.

‘Maybe this time we need to turn the tables.’ Dan stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘You know, alter the equation just slightly.’

Dan began to walk again, slowly. ‘What if Francie and I invited you to join us?’

‘What?’

‘Only this time I’d be the one having a wank. Oh I’d be telling you what to do to her and all, or she’d be asking you, but think about it, Simon, how she must feel. She knows I still have sex with Bel. Granted, not very often, but I do my husbandly duty when she asks me.’

‘Your husbandly duty. Right.’

‘My point is that I get at least some sex because Bel is my wife, and I’m faithful to her. But poor Francie’s faithful to me. She doesn’t get anything but a wank, and she has to provide that for herself. I can’t even touch her, Simon, because I’m afraid once I do I won’t be able to stop myself. But if you, as my old and trusted friend, were to make love to her for me, you know be my surrogate, then Francie could get some satisfaction too, and maybe…’

‘You want me to fuck your mistress for you?’

Get Surrogates FREE Now

Amazon UK

Reviews

“Full of quirky characters, kinky sex, unusual settings and clever writing, Surrogates is definitely an erotic romance novella I’d recommend if you’re looking for something a little different.” Erotica For All

*****

“This was an exciting and sexy read at the turn of every page, with a storyline that was so original it was brilliant. If you want a fun, fast read with great character flow and connection and hot sex on almost every page this is for you.” Midnight Boudoir

*****

“Surrogates is the perfect novel for any erotica reader out there… hot, sexy, sensual… it definitely defines erotica it in it’s own right. K.D Grace is one amazing author whose novels simply should be devoured!” A Redheads Guilty Reads

*****
“There are plenty of hot hot sex scenes and a case of mistaken identity and misunderstandings. It is a fun and quick read. Overall, very well written. The characters come alive on the pages and they feel real. I recommend it to anyone who likes short, erotic tales and who aren’t put off by some f/f action and threesomes.” Hearts on Fire Reviews

*****

“Surrogates is full of tongue in cheek comedy, and has just the right amount of erotica to fill readers minds with accounts of how both Daniel and Bel get their orgasms. This is a voyeur’s version of heaven.” 5 out of 5, Love Romance Passion

 

The Mammoth Book of Lesbian Erotic Stories, edited by Barbara Cardy

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The Mammoth Book of Lesbian Erotic StoriesSeriously hot lesbian erotica from the top writers in the field – Olivia London, Lynn Lake, Catherine Lundoff, Eva Hore, Kannan Feng and Lucy Felthouse to name just a few. There are no fewer than 42 superbly-written stories in this bumper collection.

•             Chloe wasn’t the least bit worried about her job performance evaluation – sure, she was the bottom performer in terms of sales, but as she put it, ‘What a spankingly fine bottom it is!’
•             Wanting to get away from sexual temptation Natalie takes a job teaching exercise in a health hydro but fellow instructor Jade introduces her to some delicious extra-curricular activity . . .
•             While Little Lucy was licking her out in their shared cell, one of the top dogs was planning her fight with the Dragon Lady, but losing would mean a total humiliation in front of all the prison’s bottom feeders.
•             Tanya’s a shy girl, but her girlfriend knows exactly what shy girls need and she’s willing to use some very unfair tactics to get her way.
•             Emma was no stranger to BDSM, but being kidnapped by an unknown number of strangers was too much.
•             Rose is the perfect desperate housewife – rich, pampered and bored! She’s given a thrill when a young sales assistant does more than measure her inner thigh – she spreads them wide.
•             Amanda is a prim and proper librarian who fills her days stacking books and her evenings playing with herself under her desk.
•             Little Kaylee seeks an older woman’s advice about her recent love troubles, but the sensitive talk session soon becomes a show and tell.

