Summer Heat 1 [Anthology]

Summer Heat 1

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE Erotic-aah Digest Vol. 06-14

Summer Heat 1

MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE www.midnightshowcase.com

2

Summer Heat 1 Published by MIDNIGHT SHOWCASE P.O. Box 134 Orr’s Island, ME 04066 Copyright 2006 Lose My Mind, Jenna M. Fox Hired Hand, Bridget Midway Off Duty Romance, Sable Grey Wilderness Man, Gail MacMillan Wishes and Kisses, Nancy Pirri Gardener of Love, J.R. McCoy Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN#1555-5496 Vol.06-14

Credits Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Editor: Victoria Dark Copy Editor: Jewel Adams

Printed in the United States of America

3

Summer Heat 1

SUMMER HEAT 1 Lose My Mind, Jenna M. Fox Deputy Carrie Samuels thinks her handsome new partner is gay. He's not. He's hot. She'll find out how hot...if he doesn't kill her first.

Hired Hand, Bridget Midway Jared and Samantha find Eva, a young woman hired for landscaping. They soon realize that Eva is skilled in other areas…especially the bedroom.

Off Duty Romance, Sable Grey Sierra Estaban survived the intruder in her home, but will she survive the lust that burns in her veins for Detective Marc Aiken?

Wilderness Man, Gail MacMillan When handsome, feral Heath Oakes shanghais city girl Alison Anderson into a week-long canoe voyage down a wilderness river, it's one wild and crazy ride!

Wishes and Kisses, Nancy Pirri For Angelina Marrone's twenty-first birthday she receives a birthday present to remember; a night in the arms of sexy escort, Burke Severson.

Gardener of Love, J.R. McCoy When a man goes to help a older family friend out with her garden, it's more than seeds that get planted.

4

Summer Heat 1

Lose My Mind, Jenna M. Fox Deputy Carrie Samuels thinks her handsome new partner is gay. He's not. He's hot. She'll find out how hot...if he doesn't kill her first. Visit Jenna’s Website… http://jennafox.bravehost.com

5

Summer Heat 1

LOSE MY MIND by Jenna M. Fox CHAPTER ONE Deputy Bobby Harlow stared, almost hypnotized, as his cup of water spun in the small microwave. This not sleeping was becoming a habit. Even after a hard, sweltering day of tracking meth labs through the woods he still needed his hot chocolate and lemon cookies. Leaving the spoon trapped in his firm mouth, he rubbed the dark hair along his chest absently as he waited. God, he wanted to bust that meth lab. Every day brought more word of some other kid getting involved with the deadly stuff. Suicides were on the rise in his county. It was an epidemic he wanted to stomp out, if only he could find the labs. His fingers hooked into the waistband of his sweatpants as he waited for the light inside the microwave to go off. The bell had stopped working months ago. Maybe he’d buy a new one for his birthday. Being born on the Fourth of July had its perks. He liked the idea that the whole country celebrated his day and he was always guaranteed a day off. Bobby had grown up with a love for fireworks, and he was thinking of setting some up in his back yard, perhaps sending his poor old microwave into the great beyond, like an anvil shoot. He needed a new one, maybe a bigger one, so he could nuke his frozen dinners. He thought of the two he’d purchased the other day, fried chicken dinners. Those would serve as his birthday dinner. 6

Summer Heat 1 Taking up his midnight snack, he made it back to his big iron bed and slid in without spilling a drop. His police scanner was silent beside him. He kept it on scan to pick up surrounding counties as well as his own. Mark as well as the Sheriff would be on patrol tonight. His thoughts went to the day spent with Derek, Ron, Cass, and Vin following up on a lead that a meth lab was set up in the county. They had a scant location, but had found nothing, so had spread the search. He was glad the county had opted for horses instead of four-wheelers. He was the only one happy with that decision, he knew. But, he couldn’t see how hot-dogging on a four-wheeler was going to help them sneak up on anyone. He heard her voice. He settled back against his pillows as she spoke. He had never seen her, but the young female deputy from the next county had already fired his imagination as well as his blood. Lately he found he was listening for her voice and if pressed, could more than likely recite her patrol schedule. And she was on tonight. “Six-ten, six-hundred.” He knew six hundred was dispatch and waited for the officer on duty to respond. “Six-ten, go ahead.” He felt his body stir at the sound of her voice. “Down, boy,” he admonished his growing arousal. Apparently, he was on tonight, too. Her voice came over his scanner like Southern sugar. He loved the way she said the word ten like it had two syllables. So, she was Six-te-n tonight. He reached over and stopped his scanner from searching other signals. He had what he wanted now. He waited for the dispatcher to give her instructions. He pictured some Southern Pamela Anderson, sitting in her cruiser, waiting. “Six-ten, I have a possible Ten-Forty-nine. West Highway.” Bobby recognized the police code for a drunk driver.. “Ten-four, Six-hundred. Make and model? Direction of travel?” “Six-ten, All the complainant said was east bound, a. dark colored S-10 pickup.” “Ten- four.” “Shit,” Bobby muttered leaning back “Dark colored. Hell, that’s helpful. It is night time, you know.”

7

Summer Heat 1 He waited and the silence began to draw his nerves taut. He was actually worried about her. He sipped his hot chocolate and munched on a lemon cookie. And waited. “Six-ten, six-hundred.” “Go ahead, six-ten.” “I have the vehicle in front of me. Fentress County, RFC-745.” “Harold King,” Bobby said the name and plate he knew well. “Roger. RFC-745 comes back to a Harold King. Extensive record.” “Roger,” she replied. “He isn’t pulling over, so we can add resisting to that resume.” Bobby smiled in spite of the situation. He could hear her siren’s call over the scanner. He didn’t like her trying to pull King over. King was bad news. “Six-ten, Six-sixteen,” came the voice of the Fentress County Sheriff. “Six-ten,” she responded. “Six-ten, signal nine.” Bobby almost came off the bed board. “Back off?” “Six-ten, six-sixteen,” she responded.. “ Your radio is ten-one. Didn’t copy.” Bobby grinned at her audacity, pretending not to have heard her boss’ edict. “Six-ten! Ten-nine! Did you copy that, damnit?” the sheriff yelled. Bobby knew her adrenaline must be pumping through her body right now, and she was probably soaring with anger at her superior’s order. “Ten-four,” she retorted sourly. To Bobby it sounded as if she’d said, “Fuck you.” Secretly, Bobby was relieved that she had been called off. He knew King. The last time he had pulled him over in his county they had scuffled and Bobby had barely managed to get the tall and lanky drug addict into cuffs. He hadn’t walked away unscathed either. His ribs had been tender for days afterwards. King was dangerous. **** Lt. Carrie Samuels stood in front of the Destry County Sheriff, a frown distorting her mouth as he read over her paperwork. “So, Ralph sent you over here?” 8

Summer Heat 1 “Apparently, sir.” Carrie was worn out from the night before. She was still smarting from being called down and then being dressed down at the end of her shift. Ever since she’d moved back home and had gone to work for her own county, they had treated her like some wild child. All she wanted to do was help people and they wanted her to make coffee and work the dispatch desk. She needed more. She thrived on the adrenaline. She’d stood there last night and suffered through the litany of her misdeeds. The sheriff had accused her of trying to take on the world by herself. He didn’t seem to care if a drunk driver had killed her parents. Hell, she just wanted to stop someone else from having to go through the hell she’d gone through. He’d just yelled. She hadn’t even been able to go home and shower first. Her pride was hurt. She was not happy. “Alright, Deputy. Step out front and get you some coffee. I’ll be out in a minute.” Carrie made her way out to the front office. She poured a cup of coffee and plopped into a chair. The door opened, allowing the soft light from the morning to zero in on her, blinding her and leaving green blobs floating behind her eyelids. Looking down, she stared at her coffee. Bobby froze in his tracks. She was sitting right in front of him. The deputy from Fentress County. She had Fentress patches on her blue police shirt. Boy had he been wrong about Pam Anderson. This girl had auburn hair, thick and long, judging from the fat bun at the back of her neck. “Excuse me,” he started. She looked up at his intrusion. “Yeah?” He noticed troubled blue eyes and rosebud lips. “Did you need something?” “Nope.” She looked back to the floor, ending their first conversation. Before he could say any more the office door opened and boisterous laughter signaled the arrival of the other deputies. There was a hush behind him as Bobby heard Ron mimic a Chingy song, “Ooh, ooh ooh, ooh, do what you do.” “Right thur, right thur.” Cass joined in. Bobby was almost embarrassed for her, listening to the department horn dogs behind him. She glanced up and the look on her face told him this reaction to her wasn’t new, but she was putting him 9

Summer Heat 1 in the same pathetic category as them. They were pathetic. Ron and Hugh were married, but still on the prowl. Derek was divorced and desperately prowling. Steve was twice divorced from his prowling and a horn dog. They were all horn dogs. Sheriff Gregory stepped out of his office and went for coffee. Turning, he motioned for Lt. Samuels to stand. Geez, Louise! Bobby had imagined her to be a leggy blonde with a designer body, but this girl was even better than he’d imagined. Although her body was hidden under her bulky shirt and gun belt, he could tell her breasts weren’t designer. Those babies were real and more than a handful. He growled into his coffee cup. “I see you all have noticed that we have added to our ranks,” Sheriff Gregory began. Bobby watched her as she shifted her weight onto one leg. It was a defensive and rebellious stance at the catcalls coming from behind him. “Lt. Carrie Samuels.” He heard her barely whisper, “Three, two, one…” As if on cue, Derek started singing. “Car-r-rie.” “Lt. Samuels will be working with us. She’s from Fentress. She’ll need a partner.” Her head shot up at this, her eyes wide and angry. Partner? She’d never needed a partner before. Bobby could tell by the rebellious expression on her pretty face that this was hard for her to take. The hungry noises coming from the horn dogs just made it more awkward. Then the sheriff said the words that Bobby swore he only imagined. “Lt. Harlow will partner up with Samuels.” The horn dogs started complaining, but Bobby couldn’t hear them. He could barely contain his grin as he regarded the angry young woman before him. His elation was short-lived as the innuendos started from the dog pound. “What a freakin’ waste,.” Hearing Derek’s remark forced Bobby’s mouth into a grimace. Oh, no. Not the gay stuff again. Not now. He wasn’t gay. He just had more standards than these guys. “Yeah, they can share recipes.” “Go shoppin’ together.” “Laverne and Shirley.” “More like Will and Grace.”

10

Summer Heat 1 He blew out an exasperated breath and met her gaze through dark furrowed brows. She was looking at him oddly now. Great. Now, she thinks I’m gay. His denial sprang to his lips when he saw her lips curl into a smile. She was actually smiling up at him. Well, hell. Why not? “Bobby, Carrie.” He shook her hand and she grinned up at him happily. He couldn’t resist grinning back, even if she did think he was gay. “Bobby, take her and get her settled in. You’ll need some t-shirts. We wear jeans, not those. Hate to do this to you, Samuels, but you’re on duty. Now that we have Samuels, maybe we can take down that meth lab and that son of a bitch that’s killin’ these kids.” “Alright,” she turned and held out her hand to the sheriff. After he’d handed her a gun, she still held her hand out. He took it, shook it briefly, and returned to his office. Turning, she regarded her new partner. “Well, where to, Bobby?” “Let’s get you a shirt, then we can go by your place, and you can change.” “Look, they’re already accessorizing,” Derek offered in a feminine lilt. Carrie walked around Bobby and over to the smart-ass. Her hands went to her hips and she looked him up and down. “You know, I hate to get off on the wrong foot, but remarks like that do not make you the better man.” Her actions stunned Bobby. She wouldn’t say anything when it was aimed at her, but she was already championing him. He stared at her backside, noticing the way she filled out the unisex police pants quite nicely. He could only imagine her luscious breasts straining against her blue police shirt with her hands on her hips. Draining his coffee cup, he moved up behind her. His fingers slid around her upper arms, his grip moving her to the side. “Come on, Grace.” “Coming, Will,” she responded and they left together.

11

Summer Heat 1

CHAPTER TWO Two days later, Bobby was over the moon. His new partner had gone from hiding her luscious little body under her unisex pants and bulky shirts to sporting a Destry County T-shirt, tight-ass jeans, and a shoulder strap for her gun. July in Georgia was steamy, and he was appreciative each time he saw her in t-shirts. Her breasts jutted out as if they were taunting him. Her hips were rounded, and her ass was just begging for his hands to roam over and grip her. She wore her hair in a thick braid down her back, and more than once he’d dreamt he was wrapping that braid around his fist and pulling her to him. The lighter styled uniform seemed to agree with her mood as well. She laughed easily, joked constantly, and tonight she was playful. They were consuming pizza on his couch after work as they did every night. Tonight he had started the conversation, so he could only blame himself. “So, Carrie, why a deputy?” “Well,” she remarked thoughtfully, perched on the arm of his couch. “I love doughnuts and coffee. I like the idea of being able to carry a gun. Seems the logical choice, doesn’t it?” “No, really.” “What? I want to help people. I just want to make a difference.” “Uh huh.” “My…parents met up with a drunk driver.” she said the words and then shrugged off his concerned look. “I’m sorry, Carrie.” He wondered if a gay man could pull her into his lap. “I want to do something worthwhile with my life.” “What about kids?” “I don’t know.” “No, do you have any?” “Oh, no.” “How about a boyfriend?” “Don’t want one.” 12

Summer Heat 1 “Bullshit.” “No, really, Bobby. The last boyfriend I had just wanted to boss me around. What about you?” “What about me?” “What do you do?” “About what?” “About, you know…” “Oh…kay. Let’s change the subject, alright?” He shifted in his seat, hoping she wouldn’t notice that her words had just put his entire body on alert. “No, really. I mean, it has to be hell for you!” Looking over at her, he saw the devilment in her eyes and an impish grin. She would never know how close she had been to being yanked off that couch arm and thrown underneath him. “What are you up to?” he asked suspiciously. Her eyes widened in innocence. “Nothing. We can change the subject if you want,” she pouted, picking at her pizza toppings. “I don’t care.” But Carrie did care. From the first time she had felt his fingers wrap around her arms possessively, she had come to the conclusion that Bobby being gay was just not fair. He was tall, dark, and had a smooth way of talking to her that set every nerve on end. He was a wet dream walking. That first night, she had dreamed of him, kissing her. He hadn’t been gay in her dream; that was for sure. After that, part of her had decided that maybe he was just mistaken and if she could just get him to see her as more than a partner, maybe he would turn to her like he did in her dream. “I was just thinking about it earlier and…” she muttered around the sausage topping she sucked into her mouth from her fingers. “Thinkin’ about what?” He froze seeing her suck her finger into the hot recesses of her mouth. “Sex.” She licked her lips. “What do you do for sex?” She was grinning as if she expected him to tell her some deep dark secret. “What do you do for sex?” he turned the tables on her. “No, I’m talking about you. You don’t date, do you?” “Carrie, I’m not…sexually active.” He caught himself before he told her he wasn’t gay. To do that would ruin the friendship they had fallen into. It would cast him in same lot with the pathetic horn dogs. She was comfortable around him. She felt she could tell him anything, 13

Summer Heat 1 and he liked that. He would not jeopardize that. He hated lying to her, but he reasoned he hadn’t ever told her one way or the other. “Then, what do you do?” she persisted. “Same thing you do.” His gaze lowered to her crotch. “I don’t do anything.” “Don’t you ever touch yourself?” All the air went out of her lungs as she stared at his handsome face. His topaz eyes seemed to sizzle with interest. The mental image she had of him running his big hand down over his taut stomach and then moving lower nearly made her swallow her tongue. “Carrie?” His voice jerked her from her thoughts. “What?” “You don’t date.” “Who says I don’t?” “I do.” She snorted. “I could be out right now, if I wanted to.” “Oh, really?” “Yeah, Will, really. Derek invited me out for a beer after work yesterday. Ron today, and Derek wants me to go to The Oasis with him for the July Fourth thing going on down there. So yeah.” “Then why aren’t you with them?” he threw at her. His temper had climbed pretty quickly. “Coz I don’t wanna. Geez, Bobby. If I wanted sex, I sure wouldn’t be here with you.” She teased him as she climbed down from the arm and began to stretch her body across his lap. He jerked as her breasts grazed his thighs as she continued. She reached for the pizza box and extracted the last slice, as well his resolve. His gaze roamed over her luscious little backside that she waved under his nose. He squeezed his eyes shut as she squirmed back to her perch. She was teasing him. He was straining almost painfully against his jeans. “So you aren’t sexually active either?” he finally asked after drowning his parched throat with beer. “Nope.” she leaned back. “I never was, really. Sexually active sounds like a three ring circus.” “You sound like a woman who’s never had an orgasm,” he accused. She never answered him, and he glared at her, eyes wide. “Never?” “Shut up!” she glared back. 14

Summer Heat 1 He turned up his beer, before he turned silent. She thought of the book she’d gotten from the library, “The Care and Feeding For Your Gay Male,” and wondered if there was a chapter in it about leading this one to water. **** The next day at work, Sheriff Gregory was grinning inanely as the currier arrived with a package. After reading the directions, he showed the device to Samuels and Harlow. “This is a wire. Samuels, I want this in a place where King won’t find it. I also want your word that he won’t find it.” “You want me to get wired?” Carrie’s enthusiasm was palpable. “I want you to go to the Oasis, wired up, and I want you to get to know King. Find out where he has his operation set up. You’ll have to turn it on for him.” “I’ll have to figure this out first,” she said plucking the wire from his hand. “Come on, Will. I’m gonna need help with this.” She dragged him into the tiny bathroom. They found they were crammed within the small confines, he against the wall and she against the sink. Before he could guess what she was going to do, her arms crossed over, and she lifted her t-shirt clear over her head— leaving him to stare at those beauties bouncing in his face, separated only by her sheer bra. Her fingers roamed over the cups. “What are you doing?” His tongue felt as if it weren’t working. “What?” she asked. It looked to him like she was feeling herself up. “I’m trying to see if the wire would show through.” Her hands continued, pushing her breasts together, creating even more cleavage, and causing his mouth to hang open, wanting nothing more than to lower his mouth to taste. “Well, maybe underneath, huh?” She unhooked her bra and peeled it away, leaving him to swallow his tongue as he feasted his eyes on the plump mounds bouncing out. Her pert nipples were begging him as she moved her hand underneath one of her beauties. She writhed as she fit the wire underneath her breast. When she had it in place, she stood with her hands on her hips and jiggled her breasts slightly. Nothing. She moved to jiggle them harder. She felt the wire slip. “Well, shit.” She removed it, placed it in his hand, and began to unbutton her jeans. 15

Summer Heat 1 “Um, Carrie?” “You’re gonna have to do this, Will. Sorry.” With that, she peeled her jeans down and presented him with her thong underwear and bare ass cheeks. She watched his reaction in the mirror as his mouth fell open in shock. “Sorry, you’re the partner, partner. See if you can slide that baby right up in there.” Her words slammed into his rock hard erection. He could not suppress the groan. “Do what?” He couldn’t think. “The wire. Run your hand down inside the thong and see if you can find a place where the wire won’t fall out.” He continued to stare at her bare ass, the words ‘slide that baby up in there’ pounding in his head. He moved his hand over her right cheek, caressing it. She arched her back as he continued to take hold of her ass cheek, gripping it in his big hand. His finger slid down inside her thong and he moved his other hand to insert the wire. “How far down should I go?” His voice was a low husky whisper. His fingers glided up and down her crevice as he spoke, causing Carrie to feel her channel flooding with moisture. “Carrie?” She was breathing hard as she tried to answer,. “What?” His fingers continued to stroke her. “Where do you want it?” He was gay, and he was turning her body into mush. “I don’t care.” “Ok, but it’s your ass.” He couldn’t resist pinching her…hard. “Ow! Just tape it inside the thong, Bobby.” She sounded if she were pleading. “Fine.” He suddenly realized that she was putting her life on the line tonight. “I just don’t want you to do anything stupid.” “Who are you calling stupid?” “Are you scared?” “No.” “Liar. Hey, don’t I owe you a spanking or something?” His hand roamed over her twin globes again as he spoke. “No!” She felt every muscle tighten as his hands rode over her. “Oh, well, I just thought, since you already had your pants down and all…”

16

Summer Heat 1 “Yep, that would be all you would think to do,” she muttered angrily as she began to jerk her jeans up again, her breasts bouncing wildly in the mirror. If she had looked up and seen the stark hunger in his eyes, she would know that wasn’t all he was thinking. But, she didn’t look up. She pulled her clothes back on and left the bathroom. Bobby locked the door after she left. **** The Oasis was already decorated for July Fourth Fun Fest. Red, white, and blue lights were strung from the rafters along with red white and blue streamers and flags stuck everywhere one could imagine, even draped over the jukebox. Carrie moved to the bar, ordered a beer, and struck up a conversation with the girl working there. Her name was Cindy. Blonde hair stuffed up in a scrunchie, she seemed friendly enough. “So, you new to the area? I never seen you in here before.” Nosey too. “I just moved here. Seems nice.” Cindy snorted. “Nice? Let me tell you, the guys that come in here any more are anything but nice.” “Oh, that’s a shame.” Carrie sipped on her beer and waited as the bowl of dry roasted nuts was passed over the bar. “So, you gotta boyfriend back where you came from?” “I did.” Carrie answered her, sort of truthfully. She was going to leave out all the sordid details. “I dumped him.” “Cheating?” Perceptive too. “Yep.” “Oh,” Cindy’s attention was drawn away. “Hey, Bobby. Carrie could feel his big body sliding against her as he stood behind her. What was he doing? He was supposed to stay outside and monitor any conversations. “Hey, Cindy. Could I get a beer?” “Sure. Wow, I haven’t seen you in a long time. “Yeah, well. I heard you all were decorating for the fourth, and I thought I’d come by and have a look. Sure looks good.” “Um, Bobby, she ain’t part of the decorations.”

17

Summer Heat 1 “Maybe she ought to be.” He moved to the barstool beside her. Turning he grinned at her. “Hi. I’m Bobby.” “Grace,” she gave back snidely. “Grace, that’s a pretty name.” He was oozing sexuality. “Tell me, Grace, do you like fireworks?” “What are you doing?” she whispered, leaning in as Cindy moved along. He continued to grin at her, looking like sex on a stick. “I’m trying to hit on you. I was thinking we could go back to my place and maybe set off some bottle rockets.” “Alright, I’ll play. Aren’t bottle rockets those itty-bitty ones?” “Good girl. Have you ever heard of a Seeker Rocket, or a Screaming Rattler?” Carrie’s face grew flushed at the mental picture he was presenting. He slid closer and his fingers touched her bare arm, making the hairs stand on end excitedly. “No?” He continued, his warm fingers dancing over her arm. “Then I know you’ve never experienced a Texas Giant Pop.” “Hey, Cindy,” Carrie heard behind her again. Turning to look in the mirror behind the bar, she saw a tall man standing right behind her. “What d’ya need, King?” King? Harold King? “I’ll take a Seven/Seven. Excuse me, sweetheart,” he said brushing her breasts with his arm as he reached for her peanut bowl. “Excuse me,” she said pushing the bowl further away. “Get another bowl. This one has cashews.” “Well, ain’t you feisty.” She smiled at him, exposing a dimple as well as ample cleavage. “I’ve been called feisty.” “I’ll just bet you have.” He moved to stand between her and Bobby, cutting the deputy off completely. “Say, you alone?” “Not anymore.” “Can I just slip my hand in your bowl, just once?” She shook her head slowly at him until she pushed the bowl out of his immediate reach. Then she nodded her head. He stretched over her, his chest pushing into her breasts. King couldn’t help feeling her hardened peaks and licked his lips. “Damn, forget the nuts. Let’s go to my car and talk.” 18

Summer Heat 1 “Baby, if I want to talk I’ll call mother.” “Oh, shit, it is hot in here!” King sighed and took up his drink from Cindy, who was shooting all kinds of warnings to Carrie with her eyes. Leaning down, he whispered, “Girl, I’m ready to drag you outside.” Carrie said, “Why don’t I meet you out there?” “I’ll be waiting.” He tuned and left. Just then, Cindy decided to spill a full beer onto her. It splashed onto Carrie’s tank top, soaking her through and all the way down. “Oh, shit,” Cindy said, horrified. “I’m so sorry.” Bobby was there with napkins, wiping the cold beer onto her breasts and she knew her nipples were straining for him to touch them. “Stop it!” Carrie pushed at his hands helplessly. “What? I’m trying to help.” He was grinning down at her chest as he continued to move the napkin slowly over her taut peaks. She felt her thighs quivering under his touch and her body seemed to weep for him to continue. Her body didn’t care that he was gay. “Did you spill any down here?” he was asking as the napkin moved down her stomach to her lap. She swallowed hard as he wiped along between her thighs. “Bobby, if you don’t stop. I swear I’m gonna knock the shit outta you,” she whispered hotly. “Sorry,” Cindy tried again. “But, you don’t want to go outside with him.” “Well, I certainly can’t go out there like this,” she grumbled as she headed for the bathroom. She found the restroom and went to the mirror. Her tank top was soaked and her nipples were still standing at attention. “Stop it,” she told them. “Bobby doesn’t find you interesting.” As she left the restroom, she found Bobby waiting for her in the hall. “What the hell are you doing? Playing babysitter?” she asked him as he moved towards her, backing her against the wall of the darkened hallway. “Do you know that guy at the bar?” he asked. She looked around his broad shoulder to see a man she knew very well. She had pulled him over several times for drunk driving. “Yeah,” she answered. 19

Summer Heat 1 “He was looking for King.” “And he’s heading this way,” Carrie tensed, staring up at Bobby for help. “Hold still.” His hand found her braid, wrapping it around his fist. She gaped at him. Even as she felt his arms moved around her waist and watched his face lowering to hers, she couldn’t think. His mouth moved over hers and she moved her hands between them to stop him. His tongue pushed beyond her lips to play inside of her mouth, pulling her boldly up against him, his big body hiding her completely. He was aroused. She could feel him hard against her belly. She gave him her tongue and reveled in the heady rush of hearing him growl into the kiss. He had been fairly certain that he had heard her arrest the guy in question over the scanner, so when he’d showed up looking for King, he knew her cover was about to blown. But this had been a stupid idea from the beginning. Once he’d pushed her against the wall, he was undone and now his cover was blown. She would know he wasn’t gay. Now, she would kill him. As he felt her arms moving around his neck, he moaned and gave up, gripping her knee and pulling her flush against him. Not only could he hear her moan against him mouth, but with the transmitter, he could hear it in his ear as well. Stereo sex. He had to stop before he dragged her into the men’s room and finished this. Steeling every nerve, he ended the kiss and stood there. Her lips tingled and they felt swollen from his kisses. She dared to peer up at him. He showed no signs of being devastated by the kiss. His expression was still, guarded. He showed no signs at all. Damn, he was good. “He walked right past us,” Bobby whispered. Shaking herself mentally, she took a steadying breath and moved back towards the bar. Taking up the fresh mug Cindy had poured, she killed half just standing there. “Ready to go?” he asked behind her, taking up his mug as well. She nodded. She wasn’t sure if she were more disturbed about the kiss or the lack of response from him. She was almost trembling and

20

Summer Heat 1 she could feel the wetness pooling between her legs. And he had felt nothing. Bobby kept watching her as he drove her home. She was quiet and would not look at him. He reached his hand out and moved it over hers. She jerked away. Finally he pulled up in front of her house and turned the motor off. Turning to her, he moved his arm across his seat. “What’s wrong?” She shook her head. How could she tell him that she wanted more from him? More than he would ever give her. He preferred men. But, he had been aroused. Did she look like a man? His knuckles grazed her hot cheek. “Did I hurt you?” His tender words tore at her. She shook her head, looking away. “Did I scare you?” He watched her take a deep breath, but she never answered. He knew she’d felt his erection. “Carrie?” As she looked up at him, he could see she was confused. “I, uh, guess my adrenaline was running pretty hard,” he gave her as an excuse. “Adrenaline?” she asked, grasping onto the concept. “Yeah.” “Yeah,” she nodded and smiled timidly at the dashboard. Grasping the door handle, she got out and went into her house. She didn’t invite him in, just closed the door behind her.

