by Tina Holland
Sexing up the Spy
By Tina Holland
Resplendence Publishing, LLC
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com
Resplendence Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 992
Edgewater, Florida, 32132
Sexing Up the Spy
Copyright © 2010, Tina Holland
Edited by Chantal Depp
Cover art by Chel Hickerty
Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-126-9
Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Electronic release: February 2010
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.
For my friend, Lyn Armstrong. Thanks for introducing me to Resplendence and for traveling the publishing journey with me. It just wouldn't be the same without you. – Tina
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
About the Author
Chapter One
“You need more sex!”
“What do you mean?” Jake Stone listened to his agent, Mark Loewe. What relevance could his sex life possibly have on his Killer spy series?
“Our demographics show you are picking up more female readers.”
“That’s great,” Jake admitted. He wanted to branch out beyond his hard-core fans.
“It also means they want Killer West to have some romance, a woman in his life, or at the very least, some goddamn sex.”
Jake remained clueless how to make his spy have a sexual relationship. No experience of his own in recent history was worthy of his spy, Killer. “I’m not sure where to start.”
“No problem. I’ve arranged for you to meet with Lexi Andrews, a client of mine. She writes erotic romance. She’s selling off the shelves right now.”
“Mark, I’m sure I can handle this.” He didn’t need some mushy romance writer softening Killer’s character.
“I’m sure the two of you will come up with something. Lexi has your number. She’ll be calling you.”
“Great.” Jake rose from his chair. He had to move. Once Mark set his mind to something, there was no changing it. Jake didn’t even try.
“Okay. We have a plan of action… Finish the manuscript and Lexi can ghostwrite a little sex for you. Talk to you later, Jake.”
“Sure.”
“Hey Jake, don’t be put off by Lexi’s appearance. She knows what she’s doing.” Mark hung up.
What did Mark mean by Lexi’s appearance? She was without a doubt some mousey thing. Jake found most writers, he included, preferred, hiding behind computers and the occasional typewriter instead of hogging the limelight. Jake still lived in Fargo, his hometown, with no intentions of moving. His studio apartment suited him well enough. Jake made good money and was content. The Killer Spy series was still earning his keep and he wasn’t sure new fans were necessary.
Jake was pretty pissed Mark thrust recent star Lexi into his lap. He was halfway through the current Killer book and now he needed to re-write entire scenes. Maybe Jake could let Lexi think he’d take whatever advice she offered and work on his own. The idea had merit. Who knows, maybe he could intimidate her? It wasn’t his style to use aggressive tactics but they were talking about his character here. He didn’t need some romance diva-making Killer all sensitive and sappy.
His pacing got faster as he strode back and forth across his apartment. The phone rang again, Jake looked at the caller I.D. and didn’t recognize the number and no name was listed.
“Hello,” Jake rumbled into the phone.
“Hi. I’m looking for Mr. Stone,” the feminine voice purred into his ear.
“This is he.”
“Mr. Stone. This is Lexi Andrews. I’ve spoken with Mark Loewe. He told me about your situation.”
“Situation?” It sounded like a major problem.
“You need me for sex.”
Jake wasn’t sure how to respond to the lyrical and husky voice. He remembered the mousy librarian in his head. Spectacles, dull hair, baggy clothes, “I don’t need you for sex. Maybe just a few pointers.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Fine.” Damn the woman for being agreeable.
“When would you like to meet?”
“Why can’t we do this over the phone?” He did not want to deal with her.
“We can, but I’ll get a better idea for the passion you have if we meet in person and talk.”
“About Killer West, my character.” Jake needed to remind himself they were meeting for his character. His mind wandered to blonde bombshell with big boobs at the sound of her voice.
“Of course. I don’t know you well enough to understand just what you’ll require of me.”
Jake swallowed.
“When would you like to meet?” She repeated the same glaring question.
“I’m pretty open.” He gritted out between clenched teeth.
“Well, I have a prior commitment tonight, but how about tomorrow?”
“Nope. I’m booked.” Jake planned to use every stall tactic available.
“Thursday?”
“No, problems there, too. And you might as well forget about the weekend, I’m going out of town.”
“Next week, then?”
“Sorry big project at the Monday through Friday job.” He didn’t have a job during the week, but it seemed plausible.
“I’m starting to think you’re avoiding me, Mr. Stone,” she huffed.
Jake didn’t want it to get back to Mark he was being inflexible though. “Not at all. We can meet a week from tonight. I’ll be freed up by then.” And with any luck, you’ll forget about this.
“You’re sure there’s nothing sooner?” she asked.
“Nope. It’s too bad you’re unavailable, tonight was the one night I did have open.” He sighed in false exasperation.
“Then we’ll meet tonight.”
“You don’t need to cancel your plans.”
