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Heart And Soul
Category:
Romance
Publisher: self
ISBN-10: 1483986470
Type: Fiction
Pages: 198
Copyright: April 1, 2013
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Aubrey and William are navigating through a relationship that may have too many hurdles... Or perhaps not, as long as she can hold his hand.
A Contemporary Love Story about Aubrey and William.
They're navigating through a relationship that may have too many hurdles... Or perhaps not, as long as she can hold his hand.
Aubrey has been hurt in the past, discouraged by her family and degraded by a heartless father. Still, William sees something in her that won't allow him to walk away. Instantly drawn to her but intuitive enough to take it slowly, he courts her. Then he bargains, persuades and seduces until Aubrey becomes ensnared by his commanding nature. Despite the fight she puts up in accepting William's lifestyle, the bonds he places on Aubrey give her a freedom she desperately needs. And together, they heal old wounds and find their perfect love.
Excerpt
Late for work, I took the corner to the coffee shop at a quick pace, too focused on my phone call with my sister to notice the man walking out of the coffee shop before I ran into him. The coffee he held in his hand spilled down the front of his starched dress shirt but left me completely untouched. I stuttered out an apology, blushing furiously, offering to get him a new coffee, napkins, anything to make this dreadful scene end. You clumsy, stupid girl.
I knew him. He came into the coffee shop –where I made his coffee- nearly every day. This moment though was the first time I’d actually spoken to him beyond the serving basics, but it was so not the first time I’d seen him. I’d noticed him coming in and out of the coffee shop where I worked for months. Sometimes he’d stay and read, always a classic novel that I too had read in college.
Mostly he just ordered his coffee –tall, decaf, black– and be on his way. Even then, though, he always watched me pour it, knowing I too was watching him through my downcast eyes. I felt it even then that he was all knowing though we’d never spoken. He’d only nodded his head at me as I handed him his cup each day.
Today was different. His kind eyes held a hint of irritation but also interest. We were going to talk about something other than his coffee. I hoped my voice wouldn’t fail me.
“Dinner.” It was just one word but he needed to say no more. I understood and nodded my agreement.
“Yes sir.” My answer provided me with the first smile I’d seen on William’s face. It was more a grin, a cat-catches-the-canary kind of grin that froze me in place. Had I been more intuitive then, I would’ve known of the things to come.
“Very good. Tonight. I’ll come here to meet you at seven.”
He walked away from me then with nothing more said. I froze, realizing that I’d agreed to have dinner with this man I hardly knew and wasn’t certain I even liked. To be honest, he frightened me a bit. To be even more honest, he excited me a lot, the kind of excitement I’d never known. He incited that warming feeling in my belly I was unaccustomed to before him. He was dangerous and a girl like me should stay away from a man like him.
Nevertheless, I didn’t and now I couldn’t go back on my word.
I turned to watch him get into a dark vehicle. A large man closed his door behind him and went around the driver’s door. Once he was seated, the car pulled away. He had a personal driver. Who was this man?
My workday dragged on as I tried hard to dismiss all thoughts of what was to come tonight. I’d never gone out on a date with a man. In college, I preferred my studies and the few times I did go out, I wouldn’t exactly call those boys ‘men’. They certainly were nothing like William. Since graduating, working at the coffee shop and writing my first novel consumed my time. Truthfully, I’d never been very interested in dating. I’d left behind one terrible man –my father– and didn’t need to have a man in my life. Oh, they attracted me; don’t get me wrong. I read tempting historical romances all the time but men weren’t something I wanted in my life. I’m not sure men like that –the kind of man I wanted- existed in this time so I lived a quiet, solitary life that kept me happy enough.
That night, true to his word, William entered the coffee shop at exactly seven. His car waited outside. He was dressed impeccably as always and instantly commanded the space as he entered. My breath stuttered as I looked my fill before instinctively lowering my lashes. I was grateful I’d gone home to put on a skirt. It was simple and not nearly as elegant as the clothes he wore. I could never match his caliber but at least I no longer bore the stained jeans of my workday.
He stepped right to me where I stood near the counter talking to Gabby. She worked the night shift and was the closest person I had to a friend. “Aubrey, you look lovely.” Taking me by surprise, he used his forefinger to raise my chin and force my gaze to meet his. “I’ve never seen you in a dress. It serves you well.”
My mouth suddenly dry, I swallowed down the lump of panic rising in my stomach as my heart rate accelerated. “Thank you.” Something to his touch caused me to come undone as if William were too much, too great for me. After all, I’m just Aubrey, no one special.
“Shall we go?” William offered his arm to me and I was willingly captured. My random thoughts fluttered away. My body pulled flush against his side as we walked out of the shop and into the warm evening air.
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