A Glimmer of Hope

For a quick taste of my writing style, read this super short story I wrote in 2012 for FREE!! — Christa Simpson

Jessica Hope wiped a tired hand over her face. It had been another long day at the office. And what a day it was.

Feeling a little exhausted and a lot miserable, she shoved open the back door of her office building and stomped outside. Her car looked as lonely as she felt. It was the last one in the dark lot.

Great. It was bad enough her new boss decided to simply pull the shades over his eyes, instead of canning his sassy, useless secretary; but it was dark, December, and, as if she’d begged for it, rain began to pour from the blackened sky.

Unbelievable. As if her life needed any more obstacles right now. She flipped a large, slack hood over her head, trying as hard to hide from the world as she was from the icy cold rain.

Jessica adjusted the purse strap on her narrow shoulder and rushed toward her car, her hood hovering low over her eyes. She stared at the glimmering puddles, as she splashed forward with long, quick strides. Jessica dug into her purse for keys and quickly pressed the unlock button. Nothing happened. Great. Yet another hassle to make her life more difficult.

She jammed her key into the lock, swung the door wide open and clambered into the driver’s seat, unaware of the hooded man lurking in the shadows. The man deftly approached the car unnoticed, swiftly jerked the passenger door open and slipped inside, as Jessica’s door slammed shut.

“Ahh!” she screamed. Her mouth froze open in horror. Before her defences could even kick in, a large warm hand gripped over her mouth, muffling her hysteria. Her frenzied vision was blurry at best, her eyes still wide with fright, as the interior lights faded from white to pitch black.

The man was wrapped in darkness and didn’t make a sound as she waited for her eyes to adjust, the only noise in the car being her ragged breaths and the occasional whimper. The man’s rich cologne drifted over her. The scent was strong and familiar, just like the broad shoulders and thick muscles straining against the fabric of his wet hooded shirt.

She gasped for air as a white-hot heat burned in her lungs and tugged at her heart. Her eyelids fluttered shut.

“Are you done?” he asked. His voice sounded smooth and demanding, just as it always had.

Jessica’s eyes shot open and glared directly into the intense green gaze of the man next to her. He slowly withdrew his hand from her mouth and slipped the hood from his head, exposing his dark, spiky hair.

“My God, Connor. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She felt so emotionally drained from the tiresome day that tears nearly sprang from her eyes.

“You’re far too young for that. Besides, would you have let me in if I’d asked nicely?” he asked, raising a dark inquisitive brow.

“No,” she admitted, with her eyes still narrowed. “What do you want, Connor?”

“Can’t a guy come and check on his girl? Why haven’t you been returning my calls?”

“To answer your first question: No. I’m not your girl anymore. And as for the other, you figure it out. You’re a smart man.”

His green eyes darkened, but his voice was steady and his intentions clear. “I miss you.”

Jessica swallowed the lump from the back of her throat. “You miss my help. I suppose your temp isn’t working out. Not my problem anymore.” She tried to be arrogant. She wanted to be angry. But his charm was so tempting.

“I miss you,” he insisted. His gorgeous, green eyes slipped over her and a warm rosy blush spread across her cheeks.

She felt his gaze. Everywhere. “It’s over.” She tried to sound convincing, but her voice cracked, exposing her weakness.

“Come work for me again. I beg you,” Connor said, leaning dangerously close to her face. Heat poured from his solid frame, while Jessica sat there shivering, drawn into his hotness. Connor wrinkled his forehead, desperation marked in every crease of his skin.

It wasn’t anything Jessica hadn’t seen before. “Give me one good reason why I should.” She was certain he would be speechless.

Silence hung heavy in the small car. The windows were fogged with anticipation. Jessica slid her key into the ignition and turned it over, drowning the silence with the sound of the defroster cranked on full blast.

“Because I love you,” Connor said firmly. He cupped his hand on Jessica’s cheek and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.

Her lip trembled at his touch and a delicious tremor vibrated through her entire body. She couldn’t even pretend she hadn’t heard him. Her heart thudded hard and heavy in her chest. “Get out!” she ordered, unwilling to give in to her body’s urges. That was never their problem.

“Not this time.” Connor voice sounds as strong and determined as ever. “I’m not going anywhere.”

On a sharp inhale, Jessica’s eyes slid shut, but not fast enough to catch her tear. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” she said softly.

“But I do Jess. You’re all I think about. I should have never let you go.”

She wished it were true, but wouldn’t dare put her heart back on the chopping block so soon. “I don’t know. I don’t think it’s safe to say things like that. Someone could get hurt.” Like me.

Ignoring her hesitation, Connor makes a surprising demand. “Tell me you love me back.” He holds that shadowed stare on her like a magical spell.

She turned her head away from him, breaking his influence. “Since when did that become so important to you?”  The truth was that her mending heart was still in a terrible state of disrepair.

“Since I bought this.”

When he rummaged through the pocket in the front of his shirt, that caught her attention. Then he pulled out a small velvet box.

“It matters now.”

Jessica whirled around to face him, still holding her breath, stunned by the act of honor. Another second, another promise.

Connor cracked the box open, displaying a gorgeous rock that glittered before the dashboard lights. “Tell me you’ll marry me. Tell me you love me too.” Connor raised his eyebrows, holding them high on his incredibly sexy forehead, as he waited patiently for her answer.

Jessica chewed on her bottom lip, but there was no question in her heart. A smile burst from her lips. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you! I love you so much.” Tears streamed from her smiling eyes as Connor wiggled the golden ring onto her finger. “I love it. I love you,” she cried, as he smeared away her tears and brushed a soft kiss over her cheek.

“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.” He clasped their hands together and tucked Jessica into his arms. He hugged her tight against his damp chest and pressed a long kiss to her temple.

“I think I do,” she whispered.

Connor dropped his chin, to kiss his fiancée’s soft willing lips. “You’re mine. Forever.”

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 by Christa Simpson.

I should have warned you it’s a super romance.  If you liked this, then maybe you’ll like The Twisted Trilogy. Check back often.  Comments are always welcome and appreciated. 🙂