More Than Words: A Novella by Lilly Avalon Page B

writing this book. Being 'good' is boring. Predictable.”
     
    “I don't want to be boring and predictable.”
     
    “Then misbehave,” she says with a grin. She snaps her fingers. “I've got it. Find a guy to help guide you through the positions without actually doing the act.”
     
    “Like a sex position buddy?” I guess that's not a bad idea exactly, but what guy would be willing to practice sex positions without having sex? “Where do I find one?”
     
    Ivy shrugs. “I just come up with the ideas, not the details. You'll have to figure that part out on your own.” She downs the last of her drink. “I gotta jet. We have an early morning flight and need to finish packing before we get to bed.” She and her fiancé, Wesley, are visiting his parents in Alabama for a few days. It's the first time they've gone back since the engagement, so Sal and Margaret are very excited to see their future daughter-in-law.
     
    When she stands, she towers over me. Ivy's height is just under six feet, which is nine inches taller than I am. She has to lean down to give me a hug. She gives my arm a quick squeeze with her hand before she lets go. “Hang in there. You'll figure it out.”
     
    “Thanks, doll. Have a safe trip.”
     
    “Always do.”
     
    I wave goodbye to her and turn back to my drink. I'm not going to find my answer at the bottom of another vodka cranberry. I need to get home and stare at a computer screen, praying for the words to come. How am I so inexperienced? Why haven't I bothered to assert myself in the bedroom? I know I can be a bit shy at times, but still. I had a small circle of friends all through college that included Ivy and my first boyfriend, Finn. My relationship with him was nice, but we had little in common outside some classes, mutual friends, and physical attraction. I didn't realize until after it ended that there was no substance to it.
     
    When my phone buzzes, I'm thankful for the distraction. It's Landon, my writer friend. We met at a coffee shop several months back. I was struggling with the words for a scene in my last book and he leaned over from the table next to me and asked if I needed some help. Two lattes later and we became the best of friends. It was a welcome change of pace to have someone in real life to talk with about writing.
     
    “Howdy stranger,” I say.
     
    “Hey! I'm glad I caught you. Did you turn in my manuscript?”
     
    About a month ago, he asked me if I could get his latest novel in the hands of a publisher. “Of course I did.”
     
    “And?”
     
    “And, I don't know. Joel said he'd finish reading it this weekend. He did tell me he likes it so far.”
     
    “Oh, thank God.” The relief in his voice makes me smile. “I was worried it wouldn't meet his expectations.”
     
    “You have nothing to worry about. I read it first, remember? Joel trusts my instincts and I have great ones. You'll do just fine Landon Sinclair, most-likely-very-soon-to-be published author.”
     
    “I owe you big time, Darling. Like huge.”
     
    “You don't owe me anything.”
     
    “Nope. I owe you something. Dinner, a gift card, movie tickets. Anything.”
     
    Hearing the word “anything” causes me to straighten in my seat. My head swirls with an idea—one I probably shouldn't be thinking. I can't help it though. Ivy put it there. “Anything?”
     
    “Name it and it's yours.”
     
    “I wouldn't be so quick to say yes.”

 
    Chapter Two
     
    Maybe this was a better idea on paper. Okay, it might have been thrown out before it made it to the editor. The look on Landon's face nearly says it all, and it makes me second-guess my brain after a few vodka cranberries. The time it takes for him to respond to what I just told him cements my thoughts on this being a mistake.
     
    “So,” he says finally, drawing out the word comically. “You're going to write a bodice ripper.”
     
    I reach out and cover his mouth. “Don't be so loud.” I glance around quickly. I