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Overview
Stunned, her eyes rose. She attempted to pull her hand back, but he held on. It was difficult to comprehend all put upon her: kidnapped, her mother leaving without a search for her, and now this man thinks she is going to marry him.
"Come, let's toast to our official engagement."
He led her to the other side of the room where he poured champagne while her mind whirled. She hadn't noticed the bar where other liquor bottles set. Handing her a glass, she took it with shaky fingers all the while worrying if it might be drugged.
"To our time, our love, and our health."
Love? His glass clinked when he touched it against hers. It was barbaric. He couldn’t possibly expect me to marry him when I’m engaged to another man.
The meager distance between them disappeared and his lips brushed her brow. She shivered and tried to fight the urge to lose herself in him.
"Look at me," he whispered.
Serenity raised her eyes to his. "This is a mistake. I already have a fiancé," she pleaded.
He grabbed her arms. "I'm your only betrothed."
"No you're not," she said, keeping her voice even and gentle. The strength he gripped her with set her nerves on alert. It didn’t frighten her, but further aroused her need to kiss him again.
He took her hand and laid it against his heart. "You will accustom yourself."
She pulled her hand from him and set the glass down. Sitting down on the sofa, she squeezed her eyes shut, took a long, deep breath, and then opened them. No, it wasn't a dream. Tears welled up in her eyes. "This is all a horrible
nightmare," she said more to herself.
When she looked around for the man, he had gone to stand near the fire. She went to him. "Please. I don't know your brother. I don't know anything about what you brought me here for. I implore you to see reason and let me go."
He faced her. "The man who put this ring on your finger," he said, lifting her hand to finger the antique ring of sterling silver and diamonds, "is my brother. This ring has been in our family for generations. As the eldest, it's my betrothed who shall wear it. He was to present it to the woman who meets my specifications. He chose you, then neither told me, nor brought you here to me."
Serenity couldn't believe her ears. This couldn't be right. Ramon couldn't be this man's brother, much less have forged his relationship with her with under false pretenses. He was generous, caring, considerate, and…honest. Trembling started deep within her, but she refused to let it surface. She needed to be strong if she was going to save herself. Reginald obviously believed in what he says, and that could make him dangerous if she wasn't careful.
"Come, let's walk."
With a hand on her lower back, he led her through the door behind the drapes similar to the ones in the bedroom. Glancing around, she attempted to take in her surroundings in the darkness. There was no moon, no stars, not even garden lights one would expect to light paths.
As if her mind had been read, lights came on lighting three areas. They weren't enough to see everything, but enough to see where you were going which was their purpose.
"I know the garden so well I often forget there are lights," he said. "You can relax now. These gardens are centuries old, full of colors and plants I'm sure you'll find peaceful in the daylight."
They walked along in silence until he stopped. The shadow of something large loomed before them. She looked up. Her breath hitched. She jumped back.
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940033001019 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bekki Lynn |
| Publication date: | 01/18/2012 |
| Sold by: | Smashwords |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 97 KB |
About the Author
I, Rebecca Lynn Davis, am the CEO behind authors Bekki Lynn and Rena Kalb.. I live in Illinois around my growing famly and friends. By growing, I mean grandchildren. I have three beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson. I have so much fun with them! My backyard look like I began writing in high school and the need to continue never waned. Starting with poetry and what I guess would be considered fan fiction today, I moved onto romance and women's lit. In 2007 seven, I learned due to the nature of the sexual content in my books, I was writing erotic romance. The things you learn as you grow. My first published book was A Psychic Hitch, the first in the Servin' It Up series. It was contracted fourteen months after I wrote it during NANO month, November 2006. Book two, Last Glass of Wine, was written in 2007 and followed book one into the published world in 2008. Book three is written, however, book four isn't finished. The series will start coming out soon with new covers, since it's no longer contracted. In 2009, my third book 'Jewel of the Sun's BLOOD DESTINY' and a few novellas was published. A year later I had the rights back. I decided then to give self-publishing a try. It's been six years and I'm very happy with the growth and respect Indie Publishing has received. Done right, I believe it gives writer's hope, because few make it into traditional publishing, and digital publishers aren't for everyone. You never stop growing and learning as a writer and exploring options is one of those ways. I belong to a few Facebook groups for indie authors. Some are for promotion, one is for the business end, and my favorite one is for writers who need a little help and support, but mostly we try to drive one another crazy. Post scenarios for the purpose of getting the reaction for projects. There are a lot of poets there, too. I feel right at home. Obviously, Bekki Lynn, comes from my name, but Rena came from researching my great grandmother who was Blackfoot. I was reading about a family and they had a daughter named Rena, very pretty. Kalb is my paternal grandmother's maiden name. I'm heavy into genealogy. Now, for a downer. There are things I would like you to know since it does affect my daily life. I worry about offending anyone or going off the wrong side of what's normal for me as I did in 2008, before I was diagnosed in 2012. I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder - I've been told I was probably born with it), Dysthmic Disorder, ADD, Panic Disorder, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Chronic Headaches & Migraines along with physical ailments as a result of the treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2011/2012l. I go through periods where I shut myself off from the world and it can last a week or a month. Along with medication, I've learned to recognize the warning signs. I don't want anyone to think I'm not serious with my writing. Or worse, think I'm not interested in socializing. What am I working on right now, besides my new website? Check out my blog for updates. I have some goodies coming your way from both Bekki and Rena. Feel free to email: rldavis1977@gmail.com bekkilynn2006@gmail.com rena.kalb@gmail.com Have a wonderful day!