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The Witch and the Squirrels
G.E. Stills
Chapter 1
Chad resisted the urge to break into a run when he passed the run-down house. If not for the fact it was along the route he used when he walked to work . . . You’re a grown man, not some scared little boy. Still—something about the place gives me the willies.
Cold and dreary looking, the dilapidated two story structure sat on a lot that encompassed the entire block. An unkempt yard, overgrown with vines and shrubs, surrounded it. Nobody had lived in the place for years.
Not since old lady Jameson vanished a number of years ago.
That was long before he’d moved here.
His steps carried him away, putting the house behind him. The somber feeling of foreboding lifted from his shoulders as the distance increased. Two blocks farther, he entered a two story eight-plex. Taking the steps two at a time, he then paced down the hallway to his apartment door located on the left near the rear of the complex. Soon he forgot the eerie feeling. Changing out of his uniform, he put on faded blue jeans and buttoned up his sport shirt.
Locking the door behind him, he left for the small bar a short distance away. When he opened the door, the smell of whiskey and stale cigarettes assailed his nose.
Why do I come here?
He answered his own thought immediately.
Because this may be a hole in the wall, but they have an excellent burger. He usually treated himself to one at the end of his shift. The bartender poured a glass of ice water and set it in front of him on the counter.
“The usual, Chad?” the bartender asked.
“Yes, thanks.”
The bartender walked away to place his order.
“What’s up, Chad my man?” a familiar voice said. He stifled a groan when Jerry sat down next to him.
Why me?
“Not much. Just got off work.” For some reason, Jerry had glommed onto him from the start.
Maybe because I was new in town. Maybe because I didn’t know him any better. That and the fact he has an apartment in the same building as me. And he and I are both single.
“Wanna come to the club with me tonight? There might be some fresh meat there. Ya never can tell, with that new catalog ordering center opening up. I hear they’ve hired a number of women. About damn time this shitty little town got some new businesses.”
Translated, new women who don’t know you and what a player you are, Jerry.
“If you hate this place so much, why do you stay? Why don’t you move to a larger town?”
“Maybe I will someday, but in the meantime I haven’t bedded all the eligible ladies in this one.” He winked.
And some that are not eligible, Jerry.
Chad shook his head and smothered his sigh of disgust. Even after all these months of knowing Jerry, he found it hard to believe his attitude toward women. He found it even more difficult to accept.
“So what time should I pick you up?” Jerry asked.
“I’m kind of tired. Just got off my three day shift.”
He should have known that Jerry would not be discouraged that easily.
“Aw, come on. You don’t do anything but lay around over there unless there’s a fire.”
“We do other things, besides fight fire in this town, you know.”
“What, rescue cats from trees?” Jerry scoffed.
He rolled his eyes and bristled at hearing his job belittled. “It’s not worth arguing about. I just don’t feel like going out tonight.”
“You aren’t still mooning over Anna are you?”
Jerry had to mention Anna. The one good and bad thing Jerry had done was introduce them.
“Damn it, Jerry. You had to bring her up. Sometimes you’re a real asshole.”
Most of the time, he amended mentally.
He and Anna had hit it off surprisingly well, considering she was a cousin of Jerry’s. He surmised that Jerry hadn’t hit on Anna because they were related.
Memories of Anna flooded his mind, bringing on dismal emotions. The two of them had done most everything together from the time they met. Then her employer had offered her a promotion. The trouble was it entailed relocating. He hadn’t wanted to move and she had wanted the promotion. The breakup had been amiable, but it still shattered his heart.
“She’s gone, man. Time to spread your affections to others and stop sitting around wishing things were different.”
“Spread my affections, like you?”
“Maybe. Love ‘em and leave ‘em. Don’t stick around long enough for messy entanglements. There’s always another one waiting around the corner. Besides, variety is the spice of life.”
“I’m not like that.”
“Pity. We’d make a good team. Well, anyway, I’ll stop by your apartment at eight.”
Clearly, Jerry was not going to take no for an answer. He sighed in defeat. “Fine. Now go away and let me eat my burger in peace.”
Chuckling, Jerry swaggered away.
Sure enough, Jerry was at his door at eight. At the club, Jerry scoped out a table of four new women, and introduced the two of them. Later that night, Jerry disappeared with one of the women. No warning or anything. They were on the dance floor one moment and the next, the two of them were gone. That left Chad to entertain the other three. He knew he should be mad at Jerry, but he was used to it.
After visiting and dancing with the remaining three, they parted and he went home…alone.
Chapter 2
“See you in a few days,” he told his relief and then left the firehouse. When he walked out of the building, he glanced up at the ominous-looking clouds.
Wow, that storm is coming in fast.
Just a short time earlier, the sky had been clear. His pace quickened.
Good thing I don’t live far away.
His thoughts moved to the fire earlier. Luckily, they had been able to contain it. Even though the building and the business inside were a total loss, there’d been no deaths and only one fireman slightly injured.
Lost in thought, he didn’t even notice the house until a flash of lightning lit the entire structure. His feet left the sidewalk seconds later at the horrendous crash of thunder. Another flash. This time, he saw it strike the lightning rod on top of the house. The entire structure stood out in the sudden brilliance. The thunderous roar didn’t take him by surprise this time. Even so, it almost split his eardrums.
And damn close. Seeing it hit the rod and thunder coming moments later, alerted him. Too damn close.
Instinctively, he ducked his head to run, despite his training which advised against fast movement. A third bolt hit the rod. In the bright illumination, he thought he saw a pretty face, surrounded with madly swirling long red hair, silhouetted in an upstairs window. Then the image was gone, lost in the sudden darkness as the early evening became pitch black.
The heavens opened and the deluge began. He broke into a fast run but even so, only a few paces farther he was soaked to the bone. His clothes clung to him, water dripped from his hair. With a sigh of relief, he stepped into the hallway of his apartment complex. Only when he had stripped his wet clothes, dried off and put on warm sweats, did he think of it. What were the chances of lightning hitting that house, not once or twice, but three times, in seconds? Wow.
He thought about the face in the window. That had to be my imagination. No one lives there.
Just as quickly as it had arrived, the storm passed. The moon and the stars came out. Weird weather. His thoughts came to a screeching halt, when someone knocked. He suppressed a groan, when he opened it to see Jerry, standing on the threshold.
“Hey buddy. Storms over. Get ready. We’re going to the club.”
“Don’t you ever get tired of going there?”
Jerry cocked his head. “Are you kidding? With all those females promenading around? Not a chance.”
To his dismay, Jerry squeezed by and parked on the couch to wait.
“I just got home. Haven’t even eaten yet.”
“Then we’ll stop and get a burger.”
Damn, Jerry has a ready answer for every excuse I can muster.
****
Seated at a table, they sipped their drinks and engaged in casual conversation. As usual, Jerry was busy scoping out the ladies.
Why the hell do I let him talk me into coming here? In the first place, I don’t really think of Jerry as a close friend.
“Oh my god. Will you look at that one?” Jerry grabbed his arm and directed his attention to the entrance door. “Da––um.”
The woman he was pointing to had long, flowing, flame red hair. As she crossed the room, her hips swayed gracefully. Both of them studied her, along with most of the club patrons. When she passed into the light, they were better able to appreciate her green velveteen minidress and the ample amount of cleavage it exposed. Her pale skin contrasted with the dress. Black hose with bits of flashing silver covered her legs. Low heeled green shoes completed her outfit. Although she wasn’t dressed as provocatively as many of the women in the bar, everything about her seemed to scream sex goddess.
“This one I simply can’t wait to meet.” Sliding his chair back, Jerry stalked over to her.
Chad lifted his glass and took a sip. He glanced over the rim of his glass and watched Jerry make his moves. He could almost hear the smooth talking spiel. You poor lady. Don’t fall for his crap. The redhead glanced at him while Jerry’s lips continued to move. From across the room her eyes glittered and her brief gaze pierced him like a knife. His heart skipped a beat then raced. Jerry shifted, moving in front of her and ending their mutual stare. Chad lowered his glass to the table with shaking hand. What the––
Not surprisingly, Jerry returned to the table a short time later, with her in tow. Chad rose to his feet, waiting to be introduced.
“Heather, this is my friend, Chad. Chad, this is Heather. She’s new in town. Just arrived today in fact.”
“Nice to meet you, Heather.” He stuck out his hand and she placed her warm and soft one in it.
Her answer came in a soft melodious voice, almost a purr. “Likewise. Jerry tells me he’s a commercial real estate agent. And you?”
“Fire…” he said gazing at her red hair. “Um, I’m a fireman,” he stammered. Desperately, he tried not to stare. Her red hair highlighted a finely chiseled face and glossy red lips. He imagined getting lost for days in her wondrous green eyes. Tasting those gleaming lips of hers. A silver necklace hung down in the center of her cleavage. Reluctantly, he released her hand and the three of them sat down.
The setting of her necklace grabbed his attention, because it was unique. In the subdued lighting, it appeared to shine with a fire of its own. “What’s that symbol, Heather? I’ve seen it before but I don’t remember where.”
She followed his gaze down. Slipping her fingers under it, she held it up for closer inspection. “It’s a pentagram. It matches my earrings.” She brushed her hair to the side and showed them one of them, dangling from her ear.
“And what does it mean?”
Laughing, she looked at them both. “Some people say it’s a symbol of witches or witchcraft.”
Laughing in turn, he asked, “And are you? A witch, I mean.”
She studied him pensively, before answering. “Maybe. Would it bother you if I were?”
“Not really. Besides, you don’t have a green face and wart-covered nose.” He smirked.
“Then maybe I’m not one.” She chuckled.
Her radiant smile seemed to light up the entire room. Their gaze locked. Her face filled his vision. Her fantastic eyes, her long red lashes and her lips moving. The band started playing again. Even though he couldn’t make out her words, her musical tone of voice mesmerized him completely.
Just then, a waitress brought the drinks Jerry had ordered. He barely acknowledged the waitress, still immersed in Heather’s gaze. When Heather lifted the glass to her lips, he saw she had long delicate looking fingers, with rings on each digit and lustrous red nails that shimmered and flashed. He was captivated, entranced, by her endless depths of green.
Jerry cleared his throat. For a moment her eyes closed beneath long red lashes. The period was just long enough to break the charm she held over him.
“Heather has consented to letting me show her around the town,” Jerry shouted to be heard.
“That so?” He heard himself say.
God Heather, you could have chosen a much better person to show you around than Casanova here. Me for one.
A smile curved her lips as if she could read his mind. He could almost hear her saying, “So why didn’t you come greet me and volunteer first?”
“So, Heather, would you care to dance?” Jerry asked.
Heather tore her gaze from his and turned to face Jerry. “Why not?” He took her hand and they left the table.
Sitting back, he watched the two of them dance all night. Often, he frowned when Jerry touched her in what he considered inappropriate ways. She was a fantastic dancer. Slow and fast dances. Her whole body seemed to flow with the musical beat, no matter what the song. They returned to the table a few times, but only briefly.
It was near closing time when the couple quit the dance floor and approached.
“Heather has accepted a ride home. Seems she doesn’t have a car and walked here.”
Whose home, Jerry? Yours or hers?
He wasn’t surprised when Jerry helped Heather into the front passenger seat. Sliding into the back, he watched the two of them. Jerry pulled up in front of the apartment complex. “I’ll let you out here, Chad. Wouldn’t want Anna to worry about you.”
Jerry, you slimy fuck. You told her I was seeing Anna?
Without saying a word, he climbed out and stood on the curb.
Leaning across Jerry, Heather said, “It was nice to meet you, Chad. I hope to see you again real soon.”
Jerry pulled away, leaving him standing there watching the receding taillights. In boiling anger, he turned to storm up the sidewalk, fists clenched and lips pressed tight. That’s it, Jerry. Our friendship is over. Heather deserves better than you. She is more than just another woman for you to use and discard. Just another check on your damn scorecard.
Slamming the door closed in his apartment, and still fuming, he began speaking out loud. “Jerry, you knew that I was interested in her. I know you picked up the vibes almost screaming from us. You’re a total piece of shit, Jerry.”
****
His anger at Jerry receded to a simmer over the passing days and with the start of his new shift, pushed even further to the back of his mind. Jerry didn’t show up at his door demanding he go to the club. Being on the outs with Jerry does have its rewards.
He was opening his apartment door when a man approached down the hallway. “Have you seen Jerry?” the landlord asked. “I’ve knocked on his door several times but he’s never answered. He’s late with his rent.”
“No, haven’t seen him in two weeks I guess, now that I think of it.”
“Well, if you do see him, tell him I’m looking for him.”
“Will do.”
His conversation with the landlord got him thinking. Strange, even though we’re not speaking, it’s unusual for me not to see Jerry around. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Jerry’s car in the lot since the night we went out to the club. Ah, the hell with him.
He dismissed thoughts of Jerry from his mind. Instead of clubbing with Jerry, he started going to a gym to work out. Life became a routine of work, gym and an EMT training course he had signed up for.
He did notice that improvements were taking place at the Jameson house, although he never saw anyone around when he went by. The broken windows were replaced and yard was neatly trimmed. At the end of next shift when he walked by, the house had a fresh coat of paint.
Somebody is fixing it up. Probably to put it on the market and sell it.
****
He stopped by to pay his rent and the landlord said, “I’m worried. I still haven’t seen Jerry. It’s been over a month now. Never really cared for the guy, but it’s not like him to stiff me out of rent payments.”
“Still haven’t seen him either,” he answered.
Thoughts of Jerry faded from his mind, to be replaced by concern for the upcoming EMT test.
Two days later, he saw the landlord again. “Did you hear? They found Jerry’s car at the airport. It’s been there for a long time. I let myself into his apartment. Everything’s gone. The asshole moved out and screwed me out of rent after all.”
“Sorry. I didn’t know. He and I weren’t on friendly terms. Haven’t been for some time.”
Chapter 3
He passed by the Jameson place on the way to work. Inside the fence, a squirrel raced along beside him, chittering up a storm. It wasn’t uncommon to see a squirrel but it was unusual to see one that didn’t run away and stay just out of reach. Looking farther into the yard, he saw there were a number of squirrels. This one seemed to be the friendliest or boldest of the bunch, though. When he left the property behind, the rodent remained at the corner of the yard, still chittering.
After his shift, he drifted down the sidewalk, lost in thought. He looked up when a soft melodious voice called his name. “Chad. My goodness, it’s been a long time.”
He came to a halt and stared speechless at the Jameson house, unable to determine where the familiar voice came from.
“Up here, Chad.”
His head jerked up and his gaze came to rest on one of the upstairs windows. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her standing there framed in it.
“You stay right there. I’ll be down in a moment.” She vanished from the window.
Where’s she been and what the hell is she doing here?
The front door banged open and she raced across the yard. Through the iron bars of the fence, she said, “I haven’t seen you in ages. Not since that one night. How you been? What you been up to? I’d have looked you up but I don’t even know your last name. What brought you past this house?”
She battered him with questions and acted like an old friend and not someone he’d only seen once. After swallowing deeply, he finally found his voice.
“I’ve been—okay, I guess, Heather. To answer your other questions, not much, I don’t know your last name either and I pass by here every few days, going to and from work.”
“Funny, I haven’t seen you.”
“So what are you doing here? In this place.”
“I’ve live here. I inherited the place. The lady that lived here before was my great grandmother.”
