He took a deep breath and wrapped his fingers over hers. “I am afraid that is not a question for me to answer. While I would be more than willing to hunt down the scamp who made you feel this way and demand that he takes you to the altar...I am of the opinion that this would make no one happy.”
Emily dabbed her eyes with his kerchief. “No, no I am afraid it wouldn't.”
“Well, maybe I can be of service.”
Emily and Hudson jumped at the sound of Owen's voice. For a moment she was sure that she was imagining things.
“Mister Harding.” Hudson surged to his feet. “What exactly are you doing here?”
“Well, I am Miss Crawford's appointed escort to this nonsense.” He waved one flippant hand in the general direction of the party. “It would be improper if I weren't here, wouldn't it?”
Emily adjusted her seat on the piano bench, turning her back to Owen. “As if you have ever cared one fig for propriety.”
“That is...true enough. However, in the weeks since you have left your rather impressive mark on my cheek, I realized that I do care more than a few figs for you.”
“I should leave,” Hudson said.
“No, no not yet,” Owen said. “I owe you an apology as well and I am sure that if I don't say it now, I won’t.”
Emily and Hudson shared a glance.
“Alright,” Hudson stood up.
“I have been a terrible brute, and while I have many reasons for such, I have come to realize that they are excuses. I have admitted to Emily, and now to you Lord Hudson, that my father was a rather despicable creature, and while I will not go into details I have come to believe that I never felt worthy of friendship, nor of love because of it...”
If Emily didn't know any better, she would have believed that Owen's voice broke. He cleared his throat and went on.
“I have acted a terrible fool, and I would like to know what I can do to fix that.”
“You know, Emily, I'm not entirely sure that this is Owen at all.”
Emily stood up and gently pushed passed Hudson. Her hand went to Owen's cheek and he tilted his face until she could stare into those beautiful eyes, and their starburst color.
“Oh it is,” she whispered. “It certainly is.”
“Am I forgiven?”
Lord Hudson took a very deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I will leave it to the lady to decide.”
Emily ran her thumb across the dip in Owen's chin. “There will be a great deal for you to make up for. You can start, of course, by agreeing to marry me.”
“Are you proposing to me?”
“I am,” she smiled as his lips dipped towards hers. '
“That is most unladylike,” he whispered. “I approve.”
THE END
Another bonus story is on the next page.
Bonus Story 31 of 44
THE KINKY PROPOSAL
Description
This is a romance story in which Derek Churchill, whose recent divorce issue left him devastated to the point that he never stopped being moody and melancholic, but since he set his eyes on Alex Newman he became obsessed with the sweet girl’s aura of charms and charisma.
As Derek tried to fight over his mousy nature and get the chance to meet the sexy Bartender, his expectations and quest was cut short when he discovered that the sexy girl of his dream was a girlfriend to his good friend in college (Louis Brown)
Derek was shocked to get the approval from Louis to have an affair with Alex even though that led to the kinky proposal of having a threesome with the two lovers. At first, it was insane for Derek to think about such indecent proposal from Louis but the lewdness of his thoughts for Alex pushed him to do the inevitable which wasn’t easy to accept at first, but when he finally gave it a trial, the experience left him exposed to the point of bringing out his true nature that he never noticed about himself.
***Love or lust***
Yearning for happiness, I couldn’t find any; seeking for emotional satisfaction, I couldn’t lay my hands on such luxury. My life was really bottled in a limbo of solitude up to a point that the resounding voice of the aged female lawyer that declared my marriage with Isabel legally separated couldn’t stop echoing in my head.
I remained hunched over the steering wheel of my car as I pulled over along the main street to think about my life awhile. I could hear the indistinct horn from the road users but I wasn’t perturbed but kept sinking deeper into my world of thoughts and melancholy. I really didn’t see it coming but I finally became a single guy again.
A buzz from my cell phone forced me back to consciousness which made me feel like flinging the phone out from the window to enjoy the solace that allowed me to wallow in nostalgia and gloom. The buzz continued but I didn’t care to check the phone screen because I knew that it could be one of those emergency calls that would require me to lead my team for firefighting which I wasn’t ready for at the moment.
The phone kept beeping to the point that I became so restive and disturbed. I took the call even without checking to know the caller but immediately I heard my supervisor’s voice from the other side of the telephone; I knew it wasn’t just a call anymore but an order.
“Sorry, s….sir,” I faltered and fought to keep my phone firm on my palm because I was really jittery, “I was really…”
“Take your team to Reality Bar immediately,” he hollered angrily, “Don’t waste any time because if more damages occur, you have me to face,” he hung up without delay.
Angrily I hit my knuckle on the steering wheel but that wouldn’t stop me from the duty calls that just needed my attention.
I hastily took my phone and dialed John Miller’s number. I was glad that John was already on his way to the scene of the fire outbreak.
I zoomed off into the streets with a loud screech and kept changing to my firefighting uniform as I speeded without thinking of being issued a ticket.
