Victoria Lawson, Monica Austin, Emma Bishop, Kim Wilkerson, Evelyn Hunt, Lois Hodges, Nellie Cross, Lori Dixon, Carla Burke, Bonnie Robles

The Ultimate Erotic Short Story Collection 17

The Appointments

by Victoria Lawson

“Your appointment is set for Wednesday from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. You’ll need to make sure that either you or someone 18 years or older is present alright?” said the customer service operator.

“Okay great, thanks. I’m glad to finally be getting television back.” Lena sat down at her computer desk writing down the appointment date on a sticky note.

“Well, we look forward to providing your service Ms. Carlisle.” The cable representative hung up.

Lena sighed in frustration. Now all she had to do was set up internet and finish cleaning her house. Lena had just moved into her new house outside the city. All of her furniture had been set up. The country life appealed more to her than the city. Boxes were everywhere and since she was such a stickler for a clean place she started unpacking immediately. As the hours passed Lena couldn’t take it anymore. It was Monday night and she was beyond tired.

The first few things she made sure to do was to stock her refrigerator, wash her bedsheets, and clean her bathroom. Surprisingly Lena got a lot more than that done. Not only did she make her other calls to get internet set up, but she was lucky enough to get the appointment date for Wednesday as well from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon. So she’d have both her internet and TV hooked up.

Her cell phone provided optimal signal so she wasn’t concerned with a home phone. Lena was able to fix up her bedroom, the second bedroom, the living room, and the kitchen. Only a few boxes remained of personal affects she had yet to find room for. Tuesday, she’d rest and put what little she had left boxed away.

It was Wednesday and she felt well rested. She still had errands to run but she’d wait until her cable appointment was through. That morning the internet technician came and set her house up with wireless internet. She was ecstatic. She had been staying with her friend for over a month while the house was being renovated and all the internet she had was her cell phone. When the cable guy came she was stunned.

Lena knew an employee who worked for the cable company she was having installed therefore she was able to get VIP installation. When the man knocked at her door, she wondered then if she was getting VIP treatment for sure because the installer was drop dead gorgeous. He was physically fit from what she could see through his uniform. When he smiled to greet her, she shook his hand and let him in. His hair was black and his eyes were bright blue. Talk about beautiful.

“Hi.” Lena answered the door. She was blown away by the man standing in her doorway. He was tall, dark, and handsome to say the least. His caramel skin and his hazel eyes were seductive. This was the man putting in her internet?

“I’m Tony. I have a work order in to put in your wireless internet?”

“Right, come in.” Lena showed the man her computer in her bedroom. He asked about additional devices and she explained she had a tablet and a laptop. He explained to her when he was done that she would be able to access the internet on all her devices. While he was talking she noticed his lips and how his top lip curved into a heart.

She thought about what it would be like to suck and lick his lips while straddling him. The man had to be in his early thirties. Over the past few months she had been hornier than she could fathom. She hadn’t had sex in over six months and was trying to maintain but her body had been aching to feel a man inside her.

Tony was instantly in lust when he met the lady on his work order. Lena Carlisle. Many women tend to come onto him whenever he came to do installs but no woman had ever made him want to take them up on their offer of afternoon sex for a job well done. But if this girl even made a bit of a pass at him, he would take her up on it and fuck her senseless. He covered with her what would be included in her installation and began his work.

After about forty-five minutes of work, he had come back to tell her that her work was complete. As he went over what her new passwords and connection presets were he felt a finger trail down his back. He stopped talking and turned to look at her. The finger turned into her hand running down his back and over his ass. He put his pen down and grabbed Lena by her waist and sat her on top of the kitchen counter. The look in her eyes was savage. Her pupils seemed slightly dilated and her body was warm. Tony kissed her while stroking her breasts over her shirt.

Lena kissed back roughly and pulled Tony into her. His body felt good against her. Even better when she felt his rough hands tear her button down shirt open and roughly grab and pinch at her nipples. Lena leaned back and Tony licked and sucked her neck marking his territory. He pulled her closer to him with her legs on either side of him. Pressing his rock hard cock against her covered mound he knew in an instant he wanted to take her right there on the kitchen counter. He rushed to pull down her pants thankful that she was wearing yoga pants.

She fumbled with his belt and zipper and pulled down his boxers along with his pants. Tony put two of his fingers in his mouth and then inside of Lena. She was already wet but the penetration of his fingers was needed. It had been a while since she’d had sex so she was extremely tight. Lena had even gone all too far as too avoid her vibrator. As Tony fingered her, he bent his head down to suck one breast while he fondled another. Rolling her nipples between his fingers he used his tongue to stimulate her other nipple.

Tony moaned into her breasts as he felt her warm soft hand stroking his cock. Her hand couldn’t even wrap around his thickness. When she gasped at his size he decided to take her. He pulled her by her thighs closer so that her ass rested right on the edge of the counter. Tony grabbed the head of his cock and guided the thick member inside her. She felt so tight around him that he didn’t know if he could hold out for long. Pumping in and out of her the walls of her pussy tightened around him.

Lena reached for her breasts and pushed them both together while he fucked her. Sliding in and out of her pussy his strokes went from fast and hard to slow and hard. He angled himself inside her to reach her g-spot. When he found it and Lena’s face relaxed completely he sped up again fucking her harder and faster.

The sensation of her pussy walls gripping him with each stroke became too much. When she came on his cock Tony fucked her faster each stroke bringing him to his orgasm. Quickly pulling out of her Tony came all over Lena’s thigh. Jets of warm come spread across her leg. Both of them were spent from their sex session.

Tony pulled away from her, pulled up his pants, and straightened his clothes. He smiled at Lena and she smirked back. “So if you need anything, have any questions about the service, or run into any technical issues you can call the customer service number listed on your paperwork. Tony handed her his card. If it’s very important and you need a technician, sometimes they take a few days to come out, so if you call my cell number I can fix any issue you have.

Lena pulled her pants up and fixed her bra. While guiding him to the door, she took his card. “Thank you for setting everything up.” A wide grin splayed across her face. She couldn’t believe what she had just done. It was no matter. She felt amazing. Her body felt relaxed, and she felt extremely satisfied. Not an ounce of regret. She went to shower before the cable technician came.

“Hey, I’m Noah. I’ll be doing your cable install today. I’ve got an order for a two room install?” Noah asked. This was his last job of the day and with VIP installs, the customer is afforded a 3 hour window. It was 2:00 p.m. and he was ready to go home.

“Awesome, I’m excited. I’ll show you the rooms I want them in.” She showed Noah the living room area and the master bedroom area. Since she was single and living alone, it didn’t make sense to have more than the two rooms hooked up. When Noah walked behind her towards the bedroom she could feel his eyes on her body, probably centered on her ass. This man was fine. Like most men who looked that good she was sure he was married, or had a girlfriend at least. Besides Lena was way too shy to say anything. Being rejected wasn’t something she was fond of so she rarely pursued a man.

Noah smiled as the woman led him down the hallway to her bedroom. He surveyed the areas where she wanted television. While in her bedroom, her large white tufted headboard stood out. His mind immediately flashed to a scene of him fucking her from behind with her hands pressed against the headboard. With the bed being King size he thought of putting her in many varied positions.

Lena Carlisle was the name on his work order. He figured it would be some middle aged woman who would undoubtedly hit on him again. When he pulled up the driveway and saw a large black truck, he figured it was her husbands and the wife had probably set up the account. This happens on a regular basis. However the moment he saw her, he could tell Lena was around his age as well.

“Nice truck out there. Is it yours?” Noah asked.

“Yes, that’s my baby. I love that truck. I just got it a couple of months ago.” Lena studied him. His body was lean and athletic. Very fit.

“Were you out and about earlier? I could’ve swore I saw that same truck.” Noah’s attempt at small talk wasn’t going well. He was trying to avoid how beautiful she was.

“I was actually.” She smiled at him. Just then a fantasy crept in her mind. Fucking the cable technician. Who did she know that had ever done that? No one she could think of. She had seen enough amateur porn movies to imagine Noah being the technician who would fuck her brains out. Yeah right, Lena thought to herself. “Get a grip Lena.” She whispered to herself.

“ I’m sorry did you say something?” Noah asked.

“Oh no. I’m fine.” She smiled and listened as Noah began to tell her what she would be getting regarding the install. Before he started, he asked for her approval and she gave it. Everything seemed in order.

He started running wires outside her house and setting up the dish outside. She was gorgeous and she had a body to die for. While working outside he would go back and forth to his truck and through the window he would see her. He needed some water to set her dish in concrete so he grabbed his bucket and knocked on the back door.

Lena couldn’t help but think of how sexy Noah looked in his work uniform. She decided to flirt a little, make herself seem approachable so that they could talk and it would give her a chance to find out more about him. When she heard the knock on the back door she opened it. Noah had asked for some water explaining he was setting her dish in concrete, that way she wouldn’t have any issues with wind blowing it out of alignment.

He handed her the bucket and she gave him warm water. When their hands touched their eyes met. A lust built inside the walls of her pussy. Noah grinned and gave her such a look as to tell her he wanted her. He thanked her for the water and went back to work.

After setting the dish, Noah went back to his truck to get the receivers. As he came back in to set up the receivers, he noticed her tattoo. They spoke about their tattoo work and all the things that influenced their artistry. In doing so, he found out that Lena was 27, single, and living on her own.

He had found out that they had not only the same taste in tattoo styles but the body language she was giving him was electric. The sexual tension in the air was thick. Noah made it clear to mention he was single and of the same age. So there they were, both free of relationships and of consenting age to do whatever it is they felt pleasing. A moment passed between them where he stared at her.

He helped her understand her new system and handed her some brochures on how to work her receivers. It may have been because of Tony but Lena was still aching for more. She thought of seducing Noah but he seemed like such a nice guy she didn’t want to tempt him. Good thing she didn’t have to worry about seducing him because it turned out Noah had a plan of his own.

As Noah was gathering his tools he asked if he could use her bathroom. Of course she obliged him, letting him know where the bathroom was. What she found strange was that he was in the bathroom for a very long amount of time. She went to check on him. Knocking on the door, “Hey, is everything okay?” The last knock on the door pushed the door open. She licked her lips. She found Noah naked with just his work boots on, leaning against the bathroom counter slowly jerking himself off.

His body was perfect. His stomach rippled with sinewy muscle and his cock was long and a bit above average. The head of his cock was thicker than the shaft. She wondered how it would feel to have a second man inside her stretching her. Fucking her roughly until climax. How promiscuous would she be if she let two men fuck her in less than 24 hours? This is typically when regret would set in, but all she felt at this moment was heated lust and a desire to be fucked bent over her bathroom sink watching him fuck her in the bathroom mirror.

She walked to Noah and bent down in front of him. Lena was enamored as she was watching Noah jerk his cock. He pumped his cock into his hands and pushed the head into Lena’s mouth. She sucked fervently as though she was starving. With each push into her mouth her cheeks sucked in to tighten his pathway.

Noah stopped stroking himself and instead let Lena’s mouth take his head and shaft. He fucked her mouth slowly at first allowing her to be able to deep throat him. When she was able to take him his speed increased. Every inch of his cock slid down her throat and his hips jutted back and forth.

Noah’s hands gripped either side of Lena’s head and he pumped into her mouth quickly. He stopped when he felt himself about to come. She gasped for air when he pulled out of her mouth. Licking her saliva off his cock Lena stood to face him. She took off her tank top and pulled down her slim fitted yoga pants revealing a perfectly taut naked body. Noah pulled her body to him and kissed her.

Running his fingers over her breasts and resting at her nipples he teased them. Pulling and pinching them he lowered his head to suck each breast. Paying close attention to her left breast circling her nipple with the tip of his tongue, then moving to her right breast. Noah turned Lena around so that her firm ass was facing him.

He held her against his chest, his hands reaching down rubbing against her thighs. Grabbing the inside of her legs he pulled her legs apart. Noah placed small and succulent kisses along her shoulder blade. His fingers parted her pussy lips and began massaging her clit. In slow circles Noah’s fingers made Lena’s pussy wetter than before. With his strength he turned Lena around and bent her over the bathroom sink. He pulled her long hair behind her back in one hand and palmed her ass with the other. They made eye contact in the mirror and in one motion Noah pushed inside Lena’s pussy.

His strokes were slow moving at first but he never broke his gaze. His hips moved in waves against her body. Noah’s cock filled Lena to the hilt. Slamming into her faster than before the sounds of their skin smacking against each other filled the bathroom along with Lena’s screams. With her legs spread far apart, Noah wanted to go deeper so he pulled her right leg up onto the counter and angled his cock inside her. Lena screamed as he pounded her. He couldn’t believe how tight she was. The deeper he went the louder she got.

Noah pulled her other leg up and placed it up on the bathroom counter. Now she was spread as wide as he could get her. Noah smacked her ass while he continued to fuck her. Lena came not once, not twice, but three times on his cock. Gently pulling her down, he picked her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Throwing her down on her back he climbed on top of the bed. He moved her on her side and slid behind her. He pulled one leg down and bent the other leg up towards her stomach. He pushed inside her again, this time their bodies moved together.

Noah’s cock pounded in and out of her with a quick and fast desire. He could no longer hold back so he came on her ass.

Lena was so tired that she couldn’t even stay up. She simply passed out. Two cocks in less than twenty-four hours, rather in less than a span of four hours was enough for her. Forget celibacy. She needed the feel of a man as much and frequent as possible.

When Lena woke up she was wrapped in her red satin sheets. Her body was so sore that when she got up to go to the bathroom she could barely move. She turned on the hot water and jumped in the shower. Letting the water run down her body felt amazing. The heat brought back memories of both the men she was with. The idea of having them both with her now in the shower was even more intense. Lena had more than enough for one day.

After cleaning up she decided to enjoy her new TV service. Days went by and she still thought about having both men inside her. She wondered if she called them both would they come? Would they both fuck her like she fantasized? She doubted it. A few weeks past and her internet was just fine and so was her TV, but the thought of having them both inside her turned from a thought to a full fledged desire.

She tried to reason with herself why it would be a good idea. They don’t know each other, and they aren’t serious. It was a one time fuck for both of them. Lena thought long enough, she decided to call them both and see if they would show up.

It was late Saturday night and they had both shown up on time. Tony stood there in his white polo shirt and fitted jeans, while Noah leaned against the brick of the house in a tank top and sweatpants. Both of them looked amazing and Lena couldn’t wait to have them inside her. They walked into the house and both of them kissed her on either side of her cheeks as they walked on either side of her.

Tonight she was going to make her own fantasy come true, forget what shameful thoughts she might have had. Forget what insecurities or desires for a relationship she had. This has always been a fantasy for her. And if she never did it, then even when she was in a relationship she would always be wondering what it would be like to have two strange men for one wild night.

Before she knew it she had Tony kissing up one side of her naked body and Noah on the other side. Tony’s finger trailed up and down her stomach while Noah’s fingers ran down her back and over her ass. Noah’s fingers found their way to her anus while Tony’s fingers found their way to her pussy. Both mens' mouths were busy on her breasts. It was a sight to see, Tony sucking on her left breast while Noah sucked on her right breast. Being adored by two men was especially delightful. Noah let the juices from Lena’s pussy drip down into her anus as he fingered her slowly.

Tony had moved from her breast down her ribs and over her hips to her pussy. His tongue darted in and out of her pussy alternating to her clit and flicking over her sensitive bud. She wrapped her legs around Tony’s head and moved her body against his tongue. She was so lost in the moment that when Noah pulled her face to his cock, she didn’t even hesitate. As Tony ate her pussy, she sucked on Noah’s cock much like she had done the first time. He straddled her chest gripping her breasts and letting his balls slide against them.

Amidst her whimpering, Noah could tell she was close to coming. Her tongue flicked against the head of his cock as he began to titty fuck her. Noah’s strokes felt so familiar as she was reminded of how he felt when he was inside her. Lena came in a rush moaning and screaming from the pleasure of Tony’s tongue.

Tony and Noah switched places and soon Lena began sucking Tony’s cock. She felt a surge of pleasure when Noah slid his cock deep inside her in one stroke. Noah quickly turned her over and Tony knew just what to do. With Noah behind her, his cock in her pussy stroking at steady pace, and his finger still in her ass Lena had Tony on his knees in front of her. She sucked him slowly at first. Getting her mouth around his girth was a challenge for sure. The feeling was marvelous for Lena. Noah was fucking her hard from behind while she was sucking Tony’s dick in front of her.

What she didn’t expect was Noah cock pressing at her ass, at least just yet. Replacing his cock with his fingers inside her pussy and pressing the head of his cock at her anus. He rubbed Lena’s back whispering for her to relax. Tony slid up underneath Lena and rubbed her shoulders also comforting her. Noah inched himself in slowly until he was inside of Lena. He pulled out and pushed back in slowly. Following suit Tony manoeuvred himself inside of Lena’s pussy. He did so slowly so as not to hurt her. Before Lena knew it she felt more pleasure than she ever had.

Tony’s thick cock filled her pussy and Noah's long cock stroked in and out of her ass. She felt them both deep inside her. Tony’s tongue and hands ran rampant all over her breasts. As they both sped up, Lena cried out. She came all over Tony’s dick and couldn’t handle anymore. Noah slowly pulled out of her as did Tony.

Just when she thought they were done, they in fact switched on her. Noah pulled her body up and close to him. Facing her he kissed her passionately, pulling her onto his lap. He sat her on top of his cock holding her by her ass. Noah bounced Lena up and down on top of him fucking her with such passion and force. Tony came up behind Lena and began kissing along the back of her neck, touching and caressing her skin.

When he saw that Noah got a rhythm he entered Lena from behind. She gasped and stopped. Noah held her face and whispered for her to relax. Tony’s cock was thicker than Noah’s so Lena wasn’t sure if she was ready but she allowed herself to relax. Noah distracted her by pinching and tugging at her nipples and flexing his cock inside her pussy. Soon Tony’s strokes were long and powerful, filling her from behind as Noah took her from the front. The three of them were immersed in each other indulging in each other’s bodies. The sex was so thick in the air you could taste it.

Tony, Lena, and Noah all came at once together. Both men came inside Lena bringing a conclusion to their amazing night. All three of them passed out together in a mess of tangled bodies.

When Lena woke up, both Tony and Noah were on either side of her King size bed asleep. She sat up and covered herself. She hadn’t felt so thoroughly fucked in a long time. On top of that she was more than sore. As she tried to sneak out of the bed Noah stopped her. He got off the bed and as he was walking out motioned for Lena to follow him. She did so out of curiosity. In the hallway he pinned her against the wall. Raising both of her arms above her head, he whispered to her, “Keep them there.”

Noah ran his tongue down the middle of her chest down her stomach until he got to his intended destination. On both knees now, Noah lifted Lena’s body and rested both of her legs on his shoulders. Licking each pussy lip one at a time he sent Lena into a frenzy. Sucking her clit next Noah swirled the tip of his tongue around her sensitive nub. His hands rested palm down on her ass. Palming and fondling her ass he let his tongue enter her pussy. She tasted sweet like sex and sweat. He ate her pussy until she came all over his tongue. When her body stopped jerking he let her down gently and smacked her ass.

Noah winked at her now fully dressed as she got in the shower. “If you have any issues or questions remember-”

“I know…I’ll call you.” Lena said with a smile as she got into the shower. She heard the door close and was enjoying the shower for at least ten minutes until Tony climbed into the shower with her.

“How are you feeling?” Tony asked.

“Sore as can be.” Lena ran her soapy hands over her hips and stomach.

“I bet. You know the only way to heal yourself from being sore is to have sex again right?” He reached around grabbing the soap and helped Lena wash her back while she tended to her front.

“Is that so?” She giggled thinking how good she felt, both men showing her such attention.

“That’s what they say.” Tony pushed her against the wall.

“Shall we try it then?” Lena cooed. Tony’s body looked impeccable underneath the water. When he pushed her up against the tile wall of the shower the cold tile sent a sharp shrill up her spine but it soon dissipated when Tony lifted her leg and pushed his cock in her pussy. She pushed her ass out and he spread her legs and began fucking her slowly.

Each pump inside her only magnified the soreness. For a few minutes she didn’t know if she could take it, she was so out of practice. But that moment came, as it often does when a woman is sore, that his dick began to feel like Heaven and her pussy didn’t feel even the slightest inkling of being sore.

Tony lifted her leg and put it on his shoulder so he could reach her g-spot. The perfect place for her to squirt would be here in the shower. When Tony was fucking her last night he imagined what she would look like squirting all over him. He was about to find out. He applied pressure to her pelvic area as his strokes continued their assault.

Her walls were squeezing him tightly for dear life. Her body looked incredible with the water cascading down on them. He pummeled into her faster and harder, switching it up to slow and long strokes. Tony teased her g-spot. He would hit it so much that she was about to come but would stop and pull back. The frustration was evident on Lena’s face.

Tony couldn’t take it himself anymore so the head of his cock repeatedly hit her g-spot until Lena screamed and shook violently. She squirted all over his chest and shoulders. He had to help her keep her balance because she had completely let go and lost control. He came inside her one last time, spurts of his come coating her pussy walls.

They finished showering washing all the sex off of them. Lena said good bye to Tony and after he left she sat on the bed in awe. She had not only had sex with two total strangers but ended up using those same strangers to fulfill a long time fantasy. She felt no regrets. All she felt was satisfaction. Lena smiled at the thought that she’d never do it again, but at least she could say she did it. Going back to celibacy however was going to be a real problem now…

The Perfect Union

by Bonnie Robles

Candice Morgan considered herself one lucky woman. She had been married to Ashford for twelve years now and despite the fact that most marriages take a turn for the worst after the first couple of years, the two were still as happy as the day they walked down the aisle. This was maybe due to Ashford being ever so creative with his surprises. He always had a beautiful way to make her feel loved. Even the first time they met, Ashford Morgan was still the most romantic man she had ever met.

When they first met, it was not the way every fairy tale would predict it. There were no eyes meeting across crowded rooms or nothing. The two had met in one of the strangest ways ever. Their relationship was actually supposed to start out as a one night stand.

Candice remembered ever too well how she had first felt when she laid eyes on the tall dark haired muscle man on the dance floor. She and Mischa, her best friend, were out to celebrate Mischa’s new job. She remembered how cool he'd looked in his blue fitting jeans and simple grey t-shirt. There was just something about his simplicity, not to mention his wavy hair and dimpled cheeks.

“Want to dance little lady?” he asked after walking up to her. She looked at him, stars in her eyes. She placed her drink on the counter and stepped down from the stool.

“I’d love to,” she said looking into his eyes. “I’ll be right back Mischa,” she said as she walked off to the dance floor, her hand in his. Candice was an attractive dark skinned woman, thanks to her biracial heritage. She was born of a Jamaican mother and a Scottish father and had lived in the UK before her father, a marine, got stationed to the United States where the two met.

Her mother had always feared for her safety, both physically and emotionally. According to Elaine, Candice’s mother, her daughter was a sunshine girl. She was one who always saw the good in people, the one who always believed in Santa and the tooth fairy until it was too late. She always had concerns about her daughter’s well being but with Candice out of college and into a well paying job, she had her mind at ease.

“So, what does a pretty little thing like you do when she is not grinding her ass against some poor man’s crotch?” Ash asked as he held her by the waist. Candice smiled and pushed herself into him a bit more.

“Oh please, you like it,” she said.

“Don’t get me wrong, I do,” he said turning her around. “I just want to know who I’m dancing with,” he added looking into her eyes. He still managed to dance even though she could feel his cock pressing against her bare thigh.

“Candice Aiken, financial analyst,” she said looking into his eyes. She smiled up at him. “And who am I dancing with?” she asked.

“Ashford Morgan, legal advisor,” he answered turning her around again so that she had her back to him once more.

“May I ask who you give legal advice to?” she asked. Ash put a hand on her thigh and slowly trailed it upwards. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he did so.

“Do you want to know everything about me right this second?” he asked. His lips were dangerously close to her neck. So close, she could feel the warm breath on the back of her neck as he spoke.

“I don’t know why, but yes,” she answered. “I want to know,” she said in a small voice, practically a whisper.

“Okay but just don’t get all weird,” he said. She squinted.

“Why would I get jumpy?” she asked. He turned her around and held her by the waist again.

“Because I work for Lee Rojo,” he said. She stiffened up in his arms. Lee Rojo was the latest Spanish heart throb to make it big in the Western world. To most people he was the best thing since sliced bread. “I have to warn you,” he said in a low voice. They were not dancing anymore.

“If you scream, I will put my lips on yours. Not to kiss you, just to shut you up,” he said calmly. Candice felt herself blush. For some reason, she wanted to scream and see if he would live up to his promise but all she managed to do was shake her head. “Good girl,” he said. “Now I don’t know what we’ll talk about the next time I see you, maybe tomorrow?” he said still looking at her. She blushed again. He wanted to see her tomorrow?

“I am sure a man like you has a few conversation starters up his sleeve,” she said in a cool voice, determined not to show him the effect he had on her. He smiled down at her.

“I’m sure I do,” he said before letting her go.

“I need to get back to Mischa,” she said. “Maybe I’ll catch you on the dance floor sometime,” she said before walking away. He smiled at her as she walked back towards the bar. “Oh my God!” Candice mouthed to Mischa who was still seated sipping on her apple martini.

“That good huh?” Mischa said with a smile.

“All that and a bag of chips,” Candice said sitting down. She suddenly realized what she had done and gave her friend a sad look. “I’m sorry honey. I am so freaking selfish,” she added as she touched Mischa’s hand.

“What are you talking about?” Mischa asked. Candice smiled.

“Don’t get all high road with me. This is supposed to be about you,” Candice said.

“Sweetie, I am already six martinis down, two dances and three numbers scribbled on a napkin,” Mischa said as she lifted a napkin which had several numbers scribbled on it. “I have had my fun,” she added. Candice laughed. Her best friend was an attractive blonde of Russian decent. The two had met when Candice first moved to the States. Like Candice, Mischa was also new to the States.

Everything about the country was strange to her and just like that, the two clicked. They remained friends all through high school and college and at some point, they were even roommates. “So, hot stuff over there,” Mischa said gesturing at Ash who was now getting a drink at the other end of the counter. Candice turned around and looked at Ash. He smiled and gave her a little wave with his fingers.

“What about him?” she asked after turning back.

“Could this be the big break?” Mischa asked. Candice squinted.

“I don’t follow,” Candice said as she took a sip of her drink. Mischa rolled her eyes.

“Oh please, Candice,” Mischa said. “I haven’t seen you warm up to a guy since Lance and we both know it’s been more than a couple of months,” she added.

“A couple of months since what?” Candice asked looking at Mischa hoping she was not talking about what she suspected. Mischa smiled and pointed at her cunt. “What? No!” Candice said crossing her legs.

“Really? Mischa said as she crossed her arms over her chest. “When was the last time you and Lance did the nasty before you guys broke up?” she asked. Candice felt herself flush. Mischa had her cornered.

“Fine it’s been a while,” Candice said giving up. “But that doesn’t mean anything,” she added as she stole another glance at Ash. She felt a pang of jealousy when she saw him talking to an attractive brunette.

“Yeah right,” Mischa said. “One night stands are normal and the two of you were practically dry humping out there,” she added. Candice was still looking at Ash and the brunette so she never noticed Mischa signaling Ash over.

“Shit, he’s coming over,” Candice said in a hushed whisper. Mischa smiled.

“I know. I called him over,” she said as she stood up. Candice looked at her confused.

“Wait, what?? Why? Where are you going?” she asked not sure what question she wanted answered first.

“My friend might have had a drink too many and she needs a ride home,” Mischa said when Ash got to where they were.

“What? You’re my ride,” Candice said looking at her confused. Mischa smiled and shook her head.

“Not anymore,” she said as she grabbed her purse. “Call me,” she said quickly before walking off. Candice stared at her in disbelief. Did she really just do that?

“Guess I’m the chauffeur,” Ash said. Candice looked at him wondering whether to scream out in anger or just stay cool.

“Yeah, guess you are,” she said. “Let’s go,” she said picking her own purse up. She needed to get home. She would deal with Mischa later, maybe in the morning. Ash smiled as they walked out. “Wait, how much have you had to drink?” she asked stopping abruptly. Ash smiled.

“Nothing actually. Just club soda,” he said.

“Who comes to a club and doesn’t drink?” Candice asked looking at him. He smiled at her.

“I like having a clear mind when I’m meeting people,” he said.

“How do I know you’ll take me home and not end up in a ditch without a kidney?” she asked. He smiled at her and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his cell phone and looked at Candice.

“What’s your friend’s number?” he asked. She grabbed the phone from his hands and punched in Mischa’s cell number.

“”It’s ringing,” she said. “Put it on speaker,” she commanded still eyeing Ash suspiciously.

“Done,” he said as he put the phone on speaker mode. “What’s her name?” he asked.

“Mischa,” she said leaning against his Audi.

“Mischa Kazkov,” Mischa said.

“Mischa, my name is Ashford Morgan. I am taking Candice home,” Ash said. “How far is her place?” he asked.

“About fifteen minutes away,” Mischa said.

“Okay please call her in twenty minutes just to be sure she is not lying in a ditch missing a kidney,” he said smiling at Candice.

“Okay,” Mischa said before Ash hang up. Candice could tell by the tone of her voice that she was confused at what Ash had just told her. Ash opened the car door for her and waited for her to get in before he walked around and got into the driver’s seat.

“Address?” he asked after he turned the ignition on.

“4126 Boulevard Drive,” she said in a small voice. He smiled at her and began backing out of the parking lot. The entire ride was a bit intense with them driving in silence. Every so often, she could tell he was looking at her bare thighs but chose to ignore him. “We’re here,” she said when they finally got to her building. Ash smiled and pulled over in front of the building. He pulled out a card from his coat pocket and gave it to her.

“I’d love to see you again, Candice,” he said. “If you let me, of course,” he added. She smiled and took the card before finally getting out of the car. She smiled as Ash drove away but suddenly felt that it was the wrong thing to do. She looked at the card and got her phone out of her purse. She quickly dialed the number and put the phone to her ear while eyeing the Audi that was still within viewing range. “Go for Morgan,” he said when he picked up.

“It’s Candice, Candice Aiken,” she said as the Audi came to a screeching stop.

“Hey Candice. It’s been a while,” Ash said. Candice smiled at his humor.

“I was thinking that maybe you’d like to come up for a night cap,” she said.

“Be there soon,” he said. She smiled when she saw the Audi doing a quick u-turn and driving back to where she was. She smiled at him as he got out of the car. “I was hoping you’d do that,” he said smiling. The two of them walked up to her apartment where Candice busied herself preparing some iced tea for him as he looked around her living room. Her place was tastefully furnished, nothing too expensive, just good value for her money. “I love your place,” he said as Candice came into the room with two glasses of iced tea.

“Thanks,” she said as she handed him a glass. He took it gratefully and took a seat as she kicked her heels off. She sat down next to him without a word. She hated the awkward silence. There was something that pulled her to this man that she couldn’t get her finger on. “Music?” she asked suddenly.

“Sure,” Ash said with a smile. She walked to the counter where she put her iPod speakers and plugged it in. She quickly shifted through her playlists. Nothing seemed appropriate.

“Perfect,” she thought as she stumbled upon a Sade mix. “Fuck,” she thought as ‘The Sweetest Taboo’ blared on the speakers. She tried touching the ‘next’ tab but Ash was already behind her.

