Seductive Illusion

I’m back with Storytime, and eager to spin you another tale. This is a flash fiction to introduce you to Chase Flander. A character that has been playing in my mind often as of late. 

So sit back and enjoy. ~Misty Harvey © 2013

 

Seductive Illusion

by

Misty Harvey

Chase stood in the shadows of the large trees. The deep shade it provided easily twenty degrees cooler than the sunlit meadow before him. Tall grass sat decorated with an array of colors from the wild flowers that grew there. Over the summer, this meadow had become a secret garden of sorts. A place to hide away from the judgments of the outside world.

There would be plenty to judge also if word ever snuck out about this. It would cause a firestorm within the small community of Waterford. One that could bring down the entire Flander family. Especially being taught from a young age that what you do is reflected on the family. 

Chase stood there toying with a blade of grass he’d grabbed on his way into the meeting area. The black tank top, and stonewashed jean shorts provided little warmth in the shade. Soon he’d make his arrival known, but for now his eyes were focused on the delicate creature picking flowers.

The gentle words reached his ears as she sang their song. It reminded him of her every time he heard it. To hear her singing it sent pangs of regret through his heart. This would be their last meeting. Summer was coming to an end, and with it new chapters to their lives would begin.

This enchanting creature he’d come to love would no longer be a part of his life. Her path would lead her far from home as she reached for her journalism degree. While he was destined to be a firefighter like all of the men in his family before him. They had different directions to follow, and neither would sacrifice theirs, nor stop the other from reaching their goals.

A wind stirred through the meadow, billowing the sundress April wore. Her wild red curls looked like flames licking at the wind. He knew her nose and cheeks would be speckled with freckles, though from this distance he couldn’t see them.

The race of his heart, thrumming in his ears. The heat of his skin, boiling his blood. No longer could he stand in the shadows to watch. He had to touch her, to kiss her, and to hold her. Even if it would be just one last time.

Chase stepped from the shadows. The scent of her perfume drew him closer. His hands slid down the bare skin of her arms, and in that one touch their hearts beat as one.

Gentle kisses ran down the length of her neck dragging a whimper from her lips. The soft cry egging him on farther, as he slipped his arms around her small frame. His nose pressed in against the tender spot behind her ear, giving his teeth the ability to nibble at her earlobe.

She succumbed to his silent request, melting against his harder body. Her arm encircled his neck, holding his head against her neck. Quiet cries of delight filled the air of the meadow.

Chase bunched the skirt of her sundress in his hand, leaving her silken skin free to explore with his other. He traced along her inner thighs, hearing her suck in air as his fingertips brushed the lips of her sex. She was ready for him. He could feel it in the very fiber of his being. A seductive call to his soul.

Their lips met in a tantalizing kiss with the turn of her head. He knew by the heat of the kiss she wanted him as bad as he did her. His fingertips glided over her womanhood. The freshly shaved skin ripping a groan from his throat.

She’d chosen to come to the meeting bare of underthings, groomed for his pleasure, and he planned on taking advantage of it. He drove his fingers between the lips of her sex, finding her already wet with need. The sweet scent of her womanly juices filled his lungs.

It would only be a matter of time before he drove his hard length deep inside of her. A chance to bring them both the glorious pleasure of a joint release. Right now though, in this very moment it was about making this beautiful creature squirm in his arms.

He watched the color creep over her skin as if a light shone from under the surface. Her nails bit into the back of his neck, leaving half-moon prints behind. Her heated breath rapidly moving along his skin.

She squirmed, clawed, and cried out with each wave of ecstasy. Her body soaring to new heights as it convulsed. The flutter back down to earth left her body languid in Chase’s arms.

Everything inside of Chase screamed that now was the time. He needed this tiny woman in his arms, and it would no longer be placated with bringing her pleasure. His hands slid the sundress from her body, gently spreading her before him in the wildflowers.

Chase’s eyes feasted on her exposed frame, causing his blood to race faster. His erection gave a kick of excitement while his hands fought to free his own body of clothes. Each article scattered throughout the meadow as he flung them in every direction.

The plushness of her lips. The soft green eyes. The way she looked surrounded by the vibrant colors of the wild flowers. It all called to him, begged him to not make her wait.

Chase tore the last article of clothing from his body. He collapsed to the ground between her legs. In that moment when he slid his hardened length deep within hers, he knew he’d never be the same. That this was the feeling of coming home. A sense of belonging that he’d longed for his whole life. In that moment, he was in love.

Chase shook the memory from his head. There had been no turning back. They’d chosen their lives, and neither had included the other one. It had all turned into nothing more than a distant past, and a forgotten love. Still he knew, even in memory April would always be his seductive illusion, one that would haunt him forever.

Life Rekindled

 

Life Rekindled

by

Ben Hannigan

 

The  crowd was tight packed and rushed, Callum felt almost crushed, like he could barely breathe. Still, he soldiered on. He hated Christmas shopping, had since his wife died but he had promised her towards the very end of the illness that took her that he would always celebrate.

 So he was here preparing to head to a family Christmas event. It had been six years but he was finally facing the rest of the world during the holidays, rather than staring at his tv with Chinese food in his pj’s, having ordered all his presents online so he didn’t have to speak to anyone or be forced to hear those ghastly false expressions of glad tidings from psaltic salespeople who couldn’t give a fuck about anyone they talked to other than for a tick on the target sheet.

