Woo-hoo! It's finally here. I'm so excited that we have so many people signed up. And if you haven't joined, it's not too late. Maybe we can hit 100 participants!
Go here to sign up and to check out links to all the other entrants. The prize is still up for grabs as long as you sign up by midnight Central time tonight. (Winner will be announced on tomorrow's post.)
I can't wait to read everyone's contribution!
And without further ado, here is my entry. This is a "past" scene from my dual timeline WIP and is still in rough draft form so there are some place holder smiles and actions that I need to fill but hope you enjoy anyway!
Brynn fought the urge to roll her eyes as she watched the other girls in the campaign office fawn over the senator-to-be’s son. Reid had only been in the building for ten minutes and already, her fellow coeds had provided him with cupfuls of coffee and an eyeful of cleavage. Not that Reid looked like he minded. He leaned back in his desk chair and graced the two women with his sly smile.
Brynn shook her head. Must be nice to have things handed to you without having to work for it. College paid for, a cushy summer job, and designer jeans that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe—all because you were lucky enough to win the parent lottery.
She dropped her gaze back to the pink notepad in front of her and scribbled down the message from the phone call she’d taken a few minutes earlier. She tore the sheet off and put it on the growing stack of “while you were out” notes for the campaign manager. Her neck ached from cradling the phone to her ear all morning, but she wasn’t going to complain. This new receptionist gig sure beat running the register at the Chicken Fried Chick down the street. She’d take sore muscles over hair that smelled like fryer grease any day.
The sound of a throat clearing made her raise her head. Reid propped a hip on the edge of her desk and peered down, his dark blue eyes analyzing her. “Brynn, right?”
She sat straighter in her chair in attempt to look more professional. “Yes, sir. Brynn LeBreck.”
His mouth curled at the corner. “I’m only a year or two older than you, I don’t think you need to call me sir. Although, it sounds kind of nice coming from you. You have a good voice.”
She groaned inwardly. All these girls tripping over themselves and he was going to flirt with her? Super. Not that he wasn’t nice to look at, but she didn’t have time for guys right now, especially ones who were related to the man who signed her much-needed paycheck. She forced a polite smile. “Guess that’s why they hired me to answer phones.”
He shook his head. “No, Dad said he offered you the job because you were giving an unruly customer what-for when he went in to get lunch one day. Figured you’d be able to handle all the craziness around here just fine.”
She smirked at the memory. Mr. Jamison had laughed his butt off at the dressing down she’d given that redneck who had ogled her cleavage and asked if they charged more for large breasts. Ten minutes later, the politician had given her his card and told her to stop by his office if she wanted to talk about a job opening he had. “Yeah, not my proudest moment, but that guy deserved it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Dad said you insulted the dude’s manhood…and his mother.”
She threw her hands up. “Well, the guy was being an asshat. What else was I supposed to do?”
He pressed his lips together as if holding back a laugh.
She cringed. “Sorry. That was inappropriate.”
He chuckled, the deep sound so genuine the tension in her shoulders relaxed. “Don’t censor yourself on account of me. I didn’t hire you. I can’t fire you. So no walking on eggshells necessary. Talk dirty to me anytime you want.”
The corner of her mouth tilted up. “If that’s your pick up line, I’d work on it.”
He frowned, his brows furrowing. “No good?”
“Not so much.”
“Really? Huh.” He looked over his shoulder. “I’d bet Molly or Krista over there would eat that s**t up.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m sure you could recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the sorority twins would turn cartwheels.”
He nodded, his face serious. “That’s true. They do recognize my innate awesomeness. Too bad having a conversation with them is about as interesting as alphabetizing my music collection.”
She glanced over at the two girls in question. Both were giving her versions of the stink eye. He followed her gaze, and they quickly looked away.
“I have a feeling I’m not getting an invite to mani-pedi night now.”
He turned back to her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, if I were to need a decent pick up line to entice, let’s say, a hot blonde who likes to talk dirty to have a burger with me, what would you suggest?”
Her cheeks heated, unable to fend off the effects of Reid’s easy charm. No wonder he had girls following him around like ducklings. She glanced down at her desk, wishing she could say yes, but knowing she couldn’t. She and Reid Jamison lived on different planets. She didn’t have time for flings or dating. She needed to work, get through the summer, save every penny, and hopefully have enough to afford the move to Austin for school in the fall. She looked up at Reid. “I would suggest you find someone who has time to say yes.”
“Not even enough time for a simple burger?”
She shook her head. “I’m in high demand these days. Gotta book months ahead.”
He snorted. “Good thing I wasn’t talking about you then.”
“Good thing.”
He rose from his perch and gave her a quick grin. “Just know that I’m a pretty thick-headed guy. Takes me a while to get a point.”
She straightened the papers he had mussed on her desk. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He gave her a mock salute. “Nice to meet you, Brynn LeBreck. Be seeing you.”
Let me know what you think and be sure to stop by all the other blogs participating today! Thanks ahead of time to all of you who joined. :)
**Today's Theme Song**
"Talk Dirty To Me" - Poison
(player in sidebar if you want to take a listen)
