Cold Epiphanies by Kayden McLeod

The darkness of this night was eternal, always everlasting on Halloween. The veil between the worlds is lowered, and ghosts have free rein in our world to create chaos and mischief where they pleased.
It was a time when all kinds of things could happen.
But our concern wasn’t what caused havoc from the other world, but our own. What already lived here, year-round.
A small group of humans had been having a party, never knowing they’d invited a Rogue vampire in, one who’d been on the run from us. He was hungry from the chase, only seeing dinner, and laid perimeter spells at every door and window, locking them inside with no chance of escape.
He’d broken almost every conciliate law when he revealed himself to them for what he was. Chaos had burst forth, their flight or fight reflex kicking in, with no chance of survival.
By the time we’d arrived, four out of seven humans were already dead. It wasn’t in our power to bring them back, not like we could with our own. If we’d been minutes later- well you get the drift.
Because of that fact alone, we rushed in headstrong in an attempt to save what little we could.
Holly had broken the spells without preamble, instantly alerting the criminal to our arrival, and giving him time to escape through the backdoor.
And the chase was on.
For whatever insane reasons that were in my head at the time, I’d gone along on my first real hunting trip, even though my mate had begged me not to.
I could handle it. Couldn’t I?
But those were my thoughts then, and certainly not now.
Thankfully the pounding rain had finally bled into a bare trickle of frigid liquid, spilling into the perfidious water that had been calm only moments before.
“Marcus!” I shrieked loudly.
“I’m trying, Kelly.” Marcus stressed, again. His unusual turquoise eyes were lit with fierce perseverance.
He pulled uselessly at the rope, but it was unresponsive to both of us.
I’ll never ask to go on a hunt again. What the hell had I been thinking?
I had thought I could do this, tending to forget that while Sara and I were practically sisters, we were nothing alike. Our pasts were on two separate sides of the scale, and there was a very good reason why she could track Rogues so proficiently, and deal with the repercussions of such a job.
Sara would’ve found a way out of this predicament. Me? I was terrified, near tears, which tore Marcus up in ways I never would’ve willingly done otherwise.
The others had gone after the Rogue, and Marcus had taken me towards the river in an attempt to cut him off. He’d bid me stay while he materialized across to the other side.
Being alone, with the heavy rain and concealing night had creeped me out. Of course with me being me, I’d decided to create a dingy to cross the river, not feeling safe at all. At any moment the Rogue could’ve showed right behind me-I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
I’d manifested a tiny rubber craft, and Marcus hadn’t been paying enough attention to stop me.
At least until I screamed.
At some point during the hunt, the outlaw had bewitched the rain-swollen river, making it boil in a very unstable expanse of H20. The spell was far past my abilities to unravel, and considering it wasn’t triggered until I was about halfway, it was already too late.
Now, my previously nice, safe boat tossed and turned violently, twenty feet from shore, and my only salvation.
He’d tossed me a manifested rope, but at the water’s first touch, it began to fray like it was bathed in acid. The rope threatened to give at any moment, which would send me on a horrifying journey with no way to save myself.
I should’ve listened to Marcus when he’d begged me to stay home tonight, but like he normally did when I was insistent; he’d caved, thinking it would be a manageable Rogue to hunt.
Wrong.
“Well, try harder!” I screamed when a geyser-like wave exploded to my right, upsetting the frail rubber craft, until I was almost sideways.
With every passing moment, the water around me frothed and swelled more. The spell was working towards a peak, and we both knew I had to be out of the water before it was reached.
“I thought you said this was a nice river? You told me this was safe.” I requisitioned in a small voice, my normally steel-strong trust in Marcus waning under the pressure.
In my head, I knew this was my fault. But aloud? It was all on Marcus. I never claimed to have rationale when in such situations.
“You wanted adventure, love. I live only to serve you, and give you what you ask,” he said between clenched teeth.
The rope was wrapped around his thick forearms that bulged when he tried to yank it towards him with no avail. His frustration and panic just scared me more.
Which meant; going down river was entirely too possible, and that wasn’t an option I cared to consider right now.
“Oh, you’re in so much trouble when we get home, if you even get me to land first!” I yelled, holding on for dear life. “Can vampires drown?”
“No, love. I’ve told you that.” He reminded me.
“Then why are you freaking out?” I demanded.
Marcus ignored me, beginning to frantically whisper under his breath in some last ditch effort. He knew so much more about spell work than I did.
We knew from the briefing, the vampire was older and more powerful everyone but Holly and Ryder, who were in charge of this mission, and weren’t anywhere near enough to help us.
But the possibility of victory was ever-present, though very unlikely.
Our only hope was for him to re-set the trigger before the rope’s last leg was up, and the lone prevention of my own demise would be gone. Totally breaking the spell wasn’t an option for either of us.
“I’m getting close cher. Stay calm, please.” Marcus assured in a thickly sweetened voice I would cherish in almost any other situation.
In other words; stay calm, because you’re driving me to insanity.
He switched to yet another language, the words slow and deliberate as he sought to find the key.
Please don’t let me die for this stupidity. If my life has to end, couldn’t it be for a good reason?
While Marcus worked, the tension on the rope solidified, and the dingy began to move towards land. Success!
And then another geyser exploded just in front of me.
My dingy tipped so unexpectedly, I hadn’t retained a good enough grip. My lungs filled with the icy-coldness of the river, the shock paralysing me.
Water whooshed around me, the swift unforgiving movements of the treacherous currents stealing my energy while I was tossed helplessly left and right.
After a long dire moment of not knowing how to get to the surface, a body jumped into the water with me. Strong, comforting arms closed around me.
And my anger immediately flared.
What’d you jump in for? Now we can’t get out of the water. You will…
Die? Love, you know if you go on to the next life, there’s no choice but to go with you. He chastised softly, never regretting any of the harsh decisions he’d made to get us to this time and place. Plus, give me a little credit. I found the trigger to the spell on the rope. Just let me think about the water spell for a moment.
Even with the tense wait, he was with me in this horrible mess. And true to his word, and after several more tries, the rapids calmed minutely. I had no idea what had worked in the end, but honestly I didn’t care.
We broke the surface, and he began to drag me to shore. Even as a vampire, my body was sore from fighting the strong current.
If I had the energy, I would’ve kissed the beautiful, welcome shore. As it was, we collapsed on the grassy shore.
I waited for Marcus to yell at me for not listening, at least some reprimand, but it never came. No matter how badly I screwed up, he never did.
Staring up at the overcast sky, the raindrops ironically began to fall from above once more. Lightening flashed in the distance, illuminating the tips of the trees on all sides.
The river eventually settled, the spell moving into a stationary status, until Holly had time to remove it completely.
“Never again.” Marcus murmured. His white-blond hair was a soaked mess when he turned his enchanting timeless face to meet mine. “You will not hunt anymore, love. There’ll won’t any talking me into it next time.”
“Yea, I agree.”
I might argue my case more often than not, but now there was more than enough proof to know I didn’t belong on these particular adventures. All of my brothers, my Leaders had bade me to stay away from this particular duty for the Council, and none of it had affected me.
But this had, in a way none of them could’ve ever dreamed. Reality really was a bitch.
“It isn’t often you give in this easily.” Marcus mused, shaking his head in exasperation. “Maybe I should allow you to be scared more often.”
Holly filled our minds, and I ground my teeth at his amused laughter when he read the situation. He had one weird sense of humour.
The Rogue is now in the Council’s possession. Everyone can come back in. Holly instructed. I knew you wouldn’t care for this, little sister. You’re as stubborn as Sara, but you don’t have her strength. And Marcus is right, this was a first, and a last for you.
Yea, yea. I huffed indignantly. It won’t happen again. I get it.
The lesson was thoroughly learned.

