DELETED/EXTRA SCENES

Beat of Temptation Scene 1 | Scene 2 | The Shower | Miss Leozandra's

Below are two deleted scenes from Beat of Temptation, my contribution to the AN ENCHANTED SEASON anthology.

Scene 1 was supposed to be a prologue, while scene 2 was originally part of the ending.

Scene 1 didn't make it into the novella because I decided that with the shorter wordcount, we needed to jump straight into Nate and Tammy's story, rather than going from the present, to the past.   Plus, I was indulging myself with the other characters and with a novella, you need a much tighter focus.

Scene 2 didn't make it in because the information--that the pack cared enough to intervene--had already been given. It's a fun little bit though, so enjoy! Times two!

DELETED SCENE 1

"The Psy who Stole Christmas," Sascha read out the title, a frown creasing her forehead. "I'm not sure I'm going to like this book."

Tamsyn laughed. "Oh dear, it's probably not very friendly to leave that lying around now that I have Psy packmates."

Faith took the book from Sascha and read the back. "The terrifying, scarifying, mystifying true story of how Christmas was almost outlawed."

"You're not offended are you?" Tamsyn suddenly realized how bad the book might look to her friends. "It's just a fun book. The kids like the rhymes. I'd never--"

"We're not offended." Sascha sneaked a bite of chocolate from the pieces Tamsyn had cut for the cookies. "It simply relates a factual event in a way small children can understand."

"Yes." Faith opened the book to the first page. "I believe the newly powerful Psy Council was trying out its new wings during that time period. This was not one of their success stories."

Tamsyn laughed, glad for Sascha and Faith's imminently logical outlook on life. "No, I'd say not. I don't think they've been defeated like that ever again."

Sascha nibbled on another piece of chocolate as she picked up a beautiful ornament from the box on the table. "Isn't it a bit early for Christmas decorations?"

"It's a family thing." Tamsyn felt her heart catch at the memory. "A tradition you could say."

Faith's eyes lingered on the hand-painted ball in Sascha's hand. "I see the future, but I think it would be nice to have a past full of enough joy that you celebrate it."

Tamsyn smiled at the foreseer. "I'm sure you're making some great memories with Vaughn."

"Yes." Her eyes softened. "He carved a sculpture of me."

"Can we see it?" Sascha asked.

Faith shook her head. "No, I don't think so. He's quite possessive about it."

"Just like he is with you." Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye, Tamsyn grabbed the chocolate bowl before Sascha could demolish it. "How much chocolate do you go through in a week anyway?"

Sascha's night-sky eyes, pinpricks of white on black velvet, crinkled at the corners as she winced. "I think we should change the subject. Let's talk more about Faith and Vaughn."

Lucas stuck his head around the corner from the living room. "She ate an entire bar after dinner last night. Good thing I make sure she gets regular exercise." He ducked back out before the apple Sascha had thrown at him reached the door, his sensual grin leaving no doubt as to what kind of 'exercise' the two had been indulging in.

"I swear I'm going to--" Sascha kept the apple in the air using telekinesis and brought it back to the bowl. "He bought me that damn chocolate bar."

Tamsyn bit her lower lip to stop from laughing at Sascha's blush. "Of course he did. He adores you."

"And I foresee many more chocolate bars in your future."

Tamsyn and Sascha both looked at Faith. The F-Psy was gifted with the ability to see the future and when she said something like that, it was usually correct to give it a literal interpretation.

"Do you also see lots of exercise?" Tamsyn asked.

Sascha swiveled to stare at her. "Tammy!"

"Oh yes." Faith grinned impishly, the smile rare. She'd been out of the PsyNet for several months but some things took time. Tamsyn knew the redhead was still getting used to interacting with her new packmates. "Chocolate and exercise are intimately connected in your future."

Sascha put her hands on her hips, looking from one to the other. Then her lips quirked. The laugh when it came was infectious. They were all holding onto their sides when Nate walked into the kitchen from the backyard. "What did I miss?" He was holding a bunch of flowers.

Orchids.

Stupidly expensive, incredibly beautiful and softly delicate.

Tamsyn stopped laughing. "You idiot." But she was walking into his arms, tears in her eyes, barely aware of Sascha and Faith slipping out of the room.

He hugged her with one arm, flowers in the other. "Happy Anniversary, my darling cat."

She sniffed. "It's not until Christmas Day."

"No it isn't."

No, it wasn't. That might be when they'd had the ceremony in the Pack Circle to celebrate their mating bond, to share their joy with packmates, but it was on this day eighteen years ago that they'd truly become one, without barriers or fears. The first day he'd ever given her orchids. "I should put them in water."

