Illicit Christmas

Illicit Christmas Yvette Hines

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission by the author. Illicit Christmas Copyright © 2011, Yvette Hines Cover Artist: Antwan Williams Editor: Andrea Jackson

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to eStore and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. (ARe)

Other Titles by Yvette Santa’s Helper Speed Dating The Marriage Clause Holiday Affair Take This Man Golden Treasure Ho, Ho, Ho and a Dom Bet on a Mistletoe Making the Man Lady Justice Trusting St. Nick Shot at Love Internet Rebound Secured Heart On The Prowl Rescued Mate Heated Restraints Arrested Heart Prisoner of Desire Designed for Love (Reignited Anthology) We Go Together A Piece of Me The Club What White Boyz Desire By Invitation Only Cinnamon Buns To Have and To Hold Stealing the Bride (Taken Anthology)

Dedication: To the Amber’s of the world, who have been jerked around by a man, may you have a lifetime filled with illicit nights with a good man who teaches you how to trust your heart again. Dare to live again.

Chapter One Bastard! “You’re a damn rat bastard, Doug!” Amber screamed to the vacant interior of the car as she drove her ‘94 compact down the road. She was angry as hell. Her head throbbed, as if being smacked repeatedly with a mallet to the temple. Meeting Doug had been a mistake. Dating him had been a bigger one. Marrying Doug was the worst mistake of all. One of epic proportion. Four years of hell was finally over, but not without her final humiliation. Her heart was as isolated as the road outside the window. Her eyes ached and burned with the desire to cry, but she refused to give the lowdown, dirty rat bastard the satisfaction. Today had been the end of her past and the beginning of her future. With two hundred and fifty-nine dollars in her purse, she was starting over. New destination and a new life. She had given Doug and his military career four years of her life and barely over forty-eight hours ago, she finally received her get out of hell free card. Giving up her dreams to teach to be the stay at home, beck and call wife he wanted had gotten her nowhere. For the last six month since her divorce from Doug, she had been substituting all over the area waiting for a position to open--with no luck. Constantly running into her ex-husband and his new wife and their new baby was beginning to wear on her nerves. Amazingly, while Doug and the new wife both were deployed, supposedly protecting the country, they met and fell in love. Doug was the only person she knew who could find something to stick his prick in, while in the middle of nowhere. “We didn’t have sex. It was against the rules, my ass.” That was a big six-month-old baby his new wife delivered. At nine pounds three-ounces, it could go in the ‘Guinness World Records’ for the largest premature baby. She should have seen his infidelity coming. A month before he was expected to deploy they had found out she couldn’t have kids. Doug promised her that it wasn’t a problem, he was happy with it just being them. He was a lying rat bastard. Then opportunity knocked, and she got a call from Yorkshire County School board offering her a teaching job. She was told that the history teacher, who had been tenured, fell ill and would not be returning after the winter break. “‘Found a teaching job yet, Amber?’” Her lip curled up in a sneer as she mimicked Doug’s repeated question. “Yes, low-down, dirty, good for nothing, lying rat bastard, I did.” She laughed as she rolled down the window and let in the icy December air to help clear her head. It looked like rain, with thick dark clouds rolling across the moon. Relax. She took a deep breath. Relate. She bobbed her head to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive on the radio. Release. Now that’s what I really need. Something she’d never had with Doug. Sex was one thing she wouldn’t miss from her ex. He was just as controlling in the bedroom as he had been with the rest of their lives. What he wanted

was what he got. To hell with what she had needed. It amazed her that while Doug was getting off in the desert… she had finally gotten off by herself. She had learned the art and fun of masturbating after reading an erotic book her neighbor had loaned her. It had opened her up to another side of herself. She was going to experience life. Yorkshire County was going to be her bridge of no return. Static began to play on the radio. She reached down and began fiddling with the dial, twisting it from left to right in an attempt to find a station. Glancing down for a moment her car hit a pothole and she veered right. “Aaah!” Looking up she saw a man walking along the side of the road. “Oh, my God, don’t let me hit him.” Honking her horn and jerking the wheel left toward the street she swerved around, barely missing him, until the rear of her car fishtailed. Thump! Tires screeched as she slammed on the brakes. Throwing the car into park, she slung the door open, vaulted out of the car and ran towards the back of it. A man lay on the ground illuminated in the red glow of her taillights. “Are you okay? Are you okay?” She kneeled down beside him and fanned her hand over his face. “Sir…sir?” “If there’s any mercy left in the word, you’ll stop yelling.” His head rolled toward her, gaze locking. Reaching out, she brushed her fingers along the side of his forehead. “You’re bleeding.” “And I’ve just been touched by an angel. A pretty caramel-brown angel.” He smiled. Her stomach flipped. “How do you feel? Can you sit up?” “You betcha.” Proving his words true, he sat up. He reached his hand up to feel his head and winced. Looking at the blood on his fingertips, he declared, “Good thing I have a hard head. I think I’ll live.” Sitting there with his dark hair falling over his brow made him look like a modern James Dean. Unwillingly, her lips turned up on the sides. The humor behind his words caused her to do what she hadn’t done in a year--smile. What was it about this man? “I’m sorry…my car hit a bump…and I didn’t see you…until it was too late.” She knew she was rambling. The lopsided smile he gave her let her know he knew it too. “No sweat. I shouldn’t have been walking in the dark.” He held her eye contact. His level gaze caused her stomach to flip-flop again. “Were you headed somewhere?” Rising to his feet, he closed his eyes for a moment and took a breath as if to stabilize himself. Opening them again, he swiped his hand across the back of his pants removing the dirt and gravel. “My car broke down before the exit ramp. I was on my way to town.” She stood as well, almost meeting him eye to eye. He had to be an inch or two

over six feet, she was five ten and he still had her by a bit. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Noticing her height, his gaze traveled down the length of her body. Returning to her face, he lifted an eyebrow and inclined his head. It was an appreciative gesture like when one sees the value in a work of art. “Peachy.” Tingling sensations ran down the front of her body everywhere his gaze touched. She cleared her throat. “I’m going into town. I could give you a lift.” “Didn’t your mother teach you not to pick up strangers?” he questioned. “Yea.” She looked at his wound. “I could leave you out here to bleed to death if you’d prefer?” The sky chose that moment to open up and present a show of force. Cold, fat drops of rain battered their clothes. “I believe I’ll take you up on your offer.” They darted towards her car. Once inside they closed the door against the heavy wind. “It’s always great when a man can see reason.” She rolled up the driver’s side window. He laughed, deep and masculine. She liked it. The interior of the car was dark, caused by the overhead lamp that broke years ago. Doug promised to fix it, but never got around to it. Thunder rumbled outside. Not wanting to think about her ex, she stuck her hand out in his general direction. “Amber.” Lightening shot from the sky, light flashed in the car as if someone were taking a picture of them. Of that moment. Seeing her hand, he grasped it. “Chris.” For a moment, they sat just like that, in silence, neither of them moving. His thumb stroked the back of her hand then let go. Shifting the car into gear, she proceeded down the shadowy road. After ten minutes, the visibility became minimal. She passed a sign that said town was still twenty miles away. They were moving at a snail’s crawl and her windows were fogging up. Chris occasionally wiped the window in front of her with a fast-food napkin he’d found in the glove compartment. “I can’t see a thing.” Hunching down closer to the wheel, she squinted her eyes trying to see into the night. “I have a reservation at the Yorkshire Inn. I’d like to at least make it there.” “There’s a sign coming up on your left.” He pointed to the window as if she could see where he indicated. “I believe you’re in luck.” As they approached, moving closer, he announced, “It’s the exit for the Inn.” Following the sign’s directions, she steered the car around the corner and pulled into a vacant spot. The Yorkshire Inn’s main office was a house, decorated with flashing Christmas lights around the trim; its guest quarters consisted of two bungalows. Amber was shocked. Having lived in the city all her life, she wasn’t used to such sparse existence.

Chris must have read the stunned look on her face in the dim glow from the office window. “Welcome to Yorkshire County, Amber.” She needed to pull herself together. The place was going to be her new start and she was going to embrace it, welcome its simplicity with open arms. “Thank you, Chris. I’ll go get the key. I’ll be right back.” Opening the car door, she stepped out into the rain. First thing on my agenda tomorrow, buy an umbrella. At least it wasn’t snowing. She had never been one to look for snow for the holidays. Being raised in Arizona before college and marriage, she couldn’t drive in it. Rushing forward, her feet made splattering sounds in the muddy gravel. Her tennis shoes would need to be washed before they could be worn again. They were soaked and dirty. Trying the knob, she was surprised to find it unlocked. That would never have been the case in the city. Stepping into the home office, she spotted a man appearing to be in his late fifties, kicked back in a recliner watching It’s a Wonderful Life on television. She assumed he was Mr. Wilks, the inn owner she had spoken to on the phone. “Hello…Mr. Wilks?” she questioned, approaching him. He sat up and gave her a broad grin. “Yup. You must be Amber Malcolm? I’m glad to see you made it in that weather outside. We're packed tonight.” Packed? With only two bungalows, she didn’t see how he wouldn’t be packed every night. Mr. Wilks babbled on as he got up from his chair and pulled out a drawer under his desk, removing a key. “About an hour ago I almost gave your room away, but Claire Donaldson had a room available at the B and B in town, so I sent the man there.” “It took me a little longer than I thought. Thank you for waiting for me.” Amber pushed her hair behind her ear. It had come loose from her ponytail from the wind whipping in while she had the window rolled down. Adding the rain's effects to it, she was sure she looked frightful, similar to a drowned rat. No telling what Chris thought of her. Not that she should care about a stranger’s opinion. Pulling her wallet out of her pocket, she sifted through the bills to pay Mr. Wilks. “Think nothing of it. It’s just what we do around here.” Mr. Wilks held up his hand toward the money offered. “Rents due at the end of each week and because of Christmas I’ll give you to the week after.” He gave her a trusting smile. “Here are the keys. You’re in bungalow number two.” He pressed the keys in her palm and pointed towards an open book lying on a pedestal by the door. “Sign the register on your way out. Do you need me to show you where you’ll be staying?” He can’t be serious. The sincere look on his face told her he was and that he didn’t take his job lightly. “No, Mr. Wilks, I think I can find it.” She signed the book and headed out of the house. He called after her, “Let me know if you need anything. Merry Christmas.” “I will. Merry Christmas to you, too,” she yelled back and waved. When she got in the car, the cheery tune of 12 Days of Christmas was playing low on the radio. She realized he must have turned the volume down. She couldn’t fault

him for it, holiday chorals were the last thing she wanted to hear. Chris’ voice greeted her. “Thanks for the ride. I think I can wait around here until the rain lets up.” “You can at least come in and let me clean that wound up for you.” The thought of him going was doing strange things to her. She didn’t know what it was, but she knew she wasn’t ready for him to leave just yet. He looked at her, not saying a word. The quiet stretched on. Then he spoke. “How can I say no to that?” She felt breathless under his intense scrutiny. “You can’t.” Backing the car up, she pulled around the home office down the short gravel driveway. Passing number one she continued until she stopped the car in the parking space in front of the bungalow with the number two nailed to the door. Chris helped her unload the car. She carried the large shoulder bag and he lugged her suitcase. Dashing to the door in the rain, she stuck the key in the lock and led the way inside. Flicking the switch on the wall, she scanned her new temporary home. She would be living here until she found another place closer to town. A queen size bed took up most of the room, a thirty-two inch T.V. sitting high on a corner stand filled up the rest and a small dresser finished it off. She watched Chris set her suitcase down by the closet, as she moved around the bed to the bathroom. She was thankful to see a full-size tub as well as the shower. Turning, she saw Chris standing in the center of the multi-colored carpeted floor with his hand slid into his back pocket. Did he know how that stance brought attention to his lower anatomy? She could see him clearly now, her view no longer obscured by the night. His hair was actually black not dark brown, and it curled at the ends around his ears and the nape of his neck. His body was fit, muscular as if he used to play football or lift weights. She wondered if he still did to stay in shape. His T-shirt pulled across his broad shoulders, but hung loose over the top of his faded jeans. Even though the vintage look was now the new trend, his jeans looked original, worn soft by time. Her gaze drifted back up his body to his strong jaw-line and chin then passed his narrow lips to the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. They were so vivid, almost appearing electric. She noticed he was giving her the same examination as she’d done to him. He studied her face, plain and light brown, her mouth with its overly full lips and studying her hair, ebony, thick, and in need of a trim. Doug had said that it was an old fashioned style and unbelievable for a black woman to have hair practically to her waist. Even though she’d explained time and time again that her mother was half Cherokee. Taking in the rest of her, Chris’ eyes roamed across her breasts. She was almost ashamed at the feel of her nipples pushing through the damp fabric of her camisole to her button down shirt. Her nipples were appallingly large and she knew they were evident to Chris’ view. She was well aware of her shortcomings. Doug had made sure of that. When he continued his perusal of her body, only stopping once he reached her jean-covered sex, her body temperature rose and she became wet in the same instant.

