One of the many perks of this job is not only meeting some of the most brilliant writers, but also getting up close and personal with the most amazing characters that we have grown to love.
This is what I hope will be the first of many character interviews. I couldn't ask for a better person to pop my interview cherry with than none other than Blake “The Snake” Daniels. He was one of my very first book boyfriends so it was a “no-brainer” for him to do the honors.
Many, many, many hours later I finally arrive in Vegas. As I walk up to the double glass doors, I run my fingertips over the vinyl lettering that reads UFL Training Center, (this is really happening), I know Toshia and Audrey got their chance to meet these guys a while back, God, they were so lucky. I feel like I have finally earned my stripes and this day will forever be etched in my brain. Realizing I have been standing here staring at the door looking like a complete moron, I take a deep breath and head on in. Watch out Blake, here I come.
It's late morning and heavy metal music is blaring through the speakers. I glance around the lobby and notice the flat screen televisions showing clips of UFL fights and three, full size posters of Jonah, Blake, and Rex. I look to my left and I see the couch...yes...the couch that Layla was down on all fours looking under for her runaway lipstick when she met our guy for the first time. Remember his first words to her?
Yeah, I figured you did. I sit down on the couch running my hand over the leather. Ladies, it's just how JB described it...I must be dreaming.
Oh shit, off in my own little world, I hadn't noticed I was being watched. I look up to see Vanessa waiting for me to come back down from Cloud 9.
She’s taps her fingernails and lifts an eyebrow. “Can I help you? Or did you come to simply molest our couch?”
“Hi, my name is Stacey and I have an interview with Blake Daniels.” (Once again, I still can't believe I'm here)
She rolls her eyes to her computer screen and punches a few keys. “Ahh…I see.” A wicked grin curls her lips.
She gets up and walks away and I can feel my palms start to sweat. Did I get the date wrong? Where is she going? Is she coming back? Will Blake be with her? Lord, I think I'm losing my mind.
Calm down, Stacey. Don’t embarrass yourself, JB or the Fighting Girls...pull it together. It’s just Blake for crying out loud!
Yeah, keep telling yourself that.
I'm standing in front of the wall where the 3 life size posters of our guys hang thinking “Shit, these would look amazing on my bedroom wall!”
“Vanessa, stop bein’ such a bitch.”
I hear his voice, footsteps. Eek!
“Well, I’ll be damned, The Boss said you were cute, she never told me you were hot.”
That deep, sexy voice that could only be Mr. Daniels. I take a deep breath, quietly whisper to myself “Thank you, Jamie,” and turn around.
Blake’s standing at the mouth of the hallway that I’m sure leads to the warehouse-like training room. His arms are crossed over his chest, head tilted as he takes me in. My eyes lock on his, drawing me into the emerald depths that grab and don’t let go. He takes a step, moving toward me and I can see the muscles in his legs flex underneath his white shorts. But nothing, and I mean nothing, could take away from his goddamn bulging biceps as he comes toward me with his arms wide open for a hug.
This is it...this is what I have been waiting for.
“Don’t be scared, Stacey. I don’t bite.” He shrugs one shoulder. “Unless you want me to.”
I. Am. Dying.
I curl into his chest and relax a little as his huge arms wrap around me. Ladies, he smells as good as you imagine. Add in the sweat and you have a lethal combination. Damn, I want to bottle this shit!
“Uh...yeah...hi...it's um...really...really great to meet you.” (COMPLETE SENTENCES STACEY!!!)
He pats my back before stepping away and out of my space. (Damn, he gives good hugs.)
“Good to meet you too. Come on, let’s go somewhere more private.”
You don't have to ask me twice.
As we walk through the training area I see the cage and can hear the clanging of weights.
Hmm, wonder who else is here
He shows me over to the bleachers and I know it's now or never. Get your shit together, woman!
We settle in on a bench, his one higher than mine which puts my gaze at his crotch level. I will not stare, I will not stare. Oh shit! I looked, wait…did he see me? Is he smiling? If I didn’t know better I’d think he put his junk at my eye-level on purpose!
“So, I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I won't keep you long, I'm sure you have a full day ahead of you.”
