Snippets

I’m working through the first round of edits on Valkyrie’s Call, and I ran across this little snippet that I totally don’t even remember writing (it’s strange, how often that happens when you’re re-reading in edits). The last bit of her dialogue is, as the title of the post suggests, so just Valkyrie in a nutshell.

“The first phone number is for the best Aspect defense lawyer in the country. His name is Random Tremayne. You want the girls to stay with you? He is your best chance of ensuring that happens. Should you have difficulty covering the legal fees, the second number is for The Savage Foundation. My sister-in-law is extremely invested in helping others like her. Explain about the girls, and she will assist you in any way she can,” Valkyrie said.

“That’s it?” Derek asked. Now that the shock of the situation was wearing off, anger was swiftly taking its place. “Just wait for a security team to arrive and hope our children aren’t taken away from us? We were attacked. In our own home. Lacey and Taylor could have been killed and you want us to, what? Pack and make a couple phone calls?”

Valkyrie understood his anger, but that didn’t mean she wanted it directed at her. She gave him a hard look and he backed up a step. “I’m not good at the emotional support side of things, Mr. Anders. You want your fears assuaged and your emotions soothed, call Tremayne and Savage. That’s what lawyers and philanthropists are for.”

It’s probably no secret that Valkyrie and Random are my favorite Aspect Society couple. I know they say you’re not supposed to have favorites but, *sighs*, Random. So, anyway, in honor of Valentine’s Day, here is a kissy snippet from Valkyrie’s Call.

In Which Random and Valkyrie Discuss the Particulars of Going on a Fake Date

“Then we’d better hope we both manage to convincingly fake it,” Valkyrie said.

“Indeed,” Random said. He stepped closer. Too close. Whatever aftershave he wore smelled like it was probably named something along the lines of Waterfalls and Sin. It made her want to bury her face in the curve of his neck and breathe him in. “Which is why we should probably practice.”

“Practice what?” she asked. He shouldn’t be allowed to stand this close to her. It screwed with her head. 

“Kissing.”

She’d been staring at his collarbone–it had seemed like a safe enough place to stare–but her gaze snapped up to meet his, now, and that was a mistake. His dark brown eyes held a touch of heat, and she couldn’t help but note that the two of them stood conveniently right next to a bed.

“I don’t need to practice,” she said automatically. “I know how to kiss you.” I’d really like to do it now.

“I’m not sure you do.” A smile played at the corners of his lips. “The first time we kissed, you broke my nose. The second time, you fucked me. The third time, you destroyed my soul. I’d like to know that if I need to kiss you tonight, none of those things will happen, as none are appropriate for public consumption.”

Yes, her body agreed, let’s practice. She ignored her body. “In what scenario do you envision us actually needing to kiss?”

He arched one eyebrow. “You and me on a date? It’s a hard pill for most to swallow. You’d be surprised what a well-placed parking lot kiss can do for the credibility of a fake date. So may I?” He lifted his hand, brushed the backs of his fingertips across her cheekbone.

Yes, she wanted to say, yes, you definitely may. “It isn’t necessary. I can guarantee none of the previous reactions will occur.” Which was a complete lie. Oh, she could guarantee she wouldn’t punch him, and she could guarantee she wouldn’t destroy his soul, because it was an exaggeration to claim she’d done so before. He was prone to those where she was concerned. It was his pride she’d broken, and she could avoid doing so again. 

No, it was the second outcome she couldn’t promise wouldn’t happen again. Because when he touched her, she never wanted him to stop.

“Perhaps I need to be convinced,” he murmured.

Perhaps she needed to convince herself. “Fine.”

She kissed him. She’d intended for it to be a brief, dispassionate action, but the second her lips touched his, he came alive. His mouth met hers hungrily. His hands settled on her waist and she stupidly wrapped hers behind his neck, let her fingers bury themselves in the softness of his hair. His tongue parted her lips. 

She wanted to press her body against his, to arch into his touch like a satisfied cat. She wanted to rip his clothes off and throw him on the bed, to have him beneath her. The thought almost made her moan, but she couldn’t do that. If she did, he’d know. He’d know exactly what she wanted and she’d never be able to resist if he was hellbent on giving it to her.

Sex was what Random did.

She broke the kiss and leaned back against the hold he had on her waist. She held her breathing steady, held his gaze, which had gone from heated to a full-on bonfire.

“As promised,” she said, her voice even and cool, betraying none of the unsteadiness she felt. “I haven’t harmed you, fucked you, or said anything cruel.”