#i own this and its all holics fault!!!!

[floorpancakes]

having a little look at some of my treasures just cause

[readerinsertfanfiction]

Work-a-holic

Fandom: Haikyuu!!!

Character: Tsukishima Kei

Prompt: First impressions are lasting impressions and this holds especially true between you and your new colleague, Tsukishima Kei.

Part 1 | Part 2

It has been one week since you started. One week after meeting Tsukishima and Yamaguchi as your direct colleagues. One week in which the merest eye contact earned a scoff from the other, in which ‘good morning’ became mere scowls to each other, and in which a cup of coffee wasn’t even enough to salvage the morning mood you incited in one another.

Shortly put; it has only grown worse since your first day. And it did nothing but bad for your teamwork.

“Ah, Tsukki, can you—“

Yamaguchi gulped at the glare he was given, another careful eye shot into your direction.

“Uhm, [Name], are you—“

A grump from your side earned a flinch from the male, who then drew a heavy sigh. The project you had been assigned to wasn’t an easy one. Next to navigating your way around in the office, and the overall awry teamwork there was a lot of work to be done. Work that the three of you simply couldn’t get to as a team, let alone individually.

“We have a meeting with Kiyoko after lunch!”

The tapping of fingers working away over the keyboard silenced, the tense mood in your office growing even denser as a shared anxiety settled in.

“But we haven’t completed the storyboard yet,” you started, realising how bad this was going to look for everyone if you didn’t deliver at the meeting.

“You haven’t finished, you mean,” Tsukishima clicked his tongue, an annoyed expression crossing his face as he crossed his arms.

“The designs aren’t ready either!” you flared back, knowing full well that you weren’t the only one who was behind on work.

“Only because you are dawdling!”

“And you can’t work independently?”

“Stop pushing off the blame.”

“Says you?”

The accusations only stopped when Yamaguchi slammed his fists on the table, startling the both of you. Heaving a sigh the male slumped his shoulders, cowering a little at the sudden attention he got before straightening up.

“I already discussed this with Kiyoko. Since we all just started and [Name] is still getting used to the job,” he starts off calmly, earning a look of delight from you, hope shimmering in your eyes.

“However!” the male quickly interrupted, willing the two of you to stay quiet, “she was only willing to extend it until Monday morning, first thing.”

The implications of it were dreadful, as you froze, quietly realising what needed to happen on a short notice.

“Overtime on a Friday. Bad luck,” Tsukishima clicks his tongue, eyes averting as he resumes his work. “Better get going then,” he states matter-of-factly.

It wasn’t so easy for you, however. You had already made plans with your friends to meet after work, eager as you were to vent about one particular colleague that sat across from you. Obviously you would have to cancel. A thought that didn’t please you too much, as you had been looking forward to catching up.

Though, you did know that you had a lot of work, and that the reason for its accumulation was at large your own fault.

So much for boasting around about your teamwork skills.

You really had to get over yourself already. You couldn’t continue this, or else this wouldn’t be the only time you would be doing overtime on the weekend.

The sun was already setting the next time you looked up, your colleagues slowly streaming past your desk to say their goodbyes before heading out towards their own freedom. Soon, only the three of you are left in the office, earning a collective sigh from everyone.

“I see the three of you are well-synchronised.”

Startling the three of you Kiyoko appears in the door opening, an amused smile playing around her lips as she walks in. “I came to drop off the keys. Don’t make it too late, and leave the office whole, alright?”

Her smile was charming and her concern was genuine, though the jab at the end earned a pout from you despite it all as you shot Tsukishima a glare.

“Will try,” the blond shrugs, clearly disinterested in checking his attitude as he continues tapping away.

This was enough for Kiyoko, another grimace spreading over her features before leaving three store-bought bentos with you along with some drinks.

“Maybe see this as a team building exercise,” she tries to reassure you before leaving.

To this you let another sigh go, wondering how you were supposed to do that when at least one part of the team was unwilling to play nicer with you. Clenching your fists, you fight the urge to glare at Tsukishima, knowing that what the two of you had really was just a childish feud.

“Ah…”

Yamaguchi coughs as he tries to get both your attention. A blush is dusting his face as he rubs the back of his head, seemingly more nervous and shy than he usually is.

“I-- I finished work, so I’m leaving early?” he says somewhat sheepishly, as if embarrassed and guilty that he had done so already when the two of you are still hard at work.

