Free Shades of Amber by Morgan Smith Page B

hummed something gloomy and sweet. My struggle didn’t
last long.

 
     
     
     
    Simplicity
     
    Like an angel,
    you fell from the
sky.
     
    Simple and
sweet,
    and soon to be
mine.
     
    I’ve waited
forever…
    to have you by my
side.
     
    I look forward to the
day
    you understand
why.
     
    -Troy

Chapter 11
    “ Are we making bread?” I
asked as Troy pulled me toward a bowl of dough. The delicious smell
of spices, meat, and vegetables wafted from the stove, making my
stomach growl.
    He stepped behind me,
nuzzling my neck. “I thought we could bring New Orleans to you, so
we’ll make beignets to sate your sweet tooth.”
    “ That sounds
good.”
    A cloud of flour flew up
as he dropped the contents on the counter. His fingers slid through
mine as we kneaded the dough, adding a sensual heat to the already
warm kitchen. As he pressed closer to my back, I hoped my shorts
and t-shirt would keep me from sweating.
    I licked my lips,
straining to keep me thoughts in check. “What are you brewing in
those pots over there?”
    “ Magic.” His chest rumbled
with laughter. “There’s gumbo in the largest and oil for the
beignets in the other.
    I tilted my head to rest
on his shoulder. “What’s a beignet?” My voice came out low and
breathy, but he didn’t seem to notice. His mind was on food, while
mine lingered in areas I wasn’t ready to explore.
    “ I prepped the dough
yesterday, so all we have to do is roll it out, cut it into
squares, and let it fry for a few minutes.”
    “ That doesn’t sound very
sweet.”
    He chuckled. “It will once
you dust them with powdered sugar.”
    “ So we’re making
doughnuts?”
    “ Yes, cher.”
    “ That’s not much of a
dessert.”
    His lips brushed my neck
as his voice turned husky. “I can think of something much
sweeter.”
    My body temperature rose
at the idea of a carnal dessert, but I shook my head. “The thought
of getting closer is very tempting, but I don’t think I’m ready to
be with you like that.”
    Troy kissed my forehead.
“I understand.”
    I turned around and looked
into his eyes. “I don’t think you do. The more time we spend
together, the more I think about lying in your bed, but I can’t get
over the fear that once we take that final step, we’ll fall apart,
and I’ll be left with the regret of giving my virginity to a man
who is no longer in my life.”
    “ We’ve only been together
a few months, so I can see how you’d feel that way.” His lips
brushed mine. “But one day, you’ll see that I’m in this for the
rest of our lives.”

    My fingers clutched the
blanket to my chest as I blinked several times.
    After his death, I spent
weeks wishing we had taken that final step, but then I woke up one
day, and shoved all those thoughts aside because he would’ve left
me regardless.
    Noting the satin texture,
I lifted the white comforter to my face with wide eyes. It was hard
to appreciate the large room with ornately carved furniture when I
wasn’t aware of how I got there. My skin prickled as a breeze
filtered through the window to my left. It was both nice and
frightening. Birds chirped as I looked over the manicured yard, but
nothing hinted to where I was—no cars with license plates or flags
to support school spirit.
    Turning away, I slid to
the beige carpet. Images stirred as I fought to piece things
together. There was darkness and a car ride that seemed to last
forever.
    “ Oh, no.”
    I remembered being stuck
in the car with Troy—his heady cologne, his seductive voice. I shot
to my feet.
    “ What the…?” My eyes froze
on the oval mirror in the corner. I spun away, and looked back as
my cheeks grew hot with anger.
    Someone had taken my
clothes and stuffed me into an antique gown. I tried to stay angry,
but the longer I watched my reflection, the more beautiful I found
the dress. It was the same color as my amber ring. From its long
flowing sleeves and skirt to the simple, yet form-fitting bodice,
it screamed royalty.