A single wrong assumption can be costly…
I’m so excited for this new release! Embracing Passion been a long labor of love – the finale to the Passion series, set in a fictional center for sex studies and sexuality.
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EXCERPT
Set Up: Rosanne has shared her concern about the detective’s investigation with the Center staff.
New York, New York 2014
“I don’t care what you say,” Center Co-Director Harry Gage grumbled, “I don’t like the idea of a cop nosing around. Nothing good comes from that.”
Melissa Hopkins-Gage, the other co-director, shook her head at her husband, who sat on the opposite side of the office round table, with Simone Stone and Rosanne on either side of her. She knew he was only expressing his concern for their staff.
She was pleased that Anna Jackson, the Center’s part-time community education director and board member, had been able to join them this morning. In her early forties, Anna brought a certain wisdom to the Center as well as strong commitment to the Center’s broad educational mission. That she probably colored her raven hair and that her body had matured with age, displaying a slightly thicker waist and wider hips than Anna preferred, made her an asset, particularly in fantasy videos depicting a middle-aged woman’s role. Her enthusiasm in front of the camera rivaled that of her younger colleagues.
“We don’t have anything to hide, Harry,” Melissa reminded her husband. “You know that.”
Melissa glanced at Rosanne, who was uncharacteristically antsy. She’d seldom seen her friend so out of sorts. This detective must’ve shaken her up more than she was admitting. “If your detective comes to the Center, we’ll show him around. If he thinks we’re trying to hide something, then he’ll probably hang around a lot longer.”
Rosanne nodded, looking less than convinced.
“I haven’t liked this damn project you two are working on from the beginning.” Harry raked his graying hair. “It’s not safe. And it makes you look like…”
“Harry,” Rosanne interrupted, “we’ve discussed this ad nauseum. Simone and I are careful. We back each other up. We’ve nearly completed our sample selection. Simone’s already finished with her part of the data collection.”
“Right,” Harry huffed. “Because Boyd finally put his foot down. At least her husband has some sense.”
Simone thrust out her chin defiantly. “I agreed to quit because I didn’t have any more data to gain. My preliminary analysis suggests we’re developing a fairly complete picture of the trucker who seeks a liaison while on the road. Don’t make it sound like Boyd has me on a leash.”
Melissa smiled at the spunky woman, who was only two years older than Rosanne. Both women had their doctorates. Both were avid advocates for the Center and its mission. And both could twist Harry Gage around their fingers. She should know. She’d been doing that since before they married. “You know they’re not going to be satisfied until their research is done, Harry. If things were reversed, you’d feel just as strongly.”
Giving up, Harry scrunched his mouth. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t. So,” Melissa said, taking charge, “if this detective shows up, we’ll be nice to him, answer his questions, and show him around.”
“You won’t show him around,” Rosanne protested, “if we’re working on camera.”
“Of course not,” Melissa agreed. “We can show him the stages and sets when they’re not in use, which is most of the time. Do you really think he’ll track you down?”
Rosanne took a long time to respond.
Melissa knew Max’s granddaughter better than most. That flicker of emotion wasn’t exactly fear. So she was more than a little curious about the man who’d apparently stalked her from the rest area to the rental car agency. Melissa smiled to herself. She’d tuck that bit of information away, just in case.
Rosanne flexed her fingers and wet her lips. “I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t,” she said at last. “Detective Walker strikes me as a man who won’t be satisfied until he has all the pieces of the puzzle in place.”
“And you’re his puzzle for the moment.”
BLURB
Now in her late twenties, Rosanne Falcon’s life has finally come together—a Ph.D., a prestigious research job, and two exquisite lovers, one of each gender, to complete the package. The intense bond she shares with Simone Stone was augmented rather than broken when Simone met and married Boyd Roberts, and the three have forged a fulfilling polyamory relationship. More would only be trouble.
Widowed by a tragic accident several years earlier, Detective Thomas Walker is nearing retirement after twenty years on the police force and ready to change careers. Fully convinced the hot redhead who meets truckers at the rest area he’s staked out is a prostitute, he sets out to build his case against her. He is dead wrong, but each layer he uncovers of what she really does for a living challenges long held assumptions. Can he overcome his deep-seated bias to make room for what’s possible?
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Nice set up for a good story