21

Summer Heat 1

CHAPTER THREE The next morning she woke up suddenly to the sound of banging on her front door. Throwing off her sheet, she swung her legs over and looked at the clock. “Hells bells, it isn’t even daylight!” Again, the banging. “Hang on a minute!” she yelled towards the front door. “Well, hurry!” Bobby yelled from the other side of the door. She had stayed up late, reading in the book about how gay men can become confused and how some women thought it their mission in life to change them back into he-men. And if they succeeded the men had become been so confused, they ended up afraid of their own feelings and shutting off completely. “I hate that book,” she muttered heading for the door. Bobby started to bang on the door again when it opened, revealing bunny slippers, bare legs rising up to a skimpy pair of panties, a flat belly and a tank top, complete with nipples greeting him with a bounce. His gaze moved higher to see a sleepy girl with a riot of hair falling around her, like a deep, fiery shroud. Her blue eyes were heavy lidded, and her mouth partly opened in a yawn. God, he wanted to kiss those lips awake. “What the hell do you want?” He shoved past her and into her house. “Can you ride a horse?” “I can’t ride anything without coffee,” she muttered as she closed the door. “Why don’t you come in?” Turning, she noticed he had brought a bag in with him and was pulling out two large cups of coffee and what appeared to be some sort of breakfast sandwiches. “We’re going up on Hastings’s Ridge today. We gotta get moving.” “Fine,” she took up her coffee and headed for her bedroom. “Don’t make me have to come in there and throw your ass in the shower,” he warned her. “Yeah, yeah,” she muttered closing the door. 22

Summer Heat 1 Once he heard the shower going, he slipped into her bedroom with the thought of scaring the shit out of her when she stepped out. Seeing the open book on her bed, he sat back and turned it over. The Care And Feeding For Your Gay Male. “What the hell?” he opened it and began to read about how gay men can become confused. He smiled, looking up suddenly as the water was shut off. Moving back into the living room, he sat on her couch and grinned. He wanted to laugh. It was too damn funny. It was sweet, her wanting to take the time to find out about him without making him uncomfortable with her endless questions. He wondered if she thought he might be confused over their kiss. This lie was getting out of hand. He was going to have to tell her the truth. “We ready?” Turning, he saw she was dressed in a drab green t-shirt and camouflage pants. Her thick braid was damp, but she was ready to go. “That was quick. I figured you’d be another hour.” “I would be if I were getting ready for something other than a horse.” “Or a gay man,” he muttered around his mouthful of breakfast. **** He watched her closely as they headed the horses up another trail. She was subdued and hadn’t smiled once. He wanted to ask her what was bothering her, but he figured whatever it was, it could be found in that damn book of hers. She was trying to watch the ground below her horse for tire tracks, but she was deep in thought. The book had cautioned her against trying to tease any responses from her gay man. It cautioned her that she was being selfish and only wanted him for one thing. It told her to find a willing recipient for her lust, and get it out of her system or risk losing her gay male forever. She couldn’t deny thinking of Bobby, naked, in her bed and loving her. Hell, she’d been dreaming about him when he’d arrived banging on her door. In the shower, she had come close to doing what he’d said, and touch herself, but couldn’t do it. It just seemed like such a waste of time when what she wanted was sitting on her couch. Every time she was close to him, she felt as if she had a fever. This was getting out of hand.

23

Summer Heat 1 Maybe the book was right. Maybe she should just get laid and get it over with. Trying to get him to feel the same way about her wasn’t fair to Bobby. He didn’t deserve that. Maybe she would get laid—she could close her eyes, pretend the guy was Bobby, and just get it over with. She halted her mount, noticing a movement in the woods ahead of her. She put up her hand for Bobby to fall silent. She peered through the deep foliage, trying to see something, anything. She listened intently and heard a twig snap further down the ridge below them. Easing out of the squeaking leather saddle, she moved further along the trees. She welcomed the feel of his body as Bobby brushed against her as he joined her. “What?” he whispered, pulling his gun from his holster. “I saw something,” she whispered back. “There.” She pointed. He trained his binoculars in the direction. “I’ll be damned,” he breathed, moving the binoculars to her. She peered through them and saw what looked to be a meth lab set up in a small clearing below, just on the other side of the rocky creek bed. “You stay put, I’ll call for back-up.” “Back-up?” she whispered. “No, Bobby. They’ll come up with sirens blasting.” He grabbed her arm roughly, his nose almost touching hers. “Do what I say! Now, stay put.” “Yeah,” she huffed, hearing, “Don’t do anything stupid.” Pushing herself around the tree, she pressed her back into the rough trunk and watched through the binoculars the movements below. She lowered the binoculars as she saw the tall man moving back and forth. King. Son of a bitch! They had him! Suddenly, she watched him turn her way. It was as the light flashed across his face, she realized the reflection from the binoculars had alerted him to their presence. He started running. Shit! She moved off the tree, calling back to Bobby. “Suspect on foot! Giving chase!” “What?” Bobby whirled, seeing her move down the side of the ridge. “Shit!” he yelled into the radio. “We need back–up, now! We’re in pursuit! Shit!” He plowed down the ridge behind her, crashing into the same bushes she did in their descent. “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you, you little 24

Summer Heat 1 idiot!” He muttered threats all the way down. As they made the bottom, they crouched, moving along the rocky creek bed. Moving towards the lab set up, Bobby heard a clicking sound that made the hairs on his neck stand. “Stop!” he yelled to Carrie, but it was too late. The trip wire came up and caught her shin, sending her down onto her ass in the creek bed. “Shit!” she cursed, jumping up. She was furious. “Son-of-a-bitch! Bobby didn’t have time to explain what was coming next as he heard the motor of the four-wheeler heading towards them. He had been in on a similar bust awhile back and the suspects had fled with a semi-automatic weapon and a four-wheeler. She was already moving toward the lab. “Get down!” With a curse, he grabbed her braid and slung her down behind him. As she landed in the dry creek bed, he flung his body over her, shielding her from a possible ambush. His gun drawn, he watched his world tilt crazily as the four-wheeler came right at them. It wasn’t King. It was King’s young nephew and he was driving the thing too fast, as if he had no control on it. Firing at the small tires was Bobby’s only option. He would not shoot a kid. He braced himself for the impact, his body straining, awaiting impact. Suddenly, the fourwheeler veered, the fat tires churning up a huge spray of rocks, and pelting Bobby with them. Opening his eyes, Bobby heard the engine moving off in the distance. Looking down, he realized his boots had dug into the creek bed as he sat on Carrie, bracing for the impact that never came. As she felt him ease his hold, she scrambled out from under him, spitting gravel out of her mouth. Her arms were scraped up. She was sore and filthy. She was madder than hell. She spotted her gun lying just past him and moved over his lap to get it. Just as she reached for it, his hand came down hard on her ass. “You stupid idiot!” he railed, as his hand came down again. She shrieked, and actually cocked her gun. That stopped him. She rolled off of him and climbed to her feet, staring at him as if he’d lost his damn mind. He was up, pacing angrily in front of her. His fingers sliced through his hair as his mouth formed a heated snarl. “You broke that bust!” “What?” “You saw it was King and broke rank, didn’t you?” 25

Summer Heat 1 “No!” “Don’t fuckin’ lie to me! You broke the bust! You are so damned gung ho you almost got us killed! When I give you an order, you follow it! Hell, no wonder Fentress got rid of you!” She stared at Bobby, her breasts heaving from anger at his hurtful words. Her gaze didn’t miss that his adrenaline must be running hard again. With a sneer, she turned away from him. “Sonofabitch.” “What did you say to me?” he yelled, whirling her back to face him. Shrieking, she shoved him as hard as she could, she sent him stumbling onto his ass. He was crawling after her before she could move out of the way and soon found herself on her ass as well. He grappled with her, pinning her arms, holding her down as he moved over her. She could feel his adrenaline throbbing against her as he held her head still in his hands. His hips ground across hers. “I didn’t break the bust,” she told him. “He saw the glare from the binoculars.” He stared down at her, not even hearing her words at first. The look in her eyes penetrated his lust-fogged brain. She hated him. Her eyes said so. Flinging himself from her, he reached back to help her up. As she slapped hatefully at his offered hand, they heard the sirens screaming up the old road. Shaking her head, she climbed up on her own. “Told you they’d come screaming up,” she muttered moving away from him. Sheriff Gregory took one look at the two of them and bit back a curse. “What the hell happened?” Bobby stood with hands on his hips, looking down at the creek bed, fighting hard not to tell him what he still suspected. “King saw the glare from the binoculars. We gave chase. His nephew tried to run us down.” “So, King is still on foot?” “Yeah. Should we pursue on horseback?” Carrie’s head shot up at the prospect. “No, you two take Derek’s cruiser and call it a day. We’ll take over. Ya’ll look like hell.” **** Tension filled the cruiser as they sped down the old road. Bobby fumed at the reaction she had caused inside of him. He’d been ready 26

Summer Heat 1 to spread her legs and take her in that damn creek bed. Their tussle had only made it worse from when she had crawled over his already screaming erection. He’d lost it. Glancing over at her, he noticed her camo pants were red at one knee. Blood? “You’re hurt,” he told her, moving his fingers to her leg. Jerking her leg away, she shook with fury still. “I’m fine.” “Well, you’re not fine. You’re bleeding.” “Just a little scrape. I can’t even feel it.” “Regardless, once we get to my place—” “No, take me home.” “Well, maybe I don’t want to.” That made her look at him. The look in her eyes made him back down from the fight. Her eyes were pooling with tears. “Fine, we’ll go to your place.” **** “You got any mercurochrome?” he asked her as he headed for her medicine cabinet. “I’ve got everything I need. What I don’t need is a nursemaid.” She folded her scraped arms stubbornly over her chest. “Oh, I think you do.” He moved to her bathroom, listening as she kept mouthing off. “Well, I figure that’s why you’re here, Will,” she sneered, slinging her boots off and heading for her laundry room and a change of clothes. “Some deep seeded need for you to nurture. I guess we know what role you play.” “Oh, I can’t be concerned about you?” he called out, finding what he needed in her cabinet. Finally returning with his arms full of stuff, his gaze drifted down her body, realizing with a slow smirk that her pants would have to come off. “Um, you wanna drop ‘em?” “Nope.” Her arms were still folded in that stubborn stance. “Geez, Louise! You are such a damn baby. Just do it.” He dumped the stuff onto her dryer. “Nope.” “Then I will.” He surprised her by moving towards her. “You don’t have the balls.” His brow shot up as his fingers moved over the fastenings of her pants, and she gasped as she heard him rip them open.

27

Summer Heat 1 “Bobby!” she tried to wrench his hands away, but he had her pants down to her ankles and had lifted her onto the washing machine before she could stop him. “You were saying?” he growled as he took up the bottle of hydrogen peroxide. “Uh, that stuff burns.” “Just lean back, you big baby.” “Yes, mother.” She leaned back and watched him as he cleaned the tiny gravel from her skinned knees. It burned, but she wouldn’t let him know it hurt. She braced her hands on each side of the washer and closed her eyes. She tried to hate him, but he was so close. He was caring for her. She knew it wasn’t fair, but she had fallen for him. Bobby couldn’t keep his eyes from traveling up her bare thighs. Her legs were spread just a little and offered him a peek at the triangle shape of her panties. Glancing up, he saw her nipples jutting out to him, and her eyes closed. He edged her pants off and looked to see if she noticed that they were now in the floor. She hadn’t moved. Easing her thighs apart, he moved in closer. His hands went around her waist and he lowered his mouth to clamp onto her left nipple. Her gasp sounded more like a moan as he tugged her into his mouth. His hands moved to lift her shirt up. “Bobby,” she sighed as she let him. “Oh, you shouldn’t be doing that.” She tried to get the words out as her tongue felt suddenly thick. His fingers flicked open her bra. “God, you’re beautiful,” he breathed, moving his hands over her twin globes. “No, you’re confused.” “No, baby,” he said against her ear as he pulled her to the edge of the washer. “I’m not confused.” She was trembling with need as he moved her to feel him.. “Oh, God.” She moaned into his ear as he held her to him. “No.” “Yes.” “No. Bobby. No.” “Don’t stop me, Carrie.” “I have to. Bobby,” she held her breath sharply in her chest. “I don’t want this.” He froze and moved back, staring at her. No was no.

28

Summer Heat 1 She pushed her shirt back into place, slid down from the washer, and scooped her pants up from the floor. She could feel her legs quaking under her. “You don’t want this?” he asked grabbing his screaming cock. “Huh? You don’t want this riding inside you? Coz, I sure want you.” Her mouth fell open at his he-man attitude. The book was right. And if she gave in, he’d turn away from her completely. “You have to leave,” she told him. He knew she was confused. “Baby, I know what you think, but…” “Oh, God!” She had really done it this time. She would not be the reason he turned off completely. “You don’t want me! You just think you do. You’re confused!” He was walking towards her, shaking his head slowly, a grin spreading over his firm mouth. “I told you, I’m not confused. Just let me touch you, Carrie and I’ll show you. Let me fuck you. Let me give you an orgasm. We both want it.” Her eyes narrowed at him. Let me fuck you? He went from caring and kind to let me fuck you? This was not fair. This was her payback. Standing here, half-naked, her body weeping and wet, being stalked by the man she wanted more than anything, and she had to turn him away. “No, I don’t want you to fuck me. I didn’t break the bust. I want you to leave.” With that she turned and left him.

29

Summer Heat 1

CHAPTER FOUR The next day was difficult as they patrolled together. Neither spoke. At the end of their shift, he pulled the cruiser up at the station. Derek strolled over and leaned into her window. “We still on?” the blonde deputy asked her. “Sure. I’ll meet you there.” “I can stop by a get you.” She shrugged. It didn’t really matter to her one way or the other. “Ok.” she relented. As soon as he walked off, she felt Bobby’s hand moving over her shoulder. Her body responded immediately. “What the hell is that about?” he asked, his fingers moving across her neck. “The Fourth Fun Fest thing tonight. I told you about it.” “You never said you were going.” “I never said I wasn’t, either. He asked me a while back.” “That was before.” “Before what? Bobby, nothing happened between us. Nothing is going to happen between us! It can’t!” “Why not?” He reached for her and pulled her to him ruthlessly, covering her protests with his mouth. “God, Carrie. Don’t do this to me,” he begged as he moved his arms around her. “Let me taste you.” He said as he kissed her ear. “Let me take you. Let me be the one.” “No, Bobby. Let me get through this. After tonight, it will be ok.” She left him with those cryptic words and slid out of his grasp. **** If she had any idea he was slipping into her house while she was on her date, she’d kill him. He moved to her bedroom and grabbed up the book she’d been reading. “Let me get through this,” he muttered as he flipped through the pages. “Let her get through what?” He leaned back and began reading about confused gay men. “Ok, she thinks I’m confused. Hell, I am confused.” 30

Summer Heat 1 He took the book up and headed for her fridge and a cold beer. Leaning up against the sink, he continued reading out loud. “Congratulations, you have just lost your best friend. It never fails to amaze me how you straight women think it is your God given right to try and bring your gay male to heel. By flaunting your body in his face or teasing him to the point of sexual excitement, you have done no more than make your gay male question his own sexuality. Your selfish goal to bag your man has left him with an erection he doesn’t know what to do with. He will become very manly. He will become he-man. Don’t be surprised if he demands sex from you. Why don’t you do the world a favor, take your selfish needs to a straight man, and leave your gay male in peace? Once you get rid of the need to feel your gay male between your legs, you and he will be able to have your relationship back.” “Shit!” Bobby slammed the beer into the sink and left, her haunting words skyrocketing in his head. “Let me get through this. After tonight, it will be ok.” **** The Oasis was in full swing for the Fourth of July. Red, white trash, and blue was the theme, from the plastic flowers, flags, and streamers to the patriotic rock n’ roll from the band. Carrie was trying to enjoy herself with Derek. He was nice enough and he was a damn good dancer. She had brought her beer to the dance floor. She knew she was drinking too much, but she really didn’t give a damn. She’d been through a lot and she was due some fun. Anyone who knew her would see she was determined to have it. Her hips swayed to the music and she was smiling up at Derek. She tried not to see Bobby, but she could imagine him dancing with her and her smile stretched dreamily across her face. The band started to play a ballad and she held her arms out for Derek to join her for the slow dance. Before she met his body, she closed her eyes. She imagined Bobby’s arms moving around her instead. Grinning inanely, she rested her head against his powerful shoulder. She could even feel his sleek ends of his hair on the back of his neck. She was be doing a good job imagining him. She could feel his arms moving to pull her to that adrenaline again. She moaned at the feel of him. “That’s enough,” she heard Derek say beside her.

31

Summer Heat 1 She looked up to find Bobby had been dancing with her. His expression was guarded, like before. “She’s with me, Bobby.” “Not anymore,” Bobby told him, putting his hand to Derek’s chest and holding him back from her. She swayed slightly as she witnessed the look he gave Derek, warning him off. She almost giggled at the ferocious animal she saw before her. “Let her decide,” Derek said. “What about it, Carrie?” Bobby asked her, pulling her close to whisper hotly in her ear. “You want to spread your legs for him to forget about me? Or do you want me between your thighs?” He felt her shudder against him. “I…am on a date, Bobby.” she gave him, feeling pretty brave after five beers. “Three’s a crowd.” “You’re drunk,” he accused. “Yeah? So, what? Derek, would you get me another beer?” “We’re outta here!” Bobby growled, hauling the inebriated woman over his shoulder. “Derek, man, get outta my way. I’ll explain it all to you one of these days. Just not now.” “Put me down, you Neanderthal! Big man! God, Bobby, put me down!” He never answered, just continued out the door with her over his shoulder. **** Carrie stirred as she felt her belly quiver under his touch. Her eyes opened. Uncertain, she looked around her. It was dark, but she could feel she was in her bed, her wrists held securely above her, and she wasn’t alone. Derek? Oh, no! “Oh, God, no. Not Derek, no!” “Glad to hear that,” she heard Bobby mutter as his teeth closed over her earlobe. His hand continued to snake down between her legs. “About time you woke up,” he said between kisses. “I got some good news for you. You ready?” “Why am I handcuffed to my own bed?” She jerked as she felt his fingers gliding along over her panties. Her legs fell apart as his hand moved inside the elastic band. He moaned into her mouth as his fingers coursed through her tight curls. He smiled as she bucked against his questing finger, stroking a gasp from her. 32

Summer Heat 1 “What are you doing?” “What does it feel like?” he asked back against her ear as his fingers slid down further to her entrance. “Why do you have me handcuffed?” “Maybe, I’m looking for a wire.” “I’m not wearing a wire, you freakin’ idiot!” Stroking her, he continued to talk to her. “Oh, well, then, maybe I’m going to give you an orgasm. Watch you go off like the Fourth of July. How about that? I want to see your pretty face when I send you over the edge.” Her lips were already trembling and his words caused her body to rocket into his hand. “Damn, girl! That was quick. Too damn quick.” He swept her panties down her thighs and sent them down the floor. “Let’s try this again.” “Hmm?” she slid her body along the sheets, eye closed. She felt languid and didn’t really care that he had her handcuffed. She slid her eyes open. “You ok?” he asked, stripping his t-shirt over his head. Her eyes grew wide at the expanse of his furred chest. “I think so.” She watched as he opened his jeans. His adrenaline came into full view. He stood beside her, his fingers moving to stroke her cheek. “I need to tell you something and I don’t know how you are going to react.” “Wh-what?” “Mmm.” He slid her little dress up, leaving her exposed as he moved up close to her ear. “Ready?” She was breathing heavy as she waited. The feel of his fingers touching her taut peaks were driving her wild. He moved his mouth to suck in one tight bud. Her breath caught sharply as he moved his fingers over her stomach, his little circles of attention making her body climb to his touch. He kissed her. His tongue licked along her lips as he moved over her. “You know what I’m gonna do now, don’t you?” Her breath caught. “Yes.” “Carrie, I’m not gay.” “Oh, God,” she cried against his cheek. He tried again. “I’m not gay, Carrie.” 33

Summer Heat 1 “You’re confused.” “Carrie, I’m not confused, baby.” He was laughing. “I’m just not gay. I never was.” “What?” “I have never been gay.” “Ever?” He kissed her as he spoke. “The guys started that shit because I wouldn’t whore around with them. I’ve never been anything other than what I am.” “But, I trusted you. I told you things, Bobby. Private things!” “Yeah, things you’d tell your lover.” “And all this time you…this is not happening.” “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. Why are you mad, anyway? Huh? You want me, I know you do.” He slid her legs apart and moved to settle in between her silky thighs. He couldn’t believe she was actually trying to buck him off. “Yes, please do that,” he growled. “Carrie, I never told you I was gay, did I?” “No.” His mouth moved over her stomach as he stroked between her legs. “I just never told you how much I crave you. You used to tease me, squirming that luscious little body all over my lap, and I couldn’t do a damned thing about it. I was afraid you’d hate me.” “I’m sorry I teased you.” “Don’t be. It wasn’t always torture. I used to watch your lips when you were talking and imagine what delicious things you could do to me with them. And, I got you back when Cindy spilled beer on you. You have to admit, I was pretty quick to offer help. Couldn’t you tell I was doing more feeling up than mopping up?” “Bobby,” she said his name. He knew to release her, and he did. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He surrounded her with his body. Carrie knew she was wet for him as she felt him slide along her channel. As he found her entrance and moved inside, she felt her muscles grip him tightly. He pushed himself further. As he slid out and thrust in slowly, she cried out to him as it ricocheted through her again. 34

Summer Heat 1 “Damn, that’s two. Carrie?” He continued to pump himself between her silken thighs, loving her, reaching her, filling her. Harder and faster, he felt her convulsing around him again as their bodies sought mutual release. Finally, spent, he rested on her. “Three,” he whispered, tiredly. “I almost made the biggest mistake of my life tonight,” she confessed after her breathing slowed . “I know.” “How?” “The Care and Feeding of Your Gay Male? I found your handbook. That thing is brutal.” “I know. I hate it.” “Good news is you can return it to the library anytime now. ” “Maybe later,” she sighed, kissing his neck. “So what’s the good news?” “Carrie, I gave you the good news!” “Telling me that you lied is not good news. It’s a confession.” “I’ve got another confession.” “Oh, God.” “I love you I loved you before we even met.” “Oh, that does not even make sense!” “Maybe not. But I used to listen for you on the scanner.” He had moved up to where he could capture her neck with his mouth. “Oh, bullshit!” “Bullshit? How do you think I knew about the guy at the bar, huh? And King, the night before you were transferred. I heard them order you to back off King.” “And you fell in love with me?” “Crazy, huh? I know that you want to make a difference in this world. And you will. You have made a difference in mine. “How did I do that?” “I told you I don’t whore around. I tried dating for awhile, but just never felt like I was on the same page with any of them.” “Any of them. That many?” “Well, they all have sisters and cousins, and…” “Bobby!” “I’m kidding. Anyway, I was lying back in my bed one night, alone, when I heard this angel talking.” She was staring up at him as he leaned on his elbow. 35

Summer Heat 1 “It was January of this year.” She narrowed her eyes. January had begun her first night patrols with Fentress. “What did she say?” “She said, ‘Six-ten, six-hundred’.” He affected her feminine southern accent, making ten sound as if it had two syllables. Her smile grew and spread across her face as he moved in to kiss her lips. “Mmm. And I love the way you say ten-four when you’re pissed.” “What do you mean?” “It’s like you’re saying fuck you.” “Really?” “Uh huh.” “Ten-four, then.” “Ten-four?” “Please.” “Yes, ma’am.”

