by Té Russ
"You okay?"
"I'm better than okay." She bit her lip nervously, then said, "Do you remember what we talked about that night on the island?"
"Of course, I remember."
"Well, I thought about it like you said and I've come to a decision."
He stopped dancing and watched her, waiting for her to finish.
"Yes."
"Yes?" he asked.
She nodded her head. "Yes, I want to be with you Dylan. I love you and I would love to spend the rest of my life, showing you how much."
The smile that broke out across his face could have lit the night sky.
He palmed her face and showered with it kisses, then wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"I love you, so much," he whispered in her ear.
"I love you too."
He took a step back and said, "No engagement is right without a ring."
Julie opened her mouth to speak, but was left speechless when Dylan dropped down to one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket.
Everyone around them stopped what they were doing to watch the two of them.
"Julie Richards, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes," she cried out and he slid the ring onto her finger.
The room was filled with applause, as Dylan stood and covered her mouth with another kiss.
Moments later, their family and friends surronded them, giving their congratulations. Dottie, Marina and Diana started talking about wedding plans immediately.
Once things calmed down again, Dylan and Julie snuck off and went back to his apartment, where they celebrated their engagement in private.
As Dylan made love to her, Julie thought about how much her life had changed so quickly. But she loved every minute of the journey and she couldn't wait to see what was ahead of her.
Epilogue
On a late September day, the last day of summer, Julie and Dylan stood before a pastor, surrounded by just a few family and friends, as they recited their vows aboard The Jewel of the Sea.
Dylan had finally named his boat.
After they were pronounced husband and wife, they had a small reception on the boat. Once the dinner was done, everyone got off of the boat and Dylan and Julie set sail for Melody Key, their private little oasis.
They were staying on the island for a week for their honeymoon.
They'd set the boat on course for the island on autopilot and now Dylan sat on the bed in the master stateroom, eagerly awaiting his bride to come out of the bathroom.
He thought back to their small, intimate wedding that had occurred just a couple of hours ago out on the deck of his boat and was blown away.
When he'd returned home several months ago, it had been because he knew there was something missing in his life. Never did he imagine that he would fall so hard and so fast with the beautiful dancer that had asked him to dance in that night club that one fateful night.
Dylan looked up when he heard the bathroom door open and felt the air rush out of his lungs.
Gone was the beautiful white sundress that Julie had worn; and in it's place was an alluring see through negligee that showed off every inch of her gorgeous body.
She walked over to him and joined him in the bed, straddling his lap.
"Hello...husband," she said, pressing her chest against his. He could feel her peaked nipples through the sheer fabric.
"Hello...wife."
She leaned down and seared his mouth with a hot kiss. He slid her gown up as she reached into his silk pajamas and wrapped her hand around his throbbing manhood. He let out a groan as she sank down onto him and began to ride him. He brought the straps down off of her shoulders, letting the night gown fall around her waist and took one of her breast in his mouth, while massaging the other.
"Dylan," she cried out, as she sped her movements up.
He began to thrust upward, matching her pace and soon they were climaxing together.
Dylan woke up several hours later, alone in the bed. He slipped into his pajamas and went in search for Julie.
He found her out on the deck, leaning against the railing. She looked beautiful as the wind whipped her hair around her face.
He pulled a remote out of his pocket and pressed play and the boat filled with music coming out of the speakers. He watched as her lip tilted upward, then she turned to face him.
He held out his hand and when she placed her hand in his, he pulled her close and they began to dance as the boat sailed into the sunset.
Dylan had found his perfect partner in Julie and he knew with her not only in his arms, but also in his heart and soul, they would forever enjoy the dance of love.
The End
Keep reading for an excerpt from Autumn Kisses...
Boston, Massachusetts
Rowan Hunter threw his pen down and watched as it bounced off of his notebook and onto the floor.
Two months.
He had two months to finish and get the first draft of his latest crime thriller to his editor. It was the end of September and the book was scheduled for release at the beginning of the new year and in between that time he also would have to fix any edits that he got on the book to make sure it was perfect. And he would also have to promote the book as well.
Rowan glanced at the screen of his laptop looking at the bottom of the writing program he had open to the word count.
Zero.
Zilch.
Goose egg.
He was officially screwed.
He wasn't sure what was going on with him, but he hadn't been able to write a single word for months.
His cell phone rang and when he saw the name pop up on the screen he swore and was tempted not to answer.
It was as if his editor, Harry, had a sixth sense about when Rowan was in the middle of a writing plight.
He answered the phone and put on his best 'phone smile'.
"Harry, what's good man?"
"What's good?" Harry repeated. "What's good is hearing you tell me that your book is coming along great and I'll have it on my desk by your deadline."
"It's coming along," was all Rowan managed to get out.
"Don't bullshit me Hunter," Harry said, through what sounded like gritted teeth.
Rowan could imagine his mentor squeezing the little blue stress ball on his desk.
"What's the problem?" Harry asked.
Rowan decided to be upfront.
"The problem is my mind is blank. Every time I try to write something, it sounds like a bunch of crap."
