Well, here's another one of my, 750 word limit, published short-short stories. This is my first chic lit story. Again, the formatting is correct in the original. It's just that this blog thingy doesn't format correctly. Oh the nerve of it eh? hehe
Feel free to let me know what you think.
Debra

Making Up For Lost Time
by
Debra Ullrick


Just who does Paschal Manners think he is anyway? I, Bailey Devereux am so not going there again. Once was enough. If he thinks he can just waltz back into my life after leaving me standing at the alter three years ago, well he has another think coming.
I snatch up my pink Prada handbag, flip my long blonde hair over my shoulder and storm out of my office. I knew I shouldn’t have answered that stupid phone. My Gucci heels click on the hardwood floor as I make my way to the elevator.
The more I think about his call, the madder I get. I punch the floor button on the elevator with more force than necessary, breaking my nail. My gaze shoots toward the ceiling. I need a massage.
When I step outside, a strong Chicago wind whips my silk scarf from my neck. “No!” I shout. “Paschal gave that one to me.” I dart after it, but my heels slow me down. I stop and jerk them off, tossing them aside, just like in the movie Crocodile Dundee. If she could throw her expensive shoes away, so could I.
While running, my eyes track my favorite scarf, which is now swirling in the wind like a dried leaf. Garlic and strong cheese aromas waft around me. I smack into something solid and fall backward until someone grabs me. Wanting to thank my rescuer, I look into his face.
“Ack! You!” I jerk his hand off. “Don’t ever touch me again.” Such a drama queen I know, but who cares? I never wanted to see him again. So what if his jean-clad muscular body, gorgeous smoky-gray eyes, blue-black hair, and dimples are to die for.
“I was on my way to see you.” Paschal smiles that million-dollar smile. The very one that used to make my toes curl and my heart race.
My scarf now forgotten, I plant my hands on my hips, and send him a death-defying look. “I told you, I never want to see you again. Which part didn’t you understand?” I’m so thrilled my voice remained calm. Too bad my insides aren’t.
I turn to leave, but Paschal grabs my arm. My gaze flies to where his hand is and I force myself to ignore the tingling sensation his touch evokes. Ugh! I detest that his touch still drives me wild.
I’m ready to lam blast him. Looking up, I see moisture in his eyes, and my heart melts like a chocolate kiss in the hot sun.
No! You won’t get to me!
“I know you don’t want to see me but can we go somewhere and talk? I need to explain why I missed our wedding.”
My anger returns. “I don’t want to hear what you have to say.” I storm off.
His voice calls after me. “I’d be dead if I hadn’t."
That got my attention. I walk back to him.
“What are you talking about?” Knowing his job as an FBI agent involved risk, I decide to listen.
“I can’t explain here.” He leads me to his car.
Once inside, I face him.
He draws in a long breath and exhales. “After we captured the Tatiloni mob, their leader escaped. I got a note from him saying I was a dead man. He’d already killed seven FBI agents, so Sergeant Paxton sent me into hiding. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t tell you until he was safely behind bars.” He reaches for my hands and squeezes them.
“I… I thought you changed your mind. That you no longer loved me.”
Hurt fills his soft gray eyes. “I never stopped loving you or thinking about you.”
Three years of pain and rejection slips from my wounded soul like a cleansing rain.
“In fact, every time I thought about you standing at that alter alone, I wished I’d stayed and risked getting killed instead.”
“Don’t say that!” The idea of Paschal dead pierces my heart. Knowing now why he had disappeared, I am not about to let him out of my sight.
“Oh, Paschal." I throw my arms around him. "I love you.”
“I love you too.” His husky voice and spicy aftershave arouses my senses. Boldly pulling his face to mine, I possess his lips, kissing him passionately, and making up for lost time.