Contents

  • BEWARE GREEKS BARING GIFTS by Vav Garnek STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE by Olivia London
  • MEN! by Dominique James
  • INSTRUCTION by Courtney James
  • GOING SOLO by Alex Severn
  • COMING IN THREES by R. Mary Esade
  • ELEVATOR ECSTASY by Julia Jones
  • POMEGRANATES by Olivia London
  • MISS LAWRENCE by Alex Severn
  • THE FULL GYM EXPERIENCE by Lynn Lake
  • THE INNER CIRCLE by Lucy Felthouse
  • DRAGON by Lucinda Coombes
  • BOTTOM PERFORMER by Lynn Lake
  • LADIES WHO LUNCH by Catherine Lundoff
  • THE LEGACY OF LEGWARMERS by R. Mary Esade
  • SWEET DISCIPLINE by Jay Lawrence
  • ROLE-PLAY REVERSAL by Chris Westlake
  • HOLY MATRIMONY by Chloe Ramsay
  • WOMEN’S TOP FANTASIES by Dominique James
  • SERVING SARA by Angel Propps
  • SHY GIRL by Kannan Feng
  • THE CHASE by Chris Westlake
  • FIRST NIGHT ON A WATERBED by Giselle Renarde
  • HEN DAY by Eva Hore
  • KIDNAP LOVER by Dominique James
  • SEX SHOP DEAL OF THE DAY by Chris Westlake
  • MUSE by Maggie Morton
  • READING BETWEEN THE THIGHS by Chris Westlake
  • MOTEL HUSTLE by Lynn Lake
  • SHUSH by Kannan Feng
  • BLACKOUT by Giselle Renarde
  • A FIST FULL OF FUN by Dominique James
  • ADDICTED TO LUST by Chris Westlake
  • HAIR TODAY, COME TOMORROW by Dominique James
  • TISHA AND NARINE’S AFTER-HOURS FETISH PARTY by Giselle Renarde
  • THE GO-TO GIRL by Courtney James
  • FORBIDDEN TOUCHES by Chris Westlake
  • PAINT IT RED by Kannan Feng
  • CORE PLEASURE by Elizabeth Coldwell
  • GAUGE by Sommer Marsden
  • LET ME DEMONSTRATE by Lynn Lake
  • SEDUCING YOUR PEN FRIEND by Dominique James

Available from:

Amazon US
Amazon UK

*****

Excerpt:

Adele peered out of her front window. Yes, there they were again. Donna and Josie, linking arms and chatting away. Just a few short weeks ago, Adele would have been part of that conversation. But now, inexplicably, it seemed she was no longer in the inner circle. The two women had scaled back their invites for afternoon tea, their book club meetings weren’t so frequent and Adele felt as though she was being deliberately excluded. And she had no idea why. There’d been no falling out, no cross words, nothing.

Adele decided she wasn’t going to take it any more. If she was going to be ignored and left out, she at least wanted to know why.

Watching the pair head into Josie’s house across the street without so much as a glance in the direction of her house, Adele drew away from the window.

Hurrying, so as to not lose her nerve, Adele slipped on her sandals, left the house and pulled the front door shut behind her. She walked across the quiet street. It was a cul-de-sac, so there was no thru-traffic; and, it being the middle of the day, most people were at work, including the husbands of herself and the other two women. The lack of other company during the day was what had originally brought the three women together, but now it seemed Adele was surplus to requirements. Blinking back angry tears, Adele stomped across to Josie’s house, ready for a confrontation.

Once she got closer, however, she noticed something amiss. Despite the time of day, the living room blinds were closed. The sun wasn’t even at this side of the house yet, so that wasn’t the reason. Intrigued, Adele crept closer. Lots of wild thoughts began to run through her head. They were obviously up to something they wanted to keep secret. But what? Extra-marital activity? Criminal activity? Or worse?

Determined to get answers, Adele walked right up to the window. The ladies obviously hadn’t been too careful when they’d drawn the blinds. One of the slats had caught on something on the window sill and it wasn’t quite flush to the others, creating a gap. A gap perfect for peering through. Begging to be peered through.

Never one to pass up an opportunity, Adele gingerly peeked through the hole, half expecting one of the girls to be looking back, glaring angrily at the intrusion. She needn’t have worried. There was nobody there. Not right by the window, anyway. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, Adele could make out shapes moving in the room, over by the sofa.

On the sofa, she realised, as her brain caught up with what her eyes were seeing. There were two people on the couch, and they were…

*****

Barbara Cardy originally trained in art, design and construction, before moving through a variety of careers. To date, she has edited twenty-seven anthologies of various kinds. She lives in Kent with her two boys.