“Your grandmother was old lady Jameson?”
“Yep. I’m a Jameson.”
“So what happened to her? Your great grandmother I mean. I hear she just disappeared one day.”
“Grandmother moved on.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
Heather’s eyes twinkled in mirth. “Not that way silly. She didn’t die. Grandmother is alive and well. She just moved, as in changed location.”
“She’s still alive?” he asked, amazed. “She vanished years ago.”
“The Jamison family is blessed with longevity.” She chuckled.
“I guess so. I’m impressed.”
“So tell me, how’s Anna?” she asked, changing the topic.
He felt a frown slide across his face. His hands balled into fists of anger. “I wouldn’t know. There is no Anna. Hasn’t been for a long time.”
Heather gave him an incredulous look. “You mean you’re not living with her?”
“Anna is not even in this town. We broke up months before you and I met.”
“That lying fuckhead.”
He didn’t need to ask whom she was referring to. “Speaking of. Have you seen Jerry?” he asked.
“I’m sure the asshole is around somewhere. Probably hiding out from some lady he jilted or an angry husband.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “I guess you know about him.”
“Oh yes. I learned more about him than I wanted to know that first night we met. Russian hands and Roman fingers.” She broke out in laughter. “I finally managed to send him away and keep my virtue intact.”
“Good for you. Not many do. Manage to send him away, I mean.”
“At least not, I’m sure, with their virtue intact.” She giggled. Brazenly, her gaze drifted over him from head to toe, taking in the muscle shirt and the shorts he wore. “I have to say, Chad, you’re looking real good. Even better than before.” Teasingly, she licked her lips.
“Wow.” He felt his cheeks become flaming hot. “Thanks. You’re looking pretty fine yourself.”
“Now, it’s my turn to say thanks.” Heather’s eyes became pensive. “Chad, what are you doing tonight?”
“Nothing much. Maybe go get a burger. Why?”
“Well, since there is no Anna—How about coming over here? Don’t have a burger. I’ll fix you a real meal, unless you’d rather have a burger. Unless you’d rather not come over.”
His gaze moved over her shamelessly. Those fantastic eyes, her dangerous curves, and well toned-legs were all it took. “Are you joking? What time.”
She glanced at her watch. “About eight. That is, if you can hold out that long?” Her eyebrows arched in question.
“I’ll try to survive until then,” he teased. What is it about Heather that makes her so easy for me to talk to? To joke with. It’s as if I have known her all my life.
“I promise to make dinner worth the wait.”
“What should I bring?”
“Your delicious self is all.” She winked and licked her lips again.
“I’ll see you at eight.” He walked away, floating on a cloud.
No Jerry to stand in the way this time. Just the two of us.
****
Heather glanced at her watch. 7:50. Smiling, she stepped into the kitchen. At a wave of her hand, the bare table wore with a linen tablecloth with fancy embroidering trimming it. Another wave and plates with steaming steaks, lobster tails, baked potatoes with sour cream and chives appeared. Steam curled from stalks of broccoli smothered in cheese sauce. Red wine filled two fancy crystal goblets halfway. The lights dimmed and the candles on the table flickered to life.
Padding into the living room, she looked again at her watch. 7:55.
Another wave of her hand, and her shorts and top vanished, replaced by a long black gown, slit up one leg to mid thigh, deeply plunging in the back. A mist formed in front of her. When she stepped through it and out the other side, she wore makeup along with her favorite fragrance. Lilacs.
High heels or not? She glanced at the ceiling and asked herself. Not, I think. We’re about the same height and I don’t want to tower over him.
Shiny black low heeled shoes suddenly encased her feet. She looked around making one final check. Yes. Everything looks great.
The door bell rang. “Prompt. I’m liking him more all the time.”
Opening the door, she stood and waited, letting Chad feast his eyes on her.
“My god, you look fabulous, stunning, beautiful.”
A thrill of pleasure raced through her at each word. Her heart beat faster and her stomach was doing flips. “Thanks. It’s just something I threw on.”
“Yeah right. I’m hardly dressed for this. You didn’t tell me the dinner was formal.”
“You look fine, Chad.” Her gaze drifted over him from his short curly blond hair and sky-blue eyes to his tasty looking lips. His collared sport shirt matched his eyes and had two broad dark blue stripes running the length of it as accents. Her look traveled down to the faded blue denims he wore: tight enough at the top to emphasize his muscular thighs.
Really fine.
While glancing down at his shoes, so he could not see, she licked her lips in anticipation of the evening she had planned.
“Yeah right,” he repeated, bringing her attention to his face once more.
“I hope you’re hungry, Chad,” she said, changing the topic and squelching her lusty thoughts.
“Starved.”
“Well, I hope you’ll find what I’ve fixed worth the wait.” Turning, she led him into the kitchen.
He stopped and gaped at the table. “No way. How? No way. You didn’t have near enough time to do all this.”
“Maybe I’m like Samantha on Bewitched and I can just wiggle my nose.” She winked. “In the meantime, we need to eat before it gets cold.”
All during the meal, he showered her with lavish compliments on how utterly fantastic she looked. How delicious and wonderful the meal tasted. Each word of praise caused butterflies to go mad in her stomach.
Sliding his chair back, he smiled at her. “I can’t take another bite.”
“Shall we retire to the other room then?”
“We need to do the dishes first. I’m not about to leave you stuck with all this clean up.”
“Later. We’ll clean up later then.” She ushered him into the parlor before her. He didn’t see her wave her hand, or hear her snap her fingers. The table cleared. The kitchen became spotless. The wine, in its iced bucket, vanished to reappear in the parlor. Before they entered the room, a cozy fire blazed to life. Soft romantic music permeated the air.
Together, they sat down on the couch. His arm went around her shoulders and she snuggled up to his side. God he is so warm. His wonderful, masculine scent seeped into her nose. Smoothing her hand across his chest, she felt his heartbeat. Wherever their skin touched, hers tingled.
This is him. At last.
Chapter 4
“You know, you have a lot of squirrels living here?” he started. “The other day, when I passed by, there were several in the yard.”
She tensed slightly, but then relaxed. “They’re my pets. Did they bother you?”
“No, but one of them seemed particularly friendly. Chittered at me the entire time I walked by.”
And he’s been disciplined. “I keep them around for company. They’re so cute.”
Looking around, he thought again of the dilapidated house he’d seen before. “So, Heather, how did you do all this? To say the least I’m amazed. Awed.”
“Later. I’ll tell you later. Finish your wine. I feel like dancing. We never did get a chance to dance when we first met. Jerry monopolized my time.”
Tipping the glass, he drained it and then let her lead him to the center of the room. The music increased in both loudness and tempo. She melted into his arms and sighed, when they wrapped around her. Several slow dances later, the music increased in pace again, causing them to fast dance.
“Whoa,” he murmured. “I’m getting really light headed.” Stumbling across the room, he sat heavily on the couch.
“Do you mind if I continue to dance. I feel joyous. Giddy.”
“Be my guest,” he said. “I promise I will watch.” He winked.
“I need to change clothes though.” She smoothed her hands along her sides, following her curves but not touching them. The gown vanished, to be replaced by a maroon bra top. Her low riding skirt left all of her stomach and much of her hips bare. It was short enough to expose most of her thighs and matched her top in color. Knee high tan suede boots accented her shapely calves.
He shook his head. “Wow, I didn’t even see you leave the room to change. Wine usually doesn’t affect me this way.” His eyes focused on her left hip.
Right away, she knew that he was looking at her red and black dragon tattoo. “Like him?”
“Oh yes.” He could not quite squelch his lustful laugh.
She caressed her hand over the tattoo and moved her hand across her belly to the other hip. The dragon became animated. It marched slowly across her stomach and under her navel to the opposite hip. The entire time it breathed fire and flapped its wings. It vanished behind her and moments later, appeared on her left hip again, to start its march once more.
“Now I know I’m drunk. I’m hallucinating, because I’d swear that dragon of yours is moving.” He rubbed his hands over his eyes. “I should go home. Sleep this weird drunk of mine off.” He stood.
“Sit,” she hissed and waved her hand.
His legs wobbled like they were made of Jell-O. He collapsed heavily back onto the couch.
“You’re not drunk Chad, and you’re not hallucinating. Do you remember our conversation when we first met? The one in which you asked me jokingly if I was a witch.”
“Yeah. Vaguely.”
“I never denied that I was one.”
“What! Are you trying to tell me you are? There’s no such thing as witches.”
“Oh, yes, there is. The proof is standing right in front of you . . . me.”
“I think you must be delusional. Maybe I’m not the only one that drank too much wine.”
“Watch me dance, Chad, and then we’ll talk. We’ll talk about your future. Our future.”
His jaw dropped open. “Huh?”
She knew he couldn’t leave. His legs wouldn’t support him. Twirling, swaying and gyrating her hips seductively in a belly dance, she watched him, watching her. Her fingers wove patterns in the air, above her head, down her sides and across in front of her. Each movement of her arms and hands further deepening the spell she cast over them.
A thick billowing cloud appeared in midair before her. Feelers of the smoky black matter curled in lazy waves toward her. It coiled around her like a snake. The tip pierced her chest, then wrapped around her heart.
The other end meandered and undulated across the room. After curling around him in embrace, the opposite tip entered Chad’s chest and encased his heart. The feeling of deep and complete love made her skin tingle. She knew, with no doubt, he shared the same feelings for her. She could sense them, feel them, almost taste them.
She danced; suggestively, enticingly, undulating in circles in a perpetual graceful fluid motion, increasing the arousal of both of them to a feverish height. Her body glistened with perspiration in the subdued lighting. A kaleidoscope of soft green, red, yellow, lavender, blue and orange colors filled the room, shifting constantly, entwining, melding and combining with each other. At length, crossing the floor, she snuggled next to him.
“I hope . . . no,” She smiled “I know you enjoyed watching me dance for you. I intend to do it for you again. Many times. Now we can talk, but first I think I need to summon the other members of this household.”
Snapping her fingers, the music and lights faded away and suddenly five squirrels appeared facing them, from across the floor. They sat on their haunches, looking at them in complete silence.
“I’m really sorry I startled you the night I arrived.”
“Huh,” he said dully, still immersed in her web of magick. “The first time I saw you was at the club.”
“No, no, it wasn’t. Remember the lightning bolts? Remember the face you caught a brief glimpse of, here at the house? That was me arriving. That was me you saw in the window. I knew in that brief instant, that you were the one.”
She kissed the tip of his nose. “Before I could get downstairs, you ran away. I followed your scent to your apartment, but you weren’t there. I asked a neighbor where he thought you’d gone. The neighbor doesn’t remember the conversation, but from him I learned that you’d likely gone to the club.”
“I find this very hard to believe. When am I going to wake up?” he asked.
“You’re awake, Chad. I’m real. I’m for real. Anyway, when I came into the club that night, I was looking for you. Jerry had other ideas, though. Didn’t you, Jerry?” She flashed a stern look at one of the squirrels. The squirrel ducked its head and covered its eyes with its paws. “That’s the same squirrel that tried to warn you that day. In his pathetic way, he thought of me as a threat to you.”
“Wait a minute. You’re trying to tell me that squirrel over there is Jerry?” Chad cocked his head. “You’re crazy, lady.”
“Look closer. Chad. How many squirrels have you seen that have grey eyes? The same color eyes as Jerry. Look at all of them. None have black eyes like a true squirrel.”
She kissed her way over his chest, up his neck and captured his lips with hers. Their kiss deepened. Tongues twisted together. She lightly nibbled his lower lip briefly before tilting her head away.
“I needed that. I needed to taste you before I continued with my story. That’s the first time we’ve kissed. It won’t be the last.”
“God, you taste great, Heather. You may be wacked, but your kisses taste marvelous.”
“So where was I? Oh yeah. I’ve been searching for you for so long. Since long before you were born. Long before your grandfather was born. You’re my perfect match. My soul mate. I know you felt it when our gazes locked at the club, excluding everything that surrounded us. There was only you and me.”
Her heart skipped a beat and then hammered in her chest, at an increased rate. A smile stretched across her lips. “Now that I’ve found you, I’ll never let you go. We’ll make beautiful babies, you and I.”
“Heather, this is. . .this relationship is moving too fast. Maybe someday you and I––” Clearly he was struggling against the spell she had cast. “I have a life. I’d like to have you in it but––”
She shook her head. Cuddling against him closer, she gazed into his eyes. When she spoke, her voice reflected her sorrow. “Please forgive me, Chad. Maybe it’s selfish of me but I’ve waited so long. That life, the one you led previously, is gone. You’ll vanish, just as Jerry did. You’ll live with me forever. Here, or in one of my other places. I love you.. I’ll never let you leave me.”
“But . . .”
She kissed him again, silencing him. “It won’t be so bad. You have me. I’m not unattractive. You’ve even called me beautiful. I can provide you with most anything you want. I’ve been around a long time. I’m what you would consider wealthy. In addition to that, I will give you near immortality. Unlike my squirrels, you will be in human form so long as you remain in these walls.” She gently kissed the bridge of his nose and pulling back, gazed deep into his eyes. “Or anywhere else I choose. Tell me truthfully that you don’t feel the bond between us.”
“I can’t tell you that. You know I can’t.”
“That’s because you love me, just as I love you.”
Abruptly, he changed the subject. “What about those squirrels? What are your plans for them?”
“All of them, three males and two females, were like Jerry was. They tried to use me. I think you know what I mean, when I say use. I wasn’t the first for any of them. The difference being they didn’t succeed with me. Changing them into squirrels is their punishment. The term is life. Their life isn’t so bad though. I feed them, provide shelter, and give them affection. That’s more than they gave anyone else when they were human.”
“Wow.” He looked at Jerry. “You fucked up, buddy. I can’t say I really feel sorry for you.”
“Let’s not talk about them anymore. Let’s talk about us.”
She glided to her feet and took his hand in hers. Her other hand smoothed over his legs, restoring mobility to them. “Let’s go upstairs, my love. Let’s begin our new life together.” She led him upstairs. A wave of her hand left them naked and together they crawled into bed.
****
Chad woke but kept his eyes closed. What a bizarre and yet incredible dream. He could almost smell the heady and fantastic fragrance of lilacs. Even now, he could feel her cuddled against him. Her head resting on his shoulder and her chin and lips nuzzled against his neck.
The feel of her hair, covering his chest like a soft blanket, caressed his skin. Warm breath tickled against his neck. It sent shivers of delight racing through him. Soft bare skin pressed against his. As he became more awake, his eyes flashed open. He glanced around the strange room. Not his bedroom. Not his bed. And the body pressed to him was…was real.
Oh god! Last night was more than just an extraordinary dream?
Carefully, he slipped from beneath her and waited for her to settle back into sleep, before crawling from the bed. After slipping on his boxers, he gazed down at her. The words exquisite and gorgeous played through his mind.
Magnificence radiated from her. In spite of, or as a result of, the unbelievable night of passionate lovemaking they had shared, he wasn’t sure which. He also knew that the spell she’d woven around them was gone. The feelings in his heart for her were his own. Genuine. Not something she had fabricated. Not something she’d compelled him to feel.
Leave you, Heather? I’ll never even try. I’d sooner stop breathing. I never want to leave your side. I love you just as surely as I know you love me. Right now, though, I need some alone time. I need to think about our life together.
