Blame the Rain

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Blame the Rain By Maya Banks

Blame the Rain Copyright © 2007 Maya Banks

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

The following story contains explicit sexual content, adult language, and is meant for mature readers.

Blame the Rain Part 1

CameronȱDucoteȱsippedȱatȱhisȱbeerȱandȱlistenedȱtoȱtheȱthunderȱrollȱinȱfromȱtheȱ west.ȱȱItȱwasȱquietȱforȱaȱFridayȱnightȱinȱholeȬinȬtheȬwallȱTexas.ȱȱTheȱlocalsȱwereȱasȱ subduedȱasȱtheȱweather.ȱȱFewȱpeopleȱinhabitedȱtheȱrunȱdownȱbarȱasȱmostȱhadȱleftȱwithȱ theȱannouncementȱofȱaȱsevereȱthunderstormȱwarning.ȱȱWhyȱhe’dȱhungȱaround,ȱheȱ didn’tȱknow,ȱbutȱitȱbeatȱaȱnightȱatȱhomeȱaloneȱwithȱonlyȱhisȱbadgeȱandȱgunȱtoȱkeepȱhimȱ warm.ȱ ȱ

Afterȱaȱfewȱminutes,ȱtheȱloudȱclatterȱofȱhailȱhittingȱtheȱtinȱroofȱcausedȱaȱmurmurȱ

fromȱtheȱremainingȱcustomers.ȱ ȱ

“Hopeȱtoȱhellȱit’sȱnotȱaȱdamnȱtornado,”ȱClydeȱJamesonȱgrumbledȱasȱheȱpickedȱ

upȱCam’sȱemptyȱbottleȱandȱshovedȱanotherȱoneȱtowardȱhim.ȱ ȱ

“Nah,”ȱCamȱsaid.ȱȱ“Theyȱsaidȱtoȱexpectȱsmallȱhailȱandȱstrongȱwinds.ȱȱIt’llȱblowȱ

throughȱquick.”ȱ ȱ

TheȱnotȬsoȬsturdyȱdoorȱthatȱguardedȱtheȱentranceȱblewȱopenȱwithȱaȱcrashȱandȱaȱ

womanȱduckedȱin,ȱclutchingȱherȱarmsȱwithȱdesperateȱfingers.ȱ ȱ

SheȱwrestledȱwithȱtheȱdoorȱuntilȱoldȱBenȱJonesȱpattedȱherȱonȱtheȱarmȱandȱclosedȱ

itȱforȱher.ȱ ȱ

Camȱwatchedȱinȱinterestȱasȱsheȱventuredȱaȱlittleȱfurtherȱin,ȱaȱwide,ȱfrightenedȱ

lookȱonȱherȱface.ȱȱAndȱwhenȱsheȱlookedȱoverȱatȱhimȱandȱtheirȱgazesȱconnected,ȱheȱfeltȱ likeȱsomeoneȱhadȱkickedȱhimȱrightȱinȱtheȱballs.ȱ ȱ

Theȱmostȱbrilliantȱsetȱofȱblueȱeyesȱhe’dȱeverȱcomeȱintoȱcontactȱwithȱsizzledȱrightȱ

intoȱhisȱbrainȱandȱpromptlyȱmeltedȱallȱhisȱsensoryȱreceptors.ȱȱȱ ȱ

Mostȱintriguingȱwasȱtheȱwarinessȱthatȱradiatedȱfromȱherȱlikeȱaȱbeacon.ȱȱHerȱ

stanceȱwasȱguarded,ȱandȱyetȱsheȱappearedȱsoȱveryȱfragile,ȱasȱifȱtheȱslightestȱtouchȱ

wouldȱbreakȱher.ȱ ȱ

Everyȱoneȱofȱhisȱcopȱwarningȱsignalsȱblaredȱintoȱoverdrive.ȱȱThisȱbeautifulȱ

woman,ȱwhoeverȱsheȱwas,ȱasȱrunningȱhardȱandȱfastȱfromȱsomeoneȱorȱsomething.ȱ ȱ

Beforeȱheȱevenȱrealizedȱwhatȱheȱwasȱdoing,ȱheȱwasȱonȱhisȱfeetȱandȱwalkingȱ

acrossȱtheȱcreakyȱwoodȱfloorȱtoȱwhereȱsheȱstood.ȱȱHeȱtookȱoffȱhisȱStetsonȱasȱheȱ approached.ȱ ȱ

“Ma’am,ȱyouȱlookȱlikeȱyouȱcouldȱdoȱwithȱaȱstiffȱdrink.ȱȱI’dȱbeȱmoreȱthanȱhappyȱtoȱ

obligeȱyou.”ȱ ȱ

Herȱeyesȱflashedȱpanic,ȱandȱsheȱlookedȱlikeȱshe’dȱturnȱtailȱandȱboltȱrightȱbackȱ

intoȱtheȱrain.ȱȱHeȱbackedȱoffȱaȱfootȱandȱcontinuedȱtoȱsurveyȱher.ȱ ȱ

“IȱdȬdon’tȱdrink,”ȱsheȱreplied.ȱ

ȱ

Herȱsweet,ȱhuskyȱvoiceȱswamȱoverȱhimȱlikeȱtheȱfineȱwhiskyȱClydeȱkeptȱforȱ

specialȱoccasions.ȱȱHeȱcouldȱseeȱherȱtremblingȱandȱknewȱsheȱwasȱcold.ȱ ȱ

“Howȱaboutȱsomeȱhotȱteaȱthen?”ȱheȱasked.ȱȱ“Youȱcanȱcomeȱsitȱdownȱoverȱbyȱtheȱ

barȱandȱdryȱoff.”ȱ ȱ

Herȱfaceȱwasȱaȱstudyȱinȱindecision.ȱȱHeȱgaveȱherȱhisȱbestȱgoodȬoleȬboyȱwouldn’tȬ

hurtȬaȬflyȱgrin.ȱȱSheȱseemedȱtoȱrelaxȱtheȱtiniestȱfraction.ȱ ȱ

“Thatȱsoundsȱnice,”ȱsheȱsaid.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱwasn’tȱfromȱaroundȱhere.ȱȱThatȱwasȱforȱdamnȱsure.ȱSheȱlackedȱtheȱsoftȱdrawlȱ

ofȱaȱnative.ȱȱHeȱwalkedȱwithȱherȱtoȱtheȱbar,ȱcarefulȱtoȱkeepȱtheȱdistanceȱbetweenȱthem.ȱ ȱ

ASȱtheyȱsat,ȱClydeȱraisedȱanȱeyebrowȱatȱCam.ȱȱCamȱshrugged.ȱȱ“Canȱyouȱgetȱtheȱ

ladyȱsomeȱhotȱtea?”ȱȱȱ ȱ

Clydeȱlookedȱhorrifiedȱbyȱtheȱrequestȱandȱclearedȱhisȱthroatȱawkwardly.ȱHeȱ

gesturedȱforȱCamȱtoȱwalkȱtoȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱbar.ȱȱWithȱaȱsigh,ȱCamȱcomplied.ȱ ȱ

“Uh,ȱhowȱtheȱhellȱdoȱIȱmakeȱhotȱteaȱanyway?ȱȱNoȱoneȱaroundȱhereȱdrinksȱthatȱ

shit.ȱIȱguessȱIȱcouldȱwarmȱupȱtheȱsweetȱteaȱinȱtheȱmicrowave.”ȱ ȱ

Camȱnodded.ȱȱ“Doȱthat.ȱȱI’mȱsureȱit’llȱbeȱjustȱfine.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱreturnedȱtoȱhisȱmysteryȱwomanȱwhoȱsatȱshiveringȱatȱtheȱbar,ȱhandsȱclaspedȱ

togetherȱinȱfrontȱofȱher.ȱȱHisȱeyesȱnarrowedȱasȱheȱrealizedȱsheȱdidn’tȱhaveȱaȱpurseȱorȱ bagȱofȱanyȱkind.ȱButȱheȱsupposedȱsheȱcouldȱhaveȱleftȱitȱinȱherȱcar.ȱ ȱ

“Clydeȱwillȱgetȱyouȱsomeȱhotȱtea…miss?”ȱ

ȱ

“Carruthers,”ȱsheȱsupplied.ȱȱ“LilyȱCarruthers.”ȱ

ȱ

Itȱfitȱher.ȱȱDelicate,ȱbeautiful,ȱsoȱfeminine.ȱȱSheȱturnedȱherȱbig,ȱblueȱsadȱeyesȱonȱ

him.ȱȱ“Doesȱtheȱbarȱcloseȱsoon?ȱȱIȱthoughtȱitȱmightȱbeȱclosed.ȱNoȱoneȱwasȱhereȱitȱ seemed.”ȱ ȱ

“Seenȱtheȱweatherȱoutȱthere?”ȱheȱjoked.ȱȱ“Everyone’sȱatȱhomeȱwhichȱisȱprobablyȱ

whereȱyouȱshouldȱbe.”ȱ ȱ

Sheȱvisiblyȱretreated,ȱpainȱsparkingȱinȱherȱeyes.ȱȱSheȱturnedȱawayȱfromȱhim,ȱ

effectivelyȱclosingȱherselfȱoff.ȱ ȱ

“WhatȱareȱyouȱrunningȱfromȱMissȱLilyȱCarruthers?”ȱheȱaskedȱsoftly.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱyankedȱherȱheadȱaround,ȱpanicȱburningȱbrightly.ȱȱThenȱherȱgazeȱsettledȱonȱ

theȱwaistȱbandȱofȱhisȱjeansȱwhereȱhisȱbadgeȱhung.ȱȱHeȱcouldȱseeȱherȱmentallyȱ backpeddlingȱaboutȱaȱhundredȱyards.ȱ ȱ

