Torrid Teasers Volume 35 [Anthology]

Torrid Teasers Volume 35 by Susan M. Sailors, Camryn Cutler Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com Copyright ©...

Author: Cutler Camryn | Sailors Susan M

14 downloads 557 Views 313KB Size Report

This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. If you own the copyright to this book and it is wrongfully on our website, we offer a simple DMCA procedure to remove your content from our site. Start by pressing the button below!
Report copyright / DMCA form

DOWNLOAD PDF

Torrid Teasers Volume 35 by Susan M. Sailors, Camryn Cutler

Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Copyright ©2007 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

NOTICE: This eBook is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution to any person via email, floppy disk, network, print out, or any other means is a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines and/or imprisonment. This notice overrides the Adobe Reader permissions which are erroneous. This eBook cannot be legally lent or given to others. This eBook is displayed using 100% recycled electrons.

Distributed by Fictionwise.com

2


TORRID TEASERS VOLUME 35: BLACK ANGEL & TREASURE by Camryn Cutler & Susan M. Sailors WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.com

3


Published by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 www.whiskeycreekpress.com Copyright © 2007 by Camryn Cutler & Susan M. Sailors Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. 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 4


photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-59374-956-9 Credits Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Editor: Chere Gruver Printed in the United States of America

5


WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT LORD OF THE FOREST "Lord of the Forest is a tale of second chances and a shot at a blissful eternity. Ms. Sailors' sex scenes are hot, hot, hot; they make me want a werewolf of my own. The tortured relationship plot line is aptly explored and I loved the humorous quips in this tale. Enjoyable and possessing great heart, Lord of the Forest is a perfect bite of story." Reviewed by Michelle at FAR WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF FUN "Welcome to the House of Fun is a very unique paranormal romance, which takes place in an interesting world. Ms. Sailors' take on hell is very imaginative, and the relationship between Lisa and Dante is hot and loving. Welcome to the House of Fun is a great way to spend your reading time." Reviewed by Marlene Breakfield for Mystique Books WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LABYRINTH "Susan M. Sailors' The Labyrinth is a fantastic love story. An inventive plot and lively characters combine for a fun loving story. Charity and Damon's sexual energy is overwhelming. Their erotic escapades will leave the reader wanting more. I wish I could pull men from my books. I want to read more of Ms. Sailors' books." Reviewed by Ophelia at Erotic Escapades WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT MOONLIT MAGIC & TO AUTUMN 6


"Moonlit Magic and To Autumn are very sweet love stories. Aaron and Alexander are booth caring men deeply in love with their women and willing to allow the women to set the paths of their relationships. Gloria and Erica are kind and loving. Susan M. Sailors infuses both stories with romance and great passion. These are wonderful stories I recommend to everyone." Reviewed by Tara Renee at TwoLips Reviews WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT NIGHT GARDENING "Susan Sailors writes a refreshing romantic fantasy that leaves you wanting to know what happens next. Each character was wonderfully written with precision and flare. [Night Gardening] is going to be one for my keeper shelf and I can't wait for the next installment in the series." Reviewed by Zollyanna at Night Owl Romance "Night Gardening by Susan M. Sailors is a wonderfully sweet love story. Jennifer is accepting of the new knowledge she is given. Asyan must deal with reemerging into living after years of mourning for his wife. I was touched by the emotions he feels for Jennifer and the fact that he is willing to put her needs before his own desires. Another wonderful aspect of the story is the secondary character cast. Jennifer's friends and Asyan's family round out the story to perfection adding humor to the love. Night Gardening is a well written love story that will touch every reader." Review by Tara Renee at TwoLips Reviews

7


Dedication From author Camryn Cutler: This story is dedicated to my buddy Dan. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend. From author Susan M. Sailors: To the tour guide who inspired this story

8


BLACK ANGEL by Camryn Cutler The ship rocked and the lamps swung upon their chains. The silence in the dim wardroom was nearly deafening. "I will send word to Barbados and you will write letters proving your identity," Alejandro said at last. "If I refuse?" "If you refuse, I will take your lovely daughter and tie her to the mast where she will be available to any sailor who passes." Noting the governor's horrified look, he continued, "She will not last very long. Should you continue to refuse, I will take your other, younger daughter." "You are a vile bastard," the governor sputtered. "Give me your answer." "I will write the letters." His voice was low, defeated. **** Alejandro had the governor escorted back to his family and opened the door to his bedroom where Isobel awaited him. She was seated upon his bed and he knew she'd overheard his conversation. "Would you really do that?" she asked bluntly. Alejandro removed his coat and laid it carefully over the chair, then sat. 9


"Probably not, but if he thinks it so, then half of my work is already done." She regarded him carefully. "Probably?" "All right, querida, I would not take his daughters." He smiled. "You frightened him; I could hear it in his voice. Are you that cruel?" Alejandro straightened in his chair, incensed at her questioning. "Isobel, it is not your place to question me." He could see the flinty look in her eyes and wondered how long it would be before she would finally stop defying him. She stood near the door, motionless, waiting. He sighed. "I took the pinnace because it was English, small and unguarded. I have a particular dislike for the English, as you well know. The ship was rich, the ransom for the new governor of Barbados and his family will be richer." "He is right. You are a vile bastard," Isobel said. "And you are a slave who acts above her station," Alejandro said angrily. "Now go to the galley and see to our supper." He sat and looked at her until she finally dropped her gaze and turned, closing the door hard behind her. She stalked down the long corridor to the galley and slammed the door open, startling a cook. "The captain wants his supper," she said through gritted teeth. 10


Once more he'd reminded her of her status here aboard his ship. She was a slave to a Spanish pirate, taken in a raid. Once, she had been a stock trader in Manhattan, now she was his bed wench and personal slave. A time traveler, she'd awakened from her vacation in Jamaica, not in the sumptuous hotel in which she'd fallen asleep, but in the middle of a gun battle between his ship and the city's defenses. Before she'd known exactly what was happening, she'd been taken. Isobel had been tossed in with a dozen other captives and seated upon the deck of his ship waiting for him to decide what was to be done with them. Some were sent to be sold as slaves, others were simply tossed overboard. When his eyes stopped upon her, a slow smile spread across his features, softening his handsome face. "Send that one to my quarters." That night nearly three weeks ago had been the beginning of an intensely physical relationship between them, and to be entirely honest, he hadn't had to force her very much. He was an incredible lover. The danger and mystery of him thrilled her like nothing she'd ever experienced. "If you please me, perhaps I shall free you," he'd said that night. The thought alternately filled her with elation and dread. Freedom was what she should dream of, and she did, but at the same time, what did freedom mean for her here? Perhaps if she pleased him, he would keep her, was her silent prayer. Isobel did not know exactly what, if anything, he felt for her. She had tried her best to please him that much was 11


certain, but whenever she thought he might have feelings for her he would dash those hopes to dust. Alejandro Garcia Ramirez was the son of a Spanish nobleman who'd been killed in a raid by the English. He now exacted his revenge by plundering any English ships unlucky enough to encounter his Black Angel presumably with the blessings of the Spanish crown. **** "Have it sent to his wardroom," she said and left the galley. Isobel Carter was his slave, but she was not confined belowdecks any longer. She was free to move about the ship, but only if she told him where she would be. Tonight she decided to defy him. She was still angry and knew they would fight if she returned. She could not adjust to this world where she must be submissive at all times, and he could not understand her willfulness and independence. She had tried to make him understand who she was, what she was. She had tried to explain, but had not gotten very far before he was kissing her and making love to her and all thoughts of explanation were gone. **** Abovedeck Isobel watched the crew making repairs to the ship. The skirmish with the governor's pinnace had been short but damaging. The workmen labored to patch holes left in the bulkhead. One man would hold the boards, hammering them into place, and another would slop hot tar over them to seal 12


the raw wood. It was hot, dirty, smelly work, and she was glad it wasn't her job. She sat upon a crate and watched the sea and the birds until the sun was long set and the lanterns were lit. Let him spend the night alone. Her feelings for Alejandro ran hot and cold and she rarely understood why. By rights, she should hate him and constantly search for ways to kill him and free herself, or perhaps she ought to kill herself. She shook her head at that thought. She'd been raised as a good Catholic, but in her heart she had always questioned her faith. She couldn't see the sense in taking her own life, especially over something like sex. She supposed part of her enjoyed this bondage, in some inexplicable way. Certainly her life was much different now. As though she'd conjured him, she turned her head toward the hatchway and watched him emerge. Tall, with dark hair and eyes, he moved with the grace of a man who'd spent his entire life upon the sea. He crossed the deck, observing the sailors and settling his gaze upon her. "Go belowdecks." "No." "Isobel..." A warning tone entered his voice. "You can't just tell me..." With barely any movement, he took her by the arm and pulled her to her feet. "Get belowdecks before I raise your skirt and beat you here before everyone," he growled. "Jerk," she muttered but moved as he'd told her.

