Tag: first meeting

Etta

Standing on the odd chalky grey surface Etta squinted. Last she remembered she had been sneaking out her window to sit up on the roof after a fight with her mom about coming home for the weekends. It was her first year of college and she wanted her weekends to hang with new friends. Now she didn’t even know where she was. 

As she tried to get her bearing she began to stumble forward. What distracted her most were the puffs of whatever was on the ground that billowed around her feet as she walked. It settled back down quickly but still had her shaking her head. Maybe she wasn’t actually awake. However it sure felt real.

 There was nothing around her but rocks, the dusty ground, and more rocks everywhere. That was it; gigantic boulders and sand.

“Hello?” She called. Her voice thin, sounding out of breath.

With no response, she continued forward more purposefully. Moving forward seemed preferable to standing still doing nothing. Walking meant she was doing something. Briefly the thought crossed her mind what her father had constantly said about getting lost. If you get lost, find a tree and stay there. Let help come to you. She paused for a second before giggling. No chance she was finding a tree without moving.

As more light gathered in the sky Etta mentally made a list of what she knew. While not helpful, it was calming. She was good at lists.

  1. This wasn’t her bedroom or anything remotely similar.
  2. She was far enough away from home to not recognize the landscape.
  3. It must be morning because the sun was coming up.
  4. There were no houses or any signs of anyone nearby.

In the midst of her list she glanced around to figure out what more she could figure out that would help her get home. That’s when she stopped and gaped at the rising sun, or more accurately suns; plural. There were two bright yellow suns rising into the sky. Was she hallucinating or seeing double from dehydration. She shook as she tried to clear the hysteria from her panicked thoughts. What other explanation was there?

She stood there staring, desperately trying to make sense of something that didn’t make any sense. On her mental evaluation of her situation the sun had been a constant that hadn’t even occurred to her to question. Moving forward in the hopes of finding a town was abandoned in favor of trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she apparently wasn’t even on her own planet.

Lost in her frantic scramble to reorder her thoughts, she didn’t hear the whine of a motor getting closer until it was practically on top of her. Whirling in the direction of the first sound she’d heard since waking, she once again dropped her mouth open in shock. Speeding dangerously close to her was a person in what almost looked like a roofless, flying mini cooper. It kept getting closer until Etta realized she shouldn’t just be standing there staring but running as fast and as far as she could. Survival instinct kicked in and she did an abrupt about-face and ran.

Etta dodged and zigzagged in her best attempt at possibly not getting shot, but beyond that she had stopped thinking lucidly. It took several minutes before she realized the odd hovering craft was no longer chasing her. Instantly she blushed, knowing that she must have looked like a complete airhead to be jumping all over the place in an attempt to try and evade imaginary capture. Instead the man she had seen driving the air vehicle was on foot and yelling at her. With concentrated effort she focused on what he was saying but could not understand him.

“Stul! Ges olf ota surre!” He screamed.

She may have felt threatened before when he had surprised her driving pell mell towards her out of nowhere but now that she looked his way, unfettered by overwhelming panic, she didn’t feel like he was out to get her…or kill her.

Incredibly tall, even to her 5’8 frame, he towered over her by nearly a foot. His short black hair almost blended with his nearly equally dark skin. With long angular features and a runner’s build he could almost have fit in with some of the men on earth. Her heart did a little shiver as her brain registered how dashing he looked. The clothes he wore crossed somewhere between warrior and sleek businessman.

“What?” Etta called back, still maintaining her distance. Just because he was handsomely stunning didn’t mean she was going to jump into his sculpted arms.

Yet he still beckoned her to where he was standing beside his contraption.

Drips of sweat rolled down her face as she noticed the rising temperature corresponding to the rise of the suns. In the back of her mind she knew that shelter needed to be her first priority after she managed to get rid of the gorgeous alien yelling at her in a language she couldn’t understand.

“Surre! Hak!” He hollered, pointing up to the suns. Again he motioned her to come to him and she found herself tempted. Looking up at the suns he was pointing to she raised an arm to shield her eyes.

In that moment of inattentiveness he surged forward at a full sprint. He didn’t tackle her into the sand but scooped her up in his strong arms and raced back to his flyer. Setting her down in the side seat with surprising gentleness she watched as he then raced around and got in on his side. A few button presses later and they were speeding away, back in the direction he had first appeared. As he rode he glanced down at her, then pointed at his chest. “Ryk.”