Tiptoeing down the stairs, he opened the front door.
I need time to get my thoughts straight. To absorb the nearly unbelievable story you told me.
When he stepped across the threshold, he felt a moment’s dizziness, but the vertigo soon passed. It was early morning. No one was about.
He scampered across the porch, and sat back on his hind legs. Then it hit him.
I scampered? I’m sitting on my hind legs?
Looking over his shoulder, he saw his bushy tail.
Uh oh.
“There you are. You naughty boy.” Her musical voice came from the doorway.
Turning, he saw Heather. She’d put on a short nighty and towered over him. Bending down, she scooped him up in her hands.
“Were you trying to get away?”
He tried to answer, but it came out as a chitter. He shook his head.
“Good. You just wanted to see the outside. Now you have. I’ve placed a spell around the house. You can’t go past the fence. It’s more for your protection from predators than to prevent your escape.”
“Chitter, chitter chitter.”
“I know, hon. I love you, too. Now come back to bed and keep me warm.”
Raising him in her hands, she leaned forward and kissed him between the ears.
The End
The Rain Dance
(The Rain Dance)
By G.E. Stills
The Rain Dance
Chapter 1
"Order up," the cook shouted and rang the bell after putting the dishes on the serving counter. Deena gathered the four plates stacking them two to an arm and eased her way to the booth. She set one of the plates in front of each of the diners seated there. With their meals delivered, Deena refilled their glasses.
She gazed around at the four other booths, three tables and customers seated in the stools along the counter to see if any of them needed anything. She refilled the coffee cups of two men seated at one of the tables then leaned back against the wall beside the jukebox. Patty, the other waitress joined her.
"Looks like that's about it for the lunch crowd," Patty said.
Deena glanced around the dining room then at her watch and saw it was approaching one p.m. "Small crowd today."
"Three more families have moved away this last week."
Deena shook her head. "If it keeps going this way South Loup is going to be a ghost town soon."
"Vern and I may have to move away too."
"You're kidding. Patty you've lived here all your life."
"I know but the man who employs Vern is saying he may have to sell the farm if we don't get rain soon. Everything is drying up. Even the irrigation wells are going dry."
"Can he find a job somewhere else?" Deena asked.
"Nobody's hiring."
Deena patted her coworkers arm in consolation. "I hope Vern is able to find something. I'd hate to see you leave." Deena glanced at her watch again. "Time for me to go. I need to run over to the store to pick up a few things then go home and get ready for tonight."
"Hot date? Anyone I know?" Patty asked.
Deena rolled her eyes and strolled toward the exit. "It's not a date, just going to Tyler's tavern," she said over her shoulder. "Maxie, I'm leaving now," she announced toward the cook in the kitchen. Maxie, Maxine, was the cook and owner of the small café. She ambled down the sidewalk and entered the grocery store two doors down. After cruising the aisles and filling the basket she carried in her hands, Deena checked out and left the store. She strode to her car that was parked around the corner.
As she placed the two bags in the back-seat Deena smiled. The town here was so much different than the city she had moved here from. Most of the retail establishments were located here on the only paved road in town and in a two-block area. A combination barber shop and beauty salon, a tavern, the café, a clothing store, another tavern, and a grocery store were on this side. Across the street was a post office, an insurance agency, a movie theater that hadn't been in operation for years, a laundry mat and the bank. In addition, on both sides of the paved street were a lumber yard, a hardware store and a couple gas stations. That was the extent of the retail businesses for the town. Deena backed away from her parking spot and guided the car onto the gravel road that led to her house.
Her thoughts continued. The town that she had grown up in was over a thousand miles away from here. She had no brothers or sisters and her parents had died five years earlier in a house fire. Deena had barely escaped that fire with her life. Homeless and almost penniless she had come here to South Loup to live in the old farm house her aunt had left her. Her old dilapidated chevy had barely made the journey.
South Loup, where she worked, was a small farming community three miles distant from her house. The village had a population of just under four-hundred. Even including the families of the surrounding farms, it was vastly smaller than the city she had moved from. The population there was nearly five-hundred-thousand. She drove up in front of the two-story house and parked.
The lot contained the house, along with an unused barn and a couple of outbuildings. Along with the farm house and buildings, she owned the four-hundred acre plot that surrounded it. The land consisted of rolling hills, not suitable for farming, but she rented it out for grazing. At least I did rent it out. This year, with the drought, the grass wasn't fit for grazing. The water level at the reservoir six miles away was at its lowest level since its creation. Many of the irrigation wells had dried up. We desperately need rain, and frequent. Even the winter months hadn't provided much moisture. The drought had started three years earlier a few months before her arrival and become progressively worse.
Deena retrieved the groceries and as she strode up to the wood frame structure, she congratulated herself. The fresh coat of paint she had applied the previous summer had done wonders for the outside appearance of the house. Deena climbed the two steps onto the screened in porch and let herself in the screen door.
The front door led into a combined kitchen and eating area containing a table and four chairs in addition to the sink and appliances. The tiled floor ended at a large opening on the left which transitioned into a carpeted living room. This room contained a couch, two easy chairs, a TV and stereo. Pictures on the walls and a vase filled with wild flowers on the coffee table as well as the kitchen table, provided personal touches. There were two doors that led from the living room. One opened into a bedroom and the other a bathroom. Stairs led up to the second floor which contained three more bedrooms along with a bathroom. She never used the second floor. the ground floor provided ample living space for a single occupant.
Deena removed the groceries from the bags and placed them on the table then twirled her fingers. While she contemplated what to wear for the evening, the groceries levitated from the table to the cupboards and shelves magically. Nobody, including Patty who was her closest friend, knew she was a witch. She was careful that she didn't use her magical abilities in the presence of anyone and thus maintained her secret. Most of the people here shunned her, especially the women without being blatantly unfriendly. She was young, pretty and an outsider. The women perceived her as a threat and the men often flirted with her. If they knew she was a witch she was afraid their coolness would be patently hostile.
Deena glanced at her watch when the groceries had been put away and decided there was time. She removed a necklace made of black tourmaline from the window sill over the kitchen sink and after washing it, put it over her neck. After removing a biscuit like cake from the refrigerator and selecting a bottle of wine, she grabbed a bag near the door then slipped out of the house. Deena veered to her right into a grove of trees a short distance away. There was a small clearing in the center of the stand of trees with three stumps to provide seating. She set the bag on one and rummaged through it. She erected a small altar and placed two candles on either side of it then returned to the stumps.
Deena sat on one of the stumps and removed her shoes then unbuttoned her blouse and shrugged it from her shoulders. Next, she peeled her blue denims off along with her underwear. She piled all her clothing on one of the stumps, then grasping her necklace she walked a slow circle around the circumference of the clearing while chanting for evil to be banished over and over.
With the area cleansing finished, Deena lit the candles, knelt in front of her altar and spoke to Minerva her chosen goddess. She asked for health and wellbeing of her friends and for an end to the drought. When she finished talking to the goddess she extinguished the candles, disassembled her altar, and packed them away in her bag. She dug a small hole where the altar had been and put the cake in it then poured wine over the cake. She covered it over with the loose dirt. This was an offering to the goddess. Finished, Deena brushed her hands together to remove the dirt then dressed and strolled back to the house.
She showered, dressed in tight jeans and pulled a print blouse over her head. then fixed supper. Seven o'clock arrived, and she drove back to town. Deena locked her car and walked into Tyler's tavern. Going to the tavern wasn't the greatest entertainment she had ever done but it beat staying home alone on a Friday night and it was one of the few amusements in the small town. Tyler Obrien himself was working behind the bar and after greeting her, handed her a drink. Deena gazed around at the other patrons. There were twenty of them, three couples and the rest men, most of them in the late thirties or early forties. The crack of balls hitting each other told her there were at least couple people in the back room playing pool on one of the two tables. There were only two dozen people in their twenties like her in the entire county, all of them very much married.
There isn't much here to keep a single person in their twenties around. No jobs and no nightlife. Nor any eligible bachelors to date, she reminded herself. Not that I want a relationship, but it would be nice to go out on a date once in a while. If I had my choice I probably wouldn't stay here either.
Deena glanced around the room again. "Where's Tilda?" she asked Tyler.
"The kids are sick with the flu so she stayed home to watch them," Tyler answered. "I don't suppose I could talk you into working for her tonight, could I?"
"I've never worked as a cocktail server before Tyler. Besides I just wanted to have a few drinks and maybe dance a couple times.
"I'll pay you of course Deena and how about if I sweeten the deal and offer you free drinks all night? You waitress at the café. It's pretty much the same except you serve drinks instead of food."
"Yes, but I planned to go home by midnight. You know, just in case my car decides to turn into a pumpkin." She winked.
"How about you agree to stay until eleven-thirty Cinderella?"
Deena grinned at his Cinderella remark. "Deal," she said and chugged her drink. She picked up a tray and made the rounds taking and delivering orders. By eleven-thirty the crowd had thinned, and she was feeling pretty good after the free drinks.
"It's time for me to go while I can still drive," she told Tyler.
"Thanks Deena. Any white steeds to pull your carriage home?"
Deena laughed and recalled a few groping hands. "Nope only a few rats."
Tyler burst into laughter. "Yep, there are a few of those around." He opened the cash register and handed her her earnings.
After she had driven home, Deena emptied her pockets and counted out the tip money she'd made. She made almost as much in the few hours she worked at the tavern as she made all day at the café.
While she was working the next day at the café, Tyler stopped in. "Are you interested in working for me again tonight?" he asked. "Tilda wants to stay home with the kids again."
Deena debated for a moment. Go earn money and maybe dance a few times or stay home and stare at four walls or the TV. She decided. "Okay."
"I'd like you to stay until closing tonight though."
Tomorrow was Sunday and her day off from the café. Again, Deena considered for a moment then thought of the extra money. With her income decreased by not renting her land out she could use any extra income. "Alright."
Tyler smiled. "Good. I have some errands to run today. See you at seven." He left.
Deena finished her shower and stepped into her bedroom to dress. At first, she was going to wear jeans again but decided instead on a dress. The dress had a blue print design. Although it left her arms and shoulders bare the fastening around her neck held the front up, showed no cleavage and was hemmed at mid-thigh. Sexy but not scandalous, even in this small mid-west town.
The wispy fabric was nearly translucent under bright light but in the dim illumination of the tavern it would conceal her body sufficiently. The looseness of the dress around her bust would hide that she wasn't wearing a bra. Unless it's cold or I get excited. Even though air conditioned she felt certain the tavern would be warm. As for getting excited, she was willing to risk that wouldn't happen. Deena drew her long dark hair back and fastened it into a ponytail. Then, going back to the bathroom, she applied her makeup. Her eyeshadow was a few shades lighter in color than her dress and highlighted her blue eyes. Mascara lengthened and darkened her eyelashes. She painted her lips dark-red and applied lip gloss over them to make them appear wet.
Deena returned to her bedroom and drew on her knee-high boots. The tan suede was a little warm for the time of year, but with the low and wide heels along with the soft insoles they were very comfortable.
She inspected herself in the mirror again. In the past men had told her she was good looking. She had dark brown hair, blue eyes and thick lips on the face of an angel, they said. Her petite frame had sufficient curves to make men's mouths water. Again, that is what she'd been told. So innocent, still others said. Deena chuckled. "There they would be wrong. I'm certainly not innocent."
"Now, panties or not?" She giggled while debating. She hated wearing underwear. Even the scantiest seemed so confining. "How scandalous am I feeling tonight?" she asked her reflection in the mirror. "No panties," she answered and chuckled. "It's not as if anyone except me will know."
She grabbed her purse and locked the door behind her. On the drive to town she thought of her life here. It was usually boring but peaceful. There were no single men in the county as far as she knew. Occasionally the vibrator just wasn't enough and only a cock would suffice. That meant having sex with married men. She wasn't proud of that and had occasional twinges of guilt, but she justified her actions. I've never initiated an encounter and every time has been a one-night stand. There was no affair, just sex. It had only happened eight times in three years and never twice with the same man. There was no emotion just physical satisfaction for each of us.
For her it had been a change from her vibrators and for the men it had been the experience of a different pussy. Most of the sexual encounters had taken place in the back seat of cars or the bed of pickup trucks. She had enjoyed the times it occurred in a field or in the woods. On those occasions she hadn't needed to fake her orgasms. She liked fucking in nature settings. And her goddess enjoyed watching her complete abandon and enjoyment at those times.
Deena parked behind the tavern, took a deep breath and strolled around to the front entrance.
Chapter 2
Deena strode into the tavern and behind the bar. Tyler finished mixing two drinks, handed them to the patron and turned to face her. "My God you look fantastic," he said with eyes that were filled with approval and something else.
"Thank you." She felt her cheeks heat at the compliment and was glad for the dim lighting. She placed her purse under the counter and he handed her a pouch for change that belted around her waist.
He pointed to a jar under the counter next to her purse. Taped onto it was a slip of paper that said, tips "I thought this would be better for you than stuffing money in your pockets." He grinned "looks like I was wise in doing that since it doesn't appear you have any pockets in that sexy outfit you're wearing. In fact, with you wearing that outfit I may need to get another jar because I'm certain you'll fill this one."
"Oh please. What I'm wearing isn't that sexy and neither am I. I love the flattery but…"
While she talked to him, she studied Tyler. He was wearing a short-sleeved cowboy type shirt and tight black jeans. Tyler was great looking, especially for a man in his late forties. He had sandy-blond and curly hair, with blue eyes. His buff build and flat stomach would make many younger men envious. She guessed him to be close to six feet tall.
"You look so damn nice. If I were younger and not married…"
"She picked up her tray and said, "Time for me to go to work and for you to stop gawking at me like some young school boy in lust." She spun her back to him and just to tease, wiggled her butt to each side then shook it.
"Damn girl, keep doing that with the customers all night and I may need to get another jar."
Deena sashayed from behind the bar then straightened her walk across the room to start serving customers. When she returned with her orders he handed her a glass. "Seven and Seven, right?"
"Yes but I'm working."
"And I'm the boss giving you the drink. Don't worry Deena I won't let you get shit faced. It's only to help you loosen up a little. I'll monitor your drinks. You'll never know, sometimes tonight they will contain whiskey and sometimes just seven-up."
Deena grinned and downed her drink. "You're the boss." She carried the tray around the room and distributed the drinks. There were six couples seated in the booths and the other fifteen patrons in the front were men. Four men were in the back room playing pool.
She delivered an order to a booth containing two couples. Deena was careful to control her expression when she served them while she remembered the night she had fucked in the backseat of one of the men's cars. One of the unaccompanied men she also had had sex with. He was married as well.
Deena strolled over to the bar with another drink order and deep in thought. Even in this small town that contained a number of gossips her secret rendezvous for sex was safe. When the occasion happened she and the man were very careful when they met. The men would never talk to anyone and cause problems in their marriages or risk scandals and she wouldn't because she didn't want to call down the hatred of the women or the envy of the men she hadn't fucked.
Some of the women around here dislike me already just because I'm young and single. They see me as a threat. I certainly don't want them to know that for some of them, the fear is justified just not from me.
Tyler handed her a fist full of quarters. "Go pick out some music to play." He said while he started on the order she gave him. Deena chose some songs she liked, and some she thought others would like. Before she delivered the drinks on the tray Tyler had filled she sauntered behind the bar and emptied her overflowing pouch. Just as Tyler had predicted the jar was nearly full.