13


Alejandro was close upon her heels as she descended the stairs to the walkway below, still she managed to slam the door of his wardroom on him and turned smirking at the door. Her smug look vanished as the door opened and crashed against the wall behind it. He advanced upon her and she turned fleeing to his bedroom where she slammed that door and threw the bolt. She stepped back and let out a long sigh of relief. "I'll just let him cool off for a while, then I'll..." The door crashed open, splintering the frame. Isobel shrieked and backed up, falling onto the bed, then scrambling back as far as she could. "Alejandro..." she said.

14


"Do not speak," he said, and she could see he was furious with her. "I was about to apologize to you," he continued. "And then you decided to act like a spoiled brat." "How was I supposed to know..." she began and he held up a hand silencing her. "You childishly slam a door in my face, and then bar me from my own rooms?" His voice was soft, incredulous. "I'm sorry," Isobel said. He lunged and grabbed her by both wrists, pulling her face down upon his bed. "I think perhaps a bit of discipline is called for." She looked up and saw his pupils nearly filled his irises, making them appear black. His accent normally soft, became more pronounced, a sure sign of his arousal. Alejandro reached to his bedside table and picked up a silk cord. It dawned on her that he really meant to punish her and it was then that she began to struggle in earnest. "Let go of me!" she yelled and he slipped the knotted cord over her wrists, pulling tightly, holding her hands down. "I'll scream, Alejandro!" "So scream," he said. He flipped her neatly onto his lap and drew her skirts up, caressing her creamy white backside. "Dear God how I love your ass," he said softly. Thinking he might be relenting, she relaxed a bit, then howled as the first stroke of his bare hand came down upon her skin. "Alejandro, you bastard ... Don't you dare!" He spanked her again and again, ignoring her cries of outrage. She could 15


clearly feel his enormous erection between them, rubbing against her belly as she writhed helplessly upon his lap. "This is turning you—Ow!—on! You sadistic prick!" Above and out of her view, Alejandro smiled lustfully. Between each stroke and the next, he would caress her heated skin, soothing it slightly before the next blow. Finally he felt her wiggle against his lap and then rest, resigned to his next slap. He could barely wait to fuck her. Isobel's ass felt as though it was on fire. She knew it must be glowing red and visibly throbbing, but inside she could feel the familiar tickle of desire springing to life. She was angry as hell with him for beating her and for the way he treated her, but incredibly she was powerfully aroused. During the long pauses when he would stroke her sore ass, she felt the flames of desire flickering and pulsing at her core and she knew she wanted him deeply within her. His hand stroked and caressed her again and she steeled herself for the next blow, but instead she felt his fingers slide lower finding her wet and aroused. "What do you call someone who experiences pleasure from pain, Isabet, my pet?" he whispered and she shuddered. His fingers never ceased their gentle explorations. "Uh..." She groaned "A ... masochist." "Hmmm," he said. He turned her onto her side a little and gazed down at his little captive writhing upon his lap. "I am sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier," he said. "I should have explained myself better to you, although you know it is not my nature to do so." 16


She nodded slowly, and while she appreciated his efforts of apology, it was somewhat lost upon her as he stroked and pinched her clit. She exhaled. Alejandro saw the nod and heard the lust-filled sigh; he watched her eyes slip closed in a long blink as she struggled to maintain control. It was a struggle she was bound to lose. A short pause preceded a violent shudder and she arched into a climax, whimpering quietly. He grinned and continued. "However, querida, I will not apologize for the spanking ... You see, I love your helpless body spread across my lap. Your struggles and cries, your soft tits pressing into my thighs..." He let his words trail off as he gazed into her green eyes, then pulled her head up into a searing kiss electrifying in its power and intensity. Alejandro groaned softly as she opened her mouth and yielded to him. He held the back of her neck with his left hand, while his right pulled the cord from her wrists. Kissing her deeply, he plunged his tongue into the warm cavern of her mouth to meet hers, to dance and duel, finally breaking reluctantly for air. Isobel's eyes were large and glassy, definitely aroused, but he could see she was still angry with him. She slid from his lap and stood looking at him for a moment. He didn't move but watched her as she decided what she wanted. She could simply turn and leave, and he would know she did not enjoy such things or, she could stay and together they would change the level of their passion. 17


A small flicker of a smile touched her eyes. She drew her gaze over him and he spoke. "Undress." With no hesitation she pulled the laces on the bodice of her gown, then those of her chemise. She let the undergarment fall to the floor and kicked it away, standing naked before him. "Now help me." He laid back and she moved to him, but rather than untying his shirt laces as he expected, she untied his breeches, releasing his rampant cock. His eyes widened slightly as she sank to her knees before him. She took him within her mouth and he groaned a bit at the sensation—the warm wetness, the light caress of tongue and teeth. He watched her head move up and down along his great shaft as she took him deeper into her throat. He reached down and pulled her long auburn hair up and back. Resting his hand lightly upon her head, he settled in to watch her suck his cock. Soon however, he realized she did not intend to stop until he was spent. The very thought of her being so impudent made his dick twitch and she looked up at him, knowing he knew. Isobel released his throbbing shaft and worked him with one hand flicking her tongue over his ruby head, encircling it, and squeezing her own rock-hard nipples with the other. Alejandro inhaled and with a regretful sound, he pushed her away and moved back. 18


He didn't want her to finish him that way. He wanted to come deep inside her hot body. He wanted her writhing under him and crying out his name in passion, and Alejandro usually got what he wanted. "You aren't getting away that easily," he breathed. Isobel smiled sweetly. "Did you have something else in mind?" She was eyeing his still solid length. It looked like a weapon to her. "Yes, actually I did. Get on the bed." "Um, you know ... I think I'll get some water..." She began to move to the door but Alejandro reached out quickly and grabbed her wrist again, dragging her onto her back upon the bed. "Or I could get on the bed," she said, somewhat surprised at how fast he'd moved. Quickly he removed his clothes and was soon as naked as she. He kneeled over her and stroked himself, contemplating her and what he wished to do to her. Deciding at last, he reached into his drawer once more and withdrew a vial of reddish liquid. He pulled the stopper and poured it over her belly, smiling as her muscles contracted from the cold. He gently rubbed it into her skin and lower to her wet slit, carefully working the oily liquid into her body. The scent of cinnamon filled her and at the same time she could feel the heat of the spiced oil warming her further. The banked coals of her fiery arousal licked out bursting to life at his touch. 19


Deftly he slid his fingers downward now, lubricating her sheath and further down to her anus. "Ah," she groaned at the new sensation. "I've never..." Her body tensed as one long finger gently pressed within. "Shh ... I will not hurt you," he soothed. "But..." Alejandro bent and drew his tongue down her slit, gliding smoothly into her and around her swollen labia. She dropped her head back upon the pillows and sighed, surrendering to his loving assault. He nibbled her clit making her suck in a sharp breath, then plunged his tongue within her, using it as he did his marauding cock. "Oh yeah..." Soon Isobel felt his hands once more, smoothing the oils up and around her breasts and over her nipples. She quickly felt the intense but not unpleasant heat building and spreading through her breasts. He rose over her and suckled each ruby nipple at length, sending darts of pleasure straight to her now pulsing center. His fingers again found her slippery folds and she gasped sharply as he guided his thick cock within her. Isobel's eyes opened and focused upon him as he thrust slowly in and out. His shaft was huge and heavy, and the way he moved pressed against her clit sending her off into a fiery climax. Alejandro, eyes closed and jaw set, steeled himself to her powerful orgasm, then pushed her legs up and back, preparing to take her second maidenhead.

