L. was one of my first beta readers. She’s the one who read Tell Me at every red light on the way to work (I’m so glad she didn’t die! Please don’t do that, okay? Wait til you get TO work, then sneak into the bathroom… actually, don’t do that either. I don’t want you to get fired). I asked her to pick some teasers for me. She said to start with:
* * *
I love her and I do not want her to feel judged.
I could tell her.
“I don’t want you to judge me,” Marie says. “And I know you never say anything. But how can you not judge me when you’re so fucking happily married and faithful and…”
I could do this. I could. I could open the Facebook app on my phone, and go into messages. Hand the phone to Marie.
She would read. She would say, “Oh my God,” and I would I hear a thunk—me, falling off the pedestal.
“Never think I’m judging you,” I would say as she read.
* * *
—Lusciously pleased.
—god i miss you
—I really didn’t think I did.
And I you. Tell me what you want. Be blunt.
—your tongue in my ear, on my neck
—other places
Curse these tight jeans.
I miss your mind. And your mouth.
And the serious tone of voice you take when you talk dirty.
—oh god
—terrified
Eager.
* * *
Now what are you going to wear for me?
—I do have these fuck-me heels that will be perfect.
—So long as I don’t have to walk anywhere in them.
Describe.
—just wait
—some things just have to be seen
Put them on.
—they’re hard to type in
—That’s how hot they are
Intrigued.
You won’t be on your feet for long
* * *
…and then, she added, “It was so hard picking! It’s all so good.” Uncritical readers. A balm for a fledgling author’s ego.
TASTE Tell Me:
Before: how it begins (prologue)
Day 1: Maybe
- Maybe: “I’m just going to enjoy knowing he’s in my pocket.”
- Danger: “I’m looking for the elevated heart rate emoticon.”
- (N-entirely-SFW) Words are dangerous: From hopeful to hard in three adjectives
- Cyber-adulteress: “I don’t want you to judge me.”
- (Totally NSFW) Tumble: “You won’t be on your feet for long.”
Jump ahead:
Day 19: Interview for an Affair
NEXT WEEK: “Tell me. What does Matt look like? I need to know.”
m jane colette 