36

Summer Heat 1

Hired Hand, Bridget Midway Jared and Samantha find Eva, a young woman hired for landscaping. They soon realize that Eva is skilled in other areas…especially the bedroom. Visit Bridget’s website… http://www.bridgetmidway.com/

37

Summer Heat 1

HIRED HAND by Bridget Midway “Are you sure she’s okay with this?” Jared asked Samantha as they stood on their porch. After flashing a reassuring smile at her husband, Samantha looked down at their young landscaper, the woman who had captured his interests…and hers. “I’m positive,” Samantha said, revealing her carnal need with her throaty response. After trimming up the topiary beside their front door, Eva, their landscaper, crawled around on her hands and knees at the front porch to collect the fallen leaves. Her long, silky chocolate brown hair, bound in a ponytail, cascaded over her sunbathed shoulder. Wearing a tank top and shorts, Samantha couldn’t help but admire how Eva’s naturally dark skin glistened in the mid-morning sun. A thin waist topped the woman’s rounded ass. And stemming from the bottom of her cut-off shorts were two long and strong legs. Well-worn working boots covered her feet. Eva reached forward to retrieve more leaves and lawn debris. Her firm, apple-sized breasts made hardly any movement as she jutted forward and back. Looking at the protrusion in Jared’s tan slacks, Samantha surmised he had the same intense feeling about this sexy Aztec princess. Who knew her clean-cut golden boy husband would want to get down like this? Samantha had to keep pinching her thigh to 38

Summer Heat 1 remind herself that, although she wanted this as much as Jared, that this was all his idea, not hers. Returning her gaze to the kneeling sexy being, Samantha cut her eyes over to the thin strip of fabric that covered her landscaper’s pussy. So short were the woman’s shorts that Samantha saw one pink pussy lip peeking out through the fringed fabric. Samantha licked her lips. Her heart pounded and the feeling made her reach her hand out to her husband’s and clasp it as though she needed to stabilize herself. Jared squeezed her hand then let an obscene chuckle rumble in his throat. “Her,” Samantha began once she gained some composure. “It has to be her.” Eva gathered the leaves in both of her hands, stood up, and sauntered to the couple. Samantha loved watching Eva’s smooth, muscled cinnamon-colored legs in motion. She didn’t walk with her head down. Oh no. Not this sensual creature. As though she knew Samantha and her husband were watching her every move, Eva swayed her hips a little more than usual. Sweat dampened her white shirt between her breasts and over her stomach. When Samantha stared hard enough, she saw Eva’s dark areolas through her thin top. Either Jared noticed the same thing that she had, or he needed to feel Samantha just a little more the closer this woman got to them, because he broke his hand hold with her and snaked his arm around her waist, resting his large hand on her hip. Shivers attacked Samantha’s body. Her pungent aroma wafting from her cunt swirled around her until all she could smell was her scent, fresh cut grass and the roses from her garden. Eva dropped the pile into a trash bag by the brick porch then cut her gaze up to the couple, offering them a smile that hinted that if asked, she would do anything…and not necessarily yard work either. “You’ve been working hard,” Jared began. “Come inside for some lemonade.” Eva’s eyes got wide. She smiled. “Yes, sir.” Jared opened the wooden front door and ushered the young woman inside. Samantha followed her. She caught Eva’s earthy scent and a slight honeysuckle aroma. When Jared had brought up the prospect of bringing someone else into their bedroom, Samantha had squealed with joy. Most wives 39

Summer Heat 1 would leave their husbands over a suggestion like that. What the suggestion said to Samantha was that Jared knew her. He understood her needs as well as his own. And most importantly, he trusted her and knew she could trust him. Samantha had to laugh to herself whenever she thought about her mother. Her mother wanted her to marry Jared because in Samantha’s mother’s opinion, Jared was safe, tame, a good boy. “He’s a good Southern Baptist with a great job as bookstore owner,” she’d said. Little did her mother know that Jared fucked Samantha in almost every aisle and every part of his store, twice. And at times he could be more sexually-daring than her. Inside of the kitchen, Jared opened two malt liquors with a lemonade-flavored taste and handed one to his wife and the other to Eva. “I shouldn’t drink,” Eva said. “I’m working.” “Come on,” Jared began. “You’re over twenty-one, right?” Eva cocked a smile and nodded. “And as your employer, I insist you take a drink with us.” Eva peered over her shoulder, looking at the large window that looked out into the expansive front yard. “Don’t worry about your father,” Samantha said when she figured out what must have worried the young woman. “If he asks, we’ll tell him you were working a special project.” The explanation must have relieved Eva. She lifted her bottle to the duo. After clinking her bottle against theirs she downed her drink in about six healthy gulps. Samantha stared at the woman’s long, tanned neck as with its every flex and movement, Samantha’s nipples tightened against her sundress. She felt her panties getting soaked from the current flowing between her legs. Just looking at the woman wasn’t the only thing that turned her on. Samantha got off on the idea of having both her sexy husband and Eva. “Do you remember what we talked about before?” Samantha asked the woman, not wanting to beat around the bush. Eva split her attention between Samantha and Jared then nodded. Excitement zipped through Samantha’s body like lightning. She took a step closer to the woman but with her hand up, Eva stopped her. 40

Summer Heat 1 “But I can’t,” she said. Samantha’s heart crashed to the floor. Her fantasy, her husband’s fantasy, disappeared with just three words. She felt like Eva had taken the air from her lungs and refused to give her any assistance. “Why?” Samantha managed to ask. Again, volleying her gaze between Jared and Samantha, Eva said, “My father will come looking for me. I know how he is.” She reached her hand out and touched Samantha’s. The electricity Samantha had felt before simply from gazing at the woman now felt palpable with her sensual yet light touch. “We all take risks, Eva,” Jared said. “For instance, my wife took a big risk talking to you about this special arrangement. I want you to forget about your father. He’s working. And we’ve given him enough to do to keep him busy. So what do you say?” Eva glanced at the window again. A loud motor sounded. She breathed out a heavy breath and her shoulders slumped down. Who knew the sound of a lawnmower could do that to a person? When Eva returned her gaze back to them and nodded, Samantha wasted no time. After setting down her half-finished bottle of beer, Samantha slid her hand under Eva’s top to her bare breast. Ogling her perfect skin, Samantha knew her flesh would be soft. She didn’t expect her to feel like velvet, so smooth and exquisite to touch. Eva curved her back to press Samantha’s hand closer. Samantha’s thumb circled her nipple, newly hardened under her constant manipulation. Her second hand sought the other tit while Jared made his way to the duo. He kissed Eva, sliding his tongue into the woman’s mouth. Her full lips pillowed against Jared’s thin set. Watching her husband please Eva with a kiss made Samantha’s body tingle. She couldn’t wait to see what else he would do to her. Even as she wondered, his hands undid Eva’s shorts. Diving his hand inside, he rubbed his fingers between her pussy lips, evident from the sloshing sounds Samantha heard when he made the contact. The young woman moaned. In a possessive move, Eva clutched one hand over Samantha’s that held Eva’s breast and her other hand she used to hold Jared’s hand at her vagina. The whir of the lawnmower buzzed by the front window, startling the trio. 41

Summer Heat 1 “Why don’t we go upstairs and get comfortable,” Samantha suggested. Reluctantly, Samantha and Jared removed their hands from Eva’s body. Each taking her hand, Samantha led her to their master bedroom. Once inside, Jared locked the door to afford them some privacy. “I’ve been working all morning,” Eva said, still with her top askew and her shorts open. “I must smell horrible.” Jared took the lead and nuzzled his face into Eva’s neck, kissing and licking her nape before righting himself. “You smell just fine to me. But if you feel that uncomfortable, we can remedy that.” He nodded toward their master bathroom. They took Eva inside. Once stripped of all of their clothes, the three submerged themselves under the powerful three-headed shower stall. Samantha kissed Eva, this time allowing the woman to plunge her lemonade-tasting tongue into her mouth Eva smoothed her hand over Samantha’s drenched blond hair. Samantha loved the look of her lighter skin against Eva’s darker tone. Taking unspoken cues from one another, Samantha stood behind Eva, wrapping one hand around the woman’s thin waist and the other cupping her breast, while Jared lowered himself to his knees. He put one of Eva’s legs on his shoulders. His thick fingers parted her cunt lips covered in a thin strip of brown curly hair. The tip of his tongue teased her hard clit, which made Eva writhe in pleasure. When he slid his middle finger inside of her, Samantha felt the woman trembling. Knowing her husband gave this woman so much pleasure that it made her react this way caused Samantha’s heart to pound even harder. To brace herself, Eva put one hand on top of Jared’s head, sliding her fingers through his wet, dirty blond hair, and her other hand rested on Samantha’s hand at her waist. Eva gyrated her hips to fuck Jared’s mouth until she screamed in ecstasy. Jared turned off the shower. They dried each other off as fast as they could but Jared’s insistent need took over and he pulled their damp bodies to their large bed. Jared positioned Eva on her back in the center of the bed. The woman obliged by parting her thighs. Samantha dove between her 42

Summer Heat 1 legs, tasting her sweet, yet salty pussy juices as she licked her from her tiny, puckered asshole to her hardened nub. Samantha’s gaze peered up. She saw Jared with his back to her and positioned over Eva’s face. The sucking sounds let her know that Eva was giving her husband a blow job, one that must have been good from the way he growled and groaned. Samantha eased her finger inside of Eva’s tight wetness. Her warm, thick walls surrounded her digit, squeezing it in intervals. A shiver went through Samantha’s body as she thought of how this would feel to her husband when he fucked the woman. Eva undulated her hips. From the way she quivered and the moaning Samantha heard, she knew the woman was close to climaxing. So Samantha, in a quick-piston motion, dove in and out of her slickness. Before the woman could come, Jared moved off of her and demanded Samantha stop fingering her. He made them switch positions, Jared now between her legs and Samantha facing her husband with her dripping sex hovering over Eva’s face. Jared on his knees, held his cock around his thick shaft. After sliding the head up and down between Eva’s puckered nether lips, he plunged himself inside of her. Eva moaned, clamped her hands on Samantha’s toned thighs and covered her boss’s pussy with her mouth. “So fucking tight,” Jared said between gritted teeth. Samantha crushed her pussy against Eva’s mouth. Feeling her tongue slide over her sensitive clitoris, Samantha’s breathing rate increased. Her skin tingled. She reached out for her husband, hooking him behind his head and giving him a deep kiss. They exchanged Eva’s juices, savoring her sweetness on their palates. Her other hand went down between her legs to rub her clit, just the right amount of stimulation needed to release an explosive orgasm. Samantha’s legs shook as she came hard over Eva’s mouth. Hearing her must have spurned Eva, whose body also convulsed under a wave of a hard climax. Jared pounded into Eva harder, shaking the bed and slamming it against the wall until he finally let out a long, low growl as he came inside of her. After catching his breath, Jared eased himself out of Eva then helped his wife down to the mattress so that they all snuggled together. The three exchanged kisses as though they had done this 43

Summer Heat 1 before. They may not have had sex with each other before, but their bodies moved like they had. And Lord knows, Samantha wanted that feeling again. She craved to touch Eva’s skin again, to taste her, to hear her come. Would Eva want that? Or would she go running to an attorney to sue them? “I should get back to work,” Eva said. Jared helped her out of bed and the duo watched their landscaper get dressed. Eva tied her long hair back into a wet ponytail. Samantha wondered what excuse the young woman would give to her father on why her hair was so wet. “You have special plants and trees in your yard that require attention at night,” Eva began as she stood by the door. “If you want, I can come back tonight, too.” Samantha smiled and looked at Jared. “To cut your cost, I’ll come alone.” Eva chewed her bottom lip as she waited for their response. “See you tonight,” Jared said. The End

44

Summer Heat 1

Off Duty Romance, Sable Grey Sierra Estaban survived the intruder in her home, but will she survive the lust that burns in her veins for Detective Marc Aiken?

Visit Sable’s website… http://www.sablegrey.net/

45

Summer Heat 1

Off Duty Romance by Sable Grey “Miss Esteban?” Marc raised his voice slightly as he knocked again on the flimsy apartment door. “It’s Detective Aiken.” Glancing down the dimly lit passage, Marc scowled at the graffiti and garbage that decorated the inside of the building. He shook his head, wishing for the umpteenth time that a safe house didn’t always mean some derelict building in a neighborhood that even the local police officers didn’t want to be in after dark. Three months, Sierra had been living in this rat hole, he thought bitterly. She deserved better. He’d made a point to stop by at least once a week to check on her and ease any fears that this place might have added to the already frightening situation she found herself in. She’d never complained. His gaze swung back to the fading number on the door as he heard the sound of bare feet padding across the floor on the other side. A hand clapped against the door and he smiled as he pictured her standing on her tiptoes to peek through the tiny hole at him. Marc listened with approval as first the deadbolt was released and then the rattling chain. As the door swung open Marc’s throat closed over the sharp breath he took. Five foot two, curves in all the right places, and a full smile that could stop a man where he stood, Sierra Esteban always looked breathtaking. But Marc wasn’t prepared to see her like this with her dark hair tousled and lids heavily veiling those chocolate 46

Summer Heat 1 brown eyes. His body hardened as he took a quick inspection of the pink spaghetti strap top and red, satin shorts she hadn’t bothered to pull her robe closed around. “What are you doing here?” Sierra rubbed at her eyes and yawned loudly. It took Marc a moment to remember himself why he’d knocked on her door at four in the morning. He had other things on his mind that were pleasantly taking the place of his original reasons. Most of which included those bronzed shapely legs wrapped around him and her full lips breathing his name. He blinked and spoke abruptly, pushing back the images that filled his head as he kicked his brain back into gear. “We may have found him.” Marc watched her eyes clear of lingering sleepiness and widen as his words registered. “We received an anonymous call from someone who had seen his picture on television. We've got a team on their way to check it out now.” Marc winced slightly as Sierra leaned forward to grasp the doorframe with a shaking hand. The moment he’d met her, Marc had an urge to protect her, to keep her safe from harm. Though he’d done what he could, it wasn’t until this moment that the woman showed any relief from the evidence of the horror that had plagued her life, breaking the brave face she’d been forced to wear. He glanced down the corridor but nothing stirred. There was no one to witness her moment of weakness. “You’re not going with them?” Marc’ gaze dragged back to her and he shook his head. “I promised that you would know something as soon as we did.” He held up his cell phone. “My partner said he would ring me if there was anything to the caller’s suspicions.” “How long until we know?” “Shouldn’t take more than forty-five minutes.” Long enough for him to indulge in a few pre-celebratory, carnal exchanges that had crept into his mind. Again his gaze dropped to those satin shorts and he imagined the lips of her pussy rubbing against the material. “Do you think…I mean…” her voice wavered, bringing Marc back to the conversation. Guilt rode him hard. She was gazing at him with hopeful, trusting eyes that he was doing his job, protecting her from a madman and here he was with his mind in the gutter. “It’s him,” Marc glanced over his shoulder before leaning towards her, and lowering his voice. “The description the caller gave 47

Summer Heat 1 us was perfect. She’s been living next door to the guy for years, said his name was Arnold Carr.” Sierra’s trembling hand covered her mouth as a lump formed in her throat. It was almost over. Finally. She could stop being scared now. Three months and she finally felt she could breathe again. A sob formed in the back of her throat and she tried to stifle it, wishing she could just smile at the handsome detective who had been her only source of security over the months of waiting. He reached forward and touched her shoulder gently when tears spilled from her eyes. “I told you we would get him.” Yes, he had and on more than one occasion. But it hadn’t felt true until now. She’d not allowed herself to believe, to even hope that the nightmare that had been her life in the last three months would soon be over. Lifting her gaze to the chiseled features of the detective’s face, she forced a smile through her tears. She felt like a fool standing there blubbering in front of him, but there was no mockery in his voice or pity in his blue eyes. There never was. Only the cool reserve she had learned to draw strength from during his short visits over the months. Sierra sniffed and blinked back the rest of her tears, suddenly realizing he was still standing in the corridor. “I’m sorry, Detective. I’ll put on some coffee. Come in. It isn’t safe to…” She stopped and nearly laughed at the absurdity of what she was going to say. “Coffee sounds great.” He nodded and moved forward when Sierra stepped aside, allowing him to enter. “I’ll take mine black.” Of course he would, she thought as she closed the door and turned the deadbolt. Everything about him was strong. Why should his coffee be any different? Marc remained standing as she stepped around the sofa into the tiny kitchenette. He never sat when he came to visit her. She couldn’t blame him. The furniture looked plague ridden with all the rips and stains that it was decorated with. The walls were not much better, the peeling mint green paint sporadically revealing another coat of dirty yellow beneath. And the ceilings, she thought looking up at the large brown circle in the corner, were just barely held above them. She sighed and reached for the coffee pot. Somewhere below a low rattle emerged and she frowned. Someone had turned on the water. She stood, staring at the rusted faucet in the sink and waited seven beats after the sound silenced. Then she reached forward and turned the knob. The tea colored water 48

Summer Heat 1 sputtered a few times before reaching a steady flow. Sighing, she shut the water off and faced the detective. “I wouldn’t give this water to my dog to drink. The only other thing I have is a bottle of scotch,” she told him apologetically but if he was disappointed, he didn’t show it. Instead, he smiled shrugging out of his overcoat. “I’m off duty as of ten minutes ago. Scotch sounds good.” He folded the coat over the back of the sofa and loosened his tie. Sierra’s lip caught between her teeth as she turned away from him again to retrieve the bottle from the cabinet above the sink. Great. She thought wickedly. Get him drunk and take advantage of him. She’d noticed two months ago that he didn’t wear a wedding ring. Even if he did, she wasn’t so sure she would care. He was gorgeous. Tall, lean but solid, dark hair and with the deepest blue eyes she’d ever looked into. Even when fear boiled in her blood, making it hard for her to breathe, Detective Aiken’s good looks brought a different kind of heat moving in her body. She’d actually had an occasional steamy dream about him, which was a pleasant relief from the nights she usually spent reliving the night Arnold Card had marked her as his next campus victim. But unlike his previous victims, Sierra was a very light sleeper and had a very big dog. At first she’d thought Colby had somehow gotten out of the kennel next to her bed. However, when the German shepherd’s growl had vibrated from beside her, indicating he too had heard someone who wasn’t supposed to be there, fear had crawled up Sierra’s spine. With one hand, she’d reached for the phone and dialed 911 while the other lifted the latch on the kennel door. It had been at that moment the bedroom door opened. Colby had instantly shot forward, leaping upon the man. Sierra had turned on the light and had seen the intruder’s face clearly enough before he’d managed to jerk his leg free of Colby’s mouth. Then he’d darted back out the door. Her description of him and the blood, hair, and skin that the police had taken from Colby’s teeth had been enough to identify who the intruder had been. The trouble had been locating where he was. Only two days after the break in, Sierra had started receiving letters from the intruder, threatening hers and her dog’s life. That’s when Detective Aiken had moved her into the safe house and her dog into his home. 49

Summer Heat 1 She shook herself from the horrible memory and finished pouring them each a drink. “Here you go.” She said as she turned and stepped towards the detective, holding out one of the glasses for him. His fingers momentarily brushed hers when he accepted the scotch and the heat of his light touch caused a tingling sensation to move from her palms up her arms and into her chest. “Thank you,” he said and she watched him lift the drink to his lips, gaze dropping to the cords in his neck as he took three deep swallows. She forced herself to look away. But a moment later she was staring again as he smiled, revealing his perfect white teeth. The tingling heat that had started to fill her chest, now ignited, spread through her breasts and reached into the pit of her stomach. “I needed this,” he told her as he set his cell phone on the unbroken end of the deeply pitted coffee table. “Long day?” Of course he'd a long day. It was four in the morning. She wished her voice hadn’t sounded so unsteady. Nervously, she took a drink of the liquor she’d almost forgotten she still held. “Just busy,” he answered and eased down onto the tattered sofa. She watched him lean back and then her gaze drifted to his long legs when he stretched them forward. Sierra held the glass with both hands as she sat on the edge of the chair across from him, remembering not to sit back lest she wanted the loose spring to poke another hole into her skin. “How is Colby?” she asked, bringing her gaze back to his face. “I’m lonely without him. I hope he hasn't been too much trouble.” “He hasn’t.” Marc shook his head. "And it's been nice not coming home to an empty house. He’s taken a liking to the foot of my bed." Sierra smiled. She wouldn’t mind taking a liking to some part of his bed either. "It was very kind of you to take him in." She looked down into her drink, leaning an elbow on the frame-exposed arm of the chair. "It's difficult to find someone to take on a large house dog and I had the room." He shrugged when she lifted her gaze, and then chuckled. "You may not think I'm so kind once you get him back more spoiled than when you last saw him." She giggled, “If that’s possible.” He didn’t answer and for a moment, a comfortable silence fell between them before she spoke again. “I appreciate all the extra effort. You’ve been very dedicated. I 50

Summer Heat 1 admit I’ve wondered if you have any other cases other than mine. I don’t know how you would have time for any kind of life if you do.” Marc’s eyes glittered with blue amusement. “It sounds to me, Miss Esteban, as if you are digging a little.” Sierra flushed slightly. “I have an insatiable curiosity.” She shrugged. “I cannot help it. And this is the first time you've stayed long enough for me to pry.” He’d never stayed long enough for her to do anything but fantasize about him after he was gone. He smiled. “I have several cases I’m working on right now but yours is top priority and the only one that I don’t mind paying close attention to. I’m a one damsel in distress kind of guy.” She couldn’t help grinning at his answer. “A monogamous cop makes me feel better. I might have been jealous if there were others like me. I’d hate to have to hire a detective to keep an eye on what my detective is doing. That could get a little expensive.” His laughter filled the tiny living space and the deep sound of it made Sierra’s stomach tighten. “No need to start shelling out any money. Just ask me whatever you want to know.” Sierra chuckled softly. “Are you married?” “No.” “Girlfriend?” He was grinning again. “Not at the moment. Why? Are you interested?” She couldn’t be certain if it was a genuine offer or if he was just making conversation so Sierra shrugged, “Not a bad idea having someone around who can catch the men that decided they want to kill me.” Marc’s face instantly sobered and he leaned forward placing a hand on her knee, causing Sierra to suddenly realize that her robe was hanging open over her thighs. “Let’s hope you won't have need of me for that reason again.” He said, then let his hand slide away, fingers dragging across her skin, before taking another swallow from his glass. “What other reason would there be?” She waited, holding her breath. A moment later that breath hitched in her throat when his gaze flicked up at her and locked with hers. Naked desire reflected in those blue depths and she suddenly became conscious that he had been as physically aware of her these past months as she had been of him.

51

Summer Heat 1 “In that get up,” Marc’s gaze dropped to her open robe as he spoke huskily, “I could think of several.” Sierra fingered the ripped material on the cushion of the chair as she tried to calm her drumming heart. It didn’t work and the waves of heat that had begun to lick at the inside of her thighs didn’t make it any easier to keep her hands from trembling. She didn’t reach for her robe. Why should she mind if he admired what little he could see? “It is four in the morning,” she defended softly in a teasing voice. “You can’t expect me to be dressed in an evening gown and heels.” She was fully prepared to go change however if he told her to. “I’m not complaining.” He swallowed the last of his drink. “More?” She purposely shifted so her robe slid wider, enjoying the way his gaze dipped hungrily to the upper curves of her breasts. She wondered how much time had she wasted by being silly and not acting on her impulses sooner? “I may need it,” he said thickly. She stood and reached for the glass and again their hands touched. This time neither pulled away and she licked her lips when he moved his finger so that it grazed the top of her hand. “Or not...” His dark brow arched with surprise and he slowly stood, pulling the glass back from her fingers so he could set it on the coffee table next to his cell phone. When his gaze returned to hers, she had to fight the urge to leap on him. He hesitated as if uncertain so she stepped around the coffee table to stand only inches away from him. This close and she could smell liquor on his warm breath. That, mixed with his natural male scent, made her feel giddy. For a breathless moment he didn’t move, then slowly he lifted his hands to her waist and leaned forward. His lips were hot and definitely experience as they covered hers and urged her to open her mouth. His tongue was warm and agonizingly lazy as it explored the moist heat behind her lips. Sierra moaned into his mouth and pressed against him, rolling her hips forward seductively. She could feel the contour of his hard body through their clothes and she slid her hands up his chest, over the muscles of his shoulders, and down his arms. Thick longing filled every inch of her body and she pulled at him, encouraging him to deepen his kiss.

