Sunday Snippet

 

My snippet today is from my latest re-release, Ride-Off. The is the second book in the Polo Series. You should probably read Fire Horse before tackling this one so it makes more sense. Both books are available for purchase at AMAZON and free to read on KU. 

Blurb

Finally reunited, Preston Fawkes and Konrad Schnell put family and obligations aside, preferring to remain in seclusion on Ned’s estate to get reacquainted. Unfortunately, reality can only be held off for so long, and they return to Texas to reclaim the life Konrad put on pause. Trying to strike the right balance between business, family, and romance requires ongoing effort, and the challenges begin shortly after they arrive.

At the top of the list is Konrad’s son, Bandi, and his desire to play polo. A close second is Sasha Fawkes, Preston’s actor son who is struggling to succeed on Broadway. And last, but certainly not least, is Paloma, the fiery Argentinean beauty Preston sired after a passionate tango with a rivals wife.

Blending the interests and needs of three grown children is difficult at best and almost impossible when agendas collide and old secrets are unearthed. The situation comes to a head when the family gathers in San Antonio for Thanksgiving. Will they weather the emotional turmoil or face a major ride-off that could throw the game before it even starts?

Snippet

As soon as Conrad stepped off the plane at Newark Liberty International Airport, he shed his Texan persona, and became Sasha, aspiring actor. Here, he was nobody’s son, and all the perks he’d had while growing up as the only child of a world-renowned polo player meant squat when he navigated the bus and subway system to get to his apartment in Manhattan. Living like a pauper was supposed to strengthen his character and keep him focused on his artistic goals, according to Preston. Sasha couldn’t see the merit in making the daily hike up six flights of stairs, especially with two bags of groceries and a backpack. He was sick to death of living on a budget and resolved to speak to his father the next time he was in town. It would be a small victory if he could get Preston to up his contribution by a few hundred dollars so he could get a place with a goddamn elevator.

He fumbled with his keys and managed to unlock the door without spilling anything in the process. As soon as he entered the depressing one-bedroom apartment, he toed off his sneakers, put the much-needed supplies on his kitchen counter, and collapsed on the sofa. Remembering the gallon of milk, he got up, threw the container in the fridge, and then curled up for a catnap.

Spending a three-day weekend in Texas and then flying home in time for today’s matinee had done a number on his energy level. He’d chugged down a couple of caffeine-infused Monster drinks to keep him going, but he was crashing right then and needed some sleep. He could still hear the disapproval in Jeremy’s voice when he’d shown up earlier sporting the visible bruises on his right cheek.

“Rough weekend?” he’d asked, digging into his drawers for a solution. Aside from being the company’s go-to man for makeup, Jeremy Starr was also his closest friend. He was in his late twenties and had been around theater people since he was a child. Jeremy had learned his trade by trailing behind his mother, Madame Veronica, who was a famous makeup artist in her time. The apprenticeship had opened doors that were normally slammed shut, and he’d simply walked into her shoes the moment she passed. Literally. Jeremy was also a card-carrying cross-dresser and outrageously campy. Characters of choice were usually Broadway stars, and people didn’t even blink whenever he vamped it up in a gold lame gown or a Barbra Streisand ’do. Today, though, he was plain ole Jeremy, sporting skinny jeans and an equally tight T-shirt. His only concession to cross-dressing was charcoal eyeliner that accentuated his heavy-lidded green eyes and an emerald green feather boa wrapped around his neck.

“Cover them up with your magic stick,” Sasha demanded, wincing as Jeremy patted his face gingerly.

“I didn’t know you were into S&M.”

“You know I’m not, you silly queen.”

“Then what’s up with this?” he asked, poking at a spot with a green fingernail.

“Ouch!”

“Spill the beans or I’ll keep hurting you.”

“I had an altercation with my primitive new cousin.”

“You mean the polo-playing Hun?”

“The very same.”

“What’s he like?”

“Wild.”

“Like Yul Brynner in The King and I?”

“I’ve never seen it,” Sasha confessed.

Jeremy blew out an exasperated breath. “You can’t be into theater and not love Yul.”

“You know I don’t go for older men.”

“His biceps were to die for, and besides, it’s an awesome play and an even better movie. We should rent it sometime.”

“Blah blah blah….”

“Yul is in my jerk-off Hall of Fame.”

“That’s creepy, Jeremy.”

“Who do you think of when you’re greasing the pole?”

“Not some old fuck!”

“What’s your cousin like? Is he blond and blue-eyed like you?”

Sasha shook his head. “He does have blue eyes, but his hair is dark brown and his skin is kind of swarthy.”

“Didn’t you say he was part gypsy?”

“On his mother’s side,” Sasha confirmed. “I guess he takes after her.”

“He sounds dreamy.”

“Forgetaboutit.”

“Why?”

“He’s shacked up with my Uncle Ned.”

Jeremy stopped spreading the creamy foundation. “Do you mean your darling, sweet, English Uncle Ned you talk about all the time?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Isn’t he close to fifty?”

“He’s a year older than my dad so that puts him at forty-eight. I said something to Bandi about their age difference and he almost knocked my head off.”

“My, my,” Jeremy crooned. “And here I thought chivalry was dead.”

“Whatever,” Sasha said dismissively. “Fix me up so I don’t look like I’ve been mangled by a bear.”