She danced a number of times with several of the men. As the hour grew later people began to leave. By midnight there were only six men in front and two in back playing pool. Tyler had given her drinks all night, sometimes mixed and sometimes just seven-up. That changed at midnight. All of them were seven-and-sevens. She wasn't drunk but she was certainly giddy by the time one o'clock and last call arrived.
There were only two men in front and the two in the back left. Deena carried her tray to the back and set it on a table there to unload the two beers. "Where's Mike?" she asked Jimmy. "I brought the beer he ordered."
"He'll be right back. He just went to unload," Jimmy answered. He chuckled drunkenly at his brash remark that was uttered to appall her.
She showed no reaction to his words "Oh, okay," she said and set the beers on the table. Abruptly her legs were pinned against the table as Jimmy leaned against her from behind. One of his hands smoothed upward under her dress and along her thigh. Higher and higher his hand went until it was just short of her pantie-less core. "How about you and I go out to my car, take a little ride and do some fantastic fucking," he slurred.
Deena didn't panic. She had no desire to cause a scene, instead she clamped her legs tight trapping his hand and preventing it from climbing any more. "How about we don't. For one you're drunk Jimmy, for two, I'm not interested. For three, even if I was, I don't think your wife would take kindly to the smell of another woman's pussy on your cock. I think she'd be hurt and mad."
"Think so?" he slurred.
"Don't you?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I think you're right."
"Be a good boy now and take your hand out from under my dress."
She loosened her legs enough to let him remove his hand then turned to face him. His eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of stale beer. "Are you going to be okay to drive home or should I call her to come get you," Deena asked.
"I'll be fine. It's just a couple miles and I'll drive slow." Jimmy looked down from her eyes and mumbled, "Deena, you aren't going to tell her what I did are you?"
She forced a smile on her lips. "Nope, let's just keep it our little secret. Now go home Jimmy, wake her up and fuck the hell out of her. She may be mad when you wake her, but she'll get over it if you treat her good. You know, orally."
He grinned knowingly and stumbled to the exit door. Just as Jimmy was leaving, Mike returned. He guzzled his beer and left the establishment as well. By two the last of the patrons left. Tyler locked the front door and switched the neon sign from open to closed.
While Deena wiped down the tables, chairs and booths Tyler swept the floor. "Be right back," he told her and went through a doorway by the bar. The lights went out. Only the illumination from the neon signs in front and the one in the jukebox dispelled the dark. Tyler returned and fixed two more drinks for them. "I have a proposition to make to you."
"Is that so? You're married Tyler."
He grinned. "Not that kind of proposition. We had the best night tonight that I've had for a long time. I'd like you to come and work for me."
"I already have a job at the café. I don't want to quit there. Besides you have Tilda."
"I'm going to keep her. I'd like if you'd work for me part time on Friday and Saturday nights."
Deena put her hand to her chin. "Now that I would consider. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"I should go so you can go home to your wife before the sun comes up," Deena said.
"My wife and the kids have gone back east to visit her parents for a week." Tyler fixed them another drink then strolled over to the jukebox and selected a couple songs.
"Are you trying to get me drunk so you can have your way with me?" she asked then chuckled.
"Come on. Let's dance a little to celebrate a great night and your new job," he said.
"I haven't told you I will work for you," she said.
"Not yet, but you will."
"You're pretty confident." She joined him, and as the song progressed, she melded her body to his for a slow dance. I shouldn't be dancing this way but he feels so good…and I'm a little drunk.
As they swayed slowly he whispered. "If I did get you drunk, would I get my way?"
She grinned into his chest. "Maybe…and maybe you wouldn't have to get me drunk." She kissed his chest.
"Damn, you not only look good, you feel that way too."
She didn't resist when his hands slid down and cupped her butt pulling her tight against his crotch. The song changed, and they quickly matched their steps to the new beat. He pulled her dress up and the cool air caressed the bare cheeks of her butt. Where his hands touched her flesh, it felt as if he was searing it. "Damn, you're not wearing any underwear."
Deena chuckled. "I know that, and now you do too." She reached in between them and rubbed his erection through his tight jeans. He bunched her dress up around her waist and slid a hand over her folds. "You're bare."
Deena giggled. "More information I'm aware of, and now you share that knowledge as well."
He laughed. "You're being naughty Deena."
"And you aren't? Tyler, if we're going to fuck, which seems to be where we're headed, we need to figure out where. I'm not comfortable with going to your house even if your family isn't there nor would I be comfortable going to mine."
While they discussed options, they continued to slow dance and stroke each other, building their fiery lust to ever higher levels.
"There's a bunk back in my office. We could go there."
"And why would you have a bed here at the tavern?" she asked.
"It's not what you're thinking. No one has ever shared it with me. Sometimes when I'm running late cleaning up after closing I stay here and go home late in the morning. I sleep in the bunk."
"Then take me there, finish undressing me, and I'll undress you. After that we'll let our bodies make beautiful music together."
Tyler took her hand and led her to his office in back. she pulled on his shirt parting the snaps that held it together and slipped it from his shoulders. She wasn't disappointed in the way he looked under his shirt. With fumbling fingers, she opened his fly and tugged down his pants then his shorts. This sight was pleasing to her eyes as well. Goddess what an exquisite sample of man meat from his head to his toes She gazed at his erection, and all points in between.
"My turn," he said.
Tyler reached behind her and unfasten the hook on her neck strap. He slowly lowered her dress to the floor his eyes blazing with lust and desire as each inch of her was gradually revealed. She trembled when he kissed each of her nipples lightly. Shivers of anticipation raced the length of her spine. Not once in her past experiences had she wanted sex as badly as she did now.
"Damn, you're so beautiful Deena. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you."
She giggled. "Her age is hardly a question to ask a woman. Don't worry Tyler, I'm over eighteen."
"Whew," Tyler chuckled, "That's a relief to know," he teased.
"I'm younger than you maybe but old enough, and with enough practice to know how to fuck well. Twenty-six," she said, "and you?"
"Forty-eight."
"And a well preserved forty-eight. I'd ask if you can still get it up, but I can see that you can." She chuckled and stroked his erection. "Shall we see if not so old and not so young are compatible in bed?"
He guided her to her back on the bed and spread her legs wide. While he eased off her boots, she closed her eyes and waited to feel his cock slip into her. Instead he kissed and nipped his way upward from her left knee across the top of her thigh and over the tender skin of the inner thigh. He skipped over her yearning Y and lavished the same treatment on her right thigh.
Deena opened her eyes, propped her elbows and watched him worship her body in leisurely fashion. When he finally did lavish attention on her core it only took a few licks, sucks and kisses for her to shred completely. Her back arched and he cupped his hands on her ass to hold her in place while his delightful punishment continued. A lusty moan that originated low in her stomach, rose up to her throat and slid over her lips. Instinctively her legs tried to close to protect her core that had become uber sensitive. His broad shoulders prevented her legs from closing and he continued his magnificent torture. Her legs trembled as well as her lower stomach as a second climax ripped through her body. Her toes spread open, then closed while she clutched at the sheet under her holding on for dear life.
"Goddess," she hissed.
"Goddess?"
"God damn," she corrected. "You're killing me and I'm loving every minute."
"Should I stop?"
"Oh, hell no!"
Again, his skillful manipulation of her body brought her to climax, then again, and again. "Condom?" he asked.
"Not needed," she gasped. "I'm safe and won't get pregnant."
By the time his cock slipped into her she was soaked and leaking on the sheet beneath her. Deena felt like her body had become a trembling mass of jelly. His lips pressed against hers and then they parted at the urging of his tongue. He plundered her mouth with his tongue at the same time as his shaft plundered her core.
Deena felt certain the even though he felt so wonderful in her, there was no way she could climax again. She was too drained of energy. She was wrong. After that thought, she was incapable of any more. Her body simply responded to his manipulation and stimulation. It rode along with his body sliding, squirming, and writhing against each other. They slammed together, wet skin meeting wet skin. Her vagina cinched around his erection with a mind of its own, grasping it tight, pulling on it, and desperately seeking to draw it into her deeper. Tyler groaned and released. She relished the feel of his seed pulsing into her and her passage walls rippled around his cock milking it of every drop. They were still joined when she passed out, exhausted and drained of energy. In her mind she rode on the back of a butterfly through fluffy clouds of euphoria.
***
Deena jolted awake and gazed around. In dismay, she realized she had broken her own rule. She had spent the night with a man rather than going home and she was naked in someone else's bed. Not good. But damn can that man make my body sing.
Glancing down at the floor provided another problem. Her boots were there but her dress was gone. And where is Tyler? She bolted up to a sitting position and glanced around searching. There was the bed she was in, a desk, a couple of file cabinets and not much more in the small room. Where's my dress? She heard the front door of the tavern open, then close and in panic, she pulled the sheet up around her. Tyler entered the room. He wore a fresh shirt, this one with buttons instead of snaps, and solid green in color. His blue jeans were tight the same as the black ones he'd worn the day before. To her mortification her gaze strayed to his center to examine his ample package that she had delightfully experienced in depth the night before. She quickly shifted her gaze back up to his eyes.
"Where's my dress?" she demanded.
Tyler set the box he carried on the desk. "And good afternoon to you too." He smiled then unpacked the box to reveal a dinner selection she recognized came from the café.
"My clothes," she reminded.
"Your boots are there on the floor," he hedged with a grin.
"Funny man."
"I guess you're looking for your dress. You didn't have anything else on last night." He winked.
"Tyler," she growled.
"I picked it up off the floor this morning. It's in the other room hanging in the closet. I'm afraid it's pretty wrinkled. Are you hungry?" He handed her a to-go cup of coffee. "I don't know how you drink your coffee. There's cream and sugar there in the box."
She took the offered cup. "Just black is fine." She took a sip. "What time is it?"
Tyler glanced at his watch. "A little after noon."
"Goddess," she groaned.
For now, he ignored her slip. "We didn't finish making love until daylight, so sleeping until noon is understandable."
Chapter 3
Thoughts raced through her confused mind. Unthinking she blurted out, "We didn't make love," Deena said.
"We didn't? What did we do early this morning?"
Deena took another sip of her coffee before answering. "We fucked Tyler. That's all. There's a big difference between fucking and making love. There were no emotions involved just physical pleasure." Right away she could see in his eyes that her words stung.
"I'm not comfortable using that word to describe what we did."
"Tough, I like using the word fuck."
"Okay, maybe it was just fucking to you but there were emotions involved on my end."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that in such a cold manor."
He picked up the plate and sat beside her. He dipped a spoon into the mashed potatoes and gravy and held it to her mouth. "Open please."
Deena opened her mouth and he shoveled the spoonful in. He took a bite himself, then using the same utensil gave her a bite of roast beef. "Sorry we'll have to share, I'm hungry as well and I only ordered one plate. I presume, like myself, you don't want the gossips around here to know I had a sleep over last night. Ordering two plates would have been a dead giveaway." He smiled, "After what we did last night…this morning, I don't think sharing a spoon and a meal is taboo."
Deena shook her head. "I don't mind. Eating from the same plate with you is the least of my worries. I have to get dressed in yesterday's wrinkled clothes and take the walk of shame out to my car in broad daylight and downtown. I can see tongues wagging even now."
They finished eating in silence and he set the plate back on his desk. Deena squirmed uncomfortably. "Rest room," she said in answer to his unspoken question.
"There's the public one you know about or a private one in the pool room. The door to the private one is locked but the key is under the cash register."
"My dress," she said.
"Hanging on the coat rack at the front door."
"In front of the huge picture window and you're not going to get it for me are you shithead?" His grin was all the answer she needed. She rolled her eyes and the urgency she had increased. "I feel certain you're not going to close your eyes, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine, I hope your eyes bleed when you see my naked body in the light of day, you ass."
Deena cast the sheet away and stood naked as the day she was born. "You've seen all my lady bits before. Now punish your eyes when you see what you spent the night fucking."
She watched his eyes shift slowly as he viewed her from the head down.
"I said it before Deena and now I'm saying it again, you're beautiful, breathtaking."
She turned abruptly to hide the blush she knew was on her heating cheeks. Damn you and your wonderful compliments Tyler. This wasn't supposed to happen. I never spend the night with a man. Fuck and go home, that's how it was supposed to go down just like every time before. "And you're blind as well as brain dead," she said and twisted her neck forward causing her ponytail to tickle across her back, needlessly reminding her of her naked status. She strutted across the office feeling his eyes all over her and entered the main tavern room. After grabbing the key under the counter, she dashed across the main room, ducked into pool room and unlocked the restroom.
She returned in much the same way, dashing across the open main room and slowed her steps when she entered the office. Tyler had moved to the chair by the desk. "I got that for you to wear." A long shirt was laid out on the bed.
Deena crossed to the garment and slipped it over her shoulders. While she buttoned it she said, "So I can wear your shirt, but you won't let me have my dress. Are you holding it hostage or something?"
"Maybe. I like seeing you in my shirt. You can wear it or nothing at all, actually, I prefer nothing at all."
She finished buttoning it and smiled while she rolled up the long sleeves. "Thank you. It felt awkward with you being fully dressed and me wearing nothing at all." Due to her short stature, the tails of the shirt ended at mid-thigh. She cocked her head and grinned. "Just so you know, I'm keeping this shirt, but I still want my dress back." Deena seated herself on the bed. "We need to be serious for now Tyler. I'm here at your bar and faced with going out to my car on full display to everyone. I should have gone home while it was still dark. You're married, and people are going to think I'm a home wrecking slut when they find out."
"You're not a homewrecker and definitely not a slut Deena."
"Really? I bet you wife will disagree on that. The other women around here will think I am."
"Maybe, if they find out."
"Oh they will. Someone will see me when I go out to my car in my walk of shame and you know damn well how fast gossip spreads around here. When people find out that I spent the night it's going to damage if not end your marriage. In my case the women around here are going to hate me more than they do already. I've slept with a married man. They'll feel threatened that their man is next."
"I've been thinking about that. this is Sunday. With the exception of the café all the businesses are closed. The café closes at five. What if you hang around here today until after dark, then we can sneak you out to your car. With everything closed it's doubtful anyone will be around here in town."
She mulled over his suggestion for a moment. "That might work but my car is there, someone will see it and put two and two together."
"Tell people it wouldn't start after you got off work last night and I gave you a ride home. That will lend plausibility to our lie. It won't take a stretch of imagination for them to think that wreck you call a car wouldn't start. If you need to add more credence to the story I'll go out, raise the hood, and pretend to fiddle around with something. Then you can start the car and drive away."
"That just might work. Okay I'll stay here, so what should we do to kill time until it gets dark."
Tyler grinned. "I know one thing I'd love to do some more, that is if you aren't too sore."
"Oh God," Deena said. To her chagrin, warmth flooded through her veins and her core dampened in anticipation. Damn it. this can't be happening. One fuck and done, never a second time. No muss, no fuss, and no damned repeat. Even as she swore at herself mentally she knew that another of her self-imposed rules was destined to be broken. And no damned emotions. She gazed at Tyler and knew that was a lie as well. She could deceive herself and justify what was going to happen by saying this was the same day and therefore it wasn't a second time but only a continuation. That was bull shit and she knew it. What the hell am I going to do. I'm going to enjoy more magical fucking, that's what I'm going to do.