“Don’t. I like Sade,” he said as he began swaying to the music. “Why did you invite me over, Candice?” he asked as he put his hands on her thighs again. He pushed his nose into her neck and inhaled her hair. “You smell heavenly,” he said in a whisper.

“Because… I don’t know… I just wanted to,” she said. He turned her around and held her against him. She could feel his body, each cube on his six pack.

“I think I know,” he said as he brought his head down. She stood still wanting to push him away but all she managed to do was stand on tip toe and let him claim her. The two stood in the middle of the room, lavishing each other with kisses, letting their lips explore each other’s mouths. Maybe Mischa was right. She needed to get laid. After all, it had been thirteen months, more than just a couple of months.

“This is the alcohol talking,” she scolded herself as she pulled away from him, panting. He looked into her eyes that burned alive in passion. “This is not me,” she said in a small voice.

“This isn’t me either,” he said. “But there is something about you, Candice Aiken, something… I don’t know what it is,” he added.

“You don’t know me,” she said. “How could you possibly know anything about me?” she asked.

“You’re right. I don’t know you but I saw you five months ago at Club Clues and I have been there everyday since then hoping to run into you again,” he said. Candice felt herself melt. “No one has had such an effect on me without talking since my… late wife,” he said quickly. Candice felt her heart go out to him.

“I’m sorry, “ she said unknowingly holding the side of his face. He smiled.

“That’s an old chapter of my life. I am looking for a new chapter,” he said.

“Am I the chapter?” she asked looking up at him. He smiled down at her.

“If you want,” he said as he claimed her lips again. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She would make the most of this situation and blame it all on the alcohol the next morning. Right now, it was all about her and…. hello. Her thoughts were interrupted when he lifted her off the ground in one swift move. He walked them to the couch where he lay her down and suspended his body over hers. She longed to kiss him again but he held back.

“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” he asked. She blushed for the umpteenth time. This man knew all the right words to say. She put a hand around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

Ash kissed her lips and then her neck before he went on to plant small kisses on her bare thighs. She tried not to moan as he kissed her up the thigh and finally pulled her panties off. She looked at him in surprise. Hot and gutsy. This was definitely her cup of tea. She saw his head lower down and just like that she knew exactly what she was in for. She gasped when she felt his lips claiming her lower ones.

He must have had a lot of practice with cunnilingus because it did not take very long before Candice began moaning. Her phone vibrated and rang, interrupting the sucking sounds Ash was making. He briefly pulled away from her pussy and raised his head. “Answer it,” he said. With trembling fingers, she slid a finger across the screen to answer the phone.

“Got home okay?” Mischa asked. Ash was now sucking on her clitoris.

“YESSS!” Candice said unsure whether she was answering Mischa’s question or reacting to what Ash was doing. “Call you tomorrow,” Candice said quickly before hanging up. She would have to explain the situation to Mischa when she saw her. “Oh my God…” Candice said as she felt Ash burying his tongue inside her tight, tight opening. She was so wet, her body was simply in heaven.

“Don’t stop!” she said as he continued tongue fucking her. Two of his fingers were on her clit, rubbing it gently, treating it like the lady it was. She suddenly felt a surge of energy go through her body as her body began convulsing.

Ash sucked and slurped on her pussy as her juices flowed freely inside his mouth. This had to be the best oral sex she had ever got… it was actually the only oral sex she had ever got. She had never let any man go down on her. She failed to understand how she had let herself fall into Ash’s arms so fast.

“No one has ever done that to me,” she said in a whisper. She was still shaking when Ash held her in a spooning position, his cock pressing against her butt.

“No one has ever done you justice,” he said. “You taste so perfect,” he added as he pulled her dress down. “Turn around. I want to look at you,” he said. She turned around and he pulled the dress down. His mouth almost gaped as he eyed two of the most gorgeous tits he had ever seen. “Fuck!” he said. “You are so beautiful,” he said as his fingers brushed her perfect tits. “If you let me, I want to make love to you,” he said in a low voice.

“You mean, fuck me,” she said looking at him. He shook his head as he got on top of her.

“No. Make love to you,” he said again as he reached for a condom in his pocket. She looked up at him and without knowing it, she was nodding. He got up and quickly got out of his clothes and rolled the condom on. Candice gasped when she saw the size of his manhood. He then positioned himself on top of her and kissed her forehead, her cheeks and finally her lips.

“Slow… it’s been a while,” she said looking into his eyes. He smiled as he began his entry into her.

After that night, the two met almost every other day until one day after seven months, Ash proposed to her by having a plane write the words “Candy Aiken, will you marry me,” in the sky. Today, he had texted her telling her to prepare for the best anniversary dinner ever. She had no idea what to expect.

She looked up at her reflection and smiled. Her purple dress gave her that air of royalty she thought she needed so much. The fact that the dress was a low cut V made her double D cleavage seem bigger. She completed the look with a pair of grey silver studded heels. Her long black silky hair was in a simple side sweep. Whatever Ash had planned called for her to be at her very best and that was exactly what she was delivering.

Her perfect serene moment was interrupted by the melodious chime of the doorbell. She briskly walked to the front door and what she saw on the other side of the door almost made her heart melt. Ash was standing on the doorstep holding a single long stemmed rose in his hand. He looked ravishing in a black three piece suit; his thick hair looked more luscious than ever in the evening light.

“Happy anniversary, baby,” Ash said in a sexy voice. Candice looked at him and smiled.

“Happy anniversary to you too Ashford Morgan,” she said as she took the rose from his hand and stepped forward for a hug. She took a long deep breath as he wrapped his arms around her curvy body. “What is it that you have planned for us, sire,” she asked in a mock old English voice. He pulled away and smiled at her.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” he said as he stepped aside so she could feast her eyes on the black stretch limo that was waiting in her driveway.

“What? You didn’t…” she said, her hands on her mouth trying to contain her joy.

“Yes, I did,” he said taking her hand. She smiled at him as tears of joy threatened to roll down her cheeks. This was really the same man she had fallen in love with twelve years ago, still as romantic as the day she knew him. Still as good looking as the day she first saw him.

“Why won’t you tell me? I am so anxious,” she said a she led her to the limo. She knew he had already exhausted his options. He had taken her to the Griffin Observatory, at night, the most beautiful time to go there. For that to happen, he had to pay to ensure that the place stayed open till late and for it to be exclusive to the two of them.

He had given her a late night picnic, she had got enough home cooked dinners, she had been taken to Hawaii, Rome, Spain… he had literally exhausted his options. And he was still surprising her? This time she wanted to know, what was this so special about this particular evening. He looked at her as he opened the car door for her. Clearly, he was not about to give in to her demands.

“Let’s go, Pablo,” he said when he finally climbed in the seat next to her.

“You are not going to tell me are you?” she asked looking at him. He looked at her and shook his head. A smile played at the corner of his mouth as he draped an arm around her shoulder. “Not even if I do something to convince you?” she asked, batting her eyelids at him. Again, he shook his head. This would definitely be a hard nut to crack. “Even if I do this,” she cooed as she ran her hands on his thigh.

He took a deep breath and hesitated before shaking his head again. She smiled up at him and put a hand on his belt buckle. He looked at her in surprise. He probably didn’t think she would go ahead to open it, but she did. She slowly undid his zipper as she looked into his eyes. She could feel him getting hard against her hands. “Not even now?” she asked. He looked at her and smiled again.

“Even if I was going to tell you, I am not going to tell you now,” he said in surprise. She looked up innocently.

“Why?” she asked, her voice sounded ever so sincere. He placed a hand on her back and slowly ran it up and down.

“Because once you know, this is over,” he said pointing to his crotch and her mouth.

“I promise not to stop even after you tell me,” she said as she began pulling his boxer shorts down. He already had a hard-on going on without much help from her.

“Let’s see what you got first,” he said. She smiled at him and got in between his knees. She felt a click and knew that he had secured the privacy divider. She placed a cool hand on his cock, making him give out a slight moan. She smiled as she brought her head down and slowly licked the tip of his cock. She felt him tense up in between her lips as she did it again and again.

Suddenly, she began taking him all in, without any kind of warning. Ash’s genuine erotic shock was obvious in the way he arched his back and moaned as she went on. She felt powerful, extremely powerful as she went on. She loved it when he was in her field, in her court, her game. She expertly took his cock deep inside her throat and as usual, Ash was surprised she had basically no gag reflex. He looked on as he disappeared in between her lips with every thrust. She began to slowly moan as she continued sucking on him.

Just when he thought she had given him all she could, she began flicking her tongue on the underside of his penis. He began feeling a tightness in his lungs and he struggled to keep his pleasure contained in his throat. He put his free hand on her head and began helping her bob up and down. He was unable to understand how she managed to have her lips secured tightly around his cock while her tongue continued working its magic.

“Just where the fuck did she learn that?” he wondered as he closed his eyes. “Never mind. I’ll ask that later,” he thought opening his eyes. She suddenly put her free hand under his balls, cupping him as she went on. She briefly released him and ran her hot tongue on his sac. He looked down at her just in time to find her taking his balls inside her mouth. He let go of her hair and put his hands on the seat. Soon, he was gripping on the edges of the seat unable to cry out as he fought his fast approaching orgasm.

“Whoa… Candice baby…. slow down…. slow down baby,” he said as she resumed sucking on his cock. She released him, smiled and begun sucking him in slower strokes. She could feel him getting harder inside her mouth, longer even. She knew that he needed his release. She was just about to deep throat him again when she felt her dress zipper being undone. With her huge tits in his hands he began to slowly thrust upwards. It was all a bit too good. He suddenly pulled his cock out of her mouth and pulled her up. She straddled him as he struggled to get her dress up.

“What about Franco?” she asked. He looked up at her confused.

“Who’s Franco?” he asked.

“The driver,” she replied wondering how he could forget that they were in a limo.

“Pablo,” he corrected as he continued lifting her dress to her waist. “I wouldn’t worry about him,” he added as he reached for her panties. His hands felt around her waistline before he finally looked up at her. “I can’t find your panties,” he said as he began feeling frustration kicking in. She looked down at him and smiled. Even in the soft light, she could tell that he was blushing.

“You naughty girl,” he said pulling her down for a kiss. He could taste himself on her tongue, in her mouth. Oh how he wanted to be in her. How he longed to sink inside her. She gasped as she felt his cock pressing hard against her opening and without any kind of warning whatsoever, he was inside her. Sinking deep into her very hotness, loving the feeling of her hot wetness engulfing him. She gasped again when he pulled out only to push himself back inside her.

Candice had never been so aroused in her life. It was like living the life of a porn star. She closed her eyes and threw her head back as he filled her. She loved the feeling of him taking her, claiming her. She let out a low moan as he began to move in and out of her, slowly, steadily. His erection was persistent. By the way he was going, she could tell that he would blow over any time now. She was ready for him. She wanted to feel him blowing over, to feel him filling her up again like he had done so many times before.

Ash went on thrusting into her as he finally pulled the dress down. He smiled when he noticed that she did not have a bra either. She never really did need one but seriously, she left the house practically in a drape and heels. “Ever so sexy,” he thought as he took one nipple inside his mouth and sucked. This time, it was Candice’s turn to begin holding her moans in. He held her other breast in his hand, kneading and squeezing it gently as he worked her nipple in his mouth.

He withdrew his mouth and briefly flicked his tongue on the now hard and distended nipple making her groan. She clearly loved this. He could tell by the way she pressed herself down on his crotch, taking his long cock inside her depths. She had become the one running the show even though Ash was the one who had started it. She moaned over and over again as he thrust upwards, his cock unyielding. Her nipples were still at his mercy, his tongue viciously attacking, his fingers almost violently flicking.

She suddenly gasped when he withdrew his hands and mouth from her nipples and grabbed a handful of her hair. He thrust into her with continuing persistence a she looked into her eyes. His pupils were dilated from his lust from the feeling he had being so deep inside such a wet pussy. “You. Are. Mine,” he said thrusting into her with every word.

“I’ve always…b een,” she said in a low voice as she felt her body betraying her. She tried holding back but it was too late. She was already there. Her pussy squeezed hard on his cock as her body erupted in violent spasms. Her vagina squeezing on his cock was too much for him to handle. He felt himself erupting deep inside her. He released her hair and buried his face in it as he went on thrusting into her as his orgasm rode him on.

By this time, she was crying out, not caring whether Pablo or Franco or whatever his name was could hear her. When he was done, she was still shaking in his arms, the obvious remnant of their violent orgasm. She pulled away and looked at him. “Now, will you tell me?” she asked panting. Just then, Pablo knocked gently on the partition. They then realized that the limo was at a standstill.

“We’re here, Mr. Morgan,” Pablo called out. Ash smiled at Candice as she climbed off him.

“I guess you’ll just have to find out,” he said as he pulled his pants on.

White Dress — Passion from the Past

by Carla Burke

I looked down the aisle, my eyes focusing on my soon to be husband at the end. The music hadn’t quite started yet and there was a gentle buzz of chatter coming from the rows of people waiting for my wedding to start. The large wooden pews were occupied by mine and George’s family and close friends; all of them ready to watch the biggest moment of my life.

George stood straight by the vicars alter, his legs moved nervously underneath him. His best man had one hand on his shoulder for support and hopefully not to stop him running. We had been looking forward to this day for years and now it was finally here. My past was behind me and my future stood mere metres away.

I took my first step forward down the marble path and the wedding march started immediately. The spectators hushed quickly and all eyes turned to me, except the deep browns ones of George. I took in a large breath and pushed my second foot forwards, bringing me even closer to him.

My eyes drifted around the room, everyone was dressed in their finest and all of them were wearing different shades of gold and red. They matched my golden laced dress and the deep red of the bridesmaid’s gowns. Even the rows of flowers leading my way had specks of red amidst the white roses.

The sight looked as though it was out of a fairy tale, everything I had ever dreamt of; almost. Soft light from the summer sun drifted in through the stained glass windows illuminating my path in a warm red glow. I took a few more steps forward, letting the bridesmaids carry my train behind me; I was almost half way up the aisle now.

George still stood with his back to me; his gentle brown curls just reached his starched white collar. His suit was the deepest black with tails that almost reached the floor. It was more his taste than my own, but I couldn’t deny his one decision on our big day.

Deciding to turn to my guests one last time before reaching him I shifted my gaze. Dozens of smiling faces met me, a few with tears already in their eyes. The image made me chuckle slightly, even I wasn’t crying yet. I recognised every face immediately; that was until my eyes reached the back of the room. My heart thudded in my chest as a pair of piercing blue eyes met my own; the same pair I thought I would never see again.

My feet slowed along with the rest of my body; time seemed to stand still as I continued to stare. The train of people behind me struggled to match my sluggish pace. I whipped my head around quickly, trying to disguise the anguish on my face. I breathed in hastily and composed myself to walk the last three metres to George. I couldn’t look back now as much as my entire body and being begged me to, I couldn’t see those eyes again.

If George noticed me staring at another man in that way he would be more hurt than even I could imagine; but there was only one person that could make my heart beat so fast and hard and he wasn’t stood at the end of the aisle waiting for me. I could feel him watching my back as if judging what I was going to do.

I couldn’t let my family down or George, I had to go through with this wedding; my momentary disillusion would have to be forgotten. I finally reached the end of the aisle, aligning myself next to George. His face beamed happiness as his eyes raked my body, searching the length of my dress.

“Charlotte,” he breathed, almost inaudibly. I smiled back at him, hiding all doubt from my face as I searched his. He was handsome, his face defined by the mass of brown curls that surrounded it and his eyes were deep and mellow. He was comfort and happiness but perhaps that was not enough.

My mind still swirled with images of the man at the back of the church; the man with short black hair and eyes sharper than the most fearsome thunder. He was the person that could make every hair on my body stand to attention with a single glance and the only man that could make me doubt my commitment to George. But the most important question was why he was here when I hadn’t seen him for over ten years.

I spoke my parts with confidence and fake interest, giving the appearance to my guests that was I listening. Even George didn’t notice my lack of enthusiasm and he was supposed to know me better than anyone. Well he thought he did and I had convinced myself that he was supposed to be here with me. Since I had reached him I hadn’t dared to look upon the crowds for fear of finding the eyes I longed for. I just let my mind swirl with images and thoughts of my black haired man, whilst trying my best not to show it. Before I knew it the final words were forming in my mouth.

“I do,” I whispered as if to myself instead of the crowded room. I finally allowed myself to look, if only for confirmation that I had done the correct thing. I turned my head away from my new husband and searched the pews desperately. When I couldn’t find his face amongst the crowd I tried again; after my third and frantic attempt I gave up. He was gone and I had probably imagined him in the first place.

I felt a soft pressure on my lips as George kissed me slowly, snapping me back to reality. I pushed a smile onto my face and kissed him back, as a good wife should. After all we were married now and I was his and always would be. A great cheer erupted from the pews as everybody rose to their feet clapping wildly. Every face showed clear delight, not a single eye was dry.

Even George had a few tears running freely down his face; it seemed that I was the only one kept from this moment of happiness. I was the one person that was supposed to cry at my happy day and new husband, but the only thing that made me threaten tears was the absence of the man from my past. As a child I had dreamt that he would be in George’s place, until the day I was forced to forget about his existence.

Before I knew what was happening I was being escorted out of the church by a swarm of people. All of our guests piled out of the building ready for the wedding pictures to be taken. I gazed around in a daze, letting them push me along with them. George was somewhere behind me, being clapped on the back by his brothers; something they always did. A few of my bridesmaids were surrounding me, herding me towards the exit.

When we finally hit the warm summer air I searched around again for the black haired man. My search came up short when only my family and friends met my examining eyes. I sighed before rearranging my face into what I hoped was a happy smile befitting a newlywed. George caught up with me and encased his hands in my own; the normal surge of comfort flooded through me as he dragged me towards the photographer.

We took all the normal pictures like they do at weddings in the wide open grounds of the church. From the ones I paid attention to we were stood in front of rose bushes and flower beds to be joined by different variations of our families. The final one was taken with all of us in it, grouped tightly together to fit us all in.

After the last picture everyone parted to head off to the reception venue, a couple of people stopped to hug me on their way. George kissed me lightly before heading off to his car; I was to travel in the vintage white limo that had brought me here with my bridesmaids. I brushed my brown ringlets from my face and paced the gardens, waiting for the driver to tell me it was time to leave.

Disrupted from my mixed thoughts the photographer tapped me lightly on the shoulder. I turned to him confused; I had figured he had left a few minutes ago with the rest of the guests. He was young with spiky blonde hair and a semi casual suit; I smiled at him warmly, he was clearly nervous for some reason.

“Um Ma'am, I thought you would like to see the group picture, I developed it quickly in my van so you could have a look. Most brides want to see their pictures as soon as possible, or so I have heard,” he said quickly, stumbling over a few of the words. I nodded at him politely; perhaps this was his first job. I took the picture from his hands, curious this time to see his work.

The picture was slightly blurry from being printed so quickly but the work was good. I handed it back to him, nodding in approval, when suddenly a sharp blue colour shone from the paper. I snatched the picture roughly back from his hands and inspected it further. Clear as day was my man stood at the very back of the group, slightly hidden behind what looked like one of George’s many uncles. He was wearing a light grey suit, my preferred choice. I glanced back up at the photographer; barely noting the terrified expression on his face.

“Where did this man go?” I almost shouted, pointing to the man at the back.

“I don’t know, he left just as quickly as he arrived,” the photographer stumbled. I smiled at him even though my heart was hammering.

“OK, I’ll keep this photo if you don’t mind,” I said. He shook his head before quickly leaving, probably scared that I would have another outburst. I was struggling to contain myself now; I had no idea what I was feeling other than confusion. Why would he just reappear and not say anything; I hadn’t even noticed him sneaking in to the picture.

The sound of a horn made me jump slightly; I really had to get a grip of my nerves before I got to the reception. I moved towards the waiting car and got in to it willingly. I needed to sit down and rearrange my thoughts. William had been gone for ten years; he had disappeared without telling anyone so why was he here now, at my wedding?

The ride to the reception venue was painfully quick, especially with my bridesmaids chatting away the entire time. I couldn’t pull myself in to the happy mood I should be in, not after the photo which was tucked away safely in my purse. Nobody else had recognised William that I had known of, but then I was the only person who was ever that close to him. I was examining this in too much detail, maybe he had just heard I was getting married and came to wish me well.

I convinced myself this was the case and slowly pulled myself out of the limo. The increased weight on my heels made them scream out in pain, I really wasn’t the type of person to wear heels, or dresses for that point. I preferred trainers and jeans any day to the back breaking heels and long dress. I felt the weight shift slightly as my maid of honour and best friend lifted the long train of my dress.

Sparing a quick smile for her we walked towards the entrance. The castle was grand and far too elaborate for my liking, but then this is what was expected when you have a bit of money to spend on your wedding. Although even I couldn’t deny that it was beautiful when illuminated by thousands of small white fairy lights. The same bouquets that were in the church lined the way to the large castle doors as the sun began to set behind it. It made for a spectacular view amongst the countryside surrounding the castle.

We reached the entrance and the butler pulled the large wooden door open for us to enter. As soon as it was open loud thumps came from within. The music echoed off the walls, they had obviously started the party without us. Not that I minded too much but it would have been nice if they had waited for me to arrive. I made my way down the large hall through the main lobby.

The walls were decorated with medieval paintings and wall hangings, adding to the effect. We were supposed to be staying here tonight, along with some of the guests who wanted to; then tomorrow we would head off to our honeymoon. Of course we had booked the largest bedroom, overlooking the grounds outside, it was one of the reasons I had chosen this place.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not William would be staying here tonight, but then it was doubtful that he even knew the reception was here. The noise got louder as we approached the door to the function room; it was almost unbearably loud when I pushed the heavy wooden frame open. The party was in full swing and most people were already up on the dance floor, dancing along to some kind of rock music George had obviously chosen. I looked around the room but I couldn’t find him, he must be talking to some guests.

I walked in and a few people came up to me muttering congratulations for the wedding. I barely listened to them, brushing them off quickly by saying I was looking for my husband. It wasn’t quite a lie, but I was also looking for someone else; someone with the brightest eyes I had ever seen. Neither men met my line of sight; the large amount of people hid them well. I perched myself in the nearest seat I could find; my bridesmaid had made their excuses and left to find their partners for a dance. I would normally have happily joined them but I didn’t quite feel up to it.

Two hands encased my face, covering my sight. I jumped in my seat, not expecting the sudden contact. This caused the man behind me to let out a small laugh, covering me in his alcohol coated breath. I wrinkled my nose at the disgusting smell and turned to see who it was. My husband stood behind me, clearly already steaming drunk from the free bar. I couldn’t hide my disgust as he stumbled out a greeting to me; each word was soaked in alcohol. He had always liked a drink, by far his worst feature.

I pushed him away and headed back out the way I had come in. I didn’t want to be anywhere near him when he was in this state, let alone dance with him. It was probably his brother’s fault; they always managed to get him drunk. I’d have thought they would have some kind of control on his wedding day.

Not even trying to hide my anger I stormed from the room, not even noticed by my friends and family. Once in the cool and quieter lobby I leant my back against the wall. The stone was cold against my back, calming me almost instantly. Today definitely hadn’t turned out how I had dreamt it to be in many different ways. I closed my eyes, letting my body relax against the tight constraints of my white dress.

Someone cleared their voice, disturbing my peace; I opened my eyes curious to whom it was. Before me stood William, dressed handsomely as he had always done; he looked just how I remembered him. I had to shut my eyes and re-open them just to make sure he was actually here. Still not convinced when he remained where he was I reached out my hand, touching the soft warm skin of his cheek. I removed my hand quickly when I realised I wasn’t dreaming and he was actually here.

“Hello Charlotte,” he said slowly, clearly trying not to scare me. I was stunned, I hadn’t seen him for so long and here he was.

“William,” I whispered gently, letting the name I hadn’t used in years run off my tongue.

“I’m sorry for running; for leaving you, I had no choice,” he said. Sadness was so clearly in his face, edged into every detail. I had no words to say to him; I had dreamt conversations, imagined them but now I just didn’t know what to say to the man I had loved for so long.

“I wasn’t going to speak to you. I saw the wedding announcement in the paper and I knew I just had to come, to see if it was true. But then you saw me and you looked so sad; I could never leave you that way. I just couldn’t resist,” he breathed. I struggled to take the words in, to make sense of what he was saying; he had left me before, why not again.

“I never left you; I was always close but I just couldn’t see you. You wouldn’t understand and I can’t tell you,” he said as if reading my thoughts like he used to. I nodded slowly and then ran, straight back in to the room I had just come from.

My eyes darted around wildly, trying to find George, to get the comfort that he always gave me. He had been there years later when I was still broken; he saved me from William once before and he needed to do it again. I had never told him about William but he had always known there was something missing in me; something that he had tried so hard to fix over the time we had been together. When I couldn’t find him I collapsed down into a seat putting my head in my hands; wiping away the tears. I had run because that’s what he had done; it’s the only thing that we knew how to do to each other.

I moved my feet under me to make myself more comfortable, only to collide with soft flesh. My eyes darted open and I looked down at the sight beneath me. On the floor was a heap of skin and fabric that stank of alcohol. I leant down to inspect it closer; my husband was passed out under the table at our own wedding. I was even more fuming than before now; my emotions were in overload, I had had more than enough to deal with today without this. I stormed from the room, taking a different exit again this time.

The party was still going on around me; nobody had noticed the absence of the bride and groom. They were too distracted by the free food and alcohol. I slammed the exit door behind me, not caring if it hit anybody and looked around at my surroundings. Luckily, even though I had only been here once before, I knew where I was. I took the nearest flight of stairs to my bedroom; it was obvious that George wouldn’t be joining me anytime soon. I highly doubted he would even make it to bed that night; what a wedding night this would turn out to be I laughed humourlessly to myself.

I reached the room within a few minutes and pushed open the door; the room was large and exquisitely decorated in gold. The walls held golden tapestries and antique furniture filled the room. A strong scent radiated from the large open fire that had already been lit, covering me in the delicious wood scent. I breathed it in before heading over to the corner and kicking off my heels.

Thankfully my bags had been brought up and I had something to change into. I huffed again at the irony of my wedding night, we had waited this long to consummate the marriage. Despite George’s drinking he felt strongly that we should wait until we were married to have sex. So I was frustrated and alone, I was going to need a release before I went to sleep.

A small noise from the other section of the room interrupted my thoughts. I dropped my bags to go investigate the source of the disturbance, curious to who was in my room. Stood in front of a second fire place, warming his hands was William.

I stopped in my tracks; I didn’t think I would see him again after I ran. He turned towards me, a sad smile edged across his features as he took me in. His silhouette was marked against the roaring flames of the fire. The only other thing in this side of the room was the large four poster bed, adorned with red roses with the light from the fire dancing off of it. I had dreamt for so long that this was what my wedding night would look like. The man I loved more than any other, in a place that was so beautiful.

I couldn’t hold back much longer, it had been so long since I had felt him and I was hungry for it. The black lust in his eyes showed that he felt the same; his eyes raked my dress. For now I no longer cared where he had been or why he was here now waiting for me. Thoughts of my husband passed out left my mind as my eyes met his; it felt like he had never left my side. He walked over to me quickly, not wasting any more time apart. He clearly wanted me just as much as I needed him.

The gap between us was closed in an instant as he wrapped me up in to his arms. I caved in to him willingly, pushing my body against his soft warm skin. His musky scent filled me; it was the same as I remembered it to be from so long ago. He pulled away from me; urgency was clear in his manner. Before I could breathe a word he slammed his lips down on to mine, crushing them beneath his own. I gasped loudly as he explored my mouth, my pussy already burning with desire. His hands searched my back, rubbing whatever skin was exposed on my body.

The feeling was sensational, overwhelming all my senses at the same time. He continued to explore my lips hungrily as if he had never felt them before. I joined him, feeling the passion and adrenaline surge through my body. What we were doing was so wrong but perfect at the same time, I couldn’t imagine being in anybody else’s arms but his. Whether or not he hurt me again I no longer cared at this moment, he was what I wanted. His fingers picked up speed, running the white ribbons of my dress between them.

I moaned as he caught my skin with his rough hands. He pulled away from me all too soon and moved his hands to my cheeks. He held them firmly in his palms, not allowing me to move. His eyes stared directly in to mine, piercing them and me. I could barely breathe as he took his fill of my face before crushing his lips roughly back on to mine. I moaned in pleasure as he pulled the first of the ribbons holding my dress in place.

It started to loosen as he continued down the back, slowly releasing me from its binds. My body shivered as his fingers teasingly brushed the new skin that he exposed. My dress dropped down to the floor, the sound echoing off the walls around us. His lips parted from mine again as I quickly took a step back to remove the dress from my feet. He watched me move, he eyes raking over my body.

All that covered me were my thin white panties, matching suspenders and bra. The fabric was delicate and lacy, fitting my tanned slender body nicely. I took one last look at my discarded wedding dress; this was definitely what I wanted and needed. I looked back up at William, lust and love filled his smile as he watched me hungrily. He moved suddenly, pushing in to me a second later. His suit pressed in to my exposed body as he reached up to remove his jacket. He threw it over a nearby chair, followed hastily by his sharp blue tie. He moved his hand to his shirt to take it off but I stopped him abruptly. It was my job to take that off; I wanted to feel his chest. He let me easily, dropping his hands away.

I quickly ripped the buttons apart desperate to be closer to him. Within a minute he was bare chested in front of me; his shirt joining the rest of his clothes. I reached out to touch his toned chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat behind the tanned skin. He moaned softly as I touched him and let my fingers trail over his smooth skin. My legs were growing weak now, my pussy alight with pent up frustration. I had not felt the touch of a man in the long years since I had met George and I needed it now, I craved it.

He grabbed my waist, lifting me firmly in to the air. I hit the soft bed quickly as I perched on the end waiting for him. He stood between my legs running his finger up my naked thighs, so close to my soaking pussy. He touched the thin fabric of my panties, almost sending me over the edge of desire.

Before my body could cave he took a step away from me. The sound of his belt undoing hit my ears as his trousers dropped quickly to the floor. He threw them over to the rest of the clothes along with his shoes and came closer. The only thing covering him were his black boxers, they were almost as dark as his jet black hair.

I moaned in anticipation, his erection was large and ready underneath the fabric, waiting for me. I reached up to remove my bra, wanting to be even closer to him. He stopped me quickly, shaking his head at my actions.

“No leave it on. I have imagined this day for so long, what our wedding would have been like. Please leave them on,” he whispered.

He words caught me off guard; I would never have guessed he would have imagined me like this. Even though I had been imagining this moment in my head for much longer than I cared to think about. I did as he wished, dropping my hands to my sides. He smiled immediately and moved his hands back to his boxers.

All urgency had returned as he dropped them quickly. His cock was released from its hold; a small amount of pre-cum glistened in the fire light, betraying his excitement. I licked my lips with the anticipation of his large size inside my tight pussy. He smirked as I stared at the cock I had missed greatly; he moved in closer, his short breaths caressing my tender skin. He pushed me down with his hand as I pulled myself further on to the bed. He leapt on top of me quickly, almost crushing the air out of my lungs. I could feel his damp cock pressing hard against my panties.

