Hearts Afire

HEARTS AFIRE

…Erica took her electronic car door opener from her purse and clicked open the lock. She opened the door and put her purse on the seat. Turning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her. “I had a wonderful time tonight. I really don’t want it to end. How about you?” She leaned into him and took a gentle little nip on his lower lip, then ran her tongue over it. She kissed him, plunging her tongue into his mouth, caressing his with hers. Erica heard him moan and move his body closer, forcing her back against the car door. She could feel his erection through her gown and it felt unbelievably hard and big. Unable to hold herself back, her lower body saddled up close to his groin and she wiggled just a little. Lust surged through her and she wanted to take him right here in the backseat of her car. Rubbing her breast on his chest, lightning desire struck down all the way to her womb and it was all she could do not to grind herself into his erection. Pulling away from their kiss, she spoke with a low panting breath, “Richard, will you come home with me?” “Hell, yeah. I’ll follow you.”

ALSO BY VELVET VEERS Companionship Inc. Book I: Cinder-un-rella Book II: Hearts Afire Book III: Double-Dare Claire Road Warriors Inc. Book I: Thunder’s Road Book II: Fat Boy’s Legend Book III: Harley’s Desire Virtual Reality Inc. Book I: Project Temptation Book II: Stake Out Book III: Virtual Hearts Club

COMPANIONSHIP INC. BOOK II:

HEARTS AFIRE BY VELVET VEERS

AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC http://www.amberquill.com

HEARTS AFIRE AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.amberquill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2003 by Debi McMartin & Vickie Wakely ISBN 1-59279-082-8 Cover Art © 2003 Trace Edward Zaber Rating: NC-17 Layout and Formatting provided by: ElementalAlchemy.com

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To Pat Rasey, the best editor on the planet!

HEARTS AFIRE

PROLOGUE

Arriving home much earlier than usual, Richard Wakefield stood at the patio door of their home and watched his wife of five years getting her weekly massage. Alana lay prone and totally nude on the folding table beside the pool on this warm summer day. The massage therapist rubbed the oils onto her back, slowly kneading the tight muscles along her neck and circling down, between and over her shoulder blades. Alana’s tanned skin gleamed from the oils, her body an exquisite sight, her barely-there tight buttocks slightly raised, her long, slender legs stretched out before her. Her perfect shoulders with taut, tight muscles relaxed against the table, her head sagged into the hole in the table. Not a muscle moved, and she appeared totally relaxed. Richard’s penis stiffened at the sight of her, pressing against his pants uncomfortably, and it turned him on even more to watch the male massage therapist obviously enjoying his work. A moan escaped Alana’s lips as Franz ran two fingers down her 1

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spine, stopping at her waist. He deftly ran strong fingers up her sides, skimming over the side of her breasts, stopping there to stroke them in tiny circular motions. Richard stood hypnotized. He would love to walk over to Alana and take her—right in front of Franz, even while Franz continued his ministrations. Alana, blessed by genetics, had the consummate body—Latina and sultry. She worked out religiously for at least two hours every day to enhance the gift nature had bestowed on her. Richard had always overlooked her character flaws because she was so exotic, mesmerizing even, with those amber eyes, full lips and Cherokee cheekbones. He knew it to be superficial, but that’s the way it was. Her high-maintenance body had its drawbacks, though. Alana had refused to even consider getting pregnant for fear of losing her figure, knowing full well that Richard desperately wanted children. Franz moved to her feet, kneading the correct reflexology points for healing. Moving up to her legs, he massaged her calf muscles, then lifted one leg up and over to stretch the tight, taut muscles. He moved her legs further apart and Richard could see Franz staring at his wife’s vagina. Richard should put a stop to it, but as much as he hated to admit it—he was enjoying it. Franz rolled Alana onto her back. Circling down her neck and shoulder blades with his nimble hands, he moved to the side of her breasts—massaging them, then rubbing down her stomach to return to the valley between her breasts and up to her neck. Over and over he made the same erotic circle. Richard watched as her breasts moved up and out with each motion and the stimulating action made him even harder. Muscled hands moved down the top of her hips to the outside of her thighs to circle back up the inside. He had spread her legs wide by now, and no doubt could even see her nub protruding from the folds. Deftly and deliberately, Franz placed an oiled thumb onto her clit, 2

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moving it in slow, sensuous circles. Alana moaned again and spread her legs wider, her hips rotating to the rhythm of his circles. Richard grew harder and his penis throbbed, remembering the slick heat of her clit, the way it swelled and responded to his touch, the way it tasted in his mouth like a live raw oyster, fresh from the sea, teasing his tongue. Alana gripped the sides of the table and her hips bucked up harder. Franz smiled as if loving the control he had over this woman, and his strokes grew harder. “Oh, Franz,” she begged. “Put your fingers in me now, just like you always do.” “How many fingers do you want this time, my Alana?” Franz asked in his German accent. “I want four fingers—with a twist,” she panted, throwing her head back in ecstasy. Franz curled the four fingers of his right hand together and thrust them into her. “Is that enough for you, baby?” “Oh, yeah, you’re cooking. My God, you know how to please a woman. Your fingers feel better than Richard’s dick ever could.” She writhed in enjoyment. “Oh, Franz, I’m getting so close. Now put your tongue on me. I want to feel your tongue on my clit.” Franz pulled her legs roughly to the end of the table and knelt down, spreading her legs wide and placing his head at her crotch. Richard watched his tongue looking for the entire world as big as a penis, dart in and out of her vagina, sending her quickly into spasms of bliss. Alana screamed, moving with such force she almost fell off the table. Feeling sick, tired and cuckolded, he now knew without a doubt he couldn’t satisfy Alana. That was why she screwed around—he didn’t do it for her. Alana rolled back onto her stomach and Franz moved to her head, the tip of his penis sticking proudly out of the top of his tennis shorts. Richard watched as Franz leaned in mere inches from her to massage 3

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the oil into her neck. Alana lifted her head and flicked the top of his penis with her tongue. Franz jumped back, stopping the massage for a moment. Then he began kneading her muscles again using a circling seductive motion and moved closer to her mouth. She flicked the head of his dick again, but much more boldly this time moving in to circle the top with her tongue. Now he moved close enough for her to put the whole head of his penis in her mouth. Richard stood in shock, watching his wife happily blowing her massage therapist. He couldn’t believe it. Now he was seeing what he had suspected for years and he still couldn’t believe it. For years now they’d not had a marriage because she had all but cut him off in bed. Now he knew why. When Alana unzipped Franz’s shorts and took his shaft into her mouth, Richard turned and walked out of the house. Jumping into his convertible, Richard screeched out of the driveway, tearing down the street with tires screaming. The acrid smell of burning rubber made him sick. He just wanted to keep driving, at least until his mind felt rational. Richard wanted to kill Franz. He wanted to kill Alana. Hot rage mounted up within him, and he flew down the interstate. The speedometer kept rising90-mph, 100-mph, 120-mph. How fast can this little red Porsche fly before her wings fall off? Would he become airborne at one-eighty and float happily over the horizon? He could only wish. Driving around, Richard couldn’t think beyond the humiliation. The sad part was he didn’t really care that much anymore. It was more that his pride had been punctured. Shouldn’t he be the least bit hurt by his wife’s betrayal? The longer he drove, the stonier his heart became. Forty miles down the road, Richard began to calm down, his rational mind kicking in. He turned off at the next exit and planned his strategy. He would do the only thing he could—go back to the house and confront her head on. 4

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* * * Back at the house, his footsteps pounded on marble floor, echoing throughout the high-ceilinged dome. He found Alana upstairs dressing. Richard stood at the door and watched her brush her long, chestnut colored hair. “I want a divorce,” he announced. He didn’t know any other way than abrupt and up front. After placing her brush on the vanity, Alana sat on the bed. She hesitated in the process of putting on her shoe, contemplating it as if she’d never seen it before. Standing up, she walked up to Richard, and leaned in, her face an inch from his. “No.” “What do you mean no? Our marriage is a sham. You whore around with low lives like the massage guy. I saw you at the pool today.” She sighed nonchalantly. “It means nothing. It’s just sex, Richard. A bit of child’s play by the pool, that’s all. You really shouldn’t take it so personally. I will not give you a divorce. Stanfords do not divorce for any reason.” “It might mean nothing to you, but it means everything to me. You’re not a Stanford anymore. You’re a Wakefield and you’re getting a divorce.” With eyes blazing, Alana got even closer to his face and hissed, “You know you enjoyed watching us today. Don’t tell me you didn’t get a rock of a hard-on when you watched us at play. Tell me you didn’t enjoy it, you hypocrite. I saw your reflection in Franz’s sunglasses. I knew you were standing there watching us and that turned me on even more, knowing my husband watched and knowing you wanted to be right there in the middle of us—a happy threesome. I saw your dick straining against your pants.” Alana’s expression turned quickly from hostile to seductive. “You know, Richard, you really have a great cock. Your anatomy is perfect. You just never learned how to use it.” Alana reached in his pants, grabbing his member and squeezing, a 5

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smug look of satisfaction covering her face as she felt it harden. She leaned up and whispered in his ear. “You want to know a secret, Richard? Confession time—you never gave me an orgasm.” Richard stood there feeling the blood drain out of his face, ice cold rage threatening to overtake him. “What about all those screams?” “I’m a damn good actress. Should’ve tried out for Broadway. And you’re a complete idiot, Richard. A fool if there ever was one. So inept at how to please a woman—from your fumbling fingers to your boring presence, you don’t have it. And never will. “I married you because I felt sorry for you. I thought maybe I could help make you feel better about yourself by marrying me—a beautiful, sought-after woman. I had to go out and find other dicks to satisfy my sexual—and emotional—needs. You don’t do it for me, Richard. So you are not going to be the one to walk away. That’s a privilege that belongs to me and me alone. Richard just stood and stared at her. Alana twisted the knife one last time. “Oh, yeah, boy, you’ve got the goods. You just don’t know how to use it. Franz does.” Alana turned and grabbed her purse. When she got to the door she said, “By the way, I’ll let you join us next time so Franz can give you some lessons.” She stalked down the stairs, slamming the door on the way out. Richard could have run after her, but it wouldn’t do any good. He stood frozen at the top of the stairs, listening to the tires screech as Alana peeled out of the driveway in the Jaguar. * * * The shrill ring of the telephone shortly after midnight woke Richard from his nightmare. He fumbled in the dark for the receiver. “Hello.” “Sir, this is Officer Tom Malone from the Minnesota State Police department. Are you the husband of Alana Wakefield?” “Yes, she’s my wife.” “I am sorry to inform you, sir, but your wife has been in a serious 6