New Release: A French Affair by Lucy Felthouse

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A French AffairSydney Tyler is renting a barn conversion in Northern France, planning to spend the fortnight getting some words down on her novel. Unfortunately, construction work in the other half of the building puts an end to her peace and quiet. Genuinely upset that the builders are going to disturb her, the property’s handsome English owner, Harry Bay, offers to make it up to her. He’s a little flirtatious, and after spotting his wedding ring, Sydney keeps him at arm’s length. Sexy as he is, she has no intention of getting involved with a married man. But when Sydney learns the truth about Harry, will their mutual attraction spur them on to work through their emotional baggage and make this more than just a French affair?

Available from: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/a-french-affair/

*****

Excerpt:

Sydney Tyler jumped so hard that her fingers slammed down onto the laptop’s keyboard and she typed a bunch of gobbledegook.

Kashfkjsdhlfknsdlfvn sdlkch awoeduioh ahdwklc

Gasping, she clutched at her chest as her heart thumped rapidly and painfully. “What the fucking hell was that?” she said to the empty room.

Pushing her chair back from the desk, she stepped over to the window. Peering out into the brilliant sunshine, she saw something on the lawn that she had absolutely not been expecting. Workmen.

She groaned. So much for her peaceful writer’s retreat. She’d planned to get a good chunk of her novel down in the fortnight she was away, and now it looked as though her peace was going to be monumentally shattered by banging, drilling and God knows what else.

Sighing, she gave the windowsill a pathetic thump in her frustration. She might have been pissed off, but she was no vandal. And besides, she didn’t want those noisy buggers in her part of the building fixing things—having them next door was bad enough.

Sydney really could not believe her shitty luck. When she’d booked the cottage in the French village of Monthiers over the phone a couple of months ago, she’d dealt with a fellow Brit called Harry Bay, who she’d suspected was the owner. On arrival, though, a timid French woman had met her and let her into the luxurious barn conversion before handing over the keys and explaining a little bit about the local area. Apparently, in the mornings, someone came along the village streets, selling fresh bread and pastries.

There wasn’t much else to tell, it seemed, as the village had nothing except a church—almost opposite her accommodation—and a tavern. It was also lacking—she’d quickly discovered—a mobile signal. Not even a single bar illuminated her screen. Her phone was now no more than a watch, alarm clock and calendar. If there was an emergency, she was screwed. But on a much lighter note, it was one less distraction. She could just get on with what she was here to do, blissfully undisturbed.

The arrival of workmen was incredibly irritating. Her temporary landlord hadn’t mentioned there’d be anyone working next door. If he had, she wouldn’t have booked the place—the quiet and idyllic location were the whole reason for choosing this property, this area. Even though there was no way he could have known she was there to work, common courtesy would dictate that he told her. Perhaps he was just interested in taking her money and didn’t give a damn about whether she had a satisfactory stay or not. There was nothing to be done about it now, unfortunately. She’d paid for the fortnight, and she was buggered if she was going to cut and run, pissing that money down the drain. She’d just have to find a way around the disturbance, and console herself that she could leave a snarky write up on a review site when she got home.

Finding out the builders’ working hours would be a good start—she could attempt to write around them then. Or perhaps she could make use of the headphones she’d stuffed into her case, without ever thinking they’d get used. Some loud rock music would drown out the din from next door and hopefully allow her to work. It was worth a try. She hoped they were only doing a small job that would only take a couple of days, but deep down she knew they weren’t. They were renovating the whole place so it was as beautiful as the half she was in.

She was just about to go in search of the aforementioned headphones when one of the men pottering around on the lush back garden stepped away from the others. Standing in a shaft of sunlight, he pulled his arms high above his head and stretched, dragging up his t-shirt to reveal a lean stomach with a fine line of dark hair leading enticingly into the waistband of his jeans.

Oh yum, she thought, perhaps having builders next door wouldn’t be so bad after all. Especially if they all looked like him. She continued to watch as the man dropped his arms to his sides and watched the others. His dark hair was overlong and stuck out at crazy angles, as though he’d been running his fingers through it. She couldn’t see the colour of his eyes from this distance, but she could make out enough detail of his features to see that he was handsome. Gorgeous, actually. Close up he could be much less attractive, but from her upstairs window, the view was pretty fine.