He reached down moving them aside so he could get to what he wanted. I stretched my legs willingly, desperate for him to be inside me. William gripped my thighs holding them tightly apart as I moaned at his rough touch. I breathed in heavily as he pushed hard into my waiting pussy. A small sign of satisfaction left his lips as he immediately started at a fast pace in side me. I struggled to match my breathing as he pounded harder, his lust evident. I tightened around him, feeling the length and size of his cock. He fitted my tight shaven pussy perfectly as he repeatedly hit my spot again and again.

My breathing peeked as he flipped my body over, resting me firmly on my hands. He knelt behind me, managing to push himself further in side. I screamed out into the room, letting him hold my thighs tightly in his hands. I could barely contain myself as he rammed me; I let the feeling flow over my body.

The built up frustration over the last few years intensified the feeling of him. William was the man I loved and he was fucking me harder and harder. I screamed as the pleasure hit all of my senses at once leaving me breathless.

My heart raced as he continued, keeping the pleasure going for longer than I thought possible. He came inside me just as I collapsed down on the bed exhausted, the last few waves running through my veins. The soft thuds of his heart on my back calmed me as our sweaty bodies intertwined. We curled up together on the indulgent feather sheets, allowing our hearts to return to normal.

“I missed you,” William whispered softly, kissing me on the forehead. I nuzzled my head onto his shoulder, making myself at home.

“I missed you too,” I said just as quietly whilst wrapping my arm around his chest. We lay for hours together as the sky darkened and the sun rose again. Neither one person nor sleep disturbed our peace.

After ten years we were finally together again; all I had to deal with now was my husband…

Mark Your Mark — A Date Gone Wrong

by Andrea Dunn

She focused on the grain on the back of the wooden door to steady her nerves. Though she came here with some regularity, it was usually with some of her girlfriends after work. Tonight was different.

So far, Kristi thought, the date was going relatively well, even given her nervousness. Mark had picked her up right on time, which in itself made more than a few points with her. She recalled with a wry smile his total understanding when she asked to be picked up at a local Starbucks as opposed to her townhome. You just never knew anymore who could be a great guy one night and a crazy ass stalker the next.

She finished and stood, waiting for the sound of the toilet flushing automatically behind her. Quickly she pulled down her skirt and put herself back together a bit before opening the door.

The bright fluorescent lights of the bathroom startled her as she exited the stall, and she took a moment to let her eye readjust to the new light level before fixing her face.

The face which looked back at her from the mirror was young, but perhaps not as young as most would guess just by looking at her. Although Kristi had freshly turned thirty, she knew she could and did pass for a girl almost ten years younger. She opened her mouth slightly to apply a finishing touch of lipstick before stepping back a bit to give herself a final visual once over.

Now to see if Mark was still at the table, she thought, opening the door and stepping back into the small and cozy French bistro.

She was still almost fifteen feet away when she saw Mark look up from the table and flash a warm and soft smile in her direction. She unknowingly returned it, all the while realizing that the sound of her heels on the wooden floor made it not only impossible to surprise anyone in the restaurant, but also made her, at least for a few moments, the center of attention.

“Thank you,” she said as Mark held her chair for her. “It isn’t like you and the world didn’t hear me coming a mile away.”

“No,” he said as he reached for his wine glass, “I don’t think that elderly gentleman over there turned his head your way. The rest did, though to the ire of their companions for the evening.”

“Mark,” Kristi whispered, leaning forward so that her chest brushed against the edge of the table, “I think that the elderly man is blind, you know.”

Mark laughed softly and cocked his head slightly to the side, “OK, so he is. Should I tell him what he is missing out on?”

“Goodness no,” she replied, feeling the flush which always accompanied compliments directed her way. He was obviously flirting with her, which from her perspective was a fine art. Usually a comment that obvious would strike her as cliché or trite. Yet somehow Mark made it sound sincere.

Perhaps it was, Kristi thought.

The rest of the dinner passed even more pleasantly than the first half, and Kristi found herself relaxing, enjoying the quiet sounds of conversations in the distance and the divine aromas of her coq au vin.

Mark seemed to follow suit, and soon their conversation became more natural and Kristi felt herself having fun and even tossing out a few jokes. Unbeknownst to Mark, this was a sign that she was starting to let down at least a few of her walls. It was hard for her to let anyone in, but what was behind the walls was worth the wait.

At least she thought so.

They stood almost in unison from the table after Mark had paid the bill, but as she was about to thank him for the lovely dinner, she caught a look of distress on his face. Quickly he stood and rushed to her side.

“Let me help you, dear,” he said, leaning in and helping with her chair.

“Oh, my,” Kristi replied, “That’s so nice. I’ve never had a man help me up before — it was always just helping me sit.” Damn it, she thought to herself the second she said it. She’d rather poke her eyes out with her heels than sound like such an immature schoolgirl.

She stood and realized again that Mark smelled like no other man she’d been out with before. Somehow he had captured that fresh out of the shower smell that she adored. Surely this was some sort of product and she found herself dying to ask what exactly it was, though that again might result in a round of her new favorite sport — heel poking.

With a near electric jolt, she was snapped back to reality by the light touch of Mark’s hand on the small of her back. Inadvertently she looked up and straight into his deep brown eyes. For a moment she felt he was going to lean forward and close that last little sliver of space between them and kiss her.

“You okay?” he asked, looking intently down at her.

“Yes,” she murmured, feeling like he’d just caught her in her own little Dionysian fantasy. “I just think my foot fell asleep. Need to get the circulation back a bit.”

“Sure,” Mark replied as a small smile crept across his face, “Let me help you.”

She felt his arm slide around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She realized now that regardless of whether he felt this was a coy ploy to get him to hold her or a sincere loss of circulation that she would need to play along a bit. She glanced down at her feet, which were sleekly sheathed in five inch black sling-back pumps. For whatever reason, she decided it would be her right foot which was the trouble.

She again felt the tingle on the back of her neck which always happened when she felt men were watching her from behind. On impulse she let her hips swing a bit more for a step or two, but almost immediately felt Mark’s grip tighten just slightly.

“Just testing the new foot,” she said in Mark’s direction and with a slight chuckle, “I wanted to see if it was fine to take my weight.” Not likely that she could tell him that though she was by no means an exhibitionist, she did enjoy men finding her attractive.

Finally they got to the valet stand and as Mark asked for his car, Kristi felt the cool breeze coming off the Gulf brush past her legs. What felt cool on her bare legs felt almost chilly on her arms.

“It will be just a minute,” Mark said as he turned back to face her. “It has cooled down since we got here, hasn’t it.”

Wordlessly he took off his dinner jacket and draped it over her shoulders, and Kristi felt his hand gently run down her arms, almost as if to make sure she was well protected from the brisk night air. Kristi instantly felt the heavy wool warming her skin.

With a flash of the headlights and a quick double-toot on the horn, the valet brought around Mark's crisp but understated midnight blue Lexus. As the valet came around, Mark gave him his tip along with a slight smirk for the unappreciated toot.

After giving the valet the stink-eye, Mark opened the passenger door for Kristi and guided her with the lightest of touches. She noticed that his hand lingered a bit longer on the small of her back, though she didn't mind. In fact, she was always a sucker for gentlemanly conduct as it was becoming so increasingly rare. But was it her imagination or did his hand brush a bit lower this time?

As the door opened his hand brushed around her hip and then left her, hanging in mid-air to take her hand and help her into the plush interior. As she took his hand for the first time, she was surprised at how soft yet firm it was. How was it that the most innocent of gestures could suddenly set her off on a river of consciousness?

Without her even realizing it, Mark shut her door and quickly slid into the seat beside her and shut his own door with a soft click. Without a sound the soft and melodic sounds of some classical artist encompassed the cabin, its quiet power warming her as much as Mark's jacket had a moment before.

Mark slid the car into gear and pulled away from the restaurant. At the stop sign leaving the entry he stopped — and for much longer than he should.

"Mark," Kristi asked from under somewhat wine heavy eyelids, "Is everything alright?"

"Actually, no," Mark sullenly replied, "It isn't."

The car suddenly and immediately grew silent in spite of the music. Deafeningly so.

Uh-oh, Kristi thought to herself as her natural and overblown sense of paranoia came barreling suddenly to the fore. "What is it?"

With the most serious look she'd yet seen from him, Mark turned to her. "We simply can't go on in such blatant violation of safety. Please allow me to fasten your seat belt"

Before she could respond, Mark had unbuckled his own seat belt and leaned over across her body, his fingers groping for the belt. As she felt him begin to draw the belt over her she realized her mouth was still smiling a bit in surprise.

For whatever reason, she sucked in her slight stomach; almost as if how the seat belt fit would in some rare respect reflect on her weight or femininity. On hearing the sudden intake of air, Mark at that very moment looked up at her, his face mere inches from hers.

Panicking, Kristi realized that some sort of comment was needed here, if not actually expected. Without having an idea of what she would say, she opened her mouth a bit in preparation, assuming whatever came out would be sensible. In the same fraction of a second, Kristi wondered if there were enough heels in her closet to redeem herself.

But instead she felt a warm softness on her as Mark's lips touched hers. She realized from the tentativeness of the kiss that Mark we as nervous now as she had been earlier in the night. She kissed back, hopefully letting him know that everything was okay.

Feeling her response, Mark kissed her more fervently but still well within the bounds of what one would normally expect on a first date. Finding herself wanting just a bit more — though not that much more, Kristi reached up and let her fingers run up Mark's neck until she could let her nails dig ever so slightly into the back of his head. She let her mouth open a bit, knowing that any man would take that hint.

And so he did, and for the slightest of moments their tongues touched. Against her will, Kristi felt herself getting a bit away from herself and pulled away.

"The seat-belt?" she asked, finding herself looking at Mark from under her extremely long lashes.

"Oh, yes. Sure," Mark stammered a bit, obviously flustered more than a little.

Damn it man, Kristi found herself thinking to herself. If Mark apologized as it appeared he would it would really take the special feeling she had all the way down to nothing.

"That was unexpected, but very nice," she said, just to allay any of his potential lingering concerns.

With a wry smile that made her want to ask what was on his mind, Mark slipped the car back into gear and pulled out into traffic. He still hadn’t shared where exactly they were going. It seemed to Kristi like they were headed back toward the coffee shop where Mark had picked her up.

“We're just a few minutes from the coffee shop,” Mark said, almost as if reading her mind. “But my place is on the way. Might I interest you in a drink? It also has a great view of the city skyline, which is beautiful at this hour.”

Kristi readily agreed, though hoping she wasn’t sounding too eager in her response. Surely anyone could tell that the invitation was almost certainly for quite a bit more than a mere drink and a pretty view. She’d hadn’t committed to more, at least not consciously. Seeing Mark’s hand draped casually over the center console, she reached over in the dim light of the dashboard and took it in hers.

Without much more ado they arrived at Mark’s apartment, though Kristi likened it more to a penthouse, though surely the city sported nothing with such a high-brow label. In size it was fairly modest, occupying half of the top floor of a twelfth floor building overlooking the harbor and, in the distance, the lights of downtown twinkled in the night.

As Mark opened the door with a flourish and motioned for Kristi to precede him in, she gasped audibly at the interior. Everything that fronted the water was fronted by wonderful French doors, all of which were open, permitting a cool breeze to waft through the space, bringing with it the exotic aroma of the sea. The light of a crescent moon cast everything in a soft, pale, and somewhat green-tinged light.

“How lucky could one man be,” a voice came from somewhere within and off to the left, follow by some brassy horns.

“Dino?” she asked, although she already knew the answer. “I wouldn’t expect a young pup like you to enjoy Dean Martin!”

“First,” Mark said, fighting back a laugh, “If I am a pup, then so are you, given that you are only a few years older than I am. And I do like all of The Rat Pack, though Frank not so much. He's always struck me as a bully. Drink?” he said, nodding in the direction a little bar on wheels in the corner under a framed poster for the movie Rio Bravo, with Dean Martin, of course.

After getting her a glass of white wine and himself a stiff vodka tonic, Mark led Kristi out onto the balcony, which was much more secluded than one would expect. Dean began singing Houston, and they continued getting to know each other, enjoying the company and the view. They both had another drink as Dino continued to croon softly underneath their conversation. Kristi knew they were barely speaking over a whisper they were so close, but it seemed like his voice captivated her.

It was during Everybody Love Somebody Sometime that Mark leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. This time she wasn’t surprised and the faint hint of lime mingled with the vodka made her lips tingle.

“Let’s consider that our first kiss,” Mark said, “that one in the car was just impulse. This one… this is the one I want to remember.”

“Both,” Kristi whispered and pulled his head down, taking his head in her hands. Pulling him in, she kissed him hard and felt his hands take her waist and pull her into him.

Their mouths opened almost simultaneously and Kristi could taste Mark’s desire and feel the growing bulge in his pants against her waist. She lifted one leg, bending it at a perfect right angle at the knee. Not only did she most always do this when in the middle of a very steamy kiss, but she also wanted to give Mark the opportunity to support her weight more and bring him still closer to her.

They continued to kiss fervently and Kristi felt Mark’s hands reach down and softly cup her ass, which also served to guide his now obvious arousal directly over her sex. The feel of it over the tops of her thighs gave her a thrill of anticipation and excitement. She wrapped her leg around him, giving him even more opportunity as the move served also to inadvertently hike up her skirt a bit as well. She could feel the fabric tighten under her buttocks.

She realized Dino had started another song, then realized that she no longer cared of the music of the ocean breeze. She wanted to be had.

She pulled away briefly to fumble with his belt, finally getting it unbuckled to Mark’s bemusement. She finished unfastening his pants and reached inside, finding immediately his swollen cock and while stroking it gently with one hand used her other hand to reach around and shimmy Mark out of his pants, letting them fall around his ankles.

Dropping to her knees, Kristi helped him out of his shoes and such until Mark was just in his shirt. With his cock again in her hand, Kristi gave it a quick kiss as she let her nails brush against his shaft. She took him into her mouth, hearing Mark moan with satisfaction.

“No,” he said. At first she wasn’t sure she had heard this. What man said no to a blowjob? But then he said it again.

“Am I doing something wrong, Mark?”

“Not at all,” he said, looking down on her with tenderness mingled with lust. “But I want tonight to be about pleasing you.”

He took her hand and helped her stand, then kissed her again. Electricity flowed through her as the raw energy of him filled her with an aching need. His fingers lifted her skirt and finding her panties, gave them a teasing tug.

“These will need to go,” he cooed, and in a moment Kristi saw her pale blue lace boy shorts tossed aside in the pale light.

Without any further words, Mark turned her around until she faced the ocean. He took her hands and placed them on the rail so that she was bent slightly at the waist. The cool breeze now served as a salve against the heat which was building inside of her. But she was thankful that she still had her dress on; public exhibitionism wasn’t her thing either.

She knew he was going to have her from behind and was ripe with need, but Mark made no move to make love to her. Rather, she heard him shift his weight and then felt his soft touch on her ankles. A momentary fear that he meant to toss her over the rail onto the beach below was almost immediately allayed by the most exquisite sensation she had ever felt.

With an apparent random mix of light touches with his fingers, butterfly kisses, and simple blown air, Mark worked his way up and down her smooth legs from ankle to hip. The result was divine and Kristi felt her heart race just from his touch. She rolled one ankle out a bit to give his tools — those wonderful lips and fingers — room to work her inner thighs should Mark be so inclined.

And he was, of course. Kristi felt her legs begin to shake uncontrollably. She’d never been literally handled in this way before and it was definitely something she could get accustomed too.

“Mark,” she moaned, no longer caring how needy or cloying she sounded. “Have me. You…. Have….. me.”

He ran his fingers again from the strap on her sling-backs all the way up to her skirt, but this time pushed it up over her rear. The feeling swelled with her and Kristi could feel her bosom swell against her now tight bra.

When he entered her she gasped and her knees buckled slightly at the sensation that it brought her. She felt him, but definitely not painfully so and even somehow this felt right. Being bent over beachside by a man she barely knew — but wanted to know better.

Between the added height that her heels gave her and the angle she was bent at, the experience was more than pleasurable. She could tell that Mark was working hard to control himself and drive her to pinnacles of excitement she’d not climbed before. His pace was slow but not deliberate, though at no time did he settle into one speed.

It was a variety that was driving her just a bit wild. Most of her lovers had been, like her, rather young, and perhaps a bit prone to skip the foreplay and most of the sex too, for that matter. But this was something different entirely. She could feel things building inside of her, things which rarely came along without her own help.

She ran her right hand down to her sex, finding it swollen and damp. She teased herself lightly with her fingertips, timing herself with Mark’s rhythm. With a gasp she felt the waves of passion begin to not only grow but crest inside her. With a sudden shiver, she climaxed and softly moaned Mark’s name.

With a final prolonged thrust she felt Mark’s climax, which was no doubt brought on by her own. It filled her still further as his breathing became ragged and hoarse, his hands still firmly holding her hips against him.

He started to pull out of her but a quick quip telling him not to from her kept him inside for just a bit longer.

As they both began to breathe easier as they came off their communal ecstasy, Kristi could feel Mark beginning to go limp, and finally but still grudgingly let him slide out. She would never admit it to anyone but herself, but it was that first entry and last exit which for her were the most titillating aspects of the sexual act.

"You didn't even let me get out of my dress, you horny dog," Kristi said. Somehow once she'd been with a man lots of her self imposed barriers in terms of what she would and would not say suddenly fell by the wayside.

"OK," Mark comically smirked, "Next time you can take everything off. And hopefully that wasn't a complaint!"

"Who said anything about a next time?" she said, all the while hoping he knew she would definitely be up for another roll in the hay later. At least as long as the gentlemanly opening wasn't just a ploy for a booty call. Of course, saying this to a man who'd just driven her wild and didn't appear to be kinky at all was easy. And he was, after all, still just about naked and showing his jewels off for the world to see.

At least for now, she was the world. She smiled at the thought.

He offered to let her take a shower before she left, but she declined, thinking that might be just too much for a first date. She cleaned herself up a bit in his bathroom and with a final deep kiss asked him to take her back to her car.

The ride back was uneventful, and when they got back to the now deserted parking lot, she gave him a peck on the cheek and thanked him for a great a memorable night.

"Call me," she said as she shut the door to her car.

"Count on it," he answered as he wandered back to his Lexus.

***

Kristi spent the next days waiting for a call, and almost immediately began wondering if she had done something to offend him. Although she knew that she didn't know if Mark was "the one" yet, she still would like to see him again. Things had been good, right? Had she simply failed some sort of test and gone too far too fast? She could always call him, but she'd never been that forward of a woman.

Finally, on the fourth day, a dazzling bouquet of roses was delivered to her house. Kristi was beaming from ear to ear as she shut the door, with an unbridled excitement. She could only imagine what the note would say!

She read the note and a warm flush spread over her face as she read it again. She'd forgotten about the business trip Mark said he was going on the morning after their date. All was immediately forgiven.

But suddenly Kristi had a thought, and it wasn't a good one. She hadn't given Mark her address, had she? In fact, she remembered that she'd gone to great lengths to avoid doing that.

So how had he gotten her address? And knowing that, how should she respond? The card with the flowers said he would call her when he returned, which was tomorrow. Egad!

After spending the rest of the day pondering how to actually figure out how Mark had gotten her home address Kristi decided that the best thing was simply to ask him. Perhaps she had given it to him after all. She had been drinking a bit, right?

The next day he did call her, but she hesitated after seeing his name on the caller ID. Oddly, she'd made his profile picture a heart, which was yet another uncharacteristically juvenile response.

With a deliberation which, unbeknownst to Mark, spoke volumes of the trepidation with which it was asked, Kristi asked how he came by her address. The key, or at least so she'd though going into this, was to play it rather nonchalantly and just see what he came back with.

Mark's response was not what she'd hoped for.

After all of her worry, she had been right after all. She hadn't given out her address as some result of being a bit buzzed during their date. Mark hadn't seen her wallet lying open and simply copied it down, which would have been slightly understandable, but still a gross violation of her privacy. Rather, Mark had simply just discretely followed her home from the coffee shop to make sure she got home safely.

With more than a little consternation, Kristi found herself declining his offer for another date and slamming the phone down. Dishonesty was simply something she could not tolerate, regardless of steamy sex.

The next few days went by in a blur, though Kristi couldn't help but wonder about Mark. Was it really just a misunderstanding? If you lied for a good reason, was it still bad to lie? She wanted to see him, to perhaps give him another chance, but it seemed to her that to do so would mean bending too many of her own internal maxims.

After almost a week she'd have realized that she had just about forgotten about him. If, that is, she thought about it. But she didn't.

Then one day she thought she was being followed when she was on her way to a luncheon with some girls from work. Kristi chalked it up to a feeling and nothing more as she could never seem to spot the same car twice in her rear view mirror, as much as she tried.

Those feelings grew over the next few days, though she could never put a car to the feeling. Many times she felt she was on the verge of identifying her imagined pursuer, but then the car in question would turn off.

Finally she shrugged it off as her own paranoia. A few more weeks passed and the feelings finally passed.

It was a Friday when things seemed to change. Out of nowhere she got two dozen roses delivered to her office, but without a card, which piqued her curiosity to no end. Frustratingly the delivery service had broken the stem of one of the roses, leaving it to hang limp and rather lifeless.

Getting home in the middle of a horrendous rainstorm did not improve her day in the slightest. Not only was it the beginning of yet another slow weekend without a date or any real plans, but the forecast called for more of the same. Kristi realized that she wouldn't even have the chance to work on her tan.

So she spent her Friday night watching a Mad Men marathon. At least, she thought, Jon Hamm gave her at least enough man candy to feel slightly hot and bothered. After running through around seven of her favorite episodes and half a bottle of her favorite red wine she decided to call it a night and slipped into bed. Usually it took more wine to really make her feel this tipsy, but no matter.

She'd only been in bed a few moments, barely enough time to enjoy the feel of her satin sheets against her silky legs, when she noticed something. There was an odd glow coming from between the slats of her bedroom closet. Strangely, it wasn't the pale green glow she was used to from the relay box of her security system. Tonight it looked rather orange or perhaps even yellow. Recalling something in the recesses of her mind from the installer that a change in color may be indicating that the batteries needed replacing, she got up to take a look.

Even though Kristi had only been in bed a few minutes she found the need to shake off the cobwebs that were already in her head from both exhaustion and the wine, so she took her time covering the ten feet over to her closet door.

She swore when she was only a yard away she heard a quick intake of air — and the orange glow went out.

Suddenly full of fright, Kristi turned and made to go for her nightstand and her cell phone. After only turning around and taking a step she heard a crash from behind her. Knowing it was the closet door she lunged across her bed for the phone but felt something suddenly grab her by the ankles. Twisting in mid-air, she landed on her back on her bed. The phone was still tantalizingly out of her reach.

Looking down, she saw a figure clothed entirely in black at the foot of her bed with one arm firmly locked around her feet and ankles. Her nostrils were suddenly filled with the scent of stale sweat and pure hatred.

"Fuck!" she screamed, trying to kick herself free and give her enough traction on her smooth sheet to reach the phone. "What the hell do you want, you crazy fuck!"

With that, her dark visitor took one of his hands away from her lower legs and ripped off the woolen mask which had covered his head.

"Hello, love," Mark said. "Thought you'd be rid of me so soon, my sweet?"

"What the hell are you doing here? I told you I don't want to see you!" As soon as she'd said it, Kristi realized how insipid she sounded, but she could also tell that she was on the verge of total panic. She'd had fun with Mark and even slept with him; and now what were his plans?

"Well that is for me to know and you to find out," Mark replied, though somehow without the implied silliness of the childhood taunt. "I shan't be ignored, Kristi."

"What do you want? I will do anything, just don't hurt me!"

"Well," Mark replied, in a voice thick and heavy with scorn. "That is something we can talk about."

Mark relaxed the grip his one remaining arm had on Kristi's legs, and she took this as her queue. She lunged across the bed for her nightstand, but Mark was faster. Falling almost on top of her, he knocked her cell phone off the table and against the wall, and Kristi could tell from the sound that the case had come off and the battery was most likely disengaged as well.

But the phone hadn't been what Kristi was going for. She knew she wouldn't have time to dial 911 before Mark took the phone from her. Rather, her hand reached out for the wrought iron lamp base which was just beside the phone. Given Mark's preoccupation with the phone, she felt her fingers wrap around the base firmly.

In a split second, Kristi pulled herself up on one elbow and with the other arm backhanded Mark in the skull with the heavy metal lamp. Nothing happened.

Mark slowly turned to look at Kristi. He tried to say something, but whatever it was, she never heard it. As the first syllable started to come out, she hit him again with the lamp. The flow of blood which had started with the first blow became a torrent with the second. She saw Mark's eyes roll and he gurgled and collapsed on the bed on top of her. With some effort, Kristi kicked his body off of her onto the floor.

She paused a few moments to gather her breath and make sure Mark wasn't moving. He seemed to be breathing, but barely. This was quite fine with her. Realizing she needed to call the police she got up to find the piece to her phone and get them back together.

Standing, she found herself surprisingly woozy from the ordeal — though she thought adrenaline would offset any effects from the wine from earlier. Staggering strangely, she found the back to the phone and eventually the battery.

Then everything went black. She felt the soft pile of her carpet as her face hit it.

Sex in the Naked City — Hearts Burn in a Sleepless City

by Lori Dixon

“Rosebud,” he whispered…

Jane’s head leaned back and she let her hair drop while Jarvis twisted ever so slightly harder. With the other hand, he made circles with his fingertips over her sex and felt the dampness bleed around his digits. Her eye drifted down to the bench and then to the pavement that wrapped around the park. Passing cars and bystanders with one whiskey too many in their bellies slowed as they tried to make out if the illicit sight before them was every bit as tantalizing as it seemed. Jane knew they were being watched and that only made her grow wetter. Jarvis, meanwhile, was too preoccupied with lubricating his good lady to notice the gazes.

“We should go,” Jane grunted through her feelings of delight.

“Go?” Jarvis looked up. “That’s sort of my specialty. Where to?”

“Not far… there isn’t much light back there,” she replied while signaling the park behind them.

Jane led Jarvis deeper into the trees that surrounded their encounter on the bench. The long, hard branches growing out from the limbs protected the two lovers as they pushed each other against a mighty oak. Only a slither of moonlight was available to guide them towards their impending ecstasy. Jarvis kissed Jane’s neck. In turn, she gently unzipped his trousers and reached inside. He was well hung and well stiff.

She dug her palms deeper after releasing the snake from its cage. The rocks beneath the staff dangled right into her grip. Jane pinched the skin and felt them slip back and forth between her fingers. Jarvis straightened his back and sighed. A cool gust of breath emanated from his teeth. Jane let herself drop down while maintaining her grip on Jarvis’ package. He took his hand and ran it through her hair, resting it firmly against her skull. He stifled his moans as she worked his shaft. His soft groans reached all the way down to her thighs as they tensed up according to his own pleasure.

Like Jane’s, Jarvis’ blood rushed madly over the possibility of an officer or a sinister teen catching the two in the act. He throbbed more and more as the thought raced around his head, then down to his stomach, and finally down to the recesses of his loins. He started to shake.

“Are you okay?” Jane looked up.

“I’m so close,” Jarvis sighed.

Jane raised her eyebrows and smiled. She plunged further down his mighty pole, bobbing up and down like the drill caged inside an oil derrick. The driver could contain himself no longer. He let loose the geyser that was stewing so intensely inside. He breathed and moaned for her. Jane let all the salty goodness rain down into her throat. After coming up for air, she wiped her mouth. Jarvis grabbed her forearms and helped her get steady on her feet again.

“Shall we?” She purred. “The night is young…”

***

A HAND helped to slip off Julia’s blue gown. Totally exposed, she allowed that hand to cup itself around her breast along with the other.

“Did you miss me?” Julia softly asked.

“You know the answer to that,” said Roger as he held her and brought her closer to him. He remained in his newly pressed tuxedo for a time. After stroking her cheeks, Roger bent Julia over the penthouse window that looked straight down into the heart of New York City’s nightlife. The city was theirs and they were about to show everyone what a truly passionate encounter looked like.

Julia and Roger had been seeing each other for the past few months. They met at the indulgent half-birthday party of Teresa, a mutual friend who was the husband of a magazine publishing executive. They had flirted over a champagne glass or two in between pretending to get along with the other sycophantic guests.

In a town fueled so fervently by gossip, their meetings since always took place at the Waldorf for fear of resurrecting themselves as lightning rods for rumors. Their relationship thus far was strictly casual, but oftentimes, Julia wondered if Roger had any regard for her beyond as a facilitator for sexual congress.

Roger smiled slyly as he undressed himself, his eyes drinking in the crevices of Julia’s perfect backside. The contents of his outfit dropped to the floor like snowflakes. When he was as natural as she, his powerful hands massaged her ankles and thighs. His tongue grew longer until it implanted itself between her lower lips. As she quivered, he pinched his bell curve and felt it grow as well.

Unbeknownst to Roger, Julia had another gentleman in mind. Her mind trailed back to the invitation that she extended over to Carmine. She could picture him a warmer, more considerate lover than Roger, who admittedly knew his way around her body quite well. But were it only Carmine’s tongue working its way inside of her…

Roger swiftly turned his lover around so she could face him. Julia peaked downward to witness his member bobbing up and down, cutting through the tension that had seeped into the air. He stretched out his arms and felt them quickly crack. In less than half the blink of an eye, Julia found herself airborne, her back up against the glass. Her legs coiled tightly around Roger, who was holding her above the ground by her sharpened hips.

She hadn’t felt this exhilarated since her first motorcycle ride with her college boyfriend some years before. Julia clasped her hands around the back of Roger’s neck. She yelped with delight as her tunnel popped up and down over the stiff pole so long that it seemed to provide even more support to prevent her from falling down. Where had Roger learned to do that? she thought. Who is his trainer? And more importantly, how can I get his number? These were the most coherent thoughts she could gather together as her body grew numb with pleasure.

Still, despite Roger’s control over her body, it was Carmine who appeared to possess control over Julia’s mind. After the orgasmic novelty of Roger’s newfound technique wore off, Julia screamed inside for a moment of authentic intimacy. If he slowed down his thrusting and carried her calmly to the bed so he could finish the two of them off, this encounter would become Heavenly.

If Carmine had the ability to make love this way, she was sure he would have the inner touch to grant this one request. Roger wasn’t one for inner touch, however. He wouldn’t be interested even if she requested it specifically. It was the fantasy of Carmine burrowing himself sweetly inside her that finally made her climax for Roger.

He lowered her down to the ground slowly. When Julia was on her feet again, she wobbled towards the sheets and collapsed. Roger used Julia’s absent interval to clean himself up and drape himself in the elements of the suit once again.

Julia was grateful for what Roger so consistently did to her. She knew full well that her girlfriends would sneer if she complained about nights like these. If you’re still walking after what a man does to you, he’s not trying hard enough, she could hear a few of them say, albeit in variations. Still, couldn’t there be more to these secret meetings than simple animal lust?

Roger’s Blackberry bleeped and flashed itself awake. He rolled his eyes and picked it up from atop the television set. He wondered why he was checking the message at all since he knew exactly who it was from.

“Stacy…,” he let out an exasperated chuckle.

“Another one of your…” Julia winked.

“Sort of. She takes things a little too seriously. I keep telling her I’ll call her, have her step inside the old office. I don’t know what she wants from me.”

Julia turned away. She imagined who Stacy was and couldn’t help but feel her pain. There was no use in taming Roger. Luckily, Julia learned that very quickly into their first few trysts.