He was nuzzling at her neck. "Later. Right now, you should come upstairs and put me out of my misery."

" Nate!" she whispered, well aware of the others only a wall away. In particular, their two cubs, Julian and Roman--the boys had preternatural hearing when it came to their daddy. "The kids, Lucas and Sascha and--"

"They'll take care of the kids." Teeth nibbling on her skin. "I'll be very quiet."

Things were melting low in her stomach as the scent of him wove around her. "Liar." God she was mush where this man was concerned. Especially when he gave her orchids. "I want to be on top."

Putting the orchids on the table behind him, he scooped her up into his arms. Like all healers, she was a practical woman, but he'd always made her feel utterly feminine. Now he grinned. "No you don't. I have plans for you."

She nipped at his lower lip. "Going dominant on me, Nathan Ryder?"

He gave her a full-blooded kiss. "Remember that time in the cabin, Mrs Ryder?" He whispered a more intimate description in her ear.

"Oh." Damp heat between her legs. "You're right, I don't want to be on top." The things he'd done to her in that cabin...it was no wonder she'd agreed to be his mate. But their story had begun long before that final showdown.

DELETED SCENE 2

Twelve hours later, Nate nuzzled at Tamsyn's neck, his beast still not convinced she was going to stay. "You left but you stayed close." She'd meant him to find her.

"Actually, I wanted to go to New Zealand."

He jerked up his head to stare down into her face. "What?!"

She gave a small feminine shrug. "It hurt, dammit. Being near you and not being able to do this." She stroked her hands up his arms. "Or this." A kiss pressed to his chest. "Or this." Her leg curved over his and rubbed, as if she liked the feel of his hair-roughened skin against her smoothness.

"So you were going to New Zealand ?" He was not pleased. "Do you even know where that is?"

She slapped his shoulder. "Stop with the growling."

It was only then he realized his beast was starting to surface. "So what convinced you to stay in Tahoe?"

"Juanita."

Nate blinked. "Juanita?"

She nodded. "I told her what I was planning and she said maybe I should take things a little bit slower to give my mother time to adjust."

"Your mother?" He was starting to feel like a parrot. "She seemed fine when she dug her claws into me."

"Really?" Tamsyn frowned. "She was in tears when she called me. So I said I'd stay here for a month and let her come visit, get used to the idea."

The idea of Sadie in tears just did not sound right.

"And," she added, "Lucas said he wasn't psychologically ready to handle my leaving."

Okay, that did it. "They damn well set us up."

"No...no?"

"All three of them refused to tell me where you were--lied right to my face." He scowled. "They played us."

Tamsyn's lips twitched. "I did think it was odd that my mom was suddenly so emotional. And well, they did get us to this bed. And the wall. And the table."

Nate found his lips curving to mirror hers. "I guess I won't shred them into a thousand small pieces then."

"I think that would be a very good idea." She pressed kisses up his chest. "If they hadn't convinced me to stay, you'd be in New Zealand right now."

He caught the small hint of uncertainty. "Damn right I would," he said, thrusting his hand in her hair and pulling back her head so he could look into her eyes. "I'd have hunted you down to the ends of the Earth so remember that the next time you decide to pack up and leave."

"Nathan, you romantic." Then she smiled. "I think you should make love to me."

"Best idea you've had all morning."

THE SHOWER

This small scene comes from early on in Lucas and Sascha’s relationship, perhaps a couple of months after Slave to Sensation.

“Lucas!” Sascha skidded to a halt at the edge of the aerie’s balcony and looked down to where her mate was working out, his body slick with sweat.

He glanced up. “You need me, kitten?”

Always, she thought, she always needed him. “There’s something wrong with the shower.” She held the towel more firmly between her breasts. “The water’s down to a trickle.”

He grinned, looking very much the panther he was. “Are you naked?”

“No.” Technically correct. “This towel is very big.”

He stayed in place, hands on his hips, a look in his eyes she didn’t trust. “Say I fix the shower, what do I get in return?”

She bit her lower lip. Playing with Lucas was fast becoming second-nature, but the cat had a head start on her when it came to these kinds of games. “A home-cooked meal.”

He shuddered. “No thanks. Your idea of a home-cooked meal is chocolate cake with hot chocolate, and then chocolate fudge for desert.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s not man food.”

She smiled, looked him up and down. “My man.”

“Nu-huh.” He shook his head, hair brushing his shoulders. “I’m not falling for that. Come on, deal. Make it interesting.”

“I’ll brush you until your fur is all shiny.”