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car accident and is on route to Fairview Hospital by ambulance. Can you meet us there?” “Yes. Yes, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” With shaking hands, Richard hung up the phone. He and Alana had had fights before and nothing like this had ever happened. He dressed quickly and drove to the hospital. He was met at the emergency room door by Officer Malone and immediately escorted to the surgery waiting room. Officer Malone informed him that Alana was in emergency surgery. According to the police report, Alana had been traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control of the car, sending it into an embankment. While waiting what seemed like hours for the doctor to come and tell him news, Alana’s sister, Rachel, made a grand entrance, her husband in tow. She screeched and flung herself in Richard’s arms, crying and carrying on dramatically. Embarrassed, Richard tried to calm her down because people were staring. He spoke to her in a low, calming voice, “It’ll be okay. Please don’t cry, Rachel. We don’t know how bad it is yet.” Rachel shut down the tears as fast as they began. It was like a performance that had come to the end. “You have seen the doctor and he said she was fine?” “No, not yet.” “Then how do you know?” she wailed. “Look, Rachel, I don’t know for sure. Okay? We just have to wait and hear what the doctor has to say.” “What happened?” Rachel demanded, scrutinizing Richard with squinted eyes. “The officer at the scene said she was driving her car too fast and lost control.” “Where was she going? Why weren’t you with her?” Rachel asked accusingly. “Rachel, we had a fight and she ran.” 7

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The anger flamed Rachel’s face and her eyes narrowed. “You…you are the cause of my sister lying in the hospital.” Her voice rose with her accusations. “You were never good enough for her and now because of you she might die.” Richard stood perfectly still, allowing her to continue ranting at him. Technically she hadn’t said anything he hadn’t thought of himself. “You never loved her. It was her money you loved.” “That is not true.” Richard raised his voice. The doctor stepped into the waiting area and asked, “Are you Mr. Wakefield?” “Yes. How is she, doctor?” Richard asked. “I have some disturbing news for you. Alana has experienced severe trauma to the head and spine area. Apparently, she was not wearing her seat belt. The surgery will help ease the pain in her back and the swelling on her brain. I’m sorry to have to inform you of this, but Alana is paralyzed from her waist down. The chances of her ever walking again are very, very slim.” The doctor shook his head sadly, folding his hands in front of him. Rachel started screaming at the top of her lungs, “No! Oh, my God, no!” She grabbed onto her husband and her whole body went limp as her wimpy husband tried to keep her from falling onto the floor. The doctor started to help then frowned. “And I am not sure how much damage was done to her head. Time will tell. She’s been moved to ICU.” Richard asked, “What do you mean by damage to her head?” “Until she regains consciousness we’re not sure if she has sustained permanent brain damage or memory loss.” “My own sister may not know me?” Rachel screeched. The doctor flinched from Rachel’s hysterics. “In all likelihood, she’ll be fine. You need not worry until we know for sure. Would you like a sedative?” No…I’ll be okay in a minute. When can I see my sister?” Rachel 8

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poured herself another cup of coffee, guzzling at it like a woman lost in the desert. “As soon as she’s been placed in a room and stabilized, I’ll have the nurse send for you.” Richard shook the doctor’s hand and thanked him. Today was the day when everything in my world turned upside down, Richard thought. Suddenly everything seemed surreal. Just hours ago he’d been watching his wife with another man, and now she was clinging to life, paralyzed.

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CHAPTER 1

One Year Later Richard sat in a booth at Lotus’s, drinking a dark draft while waiting for Dustin, his best friend. He’s probably hung up in court, Richard thought, looking at his watch. Dustin’s law practice had been thriving for the past two years; so much that he’d had to stop taking new clients for a while. Richard glanced at the woman sitting alone at the bar. He spied her stealing a look at him, darting her eyes away when he caught her gaze. She crossed her legs slowly, her skirt inching up to mid-thigh. Richard looked away—and felt not a glimmer of attraction. Alana had been in the ground for six months now, and he wasn’t anywhere near ready to take on the challenge of the dating scene again. She’d lasted for six months in a vegetative state, on a ventilator and respirator, before her organs began to shut down—one by one. When the machines only seemed to beat her up and prolong her death, 10

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Richard made the decision to unplug the respirator. She died with him by her side, slipping away peacefully while Richard held her hand. No matter that their relationship had been a tempestuous one in real life. It would be one of peace and resolution upon her death. But Richard’s guilt over Alana’s accident and subsequent death ate at his guts everyday like corrosive battery acid eroding its container. Dustin charged in the door and slapped Richard on the back, sloshing his drink on the table. “Whoa, sorry, buddy, didn’t mean to getcha.” Plopping down in the other side of the booth, Dustin took charge, just like he did with everything else in his life. Richard watched as Dustin smiled flirtatiously at the redhead sitting at the bar. Dustin rubbed his hands together. “Hey, bud. You ready to eat?” Sliding off the bar stool, they made their way to a table in the back of the restaurant. They didn’t need the menu because they both ordered the same thing every other week like clockwork. “How you been?” Dustin asked. “Okay, I guess. How’s our lawsuit going?” “I’ve filed it, but pushed the court date back so I have more time to prepare…and to piss Rachel off. It is a complicated case as you well know, but we’ll win, no problem.” “You seem so sure.” Richard cast him a doubtful glance then took another swig of beer. “I am sure, buddy. You know and I know you had nothing to do with Alana’s car accident and death. Just because her sister is a bitch doesn’t give her the right to make these kinds of accusations. She’s claiming you married Alana for her money, but she’s suing you so she can get her hands on that same money. Gold-digging bitch.” “If it wasn’t for the principle of the thing, I’d let her have the damn money.” Richard sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “You were always the pushover. Just because you’ve made your own fortune separate from your deceased wife’s doesn’t mean you need 11

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to just give away that kind of money. She’ll never stop badgering you if you give in. No amount of money will ever be enough for Rachel.” Richard smiled at Dustin’s perception. He held up his mug of frothy beer and clicked on Dustin’s. “Here is to your logical, brilliant, legal mind. Thank God you’re on my side.” Dustin leaned across the table and whispered, “Buddy, I saw that redhead eyeing you. Have you been dating anyone?” “No. I’m just not interested.” “It’s been awhile now, bud, and you need to get back on track. The longer you stay off the horse, the harder it is to get back on. The problem is your pipes are all plugged and you can’t think straight. You need to get out on the freeway, top speed, and blow that carburetor out. Or better yet, have that sweet red-head blow it out for you.” Richard laughed heartily. “You think so, do you?” “I’m damn sure of it. Seriously, I know a great girl you’d dig—a vixen. How about I fix the two of you up?” Richard balked. “I don’t know if that is such a good idea. You know Rachel is not quite…stable. I’m worried at the stunts she might pull if she saw me out with someone.” “My God, this is the twenty-first century, not the nineteenth. People don’t go into hiding or wear black for a year.” He gave Richard a sweep of his eyes and gestured with his head, noting Richard’s allblack attire. “Or haven’t you heard?” “I’m just going through my teenage black phase. I missed it the first time around.” Dustin laughed. “Well, that’s good news, and here I thought it was for a different reason. I’ll give Darlene a call tomorrow. Is Friday night good for you?” “I…I guess so.” * * * Friday night Richard knocked at the door of an upper middle-class home in the suburb of Minneapolis. A blonde bombshell wearing a 12

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short, tight, red dress answered, flashing him a big, sweet smile. Dustin knows how to pick women. They went to an Italian restaurant with enough ambiance to put anyone in the mood for love. Italian love songs played through the speakers, and violinist serenaded them personally. Richard ordered some expensive Monto Blanc to take the edge off his nervousness. He felt like a kid trying to ride a bike without training wheels for the first time. Darlene wasn’t much of a conversationalist. She sat and stared at him with goo-goo eyes and giggled a lot, as if expecting him to provide her entertainment for the evening. She worked as a paralegal at Dustin’s office, and from the content of the small bit she did contribute to the conversation, her job was her life and her raison d’être. At least she had a pleasant voice, but the more she drank, the more she giggled non-stop. He had intentions of shutting her up in a little while anyway. From the minute she opened her door to him with those fuck-me eyes, he knew she wanted sex…and he was just the man to give it to her. He figured she probably would’ve been happier if he’d taken her straight to bed. Then they wouldn’t have to endure the awkwardness of the evening, which only served now as a prelude of things to come—a little sensual pre-foreplay. Who cares about conversation? They drove back to Darlene’s apartment and she invited him up. The gentlemanly thing to do was see her to the door, at the very least. Right? Once inside, she pulled on his tie and brought him closer to her. The scent of her perfume wafted up, and he inhaled deeper. The olfactory sense, they say, is the strongest link to sexual attraction, he remembered with detachment. Beneath the perfume, she carried the deep scent of female—a smooth, silky scent he wanted to drink. Darlene stood on her tiptoes, pulling his lips down to meet hers. She ran her tongue slowly around his lips, placing her mouth firmly on his. 13

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Richard took in a mint-flavored tang, enjoying the feel of her hot tongue on his mouth. It had been so long and his libido instantly came out of hiding. He drew her closer still and she rubbed her chest against his. He could feel the moan escape her throat. Slowly he began to unzip that tight red dress. At the bottom of the zipper, he moved his hands lower to cradle her butt and pull her closer into him. She settled in nicely, rubbing herself against his manhood in an invitation for more. Richard moved his hands back up her sides, raking his thumbs over the side of her breast and up to the top of her dress. He slowly uncovered her shoulders and kissed his way down her neck, following the exposure of skin. The dress fell to the floor and Darlene stepped out of it. In a gruff, lust-laced voice, he said, “Stand back and let me look at you.” She moved away from him and he took in the seductive picture she made. He stared at her see-thru red bra and saw her big, round areolas begging to be unleashed. Moving his gaze downward, he took in the red lace garter belt holding up hose, and the barely-there red underwear that matched. Richard licked his lips, ready to dive in, but he reminded himself to go slowly. “You are beautiful, Darlene.” She just giggled, but he didn’t seem to mind as much at this moment. He watched her bring down her bra strap one at a time. Undoing the clasp holding it in place, she let it fall so he could see the whole picture at once. His shaft jerked in response to the vision of loveliness in front of him. Darlene moved her hands over her breasts, cupping them together, then releasing them, running her hands down slowly over her stomach. She undid her right garter hook, then reached around the back and took off the second hook. Slowly she ran her hands down her leg, carrying the hose with her. She watched him as she repeated the action for her 14

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left leg. She stood up and crooked her finger at him in a come-hither motion to join her. He moved close enough for her to remove his tie and unbutton his shirt. While she pulled his shirttail from his pants, he gave her a thorough kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth, just like he’d be sliding his penis in her wet cave soon. Darlene raked her fingernails over his chest, nipples and back while she removed his shirt. The scratching sensations made his skin burn with desire. As the shirt hit the floor, she grabbed his ass with her hands and rubbed herself against his bare chest. Her fingers moved to the front of his pants, unzipped them, slid both underwear and pants down over his thighs, and raked her nails slowly down his legs. His erection hit her stomach hard and she etched her nails across it making it jump. She giggled. It sounded like music to his ears now. “Let’s go to the bedroom,” Darlene said, and grabbed his hand to lead him down the hall. Richard watched her tight butt sway, the garters slapping her thighs. She lay on the bed and he placed a knee on the edge and ran his hands up her legs to the little panties and garter belt covering her, pulling them down and off with a quick jerk. Crawling up over her body, he stopped and sucked on a breast, grabbing the bud in his mouth and tugging. Darlene scraped his back with her nails, settling her legs around him with her heels over his calves. He’d forgotten how damn good this felt. He moved down to kiss her stomach and then to her nub, breathing hard against her hot pussy. She bucked at his exploration then moaned with delight. He licked, sucked, and titillated until he could feel her tighten her legs around him to hold his head in place. Richard stuck his finger in her vagina moving it in and out as he lapped her clitoris with his tongue. He felt it swell with each lick, growing larger and fuller until her muscles tightened and she shoved his head into her hard, rising up and screaming with her release. Richard moved up into position to insert his needy penis into her 15

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wet canal. But the moment the head hit her vagina and he looked into her eyes, his penis withered like a wilted raisin. He’d never lost a hardon in his life, but there it was in his hand—limp as a dead fish. He rolled over and lay on the bed with his arm over his eyes. Darlene took it in stride and slithered down his body to place his limp noodle in her mouth, as desperate as if she were doing artificial resuscitation to bring it back to life. She sucked expertly and blood pumped back into it full force. She climbed on top of him to place it in her, only to have it wither again—in her hand this time. Shit! She moved off him and lay down on the bed. “What can I say? This has never happened to me before.” “It’s okay. It happens.” “Not to me.” He climbed off the bed and dressed, letting himself out of the apartment without a word.