'Ghost Walk' by Ellen Margret


"Holt, what's the point going on a ghost walk? Ghosts don't exist."

"How can you be so sure, Hope?"

She fingered a blonde strand of hair. "I've never seen one."

He crossed his muscular arms, and looked her in the eye. "You can't see oxygen molecules, and yet they're all around you."

"Now, you're being silly."

"No, I'm not. Have you ever seen Mexico?"

"No?"

"So, maybe Mexico doesn't exist."

Hope gave a mighty huff. "This conversation is utterly pointless, just like those blasted ghost walks that are designed to make gullible people, with over-active imaginations, scream like little girls in the playground."

"So, you won't be going with Billy and Wendy?"

"No, they can go on their own. Knowing Wendy she'll get so scared she'll wet herself. I don't want to be there to see that."

"How about if I came with you? I'll join you there."

"No, I won't waste my time on some idiotic ghost hunt."

"I'd like to be there with you, especially in the old church that's reputed to be haunted by the woman who can't stop searching for the curate who killed her."

"Emphatically, no," she declared.

Holt shrugged. "The stress wouldn't be good for you anyway."

"It wouldn't stress me. How could it if I don't believe in spirits?"

"Still, the atmosphere wouldn't be conducive to relaxation, and that's what you have to learn to do."

"I'll relax when I'm dead."

He put his arm around Hope's shoulder. "Don't talk like that. I want you to live a long and happy life."

"Holt, you know my only real hope is a heart transplant, and there's a long waiting list."

"You told me last month the doctors had some kind of new operation planned. Didn't it involve inserting a valve in your heart?"

"I found out this morning that it's not possible."

"Oh, God, I'm sorry."

"Hey, let's not get morose. I'm well enough at the moment, and I'm glad you're with me. Mind you, the scare you gave me last week might have been enough to finish me off." She shuddered. "I was all set to dash up to Yorkshire, and see you in the hospital. Your sister phoned to tell me about the car crash. She said the doctors had little hope of you surviving."

"Meredith's always been prone to exaggeration. She's an expert at blowing things up out of all proportion. I had a head injury, and the doctors assumed I had brain damage."

"You recovered so quickly. I was going to catch the train after my hospital appointment the next afternoon, but the nurse gave me something that made me so drowsy that I fell asleep. The next thing I knew you were there, standing beside my bed in the hospital room."

Holt sat down on the sofa, and positioned Hope on his lap. "You are my girl. It's my duty to always look after you. Meredith frightened you for nothing, because here I am, and there's not a mark on me. As far as I know my brain isn't damaged." He held up his right hand. "Look, all six fingers present and correct."
Hope laughed. "Your sense of humour remains in tact."

He began to unbutton her blouse. "Something else in is tact too." He peeled off her blouse, and deftly unfastened her bra. "Oh, yes, that part of me in is perfect working order. I can feel it demanding attention."

"Holt, you appear to be undressing me."

"Yes, and I intend to continue doing it until you are sitting naked on my lap."

"I think I prefer to lie on the sofa," she purred, as Holt swiftly removed the rest of her clothing.

He stood up and stared down at her. "My God, just look at you. You have to be the most beautiful woman on the planet. That lovely face, those ripe, pink tipped breasts, and the sexiest legs that ever walked the earth. I could never leave you. I refuse to let anything come between us. You're mine."

She grinned, and her hand moved down her belly to touch the most intimate of areas between her open legs.

"So, are you going to show me that part of you that you claim to be in perfect working order?"

"You bet," he said, tugging off his tee shirt, followed by his jeans.

"Mmm, look at those pecs?" she sighed, staring at his chest.

His boxer shorts, and socks hit the carpet. "I work hard."

She pointed to his high state of arousal. "I hope you're not referring to that."

His body came down over her. "That has one sole purpose. To please this lovely lady," he declared, sliding his shaft deeply inside her.

She sighed. "We've had such good sex these past few days. You always come to me late in the evening when I'm feeling so sleepy. How about meeting me tomorrow. We can walk in the park?"

"Silence, woman, I'm concentrating on sucking your nipples. I never was good at multi-tasking."

She laughed softly, and her hands stroked his firm buttocks. "You're doing a fine job right now. You're shafting

me, and kissing my breasts."

"That's instinctive," he murmured. "Now, stop talking. I'm about to give you the biggest orgasm of your life."
She did stop talking. She had too because speech suddenly eluded her. Holt was right. He took her to a state she hadn't been in before. A state that transcended mortal life. A state where she felt aroused, and yet blissfully serene, both at the same time. She didn't recall falling asleep in his arms, but she was sure she did.

Surely this time he would be with her when morning came? But, in the morning he'd gone again.