“You’reȱaȱcop,”ȱsheȱblurted.ȱ

ȱ

“Yes,”ȱheȱsaidȱcalmly.ȱȱHeȱputȱhisȱStetsonȱheȱwasȱstillȱholdingȱdownȱonȱtheȱbarȱ

andȱstuckȱhisȱhandȱoutȱtoȱher.ȱȱ“SheriffȱCameronȱDucoteȱatȱyourȱservice.ȱȱButȱyouȱcanȱ callȱmeȱCam.”ȱ ȱ

Sheȱdidn’tȱtakeȱhisȱhand.ȱȱSheȱseemedȱfrozenȱinȱplace.ȱȱThenȱsheȱspunȱaroundȱonȱ

theȱbarstoolȱandȱslidȱoff.ȱȱSheȱallȱbutȱboltedȱforȱtheȱdoor,ȱherȱhandsȱclenchedȱintoȱlittleȱ fistsȱatȱherȱside.ȱ

ȱ

“Lily,”ȱheȱcalledȱoutȱasȱheȱstartedȱafterȱher.ȱ“Lily,ȱwait.”ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱflungȱopenȱtheȱdoorȱandȱsteppedȱintoȱtheȱdrivingȱrain.ȱȱByȱtheȱtimeȱheȱcaughtȱ

upȱtoȱher,ȱsheȱwasȱacrossȱtheȱparkingȱlotȱandȱheadingȱdownȱtheȱcountyȱroad.ȱȱWhereȱtheȱ hellȱwasȱherȱcar?ȱ ȱ

Heȱreachedȱhisȱhandȱoutȱtoȱgrabȱherȱelbowȱandȱspunȱherȱaround.ȱȱ“Lily,ȱstop,ȱI’mȱ

notȱgoingȱtoȱhurtȱyou.ȱȱWhereȱtheȱhellȱdoȱyouȱthinkȱyou’reȱgoingȱinȱthisȱweather?ȱȱ Whereȱisȱyourȱcar?”ȱ ȱ

Herȱchinȱquiveredȱasȱtheȱrainȱpeltedȱthemȱboth.ȱȱGoddamnȱheȱwasȱgettingȱwet.ȱ

ȱ

“Iȱdon’tȱhaveȱaȱcar,”ȱsheȱsaid.ȱ“Nowȱletȱmeȱgo.ȱPlease.”ȱ

ȱ

Theȱpleaȱwasȱtingedȱwithȱdesperation,ȱandȱheȱfeltȱitȱdeepȱinȱhisȱchest.ȱȱHeȱdidn’tȱ

getȱtoȱwhereȱheȱwasȱinȱhisȱcareerȱbyȱbeingȱtakenȱbyȱaȱprettyȱfaceȱandȱaȱsobȱstory,ȱbutȱ somethingȱtoldȱhimȱthisȱwomanȱhadn’tȱdoneȱanythingȱillegal.ȱȱSheȱwasȱrunningȱfromȱ someoneȱorȱsomethingȱthatȱhadȱhurtȱherȱbadly.ȱ ȱ

“Comeȱon,”ȱheȱsaid,ȱguidingȱherȱtowardȱhisȱtruckȱparkedȱbackȱbyȱtheȱentrance.ȱ

ȱ

“WhȬwhereȱareȱyouȱtakingȱme?”ȱsheȱsaidȱasȱsheȱtriedȱtoȱpullȱaway.ȱ

ȱ

“I’mȱtakingȱyouȱhomeȱwithȱme,”ȱheȱsaid.ȱ

Blame the Rain Part 2

CamȱwatchedȱLilyȱclutchȱtheȱblanketȱhe’dȱgivenȱherȱcloserȱaroundȱherȱslightȱ bodyȱasȱheȱputteredȱaroundȱtheȱkitchenȱpreparingȱherȱsomeȱhotȱsoup.ȱȱHe’dȱofferedȱherȱ aȱchangeȱofȱclothesȱsoȱheȱcouldȱdryȱtheȱonesȱsheȱhadȱon,ȱbutȱshe’dȱrefused.ȱ ȱ

Nowȱthatȱheȱhadȱherȱhere,ȱheȱwasn’tȱaltogetherȱsureȱwhatȱtheȱhellȱtoȱdoȱwithȱher.ȱ

ȱ

Whenȱtheȱmicrowaveȱdinged,ȱheȱpulledȱtheȱbowlȱoutȱandȱgaveȱtheȱsoupȱaȱquickȱ

stir.ȱȱHeȱcarriedȱitȱoverȱtoȱtheȱtableȱwhereȱsheȱsatȱandȱplacedȱitȱinȱfrontȱofȱher.ȱ ȱ

“Eatȱup.”ȱ

ȱ

Herȱsmallȱhandȱappearedȱfromȱtheȱfoldsȱofȱtheȱblanket,ȱandȱsheȱgrippedȱtheȱ

spoonȱbetweenȱherȱfingers.ȱȱHeȱsatȱdownȱbesideȱherȱandȱreachedȱoutȱhisȱfingersȱtoȱtuckȱ aȱdampȱstrandȱofȱhairȱbehindȱherȱear.ȱȱSheȱflinchedȱandȱpulledȱaway,ȱbutȱtheȱurgeȱtoȱ touchȱherȱwasȱallȱconsuming.ȱȱHeȱcouldn’tȱevenȱexplainȱtoȱhimselfȱmuchȱlessȱtryȱtoȱ comeȱupȱwithȱaȱplausibleȱreasonȱheȱcouldȱsayȱoutȱloud.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱwas,ȱinȱaȱword,ȱbeautiful.ȱȱHauntingȱeyesȱfilledȱwithȱpainȱandȱsadness.ȱȱHe’dȱ

neverȱwantedȱsoȱbadlyȱtoȱtakeȱawayȱsomeoneȱelse’sȱsuffering.ȱ ȱ

“Iȱwantȱtoȱhelpȱyou,ȱLily,”ȱheȱsaidȱbeforeȱheȱcouldȱthinkȱbetterȱofȱit.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱdroppedȱtheȱspoonȱonȱtheȱtableȱwithȱaȱclatter,ȱandȱheȱcouldȱseeȱtearsȱwellingȱ

inȱherȱsoulfulȱeyes.ȱ ȱ

“Youȱcan’t,”ȱsheȱwhispered.ȱ

ȱ

Heȱpulledȱherȱintoȱhisȱarmsȱandȱwaitedȱforȱherȱtoȱresist,ȱbutȱsheȱdidn’t.ȱȱSheȱ

saggedȱintoȱhim,ȱandȱheȱpressedȱhisȱnoseȱtoȱherȱfragrantȱhair.ȱȱ“Stayȱwithȱmeȱtonight,”ȱ heȱsaidȱsimply.ȱȱ“Letȱmeȱtakeȱawayȱyourȱpain.ȱȱYou’reȱsafeȱhereȱwithȱme.”ȱ ȱ

Sheȱpulledȱawayȱandȱstaredȱatȱhim,ȱaȱsparkȱofȱhopeȱlightingȱherȱeyes.ȱȱSheȱ

waveredȱonȱtheȱbrinkȱofȱindecision,ȱherȱlipsȱpressingȱtogether.ȱȱThenȱsheȱranȱherȱpinkȱ tongueȱoverȱherȱbottomȱlipȱandȱsuckedȱitȱbetweenȱherȱteeth.ȱ ȱ

Heȱleanedȱdown,ȱunableȱtoȱresistȱnibblingȱonȱthatȱplumpȱlowerȱlip.ȱȱHeȱcoaxedȱitȱ

fromȱherȱteethȱandȱsuckedȱintoȱhisȱownȱmouth.ȱȱSheȱshudderedȱagainstȱhim,ȱherȱhandsȱ tremblingȱasȱtheyȱtouchedȱhisȱface.ȱ ȱ

“Stayȱwithȱme,”ȱheȱwhisperedȱagainstȱherȱlips.ȱȱ“Letȱmeȱloveȱyou.”ȱ

ȱ

Asȱheȱpulledȱaway,ȱsheȱstaredȱintoȱhisȱeyesȱandȱnoddedȱherȱacceptance.ȱȱHeȱ

shookȱhisȱhead.ȱȱ“Iȱwantȱtoȱhearȱyouȱsayȱit.”ȱ ȱ

“Loveȱme.ȱȱPlease.”ȱ

ȱ

Withȱaȱgroan,ȱheȱsweptȱherȱintoȱhisȱarms.ȱȱHeȱletȱtheȱblanketȱfallȱasȱheȱcarriedȱherȱ

toȱhisȱbedroom.ȱȱHeȱplacedȱherȱonȱtheȱbedȱandȱthenȱsteppedȱaway.ȱȱ“I’llȱgoȱstartȱaȱ shower.ȱȱYou’reȱfreezing.”ȱ ȱ

Heȱhurriedȱintoȱtheȱbathroomȱandȱflippedȱonȱtheȱshower.ȱȱThenȱheȱrushedȱback,ȱ

halfȱafraidȱshe’dȱbeȱgone.ȱButȱsheȱwasȱwhereȱhe’dȱleftȱherȱonlyȱsheȱwasȱsittingȱup,ȱlegsȱ drawnȱtoȱherȱknees,ȱtheȱdampȱdenimȱhuggingȱherȱlegs.ȱ ȱ