All these thoughts raced through her mind in a flash and her only vocal answer was the final nail in her coffin of self-deceit. Guiltily, she said, "I'm not too sore."
Deena crawled off of him in the early evening and pulled his flaccid member from her. Right away she felt empty. They'd spent the entire afternoon in bed and usually joined. She turned her back to him and stared down at the floor. The shirt had taken the place of her dress there and his clothes were heaped beside it. Tears wet her cheeks. Damn it, damn it, damn it, she scolded herself in frustration.
He interrupted her guilty thoughts. "It's going to be dark soon. Time to get you home even though I hate the thought of that."
She nodded and climbed out of bed while keeping her back to him so he wouldn't see her tears. Deena put on her boots then buttoned the shirt while he dressed behind her. She scrubbed at her cheeks to wipe the tear tracks away before turning to face him with a pasted-on smile on her lips. "Tyler…I've… what we've…the time we've spent together has been nothing less than magical. At least for me."
"I feel the same." He kissed her.
He shuttled her quickly out to her car while hiding her presence as much as possible She started the vehicle and drove away. To her chagrin and joy when she looked in the rearview mirror she saw he was following her in his car.
She parked in front of her house and strolled back to his car parked behind her. His window slid down when she halted facing the driver's door. "I followed you to make certain you got home okay in that car of yours."
"Tyler, my car is fine. Don't start believing our lie."
Grinning, he pulled her in the window and kissed her then let her straighten again. "Okay, I confess. I'm having a hard time saying goodbye. We need to discuss our next time together."
Deena sighed. "There can't be a next time Tyler."
"I'm too old for you?"
"Oh, please it isn't that at all. Tyler you're married and you're my boss. Sleeping with the boss can either provide job security or quick unemployment. But having an affair with a married man, I not comfortable with that. I feel guilty enough about this one time. It never happened before with the other—" She stopped before completing the sentence, but she could see in his eyes it was too late to change them.
"There've been others…like me."
"Come into the house, we need to talk." She turned and marched away and too her relief, and dismay, she heard the crunch of gravel as he followed her.
"Sit," she ordered him and pointed at a kitchen chair.
Deena poured each of them a glass of tea then sat in the chair next to him. "Since you seem determined that what we did isn't going to be a onetime thing maybe if I tell you a little more about me you'll change your mind."
"I doubt that, but I'd like to learn more about you. First though, can you tell me there wasn't at least a little emotion involved in what we've been doing."
She smiled. "I can't tell you that. I feel more than a little emotion for you and that is upsetting."
Tyler took a sip from his glass and grinned. "Tell me about yourself. So, there've been others."
"Yes, not many, but a few."
"From here and married men, like me?"
"Yes, and yes and no. None like you."
"I see."
"I don't think you do. I'm young and single but there aren't any single men around here. In the last three years it has happened only eight times. I never initiated an encounter and it was always a one and done thing. Yes, on occasion I had sex with a man more than once if it was good but never on separate occasions, always during the single session. We fucked and parted and were never together again. I've never been with the same man twice. Until you that is."
Tyler's lips tightened. "And what makes me special. Or am I?"
"You are, and to answer the first part of your question the answer is one word simple…emotions. Yes, I do have emotions for you. Strong ones. Right now, I wish I didn't I wouldn't be so torn up about our relationship if I didn't."
"So, we are in a relationship?"
"Stop it, just stop it. Maybe I chose the wrong word to describe what we have." She folded her arms on the table, put her head down in them and cried. "I'm just a bad person. You'd be much better off not being around me. Go to your wife and forget me."
He brushed his fingers through her hair and then rubbed her arm. "You're not a bad person and I wouldn't unknow you even if I could. Now it's time for me to tell you a little about me. I grew up here in South Loup. I've never lived anywhere else. My dad owned the tavern. Both my parents are dead. I have a sister who lives in Texas, who I haven't seen for years. Sylvia, my wife, and I have been married for twenty years. I met her and married her when I was in the service and stationed back east. I operate the tavern. It's the only thing I've ever known. Now comes the sticky part. Sylvia and I have been squabbling for a long time over that and other things. She hates it that I spend so much time at the tavern. Damn it. It's my business, and running one requires a lot of time. She wants me to sell the tavern and move back east near her parents. Deena, she gave me an ultimatum, she's not coming back, I can sell and move there with her to start over and maybe patch up our marriage or we can call it quits. If the drought continues I may be forced to sell out and leave. I haven't been home since she left four days ago."
"Goddess, I'm so sorry. I didn't know and now you have me interfering and making a bad situation worse."
He put his hands on her cheeks and tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. "Goddess, instead of God you've said that before. Explain please."
Deena sighed, this man had a way of drawing everything from her. Physical and now mental. She couldn't hold back anything including secrets she didn't want to reveal. "I'm a pagan Tyler. A witch."
He grinned. "So spell me. Make me fall in love with you. I think I could easily do that even though we've only been together one day."
"I don't do love spells. You don't believe me. That's fine."
"I want to. What can you do to prove you're a witch? Turn me into a frog? Make my clothes magically vanish?"
"Maybe I should call down a bolt of lightning and burn your smart ass," she said. "I should hate you for the emotional mess you made me." How about this." She twirled her finger. The refrigerator door opened and the pitcher of tea inside levitated over then refilled their glasses. It then levitated back onto the shelf in the refrigerator and the door closed.
Tyler's jaw fell open. "You were serious. How did you…"
"I'm a witch and that would be spelled with a W not a B although I've been called that a time of two as well. So now you can run like hell and I won't blame you."
She waited for him to bolt from the house. "Well?"
"Do you see me running?"
"No but…"
"I'm not going to run. Or even leave walking. Not until we've finished our conversation and hopefully established that we are in a relationship. One that includes all sorts of messy emotional and physical things."
Deena shook her head, stood and paced into the living room. "Go away Tyler. I'm no good for you."
Tyler jumped to his feet and marched after her. "Don't you walk away from me." He grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. "Let me be the one who decides if you're good for me or not." Before she could answer he sealed his lips to hers.
Tyler broke his kiss leaving her nearly breathless. "Do you know you're the first man that has ever been in my house?"
"And I better be the only man who ever comes into this house."
"Is that so?" she smiled.
"That's so. And by extrapolation I assume no man has ever shared your bed here."
"Absolutely not."
"Well then I think we should change that. This man is going to share your bed tonight. He is the only one that will share it." Tyler scooped her up in his arms. "Which way,"
"Shouldn't we talk some more?" she asked.
"Not before our bodies do some talking. Now which way or would you rather I take you here on the floor."
She giggled and pointed to the door to her room. When they parted hours later their bodies had done a lot of talking. They rolled to their sides to face each other. "I'm so tired and can't think straight right now," she said. "you don't open the tavern until three tomorrow afternoon. Would it be okay to talk over coffee in the morning. Right now, I just want to snuggle up to you and sleep. You wear me out handsome."
"So, do you want me to leave and come back in the morning or go sleep on the couch?" he asked.
Deena grinned "If you so much as try to take a step out of this bed I'll levitate your ass back here and tie you to it."
"You could do that?"
"Try me." She laughed and snuggled her face to his chest.
Chapter 4
Deena parked the scooter Tyler had purchased for her in the shed behind his tavern and locked the door. In her estimation this had been a brilliant idea on Tyler's part. With the Scooter locked in the shed no one was able to monitor her comings and goings. This wasn't the only change that they'd made. They'd converted one of the outbuildings at her house. Now when Tyler came to spend the night, several times per week, he parked his car in the building out of sight. She didn't mind that he often joined her in bed an hour or two before she had to get up and go to work at the café. They frequently had early morning sex. His was to unwind from the night and hers was to rev up for the day. It isn't perfect but at least we're together. I wouldn't change that for anything. There was also a new back door at the tavern, that allowed them to come and go without going out the front door.
She strolled over the sidewalk and entered Tyler's tavern on Saturday night. "Good evening boss," she said to Tyler when he looked up.
"'Hi Deena. Looks as if we may be busy tonight. I hope you're up for it."
She buckled on her change pouch and picked up her tray. "I'm up for most anything. Are you?" She winked at him, and strolled away to wait on customers. She and Tilda were busy all night and she kept her dealings with Tyler meticulously professional. They diligently avoided displaying any hint they were lovers. They intended to keep their relationship a secret until his divorce was final. In the meantime, it was boss and employee in public. Behind closed doors the roles they played were interchangeable. Sometimes he was in charge and she was subordinate but at other times their positions were reversed. Either way the sex is fantastic. She grinned. I'm in love.
Tilda left at closing while she remained behind to clean. Cleaning was an arrangement she had made with Tyler for extra money, she had explained to Tilda. Tyler went in back to switch off the lights while she lowered the blinds over the front windows. The blinds were another change that had been made. They blocked the view inside from the sidewalk. There was no more dashing across in the open with her nakedness on full display from the sidewalk while on her way to the restroom.
"I'm horny, how about you?" he said from behind her.
Deena spun to face him. "Oh really now. Seems like you just got some last night."
Tyler grinned and advanced on her. "And I want more tonight."
"You want some of this?" she asked and clutched her pussy.
He advanced further. "Nope, I want a lot of that."
"How badly do you want it?" she teased.
"Badly, I want it badly," he said as they circled the table between them.
"Well you'll have to catch it first old man. If you can." She dodged to the side placing another table between them.
"You little shit," he bellowed.
"You know I'm that and more." She laughed. "Perhaps this will give you incentive to try a little harder." She waved her hand and abruptly her clothes were in a heap around her ankles. She stepped out of them and streaked away behind the bar. Their cat and mouse game ended when he cornered her. Tossing her over his shoulder he triumphantly carried her into the office while smacking her bare ass repeatedly. He dumped her on the bed "It's not nice for my little witchy to deny me her pussy." He chuckled.
"I will never deny it to you, but I might make you work for it." she twirled her fingers and his clothes fell away. He dove on her pinning her to the bed. When they finished making love they rolled apart and smiled at each other. "How's the scooter working?" he asked.
"Great. It's going to be cold to drive this winter though."
"By that time, I hope my divorce is final and we won't need to sneak around to be with each other anymore."
"Any word on that?"
"Her lawyer is looking at the papers now. What I've offered is more than fair I don't see anything that will cause delay. For the most part I'm giving her everything but the tavern. I should be hearing back from her any day now."
"I can hardly wait."
"Now if we would just get some rain to save this community and my business wouldn't be in jeopardy."
"I'm working on that." She smoothed a hand over his bicep.
"How are you working on it?"
"I'm doing my witchy thing and talking to the goddess."
"I'm not going to ask for any more information. Tomorrow is our day off. How about if I sneak you out of here and take you up to the hills for a picnic?"
"Um that's sounds nice. Will there be fucking involved? You know how much I like sex in the outdoors."
"You know I don't like it when you use that word to describe our lovemaking.
"And you know I use it to tease you. It doesn't matter what we call it as long as your thing is going into my thing."
Tyler chuckled. "I'm not a fortune teller but with the two of us involved I'd be willing to bet there will be lots of lovemaking included with the food and drink."
They smiled at each other and kissed.
***
Deena ambled into the wooded area containing her worship circle. She performed her setup as usual then after removing her clothes, dropped to her knees. "I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. I'm in love. Thank you for bringing Tyler into it. Goddess please hear my plea. The crops are dying, and the people are moving away. The irrigation reservoir is nearly dry. I beg you, not for my benefit but for the people here. To me this land is paradise, please don't let it dry up and blow away."
She ended her ritual with her normal offering then strolled over to the stumps. Deena dressed in her white mini skirt and crop top, then laid down across the stumps. It had been a late night working at the tavern then they had made love until early morning. Tyler had driven to the city to pick up some items for the tavern. The shade of the trees protected her from the late afternoon sun. She just intended to rest her eyes for a moment in this peaceful place before going to the house and getting supper prepared for when Tyler returned.
The crash of thunder woke her with a start. That she had drifted asleep was apparent because darkness had fallen. A bolt of lightning streaked across the night sky illuminating the clearing. Deena smiled when the first drops of rain spattered down on her. Soon she was soaked to the bone with her hair hanging in wet stringy masses under the intense downpour.
"Dance for me," the goddess ordered. "I love watching you dance."
With ecstatic joy Deena dashed into the clearing and danced like she'd never danced before. "Rain, beautiful rain," she spun in a circle with her arms outstretched and head tilted back and shouted in glee. "Rain, goddess, rain." More rain, more lightning, more thunder. Jumping, leaping, kicking high and rolling in the mud she cavorted and yelled her joy. "Thank you, goddess. Oh, thank you," she screamed. Deena twirled in wild abandon in a shroud of cascading liquid. Her saturated clothing clung to her, water streamed over her skin and spray was flung from her wet hair as she tossed and twisted her head.
In the distance she heard Tyler call out, "Deena, Deena."
"Here," she screamed to be heard over the crash of thunder. "I'm over here." She turned her attention back to her dancing. Rain pounded down on her and she continued to dance. In a flash of lightning she saw him standing at the edge of the clearing watching her. "Come here my beautiful man." She summoned him with her curling finger.
He crossed the clearing to stand in front of her. "I've been watching you dance. I knew you were limber and graceful but damn...You're breathtaking, elegant, magnificent, exquisitely beautiful."
She smiled as his compliments bombarded her sending thrill after thrill racing along her spine. Deena splayed her fingers wide. Her clothes and his vanished. "Make love to me. Here and now in front of my goddess."
She tumbled to the ground and pulled him down on top or her. Reaching between them, she inserted his shaft into her. They rolled over and over and were soon coated in mud. They slammed together at their centers, again and again. She grinned widely when she felt his shaft swell inside her and knew he was close. "Give it to me my beautiful man, Give me your offering."
He groaned and she went wild. Thrusting and writhing against his crotch as she drained him. Her wild gyrations calmed, and she rested on him while covering his face with muddy kisses.
"Rain, Deena. Rain. Did you bring this?" he shouted.
She smiled at him, her glittering eyes just inches from his. "I only pleaded. The goddess brought it. At most, I maybe provided a channel."
"I will bring rain to this place in sufficient amount to end this drought." Minerva said in her mind. "Be happy my child."
"I will, I am," Deena answered. The downpour hid the tears of joy that streamed down her cheeks.
It was still raining when they stood. Arm in arm, with hips rubbing against each other, they strolled to the house.
"I hope this rain isn't a one-time thing. I hope it continues and ends the drought," he said.
"It isn't and it will, the goddess has given me her word," she answered.
"It's raining so hard we may be washed clean before we reach the house," he mused.
"We're taking a shower or you're changing the bedding," she said and chuckled.
The End
By G.E. Stills
The Rain Dance
Chapter 1
"Order up," the cook shouted and rang the bell after putting the dishes on the serving counter. Deena gathered the four plates stacking them two to an arm and eased her way to the booth. She set one of the plates in front of each of the diners seated there. With their meals delivered, Deena refilled their glasses.
She gazed around at the four other booths, three tables and customers seated in the stools along the counter to see if any of them needed anything. She refilled the coffee cups of two men seated at one of the tables then leaned back against the wall beside the jukebox. Patty, the other waitress joined her.
"Looks like that's about it for the lunch crowd," Patty said.
Deena glanced around the dining room then at her watch and saw it was approaching one p.m. "Small crowd today."