“I’ll be out of town a week from today so we’ll have to take a leave of absence,” Roger coolly remarked.

“That’s fine,” Julia mused.

“The week after that?”

“Can’t do the week after that.”

Roger turned his head and looked at Julia for the first time since he was no longer inside of her.

“And why not?”

“I have an engagement with somebody else… you’re not jealous, are you?”

Roger scoffed. “I was only wondering.”

Julia waited for Jarvis in the lobby with baited breath. It wasn’t like him to be this late. And why wasn’t he answering his phone? Roger had disappeared into the blackness of the city. She felt quite alone at this moment. Finally, Jarvis pulled up in the limousine and rolled down his window.

“I’m so sorry, Julia. I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s fine,” Julia forced a smile. “Take me home, please.”

Jarvis stepped outside and opened the back door for Julia. As she stepped in, she grabbed a whiff of her driver and noticed something unusual. He was glowing. Jarvis was always a pleasant man but he never appeared this over the moon in all the time that he worked for her. She pondered what he must have been up to as he drove on. There could only be one explanation.

“What were you up to?” Julia inquired. “While you waited…”

“Just drove around like I usually do,” Jarvis bluffed. “Taking in the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.”

“See anything interesting? Do anything interesting?”

“Interesting… this city is always interesting. And all those within it are quite interesting…”

***

ANOTHER day, another round of dishing out halal platters to the trendy yuppies of New York City. Rael aimed to keep his daydreaming to a minimum for once, but he was finding it increasingly difficult as he always found himself trapped in a sea of long-legged corporate angels. The city had failed to rob Rael of his sex drive but it had been a little bit of time before he had engaged in the company of another woman.

The day drove on at the same interminable pace. He tried to keep his fantasies at bay but to little avail. After one spurting of white sauce too many, Rael gave into his desires and made a sudden pact with himself:

“I’m going to ask out the next woman who comes here…”

Stacy would position herself accordingly whenever she knew that Roger was on the horizon. She would arch her back, cross her legs, and peel her skirt back a half-inch or two. She realized that their physical relationship was entwined with their business relationship and that it was never likely to blossom anymore, but a glance or acknowledgment here or there would’ve sufficed. At least if he finally called off everything — even if potentially risked her job — she would know where she stood with the man. Stacy always knew he was coming by his commanding, rhythmic footsteps that pulsed through his forever shiny wingtips.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Masters,” Stacy said, hoping he would run with the greeting this time.

“Working hard, Stacy?” Roger dismissed as he headed for the elevator.

Stacy uncrossed her legs and let her foot drop with a bitter thud. Perhaps it was about time to throw in the towel. It was a pleasant pipe dream while it lasted, and at the very least, she still had the memories. That said, she only ever let her mind travel back to that fateful job interview. Roger was a powerful force behind closed doors but he was never able to recreate the sense of mystery and wanton sexual abandon that so memorably marked their first time.

What Stacy really wanted was a man who understood her needs quite fully. Beyond the orgasm, what was there to keep her coming back for more? At the rate she was going, she was perfectly willing to take a chance on the first gentleman who treated her like a real woman.

It was time for lunch. Stacy figured she’d treat herself once again. She didn’t give the matter too much thought until she stepped out into the gaze of the noontime sun. As she never truly thought about her meals, the results were often a mixed bag — it was New York, after all. But then she spotted that halal cart with the charming man watching over it dutifully. It might be nice to get into something with a little routine, she thought to herself as she crossed the street.

Rael turned and saw Stacy bounce toward the cart. He had just made his vow and it would appear that Stacy, that delightful young lady from the other day, would be the chance that he was yearning for.

“Hi there!” Stacy chirped.

“Now, don’t tell me, I remember this… Falafel, extra pita and lots of hummus. Is that it?”

“My my, I’m impressed!”

“What can I say? Photographic memory. That is what you wanted, right?”

“I wasn’t sure but, hey, why not? Make it easier for you.”

Rael could’ve prepared the lunch blindfolded if he’d had no choice. He made sure to sculpt it just as he had done with her first Falafel. A queue was building person by person but neither minded too much.

“What’s your name if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I’m Stacy,” she sounded surprised but flattered.

“Rael. Pleasure to serve. Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Of course.” She turned her head to the antsy customers. “Will they mind?”

“I’ll be quick. Would you like to have a drink with me tonight?”

Stacy blushed. At first, she didn’t know what to make of being propositioned by the man with the halal cart. On the other hand, the Roger ship had long since sailed. Rael seemed nice. Maybe that was all that was required.

“Sure. Here’s my card. I get off at six.”

They traded Falafel for business card.

“This one’s on me, all right?” Rael raised his eyebrows.

“Such a gentleman,” Stacy giggled as she turned back to her Madison Avenue chamber. Rael immediately flashed the next patron — an icy bank manager — a winning smile as he took the man’s order. It would seem that their prayers had been answered. Rael didn’t need to daydream any longer about his dream girl, although his thoughts would often drift to the possibility of a physical engagement with Stacy.

As the sunlight began to dim, Rael would step over to the corporate fortress under instructions that he was to meet Stacy at the top floor overlooking Fifth Avenue and beyond. A kindly concierge would motion Rael to the one gold-encrusted elevator that wasn’t out of service, and he’d be right at the top in two blinks of the eyes.

The floor would show only the minimal signs of life as everyone else grabbed their jackets and iPads en route to their dreary domestic lives. All the way down the corridor was Stacy. She is arched over the desk, her heels dangling from her toes. She rotated her head and exhaled a wistful sigh.

“I’ve been waiting for you…”

Rael slams the door behind him. He reaches out and draws the blinds, so the windows into the main office are completely curtained. After wiping his brow, Rael paces to Stacy and pets along her legs until his hand is directly between her thighs. As he reaches further towards the fire that lies between, Rael gently swoops toward her lips and implants a tender kiss. Stacy returns in kind with a deep penetration of her tongue. Her shoes drop. Rael mounts the mahogany desk and forcefully brushes the phone and assorted papers asunder.

She runs her fingers up his deep muscles that are pinning her down. He grunts ever so slightly as he ramps up the electricity of his kisses. Like a feline clawing low to the ground for a meal, he makes his way down her body and loosens the buttons of her thin white blouse. A shiver bursts throughout her bones, joints, and nerves.

He lowers the skirt as well as himself into her sex. While sucking the sweet nectar from within, his hands reach up and twist the nipples of her pear-shaped breasts. Her fluids seep all over his scruff and puddle the recently polished desk. As there are still drones buzzing about the workplace in its last waking hours, Stacy must stifle her pleasure-soaked cries by biting down on her index finger. She simmers for him.

“Take me… I’m yours….”

So Rael removes his staff and slips inside the home. He clutches onto the sides of the desk as he penetrates slowly and deeply. The temptation for Stacy to cry out grows as hard as Rael’s thrusting. She turns on her side and flips Rael over. Stacy reaches around to his inner thigh and allows her pelvis to snake up and down him.

She collapses into his face and sucks down on his lips. She is hopping on top of him. He can feel the presence of disgruntled, undersexed workers hovering outside the concealed windows wondering if their hunch about what goes on behind the closed doors of offices is actually true.

These disgruntled, undersexed workers were not in the Madison Avenue office building but in a line that wrapped around the curb as they waited for their exotic fast food. Rael had caught himself daydreaming for the hundredth time. But he was a professional and it only ever took him a second or two to get back into the swing of things. The queue had dissipated just a few passing bursts of Midtown traffic. As his business boomed momentarily, Rael felt a firm pat on his back.

“Cleaning up, Rael?” Carmine joked.

“I do all I can. How’s the coffee racket?” Rael shot back.

“Take it easy, brother.” Carmine chortled under his breath as he swaggered toward his shop.

***

HIS invitation from Julia still felt as hot as the Middle-Eastern delicacies that Rael was whipping up for his customers. He intended to ride this high as long as he could, or at least until he was linking arms with her in the hopes of joining her for a night of indiscretion. When he reached the coffee shop, he noticed a similarly unruly line throbbing from the counter to the front door. Jane was the only one on staff. Carmine watched from a distance and noticed that her pace was lagging. “That’s not like her,” he thought.

“What’s going on, Jane? It’s lunch hour. Let’s get these people back to work.”

“I’m sorry, Carmine,” Jane replied.

In truth, Jane’s glow from her rendezvous with Jarvis had yet to wear off. The gears working inside her locked down by the memories of everything that happened against that tree. She respected Carmine too much to indulge in her thought process anymore. A quick stamp of her foot got her working at the typical Jane pace again. The customers dwindled. Carmine leaned into the counter.

“Julia could be here any minute. Try not to backslide like that again.”

“I know, I just…” Jane trailed off with a bright smile. Carmine studied her reaction and laughed.

“Has somebody fallen in love?”

“Oh, not exactly, I just had a grand night recently.”

“Wonderful! None of my business then,” Carmine remarked as he made a few steps toward the office.

“Carmine, have you ever had a New York encounter? Those times when the spirits of the Big Apple bring two people together whose paths wouldn’t normally cross. The thrill of the city gets into their lungs and they’ll do anything to have each other right then and there. I used to think that was a myth, just something you saw in movies and TV shows. Well, now I know… it can happen to anyone. Maybe it’ll even happen to you.”

Carmine chuckled to himself. “Mind the counter, Jane.”

In fact, it was that kind of encounter that Carmine craved from his impending night with Julia. Granted, they had known each other for a long time, but only as business colleagues. Jane’s romanticized description still qualified as long as he got to meet the real Julia. How likely was this to happen? Passionate storm clouds were brewing above his mind’s eye but was their any lightning getting ready to strike? Carmine found himself obsessing over her invitation every five minutes since he received it. A spreadsheet stared at him from his desktop, waiting and pleading to be pumped and filled with the shifts for the upcoming work week.

Focusing wasn’t an option, so he opened up his drawer to find an emergency bottle of Black Label. As he reached in for the alcoholic phallus, Carmine heard a knock on the door. His heart skipped a beat. The bottle thudded back into the drawer. Carmine was suspended in a pose of horror until he knew for sure that it wasn’t broken. After sliding the contraption shut, he invited the knocker in.

Julia shuffled into Carmine’s office. She kept the door shut by hiding her hands behind her back and thinly holding down the fort.

“Julia! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today?”

She smiled suspiciously. “Did Spinoza botch the shipment again?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that! Just a bit of a hectic afternoon as you can probably see.”

“Jane seems to be in a pleasant mood. She has this glaze and spring in her step. My driver has it, too. Love must be in the air,” Julia laughed.

“Must be. I’m just working on the schedules.”

“Okay then, Carmine, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to give you the details about the party. As I said, it’s pretty casual. Jarvis should be at your place with the Limo by 7:00. He’ll probably get you and then bring you to me so we can go together — but maybe I’ll just go along, I don’t know, haven’t… decided. Anyway, that’s mainly it. Sound good?”

“I thought your assistant was going to fill me in.”

“Did I say that? Well, I thought I’d fill you in myself, give my assistant a break.” Julia pushed back even harder now. She didn’t know whom exactly she was keeping out but she didn’t want to take the risk all the same. “So… yes. Do you have any questions?”

“None whatsoever. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Great, great…well, I won’t keep you.”

“You’re welcome here anytime.”

“Well, I am the boss.” Julia chortled through the uncomfortable silence. Then it was a flash of a smile and out the door. Carmine grinned. Since this invitation was sprung upon him, Julia was much less hands-on. There were several issues about which she could’ve nitpicked but her mind seemed to be on other things. Carmine relaxed as it was beginning to come clearer: This couldn’t simply be a work-related invite. If she wasn’t definitely attracted to him, she was at least considering the possibility that an attraction could gestate at any time.

In fact, Carmine liked seeing his superior so flustered in his presence. The domineering force of nature was displaying her weakness, and he appeared to be that very weakness. As he dwelled on this thought, an erection sprouted up slowly in his pants. He had enough class to place this in his backup energy storage unit within his mind, but that didn’t stop him from indulging in a cheeky stroke of the tip of his rod.

Meanwhile, Julia sat back in the limousine, her legs crossed and her arms folded.

“Is something troubling you?” Jarvis inquired.

“I have a lot of doubts,” Julia replied. “This could be incredible, or it could be a disaster. This could jeopardize the shop or it could be nothing at all. I wonder if I’m analyzing it too much. I probably am, aren’t I?”

“Best to let the spirit of the evening sweep you along.”

“And you’d know about that?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I’ve had my moments,” he grinned.

“Thank you, Jarvis.”

The window rose up and clipped itself to the top. Julia was now invisible to her driver. It suddenly dawned on her that her favorite element of limousine access was the tinted windows. It had been a stressful trip to the coffee shop. What Julia needed more than anything was a stroke of the snatch. She pictured Carmine inside the limo, his thick piece tunneling in and out of her while he bent her over. She held onto the image and rubbed herself vigorously. She was soaked and sore by the time Jarvis returned her to her chambers. As usual, he pretended that he hadn’t heard a solitary peep through the transparent, curtain-like window.

***

CLAIRE wandered into the Museum of Modern Art on a mere whim. She couldn’t help but feel overdressed in her black strapless dress but the stares from admiring, anonymous men made up for the possible faux pas. It had been some time since Claire had taken in a trip to a museum. She flirted with art history in her college days and all men who existed within any kind of artistic field drove her just a little wild.

She didn’t know what to expect as she hadn’t bothered to check the exhibits in advance. When she wandered in front of a mammoth Jackson Pollock, she almost collapsed with the weight and soul of the work. Claire attempted to take in every inch of the canvas. As she contemplated Pollock agonizing over every splatter, she felt her tears water.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

Claire turned to the gentleman sitting next to her. He must have been fresh out of college, his deep green eyes piercing through his plastic rims. A sports jacket over an obscure punk t-shirt suggested he was from Brooklyn, as did his finely-groomed beard.

“I’m sorry, I hope I’m not interrupting. I’m Paul.”

“Oh no, not at all. Claire, it’s a pleasure.” They shook hands. Claire felt Paul’s callous fingertips and observed the sketchbook sitting on top of his jeans.

“You’re not trying to sketch that, are you?”

“God, no!” Paul laughed. “No, I just bring this around for inspiration.” He grabbed her hand once again. “Oh good, I thought I got your hands a little dirty for a second. You have beautiful hands — I hope that wasn’t too forward of me, I apologize.”

Claire blushed. “How old are you if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Twenty-four.”

“You’re quite the charmer for a young man.”

“No, seriously, you’d make a excellent hand model. I’ll have to sketch them some time. But yeah, look at that painting. You can practically see Pollock pouring himself into it. If I can ever create something half as powerful as this, I can die happy.”

Claire listened to Paul carefully. She thought about her day and how dull the tourist-eye view of New York was becoming. She slid over to Paul by half an inch.

“Busy day?” She licked her lips.

***

PAUL dragged Claire into the cramped apartment right in the center of Williamsburg. The bedroom was straight through. The two had been fondling and nuzzling each other for the entirety of the cab ride. They made sure to tip the poor driver heavily over the inconvenience. Their tongues were still passionately dancing when he threw her down onto the unmade bed. Paul’s mind raced several laps. He had brought a woman so beautiful that she looked as though she stepped out of the ads in the latest edition of Vogue magazine.

Claire’s mind was bursting at the thought of what this rugged, carefree artist was capable of doing to her. They tossed their clothes in one direction after another. She lept on top of him and slipped his throbbing member into her mouth. Paul, on his knees, petted her breasts softly and tried to contain himself when he felt himself all the way down into the deepest recesses of her throat. One hand continued to work the breasts while the other inserted three fingers up her cave and stroked hard. Claire groaned through the job.

Paul threw her back onto the mattress and stuck himself inside. The first thrust was gradual and tempered, as was the second one. Suddenly, he was pounding into Claire like a power drill. She had forgotten the stamina of the average, reckless young male. Her fingernails stabbed into his back with enough force to split into the skin. Paul jolted momentarily and stopped.

An uncomfortable fear lodged itself into the pit of her stomach — the fear that the explosive sex was over all too soon. Paul felt the tiny drop of blood inch down his back. He looked into her eyes and winked. In a flash, he was doing it to her even harder. Her legs tangled themselves around his waist. He sat up and pulled Claire towards him. She now sat in his lap while he grabbed her pelvis and rocked her body back and forth. Claire threw back her hair and howled like a banshee.

Paul set one hand free and swiftly flew it over to her red, throbbing opening. He began to rub as he shook. All of Claire’s muscles tensed up and a spurting of her fluids rocketed down his manhood. He had never seen anything like it before, and it was enough for him to fall backward and allow himself to release his own fluids into her. Claire plummeted on Paul’s chest. They gasped for breath and were dripping in sweat.

“So,” Claire smiled. “How’s that for inspiration?”

“Claire, I don’t typically do nudes… but after today I just might have to start.”

She giggled before kissing him tenderly. As the soft breeze seeped into the windows, Paul and Claire held each other closer. They drifted away into a New York post-coital nap.

Memories — Treacherous Love

by Nellie Cross

When you have the life I’ve had, you become a little battle hardened. Love doesn’t come very easily to me. I’m not open to it at all. It scares me, yet I revere it. I have not known how love feels. I hope I don’t ever have to.

Summer, 1994

We were supposed to be on a family vacation out to the Carolina coast, and it was supposed to be my first time going. To a five year old, taking a trip to the beach was the next best thing to going to Disneyworld. We packed a cooler filled with sandwiches, sodas and water, and took a large bag of Lays potato chips and some of my mother’s ranch dip.

The morning we were set to leave, I woke up to find my mother and father arguing, yelling at each other at the top of their lungs, faces red with anger, hands gesturing in every direction. I watched all of this in a sort of slow motion for a while — the words forming on my parents’ lips, the plate that flew by my father’s head, the shaking of my mother’s body.

My older brother Matthew shrugged his shoulders and said, “I knew it was too good to be true.” He began taking his clothing off to change back into his pajamas to go to bed.

My older sister Marcia — Matthew’s twin — turned the music up on her yellow Walkman cassette player. I took the chips, a sandwich and dip out of the cooler and went to watch Saturday morning cartoons. I learned very early on not to cry over my parents’ fights, as they happened far too often and even at five years old, I found that after a while I couldn’t muster the desire to produce any more tears about them.

They continued arguing until the mid-afternoon, until my father went to sit outside and my mother retreated to their bedroom.

By that time I had gotten lost in the numerous reruns of shows playing on the television, episodes I could by then recite like the Pledge of Allegiance that I so often recited in school. My siblings had left to play outside with the few friends that they managed to have.

I will never understand how or why my parents got married and stayed married. They were two people that, no matter what, could not and would never get along and everyone around them suffered. Their families would no longer deal with us, and if they wanted to see us three children, they would come pick us up to spend the weekend with them without my parents — my parents were no longer allowed to even come into my Aunt Cassie’s house after they broke the vase that contained her father in law’s ashes. We rarely went out together as a family, and whenever we did, it ended in what amounted to complete and utter chaos in my child mind, forcing us back to the confines of wherever we made our residence.

***

December, 1995

Matthew, followed by Marcia, carried the last of their bags to the waiting U-Haul truck that was parked out front of our apartment building. When I looked them in their faces as we received the news that we would be moving in with my mom’s parents, I saw an unfamiliar look in their eyes — a look of relief.

I held on to a teddy bear and had my backpack on, feeling cozy in my grandfather’s arms. He hummed a song that I didn’t recognize, but it sounded bluesy.

“You are not taking my children away from me!” my mother yelled at my grandmother. She tried to block the way but my grandmother pushed her out of the way. Grandma had a box of stuff in her arms to put in the truck.

“One of them is going to get hurt if they stay here. You’re throwing plates at him, he’s shaking you, next you’re going to pull a gun out and threaten to shoot him, and what if you miss and hit one of the children? You and Eddie need to get a divorce and get some psychological help, and until you do we’re keeping the children.”

“Are you telling me that I’m a bad mother? You think I’m a bad mother to these kids.”

“No Sarah, you are unstable. You always have been and part of that is my fault for not getting you any help, but I am not going to let you ruin three more lives, they’re coming to stay with us and that’s final.”

My mother tried to take the box from her but she got pushed down to her ass for her efforts.

“Sarah, just come inside the goddamn house,” my father yelled.

“Do you even care that she’s taking our children, you never gave a goddamn about them!”

“I do everything for those children-“ Another argument commenced.

Grandma put her hands up and followed Grandpa to the car and U-Haul, where they finally took off. My mother ran after us until she couldn’t keep up with the speed from the car. I looked back and saw that she had a brick in her hands, but once she lost pace with us, she looked at the brick in her hand. Realizing what she was planning to do, the brick fell from her hands and she fell to her knees, covering her eyes with her hands and wailing to the sky.

***

Almost twenty years after the fact, I’m now staring my Grandma in the face as she lies inside a lukewarm hospital room potentially on her deathbed. We don’t know how much time she has, but we try to make the most of it. So many words left unsaid, but I wanted her to hear a few.

She breathed laboriously, and mustered up a weak smile for me.

“That was a very brave thing you all did,” I said.

“We had to do it,” she replied with some labor. “You all wouldn’t have made it with your parents.”

She coughed. Her IV machine and heart monitor beeped.

“Thank you for that,” I said.

“You’re welcome dear,” she said.

I kissed her, pulled the covers up higher over her shoulders and left.

Inside the parking lot, I got into my brand new forest green BMV and pulled into the light traffic driving by the hospital. I drove for fifteen minutes into the suburbs, parking in the driveway at the house at the very end of the cul du sac. I set the alarm on the car and went inside.

“Baby, are you home?” The smell of fresh flowers greeted me. I looked around the downstairs and found it to be empty and then ran as fast as my heels would allow me to the stairs.

“Andrew?”

I found him in the large master bathroom, relaxing in the Jacuzzi-style bathtub. “Hey, there you are.”

“Here I am,” he said with a boyish grin. “You just got home?”

“Yeah, I stopped and saw my grandmother.”

“Is she doing any better?”

“Not really.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as he swept a hand over the tub.

“There’s not really much to talk about. I thanked her for everything concerning my childhood.”

“Ah yes, this childhood that you don’t like to talk about; that was very considerate of you,” he said.

“Oh, don’t talk to me like that,” I said.

“Like what?”

Like a child. Also, I don’t see you volunteering any information about your childhood.”

“I’m sorry if it came out like that, you’re right. You don’t have to talk about it.”

The truth is that I thought about it so much in my mind that I couldn't muster the mental strength to discuss it with another person. When I think about it now, all it does is cause a headache. I want to save myself the trouble.

I undressed and stepped into the tub, slinking over to him, where he draped his arm across my shoulders. He kissed me sensually, sucking on my bottom lip.

“How was your day?”

“Mercifully short.” He ran a wet hand through his graying hair. “They really didn’t need me much today.” Andrew was the CFO of a company.

“You mean they didn’t need the money man today?”

He laughed at our inside joke. “No, they didn’t need the money man today.” He started stroking my breasts. “I want to watch you bathe.”

I grabbed a loofah and made it extra soapy with some pomegranate scented body wash — Andrew liked the smell of it; some of the suds ran down my arms. He leaned back and I moved in front of him, getting to my feet as I bathed myself slowly. His mouth formed an O as the suds ran down my torso, splitting into a familiar V shape past my hips. I squeezed the loofah over my breasts, coating them in suds. I saw Andrew’s dick poke upward underneath the water.

When I finish bathing, I dipped back down into the water and gave him a kiss on the lips. He enveloped me in his arms and took me under the water with him before lifting us up and stepping out of the tub. He carried me to the bedroom and put me on the bed, where he jumped on top of me like a ravenous animal, nipping at my neck and sucking on my lips. He split my legs apart and rested there.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” He pushed my wet hair way from my face.

“Awww, thank you,” I said. I’m never ungrateful when he tells me this.

He kissed me a lot slower, more passionately, our wet bodies sliding against one another until the water left our bodies. He rose up on his arms and positioned himself to enter me, doing so with all of the ease and experience that a 47-year old man has. I held on to his neck as he thrust into me. My legs molded around his lower body; I locked my feet together to trap him.

Here we were, engaged in the horizontal dance that so many before us had done. He kissed me all over my neck and breathed heavily in my ear. I encouraged him with my moans and the gentle rocking of my hips. I watched as a sly lusty grin formed on his face. I knew what that meant.

He quickened his pace. One of my legs went up onto his shoulders. His voice turned into a low gravely growl, betraying his past smoking addiction. His rough thumb found my clit and began rubbing it in circles. “Does that feel good? Do you like that shit?”

I cried out loudly, shuddering underneath his touch. He pounded into me harder and a sheen of sweat began to cover his body. I writhed underneath him, sweat forming on me as well. He grabbed my other leg and started to fuck me silly. I whimpered like a child underneath him until he stiffened up and groaned into my hair. His thumb hovered over my clit until he finished coming. He rubbed me slowly and kissed me until I came as well, and held on to me, saying, “You’re so pretty when you come,” as I came down from the heavens.

Sleep overtook me, and when I woke up, he was still asleep, his arm over my body. I climbed from underneath him and went to the bathroom. I took a shower and put on some workout clothing to go for a run.

The sun had not yet set, but it was still very warm outside. I slipped my ear buds into my ear and let the sound of my music wash over me as I broke into a light sprint. I ran to the beat of the song that was playing before I stopped paying attention to the sound. Kids were outside playing — a rare site in these times, as most kids would rather spend the day inside with their video games.

I took my usual route, a three mile trek that ran along a little creek, a park and an open field before circling back around to the house that I lived in.

During the run I thought about how fortunate I am to live in a house at my age. My parents didn’t. They still don’t.

***

March, 2001

My mother drove up in a battered Toyota Tercel; we had no idea where they got it from and no desire to ask them. I was sitting at the dining room table doing my homework and I heard her before she even got to the door. “Where are my children?” she yelled, followed by the sound of the car door slamming shut. I inhaled sharply. My grandmother met her at the door, “What do you want Sarah?”

“I came to see my children,” she said.

“The twins aren’t here and Christina is doing her homework.” Grandma folded her arms across her chest.

“Can I say hello to Christina then?”

Grandma called for me and I reluctantly went to the door. I put on the best smile I could and hugged her and let her fuss over me like a mother who hasn’t seen their child in a few weeks should.

“How’s school, how’s middle school treating you, kid?”

“It’s fine,” I said.

“That’s good. Any cute boys?”

“Sarah!” Grandma grew protective.

“No, no boys,” I said while shaking my head.

“That’s okay. Well, um, I guess I’ll be heading back home then. We got a place on the west side now.”

“Bye mom. I’ll tell Matthew and Marcia you were here.”

“And I’ll tell your father you all said hello.” I saw sadness in my mother’s eyes as she turned to leave in the beat up old car. And for the first time, I felt a little sorry for her.

***

What happened with my parents is that they were madly in love with one another and got addicted to that love. Addiction, even to something as intangible and abstract as love, can lead you to do crazy things. My parents needed to fight, needed to yell and break stuff and have their entire families disavow them to keep the spark that so often dies alive. Matthew once told me that he walked in on them arguing one day, and went to his room only to find them in theirs fucking ten minutes later.

They wanted to be normal like everyone else, but they couldn’t, not even to the children that depended on them the most.

It was that type of upbringing that made my stance on love so hard. I never wanted anyone to do that to me. I never wanted to find a person that would drive me to such insanity. I resolved from an early age never to fall in love.

I went through adolescence hiding myself and my budding body from the eyes of little boys and grown men who promised me a world they didn’t have if I would just love them (whether for an eternity or three minutes under the bleachers). I would have none of it. I couldn’t relate to any of my girlfriends because while they talked of kissing boys and all of the fun that they had on their Saturday night dates, I had no stories of my own, lest I took the risk and fell in love with someone.

I didn’t want to lose such a big part of me. Not to love and not to another person.

***

April, 2007

This is is why I like my arrangement with Andrew; I met him a month prior to my high school graduation. I didn’t have much prospects — community college for two years before transferring to a university and getting a respectable career with long hours to keep me away from the impending loneliness I was imposing on myself. I worked a part time job at the mall (the only place that would hire someone with no experience at the time) to have some money in my pocket and potentially move out — but I found that with every paycheck, no matter how much I saved, I was no closer to leaving.

He came into the store on a day that I was set to get off early, obviously looking for something, but I couldn’t guess as to what this old guy could be looking for, seeing that he specifically was in the women’s shoe section.

“I’m looking for some shoes,” he said.

I wasn’t taken by him, and immediately went into saleswoman mode. “You’re definitely in the right place. Do you want a pump, stiletto, flats?”

“Pumps, I like pumps. And stilettos,” he said.

I took him over to the pumps first. “What size are you looking for?”

“Hmm…. about…” He looked down at my feet. “Like yours. What size do you wear?”

“I wear an 8,” I said.

“Yeah, a size 8.”

I pulled a shoe off of the shelf — a nude colored pump, 6 inch heel.

“I don’t like that color,” he said. “Do you have something a bit neon?”

I showed him a neon yellow color blocked number, another 6 inch heel.

He looked at it sideways. “I like this. What else?”

I showed him the same shoe in a bright green.

“I like this one too. I’ll take them.”

“No problem,” I said.

“Christina, when you’re done with that customer, clock out, okay?” My boss poked her head from around the corner that separated the clothing section from the shoe section.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Christina.” I heard my name ruminate on his tongue.

I showed him some stilettos and he eventually settled on a silver pair that wrapped around the leg.

I went to get the shoes for him and took them to the register. He was there waiting patiently. I rang up the shoes at over 250 dollars and he paid for it all in cash.

“Have a great day,” I told him.

“You too Christina.”

No shudder went up my spine, and I turned normally to go clock out. I exited through the store, as it was still early, and I found him waiting on the bench outside of the store.

“Hello,” he said with a sheepish grin and a wave.

“Hi,” I said.

He handed me the bag of shoes. “These are for you.”

“What?”

“These shoes are for you. You look like you could use something nice.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It could mean whatever you want.”

I took the bag and looked into it even though I knew exactly what it was. I actually picked out some shoes for myself. If he wanted to throw away his money like that, fine, but I was pretty sure he expected something in return, something I could not give him.

“Give me a call. You need to have some fun, I can tell.” He slipped me his business card, a fancy, embossed affair.

I went home and hid the shoes; and then I called him.

I called him because on the bus ride home, with the box of shoes resting at my feet, I convinced myself that I had to know why he bought me those shoes. I knew why, but I wanted to hear it, even though he would never admit it.

***

One thing I could always say about Andrew is that he’s honest, and he did tell me why, but it wasn’t the answer I was expecting.

“I will take care of you, buy you anything you want and take you anywhere you want to go as long as you continue to be the sexy little thing you are.”

“Why though?”

“It’s what I do.” I imagined him shrugging as he said this.

“You’ve done this before?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I can’t commit.”

After a pause, I said, “Me neither.”

“Then this works out for both of us then, until we feel the need to move on.”

“Okay then.”

I hate the term, but I am what I am — a sugar baby. An older man is paying my way through this time of life. He is my sugar daddy. I’ve been with him for 6 years and I find that I have not grown tired of our arrangement like I thought I would, and he hasn’t either. I’m living with him. He’s paying for my grandmother’s hospital care. He’s gotten me a new car every year that we’ve been together. He paid for me to go to community college and university and if I want my Masters, I can go back at any time. Never once though, have we said “I love you” or put a title on our arrangement other than arrangement and we haven’t talked about what we are and where we’re going. We’re just being right now. I guess that’s what I have always wanted.

