Gloria and Corey agreed that their wedding would not be a Hollywood spectacular. They would invite only those friends and relatives with whom they had enjoyed a significant relationship. Through a process of elimination they reduced the guest list to 200 people. Since Gloria’s mother, Estelle, was not wealthy, Corey very generously offered to cover a sizable portion of the cost. This act of generosity endeared him even more to his future wife and mother-in-law.

One of the guests figuring most prominently on the list was Corey’s business partner, Jeremy Mason. Gloria had not yet met him because he had left for an extended trip to the pacific rim just before she had encountered Corey that fateful day in their elegant store. Jeremy was attending to the import-export business the two men ran jointly along with their jewelery venture. Jeremy’s reputation, however, preceded him. According to all the reports Gloria heard, he was a lady-killer. Just about every woman who met him was dazzled by his presence. He fairly oozed erotic energy. He personified excitement and adventure. He moved with the lithe, conquering  grace of a panther, yet never aroused in them a feeling of fear. He would flash them such a charming smile that each woman was convinced he had singled her out for a privileged relationship, if only for several minutes. Once excited by his tantalizing smile, it was difficult for them to stop drooling over him. In fact, they would persist in deluding themselves that they could win his heart until he would very sweetly, but firmly, inform them that they were pursuing a mirage.

Aside from his talent for love-making, women were intrigued by all the other aspects of his life. Jeremy was one of the most successful businessmen around; he wrote a syndicated financial column that was widely respected. He was a daredevil pilot, rode an ultra-powerful, flashy motor cycle, tamed supposedly untameable horses which he raced himself, and could have even competed in the Olympics on the American swimming team had he wanted to make a commitment to the sport. Several months before Gloria met Corey, rumors were flying that Hollywood was interested in signing him up as a new matinée idol who would appeal to an audience of women still relatively young, but on their way to being classified in the mature category.

Gloria knew all this but was not inordinately impressed. No man had ever succeeded in igniting an erotic bonfire within her heart. Why should Corey’s business partner be any different? Besides, she was deeply attached to Corey, even though she still could not feel any ardent passion for him. As her husband, Corey would be her best friend for the rest of her life, and that was more than enough to ensure her happiness. Indeed, Gloria had just about reached the conclusion that all this talk about passion sucking a person into a whirlpool was just that: talk, and nothing else. She was just about convinced that such emotions existed only in romance novels and were peddled relentlessly to keep the book industry going. When Corey’s friends warned her that being a married woman would not necessarily protect her from Jeremy’s roving eye, she laughed off the warning. I know how to handle men, she thought, I’ve kept some really hot and sexy ones at bay during my four years at university. Why should Jeremy be any different? Besides, you don’t succumb to passion unless you want to. I don’t want to because I have never felt it and probably never will. Maybe my classmates were right when they called me the Ice Queen.

Gloria and Corey’s wedding ceremony unfolded like a fairy tale. Corey was so elated at the thought of marrying such a beautiful, intelligent, and spiritually lovely woman that his joy made him appear truly handsome. As for Gloria, everyone agreed that she looked like the proverbial angel in white at the top of a Christmas tree. She projected an image of other-world luminosity and purity that had all the guests and even bystanders completely entranced. As soon as she emerged from the church with her new husband, hundreds of cameras started clicking away and continued for almost twenty minutes. Each time the wedding party tried to move down the steps towards the waiting limousines, there were always a few photographers begging for “just one more shot.”

The wedding dinner was held at the Green Gate Golf Club, undoubtedly the most sought-after place in town to throw lavish affairs. The bride and groom, followed by the other members of the wedding party, formed the reception line as soon as they arrived. As the various guests filed past her, Gloria greeted them with a charm and dignity that left them enchanted. Just as she finished hugging one of her cousins, a man she had not met before came up to congratulate her. The minute Gloria met his gaze she stood there, transfixed. He looked like the magnificent statue of David by Michelangelo miraculously come to life. He radiated virile strength and warmth. His smile was gentle and yet enticing. It seemed like an invitation to a thrilling erotic adventure. He didn’t have to identify himself. As soon as she saw him, Gloria knew it could be none other than Jeremy Mason. An excitement she had never experienced before shot up her spinal column and began throbbing through her body. My God,she said to herself, almost panic-stricken, I’ve never felt this sensation before for any man. I’m feeling for him what I should be feeling for my husband, and my husband is standing right next to me and I’ve been married to him for only the past few hours!

These thoughts flashed through her mind with lightning-like speed. Fortunately, Gloria was able to dominate her emotions enough to prevent anyone from noticing her inner turmoil and no one noticed except Jeremy. Being a connoisseur of women, he could tell immediately that his presence had just unleashed an earthquake within Gloria’s heart.

“May I kiss the ravishing bride?” he asked gallantly. “I have heard so much about you, Gloria. Corey worships the ground you walk on. I look forward to getting to know you, too.”

Gloria offered one of her cheeks, and he kissed it with a sensual gentleness that left her momentarily speechless.

To be continued……………….

“The Ice Queen” is on every Wednesday at 9am EST. Please participate in the show by leaving comments and suggestions about the show or what you think it should happen next! Our author might consider your ideas for the next episode! For more information about the author Dr. Leonard Rosmarin and his book “Getting Enough” please visit here.

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About The Expert

On our About the Expert page, you can learn more about the author, including contact information and other posts they've written. About Dr. Leonard Rosmarin.