Heȱwalkedȱoverȱandȱgentlyȱmaneuveredȱherȱdownȱonȱtheȱmattress.ȱȱHeȱreachedȱ

forȱtheȱflyȱofȱherȱjeans,ȱandȱsheȱfroze.ȱ ȱ

“I’mȱjustȱgoingȱtoȱgetȱyouȱoutȱofȱthoseȱwetȱclothesȱsoȱweȱcanȱshower,”ȱheȱsaidȱ

soothingly.ȱȱ“Iȱwon’tȱhurtȱyou,ȱbaby.ȱȱI’llȱneverȱhurtȱyou.”ȱ ȱ

Heȱwasȱhumbledȱbyȱtheȱtrustȱthatȱshoneȱinȱherȱeyes.ȱȱItȱwasn’tȱsomethingȱsheȱ

gaveȱeasily,ȱheȱknew.ȱȱHowȱheȱknewȱheȱdidn’tȱknow,ȱbutȱheȱdidn’tȱwantȱtoȱstopȱandȱ analyzeȱtheȱsituationȱorȱgetȱintoȱaȱdiscourseȱaboutȱhowȱhe’dȱneverȱinȱhisȱlifeȱjumpedȱ headlongȱintoȱsomethingȱlikeȱthis.ȱȱItȱjustȱfeltȱright.ȱȱLikeȱthisȱwasȱaȱwomanȱhe’dȱwaitedȱ aȱlifetimeȱfor.ȱ ȱ

Heȱunbuttonedȱherȱjeansȱandȱbeganȱpullingȱthemȱdownȱherȱlegs.ȱȱHerȱsmall,ȱlacyȱ

underwearȱcameȱintoȱview.ȱȱOnlyȱslightlyȱlessȱdampȱthanȱherȱjeans,ȱtheȱsheerȱmaterialȱ clungȱtoȱtheȱVȱinȱherȱlegs,ȱandȱheȱcouldȱseeȱtheȱoutlineȱofȱherȱdarkȱcurls.ȱ ȱ

Whenȱtheȱdenimȱwasȱfreeȱofȱherȱlegs,ȱheȱtossedȱtheȱjeansȱasideȱandȱreachedȱforȱ

herȱhand.ȱȱSheȱpausedȱforȱonlyȱaȱmomentȱbeforeȱplacingȱherȱhandȱtrustinglyȱinȱhis.ȱȱHeȱ pulledȱherȱuprightȱandȱreachedȱdownȱforȱtheȱhemȱofȱherȱshirt.ȱ ȱ

Heȱpulledȱatȱtheȱmaterialȱclingingȱtoȱherȱcurves.ȱȱ“Raiseȱyourȱarms,”ȱheȱ

murmured.ȱȱSheȱcomplied,ȱandȱheȱtuggedȱtheȱshirtȱhigherȱuntilȱitȱrolledȱoverȱherȱhead.ȱȱ Heȱsuckedȱinȱhisȱbreathȱwhenȱheȱlookedȱdownȱtoȱseeȱherȱcladȱinȱonlyȱaȱsheerȱwhiteȱbraȱ andȱpanties.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱlookedȱnervouslyȱupȱatȱhimȱandȱattemptedȱtoȱcoverȱherselfȱwithȱherȱhands.ȱ

ȱ

Heȱkneltȱdownȱinȱfrontȱofȱherȱandȱpulledȱherȱhandsȱaway.ȱȱ“Don’tȱhide,ȱLily.ȱȱ

Notȱfromȱme.ȱȱYou’reȱbeautiful.”ȱ ȱ

Heȱleanedȱinȱandȱkissedȱher.ȱȱAȱhumȱofȱarousalȱstirredȱinȱhisȱveins,ȱspreadȱoutȱinȱ

aȱwarmȱrushȱandȱfloodedȱhisȱbody.ȱȱHisȱcockȱhardenedȱandȱstrainedȱagainstȱhisȱjeans.ȱ ȱ

“Comeȱintoȱtheȱbathroom,”ȱheȱsaid,ȱtakingȱherȱhandȱinȱhis.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱfollowedȱbehindȱhim,ȱandȱwhenȱtheyȱwalkedȱintoȱtheȱbathroomȱitȱwasȱfoggyȱ

withȱtheȱsteamȱpouringȱfromȱtheȱshower.ȱȱHeȱquicklyȱshuckedȱhisȱpantsȱandȱshirts,ȱandȱ withȱaȱquickȱglanceȱinȱherȱdirectionȱtoȱgaugeȱherȱreaction,ȱheȱslidȱhisȱunderwearȱdownȱ hisȱlegsȱtoȱpoolȱatȱhisȱfeet.ȱ ȱ

Herȱgazeȱseemedȱfrozenȱonȱhisȱdistendedȱcock.ȱȱSheȱreachedȱoutȱherȱhandȱasȱifȱ

sheȱwantedȱtoȱtouchȱhimȱbutȱpulledȱawayȱandȱcurledȱherȱfingersȱintoȱaȱtightȱfist.ȱ ȱ

Heȱsmiledȱandȱreachedȱforȱtheȱstrapsȱofȱherȱbra.ȱȱAsȱheȱtuggedȱthemȱdownward,ȱ

sheȱstirredȱrestlesslyȱasȱifȱsheȱwasȱgettingȱnervousȱallȱoverȱagain.ȱȱAsȱoneȱofȱherȱpinkȬ tippedȱnipplesȱcameȱintoȱview,ȱhisȱmouthȱwateredȱandȱitchedȱwithȱtheȱneedȱtoȱtasteȱher.ȱ ȱ

Heȱreachedȱaroundȱandȱunclaspedȱtheȱbraȱinȱbackȱandȱletȱitȱfallȱtoȱtheȱfloorȱwithȱ

hisȱclothes.ȱȱHerȱbreastsȱbobbedȱfree,ȱandȱheȱreachedȱoutȱtoȱtouchȱtheȱtemptingȱpeaks.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱsteppedȱback,ȱandȱatȱfirstȱheȱthoughtȱsheȱwasȱretreating,ȱbutȱsheȱreachedȱforȱ

herȱunderwearȱinsteadȱandȱpulledȱthemȱdownȱherȱlegs.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱstoodȱbeforeȱhim,ȱnaked,ȱherȱbodyȱtrembling.ȱHerȱexpressiveȱblueȱeyesȱshoneȱ

withȱanȱarrayȱofȱfear,ȱlonging…uncertainty.ȱ ȱ

Heȱscoopedȱherȱintoȱhisȱarmsȱandȱelbowedȱhisȱwayȱintoȱtheȱlargeȱshowerȱstall.ȱȱ

Theȱwarmȱsprayȱhitȱthemȱboth,ȱandȱsheȱletȱoutȱaȱsoundȱofȱpureȱfeminineȱappreciation.ȱȱ Herȱbodyȱwarmedȱunderȱtheȱdeluge,ȱandȱsomeȱofȱtheȱcolorȱreturnedȱtoȱherȱcheeks.ȱ ȱ

Heȱdidn’tȱwasteȱmuchȱtime.ȱHeȱreachedȱforȱtheȱsoapȱandȱbeganȱlatheringȱherȱ

body.ȱȱHeȱdidȱitȱmainlyȱtoȱrelaxȱherȱtenseȱmusclesȱandȱgiveȱherȱtimeȱtoȱadjustȱtoȱtheȱ situation.ȱȱTheȱlastȱthingȱheȱwantedȱwasȱtoȱmoveȱtooȱfastȱorȱtoȱfrightenȱher.ȱ ȱ

Asȱheȱturnedȱherȱawayȱfromȱhimȱtoȱrinseȱher,ȱheȱkissedȱtheȱcurveȱofȱherȱneckȱandȱ

watchedȱasȱtinyȱgooseȱbumpsȱracedȱdownȱherȱarm.ȱ ȱ

“Warmȱenoughȱnow?”ȱheȱasked.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱnodded,ȱandȱheȱturnedȱtheȱwaterȱoff,ȱleavingȱthemȱbothȱdripping.ȱHeȱtuggedȱ

herȱoutȱofȱtheȱshowerȱandȱwipedȱherȱdampȱbodyȱdownȱwithȱaȱtowel.ȱȱUnableȱtoȱresist,ȱ heȱfollowedȱtheȱtowelȱdownȱherȱskinȱwithȱhisȱmouth.ȱHeȱkissedȱeachȱnewlyȱdriedȱarea,ȱ andȱaȱsoftȱsighȱescapedȱherȱwhenȱheȱpulledȱoneȱnippleȱintoȱhisȱmouth.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱtastedȱasȱsweetȱasȱsheȱlooked,ȱandȱheȱcouldn’tȱwaitȱtoȱfurtherȱsampleȱherȱ

delectableȱbody.ȱ ȱ

Heȱdroppedȱtheȱtowelȱandȱpickedȱherȱupȱagain.ȱȱHeȱwalkedȱbackȱintoȱtheȱ

bedroomȱandȱoverȱtoȱtheȱbedȱwhereȱheȱlaidȱherȱdown.ȱȱHeȱstoodȱforȱaȱmoment,ȱenjoyingȱ theȱsightȱofȱherȱlyingȱonȱhisȱbed,ȱherȱdamp,ȱhoneyȱbrownȱhairȱsplayedȱoutȱonȱhisȱpillow.ȱ ȱ

