PULSEPOINT IS COMING SOON!

 

PULSEPOINT SIGNUP

Can you feel the anticipation? Ready for book two in the Reed Series? Or is my anxious energy sending you racing for the hills? Me too! All of your favorite characters from book one will be back to join in the shenanigans and hijinks of the Reed Software and Securities Company.

 

Jacob, Katie and Hauk will return to cameo as you get to know Simon and Cassie in the second high paced installment of monkey business. Eli is of course up to no good and we'll get sneak peaks at new characters who have decided to join the group.

 

If you are a #reader, #blogger, or #flasher lover join us in revealing the second gorgeous cover in the series designed by Ari from Cover It! Designs. She is simply amazing at creating beautiful covers that speak to the story between the pages.

 

 

 

Have you read book one yet?

 

| FLASHPOINT |

| BOOK ONE - REED SERIES |

 

Everything you’ve ever loved could be gone in a FLASH.

 

 

 

Jacob Reed has it hot for Katie Wilson,

and nothing will keep him from her, now that he's gotten a second chance.

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW

JUST $0.99

 

| AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | NOOK | IBOOKS |

One Summer - because I love a good party :-)

I may be a tad trigger happy when it comes to sharing my love of Roman with all of you... and really what better way than to celebrate my Nighttides co-author Lisa Suzanne's new release of her book Second Opinion. Totally click the link and check it out. :-)

So without further adieu... nom nom nom on some Roman Winters XOXO

 

This awesome pic was found on Pinterest by my even more awesome PA: Angie. If any of you Flashers know this Roman 'look alike' please send him to NJ. Thanks!

(This is UNEDITIED and all mistakes are mine. O.o)

ONE SUMMER

CHAPTER 12

ROMAN

            I wake up arching my back, to find Abigail resting her head on my chest, a small hand under her cheek. Her scrunched up face is beautiful and blonde hair tickles my bare chest. I take a few of the strands between my fingers and rub them together, testing their color and silky texture. We’ve stayed in the past few days avoiding the rain, the outside world all together, ordering takeout and enjoying each other’s company and now I want to take her to see my boats and maybe invest a little more of her heart in mine.

            As I’m enjoying the quite space of time, her phone begins ringing with a low tone. It’s not enough to wake Abby, but enough that I give in to temptation and pick it up from the nightstand, slipping the charging cord out so I can hold it up. Reading it, it says incoming call from first name ‘Ex-Lucas the Loser’ and last name ‘unfortunate co-worker.’ I’m glad Abby has a sense of humor. I let it go to voicemail before I scan her call log. Several calls from Lucas show up over the last few days, none picked up or returned. I also notice that her dad has called just as many if not more times, again none answered or returned. My LA girl is avoiding the reality just as much as I am. A part of me wonders how long we can keep this going. I promise myself to make her answer the next call that comes in so we can figure out what we’re doing, as much as I hate that. I put the phone down and go back to watching her sleep.

            “Mmmph…” Abby grumbles a mostly unintelligible something.

            “Wake up beach bum.” I pinch her hip softly.

            “That’s Hollywood to you.” Her eyes open still filled with a sleepy smirk and she stretches up to meet me. Without words she’s crawling up my body, breasts slipping from her strappy tank tops and panties slipping off her hips taking my lips hungrily. Our passions equal and yet it’s another reason this girl is so well matched to me. God I want her to stay in Seattle. I can’t bare for her to go back to LA. If I could keep our little cocoon a bit longer I know I can convince her to make the decision on her own. Our tongues play, rolling, sucking and slipping deeper together. I nip her bottom lip to get her attention and move my hand to her free breast squeezing just enough to get a groaning whimper from her.

            “Today is boat day.” I peck her mouth again and hold her still to keep her from launching back into my lap, despite how much my dick would love to make contact with her sweet tight center.

            “Tomorrow, tomorrow can be boat day.” Abby is pouting and while I see plenty of advantages to giving in, I decide my cooler head has to prevail before we become mummified in my loft.

            “Toss a couple of days’ worth of clothes in one of my duffle bags and let’s hit the marina.” I tap her rear and she leans up on her elbows.

“Did you just spank me, Roman Winters?” Abby is coy and I know what she’s doing as she drags a fingertip down my chest. I roll us over so I am on top.
            “Pack wench or you’ll be the most unfashionable sailor on board.” I hold her still while she wiggles and tries her best, yeah her best to get me in a better position.

“Fine… but I need caffeine.”