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CHAPTER 2

Tonight, Erica McClure would be escorting one Mr. Richard Wakefield to a charity benefit. It had been a long time since the escort service she worked for, Companionship, Inc., had assigned her to someone new. Erica had been working for the company for almost three years now and had established regulars who requested her. She liked it that way—no ties and no romance. But tonight felt different. She’d never met this man, although she felt the same excitement and anticipation as when she’d been dating. She’d gone shopping at the Mall of America and purchased a new dress to look and feel special for the evening. It didn’t matter if she was being silly. No one would ever know but her. Maybe it had been way too long since she’d had a real date and tonight would be like dressing up when she was a little girl. Tonight was a job—no more a real date than any of her other escort gigs at Companionship, Inc. But she could always pretend and make up stories to bring more excitement into her life just like when she was a little girl. 17

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Erica remembered vividly the day she went from being that little girl to a full-fledged woman. She’d bloomed from the gawky, knobbykneed, pigeon-toed kid to the voluptuous girl that suddenly gave all her old male friends cricks in their necks. She awkwardly found herself the center of attention at the school dances, never able to sit down for one boy breaking in on another to dance with Erica. The night she danced with Evan, her high school sweetheart, was the first night she became aware of her womanhood, and all the juicy thrills that went with it. She’d been warned appropriately of all the things that teenage boys would do to try to get into her pants, but no one had ever told her that she’d have to resist the desire to plunge her hand into theirs and play with something that Erica had previously always considered a gross malformation. Erica remembered spending every waking minute longing to “do it” with Evan. Of course, she resisted, like the good little girl she was expected to be. But after two years of holding him off and getting hornier by the moment, Erica seduced him in her own bedroom when her parents left for the weekend. She’d planned it for weeks—just the right music, just the right royal blue dress, just the right moment, and just the perfect guy. He had no idea what she’d been planning. He showed up with the research material for the science project, and Erica told him that she’d changed the theme to An Anatomical Journey for the Blind, and that she needed to don a blindfold and study him—by the Braille method. Evan stripped down at her command, blushing wildly as she donned her Tonto mask (with a peephole). Touching his face first, she let her hands trail lower, quickly skimming his abdomen until she reached his penis, clenching it firmly with her hand, then plucked the tip with her thumb as drops of hot liquid squeezed out. His breath grew heavy, and he begged her to keep going. She pumped him for a while, then pulled off her mask, removed her clothes and lay on top of him, sliding his hot dick straight up her canal. 18

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She felt her vaginal muscles clench him, squeezing and releasing his penis in ecstasy. Erica had never felt so good, so hot and now she knew what it felt like to lust—to burn up until you felt that male fullness. She never wanted to go one day of her life without this exquisite pleasure. Evan bucked up into her, his face red-hot and his body out of control. She rode him hard, then felt the tidal wave coming—that blissful first climax she would always remember as life’s perfect elixir. Everything inside her had waited for this day, this moment. Evan released his hot liquid into her, yelling and grabbing at her like an outof-control wildcat. Then she kissed him, just like they always did after their Friday night date. Now it was another time and another royal blue dress highlighting Erica’s violet eyes, dipping down to reveal more well-defined cleavage than she normally felt comfortable with. The back fell bare to the waist. The slit up the side ran all the way to the top of her thigh, showing a shapely, muscled leg with every stride. The dress would knock him dead, she hoped. Erica had made up her mind to seduce Richard Wakefield if he appeared the least bit interested in her. It had been a three-year dry spell and her loneliness won out over the Companionship, Inc. rules against having sex with clients. Even though her former husband still had her dead set against the male species in general—at least for longterm relationship prospects—she knew all men weren’t as superficial as he. The jerk had left her because he couldn’t deal with their precious baby being handicapped. Well, screw him if he can’t see how special Charlie is. Hearing the whirl of the motorized wheelchair, Erica turned around to see her darling Charlie racing down the hall. She turned to face him. “Ta-da! What do you think?” Charlie grinned wide, his eyes sparkling. “Momma, you look like a princess.” She walked over and planted a kiss on the top of his head. “Thanks, 19

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sweetie. It’s time to take you to Mrs. Pentrose’s apartment. Are you ready?” “Yeah. She said she rented a couple videos for us to watch.” Charlie backed up his wheelchair then sped down the hall toward the door. Erica followed closely and walked behind him to Mrs. Pentrose’s apartment. Charlie had already knocked on the door and rolled inside when Erica arrived. “Hi, Ms. McClure. My, you look lovely tonight,” Mrs. Pentrose said in her sweet, little, singsong voice. “Thanks. Making popcorn for the movie marathon?” “Yeah. I found some movies I think Charlie will like. Of course, he’s probably seen them all, fan that he is of films.” “Probably so.” She sighed. “He is a TV addict, I’m afraid. I’ll be home really late tonight. Is that okay? “Why don’t you just let Charlie spend the night with me tonight? We can have a slumber party.” “Could I, Momma? Please.” Erica frowned, then smiled at the two of them. Even though Mrs. Pentrose was almost fifty-five, she never ceased to amaze Erica at the energy and fun-filled life she created for herself. “Okay, you two. If you’re sure you don’t mind?” Erica directed the question to Mrs. Pentrose. “We’ll have a grand adventure. Now you go or you’ll be late.” “I have my cell phone with me at all times if you need to reach me for any reason. Charlie’s medicine is in his bag.” “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. You just have a good time.” Mrs. Pentrose shooed Erica out the door. “I hope to. ’Bye, Charlie.” Erica blew him a kiss, but he was already engrossed in his Indiana Jones movie. The drive took thirty minutes to get to the building downtown where the charity event was being held. A little nervous, she doublechecked her appearance before she exited the car and walked from the 20

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parking garage to the crowded entrance. * * * Richard couldn’t believe he stood in the lobby of the Ramada Inn in downtown Minneapolis, waiting for his escort to arrive. Why hadn’t he just gone to this stupid banquet alone? Now he had to be nice, smile and make friendly conversation with someone he’d never even met. He knew the answer to his own question, but that didn’t make any difference now. In his line of business, appearance was everything and being without the proper date at a function this elaborate was inappropriate and just plain strange. And he’d be damned before he’d put himself in another situation like the Darlene affair. The escort service, Companionship, Inc., was the perfect solution. Richard saw the gorgeous knockout enter the room. She really wasn’t his type at all, but something about her made him notice. Her short black hair and pale skin made a striking combination, and with that shapely figure— Wow, who wouldn’t notice? Mesmerized, he watched her seductive walk as she moved closer to him. Richard twirled the red rose between his fingers faster and faster as she approached. He didn’t notice his nervous gesture, so engrossed was he with that sway nearing him. Stopping in front of him, she asked, “Are you Richard Wakefield?” He started to speak but nothing came out, then he cleared his throat and tried again. “Yes,” he croaked. She extended her hand for him to take, “My name is Erica McClure, and I’m to be your escort this evening.” Her voice was deep, seductive, and made him think of raw, hard sex. He envisioned them naked in bed with those muscled thighs wrapped around him, her telling him just what she wanted him to do to her in that low sexy voice. Trying to be suave and not gape anymore than he already had, he finally handed her the rose. “I’m glad you’re here. I hate standing 21

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around alone. Shall we go inside?” “Certainly. You know, I hate standing around alone, too.” She took his arm in the crook of hers, walking beside him like they were old friends reunited. He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. “I wouldn’t think a woman as beautiful as you would ever be alone.” She laughed, low and very feminine. “You are so kind.” Richard placed his hand on her back and touched bare skin. He hadn’t expected to make contact with warm, soft skin. Making a conscious effort not to move his hands to roam her back took all the will power he possessed. God, it feels good to touch a woman’s skin again. * * * They mingled with people who were acquaintances of Richard’s. This was not her normal crowd, but a very upscale version of the rich and famous. Richard seemed to fit right into the atmosphere, suave and debonair. She was curious about him and what he did for a living. But the opportunity hadn’t presented itself for them to get to know each other, one on one. She excused herself and went to the ladies room. When she stepped up to the sink to wash her hands, Erica noticed a dark-headed, gypsy looking woman leaning against the wall, watching her. Trying not to be self-conscious, Erica gave a courtesy nod and continued drying her hands. The woman spoke to her. “The man you’re with tonight. How well do you know him?” Erica looked at her, puzzled, and a prickle of fear ran up her neck making the hairs stand on end. “Well enough, I suppose. Why do you ask?” “Did you know he killed his wife?” “No. Are you sure you have the right man?” Erica suddenly felt like fleeing. She didn’t want to go where this conversation was leading. 22

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“Absolutely. His wife was my sister. Do yourself a favor and lose him.” “Thanks for the warning.” Erica exited the ladies room, trying to get as far away from the horrible woman as possible. Erica didn’t know her game, but she did know Richard wasn’t a killer. Her gut instincts told her that. Before going on this assignment the office had told her Richard had lost his wife recently from a long illness. Why would that woman tell me he killed her? Richard leaned in close to her and made her jump when he whispered in her ear, “What are you thinking so hard about?” “You.” He smiled and showed his perfect white teeth. “Anything you’d like to share?” “I had a visitor in the bathroom. It was a little unsettling, to say the least.” Richard immediately stiffened. “Who was it? Anyone you knew?” “No. It was someone who knew you. She told me you killed your wife.” “My God!” He raked his hand through his hair in a nervous gesture. “Did she tell you her name?” “No. She just said she was your wife’s sister.” “Damn it to hell. Sorry. I can explain this. Why don’t we step outside in the hall?” She hesitated for just a moment then led the way. He directed her to a little alcove with a love seat just outside the door. Erica sat down and waited for him. He paced the floor nervously, his face pale and drawn. Suddenly, he looked ten years older than he had when she first met him, not more than a few minutes ago. “I caught my wife with another man and asked her for a divorce. She went nuts, jumped in her car and floored the accelerator. She hit an embankment. For six months she was paralyzed and suffered from head 23