Blinking, you shoot a look at Tsukishima, a frown on your face. ‘Figures’, you think, but decide to let it go as you flash Yamaguchi a smile.

“If you’re done you’re done, don’t worry about us.”

Yamaguchi seems to flush even harder at that, a cough escaping him as he nods, bowing all the while as he stands up and cleans up his desk. “I- ah--” fumbling around with his things Yamaguchi pulls at his tie, suddenly feeling hot as he tries to gather everything. “I will see you Monday, [Name], and see you tomorrow Tsukki!”

“Don’t forget your present, idiot.”

Tsukishima’s voice rings sharp as Yamaguchi freezes in his steps. Without even lifting his eyes off his screen the blond heaves a sigh, rolling his neck to get the stiffness out.

“It is your anniversary, right? Don’t forget your present after rushing through your work,” the blond says boredly, never bothering to tear himself off his work as he berates his friend.

The surprise on your face was evident, but it was a different sort of surprise from the one that your colleague was carrying, a realisation dawning upon his face as he rushed back to his desk, pulling open one of the drawers as he pulled out a package.

“Thanks Tsukki!” the male beams at his friend one last time before running out, this time leaving you and Tsukishima alone in the office for real.

“What are you staring at?” Tsukishima addresses you apprehensively, a glare shot into your direction as soon as the door shut. Realising that you indeed were you quickly let go of a huff, your eyes rolling as you turn back to your screen.

“Just surprised, that’s all,” you exclaim, “didn’t think you cared, at all,” you continue snootily, mentally wincing at your own tone and attitude against the male.

Shrugging you off Tsukishima pauses his work for a bit, a nasty smirk shot into your direction as he leans forward.

“What? Didn’t take you to be the type to have anything to do on the weekends,” he challenges you, earning an offended look from you.

“Or were you talking about Yamaguchi’s anniversary? He has been reminding me since last month, it would be annoying to hear him complain later because he forgot his dumb present.”

Stretching himself the male thus considered the conversation ended. The taunting smile from earlier falling off like a mask as he returned his eyes to the screen.

You, in the meanwhile, had been quiet, for once taking in his taunts with something else than contempt as you kept your eyes trained on him.

“I did have plans,” you started, gauging his reaction as you pull one of the meals Kiyoko had bought towards you, “I was supposed to hang out with some friends,” you shrug. Tsukishima’s expression remained as bored as it had been before, not seeming any more invested or impressed.

Somewhere you could swear that there was a pout on Tsukishima’s face, but for what you couldn’t really tell.

[dgbookblog]

  My goodness, I am so impressed by Ella James’ unique stories and loving this Sinful Secrets Series!

First off, I have a few things to share …

My book club’s pick for the month awhile back was Selling Scarlett and not one of us managed to finish it. I didn’t realize at the time that this was the same author but had seen some raving reviews (and the cover!) for Covet and snagged it up in a heartbeat after reading the synopsis and saw it was a sports romance (my fav).

As I am notorious for reading series out of order when I hear novels are standalones, I read Covet (Sinful Secrets, #3) and loved it so much that I jumped right into Sloth (Sinful Secrets, #1).

These books are both super long – 975 total pages – and I finished them both over a five day period. My family was totally neglected and starving – lol!

Ok, moving on!

Covet by Ella James

Sinful Secrets Series, #3

Release Date: February 25, 2019

Homer Carnegie. Admit it—you know my name. Your kid’s got my e-trading card. Your husband sits up straighter when I stroll onto the TV screen. He knows I’m going to crack the bat and save the day. Even your grandma’s jonesing for my autograph. But women my age? They’re the worst. Or would that be the best?

It’s not my fault they line up at the door. They catch my balls all right, two at a time sometimes. Believe me, everybody wins.

At least they did—until the video. I heard TMZ paid a million for a bird’s eye view of Homer on his A-game. The only folks who didn’t watch with eager eyes? Red Sox management. They want me benched, or worse, shipped off to rehab.

It’s a long story, what happens next. How I end up on a boat, bound for the world’s most remote island: Tristan da Cunha. Just a speck of dust in the Atlantic.