“You’re plenty awake. We can grab some on the way.” I let go of her and run to the shower as she gives chase only to bang on the door mere fractions of a second before I can lock it. “Pack, Abigail.”

“Arrrg. You’ll be sorry, Roman!” I hear Abby yelling from behind the door and I laugh. She smacks the door hard and I imagine her hand must be smarting from the force of it. It seems like Hollywood has a little violent streak in her when she gets denied. Good. To. Know.                   

ABIGAIL

            Roman Winters thinks he can deny me and I’ll come running. He is kind of right. It’s been pure bliss these past few days cozy and holed up in the loft. Well… with the exception of my phone going crazy. I’m not back at work and don’t know if I plan to go back to LA at all at this point. I’m sure I could take the bar exam and maybe move up here or close or I don’t know. Feelings of guilt sweep through me and I’m conflicted all over again. Roman is still in the shower. He’s probably getting himself off so I can’t weasel my woman way into making him stay. Evil man, he should have learned these past few days that I would do it for him…

            I go back to the bed and crawl in, the sheets are still warm from our tumble earlier. I reach over the bed, hugging a pillow and grab my phone from the nightstand. The screen is flashing so I slide the bar across and see a selfie of Roman and I with the  Space Needle in the background. We haven’t had a chance to go there yet and I’m excited to have that as another first with this man. I check my messages. There are several from Lucas and more from my dad. Only one from Leah and while I’m sure it’s not an apology I delete them all. My plan is to deal with them after we do whatever it is that Roman has planned on the boat. 

***

            “Let’s take my truck to the marina.” Roman tells me as he picks up my bag and his and takes them down to his truck. We haven’t stepped inside since we came to Seattle. Anywhere we went we walked or took public transportation. It made me think of my car still sitting lonesome in Maddie’s driveway. I left her my keys in case she had to move it. “Whatcha thinking about, Hollywood?” Roman slips a lock of my hair behind me ear and I sigh because his touch is that good.  

            “Platypus.” I tell him thinking of my car and then I instantly regret the words out of my mouth.

            “Plat-a-what?” He asks as he puts the truck into gear and drives out of the garage under his loft.

            “Oh it’s nothing. Forget I said it.” I feel my face heat up a thousand degrees. Ugh. How will I explain this one?

            “Nuh uh. You can tell me now or I’ll pull this truck over and tickle you until you fess up. I know your soft spots, woman.” He has the gall to smirk at me and I wonder what I did karmically to deserve this now of all things. He flexes his fingers threateningly and I know he’ll pull the car over. “Abigail…” I know it’s my final warning.

            “Okay. Okay!” Roman pulls the truck over.

“I’m waiting…” I swear this man is impossible.

“It’s um my name for my car.” I cringe and wait for the laugh. Lucas looked at me like I was stupid for naming my car when I had told him all excited about it. I do feel stupid.

            “Platypus, huh?” Roman nods his head testing the name out.

            “Platinum Platypus, actually. You know, cause she’s silver.” I feel super self-conscious but Roman isn’t scrutinizing me. He’s just sitting there thinking. “It’s pretty shameless, I know.” I duck my head and hope to god my tan skin is hiding my embarrassment. 

            “Nah, it’s perfect actually. Makes me think I should ask if you would name my boat though. Not the one we’re sailing on this week, but another one I built that I planned on keeping.”

            “Really?” I squeak.

            “Yeah, she’s still in production so she’s not seaworthy yet, but we can take a look and you can think of something good for her.”

            “Oh Roman…” I don’t know what it is but the fact that he trusts me to name one of his boats is pretty cool and feels pretty serious. 

***

            We pull up to the marina and I see several things all at once. Several large ships decorated with an anchor logo and the initials R.W. sitting pretty right in the middle, beautiful shiny new hauls sitting in docks. Crews hosing them down and keeping them pristine while others seem to be doing things people in boat yards and marinas do. Hey, I’m from LA we don’t know jack about boats except these are big luxury ones.

            “Oh, my god, Roman, your boats!” I say pressing my nose to the window clearly impressed. I look back at Roman who is smiling shyly now. “How?”

            “I engineer the designs. I got a very nice backer and business partner who is letting me buy back shares in my company from the loan he gave me to start up.”

            “They’re beautiful.” I whisper looking back out the window. I knew Roman loved boats but this, this explains so much more about him and why he lives in Seattle but can take so much time off to go home to Gold Beach.

            “Come on, Hollywood. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little water?” Roman gets out of the truck and slowly walks around to my side opening the door and unbuckling my seatbelt to help me out.