He stared at her expectantly. Etta only stared. He repeated the gesture. “Ryk.” Then he pointed at her and nodded with a soft grin.

“Etta.” She pointed at herself. Etta took a chance and pointed back at him. “Ryk? Is that your name?”

He nodded again with pleased twinkling eyes. “Ryk.” He declared. Ryk pointed to what looked like another tall rock in the distance. “Holgen. Ryk tam yi holgen.”

To read part 2 of Etta’s story, click here.

Kiera

Kiera laid her hand up against the cool glass, wishing for the warmth of the sun.  She missed the sparkling shafts of light through the clouds outside her window. Living so high above the clouds, dusk was the only time she could sit in her window seat and daydream into the clouds below, wishing to feel the breeze again. It wasn’t as difficult for her as it had been for her outgoing brother. He was going a little crazy being cooped up. He was an outdoors kind of guy. However, neither Kiera or Mason had been consulted about moving up to the new module in the sky. Supposedly it was a place where you wouldn’t get sick because there wouldn’t be any pollutants in the air.

The module she was in was odd compared to her old house. There was no yard, no visible neighbors, no open windows, no breeze or flowers. It was sterile and clean. Her parents loved it, lost in the academia they could access through their computers. All the walls were essentially glass. You could look out any direction but down and stare out into the open air. 

She would have been curled in a window seat similar to the one she was in no matter where she was. Not much had changed in her sheltered, private world; just a different view out the window.  She snuggled deeper into the pillows of her secluded window seat. 

Through the darkening sky a light flicked and drew her attention away from the book in her lap.  The other houses attached to their central module were supposed to be screened to give a guise of privacy.  Truthfully they weren’t more than a dozen feet or so away. No further than a normal neighbor but completely hidden. 

As she was about to return to reading the light flickered again.

Looking out, she was stunned to see a guy waving his hand at her, as if it was completely normal to be seeing the person in the next module. Still a little shocked, Kiera only stared. He continued to wave. Eventually she raised her hand in his direction. She hadn’t seen anyone other than her family for months. They were still ‘acclimating’. They weren’t allowed to go out and see the central module or the other people connected to them. She had a few months left of quarantine to be sure that none of her family were sick.

As soon as she lifted her hand he stopped and grabbed what looked to be a large pad of paper. Slamming it up against the window she read, PAX.

He began pointing at himself. When she nodded and waved again he dropped the paper down and wrote again.

YOU?

Glancing around to see what was near for her to write on, she had to stand up and move away from the window. In seconds she was back. 

Kiera. How can I see you?

With what looked like a chuckle he went back to his pad. Smarts and curiosity.

She stared. That wasn’t the answer she was expecting or looking for. So she waited.

His warm happy smile was addicting and he wasn’t sparing in his use of it. He flashed her another cheeky grin as he bent back over his paper to write. Putting it up against the window he watched her read.

I programmed the screen to have a glitch for 5 minutes, now I’m wishing I’d programmed it for longer. Even as she finished reading it, he put up another. Are you a hugger? 

Kiera had to stop and think. She didn’t know. She never had been much of a hugger but that was more because no one had ever really offered. I’m not against hugging…

With a look of empathy he gave, Kiera felt as though he knew exactly what she meant. She thought she had been subtle, but obviously not. Her family was more cerebral than physical in their affection.

Pax put his hand up against the glass and held it there. Kiera felt a tug to do the same, almost wishing she could truly reach out and touch his hand. She forced her hand to remain in her lap.

How long till you’re out? I have another month.

3 months. For the first time since walking into her new home she was resentful of being locked in.

That’s a long time to wait for a hug or a date. He pulled the paper down and she watched with rapt attention, aching to know what he would write next. She wasn’t disappointed. Or several of both.

Kiera had to reread that last one several times. Was he implying that he wanted to date her? Or that he was missing them in general. No one had ever paid her even the slightest attention before and now she had this gorgeous guy outside her window talking about dating…well, writing about it.

With me? 

He smirked.

Desperate? She goaded, wanting to see how serious he was or if he was flirting with her while there was nothing better to do and she was his only visible neighbor.

I’d say smart. He smirked again and held up another paper. You are gorgeous and from what I’ve seen so far, smart and funny. Intriguing. If I ask you now, I’ll be the first to take you on a date when you get out, thus upping my chances with you.

If? She questioned.

Pax nodded. You won’t reject me right? Instantly Pax’s smile changed to a pleading look and it was Kiera’s turn to laugh.

You haven’t asked yet.

