A to Z Challenge

O is for Oboe

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

“I play all the woodwinds,” he boasted.

Oh really? I wondered. I didn’t want to butt into the conversation the couple on the train was having, but I wanted to call him on his obvious bull shit. There are a lot of woodwind instruments.

Lucky for me, I didn’t have to. 

The woman said, “Even the oboe?”

There was a pause, and I wanted to turn and look at him so badly, but they were behind me, and I didn’t want it to be obvious that I was listening to their conversation. I had one earbud in, but I had long before paused my music to listen in on the conversation. Was it wrong of me? Maybe. But they were in a public place, after all.

When I sat down on the seat on the train, I didn’t pay them much attention except to note that they appeared to be on a date. They seemed slightly awkward with each other, and there was a lot of that first date little touches that indicated they might want to take things further.

I wondered if they were going to the event at the aquarium. My stop was a few past there, so it would be obvious if they were.

Finally, he answered her, “Okay, so not every woodwind, but most of them.”

Ha.

The doors opened at the aquarium stop and he said, “This is us.” They stood and I watched them leave the train.

I couldn’t help but chuckle and wonder how the rest of their date was going to go.

I felt the brush of someone sitting down next to me, and I glanced in his direction. “I couldn’t help but listen in on their conversation,” he said to me confidentially. I raised an eyebrow at him. “Not-oboe man and his date,” he clarified.

I smiled. “I tried not to listen, but it was too hard.”

“Right? I would bet money that there won’t be another date.”

“Seems unlikely,” I said.

“What about you?” he asked, “Would you be up for a date?”

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

N is for Nilla Wafer

~ jrvincente ~ 1 Comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

The cookie aisle at the grocery store. It’s my most loved and most hated place in the store. There are so many good cookies, and I want to buy them all. But no, I have to pick one. That’s my rule. Everything in moderation. 

And then I spy it. My favorite type of cookie: Nilla Wafers. They’ve been out of stock recently, and there’s only one more box. But just as I reach for it, another hand grabs it before me. Gah!

Oops, I let the sound come out. I honestly didn’t mean to.

And then I see that the guy who picked it up was one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen. He reminds me of Dermott Mulrooney. He even has a little scar on the side of his mouth. I want to know what it would feel like to kiss it. I’m snapped out of my reverie by his voice.

“Sorry,” he says.

“Oh, it’s fine,” I say, waving his apology away. “I can pick a different cookie this week.”

He smiles at me awkwardly and then moves off down the aisle. A part of me is a little annoyed that he didn’t at least offer to let me have the box. I would have let him, of course, but it was the principle of the thing.

I was a little annoyed about it throughout the rest of my grocery store trip, but I had mostly shaken it off by the time I checked out.

I was pushing my cart out the door when suddenly, he was next to me.

“I’m sorry I took the last box of Nilla Wafers.”

I shrug, “It’s fine.”

“The thing is, they’re my grandmother’s favorite, and I don’t think she’ll be around much longer.”

“Oh,” I say, my whole perspective changing. I guess I should remember that I never know what someone else is going through. “I’m sorry.” My voice softens.

“It’s okay,” he says, though of course it’s not. I can tell that he’s struggling with the thought that he’s going to lose his grandmother, but also that he’s trying to talk to me… and flirt? Maybe? “Do you want a cookie?” he asks, smiling.

“I couldn’t,” I protest.

“Just a few. She won’t miss them,” he says. He opens the box and dumps out two cookies into the palm of his hand. He gestures to me, and I put out my hand. A couple of cookies drop into my palm.

“Thanks,” I say.

“You’re welcome,” he replies. He takes his hand and wraps his hand around mine, closing them around the cookies. “I hope you enjoy them.”

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

M is for Monster

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

“Monster and Cointreau,” I ordered, yelling over the karaoke singing at the bar.

The bartender raised an eyebrow at me. I knew the drink had a name. I also knew it was a terrible idea to mix a Monster Energy Drink with alcohol, but I was tired and needed the caffeine. I had tried one once, and it was tasty.

A minute later, I had my drink in hand (added to my ever-growing bar tab, of course) and was just heading back to my seat when the DJ called my name. Ah shit, My turn already.

I sipped my drink as I made my way over to the microphone. When I took it, I looked at the monitor for a hint as to what song I had put down next. I knew it was one of three picks, but I couldn’t remember which order I had put them in. I only ever do the same few songs at karaoke. Call me a creature of habit.

Ah yes, the great crowd sing-along song. Those are often the best to do at karaoke.

When the song ended, the applause took over. I smiled, handed the microphone back to the DJ, and tried to get back to my seat without making eye contact with anyone. I was pretty darn good at karaoke, but I didn’t like to be recognized for it.

Mark, the bartender, came out from behind the bar and over to my table. “Marcy, this is for you,” he said, handing me an identical drink to the one I was almost finished with.

“I didn’t order another one,” I said, secretly worrying that I had, in fact, pre-ordered another drink.