As if he knew her response to him, his chest expanded as he took in a deep breath and his blue eyes met her chocolate brown ones. Doug had found her lacking and all of a sudden, it became important to her how Chris saw her. “Your head.” She felt winded and light-headed. His lips held a small smile. “Excuse me?” His eyes lit up, clear understanding was apparent as to where her Freudian slip originated. She restated her intentions and touched her brow for clarification. “Your forehead, I have a first aid kit in my bag to take care of it for you.” He nodded. She sat on the bed and rifled through her carry-on bag. She had shoved so much stuff in it, in her rush to leave the city she was having a hard time finding it. “Have a seat. I’ll find it.” Chris crossed the room and the bed dipped under his weight. In frustration, she flipped the bag over, pouring its contents on the spread. “I know it’s in here somewhere.” Everything came spilling out, pens, make-up, scraps of papers, her monthly supplies, the small plastic white first aid box and a tub of lubricant that rolled off the bed onto the floor. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Chris retrieved it from the floor and placed it in the bag. Doug had made her buy it, telling her she never got wet enough for him. Now Chris would know her shame. “What happened to my emergency treatment?” He smiled at her, pretending he hadn’t just seen the intimate aspects of her life. “Coming right up.” Her hands were shaking as she tried to open the kit. Reaching over, Chris took it out of her hands, popped it open and then handed it back to her. She removed an alcohol pad from its pouch then gently dabbed at the dried blood, revealing a small cut at his hairline. She blew softly across it to keep the sting at bay. “Band-Aid?” “Do you have Superman?” he asked, his voice laced with humor. Holding up a slender packet, she shook her head. “Sorry, just the standard beige.” “Then I’ll pass.” He looked at her for a long moment then stood. “I guess I’d better be going. Thank you, Amber.” Following his example, she rose as well. “But it’s still raining.” “I promise I won’t melt.” He turned toward the door. She felt desperate, like his staying linked to her liberation. Somehow, she knew if he stayed, she would finally be able to sever all ties from Doug. More importantly it was Christmas Eve night and she didn’t want to be alone. His hand reached out, grabbed the knob and opened the door. “Chris,” she called out. He froze, facing the storm raging outside. Amber thought how much it

resembled the storm that tore through her emotionally. “Yes, Amber?” He had yet to turn around. “Are you married?” She didn’t see a ring on his finger but she had to ask. The last thing she wanted was to be the cause of a man cheating on his wife. “No.” Speaking out to the night, his voice was weighted by a note of sadness. “What is it that you want, Amber? Relief flowed over her like a cold shower as she rushed on, “Tonight. Just give me tonight.” Closing the door, he faced her, searching her eyes. “What else?” This was it. She had to say it. She had to tell him what she needed to be set free. She plunged forward. “Control. I want…I need to have control.” She couldn’t read his expression because he kept his features void of emotions. “For how long?” “Until the morning? When the sunrises, it’s over. You’ll be gone.” She didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings. She couldn’t offer more than this--than here and now. “And you…” He still had not moved. “I’ll have my life back.” “You got it,” his voice poured over her like warm fudge. One moment, he was at the door and the next he was standing in front of her, not touching her except by the heat radiating from his body.

Chapter Two “Do you have any problems taking orders from a woman?” She felt the need to set up the ground rules for the night. “I never have any problems with a woman doing what she has to do to get her satisfaction in bed.” His voice was deep, husky and laced with all kinds of innuendoes. “Good. Here’s how it will go tonight.” She was amazed at the confidence and excitement spreading throughout her body. “Your mission is to please me. Do what I say. You can’t come until I say so.” He moved in closer, speaking directly in her ear. “As long as you remember that a man does have his limit. Even though it takes me longer than most to reach mine.” She was panting and he hadn’t even touched her yet. “I’ll remember that.” She stepped away from the heat of his body. It was stirring her so strong, making her want to drop everything and tell him to take her. But, she couldn’t. She had to do this. “Take off your shirt and only your shirt.” Without question, Chris reached down, grabbed a handful of his T-shirt and hoisted it over his head. The shirt fell soundlessly to the floor. A dusting of fine black hair spread across his chest, narrowing below his navel and disappearing into the hip-riding waistband of his jeans. She was right; he did keep himself in shape. Not only were his shoulders broad, but his entire chest was well sculpted with deep grooves in his stomach defining his abs. She needed to touch him. “You want to touch me?” Chris spoke the words running through her mind. Bolstering herself for her role, she fixed her gaze directly on his. “I don’t remember telling you to talk.” She placed her hands flat against his chest, almost jerking back from the heat of his skin. He was hot. Rubbing her hands over him, she used her sense of touch to know him. When her thumbs flicked his nipples, he groaned. “Like that, do you?” She leaned down and tweaked one with her tongue, causing his second groan to rumble against her palms. “Well, tonight is about me. Since you seem to be having trouble remembering that fact, I’ll have to help your memory. Undress me,” she commanded, settling into her role. She noticed the gleam sparkling in his eyes. Good, he’ll enjoy this too. She would never have told him, but regardless of her bravado, she would have abhorred the idea of forcing him against his will to pleasure her. Answering her command, he began undoing the fastenings of her shirt. Those done, he pushed the shirt off her shoulders, his fingers trailing its decent down her arms to her hands. She sucked in a breath when his hands glided back up her shoulders and over the front of her camisole, then grazed her erect nipples. The lips of her sex started to ache causing the snug fit of her jeans against her swollen, pulsating body to only intensify the feeling. He has great hands. Lifting her arms over her head, her camisole joined their shirts on the floor. The air felt cool across her raised nipples. She noticed Chris’ appreciative look as he stared

at them, transfixed. “Continue,” she ordered. If he continued to stare at her with such open appeal, she would cream in her pants and that wasn’t what she wanted. Obeying, he unsnapped her jeans, lowered the zipper then slid his hands into the front, over her hips and down the sides of her underwear. An abrupt push and both garments ended up around her ankles. On his knees, he clasped her calves one at a time, helping her step out of the leg holes and muddy shoes. She stood before Chris bare as the day she was born. Glancing down at the crown of Chris’ black hair, she watched as his gaze rose from her feet, up her legs and stopped for a long pause at her naked sex. A frisson of heat ran up her spine. It was the first time any man had ever seen her like this. A week ago on her thirtieth birthday, she had gotten herself waxed--fulfilling her own desire. His eyes met hers. As he still kneeled before her, she could see the dark shadows of hunger in his eyes. He liked what he saw and his approval excited her. Amber stepped back until she encountered the bed and was able to sit down. “Since you like what you see…come here.” He didn’t rise. Instead, he moved forward on his knees, stopping when he arrived in front of her. “Taste me and make me come.” Her demand was almost her undoing. This was something Doug refused to do, even though he wanted it done to him. She didn’t even know if she would like it, but that book she read had piqued her interest. The thought of seeing Chris’ head between her legs was a memory she wanted. Something she would savor after their night was over. He looked at her. Never breaking eye contact as those great hands touched her knees, slid down her inner thighs and parted her wide. Then he smiled and winked at her, before he dipped his head and lightly stroked her, causing her heart to slam against her ribcage. First, he gingerly touched her clit with his tongue and stole her breath away. Without further hesitation, he did exactly what she commanded and tasted her, licking her from ass to clit and she was lost. She rotated her hips toward his mouth as his tongue swirled around the stiff nub. Her hips arched when he gave her a true French kiss, open-mouthed, he licked and suckled her swollen lips in his mouth. She fell back onto the mattress as he hummed against her wetness. “Yes, I want to hear how much you like it.” She had never been vocal before during sex but something about Chris made her lose all her inhibitions. He continued to hum as his tongue slid inside of her and fucked her. In. Out. Lick. In. Out. Lick. Nothing left untouched. Grabbing a handful of his glorious black hair, she raised her sex to his mouth, not wanting to miss a single movement of his talented tongue. Trembling started in her legs as her completion bore down on her. Using all of her control, she fought against it, not wanting the feeling to end. Not wanting Chris to stop.

He must have perceived what she was doing, because his mouth became more demanding. Angling his head, he became more attentive to her clit with rapid flicks and circles. Chris raised her knees until her heels pressed into the bed, spreading her wider. Then his hands joined into the foray as he slid a finger into her heat, then pulling it out just as quickly. She didn’t have time to think about what he was doing when his wet finger, soaked with her juices, glided inside the puckered opening of her ass. The invasion felt wicked and hedonistic, but as Chris continued to lick, swirl, hum and finger-fuck her, she was powerless to hold back her release. The strength of it caused her shoulders to lift off the bed as she screamed and climaxed into Chris’ awaiting mouth. Her body relaxed back onto the bed, as she sucked in large quantities of air in a state of pure euphoria. She felt him taste her one last time before pulling away. Be careful what you ask for you just might get it. Chris jarred the bed as he crawled up beside her. Lying next to her, his eyes intense, she could smell her scent on his face. Raising her hand, she brushed her thumb across his lips, firm and soft. He had just given her incredible pleasure and the urge to kiss him was overpowering. But, that was intimate. Intimacy was saved for relationships. This was not going to turn into a relationship. It was just tonight. Placing a hand on Chris’ shoulder, she pressed him against the mattress. “How about round two?” She dragged her shaking hand down his body and stroked the length of his hard cock through his jeans. “Seems like someone needs a little attention.” He growled in response. Amber took that as a sign of agreement. Leaning back, she watched her hand at work as she undid his jeans. Once loosened, his manhood sprang forth, thick and long. The length of him made her nervous. He was much larger than her ex or the vibrator she had bought. The thought of him inside of her was making her wet again. “You’re an impressive man, Chris.” Her fingers glided down his cock, from tip to base, his hair brushing the back of her knuckles. She loved the feel of him, soft and hard, hot to the touch. She lowered his pants to his thighs. She wanted to see all of him. Combing her fingers through the wiry hair she cupped his tight sacks in her hand. The loud hiss of air Chris blew out of his mouth forced her gaze back to his face. It was as red as the angry crown of his cock. “Do you like my touch, Chris?” He didn’t answer. He was being so obedient, but she wanted to hear his voice. She had been wrong earlier. She could have silence with her vibrator. She wanted him to talk to her. Taking his cock into her hands, she squeezed him. “Talk to me.” “Yes.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “I like your touch very much.” “Good.” Brushing her thumb across the sensitive tip, she placed her mouth next to his ear and whispered. “I’m glad you like my touch, because I like yours as well. You have great hands.” She gripped him again. “We’re going to have a race. Your hand against mine.” Turning his head, his lips brushed the shell of her ear, causing more juices to flood her sex. “For how long?”