* * * *

The day dawned, bright and clear, and it felt unusually warm for the end of October. It was a perfect day for that walk. She felt rather irritated that Holt had left her so early, but how could she be cross with him? He loved her, and she loved him. She called his mobile several times, but it was switched off. She decided to go to his parents' house. He was staying there whilst searching for the perfect flat for them to share. She caught the bus and found a seat at the back, away from the group of children who had already started to have their Halloween fun. They chatted, and congratulated themselves on their costumes. They weren't bad either. The witch had amazing make-up that really did make her look like an old hag. The wizard had the most interesting long wig, and a cape with astrological signs on it. The spirit wore a white sheet that matched his white face.
She thought about her conversation with Holt. I don't believe in ghosts. She wished she did, because then she wouldn't be so frightened of dying. The thought of not existing terrified her more than she was prepared to admit to anyone. When the pains came in her chest, she would often panic. Thank goodness for the tablets the doctor gave her. She had the pain again today. Never mind, Holt would make her feel better. She knew he would be at home, because it was a Thursday. He always had Thursdays off.

When the bus stopped at the traffic lights, Hope glanced out the window. Across the road she saw the funeral parlour. She stared at the woman who got out of her car, and walked across to the undertakers. Was that Meredith? At that moment the woman glanced up at the bus, and Hope knew it was. Meredith seemed distraught, and even from a distance Hope could see that her eyes were red from crying. She jumped up and ran for the door. "I have to get off."

"This isn't a stop, lady."

"Open the doors!" she yelled, trying to force them open.

"Hey, stay calm. I'll let you off," the driver said, pressing the button to open the door.

She dashed across the street. Meredith had already gone inside and so Hope ran after her. She followed her straight through the reception area and into the room at the back where soothing music played in a room that was full of sweetly scented flowers. Inside Meredith stared into a long coffin. "I'm so sorry, Meredith. Is it Grandpa? I heard he didn't have long."

Meredith turned slowly around. "No, it's not."

Hope moved towards the coffin, and stared inside at the corpse clothed in the expensive black suit. Her ears began to ring, and her vision went out of focus so that she could no longer clearly see the handsome features of the corpse. "No, this isn't possible!" she cried, grabbing the corpse's cold hand. "No, this isn't Holt!"

"I'm sorry. The brain damage was severe. He died a week ago, but we've only just been able to bring his body back. I heard you were in hospital, and so I thought it best to wait a while before telling you. The funeral is next Wednesday."

"I only had a few tests. I didn't stay long, and..." She shook her head. "No, he couldn't have died a week ago. Holt's been with me every night for the past week." She touched Holt's icy lips. Lips that had been kissing her breasts not so many hours before.

"Hope, let me take you home."

Hope burst into tears. "This doesn't make any sense. I've been seeing Holt. He wanted to come on the ghost walk tonight."

Meredith winced. "I'm taking you home. This has been a shock, and you don't look at all well."

* * * *

Billy and Wendy refused to go on the ghost walk. They didn't think it appropriate. Hope knew she had to go, but she didn't take the tour with the guide. She went alone, but only to the church where the murdered woman was supposed to haunt. The candles flickered in the church, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Hope sat down on a pew and looked around. For the moment her tears had ceased, but she had never cried so much in her entire life. When a woman wearing a long dress and a shawl entered the church from the churchyard, she decided that she had to be someone in costume. "I think the tour guide is further down the road."

The woman walked to the altar and stared at the statue of an angel. "The man told me I have been here too long."

When the woman suddenly seemed to glow with an intense light, Hope got up. She found it hard to ignore the pain in her chest. "Who are you?"

"I'm someone who is going to a better place. The man said it was best if I go."

"What man?" Hope asked just as the woman vanished before her eyes. The shock sent a bolt of pain through her heart, and she dropped to her knees.

"This man."

She crumpled to the floor, but her face was turned so that she could see the man. "Holt!" she gasped.

He approached her, and held out his hand. "You're mine. Didn't I say nothing would come between us?"

She felt an explosion of pain in her chest, and then it went. She was able to get up and the next instant Holt was holding and kissing her. She stared back at her own corpse. "I'm dead."

He grinned. "We're both dead."

"So, there is an afterlife?"

"Oh, yes, and we are going to spend it together."

She took his hand. "I love you so much, Holt."

He kissed her. "You're my girl, Hope, and you always will be. Now, we should go?"

Careful What You Wish For by Jennifer Robins

She stood at the open door, her snow white hair fashioned neatly a top her head. Dangling dark blue sapphire earrings the match of her deep blue eyes framed her sadly wrinkled face.
"Come right in. I've been waiting for you. I'm happy you could find time to come and tune my piano. I want it done for the holidays." She held the door for Carlson as he stomped the little snow from his shoes before entering.
"My piano is in the parlor, just follow me. Don't worry about your shoes." Her cane in hand, she led him from the large foyer down a hallway to the parlor.
It sat in the corner of the large room by the ceiling to floor large picture window that overlooked a spacious court yard. Ebony black concert grand piano glowed with its beauty waiting for its yearly tune up.
"Would you like tea, I have some made in the kitchen. I can bring you a cup. It will warm you."
"No thank you, Ma'am I'll just get to work here so you have your lovely piano in tune and ready for the holidays."
"If you change your mind let me know." She went off leaving him to do his work.
He gazed around the handsome parlor and a photograph on the desk caught his eye. He picked it up to admire the beauty portrayed in the wood framed picture. A second glance told him it had to be Miss Lillian at a much younger age. The resemblance was there without doubt.
She was so beautiful he couldn't take his eyes off of that photograph of her. If only he had been born when she was, he thought as he admired her lovely smile, her exciting beauty.

2.

With his work at hand, he set the photograph down and went over to the piano and took his tools out from the case he carried in with him.
The entire time he worked at tuning the piano, he kept looking over at that photograph. It almost looked like she was looking straight at him. Because he was so fascinated by this image it took him longer to finish the job than usual.
Miss Lillian thanked him at the door after paying him with a check and bid him goodbye. He turned to face her before he stepped out into the cold. Yes, that photo was her all right.
***
A restless night in his bed followed a long day of wishful thinking of that sexy beautiful woman in the photograph. He couldn't get her out of his mind. Intoxicated by her beauty he lay awake until dawn not knowing how he could get through the day without sleep.
When the phone rang he threw his bare legs over the side of the bed and picked the receiver up from the phone next to his bed.
"Hello," He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. "Yes, this is he." His eyes grew wide, "Miss Lillian?" he stood up. "Oh. . .I left my tools there. All right, I'll come get them this morning if that's all right with you." His feet did a search on the floor for his slippers. "I'll be there shortly. Thanks for calling."
A quick shower and shave and he had him on his way still thinking about that lovely woman framed in a wood frame on the desk. Wish I could have been there when she was young.

