Road to Ecstasy

By Mary Suzanne

Excerpt

His instructions were lost to the night as the car tilted sideways and plunged down the side of a deep ditch. Blair felt her body starting to fly across the seat, but at the last second, she managed to grab the steering wheel. A crunching sound filled the air when the car came to rest at the bottom of the crevice.
When her door flew open, she looked up, preparing herself for the stranger’s anger, but she only witnessed concern on his face.
"Are you all right?"
"I think so.” She tried to sit upright, but with the unstable position of the car, it was impossible.
When he reached inside, she didn't utter one word as he lifted her easily into his arms and carried her up the steep incline to the road.
"I'll feel safer if I can keep a closer eye on you until I'm ready to leave,” he said, still holding her arm between his fingertips.
His remark humiliated Blair. She refused to thank him as they walked the short distance to the station. A few minutes later, she stood looking out the plate glass window watching the tow truck pull her car out of the ditch.
The young mechanic entered the building and motioned toward her car. "I don't have time to check it tonight, but maybe tomorrow,” he told her, wiping the grease from his hands on an old rag.
"I'd appreciate it.”
He nodded and disappeared through another door. She watched the stranger follow the man into the next room. She picked up her handbag and looked around eventually spotting the rest room sign.
After entering, her brown gaze traveled to the mirror. She couldn’t believe the image reflected in the glass. She looked like a Raggedy Ann doll. She removed her brush and pulled it through her honey colored hair to loosen the thick tangles and reapplied her make up.
As she entered the garage, the cool blue eyes of her companion watched her progress across the room. Now that she wasn’t such a mess, she could have sworn there was a look of interest on his face.
Blair took a position against the wall and didn’t miss how often he looked her way. He might not be interested in her at all; only wanting to make sure she stayed out of trouble. When he motioned for her to join him, she hurried across the room.
"Since either car won't be ready tonight, the mechanic offered to drive us to a motel. You may want him to drop you off at a different motel."
It sounds as if he wants to get rid of me! His suggestion suits me! She fumed silently as they reached the truck.
"This is going to be a tight squeeze,” the mechanic said, “but I think we can manage." As it turned out, managing meant sitting on the stranger's lap in the front seat, with the luggage squeezed alongside. "There are only two motels near here."
"Either one will do for me, but you'll have to ask Ms. Blair Clancy which one she wants to go to.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Suzanne
• Release date: May 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311431783

Mary Suzanne

Mary Suzanne writes a story feeling the hero and heroine’s pain, happiness and joy over their relationship. It she is able to transport a person from their every day existence to another realm in time; then she has succeeded in giving something special to her readers.Currently there are 99 e-books ready for purchase at Smashwords.com and othet distributors.

Book preview

Road to Ecstasy

Copyright 2016 by Mary Suzanne

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One

What else could go wrong? Blair yelled as her car skidded off the narrow, wet road and came to a bumpy stop.

Her mother warned her about driving to Florida alone, but she had not bothered listening. Blair’s one thought was to take advantage of her time off to visit her fiancé Bob Gregory.

With a storm raging overhead, and now stranded on a lonely road, things did not look promising. As she sat trying to figure out what to do, a dark shape flew by her window. The next sound was something crashing nearby.

She turned off the key and climbed from the car. The headlights were not much help in guiding her along the dark, lonely road. Eventually, she saw the shape of a car a few feet ahead with the front resting against a tree. Before reaching the wreck, the door opened and someone tumbled from the driver’s side.

Is anyone hurt? her voice sounded muffled in the heavy downpour.

No, the male driver growled.

As she reached him, she looked at his car. Smoke billowed from beneath the hood in giant puffs making her believe it wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.

You should have better sense than to pull out in front of another car. A bright flash of lightning lit up the sky revealing the look of irritation covering his face.

What are you talking about? My car was already at the side of the road when you passed me, she said defensively.

Panic was her first reaction when he reached out unexpectedly and took her arm. Pictures of hideous crimes swiftly passed through her head realizing this man could do what he wanted with her in the middle of nowhere. Instead, he turned her in the opposite direction and started walking toward her car.

It isn't doing either of us any good standing here getting soaked.

He opened her door and Blair got in. She stole a look at him as he slid into the seat next to her. From the yellow glow of the interior light, she saw his features more clearly.

Dark hair enhanced the deep blue of his eyes. The cleft in his chin added a strong distinction to his striking looks. She frowned trying to figure out where she’d seen him before. Hearing his movements, she covertly watched him remove a cell phone and lift it to his ear.

Damn! He snapped his phone closed. I can’t get a signal.

The same thing happened with mine, she held up her phone, I think my battery’s shot."

For the next few minutes, silence reigned in the car. The atmosphere felt unnerving and Blair tried to think of something to say to relieve the strain.

