Read A Winter Awakening Online
Authors: Vivian Slate
4 Months Later.
Early Spring
Helena Willow Sanderson tucked her long platinum hair behind her shoulder for the umpteenth time in the last hour. It was getting in her way, and she had to finish planning for the fundraiser before it was time to make dinner.
She sat on the living room floor with magazine cutouts spread out all around her.
Crap,
she thought.
I'm not cut out for this. I’m a t-shirt and yoga pants girl.
When she volunteered to be the Logan Community Foundation's fund-raising coordinator, she never dreamed this would put her in charge of Logan's most controversial event of the year. The Burlesque was in just two weeks, and she knew nothing about putting on a show of this nature.
A long lock of hair fell down again, obstructing her view of the picture of "party appropriate Champaign choices" in front of her.
With a sigh, she tipped the top of her head from side to side, trying to work out the kink with her hand. She straightened and skillfully twisted her hair into a knot. Her hair had been long for years, and tying it out of her way, even when no ties were available was second nature to her.
Ellie, as she was known by all her friends and most of her family, got up and wandered the kitchen, looking for a snack. She eyed the homemade trail mix she had made over the weekend, the carrot sticks, and the leftover salmon in the fridge.
Screw low carb, girl, you need to enjoy yourself.
At this thought, Ellie grabbed a chocolate pudding.
And, while we are at it, a Burlesque? Are you shitting me,
she thought to herself.
The moment Ellie had been put in charge of this show, she had looked it up on Wikipedia, crapped her pants, then spent the next two weeks convincing herself, and Jacob, that it would be okay to participate in the show. After all, she wasn't going to be
in
the show, only manage it.
Jacob objected to the show, believing that woman should be modest when they were in the public eye. God didn’t intend for women to ooze sexuality for anyone but their husbands. She had reasoned with him that she wouldn’t be dressed in one of those costumes; she would only be coordinating the fund raiser. This had finally helped Jacob relax.
Oh, come on girl,
chided Inner Diva.
You should be in the show. You know you want to be able to express yourself that way!
Ellie almost jumped at the shock of hearing this thought. It seemed to come from within the very core of her being. In the last few weeks the inner sarcastic, spunky Goddess of her youth seemed to have awoken from her long slumber.
"
Oh Ellie, stop wasting time," she said out loud. "You have things to do!"
Ellie often talked to herself when she was stressed about something, or when it seemed to be the more responsible choice to drown out her rebellious side.
She headed back to the living room. There wasn't much time before Jacob got home, and there was still so much to figure out for the show. She had already pre-sold hundreds of tickets, and the event had been the talk of Logan last year. The Sheriff had made a big splash by taking home the Librarian in a very public way. She was confident more tickets would be sold. After all, everyone in Logan wanted to witness the next big scandal!
Ellie had already arranged the caterer, lined up a singer and a DJ, and planned most of the decorations. The City Hall had graciously donated its space, and now she needed to turn her attention to the finishing touches on the menu.
"Menu! Oh Crap,” she said.. She scrambled to the kitchen, remembering that Jacob would be home soon and there was so much to do before he arrived. She crammed all her fund-raising documents into a folder, shoved that into a drawer, touched up her makeup and hair, and then headed to the kitchen.
As the steak strips browned in the pan for fajitas,
Ellie looked around the kitchen, picturing a highchair at the end of the wood plank farm table.
She thought once again of the pregnancy test she had taken last week. Another negative. Jacob had done his best to hide his disappointment and comfort her, but it was obvious he was running out of patience. When they had married a few years ago, he talked incessantly about having a son. Every night, they held hands and Jacob led them in a prayer of gratitude for all they had and a request to bless them with a child.
"Jacob," Ellie sighed, as she plopped the meat onto the other side to brown and searched the antique hutch for-seasoning. Fajitas were one of his favorite dishes. Ellie hoped it would ease his pain, if only for a couple hours.
She decided that a night of romance may be just what he needs to release his tension. He had always been a very sensual man.
When it comes to Jacob, sex heals,
she thought to herself.
Yes, I will romance him tonight.
Luckily, fajitas don't take long to make. Once the dish was ready she set the table, lit candles, tidied the kitchen, and carefully placed the food in a warmer. She chose the dining room table for tonight’s dinner rather than their usual spot in the eat-in kitchen. The dining room had a romantic feel, with the big picture window and old oak table.
Ellie took one last look around her home before she headed to her room to prepare herself for the evening. The wood stove in the living room was still burning; the fire wouldn’t need to be fed for another hour. She had already fixed the pillows and throw on the leather couch.
A feeling of warmth and comfort washed over Ellie as she took in this farm house. It had been given to Jacob when they announced their engagement. He had spent the next six months remodeling the inside with all the modern conveniences; a beautiful double oven and granite countertops in the kitchen, hand hewn wood floors, and custom doors.
We have really made a home for ourselves here,
she thought.
She left a love note for him at the front door, grabbed her favorite bottle of wine and retreated to the tub. She started his favorite country music and slid herself into the suds. When she checked the time, she knew she had a little time to unwind before he got home.