©2006 Debra Ullrick

Dating Mr. McDreamy

Hi all. I thought I would post one of my published short-short stories. The word limit was 750. It's hard to write that short of a romance story and keep the reader happy. But here's hoping you are. *smiling* Oh yeah... forgive the horrible formatting. The original IS formatted correctly. I'm still gettin' used to this blog and how to use it. So bear with me. *smiling*
God bless you all.
Debra

And h~e~e~r~r~r~r~e~e~'s~ s ~~~~~~>>>>


Dating Mr. McDreamy
By
Debra Ullrick

One look at the wavy brown haired, pale blue-eyed man standing in front of her and Sharmane Judson’s heart was a goner. How would she ever set him up with someone else? This was the first time since she’d opened Agape Christian Dating Service, that she wanted one of her clients for herself, despite her strict ‘no dating client policy’.
* * *
Trevor Heart forced his eyes not to widen. The striking brunette with the translucent sea-green eyes rising in front of him yanked the air from his lungs, along with his heart. He gave himself a mental lashing. This is ridiculous. I don’t believe in love at first sight. Another glance at the beautiful woman in front of him, and he changed his mind.

“Mr. Heart.” Her raspy voice wrapped around his already smitten heart. “I’m Sharmane Judson.” She extended her well-manicured hand over the stylish European designer desk. Her rain-fresh scent awakened his senses.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Judson.” Her soft hand buried itself in his. Her brows shot upward. She jerked her hand from his and abruptly sat. Judging from her reaction, he wondered if she too had felt the electrical charge.

Trevor followed her example and lowered his tall frame into the chair.

When she picked up a piece of paper and looked at it, Trevor noticed her trembling fingers. Was she always this nervous, or was she affected by his nearness as much as he was hers?

A moment later, she looked at him with a lets-keep-it-professional-look. “Mr. Heart, your sister--”

“Listen.” Trevor cut her off. “My well-meaning, meddling sister meant well in engaging your services, but I have no intentions of using them. I only kept this appointment to pacify her.” At Sharmane’s frown, he raised his hand. “However, since I’m here, there is something you can do for me.”

“What’s that, Mr. Heart?” She clasped her hands in front of her and leaned forward.

“You can go out with me.”
* * *
Sharmane’s jaw fell. Mr. McDreamy, aka, Mr.Trevor Heart, wanted to date her. Even though she’d just met him, her gut instinct told her that he was the man for her. And her instinct had never failed her before. Oh, if only he wasn’t a client. She swallowed down her desire, knowing she had to refuse him. There was no way she would break her no dating clients’ policy rule and set a bad example for her employees.

He reached over and gently closed her mouth.

“I…I,” she sputtered. Never before had she sputtered in front of a client. And never before had she wanted a client so badly. And never before had she had the urge to grab someone and kiss them. Oh, dear, Lord, help me. Please, give me the strength to say no.

She drew in a long steadying breath. “Mr. Heart.”

“Please, call me Trevor.”

Sharmane bit her lower lip. Looking directly into his eyes, she willed courage to herself. “Mr. Heart. I thank you for your offer. But, I’m afraid I have to decline” She quickly dropped her gaze from his, knowing if she continued to look into those gorgeous pale blue eyes, she might give in and break her policy.

“May I ask why?”

She forced herself to look at him. “Because,” she paused. “I have a strict no dating clients’ policy.”

“Oh, is that all.” He chuckled, then rose. “How’s Friday night at eight then?”

Sharmane stood. “Mr. Heart. I admit I’m attracted to you, but I refuse to break my policy for you or anyone else.”

“And I admire you for that.” He walked around the desk and stood in front of her. “But you forget.” He smiled. “I have no intentions of using your services. Therefore, I’m not one of your clients.”

He cupped her chin. His citrus cologne gave her a heady sensation. “When I know what I want, I go after it. And I want you, Miss Judson.” Trevor drew her into his arms and kissed her. After a brief moment, he released her and headed out the door, calling over his shoulder. “See you at eight.”

She plopped in her chair and ran her tongue over her tingling lips. His luscious peppermint, toe-curling kiss proved her instincts were once again correct. Mr. Trevor Heart was her Mr. Right.

Knowing he wasn’t a client, and knowing he wanted her too, she smiled contentedly. Without a doubt, Sharmane knew she’d spend the rest of her life dating Mr. McDreamy.


Copyright Debra Ullrick, 2006

New to bloggin'

Okay, here goes nothing. Well, okay, let's not get technical, I know it's something. Just not much of a something. Anyway, I went to a local writer's meeting last night, and we talked about blogging, so I thought I would give it a shot. Eventually, I will be posting some of my published short-short stories on here along with some pictures. But for right now, this brief message will have to do. *smiling*
Welcome to my blog.
God bless.
Debra