“Loveȱme,”ȱsheȱwhispered.ȱ

ȱ

Withȱaȱgroanȱheȱloweredȱhisȱbodyȱtoȱhers.ȱȱTheȱshockȱofȱherȱskinȱonȱhisȱsentȱ

wavesȱofȱdesireȱsingingȱthroughȱhisȱblood.ȱȱSheȱwasȱsoȱsoft,ȱaȱperfectȱcontrastȱtoȱhisȱ hardness.ȱȱSheȱfitȱperfectly,ȱmeldedȱtoȱhisȱbodyȱasȱifȱsheȱwasȱtheȱmissingȱpieceȱofȱhim.ȱȱ Hisȱotherȱhalf.ȱ ȱ

Heȱleveredȱhimselfȱontoȱhisȱelbowsȱsoȱthatȱheȱdidn’tȱcrushȱher.ȱȱHeȱstaredȱdownȱ

intoȱherȱeyesȱthenȱloweredȱhisȱlipsȱtoȱkissȱher,ȱtasteȱher.ȱȱHeȱswallowedȱherȱsweetȱsighȱ ofȱsurrender,ȱandȱitȱfueledȱhisȱbloodȱlikeȱnothingȱelseȱeverȱhad.ȱ ȱ

Heȱmovedȱdownȱherȱbody,ȱandȱsheȱarchedȱintoȱhisȱkissȱasȱheȱbrushedȱhisȱlipsȱ

overȱtheȱswellsȱofȱherȱbreasts.ȱȱHeȱtonguedȱoneȱturgidȱpointȱandȱthenȱtheȱother.ȱȱHeȱ lickedȱaȱlazyȱcircleȱaroundȱtheȱpuckeredȱfleshȱthenȱsuckedȱitȱintoȱhisȱmouthȱandȱworkedȱ itȱrhythmicallyȱoverȱhisȱtongue.ȱ ȱ

Thenȱheȱranȱhisȱtongueȱdownȱherȱmidlineȱtoȱtheȱshallowȱindentionȱofȱherȱnavelȱ

andȱfinallyȱlowerȱtoȱtheȱsoftȱcurlsȱnestledȱbetweenȱherȱlegs.ȱȱHeȱkissedȱtheȱspotȱjustȱ aboveȱtheȱfineȱhair,ȱandȱsheȱflinchedȱinȱreaction.ȱ ȱ

Heȱtrailedȱhisȱfingerȱintoȱtheȱcurlsȱandȱslidȱitȱintoȱherȱwetness.ȱȱSheȱmoanedȱasȱheȱ

foundȱherȱclit.ȱȱHeȱpartedȱtheȱfoldsȱwithȱhisȱotherȱfingersȱasȱheȱflickedȱlightlyȱatȱherȱ sensitiveȱbud.ȱ ȱ

Whenȱhe’dȱopenedȱherȱtoȱhisȱsatisfaction,ȱheȱbentȱhisȱneckȱandȱputȱhisȱmouthȱtoȱ

herȱsweetness.ȱȱȱ ȱ

“Cam!”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱgrowledȱhisȱsatisfactionȱasȱhisȱnameȱfellȱfromȱherȱlips.ȱȱHeȱwantedȱherȱtoȱ

knowȱexactlyȱwhoȱwasȱtakingȱher,ȱwhoȱwasȱmakingȱherȱhis.ȱ ȱ

Heȱlappedȱlower,ȱexploringȱeveryȱhiddenȱspotȱofȱherȱfemininity.ȱȱHeȱflickedȱoverȱ

herȱopening,ȱswirledȱaroundȱitȱandȱthenȱplungedȱhisȱtongueȱinsideȱher.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱbuckedȱandȱwrithedȱbeneathȱhim,ȱandȱheȱheldȱherȱhips,ȱlockingȱherȱinȱplaceȱ

asȱheȱcontinuedȱhisȱlazyȱexploration.ȱȱLightȱnibbles,ȱtinyȱlicksȱandȱkisses.ȱHeȱgrazedȱherȱ

erectȱclitȱwithȱhisȱteethȱandȱfeltȱherȱshudderȱwithȱpleasure.ȱ ȱ

Withȱinfiniteȱgentleness,ȱheȱslidȱaȱfingerȱinsideȱherȱsmallȱopening,ȱtestingȱherȱ

wetnessȱtoȱseeȱifȱsheȱwasȱreadyȱforȱhimȱyet.ȱȱHeȱaddedȱanotherȱfinger,ȱstretchingȱherȱ slightly.ȱȱSheȱletȱoutȱaȱbreathyȱsoundingȱ“oh”ȱasȱheȱranȱhisȱfingersȱalongȱtheȱwallsȱofȱherȱ pussy.ȱ ȱ

“Please,ȱCam,”ȱsheȱbegged.ȱȱ“Don’tȱmakeȱmeȱwaitȱanyȱlonger.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱroseȱupȱonȱhisȱkneesȱandȱhookedȱherȱlegsȱoverȱhisȱarms,ȱspreadingȱherȱwiderȱ

forȱhim.ȱȱHeȱsettledȱbetweenȱherȱthighsȱandȱletȱgoȱofȱoneȱofȱherȱlegsȱlongȱenoughȱtoȱ positionȱhimselfȱbetweenȱherȱfolds.ȱ ȱ

Heȱrubbedȱhisȱcockȱupȱandȱdown,ȱcoatingȱhimselfȱwithȱherȱmoisture.ȱȱThenȱheȱ

breachedȱherȱopening,ȱpausingȱasȱheȱpushedȱanȱinchȱinside.ȱ ȱ

Heȱletȱgoȱofȱherȱlegsȱandȱleanedȱoverȱher,ȱpressingȱdeeperȱasȱheȱbentȱtoȱkissȱher.ȱȱ

Sheȱstretchedȱtoȱaccommodateȱhisȱlength,ȱandȱheȱcameȱtoȱrestȱagainstȱher,ȱfullyȱburiedȱ insideȱherȱsnugȱchannel.ȱ ȱ

Theirȱsoftȱkissesȱfilledȱtheȱnight.ȱȱHeȱpressedȱhisȱforeheadȱtoȱhersȱasȱheȱarchedȱhisȱ

hips,ȱwithdrewȱandȱflexedȱforwardȱagain.ȱȱHeȱsetȱaȱslow,ȱsensualȱrhythmȱthatȱwasȱ destinedȱtoȱdriveȱthemȱbothȱcrazy.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱwrappedȱherȱarmsȱaroundȱhimȱandȱpulledȱhimȱcloser.ȱȱHeȱmeltedȱagainstȱ

her,ȱlovingȱtheȱfeelȱofȱherȱwrappedȱsoȱsolidlyȱaroundȱhim.ȱȱItȱgaveȱhimȱaȱsenseȱofȱpeaceȱ heȱhadn’tȱfeltȱinȱmanyȱyears.ȱ ȱ

Heȱburiedȱhimselfȱinȱherȱoverȱandȱover,ȱeachȱthrustȱaȱsoothingȱbalmȱtoȱhisȱsoul.ȱȱ

Sheȱwasȱhis.ȱȱItȱwasȱinexplicable,ȱbutȱthisȱwomanȱwhoȱappearedȱoutȱofȱtheȱrainȱwasȱ destinedȱtoȱbeȱhis.ȱȱHeȱwouldn’tȱentertainȱanyȱalternative.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱkissedȱhim,ȱtakingȱtheȱinitiativeȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtimeȱandȱheȱletȱher,ȱgivingȱ

himselfȱoverȱtoȱherȱtentativeȱcaresses.ȱȱSheȱputȱoneȱhandȱonȱhisȱcheekȱandȱkissedȱhimȱ

deep,ȱrollingȱherȱtongueȱlightlyȱoverȱhis.ȱȱHerȱotherȱhandȱdugȱintoȱhisȱshoulder,ȱherȱ fingersȱflexingȱintoȱhisȱmuscle.ȱ ȱ

Heȱfeltȱherȱquiverȱaroundȱhisȱcock,ȱtinyȱlittleȱfluttersȱthatȱbecameȱstrongerȱasȱsheȱ

convulsed.ȱȱHerȱthighsȱshook,ȱandȱherȱlegsȱtightenedȱaroundȱhisȱwaist.ȱȱSheȱwasȱclose,ȱ andȱheȱwasȱdeterminedȱtoȱtakeȱherȱthere.ȱ ȱ

Heȱwithdrewȱandȱplungedȱdeep.ȱȱNotȱpausing,ȱheȱpulledȱbackȱandȱthrustȱdeepȱ

again.ȱȱSheȱletȱoutȱanȱagonizedȱcryȱasȱherȱentireȱbodyȱtightenedȱintoȱoneȱlongȱarch.ȱȱAȱ surgeȱofȱliquidȱheatȱfloodedȱhisȱcock,ȱandȱheȱcouldȱnoȱlongerȱcontrolȱhisȱownȱorgasm.ȱ ȱ

Theyȱcameȱtogetherȱinȱanȱexplosionȱofȱheatȱandȱpassion.ȱȱHeȱheldȱher,ȱwrappedȱ

himselfȱaroundȱher,ȱprotectingȱherȱfromȱtheȱoutsideȱworld.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱmoanedȱsoftlyȱasȱheȱkissedȱher.ȱȱHeȱshudderedȱagainstȱher,ȱspillingȱhimselfȱ

deep.ȱȱHeȱfeltȱhisȱreleaseȱtoȱhisȱtoes.ȱȱNeverȱhadȱanȱorgasmȱfeltȱsoȱstrong,ȱsoȱincrediblyȱ sensational.ȱȱSoȱveryȱright.ȱ ȱ

