Picking Up The Pieces Teaser

Sorry that it's a day late ... I went to bed at like eight last night. I was completely bushed. Still am, to be honest, but here's the teaser for Picking Up The Pieces. 

“Thank you for coming in, Ms. McCormick,” I smiled, shaking the hand of the prospective first grade teacher. She’d been the fourth candidate we’d interviewed. “We’ll let you know by the end of the week, one way or the other.”

“I appreciate the opportunity, Ms. Black, Mrs. Whitlock,” she chirped, gathering her portfolio and bag before leaving Alice’s office. “I look forward to hearing from you!”

She left the school and I arched a brow at my friend. “What do you think?” I asked, looking up from my notes about Ms. McCormick.

“She’s the best option out of the four we’ve interviewed,” Alice said. “She seems capable and kind. The other three? Yeesh!”

“Oh, I know. The one before Ms. McCormick? He was an odd duck,” I quipped.

“Quack, quack,” Alice said, rolling her eyes. “What’s on tap next, Hells Bells?”

“We have one more interview this afternoon for my old position and then we interview next week for the opening on the fifth-grade team and group interviews for the music teacher to be shared between our school and Forks Middle School,” I said, checking my planner.

“We also need to finish figuring out the class lists,” Alice sighed. “But, we can’t do that until we have all of the teachers hired.” She leaned her cheek against the table. “My head hurts. Can I go home now?”

“No, Alice,” I snickered. “We’ve got another three hours to go.”

“Can we take a three-hour lunch?” she quipped.

“A half hour, girlie,” I said. “Besides, you said that if we take a shorter lunch, we can close up shop early. You have dogs to get home to. I have two children.”

“And a hot cop,” she giggled.

“Alice,” I said, shaking my head.

“What? He is hot! I mean, love my Jazzy, but Deputy Sexy is definitely on my list,” Alice said, waggling her brows.

“Oh, shit! The list,” I snickered. “I’d forgotten about that!”

“Yep, our five freebies from our significant others. If those people offered us one night, our boyfriends and spouses would give us a free pass,” Alice said. “Mine are Deputy Sexy, his father because Dr. Cullen all sorts of hot for a DILF, Jackson Rathbone, that emo vampire from Twilight …”

“Really, Alice?” I deadpanned.

“Don’t hate! He reminds me of my Jazzy, but with more muscles,” Alice said, smacking my arm. “I love my husband, but he’s a pencil-pushing shrink. He’s so scrawny! I’ve tried to get him to work out, but he’d rather have his nose stuck in a book than pumping iron.”

“So, Jackson Rathbone has two first-class tickets to the gun show?” I snorted.

Alice nodded. “Anyway … rounding out my top five, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom …”

“More hunks,” I giggled.

“Hush! I like muscles, but I wouldn’t trade them at all for my Jazzy. One night only with those muscles … Jasper is big where it’s important,” Alice said, waggling her brows.

“Oh, lord,” I choked out. “Really Ali-cat? We’re at work. We see children, impressionable young minds, in this building and you’re talking about your husband’s …” I trailed off, gesturing to my crotch. “There are boundaries and you’ve clearly crossed them.”

The Magic Within Teaser

A month had passed since we’d gone to court, gaining access to Edward and Alice’s trust funds. I was working with Charlotte and she was so kind, helping me move past the years of abuse I’d endured under Jacob’s thumb. On top of that, Marcus, Eleazar and Carmen were researching more about Jacob. It would appear that my ex-husband had targeted me. He knew that I was magical. He knew I was a creature; that the magic of the fae was within my body.

Another way that Jacob had hurt me.

He was going to convert me to a vampire with Aro’s dark magic. I’d be far stronger than a fae, but would subsist on blood and would not be able to go out in the daylight.

Charlotte was helping me in ways I never realized and I was grateful for that, but I felt betrayed by my father’s best friend’s son. Jacob knew what I was and he was going to corrupt that, making me into something that was evil, dark and cruel. By carrying Jacob’s baby, that would have been one step, bringing me closer to the darkness. Jacob’s anger, however, negated that, when he beat me up and causing me to have that miscarriage.