            “Well… you know what they say about a man who makes big boats.” I mutter and he grabs my hand excitedly half dragging and propelling me up the dock to the boat we’ll be taking out.

            “Yup and if you’re lucky, I’ll even let you steer my big wheel.” Roman chuckles and we both know we're totally big cheeseballs. “Come on I want to show you around the deck and cabin before we take off.” I follow Roman as he puts our bags down inside and then takes me back on desk toward the front of the boat. We can see the marina, the little safe harbor we are moored in and the city of Seattle. It’s a gorgeous view and I take out my phone to take a picture of us. I frown noticing a text from Lucas. The top half of the message is telling me I need to call my dad at the office. It pisses me off so I slide the screen open and put the camera mode on to take the pic.

            “Here, let’s have Jeb take it for us.” Roman slips the phone from my hand and one of the crew members takes it from him. “Smile Hollywood, you make my boat look good.” Roman nuzzles the top of my head kissing me and I lean into his embrace. God I really do love this man.

ROMAN

            Yesterday we spent the day getting acquainted on my boat. I showed Abby around the deck, crew quarters and master quarters where we would be staying for the next couple days. We sailed out into the Pacific and enjoyed the sunshine. The chef on board created a delicious meal of fresh salmon and prawns and we drank far too much wine to be healthy. This morning I’m feeling pretty hung-over in a good way and my heart feels heavy and at peace listening to Abby sleep and the ocean gently rock us. 
            Abby is snuggled deep under the covers and from my angle all I can see is a mop of blonde hair against the starkness of my pillows and sheets. One arm is over her face and reaches out for the far side of the bed. A gentle snore pushes past her slightly parted lips still puffy from our kisses. The ever slight rocking motion of the boat is like a lullaby keeping us suspended in time. She is relaxed and quiet, a change for Ms. Bossypants and a chance for me to admire her.

“Abby, Abigail…” I nudge her gently, inching my arm around her middle squeezing.

“Mmmph.” She mumbles something unintelligibly as ususal and I sneak a kiss on her cheek.

“Wake up, Abigail. You know your arm hanging off the bed is boogieman bait…” I try to pull her closer to my side of the bed and I hear her breathing change, waking up.

“Nuh uh.” She utters.

“Um yeah, so you better get over here so I can protect you.”

“You’re weird.” She says not opening her eyes stretching a bit and I take that as my cue.

“Weird?” Abby knows by now I’m going to retaliate something fierce.

“Uh no, just, um… I didn’t say that. Mean that.” I roll over on top of her and push her arms up. “Hiya.” She says eyes glowing and smiling.

“Hiya right back, counselor.” I whisper before I start to slowly tickle her from her prone position. I know she’s fighting back a giggle so I increase my pokes and rubs in the spots that affect her most.

“This is non-consensual tickling!” Loudly reprimanding me I double my efforts.

“Say it and it all goes away.” I’m egging her on enjoying her wiggling body underneath mine.

“This offense is punishable in a court of law!”

“Eh, I’m a first time offender, just say it.”

“Liar!”

“Prove it!” I kiss her neck and she’s pushing her hips up to move me but I’m much stronger just laying over her.

“Fine, Roman Winters has the biggest boat in the bay.” Ah there’s my girl.Um wait... just the bay?

“Just the bay?” I admit I’m hurt. After all she hasn’t seen all of my boats just the ones at the marina.

“Yes, just the fucking bay you torturer!” Abby lifts her hips up again and rolls them into my own. My dick is aching to be inside her again as we roll over again, this time I’m on the bottom.    

“That’s quite a potty mouth you have there, Hollywood.”

“So punish me, Sailor.” Abby is taunting me. I let my head fall back on the pillow and take a deep breath. She’s crawled her way over on top of me, kissing and licking. I don’t want to have to do this but if I don’t I fear we’ll be cocooned forever with this elephant in the room.

“Abby, Abby…” She gently bites my nipple and even though that doesn’t really do it for me something about my girl’s mouth anywhere on my body is exciting. “Abigail, please, one sec.” God, she’ll make me beg as much as I make her beg. I take hold of her arms and hold her steady. Her eyes are heavy lidded with passion and something else I can’t describe.

“What is it?” She bites her bottom lip and chews it nervously. I set her astride me holding her hips in place so she can’t wiggle out of the conversation.

“The elephant, Abby.” I say not very articulate. I watch her eyes widen with surprise.