"Three more families have moved away this last week."
Deena shook her head. "If it keeps going this way South Loup is going to be a ghost town soon."
"Vern and I may have to move away too."
"You're kidding. Patty you've lived here all your life."
"I know but the man who employs Vern is saying he may have to sell the farm if we don't get rain soon. Everything is drying up. Even the irrigation wells are going dry."
"Can he find a job somewhere else?" Deena asked.
"Nobody's hiring."
Deena patted her coworkers arm in consolation. "I hope Vern is able to find something. I'd hate to see you leave." Deena glanced at her watch again. "Time for me to go. I need to run over to the store to pick up a few things then go home and get ready for tonight."
"Hot date? Anyone I know?" Patty asked.
Deena rolled her eyes and strolled toward the exit. "It's not a date, just going to Tyler's tavern," she said over her shoulder. "Maxie, I'm leaving now," she announced toward the cook in the kitchen. Maxie, Maxine, was the cook and owner of the small café. She ambled down the sidewalk and entered the grocery store two doors down. After cruising the aisles and filling the basket she carried in her hands, Deena checked out and left the store. She strode to her car that was parked around the corner.
As she placed the two bags in the back-seat Deena smiled. The town here was so much different than the city she had moved here from. Most of the retail establishments were located here on the only paved road in town and in a two-block area. A combination barber shop and beauty salon, a tavern, the café, a clothing store, another tavern, and a grocery store were on this side. Across the street was a post office, an insurance agency, a movie theater that hadn't been in operation for years, a laundry mat and the bank. In addition, on both sides of the paved street were a lumber yard, a hardware store and a couple gas stations. That was the extent of the retail businesses for the town. Deena backed away from her parking spot and guided the car onto the gravel road that led to her house.
Her thoughts continued. The town that she had grown up in was over a thousand miles away from here. She had no brothers or sisters and her parents had died five years earlier in a house fire. Deena had barely escaped that fire with her life. Homeless and almost penniless she had come here to South Loup to live in the old farm house her aunt had left her. Her old dilapidated chevy had barely made the journey.
South Loup, where she worked, was a small farming community three miles distant from her house. The village had a population of just under four-hundred. Even including the families of the surrounding farms, it was vastly smaller than the city she had moved from. The population there was nearly five-hundred-thousand. She drove up in front of the two-story house and parked.
The lot contained the house, along with an unused barn and a couple of outbuildings. Along with the farm house and buildings, she owned the four-hundred acre plot that surrounded it. The land consisted of rolling hills, not suitable for farming, but she rented it out for grazing. At least I did rent it out. This year, with the drought, the grass wasn't fit for grazing. The water level at the reservoir six miles away was at its lowest level since its creation. Many of the irrigation wells had dried up. We desperately need rain, and frequent. Even the winter months hadn't provided much moisture. The drought had started three years earlier a few months before her arrival and become progressively worse.
Deena retrieved the groceries and as she strode up to the wood frame structure, she congratulated herself. The fresh coat of paint she had applied the previous summer had done wonders for the outside appearance of the house. Deena climbed the two steps onto the screened in porch and let herself in the screen door.
The front door led into a combined kitchen and eating area containing a table and four chairs in addition to the sink and appliances. The tiled floor ended at a large opening on the left which transitioned into a carpeted living room. This room contained a couch, two easy chairs, a TV and stereo. Pictures on the walls and a vase filled with wild flowers on the coffee table as well as the kitchen table, provided personal touches. There were two doors that led from the living room. One opened into a bedroom and the other a bathroom. Stairs led up to the second floor which contained three more bedrooms along with a bathroom. She never used the second floor. the ground floor provided ample living space for a single occupant.
Deena removed the groceries from the bags and placed them on the table then twirled her fingers. While she contemplated what to wear for the evening, the groceries levitated from the table to the cupboards and shelves magically. Nobody, including Patty who was her closest friend, knew she was a witch. She was careful that she didn't use her magical abilities in the presence of anyone and thus maintained her secret. Most of the people here shunned her, especially the women without being blatantly unfriendly. She was young, pretty and an outsider. The women perceived her as a threat and the men often flirted with her. If they knew she was a witch she was afraid their coolness would be patently hostile.
Deena glanced at her watch when the groceries had been put away and decided there was time. She removed a necklace made of black tourmaline from the window sill over the kitchen sink and after washing it, put it over her neck. After removing a biscuit like cake from the refrigerator and selecting a bottle of wine, she grabbed a bag near the door then slipped out of the house. Deena veered to her right into a grove of trees a short distance away. There was a small clearing in the center of the stand of trees with three stumps to provide seating. She set the bag on one and rummaged through it. She erected a small altar and placed two candles on either side of it then returned to the stumps.
Deena sat on one of the stumps and removed her shoes then unbuttoned her blouse and shrugged it from her shoulders. Next, she peeled her blue denims off along with her underwear. She piled all her clothing on one of the stumps, then grasping her necklace she walked a slow circle around the circumference of the clearing while chanting for evil to be banished over and over.
With the area cleansing finished, Deena lit the candles, knelt in front of her altar and spoke to Minerva her chosen goddess. She asked for health and wellbeing of her friends and for an end to the drought. When she finished talking to the goddess she extinguished the candles, disassembled her altar, and packed them away in her bag. She dug a small hole where the altar had been and put the cake in it then poured wine over the cake. She covered it over with the loose dirt. This was an offering to the goddess. Finished, Deena brushed her hands together to remove the dirt then dressed and strolled back to the house.
She showered, dressed in tight jeans and pulled a print blouse over her head. then fixed supper. Seven o'clock arrived, and she drove back to town. Deena locked her car and walked into Tyler's tavern. Going to the tavern wasn't the greatest entertainment she had ever done but it beat staying home alone on a Friday night and it was one of the few amusements in the small town. Tyler Obrien himself was working behind the bar and after greeting her, handed her a drink. Deena gazed around at the other patrons. There were twenty of them, three couples and the rest men, most of them in the late thirties or early forties. The crack of balls hitting each other told her there were at least couple people in the back room playing pool on one of the two tables. There were only two dozen people in their twenties like her in the entire county, all of them very much married.
There isn't much here to keep a single person in their twenties around. No jobs and no nightlife. Nor any eligible bachelors to date, she reminded herself. Not that I want a relationship, but it would be nice to go out on a date once in a while. If I had my choice I probably wouldn't stay here either.
Deena glanced around the room again. "Where's Tilda?" she asked Tyler.
"The kids are sick with the flu so she stayed home to watch them," Tyler answered. "I don't suppose I could talk you into working for her tonight, could I?"
"I've never worked as a cocktail server before Tyler. Besides I just wanted to have a few drinks and maybe dance a couple times.
"I'll pay you of course Deena and how about if I sweeten the deal and offer you free drinks all night? You waitress at the café. It's pretty much the same except you serve drinks instead of food."
"Yes, but I planned to go home by midnight. You know, just in case my car decides to turn into a pumpkin." She winked.
"How about you agree to stay until eleven-thirty Cinderella?"
Deena grinned at his Cinderella remark. "Deal," she said and chugged her drink. She picked up a tray and made the rounds taking and delivering orders. By eleven-thirty the crowd had thinned, and she was feeling pretty good after the free drinks.
"It's time for me to go while I can still drive," she told Tyler.
"Thanks Deena. Any white steeds to pull your carriage home?"
Deena laughed and recalled a few groping hands. "Nope only a few rats."
Tyler burst into laughter. "Yep, there are a few of those around." He opened the cash register and handed her her earnings.
After she had driven home, Deena emptied her pockets and counted out the tip money she'd made. She made almost as much in the few hours she worked at the tavern as she made all day at the café.
While she was working the next day at the café, Tyler stopped in. "Are you interested in working for me again tonight?" he asked. "Tilda wants to stay home with the kids again."
Deena debated for a moment. Go earn money and maybe dance a few times or stay home and stare at four walls or the TV. She decided. "Okay."
"I'd like you to stay until closing tonight though."
Tomorrow was Sunday and her day off from the café. Again, Deena considered for a moment then thought of the extra money. With her income decreased by not renting her land out she could use any extra income. "Alright."
Tyler smiled. "Good. I have some errands to run today. See you at seven." He left.
Deena finished her shower and stepped into her bedroom to dress. At first, she was going to wear jeans again but decided instead on a dress. The dress had a blue print design. Although it left her arms and shoulders bare the fastening around her neck held the front up, showed no cleavage and was hemmed at mid-thigh. Sexy but not scandalous, even in this small mid-west town.
The wispy fabric was nearly translucent under bright light but in the dim illumination of the tavern it would conceal her body sufficiently. The looseness of the dress around her bust would hide that she wasn't wearing a bra. Unless it's cold or I get excited. Even though air conditioned she felt certain the tavern would be warm. As for getting excited, she was willing to risk that wouldn't happen. Deena drew her long dark hair back and fastened it into a ponytail. Then, going back to the bathroom, she applied her makeup. Her eyeshadow was a few shades lighter in color than her dress and highlighted her blue eyes. Mascara lengthened and darkened her eyelashes. She painted her lips dark-red and applied lip gloss over them to make them appear wet.
Deena returned to her bedroom and drew on her knee-high boots. The tan suede was a little warm for the time of year, but with the low and wide heels along with the soft insoles they were very comfortable.
She inspected herself in the mirror again. In the past men had told her she was good looking. She had dark brown hair, blue eyes and thick lips on the face of an angel, they said. Her petite frame had sufficient curves to make men's mouths water. Again, that is what she'd been told. So innocent, still others said. Deena chuckled. "There they would be wrong. I'm certainly not innocent."
"Now, panties or not?" She giggled while debating. She hated wearing underwear. Even the scantiest seemed so confining. "How scandalous am I feeling tonight?" she asked her reflection in the mirror. "No panties," she answered and chuckled. "It's not as if anyone except me will know."
She grabbed her purse and locked the door behind her. On the drive to town she thought of her life here. It was usually boring but peaceful. There were no single men in the county as far as she knew. Occasionally the vibrator just wasn't enough and only a cock would suffice. That meant having sex with married men. She wasn't proud of that and had occasional twinges of guilt, but she justified her actions. I've never initiated an encounter and every time has been a one-night stand. There was no affair, just sex. It had only happened eight times in three years and never twice with the same man. There was no emotion just physical satisfaction for each of us.
For her it had been a change from her vibrators and for the men it had been the experience of a different pussy. Most of the sexual encounters had taken place in the back seat of cars or the bed of pickup trucks. She had enjoyed the times it occurred in a field or in the woods. On those occasions she hadn't needed to fake her orgasms. She liked fucking in nature settings. And her goddess enjoyed watching her complete abandon and enjoyment at those times.
Deena parked behind the tavern, took a deep breath and strolled around to the front entrance.
Chapter 2
Deena strode into the tavern and behind the bar. Tyler finished mixing two drinks, handed them to the patron and turned to face her. "My God you look fantastic," he said with eyes that were filled with approval and something else.
"Thank you." She felt her cheeks heat at the compliment and was glad for the dim lighting. She placed her purse under the counter and he handed her a pouch for change that belted around her waist.
He pointed to a jar under the counter next to her purse. Taped onto it was a slip of paper that said, tips "I thought this would be better for you than stuffing money in your pockets." He grinned "looks like I was wise in doing that since it doesn't appear you have any pockets in that sexy outfit you're wearing. In fact, with you wearing that outfit I may need to get another jar because I'm certain you'll fill this one."
"Oh please. What I'm wearing isn't that sexy and neither am I. I love the flattery but…"
While she talked to him, she studied Tyler. He was wearing a short-sleeved cowboy type shirt and tight black jeans. Tyler was great looking, especially for a man in his late forties. He had sandy-blond and curly hair, with blue eyes. His buff build and flat stomach would make many younger men envious. She guessed him to be close to six feet tall.
"You look so damn nice. If I were younger and not married…"
"She picked up her tray and said, "Time for me to go to work and for you to stop gawking at me like some young school boy in lust." She spun her back to him and just to tease, wiggled her butt to each side then shook it.
"Damn girl, keep doing that with the customers all night and I may need to get another jar."
Deena sashayed from behind the bar then straightened her walk across the room to start serving customers. When she returned with her orders he handed her a glass. "Seven and Seven, right?"
"Yes but I'm working."
"And I'm the boss giving you the drink. Don't worry Deena I won't let you get shit faced. It's only to help you loosen up a little. I'll monitor your drinks. You'll never know, sometimes tonight they will contain whiskey and sometimes just seven-up."
Deena grinned and downed her drink. "You're the boss." She carried the tray around the room and distributed the drinks. There were six couples seated in the booths and the other fifteen patrons in the front were men. Four men were in the back room playing pool.
She delivered an order to a booth containing two couples. Deena was careful to control her expression when she served them while she remembered the night she had fucked in the backseat of one of the men's cars. One of the unaccompanied men she also had had sex with. He was married as well.
Deena strolled over to the bar with another drink order and deep in thought. Even in this small town that contained a number of gossips her secret rendezvous for sex was safe. When the occasion happened she and the man were very careful when they met. The men would never talk to anyone and cause problems in their marriages or risk scandals and she wouldn't because she didn't want to call down the hatred of the women or the envy of the men she hadn't fucked.
Some of the women around here dislike me already just because I'm young and single. They see me as a threat. I certainly don't want them to know that for some of them, the fear is justified just not from me.
Tyler handed her a fist full of quarters. "Go pick out some music to play." He said while he started on the order she gave him. Deena chose some songs she liked, and some she thought others would like. Before she delivered the drinks on the tray Tyler had filled she sauntered behind the bar and emptied her overflowing pouch. Just as Tyler had predicted the jar was nearly full.
She danced a number of times with several of the men. As the hour grew later people began to leave. By midnight there were only six men in front and two in back playing pool. Tyler had given her drinks all night, sometimes mixed and sometimes just seven-up. That changed at midnight. All of them were seven-and-sevens. She wasn't drunk but she was certainly giddy by the time one o'clock and last call arrived.
There were only two men in front and the two in the back left. Deena carried her tray to the back and set it on a table there to unload the two beers. "Where's Mike?" she asked Jimmy. "I brought the beer he ordered."
"He'll be right back. He just went to unload," Jimmy answered. He chuckled drunkenly at his brash remark that was uttered to appall her.
She showed no reaction to his words "Oh, okay," she said and set the beers on the table. Abruptly her legs were pinned against the table as Jimmy leaned against her from behind. One of his hands smoothed upward under her dress and along her thigh. Higher and higher his hand went until it was just short of her pantie-less core. "How about you and I go out to my car, take a little ride and do some fantastic fucking," he slurred.
Deena didn't panic. She had no desire to cause a scene, instead she clamped her legs tight trapping his hand and preventing it from climbing any more. "How about we don't. For one you're drunk Jimmy, for two, I'm not interested. For three, even if I was, I don't think your wife would take kindly to the smell of another woman's pussy on your cock. I think she'd be hurt and mad."
"Think so?" he slurred.
"Don't you?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I think you're right."
"Be a good boy now and take your hand out from under my dress."
She loosened her legs enough to let him remove his hand then turned to face him. His eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of stale beer. "Are you going to be okay to drive home or should I call her to come get you," Deena asked.