 He stood searching for something for his mother. Lana usually handled all this or he did himself slowly working his way through the list and rather quicker working through the bottle of bourbon by the mouse pad. He finally, after what seemed like hours of searching in a hell of baubles, tinsel and tat, found a small, delicate, white pin that was apparanlty carved out of a whitish wood and trimmed with, a rosewood inlay spiral.

 As he reached for the box he felt the teasing brushing motion of a woman’s hand sliding over his. He paused almost guiltily enjoying the contact as he turned into the touch. Almost buried into his chest by the crush of the crowd was a small woman. Violet hair, five foot tall, bright pink eyes that were obviously contacts, all in a package containing boobs that were probably a thirty two B but looked huge on her frame. “Hey" he said to himself, "I’m a widower not dead." He nodded to her and asked “You want me to delve into this bin of pins and grab you one since I have the display one?”

 

She nodded gratefully, looking flushed and harried before he bent over the edge of the bin and delved. He was always fairly indifferent to the cold and today was no exception.  He was wearing an NFL style jersey, slightly baggy and riding up as he bent over into the barrel showing his toned body and the swirling mix of scars and tattoos that adorned much of his back. She stood admiring the sight as he delved and had to be nudged to realise he had retrieved the pin.

“Sorry just  tired I guess, spaced out.”

 He nodded and waved his hand sagely “It’s this shit that does it, sends people mental.”  Laughing and enjoying the brief moment that broke for just a second the tense nature of the Christmas shopping combat.

 Hours later Callum was stood in the queue. N,o not the queue, this was the tertiary queue, a sort of holding tank for the queue to the queue. Annoyed, he stood and steadily vaped producing a cloud of water vapour which in deference to the season had a heady odour of clove, orange peel, cinnamon and dark chocolate. Whilst being asked by the curious about the electronic cigarette he handed out business cards and talked about the tech whilst revelling in the hateful glares of the evangelical ex-smokers. Whilst enjoying his vape and lazily breathing smoke rings he was startled by a request. “Do the ship that floats through the smoke ring.”

 He laughed and said in response “Do I look like Gandalf?” as he spoke he turned and saw the violet haired girl in the sonic t shirt from earlier. She giggled, and that broke the ice. They started to talk. He was twenty eight, had been married until she got ill, he showed her the rings round his throat, his and hers. His Elrond’s ring of power, Hers Galadrial’s. They chatted about fantasy novels and film and television fitting comfortably in the hour they had to talk. As she paid for her purchases she scrawled a note which had the name of a pub and a time on it and bribed the cashier a fiver to give it to him. He checked out the mix of clothes, cheap kids toys for friends’ kids and the other old standards of present buying before being handed his receipt. Opening the note he read it and was shocked into freezing outside the store entrance. “Do I go? I mean it has been six years and she ordered me to be happy.” praying softly he waited for a sign, what to do which way to go. As he left the shop he heard the opening of the Christmas song that had defined his season as a married man, almost as if it was a preordained order for him to begin moving on and looking to the future.

 Checking the note again he headed to the pub realising if he ran through the crowds he could just about make it. He stopped outside and took a deep breath and had a quick vape to calm his nerves,.Stood by the pub door wondering whether he was doing the right thing. He almost heard her voice in his ear one last time telling him what he had told her before she died, “Be happy and live, if not for you but for me”. That was the last push he needed to open the door. Weirdly the pub was empty but for one person, the girl from earlier. She was sat at a table by the lit fire watching the snow fall outside, he moved past the bar ordered a drink and went to sit down. Over the next few hours they talked and talked, learning each other and just exploring the exciting and the newness of meeting someone and feeling that instant rush of attraction.

 They laughed and talked, and over the hours as the snow fell ate together and moved closer till in the end they were hand in hand as the bell for last orders chimed. Shrugging on their coats they were discussing where to go next when they were faced with the choice being made for them. The new couple slowly struggled with the door, first pulling gently then yanking harder then trying to tap it then pull before the bloke behind the bar came to look. Even with his help it wouldn’t shift. He turned the lights up and then they saw the true issue. The snow had piled up to the point that the door wouldn’t budge and they couldn’t leave.

 

 “Well this solves that question.” Lucy giggled before turning to the barman. “Still have a room spare for tonight?”

 

He nodded laughing a little before digging out the key and grabbing a couple of bottles of beer for himself and sorting a final drink for each of the couple.

 

Heading up the winding stairs they walked together still hand in hand and Callum stood at the door awkwardly. Lucy  plucked both drinks from his hand and returned slyly grinning before pulling him into a deep long rough kiss by his shirt collar and dragging him through the open door, kicking the door shut as she pushed him to the bed ravishing his mouth and running her hands across his body.

 

Lottie's Merry Christmas

 

Hi I'm 22. Unemployed, exist and write terrible fiction. Oh, and I read far too much fanfiction when I should be looking for work. So, without further ado, bore your brains to pieces with my attempts at romance. Any constructive criticism welcome!

- Ceci

 

Lottie’s Merry Christmas

 

By

Cecily Hardy

 

 The wind was bitter but she didn’t notice it as she stormed through the lightly falling snow. It was dark, sometime around 9 o’clock. The streets were deserted but the sounds and lights from the restaurants and bars demonstrated the cheerfulness of the season. People around her were so happy.

