| Copyright
© 2005, Melissa
Schroeder Reviews For HANDS ON TRAINING by Melissa Schroeder Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 "Mel Schroeder puts her humor to work in HANDS ON TRAINING. If you don’t already know these two, you’ll definitely fall in love with them and want to read about their beginning in THE HIRED HAND. Follow them as they go through a week of torture and the aftermath when they arrive back home. I couldn’t put this one down and it is definitely a recommended read and a keeper. Thanks, Mel, for such a delightful book!" By Romance Junkies Reviewer Claudia McRay This
is a short story (50 pages) that answers the reader’s question,
“What happens to Joey and Heath?” It’s a much lighter
story than that of Marlow and Liam, but quite amusing. The characters
of Joey and Heath are obviously conflicted – each hides feelings
from the other because of their work relationship, and can only let
go and demonstrate their feelings under exceptional circumstances. Unfortunately,
the action feels rushed because of the short format. The male/female
sex scenes are quite explicit, and include a great deal of affection
between the participants, and a little light bondage. I found this a
great light read to while away the time on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Melissa Schroeder’s Hands On Training is a definite keeper. The intense emotions between Joey and Heath balance the fierce sexual chemistry the two share. Ms. Schroeder has a wonderful sense of humor that displays itself quite often through the book. Reviewed by: Tewanda 4 Angels Sample Chapter For HANDS ON TRAINING by Melissa Schroeder Joey couldn’t stand the man. She couldn’t stand the way he talked. She definitely hated the way he dressed. She loathed the way he always questioned her opinion. But nothing irritated her more than the fact she wanted him in bed, preferably beneath her. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the object of her thoughts, Heath Campbell. He’d stretched out in the seat beside her on the plane and passed out within five minutes of taking off. How he fit his six foot four inch frame into the coach class seat, let alone sleep, she didn’t know. She wanted to wake him up, just so she could pick a fight with him. A full week in Florida working with him was going to suck, and not in a good way. When Liam had informed her she would be working her first onsite consulting job, she’d been so thrilled, not knowing she would have to be trained by Heath. The man who was convinced she didn’t have a brain in her head. She looked at him again. Joey knew she was attractive. Almost six feet with a head of curly blonde hair, and the legs of a Vegas showgirl made her irresistible to most men. She usually had her pick of dates. For some reason, she hadn’t been attracted to anyone but Heath in a good long while. There was something so...well mouth-watering about him. Heath wasn’t one of her pretty boys, as Marlow called Joey’s dates. He was far from it. Six foot four, chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes that changed with his moods, he was a big-boned man with a square jaw and a boorish personality. But every now and then, she would see him smile. Just a small curve of his lips, and she melted like ice cream on the pavement in July. She sighed and looked out the window. At some point, she needed to get laid. Because if she didn’t, she really didn’t want to think of the consequences of going two months without sex and being cooped up with Heath. They were all wrong for each other. And since Marlow had married Liam, Joey had started thinking about finding a man for more than a few laughes. The plane hit a bit of turbulence, rattling the glasses and disturbing most of the occupants. Not Heath. He shifted his weight, curling closer to her, and laid his head on her shoulder. Instantly, every nerve ending in her body went on alert, tingling with awareness as the scent of his bayberry cologne and his body heat wrapped around her. Her heartbeat increased. She shrugged her shoulder, trying to dislodge him. He snuggled closer and placed his hand on her stomach. The muscles beneath his hand bunched and tightened. Heat curled in her stomach and then slid to between her legs. She shifted her legs and realized her panties were already damp with her arousal. She drew in a shuddering breath and moved her shoulder again, but his hand slid up her body and cupped her breast. His large palm caressed the underside of her breast, then his thumb grazed across the already hardened nipple. She licked her dry lips and took another deep breath. “Heath.” His name came out in a breathless, husky whisper. He snored louder, his thumb still rubbing her nipple. “Heath.” “Hmmm, you smell nice, baby.” His breath was hot against her neck. “Why don’t we just spend all day in bed?” His lips brushed the sensitive skin
