Free Wicked Knight by Tierney O’Malley

and orange, followed by the yellow sun coming up behind the Olympic Mountains. It was like watching a new day being born. So invigorating and awe-inspiring. And it fueled her mind like grease to an engine. It helped her write better and come up with a new premise.
    Like this morning. She was wide-awake and raring to go. Sadly, not to write and watch the sun, but to face another horrible accusation her stepmother threw at her. “I don't think I'll be a good company after hearing Weatherholt on the phone. The old man called at this hour and sounded too worried. I can't ignore him.”
    “Your lawyer was born worried. Let's go back to bed.” Kirsten let out a long yawn that sounded more like a groan.
    “I wish, but there's no way I can go back to bed and sleep. I have to go home, Kirsten. Weatherholt said Marla mentioned something about me using a different name, a shameful name. I think she found out that I am a writer. You know a lot of people are opposed to erotic romance.”
    “They are bigots. There is nothing wrong with contemporary romance spiked with hot sex scenes.”
    “Right. Still, Mom was a very religious woman. Marla knew about it. So if my books are the reason why she's coming again, then I am in trouble. You know the will's stipulation.”
    “I know. If your father can prove you have done something stupid that is an embarrassment to the family name, he will then have the right to claim the remaining three quarters of your mother's fortune. The whole thing is obtuse.”
    She wanted to agree with Kirsten, but she couldn't. The stipulation was her mother's way of teaching her to be an obedient child, a good child. And she would keep the promise she gave to her mother that she could be the Julie Parrish she wanted her to be.
    “You know why Mom added the condition in her last will.”
    “Still... Anyway, you've fended off Marla's whacko made-up accusations before and you didn't even see them coming. You can do it again. You. Shouldn't. Worry.”
    Julie thought for a moment. If she followed her heart, she'd stay. She'd been looking forward to spending a week here. Yesterday was an example of how much fun she would have if she stayed.
    Nevertheless, Marla was the epitome of an evil stepmother who would do anything to get her hands on Julie's inheritance. Thanks to her wino father, Marla learned about the stipulation and was now on a personal quest to prove that she broke it. According to Weatherholt, Marla found just the reason to make her evil dream come true. His tone hinted that he strongly believed whatever bullshit Marla had told him.
    Did Marla find out about my books? God, I hope not
    Depleted, Julie adjusted the strap of the overnight bag on her shoulder. “Maybe you're right, Kirsten, but for the sake of my own sanity, I think it would be best if I go home. I am not sure if my books are Marla's reason for coming after me this time, or something else.”
    “Whatever...but if you stay here, we could think of a solution together. You shouldn't be alone in that humongous house anyway. What if Cruella shows up with her asshole son? Who would help you? Sebastian's a pervert. So stay and we'll talk about this, let's say, after five hours?”
    “Sorry, Kirsten. I have a bad feeling about this.”
    “God, Julie. Surely, Weatherholt and Marla's lawyer wouldn't consider writing romance books besmirching your family name. Your characters are wild and horny as sluts, but you don't act like them. Although, I believe the horny part is based on you.”
    “I'm not horny,” said Julie in defense.
    “Yeah? Then how do you write your hot bed scenes if you're not horny? You've got to be horny to write something like ...and with his expert fingers he stoked the fire that was slowly burning in the pit of her stomach. Heat melted her desire, turning into a sweet juice to pool in between her thighs. He suckled her—"
    “Stop. Very funny, Kirsten. I'm a writer with a very good imagination. Being able to write a bed