3.

Weaving through the morning rush hour traffic had him edgy. How he would ever get through this day had him wondering. It started to snow again for the second time this week.
He pulled into the driveway and hurried to the door. When he rang the bell he expected to see the old woman open the door and greet him with a friendly smile but instead the door opened and the greeting came from the young Lillian in the photograph. There she stood in all her beauty just like she appeared in the photograph. His mouth dropped open--he couldn't speak at first and had to compose himself. Slowly he entered the house without taking his eyes off of her for a second.
"Tha. . .thank you for calling," he cleared his throat, "About my tools."
"No problem. Would you like some tea? I have a fresh pot made in the parlor. It's so cold out, you look like you could use some warming up." Her smile, so enchanting accompanied her soft lovely voice. Her beauty captured him and held on to his very soul.
He sat with her in the parlor sipping tea before he noticed how much the décor of the room had changed. The furnishings were not quit the same but that didn't sway him—not when his attention zeroed in on her and how lovely she looked. Could this be real? Is she the old woman he saw here yesterday or is it a dream, or a relative who looked like her?
"Uh" he cleared his throat again, "Are you the same Miss Lillian that was here yesterday?"
He had to ask knowing that the old Miss Lillian lived there alone.
"Of course I am, you silly thing. This is me right in the flesh." She let out a giggle that had his heart beating fast. Then to make it even more un-believable she snuggled up closer to him.

4.

He set his cup down on the round table in front of him before he spilled its contents from his shaking hand. Before he knew what was happening, she had her lips close to his, her soft hand embracing the side of his face. Excitement raced through his body like a freight train. His arms found their way around her, his mouth pressed to hers as he fondled her breast. Desire, need and passion took over. Her shapely body pressed hard against him, her fine female essence filled his brain with lust, love and want.
He tore at his clothes to remove as much of them as he could while his hands searched her to open that silk robe she wore. Her skin, soft silky white and warm with sexual heat felt smooth and wonderful as he swept his hands down her sides to her thighs. Her robe fell to the floor to cover his pants and shirt. She lowered her self down on the sofa and whimpered for him to meet her needs. His hand found the right spot, she moaned with pleasure lifting her hips asking for more. And then he went inside of her--his head swam with pleasure his mind in ecstasy. She held her arms around him for a long time before they sat upright on the sofa. A little heart shaped ruby pin sat on the table next to the sofa. She picked it up and handed it to him. "Here I want you to have this, a token of my love." He took the pin, stared at it for a few second before he put it in the pocket of his jacket on the floor.
He had to see her again and she agreed to have him visit any time. After a strong cup of hot tea, he left her and drove directly home. Any work he had scheduled for the day would be delayed.
***
Over the next four days, Carlson spent almost all his time with her, making love to her, falling

5.

in love with her. The excitement of her--her outstanding beauty, the unbelievable sex had him neglecting everything else in his life including his work. All he wanted was to be with her. Even at night in his bed, he imagined being with her. It no longer mattered how this all came about, he just
wanted to be with her, make love to her, feel her soft body next to him.
By the end of the week he had spent every day since Monday with Lillian. Friday morning he rose early to get on the road to her house before the morning rush. With Thanksgiving coming along in the following week he knew he would have to spend some time at his parents house with the family and wanted to have as much time with Lillian as he could before the holiday. Still in the back of his mind he had wonders of how this all happened but while it did he would not question it.
A cold breeze blew across the front of the house as he approached the door and rang the bell. Winters prelude held the day with cold drizzling rain. He clutched at the collar of his jacket to pull it up around his neck as he waited for her to answer the door. He paused before ringing the bell a second time and peered in the narrow window high on the door but couldn't see anything but the wide staircase to the second floor. Early, he thought, she may be sleeping. But he rang the bell again.
Finally the door opened but the woman, maybe in her mid to late fifties on the inside was not Lillian. She wore a robe and slippers and looked like he may have woke her up from sleep.
"Yes, what is it?" She asked as she held the inside door open.
Through the storm door he looked at her shocked, "I'm here to see Lillian. Is she all right?"
"I'm sorry but Lillian passed away this past Monday night. The wake was yesterday and the

6.

funeral is today. Are you a friend?"
His jaw dropped, "How could that be?" Was all he could say as he stared at this woman who just told him his newly found love had died four days ago.
"I'm sorry but it was sudden, my mother died in her sleep."
He couldn't speak, all he could do was stare at her.
Behind her came a voice that sounded much like Lillian's. He strained to see who stood some feet in back of this woman at the door. "Ma, who is it?"
"It's someone who knew Grandma," the woman shouted.
A young lady looking much like Lillian walked up to the side of the woman and peered out at him. "How did you know my grandmother?"
His speech hindered by stuttering as he looked at the likeness of Lillian in this pretty young woman had him searching for an answer. "I tuned her piano."
"Oh, that explains those tools you left here. Why don't you come in out of the cold and have a cup of coffee. I just put a fresh pot on." She smiled with that same welcoming smile he saw in Lillian.
"Thank you; I could use a nice cup of coffee." He entered the house, went to put his keys in his jacket pocket and felt something…the heart shaped ruby pin. A chill ran down his spine but he followed the beautiful young woman to the parlor without taking the pin out of his pocket.

THE END

Angels and Vampires: A Freak Sorority Short

Angels and Vampires: A Freak Sorority Short              
By: Stephanie Beck
StephanieBeckAuthor on Facebook


