The reception would be held in a carriage house on the grounds of a stately mansion, weekend host to the romantic affair. Music and waiters weaved through guests during two sensational hours of cocktails and hor d'oeuvres. Mimosa in hand, Indigo and I mingled with others on the veranda.
A voice shattered the aura of refinement. "It's been a long haul, but we made it! Time to party!" I spun to see Yvonne's arm lock around Derek, who held a bottle of champagne in one hand, two glasses in the other. She waved frantically. Her humor contagious, he danced around her. They reminded me of Maine, and memories began to build.
"How's your career going, Derek?" As I called to him, I raised my glass in toast.
"I got me an agent! You'll be seeing my face ... maybe even more of me ... on magazine covers." A smile reshaped his entire face.
"Maine will never be the same." Returning my attention to Indigo, I rolled my eyes.
"Neither will my mother," he chuckled, "she loves that guy."
"I'm happy everything worked out ... for everyone. And relieved. I'm almost afraid to breathe and ruffle the air." I sipped my drink, my head filled with Indigo, my stomach with anticipation.
"Feels like we're in another world." Indigo's gaze was easy, his movements precise as he set our glasses onto a waiter's tray.
Sweet air filled my lungs, its effect much like the alcohol flowing straight to my head. "You look temptingly handsome today, doctor. Everyday actually." I ran a hand over his jacket, the fabric smooth as my words. "Emma should dress you more often."
"And you look ravishing, Officer Delarosa. I'm kinda partial to your sexy uniform, though." He winked.
"Almost officer. Six more weeks, baby, and I can legally arrest you." My laugh was soft, but my mind churned over the past. "Standing here today ... with you," I focused on Emma and Bill, smothered by loving family, "I can't help but think of all we've been through ...what we've been able to put behind us." Hands braced on his shoulders, on tippy toes, I caressed his lips with mine.
"Life seemed impossible for a while, didn't it?" He ran his hand down my back as he stared over my head to where the tree line thinned, yielding for the Hudson River.
I sighed. "But we managed to work it out."
He nodded. His arms, encircling my waist, swayed me. "You know how much I love you."
"Not half as much as I love you." I smiled up at him.
Releasing his hold, he took my hand. "Come on. Let's take a walk." His words were mellow, his eyes crystal blue, seductive as the day.
I recognized their sparkle, the one that made my body tingle, my insides quake. I wondered if we'd be searching for a barn housing bales of hay, the mere thought triggering my wild imagination, irrepressible sensations.
"Be right back ..."
"Okay ... be that way ..." I heard him chuckle as I flew across the veranda.
"Psst. I need to talk to you." Cornering Emma, I pulled her around a banquet table scattered with samplings of delicious food, wedging myself between the table and a potted plant.
"What's the big secret?" She gave me the eye, which looked a little tipsy from champagne. I was happy to see marriage hadn't changed her ... yet.
"I'm gonna take off for a while," I whispered as my eyes raked her face.
"No! You can't leave ..."
I gripped her shoulders, excitement radiating through my fingertips. "Indigo and I are taking a quick hike into the woods to get laid."
Her eyes left mine for a moment, then returned with shock, "Holy spice cake ..."
"Holy spice cake?" I burst out laughing. "In all the time we've been together, haven't I taught you anything?"
"Holy shit ... spice cake on the table? Who the fuck ordered spice cake?"
I threw my arms around her. "I love you, Emma. See you later."
As I turned to rush back to Indigo, she patted my backside: "Mierda santa guarra hermosa. Lance una pierna a su cabeza para mí." [Holy shit beautiful slut. Throw a leg over his head for me.] I stopped in my tracks and whirled. "When you get back from Phuket ... Spanish lessons Mrs. Arkana. I'll make a Latina out of you yet."
Grinning, Indigo watched me return. He reached for my hand. "What are you up to now?"
"Not much." I grinned back. "I just had to tell Emma something. So ... where are you taking me?"
"On a nature walk." When he winked, my stomach did flips.
Leaving the others behind we strolled the grounds, slipping beneath boughs of perennials clinging to vines, until the lawn grew lush and wildflowers sprouted knee-high.
In the distance I saw the horizon, the flaming glow of the slowly descending sun. "The scenery is simply amazing," I breathed as we brushed past bridal gazebos that had been reserved for rain, abandoned in sunshine.
“You are.” Indigo lifted me and whirled me in his arms. Head angled, eyes barely closing, his parting lips captured mine in a kiss that made my body throb.
When he set me on my feet, I was shaken. "Wow," my shallow voice drummed with the blood in my ears, "what was that all about?"
"Do I need a reason?" The look in his eyes heightened the intensity of the moment.
I shook my head, blinking, suddenly oblivious to the meadow spreading around us.
"So, you've lost a roommate." His eyes searched my face as they'd done so many times. They still held the magic – rousting butterflies in my tummy. "What will you do now?"
"Huh?" My struggle to comprehend fell as flat as my reply.