“You didn’t,” he said, “but that gentleman over there,” he nodded in the direction of a lone guy sitting in a booth toward the back, “ordered one for you.”

“Why didn’t he bring it over to me himself?” I asked.

“I think he wanted to make sure you knew your drink was safe. And listen, I know you don’t usually have more than two drinks in a night, and this one would make three. I poured very lightly on the alcohol,” he said, really emphasizing the word very. 

I smiled up at him, “Thanks, Mark.”

“I got your back. And you know if you want me to tell him to buzz off, I’ll get him right out of here.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Mark. What do you think, though? Should I be nervous around him?”

“Other than the fact that I don’t know him, he seems like an all right guy.”

“Thanks, Mark. I’ll keep my wits about me.” I held up my now empty glass to him and took the much less strong one he handed me.

“Always got your back, Marcy.”

It was good to know that I was safe, regardless of whether or not this guy was a creep. But so far, I had a good feeling about the stranger in the bar.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

L is for Llama

~ jrvincente ~ 6 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

Llama Ice Cream? There I was on a vacation to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, driving along a back country road, and there it was. Llama Ice Cream. Is it made with llama milk? Can you get milk from llamas? I pull into the parking lot and park, picking up my phone and googling the name. It’s definitely an ice cream store. And it’s definitely not made with llama milk. I have to try it, though. How can I not? With flavor names like lucuma, passion fruit, cherimoya, soursop, guanabana, dulce de leche, coconut…

I enter the small store, and it’s quaint, with just a few tables to sit at and a large counter with all of the ice creams on display. A large sign describes each flavor. I’m standing there, reading the sign, when someone comes out of the back room.

“Welcome!” she says with a bright smile.

“Hi,” I reply, brushing my long hair back from my face. I go back to looking at the flavors.

“You’re welcome to try any flavor you’re interested in,” she says.

I chuckle, “I want to try all of them.”

I glance over my shoulder at her, and she says, “That’s fine, come on over.”

Maybe it’s the fact that she’s feeding me delicious ice cream samples, but I can’t get over how cute she is.

When I get to the last one, I’m disappointed. Our almost flirty banter has been enjoyable.

“Have you picked your favorite yet?” she asks.

I have. It’s her, but I can’t say that. “Lucuma,” I say. “Just a small.”

“In a cup or cone?”

“Cup,” I reply.

She goes over, and I watch her pick up not the smallest cup and pile it high with ice cream. I’m never going to finish all of that. She brings it over and says, “This is my favorite flavor.”

I smile at her and wonder if she’s actually flirting with me. “Do you want to share?” I ask.

Her grin is unmistakable. “Yeah, let me just go take my break.”

She goes off to the back of the store, and I hear her voice but can’t make out the words, and then she’s back. She takes off her apron and says, “Do you want to sit outside?”

“Sure,” I say and follow her out onto the porch. I’m so nervous, I’m not sure I can even eat my ice cream, but damn if I’m going to turn down sharing with this beautiful woman.

Llama Ice Cream is a real place! I stumbled upon it on vacation and thought it was a fun setting for this meet cute!

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

K is for Knights

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

“Hello, m’lady, and welcome to Medieval Times,” a big voice greeted us as we entered the large building. It was built to look like a castle, and I absolutely could not believe we were here. My best friend since elementary school and I have always given each other experiences instead of gifts. So, for Christmas, she told me to put a particular date on my calendar, and that was all she would say. I didn’t know what we were doing or where. 

She was driving along, and I was looking out the window, and I said, “Wow, that building looks like a castle.” She just smiled. “Oh my god, it really is a castle!” I exclaimed as we got closer.

Well, I was close. It wasn’t actually a castle, but it was certainly built to look like one.

We had been to Medieval Times as kids on a school field trip together, and now we were going back as adults to experience the wonder of knights and kings, and the sweet, sweet thrill of competition. Plus, delicious food, served with no utensils. Why not?! 

Everyone who worked there had a character to play, and as adults in a space that feels more geared towards kids and families, it’s always fun to play along.

“What can I get you to drink, m’lady?” our servers asked. He told us his name was Kevin and that he would be helping us. By the time the meal was over, I was having serious crush vibes on Kevin.

“He’s so cute,” I whispered to my friend.

“You should ask him out,” she whispered back.

“I could never,” I said, feigning shock. We giggled like school girls and were still giggling when Kevin came back to the table.

“Are you two having a good time?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye, and I wondered if he heard what we’d said.

“Yes, of course!” I said, still giggling and nervous now that he’d overheard me. My face reddened.

He took our dishes and brought out dessert a few minutes later. As the show wrapped up, he came over to me and bent low so that only I could hear him. “I heard what you said, you know.”

My eyes went wide.

“I think you’re cute, too. I could probably lose my job for this, but if you want me to call you, leave your number on your napkin.”

He stood up and was gone before I could even process what happened, moving down the row of tables, his booming, friendly voice carrying back to me. A chill went down my spine. He was super cute, and I was super sure I wanted to leave my number.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

J is for Jump

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

“We count to three and then jump,” he said.