 Her pace slowed, as she passed the local pub. She even stopped, contemplating diving into the garish Christmas lights, tinsel, party crackers and end of year pop quizzes but shaking herself broke from the connection, abandoning the merriment behind her and allowing the laughter to trickle away in the back of her mind. The cobbled streets led her in gentle curves towards the depths of the city. The shop lights glittering and twinkling merrily at her as she passed, so lost in thought she barely noticed that she had reached the square until her eyes, ears and nose were assaulted by the lights, sounds and smells of the evening market. Rich cinnamon and roasted chestnuts wafted their way towards her. Soft pretzels, doughnuts and cheerfully wrapped cakes tore her attention from her thoughts.

She was still angry, but the feeling had dulled a little. She knew that Lottie couldn’t help the way her family had reacted to her, but it would have been nice if she’d stood up for her, instead of standing there like an idiot. Deep down she knew she was being harsh. Lottie had been just as surprised as she had been by their reactions. They had never indicated any negative feelings towards that sort of thing ever before. Or at least that was what Lottie had assured her of before they had turned up with their “news”.

 She snorted to herself and pulled her scarf tighter around her as she wove in and out of the stalls, glancing at necklaces and food and junk that you buy because it’s pretty but of no real use to you whatsoever. Barely paying attention to where she was headed she found herself in the centre of the market next to a Grecian looking pavilion, and surrounded by tall snow covered trees was a temporary ice rink. Pausing, she leaned against the bars and lost herself in the twirling of the couples on the ice, her thoughts disappearing in a spiral of emotions as she clung to the railing for dear life.

  Lottie gaped at her parents. She couldn’t believe that they’d said what they just did.

“That’s disgusting! You’re filthy, the pair of you! You tramp! You’ve turned my daughter into a slut!”

Those phrases rang around and around her head before the slamming of the front door shocked her out of her thoughts. Hari was gone! She’d walked out! Lottie saw red.

 “How dare you! How dare you insult the woman I love! I’m so glad I don’t live at home anymore and have a job. You make me sick! I’m leaving! You’re not going to see me again! You can shove your bigoted ideas and have a merry fucking Christmas the lot of you!” She spun on her heels and headed towards the door.

 “You walk out that door young lady and I’ll-“

 “You’ll what Daddy? Spank me? Throw me out?” Lottie scoffed “I’m an adult with my own house.” She gasped and put a hand on her forehead dramatically “Oh no! Where will I go?! Oh! Yeah...Home.” With this she opened the door, pausing just long enough to turn around for one last parting shot, a feral smirk on her face. “Oh, and by the way Daddy, Hari is a minx in bed! Ciao!” She flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder and slammed the door leaving behind a stunned silence in her wake.

It took some time to find her but there she was, staring into space, lent against the metal barriers that had been bolted into place around the temporary ice rink. She had watched her for a few minutes now, unsure how to proceed before summoning her courage. “It’s pretty.”

“Yeah” Lottie’s heart soared a little. “She’s still talking to me!” her head screamed.

 “Do you want to?”

“What?” Hari blinked and turned to her as if seeing her for the first time.

“Do you want to skate?”

Hari’s lips twitched into a smile. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

They held hands as they glided lazily around the ice. “So...”

“So?” Lottie stopped at the edge of the ice.

 “What did you say?” “Oh just that I was leaving and that they were bigots.”

“Nothing else?” Hari pulled a bottle of water out of her bag and took a sip.

“I might have said Merry Christmas, after I told daddy how good you were in bed.”

“You what?!” Lottie grinned and drew Hari into a deep kiss.

“Told them that you’re a minx and mine.” Lottie nibbled her neck gently.

“Ooh...okay.” Hari moaned lightly “Lottie?”

“Mmhmm?”

“Merry Christmas.”

First Snowfall

              

First Snowfall

by

 Ellie Mack

 It was the first snowfall of the year.   Alex gyrated on the dance floor, moving rhythmically, naturally, to the tempo.  It helped ease the strain the last few weeks had given her and offered a brief respite before going into finals week.  When the first set finished, she moved to the bar, ordering a Long Island. 

She sat sipping her drink, taking in her surroundings for the first time since arriving with her friends. She spotted two of the girls across the room flirting with some cute guys.  She searched for Paula, but didn’t find her roommate .  A man had moved close to her, practically touching her as he ordered  for himself and another round for her. 

“That chemistry test get to you too?  It was a bear for me.”  He tossed out there before taking a sip of his beer.

“She graciously accepted her drink, twirling the straw. “Thanks. It was tough, and I spent a lot of time studying. So very glad that it's  over.  Now to gear up for the comp final.”

They conversed about the class, about other classes they had and tests and term papers due. “What’s your major?”  He asked draining his bottle.

“Microbiology. Yours?”  Alex took a sip and realized she didn’t even know his name.  She’d sat in class with him for a full semester.  He sat just to her left, and smiled at her every day of class. 

“Computer Science”  He turned, looking back towards the dance floor then nervously asked her.  “Hey, you want to get out of here? Take a walk with me?”

“Sure,  it’s a bit stuffy in here anyway.  Just let me text my friends,  ummmm. “  She chewed her lip nervously trying to cover that she didn’t know his name. “I’m having a lapse,  I’m sorry what is your name?”   

