Authors: Tiffany King
The Write Stuff (22 page)
He looked
more gorgeous than should have been legal, but my feelings ran deeper than that. What I felt was as much affection as attraction.
"
Are you ready?" He inhaled the scent of my candles that had filled my small apartment. "That smells good."
I nodded my head, knowing
when he said "ready," he was asking about our date, but I wanted something else. I surprised him by reaching for his hand and slowly dragging him into my apartment.
His seemed confused
until he took in the dimness of the room. "Are you sure?"
I stepped closer to
him. "I've never been more certain." I looped my arms around his neck so my body was pressed against him. He placed his hands around my waist, anchoring me in place. The contact made me tremble. It had been so long since I had felt his embrace.
"
I wasn't done winning your heart back," he said huskily, running his hands up and down my side.
"
My heart is already yours," I whispered, placing my lips on my favorite spot on his neck that I had first licked so long ago. This time it was his turn to tremble in my arms.
"
And mine is yours," he said as his lips claimed mine. "I have something for you."
"
I know, let's go to the bedroom and you can give it to me." I grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the hallway.
"
No, well, I want that for sure, but I want to give you this first." He reached behind his back, into his pocket. "I was going to give it to you at the restaurant, but this works too." He brought his hand around holding out a single, perfect peacock feather. "I'm hoping this will be our
new beginning.
"
His hand moved to the back of my neck, massaging me gently.
"Nicole, I love you." His voice was deep and husky, but more importantly, sincere.
"
I love you," I echoed a moment before his lips crashed to mine.
"Are you ready for this?"
I shook my head.
"Not on your life. I can't believe I allowed you and Olivia to talk me into this."
"
Interview phobia?" Alec teased, reminding me of a conversation we had long ago.
I ignored
his question as I sat on the edge of the loveseat in the green room of the local news station. Fear didn't even begin to cover how I was feeling at the moment. Maybe when I tossed my cookies, Alec wouldn't think it was so funny. I'm sure when the morning wake-up talk show asked to do an interview with me, they thought I would be more sophisticated and put together. Not a jittery mess. I wished I would have taken Olivia's suggestion and downed a bottle of wine, but it was too late now.
Thomas, one of the producers we had been introduced to
, entered the room. "Ms. Blake, Mr. Petropoulos? This is Lisa Shaw," he said, introducing us to a tall, leggy beauty I recognized from watching the show.
I stood up to shake her hand
, trying to control the shaking in my knees. "It's nice to meet you."
"
Likewise," she said, beaming at me. "I have to say, I read your book and I absolutely adored it. I'm a little awestruck at the moment, so you may have to excuse me if I start fangirling too much."
A warm feeling spread through me as some of my tension left.
"I'm so happy to hear that. I enjoyed writing it, and I'm so glad readers were able to connect with it."
"
Oh, I connected all right," she laughed. "I can barely wait for book two to come out. Have you picked a date yet?"
I nodded.
"Hopefully soon. That's all I can say at the moment."
"
I can't wait," she gushed. Thomas cleared his throat. "Oops, that's our cue to get rolling," she said as an assistant attached a microphone to my shirt and then Alec's. "This will be a short segment. Just keep your focus on me and forget about the audience."
"
Sounds great," Alec said, placing a warm hand on my knee that had started bouncing nervously.
We followed the assistant into the studio where a small audience sat waiting for the show to return from commercial break. Two empty plush chairs sat next to Lisa, separated by a small round table. Thomas counted us down and Lisa turned
directly into the camera as the audience applauded. "Welcome back, everyone. You all know how I love me some romance," she said, making the audience roar with laughter. "Fortunately, we have one of the hottest authors in the business right now living in our own backyard. Here to talk about her latest book,
Wicked Lovely,
is
New York Times
bestselling author, N.S. Blake, and for an extra treat, the cover model—yeah, this is him right here—Alec Petropoulos." She held up the book, pointing to the cover as the audience applauded loudly.
Alec and I both waved
, although I wanted to disappear into my chair.
"
So, Nicole, your book burned up the industry charts almost overnight, making it an instant sensation. Did you expect to be so openly embraced?" Lisa asked, holding up a copy of the book again.