His face was eager, his eyes soft, and now he was ambushing me with this secretive tone. My already whirling brain was short circuiting, leaving me with no means to consider the seriousness of his intentions.
"With Emma married ... and Pete taken as well, you're on your own, little chica." He pursed his lips, clicked his tongue, stroked my bottom lip with the pad of his finger.
"I can carry the apartment on my cop's salary." I squinted up at him, my heart thudding.
"What about me? About us?" Starbursts, fragile and silver, flickered with his gaze.
"I don't think I can afford you, Jimmy," Deliberately lightening the moment, I teased, tapping the tip of his nose with a finger. I needed time to gather my thoughts, my strength.
His stare, questioning, evoking, refused to free mine.
Deciding to take the plunge, I drew in a breath. "I don't know, baby. Moving in together is a big step." I made my words leisurely as I drank in his nearness, his love.
He tilted his head, his eyes burning, and my limbs felt inadequate. There was nothing I could do to stop the rush of blood pooling in my cheeks.
"That's not what I'm talking about." His fingers slid across my throat, grasped my delicate cross, examining the gold, while his eyes examined mine.
We edged deeper into the countryside, through lofty vegetation, colorful and sweet-scented, where he pulled me into a swift embrace before the wide trunk of a tree, its writhing limbs forming an umbrella. I was backed against the crispness of bark, and his hands came down on either side, the sleeves of his jacket grazing my face, his arms barricading me.
The biting scent of pine was overwhelming. Much more than earthy heather filled the air. The woman inside me sensed the need of the man holding me captive with his eyes, his heart, his hands. Breathing deeply, I tucked my head against his chest, lifted my face.
"The very first day I looked into your eyes," he whispered and moved his head slowly side to side as if to digest what boiled inside him, "I knew there was something about you ... something special."
"Donuts?" Brows arched, I waited for the tickling to begin, well expecting more. My eyelids fluttered with a will of their own.
His feathery laugh brushed my face, balmy as the breeze. "I knew I could fall in love with you– " His piercing eyes refused to blink.
My already whirling head was short circuiting, leaving me with no means to think.
"Crazy in love with you, Jewelia."
"I ... We're ..."
"Like you said in Maine, we're solid." He smiled.
"Marry me ..." his whisper filled my ears with an unexpected joy I had never imagined possible.
My legs almost gave way, and I leaned into him. "Oh, Jimmy," I whispered against his lips. "Yes."
"In the spring ... right here," twirling strands of hair loosened from my braid, he drew a breath, "we'll gather right here, around this tree. Share our happiness with everyone." His eyes released mine to sweep the day, the sky.
I threw my arms around him, pressing so close, his neck pulsed against my cheek. My voice trembled with excitement. "Yes. Yes. Yes." The tips of my fingers wound through his hair. "I love you so much, Jimmy," I murmured between kisses. Then I drew back, smiling. "I can't believe I'm marrying a doctor."
"I can't believe I'm marrying a detective."
I eyed him curiously, mindlessly scrunching the side of my mouth, control impossible. "Detective? Do you know something I don't?"
"I know one thing for sure." His lips curled into the cutest smirk. "You always manage to land on top."
"If you're complaining, I'll start taking the bottom."
"What am I getting myself into?" He shook his head.
"The best you ever had." I grinned.
"Close your eyes."
I tried to obey, but couldn't resist the urge to steal a split-second peek in time to see him reach into a pocket of his jacket. Oh my God, my mind screamed. Is this really happening? Pinch yourself, Jewel. Bite your tongue. Do something to make sure you're not dreaming.
"You can open them now." He took my hand, kissed every fingertip, then slipped a diamond onto my left ring finger.
I almost died when the glitter hit my eyes. "Oh my God, Jimmy. It's gorgeous."Ready to faint, I sucked in a breath. "It's a cushion cut ... how did you know I love this shape?"
"I know a lot of things, sweetheart."
"Yes you do ..."
A sudden gust of wind plowed across the meadow, the force pressing me closer to his chest, lifting my dress, whipping the silk around the backs of my legs. The ferocity stole my breath, the flowers from my hair. Scattering leaves, swirling petals, cascaded like a shower of dazzling snowflakes caught up in turbulence.
"Jimmy," I breathed, "it's like a tornado." Through a downpour of foliage, I looked up at heaven, thinking: Grandma, is that you? Are you telling me you're as thrilled as I am? And all along, this is how you knew it would be?
Tears burned my eyes, and I closed them. Danny's face flashed across my mind. His essence was so strong, I felt I could almost touch his features. My eyes sprang open, my face darting in Indigo's direction. Wind parting his hair, he stared at the sky, and I wondered if he felt the same connection with Danny as I did with my grandma.
"This is incredible," I whispered. "They're smiling down on us. I can feel them."
"I believe they are." Reading my mind, he sounded wistful.
