Friday, November 29, 2013

Ana's Advent Calendar


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 Do you member, if you were lucky, having an advent calendar as a child?  The traditional kind had small, perforated paper windows to open for each day of December.  Each day’s window revealed a small surprise.  Usually it was a piece of chocolate or candy.  I never had one, but I envied the children who did.  Guess what?  We’re going to have an Advent Calendar, but we’re going to do it my way!
How will the advent calendar work, Ana style?  There will be rules.  Of course there will be rules.
  • Sign up!  Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you are a winner!  This will ensure that I track your comments to give you credit for each day that you play.  If you have any trouble leaving a comment, please let me know immediately by email.  If you do not sign up, you will not get credit for your entries!
  • Play daily.  Leave a comment responding to a post or answering a daily Advent Calendar question.  Only one comment per post will count as an entry, but you are welcome and encouraged to leave additional comments as part of the conversation.
  • Check for the winner list on Christmas Day!  Those who participate the most will win!
Yup, that’s it!  Oh, you want more rules?  Well, if you insist.  ;)
  • Surprise Checks!  Prizes will be awarded during random “surprise checks” throughout the month.  It may be the first person to post on a certain day, a randomly selected commenter on a randomly selected day, the first person to mention a secret word, or anything else.  Surprise!
  • Perfect Attendance award!  Everyone who comments every day (by midnight EST on the day of each post) of the month will win a small surprise.
  • Free book days!  A few authors will be offering one or more books free on select days in December.  Check for details on the blog throughout the month.
Grand Prizes
  • Kindle Fire or Nook HD (winner’s choice), donated by Blushing Books
  • 2014 VIP discount to Loose Id, donated by the same
  • Wooden spoon and spatula set, donated by Katie
  • Knitted jingle bell slippers, donated by Celeste Jones (US only)

Book Prizes
Becoming a Lady and Marked by the Alpha by Adaline Raine
Spank Camp by Alice Dark
Ruby Rose (two copies) by Alta Hensley
Fever Dream by Annabel Joseph
Becoming ClissineSimple Gifts, and The Vengeance of Mrs. Claus, and The Way Home by Anastasia Vitsky
StillGuarding Hope, and Ivan’s Captive Submission by Ann Mayburn
The Solicitation by Bella Bryce
Destiny’s Chance by Cara Bristol
Lady Katherine’s Comeuppance and Lady Katherine’s Conundrum by Celeste Jones
Toy Run by Charley Descoteaux
The Grass is Greener by Constance Masters
L’Amore Perfetto and Budde Bear Quilt Top Pattern by Cynthia Kimball
Wraith’s Heart (US & Canada only) and Nowhere for Christmas by Donna Steele
Claiming One and Tell Me (How to Write) A Story: Good, Basic Advice for Novices Ready to Write by E.J. Runyon
Explorations: The First Notebook of Emily Orn Wilkes, Secret Countess of Wessulk by Emily Tilton
Correspondence Hall of Shame by Erica Scott
Valkyrie Chronicles: Return of the Asgard and Karaoke Queen (Music of the Soul) by Erik Schubach
Time of Grace by Gabriella West
South Sea Siren (two copies) by Heather Geoffries
Santa Spanks! by Holla Dean
Bella Rosa by Jade Cary
Alien Adoration and Alien Lover by Jessica E. Subject
Magic of the Loch by Karen Michelle Nutt
Spanking Ms. Whitman by Kate Richards
Acting Lessons by Kathryn R. Blake
The Gate and Sharp Bite of Pleasure by KT Grant
The Story of M: A Seduction, The Story of L: An Odyssey, and The Story of L:
Enlightenment by LA Cloutier
Little and Loved and Michael and Jenna’s Christian Domestic Discipline Marriage by Leena Darling  
Lonesome Oak Ranch and Living the Dream by Leigh Smith
Demon Soul by Linda Hamonou
Coming, Ready or Not! Three Tales of Tease and Denial (two copies) and The Journal (two copies) byLiv Honeywell
No Flag (two copies) and Mine (two copies) by Liz Borino
All-Girls Academy and A Date with The Death by Louisa Bacio
A French Affair by Lucy Felthouse
Everything Christmas by Maddie Taylor
Forbidden Deception by Mahalia Levey
Aspen Meadows (two copies) by Mila Kerr
Aching To Submit, Taken By The Beast, and Captive’s Desire by Natasha Knight
Dreaming in Blue and Her Moonlight Lover by Olivia Starke
Hold My Hand and Touch My Heart by Paloma Beck
Correcting Kathy and The Winner: Romantek Book One by Patricia Green
Christmas Joy and Tyler’s Resolution by Patty Devlin
Tie Me Free by Sandra Bunino
Desire and Deception by Sharon Buchbinder
Bound for Disappointment (two copies) by Sheri Savill
A Hell Hound’s Fire and The Beltane Witch (two-book set) by Siobhan Muir
Taking Chances by SJ Maylee
Hanna’s Awakening (five copies) and Christmas With the Professor (five copies) by Sue Lyndon
Master-bation, At Sir’s Command (The Torn Series: Book 1) by Suzy Ayers
Mastering Maeve and My Naughty Little Secret (four copies total, reader’s choice) by Tara Finnegan
Twice as Nice: Anya’s Tale and Erotic Shorts, Volume III by Thianna D
Betrothed to Mr. Darcy by Violet Bedford 
Taking Control and Catching Death by Virginia Nelson
Immoral: Tales of a Vampire Hunter and Amaranthine Rain by Zander Vyne
Surprise Day Sponsors
Advent 2013
Artwork by Minelle Labraun
Graphic design by Katie

