She Gave Me a Prompt, I Ran With It!

Michael (Gollum)has challenged her readers to take part in a kind of literary exercise, to create a fictional story based on a picture (of an outdoor tablescape), a video/song (from The Thomas Crowne Affair), and a list of the following words to use as prompts. At least 5 need to be used in the story.

1. french blue
2. rain
3. cinnamon
4. invitation
5. smooth/rough/crinkly/glassy
6. clock
7. circle
8. apple
9. keys
10. summer
11. lovers


Now please keep in mind that I am far from a professional like our Michael. I love to read, but I have never been able to write. But, once given this challenge I felt I had to at least try. So, here goes nothing.



I ran my hand over the smooth surface of my new patio table’s glass top, and thought back in time to last Saturday evening.

It was 6 months to the day that Gideon and I had met at our local library. I had been trying to decide between a classic Nora Roberts book and a newly released Debbie Macomber. Gideon just happened to be passing by, his arms loaded down with back issues of Architectural Digest, when the corner of my chosen book snagged the bottom-most magazine in his stack. I felt the blood rush to my face as magazines dropped to the floor in a haphazard mess.

Then all of that blood proceeded to drain from my face when our gazes collided and his stormy gray eyes locked on my own deep brown ones, electricity arcing between us. Six months later the spark is brighter and hotter than ever.

So, to celebrate our half-year milestone, I’d planned a romantic al fresco dinner for us; everything from an appetizer of fresh shrimp cocktail, to a dessert of my grandmother’s recipe for apple cobbler. The table was set with simple white china, French blue stemware, and linen napkins that matched the glasses perfectly.

When Gideon arrived the house was filled with the scent of cinnamon, and all I had left to do was light the half dozen pillar candles on the table. As I set about my task, Gideon sidled up to me, and took me in his arms.

”Mmm. Something smells delicious.” He nuzzled my neck in that sweet spot just below my ear, the spot that made my knees turn to jelly every time his lips or tongue brushed it. I was just barely able to squeak out, “It’s the cobbler I have in the oven.”

“No”, he said, “It’s you that’s stirring my appetite right now.” I wanted nothing more than to forget the whole dinner and take him to my bed, but practicality won out. “Come outside and sit down while I get you a glass of wine, sweetie. I’ve made a special dinner for us."

“You know that wasn’t necessary, Cassie, but I know I’ll enjoy every bite as long as I can look at you while I’m eating.” He turned on the outdoor sound system while I returned to the kitchen.

After bringing Gideon his wine and our appetizer, we both dug in to the crisp shrimp and exchanged tidbits of our day. Just as I rose to fetch our next course, Gideon grabbed my hand from across the table, and pulled me toward him. “Dinner can wait, but I can’t. Come here and sit on my lap a moment.”

I sat down gently and put my arms around his neck, kissing him lightly on the mouth. Gideon deepened the kiss and all at once it felt like my insides were melting and my womb contracted in anticipation.

Before I realized what was happening, Gideon had my shirt unbuttoned and was stroking me through the lace of my bra, circling my sensitive nipples with his thumbs. “Now Cassie. I can’t wait even another minute to have you.” And with that, he swept his hand across the table, scattering china, glasses and candles to the tiled patio floor. Before I even had a chance to gasp out my surprise, he had me lying across the table, the hard glass cool on my naked back. For what felt like hours, he played my body like a fine violin, taking me to heights I’d never been before. Orgasm after orgasm ripped through my body until I thought I would shatter into a million pieces, not unlike the china scattered on the floor.

When finally we’d both regained our breath we looked into each other’s eyes and I knew something vital had changed between us. We were no longer just a couple dating casually, but something stronger, more profound. “I love you, Cassie. I know this is not the ideal place or time to ask, but please baby, will you be my wife?”

There I was, trapped between a sweaty man and an incredibly uncomfortable table, but all I could think about was that this was the most perfect moment of my life. Just as I opened my mouth to shout yes to Gideon and the world, the skies opened up and rain poured down upon us. While still inside me, Gideon lifted me up and carried me inside, walking straight past the kitchen where the food had dried out, and directly to my bedroom; the exact place I wanted to be from the moment he kissed my neck earlier that night.



Michael was sweet enough to give all of us that tried this challenge, this wonderful writing award. I bet by now she's wishing she'd waited until after she'd read all the stories!