Haunt Me Taunt Me

Haunt Me Taunt Me

Haunt Me Taunt Me By Ann Cory

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Ann Cory The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is a violation of the Copyright Law. Ocean’s Mist Press will aggressively pursue those who chose to violate the intellectual property rights of our authors. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Haunt Me Taunt Me Copyright (c) 2005 by Ann Cory ISBN: 0-9773043-9-6 Cover art and design (c) 2005 by Jinger Heaston All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without permission, except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. Look for us on the Web www.oceansmistpress.com

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Haunt Me Taunt Me

DEDICATION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT For those who like shivers of the sexy kind

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Ann Cory ~*~ Just before midnight, the sky lit up with jagged bolts of lightning, and seared the sky in chaotic whimsy. Smashed pumpkins lay discarded along the sidewalks, gutted of their seeds and slimy innards. Jake sauntered past the scar-faced carnies sweeping up the cigarette butts and regurgitated food from those with a weak stomach. The malnourished workers freaked him out with their toothless grins; thin scraggly-hair, and putrid odor of days old sweat and rotten cabbage. He wouldn’t trust them with his life. There was no way he would get on a ride that could be set up and taken down like a cardboard pop-up, assembled by uneducated mouth-full-of-rot rejects. The only attractions to be had were the game booths and the funhouse. It was a few minutes to closing but already most of the people had left, save for a young couple fondling one another beneath tight shirts and jeans. The blonde was pretty hot, allowing her boyfriend safe passage between her legs. Jake analyzed the guy and didn’t see any reason that would explain why she was with him. He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair and massaged the back of his neck. It confused him how unattractive men were always able to obtain some of the most beautiful women in the world. Even at thirty he was still a good catch and had his share of women who flocked around him, but they weren’t the prettiest. He had standards on how someone should look, though he had to admit he could stand to lose a few pounds from around his waist. Otherwise he was in good shape. Spending countless hours at the gym wasn’t his thing, but he liked to hike in the summer and lifted weights here and there. Another couple walked by, dressed as a pimp and a whore. He couldn’t help but follow his eyes along the black fishnet stockings attached to long, lean legs. A tiny leather skirt came to just where his imagination went wild. The way her ass shifted as she walked sent his pulse pounding. Too many gorgeous women and they weren’t with him! Frustrated he picked up his pace and looked around the emptying carnival grounds. He wasn’t ready to leave just yet. Halloween was his favorite holiday. There was none of that gift giving or spreading good cheer toward other crap. Evil was out and it was a time to get crazy, or something like that. Memories of his teenage years raced in his mind of terrorizing trick or treaters and getting the snot scared out of him at creepy haunted houses. He’d been easy to scare back

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Haunt Me Taunt Me then and as an adult he tried to relive the years by going to places deemed worthy of a few scares and screams. A buddy had told him the carnival was supposed to be downright creepy, but the only thing that came to mind was the word cheesy. Still, there was a strong sense of mischief in the cool night air, and it pumped up his adrenaline. Anything had to be better than sitting around the house answering the door, or watching another lame excuse for a slasher film. Besides, he only watched them for the scantily clad sexy vixens. He hated to admit it, but he realized he was just too old to be scared anymore. The breeze picked up and went right through his thin white shirt and jeans. A breathy voice seemed to trail around his head with a feminine voice whispering his name. “Jaaaake. Jaaaaaaake.” He turned his head every which way to figure out where it was coming from, but it was too quiet to tell. Then all at once it vanished, along with the breeze. Jake turned the corner and noticed for the first time a highly decorated tent. Cobwebs and skeletons hung outside the entrance, giving it the appearance of something meant to appeal to the younger crowd. But when he took a step inside, he got a different perspective. Streams of multi-colored beads hung from a steel rod and subtle Egyptian music played. “Good evening,” echoed a sultry voice. Jake spread the beads apart and walked through, leaving them to clang together behind him. The smell of sandalwood filled his senses as he stood in the darkness, waiting for his eyes to adjust. With his arms outstretched he felt his way around. If someone were to see him, they’d probably think he was a zombie. “That’s right, come to me, follow the sound of my voice.” Whoever went with the voice had his full attention. Now if he could just see her. Imaginary fingers ushered him forward by his balls, offering him the prospect of something naughty just ahead. Through the darkened maze he walked until a subtle light surrounded a stunning brunette wearing a black robe. Most of her face was sheathed in a lavender veil, but there was no mistaking her beauty. She sat in front of a small round table with a glowing crystal ball to her right and a deck of cards to her left. “Come, sit down. I know why you have come and I’ll tell you what you want to hear.”