Heȱlayȱthereȱcatchingȱhisȱbreath,ȱandȱthenȱheȱrolledȱwithȱherȱinȱhisȱarms,ȱ

pillowingȱherȱheadȱonȱhisȱarm.ȱ ȱ

“Sleep,ȱmyȱlove,”ȱheȱwhispered.ȱȱ“Nothingȱcanȱhurtȱyouȱhere.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱdriftedȱoffȱhimselfȱasȱsheȱsnuggledȱdeepȱinȱhisȱarms.ȱ

ȱ

Manyȱhoursȱlater,ȱheȱwoke,ȱgroggyȱasȱsunlightȱhitȱhimȱsmackȱinȱtheȱface.ȱȱTheȱ

bedȱfeltȱoddlyȱcold,ȱandȱheȱglancedȱtoȱtheȱsideȱtoȱseeȱthatȱLilyȱwasȱnoȱlongerȱinȱhisȱbed.ȱ ȱ

Heȱfeltȱcoldȱpanicȱcreepȱintoȱhisȱheart.ȱȱHeȱknew.ȱȱKnewȱbeforeȱheȱevenȱgotȱupȱtoȱ

searchȱtheȱhouse.ȱȱHeȱknewȱwithoutȱaȱdoubtȱthatȱsheȱwasȱgone.ȱ

Blame the Rain Part 3

Camȱsatȱatȱtheȱbarȱjustȱasȱheȱhadȱeveryȱsingleȱnightȱforȱtheȱlastȱthreeȱmonths.ȱȱHisȱ behaviorȱborderedȱonȱpatheticȱbutȱeverȱsinceȱLilyȱhadȱdisappeared,ȱhe’dȱharboredȱtheȱ secretȱhopeȱthatȱshe’dȱreturn.ȱ ȱ

He’dȱsearchedȱforȱher,ȱusedȱeveryȱresourceȱatȱhisȱdisposalȱbutȱheȱhadn’tȱknownȱ

anythingȱmoreȱthanȱherȱname,ȱandȱhe’dȱfoundȱnothingȱonȱher.ȱ ȱ

Andȱnow,ȱhereȱheȱsat,ȱandȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtime,ȱheȱbeganȱtoȱloseȱhope.ȱȱHeȱwasȱ

deludingȱhimselfȱifȱheȱthoughtȱsheȱwasȱeverȱcomingȱback.ȱȱHeȱflippedȱaȱtenȱatȱClydeȱ andȱgotȱoffȱtheȱbarȱstool,ȱreadyȱtoȱheadȱhome.ȱ ȱ

Heȱwasȱhalfwayȱacrossȱtheȱroomȱwhenȱtheȱdoorȱtoȱtheȱbarȱopenedȱandȱinȱsteppedȱ

aȱwomanȱwearingȱblueȱjeans,ȱraggedȱtennisȱshoesȱandȱaȱwornȱtȬshirt.ȱȱHerȱhairȱwasȱ pulledȱbackȱintoȱaȱponytail,ȱandȱsheȱhadȱabsolutelyȱnoȱmakeupȱon.ȱȱAndȱhe’dȱneverȱ seenȱsuchȱaȱbeautifulȱsightȱinȱhisȱlife.ȱȱLily.ȱ ȱ

Herȱwaryȱgazeȱconnectedȱwithȱhis,ȱandȱthenȱsheȱlookedȱdownȱandȱaway,ȱherȱ

expressionȱsorrowful.ȱȱEvenȱasȱangerȱbuzzedȱinȱhisȱveins,ȱsweetȱreliefȱpouredȱoverȱhimȱ likeȱmapleȱsyrup.ȱȱLily.ȱȱHisȱLilyȱwasȱback.ȱ ȱ

Heȱstrodeȱoverȱtoȱher,ȱandȱwithoutȱaȱword,ȱpulledȱherȱintoȱhisȱarms.ȱȱ“Thankȱ

God,”ȱheȱmurmured.ȱ ȱ

Beforeȱsheȱcouldȱsayȱaȱword,ȱheȱwhiskedȱherȱoutȱofȱtheȱbarȱandȱintoȱhisȱtruck.ȱHeȱ

wantedȱherȱhome.ȱȱWithȱhim.ȱȱInȱhisȱarmsȱandȱheȱwasn’tȱlettingȱherȱgoȱagain.ȱ ȱ

Heȱheldȱherȱhandȱduringȱtheȱdrive.ȱȱHeȱwantedȱtoȱtalkȱtoȱher.ȱȱWantedȱtoȱaskȱherȱ

whereȱshe’dȱgone,ȱwhereȱshe’dȱbeen,ȱbutȱhisȱthroatȱwasȱtooȱtightlyȱconstricted.ȱȱThey’dȱ haveȱplentyȱofȱtimeȱforȱtalkingȱlater.ȱ

ȱ

Whenȱheȱdroveȱupȱtoȱhisȱhouse,ȱheȱjumpedȱoutȱandȱwalkedȱaroundȱtoȱliftȱherȱ

downȱfromȱherȱseat.ȱȱHeȱcarriedȱherȱinsideȱandȱneverȱstoppedȱuntilȱheȱgotȱtoȱtheȱ bedroom.ȱ ȱ

Heȱdroppedȱherȱontoȱtheȱmattressȱandȱquicklyȱdivestedȱthemȱbothȱofȱtheirȱ

clothing.ȱ ȱ

Theyȱcameȱtogetherȱinȱaȱtumultuousȱclash.ȱȱHot.ȱȱBreathless.ȱȱWithȱunrestrainedȱ

passion.ȱȱAndȱheȱdidn’tȱstopȱthere.ȱȱHeȱmadeȱloveȱtoȱherȱallȱthroughȱtheȱnight,ȱbringingȱ herȱtoȱoneȱorgasmȱafterȱanother.ȱȱHeȱwasȱinsatiable.ȱȱAllȱtheȱnightsȱhe’dȱspentȱdreamingȱ ofȱherȱhadȱcomeȱdownȱtoȱthis.ȱȱHeȱlovedȱherȱoverȱandȱover,ȱbrandingȱher,ȱmakingȱherȱ hisȱownȱonceȱmore.ȱ ȱ

Finallyȱinȱtheȱpredawnȱhours,ȱtheyȱdriftedȱintoȱsleep.ȱȱAndȱwhenȱheȱawokeȱjustȱaȱ

fewȱhoursȱlaterȱandȱfeltȱtheȱemptyȱspotȱbesideȱhim,ȱhisȱheartȱsankȱtoȱhisȱfeet.ȱȱHeȱflewȱ outȱofȱbedȱandȱranȱthroughȱtheȱhouse.ȱ ȱ

Hisȱkneesȱnearlyȱbuckledȱwhenȱheȱfoundȱherȱinȱtheȱkitchen,ȱlookingȱoutȱtheȱ

window,ȱaȱglassȱofȱorangeȱjuiceȱinȱherȱhand.ȱȱHeȱhadȱtoȱcollectȱhimselfȱbeforeȱheȱcouldȱ evenȱwalkȱtheȱfewȱstepsȱtoȱher.ȱȱGodȱalmighty,ȱhe’dȱthoughtȱhe’dȱlostȱherȱagain.ȱ ȱ

Heȱslippedȱhisȱarmsȱaroundȱherȱandȱnuzzledȱherȱneck.ȱȱSheȱsighedȱandȱleanedȱ

furtherȱintoȱhim.ȱ ȱ

“Iȱthoughtȱyou’dȱleftȱagain,”ȱheȱsaidȱhoarsely.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱsighed.ȱȱ“There’sȱsomethingȱIȱhaveȱtoȱtellȱyou,ȱCam.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱtensedȱandȱwaitedȱwithȱdreadȱforȱherȱtoȱspeak.ȱ

ȱ

“I’mȱmarried,”ȱsheȱsaidȱquietly.ȱȱ“OrȱatȱleastȱIȱwas.”ȱ

ȱ

Hisȱarmsȱtightenedȱaroundȱher.ȱȱ“Was?”ȱ

ȱ

“Iȱwasȱstillȱmarriedȱthatȱfirstȱnight.ȱȱTheȱnightȱweȱmet.”ȱ

ȱ

“Andȱyou’reȱnotȱnow?”ȱheȱasked,ȱunableȱtoȱsortȱthroughȱallȱtheȱconflictingȱ

emotions.ȱȱHeȱdidn’tȱfuckȱaroundȱwithȱmarriedȱwomen.ȱȱEver.ȱ ȱ

“No,”ȱsheȱsaidȱsoftly.ȱȱ“It’sȱwhyȱIȱleft.ȱȱIȱhadȱtoȱsettleȱthings.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱturnedȱherȱaroundȱtoȱfaceȱhim.ȱȱ“Makeȱmeȱunderstand,ȱsweetheart.ȱȱYouȱ

showedȱupȱthatȱnightȱlookingȱhurtȱandȱalone.ȱȱDidȱyourȱhusband…”ȱȱHeȱhadȱtoȱbreakȱ offȱandȱcollectȱhimselfȱbeforeȱheȱcontinuedȱbecauseȱhisȱtrainȱofȱthoughtȱwasȱbuildingȱaȱ murderousȱrageȱinsideȱhim.ȱ“Didȱheȱhurtȱyou?ȱȱWereȱyouȱrunningȱfromȱhim?”ȱ ȱ