"I'll be fine. It's just a couple miles and I'll drive slow." Jimmy looked down from her eyes and mumbled, "Deena, you aren't going to tell her what I did are you?"
She forced a smile on her lips. "Nope, let's just keep it our little secret. Now go home Jimmy, wake her up and fuck the hell out of her. She may be mad when you wake her, but she'll get over it if you treat her good. You know, orally."
He grinned knowingly and stumbled to the exit door. Just as Jimmy was leaving, Mike returned. He guzzled his beer and left the establishment as well. By two the last of the patrons left. Tyler locked the front door and switched the neon sign from open to closed.
While Deena wiped down the tables, chairs and booths Tyler swept the floor. "Be right back," he told her and went through a doorway by the bar. The lights went out. Only the illumination from the neon signs in front and the one in the jukebox dispelled the dark. Tyler returned and fixed two more drinks for them. "I have a proposition to make to you."
"Is that so? You're married Tyler."
He grinned. "Not that kind of proposition. We had the best night tonight that I've had for a long time. I'd like you to come and work for me."
"I already have a job at the café. I don't want to quit there. Besides you have Tilda."
"I'm going to keep her. I'd like if you'd work for me part time on Friday and Saturday nights."
Deena put her hand to her chin. "Now that I would consider. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?"
"Of course."
"I should go so you can go home to your wife before the sun comes up," Deena said.
"My wife and the kids have gone back east to visit her parents for a week." Tyler fixed them another drink then strolled over to the jukebox and selected a couple songs.
"Are you trying to get me drunk so you can have your way with me?" she asked then chuckled.
"Come on. Let's dance a little to celebrate a great night and your new job," he said.
"I haven't told you I will work for you," she said.
"Not yet, but you will."
"You're pretty confident." She joined him, and as the song progressed, she melded her body to his for a slow dance. I shouldn't be dancing this way but he feels so good…and I'm a little drunk.
As they swayed slowly he whispered. "If I did get you drunk, would I get my way?"
She grinned into his chest. "Maybe…and maybe you wouldn't have to get me drunk." She kissed his chest.
"Damn, you not only look good, you feel that way too."
She didn't resist when his hands slid down and cupped her butt pulling her tight against his crotch. The song changed, and they quickly matched their steps to the new beat. He pulled her dress up and the cool air caressed the bare cheeks of her butt. Where his hands touched her flesh, it felt as if he was searing it. "Damn, you're not wearing any underwear."
Deena chuckled. "I know that, and now you do too." She reached in between them and rubbed his erection through his tight jeans. He bunched her dress up around her waist and slid a hand over her folds. "You're bare."
Deena giggled. "More information I'm aware of, and now you share that knowledge as well."
He laughed. "You're being naughty Deena."
"And you aren't? Tyler, if we're going to fuck, which seems to be where we're headed, we need to figure out where. I'm not comfortable with going to your house even if your family isn't there nor would I be comfortable going to mine."
While they discussed options, they continued to slow dance and stroke each other, building their fiery lust to ever higher levels.
"There's a bunk back in my office. We could go there."
"And why would you have a bed here at the tavern?" she asked.
"It's not what you're thinking. No one has ever shared it with me. Sometimes when I'm running late cleaning up after closing I stay here and go home late in the morning. I sleep in the bunk."
"Then take me there, finish undressing me, and I'll undress you. After that we'll let our bodies make beautiful music together."
Tyler took her hand and led her to his office in back. she pulled on his shirt parting the snaps that held it together and slipped it from his shoulders. She wasn't disappointed in the way he looked under his shirt. With fumbling fingers, she opened his fly and tugged down his pants then his shorts. This sight was pleasing to her eyes as well. Goddess what an exquisite sample of man meat from his head to his toes She gazed at his erection, and all points in between.
"My turn," he said.
Tyler reached behind her and unfasten the hook on her neck strap. He slowly lowered her dress to the floor his eyes blazing with lust and desire as each inch of her was gradually revealed. She trembled when he kissed each of her nipples lightly. Shivers of anticipation raced the length of her spine. Not once in her past experiences had she wanted sex as badly as she did now.
"Damn, you're so beautiful Deena. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you."
She giggled. "Her age is hardly a question to ask a woman. Don't worry Tyler, I'm over eighteen."
"Whew," Tyler chuckled, "That's a relief to know," he teased.
"I'm younger than you maybe but old enough, and with enough practice to know how to fuck well. Twenty-six," she said, "and you?"
"Forty-eight."
"And a well preserved forty-eight. I'd ask if you can still get it up, but I can see that you can." She chuckled and stroked his erection. "Shall we see if not so old and not so young are compatible in bed?"
He guided her to her back on the bed and spread her legs wide. While he eased off her boots, she closed her eyes and waited to feel his cock slip into her. Instead he kissed and nipped his way upward from her left knee across the top of her thigh and over the tender skin of the inner thigh. He skipped over her yearning Y and lavished the same treatment on her right thigh.
Deena opened her eyes, propped her elbows and watched him worship her body in leisurely fashion. When he finally did lavish attention on her core it only took a few licks, sucks and kisses for her to shred completely. Her back arched and he cupped his hands on her ass to hold her in place while his delightful punishment continued. A lusty moan that originated low in her stomach, rose up to her throat and slid over her lips. Instinctively her legs tried to close to protect her core that had become uber sensitive. His broad shoulders prevented her legs from closing and he continued his magnificent torture. Her legs trembled as well as her lower stomach as a second climax ripped through her body. Her toes spread open, then closed while she clutched at the sheet under her holding on for dear life.
"Goddess," she hissed.
"Goddess?"
"God damn," she corrected. "You're killing me and I'm loving every minute."
"Should I stop?"
"Oh, hell no!"
Again, his skillful manipulation of her body brought her to climax, then again, and again. "Condom?" he asked.
"Not needed," she gasped. "I'm safe and won't get pregnant."
By the time his cock slipped into her she was soaked and leaking on the sheet beneath her. Deena felt like her body had become a trembling mass of jelly. His lips pressed against hers and then they parted at the urging of his tongue. He plundered her mouth with his tongue at the same time as his shaft plundered her core.
Deena felt certain the even though he felt so wonderful in her, there was no way she could climax again. She was too drained of energy. She was wrong. After that thought, she was incapable of any more. Her body simply responded to his manipulation and stimulation. It rode along with his body sliding, squirming, and writhing against each other. They slammed together, wet skin meeting wet skin. Her vagina cinched around his erection with a mind of its own, grasping it tight, pulling on it, and desperately seeking to draw it into her deeper. Tyler groaned and released. She relished the feel of his seed pulsing into her and her passage walls rippled around his cock milking it of every drop. They were still joined when she passed out, exhausted and drained of energy. In her mind she rode on the back of a butterfly through fluffy clouds of euphoria.
***
Deena jolted awake and gazed around. In dismay, she realized she had broken her own rule. She had spent the night with a man rather than going home and she was naked in someone else's bed. Not good. But damn can that man make my body sing.
Glancing down at the floor provided another problem. Her boots were there but her dress was gone. And where is Tyler? She bolted up to a sitting position and glanced around searching. There was the bed she was in, a desk, a couple of file cabinets and not much more in the small room. Where's my dress? She heard the front door of the tavern open, then close and in panic, she pulled the sheet up around her. Tyler entered the room. He wore a fresh shirt, this one with buttons instead of snaps, and solid green in color. His blue jeans were tight the same as the black ones he'd worn the day before. To her mortification her gaze strayed to his center to examine his ample package that she had delightfully experienced in depth the night before. She quickly shifted her gaze back up to his eyes.
"Where's my dress?" she demanded.
Tyler set the box he carried on the desk. "And good afternoon to you too." He smiled then unpacked the box to reveal a dinner selection she recognized came from the café.
"My clothes," she reminded.
"Your boots are there on the floor," he hedged with a grin.
"Funny man."
"I guess you're looking for your dress. You didn't have anything else on last night." He winked.
"Tyler," she growled.
"I picked it up off the floor this morning. It's in the other room hanging in the closet. I'm afraid it's pretty wrinkled. Are you hungry?" He handed her a to-go cup of coffee. "I don't know how you drink your coffee. There's cream and sugar there in the box."
She took the offered cup. "Just black is fine." She took a sip. "What time is it?"
Tyler glanced at his watch. "A little after noon."
"Goddess," she groaned.
For now, he ignored her slip. "We didn't finish making love until daylight, so sleeping until noon is understandable."
Chapter 3
Thoughts raced through her confused mind. Unthinking she blurted out, "We didn't make love," Deena said.
"We didn't? What did we do early this morning?"
Deena took another sip of her coffee before answering. "We fucked Tyler. That's all. There's a big difference between fucking and making love. There were no emotions involved just physical pleasure." Right away she could see in his eyes that her words stung.
"I'm not comfortable using that word to describe what we did."
"Tough, I like using the word fuck."
"Okay, maybe it was just fucking to you but there were emotions involved on my end."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that in such a cold manor."
He picked up the plate and sat beside her. He dipped a spoon into the mashed potatoes and gravy and held it to her mouth. "Open please."
Deena opened her mouth and he shoveled the spoonful in. He took a bite himself, then using the same utensil gave her a bite of roast beef. "Sorry we'll have to share, I'm hungry as well and I only ordered one plate. I presume, like myself, you don't want the gossips around here to know I had a sleep over last night. Ordering two plates would have been a dead giveaway." He smiled, "After what we did last night…this morning, I don't think sharing a spoon and a meal is taboo."
Deena shook her head. "I don't mind. Eating from the same plate with you is the least of my worries. I have to get dressed in yesterday's wrinkled clothes and take the walk of shame out to my car in broad daylight and downtown. I can see tongues wagging even now."
They finished eating in silence and he set the plate back on his desk. Deena squirmed uncomfortably. "Rest room," she said in answer to his unspoken question.
"There's the public one you know about or a private one in the pool room. The door to the private one is locked but the key is under the cash register."
"My dress," she said.
"Hanging on the coat rack at the front door."
"In front of the huge picture window and you're not going to get it for me are you shithead?" His grin was all the answer she needed. She rolled her eyes and the urgency she had increased. "I feel certain you're not going to close your eyes, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine, I hope your eyes bleed when you see my naked body in the light of day, you ass."
Deena cast the sheet away and stood naked as the day she was born. "You've seen all my lady bits before. Now punish your eyes when you see what you spent the night fucking."
She watched his eyes shift slowly as he viewed her from the head down.
"I said it before Deena and now I'm saying it again, you're beautiful, breathtaking."
She turned abruptly to hide the blush she knew was on her heating cheeks. Damn you and your wonderful compliments Tyler. This wasn't supposed to happen. I never spend the night with a man. Fuck and go home, that's how it was supposed to go down just like every time before. "And you're blind as well as brain dead," she said and twisted her neck forward causing her ponytail to tickle across her back, needlessly reminding her of her naked status. She strutted across the office feeling his eyes all over her and entered the main tavern room. After grabbing the key under the counter, she dashed across the main room, ducked into pool room and unlocked the restroom.
She returned in much the same way, dashing across the open main room and slowed her steps when she entered the office. Tyler had moved to the chair by the desk. "I got that for you to wear." A long shirt was laid out on the bed.
Deena crossed to the garment and slipped it over her shoulders. While she buttoned it she said, "So I can wear your shirt, but you won't let me have my dress. Are you holding it hostage or something?"
"Maybe. I like seeing you in my shirt. You can wear it or nothing at all, actually, I prefer nothing at all."
She finished buttoning it and smiled while she rolled up the long sleeves. "Thank you. It felt awkward with you being fully dressed and me wearing nothing at all." Due to her short stature, the tails of the shirt ended at mid-thigh. She cocked her head and grinned. "Just so you know, I'm keeping this shirt, but I still want my dress back." Deena seated herself on the bed. "We need to be serious for now Tyler. I'm here at your bar and faced with going out to my car on full display to everyone. I should have gone home while it was still dark. You're married, and people are going to think I'm a home wrecking slut when they find out."
"You're not a homewrecker and definitely not a slut Deena."
"Really? I bet you wife will disagree on that. The other women around here will think I am."
"Maybe, if they find out."
"Oh they will. Someone will see me when I go out to my car in my walk of shame and you know damn well how fast gossip spreads around here. When people find out that I spent the night it's going to damage if not end your marriage. In my case the women around here are going to hate me more than they do already. I've slept with a married man. They'll feel threatened that their man is next."
"I've been thinking about that. this is Sunday. With the exception of the café all the businesses are closed. The café closes at five. What if you hang around here today until after dark, then we can sneak you out to your car. With everything closed it's doubtful anyone will be around here in town."
She mulled over his suggestion for a moment. "That might work but my car is there, someone will see it and put two and two together."
"Tell people it wouldn't start after you got off work last night and I gave you a ride home. That will lend plausibility to our lie. It won't take a stretch of imagination for them to think that wreck you call a car wouldn't start. If you need to add more credence to the story I'll go out, raise the hood, and pretend to fiddle around with something. Then you can start the car and drive away."
"That just might work. Okay I'll stay here, so what should we do to kill time until it gets dark."
Tyler grinned. "I know one thing I'd love to do some more, that is if you aren't too sore."
"Oh God," Deena said. To her chagrin, warmth flooded through her veins and her core dampened in anticipation. Damn it. this can't be happening. One fuck and done, never a second time. No muss, no fuss, and no damned repeat. Even as she swore at herself mentally she knew that another of her self-imposed rules was destined to be broken. And no damned emotions. She gazed at Tyler and knew that was a lie as well. She could deceive herself and justify what was going to happen by saying this was the same day and therefore it wasn't a second time but only a continuation. That was bull shit and she knew it. What the hell am I going to do. I'm going to enjoy more magical fucking, that's what I'm going to do.
All these thoughts raced through her mind in a flash and her only vocal answer was the final nail in her coffin of self-deceit. Guiltily, she said, "I'm not too sore."
Deena crawled off of him in the early evening and pulled his flaccid member from her. Right away she felt empty. They'd spent the entire afternoon in bed and usually joined. She turned her back to him and stared down at the floor. The shirt had taken the place of her dress there and his clothes were heaped beside it. Tears wet her cheeks. Damn it, damn it, damn it, she scolded herself in frustration.
He interrupted her guilty thoughts. "It's going to be dark soon. Time to get you home even though I hate the thought of that."
She nodded and climbed out of bed while keeping her back to him so he wouldn't see her tears. Deena put on her boots then buttoned the shirt while he dressed behind her. She scrubbed at her cheeks to wipe the tear tracks away before turning to face him with a pasted-on smile on her lips. "Tyler…I've… what we've…the time we've spent together has been nothing less than magical. At least for me."
"I feel the same." He kissed her.
He shuttled her quickly out to her car while hiding her presence as much as possible She started the vehicle and drove away. To her chagrin and joy when she looked in the rearview mirror she saw he was following her in his car.
She parked in front of her house and strolled back to his car parked behind her. His window slid down when she halted facing the driver's door. "I followed you to make certain you got home okay in that car of yours."
"Tyler, my car is fine. Don't start believing our lie."
Grinning, he pulled her in the window and kissed her then let her straighten again. "Okay, I confess. I'm having a hard time saying goodbye. We need to discuss our next time together."
Deena sighed. "There can't be a next time Tyler."
"I'm too old for you?"