What the hell was I doing? I wondered, not for the first time.

It was my 40th birthday, and I had decided to go skydiving. I don’t know why that’s what I had decided to do. When my feet were firmly planted on the ground, I am sure that I had some great reasons for wanting to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but right now, I just couldn’t fathom what they were.

Is it too late to get off the plane? I wanted to say. But my tongue-in-cheek answer was, No, not at all. You’re going to jump. On the count of three, remember?

“One,” he said.

Oh fuck.

“Two.”

My mouth was dry, my adrenaline was through the roof.

“Three.”

And then we were flying. No, we weren’t flying anymore. That was the plane. We were falling. But it’s not what I expected. I thought that my stomach would drop like on a roller coaster, but I actually feel…weightless. It’s nice. And the scenery is beautiful.

I wish that I could capture this moment forever, but I know that a picture will never capture the feeling.

When my tandem jumper pulls the cord for the parachute, I do feel my stomach lurch unpleasantly. But then before I know it, we’re on the ground.

My whole body is shaking, but I’m grinning from ear to ear.

What was the guy’s name? I struggled to remember. Jack? Jason? Justin? Shit.

“You did well,” he said.

“Did I?” I asked.

“There was a moment there that I thought you were going to chicken out.” I could just see the corner of his mouth tilting up in a smile.

“I thought about it,” I said truthfully.

“But you went through with it.”

“Yeah, I did. I need a drink.”

His laugh was throaty and sexy. “Let’s return our gear and then the drinks are on me.”

Did this just turn into a date?

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

I is for Ice Cream

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

– Jayden

Lick it, bite it, I don’t care how you eat it, ice cream is my favorite thing. There’s a small ice cream stand down the street from my new apartment, and I am so excited to try it out. I think they have been there for a long time, but I’m new.

It’s only a couple of blocks, so I walk down, jogging as I cross a somewhat busy street. I go inside and order at the counter. I am taking in everything, but there’s so much new to me. There’s a sign that the cashier is Deaf, so I should speak clearly and look at her when I order. I see the menu that’s obviously fixed and a board with daily specials. The soup today is Minestrone, and the ice cream is peanut butter. Yum.

I am salivating at the thought of eating the peanut butter ice cream, but I need real food first. I order a cup of soup and a chicken sandwich. I hope it’s good.

When I’m done, I go back for the ice cream. I get it in a cone (the best way to eat ice cream, in my opinion) and sit back down at my table. It’s not uncomfortably warm in here, but it is warm enough for my ice cream to melt. And melting it is. It’s melting faster than I can eat it, and I don’t see any napkins handy. I’m just trying to keep up with the melting sweet, but it starts to drip down my hand and is about to drip on the table when a guy slides into the booth opposite me, handing me a napkin.

“Thought you could use this,” he says.

“Thanks,” I say. I must look like a mess. I am sure there’s ice cream dripping down my chin and it’s all over my hand.

He stands up and leaves me to my misery, but then a minute later, he comes back. This time he has a bowl, spoon, and wet naps. Well, this is a surprise.

“Thanks,” I say again.

“You’re welcome,” he replies. “I’m Isaac.”

“I’m Isabella,” I say.

He grins. “Both of our names start with i. Isn’t that fun? Maybe this is the start of a beautiful friendship?” His voice sounds hopeful.

“Maybe so,” I reply, but I’m blushing furiously. It’s a bit overwhelming for me to have this random stranger talk to me. I’m an introvert. This is too much. I want to hide. I take a deep breath and try to finish my ice cream.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

H is for Hi

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

This one is a continuation of G is for Goo since almost the last line fit right in. Enjoy!
– Jayden

“Hi,” I said.

“I love Erin Morgenstern,” said the woman who minutes ago had given me something to wipe my hands when I put them in something sticky on the diner table.

“Erin Morgenstern is my favorite author,” I replied. I wasn’t surprised by this turn of events. Many women liked Erin Morgenstern, and the fact that I was a man who liked her was not unheard of, but it was definitely less common.

“When I read the Night Circus, I finished it, and then immediately started it over again.”

“Me too!” I said. “I couldn’t put it down, even the second time. Have you read The Starless Sea?”

“Yeah,” she said. “It took me a while to get into it the first time, but I think that was just because I only read for five minutes a night, and I couldn’t pick up the thread of the story. But once I got into, yeah…” she let her voice trail off.

“I have read it so many times, and every time, I feel like I find something new.”

“I know, it’s crazy. So many intricate details. I actually created a cross stitch pattern for the cover of the Night Circus. I couldn’t find one I liked, so I made one.”

“Wow,” I said. “I would love to see that.”

“I’m Hailey,” she said.

“George,” I replied.

“Hi,” she said, and she extended her hand for me to shake.

I took it in mine and smiled. Maybe it wasn’t so bad that my date had bailed on me, afterall.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

G is for Goo

~ jrvincente ~ 3 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!