“Uh, Roman, I’m not calling your co--.” I put my hand over her beautiful dirty mouth.

“No, Abby. I mean… what we’re not talking about.” I keep my hand over her mouth until she licks my palm. “Bad, Hollywood.” I tell her shaking my head no and already distracted. God I love this woman.

“I know. The phone calls.” I let Abby go and she slides off me to sit next to me, crossing her legs.

“Yeah, Abby, what do you want to do?” I watch her grab a long lock of hair twisting it over. I take it from her hand to pull it gently and get her attention back on me. Nothing this delicate and beautiful should be twisted and knotted.

“Honestly, I’m not really sure. Everything, I have is there, in LA, but…”

“But?” We stay silent a moment looking into each other’s eyes. Just then her phone rings lowly from somewhere inside the bedroom. We both look in the direction of the sound. “Answer it, Abby. Please.”

“I… I don’t know if I want to.”

“Abby, it’s not a question of wanting to, it’s a matter of doing it and then we’ll figure things out.”

“Roman.” A single tear slips down Abby’s cheek and I brush it away with my finger. Her tears are like precious diamonds, made from pressure and pains in her life not yet fixed. I desperately want to be the one to fix them for no girl this gentle and loving should ever have to cry.

“Answer it. I’m not going anywhere.” Abby takes a deep breath and gets up from the bed reaching into her bag she picks up the call on the third ring.

“Hey Dad, what’s going on?” I get up from the bed and head out to the deck to give her some privacy because it seems like the right thing to do. I can’t hear her conversation from out here so I just stand at the railing taking in the beauty of the ocean as my boat skips along the waves. I close my eyes and breathe deep asking for peace. Just as I’m about to take a walk to the upper deck I hear a cry from inside the suite.

“Abby, sweetheart, what is it?” Abby is on the floor curled into a fetal position crying loudly and I can’t make any words out. Her phone is laying on the carpet the call no longer ongoing. Is it her dad? The douche canoe Lucas? I don’t know how to help her if I don’t know what’s going on.

“Roman, it’s my sister. Leah has cancer and it’s just like my mom all over again.” The words set me back as I fall into auto pilot and pick Abby up in my arms. I sit with her on the bed and just rock her carefully. I’m afraid I’ll make it worse no matter what I say. I sure as hell can’t make it better.  

“Then let’s get you home, sweetheart.” I whisper in her ear and squeeze my eyes shut. I’m afraid I’m going to lose Abby...  because now I have to get her home and I don’t know if she even wants me with her…           

***

STAY TUNED FOR MORE CHAPTERS ONLINE!

COPYRIGHT - M. C. CERNY - OCTOBER - 2014

 

 

 

Want to read ONE SUMMER from the begining?

Check out NIGHTTIDES here:

 

AMAZON

 

50% of PROCEEDS from NIGHTTIDES goes to ANIMAL ARK a NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER. THANKS! xoxo

 

HOT for TEACHER - revealing the cover!

HOT for TEACHER!!

 

Cover Reveal!! I'm so excited! Check out some of my co-author's blurbs!

Add on GOODREADS TBR

Expected release date: October 28, 2014.

Promise (Me This) by H.J. Bellus
Rules are broken and lines are crossed as Sadie and Mr. B fight to stay away from each other. One math class + a corny joke + a good girl + an awkwardly hot professor = Promise Me This.

Debating Number Ten by Amalie Silver
His goal was ten. Ten notches on his bed post before seducing his debate coach, Miss Shields. Will Simon reach his ideal woman, or will he end up Debating Number Ten?

Deviation by M.C Cerny
Deviation: an action, behavior, or condition that is different from what is usual or expected. Example: Edith and Jack deviate from the acceptable student teacher relationship.

The Life Plan by Phalla S. Rios
Everything was perfect, until the middle of my senior year. Our art teacher succumbed to bad health, leaving us with a substitute--and my plans turned to flames, turning into ashes. I thought I wasn't going to fall anymore. But the moment I laid eyes on Mr. Tomlinson, I begin to fall all over again.
This can't be happening…

Back to School by Vicki Green
Emma Danielson's last year of College and with bartending at night she's walking through life like a zombie. But, when the new teacher walks into her music class she definitely wakes up and takes notice. Josh Tyler's playing and singing at bar's and practices doesn't give him much time but, when he walks into the first day of his new music class and notices a beautiful girl sitting in the back, a fresh set of issues arise and a whole lot of trouble.

