valarltd | Yuletide Youtube: Monday Miscellany

Sounds of the Season:

Merry Moments:

Story time:

From "Savor" in Candle in the Dark

Amazon
All Romance
Candle In The Dark ebook from Inkstained Succcubus

The foyer was small, yet the modern design created a more open and inviting space. As I studied the sloping angles of the brushed metal panels suspended from the ceiling and the small red halogen lights that hung between them, a familiar voice spoke from behind me. "Merry Christmas, and welcome to Savor. You must be Mr. Adams?” He walked up and gave me a hug as his hand slipped into mine. “I'm Luis. We spoke on the phone this morning.” He broke the hug but continued holding my hand as if preparing for a handshake. “It's nice to meet you.”

“Please, call me Patrick. It's nice to meet you as well.” His grip was strong, confident, complementing his voice and demeanor. His breath brushing across my face was accented by a touch of wintergreen.

“Why don't we get you started on your selection for the evening? We have a great line-up for you tonight.” He pulled his hand from mine and effortlessly moved it behind me, placing his arm around my waist. “If you'll walk with me into our sitting room, we'll get you up to your private dining room shortly.”

The foyer gave way to a large open sitting parlor. Black, shiny leather cushions covered one wall. A matching black leather banquette stretched across the same length of the room. Small glass tables were placed every couple of feet and were accented with the same red halogen lights as in the foyer. The lights cast streaks of deep reds and soft pinks across the black leather, tables, and floor. The ceiling was made from the same arching brushed metal panels that highlighted the entrance. A man dressed in a black tuxedo, as if he were playing Santa Claus and had forgotten to dress for the part, stood motionless between a large Christmas tree and a set of black doors.

“Please, have a seat.” Luis motioned with his hand. “Are you ready to see your options?”

I looked at Luis then down to my hands that lay fidgeting in my lap. My eyes drifted toward the direction of the front door. At that moment, I didn't know if I could go through with it. The thought of leaving entered my mind. I took a deep breath to calm my anxieties, trying to decide what I should do as my mind drifted briefly back to Greg. I saw him in my mind as plain as if he had been sitting right next to me, instead of Luis. He smiled and nodded at me.

“Yes, I'm ready.” The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them.

“Excellent.” Luis paused for a moment then nodded his head in the direction of the tall, silent man. The tuxedoed Santa Claus nodded in return, and then reached out and opened the door.