This is not my usual day to post, but my buddy Tracey Livesay tagged me for a game. It’s called “Look,” and this is how it works.

First, I search through my work in progress for the word “look.” Then I pick a place where the word occurs and I post it and a paragraph or two around it, and then finally, I tag a friend to play along behind me.

This excerpt is from my work in progress, Project NSA, which won the Passionate Reads Pitch Contest longer ago than I like to admit. This little snippet comes from the first chapter; the whole chapter is still up, deep in the Passionate Reads archives.

Enjoy!

John took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Grace didn’t know anyone under the age of fifty who still wore glasses, but she couldn’t imagine John without them. On another man, they’d scream “computer dork,” but on him … they made him look like the hot professor on every college campus who always had a huge class filled with blushing girls. They also drew attention to his warm brown eyes, soft and bright and intense, all at the same time.

One night, a lifetime ago, he had led her, swaying and tipsy, to her door, and in the hallway, she’d stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. The world twirled away beneath her feet, and she’d had to steady herself against him, her hands on shoulders that were stronger than she’d imagined. He’d started to return her kiss, his long fingers stroking the small of her back, drawing her closer. Then his hands were on her hips, pushing her away. He’d been so gentle, touching her as if she were a priceless antique when he kissed her forehead and said goodnight.

They’d both been drinking, he’d said the next night. Taking the next step would have been a bad idea, he’d said. And he was right. Something about him still captured her imagination, but he was right.

Good thing they were still friends.

And here’s where the fun starts — go check out Vallory Vance! She’s got some hot interracial romances and lots of other excitement happening at her blog.

As for me, I swear I’m almost done with Project NSA. I swear.