Lesson in Love by Missy Johnson
Jill has always been socially awkward. She's the girl who sits in the back of the library and hides behind her computer. So when she meets Dan through an online dating site, she finally feels like she can be the girl she so badly wants to be…
Confident. Sexy. Interesting.
What she wasn't counting on was Dan being Mr Rowan, her history teacher...

Rite of Passage by Mandee Mae
Haley knew she had a lot to learn since she pretty much grew up in a bubble. She just didn’t realize the classroom wasn’t the only place she was going to be taught new and exciting things.

The Teacher's Pet by Niquel
The Cunningham twins looked alike but were polar opposites. When Maxine Sheppard, the sexy English teacher, arrived, they had one common goal: becoming the teacher's pet.

Love Lessons by Liv Morris
Desperate to find a teaching job after graduating college, Tali Tillman returns to her high school to teach English Literature. One of her students and star quarterback, Daniel Johnson, begins to fail her class, so Tali's asked to tutor him after-hours. Lines between teacher and student become blurred, but will they be crossed?

The Fast Lane by Lisa M. Harley
Six weeks - all Ben has to do is teach this one class and then he will officially be an Officiant. When he meets Laine Jacobsen, the party girl of the county, he sees something in her that others just don't see. Will she change her ways or will this teacher become the student?

Teach Me, by Elle Bright: History belongs in the past. Or so Savannah thought, until her new history professor decides to teach her a thing or two...

One Summer - the next chapter

As promised, my dear Flashers... Here is the next installment of Roman and Abby's summer love. In the August chapter, we left them a little hot and heavy. Abby is going to have to make a decision about going back to LA and about her relationship with Roman. Right now, Roman just wants to hold onto Abby for as long as possible...

 

Want to read how it all started?

Buy Links for NIGHTTIDES here:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | IBooks

 

 

ONE SUMMER

CHAPTER 11

ABIGAIL

            Roman is a very thorough lover. I’m laying here in bed next to him and I feel content, cared for and at peace. I turn over on my side so I can study the man next to me. His skin carries a summer tan from his head to the bottoms of his feet. Muscles define every part of his body, a soft snore slips through his lips and I smile. If we’re comparing him to Lucas, it’s like gooey delicious cavity causing caramel versus plain old apples. Lucas was more and more like rotten apples that had been left on the counter too long, but whatever. I have to shake the image of those wrinkled forgotten apples from my mind. After another lengthy and I mean lengthy morning of lovemaking, I am achy, hungry and too exhausted to care. Roman is next to me, dead to the world with his snoring now, and his thick arms and legs hang half off the bed. I’m almost afraid to wake him because he might try for another round and as much as I think I could handle it, my body might combust. I slither from the bed inching my body out from under covers and I’m careful not to wake him as I head into the shower. A few minutes all to myself under the hot spray will clear the cobwebs of my love drunk hang over.

            Washing my hair, I think about my conversation with my dad. I have to go back to L.A. I do kind of owe him for providing all the advantages he’s given me at some point and sooner rather than later if I’m going to keep my job at the firm. Admittedly, I’m scared of this new step with Roman and its guilt propelling me back to my old life not any unfinished business with Lucas. All I have when I return is my job, right under my dad’s thumb. I could give it up but I’d be starting all over and I don’t even know where to begin. Roman will be a twenty hour drive from L.A. to Seattle up the coast. Fuck that, I’ll use whatever money I make to take a plane. If Roman wants to still see me that is. I choke back a sob from the overwhelming emotions between what I want and what I feel I should be doing. I took a huge gamble running away from L.A. because if I’m honest with myself, that’s exactly what I did. I ran and even though it forced me to learn things about Lucas, Leah and my dad, it hasn’t changed the fundamental fact that I’m still too scared to make a real decision here. It’s not fair to Roman to run from one man to the next. After I’ve convince myself that going back is the right thing to do I turn off the water, throwing my arm out into the cool bathroom, grabbing a towel just outside the glass shower door. Now I have to work up the courage to tell Roman.   

            “Hollywood.” The sound of my nickname jars me a little, seeing Roman standing inside the bathroom admiring the view I’m giving him from the completely see through shower stall. I smile shaking off the uneasiness I feel.

            “You promised me coffee, sailor.” I say taking the fluffy towel and drying my body slowly letting his eyes linger and travel down my body as I rub the droplets of water from my shoulders and breasts down to my hips and thighs. I keep my eyes on his letting his heated gaze warm me.