“Dave” 

She blushed.  “ I knew that, was just temporarily forgetful.”  She typed it into her text.  “Sorry about that.  You still want me to walk with you?”

He made a light hearted chuckle.  “Of course.  Might give me an opportunity so you’ll not forget my name again.”  He took her hand squeezing it lightly as he led her towards the door. 

They stepped out into the chilled night air, snowflakes instantly covering their heads and shoulders.

She gasped, “Snow!” 

He looked down, it had already covered the ground about two inches. “Guess it’s a good thing we’re leaving now. “ 

“Wow!  I didn’t think it was supposed to snow. “  She twirled in the falling flakes, grinning from ear to ear. 

Dave reached for her hand, as they walked at a relaxed pace back to the campus housing.  “What dorm are you in?”

“I’m in Landon house, second floor.  What about you?”  He seemed so quiet, and reserved.  Alex wondered if he would even try to kiss her.  She wanted him to kiss her, she wanted his arms wrapped around her.  She had only had two dates since arriving on campus fourteen weeks ago, and both were disastrous. She’d glanced at Dave many times in class wondering if he had a girlfriend.

“I’m in McClain quarter, right by Landon.”  He grinned at her. “Just right across the courtyard from you.”

She blushed thinking about all the times she had stared out the window into the courtyard, watching the guys play football.  Watching them play soccer, or just tossing a Frisbee.  She had watched Dave with his friends on more than one occasion. 

As they started up the hill at the edge of campus Alex lost her footing.  The snow packed just enough to make it slick and prevent good traction.  She slid, pulling Dave down with her.  He landed on top of her  with a thud. 

“Oh I’m sorry!  Didn’t mean to fall on you.”   He tried to get up and slipped again.”

She giggled, “Actually my fault.  If I hadn’t pulled you down with me, you’d still be fine.”

Dave grinned.  “Well, as long as I have you pinned here, there’s something I’ve been wanting to do all semester.”  He bent his mouth over hers and kissed her softly. His lips barely making contact with  hers, then pressing firmer until she opened slightly to him.

All the inner fireworks were going off for her.  She hoped that he felt it too. “Mmmm.  I’ve never been kissed so thoroughly. “

They gazed into each other’s eyes for a few moments before she pulled his head back down to hers. 

He groaned, pressing into her.

She giggled, breaking the kiss.  “Race you back to the car. “  She wriggled out from under him and took off at a sprint, laughing. 

He groaned again, as he raced after her.  He caught her just before she reached the car,  grabbing her coat and spinning her.  Both slid together until he had her pinned against the car door.  He pressed into her kissing her deeply.  “Happy Anniversary darling.“  He kissed her deeper, could barely tear away from her.   “Let’s go home baby.  I love re-enacting our first date, but damn you make me hot.” 

His mouth claimed hers as she mewled into him. 

Every year, they re-enacted their first date.  It hadn’t even really been a date.  This was the first year since then that it had been snowing.  Alex beamed as she climbed into the car gazing out the window.  The first snowfall would always be her favorite.   She leaned over and kissed his cheek as he started the car. “Happy Anniversary Honey.”

Kevin's Surprise

Kevin’s Surprise

by Cathy Brockman

The chill in the car is worse than it is outside. The last couple months, things with Scott and I have gone downhill fast. We have lived together for the past five years. Nine, if you count college as dorm mates. We have been lovers for eight of those nine.
I can’t stand the coldness between us any longer. I miss what we had. I miss the love making and closeness we had. Most of all I miss the happy, contented look on Scott’s handsome face. It looks like he has lost close to ten pounds since he first talked to me about coming out and us getting married at Valentine’s Day. Until then we had what I felt was a perfect relationship. We never fought. Sure we had a few lovers’ spats, who doesn’t? I looked forward to those for the hot makeup sex afterwards. Now I’m lucky to get a hand job from him.
I don’t understand why he is so upset that I don’t want us to out our relationship publicly. I am sure those closest to us already figured it out. Why fix something not broken. But now it seems broken and I am afraid he will leave if I don’t fix it.
Dee and I set up this plan to surprise him today. If I have to choose between him or my career, It’s a no brainer. I love him that much. More than life itself.
My entire life will change in a matter of minutes. I may even have to find a new Job with less money. I hope he won’t mind losing a few luxuries.
Scott’s eyes lit up when we walked in. I chose our favorite restaurant, paid good money to have it closed for a private party. The room is quite breathtaking. I hired a party coordinator to decorate in Scott’s favorite colors. Lots of fresh greenery, a live tree with lots of snowman ornaments and snowflakes, I even had a chocolate fountain put in with a big table of fresh fruits and cakes to dip in it. I plan to take home plenty for later so we can celebrate this properly. He owes me on hell of a night of makeup sex.
“Wow this is amazing, you’ve really out done yourself this time. It’s over the top. “He clenched his jaws tightly, the joy quickly fading from his eyes.
“You sure go out of your way to make an impression for your friends and the public in general. It’s a shame you never do anything at all to impress me anymore.” Scott takes off mingling with the crowd practically ignoring my presence. I decide to get it over with. I long to see him happy once again.
I find Dee and tell her let’s get his show on the road. My hands are sweaty, my heart racing, and I can barely breath. Can I really do this? I look over at Scott; tall, slim handsome, even with the weight he has lost he looks like he could be on the cover of GQ. Where ever we go he turns heads. Women and men. Yes, I’d give up everything in the world for him
Dee comes out in her Santa dress with the large satin bag of gifts. We all take our seats around the fireplace, Scott still muttering about not getting to put on his Santa outfit and pass out the gifts this year. I hate how upset he is but my surprise will make up for the disappointment he is showing now. He can play Santa for me when we get home. I’ll beg and do whatever he wants to get off the Naughty List.
Dee saved my gift to Scott until everyone finished opening theirs as I instructed. He looks up at me with sadness and disappointment as she hands him the rectangle box that obviously has an article of clothing and hands me an envelope he removed from beneath his suit coat.
My stomach rolls with nerves as he opens the box slowly, my entire life is about to change drastically in a matter of seconds. He doesn’t even remove the shirt.
“Why don’t you take it out and show everyone?” My hands are clammy and stomach hurts so bad I pray I don’t throw up when my family, friends, and some of the most influential people in town find out that my best friend is also my lover and soon to be my legal partner in every way possible.
With a sigh he pulls the shirt up and unfolds it. His eyes widen as the small ring box falls into his lap from the folds of the rainbow T-shirt with large letters that read simply ‘Let’s make this legal’
I’m not sure what is making me more nervous, the silence or the mixture of shock and fear on Scott’s face.
“Ah you two are so sweet! Read the card Scott gave you out loud” Dee’s bubbly voice echoed through the room.
I flip the card open, bile rises in my throat, my heart stops pounding ninety to nothing about the same time Scott opens the ring box and shrieks “NO! DON”T READ THAT!”
Too late.
I just came out to what seems like the entire world and got dumped at the same time.