Thursday, November 28, 2013

OH, HAPPY DAY

Ray and I have much to be thankful for today and everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating the holiday today, Happy Chanuka to those celebrating the Festival of Lights  and to everyone else just celebrate life and have a Happy Day.

Saw this on FB the other day, gotta love FB.  If the Indians introduced turkey to the Pilgrims that first Thanksgiving instead of donkeys, or we would all be having
 a piece of a** today.

I'm leaving it right there.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.





Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thanks For The Memories


Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers for the loss of our dear friend.

It was not unexpected, he had been battling acute leukemia for the last eighteen months, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept.  I met him 43 years ago yesterday.    We (being a conglomeration of single ladies) were all living away from family and came together for a Thanksgiving celebration.  He came with his brother who was dating one of the gals.  He was a giant of a man - six feet eight inches of him, a deep baritone voice and a laugh that reminded one of a lion's roar. He and my best friend made a connection and he became part of my life.  I met Ray the very next day and they too became best friends.  The four of us traveled through the up's and down's of life, across many states, but never lost that connection.

He was a gentle giant, a heart bigger than you could imagine, witty, intelligent, caring and many more adjectives, but you get the picture. 

We, (my bestie, my husband and I) along with countless others, celebrate his life and are
thankful for having had him in ours.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings

Monday, November 25, 2013

A 'Happy' Thanksgiving

Our dear friend passed yesterday, so I have no words today. 

Mitch and Barbara Sterling were married in June and had settled into Mitch’s little bungalow on the beach. They met through mutual friends and although Barbara was relatively new to the beach community, she had no trouble making new friends and settling back into married life.

One morning, sitting on the back deck, drinking her morning coffee and watching the waves lap onto the shore, she spotted a dog. She was surprised because dogs were not allowed on the beach without a leash and this dog was running free.  She put down her coffee mug and moved in the direction of the dog.  He spotted her and came bounding up to her, tail wagging furiously. 

“Where did you come from boy?  Are you lost?”

Listen to me, talking to a dog and expecting answers.  She petted the dog and searched for a collar.  Finding none, she looked up and down the beach, and on decks and balconies of homes facing the beach for any sign of someone looking for this sweet little sheltie.  Nothing. 

“Well boy, come follow me home.  I’ll see about putting up some posters and reporting finding you so we can get you back to your rightful owner.  I bet they are missing you?”

There I go again, talking to a dog, and expecting answers.

He needed no coaxing.  The minute she moved toward her house, he was right on her heels.  He bounded onto the deck just as Mitch walked out.

“What do we have here, Barb?”

“I was sitting here drinking my coffee when I saw him.  I looked up and down the beach and there’s no one in site, so I guess he wandered away.  I’ll make a few calls and put up a few posters.”

“He’s not staying here.”

“What do you mean he’s not staying here?  Of course, he is.  I intend to keep him until we find his rightful owner.”

“No, I don’t want to have any pets.  They tie you down.”

“Oh Mitch.  It’s just until we can find his rightful owner.  Look how sweet he is, how can you possibly not fall in love with him.”