Returning the favor, she licked the shell of his ear. “Until one of us comes,” Amber declared. “What does the loser get?” Allowing her breath to caress his ear, she announced, “There are no losers tonight.” Chris moved his hand between her thighs. “Let me know when you’re ready.” Pumping her hand along his thickness, she smiled and sat up on her knees. “I’ve already begun.” “Cheater,” he cried out through gritted teeth. Not one to be outdone, Chris slid his fingers through the wet puffy lips of her sex, locating her stiff clitoris begging for attention. “I love how wet you get.” He was using his words to get her off as well as his hand. “Your flavor is still on my tongue.” Amber couldn’t find words to speak, she was moving fast to the peak of her arousal as she tightened her fist around him and pumped faster. His voice strained, but he continued, “Hear how wet you are?” Shoving two fingers inside of her, he filled her and spread her wide as he slapped his palm against the juices covering her sex. She heard it and it turned her on even more. A moan escaped from her mouth. Extending her thighs beside his hand, she gave him full access. “All this juice just makes me want to stick my tongue so deep inside your pussy until I get every drop. Then start all over again.” Curving his fingers at just the right angle, he found and caressed her G-spot. That was her undoing. Throwing her head back, she came and came hard, causing her juices to run down the inside of her thighs and his hand. Her hand didn’t stop, closing around Chris in a vise grip. She continued stroking his ridged length faster and harder, bringing him to completion. Clenching his teeth, a fierce groan tore from his lips. Hot cream jetted out from the tip and cascaded down the back of her hand. It was a serene feeling to know that she had the power to bring Chris to such pleasure. A peace filled her like she’d never experienced after following the forceful demands of her ex and she was too replete to analyze why this stranger stir such emotion in her. They recovered slowly. When Chris removed his hand, Amber looked at him through a haze of satisfaction. When she saw him bring his hand to his face and lick her gleaming wetness from the center of his palm, the homage honored her and made her blush. He winked at her. She smiled in return, becoming very fond of his gesture. “I do believe we are both in need of a cleaning.” Amber glanced down at his sticky semen covering the back of her hand as well as his stomach. He followed her gaze. “I think you’re wet.” Back into her role, she told him, “Draw us a bath.” “Your wish is my command…” His voice drifted off as he got up from the bed,

stepping out of his jeans as he headed toward the bathroom. At the door he stopped. “Mistress.”. She tossed one of the bed pillows in his direction, attempting to wipe the cocky smile from his face. Even though she admitted to herself she kind of liked the nickname. She didn’t think she was down for the black leather, whips, and cuffs part of the act, but being in control was a heady feeling. Resting on the remaining pillow, she listened to the raging water as it filled the tub. When it stopped, Chris came out and scooped her up as if she weighed no more than a feather and carried her into the bathroom. Stepping into the water, he sat down with her on his lap. Nuzzling her ear with his nose, he asked, “Can I bathe you?” Turning around to see his face, she ran her fingers through his hair, pushing the wayward curl away from his forehead, noting the purplish tone around his cut. Her eyes dropped to his lips. The desire to kiss him was back again in full force. Clearing her throat, she answered him, “Please do.” Picking up the complementary bar of soap, he dipped it into the water, pulled it out and began to lather his hands. He sat the soap down, then started with her fingers and worked his way up her arms. When he got to her shoulders, he paused and massaged the muscles around her neck. Her back was next and then he added more suds to his hands before they came around to her breasts. “I’ve wanted to tell you all night, you have the most beautiful breasts. High, full with the largest blackberry nipples begging to be suckled.” He talked and cleaned. His hands were slippery as they molded and shaped each breast, squeezing her nipples until they pursed with distinction. Her temperature was beginning to rise again. It amazed her. She had already climaxed twice and would have thought she was well sated. However, being around Chris kept her in a horny state. If she didn’t watch it, she might miss him when he was gone. Adding more suds to his hands, he continued them on their path, moving down to her stomach, dipping into her navel then he had her sex in his hand. Fingering her just enough to clean, but not enough to take her over the edge. Pushing her forward, he trailed his other hand down her spine and guided his hand between her ass cheeks for the second time that night. Amber tensed slightly, expecting him to slip inside as he’d done earlier, but he didn’t. “Your round ass can bring a man to the point of coming, by just looking at it.” She found herself speechless, not knowing how to answer declarations of admiration. She wasn’t used to them. “Did you like when I touched you here before…Mistress?” His soapy finger stroked the ultra sensitive skin of her tight opening. Only Chris could make her feel weak and in control at the same time. She glanced over her shoulder at him, and answered honestly, “It was different.” His voice rumbled as he fondled her again, this time breaching the opening with

the tip of his finger. She couldn’t help arching her back a little toward the wicked invasion. “Sometimes different can be, oh, so good.” His speech sounded pressured as he removed his hand. Amber felt the absence. Chris rinsed her body then pulled her back into the circle of his arms as he parted his legs, allowing her to settle between them.

Chapter Three “Tell me about your wife.” Amber finished washing him and rested her head on his shoulder, as she played with the fingers of his left hand captivated by the contrast of their skin--one brown, one pale. Her gaze locked on the imprint on his third finger causing her heart to thumb hard behind her ribs. He was quiet. She could feel his heart beating against her back, his tempo slower than hers. Her heart sank. It was too late to turn back the clock of the night they were beyond the point of no return. “I thought you said you weren’t married?” Silence stretched on; then he spoke. “My wife is dead.” “How?” Sadness for his lose ate at her. “Ovarian cancer.” There was a melancholy tone to his words. “With today’s technology and modern medicine?” It was hard to keep the shock out of her voice. “The thing about my wife was that she didn’t like doctors or hospitals. So when she began feeling poorly she ran to health food stores and herbal healers for the cure.” His words were smooth and even, without pause. “The right herbs have been known to cure almost anything,” she said softly in keeping with the atmosphere he had set. He gave a humorless chuckle as he brushed her hair away from the side of her face with his chin. “Not when you don’t know what the problems is.” He sighed. “By the time we found out, it was too late.” They sat quietly in the tub, their cocoon away from the outside world. Amber was the first to speak. “You must have loved her a lot.” “It was one of those innocent kinds of love. Deep love grows over time.” He fell silent again for a moment. “We were only married for four months before she started getting sick. The weeks before she died, I became her caretaker and nurse…her guardian to watch over her in the night more than her husband.” She couldn’t imagine what it was like to watch someone she loved die. She touched the imprint still evident on his ring finger. “It must have been recent?” “One year.” Abruptly she swung around and looked at him. “Why is the mark of the band still fresh?” Sliding her hair behind her ear, he admitted, “Because it’s only been a month since I decided it was time for me to stop mourning and start living again.” His gaze was intense. Amber knew what he meant. She hadn’t been grieving the loss of a spouse, but the loss of herself. That’s why she was here at this moment with Chris. Living. “So, tell me about your husband.” There was no reason for her to glance down at her hand and see if she still had an imprint; she knew she didn’t. Applying lotion to her hands frequently every day

had taken care of that deformity. “What makes you think I’m married?” “Your eyes. Even when I’d only seen them in the glow of your taillights, I could see the hurt.” “Hmm,” her only response to his observation. “What happened?” He kissed the curve of her shoulder, as the thumb of his right hand brushed the underside of her breast. Settling more comfortably into him, she sighed. “We were married for four years. He went away for work, came back with a life that didn’t involve me.” “Ouch.” His tongue swiped across the skin of her shoulder. For the first time she didn’t feel the pain; she even chuckled a little. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. During the four years of our marriage, I did everything he asked of me. To include giving up my career, my dreams, and my life.” He tweaked her nipple. “You loved him.” “He was my first. Aren’t you supposed to love your first?” She arched into the hand cupping her breast. “Sometimes we think we do then find out it was just infatuation with the idea of love.” He dragged his tongue along the side of her neck. Her arousal returned. Even the subtle lapping of the water on her skin was heightening her desire. Chris was reacting in the same way. The firm length of his cock pressed along her spine. “How would a person know the difference?” “Freedom.” His breath was moist as it tickled the shell of her ear. “Love has no respect of person. It makes you free to give and receive.” His words struck a chord inside of her. If there had truly been love between her and Doug, how could he have belittled her. Even worse, why did she take it? She didn’t have an answer to that but in her heart she was glad it was over. Facing him, she noticed the head of his cock sticking out of the water. Grasping it with her hand, she stroked the extent of his erection. “I made a vow to myself that I was going to get back everything I was denied.” Caressing her breast with both hands, he asked, “Tonight is about which denial?” Renegotiating their legs, she straddled his hips while still holding him in her hand. “Pleasure. I’m reclaiming my pleasure.” One side of his mouth lifted in a lopsided smile. “What is it you want at this moment…Mistress?” The way he paused every time before saying her nickname caused the walls of her sex to clench in response. “To take you inside of me and ride you. Fast and hard.” She positioned his tip next to her opening. “You read my--” His words were cut off as she began sliding down his length. He was so thick she didn’t know how much of him she could take. She felt stretched. Chris lifted her, sliding out of her wet heat then pushed upward sheathing himself back inside of her warmth. “Ahh, hell, Amber, you’re so fucking tight.”

“It’s just…as much your…size…as it is me.” She was panting. Rotating her hips, she lowered herself further down his length. “That’s it.” He pressed her forward he covered one of her breast with his mouth. “Chris!” she shouted as he suckled her breast. Drawing on it, he stroked her nipple inside his mouth with the center of his tongue. Pulling back, he circled and flicked it. Giving it the same attentive treatment he’d shown to her clit. He alternated from one stiff peak to the other as she rode him. Up and down. Fast and hard, like she’d promised. The water sloshed over the side of the porcelain edge as she picked up her pace. The sensations were too much. Even though she desired to hold off, she knew she was tottering on the brink. Her walls squeezed him. Gripped him. Begged for completion. As if knowing what she needed to push her over the edge, Chris rose to meet her down strokes. He nipped at one of her sensitive buds and she was thrown over. Grinding down against him, she buried her face in his neck as she shook and quaked. Chris didn’t stop. He continued pulling his cock in and out of her wet center, clutching her to him. On and on he went, gyrating into her beyond the point the water turned cold. Until her sex became binding and quivered toward another orgasm. Forcing his hand between their bodies, he rubbed her clit and she climaxed again. This time taking him with her, his hot seed showering her inside. She collapsed on his chest, hearing his heartbeat echo hers. “Amber, darling, I do believe our water has gone cold,” Chris informed her once they’d come down from ecstasy’s high. “Brilliant. You’re absolutely brilliant,” she whispered, still in a daze. Chris grunted when his sensitive flesh slid from her body as she rose and stepped out of the tub. “Is that all I am?” There was a cocky lilt to his voice. She grabbed a pristine white folded towel off the rack and wrapped it around her body. Her body was sore, but she felt more alive than she had in the last four years combined. “Are you spent?” He unplugged the stopper in the tub then stood. “I do believe that I have a few more rounds left in me…Mistress.” This time she winked at him. “Then meet me in the bedroom and I’ll thank you properly for also being attentive, passionate and talented.” She sashayed out of the bathroom. Chris grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist and followed her. “I can also be thorough.” Snatching back the cover and revealing the eggshell color sheet, Amber flounced on the bed, giving him a pointed look. “That remains to be seen.” “Be careful what you ask for…Mistress.” He dropped his towel, showing his growing erection. “You just might get it.” She opened her towel, exposing her nudity. “Oh, really?” “Yes, really.” He took a step closer to her. “I can be thorough in ways you have yet to imagine.”

Reaching out, she touched the tip of his rising cock and watched it twitch in response. Smiling, she caught his gaze and patted the bed beside her. “Lie down, Chris, and I’ll show you how thorough my talents can be.” Chris stretched out on the sheet, resting his head on the pillow. Crawling up onto the bed, she sat at his waist. “Feel free to hold onto the head board if you need to.” Before he could respond, Amber took his cock, now fully extended, in hand. Leaning in, she opened her mouth wide and took his tip inside. She heard Chris gasp a sharp intake of breath as she sucked and drew hard on the tip of his dick. Sliding her tongue down the slit, she tasted his pre-come. Pulling back, she circled the crown, then down the side of his cock. Finding his heavy sacs, her hand fondled them as she licked him up and down his length. Chris cursed, groaned, and rotated his hips into the mattress. Amber hummed along his length, showing him how much she enjoyed it, just as he had done to her. Finally, taking him into her mouth, she relaxed her throat, taking as much of him as she could. She didn’t fool herself that she’d be able to accept all of him, he was too large. Flexing her cheeks, she drew on him, pulling him in and out. “Amber…” Chris palmed her head as he pumped into her mouth. “Come here, baby, I need--” His words broke off as he groaned. He took deep, cleansing breaths, then continued, “you.” She paused. “Don’t stop,” he begged her. Grabbing her legs, Chris swung her on top of him. Her hips leveled over his face. Never having been in this position before, Amber learned quickly to understand the mechanics of the way things would work. Fisting Chris’ cock, she sucked him back into her mouth, her head bobbing as she deep throated his long length continuously. Chris didn’t waste time in joining in the oral play. First he kissed the center of both of her thighs and then started tonguing her. He licked her heated wetness. They were in unison. As she sucked on his crown, he pulled her clit in his mouth. If she licked his thick shaft from base to tip, he licked her between her swollen lips past her ass. When she tongued his slit, he did the same to her. In and out until she ground her wet sex against his face, as she aggressively pumped her fist up and down, drawing him into her mouth. When they were both close to release, she stopped. It was harder to coax Chris to release her. He tasted her with so much zest, proving that he enjoyed it as much as she did. “Chris, I want you,” she moaned. She was starting to quiver. She didn’t want to come until Chris was buried deep inside of her. He let her go. She moved up beside him. Chris held her face in his hands. “Tell me what you want, Amber.” At that moment, all became clear. She knew what she wanted. “Chris, I want you inside of me. I want you to hold me…pretend that you care.”

