Dating-ish, an all new standalone from the USA Today bestselling Knitting in the City romantic comedy series by Penny Reid is available now!
‘Dating-ish’ can be read as a standalone, is a full length 100k word novel, and is book #6 in the Knitting in the City Series.
There are three things you need to know about Marie Harris: 1) She’s fed up with online dating, 2) She’s so fed up, she’s willing to forego the annoyance and consider more creative alternatives, and 3) She knows how to knit.
After the most bizarre and irritating first date in the history of humankind, Marie is looking for an alternative to men. With the help of her friends, she quickly identifies a few possibilities:
Need a cuddle? Use a professional cuddler. Need affirmation? Get yourself a life coach. Need an orgasm? Try orgasm meditation! Why does she need the hassle of a romantic partner when she can meet all her needs with paid services?
But then her irritating date resurfaces. And he’s not at all the person she thought he was. And he suggests a different–and crazier–solution to her dilemma . . .
As everyone knows (or will soon come to realize), traditional relations between humans are a thing of the past. Robots are our future. And if robots are our future, then why do we need other people at all?
Excerpt:
I felt fingers in my hair, moving the mass away from my neck with treasuring strokes just before Matt nuzzled the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to scatter over my skin.
βMmm.β I smiled. βHey. Jared said no tickling.β My voice sounded sleepy.
βDoes this tickle?β Matt asked softly, nuzzling me again. I felt the brush of his lipsβnot a kiss, a brushβpaired with hot breath against the bare skin of my neck and a zing shot straight down my spine, making my toes curl and a sudden hot ache twist in my lower belly.
Oh no.
I knew that ache. I hadnβt felt it because of another personβs touch in quite a long time. Nevertheless, no one ever forgets that ache.
My back arched instinctively, my bottom pressing back against his crotch, and I stiffened. I felt my nipples harden, strain beneath the cotton of my bra. I was now fully awake. No longer drowsy.
Nope.
Not even a little.
Matt stiffened, too. His movements abruptly ceasing.
βAre you okay? Whatβs wrong?β he asked, alarm coating his words, and in the next moment his hand was suspended in the air above me. βDid I touch something I shouldnβt?β
I exhaled a short, nervous laugh, gripped by the urge to sit up.
βNo. No. You didnβt.β I moved to the edge of the bed, righting myself, away from Matt, needing distance. βIβm good.β I gathered a silent breath and released it slowly because my pulse was racing.
Crap, Marie. Get a grip. Itβs Matt Simmons. Professor Matt. The big kid. Why are you reacting this way?
βDid I . . .β These initial words were hesitant, and a moment of silence stretched before he continued, his tone comically teasing as he finished his thought. βDid I arouse you?β
I snorted, shaking my head, laughing at his silly tone. Turning at the waist to peer at him over my shoulder, Matt was grinning at me, twisting a make-believe mustache between his thumb and forefinger.
But then he stopped.
βI did, didnβt I?β he pushed, his hand dropping. He looked pleased, if not a little amazed.
I sighed, feeling a smidge embarrassed, and nodded. βActually, yes. Thatβs a sensitive spot for most women.β
βThe back of your neck?β He lifted himself to one elbow, his eyes darting to my neck with keen interest.
βMy neck in general, actually.β
βHuh.β Matt frowned thoughtfully. βWhere else?β
I pressed my lips together and gave him an incredulous look. βIβm not telling you that.β
βWhy not?β
βMatt.β
βWhat if I needed it for research reasons?β
βMatt.β
βWhat if I told you it was part of our questionnaire?β He tossed his legs over the side of the bed and stood, walking around to my side and offering me his hand. βYou should give me a schematic of your body with the erogenous zones circled and rated.β
βLet me guess, you want them rated on a ten-point scale,β I deadpanned as I accepted his hand, stood, and stepped away to gain some distance and straighten my shirt.
He shrugged, crossing his arms, stalking after me. βOr exponential. I was going to say a Likert scale, but a logarithmic scale works, too.β
Chuckling, appreciative of his attempt to diffuse my embarrassment and awkwardness with the joke, I realized Matt Simmons wasnβt a bad guy. He might even be a good guy, just a little . . . peculiar.
And wants to replace romantic relationships with robots. Best not forget that detail.
Yeah, heβd make an interesting friend.
βThanks.β I gave him a small smile.
βFor what?β His eyes moved between mine.
βFor the cuddle. Thanks for the cuddle, Matt.β
βAnytime, Marie.β He grinned down at me, his eyes dancing as he leaned forward and whispered, βAnytime.β
Read Today!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2mowgNq
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/1pnSeh
iBooks: https://goo.gl/F3o9Qw
Nook: https://goo.gl/imzdIJ
Kobo: https://goo.gl/DPwGEb
Google Play: https://goo.gl/cWe2Uk
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2mG5GAc
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/707692Β
Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/VW1TxJ
Β
Meet Penny Reid:
Penny Reid is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When sheβs not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. Sheβs also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
Β
Connect with Penny:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyReidWriter/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD
Twitter: @ReidRomance
Newsletter: http://pennyreid.ninja/newsletter/