52

Summer Heat 1 A quiver of excitement moved through her as he obliged hungrily and pushed her robe down over her shoulders, trapping her arms at her sides. His lips slipped from her mouth, to work their way along her jaw. “I’ve wanted this from the first time I laid eyes on you,” Marc whispered, his hot breath causing shivers to race down her spine. When his teeth grazed the lobe of ear, she sucked in her breath. “That makes two of us.” He licked at the spot just below her lobe and she tilted her head back, enjoying the feel of his lips and tongue against her skin as he moved his kisses down her throat. He released his grasp on the robe and she hastily shrugged the garment to the floor. His hands found her breasts, rubbed and plucked at them through her top, and she lost track of her thoughts. Sierra could see the pulse throbbing wildly in his temple and when she looked up at him, his eyes were glazed with desire. “Sierra,” he growled and the deep guttural sound of his voice sent a primitive spear of heat through her body. Leaning closer, he breathed her scent in to his lungs and that persistent ache between her legs suddenly flared into full-blown desire. Sierra moaned softly, using her hands to encourage him to kiss her again. A faint flush mantled Marc’s cheeks as he released her momentarily to work his tie loose, then lift it over his head and toss it to the floor. Sierra could see his hands shaking slightly as he freed the buttons of his collar. His eyes glittered with abandon when he gathered her into his arms again, this time kissing her so passionately that her knees buckled. Sierra clung to him desperately as his strong hands kneaded into her back and their heavy breaths filled the room. He was growling somewhere in the back of his throat and the sound vibrated against her lips, setting her heart thumping rapidly in her chest. The heat that had filled her now throbbed a painful need deep in her core and she whimpered a shameless plea. One moment they were standing, and in the next Marc laid his coat over the cushions of the sofa and had pulled her down to it. His knuckles grazed her sides and arms as he removed her top, sending shivers down her spine. He tossed the flimsy garment it over his shoulder as he leaned forward, hand enveloping her right breast. 53

Summer Heat 1 When his lips dropped and circled her dark nipple, she sucked in her breath. Pleasure veined from his lips, worked its way through her entire body as he sucked fiercely. He opened his mouth wider as if he meant to devour her then dragged his teeth across her sensitive skin causing her to arch towards him, her fingers curling at his collar. She stared dazedly down at the top of his dark head as he moved to the other breast, giving it equal attention. When his free hand slipped between them and pressed against her through her shorts, Sierra moaned softly at the spur of overwhelming lust his slight touch created. She rolled her hips forward but he would not allow her to bring more stimulation from his hand than he was willing to give, which was just enough to keep her on the edge of weeping with frustration. His lips moved from her breast to her collarbone, and then up her throat until he reached the lobe of her ear. “The first time you find pleasure from me will be when I am inside of you.” Those words stabbed excitement within her and her throat closed. “After that, Sierra, I will do anything you want me to.” Her breath came out in a heavy moan and her hands trembled as her fingers worked the buttons of his shirt. Marc stood and discarded his clothes in seconds. He reached down and grabbed a hold of her shorts, then tugged them off her. Sierra’s gaze lowered over his physique and her heart quickened. He was perfect. Dark hair dusted his chest and stomach, both of which were lean but defined. He stood there without moving as her gaze dragged lower to the valley of his narrow hips. Dark curls nested the thick cock that stood erect and ready for her. She licked her lips, but forced herself to look away and at the rest of him. There was only one flaw on his body, a small round scar just under his right shoulder. Before she could ask about it, he knelt on the floor beside the sofa, his warm hands parting her knees. He leaned forward so that his breath cascaded over her moments before his warm tongue flicked out to touch her. “Please,” she whispered desperately and he growled against her. He parted her with two fingers and when his tongue slid inside of her, she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

54

Summer Heat 1 Slowly, he dragged the tip of his tongue from within her, across her sensitive flesh to her clit. He made a small wet circle before closing his lips over her and sipping her sensitive nub. When he hummed softly against her flesh, the muscles of her stomach clenched at the flutter of sensation it created. When his lips released her, he flicked his tongue inside of her again. It was an effective technique and after a few moments of repeating it, Sierra was on the brink of orgasm. He kept her there, building that that tension. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. “I want you,” he murmured against her in a low, thick voice that intensified the desire that shook Sierra’s body. “Yesss,” she whispered. “I want you now.” He rose, settled himself between her thighs and pressed the head of his cock against her sensitive sex. He leaned over her and she shivered with excitement when she could smell the faint, salty scent of her own body on his breath. He reached down and opened her again with his fingers and when he pushed inside of her, Sierra’s breath hissed through her teeth with gratitude for the intrusion. But he withdrew too quickly and she reached out for his shoulders, wanting him to return. “It’s good.” His words shook slightly, indicating that he felt the same intense need she did. “Damn, Sierra.” He drove to her center with a deep groan, then leaned down to kiss her again. Marc’s lips were warm as they covered her cry. He kissed her deeply, his tongue thrusting against hers, as he drew back and rocked into her again. Then again as Sierra’s nails dug into his arms. She lifted her hips to meet each stroke, wrapping her legs around him. Short and soft, quick and hard. He wouldn’t allow her to become accustomed to the rhythm. He was purposely keeping her from finding pleasure too quickly and Sierra couldn’t decide if she loved or hated him for it. His hand slipped between them to pluck at her and she whimpered a plea into his lips when he finally began to rock steadily within her. Heat that had been held at bay since the moment he touched her, uncoiled and engulfed her, licked at her until she arched into him. Marc released her lips but held her tightly as he drove into her. She screamed out as hot pleasure finally erupted and washed over her. Her body shook and tears rolled over her cheeks. Her heart pounded 55

Summer Heat 1 in her chest when she finally caught her breath and she stared up at him. His nose flared slightly with his breath and his teeth clenched around his words. “Damn. Damn. Damn.” He jerked forward, filling her as he found his own release. Marc’s chest rose and fell with his labored breath as he gazed down at Sierra. Her lids were heavy and there was a faint flush to her cheeks. When she smiled up at him, he leaned down and brushed his lips gently across her full mouth. Abruptly, the cell phone’s shrill ring pierced through the haze of passion surrounding them and they both started with surprise at the sound. Marc cursed under his breath and glared down at the electronic criminal, considering not answering the call. Finally, he reached down to snatch up the cell phone and flipped it open. “What?” Sierra let her arms slide away from him when he rose from atop her and turned his head, so he could hear the person on the other end more clearly. After a moment, his gaze darted to her and gave her a nod. She stared blankly up at him until it registered exactly what the call was concerning. She stood and reached for her robe, pulling it over her. Her heart leapt. They’d gotten him! Five minutes later, Marc tossed the cell phone to the sofa and beamed at her. “Arnold Card was arrested moments ago. One of the charges is attempted murder.” She screamed with joy and Marc’s lips curled as she did a little victory dance. But she didn't care if he laughed at her or not. It was over. Another cheer and she leapt forward to embrace him. His arms immediately curled around her, and her body warmed immediately, seeming thankful to have him touching her again. “I didn’t want to hope,” she admitted in a whisper against his shoulder and his arms tightened. “I know.” “I’ve hated this place. I’ve hated not having my dog here with me. I’ve hated being so afraid that I couldn’t leave this ugly apartment.” She was sobbing and Marc eased her down to the sofa, arm still wrapped around her. She’d wanted to be strong and not cry in front of him, but she was doing it anyway. Her relief was too much, too sudden to hide away.

56

Summer Heat 1 “You can go home now,” he told her, stroking her hair. “I’ll take you there right now if you like.” She leaned away from him, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Now? Ten minutes ago she’d have jumped at the chance to leave the dingy apartment that had been like a prison for the last three months. Now, she all she wanted was this man’s arms to remain around her. She wanted to feel his cock inside of her again. She just wanted…him. Silently she argued with herself on how to respond. She didn’t want him to think she was a whore, but she didn’t want it to be just a one time thing either. She liked to get to know him and his cock a little better. Her gaze met his. "It's okay," he told her gently, turning his knuckles against her cheek. "If you aren't ready to face your house, Colby and I would be glad to have you bunk with us for a few days." Sierra stared at him. She hadn't been frightened of returning home but he'd offered her a place to stay just in case. His place. She considered his offer for a moment. “I wouldn’t mind getting some of my clothes first. I have missed my wardrobe,” she admitted. “How big is your spare room?” She expected him to laugh at her teasing. “I don’t have a spare.” His eyes glittered and Sierra dipped her head with a smile. It wasn’t a one time deal. Like her, he wanted more. She’d felt a connection to him long before she had allowed herself to hope for any kind of physical contact. But sex was as good a place as any to start and they could take it slow from there to see if anything developed. His hand brushed her ass as his arm tightened around her and she licked her lips, lifting her lashes to peer up at him. “We wouldn’t be in the way?” “I’m easy, Sierra. You could clutter every room and it wouldn’t bother me.” He dipped his head so that his cheek rubbed against her temple. “And I wouldn’t mind having you to myself for a couple of days where I don’t have to plan on protecting you from anything but my appetite.” “And then what?” she pressed. “I like you, Sierra. I liked you before your clothes came off. I don’t fuck women I don’t already have an interest in if that’s what you’re asking me.” He leaned back and gazed down into her eyes. I’d 57

Summer Heat 1 planned on asking you out for dinner once all this was over with. This way I can just order in.” That brought her heart thumping again. So he’d felt a connection too. “That sounds nice. You want to leave now?” She bit her lip, hoping his answer was no. Suddenly the little apartment didn’t seem so unappealing to her. “Unless you have other plans.” Marc arched a questioning brow, a slow, sexy grin pulling across his lips. He didn’t wait for an answer, lowering her to the sofa again. His lips found hers again as the first rays of morning drifted through the broken panes of the window across the room.

58

Summer Heat 1

Wilderness Man, Gail MacMillan When handsome, feral Heath Oakes shanghais city girl Alison Anderson into a week-long canoe voyage down a wilderness river, it's one wild and crazy ride!

Visit Gail’s website… http://www.gailmacmillan.com/index.html

59

Summer Heat 1

Wilderness Man by Gail MacMillan “Coffee?” Two mugs of coffee in her hands, Allison stepped out onto the front veranda of the log lodge where Heath was replacing a rotted plank. The cold of the bright, frosty wilderness morning raised steam from the cups and formed a misty barrier between them. He arose slowly, all six foot four inches of him, into the broadshouldered, handsomely feral creature that he was. “Not poisoned, is it?” he asked, tawny eyes narrowing. “Just how desperately do you think I want your half of this place?” she snapped, struggling not to let his blatant sexuality affect her. He filled out those shabby jeans ‘way too nicely for her comfort. Lord, how she hated him! “Anyway,” she moderated her tone. “Murdering you wouldn’t solve the problem. Your part of Gramps’ estate would go to your mother and I’m sure she’d see to it your plans to keep this lodge and estate a pristine wilderness retreat were honored. “Comforting,” he muttered as he raised his mug to his lips to take a sip. “But keeping this place exactly as it is wasn’t my idea. It was Jack Adams’ last request and I intend to see that it’s honored.” “Altruistic, aren’t you?” Exasperated she turned her back on him to gaze out at the North Passage River flowing at full freshet past the wilderness resort her grandfather had called The Promise. “Look!” she cried, pointing. “A pair of Black Ducks coming back to nest! Spring really is here!”

60

Summer Heat 1 Startled at her spontaneous reaction to the beauty of the birds drifting down to light on a small inlet, she stopped abruptly. “Aha! So you’re not completely immured to what this place has to offer! Some of Jack Adams’ blood must still be coursing through those citified veins of yours!” “I never said I didn’t appreciate it.” She turned on him. “But you’re still determined to sell the Promise, still determined to get back to Toronto as soon as possible.” He rested his hips against the railing and took a sip of coffee. “Back to your fancy clothes and glossy lifestyle. I don’t think that was what Jack had in mind for your future when he let you go away to boarding school ten years ago.” His insolent gaze traveled from her spanking new L. L. Bean hiking boots up over her designer jeans and blue cashmere sweater to her tangle of artistically cropped auburn hair. “Look, I know how Gramps loved this place, but that doesn’t mean I’m about to commit myself to a lifetime in the backwoods to protect it. I just graduated from university...” “Yeah, yeah, with honors, right?” He straightened up, set his coffee on the railing, and knelt to return to his work. “That’s not fair!” she snapped, hands on her slender hips as she drew herself up to all of her five foot seven inch height. “You’re mocking my goals and you don’t even know what they are!” “I know they don’t include a commitment to Jack’s plans to keep The Promise a nature preserve, a place where people can come to relax and learn to appreciate the outdoors,” he said and drove a nail into a plank with more force than necessary. “I know you don’t give a damn if some developer buys it and proceeds to cover the whole area with asphalt!” “That’s not true! I do care! I’m just not prepared to spend the rest of my life trying to prevent it!” “Okay, okay. Just don’t expect me to hand over my part of The Promise without one hell of a fight. I might only be the son of Jack’s housekeeper, someone who probably didn’t deserve half of his estate but, by God, I care, really care about what happens to it.” He picked up another nail and slammed it into the wood harder than the previous one. The entire veranda flinched. “Oh, cut the dramatics!” She snatched up his cup. “You’re just incredibly lucky my grandfather needed a housekeeper so badly ten

61

Summer Heat 1 years ago he agreed to take in her street urchin son as part of the deal!” Letting the door slam behind her, she strode back into the lodge. She still couldn’t believe it she thought as she loaded the cups into the dishwasher in the kitchen of the log building. What could her grandfather have been thinking, leaving half of his cherished wilderness lodge and estate to her, the other half to Heath Oakes, the son of his housekeeper who’d been a juvenile delinquent from the streets of Haliax and the one person she’d despised so vehemently for the past ten years the mere mention of his name brought a knot to her stomach. She’d loved the grandfather who’d raised her after her parents’ deaths when she was five years old. He’d been her entire family from that time and he’d shown her nothing but love and kindness. But what could he have been thinking when he’d designed that will that left her trapped in this ridiculous partnership? He’d further complicated the arrangement by making the stipulation that neither of them could sell their share unless both were in agreement. She could be ensnared in a partnership indefinitely since she had every intention of selling her portion and Heath Oakes had absolutely no desire to part with his. But she couldn’t allow that to happen. She had a life in Toronto…job interviews in the next few days and maybe even a commitment from Paul. She’d come down the previous day for her grandfather’s funeral and now she had to get back. She couldn’t possibly stay here with Heath Oakes…not even if his rugged good looks and earthy demeanor always had the unfortuate effect of speeding up her heart rate and awaking butterflies in her solar plexis. No, Heath Oakes was just exactly what he’d always been…bad news in a sexy package she wasn’t about to unwrap. She had to admit, however, that Promise Lodge and its acres of surrounding wilderness was not without a certain unspoiled charm. The rambling log lodge on the banks of the North Passage River was a place of rustic tranquility. She understood why her grandfather had loved it. She simply knew it wasn’t her future, not now, not ever. And definitely not with Heath Oakes, the local backwoods version of Tarzan as her companion.

62

Summer Heat 1 A half hour later the sound of a vehicle made her glance out the kitchen window. She saw him driving out of the yard in the Cherokee. Going to town she thought, otherwise, he would have used the old woods jeep. To meet with a lawyer? She knew that was the first thing she was going to do when she got to Toronto. **** It was 6:00 p.m. when she heard a vehicle coming down the trail. Glancing out a window she saw Heth bringing the SUV to a stop near the back porch. Not wanting him to think she’d been watching for him, she hurried back to the stove where she’d been preparing supper. A moment later when he stepped into the kitchen, she turned from placing a tray of biscuits in the oven as if surprised by his arrival. She didn’t have to feign the emotion for long. He was carrying a dozen yellow roses. “You’re cooking?” he asked, his tone reflecting astonishment. “Of course.” She leaned back against a counter, crossed her arms, and shrugged. “I do have to eat and there aren’t many five-star restaurants in the vicinity.”. “Whatever it is, do you think it might stretch to fill two plates? It smells terrific.” He advanced across the room until he stopped close in front of her. “It’s nearly ready,” she managed as a whiff of his light, thoroughly masculine after-shave wafted over her to ruffle her senses. “Good. I’m starving. By the way, these are for you.” He moved the roses into her arms. “I thought I’d start with yellow ones,” he continued. “They’re for friendship. It’ll take time to work my way up to red.” “Thank you,” she said nonplussed. “They’re beautiful.” “Actually they’re a peace offering. My attitude this morning left a lot to be desired and I’m sorry. There’s no need for us to go at each other tooth and nail on a personal basis. Let’s just leave it all up to the lawyers and the courts to hash out this business of the will, okay?” She hesitated and looked up into his lean, sun bronzed face. “Okay,” she said. “Oh, by the way,” he started away, then turned back, pulling an envelope from his back pocket. “I met Matthew Chamberlain, Jack’s lawyer, while I was in town and he gave me this document. It’s to be opened as soon as we resolve the question of what’s to become of The

63

Summer Heat 1 Promise. Will you trust me to keep it intact or do you want custody of it?” “I wonder what it could possibly be?” Allison stared down at the slender white business envelope. “What could Gramps possibly have to say after we’ve settled everything?” “I have no idea.” He shrugged. “Now do you want to keep it or shall I?” “You keep it.” Although she was longing to take it, steam it open and see just exactly what words her Grandfather had for them after they’d disposed of his beloved Promise, she felt it was better staying with him. Somehow she knew Heath would never violate its terms “Fine.” He shoved it back into his pocket. “Until everything’s settled then.” “This is great,” he said a few minutes later, after his first taste of the beef. “You’re full of surprises, Allison Armstrong. I never would have suspected you were a gourmet chef. More wine?” “Please.” She extended her glass. “For being a homemade variety, it’s really very good.” “It’s made from elderberries,” he said. “I’ll show you where they grow...if you’ll run the river with me tomorrow.” He looked over at her, a definite challenge in his voice and eyes. “Run the North Passage in May?” She put her glass down abruptly, astounded by his suggestion. “No way. Aside from the fact that it’s ‘way too dangerous, I don’t have the time. I have a job interview in Toronto on Friday. I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning. “Okay.” He returned his attention to dinner. “I figured you weren’t up to it.” “Hey, look, I’m not afraid..” “Fine.” But his voice held an annoying inflection. With an exasperated sigh, she picked up her glass and drained it. “I’ll have another,” she said holding it out to him. “We can finish our wine in the living room,” he said fifteen minutes later. “I’ll light a fire.” “Sounds like a plan.” She arose. “I’ll take these plates to the kitchen, then I’ll join you.” After his taunt about running the North Passage, Heath had put the subject aside and become a completely affable dinner companion. He’d chatted about books and movies and music, everything but the 64

Summer Heat 1 thorn in both their sides called The Promise. He could be charming when he chose she thought remembering… When she returned to the living room she found him leaning against the mantel, a nice little fire crackling on the hearth. Their refilled wine glasses sat on the coffee table in front of. Soft music wafted from a battery-powered ghetto blaster on a table near the garden doors. Glancing outside, she saw that darkness had fallen. A huge globe of a moon was rising above the river and trees. Its silver-white rays fell across the lawn and through the windows to be swallowed up in the dancing play of light and shadow cast from the hearth. She looked over at Heath and remembered how very much she had loved him...once...before... In an effort to lose the thought, she picked up her wine and emptied the glass in a single drink. “Want to dance, cowboy?” she heard herself ask suddenly. She felt a little light-headed and more than slightly uninhibited. “Okay.” He set aside his glass. Then she was in his arms and being moved smoothly in time to the music out onto the moonlit veranda. “It’s chilly,” she said slipping her arms about his neck. “Hold me close.” “Yes, Ma’am.” He drew her against him and she gasped at the sensation. “You’re a good dancer,” she said. “When I went to university, Jack saw to it that I had decent clothes and enough money to buy flowers,” he replied. “After that, I found a few ladies who were willing to teach me.” “I just bet you did.” She looked up into his brown eyes, saw his entire attention focused on her, and felt herself turn to putty; soft, warm, malleable putty she wanted him to mold against him. As he touched her, moving in time to the music, it was easy to let her sensations take control. Paul had never looked at her like that, not when they were dancing, not ever. “You smell...wonderful,” she murmured and missed a step. “Fresh and clean...not like a bottle of two hundred dollar cologne.” “And that’s a good thing?” His lips brushed her hair. “Sure is...I hate that over priced junk.” 65

Summer Heat 1 She was having an all-out battle with her words now but she didn’t care. With his body and his lips and his eyes making her head swirl until her legs no longer wanted to hold her upright, speech wasn’t a major concern. **** Allison awoke to the distinct feeling that she had just eaten a huge chunk of cotton wool, most of which was still clinging to her tongue and the roof of her mouth. Somewhere above her a dehydrating light blazed, filtered from her face by a curricular fabric dome. She tried to raise her arms but found herself loosely swaddled in something soft that would have been too warm if it had not been for a constant coolness at her back. And she was moving, gliding backward it seemed, silently, smoothly to the sound of moving water. An overwhelming panic engulfed her and she began to toss about, desperate to be free of her restraints. This had to be some kind of weird nightmare. “Easy.” The word fell on her ears as the improvised blind dropped from her face. “You’ll upset us.” A mid-morning sun glaring out of a blank blue sky blinded her for a moment. Then she was being pulled gently to a sitting position to face a dark silhouette topped with a Snowy River hat. As her mind and vision settled she was astounded to find herself ensconced in a sleeping bag, sitting in the bottom of a moving canoe. The Tilly hat that had been protecting her face from the sun lay in her lap. Seated in the pilot’s seat at the stern, his paddle resting across the gunwales, a suggestion of a grin on his lips, was her nemesis. “Where am I?” she rasped, then coughed. Her throat felt like sandpaper. “Floating down one of the quieter stretches of the North Passage at the moment,” he said calmly. “Here,” he reached under his seat and pulled out a canteen. “You sound as if you could use a drink...of water.” He unscrewed the cap as she freed her arms from the sleeping bag. When he extended the container toward her, she snatched it from his hand. Throwing back her head she gobbled its contents. The ice cold water was the best she’d ever tasted and she couldn’t get enough. “Easy,” he said again and reached to take it from her. “You’ll make yourself sick.” 66

Summer Heat 1 When she ignored his advice, he wrenched it out of her hands. “Give it back!” she cried and lunged. Hobbled by the sleeping bag, she fell headlong into his arms. The canoe rolled wildly, sides all but dipping below water level with each buck. “I said, take it easy!” With a few swift, deft moves he managed not only to firmly reseat her in the bottom but also to save the canteen and its contents, and stabilize the canoe. Chastened by their brush with a dunking, Allison remained where he had plopped her amidships, the sleeping bag about her hips. “What have you done?” she breathed looking at the water and wilderness that surrounded them “I’ve shanghaied you,” he said calmly recapping the canteen and taking up his paddle. “Kidnapped, you mean,” she said remnants of the cotton wool sensation still in her mouth. .“No, shanghaied. I plan to see you work your passage. Not a very admirable thing to do but how else could I get you out here with me to show you what your grandfather loved and wanted us to preserve.” “Take me back to the Lodge right now!” Her rage had brought out a pounding headache and she caught her head between her hands before she continued, “Otherwise, I’ll have you charged with abduction!” “Really? I’m shaking in my boots.” She clinched her fists and sucked in her lips. “Don’t you dare laugh at me! I’m deadly serious!” “Well, then, that’s too bad. Because I can’t take you back. We’re a good six miles downriver from the Lodge, deep into roadless wilderness, and with the force of the freshet that’s pushing us, Superman couldn’t paddle us back upstream.” He dipped his paddle deep and nosed the canoe to the left. “We’ll go to shore, you can freshen up, and I’ll make lunch. Some strong coffee, a sandwich, and fresh clothes will make that hangover a lot easier to handle.” He swung the prow of the canoe shoreward. Shortly Allison was standing on the river bank and realizing for the first time she still wore the jeans, sweater, and hiking boots she’d put on twenty-four

67

Summer Heat 1 hours earlier. Only now they were wet and rumpled and she felt sweaty and dirty and totally disheveled. “Here.” He threw her a waterproof packsack. “You’ll find everything you’ll need on this trip inside. There’s a spring about fifty yards back in the trees over to the left. You can wash up and change there. There’s even a bottle of aspirin for that hangover that’s making you so disagreeable.” “Hangover! I’m not hung-over! I’m...! “Go.” When she reached the place where crystal clean water bubbled out of a hillside, she knelt and splashed handfuls over her hot face. It felt wonderful. Then she turned and opened the valise. Several white T-shirts, three plaid flannel shirts, three pair of bush pants, a leather belt, a down filled vest, a weather proof jacket with a hood, both cotton and woolen socks, two pairs of hiking boots, and some highly practical underwear had been carefully packed into the sack. There was even a selection of toiletries. She hesitated only briefly, then began to pull off her stale clothing. Within fifteen minutes she had washed, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, swallowed a couple of aspirin and, fully clothed from head to toe in her new wardrobe, was feeling much better. When she returned to their camp site he was hunkered down beside a camp stove.. “Not so bad.” He swiveled on the toes of his boots to look up at her. “I did a good job of sizing you up.” “You arranged all this yesterday when you went to town, didn’t you?” she asked flinging her pack into the canoe. “The roses were only a ploy to soften me up, to get me to trust you, and drink that Harvey Wallbanger of a wine.” “Elderberry,” he informed her innocently. “If you’d been a little more familiar with wine made from those cute little berries, you wouldn’t have kept letting me refill your glass.” “Oh, be quiet! I’m so thirsty and hungry I could eat molten lava.” She reached eagerly the tin mug of coffee and the toasted ham and cheese sandwich on a plastic plate he was handing to her She took a bit, then a sip, and closed her eyes. . “Mmm,” she moaned with pleasure. “Food from the gods couldn’t taste any better.”

