Peter loved Kate with all his being, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate an ultimatum from her.
For Sneak Peek Sunday we share six paragraphs from a published work or a WIP (work in progress).My submission for this week is from my 5th book, and newest release, Acting Lessons.
He was a strict and demanding college professor turned professional director who excelled at giving acting lessons. She was his shy and uncertain former student who became a professional actress under his tutelage. They fell in love, married, and won two Tony Awards before tragedy struck and a simple kiss ripped them apart.
After a six month separation, Peter Thorton decides to take matters into his own hands by making his famous wife, Kate, an offer she wouldn't refuse. Plainly put, he wants her back and he intends to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goal, even if it means giving his stubborn, willful leading lady a daily reminder over his knee that she promised to obey him.
In this scene, which occurs early in the first chapter, Peter Thorton, seated comfortably in her agent's office, is attempting to convince his wife, Kate, to give their marriage a second chance by signing her to appear with him in a College Summer Stock production of "Kiss Me Kate." Kate isn't sure she can trust Peter with her heart again, since she believes he's been unfaithful to her, but she's never stopped loving him. And though Domestic Discipline originally played a part in their marriage, their last two years together had them living like polite strangers sharing the same house. Peter realizes he made a mistake in letting Kate do as she pleased, so he's determined to rectify matters immediately. However, Kate has a few stipulations of her own....
"Kate
wondered if you'd be willing to have someone, other than yourself, perform the
male lead."
Peter regarded
her in surprise. "Really?" he
asked, recalling how she'd once declined to take part in a class because he'd
refused to play opposite her during a memory exercise.
When she met
his gaze with one raised eyebrow, he shook his head. Not a
chance, darling. This is a package deal. Then he recalled hearing Kate had started
dating again. Rumors were this gent
harked from the halls of justice rather than the boards of Broadway, which made
Peter wonder if that emerald-cut monstrosity she sported might be a token of the
fellow's admiration, or something more.
Like an engagement ring.
"No,"
he answered finally, refusing to explain further.
Kate regarded
him with an even stare. "Don't you
think you're being a bit inflexible?"
"If you
think my behavior is inflexible," he murmured, leaning in closer to her. "Then you, my darling, are playing the
brat."
Hmm. Kate's developed a bit of a temper during their separation, but Peter is fully prepared to handle anything she throws his way, including herself.
If you're 18 or older, you can read the first three chapters at Acting Lessons
Buy the book directly from Blushing Books
Read a sneak excerpt in my Spankee Doodle Dandy Post.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click the link below to continue your hop Sneak Peek Sunday Wishing you a wonderful journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love hearing from readers, so thank you for making my day! Writers with any thoughts at all (Naughty or otherwise) love comments, and I'm no exception.