A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  She placed a light kiss on top of her daughter’s head. It was amazing Suzette was able to sleep through the chaos surrounding them. When she looked over at David to see how he was handling the pushy, over-eager reporters, he smiled. Such a simple gesture from him could send a warming thrill down her spine. Her handsome husband was an incredible man. Every morning when she woke up, she would just stare at him for a minute, and think about how wonderful it was to be married to him. She loved him with all her heart.

  As his smile broadened, the crinkles around his eyes deepened. It was his way of sending silent encouragement to her. There was no doubt, he knew exactly how nervous she was. She didn’t like being interviewed. In the past, some of her first interviews had turned out to be disastrous. They both had a long history of reporters writing phony stories about them.

  The reporter at the front of the group, was one of the first to ever interview Charity. He had been waiting at the airport when she’d arrived in Dallas, Texas, four years before. He was smiling now. He was being very gracious. That was a complete turnaround from their first meeting. In Dallas he had been rude, and determined to portray her in the worst possible way. In his first article, he had slandered her good name, along with her very good friend, Mr. Charles Bennett. Over the years, they had grown to mutually respect each other. He had, at least, never written another false report since his first slash and burn article in Dallas. That article had been quite painful to her and her family, but over the years her skin had grown thicker, too. Thick skin was a necessity in acting.

  “Mrs. Warren. You are going to Denver to start the promotion tour for your mother’s biography of your life. Are you happy with the way the book turned out?”

  Charity enjoyed her daughter’s warmth. She would have preferred the reporters not to be so close. She seldom allowed Suzette to be caught in such a large crowd. In spite of the mass confusion, Suzette didn’t appear to be frightened, and only curious of all the activity.

  “Well Donald, you know my mom was a great choice in writers. If you are going to have your life story told, you might as well have someone telling it who really knows the truth. After all, she was there from the beginning, and you know, it doesn’t hurt if the writer loves you.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I’m satisfied she did a good job. I may not like everything in the book, but it is the truth. I’m sure my life isn’t that different from anyone else’s. I would like to change things, if I could go back to do so, but I can’t.”

  A reporter Charity had never met before, in back of the other reporters, shouted out. “Is this really the truth, or just your family’s version of it? I mean, it is your mother telling the tale.”

  Charity patted her daughter’s leg before answering. “My mom would never lie, even to spare me. She’s a great writer, and even though I don’t always come out looking good in this book, I also don’t think we’re not all villains, either. You should buy a copy and read it for yourself before jumping to any conclusions.”

  Charity smiled and met as many eyes as she could before adding, “Everyone should buy a copy. It’s on the store shelves today. The title is When You Remember Me, and of course the author is my mom, Judy Davis.” She glanced over toward David to gage just how he was handling all of the commotion. It was a huge relief to see him looking calm. She knew exactly how he felt about reporters.

  The moment she caught his eye, he leaned closer and put an arm around her.

  At that moment their flight was announced, so Charity used the opportunity to break away from the pressing crowd. “I’m sorry to cut this so short, but that’s our flight.” She started to push her way through the reporters, but stopped briefly to smile at everyone again. “Everyone, please be nice to mom. She did a great job on the book, and I know it’s going to be a best seller. Do me a favor, and go buy a copy. You won’t be sorry you did.”

  Everyone laughed again and then moved aside to let them break out of the circle. Charity looked around as she moved away from the reporters and cameramen. She thought back to that day, four years before, when she had been in this same place, waiting for another plane to take her off to another place. It was the same airport, but she was not the same woman. She was never going to be that girl again. Too many things had taken place to change who she was inside, and how she viewed life in general.

  As soon as everything was secured in the overhead compartments and the plane had taken off without any delays, Charity made certain Suzette was settled in comfortably for the long ride. Next, she glanced over at David to make sure the commotion at the airport hadn’t left him unsettled.

  Only time would tell what each reporter would write. She and David both knew from past experiences, these types of things were out of their control. She had decided a long time ago to let people say or write what they must. The lies didn’t define who she was, and the truth was always certain to be revealed sooner or later.

  David leaned across their sleepy daughter and placed his hand on her stomach. He kept his voice low so only she would hear him. “So when do we tell everyone the good news?”

  She took his hand and raised it to her lips. She brushed a kiss over the palm of his hand before pressing it against the side of her face. She kept it there for a moment, before finally leaning over so she could be closer. “I don’t want anyone to know until we tell mom and dad. They might be upset if the entire world finds out before they do.”

  David kissed her cheek and whispered, “There are days I wish I didn’t have to share our lives with the rest of the world. Is that selfish, to wish our lives could be lived in our own special bubble, and out of the ever present spotlight?” He rubbed her still flat stomach and leaned against her, shoulder to shoulder.

  Charity could sense David’s anxiety so she whispered, “Our love is our bubble, and you’re all I’m ever going to need.”

  He nodded. “My beautiful wife, I love you with all my heart. You’re the strongest piece of me.”

  He kissed her and then settled back into his seat.