Richard is picking my words for me. Goo! What a Goof!
– Jayden

“Ugh! Yuck! What is this goo?” I yelled.

I was at a diner, sitting down at a table, and when I set my hand down, I set it right into something gooey and gross.

The host seating me looked apologetic as he said, “Sorry, man. Let me get something to clean that up for you.” The diner was full, and I had waited 15 minutes for a table, so I didn’t want to ask for another table. If it had been emptier, I definitely would have.

The woman in the next booth turned around and handed me a wipe. “Here you go,” she said.

“Thanks,” I said. I didn’t really look at her, just took the wipe and cleaned up my hand. By the time I was done, the host was back with a rag. He wiped down that spot on the table and the rest of it for good measure.

“Sorry again,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I replied. Still annoyed but understanding that it wasn’t his fault and that the restaurant was busy.

I watched the host go to a server, talk for a moment, and then she made a beeline for me. I would be $100 bucks that he told her that I was already displeased and she shouldn’t make me wait.

She brought me a drink on the house as an apology, which I thought was overkill, but I wasn’t going to argue with a free drink. Then I settled back to wait for my date. A diner for a first date is terrible, I know, but it was what she wanted. She said it was her favorite diner, and that the eggs benedict was to die for, and that we should absolutely go there.

Now after the goo, I’m not sure this is the best diner, but I was still willing to give it a chance. On the other hand, I glanced at my watch, she was 15 minutes late. I checked my phone and sighed. She had texted me at least, and she was bailing on me.

Sorry, George, I really am. I just don’t think I’m ready to date yet. I thought I was, but I’m just…not.

I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. I was here, and I was taking up a table. I would hate to abandon my server with no tip. I reached into the bag I carried with me and pulled out a book. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. The cover was worn and the spine bent. I couldn’t count the number of times I had read it.

I signaled the server politely, let her know it would just be me, and placed my order. She looked at me with pity, which I hated.

I heard some movement behind me, in the booth where the woman had handed me a wipe. I glanced in her direction and saw that she was about to tap me on the shoulder. “Oh, hello,” she said with a smile.

“Hi,” I said.

“I love Erin Morgenstern.”

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

F is for Fiesta

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

“Where in the world are you taking me?” I ask my best friend.

“You’ll see…” she says, her voice trailing off.

All I know is that she told me to pack for warmer weather and take off from work for ten days. Ten days! What a crazy idea. I had no idea what she had in store for us, but I did as she asked. Felicity has been my best friend since elementary school, but of course, life has taken us in different directions in adulthood. All the same, she called and told me to be ready for a fun trip with her, but wouldn’t give me any details.

But right on schedule, she has pulled up in front of my apartment in an Uber, and she’s ushering me and my suitcase into the back seat.

Two hours later, our flight to Fiesta San Antonio takes off. I hate flying. If I had realized we were flying, I would have packed differently. But whatever. I try to take deep breaths and calm myself down. I know my ears are going to pop, and I didn’t think to bring any gum. Unfortunately, Felicity is four rows back from me. She sprung for the plane tickets, hotel reservations, and goodness knows what else, but she didn’t spring for assigned seating, so now I’m stuck in the middle rows away from her. Of course it would be better if we were sitting together, but I don’t blame her. Paying extra to sit together is ridiculous.

I take another deep breath, and then the person in the seat next to mine stows his bag in the overhead compartment and then goes to sit down on the aisle.

My breath hitches in my throat. He is not the most gorgeous man I have ever seen in my life. Surely there’s a celebrity out there who’s more attractive, but at the moment, I can’t think of anyone.

He smiles at me and then sits down. Within minutes, he’s leafed through the magazine left in the seatback in front of him and has peered around the whole airplane. I can’t help but think it’s going to be a long flight if he’s already gone through all of his entertainment options.

And then, the unthinkable happens (at least, unthinkable to me). He turns to me and says, “Hi, I’m Frank.”

“Hi, Frank,” I say, “I’m Freddy.”

He raises an eyebrow at me.

“I know, most women aren’t named Freddy. It’s short for Fredrica.”

“I think it’s a beautiful name.”

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

E is for Erotic

~ jrvincente ~ 3 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

Erotic art is not what you think it is. Or maybe it is what you think it is. I wouldn’t always call it sexual. I would say sensual is a better word. This art gallery is doing an erotic art display, and I’ve been dying to go see it. Unfortunately, my work schedule makes it difficult to go out in the evenings, and the art show only runs in the afternoon and evening hours. I guess they think people don’t want to go see artwork first thing in the morning. I’m not sure if they’re right or wrong, but those are their hours anyway.

But today is finally my first day off since the exhibit opened, and I step off the train platform as soon as the doors open, eager to get to the museum. The door swishes open, and a blast of cool air hits me. The summer heat in Boston is no joke. It’s nothing like Florida, but at the height of summer, I am always glad to get back inside where there’s air conditioning.