“That’s what I’m saying, Barb, I don’t want you getting attached and falling in love with him.  I don’t want pets.”

“Oh, you are just a big meanie.” She told him and stuck out her tongue.

“Watch out girl, that tongue could get you in trouble.” He gave her a sharp slap on her bottom.  She giggled

“Stop, the neighbors could be watching.”

“Good, let them watch,” and he turned and walked inside, the dog close on his heels.
                         
Barb called the animal shelter and the local sheriff’s department.  He wasn’t chipped or registered anywhere.  She printed up posters and placed them at all the local businesses and around the community.  She asked all of her friends and friends of friends and no one came forth to claim “Happy”.  It was the perfect name for him because he was always happy and hungry. 

She couldn’t understand it; he was such a nice dog. He turned out to be a she and she wasn’t neutered.  When they had Happy for two weeks, Mitch told her to turn her over to the animal shelter.

“No, I will not do that.  She is much too sweet and I can’t do it.”

“If you don’t do it, I will. Nevertheless, before I do I will turn you over my knee and spank the daylights out of you. Are we clear?”

Barb hated this threat.  She knew it was a possibility.  He had always threatened to spank her, long before they were married but until now, it had always been in fun.  This time he sounded serious.  Well, it doesn’t matter I am not taking that dog to a shelter, spanking or not.  Neither will I allow him to do so.

True to his word when he came home the next day and found Happy still there, he took his wife into the bedroom, pulled down her jeans, put her over his knee and walloped the dickens out of her.

Thinking she would be chastened, he let her up and asked for the dog’s leash so he could take her to the shelter. 

“You don’t need the leash.  Happy and I are going to be staying at Carol’s house.”

“What do you mean you will be staying at Carol’s?”

“I called her and told her it was a possibility and she was fine with it.”

“Are you telling me you would leave me over a dog?”

“No, I’m not leaving you.  Happy and I are going to live at Carol’s until you come to your senses.”

“I have half a mind to take you right back over my knee.”

“Do what you feel you must just as I am doing what I feel I must.” She told him.

He was so angry with her, he left the room.  Damn him.  Why is he being so stubborn about this?

She and Happy were at her daughter Carol’s for three days before Mitch came to call. Barb flew into his arms, she was so glad he had come to his senses.  Happy was happy too, she kept twirling in and out of his legs.  He finally reached down and petted her, showing her the first signs of affection.

                                           _____________________

The three of them settled into a happy existence until one day there was a knock at the door.  Barb opened it to a man holding one of her posters in his hand.  He introduced himself and said his dog had run away when the repairman left open the screen door.  He said he had been searching for her for weeks and had given up hope.  There was no doubt he was the rightful owner because when Happy saw him she started barking and leaping up on him, giving him doggy kisses that he didn’t seem to mind at all. 

Barb hated letting her go but she could see how much Happy (whose real name was Susie) meant to him.  Before he left, he thanked her for taking such good care of Susie.  He told her he planned to breed her when she came in heat and offered to give her one of the puppies in return.  Barb knew she should say no, but also knew that wasn’t an option for her.  She enjoyed having a dog around and even though Mitch was a “bear” about it, she knew he would come to accept a little fluff ball and love it to pieces.  His biggest thing was that it would tie them down but Barb knew that Carol, or one of their other kids, would always willingly take the dog if they wanted to travel.

Mitch found her weepy when he came home that afternoon.

“What’s wrong honey?  Where’s Happy? She is usually dancing around my feet.”

“Her owner came today.  Oh, I wish you could have seen them.  They were so happy to see each other.  I hated letting her go, I am going to miss her so much.”

He wrapped her into his arms and told her that she had done the right thing and that it was better for them anyway.  A dog was a responsibility and now they were empty-nesters they were free to pick up and go as they pleased; a dog would only tie them down.  Barbara didn’t say a word.  She would lay the groundwork and line up possible dog sitters so that when a pup became available she would have an answer for every argument Mitch might raise.

Months went by.   One day, coming home after shopping, there was a note stuck to the door. 

   ‘Susie is a mom to four little girls.  They are all well, weaned and ready
 for new homes. If you are still interested, give me a call.’
                                     Jonathon Bixby (813-555-4509)

She was excited and definitely still interested.  She called Jonathon and arranged to pick up the puppy the following day.  When Mitch came home, she showed him the note.

“You are not calling him. I thought we discussed this.”

