So I had every intention of having my blog post up this morning before everyone woke up and headed this way. Unfortunately, Fate must have decidedto have fun with me today because as soon as I opened the laptop, I noticed that it had been restarted in the middle of the night, and Vista updates were loaded. Normally, that wouldn’t be an issue, because I’m impatient and would much rather do updates when I’m not around than have to sit there and watch the computer do its thing, leaving me twiddling my thumbs.

As you noticed, I said normally. This morning, I wanted to hop on a plane, go to Microsoft headquarters and strangle their programmers that decided Vista needed updating. I spent 10 hours trying to fix my computer. 10 hours of being unable to open any programs, restart my computer, or even log out. I couldn’t even do a system restore or burn documents to disc. Finally, after hours and hours of frustration, I tried restoring the computer in Safe Mode. Woohoo! It worked.

It’s so irritating to be at the mercy of things like this. I am a Laptop junkie. I’m on it all day and evening. When my computer isn’t working, I’m at a complete loss. I have to say, if I hadn’t managed to get the computer working, I might have started going through email withdrawels. I don’t know how I survived before getting my first laptop two years ago. I can’t even imagine not having it. All that leads me to my question or you all. What can you absolutely not live without? I’ll pick one random name out of all those that leave a comment on this post. The winner will receive their choice of either the Triad Series in Print or Worlds Apart: Taken in print.

Because Waiting for Willow releases tonight at eXtasy Books, I thought I’d also post an excerpt. Here’s a naughty scene for your reading enjoyment.

Quinn had to taste her. He scooted down the bed and let his lips worked a sensual path from the bottom of her foot, up the back of her leg, over her thighs, making her tremble beneath him. As Derek’s tongue plundered her mouth, he wanted to do the same with her pussy, eating the sweet cream he could see coating her pussy lips.

She quivered beneath their touch, her entire body vibrating with need. He kept things slow – kept teasing her with his touch. He moved to nip at her ass with his teeth and she started, gasping into Derek’s mouth. Quinn’s lips then brushed over the bite, soothing away the sharp sting with his tongue. He couldn’t wait to give her a mating mark, to bite down upon her flesh until he drew blood, creating a permanent bond between them—but that was for later.

Derek’s hands moved to cup her breasts. She moaned as his fingers squeezed and massaged the lush mounds, tugging and pulling at her diamond-hard nipples. The more Derek stimulated the rosy peaks, the stronger the scent of her arousal grew.

Quinn slid two fingers into her pussy from behind, amazed at how tight and wet she was, how she gripped his fingers as though reluctant to let him go. Already, with just the barest amount of foreplay, she was almost ready to take them inside her. She groaned, pushing her hips back to take more of the thick fingers. She shuddered from head to toe as he gently thrust them in and out, stretching her as he went. He was a big man and he didn’t want to hurt her during their mating.

“She’s so hot,” Quinn murmured, and Derek’s fingers joined his between her thighs.

Derek slipped his fingers into her channel along with Quinn’s and her legs quaked. She gripped Derek’s shoulders, moaning. Again, her heightened arousal perfumed the room, thickening the pheromone-rich air. With every inhale, his dick grew harder and his wolf grew more difficult to control. Soon, he’d have no choice but to mount her. He just hoped that she’d be ready to take him by then.

“Does it feel good, baby?” Derek whispered.

Quinn held his breath. This was the first test. Would she answer Derek with the truth?

She nodded, apparently completely beyond any kind of coherent speech. Her fingers clenched at the flesh of his arm, digging in and leaving half-moon shaped impressions in his skin.

Quinn lightly slapped her ass. “Answer him, Willow.” It was an order. Would she follow it? Holding his breath yet again, Quinn waited to see what Willow did next. It was all up to her to say exactly how their relationship proceeded, but he hoped—no, prayed—she had the strength to give over the control they needed.