Kiera watched as he glanced back to the clock on the wall behind him. Will you be here tomorrow?

Confused at the unexpected question she nodded before jotting down. I always come to this window to read, every night.

As he lifted his next message the screen began to flicker and she was unable to read what he had put up. Staring out her window she looked out at where, only seconds ago, she had been talking to the cutest guy to ever pay her such interested attention and now she would have to wait until tomorrow night to see or talk to him again.

Where she had been indifferent about the medical quarantine before, she was definitely not liking it now. Kiera was stuck being patient. 

Hadley

Typing furiously in my favorite corner of the Gina’s Pastry Shoppe, I was happily absorbed in chronicling my hopeless romantic of a sister’s lifetime struggle in finding true love on my blog. My own tradition of sorts. 

Three weeks ago Angie went on her first date with Tyler O’Connell. Little did I know that their relationship would take off in such epic strides. I can barely keep up. Saturday has become more of a marathon instead of the easy breezy chill time it used to be. Since that first date they have seen each other nearly every day and were still aching to spend more time together. Angie was definitely more twitterpated than I’d ever seen her. 

Whether it was official date nights, lunch dates, hanging out or talking on the phone Angie and Tyler were constantly connected and I was having to type furiously fast to keep up. I must admit though, I’ve been having a twinge or two of jealousy at the love developing between them.

“Excuse me.” A man’s soft voice shattered my concentration. Saying I jumped would be putting it mildly, though I did manage to not yelp. 

My response to his inane words was more of a strangled gurgle as I lurched around to look at who was interrupting me. I yanked my headphones out of my ears and the noise around me flooded my awareness. I almost felt guilty as I came face to face with a young, gorgeous, professor-type guy who looked positively startled by what must have appeared like a crazy reaction to his banal interruption.

“Sorry?” He leaned slightly back. 

Restraining myself from doing anything even more embarrassingly worse, I mentally slapped myself for ruining what could have been a romantic start to a new relationship with this handsome stranger. Not that that was why he was there. At least as far as I knew. 

In the mere milliseconds it took for me to realize how good looking he was, my writer’s brain took over and was already writing out all the sweet romance permutations that could have evolved into lifelong bliss if I had only reacted as a character in a romance novel would. Too late now.

“I…yes?…” With a gulp, I pulled myself together and blushed. “Hi.” Awkwardly I waved my hand before dropping it back to my keyboard as if I could convince it to stop embarrassing me. Oh how I wished I could start this whole thing over and at least appear to be cooler than I’m sure I looked at that moment.

With a chuckle, the confusion on his beautiful face melted into grin. “Hi there.”

I had to wait there in silence wondering if he had said why he had interrupted me or not. It only took a few seconds of me staring up into his light blue eyes before he blinked and stepped back.

“Oh yes.” He shrugged so self-consciously it was adorkable. “I couldn’t help but notice you here again.” 

“Again?” When had I seen him before. Here? I never talked to anyone here. “Do I know you?”

He glanced around before snagging the chair across from me and sitting down. “Well, we haven’t met. I realize that’s how it sounded after I said it.” He leaned back in the chair as he ran his hand through his hair. “I saw you here last Saturday and you were sitting in this exact same spot, typing away. You must have amazing concentration to not get distracted here. I thought about saying hi but I didn’t want to bother you. After I left, I found myself thinking about you throughout the week and wishing that I had at least stopped and said hi, maybe introduced myself.  When I saw you here today I guess I took it as a sign to come over.”

I sat there, flabbergasted. I couldn’t even recall the last time I had been noticed by any guy, much less a cuter than average guy like him.

“Really?” Cue the full on blush. Can I be any more lame? Did I really ask that out loud? “Are you a stalker?”

If he thought I was slow or dim witted he didn’t let it show. He had a rather charming smile. “No! Maybe I should just leave. Sorry to have disturbed you while you were working on…well…whatever it is you are working on.” He stood quickly.

It took several precious seconds for my brain to register the fact that he was leaving and I called out, “Wait!” He stopped and glanced back.

“I don’t think you’re a stalker.” I shrugged with a blush creeping up my cheeks. When he turned back around I motioned to the chair he had just left. 

“I just realized what a dunce I am. I still haven’t even introduced myself.” He stuck out his hand across the table.  “Brandt. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Oh. I…Hadley.” As I fumbled and flubbed my way through saying my own name I was convinced he would leave thinking I was brain-dead or well on my way to it.