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting on a bench in the middle of one of the display rooms, enamored with a particular painting. It’s so well done, at first I thought it was a picture, but when I looked closely, I could see the brush strokes from the paint. The description posted on the wall next to it reads: 

Beauty: by Ewan Edgetin

A painting done of a sweet memory of someone who has been lost to time.

Lost to time. What is this, The Notebook? (I wouldn’t actually know as I’ve never seen it.) I can’t help but wonder who was lost to time and why. I’m lost in thought, just sitting there, looking at the beauty of the piece, when I feel someone sit down on the other end of the bench.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he says.

“It is. I can’t stop looking at it,” I reply, not turning to look at him at all.

“I felt that way the whole time I was painting it,” he says. “I couldn’t stop painting for hours and hours.”

I look at him for the first time. “Ewan?” I ask.

He grins. I’ve never met him before in my life, but the words on the wall and the paint strokes that make up this art are burned in my mind. My heart pounds as he extends his hand to me to shake. “And you are?”

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

D is for Dance

~ jrvincente ~ 6 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

“I don’t want to go.”

“You have to!” my friend protests.

“I don’t want to.”

“I know, but you don’t want to do anything,” she says.

“That’s not true.”

She rolls her eyes at me.

“I want to crawl into my bed and not get up for a week.”

“Darla,” she nearly growls at me, “you promised you would come to hear this band with me.”

“I know, but…”

“But nothing. Listen, I know that that asshole I won’t name ditched you, but it’s been months. You have to pick yourself up and move on. It’s time.”

“I don’t have the energy to date.”

“You don’t have to date. You just have to come dance with me. I’m telling you, this band is worth it. They do all covers of our favorites from college. You’re going to love them. I promise.”

“Fine,” I groan. I did promise her I would go see this band with her. 

“Yes!” she cries, and she drags me up out of my bed to get ready.

An hour later, we’re walking into the bar, and I have the urge to leave before we even walk in. I mean, it’s not very different than how I felt back in my apartment, but here we are.

An hour after that, I have to admit that Dana was right. This band is amazing. I always feel self conscious dancing around other people. I’m sure I look awkward, but the way the band plays songs I haven’t thought about in years makes it impossible to stay in my chair. Before long, I’m dying of thirst and can’t help but smile.

“All right folks,” the band leader says, “it’s time for us to take a short break, but don’t go anywhere. I promise, we’ll be back!”

Everyone cheers, myself included, and I rush over to the bar to see if I can get a drink before everyone else does the same thing. No luck, though. I should have gone the moment the song ended, but I took too long clapping, and now I can’t even get up to the bar, much less get a bartender’s attention. I am about to give up when I feel a warm body pressed pretty close to mine.

“Sorry,” a voice says almost in my ear. The body moves back away from me. It’s the band leader.

“It’s okay,” I say, and I blush and smile at him.

“I saw you dancing out there,” he says.

I blush deeper. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Great thing,” he says. “You looked like you were having the time of your life.”

I can’t help but smile. “It’s easy when the band is so great.”

Now he grins at me and extends a hand to shake. “I’m Derek.”

“Darla,” I reply.

We shake hands, and it feels like a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm as we touch. Boy am I glad Dana convinced me to come out tonight.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

C is for Croissant

~ jrvincente ~ 7 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the next installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

“Croissant and chai!” the barista calls out.

That’s my order, and I get up from my comfortable couch and head over to the counter to pick it up. The chai is hot in my hand. I can’t feel the warmth of the croissant through the plate, but I can see the warm, flaky, buttery pastry on the plate, and my mouth waters in anticipation. I know it’s going to be delicious—it always is. This is my favorite breakfast spot, and I come here every Sunday.

I sit back down and pick up my book, diving back into the world of romance and sexual desire that I adore. I’m single, so my Hitachi Magic Wand is my current best partner, but at least it never fails to get me off. Especially when I read sexy stories like Laurell K. Hamilton’s novels. I blush a little as I feel my pussy getting wet while I read the sexy scene. My cheeks burn with embarrassment, and I glance around the cafe to see if anyone is paying attention to me. 

It shouldn’t matter. No one knows what I’m reading on my e-reader, and while I can feel my panties getting wet, no one can see them beneath my skirt. I sip my chai and almost spit it out when I spy a gentleman who is openly staring at me.

I manage not to spit it out, but I do choke a little bit, and reach for a napkin, but find that the only one I had is covered in butter from eating my croissant.

The watching gentleman stands up and approaches, handing me a napkin.

“Sorry,” he apologizes.

“For what?” I ask.

“Startling you.”

“Oh,” I wave my hand, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation that has nothing to do with him. “It wasn’t you.”

“Well, that’s good then. I rescind my apology.”

I want to be annoyed with his flippant comment, but I see the smirk on his face.

“May I sit?” he asks, indicating the chair across from me.

“Sure,” I say, though I want to go back to reading my book.

He steps back to his table, picks up his newspaper and laptop bag, and sits back down across from me. I expect him to start engaging in small talk, and I’m not looking forward to it, but instead, he smiles at me and then starts reading it again.

