#SPeekSunday - 9/14/14 - Acting Lessons - Knowing when to bluff and when to fold #KissMeKate #SpankingRomance

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 by informing his famous wife that if she keeps acting like a brat, he will turn her over his knee. Since Kate doesn't believe him, she dares him to try it.  He doesn't hesitate, And before she gets another word out, Kate finds herself stomach down across her husband's knees.  Furious and humiliated by both her position and Peter's warning swat, she demands her agent call the police while Peter suggests the agent give them some time alone.  Furious, Kate makes the mistake of challenging her husband, and he lets her know right away what he will and will not tolerate by proving to her his threats are no longer idle.

            "Yes, I know I can't win," Kate answered finally.  "You are much stronger than I, so in a physical contest I am no match against your superior force and will."

            He sighed, then firming his hold; Peter brought his hand down for the seventh time.

            "What was that for?" she yelped, arching back in protest.

            "Do you think I can't tell when you are only pretending to agree in order to placate me?"  When she didn't answer, he said, "I can keep this up all afternoon, Kate.  So, you'd best decide how long it's going to take before you're convinced I'm serious."

            She ground her teeth together.  Admittedly, she had goaded him with her jabs, but then she hadn't believed he'd carry out his threat.  He certainly hadn't followed through during the last years of their marriage, although he seemed different today.  More adamant, yet concerned, too.  And, even though his arms restrained her, the firm touch of his hand sliding along her backside and thighs soothed her.  So, despite the precariousness of her position, she perversely enjoyed the attention.  She felt secure--and she hadn't been this content in a man's arms for a long time.

            None of that changed the fact she was still inwardly furious with him for spanking her in front of another person, but she had difficulty reconciling her righteous anger with the part of her that purred in response to his dominant and possessive posture.  Her emotions were so jumbled and opposite each other, she no longer knew what she wanted.

Kate pushed, so Peter pulled.  Now Kate's regretting having pushed so hard, but only because she got caught.

M/F, DD and a staged production of Kiss Me, Kate.

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.