20


His cock, now slick with the oils and her juices, slipped from her pulsing sheath and nudged her star opening. Using just the slightest pressure he penetrated her and she gasped. "Oh ... God..." Only the thick head of his cock was within her and he moved his hips sliding in another inch. "Do not resist me," he said, and she did her best to comply. Slowly he pressed himself deeper and deeper until he was almost entirely sheathed in her tight passage. "Are you all right?" He looked down and she nodded. He could see where their bodies were joined and he pushed the last of his throbbing cock into her virgin opening; his heavy balls slapped her ass softly. Her tight muscles clenched him and he rolled his eyes at the sensation. He pulled back slightly only to plunge forward once more and at the same time he slipped his fingers within her sheath. Alejandro heard her groan softly in surprise, then watched her face as he began to fuck her in earnest. Her eyes rolled up and she bit her lower lip with her top teeth. The sensation of being entirely filled was overwhelming and she came almost immediately, bucking upward to his thrusting fingers and downward to his pounding cock. Feeling both so deeply within her was incredibly erotic and when he ran his thumb lightly along her clit, she shrieked and came again, gushing around his hand. He brought his fingers to her lips. "Suck," he whispered and slipped them within her mouth. She suckled him, and tasted her own musky passion along with the sweet, spicy cinnamon of the oil. 21


Alejandro watched her lick and suck his fingers, then slowly slid his length from her anus. He moved over her and stroked himself to a climax, spurting streams of his seed upon her belly. He rested a moment, then rolled to his side, reaching for his shirt. He placed it upon her and she took it, cleaning herself, then stood, brought back a damp cloth and cleaned him as well. He watched her through sated, half-lidded eyes and waited to see what she would do next. Alejandro had schooled her well as to what pleasured him. She was a perfect bed slave; he could have sold her for a fortune in gold many times over, but he found he couldn't. Had she known how deeply his feelings for her ran, she would have been astounded. When she finished cleaning him, she lay beside him and then reached down to fondle his flaccid cock. "Did I hurt you?" he asked quietly. "No." "I am sorry for the way I spoke to you. You did not deserve it," he said. Isobel didn't answer, but she did continue toying with him, making his cock—which was beginning to stir—twitch and jerk under her hand. He was definitely feeling aroused once more. Isobel knew he was a formidable lover, but wondered just exactly how much stamina he had. She had allowed him unlimited access to her body and the freedom to do whatever he liked to see what it was she liked 22


... and he'd found it. She was frankly shocked at herself, and at what she had become. At the same time, she marveled at the trust she had in him not to hurt her; the very real risk she had taken was not lost upon either of them, and she smiled a bit. She belonged to him entirely now, she knew. Sooner than she would have expected, he was fully engorged under her stroking hand and he pulled her atop him, sliding his fingers to her clit, rubbing small circles around it. With a firm thrust he was within her and she inhaled at the sensation. She didn't think she would ever become accustomed to his sheer size and girth. "I love to make you come on my cock," he said quietly, voice husky with passion. "The feeling is exquisite." She was already beginning to feel the first tingling of an orgasm when he spoke, and the still present cinnamon oil deep inside her pussy made it that much more intense. "Oh ... yeah..." she moaned, bending to ride him hard. "Oh yes ... yes..." He rested his hands upon her hips as she thrust herself up and down upon him, then moved to push her back until she was holding herself up between his spread thighs, with her arms back, and breasts thrust forward. He stroked her throbbing clit and she moaned as she came hard upon him, clenching his thick rod with her powerful muscles. The oil, which Alejandro had used upon them, contained a mild aphrodisiac, which worked to heighten their senses. It did not induce any serious mind-altering state, but it made 23


sex that much better, honing their pleasure to an intense point. He rolled her yielding body to her back and pumped into her slowly. He'd already spent himself once and knew the second time would be somewhat longer arriving. Hooking her leg over his shoulder, Alejandro penetrated her deeply and she groaned as the head of his cock slammed into her cervix repeatedly, battering her mercilessly. He listened to the rhythmic sound of her breathing, a counter tempo to his thrusts. "Talk to me, Isobel..." he growled. "Alejandro ... You are so sexy..." she whispered. "God you're so hot ... You fuck like a rockstar ... I love it when you make me come..." Often her words made no sense to him, but little did it matter. She was still perfection; her total surrender to him was nearly complete, and he knew she would soon be his totally. "Tell me what you want." His breathing was coming short now and sounded somewhat ragged. He turned his head and kissed and nipped at her thigh upon his shoulder. "Fuck me harder ... deeper ... Uh..." "You are such a wanton little whore," he said "Were you this way with all of your lovers?" "I ... only had one ... other before you.... "she panted, approaching a climax. "Only one?" "Yessss..." 24


"Good." He thrust into her this way until she cried out, climaxing upon him and he ground his teeth at the tight pull of her pussy upon his cock. Before she came to her senses, he moved away from her, and into his wardroom where he pulled the bell. He returned and shook her awake. "Get on your hands and knees," he said, and she quickly did as he instructed. He seated himself comfortably upon his bed, bracing his back against the headboard. "Now come here." She crawled to him on her hands and knees across his bed and he smiled. Knowing he was pleased at her submission, she smiled back. "Take me within your mouth and suck me," he instructed her. She bent her head to him and began to suckle, slowly drawing her tongue up the length of his shaft making him shudder. She suckled his heavy ball sac, licking around it and pulling each testicle into her mouth, then swirling her tongue up and around the head of his cock, licking her lips slowly, and raising her eyes to his. "Yes, that's right," he breathed. "Very good, Isobel." She bent back to him taking his entire length within her mouth until he felt it bump against the back of her throat. A slight contraction of her throat clenched him briefly and he inhaled at the sensation. 25


While she worked his cock, she did not hear the door behind them open and then close. Alejandro looked up and saw his mate Miguel enter. In way of greeting, he nodded slightly, but said nothing. Miguel began to disrobe and moved silently to stand behind Isobel's upturned ass. He stroked himself slowly, priming his erection in order to take her from behind as his captain had instructed him. It did not take long to become fully aroused watching her lovely backside moving gently up and down as she bobbed her head in Alejandro's lap. Miguel climbed upon the bed, and took his cock in his hand, then drawing it up her soaking cleft, he inhaled and shuddered at the sensation of her hot body upon him and at last plunged within her tight sheath. Alejandro watched her as Miguel took her from behind. Her head came up in shock and she looked directly into his eyes, then moved to escape the man behind her. Miguel anticipated her movement and took her firmly around the waist, pulling her body into his more firmly. Lazily, Alejandro lifted his hand and pressed her head down. "You have not finished..." "But ... unh..." She exhaled, forgetting what it was she wanted to say as Miguel began to pound into her with hard, deep strokes. "Do not stop until I say you may, Isobel." She took him into her mouth and once more began to suckle and soon the only sounds in the room were the 26


rhythmic slapping of Miguel's thighs against Isobel's and Isobel's soft grunts around his cock. Alejandro lifted his hand some time later and signaled Miguel back, noting the small, disappointed noise Isobel made. He touched her head. "You may stop." She looked up into his eyes once more and he saw the glazed look; she was very close to climaxing. "Did you enjoy Miguel's cock?" "Yes," she replied quietly. "Even while mine filled your pretty mouth, Isobel?" He traced her bottom lip, swollen a bit from her ministrations. "Yes." "Say it." "I enjoyed Miguel's cock while I sucked yours." "Good girl. Miguel, sit here." He indicated the edge of the bed, and Miguel moved. He was still entirely aroused and his thick cock jutted up between his legs obscenely. "And you, my pet ... you will sit ... here." He pushed her back slightly until her buttocks bumped against Miguel, who reached up and pulled her toward him. His other hand touched her and smoothed the cinnamon oils around her anal opening and then along his cock. Slowly she took her time and pressed him deeply within her, gasping at the sensation of fullness she experienced. Alejandro's eyes glittered darkly as he watched her do his bidding. "Yes, very good," he soothed her. Miguel's hands came up and cupped her breasts, their smooth ivory tops spilled over his callused hands. She 27


