Sex & Red Rocks

By Linda K Ladig

Kat the sassy Blonde, Haze the fiery Auburn have been friends for most of their lives. Co-owners, they run a flourishing art gallery in the beautiful setting of Sedona Arizona. With an important showing just days away they get side tracked by the men in their lives. Richard breaking Kat's heart, she runs off to Hawaii. Meanwhile Haze meets a blue-eyed stranger who literally sweeps her off her feet. Through disagreements and the entanglement of the men in their life, their friendship manages to survive, sometimes with tears, most times with a laugh. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy 'Sex & Red Rocks'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 17, 2013
• ISBN: 9781304723000

Book preview

Sex & Red Rocks

Sex &Red Rocks

By Linda K Ladig

An enjoyable page turner with a touch of humor and sex.

Total opposites these two independent women manage to maintain their unconditional friendship.

Friends for most of their lives, Kat and Haze have their moments, dealing with being business partners in a flourishing art gallery in Sedona Arizona to dealing with the men in their lives.

Have a glass of wine and enjoy

‘Sex & Red Rocks’

Preview:

The peaceful red rocks of Sedona were awakened by the sound of the auburn haired woman, cursing out loud.

Bitch! That fucking Bitch!

The words echo as she screams them over and over again, each time her voice growing more intense.  Stopping in the middle of the art gallery, she stomps her feet like a child having a temper tantrum, wanting to explode and take her rage out on someone.

"How could she…. the bitch!  With everything that needs to be done she flies off to Maui."

Holding her hands out as if she were wringing some ones neck, her voice drops to almost a whisper.

If only I could get my hands on her….I’d…I’d wring her neck!

The sound of the gallery door opening forces the woman to drop her hands. Shaking off her rage with a shudder she places a professional smile on her face. The smile vanishes as she recognizes Josh’s handsome face appearing from around the door. 

Unaware of her hellish mood, Josh innocently flashes one of his sexy smiles as he strolls toward her.

Copyright 2013 by Linda K Ladig

Sex & Red Rocks is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places and incidents are the products

of the authors imaginations or used fictitiously. Any resemblance

to actual persons, living or dead, events, locales, business

establishments is completely coincidental and not intended

by the author.

Cover design by: Ladig Photography

Cover Photography by: Ladig Photography 

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned in printed

or electronic form without permission from one or both authors,

except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Visit us on Facebook at Ladig Publications

ISBN 978-1-304-72300-0

www.ladigpubs.com

CHAPTER ONE

Auburn Beauty

The peaceful red rocks of Sedona were awakened by the sound of the auburn haired woman, cursing out loud.

Bitch! That fucking Bitch!

The words echo as she screams them over and over again, each time her voice growing more intense.  Stopping in the middle of the art gallery, she stomps her feet like a child having a temper tantrum, wanting to explode and take her rage out on someone.

"How could she…. the bitch!  With everything that needs to be done she flies off to Maui."

Holding her hands out as if she were wringing some ones neck, her voice drops to almost a whisper.

If only I could get my hands on her….I’d…I’d wring her neck!

The sound of the gallery door opening forces the woman to drop her hands. Shaking off her rage with a shudder she places a professional smile on her face. The smile vanishes as she recognizes Josh’s handsome face appearing from around the door. 

Unaware of her hellish mood, Josh innocently flashes one of his sexy smiles as he strolls toward her.

Hi Haze. How’s it going?

Don’t you ‘Hi Haze’ me, Josh Landers! You may be one of our bestselling artists, but today blow your glass up your ass! 

Stopping Josh puts his hands out in front of him as if warding off a demon.

Whoa there girl!

With a slight laugh in his voice he continues.

Did someone forget to take their estrogen this morning?

Josh’s eyes twinkle as he looks directly into Hazes piercing green eyes.

"Don’t start that crap Josh!  Not this morning!  Not if you know what’s good for you! 

Turning sharply, facing away from Josh, she softens her voice.

"Kat left town last night, during our busiest time of the

year. I cannot believe she would do this to me.  She knew we had an important show this week!"

Turning back around crossing her arms she looks sharply at the young man.

And do you know where she went? Oh no, not to Scottsdale only a few hours away, hell no, not our Kat!  She’s out sunning her ass in Maui of all places! 

Hazes look turns into a venomous glare as Josh stands there with a goofy grin on his face. Fully aware of what his stupid grin meant, Kats cute little ass, of course. All her life she had put up with comments about Kats fantastic butt.  ‘Your friend has a cute butt’ or ‘Her ass is so nice, do you think she would mind if I touched it’.  Son of a bitch, if she had to listen to one more word about Kats ass she was going to rip someone’s head off and throw it as far as she could.

Josh was able to read the furious expression on Hazes face, Kats ass had always been a very touchy subject.

She does have a nice little ass. Josh snickers, then teasingly blows Haze a kiss.

Not taken in by his playfulness, she leans to her left  missing the blown kiss.

You’re a real funny man Josh.  You should have been a clown instead of an artist!

And you should have been a Nun… my darling, Josh laughs.  