"Ta da!"
Sara spun theatrically and put her hands on her hips before she faced her handsome fiancé. The look on his face told her the skimpy angel costume was once again a success. This reincarnation of her favorite theme was pure white, cut just short of her knees and high enough to cover her breasts. The sexy came in with the details as the skirt was in strips of gold making it look like with every step there was a chance to see something really good. But her goods were taken now, the whole of her body and soul in the possession of one James P. Raven, vampire.
"So?" she asked when he continued to stare, his piercing brown eyes taking in every nuance of the costume for what it did and did not cover, "I was thinking it would be perfect for all of our Halloween plans. Demure enough for your parents' party, foxy enough for the clubs after."
His appreciative smile slipped and the dismay in his eyes made her crumble a little. James was her everything and she couldn't imagine why he wouldn't approve of her plans. It was their first Halloween together and she wanted it to be perfect.
"What?" she asked when he seemed to debate with himself.
"I love it," he said and closed the distance between them before she could blink, "I love the way the skirt pieces hug your hips. I love the lacing under your breasts and how every man will look and want but never touch. The halo is plain but I'll have something made that is near as beautiful as you before next week."
"But?" she asked, letting him cuddle her as his hands stroked her bottom in the most distracting way.
"But…I think we should find you something different for my parents' party," he admitted and she could see the pained expression telling her that he didn't want to deny her but thought it was best. It was an expression she rarely saw but with his protective streak it did show on occasion, "I know, we'll go to Tiffany's tomorrow, I'll buy them out and you can go as their cover girl."
"Oh come on, James," she protested, although the promise of diamonds did get her attention, "I know your parents aren't prudes and obviously vampires aren't affected by angel costumes if you're all hugged up to me. I fail to see the problem."
"You're right, they aren't prudes and the angel reference takes no toll on my vampire nature or my father's but it's my step-mother that will have issue. She doesn't care for angels," he explained, genuine anger and fear in his tone at the mention of his father's wife.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice interested and concerned instead of demanding and homicidal. No one messed with her man/vampire. No one.
"She's a time demon," he answered with a harsh sigh, "Dad didn't know it when he bonded with her and afterward there was nothing he could do to void it."
"Time demon?" Sara asked, thinking hard but coming up blank, "What exactly do they do?"
"If we piss her off she blanks our memory as a way of stealing time," he explained.
"That doesn't sound so bad," she replied.
"I broke a teacup around the civil war and don't remember anything until two thousand," he told her, the bitterness and anger in his tone shoring up her new found desire to destroy the demon.
"Poor baby," she muttered soothingly, drawing his head to her chest, petting her hand through is ebony hair as his cool breaths turned to hot kisses on her skin.
"I know," he said, his tongue dragging along the inner cleft just barely showing above her dress, "I love you, Sara. I can't let that happen with you. I want you as long as I can have you."
"I love you too," she said, tugging him to the sofa, "Just try to get rid of me."
---
She looked at her fellow freaks, and when five heads nodded at once, Sara knew her future mother-in-law was no longer a problem. When it came to friends, she knew she couldn't do better than the group around her. There was Dina the witch, Amy the nymph and Kate the unfortunately hairy werewolf. They were all her girls, but she was closest to Pammy and Rachael. Pammy nodded hard, the rings on her nose and eyebrow flailing wildly. She was a kindergarten teacher who moonlighted as a demon hunter. Rachael didn't nod so much as freeze in indecision. Sara loved her dearly, but the girl was timid. A succubus from a long line of sexual deviants, Rachael had secrets she hid behind her matronly librarian wardrobe that only was removed on weekends when she danced at a strip club eighty miles north in Vermont.
"So, any suggestions?" Sara asked, swirling her glass of orange juice and cream, her newest craving since James had planted his vampire spawn inside her, "I have and always will dress like an angel on Halloween. I refuse to change for a bitchy demon. Oh and James, I want her to leave him alone too."
"Well," Pammy said, twirling a knife blade on her index finger, "The obvious answer is for me to chop off her head."
"But she is bonded with James' father," Sara replied with a shrug, "If extermination was an option I could handle that myself."
They threw out more ideas and threw popcorn too but by midnight when Pammy had to get hunting they were still short on ideas with Halloween only three days away. Sara checked her watch and knew James would be by any minute to take her home. She didn't want to leave without a plan. The whole situation sucked.
"Suck," she said and jumped to her feet, the faces surrounding her turning away quickly as light shot out from her every pore, "Sorry. I know what we have to do. Rachael, how do you feel about a little time-demon snack?"
---
"Are you sure you're feeling up to this, pumpkin?"
"I'm fine, bloodyboo," she assured James while patting the velvet arm of his leisure suit. He was something straight out of the nineteen seventies and she loved it, "I might want some pretzels and cream cheese soon. I hope your step-mother has some."
"If she doesn't, I'll get you some," he promised, holding her to his side as he rang the doorbell of the townhouse that glowed with the party inside, "Remember what I said about her, okay? The angel thing…just stay really close to me."
"Okay, sweetie," Sara said, smoothed her bodice and turned on her smile.
The woman who answered the door was adorable in a bright blue dress and a white lace pinafore. The bevy of sheep beanie babies and shepherdess staff proclaimed her `Little Bo Peep'. Sara bit back a grin as the sheep keeper looked them both over and smiled in approval, "James dear, who is this lovely girl?"
"Ah, Addie this is my fiancé, Sara," he said, confusion in his voice but Sara kept on smiling as she offered her hand, "Sara, meet my step-mother, Addie Demona."
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Demona," she said, warmly.
"You too, dear, you too," Addie said and opened the door wider, "Do come in, James and dear Sara. I love your costumes, my darlings. A vampire and an angel, how perfect."
---
Lying in bed Sara bit her lip as James gushed over his step-mother's change of heart. The old bat had been hostess of the year, confusing her guests who attended her parties more out of fear than affection. James and his father were thrilled, both relaxing for the first time in centuries when they realized it wasn't a trick. They didn't claim to know what happened but assumed the demon part of her had been called back to Hell.
They were nearly right. In the end Sara decided the best way to get rid of the demon without killing Addie was to suck it out. Luckily for them, the time demon was just like the rest of its breed, willing to jump anything with power and something fun between its legs. She, Pammy and Rachael went the night before when James and his father were out and without remorse she'd siched her succubus on the demonness. Rachael left the longevity but took all the power, leaving Addie docile and sweet.
"So," he said and she realized her participation was required, "I'm hoping Thanksgiving and Christmas go as smoothly as tonight. If we can keep her level through the holidays I bet she'll be fine for the wedding and baby. I should have known you would win her over."
"Well of course, my lovesucker," Sara said, tucking close to his side, "I am pretty amazing."

Breakfast with a Zombie by Kerri Nelson

I’m a zombie and I still enjoy Lucky Charms for breakfast. Every morning I pour myself a bowl and think about how my life went from bad to worse in the blink of an eye. Or rather, in the flap of a bat’s wing, if you prefer.
I was an average everyday working girl before the one night that would forever change me. By working girl, I only mean that I went to a normal nine to five job as a bank teller every single day. Day in and day out, I put in my hours with no adventure and no change in routine.