            “So I did. Meet me at the microwave, sea-witch.” Roman smirks giving me one last look over before swaggering towards the kitchen. I shake my head laughing, how easily this man improves my mood.

            I get dressed and meet Roman in his bachelor pad kitchen and like everything else in his apartment, it’s clean and simple. “So what’s on our agenda today?” I say as the microwave beeps. Roman is careful to put the paper covering back on the cup and hands me my steaming coffee.

            “Well I thought we might take the afternoon and visit the Aquarium and find dinner somewhere on the pier.” We both take a sip of our coffee and the warmth of the cup is nothing compared to the warm feelings I have looking at Roman.

            “Sounds like a nice little adventure. Is it going to rain today?” I ask looking out the large floor to ceiling windows into the greyish late morning sky. Its overcast but I guess that’s Seattle.

            “Probably, and I will even let you pick which umbrella we can bring.” Roman laughs.

            “So generous of you.” I smirk. “Roman…” I begin and he turns towards me slowly.

            “Whatever we need to talk about, can we table it until after dinner? Please?” Roman asks.

            “I just… I just wanted to know what I should wear today.” I plaster on a fake smile because I don’t know how Roman efficiently reads my mind to know I need to discuss something serious with him already. 

            “Whatever your heart desires, maybe very little? Although, it will probably sprinkle rain on us at some point.” I shake my head and try to remember what’s in my bag. I decide I’ll keep Roman’s oversized t-shirt on tucking it into a pair of shorts with a wide belt and sandals. 

We get dressed and Roman sneaks kisses as he pulls me close to him and grabs a scarf from his closet before I can spy any umbrellas. “What’s this for?” I lean back asking him as he gently drapes the scarf around my neck.

            “Trust me, I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill, Hollywood.” Roman gives me a quick peck on the lips and now I want to skip the aquarium. Screw seeing these cute sea animals, my legs are weak and I feel adrift standing in Roman’s presence.

            “We could see the aquarium tomorrow.” I whisper coyly and Roman leans his head down into mine, his eyes close and then open exhausted as if he’s run miles. I’m glad I’m not the only one affected here.

            “Then we would never leave this apartment.” He growls chuckling and I have to nod and agree. We’ve been so into each other since we left Gold Beach, it would be nice to finally go out and see the city he loves so much. Roman opens another closet and walks in taking my hand with his. The one wall is lined with umbrellas. Different sizes, colors and fabrics. I never knew there were so many kinds of umbrellas. Okay, he wasn’t kidding when he said he had a ‘collection’ of umbrellas. If he had a crazy cat lady aunt, I would have sworn he had an umbrella gifted to him for every birthday or holiday that passed.

“Blame Maddie, I swear I haven’t purchased a single one of them.” I look back at him amazed and he laughs nudging me forward to pick one out. “I don’t lie about these things.” He says and of course, how could one lie about several dozen umbrellas?

            “No, you definitely don’t” I say and grab the first one I see. I’ll have to ask Maddie about her fascination with gifting umbrellas.

ROMAN

            Watching Abby get out of the shower was torture… Wrapping a scarf of mine around her neck was a little like marking my territory… Walking to the Aquarium under an umbrella in an afternoon sprinkle covered in pink flowers and butterflies… now that was a bit emasculating, but I managed to survive. This would remind me to tell Maddie once again, no more damn umbrellas. My collection was something ridiculous and not even one of my own making as much as I loved Maddie.

            We walked on the sidewalk dodging other couples and kids not yet in school on our way to the aquarium. Being much taller than Abby, I had to hold the umbrella and navigate the way. It made holding her hand difficult and disappointing for the twenty minute trek from my building. I hadn’t been to the aquarium in a year, maybe two but the layout was still familiar. “So when was the last time you visited a place like this?” I ask Abby who is looking through the glass wall of the aquarium behind a group of pushy little kids fighting to see the larger fish swim by them. Her forehead is a little scrunched up looking for the fishing darting between rocks and plants.

            “Um… I must have been eleven. It was definitely before my mom’s first cancer treatment, probably before we all found out what had been making her so tired and sick all the time. She took Leah and I down to San Diego for the weekend and we went to Sea World. I couldn’t wait to see the seahorses, seals and penguins.” Her hand touches the thick Plexiglas of the tank and I know she’s lost in a thought about her mother.

“What was she like?” I feel terrible for bringing it up but I guess these will be the moments we learn from each other.