Except my heart is there. I don’t know that when I step onto the boat. I don’t know a lot of things. What I’ll covet… What I’ll lose…

I. Loved. This. Book!

Covet put me on a five-star reading roll and was such a fantastic surprise. It had everything I love in an emotional romance, with its feisty hero and heroine, loads of angst, and a dreamy setting!

Told from both Finley and Declan’s point of views, their broken characters were so complex and the tragedies of their past and present were so emotional and many of them just gutted me. Finley and Declan’s story was intensely passionate, steamy, and completely gripping with one twist after another. I actually read it in only a few days because the suspense was killing me, and I had such hope for Finley and Declan being together!

James’ writing was just impeccable! I loved the setting on the small remote island of Tristan da Cunha, the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, and the beautiful descriptions really brought the island to life. Although the synopsis eludes to this story being a sports romance, I wouldn’t necessarily consider it ‘sports themed’, but clearly, this didn’t affect my thoughts or enjoyment of this read!

Covet was long, but personally, I liked how James brought the story to full fruition and settled my emotions. Declan and Finley’s journey was just beautiful, and I highly recommend this read!

Sloth by Ella James

Sinful Secrets Series, #1

Release Date: June 22, 2015

Dear A. – I am writing to express my gratitude for your gift. There are no sufficient words, but please accept my sincerest thank you.

Yours, R.

She writes me back. I didn’t expect that.

She tells me she’s a lover of chicken pizza and video games, a hot sorority girl with the nickname Sloth. She wants to know something about me in return. She says I owe her.

This is how she saves my life. She doesn’t even know it. We’ve never even seen each other. But I need a reason. Just one reason to continue. She becomes mine.

The anonymity is good. She doesn’t need to know me, but I need her kindness. We both live our lives: a letter here, a postcard there. For three years, I escape my demons. And then one day I’m pulled back in.

I’ve resigned myself to what I know is coming. Until the girl I’m spanking gives her safe word: Sloth.

And then the lie I’m living starts to unravel. —

Sloth is the first in my new Sinful Secrets series. Each intense, erotic story is inspired by a sin, and centered around a life-altering secret. Each “sin” stands on its own, so they don’t have to be read in order. 

Sloth is a dark mystery, so if you’re sad, read another book. This one is real, and hard. Not that kind of hard. (That kind of hard, too). Consider yourself warned. 

P.S. The book ends on a beach. That’s all I’m saying. As for an HEA, you’ll have to read and see.

My goodness, I am loving this series! I actually read Covet (Sinful Secrets #3) prior to Sloth (Sinful Secrets #1), and as they are both standalones, they take you on completely different journeys. I would definitely keep James’ synopsis note in mind before diving in, and this is also a read that is better off going into blind.

Ella James totally put Kellan and Cleo’s characters through the wringer! I’ll admit there were many times that I couldn’t totally understand their draw and connection through the first part of the story, and it threw me that Cleo felt she had nothing without Kellan. Yes, they needed each other, yes, they were perfect for each other in the end, and yes, you just need to read it to the end understand the mystery and what I’m talking about!

The writing was very good, although some parts of Kellan and Cleo’s journey seemed a little confusing. However, the way that Kellan and Cleo’s unique romance unfolded created so much angst and emotion, and this is one of those reads that I really wanted to skip ahead and make sure that my heart would survive. It barely did, but what a beautiful story!

I am so impressed by James’ unique stories and definitely look forward to reading Murder (Sinful Secrets #2), which is now available, and Gluttony (Sinful Secrets #4), release date TBA!

Purchase Covet (Sinful Secrets, #3) on Amazon TODAY!

Purchase Sloth (Sinful Secrets, #1) on Amazon TODAY!

Ella James is the USA Today bestselling author of seventeen teen and adult love stories. She’s an angst-a-holic who loves exploring difficult situations and the emotions of the people caught up in them. Also, smut. But always, always romance.

Ella’s obsessions include vanilla cream soda, hiking, other obscure, crunchy stuff like rock collecting, and the antics of her three little monsters.

To find out more about Ella’s projects and get dates on upcoming releases, sign up for her newsletter: http://www.ellajamesbooks.com/newslet… You can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage and online at www.ellajamesbooks.com. Questions or comments? Tweet her at author_ellaj or e-mail her at ellafjames@gmail.com.

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Confessions of a Serial Reader ~ Sloth & Covet by Ella James! My goodness, I am so impressed by Ella James' unique stories and loving this Sinful Secrets Series!