“We did and I did.  Your biggest thing is always that the dog will tie us down. She will not.  I’ve already talked to all of our children and they will be more than willing to dog sit anytime it’s necessary.”

He groused and grumbled for a bit. 

“So when are we going to pick up this bundle of fur?”

“Tomorrow, do you want to come with me?”

He nodded yes and when they picked up their new ‘Happy’ he snuggled her into his chest and she promptly peed on him.  She laughed.

“Laugh all you want, but every time Happy causes a problem, I am solving it by taking you over my knee, starting when we get home.”


                                                    ---------------------------------

Barbara and Mitch invited all of the family for Thanksgiving.  It would be their first one as a married couple and a chance for all of their blended families to be together. Barbara and Mitch asked each family to bring a favorite dish and they would take care of everything else.

It was a beautiful day and most everyone was out playing beach volleyball. Barb and Mitch stayed behind to get everything ready.  When the side dishes were all warmed and the turkey ready to be carved, they went outside to call everyone in to dinner. It took a while to round everyone up and when they returned to the house, the turkey had disappeared.  Shocked and surprised, Barb’s initial thought was Mitch had moved it back to the kitchen. Mitch, on the other hand, saw the trail of drippings leading straight into their bedroom.  There sat the culprit, in bed, the turkey resting in front and her just munching away.  Mitch went ballistic.

“BARBARA, GET IN HERE”

She came running and stopped dead in her tracks at the doorway.  She spied Happy sitting there looking well, ‘happy.’ 

“Ohhhhhh.  Happy what have you done?”

She ran over and tried wresting the turkey away, thinking she may be able to salvage some of it.  Happy was not giving up her prize and Barbara realized the turkey was a complete goner.  Mitch was so red in the face she thought he might explode.  He couldn’t even speak which was probably a good thing.  She turned on her heel and left the bedroom.

“Dinner is ready.  The only problem is there is no turkey.” She told everyone trying very hard to hold back the tears.

Sixteen people looked in her direction and said “What” all at the same time.

“Happy grabbed the turkey off the table and has had a Thanksgiving feast all by herself.”

Mitch saved the day.  He called around and found that Glen Eagles Club, a nearby community clubhouse, was having a Thanksgiving buffet.  He explained the situation and the manager offered to sell him a fully cooked turkey.  He was out the door and back in twenty minutes and the rest of the day went on without any other glitches. 

She had to hand it to Mitch.  Everyone kept teasing him about the dog and the turkey and he took it all in stride.  He would throw her a look every now and again and he never missed an opportunity to swat her bottom. It was a reminder of what she could expect when they were alone.

                                               _____________________________

They stood at the door waving goodbye to the last of the family; Barb kissed Mitch and thanked him for saving the day.

“You’re welcome.  They were my guests too.”

“Thanks for being so understanding. Happy was just being a puppy.”

“I know that but we agreed that if Happy caused a problem, it would be taken care of over my knee.  Time to pay the piper, Babe.

“Can’t we just…

“No, I am a man of my word. Let’s go.”

He led her to the bedroom, sat down on the bed and pulled her down next to him.  He reached down to pick up his slipper.  It was chewed and mangled.  He showed it to her; she rolled her eyes, stood up, took off her jeans and put herself over his lap.  I am really in for it now.  Mitch began laying into her behind, first with his hand and then the slipper.  It may have been mangled, but it more than did its job.  He kept up the staccato type spanks until her bum was on fire.  The turkey wasn’t the only thing roasted this Thanksgiving she thought as Mitch pulled her up onto his lap.



 Lucy Appleby gave me the idea for this story, thanks Lucy.  Apparently, she had a doggie that had a great Thanksgiving treat.  

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

 



Friday, November 22, 2013

DRUM ROLL PLEASE



ARE YOU READY?

TOMORROW IS THE RELEASE DATE FOR MY LATEST BOOK





CAN YOU GUESS WHAT IT'S ABOUT?

MY THIRD, WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK? 
CERTAINLY NOT ME

TOMORROW ON MY OTHER BLOG I'M FEATURING A SNIPPET ON
 SATURDAY SPANKINGS
DROP BY AND CHECK IT OUT AND BY ALL MEANS CLICK THE LINKS TO PURCHASE.


Thanks everyone and see you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Love It

My friend Minelle knows me so well.  She sent this pic to me..........she added and spanks her to.  






