Picture Challenge

I recently took on a challenge to take the pictures above and make them into a short story with 1000-2500 words.  I did this story in about 45 minutes so I hope you like it.

Alexis was walking through the gallery with her best friend Markas looking at the most amazing group of pictures ever, as she approached one it took her breath away, grasping Markas arm “Look at that anguish on his face how the artist did that is amazing, I wished I could do something like this”

“I know the old man screaming is wonderful, the details in the eyes being shut, the scruffiness of the beard just blows my mind.” Markas was not only her best friend but the only man she could count on in her life.  “Hey did you notice the two Mr. Yummies over there” with a brief nod to the right Alexis peeped around him.

“Yes they are yummy but darling I had to disappoint you they are straight as an arrow.” Alexis laughed teasing Markas.

“I know silly, I was talking about you, the one in the dark purple shirt is all about watching you” Markas laughed as Alexis swatted his arm.

Ignoring his comment she slowly made her way around the corner to another picture, standing there taking in all the details of the old Indian woman, how her eyes again told the story of anguish and pain. Alexis was so deep in thought she didn’t hear someone walk up, thinking it was Markas she reached over and patted his stomach.  That was when she instantly realized that those hard as rock abs didn’t belong to her best friend; shocked she spun and was face to chest with the sexiest man she had ever met.

“Oh crap I am so sorry, I thought” pausing to look up to his face “I thought” well she stammered as their eyes locked “I thought you were my friend Markas” bowing her head she mustered up the courage to apologize “I am so sorry” as she started to move away. She watched as he slowly reached out and touched her hand.

“I am sorry to startle you” pausing to gently hold her hand in his palm moving his fingers along hers “My name in Jasper Kline, it has been a pleasure to meet you.” He looked down at her holding her undivided attention; she was so enamored and unable to speak. Thankfully her best friend saved the day again as usual.

“Hey there I was wondering where you got off to” reaching out offering his hand to shake “I’m Markas and who would you be?” Alexis held the attention of the man holding her hand the entire time Markas spoke to him. That is when the other gentleman walked up and patted him on the back.

“Jasper I see you have met a beautiful lady” taking her hand from Jasper’s “It’s nice to meet you and your friend here, I am Jackson Kline and who might you be?”

Alexis was finally woken from the spell she was under, shaking her head “Sorry I’m Alexis it’s nice to meet you.” Turning to Markas quickly to explain what happened she noticed he was smiling like a hyena at a buffet.

“I turned to talk to you and smacked him in the stomach, you are always disappearing on me” she swatted Markas’ arm “I wanted to show you this Indian woman she is wonderful the way her eyes reach to you.” Markas nodded in agreement but noticed that Jasper still hadn’t stopped staring at his best friend.

****

Markas decided that he wanted to experiment a little with the man looking at his best friend like he could eat her for lunch. “Have any of you seen this photo?” reaching out to direct them to the photo of a woman sitting with her back to you, nothing but a burlap wrap on, hair a mess and petals surrounding her.

Alexis looked at the pictured getting shivers up and down her spine “Wow that is completely on different spectrums it could be so many different things.” Looking at the picture she could see a woman sitting down in a room darkened at dusk waiting for her master to join her.

Markas agreed as he explained what he thought “I think this woman is waiting for someone to join her, the way her fingers are softly touching the ground, and the mussed hair” pausing “It could be sexual or just pitiful.”

Markas knew he planted a seed and had every intention to watch that grow “Hey check out this next one the artist did a great job intermixing these photographs it leads you down path that has a fork in the road but it’s up to you to determine the path you take.” Walking off he pointed to the picture of an axe placed in some wood where it had been used.

Alexis understood completely where Markas was going with this and was going to thoroughly kick the shit out of him later at the apartment. Looking over to Jasper she smiled “Sorry he is a pervert what can I say.” Shrugging she walked over and looked at the next photograph and smiled slightly knowing that Markas was completely right again, damn she hated to admit it when he was because he was impossible to live with.

****

Jasper walked slowly next to this woman that has taken his breath away “Don’t apologize for his comment because I completely agree, just like the last two the photographer is allowing you to take the path, the cross over his fingers allow you to choose the path” he looked over at the next one that was just around the pillar “she is using the umbrellas here to clear the air and purify it before moving to the next series” Alexis appeared to be in awe of this man not only was he sexy but he had a brain, mentally pumping her fist up and down she walked up next to him.

“Ok I can see that but then” she turned around to the next series “This one here with the flowers it could represent the cleansing results, the blooming after the rain.” Alexis reached out and touched his arm and felt the skin shiver under her touch.

Taking a deep breath he has never had a reaction like this from a woman “True and the only color being the flower could represent a new blooming, but if you on that path what does the rope stand for?” looking at the opposite side of the pillar she walked around and stared at it. Shivers running up and down her back, thoughts bursting in her mind and in each thought Jasper played the main character.

