Like this? Check out all the installements of Gathering Buttercups here…
Two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane.
One turned to the other and smirked, “you are quite an enigma my friend, consorting with the enemy again I see.” Lifting his hand he revealed a hatchet that shimmered in the lamplight, “Remember there is no honor in being good and evil …” as he brought the blade down on the shoulder of his nemesis, severing his arm from its socket.
Charlotte held her breath and watched the limb fell to the ground but when the hatchet was raised again, she screamed and hid her face in Nick’s armpit.
“I thought you said you didn’t mind scary movies?” he said, effortlessly pulling her into his lap.
“I lied” she whispered into the hollow space in his neck.
“So you’re quite the enigma aren’t you?” Nick teased, his hand caressing her hair away from her face as he imitated the creepy voice of the movie villain.
“A girl has to have her secrets.” She flirted as she fiddled with the small buttons on his shirt and pulled it out of his jeans, sliding her hands underneath the blue cotton.
Looking into his green eyes Charlotte thought of all the secrets she had already shared with this boy that was making himself so comfortable on her couch and stealing her concentration in committee meetings.
“Whattcha thinking about beautiful?” Nick asked, drawing her closer to him, until she put a hand on his chest.
“I’m not sure what we’re doing.”
“I thought we were done discussing this Char, our age difference doesn’t have to be another riddle to figure out.
“But don’t you think it will, mean something, eventually?”
“No. I don’t.” Nick said beginning to unbutton her sweater, “Now, come here.”
Charlotte let out a breath and smiled, “Wait, don’t you want me to bring dessert in?”
“Let’s skip it.” as his mouth found hers.
For this week, I’m offering you this opening line:
“Two men appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane.”
This week’s word is again taken from our solicitations in our Meet Your Fellow Trifectans section. Latitudes of a Day has suggested ‘enigma’ as a word she’d like to see in our weekday challenge. And so here it is.
enig·ma noun \i-ˈnig-mə, e-\
1: an obscure speech or writing
2: something hard to understand or explain
3: an inscrutable or mysterious person
She held her breath
I admire you guys who can make more than one writing prompt work in a single piece! I have never tried it. It seems like it would be difficult, but you did a good job here!
Oh Libby, thank you, I’m not sure I did a good job with introducing all three, but it means a lot to me to have you come over to read and comment. Thank you.
that was an amazing achievement! A trifecta!
A convoluted story for sure!
OH Convoluted …..oh no. Did it not work? I was afraid that I shouldn’t try too hard with this one, but I was hoping that it would gel. Either way thank you for coming over. I will try harder next time…:)
HAPPY FRIDAY sweetie.
You covered so much territory here! It starts with a shudder and ends with a sigh.
HI
should I assume you liked it? Especially with three prompts and a romantic voice, I want to know if this was believable. thank you for coming over and reading…that means a lot to me.
I love this! The older woman and the younger man. Doesn’t happen that way, usually. About time. Steamy-ish!
I am glad you came by Gina, thank you for reading and commenting, it helps me get some feedback about whether this worked or not. Yes the Cougar thing is new(ish) but I like it in the storyline….fairytales don’t always have to be VANILLA…right?
Cougar Charlotte!
And three prompts here–wow. I think there’s definitely forward motion here, as questions are raised and stakes revealed.
A loaded conversation for sure.
HI Cam. I hope it wasn’t TOO much, but I wanted to write for a few spots this week. I just want to know that it worked.
I like exploring Charlotte and her younger beau, and soon Luke (her married lover) will be back to give his two cents. (or maybe 80 cents
I like the conversation between them and the movement in the plot!
The only thing that jarred, for me, just a bit was the part about him “keeping her young”. I know they’re talking about their age difference, but I would want it to sound a little more romantic in that moment, if that makes sense. I shouldn’t say it without a concrete suggestion, but it’s something to think about.
(And maybe it’s just me!!)
Nice (and steamy!) response to the prompt. You’ve developed Charlotte’s character more well. Will there be more to come from this? I hope so. Thanks for linking up.
HI there. Glad you liked it…oh yes, i’ll be writing these characters all year until December, so you’ll get to know them well (I hope)..have a great weekend.
I’m pretty sure they were going to have dessert! Just not the kind with calories
Love this!!!
LOL…oh yes, it was “SWEET”. So glad you like this story line, that makes me happy. Thank you for reading.
Oooh! Steamy! Scary movies are always so much fun for dates…since there is at least hand holding. I love how you advanced the plot with the dialogue, and I wonder when this novel will be available for pre-order.
or the “jumping into your lap” part??
oh please, I’ll be buying your novel first, but thank you for the comment, you know I LOVE when you stop by. have a great weekend my friend.
Loved how this started, and then later we find out they’re watching a movie. I didn’t see that coming. The way the two flirted was realistic and believable, not too cheesy. Also the age difference, that hits close to home. I’d love to follow this couple through.
There is definitely quite a bit of plot movement in a simple scene. The conversation flowed well. Greag job!
thank you so much for this commment, I’m glad it worked. I’m cleaning it up a little more, but I like that people have “bought it”
I love how different the story of Charlotte and Luke is to that of Kimmy and David, Kir! It seowhd your awesome writing skill and creativity. Not to mention the HAAAAAWT scenes (oh my gosh, it really is hot in here! lol) in this story! You’re torturing me here, Kir!!! hahaha Glad Jacob’s feeling better. I think it’s a sick season everywhere. I got a really bad flu that lasted three weeks in February, and til now I still feel like I haven’t recovered 100%! Stay warm and healthy y’all. Give him kisses from Aunty Sweaty
Oh ho! Nice ending. Hot and steamy
We had conflict, we had a resolution and onward we go!
yes, onward…to everyone else giving them a hard time about their ages …but not Charlotte this is the last time she mentions it
it was a little steamy right?
I love the interplay of emotional reactions. I think the scary movies were an excuse to release the sexual tension.
and the ending? perfect. Great writing.
I always say a scary movie is best for a date…even if you have to lie and say you’ll watch it. Like Charlotte.
thanks Lance, glad you liked it.
So glad it was a movie!
I love that the dessert was skipped. Too cute an ending. But the age difference, if that wasn’t foreshadowing, it should be. I can totally see a fight later about it. It obviously nags at her mind often.
Great take on the prompt!
I did…in another piece called Scandal, where she met Nick at a happy hour. The backstory is there…
it was scary just to write the part about the movie, looks like Stephen King need not worry about me LOL.
and it will be the last time she brings it up…the age difference, it wil be other people from now on.
I love the scary movie intro. It was perfect for this story.
And an excellent prelude to “dessert”.
I’m so glad you liked it…truly. Thank you so much for coming over to read and leave me some words. You know I appreciate it.
Sounds like they found their dessert, eh?
Another great addition to your story. I love the tension in the beginning and the way it melts.
thank you, I like the barometer you set for me, and if you like it *just a little* chances are it’s ok. OH they had dessert.
Engaging as always!
The dialogue of your characters is very well drawn – I wonder if this is really advancing your plot, though. It seems your two are stalled, he content, and she still questioning. I think it is time for some more drama!
A small thing:
“I thought we were done discussing this[,] Char[.] [O]ur age difference doesn’t have to be another riddle to figure out.”
well that is why I’m glad you visit and let you stay around. I’m no good at editing but you are.
this did advance the plot, this is the last time Charlotte brings up their age difference.
I adored how you started this! At first, I was wondering how it was going to tie in but the movie? Brilliant. Fantastic post, lady!