Today's #teaser from Forever Blue, erotic romance, fantasy from Hot Ink Press
Jasper watched her sniff the night air. He saw her expression. She looked puzzled. Then she was walking towards him. He tried to melt further into the shadows.
She picked up a garden fork that leaned against the house wall and held it out in front of her. The row of metal prongs looked lethal.
“I can see you. Who are you? What do you want? You have ten seconds to beat it, buddy, and then I scream for my husband.”
Jasper’s surprise pinned him to the spot. She can see me. How is that possible? Unless, unless, she is the one.
He saw her hesitate. He knew there was no husband, and now she must be deciding he’d called her bluff. If she could see him, then maybe she’d be able to hear him too.
“I’m sorry. I was only taking shelter from the rain for a few minutes. I don’t mean any harm.” He held out his hands by his sides in a gesture meant to convey that he was harmless.
She raised the garden fork a little as if his movement scared her.
He bent his head and his shoulders drooped. “I’m really no threat. I’ll leave, if you let me pass.”
She put down the garden fork. “What are you doing out here? There’s nothing around for miles. The road leads nowhere.”
Jasper edged sideways to leave. His thoughts tumbled in his head. A weight of sadness threatened to force tears from his eyes. He could only just bear the thought that she was afraid of him. He stuttered. “I…I’m lost.”
Claudie looked at him intently.
He saw her frown.
“I can call you a cab. Where are you going?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ll walk back along the lane to the road.” Jasper moved, this time more quickly.
Claudie stepped back, but called. “Wait. You’re drenched. I can’t see anyone just wander off into the night like that.”
Jasper’s heart contracted. He wished he’d met her in the day, on the road, or somewhere she wouldn’t decide he was a threat. She could be the one and he loved her. His stomach ached with sorrow. He turned and in a burst of speed, he fled.
A mist of spruce perfume hit Claudie and she stared after him.
He stopped at the bottom of the garden and looked back. She was inside, locking the door and he could see she still had the garden fork leaning against her hip in readiness. She’d taken it in for a weapon. He shook his head. How strange, he’d watched her all summer, and she’d shown no sign of knowing he was there. What alerted her to his presence this night? He felt desolate. He leapt the box that hedged the back of her garden and ran the length of the field.
Copyright Elodie Parkes , Hot Ink Press
Manic Readers review
Forever Blue is a lovely little love story. It is ethereal to the max, and I pictured it, if it was a movie, as being shot with a soft focus lens, with muted colors. That is a testament to Parkes’ ability with the descriptive word.
I loved the story, not so much for the love, but for the other worldliness of the whole thing which takes over the story and the characters.
I loved the story, not so much for the love, but for the other worldliness of the whole thing which takes over the story and the characters.
Please note this story is 18+
‘Forever Blue,’
my release with Hot Ink Press, was inspired by the woodland near
where I live. There’s a mysterious feel about the woods in autumn. It often
feels as if something is watching. From the window of the room where I write, I
can see across to nearby woods. I hear owls hoot at night. At dusk and dawn,
there are strange mists that rise from the trees. It’s very lovely.
****
Find Elodie:
Below
the blurb for Forever Blue
Claudie loves living in the countryside and close
to the forests. She’s a filmmaker and works for the wildlife trust. One night
she steps onto her patio and sees a man sheltering there. She confronts him and
he runs away.
Jasper has watched Claudie for a year. He fell
in love with her, but he has a secret, one that might mean he can never
approach her.
Will love and fate find a way?
What secret must Jasper hide?
