WaitIntimacy issues?
I dont have intimacy issues.
No? Youre in an emotionally mature, committed relationship?
The glint in those dark eyes made it clear she thought shed cornered him.
Is that how you equate intimacy? Commitment? I define it a little differently.
She ran her tongue, just the tip of it, over her bottom lip. His eyes followed the movement, even as he wondered if shed accept his challenge. She gave an infinitesimal sigh. Obviously she knew she had to take up the gauntlet, but she wasnt thrilled.
The dictionarys definition of intimacy is a close personal relationship, or knowledge resulting from a close relationship or study of a subject, she asserted.
The dictionary also defines intimacy as a sexual act, Nick said, shutting her down with a wicked grin.
Her grimace, so slight the cameras probably didnt pick it up, showed shed figured hed use that response. Damn, he wasnt sure what was more appealing. Her curvy body and sexy lower lip, or her intelligence. He wanted nothing more than to debate semantics with her. While naked, of course.
Youre claiming, then, that sexual relationships without emotion are on the same level as emotionally committed sexual relationships?
Apples and oranges, he declared with a shrug. But notice both are fruit.
And youre only shopping for apples, apparently. Which is clear in your books. The singular focus on lust over love only seems to highlight a one-dimensional aspect of intimacy.
I dont claim to write about intimacy, Nick defended. I write erotic suspense. Heart-pounding excitement, both in plot and, yes, in the explicitly detailed sex scenes. Hardly one-dimensional.
She tugged the corner of her lower lip between pearly white teeth, obviously debating how far she wanted to take the conversation. Nick was becoming obsessed with that mouth.
I hate to disagree with an author whose work I honestly admire a great deal, she said slowly. Then she gave a one-shouldered shrug that let him know that she was a woman who didnt back down from things, no matter how much she hated them. But if you were to analyze your lastoh, lets say three books just to keep it current, then youll find the sex scenes actually are one-dimensional.
She gave him what could almost be taken for an apologetic look and continued, Predictable, even.
If shed accused him of having a tiny dick, he couldnt have been more appalled.
The hell they are. Nick growled. I do kick-ass sex. Its hot, its wild. Ive never had a single complaint.
Were actually talking about writing, not sex. Even though they are apparently similar in your world, I didnt review your sexual prowess.
Anytime you want a shot at that review, you just let me know, he offered with his most wicked grin. His temper, always quick to flare, fizzled out.
The producer was practically dancing in place, his excitement clear as he mouthed crap like great sexual tension to the blond host. Nick ignored them, while Delaney actually seemed to be completely oblivious to the crewand the charged atmosphere on the set. Or, he thought as his gaze dropped to her white-knuckled grip on the edge of her chair, was she just acting oblivious?
The woman was a mystery. There was something intriguing about the combination of innocence in her eyes and her sophisticated packaging.
The shaky breath she took assured him she wasnt unaffected. A plan, wicked as hell, formed in the back of Nicks mind. This doe-eyed hottie had stirred up plenty of trouble for him. Oh, sure, he realized shed only intended to criticize his writing, not him personally. But really, they were the same thing. And all that emotional crap was off-limits for both.
He tossed the plan around for flaws, but couldnt find any. Perfect. He could discredit her and have a little fun at the same time. He grinned. Seeing her eyes round nervously, Nicks smile widened. Oh, yeah. This little adventure was definitely going to pay off.
AS SEAN AND Nick debated off-air the details of some contest to prove her worth as a reviewer, and the weather girl wowed the television audience with her well-endowed cloud banks, Delaney tried to catch her breath.
No matter what direction shed tried to move the dialogue, Nick Angel, writer extraordinaire, had blocked her attempts and refocused. Shed like to think shed have been better able to control the conversation if it werent for the fact that the sex scenes from his last few books had kept flashing through her mind like a slideshow. Each one featuring Nick himself as the studly hero doing decadently hot, wild things to her body.
It was almost enough to make a woman long for erotica instead of romance. Almost.
Her fingers clenched and unclenched the nubby linen of her skirt. With a sigh, she noticed the roadmap of wrinkles creasing the oatmeal-hued fabric. Between nervously chewing off her lipstick and now mangling her skirt, she obviously wasnt handling this new her thing very well.
Her gaze flashed between the two men. Back and forth, they debated ways to prove their points. Once again, even though she was the actual subject under discussion, she was invisible. Her frustration quieted her nervous fingers. Dammit, this makeover was supposed to give her empowerment, not simply shift her from completely invisible to pretty but ignorable.
Sucking in an irritated breath, Delaney pulled back her shoulders and pressed her hands flat to her thighs. If she wanted to be more like one of Nick Angels heroines and snag her promotion, she couldnt fade into the background. Mindy and a library full of self-help books all advised speaking up. So shed speak. Even if it meant the possibility of the old her coming out.
Gentlemen, I think youre complicating this.
Well, what dya know? Her words, quietly spoken but with that underlying edge of authority she used with her students, grabbed the mens attention.
Beg your pardon? Sean asked.
Itd be a much more encompassing answer if it simply addresses the issue at hand. Mr. Angel questions my ability to speak for the average reader, correct?
Both men nodded, Sean with a frown, Nick with a gleam in his eyes. Delaney looked away from that laser-blue heat and took another girding breath.
The easiest answer is for me to review a variety of books and post the reviews on the shows Web site. Create a poll with safeguards to ensure cheating isnt allowed, and invite readers to vote. We could add two other reviews, just to ensure anonymity and an unbiased vote. And then well know if the public agrees with my reviews or not.
Take it to the public, Sean mused, his tone contemplative. He rubbed his chin as if he was considering the ramifications, but the fact that he was practically bouncing in his seat let her know shed hit his happy spot.
I think this would be a great way to prove the validity he cast a glance at Nick or lack thereof, of your reviews.
Right, like thats a fair assessment, Nick scoffed.
Oh, it would be, Delaney said sweetly. As long as you choose the books.
His eyes narrowed. I get to choose?
Sure. Wed need some solid parameters, of course. You know, books still available in print so viewers can get ahold of them, something like that. But I have no problem with you choosing the subject matter.
His grin, wickedly satisfied, assured her shed have plenty of erotic reading coming her way.
His grin, wickedly satisfied, assured her shed have plenty of erotic reading coming her way.
And when Im done, she assured him, Ill have proven that readers are looking for emotion. They want the thrill of the ride, yes. But they want to read knowing there are real feelings at stake.
Quite the contrary, Nick said, leaning over to offer his hand to seal the deal. Im sure youll have proved that the readers are savvy enough to take their thrills without a fake sugar coating.
With a quirk of her brow, Delaney put her hand in his larger one. Engulfed by the hard strength, she wondered if shed just made a huge mistake. Or if shed just guaranteed her loss of invisibility.
Either way, things werent boring. That was for sure.
The stakes? he asked, the gleam in his eye making it clear he already had that worked out.
She tilted her head, indicating he name them.
If your reviews dont win, youll admit Im right, Nick demanded. And youll admit it here on television.
Ahhh, a publicity stunt. He must be getting a lot of pressure because of her comments. She nodded slowly.
Deal. And if my reviews do win?
They wont.
She cocked a brow. Good, youre confident enough that I wont win, so you shouldnt have any problem agreeing to write your next book to include a truly intimate relationship for John Savage.
She didnt know where it came from, maybe she really was channeling one of his heroines, but she leaned forward and with what she hoped was a wicked smile and a flutter of her lashes, she gave his knee a pat.
Ill be happy to help you write those pesky love scenes, of course.