***

I finished my run. Andrew was awake and dressed in his robe, cooking dinner. “How does Chicken Florentine sound tonight?”

“As long as you put that amazing hollandaise sauce on top of it,” I said.

“Of course I will.” He rarely cooks, but when he does, it’s amazing.

“I’m going to jump back in the shower.”

“Okay. Don’t be long.”

“Yes sir.”

After another night of sex, I stopped by my grandparents’ house — the house I grew up in — to check on things. My grandfather had passed away two years before, and with my grandmother in the hospital, no one was there to look after the house — Matthew had to escape from it all and decided to make his life in the middle of nowhere, Washington. Marcia just didn’t bother.

I picked up the mail out of its box and sorted it- a few bills that needed to be paid, credit card offers and junk mail that I threw out. I vacuumed the floor and made sure that the refrigerator was empty.

While I was doing my inspection, the doorbell rang. Not expecting anyone, I went to answer it, and found my mother and father at the door.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” they both said. My father scratched at an imaginary itch behind his head while my mother tepidly stepped into the house. “How’s everything?”

“Good. I was just checking the house and getting the mail and stuff,” I said. “Looking after the house.”

We were here for that too,” my mom said. “We’re going to the hospital afterwards. But, I mean, it looks like you have it all under control.”

I nodded. My dad stayed quiet.

“Have you heard from Matthew or Marcia?” Mom asked.

“No. Marcia never answers her phone and Matthew doesn’t have one.”

“Oh. Yeah. But how are you? Are you good? You look good.

“I’m fine.” I hesitated, “Someone is taking care of me.”

“Is he a good man?” she asked. I felt myself blush red.

“He is,” I said after an awkward pause.

“That’s good.”

“I think we should be leaving,” my father said after a while.

“Yeah, I think so too.”

I nodded. “I’ll lock up the house.”

“Of course you will,” she said. “She raised you to be responsible.”

Before she stepped out the door, my mother turned and said, “Do you love him?”

“No.” I said.

“That’s sad. You should at least know it once in your lifetime.”

I smiled a sad smile at her. “I don’t think I can.”

“I’m sorry.” And with that, she left.

***

Andrew was asleep on the couch in the den, a drink growing warm on the table.

I shook him gently. “Andrew?”

“Yeah?” He mumbled while still asleep.

“Are you ready to go to bed?”

“Yeah.” He stood up and I led him to bed. I got naked and molded myself against his body until we were spooning. He grinded his hips into my bare backside. “I can wake up a little for this.”

I moved to turn over onto my back, but he said, “I want you like this.” He raised himself up and entered me, cupping my breasts in his hands and kissing the back of my neck. I felt the heat of his body against mine and the small of my back tingled at his touch.

He raised my leg up a little. “Christina,” he whispered into my hair. His breath felt wonderful on my neck and he pinched one of my nipples gently, soliciting a moan out of my mouth.

“That’s what I want to hear.” He pinched me again.

He quickened his pace and clutched me to him tighter. I squeezed his dick with my muscles and a slight whistle escaped his lips before he came.

“You’re going to kill me woman,” he said, raising my leg up higher in the air and rubbing my clit in small circles until I was shaking and moaning in his embrace. “You’re so beautiful.”

I lied awake a little while longer, and maybe it was just the silence of the night messing with me, but I could’ve sworn I heard him say, “I need you.” I shook the thought out of my mind and fell asleep a little while afterwards.

***

Christmas, 1994

I was the first one up, excited with the anticipation of opening my presents. Matthew and Marcia dragged themselves out of bed. I knocked on my parents’ door, and my mother opened it with a smile on her face.

“Merry Christmas!!” I said in my high pitched voice.

“Merry Christmas sweetie.” My mother hugged me tight. My father put his robe on and hugged me too.

“Let’s open these presents,” he said, smiling also.

I tore through the wrapping paper with hurricane wind strength, and received a few Barbie dolls, a Game Boy with a few games and some clothing. Matthew and Marcia received video games and clothes respectively.

For me, this was the best Christmas we had as a family. All of our other Christmases were very modest or lacking in comparison. It was especially memorable because my parents didn’t argue.

“Here Sarah.” My father handed my mother a gift wrapped in some gold paper finer than any of the rest of us got. Suspicious, Mom opened it gingerly, revealing a jewelry box that contained a Cubic Zirconia tennis bracelet.

“Eddie?!”

He hushed her. “Don’t say anything. Just enjoy it.”

Mom enveloped him in a hug and kissed him several times. “Oh my God, thank you so much baby. Oh my God… it’s beautiful. Eddie….” Tears formed in her eyes. “Baby, I love you.”

“I love you too Sarah. I even said it on the back of the bracelet.”

She turned the bracelet over to see the engraving — Forever and always, I love you.

She hugged him once again. “Oh Eddie. Okay everyone, let’s clean up, and I’ll make breakfast; how does pancakes sound?”

Even Matthew and Marcia had to smile. “I love pancakes,” I said. Everyone laughed, a real laugh, one that made it seem like we were a family for once. For that brief moment, we were normal.

***

I woke up in the morning and made Andrew a quick breakfast and some coffee. He had to go to the office today and “actually do my job,” as he liked to say.

We sat across from one another at the glass and stainless steel table and made light conversation before he gave me a kiss on the cheek and headed out of the door, into the world, to do what he does best.

I washed the dishes and did some light house cleaning. I went into our own personal fitness center and lifted some light weights as my exercise for the day. I started our dinner for the evening and selected something sexy to wear while eating it. Presentation is everything. I collected the mail from the box and fielded a phone call from my sister.

She sounded annoyed as she usually was as I reported on my parents and my grandmother. I kept it as brief as possible with her before she made me angry.

I watched TV, my lingerie hiding underneath my robe, as my dinner finished and Andrew came home after 7. I threw my robe off and stretched myself across the couch when I heard him coming closer.

“They really needed the money man today,” he said with a smile.

“They really did,” I said, giving him a kiss.

“Something smells delicious, and someone looks delicious as well.”

“Go wash up for dinner.”

He returned looking more relaxed than when he came in — he discarded his suit jacket, his tie was undid and he was in his bare feet. I placed his plate in front of him before making my own.

He talked about work, occasionally rolling his neck on his shoulders. I replied at the appropriate moments. Once we had finished eating, and because of what I was wearing, I put the dishes in the dishwasher and set it. Andrew chased me upstairs where we fucked until we fell asleep, satisfied and awaiting the new day, where we would repeat our routine.

***

I learned long ago that nothing in my life was normal. Those brief moments of normalcy were few and far between for me, and I learned to accept it for what it was.

Yes, Andrew and I don’t have a normal relationship; we aren’t your typical situation. But it’s a lot better than what my parents had. We have made the most out of our little arrangement. It’s comfortable, and doing something different, trying to make a go at having a normal relationship is something that I can’t even fathom. If we stay together, that’s fine with me. It’s better than what I was going to lead myself to.

I never had to suffer while introducing him to my family, like I saw my sister do every time she introduced us to a serious boyfriend. Having children was not on our agendas, so I didn’t have to worry about how I would turn out as a mother — and the corresponding fear of turning into my mother. Our arrangement was perfect.

And maybe deep down inside, we do love each other.

It’s Not Love

by Lois Hodges

“Girls, let’s sing,” Carly said, all of a sudden, her eyes on the stage with the Karaoke music. Ally looked at her, confused, and then looked around the bar.

“Is that a good idea? I feel like things are about to explode at any moment,” she said, looking at the crowd. Townsfolk, tourists and everyone from the neighbouring villages, or so it felt, were sitting in the Grill, famished after the country fair festivities that the day had held.

“All the more reason to act normal,” Carly replied, a smile on her face. “We get up there, sing for our men and act like normal people. Gwen, you have to sing with us.”

“What?” Gwen looked up from her phone. “No, you girls go.”

“This is your job!” Carly replied. “You’re a professional, you have to come.”

“Uh…” Gwen smiled, trying not to turn around. Trying not to see Finn’s eyes burning into her. “You gonna pick a sappy love song for your boyfriends?”

“You can sing for me, sweet thing,” David purred, poking his best friend in the ribs. Gwen rolled her eyes, putting her phone in her pocket.

“Eternal Flame!” Carly cried to the DJ, who nodded and put on the CD as she dragged the other two to the front. “Just pretend you’re performing. That’s the romantic thing about being a performer, your whole audience is a love affair. Do you know the song?”

“Uh…yes…” Gwen smiled tightly, as they stood in front of the mics, all eyes on them as the opening strands of music cut through the house. She watched, as Carly’s eyes went to Tyrone, and Ally and Derrick shared an intense gaze. Only then, when everyone was distracted, did she dare to flicker her eyes up for a moment, dare to just for one second, look at Finn, who was doing the same thing.

“Close your eyes… give me your hand, Can you feel my heart beating… do you understand?”

It was such a complicated story that shouldn’t have been one. Gwen was a Broadway star, a triple threat so well on her way to fame that she wore sunglasses on the street for protection, not practicality. David, her lifelong best friend, recently moved to a small town in Virginia, living off a family trust that made him one of the wealthiest men in town. And so he lived hard and played hard; but always did his part by sitting on the town’s council and participated in the activities of both leisure and work.

They visited back and forth as they got older, and free of parental control, texting up a storm when they couldn’t. Lately, Hanover Heights had gotten a lot more fun when half the town was under threat of being sold to a hotel developer, looking to turn the small town into a tourist trap. The townsfolk began organizing fairs, fundraisers, balls; anything they could to make sure the hotel developer’s offer was one they would be in a position to refuse. Their sinking economy and closing shops, however, were so far telling a different story.

Gwen had been visiting during a carnival when she first laid eyes on him; the gentleman in the well pressed suit; style only second to his subtle manners and good looks. Before she could reveal her secret, David had spoken in her ear.

”Stop staring, girl. That’s him. The bastard who wants to buy half this town and do Hell-knows-what with it.”

And so Gwen hadn’t said anything at all, even though she knew he had seen her; knew he had locked eyes with her across the field and became just as shell-shocked as she was.

“And then you come and ease the pain; I don't want to lose this feeling… Ohhhh,” the girls trailed off, somehow managing to sync their end notes and hands in perfect rhythm, causing the audience to clap and cheer; whistling as they took a bow. Finn, however, only caught her eye for the briefest moment, and raised his glass. She dipped her head, ever so slightly, in acknowledgement, before following the other three off the stage. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him get up, slipping on his jacket and leaving a bill for the waitress. And then, he scribbled something on a napkin, folding it in half and placing it on the chair.

“You ready to go home, kid?” David asked, when she got back to him. “I’m beat.”

“Old man,” she replied, teasing him, and then shrugging nonchalantly. “I’m actually going to text a bar find from last time I was here… See if he’s up for a little something.” She wiggled her eyebrows for affect.

“Who?” David asked, confused. The entire town was in the Grill that night, it seemed. Gwen only smiled.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” she replied, which made him roll his eyes.

“Fine. If your booty call doesn’t come through, you know your way home.”

“Yep,” she kissed him on the cheek. “See ya later.”

Once she was sure he was out the door, and that no one was really paying attention to her anymore, she slipped through the crowd, towards the side exit that she had seen Finn go out of. As she passed his chair, she dipped her hand down, casually sweeping up the napkin. She waited until she was out the door to unfold it.

Hilton Hotel, Rivers Road. Room 394 was all it said. The Hilton hotel was in the next town over, a bigger place that the locals often referred to as ‘the city’. She checked her phone as she walked to her rental car, realizing it was just past midnight. This really was a booty call, or so it seemed.

Gwen got a little lost on the way there, taking the wrong dirt path out of town, but once she found the highway, she made up for lost time, going nearly time and half the speed limit, her palms sweating in anticipation. Pulling into the parking lot, she checked her reflection in the mirror before getting out, her bare legs getting goose bumps in the night air.

The lobby of the Hilton was what she was used to; having basically lived in hotels since she was 16 and on Broadway, despite her L.A. home. She took the stairs instead of the elevator, wanting to delay things a bit as her brain turned over the facts.

She hadn’t seen Finn for nearly two years. He had been a wealthy hotel owner even then, offering to put up her entire cast in exchange for being named the ‘official’ hotel of the cast. She was young and carefree, on top of the world, and he was wealthy and secure, and their romance had been whirlwind and unexpected. She had told no one, then, about the fact that they shared her hotel room for two months; had told no one they had a love nest and whispered secrets in the dark. In the end, there were too many differences between their worlds, too many things that would need to change before they could be together. She had also told no one about the hole he had left in her heart. For Gwen had told him, told the world she didn’t believe in true love, and he claimed not to either.

So why was she nearly shaking as she knocked on his door?

He opened it, still dressed, although his jacket was off and his tie was loosened. Without a word, she fell into his arms, her lips devouring his as if breathing was optional. She hadn’t quite realized how peaceful and calming his arms were until she was in them, and then it was like the rest of the world didn’t exist. Finn gave the best hugs she had ever known, his entire focus on her, and nothing else.

“Oh, baby!” He pulled her close, tangling his fingers in her hair, and breathing in her scent. “Oh baby. What the hell are we going to do?”

“I really prefer not to talk about the future,” she replied, nuzzling her face into his neck and feeling his pulse beat strong. “Let’s talk about the past. What did you think of my song?”

“I think you damn near killed me singing that song,” he whispered, unwilling to let her go. “That used to be our song.”

“I thought she knew, when she chose it. I thought, somehow, she knew everything,” Gwen gave a little laugh, finally pulling back to look at him. The hazel eyes were still the same, bottomless and liquid, although they looked tired tonight, a few more lines under them and the shadows evident. He felt thinner than he was a few years ago, some of the lean muscle given away to bone. He works too hard she thought, as she hugged him. “Hell, she asked me if I knew the song and I damn near told her everything.”

“Is that David then?” he inquired, finally letting go of her long enough to close the door. “The one you were with? The platonic love of your life?” He was teasing her, she could see no jealousy in his eyes. But then, there never had been. Without true love, there was never jealously, or so they kept telling each other. But she appreciated it; past boyfriends had never understood her having a male best friend.

She smirked at that.

“Indeed. You remember me talking about David and yet you didn’t remember that Hanover Heights was the town his family founded?”

“I remember your lips. The way your eyes used to look at me,” he was teasing her now, taking her hand and leading her to the couch in the large suit, where she obliged him by folding herself to sit on it. He sat beside her, a bit formally, but still with her hand in his. “Oh, how I missed you, love.”

“I missed you too,” she said, after a moment. “Although for a while, I didn’t want to admit it.”

He shrugged, reaching to uncork a champagne bottle that was in an ice bucket by the couch.

“We couldn’t be together, then. There was no point in dwelling on it.”

“And we can’t be together now,” she replied, drawing her knees up to her chest. “I couldn’t do that to David.”

“So you’re here to plead for the life of the town?” he said, eyes sparkling as he poured her a flute of champagne. She shook her head, taking it.

“No. I’m not going to do that to you either. I’m not getting in the middle of this. I came here to see you.”

“I’m glad you did,” he replied, watching her. After a moment, he sighed, leaning back. “How have you been, Gwen? I’ve been following your career with interest. You are doing well for yourself.”

She nodded, taking a sip, the champagne sharp and deliciously cold against her tongue.

“Yep. I just signed a yearlong contract on the West End, so I’ll be in London once this show is done. I’m going to be Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera 2.”

“2!” he exclaimed, smiling at her. “That’s new.”

“Debut performance,” she grinned at him. He dipped his head, taking a sip of champagne, and then, to her alarm, chocking harshly on it. Since it was liquid, there was no need for the Heimlich maneuver, but it still took several thumps on the back before his airways cleared. As he attempted to regain control of his breath, he leaned against her, rolling up one sleeve that had gotten wet with his sudden movement. Placing an arm around him, she looked down and then gasped.

“What’s happened to your arm?” she asked, alarmed as she saw the inside of elbow was bruised and discoloured, a small puncture wound at the centre of it. A million things went through her mind. She had seen drug use in the performance world, of course. Actors took them for a trip, dancers took them to stay thin, singers took them to give them endless energy. But Finn, despite his workaholic ways, had never turned to drugs. He looked down on those who did, the scum of society as he put it, preferring his mind alternating substances in the form of top shelf liquor.

As quickly as she noticed it, he drew back, which made her realise how warm his body was against hers.

“Are you alright?” she asked, concerned. For a moment, his eyes searched hers, looking for something she couldn’t figure out; searching for answers she didn’t have. And then, very carefully, he spoke.

“Gwen, I swear I will make sure your name is never in lights again if you breathe a word about what I’m about to say to anyone. Do you understand me?”

“Wha?” Her mouth fell open as she watched him stand, a bit shakily. “What are you talking about?”

He took a sip of his champagne, or what remained of it, pacing a bit as he clearly considered the possibilities of what he wanted to say. Finally, he sighed, turning back to her.

“It’s lung cancer. I found out about two months ago.”

Gwen let out a string of swear words, frozen on her spot on the couch. When she was finished with the curses, she formed questions.

“Why the hell are you still working? Is it treatable? Why would I tell anyone?”

“Baby, baby,” he smiled slightly, sitting down. “I’m working because I don’t know how to do anything else. I’ve told no one because… I’ve trusted no one. This life style doesn’t exactly lead to having close friends, and I don’t want them treating me like an invalid. Yes, I’ve started to go through radiation, but so far all it’s done is make me horribly ill.”

Her heart broke at that, reaching to take his hands and then wrapping her arms around him, kissing him delicately.

“You shouldn’t have to go through this alone,” she whispered, placing kisses up and down his neck. He made a noise, low in his throat, that she remembered was pleasure. And so she kissed him again, and again, her hands gently undoing the top button and loosening his tie. He responded by dropping his hands to her waist, exploring the body he once knew so well.

“And who exactly is going to go through it with me?” he asked, his lips brushing her ear. “I make enemies everywhere I go, love. This is what I do, buying little towns and breaking dreams; putting mom n’pop stores out of business so I can have my hotels. I am not a good person, Gwen.”

“I don’t believe that,” she said, pulling back to look at him. “And I really don’t care what the truth is. I know what you do, Finn, it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re doing it in David’s town or someone else’s. I know you, remember? I knew you then and I know you now.”

He muted a cough by closing his mouth, and then opened it to speak again.

“I don’t think you know the man I’ve become. On Broadway, babe, that was all smoke and mirrors. Nothing was wrong, we were still too new to each other. Everything was decadent and wonderful, and there was never any… mess. We lived a perfect life in a hotel that was cleaned twice daily, and we never saw the side of each other that was unpleasant.”

“I know you,” she repeated, placing a hand on his heart, and going in to kiss him again. This time, she pressed him back a bit, until he reclined on the sofa. “I’ve always known you.” She was straddling him now, her heart bursting with love she didn’t know she felt as she undid the buttons on his shirt, one by one until she could pull it apart. He was thinner than he had been, but his stomach was still washboard flat, his abs still evident, even if his waist was small.

She bent down, thanking her flexible body, and kissed his ear, sticking her tongue in it which made him groan. Gwen squirmed against his groin, already feeling his need rising as he placed his hands on her back, pulling her closer. With one hand, she reached between her legs and rose her hips enough to pull her lace underwear down, glad she chose tonight to wear a skirt. He responded by undoing his belt, hands frantic as their lips locked and tongues darted in and out of each other’s mouths.

When he entered her, she was already slick with need, and both of them let out a moan. Gwen threw her head back and closed her eyes, getting lost in the pleasure as she rocked against him. Finn pulled at her hips, forcing himself deeper as he thrust, his own mind clouded with bliss. She pulled the dress over her head, revealing her nakedness to him, the same as he had known before. Her smooth skin and flat stomach showed years of care and performance.

Finn had always thought she could be a model with her exotic looks, her dark hair long and loose and her almond shaped eyes always sparkling. But instead she had chosen performance, characters that were deep and well built, characters that begged artistic antiquity and thought. Gwen could have had an easy life as a beautiful woman, but she chose to work for her fame, auditioning against thousands of girls for months before her chance came.

She cried out as she felt her orgasm hit; wave upon wave of pleasure crashing against her. He moaned, thrusting his hips one last time before spilling his seed into her, his body shuddering at the effort of it all. Her hands were pressing onto his chest with her full weight, her nails curled and leaving marks, but neither of them cared. Finally, she fell beside him on the couch, both of them panting as they caught their breaths.

“We’re screwed,” she said, burying her face in his neck, a position that was once her favourite. “How can I keep looking at you, how can I help them with the protests and the fundraisers and know you like this?”

“I thought you didn’t like thinking about the future,” he said, stroking her arm lightly. She sighed, snuggling closer.

“Finn?”

“Mmm?” he replied, sleep already taking him.

“You’ll… you’re going to be alright, right? You’re not… going to die or something?”

He hugged her tightly for a moment, his chest rising and falling several times before he answered.

“How can I die when I just found you again? That’d be pretty foolish of me, wouldn’t it?”

“Yep. We’re screwed,” she muttered, more to herself as the darkness of sleep began to take her.

***

The next morning, she awoke in his hotel bed, to her beeping phone. Blearily, she rolled over, wondering when they had gotten up and moved to the bed. Rubbing her eyes, she opened the text message that had taken her from slumber.

I assume you got some last night David had written. We’ve got new strategy to drive asshole out of town. Check this. He had sent a link, and she clicked on it, glancing to Finn as she waited for it to load. He was still asleep, on his stomach, his head turned towards her. In sleep, he was ten years younger, the constant weight of the world gone from his body as his arm wrapped around a pillow, likely mistaking it for hugging her. He coughed twice and she grimaced, reaching out to stroke his arm and then glancing back to her phone. It was hotelnews.com, a trade site that he had shown her once or twice when they were together.

Hotel Tycoon Finn Derron diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. 6 months to live, at best. Derron Board of Directors questions their Chief’s ability to do job. read the headline. She nearly dropped her phone, letting out a noise of surprise. Beside her, he stirred, sitting up blearily.

“Good morning love.”

“Erm, maybe not. David just sent me this,” she handed over her phone, giving him a moment to stretch and yawn. He took it, attempting to focus on the small print in the early morning. But as soon as he did, his eyes wide-eyed and his face darkened.

“What the hell!” He looked at her, his jaw set. “Did you…?”

“Are you kidding me? It’s been about 6 hours since you’ve told me, 5 of those we spent sleeping, and you can check my call log and texts. I didn’t tell anyone,” she shook her head in disbelief. “You really think I would do that? How about we talk about the first part of the headline, though?”

“It’s not true,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s not even remotely close to true.”

“Is it?” she asked, as he got up too fast and had to lean against the bed post. He glared at her, pushing himself up and heading for the shower.

“Gwen, don’t.”

“Jesus,” she shook her head as another text beeped through. Protest at noon in front of Bed and Breakfast. New Angle. He’s not fit to even consult on this town. As Finn turned on the shower, she hit reply, texting back frantically. Cancel protest. Have to talk to you. Meet me at Grill in two hours.

Are you drunk??? Came David’s confused text. She didn’t answer, throwing off the sheets and going to find her clothes. Already, her mind was spinning with how this was going to work. She would need everyone’s help in the town, that was for sure. But most of all, she would need Finn.

When he came out of the shower, towel wrapped around him, he seemed surprised that she was still there at all, let alone dressed and waiting for him.

“You should go,“ he muttered, his voice twinged with exhaustion as he went to his suitcase. “I have an angry board of directors to deal with and you probably have another event to make them angrier.”

“They have pictures of you coming out of a Los Angeles Hospital,” Gwen said, waving her phone at him. “That’s why the story leaked. When were you in LA?”

“Last week,” he realized, speaking slowly. “Dear God. I am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she shrugged, scrolling through the pictures. “But really? Cedars-Sinai? You chose the most celebrity known hospital in the entire world? They practically employ paparazzi to stand at their door.”

“I can’t avoid having chemo. Not even the very rich can be immortal,” he replied, coming to sit on the bed beside her, a smile on his lips. “You, my darling, you have the right idea. Whenever you want to sneak away and be unnoticed, you come here.”

“I do,” she nodded. “When I sprained my ankle on stage, I spent 5 weeks here recovering and regaining strength, training in the community pool, rather than having paparazzi watch my every move outside the theatre and question my career. Mystic Falls is a good place to hide.”

“Is it?” he asked, taking her hand. “Then perhaps if all this goes astray, I should come back here to die.”

“Stop it!” she glared at him, even as the wheels turned. “Don’t talk like that. I have a better idea.”

“What?” he asked, and she told him, laying out the details that had hastily come to her brain. He raised an eyebrow as she spoke.

“You would do that for me? Go against him and stand beside me?”

“I’m not going against anyone,” she snapped, ignoring her phone as it beeped again. “But you need each other, you do, and you just don’t realize it. Hell, the hardest part of this plan is going to be convincing David. If we can do that, the rest is a breeze.”

***

“What’s Gwen got up her sleeve?” Derrick slid into the booth beside David, Ally sandwiching him as they waited. The Grill was crowded already, and they were lucky to get a booth at all. David checked his phone, although there was nothing new.

“No idea. Although knowing her, she’s probably organized a flash mob that involves stripper poles and a full Broadway production. Sometimes I think Gwen doesn’t know how to do anything besides perform.”

“I don’t think it’s a flash mob,” Ally said, her eyes fixed on the doorway. David looked up, and their jaws dropped as she entered, her hand firmly gripped in Finn’s.

“I sure hope she’s acting,” David said, raising an eyebrow. Derrick turned to him, aghast.

“Did you know about this?”

“No idea, brother,” he replied, just as stunned as the rest of them.

“Guys,” Gwen said as she approached. “This is Finn. Finn, this is David and his brother Derrick, and his girlfriend, Ally.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Finn disentangled his hand from Gwen long enough to reach out to shake. No one however, moved.

“What kind of joke is this?” David asked, turning to Gwen. “Kiddo, what are you pulling?”

“So I haven’t been entirely honest,” Gwen said, sliding into the booth chair. Finn slid in after her.

“You got that right,” David replied, his eyes flashing to Finn. “You have about 5 minutes before I accuse you of working with the enemy.”

Gwen rolled her eyes, and Finn coughed, clearly uncomfortable.

“Finn and I… knew each other, a long time ago, in New York. I haven’t known him the whole time, we have lost touch. But when I saw him again, here, what was I supposed to do? All of you were so angry, and you kind of have a right to be, I mean, no one wants to lose their business or home. But neither does Finn,” she looked to each of them.

David rolled his eyes, about to interrupt, but she held up a finger. “Listen. The rumors you heard are true. He does have cancer. And it’s because he went into the public eye to seek treatment. So, you two need to compromise. Finn stays and lives in Hanover Heights and gets treatment at our hospital, which I know is capable of doing chemo. Stays out of the public eye, recovers and lives to destroy some other town. In return, Hanover Heights is safe.”

“What!” Derrick, Ally and David stared at her, and then began babbling at once.

“No way in hell are we going to just let…”

“The town would never accept…”

“It’s…”

“Guys, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Gwen asked. “I’m asking you to save a life.”

“No,” Finn finally piped up, turning to Gwen. “My dear, you have been very kind, but it’s clear that this is a deal with the devil.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Gwen shook her head. “You both have to be willing to make this deal. Holy shit, Finn, stop being a workaholic for one minute and think about your life. You want to be around to make another deal, or you want your Board to kick you to the curb?”

“Even if we agreed to back off,” Ally finally spoke, looking at the boys carefully. “Someone will tell the media that he’s here. No one in the town trusts him and he sticks out like a sore thumb.”

“More than me?” Gwen raised an eyebrow. “Because I’ll give up my next contract and stay here to distract as long as I’m needed…”

“Gwen!” David exclaimed. “You can’t do that!”

“Sure I can. One phone call and it’s done.”

Derrick looked to the other two with a sigh.

“Well… if Gwen is willing to make such a sacrifice for two causes that are not hers… the least we can do is one. The town will be saved, so what difference does it make?”

“You’d stay?” Finn lowered his voice, so only she could hear it. She shrugged, giving him a lopsided grin.

“Sure, if you want me to. I’m not asking you to marry me, don’t look so horrified. We’ll pick up where things left off, if you want.”

He beamed at her, nodding.

“I would like that, very much. Although… it’s not going to be easy, Gwen. This isn’t TV-cancer where everything is pretty and everyone is always feeling well.”

Gwen laughed at that.

“Well then, it’ll be an experience. Also, I really don’t care. You’re back. What difference does it make to me?”

“Ew,” David said, breaking the mood as he watched them. “Really?”

Under the table, she kicked him hard, and he kicked her back. Now it was Ally’s turn to roll her eyes, sliding out of the booth with Derrick.

“We’re gonna go tell everyone. You two can continue to act like children if you want. Finn,” she turned to him, a smile on her face. “Welcome to town.”

“Thank you, my dear,” he replied, dipping his head in appreciation. “I hope everyone’s welcome is as pleasant as yours.”

“This isn’t going to work, Gwen,” David said under his breath as the two exchanged pleasantries. “You’re creating a war.”

She shrugged, casually.

“I’m fighting for something I believe in.”

He sighed, reaching to brush her arm and echoing Finn’s words.

“This isn’t TV love, either, Gwen, where everyone always is happy and all accepting and there’s never any problems.”

“Well, maybe it would be good for me to experience something real, instead of playing make believe all the time,” she replied, softly. “I’ve been playing make believe since I was nine years old, I can’t keep running for real life forever.”

“And if he dies?” David asked, and she looked away.

“He won’t,” she said with determination. “Because I love him. We just found each other again, David, so how can he leave now? And I need you to help me, I need you to be supportive of this, because I know it’s not going to be easy. You’re my best friend, so please.”

David sighed looking for Finn and then back to Gwen. More than anything he wanted to protect this beautiful young girl from the horrors of the real world. But it seemed it was too late.

“Of course, babe,” he replied at last. “Of course.”

The Gym Instructor

by Evelyn Hunt

Grace smiled nervously as she glanced around. The gym looked more like a torture chamber to her than anything else and she sensed her nerves taking hold.

“First time exercising in a gym?” the young woman showing her around asked.

Grace shook her head. “Not the first time ever,” she replied. “But certainly the first time in a long, long while.” When she signed her divorce papers the previous week it brought home that her marriage really was over for good and the forty four year old woman decided the time was right for a new start.

She sat down with a blank piece of paper to write down the things she was going to do and joining a gym to get in shape and lose some weight was number one on the list. Grace looked around the equipment again and shook her head a little. “I’m not even sure I would know how to use half this stuff,” she confessed.

“That’s no problem,” the young woman said with a smile. “The cost of the membership includes for a personal trainer for your first two visits. They will show you around the various machines and get you started so that you are familiar with the equipment.”

“Oh OK,” Grace said. She wasn’t exactly sure whether a trainer putting her through her paces was a good or bad idea, but at least she wouldn’t be left on her own to work things out.

The tour of the exercise room came to an end and the young woman showed Grace the locker rooms and sauna area then took her back to the office. “So what do you think?” she asked as they sat at a desk.

“Well I promised myself I would do it,” Grace answered, “so no backing out now.”

The woman got some forms out of a drawer and marked an X where they needed to be signed. Grace took the pen and sat filling in the application. When she was finished she inked her signature on the paper and then got her purse out. Counting out the membership fee she handed it across and the deal was done. The woman used a paper clip to attach the money and forms together and then stood. Grace followed suit and was led to the door.