“Never too busy to meet with a Fighting Girl.” He leans back, propping his weight on the bench behind him, big powerful legs open, cocky grin playing against his face. “You have questions? Shoot.”
“First off, I want to say congratulations! I brought a little gift for your new addition.” (Reaching down into my bag, I pull out a white onesie with Cage Fighter In Training on the front).
He grabs it and holds it up. “Ha, this is fucking great.” He shakes his head, his once sexy grin turned whimsical. “Layla’s gonna love it.” His green eyes meet mine. “Thank you, really. That’s cool as shit.”
Stop staring at him, stop staring at him, LOOK AWAY!
*blushing* “Well, you’re very welcome, how is the whole fatherhood thing going?”
He blows out a long breath. “It’s amazing and terrifying, so fucking sweet and messy as hell. Baby cries, Layla cries, Axelle and I are jumping through hoops most of the time just trying to keep them both happy. Best few months of my life. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Did you ever see yourself as a husband and father of two?”
“Wow, um…I never thought it was something I wanted.” He scratches his jaw. “You know when someone begs you to try something new and you refuse, but when you finally do it you wonder how you lived so long without it? It’s like that. Never knew life could be this good until it was.”
Here Blake is having a serious conversation with me and all I can think about is the fact that his crotch is inches from me...inches. I am so going to hell! FOCUS!
“So, watching your child being born...was it everything you thought it would be?”
He glares and I shift in my seat wondering what I did wrong. “YouTube, right? You obviously saw the video that was leaked on YouTube.”
I point to my chest. “Me? No. What…there’s a video?”
He blinks and shakes off his panicked expression. “Oh, um…can we keep that off the record?”
No.
“Sure, I guess.” I make a mental note to do a YouTube search later. “So…the birth?”
“Yeah, it was good. I um…it was a little harder than I expected.”
Snort-giggle. “That’s what she said.” I couldn't resist.
He grins huge, showcasing all his straight teeth. “Atta baby, Stacey! Girl after my own heart.”
Shy grin, hell yes I'm after your heart...and your muscles and your goddamn crotch you are practically shoving in my face. DON'T LOOK AT IT! THINK...next question.
“Axelle is at that age where she really needs fatherly advice and direction. Can you give us a little insight as to what you are going to tell her?”
“Psht, that’s easy. All dates must go through an approval process conducted by me, never lie to me or her mother, and always take responsibility for your mistakes. The thing about teenagers is—”
“BLAKE! What the fuck are you doing?”
The loud, booming, deep and very sexy voice comes from behind me. Sounds domineering, could only mean one thing...Cameron is right behind me. Do I dare turn around....fuck yes I do!
Cameron’s glaring at Blake and doesn’t seem to notice me at all. “I must’ve forgotten that I pay you to sit around and talk to good looking women.”
Oh god, shoot me know...wait...did Cameron just call me good looking??
Blake doesn’t even flinch, but rolls his eyes. “It was on the schedule. Maybe you should spend more time working with your…” he does air quotes “‘assistant’ and less time with your tongue down her throat.”
Cam glares between me and Blake. “This a Fighting Girl?”
Blake motions lazily between us. “Cam, Stacey. Stacey, this is our crabby as shit leader off all things grumpy, Cameron Kyle.”
Uh, I know who this is. Holy. Shit. Cameron Kyle...I am face to face with my newest book boyfriend, soon to be book husband. Eve may have something to say about that so I think I will keep that little bit of information to myself.
I am in the same room as Blake Daniels and Cameron Kyle. I am officially THE luckiest bitch on earth. My heart is pounding in my chest and I am pretty sure I am sweating...again.
Wiping my palms on my jeans I extend my hand, no way am I leaving here without touching him. “Uh...nice to meet you, Cam, wait, can I call you Cam...Cameron...Mr. Kyle?”(My hot and sexy lover.)
“You’re a Fighting Girl, you call me Cam.” He props his hands on his hips. “Remind me why you’re all cuddled up here with one of my best fighters?”
“I'm here to talk to Blake on behalf of the Fighting Girls.” (And the ovaries bursting all around the world right now)
Cam glares. “Why don’t you ever come for me?”
