Excerpt for It's All Relative

May

Jack knew the minute she walked into the bar. It felt as though the flow of air decreased and the temperature shot up. He didn't immediately understand the cause of the atmospheric disturbance in the room, but when he caught a glimpse of her, he knew. That is, he knew the what of the disturbance, but not the why of it.

He took a slow sip of Scotch and casually assessed the group of three looking for a table, a man and two women. The man was good looking in an Ivy League sort of way: button down collar, sweater wrapped around his shoulders, clean-cut. He had his arms slung over the shoulders of a tall blonde and a medium height brunette with short, curly hair. She was the one who caught Jack's eye. They laughed and chatted like old friends and in a few seconds the man walked toward a table near the door to the outside deck, pulling the women along with him.

It was still too chilly at Nags Head to sit outside, but the drapes were pulled back and late afternoon sunlight brightened the room. Jack sat alone on a stool at the bar and watched the threesome covertly, interested in their actions but unsure of why, exactly. His attention was pulled to the dark haired woman, who happened to take a seat facing him. Her oval face was framed by dark brown curls ending just below her chin. She had a pert nose and a very full mouth that she opened unabashedly as she laughed fully. Jack was sure there wasn't an inhibited titter in her. He sensed instinctively that when this woman enjoyed herself she went full tilt, and that was appealing. He couldn't tell what color her eyes were, but he imagined, even from across the room, how they would sparkle when she was amused. She wore jeans that conformed to a very trim, compact body and a white long-sleeved blouse with the collar turned up. A tweed jacket topped it all. She looked totally at ease, crossing her legs and leaning back in her chair or forward across the table, when she was making a point to one of her companions in their conversation.

Jack was perplexed because he couldn't put a finger on just who she reminded him of. He did remember seeing the three of them earlier in the day at the Hatteras lighthouse. She had attracted his attention then, but of course, he never thought he'd see her again.

Intriguingly, she was a combination of Audrey Hepburn and Lauren Bacall-innocence and sizzling sexiness, all in the same body. He normally liked his women tall, buxom, blonde, and absolutely independent, ensuring there were no entanglements when his interest waned, as it always did. So he was perplexed by whatever it was about this little brunette that kept drawing his eyes back to her.

The group appeared to be having a good time. They finished off their second drinks and still Jack couldn't tell which of the women was actually with the man. He was debating whether he should just throw caution to the wind and ask the bartender to send over a drink for her with his compliments, when their party broke up. To his relief, as they were saying goodbye, the man took hold of the blonde's hand, and seemed to leave the brunette in the bar. Alone, she ordered another screwdriver and took it out on the deck. Jack wasted no time in venturing out with his own drink.

The bar was located on the third floor of the hotel, so that the deck extended over the sand and provided an unobstructed view of the ocean. Higher dunes stretched out to the right and left of them, but from where they stood the pounding waves supplied an ever-changing display of the Atlantic's power. He stood near the middle of the deck, she at one end. She watched the ocean and the antics of the gulls as they soared overhead. He surreptitiously watched her.

"It's a little cool, but still beautiful, isn't it?" He spoke into the air, as though he were simply saying the words out loud.

She glanced at him then turned back toward the water. "Yes, it is." Her voice was soft and had a delicious drawl. So sexy.

"Are you staying here at the hotel?" He turned to look at her as he spoke.

"Yes."

Well, this wasn't getting him very far. "I am too. I came down for the weekend. I'm actually down South for a conference in Norfolk, but I wanted to see the famous Outer Banks and the Hatteras lighthouse. I think I saw you there this afternoon, didn't I?"

Now she looked at him with suspicion. "Perhaps. Excuse me." She turned to leave.

"Wait! I'm sorry. That came out all wrong. I'm not a stalker or a crazy person. I was just sitting in the bar when you came in with your friends and remembered that I had seen you at the lighthouse earlier today. I didn't mean to upset you. Please stay."

She hesitated briefly, studying him. "Well, you just stay down there and I'll stay down here."

Jack kept his eyes on her as he dutifully backed up two steps.

She answered his question, surprising him after her 'keep your distance' declaration. "Yes, I was at the lighthouse this afternoon. Was it your first visit?" She lightly shook her head, as if chiding herself. "But of course. You've already said that you had wanted to visit here, as if it was your first time. Are you enjoying Nags Head?"

"I just arrived this afternoon and headed right down to Hatteras, but I'd have to say that I'm glad I came. And getting gladder all the time." She gave him a haughty look, but he smiled slowly and dazzlingly. She seemed impervious, simply nodding at him and turning back to the ocean. He cautiously edged his way closer to her. "You must not live here or you wouldn't be staying at the hotel, but you're obviously a Southern girl. Where are you from?"

"Well now," she drawled, with a cold smile, "we Southern girls don't like to give away too much information about ourselves to strangers. Suffice it to say that I am indeed from the South, just as it's obvious that you're not. Where are you from? New York, I'd guess."

He chuckled. "I didn't know it was so apparent. What gave me away? I know I left my Yankees ball cap and the tie with the Statue of Liberty embroidered on it in my room."

That brought a real smile to her lips. "I guess I'm not the only one with an accent around here. And I studied in New York, so I've had some experience with the area."