  She prayed she would never let him or Suzette down. She loved them. It was that simple.

  She kissed his hand and then touched Suzette’s head as her daughter closed her eyes. “We have a huge house to fill with children. I think we’re off to a beautiful start. Don’t you?”

  ~ The End ~

  This has been

  Concealed in My Heart

  Volume I of the Warren Family Series

  by

  Regina Puckett

  First Chapter of Songs that I Whisper

  Volume II of the Warren Family series

  Seth stopped dead in his tracks. Standing with one foot still on the sidewalk and the other on the wooden floors of Dreams on Canvas, he stood for a full thirty seconds not being able to remember why he was entering the ultra-chic art gallery. The unexpected sight of a set of incredible legs disappearing into a pair of cut-off jeans left him stunned and with his mouth gaping open. He had no idea shabby shorts could look so good on anyone.

  A silent war between common sense and admiration kept Seth lodged in place. Half of his brain was shouting for him to stand there staring for as long as he could get away with it, and the other half was telling him that he should go over and let Suzette Warren know he was there for their meeting before she caught him standing in the doorway drooling. Finally deciding that ogling the art gallery owner was probably a bad way to begin a new business relationship, Seth stepped inside and tried to remember all of the good manners his mother had taught him over the years.

  He had only driven to the tiny town of Murfreesboro because his manager had raved on and on about what a talented artist Suzette Warren was. What a shame that whilst Beverly had been naming all of the woman’s wonderful attributes she had failed to mention just how gorgeous she looked.

  At that very moment, while he was busy staring, the raven-haired beauty was slowly backing across the art gallery and making a cute little clicking noise with her tongue. She appear
ed to be contemplating whether a painting was in the right position, or if her lanky, blonde helper needed to move it somewhere else.

  Seth loved the gallery owner’s gorgeous hair, and was thoroughly fascinated to watch her long ponytail swish lazily from side to side with each turn of her head. Even with the thick mane pulled up, it was still long enough to reach her waist. Suzette’s hair was a fantastic shade of black that glimmered with each turn of her head beneath the gallery’s bright overhead lights.

  The man holding the enormous canvas finally lost all patience and groaned, “Oh come on! Make up your mind already. This thing isn’t getting any lighter.”

  Instead of replying, Suzette continued making the clicking sounds. It took her a few more seconds before she finally smiled her approval.

  Her voice had a wonderful, raspy quality, “Bill, you’ve been helping all of thirty minutes.” She made a point of putting a drawn-out emphasis on, “The painting surely can’t be that heavy.” She softened that with a quick grin, as if used to Bill’s whining.

  She motioned for him to put the painting on the floor, and then held both arms out wide. “It will be perfect here. Its blue tones are a wonderful contrast with the orange sunset on one side and the yellow daffodils on the other.”

  Bill was making certain the painting wasn’t going to slide on the wooden floor and fall, when Suzette finally noticed Seth standing by the front door. When she did turn her full attention on him, Seth was shocked to the very core by her unusual, light blue eyes. They had such intense intelligence they clearly said she didn’t suffer fools gladly, but they also made him think of long walks along the beach and kissing in the moonlight. With a little trouble he remembered that long walks and kissing weren’t on the agenda. He needed an artist. The last thing he needed was to make a complete ass out of himself over a beautiful woman.

  When Seth didn’t say anything, she cleared her throat. Feeling like a twelve year old school boy caught misbehaving in class, he hurriedly apologized, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “That’s not a problem. I didn’t know you were standing over there and waiting for me. I had no idea I left the door unlocked.” She gestured toward the artwork stacked along the walls of the long room. “The gallery’s closed today. We’re setting up a new exhibit for tomorrow night’s show.”

  Seth moved into the room a few steps more but he wasn’t certain if she was going to have time to talk to him, since Suzette didn’t look as if she liked being interrupted. “I didn’t mean to interfere with your work schedule, but my manager told me you would be expecting me this morning. I’m Seth Black.”

  Suzette raised her eyebrows and glanced at her watch. “I had no idea it was so late.” She made a motion for him to come over. “I was so caught up in what I was doing I forgot you were coming today.”

  She turned toward Bill. “You can take a break for a little bit if you want to.” But before he could wander off she touched his arm and turned back toward Seth. “This is my office manager and best friend, Bill Fields. When he’s not helping me hang paintings and answering the phone he paints the most outstanding abstracts in the world. Remember his name because he will be famous one day.”

  Bill blushed and tucked a strand of long, blonde hair behind one ear. He studied his feet as if he wished he wasn’t the center of attention.

  Seth liked the tall, lanky man right away. Feeling like a fool, because he was still standing clear on the other side of the room, he strolled over and offered his hand to Bill first. “It’s nice meeting you.”

  Bill returned the handshake like a man relieved to have his workday interrupted. “I’m happy to see you. Suzette has been trying to kill me. If you will excuse me, I’ll leave you two to chat.”

  Seth nodded. “Certainly.”