I was reading one of the ancient tomes in the library, trying to calm my heart after a troubling session with Carmen. We had discussed my mental state prior to making that appointment at the legal aid office. Unbeknownst to me, I was probably suicidal and since the fae magic hadn’t been released, I would have died. No magic would have saved me if I had gone through with what I had planned. If I hadn’t met with Edward and begun the whole divorce proceeding, I would have ended it.

I didn’t deny it. I couldn’t live like that anymore. Charlotte asked me if still felt that way. I told her that I didn’t, but I was terrified that Edward would see me as sullied, ruined goods. He never gave me any indication that he did, but it was a very real fear in my fucked up mind. Charlotte gave me homework, to write down the positives I see in myself. I told her that I would, but I needed time to process my revelations for the day. Charlotte hugged me and said that was a wise decision. So, I was reading about more incantations, spells and charms to fight Aro and my bastard of an ex-husband, Jacob.

“Hey, Bella,” chirped Alice. She was in her elf-form. She looked very much like a pixie with her delicately pointed ears and her slender body. “You okay?”

“Not really, but I will be,” I shrugged.

“Why do you stay human?” she asked. “Now that I have this other form, I love it.”

“Chairs aren’t really fae-sized,” I chuckled. “I can’t really curl up on a couch when I’m fae.”

“This is true,” Alice snickered. “Don’t you get stir-crazy from being inside all the time?”

“My fear keeps me here,” I said. “My ex-husband, he’s …”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Alice said. “Edward said that you were hurt by him. But, I was curious if you wanted to go out, go shopping with me? Have a girl’s day out?”

“You can’t go out like that,” I said, flicking her pointed ears.

“I know,” she giggled. “Charlotte, Rose and Carmen are coming, too. I’m thinking makeovers.”

“Alice, I’m not a girly-girl,” I chuckled.

“A little pampering would be nice,” she said. “Mani/pedi?”

“Pedicure would be perfect,” I said. “And maybe a late lunch.”

Alice

Out of the Darkness Teaser

At Edward’s insistence, I made an appointment with Olivia for Monday. I went in by myself and spent two hours processing my break down. Olivia was kind, understanding and pushed me to come to grips with why I lost it after I had that orgasm, using Edward. I wasn’t upset about what we did. I was angry at what I had lost and I felt no different than those animals who’d raped me when I was in foster care.

But, I was different. Or so Olivia said.

Edward was a willing, active and loving participant. He wanted to feel me. He wanted to feel us and bring me pleasure. His tenderness was unexpected, to be honest. His eagerness to give me that pleasure was different because it was about me. Not him and his release, but only my feelings. Only my pleasure. Only my happiness.

I thought back to what he had said when we were driving back. He showed me ring and then flew us to Mount Saint Helens. He said that mountains moved to create the stone on my finger. He’d do at least that to get to me. The love he felt was plain on his face and as he poured his heart out to me, holding me as he hovered over the now-dormant volcano.

He’d move mountains.

Of course, Olivia didn’t know that part of the situation. She couldn’t know that my boyfriend was a guardian angel with powers to read minds, heal the infirm and wings that were the span of a large room.

When I was done with my appointment, I felt better. Olivia put my mind at ease and said that a jumped a significant hurdle this past weekend. If Edward and I continued to be intimate, it wouldn’t be as intense. I thanked her, leaving the office. Alice was sitting in the waiting room. She looked sad, but hugged me. “You need some girly time. Edward is hanging out with Felix.”

“So, I get girly bonding time and Edward gets to hang out with his dog?” I snorted.

“Yep,” Alice snickered. “I think Carlisle is meeting with him, to discuss strategy. However, Edward was not thrilled to be separated from you. He’s turned into a mother hen. Always hovering.”

“He has a good excuse to be,” I shrugged. “But, I’m glad you’re here, Alice. I’m worried about you.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “Yes, Jasper was recycled but hopefully, he’ll learn from his past mistakes and join me in everlasting life. I’ve checked on him, visiting him in Texas. Colton is a handsome baby and I can see glimpses of my Jasper, with the shape of his face and eye color.”

“Isn’t that weird, seeing your one-true love as a baby?” I asked.