Hump Day Excerpt

8/14/2019 Hump Day Excerpt

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Hump DayHump Day“Not your traditional inspirational romance novel”

Copyright © 2005 by Suprina Frazier

Author contact info: [email protected]

* * *

BlurbBlurb

Officer Tabitha Montebello HATES Wednesdays with a passion! Yet when she

enrolls in a long awaited detective course, she finds something else to be

passionate about…or rather someone.

Sebastian Armstrong didn’t bargain on his ex-lover being in the same class

that he was scheduled to teach this term. He certainly didn’t bargain on her

being even more beautiful, more alluring than before.

Can Tabitha and Sebastian overcome their personal feelings in order for her

to realize her dream of becoming a top-notch detective? Or will sexy

Sebastian tempt the Christian woman to fail on multiple levels?

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Chapter 3Chapter 3When class was over, Sebastian noticed how many of the single men,

and that’s single men in all colors, immediately flocked to the beautiful blond

woman in their midst. Not only was Tabitha the best-looking female there,she was the only female there since women were still under-represented in

this field like so many others.

On top of all that, not only had Tabitha enthralled her male counterparts

with her intelligence by asking so many pertinent questions during class,she’d wowed them with her friendly personality. Incidentally, that sociable

side of her could only be seen outside the line of duty. As soon as Tabitha

adorned her uniform, she’d be strictly business again, possibly not evencrack a smile even at the funniest joke.

Fighting against the twinges of jealousy that attacked his belly at thesight of so many men scrambling for Tabitha’s attention, Sebastian tried to

focus on the fact that he already had a woman in his life. A good woman. Awoman that brought a sense of balance to his life with her compliant nature.

A woman that was going to be here any second now to take him to an earlydinner.

Aww…I forgot all about dinner, Sebastian mused, wishing that he’dthought to cancel that dinner date during one of his breaks. Especially since

it was obvious that he couldn’t leave this room without knowing what wouldhappen to Tabitha.

Oh, Sebastian wasn’t worried that she couldn’t handle herself. Tabithacould hold her own in any situation. No, his area of concern revolved around

her possibly hooking up with one of the men there. Just the thought of

another man touching Tabitha in any way sent jealousy coursing throughSebastian’s body like no other.

Just then, Alzora Bracewell entered into the classroom. She brought with

her a cool breeze of expensive floral-scented perfume and a smile as bright

as sunshine.

Alzora was the half-Hispanic/half-Caucasian niece of Pavilion City’swealthy second-term mayor. She was a true socialite in every sense of the

word and never tired of parties. Alzora was also Sebastian’s girlfriend of four

months.

Things had suddenly gotten even more interesting today.

* * *



“Are you ready for dinner, darling? I’m sure you must be famished,” Alzora said in her usual sultry voice. A voice that brought instant attention to

her.

Tabitha and her admirers looked towards the woman in the white shawl

blouse, wine-colored skirt suit, and matching suede pumps. They watched asthe dark-haired woman gave them a quick nod before going over to

affectionately hug Sebastian and give him a warm smack on the lips.

When the men in the group realized that the Selma Hayek look-alike was

already taken by their instructor, they returned their attention to their blondclassmate. Some did, because they preferred blonds over brunettes. Others,

because they knew they stood a better chance of getting Tabitha since

Alzora seemed to only have eyes for Sebastian.

Tabitha used every ounce of restraint she had to focus on the

conversations around her after that. That kiss she’d witnessed, that hug,almost caused jealousy to choke her like an assailant’s hands about the

throat. The reality of Sebastian being romantically connected to this womanor any other woman just downright hurt.

Realizing that the sooner she got out of here, the better, Tabitha began

to pack up her things. The whole time she continued to force out polite

responses to her classmates. When her laptop was securely in her backpack,she easily positioned the whole thing upon her shoulders. She was used to

the extra weight already. All that was left for her to do now was make acourteous exit.

“Well, boys, I guess I’ll see you next Wednesday. I’m going to grab aquick bite to eat and hit the highway. I have a long ride ahead of me this

evening,” Tabitha said, bringing her time with them to a close. She chuckledwhen a few of the men actually groaned with disappointment. She’d needed

that shot in the ego right now.

“Oh, you guys are so sweet,” Tabitha said, smiling appreciatively at each

adorable groaner.

However, one of the men did more than groan. In fact, Brennan Depp

outright asked Tabitha out to dinner tonight. Incidentally, he was a part of the group that preferred blonds over brunettes.