Once again he surprised me. Not once did he look embarrassed or like he was suddenly wishing that he hadn’t sat back down. Instead he kept a hold on the hand I had extended. “Now I know you are busy with whatever you are working on but I figured that I could take this opportunity to ask if maybe you would be willing to go on a date with me sometime?”

Instantly my heart lifted and I felt like squealing YES!  I settled for a nod. “I would love that.”

I could see his relief as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, handing it over to me. I put in my phone number and handed it back. He glanced down then back up at me with a happy grin.

“See you soon?” He asked as he stood, looking hopeful.

“Not soon enough.” I found myself daring to say, smiling with the anticipation of a date with Brandt. He stumbled back into a nearby chair as he turned to make his exit, nodding and smiling at me the whole way. 

Brietta

Cringing as her mother’s shrill laughter echoed through the small garden, she couldn’t go any further away. That laugh was as inescapable as the afternoon tea. Brietta had been strictly forewarned against venturing any further than the small garden. So there she was, wandering the fringes of the garden, just in case any of her mother’s friend’s sons, nephews, or any eligible male relation stopped by.

“Brietta darling!” Her mother called over, shattering the illusion of tranquility. When Brietta turned to look in her mother’s direction she discovered a rather attractive young man standing slightly off to the side of the group. With a stutter, her heart skipped a beat leaving her a little breathless. He was tall but not gangly, more broad than spindly. With gold-streaked, dark brown hair and his full masculine attention fixed on her, Brietta had to focus as she inclined her head in his direction.

“Yes mother?” She responded, not moving closer; no matter how tempting it now was. The little freedom she had would not be given up so easily. She could see her mother’s eyes roll in exasperation even from this distance.

“Dear girl, come meet Lady Bristol’s son. He’s only stopped in for a moment to check in on his dear mother.” Brietta’s mother kept waving her forward even after she began making her way through the manicured shrubbery. As she drew closer his eyes followed her, tempting her to stare into their depths. Brietta gave a small curtsey, swaying as she realized she’d been holding her breath. 

In the silence that followed her mother’s pleased smile, Brietta angled herself towards the handsome newcomer. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance Lady Bristol’s son.” She quipped.

“Brietta!” Her mother scolded. Brietta braced herself for an embarrassing public reprimand.

“Forgive me.” A deep baritone voice interrupted smoothly before her mother had a chance to begin. “I should have introduced myself. I would be honored if you would allow me to do so now. Lord Trenton.” He bowed.

Brietta bit her tongue in an attempt to maintain decorum and not stick her tongue out at him. She knew she had already surpassed her mother’s limited patience for the day. Thankfully, he lifted his arm to her in open invitation. “Would you allow me to escort you around your lovely garden so that I may further apologize in order to appease your delicate sensibilities?” She glanced at her mother, who was doing her best to nod her head off…subtly.

After only a few steps down the path he leaned over to whisper in her ear, amusement coloring his tone. “Now that we are practically old friends may I call you Brietta, as your mother so sweetly named you or must I remain formal? You don’t seem as traditionally intent as the ladies over at the table.” He confessed, teasing her with the hint of a roguish and downright mischievous smile.

Brietta’s polite smile brightened with delight. In as serious a tone as she could muster she declared. “Since you have brought up the subject, I confess that I must insist you address me formally.” She paused, checking the distance from her mother before deeming it safe to continue, “In fact, allow me to appease your delicate sensibilities. Most people address me as Lord Aubrietta. I am gratified to make you acquaintance, Lady Bristol’s son.” Her attempted haughtiness failed as she struggled to conceal her grin.

Immediately he bowed low. “Forgive me, Lord Aubrietta I had no idea I was in such lofty company. May I please grovel at your feet?” He glanced up at her from his bowed position, his grin matching hers.

“Oh, do get up before my mother faints or mistakenly believes you are proposing to me.” Brietta sighed.

Lord Trenton stood slowly and once again offered his arm for her to take. They strolled further into the garden in contented silence before he smiled down her way again. “So Brietta, how is it I find you alone in this garden while a bunch of matrons of high society gossip over tea nearby?”

She took a moment to formulate her answer. “How trustworthy are you?” She asked boldly, leaning forward in commiseration. “If I tell you the truth, will my mother be hearing of it before the week is out or will you hold my secret close?”

“No one will hear it from me.” He promised solemnly. They proceeded to walk to the furthest corner of the garden, away from the matrons.