Burning Day

Hi I'm 22. Unemployed, exist and write terrible fiction. Oh, and I read far too much fanfiction when I should be looking for work. So, without further ado, bore your brains to pieces with my attempts at romance. Any constructive criticism welcome!
- Ceci

Burning Day

by

Cecily Hardy

The smell of burning startled her into wakefulness. Her eyes darting around the room in a panic before relaxing at the sound of cursing and muffled stomping accompanying her housemate’s complaints about the loss of their toast. She had been having the same dream ever since her last meeting. It had been going so well.

The meeting had started like any other. She had sat between her boss and the opposing company as a neutral party, simply there to take notes. Across from her sat a very quiet man, he too appeared to be a neutral and she had smiled at him gently for a moment before they began. The Italian company began the negotiations hard, but by lunch the tables had turned rapidly, her boss laying an ultimatum on the table. The Italians had not liked that one bit; being called out on embezzlement and fraud by their partner company was not something that they had expected. The atmosphere in the room dropped by degrees and at this point the other neutral had stepped in, suggesting a break for lunch. She had watched the partner company warily as they left the room. Her boss was too busy conversing with his partner, wife and lawyer to notice but just as the door slid closed she spotted a fifty pound note slide into the hand of a concierge. She shook her head, it was nothing, it had to be. Yet trying to push the incident to the back of her mind proved futile as they too stood, gathering papers and headed towards the buffet hall.

The buffet hall in her opinion, despite the famous nature of the hotel, was decorated in a horrid off yellow wallpaper with canary yellow tablecloths, a green patterned carpet that clashed horribly and navy blue leather tall backed chairs that looked far too austere for their place. She glanced around the room, spotting the concierge out of the corner of her eye and settled down in a seat at one of the round tables. The concierge approached a wine bottle in his hand and a clean glass. He swapped the glass in front of her as the boss poured wine for everyone and left the table.

‘Zehra?’

She was startled out of watching the concierge as her boss drew her attention, indicating his desire to propose a toast.

‘To the prosperity of our company.’

There was a sudden crash and a large whooshing sound across the buffet hall as the rest of her table downed their glasses of wine and with a synchronisation that was terrifying, fell face first into their plates just as the kitchen exploded outwards in a rush of alcohol induced flame. Falling off her seat in shock had been the only thing that saved her life. The concierge who had thrown the alcohol across the room into the controlled flame of the chef’s pan counted all four of his targets deceased and moved to exit the room, confident that the fire would consume all evidence.

She had come to her senses then. Half terrified, she only just had enough time to think of grabbing all the paperwork her boss had brought with him (fortunately for her he used a rucksack). She swung the bag up onto her back and ran for the door, thankful that she had chosen to wear a trouser suit and flat shoes today rather than skirt and heels. She had burst out of the door, heading for the nearest exit, heart pounding, coughing and spluttering from the smoke she’d begun to inhale from the flames in the kitchen. She grabbed the wall, stopping suddenly in fright as a crash startled her. Her brain told her it was the ceiling of the buffet hall but quickly realised that she didn’t have time for that. Pushing forwards she found a fire exit to an alleyway at the side of the building. Throwing the door open her fear drove her into the arms of the other neutral, the man who had sat opposite her. He too was startled for a moment before grabbing her and dragging her behind a large dustbin.

‘Are you hurt?’  His voice was soft, soothing and yet firm.

‘Who-?’

‘Are you hurt?’ he asked again, this time more forcefully, eliciting a shake of the head from her.
‘Good. Now you need to listen to me carefully. We can’t be found here. You need to trust me and do exactly as I say, without question. Do you understand?’