“Just ask at the front desk for your membership card when you come in for your first visit,” the young woman said. “The trainer assigned to you will give you a call to set up a meeting and you can take it from there.”

Grace thanked her as she left. She took a final look around as she walked to the exit and then put the gym out of her mind as she walked back to work. It was a few days before it came back to her attention fully again. She’d got around to buying a couple of outfits and a pair of trainers, but made no effort to visit the gym. When her mobile phone rang one morning at work she looked at the number, but didn’t recognize it.

“Hello,” she said as she answered the call.

“Hi,” a male voice replied. “Is this Mrs. Reed?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Well…, I use Miss Reed now that I’m single again.”

“Oh OK,” the voice went on. “My name is Rob. I’m calling from the gym. I’ve been assigned as your personal trainer and just wanted to know when you were planning to come in for your first visit.”

“Oh…,” Grace said as the question caught her off guard. “I hadn’t thought about it to be honest.”

“How about coming in tonight?” Rob went on.

Grace hesitated, but knew the phone call was the incentive she needed to get started. “Sure,” she finally agreed. “I can be there around seven if that suits you.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “Just ask for me at the front desk and I’ll come and meet you.”

“OK, I’ll do that,” she went on. She heard the click of the call being disconnected and put her mobile phone back in her bag. The rest of the working day seemed to pass quickly and suddenly she was on the bus home. Grace decided to wait until after she finished the training session before eating and simply grabbed her training gear and left the house again. It was just after six when she got back into town and she went to have a coffee.

She suddenly wondered why she hadn’t been assigned a female trainer and sat considering what Rob would be like. There was no way of knowing simply from his voice on the phone though and her mind drifted away from the subject as she looked out the café window at the world passing by. She finally left when it was approaching seven and made her way to the gym.

Stepping up to the front desk in the reception area, Grace gave her name and asked if her membership card was there. The young woman checked and smiled as she picked it up to hand it over. “I have to meet a fitness instructor named Rob also,” Grace went on. “How do I do that?” she asked.

“Hold on,” the woman said and picked up the phone in front of her. The call was quickly over and she replaced the handset. “Just take a seat,” she went on. “Rob is on his way.”

Grace looked to where the woman behind the desk was pointing and went to take a seat. A couple of minutes later she saw a young man making his way towards her and was surprised at the flash of attraction that took hold. Since her husband left her she’d been off men, but was suddenly reappraising that idea as she watched her personal trainer approaching. His muscular physique showed through the top and shorts he was wearing, although it was the short, dark hair and smiling face that caught Grace’s attention. Keep it calm, he must be twenty years younger than you she chided herself, but the flash of interest remained in her mind.

“Hi,” the man said as he approached. “You’re Miss Reed?”

She smiled at him. “Nice to meet you Rob,” she replied. “Call me Grace.” She got up to shake the outstretched hand and they stood silently for a few seconds. It was her that finally broke the silence. “So what now?” she asked.

“Well you need to get your training gear on,” Rob said with a laugh. “Come on I’ll show you where you can get changed.” Grace knew where to go already, but followed behind as the young man moved off. Her eyes dropped to the taut ass and remained on it as they walked along. She was quick to lift her gaze as they reached a door though. “Just come in to the exercise room when you are changed,” Rob went on.

“Sure,” she agreed and stepped inside the locker room. She chose a locker close to the door and stripped off her clothes to put on a t-shirt, shorts and trainers. Looking at herself in the mirror she could see the tight fit of the clothes put her curves on display and she thought she looked nice. The anticipation of being close to the muscular instructor suddenly took hold and her pulse raced a little. She tried to calm herself as she closed her locker and made her way to the exercise room. Rob was waiting just inside the door and she walked up to him. “So where do we start?” she asked.

“Let me have a look first,” he said and walked around her. The nervousness took hold a little under the critical appraisal and she wondered what was going through the young man’s mind as he circled her. “Do you exercise much already?” Rob finally asked.

Grace shook her head. “Not really,” she answered.

“OK, well I better be gentle with you this first time,” he said. You can be as rough as you want Grace suddenly thought and suppressed a grin. She followed as Rob stepped over to a treadmill. “OK hop up and we will get you sweating a little.”

Another dirty thought ran through the older woman’s mind about how the muscular young man could get her sweating, but she got up on the treadmill and started walking as it was switched on. The speed gradually increased until she was slowly jogging and she could feel her breathing getting heavier. Grace really was sweating when she finally stepped off the treadmill a few minutes later. Rob gave her a couple of minutes to recover and then led her over to a leg curl machine.

“Just get on,” he said, but Grace just looked at him. “Like this,” he encouraged and lay face down on the bench then locked the back of his ankles under the lifting bar. He raised his legs to bring the bar up and then lowered them again. Grace got on the machine when he stood up and suddenly tensed at the touch on the back of her thighs. “The machine works the hamstrings,” Rob said and the older woman shuddered as the touch worked up the back of her thigh. She raised and lowered her legs to work the muscles and wondered if Rob was looking at her butt.

The next piece of equipment was a leg abduction machine which worked the inner thighs. Rob again stroked a touch on her leg as she sat on the equipment to show her the muscles she was using and as she pressed her knees on the pads her legs opened and closed. The instructor stood right in front of her watching and this time she could see he was looking between her thighs as they spread apart.

Grace wondered if is interest was purely professional, but there was no sign of an erection in his shorts so she wasn’t exactly sure. Her interest however was definitely more than just exercising and as she was led around a succession of machines that targeted leg muscles she enjoyed the touch of the hands on her skin. By the time they were finished for the evening her body was tingling and it wasn’t just from the training. Rob walked with Grace to the locker room.

“When are you planning your next visit?” he asked.

“Not sure,” she said and laughed. “I think I will recover from this one first.”

Rob joined in the laughing. “I was gentle with you,” he teased. “You should be ready for another session with me tomorrow.”

Grace shook her head. “Can I just phone you and arrange it?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said. “You have my number. Just call me when you are ready. See you soon.”

“OK, thanks,” she replied and watched the taut ass again as Rob walked away. The thrill of the evening stayed with her through her shower and trip home. Grace was still buzzing a little as she got into the bed that evening and could feel the tingle all over her body. The training hadn’t been as bad as she thought and her mind went over the touches on her body. She was suddenly fantasizing about where she would really like the muscular young fitness trainer to put his hands and the heat grew between her thighs.

Grace lay with her eyes closed in the darkness and couldn’t help sliding a touch down her body to her thigh. In her mind it was Rob’s hand pushing under the hem of her nightdress and her pulse quickened as she stroked up towards her panties. The touch on them brought out a rush of breath and her fingers sought out the pussy crease. She gently stroked a touch along it and her body arched up from the bed straight away.

Grace could feel the material becoming damp as she continued to work a touch along the outline of her pussy lips and the heat between her thighs intensified. She was suddenly craving an orgasm and knew how to get it. Pulling her hand from her panties she rolled over towards the bedside cabinet. She opened the drawer and saw the vibrator straight away. Buying it from the internet had been easy and as she pulled it out she was glad she did. She gripped her fingers around it and felt the rush of excitement.

There was suddenly a real urgency to her movements as she pulled the bed covers back and dragged her nightdress up. Grace stroked the head of the vibrator on her panties and arched up from the bed again. She knew things were about to get even better and as she switched the sex toy on the vibrations rushed into her body.

She gasped at the sensation and worked a touch along her pussy crease. It suddenly wasn’t enough for her and she used her free hand to drag the panties out of the way. Grace wasted no time in pushing the vibrator at her slick pussy entrance and moaned as it spread her open. The caress of the vibrations on her soft pussy walls was a turn on that made her wetter still and as she fucked the toy all the way inside she switched up to stronger vibrations.

Grace thrilled to the touch inside and closed her legs tightly. The heat rushed out from her pussy to engulf her and she began to writhe around. The climb to orgasm was delicious and as she neared it she parted her legs to grab the base of the vibrator. She stroked it in and out with increasing enthusiasm as the shudders swept through her body until there was no stopping the orgasm. The burst of pleasure brought out loud moans and the tightening of her pussy around the thick toy added to the moment.

The shudders took over her body completely and she rushed to a high that left her gasping and rolling around on the mattress. She only calmed down again once the flush of heat between her thighs died away and she finally pulled the vibrator back out. Her chest was heaving as she tried to recover and it took a little time, during which her mind was suddenly on getting a real erection back in her bed. It turned her thoughts to Rob. She wondered if he was interested in older women and the idea of getting together with him remained on her mind as the tiredness washed over her and finally sent her to sleep.

It was a couple of days before Grace felt ready to return to the gym and her hand trembled when she took out the phone to make the call. “Hi Rob,” she said.

“You’re ready for your next session then Mrs. Reed,” the young man replied.

“I told you to call me Grace,” she answered and took the fact that he knew it was her straight away as a good sign.

“OK Grace,” he went on. “When are you planning to come in?”

“Tonight at seven, if you can manage it,” she answered.

“Let me just check,” Rob said and the line went silent. “Sure, that’s fine,” he continued when he came back on. “I’ll meet you in the exercise room at seven.”

The line went dead and Grace grinned. The anticipation of seeing the muscular young man again was already on the rise and she struggled to get her mind off the gym visit for the rest of the day. She already had her training gear with her this time so when she finished work went to have a look around a nearby mall. She stopped for a coffee to waste a little time, but suddenly seven o’clock was almost on her and she walked to the gym. She was changed and stepping through the door to the exercise room on time and Rob smiled as he saw her.

“Up on the treadmill with you to warm up,” he ordered and Grace was back in training. “We’ll concentrate on the upper body today,” Rob went on when they moved across the room to the exercise machines. The instructor was as tactile as ever and again touched on Grace’s body to demonstrate the muscles that each piece of equipment targeted. Her body was tingling again as they finished for the evening and made their way back to the locker rooms. “Well hopefully your first two sessions have been a help to you and will get you on your way to a fitter and sleeker look.” Rob said.

“They’ve been great,” Grace replied. “It’s a shame they have to end.”

The young man smiled. “You only get two sessions free with a new membership,” he said. “If you want more you would need to pay. I can do more sessions here or I also do home visits.”

Grace’s interest picked up the minute she heard that she could get a visit to her home. A private meeting would give much more opportunity for something to happen between them and she wanted that. “How much do you charge for home visits? She asked.

“It’s $40 dollars for two hours,” he replied. “There’s no equipment obviously unless you have a gym in your basement.”

Grace laughed as she shook her head. “I don’t have a gym at home.”

“No problem,” Rob went on. “There is still plenty that can be done.”

“Can you come tomorrow night?” she asked.

The young man laughed. “You’re keen,” he teased.

Grace flushed a little and wondered if he knew that she had more than exercise on her mind. “Now that I have started I want to keep going,” she said.

“OK well I know I am free tomorrow,” he went on, “but can’t get to your home until after I finish at the gym. So that would be around eight o’clock.”

Grace nodded her head and asked Rob to wait where he was. Moving in the locker room she got her bag to find a pen and piece of paper. She wrote her address down and went to hand it over. “Do you know where it is?” she asked.

Rob glanced at the address then looked up and smiled. “I’ll find it,” he said and left after saying goodnight. Grace walked back in the locker room with a grin on her face. She was already looking forward to the following evening and set her mind on making sure that Rob knew just what was on offer to him when he turned up.

Grace was home by six o’clock the next day and began her preparations by having a shower. She looked out some nice lingerie after drying herself and couldn’t help admiring her curves when she put it on. The blue panties and bra looked good and as she covered them up with a t-shirt and pair of shorts she wondered if they would be back on show again before Rob went home. If she got her way they would be.

When she finished in the bedroom, Grace went to watch some television, but she couldn’t concentrate on the screen. Her mind was playing out fantasies of sex with a muscular toy-boy and her eyes flicked continually to the clock on the wall of the lounge. The hands slowly crept towards eight o’clock and she jumped when the doorbell finally did ring. It was still fifteen minutes before eight and she wondered if it was Rob. She smiled when she opened the door and saw it was.

“You’re keen,” she teased.

“Can’t keep a pretty lady waiting,” the instructor replied with a grin.

“Compliments will get you everywhere,” Grace continued to tease. “Come on in.” She moved aside to let Rob step in the hallway and after closing the door led him through to the lounge. “So…,” she went on. “How do you want me?”

She saw the grin that spread across the young man’s face and was certain that it was a dirty thought that brought it on. It looked as if her fantasies might be about to come true and she decided to go after them. “Maybe you want me on the bed,” she said. She waited to see the young man’s response and felt her excitement mount as the grin on his face got wider.

“Exactly what kind of exercise are you after?” he asked.

Grace moved closer to him. “Well…, on my first visit to the gym when you told me you were going to get me sweating I did have some dirty thoughts about how you could do it.” She reached out a hand to the muscular chest and let out a soft gasp as she pressed against it.

Rob looked at the hand and then brought his gaze up to the older woman’s face. “Maybe you should show me that bed then,” he said.

Grace felt the flush of heat in her body and the sweat started to prickle on her forehead immediately. Her pulse raced as she grabbed the young man’s hand and led him out of the lounge and along the hallway. The touch on her butt as they climbed the stairs brought out her longing for sex and she was in his arms as soon as she pulled him in the bedroom.

The passion flared as their lips met and Grace pressed herself on his body. She was aware of the erection growing against her midriff and suddenly they were grabbing at each others clothes as they moved across the room towards the bed. Grace fell on the mattress in just the blue underwear and she looked up at the naked torso of Rob. Reaching up she took hold of his wrist to pull him down on her and gasped as the muscles pressed against her skin.

The pair of them lay kissing and it gave them both the chance to let their hands explore. Grace pushed a touch between their bodies and shuddered as her fingertips grazed over the now fully erect cock. “Is that for me?” she teased as she slid her fingers along the solid length.

“Only if you get it out,” Rob shot back.

It was an invitation not to be missed and she rolled the young man on his back and got on all fours over him. Grace ducked her head down to press her lips on Rob’s again, but the kiss was quickly ended as she moved her mouth lower. The euphoria welled up in her as she let her lips glide over the chest muscles and she took the time to work her tongue around the nipples. They stiffened under the gentle caress and it excited her to feel it. She traced a wet trail with her tongue from one to the other and was aware of the shudders of the young man as she toyed with him.

When Grace kissed lower she enjoyed the shudders that started running through her own body. Her mouth caressed on the six-pack gently at first, but her touch became more insistent as her desire came out. She was getting so turned on by the muscles that her panties were soaked and she wanted more.

Lifting her head she looked down at the bulge in the shorts. Grace bent down to rub her cheek against it and her pulse was suddenly racing. She raised her head again and grabbed at the waistband of the shorts to drag them down. Her fingers slid under the underwear to bring them down also and suddenly the naked cock was right in front of her face. She immediately leant down to kiss on it and the breath rasped from her. Her lips pressed firmly on the erection as she worked a touch along it, but when she got the head she backed off a little and flicked out her tongue.

The taste of cock was something she wanted more of and she licked eagerly on the slick skin. Reaching with her hand she wrapped fingers around the stiff shaft and pulled it up. She could see the drop of pre-cum on the tip and stroked her tongue over it.

Rob groaned as the pleasure of the touch on his cock took hold and his excitement surged as he watched Grace work her tongue around the sensitive skin. Her fingers slid lower to caress around the balls and the instructor flinched as she squeezed them tightly. Moving back a little she licked her lips to wet them and then kissed on the head of the cock. Her lips parted to let them slide down the thick shaft and suddenly her mouth was full.

It was a thrill the have Rob go tense as she sucked him deep and she swirled her tongue around the slick skin to take in the taste. Grace pushed further down the shaft, but stopped as it touched on the back of her throat. It was the sexiest of sensations to be pleasuring a young man and she held him deep to let him enjoy the soft, warmth of her mouth.

When Grace pulled back off she brought her hands up from the balls to stroke along the erection and her fingers slid easily along it. She moved her mouth back to the head of the shaft to kiss it again and took the cock back in her mouth. Her breath rasped as she bobbed her head to let her lips caress along the hardness and as Rob started to jolt up from the mattress the erection fucked in her mouth. The feeling of taking the full length was something special and she continued to play until she was struggling to catch her breath.

When she sat up Grace straddled Rob’s body so that she could rest her wet panties down on his cock. She rocked her body to rub herself on the erection as her hands reached behind her back to loosen her bra. She pulled it away to expose her naked tits and saw her young lover’s eyes fix on them straight away. Leaning forward she placed a hand either side of his head and let her tits hang down to his face.

Rob flicked out his tongue as the nipples came close enough to lick and his chest heaved as he touched on the erect buds. Grace rocked her body to swing her breasts a little and they grazed over the eager tongue and mouth. When she lowered herself further she gasped as the young man sucked a nipple in his mouth and teased around it with his tongue. She wanted more and pushed her breasts down. The pleasure rushed through her as her nipple was sucked harder and she couldn’t hold back the moans.

When she finally pulled back up she sat down to press herself on the erect cock again. “So is that for me?” she teased again and saw the smile spreading across Rob’s face.

“What do you plan to do with it?” he asked as he reached out his hands to grope at the full breasts. He tensed as Grace rubbed herself against him eagerly. Her movements were suddenly urgent as she lifted up a little and grabbed at her panties to pull them to the side.

“Put it in,” she said and froze as Rob let go of her tits to grab at his cock. He held it up so that she could rub her pussy lips on the tip and as soon as it was positioned at her wet opening she dropped back down. Grace threw her head back as she took the full length inside. The breath spilled from her hard as she circled her hips to work the cock on her slick pussy walls. She suddenly realized how much she’d missed sex since she and her husband split up and reveled in having the eager cock of a handsome young man to play with.

He pushed himself up from the bed and she could feel the erection plunging deeper still. Grace rocked her body to enjoy the sensation of the hardness playing around inside and then leaned forward to place her hands on the muscular chest. Suddenly she was losing her head as she rode an erect cock and she slammed herself down on it as forcefully as she could. Her movements sped up as she got caught up in the heat of the moment and shuddered as Rob groped at her breasts again. He squeezed them tightly to make the erect nipples press on the palms of his hand and worked to try and control himself.

Grace was going crazy on him though and he was quickly struggling to hold back. He let go of her breasts to grab at her hips and rolled her to the side to get her on the bed on her back. His cock pulled out and it gave him a little chance to recover as he leaned forward to a kiss. He heard the groan as he pressed his weight down and was going to lift up again, but Grace wrapped her arms around him to pull him on her.

The sensation of the muscles pressing on her naked body was a thrill she couldn’t get enough of and she embraced Rob tightly. When she finally loosened her grip, the instructor worked her legs open so that he could get in between. He worked the tip of his cock back to the wet pussy entrance and Grace jolted up from the mattress as he fucked into her.

“Oh yes…,” she gasped as her body came alive with the enjoyment of sex. She reached around the young man’s body to take hold of the taut ass cheeks and held on as he started to thrust at her. The long, deep strokes took her breath away and she pushed up against the weight pressing down on her. She could sense her heart pounding as their sweat mingled and the elation took hold as the rhythm of the sex increased.

Rob’s body was slapping on hers as he fucked in with increasing force and she urged him on to more. Her nails dug in the taut ass and she grinned as her lover clenched his buttocks. She started to moan as the cock slammed in her and she could feel her clit being stroked as Rob’s body pressed on her. It was bringing her closer and closer to an orgasm and she started to writhe around as she reached the brink.

Grace’s passionate scream rang around the room as her body lit up. She moved her hands higher on her lover’s body and pulled him down on her as the shudders gripped her. Rob fucked in deep and groaned as the spasms of the pussy walls rippled around his thick length. He pressed forward to grind his erection inside her pussy and the excitement of the sensation carried Grace up to a moment of bliss that she didn’t want to end. She writhed around under the muscular body as the peak of the climax shook her, but slowly sensed the shudders dying down as the orgasm passed.

Rob’s chest was heaving and his craving for a release took hold. He pushed himself up on straightened arms as Grace’s hands moved back to his ass cheeks. They gripped him tightly and pulled him into her and he was quickly fucking wet pussy with a growing passion. His breathing became labored as he pushed himself on and the pleasure built in his balls until there was no holding it back.

The thrill of a climax finally took hold and he fucked in deep as he finally let go. Grace tightened her grip on his butt to pull him inside and shuddered as the strong spurts of white splashed her pussy walls. She closed her eyes as the cock continued to unload and groaned when Rob finally pressed his weight down on her again. He was breathing heavily and she brought her hand up to stroke his hair as he tried to recover.

“That’s some exercise you teach,” she teased and Rob lifted his head to grin at her.

“I’m not sure who’s doing the teaching,” he replied as he pulled out and rolled onto his back to lie on the bed. He put his hand to his chest and felt his heart hammering. The touch on his cock made him look down and he watched as Grace stroked him.

“I think I want more,” she said. “Can you come every week?”

“Are you kidding,” he said. “I want to come every night!”

Grace laughed. It was nice to have someone so keen to be with her and she knew that joining the gym was one of her better ideas. Her eyes roamed over the naked body beside her and a shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t think she would need her vibrator for a while and smiled at the thought of more sex with her muscular young lover.

Winter-Sun, Sand and Sex

by Kim Wilkerson

Winter was never Juliet's favourite time of the year. The permanent threat of snow from the angry, grey skies left little room for light or warmth in a singleton's life. The tiny studio flat Juliet resided in, was as homely as it could be, but all the pictures of her family back in Miami couldn't keep the chill out.

Standing in front of her easel, dressed in a painters smock with her oils in one hand and brush in the other, even the red and orange coloured paints depressed her. She'd lost something from her soul and it stopped her painting; at least it stopped her painting well. Juliet hadn't sold a painting in weeks. If she didn't sell another quickly she'd be homeless as well as hungry.

Flopping on the bed, she called her best friend Pam.

'Hello you, what's going on?' asked Pam

'Nothing's going on. That's the whole problem,' complained Juliet.

'You're painting?'

'I'm trying to.'

'You always say that when you're working.'

'It's different though. I haven't sold anything for weeks. I'm already behind in the rent and if I don't paint a masterpiece soon I'll be out on the streets.'

'No you won't, you'll be on my couch listening to my boyfriend nag you day in and day out as to when you're moving out.'

Juliet laughed.

'Any suggestions then?' she asked her friend.

'A holiday,' declared Pam.

'I told you I'm broke. How do I afford a holiday?'

'I'll take you away.'

'What to the cold British seaside to visit your parents?'

'You are very ungrateful at times Juliet.'

'I promise you I'm not. I have a feeling I won't find inspiration in the grey skies and pebbly beaches — that's all.'

'Let me come round for a cup of coffee. I've got a plan.'

'Alright I'll see you in ten.'

Juliet hung up. When she'd first moved into the studio five years ago, Pam had the neighbouring room. They'd got on famously until Pam moved out a year ago. Although Juliet missed her, she was glad Pam's boyfriend's flat was only a ten minute walk from hers, as they'd been able to maintain their close friendship.

She heard a knocking at the door and was stunned to see Pam red-eyed on the doorstep.

'Are you okay?'

'Not really,' admitted Pam.

'What's the problem?'

'Mark is. He's redecorating the flat and he's turned into a monster. I never realised what a control freak he was or the temper he has on him. There's still another month of work left on the place but it's taking its toll on our relationship.'

'Doesn't sound good.'

'It's unbearable,' said Pam, blinking to stop herself crying.

'What can I do to help?'

'Come away with me.'

'Pam. I can understand you wanting to get away for a break, but have you thought this through?'

'I have. My brother's working in Marrakesh at the moment. It's warmer there; warmer than here anyway. He's asked me to visit before Christmas.'

'I don't have a bean.'

'You don't need a bean,' said Pam enthusiastically.

'I haven't any coin either.'

'You don't need coins because my brother sent me two tickets. I can't take Mark because of the renovations and in all honest,y I don't want to take him. He can him finish up the flat and I won't have to cope with his moods. I thought a girly break might be the order of the day.'

Juliet didn't want to disappoint her best friend, nor did she want to turn down a free holiday. She thought about her emergency credit card — the one she should've cut up but never got round to.

'To hell with it. Let's do it,' she agreed.

The girls were packed and on a plane two days later.

***

'I can't believe how crammed it is,' whined Pam.

'It's Friday afternoon. What did you expect?'

'First class given my brother's wages.'

They both giggled.

'At least it's free drinks,' said Juliet.

'Yeah let's get out money's worth!'

When the flight landed four hours later, Pam was wasted. Juliet was merry, but fortunately, in a state where she could usher Pam into a cab while giving the driver the address of their residence.

Juliet was stunned by the colours and unique architecture of Marrakesh. There was no western influence on the outside of the buildings. The spectacle of the Moorish structures had Juliet feeling better; even if the temperature was nowhere near as warm as what Pam had promised.

As the driver approached the building, Juliet saw a young man out the front and guessed it was Pam's brother as he waved.

'Hi I'm Charles,' he greeted, opening the car door.

'Pam's brother?' asked Juliet.

'Pam's brother,' he confirmed. 'What on earth has happened to my sister?'

'Can I preface this visit by letting you know, as her best friend, I am completely unable to rein in your sister's behaviour.'

'How many drinks?' asked Charles, hoisting Pam over his shoulder in a fireman's life.

'She drank the ship — well the plane — dry!'

Juliet followed him. The sandy chinos he wore were snug on his arse and she berated herself for admiring it. He was over six foot and had a masculine frame.

Unlocking the door to the flat, Juliet realised while Eastern on the exterior façade, inside was a modern western interior. She didn't complain; there was more room in the living room than in her entire studio flat.

'What a light weight,' said Charles, flopping on the couch, having put his sister to bed.

'That's one thing I wouldn't call Pam. The amount of alcohol she consumed on the flight was impressive.'

'What on earth was she doing drinking at 6am?' chuckled Charles.

'It was helping her deal with the 4am rise. The early start combined with the shock of being on cattle-class was too much to handle.'

'As if she's ever flown business or first class.'

'She'll be fine once she sleeps it off.'

'I know but she's not exactly played the good host by drinking herself comatose. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the day.'

'Pam's not really the touristy type so I don't think I'm missing out on too much.'

'Ahhhh you're hoping to see the sights then?'

'Only if you're prepared to play tourist guide. I don't want you to bung me on one of those open top buses with a pair of headphones to listen to a recording of tedious facts of the sites we pass.'

'I've got something far better in mind,' winked Charles.

Having left Pam a note for when she woke, Charles took Juliet to explore the real Marrakesh. He didn't rush her from attraction to attraction, but started with a hot mint tea in a café in the ancient city walls of the 'old town'. The ritual of pouring and preparing the tea was fascinating. Charles explained the length of time varied in different premises depending on the height of the pour and the waiter pouring. The hustle and bustle appealed to Juliet and she was grateful for the opportunity to take in the ambiance.

Charles was an excellent host. Like his sister he was friendly, warm and welcoming. They talked in depth about Juliet's art. Juliet hadn't realised he was a collector in his spare time and they discussed some of the artists in his collection; discussing both styles and approaches to art. Having fed and watered his guest, Charles suggested they explore the Medina, taking her to a souk.

The markets were amazing with Juliet getting lost in the hedonistic sensory experience. Time flew by as Charles held her hand and led her through the array of shops. The colourful ceramics, fabrics, carpets, jewellery and shoes had Juliet diving into her spending money. Seeing her pay upfront for goods without questioning the prices forced Charles to step in to barter on her behalf, in order that her money last for the duration of her visit.

The freshness and fragrance of the foods were appetizing. Charles invited Juliet to choose dinner and dessert for them to take back to his flat. The motorbikes weaving through the crowds, with men eyeing her up and down, had her instinctively clutching Charles' hand. He laced his fingers through hers, holding it tightly to reassure her she was safe.

'I can't believe we saw a snake charmer,' said Juliet as they walked through the door of his apartment.

'You liked it then?'

'I loved it. Thank you so much.'

Juliet kissed him lightly on the lips. He surprised her by kissing her back forcefully. His steadfast hands on her waist had him pulling her to him. Charles delicately eased his tongue into her mouth to explore her. She moaned, enjoying the taste of him.

She heard footsteps from the hallway and broke her kiss with Charles.

'Alright?' asked a bashful Pam.

'Are you okay?' asked Charles smugly.

She grunted at her older brother.

Juliet laid the table as Charles bought the food over. They sat together and dined. Juliet and Charles related their adventures to Pam as she nursed her hangover.

'You two sound awfully friendly,' said Pam, her eyes narrowing as she observed how close they sat.

'What did you think I'd do? Leave Juliet unattended because you were too drunk to take in the city with her? For someone who wanted a girly weekend and break from her horrid boyfriend, you don't seem to be making the most of your time here. All you've done is eat, drink and sleep. What a waste of a day,' snarled Charles.

Juliet felt uncomfortable at the tension between the two siblings. She bowed her head, examining an invisible stain on the tablecloth.

'Shut up Charles, I already feel bad enough,' snapped Pam.

'Good. Your behaviour is embarrassing. Why do you insist on making a scene about everything? I was looking forward to showing both of you the city.'

'Okay, I'm sorry. I'll go to bed and sleep this off. Hopefully I can come exploring with you tomorrow.'

'Sounds wise,' said Charles shrewdly.

'I don't want,' Pam stopped short, deciding not to finish the sentence.

Juliet was sure the comment was ready to be directed at her. She jumped up to give her friend a hug goodnight.

They watched her pad down the hallway back to bed. Her disappearance left them with an awkward silence.

'Fancy a swim?' offered Charles.

'It's winter Charles. Okay it's sunnier here than England, but come on, it doesn't warrant a dip does it?'

'Come with me.'

He took her to an indoor heated pool within the complex.

'Who'd have thought behind all those horseshoe arches and intricately designed tiles hid this wonder?' she asked.

'You really love the buildings here, don't you?'

'Yes I really do. I think your sister was right. I did need a break to get the creative juices flowing. This east meets west vibe has a lot going for it. It is inspirational.'

'At least I've done one thing right today.'

She laughed.

'How about that swim then?'

'I'd love to, but I didn't pack a swimming costume,' she said regretfully.

'That's okay, you don't need one.'

With that, Charles stripped down and dived in the pool in his tight legged white boxers. Juliet couldn't help but admire him. He clearly spent a lot of time at the gym because he was lean and muscular. She liked that he wasn't overly pumped. The definition of his body was wonderful to look at but she was relieved he wasn't obsessed with working out.

Juliet was wet between her legs and she hadn't even dived into the pool. She watched Charles swim gracefully, captivated by the muscles working in his arms and back. Having reached the opposite end of the pool she heard him call for her.

Taking her time she unbuttoned her light cotton, long sleeved shirt, revealing her large breasts. A white bra held them in place. She unzipped her jeans and rolled them down, revealing inch by inch of her long, lovely legs. Juliet stood for a minute in her thong and bra, giving Charles a preview of what was to come. Satisfied by his stunned expression, she tied back her thick auburn hair and dived into the water, swimming up to Charles.

'I am so glad Pam didn't bring that prat of a boyfriend with her.'

'So am I,' remarked Juliet.

She gazed shyly at Charles.

'I wouldn't have enjoyed today half as much if you hadn't been there,' confessed Juliet.

Charles bent his head down and kissed her. Not having to keep an ear out for Pam, she let herself go to enjoy Charles' affections.

