Seized Desires

By Ron Whittington

Weeks after thwarting the terrorist attack against the U.S. described in author Ron P. Whittington's second novel, Doppelganged (2012), businessman-turned-spy Parker Glynn has the opportunity to visit an old girlfriend he hasn't seen for 10 years: Kristen Briggs -- a former New York City reporter now working at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. As Glynn ponders the nature of their romantic non-starter and his rival that won her heart, he also uncovers the dark secret behind a seemingly perfect love affair that went wrong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ron Whittington
• Release date: Jan 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310418563

Ron Whittington

Over the last 20 years, Ron Whittington has worked as a ghostwriter on two national best-selling books and his freelance writing has appeared in Texas Business, Texas Monthly, Water's Edge, Jacksonville Magazine, Beson Publications, and The Florida Times-Union. A native of Atlanta, Whittington started his career as a journalist with CNN Radio and the Dallas-Fort Worth Business Journal before going into the public relations profession. He has served as the media spokesman for the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, JEA (Jacksonville Florida’s municipal utility) in addition to work as an independent public relations consultant. He is currently a senior account executive for the southeast U.S. regional office of London-based Mulberry Marketing Communications.

Book preview

Seized Desires

A Short Story by

Ron P. Whittington

This is a fictional story. Use or mention of historical events, places, or names of public figures is done solely for the purpose of placing the story within a time frame or geographic region. Any similarity of the story line to actual events is coincidental.

SEIZED DESIRES. Copyright © 2014 by Ron P. Whittington

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Published by Smashwords

Visit our website at www.rpwhittington.com

First Edition: JANUARY 2014

ISBN: 9781310418563

Seized Desires

By Ron P. Whittington

You knew Kristen when she was a reporter?

The Hispanic waiter flashed a good-natured smile, but Parker Glynn could tell the young man was a bit incredulous at the thought that the guest services director of the Hotel del Coronado was once a journalist.

Yes, but that was a while back, Glynn said, nearly shouting to be heard over the noise of a hundred conversations from the tables around him and the tinkling of dishes and glasses as the staff bustled to service the full restaurant. It’s been ten, maybe fifteen years since then. She covered the business beat for The New York Times when I knew her.

The waiter listened politely while he cleared the plates that remained from Glynn’s hummus and slow-roasted tomato appetizer.

She interviewed me a few times, but we became friends outside the office, Glynn said. We had a lot of fun at the time. She’s good people.

Yes, Miss Briggs is great to work with, the waiter concurred. He swiped the crumbs of cracker bread from the white linen tablecloth, inching it around the light blue placemat and into his palm. Mr. Glynn, your salad will be ready in a minute. Would you like some more iced tea?

Sure, but just bring it with the salad. I’m in no rush, so take your time. Gives me longer to enjoy the scenery.

Yes, sir. It is a beautiful day, isn’t it? the waiter said, then turned attentively to a beckoning customer at an adjacent table.

Kristen Briggs had reserved Glynn a four-top table that provided one of the best ocean views at the expansive outside seating area of the Sheerwater Restaurant. Crisp white umbrellas created a canopy of shade over the tables that stretched behind him on the patio section of the Sheerwater. Rows of tables filled with guests surrounded him. He was the only person seated alone at an outside table.