She wasn’t stupid. She’d found help and this man seemed to know what he was doing.

‘Y-yes.’

‘Good. Follow me. Stay as quiet as possible. If I tell you to run and not look back, you run. If I tell you to duck, you duck. If I tell you to leave me to bleed on the floor and get away, do so. You’ve got yourself caught up in something big. I know you had nothing to do with it and that’s why I’m helping you.’

She nodded mutely, forcing as much of her panic to the back of her mind as possible, allowing herself to be pulled into a run.

Now some four weeks later she was still with him. They were masquerading as a couple, living in a flat together on the coast. He had found her work pretty quickly and he had claimed he already had a job. He’d saved her life, she wasn’t one to argue. But she couldn’t help the nightmares, the smell of burning, the fear of the intense heat; the choking of the smoke...it was all too much for her. Everything was so confusing. The only thing that seemed to be right was him. He just exuded this silent power, confidence in himself that made her feel safe, secure and oddly, at home, despite the mess.

The dream itself was full of that same burning, same choking sensation. She’d get wrapped in the blankets, or she’d end up with her face in the pillow, her breathing constricted, not painfully, but enough for her subconscious to latch on and twist her dreams into nightmares, an intoxicating swirl of smoke, sweat, fear.  The roof always fell on her, the eyes of her ex-colleagues stared blankly at her, blaming her, accusing her. They would stand, broken, pale and deathly white and inch towards her, flames surrounding, consuming and in the very back of her mind, the eyes, the face of the concierge as he strode out of the hotel in triumph echoed in the back of her mind, mocking her very existence as she begged for forgiveness, to be set free and then, as the ceiling collapsed, she woke. Usually she would end up on the floor, her face flat to the wooden boards, choking back tears, gripping at the blankets, shaking and sweating in the small hours of the night. Invariably it took a stiff drink and at least an hour for her to gain enough courage to try to sleep again.

He was usually there, when she woke, he had a habit of knowing when a dream had woken her. He would come out of the room just before she’d managed to gain the courage to leave her room for a drink. He’d lay a sweet amber-filled glass on the table and would watch her. He would never push for her to tell him what disturbed her sleep, but he seemed to know; he could tell. She had broken down in his arms the first few times, but by the third night he’d managed to draw the story out of her. Now he just sat for comforts sake. They weren’t friends. They barely knew one another. He’d sit and clean his gun as she drank her Southern Comfort and occasionally take a swig from a hip flask that he sat on the table next to him. He was a mystery to her. They never talked about home or family or friends. They just were, and yet the silence was never uncomfortable, it was just there. They seemed to have created a symbiotic relationship that had moved beyond words. However, he had smiled at her one night, when he had found her cleaning his gun with a practiced ease that had genuinely startled him to begin with.

‘You’re a natural.’

‘No, my father owned one.’

‘He taught you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘Bad neighbourhood.’

He had raised his eyebrows and nodded.  ‘Anything else you know?’

‘Suspect everyone.’

‘Indeed.’ His statement was flat, but with a hint of a question.

‘If you suspect everyone then you will never be disappointed.’

Again he raised his eyebrows.

‘If someone does something wrong, you suspected them all along and you were right. If you suspected them all along and they didn’t do anything, then more is the better, you’re pleasantly surprised and everyone’s happy.’

‘Why aren’t you a cop?’

She had shrugged at that question. 
 
‘I thought about it. I did basic training for the army. It didn’t work out.’

He cocked his head to one side.

‘Superior officer expected more of me than I wanted to give.’

His eyes had flashed dangerously at that.

‘I hope,’ he growled softly ‘that he will not be having children anytime soon?’

She had then blown into the gun and inspected the barrel.  ‘It’s possible.’

He’d snorted at that.

‘Good. I don’t have to go beat someone up.’

‘You’ve very protective for someone who doesn’t know me.’

‘You’re very trusting for someone who doesn’t know me.’

She titled her head and laughed lightly.‘Does that put us at an impasse?’

‘I’d assume so. Unless you want to play 20 questions and then some?’

‘No, I think you’d win.’

‘Why’d you say that?’

‘A feeling.’

‘Do you always follow your “feelings”?’

‘Yes.’

He smiled. ‘Why?’

‘I’m still alive.’

‘Touché.’


                        *                                                        *                                                          *

She snuck towards his room. Her footfalls were soft against the dark red carpet. She pulled her hair back into a quick ponytail and gently laid her hand on the door, pushing it slightly ajar, easing the handle down. Her ears strained, she caught the soft breathing of her flatmate. He was a light sleeper and she knew that to pull this off she’d have to be painfully careful. She inched herself into the room, laying each footfall heel first to minimize noise and thanking God that he was a tidy man and there was nothing to step on.

Did she risk leaving the door ajar? She needed the light, a little, but would he wake? Glancing over she assessed the sleeping man. His breathing pattern hadn’t changed. Deciding to risk it she edged her way across the room. Reaching his bedside table she cringed as the packages rustled in her arms but set her teeth determinedly, easing them onto the desk. One long flat package went first, a long thin box came next, a small soft package was tucked neatly at the back and another smaller box was placed finally on top of the other two. Letting out a small sigh of relief she backed out of the room, not noticing that although his breathing had remained the same, his eyes had opened. In the soft light as the door closed his mouth could be seen to twitch up in a gentle smile. And glancing at the packages, caressed them fondly before drifting back to sleep.