Sheȱclosedȱherȱeyesȱforȱaȱmoment.ȱȱ“IȱwasȱforcedȱintoȱaȱmarriageȱthatȱIȱdidn’tȱ

want.ȱȱButȱno,ȱheȱdidn’tȱabuseȱmeȱifȱthat’sȱwhatȱyou’reȱasking.ȱȱNotȱphysically.”ȱ ȱ

“Butȱheȱhurtȱyou,”ȱCamȱsaidȱgrimly.ȱ

ȱ

“Yes,ȱheȱhurtȱme.”ȱ

ȱ

“Whatȱdidȱheȱdo,ȱLily?”ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱlookedȱawayȱandȱthenȱbackȱatȱhim.ȱȱ“Heȱmadeȱanȱarrangementȱwithȱmyȱ

father.ȱȱHe’sȱveryȱwealthy.ȱȱIȱmeanȱmyȱfather.ȱȱWell,ȱsoȱisȱWilliam.”ȱ ȱ

“Williamȱwasȱyourȱhusband?”ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱnodded.ȱȱ“Williamȱwantedȱaȱtrophyȱwife.ȱȱSomeoneȱwellȱversedȱinȱtheȱartȱofȱ

highȱsociety.ȱȱIȱfitȱtheȱappearance.ȱȱWilliamȱwantedȱgoodȱconnections.ȱȱIȱdidn’tȱwantȱtoȱ marryȱhimȱbutȱmyȱfatherȱdidn’tȱgiveȱmeȱaȱchoice,ȱandȱIȱwasȱtooȱweakȱtoȱstandȱupȱtoȱ eitherȱofȱthem.ȱȱIȱwantedȱhisȱapprovalȱtooȱbadly.”ȱ ȱ

“Yourȱfather’s?”ȱ

ȱ

“Yes,”ȱsheȱsaidȱpainfully.ȱ“Iȱthought…IȱthoughtȱthatȱifȱIȱdidȱthisȱthatȱIȱcouldȱ

buildȱaȱhappyȱlifeȱandȱfinallyȱmakeȱdaddyȱproudȱofȱme.ȱȱButȱthereȱwasȱnoȱpleasingȱ William.ȱȱHeȱwantedȱaȱbabyȱandȱIȱcouldn’tȱconceive.ȱȱHeȱwasȱfuriousȱandȱcalledȱmeȱaȱ miserableȱfailure.ȱȱWhenȱIȱwentȱtoȱdaddyȱtoȱaskȱhimȱforȱhelpȱinȱgettingȱoutȱofȱtheȱ marriage,ȱheȱcalledȱWilliamȱandȱtoldȱhimȱtoȱdoȱaȱbetterȱjobȱofȱcontrollingȱhisȱwife.”ȱ ȱ

“Soȱyouȱran?”ȱCamȱaskedȱsoftly.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱshuddered.ȱȱ“Thatȱlastȱnight.ȱIȱthoughtȱheȱmightȱactuallyȱgetȱviolent.ȱIȱmeanȱ

he’dȱneverȱevenȱhintedȱthatȱheȱmightȱhurtȱmeȱphysically,ȱbutȱtheȱlastȱnightȱweȱwereȱ together,ȱIȱwasȱveryȱafraid.ȱȱTheȱnextȱdayȱIȱwentȱtoȱseeȱaȱlawyerȱandȱfiledȱforȱaȱdivorce,ȱ andȱthenȱIȱleft.ȱȱIȱknewȱifȱIȱstayedȱthatȱI’dȱneverȱgetȱmyȱdivorceȱandȱthatȱheȱandȱdaddyȱ wouldȱmakeȱmyȱlifeȱhell.ȱȱTheyȱwouldȱbeȱfuriousȱoverȱtheȱscandal.”ȱ ȱ

“Andȱsoȱyouȱendedȱupȱhere,”ȱCamȱsaid.ȱȱ“Withȱme.”ȱ

ȱ

“Withȱyou,”ȱsheȱagreed.ȱ

ȱ

“AndȱwhatȱwasȱI?”ȱheȱchallenged.ȱȱ“Aȱquickȱfuckȱtoȱrelieveȱyourȱpain?”ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱwinced.ȱȱ“No…ȱCamȱthere’sȱsomethingȱelseȱIȱhaveȱtoȱtellȱyou.”ȱ

ȱ

Heȱcockedȱhisȱhead,ȱcuriousȱoverȱtheȱworryȱheȱsawȱinȱherȱeyes.ȱȱItȱcouldn’tȱgetȱ

muchȱworseȱthanȱherȱbeingȱmarriedȱcouldȱit?ȱ ȱ

Sheȱputȱaȱhandȱprotectivelyȱoverȱherȱstomachȱandȱswayedȱaȱlittle.ȱȱHeȱputȱoutȱaȱ

handȱtoȱsteadyȱher.ȱ ȱ

“I’mȱpregnant,”ȱsheȱsaidȱinȱaȱshakyȱvoice.ȱ

ȱ

“Butȱyouȱsaid…youȱsaid…”ȱȱHeȱcouldn’tȱevenȱfinish.ȱ

ȱ

“It’sȱnotȱhisȱbaby,”ȱsheȱsaidȱsoftly.ȱȱSheȱlookedȱintoȱhisȱeyes.ȱȱ“Iȱdon’tȱthinkȱheȱ

couldȱhaveȱchildren.ȱOrȱmaybeȱIȱjustȱneverȱgotȱpregnant.ȱȱIȱhaven’tȱhadȱsexȱwithȱhimȱinȱ overȱsixȱmonths,ȱsinceȱbeforeȱIȱleft.ȱȱCam,ȱtheȱbabyȱisȱyours.”ȱ ȱ

Heȱopenedȱhisȱmouthȱandȱthenȱsnappedȱitȱshutȱagain.ȱȱHeȱplacedȱhisȱhandȱoverȱ

hersȱthenȱmovedȱhersȱasideȱsoȱheȱcouldȱtouchȱherȱbelly,ȱstillȱflatȱunderneathȱherȱshirt.ȱ ȱ

“Mine?”ȱheȱsaidȱinȱwonder.ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱreachedȱupȱandȱtouchedȱhisȱcheek.ȱȱ“Cam,ȱIȱleftȱbecauseȱIȱknewȱIȱcouldn’tȱ

stayȱandȱbringȱsoȱmuchȱtroubleȱtoȱyourȱdoorstep.ȱIȱhadȱtoȱgoȱbackȱandȱfaceȱWilliamȱandȱ daddy,ȱgetȱmyȱlifeȱtogetherȱandȱendȱthingsȱpermanently.ȱȱIȱwasȱcomingȱback.ȱȱTheȱbabyȱ hasȱnothingȱtoȱdoȱwithȱthat.”ȱ

ȱ

“Andȱwhyȱwereȱyouȱcomingȱback,ȱLily?”ȱheȱwhisperedȱasȱheȱturnedȱhisȱfaceȱintoȱ

herȱpalm.ȱ ȱ

Sheȱlookedȱscared,ȱunsure,ȱasȱifȱsheȱwasȱtakingȱtheȱbiggestȱchanceȱofȱherȱlife.ȱȱ“Iȱ

cameȱbackȱbecauseȱIȱfellȱinȱloveȱwithȱyouȱthatȱnight.ȱȱIȱwantedȱtoȱseeȱifȱthereȱwasȱaȱ chanceȱforȱus,ȱbutȱIȱknewȱitȱwasn’tȱfairȱtoȱcomeȱtoȱyouȱuntilȱIȱwasȱfree.”ȱ ȱ

Hisȱheartȱdamnȱnearȱbeatȱoutȱofȱhisȱchest.ȱȱWithȱaȱgroanȱheȱgatheredȱherȱtightȱinȱ

hisȱarms.ȱȱ“Iȱloveȱyou,ȱtoo,ȱLilyȱmine.”ȱȱHeȱslidȱhisȱhandȱbackȱtoȱherȱbellyȱandȱcuppedȱitȱ lovingly.ȱ“I’llȱtakeȱcareȱofȱyouȱandȱourȱbaby.ȱȱIȱswearȱit.ȱȱIfȱyou’llȱtrustȱme,ȱsweetheart,ȱIȱ swearȱI’llȱneverȱletȱyouȱdown.”ȱ ȱ

Herȱsmileȱlitȱupȱtheȱentireȱroom,ȱandȱheȱfeltȱtheȱwarmth,ȱtheȱjoyȱallȱtheȱwayȱtoȱhisȱ

soul.ȱ ȱ

“You’reȱfree?ȱȱReallyȱfree?”ȱ

ȱ

Sheȱnodded.ȱ

ȱ

“Good.ȱIȱdon’tȱwantȱtoȱwaitȱaȱminuteȱlongerȱtoȱmakeȱyouȱmine.ȱWillȱyouȱmarryȱ

me,ȱLily?ȱȱWillȱyouȱtakeȱaȱchanceȱonȱme?”ȱ ȱ

Sheȱsmiledȱandȱreachedȱupȱonȱtipȱtoeȱtoȱkissȱhim.ȱȱ“Iȱmightȱbeȱcrazy,ȱbutȱyes,ȱI’llȱ

marryȱyou.”ȱ ȱ

Heȱgatheredȱherȱinȱhisȱarmsȱandȱspunȱherȱaroundȱuntilȱherȱlaughterȱfilledȱtheȱ

houseȱandȱhisȱheart.ȱȱ“We’llȱmakeȱaȱgreatȱfamily,ȱmyȱlove.ȱȱI’llȱmakeȱsureȱofȱit.”ȱ

Look for these titles by Maya Banks (And keep scrolling for a sneak peak excerpt from Brazen!)

