Chapter One
Late October in Billings, Montana…
Veronica Benedict’s heart raced and she barely took time to blink as she tried to keep up with the rapid-fire, somewhat schizophrenic pace of the live, online chat. Several people conversed at the same time on more than one topic, all related to her latest book—her fledgling attempt at erotic romance, which had been released the week before. Normally, online promotion came easy for Veronica because she enjoyed interacting with readers, but these live chats were too much like being inundated face-to-face, which made her anxiety soar.
A smaller instant message window suddenly popped up, blocking her view of the conversation. Irritation rose inside her until she saw who it was from.
KinkyLustyMama: Hey, sweet girl! When are you coming to visit me?
Grandma Kate. Veronica pictured her kind face and her comforting voice, and the anxious knot in the pit of her stomach unwound just a fraction.
There were fifteen minutes left in the discussion and she had to stay on task or she’d lose track of all the questions amongst the chatter in the room.
Veronica Benedict: Give me about fifteen minutes, switch to Skype, and then we can talk about it, okay?
KinkyLustyMama: Sure thing, sweet girl!
Veronica closed the instant message box and gasped at what she saw.
BookAddictedWhore: I think Veronica doesn’t want to answer the question because the bitch is scared of how we’ll react.
Veronica cleared her throat, trying to rid it of the lump that grew there every time this particular reader, who had been stalking her online, started in on her. The laughing emoticon that followed the statement was meant to soften the wording for the other readers in the chat room but it didn’t fool Veronica.
Veronica Benedict: I’m sorry, guys. I got distracted for a moment. What was the question?
There was no sense in scrolling back because she’d just lose more of the conversation in the interim while she searched the messages for the question.
BookAddictedWhore: Gina Vagina asked if you plan to continue writing sweet romance or permanently change to writing hotter stories since you can make more money.
Veronica Benedict: Oh.
She thought to herself, no easy answer to that question. She liked writing both for different reasons. Before she could reply, BookAddictedWhore continued on.
BookAddictedWhore: Who would want to continue with that boring shit when we can delve into that sweaty, nasty, dirty mind of yours? I’d much rather wallow around in your cum-soaked imagination.
Once again, the laughing emoticon popped up at the end of the statement.
Veronica was trying to frame a reply when several others popped up with laughing responses, too, some along the same line as BookAddictedWhore’s statement, others framed much more nicely. She sighed. Was there even a point now in responding?
Veronica Benedict: I’m not limiting myself, BookAddictedWhore. I plan to keep my options open and see where my muse takes me.
BookAddictedWhore: I want to know if you did up close and personal research on all those double penetration and anal sex scenes we’re looking forward to reading when your next book comes out. Probably not as sweet when you write those, eh? Ever taken it up the ass before?
A giggling emoticon followed those words and Veronica felt an angry flush creep up her neck.
Veronica Benedict: With all due respect, I’ll decline from answering your question, BookAddictedWhore.
BookAddictedWhore: Chickenshit! Don’t get coy now, bitch. We’ve already had a glimpse inside your dirty mind. Answer the question.
Caressa MacFarland: Given what we’ve seen so far from Veronica with her debut erotic romance novel, Bound at the Bonfire, I’m sure readers will be very satisfied with the heat and heart in Veronica’s love scenes. Does anyone else have a legitimate, respectful question for Veronica?
Gratitude filled Veronica’s heart for Caressa MacFarland. The lady had guts and class.
Moments later, another instant message box popped up, this time from the group moderator, and Veronica tuned the chatter out while reading the message.
ReaderAngel204: I’m so sorry, Veronica. I placed BookAddictedWhore on moderation. I’d hoped she wouldn’t show up for this chat.
Veronica Benedict: It’s all right. This isn’t anything new from her. I wish I had a dime for every time she’s called me a bitch. I could buy a pair of brass knuckles to use on her head.
ReaderAngel204: LMAO! Good one. I’ll get started wrapping things up. Just hang with us for a few more minutes.
Another instant message window opened up over that one. This time the message was from her current online stalker.
BookAddictedWhore. Can’t take the heat, bitch? You should be used to this by now. Seriously, are you going to write in Angelina as Nate and Gaston’s heroine because I can totally see her in a threesome.