It’s just a mixture of black letters on white paper, how could I be that excited?
And yet when I ripped open the package, which I suspected was another of my random eBay purchases, and found two copies of an anthology in which I’d had a story accepted I was bouncing. I thrust the book in front of my boyfriend’s face while simultaneously messaging a photo to my sisters. Why was this one anthology so special? I’ve been in other brilliant anthologies after all. But this was the first time I’d had a paperback that had my name in it. Gripping it tightly in my hand I realised it was a beautiful moment.
In recent months I haven’t written anything, not even a tweet. My day job has taken over my heart and my creativity. The doubt that has dogged my last couple of months destroyed my imagination and my focus. I need to be bored if I’m going to come up with a story or something creative. I’m the weirdo who was excited about an MRI a couple of years ago because I was looking forward to uninterrupted time with the heroines and dramas that I was developing. Holding a book that included a story I wrote was a nugget of joy.
But what is my story about? The theme of the anthology is outsiders and risk takers and my story, The Jump, is about the ultimate risk and the hornyness that comes from taking control.
It‘s about a sky dive. I did one several years ago. I’ve included a photo!
Mine didn’t end like the one in my story. There was the same feeling of combatting fears and taking control though. Maybe you’ll see something of your story, as a risk taker or an outsider, when you read The Jump.
But, this anthology isn’t all about me. There are some hot, sexy and fascinating stories in Best Women’s Erotica of the Year (Best Women’s Erotica Series Book 4), which has been brilliantly gathered and edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. Here are the buy links and an excerpt from my story. I hope to be tweeting over the rest of this month my thoughts on each story and what I love most about each one. I can’t wait!
You can buy the ebook here, the paperback here or find more links via the Best Women’s Erotica site here.
The ebook and USA paperback are released 12th December 2018, the British paperback February 2019.
Excerpt from The Jump – Best Women’s Erotica
Poppy’s knuckles ached from the clench of her fists, her nails stabbing into her skin.
Steve took her hands in his, his touch enough to soften her grip and ease her hands open. “That’s one of the best motivations I’ve heard. But I’m going to need you to relax.” His fingers drew circles against her palms, sending shivers up her arms. “You’re angry, I get that. But you’re terrified too.”
Poppy opened her mouth to argue but he preempted her fight. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but save the anger for when you get to the edge of the plane door. It will crush the terror.”
The reminder had her quaking.
Steve’s hands rubbed up and down her arms. “Do you trust me, Poppy?”
She hesitated. “Sure. What have I got to lose?”
“Your life.”
Her face fell.
“Sorry, I can be an ass. Let’s check your equipment.”
Steve helped her into her harness, checking the clips. The intensity of his brown eyes raised her heart rate further. Maybe the increasing adrenaline was pulling her arousal with it, but she basked in the attention he gave her, enjoying the straps rubbing against her crotch when he grabbed them roughly at her shoulders to check they were tight. Once again, his proximity excited her, his scent no longer reminding her of James but associating itself with the hottest guy she’d chatted with in a long time. It might be a blip, created as a reaction to the terror, but she indulged it. Gently, he popped the little hat on her head, his fingers stroking the nape of her neck when he helped her tuck her hair underneath.
To show he’d finished, he gave her butt a quick pat. “For luck. Let’s go. Everyone will be waiting.”
“I’m not going to die,” she whispered, conscious of his gloved hand tightening around hers.
Steve led her to the plane, her body shaking with every step.
“The tap of the butt helped,” she whispered in his ear.
“I hoped it might.”
“Just so you know, you have my permission to do whatever it takes to get me out of the plane.”