relationships with parents

Last week’s Sample Sunday was an excerpt of A Heart Not Easily Broken, where Brian Young wasted no time putting his best friend on notice about his feelings for Ebony Campbell. This week, I want to share ‘staking your claim’ from a woman’s point of view…and feisty Yasmine Phillips from Jaded is just the one to do it.

In this week’s sample, Yasmine is in the middle of conflicted feelings about her friend, Zachariah Givens. What started off as a friends-with-benefits relationship has morphed into a deeper set of feelings…at least on her end. Unsure of how to proceed, she is trying not to misinterpret a kiss they shared in the kitchen before they were interrupted by an over enthusiastic visitor…. Zack’s ex-fiance. The wall hiding her from view doesn’t stop the confrontation from being overheard…

Excerpt:

“You were embarrassed? I was making sure my mother’s health was taken care of, and my fiancée, my girlfriend of the last two years, left me weeks before the wedding and moved back in with her ex-boyfriend. You chose to leave, Melissa. I didn’t do anything to deserve the way you treated me or our relationship.”

“What else was I supposed to do? You didn’t want me anymore.”

“What the…why would you think that? Of course I did.”

Melissa pouted. “You stopped coming home at night. You didn’t let me know what was going on. What else was I supposed to think?”

Zack huffed and threw his hands up in what appeared to be disgust. He stepped away from the door and ran a hand over his face. “That’s a lie. I asked for your help, but you always had some excuse. I told you every day what was going on. My mother’s wellbeing wasn’t your concern. Your focus was on how much we had to pay for the damn place settings for the dining room table.”

There was silence for a moment. I hoped his response would be enough to make her leave. Without warning, she smiled, stepped closer to Zack, and pushed him against the wall. Her hands were all over him.

“Stop, Melissa.” He deflected her attempt to kiss him and pushed her away.

“Come on, Zack, it’s time we let the past go. Your mom is fine. I was wrong for not helping…let me make it up to you.” Her head cocked to the side as her voice took on a whiney quality. “I’ve missed you, baby. We were always good at this…” Her hand trailed down his chest and grabbed the front of his sweat pants.

Okay. That was it.

I unfastened my jeans and kicked them off before unhooking the first few buttons of my shirt. I ran fingers through my hair leaving it disheveled.

“Zack…,” I put on my most seductive walk and headed to the door.

His eyes focused on me and traveled down my naked legs to the unbuttoned part of my shirt that left little to the imagination. He licked his lips.

Melissa froze and stared at me.

Now she knew why he had a hard-on.

“Who is she?” Melissa spat.

Zack opened his mouth to reply, but I cut him off.

“I’m the woman who’s taking care of everything he needs.” My eyes cut to where her hand gripped Zack. “Get your hands off my man.” I allowed every ounce of hatred and jealousy to be evident in my voice.

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

I walked over and stood next to Zack, ignoring the confused expression on his face. I looked down; Melissa’s hand hadn’t moved. I cocked an eyebrow and sucked my teeth.

She dropped her hand and stepped away without uttering a word.

I stood in front of Zack and staked my claim. “Now, if I heard right, he doesn’t want or need you.” Her perfect lips opened as if to argue. I stuck my manicured nail in her face. “If you want to keep that cheap lace front wig for the next man you want to seduce, keep your mouth shut and leave before it ends up on the floor.”

Melissa stared at me, then angled her head so she could see Zack. Since he stood behind me, I had no idea what expression was on his face. Whatever it was, it forced her mouth shut.

She smirked while studying me. “Well, Zack, I see you’ve found a little playmate. She must not be as good as me or else you wouldn’t have answered the door.”

“What the…oh hell no!” I reached out for that stupid wig, but she slipped out of my grasp and into the hallway. Zack grabbed my waist, drew me in the door, and kicked it shut.

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LOL! I love that scene! What happens next changes the game for both of them. What to find out? Be sure to buy your copy today!

Available on AMAZON, B&N, iTunes, and SMASHWORDS for $3.99! Also available on PAPERBACK!

A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.

When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn’t expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah’s life.

Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes Smashwords Paperback

***Read as a STAND-ALONE or as part of The Butterfly Memoirs series!***

Looking for Book 1? Follow this link to learn more about A Heart Not Easily Broken!

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