Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes divorce. Kristen Stewart cheats on Robert Pattinson.  What’s next?  Minnie and Mickey are going to get a divorce?  -laughs- Okay, I know, I know, dumb joke, but really now.  You’ll see men roll their eyes, some people baulk, and even others stay far, far away but in a world where vows aren’t forever, promises are broken, and divorce is more common than not; the reality of the situation is romance is a dwindling matter that is being taken very lightly.  Why you ask?  Children are growing up too fast, little girls are being driven by the media to be skinnier, prettier; and our young men are forced to become men entirely too fast. 

It can be any of the above or even all of them, the bottom line is romance books, such as the esteemed Fifty Shades of Gray, have become so popular due to the author’s world creating and giving a reader a chance to see the happily ever after.  No one person can give you the fix-it-all to getting and keeping your relationship on track but in the end, it all comes down to communication.  Communicate with your partner, tell that girl you’ve been lusting over for years you like her, or even ladies, just ask for his number! 

Read any romance book and what’s the one message passed along?  Communication!  Who cares about the fun ways to say I love you, or even how to ignite your sex life.  –Screeches breaks – well maybe….

-laughs- In the end, while the media harps up on these failing relationships and often times makes things bigger than they appear, the key ingredient to any successful relationship is communication – on both sides. 

That being said, very shortly there will be a link going up for my new short story called, A High Scandal in which we have Tristan and Isabelle working through their communication issues among …. other things.  Keep watch for the link to grab your copy! 

I’m also looking for some beta readers who have the capability to provide in depth and thorough critiques to pieces sent their way.  If you feel as though you want to be on this list, please use the contact form on this site and send me a message.

I hope everyone has been having a great weekend; mine was filled with rainstorms, Elmo, and lots of sugar (from both the hubby as well as the food). If you have a few minutes, please take the time to let us know how you keep the sparks flying in your relationship or even what extreme way brought you and yours together.  I’d love to hear it.

DC

Mad World - Gary Jules *click the link for a lovely song that applies to this week's theme*

I groan, shut the laptop, push it aside, and lay my head to the desk.  The wood is still warm from the heat left behind, pulling me into a relaxed, contented state of, ‘Finally, I’m gonna get some rest!’

“Yo DC!” The dark voice startles me and the kick to my chair has my head bouncing across the smooth surface as it moves about twelve inches to the right. I groan. 

Again.

“Go away, Bari. A girl needs her beauty sleep.” I’m ignoring him, refuse to lift my head, and hope he gets the hint.  Surely he remembers when he tried to do the same with her.

A breath of warm air at my temple causes hair to tickle across my face.  “Awe, DC.  Are you tired?”

I nod; the only sound is my head rubbing across the waxed wood.

“You want to sleep?  Relax?  Take a breather?”

Again with the nod, I turn my head to snuggle in my arms.

“Well…in that case –”

My brow lifts, but my eyes stay shut.  Has Bari developed some manners? A conscious?  My chest swells with pride and adoration. This man has finally made peace with him –

“Well, too fucking bad!” His voice booms through the room and my head is now falling forward as air rushes beneath me.  My eyes snap wide and the room spins as my equilibrium is tossed, just as Bari has done with my body.

“For the love of…Put. Me. Down, Bari!”

His laugh is the only answer.

Bari shifts, my squeak an answer to the pitch and angle to which my senses are being tossed. He side cradles the chair, walks out of my office, and on down the stairs.

“I’m feeling a very Magic Mike type of moment here, Bari.”

He chuckles low and bounds down the bottom steps.  “Get your head out of the gutter, DC and focus here.”

Focus?  Focus?!  Now?

I swallow, widening my eyes as I watch the smooth ripple of his chest bunch and release with each shift in his body.  To carry me around in a chair has to be straining.  I mean, after all, the chair is heavy.

Bari steps outside and promptly sets the chair down on my deck. I blink at the sun, my eyes stinging from the bright light. 

“What the hell is that?”

Bari snorts.  “The sun, DC; for crying out loud, get your head in gear.”

My vision adjusts and I find myself sitting out in daylight, fresh air hitting my lungs, in front of a small table.  Ummmmmm?

As if my question was anticipated, Tyler steps outside with my laptop and sets it in front of me, on the damn table.  I scowl at them both.  Then at the laptop.

“Shit isn’t going to write itself, DC.”  Bari taps the top of the laptop.  “Get to work.”

“But I don’t wanna!  I’m so tired!”  My voice sounds whiny, even to my own ears.

“Tough.  Shit.”  Bari opens the laptop and pushes the power button.

I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest.  “You.  You caused this, Bari.”

He looks incredulous.  “I did?  How in the hell do you figure, D.C.”

My nose wrinkles at his tone.  “Because your ass talks too much. If you’d just shut up…”

A flash of color across his skin snaps my mouth shut. Tyler’s sexy chuckle – good God that man has a voice – pulls my attention to him.

Messy sheets.

Sweaty nights.

Caressing nips.

Tyler sets something down next to my laptop.

Mocha Frappuccino’s.

“Oh, you’re a God.  Thank you!”  I reach for it and greedily start to drink. 

“Well actually,” Tyler begins.

“She knows who the fuck you are, Bro.  Come on.  Focus!” Bari pushes the laptop closer and pats – actually PATS – my head, before turning to head down the steps.

“Good, DC.  Good.  Mike is waiting, DC.  Get to writing.”

In my mind my tongue sticks out in a childish gesture that I know is far too immature for all my years of living. 

“I saw that,” he laughs over his shoulder and they both disappear around the corner. 

I glance down at the laptop and set aside the chocolaty drink.  Well since I’m here….