"You did? Where did you study?" He had gotten close enough to her to see that her eyes were deep chocolate brown. Doe eyes, soft and innocent. She looked even more appealing than she had sitting across the room and he felt a compulsion to get to know her better. Jack noted that she wore small gold earrings, a bracelet and a watch, but no ring on her left hand. Feeling a surprising rush of relief, he stuck out his hand. "My name is Jack, by the way."

She looked at his hand as though trying to decide what to do about it. Jack halfway expected her to ignore it or, if she took it, to briefly touch his fingertips. Instead, when she took his hand she grasped it firmly and gave it a good shake. Pure electricity shot up his arm. He heard her gasp, then she stepped back, pulling on her hand and leading Jack to assume that she had felt the same jolt that he had. He held on to her, resisting her attempt to escape. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly opened. He saw her look of surprise and how her eyes had darkened.

"What just happened here?" he asked. He set his drink on the railing, then took hers from her left hand and put it there, too. Gently, he pulled her toward him, bending to brush his lips against hers. His body tightened immediately when he heard a soft sigh come from her. He wrapped a hand under her ear and around the back of her head, holding her in place as he pressed his lips firmly against hers.

Suddenly, with her taste in his mouth, he wanted more. Her left hand gripped the railing as if to ground herself, and she moved her lips hesitantly against his. It was when she lightly stroked her tongue across his bottom lip that he jumped slightly, and she pulled back.

This time when she tried to take her hand, he let it go. She took a deep breath, glanced quickly at him and picked up her drink. Without a word, she opened the door.

"Wait a minute," he barked. "What's your name? Can I see you again this weekend?"

"Sally. Sally Jean. And I don't think that's a good idea. Enjoy the rest of your time here."

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Reviews for It's All Relative

"What a hot story! It's All Relative starts out with a bang and keeps getting hotter and more interesting. Kyle and Geneva have this great chemistry as Sally and Jack, but the chemistry between their real characters is unbelievable. Yet because of their shared past or perhaps in spite of it, both fight what they have, even though deep down they don't want to. I spent the entire novel alternating between agreeing with them and wanting to knock some sense into them. I refuse to spoil the ending, but the surprise twist makes It's All Relative a must read.
I think the one thing the endears this story along with Ms. Knight's other novels is the way she captures the true spirit of Southern women and men. Most of the time, the women are portrayed as airheads and the men ignorant hicks. Yes, there are a quite a few of those in the South, but Ms. Knight captures the independence, sense of self, and determination that sets Southern women and gentlemen apart. This in addition to her wonderful storytelling will keep me reading Dee S. Knight's books for years to come." - Ayden Delacroix, In the Library Reviews

"It's All Relative is a quick read that will keep you laughing as you turn the pages. The characters will give you a merry chase through most of the book. Geneva is a great character; she is lively, and entertaining. She is both sassy and independent. Kyle seems to be a person who is always in control. Geneva is able to make him realize that she could make her own decisions. This is a great romance." - 4 stars, Pat McGrew, Timeless Tales

"Author, Dee S. Knight paints a solid story dipped in romance, with more ups and downs than a roller-coaster ride--a page turner all the way through. It's All Relative is a steamy story you'll find hard to put down until you've finished the very last sentence." - 5 hearts; D. Elise Newman, The Romance Studio

"Very engaging characters, interesting discussions and relationship dynamics, lovely setting, lots of humor, and HOT love scenes. Following Kyle Ross and Geneva (or was that Jack and Sally Jean?) through their whirlwind meeting, parting, reunion, and... was a lot of fun. Oh, did I mention hot phone sex? There. I just did." - Hurricane Val, Reader

"I have read It's All Relative and Impatient Passion - and highly recommend them. Although they are both contemporary erotic romances, and there are some hot sex scenes (especially Austin's encounters with a mystery stranger on a crowded bus in Impatient Passion, these books are not just all about sex. You get involved with the characters and their building relationships - the stories are full of emotion, passion and depth. Ms. Knight is a talented writer - you won't be disappointed in her books." - Pam P., A reader

"I really enjoyed this funny, offbeat novel by Ms. Knight. ...I would definitely recommend this story to fans of quirky, sexy contemporaries." Denise Powers, Sensual Romance

"IT'S ALL RELATIVE is a kissing cousins story that has a few twists. It's a hot, emotional romance that you won't want to put down; a quick, funny, offbeat romance that you don't want to miss. The characters are very true to the story. Geneva is strong and independent with sassy thrown in for good measure. Kyle is a man who knows what he wants and works towards getting his goals. This is a great sexy contemporary." - Sensuality: Explicit sex. - Sensual Romance

"IT'S ALL RELATIVE takes a kissing-cousins story and turns it into a hot, emotional and surprising romance… I couldn't put down my e-reader and stayed up late to finish because I had to know how these two figured out they were in love and what they'd do about it." - Vanessa Hart, author of LOVE LESSONS and HAPPY CAMPERS, Liquid Silver Books http://www.vanessahart.com

"Geneva is quite the character. Her get up and go is invigorating, and keeps her dialogue lively and entertaining; she’s sassy and independent. Kyle is warm and quick with a retort. ...A nice formula with all the makings of hot romance..." Connie - A Romance Review

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