“Let me buy you dinner tonight, Tabitha. I know just the place, too. Wecan even wear our jeans there,” Brennan said, being the boldest of the four

men still surrounding her desk. He was also the cutest with his gray eyes,dark brown hair, and Kurt Douglas cleft chin.



Before Tabitha could respond, a male voice near the teacher’s deskanswered for her. “Sorry, Detective Depp. My ex-partner is having dinner

with me tonight.” When all eyes snapped to Sebastian with surprise andcuriosity, he quickly added, “And my girlfriend, of course.”

Alzora’s arched brows rose slightly in shock. This was the first she’dheard of a female ex-partner. Why was this the first she’d heard of

Sebastian having a female ex-partner?

Alzora’s eyes narrowed just briefly as she looked from Sebastian to

Tabitha and back again. Then she forced a smile upon her face. “Of courseyour ex-partner should join us tonight, darling. And I’m sure that jeans will

be welcome where we’re going, as well,” she lied.

Alzora knew full well that jeans were not welcome at the exclusive

restaurant she’d made reservations for tonight. As it stands now, she would

have to cancel those reservations and come up with another plan. Yet shewas willing to do anything to please the man she adored.

Still making decisions without consulting others I see, Tabitha mused

hotly, convinced that Sebastian had sprung this dinner thing on hisgirlfriend, too. She’d seen the look of surprise upon Alzora’s face and the

slight narrowing of the eyes. That woman had had no clue that someone else

would be joining them tonight.

Although Alzora seemed to be able to accept Sebastian as the primary

decision maker in their relationship, even at a moment’s notice like this,Tabitha had hated that side of him. Being able to make quick decisions

without consulting others was an excellent trait for any detective to have.Yet it had proven to be disastrous in Sebastian’s personal life. In fact, it had

been the downfall of his relationship with Tabitha.

Though it was on the tip of her tongue to adamantly refuse Sebastian’s

dinner request, Tabitha already knew that she wouldn’t. Whatever herproblem was or still is with Sebastian she would not air it in front of others.

Especially not in front of her classmates and doubly not in front of his

girlfriend.

“I’ll be glad to join you two for dinner,” Tabitha finally replied in an eventone. Then she turned to Brennan with an apology. “Sorry, maybe some

other time.”

“How about next Wednesday?” Brennan said, putting in his rain check

early as he masked his jealousy of their instructor. How many men wouldn’tbe envious of a guy that was privy to two beautiful women at one time?

Brennan could only hope that Sebastian would throw back the blonde when



he was through with her. But then again, what man in his right mind wouldever throw back a perfectly good blond?

Tabitha gave Brennan the best smile she would muster. “NextWednesday is fine.” Take that, you jerk , she mused, sending a subliminal

message to her meddling instructor. That message - all future Wednesdaydinners are off limits to you!

Brennan smiled wide, glad to still be in the running for Tabitha’saffection. “Great. I look forward to it,” he replied. Then he turned to depart

with the rest of his male classmates, leaving Sebastian and the two womenbehind.

“I’m cooking at Sebastian’s tonight, so that should give us plenty of timeto talk and get to know one another better,” Alzora said, coming closer to

Tabitha with that same forced smile upon her face. If only the blond woman

wasn’t so good looking, she might have been able to relax more. “Right.” Tabitha smiled back. Her smile was also forced. Inwardly, she

was convinced that this was going to be the most awkward night of her life.

I owe you a swift kick in the forehead for this one, Seb, Tabitha mused,cutting her eyes at Sebastian. And another one in the you-know-where, she

added hotly, after catching a quick gleam of triumph in his eyes.

There was no doubt about it now. Tabitha would have to spend extra

time in prayer tonight about that fiery temper of hers. Although she’dworked and prayed long and hard to get her temper under control over the

years, being around Sebastian threatened to make her lose it time and timeagain. Tabitha couldn’t allow that. Too much was riding on her.



ChapterChapter 44Dinner at Sebastian’s brick ranch-style home wasn’t nearly as awkward

as Tabitha thought it would be. In fact, she found that she actually liked

Alzora. For a rich socialite, the dark-haired woman was unexpectedlygracious and humble. She also seemed to have a servant’s heart, though

she’d never had a job in her life.

Ever since they arrived at Sebastian’s house, Alzora had gone out of her

way to serve him. Besides cooking a wonderful meal for him and his guest,she’d removed Sebastian’s shoes from his feet, and given him a neck

massage tonight. It was obvious that there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do

for him.