This so fits in with an announcement that's coming in a couple of days.  I've talked about my love of westerns and cowboys  before and I mention it again in my Saturday Spankings post this week on my other blog.  So thank you Minelle, I love it.

See you later for more Aimless Ramblings.



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Complaint Department

Has anyone else been having trouble with commenting on Blogger lately?  For the last four days it has been giving me fits.  

It started the other day when I was trying to respond to comments - got halfway through and no amount of waiting and cursing would allow me to continue.  Now, when commenting on other blogs, I get all through and instead of going through I get a message that it doesn't recognize a server, or the internet connection has been lost (not on my end).  

I guess what I want to say is if you do not hear from me don't think I'm not trying.  I'm very trying but am also reading.  

So if you don't getting any comments from me, or get a response on a comment on my blog, blame blogger and pretend. 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Clean House

Happy Sunday Everyone.  My house looks great today.  Does yours?






Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for more Aimless Ramblings and another new story, another chapter of Blame It On The Jeans.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A Shout out to Bonnie and Lurkers and Non-Lurkers Alike





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A Big Shout Out of thanks to Bonnie of My Bottom Smarts.  The 8th annual Love our Lurkers Day was a great success - where would we be without her?  I don't know about you, but many of my visitors come through her blog.  She is a force of nature and I wanted to let her know how much I appreciate all she does for us out here in blogland.

I also want to thank those lurkers that stopped by.  Maybe sometime you'll feel safe enough to let me know who you are and until then keep coming by and reading.

To my new friends, welcome and come back again.

Until then, see you later for more Aimless Ramblings.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

LOVE OUR LURKERS





COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE

We know you are there, blogger tells us so. You are one of the countless number of people who stop by and visit and never let us know.  



This is your invitation to join the party.  We're having fun and want to invite you to join us.  Let us know you stopped by, comment, share a joke.  I promise we don't bite and who knows you might find a life long friend, one you'll never meet, so you don't have to dress up for the occasion.

Have you RSVP'd yet!!!!  


Hope to see you here at Aimless Ramblings.  I'd love to meet you.




Monday, November 11, 2013

The Model



She walked into the auditorium on the arm of her husband, a little sore from the spanking she had received a couple of hours before.  He concentrated on her sit spots reminding her to be on her best behavior and not to let this award go to her head.  Their two children, Nicca and Ricky, were already there seated next to her parents.  All eyes turned toward them.  After all, she was the most photographed model in the world and he was the one that helped make her so.  Alexis Markova had graced the cover of most of the world’s fashion magazines for over two decades.  She was still in demand at 39 years old.  It just took longer for her to get that fresh dewy-eyed look. Glycerin, concealer and lip-gloss were never far from her reach and neither was her husband who kept her best interests at heart.
                                  ______________________________

She had been modeling since she was fourteen years old.  Her mother, Carolina, had taken her to New York City for her 8th birthday.  It happened to coincide with a ballet performance by one of her friends still touring with the company.  Carolina had once been a performer with the same company, so naturally, they attended the performance and went backstage afterward.  While there, an agent had taken one look at Carolina and Alexis and was struck by their natural beauty and grace.  He tried to convince Carolina Markova she and her daughter should sign with his agency. He was sure once his clients had their portfolios he could practically guarantee immediate work. Carolina politely declined but the agent kept pushing until finally she took his card with the promise she would think about his offer.  She put it in her purse but never intended to call.  She had her time in the spotlight and she was done and didn’t want that kind of life for her daughter.  Her quiet country life on their Connecticut farm with her husband, Alex, the twins David and Wayne and, of course Alexis, suited her just fine.  

Five years later, the Markova’s were attending a charity event when the same agent spied them standing near the podium. The agent had never forgotten them and had hoped that one day he would get a call telling him they were interested in pursuing his offer.  It never happened.  It must be fate because here they were and the young girl was even more beautiful. 

“Do you remember me?” he asked as he walked over to them.

Alex looking at him said.  “I’m sorry, I don’t think so.”

“No, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, but I did meet your lovely wife and daughter years ago.”

Carolina looked at him and did not recall his face at all. 

“Allow me to introduce myself.  I’m Peter Strider and am a talent agent.  I met you backstage at a performance of the White Elm Ballet Company in New York City about five years ago.  I represent several modeling agencies and was interested in signing both you and your daughter.  Do you remember now?”

