Romantica Short Story ~ Final Chapter One Night of Passion ~ chapter 12

Final Chapter

Kate stared into the fire as she sat motionless in front of it. All it's popping and snapping was mere background noise for her thoughts, she hadn't even heard Nelly enter the room.

"Time to dress my love. You do not want to be late for your own birthday party do ya?" Nelly asked.

"No I suppose not." She answered all the while gazing into the dancing flames. Clueless to how long she had been sitting quietly, she drew her gaze to the clock. Three hours. To Kate it had felt like mere minutes. She refused to entertain the thought of him leaving again although it was doing nothing but toying with her mind.

Kate stood up swiftly and walked to were Nelly was at her dressing table. Without a word she turned from Nelly for her to unfasten her dress. Last nights words, his words, replayed over and over in her mind.

"Your salvation and all the love you long for. It's never left you Katie. My heart has been forever and always yours to hold and keep alive for the both of us."

Romantic and breathtaking as they were, it left Kate wondering why he had not just revealed himself from the start. Why the disguise and charade of an identity? Who was he hiding from...me? Questions she did not get the chance to ask and now she was uncertain if she would ever get the chance to do so.

Before she knew it Nelly had her dressed and was now ready for the final touches. Kate sat down before the mirror as Nelly began on her hair. Her thoughts were still running ramp id with doubt. She couldn't bring herself to gaze at her own reflection. Maybe on some level she was scared to see what her own eyes would tell her.

"All done my love," Nelly said. She picked up a box lined with royal blue velvet and said, "Mr. Beckum had this sent over for you this morning."

Kate drew her hand up to her locket around her neck. With her eyes still focused on the dressing table she said, "Keep it for yourself. I don't care for it."

Nelly's mouth dropped open. "You must Kate. He is to be your husband and to refuse such a-

"He will not and I can refuse it!" Kate snapped. If she were honest with herself she was more snapping with herself then at poor Nelly. Closing her eyes tightly she said, "I am sorry, Nelly. You may keep it and do what you like with it. I have no need for the necklace."

Before Nelly could ask why a knock sounded on the door. One of the staff informed them Gary was asking for Kate's presence now. Nelly without a word walked over to Kate and kissed her about the forehead and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

The room was now empty. Chimes of the small bell her cousin, Susana, insisted the doorman use to announce every guest, found it's way up the stairs, down the hall, and into Kate's room. She closed her eyes again. "Please don't leave me again. Be here tonight Jake, please," she barely whispered. Raising her head she opened her eyes and looked herself in the mirror. Fear, uncertainty, and hope filled her eyes. Kate slowly rose to her feet making her way to the door. With her hand on the door knob it took all the strength she had within her to turn it. The latch sounded and the door opened freely into the room. Kate took in a deep breath, wiped away a single tear that had fallen down her check and left her room for the party.

All eyes were upon her as Kate walked into the music room. Numerous candles lit the room. Extra lavish furniture was rented for the celebration. Kate did note the red velvet runner at the entrance and assumed Susana had everything to do with it. The old piano had been replace with a larger expensive piano. Family portraits had been freshened up as well as new deep blue drapes trimmed in gold on the windows. No expense was spared and she only assumed Beckum paid for it all.

Smiles, birthday wishes, and the occasional congratulations on the engagement were thrown about from all around her. Kate could not even feel her feet moving. A numb tingling feeling washed over her and seemed to sink it's self in the pit of her stomach were it sat like a rock.

The room appeared to be moving in a sluggish motion or maybe it was her own movements. Either way it left her feeling heavy as if she was dragging behind her the weight of the world. The weight of a dim unhappy world at that.

Twenty steps in front of her stood Gary and Beckum shoulder to shoulder. Both watching Kate's every move as a beast watches it's prey. She had not even looked for him in the crowd. if he was there she would have known it by now.

"Kate, are you okay?"

A welcomed voice rang out a song in her heart causing a small smile to form. "Better now that I have you here, Jagger." Kate felt the sudden comfort as he held her arm. "I believe all of London my be in attendance tonight."

Jagger chuckled. "I believe Susana sent out invitations and then two separate reminder invitations." He then gazed down to her with a smile. "Happy birthday, Kate." He pulled out a small box from his pocket.

Kate held out her hand and said, "Oh Jagger, you did not have to get me anything." She took it from his hand.

"I didn't," he said. Kate's eye darted to meet his. "Open it," he said.