As they kissed, her hands ran firmly down his back, till she rested her thumbs on the inside waistband of his boxer shorts. He put his hand on her bottom, drawing her closer. Her hands slipped into his boxers. His arse felt wonderful in her hands. She squeezed it cheekily, tugging his underwear down. She turned her head to the entrance door of the pool.

'Forget that for now. It's winter. We're pretty safe here,' said Charles.

He took her hand and placed it on his cock. She gripped firmly, enjoying the smooth hardness of him. His fingers slipped under the straps of her bra, pulling them down. Juliet worked his shaft slowly. The water offered lube but the sensation was strange, making it difficult for her to find her rhythm.

Charles' fingers went into the cups of her bra to yank them down. He cursed under his breath as her ample tits were exposed. His hands squeezed and kneaded them. One hand wandered to her back, fumbling as it struggled to undo the clip of her bra. Eventually he got the fastening off and Juliet watched her bra start drifting slowly away on the water.

As he edged them down to the shallow end of the pool, her breasts hardened in the night air. He pinched a nipple, then went to suck it.

'Charles. Please just take me' said Juliet simply.

He nodded silently. His hands went inside her bikini bottoms, drawing them down. She kicked them off and parted her legs slightly to allow him. Charles' hand cupped her. The snugness of his palm held firm on her smooth pubis had her moaning at his touch. She bore down, wanting his fingers to fondle her. Her eagerness had him teasing her easily; he'd cup her tighter, then release, occasionally letting his middle finger slide between the lips of her pussy.

She wanted more from him, needed more from him but didn't want to come across as slutty. By now Juliet had released his cock. A slave to Charles' touch, she couldn't focus on the hand job she was attempting to deliver. Charles reached his free hand behind her to stroke her bottom. He worked his finger down the crevice of her buttocks, resting it on her back passage. She'd never had a man do that to her before. Previously she'd associated attention to that particular area as some kind of depraved sexual perversion, but the finger pressing on her ring-piece had her hotter and hornier.

Her attention switched as Charles slipped the middle finger of the hand tending her pussy, into her slit. He wriggled it in and let his thumb roll over her clit. She was dizzy trying to keep up with the range of unfamiliar sensuous activities she was experiencing. Close to climaxing she was unable to warn him. Her body quivered. She began jerking as she peaked. His finger consistently worked in and out of her slit as she clenched to keep it in her. The pressure exerted on her bottom eventually had him sliding a finger into her arse.

The foreign entry to her bottom and the newness of the sexual play prolonged her orgasm. She came again and again. Juliet begged him to stop, then begged him to fuck her.

He planted Juliet on his cock. She orgasmed repeatedly. His breath increased at the tightness surrounding his erection. Thrusting his hips to deepen the penetration, Charles swore as if unsatisfied. Juliet relished his dick inside her and was hurt when he withdrew.

Charles lifted her out of the water, carried her up the stairs of the pool and into the changing rooms. He laid her on the wooden bench, running a hand from the top of her head, all the way down to between her legs. He knelt between her legs, forcing them aside the bench to expose her pussy. The cool air was blissful. She wanted him back inside her.

Not quite ready, Charles kissed her, then let his mouth slide to her breasts. He suckled one and squeezed the other, then swapped. He tried to take as much of her tits inside his mouth as possible. As he licked and nursed on her breasts, she felt his cock resting hard at her entrance.

'Please Charles.'

His helmet entered her. He moved himself into her while her nipples remained in his mouth.

'Fuck me and fuck me hard,' she appealed.

He increased his pace, becoming more forceful; shoving his shaft inside. Charles became rougher and rougher with lust and Juliet loved it. His cock was striking the back of her vagina. She refrained from screaming with each powerful slam. Frustrated that the position didn't allow for deeper penetration, she moved herself up the bench, away from Charles. Juliet got on all fours, ready and waiting for more.

Charles straddled the bench, squatted, then banged into her. The sex was intense. Doggy style allowed Juliet to touch her clit as he fucked her. She licked her fingers, placing them between her legs. Rubbing herself vigorously, she closed her eyes and dreamt of doing this in the summer; with people watching them. The exhibitionist side of her was demanding. The thought of onlookers had her orgasming. As she came, Juliet went wild, shouting obscenities; forcing Charles to put a hand over her mouth to muffle her orgasmic cries.

He loved her jolting on his shaft. Her fighting for breath had him turned on. Releasing his hand from her mouth, his ears could hear her calming her breathing. He yanked her auburn hair as he ploughed in. She struggled to get away from his long cock, but he held her in place to give her a thorough workout. Only when she pleaded for a break did he allow himself to withdraw and release over her peachy buttocks. He smeared his semen over her arse and thighs, giving her slap on the rump.

'Charming!' she said lightly, swinging herself round to sit on the bench.

Charles knelt in front of her.

'Did I hurt you?'

'Not at all. I kind of… I liked what you did. I like how you did it,' her eyes were lowered.

Voicing her sexual desires aloud was not something she did often. Charles kissed her.

'I liked it to. I don't normally do this, but…'

She looked confused and insecure; fearful she'd ruined things with Charles.

'But you're beautiful. Inside and out. Lust got the better of me. Animal instincts and all that.'

Juliet relaxed, her face displaying relief and comfort.

'I certainly wasn't expecting a day like this when I invited my baby sister to visit.'

'Nor was I. I'm glad I took her up on the offer.'

'I'm glad you took her up on the offer.'

Charles went to the pool and returned with their clothes. After changing into them, he escorted her back to the apartment.

'I'd invite you to share my bed, but I'm not sure how well my sister would receive the concept of you and I having sex.'

'Of course. I totally get that,' Juliet said good naturedly.

'But I'd love to wake up with you next to me,' he concluded, kissing her long and hard on the mouth before retiring to his bedroom.

***

'Where have you been?'

Pam's voice was stern.

'Taking in Marrakesh by night,' Juliet whispered.

'Are you pissed off at me?'

'What on earth for? What have I to be pissed off about?'

'Because I got drunk on the plane and pretty much wasted an entire day in Morocco by sleeping.'

'Don't be silly Pam. These things happen. I'm fine. I've had a lovely day.'

'You have?'

'It would've been better if you'd been there,' lied Juliet.

'I'm glad. I thought you liked Charles. He can be a real dick.'

'That's what older brothers do. Mine does anyway. Charles was sweet though.'

'You like him?'

'He seems pleasant,' said Juliet vaguely.

'Pleasant? He'd be gutted if he heard that description.'

'Why?' Juliet asked, feigning disinterest.

'Physically you're his type. I thought he'd have lured you to the swimming pool. That's what he's done with the last two friends I brought to visit him. Ultimate betrayal. I'm certainly not friends with them now. Charles would be horrified to think he didn't stand a chance with you.'

'What makes you think he doesn't?'

'You do like him?' asked Pam slyly.

'Not in that way, but I'd hate you to think I gauge a potential boyfriend solely on appearance. Plus I'm not keen on you dictating who I should or shouldn't go out with.'

'Don't be over-sensitive,' said Pam turning on her side, 'I was only playing. It'd be nice if I had one friend that could resist Charles' charms. He shouldn't always get everything.'

The conversation had a sense of the foreboding, but energetic sex combined with trekking round the markets had Juliet asleep within minutes of her head touching the pillow. She slept soundly till the morning. When she awoke there was no sign of her best friend in the room.

'Pam,' she called out.

'Oh hey,' said Charles winking at her.

'Hey yourself, do you know where your sister is?'

'I do indeed.'

'And that would be?'

'The toilet.'

'Okay. Well I guess she'll be out in a second.'

'I very much doubt it.'

'How come?' asked Juliet concerned.

'Turns out the fare from the markets last night didn't agree with Pam. She's been on the loo all night.'

'Both ends?'

Charles nodded, wincing in sympathy for his sister.

'Should I go to the chemist and grab something for her?' she suggested.

He shook his head.

'I think she's over the worst now. There can't be much left in her system. Think she's going to need the day in bed though to relax,' he concluded.

'We should stay and keep an eye on her.'

'I offered but she was determined you enjoy your break. She practically ordered me to take you sight-seeing today.'

Juliet was torn. She'd had a lovely day with Charles yesterday and wanted to spend more time with him but felt obligated to her friend. Especially after last night's revelations. If Pam found out she'd slept with Charles' there'd be hell to pay. If Pam felt that Juliet preferred Charles' company, she would risk injuring her friend's feelings.

'I don't know. I hate the thought of her being sick and alone.'

'You know Pam, if she needed us she'd have said.'

'That is true,' said Juliet.

'You'll come out then?'

'Of course. I can't think of anything better. Let me check on Pam and I'll grab my stuff.'

Having examined and quizzed her friend, she realised Charles' assessment had been correct. She definitely wanted Juliet out of the house to explore Morocco and was convincing in the improvement of her health. Although pale and drawn, Pam had a spark to her. Juliet was confident she'd manage without them. Rest for the day was possibly the best thing for her. If Juliet insisted on staying, Pam would then feel inclined to entertain her for the day which wouldn't help improve her condition.

Charles delivered the perfect cheesy sight-seeing day by taking her on a motorcycle to thoroughly investigate the old city and new European modern district. She got a feel for Marrakesh, preferring the Medina to the modern district. The intricate passageways, shops with an abundance of character, historical sights and main square filled with musicians, sooth sayers and acrobats appealed to her dreamy nature.

After a romantic dinner in the old city, Charles took her home in the damp, balmy winter air. The day had enabled her to get to know Charles better. She was as smitten with him as he was with her.

Entering the flat they found Pam asleep on the couch. Putting a finger to his lips, Charles dragged Juliet to his bedroom. Lost in his kisses, she lost sense of time.

Charles' hands roamed her inner thighs with a light touch. When his hands slipped under the elastic of her panties she whimpered. They continued kissing as Charles let his fingers explore her perfectly groomed pussy. He rubbed her lips between thumb and forefinger, moaning at how wet she was. He slipped one finger, then a second and third into her slit. As he moved them deep inside her, he spread the fingers to stretch her. The more she relaxed the more he thrust them in, turning his wrist to vary the sensations she experienced.

'Charles?' she whispered.

'Mmm.'

'Do you always take Pam's friends to the pool?'

'What?'

Charles sat up startled, removing his hand from Juliet.

'Last night, Pam said you tried it on with all her friends. The pool being your seductive location for stealing hearts.'

'Pam's ridiculous. Years ago at high school, I slept with her best friend. When we broke up, it sort of ruined their friendship. Whenever I've met her friends on my travels she's fallen out with them. Accusing them of betraying her by sleeping with me; totally paranoid. The crazy part is, I've not bedded any of her friends since high school. I probably shouldn't have with you, but you're in a league of your own Juliet. I don't want this as a dirty weekend or holiday fling. I can't pass up the chance to get to know you because it might offend or upset my spoilt brat of a sister. That she'd say something so poisonous to you, demonstrates how immature she is. It was ten years ago. Don't let her ruin this.'

Juliet studied his eyes for what seemed like hours, but was more like minutes. Taking a leap of faith she trusted him. She loved Pam, but Charles seemed genuine. Juliet didn't want to disregard him on account of spiteful gossip.

'I'd really like it if you took me in every way tonight,' she said, emphasizing the 'every'; hoping he'd understand what she was alluding to.

'Are you sure?' he asked.

'I'm sure.'

Charles licked his individual fingers; sucking on them as he looked deep into her hazel eyes. He unbuckled his belt to get out of his jeans.

His erection was magnificent and she was happy to take him in her mouth. The taste of the pre-cum on her tongue was like a sweet honey. Her head worked him in and out, her tongue caressing his shaft and helmet. She released him; gagging as he bucked his hips.

'I don't think a woman has ever taken me that deep before.'

'You take control,' she stated, swallowing him down again.

Charles put his hands on her head to restrict resistance. He stabbed into her mouth, groaning in satisfaction.

With his full length down her throat, Juliet was reflexively gagging to dislodge him. Breathing through her nose she tried to relax. Calming herself, and with full trust in Charles, the tension alleviated. She allowed him to fuck her mouth as he would her pussy. However willing she was mentally, the thickness of him twisting and poking down her throat became too much physically. She pushed against his hips, signalling her need for release.

He immediately stopped, kissing the tears streaming down her face.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.'

Juliet smiled through the tears.

'You didn't upset me. My lungs were fighting for air. There's something sexy about being used in that fashion during sex.'

'As long as you know it's only a game.'

'Charles, I'm twenty four. I'm not a child. Are you going to fuck me or what?'

He instructed her to get on all fours, then glided his dick into her slit, charging in ferociously for a full minute before withdrawing.

'You're so wet. You really are loving it aren't you?'

She didn't need to respond, given he already knew the answer. Her ears heard a sound from near his bedside table. Juliet she assumed he was putting on a condom. What surprised her was the spurt of baby oil over her arse. He rubbed her ring-piece, preparing it for his cock. She mewled as one finger went into her bottom.

He left it for a minute, then placed a second finger in. Again he waited before inserting a third. She flinched with the third finger and he worked them deep in her. There was something pleasurable about the pain. The minute she acknowledged she was enjoying his probing, she relaxed. Charles removed his fingers.

'Tell me if you want me to stop,' he advised.

Juliet could feel the head of his cock on her back passage. She squealed into the mattress as it penetrated her. He eased himself in another inch, then another, until his entire cock was inside. Accepting there would be a degree of pain she pushed back slightly to let him know she was ready.

As crazy as she was for the passion and lust from the previous night, she was relieved when Charles took a gentler approach to anal sex. He insisted on ploughing her, but took his time. Juliet had never felt more connected to another human being.

The sex was intense and intimate and she was glad to have lost her anal virginity to Charles. His prick reached new places. She moaned into the pillow as he brushed against her A-spot bringing her to a type of orgasm she'd never encountered before. Her body trembled, she squealed as the adrenaline and serotonin coursed through her entire being. The overwhelming orgasm exhausted her, but Charles wasn't ready to finish.

Withdrawing, he bounded over the bed to retrieve a fresh condom to sheath himself. Juliet stretched out on the bed. He lay beside her, blowing softly in her ear, stroking her breasts and legs.

'Don't tell me you've finished for the night,' he said.

She shook her head. He kissed her neck, then lifted her leg; dragging it back over him and spreading her so he could access her slit. His cock coasted into her wet pussy, as he returned to fucking her. With her outer leg wrapped round his waist, he used his free hand to flick her clit, occasionally holding it firmly between his thumb and index finger.

The delight was too much. She wanted his cum inside her. It was as if her head was transparent. He pulled out and flung the condom on the floor. Draping her leg over him, he returned to her slit, ensuring his rod was covered in the warmth and wet her vagina offered. He held her tight against his sweaty chest, powering into her as if his life depended on it. Her bare skin stuck to his and she slipped against him.

Keen to have more of him inside her, she reached round and grabbed his arse, digging her nails into his cheek.

'Touch yourself Juliet. Let's come together.'

Juliet positioned her free hand between her legs. Even she was taken aback by how moist she was. Her clit welcomed the familiar fingers and she bought herself to the brink quickly.

'I'm close now,' she whispered.

'Okay let's do this.'

He gave one last slam and she shuddered as she came on his cock. She could feel him filling her up as they both peaked.

Unlike the previous night, Charles stayed inside her wanting to prolong the intimacy between them.

'What the fuck?'

As her eyes flew up to see Pam in the doorway, she felt Charles shrivel inside her.

'I can't believe you'd fuck my brother.'

'Hey, calm down Pam,' said Charles, pulling the sheets over them both.

'Don't tell me to calm down. I can't believe you'd sleep with a skank like that either. Where's your taste?'

'Pam don't speak to her like that,' shouted Charles in Juliet's defence, as angry as his sister.

'I can't believe you'd use this holiday to fuck my brother to get your hands on his money to help out your little problem.'

'What?' said Charles, turning to Juliet confused.

'I can't believe you'd think I'd do that,' retorted Juliet.

She was hurt her friend would even make such a connection.

'You must have been so happy when I got food poisoning.'

'Don't be ridiculous Pam,' said Juliet, half laughing, 'you can't hold me responsible for the food.'

'I bet you had a good laugh behind my back.'

'No one's laughing. I'm sorry you've been ill, but I'm not sorry I met Charles. I'm certainly not sorry I slept with him.'

'You're a gold-digger and a home-wrecker.'

'Pam he's your brother and his own man. My falling for him has nothing to do with my friendship with you.'

'I want you out tonight,' screamed Pam, slamming the door.

Silence descended on the room.

'That didn't go too well,' quipped Juliet hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

'What did she mean?' asked Charles quietly.

'When?'

'When she said you fucked me because you needed my money,' his voice was cold and distant.

'Please don't tell me you think I'm like that. That you'd even take that comment seriously.'

'What did she mean Juliet?'

'Work's been slow for me. I told you that. We talked at length about it over a cup of hot mint tea. It was a horrid thing to say. I had no idea you had money, let alone that you'd be so darn attractive. How could I… why would I plan such a thing?'

'Everyone needs a roof over their head.'

'Charles, trust your heart on this. Don't let something Pam said in anger, spoil what you and I have.'

Months later Juliet was setting up her market stall. The pictures were influenced by her brief visit to Marrakesh. Rather than reflecting the sun, sand and ochre, they were black, gloomy and smacked of heartache. It turned out most people had an affinity with heart break. Juliet's new series of paintings were flying off the shelves, keeping Juliet financially secure, which was exactly what she needed at six months pregnant.

Charles had taken his sister's word over hers and driven her to the airport straight away — happy to buy a new ticket in a bid to dispose of her as quickly as possible. Pam had screened and avoided all her calls. She couldn't make contact to patch things up with her best friend or let Charles know of her predicament.

Whatever Charles felt, Juliet was sure there had been the potential for the two to fall in love. That strong instinct was what secured her decision to keep the baby. Life as a single mother, with her trade being that of an artist promised more adventure than security, but Juliet was determined she could make it work.

She sat down on her fold out chair and reached for her flask of tea from her backpack. As she took in the market her eyes landed on the stall opposite which had a large, eye catching white cardboard sign saying 'Forgive Me?' with Charles sitting underneath it holding a bunch of red roses.

Persuasion

by Emma Bishop

Josie stood outside of an apartment door, staring at the numbers until she was fairly certain she would see them in her sleep. She raised her hand to knock, but let it fall to her side again as she lost her nerve for the fourth or fifth time since arriving. She had been standing there for at least twenty minutes, attempting to work up the courage to interrupt the individual inside. She and the apartment’s occupant had-as her friend was apt to say-history. Not history of a particularly pleasant type, either.

Josie took a deep breath and stood straighter, closing her eyes a moment and steeling herself. She lifted her hand and balled it into a tight fist, knocking on the door in quick, sharp raps before her mind could convince her to do otherwise. In the still summer air of the apartment building, she could hear stirring within. A muffled curse from the other side of the door told her that the object of her errand was at home.

Her heart felt as if it would leap out of her throat and land on the floor, it was hammering so hard. When she had taken on this responsibility, she had put it off for as long as possible. She had been avoiding the man in the apartment for months now, keeping to her part of town, her circles of friends, and leaving him to his own.

She knew from the few friends they still had in common-those who hadn’t precisely sided with one or the other-that he had poured out poisonous vitriol about her all over the city, to whoever would listen to him. Those of their friends who knew both of them either sympathized with him completely-and shunned Josie-or they understood the issue was complex, and rolled their eyes when they were told how evil Josie was, how manipulative.

She heard more movement on the other side of the door; another explosive curse and the sound of something tumbling to the floor. She grimaced, thinking that if he was hungover, it would be even worse to deal with him. She had almost convinced herself to run away, to let him think some child had decided to play a prank, when she heard the sound of the deadbolt being shot, the door chain being dragged along its track. The door opened with a pop and a heavy moan of the hinges. Josie straightened her spine again and met the unsteady gaze of the man who answered the door.

He was half a foot taller than her, with a heavy-boned frame that belied how slim he actually was. His big, dark eyes were bloodshot, his full lips already pressed into a firm, sulky line. His dark, choppy hair was a tangled mess around his face, adding to the impression that he had stumbled out of bed across the apartment to answer the door. “You,” he said, his voice hoarse.

He coughed dryly into one thick-palmed hand and leaned against the door jamb, waiting. Somehow, it was as if he had sobered up instantly the minute he recognized her. Josie knew the truth; he was never quite as drunk as he put on. The drunken act was something of a defensive mechanism for him-a way for him to say what he felt like without any real consequences.

“Yes, it’s me. Don’t close the door yet, Tobias.” He was always Tobias-never Toby. Toby was too friendly, too easygoing a name for the brooding man in front of her.

“What do you want?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Josie could faintly smell the beer and whiskey on him, the lingering cigarette smell. He must have been at McNulty’s the night before-it was one of the few bars that allowed patrons to smoke inside anymore.

“Adam sent me,” she said, unconsciously mirroring his stance. She was about to cross her arms over her chest and caught herself, holding her arms at her sides with an effort. Just because he had decided to close himself off, didn’t mean she should do the same. She forced herself to relax as much as possible, to try and maintain a calm and collected demeanor. Tobias sighed and stepped back from the door, uncrossing his arms to open the door just wide enough to let her into the apartment.

Oddly, considering his disheveled appearance, Tobias’ apartment was generally very clean. Josie remembered Peter, Tobias’ best friend, telling her of the other man’s tendency to randomly clean everything in his home when he was troubled or frustrated. She reckoned that he had encountered a fair amount of frustration lately, to judge by the freshly-cleaned hardwood floors.

The apartment smelled of citrus, something woody, and a warm leather smell coming from a sofa sitting in the afternoon sunlight. Tobias turned his back on her and threw himself onto the couch, forgetting himself enough to pick up a pack of cigarettes and light one. Josie knew he didn’t typically smoke in his apartment, and wondered why he decided to do it right now. She sat down in a chair across from him, composing herself for the argument she knew was certain to come about by what she had come to do.

“Adam needs you to make an appearance at the anniversary party for the label,” she said. She told herself it was best to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. The sooner he had put up his objections, the faster she would be able to counter them and then she could be on her way.

“Just why isn’t Adam here telling me that?” Tobias asked, taking a long drag of his cigarette. He flicked an ash into a nearby ashtray, fixing a steady look on her face. Josie shrugged.

“He told me to come. Why he isn’t here is apparently none of my business.” She had asked Adam the same thing when he had given her the task of convincing Tobias to “let bygones be bygones.” Ever since his band had broken up, he had snubbed the label that had made his career, taking care of all his business by way of an attorney. Josie had a sneaking suspicion that Adam had known that Tobias would refuse to even hear him out, where the man would at least have the courtesy to let her in and the curiosity to hear what she had come for.

“Ah, so he strong-armed you into doing the business for him,” Tobias observed, smiling in a sardonic way over his cigarette. Josie shrugged.

“He didn’t give me a lot of options,” she conceded. Adam had held up a simple reward and an even simpler threat: if she did the errand, he would continue helping her work her way through the labyrinth of the music industry, to the possibility of making it as an artist of some standing in the entertainment industry. If she refused, he would simply withdraw his support of the label signing her. For a woman who had gotten involved in the industry because she wanted to produce her own records, it was a powerful incentive.

“Why does Adam need me at the anniversary party?” Tobias asked. Josie wondered at the fact that his questions seemed so far to be reasonable. She had expected him to say no outright.

“Because of the bad press surrounding the band’s breakup. He’s got Nick’s album coming out next month and he wants everyone to look happy and friendly for the press.” It was pointless to tell Tobias that the bad press had been at least partly his own fault; when the band had broken up, when Nick had announced that he was pursuing a solo career, Tobias had vocally expressed his disappointment and resentment to any journalist who asked about the situation. It had been a struggle-some of the other members of the band were working on solo efforts, or had joined other groups. Tobias had a plenitude of material, but he had told the label repeatedly that he would sooner be found in breach of contract than let them have their hands on it.

The trouble was precisely that; the dissolution of the contract had been a messy business. The label hadn’t wanted the band to break up at all, had even pointed out that Nick’s solo career presented no real difficulties with the band continuing. But Tobias had taken exception to Nick’s desire to put out music of his own, and refused to work with the guitarist. He had blamed Josie for encouraging Nick to work on his own material, for her work in getting the label’s attention drawn to his band mate’s music.

“So I’m supposed to show up and play nice so everyone thinks we’re all good and those few fans who are boycotting him for my sake will go out and buy the record.” Tobias took another drag of his cigarette and laughed shortly. Josie sat back, making herself relax in the chair.

“That’s about the size of it, yes.” Tobias put his cigarette out and folded his hands together, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

“What did he threaten you with to make you come here?” Josie thought a moment about whether or not she should tell him. It might speed things up; on the other hand, it would open her up to his mockery. She supposed that her ego could tolerate his shrewd and sharp wit-as long as she kept her end of the bargain.

“Adam told me that if I didn’t at least try to get you to come and maintain appearances, he would withdraw his support from the label signing me,” she said calmly. Tobias raised an eyebrow at that-not in surprise, but in interest, she thought. She hadn’t noticed it before, but his eyebrows were very finely arched, and looked as if he kept them groomed.

“That is certainly a threat to dangle in front of someone so hungry for a contract,” Tobias conceded in a dry tone. He stood. “Do you want a beer?” Josie shrugged.

“Sure.” Tobias padded across the apartment, his bare feet making no noise. Josie watched him, thinking to herself that if things had been different-if she hadn’t encouraged Nick to pursue a solo career, if Tobias hadn’t construed it as a betrayal, if a dozen things had gone more smoothly-that she might have been attracted to him, might have even asked him out.

When she had first met him, she had been struck by Tobias’ masculinity, his off-beat attractiveness. There was something muscular about him, something intimidating and at the same time beautiful, like watching a panther move through high grass after prey. When he fixed that dark gaze on a person, it was difficult to maintain a train of thought.

Tobias came back into the living room with two opened beers, extending one to Josie with an air that was polite, if not exactly pleasant. She accepted it and took a long pull, waiting for him to continue the conversation. He watched her and there was something unsettling about the way his gaze was locked onto her movements. Josie had never been able to read Tobias well-he was always throwing off her assumptions about him. She had heard from one of his ex-girlfriends that his unpredictability, while frustrating in a relationship, had added a pleasant spontaneity to their sex life. She tried to stifle the thought.

“So, in return for showing up to this party, what do I get?” Tobias sat back on the couch, apparently totally relaxed. Josie recognized the way he was sitting as his equivalent of the stillness of an alligator before it strikes. You could be in the water right above an alligator and never know it until it sprang up from below and dragged you down.

Josie always felt oddly uncomfortable around Tobias-even before the bad blood that had sprung up between them. Moments like this were the reason why. There was something about the musician’s gaze that made her feel naked, exposed. She had sometimes had the feeling that when she spoke to Tobias, part of his mind was dealing with the situation at hand-keeping up his end of a conversation, engaging in strategy to gain the upper hand in an argument-while another part of him was cataloging every anatomical feature of her body.

“The label will back off on the issue of your solo work. You can work with the producer of your choice through Adam directly, or you can move on to another label with his blessing.” The label knew full well that the material Tobias had in reserve would sell well, but in the wreckage of the band’s commitments and agreements and contracts, they also knew Tobias was looking to start over elsewhere.

Part of why they had made so much trouble for him was that the label wanted to keep its grip on the potentially highly lucrative material. Josie had told Adam that she would have to have a substantial deal to offer Tobias in exchange for his playing along. Adam-tired of the months of back-and-forth between Tobias’ representation and the label-had agreed. Even if they couldn’t hold on to Tobias, they had Nick and his material which was something.

Tobias raised an eyebrow at this, picking away at the label on his beer bottle absently. He seemed to consider a moment and laughed, looking away from his hands and back at Josie. The impact of his sudden glance in her direction was almost like a blow. She tried to swallow against a suddenly dry throat as imperceptibly as possible, but she was sure he had seen. Those eyes didn’t miss much, she thought as her heart pounded. She forced herself to maintain eye contact, to keep her hands relaxed.

“He’ll have to do better than that,” Tobias said quietly, taking another pull from his beer. He reached out and picked up his pack of cigarettes without looking at it, steadily watching Josie, waiting for her to show a weakness. His thick but curiously nimble fingers found a cigarette in the pack and he brought it up to his lips and lit it.

Josie took a deep breath and brought a pack of her own cigarettes out of her purse. Tobias helpfully pushed the ashtray closer to the middle of the coffee table, making it accessible to Josie as well. She figured, if he was going to smoke in his apartment, she might as well, too.

“What more do you want?” she asked, bringing a cigarette to her lips and lighting it quickly. She took advantage of the action to look away from Tobias for a moment, collecting herself. Even looking away from him, she could feel his gaze still on her; feel the dark brooding intensity of him across from her.

Josie took a long drag of smoke and forced herself to relax into the chair. She wondered if he felt as tightly wound, sitting sprawled on the leather sofa, as she felt leaning back in the chair. Tobias smiled slowly. He flicked an ash off into the ashtray, the smile, his gaze, not wavering from her face for a long moment. Oh great, Josie thought, he’s going to absolutely fleece the label. To some degree, she could understand the impulse. She steeled herself, preparing herself as best as she could to not react to an outlandish demand.

Tobias took a long drag of smoke and kept his gaze on her until Josie felt the urge to move, to squirm. She made herself stay still. She knew he was psyching her out, that he was waiting for her to say “Well?” or make some kind of movement. He was enjoying making her nervous, of course.

“I want you,” he said simply, maintaining the eye contact a moment longer before leaning in to flick another ash into the ashtray. Josie felt her own cigarette slip in her fingers as her hands went slack with shock. She blinked a few times and took a pull of smoke into her lungs, trying to sort through the simple phrase he had just uttered.

“What do you mean, you want me?” she asked finally, telling herself to stop imagining things and focus on what he was likely to really want from the exchange-a way to further torment Josie, to punish her for what he saw as her part in breaking up his band.

“Just what I said,” Tobias replied. “I want you to be my label representative.” He paused. “I also want you to spend the afternoon here.” He paused a moment, and the sardonic smile returned to his face. “Have a few drinks, answer my questions. Your choice. Do it or I won’t show up to that stupid fucking event no matter what threat you make.” Josie thought for a long moment. She drained the last of her beer in a long swallow, setting the bottle down. She took her cell phone out of her purse and dialed out.

“Adam?” she said when she heard him come on the line. “I just spoke to Tobias. He wants me to be his label representative.” She handed the phone over to the musician to confirm. Adam was sputtering on the other end of the line as she held the phone out. Tobias chuckled lowly and took the phone, holding it to his ear.

“Yeah Adam, it’s me,” he said. He listened for a moment. “That’s right. The deal you’re offering me, but I want it from Josie, not you. I have no interest in dealing with you anymore.” Josie finished her cigarette and stubbed it out, leaning back in the chair. “Then fucking promote her, asshole.” He took the phone from his ear and pressed the ‘end call’ toggle on the touch-screen, placing it on the table between them. He finished his beer and grinned. “I noticed you didn’t mention the other part of the deal.” Josie felt herself blushing, fought it down and smiled.

“If I’m your label rep, then that part of it is none of his business.” She grimaced. “Though you may have overplayed your hand. I might just get fired outright.” Tobias shook his head, leaning back into a stretch, his arms extending over his head.

“I know my value to the label. Adam will try and squirm out of it, but his boss will promote you and that’ll be that.” Josie realized with a start that Tobias had not only gotten Adam out of his life with the simple gambit-he had also made it so that Josie was no longer dependent on her boss’ goodwill to develop the contacts to make her own way in the industry. She would have clout of her own.