“Vaguely, Mr. Strider, but we weren’t interested then and are not interested now.” Carolina responded and started to walk away. 

“Have you given any thought to perhaps your daughter being interested?  The opportunities could be limitless” he called after her.

Alex stepped in and said tersely.  “Mr. Strider, My name is Alex Markova and we appreciate your interest.  If you will give me your card, we will call you if ever we want to pursue your suggestion. Until then my family and I would like to enjoy the auction.”  Strider handed over his card and knew he was dismissed.  Any further conversation would just be considered harassment and he had a sense that Alex Markova would not hesitate to have him removed from the premises.

Alexis was interested and talked to her parents about it when they returned home.  Both parents were against it, especially Carolina because she wanted for Alexis what she did not have, a normal childhood.  However, Alexis was determined and so eventually they gave in to her request. They found a photographer, commissioned a portfolio and after vetting Mr. Strider and his agency and finding out he was all he said he was, they called and made an appointment. Six months later, Alexis Markova was on her first magazine cover. 

By the time she was twenty-five she had funded her sibling’s college educations to Princeton, purchased a condo in Manhattan and started her own line of clothing.  She pursued her own education with night and online courses through New York University.  She was beautiful, intelligent and a first class diva.  She knew her craft, and was generally pleasant but there were times she could be downright strident.  Her favorite photographer had left the business and on the first shoot after his retirement the fellow that replaced him was new to the business.  Alexis ran him ragged and he quit.  Nico Martinelli, a freelance photographer who was well known in the fashion industry  replaced him.  He was gorgeous and could have been a model himself.  He was six feet tall, with olive skin, caramel colored soulful eyes and moderately long brown hair that had been kissed by the sun. He possessed that easy grace associated with a man comfortable in his own skin. Alexis admired his work and he was easy on the eyes.

“So Nico are you ready for me?” She asked flirtingly

“Whenever, you are Ms. Markova.” He answered all business like.

“Please call me Lexi, all my friends do.”

“I didn’t realize we were friends.  Why don’t we get this shoot under our belts before we pursue friendship?” 

Wow, he’s a little arrogant Alexis thought.

He was not about to succumb to the charms or whims for which she was famous.  He knew Josh had quit and why and only took this job because he owed a favor to Bobbi Cannon, the photo editor of the magazine sponsoring this shoot.  He didn’t plan to get all warm and fuzzy with ‘Lexi’.  Despite his career, models were not his favorite subject. They were usually empty vapid creatures that could benefit greatly from several good meals.  For the most part, he thought of them as coat hangers. 

The shoot went very well, better than Nico expected and it was finished on time and under budget.  Bobbi was pleased; she didn’t think Lexi had ever looked better.  When Lexi saw the finished product she told her business manager, she wanted to hire Nico to shoot the layout for her new perfume line.  Nico accepted the job and once again did exceptional work. She requested him on several photo shoots over the course of the next year.  He was surprised to learn she was different from some of the models with whom he worked.  She was intelligent, caring and did not exhibit many of the behaviors he had heard about through the rumor mills.  So when she turned surly on a shoot he was surprised.  He ignored the behavior and continued with his work.

“I’m talking to you Nico.  Answer me.”  He pretended not to hear her and sat and waited for her to get back into position.

“Answer me, Goddammit.” She yelled at him. He did not reply.  She got up from the pose, walked over to him and with hands on her hips yelled at him.  “Goddammit, I am talking to you and you will answer.”

He put down his camera, turned to the rest of the crew, and said he was taking a break.

“I’ll be outside. Call me when Ms. Markova is ready to get back to work.”  She was beside herself and followed him out the door.

“I am not used to being ignored, Mr. Martinelli.  When I ask a question I expect to be answered.”

“And when you ask a question in a polite way, rather than the demanding tone you are using, I will answer you.  Until then I will ignore you.”

“Why you sonofabitch.  How dare you talk to me like that?  I will have you thrown off the shoot.”  She said to him while poking her finger into his chest.

“If you don’t remove that finger from my chest, I will take you over my knee and give you the spanking you so richly deserve.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” She said with a steely voice.