Haze lets a slight smile escape from her lips imagining herself as a nun. Scanning her eyes over Josh’s handsome face and tall buff body, his sexy laugh always managed to lift her spirit.  She would have found him irresistible except for the fact that she knew how damn young he was.  

Over the years, Josh had become a good friend to both her and Kat.  No matter what had happened he was always there for them. After Richard had broken Kat’s heart, it was Josh, who rushed to her side, wanting to protect her. Josh was constantly arguing about Richard attending the up-coming exhibit, persisting that Kat was in too delicate of a condition to be put into a face-to-face situation with Richard. Pleading with her to exclude Richard from the exhibit. Not  backing off, Haze told Josh that this was a business and Kat would have to put her personal life aside and act like a big girl. ‘If I have to control my temper, Kat needs to control her love life!’  Haze forced Josh into a promise to stay out of the middle of it.

Looking out the gallery window, her smile slowly fades putting two and two together.

Josh must have found out she had sent Richards invitation and he had accepted. Knowing Richard was planning to attend the exhibit, Josh had sent Kat packing. Always protecting Kat!  Damn it!  That’s how Kat always deals with conflicts, by running off.  Why should this be any different, she found out and ran. Well…so be it! 

Glancing over at Josh, her temper flares spotting a look of satisfaction in his eyes, thinking he had buffed her anger. You broke your promise to me Josh, so you can do all the work that Kat should be doing! Eyes back to the window she wonders how much Josh was really missing Kat. Judging by the love sick look on his face whenever Kat was around, it was more than just as a friend.  Closing her eyes, collecting her thoughts, Haze snarls in a pissed off tone.

Josh, either leave or get busy arranging these lights!

Turning on her heels anxious to get away from him, the soft touch of Josh’s hand on her arm freezes Haze in her steps.

Do you think she really loved him?

Was it the question or the painful tone in Josh’s voice that sent the words burning through her.  Facing Josh Haze could see his pain and strained to soften her words.

"No Josh, she was just stupid. Maybe scared, who the hell knows what she was thinking, or maybe she wasn’t thinking at all. Personally, I believe Richard set her up. He played on her emotions and used her for the gallery. It was the only way the no talented bastard could ever get his work in this gallery. Thank God it’s over. I am just glad she didn’t marry the jerk wad. She doesn’t need any more heartbreak in her life right now. A break up, she can handle, another bad marriage no."

Distracted by the sight of someone walking toward the gallery, her expression grows cold as she recognizes Richard. Her look changes to that of an animal stalking her prey as she watches him approaching the gallery’s entry door.  A sudden movement behind Richard causes Haze to divert her attention to the person seemingly following Richard.

Shit…who’s that with him…. Is that Marisa?  It is!  How dare that stupid little bitch walk into our gallery…… especially with that son of a bitch!

The expression on Haze’s face and her stance, Josh knew all hell was about to break loose. Although Josh agreed Richard deserved it, he had seen Haze loose her temper before and now was not the time. It was unfair to involve Marisa, as far as he was concerned she was just another innocent victim of Richard’s.  Just as Richard and Marisa enter, Josh decides to intervene, stepping in front of Haze slightly nudging her back, he walks toward the door greeting them.

Richard….Marisa…Perfect timing, we have all of your work boxed in the back room.  It might be easier if you pull your car around back and we can load it from the shipping dock.

With a smile Josh shakes Richard’s hand holding it as he directs Richard back out to his car, assuming Marisa was following, he holds the door for her.  Not  seeing  her he  looks back  into the gallery seeing Marisa approaching Haze. Closing his eyes with a small shake of his head, fuck it…you’re on your own Marisa, I’m not walking back in there…not with the mood Haze is in.

Closing the door he catches up to Richard telling him the easiest way to get to the shipping dock.

Surprised to find herself alone with Marisa, Haze twists her good luck ring, controlling her emotions. Giving Marisa a cold smile Haze speaks in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

Tell me…Marisa…. what does a young talented artist like you see in our friend Richard?

Quickly putting her hand up to stop a reply.

No….. No….Don’t answer…. I already know. 

Smiling as if the two of them had a secret Haze lowers her voice even more.

A good lay in bed you can get anywhere Marisa…. Personally I would have chosen a much better artist and a younger one at that.

Marisa looking at Haze with puzzlement and shock stutters.

What… are… you…?

Not letting her finish, Haze quickly cuts her off.

Let’s get to the point Marisa.  Your work is good, really good!  Kat and I have been talking about displaying your work in our gallery. Even a possible one artist showing

Stepping in closer to Marisa, Haze removes all expression from her face as she coldly states.

Until you stabbed Kat in the back!

Marisa looks at Haze with total shock.

What the hell are you talking about Haze?  What do you mean I stabbed Kat in the back?

"Oh cut the crap! If its one thing I can’t stand it’s a back stabbing, manipulating little bitch! Twisting her ring, not missing a beat, Haze knew exactly what her next move would be. The girl had a talent that not a soul could compete with and her work would make a significant contribution to the gallery. She let an ever so slight smile escape from her lips.

Marisa… Pausing, she looks Marisa straight in the eyes.

"Did you know Richard was having an affair with Kat?  Actually, it was more than just an affair, they were planning a future together.  I’m sure he was going to ask her to marry him.  Not that