He began to speak, but she stopped him placing a hand over his lips. Rolling her onto her back, Chris settled between her thighs. His tip nudged her opening. Slowly he slid inside. Not wanting him to hold back, she told him, “I want all of you, Chris.” Hooking her thighs over his forearms, he pushed them up by her shoulders, spreading her wide. “Are you sure?” Blue eyes met brown ones. “Yes.” He pulled out, until only his crown rested inside. With one strong thrust forward, he seated himself to the hilt inside of her. She screamed, fully impaled by Chris’s cock. She felt whole, complete. “More, Chris,” she cried out. And he gave her more. Digging his knees into the mattress, he plowed into her repeatedly. “Amber…you’re so small and tight. I can’t stop,” his words strained. “Don’t stop.” Over and over, he slammed into her, pulling out as the wet fist of her sex sucked him back in. She held on to him, her fingers biting deep into his shoulders. He grabbed her ass, lifted her hips towards his thrust as if pleading with her to take more of him in. Her bare, slick lips cupped his shaft as she rotated her hips, grinding her clit against his groin. The sensation was good. Damn good. “That’s good…baby, do it again.” Chris put her exact feelings into words. Lifting her hips, he held her snugly to him as Amber moved her hips, pressing herself against him. They moved together in unison, in sync. Both giving and taking from each other. Amber felt the tell-tale signs of her core surging toward an orgasm. Her body became tense and focused, her stomach contracted, her thighs began to shake and her rhythm became erratic. All of her senses focused on one goal. But she didn’t want to come alone. She wanted Chris with her. Wanted to complete this night’s journey with him. “Chris…come…with me.” Her sex throbbed and tightened even more around him. “Please…Chris.” “Always, my…Mistress. Always.” Those words brought her to her release. As promised, Chris slammed into her one last time and climaxed deep inside of her. Amber didn’t know at what point the tears started, but they were there. Streaming down her face uncontrollably. Hearing her, Chris leaned back, brushed the water off her face and met her liquid gaze. Maybe it was from the earth shattering orgasm or because Chris had given her a part of herself back tonight. Whatever the reason, Amber didn’t think, she responded. Lifting her head, she placed her lips on his and kissed him. Without pause, he kissed her back in a deep tongue-sucking kiss. Their mouths

became one as their bodies remained joined at the hip. He slid his tongue along the inside of her lips, causing her mouth to tingle. Their hands tangled in hair as they held each other in place, wanting no separation. He nibbled across her bottom lip and licked its fullness. Sliding back into her mouth, he tasted her again. Amber was not idle. Her tongue dueled with his, sliding between his lips. The kiss was both ravenous and sensual, a completion to a night of memories. They broke apart, their breathing heavy--panting. Giving her one final kiss, Chris withdrew from her body. Pressing her back to his chest, he enfolded her in the circle of his arms and held her. Reaching over to the nightstand, he turned off the light and pulled the covers over them. They spoke in hushed tones through the night, holding each other close until they drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Four “Chris…” Amber slowly began to awake with the feel of a hand caressing her breast, fingers tugging her nipples. “What are you doing?” Amber snuggled her behind closer to the warmth aligning her back. The full extent of his arousal was evident as he pressed his hips against her. “Being thorough in giving you pleasure.” His voice still retained sleepy grit. Her words were laced with play, “What happened to mistress?” Moving his hand from her breast to sex, he guided it between her legs. “Mercy, you’re even wet in your sleep.” He fondled her. “You said you only wanted control for the night.” From the single window in the room over the bed, she could see pre-dawn light. A subtle hint in his voice made her aware the reins had shifted. Giving them over didn’t make her apprehensive. Through the night she had grown to trust Chris. She would give him this moment. Rotating her hips into his sensual ministration, she gave her silent agreement. Chris lifted her top leg, positioning it over his hair-roughened thighs, opening her up to him, giving himself unlimited access to her body. During the night, he’d learned how to touch her and build her arousal. His other hand wasn’t idle as it moved to her ass, his finger cold and slick sliding inside. The difference in temperature didn’t cause her pause, she knew that feel. She had become familiar with the icy gel on her skin over the years. Stimulating her in that forbidden way, Chris took her to the edge. She arched her back into him as his hands increased the pressure. Spreading her thighs wide she gave into him, gave into herself. As she climaxed, she heard Chris whisper beside her ear, “Stay relaxed just like that for me, Amber.” Her first reaction was to pull away, but Chris' hand, still fingering her gingerly between her legs and around her clit, held her firmly in place as his cock slid slowly into her ass--a thick, hard invasion. Clutching his forearm that lay along her stomach, she attempted to regain her balance. She tried to tense up and refuse the hot entry, but his persistent caress to her clit coaxed her to submit, until his hard length was inside. “Feel that?” he asked, flexing his cock deep inside of her, pressing a little deeper. “Chris…” she called out, feeling the loss as he pulled out to the broad crown. When he pushed back into her, she couldn’t help pressing back toward him. Nipping her ear, he ground his hips into her and gripped her breast. “You’re so responsive, Amber.” He squeezed her breast. “You’ve liked every way we’ve fucked.” He moved in and out of her ass, one hand gripping her hip. “Even this way…your pussy is so wet your scent will be soaked into me for weeks.” She couldn’t deny his words. Her body throbbed, ached and moistened into a blend of illicit liquid and sinuous delights. She was going mad, losing her mind. Everything Chris had taught her, she’d taken avidly. Wanting all he had to give her, wanting him.

No. Morning was coming and she had to let him go. Reaching down she grabbed his hand between her legs, rubbing her pussy against him and her hand combined. “Then what are you waiting for…fuck me, Chris.” As if her words emancipated him from his restraints, he withdrew. Pushing her over to her stomach, he stretched out on top of her and performed by her request. He fucked her. While he licked, laved and bit her shoulder, back, and the nape of her neck, he slammed into her. Diligently he buried himself deep inside of her ass. Denying herself the role as bystander to their nefarious act, she stroked herself, masturbating to his rhythm until she climaxed, bucking against him, feeling primitive, wild and free. Her body’s spasms took him with her, clutching the sheets in his tight fist as he came in a chest-rumbling groan. Exhausted and spent, they both collapsed onto the bed. Amber once again succumbed to the elixir of sleep, as Chris’ hand tenderly caressed the length of her spine. ~YH~ Amber awoke the second time alone. It was morning and Chris was gone. Her body ached from the hours of pleasure. Rolling over, she looked at the digital clock on the nightstand, noting the time and the small tube of lubricant. There was nothing on her calendar for the next few days. She pulled the spare pillow on the bed to her chest. Sticking her face down into it. Chris’ pillow. She inhaled his scent. Strong and male. It was the only evidence of his presence in her life. Merry Christmas. The words went through her mind. She wished she’d have said it to him. Maybe the prospect of the day wouldn’t feel so lonely. Shaking off the melancholy, she got up. She showered and dressed and glanced out of the window to make sure the rain hadn’t returned. She would use the next few days to acclimate herself to her new town. Locate the school and maybe find a convenient store that was open for her to grab some much needed coffee and a few items for her temporary home. Picking up her phone, she dialed her parents' number. “Jingle-bells and eggnog! Merry Christmas!” Her father’s deep voice came through the line and made her smile. Her father reminded her of a big brown teddy bear. He was funny in a silly sort of way, but she loved him. “Hi, Dad.” Amber sat on the bed in the dismal room. Maybe while she was out, she would pick up a tiny decorated tree for the top of the dresser. “Merry Christmas.” “Amber-honey! Good to hear from you.” He yelled to her mother that she was on the line. “How’s the country town working out for you?” “I just got here last night. But, so far so good.” “Amber-honey… is that you?” Her mother must have picked up another line in the house. “Yes, mom. Hi--” “Oh, goodness. You’re going to miss your family.” Her mother rushed on. “I wish you would have come home for Christmas.”

“Shelly, the girl is a grown woman,” her father defended. “I know that, Harold. I’m just saying she’s single now and she should be home with her family for the holidays.” “Mom…Dad…” Amber attempted to interject before her parents had a debate on the phone about her life. “Did grandma make it in?” “Yes. I picked her up last night,” her dad answered. “I already have the collard greens going and my oyster stuffing. You know how you love my stuffing, Amber.” “I do, Mom. Maybe you can freeze-dry it and send me some.” Her mother was a fantastic cook. That was the reason all her aunts and uncles came to their house every holiday. Tears burned her eyes as she thought about how much she would miss her family. “Are you going to be alone? What are you going to eat?” her mother asked. She was wondering the same thing. “I don’t really know anyone yet. I’ll make do. It will be okay.” “I’m really proud of you, honey. For getting back to your dreams. You’re going to make a fine teacher.” Her father’s voice sounded husky as if he was holding back emotions or wanted to say more. Harold and Doug had never gotten along from the first moment her father met her ex. He told her not to marry him. But she fooled herself in believing that she loved him and he loved her and eloped with Doug. “Thanks, Dad. I hope so. Well, I love you both, but I need to get out and do some running around before everything closes up.” They all passed around words of love before they hung up and she promised to call them after her first day of teaching. Leaving the bungalow, she got into her car and retrieved the printed directions to the school from the center console. Starting the car, she backed out. She’d locate the school first so that once it was back in session she wouldn't get lost heading there on her first day. If she was lucky, on the way she’d pass a store or diner to put something in her stomach. ~YH~ “Thanks, Bob. I appreciate the assistance,” Chris told his friend as they pulled up beside his car outside of town. “Sorry I disturbed your holiday morning.” “No problem. What are friends for?” Robert, fondly called Bob by everyone in town, was Chris’. Leaning forward, Chris picked up the box from the floor between his feet and got out of the car. Bob had run him by his house first so that he could pick up the part from his garage where he’d planned to use the next few days and replace the distributor cap before it went out. The cap won. “You don’t have to stay,” he said as Bob got out of the car too. “It’s no problem. Another hand will just get you moving this clunker faster.” Bob moved to the rear of his car where Chris’ car sat behind it. Chris knew his car was in pretty bad shape. Today it was the distributor cap, tomorrow it would be something else. But it was hard for him to get rid of the ride. It