Sebastian, in turn, showered Alzora with praise and warm smiles which

she seemed to need like oxygen. Tabitha wondered more than once overdinner if Alzora had either been ignored or left alone a lot as a child. Why

else would the woman be soaking up every ounce of attentiveness fromSebastian like a sponge in water?

And yet somehow these two work , Tabitha admitted to herself duringdessert. Maybe this is the kind of woman that he needed all along.

Somebody submissive.

Tabitha recalled how she’d never been that way with Sebastian. In fact,

she’d tried and succeeded in matching him in almost every way since she’d

known him. Back then Sebastian had seemed thrilled to have an equal. Nowhe seemed quite content to have a docile woman at his side.

Tabitha was actually happy for him, despite the sporadic twinges of

jealousy that attacked her mind throughout tonight’s visit. If only she couldfind the perfect match for herself.

I thought I had…a long time ago, Tabitha mused pensively.

“I hate to rush you through dessert, Tabitha, but Sebastian’s favoritetelevision show is about to come on and I don’t want him to miss it,” Alzora

said, interrupting the blond woman’s thoughts.Without asking, Tabitha already knew that Sebastian’s favorite TV show

had to be CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), the same as hers. They’d alwayshad the same tastes in movies and television shows.

Yet Tabitha remained silent on the matter. She was too busy focusing onthe fact that Alzora had proven herself to be the perfect girlfriend once



again. Who else but a perfect girlfriend would put her man’s needs aboveher own?

“No rush. I’m full anyway,” Tabitha replied, starting to feel like a thirdwheel for the first time tonight. “Plus, I really need to be hitting the road.”

“I understand. I’ll pack the rest of your dessert up so you can take it with

you,” Alzora said, reaching for Tabitha’s plate.

“No, stay a little while longer. At least until CSI goes off,” Sebastian said

as his girlfriend got up to wrap Tabitha’s leftovers.

Tabitha shook her head. “No, I really think I should go.” She’d seen how

quickly Alzora reached for her plate. She knew when someone was anxiousfor her to leave.

“You never know if some of the things off CSI may show up in class,”

Sebastian persisted, giving her an extra incentive to stay.

“Well, since you put it that way, I guess I can stay for another hour,”

Tabitha reluctantly agreed. She missed the frown creasing Alzora’s forehead

on account of the woman’s back being turned to her.

As they left the mahogany dining room table and headed for the den,

Tabitha noticed how Sebastian stayed right on her heels, leaving Alzora totrail behind them. Normally he would have courteously allowed all women to

exit or enter a room first. The fact that he didn’t tonight seemed to indicatethat Sebastian might prefer one woman over the other.

It was hard for Tabitha to miss Alzora’s frown now since it stayed on thewoman’s face all the way into the den. Interestingly enough, Sebastian

seemed oblivious to his girlfriend’s dilemma.

Taking a seat on the navy-blue pillowback couch on the den’s west side,

Tabitha was relieved when Sebastian sat in the brown leather recliner on theeast side. As expected, Alzora sat down on the couch beside her. It made

sense to align oneself with all possible competition.

During the first commercial break, Sebastian mentioned that he wanted

another piece of homemade apple pie. Tabitha was surprised when Alzoradidn’t immediately rise to get it for him. Especially since she’d waited on him

like a servant all evening.

Sebastian seemed a bit surprised, too. Usually Alzora would volunteer to

get him any snack he wanted, any time he wanted it. Now she seemedreluctant to move an inch.



As if suddenly realizing that Alzora hadn’t moved because she didn’t wantto leave him and Tabitha alone, Sebastian rose from the recliner to get his

own snack. “Anyone else want anything from the kitchen while I’m in there?” he asked courteously.

“No thanks,” Tabitha replied.

Alzora just shook her head and sat with her arms folded across her

chest. She seemed to be sulking now.

While Sebastian was gone, Tabitha began to think of ways to bring hervisit to an end before the hour long show went off. The evening was starting

to take on a decidedly awkward vibe and she didn’t want to it to escalate

into something worse. Yet before Tabitha left, she would at least try to endher visit on a good note.

* * *

In the kitchen, Sebastian proceeded to cut a huge slice of apple pie fromthe square glass casserole dish as fast as he could. Was he rushing to get

back to his favorite show before it returned from commercial break? No, he

was rushing to get back to Tabitha.

Supple, hot-blooded Tabitha, Sebastian mused, recalling how well shefilled out those jeans she wore today. He completely forgot how wonderful

Alzora looked in her formfitting skirt suit. A suit that she’d bought especially

with him in mind.

Cool it, man, Sebastian told himself. His girlfriend was just too sweet tocheat on, even in his mind.