  After the introductions were over, Bill sauntered over to a nearby bench and there curled into a tight ball. He placed his head on one hand and threw his other arm over his eyes, as if preparing for a long nap.

  Seth turned to Suzette and offered his hand. When she held hers out, he engulfed it into both of his own. She gave him a head to toe scan, and instead of being intimidated by his large, muscled frame, she returned his handshake with a firm and sure grip of her own. When he seemed to hang on to her hand a little too long, she smartly withdrew it. “Beverly said you’re interested in having your portrait painted for your next album cover.”

  He flashed his famous lopsided grin before saying, “I’m sorry if I keep staring. I swear this isn’t the first time I have been allowed out in public by myself, but for some reason I was expecting a little, old, gray-haired lady. Beverly said you had years and years of experience painting portraits. Normally when someone has years and years of experience they have some gray hair to show for it.”

  Suzette headed toward the other side of the room and motioned for him to follow. “I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, but I’m really busy today. Could we talk as I work?” Suzette stopped at a stack of paintings.

  Seth followed her. “I don’t mind. I can help if you need an extra pair of hands.”

  “It seems I could use them since my help appears to be taking a nap.” Together they glanced over at Bill. He didn’t budge an inch, but could be heard snoring from clear across the room. She shook her head and turned back to the paintings as if unconcerned.

  As she sorted, she divided her attention between the paintings and Seth. “My parents gave me my first art set when I was four. I think I may have painted the walls as much as I did the canvases, but I was only four, after all.” She met his eyes and smiled.

  It was clearly infectious for he immediately returned it. She was very charismatic.

  “I didn’t begin painting professionally until I was twelve.”

  Seth loved her hands. They were so delicate without appearing too fragile. “You waited that long, huh?”

  She looked up from her sorting and when she saw he was just joking, she chuckled. “I would have started sooner but my parents were very protective. To be quite honest I threw a temper tantrum until they agreed.” She rolled her beautiful sky-blue eyes. “I was such a brat. Four years ago I purchased this gallery, so I now prefer representing other artists. When I paint now it’s mostly for my own pleasure, but every once in a while I will take on a project, if it interests me. I told Beverly I wasn’t sure if I would do your portrait or not, but, after talking with her, I got the feeling she’s a very determined, head-strong lady.”

  Seth laughed as if that was an understatement. “She has been called that among other things.”

  Suzette stopped what she was doing long enough to turn and face him. “Beverly doesn’t have the market on headstrong. In the end, it will be my decision if I take the commission on your portrait or not.”

  Seth admired Suzette’s confidence. “I would never dream of pressuring you. I only ask for an opportunity to tell you about my plans for the new album cover, and then you can decide whether to do it or not. Beverly says that you’re the best, and I value her knowledge on such matters.”

  ❋

  While Suzette had been surprised to find a stranger in her gallery so early in the morning, she was even more astonished by her immediate attraction to the ruggedly, handsome man. He had a humble demeanor with a huge dash of sexiness thrown in for good measure. She couldn’t remember the last time she had found another man so attractive. She usually liked looking people in the eye when she was talking with them, but he had such beautiful hazel eyes that they made her lose track of what he was saying. Instead of looking at him, she had to find something else to do, so it wasn’t obvious how flustered she had become. But even though she had already flipped through the stack of paintings at least three times, she couldn’t remember what any of them looked like. To give the appearance Seth Black hadn’t scrambled every one of her brain cells, she began placing the paintings along each wall, at the places she would have Bill hang them at later.

  “I’m not certain that I’m such a good choice t
o paint your portrait. Before I do one I like to have a good understanding about the person I’m working with. Beverley said yesterday that you’re a country music singer. Even though I was born and raised in Tennessee, I’ve never listened to that genre of music before.”

  He held up one of the paintings and waited for her approval. “Country music focuses more on life and relationships than any of the other genres. We’re not afraid of putting our hearts into every song we write and sing.”

  ❋

  Absentmindedly, Suzette began making the cute little clicking noises again. She also had a funny way of bobbing her head back and forth when she was deep in thought. After a moment of clicking and bobbing she stood completely still and silent. She then smiled, its brilliance almost making Seth drop the painting. He silently had to remind himself he was there on business and had no intention of getting entangled with anyone at this time in his life. He had been a victim of his own father’s messy life, and the trouble it had caused everyone who loved him. Over the years, Seth’s mother had tried to escape the pain by drinking herself into a stupor. It had been sad watching a woman squander her love on a man who could only love himself. Seth had always thought he would stay free of love’s trap. As far as he could tell, it only led to heartbreak in the end.

  Growing up under the cloud of his father’s womanizing ways and drug addictions, it hadn’t been hard to see that the life his father had lived was wrong. After his dad’s death, Seth had decided he would never live his life in a way that would ever hurt another person. Even when he decided to go into the music business, like his father, he made a conscious decision to stay away from all of the temptations fame brought with it. Women were on the very top of his list of things to stay away from. One look at Suzette and there was little doubt she would be able to sidetrack him, if he let her. He couldn’t afford to let that happen.