He scowled. “My fur is shiny enough thank you. I think you’re wanting to stay dirty.”

“Hmm.” She leaned on her railing. “If you come fix the shower, I’ll let you share it with me.”

He grinned but shook his head again.

“Okay, fine.” She sighed as if giving in. “I’ll recite the list of sexual positions I memorized as part of a mental training exercise.”

That list had been one of her small rebellions in the PsyNet, a tiny way to gratify the needs she couldn’t acknowledge.

“You’ll recite it while I’m soaping your delicious body.” Claws slashing out, he began to scale the tree to the aerie.

“That might interfere with my concentration.”

He landed on his feet in front of her, an alpha panther with sensual play in his eyes. “Come on now, recite. You know how that turns me on.”

“You haven’t fixed the shower yet.” Her eyes narrowed as she caught the glint of cat smugness on his mind. “Did you break it on purpose?”

“Why would I do that?” All innocence.

Her mouth fell open. “You’re…shameless!”

“No, I just know how to negotiate.” Reaching forward, he began to tug at her towel.

She gripped it tight, pushed him back with a burst of Tk. “Cheater.”

Grunting from the impact of the telekinesis, he simply tugged harder. “Sore loser.”

She released the towel without warning. He froze in place. Swiveling on her heel, she walked into the aerie…and shut the door in his face. “Now who’s the loser?”

Dropping the towel, he gave her a dark male look. “I am not pleased.”

She knew very well he was mimicking what she sometimes said to him. “And I don’t care.” Turning, well aware he had a perfect view of her retreating backside, she waggled her fingers and walked into the bedroom and then into the shower cubicle. Now that she knew he’d sabotaged it, she had it fixed in short order...just in time to spray Lucas with the detachable head as he walked in.

MISS LEOZANDRA'S

This text was originally written as a continuation of  the scene that ended on page 166 of  Caressed by Ice with Brenna saying: “Miss Leozandra’s.” to Vaughn.

Why didn’t it make it into the book?  First, there was a small timing issue that meant not everyone who was in the scene could be there, so keep that in mind as you read this. The timeline will not merge perfectly with the book – instead, I’d advise you to read this as a completely separate scene.

Another reason this scene didn’t end up in the book was that I didn’t feel it gave the reader any new information – but it was just so darn fun to write I couldn’t stop myself. I hope you enjoy!

The smile turned into a dark scowl. “What is it with that place?”

She didn’t understand his comment until she walked into the beauty parlor. Tamsyn, Sascha and Faith were lined up getting pedicures. Vaughn had chosen to wait outside. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here.” She’d just wanted to feel normal today, but Sascha might want to continue the discussion they’d been having this morning.

Faith was the first to speak. “Hello, Brenna.” A soft smile that belied the strain in her eyes.

“Hi.” Brenna wanted to ask what was wrong but then saw Sascha place a hand over the other woman’s and something clicked in her mind. “It must be strange for you, being out here in the middle of so many people.” She didn’t know everything, but the rumor was that Faith had grown up pretty isolated.

The F-Psy took a deep breath. “Yes, but I’m determined to not be a recluse. So, have you come to join us in this ritual of female bonding? I was skeptical at first but I do believe I like having “Coral Crush” paint on my toenails.” She wiggled one completed foot.

Sascha laughed. “We’re taking her lingerie shopping next.” Her eyes told Brenna not to worry.

“Mean, mean.” Brenna grinned, glad for Sascha’s empathic gifts at this moment. “Torturing your mate that way.”

Faith’s smile widened. “Oh, I think a little torture is good for my kitty-cat.”

The door opened an inch. “I heard that.” A low male growl.

“Stop eavesdropping,” Tamsyn ordered. “We want to talk girl stuff. Promise to scream if we need you.”

Tamsyn’s comment was followed by a negotiation where Vaughn eventually agreed to wait on the other side of the street, where he could still see them, but not hear their conversation.

“Wonder who else is out there shadowing us?” Sascha murmured.

“Oh, let’s see,” Tamsyn leaned back in her recliner, “two of us are mated to sentinels and then there’s you and Lucas. Wanna play “who’s more protective?”

“I win.” Brenna raised her hand. “Two brothers, a pack alpha, the cats and my own man.”

The other three glanced at her, then nodded unanimously. “You win.”

Miss Leozandra swanned out of the back room at that instant, a vision in a purple caftan patterned with shimmering gold leaf.

“Brenna, my dear!” She air-kissed both of Brenna’s cheeks, her manner as flamboyant as her hair—a deep rose, the short strands spiked up and frosted sapphire blue at the tips. “Who did your hair darling?” A disapproving look. “It’s—” She waved her hands in dismay.

