TUESDAY TALES - FUSSY

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales. This week we're writing to the word prompt "fussy". We have another peek into the mind and heart of Professor Mark Garrett. When you're done, don't forget to visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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As beautiful as she was, she wasn’t some delicate flower weak enough to blow away in a strong wind. He noticed how toned her forearms were. And when they danced, he felt muscle, not flab at her waist. She was strong. Maybe she worked out, or maybe she was a physical trainer? He didn’t care. He found her physical strength sexy.

As he came to the end of his drink, he dropped off the glass in the kitchen sink, then retired to his bedroom and got undressed. He got into bed and turned out the light. The dark cloud that had enveloped his heart faded into mist and dissolved. Perhaps being fussy about women had paid off?

When he closed his eyes, all he could see were Charlotte’s, and her dazzling dress. The second their eyes connected, he’d been hit by a bolt of lightning, shooting electricity through his body. Surprise had mixed with delight.

He’d already written off ever falling in love again. Maybe he’d been wrong? Her lilting laughter echoed in his head, and his hand, once again, felt the soft strength of hers. He smiled at the memories, especially her resting her head on his shoulder at their third or was it their fourth dance? He felt alive when she beamed her warm smile his way.

He couldn’t mistake her reaction to his kisses. He chuckled to himself. Yes, being forty-two gave him the experience to know something about a woman, and the confidence to know it had to do with him. Charlotte Anderson was an amazing young woman, and this had been a night to remember.

Thanks all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, if you're so inclined. Have a great day!

TUESDAY TALES - PARADE

 

Howdy do! Welcome! This week out word prompt is "parade". We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." But our piece is from the professor's voint of view today. When you're done stop by and read the pieces by all the talented Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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When he returned to his cozy home, Mark Garrett was anything but sleepy, He paced, hoping to work off his excess energy. Then he made a gin and tonic and flopped down on the leather loveseat in his home office.

Charlotte Anderson. Damn. Heat he hadn’t felt since Nancy died flooded his veins. One passionate kiss and he’d been aroused enough to have taken her right there on her doorstep. Fortunately, he’d regained control.

Beauty and a gentleness he hadn’t seen in a woman since Nancy. Yes, that was it, exactly. Nancy had beauty and a kindness about her. It’s what drew him to her like a moth to a flame. And now he’d seen it again. After the parade of women who didn’t meet his standard had petered out, he’d almost given up hope.

Mark sipped his drink, hoping the alcohol would calm him down. There was simply something magical about that young woman. She drew him in so fast he’d almost lost his head. If he continued to see her, he’d surely lose his heart. They had a date for the weekend. That gave him an entire week to pull himself together and act like an adult, not a lovesick teenager.

He was forty-two years old and had better damn well act like it! She was much younger. Instead of feeling old, her presence made him feel young. Maybe, just maybe, he’d have the chance to become a father? Wasn’t that rushing things a bit?

When Nancy got ovarian cancer, their hopes of being parents went up in smoke. Her illness took front and center. He kept his sadness about not becoming a parent to himself. All her energy and most of his went to keeping her alive for as long as possible. 

When she died, the fact that they didn’t have children tore at his heart. If they had, at least he’d have a piece of her around until his time came. Instead, he had nothing, and no one to grieve her passing with him. It had been the loneliest time of his life. Did Miss Charlotte Anderson represent a chance at a new life for Mark?  

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please let a comment and make my day!

TUESDAY TALES - PIE

 

Welcome to another edtion of Tuesday Tales and another snippet from "Someone Like You." And yes, he's walking her home and things heat up. 

Don't forget to read the other stories of the great Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE: 

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When they reached the front door of the gracious old house. Charlotte pulled out her keys.

“Well…” she said, slipping her arm out of his and stepping back. “This has been a wonderful evening.”

Mark grabbed her waist with both hands. He stepped back into the shadow of an old oak tree and pulled her right up against him. When she looked up into his eyes, he brought his mouth down on hers for a sweet, gentle kiss. When she didn’t resist, he came back with more passion. He swiped his tongue against the seam of her lips and she opened. The heat his kiss generated almost knocked her off her feet. She leaned against him for support as her knees threatened to give out.  

Then as quickly as it began, it was over. Mark raised his head and stepped back into the light of the moon. He drew a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her lipstick from his mouth.

“I’m sorry if that was over the line,” he said. “But I couldn’t help it.”

“Oh no. No. Not at all. It was… it was…”

He laughed. “Yes, it was. Exactly.”

She regained her footing, and leaned against the building for a moment while the tingling in her body calmed down. She’d never had a kiss like that before. Derek? Well, Derek simply couldn’t compete with Professor Mark Garrett. She had never been that aroused that quickly in her life. Derek was as bland as apple pie -- but Mark Garrett was as tart and provacative as raspberry rhubarb!

Mark took the key from her unsteady hand and opened the front door. He accompanied her up the stairs to her apartment.

“A gentleman always sees a lady to her door,” he said with a slight bow.

Charlotte inserted the key. “Thank you…”

“No, no. I should thank you. You turned an evening I was dreading into a beautiful night.”

“For me, too,” She said. Why couldn’t she find more eloquent words like he did?

That's it for this week! If you like this story and want it to continue, please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by.