I have insurance to cover the damages; she nervously reached into her handbag and removed her wallet.

Never mind, I'm fully covered.

What do we do now? Blair blurted.

Anything is better than sitting alone with a strange man in this Godforsaken place.

I don't have the slightest idea.

It sounded like he was as confused as she was.

Do you live in the area? She looked at him.

No, but I'd give anything to change out of these wet clothes. She saw how his eyes nearly closed, making her believe he may have thought of something. After I get my luggage, you can drive me to the nearest garage.

I will if my car will start. When she hit a pothole on the slippery road earlier, something made a clanging noise beneath her car.

He didn't answer as he walked out into the rainy night. Within minutes, he placed several pieces of luggage on the back seat and rejoined her.

By the way, I'm Blair Clancy, she introduced herself and smiled. If they were going to spend any time together, she at least wanted it to be pleasant.

Where did you get a name like Blair?

My parents are Irish, she answered, warming to the subject.

A nod was the only acknowledgment. If you don't mind, I'm in a hurry to get started.

Her smile faded. Some people are so rude, she grumbled in a low tone, but knew he couldn't help hearing.

With a quick twist of the key, the engine slowly started. Blair pressed the gas pedal and inched her way out of the mud. The garage was at least five miles in the opposite direction and she breathed easier spotting the well-lit building in the distance. When she reached the station, she stopped her car near the entrance.

Thanks, was his only comment as he opened the door and unloaded his luggage.

Goodbye, Blair called out to him.

As she pulled out onto the highway, her car made a coughing sound and came to a stop. She leaned her head on the steering wheel, Not again.

Looking back toward the garage, she saw the stranger standing in the same spot watching her. Curiosity filled her whether he intended helping her, but she shouldn’t have worried. She watched his long strides eating up the distance between them.

Can't you get it going? He leaned his head in the open window and his warm breath fanned her flushed cheek. How much gas do you have?

I have plenty. She silently wondered why she’d come up with the brilliant idea of leaving the main highway in the first place and taking the frontage road. None of this would be happening and she'd never have met him.

I’ll give it a try. Blair didn't waste any time in climbing across the car to the other bucket seat. He began turning the key, but battery gave out.

Wait here and I'll see if someone will help me push it off the highway, he said as he got out and retraced his steps of moments ago.

Wait here? Where does the foolish man expect me to go when my car won’t start? She shook her head and smothered a hysterical laugh listening to his ridiculous instructions.

It wasn't long before he returned, followed by another man. As Blair caught sight of them, she got out and walked around to the back of her car.

What are you doing? His blue eyes narrowed.

I’m going to help push.

Will you use your head? There's no one to guide this thing with everyone pushing.

Oh, she murmured, feeling a warm flush spreading across her features. With trembling hands, she opened the door and got behind the wheel, forgetting she needed to turn the key so she could guide it.

The car started moving and the going was rough, making it almost impossible to steer. She held on tightly to the wheel, but the car was going where it wanted and no amount of trying would stop it.

Straighten it out, she heard him shouting. No, that's too much. Step on the brake! As she glanced back, she saw a look of consternation fill his face.

His instructions were lost to the night as the car tilted sideways and plunged down the side of a deep ditch. Blair felt her body starting to fly across the seat, but at the last second, she managed to grab the steering wheel. A crunching sound filled the air when the car came to rest at the bottom of the crevice.

When her door flew open, she looked up, preparing herself for the stranger’s anger, but she only witnessed concern on his face.

Are you all right?

I think so. She tried to sit upright, but with the unstable position of the car, it was impossible.

When he reached inside, she didn't utter one word as he lifted her easily into his arms and carried her up the steep incline to the road.

I'll feel safer if I can keep a closer eye on you until I'm ready to leave, he said, still holding her arm between his fingertips.

His remark humiliated Blair. She refused to thank him as they walked the short distance to the station. A few minutes later, she stood looking out the plate glass window watching the tow truck pull her car out of the ditch.

The young mechanic entered the building and motioned toward her car. I don't have time to check it tonight, but maybe tomorrow, he told her, wiping the grease from his hands on an old rag.

I'd appreciate it.

He nodded and disappeared through another door. She watched the stranger follow the man into the next room. She picked up her handbag and looked around eventually spotting the rest room sign.

After entering, her brown gaze traveled to the mirror. She couldn’t believe the image reflected in the glass. She looked like a Raggedy Ann doll. She removed her brush and pulled it through her honey colored hair to loosen the thick tangles and reapplied her make up.

As she entered the garage, the cool blue eyes of her companion watched her progress across the room. Now that she wasn’t such a mess, she could have sworn there was a look of interest on his face.

Blair took a position against the wall and didn’t miss