watched him maul her breasts for a few moments and then covered his hands with her own, echoing his movement. Miguel moved up and back, dragging her body farther onto the bed, then parted her folds with his free hand and fondled her roughly until her clit was throbbing and erect, and she groaned openly. Alejandro sat in a chair before them and watched. He sipped a glass of wine and absently stroked his still hard member from time to time. "Do not come until I say you may, Isobel," he said. "What?" she breathed. "How?" "I am certain you will think of something. Miguel, do not let her climax," he said and Miguel said something in Spanish which made Alejandro laugh. "Miguel said you are an incredible fuck, and he hopes you come first." "Please, Alejandro, I can't do this..." she whimpered. "You will. Because if you do not, I will turn you over and I will beat your lovely ass once more, and I do not wish to do that tonight. Do you understand?" "Yes." "Good. Spread your legs." Miguel helped her by taking a creamy thigh in each of his big hands and pulling her legs up and over his thighs, spreading her wide. "Touch yourself, Isobel," Alejandro instructed. One of her hands continued stroking and pinching at her engorged nipples, the other slid down and over the top of her pubis to stroke along her moist folds, lightly tracing the lines 28


and contours of her hot mound. She delved deeply, plunging first two, then three fingers into her sheath. Isobel was a creature of pure sensation now. All thoughts of time and place were beyond her as she concentrated upon the incredible flaming pleasure overtaking her, doing her level best to deny the inevitable. Alejandro watched a moment more, then stood and approached the bed. He took her chin in his hand and kissed her until she moaned against his mouth, possessing her entirely. "Look at me as you come, Isobel," he whispered. Her eyes locked upon his and she surrendered, letting the intense rush overtake her, trembling and finally crying out as she came. Alejandro moved forward onto the bed. "That was lovely," he remarked, reaching down to dip his fingers within her honeyed sheath. Her muscles still trembled within her and he could feel the tremors. He stroked her gently, then lifting his fingers to his lips, he tasted her. "Ah..." was all she could manage, before her head fell back onto Miguel's shoulder once more. Alejandro looked down at her and smiled the slow, sexy smile she'd come to know so well. Without a word, he lay between her spread thighs and began to methodically lick her. Darting his skilled tongue all around her throbbing clit, licking and suckling, scoring her tiny bit of flesh with his sharp teeth, then suckling her and licking to soothe the pleasure-pain. Isobel's body rocked into his plundering mouth, a slave to the sensations he created, denying him nothing. 29


Her breathing was harsh and quick and he knew she was close to her completion once again. He paused. "Get out, Miguel," he said low and Miguel withdrew from her tight body and hastily left the room. Alejandro laid her back, her body sore but still aroused and moved willingly into the position he wanted, but her mind was entirely focused on the dark eyes that bored into hers. He came over her and rested above her on his hands, balancing his weight, his long hair brushing her cheek. Slowly he bent his head to her and whispered in her ear. "Tell me what you want." "Fuck me, Alejandro, fill me up, make me beg ... make me yours." The last slipped out unbidden and his eyes widened slightly. He took her wrists, one in each hand and pulled them slowly over her head, pinning her lightly with one hand. "Yes." With a sound close to a growl, he plunged within her body, pounding his passion into her. "Whom do you belong to?" he ground out in her ear. "Who else can make you feel this way?" "You ... oh God ... only you..." she cried, and came like she never had before. **** Later, he lay beside her half-asleep, and enjoying the warm press of her body against his. She was not asleep he knew and he made his decision. Reaching again to his bed table, he pulled out several papers and laid them upon her flat belly. "What are these?" she asked sleepily. 30


"Can you read?" "Yes." He nodded and let her look at the sheaf. "Notice of Manumission?" she said quietly. "You're freeing me?" "I told you if you pleased me I would set you free." He laid a soft kiss upon her upturned nose. "You have pleased me greatly, Isobel." "But..." "You do not wish to go?" "I-I don't know," she said quietly. "You cannot stay here. This is not the life for you, you must go back to your world." She nodded, swallowing back the tears that gathered in her eyes and throat. "I know." He kissed her then, and held her as they fell asleep together. **** Dawn found her alone in his great bed. She arose quietly, somewhat sore from the night's activities, and moved to the basin where she washed herself, then opened the chest at the foot of his bed. If she was correct, the ship would be docked in port this morning, and she would go ashore. She pulled on her comfortable jeans and a white tank with a sheer blouse, then slid her feet into her leather sandals and picked up her backpack, closing the enormous sea chest slowly, trying to remember everything. 31


Isobel climbed above to the deck and squinted in the bright Jamaican sunlight, drawing her sunglasses down over her eyes. She surveyed the ship, but he was nowhere to be seen, maybe it was just as well. The gangplank was down, and she made her way to the dock, looking up at the banner fluttering on the kiosk. BLACK ANGEL—FANTASY CRUISES She smiled and continued into the building, stopping to adjust her pack and call for a taxi. Behind her, strong arms curled around her middle, and held her in a crushing embrace. "Isobel..." She turned and smiled. Alejandro Garcia Ramirez, owner and president of Black Angel Fantasy Cruises stood before her wearing jeans like hers and a white silk shirt, which emphasized not only his physique, but also his beautiful dark skin. He bent his head to kiss her deeply. "I must be in New York tomorrow, querida, perhaps we should fly out together?" "I think that would be a good idea," she said. Her chartered jet could leave at any time. "When is your next vacation?" "Six months," she said. He took her hand and they walked to the booking desk. "Perhaps we ought to book it now?"

32


TREASURE by Susan M. Sailors Jack watched the girl standing in the lobby. She had fiery red hair and a voluptuous figure that would have stood out anywhere, not just in the Bluebird Inn with its typical overfifty clientele. She turned to face him, though of course she wouldn't be able to see him, and he noticed her sparkling green eyes and full lips. He smiled, wondering how long it would be before dear old Annabel made her way up to his tower room and reminded him that the guests were off limits and that she'd have his head if he tried his romantic swashbuckler routine on this pretty little thing. He knew it was probably best not to get involved with the guests, especially since he had been dead for over four hundred years, but the inn still belonged to him, truth be told, and he didn't see why he shouldn't at least make sure the beautiful lady went away satisfied. Or didn't go away at all. He shook his head, telling himself a bit of fun was all that would be possible. He'd given up on breaking his curse over a century before, and he wasn't about to start hoping again now. No matter how much this lovely lass looked like his darling Katie. He sighed. His hope lay buried at the bottom of the sea, along with the gold he'd lost his beloved Katie for. 33


He watched as Annabel emerged from the office and handed the woman her credit card back and gave her a piece of paper to sign. He ducked back into the hallway, knowing Annabel would sense him watching, even if he made himself invisible, and shoot daggers at him from behind her kind, grandmotherly eyes. As he made his way back to the pool area, he heard Annabel say, "I hope you enjoy your stay, Miss O'Brien." "Thank you," the woman replied in a rich, melodic voice. "But do call me Katie. I'll be here long enough, so we don't need to be formal." Jack stopped outside the dining hall and raised his eyebrows. Katie? The woman grew more interesting with every passing moment. And she would be here a long time? That definitely presented some interesting possibilities. He listened to Katie O'Brien heading up the stairs and thought about going back to the office to ask about her. But he decided against it. He couldn't allow himself to wish for anything more than a few nights in the arms of a warm, living woman. It was simply too dangerous to his sanity. He pushed his hopeful thoughts aside and headed for the pool, hoping a good lungful of sea air would help clear his head. **** Katie opened her window and let the ocean breeze drift into her room. She looked around the room, admiring the simple yet comfortable furniture. The walls were a rich cream color, set off by the slightly lighter wicker furniture and light green curtains. The bed looked big enough for three adults to 34