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trauma. She never fully regained consciousness. She never spoke a word and probably didn’t recognize anybody. The machines kept her alive. “I had to make the decision to turn them off. That’s why Rachel said I murdered Alana. In Rachel’s eyes, if I hadn’t asked her sister for a divorce, she never would’ve gotten angry enough to wreck her car and die as a result of the injuries.” “But that doesn’t make any sense. You weren’t even in the car! Alana was responsible for the way she reacted to your asking her for a divorce—not you.” “In Rachel’s way of thinking, I should’ve stopped Alana or never asked for the divorce. I don’t know.” He ran his hand through his hair again. Sitting close beside her, he looked directly in her eyes. “I swear I did not kill my wife.” “I believe you.” For an unsettling moment they were so aware of each other the air crackled around them. He moved in close and whispered, “I think you really mean that,” and he spontaneously kissed her waiting mouth. Her lips were so soft, warm, and wet, responding to him in a way that let him know she wanted more. She opened her lips for him and he invaded her mouth with his tongue. Sensations of heat soared through his body, pooling at his groin. He shifted, placing his hands on each side of her face and spread his fingers through her hair. Richard lightly kissed her lips, then plunged back into the recesses, enjoying the way she tasted and the feel of her tongue sliding over his. Who would’ve believed she could create this heat in him? Especially after his last attempt at romance. Erica seemed so different from the type he usually gravitated toward. He liked tall, long-legged blondes. Erica was short, athletic, with short bouncing black hair. But she kissed like the sexual siren her voice promised. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth, her tongue tangoing with his. He was tempted to kiss her all over, right there in the wide open. 24

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Moving away from her luscious mouth, he moved to her ear, nibbled on the lobe, cruised down her neck, and gently planted tiny kisses along the way. She moaned softly and her hands ran through his hair and pulled him closer still. Thoughts of where they were and Companionship, Inc.’s rules were the last thing on his mind right now. He kissed his way back up her neck to her mouth, rubbed his lips lightly across hers then mated with her tongue again. Someone standing close cleared his throat and Richard slipped from the haze that enveloped him. He pulled back from those ruby, puffed lips and looked at the man standing just at the alcove entrance. “Mr. Wakefield, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have a message for you.” He extended his hand with a folded piece of paper in it. Richard reached for it and thanked the man at the same time. Puzzled as to why someone would send him a note, he carefully unfolded the paper and read the words. Is she the reason you killed my sister? Richard crunched the note in his fist and stuffed it in his pants pocket. “What is it? Is everything okay?” Erica asked, an expression of concern creasing her forehead. “It’s nothing. Let’s go back inside.” Damn, he’d warned Dustin something like this would happen if he started dating. Rachel was capable of just about anything. The woman wasn’t stable. And Richard had a gut instinct Rachel had been following him. Now he knew the truth of it. When the banquet ended, Richard insisted on walking Erica to her car. The parking garage, although lighted, still was not safe for a woman alone this time of night. * * * Walking to the car in silence, Erica warred with herself on the best way to approach the subject of Richard spending the night with her. After three years, she’d made up her mind this was the man with whom 25

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she wanted to break her long stretch of celibacy. Erica took her electronic car door opener from her purse and clicked open the lock. She opened the door and put her purse on the seat. Turning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her. “I had a wonderful time tonight. I really don’t want it to end. How about you?” She leaned into him and took a gentle little nip on his lower lip, then ran her tongue over it. She kissed him, plunging her tongue into his mouth, caressing his with hers. Erica heard him moan and move his body closer, forcing her back against the car door. She could feel his erection through her gown and it felt unbelievably hard and big. Unable to hold herself back, her lower body saddled up close to his groin and she wiggled just a little. Lust surged through her and she wanted to take him right here in the backseat of her car. Rubbing her breast on his chest, lightning desire struck down all the way to her womb and it was all she could do not to grind herself into his erection. Pulling away from their kiss, she spoke with a low panting breath, “Richard, will you come home with me?” “Hell, yeah. I’ll follow you.”

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CHAPTER 3

Could he do it? The drive over to her house made him doubt his ability to keep his erection. What if the same thing happened tonight as it had with Darlene? The humiliation would kill him he knew. Maybe he should just drive away and never see her again. But he just couldn’t do it. He wanted this woman. It felt like fifty years since he’d felt this kind of intense attraction. Richard felt like an adolescent on testosterone overload. He was confident everything would be fine since he still sported a hard-on, even though he’d been away from Erica now for around fifteen minutes. He couldn’t believe his luck. She was the most exciting and titillating woman he’d ever known. Every part of him sizzled with electrifying sensations. Just talking to her tonight made him want to jump her, not to speak of how he felt when he looked at her svelte, athletic body. Richard wanted nothing more than to make long, slow, sweet love to this woman all night long. He imagined watching her scream with 27

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her orgasmic pleasure, making her feel like no other man had ever made her feel. Tonight he would have the opportunity of a lifetime. Erica lived in a gated community and she punched the numbers. They both went through the massive iron gate when it opened. Parking and going to her apartment didn’t seem awkward in the least with Erica, but stimulated him with anticipation as he watched those tight hips sway toward the door. He took the key from her hand in a gallant show of old-fashioned chivalry, looking around to make sure they hadn’t been followed. She laughed her low seductive way that made his heart beat like a freight train and his penis grow harder. “Don’t worry, this is a gated community with security guards. Nobody could have followed us in,” she said, grabbing his arm. Richard opened the door for Erica and followed her in, shutting it behind him. She stood there with her sultry, inviting smile, almost daring him into his next move. He pulled her into him then backed her against the door, accepting her invitation with a long, hard, penetrating kiss of his own. He languished in the taste of her raw sensual pleasure. He could taste her desire as she pressed herself against his erection. God, she feels good! Erica raked her fingernails along the length of his spine and up into his hair, pulling on it ever so slightly. He assured himself this was going to be a night to rememberthe slower the better. The tug of his shirttail coming out of his pants signaled to him she’d upped the invitation’s ante. She, without a doubt, was ready to take the preliminaries a step further. With a full bill of confidence, Richard took on the role of aggressor. He pulled her dress off her shoulders and slid it down to her hips where it fell in a puddle on the floor. Swinging her into his arms, he asked, “Where’s your room?” “First door to the left,” she replied without protest. She definitely had a feminine touch in her choice of bedroom décor. A flowered bedspread and lacy pillows covered the four-poster bed, and soft lamplight gave the room a sentiment all its own. 28

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Richard laid her gently in the middle of the bed, and stood to look at her. “You are so beautiful and sexy.” Demurely she said, “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” He quickly unbuttoned his shirt and took off his shoes at the same time, then unbuckled his pants and pulled them off with his underwear. He watched her eyes as she drank him in and her look of appreciation excited him even more. —— When Richard finally crawled into bed with her, Erica enfolded him in her arms and began her slow exploration of his neck with her mouth. On fire now and ready to move full throttle, Erica moved down to his chest, taking each of his nipples between her teeth and giving them each a little soft bite. She felt his stomach and penis tighten, and smiled as she traveled downward, drinking in his full musky maleness. Erica watched his stomach muscles clench and his breathing grow harder the lower she moved. Taking his massive staff in her hands, she circled her tongue around the head then took him in her mouth, savoring the splendid taste and tension. She’d forgotten this wonderful feelingsomething so hard, but so soft and full. She wanted his fullness to expand in her mouth, just as it would expand and fill her later, pressing with need against her inner organs in a heat all of their own. Richard carried the manly musk taste and scent, with a signature all his own. Enraptured with the pleasure of her actions and the pleasure she gave to him, Erica wanted nothing more than to slow down and make this last infinitely. Taking charge and climbing on top of him, she moved her thong panties to the side and started to lower herself when she felt him wither. Her eyes snapped open to see the hurt and horror on his face. Richard closed his eyes and a look of agony contorted his face. Lying down flat on top of him where he couldn’t turn away from her, she asked, “Has this happened to you before?” 29

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Richard’s eyes were still closed as he answered in a low, strained voice. “Yes. Once before. I don’t understand. I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted any other woman in my life. I’ve been anticipating this all evening. I felt so turned on—only to have myself shrivel to the size of a cocktail frank.” Erica thought about the situation for a moment, not wanting to make him feel any worse than he did, but knowing that keeping the lines of communication open was essential for any future relationshipor at least for any chance for one to develop. “Richard, look at me,” Erica said gently. Once he opened his eyes, she asked, “Had this ever happened to you before your wife’s accident?” “No,” Richard said bluntly. “I think I have a solution for us if you are willing to take a chance.” “I really don’t know what you can do about this. It’s my problem, but I’m willing. What do you have in mind?” “First of all, let’s talk. I know that’s the last thing you want to hear, but it’s crucial for us to talk before we act. Consider it part of your therapeutic repertoire.” Richard laughed. “Oh, what a night. The evening starts out with you as my lover and ends up with you as my sex therapist.” Erica smiled. “It’s not really so odd. After all, I’ll end up reaping the benefits, too.” Propping himself up on his elbow, Richard said. “So what are your credentials, doc? I don’t see a certificate on your bedroom wall.” Erica laughed, mirroring him with an elbow prop. “Actually, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I have my master’s degree in clinical psychology. I was almost finished with my internship when Charlie was born with cerebral palsy and I had to quit so I could care for him fulltime. My specialty was sexual dysfunction. So there you go.” “So now you spend your time scouting willing victims so you can maintain your clinical skills.” 30

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Erica hit his face with a pillow. “No, Mr. Wakefield. I don’t have time to scout potential patients. But obviously, Houston, we have a problem. And I have some suggestions on how we can fix it.” Richard spread himself out on the bed. “In the name of science and the sexual future and procreation of all mankind, I am totally at your disposal Dr. Erica McClure.” His tone didn’t belie the sarcasm. “Boy, I should consider myself a VIP—very important patient. Instead of a standard, mildewed old couch to free associate on, I get a bed. Lucky me.” Erica drew the back of her hand out to rub his chest, personalizing and sensualizing the next part of the experiment. “Okay, moving right along, now that you’re in position. From everything you told me, you obviously feel some sense of responsibility for your deceased wife’s death. Let’s talk about that.” “I know it’s not rational. It’s a man thing. I feel like I’m supposed to be able to fix everything. When I can’t, I feel like I’m less of a man.” Erica said, “We need to examine a philosophy that neither you nor any other male can possibly live up to. It’s self-defeating and will bite you in the butt if you don’t examine it closely, then purge yourself.” She leaned over and planted tiny kisses on his chest. “You’re absolutely right. You’ve given me permission to purge. And guess what, honey? It’s gone!” “Piece of cake! You’re the perfect patient,” Erica said. “Now on a little touchier ground. Did Alana’s indiscretions make you feel less a man—emasculated?” “Of course. When you can’t satisfy a woman and she goes elsewhere for sexual pleasure, it does have a tendency to make one feel like a failure.” Richard flopped an arm over his eyes as if to hide the pain of revelation. “Another concept to overhaul. Your former wife didn’t seduce other men because you didn’t satisfy her. She seduced other men because she couldn’t satisfy herself. She was constantly looking for someone to 31

