Review: Splashing Good Time by Amber Skyze

Title: Splashing Good Time

           Ellora’s Cave QUICKIES Series

Author: Amber Skyze

Release Date: November 1, 2009

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Category: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Type: Kindle

Click Here To Buy NOW!

Ms. Skyze Website

Book Blurb:

Reece Collins is growing tired of her Wednesday ritual of masturbating to the sight of the so-called “pool boy” and her battery-operated friend is leaving her unsatisfied. She craves a no-strings-attached torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only one offering is ten years her junior.

Nathan Donovan has lusted over his client forever. When he happens upon her in a very compromising position, his desires swell as he plunges headfirst into the deep end to save her. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, he has to choose between walking away or spanking some sense into her.

Book Excerpt:

“You look hot!” she told her reflection. “Irresistibly hot?” Only time would tell. Strolling over to the window she dared a peak outside. He wasn’t here yet. Would he come? Certainly Steve sounded convincing enough. The fifty dollar bill she planted in his palm was enough encouragement to make an actor out of him. She stood by his side while he made the call. If she hadn’t known better, she would have believed him. She sent him on his way after the call. No need for him to stick around for the fireworks—hopefully of a sexual nature.

The undeniable sound of tires crunching on gravel, alerted her Nathan was here. And from the hurried sound of the truck coming to a stop, he wasn’t pleased. Silently she prayed her idea wouldn’t backfire. Hurrying from the room she descended the stairs, hoping to greet him at the pool.

“What the fuck!” she heard him scream.

Too late. She wasn’t quick enough. Nathan knew and he wasn’t happy. Reese slowly opened the door and walked casually over to the pool where Nathan stood looking at the water, obviously trying to figure out where the emergency was.

Whipping around he demanded. “What’s going on here?”

Lost for words Reese stood frozen in her spot. She hadn’t expected such anger. Yes, she tricked him into coming over. Maybe having Steve tell him the pool had turned an ugly color green that he couldn’t get rid of was a bad idea but she believed he’d be happy to see her. Boy was she mistaken.

“I-I-I put Steve up to it,” she confessed. “I didn’t think you would see me any other way.”

“Maybe if you picked up the phone you would have found out.” The disgust in his voice evident.

He was pissed at her. Her plan was slowly crumbling before her eyes. She couldn’t risk losing him a second time. He couldn’t walk away out of her life. She loved him. God help her she loved him more than any man she’d ever loved in her life.

“Would you have come if I had?” she challenged.

Looking away he shrugged.

“Then I was right to do what I did. I needed to see you, Nathan. You’ve been avoiding me. I’ve missed you.”

She watched him looking at the water. Was he searching for answers? Maybe there was hope for them after all.

Closing the gap between them, she touched his hand. “Please Nathan, look at me.”

He did as she asked and immediately her heart sank. Pain, deep pain, filled his eyes. Gone was the sparkle she loved so much, replaced with pain that cut to the core. Pain caused by her foolishness.

Touching his face she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“What’s done is done.” He tried pulling free but she refused to let him walk away.

“I never meant to hurt you.”

“I’m fine.”

“I wasn’t trying to compare you to Vince. It may have sounded that way at the time and I’m sorry. I love you for who you are, not because you’ve proven him wrong. It doesn’t matter to me what Vince thinks, or anyone else for that matter. The only thing that matters is what’s in here,” she said pointing to her heart. “And here.” She placed her hand over his heart.

She felt his heart beating rapidly through his tight black t-shirt. He covered her hand with his.

“Do you honestly believe you’ll be okay with what others think about us? Because as you’ve pointed out before I’m much younger than you.”

Dialogue Highlight:

Reese scanned the crowd, tuning out their idle chitchat, wishing Vince and his little plaything would move on. Silently she prayed they wouldn’t hang out with them all

night long. Spotting a familiar face in the crowd, Reese felt relief wash over her. His hair

slicked back in a tight ponytail, didn’t disguise his good looks. He wore a black tank top

revealing those strong muscular arms that had held her yesterday. She’d know him

anywhere. Waving her arms frantically, she called to him.

