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 an 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 is suspicious and decides to test him by making a few stipulations of her own. He agrees to the first two without an argument, so drops the bomb.
Surprised by his swift agreement,
she added the one stipulation she suspected he would shoot down without
blinking first. "Three: you respect
any boundaries I establish."
"How so?"
"If I say there is to be no
touching between us, you have to honor my request."
"Darling. This is Kiss
Me Kate. Are you familiar at all
with the show?"
"I've heard of it. I've never seen the musical, but I believe it
was originally produced in the 50s."
"Correct. It is also about a divorced couple who are
actors putting on The Taming of the Shrew. You have at least seen that play, I presume?"
Hmm. Kate suspects Peter is up to something, and she's not sure her battered heart is up to another battle with him.
If you're 18 or older, you can read the first three chapters at Acting Lessons
Buy the book directly from Blushing Books
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.
Great Teaser Kathryn, somehow I don't think Kate's stipulation is going to work :)
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Roz
She might very well *live* that play. :) Fun book, Kathryn. I enjoyed every page.
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