Just then, he glanced across at her side of the long barn, which was divided into two holiday cottages. He caught sight of her standing there, and his face dropped. He looked back at the builders, then returned his gaze to her again. Pointing at the group of noisy men, he slapped his forehead with his other hand. Finally, he pointed at his chest, then up at her. He was indicating he wanted to come in. She paused, then nodded. Common sense told her she shouldn’t be letting a strange man into her temporary home, but then, there were several large, bulky men milling around, so if they were a dodgy sort, she and the locked door would have no chance against them, especially with no means of calling for assistance. She could scream, of course, but she doubted anyone would come. The walls of the building were extremely thick—though sadly, no match for banging and drilling—the nearest house was a little way down the road, and by day, the village was all but deserted. There was only one business that she knew of—the tavern—so the other inhabitants would have to go elsewhere to work. To nearby Chateau-Thierry, perhaps, or even further afield.

She’d just have to hope that the handsome man—probably the head honcho of their group—was also a decent one. Presumably they were a reputable company, as they’d been hired by the British owners, who were usually more wary of cowboy builders, and given the horror stories and dedicated TV programmes back home, it was understandable.

Before she got even halfway down the stairs, a knock came at the door. Okay, so he was polite enough to knock, that was good. She moved a little faster, careful not to trip in her flip flops and go hurtling downwards. Once she was safely on the ground floor, she twisted the key in the door and opened it.

*****

Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over seventy publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include Best Bondage Erotica 2012 and 2013, and Best Women’s Erotica 2013. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and co-edited a number of anthologies. She owns Erotica For All, and is book editor for Cliterati. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

The Allure of the Abbey by Justine Elyot

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I’m very excited to have my dear friend and fabulous writer, Justine Elyot, back on A Hopeful Romantic today to talk about her yummy new book, Secrets and Lords. Welcome, Justine!

 

Secrets and LordsAre you devoted to Downton? Downton Abbey, that is, the smash-hit TV drama of early 20th century aristocratic life?

I’ll admit, I must be pretty close to the ideal viewer for this kind of show. I’ve been addicted to costume dramas since I was a wee nipper dressing up in my mum’s silk petticoats and strings of pearls (and, of course, the frocks have a lot to do with the fandom). Add a dash of angst, above and below stairs, and some light history and I’m sold.

Of course, there is sex in Downton, but it tends to lead to babies, scandal or even death (as in the case of the unfortunate Turkish diplomat, Kemal Pamuk). For me, then, it proved inspiring. A house like Downton Abbey, I should think, would have been an intense sexual pressure cooker – attractions, affairs, courtships, illicit liaisons all going on beneath the perfectly-ordered and luxurious surface.

Thus was conceived my novel, Secrets and Lords. Deverell Hall may bear a passing resemblance to Downton Abbey, and the story is set in 1920, shortly after the end of the First World War, but there the similarities end. The Deverell family is riddled with secrets, and the staff are just as bad. Lord Deverell, the head of the clan, is just about the only member of it who can claim to be straightforward; the rest of them present a face to the world that poorly represents their real selves.

Into this web of deception and intrigue comes Edie, a young London woman whose application for the job of housemaid conceals a secret agenda of her own…

If you enjoy feathers and fans, flirtations and, uh, maybe some other stuff that begins with F, then this book might be for you.

Blurb:

Illicit liaisons and unspoken attractions fill the stately home from wall to wall until something will have to give…

From the author of ‘On Demand’ and ‘Kinky’, Justine Elyot’s ‘Secrets and Lords’ is a seductive erotic novel perfect for anyone who loves Downton Abbey.

The summer of 1920 will be the hottest at Deverell Hall for years.

Lord Deverell’s new wife has the house in thrall to her theatrical glamour. His womanising son, Sir Charles, has his eye on anything female that moves while his beautiful daughter, Mary, is feeling more than a little restless. And why does his younger son, Sir Thomas, spend so much time in the company of the second footman?

Into this simmering tension comes new parlour maid, Edie, with a secret of her own – a secret that could blow the Deverell family dynamic to smithereens.