68

Summer Heat 1 “I wouldn’t go that far.” He joined her against the log where she’d seated herself, his own coffee and sandwich in hand. “But there is a special something about food cooked and eaten in the outdoors. Especially after a fifteen hour fast.” “Fifteen hours? What time it is? How long did I sleep?” “It’s around noon. You slept nearly twelve hours, Rip Van Winkle. But don’t worry. You haven’t aged perceptibly.” “Clever, aren’t you?” She paused in wolfing down her lunch and glared at him. “Well, as soon as I’ve finished eating, I plan to start walking back to the Lodge. I won’t get lost. All I have to do is follow the river.”’ “And cross two ravines with freshet-flooded streams, their temperatures so cold they can kill anyone foolish enough to try to cross them?” He raised an eyebrow quizzically as he refilled their mugs. “Hypothermia isn’t a pleasant way to go.” “So you’re telling me I’m trapped here...with you?” She looked over at him, eyes narrowing. “Yes.” He sipped his coffee watching her over the rim of his mug. “Well, don’t expect any romantic moments, buddy!” She stacked her cup and plate beside him and leaned back against the log. “Not if you were the last man on earth and the human race were about to become extinct if we didn’t get involved!” “That’s fine with me.” He piled her plate on his and arose. “I just want you to enjoy the ambience.” **** When she awoke she was surprised to see Heath had finished unpacking the canoe and set up a tent. The sun had disappeared behind the trees across the river and there was a distinct chill in the air. A fire crackled inside a circle of rocks near the river’s edge. As she scrambled to her feet, he arose from adding a log to it In the twilight, silhouetted against the primitive force of the river’s feral flow, he was an imposing figure, tall, muscular, and lithe, a true man of the wilderness. He made her pulses speed, her solar plexus tighten. Lord, she was glad she hated him. Otherwise… “We’re staying here?” she asked trying to divert her thoughts and suppressing a shiver.

69

Summer Heat 1 “It’s as good a place as any we’ll find for a few miles,” he said. “And since you slept most of the day away...” “You could have awakened me!” she snapped rubbing her arms to belay the chill. “Why?” he said. “I’m in no particular hurry. The longer I keep you out here, the better the chances you’ll start to appreciate all this. Come over by the fire,” he continued with annoying calm. “You’re cold.” She hesitated, shivered again, then feeling a strange moth-to-theflame apprehension, moved slowly to join him. “What about the Lodge?” she asked. “Who’s going to take care of it while we’re gone?” “I arranged for a couple of guys from town to keep an eye on it.” “Seems you’ve thought of everything.” She struggled to sound sarcastic. “I try.” “It’s been years since I’ve seen a bonfire,” she said staring musingly into the flames. “Since that last summer you visited your grandfather,” he said. “I think it’s time to revisit some of those memories.” He turned and strode away into the encroaching darkness. Shortly he was back, a package of wieners, a bag of rolls, a tube of mustard, and two bottle of lime soda. He squatted by the fire and spread out the food. “Lime? I recall you had a passion for the stuff.” “I didn’t know kidnappers worried about what their victims are partial to.” “You’re not kidnapped. You’ve been shanghaied. That’s a completely different situation.” He turned and again strode off into the darkness. Allison sank down on the river bank gravel, drew her knees up in front of her, folded her arms on top of them, and watched the flames gradually diminishing into glowing coals perfect for roasting wieners and marshmallows. She remembered her last meal cooked over a bonfire... Gramps had been there and Heath, several years older and seeming very much a man of the world, a James Dean rebel from a tough, inner city slum. She and Heath had strolled casually away from the others gathered around the bonfire until they’d reached the romantic darkness beside the boathouse. She recalled leaning dreamily back 70

Summer Heat 1 against the rounded logs of its wall, the moonlight on her face, her then-long wavy hair falling in golden red cascades over her shoulders. Heath had come to stand close in front of her, a dark silhouette between the wild river and the sensuous light of the moon. Even though Allison had been tall for her age, he’d towered above her, his shadow enveloping her. The soft summer night had been filled with silvery magic. From the river banks frogs raised a chorus to the young lovers; a tender breeze made soft music in the pines. When Heath had leaned forward and touched his lips to hers, all her naive fantasies had burst into full bloom. The next moment when he’d taken her into his arms, she believed her wildest dreams had been realized. Heath was in love with her! The magic of that knowledge had burst over her in a wonderful wave of pure ecstasy. But suddenly his embrace had tightened and she was pinned against the boathouse by his taunt body. His mouth came down on hers again but this time it was hard and brutal. He forced her lips apart, his tongue into her mouth. His body against hers was hard, shocking, demanding more than she could believe. “Let me go!” she’d cried, terrified as he’d thrust his body against hers with all the intensity of a thoroughly aroused male. “Come on, baby. I know the signs. You’ve been inviting this all night.” His arms had become steel bands, his chest a brick wall. He’d bent his head to kiss her again but this time she was ready. She clinched her teeth down over his lower lip and hung on. He’d howled in pain. His arms had flown open in an effort to protect himself, and she’d escaped. Running back to the Lodge in the darkness, stumbling over roots, tears streaming down her face, she’d vowed she’d never, never feel romantic about a man ever again. And she’d never, never come back to The Promise, not as long as he was there. The next day she’d begged her grandfather to let her go away to boarding school. Reluctantly he’d agreed. She’d never told anyone what had happened. She’d been too ashamed...

71

Summer Heat 1 A coyote’s howl startled her back to the present and she glanced apprehensively over her shoulder into the darkness. A form emerged, a form she was relieved to recognize as Heath. “Here.” He extended a pointed stick. “The coals look ready.” “Sure...okay.” She took the slender branch and reached for the package of wieners. Her shaky fingers fumbled with the bubble pack and suddenly he was squatting in front of her, covering her trembling hands with his. “Allie, what’s wrong?” In the glow of the dying fire she couldn’t see his face distinctly but his tone was soft, caring. “Nothing...a coyote howled...” “Level with me...for once.” Something in his voice was compelling, brooked no denial. “I was...remembering.” She let the package drop from her hands and allowed her gaze to rest on his hands clasped over hers. “Our last wiener roast.” “Allie...” The word came in a soft, aching breath. “God, Allie, I’m sorry.” “W...what?” “For what I did that night ten years ago. I was a stupid kid with raging hormones.” Allison felt his hand gently beneath her chin and when he raised her face to a level with his, she knew tears were brimming in her eyes. “You...you destroyed all my romantic fantasies,” she choked. “You were the reason I never came back to the Promise. I couldn’t bear to see you again!” “Allie...” Her name was a hoarse rasp of shock and pain. “Dear God, Allie, I never knew...suspected...” “It doesn’t matter now. It was a long time ago. There’s no going back. I can’t undo the loneliness I caused Gramps. I should have been stronger, more mature. I should have been able to forget a stupid teenage….” Two tears slide down her cheeks. “Don’t,” he breathe and leaned forward to brush away a tear with a calloused finger. “Please, Allie, don’t. I can’t watch you hurt any more.”

72

Summer Heat 1 With an annoyed gesture, she swatted his hand away, wiped the tears with the back of her hand, and looked down at the package of wieners on the gravel between them. “Let’s just forget it, okay? Open the wieners, will you.” She sniffed herself back into control. Their second pair of wieners were browning over the coals before he spoke again. “Dogwood,” he said. “What?” Surprised she looked over at him as he squatted across the fire pit from her. “These sticks we’re using, they’re dog wood, probably the hardest wood of all time. Their branches were once used to make daggers and were known as dagger wood. Time corrupted it to dog wood.” “Interesting,” she replied vaguely, returning her gaze to the roasting wiener. “Another legend, however, declares it was named dogwood because it proved effective in curing mange in dogs.” She glanced quickly over at him and even in the flickering light, caught the gleam of mischief in his eyes. “Charming,” she said struggling to keep her tone flat and uninterested but on the verge of a chuckle. He removed the cooked wiener from its skewer, plunked in into a roll, and applied mustard. Then he picked up the half-empty bottle of lime soda beside him and took a drink. “I can’t believe I’ve acquired a taste for this stuff,” he said. “Given time, I suppose a person can develop a taste for almost anything,” she said. She bit into her hot dog and sighed contentedly. “I’d forgotten how good these can be.” “There’s a lot of things you’ve forgotten,” he said. “I planned this trip to help you remember.” Fifteen minutes later he laid aside his roasting skewer, arose, stretched, yawned, and picked up a cooking pot. He strode to the river, filled it, and returned to douse the remaining coals. As a cloud of smoke gusted up into the cold, crisp air he held down a hand to help her to her feet. “Time to hit the tent,” he said. She ignored his offer. “You go ahead. I’ll be in when I’m ready.” 73

Summer Heat 1 “Suit yourself.” He shrugged off her refusal and turned toward the tent. “But it’ll get cold fast out here without a fire to keep the frost at bay.” For a few minutes after he’d vanished into the darkness toward the tent, Allison sat stubbornly on the shore. All that was left of the fire was a thin trickle of smoke rising languidly from its smothered embers. As he’d predicted the air rapidly grew cold and she began to feel miserably uncomfortable in spite of her down-filled vest and flannel shirt. Still she hung on, determined to wait until she thought he would be asleep before joining him in the tent. Suddenly an owl hooted from a nearby tree. A coyote replied. Its long, mournful howl brought Allison instantly to her feet. and glancing nervously about. Maybe it was time for bed. Inside the tent he appeared a still, dark silhouette in his sleeping bag but as she struggled into hers, he moved and spoke. “Everything okay?” “Just great…I love trying to fall asleep with coyotes and owls whooping it up!” “Sounds of the wilderness, “he replied pleasantly and rolled over, his back to her. “But that’s probably not the worst noise you’ll hear tonight. Jack used to tell me I snored like a buzz saw when we were camping.” “Argh!” Allison burrowed down into the warmth of her sleeping bag and tried to forget who was spending the night only a few feet away. **** Allison awoke to bird song and the gurgle of river water. Sunlight filtered through the tent to fall in a warming bath over her face. She unzipped her sleeping bag and struggled up onto one elbow to look over to where Heath had been lying when she fell asleep. He was gone, his sleeping bag neatly rolled up atop his bubble mattress. Wondering where he was, she struggled free of her wrappings, unzipped the door flap and stepped out into a spring morning so brilliant that, for a moment, it dazzled her vision. Water droplets from melting frost glistened crystal-like on emerald-green grass and trees. A flawless blue sky canopied the river still sweeping past in dark, majestic flow. Squatted beside it, Heath, naked down to the waist, was splashing its icy water over his face and upper body.

74

Summer Heat 1 Then he stood up, rubbing himself dry with a towel he’d left ready on the shore. Silhouetted against the surging water he immediately sent the words noble savage racing across Allison’s senses. Caught up in the moment she stood staring, hating herself for enjoying the view but unable to deny the pleasure it was giving her. “Good morning.” He turned at her approach and smiled a flash of even white teeth. “A bit chilly for river bathing half naked, isn’t it?” she retorted struggling to keep her gaze off his incredible body. “I had to,” he said and started across the gravel to where his packsack lay open. He took out a snow white T-shirt and pulled it over his head, then continued, “I couldn’t risk having you call me filthy or stinking again.” His eyes flashed with bitter humor. “I never did!” she gasped as he took a fresh flannel shirt from his pack and thrust his arms into it. “You most certainly did,” he said buttoning it without taking his gaze from her startled face. “A filthy, stinking street tramp, to be exact.” “And what did you call me?” she countered angrily, embarrassed. “Snotty little brat isn’t exactly complimentary, either!” “Definitely not, but I had to defend myself.” “You’re still a royal pain,” she muttered. “Sorry you feel that way.” With exasperating calm he tucked his shirttail into his bush pants, pulled on his vest, and headed to where a pot sat steaming on the camp stove. “Argh!” Allison grabbed her packsack and headed into the bush. When she’d finished her morning ablutions, she paused and gazed about her. The full flush of spring surrounded her. Birches and maples, their buds about to burgeon into leaf, stood laced in soft, transparent halos of palest green against a dark backdrop of spruce and pine. In the branches of an alder thicket nearby, a family of chickadees cavorted, singing out their joy in the perfection of the moment. As backup, the river voiced a lusty baritone. Feeling a sense of contentment sliding gently over her, she stretched languidly and fully. The warm sun, clear crisp air, and wild, unspoiled spirit of the place were taking her back to a simpler time; a time filled with wonder and adventure and happiness. And her grandfather. 75

Summer Heat 1 I’m weakening, she thought. I can’t let that happen. Hastily she gathered up her toiletries and headed back to their camp site. **** “Put your body into it.” “What?” His voice pulled her out of her daydreams three hours later when they were once more headed down river. “Use your entire upper body, not just your arms.” He demonstrated with his paddle “Otherwise you’ll get sore muscles.” She did as he’d suggested and found the motion a much easier one. “Good.” He gave the canoe a powerful push with his paddle and sent it forward across the pool they’d entered. “Now let’s see about lunch. There’s a stretch of tricky water ahead and I’d rather tackle it on a full stomach.” “My turn, I’ll cook,” Allison said eagerly. Then, as she caught him grinning at her, hastily continued, “Isn’t that what shanghaied people are expected to do, share the work?” “Here,” he said swinging one of the coolers out onto the shore after they’d beached the canoe.. “See what you can rustle up. I’ll light the stove.” “Look!” The word was a whisper of admiration as she saw them on a promontory further downriver. He looked. A doe and her white spotted baby stood at the water’s edge. “They’re absolutely gorgeous!” Allison breathed. “How could anyone kill them?” “Beats me.” Heath shrugged. “But that’s what will probably happen if a real estate company sells the Promise. Sport hunting is still pretty popular.” “Don’t.” She turned on him, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t what?” “Try to start up this guilt thing on me again.” “I’m just telling you the facts.” “Right!” Her tone bristled with sarcasm. She turned away to open the cooler. . **** Sometime during the night Allison awoke to the sensation of sharp cold on her face and something that sounded like soft pebbles hitting the canvass beside her. 76

Summer Heat 1 “Snow.” Heath’s voice in the darkness answered her unvoiced question. “What!” “Snow. A small squall, not all that uncommon here at this time of year.” “Good Lord! I’m freezing!” She heard him move and a moment later he was beside her. “Move over.” A zipper slithered. “What?” “Get inside with me,” he said drawing her, sleeping bag and all inside his. “Now just a minute…” “Exactly what do you think I’m capable of doing, with you swathed inside yards of thinsulate?” “I...nothing...I don’t know.” She was exasperated to feel the chuckle deep in his chest as he pulled her against it.. “Sleep,” he ordered. “You can feel safe. I’ve grown up a lot over the past ten years and developed a whole lot more self-control.” He adjusted the jacket she’d been using as a pillow into a more comfortable position, pulled part of his sleeping bag into a hood about her head, then with a sigh, settled once more for the night. As his regular breathing told Allison he slept she felt her entire body suffused with the urge to move more tightly against him, to slip her arms around his neck, to press her lips to his… What was wrong with her! She tried to pull away but their sleeping bags were entwined. She’d just have to bear with the situation and order her body to behave. It wouldn’t be easy but she had to, she just had to. **** She awoke to a shock of chill air as Heath pulled away from her and arose. Sunlight was beginning to peek in through their canvass cover. “Six o’clock,” he announced. “Rise and shine. I want you to see this morning before the sun melts the snow. It’ll knock your socks off!” “I hope you’re speaking figuratively” she muttered, unzipping her sleeping bag. “I have absolutely no desire to run around barefoot at this temperature.”

77

Summer Heat 1 “Come on, come on!” He was lacing up his boots. “The snow won’t last long in this sunlight.” At first its brilliance blinded her. Virgin white covered grass, trees, and river bank, a pristine icing that sparkled with thousands of snow diamonds over layers of burgeoning greenery glinting emeraldgreen in the first golden rays of the sun. The panorama reminded Allison of a lady in a verdant frock overlaid with delicate, jeweled lace. Except for the river thundering past, the wilderness seemed reverently hushed and frozen in a moment of absolute peace. “It’s fantastic!” she breathed. “Wait. There’s more.” He took her by the hand and, pulling her along as eagerly as a child leading a parent headed downstairs on Christmas morning, he drew her to a slight incline beneath a large birch. He knelt and brushed snow from some leaves disfigured with large brown spots. Moving them tenderly aside he revealed a small clump of the most exquisite little blossoms Allison had ever seen. She dropped to her knees and drew in her breath. “They’re gorgeous,” she said softly, her eyes wide with joy. “They were Gramps’ favorites. I’d almost forgotten…” “Smell them,” he said but when she leaned forward to pick one, he stopped her with a hand on her wrist. “No. Just smell.” “Sorry. Again, I forgot.” The scent from the tiny blossoms was exactly as she remembered it. Light and yet intoxicatingly potent, it was the most unique fragrance she’d ever experienced. “Heaven,” she sighed closing her eyes and breathing deeply. “Definitely a little bit of heaven.” “There’s nothing quite like the perfume of May flowers,” he agreed. “Allie, please try to understand.” He took her gently by the shoulders and turned her to face him, golden brown eyes full of feeling. “I want them…this place… to remain just exactly as it is...a unique, unspoiled bit of the wilderness.” She hesitated a moment before she spoke softly. “It will,” she said meeting his gaze head-on.. “I’ve decided I won’t be selling my share of The Promise.” “Thank you,” he said gruffly, dropping his gaze to his worn boots. “I can’t tell you what this means to me.” 78

Summer Heat 1 The simple, sincere intensity of his relief and gratitude overwhelmed her. “This place is your life, isn’t it?” she said barely able to speak above the emotion his heartfelt gratitude had sent rushing through her. “Yes,” he replied getting to his feet and turning to gaze out over the river sparkling dark and wild in the sun. “Jack Adams gave part of it to me and I plan to repay him by being the best steward I can.” Allison arose and stood beside him. “We’ll be the best stewards we can,” she said firmly. “We’ll?” Heath looked up at her, tawny eyes widening. “Yes,” she nodded. “I’m staying. I’ll handle the business management aspect of the Promise. You, of course, will have to take care of everything else.” “Allie, are you sure?” His expression had become apprehensively eager. “What about Toronto?” She shrugged. “I’ve decided I don’t want to spend my life working for someone else, helping make someone’s big business even bigger. The really important stuff is all here, isn’t it? Nature, the environment, a chance to educate people to its true beauty and worth?” “Ah, Allie!” He arose, drawing her to her feet with him. “This is great!” He enveloped her in a hug, then quickly released her to take her once more by the hand. “Come on! This calls for a celebration! French toast for breakfast!” Trotting along behind him back to the campsite, Allison couldn’t help but wish his idea of commemorating their partnership had included extending that brotherly hug into something more satisfying. An hour later after they breakfasted, they loaded the canoe on a small set of wheels, and packed all of their gear in it except for one well filled large pack sack. Rapids in the river ahead had made a portage unavoidable. “Let me help you with this.” Heath picked it up and turned to Allison. “Do I look like a pack mule?” she asked her eyes widening. “You can’t seriously expect me to carry that thing!”

79

Summer Heat 1 “I can’t pull all our gear and the canoe over the rough terrain up ahead. So unless you want to wait alone at the other end of the portage while I make two trips, you’ll have to carry your own stuff. Or aren’t you up to it?” His eyes twinkled a challenge. “Just strap it on, buddy.” She turned her back to him and waited. “I’ll show you I’m Jack Adams’ granddaughter to the core.” “No need.” He held the pack while she slipped her arms through the straps. “You’ve already demonstrated that beyond a shadow of doubt.” As she settled the load more comfortably, he slipped his arms around her waist from behind and let his lips find her temple. “You’re definitely Jack’s girl,” he said softly. Then he released her and moved away. **** The terrain they traveled that morning varied. Sometimes their way was along a low river bank close to a placid stretch of water; at others, they climbed over rocks high above rapids and gorges where the river swirled and roiled below them like a thing possessed. Allison breathed deeply of the fresh, clean air and felt a deep satisfying happiness engulf her. She was in love with this beautiful country and, although the idea surprised her, even frightened her a little, probably in love with a wilderness man. They paused to rest at noon in a gently sloping meadow that ended in a cluster of alders at the water’s edge. He shaded his eyes and made a careful perusal of their position, then came and sat down beside her. “Tired?” he asked softly. “ A bit…not really.” She stretched out beside on the grass and smiled. “Oh, Heath, I’m tired and dirty and a bit hungry but I’m having the best time!” “Well, good. We should reach a trail that will take us to a secondary road this afternoon, though. After that, it’s just a matter of hitching a ride back to The Promise. Tomorrow we'll go into town and settle the arrangements to merge our holdings. The sooner we get the legalities over with, the sooner we can get the place back in running order. The first guests are due to arrive next week, you realize.” “Really? So it was necessary that you settle ownership of the place before then, right?” She sat up abruptly, eyes narrowing. 80

Summer Heat 1 “Yes, it was.” Avoiding her gaze, he pulled a blade of grass and ran it through his fingers. “I couldn’t very well order food and pay bills unless I had your consent.” “Great! Well, you got it, didn’t you!” She jumped to her feet and glared down at him. “You managed to romance me into thinking you were this selfless environmentalist who only cared about keeping Gramps’ Promise when all you really wanted to control of the resort and its finances!” “Now hold on just a minute.” He was on his feet, tawny eyes bright with anger. “If you think I took you on this trip just to force you over to my way of thinking, you’re dead wrong! I wanted you to learn to appreciate it, to…” “Blah, blah, blah!” Allison faced him, hands squarely on her hips, outrage emanating from every inch of her body. “You’re just what you always were, Heath Oakes! A cheap hoodlum! What will you do with The Promise once you have control of it? Sell it and head back where you came from?” “Yeah, that’s right! I’m going to sell this place so fast it will make your head swim and let whoever wants it pave it, hunt all the wildlife out of it, burn it if they like! Now, are you satisfied!” He turned and stalked off across the meadow and into the trees at the far side. Allison was left alone in the silence. Even the birds weren’t singing. **** It was growing dark. Alone and feeling lost and becoming frightened, Allison sat against a log, her knees drawn up in front of her and rested her chin on them. Where had he gone? Was he going to leave her here to die? Somehow, no matter how angry she was, she couldn’t believe that he would do anything so despicable. No, he definitely wouldn’t leave her alone in the bush. Then, there was only one other possibility. Something had happened to him. Dear Lord, no! No matter what their differences, she didn’t want anything bad to happen to him. Because she loved him. The last thought shocked her. She, Allison Anderson, loved Heath Oakes. And this time it wasn’t a school girl’s fantasy. She loved the man her teenage crush had grown into and if he ever came back, she’d tell him and somehow they’d thrash out their differences about this place and… “Hello there.” 81

Summer Heat 1 His voice so close behind her made her start. Whirling she saw him grinning down at her, a bouquet of swamp lilies in his hand. “Sorry about storming off like that but I had to think,” he said, dropping down to sit beside her. “I know Jack never approved of picking wild flowers but I think, on this occasion, he’d be willing to look the other way.” “This occasion?” She looked at him in confusion. “That thinking I said I had to do? Well, I thought and thought and I decided we’re at the red rose stage of this relationship. But since I couldn’t find any out here, I opted for these.” “Red rose stage?” “I’m pretty sure we’re falling in love.” He dropped the lilies in her lap and moved closer. “Otherwise we wouldn’t have been so quick to turn on each other. I think it’s what they call sexual tension in romance novels. What do you think?” She hesitated. “Maybe…possibly…probably…” “Ah, Allie!” He gathered her into his arms and covered her confused words with his mouth. It was the moment she’d been waiting for ever since she had returned to The Promise she realized and let her arms slide up about his neck. “Heath,” she exhaled when he finally gave her the opportunity to breath again. “I think you’re right. I definitely think you’re right.” “Good. Because this is exactly what Jack wanted.” He released her for a moment to pull an envelope from his pocket. “Here, read this.” Allison immediately recognized it as the letter Heath had received from the lawyer on his visit to town, the letter only to opened after they’d settled on The Promise’s fate. It had been opened. “It was time,” he said when she glanced over at him. “I’ve read it. Now it’s your turn.” Carefully she eased the single white sheet of paper from its envelop and unfolded it. My dear Allie and Heath: I know that by now you’ve come to the right decision about my beloved Promise and that you will both spend the rest of your lives enjoying its peace and beauty. Ten years ago, when I first saw you together, I decided that was what I wanted, the way it had to be…my darling granddaughter and my chosen son married and caring for 82

