by A. C. Arthur
It was so much more than Leah could have ever dreamed. She’d worn the Cinderella dress, just as her ten-year-old mind had planned, while her prince stood beside her garbed in all white as well. His gentle eyes caressed her with all the love and adoration he had for her. His glasses—still slipping down his nose—glistened in the fading Jamaican sun.
To her right were her best friend and her mother, wearing island peach dresses and tropical flowers tucked into their hair. To his right were his mother and Donald, looking on with that gleam only newlyweds can share.
“I knew the moment I bumped into you that you were the one for me. And while it’s been a rocky road getting to this place, I’m glad we journeyed it together. You needed somebody to love you and I needed somebody to love. As opposite as we may seem on the outside, our hearts now beat as one. Every breath I take is for you. You fill me so completely I don’t know where you begin and I end,” Terrell recited.
Leah valiantly fought back tears when it came her turn. “Terrell, I never presumed this would happen to me. I was resolved to being alone for the rest of my life. Then I met you and no matter how much I tried to keep the door to my heart closed you kept right on knocking until finally I opened it and stood ready to receive all you had to offer me. I cannot begin to tell you how much you mean to me. All I can say is that I will love, honor and cherish you for all the days of my life.”
As his lips touched hers, the retreating sun kissed the rim of the turquoise sea shimmering around them. When his arms completely enfolded her, their kiss and the minister’s words joining them forever, the tropical breeze picked up slightly, swirling around them like an invisible cocoon.
Their guests clapped, the waves crashed against the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, and they stared into each other’s eyes, no further words needed, none spoken.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Artist C. Arthur was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she currently resides with her husband and three children. An active imagination and a love for reading encouraged her to begin writing in high school, and she hasn’t stopped since.
Working in the legal field for almost thirteen years now, she’s seen lots of horrific things and longs for the safe haven reading a romance novel brings. Being named one of three finalists in the 2004 Emma Awards and receiving an additional two nominations in 2005 have been the highlight in her writing career. Coupled with reader enthusiasm, this has motivated her ambition to higher heights.
Her debut novel, Object of His Desire, was written almost six years ago when a picture of an Italian villa sparked the idea of an African-American/Italian hero. Determined to bring a new edge to romance, she continues to develop intriguing plots, racy characters and fresh dialogue—thus keeping the readers on their toes!
With her family’s continued encouragement—especially that of her hubby and kids—she diligently moves from one novel to the next, hoping to introduce new, entertaining and intriguing characters.
Artist loves to hear from her readers and can be reached via email at [email protected].