“It’s fine. I can squeeze you in. Does ten o’clock work for you?”
“Um, sure.”
“That’s great. I can put in an appearance and meet you. Do you know where The Starving Artist is?”
“Of course.” The Starving Artist was a local coffee house/bookstore known for being an artist hangout.
“Should we meet there?”
“Fine.”
“Great, I look forward to seeing you then.” The excitement in her voice made him look forward to it as well.
Jake spent the remainder of the afternoon going through his notes. If he had to meet with the repressed librarian, he needed be prepared. He decided to try his hand at a sex-scene, but fell short, not being able to work past the kiss. The three pathetic lines stared back at him on the screen. Jake admitted he needed a few pointers, but just enough to get through the first sex scene, and then he could handle it on his own.
When Jake looked at the clock, it was nine-seventeen. “Damn.” Jake rubbed his jaw-line; he needed a shower and shave before meeting with Lexi Andrews.
* * * *
Jake considered himself lucky that Lexi was late. Even though The Starving Artist was three blocks away from his studio apartment, he hated to drive. His walk was brisk and he arrived on time.
Jake watched each person
enter the café. He was sure he spotted his rendezvous when a small middle-aged lady with brown hair and glasses walked in. She clutched a handbag in her hands as if her very life depended on it. The woman wore a long floral print skirt and a high-necked white shirt with sleeves covered to her wrists. No wonder Mark commented on her appearance. He found it difficult envisioning a little old lady writing anything sexual. She looked over at his table and waved. He waived back. She turned and walked away from him.
“What the—” Jake mumbled. He didn’t come here to pursue some biddy.
“I hear you need a little sex,” a voice whispered in his ear.
The hair on Jake’s neck stood on end as recognition dawned. He turned and stared at the woman who spoke. “Lexi?”
“Yep.”
Nothing prepared him for his immediate reaction. She was stunning. Chocolate hair with gold highlights framed her delicately carved face while large green eyes stared at him. He grew hard. He looked down the length of her. She wore a black leather bustier with ties down the front, a matching mini-skirt, fishnet stockings and thigh-high leather boots. He swallowed hard. The teddy bear coffee mug in her hand that read, ‘Bear necessities’ seemed out of place.
“You okay?” she patted his shoulder.
Her touch burned him. Jake very much wanted the spark she ignited. He nodded.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just having a bit of fun.” She removed her hand before sitting in the lounge chair across the table.
His voice disappeared in his parched mouth.
“Sorry I’m late. I had this party to go to.”
“What kind of party?” He found the capability of speech.
“It was a Bondage themed party, to help a friend of mine celebrate the sale of her first book”
“Is that what you write?” What the hell was Mark thinking?
“Not at all.” She smiled.
“Oh.” He was relieved.
“You sound disappointed.”
“Just taken aback, thought maybe you dressed like this all the time.”
She waved her hand at him and leaned back laughing. He watched, amazed the cup of coffee didn’t splash over the sides.
“Now I know you’re disappointed. Sorry, I more often than not spend my day working in jammies.”
“Me too.” It was true.
“Do you want to talk a little or just get right to the sex?”
“Sex, please.” Jake mentally smacked himself. He said the first thing that popped into his mouth. He was sure Lexi considered him an idiot.
Yummy hummed in Lexi’s head when she saw Jake Stone sitting in a lounge chair watching the Starving Artist entrance. The look of eagerness as striking women entered the store, walked passed his table and followed by frustration was comical. She’d planned to approach from behind when Mrs. Tiedemann spotted her and waved. When Jake waved back, she realized he thought Mrs. Tiedemann was Lexi Andrews. Mrs. Tiedemann was the owner of Whimsy’s, a local lingerie store where an erotic book club meant once a month.
Lexi fixed her eyes in appreciation as blond hair reminding her of a surfer fell around his face. Jake’s intense features hinted at certain sensuality though he appeared appalled by what he’d said.
“That’s okay, Jake, can I call you Jake?”
He nodded.
“We all like a little sex from time to time.” Lexi giggled as Jake’s dark brown eyes looked somewhat glazed.
“I meant the book.” He faltered.
“So did I. Whatever did you think I meant, Jake?”
He shifted in his chair before speaking, “You’re not what I expected.”
“You expected Mrs. Tiedemann.”
“Who?”
“The woman you waved at. I bet you thought I’d be tedious; I’m sure you pictured a librarian or even a hermit. Are you a hermit, Jake?”
“Of course not.”
She’d bet money he was. He looked uncomfortable, “She owns a lingerie store.”
“Who?”
“Mrs. Tiedemann.”
“What does she have to do with anything?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to point out that you shouldn’t judge a book by its appearance.”
“That’s what people do in our business, Miss Andrews.” He smiled. It melted Lexi to her toes and sent a flush of heat to her loins.