just below her ear. She felt it all the way to her toes. Several of the passengers looked in their direction as heat crept up her neck and into her face. Heath slowly lifted his head away. Cool air replaced his body heat. “What?” he asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes. “What the hell is the matter with you?” “You had your hand on my breast.” “I did not,” he said while stretching. “Yes, you did. And although I’m not opposed to most good-looking men putting their hands on my breast, I do have a problem with my boss doing it.” He grunted while he rolled his shoulders, but said nothing else. And that was just like him. Grunt, sigh, grunt. He never answered any challenge she threw at him. Irritation inched along her spine. She crossed her arms over still aching breasts and looked out the window at the wing of the airplane. It was going to be a very long week. * * * * That’s why he’d passed out the moment he sat down. Liam had ordered him on this trip, telling him it was really important Joey get the proper training. For some reason, Heath was sure Liam meant a different type of training than he would like to give her. He looked over at her and inwardly groaned. Jesus, he’d been having the best dream, his hand on her breast, the taste of her skin on his lips… His pants drew tighter over his erection as another rush of blood shot straight to his cock. Damn. He shifted, his size twelves bumping into her feet. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and shifted her feet over. That smart ass attitude should piss him off, but all it did was turn him on even more. Every day was a trial of control. The woman got under his skin, itching and scratching, and drove him nuts. By the end of the day, he was amazed he could function because any time he spent in her presence meant he had no blood in his brain. “Have they served dinner yet?” he asked. She shook her head but said nothing. This was going to be a shit job, he just knew it. His reaction to her when she was dressed was bad enough, but he overheard Marlow and Joey discussing Joey’s new bikini. Joey in nothing but a few pieces of spandex and all that honeyed skin laid bare for him to see... He was a masochist, no doubt about it. * * * * “We have about a two hour trip to La Boca Vista,” Heath said, without looking behind him. The man was walking around as if the heat didn’t bother him one bit. And it probably didn’t, because he wasn’t human. “So, it’s out in the boonies?” They’d reached the car, a very boring sedan, and he punched the button to pop the trunk. He picked up his suitcase and then took hers from her. “If you mean it isn’t in the middle of a huge city, then no. It is sort of out of the way. One of its charms, and one of the things we need to discuss with the owners.” “Can we pick up something to eat?” He stopped and looked at her across the top of the car. His hazel eyes narrowed and he frowned. And, idiot that she was, she felt a roll of heat that had nothing to do with the temperature tumble through her. When he looked annoyed with her, it turned her on. Hell, who was she fooling? All he had to do was stand there and she wanted to jump his bones. “We just ate.” “That was almost an hour ago. And I need something to drink.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I can’t take this heat here.” “Aww, Ms. Vernon, I was certain this was right up your alley.” The tone of his voice irritated the hell out of her every time he used it. Sarcastic, with just an edge of condemnation to it and a small dose of flirtation. And why the fact he didn’t accept her, for whatever reason, mattered to her, she didn’t know. It was damn aggravating to know for the first time in years, a man’s opinion was important. “Do you need me to read the map?” she asked, knowing full well he would never accept her help. “No. I think I have it covered.” He pulled off his suit jacket. As he stretched, his white shirt tightened, clearly defining his chest muscles. She licked her lips thinking of running her hand across his chest, and then down past his abs… Dammit, there she went again. She hurried and sat in the car, trying to ignore her hormones popping all over the place. She drew in a deep breath and tried to get her body under control. That did not one bit of good. The scent of his cologne intensified in the heat inside the car. The heat sliding through her balled up in her stomach and then sank lower to between her legs. She shifted in her seat, trying to ease the tension. Her panties rubbed against her clit and she bit back a groan. Lord, this was going to be one long trip. When they were finally on the road, she settled back in her seat and closed her eyes. The overly cool air of the car’s AC washed over her heated skin and she shivered. If she could sleep for a bit, maybe she wouldn’t be so cranky. * * * * As he unfolded the map, Joey shifted in her seat. She’d been asleep from the moment he’d hit the road and she hadn’t moved much at all. As she woke, she stretched her arms over her head and hummed. The sound of it sank into his bones, and sent a vibration up his spine. Her breast pressed against the fabric of her dress, her hardened nipples clearly outlined. Instantly, his blood