Our eyes brimmed with emotion, teardrops dried by a mild breeze replacing the sudden whirlwind. In the distance, chimes sounded like tinkling wedding bells, and Emma's voice carried through the air.
"I think they're looking for us." I loved Emma, but the last thing I wanted to do was return to reality. I longed to bury myself inside these precious moments I'd treasure for the rest of my life.
"I wonder how those rooms are." Indigo's prudent gaze led mine in the direction of the mansion turned bed and breakfast.
"I saw the bridal suite. It's beautiful." My hand tightened around his.
"I don't need frills. Just a nice soft bed."
"And a shower, the island in your kitchen, the front seat of the Wrangler."
He laughed. "I don't know about you, Jewel. Your mind is always in the ... Hey, did you bring your cuffs?" His eyes darted to mine.
"Yup. Did you bring your stethoscope?"
"I did."
"Clamps?" My hand flew to my mouth at the thought.
He nodded, his eyes clouding with what I knew was me.
"Did you remember to bring your scrubs, doc?" A chill ran down my spine.
"I memorized your list, Jewelia." He chuckled, pulling me to his side.
"Chocolate roses, flavored oils, everything the authorities ordered?" I giggled.
Smiling, he nodded, then checked his wristwatch. "We've got about a half hour until the start of the reception." He lifted a brow. "What do you think?"
My mind exploded with memories: the first time I set eyes on him, the bike ride in Central Park, velvety grass, cloudless sky, his hands, his lips, his eyes, his voice ...
"Jewel ..." My name was an airy rush. "I doubt we'd be able to hang together out there," he motioned to the wheels spinning past us, "but Bill and I usually stop at Kelly's after riding." Those deeply faceted eyes were vibrant as they caressed my face, slowly, seductively.
He didn't have to speak, or move. Just standing before me with that look on his face, the purse of his lips still molded with my name ... was enough to push me over the edge.
Lifting my long dress to my knees, I bundled the silk in my fingers, kicked off my heels. Squinting up at him, I grinned. "Race you back." I was breathless.
As we dashed to the mansion, our laughter left a musical trail.
No one knows why, but ... sometimes what seems impossible ...works out best.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
January Valentine is the pen name of Victoria Valentine, New York writer, indie book publisher, and blogtalkradio.com show host.
Victoria uses January, her birth month, when writing romance and thrillers. Children’s books and poetry are written under the name Victoria Valentine.
Victoria hosts her radio show, Away With Words, every Wednesday @ 7pm EST on blogtalkradio.com, where she interviews writers and poets.
Her books include:
At the Stroke of Midnight: 24 tales of terror
The Cutest Little Duckie color storybook
Desert Noon romance poetry collection
Love Dreams contemporary romance
Sweet Dreams in the Mind of a Serial Killer
Head Over Wheels spicy young romance
Victoria is currently working on the third book in her “Dream” series, Bad Dreams, a YA sci fi scheduled to release in the summer of 2013.
Find January Valentine & Victoria Valentine on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and Water Forest Press Books.
JanuaryValentine.com
VictoriaValentine.net
WaterForestPressBooks.com
http://waterforestpress.miiduu.com (bookstore)
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aww1 (Away With Words)
When not writing, Victoria publishes anthologies: A Hudson View Poetry Digest, Skyline Review, Literary House Review
I’d love to hear from you!
Contact:
[email protected]
Connect with me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaValentineBooks
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/VictoriaSkyline
Linkedin:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/victoria-valentine/41/120/812
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Until you actually sit down to compose an acknowledgment page, you don’t realize just how many people have been an incredible influence and monumental help before, during, and after the creation of a book.
Although I’ve been writing longer than they’ve been around, I have to thank my three kids: Phaedra for her valuable input and for pushing me to the verge of hysteria, Tommy for his “time” and “bugging out on me”, and other cool stuff, and Cindy for her sensitive ear and uplifting feedback, and to all three of my blessings who cheered me on when I suffered through bouts of inadequacy and OCD. My kids don't aspire to be writers, but with their talents, they really should be.
Thanks to Liz for her "blah ja blah" and other mumbo jumbo, Matt (our future pharmacist) for his "Apple" skills, and Nick for being so damn cute.
>
Thanks to Sil, my inspiration for hot and sensitive heroes, John for delectable meals, and Judy because she’s my sister. :D
And to Jill, my faithful reader and AWW co-pilot.
Thank you to my cousin, Mimi, (Maggie Schmidt) the fantastic artist who sketched the most guapo “Indigo”.
Thank you to Amanda R. Tucker for character tattoos, handcuffs and stethoscope.
I could never close without mentioning Istvan Szabo, Ifj, the most amazing Ebook creator;
http://www.crystalshadeangeni.com (Official Website)
http://www.crystalshadeangeni.com/sapphireguardian (Book Formatting Website)
A big thank you http://digitalphoto-graphics.com/ for your awesome Photoshop work, and ceaseless patience :-)
Head Over Wheels (Spicy Young Romance) Page 37
