Though it's Halloween, it's also Frisky Friday, so I decided to split the two. For some interesting facts about the holiday, hop on over and read the post on The things you may not know about Halloween on my Not-so-Naughty Blog. For love and romance, without any scary bits, stay here and enjoy Acting Lessons. But if you want to be scared, since it is the day for it, take a look at my post from "Deadly Enchantment" on Katherine Deane's Scare Your Pants Off Friday where I share an except concerning one totally evil shapeshifter, who likes to practice his spells on human subjects. It's your choice. Take your pick.
Peter loved Kate with all his being, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate an ultimatum from her.
Welcome to another offering for Frisky Friday, where we hope you're getting as excited about the weekend as we are.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 at the beginning of Chapter Four, Peter Thorton is attempting to get his wife ready for a trip to a college camp ground in upper New York, where they will appear together in a summer stock production of "Kiss Me Kate." Kate has agreed to help Peter teach the drama students who have auditioned and been selected personally by him for the course he is teaching. 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. Though things are far from perfect between them now, they are temporarily reconciled, which gives Peter great hope for the summer before them, assuming Kate's meeting with her boyfriend ended the way he hoped it would.
"How
did he leave things between you?"
When
she shrugged, he gave her a light shake.
"Kate…," he whispered warningly.
"He
plans to come upstate in a few weeks to watch the show."
"And…."
"And
he asked me to have dinner with him."
"I
see. I gather he didn't invite an
extraneous husband to join you."
When she merely gazed at him, he added, "So, how did you expect
your jealous spouse to respond to this dinner invitation?"
Since
her 'jealous spouse' had already given his permission, according to Thomas, she
rewarded him with a playful grin.
"With love and understanding?"
He
chuckled. "Really?"
"Well,
I could hope. Do you mind?"
"Mind? Yes.
Will I stop you? No. You're an adult, Kate. You may have dinner with whomever you please,
but don't expect me to be ecstatic with your choices."
"Thomas
only wants to make sure I'm happy."
Peter
nodded. "I realize that, which is
why I'm going to be civil, and not give you grief."
She
rose up on her toes and gave him a kiss.
"Thank you."
Kate realizes Peter's stretched tolerance is a huge step in the right direction. He's a possessive, dominant male who doesn't share, so agreeing to let her meet Thomas on her own was definitely his gift for their reconciliation.
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 wish you and yours a very Frisky Friday.
Very nice snippet Kathryn. Love how good Peter is being about it, while letting her know how he feels about it at the same time.
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