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.
Fighting against tears and her own
desire to be loved by this man again, Kate asked coolly, "So, what must I
do to get you to let me go?"
"Has it really been that long,
Katie?"
A sudden tightness grew in Kate's throat and chest, so
she bit her lip to hold her emotions in check.
He was the only man she'd ever been with, the only one who'd ever
spanked her, and the only man she'd ever loved.
And, here she was, draped over his knees again as if they were
newlyweds. Despite her valiant efforts
to restrain them, tears started to fall, and once Kate lowered the flood barrier,
she was powerless to stem the flow.
He hadn't hurt
her, yet before long she was bawling like a heartbroken little girl. Seconds later, Peter shifted her so she sat
on his lap. Unable to face him, Kate
pressed her nose to his chest and sobbed as he soothed her with soft,
reassurances.
"It's all
right, darling. I've got you. You're safe."
They were
nonsense words, but Kate soaked them up like a dry sponge. A woodsy fragrance enveloped her. He smelled so good, she realized. So familiar.
So comforting.
Kate pushed, so Peter pulled. Now Kate's regretting having pushed so hard, but only because she got caught.
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.
Lovely snippet Kathryn, love the last paragraph!
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Roz