Kate ripped at the white silk ribbon securing the red box. Her hands were shaking but she finally freed it. Taking in a deep breath she lifted the hinged lid of the small present. She didn't speak. She didn't blink.

The gasps and murmurs coming from the crowd around her began to echo throughout the room as word spread of what she held in her hand. She looked up to Jagger who was smiling a wide foolish smile for her. She watched his head turn towards the entrance. Murmurs turned into loud whispers as she watched the crowd begin to part at the doorway.

Kate's heart raced with hope and fear. Through the large gathering he emerged. Tall, well dressed, shaven, and just as she remembered him. He caught her breath at that moment just as he always had.

Beckum and Gary raced towards Kate shouting objection. Jagger reached out and grabbed both the men by the throats. "I believe we need a private word gentlemen." He dragged them into a side room and shut the door. Kate hadn't even taken notice. Her gaze was else where.

She wanted to run to him. To leap into his arms but she couldn't move. She stood waiting for him, for this, for two long years. A steady stream of tears cascaded down her face.

"Katie," he said when he reached her. Before her and before everyone he dropped down on one knee. Taking the brilliant engagement ring from the box in her hand, he held her other hand in his. The room drew so silent you could hear the carriages outside the estate.

"I need you to know within your heart I have always been yours, Katie. The vast distance of the ocean never stopped me from loving you, not for one single second of any day. The feelings I have carried for you since I was a child have only grown over the years and that night two years ago to this day, was the most amazing and scariest nights of my life. I realized how much I love you and when I left, the thought of living without you paralyzed me with fear. I was terrified to love you and at the same time could not bear the thought of living without you. I fought for two years to get back to you hoping every second you had not given up on me, and you didn't. Katie, if you take my hand I promise to be your salvation everyday from this day forward. Every breath I take...will be for you."

"You have always been my salvation, Jake. For me there is no other. I love you," Kate said.

Jake slid the ring onto Kate's finger and placed a long gentle kiss on it. Kate finally jumped into his arms and kissed him with a passionate flame that had always burned for him. Finally after two very long years, he was the birthday wish she had wished for a lifetime ago.



Kate and Jake were married one week later in a small chapel outside London. Kate gave birth to a health baby boy named, Jagger. Within five years time they had two more boys and a little girl. Jake paid off Gary's debts and then Kate cut all ties with her family. Once a week Kate takes her husband on a pic-nick in the gardens, weather permitting.

There loyal and dear friend "uncle Jagger" as he is known now, visits weekly and spends every holiday with them. Although, he missed Easter with them and last Sunday diner leaving them wondering why. But, that's a whole nether story....now isn't it.

The End

© copyright 2012

by Pages of Romance Publishing

Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3   Chapter 4   Chapter 5  Chapter 6

Chapter 7   Chapter 8   Chapter 9   Chapter 10  Chapter 11

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A Forbidden Love

Romantica Short Story ~ One Night of Passion ~ chapter 11

Chapter 11

The ticking of the clock on the mantle filled her bedchamber. Sitting in a chair in the dark tucked into a corner, she stared at the bed with visions of Beckum on top of her. The instinctive reaction caused Kate's body to shutter to her core. Closing her eyes she tried to shut out the retched thought and turned her head quickly away from the bed. Unfortunately his words trailed around in her head, "I had him killed." It was all for her or maybe the game of winning. Had she known she would have just agreed to marry him.

Her nails clenched into the palms of her hands. She could still smell his breath on her face as Beckum hissed in a low tone smothered with amusement, "Did you honestly think I would let him take what is mine?" Beckum grabbed Kate's face. "You have until tomorrow night to say farewell to your old life because you will never again be that woman."

Kate's eyes flew open and she rose to her feet. She quickly walked over to the wardrobe chest and pulled out a few clothing items and then turned her attention to her dressing table. A beautifully carved ivory box sat on the right side of the table, where it always had for the past two years. Kate had not opened it since the night he left. With shaky hands she slowly opened the lid. Kate ran her finger over the soft gold engravings on the back of the heart shaped locket. It had been a birthday gift he had given her earlier that night two years ago.

Taking it out of the box she slipped it over her head and tucked it into her dress. Gazing at the door to the hallway she worked up the courage to walk over and take hold of the knob, turning it she opened it and took a step out into the hallway only to come face to face with two men. Kate realized she was being guarded and stepped back swiftly slamming the door and locking it.