                            *                                                             *                                                         *


It had been six months, she barely knew him and yet she understood him in a way that no one else had ever managed. Her gifts had been a mix of a deep understanding of who he was and a demonstration of the kind of woman that she only allowed the rare few to see. The smallest box had been practical. A small, beautiful assisted opener, delicately engraved with Celtic patterns, a sharp two inch blade, solid grip and perfect balance made it all he needed out of a small concealable tool. It had described his first impression of her completely, quiet, deadly and subtle. The next present demonstrated a request for a future. It was simply a dinner reservation at a small Japanese restaurant not far from their flat. That it was wrapped around a pair of chop sticks was all he needed to know. The last of the boxes demonstrated a talent he had no idea she possessed. It both surprised and touched him. In a thin frame lay a complicated pencil sketch of him, cleaning a gun, the concentration and memory that had to have gone into the piece was astounding. But it was the last that made him freeze. It was the last that placed a fire in his eyes and a determination in his footsteps. It was the last that had led him here.

The leaves hung from the doorframe, so innocent and tantalising in what they offered. The red berries gleaming in the soft light of the candles and fairy lights. His eyes ran up and down her body, devouring her image. The way the novelty Christmas hat flopped down precariously on the left side of her head, the tinsel draped over her neck. He couldn’t stand it any longer. A creak in the floorboards announced his approach, for once he didn’t care that his feet weren’t light enough to startle her. He only cared about the way the frown of concentration would melt from her features on seeing him. His thumb trailed across her cheek and in one swift motion drew her into a deep kiss, pressing her against the door jam, hand cradling her head. Instantly her arms wrapped themselves around him, one hand still holding the silvery green tinsel.

Her mind exploded with the sensation before switching off and succumbing to the kiss. His fingers and lips trailed across her skin leaving her gasping for more. He eased her into the room, bodies still locked together, her hands fisted in his hair, gripping his shoulders, eyes closed and begging for more. He pulled her close, sliding his hands down to her hips and ran his fingers under the seam of her trousers. He heard a hitch in her throat as he nibbled down her neck, popping her trousers and sliding his hands inside, massaging her cheeks and pulling her closer, sucking lightly on her earlobe “Thank you for the presents.”

He slid his hand around to her front, relishing in the wetness his fingers could feel that he had caused. She moaned into his neck and kissed him desperately.

“It was so nice of you to give me these.” He dangled a dainty pair of black and red lace embroidered knickers in front of her. “But I think that we should return this pair to its partner, don’t you?” At her whimper he tossed the knickers across the room, pressed her against the wall and drawing her shirt up and over her head tossed this quickly after it. His kisses became more insistent as she panted out.

“Fair’s fair” and dragged his shirt off. With that his grin widened. His trousers were quick to follow the discarded shirt, his mouth kissing and nipping down her throat and collarbone, his hands helping to drop her trousers to pool on the floor at her feet, trapping her in position as his fingers found her centre again. Moaning at his caresses she gasped, feeling his arousal pressed against her thigh and cried out as he lifted her bodily into his arms, holding her so that she could feel him pressed against her entrance. He carried her to the couch, dropping her gently onto the throw covered fabric and straddled her, kissing her deeply, fingers running through her hair and down her chest, cupping each breast and running his tongue over each fabric covered nipple. His hands snaked around her back, causing her to moan more into his kisses as he unclasped her bra and tossed it to join its partner in crime across the room.

His lips trailed down her body, her hands barely knew where to go and satisfied themselves with gripping his hair and shoulders as he moved lower, teasing every inch of her skin until his mouth hovered over her entrance and with one flick of the tongue her body shook with pleasure as he teased her clit eagerly. Soon she couldn’t take it anymore and instead of riding out the waves of euphoria dragged him up towards her before forcing him down onto his side. Her hand found him easily, wrapping itself around his hardness he moaned into her neck, suddenly as malleable as she had been not two minutes ago. He gasped, eye shooting wide open as her lips and tongue found his tip, torturing him. Mimicking her own move he dragged her to him kissing her passionately, their bodies finally locking together, desperate, loving and passionate they exploded in one another’s arms, panting and gripping each other as if that was all they needed in the world to survive.

 Wrapped in the green cloth of the throw they laughed at the clothes strewn everywhere and in the pale white light of Christmas day Owen Stevens pulled Zehra Lawrence closer, kissed her forehead, replaced her Santa hat and for just a moment, relaxed.

Christmas Surprise

Christmas Surprise

by

Dominique Goodall

 

 

Melody growled in annoyance as she peered out into the snow-decorated porch. It was getting dark, the wind was bitter and the object of her frustration was peering at her with a complete lack of concern. Bending down, she extended her hand out and made all the expected noises of one trying to encourage a cat towards them.

“Come on, puss. Come inside here, where it’s nice and warm, out of that snow.” When she was disdainfully ignored, the annoyed look clear on the cat’s face she stepped back and growled softly. “Fine then you stupid fat thing! Stay out there and freeze your bloody tail off for all I care!”