had been his first car. He had so many memories in it, especially with Diane. From their first date in college to the last time he had taken her to the hospital and she didn’t come home. Opening the driver side, Chris reached in and popped the hood. “We’re concerned about you, Chris.” Bob fiddled with the hood, pressed the release and raised it, hooking the iron rod to keep it up while they worked. By 'we', Chris knew Bob meant him and his parents. “Don’t,” Chris called across the car as he went into his trunk and pulled out his small tool case. The last thing he needed was people worrying about him. Concerned whether or not he was going to start living again since Diane’s death. How shocked would they be if they knew he’d taken a chance and lived in the moment last night. Images of a beautiful brown-skinned angel who provided him with a night of peace and ecstasy. Of course, Amber had believed she was using him to save herself, but that had not been the case. She didn’t know, but the woman had helped him start to breathe again. This morning it had been the hardest thing to pull himself out of the bed and walk away from her. However, that had been the agreement. One night. One reckless night of passion. Chris couldn’t recall the last time he’d had sex for sex's sake. No strings. Just two adults fulfilling each other needs. Maybe when he and Diane first began dating, he surmised. Shaking his head, he walked to the front of the car. Amber. His gut sighed. Who was she? His mind wondered. What was a beautiful woman like her doing in Yorkshire County? Bending over the engine, he said, “I’m fine. Trust me, I’d tell you if I wasn’t.” “How can I not be concerned for my best friend? I know you didn’t make plans for Christmas.” Bob stood with his arms folded over his chest. “Loretta’s diner is always good for an early holiday meal. Maybe I’ll swing by there.” “You’ll do no such thing.” Bob slapped his hands down on the top of the car’s grill, rocking it. “My mom would have a fit if she knew you weren’t with family. Besides, Carol is making her French apple cobbler and homemade whipped cream.” Just the thought of Bob’s girlfriend's pie and cream made Chris’ mouth water. Bob had really lucked up with the woman. Chris thought about the years he and Diane were married. Before she got sick, her cooking had always left a lot to be desired. A bad cook who only used all natural products was murder on a man’s stomach and appetite. Using his wrench, he removed the old cap and handed it to Bob. “Fine. I’d hate to disappoint your mother.” Chris wasn’t lying. Bob’s parents were like a surrogate mother and father to him since he’d lost his own in high school. “Good. I know you're just coming for the food, but I’m okay with that.” Bob patted him on the back. “You’ll be around family and that’s what's important.” Rising, Chris wiped his hands on an old rag that had been inside with his tools. Standing there, he wondered what Amber was going to do on Christmas night. Was she still in town or had she tossed the cases back in her car and headed somewhere else, trying to start her new life. Her ex-husband must have been blinded and a real asshole

to cheat on her. She was a knock-out, funny and compassionate. “You planning to stand there all day cleaning your hands or you going to get that new cap put in?” Bob’s gruff voice broke him out of his thoughts. Glancing at his friend, he teased, “I thought you stayed to help.” “I’m holding the dirty ass cap, aren’t I?” Bob shook the cap at him and smiled. Laughing, Chris picked up the new one and began to install it. “Yea, you’re doing a fine job as an assistant.” “Thank you. Besides, I’m on my way to Carol’s apartment to exchange presents before we go to my parents.” “What did you get her?” Turning his head, Chris eyed his friend. Bob rocked back and forth on his heels. “Jewelry. So, I plan to get lucky when she opens it, and I don’t want to have to shower first because I have grease all over me.” Chris focused on what he was doing, not intending to stand out in the cold longer than he had too. “It’s a shame to see a man so whipped.” “Kiss my ass, Chris. Keep it up and I’ll send Loretta’s eldest daughter to your house and tell her you’ve been too shy to ask her out.” “You must be trying to run me back out of town,” Chris grumbled. Every man in town knew Susan Jenkins was looking for husband number three. It wasn’t something any of them looked forward too since most men in Yorkshire had already grazed in that pasture. Only the two that had gotten her pregnant had ended up going down the aisle with her. Bob patted him on the back. “Not at all, my friend. At least not until you start smiling more freely.” Chris knew his friend’s words were true. After long months of nursing Diane and watching her life waste away, it was hard for him to find joy or a reason to smile often. Amber’s face flashed in his mind. Her deep, soulful brown eyes and her sexy smile that turned her full lips up at the corners; just the memory made his mouth twitch at the ends. He should’ve asked for her number. ~YH~ “Once again, teachers.” Principal Darden’s voice reverberated around the auditorium. “With the testing period fast approaching, we all need to take a serious look at those students who may be struggling and have a difficult time passing sections of the standardized test. Be willing to work with them in class or after school. By the end of the week, you all will have slips in your boxes for after school students being tutored to take the activity bus,” he droned on. Amber heard the murmuring and complaining by the other teachers around her. She’d been at the school for three weeks now. Starting mid-school year, she had only met a few of the teachers, but unlike some of them, she didn’t mind staying late. Now teaching was her life. She was still living in her bungalow at Yorkshire Inn. She had been out looking at a few houses in the area, but nothing appealed to her yet. Mr. Wilks let her know there was no rush. She could stay as long as she wanted.

Principal Darden’s final words interrupted her thoughts. “I’ll see you all at the cookout,” he closed by saying. The faculty and staff began to disperse, most headed out toward the chilly football field for the teacher appreciation lunch. Some stragglers haunted the halls taking care of things in their classrooms. She was in the latter group. Just beginning to feel like she was getting the hang of teaching, she used every opportunity to stay ahead of the game. She was the ninth grade history teacher and she loved her job--her independence to do as she pleased. “Amber, are you going to the cookout?” Carol Rogers, the high school’s drama teacher, asked, standing at Amber’s classroom door. Carol had befriended her during her first day of school, giving her the inside track on how to get things done and where everything was located. Last Saturday night, she went to the movies with Carol. The drama teacher was getting married over the summer to the head football coach. The two had lived in the town all their lives. Setting down her notes from the principal’s briefing, Amber turned and faced her. “I might go out later, but now I need to get some things done with the downtime.” “Are you sure? I heard a tale that some of the male teachers were going to play basketball. Which means Manning, the Health and P.E. teacher, will be wearing shorts and a tank top, yum,” Carol said in her normal exuberance. “Yum?” Amber smiled. “What does Bob say about your infatuation with another man?” Carol slapped her hands against her ample hips. “Evidently, you have yet to meet Mr. Manning.” Grabbing her booklist from inside of her desk, Amber stepped toward her friend standing at her door. “Sorry, can’t say that I have.” “Hell, Manning’s so good looking I think I caught Bob drooling at him a few times and they're good friends.” Carol gave her a toothy grin. Amber had no choice but to laugh at her friend’s antics. “He graduated from here the year before me with Bob. He was captain of the basketball team. Went away to college and played for a few years. Then graduated and got a job like the rest of us. He just got back into town last year.” Carol’s eyes sparkled with life. “Hey, he’s available and you’re available. Bob and I should have you two over for dinner one night.” Nodding her head down the hall toward the other classrooms, she continued, “You’d be better than any of these other harpies trying to get their hooks into him.” “No.” Waving her hands in front of the other woman’s face, Amber put a halt to Carol’s thoughts. “Last thing I need right now is someone fixing me up with a man. Besides every time I turn a corner Coach Patterson is there, smiling at me and asking me out.” She shivered. It was like being the new freshman girl in high school and having all the upperclassmen chasing her down. “Oh, girl, you don’t want him.” Carol’s face twisted as if she just eaten something spoiled. “He’s a horn-dog. Patterson has been up under a few too many skirts if you know what I mean.”

Amber laughed. Carol just reaffirmed what she’d already surmised. Passing by her friend, she stepped into the hall. “You want to fix me up with something, how about a house.” “I already tried that, remember? You didn’t like either one of them,” Carol accused. Walking backwards up the hall, Amber pleaded, “Don’t give up on me. Keep your eyes peeled. I have faith that you’ll find something that fits me.” “Mr. Manning…he’ll fit you real nice,” Carol called out to her retreating form. Amber turned around, heading forward as she waved bye to her friend above her head. Opening the glass door, Amber walked into the empty library, her thoughts playing back the conversation with Carol. She had told her friend the truth. She didn’t need another man in her life. It had taken her a year and a half to get Doug firmly out of her life. No, she had to be honest with herself. It had taken one night of pleasure by a man that stepped out of the dark into her life. That’s what got her over her ex. Chris, the man who took her into the arms of ecstasy and she hadn’t been the same since. Heaven only knew how long it would take her to get him out of her system. Her mind and body still recalled everything about him. At times her mind played tricks on her, making her believe she saw him at every turn in the small town. But she figured he was a long way from little Yorkshire County. For a week after he had left, she found herself headed toward the home office several times tempted to ask Mr. Wilks if he had given him a lift into town to get a tow truck to pick up his car. He had been walking from the interstate off ramp. She doubted this small town was his destination. As cocky and self-assured as he seemed, he definitely had a big city attitude. Amber moved up and down the aisle, pulling books off the shelf. Her class had a book report due at the end of the year and she wanted to set the books aside, so on Monday it wouldn’t take all of the block period for the students to make their selection. Of course, she could have given her list to the librarians and they would have pulled them, but why make someone else do something for her if she could do it for herself-independence 101. Dropping her armload off on one of the round wooden tables, Amber headed to the back section where the teacher’s resource materials were shelved. She was hoping to find a teaching project book that would give her some fresh ideas when she began the New Imperialism unit. Entering the U-shaped aisle with books on all the sides, she dragged a finger along the shelves as she perused the binders. “Hello…beautiful,” a deep masculine voice rumbled. She didn’t need to turn around to know the owner of the voice, but she forced herself to turn around and verify if it was another hallucination. There, standing just inside the small entrance to the section, was Chris. Thick black haired, blue eyed, broad shouldered Chris. Her heart slammed into her ribs and

her knees went weak. Twenty-one days since the last time she had seen him and he still had an overpowering impact on her. “Chris,” she knew her words sounded breathless, but she couldn’t help it. Her whole body was reeling. “What are you doing here?” “Amber.” He paused as if he needed to savor the sound of her name. “I could ask you the same thing. I thought I was dreaming when I stood up to leave the auditorium and saw you walking out. Why didn’t you tell me your new job was at the school?” Looking into his eyes, she answered truthfully, “Chris, it wasn’t that kind of night.” Taking a deep breath she continued, “No strings, remember.” “I remember everything. There’s nothing that I’ve forgotten about you or that night,” he said, moving toward her. When he stopped, his body heat singed her senses. “Chris…we can’t do this.” “We? Still in your Mistress role?” His eyes were lit with humor. Amber stepped back, trying to put more space between them. “I can’t do this.” He wouldn’t be deterred; following her steps, he brought himself close enough for Amber to feel the flutter of his breath on her face. “Why? Maybe we were meant to do this thing for longer than a night.” She flattened her hands against his chest. “Look, I barely know you and the only thing you know about me is all my hang ups.” Gazing directly in her eyes, he began, “My name is Christopher David Manning, I teach physical education and I’m the head basketball coach for the girl’s team.” Mr. Yum. She might have guessed. “Don’t, Chris. Don’t give us false hopes.” She saw his eyes darken with anger. “False hopes mean that there was no truth to the feelings or emotions we felt that night.” She forced herself to laugh, anything to put space between them, even if it were only emotional space. “Feelings and emotions, Chris. Don’t fool yourself.” She purposely tried to hurt him. “It had been a long time since I’d had sex and I was feeling hot and horny and you were available. Any man would have done it.” Displeasure made his blue eyes go dark as sapphires. “Any man would do.” Taking a step, he forced her to retreat deeper into the aisle. “If any man could have gotten you off and you feel nothing for me, then tell me you’re not wet. That you haven’t been that way since you saw me,” he demanded. Her breath caught. Could she confess that lie and get away with it? She had been in a state of arousal ever since she’d heard his voice. Even now, her swollen sex throbbed against the crotch of her panties. Her voice trembled, “I’m not…” She lifted her chin in bravado, daring him to call her a liar. She shouldn’t have dared, because Chris picked up the proverbial gauntlet. Grabbing her waist, he pressed her back against the bookshelves. Before she could respond, his hand made its way up her khaki skirt and palmed her moist heat, squeezing.