"The terrace," she whispered. Running over she pulled open the french doors and darted to the balcony and peered down. Four men lined the ground beneath her. Kate dropped her bag to the floor at her feet.

"It would seem you are trapped Katie." Before she could react he covered her mouth with his hand and whipped her around away from the edge of the balcony. "Shh, you do not want to be discovered. It may ruin your plans for an impossible escape Katie." He gazed into her wide eyes as he let his hand slip away from her mouth.

"How did you get up here Bellford?" Kate asked.

"I snuck around the back and climbed up before the party ended," he said. "The guards came after I was already up here. The french doors were locked and I could not enter without making noise so I waited for you to come out, as you do every night."

"I see...wait, how do you know I come out every night onto the balcony?" Kate asked.

Bellford smiled at her. "Perhaps I was merely guessing and got lucky."

"Or you could be spying on me at night," Kate stated as she tilted her head and smiled back.

Bellford paused for a moment and just stared at her in the moonlight. "Possibly but not entirely true." He moved closer and took her face in his hands. He whispered in her ear, "I know you better then you think I do. I know you gaze up at these stars every night and release your day to them. I know before you say good night to them, you ask for salvation and love." He heard Kate take a deep breath. Bellford reached down and took Kate's hand up in his and placed it over his heart. "Do you know what your hand covers right now?"

"No," she barely whispered.

He moved away from her ear and faced her. "Your salvation and all the love you long for. It's never left you Katie. My heart has been forever and always yours to hold and keep alive for the both of us." He felt her body begin to tremble.

"J-Jake." Kate said. The air around her grew thin and the stars above started to spin.

He caught her as she struggled to stay standing, swooping Kate up into his arms. Jake laid her down on the bed.

"Katie can you hear me?"

She had to be dreaming. Did he say what she just thought he did? "You are suppose to be dead," she mumbled.

"Beckum is not as clever as he thinks himself to be." Jake chuckled. He watched her eyes flutter open. She sat up and hugged him tightly. "You are not going to start...okay you are."

Kate's tears streamed down her face landing on his shoulder. "I will never let you go again, Jake."

He wrapped his arms a little tighter around her and said, "Please don't."

She pulled back far enough to see his face and leaned in and Jake met her half way. Their lips touched. Kate ran her hands up threw his long hair. Jake's body tensed as she squeezed it into her fingers.

His hands slid slowly up her sides and around to her back. Kate deepened their kiss as she reached down and started to unbutton his shirt. Jake ripped open the back of her dress straight down all the way to her waist. Kate let out a giggle. Jake felt the tug of the material across his chest as Kate tore away the last of the buttons on his shirt.

"Sweet Katie so aggressive now," he said teasingly.

Kate pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him. "You owe me two years." Kate said as she straddled him.

Jake watched her slowly pull the collar of her dress down over her shoulders and while holding it over her chest, she slid her arms out.

He suddenly grew a little nervous like he had that night two years ago. The past few weeks she believed him to be someone else which for some reason was easier. No expectations or disappointments so he had thought until tonight when he saw her again at the party. It was then when he saw the way she gazed at him, he realize it was time to become who he should have been for her two years ago.

"Jake?"

He was staring at the heart shaped locket he had given her. He sat up and pulled her to him and whispered, "I'm sorry for leaving you. Do you forgive me. I should have stayed and married you."

"I love you Jake and never stopped loving you."

"I love you Katie, marry me," Jake said.

Kate smiled and shook her head yes. He kissed her hard. His hand's wrapped around her bottom drawing her closer to him. Kate let go of her dress letting it fall down her chest. Jake broke their kiss running his tongue along her jawline stopping at her chin. He kissed it twice then trailed his lips down the middle of her neck straight down between her cleavage.

She gasped deeply at the sensation. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders under his open shirt. it was different this time for her. She wasn't tricking him into exposing his feelings for her or begging him to show her. Jake was all hers willingly.

The warmth of his mouth found her nipple and she arched up towards him allowing her head to fall back. Her hands again found themselves running up through the back of his hair and he pulled him to her. Kate felt his mouth open and then took more of the breast in his mouth as he deepend his sinful kiss on her.

He cupped her other breast and rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger gently. The noise that came out of Kate nearly made him stop with the surging throb that shot threw him. Pushing her breasts together he wickedly flicked her with his tongue.

Kate's finger tips dug into his skin as she moaned between her short gasps of breath. A deep desire was pulling from her belly and lower yet. She felt the warmth of his hand skim across her outer thigh up to her bottom. He took hold of her undergarments and her dress yanking them completely off somehow. She sat on top of him naked, panting, and ready for whatever he wanted of her.