Now Available:

Seducing Simon Colters’ Woman Understood Overheard Undenied Coming Soon:

Brazen For Her Pleasure Love Me, Still Into the Mist

Brazen Coming September 4th to Samhain Publishing

Oneȱwoman’sȱcampaignȱtoȱwinȱtheȱheartsȱofȱtheȱtwoȱmenȱsheȱlovesȱ ȱ JasmineȱleftȱtheȱSweetwaterȱRanchȱandȱtheȱMorganȱbrothers,ȱnoȱlongerȱableȱtoȱbearȱtheȱ painfulȱdilemmaȱofȱlovingȱthemȱboth.ȱAfterȱaȱyearȱaway,ȱinȱwhichȱsheȱgainsȱnewȱ perspective,ȱsheȱreturnsȱhomeȱwithȱoneȱgoal.ȱToȱmakeȱSethȱandȱZaneȱMorganȱhers.ȱ ȱ Jazȱmayȱhaveȱleftȱanȱinnocentȱgirl,ȱbutȱshe’sȱreturnedȱaȱbeautiful,ȱsensualȱwoman.ȱSethȱ andȱZaneȱaren’tȱpreparedȱforȱtheȱfullȱonȱassaultȱsheȱlaunchesȱandȱeachȱbattleȱanȱ attractionȱthey’veȱfoughtȱforȱyears.ȱ ȱ Sheȱwantsȱthemȱboth,ȱbutȱSethȱhasȱnoȱintentionȱofȱsharingȱhisȱwoman.ȱIt’sȱupȱtoȱherȱtoȱ changeȱhisȱmindȱbecauseȱsheȱcan’tȱandȱwon’tȱchooseȱbetweenȱtwoȱmenȱsheȱlovesȱwithȱ equalȱpassion.ȱForȱher,ȱit’sȱallȱorȱnothing.ȱ ȱ

Excerpt Asȱ theyȱ droveȱ upȱ theȱ windingȱ drivewayȱ toȱ theȱ ranchȱ house,ȱ Jasmineȱ dreadedȱ theȱ thoughtȱofȱconfrontingȱSeth.ȱSheȱdidn’tȱreallyȱcareȱifȱheȱwasȱpissedȱaboutȱtheȱtruck.ȱSheȱ wasn’tȱ readyȱ toȱ faceȱ himȱ afterȱ theȱ wayȱ heȱ pushedȱ herȱ away,ȱ andȱ especiallyȱ notȱ afterȱ Zaneȱhadȱjustȱperformedȱoralȱsexȱonȱher.ȱ “IȱhopeȱSethȱdidn’tȱwaitȱup,”ȱsheȱsaidȱwithȱaȱsigh.ȱ Zaneȱ chuckled.ȱ “Tellȱ youȱ what.ȱ Youȱ pretendȱ you’reȱ passedȱ out,ȱ andȱ I’llȱ haulȱ youȱ upstairsȱtoȱbed.ȱYouȱcanȱfaceȱSethȱinȱtheȱmorning.”ȱ SheȱgrinnedȱasȱsheȱrememberedȱsoȱmanyȱotherȱnightsȱwhereȱZaneȱhadȱcoveredȱforȱ her.ȱ Theyȱpulledȱtoȱaȱstopȱoutsideȱtheȱgarage,ȱandȱZaneȱcutȱtheȱengine.ȱ “Let’sȱbeȱquickȱaboutȱthis,”ȱZaneȱsaidȱasȱheȱhoppedȱout.ȱHeȱwalkedȱaroundȱtoȱherȱ sideȱandȱopenedȱtheȱdoor.ȱHeȱturnedȱherȱlegsȱaroundȱuntilȱsheȱfacedȱhimȱsidewaysȱandȱ thenȱsimplyȱpickedȱherȱup,ȱplacingȱhisȱshoulderȱintoȱherȱbelly.ȱ Sheȱ swungȱ overȱ hisȱ back,ȱ herȱ noseȱ bumpingȱ againstȱ hisȱ backȱ pocket.ȱ Hisȱ armȱ curvedȱoverȱtheȱbackȱofȱherȱlegsȱjustȱbelowȱherȱass,ȱandȱwhenȱheȱstartedȱwalkingȱtoȱtheȱ door,ȱhisȱhandȱslidȱpossessivelyȱoverȱtheȱcurveȱofȱbehind.ȱ Andȱ sureȱ enough,ȱ Sethȱ metȱ themȱ asȱ soonȱ asȱ Zaneȱ walkedȱ in.ȱ Sheȱ guessedȱ Zaneȱ mustȱhaveȱheldȱaȱfingerȱtoȱhisȱlipsȱandȱshushedȱSeth,ȱbecauseȱhisȱquestionȱgotȱabortedȱ midȱsentenceȱandȱheȱquieted.ȱ Thankfulȱ thatȱ herȱ faceȱ wasȱ hiddenȱ inȱ Zane’sȱ back,ȱ sheȱ heldȱ herȱ breathȱ untilȱ Zaneȱ mountedȱtheȱstairsȱandȱheadedȱforȱherȱbedroom.ȱ Aȱfewȱsecondsȱlater,ȱheȱdepositedȱherȱonȱtheȱbedȱandȱsteppedȱback.ȱ“Okay,ȱsugar,ȱ hereȱ youȱ are.ȱ Nowȱ getȱ undressedȱ andȱ intoȱ bed.ȱ Sleepȱ offȱ thisȱ drunk.ȱ I’llȱ makeȱ sureȱ Carmenȱhasȱaȱgoodȱhangoverȱremedyȱforȱyouȱinȱtheȱmorning.”ȱ Heȱ turnedȱ toȱ go,ȱ butȱ Jasmineȱ calledȱ outȱ toȱ himȱ inȱ aȱ voiceȱ justȱ aboveȱ aȱ whisper.ȱ “Zane?”ȱ Heȱswiveledȱbackȱaroundȱandȱgazedȱdownȱatȱher.ȱ “IȱknewȱexactlyȱwhatȱIȱwasȱdoing,”ȱsheȱsaid.ȱ“I’mȱnotȱthatȱdrunk.ȱIȱwantedȱyou.”ȱ

Hisȱthroatȱworkedȱupȱandȱdownȱasȱheȱswallowed.ȱHisȱbreathȱescapedȱhimȱinȱaȱlongȱ sigh,ȱwhetherȱorȱfrustrationȱorȱuneaseȱsheȱwasn’tȱsure.ȱMaybeȱaȱlittleȱofȱboth.ȱ Thenȱheȱbentȱdownȱandȱkissedȱherȱonȱtheȱforehead.ȱ“Goodȱnight,ȱJaz.ȱI’mȱgoingȱtoȱ goȱdriveȱintoȱtownȱwithȱSethȱsoȱweȱcanȱgetȱhisȱtruck.”ȱ Sheȱ closedȱ herȱ eyesȱ inȱ disappointmentȱ atȱ theȱ significanceȱ ofȱ theȱ tinyȱ kiss.ȱ Heȱ wasȱ puttingȱherȱsolidlyȱbackȱonȱfamiliarȱground.ȱ Whenȱsheȱopenedȱthemȱagain,ȱZaneȱwasȱgone.ȱSheȱsighedȱandȱfloppedȱbackȱonȱtheȱ bed,ȱarmsȱspread.ȱSheȱtuckedȱherȱhandsȱbehindȱherȱheadȱandȱstaredȱupȱatȱtheȱceiling.ȱ Theyȱwantedȱher.ȱSheȱknewȱthis.ȱKnewȱthatȱbothȱSethȱandȱZaneȱwereȱattractedȱtoȱ her.ȱSeth’sȱwordsȱrangȱinȱherȱears,ȱandȱsheȱwonderedȱifȱmaybeȱheȱwasȱright.ȱMaybeȱitȱ wasȱtrueȱforȱbothȱofȱthem.ȱMaybeȱsheȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱanyȱwoman.ȱ Thatȱ wasn’tȱ enoughȱ forȱ her.ȱ She’dȱ neverȱ beȱ anyȱ woman.ȱ She’dȱ beȱ everythingȱ toȱ themȱorȱnothing.ȱ Sheȱ satȱ upȱ andȱ struggledȱ toȱ getȱ outȱ ofȱ herȱ clothes.ȱ Didȱ sheȱ haveȱ anyȱ chanceȱ atȱ makingȱthemȱloveȱherȱinȱreturn?ȱAtȱmakingȱthemȱseeȱthatȱsheȱneededȱthemȱboth?ȱ Itȱwon’tȱbeȱeasy,ȱchérie.ȱTheȱsortȱofȱcommittedȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱthreeȱofȱyouȱthatȱyouȱ proposeȱisȱforeignȱtoȱthem.ȱAberrant.ȱItȱwillȱbeȱupȱtoȱyouȱtoȱshowȱthemȱhowȱbeautifulȱitȱcanȱbe.ȱ Cherisse’sȱ cautionȱ floatedȱ aroundȱ inȱ Jasmine’sȱ mind.ȱ She’dȱ discardedȱ herȱ friend’sȱ wordsȱatȱtheȱtimeȱbecauseȱshe’dȱbeenȱtooȱcaughtȱupȱinȱtheȱideaȱofȱresolvingȱherȱloveȱforȱ bothȱmen.ȱCherisseȱwasȱright.ȱItȱwouldn’tȱbeȱeasy.ȱButȱthenȱwhatȱeverȱwas?ȱ Sheȱpulledȱherselfȱupȱfromȱtheȱbedȱandȱtrudgedȱoverȱtoȱtheȱwindow.ȱSeeingȱZane’sȱ truckȱgone,ȱsheȱdeemedȱitȱsafeȱtoȱgoȱcrawlȱintoȱtheȱshower.ȱSheȱhadȱaȱlongȱnightȱaheadȱ ofȱherȱifȱsheȱwasȱgoingȱtoȱwaitȱforȱZaneȱtoȱreturn.ȱ ȱ *ȱ ȱ Jasmineȱwatchedȱfromȱtheȱwindowȱasȱtheȱtwoȱtrucksȱrolledȱupȱtheȱdriveȱnearlyȱanȱ hourȱ later.ȱ Sheȱ droppedȱ herȱ fingerȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ curtainȱ andȱ quicklyȱ movedȱ overȱ toȱ herȱbed.ȱSheȱcrawledȱunderȱtheȱcoversȱandȱwaited.ȱ