The book is available from 30th May from Mischief Books. Pre-order from Amazon:

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Guest Blogger: Elizabeth Black

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reviewertoppick2Night Owl Reviews TOP PICK Novel Don’t Call Me Baby 25% Off!

Celebrate Don’t Call Me Baby’s TOP PICK review by buying it for 25% off at All Romance eBooks and Naughty Nights Press until May 31!

Buy Links

Naughty Nights Press

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-nnp

AllRomanceeBooks

http://tinyurl.com/dont-call-me-baby-are

Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Hitherandthee-reviews-Don-t-Call-Me-Baby-by-Elizabeth-Black

Top Pick

4 1/2 stars

HitherandThee

 

Don’t Call Me Baby is a fast paced, very adventurous romantic novel that will take readers on a roller coaster ride of scorching romantic fun. The main character, Catherine, is a woman after my own heart. She is young and fiercely independent, and beyond gorgeous. She is not wealthy, but she wants to live the good life and is not afraid to go get it. She is also very sexually liberated, and in the 1980’s this was sometimes a good thing, and sometimes a not so good thing. The story is so blisteringly hot and steamy; it’s difficult to put down. It took me back to a better time, and a time I enjoyed much more. It is a novel I truly enjoyed reading, and will definitely be reading time and time again. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s also not to be missed.

So many men, so little time. Catherine has a long list of men that she sees on a regular basis, and at the top of the list (for the moment, anyway) is Brian. He’s one of her professors at Quincy, and a married man, but that’s never been a problem. But he’s so demanding! So maybe some time apart will be just the trick. A summer theater camp at another local college for local teens should make him realize that Catherine is not his possession, right? That is, until she gets to the camp and meets the other counselors. Ryan is gorgeous, and the rest? Well, what’s a girl on her own to do? Why, enjoy as many as she can! In the meantime, Catherine will come to grips with her mind and her heart, and will figure out what she really wants in life.

baby_top_pickBook Blurb for Don’t Call Me Baby

DON’T CALL ME ‘BABY’ is a fast-paced, quick-witted, sexy, novel about a young woman exploring her sexuality and the cultural morés she collides with on a daily basis.

It’s 1983 in Maryland and Catherine Stone is sex on wheels. She plays the field the way men have done for aeons. Not content to strive for her MRS degree like so many young women her age, she seduces men of all stripes – married college professors, theatre students, virgins, complete strangers who intrigue her. She has already cost one man his job.

She asks herself lots of questions on her search to enjoy her sexuality. Why don’t other women enjoy their sex as much as she does? Why do so many women and men look down on sexually free women, calling them sluts while sexually free men are called studs and Lotharios? She bucks at the double standards! Catherine has made no commitment to any man. She’s free to explore and she gladly does so. No man can tie her down and no woman’s judgment will stop her from playing the field to her heart’s content.

Does she meet her match in a new man who introduces her to sexual bliss she had never before experienced? When she tries multiple partners and bondage for the first time as a submissive, she believes she’s found the sexual bliss she is looking for – and with a man who not only introduces her to the fineries in life but also cares about her like no man ever has before.

Excerpt

[Intro: Catherine Stone is my heroine and the book’s main character. She has taken a summer job at a college camp. Ryan is the older college professor in charge of the camp. KC (aka Casey) is one of the counselors who becomes one of Catherine’s closest friends. DJ teaches drama at the camp. They are currently in an orientation meeting before camp begins.]

At that moment, a young man ran into the room in a blaze of jeans and oversized t-shirt. He tossed his backpack behind the chair next to DJ, and then plopped into a seat.

“Nice of you to drop by, KC.” Ryan said.

“Sorry I’m late. Ran a bit behind this morning.” He gave the crowd a big toothy grin, and leaned back in his chair until the front two legs were off the ground. Oh, boy. This guy is going to be fun. “Okay, alarm didn’t go off. But I’m here. So… did I miss anything?”

“Not yet, but you did manage to be the center of attention again,” Ryan tried to sound miffed, but Catherine saw his dimples deepen as he tried not to smile. “We just did introductions. You can get to know everyone here a bit later. Now, I need to get started.”

