Yes, we have an ice cold drizzle falling here today. I’m sure the rain is good for the garden, but I would love a day or two of sunshine.
How about an excerpt?
From GAMBLER’S FOLLY
Karianna woke to the sound of raindrops on the balcony. She had always liked the rain, and had often taken long walks under an umbrella to enjoy the quiet. Tossing the covers back, she rolled out of bed, put on her dressing gown, and went to watch the rain.
Damiano paced the floor, every inch an angry cat. His kiss was brief and unsatisfying, the hug nearly an afterthought. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“Nasty weather. Rain is depressing.”
“You don’t like the rain?” she asked.
“No.”
“Can you elaborate? I always thought it was kind of nice. So quiet and restful, unless there’s thunder.”
“Elaborate?” he snarled. “Fine. It is wet, it makes spots on my clothes, ruins my shoes and makes my fur all matted and smelly.”
She couldn’t contain her amusement at the image of a large black leopard dripping with water, ears laid back, and snarling at the sky.
“It’s not funny,” Damiano protested. “First I get wet, and then I have to get even wetter to get clean. Most annoying.”
“But you love to swim or take a bubble bath. Why don’t you like the rain? It’s like a shower.”
“It isn’t anything like a shower. It’s cold, you can’t turn it off, and it makes nasty puddles everywhere.”
“Alright, so we won’t go out sightseeing today. We can stay in and relax.”
“How can I relax with that noise?”
“Really, Dam, it’s not that loud. We can put on some music or watch a movie.” After waiting for some sort of answer, she gave up on conversation. “Fine. I’m making some coffee. If you want any, come in the kitchen.”
Still chuckling to herself, Karianna turned on the tap, let the water run so it would be fresh, and put a coffee packet into the machine. Pushing the button to turn it on, she heard it filling. So she closed the tap in the sink and went in to relax on the sofa until the coffee was ready.
Her usually even-tempered husband stood, arms crossed over his chest, glaring out the glass doors at the pouring rain. If he’d been in his cat form, his ears would have been laid flat against his head, tail lashing.
“Damiano, if you don’t like the weather, draw the drapes and come sit down.” She heard a low, chesty growl in return. “Don’t you growl at me, Damiano Leone. I’ll come over and smack your nose again.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he retorted, his head snapping around.
“Well, I’m not going to stay in all day with a sulky leopard. So either close the drapes and shut out the rain, or go back to bed and sleep it off. But don’t ruin my day being snarky.”
“If you like the rain so much, why don’t you go for a walk and let me sulk? And if you get all wet and filthy, don’t complain to me about it.”
“I do not believe what I’m hearing. One of the most powerful men on the planet, and a great big leopard as well, and you’re put off by a little water falling from the sky? Really, Tiger, get a grip.”
The sound of the coffeemaker turning off got her attention, so she stormed back to the kitchen, trying to control her temper. Pouring a cup of the aromatic brew, she took it back into the living room, so she could stretch out on the sofa.
Sniffing the air, Damiano watched her get comfortable before asking, “Did you bring me any coffee?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“But I always have coffee in the morning,” he said, whining.
“When you can be civil, I’ll bring you some coffee. If you can’t be civil, get it yourself. I don’t cater to spoiled brats. Or cats.”
She might as well have slapped him from the look he gave her. Stomping into the bedroom, he slammed the door. “Well,” she murmured under her breath. “Great big pussycat has his tail in a knot this morning.”
“I’m not a pussycat and my tail is not in a knot,” he shouted through the door. “But I have very good hearing.”
“Then hear this, pussycat,” she shouted back. “You can either get over your damn self, or you’re in time-out. I will not put up with this.”
After her third cup of coffee and a couple croissants, the bedroom door opened and Damiano stepped back into the room. She ignored him.
“Karianna,” she heard, in a gentle, apologetic tone. “I’m sorry, Karianna. The rain and the darkness, they put me in a bad mood.”
“Did you have to take it out on me?” she asked tersely.
“No, cara. That was wrong. The rain is not your fault, and it is good for the growing things outside. Even if I don’t like it, it is necessary.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had a bad morning, lover.”
“It is alright, now?” he asked, so very much like a little boy who was sent to his room until he could behave.
“Yes, come over and sit down,” she answered, patting the sofa with her hand.
Damiano padded quietly over to where she sat, looked down at her with big, questioning eyes and asked, “May I have some coffee now, carissima?”
And don’t forget Book 2–DANTE’S ANGEL
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Have you read Gambler’s Folly and Dante’s Angel?
Dmitri Ivanovich Volkov.
Want more information on my books? I have a page for each of my series–
Not that you could stop it, actually. But it is snowing in Georgia! Big, fluffy, soppy flakes began earlier in the day. You could almost hear the sploosh as the hit the ground they were so bit and wet. The chickens weren’t sure about coming out of the hen house, and I can’t say I blamed them. Eventually they ventured out far enough to eat and scratch around a little.
My favorite season! How about you?
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