A small cry escaped her mouth. “Not wet?” he asked, his breath heavy against her ear. Chris dragged his tongue across her cheek to her mouth, laving her sealed lips. She turned her face away from him. His fingers breached the seams of her, gliding over the slick skin. She was wet all right and she was soaking in the proof. Stroking her stiff clit, he groaned. Amber purred. His words slid across the edge of her ear. “Tell me this is not for me.” He had started a hot itch between her legs that stole her thoughts. She couldn’t speak. She was panting. Drowning in the haze of arousal to the point her own name was lost to her. Two fingers rubbed her opening and entered. Chris was filling her as his body leaned heavy into hers. Shutting her eyes, flashes of excitement burst behind her eyelids. She didn’t want to enjoy it or squeeze her thighs, trapping his hand there. But she was doing both. Only Chris could do this to her, make her forget where she was and focus on him and what he was doing. Shoving deeper, he used her wetness against her. Her legs trembled and gave out. It was only because of his body and hand she didn’t collapse onto the floor, a needy puddle. His treacherous thumb joined in rubbing and circling the seat of her desire. His fingers spread wide along her walls, and she could hear the slurping of her juicy pussy as it feasted on the thick invaders. “Please,” she whimpered asking for more, while knowing she shouldn’t have it. It would make parting from him harder, but her mind kept screaming that she needed it. Needed what Chris was doing to her. It had been three long weeks without him. Many times, she had lain in bed pleasuring herself while thinking about him, but it never felt like this. Never this intense. “Amber, if I thought that this…” In and out he went, sliding along her sopping passage. “…for one moment, was for someone else…” In. “…it would…” Out. “…drive me…” In. “…insane.” Out. Her senses followed the movement of his hand as her mind attempted to understand his message to her. His lips compressed tight against her ear, as if he were speaking inside of her, his words becoming her thoughts. She moaned as her sex contracted around his fingers. “Do you understand, Amber? It would practically kill me.” He twisted his hand, penetrating her at a different angle and brushed her sensitive spot. Then right there among the teaching manuals, he finger fucked her. Driving her insane and killing her softly with an orgasm that shattered her very existence, making her cry out. Not caring if someone entered the library and heard her. Her body tensed and released as her sex convulsed and shivered around his fingers. Amber bit down on her lip, attempting to stifle her cries. When she came back to semi-reality, Chris was breathing just as hard as she was. She didn’t have to see or feel his erection to know that he was hard; it was there in his

eyes. No longer dark with anger, they were now shadowed with heightened arousal. But she couldn’t do this. She had made so many wrong choices because of her feelings for a man and she wasn’t willing to risk it again. Her heart ached and her chest filled with pain, but it was a decision she had to make. “Let me go, Chris,” she said, her voice hoarse with ecstasy. She used her hands, crushed between their bodies to push him back. Scanning her face, then returning to her eyes, his voice was rich, unrelenting. “Never.” “You know this can’t work,” she exclaimed. His fingers slipped free from her body. “That’s one thing I don’t know.” The feeling of absence gnawed at her. Chris lifted his glistening hand and her aroma permeated the air between them. “This is more than just sex.” Amber knew he wasn’t referring to the wetness on his hand, but the emotions linking them. She watched as he placed his fingers in his mouth, closed his eyes and savored her spicy fluid. Sucking and washing them, placing her essence within. He removed his fingers from his mouth, but didn’t drop his hand. Instead, he spoke against them, but his words were clear. “While I’m playing basketball, how many men do you think will smell me and wonder whose pussy I’ve tasted? Knowing that every time I lick my lips, I’m tasting her again. Tasting you.” Her sex swelled and pulsed with renewed excitement. Amber wanted to turn away, wanted to be appalled at his words or feel shame, but couldn’t. “Hmm,” he hummed loudly, licking the last visible trace of her essence from between his fingers. “Why are you doing this?” she hissed. Chris lowered his hand and stepped back, broadening the space between them. “I know you’ve been hurt in the past. I’ll give you some time...but I won’t go away. I want more than just another night with you. I need you in my life and you need me.” She shook her head at his words. “You’re wrong. Face it, Chris. We were living a temporary fantasy. Caught up in one reckless night. There could never be an us…it’s over!” She pushed past him, ran out of the library disregarding her books; then zipped down the hall and into her classroom. Closing the door. Closing Chris out. Closing herself in before she lost herself to him. Tears burned her eyes, dropping her face in her hands, she cried. She ignored her heart telling her to give their relationship a try. She couldn’t put her heart on the line again. What if he hurts and tries to control me like Doug? Warring between her heart and mind exhausted her. Everything in her wanted to be with Chris. Their night haunted her, played in her thoughts as if she were caught in a dream she just couldn’t awaken from. He hadn’t just given her body pleasure beyond anything she’d ever experienced, he’d cherished her. He had adored her body and made her do the same. Doug always made her wants and desires appear small and insignificant to his. Chris had given her confidence

in herself and her own sexuality. All he asked was for her to let down her guard and give them a chance. But, it couldn’t work. Could it?

Chapter Five “You don’t want any of this,” Chris taunted dribbling the ball towards his opponent. “Fuck you, Manning.” Coach Patterson, head of the football team, barked. “You’re not getting near that basket.” Moving forward, Chris met Patterson at the half court line. “We just kicked your team's ass on the last day of school. Now you want more.” Patterson crouched down and spread his arms, keeping his stance wide, trying to hold Chris up court. “Not this time. I don’t like losing. Even if it’s not my sport.” Chris chuckled. “I’ve been beating your ass in things since junior high.” He faked left. Patterson matched his moved. “Ha. Not with the ladies.” “In your dreams.” Chris spotted Bob, his teammate, and shot the ball to him then stepped to the right to get in position for the return pass. Turning to see who he threw it to, Patterson followed him. “Oh, yea. Remember Jessie Carmichael?” “That was in the seventh grade.” Chris watch Bob pass the ball to another of their players. “Watch and see how quickly I’ll get the new teacher, Ms. Malcolm, before you.” That comment caught Chris up short. Eyeing the line backer built black man before him, he thought about Patterson sweating on top of Amber and it pissed him off. “She’s out of your league. You wouldn’t even know the scent of her pussy if you smelt it.” “Bet I would.” The chauvinistic smirk on Patterson's face made Chris’ blood boil. Without thinking, he blew in the other man’s face. Even though it was more for effect, because he’d already washed up since leaving the library, he couldn’t fight the urge to put Patterson in his place. Amber was his. No matter how she was trying to fight it. They’d had something that night and discovering that she was now a resident in his town only intensified his desire for her. Not only physically, but emotionally. Coach Patterson froze in place, stunned. Patterson wasn’t close to a rocket scientist, but Chris knew the man understood. Using the opportunity to dip around the wide man, Chris drove straight to the basket. Chris went up for a lay-up and found himself sprawled out on the wood floor from an elbow to his gut by Coach Patterson. “There’s more where that came from, son of a bitch.” Patterson laughed and high-fived his team mates. Getting a hand up from the biology teacher, one of his teammates, Chris had to smile. He deserved the jab. This was his favorite time of the year, when he and the other teachers got to play a rambunctious pick-up game. No rules, just good-natured fun. The principal, performing as referee, blew the whistle and called a foul. At the foul shot line, while he stood there waiting for the referee to bounce him

the ball, he felt the tingling feeling of someone watching him. Glancing up in the stands, his eyes locked with Amber's lovely brown gaze where she sat beside Carol. She’d come. He could only hope that it was because she was as drawn to him as he was to her. The urge to tease her was stronger than the need to antagonize the coach. He gave her a quick wink as he licked his lips. He caught a glimpse of her burying her face in her hands as he turned and let go of the ball for his free throw shots. By the time the game was over, Amber was gone. A part of him wanted to go after her. Search the school grounds until he located her and force her to address what was happening between them. Instead, he kept himself calm. Today he would give her space, but soon she’d understand just how much she was beginning to mean to him. Amber Malcolm was his saving grace and he wasn’t going to let her walk away from what they could have. ~YH~ “Amber! Wait up a minute!” Amber moved with quick steps to her car. She didn’t have to turn around to see who headed towards her. It was Chris. She’d seen him moving in the direction of the school gym from his vehicle in the parking lot. She figured he was returning back to school to get ready for the girl’s game tonight. He was the last person she wanted to see. The reason she usually holed up in her classroom or teacher’s lounge grading papers until she was sure the school was empty of faculty. “Amber.” His hand lightly brushed her shoulder blade as she attempted to get her key in the door. Damn, why’d he have to be so quick on his feet? His touch caused heat to dance up along her spine and made her heartbeat accelerate. Even if her mind told her to stay far away from him, her body didn’t feel the same. Hell, no. Every muscle in her body recalled his touch, taste and the sensation of his body thrusting deep inside of hers. Sighing, she turned and faced him. “Sorry, I was lost in thought. Didn’t see you.” She gave him a false, cordial smile as her body proclaimed her a liar. Chris titled his head and raised an eyebrow at her words, but didn’t contradict her. “You’re not staying for the game? A few of your students are on the team.” She knew his words were true. That was all several of the girls in her class spoke about. “I know, but papers don’t grade themselves.” She lifted her briefcase for emphasis. “It’s an important game. I’m sure the students will appreciate it.” “It is, but not as important as me planning for the big exams coming up. Scores are important for me as it is for you.” Taking a step towards her, he placed a hand against the roof of her car. She could feel the heat of his body and smell the delicious, robust scent of soap and Chris. An intoxicating combination. She began to tremble in response. Get away. Her mind screamed. Chris was dangerous. Emotionally dangerous.

“Did you enjoy the faculty game last week?” His blue gaze held hers. Oh, goodness. Her nipples tightened as her memory chose that moment to replay him staring at her across the gym floor. His eyes had locked on hers and when he licked his lips she had felt cream pool in her panties. Yes, the man was dangerous. She wasn’t sure of the exchange between him and the football coach, nor did she care, but she just wanted to be left alone to do her job. Yeah, right. Her heart thumped. “Of what I caught of it, it was interesting.” She shrugged. “Let’s call a spade a spade, Amber.” His voice became low and husky. “I know you’re trying to avoid me.” She attempted to chuckle his comment away; instead it came out as a broken cough. Swallowing, she licked her lips. She didn’t miss his eyes tracking her tongue. “That’s ridiculous. Staying away from you on purpose would mean that I’m giving you that kind of thought.” She set her shoulders back, a position of selfassurance, confidence. “I’m not.” Moving closer, not touching her, he whispered beside her ear, “You are.” Leaning back he stared into her face. “I can see your pulse beating rapidly. If I brushed your nipples beneath that blazer, would they be hard?” Groaning, she glanced over his shoulder, ensuring the faculty parking lot was still vacant. Control. She needed to keep control. No way could she allow this to get out of hand like the library encounter. She couldn’t let this man think he had a chance with her, another roll in the sack. Nope, she was going to have to straighten out his disabused thoughts. It wasn’t going to happen. Couldn’t happen. Pushing against his chest for space, she said, “Look, Chris, this isn’t going to happen. You,” she pointed at him with her free hand, “me.” Touching her chest, she shook her head. “Why not?” He growled. “It was great for the one night. Hell, I don’t even know what I was thinking. I’m not a one night stand type of woman and I sure am not a two-nighter girl.” He frowned and grabbed her shoulders. “Is that all you think I want from you?” There was something in his voice, an offense as if she had wounded him somehow. Shaking off the guilt weighing on her heart, she stared into his eyes. “Isn’t it? You got a good fuck and now you want seconds.” Dropping his hands as if she’d burned him, he turned away. She watched him run his hands through his thick, dark hair. His shoulders drew up then dropped. Turning back to her, his eyes had become a combination of sapphire and pearls that sparkled in the early evening light. “You might have been a good fuck… but I want more than that from you. I want more talks, dinners, dancing or maybe cup of coffee on my back porch at sunrise.” He closed the gap between them. “Days that turn into weeks. Hopefully, those weeks would become years.” Oh, shit. No. No. No. No. Her mind screamed. Her heart even began to make an about face. She couldn’t go down this road with another man. Not after her rat, bastard of an ex. If she gave him what he asked for, he’d eventually find fault with her too and

leave her. Then where would she be? This had to end. His words were making her hope, wish and dream for things not meant for her to have. Nothing set a man straight like bold honesty. She knew it would hurt her, open old wounds to say the words but she had to get them out. “You don’t want me, Chris.” “Why not?” “I told you when we were together that I was damaged goods.” His brows formed a deep vee above the bridge of his nose. “In what way?” Taking a deep breath, she spoke the words she hadn’t repeated in almost three years. The words that had slowly deteriorated her marriage when told to her by her gynecologist. “I have premature ovarian failure. No explanation why I have it. I just do. I take medication to help with additional risks. However, I’ll never birth children.” Cupping her face between his large, strong hands, he said, “You think this is supposed to deter me? Make me not want you?” His touch was warm, comforting. His compassionate gaze made her heart desire something more than her unpretentious life she had begun to build for herself since Doug. Feeling her throat tighten with emotions of sadness, longing and fear, she knew she couldn’t let her heart lead. She’d gotten over the lost of her ex, but if she allowed Chris further into her heart and he walked away for more fertile pastures, it would destroy her. No other choice but to save herself, she pushed him away. “Tell me you never want to have kids of your own. That you don’t dream about a family. Every man does. I sure as hell used to.” Before he could answer she rushed on. “You were cheated of a family with your first wife, I won’t pretend for a moment I’ll be enough.” Shifting away, she gave him her back as she jammed her key in the lock and turned it. “Listen, Amber…” Chris touched her. Shaking his hand off, she shoved her door open and looked at him. “I can’t do this, Chris. I simple can’t. Don’t make me yearn for something only to have you wake up one day and snatch it all away.” She saw his lips move. She wasn’t sure if he was going to deny her words or what, she couldn’t stick around to find out. Getting in her car, she tossed her case into the vacant seat. Quickly flipping the ignition, she put the car in gear. She didn’t allow herself to look at his face as she placed the car in reverse and secured her seatbelt at the same time. As she rushed from the parking lot, praying no students would pop out of nowhere into her path, she couldn’t help but glance in her rearview mirror. Chris still stood where she had left him, arms akimbo as his hands rest on his hips staring at her retreating vehicle. The sight of him made her heart ache and her body pulse. She wanted those strong arms around her. Wanted the things he had said about coffee and early mornings, but they weren’t for her. He couldn’t want them with her. Dangerous. Her mind reminded her. Chris Manning was a danger to her heart