I pick up my e-reader and start to read again, but I keep sneaking looks at him. He seems absorbed in his paper.

After several minutes of this, I finally pluck up the courage to ask.

“So, why did you want to sit with me if you didn’t want to talk?”

He puts his paper down and looks at me. “There is nothing more beautiful to me than quiet companionship while reading. I couldn’t help but notice how much you seemed to be enjoying your book, and I am happy to sit nearby and enjoy our reading together.”

I don’t know what to say, so I smile and take a sip of chai, but the cup is empty.

“Can I get you a refill?” he asks.

I nod, “Chai, with an extra splash of milk.”

“Coming right up,” he says, taking the cup from me.

I can’t help but notice how incredibly attractive he is as he walks away and up to the counter to get me a drink.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

B is for Biplane

~ jrvincente ~ 2 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the second installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

I have always wanted to fly a biplane. I don’t know why, but it has been something I have been obsessed with since I was a kid. And now that I’m an adult, no one can stop me from going to at least ride in one. So when I got my overly large tax return for the first time in forever, I knew exactly what I was going to spend it on.

And today is the day!

I am buzzing with nerves as I get ready to go, making sure to wear clothing that will be easily secured and not flapping all over the place as we fly into the clouds. I don’t remember exactly what the paperwork said about clothes, but it was something about not wearing skirts or loose shirts and jewelry. I like wearing skirts, but it’s no trouble to wear pants today.

The morning is a blur as I get myself to the airport. It’s not a commercial airport, so it’s very small. I park and take some deep breaths in my car. I’m so freaking nervous.

I’m early because I’m so excited, and another car pulls in next to me. I look over, and I see the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen in my life. As she gets out of the car, I wouldn’t call her a classic beauty. She would never make it as a model. But I can’t help but be totally enamored with her. My heart is pounding with excitement about getting to ride in a biplane, but now it’s also hammering with attraction. I think it’s the way she carries herself. Her hair is cut short, and she runs her fingers through it as she gets a bag out of the back seat of her car.

I find myself getting out of my car and getting ready to follow her in.

“Hello,” she says, and her voice is husky and sexy.

“Hi,” I reply nervously.

“Are you riding with me today?”

“Um,” I stammer, “in a plane?”

She chuckles, and a tingle goes down my spine. “Yeah, I’m the biplane pilot. Are you riding with me today?”

“I guess I am!” I said, and I can’t help but grin at the thought of getting to experience a highlight of my life with this gorgeous woman.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

A is for Academy

~ jrvincente ~ 10 Comments

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! I am excited to share with you some meet cutes (and maybe some sexy scenes) throughout the month of April! Richard is going to be chiming in with a few of his characters from his Hallmark story, too! Here is the first installment, but stay tuned every day (except Sundays) this month for a short scene! Like and comment, and maybe I’ll continue the more popular stories in May!
– Jayden

“Welcome to the Academy!” a cheery voice burst out over the crowd, crackling over the loudspeaker. “The Academy” was short for the Academy of the Fine Arts, a prestigious arts college. Today was orientation, and I was a freshman. Nervous as hell, I looked around at the other artists who had been accepted into the program and tried to guess what type of art each person practiced. The Academy catered to all different types of art: pottery, pastels, acrylics, charcoal… The list went on and on.

“Please take your seats!” the same voice hollered out over the crowd.

Seats weren’t assigned (I had checked), but there were probably more people in the room than chairs, so I needed to get a seat quickly, or I was going to be stuck standing for the duration of the presentation. I was already tired, and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people in the room.

I spied an empty seat and went to sit down, but the person in the next chair said, “Sorry, this seat is taken.”

“Oh, sorry,” I mumbled and scooted back along the chairs, looking for another empty seat. Embarrassment burned my cheeks.

“This seat is available,” a voice said. It was a quiet voice but confident. The volume in the room was buzzing in the background, but his voice took all of my attention. I was so relieved to have someone tell me I could sit down that I didn’t even question it.

“Thanks,” I said, sitting down gratefully.

“I’m Aaron,” he said, offering his hand to shake.

“I’m Aileen,” I said, taking his hand.

The rest of the room faded away as I felt his warm hand envelop mine. It was all I could do not to hold on tight when he went to let go.

Check out what’s going on with other A to Z Bloggers on the Master List, sign up yourself here, and come back all month long! Leave us a comment if you’re participating, and I promise to visit your blogs, too!

A to Z Challenge: Theme Reveal

~ jrvincente ~ 26 Comments
2010-2014 10-16 March 2024 Theme Reveal Blogging from A to Z April Challenge a-to-zchallenge.com

I (Jayden) am excited to be hosting another year of A to Z here on my blog, and also helping out over on the main blog a-to-zchallenge.com. Be sure to check out the posts over there the whole month of April! I’ll be featured a few times, but make sure to check out my co-hosts’ posts as well!