Brenna caught the others’ concerned looks but they needn’t have worried. Miss Leozandra was treating her exactly as she wanted to be treated. “Isn’t it hideous?” She grinned. “Can you fix it?”

The older woman tapped at her cheek with one gold-flecked nail. “Well, I suppose a nicer cut—”

“No.” Brenna had made up her mind yesterday. “Extensions. High end.” She could afford it and this was one thing she could fix.

“Oooh.” Miss Leozandra clapped her hands. “Come on.”

So it was that Brenna got down to business with Miss Leozandra herself rather than one of her assistants, accompanied by Tamsyn’s vocal opinions and Sascha’s quieter words. 

“I’m using gen-synth strands.” The hairstylist laid several strands across Brenna’s palm as she sat in the styling chair.

“They’re white…no, transparent.” She could barely see them and her sight was very sharp.

“But the second they bond to your hair, they’ll start taking on its color and texture. Smart.”

Brenna was impressed. “The bonding—glue?”

Miss Leozandra sniffed. “Out decades ago. We use a laser bonder that literally sews the molecules of the strands together. When I’m done, no one—not even you—will be able to tell where your hair ends and the extensions begin.”

“How long will they last?”

“Until you cut them off.” Miss Leozandra began smoothing Brenna’s hair down with some sort of gel. “Helps the bonding. I’m going to go shoulder length with you. The gen-synth fibers are light but no sense overloading it. We can always add more in later if you want.”

Brenna’s was smiling so hard her face ached. “Let’s do it.”

The process was slow. Very slow. The DarkRiver women left partway to do their shopping, popped in an hour later to check on her and eat lunch—supplied by Miss Leozandra’s personal chef, then returned again just as Miss Leozandra whipped off the styling cape and spun the chair around to face the mirror. “Ta-dah!”

Brenna’s eyes widened. “I have bangs!” Delighted, she ran her fingers through the length of her hair. Smooth, perfect—Miss Leozandra hadn’t been exaggerating. Brenna could feel nothing which might’ve denoted a join. “This stuff is amazing!”

“And it’s on the house.” The stylist squeezed her shoulders.

Brenna felt her joy go flat—did the other woman know? “That’s not—”

Miss Leozandra waved a hand, nails flashing. “Miss Leozandra never forgets a favor. That computer you sorted out last time is working so well we won’t need a replacement for years. And the improvement you made to the automatic answering service is getting me compliments from across town. All of which is worth a whole lot more than what I did for you today. So take it and no lip.”

Brenna smiled, joy returning. “In that case, I accept.”

“Good. Because I have a feeling I’m going to need that clever brain of yours again soon—we’re thinking of installing a security bot after hours.” She smiled at Sascha. “Your people are good with keeping us safe but I like to look after my own patch.”

Robotics wasn’t Brenna’s field, but she could do basic maintenance, and if necessary, hook the stylist up with a friend from college who was a genius in the area. Looking into the mirror, she met the eyes of the other three women. “So?”

“Gorgeous.” Tamsyn grinned. “Not fair.”

“I’m glad my work is appreciated.” A beaming Miss Leozandra gave her hair a final look, then went to supervise one of her assistants.

Brenna was about to reply when something bit at her ankle. Yelping, she raised up her legs. Two small leopard cubs scooted out from under her and ran to hide behind Tamsyn. “How did they—?”

Laughing so hard she couldn’t speak, Tamsyn reached down and grabbed her twins. “S-s-sorry.” She waved at Sascha.

The Psy grinned. “Clay was keeping an eye on them while we shopped. They spent a whole day with sentinels and soldiers. I’m afraid you’ve been the target of one of their hunts. Actually I think you just got eaten.”

Brenna laughed, her heartbeat slowing down. She was used to wolf pups trying out their stalking skills on unprepared adults. “They’re very good.” The adorable twosome peered at her from their mother’s arms, their eyes a beautiful green-gold not found in wolves.

Sascha took one of the cubs when he wiggled and jumped toward her. “Julian thinks you look pretty, even if you are a wolf. Your hair’s not as dark as his coat but he likes it anyway.”

“Thank you, Julian,” she said solemnly.

“And I think you feel lovely, too.” Sascha’s smile was gentle.

Faith had remained silent to that point, watchful. “Now you see the woman you’ve always been.”

“I just needed the physical validation, you know?”

“I know.” Faith’s night-sky eyes flashed black for a second. “Maybe it’s time you got back. We all should go back.”

When a foreseer spoke in that eerie tone, everyone listened.

Read more about the Psy-Changeling series