“She was beautiful, smart… I remember her cooking a lot and braiding our hair for school.” Abby touches her loose braid reverently and I feel her loss keenly. Her mother was taken suddenly by cancer and mine suddenly by a drunk driver. Neither is something that a kid can emotionally plan for and we’ve both got that open wound still. “She was always home for us which I guess you kind of take for granted back then. You never know which moment will end up being the most precious or last.” She says and I tug her into my arms squeezing.

“Definitely not.” There isn’t much I can say that’s comforting so I offer Abby my arms. Her warm breath puffs against my chest and I hope to hell I haven’t made her cry. I already know we have to talk about what will happen in a few weeks when she goes back to L.A. but I want to push that away for as long as I can.

“My sister was all about the predatory fish.” Abby mumbles against me trailing off her thoughts and I can’t help my laugh when she turns in my arms to look at me and scowls. “What? Why are you laughing?” She certainly knows how to break the ice.

            “Hollywood, you and your sister are lawyers. Please tell me she wasn’t fascinated by the sharks even at that age?” I’m trying really hard to not laugh, honestly I am, and covering my mouth doesn’t seem to be helping. Abby steps back, staring at me. She is shaking her head in a combination of mad and cute before walking off to the next exhibit. “Awe, babe, come on. It was funny. Get it? Sharks and lawyers?” I’m dodging between kids and adults in the exhibit hallway to catch up to Abby.

            “Uh huh. Yup. Funny.” Abby smirks and stands before another exhibit, this one showcases the seahorses she loves and she tilts her head watching them hover and dart through the water and plants. I come up next to her from behind and kiss her neck. “Why can’t I ever stay mad at you?” She whispers.

 

            “Because I’m the only one who lets you be who you are.” I say a smile on my lips as I try to kiss her neck again but she steps away. Little brat.

“And that would be?” She asks. Hey, she did ask.

“Totally stubborn and completely bratty.” She huffs so I grab her hand. I can’t have her leaving me amid toddlers and strollers ready to mow me down. “Come on, that seal show is going to start soon.” I say and pull her towards the outdoor enclosure before she can think about what I said too much.

Just as we are rounding the corner to the seal exhibit I stop suddenly causing Abby who is behind me to bump right into me. “Oomph! Roman?” Abby says muffled because her face is in my back.

“Sorry, Abby. I uh...” I don’t know what to say because the person in front of me is greeting kids and parents happens to be, well… one of those ex’s I didn’t think I was going to ever see again. Honestly, when we ended things amicably she just didn’t cross my mind again and so I kind of forgot she still worked here. As in, at the aquarium. Turns out Aryn Lavoie moved up from an assistant to the lead seal trainer here at the aquarium. Shit. “Abby, I’m kind of hungry, do you uh?” I turn around so she can’t see Aryn but I’m obviously having one of those ‘let’s meet every girl I banged before Abby day…’ Inwardly I’m groaning in misery because this was not how I planned to have Abby get to know me better.

“Um, no, I’m not, we ate food at your place, remember? Roman, what’s going on?” She asks peering around me.

“Nothing, I, uh…” I’m so busted.

“Roman? Roman Winters?” Aryn spotted me. Fuck my luck like a duck. I turn and prepare myself to face the music and hope Abby isn’t a jealous claw your face off kind of girl though I’m sure she’s generally level headed being a shark professionally.

“Hey, Aryn. Abby this is Aryn, Aryn – Abby.” I say cautiously introducing the girls, giving her a weird wave, so I don’t have to shake her hand. It’s kind of weird to shake a girl’s hand after having sixty-nined with her, wait… forget I said that.       

“Hi, I’m Abigail Holliday.” Abby steps forward and offers Aryn a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you. I just love the seal exhibit.” Abby is polite and perfect while I’m still processing how to not throw up over botching our day.

“Hi there, I’m Aryn Lavoie, you must be a new – friend – of Roman’s?” Aryn says and Abby laughs. Oh I am so screwed later and not in a good way.

“Yeah, pretty much.” Abby keeps smiling and I’m ready for the bagpipers to plan my funeral processional. “So how long have you been a seal trainer” Abby asks.

“Oh, only the last eighteen months or so. I’ve worked here about five years though since graduation. I mostly do the shows now and kid education programs on sea life. I love it, except for all the dead fish you know, eh?” Aryn says and she still has her Canadian accent.

“Wow, that’s great, this is my first time here so I can’t wait to see the show.” Abby and Aryn keep exchanging pleasantries as if they knew each other before. It’s weird and I’m sure some kind of girl code for: ‘Oh, he didn’t tell you about me, well kick his ass later because he probably did something dickish, eh?’