As for this blog, I’ve decided to do another round of meet-cutes (and probably some sex scenes). It was so much fun to write snippets for each day that I decided to do it again with all new stories! Richard has really been carrying this blog for a while, so I promised I would take care of A to Z, but of course, he has some ideas of his own, too. If you haven’t been reading his story Hallmark, I highly recommend it. He’s looking to maybe do a few meet-cutes with the characters involved there, too!

So come on by every day in April (except Sundays) to read a quick meet-cute tied to each letter of the alphabet. I’m not doing voting this year, but maybe I’ll continue the stories that get the most likes and comments as I did in 2018, which led to my novel Y is for Yes! And if you’re salivating for more, check out my past A to Z posts here!

2010-2024 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge a-to-zchallenge.com

Z is for… #AtoZChallenge

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge 2023!

Warning: This is a kinky blog for adults only! We will be addressing topics of BDSM in our fictional posts!

Z 2023 a-to-zchallenge.com

Jayden is back this week with a new story! If you haven’t read our other stories, that’s okay. This one is started with T is for Terror! We’re writing about resilient submissives on our kinky blog. And honestly, this one is more romantic and suspenseful than kinky. We’ll see what happens after Z!

“Zoe. My name is Zoe.”

“Zoe,” he repeats. “Are you okay, Zoe?”

I nod against his chest.

“We should be safe down here.”

I nod again. I wonder if my car will even still be there. And my daughter. I hope that she’s okay, but then again, the tornado is apparently right here, which means it’s not near her. But she must be terrified that I’m not responding to her. I’m sure I’ll have a thousand missed calls when I eventually get back to my phone.

I can feel Xander’s gaze down on me, and I resist the urge to look up at him, but I can tell he isn’t going to take no for an answer. He uses one finger to lift my head to look up at him. And then he kisses me.

The kiss is tender at first, and I inhale his masculine scent as I melt against him. My hands wrap around his neck, and his grip my waist. As I kiss him back, it becomes more urgent, our lips pressing together hard enough to bruise.

I realize that we’re both soaking wet, and I have no idea where my umbrella is, and I don’t care at all. He’s still wearing his rain gear, which is also soaking wet, just making it worse for me. I can’t stop shivering.

He pulls back. “Zoe, fuck, I’m sorry.”

I shake my head, “Don’t be sorry.”

“Hang on,” he says, and he lets me go. I don’t know where he’s going, but I don’t want him to go far. I follow him when he gets ten feet away. He opens a trunk I hadn’t even noticed. It’s filled with all sorts of emergency supplies, and blankets are one of them. “It’s not as soft as I would like, but it’s something. You’re going to freeze to death in those wet clothes.” He hands me a couple of blankets, and then turns away. “I won’t look.”

I don’t know where my sudden boldness comes from, maybe because I can’t control the weather, or my car breaking down, or how I ended up here with this man, but I can control this. I’ll give up my control again, especially if he takes it the way I hope he will, but right in this moment, he’s given me control. “Xander,” I say, and he turns at my voice. “Don’t look away.”

If you’re participating in the A to Z Challenge, please drop your link in the comments! Happy blogging! Let us know if you want us to continue this story or any of the others!

Y is for… #AtoZChallenge

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge 2023!

Warning: This is a kinky blog for adults only! We will be addressing topics of BDSM in our fictional posts!

Y 2023 A-to-Zchallenge.com

Jayden is back this week with a new story! If you haven’t read our other stories, that’s okay. This one is started with T is for Terror! We’re writing about resilient submissives on our kinky blog. And honestly, this one is more romantic and suspenseful than kinky. We’ll see what happens after Z!

Yellow. Yellow light spills from the hole at the flick of a switch. “Come on, we have to go,” he yells as his phone starts screeching again.

I’m a little claustrophobic, just a little, and the hole is making my skin crawl.

“Please, come on, please,” he begs, and he starts to go down the steep cement steps in front of me, but he turns back and extends his hand to me. “Trust me. We’ll be safe down here. The tornado is almost right on top of us!”

Tornadoes are rare here. It happens, but not often. And what are the odds that it would happen right on top of us?

He unlocks his phone and pushes the alert at me. “See? It’s right here. Come on!”

I can’t process what he’s saying fast enough, but it looks legit. He couldn’t have possibly prepared all of this on the off chance a woman would come alone looking for help during a storm. This has to be real. It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise. Right?

I take a step forward, and I hear a loud crash as part of the warehouse wall crumbles. I stumble forward into the hole and Xander pulls the door shut on top of us. “Come on,” he says for the sixth time. He pulls me deeper into the space, taking me to the back of the dank space. The yellow light doesn’t illuminate all the corners, but it’s enough for us to navigate it safely.

“Where are we?”

“It’s a storm shelter. These warehouses aren’t much more than a tin can,” Xander says. “It’s built big enough to hold fifty people.”

I look around. There’s no way fifty people could be in this space without being right on top of each other. I shudder. If this had happened when the factory was open, I would be panicking hard core right now. With just the two of us, it’s roomy, and I feel relatively safe.