Then, on the eve of Halloween, I volunteered to stay late at work to decorate for our bank’s Annual Check or Treat Event. That would turn out to be the worst decision that I ever made. So much for good karma being my reward for volunteer work.


I had just locked up the front doors and set the alarm after hanging streamers and taping festive pumpkin cut-outs to the windows. I was walking to my car when I noticed something that looked like a small child huddled by the corner of the building under the light from the ATM machine.


Thinking that this was more than just plain odd, I put on my Good Samaritan hat and went to check it out. When I arrived at the side of the trembling figure, I saw that it was sheathed in a black cloak. I bent down to take a closer look.


“Are you lost?” I asked tentatively, reaching out my hand to touch the poor child.

That was when the figure threw back the cloak and the red eyes stared back at me. The trembling was not fear but was instead laughter. I tried to jump back and away from the strange, ghoulish looking child but he grabbed my outstretched hand and bit me before I could move.

------------------------

By the time I got home, I wasn’t feeling so well. After the monster child had bitten me, he’d run off into the night and I’d high tailed it home.

To say that I was feeling a bit freaked out by the whole thing would be putting it mildly. As I made my way to the safety of my own bathroom, I was not at all prepared for what I would see in the mirror.
The color had already begun to drain from my face and deep, dark circles appeared beneath my eyes. Panic began to flood through me as I felt a sickness roar through my body. I looked down at the bite on my hand and the small tooth prints were surrounded by dark black skin. My hand looked terrible and that was when I knew that I’d been infected with something bad…really bad.

My first instinct was to call an ambulance and I quickly made my way to the phone beside my bed. As I dialed the emergency numbers I tried to fight back the intense wave of nausea that suddenly wracked my body.
As my shaky hands tried to dial the three numbers that would bring help, I found it difficult to move the infected hand and my body shook uncontrollably in tremorous convulsions.

I felt a hot rush of something like fire rise from the pit of my stomach and then something wet rolled down the side of my face. Thinking that it was sweat, I pawed at it with the back of my good hand and when I returned the hand to my dialing task…I saw blood instead.

That was when I passed out cold.

-----------------------

When I woke, the smell of freshly dug dirt filled my nostrils and lungs. I tried to collect my thoughts but I was feeling confused and disoriented. I could hear a faint sound coming from a distance and it sounded like music.
No, it was someone whistling.

I tried to open my eyes but they stung. I tried to move but felt locked in place. My head hurt and I was extremely hungry.

Then, something sharp poked at my torso and I shifted to get away from it. My movement caused an avalanche of dirt to spill down around me and I began gagging and coughing. I tried again to open my eyes and then I saw a pale faced man standing over me with a shovel.

“There you are…” he said and as he smiled the greeting at me, I saw the white sharp fangs glisten in the moonlight.

As it turns out, his name was Montecarlo and he was a two century old vampire. He had a family of zombies that he routinely sent out to bring him meals. Human meals. The newest member of his family was a young boy zombie named Mitch and he was still learning the ropes.
Apparently, Mitch forgot that if he bit me that my blood would be totally useless to his boss. When a zombie bites you, they infect you with the zombie virus thereby making you a zombie as well.

That was just my kind of luck.

These days, I live a new sort of life. I still work nine to five but it is during the evening hours instead. I still work for a demanding boss and receive little reward for my efforts. I guess in a way I’m still a working girl but I don’t have to worry about money anymore.

In fact, I don’t have to worry about air or water or any other basic necessity either now that I’m a zombie. As far as eating goes, I’m told that zombies are supposed to crave human flesh, most particularly human brains, but the thought of ingesting that still sickens me. So, for now, I still eat Lucky Charms for breakfast.

© Kerri Nelson 2009

Tonight I Met a Vampire by Sky

I MET A VAMPIRE

    Testimony Given to the Police Department of the Township of Hooligan, Gizzard County

Tonight I met a vampire. And I know this for absolute sure, this time. I was going home later than usual, a little after dark,  and decided  to cut across the park in the middle of town.  It’s  faster that way.  I just barely had time to make my appointment with the cable guy. It was real hard to get the appointment for after six, and I was no way gonna miss it.  Another week without Idol just wasn’t something I was willing to face. It’s such a cool show.  Do you watch it?

     Sorry, ok, I’ll go on. 

      I had just come to the part of the path where there are those big, tall trees on both sides, that kind of crowd into the pathway,  you know?  Anyway, I almost walked right up to him, he was just there.  I think he appeared or something, you know how they do.

    He was just there.  He was standing in the path, not walking or anything,  I couldn’t walk past him without saying somethin.  So I said, “Hey, how ya doing?” and he didn’t answer me.  He may have been standing still, but I was walking, so I was getting closer and I was starting to worry that something was wrong, maybe he was deaf.  I didn’t want to hurt the guy’s feelings. So I thought I’d get closer and smile, nod, something friendly like that.

     It’s weird enough to run into someone you don’t know here, nobody comes to this town that doesn’t have people here, unless it’s like a Keebler delivery man or something.  And this guy was no delivery man. So I wanted to be really friendly, make a good impression. I think that’s real important and....

     What? Oh, okay.

      He was a little taller than average, about like Bob Clem over there, maybe six one or two. Wearing black pants, nice, not like work pants,  and a blue shirt.  I’m not sure what silk looks like, but I think it might have been silk.  It was really smooth.

But that was later on.   He looked kinda like he worked out, big and strong, you know?  And his hair a little long and had these curls that fell over his forehead. But not girly, no not girly at all.

     I’ll try to tell this how it happened though.  I kept walking and when I got close I couldn’t get past him on the path without him moving or me stepping into the trees.  And I was no way going off into that dirt in my nice work outfit, It was brand new, and cost a lot,.  If it went into them trees I was going to snag my hose for sure, and my shoes would be beat all to hell, heck, well beat bad. 

     So, one of us had to move.  And I said “Excuse me, would you please step over so I can pass?” as polite as you could ever imagine.  And he still didn’t say anything.  But he looked at me.  And his eyes were amazing.  They were dark brown, I think, or maybe black.  I don’t think he blinked at all.  And then I couldn’t move.  I saw him coming toward me, and I didn’t mind at  all.