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provide that magic elixir to ‘making her happy.’ That could never happen as long as she was unhappy with herself. No one else can make you happy. No one else can sexually satisfy you unless you’re emotionally and sexually satisfied with yourself.” Richard looked at her a long time, his eyes suddenly burning with recognition—and lust. “Done. Now for the third part.” “For the third part in your therapy, you can just lay back and relax. You don’t have to lift a finger—or a penis for that matter. Guys are under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform—an unfair amount of pressure. Today we turn the tables, or excuse me, the bed.” Erica made tiny circles on his abdomen with her finger. Propping his arms behind his head, Richard said, “Well, Erica, I didn’t know you owned a rotating bed.” “There are a lot of things you haven’t learned about me yet, Richard Wakefield. The fun is all in the learning,” Erica said, in a breathy voice. Erica reached in the drawer of her nightstand and pulled out a vibrator. Stretching out next to him, she asked, “Would you get on your knees at my head so I can stroke you with my tongue?” At first he seemed inhibited and uncomfortable, but as she moved her hand up and down his penis, slowly and gently, savoring the tactile sensation of the thin skin under her hand, his whole body relaxed and he let his sexual impulses reign. Erica replaced her hand with her mouth, folding her lips tightly over his penis like a glove-tight vagina. Richard closed his eyes and moaned, his automatic impulses taking control. He began to move in the rhythm of her oral ministrations. Erica’s salivary glands poured out liquid, frothing as she increased the speed of her suction. Faster and faster she went, feeling his dick harden and expand in response to her actions. Sucking it deeper into her throat and loving the sensation of his expansion, Erica began humming a song. Richard shifted his weight to bend one knee over her. His hand kneaded her breast and the fire ignited in her to full flame, an instant 32

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conflagration. She didn’t ever remember burning like this. She could never recall wanting a man so much that she ached, throbbed, with need in the vortex of her being. Turning on her vibrator, she spread her legs and began pumping it to the same rhythm he rammed his cock in her mouth. The sweet sensations of the vibrations and his delightful hardness in her mouth made her suck him harder with more force and desire. She could feel herself readying for her climax and she knew it would be sensational— the lust and need in Richard’s eyes would make her explode like a firecracker. Taking her mouth off his penis, she screamed, “Oh, Richard, I’m coming, honey. Take it and run with it.” She moaned and writhed, enjoying the feel of both sensations at once. Erica slid her mouth back over him and she could hear Richard’s breathing increase. His dick was so hard now he fucked her mouth with primitive abandon, his primordial instincts ruling over logical interference—that beautiful male animal in him taking over. “Baby, put it into me. Put it in now. Hurry, I want to come again. Richard, make me come. Make the wave roll in again. Give me a tsunami. Flood me over with your juice.” —— His breath coming out in wild gasps, he moved his sweat-soaked body to slice his penis into her pussy without hesitation. Oh, God, nothing in life can compete with this feeling of sliding into this taut vagina. She sucked him in like a welcome home invitation. He could not remember ever feeling so hot—and so free. Free to express himself; free to be himself. He wanted to go to the top of a mountain and scream his happiness, his breakthrough. He didn’t know what it all meant. All he wanted was to feel her hot, wet cave sliding over his cock, just as it did now, for a long, long time. He had no concern about a withering penis and no thought of 33

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failure—just pure sensation and a feeling of safety. This felt right. Richard placed the tip in her entrance and the fire set him to a new summit. “Baby, give it to me again. I need it. Hurry,” Erica moaned. He plunged into her hot depths with a force he’d never known and nearly fainted with the pleasure he received from the tip of his penis hitting her cervix. He pumped into her at a furious pace and she met him stroke for stroke, screaming with pleasure at each plunge. No doubt about it, Erica was as hot as a firecracker and just as short-fused. She bucked with enthusiasm and screamed her release, begging him to join her. Panting raggedly, he collapsed into her arms, the incessant honking of a tripped customized security alarm of a car interrupting his sweet bliss. His car. He jumped up, grabbing his pants when he heard the alarm of another car start beeping. As he ran out the bedroom door, he looked back and saw Erica grabbing her robe and following close on his heels.

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CHAPTER 4

Richard threw open the front door to the apartment building, not believing the sight in front of him. The front windshields on both of their cars were smashed to a pulp of glass slivers. He dug for his keys and clicked the alarm to stop. Erica followed suit and ran to her purse, pulled out her keys and punched the button, silencing hers. They stood together quietly, looking at their damaged cars, unable to believe what had happened. “Damn that bitch,” Richard growled. “Excuse me?” Erica asked, a puzzled expression mingled with shock on her face. “Rachel! I just know she’s the one behind this.” Richard placed his arm around her, drawing her to his side, laying his head on top of hers. “Don’t worry about the damages, sweetheart. I’ll have them come tomorrow and replace your windshield. That looks like the only damage she did.” “Shouldn’t we call the police?” 35

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“What could they do? I’m sure she’s long gone by now. I’m not worried about the windshields. Those can be fixed. I’m just worried about what she’s going to pull next.” “Obviously, Rachel is unstable and out of control.” Richard sighed, taking Erica’s hand and leading her back inside. “Rachel has a history of manic-depression. She’s supposed to take Lithium to control it, but she refuses to take her medication. She said she can’t stand not having the high she gets from the manic phase, even though the medicine prevents her from crashing into depression.” “That’s very common among manic-depressives,” Erica said. “They also have a tendency to abuse alcohol. We’ll just have to be careful and watchful. She’s obviously fueled by anger, too.” “Enough about Rachel,” Richard said, leaning back against the door, and enfolding her in his arms. “Let’s see…where did we leave off?” He kissed her tenderly and made a trail of soft kisses to her ear. He groaned and bit her earlobe lightly. “I think it was about right here.” Whispering in her ear, he said, “You make me so hot.” Erica laughed seductively and wiggled up next to him. “Oh, yeah, you’ve proved that. Richard, you did it!” Laughing he swept her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom. “Yeah, and now that this boy is cured, we need to keep in practice. As the saying goes—use it or lose it. I don’t want to lose it again, fair lady! Erica, I can’t get enough of you.” “Oh, yeah? I’m all yours for the taking. It’s been so long for me, I’m ready to go again if you are.” Richard laughed. “I’m not going to expect miracles. I’m sure I still have my normal, built-in recovery time. But I want this one to be all for you, angel. You’ve given me my manhood back.” Erica smiled and kissed his cheek. “No, Richard. I can’t give you your manhood back. You’ve given it back to yourself. You just had to break through and tap into that energy again.” He looked at her tenderly, running his hand through her hair. “You 36

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made me feel safe and confident enough in myself to do it. And now, all I want you to do is lay back and let me give you pleasure.” “Okay, I’m ready when you are.” Richard laid her tenderly on the bed. “Where are your candles?” Erica pointed to the second drawer in the nightstand. “The matches are right beside them.” Richard spread the votive candles around the room and lit them, one by one. The room took on a soft glow from the candlelight. “Do you happen to have any oils or lotions lying around?” Richard asked, suddenly thinking of a sensual massage. “In the vanity in the dressing room, left hand cabinet,” Erica murmured. * * * Richard walked back into the bedroom with his arm full of condiments. Erica watched him prepare a concoction of alcohol mixed with aromatherapy wintergreen oil. He added a few drops of baby oil, then mixed it all in a plastic bowl with the end of her rat-tail comb. “Okay, I’m going to pop this in your microwave for a few seconds and you can get ready for the most sensual experience of your life— semi-orgasmic in itself.” Richard returned in a few minutes with the warm brew, dipped a cotton ball in the mixture and placed it on Erica’s back. “All you have to do is breathe,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll do the rest.” Erica inhaled deeply, the wintergreen scent opening her nostrils. She closed her eyes and imagined herself on a bed of pine needles in the middle of an enormous forest—nude and alone with Richard Wakefield. She felt the warm heat of the saturated cotton ball melt into the skin on the back of her legs, soaking deep and releasing the tension from muscles she didn’t even know she had. Richard rubbed the oil deep into her calves with his strong hands. Erica felt his energy coursing through her veins like a magic elixir. 37

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He rubbed the inside of her thighs, edging ever so close to her crotch. Then he took both hands and spread her legs wide, running an oily, mint finger up and down the crease of her buttocks. A sliver of heat ripped through her in spite of her deep state of relaxation. Though she felt like a soul released from her body, defying the gravitational forces of earth during this state of bliss, the heat of her sexuality still coursed through her veins, taking rest in that magic arena between her legs—the paradise that Richard’s hand had found. She could feel the moisture pool like dew in a rainforest, her clitoris swelling under Richard’s nimble strokes. He gently turned her over and began working the front side of her inner thighs. Erica bent her knees and spread wide for him now, limp as a dishrag but enjoying every sensation. He lowered his head between her legs and she felt his hot pant against her clit. His kisses began on her inner thigh, and the kisses changed to licks. Rolling his tongue in tiny circles, he inched closer to her waiting nub. Erica’s heart beat wildly, anticipating the moment when his hot tongue would tangle with her throbbing clit. Richard spread her labia wide and tight, and drew her clitoris into his mouth, sucking and licking, as if extracting the essence of her being. She writhed on the bed, moving her hips up and pulling his head closer. Higher and higher she bucked like a bronco, until she felt her every muscle stiffen and an enormous explosion like fireworks on the Fourth of July wrack through her. Then everything went black and she floated on a huge cloud above the earth, and she felt light as a feather. She didn’t know how long it was before she came back. Richard called her name, his voice sounding like he was at the opposite end from her in an endless tunnel. Erica felt herself being pushed toward the voice as if by a mighty wind. When she opened her eyes, she felt the weight of her body again. Richard was lying next to her, smiling and stroking her face. “My God, Richard,” Erica said in a weak voice. “I think I just had 38