Summer Heat 1 what I held dear. Oh, you were only children but even then there was a certain chemistry, a certain special something between you that I recognized as very much like what I’d had with my beloved Molly. I wanted all that for you two precious people. And, Allie dearest, with my passing, you’re pretty much alone in this world. I wanted to rest assured you’d be cared for and loved by the best man I know. And now you will be. God bless you both. I love you very much. Jack Adams (Gramps) “He was a wise man,” Heath said softly, gathering her into his arms when she finished reading and looked up at him, tears ready to spill down her cheeks. “Yes, he was.” She dried her eyes with the back of her hands as he held her. “But was he right? Am I going to be cared for by the best man he knew?” “Ah, Allie, as if that wouldn’t be the greatest privilege anyone could offer me. Will you let me?” “Yes. Definitely yes.” She looked up at him and smiled. “After all, all I ever really wanted was my very own wilderness man.” The End

83

Summer Heat 1

Wishes and Kisses, Nancy Pirri For Angelina Marrone's twenty-first birthday she receives a birthday present to remember; a night in the arms of sexy escort, Burke Severson. Visit Nancy’s website… http://www.nancypirri.com

84

Summer Heat 1

Wishes and Kisses by Nancy Pirri August 13, St. Paul, Minnesota 100° in the shade My twenty-first birthday had arrived, and on the hottest day of the year. Unfortunately, the only thing I had to look forward to was a drink called an Ultimate Mudslide that my best friend, Stephanie Hanson, insisted I try. As I sat beside her at Schwietz’s Bar on St. Paul’s lower east side, I, Angel (Angelina to mom and dad) Marrone, am experiencing a deep feeling of apprehension. The feeling, I was certain, would soon be followed by a big-time case of dread. Damn. I was certain Stephanie was setting me up for another blind date. Sure, I wanted to fall in love like any normal (if there was such a thing) woman, but some of the guys Stephanie chose for me in the past were bad boys. Stephanie adores them. I’d had enough of them during my young, impetuous past. They don’t impress nor appeal to me any more. “Come on, Angel, loosen up!” I scowled at my tall, blonde and beautiful friend since kindergarten, her coloring and build totally opposite of my own dark 85

Summer Heat 1 hair and eyes. We were also completely different in size; she was tall and lanky and I was tall, not overly plump, but a bit Amazon-ish, like Zena. I’d even been called Zena-Warrior Princess by children in the grocery line. I said, “I’m trying, but you know I don’t go for the bar scene anymore.” I’d dated, at least once, every ball player on the Men’s Thirty and Under League during my crazy stretch of bar-hopping days, between the ages of eighteen and twenty. (Yes, I know the drinking age in Minnesota is twenty-one, but I’d always been resourceful.) “So, explain what’s in this drink and why I have to try one,” I said. “Cream, oh, yeah, cream for sure.” Stephanie grinned then slid her tongue in a circle over her lips. Now hear this: Stephanie was one of those women who could get anyone hot, man or woman, after a move like that. “Stop it!” I whispered, looking around self-consciously. “Someone might think you’re coming on to me.” Stephanie threw her arm around my shoulders and let loose a big belly laugh. “You worry too much. Now let me continue. Besides cream, there’s Kahlua and Irish cream, bananas and, let’s not forget the most important ingredient, and a girl’s best friend, grated chocolate.” It sounded heavenly, even as my stomach gurgled. I’d been up since early morning, pounding the pavement (okay, I’m prone to clichés so give me a break) looking for a job, not breaking for any nourishment. I knew better than to drink on an empty stomach, but, at the moment, I don’t want to think about it. Harrison Photography, where I’d been employed just six months after graduating from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts with a bachelor of fine arts degree in photography and media arts, had let me go. They called it a layoff but I knew better. I didn’t meet the standards of that snooty bitch, Pauline Harrison, the owner of the company. T.G.I.F. is all I can say, and sleeping in Saturday morning sounds better than an orgasm at the moment. But, then, I haven’t experienced one of those in so long, it was tough making a comparison. “Doesn’t sound half-bad,” I said. “Order me one.” The bartender whipped one up, placed the drink in front of me, 86

Summer Heat 1 and I took a tentative sip. I let loose a colossal groan of ecstasy, immediately hooked. Then I turned to Stephanie and gave her one of my lop-sided, sheepish grins. “You’re right. It’s better than an or— uh, better than anything I’ve ever tasted.” Stephanie gave me a smug look. “I knew you’d like it. Once you finish we’ll head over to Bob Ross’s Bar to pick up the best present of all.” “Listen, best friend, I’m bushed. After this drink I’m calling it a night.” “Oh, no, you’re not. I’ve got the biggest, bestest (that’s what she always said when she was a kid to describe something she loved) present yet. You can’t leave and you don’t turn twenty-one every day, you know!” I sighed. “Okay.” I sipped down the rest of my drink, stood up and felt—well—pretty darn good. I’d also gained a sense of humor and giggled when Stephanie shoved me ahead of her out the door. “How can just one drink make you tipsy?” she snapped. “You know I don’t drink much anymore,” I said, shrugging apologetically. “Doesn’t matter. What you’ll be getting at the next bar-stop will sober you up quick. This was getting interesting, even though I knew I was headed for a set-up. I hate set-ups; I’d had enough blind dates in my life to know no good ever came of them. I yanked down my cropped silk top that had just one button and tied below my breasts. It stuck to me like a second skin due to the heat, but nicely showed off my 38 D cleavage. It didn’t help that Schwietz’s air-conditioning had broken down. I straightened the silver chain-belt on my low-waist snug jeans that showed a lot of my midriff, which I’d worked feverishly to tone over the last few years. A gust of muggy air hit me in the face as we left the bar, and I gasped. I hated summer. Hated the heat, which is why I lived in Minnesota. Give me a whopping snowstorm and temperatures below freezing any day of the week. For as long as I’ve known Stephanie, she’s been a woman of understatement. I was reminded of it shortly after entering Bob Ross’s Bar. I took two steps then stopped abruptly. “Ohmygod.” The Chippendale dancers, or, rather, clones of them, were dancing on top of a makeshift stage. I saw the sign in back of the bar flashing neon 87

Summer Heat 1 red, Ladies Night Out. “Come on,” Stephanie urged. “Uh-uh,” was all I managed to utter. “No use backing out now. I’ve got the best table in the room reserved for us.” She led the way to a round table, in the center first row, below the stage. I had no choice but to follow, then sank into a chair, my jaw hanging open. There were five of them in various shapes and colors, wearing only g-strings, black bowties around their necks and white cuffs on their wrists. One of the dancers strutted over, bent his knees and shook his family jewels at me. If he’d bent any lower ‘they’ would have been about eye-level. He swung his lean hips in circles, thrusting out his pelvis. Raising his tanned muscular arms he cupped the back of his dark, curly hair and did this amazing thing with his pectorals. My mouth watered, my armpits starting sweating, and I knew I had to get out of the place. I grabbed the edge of the table to stand. Stephanie planted a firm hand on my shoulder. “You aren’t going anywhere.” I nearly swallowed my tongue when the guy winked at me then motioned to his groin with his eyes. I kept my eyes on him, but shouted at Stephanie over the bump and grind music, “What does he want?” “A tip. Got a ten or twenty on you?” I whipped my head around and scowled at her. “If this is my birthday treat, all I can say is forget it. I’m not paying out on my birthday.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Can’t you just play along? My God, do you have to rip apart and analyze every little thing and situation? Can’t you be impetuous for a change?” “Impetuous? Heck no. That’s a bad word, and you know it.” As I mentioned earlier, I’d been more than impetuous plenty of times during my life so far and hadn’t scored many points because of it. I turned my attention back to the stage and saw the dancer heading our way again. He possessed six-pack abs and thighs thick as tree trunks. I sank low in my seat. “Make him go away.” Stephanie ignored me.

88

Summer Heat 1 A scantily-clad waitress arrived at our table. Stephanie ordered us drinks then turned her full-wattage smile on me. “His name’s Burke. Isn’t that just the greatest name? And, he’s yours for the night.” “Mine?” I squeaked. “Uh-huh. He’s done in about fifteen minutes and has he got a night of fun planned for you.” “You paid him how much money to show me a good time?” “Don’t worry about the money.” Easy for her to say. She’d never had to worry about money. Stephanie had been born into wealth and, her career as a top lingerie model has been lucrative. I, on the other hand, have been a starving student for four years. I’ve got student loans to pay back, plus money I owe my parents. In the interim, while looking for a full-time photography position since I’d lost my first job, I began working a week ago as a part-time library clerk at the University of Minnesota law library. Stephanie added, “He’s been working as a professional escort for over a year. Believe me. He knows how to entertain a lady.” “But, we don’t know him!” I protested. “A friend of mine on the St. Paul Police Force did a criminal check on him and he’s squeaky clean. You’re going to have a great time!” The server returned with our drinks, two a piece, since it was happy hour for another half hour. Gulping down the first one I barely tasted it. I nursed the second drink. All the while my gaze was trained on Mister Chippendale. The more I stared at him, the more I liked what I saw. Maybe I deserved a night of excitement. But then I scowled into my second drink and thought about the last two men who’d lured me into their beds with promises of everlasting love, which of course didn’t happen or I wouldn’t be here with Stephanie. As a matter of fact, I had an abysmal track record with regard to commitment and relationships, not that I haven’t given it my best shot. I have, but for some reason I’ve always been attracted to great looking guys with commitment phobia. Now, as I glared up at Burke dancing away from me, his taut ass wagging up a storm, I guessed him to be just another bad boy. Only bad boys would work at a job like this. I kept my eyes riveted on his ass cheeks, until he turned and headed toward me again. Then my grin slipped and my heart dropped 89

Summer Heat 1 down to my unsettled stomach when I saw the hot look in his eyes. Sex with this guy would be hotter than twice-baked potatoes, I decided, enjoying the sweeping, piercing look he played over my body. “I need another drink.” “Now you’re talking!” Stephanie crowed. By the time the show ended I had no qualms about accepting my birthday gift. I sat at the table listening to Stephanie flirting with one of the other dancers until I couldn’t hold my head up any longer; couldn’t keep my eyes open, either. Somehow, though, I felt more exhausted than drunk. A pair of big hands settled around my waist and lifted me from my chair. “Come on, Birthday Girl. No time for sleeping now. We’ve got some partying to do.” I shrieked then stopped abruptly. Burke now wore snug blue jeans and a chambray shirt with the cuffs rolled back. The rugged clothes gave him an earthy, masculine look. Urban cowboy came to mind. Staring directly into his eyes, since he’d lifted me to that level, I had to admit he was stunning. Soon, I found myself staring at his jeans-clad ass because, quick as a bunny (sorry), he tossed me over his shoulder and strode out of the bar. I cringed when I heard angry shouts from the other women, all apparently hoping for a good time tonight. All I could think was, it’s going to be a Hot Town, Summer in the City Minnesota night for this birthday girl. Stephanie knew what was best for me. He carried me outside into the humid evening air. The outdoors sobered me up somewhat and again I started having second thoughts. Also, I didn’t particularly appreciate all the blood flooding into my head as I was hung over his broad shoulder. But I had to admit, with his big hand stroking my ass and petting me like I was ‘man’s best friend’, I was growing excited. Beneath my denim jeans the crotch of my tiny thong felt drenched—not a good thing. “Put me down, caveman!” I kicked and flailed my fists against his back. He just chuckled. I struggled in earnest and must have found a decent mark for I heard him curse, but then I was the one cursing when he smacked my ass, one solid swat per cheek 90

Summer Heat 1 “Let me down!” His smacks had cleared all symptoms of too much booze and lethargy from my head. “Not a chance, babe. I’ve a job I’ve been paid to do. Relax,” he ordered, his low voice causing vibrations to flood through my body. “This will be a memorable birthday, I promise.” He was headed straight for an earlier-model Porsche convertible that appeared in mint condition. I frowned and thought maybe I needed to get into another line of work if dancing bare-assed paid that well. He opened the door, pulled me down off his shoulder, then belted me into the passenger seat. “Nice wheels,” I murmured, sliding my hand across the leather seat. He slid into the driver seat and drawled, “Oh, yeah, I’ve entertained many a fine woman in this vehicle.” “You have?” I said, knowing I wore a let me outta here look. “Sure, but I’d much rather seduce you at the St. Paul Hotel, which is where we’re headed.” I scrambled up straight in my seat and reached for the door handle. Snap! I pushed on the handle but the door wouldn’t open. I swung around and stared into his laughing eyes and smug expression. “Gotta love those electric locks, don’t you?” Gulp. “Did I hear you say we’re going to the St. Paul Hotel?” He nodded, put on his blinker and pulled away from the curb, once traffic had cleared. “What for?” He gave me a you have got to be kidding look. “Didn’t Stephanie tell you anything?” I crossed my legs and arms, stared out the window, and muttered, “You’re my birthday present.” “That’s right.” He took a left onto the entrance ramp of 35E. “Did she tell you anything else?” “What else is there?” I grumbled. “I was feeling the booze so I don’t quite recall what she said.” “Is the top down okay with you?” he said. I whipped my face toward him. “Huh?” He laughed again. “My car,” he clarified. 91

Summer Heat 1 “Oh, sure, I love the hair in my wind, er, I mean the wind in my hair.” We arrived at the hotel. Burke tossed his keys to a valet then popped open the trunk. Inside I discovered my overnight bag and a mid-sized duffle. He carried both pieces inside. Damn, Stephanie! She must have snuck into my apartment with my spare key while I was at work today. Grasping the handles in one big capable hand and cupping my elbow with the other, Burke guided me inside. I was sorely tempted to make a run for it. But then I started thinking how lonely my little apartment was and that there was no one else with whom I could share my birthday. I decided I had to trust Stephanie. I leaned against a wide column and hid as Burke checked us into the hotel, too embarrassed to show myself to the desk clerks, whom I imagined knew exactly why we were there. I’d been in the St. Paul Hotel twice before, for weddings. The place was ritzier than The Ritz, I imagined, having never seen the famous hotel in New York City. Burke returned to my side, gave me a wry look as he pulled me out from behind the column. We followed a bellboy, who carried our luggage into an elevator. As I sank back against the elevator wall, I thought about Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman making smart-alecky comments as she rode up in the elevator with Richard Gere, but couldn’t think of anything witty to say. The quiet unnerved me and I accidentally met the eyes of the young bellboy, who gave me the once over then winked. I stuck my tongue out at him, averted my eyes, and watched the numbers light up until the elevator came to a stop on the top floor. The doors opened. Burke took my hand and walked with me down the hallway, the bellboy leading the way. The heat from Burke’s big hand settling deep into my core made me feel hot and anxious, comforted and cared for. The young man stopped outside a set of double doors, then opened them with a flourish. I stood in the doorway gaping at the inside of the suite, until Burke gave me a gentle push. Blessed cold air from the air-conditioning as I stepped into the room revived me. From the corner of my eye I saw him tip the boy, heard him say something about champagne and strawberries. The first item that caught my eye was a maize-colored leather sofa and matching chair. A wet bar occupied a corner of the living92

Summer Heat 1 dining area. There was a set of sliding glass doors that opened onto a quaint deck equipped with lounge chairs. “Stephanie has great taste, doesn’t she?” Burke said as he led the way toward a set of French doors. He opened them and a king-sized bed covered in cream satin was the bedroom’s focal point. Naughty, erotic thoughts entered my mind when I saw the bed’s tall, spindly bedposts. Where was a set of handcuffs when a girl needed them? I stepped around Burke and paused at the side of bed, stroked the smooth coverlet. I was tempted to lie down, and pull Burke down with me but tamped down the urge. It was my birthday. I might be hard up, but I still had my pride. Stephanie was paying him well. I’d make damned sure he had to work for every penny and making the first move was not the way to do it. I felt Burke’s eyes on me, guessing he was staring at my ass. Mine is memorable, according to the men in my past. Most said it was my best asset, second to my eyes. Heaving a huge sigh, I sank down on the bed. Burke came closer and the hair on my arms stood at attention. He was stunning and while I wanted to jump him and not let him out of bed for a long, long time, I kept cool. Guys always thought that about me, that I was cool and calm, unaffected by things, but I was the complete opposite. I just hold everything inside and camouflage my feelings—like I was doing now. Burke brushed by me then, giving me a sweet, lopsided smile that I knew was genuine. I just knew that everything about this guy was the real thing, nothing phony about him. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when he started unbuttoning his shirt. His smile widened. He had that oh-so-confident look men get when they’re pretty sure they’ll be scoring. Scoring. Damn, but my panties felt damp again. Then a throbbing began between my thighs, and I realized I was in huge trouble. This would be a first for me, having an orgasm without being touched. Believe me, this was a big thing for me because I don’t come easily. He was humming the Miller-light song as he shrugged out of his shirt, mixed with a bump and grind routine. “Uh, no real tunes tonight?” I asked with a giggle. Those mudslides were sticking with me. “What guy seduces a woman without tunes?” 93

Summer Heat 1 Burke rolled his eyes and paused in his delicious dance. “Geez, Angel-baby, give me a break. They’ve got a sound-system hooked up. What would you like to hear?” “Well—” I began. “On second thought, no music would be best,” he broke in. “I like it nice and quiet when I make love. That way I can hear every breath, every sigh, every scream and other signs that my woman’s getting off, you know?” My woman? I gulped. Burke was unlike any male I’d ever met. His seduction was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. He was mine for the night. How lucky could I get? He started moving again, slower, sensuous. Jealousy rolled through me. I was an abysmal dancer. Then he swung his shirt in a full circle a few times and released it. It sailed across the room and landed on a vacant leather chair. I laughed and my hair floated around my shoulders. I saw how his eyes focused on my tresses and was glad I’d washed it in a coconut-scented shampoo before leaving the house tonight. He stripped off his belt, which I’d noticed back at Schwietz’s. It was narrow, round and shiny black. It didn’t have a buckle but some kind of metal catch on the end. His jeans sunk a bit, revealing his navel and a mat of fine black hair down the middle of his broad chest. He snapped the belt against the Italian tiled floor and I jumped, startled by the sharp noise. I saw the wicked gleam in his eyes when he snapped it again as he sauntered toward me. Then, with a quick flick of his wrist, it passed over my body. I shrank back in horror, my back flattening on the bed when I realized the belt was actually some sort of whip. “I’m a pro at this,” he said. “Just lie still, and I won’t hurt you.” My breathing grew shallow, and I closed my eyes tight. I was scared, but I trusted him—why I’d no idea, since I’d just met the man. I waited for him to lash out again. He did and I gasped. I opened my eyes wide. That last time, I’d felt just the tiniest of stings across my stomach. I noticed the devilish smile on his lips and followed the direction of his gaze. He’d untied my blouse with that last snap of the whip, a truly amazing feat. “Where in the hell did you learn that trick?” I whispered. He smiled. “I used to wield whips—just as a hobby.”

94

Summer Heat 1 Wield whips? Suddenly I’m thinking about cowboys and realize his voice has a slight twang to it. “Where are you from?” “I was born in Mexico, to American missionary parents. Until the age of sixteen, I’d lived there. After that we moved to Arkansas. Now, then,” he murmured, dropping the belt to the floor, “It’s time for another present.” “I love presents,” I whispered. “So how about you come on down and join me?” He arched one eyebrow. “I’d originally promised Stephanie I’d give you anything you desire, but I’ve changed my mind.” I sat up, “You what!” Laughing, he sank down beside me, put an arm around my shoulders and held me close. Then he started nibbling on my earlobe. His fingers settled over my breast then started digging around inside my bra. He tweaked my nipple, and I thought, That’s more like it. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I aim to satisfy. But I need to be the one in control here. I need you to trust me to give you the best birthday ever.” His smile slipped. “Do you trust me?” I shouldn’t have, but for some strange reason I did. I nodded. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back, legs hanging over the bed’s edge, feet planted flat on the floor. Burke spread my thighs. “Keep them like that.” He moved to his duffle bag, rummages around inside a bit. Then he turned and faced me with a gigantic vibrator in his hand. Walking toward me, he said, “New batteries, sweetheart. You’re going to love this.” I close my legs. “Uh, what in the hell is that?” “By the look on your face, you know what it is.” He shoved his legs between mine, widened his stance opening my thighs again. “Where did you find one so—” “—Big?” he inserted with a laugh. “I know all the right places to purchase the best tools of my trade.” “But I still have on my jeans.” “A good thing you do,” he said and proceeded to show me why. Burke sat beside me on the bed and set the vibrator between my thighs, directly on my clit. My cheeks turned hot when I noticed the devilish look in his eyes. With a gulp I closed my eyes and concentrated on the exquisite sensations pouring through my body. He rubbed it up and down, then in circles, firmer, then softer, blowing 95

Summer Heat 1 my mind. Sweat poured from my body when he pressed harder— until I’m a mass of quivering arousal. “Ah! Oh lord, but that feels…incredible!” He kept the vibrator against me and leaned over my body,. His lips touched mine, then moved down the side of my neck. “Mmm,” he murmured, “Like that then? How about a bit harder?” I clutched his arm. “No!” My grip on his arm tightened when he kicked it up higher and the droning grew louder. Within seconds I was arching off the bed, shrieking out my release, shuddering with the after-affects. Burke was good. He knew precisely the right moment to remove the vibrator. I lay there, panting as though I’d run a marathon. I also felt as if I’d left this world and moved on to bigger and better places. I opened my eyes and found Burke above me, gazing at me with this look—it was almost lovingly. Then the gentleness in his eyes dissipated and a smug, satisfied expression came over his face. He appeared as though he’d just been the recipient of a mind-boggling climax. I turned to one side, reached up and covered my eyes with my forearm. I couldn’t look at him, didn’t want him to see the satisfaction on my face. Thoughts of how he hadn’t dimmed the lights crowded my brain. I’d allowed this stranger to see my wantonness. I’d never done anything like that in my life. No, you couldn’t include those ball players I told you about earlier; I knew every one of them, personally. We’d grown up together. Besides, I’d only had sex with one of them, and he’d turned out to be a bigger prude than me. “Hey, hey,” Burke whispered. I kept my eyes closed beneath my arm. When he pulled my forearm away from my face I still kept my eyes shut. I couldn’t look at him. “Why so shy now? You were fantastic, Angel,” he said. I opened one eye. “I was?” “Why do I get the feeling you regret climaxing?” “Because usually the lights are turned off when I do, and, most times it’s happened I’ve been by myself, if you get my drift.” He threw back his head and laughed, then sobered as he stared at me. Reaching out, he swiped a stray lock of hair off my forehead. His touch was soft and gentle and I found myself leaning toward him. “I see. The ‘I don’t want my feelings bared to this stranger’ 96

Summer Heat 1 feeling has hit you, hmm?” I glared at him. Wagging his finger in my face he said, “Don’t deny it. You enjoyed yourself, and I enjoyed you. There’s no crime in that.” “I know!” I snapped. “Still, it’s humiliating that you watched me get off. We don’t know each other.” “I’d say that was the case ten minutes ago, but not any more. We’re off to a great start. Don’t you think?” What could I do? I wondered. What could I say in response to his candidness? I found my doldrums lifting, and my humiliation, and I laughed. Then I punched him in the chest. He feigned injury, which only made me laugh harder. Then he shot off the bed and danced and hummed that beer song again as he made his way to his duffel bag. I swiped sweat from my brow. “Do you think it’s really hot in here?” My question had been completely honest and innocent, but he arched one eyebrow at me and chuckled. He reached the duffle bag and started pushing things around inside it. “Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. At first I thought it was just the two of us making the heat, but I don’t hear any air ventilation. I think the air-conditioning stopped working.” “It’s got to be a hundred degrees outside and the air shut down?” “If it did the generators should kick in any time,” he replied. I hadn’t been able to see what he was doing since his back had been turned to me but now he whirled around, executing this fantastic break-dance step, holding a red heart-shaped paddle in one hand. I gulped as I stared at the paddle, stared as every fantasy of being the ‘victim’ of a spanking hit me square in the eye. My ass tingled at the thought of how it would feel. He cleared his throat. “Stephanie said you’d never had a birthday spanking and that you’d always wanted one, so chuck those jeans, sweetheart. You’ll be receiving your heart’s desire; twenty-one on your bare, sweet ass.” I pulled my fascinated gaze from the paddle and met his fullfledged grin. “Uh, Stephanie knows I was just kidding.” I heard the desperation in my voice as I made excuses. Burke gave me a long, steady look. “No, you weren’t. People don’t talk about something like this or even jest about it unless they 97