     Fact, I was so happy that I walked right up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and planted one on  him, right on the lips!  You all know me, known me all my life. I don’t kiss strangers, at least I didn’t til then.  He made me do it.  I  ran my hands down his back over that silky shirt, and pressed the whole front of my body into his, there was no  open space between us.  And he didn’t say nothing, but he kissed me back, hard, and it felt good.  I know he had me under some sort of mind control, because I woudn’t ever be standing in the park kissing some stranger, and I sure as heck wouldn’t have done what I did next. 

     I asked him back to my place.  I did, as bold as you please.  I said, “Come with me now,” and I reached for his hand, and grabbed it, and pulled him along the path til we got to the little bridge.  Now, I hear tell that flowing water is a problem for some of them, but he crossed right over that bridge, or maybe it was holy water I was thinking of, I don’t know. But whatever, he came with me out of the park, and walked across First Street and stopped on my porch.  He didn’t move til I said, “Come on in.”  He just stood there looking around.

     That’s another reason I think what I do, he didn’t come in til I said to.  I hear they have to be invited in.  And he came in and stuff and then he left before morning. That’s it, that’s what happened.

     Oh, I’m sorry.  You need details?  I don’t really want to tell all that stuff, it’s embarrassing, even though I know it all happened because I was under his spell. But I know it’s important, for the record and all, so I’ll tell you.  Or can’t I just write it down? No?  Okay.  I’m gonna need some water to drink before I go on.  And maybe a bathroom break?

     Okay, where was I?  Yes, I asked him into my house.  I guess that’s important because they can’t come in otherwise, right?  Anyway,  I told him to come in and sit right down on the davenport.  And he did. And I set right down next to him, close up.  I couldn’t stop looking into those eyes.  I hadn’t turned on any lights and it was kind of dim in the living room, but it looked like those eyes were lit up from inside, almost like a fire deep inside.  And he finally said something to me.  He said,  “Who are you?” and I knew he wanted me.

     I leaned into  him and wrapped those long, strong arms around me and pulled me real tight against that soft, soft shirt. It was blue, I think, pretty sure. The streetlight coming through the window made the silk a little  shiny, that’s another reason I said I thought it was silk?  It’s shiny isn’t it?  I don’t have anything silk.  I did have that nylon shirt, it was soft and... oh, I’m sorry, I get a little distracted sometimes.  The next thing I knew, he had magicked me into taking him into  my bedroom.  I would never do anything like this, except I was under his spell, you understand.

     So we started kissing again, and hugging and I unbuttoned his shirt and he put his hand down the front of my top and  we kept on kissing.  He was real warm, they aren’t supposed to be warm, are they? And he ran his tongue right down the side of my neck, and I waited and waited. 

     No, he didn’t bite me.  I thought he would.  I was sure he would.  Why else would he put me under his spell like that.  But he didn’t  He just kept kissing me and finally I said,  “What’s wrong?  Not good enough to bite?” and he looked up. 

    

     He looked right at me with those brown lit up eyes and lied. “I wouldn’t bite you,”

he says to me. “You looking for someone to bite you?”

     “ I know what you are!” I said. “You magicked me here with those eyes of yours and now you gotta bite me and bring me over. We’ll be together forever!”

     And I swear, I never seen nobody run so fast!  He jumped off the davenport tripped over the coffee table,  and made for the front door Didn’t even say good-bye.  And I know why, too.  Once he knew I was onto him, he had to go.  He knew I’d run right down here and tell  you all and he’d be in big trouble. If I could escape, that is.  And if he didn’t make me one of them.  I guess a good, upstanding woman like me can’t be one. But he could have tried couldn’t he?  . 

    So tonight I met a vampire.  But he got away. 