The orientation went well. Catherine kept her legs up on the table, showing them off, and her stunt did not get past KC. His eyebrows shot up, and he blew a kiss in her direction. Catherine couldn’t help but like him immediately. He seemed to be the type of guy who didn’t take a thing seriously, and she liked to surround herself with people like that. KC’s silly mood was infectious, and soon with his carousing and smart-mouthed funny comments, everyone at the table was laughing. Monica and Ryan assigned each worker to a class. DJ and Catherine were to teach drama.

“I brought my accordion again,” KC said. “You know how much the kids loved me last year.”

“They cringed, KC,” DJ said. “Did you actually watch them when you played Freebird? On the accordion? You were not cool, dude. Try as you might.”

“I was the coolest guy in the room. You’re just jealous because you can’t pick out Freebird on that tin-plated noise machine you play.”

“It’s a 12-string steel guitar, and I can pick out Freebird just fine.”

“Looks like Miss Longest-Legs-in-the-Universe here is also a guitarist. You two can play the theme to Deliverance to really get the kids in a good mood.”

“How’d you know I play the guitar?” Catherine stretched her legs in response to KC’s ribbing. Her movement did not get past Ryan’s attention. That pleased her to no end.

“I saw you arrive, and you hoisted that guitar over your head. I see a threesome in your future – no, not that kind! Get your mind out of the gutter!!” He laughed at his own joke, and so did everyone in the room, including Catherine. “Us, on guitars. You, DJ, and I. Scaring the kids to death with our bad renditions of Kumbaya. And there’s no need to look so horrified. DJ is used to me picking on him. It’s all in good fun. We’ve been best friends since we were in fourth grade.”

“And we’ve been at each other’s throats ever since.” DJ said. “I’m glad we’re going to teach the drama classes, Catherine. Your suggestion of improvs is perfect. After the meeting, want to do some brainstorming?”

“Sounds good to me. I have lots of good ideas.”

“Don’t let him hog all the ideas,” KC said. “He’s a born monopolizer.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“I do. All the time.” He winked at her, and DJ busted out laughing. It was good to see DJ’s handsome smile. It made his demeanor seem less standoffish. She figured out his relationship with Casey. They balanced each other out very nicely. DJ was the imposing Pontiac GTO and Casey was the Triumph Spitfire.

When Monica learned that Catherine played the piano, guitar, and flute, she immediately added her name to the list of people to play music around the campfire at night. DJ would join her on the guitar and KC on the accordion. What is it with the initials for names around here? Did their parents name them by choosing two different blocks from a game of Scrabble? It wasn’t required that she play every night, but it sure sounded like fun.

Once the meeting was over, and everyone left the room to go about their business, Catherine ran until she caught up with KC and DJ. But she didn’t leave without giving Ryan a coy smile and a wiggle of her hips. His gaze traveled to parts of her body that would have been considered impolite in mixed company. She didn’t turn to see Ryan watch her as she wiggled her way out into the hall towards KC and DJ.

“Here she is, the girl with the longest legs in the world. And damn! You’re short!”

She looked up at KC. “I’m five foot nothing. Most of it legs. You are what? Six feet?”

“Six foot two. So you and my buddy DJ are going to run the acting workshops for the kids?”

“Sure looks that way. It sounds like fun. I know lots of theatre exercises we could try on the kids. They make great icebreakers, too.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two kids to your theatre business,” KC said. “I haven’t unpacked yet, and I want to get myself settled in. See you two at dinner?”

“Yeah. What does KC stand for anyway?”

“Kevin Collins. I go by ‘‘Casey,’ C-A-S-E-Y. Emphasis on the first syllable. I’ll see you two later.”

He ran off before either of them could answer, which struck Catherine as something he did on a regular basis. Looks like you met your match, girl. Being around Casey could be exhausting, and she had only a little bit of exposure to him. How was she going to survive two weeks of “Whirlwind Casey”? She wasn’t the least bit attracted to him, and she didn’t want to fuck him, but he was far too much fun to ignore. He’d be a good friend to have in her corner if she needed one. And she wanted to make friends with him regardless of what gossip might erupt about her sexual activities, and there was bound to be some sooner or later.