Summer Heat 1 mean it.” He walked toward me, hitting the palm of his hand with the flat of the paddle, stopping right in front of me. “Don’t think about this too much,” he said as he grabbed a chair by the desk and planted it facing the end of the bed. He sat down and propped one foot up on a wooden rung of the bed. “Drop the jeans and get over my knee.” He was right to say don’t think too much. I found myself involuntarily rising from the bed. I unsnapped my jeans and slowly pulled them down over my hips, hooking my fingers in the waistband at my back to ease them over my full ass. His words interrupted my thoughts. “Leave your panties on.” I stared at him, heard the rough tone of his words and knew he was aroused. I kicked my jeans aside and stood beside him, staring blindly at the paddle. “Over my knees now,” he ordered. I bit my lip and said, “I can’t.” He sighed. “You know, we don’t have to do this at all. It’s your birthday. You can call the shots if you want, but I thought we’d agreed earlier I’d be doing that and that you’d trust my judgment.” Put like that, he was right. Why I trusted him I couldn’t fathom, I just did. “Okay,” I whispered. He smiled, then took my hands, and pulled me over his thighs. My ass was elevated due to the position of his propped foot. “Hands on the floor,” he said. His voice but rough, hard, firm as any dominant I’d ever imagined in my wildest imagination. I squirmed forward with his help and touched the floor with the palms of my hands. Blood rushed to my face, which I already knew was aflame in embarrassment. Also, I noticed the generators still hadn’t kicked in and stifling heat filled the suite. It was a muggy summer evening, but the heat didn’t bother me for once. It somehow enhanced this night of erotic play. Made me feel sexier, hornier than I’d ever felt before. “Excellent. Spread your legs a bit.” I had to think about that a moment—like a nano-second or so. I spread them, giving him complete access to my vulva. He pulled on the waistband of my thong panty until I imagined the minute scrap of fabric disappearing between my ass cheeks. 98

Summer Heat 1 Holding onto the twisted nylon, his fist positioned at the center of my back, he proceeded to wield the paddle, counting out each smack. The paddle was made of leather, no wood inside, so it was flexible as it cracked against my ass noisily, first one cheek, then the other. Within moments I was feeling the sting, but it wasn’t intolerable as he’d started with a gentle touch. With my clit positioned over his sinewy thigh and rubbing against him with each smack it started throbbing. Midway through my present, he started whipping the leather harder against my ass, and I found myself gasping after each spank. He paused. “Too much?” I had to think about it a moment before replying. I hated the spanking yet I found I loved it, too, and asked, “How many more?” “Nine.” “Go ahead,” I said, guessing I could handle the stinging pain, yet feeling sad it would soon be over. I’d always had this infatuation—to have someone deal out a birthday spanking—but now I realized just this once would never be enough. Call me a masochist if you want, but there’s just something about allowing a caveman like Burke to have complete control over my person. “You sure?” I caught the hesitancy in his voice but nodded again. “Yes.” He snapped off nine more smacks, alternating cheeks until I was squirming on his lap and tears filled my eyes. Not that it truly hurt all that much, it’s just that this was my fantasy-come-true for several years. I found it hard to believe it was actually happening. He released me and sat me up. I cringed when my hot, stinging ass made contact with his thigh. He kissed my temple and murmured, “So, I imagine this means I won’t get to second base with you now, hmm?” I pulled out of his arms and stood before him. “Now, why would you say such a thing?” Burke shrugged. “I’ve done this entire birthday routine with other women. After I’d given them this treatment, which by the way they asked for, they threw me out. The worst of it was I only got paid half the amount due me.” My scowl turned into a smile and then I started laughing—gutaching laughter. He looked like a thwarted little boy at the moment with his pouting lips and sulky expression. “You’re staying?” he asked, his voice hopeful. 99

Summer Heat 1 “You’re damned right I am. Stephanie paid big bucks for you, didn’t she?” “A grand.” I gulped. A thousand dollars for Burke to entertain me for a night? No wonder he was so agreeable about showing me a good time. I sank down on his lap, straddling him with my thighs over his. Then I wound my arms around his strong, smooth neck and kissed him. I mean really kissed him. Kissed him so hard that I somehow managed to knock the chair over. He wound his arms around my waist as he fell backwards. He landed on his back, one hand once again fisting the fabric of my thong. I flinched when he started spanking my cheeks with his big, firm hand with me on top of him. I was still kissing him and laughing against his lips—and flinching with each smack—but didn’t want him to stop. Burke had turned me on, and I meant for him to keep it that way over the next twenty-four hours. **** I don’t usually kiss a guy on a date because most of them just don’t know how to do it. Burke’s lips were strong, sensuous and dry—nothing worse than wet kisses. I detest them. And oh, he knew how to use his tongue as he swiped it around inside my mouth. After a while he shoved me off him and came to his feet. He hauled me into his arms and I stared into his eyes that flared with excitement, saw the tightness in his jaw and knew he wanted me. Burke dropped me on the bed, sat beside me and proceeded to remove my top and bra which left me with only my thong panty. With his eyes on mine he hooked his thumbs into the sides of my thong and slowly slid them over my hips and down my legs. I lay there naked and hot and wanting—him—with a desperation I’d never felt before. My eyes widened on him when he stood up and removed his jeans and jockeys, revealing his magnificent maleness. He was Zeus, Casanova, Valentino, Romeo, Rhett Butler and Brad Pitt rolled into one. And he was mine for the night. A momentary sadness overwhelmed me, to think that, after tomorrow, he wouldn’t be. He joined me on the bed and stroked me from shoulder to breast, to my waist then down to my vulva. Over and over he stroked until I was a steaming mass of blubbering womanhood, begging for release. He reached over to the night table, opened a drawer and pulled out a condom. I didn’t care why or how it got in that drawer. With his teeth 100

Summer Heat 1 he ripped it open then kneeled back, his legs straddling my thighs. Reaching down, his eyes on mine the entire time, he shielded his burgeoning cock. Slipping down my steaming body, he lay between my legs. As soon as he’d hooked my thighs over his shoulders I knew what I was in for and my heart raced at the thought of my imminent arousal. Burke was a connoisseur. He laved my labia with his tongue, long, smooth, even spaced strokes that drove me higher and higher until I hung at the eclipse of all-encompassing desire; he drove me crazy—until I fell off the abyss, shrieking and panting, and sweating—climaxing over and over again. Oh, yeah. He’d hit the raw desire of my center and, somehow I began to think my existence as I knew it would never be the same. That night I slept in his arms and he woke me twice. The third time he tried I just couldn’t rally enough energy to open my eyes but lay there in half-sleep, enjoying his love-making. I woke the next morning, my ass pleasantly sore. He asked if I wanted more and my eyes widened. I gave no reply but just watched him walk over to his duffel bag again. When I realized his intentions, I knew I couldn’t take any more birthday treats today so I said, “No more, Burke.” Burke quirked one eyebrow. “You sure about that? After all, it’ll be another whole year before you earn another.” “Who says?” I gave him a cheeky grin. He laughed and came back to me. We spent the day in ordinary pursuits. He had room service deliver an enormous breakfast to our suite. We showered together, dressed and headed outdoors. It hadn’t cooled off any but that was okay since our desire for each other still blazed mightily as we walked side by side down city sidewalks. We held hands and window-shopped, stopped by the local zoo and watched animal antics then headed for a bistro café for lunch. I know, you’re probably wondering at this point why we didn’t spend the entire day in bed but somehow, though it was left unsaid, we seemed to want to get to know each other in a normal boy-girl sort of way. After supper that evening, we should have parted, his twenty-four hour birthday job was done, but we didn’t. We didn’t even talk about it. It just seemed natural that we’d kick back and watch a movie together in our hotel room, drinking wine and noshing on the 101

Summer Heat 1 midnight snack we’d ordered. We made love half the night before falling into an exhausted sleep. I woke up the next morning with a headache. Must have been the red wine, I decided as I hauled myself out of bed without a glance at Burke, who was gently snoring beside me. Good grief, this was such a homey, comfortable feeling, waking up beside him, that instantaneous loneliness filled me as I thought about not seeing him again. I showered and washed my hair with my eyes closed. Then I heard the shower door open. I smiled, but didn’t open my eyes. Prickly sensations of pleasant awareness came over me when he slid his body up and down mine, over and over again until he finally took me in his arms and kissed me. Then he backed me up against the shower wall, lifted me up onto his forearms, his hands plastered against the tile wall and took me hard and fast. This was our final parting gift to each other. As we left the suite, I was the first one out the door. I came to a dead stop. Burke bumped into me. “Forget something?” he murmured in my ear. “We forgot something,” I said and laughed as I looked down at a tray with a glass bowl full of strawberries, a bottle of champagne and two flutes. He sighed. “Damn, forgot all about them.” We laughed together and ran down the hallway to the elevator, arms around each other. In his car on the way to my apartment we didn’t speak. He parked outside my apartment, ready to escort me inside when I stopped him. “No, that’s okay.” I felt tears glistening in my eyes and prayed they wouldn’t fall, even as I put on this false-happy expression. “Thanks for the memorable birthday.” I laughed. “It was fantastic after all a girl doesn’t turn twenty-one every day.” He grinned and sank against the back of his seat. “This thing between us has only begun. You know that, don’t you?” “Has it?” I said, answering his smile with a small one of my own. “Damned right. I’ll be calling.” He leaned over, cupped my face and kissed me hard. Finally, after a few moments, I broke the kiss and tore from the car. I gathered my composure, tugging on the hem of my blouse as I headed for the front entrance of my apartment building. With the light of day and the absence of temptation, I understood 102

Summer Heat 1 the thing between us wouldn’t last, mostly because of me. Just the thought of him providing escort and other services to other women made me feel bad—really bad. Yet I understood that was the life he’d chosen for himself. I either shared him with other women, or we wouldn’t be together. I had to think about this. I know you’re probably finding this unbelievable after the twenty-four dynamite hours we spent together, but remember what I’d said at the beginning? About how I’ve always been unlucky in love, and that I have always been attracted to bad boys? Burke was, plain and simple, just another bad boy, albeit a charming one. But I was looking for the whole Prince Charming thing, you know? And I knew I wasn’t going to find it with Burke. The following afternoon I went to work. Since I hadn’t found another photography job I had luckily found and had accepted a library clerk position to hold me until I found something better. It was the most relaxing job I’ve ever had. The pace is slow but even. I never feel pressured the way I did when I worked as a photographer. But I knew I wouldn’t last long at the job since the slower pace would eventually bore me. Closing time was ten o’clock. At half-past ten, I locked all the doors and was setting the alarm in the back workroom, when I heard a key turning in the lock of the door to my left. I froze where I stood, against one long table used for sorting books. Marianne O’Connor, another clerk, had left half-an-hour ago. Had she forgotten something? The door opened and my eyes widened on Burke Severson, who looked even more surprised than me. **** “What are you doing here?” he said, bewildered. I leaned against the table, planting my butt against the edge. “I work here.” He didn’t reply at first but took in my sensible ankle-length white cotton skirt and top, my short-heeled conservative shoes then met my eyes. He grinned and closed the door behind him. Leaning against it he folded his arms across his chest. “No kidding?” he finally said. “I guess I should have asked what you did in life, but I never got around to it.” I narrowed my eyes on his humorous expression, noted the laughter in his voice, wondering all the while why he’d have a key to the library. 103

Summer Heat 1 But then I remembered during my interview a few weeks ago how the assistant librarian mentioned it was unusual that she was conducting interviews. The job usually fell upon the head librarian’s shoulders. But he was on vacation. Laughing aloud I shook my head, hitched up my skirt and sat on the table. No way was Burke a librarian. There was just no way! My skepticism vanished though with his next words. “So, you must be the new library clerk,” he said. I kept my gaze on him as he ambled toward me. He was dressed in work-out gear, shorts, cropped, sleeveless sweatshirt and running shoes. Groaning, I closed my eyes and stopped him. “Don’t say you’re my boss. Please don’t say it.” “Sorry to disillusion you, sweetheart.” My eyes snapped open when I felt his hand brush a lock of my hair back from my forehead. He stood directly in front of me. Then he moved in closer, separating my thighs, widening his stance between them. “This can’t be happening. Not to me. Damn that Stephanie. How did you say the two of you met?” He gave her a wry smile. “Through her last boyfriend, who happens to be one of my best friends.” Then I realized it was coincidence, plain and simple. Stephanie did not do libraries. She did trendy bookstores with coffee shops in them. I felt his breath on the side of my neck and then he started kissing it. I breathed in the scent of him, sandalwood, I decided, and couldn’t push him away. I felt lethargic as he proceeded to nibble on my earlobe. “I missed you,” he growled, then slid his lips across my cheeks and took my mouth in a demanding kiss. Impossible. It had only been twenty-four hours since we’d seen each other. When his hand moved to my waist, then slid down my thigh and under my skirt I gathered my wits by grabbing his wrist and pulling his hand away. He stepped back and just stared at me with that intent level look of his that made me feel hot and bothered. Oh, what this guy did to me! But I wanted to hear his story. Why in the hell would an 104

Summer Heat 1 intelligent guy with a perfectly respectable job take on a night job as an escort? Or, maybe, taking on a job as escort is what he considered a vacation. “Why?” I asked, not embellishing my question. He moved away from me and leaned against the table opposite the one upon which I sat. “Money, of course.” “That’s it—just money?” “I’ve got student loans to pay back.” “I see.” I had student loans, but it didn’t mean I’d sell my body to paying guys looking for a good time. Okay. I was lying. Maybe I would have to a great looking guy like Burke. He shook his head. “No, you don’t, but I’ll tell you. My family was far from wealthy. As a matter of fact, we were downright poor. I luckily earned a one-year grant to attend the University of Minnesota and chose library science after that first year.” “I just can’t imagine you as a librarian.” “I’ve always enjoyed reading—and writing. I just finished my first novel and am in the process of shopping it around. I hate being in debt and vowed to pay back all the loans before I reached twenty-five. I’m twenty-seven, and I’m close to being rid of them, but wouldn’t have if I hadn’t taken on the escort job a year ago.” “You’ve been entertaining women for an entire year?” He laughed. “Not in the way I entertained you. I don’t usually bed the women I escort. I mostly provide a service—escorting them to parties, dances, events, that sort of thing.” “Is Burke your real name?” I asked. “No, but Severson is.” I caught the faint blush on his cheeks. “And your first name?” “I’m George. George Andrew Severson.” “George?” “I know. I hate it, always have, but I’m named after my grandfather, whom I adored.” “George,” I said softly as I peered at him. After a moment I smiled. “You know, it suits you, I think.” He grinned. “So what are we going to do about us?” “Other than yesterday, I don’t think there is an ‘us’.” “I said I’d be calling you and I meant it.” He held up his palm, preventing me from replying. “I know, I know, I hadn’t asked for 105

Summer Heat 1 your phone number. I knew I could get it from Stephanie.” “Burke…er…George, you know I’d enjoy seeing you again, but I just don’t feel like competing with other women.” “I’ve only got a few months left before my loans are paid off.” I folded my arms across my chest and stared at him a long while, thinking what to do. I came to a decision and hopped off the table. “Finish paying them off and then we’ll talk.” I picked up my purse from the corner of the table and moved around him. He grabbed my elbow and held me at his side, glaring down at me. “Are you saying you don’t want anything to do with me until I’ve left the escort service?” I nodded. “That’s right.” “What if I don’t want to leave? What if I enjoy it too much to leave?” “I won’t share you, Burke. It’s me or them.” I kept my demeanor cool and calm as I could. “You drive a hard bargain, lady,” he drawled. I saw admiration in his eyes then and prayed I’d won. **** Summer passed along with the intense heat and fall arrived amidst blustery winds and gusty rains. I missed summer, mostly because I missed George. It had been three months since I’d last seen him. A week after our meeting at the library, I’d landed a photography position with a well known studio. My new boss loved my work. I remembered how upset George was when I told him that I’d be leaving the library. I wasn’t happy either. It meant I wouldn’t see him anymore—at least not until his loans were paid. For the first few weeks he called every night, asked me about the job, told me if I ever needed a job I could return to the library. I thanked him and told him each night (good grief, you’d think the guy would have gotten the hint, wouldn’t you?) to call me only when things were settled in his life. I’d been feeling pretty down the last few weeks, though, uncertain about our future. George hadn’t called in six weeks. I figured he’d given up on me and had decided to keep his part-time evening job. I had my pride and refused to call him, though several times I’d picked up the phone. I had to admit I’m pretty proud of 106

Summer Heat 1 myself; proud I hadn’t called him. I was at that point in my life where I needed a serious relationship, not just a casual one mixed in with large doses of hot sex. I wanted a serious relationship and the hot sex. I was working late in the darkroom at the studio on a Friday night, when I heard knocking on the front door. I glanced at my watch, amazed to see it was midnight, and I still had another hour of work to do. I left the darkroom and made my way to the front of the studio. Leaning to the side, I peered around a corner and gasped when I saw George pounding on one of the studio’s front windows. I stepped out in front of the window, and he saw me. He grinned, pressed his nose against the glass. I waved and my face broke into what I know was a brilliant smile. I was a woman past the age of playing flirtatious games and had no qualms showing him how happy I was to see him. Still, I wouldn’t budge on my stance regarding our relationship. I wouldn’t settle for less in what I needed. Then he held up his hand and I saw a piece of legal-sized paper clutched in his fist. Narrowing my eyes, I moved closer. When I stood across from him, the windowpane between us, he pointed at what appeared to be a long bank receipt filled with transactions with a zero at the bottom. I leaned closer and saw the name of a bank, with the words ‘paid in full’ stamped at the bottom. I understood. I nodded. I started crying. He looked panicked, came to the door and tried opening it. “Unlock the damned door, sweetheart,” he shouted. Just then a police car drove up. Two officers jumped out of the car and latched onto George’s arms, one on each side of him. He dropped the paper and he cursed the officers. They did not appreciate his disrespectful attitude. One of them picked up the paper and crumpled it into his pocket. The other officer shouted at George, shoving him and ordering him to get inside the patrol car. George protested, “But I’m not breaking into the place, for crissakes! She’ll tell you.” He jerked his head toward me. They glanced at me but proceeded to handcuff George, his arms behind his back. He cursed loud enough I could clearly hear him. I started chuckling when they proceeded to read him his rights. They tried shoving George into the car but he’d locked his legs against the wheels and wouldn’t budge. He was a big guy so they had their hands full. By now I was laughing so hard I decided I’d better step in and let them know he truly wasn’t breaking in, then, once I’d saved George, 107

Summer Heat 1 make a run for the bathroom. Within seconds I cleared everything up and, just as they went to unlock the cufflinks, I said, “Got a spare pair of those?” The cops stared at me like I was nuts. I looked at George, who started laughing as he collapsed against the side of the patrol car. The officers were glaring between the two of us. Finally George got himself under control, moved to my side and put his arm around me. The policemen drove away, shaking their heads in disgust. George gave me a piercing look. “Handcuffs, hmm?” I shrugged. “They looked…intriguing.” Swatting my ass, not playfully, but hard enough I jumped and shrieked simultaneously, he said, “I’ll see what I can do.”

108

Summer Heat 1

Gardener of Love, J.R. McCoy When a man goes to help a older family friend out with her garden, it's more than seeds that get planted.

109

Summer Heat 1

Gardener of Love by J.R. McCoy It’s a warm morning in early June. Tom Jacobs walked a mile or two through the woods to the house of Anne Hemmingsley, family friend. She called to see if Tom might be able to help her prepare the flowerbeds and gardens for the coming summer. Mrs. Hemmingsley was a widow in her mid-forties. Her husband who had been much older than she, passed away nearly two years ago. Tom helped her from time to time with the lawn and spring-cleaning. They would spend nice fall afternoons raking leaves together, talking about books, movies, history and art. Though she was older than Tom, being in his early twenties, she always treated him intellectually as an adult. She encouraged him to pursue his education and to think beyond the limits of the small rural area where they lived. He arrived at her yard to find her on the porch sipping coffee, wearing jeans and a pink short sleeve cotton shirt that wasn’t tucked in at the waist. Mrs. Hemmingsley rose to bring him a cup of coffee and had it ready for him by the time he had walked up to the porch. Her smile was warm and they chatted first about the nice spring weather and then she outlined what they would be doing that day. Tom would start with the lawn as she weeded some of the flowerbeds. The daffodils were nearly ready to be cut back and the tulip bulbs needed to be dug from the ground and separated so they could be planted again in the fall. Then they could use a rotor-tiller and break up the soil for the garden in the afternoon.

110

Summer Heat 1 By mid morning Tom finished the lawn and she completed the weeding. The day turned very hot. Their shirts and jeans clung to their bodies from the perspiration. They stopped for a short break before starting to dig the tulip bulbs up. “I don’t know about you, but I think it’s way too warm for these jeans now. Did you bring shorts with you?”, she asked. He replied that he hadn’t thought to bring any along, not knowing that the day was to be so hot. She thought for a moment, and then mentioned that she might have a pair of her late husband’s shorts that she may not have given away to the local clothes depository. The pair took off their shoes and went into the coolness of the house. She poured him a glass of lemonade as the younger man sat at the kitchen table and then disappeared down the hallway. Tom finished the glass in three gulps having been very thirsty, and walked over to the counter to refill his glass. He casually looked down the hall. The door to her bedroom was not closed all the way and he could see her opening dresser drawers. Her back faced him. She then walked into a closet and out of view. Tom moved away from the counter with an empty glass in hand and pretended to look about the kitchen a little. He waited until he heard soft steps returning from the closet and then returned to the counter to refill the empty glass for a second time. While focusing on the counter, he stole a sideward glance to see if she knew he was there. Mrs. Hemmingsley had her back to Tom again. He felt strangely odd and embarrassed. He told himself that he should fill the glass and go back to the table. He told himself that he shouldn’t watch her, that it would be wrong to do so. What if she were to catch him watching? Would she be disappointed in him? Would it damage their relationship? Tom started to go back to the table, but as he turned to do so, he saw her starting to unbutton her shirt. She still had her back to him. A floral print sundress lay on the bed in front her and a small pile of other clothes lay there too. Tom was mesmerized and became unable to move. The shirt came off of her shoulders and hit the floor. Mrs. Hemmingsley had her head bent slightly and started to work at the button of her jeans. She then started to pull them down as well, revealing white lacey panties with French-cut leggings covering her rounded bottom. She turned, and Tom stepped to the side to get out of sight should she turn all of the way around. But then her pivot stopped. She was 111

Summer Heat 1 looking to the side of the room, but at what Tom could only guess. He saw her from a semi-profile position now. Her breasts were clad in a matching white bra. Her small hand floated gently over her stomach and tugged a little at the waistband of her panties. It dawned on the Tom that she stood inspecting herself in a mirror, hidden from his view, absorbed with the image of herself, perhaps as she saw it reflected. Now both hands passed over her hips and she turned in a mental sizing fashion. She frowned as if displeased with her figure. While her full figure was larger than what she may have desired, Tom found it wonderful, feminine, attractive, and desirable. She turned her back to him once more to take in the side view of her anatomy and shook her head back and forth in disapproval. One hand then came behind her back, hesitated and then moved higher. It unclasped the bra that she then shrugged from her shoulders and flung onto the bed. Again she pivoted to inspect herself. Her medium sized breasts hung free of restraint with their large brown aureoles and nipples pointing downward. She cupped one breast and held it so that the nipple pointed upward, like it may have when she was a teen. Then she let it return to its natural position. It flattened against her chest. She shook her head. The nipple pointed hard and stiff, the brown aureole bumpy. One hand passed across the crotch of her panties. Then Mrs. Hemmingsley turned to the bed again and lifted the sundress over her head. Tom’s cock hardened with excitement. He breathed deep and heavy. He shuffled to the table and noiselessly sat down at the table. “Sorry, I took so long, I was searching for something cooler for you to wear. I think I might have something here.” Her hand extended with a pair of gym shorts and a pair of walking shorts that looked a little too large and dressy to work in the garden. Tom could still see her nipples under the soft fabric of the sundress as she turned to refill his empty glass. “You can try those things on in the bathroom while I get you more to drink.” He thanked her and went down the hall. Tom had difficulty pealing off the pants. The sweat made them stick to his legs. His cock was still stiff and as he put on the gym shorts and the bulge stayed very visible. He tried to relax it by not thinking of the scene he witnessed previously. But it was slow in returning to its flaccid state. “Are you having any difficulty in there? Do they fit?”

