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Friday, October 19, 2012

Romantic Friday Writers

It's been a while since I've participated in a Romantic Friday Writers challenge. This one was:
We’re looking for chilling stories of ghosts and haunted locations – and maybe even love from beyond the grave.
A romantic element is essential, but we’re looking for stories with a thrilling edge of fear to add to the romantic tension building between our Hero/Heroine.

I chose to highlight a section from my work in progress, Possessing Karma. In this story, Karma (going by Kay) has recently moved in to a refurbished town home in New Orleans’ French Quarter. She and Philippe, her neighbor, have both lost time while together with only flashes of memory implying they were sexually involved. Karma thinks she’s going crazy. Philippe suspects something paranormal.

In this scene, Philippe has just come home to secure everything against a coming tropical storm. This 979 word selection is from chapter seven..

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.


He stopped, before her door. “Kay? I heard you come up earlier. Just wanted to know if you needed help with the shutters.”
Waiting, he laid his forehead against the plaster wall. He listened, anticipating the creak of her stairs, the metallic click of her lock… nothing.
“Huh,” he muttered to himself and knocked again. Still no response.
“Okay, then.” He turned the key in his own door and went inside. It was almost as muggy as outdoors.
Stooping low he untied his work boots and left them on the mat by the door. He wasn’t a neat freak, but didn’t want to risk tracking debris from the workshop over the polished wood. Someday he hoped he’d just think of them as functional floors instead of works of art. He unclasped the buckles on his overalls and stepped out them. He hooked one foot under them and kicked them in the general vicinity of the laundry hamper in the closet off the kitchen.
The wind rattled the windows again, howling around the building in harmony with a roll of thunder. In his socks and boxers, he stepped into the rain pelting the second floor balcony outside his living room and closed the shutters over the windows. After securing the bars in place, he closed himself back inside, pulling the bright green shutters closed behind him then locked the French doors.
So much for needing a shower. He stripped off his soaked socks and padded upstairs, checking that he didn’t leave puddles in his wake. Uncaring if anyone saw him in his shorts in the storm, he stepped out onto the third floor balcony outside his bedroom. Nope, he wouldn’t need a shower after this. The stinging assualted him, the drops almost angry in their wind driven strength, each drop a shock of cold in the trapped heat radiating from the city.
Barefoot and soaked, Philippe turned his back to the storm and focused on his task at hand. Two out of three French door shutters secured, he turned to watch the storm. The sting of the rain nothing against the chaos of the sky, of the haze blurred rooftops spread before him. Shielding his eyes against the wind, he leaned over the figured iron balustrade to look around the tall wood fencing separating his balcony from Kay’s.
She stood there, driving rain plastering her long hair to her neck and shoulders. For someone naked and soaking on her balcony in the face of lightning, she looked relaxed – her hands in soft repose, laying gently on the ironwork. He wanted to sculpt her.
Was she crazy?
“What are you doing?” He shouted over the next rumble of thunder.
She simply turned her head, looking at him, her eyes an eerie silver glimmer in against the rich cocoa of her skin.
“Secure your shutters and get inside!”
Her lips curved into a smile, as if she were amused by him. She did not respond, but turned to face him. Placing one hand on her breast, she gasped and closed her eyes. He watched, spellbound, as her fingers traced tiny swirls in the water drops, never quite touching her nipple.
He pushed his wet hair from his face, watching the water stream down her naked body. A rivulet started at her shoulders, flowing in sleek plains down her breasts, to join in the center and stream down her abdomen. She was glorious, one with the storm. Yes, he had to sculpt her – but first he had to get her inside.
Crazy woman.
“Don’t you want to touch me?” Her soft voice carried over the storm.
“Kay, get inside.”
She looked different somehow. Maybe it was just a trick of the light, but her skin seemed darker. And, of course, she was naked. He’d seen her partially nude before, but made a point not to stare. Right now, there was no way around it.
“I knew you would come for me.”
“Kay, are you nuts? This isn't just rain – the wind can carry debris, there will be lightning.”
She seemed to have no issue with her vulnerable state. If anything, she welcomed him.
“You need me. I’m under your skin, a sickness in you.” Her voice echoed in his mind, clear and soft in spite of the steady drum of the rain.
His skin tingled, a shiver running down his spine. Philippe gasped at the jolt of sensation, of the soft caress of the rain, the almost painful pleasure of the pressure of the wind against his finger tips, tickling his scalp. Stepping back he looked at his own hands, sure he was in dream.
His arms reached toward the divider, straining with an uncoordinated heaviness. With a crash, the boards splintered, flying around him. He felt himself wince at the stinging pain above his brow. Lifting one hand to his forehead, he laughed when it came back slick with blood. He gulped greedy breaths at the joy of sensation, marveling at his living body. The way the muscles of his abdomen contracted with each breath, the taste of soot that coated each raindrop, it was magnificent.
Barefoot on the tile, he took one heavy step, then another until she was an arm’s breadth away.
“I knew you would come for me. You have no choice – not any longer.”
“I crave you always.” He reached for her just as lightning split the sky. In that single burst of light, she seemed to glow, outlined by a reflection of herself.
Philippe fought against her pull, against his own body’s response. What was he doing here? It wasn’t safe. Instead he heard his own voice say, “Does that please you? Does the surety of my desire make you feel powerful?”
She smiled, smug and sensual. God, how he wanted her – he always did, always would.
The back of his fingers grazed along her cheek, her jaw. Her responsive shiver sent a dusting of goose bumps all over her skin.
“This body pleases me.”
This is a collage of inspiring images for my project. Karma is a religious studies professor, Philippe is a chainsaw sculptor.