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Ann Cory Jake sat down and looked into her eyes, the only part of her face visible; a pair of jade green jewels that left him feeling naked and exposed. He was certain she could bring him to a full orgasm with her comely eyes alone. Had he missed the sign that said enter tent and get laid? The mystery woman removed her robe and displayed a pair of bronze breasts, heaving slowly with each deep breath. Her nipples were outstretched, begging to be pinched by his expert fingers and teeth. His knees buckled and he quickly took a seat across from her. It was impossible not to stare at her feminine charms. Looking closer he noticed a long jagged scar above her left breast. “Welcome Jake,” she greeted with a heavy accent. He blinked his eyes, trying to form one intelligent thought. Had he already told her his name? At this point he wasn’t sure. The sandalwood scent was making him dizzy. It was hard to look up from her breasts; they were perfectly shaped to run his hands over. “You are looking to find love, no?” she asked. A strand of her dark hair fell from behind her shoulder and covered a nipple, making him snap to attention. “No, well, I mean I, sure I’d like to find love…someday.” He bit his lip. The last thing he wanted to talk about was love. Getting busy with the sexy fortuneteller was on his list of priorities at the moment. She sat back in her chair, letting several strands of jewelry shimmer between her ample mounds. “Do you want to know what it looks like?” He looked up at her lips for a brief moment and then his eyes grazed back to her breasts. The fortuneteller scooted her chair back further and his eyes followed down her taut stomach. Not a stitch of clothing was on her body. She parted her thighs and he held his breath. Jake’s reflection stared back at him. It took him a minute to understand she had a small mirror positioned between her shapely legs. “Who are you supposed to be?” Her brows furrowed “Pardon me?” “Your costume you have – had on. Are you a gypsy? Magical seer? Arabian princess?” “I assure you I do not ever wear a costume. Now no more questions. I have for you what it is you seek. Look closely for your love is hidden inside the mirror.”

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Haunt Me Taunt Me Each honey-laced word rolled out in thin wisps of smoke, much like the sandalwood incense, curling around his face, taunting him into submission. A light mist formed around his body and clung to his skin. Jake stared into the mirror, confused by what he saw. “I am supposed to love myself?” If this wasn’t fuck all. He would much rather reach over and remove the damn mirror, sink his fingers inside her gypsy treasure, and make her beg for more. “No Jake, you will find your love within the mirror. Look closer. Do you not see her amorous beauty?” He widened his eyes, willing himself to see some hot number on a red silk sheet, her body posed like a centerfold. “What exactly should I be seeing?” The woman sighed, clearly exasperated with him. “As I said…love. She has set her eyes on you as the chosen one. Now go to the room of mirrors and you will find her there. She waits for you.” Jake blinked his eyes. The lilting sound of the fortuneteller’s words put him into a strange sort of trance. He wasn’t ready to go just yet, the eye candy was too tempting. “Is the woman you speak of as drop dead gorgeous as you?” Her eyes blazed into his, and then she looked away. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You best heed my words. Now go find your true love before it is too late.” “What does that mean? Too late. I have plenty of time for love.” “Love has revealed herself to you. Now leave me, I grow tired and must rest.” She sighed and waved her hands at him. Jake stood and gave a quick last glance around the tent. If he could find a bed in here, he’d happily join her in it. “Go,” she repeated, her arms folded up to cover her breasts. He sighed and felt his way through the pitch-black maze again until he reached the beads and made his way outside. His head cleared and he didn’t feel so out of it. The room of mirrors, he thought. The funhouse was just up ahead and he figured that was where she had meant. No one was around so Jake jumped over the gate and climbed the steps. He stumbled along the rotating cylinder, and bumped his head before he jumped out the other side. While no one else had witnessed it, he was still embarrassed.