Today is Monday, Dear by Daisy Banks

Today is Monday, Dear
by Daisy Banks


Her skin still damp from the shower, Lily stood in the warmth of the early sunlight. She gazed down from the window into the depths of the garden. A tiny breeze wafted the voile curtains towards her, today was going to be another hot one, and a shiver of anticipation ran over her. Small beads of sweat built above her top lip, at the back of her neck, and more joined to make the undersides of her breasts slippery.
"Lil, have you seen my blue cuff links?" David's voice echoed and swirled around her to invade her private paradise. She bit back the retort she longed to give him.
"The last time I saw them was when you went to New York." The modulated calm of her voice astonished her. Deception was sweet indeed. Her eyes continued to watch the gentle sway of the tall poplars that edged the bottom of their property. She glanced down at the rose bushes. Their blooms would intoxicate today, but it being Monday, she wouldn't, couldn't go and sit beside them. A spasm shot through her, not on a Monday.
Her sense of anticipation grew when she turned back to the clock, eight thirty, David would be gone in less than fifteen minutes, and she would be alone. Her finger brushed over her top lip and wiped the dewy perspiration away.
"I've got them, they were in the green suit pocket."
She didn't move a muscle, remained static, when David came in and dropped a swift kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you on Thursday," he said.
"Yes, dear, have a good flight." She didn't even turn to watch him go. At one time, she would have hugged him before he left. They would have kissed with passion, and the promise of more to come, when he returned from his trip. Not now, not ever again, David had seen to that, and thought it quite right and proper at their age.
The front door thudded closed. A few moments later, the car wheels spun with a hiss on the gravel as David drove down to the road. Her gaze remained fixed on the side gate to the garden, and more sweat built up on her body. The moisture trickled down between her breasts.
She caught her breath when at last, the wrought iron gate swung open, and there he was. This Monday's child was fair of face. The sunlight turned his hair to spun gold, gilded the solid sculptured muscles of his naked chest to bronze, and she licked her suddenly dry lips, as he pushed the old, green, hand powered mower into the garden.
He turned to close the gate, and the view of his buttocks where the white shorts molded to rounded flesh, made her swallow hard. A ball of feathers seemed lodged in her throat, so she tried to swallow again. The purr of the mower made her sigh, and the way his arms braced as he pushed, sent trickles of desire seeping down her spine.
David was an ass, insisting the lawn was done the old-fashioned way, but she would be forever grateful for it. Her golden boy would be here for the next two hours, and his muscular beauty would feed her desire for another week. The sheen of the golden hair on his legs shimmered as he walked away down the length of the garden, and she leaned against the window ledge for support. The voile curtains, became an opaque disguise for her warm, naked flesh.
How she longed to stroke over that golden haze on his legs. Run her fingers up along the inside of his broad thigh, and then higher still, to slip inside his shorts, and find the weighty delights he kept tucked away there.
Licking her lips again, she watched him reach the end of the first stripe on the lawn, and he turned towards her now. Only another three more stripes to go, and she would allow the touch of his hands on her in her misty world. His wide hand could span her thigh, strong with thick muscular fingers to tease and pinch, smooth and smack. She loved his hands on her breasts, and another shiver of pure need sent goose bumps down her arms.
The grating whir of the lawn mower made her close her eyes. There was a distinct rhythm to it, like the rhythm of love. No, she was going too fast, he hadn't even finished row two. She forced herself to watch him, and the heat glowed between her thighs. His skin had built up a silky sheen of perspiration, like hers. It was hot. The breeze shifted the voile again, but did nothing to cool her. She inhaled deeply, longing for just a trace of the smell of him.
One Monday last month, she'd paid him in cash, her fingers slippery with sweat on the notes. He'd stood there and smiled, while she'd in drunk the rich musk scent of him deep, more intoxicating than wine, heady enough to make her need to sit down. He must think her a batty old dear, she hadn't even let him say thank you, before she shut the door.
For two weeks solid, she'd thought of the scent of him before she slept. Every time her hands stroked over her body, they were his hands, enhanced with his fabulous scent, which could enslave her.
He turned to begin row three, and her thighs slid moist together. She let her mind linger on how his strong arms would feel when they tightened around her. How she'd be outraged if he dared to kiss her, and when he did, all her fury would melt, as he stroked over her flesh, and told her what he would do to her.
His muscular thighs rocked back with each step, before he moved forward, and the mower hissed smooth over the lawn.
Oh yes, there'd be no getting away from thighs like that, no way to stop them as they parted her own. She'd have no chance to prevent them powering him into her, even if she moaned her fury at him, for burying his thick cock, deep in her.
A whimper left her mouth, as his rhythmic movements continued along the row. The sleek wetness between her thighs increased, became viscous, so her thighs would slide if she walked. But of course, he wouldn't let her walk, he'd make sure she stayed still, her thighs spread wide to allow him to do whatever he liked. His fingers would smooth over her flesh, to probe, tweak and rub, until she pleaded with him to give her release.
Her excitement grew, as he turned and swung into row four, her heart beat swift. When he got to the end of this row, she'd feel his fingers tweak her nipples into hot and rigid peaks. She'd moan and whimper her displeasure to be touched so by him, but he'd do it all the more. He'd force her to enjoy his attentions, and if she tried to turn away, his hand would smack her breast. Gentle at first, but then with increasing strength, his hand would fall. Each breast in turn would redden, until her nipples glowed like hot coral as they throbbed and ached, while she swore she'd let him do as he wished.
She swallowed again as he turned at the end of the row and now those strong fingers began to work on her. They tweaked and rubbed, rolled her hot nipples into the rigid stalks to pull on. Her groan echoed around the room, and she tried to yank away, whimpered as his hand smacked over her nipple. More slaps splattered loud on her skin, and she begged for him to stop.
He strode on, and the sounds stayed the same, the hiss of the mower, and the warm smacks to make her whine.
Only when he was certain she'd offer the breasts to his lips did his hands move on over her body, to stroke smooth down her skin. His palms glided, and used her sensitivity to provoke her need, until he pinched a buttock hard. "Oh," the cry left her lips, as he rubbed hot patches of heat onto her skin, ground his calloused palms over the tender flesh, so it began to heat with the friction. She writhed as he did it, whimpering at what she knew would come next.
The first slap stung like a bee, flushed her with heat, before the next one arrived, hot and hard to leave a roasting imprint. His broad palm, throbbed on her ass. Again and again, the blows fell, until each burning flash merged into a sheet of soft flame, and she pleaded with him, "No more." Her pitiful pleas were disregarded, to leave her with a seat of pure unadulterated heat, only then would his fingers explore to the dripping furnace between her thighs.
He stroked over her seared flesh, which burned only for him. His gaze glowed at her, while he teased gentle and smooth, pulled at her labia, stretched it to long folds and then patted it to plumpness to make it receptive for his touch. Her squirming and moans made no difference, as he rubbed at her clitoris with his work hardened thumb, press and stroke, stroke and press, until the juices dripped from her. The wetness tricked down between her thighs, and he smoothed it over her anus, dipped a finger inside, so she whimpered in shame and delight.
He let her drip on his fingers, let her moisture run until she was desperate for relief, and she pleaded with him now, "Fuck me, give me your cock, please."
When her cries grew to fever pitch, that’s when his strong thighs shoved hers wider apart, and he lay between. The thickness of him, throbbed at her entrance, teased over her sensitised flesh, rubbed over her clit and down to her anus, before settling at the entrance of her hungry pussy again. She tossed her head back, arched her neck as quivers of pleasure rushed over her. The heat of her rear converged with the heat of her pussy to become a pulsating need.
"Ah...." Her sigh of sheer bliss filled the room, when he filled her, powered into her and stretched her flesh wide. The forceful, long hard strokes were for his pleasure, not hers, but pleasured she was, and made low grunts of delight at each powerful entry. She rocked her hips to encourage him deeper, and his strokes became stronger now, so deep inside her, she moaned. Her panted breath took up a steady rhythm and she couldn’t keep from coming. He made her come, forced her to come, and once it happened, she came again, her defences and will power broken by the surge of his virile demanding cock.
She sank to her knees trembling, satiated as her juices ran like water down her thighs. Somehow, she had to thank him. She went into the shower and swilled herself off, dried, and dressed in her loosest, cotton summer kaftan.
From behind the fly mesh on the kitchen door, she called into the heat hazed garden. "Gareth, dear, would you like a cold drink? You must be hot."
He strode across the lawn, and a shiver of fear at his sheer size ran over her. "Thanks, Mrs Aston, you are a luv."
She handed over a tall glass of cool orange, and watched the muscles in his throat as he swallowed deeply to drink it. His golden head tilted right back, and she licked her lips for now she could drink her fill of his male scent.
"Thanks a lot. Oh, is it cash or cheque this week?"
"Cash." Her trembling fingers counted the five pound notes into his wide calloused palm.
"Thanks, Mrs Aston. Anything else I can help you with today?" His blue gaze held hers, and she bit her lip while she called up the shreds of her will power, so it wouldn't happen again.
"Well, today is Monday, dear." Trembles ran over her, as his gaze devoured her, and he smiled wide. Slowly she nodded, taking a step back, when he crossed the threshold. He put the glass on the table, closed the door, and his fingers reached for her nipple.

The End