Once far enough away she said, “I was required to stay for just a circumstance as this. My mother is convinced that she will snag me a husband through her entertainments with their mothers. You are not the first son or nephew to stop by for their aunt or mother or even grandmother, and you may have noticed my obvious lack of competition here. However, if it were up to me I would be an hour into those woods over there and decidedly absent until suppertime.”

“Ahh, to be free from marriage-minded mothers. Take me with you on your adventure into the woods.” He beseeched, pleading. “My mother is insisting I attend an afternoon concert with Lady Sophia Grace. A stroll in the woods with no such expectations sounds much more appealing.”

“I hear Lady Sophia Grace is well sought after. You should feel honored by the opportunity.” She muttered, well aware of where she stood in the social hierarchy compared to the elegant Lady Sophia Grace. There was a reason why she wasn’t attending parties where she would be compared to the other ladies her age. Her mother never hesitated to make her aware of her shortcomings in looks, form, and accomplishment. “Besides, I am not able to take you with me, whether I want to or not, because I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you want to?” Lord Trenton smiled. She didn’t have to answer, he could see in her answering smile that she was long to go anywhere and would happily take him along.

His shoulders slumped slightly as he took both her hands in his. After several seconds of simply holding them he looked up, straight into her eyes. Brietta felt positively speared by the determination and tenderness she saw within the depths of his gaze. With a heart-stopping grin he said, “I have decided. I am going to make it my mission to spirit you away from the confines of this garden so that we may go adventuring to your heart’s content. I will just have to keep coming back until we are both free of this garden and of the Lady Sophia Grace. I will see you tomorrow.” He bowed abruptly and left her standing alone in the back of the garden.

She watched as he gave his mother a sweet peck on the cheek and strode off to his waiting horse.

To read part 2 of Brietta’s story, click here.

Jenna

Jenna almost didn’t step into the ballroom. She felt as though she was cheap taffeta in a room full of silks. Of all the places to meet on a blind date why had she agreed to this event? This was the social elite of the city.

Not that she was poor, she just didn’t make enough to be invited to this party on her own merits or money. Alise had insisted on setting her up on this date and had reveled at having her best friend and this mystery guy, Evan, meet.

At first the idea of going to a fancy event in a gorgeous formal dress and sleek new heels sounded incredible, like a princess fairytale for a night. Now that she was here, all the prepping and primping done, she dreaded the inevitable disappointment that was sure to appear in her date’s eyes. Unfortunately Alise, as a well-meaning friend, tended to talk her up. It was hard to recover from that sort of disappointment in the course of one date.

Braced for what was sure to come Jenna scanned the room again. Amidst all the men wearing tuxedos she had no chance of finding him. Instead, she would have to wait for him to find her. While she stood there, a horrible thought crossed her mind. What if he couldn’t find her? Or did and bailed before introducing himself?

“I’m going to be alone all night.” She muttered.

“Not if you don’t want to be.” A low voice right behind her rumbled with a chuckle.

Jenna swirled gracefully around in her shimmery cream ball gown, secretly loving how gracefully the skirts effortlessly spun.

Standing in front of her was a hulk of a man, all broad shoulders, narrow waist, and bulging biceps his tux couldn’t hide. Tearing her eyes away from all that muscle she found herself once again staring, but this time into amused green eyes framed by short tousled hair the color of burnt sienna. Her heart stirred.

Met with silence he deferred, “Unless you wanted to be alone?”

She shook herself out of her obvious ogling with a blush. “I…no…sorry. I was just looking for someone I was supposed to meet here.”

The smile he beamed her way pulled at her. He cocked an eyebrow. “Maybe I can be the one you are looking for?” With a formal bow he announced. “My name is Paul Carson, of Carson Tech.”

Disappointment marred her smile for only a second but he noticed.

“You are looking for someone in particular? Do you only know their name?” At her nod he smiled. “May I escort you while you search?” He leaned in. “I can be an invaluable help. Introductions and all that.” He looked so beseeching she couldn’t help but relent with a laugh.

“Deal.” She nodded. “Where to first? I am all yours.”

“Tempting.” He smirked. “If you were mine, I would be keeping you all to myself.”

A blush flushed to her face in a flash. “I didn’t mean that. I meant… I should have said…”

He interrupted. “I know what you meant.  A man can dream. Now, I will need to know who we are looking for if I am to be of any help.”

She smiled. “I am beginning to wonder if you are actually going to help me find my date or if you will purposely keep me from him.”