I choke, cough, and clear my throat, my cheeks suddenly on FIRE. Oh, Cam, the answers I could give you. The answers...the visuals....my mind is on overload right now. I need to wrap this up before I do or say something that gets me thrown out of here....wait...if they throw me out they have to pick me up. If they have to pick me up, they have to touch me. If they have to touch me, they have to....FUCK...FOCUS!
I just put my head in my hands and giggle...my brain is fried. I mean, how do you even answer that question??
“You are definitely next, Cam. I will come for you next...”
Cam winks, “Or I'll come for you.”
“Fuck, this sounds an awful lot like foreplay.” Leave it to Blake to break the sexual tension that is obviously in the air. Get back on track, girl.
“Well, I won't keep you, Blake.” (God, I love saying his name) “I just have one more question for you. Your amazing boss, JB, has given us a glimpse into your life twice now. Do you feel like your story is complete and it's time to move on or could you possibly...in the future...maybe...hook us up again?”
He leans forward, props his elbows on his knees, the new position brings his face just inches from mine. I can feel his breath on my face.
Okay, I have to stop right here. I need to give you a visual. You know in the third Twilight movie where they are standing at the altar and everything in the background fades away, and it's just them? Yeah, that's me right now. No clanging of weights, no loud heavy metal music, just me and this wonderfully perfect green-eyed snake. Got it? Okay, back to the story.
“I don’t know, Stacey, you tell me? Is anyone’s story really ever ‘over’? I mean, as long as I’m breathin’ I think there’ll be a story to tell.” He doesn’t move, but his eyes bore into mine. “Right?”
Sensory fucking overload. I can't concentrate when he's this close. He knows he has me hooked and seals the deal with a wink. Yep, I'm done. Over and out. Any control I had, which wasn't much, has gone out the window.
I know it's time to go but my legs feel like Jell-O. He must realize this because he takes my hand and helps me up from the bleachers.
“I’ll walk you out.” He hooks an arm over my shoulder and pulls me close to his side while we move toward the lobby. “Nice meeting you. Promise you’ll come back again, and um…bring some of the Fighting Girls along. I’ll bring the boys, we’ll make it a party.”
“It's a date! Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me.”
One last hug and one last very, very, very long inhale later, (Did I mention he smells fabulous?) I am out the door. As I get in my car and prepare for the long journey home, I look back at where I was a little over a year ago. I had just read Fighting For Flight. This was my very first fighter romance. I loved it and decided to message this JB author chick I hadn't heard of before. Just a quick fangirl shout out telling her how much I enjoyed her book. I had messaged authors in the past after reading their books but JB was the first author to ever write me back.
You know how there are certain times and events in your life that you know exactly where you were and what you were doing when it happened? Well, this was one of those times. I was in my kitchen fixing lunch for some little ones when my cell phone binged. I glanced over and saw Jamie's name. I was like “Whaaa?” And low and behold a friendship was born. My life has been forever changed because of this amazing, wonderful, sweet, and compassionate woman.
I turn on the ignition and what song is on the radio...Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses...coincidence...I think not and with the biggest smile on my face I head towards home.
Thank you, Jamie, for this unforgettable opportunity.
For the record, now that I know the way to get here, I plan on coming back very soon. So, my last question of the day is WHO'S COMING WITH ME??
The Fighting Series by JB Salsbury
The Fighting Series by JB Salsbury
New York Times Bestselling author of the Fighting series, J.B. Salsbury, lives in Arizona with her husband and two kids. She spends the majority of her day as a domestic engineer. But while she works through her daily chores, a world of battling alphas, budding romance, and impossible obstacles claws away at her subconscious, begging to be released to the page.
Her love of good storytelling led her to earn a degree in Media Communications. With her journalistic background, writing has always been at the forefront, and her love of romance prompted her to sink her free time into novel writing.
Fighting for Flight, Fighting to Forgive, and Fighting to Forget are the first three novels in the MMA romance series. Fighting the Fall is due to be released in October 2014.
Me! ME! MEEEEE! I'M COMING WITH YOU NEXT TRIP! Great job, Stacy!
ReplyDeleteDude! I call Shotgun! Im so in there!
ReplyDeleteLove this Interview!! i'm in! Please take me with you!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! Just say when and I'm there with you! I'll help with anything.
ReplyDelete