“Well, it was great meeting you and seeing you again, Roman. I’ve got to get back to my babies here. Feel free to stop by after the show, if you want and I’ll let you feed them.” Aryn says.

“Yeah, sure.” I run my hands through my hair. “Maybe another time? We have early dinner plans, but it was nice seeing you.” I mumble and Aryn skips off, yeah skips off, because she is one of those peppy, always happy types of people. I follow after Abby who walks into the small stage area to watch the seal show and finds us seats in the middle of the risers.

“So what’s up with Aryn?”

“Huh?” The whole encounter has left me a little weirded out, especially after running into Sasha this morning at Starbucks.

“Aryn? You know, pretty seal trainer with killer legs, long brown hair and obvious Canadian accent? That Aryn, we just met.” Abby asks and I think she might be feeling as weird as I do.

“Oh, Aryn. Well, we dated I guess.” My male brain is warning me to stick to the facts and not give Abby more details. I’ve been told girls will run with details and I’m not a total jerk that I want to risk upsetting Abby or disrespecting someone I dated briefly.

“How do you guess a date? Either you did or didn’t right?” She says in her lawyer voice I’m coming to learn.

“It was about two years ago.” I sigh. I put my arm around Abby and pull her closer to me. I’d have put her on my lap but this was a public place and Aryn was kind of feeding four, two hundred plus pounds of animals dead fish in front of us. Not exactly comforting or romantic. “I saw her for about three maybe four months and then I broke it off. I didn’t feel what I thought I should to keep it going. It was mutual but I think she was more upset at the time.” I tell her honestly.

“Oh.” Abby says… and wasn’t that a telling response.  

ABIGAIL

So it wasn’t the fact that Roman had dated before me, heck I came to Gold Beach still in a relationship, or so I had thought. It was just different to actually see that side of Roman up close and personal. I held his hand during the seal show as Aryn whistled and threw various fish at the large silky seals that eagerly jumped and performed on command. She seemed a nice girl and I didn’t get that weird chic voodoo that usually occurs when one or the other is trying to stake a claim on the  man. It was nice. Most girls I knew, my sister included were such drama whores it was unbelievable.       

 The seal show ended and we waved to Aryn walking out of the seal stadium deciding to walk around a bit more before having an early dinner. Roman kept his arm around me the entire time like a caveman. I lo---liked his arm exactly where it was. Loving Roman would come in good time. We exited the aquarium to a much greyer sky and I was glad he had given me the scarf to wear when the wind picked up just enough to give me a chill in the late August air. I missed the climate of L.A. but I would miss Roman more when I had to go back, something I was not too eager to discuss with him. I had been avoiding the reality of my decision for as long as possible and I needed to figure this out but first I had another entirely inappropriate question looming in my mind… “So Roman, did Aryn ever make those seal sounds, you know, in bed?” He stopped walking and looked at me like I kicked a puppy before giving me a twisted little smirk and pulling me in closer, anchoring his arms around me so I couldn’t escape.

“No Abigail, she did not.” He emphasizes the syllables of my name looking into my eyes. Ugh, his eyes keep me trapped thinking about what the rest of him would do to me if we weren’t on this busy sidewalk. “However, I’ll never think of a seal whistle quite the same way again.” He says  against my ear nipping just under the shell and I want to choke him. I wiggle out of his grasp and walk on. I adore him and now I just want to choke him. I settle for turning back to him and playfully punching him in the arm instead and walking away doing my best to not stomp my feet.

“That’s assault, counselor.” He says laughing loudly.

“Prove it.” I retort mouthing the words right back at him in a whisper.

 

***

 

STAY TUNED FOR MORE CHAPTERS ONLINE!

COPYRIGHT - M. C. CERNY - SEPTEMBER - 2014

 

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!

HEY FLASHERS!

 

Check out my #giveaway on GoodReads for a chance to win

 one of two signed paperback copies of FLASHPOINT!

 

The second novel in my series will be out on November 24th

so catch this one before it's gone in a FLASH!

 

XOXO

 

M.C. Cerny

 

 

 

 

| GOODREADS GIVEAWAY |

*This contest is through GoodReads and chances to enter end on October 8th.*

DEVIATION is COMING

 

in the

 

HOT FOR TEACHER ANTHOLOGY

 

Jack and Edith are about to get hot... heavy... and break ALL the rules.

 

ARE YOU READY?

 

 

 

Eleven BRAND NEW Novellas just waiting to be devoured.