“The thought had crossed my mind I confess but I quickly chose the honorable thing so I would have a shot if your date didn’t go as planned.” Once again he let loose his smile, leaving her dazed. “So how do you not know what your date looks like? Did he not ask you out?”

“It’s a blind date.” Jenna admitted.

“Ahh. If only I had the right name then.” He smirked. “He should have picked you up.”

Jenna inwardly agreed but didn’t say it aloud. They stood there looking at each other in silence with happy contented smiles until he leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially. “His name? And while we are on the topic, your name?”

“Oh yeah. I’m Jenna.” She blushed and gave herself a shake to focus her brain as she nodded. “His name is Evan Cranston.”

He did a double take. “And you don’t know what he looks like?” Surprise and doubt covered his face and tone.

“No.” She confided softly. “Should I?”

It took a few long seconds of him studying her face for him to answer. “It’s just that most people do.”

“Hmm. Well” She shrugged, “I trust my friend who set me up to not set me up with a psycho.”

He nodded, appearing thoughtful and oh so charming. “How are you supposed to know it is him when you find him?”

Promptly she hooked her arm in his, secretly thrilled to be so close to so much gorgeousness. “That’s why I have you!”

In a low rumbling growl he admitted, “I’m finding it difficult to stay motivated in locating your errant date.”

“Why?” 

“The longer it takes, the more time I get with you.” The smile he shot her way was nothing short of devastating.

It was her turn to study him. “You do know what he looks like?”

“Ah yes. I assure you. I know all too well what he looks like.” His eyes scanned the crowd before them.

“And you’re sure you’re not the Evan I’m looking for?” She asked.

“I wish.” He inclined his head to her. “Shall we begin our search?” With a nod from her, they stepped into the press of people.

Over the next hour Paul took the time to introduce her to everyone they passed, and kept her laughing and distracted from the fact that she hadn’t found her date.

“Where do you propose we look next?” She sighed. Her date was officially past late. “Or have I been ditched?”

“It seems your persistence has been rewarded.” He pointed over at the door leading into the grand ballroom. “Evan has made an appearance.” Paul sounded disappointed. She stopped to glance his direction before turning to get a look at the man who was her date.

When she didn’t move toward the man Paul had pointed out, he nudged her.

“Jenna?”

Jenna startled at the sound of her name. She fidgeted with her dress. Here she was, over an hour into this grand event, had met dozens of very important people and still she was nervous. With a sheepish smile she shrugged, “Now that I’ve found him I find I am regretting it.”

“Already?” Surprise was apparent in his tone. “Not many people are ever disappointed finding Evan.”

“Not because of him. He’s handsome enough.” She flushed.

“Then what’s wrong Jenna? We’ve spent all this time looking for him.” Paul pulled her close with the slightest touch of his hand to hers.

Her silence and inability to meet his eyes suddenly made it obvious. Leaning down till their noses touched he snared her gaze smiling, “Save me a dance?”

Jenna’s relieved sigh was answer enough, but he chuckled when she straightened and looked boldly up at him. “Deal.”

Sandra

The tent they had shoved her into was stifling. She would be married off to a man she had never met, whatever he was willing to pay. The highest bidder. Today she would be sold. There would be no courtship, no party, no celebration, nothing. The vows would be spoken and the contract would be signed; and she would be his.

Oddly, Sandra found herself hoping that she appeared pleasing enough to entice someone to ‘marry’ her. Anyone not auctioned off today was sent into the services of the city’s elite. It was not a fate to be envied. When labeled as un-marriageable you were viewed as less than a person. Assigned to the worst tasks that no one else wanted, many women didn’t last more than a year, succumbing to depression and suicide.

“Vira.” The head guard hollered. The blonde next to her gave a little sob and stepped forward.

Sandra stepped back and fought to hold in the tears as she allowed her long blonde hair to drape down, concealing her face from the rest. She didn’t want to look weak.

In mere minutes the man was back calling out another name. All that registered in Sandra’s mind was that it wasn’t her name.

Name after name was called and time after time Sandra waited, until she was the last woman in the room. She stepped forward knowing that her time had come. Someone had to go last. The head guard stepped back into the room and pointedly did not look her way as he exited, leaving her behind.

Sandra stood there, unsure what to do. She hadn’t been put up to be viewed so she couldn’t be labeled un-marriageable but she wasn’t married off either. This was a middle ground she had no clue what to do with. Several minutes passed before she had the gumption to approach the exit. She pushed open the flap of the tent and stepped out. There was only one guard in sight standing right next to the opening. She drew to a sudden stop when he pinned her where she stood with a mere glance. He handed her a sealed envelope.