sleep in it. She didn't plan on bringing any "guests" back with her at night, but she was looking forward to sprawling across the soft but firm mattress every evening. She opened the dresser drawers and started unpacking her socks and underwear. She already felt at home as she listened to the sea and felt a warm breeze blowing through her hair. She set her hairbrush on the dresser and her contacts case on the dainty night table. She traced her fingers over the delicate roses painted on the little table before taking the rest of her toiletries into the bathroom. A claw-foot tub sat by the shuttered window and a freestanding chest with a sink built into the middle rested under a large, ornate silver mirror. Katie almost laughed, amazed at the luxury that surrounded her. She'd expected to find a small bed and breakfast with tiny rooms and shared bath facilities, not a luxurious island getaway, especially considering the price she'd paid. But she certainly wasn't going to protest. A getaway was exactly what she'd needed after her parents' deaths. She'd spent an entire year getting everything settled with her younger siblings and the company, and now was her time to finally have some peace. Her brother had driven her to the airport, and when he'd hugged her, he'd said he hoped she meet just the right man to cheer her up. Kyle's suggestion was typical of him, and Katie certainly wasn't going to turn away any good prospects, but she was here for herself. If that involved a man, fine, but she wasn't going to look for one to warm her sheets just because she and Steven were no longer an item. He'd split as soon as he'd 35


discovered Katie and her siblings weren't going to give him a nice, comfortable job in the consulting firm simply because he and Katie had become engaged. His behavior became intolerable quickly, and he'd been given walking papers by Katie and all three of her brothers. Katie smiled as she hung up her clothes. Yes, a peaceful island getaway was exactly what she needed and exactly what she was going to get. **** "So, I suppose you saw her?" Jack turned and saw Annabel standing beside him. "Yes, I did." He folded his arms and leaned against a nearby tree. "And I in turn suppose that you are here to tell me to stay away from her." Annabel smiled, an almost mischievous light coming into her gray eyes. "Actually, I was coming to make sure you'd gotten a good look at her." "Any man passing within a thousand feet couldn't help getting a good look at her." "She looks like your Katie." Jack frowned, unsure what Annabel might be driving at. "I obviously noticed that. I'd think you'd be anxious to keep me away from her." "Not necessarily. It could be significant." Jack groaned. "You know, your mother tried this and your grandmother tried this and lots of other women besides them have tried this in one way or another. I might believe in the curse, but I don't believe in the part about it being broken." 36


She waved her hand at him dismissively. "It never happened before because you had to wait for her to come back." "What?" Jack had been lost in his own thoughts, trying to convince himself that he didn't believe he could be saved as much as he was trying to convince Annabel. "Come back?" "Pay attention, you old scoundrel. That woman is your Katie. I'm sure of it." Jack roared with laughter, not giving a damn if any of the guests heard and wondered why Annabel was talking to a man dressed like a pirate. "So it's okay for me to seduce this one because you think she's been reincarnated or whatever the hell it is? You've got to be putting me on, Annabel." She shook her head. "I don't understand how you can't see it. Don't you even recognize your own true love? You ought to be ashamed, after what you did to her." Jack stopped laughing and took a step forward, pointing his finger at Annabel. "Look here now. You can believe in that hooey all you like, but that doesn't give you the right to tell me what to believe, what to do, or what to be ashamed of." He turned away and kicked at a patch of weeds in the sand. After a moment, Annabel approached him. "I'm sorry, Jack, but I really do believe it. And that is what I came to tell you, in a way." "What?" he asked sullenly, having lost his place in the argument. He didn't mean to be cross with Annabel, but even after four hundred years, he didn't like being reminded of the mistake he'd made. 37


"I wasn't going to tell you to keep away from her. I want you to be near her, because then at least you'll have a chance." "I'm almost inclined to ignore her completely now." This time Annabel let out a roar of laughter. "Even if your Katie had looked nothing like this woman, you couldn't stay away from her if you tried." "Oh, yes, of course, because I'm just a dirty-minded old scoundrel with no respect for women and a permanent hardon. All men in the seventeenth century were like that." "You just hush up. You're angry and sarcastic because I reminded you of how this all started. You're a gentleman, Jack. You can deny it, but you are. You might have been a scoundrel once, but the love of a good woman changed that." Jack stared out to sea for a long moment before adding, "But not in the end." He looked back to Annabel. "It didn't change me enough to think of her before my gold." Annabel nodded. "That was why you were cursed. And that is why she has come back to you. You've learned your lesson and more than paid your debt in guilt and suffering. Now her love can save you again." Jack smiled slightly. "You sound so sure, I almost believe you." "Spend a couple of days getting to know your Katie and maybe you will believe." Jack sighed. He didn't want to become attached to this woman. He didn't want to hope that Annabel's words were true. "You've had your say. Will you trust me enough not to nag me for however long this woman will be here?" 38


She smiled. "She'll be here two months." Jack rolled his eyes. "Well, then, if you are right, that's more than enough time for both of us to figure it out for ourselves, wouldn't you say?" "I'll leave you to it then. Just don't forget what I said. Don't let fear take control of you the way greed did once before." He groaned. "Yes, Mother, now go back to your guests." Annabel shook her head and went back inside. Jack rubbed his hands over his face. Annabel could be so heavy-handed. She was better than her mother had been, he would give her that. Annabel's mother Louise had accomplished her own ends through very silent but very deadly guilt. Annabel, on the other hand, persuaded people to do what she wanted them to do by convincing them it was for their own good. He knew she had his best interests at heart, but that didn't make him feel better. What he needed was a good drink and a good woman. He looked up at the window of Katie's room. He'd seen her open the window earlier, but he'd done his best to look away, not trusting himself at all. As he watched the curtains fluttering, an idea occurred to him. Maybe this woman was exactly what he needed, though not in the way Annabel thought. Perhaps a good romp with her would quench his lust and put his mind at rest. When nothing happened and he proved Annabel wrong, he could finally put all this curse business to rest. He had built the Bluebird, so he belonged here. He wasn't waiting for redemption or a lost love. He was just taking care of his home. 39


The sooner he convinced himself of that, the sooner he could move on and give some final ease to the ache deep in his heart. **** Katie put her book down and turned out the light. She'd spent the afternoon strolling on the beach, and then she'd had a wonderful dinner of scallops and pasta before retreating to her room to read a book that had nothing to do with business. Though her entire body was perfectly relaxed, she didn't feel very tired. She closed her eyes anyway and listened to the sea rolling gently. She'd always loved the sea, even though she'd been very afraid of it when she was a little girl. She'd never understood why she felt that way because she'd never been scared of water. At the age of two, she'd nearly given her poor nanny a heart attack by running full speed out the back door and jumping into the pool. She eventually got over her fear, but she still didn't understand it any better than her parents had. Her little sister Beth said she must have drowned in a past life. Katie giggled at the thought and opened her eyes. When she saw the man standing at the end of her bed, her first instinct was to scream, but something stopped her. As the man stepped closer, she propped herself up on her elbows and then realized what struck her as odd. He was dressed like a pirate. The whole nine yards. Tight black breeches that left nothing to the imagination, a white, billowing shirt open to expose a tanned, muscular and hairy chest, a gold sash tied around his waist, and a hoop earring 40


to top it all off. His hair was brown and wavy, reaching past his shoulders. His eyes were blue and he didn't have an eyepatch, but he did have a scar over one eye. "And what were you laughing about, my lady?" he asked. His voice was smooth and rich, and a little husky and suggestive. Well, what do you expect when you eye a man up and down in your bedroom? Katie almost laughed again, but instead she said, "I was laughing about something my sister used to say. Some past lives rubbish." She had no idea why she was so willing to tell this guy what she had been laughing about, but something about the situation seemed completely unreal. She looked at the door and noticed it was still latched. She had to be dreaming. She hadn't been tired at all, but she must have been so relaxed that she had drifted off to sleep without realizing it. When she looked back at the man, he was staring at her as if she was the one who was out of place. "What's wrong?" He narrowed his eyes. "What did she say?" Katie shrugged and finally sat up completely. "She said I was afraid of the ocean because I drowned in a past life." He considered this for a very long time, and Katie was about to speak when he asked, "Then why come here, if you're afraid of the ocean?" "I'm not anymore. Just when I was little." She shook her head. "This doesn't matter. Who are you and why are you here? And what's more, how did you get in?" She pointed to the latch. "That lock looks brand new and I know I set it securely." 41