I laughed light
ly. "No, it was definitely a surprise. As a self-published author, I'd seen some moderate success with my previous books. I knew when I started writing
Wicked Lovely
that it was going to be entirely different than my
Pirate Nights
series. A bit darker, more angst and sexier. My hope was that my readers would come to love it like I had."
L
isa laughed with delight. "That we did." She fanned herself with her hand. "I can imagine becoming a
New York Times
bestseller at your age must have been a surreal experience. Just so viewers know, you celebrated your twenty-second birthday earlier this year, right?"
I n
odded. "Yes, in March," I answered, blushing slightly. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would hit a list, let alone the most respected. That title belongs to real writers."
"
I hate to break it to you, Nicole, but you're as real as they come.
Wicked Lovely
has quickly become my favorite book."
"
Thank you," I said, blushing again. "I think with every book a writer releases, they hope the story will resonate with the readers. I'm so grateful
Wicked Lovely
is that story for me. I credit it to my great cover model," I teased, trying to shed some of the attention on Alec.
"
Ah, yes, the gorgeous cover model. Alec, how has your life changed since you posed for this shot? I can imagine you're in high demand. I'm sure viewers in my age bracket can't help thinking of the popular cover model Fabio," she said, clutching her chest dramatically. The audience burst into laughter again as she continued. "I have to say, you put Fabio to shame," she added as the
Wicked Lovely
cover appeared on a giant screen behind us. The audience hooted with glee.
Alec
's eyes moved to mine as he slid his arm around me. "The biggest change in my life is I managed to get the girl. I guess you could say that cover made my dreams come true too."
Lisa practically swooned as the entire audience let out a collective
"ah." Lisa regained her composure quickly, tapping the book. "So, this led to a brand-new love story?"
Alec
and I both nodded. "I guess you could say it was love at first sight," I teased.
"
Oh, that's a love story I'd love to read. Any plans to turn it into a book?"
"
What happens under the cover … stays under the cover," Alec drawled.
Lisa laughed at the play on words.
"No, that story belongs to us," I clarified, lacing my fingers through Alec's. "But I may weave certain parts of our love story into something I write in the future," I said deviously, making Alec hide a chuckle with a cough.
Lisa
laughed brightly. "That's all we can ask for. So, what's up next for N.S. Blake?"
I debated her question for a m
inute. It was hard to pick one thing.
Wicked Lonely,
the next book in the series, was finished, but I couldn't mention it since we were currently in negotiations with one of the major publishers. They were excited about the series and Jillian, my new agent, suspected I would be signing a deal soon. I could mention the next series I planned to write, but that was in the beginning stages. Maybe the right answer would be to mention what was next for Alec and me since we were both here. But I wasn't sure I wanted to share any more of our story. I liked that it belonged only to us.
I laughed again.
"Lots of exciting things," I finally answered, squeezing Alec's hand.
Lisa nodded
, seeming satisfied. "I want to encourage everyone watching to pick up
Wicked Lovely
. Ladies, you'll thank me," she said, holding up the book again. "Everyone in our audience today will, of course, be taking home a copy. Alec and Nicole, thank you for joining us here on the morning wake-up show. We wish you future success on not only your
written
love stories, but also your
unwritten
love story."
"
Thank you for having us," I answered.
Lisa shook our
hands after the cameras went off for another commercial break. She asked me to sign the book, and I promised her an advanced copy of
Wicked Lonely
when it was ready.
We
waited around until after the show ended to sign the copies the studio audience had received. As we left the building, Alec slid his arm around me and I snuggled into his embrace that felt so right.
I had told Lisa
during the interview that I would never pen the Alec and Nicole love story, but honestly, it would probably make a pretty decent read. We had everything a good romance story needed—a rocky beginning, a slow build to a budding relationship, several hurdles to overcome, and finally, a happily ever after. So, yeah, maybe one day I would sit down and put something together. I even knew what I would call it. After seeming like we were wrong for each other, as an author, only one title felt appropriate. The Write Stuff.
USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.
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"Dreams do come true..
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