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Ann Cory Quickly he scrambled up the incline conveyor belt and grabbed onto the frayed rope. He wasn’t quite as flexible as he used to be and was breaking a serious sweat. Come Monday he would lay off the pastries and pass on the cream in his coffee. He climbed up the rickety staircase and entered a room dedicated to an array of odd-sized reflections. The first mirror stretched him like a wiener dog followed by one that projected a seven-foot version of the man he loved. Himself. Jake unzipped his jeans and stood to the side checking out his profile. “Oh yeah!” he hollered, giving his reflection two thumbs up. “I’m hung like a giant!” He was already sporting an erection from his rendezvous with the fortuneteller, but he’d never seen himself so huge. The next mirror was meant for a dwarf and he quickly tucked himself back in, there was no sense deflating his super ego right now. Each image conjured up some sort of child-like amusement until he stopped at one. It was a large square mirror with gold etchings all around it. When he looked, he didn’t see an image reflected back at all. Jake put his fingertips up to the glass and touched what felt like warm water. Quickly he pulled away, but for some reason his fingers were dry. He tried again and this time his hand went straight through. The glass rippled up and around his wrist and he jerked back again. What was going on? Surely this was a trick. A mirror he could walk right through? Of course now the dilemma was, where did the other side lead? It hadn’t been kosher for the dimwitted Alice to go through the looking glass, so why would it be advantageous for him? He felt a tug in his pants and realized something was tempting him to go forward, the promise of something he wanted. “Hello my love,” echoed a familiar voice. The sandalwood scent returned full force, almost choking him. Jake took a step back, his eyes wide. “Do I know you?” “I am your one true love. I have been waiting for you.” The accent was unmistakable. It sounded the same as the gypsy from the tent. “I’m not really looking for love, I just…” His voice trailed off as an image of the fortuneteller appeared between the watery ripples, her body naked and glistening wet. This time she did not wear the veil. She smiled and parted her ruby lips.

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Haunt Me Taunt Me “I am Mina and I will fulfill your every fantasy.” Jake had no doubt what her body could do to him, and more than anything he wanted to taste her sinful lips. She reached out her hand and he stared. “Come. I know the way to your heart.” A million thoughts pinged inside his mind, but he ignored them. Who was he to turn down a woman taunting him? It’s not like there was someone better waiting for him in his bed at home. In general, women never lasted long with him in a relationship. It was hard to find one with a thick skin to put up with his attention to flaws. He wanted a drop-dead gorgeous prize by his side to show the world he could get the best. Now he’d found one and letting her disappear would be reckless on his part. Jake put his hand out and was surprised to feel her flesh. She really was real. Tiny vibrations made their way up his arm and he felt dizzy again. The excitement of being with her was overwhelming and all realistic thoughts vanished. Without a second thought, he took her hand and she pulled him in. *** A bevy of swirling colors enveloped him and swallowed him up. Jake’s ears filled with the same warm liquid he’d first touched. His body felt like it was being twisted and stretched well beyond its normal capabilities. Panic set in when his lungs filled with water and made it difficult to breathe. Jake looked around and couldn’t see Mina anywhere. A torrent of bubbles appeared in front of him and he quickly kicked his legs hard, hoping fresh air was close. Finally his head broke the surface of the water and he gasped for air. For a moment he wondered if she had tried to kill him, but the ambience around him suggested differently. He didn’t know where he was, but it resembled a cave. Scores of candles were lit, emitting a soothing glow among the otherwise blinding whiteness surrounding him. Mina walked up to him in all her naked glory, her bronze skin illuminated like maple syrup against the faint glow. Mirrors lined the walls, giving him a nice view of her entire body from both the front and back end. All except for her face, which to his displeasure was covered back up with the lavender veil. Her breasts bobbled as she bent down to offer a hand. In an instant he forgot about the strangeness he’d endured moments before and scrambled up to her.

