The Reading Garden - Suspense
Important notice: All excerpts have been submitted by the author.
Author: Michele Janine Johnson
Benjamin thrust his arms out just in time to catch
Ashley. Her body thudded back against his, knocking
the breath out of him. He staggered under her weight,
and locked his legs in place to keep them both from
falling. Hooking his hands under her arms, he
struggled to lift her. Spotting her closed eyes and
head lolling to one side, he knew she'd fainted.
Benjamin wrapped his left arm tightly around her
waist, reached behind with his free hand, and pressed
the copper latch on the front door. Squeaking, the old
door swung open. He curled his right arm around her
waist and walked backwards, dragging her over the
threshold into the entry.
Once inside, Benjamin deposited her limp,
dead-weight body onto the sofa. Arranging a pillow
under her head, he stepped back and took a deep breath.
"Great," Benjamin mumbled as he stood and stared at the
sleeping beauty. He hadn't meant to scare her. But
what should he expect? She obviously thought the
figure on the porch was him.
He never anticipated she'd pass out. Benjamin
patted his pockets and wondered how to wake her up.
Perhaps a wet rag would bring her around.
He turned toward the kitchen, then stopped. What
if she'd had a heart attack? What if she were...dead?
The muscles in his body hardened, and Benjamin felt as
if a hand had closed around his throat. He swiveled
and knelt in front of her still form.
Sweeping a strand of thick black hair away from
her neck, he pressed two fingers against her skin. The
tension in his shoulder blades eased when he felt the
rhythmic beating there. She was alive.
Narrowing his eyes, he sat back on his haunches
and stared at her. Even in the dim light of the moon
shining through the windows, he could see Ashley Brown
was a beauty. Her licorice-black hair spilled across
the small pillow and trickled onto her creamy
shoulders. Benjamin followed the wavy mane, saw how
it's length disappeared between the soft folds
outlining her neck, and he sighed.
Her eyes began to flicker as he watched her.
"Ashley," he whispered, touching her bare shoulder.
"Ms. Brown? Can you hear me?"
Benjamin expected the eyes that opened to be
disoriented, unadjusted, even fearful. But he never
anticipated the venomous look that poured forth from
them.
"Get your hands off me." ©1997
***
*About the author: Michele Janine Johnson, Jackson, TN, loves to read and write romantic
suspense. As well as the owner of Critique Partner Connections, a matching
service for writers of all genres, she works full-time with her CPA husband
and is the mother of two rowdy toddlers. Michele has published short
fiction, articles, and greeting cards, and is a member of RWA, River City
Romance Writers, and the Mystery Suspense Chapter. She is a member of
several online writing organizations, including RW-L, Painted Rock, and
RWALink. Michele's advice to all writers of all genres....never give up
your dreams! Write Michele Janine Johnson . Visit Michele Janine Johnson's home page.
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