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|  | | Possibilities - Hardback
Ski Lodge Christmas
Copyright(c) 2002
By Janet Sue Terry
The ski lodge enchanted Nora. The round tables in the dining room were covered in white linen, and sprigs of mistletoe hung from the ceiling in strategic places. Pots of red Poinsettias graced the center of the tables accompanied by crystal condiments and candleholders.
A bar with a mirrored backdrop took up one side of the room. Photos of famous skiers who had visited or competed at the resort were displayed on the walls above it.
Fresh fruit, candy and nuts were available throughout the lodge. The aroma of coffee brewing and pumpkin pie, spiced ham, and turkey baking, mingled together and permeated the air.
"This is a lovely place," Nora commented.
They exited the elevator on the second floor where Blake unlocked a door and held it open for Nora.
Nora watched Blake disappear through the door, then removed her clothing from the suitcase. She felt as though she were caught up in a fairy tale, and chided herself for being vulnerable.
Shampoo, bubble bath, perfume, and deodorant were all tucked away in the bottom of the valise. She grabbed them, and hurried into the bathroom.
Afterwards, Nora slipped into a white sweater, dark tweed skirt, and black pumps. She coiled her hair and secured it to the side of her head. When Blake knocked, she opened the door and let him in.
He was dressed in a navy blue suit with a gray shirt and thin black tie. His hair was wet and slicked back severely. Nora could not help noticing his delightfully male fragrance. He pounded his chest comically. "Heart, calm down!"
"You look nice," she said.
Blake grinned and offered her his arm. They said very little on the way down in the elevator. The main lobby was filled with couples murmuring to one another or sharing kisses beneath the mistletoe. They entered the restaurant and found a secluded table.
Blake asked, "Are you happy?"
"Yes," she admitted.
His hand stole across the table and clasped hers.
"You have the most unique lips."
"Unique in what way?"
"In a good way," he assured her. He touched her face with his finger and drew the outline of her lips. It was the gentlest, and yet the most sensuous thing anyone had ever done to her. It stirred a deep awareness within her, making her want to respond. However, she lowered her eyes and willed herself to appear detached.
After they ate, Blake led her into the bar area, where a roaring fire was crackling in the fireplace. Several couples stood with arms intertwined, talking quietly and sipping drinks. The lights were dim, and the music soft and romantic. Blake ordered a mixed drink and handed it to Nora. "You should try this."
"What is it?"
"A Chi Chis."
Nora sipped the coconut-based concoction, enjoying the taste. It was growing late, and most of the other guests had retired by the time Blake led Nora out onto the dance floor. Afterward, beneath the mistletoe, he tilted her chin up and kissed her.
"My God, you're so tempting," he breathed into her ear. "You remind me of sin. It's so much fun, but you aren't supposed to do it."
When Nora yawned, Blake told her that it was time for bed. She walked beside him into the elevator.
Blake took her key, unlocked the door, and followed her inside. He leaned against the doorframe and drew Nora into his arms. He kissed her and groaned, drawing her even closer. He caressed her back and hips as the kiss continued.
Nora reacted immediately when his fingers touched her breast. "No!" she cried, wrenching away from him. "Don't paw me."
"Nora," he whispered, reaching out for her.
She pushed him away. "No!"
In truth, Nora was more annoyed with herself than she was with Blake. Why did such a special moment have to be marred with memories of Jason and his vile attacks on her?
Blake smiled his crooked smile, kissed his fingertip, and touched it to her lips. Without another word he disappeared through the connecting door.
Nora undressed, crawled into bed, and pulled a pillow into her arms. Her lips still tingled where Blake had kissed her. Her nipples were hard, and her stomach churned with excitement. She realized that Blake had rekindled deep passions that seemed to be reserved only for him.
After enjoying a hot breakfast of cinnamon oatmeal and apple muffins, Blake and Nora wandered outside. Blake began to teach her the basics of skiing. They spent the morning on the slopes, and everything was progressing smoothly until Nora threw a snowball at him. He responded in kind, and soon they were in a snowball fight. He tackled her to the ground, and they lay in a tangled heap hooting at their plight.