rushed to his groin. The sudden pressure caused him to tighten his hands on the map and he almost tore it in two. “Where are we?” Her voice was husky from sleep. He swallowed. “Not sure. I followed the directions, but we seem to be in the middle of nowhere.” She rubbed her eyes, then looked around. “Wow, you ain’t kidding.” Heath grimaced. The two lane highway was deserted. Pine trees and brush lined both sides. The clouds blocked out much of the moonlight. It cast the scene with an eery quality. Of course, from the sound of thunder, they should be in the middle of a downpour at any moment. He studied the map and realized he’d followed the directions correctly. He had a sinking feeling about this assignment. It started the day Liam told him Joey was coming with him on the trip. Refolding the map, he said, “Well, it seems I was following directions just fine. The owner said they were sort of secluded.” One perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose but she didn’t say anything. He knew what she was thinking, because the same thoughts were going through his head. This was not looking like the best of assignments. He pulled back up on the highway and continued down the road. Fifteen minutes later, the heavens opened up and a torrent of rain hit them. The lightening grew in frequency while hail bounced off the hood of the car. “You know, I’m not the most optimistic person, that’s Marlow’s job, but this is not looking good, Heath.” He glanced at her. There was an underlying thread of fear in her voice. The need to soothe her rose so fast, he couldn’t bat it away. “Come on, Joey, it will only take a few more minutes and we’ll be there.” She looked out the window, drew in a deep breath and sat up straighter. “If it takes longer than that, you’re turning this car around and heading back to Ft. Myers. I don’t look forward to gators looking for a midnight snack.” He fought the urge to chuckle. Before he could respond, a stream of light broke through the trees. “Looks like we won’t have that problem.” The leather seat crunched as she sat forward to peer out the windshield. He drove around a curve, careful of the rising water on both sides of the road. As they rounded the bend, the resort came into view. It wasn’t a five star hotel, not yet, but it did have potential. The white stucco building stood out amongst the tall pine trees and muddy mess of the front driveway. As soon as he parked the car, a short, wiry man ran out to them. His wide, heavily-lined face was split into a smile. He was dressed in a yellow rain slicker and held an umbrella. “Mr. Campbell?” Heath nodded. “Oh, good. We were getting a little worried about you. That road can get covered with water pretty quickly. I’m Harry Sanders. Welcome to La Boca Vista.” Harry had his hand on the door handle, but Heath stopped him. “Ms. Vernon needs that more than I do.” His rheumy eyes shifted to Joey and then widened. Without another word, he hurried around the front of the car, slipping a bit in the mud, and opened Joey’s door. She stepped out of the car. Heath had to smother a laugh when he watched the other man swallow visibly. She stood at least two inches taller than Harry, even as she sank in the mud. “Excuse me.” He could hear her husky voice even over the rain pounding on the car roof. “Oh…oh. Sorry.” Harry stepped back and trailed after her, another convert for her cult. The woman collected them with just a smile and a walk. He should know. She’d been driving him crazy for about a year. He stepped out of the car, the cold, heavy rain making it hard to even stand up straight. Slamming the car door, he jogged to the front entrance of the hotel. He slipped a couple times, almost embarrassing himself by falling flat on his face. Thankfully, he made it to the door soaking wet, but with mud only on his pants and shoes. The moment he walked through the door, the cool air washed over him. He shuddered as a chill inched down his spine. Damn, it must be no more than sixty-eight degrees in the place. With his wet clothes clinging to his skin, he strode forward. Joey stood frowning at the desk clerk and Harry. Barely wet with only her shoes muddy, Heath had no idea why the woman had a reason to be pissed. He had been driving for the past few hours, while she slept and was dry. “What’s wrong?” She turned and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “There seems to be a problem.” “What’s wrong now? Don’t they have a suite for you?” He didn’t even bother to hide his sarcasm. The woman was high maintenance. It was one of the reasons he didn’t want her on this trip. The other had to do with the fact that even now, he’d be happy to have her flat on her back beneath him. “Oh, no. They have a suite. The honeymoon suite, in fact. But there is one, little, tiny problem.” He was tired, hungry, and so freaking cold, he was ready to scream. Drawing in a deep breath, he calmed himself down. As soon as he had his temper under control, he asked, “What the hell’s the problem?” “Well, dear heart, it’s the only room left.” |