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Ann Cory “I didn’t notice when you’d let go.” “Did you feel fear?” Jake snickered as she stripped him of all his clothes. In a mere seconds he was greatly aroused. “Are you kidding? It takes a lot to scare me. I just didn’t know the way.” “Love will guide you if you let it.” She patted his shoulders and chest with a towel to help him dry off. Sinking down to her knees she took the towel in both hands and rubbed it against his erection, adding a surge of friction. Jake threw his head back and moaned. This woman knew what he wanted, and wasn’t wasting any time giving it to him. Before the intensity became too much, she slid her moist mouth over him, engulfing him far inside. Goose bumps covered his flesh. He slid his fingers beneath the silky strands of her hair and helped her take him in deeper. “You’re perfect,” he whispered repeatedly, his body shaking. Jake’s eyes closed to slits until he glanced over and noticed a mirror close by. He got even more turned on watching her head bob back and forth, taking in his entire length. The veil over her face was distracting and didn’t allow him to see her ruby lips working him hard. He tried to reach down to remove it, but Mina sped up until he couldn’t hold back any longer. A thunderous orgasm ripped through him accompanied by a surge of spasms. “That was hot! I’ve never had a woman get me off like that before!” She stood and bowed before him. “I am happy you are pleased. Now forgive me, but I am tired and must have a lie down.” Jake scratched his head. “Don’t you want me to reciprocate?” “It is not necessary, but my rest is.” She laid her body down on a pile of velvet blankets and turned so her back was to him. *** Jake wasn’t too put off; it would give him time to recharge for the next round. Most women gave him grief if he didn’t turn around and please them. This woman was a fantasy come true, catering to his needs first without worrying about her own. Still, he planned to have her and ached to get between her lithe thighs. He could hear her breath become quiet and even, and he didn’t want to disturb her.

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Haunt Me Taunt Me Halloween had turned out to be better than he imagined, though now he was feeling restless. The quiet was eerie and haunting. He looked toward the small pond of water from where he’d come in. How exactly would he get back to the funhouse? The thought of going back through the water was disconcerting, but he hoped easier the second time. Had he stayed home, he would have missed out on the chance to bed the scintillating creature, and what a shame that would have been. Mina stirred a little, taunting him with delicious sighs. He wished she would remove the veil so he could see her whole face again; he’d only caught sight of it once in the mirror. Jake decided to lie down and spoon his body next to hers. For some reason she kept his body on high alert and he craved more. His erection poked against the curve of her lower back. “Mm,” she sighed. He ran his fingers along the back of her thighs, circling the roundness of her firm buttocks. Her figure had curves in all the right places, and he wanted to explore them all. Slowly he dipped his fingers inside the place he yearned to feel the most, and was met with exquisite heat. The woman was completely saturated inside and it furthered his erection to an almost unbearable throbbing. “Lie on your tummy,” he whispered into her ear. “We shouldn’t…it’s too soon.” “You know you want it. Come on, tell me. Let me know you want to feel my cock between your thighs.” Jake eased her onto her stomach and spread her legs. He slipped several fingers in and found her clit, rubbing at it until her breath grew short and the moaning intensified. “I do, I want you so much,” she panted between gasps. In circular motions he rubbed at the swollen nub until he couldn’t resist any longer. He spread her legs further and positioned himself just right. The entry was so slick he eased right in. He knew it was going to feel good, but he hadn’t expected it to be like this. She was drenched, which only added to the excitement. Her body was soft to the touch, like whipped butter. The scent of sandalwood clung to her hair and he buried his face close, getting lost in its intoxicating aroma. His body shook as he filled her up more with his cock. Mina rose to her knees and pushed herself into him, meeting his thrusts fast and furious. Jake rested one hand on her hip while the other