As she waited for him to appear, she allowed herself to remember some of the most pivotal moments they shared together four years ago. Jacob was the one and only man she had ever dated, and the falling-in-love memories filled her with warmth and energy. She closed her eyes, sinking deeper into the tub, and let her mind drift.
The first time she set eyes on him in that boardroom, his cowboy hat on the table beside him, hat hair and sexy as hell. His intense gaze prevented her from saying a word that entire meeting.
Ellie laughed now, at that memory. She didn’t realize it at the time, but a boardroom was the last place Jacob would ever want to be. He belonged in the field with his horse. She took a sip of wine and closed her eyes again. Her memories continued…
The time they found a hot tub in someone's back yard and spent what they later called the Hour of Bliss. They were so spontaneous in those years.
They way he looked at her with so much love and desire. He still looks at her that way, sometimes.
The smell of leather, hay, and cloves the first time they made love. Ellie's first time. She had been so nervous. Then just lying there, motionless, enjoying the touch of skin. Waking hours later, bodies entangled.
"Hello," he said. His gravelly voice still made her heart skip. Her eyes drifted open so she could admire the man standing before her.
Damn, how can one man make a t-shirt and jeans look so sexy,
she thought.
Jacob stood at just over six feet. His work around the ranch kept him lean and muscular; working with cattle took strength and stamina.
Today, however, was an easy day. He and his father had been checking the cattle on the four-wheelers.
Ellie knew his Stetson was hanging by the front door. His hair showed evidence that he had been wearing it earlier that day.
She gave him a sly smile.
"Come in," she said.
"I would rather not,” was his reply. He moved in closer and reached out his hand for her. She extended her hand, and allowed him to raise her up onto her feet. Without moving his eyes away from hers, he put his hand onto the small of her back and helped her out of the tub. Keeping one hand on her back and his eyes on hers, he brought a towel toward her and draped it over her shoulders, while letting his lips move down toward her chest, taking in first one nipple, then the other.
"Do you want dinner? It's ready."
He pulled her wet body in close to his and dropped his face to hers, "No."
"Take me to bed,” sighed Ellie.
"Of course,” was his reply. He wrapped his arm tighter around her back and moved her toward the bed, only steps from the bathroom. She was still dripping with bubble bath, but neither of them cared. When they reached the edge of the bed, he lifted her easily and lay her across the mattress. He then took a step back, eyes still burning into hers and removed his shirt with one swift motion.
Sweet Jesus,
she thought as heat gathered between her legs. She focused on his well cut abdomen, then let her eyes move back up to his face, hisstrong jaw line , and his intense blue eyes. She knew he was burning with passion for her.
He is more handsome now then the day I met him,
thought Ellie.
He unzipped his pants, freeing his bulge, and moved toward the bed. With one swift motion, he slid his arm under her and moved her to the other end. Ellie inhaled deeply, the familiar vanilla, clove, and leather smell relaxed her. This smell, this intimate place, the feeling of his hands possessing her, this was and would always be sacred to Ellie.
She continued to breathe deeply and relax into the comfort of his presence. His hands moved across her skin, her abdomen, her breasts, and finally, he worked his way to her nipples.
Jacob always took time to pamper Ellie. He massaged her, kissed her, and gave attention to unusual body parts. At various times, he caressed the palm of her hands, her earlobes, or each individual toe.
The time they spent together with nothing but the smell, feel, and touch of each other was one of the only times that Ellie was able to empty her mind and simply enjoy the sensations.
When Jacob could not wait any longer, he sat up on his knees, pulled her pelvis up to him, and filled her deeply.
He was the only man she had ever known intimately. Her sexuality grew with the guidance of his touch and his body. She was made to respond to him and him alone. As he moved, her body responded to the familiar dance, until they both exploded in ecstasy.
Dinner can wait,
she thought as they drifted off to sleep.
You are in charge of the Burlesque show and you need to act like it,
Miss Sensibility chimed in. Ellie knew she should go to the closet and find something more appropriate for the occasion, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Yoga pants not only flattered her curves, but they were more comfortable than other options.
Instead of changing altogether, she grabbed the first necklace she could find. Searching for one that actually matched her outfit would have been too much effort. Next, she rummaged through her purse, looking for her elusive colored lip gloss.
The damn thing is never where I leave it,
thought Ellie.
I swear, I buy two a month and I can never find one when I need it. She didn’t wear make-up, preferring a natural look. But, lip gloss did make her feel more confident and sexy. She hated to leave home without it.
As Ellie walked to the kitchen, she told Miss Sensibility,
I know this isn't what you had in mind, but it will have to do.
Ellie chuckled at her ridiculous attempt to dress up yoga pants. Yoga pants. Who does that? You can't dress up yoga pants. But, Ellie was ready for her meeting with Sarina, and she liked her look.
"What are you laughing at?" asked Jacob as he folded the morning paper in his lap.
"I'm laughing at how ridiculous it is to put me in charge of this show," Ellie said with a wink.
She gave Jacob a peck on the cheek and rummaged through the junk drawer for the elusive lip gloss.
This drawer makes Jacob cringe every time he walks into the kitchen. You really should clean it out,
chimed in Miss Sensibility.
"Oh please, this isn't helping right now," said Ellie.
"Uh, babe. Who are you talking to?" At this, Ellie turned around and stared at her man, speechless.