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my first out-of-body experience. Richard chuckled, planting a kiss on her cheek. “The wintergreen and alcohol rubdown will do it every time.” “Somehow I think it’s a little more complicated than that. It was really fantastic.” He pressed her eyes shut with his fingers. “Sleepy time. You just relax.” * * * Waking up slowly with her eyes still closed, Erica reached across to the other side of her bed. She wanted to run her fingers through Richard’s chest hair, then to the part of him that she had yearned for the night before. But the bed lay vacant. Richard was gone. She sat up and looked at the spot, a feeling of emptiness stinging her soul. But propped up on the teal colored pillowcases sat a small white card. To my sleeping beauty. Didn’t want to wake you. Please call me later today. Richard. Turning the card over, Erica saw his business card provided all the requisite phone numbers. She smiled and took the pillow from his side of the bed and placed it to her nose, savoring the lingering scent of him. She started at the sound of the doorbell. Throwing on her robe, she opened the door a crack. It was the windshield repairman that Richard had sent, true to his word. She gave him her keys, and in thirty minutes, she had a new windshield. Okay, time to come back to the real world and plan the day. Erica had promised Charlie a coveted trip to the zoo. She showered quickly, threw on her sweat pants, and went to get Charlie from Mrs. Pentrose’s. After knocking, she stood at the door listening to the laughter on the other side. She smiled and thought how lucky she was to have such a bright, happy boy who never considered himself handicapped. Charlie opened the door with a wooden spoon in his mouth, flour and an ear-to-ear smile covering his face. He took out the spoon and raised his arms for a hug. “Hi, Momma. We’re making breakfast. Come 39

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on in.” “So I see. You have enough for me?” “Sure. We made your favorite—pecan waffles!” “Good morning, Mrs. Pentrose,” Erica greeted when she walked into the kitchen. Mrs. Pentrose’s eyes sparkled. “‘Morning, dear. Did you have a good evening?” Erica felt the heat from a deep blush, no doubt coloring her face and neck. “Oh, yes. Wonderful. You better hurry up and finish your breakfast, young man,” Erica said to Charlie. “We have something special to do today.” “What? Give me a hint?” Charlie’s face barely contained his excitement. “It has lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my, lions and tigers and bears.” Erica mimicked one of Charlie’s favorite shows, the Wizard of Oz. He clapped his hands gleefully. “Is it the zoo?” “Yes, sweetheart, we’re going to the zoo. Are you finished with your breakfast?” “Yeah. Mrs. Pentrose, we’re going to the zoo!” Charlie rolled his wheelchair around the room. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. Erica, you don’t worry about these dishes. I’ll take care of them.” “Thank you.” Charlie motored his wheelchair out the door. He waited at the car for Erica to lift him into the backseat and strap him in. Then she folded the wheelchair, put it into the trunk, and slipped into the driver’s seat. “You ready?” Erica asked. “Yeah, yesterday. Hurry, Momma.” Charlie bounced in his seat. Erica laughed and backed out of the parking spot. They were singing to a favorite song on the radio and having a grand time when Erica glanced in her rearview mirror. She noticed a car approaching 40

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from behind at a high rate of speed. Erica’s heart beat wildly. More people had been killed on this highway than any other around. There was no shoulder to pull over on to get out of the way of this speed demon now riding her bumper. The car behind her began honking and flashing its lights. “Damn,” said Erica out loud. “How am I supposed to pull over?” Spotting a small turnaround ahead, Erica slowed down and pulled to the right, assuming there was some type of emergency and the crazy car would pull around her. They went around, but hit the front of Erica’s car, sending it into a slide. She turned the steering wheel right and left then hit the brake— too late. She lost control, and suddenly, everything slowed down like a slow-motion shot in a movie. The car careened down the hill, smashing head on into a tree. The air bag deployed, slamming Erica back into her seat. “Charlie, are you okay?” she screamed in terror. She couldn’t see him because of the air bag. “Yes, Momma. I’m okay,” Charlie said in a thin, quivering voice. Erica could tell he was crying but trying to be brave. She heard the sound of an engine and a voice yelled to her, “Help is on the way. Don’t panic.” The air bag began to deflate, and she saw the smoke curling out of the crushed engine, the acrid smell filling the car. “Oh, my God, the car’s on fire! Charlie!” Erica heard the distant wail of a siren just before her car door opened from the outside. “Are you okay?” The man’s voice was comforting. “Yes,” Erica replied. “Just get my son out first. He’s handicapped. He can’t walk.” She fought to maintain consciousness. “We’ve got to get you both out of the car. It looks like it’s on fire.” The siren wail grew closer as the man opened the back door and lifted Charlie out, running to place him a safe distance from potential explosion. 41

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Within seconds, he returned for Erica. The next thing Erica knew, she was riding in the back of an ambulance, fading in and out. She felt groggy and just wanted to shut her eyes for a second, but the pesky technician kept waking her up. Once at the hospital, the medical personnel checked her into emergency and insisted on a MRI and CAT scans to check for a concussion, internal bleeding and broken bones. All Erica wanted was to find out how Charlie was. Mrs. Pentrose arrived at the hospital about the time Erica was rolled out of the emergency room. A sense of relief filled Erica—Charlie would be taken care of. The doctor walked into her room with the results of the tests—a mild concussion requiring her to stay at least a night in the hospital for observation. He assured Erica that Charlie was fine and could be released in Mrs. Pentrose’s custody. Mrs. Pentrose and Charlie refused to leave until Erica was settled in her semi-private room. As they got ready to leave, Charlie’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Momma, are you going to be okay?” Erica reached over and gave him a hug. “Yes, Charlie. I’m going to be home with you tomorrow.” The minute they stepped out the door, Erica fell into the deepest sleep of her life.

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CHAPTER 5

Richard decided not to go to the office for the rest of the day. When Erica called he wanted to invite her over to his house for supper and him be the dessert. By eight o’clock, he realized she wasn’t going to call today. Why? What did he do wrong? The doorbell rang and he practically ran to the door. She’s come over instead of calling. Perfect. Yanking the door open with a big smile on his face, he said, “Baby, I’m so glad you came by.” His smile was immediately replaced with a frown when he saw who it was. Rachel stood at the door, smiling at his words not realizing they’d been meant for another. She floated in, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her body close to him and giving him a kiss. Shocked, Richard didn’t break the kiss until she did. Removing her arms from around his neck, he found his voice. “What are you doing?” So into her fantasy and him, Rachel didn’t notice the change of Richard’s expression or attitude. “I’ve wanted you for a long, long time, but you didn’t seem ready to start dating. I knew it was time to 43

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come over and tell you my intentions when you started seeing that bitch.” “What are your intentions? What about Carlton?” She wrapped her arms around him again. “Carlton can’t even get it up any more. He isn’t a man like you are. I thought I’d made it clear. I want you to fuck me. In every way and position.” She giggled. He couldn’t believe this was happening. Rachel had giggled like a schoolgirl, for goodness’ sake. When did she stop hating him for killing her sister and switch to wanting him? “Rachel, I thought you hated me.” “That was all just an act to keep you off balance. I wanted you even when you were married to my sister. I have fantasies about us together. I want you.” She moved her hand to cup his balls and gave him another hungry kiss. Gripping her shoulders, he forcefully moved her away from him. “Rachel, I don’t feel that way about you.” Rachel’s face clouded into a thunderstorm, “Well, if you’re waiting for that bitch, she will not be coming. I’m here now and I want you.” She practically flung herself on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and rubbing her pussy on his shaft like a bitch in heat. Disgusted and turning his head so she couldn’t kiss him again, he peeled her away from his body and shouted, “No! I don’t want you, Rachel. Don’t you understand? I don’t feel the same way about you. Now I must insist that you leave.” The cloud erupted in a torrential downpour of tears, as Rachel cried and screamed, “You bastard. You will not have her. I promise you that.” She turned and ran to her car, squealing the tires down the driveway as she left. It made Richard think of another time when he had experienced the same scene with her sister and a sense of alarm ran over him. * * * The next morning, Richard paced the length of his office and back, 44

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scowling at everyone unlucky enough to be within eyeshot. She still hasn’t called! Why? He’d left her a note. Hadn’t he fixed her car window just like he promised? No doubt about it, he had definitely satisfied her sexually. He didn’t get it. Erica just didn’t seem like the one-night-stand kind of girl. Well, to hell with this! He’d just go over to her place and get this cleared up once and for all. Was she with him or not? Richard wasn’t into games after all the years with Alana, and if Erica was into playing games, he was gone yesterday. Richard’s heart pounded as he knocked on the door and waited. An older woman came to the door, opening it a crack. “Hello. Can I help you?” she asked. “Hi, I’m Richard Wakefield. Is Erica home?” “No, I am sorry, she’s out.” Frustrated Richard grouched, “When will she be home?” “Well, I’m not real sure. The doctor at the hospital told us it would be sometime today or the next day. I definitely hope it’ll be today because I have to work the afternoon shift and I can’t watch Charlie for her—” “Excuse me, but did you say hospital?” “Yes, she had an automobile accident yesterday and they kept her overnight for observation.” Fighting to keep a taut grip on his emotions, Richard asked, “What hospital?” “Oh, the Fairview. Room Five-O-Four.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome, dear.” Richard stopped at the hospital florist and picked up a plant before heading to Erica’s room. He still couldn’t believe this had happened. Panic consumed him, bringing back memories of another time, another accident. 45

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He had to see Erica to make sure she was okayto touch her and reassure himself that blood still pumped through her veins. After knocking on the door, he heard a muffled, “Come in.” Once inside the room, he could see Erica had been crying. His heart lurched as he set the plant on the cabinet and walked over to her bedside. Taking her hand, he asked, “Baby, what’s wrong? Do you hurt?” He saw a little smile appear on her face while she swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “Richard, I’m so happy to see you. Thank you for the lovely plant.” Richard took her face in his hands and gave her a gentle kiss. “Please, tell me why you’re crying.” Tears welled up in her eyes again. “I feel fine, but they won’t let me out of here unless they can release me into someone’s care. Mrs. Pentrose has to go to work and I don’t have anyone else. So here I am—well, healthy and stuck!” “You can start getting dressed. They can release you into my care. I’ll go to the nurses’ station and fill out the paperwork while you get your stuff together.” “No, I couldn’t possible impose on you. There’s Charlie to take care of, too. It’s just too much to ask.” “No, is not an option. After I get you settled in, I’ll pick Charlie up and make sure he’s taken care of. Get dressed.” Once the papers were signed and they were on the way, Richard said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I need you and Charlie to stay at my house. I’ll need to do some work and I have the computer and all at home.” “No, that’s fine with me. I just don’t want to impose.” “Erica, don’t worry about me. My housekeeper will be there this afternoon and we’ll figure out the logistics then. Not to worry. Okay?” “Okay.” Concerned, but unable to do anything about it, she decided to roll with the punches. 46

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“I hate to bring up this subject now but how did your accident happen?” Erica sighed. “Someone ran me off the road.” “Did you get a look at the car?” “No. I saw a white car with a woman behind the wheel. Long, dark hair and sunglasses is all I remember.” “Did you get a look at the car?” “Well, it was a big car and it was whitea late model. Maybe Buick or Mercury. I’m sorry. I know I’m not much help. It all happened so fast.” “I understand. Try not to worry.” Richard reached over and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s get you settled in at my place.” Erica laid her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. When Richard pulled up to his house, Erica looked so beautiful and serene that he hated to wake her up. He leaned over and gently kissed her on the temple, “Sweetheart, wake up. We’re home.” God, that sounds good—we’re home. —— Erica woke up to the wonderful wood and glass home that overlooked a private lake. Birds chirped, squirrels scampered, and the sun glistened like tiny diamonds on the placid water. What a retreat. She thought she’d died and gone to heaven. “Your home is beautiful.” “Thanks. Let me show you to your room. I hope this will be comfortable for you. It has a connecting bathroom and the room it adjoins will be Charlie’s.” “This is perfect. Thank you, Richard.” “Would you like to lie down and rest or soak in the hot tub for awhile?” “First, I’d like to call Charlie and Mrs. Pentrose to tell them I’ve left the hospital and the phone number here. I’ll let her know you’ll be coming to get Charlie this afternoon so she can go to work. When I 47