He had never been more turned on then he was at this moment. The thought of teasing, exploring, and seducing her all night was so tempting but he knew at some point her body would demand more. Jake reached down between her legs and gazed his hand across her wet skin. He heard her moan his name as his finger slid deep inside her.

She was gasping from pleasure as she felt his finger move in and out of her. It was not enough. The deep desire to be filled was overwhelming and she called out to him. "Jake please."

He knew what she was asking. Jake wrapped his arms around her and turned her body to the bed and pulled off his clothes. As he kneeled between her legs he leaned down and kissed her. His body rested between her legs and he positioned himself at her opening.

Kate laid her hands on his back waiting for him to enter her. He slowly pushed in and he felt Kate freeze under him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes," Kate answered as she gazed up into his eyes.

He held her gaze as he pushed further. The demand of his body was almost over powering his control. He pushed slowly one last time and reached deep inside of her.

"Jake!" Kate moaned. She never knew something could feel so pleasureful. It made her wonder if it would always feel this way every time he entered her.

As he began to push in and out he had hoped she wasn't in too much pain. She was very wet but this was her first time and she was so tight that he knew she would be sore.

The faster and deeper he pushed within her the stronger the tingling odd pull from her lower belly became.

He wasn't going to be able to last much longer and the way she was panting and moaning he knew she was almost there. He felt Kate push her hips up to him and after a moment she moaned one long loud cry and it was all he could do to hold off for another ten seconds. He spilled himself into her so deep and hard, it took over all his functions as he called out her name. Something he had never done for any woman in the past.

Jake lay motionless on top of her.

"Are you okay Jake?" Kate asked with a giggle as his labored breathing blew into her hair.

"Ya." Was all his answer was. After a few more seconds he said, " Kate, I want you to know I-

"Kate open this door!" Gary screamed as his fist pounded to the door.

Jake and Kate looked to one another and he jumped up. Kate flew off the bed and grabbed her robe.

"I know you are not alone in there now open this door!"

Jake had his clothes on and was pulling on his boots. Kate could not believe this was happening all over again.

"Are you leaving?" Kate asked.

Jake stood up and walked to the french doors. "No I'm staying this time."

Just then Gary and the two guards busted threw the door. Kate jumped in front of Jake. "Gary you have no right to do this!" Kate screamed at him.

"You foolish girl move," Gary demanded as he pulled out a pistol.

"Gary!" Kate shouted. She turned to Jake and screamed, "Run!"

Jake saw why she said it and pushed threw the french doors and jumped down over the railing, landing on a guard below.

Kate watched him run off threw the garden.

Gary grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Who was that?"

© copyright 2012

by Pages of Romance Publishing

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9  Chapter 10   

Final Chapter


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A Forbidden Love

How To Write a Romance Novel

What you put between your pages

stays between your pages. So make it great!

Have you ever picked up a book because the cover was eye catching, you then quickly thumb through the first couple of paragraphs making sure you see "white spaces." Decide to buy the book, get it home, sit down with your cup of coffee or large glass of wine, and begin reading past the first couple of pages only to say to yourself, "How did this book get published?" I have gone as far as to throw the book at the garbage can.

We have all done that. What an utter disappointment though. I mean really, at this point are you going to get up from the cozy position you have yourself in and go back to the store for another book...no. You’re going to walk over and take one of the books you love off your bookshelf and reread it. It's sad though that a book can seem so promising at first and then...nothing. I always ask myself, “What happened? Where did the writing go?"

We never get a second chance to make a first impression. Do not let your beloved book be one of those disappointments. The reader will remember your name and believe me; she will hop on that phone and tell of the complete let down your book was to her. I've done the very same thing myself. And she will do it until it is out of the system, which can mean a lot of people now know your name.

So first and foremost.

Tip 1. Keep Them Hooked and On the Line

Always start a chapter with a "Hook" and end the chapter with a "Hook". For Every Chapter. Not just the first chapter to get the reader to pick it up and throw it in her cart. Come on now ladies. You do not mess with a woman and her eagerly awaiting romance read.

The "Hook". A hook is something that grabs a reader and will not allow the reader to turn away from it. They have to know what is going to happen next. Start your first chapter in the middle of the action scene of something that is taking place. Example: Historical romance writer might want to start the first chapter as a carriage is rolling over or running off the road, which I have done in one of my own books. But think about that. What a way to grab your reader's attention. Do keep in mind though, it must carry on throughout your book and not just stop at the end of chapter 1.

