Sunday, April 6, 2008

The Unfeasibly Tall Greek Billionaire's Blackmailed Martyr-Complex Secretary Mistress Bride: chapter 1


TUTGBBMCSMB is go! Chapter 1 is below. There will be 6 chapters in all and I've got some people *tentatively* lined up to do a chapter. If you want to play - let me know.

These are the rules:-

1. Each chapter will be posted on the blog of that chapter's author (if wished), and here at my place. Each chapter will appear on a weekly basis (though not necessarily exactly 7 days after the last one)

2. Each chapter must contain a minimum of three elements from the title. For example, chapter 1 establishes *unfeasibly tall*, *greek billionaire*, *martyr-complex* and *secretary*.

3. Max 750 words per chapter. (Vague story outline set out after chapter 1).

4. Pastiche category-romance feel please. No surprise vampires.

5. You get one point for every time:

- Molly indulges her martyr complex
- Nico mentions his belief that Molly's a whore
- Nico cuts Molly off mid-sentence
- You make a reference to the global hummus industry

6. You get ten points for every time you use one of the following phrases

- To her consternation, Molly's nipples hardened
- What was the point? Nico never believed her!
- He came, roaring his pleasure

Let me know if you want to play. Now: sit back and enjoy chapter 1.
------------------------
Chapter 1

Molly Ordinary tried to ignore the sounds of slurping behind her. She doggedly typed on, concentrating on the sound of Nico Lefkas' husky voice coming through her earphones and trying to ignore the real-life Nico, who was currently making out with Sasha Bitch, his supermodel girlfriend in the doorway of her office.

"Nico, you're such a stud," Sasha giggled in her breathless-sex-kitten voice and Molly gritted her teeth, suppressing a curse as she realised she had misspelt "chick peas" for third time in five minutes.

Nico laughed and the slurping started again. It was several minutes before Nico spoke.

"I've got to go, Sasha" he drawled. "I need to be at the airport in thirty minutes. I'm flying to Athens in my luxury private jet for a global hummus conference. "

"Oh Nico!" Sasha pouted. "Well, call me as soon as you get back."

The click-clack of stiletto heels told Molly that Sasha had left, but she had no intention of turning round. She wouldn't be able to stand the self-satisfied smile on Nico's face.

She typed on, frowning with concentration. She was trying to complete a pie chart illustrating global hummus consumption patterns when Nico drew her earphones off and whispered in her ear, "Well, Miss Ordinary, have you finished typing up my talk yet?"

His hot breath on her ear made her jump. She hadn't realised he had gotten so close. To her consternation, Molly's nipples hardened. She didn't dare look round. Instead she stared at the pie chart. Did they really eat that much hummus in Austria? It seemed a lot.

"I'm almost finished, Mr Lefkas" she said, trying to sound cool and capable . I'm just working on the Powerpoint presenta-"

"Almost?" Nico snapped, walking round her chair to face her. Molly looked up. And up. At six foot five inches, Nico towered over her - and everyone else. His black eyes were blazing, his big, toned body taut with anger. To her consternation, Molly's nipples hardened.

"Almost isn't good enough, Miss Ordinary. I don't know where your concentration has gone lately, but this isn't acceptable! I have to leave for the conference in ten minutes!"

Molly felt like pointing out that he'd only given her the talk to type up half an hour ago, but what was the point? Nico never listened to excuses. She stared at Nico's pin-striped crotch, just inches from her fingers which still rested on her keyboard.

"I - I'm sorry, Mr Lefkas - it's just that - "

"I don't want to hear excuses Miss Ordinary. There's only one thing for it. You'll have to come to the conference with me. You can finish the Powerpoint presentation in Athens."

"Can't you finish it yourself? There's only a few more slides to - "

"Absolutely not. I haven't the faintest idea how to operate a computer. Why do you think I employ you?"

"I'm sorry, Mr Lefkas. I - I can't come with you. I have other plans for this weekend. I've got to -"

"Let me guess: you have plans to engage in a range of sordid sex acts with a variety of men you barely know. Frankly, Miss Ordinary, your plans do not concern me. You will cancel your plans. This is the most important hummus-industry conference of the year and I am the keynote speaker. I need you to be there."

Molly gritted her teeth. Typical. As usual, Nico assumed that she would be spending her weekend in bed. He was determined to think the worst of her. In fact she was a virgin, and her weekend plans involved volunteering at the children's hospice. Not that Nico would ever believe that. There was no point trying to convince him otherwise. He was convinced she was a tramp.

"Fine," she snapped. "But I expect to be paid time and a half."

"You're a tough negotiator, Miss Ordinary" Nico said, his voice tinged with grudging respect. "Be ready to leave in five minutes."

Nico strode to the door, then turned.

"Oh, and one other thing,"

Molly looked up.

"I need you to pretend to be my fiancée."