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finish the call, I think the hot tub sounds heavenly, but I don’t have a suit.” Richard grinned. “You don’t need one. It’s secluded. There’s a robe you can wear on the back of the door. That’s all you’ll need.” “Will you be joining me?” “Oh, yeah. I’m sure you’ll need help getting in and out. After all, I am your designated caretaker.” He winked at her. “Hospital rules. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” * * * The hot tub felt glorious and helped soothe her aching muscles. This was a first for her to be in a hot tub nude. Erica decided it was a very sensual experience. Richard had his arms propped up on the side of the tub with his head laid back, eyes closed and his body stretched out in front of him. He looked much too comfortable and oblivious to her. Erica hoped to change that. She ran her feet along the outside of his legs, enjoying the muscular rippling, and sinewy feel of them. Her eyes closed and she allowed herself the luxury of savoring the experience of his presence. She slid her foot along the inside of his legs and up into his lap. Her eyes snapped open when she felt his hard penis with her foot. He gave her a smoldering sexual look, igniting her flame as she rubbed her foot along his smooth, solid shaft, curling her toes around the tip of it. Groaning with pleasure, he grabbed her foot and pulled her into his lap, her crotch settling between his thighs. The orbs of her breast floated on top of the bubbles, defying gravity’s insistent pull. He grabbed them both and lowered his head to alternate sucking on the nipples. She couldn’t remember anything feeling so good and right. Wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her, she allowed the rush of desire to consume her. He kissed his way up her neck and took possession of her mouth while pulling her thighs to rest 48

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firmly on his. He turned her body to position it so the jet streams poured against her crotch. Moving up behind her, he spread her labia, letting the strong pulses of the water wash over her clit like sensual kisses. He probed her vagina from behind with his finger, entering her tight canal slowly. Her body reached a peak quickly, the orgasm ripping over her like a tidal wave. Richard was determined she would come again, and again, and again, each wave of orgasm paving the way for a stronger one. He’d satisfy Erica in ways she’d never dreamed of. Her fulfillment was more important to him than his own and he was determined to do it right. —— With a slow, guttural moan, Erica clung to him, sliding herself against his rigid, pulsing flesh while the jet streams of hot water pulsed into her from behind. His hand maneuvered its way up her inner thigh, and she spread her legs for him. His finger massaged her clit and she felt it swell, making her moan even louder. She broke the kiss off and whispered in his ear, “Take me now.” She could hear his manly growl and feel him navigating his manhood between her thighs to her entrance. His thrust seated him all the way inside her and she lost her breath for a moment. The pleasure overwhelmed her as he began to move his hips, thrusting in and out. Erica was aware of the water lapping around them and the feel of him pounding her, but she was oblivious to the rest of the world. This felt so good and so right with this man she hardly knew, but in his presence, she felt more at home than anywhere she’d resided until now. She’d been waiting for him in her life since the day she was born. She just didn’t know it until now. The heat built between them and an explosive organism ripped through her at the same time he ground into her for his final release. Time stood still as they sat in the hot tub wrapped in each other’s arms, enjoying the aftermath of rapture. Richard nipped her bottom lip, 49

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then kissed her possessively, his tongue exploring every millimeter of her mouth. “Maybe we better get out of the hot tub before we turn into prunes,” she suggested. He moved out of the hot tub swiftly and Erica enjoyed watching his body move, his muscles rippling as the steam rose from it, his penis dangling unselfconsciously from his spent effort. He covered himself in a robe and stood waiting for her with a robe in his hands, wrapping it around her protectively as she emerged. On her way to the bedroom she yawned, and Richard suggested she take a little nap. He would go pick up Charlie. He’d already called Carmen, the housekeeper, to insure she planned on coming and to tell her about his houseguest.

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CHAPTER 6

Some time later Erica awoke to a noise in the bathroom. She assumed the housekeeper was cleaning it and went to investigate. “Carmen, is that you?” A woman with shoulder-length black hair and red ruby lips emerged from the bathroom and smiled. She seemed familiar, but Erica knew she’d never met this person before. Erica felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck. The smile looked viciousnot a friendly smile at all. In a deep voice, the woman said, “Ah…so we meet again.” “Excuse me? Have we met?” “Not officially. Something has come up and Richard wanted me to take you to meet him for lunch. Please get dressed.” “Oh, well, okay. It’ll only take me a few minutes.” * * * Richard stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things he knew they’d need, and drove to Erica’s apartment. Mrs. Pentrose would 51

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need to leave for work soon and he didn’t want to make her wait. He was thankful she’d been so good to Erica and Charlie, but from now on, they had him to count on. How odd he could care so deeply for someone he’d just met. Richard had never had this type of feeling or experience before. He felt a sudden prickle of fear. Maybe he liked it too much. What if Erica doesn’t feel the same way? Would he be in agony for the rest of his life? Taking his cell phone out of his pocket, he called Dustin. “Hey, man, I need your help.” Dustin laughed. “Again?” “Do you know when I mentioned that dating worried me because of how unstable Rachel can be?” “Yeah, so?” “Well, I’ve been seeing someone, and in the last two days, we both had our windshields knocked out and Erica was run off the road yesterday.” “My God, was she hurt?” “Yeah, but not too badly. She’s recovering at my house for a while, but I need you to check and see if Rachel, or her husband, Carlton, have a luxury type white car.” “Will do.” * * * Mrs. Pentrose opened the apartment door to let Richard in. Suitcases were stacked in the hallway. Nodding toward them, she explained, “I thought they might need a few things, so I took the liberty of packing.” “Thank you. That was very kind of you. Is Charlie ready to go?” Just then, Charlie whirled down the hallway. Richard stood there speechless. No one had ever mentioned Charlie was in a wheelchair. Not that it mattered one way or another. Richard’s heart swelled with admiration for Erica, for her devotion to her son and her ability to 52

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tackle seemingly insurmountable obstacles. “Hi,” Charlie said to Richard, just like he’d known him all his life. “You must be Momma’s friend, Richard. I’m Charlie.” Charlie held out his hand to shake Richard’s. Richard squatted down in front of him, shaking Charlie’s hand. “Hi yourself, Charlie. Yes, I’m Richard, a friend of your Momma’s. You and your mother are going to stay a few days at my house while she recuperates. She asked me to come get you.” Charlie’s face brightened. “Have you got a dog?” Laughing, Richard stood up, “No. Sorry, buddy.” Richard picked up the suitcases and took them out to the car, Charlie fast on his heels behind him in his wheelchair. Richard lifted him into the backseat and buckled him up. Mrs. Pentrose folded the wheelchair and handed it to Richard to put in the trunk. She stood by the car and wished Charlie good-bye, waving as they drove off. Charlie kept up a stream of questions all the way to Richard’s house. His active, intelligent mind certainly compensated for his inability to walk. What a character, Richard thought. Once at his house, Richard unloaded the wheelchair, and lifted Charlie out of the car. The housekeeper, Carmen, met Richard at the door breathlessly speaking Spanish so rapidly Richard couldn’t comprehend a word she was saying. Richard turned to Charlie. “Wait here.” Carmen grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him toward the bathroom. Oh, God, don’t let it be Erica, he thought. He looked around, seeing no sign of Erica anywhere. He broke out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding rapidly as he ran toward the bathroom. Still babbling in Spanish, Carmen pointed to the mirror, her face crimson and the veins protruding from her neck. Written in red lipstick on the mirror was a cryptic message. The money or the girl? Your choice. A picture of a cake with candles was 53

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drawn in one corner as if to symbolize you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. Stunned and horrified, Richard ran into Erica’s room. It was empty. He searched every nook and cranny of the house and grounds for her, knowing all the while that it was fruitless. Instinctively he knew he wouldn’t find her there, but he had to exhaust all efforts, just in case. Richard spotted Charlie sitting quietly by the door, his face white as snow, his eyes troubled, fearful. He had to tell him something. “You know, it looks to me like your Momma got to feeling so good, she decided to take a little walk. She’ll return to us soon. Why don’t we go find you something to watch on television and Carmen will make our lunch. How does that sound?” Charlie stared at Richard for a long time, then his features visibly relaxed. “Good.” Richard turned on some cartoons for the boy and went back in the kitchen to call Dustin. “You aren’t going to believe this. Rachel has kidnapped Erica. I know it. I feel it in my gut and all the evidence points to that.” “Are you sure? That sounds a bit extreme to me. Why would Rachel kidnap Erica? What would be her motive?” “Rachel is motivated by money and money alone. If my theory is correct, we should be receiving a phone call any minute for ransom money.” He told Dustin the whole story with Dustin interrupting every few minutes to ask a question. They agreed the authorities should be notified and that Richard should stay home and wait for the ransom call. The police put a trace on Richard’s phone lines then went to question Rachel. Dustin called Richard when the authorities contacted him with the results of their interrogation of Rachel. “You’re not going to believe this, bud. Rachel has an airtight alibi for the kidnapping. But she confessed to breaking the windshields and running Erica off the road. It 54

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seems she has a crush on you and wanted to take the competition out of the picture.” If not Rachel, who could the kidnapper be? He’d been so certain it was Rachel. * * * Erica sat on a double bed in a seedy motel with her legs pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them in a protective stance. The two kidnapers stood in the room discussing their plans to collect the ransom. Something sounded funny in the voice inflection of the woman with the long dark hairdeeper and gravelly. She’d smoked more than her share of cigarettes, Erica guessed. What she couldn’t understand was why the kidnapers would think Richard would bother to pay a ransom for someone he barely knew. It wasn’t like they had a long-standing relationship or she was his wife. What would they do to her when he wouldn’t pay? She heard one of them say, “Make the call now.” The one with the long brown hair, the one who had taken her from Richard’s home, picked up the phone and dialed. “Give me the inheritancethe whole enchilada. No police. You know the routine. If we see any, we’ll kill her. Put the money in a briefcase and bring it to the airport at gate 5B at exactly seven-thirty tonight. Sit down for a few moments, then walk away and leave the briefcase. We’ll be watching, so don’t screw this up. The kidnapper hit the speaker button. “I’ll do exactly what you say, but first let me talk to her. I need to know she’s still alive.” The kidnapper grabbed Erica by the hair and jerked her closer to the phone. “Hello, Richard?” “Hey, sweetheart, please don’t worry. I’ll get you out of this.” “How’s Charlie?” Erica choked back a sob. “Fine. He’s watching Mrs. Doubtfire right now. Not to worry. He’s a great kid, Erica.” 55