Soonȱ sheȱ heardȱ theȱ quietȱ footstepsȱ inȱ theȱ hallȱ andȱ thenȱ heardȱ themȱ pauseȱ outsideȱ herȱdoor.ȱSheȱloweredȱherȱlashesȱuntilȱherȱeyesȱwereȱhalfȬlidded.ȱToȱherȱsurprise,ȱSethȱ appearedȱaroundȱtheȱdoorway,ȱhisȱoutlineȱrecognizableȱevenȱinȱtheȱdarkenedȱroom.ȱSheȱ shutȱherȱeyesȱasȱheȱmovedȱcloser.ȱ Sheȱtriedȱtoȱbreatheȱnormallyȱasȱheȱnearedȱherȱbed.ȱThenȱheȱstopped,ȱandȱsheȱwasȱ dyingȱ toȱ knowȱ whatȱ heȱ wasȱ doing.ȱ Sheȱ openedȱ herȱ eyesȱ justȱ aȱ crack,ȱ hopingȱ thatȱ heȱ couldn’tȱseeȱherȱinȱtheȱdark.ȱ Heȱ stoodȱ byȱ herȱ bed,ȱ staringȱ downȱ atȱ her,ȱ andȱ indecipherableȱ expressionȱ onȱ hisȱ face.ȱThenȱheȱreachedȱdownȱtoȱtouchȱherȱhair.ȱHeȱranȱhisȱfingersȱoverȱtheȱstrandsȱandȱtoȱ herȱcheek.ȱAndȱlikeȱZane,ȱheȱbentȱandȱkissedȱherȱsoftlyȱonȱtheȱforehead.ȱ “I’mȱsorry,”ȱheȱwhispered.ȱ Heȱleftȱtheȱbed,ȱhisȱfootstepsȱretreatingȱacrossȱtheȱroom.ȱSheȱopenedȱherȱeyesȱwiderȱ toȱseeȱhimȱwalkȱoutȱofȱherȱbedroom,ȱclosingȱtheȱdoorȱbehindȱhim.ȱ Herȱchestȱachedȱwithȱtheȱneedȱtoȱgoȱafterȱhim.ȱIfȱonlyȱitȱwasȱasȱeasyȱasȱgoingȱtoȱbothȱ ofȱ them,ȱ tellingȱ themȱ sheȱ lovedȱ themȱ andȱ havingȱ themȱ acceptȱ thatȱ herȱ loveȱ encompassedȱthemȱboth.ȱ Herȱ fingersȱ curledȱ aroundȱ theȱ covers,ȱ andȱ sheȱ letȱ outȱ aȱ shakyȱ breath,ȱ emotionȱ knottingȱherȱthroat.ȱSheȱturnedȱoverȱonȱherȱsideȱandȱcurledȱherȱkneesȱtoȱherȱchest.ȱWhatȱ ifȱtheyȱneverȱacceptedȱit?ȱWhatȱifȱtheyȱcouldn’tȱcomeȱtoȱtermsȱwithȱtheȱrelationshipȱasȱ sheȱsawȱit?ȱ Theȱideaȱsentȱpanicȱswellingȱintoȱherȱchestȱandȱstomach,ȱtwistingȱherȱinsidesȱuntilȱ sheȱclawedȱatȱherȱthroatȱinȱanȱattemptȱtoȱassuageȱtheȱrelentlessȱache.ȱ Sheȱ layȱ thereȱ forȱ asȱ longȱ asȱ sheȱ couldȱ standȱ itȱ andȱ thenȱ sheȱ gotȱ up.ȱ Silently,ȱ sheȱ crackedȱopenȱherȱdoorȱandȱpeeredȱdownȱtheȱdarkenedȱhallway.ȱBothȱSeth’sȱandȱZane’sȱ doorsȱwereȱclosed.ȱHerȱalcoholȱbuzzȱlongȱabated,ȱsheȱtipȬtoedȱdownȱtoȱZane’sȱdoorȱandȱ slowlyȱturnedȱtheȱknob.ȱ Whenȱsheȱentered,ȱZaneȱlookedȱupȱfromȱhisȱperchȱonȱtheȱbed.ȱHeȱwasȱsprawledȱonȱ theȱ bed,ȱ theȱ coversȱ pulledȱ upȱ toȱ hisȱ waist.ȱ Heȱ heldȱ theȱ TVȱ remoteȱ inȱ oneȱ handȱ andȱ proppedȱhisȱbodyȱupȱonȱhisȱotherȱelbow.ȱ

“Iȱthoughtȱyou’dȱbeȱlongȱpassedȱout,”ȱheȱsaidȱwithȱaȱhintȱofȱdiscomfortȱinȱhisȱvoice.ȱ Hisȱhandȱclutchedȱatȱtheȱsheetsȱandȱpulledȱthemȱaȱlittleȱtighterȱtoȱhisȱwaist.ȱ Sheȱdidn’tȱspeak.ȱDidn’tȱtrustȱherȱvoiceȱnotȱtoȱbetrayȱher.ȱInsteadȱsheȱwalkedȱoverȱ toȱtheȱbedȱandȱcrawledȱupȱontoȱtheȱmattress,ȱkneelingȱinȱfrontȱofȱhim.ȱWithȱoneȱhand,ȱ sheȱreachedȱoutȱandȱtuggedȱtheȱsheetȱfromȱhisȱhand.ȱItȱfellȱaway,ȱrevealingȱanȱobviousȱ erection.ȱ “Wereȱ youȱ thinkingȱ aboutȱ me?”ȱ sheȱ askedȱ softly,ȱ aȱ hintȱ ofȱ aȱ smileȱ twitchingȱ theȱ cornersȱofȱherȱmouth.ȱ “Jaz,ȱyouȱneedȱtoȱgoȱbackȱtoȱyourȱroom,”ȱheȱsaidȱinȱaȱnearȱgroan.ȱHeȱgrabbedȱforȱ theȱsheet,ȱbutȱsheȱheldȱfast.ȱSheȱwasȱtransfixedȱbyȱtheȱsightȱofȱhisȱarousal.ȱ Beautiful.ȱSleek.ȱYetȱcompletelyȱmaleȱandȱrugged.ȱSheȱwasȱstaringȱshamelessly,ȱandȱ sheȱdidn’tȱcare.ȱDarkȱhairȱsurroundedȱtheȱthickȱbase,ȱandȱhisȱcockȱshotȱupwardȱtowardȱ hisȱfirmȱbelly.ȱ “Wereȱyouȱthinkingȱaboutȱme?”ȱsheȱrepeatedȱasȱsheȱmovedȱcloserȱstill.ȱ “YouȱknowȱdamnȱwellȱIȱwas,”ȱheȱsaidȱinȱaȱtightȱvoice.ȱ Sheȱ ranȱ herȱ handȱ upȱ hisȱ thigh,ȱ lovingȱ theȱ hairȬroughenedȱ surfaceȱ ofȱ hisȱ skin.ȱ Theȱ musclesȱ coiledȱ andȱ jumpedȱ beneathȱ herȱ fingers.ȱ Beforeȱ sheȱ lostȱ herȱ nerve,ȱ sheȱ movedȱ herȱotherȱhandȱandȱcurledȱherȱfingersȱaroundȱtheȱbaseȱofȱhisȱcock.ȱ “Jaz…”ȱ Itȱ wasȱ anȱ intoxicatingȱ mixtureȱ ofȱ satinyȱ softnessȱ withȱ aȱ coreȱ ofȱ steel.ȱ Sheȱ slowlyȱ rolledȱ herȱ handȱ upward,ȱ marvelingȱ atȱ howȱ quicklyȱ itȱ hardenedȱ evenȱ furtherȱ inȱ herȱ palm.ȱ “Iȱ wantȱ toȱ tasteȱ you.ȱ Likeȱ youȱ tastedȱ me,”ȱ sheȱ murmuredȱ asȱ sheȱ leanedȱ overȱ hisȱ hips,ȱherȱhairȱspillingȱoverȱhisȱgroin.ȱ “Jesus,”ȱheȱwhisperedȱwithȱagonizedȱstrain.ȱ

ȱ