No, not in that sense–at least not in the last 10 minutes. I mean, I’ve been a bad blogger. I know. A thousand apologies. All I can say is that life is like watching a movie in fast forward right now. AND I’m nearly done with WATCH ME, so I get a little single-minded and start to tune out everything else when I’m thiiisss close to The End. I’m hoping to finish in the next day or two.

If you’re not aware, WATCH ME is a sexy contemporary novella. I had to drag in my enjoyment of ballroom dancing somehow, since RAH is clearly not going to take tango lessons with me anytime soon. Anyway, it’s half of a two-author anthology I’m doing with my pal Jaci Burton. Her story is titled SHOW ME. These are loosely connected novellas. They’ll be separately released as ebooks in July, but will go to print together in a volume titled SNEAK PEEK in 2008. These are fun stories, IMO. Jaci just started hers, but from the bit I’ve read so far…bring an ice bucket! Whew!

What else? I’m getting ready to start DANGEROUS LITTLE SECRET soon. For everyone who read NAUGHTY LITTLE SECRET, this is about Lauren’s sister Kat and the familiar stranger in her life. I’m so in love with this concept, so that’s going to be a ball! I think I’ll be receiving my new cover for THE LADY AND THE DRAGON soon. The book re-releases in May, and I’m really excited. The Samhain art department does wonderful work. (Thanks, Scott!!)

I’ve been frantically reading books for RITA judging. Today is the deadline…and I’m not quite there yet. I still need to get out March’s newsletter. That’s on my list for tonight. I’m still looking for a *bleep*ing creme colored sofa. We looked again last weekend. Why is this so damn difficult? Geez… I’m attending a “passion party” on Saturday night, hosted by the naughty Nikki. I can’t tell if RAH is afraid of what I’ll come home with or if he’s rubbing his hands together in glee. He’s playing this one close to the vest. I have theories, but we’ll see. I have a plotting session with my lunch buddy/sounding board, Lee Swift, on Sunday. Next week, I have company coming, along with revisions for DECADENT. Great timing… The Romantic Times convention is rapidly approaching, which means I need promo items and new clothes–not necessarily in that order!

And now I’m rambling. Lovely. Okay, to make up for posting what amounts to my schedule/Things To Do List, how about if I post a little something from WATCH ME? (Disclaimer: Angie the Nice Mommy/Evil Editor has not read this story, so she may tell me it sucks and ask me to change everything. In other words, this is very unedited.)

“I believe this dance is mine.”

Shanna followed the deep voice and looked up into an incredibly handsome face. Strong features, burning hazel eyes, hint of a five-o’clock shadow, perfectly tailored gray suit with a vavoom red tie. Her heart lurched; this one had sin written all over him.

He also looked familiar. She stared, hesitating, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she became. Somewhere, somehow, they’d crossed paths before.

“Have we met?”

He smiled, all dazzling charm, oozing Latin charisma and hot sex. “Yes. Three months ago. The juvenile diabetes thing.”

That night rushed back to her with overwhelming clarity. This sexy man with his killer smile flirting outrageously and whispering even more outrageous suggestions as he twirled her around the dance floor in a spirited tango. At the end of the night, he’d asked her out…while trying to kiss her. She’d been incredibly tempted—and that was saying something for a woman who’d easily refused every man for the past two years. But this man might as well have the word Distraction tattooed on his forehead. Go out with him? No way, no how. She’d refused him and disappeared into the crowd. She assumed she’d seen the last of him. Silly her.

“Ah, I think you recall.” A smile lifted the edges of his lips.

“Alejandro, isn’t it?”

“Alejandro Diaz, yes.”

Shanna drew in a deep breath. Just like their first meeting, he caused an unwelcome dizzying effect, complete with revving heartbeat. Warning! When she dated, which was rarely, she chose safe men—guys who were rich, too busy with their own careers to be demanding, and far too dull to keep her interest for more than an evening. She just didn’t have time for a relationship when she had a dance career that needed all her time and attention.

This one all but shouted that he’d be both fascinating and determined. He would get his way—and have his way with her.

Not if she could help it.

Steeling herself against the impact of his touch, Shanna put her hand in his. No matter how prepared she thought she’d been for the skin-on-skin contact, she’d been wrong. A wild gong of want beat through her the second her palm brushed his. She steeled herself against the rush of heat as she rose to her feet.

“The music is starting. Shall we?” He gestured to the dance floor, then eased her forward with a hand at the small of her back.

“Sure.” What else could she say? This was his three minutes; he’d paid for them, so she owed him that. But no more.

God, not a second more.

A soft Latin rhythm began to wash the room from the overhead speakers. Sensual, hypnotic, the music spoke of a humid summer night shared by lovers. Shanna nearly groaned. Great, a rumba, the dance of love. The one that most emulated passion and sex. Why now?

On a strong beat, Alejandro grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him. Shanna tried to stop herself from crashing into him by planting a hand on his chest. But her fingers only encountered hard muscle. Oh God, he was like a rock under that shirt, and given his mile-wide shoulders, she was suddenly sure that seeing him naked would be ten times better than a slice of her favorite sinful chocolate cake.

He hooked a finger under her chin. Reluctantly, she lifted her gaze to his. The heat in those hazel eyes fired molten gold. Look away. Get away! But she couldn’t. Once her gaze connected with his, she was locked in, fused to him.

That stare sizzled all through her…and settled right between her legs.

Just to give you a little extra sizzle, here’s the casting call for Alejandro. No idea who he is…but he looked mighty fine to me!

Enjoy your Wednesday!