Inhaling deeply Alexis looked up at Jasper “Well that would depend on how it is taken” Jasper saw his only chance and leaned in slowly pressing his lips to hers as he felt the electricity burst around them like flashing lights. That is when he reached out and pulled her closely deepening the kiss as he felt her open for him.  He moved his arms around her pulling her closely not caring that this most intimate kiss was being watched by several people. He felt her softness melt into him pressing closer and reaching out to him.

Unable to stop himself he kept ahold of her even after he kissed her breathless, never wanting this moment in time to end they were interrupted by chuckling, as they turned to look at Markas and Jackson standing there looking at them both smiling like loons.

Jackson and Markas stood back and looked at Jasper and Alexis “Well I guess the artist knew what he was doing by ending the show with the marbles, it does appear my new friend that these two lost theirs” Markas’ comment brought lau

it's the amazing ELLA JADE

 

Crossfire of Love Promo

Ella Jade

I’m celebrating the one year anniversary of the release of my contemporary romance Crossfire of Love. In honor of that milestone my fabulous publisher Beachwalk Press has lowered the price of the book to $1.99. That’s 60% off! You can purchase the novel wherever you buy your eBooks including Amazon, B&N and Are for the entire month of March.

Can an arranged marriage lead to love?

Recent college graduate Gabriella has finally married the man of her dreams, the older, charismatic attorney Lorenzo Martinez. She's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember and always imagined they'd one day find their happily ever after. Unfortunately, they enter into a union arranged by their fathers.

Lorenzo is charming, protective, and loyal to his crime lord father Carlo. When Carlo asks Lorenzo to marry Gabriella he jumps at the opportunity. He's been drawn to her for many years and knows by marrying her he's helping to protect her father.

Gabby is resentful and won't be Lorenzo's charity case. But sparks fly and the couple soon gives into their desire, realizing they were meant to be together.

What happens when Carlo's enemies threaten their future? Will someone get caught in the crossfire?

Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence

Buy Link - http://beachwalkpress.com/crossfire-of-love/

 

Excerpt

Lorenzo walked up the porch steps, turning to stare at her. "Are you coming, Gabriella?" No one but Lorenzo and his father called her by her full name. She liked when Lorenzo said it. He'd always made it sound so formal and sexy.

These were the first words he had spoken to her since they left the courthouse. They were married in the chambers of the prestigious Judge John Cartwright. He'd been a family friend of the Martinezes for many years. He was their go-to man whenever they needed something done fast and legally. Well, legal in her new father-in-law's eyes anyway.

She hurried up the steps and followed Lorenzo inside their new home. It was built within a matter of months after she'd agreed to marry him. Carlo wanted them to have their privacy, but he also wanted to keep them close. He didn't trust she'd hold up her end of the bargain, and keeping her on the property was the best way to ensure she wouldn't run.

It was silly, really. How could she run from a family like this? They had ties all over the world. There wasn't any place she could escape to that they wouldn't know about. She was a woman of her word. She said she would marry Lorenzo and she did. She'd find a way to cope. She always had.

Lorenzo pulled his jacket off, poured himself a scotch, and then loosened his tie. "Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you," she said.

Most brides would be dancing the night away and drinking champagne by this point in their wedding night. She didn't think that was part of Lorenzo's plan.

"I didn't think you'd go through with it." He sipped the amber colored liquid as he looked her over.

"I said I would."

"I know, but when push actually came to shove, I thought you'd run."

"You don't know me that well," she said. "I don't run."

"Good." He smirked as he put the glass to his lips.

Gabby couldn't take her eyes away from those lips. She'd never had the pleasure of having them on her own. Judge Cartwright hadn't asked him to kiss his bride. She hated herself for thinking about him that way.

"You could've stopped this. Why didn't you?" she asked.

As they stood in front of the judge, she kept hoping he'd put an end to the charade and stop the wedding. It didn't make sense to her why he had agreed to marry her. She didn't have a choice. Her father's gambling debts made sure of that. But she didn't understand why he'd allowed things to get as far as they had.

"I was just as trapped as you were." He downed the rest of his scotch.

She didn't believe that. She knew he respected his dad, but she didn't get why he wouldn't have put his foot down and said no to such a life-altering decision.

"You could've told your father no from the beginning. Why would you agree to marry someone if you didn't have to?"

"Look." He shook his head. "It's done now. We're going to have to make the best of it."

"Make the best of it?" She plopped down on the leather sofa. "I'm twenty-two years old. I just graduated from college, and you want me to make the best of it?"

"I know this isn't what you might have wanted, but it is what it is. You agreed, and now it's done. You can't go back on it now. My father won't forgive that."

 

Giveaway

Please enter the rafflecopter for your chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card during the month of March. Like my FB page for details about the swag I’m giving away to celebrate the sale!

You can connect with me at http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com or on FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hl

 

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