Tip 2. Show and Don't Tell

See, Hear, Touch, Smell, and Feel. Please do not narrate your entire book to us. I want to hear your characters have a turn to speak. Show us by communicating through all of the senses. What is the character in the carriage hearing? Can she smell the fresh scent of mud and torn grass? Can she see through a window or has the door flung open and she is able to see a river at the bottom of a hill they are headed towards. Does she shout anything or pray? Don't tell me...show me what their world is like in every moment they are living it.

Tip 3. No Ones Perfect And Neither Are Your Characters...I Hope.

Readers connect with characters that have bad habits, odd and funny corks goofy catch phrases they say all the time. Make them human. A funny way a character stands or a gambling habit. Perhaps your character fidgets when nervous or bites their nails. OK, that one maybe grouse but a lot of people do it. Find or give something for each character that people may see themselves in and therefore can relate to right away.

Tip 4. "Huh. You talking to me?"

Turn off the spell checker! No one talks in formal or proper grammar when speaking to a friend or relative, so neither should your characters. Slang, broken speech, and catch phrases are all apart of how we communicate all while adding our own personal voice to what we say.

Read your dialogue out loud or better yet have someone else read it to you out loud. I personally always have my daughter or sister read mine to me. You will not believe how different it sounds. Catching mistakes or seeing where more needs to be said is so much easier this way.

If your character has an Irish background then tint his dialogue with it, but don't kill it. Heavy slang such as this is very hard to process for a reader. Play with it and have fun. Watch movies that sound as your character needs to sound and take notes while you are watching.

Tip 5. White or Black

White Spaces. A reader will open the cover of your book and immediately decide if the book is worth reading by judging how much white spaces they see on the pages. This tells the reader if you have more dialogue or if your book is filled with one page after another of black ink from you narrating. Review your work and see how much white space you have. If you see more black ink then white space, it is time to go back and add a lot more dialogue.

This is the first thing I look at when I pick up a novel. When someone is telling a story at a party, do you pay more attention when he is acting out the story as he tells it? No one I know wants to listen to someone tell a story that goes on and on with the same monotone voice with not a lick of expression on their face. Would you? Well, that is what it is like for a reader reading as you narrate pages of the story. They will eventually get board and put it down.

There is no need to smother your readers with facts, back story, time lines, or personal thoughts. Let all these things be revealed to your reader through the story. Please no long ten to twenty page prologues. Your reader will wonder what will be left of the story to tell or honestly, when on god's green earth it is going to start.

If the need is there to do a prologue, then at least have some dialogue and action in it for your reader. Not many people enjoy history lessons.

Tip 6. Fact is Fact

Get your facts straight! Any historical romance reader who has been reading for any length of time will know if you are wrong. Do the research for your Historical or Regency romance novels. Time lines, wars of your era, famous buildings mentioned in your novel, how people spoke, clothing worn, house hold items used, and anything you can think of for your novel.

If you take some time and check out Amazon or the Internet you can most certainly find all the information you need for your time period. Books, websites, and blogs are full of information. If not, find an expert on the subject.

Make an outline of all the information you might be using in your novel and then research it on the net or at a library. Honesty, it really does not take that much time.

Tip 7. Location, location, location

Move your characters around. Walks, rides in the country or through the woods, fishing on a pond or a stroll down a London busy street, and move them in and out of different towns. Your novel will grow very tiresome played out in the same room or in the same house but just in different rooms.

Tip 8. Wow

A unique story line is a must for any novel. Wow your readers with unexpected twists and turns throughout your novel.

Perhaps the first time your hero sees your heroine, she is standing at the top of a long staircase. As their eyes meet, she begins to walk towards him down the stairs. In romantic moments like this what if you break the tension by having her slip or worse yet, tumble her way to meet him for the first time down the stairs. Or chicken out and run back up the stairs to her room. She will then later at some point have to face him and whoever else saw what she had done.

Maybe your hero believes she is looking at him, but she isn't, she is staring at the man behind him. So when he goes to approach her to take her hand, she is surprised because she had not even noticed him standing there.

Be creative with all your chapters, scenes, and characters. This is your creation so have fun with it.

Add to the list. What else do you think chapters need to keep your attention? Post your comments please. I would love to hear from you.