He sat on the bed beside her and leaned close to her. She didn't try to pull away because she had to admit, funny costume or not, he was incredibly sexy. He ran his finger down her arm. "I'm here to give you the best night of your life." "You couldn't buy me a drink first?" she joked. He didn't miss a beat. "Don't have to. This isn't real." "What do you mean?" She already suspected as much, but she knew she had to hear this. "This is a dream, and dreams can be so much better than real life, so much more ... imaginative." The hand that had been stroking her arm moved down to her bare leg. A shiver of delight ran through her body. "No way. I don't have dreams like this." "Too prim and proper? Too lacking in spirit and passion to have such daring fantasies?" She eyed his clothes again. "Never had a pirate fantasy. Sorry." But I will from now on. His nearness started to get to her. His own musky scent mixed with a hint of the sea was intoxicating. "Maybe you will from now on." Katie stared at the man, who smiled as if he knew he'd just read her mind. Maybe he had because he was a dream. Her dream. Her ... fantasy. "If this is a dream, then you're sure to know what I like." She stood up and pulled her t-shirt off, leaving herself in nothing but a tiny pair of white panties. His eyes roamed over her body slowly, and she felt a pulsing ache begin low in her belly. Her breasts felt heavy, 42


needing him to touch them. He stood up and moved behind her, pushing her red hair aside and pressing his lips against her ear. "It seems you know what I like as well." He began to lightly kiss her neck, starting at her ear and moving down to her shoulder. His hands cupped her breasts, and his fingers moved across her nipples. His hands were rough, but his touch was gentle. Katie sighed. His hands danced across her skin as if he knew exactly how to touch her, all the right places to caress her. As if they were lovers and had been for years. She pressed her body more firmly against his. He turned her around to face him, and her nipples hardened as they brushed against his exposed chest. She leaned closer to kiss him, but he didn't make a move to meet her lips. He stared down into her eyes as if he was searching for something. "What is it?" she asked. He shook his head and smiled. "I'm entranced by your beauty. Is that so hard to believe?" To Katie, it was. She'd attracted nothing but fortune hunters for the past three years, but before she could protest she found herself entranced by this man's kiss. He captured her mouth eagerly, thoroughly tasting and exploring. His right hand worked its way into her panties and cupped her ass while his left arm pulled her tight against his body. She could feel his hard cock straining against her leg. She pulled away to catch her breath, then asked, "What's your name?" 43


"Why do you want to know?" He ran his fingers along the curve of her ass cheek. "So I'll know what to scream later on." He threw his head back and laughed. His hand reached further to caress her pussy lips. He smiled when he discovered she was already wet for him. "Jack." "Jack," she repeated. His fingers worked magic on her as they delved inside her wet pussy. "Sounds much better on your sweet lips." He kissed her slowly as his fingers moved to her clit. "Are you as sweet everywhere, Katie?" It was hard to think as he worked her into a state of arousal, but she knew she hadn't told him her name. "How did you know my name?" she asked. He knelt in front of her and pulled her panties to the ground. He moved his thumb over her curls and found her clit again, giving it a single stroke. "This is a dream, remember?" Before she could answer, he swept her off her feet and put her in the middle of the bed. He made quick work of taking his own clothes off. In fact, she didn't even see him take his pants off. They simply disappeared, leaving Katie with a very nice moonlit view of his huge cock. She couldn't help staring as he moved on top of her. He smiled down at her. "And it's going to be a very satisfying dream at that." He settled himself between her legs and kissed her hungrily. She responded to him immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck. His chest hairs teased her nipples and she arched upward to heighten the sensation. He rubbed his cock 44


against her wet core, making her sigh. He felt so good. She'd had skilled lovers before, but Jack was different. She could feel how much he wanted her and even more importantly, how much he wanted to give her pleasure. Her recent boyfriends certainly hadn't cared about that. Jack kissed his way down her chest, stopping to take one nipple into his mouth as his fingers rolled and tugged at the other one. His tongue swirled and teased, and Katie felt her pussy tighten. "Jack," she whispered. He suckled harder, moving off of her so his hand could reach her throbbing core. He ran his teeth gently over the nipple just as his finger pressed against her clit. "Jack," she said louder. He moved lower so he could lie down between her legs. "You keep saying my name like that, and this will be over pretty quickly." He parted her curls and ran his tongue over her clit, then delved lower to taste her cream. She moaned and ran her fingers through his hair. "But then we can do it all over again." He swirled his tongue over her clit, then looked up at her. "I'm yours to command, my lady." His tongue continued to work her clit as he moved two of his fingers into her pussy. Then he slid them out and over the hole of her anus. The sensation surprised her, but it wasn't unpleasant. He slid his fingers back into his pussy, deeper, this time, then withdrew them again. This time he actually slid the tip of one finger into her anus. It hurt a little, but it also felt very erotic. He continued to move his fingers back and forth, and she liked 45


the alternating feelings. Her thighs began to quiver, and she wanted more than just this fingers inside her. "Jack," she said as she arched up, drawing his fingers deeper into her pussy. He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. "Yes, sweet Katie?" His hot breath on her clit made her moan. "I need you, Jack. I need you now." His eyes held hers as he moved up her body. He cradled her close as his cock found her hot, wet opening. "Not half as much as I need you," he said. He thrust into her slowly, but when she moved her hips upward, begging for more, he plunged in all the way. She gasped at the slight pain, but then she began to move against him. She'd never felt so full, but his cock felt exquisite once she was used to it. "Love me, Jack. Please," she whispered. He looked deep into her eyes. "I do love you, my Katie. I love you with all my heart." He moved in and out of her slowly, stroking high and deep inside her pussy. Katie kept looking up into his eyes, trying to fathom what had just happened between them. In that instant, she'd felt that she knew this man, that she really knew him. But that wasn't possible. She felt her orgasm building quickly. How could a man who didn't know her bring her to climax so quickly? She knew the answer though—this was a dream, a fantasy. There was nothing to figure out. She brought his face closer to hers and brushed her lips against his as her pussy coiled tighter. She wrapped her legs around him as he thrust harder and harder, and she soon 46


came apart in his arms. Her legs shook as her pussy convulsed around his cock, sending him over the edge. "Jack," she cried before his lips captured hers in a deep kiss. He kissed her long, rubbing his groin against her clit as they both came back from the heights they'd taken each other to. He collapsed on top of her and buried his face in her neck. "Katie. My sweet Katie." She ran her fingers through his hair and cradled his head against her, wondering if she had only imagined the pain in his voice. **** As Katie held him, Jack knew he'd been a fool to come to her. He'd never be able to leave her now because he knew Annabel had been right. She was his Katie come back to him. When she'd told him to love her, she'd only wanted him to make love to her right then, but his heart had nearly burst as he looked into her eyes. He'd said what he should never have said and broken the spell of the lie he'd woven for her. He couldn't go on with it, and she'd surely hate him for tricking her. But she didn't move away. She cradled him gently and ran one hand through his hair as the other moved lazily up and down his back. She'd obviously enjoyed their coupling as much as he had, but what would happen when that effect wore off and she discovered he was a fraud? "Jack, is something wrong?" Katie asked. 47


He mustered his courage and looked into her face. She seemed worried, and she obviously needed him to say something to dispel her doubts. "No, Katie. There's nothing wrong at all." He sat up in the bed. "Except for my behavior." She pulled the sheet up over her body and sat up as well, putting some distance between them. "What do you mean?" He touched her hand to reassure her. "I lied to you before," he explained. Just as I lied to you so many years ago. She covered her face with her hands. "This isn't a dream. How could I believe you?" He waited for her to look at him again. "Do you regret it?" He held his breath waiting for her answer. She shook her head immediately, and he allowed himself to relax a bit. "No, I don't regret it, but how did you get in here? Who are you really?" "Can you listen with an open mind?" he asked. She hesitated. "How open?" "The 'rubbish' your sister talks about kind of open." She stared at him for a moment, then her eyes widened and she touched her neck. "Did you bite me? Are you a vampire?" Jack couldn't help laughing. "I'll certainly bite you if you'd like, but I'm not a vampire. I'm a ghost." "Oh," she said, looking sheepish. "Do you have vampires where you come from?" He had to ask. 48