18 comments:

Sally said...

Ooh- er - I like the way you used the elements of the violent storm to emphasis the emotions and turmoils of your characters.

Yolanda Renée said...

Nice imagery.

Have both been possessed or just her?

He's definitely acting like a real man, she's more spooky, ethereal.

Can't wait to find out the answers!

Kiru Taye said...

You write spooky demon possessions very well. I held my breath for a while. :)

Susan Kane said...

Steamy and well-written.

Suggestion: avoid cliches like "neat freak". It weakens the writing.

Erin Kane Spock said...

Reading just this section for the first time in ages, I caught tons of word repetition. Yikes.

Erin Kane Spock said...

Thank you for the feedback.
@ Yolanda, she's already possessed and he is in process of being possessed, ending the selection with his body being used. If that didn't come across, then I need to revise.

Scarlet said...

You painted the scene very well...there is a hint of sensuality blending with the power and rawness of the storm ~

Enjoyed this read ~

Unknown said...

Definitely creepy & romantic. I like how you developed Philippe's character. Your story gripped me from the beginning and held me until the end. Lovely. :)

Francine Howarth said...

Hi,

Nicely executed with the storm driving the scene and sparking the atmosphere. Then the tawny beauty of woman embracing the fury of the elements. Deadly attractive and sensually potent story. Lovely!
;)

best
F

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Erin
Possessed lovers, very creepy. If I where Philippe I'd be asking who is this woman. But then he is enchanted. Well written. Welcome back.
Nancy

Denise Covey said...

What a powerful, elemental story Erin. The storm evoked primal emotions. Very sensual descriptions. A perfect story for the horror 'fest.

I see you're powering along, completing so many novels. How is your quest for representation going? I wish you every success and thank you so much for popping up again on our submissions board! :D

Denise Covey said...

Best of luck with the judging! I'm glad it's Ann and Nas who have to choose from this awesome lineup! :D

dolorah said...

Sensual and elemental. Great imagery and visual effects. Wow, this is totally out there. I am intrigued Erin.

......dhole

Charmaine Clancy said...

Stormy, steamy and scary! Good combination ;)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Turbulent, emotional, and somewhat erotic. Nice description of the storm playing on bare skin.

I like her ethereal personality. Nicely done and perfect for the this prompt.

Unknown said...

Dear Erin,
I don't need to repeat all the praise you already have received for this story. I agree! It is sensual and captivating. Wonderful blend of the brewing storm and their naked bodies outside in the rain and idea that she or both of them are possessed.

I am so glad that you decided yo participate in this challenge for Halloween. I think I would like reading your novels. I'll try to do that.

Thank you so much for your kind words about my story. It means a lot to me. It keeps me wanting to try a little harder.

Hope to read your text for the next challenge in December, Holiday Spirit. I will try to participate too.

Best wishes,
Anna
For the benefit of other readers:
RFW No. 46 - 'Jenny Holland's Robinson Crusoe Halloween'

Wendy Lu said...

Whoa, this definitely sent chills down my spine. I think you could give the "50 Shades of Grey" author a run for your money. :P So much going on here -- I liked it!

Apologies, I am just now getting through all of the House of Horrors excerpts. Hope you're having a great weekend!

~Wendy Lu

The Red Angel Blog

Unknown said...

A sensuous story and if this is how you write, i am ready to read your novel. There is music in your words and poetry in your expressions :)

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