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“Satisfied?” the kidnapper interrupted. “Yeah. I’ll be there with the money. If you hurt her, I’ll make it my mission in life to hunt you down. And I promise you’ll end up in a ditch somewhere.” The kidnapper hung up the phone laughing. “Now we’re going to have a little fun. Let’s just party a bitthings have gotten way too serious. Don’t worry, Erica. We’re not going to hurt you. We’re not planning to touch you. We’d just like an appreciative audience. Ever watch an x-rated movie?” “Actually, no.” Suddenly, Erica didn’t feel afraid anymore. These kidnappers weren’t dangerous. They were pathetic. “We’re actor wannabes. We’re going to put a screen up and pantomime behind it. Tell us what you think. We consider ourselves masters of illusion, men morphing into women, women morphing into men. It’s taken us five years to write the script.” They turned down the lights in the motel room, setting up a strobe behind the screen. Then they set up a dinner table, complete with wine and flowers, turned the music on, and they were in Florence, Italy. “I’ve missed you so much, darling. Where have you been?” “Looking for you, sweetheart, all my life.” The two leaned in toward each other, kissing. She saw two silhouettes dancing together in a moonlit background. Then they were on the floor rolling around in a heated ball. The man raised the woman’s dress and she saw the silhouette of a rear, humping up and down amidst screams and groans. Then the man screamed, “Rachel, Rachel, I want it to be you under me. Oh God, Rachel, I want to come all over you.” His voice broke. “I’m so sorry, baby. I can’t give it to you much as I’d like.” Then the person dissolved in a puddle behind the screen, sobbing uncontrollably. Now it all made sense to Erica. The woman who’d kidnapped her looked a lot like Richard’s sister-in-law. Apparently, the man was in love with Rachel, but couldn’t make love to her, so he’d made this 56

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other woman dress up like her. Sirens screamed from outside the motel. A booming voice on a megaphone said, “You’re surrounded. This is the police. All of you come out now with your hands up and no one will be hurt. You have sixty seconds. One…two…three…” Her kidnappers straightened their clothes and grabbed their guns. The woman seized a handful of Erica’s hair and stuck the gun at her temple. “We’re going to walk out of here slow and easy.” Erica was the second one out of the hotel room. She heard a pop and the man in front of her fell. Instinctively, she looked down to see what had happened and another pop sounded, and the woman behind her fell. When she realized what had happenedshots were being fired and the kidnappers were the targetsmen in black descended on her, running toward her from every direction. One of them grabbed her by the arm. “Erica, we’re S.W.A.T. We’ll have you safely home in a few minutes.”

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CHAPTER 7

Never had she been so happy to see Charlie and Richard. She ran to Charlie first, hugging and kissing him repeatedly. Then she hugged Richard, long and hard. In fact, she had to tear herself away from him. She finally felt safe—and happy. Tears streamed down her face. Finally she managed a question. “Who were they?” “I don’t know yet. The police are supposed to call me with the information as soon as they know.” “Momma, why are you crying?” Charlie asked. “Where have you been that made you so sad?” Richard leaned into Erica, whispering in her ear, caressing it with his warm breath, causing a shudder of awareness to flow down her body. “I didn’t tell Charlie where you were, Erica. I didn’t want to frighten him.” Erica’s heart swelled in gratitude—and love—for Richard. She loved him for protecting her and Charlie. No one but Erica had ever protected Charlie. She wiped her tears away and answered Charlie’s 58

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question. “Nowhere important. My head just hurts.” “Maybe you should take an aspirin and come watch Mrs. Doubtfire with me. It’s really funny, Momma.” “Sure, baby. I’d love to watch it with you.” She took him out of the wheelchair and laid him on her lap and they watched television for a while until she dozed off. She was in her twilight sleep when she felt Richard lift a sound asleep Charlie from her lap and take him back to his room. Then he came back for Erica, picking her up and taking her to her designated room on the other side of the house. She felt the bed press down before a cool body slid in beside her. Now wide-awake, she sprang up to a sitting position. In the near pitch dark, she heard Richard’s low, playful laugh. He pulled her down toward him and he whispered in the dark. “It’s just me, sweet Erica. Here to provide, protect and…what’s that other “p” word? Propagatethat’s it. What do you say? You up for it, my lady?” “Propagate—such a big, serious, committed word for such a short time to have…well…known each other.” “Well, honey, time is elastic—relative, according to Einstein. I feel like I’ve known you ten seconds,” —he kissed her deeply, slowly savoring her mouth with the sensual strokes of his tongue— “and a thousand years.” His tongue grazed her ear, sending frissons of delight up and down her spine. Like a sexual smorgasbord, he had a different effect on her body and emotions every time he spoke; every time he touched her. It was hard to put her finger on it, but he always left her with a feeling of basic trust, a foundation, a feeling of certainty topped with perpetual surprise. She never knew what to expect from him, but she always knew he’d be there for her with whatever she needed. A life full of such sweet and unexpected surprises. Erica suddenly felt the need to be the aggressor and take control. She wanted to devour this person, to consume every inch of him. She 59

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felt confident and safe in his arms. Safe enough to act on her fantasy of being the seductress. She whispered in his ear. “Could you put some music on, darling. I have a surprise for you.” “Oh, yeah,” Richard answered. A few minutes later, slow, sexy piano music filled the room from the built-in stereo speakers. Richard turned on a low-light lamp, undressed and propped himself in bed, watching and waiting. Erica stole into the adjoining bathroom, quickly stripping to her lacy French bra and matching black panties. She grabbed a robe from the hanger on the bathroom door and threw it over her, tying the belt. She strutted slowly out of the room parading in front of Richard with runway model turns. She untied the belt of the robe, letting the robe open, and slide off her shoulders. She stood square in front of Richard, loving the look of admiration on his face as he looked her up and down. He scooted down in his bed, propping himself up on an elbow. “My God, Erica, you’re so beautiful.” She smiled, looking seductively down at him. She could swear she saw tears forming in his eyes. Her heart filled with emotion. Erica had never felt this intensity, this strength, this certainty, with a man. “Tell me what you want, Richard. This night is for you.” “I want you to ravish me, Erica.” Erica pulled the comforter back and, spreading his legs, crawled between them, taking his hot penis in her hand. While he watched, she stuck out her tongue and rolled it extravagantly around the head. She ran her tongue down his shaft and licked over the bottom and back up the other side. Flicking her tongue back and forth over the tip of his penis, she rolled his testicles in her hand, pulling them down while stretching them out. Slowly and carefully, she drew her mouth down over the head of his cock, up and down, each time taking it deeper and deeper into her throat. She wanted to swallow him, to drink him in, to make 60

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him a deeper part of her core being. —— With every stroke, Richard felt like he might explode. But he wasn’t ready to go yet. He wanted her to make love to him all night. Erica. So sure, so solid, so perfect for him, so right. He felt home for the first time in his life. Never again would he have to worry about performing. Sex was not about performing anymore—it was about sharing. He’d never really been able to let go and feel a part of sex. He’d always focused on either getting his rocks off or pleasing someone else. Now he just enjoyed the absence of all concerns, all barriers, as his body and soul blended with someone else’s. This was beauty, the essence of life, and for all these years, he’d missed the mark. With Erica, he’d hit the bull’s eye. Erica nibbled the head of his penis lightly with her teeth. Her mouth felt hot and wet as she sucked on him. “Erica, I don’t want to come like this. I want to come inside of you…as deep as I can get.” She raised her head and moved her body to cover his, guiding his penis inside her hot, wet pussy, and he groaned as it closed around him, tight and throbbing, her muscles tensing and releasing with practiced skill. She moved against him with force, his penis hitting the back of her canal. He felt like his erection grew with each of her thrusts. “Oh, Richard, baby, I hope you’re close because you’re about to send me over the top. Here I go, baby. Yes! Yes! Yessssss!!!!” Erica’s head arched back just as Richard pushed up one final time, spilling his seed deep within her, his penis jerking with each stream. She collapsed on top of him, her body slick and sweaty. Richard stroked her back. “Erica, I love you. I want you with me for the rest of our lives.” Erica sat up, tears streaming down her face. “You know, Richard, before now, I’ve never believed in soul mates—until you. Now I know. I don’t know how it happens, and I don’t know why, but it’s part of the magic of the universe. And I so believe in magic—since you. It takes 61

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life out of the monotony. Suddenly everything seems bright, beautiful and powerful. I feel like I can do anything now—with you.” Richard smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “The law of alchemy—two disparate elements combine to form a new product, something new and exciting, for a different purpose. Richard looked over at Erica. She’d fallen asleep in his arms. He kissed her lips softly and whispered, “Sweet dreams, my darling.” Then he left for his room. * * * “Rise and shine, Momma.” Charlie shook Erica’s shoulders. Erica yawned and stretched, taking a few seconds to get her bearings. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you calling for me this morning. You’re already dressed?” “Richard got me up and dressed this morning because we have a surprise for you. Hurry and get dressed, Momma.” She could tell Charlie was excited about something. “What’s the surprise?” “Richard is taking us to the zoo today! Lions and tigers and bears, Momma. Lions and tigers and bears!” * * * The phone rang and it was Dustin. “Hey, man, you aren’t going to believe this.” “At this point, I’d believe anything.” “They found out who the kidnappers wereRachel’s husband, Carlton, and a male accomplice.” “But Erica said it was a man and a woman.” “Yeah, well she should’ve looked a little closer. A wig and woman’s clothes can be deceiving. They’re both men, but one’s a cross-dresser. Apparently, Rachel knew Carlton had been seeing this other guy, and she was unhappy with their marriage. Even if she would never divorce him, she would make sure he never got his hands on any of the money.” 62

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“Carlton is gay? I bet that put Rachel in orbit. This is rich.” He laughed heartily for the first time in a long while. Suddenly, everything clicked into place like a massive jigsaw puzzle. What was truly important was that he’d found his special woman. As he hung up the receiver, Erica walked into the kitchen, dressed in red and looking sexy as hell. Still laughing, he told her who the kidnappers were. Richard grabbed her hand and began pushing Charlie’s wheelchair. “Baby, we need to give you a crash course in human anatomy. We’ll start working on it right after we get back from the zoo.”

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VELVET VEERS

Velvet Veers divides her time between homes in Texas, Louisiana, and Minnesota. She has been writing for ten years, has published three books under different pen names, and written two screenplays, one of which has been optioned by a major independent film production company. She has contracted three separate trilogies of e-novellas for Amber Quill Press’s “Amber Heat” imprint: Companionship, Inc., Virtual Fantasy, Inc., and Road Warriors, Inc. A new title will appear each month, beginning in June 2003! Velvet has undergraduate degrees in business and psychology and a master degree in counseling. She loves to read, run, ride Gold-Wing motorcycles, snow ski, travel and write. She has six children, three dogs and two cats. She loves to hear from her readers, so please visit her web site at: http://www.velvetveers.com

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