Element, Part 2
CM Doporto
Book Description:
College student, Natalie Vega, struggles in her quest to learn how she can have a normal life, which includes her boyfriend Ryan, and also help the world that has been experiencing the effects of global warming. While her supernatural powers are unknown and are a secret to most in the world, an evil business tycoon learns of her abilities and has other plans for Natalie and his empire.
BOOK TRAILER:
http://youtu.be/fNNZRfGUMTM
Chapter 1 – What Has She Become?
Natalie paced back and forth. “What am I going to do?
What’s wrong with me? It’s been over twenty-four hours and I’m still not back
to normal.” Natalie looked at Ryan, seeking reassurance that everything would
be okay. Deep down she had a feeling that she may never be the same again.
“Natalie, please
don’t get so upset. We’ll figure this out.” Ryan told her what she wanted to
hear but she refused to allow herself to accept it completely. Maybe she lacked
faith or recognized reality when she saw it. Regardless, this was her new
world.
She floated over to the patio doors and moved back the
blinds, peeking outside. Students walked
up and down along The Drag, the main strip in front of the University of Texas campus.
She longed to be outside with them. “Am I ever going to be normal again?” She
let out a long and drawn out sigh, and buried her face in her hands. Her
glowing green fingers reminded her of what she had become.
“Look at me, I’m a freak!” She turned around and shook
her hands in the air.
“No you’re not.” He reached for her hand. She yanked it
away before he could touch her.
“Don’t. I’m not
safe. Look what I did to your couch and carpet.” She glanced down at the
scorched leather that outlined where she sat and the burned-in footprints on
the rug.
Ryan shrugged his shoulders, like it was no big deal.
Why was he taking this so calmly? Her body turned to fire for goodness sake!
“I know you won’t hurt me.” Ryan took another step
forward. He put on a fearless smile.
“Of course I won’t hurt you. At least not intentionally,
but I could accidentally.” She turned
away, on the verge of tears. She longed for him to hold her, caress her, and
comfort her. He couldn’t and that’s what upset her the most. At least she had one thing to be grateful
for: he stood by her side and she wasn’t in this alone. She admired him for
being so brave and understanding.
At first, she didn’t think he would be, especially the
way he freaked out at the lake. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for him to come
to his senses and realize that despite what she looked like on the outside, on
the inside, she was still Natalie.
“I know, but I can’t help wanting to hold you in my
arms.”
She glanced up at him. “You have no idea how bad I want
that. I’m so scared.” Her voice trembled
and she swallowed hard.
“Don’t worry, beautiful, I’m not ever leaving your
side. I promise.” Ryan took another step
forward. She sensed the sincerity and truth coming from his heart. Hopefully,
he would not prove her wrong and stay true to his word.
“You promise?” She had to hear it one more time.
“Yes, Natalie, I promise. Besides beautiful, I’m tough. You can’t hurt
me.” He pounded his chest with his fist, like Tarzan.
She giggled. Leave it to Ryan to make her laugh and
smile. However, it didn’t change the fact that she had the capability to hurt
him physically and that scared her to death.
“Natalie, I mean what I say. I really do want to be here
for you… help you find out why this happened and get you back to normal. I need you more than you know. I’m in love
with you.” Ryan inched his way closer to
her.
Natalie warned him to stop by holding up her hand. “I’m
in love with you too and I can’t stand us not being able to touch. I want to be
in your arms, feel your lips against mine, and hear your heart beat when I lay
my head against your chest. I can’t and
it’s killing me. But I can’t risk hurting you. If I did something to you
accidentally, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” Tears poured from her
eyes but dissolved immediately into her body of flowing energy.
“Please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see ya this
way.” His eyes filled with tears and his voice escalated. He shoved his hands
through his hair and tugged. He turned around, hiding his face from her. It
tore her apart to see him tear up in front of her. She swallowed back the grief
and allowed her eyes to dry.
His hands dropped from his head and he turned around. He
took a moment before saying anything. “I want you to know that it’s just as
hard for me as it is for you. I want to hold you so bad and tell you this is
all a dream. But I can’t and it’s
killing me too. You already know how
hard it is for me to control myself around you. For whatever reason, I feel
more attracted to you now than ever before. It’s like your scent draws me to
you. That’s why I’m willing to risk hurting myself to be able to kiss and touch
you.” Ryan walked back to her and reached for her arm once more.
She jumped back. “No! Don’t Ryan. It’s too risky.” She
continued to back away from him until she pressed against the patio doors.
“I’m sorry. I won’t try to touch you unless you want me
to. I have faith that we will get through this. We will find out why this
happened and we will be able to hold
and kiss each other again. Regardless, I’m never leaving your side. I love you
too much.” He smiled gently at her and took a step back. He rested his open
palms against his thighs, inviting her to take his hands into hers.
Element, Part 1 is FREE!
Element, Part 1 is FREE!
***
About the Author:
She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Arlington. She briefly worked in the area of Public Relations and Advertising and then pursued a career in the field of Human Resources. CM considers herself a life-long learner and returned to school and earned her Master of Art's Degree in Organizational Development from Dallas Baptist University.
She writes Young Adult and New Adult Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy stories about ordinary women who do extraordinary things, become a heroine, and find love along the way. CM is a member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Romance Writers of America and is associated with the Young Adult Special Interest Chapter.
Web/blog: http://cmdoporto.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/cmdoportowriter
Twitter: @cm_doporto
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cmdoporto
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/cmdoporto
Amazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/CM-Doporto/e/B00AVZJ8DO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Author CM Doporto Q&A
1. If you were attending a Halloween party, what would your costume be and why?
I’d like to be Wonder Woman because she is my all-time favorite female superhero. Besides, I love to dress up for Halloween. It’s been a tradition since childhood and my husband, son and I all coordinate with matching costumes. When I have time, I even sew our outfits.
2. What is my favorite love story? (movie or book)
My favorite love story of all times is, Gone With The Wind.
3. What is my favorite line from any movie? “After all tomorrow is another day.” Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind
4. What is my favorite decade?
My favorite time period is the 1850-1860’s. I love the dresses women would wear with big hoops and corsets. To this day, I still want a southern bell dress!
5. Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a Chihuahua which I completely adore. She’s like part of the family and my son has grown up with her. We even dress her up at Halloween time matching her costume with ours. In the picture below, she’s dressed as Woody. She’s eleven now and it’s so cute to see how her muzzle is greying. I know she won’t live forever but we will enjoy every day with her.
Cover Artist: Amygdala Design
Book Trailer:
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Purchase Links:
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Element, Part 1 is FREE:
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