She shook her head. "No, but ghosts aren't solid. They can't do ... what we just did." "Why not?" "They aren't supposed to!" "Says a bunch of people who've never seen a ghost." He stood up and pointed at her. "There aren't that many ghosts in the world. You need to have a reason for hanging around." She was busy looking at her hands. "Could you ... well ... put some clothes on? It's a bit distracting." He smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment." With a thought, his clothes were back in place. She gaped at him, then shook her head. "So what's your 'reason' for hanging around?" she asked as she pulled the sheet tighter around her body. Jack thought for a moment. Katie really was being openminded. Maybe that was a good sign. It could mean that, deep down, she knew the truth as well as he did. The vampire comment had thrown him off though. If her sister believed in past lives, maybe the whole family was into the supernatural. "I'm cursed. I betrayed my true love, and she died because of it. I'm doomed to be earthbound until I find true love again." "Until you find her again?" He shrugged. "That's the tricky part. I wasn't told. I just have to find true love to be set free. I'm not sure what that means either because I didn't actually die. I became a ghost without actually experiencing death." "So you aren't a ghost then. You're something else." "I can be invisible. Walk through walls, as I did to get in here, and I cannot be killed and do not age. Sounds like a 49


ghost to me." He had to admit he'd never thought too hard about that part because there didn't seem to be any point in understanding it. "But you can't be sure about any of it. How long ago was this?" She eyed his clothes, obviously seeking an explanation. "My Katie died in 1623 and that is the year I began this existence." "Katie, huh? So do you come on to all women or just the ones named Katie?" She didn't seem too angry, but Jack suddenly wished he hadn't said her name. "I've slept with and seduced my share of women. Spread that over four centuries and it is indeed quite a lot, but after a few decades, a man gets over grieving and starts trying to find some peace." "You don't have to apologize. I genuinely want to know. I'm not accusing you of anything. I would like to know if you came to me because you thought I might be the one or just because you thought I was pretty." She sighed. "I think I already know the answer, but I want you to tell me." "What do you think the answer is?" He knew she wasn't going to fly into his arms and remember everything, but he couldn't keep the hope from swelling up in his heart. "You said you loved me, and you knew my name before I even told you. Something about the way you looked at me felt familiar." She shrugged. "I don't know. I have this odd feeling, but I really can't explain it." He sat down next to her and took her hand. "I know we aren't likely to figure this out tonight, but since you will be 50


here for a while, will you give us a chance to make sense of it?" She put her other hand on top of his. "I'm not saying I believe I'm really your Katie, but I do believe what you've told me. You're right. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe we can figure all this out." He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Then I'll see you tomorrow." He started to stand up, but she held his hands. "You don't have to leave. It's a pretty big bed, and I think it will feel too big if you don't stay." As he looked into her eyes, he began to think maybe his rash actions had brought about something good for a change. He pulled her into his arms, willing to believe that he might finally be on the right path wherever it might lead. **** On her third day at the Bluebird Inn, Katie had tea with Annabel. She was very interested in finding out more about Jack and what had happened to him so many centuries before. She knew he was telling her the truth, but Katie definitely wanted to hear a woman's side of the story. Annabel emerged onto her private patio carrying the baby blue tea service Katie had seen in the dining room on a large tray. As Annabel set the tray down, Katie said, "You certainly didn't have to do all this for me." "Glad to do it! No one ever wants tea anymore. I usually just warm a pot and drink it in the kitchen." She sat down 51


and began pouring tea into both cups. "I'm very glad you wanted to talk to me. Jack hasn't been telling me much." "What has he told you?" Katie asked. Annabel took two lumps of sugar and handed the dish to Katie. "Hardly a thing. He did have the decency to tell me that he thought I was right, but that's about the best I got from him." "He thought you were right, about me?" How could Annabel have come to that conclusion? She hadn't known the original Katie at all. "You look just like her. There's a portrait in Jack's room. He's taken it down several times, but he can't bear to have it out of sight so he always puts it back up." She sipped her tea and took a cookie from the tray. "So you haven't been in his room?" Katie shook her head. "And he didn't tell me that I looked like her. That does explain why he kept staring at me at first." "That's just like him. He runs headlong into something and then tries to be cautious." "I'm still getting used to all of this. I'm crazy about Jack, but this definitely isn't the kind of turn I thought my love life would be taking." "Well, if you want an old woman's opinion, I think things will work out in the end. I've found the things that matter always do." "I'll try to believe that, but it's so hard to stop thinking about what might happen or what could go wrong. Is he really a ghost? If he finds true love, we don't even know what 52


will happen. I know I shouldn't worry myself about such things, but I can't seem to help it." Annabel smiled. "I think it's a good sign. It shows you really care about him." "I hope that's enough." She wasn't quite ready to admit to anyone that she was starting to do much more than just care about Jack. "I'm sure it will be." Annabel pushed the plate of cookies toward Katie. "Now eat up. These are triple chocolate fudge. They deserve to be eaten by a woman who can appreciate them." Katie smiled. Annabel had a point. Worries could take care of themselves but chocolate needed special attention. **** Katie drew circles in the wet sand at her feet as she listened to Jack talk about the sea. He sounded so wistful; she began to wonder how long it had been since he'd been out on the water. "I got this scar racing my second mate up to the crow's nest. A line snapped and I lost my footing. Banged my head right into a bolt." Katie made a pained face, but then ran her finger over the scar. "Did it hurt?" He laughed. "Like hell. But it could have put my eye out, so I didn't complain." "How long has it been since you've been out there?" she asked, hoping it sounded completely casual. 53


He searched her face for a moment, then said, "Not since the day all this started." "Why not?" "I don't want to." She shook her head. "I can't believe that. You love the sea, and don't try to deny it." "But the sea took away something I loved even more." He looked away. "I just don't want to. Isn't that enough?" "So Katie drowned? You said she died because you betrayed her." Jack sighed. "You won't give up till I tell you, will you?" "I wasn't fishing for secrets. I just thought you sounded like you missed the sea. You don't have to tell me." She didn't want to start a fight, even though she wanted to know what had happened. That seemed to humble him. "I daresay you have a right to know. It's not a very exciting story." "But I would like to hear it." "My first mate ran off with my entire stash, all the gold and jewels I'd been saving for years so Katie and I could build a life together. When I found out, Katie told me it didn't matter, as long as we were together, and I promised her I wouldn't go after him. But I broke that promise because I loved my gold more than I loved her." She touched his hand. "I don't believe that. You loved her so much." "My actions didn't do much in the way of proving it though. When the battle began, she came up to find out what was going on. I yelled at her and told her to get below. She was 54


so angry she didn't watch where she was going. She fell into the water and drowned. Our battle had churned the sea up so much she didn't have a chance." "But what happened? How did you end up like this?" She squeezed his hand, wishing she could get him to look at her. "I woke up that night drenched in sweat. The room was burning hot, and an old woman held me tightly by the wrists. She was covered in seaweed and said she was the oldest of the sea nymphs. I thought I was having a nightmare. I'd drunk enough to kill three sailors, but at that moment, I felt stone sober. She said I'd sacrificed my true love for gold and that I would roam the earth until I found true love again. When I woke up, my entire crew was gone, but my gold was right there on deck. I threw it overboard and got in a lifeboat. The Bluebird had just been finished, so I came back here." He finally looked up. "I'd hoped I would be celebrating my wedding, but instead I was mourning my wrecked life." "But in a way, you were given a second chance. You said yourself you don't know what will happen." "In a way, that scares me more than anything." He took her face in his hands. "I couldn't bear to lose you again." She pushed his hair aside, caressed his face. "Let's go up to your room." "We can go to yours." Katie shook her head. "I want to see the portrait." He stood up and helped her to her feet. "Are you certain?" She smiled up at him. "Yes." They made their way upstairs and into his room. Katie couldn't see a thing, but Jack moved the curtains aside and 55


let the light in. The portrait hung over a small fireplace. The woman did look exactly like Katie—the same hair and eyes, the same facial features. Her hair was even wavy on the right side, just like hers. After several minutes, Jack's arms encircled Katie's waist. "Can't you say something?" She looked over her shoulder and into his eyes. "Why do we need to say anything?" She turned into his embrace and kissed him before he could say anything. He'd spent so many years in pain, and she wanted to ease it as best she could. She pulled him over to the bed and pushed him down, climbing on top of him, lifting her skirt so her ass could rub against his cock. "Get rid of the clothes," she whispered in his ear. He ran his hands up her legs and groaned deep in his throat as he nibbled on her neck. "As you wish, my lady." His clothes disappeared, and she felt his cock pressing against her ass. She settled herself on top of him, rocking back and forth gently to tease him. She unbuttoned her shirt and his hands came up quickly to cup her breasts. She threw her shirt to the floor and her bra quickly followed. She leaned forward to kiss him, and one of his hands moved under her skirt. "Mmmm. Decided you didn't need panties today?" he asked as his finger toyed with her anus. "I didn't think they'd stay on very long." She pushed against his finger as he slid the tip into her anus. "Funny you knew I liked that when I didn't even know it." 56