“So,” she said, trying to keep the elation out of her voice at realizing the power she was being handed, “what do you want to know?”

Tobias smiled slowly, turning that intense, watchful stare on her again. “We need more beer,” he said, standing up and ambling in the direction of the kitchen. Josie tried not to watch him, but found her gaze drawn to his muscular ass covered in worn denim, his thighs flexing as he strode across the floor. It was so rare anymore for guys to wear pants that actually fit them; Tobias was proof that more men should pay attention to that detail.

He disappeared around a corner and she heard him open the fridge, heard the clinking of bottles. In a moment he was re-entering the living room, a bottle opener in one hand and four bottles of beer in the other. He opened two and extended one to her. “Let’s see,” he said thoughtfully, sitting back on the couch and staring off into space a moment. “If you are so interested in pursuing a music career, why haven’t you ever shown anyone your material?” Josie took a quick sip of her beer.

“You mean, why haven’t I ever shown you my material,” she replied. Tobias gave her a quick smile. “You and I have never been on the greatest terms, even before Nick decided to go solo.” She picked up her phone and opened up the app that held her demos. “Nick’s heard them, and so has Adam.” She looked over the small list of songs and selected them all, tapping the command to e-mail them. She quickly put in Tobias’ address and sent them off. “You can listen to them whenever you want to now.” Tobias nodded.

“Next question: did you have sex with Nick?” Josie knew he had implied that to several of his friends; it made her the perfect target-the complete Yoko Ono. She snorted, digging a cigarette free of her pack and lighting it.

“I have never been Nick’s type. I was attracted to him-hell, isn’t everyone? But I knew from the get-go that I’d never have a chance anyway.” Tobias raised an eyebrow at her answer.

“What do you mean you’d never have a chance?” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and lit a cigarette of his own.

“I’m just not the type of girl Nick would go for,” Josie said slowly. “He’s always after the gorgeous model-type women, you know-tall, skinny, bug-eyed.” Tobias rolled his eyes.

“If Nick’s never had the hots for you, he’s blind,” he said. Josie sat back, startled at the comment. She almost asked him what he meant by it; but as if he hadn’t complimented her at all, he started again. “Next question…”

The apartment was getting dark, the late afternoon sun disappearing behind neighboring buildings. Tobias stood up mid-question and turned on the lights, casting a yellowish glow over everything. Josie was getting tired of the ceaseless questions; they had been going at it for at least two hours. Empty bottles were scattered over the coffee table, the ashtray was rapidly filling with butts. Instead of returning to the sofa after turning the lights on, Tobias sat down on the coffee table, inches away.

“Have you ever been attracted to me?” he asked her softly. Josie, exhausted by the sheer volume of information she had already given him about herself, sighed and decided she might as well be frank about this, too.

“Yes,” she replied. “I’ve always thought you were ridiculously hot, and it always kind of hurt me that you were not the slightest bit interested in me-that you even considered me an enemy, kind of, from the very beginning.” Josie looked away from Tobias’ face, thinking that she had expected a great deal of struggle from this errand, but she hadn’t expected to be taken apart, piece by piece. She should have known better.

Tobias’ hands closed on hers. “Look at me,” he said quietly, his voice hoarse from all the talking they had already done. Dreading what would come next, Josie tore her gaze from her own lap and looked at the musician. The same intensity she knew so well was still there, but there was nothing mocking about his gaze on her face.

There was something softer about it, at the same time. “You pretty little idiot,” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his full lips. Before she could react, he had closed the tiny distance between them, and Josie felt her mouth claimed by Tobias’ firm, strong lips. He coaxed her mouth open, plunging his tongue past her lips to explore.

Josie felt Tobias’ hands move to her waist, and he pulled her up off of the chair, standing with her as he deepened the kiss. His grip on her body tightened, and Josie felt herself relaxing into the attentions, kissing him back. She had an impression of carefully leashed strength in his arms, in the demanding, hungry way he took control of the kiss. He pulled her close, pressing her body against his.

Josie felt her pulse pick up as his hands wandered across her back. His body felt so right, flush against hers; she was consumed with curiosity, with the need to know what he looked like without all the clothes on. If anyone had asked her before today if she was attracted to Tobias Dekker, she thought as she swayed up onto the balls of her feet, needing to feel more of his body, she would have thought they were crazy. She would have told him that no amount of his personal charm was enough to counter the bile and bitterness he directed at her.

Josie noticed that they were moving; unwilling to break away from the kiss, she opened her eyes slightly and realized that Tobias was edging them around the coffee table, towards the couch. She closed her eyes again, moaning softly when Tobias’ hands worked their way up under her shirt, caressing lightly against her waist and upwards. She could feel her skin tingling, feel her nipples already tightening without any touch from him.

Tobias smiled against her lips, and she felt his hands move to her back, unlatching her bra underneath her shirt. She gasped, almost breaking the kiss when his warm hands slipped underneath the loose garment, cupping her breasts. Tobias ran his thumbs over her nipples, teasing them into tight little buds; jolts of pleasure shot from Josie’s breasts directly to her pussy, already beginning to become wet with arousal. She could feel the firm ridge of his hardening cock pressing against her through his pants, and she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more in the world than to see it freed of its confines.

Tobias broke away from the kiss suddenly, looking down at her with his dark, intense eyes. “Do you want this?” he asked, his hands moving to hold her by the jaw, keeping her from looking away. Josie nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. Tobias’ lips descended on hers again, his warm hands slowly undressing her where she stood.

When he broke away from the kiss to pull her shirt over her head, his lips moved down to her jaw, and then her neck, his hands briefly detouring to cup her breasts once more. Josie tilted her head to the side, leaning up almost onto her toes to give him the best access to the sensitive spots along her throat while she worked her hands up underneath his clothes, exploring his back and his chest. She could feel the flex and compress of his muscles, the sparse hair of his chest soft against her skin.

Impatiently, she pulled away from him, tugging his shirt up. She needed to feel the contact of skin on skin. Tobias chuckled at her ineffectual efforts and took a step back, pulling his shirt over his head and crushing her to him once more. Josie felt his hands at the waistband of her jeans, and then felt them sliding down over her hips, falling to the floor in a heap. She loved the way Tobias’ chest felt pressed against her breasts, the heat and strength of him, tightly wound up.

She reached up and began to slowly massage his shoulders, appreciating the bulk of him. Tobias moaned against her skin, pulling away from his attentions to her neck to lower his head to her breasts. He claimed one nipple and then the other, sucking and licking. Josie cried out in pleasure, arching up into him, her hands tightening on his shoulders involuntarily. His hand snaked down from her waist to cup her pussy through the thin, lacy fabric of her panties, gently stroking her.

Josie felt the lust pulsing in her veins, the pleasure ringing through her body from Tobias’ hands and mouth. She slipped her hand between their bodies and felt the bulge of his hard cock, giving it a careful squeeze. Tobias moaned out loud, shuddering against her. “I have to have you,” he said roughly, pulling her panties down and away from her body in a quick movement. His hand moved back to her pussy and he quickly thrust a finger inside of her, his thumb finding her clit and teasing it slowly. Josie swayed, her legs like jelly, her mind a fog with all the sensations.

“Oh, oh-ah-Tobias,” she whimpered as he moved his thick finger in and out of her, probing deeper and deeper. She was panting, soaking wet under the onslaught of his touches. She pushed him away abruptly, answering his concerned look with a dreamy smile as she attacked the waist of his jeans with her hands.

Tugging them down over his hips along with his boxers, she feasted her eyes on the thick, hard cock that sprang up between them. “You’re huge,” she gasped. She had not ever thought that he could possibly be small-he had none of the personality traits of a man overcompensating for something-but she hadn’t reckoned on him being so big. She glanced up at his face and caught the pleased gleam in his eyes.

Josie licked her lips, overcoming her sense of intimidation-must everything about him be intimidating, she thought, half-amused. She knelt down quickly, not giving herself the time to really consider what she wanted to do in light of new information. Glancing up at Tobias’ intrigued, anticipatory face, she took him in hand, bringing her lips to the swollen head of his cock. A bead of pre-cum had formed there and she lapped at it, tasting his sharp saltiness.

“Ah, fuck, Josie,” Tobias said, his voice lowering into a moan as he sank down onto the couch. Josie followed his movements, taking him into her mouth slowly. She ran her tongue up and down the length of him, enjoying the velvety feel of his skin, the taste and heat. She quickly figured out that she would not be able to take all of him in her mouth-he was simply too big. But she wrapped her hand around the base of his erection and slowly rubbed him up and down as she sucked and licked his cock, swiping her tongue along the sensitive head with every upward movement.

Tobias reached out and began playing with her breasts, and Josie moved around so that she could manage to tease him with her mouth and still give him access to her. She moaned into his flesh as he rolled her nipples between his fingers, sending little shocks of electric pleasure throughout her body.

He tasted so good, she thought, taking in as much of him as she possibly could. She could feel the tension in his thighs as he fought down the instinct to thrust up into her mouth; glancing up, she saw his head tilted back to his shoulders, his eyes closed and his bottom lip caught between his teeth. It gave her a sense of power, the obvious pleasure he was feeling.

Just as her jaw was beginning to get sore, Tobias reached out and pulled her up, bringing her face close to his and kissing her deeply. He lifted her up onto his lap and Josie straddled him, holding herself up over his hard cock, letting her hands roam all over his body. His hands fell to her hips and he pressed down, moving their bodies as close as possible.

One hand moved away from the crest of her hip and she felt his erection sliding between the folds of her pussy, teasing her. “I want you,” Tobias murmured, pushing down on her hip with his other hand as he guided himself against her slit. Josie cried out as he penetrated her, the size of him momentarily robbing her of speech-leaving her breathless with the sensation of being filled. He bucked his hips, driving himself up deep inside of her.

Josie rested her forehead against his broad shoulder and rocked her hips slowly, getting used to the feeling of his hot, hard cock. She heard herself panting harshly, felt her muscles yielding to his cock as he moved in counterpoint. His hands left her hips and cupped her breasts again, and she leaned back, letting him bring each breast in turn to his mouth.

He sucked and lapped at her nipples, caressing the incredibly sensitive underside of her breasts as he thrust up into her slowly, taking his time. Josie heard the moans leaving her throat as if they weren’t her voice at all; she tried to focus, but Tobias’ touch made it impossible for her to form coherent thoughts. She began moving more quickly, riding Tobias’ hard cock, hearing the needy little moans that left her lips. Tobias pulled her in for a deep kiss, spreading his legs slightly to give him the ability to thrust even more deeply into her.

In a matter of moment, Josie could feel her arousal building towards climax, could feel the way her muscles flexed and released Tobias with every thrust becoming more erratic. Tobias’ hand slipped between their bodies and Josie cried out as he pressed his thumb up against her clit, rubbing it firmly as he speared her over and over again.

He buried his face against her breasts, kissing her everywhere her skin came close enough, controlling the pace of her movements with one strong hand on her waist. “Oh, Tobias,” she murmured, throwing her head back and gripping his shoulders as she rode him. She could feel little thrills of pleasure running along the nerves in her legs, her thighs twitching from the unexpected pleasure.

Finally, after an agony of the arousal building up in her body, she cried out, clamping down on Tobias with her hands and the muscles in her pussy, rolling her hips to get the best contact with his fingers against her clit as she came.

Tobias crushed her body against his and pressed his face against her neck, moaning out loud as he followed her into orgasm. She felt the warmth spread through her as he shot load after load, his whole body shuddering, his arms locked around her as he held on as if for life itself.

Suddenly he relaxed, breathing heavily and pulling her down with him to lie lengthwise on the couch. Josie slowly caught her breath, her whole body still shaking from the power of the orgasm. Somehow in their movement, Tobias was still inside of her, his cock twitching with after-shocks of his climax. He found his voice first.

“Next question,” he said in a low drawl, his hands already wandering over her body, thoughtfully exploring her curves. “Can we do that again in like, ten minutes?” Josie laughed out loud.

“Anytime you want.”

Taming Jane

by Monica Austin

Losing cell service was the last straw. Jane had been in the middle of a call with Zoe, that inept monkey that masqueraded as an assistant, trying to get confirmation on her meeting — in what was that podunk town called? Merken? Merton? When the call dropped and NO SERVICE blinked across the screen, Jane growled and flung the Blackberry. It hit the opposite window with a clunk and popped onto the lush, carpeted floor of the sedan.

She considered grinding the phone with her heel, but let it lie there. One broken Manolo Blahnik was enough for the day. Jane looked down at her less-than-satisfactory replacement shoes and grimaced remembering the pleased look on Zoe’s face when she’d come in with the shoe box containing the $19.99 bargain-basement heels. Well, at least they matched her suit. Thank God the girl wasn’t colorblind as well as stupid.

What else could go wrong today? The deal on the Grant Street high-rise had fallen through after months of negotiations, the market had taken another dip and she’d lost a considerable sum, and Jasper was on her ass about the quarterly reports. She’d ruined her favorite pair of shoes on that stupid grate in the parking garage, and the morning staff meeting was long and boring and unproductive. On top of all of that, her regular driver, Curtis, was out sick. He was never sick! She depended on him. He was respectful and did his job.

Jane looked over the seat at the broad shoulders of Curtis’ replacement for the day. He glanced in the rearview mirror just then and caught her eye. Jane huffed out a sigh and looked away.

“Everything all right, ma’am?” the driver said.

Jane glared at the back of the driver’s head. “Don’t call me ma’am” Couldn’t he see she was far too young to be called ma’am?

“I apologize,” he said. He turned his head slightly and nodded. “I’m — Mr. Darcy.”

Jane’s head snapped in his direction. From where she sat, she could see the driver’s chiseled profile. She thought she saw the twitch of a smile on his lips. “What did you say?” she asked.

“I’m Mr. Darcy,” he repeated. “At your service." Missus?”

“It’s Ms.” Jane said, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “Ms. Barnard.”

Without the distraction of the cell phone, Jane noticed the way Mr. Darcy’s dark hair curled at the nape of his neck and the smell of his cologne — something woody, like cedar or sandalwood, with a sharp, smoky edge. To her surprise, she became aware of a warmth in the pit of her belly, and dampness between her legs. She breathed in sharply.

Mr. Darcy looked into the rearview again, meeting her eyes. She blushed. His eyes were deep brown, flecked with gold. Jane bent over quickly, embarrassed, and swept the cell phone up off the floor. She made a production of brushing it off, pressing buttons.

“It’s not going to work,” Mr. Darcy said.

“Excuse me?” Jane knit her brows together in a look she hoped was ferocious. The same look had worked on her staff just that morning, silencing them all. Mr. Darcy just smiled in an infuriating way into the mirror.

“No cell service between Camden Lake and Merton,” he said. “Not much out here but a few vacation cabins.”

“How do you know that?” Jane demanded.

“Used to go fishing up this way with my Grandpa when I was a kid.”

“Well, how long until we get to Merton?” Jane twisted on the leather seat, her silk panties riding up into the crevice between her legs. It felt good and terrible at the same time.

“What’s the hurry?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“Look,” Jane said irritably, “I have an important meeting that I-“

“Yeah, I get that,” he said. “But in the mean time, check out the view. Relax.”

“Relax? Relax?” Jane threw the phone in her bag and sat back impatiently against the seat. “I am surrounded by idiots,” she mumbled to herself.

The car screeched to a halt. Jane sat up straight. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “Why are you stopping?”

Mr. Darcy spoke without turning around. “What did you say?”

“Excuse me?”

“Did you just call me an idiot?” he said quietly.

Jane looked at her watch, exasperated. “I’m going to be late!”

Mr. Darcy cut the engine. He opened the door and stepped out of the car. Jane’s mouth dropped open. She watched as he walked around the front of the sedan and leaned against the hood, his arms folded and back to her. Now that he was out of the car, Jane noticed how tall he was, and the way the sleeves of his blue shirt strained over his muscular biceps.

She began pushing buttons on the inside car door to roll down the window and give him a piece of her mind, forgetting that with the engine off, the electronic windows would not work. “Oh!” she huffed in frustration, pulling on the door handle which held fast, causing her to break two fingernails. She pulled her hand back in pain and looked at the ragged nails. She was locked in!

“Hey!” she hollered, as loudly as she could. “Let me out of here this instant!”

Outside, Mr. Darcy leaned against the bumper of the sedan without a care, observing the trees and flowers beside the roadway, his tapered, well-muscled back turned to Jane, seemingly oblivious to her anger.

“I said, let me out of here, you son of a bitch!” Jane yelled. “Do you know who I am? You wait until we get to Merton! You are so fired!”

Jane threw herself back against the seat of the car. What did this jerk-off think he was doing? She picked up her cell phone again and pushed buttons to no avail. What was she going to do? She had meetings! Work!

Outside, Darcy had turned around and was studying her through the window. Jane looked at him and scowled. He walked slowly to the front door and unlocked it with his set of keys. He reached in and popped the locks, and Jane slid quickly across the seat, her skirt riding up to her buttocks, and grasped the door handle, but she was far too slow. Darcy opened the door and slid into the back seat with her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she said.

He nodded at her hand. “You’ve hurt yourself,” he said, and put his hand out.

Jane slapped it away. “Leave me alone!” she said, but Darcy just smiled at her.

“Please,”he said, looking into her eyes. Jane felt her anger melting away, even though she fought against it. He was impertinent and disrespectful of her position, after all. But looking up at his handsome face, so interesting with full lips, high cheekbones and the tiniest of scars by his right eye — she found herself extending her hand.

He held her injured hand in both of his — his tanned skin was so warm and smooth, and in the closeness of the back seat, the woody scent of him bathed her. She breathed it in, and it was as if she was all of a sudden transported to an exotic country. His head was bent and he ran an index finger lightly over her wounded finger tips, causing a shiver to run up her wrist. He looked up then, and his face was very close to hers.

“I’m sorry you were hurt,” he said, his brown eyes liquid and showing remorse. Jane looked deeply into them and could barely speak.

She’d been alone for so long, caring only about her work, the business, getting ahead, making money — at night she was exhausted, falling into fitful sleep. It had been so long since she’d even looked at an interesting man, so long since-

Darcy’s lips parted. He ran his thumb up her wrist, then lightly traced his fingers back into her palm, working little circular motions, massaging her hand, ever so gently, the scent of him filling her nose, the heat of his thigh against hers. She saw him glancing down and followed his eyes to see her where her skirt had ridden up, exposing her creamy, smooth thighs. Under her skirt, her silk panties were wet with her moisture and sliding up between the lips of her vulva. His fingers worked between hers, and she imagined them, in that slit where her moist panties rubbed against her little button and she gasped.

She leaned back against the seat, and gently placed his hand on the soft, white skin of her leg. She reached out and touched his face and he looked in her eyes. She gently tipped his chin so he was looking down into her lap, and then slowly parted her thighs.

Darcy shook his head and pressed her legs together. Jane gasped, all of a sudden her cheeks burning with shame. She felt her anger mounting again, and he read it in her eyes. “No,” he said, “You misunderstand. Come.” He reached over and worked the door, stepping out onto the abandoned road. He held a hand out to her. “Come,” he said again. Jane didn’t know what was happening to her — she was always the one in charge, and now here she was passively doing as she was told. She put out her hand and when Darcy touched her fingertips, it was like an electric current was racing up her arm. She shivered and slid across the seat, her skirt riding even further up her thigh, exposing the cheek of her buttock, but she didn’t care.

She put her long legs out and stepped on to the uneven roadway, wobbling a little as she stood up. Darcy caught her in his strong arms, holding her against him, his thigh sliding between her legs. She could feel the heat of him, her wetness making a damp mark on his slacks. She looked up into his face, and Darcy slid his hand up under her blouse, his palm brushing over her breast, her hard nipple poking her bra. The friction of his palm and the cloth on the tender button made her quiver. She looked up and down the roadway. “Someone will see us,” she said, her voice raspy.

“Not on this road,” Darcy said. “Only the cottage owners use this road, and since it’s off season-“ he stopped in mid sentence, his mouth crushing hers. His hot tongue slid between her lips, moving slowly in and out and making her imagine his cock, sliding in and out of her mouth just like his tongue. She moaned, wanting that, wanting to taste him, to have his earthy, woody-smelling skin next to hers, she wanted to breathe him in, devour him. She slid her hands down his hard body to the buckle of his belt, her mouth still on his, kissing, kissing.

Suddenly, his hands were on hers, removing them. Her mouth came away from his in protest. “Why are you stopping me!” she cried, and attempted to undo his slacks again, but he was strong, his hands clamped around her wrists. He pinned her to the car, his mouth going to her neck, causing her another shiver that shot through her body and straight to the core of her, lighting her pussy on fire. “No,” he said, “I have other plans for you. “

“But I want-“ she started.

“Please,” he said in a tender way that stopped her. “Let someone else be in charge for once.”

“What do you mean?” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Darcy looked in her eyes. “I saw you there, in the back seat,” he said. “Making and taking calls, making deals, arguing with your staff.” He put a warm hand on her shoulder, his thumb caressing the skin just above her breast. She wanted that thumb on her breast, stroking, stroking her nipple, but he didn’t move from that spot. She bit her bottom lip. He looked up then, around him. The warm breeze stirred the trees, making them sigh. “You didn’t even take one moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.”

“I have a very important position,” she said defensively. “I don’t have time for-“

“This-“ he said, interrupting her, sliding his hand up under her skirt. His fingers snaked into her wet panties, brushing through the tangled mass of springy hair, soft like the moss at the base of the trees here, in the woods that lined the road. Jane’s knees felt weak with his touch, but he wrapped one strong arm behind her and while the length of his index finger worked between the slit of her hot, wanting lips, opening beneath his fingers like the petals of a flower.

There was a thin silver ring on his index finger, old and smoothly worn, but the ridge of that ring caused a pleasing sensation as it glided over her clitoris, which had raised its head up like the head of a tiny mushroom and strained toward his finger. Every time the ring bumped over the silky, little head, a wave of heat washed through Jane, and her honey began to run out onto Darcy’s fingers as they slid with an aching slowness up and down between those hot, wet vulva lips.

The tip of his finger teased in slow circles at the opening of her vagina, which contracted and contracted as if wanting to suck him in, and she moaned and begged him, “Please, inside me, please!” her breath coming hot and ragged, her head thrown back exposing her white, soft neck.

He bent his head and put his tongue in the hollow of her neck, and licked in a circular motion, feeling the vibration of her moans, her breath on the hot tip of his tongue. Jane moved her hips frantically against his hand, wanting to force his fingers deep inside her, wanting to feel him deep inside, at the core of her, but again he pulled away, taking away her control. Jane grimaced, growling in frustration, her tiny fists raining down on his shoulders. He picked her up then, in one fell swoop, and she continued to hit him, but he carried her as if he was not feeling a thing, and deposited her on the hood of the car.

He pushed gently on her shoulders and she fell back. His hands were on her silk panties and he slid them easily down her long, long legs. They fell into the dirt, and he slowly slid his hands up and up her legs, wrapping around the backs of her calves, behind her knees, sliding around to the inside of the knees, her thighs. She could feel the warm hood of the car, the metal smooth and hot beneath her bare ass, her bare pussy, touching the heat of the metal feeling wonderful and burning at the same time. She could feel her juice running out onto the hood of the car, making it slick beneath her.

The car was a slate grey Chrysler Sebring, and the hood had a raised center ridge. Jane was positioned on the hood so that the ridge, warm from the sun, rested in the cleft between her buttocks — and her labia. She could feel the hard ridge pushing up into her moist slit and she sighed and moved her hips gently, her wetness making the hot metal slick. She moved back and forth, letting the ridge glide between her pussy lips and bump against her clitoris. Darcy put his hot hands on her bare hips and let her pleasure herself — for a moment.

He reached around behind her and unzipped her skirt, and Jane leaned back and let him slide it down her legs. He unbuttoned her blouse, unhooked her bra and slid it off her. She arched her back, her pink nipples poking up toward the blue sky. Darcy leaned over her and brushed his tongue over each one, then stood, exposing her to the breeze which felt degrees colder on the wet peaks, causing them to contract and become harder, more erect.

She felt as if they were straining toward him, and she arched again, begging him wordlessly for his mouth. He responded, bending and licking the buds gently, then becoming more rough, his teeth teasing them, and they rose higher, became red, swollen, all of her swollen, her labia, her clit, her nipples straining up toward him.

But still he was controlled, moving slowly, at his own pace, ignoring her moans, her pleading, her tight words. He stood, gazing down at her, her skin white and hot under the sun, her nipples so dark they were nearly lavender with wanting, and her sex, it was deep rose, the clit poking up like a little cock from between the lips of her pussy, pushing toward him.

Jane ached with wanting. How could he ignore her words, her pleading, her commands? His eyes on her skin felt hot, like a searchlight, scorching her, melting her, his hands were gentle and frantic and painful and lovely all at once. She felt as if all her being were on fire at once, her skin, her mouth, her eyes, her pussy, on fire with wanting.

He pulled her up then, and positioned her hands on his shoulders. He stood between her legs and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes. He did not speak, but slid his hands down her back, slowly, staring, finally resting them on her hips. He took over for her, then, using his hands like pistons, sliding her back and forth, riding the ridge of the hood, gliding on her juices, increasing speed, then slowing, increasing, slowing until Jane thought she would go mad.

Just when she thought she could not bear another second, he stopped abruptly, pushed her back and sank his mouth on her swollen, pulsing cunt, running his tongue up the slit, now hot from the metal hood of the car, from her longing, from her dripping honey.

He licked and kissed it like it was a mouth, running the tip of his tongue around and around the swollen button head of her clitoris, and it reddened and swelled even more, a little cum weeping from the top, which he lapped off like it was sweet cream. Jane could barely breathe, and when he pushed his fingers into her, his mouth wrapped, sucking, on her clit she cried out, exploding, her cum coating his fingers, his lips, his chin.

She lay back quivering, the hot sun shining its rays on her tender nipples, her belly, and Darcy, like a mother cat, continued lapping her cunt with his tongue, as if cleaning her, licking and sucking all her shining honey from the lips of her labia, gently teasing the cum from her springy curls, and the gentleness of the licking and probing, the care he showed her on her most tender of places, when he came back again to her clit and sucked again, she shuddered, crying, tears leaking from her eyes, her hands going to his head, holding him to her, and he let his mouth rest, sucking gently like a baby on the head of the clitoris until it trembled a last time releasing a little spurt of cum, and they were still.

Time seemed to stop for Jane as she lay there, on the hood of the Sebring, exposed, naked beneath the hot sky. Sounds came back to her after a while, the sighing trees, the chirruping of birds, the buzz of bees and bugs. She felt the breeze caress her skin. Darcy stood, his hand trailing down her skin, softly. Jane closed her eyes, feeling everything around her with every pore, absorbing the smells of the fragrant trees, the sounds all around her, suddenly huge in her ears. She was noticing everything. She smiled gently.

She heard the soft whicker, then, of a zipper being pulled down, and she opened her eyes slightly, looking down at Darcy through her lowered lashes. He’d removed his shirt, and his chest was smooth and brown in the dappled sunlight, his stomach tight and lovely. His trousers dropped down and he stepped out of them, and Jane looked appreciatively at him, his smooth, tanned skin, his cock rigid, and the head reaching up toward her. She wanted to spring up, to grasp it in her hand, her mouth, but she lay still, understanding now, waiting for his word.

Her eyes traveled up to his and she could see that he was smiling gently, as if pleased that she was drinking him in with her gaze, and he tipped his head in a slight nod, directing her eyes back down so she could watch him wrap his hand around his stiff cock, his big fingers grasping it lightly, the purple head peeking out of his grasp, the ridge around it swollen like a crown, and Jane licked her lips, imagining that ridge inside her pussy, the friction it would create as it dipped in and out.

Darcy’s hand began to move slowly up and down the shaft. There was a thick vein that ran up it, spiraling slightly. It was pulsing, filling the shaft, the head, stretching the skin of his cock as if it would burst. The hand moved, squeezed slightly, up and down the fat, throbbing length of him, and he tipped his head back, the Adam’s apple in his throat working as he gasped at the pleasure he was creating.

Jane watched, her breath hitching in her chest, watched the sun glint off the silver of the ring on his index finger, watched his pleasure as the ridge of the ring met with the ridge of his glands, of the throbbing vein.

And then, in the sunlight, magnified by it, she saw the milky cum issue from the head of his cock like a beautiful, iridescent pearl. She slid from the hood of the car, then, the slit of her pussy sliding over that ridge on the hood of the Chrysler, awakening her again, down she slid with a soft cry and fell before him, her mouth engulfing his cock, sucking, sucking, her tongue swirling round and round the giant, swollen head, dipping the tip of her tongue into the little slit at the end searching for those pearls of cum.

She grasped his ass between her hands, the muscles hard and unforgiving under her palms and he sighed as she slid him into her mouth, as far as she could, for he was so large, so swollen that she could not take him all in.

She kneeled before him, he was so tall, his legs so long, and she reached for him, one hand grasping the base of his cock, her fist wrapped around him, meeting her lips, her other hand under him gently teasing his balls, one finger snaking out and making a circular motion in the tender spot between his testicles and his anus.

She could feel him, growing, pulsing, in her mouth and she was glad, glad to please him, to taste him, but then, again he stopped her, wrapping his fingers gently in her hair and stilling her movements.

This time she acquiesced without protest, without struggle. His hand on her shoulder told her to stand, and so she did and he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her deeply, his cock hot and hard against her belly.

She put her arms around his neck and he lifted her up, Jane sliding up and opening her thighs, his hands under her ass. She felt the engorged tip of his cock sliding between the lips of her pussy, and he teased her with it, allowing it to probe that slit, to slide up and down it for a moment, the head of his cock meeting the head of her clitoris, and then he slammed her to him, her hips meeting his, and the whole length of him was inside her, pushing deep to the core of her and she cried out.

He carried her like that, impaled upon him, back to the sedan, reaching out to work the door handle, and he bent, her legs wrapped tightly around him, and laid her gently on the seat, his feet still on the ground outside, giving him purchase and he thrust into her and into her. Jane could feel everything, felt as if every inch of her were alive.

She was shed of her designer clothing, her heels, her expensive undergarments, but felt more beautiful in this moment, naked on this abandoned roadway in the trees, than she ever had.

And all the while he was pumping into her, taking his time, allowing her to feel every inch of him, the slick and swollen head, the ridge of his glands, the ropey vein, and the thick length of him. Her breath came shallow, her tongue dry, their eyes locked and he breathed with her, his cock slipping in and out of her rosy cunt, slick with their juices.

He reached around her and pinched her nipples, hard, between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands and she screamed out. He buried himself in her then, his cock pulsing hotly inside her, spilling him inside her, filling her, running out from her sex onto the seat of the company car.

Content

Victoria Lawson, Monica Austin, Emma Bishop, Kim Wilkerson, Evelyn Hunt, Lois Hodges, Nellie Cross, Lori Dixon, Carla Burke, Bonnie Robles
The Ultimate Erotic Short Story Collection 17

The Appointments

The Perfect Union

White Dress — Passion from the Past

Mark Your Mark — A Date Gone Wrong

Sex in the Naked City — Hearts Burn in a Sleepless City

Memories — Treacherous Love

It’s Not Love

The Gym Instructor

Winter-Sun, Sand and Sex

Persuasion

Taming Jane