Her Perfect Man
By Jena’ Galifany
Dedicated:
To the true "Colin Marsec" in my life. He stood by me, encouraged me, and loved me when I needed him. He knows who he is and that is all the world at large needs to know.
PROLOGUE
"I will travel the world," Colin Marsec stated, his shoulders hunched against the cold wind that blew off the Channel. "I shall see the world and have a piece of every adventure there is to enjoy." His dark, mysterious eyes sparkled as he thought about his future. The wind teased at his dark, wavy hair, and pulled at the curls at the nape of his neck, a lock falling onto his forehead as always.
"I will find the man of my dreams and settle down right here in Southampton." Anna Scott had her dreams as well. "My only dream is to marry well and stay in the city of my childhood, thank you very much. I want to be well taken care of and live in a respectable home, entertaining respectable friends." She spoke with a confident attitude. She knew just how it would be.
"How could you contemplate staying in England, in such a dreary place, when there is so much out there to see?" Colin waved his hand to caress the world that lay beyond the Channel.
Anna felt a deep attraction to Colin from the time they were eight years old. He was a dreamer who had a way with words. He made her feel good about herself. She didn't have to be perfect around him and she liked it. She could be herself.
Even at a young age, Colin had physical strength though one would not suspect it with his sleek build. He had dark brown eyes framed by long, dark lashes. His eyes would display a certain spark when he spoke of his future or when he was about to break the rules. Anna had teased about him being her brother, stolen at birth, raised by gypsies and sold to his father at the age of seven. He had a romantic look about him that made it easy to believe. An only child, she had no brother to protect her, to stand up for her. He applied for the job and was gladly accepted. His house was one street over from hers. They would sneak out at night and meet by a large tree at the end of the row of homes. There they would huddle together against the cold wind that blew off the Channel, and spend the dark hours talking.
Anna shivered. When they were younger, Colin would offer his coat on a night like this. She hoped he would do so now. Instead, he pulled her close to his chest and wrapped his coat tight around them both. He leaned his back against the enormous tree trunk, her back against his chest, his chin nested in her thick hair as they stood cocooned together.
"You know this is not acceptable behavior, sir." Anna enjoyed the closeness but didn’t want him to know it. It was wrong, yet she felt safe, loved, and cared for.
"I won't tell anyone," came his voice from above her, making her smile. "It’ll be our little secret, all right?" He held his arms around her and she could feel his heart beating against her back.
"What if the man of my dreams should happen by? What if he should see us like this? What of my reputation?" She wasn’t really concerned about it happening at this late hour. Colin put his hand over her mouth.
"I don't think that will happen, Miss Anna. By the way, I don't want to hear about the man of your dreams." He dropped his hand, tightened his arms possessively around her, and lowered his lips to brush her ear. She felt his warm breath on her neck, and it gave her a momentary chill. In a near whisper, he added, "Unless it's me."
"Well, what if my father should happen by?"
"If your father should happen by, he would execute us both for being out here in the first place. So," he kissed the top of her head, "let us enjoy the night until he does. How many of our friends can say they often spend the night together?"
She elbowed him lightly in the ribs, and heard the rush of his breath as she connected with his slender body.
Contented, the two youths stood in silence, and enjoyed the closeness of each other.
___________________________________________________________
To Be Continued...
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This book may not be reproduced in whole, or in part, by any means, without the expressed written consent of the author.
Any
unauthorized reproduction of this book, other than by written
authorization or contract by and with the author, is a violation of
Federal Law and will be prosecuted to the full extent of that law.
This
book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents
either are products of the author’s imagination, or are fictitiously
used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or
dead, is entirely coincidental.
Any trademarks referred to within this publication are the property of their respective trademark holders.
© 2008 Jena Galifany/Marge Conrad
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