Romantic Friday Writers: Sparkle
http://fridaynightwriters.blogspot.com/ This blog has a challenge for writers of romance/love stories to write up to 400 words on a theme each Friday. The theme this week is Sparkle.
This excerpt is from my new erotic short story about Stewart and his new girlfriend, Leah going to his family for Christmas. This particular piece of the story doesn’t have the erotic element, but most of the story is quite racy. This story is available at Amazon and Smashwords for 99 cents.
Word Count: 228
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After dinner everyone moved to the living room with mugs of hot chocolate.Leah tried to sit on Stewart’s lap, but Claire shooed her to the couch. Music from The Messiah played softly on the stereo and the children poked at the boxes under the tree. Stewart looked at Leah and smiled at the way the colored lights of the tree sparkled in her eyes.
Then he was aware of losing his grip on the mug of chocolate, of it spilling across his lap, the mug thunking onto the floor while his body tensed and started to shake. It started in his legs and quickly spread up the rest of him. This spasm was much worse than he usually got, brought on by the hot liquid hitting his paralyzed limbs. He could feel himself sliding, but couldn’t grip his chair to keep his balance. He closed his eyes and tried to take deep breaths, willing the spasm to pass, but it grew stronger. He was vaguely aware of voices around him.
Leah’s hands were on him. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and kept him from falling. He relaxed into her, his head resting on her chest, rising and falling with her steady breath.
When the shaking finally stopped, Stewart was exhausted and sweating. He slumped further back against Leah. “Thank you,” he whispered to her.
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Progress Trackers
At proofreaders; available for pre-order
What Is Meant To Be
Second draft
Homework & Homicide (working title)
Second Draft
Book Montage
RFW winner October 7, 2011
Dear Ruth,
Your characters are not the run-of-the-mill couple, and you put them in a situation that most couple would not be in; and still you succeed in rendering this scene with intense emotion, respect and compassion.
What could have been an embarrassing and humiliating incident for Stewart – spilling hot chocolate and then falling down – is turned into an opportunity to express love, caring (from Leah) and love and gratitude (from Stewart).
Here, you also show that you know what it is like to be paralised. You have done your research well. And you have used your knowledge to tell a story that is filled with generosity, understanding as well as romantic fire.
Well done!
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna’s RFW challenge No 27 Sparkle!
This is a sweet and tender moment. You paint an interesting couple here as I don’t normally read stories about a character on a wheelchair. Lovely write ..thanks ~
Hi,
Aw shucks. This so sweet if a tad painful! 😉
best
F
Sorry about the typo Ruth!
It should read: ‘…a situation that most couples would not be in;’
I don’t know where the ‘s’ went!
Anna
Oh, no problem! I understood you 🙂
Hi Ruth. Glad to have you back. Good to read about Stewart and Leah. You set the scene extremely well and I felt I was there with them, the lights sparkling in Leah’s eyes. As Anna said, your description of Stewart’s situation was very vivid and realistic.
A lovely snippet for Sparkle!
Like the book cover.
Denise
Thanks 🙂
Hi Ruth
Nice start to an interesting story. You bring love home to the heart of an injured man.
Nancy
Hello Ruth.
The love, understanding & respect between these too is portrayed very well.
A vivid & tender story.
The book cover is awesome…definitely an eye catcher!
Thanks for sharing.
For ref:
On This Painful, Tear-Filled Night