and the future of her sanity. It was just best not to go down that road. ~YH~ Chris watched the tail lights of Amber’s car pulling onto the main road and had to restrain himself from the compelling urge to run her down. He’d heard her words and seen the hurt in her heart reflecting in the deep chocolate of her eyes. And he knew in the very fiber of his being that she was fighting hard, not only against him, but against herself to protect her heart. Her very soul. But, he cared about her. Not just the physical part of her that turned him inside out with craving, but the sweet caring, sensitive side of her that made her Amber. He most desired to heal the scared, wounded part of her that made her run like hell away from him. Of what they could have. However, he was patient. He would prove to her that nothing else mattered but what they could have. Neither one of their exes may have truly realized what they had in order to battle against all obstacles for it, but he did. He sure as hell did. Amber would soon discover how strongly he was willing to fight. Hearing one of the team members call him from the side gym door, he turned and walked to the building. Tonight was game night, but tomorrow was a whole new ball game. His angel better watch out, because he was designing a game plan with her in mind. He didn’t intend to lose, either. ~YH~ “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on? Or do I have to tell you what I already know?” Carol asked Amber as they shared a large bucket of fries at the small bowling alley. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Amber looked around at the Sunday night bowlers filling up the four lanes. Carol tapped the back of her hand with a thick greasy fry. “Hey, there, little lady.” When Amber turned back to face her, she continued. “Remember I’m in love. And people in love know the look of someone else drowning in the same emotion.” “Misery loves company, huh?” Amber idly picked up a fry and began dipping it repeatedly in the ketchup. “So, you admit it.” Carol aimed an accusing potato spear at her. “I’m not admitting anything.” She popped the drenched food into her mouth. Waving the French fry back and forth in front of her, Carol said, “Don’t you try and take it back now. Besides, I already know who the other half is in your life.” She ate the fry. That declaration gave Amber pause. Had Carol seen her and Chris that day in the library? Maybe in the parking lot? Or worse, did Mr. Wilks, her pseudo-landlord tell the town about Christmas Eve when Chris didn’t leave until morning? “How do you know?” “Chris--” “What did he tell you?” she cut Carol off, whispering as she leaned across the

table. Silently, Carol reached for another greasy stick and began eating it slowly. Amber was on edge, waiting in expectation waiting for Carol to continue. “Carol,” she called out, not able to take the suspense any longer. Smiling around her last bite, Carol swallowed then spoke. “First off, I told you before, Chris and I’ve known each other all of our lives with the exception of him going away to college. Then he married the woman who hated Yorkshire. But then she passed away and--” “Just tell me how you found out.” “One day I arrived early because I wanted to get the stage set up for my first class and when I was walking down your hall, I saw him enter your classroom. I thought this was strange since I didn’t know Chris knew you and in all our years of teaching, he has never been one of the first to arrive at school.” Carol paused to grab another fry, waving it in the air as she continued to speak. “When I got to your room, I peeped in the door window. I don’t know what I expected to see…maybe you and him getting it on.” Amber’s gasp broke into Carol’s words. “Don’t sound shocked, girl, even though Chris didn’t say you two have been intimate…like I said before, I know the signs.” She nipped the tip of the potato. “Anyway, I was shocked to see him writing a sweet note to you on the board. That night I called him up and asked him to have dinner with me and Bob.” She remembered that note clearly. The words on the board were sweet and intimate. Without going into detail they brought memories to her of their one night together on Christmas Eve. A large part of her had hated erasing it before her stood walked in and started drilling her about the lines. It amazed her that even though she was trying hard to push him away, Chris was tenacious and still kept come back, stronger. When Carol stopped talking, Amber sat across from her waiting for the other woman to finish. After four French fries disappeared in the other woman's mouth, Amber feared her friend would never continue. “And?” Amber prompted her. Looking perplexed Carol asked, “And, what?” “Carol, what did Chris say at dinner?” “That’s not for me to say. But I will tell you that Chris never gives his feelings lightly. So, if he’s got a heartthrob…or any other throb for you. You better watch out because he never does anything half measure.” You could say that again. Amber remembered the night they spent together and all the things he had done to her and with her up to the last minute of their parting. “So, where are you all headed, Amber?” Amber flopped back in her seat. “Nowhere.” Pushing the basket of fries away, it was Carol’s turn to lean over the table. “What?” “Listen, Carol. I’ve been hurt before. I was married to a man who found pleasure in controlling and belittling me until my final humiliation of him showing up from the

war with a pregnant girlfriend. I don’t think I’m ready to commit myself to another relationship right now.” “Is that all, sugar? I thought you were saying something. That’s all the more reason you want to get back out there.” Appalled at the other woman’s lack of sensitivity, Amber turned away from her to the bowlers as she spoke. “Maybe you don’t know what it’s like to trust someone with your heart, then to have them whittle it down to nothing.” Carol’s hand gripped Amber’s shoulder and pushed her around to face her. When Amber’s gaze returned to hers Carol said, “My ex beat me for six years, called me names that I will never forget and spit on me. But, you know what? The day I finally found a way to get away from him, I ran as fast as I could and I thought I would never allow myself to be vulnerable like that again.” “Then you know how I feel.” Amber dropped her eyes and stared at the edge of the table. “Yeah, I do. But, the thing that’s different between us is I left because I wanted to live, not die.” Carol’s words annoyed her. “I’m not trying to die,” Amber mumbled. Reaching over, Carol grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Then live, sugar. Prove to that son of a bitch ex-husband of yours that he didn’t beat you. I’d love for it to be with Chris because he’s a wonderful man, but I can’t make that choice for you.” There was nothing else for Amber to say. She knew she had a lot of thinking to do tonight. She gave Carol a hug and thanked her friend for her honesty. ~YH~ “Okay, Susan, that’s all for today. You’re doing great.” Amber assisted the sandy blond fifteen-year-old in collecting her stuff and placed it in her book bag. “Thanks, Ms. Malcolm.” Susan pushed the small desk chair combo across the tile floor, causing an ear piercing scrap to flood the room. Amber winced. Noticing her teacher’s look, Susan apologized. “Sorry, Ms. Malcolm.” She gave the teenager a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve squeaked plenty of desks when I was in school.” She shrugged. “You just can’t fight Karma.” Susan snickered. “Here’s your bus pass. Just review those flash cards we made of the dates and information and I’ll see you next week.” Susan fiddled with the slip of paper in her hand and shuffled her feet from left to right. “Do you think I’m going to pass the test, Ms. Malcolm?” Sitting on the corner of her desk to lower her eye level to the girl’s, Amber spoke in a patient voice. “Remember it’s not a pass or fail, it's just a measure of how well you’ve retained the information taught to you during the year.” She watched her student chew nervously on the corner of her bottom lip, then grinned at her, handed Susan her bag and led her to the door. “The answer is yes, I think you’ll do fine. Your comprehension skills are excellent and once you’ve mastered the mnemonic structures you and I designed, you’ll breeze through the history and social studies section.”

Relief showered across the teenager's face as she nodded and left the classroom to catch the activity bus. Sighing, Amber turned back around, sat at her desk to grade the multiple-choice quizzes from the three blocks she taught that day. After an hour, she locked them and her grading book in her bottom drawer, collected the rest of her papers and purse then left. Amber walked in the direction of the office with the clacking of her heels echoing down the vacant halls. Staff, faculty and students were all gone for the day. She spotted the night-time janitor going into a room down the opposite end of the corridor and waved at him. She wanted to check her box before she headed home. She had been running late this morning. After awaking from another erotic dream involving her and Chris, she’d gotten the genius idea of going to the town gym before school started to burn off some of the sexually frustrated energy. Not thinking clearly, she’d put on her aerobic outfit, hastily grabbed a dress out of the closet, tossed toiletries and shoes in her gym bag and headed out of the bungalow. Throwing herself fully in the workout, she had misjudged her time. After she had showered and begun to dress, she realized she’d forgotten several items at home. So fresh faced she rushed to school and started her day. When she entered the office, it was dark, all the staff long gone. A soft light from the late afternoon sky filled the room with enough light for her to see her way to the boxes. Pulling the mail out, she flipped through the papers and memos, scanning them for importance. At the bottom of the stack, she found a small white envelope with her name scrawled across the front. Stepping to the high counter, she laid down the stuff she carried and opened the envelope, removing the slip of paper inside. Last night I dreamt I held you in my arms, gloved in your wet warmth. I smelled the savory aroma of your heady musk. Last night I dreamt I held you in my arms, feeling your sweat. I heard you moan. She paused in her reading as the words caused her arousal from the morning to return in full force. Flashes of the fantasy played in her mind, visions of her and Chris making love. Even in her thoughts, it was more than about sex. It was about her being with him. Over the weeks, she had worked hard at avoiding him and he had let her. Never approaching her, but neither was he silent. He sent flowers to her bungalow. Left messages on the board in her classroom. Just three days ago, she found a slip of paper stuck under one of her windshield wiper blades telling her to listen to the radio. That night she’d gone home and immediately turned on the radio. Feeling ridiculous for listening for hours and hearing nothing, she reached over to turn it off, then heard his dedication. The disc jockey simply said, from Chris to Amber and began playing Open Arms by Journey. He slowly and meticulously wore down her defenses. She looked around to see Chris standing in the office doorway. Amber watched him close it behind him.

The atmosphere became thick with expectation, causing her heart rate to accelerate. “Hello, Chris.” She was the first to speak. He took a step toward her and began reciting the remainder of the words on the paper in her hand. “Last night I dreamt I held you in my arms, smiling at me. I made you laugh. You looked at me with love in your eyes. I was yours and you were mine. Then I knew you dreamt of me too.” “I do.” She closed the gap between them, bringing her body in contact with his. “I tried to fight it, believing that I needed to be alone to prove my independence.” “Amber--” Stopping his words with a touch of her hand to his mouth, she continued, “Now, I know that’s not the case. I started to think about how I’d never felt freer than when I’m with you. In your arms.” Tracing his firm lips, she whispered, “Put your arms around me, Chris, and tell me even though I’ve been a fool you still want me.” Seizing her in a bear hug, Chris lowered his mouth to hers. “Want you? I’m falling in love with you.” Her heart missed a beat as she gazed at him. “But-but children.” “There’s always adoption. Surrogacy. Whatever you decide. When we desire. Just know I want you above everything else.” Her thumb stroked his firm bottom lip. “I have a lot of hang ups?” she warned. Their breath mingled together. “If it hadn’t been for all your hang ups, I would’ve never found out you were a beautiful, sexy, passionate woman. Who has kept me close to the edge every day since the night I met you.” “You?” Her words came out breathless. Now that she had given herself liberty to love him, her desire reached an all time high. Her erect nipples ached, so to pacify the need, she pressed them into the solid strength of his chest. Chris groaned, dragging his hands along the outside of her thighs. “I’ve wanted you so long. I can’t wait any longer to get inside of you.” She claimed his mouth in a kiss. There was no gentleness. Too many weeks of unfilled passion took them both to the brink of sexual madness. Amber drove her tongue into his mouth as he palmed the back of her head. Mouths twisted, nipped and sucked at each other. The kiss went on, long breathless moments as their bodies pressed and grinded against clothing. Chris backed her up to the counter, broke the kiss. They were panting to the point of wheezing. She could feel the bite of the wood into her back, but she didn’t care. She wanted Chris. “I’m going to take you here and now. If you have any objections, you better hurry up and voice them.” Fitting her hand between them, she took hold of his engorged cock and squeezed. “None.” She wanted him too much to wait. Her sex was already throbbing, her juices saturating it.