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Ann Cory reached around and fondled her breasts. He couldn’t wait to show her off to all his friends. They’d be envious. “You are the most perfect woman I’ve ever had,” he whispered. He ran his hand along her breast until her nipple was hard and ripe. Carefully he pinched it, watching the way she reacted. She fell forward onto her hands, slamming back into him, her hair swinging wildly. Everything about her was erotic and sexy. A light sheen of sweat covered her flesh, glowing amid the candlelight. “I wanted you from the moment I saw you. You’re exactly what I’ve been waiting for.” “Faster Jake, faster. Take me over the edge. You are the only one who can.” Her voice of urgency sent him into overdrive. Yes, he was the only one. He steadied himself with both hands on her hips and plunged rapidly, his leg muscles tightening up. All at once a sharp stabbing pain shot through his body. When he stopped thrusting, the pleasure of her wetness returned. Again he plummeted inside her and the shooting pain increased. He was close to another orgasm and he wanted her to experience one, but he couldn’t bare the pain. “I’m so sorry,” he begged, feeling ashamed. Mina collapsed to her back and slid her hand between her thighs. Jake watched as she brought herself to a swift orgasm, the color in her cheeks turning pink. Her cry of relief made him feel less guilty, but he’d have given anything to feel her inner muscles contract around his shaft. Jake stood and felt an odd warmth ooze down his thigh. When he looked down, he saw his lower abdomen had been ripped to shreds. “It’s my fault,” Mina whispered, a large tear sliding down her cheek. He looked at her, unsure of what she was taking the blame for. Jake stood in front of a mirror and his stomach lurched. “I’m covered in blood!” Mina brought her hand up to her face and pulled away the veil. Jake’s eyes opened wide. “What the hell is going on? What happened to your face?” “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, remember?” “You hideous, disgusting, revolting excuse for a woman, what did you do with the fortuneteller?”

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Haunt Me Taunt Me “We are one in the same.” “No, that’s impossible. The woman I was with had smooth skin, she looked right at me in the mirror!” Jake couldn’t believe his eyes. Her face was marred with flaws and scars. There was no way he would have touched her had he known this was how she really looked. “The woman who loves you is standing right here Jake. Remember, the one in the mirror.” He stared. A chill started at his feet and worked its way up his body until it pooled inside his chest. “This is crazy! What is all this, some sort of Halloween prank? Give me a treat first and then the trick?” “No. This is the way I look. What you see is what you get. I am only perfect in the mirror, if you love me you won’t care about my flaws.” “I don’t love you I just wanted to have sex with you. Look what that did to me!” He grabbed for the towel to stop the bleeding. A piece of his hand broke off before he could bring it over. “What’s happening?” he cried. “I’m so sorry. You’re falling to pieces,” she said. “Only our love can hold you together. Without it you are nothing.” Jake heard a terrific shattering noise that echoed inside the cave. His toes fell off followed by his feet, ankles, and shins. Everything was splitting and crumbling, turning to glass shards along the ground. His blood ran into a crimson pool and trailed to the mirrors that lined the walls. “Make it stop!” he cried. Mina wrung her hands together, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Then love me.” He looked at her wretched face, covered in scars he couldn’t ignore. There was no way he could love something like that. No one would envy him to walk with her on his arm. She was disgusting and belonged in a freak show. He had got what he wanted from her, she was useless like the others. “Please,” she begged. “I love you Jake.” Pain shot throughout his body as his knees, thighs, and other hand fell off. The mirrors blazed red and he turned to watch the parts of him that had crumbled, form back into a perfect looking body, slowly reassembling itself bit by bit.