“Touché,” It was a shame this needed to stay professional. Lexi wanted to evaluate Jake on a few things. “Speaking of business, did you bring your manuscript?”
“Damn. I knew I forgot something.”
“Well, that’s okay. We can just talk about what you want to work in and how.” Lexi settled back into her chair, wrapping both hands around her cup of java.
“I’d like you to look at it. I tried penning some stuff. I’m just not sure where to go with it. I can run home and get it.”
“No. That’s not necessary I don’t want you to drive all the way home.”
“I walked over, it’s not far.”
“Oh? Well I’ll walk with you, and then I don’t have to wait.” A chance to see where Jake Stone lived, breathed and slept was a real opportunity to get a feel for the man. Maybe even feel the man. Calm down girl, he hasn’t agreed to anything, yet.
He seemed to consider her words. “Um okay.”
Lexi downed her cup of coffee and stood up. “Let’s go.”
The walk over to Jake’s apartment was brief. Lexi slowed down a bit to get a look at his behind when he strode out in front of her. Damn, Jake was a fine looking specimen, broad shoulders, well-toned arms and a great ass to boot. Yummy. When Jake ushered her into his apartment, she’d expected something sterile, like most bachelor pads. Instead, café-au-lait walls and dark mission style furniture greeted her.
“Wow.”
“Like it?”
“And stunned.”
“Judging a book by its cover Miss Andrews?”
“Call me Lexi and not you in particular, but the general category you fall into.”
“You’ll excuse me if that made no sense at all.”
“I meant your sex.” Lexi looked down the hall wondering what his bedroom looked like.
“You have a one-track mind don’t you Miss An—Lexi.”
“You almost got it that time and as far as the sex, what can I say? It’s what I write.” She felt heat climbing along her collarbone.
His dimples showed when he laughed. Lexi’s knees weakened, “Where’s this manuscript?” She needed to concentrate on something tangible or she would maul him.
“Oh.” He moved across the room to a dark chestnut desk to grab a few papers. “You need to just read the last few pages.”
Lexi grasped the pages and skimmed through his story until she reached the last page.
Killer needed information, and soon. Natasha was an attractive woman. Too attractive. He took her into his arms. She didn’t protest. He bent his lips down and kissed her. She parted her lips and he plunged his tongue inside. She—
“What did she do?” Lexi asked flipping through the papers.
“I don’t know. I stared at the screen for a good half-hour trying to figure out what to do with her.”
“Do you stay in his point-of-view through most of the book?”
“Yeah.”
“How does he feel about kissing her?”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s his motivation?”
“He needs information.”
“Does kissing her get information?”
“I don’t know.” Jake shrugged his shoulders.
“Why is he kissing her?” Lexi rephrased the question, trying to figure out this character and the man who wrote him.
“Because I need to add sex.” He responded as if she interrogated him on a witness stand.
“Oh. No.” Lexi sat down on the brown leather and wood sofa, put her hand to her forehead and looked at Jake. “I’m sorry Jake.” She never once considered he might not want to change his character.
> “What for?”
“Mark foisted me on you, didn’t he?”
Jake didn’t say anything.
“He did. Damn him.”
“It’s no big deal.” Jake shrugged his shoulders.
“Jake, I’m sorry. I thought you wanted to transform Killer, to let readers see another side to him.” She continued when Jake didn’t speak, “When Mark mentioned your growing female readership, and I told him if you were ever looking to branch the character in another direction I’d be willing to help. I’m a huge fan of your Killer West books.” She was a complete heel. “I thought you wanted this.”
“I—”
She cut him off, shock and surprise were written on his face, “its okay, I understand and again I apologize. I’m gonna head back to the café.” She needed to leave and soon. She grabbed her purse and made a beeline for the nearest exit.
Before she reached the door, Jake grabbed her arm and turned her around. Lexi expected him to kiss her as she’d seen in a million movies. He didn’t.
“Lexi.”
She remained silent.
“You’re a fan?”
“I’ve been reading you for three years.” That’s what he wanted? What happened to her magical movie kiss?
“I’ve been published for five.”
“I’m a late starter.”
“Do you think you can help?”
“Yes, but I don’t want you feeling like we have to do this. I don’t want to intrude on personal space or wreak havoc on your creative process.”
He took her hand and guided her back to the green sofa, “Lexi, I thought I’d have to change Killer but I’d like to see him grow too.”
“Oh.”
“So what do I need to do?”
Lexi considered one thing, “Kiss me.”
Chapter Two
“Why?” Jake wanted nothing more than kiss Lexi, she was damn sexy. Part of him needed to know why she asked him to plant one on her.
“I think in order for Killer to be three dimensional we should experiment.”
“By kissing?” He was astonished by the words coming out of his mouth.