Free Modern Girl's Guide to One-Night Stands by Gina Drayer Page A

literary women’s fiction to, as she termed it, smut. She wrote under a pen name so her family and friends wouldn’t find out. Her father, the esteemed Senator Richard Shelton, would have a stroke if he knew his daughter was a bestselling erotica author.
    “This is my weekend to blow off before I really start working. I’d like you to read my current draft. I could really use another set of eyes before I start editing. Why don’t I download a copy for you and you can give me some feedback?”
    “I’m not sure I’ll be much help. Your stuff is a little outside my comfort zone.”
    Megan sighed and leaned closer. She obviously didn’t want Peter to hear, so Julia leaned in conspiratorially. “I promise it won’t burn your virgin eyes. It's just sex. Please read it and let me know what you think. I trust your opinion.” As Peter strolled back to the chairs, Megan raised her voice. “I’d like to have some fun this weekend. Peter and I haven’t had a chance to just hang in forever. I want to hear everything you’ve been doing since Christmas.”
    Megan and Peter started exchanging random funny stories from their lives in a stunning display of one-upmanship, totally forgetting Julia was even there. Not that it bothered her. As a matter of fact, she saw it as an opportunity to slip away.
    Following the deck as it wrapped around the house, she scoped out the landscape. There was a lot to work with, and she started to catalog the list of photos she wanted to try.
    Megan might want to take the weekend off, but Julia had to start working tonight. They were only here for two months and she was planning some photos of the full moon over the lake. She looked up into the clear blue sky, and decided tonight would be her best opportunity. Who knew what the weather would be like in July.
    She thought long and hard about what she wanted to show at the gallery. She thought about doing some artsy tilt-shift photos of the small lake town, but it seemed too gimmicky. So instead she settled on a series of night photos of the lake and possibly a few nature shots.
    Julia had really wanted to do some portraits, but that could wait until her next gallery showing. And there would be a next, she was sure about that. Luke hadn’t outright told her to quit her “hobby,” as he called it, but he’d been one of her biggest critics. He’d always found fault in her work, until Julia finally decided she wasn’t good enough to be a professional artist. It was Megan who’d sent her work to the gallery. And much to Julia’s surprise, they had offered her a showing. Megan believed in her, and Julia wasn’t about to let her down.
    After coming up with a good plan for the next few weeks, Julia realized she was starving and headed back to where the others were still engrossed in conversation. “I’m going to throw together some sandwiches. Have any special requests?"
    “Oh, you have to make your grilled cheese. You know, the one with the apples. I made sure to get everything you’d need.” Megan turned back to Peter, a gleeful light in her eyes. "Julia is a brilliant cook. She makes this white cheddar, apple, and caramelized onion grilled cheese that’s to die for. It’s the best thing you’ll ever put in your mouth. Almost orgasmic.” With her eyes hooded, Megan made a soft moan in the back of her throat.
    Peter watched her intently, a soft flush covering his cheeks. He licked his lips and it looked as if there was something more there than friendship. Coming back to himself, Peter glanced back to Julia and gave her a sheepish grin, shrugging. She couldn’t tell if he was apologizing for Megan's behavior or his response to her display.
    Julia smiled back, enjoying his embarrassment. Julia rolled her eyes and played along with Megan. “I finally understand the real reason you asked me out here this summer. You’re using me for my food.”
    “Don’t you know it, baby,” Megan said, wagging her eyebrows. “Now get in the kitchen,