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Ann Cory Another ear-splitting sound echoed and his torso, stomach, and chest smashed to the ground while his blood spiraled, feeding the mirrors. They heaved, breathing like a human. His neck lay on the cool ground, watching more of his body take form, with definition and toned abs. He smiled. “Why would I be with you when I can look like that?” he asked. “Wait a minute. Then it is true. When you looked in the mirror, you really did see yourself.” “Yes, I tried to tell you. That’s why I was confused.” “Then I never had a chance, you were in love with yourself. Vanity is your downfall,” she said. “I am sorry I did not understand what you had said at the time, perhaps I could have saved you.” “Take a look at the new and improved me! I couldn’t be happier.” A thundering from inside his head came to a hilt and a blast shot in his brain. *** Several minutes later a peaceful calm washed over him. Jake looked around at his surroundings. He recognized the inside of the funhouse and saw everything in a slightly distorted way. A figure stood before the mirror, it was Mina, the veil was back on covering the hideousness of her face. “I didn’t think I could get back. This really was only a trick.” Mina shook her head and ran a finger along his reflection. “No, you will remain trapped in the house of mirrors.” “You’re saying I can never get out of here?” “It’s complicated. You’ll never be the same man you were when you took my hand. Your soul is forever trapped in here. The way out is not always where we want to be.” “You’re talking in rhymes. I’m better looking now than I was before, so it can’t be all bad.” “How you perceive yourself is not how others will. The next person who comes along will decide how you look forever. The last person to look at me was a woman who worked at the carnival. Let me warn you, the carnies will be coming to clean the mirrors very soon.” “What are you saying?” A nagging voice in Jake’s head wouldn’t let him alone. Something far more serious was going on here than what he wanted to admit. She was trying to scare him, of that he was certain. He didn’t scare easy, but this was starting to make him take notice. All of his

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Haunt Me Taunt Me choices tonight had been spontaneous and with little thought. How much it would affect his life, he didn’t know. But what she was telling him made his stomach queasy. “You made your choice, my love. What you see is what you get. I tried to help you. You’re so busy worrying about how everyone looks, you forgot the important things.” “I know what you’re trying to do. You want to punish me because I said I didn’t love you. Well newsflash, people don’t fall in love just like that. Sure you’re a hot babe, and I wouldn’t mind seeing you more, but I need more. If you think this revenge tactic is going to make me change my mind, you’re wrong.” “On the contrary, you’ve gotten everything you wanted tonight. You wanted to be scared. I know that deep down inside, you are. You wanted to have sex with me, and it was amazing. You wanted to look different, and I promise you’ll never look the same again. This was not a night of trick or treat for you, but a moment of brutal truth. Look for love and you will find it. Look away and you will lose it. Fate has decided its plans for you.” Jake heard some noises and tried to press his face against the glass to see. When he looked back, the fortuneteller had disappeared. “Wait, Mina! Come back. Can’t we try and work something out? Are you being honest with me about all this or is it simply a joke?” He heard voices getting louder and footsteps walking closer. Jake hoped inside it was the teenagers he’d seen earlier, coming in for a little privacy while they made out. He listened as two deep voices spoke in guttural tones, making him sorry he ever came to the carnival. “Halloween, what a joke. The holiday to dress gruesome with blood smeared across your face and wear realistic masks.” “You could probably make money by sitting for a mask artist. He could do an exact replica of your face and sell a million of them. One look at you and it tends to scare all the little kiddies away.” “Ah shut up. You’re no spring chicken yourself. Damn, I lost another bloody tooth.” A mouth appeared before his eyes, opening wide to reflect a trove of decay, rot, and crusty residue. The carnies eyes were bloodshot with yellow rings embedded inside and his face was just as vile, if not worse. Jake felt the changes take place and the sudden realization of everything that Mina had explained to him, finally sunk in. She was right about

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Ann Cory everything, but especially the part where he was scared. He wasn’t too old to feel fear. He’d gotten what he wanted, one way or another, but it looked like that had come to an end. Now, more than anything, he wanted to die.

The End

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Haunt Me Taunt Me AUTHOR BIO Ann Cory’s work can be seen online and in print, magazines, anthologies, and novellas. Look for her work in Sensual Venus, Anaisdotmfk.com, Who’s Your Daddy, Erotic Tales, Erotic Fantasy, and her first sultry title from Ocean’s Mist Press: A Personal Assessment. For upcoming projects and publications please visit her website at http://www.anncory.com.

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