On getting to the scene, I was really glad that my men were already at it and extinguishing the fire. I took over my position as the leader and helped them quench the fire before it got to the main part of the Bar. It was only the parking lot that was affected adversely but not much damage done.
People started clapping and cheering my team but I was still not happy because of the sadness that had lingered in my thoughts.
As I gave that sheepish grin and tried to enter my car and drive out, I saw a very pretty girl that really caught my eyes. I felt so cold and numb because the feelings that I got at that particular time was really encompassing to the point that I began to gape without knowing it. My lips fell apart and my eyes narrowed to see her clearly.
She looked at me and smiled which made my heart sink into an untold joy. I parted my lips with smiles but was surprised that she wasn’t even smiling for me but was centered on one of my men (Blake T) who came to work with me. She actually looked at me as if she was seeing through me not that I was the recipient of those inviting smiles from her.
I felt disappointed but happy to have seen her sweet set of teeth that glowed like a diamond being displayed in sunlight.
I hopped into my car and drove off but kept taking a furtive look at her through the rearview mirror until I couldn’t see her anymore. It was surprising that seeing the sexy girl blotted out the entire pale feelings that my marriage breakup caused. At that point, all I could think about was the sexy mantrap that looked so seductive in that sexy bartender’s pant that made her look like a fair goddess.
I couldn’t believe that my thoughts about the girl metamorphosed into obsession characterized by abject laziness and utter withdrawal from firefighting duties.
On that Wednesday that I was in my office and thinking about the sexy girl that took my attention, Blake T entered my office and saw how dispirited I was, which made him come close and knocked twice on the desk.
“Derek, Sir, I’ve noticed that you’ve been going through a lot these days,” Blake said and called back my attention, “Can you share?”
> I gave an impish grin and heaved a deep sigh, “I really don’t have much to share,”
“At least you can tell me that you’re not being bothered by the recent marriage separation,” he said observantly, “I’ve told you that you should stop thinking about…”
“It’s not about the divorce anymore,” I interjected.
“Then what is it about?” he inquired inquisitively, “Remember I’m always here to listen,”
“That girl we met at the Bar likes you,” I pointed out without mincing words, “I noticed the way she looked at you when the entire people were applauding our efforts,”
“You mean Alex, the bartender?” he asked which got me bewildered because I never knew that Blake T was already in acquaintance with her.
“Have you met her before?” I curiously asked with much eagerness to hear the answers.
“She was one-time winner of the most beautiful girl in Georgia but she decided to establish a bar instead of going deep into the supermodel’s world,” he answered and drew the chair opposite him and sat on it, “she’s not just the bartender but the owner of the bar,”
“I can’t believe that,” I said with much bewilderment, “tell me more,”
“She’s a humble girl but a very rich one who has made much wealth by establishing bars all over Georgia,” he said informatively.
I was really bemused hearing that about her especially being a girl of about her early thirties, “I want to meet her,” I confessed, “but I currently dislike anything that has to do with women because of my experience with Isabel,”
“Keep the experience-induced reservation aside and go after what you need,” Blake T encouraged, “She likes slim guys with nice chest and thick abs,”
“Hmmm, what are you trying to say, boo?” I asked with smiles written all over my lips.
“You already know your physique, Sir,” Blake said and started going towards the door, “keep me posted because I sometimes love a surprising gossip,” he said and rested his hand on the knob and opened the door to exit, “Go for it, boss. Go for it”
He closed the door behind him and left me thinking as the tapping sounds of his shoes announced his exit.
Blake’s words were like a big fillip to me which made me take the decision to go for the girl and make her mine.
Amid my resolution to woo the sexy femme fatale, the greatest hurdle that lurks in the shadows of my success is my nature; I always find it hard to keep a discussion with a girl for long. I can simply say that I wasn’t the adventurous guy because I found it hard to confront a pretty lady without faltering in my speeches. I knew I was going to get over it with time because that hurdle was really a big one for me.
I had to hit the nail on the head by going after Alex even though I knew I could be walking into a more heinous trap, stronger than the heartbreak I felt in the hands of Isabel.
***Facing my fears***
One of the habits I couldn’t form was drinking, especially at the bars because Isabel convinced me that responsible men don’t go to bars to drink, especially when they’re angry. The only reason why I decided to go to the bar that evening was that I hate to think that anything that comes from Isabel could be good, hence the need to go to bar against what she made me believe in the past.
On that festive weekend during the July fourth, the celebration of independence really got the streets busy but that happiness that filled the minds of everyone eluded me because the only source of my happiness was there at Peachtree Street selling drinks to her customers. It was time to take the bull by the horn.
I knew I hadn’t the best car that could attract a girl’s attention but at least I always did my best to get my Ford Truck well fixed to be road-worthy.
I drove straight to Peachtree Street to have a glimpse of sexy Alex at the Reality Bar. I entered the parking lot and parked. Seeing the same spot where the fire outbreak took place I parted my lips into a smile. I took a second, third and fourth look at the mirror of my car to be sure that I was well dressed and attractive to make her notice me at all, let alone falling for me.