Chris growled and pressed his length into her hand. He kissed her again and then moved down the side of her neck, giving the curve an open mouth kiss. Lifting his hands, he massaged her breast. Unbuttoning her dress to the waist, he peeled the material back, using the sides of her breast to hold it open. He claimed one of her large nipples into his mouth, laving and sucking. Amber cried out. He moved to the next one, giving it the same treatment. “I love that you don’t wear a bra.” Giving him a seductive smile, she pulled up the hem of her knee-length dress to her thighs and put his hand underneath it. She giggled at the surprised look on his face when his hand encountered her bare wet sex. “You don’t have any panties on,” he said, his voice gruff with passion. “I for…got.” Her voice broke when Chris caressed her, sliding a finger in amid her slick folds. Swirling around her distended clit, he told her, “You can have a memory lapse like this anytime.” Her eyes closed and words escaped her as his hand drove her toward the breaking point. “I have to see you.” She heard his knees hit the floor as his fingers continued working moist heat. Opening her eyes, she froze as she met the eyes of a man standing on the other side of the door. She tugged at Chris’ hair to get his attention. “Chris, we're being watched.” He looked up at her, but didn’t stop stroking her pussy. “By who?” Excitement raged through her veins at Chris’ steady attention. “Brett, the night janitor.” She could feel his breath on the inside of her thighs as he spoke. “I’ll stop if you want me to.” Probing deeper, he inserted his finger inside her hot center. “Do you want me to stop?” There was no doubt that if she said yes, he would stop. Maybe because of his concern for her feelings, she had the boldness to see it through to the end. Or possibly it had something to do with her and Chris’ relationship being kept a secret and their decision to be together. She wanted someone to know, someone to see the evidence of their emotions. Allowing the other man to watch would reveal their love in its purest form. Leaping in headfirst off the cliff, she answered his question, “No.” Chris went over with her. “Lift your dress,” he commanded. Obeying, she reached down and grabbed the hem, pulling it up while she moved her hips along with Chris’ caress. “All the way up.” Meeting the observer's gaze, she bunched the dress underneath her bare breast. She saw his eyes drop and knew he could see the smooth naked skin of her sex.

“Now, open your legs, Amber.” Taking a step out, she stood with her legs shoulder width apart. “Wider.” Using both of his hands, Chris pressed the center of her thighs out, spreading her legs until the inside of her plump glistening lips were revealed. “I want him to see it all.” A knot of desire furrowed in her lower belly. Standing there with her hot pussy open in front of Chris’ face and the janitor’s voyeuristic viewing heightened her arousal so much she almost came. “Your smell is driving me wild, let me taste.” Chris leaned in and did what he did best, made her forget everything else but him. Closing her eyes, Amber availed herself of her lover’s attention. Supporting her trembling legs parted in his hands, he only used his mouth to soothe her ache. He licked her wet heat, laved the outside of her folds. Chris sucked her stiff clit and swirled his tongue around the opening of her core. Sinuously, he flicked, stroked, and caressed her sex in a carnal rhythm. Grinding her moist, needy center against his mouth, she moved joyously toward an orgasm. Chris leaned back, blew cool air across her heated skin and took her into ecstasy. As she came, his mouth feasted on the rush of her juices. While she was still aquiver, Chris stood up and flipped her around. Now facing the counter, she could feel the air caress her ass as he flung the back of her dress up, unzipped his pants and slipped his large erection into her needy center. No hesitation or gentle gyrations. Amber clutched the hardwood for support, the smooth surface adding additional stimulation to her aching nipples. She tilted her hips backwards, begging Chris for deeper thrust. He obliged her silent request, wrapping his arm around her middle. He lifted her higher for better access and angled his hips so the head of his cock stroked her spot. Amber moaned and bucked against him. Chris pressed the thumb of his free hand between her ass cheeks, joining in the foray. The added sensation launched her into the throes of ecstatic pleasure. Her walls spasmed around his cock, taking him with her. Slamming into her one last time, he flooded her passage with his hot fluid. Amber collapsed against the counter under Chris’ weight along her back, both their legs trembling. Long moments passed before Chris stepped back, allowing the skirt of her dress to fall back into place and for her to turn and face him. Weak and shaking, he readjusted his pants, then leaned forward and planted a kiss on both her nipples before he pulled the dress back over her breast and buttoned it. Coming down from her high, she glanced over his shoulder and noted the window was now empty. Not sure at what point their observer had left. “Do you think that Brett will report us?” “Not a chance,” he declared. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at him. “What makes you so confident?” “Because Brett Stevenson and I have been good friends since the second grade when we joined forces to beat up the school bully.” Amber shook her head at the brave antics of two little boys.

“I heard you’re looking for a place to stay.” She smiled, sliding her body along his. “I am.” “I’ve got just the place for you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. Amber ran her fingers through his thick hair and asked, “And where is that?” Squeezing her ass, he rubbed his pelvis against her. “With me. I’ve got a room over my garage I’d be willing to rent out.” Playfully, she slapped his shoulder. “You’re so chivalrous, Sir Galahad.” She kissed him. “As long as I’m with you. I’ll live anywhere. I love you.” With his finger, he traced an imaginary line down her forehead, across the bridge of her nose to her lips and then gazed into her eyes. “Good, because I don’t plan on letting you go again.” Stepping out of the circle of his arms, she grabbed her papers and purse from the counter, then took his hand and pulled him to the door. “Let’s get out of here, so you can take me to my new home.” “You got it, beautiful.” Chris swept her into his arms and left the office.

Epilogue “Just tell me.” Amber pushed her bottom lip out, giving him a fake pout. Chris glanced over from the driver side of his four month old car and chuckled at Amber’s expression. “I don’t care how much you whine, you’ll have to wait and see what you get for your birthday.” They’d been out most of the day. He’d taken her to get her hair done, then lunch and shopping for a new dress and shoes. He’d even taken her to the cosmetic counter and had them do her makeup. It hadn't been hard for her to discover something was up. Smiling, she reached over and stroked his thigh, her fingers creeping slowly up towards his crotch that was always half erect just being around her. Moving in with her over a year ago had been the best decision he could have made. It gave them both a chance to get to know each other and heal completely from their past relationships. Doug and Diane were no longer facts in their lives. “You know I have ways of making you talk.” She dragged a nail along his fly. Reaching down he took hold of her hand and pressed it more firmly to his cock. “Keep that up and I’ll pull the car over and let you persuade me.” “Freak.” She laughed. “Damn straight.” Lifting her hand, he kissed her palm. “Only when it comes to you, baby.” Slouching down in her seat, she used her free hand to slide the skirt of her dress high up her thighs, revealing the tops of her thigh-high stockings. “It's a shame that we will have a houseful of guests and I’ll have to wait to thank you properly for today.” Her finger disappeared below the hem of her dress and he knew she was touching herself. “Shit!” He swerved but quickly gained control of the car. “Who told you?” Sitting up, she turned in the seat and held a hand over her mouth. “Carol,” he growled. Laughter erupted from her. “You know she can’t hold a secret to save her life. Not from me anyway.” Just like he and Bob were good friends, Carol and Amber had become like sisters over the year since Amber moved to Yorkshire. Bob and Carol’s wedding over the summer had just solidified the couple’s friendship. “I should’ve known.” Truly, he wasn’t worried that she’d discovered that he was planning a birthday bash for her. To him, Amber deserved only the best things in her life. Turning down the street to their cul-de-sac, he watched Amber studying all the cars parked along the street, trying to figure out who was at the house. He pulled up into the driveway and shut the car off. “It’s still a nice thing to do for me. The whole day was great. So, no killing Carol.” She leaned over and kissed him. Gripping her waist, he kept his passion in check as he returned the kiss. Amber

was correct, it was a shame that they had people over because all he wanted to do was make love to her in and out of her new dress and heels. Sighing, he set her away from him. “I won’t. I’ll let Bob do it.” She groaned. He chuckled. Getting out of the car, he went around to her side and helped her out. “Remember to act surprised.” “I will.” Moments later, they entered the house decorated for Christmas coming at the end of the month. The twenty plus people inside yelled 'surprise!' when Amber crossed the threshold. He loved seeing the ecstatic look and shock on Ambers face when she saw her mother and father standing among the crowd. He watched his girlfriend rush over to her parents and get a big hug from her father, who lifted her feet from the ground. She was squealing happiness as her mother, an older version of Amber, kissed her cheek. Chris had spoken to Amber’s parents many times on the phone. A month ago, he’d called Mr. Malcolm and had a heart to heart with the older man, then arranged for him and his wife’s flight in. He’d gotten Bob to pick Amber’s parents up from the airport and drive them to Yorkshire Inn. Chris hadn’t been concerned with Carol telling Amber about her party that had been the plan. He’d wanted Amber to think only about her birthday party and nothing else. Mr. Malcolm gave him a conspiratory wink as Chris moved to Bob to get something from his friend. Then he moved to the center of the room and waited for Amber to finish greeting her guests, made up of fellow teachers and neighbors. Finally, she began to scan the room, a radiant smile on her face. Then she located him and froze as she saw him kneeling on one knee holding a ring out. Gasps went around the room from everyone except him, Bob and Mr. Malcolm; the only three aware of the true reason for the party. The song Still in Love by Brian McKnight began to play throughout the room. “Ohmygod, Chrr-is…” Her words faltered as she stood in place with both hands on her chest. “Come here, Angel-mine.” Without shame, he called her to him, allowing all of their close friends and family to hear and see how much he loved his woman. Tears sparkled in her eyes, making them chocolate pools as she crossed the room to him. “I can’t believe this.” When she was close enough, he took her hand in his. “Can’t believe what? That I love you or that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, beside me, as my wife.” The water began to spill down her caramel brown cheeks. “Both.” Her fingers trembled in his. “Well, I do, Amber.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I think I started to fall in love with you the moment you hit me with your car and knocked some sense into me.” “That wasn’t on purpose,” she declared to him and the people around them.

“No matter, it worked. I need something to wake me up and remember I was still living.” “You saved me, too,” Amber confessed. “I was lost and alone, until you.” “Then don’t you think the only thing that makes sense is for us to keep right on saving each other ‘til death do us part?” “Oh, I so do.” He pulled her onto his lap and she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Christopher Manning.” “And I love you.” He stroked her back. “I can’t wait until you carry my name.” “Are you sure?” she whispered in his ear. Chris knew she was concerned that she would never be able to bear him children. Leaning back, he looked into her eyes. “I’m positive. You are more than enough to fill my life.” He slipped the ring on her finger. When he was done, she cupped his face in her hands and stared at him. “You are the fulfillment of all my Christmas wishes and dreams.” “I hope that includes all the illicit ones too.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. “Especially those.” Leaning in, she kissed him as the guests clapped and cheered them on.

About the Author I’m just Yvette Hines. An erotica author who loves pleasurable hours between the sheets, whether it is a blended tale of interracial lovers, the clandestine bite and wicked passion of a paranormal lover or the sting of a commanding whip against tender flesh. Even better, make my day and toss in two gorgeously decadent men who only want to pleasure their woman. Oooh, yeah, now we’re talking. I write erotica because I love it. I’m a Scorpio, so I’m sensual by nature and that just makes me naughty. I’ve been penning erotic tales, on the hedonistic side of romance genre, since 2007. I’m married to my best friend. A guy who makes me laugh ‘til I can’t breathe. A man who steals my breath every time he walks into a room. I enjoy long walks on the beach… Well, I do, but really, I love meeting readers, going to conferences, writing with my fellow authors in a coffee shop, attending BDSM events and Christmas. What do I write? Short and Sexy, Sensual Erotica. Yup, that’s me, SASSE Yvette Hines. Email: [email protected] Website Address: http://yvettehines.com Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sassesheets/ Facebook Address: Author Yvette Hines FollowMe on Twitter: @sasseYvetteH Yvette’s Toy Shop: http://www.sextoyfun.com/SASSE-Yvettes-Eroticshop