“Nathan! Over here!”

All eyes turned to see who she was screaming to. She watched Nathan push his

way through the crowd, fighting to get to her. She was thankful he hadn’t turned,

fleeing in the other direction after yesterday’s episode.

“There you are,” he said, scooping her into his strong arms, kissing her flat on the

lips. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Reese hadn’t realized just how tall Nathan really was until he lifted her off the

ground. Going along with his charade, she wrapped her arms around his neck and

returned his kiss. He tasted of salt and beer but the warm musky smell still lingered on

his body.

Vince cleared his throat. If it was an attempt to stop Nathan from kissing her, it

didn’t work. Nathan continued kissing her, his tongue finding its way into her mouth.

Suddenly she couldn’t get enough. She felt moisture pool around her pussy.

“Okay you two. Either get a room or come back to planet earth,” Kendra said.

Nathan released her but kept his arm draped around her neck. “Damn you look

sexy tonight.”

Again Vince cleared his throat.

Nathan turned to him. “Vince, how are you? Doesn’t Reese look scrumptious? She looks good enough to eat. Ooops, sorry. I didn’t realize you were babysitting tonight.”

Kendra and Reese doubled over in laughter.

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“Isn’t it illegal for someone your age to date a high schooler?” Nathan asked.

Reese thought she’d wet herself from the mortified look on Vince’s face. He

grabbed his girlfriend by the arm dragging her away.

Review:

Holy crap I loved this book! I am still considered a spring chicken in some circles, so you would think I wouldn’t care so much about older women in stories. And I didn’t get the impression that Reese was all that old. But … she has been divorced and single for a while. She secretly fantasizes about the pool boy, Nathan, and has for quite some time. He has worked for her for a few years and the fantasies get more delicious. But Reese is about 10 years older than Nathan and has completely stricken him from her list of possibilities, thinking that he would never be interested in her. Back to stories about older women. Who says there can’t be life after a divorce and that magical guy can’t still appear?

I can appreciate Reese’s feelings because she see’s herself as unavailable to this hot, younger guy. Honestly, I would probably feel the same way if I were in her position; especially if my ex had left me for a child twenty years my junior. So I applaud Ms. Skyze for creating a realistic character with valid concerns and feelings. But, I hate the second-guessing of self and the feelings of inadequacy due to age. Which is why I loved this story so much. Although Reese struggles with these very things, she does eventually open her eyes and say bedamned to everyone else. Except it might be too late by then.

And Nathan … well … Nathan is just about perfect. He adores Reese and has been secretly fantasizing about her for just as long as she has him. But … Nathan is in a similar predicament. He too thinks that Reese would not only have nothing to do with a younger guy, but a pool boy at that. Okay … a bit more than a pool boy, but again, misconception of self. ARGH! The saving grace is that Nathan has a bit more confidence in himself. So, you guessed it, it is pretty much left up to him to make Reese see that they can have a future together if they can get past worrying about what others think. And there may be one more slight issue … Nathan has preferences for a few components to occur in bed and Reese may not warm up to the idea. But he won’t know without giving it a try …

Their first “encounter” together is almost dream-like in the way it all happens with reality crashing in immediately after. I immediately fell in love with Nathan because of his reaction to Reese realizing what had just happened. And my absolute favorite scene is in the “dialogue highlight”. Nathan gets a chance to save face for Reese and wastes no time pouncing on the opportunity. Score! Loved him even more after that!

Reese’s best friend was my only problem with the story … at first. Her name is my own and it was hard to read in the beginning. But it didn’t take me long to become engrossed in the main characters, suddenly ending my issue with the character sharing my name. Kendra’s support toward Reese was fantastic and exactly how a best friend should act. As a supporting character, she was very likeable.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Ms. Skyze and her characters and look forward to reading more from her. This story is fast, fun, flirty, and entertaining! The characters are both endearing and believable. The reader is likely to fly through this story in no time flat, passing a bit of time in a pleasurable way. And let’s not forget the hot sex scenes. Reese and Nathan are a steamy match. This story is guaranteed to satisfy.

(EBook copy provided by author for review.)