“Hi girl, I’m sure we’ve met somewhere but I’ll love to be your friend,” I rehearsed but that didn’t sound like the perfect wooing words so I dropped it and tried another and another until I felt I was getting it right so I alighted from the car.
To be sure I still had my confidence in check; I used the car mirror to check out my figure-hugging jersey and jean one more time. I knew I was cool enough to have her attention especially observing how thick and evident my abs was.
On getting to the bar, all eyes were on me and I couldn’t say why but I knew I was well-dressed to the nines that the girls couldn’t just look at me and look away. I felt so proud of myself that very moment which made me walk with sedate steps to a corner meant for VIP’s. I was really ready to spend more money at the bar just to get her attention even though I was fully assured that a rich girl like her may not be moved by that feigned show of wealth.
Seeing the sexy blonde as she served her customers diligently, my heart was gladdened with joy but fear accompanied the feelings forthwith, making me lose the last words and moves that I rehearsed; my fretful nature just returned to me and that was really the wrong time because all I wanted was to be bold and daring.
As if she knew I was coming for her, she came immediately to me with smiles wiggling her curvy hip as she advanced closer to me. The closer she came, the harder my heart pounded.
“Hi, what do you need?” she asked and smiled.
I was surprised that she came to me because she doesn’t usually leave her desk but customers come to her to make their orders. Maybe I was just lucky to make her come out to meet me.
“I…I just need a good drink that will make me remember that I should be happy today,” I said haltingly and forced a smile.
“Today is really a great day,” she said with a seductive smile that made me notice the glowing blue eyes of hers, “I know what you need,”
“Yes, you’re right,” I said and smiled back trying to get my lost confidence back, “I love fourth July,” I said smilingly and crossed my legs to make her take a closer look at me, even though it was under the dim LED DJ lights.
“That’s the reason why I should make Silver Oak wine available for you to relax your nerves,” she said humbly and waited for my approval as her smiles stormed into my heart.
“That sounds cool and I’m sure I’ll like it just like I like the person standing before me,” I said with humor even without knowing when I said that. “Sorry, can you still remember who I am?” I asked trying to start a talk that could lead to asking for her phone number.
“You should have introduced yourself first,” she said and left immediately even without giving me the chance to correct my manners or tell her the first time I saw her.
I was daunted by that reminder of my manners but I just had to wait for her to come back before introducing myself properly.
As I waited for her to come back, I saw my good friend in college even though I wasn’t really close to him then because of his lifestyle; he used to spearhead the Red Skulls, which was a brotherhood that worked against the school authority once they introduce policies that were not favorable to the students. Louis Brown used to be the tough guy which was the major reason why I avoided him then. Of course, I was the bookworm then.
Seeing Louis Brown, I tried to pretend that I was busy with my phone just to make him pass but with the tail end of my eye, I noticed that he was coming right to my side and I couldn’t run away from him as I used to do in those days as a sophomore.
“Don’t tell me you’re Derek Churchill,” he said hilariously and patted my back gently to have my attention.
“Wow, are you not the famous Louis Brown?” I said as he pulled me up into a hug.
“It’s been a long time, bro,” he said and observed me closely, “you’re always looking handsome. I thought your handsomeness must have faded a bit but that’s far from the truth.”
“I used to avoid you in college because of your bookworm nature,” he jested which made us start laughing aloud to the point that people around noticed our presence.
“I thought you’d have stopped being funny,” I said and offered him a seat.
We sat together and exchanged pleasantries while I still waited for the sexy bartender to serve the wine. I took a sweeping look around to make sure that she was still coming but noticed she wasn’t coming yet but busy serving others. I was grimaced but I didn’t want my old friend sitting next to me to notice it.
I shrugged away my sadness and smiled back at Louis even though my attention wasn’t with him anymore but with the girl that I was expecting. Meanwhile, I wanted to be alone so that I could have the temerity to talk to the girl. Louis’s presence would simply jeopardize my chances and I wasn’t ready to miss the opportunity to talk to Alex.
“I can see you’re uneasy as if you’re waiting for someone,” Louis asked observantly which got me feeling more fidgety because of his presence, “I used to feel this way when there is a new hard-to-get girl turning my head around,”
“Yes…No…I just remembered something,” I lied.
“Let’s drink up, it’s our Independence Day celebration,” He proposed and got up to meet the bartender who kept me waiting.
I was surprised with the way Louis held her and planted a deep kiss on her lips. I was shocked to observe that she could be his lover or even his wife.
At that point, all I wanted to say to the girl got blotted out even to the last word. I became fretful and worked up. All I wanted that very moment was to get up and disappear from the bar but my ass remained stuck on the couch as if I couldn’t just get up and make a sly move out of there. I forced myself to stand but my attention that remained glued at the love birds before me made me remain still to know how the story was going to end.
At a point, I summoned the courage and got up to leave. As I was about to take the first step out of the bar, I heard her sexy voice as she said: “Sorry, dear. I kept you waiting because I had some things to take care of.”
Inextinguishable Love: Firefighter and Interracial Romance Page 98