Curious she opened it and withdrew a note.

Sandra,

You have 15 minutes to gather your possessions. The guard who gave you this letter will escort you. Future clothing will be provided.   -Ethan

Straightening herself to her full height she faced the guard, forcing her voice and expression to remain calm. “I have nothing to retrieve from home.”

“Follow me” he gruffed.

Wordlessly she followed, anxiety for what would happen next weighing her steps. Shock interlaced her apprehension when he eventually led her up the steps of a grand house. Even though she was nervous, she noted that her escort brought her through the front entrance and not the servant’s door. Hope trickled through the fear clogging her thoughts.

The guard stopped in front of a large set of doors just inside the entry. “Wait here” he commanded and promptly left, not waiting for her to respond.

She only had to wait a few minutes before a servant opened the door wide and motioned her in. Sandra walked into the room and over to the large desk dominating the room.

The man seated behind the desk barely glanced her way but immediately dismissed the servant at the door with a careless wave. When he went back to his work Sandra took the opportunity to really look at him.

She blushed as she realized how handsome the man was even as he scowled down at the papers in front of him. His dark hair and well-tanned skin made her prickle with awareness. It was obvious he did not normally sit behind a desk but was a man always on the move. This was not a man to trifle with. Even sitting down, power and authority seemed to emanate from him…and his bulging muscles.

“Sit” He barked, without looking her way.

Glancing around she saw a chair in the corner and retreated to it.

When he glanced up minutes later she silently watched as he had to check the whole room before his bewitchingly intelligent hazel eyes landed on her.

In a softer voice than the gruff demand earlier, he amended “I meant over here.” He pointed at the large, luxurious chair positioned directly in front of his desk.

“Oh.” She blushed. Quickly she made her way back to the desk and plopped into the chair with less grace than usual. To cover up her blunder she smoothed her dress straight and sat up tall. When she braved a glance up she discovered him smiling over at her with such affection her blush deepened.  

“You don’t recognize me.” He stated, almost sadly, while still smiling.

She started in surprise and studied him closer. He had looked familiar but she had brushed it aside as nerves. Now she really looked, trying to figure out why he did indeed look familiar. He allowed her to stare for a few seconds as he continued to smile. His smile alone made her flutter inside, her heart pounding.

“It was a few weeks ago.” He prompted. “Just outside of town. Those boys that were bothering you…” Again he paused.

Sandra gasped. “That was you! I didn’t have a chance to thank you.” She smiled shyly. “Or see your face very well.”

Anger flashed briefly across his face. “I am only glad you were not hurt.”

“Thanks to you.” Her heart warmed with gratitude. At least now she knew the person in front of her was a good, honorable man.  With a wisp of boldness she muttered “Why am I here?”

He leaned forward. “What?”

“What am I doing here?” She braved a peek at his face. A soft smile had replaced all traces of anger.

“You deserve to be courted.” He confessed, almost sheepishly.

Sandra was stunned. The custom he brought up was very old and rarely ever used anymore. Not when the auctions were so simple. “ You don’t even know me.” She argued.

“I know enough to want to court you.” He replied with sincerity. “You deserve a marriage proposal, not a contract.” He paused. “If you decline I will find you a good job in my household or elsewhere if you so choose. You do not have to say yes just to save yourself from slavery.”

She sat there, stunned. What do you say when your world is suddenly upended?

In the silence that followed he stood and moved around the desk, all smooth steady grace, sliding into the equally plush seat next to her. Grabbing hold of her tightly clasped hands he implored “I have been unable to rid you from my thoughts since the moment I first saw you attempting to fight off those scoundrels alone.”

Sandra stared down at her hands held in his. The warmth and absolute tenderness conveyed was mesmerizing.

“I…” She paused and started over with a shy smile. “Yes.”

Sira

“I caught a gorgeous brunette bedecked in full party gear, high heels included, sneaking out of the party before even joining it. That, and I had to find out what you’re hiding under that hoodie.”

Sira tiptoed down the stairs, clutching her oversized hoodie close. Her roommate, Jess, had promised a huge party. Sira’s only hope was to make it out the door before Jess saw her and dragged into the chaos of people invading the house. She had her hand on the door when a low chuckle caught her attention.