There’s another loud crash from above and the ceiling shakes, but everything stays in place. My heart is pounding and my whole body is shaking.

Xander is still holding my hand after pulling me down into the space, and feeling my trembling, he pulls me in and hugs me. “Are you okay, err. I don’t know your name.”

If you’re participating in the A to Z Challenge, please drop your link in the comments! Happy blogging!

X is for… #AtoZChallenge

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge 2023!

Warning: This is a kinky blog for adults only! We will be addressing topics of BDSM in our fictional posts!

X 2023 a-to-zchallenge.com

Jayden is back this week with a new story! If you haven’t read our other stories, that’s okay. This one is started with T is for Terror! We’re writing about resilient submissives on our kinky blog. And honestly, this one is more romantic and suspenseful than kinky. We’ll see what happens after Z!

“Xander. My name is Xander,” he says. “Listen, I know that you must be feeling very alone right now, but let me help you. It’s no trouble, honestly. I’m sure my friend will take good care of your car.”

I nod, “Thank you, Xander.”

“I’ll call from my phone so he picks up. I don’t think he’s officially open right now.” Xander’s smile is sexy and makes me want to kiss him.

But before I can even think about acting on that crazy impulse, his phone starts screeching. “What’s happening?” I cry.

“Tornado warning!” he yells. “Come on!” He grabs me by the hand and we start running across the open parking lot. I frantically look around, trying to see anything, but with the parking lot lights blaring, I can’t see anything outside their halos. We get to the building, and he uses a badge to swipe the door open. “Come on!” he yells again, tugging me inside and letting the door slam shut. I think that’s going to be it now that we’re inside a real building and not a little shack, but it’s not.

“Where are we going?”

“Storm shelter,” he yells. He sounds frantic, and is yelling much louder than he needs to. Sure, the wind is loud, but he doesn’t need to yell this loud.

We wind through rows of machines, and I am certain I’ll never find my way out of his warehouse without his help. I hope that nothing happens to him. We get to a spot near the middle of the building and he stops, pulling a trap door up on the floor. If I go down into the dark hole, am I ever going to come out?

If you’re participating in the A to Z Challenge, please drop your link in the comments! Happy blogging!

W is for… #AtoZChallenge

~ jrvincente ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge 2023!

Warning: This is a kinky blog for adults only! We will be addressing topics of BDSM in our fictional posts!

Jayden is back this week with a new story! If you haven’t read our other stories, that’s okay. This one is started with T is for Terror! We’re writing about resilient submissives on our kinky blog. And honestly, this one is more romantic and suspenseful than kinky. We’ll see what happens after Z!

Welcome. “Welcome to our humble guard house,” he says with a chuckle as he pulls his rain hood down. He looks a lot less intimidating with his hood down, now that I can see his face. He reminds me of a famous actor who has a small scar near his mouth. His eyes are a piercing green, and his hair is just long enough to run my fingers through. I try to shake the thought from my mind, but maybe I’ve just been alone for too long.

“Thank you,” I say. I’m surprised that the guard house isn’t near the end of the driveway. It’s tucked off to the side. I look around, and find that there is a phone sitting on a small desk. But I panic. Who do I call? If I had my phone, I would just search for a tow company, but I can’t do that on a regular landline.

He sees my hesitation and says, “Do you need help finding a tow service?”

I nod, sheepishly. I don’t know why I am so disarmed by this man. I begin to wonder if he has dominant tendencies. I don’t know what would give me that impression from our short interactions, but there’s an energy about him that I can’t help but submit to. It’s very hard for me to find romantic and sexual partners because I am submissive, but I have been through a lot in my life outside the bedroom. I am a strong, independent woman, who sometimes wants a partner to take control for a while. What I often find, though, is men who say they want that type of woman actually don’t. They are using their dominance as an excuse to bully women or outright abuse them. Or they get frustrated the first time I stand up for myself. But I know there are good dominant men out there, I just haven’t found one in a while. For all my resilience in life, I need to get a little courage going here in the dark.

“Sure,” he says, and he pulls a cell phone out of his pocket. He does a little searching, and says, “My buddy owns this garage. I’m sure he’ll do me a favor and get your car towed. How far do you need to go?”

“Just down the road,” I say, pointing in the direction of my apartment, “but I can’t let you do me a favor like that. I can pay.”

He smirks at me, “I’m sure you can.” I wonder for a moment what he means by that, but then he says, “I’m sure you’ll give my friend lots of business with whatever car repairs you need.”

“I can’t accept that,” I say, partially concerned that this stranger is being so nice to me and partially concerned that his friend will charge me through the nose for some service my car doesn’t actually need. 

“Why can’t you accept a little help from a stranger?” he asks, and he sounds sincere.

I can’t find words at first, and then I say, “Because I don’t even know your name.”

If you’re participating in the A to Z Challenge, please drop your link in the comments! Happy blogging!