Quote of the Week

 I haven't read the book <<gasp>> but the movie is a real tear-jerker!

#TirgearrTuesday

Q: What is your ideal Valentine's Day date?

A: A floor picnic on a rainy day.

***

Drew and the girls met Sera at Faye’s Cafe and ordered one picnic hamper to go.

“Welcome to our humble abode.” Drew opened the door for Sera. “Madison, grab a quilt from the linen closet.”

The girls made short work of their sandwiches, but Drew became suspicious when they turned down dessert—their favorite part of any meal—and disappeared into their bedroom. 

He shared a conspiratory look with Sera. “I think we have two matchmakers at work.” 

“You mean you didn’t put them up to it?” 

“No.” His face turned bright red. “Uh—” 

“You look adorable when you blush.” She stroked the side of his face. “Today’s been a lot of fun.

“But?” 

Sera frowned. “But I gotta go.” 

“Right now?” Drew leaned toward her, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. When he pulled away, Sera had a slightly dazed look on her face. 

“Maybe I can stay a little longer.” She licked her lips as she swayed toward him. 

“Yeah?” With a knowing smile, Drew caressed the side of her face. “I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times. And, I swear, it’s not a line. You’re beautiful.” 

Sera gazed back at him, the same wonder he felt mirrored in her eyes. “People throw around words, like, all the time, and they’re completely meaningless. You tell me I’m beautiful, and I can believe it’s true.” 

“I’ve never met anyone like you.” 

Sera arched an eyebrow. “You mean, famous?” 

“No.” Drew shook his head slightly. “Without pretense. High school is just a bunch of posturing kids, pretending to be someone else.” He shrugged. “Even me. And, you— You could be the biggest fake of them all, and you’re not. You’re real.” 

“Stop, Drew. You’ll make me blush.” 

“Yeah?” He leaned in, grazing the edge of her ear with his teeth. “I can make you blush.” 

She shivered in response to his insinuation, shying out of his reach. “I’m sure you can.”

***

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Quote of the Week

Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. When you find the one, they will be perfect... for you.

#TirgearrTuesday

Q: What is your ideal Valentine's Day date?

A: A tour through the gardens of Versailles.

***

The trip to Versailles by metro went by quickly, having more to do with the conversation than the train's speed. Before long, Alina strolled through the famed gardens, enjoying the fall foliage. 

“It’s beautiful.” Her head swiveled as she tried to take it all in. “I must look like such a tourist.”

“Tourist or local, it is one of the most impressive gardens in the world.” Rylan looped his arm through hers. “And even more lovely to experience it with a beautiful woman.” 

“I don’t know if I should take anything you say seriously.” 

“I never say something I do not mean.” 

Alina blushed. “I’m not fishing for compliments.” 

“And that, my dear, makes you unique.” Clasping her hands to his chest, he took a dramatic pause. “Your beauty surrounds you like a majestic aura.” 

“I don’t know what to say.” 

“How about ‘thank you?’ I find that quite effective.” 

“Thank you.” 

“Shall we have lunch before touring the palace?” 

The suggestion of food inspired a loud growl from Alina’s stomach. “How mortifying. Yes, I think lunch is a grand idea. There’s a restaurant here?” 

“There is a lovely cafe at the palace.” 

“This place is massive.” 

“All the King Louis’ had grandiose taste.” 

“I’d say. Now, lead me to this caf . I might have slept in this morning and skipped breakfast.” 

“Oh, mon Dieu. Had I known, I would have fed you much sooner.”

***

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Quote of the Week

Love is not for the faint of heart. When you find your person, make sure they love you and not the idea of you.

#TirgearrTuesday

Q: What is your ideal Valentine's Day date?

A: A chance encounter in the great outdoors.

***

The sound of rustling trees caught his attention. He crouched down and froze in his tracks. A light breeze ruffled his dark hair, and a lock fell over his eyes. He swept it to the side and tilted his head. He spied nothing in the shadows, but his heightened sense of smell caught a hint of spicy perfume. His skin prickled, and every hair on his arms stood up. The fragrance surrounded him, caressing him like a sensual blanket. 

A pale leg stepped into view. Kurtis looked up and froze. His gaze settled on an iridescent face. Dee. Her eyes blazed with fire, a sharp contrast to her cold demeanor. Drawing Kurtis to his feet, she placed an elegant fingertip against his lips. 

“It took you long enough to get here.” 

Her words confused Kurtis. When had they made plans for a clandestine rendezvous? Duty waged war with his budding lust. He didn’t have time to fool around. The perimeter still needed surveying for intruders. Other than the sizzling hot creature currently holding him captive. 

A warning flashed in her eyes as she dared him to challenge her. Then her forceful kiss pushed away all coherent thought. She held his arms behind his back and crushed his body to hers. His heart pounded, heating his blood. A heavy fog surrounded him; its density threatened to suffocate him. He gasped for air. She let go of his arms, grabbing his hair with both hands. He still remained frozen. Even without physical restraint, she held him hostage. He fought against her control, yet the harder he fought, the deeper he sunk within her grasp. 

With a deep breath, he accepted the inevitable and surrendered to her masterful touch. They rose from the ground and circled in a dance-like fashion, faster and faster. The world blurred around him, like one fuzzy black curtain. He felt weightless and—against all logic—not dizzy. She ran her hands down his taut stomach, stroking her cold fingers across his chest. When she drew his shirt from the waistband of his worn jeans, his breath caught at her boldness. Yes. She pulled him closer, cradling his body with hers. He thrust his hips against her, adopting her rhythmic assault, seeking his release.

***

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Quote of the Week

Love is in the air... wait a minute... that's just snow... Despite the groundhog's prediction of an early spring, we are still getting more snow. It's pretty and everything, but I've seen enough and I'm ready for spring.

There's just one more epic event before the spring equinox... Valentine's Day. And, in honor of this special holiday, the Quote of the Week this month is dedicated to... LOVE. <<wink>>

One of the most famous fictional couples, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, steamed up the pages before they graced the silver screen. Equally matched in pride and passion, the reader/viewer held bated breath in anticipation of the inevitable match. I read Gone with the Wind at age 13, raging at Scarlett for not recognizing Rhett's true feelings and sighing over Rhett's swoon-worthy romantic lines alternating with his stark indifference.

#TirgearrTuesday

Q: What is your ideal Valentine's Day date?

A: Taking a moonlit flight over the city.

***

She stood at the precipice, her hands lifted in the air, hair whipping in her face. Then she jumped. Not literally, of course. But she still had the sensation of falling through the air, with the gap between herself and the ground closing. There was no safety net. She'd taken a chance and now she was going to—

Swoosh. Fly through the air in the arms of a black-caped stranger. No, not a stranger, the arms of the man she loved. The half of herself she'd been searching for all her life. He caught her, stopped her free fall. And, for the first time, she felt completeness. 

I’ve never felt this way before. 

I know.

Melting into his kiss, she held onto his shoulders. He spun her around, she felt giddy with dizziness, drunk with emotion. There was no other way to describe it.

***

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