Harry was silent for several minutes and Rowan could hear him drumming his fingers on his desk through the phone.
"It's this damned city," Harry finally said. "It's nearly impossible to get a clear thought out here. Here's what you're going to do. You're going to go up to my beach home in Martha's Vineyard. Stay there for as long as you need to and get this book done. I don't care if it's a week or if it's until the end of the year, just get me something we can work with. I know you're a perfectionist, and as much as I hate to lose money, if we need to push the release back to later next year will do it. We'll make up for it in sales."
Harry always had the utmost confidence in Rowan, which was why he worked hard to let the older man down.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Rowan said. "I'll get you the book by the end of November."
"If you do that, I'll make sure you have the first slice of turkey at Thanksgiving," Harry joked.
"Well then you better make it a big ass slice," he threw back at his editor. "But I think you're right. A change of scenery will do me some good."
"Excellent, let me know when you make it out there. You'll love it on the island."
"Thanks for this Harry."
"You're like a son to me Hunter. My home is your home."
Rowan got off of the phone, and began making arrangements for his trip. He was already beginning to feel relaxed and couldn't wait to see what Martha's Vineyard had in store for him.
*************
Los Angeles, California
Sapphire Woods smiled and waved as she got out of the huge black SUV. The photographers on the other side of the barricade were shouting her name, trying to get her to look their way and smile for their camera. She tossed her flaming red hair over her shoulder and blew them all a kiss before walking into the posh restaurant.
While her lips were plastered in a megawatt smile, behind the large designer shades she wore, her eyes were pinched with stressed.
The host, who was starstruck, never took his eyes off of her as he led her to a secluded table near the back of the restaurant. It gave them a little privacy, yet it was still visible enough for the most determined of paparazzi to catch a photo every now and then.
Her manager, Michelle Drake, stood and they kissed each other on the cheek. After they sat and gave the waiter their order, Sapphire removed her shades.
Michelle winced.
"You look like shit."
Sapphire grinned and shook her head. "Leave it to you to hold nothing back."
"I'm your oldest and best friend. And I never mince words, which is why you made me your manager."
Michelle was right. Sapphire had hired her because she knew her dearest friend would make sure to look out for her in the cut throat industry of music. And she would always make sure to keep Sapphire grounded. Not that Michelle had to work hard to do that.
Despite the fact that Sapphire appeared to be a very eccentric jazz singer to her fans, she was truly one who loved the simple things in life. Which was why she was so annoyed with this staged lunch they were having.
"You know I hate this, Chelle."
"It's good for publicity," Michelle said, although she had a sympathetic look on her face. "If you didn't make these occasional appearances, people would think you were some kind of hermit."
"Aren't all the best artists?" Sapphire teased, dryly. "Besides, it adds to my mysterious appeal."
"Whatever, let's get down to business. I hear you're having a tough time in the studio."
Sapphire rolled her eyes. "You know how these Hollywood music producers are. They want to turn my music into something it's not."
"Is that all there is to it?" Michelle raised an eyebrow.
Sapphire blew out a breath. "I...I can't breathe out here. I feel like I'm suffocating. I need to be somewhere where I can make my music and have it be pure. Not some bullshit, manufactured crap that all sounds the same. You know that's not me, Michelle. The last album was awful. I'm sick of not sticking to my music, my real music. I'm sick of Los Angeles. And I'm sick of Sapphire Woods," she said, flicking at the ends of her red hair.
Michelle held up her hand, in an effort to calm Sapphire down. "Okay, sweetie. Okay. I get it." She whipped out her phone and made a call. "It's Michelle. I need you to have the jet prepped. Within the hour." She looked up at Sapphire and smiled.
This was why she loved her best friend. Michelle always knew exactly what she needed and made it happen.
"I don't care," Michelle snapped into the phone. "Get it done! One way trip. To Martha's Vineyard Airport."
She hung up, reached over and grabbed Sapphire's hand and in a whisper said, "It's all set up. By this evening Laurel Asher will be back in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts."
Autumn Kisses, coming September, 23, 2015
The first day of fall!
When Rowan Hunter begins to suffer from a bout of the proverbial writer's block, his editor offers up his beach cottage in Martha's Vineyard. Prepared to relax, unwind and pray that the words begin to flow again, he gets an unexpected surprise one morning.
To the world she is known as the eccentric jazz singer Sapphire Woods. But to the small town of Oak Bluffs Massachusetts on The Vineyard, she is simply Laurel Asher, their best kept secret. In need of some time out of the spotlight to work on her next album, Laurel goes to the one place that's always been home.
Thanks to a misunderstanding Laurel and Rowan end up under the same roof. As the house has more than enough room, they decide to share the place. But what neither of them expects is the sensual attraction that begins to build up.
As the color of the leaves begin to change and fall to the ground, these two find themselves falling as well–for each other.
Thanks for reading!
Published by ShantéRuss
Sultry Summer Nights
©2015, TéRuss
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
This book is dedicated to my beta readers, both new and old.
We made it to the summer time? Are you hot yet? Well things sure are about to hear up in Florida with...
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Boston, Massachusetts
Thanks for reading!