To her consternation, Molly's nipples hardened.
------------------------
Storyline
chapter 1 - as posted

chapter 2 - Nico and Molly arrive in Athens; talcum powder misunderstanding (see previous post) and blackmailing of Molly into becoming his mistress (???)

chapter 3 - the squicky first-sex chapter: be liberal with the cliches; should (if possible) include one of those weird internal hymens that romance heroines have (possibly baggsied by Kate R?)

chapter4 - Further Big Mis of your choice: ideally will involve Nico assuming Molly is a skanky, drug-addled whore; may include 'forced' wedding if wished - remember, she is supposed to be pretending to be his finacee... (baggsied by Lisabea)

chapter 5 - The Big Reveal - Nico learns of Molly's true nature, possibly by coming across her at the children's hospice or in some other suitably dramatic fashion (???)

chapter 6 - This is the HEA. Depending on how things have gone with chapter 5 this could be the Big Declaration/Apology or another sex scene or - and I admit it, this would be my favourite - one of those over the top epilogues where they have four kids, two dogs and they have amazing sex on their fifth wedding anniversary. But it's up to whoever writes it of course.... (???)

A couple of other people have said they might do one but haven't baggsied a chapter. So it's first-come so to speak. And if I don't get the volunteers, I will write the damn things myself!

24 comments:

Carolyn Jean said...

I love this chapter one! That 'to her consternation-nipples line is really working here!' I also love the slurping, which I hopefully will expand on a bit if I can have Chapter TWO!! Oh, the poor orphans!

If so, it'll be up at some point in the upcoming week.

Kate R said...

Hummus! Passive-aggressive, low-self-esteem meets Alpha Bastard in the sack. Her lips will say no, no.

Oh, yes, I'm there. Chapter three. I suppose I have to wait for chapter two?

kim said...

Global hummas conference *snort* I love that!

What is hummas? When I first read that word, I thought for a minute there you were talking about Hammas (sp) ya know, the terrorist organization. That's one romance that wouldn't end well.

Great start and I can't wait to read the rest!

Ann Aguirre said...

I want chapter 5! I will curl your toes with my treacly-reveal.

Kate R said...

Hummus
1 can chickpeas, drained (I can't believe you don't use the phrase "garbanzo beans" anywhere.) Or some soaked for a bunch of hours if you're not lazy.
juice of a lemon
lotta cloves of garlic. No, more garlic. It should burn, baby.
Some tahini
Maybe some of the au jus the canned chick peas came in, if the resulting stuff isn't juicy enough.
Grind it all up then eat on pita bread

Tumperkin said...

CJ - 2 is yours

Kate R: the lips will say 'no' but the ladyparts will say 'go' (and thanks for the recipe)

Kim - see Kate R's recipe

Ann - woot! you got 5

Any takers for 6?

lisabea said...

Ok someone just wave to me when it's my turn. I'm so excited that to my consternation, my nipples are hard.


heh.

Lyvvie said...

I think my nipples just hardened. thanks to Kate for sending me over. I've subscribed.

Carrie Lofty said...

Lemme lemme lemme have chapter 6. :) It'll be fun picky up the pieces of whatever Ann's done in #5.

Carolyn Jean said...

Okay, I'm going to post chapter two tonight or tomorrow. Can I steal that graphic? It feels like it should go with that chapter, and it's so fabulous anyway.

Tumperkin said...

Yay Carrie! You can sooooooooo have chapter 6.

CJ - make free with the stolen graphic.

Tumperkin said...

Oh and CJ - remember to send to me so I can post here too.

And Carrie - since you are now co-authoring TUTGBBMCSMB, do you now wish to withdraw your previous comment regarding 'overhyped dreck'? Perhaps 'a tour de force' instead?

Devon said...

OMG, pitch perfect. I'm on Harlequin overload right now and would've asked for Chapter 5, but a real author called it. Ah well, I can sit back and enjoy. Can't wait for CJ's.

Oh, and Tumperkin I haven't forgotten about you other work. I've been really crazed.

LorelieLong said...

But what about the chapter where Sasha Bitch shows up and tells her she's not sexy/sophisticated/good enough to run in the international hummus circles and Molly decides she's right and must run away forevah!

sula said...

I'm always late to the party. wahhh.

Anyways, I can't wait to hear more about this fascinating hummus tycoon. And you KNOW how much I luuuurve martyr-complex heroines. oh yes indeedy. *snort*

I think extra credit should be given if you can work "garbanzo beans" into the story in a creative way. heh.

Carolyn Jean said...

Okay, chap 2 is up at my place!

heather (errantdreams) said...

wooooow. I'm.... speechless. jaw on floor speechless. heeeee! can't wait to read more.

Carrie Lofty said...

It's still totally over-hyped dreck, but in a tour de force sorta way. Like all my stuff ;)

kmont said...

'Kay, so I've learned my lesson: I has needs to read categories. Never have before, but between this one post and all the adoring snarkage of them over at SBTB, I clearly have been missing out.

I shall glue myself as well as one can to the internet and stay tuned!

And friggin' duh! Tahini – that's what I was missing. Did two years with a Middle Eastern roomie teach me nada?

Kwana said...

This is so funny! Wait- are my nipples hardening?

Teri Wilson said...

This is a riot! Just what I needed today. The hummus repetition is just too much. An absolute scream.

I'm subscribing right now.

Teri

Teri Wilson ~ Romancing the pet lover's soul

Christine said...

Very funny. I can't believe it took me so long to come by and read this! .... off to read Chapter 2!

Anonymous said...

I just came across this and it is genius- absolutely genius. Thank you for ending a crappy week on a really high note!

Anonymous said...

Where is the first story? Merry's story? Are you going to do the last story?