TUESDAY TALES - CEILING

 

Welcome! This week's word prompt is "ceiling". We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." And we're still at the dance. But this week, we see things from Professor Mark Garrett's point-of-view. When you're done, please stop by and read the other author's posts. You'll find them HERE. 

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A few minutes earlier.

Mark put down his empty punch glass. When the music started, he sighed and gazed at the ceiling. Though it had been sseveral years, he still hadn’t adjusted to being at a dance without his beloved wife.

He went to the school events because he felt it was expected. As head of the department, he had to keep a high profile and participate in the school activities. He had no problem attending sporting events, but social events depressed him. He felt awkward without Nancy at his side.

As the song faded, he turned his head. There, right before his eyes, was a vision. A beautiful girl dressed in a fluid silk dress that clung to her slim figure in all the right places. The colored lights caught reddish strands in her dark hair that fell in loose curls about her shoulders.

Her face was shadowed, but streaks of light revealed even features. Eyes darkened by shadows, invisible from so far away, held mystery. The neckline of her dress was tasteful but still exposed some delicious cleavage. She took his breath away.

She stood next to Corey Anderson. Was she one of his students? His guard went up immediately. He could never date a student. It would be the end of his career. But maybe she wasn’t a student. After all, he hadn’t noticed her around campus, and he would have noticed a woman who looked like her. Corey leaned over and spoke to her. He had to find out who she was, because if she wasn’t a student, she might be the answer to his prayers.

He picked his way through the crowd and stopped in front of Corey, who made the introductions. When they shook hands, he was struck by the softness of hers. He didn’t want to let go, but did so when he realized he'd held it a bit too long.  

His first question was about her status. When he heard that she was thirty years old and not a student, his heart almost leapt out of his chest.

Then the band played a romantic, slow tune. He asked the lovely Charlotte to dance and she accepted. Her perfume teased him. He couldn’t believe his luck. Corey’s sister! 

As he took her in his arms to dance, his pulse kicked up. His fingers pressed against the smooth silk of her dress. His arm encircled her small waist with ease. Unable to resist, he drew her closer, hoping she couldn’t feel his heart racing. This would be a night to remember!

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STUBBORN"

 

Howdy-do! Welcome to Tuesday Tales. We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." And, yes, it's more of the scene at the dance. I hope you enjoy it. When  you're done, please visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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The music stopped. Feeling a touch wobbly, Charlotte reached for her brother’s hand. Unable to tear her gaze from the professor’s, she watched him thread his way through the crowd and head in her direction. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She flashed hot, then cold, then hot again. She squeezed Corey’s hand hard.

“Ouch!” he said, ripping his hand from hers.

“He’s coming this way,” she whispered.

“Hi, Dr. Garrett,” Corey called out in a confident voice.

Staring directly at her, Professor Garrett got close enough for her to smell his aftershave. “Hi, Corey. Who’s this?” he asked.

“This is my sister, Charlotte. Char, Dr. Mark Garrett, head of the English Department.” Corey made the introductions.

Dr. Garrett offered a strong hand with long, slender fingers. Barely able to breathe, Charlotte took it. His grip was warm, dry, and firm but not punishing. When he held her hand a second or two longer than required, she tingled all over. She almost lost it when he ran his thumb along the back of her hand. Charlotte silently thanked Callie for stubbornly insisting she slather lotion on her hands every night until the leathery woodworker skin became soft and feminine again.

“So nice to meet you,” Mark Garrett said.

Grateful to be able to speak at all, she uttered, “Yes, Same,” in a breathy voice.  She watched the professor’s gaze travel up and down her length, stopping a moment longer here and there. She sensed a blush stealing up her neck into her cheeks and prayed it simply made her look healthy.

“I haven’t seen you around campus. Are you a student here?” he asked.

Charlotte laughed. “Oh no. I’m thirty. I have a job. Corey and Kitty invited me.”

“Oh, I see,” he said, his smile growing wider.

The music started up again with a slow dance number.

“Would you care to dance?” the professor asked, offering her his hand.

“I’d love to,” she replied, allowing a full smile to light up her face. As she moved onto the dance floor, she noticed Kitty shoot a quick look at Corey and grin. 

Mark slid his arm around her waist and folded his hand around hers. Charlotte felt weightless, as if she were floating. Were her feet really touching the floor? She couldn’t feel it. 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you have a minute. Thank you. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "LEAFY"

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales again. After taking a break for a week or two due to other oblidations, I'm back. And we have another episode of "Someone Like You." This week we actually make it too the dance...yes, I know, the part everyone has been waiting for! Once you finish my snippet, mosey on over to the other writers and read their terrific stories. Find them HERE. 

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It was a warm night in June. The school dance took place on the back patio and lawn near the cafeteria. Charlotte parked her car, opened the door and got out carefully. Still a bit wobbly on the high heels Kitty had insisted she buy, she picked up her linen jacket and smoothed down the skirt of her dark teal silk dress. The skirt was full, but hung softly about her body, perfect for dancing, Callie had pointed out.

She grabbed the small white satin purse, locked her car and proceeded slowly to the venue. Music greeted her as she picked her way up the uneven path. A gentle breeze swayed the leafy trees shading the path. She inhaled the scents of spring.

“Spring might be my favorite season,” she mumbled to herself.

“Charlotte! There you are!” It was her brother, Corey, and his fiancee, Kitty. He grabbed her elbow and ushered her onto the dance floor. After pushing her brother away, she took a step back and gazed across the room.

Soft colored lights gave off a romantic glow. The music was soft and slow. Most of the dancing figures appeared in shadows. She raised her gaze to the other side of the dance floor and caught her breath. Standing alone by the punch bowl was Professor Mark Garrett. He looked tall, lean, and cool wearing a dark suit and a striped tie.

Her hands trembled and a zing shot through her body. Was he not the most handsome man in the room? Charlotte didn’t know because when he turned his head and made eye contact with her, the rest of the people in the room seemed to disappear.  

 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by.