He slid his finger in further as his thumb moved down to stroke her pussy lips. "I remember all the things you like." He brought his hand to his lips and licked her cream off his thumb. "And the things I like. Come up here and straddle my face." Katie moved into position, and he immediately began licking her pussy and swirling his tongue around her clit, all the while moving his finger in and out of her anus slowly. She moaned as his tongue moved in and out of her pussy. "I think we could call a tie on this one." He laughed and swirled his tongue around her clit again. "Just have to make sure you're ready for me." He moved her again so she straddled his waist. "Ride my cock. Lean forward so my finger will stay in that sweet ass of yours." She lowered herself onto his cock slowly. She was so wet he slid in quickly. With his finger still up her ass, she felt very full, but soon it began to feel very good. She leaned forward and his cock went deeper. His eyes followed her bouncing breasts as she began to ride him. "Is this how we passed long nights at sea?" Katie asked. "Oh, yes. The rocking of the boat was very inspiring." He held her still and brought his head up so he could take one of her nipples between his lips. He suckled for several long seconds, then gave the nipple a tug with his teeth as he thrust upward into her. She cried out in pleasure. "I'm gonna come, Jack." Her pussy was coiled so tight just a few more thrusts would do it. He looked up into her eyes and continued thrusting. "Perfect way to start a long afternoon in bed." He pushed his 57


finger further into her ass and thrust one final time. Her orgasm spiraled out of control. He took both of her hands in one of his and let her ride him. Katie felt like she was breaking into a million pieces as the pleasure coursed through her. She ground her pussy against Jack, taking his cock as deep as she could. Bright lights flashed before her eyes as her tremors subsided. She ran her hands over her aching breasts and clutched her pussy walls around Jack's still hard cock. "Is that an invitation?" he asked. She pulled him up and then rolled them both back onto the bed so he was on top of her. She wrapped her legs around him, making sure his cock stayed in place. "Maybe it's an order," she said. "I'm sure I can fill it," he said as he brought his lips down to hers. **** Jack stood on the pier, glaring at Katie. "Come on. Once we get out there, you'll be glad I did this." Her surprise was not going the way she'd planned. She'd imagined Jack being overjoyed that, despite his protestations, she'd known deep down he really wanted to go out on the sea again. He was not overjoyed. He continued to glare at her, but he finally stepped into the boat. "I'll steer." And sulk.

58


After they'd eaten lunch, Jack had started to thaw. He looked so natural standing behind the wheel that Katie had to smile. "Are you thrilled yet?" she asked. He let out a long sigh, but then he laughed. "I'm working on it. I don't like the looks of these folks though." Katie stood up and looked over her shoulder and saw a boat just like theirs coming toward them. The people looked like they were having a great time, but they were going pretty fast. "They're going too fast," Katie said. "They're drunk," Jack said with a curse. He turned the wheel sharply and Katie grabbed the side. He tried to steer clear of the other boat, but even when he yelled at them, they didn't seem to notice that they were headed for another boat. "Get below, Katie! They're gonna come pretty close." "But I can help!" "What the hell can you do? Get below!" When he turned the wheel sharply again, she stopped arguing and headed below. But then they struck something. Katie flew at the side, and the railing knocked the wind out of her. Right before she fell overboard. Her lungs sucked in water the moment she hit, and all she could hear was muffled cries. The water around her was churning, and she was more afraid the other boat would hit her than she was of drowning. She tried to swim away, but she couldn't see anything. 59


Then she felt strong arms wrap around her, pulling her out of the water. She was back on the boat in no time, and she knew she could hear Jack's voice, but she had no idea what he was saying. She spit water onto the deck and coughed. "I'm ... okay. Jack ... I'm okay." "Bloody fools! What they hell were they—" "What is it?" Katie looked to see what had happened, but she didn't see the other boat anywhere. "Where did they go?" she asked as her teeth began to chatter. Jack threw a towel around her, then stood up. "I don't know." The wind picked up and a large cloud blocked the sun. Katie shivered, starting to feel the cold as she recovered from her shock. Jack shivered too, and after a moment his hands began to shake. When he turned around, he looked so stunned Katie thought he might be in shock himself. "Jack! What's wrong? Are you hurt?" When he didn't answer, she grabbed his arm and shook him. "Jack? Say something!" "I'm cold. I can't believe it! I'm cold!" he said, looking at his shaking hands in amazement. "What?! I don't understand. What's so special about being cold?" She pulled the towel tighter around her soaked body. "I'm freezing." He took her face in his hands. She'd never seen anyone look so excited or amazed. "I haven't been cold in hundreds 60


of years. I'm alive again, Katie. I'm alive!" He kissed her long and deep, and she almost thought he'd never let her go. "What? How is that possible?" "That's it! That's why I never died. I was given a second chance, just like you said. And now that I've found you again, I've got that second chance. A chance to do things right. I saved you, so you'd be here to save me." He got down on one knee. "Katie, will you marry me as soon as we get back on shore?" She held up her hands in protest. "One thing at a time. We need to talk about all this." "There's nothing to talk about!" He put her hand on his chest. "You do know you're my Katie, don't you, deep in your heart?" As she looked into his eyes, all her doubts went away. She'd known who she truly was for a long time, and now that she knew destiny was going to give her her dream, not snatch it away, she couldn't hold back her smile. And then she laughed. "I have to be—no other woman would put up with this insanity. Yes, I'll marry you. But not until my family gets here." Jack picked her up and spun her around. The boat rocked, and they nearly went crashing to the deck. "But let's concentrate on getting back to shore for now," she said. "Yes! We have to get back and tell Annabel. We'll never hear the end of how right she was," Jack said. "Maybe she can help me plan the wedding." 61


Jack laughed. "I'll leave you two to it. I don't care how it happens, so long as I finally get to have you as my bride." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly as he turned the boat back toward shore. The sun came out from behind the clouds and shone on them as Katie snuggled against Jack, cherishing the treasure they'd both found.

62


ABOUT THE AUTHORS Camryn Cutler was born and raised in Maine. A true Yankee, she lives on the southern coast near the ocean still, along with her husband of more than fifteen years. They have three children, Samhain the calico cat, and George, the Dachshund. Susan M. Sailors lives in Knoxville and works as a freelance editor. Her works of horror, fantasy, and romance have been published in over three dozen magazines and webzines. More of her work can be found in the coming months from Whiskey Creek Press.

63


For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore ****

**** WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.com

If you are connected to the Internet, take a moment to rate this eBook by going back to your bookshelf at www.fictionwise.com.

64

Torrid Teasers Volume 35 [Anthology]

Torrid Teasers Volume 35 [Anthology]

Torrid Teasers 02 [Anthology]

Torrid Teasers 06 [Anthology]

Torrid Teasers Volume 27

Torrid Teasers Volume 21

Torrid Teasers Volume 7

Torrid Teasers Vol. 27

A Torrid Celebration [Anthology]

A Torrid Celebration [Anthology]

Torrid

Torrid

Horticultural Reviews (Volume 35)

Torrid Tarot

Mathematical Teasers

Torrid Hunger

Mathematical Teasers

Science Teasers

Advances in Chromatography, Volume 35

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 35

Synchronicity Volume 2 [Anthology]

Progress in Optics, Volume 35

Advances in Immunology Volume 35

Linear Lie Groups, Volume 35

Plant Breeding Reviews (Volume 35)

Synchronicity Volume 1 [Anthology]

Synchronicity Volume 1 [Anthology]

Synchronicity Volume 3 [Anthology]

Synchronicity Volume 3 [Anthology]

Synchronicity Volume 2 [Anthology]

Her Torrid Temporary Marriage

Torrid Teasers Volume 35 [Anthology]