With a wince she glanced back, hoping without much hope that maybe one of Jess’ guys was with some clingy party-goer, laughing at something she had said. No such luck. She nearly stumbled as her heart stuttered in response to the sight she was greeted with. Whoever this drop dead handsome man was, he was staring straight at her with a warm smile that looked about ready to burst into one of those full heartbreaking smiles, and she couldn’t move. For a second she even ventured a thought about staying at the party. The more he looked down into her eyes with that melted chocolatey gaze, the more undecided she felt.

“Sneaking off to a party?” He questioned, the laughter barely restrained.

She glanced down self consciously at the half covered sparkly party outfit that Jess had forced her into, which probably looked ridiculous, not usually something she would choose to wear herself. “No, I…” Sira tried to come up with some sort of response but forgot she was needing to finish her sentence as he stepped closer to her, stealing her breath with his closeness. She watched as his eyes made scorching trails all the way down to her bright red stilettos, up her be-glittered skirt, past her drab gray hoodie to her perfectly styled hair and makeup. 

“You…” He prompted.

She shook off the haze of charm he had swirling around him and stood straight. “Jess is probably in the kitchen.” Sira didn’t wait for him to try to sweet talk her into joining the party. 

If she conveniently wasn’t around until midnight when the party should be dying down, the better.

Shoving the door open Sira escaped down the walkway, hoping that the man turning her insides upside down would make his way back into the party. 

She swallowed a shriek when his warm, work-roughened hand softly caught her arm. As she turned to yell at him he dropped his hand away and took a step back. He ran both hands through his short brown hair.

He looked a little sheepish. If it wasn’t so dark Sira was sure she would see him blushing. “I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I didn’t walk you to your car.” 

It was her turn to chuckle as she found herself relaxing a bit. Maybe it was just being out of the house. “I would accept your gentlemanly offer.” She paused, teasing him. “But I don’t even know you.”

His grin shone with delight. “I can remedy that.” He made a mock courtly bow. “I am Mitch, Jess’ older brother. She can come out and vouch for my character if you need any references.” He took a step back toward the house.

“You’re Mitch!” She hooked her hand in his proffered arm. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m Sira.”

“Well it’s nice to meet you Sira. Am I being kidnapped?”

She tried to slow her pace down so she wasn’t dragging him away. “I didn’t make you leave the party. You followed me even though you knew I was trying to sneak out.” 

His attention was transfixed on her. Sira checked her hair to make sure the breeze hadn’t poofed it from its elegant curls into a fro.

Mitch shook his head and held his arm out. “You are fascinating.”

Surprised to find herself tucked in under his arm as they began to walk again she nudged him with her elbow. “Mmm. Try again.”

Again his eyes did that piercing perusal up and down as if trying to figure her out completely in one long look.

“Try what again?”

“I am thinking that you were going for some sort of compliment. So you can try again because that didn’t work. Or you can tell me why you left the party?”

Out came that boyish charm that Sira was beginning to see was not a conscious attempt at being some sort of serial dater, but was just his natural easygoing nature.

“You haven’t been a roommate of Jess and Terra very long, have you?”

“3 weeks.”

“Jess will have so many parties that she will be dragging me to ‘cause she is always complaining about there not being enough guys for all her girl friends.”

“So you’re telling me you left because you are so popular and in high demand for all the parties?” Sira pulled her arm out of his to fold both her arms snugly around her waist.

He put up his hands defensively. “I was stating facts. I followed you out the door because I caught a gorgeous brunette bedecked in full party gear, high heels included, sneaking out of the party before even joining it. That, and I had to find out what you’re hiding under that hoodie.”

She hugged the hoodie close. “No chance of that.”

He laughed. “You are way too easy to tease.”

Sira picked up her pace and tried to leave him behind. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, he still had a solid hold on her arm and stopped her in her tracks. She tripped as he pulled her back to face him. Stupid Jess heels.

She wanted to go for indignant but ended up a wobbly mess on the grass. Instead of taking advantage of her being on the edge of toppling over to sweep her off her feet, Mitch patiently waited for her to regain her balance, one arm out in front of her in case she needed it. She wasn’t graceful as she took a few steps, and it wasn’t like any epic romance novel where she fell gracefully into the hero’s chest but his valiant support warmed her heart and made her toes tingle.

When she looked up at the strong chiseled planes of his face he looked at her with a odd seriousness. “Sira, I came out after you because of all the people at that party you were the first one I found any interest in talking to.”

Flabbergasted and beyond thrilled Sira smiled and searched for what to say that would not sound completely foolish.

“I wasn’t at the party.”

With a loud bark of a laugh he nodded. “No, you weren’t.”