 She sighed softly as she straightened up. There was nothing she could do to encourage Blitzen to come back indoors before he was ready- and if she didn’t know better, she would have thought that the cat was part sled-dog. Tucking the hair back from her face, she pushed the door to, leaving just enough space for the cat to squeeze back through if he really needed to. She winced as she walked; frowning only when she stepped into the front room and saw how empty her living room looked without the Christmas tree and decorations up.

 She didn’t worry though, as there was a familiar sound coming from the open laptop. She almost ran to it, but soon sat down and smiled as she clicked the ‘answer’ button on Skype. A couple of seconds and she could see the face she had been longing for. They spoke softly, catching up on everything they had missed for the last week, as Mark had been away on business…and just the emails she had received here and there hadn’t been enough to stave off the loneliness just the sound of his honeyed voice eased.

 “So where did you go this time honey? I missed you- and your card didn’t come through, either.” The frown that appeared between Mark’s eyes looked off, but Melody shrugged and smiled at him. “Probably just the Christmas post, it’ll turn up. I hope you got my email...” Her voice trailed away as Mark laughed and nodded, shifting the laptop so she could see his face properly.

“The one about your Christmas dinner, that had me drooling, or that dratted email that came through while I was working? You know…the one with the picture of you?”

 

Melody laughed again, throwing her head back a little before she shifted a touch on her own couch, tipping her head to the side as he shifted once again, clicking on something which made him groan.

 The sound of beeping had him jumping, which made Melody frown just a little before he looked guiltily at the computer screen, and clearly at her pouting face. She already knew what he was going to say. There wasn’t much evidence from this, and it had her shaking her head in disgust.

“I’m sorry love, but…I gotta go. You know that I’m on call a lot. I’ll send you an email or something when I get back…since you’ll probably be asleep. I love you, darling.” The call shut down, his picture disappeared…and Melody broke into helpless, wrenching sobs. She hated the constantly broken calls, someone pulling on Mark’s string every time they spent, or tried to spend, time together.

 It was when the huge cat slunk across the floor, leaving watery drops behind his thick brush of a tail. He purred quietly before arching himself up against her legs. When she didn’t move, he leaped beside her, butting his head against her side until she opened her arms and let him step forwards onto her lap. Without a complaint, he took the hug when it came, the tip of his tail curling to and fro as his luminous eyes glowed beneath a curtain of her brown hair.

 “Ah Blitzen. I do love you, my handsome lad. And I’m glad you finally came indoors! I was only going to take off your Christmas collar and put your normal one on, surely you know that?” The cat gave no sign of understanding her words, instead just staring at her blankly. Melody rolled her eyes a little before unclipping the red collar with green trees and chucking it over her shoulder. It was a struggle for her to wrestle the normal black collar over his head, but when it was on, he settled with a deep, rasping purr against her stomach, his paws kneading at her while she brooded.

 A knock at the door had her bolting upright, the cat slung awkwardly over her shoulder as she staggered to stand upright. The knock was repeated, louder this time and Melody frowned, shaking her head as she finally got to the door with Blitzen hissing over her shoulder. She could already see that something was being delivered, the box enormous beside the non-descript woman who was standing against it casually.

“Are you gonna sign or not? Really don’t wanna be heaving this back to the depo, was hard enough getting it in the truck.”

 She sighed softly, scratching her signature down before putting Blitzen down and pushing him with her foot into the living room. She shut the door in time with the woman leaving and then ripped open the box with her keys. She was confused, not expecting anything. When the flaps of the box opened to reveal another box, she groaned, frowning before finding herself surrounded by boxes as she undid box in box in box. When she got down to a box the size of her hand, she opened it, expecting to find nothing after all that work. Instead, she found a plain white card which she turned over in her hands with a frown.

 

Come around back.

 
M

 

She frowned, mouthing ‘M’ to herself before obeying the card, her head tipped to the side before she laughed softly. Mark had probably had something delivered in the back, which just meant that she had to go and see what it was. She broke into tears for the second time in an hour when she saw Mark standing on her back-porch in the dark, just a bunch of flowers in his hand and a grin on his face. For the first time to meet, this was just about the most perfect thing ever, the best present…the most unique way to find yourself falling fully in love with someone. And though I'd said the words before, now I truly felt the love burning in my stomach as I saw him standing there.

 

“Happy belated Christmas Melody!” She only burst into laughter when she spotted the red ribbon tied around his waist, held in place by the loops of his jeans. “Hope you don’t mind your present…”

 

 

 

Dominique Goodall is the author of Echoes of Winter, book one in the Seasons of the Wolf series and a self-confessed wolf addict. She has currently been published in two anthologies by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing and is currently working on getting herself better known by sending in manuscripts for as many different anthologies as she possibly can.

 As much as she loves to admit it, she never will be able to count her wolf stuff- there’s nothing left for her to be truly able to collect without her own home.

 She can be friended on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/WaterSinger

Her author page on Facebook is here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dominique-Goodall-author/250907358312446

The page for Echoes of Winter is here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Echoes-of-Winter/355235744499607

Her twitter name is: https://twitter.com/#!/DomGoodall

And her blog can be found here: http://dominiquegoodall.wordpress.com/

And the trailer for her book is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kix63EXBW50&feature=plcp

 

Link to Echoes of Winter UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Echoes-Winter-Seasons-Wolf-ebook/dp/B00AMR9W1Y

 

Link to Echoes of Winter US: http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Winter-Seasons-Wolf-ebook/dp/B00AMR9W1Y