Topaz Heat (Christian Romance) (The Jewel Series)
Page 22
What in the name of all things holy had they done? Rather, what had she done?
With a few flicks of her wrist, she turned the water on for a shower and stopped to look at herself in the mirror. She lifted her fingers to her mouth and traced lips swollen from his kisses. Her green eyes sparkled like the emeralds on her finger. Normally, her olive complexion needed the help of cosmetics to bring out any kind of rosy flush. This morning, however, her cheeks looked rosy, flushed. She felt warm inside despite the morning chill.
In her entire adult life, no other man had ever even so much as kissed her. Not once. Many men had tried to taste her mouth, but whenever they'd gotten close enough, panic would rise up and make her push them away. That typically ended the relationship. The ones who suffered that humiliation soon learned that it wasn't a onetime thing and very quickly gave up trying. As she stepped under the warm spray of water, she thought back to the night before and to her complete lack of fear.
Her husband of less than twelve hours – her husband didn't frighten her at all. When he kissed her, it occurred to her that she felt absolutely none of her normal panic. Instead what she felt was warmth, excitement, attraction. He made her feel safe. He made her feel … loved.
"Husband and wife," the Elvis impersonator had proclaimed with a shimmy and a shake. Then her husband had slowly leaned in close and taken her lips with his strong, masculine mouth as if they were the most delicate rose petals. Her knees had vanished and she felt his arm around her waist holding her up, lifting her, supporting her as she kissed his heavenly mouth.
Then, here, in this hotel suite last night on the very top floor of the Las Vegas casino, her husband had let her lead the way. It was as if he sensed that she needed to be able to control all of the activity. She never had to say anything to him or explain her fear. He just accepted her hesitations or kissed her through them. He slowly coaxed and guided and offered until she accepted. It had been so wonderful, so beautiful, that he had held her to him with her head cradled against his broad, thick chest and his strong arms around her while she wept at the beauty of it.
Her sister was going to kill her.
Reflecting on that for a moment, Maxine realized she didn't much care. She was excited, thrilled. Married!
She quickly finished showering and got dressed. After brushing her teeth and running a comb through her long straight black hair, compliments of her Native American father, she left the bathroom, again comforted by the solitude. Little nervous butterflies woke up in her stomach while she slipped into her shoes, the sight of the enormous ring on her finger distracting her with every motion of her hand.
Stalling, she straightened the bed. As she pulled the coverlet up, her ring caught the light. Running her hand over his pillow she smiled and felt a warm rush of love flow through her heart, quelling the nervous butterflies.
When she could think of nothing else to do, she opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the living room. Seeing him standing there staring out into the sunrise brought back visions of every time she had seen his face in the last three years. She thought of every time she had sketched his face. She could not believe how much had happened in the last three weeks.
The thought stopped her. Three weeks? Had it only been that long since they put her brand new husband's first wife in the ground?
Without turning to look at her, his smooth, baritone voice reached her ears. "Obviously, we need to talk."
SONG OF SUSPENSE SERIES
The Song of Suspense Series…
A MELODY FOR JAMES
MELODY MASON and James Montgomery lead separate lives of discord until an unexpected meeting brings them to a sinister realization. Unbeknownst to them, dark forces have directed their lives from the shadows, orchestrating movements that keep them in disharmony. Fire, loss, and bloodshed can't shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that will leave lives forever changed. Part one in the Song of Suspense series sets the opening cords for thrills and suspense.
¯¯¯¯
AN ARIA FOR NICHOLAS
ARIA SUAREZ remembers her first kiss and Nicholas "Nick" Williams, the handsome boy who passionately delivered that kiss right before heading off into combat. The news of his death due to enemy action is only a footnote in a long war until she learns she was his beneficiary. His parting gift allows her to pursue a lifelong dream and become a world class pianist.
Years later, Aria inadvertently uncovers a sinister plot that threatens the very foundations of a nation. Now, stalked by assassins and on the run, her only hope of survival is in trusting her very life to a man who has been dead for years.
¯¯¯¯
A CAROL FOR KENT
BOBBY KENT. His very name is synonymous with modern Country Music. He is no stranger to running from over-zealous fans and paparazzo. But he has no real idea how to protect his daughter and Carol, the mother of his only child, from a viscous and ruthless serial killer bent on their destruction.
¯¯¯¯
A HARMONY FOR STEVEN
CONTEMPORARY Christian singing legend, Harmony, seeks solitude after winning her umpteenth award. She finds herself in the midst of the kind of spiritual crisis that only prayer and fasting can cure. Steven, the world renown satanic acid rock icon who has a reputation for trashing women as well as hotel rooms, stumbles into her private retreat on the very edge of death.
In ministering to Steven, Harmony finds that the Holy Spirit is ministering to her aching soul. The two leave the wilderness sharing a special bond and their hearts are changed forever.
They expect rejection back in their professional worlds. What neither of them could foresee is the chain of ominous events that threaten their very lives.
¯¯¯¯
VIRTUES AND VALOR SERIES
The Virtues and Valor series
the battle begins in 2013 …
SEVEN women from different backgrounds and social classes come together on the common ground of a shared faith during the second World War. Each will earn a code name of a heavenly virtue. Each will risk discovery and persevere in the face of terrible odds. One will be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Introduction … Heavenly Heroines
Part 1 … Temperance's Trial
Part 2 … Homeland's Hope
Part 3 … Charity's Code
Part 4 … A Parcel for Prudence
Part 5 … Grace's Ground War
Part 6 … Mission of Mercy
Part 7 … Flight of Faith
INSPIRED by real events, these are stories of Virtue and Valor.
&&&&
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HALLEE BRIDGEMAN lives with her husband and their three children in small town Kentucky. When she’s not writing Christian romance novels, she blogs about cooking and homemaking at HalleeTheHomemaker.com.
Hallee started writing when her oldest child and only daughter was a baby, but a busy professional career and being the wife of a deployed soldier had her shelve her books for another time. Two more children, a cross country move, and God’s perfect timing brought the books back to be dusted off and presented to you now.
Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit.
She prays her books are a blessing to you and would love to hear back from you.
PERSONAL NOTE
A NOTE FROM HALLEE BRIDGEMAN…
I'M so honored and happy that you chose to read Topaz Heat.
My sincere prayer is that it blessed you.
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment online at Hallee Bridgeman, Novelist. Your feedback inspires me and keeps me writing.
May God richly bless you,
HALLEE ONLINE
Hallee the Homemaker blog
www.halleethehomemaker.com/
Hallee Bridgem
an, Novelist blog
hallee.bridgemanfamily.com/
HALLEE NEWSLETTER
Hallee's News Letter
http://tinyurl.com/HalleeNews/
Never miss updates about upcoming releases, book signings, appearances, or other events. Sign up for Hallee’s monthly newsletter.