112

Summer Heat 1 “Yeah, I think these gym shorts will. The others are a little big.” Tom gathered his pants and came from the bathroom bare-chested. “I made sandwiches. We’ll need some sunscreen too, so we won’t burn. I always hate that first tan because it’s hard to avoid not burning.” They ate out on the porch and Tom put his boots back on so that he could better dig with the shovel. As they got to the tulip beds she produced the sunscreen, which Tom applied to his face and arms. She then grabbed it from him and told him to turn around. Mrs. Hemmingsley’s small hands smoothed the cool lotion over his shoulders and the muscles in his lower back. Tom tried not to think of how wonderful and sensual it felt. She asked him to turn around and then started to apply it to his chest as well. His nipples hardened. Shocked and embarrassed at the involuntary reaction, he hoped that she hadn’t noticed, after all it was a small thing. But as she moved, her hand lower to his stomach. He was certain that she couldn’t miss the fact that he now had a huge bulge in his shorts. A small smile crossed her lips and then she turned her head. “Now get mine.” Had he heard a laugh in her voice? Tom took his time as he applied the lotion. When she turned around they looked into each other’s eyes. They exchanged a smile and then, as she turned Tom noticed her nipples were also now stiffened. They busied themselves with the digging of the tulip bulbs. Tom tried to concentrate on the work and not on Mrs. Hemmingsley. Not on her beautiful hair or lovely face. Not on her matronly figure, and certainly not on her swaying breasts. He tried but he failed. Tom dug down deeply with the shovel, while she worked from her hands and knees to recover the bulbs that were eight inches deep in the soil. She would bring them up and separated the small clusters, placing them in a mesh onion sack that would allow them to dry during the summer months. In the fall they would once again dig several long trenches and replant the bulbs. It was necessary to do this to allow the bulbs to grow. If not separated the flowers would sometimes refuse to bloom once they had made their way to the surface the next spring. While it was a great deal of work, it usually ensured that the blossoms would return. Another benefit was the fact that they would have more bulbs once they had been separated. As she worked in front of him, Tom could easily spy down the top of her dress. The wonderful cleavage swayed before him as he 113

Summer Heat 1 worked. He could see beads of perspiration in that beautiful valley. He had really not been with many women. And those few times, had been in the dark. He’d seen lots of photos and several movies, but this was very, very different. This was real, not a model, and not lighted or posed, but earthy and natural. “Is it hard?”, Tom heard her say. He flushed with embarrassment. He felt his face turn red. He started to stammer. Tom glanced down to see if his erection looked that noticeable, when he caught himself in time. “No, the ground is pretty loose. There’s been a lot of rain this spring.” He continued to dig, but he knew that she laughed to herself, and when she had a moment, he felt sure she would look to see if he was indeed hard. Tom thought he would die. When her face lifted in his direction, he meant try to focus in on the shoveling. He didn’t want to make eye contact with her, and was afraid that she would catch him looking at her breasts or the outline of her ass as she knelt on the ground on all fours. She must have sensed his nervousness, and started to ask about movies or books that he had read. The conversation eased him from embarrassment. They didn’t paid much attention to the dark clouds that had been moving toward them. Perhaps it’s because they had been so absorbed in the work. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered. When the first few drops of rain fell, they had ten more feet of tulips to dig. She asked if they should stop. They were so close to being finished, Tom suggested that they should go ahead and finish up the job. With only had five more feet of digging to go, the rain changed from a light drizzle to a downpour. She shouted that they should get to the house before they drowned. Tom went to help her up and they both slipped and fell into the mud. Laughing, looking like pigs covered in mud, they helped one another up. The college student grabbed the shovel and the sacks of tulip bulbs and they ran for the porch side by side. She stood on the porch laughing and trying to wring the water and the mud from her dress. Tom watched as she gathered the lower portion of the dress in her hands, pulled them forward and twisted the material. Light brown water dripped onto the porch as he watched the material ride higher up her thighs. The material was now wet and clung to her shapely body. She looked up to see him staring and smiled.

114

Summer Heat 1 She walked to toward him, “Let’s get these shoes off and get inside before we catch a cold.” The air had become noticeably cooler and they walked quickly through the kitchen. She started down the hall toward the bathroom and he waited near the sink, looking out at the rain. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Tom turned and she stepped very close. She looked directly into his eyes, with those deep, soft brown eyes. “It’s okay,” and she leaned up and kissed him. Tom leaned his head down and returned the kiss, long and hard. A minute or two passed as they stood there kissing. Then she grasped his hand firmly and led him down the hallway. They went into the spacious bathroom and she turned once more to kiss him. This time she held him tight. One hand squeezed at his small firm ass. He returned a squeeze to her fleshy backside with his large hands. Her other hand rubbed through the light hairs on his muscular chest. They held each held other tight. She broke away and tugged his shorts down. Tom’s shaft stood out thick and swollen, the tip of it bobbed in the air. She laughed, “Well it was hard after all wasn’t it?” “Yes.”, he muttered with embarrassment. “It’s a very nice one, you’ll make someone happy with this one.” She pulled the wet shorts and the underwear down far enough until there wasn’t anything left for the wet clothes to cling to; they fell to floor and he stepped out of them. Tom felt subconscious to be standing there naked as she inspected his body. “Help me off with my things.” She turned and faced the mirror, as he reached down and pulled the muddy sundress up and over her head. Her white panties had taken on the same hue of a light brown tea. The muddy water had soaked through the fabric and discolored them. Tom looked at her breasts in the mirror, amazed at how desirable he found this woman, though she was more than twice his age. While her hands and face showed the normal signs of slight aging with small wrinkles, the rest of her body was smooth and youthful looking. Tom slipped his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and tugged them down. He felt the white soft globes of her ass with hands that were still muddy. Finger streaks of mud were scrolled across her buttocks in small circles. She reached behind her back and grabbed his cock. Without looking back, she walked toward the shower with 115

Summer Heat 1 him in tow. She started the soft warm spray, grabbed soap and lathered up his upper body. She then dropped to her knees and with one hand she cupped his balls. With her other hand she guided the tip of his cock into her open mouth. She sucked gently on the head and then tongued it with quick darting motions. The spray from the shower soaked her hair. She rose after soaping his ass, legs, and feet. Tom grabbed the soap from her and reached around her to lather her back. She leaned into him. Her head rested against his chest. Her eyes were closed. Were there tears rolling down the cheeks of her face or was it just water from the shower? He held her close and kissed her forehead. She pursed her lips to his chest and they stood there in the fogging mist for a short while. She leaned back a little and he continued to soap her neck, upper chest, breasts and stomach. He dropped to his knees and reached around her to soap up her buttock and legs. Tom tried to peer through the triangle of long sparse hair between her thighs. He had not really even seen a woman’s pussy this close up before. From his vantage point Tom saw only the darkened area that hid the top of her slit. He passed the soap over the top of the hairy patch with soft, delicate strokes. She poured shampoo on his head and started to massage his scalp. Tom stood and rubbed the shampoo into hers as well. All this was new to him, but he was mimicking her moves in hopes that she wouldn’t sense his inexperience. Somewhere along the way he had read that your partner generally wished for you to reciprocate what they did to you. It’s the unspoken hint. ‘This is what I need!’ they suggest with their actions. Tom wondered why couples couldn’t be more open. Why must they silently send signals and communicate like mutes or mimes? Would it break some unwritten law to tell a partner aloud, ‘What I really need is for you to suck on my cock?’ or ‘It’d really get me off if you spanked my ass some?’ Instead, people are left to perform a sexual pantomime and leave the experience less fulfilled; always hoping that the next session would prove more sensual and erotic. They lathered, rinsed and then in a thick mist, walked from the shower. Tom took a towel and dried her hair, shoulders and back. He dropped to his knees and began to dry her arms and breasts. He lifted them gently to dry beneath that area from where they softly sagged. He looked into her eyes and smiled as he did so, reassuring her that he loved them and their wonderful shape. And Tom thought that her 116

Summer Heat 1 breasts were truly wonderful. He bent his head slightly and licked at them like a cat lapping from a bowl of milk. She dried his hair and gave a short laugh. He dried her ass and legs, then lifted each foot slightly and toweled them as well. And then he peered once more into that patch of heaven, but before he could move his face closer she pulled at his arms, encouraging him to stand. Before she led him to the bedroom, she dried him off, and sucked gently at his stiffened member for a moment, but only for a moment. Her years of experience probably told her that he might cum way too soon and without much more coaxing. The master bedroom was painted in white, offering lots of light though the rains continued outside the closed windows. Two vases of lilac blossoms graced the room and their fragrance filled the air. Tom grabbed a hairbrush from her vanity. She raised an eyebrow as if to say, ‘And what do you think you’re going to do with that?’ Tom sat on the edge of the four-posted bed, and motioned her toward him. She smiled in questioning manner but sauntered in his direction. Tom scooted back a little and parted his legs. She sat down between his thighs and he brushed out her tangled strands of long brown hair. “What did you think I was going to do?” “I wasn’t sure.” “Disappointed?” Tom asked with a laugh. “No. Here, let me have a turn.” He handed the brush over to her and she stood before him brushing his hair, her large breasts swaying inches from his lips. “You’ve never really been with many women? Or at least experienced ones have you?” Tom shook his head, embarrassed. He had thought to lie, but she was someone that Tom respected too much to lie to. She also knew him well enough to know when he wasn’t being honest. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, but perhaps the rain brought us to this point for good reason, perhaps it was just meant for us to share this one afternoon together. Now listen though, you must understand that it will probably never happen again and that it must never be discussed.” Tom nodded his head in assent. “Okay, I will teach you more than you’ll ever learn in any book or magazine, from any tape or movie. But you must do exactly as I say, and follow every instruction. Do you agree to do that?” Again he nodded. Tom clinched his ass cheeks and the purple head of his stiff cock bobbed in agreement as 117

Summer Heat 1 well. “Oh very cute.” she said sarcastically, tossing the hairbrush on the foot of the bed. She turned and walked across the room to a closet. She returned momentarily with a necktie and asked that Tom hold out his right hand with the palm facing upward. He obediently held it out though he was perplexed as to what her intentions were. She placed the end across his palm and wrapped the tie around his hand once and then asked him to hold it tightly. “Now lay face down across the bed,” she commanded. Tom moved until he was lying on the bed in a diagonal fashion, his face lying sideways on a soft oversized pillow. The pillow smelled of scented shampoo and had a hint of perfume. He breathed into it and relished the smell. She has now walked around to the head of the bed and laced the blue silk tie around a bedpost connected to the headboard. He firmed his grip on the tie so as not to let it slip from his grasp. “Now your other hand. Hold it out!” She spoke quickly and authoritatively, as if in a rush. Her breasts swayed back and forth as she leaned over to place the free end of the tie in his left hand. She wrapped the tie around the hand once and instructed him to also hold on to that end without letting it go. Mrs. Hemmingsly seemed agitated as she took a few steps away and then reached for the brush. Smacking the back of the brush slowly into the palm of her hand she came closer, and then sat on the edge of the bed near his prone, naked body. Holding the hairbrush in her left hand, she reached across his back with her right and rubbed in soft circles. She leaned her head down and whispered softly into his ear. “Hold on to the tie very, very tight. Do you understand?” Tom nodded fearfully. She hesitated and then said, “If the pain becomes too great and you need me to stop, you must say the word…” and she paused for a moment in reflection as she looked about the room. “You must say the word ‘lilac’. If you ask me to stop, I won’t. You can beg all you want, and plead all you want. But not until I hear you say ‘lilac’ will I stop, is that understood?” Tom nodded. Suddenly his ass stung a bit as she swatted it a half dozen times with the back of the hairbrush. Just as quickly, she stopped and gently caressed his slightly reddened cheeks with her soft hand. 118

Summer Heat 1 She leaned toward his head. “Do you know why I’m doing this?” Tom shook his head lifting it from the pillow to catch his breath. “Would you like to guess?” she said as she took a short break to rub his ass again. Tom’s butt stung more than it hurt. Because you’re a sadistic bitch. Or, you’re into some real kinky shit. He wanted to say to her, but he thought that neither of those two things seemed like they would be smart to say given the circumstances. “I can’t, I don’t know.” “Think back to earlier in the day. Did you do something that you weren’t supposed to?” Tom wanted to plead ignorance, but he was afraid of the consequences. He knew that he couldn’t and wouldn’t dare lie under these conditions. She knew it too. “Do you know why I spanked you?” “Because I watched you?” He spoke slowly into the pillow. “Don’t do those things! You’ll respect another person’s privacy from now on won’t you? Especially mine!” “Yes.” Tom muttered humbly. “Then a few more swats should be punishment enough.” And with those words spoken, four more quick spankings were applied, before Tom yelled ‘Lilac’. She stopped at once. Tom moaned that he was truly sorry and that he really hadn’t meant to watch her change. She walked to the dresser and returned with some lotion that she smoothed onto his backside. The lotion felt cold and Tom flinched. “I know that you were just curious, and it was really no big deal in light of the situation now, but I still feel that it’s important that you not make a habit of doing such things to others. I was a little shocked when I noticed your shadow cast on the floor, and I wasn’t going to bother even mentioning it, after all, I should have had the door closed. But still…” Her voice trailed off and then she gave a soft laugh. “Anyway, it was fun paddling you.” She worked the lotion on his legs and then on his back and arms. “You can let go of the tie now. Lay over.” The surface of the quilt-covered bed prickled his skin when he lay on it. Tom’s penis was now very soft and small. Even soft pain ranked right up there with cold water when it comes to deflating an erection. Is it possible to get a hard on while sitting in a dentist chair? “Now do me.” She lay on her stomach as he applied lotion to her back, neck, and arms. Tom straddled her legs so that he wouldn’t 119

Summer Heat 1 have to lean awkwardly over her body. He ran his hands bit by bit up her back and rubbed her neck. As he reached forward, his cock nestled between the roundness of her ass cheeks. That felt really good. He repeated the motion. His erection began to return. Looking down, he watched his member as it moved up the valley of her ass when he bent forward. It looked like a thick knife trying to slice through a soft loaf of bread. Tom’s hips started to buck slightly to increase the pleasure of the friction. His scrotum tightened. A tiny bead of precum appeared at the tip of his manhood. “Stop!” “Did you say ‘stop’?” Tom panted while kneeling motionless. “You’ll have to save that experience for another day, I want you to save your strength.” By ‘strength’ he was sure that she implied ‘cum’, but what ‘experience’ did she mean? He knew she must have seen the puzzled look on his face as she turned about and motioned him off of her. “The French refer to it as ‘frottage’, the word means to rub, and in sexual terms it means to rub until one experiences orgasm, or at least that would be a happy culmination to the act.” “Like j-jacking someone off?” She smiled at how timidly he had asked the question, and then shook her head. Her eyes radiated wonderment at how little she now judged Tom to know. “Oh, then like when two women…you know… when they rubbed together in bed?” “When they rub their pussies together? What some call humping?” Tom now blushed with embarrassment, having not to been able to say the word in front of her. Now, it seemed she relished in his inexperience and bashfulness. Perhaps she’d sought to shock him a little, though the day had already been a fantastic surprise. “No, that by the way is referred to as tribadism, or tribbing. It’s a wonderfully erotic thing isn’t it? Can’t you imagine two swollen, slick cunts pressing and sliding across each other, two lovers trying to rub themselves together, as if they might be able to fuck the other, to penetrate the other with their clits.” Tom gave an uncertain smile, which of course, he felt sure, told her he had no fucking clue as to what she was saying. “Okay, first things first.” she said after a moment. She was sitting up, her forearms resting on her knees, which were raised in the air. Her legs were spread slightly and Tom tried to inconspicuously steal 120

Summer Heat 1 glances of her wonderful, secret place. “Frottage is like what you were doing, rubbing your cock between the cheeks of my ass. If I wouldn’t have stopped you, you could have easily cum don’t you think? You would have shot your cum all over my back I bet. And that may have been good, for you anyway, and I encourage you to try it, but not today dear. I have too much to teach you yet, don’t I? And another thing, it’s not as good for your partner. A considerate partner will let you experience some things that help you reach orgasm, but you must be willing to reciprocate, to give her pleasures too.” Tom nodded shyly in understanding, intent on what she spoke about. “Another example of frottage is if you were to fuck my breasts. I would push them together like this, and with your cock in there, rubbing up and down; you would shoot cum toward my mouth. My husband and I did that occasionally. It was fun to know that it excited him so much and to see his red and purple cockhead sliding up and down. I could actually lick it on the up-strokes, and sometimes he would aim it so he came in my mouth.” She looked as if she reflected on this memory for a moment, and then looked at him directly in the eyes. “You’ve never really seen a pussy up close have you? You’ve been trying to get a good look at mine all day. Do you know what a clit looks like? Or where it even is?” Tom hung his head a little and shook it back and forth. She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. “You sweet, little innocent.” Her hand which had been on his shoulder, disappeared for a second between her legs and then were placed before his face. “Your first lesson is a taste, have you ever tasted it before?” He shook his head and opened his mouth obediently as she stuck the wet finger inside it. Tom sucked and then licked softly. She then repeated this once more. “It’s odd I’m sure, the first time, like cum was for me. But then you start to associate the taste with great sex.” She dipped her finger between her swollen mons, once more to extract some honey, but this time she took it to her own lips and licked. “Another thing, never ask someone to put anything in their mouth that you wouldn’t put in your own,” and she smiled a wicked, conspiratorial smile. She then scooted back into the bed so that her shoulders rested on the headboard, her upper back supported by two large pillows. She lifted her hips up slightly and sat on another pillow, which lifted her 121

Summer Heat 1 ass off the mattress a bit. She spread her legs, covered her pussy with her hands as if demurely hiding a special treasure, and smiled. Tom moved to place his face between her thighs, but she pushed his shoulder back with her foot. “Where are your manners, young man? When you go out to dinner, you’re not supposed to start with the main course. You start with the appetizers, the soup, the salad, and then maybe the main course. Begin at the top work your way down to the mid-point and then skip to the bottom and work your way up.” Tom started kissing her mouth while stroking her hair and neck. His kisses drifted slowly down her body. He spent a long time adoring her wonderful breasts. He licked, kissed and sucked lightly at her nipples, while gently caressing. She then sent him to her feet. By this time he thought that she was getting so hot that she wouldn’t last much longer either. At her feet he kissed and rubbed. Gradually he made his way up to her calves, knees and then her thighs. Tom gave small kisses to one leg and then switched to the other. All the while, her hands had been concealing the patch of soft swirling curls. Tom’s mouth now neared her hands and the object of his desire. At last, he kissed her hands to let her know he was ready. Her eyes had been closed and her head tilted toward the ceiling. She’d moaned words of encouragement, whispering small instructions. Now, through eyes that appeared glazed and almost shut she looked at him. “Okay, that was very good. Let me show you what a pussy looks like normally.” Her hands shifted and seemed to bring the sides of her pussy together. She lifted her index and fore finger back in a spreading motion, keeping the outer lips of her pussy together with her ring and pinkie fingers. “See how it’s normally together, hard to see for the hair. But when a woman gets excited…,” and she slid her hands back from her slit. Tom’s eyes must have told her the whole story and he bent his head forward a little. “Now don’t be in a hurry to do anything just yet. First, I want you to have a really good look and then take some deep breaths. Smell what a woman who is ready for sex, smells like.” Tom closed his eyes, bent his head forward and inhaled through his nose. His mind hummed, and he inhaled the odor as if it were mystical incense. Every time after that when he would smell a woman, he would remember the first time he took in that remarkable aroma. Tom finally opened his eyes and she asked him to describe to her what he saw. “It’s beautiful. It’s …,” but she stopped him. 122

Summer Heat 1 “When a man is aroused, his erection caused by increased blood flow to his groin, is external. With women, the swelling is internal. The outer lips swell and part, exposing the inner lips. Think of them as a blooming flower bud, not unlike a tulip. Think of the folds as petals of a flower, a delicate flower. Now here is my vagina, that’s where that nice big cock of yours will go,” she pointed with her finger. “And here is my clit, it’s what brings on the orgasms. Having a nice cock shoved in there feels great, but it’s the friction on this that makes a woman cum. Now I can’t stand this much longer, I need you to tongue me, Tom. Start at the bottom on the outer lips and go in a clockwise motion, then move into the inner lips.” The pink folds were glistening, a clear white trail of fluid ran down and pooled in a large dew drop shape at the bottom of her slit. Tom lapped at it. It stuck briefly to his tongue and then slipped back. He licked again but not hard enough to get the entire amount, a long clear string of the sticky sweetness ran from his tongue back to her pussy. This was fun, he thought! “Oh please, please …..com’mon… lick me.” This time Tom sucked the juices in with his lips. It coated his tongue with that wonderful syrup. He licked madly, his tongue darting quickly around the outer and then the inner folds. “Oh yes, Tom. Suck on the petals some. Lick my pussy – soft, soft. Yes, oh yessssss. Now harder, a little harder. Mmmm…yes!.” Her hips were now wreathing and bucking. She grabbed his head and pulled it in some more. “Now flick that clit, yes… tongue my hole.” Tom worked with a fury, his mouth thick with her sex. He drove his tongue deep into her and then sucked delicately on the clit that now stiffened. The small nub looked no larger than the head of an eraser. It was hard for him to believe that such a small thing could be so powerful. He tongued and sucked. Her moaning became louder, her words of encouragement more excited, her language rawer. “Tongue fuck me. Yes, yes… oh yes. Suck on my pussy. Ohhhh…, I want to cum on your tongue.” Her body tensed, quivered, and tensed slightly more before going limp. Her hands stroked his hair. Minutes passed and he continued to nuzzle his face between her legs. “You certainly learn fast,” she whispered in a low, raspy voice. “Now I need your prick.” He started to kneel between her wide spread legs but she was already stirring. “Lay down on the very side of the bed.” 123

Summer Heat 1 Tom stretched out, his prick leaned up and to the left. His nuts hurt from the prolonged sexual frustration. She hastily stepped onto the floor, threw one leg over his waist while she kept one foot on the ground. Her hand grabbed his swollen cock and aimed it up her cunt. She eased herself down on it as it slid effortlessly into her hot, wet pussy. His hands grasped large handfuls of bed sheets. She came all the way down to rest on his pelvis. Tom could see their pubic hair mesh. She smiled into his eyes, and then with the leg that was still on the floor she lifted herself up several inches and rocked back down on the cock that was spearing her. Mrs. Hemmingsley repeated this action again slowly and then she leaned forward a little to support herself with one arm. She started bouncing up and down, riding his cock in earnest. Her breasts jiggled and swayed. Any selfconsciousness she had about them from mid-morning was gone with the passion of the mid-afternoon. She grunted and cooed as her swollen lips seemed to squeeze tighter on his manhood. Her free hand found it’s way down to that dark patch of hair and she rubbed the area with forked fingers. Her whole body once again stiffened and her hips bucked and gyrated swiftly. She cried out. “Oh fuck , yes!” Sweat was starting to form on her forehead and Tom felt a thin layer of perspiration on her chest as well as she lay down beside him. “Now… really give it to me.” And with those words he parted her legs further. He began stoking his stiff meat in and out of her wet, slippery pussy. “Oh yeah… yes dear, yes. Wait shift up now, shift up until you can put your elbows over my shoulders.” Tom didn’t think it was possible for his cock to be inside her and his elbows to be the far up in the bed. There was no way to make long stokes, but as his hips worked back and forth he felt more pressure on her pelvis. “Now…,” she whispered through half closed eyes, “pretend you don’t have a cock. That you have a pussy too and we’re rubbing pussies together. Tribbing. No cocks, just clits.” The focus had definitely shifted in his mind. He could feel her tighten around his shaft. She started to squeeze his nipples with her fingernails. She strained her neck to suck on one and then she bit it lightly. She reached down to cup one of her breasts and she forced their nipples together. She rubbed them back and forth.

124

Summer Heat 1 “I’m going to fuck you with my nipple.” Then her body tensed beneath him. He could no longer hold back and started shooting cum, filling her pussy, stroking more gently until he couldn’t continue. They collapsed together, kissing, embracing lying on their sides and spooning. Tom’s soft, wet prick nestled between the large white globes of her ass. They drifted off into a deep slumber that came from the exhaustion of passion. Tom awoke two hours later and nudged her softly. He kissed her and they lay there petting each other for a long while. She suggested a bath and went into the next room. He heard the water being drawn. In a minute, she called to him to join her. The lights were not on in the room, but she had lit several candles providing a wet, warm glow to the chilly air. She was wearing a cream colored silk robe that she left untied. Mrs. Hemmingsley motioned for him to sit next to the tub as he watched her open and pour into the swirling water some bath salts. She leaned down and kissed his forehead, and then, she took one leg and put it up on the edge of the tub. “This part may be a little different for you. But I really want you to give it a try. I don’t know if others like it, but… I find it erotic. And to please your partner you have to sometimes do things, things that you might never have thought the other person would have found to be erotic. Will you give it a try? For me?” Tom nodded knowing that he wasn’t just going to be learning about feminine anatomy or what a woman smelled like. He was going to taste not only her cum, but his own as well. There wasn’t a great deal of time to really ponder to think about it, he smiled into her eyes, scooted forward a little, his face felt warm and sticky. Mrs. Hemmingsley purred and patted his head as he worked to “clean up” after their lovemaking. There was really no perceptible difference in taste, but the gratitude that she expressed to him before and after was marvelous. She told Tom how remarkable it had been for her. How she had longed to have sex again. How much better a lover he would become now that he had learned some important things about what a woman might expect. He licked until he felt no more stickiness. She bent down and kissed him, and then helped him into the steaming tub where they bathed and held each other tenderly for a long, long while. The End

125