Critique_This_WIP

Today's Tuesday is brought to us via Erica Woolridge at Elevator Musings. And since we love to feed you tid-bits of anyone that will offer them up... here's a bit about Erica.

I'm Erica, I work as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a school for medically fragile children by day and write way too much at night. I'm Canadian, a Newfoundlander, and freakishly close to turning 25. I'm a little scared of that number.

I mostly write young adult urban fantasy and romance, and lately a whole lot of angsty contemporary. You can find me at Elevator Musings or Twitter at Twitter. I hope to be published one day and am learning to enjoy the long and twisty journey :)

For more about Tuesday Tag, or if you'd like to read previous scenes, click here. If you'd like to participate in Tuesday Tag, email us at critiquethiswip@gmail.com.

And now, the Rules. Yes, I know. Groan away. They're not bad. Really. Keep reading.

TT Rules:

1. Read the previous Tuesday Tag Posts so you know what the story's about.

2. Write your scene - suggested word count is somewhere around 500 words.

3. Make sure your scene doesn't contain anything offensive and that it continues on in a sensible way from the previous post.*

4. If you're tagged (and we will make sure you're okay with it beforehand), you must write the scene in time for the Tuesday Tag Post - that means you'll have a week, no more, no less.

5. Tell us a little about yourself so we can do the introductory post right here, on Critique This WIP.

6. Have fun!

*we reserve the right to de-tag you if your scene is unacceptable.

On to this weeks scene by Erica:
A year can change a man in many ways.

As Jocelyn sat across from the Prince, she couldn’t help but admire how his jaw had sharpened, voice deepened, and shoulders broadened since their last meeting—the moment of their first kiss. She could not decipher if James himself had become more desirable, or if she had spent so long in the company of her ex-fiancé Gregory, that she forgot these feelings ever stirred within her. She certainly missed how it felt to be desired in return.

He had declared his intentions to marry her, and while the thought elated her, it equally left her troubled and unsure. One did not simply walk out on the Pope, much less for a girl betrothed to another. There was no shortage of women biding for the Prince’s attention, and his infatuation with her, while flattering, had Jocelyn’s mind racing. What else could have prompted the Prince to flee Italy intent on rushing into a marriage?

They sat in the parlor room, in audience with her mother and the very crafty Colin Davis. He finally made Ms. Whitely aware of his presence minutes after Jocelyn and James entered the house. He had banged theatrically on the door, and once permitted inside, bid his best friend a very long condolence on the ending of her engagement. His false tears and indulgent show of emotion left the four of them sipping tea in the parlor in awkward silence. Jocelyn glared at Colin, while Colin looked smugly at the Prince.

“How was your time in Italy?” Colin asked in forced joviality.

James frowned, not enjoying the new guest that infringed on their afternoon. Jocelyn held her breath. Infatuated with her or not, the man across from her was still a Prince, and one never knew when a Royal’s temper would flair. She learned that quickly from her mother.

“Dreadfully dull,” he sighed. “I never wanted to travel there.”

“So you will not be returning?” Ms. Whitley questioned; eager to know what had transpired between her daughter and the Prince.

A smile flitted across his face. “I certainly hope not.” He reached out and grabbed one of Jocelyn’s delicate hands. “I’m counting on being otherwise engaged.”

Her mother’s face lit up in glee, while Colin scowled and slammed down his tea cup, cracking the porcelain saucer. All eyes turned to him.

“How are you feeling, Jocelyn? It’s been, what, two days since Gregory left you?” Colin asked, his voice dripping in false sincerity.

Jocelyn could not ignore the edge to his voice.

“Perhaps we should give these two old friends a chance to catch up,” James answered for her, placing emphasis on the words “old friends.”

“Nonsense,” Ms. Whitley replied vehemently. “I’m sure our dear Colin has other people to visit this fine afternoon,” Ms. Whitely stated, rising to escort Colin to the door.

The Prince rose and offered his hand to Ms. Whitley. “I actually have a few important matters to discuss with you, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Ms. Whitley beamed proudly at Jocelyn. “Not at all.” She grabbed James’ arm as he escorted her out of the room.

Colin wasted no time in moving to sit beside Jocelyn. Despite the thick layers of clothes that lay between them, the heat radiating from where their thighs touched, and distracted her. Jocelyn’s attempt to move away was thwarted when he brushed along her jaw with his fingers and caressed her cheek until she looked at him. “Tell me, how are you Jocelyn?” he asked, his voice unbearably sad.

“I’m fine,” she replied, preoccupied by his hands on her face and the heartbroken look in his eyes.

“You know, I could grow to like James.” His warm breath cascaded across her face.

“And why is that?’

“He gave me this opportunity,” he answered entangling his hands in Jocelyn’s flowing blonde hair. “And I don’t intend to waste it.”

Before she could reply to his words, Jocelyn’s lips were stilled by Colin’s on hers. It was nothing like the soft and easy kiss she had shared hours before with James. This was needy and passionate, a claim on Jocelyn’s mouth as his.

One of Colin’s hands disentangled from her hair and made its way slowly down her back. Jocelyn anchored her hands on Colin’s thighs and continued to kiss him.

A forced cough resounded behind them. Their lips stilled but neither of them dared to turn around.
That's this weeks tag by Erica Woolridge.

Thanks for taking part in our weekly Tuesday Tag.

Be sure to tune in next week and find out who walked in on Jocelyn and Colin.

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