“Oh yes I would.  Now I am not telling you again.  Please remove your finger”  She looked at his face and it was the face she remembered on her father when he was serious.  She thought twice and removed her finger.  She turned and stomped off thinking.  My God, that was soo hot.  No one other than my dad has ever talked to me like that beforeEveryone she ever dated gave in to her every whim and she walked all over them.  It wasn’t fun.  She wanted someone she could respect and look up to.  Until now, she hadn’t met anyone that fit that bill. All she had to do is to get Nico to ask her out on a date and see if he treated her differently than everyone else.

In the two years they’d known each other, he never asked her out, made any advance, or showed any interest at all.  She would run into him occasionally at social occasions and each time he was either alone or with a different person so she figured he was not involved with anyone special.  The problem was somewhat solved for her when the promo party for her new perfume line was scheduled for the following week.  Since he did the layout shots, an invitation was not out of order.  Now do I ask him to be my escort or just issue the invitation and take it from there? No, I’ll just ask him to be my escort.

Once the shoot was over and he was gathering up his equipment, she approached him and apologized for her earlier behavior.

“I don’t know what got into me.  I suppose because the rollout for the new perfume line is due this week and the promo party is next week, I am a little stressed.”

“Everyone has stresses; it is no excuse for rudeness.”

“I agree and once again, I apologize.”  Now I’m not sure whether I should ask him or not? What the hell, go for it. “While we are talking about the promo party, would you like to be my escort?  After all you took all the beautiful photos.”

“Thank you for asking and I am flattered but I cannot accept.  It’s not you; it’s just a personal policy of mine.  If I escort you, the paparazzi will be all over us and start couples rumors and I like to keep my private life separate from my professional life.”

“Oh, I see,” but she didn’t, she wasn’t in the habit of being turned down.

This was going to be harder than she thought.  People were always asking her out, why was it that the one person she wanted to date, just turned her down?  She would have to try another tack.  Two weeks later she invited him to a party her parents were giving for her brother who had just completed his Masters Degree.

“Is this an actual date, or just an open invitation?” he asked.

Damn him, why is he giving me such a hard time.  “I am asking you to be my date.  It will be a small party, just family and a few friends. Very informal.  It’s at my parent’s farm in Connecticut, I promise no paparazzi.”

“In that case, my answer is yes.  What time shall I pick you up on Saturday?”

“Anytime after 2:00 pm.  It’s about a two-hour drive from here.  No pressure, but you are welcome to spend the night if you don’t want to drive back.  There are plenty of guest rooms.”

“Thanks, we’ll see how it goes.”
                                               ____________________________

He was right on time and when she answered the door, he smiled and handed her a small bouquet of violets.  How sweet is that? She thought to herself.

“You look so different.” He told her.  “I like this look.”

She told him that when she wasn’t being “professional,” she didn’t bother with the make-up.  Just a little mascara and some lip-gloss.  Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she was wearing a tee shirt and jeans with sandals.  He looked gorgeous as ever.  His jeans rode low on his hips and the tee shirt showed off his great physique.  She wanted to jump his bones right there and then.  He was so hot.

They talked constantly on the trip to Connecticut.  They found that outside of industry talk, they really had a lot in common.  The two hours flew by and when they arrived, her family and their way of life charmed him.  He pulled her aside, thanked her for inviting him, and told her he would like to take her up on her office of the guest room. Yes, she thought and smiled broadly.  

“I love that they are so normal.  And you, no diva behavior here.”

“No, it wouldn’t be tolerated.  Not by my parents or my brothers.  Their contention is I am just lucky, not necessarily special."

“Whether or not you are special doesn’t mean you have to act that way.  It’s one of my real bugaboos.  I was brought up to respect others and if my brothers or I crossed that line, my father made his displeasure known and we usually didn’t sit well for a while.”

“So you were brought up in a patriarchal family too.”

“Very definitely and it’s the only way to go.”  She had that feeling she had experienced when he threatened to spank her.
                                                   __________________________

That was their first date and the start of their life together as a couple, rarely in the public eye.  They were married six months later at a small ceremony at her parent’s home.  She loved his family as much as she loved her own.  They settled in a small town in Pennsylvania, far from the maddening crowd.  Their neighbors had no idea they lived down the lane from a legend. She was Lexi Martinelli, wife and mother. Nico certainly never treated her as if she was famous.   Any ‘diva’ behavior was dealt with immediately with either a look, a swat or a trip over his knee.  An heirloom hairbrush, a gift from his parents, was always in a permanent place on their dresser.  She was convinced his parents knew exactly how that hairbrush would be used, and they were right.