"You're beautiful when you laugh. You should do it more often."
"I don't have much to laugh about."
"Maybe we can fix that," he grinned.
At noon they went inside for lunch, ate hot chili with crackers, and drank cold milk. For dessert, they enjoyed freshly baked peanut butter cookies.
Afterwards they returned to the slopes and resumed Nora's lessons. They worked hard all afternoon, and by six o'clock she was able to move about on her skis.
Later that evening they went downstairs for dinner, and once finished, they returned to the bar. Nora rejected the drink Blake tried to order for her. However, she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Blake held her too close, but she was still able to follow his lead. During the dance his lips fluttered over her temple, cheek and neck. The room was dimly lit, and no one seemed to pay any attention to them. When Blake lowered his head and kissed her, she surrendered. Her limbs turned to jelly, and deep cravings clamored for fulfillment. Nora knew that she had to get away from him.
After the dance was over, and Blake was chatting with other visitors, she slipped away to her room.
By the end of their second day at the resort, Nora was able to ski. In celebration, Blake took her for a ride in the sled with two other couples. Everyone huddled beneath lap blankets as the horses trotted down the lane. The driver began to belt out Jingle Bells in a loud baritone, encouraging his passengers to sing along, and they did. They toured the village and then circled back the way they had come.
On the third day, Blake decided to take the lift to the top of the mountain. Nora's stomach was tied up in knots as they boarded. She was terrified of heights, and felt ill as she looked down over the treetops. The view from the top of the mountain was amazing. The Lodge itself was located far below, in a cuplike crevice between the mountains.
At the combination gift shop and cafe, Nora sipped the hot chocolate Blake handed her, secretly hoping to delay the inevitable moment when he would expect her to speed down the slope beside him. Nora was not sure that she was capable of going through with it. But she was just as reluctant to climb back into the lift.
She stood on the edge of the slope looking down. The height seemed overwhelming, filling her with trepidation. She could barely breathe because of the fear that gripped her.
"Don't be afraid," Blake advised her. "Just do what we did on the smaller slopes, and everything will be fine."
Nora lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and drew a shaky breath. She was not one to give in to fear. "I'm ready," she whispered.
They pushed off, and together zigzagged down the incline. It took all Nora's concentration to avoid the trees and stay on her feet, but she did it. When she finally neared the flat area around the lodge, a smile spread across her face, for she was proud of her courageous accomplishment.
Blake was full of praise. "I've never kissed a girl on skis before," he avowed. "But somehow, I'm going to find a way to do it now!"
Nora eyed him with apprehension as he aligned his skis with hers and slid closer. "You're going to trip us!"
Finally he was able to encircle her waist. "You feel like a stuffed doll in that jump suit."
"Don't you dare make me fall," she cried as their skis slid a few inches. Blake tightened his grip and kissed her like a victorious pirate demanding his booty.
"You're mad!" Nora accused as he retreated inch by precarious inch. When he was a foot away from her, she exhaled.
font type=arial>Copyright(c)2002 By Janet Sue Terry/FONT>
font type=arial>Possibilities, is set in the turbulent 1960's, and is the story of a young woman named Nora Steele. She must face her worst fears, when she is dragged into a dark alley late at night, by abusive, would be rapist, Jason Merk.
Despite the fact that she was raised in an orphanage, Nora lands a decent job just before she has to move out on her own. Her hard work and dedication pays off however, when she wins the respect of her employer, powerful Detroit Michigan defense attorney Houston Ripley, and he v | |  | | Resolutions - Paperback
So many questions remained to be answered.
font type=arial>Copyright(c)May 2003 By Janet Sue Terry/font>/font>
font type=arial>The coldness of the apartment hit Blake the moment he stepped inside. The heat was turned on low and the place had an aura of bleakness. He had tried for almost two years to cope with the pain and uncertainty of Nora's disappearance. He suddenly realized that he still had a long way to go, for he saw her everywhere he looked.
He turned the thermostat up and stood staring out the window at the city lights. He remembered their first night in this apartment. They had cooked dinner togeth |
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