As a reminder that he wasn’t available anymore, Alzora’s laughtersuddenly traveled from the other room and into his ear. No doubt Tabitha

was telling another fascinating story about their childhood. She’d told a few

over dinner, as well.

Shaking his head free of any remaining lustful thoughts, Sebastianprepared to rejoin the women in the other room.

* * *

“Yes, I really did get dragged by a horse when Sebastian first taught me

how to ride. But I got him back though by almost letting him drown in thelake when I was teaching him how to swim,” Tabitha said, bringing her tale

to a satisfied end.

“Sounds like you two we were a couple of crazy kids.” Alzora chuckled.

Her sulk no longer anywhere in sight.



“Yes, we were.” Tabitha laughed. Now that everybody was in a goodmood again, she smoothly eased into her exit speech. “Anyway, although

I’ve really enjoyed tonight, I absolutely must hit the road now.” To putaction behind her words, she stood to her feet and stretched her arms and

legs in an outward, tension-releasing motion.

So engrossed with her stretching, Tabitha failed to see Alzora’s smiling

expression change to one of horror. The dark-haired woman’s eyes werenow glued to the place where Tabitha’s shirt had risen up on the sides,

particularly her left side.

“Oh, my God! Have you been shot before?!” Alzora asked, instantly

noticing the ugly red scar on Tabitha’s side. She would notice any sign of

imperfection on a woman that seemed flawless from head to toe, even in themost casual of clothes. Besides, with Alzora still sitting down, she was right

at eye level with Tabitha’s waist. She couldn’t help but see the scar.

Tabitha looked down at the healed bullet wound from ten years ago and

then back up into the face of the shocked woman. “Yes, I was shot. But thebullet went straight through though,” she answered nonchalantly, trying to

downplay how she almost lost her life in the line of duty.

“I’m glad, but it’s still terrible that you got hurt at all. Did it cause any

permanent damage?” Alzora should have been named Curious George for allof her questions.

Tabitha’s face suddenly took on a pained look. Her throat grew tight. “No, it didn’t cause any permanent damage to me…” She paused to clear her

throat. “But I did lose my baby though.”

When a loud gasp sounded from the den’s arched doorway, both women

looked in that direction. There stood Sebastian with a slice of pie in hishands, shock and pain in his eyes. The shock was understandable. This was

new and unexpected information to him.

However, Sebastian’s pain wasn’t so understandable. At least the

intensity of it wasn’t. It was if it hurt him to his very core to know thatTabitha had been wounded in the line of duty and that she’d lost a child.

Wait a minute…could that baby have been mine? Sebastian mused,feeling another heavy blow hit him.

* * * * *



If you liked this excerpt and want to purchase Hump Day in itsentirety, click on the link below:

http://www.lulu.com/content/493401





You can find more samples of my writing at the following websites:

http://mochainterlude.bravehost.com/ - this is my main website. Most of mybooks can be bought here. There’s a free book featured at this site in its

entirety.

http://mochainterlude.blogspot.com/ - this is my inspirational blog. Books

featured here are given in samples. Some of them are pretty lengthy.

http://suprinasfreeread.tripod.com/ - this is another inspirational blog.

Another free book is featured here.

http://www.freewebs.com/moreofsuprina/index.htm - this is my westernwebsite and features a lengthy sample of one of my western books.

http://stores.lulu.com/suprinaf1 - this is where most (not all) of mypaperbacks can be found.

http://www.myspace.com/michelledodsonstories - this blog contains all of

my literary updates and announcements.

http://storiesbymichelledodson.blogspot.com/ - this blog features lengthy

samples of my secular books. My pen name here is Mi’Chelle Dodson.

http://suprina.wordpress.com/ - this blog features lengthy samples of mybooks and short stories. There are even pictures to go along with each story.

http://mochainterlude.bravehost.com/

http://mochainterlude.blogspot.com/

http://suprinasfreeread.tripod.com/

http://www.freewebs.com/moreofsuprina/index.htm

http://stores.lulu.com/suprinaf1

http://www.myspace.com/michelledodsonstories

http://storiesbymichelledodson.blogspot.com/

http://suprina.wordpress.com/

http://mochainterlude.bravehost.com/

http://mochainterlude.blogspot.com/

http://suprinasfreeread.tripod.com/

http://www.freewebs.com/moreofsuprina/index.htm

http://stores.lulu.com/suprinaf1

http://www.myspace.com/michelledodsonstories

http://storiesbymichelledodson.blogspot.com/

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Hump Day Excerpt