"Oh, please it isn't that at all. Tyler you're married and you're my boss. Sleeping with the boss can either provide job security or quick unemployment. But having an affair with a married man, I not comfortable with that. I feel guilty enough about this one time. It never happened before with the other—" She stopped before completing the sentence, but she could see in his eyes it was too late to change them.
"There've been others…like me."
"Come into the house, we need to talk." She turned and marched away and too her relief, and dismay, she heard the crunch of gravel as he followed her.
"Sit," she ordered him and pointed at a kitchen chair.
Deena poured each of them a glass of tea then sat in the chair next to him. "Since you seem determined that what we did isn't going to be a onetime thing maybe if I tell you a little more about me you'll change your mind."
"I doubt that, but I'd like to learn more about you. First though, can you tell me there wasn't at least a little emotion involved in what we've been doing."
She smiled. "I can't tell you that. I feel more than a little emotion for you and that is upsetting."
Tyler took a sip from his glass and grinned. "Tell me about yourself. So, there've been others."
"Yes, not many, but a few."
"From here and married men, like me?"
"Yes, and yes and no. None like you."
"I see."
"I don't think you do. I'm young and single but there aren't any single men around here. In the last three years it has happened only eight times. I never initiated an encounter and it was always a one and done thing. Yes, on occasion I had sex with a man more than once if it was good but never on separate occasions, always during the single session. We fucked and parted and were never together again. I've never been with the same man twice. Until you that is."
Tyler's lips tightened. "And what makes me special. Or am I?"
"You are, and to answer the first part of your question the answer is one word simple…emotions. Yes, I do have emotions for you. Strong ones. Right now, I wish I didn't I wouldn't be so torn up about our relationship if I didn't."
"So, we are in a relationship?"
"Stop it, just stop it. Maybe I chose the wrong word to describe what we have." She folded her arms on the table, put her head down in them and cried. "I'm just a bad person. You'd be much better off not being around me. Go to your wife and forget me."
He brushed his fingers through her hair and then rubbed her arm. "You're not a bad person and I wouldn't unknow you even if I could. Now it's time for me to tell you a little about me. I grew up here in South Loup. I've never lived anywhere else. My dad owned the tavern. Both my parents are dead. I have a sister who lives in Texas, who I haven't seen for years. Sylvia, my wife, and I have been married for twenty years. I met her and married her when I was in the service and stationed back east. I operate the tavern. It's the only thing I've ever known. Now comes the sticky part. Sylvia and I have been squabbling for a long time over that and other things. She hates it that I spend so much time at the tavern. Damn it. It's my business, and running one requires a lot of time. She wants me to sell the tavern and move back east near her parents. Deena, she gave me an ultimatum, she's not coming back, I can sell and move there with her to start over and maybe patch up our marriage or we can call it quits. If the drought continues I may be forced to sell out and leave. I haven't been home since she left four days ago."
"Goddess, I'm so sorry. I didn't know and now you have me interfering and making a bad situation worse."
He put his hands on her cheeks and tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. "Goddess, instead of God you've said that before. Explain please."
Deena sighed, this man had a way of drawing everything from her. Physical and now mental. She couldn't hold back anything including secrets she didn't want to reveal. "I'm a pagan Tyler. A witch."
He grinned. "So spell me. Make me fall in love with you. I think I could easily do that even though we've only been together one day."
"I don't do love spells. You don't believe me. That's fine."
"I want to. What can you do to prove you're a witch? Turn me into a frog? Make my clothes magically vanish?"
"Maybe I should call down a bolt of lightning and burn your smart ass," she said. "I should hate you for the emotional mess you made me." How about this." She twirled her finger. The refrigerator door opened and the pitcher of tea inside levitated over then refilled their glasses. It then levitated back onto the shelf in the refrigerator and the door closed.
Tyler's jaw fell open. "You were serious. How did you…"
"I'm a witch and that would be spelled with a W not a B although I've been called that a time of two as well. So now you can run like hell and I won't blame you."
She waited for him to bolt from the house. "Well?"
"Do you see me running?"
"No but…"
"I'm not going to run. Or even leave walking. Not until we've finished our conversation and hopefully established that we are in a relationship. One that includes all sorts of messy emotional and physical things."
Deena shook her head, stood and paced into the living room. "Go away Tyler. I'm no good for you."
Tyler jumped to his feet and marched after her. "Don't you walk away from me." He grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. "Let me be the one who decides if you're good for me or not." Before she could answer he sealed his lips to hers.
Tyler broke his kiss leaving her nearly breathless. "Do you know you're the first man that has ever been in my house?"
"And I better be the only man who ever comes into this house."
"Is that so?" she smiled.
"That's so. And by extrapolation I assume no man has ever shared your bed here."
"Absolutely not."
"Well then I think we should change that. This man is going to share your bed tonight. He is the only one that will share it." Tyler scooped her up in his arms. "Which way,"
"Shouldn't we talk some more?" she asked.
"Not before our bodies do some talking. Now which way or would you rather I take you here on the floor."
She giggled and pointed to the door to her room. When they parted hours later their bodies had done a lot of talking. They rolled to their sides to face each other. "I'm so tired and can't think straight right now," she said. "you don't open the tavern until three tomorrow afternoon. Would it be okay to talk over coffee in the morning. Right now, I just want to snuggle up to you and sleep. You wear me out handsome."
"So, do you want me to leave and come back in the morning or go sleep on the couch?" he asked.
Deena grinned "If you so much as try to take a step out of this bed I'll levitate your ass back here and tie you to it."
"You could do that?"
"Try me." She laughed and snuggled her face to his chest.
Chapter 4
Deena parked the scooter Tyler had purchased for her in the shed behind his tavern and locked the door. In her estimation this had been a brilliant idea on Tyler's part. With the Scooter locked in the shed no one was able to monitor her comings and goings. This wasn't the only change that they'd made. They'd converted one of the outbuildings at her house. Now when Tyler came to spend the night, several times per week, he parked his car in the building out of sight. She didn't mind that he often joined her in bed an hour or two before she had to get up and go to work at the café. They frequently had early morning sex. His was to unwind from the night and hers was to rev up for the day. It isn't perfect but at least we're together. I wouldn't change that for anything. There was also a new back door at the tavern, that allowed them to come and go without going out the front door.
She strolled over the sidewalk and entered Tyler's tavern on Saturday night. "Good evening boss," she said to Tyler when he looked up.
"'Hi Deena. Looks as if we may be busy tonight. I hope you're up for it."
She buckled on her change pouch and picked up her tray. "I'm up for most anything. Are you?" She winked at him, and strolled away to wait on customers. She and Tilda were busy all night and she kept her dealings with Tyler meticulously professional. They diligently avoided displaying any hint they were lovers. They intended to keep their relationship a secret until his divorce was final. In the meantime, it was boss and employee in public. Behind closed doors the roles they played were interchangeable. Sometimes he was in charge and she was subordinate but at other times their positions were reversed. Either way the sex is fantastic. She grinned. I'm in love.
Tilda left at closing while she remained behind to clean. Cleaning was an arrangement she had made with Tyler for extra money, she had explained to Tilda. Tyler went in back to switch off the lights while she lowered the blinds over the front windows. The blinds were another change that had been made. They blocked the view inside from the sidewalk. There was no more dashing across in the open with her nakedness on full display from the sidewalk while on her way to the restroom.
"I'm horny, how about you?" he said from behind her.
Deena spun to face him. "Oh really now. Seems like you just got some last night."
Tyler grinned and advanced on her. "And I want more tonight."
"You want some of this?" she asked and clutched her pussy.
He advanced further. "Nope, I want a lot of that."
"How badly do you want it?" she teased.
"Badly, I want it badly," he said as they circled the table between them.
"Well you'll have to catch it first old man. If you can." She dodged to the side placing another table between them.
"You little shit," he bellowed.
"You know I'm that and more." She laughed. "Perhaps this will give you incentive to try a little harder." She waved her hand and abruptly her clothes were in a heap around her ankles. She stepped out of them and streaked away behind the bar. Their cat and mouse game ended when he cornered her. Tossing her over his shoulder he triumphantly carried her into the office while smacking her bare ass repeatedly. He dumped her on the bed "It's not nice for my little witchy to deny me her pussy." He chuckled.
"I will never deny it to you, but I might make you work for it." she twirled her fingers and his clothes fell away. He dove on her pinning her to the bed. When they finished making love they rolled apart and smiled at each other. "How's the scooter working?" he asked.
"Great. It's going to be cold to drive this winter though."
"By that time, I hope my divorce is final and we won't need to sneak around to be with each other anymore."
"Any word on that?"
"Her lawyer is looking at the papers now. What I've offered is more than fair I don't see anything that will cause delay. For the most part I'm giving her everything but the tavern. I should be hearing back from her any day now."
"I can hardly wait."
"Now if we would just get some rain to save this community and my business wouldn't be in jeopardy."
"I'm working on that." She smoothed a hand over his bicep.
"How are you working on it?"
"I'm doing my witchy thing and talking to the goddess."
"I'm not going to ask for any more information. Tomorrow is our day off. How about if I sneak you out of here and take you up to the hills for a picnic?"
"Um that's sounds nice. Will there be fucking involved? You know how much I like sex in the outdoors."
"You know I don't like it when you use that word to describe our lovemaking.
"And you know I use it to tease you. It doesn't matter what we call it as long as your thing is going into my thing."
Tyler chuckled. "I'm not a fortune teller but with the two of us involved I'd be willing to bet there will be lots of lovemaking included with the food and drink."
They smiled at each other and kissed.
***
Deena ambled into the wooded area containing her worship circle. She performed her setup as usual then after removing her clothes, dropped to her knees. "I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. I'm in love. Thank you for bringing Tyler into it. Goddess please hear my plea. The crops are dying, and the people are moving away. The irrigation reservoir is nearly dry. I beg you, not for my benefit but for the people here. To me this land is paradise, please don't let it dry up and blow away."
She ended her ritual with her normal offering then strolled over to the stumps. Deena dressed in her white mini skirt and crop top, then laid down across the stumps. It had been a late night working at the tavern then they had made love until early morning. Tyler had driven to the city to pick up some items for the tavern. The shade of the trees protected her from the late afternoon sun. She just intended to rest her eyes for a moment in this peaceful place before going to the house and getting supper prepared for when Tyler returned.
The crash of thunder woke her with a start. That she had drifted asleep was apparent because darkness had fallen. A bolt of lightning streaked across the night sky illuminating the clearing. Deena smiled when the first drops of rain spattered down on her. Soon she was soaked to the bone with her hair hanging in wet stringy masses under the intense downpour.
"Dance for me," the goddess ordered. "I love watching you dance."
With ecstatic joy Deena dashed into the clearing and danced like she'd never danced before. "Rain, beautiful rain," she spun in a circle with her arms outstretched and head tilted back and shouted in glee. "Rain, goddess, rain." More rain, more lightning, more thunder. Jumping, leaping, kicking high and rolling in the mud she cavorted and yelled her joy. "Thank you, goddess. Oh, thank you," she screamed. Deena twirled in wild abandon in a shroud of cascading liquid. Her saturated clothing clung to her, water streamed over her skin and spray was flung from her wet hair as she tossed and twisted her head.
In the distance she heard Tyler call out, "Deena, Deena."
"Here," she screamed to be heard over the crash of thunder. "I'm over here." She turned her attention back to her dancing. Rain pounded down on her and she continued to dance. In a flash of lightning she saw him standing at the edge of the clearing watching her. "Come here my beautiful man." She summoned him with her curling finger.
He crossed the clearing to stand in front of her. "I've been watching you dance. I knew you were limber and graceful but damn...You're breathtaking, elegant, magnificent, exquisitely beautiful."
She smiled as his compliments bombarded her sending thrill after thrill racing along her spine. Deena splayed her fingers wide. Her clothes and his vanished. "Make love to me. Here and now in front of my goddess."
She tumbled to the ground and pulled him down on top or her. Reaching between them, she inserted his shaft into her. They rolled over and over and were soon coated in mud. They slammed together at their centers, again and again. She grinned widely when she felt his shaft swell inside her and knew he was close. "Give it to me my beautiful man, Give me your offering."
He groaned and she went wild. Thrusting and writhing against his crotch as she drained him. Her wild gyrations calmed, and she rested on him while covering his face with muddy kisses.
"Rain, Deena. Rain. Did you bring this?" he shouted.
She smiled at him, her glittering eyes just inches from his. "I only pleaded. The goddess brought it. At most, I maybe provided a channel."
"I will bring rain to this place in sufficient amount to end this drought." Minerva said in her mind. "Be happy my child."
"I will, I am," Deena answered. The downpour hid the tears of joy that streamed down her cheeks.
It was still raining when they stood. Arm in arm, with hips rubbing against each other, they strolled to the house.
"I hope this rain isn't a one-time thing. I hope it continues and ends the drought," he said.
"It isn't and it will, the goddess has given me her word," she answered.
"It's raining so hard we may be washed clean before we reach the house," he mused.
"We're taking a shower or you're changing the bedding," she said and chuckled.
The End
Demon Island
By G.E. Stills
Chapter One
Jared held the microphone to his lips, and hollered to be heard over the howling wind. His boat pitched and rolled wildly, tossed like a cork on the angry waves.
"Mayday, Mayday, This is the Linna, location," he glanced at the digital readout on the gauge in front of him, and read off the longitude and latitude location displayed. "Mayday, Mayday."
As had been the case for hours, the radio's only answer was static.
The weather had been balmy, and the seas calm when he left San Juan, Puerto Rico to take the boat back to Florida and turn it over to the buyer. But I didn't bother to check the weather forecast. There are a lot of things I'm not careful about anymore. I just don't care anymore.
A huge wave crashed over the deck of the converted fishing trawler. Cascades of water pounded against the window he peered out of, cutting off his view. The boat shuddered, then nosed through crest of the wave as the strong diesel engines powered it forward. He glanced down at the gauges again and made certain the bilge pumps were operating on full.
He remembered the happy day he and his wife had purchased the Linna. Most men would have named the boat after their wife, but Linna had been the girl responsible for introducing them in college. Linna had been Becky's roommate, and a mutual friend. They had agreed that Linna would be the name. Both he and Becky loved cruising the ocean, but neither had been enthused about sailing. A memory of the many happy hours they had spent converting the trawler to a pleasure boat flashed through his mind.
Hard to believe it was five years ago that we graduated college and got married. Those were happy days. Three years passed, our medical careers took off, then we purchased the Linna. He mentally smiled as he recalled the carefree days spent lounging on the boat and making plans for a bright future.
Streaks of lightning lit up the dark afternoon sky, followed seconds later by crashes of thunder. Abruptly, the wind shifted and before he could react and turn the prow into it, again a wave hit the boat on the starboard side. The boat tilted to a steep angle, and skittered to the port side while threatening to capsize. Jared desperately spun the steering wheel, while his other white-knuckled hand, flew to the sliding throttle controls. He cut back on the starboard engine, and throttled forward the port engine. The vessel groaned, righted itself, and managed to meet the next wave head-on. He evened the throttles and surged down into the trough before prow plunged into the next wave.
And then cancer snuck up on us. The happy days were gone and six months ago Becky died.
Jared grabbed the radio's microphone again. "Mayday, mayday, this is the vessel Linna." He gave the last know coordinates then placed the mic back on its hook.
A blinding flash accompanied by tooth rattling thunder lit the entire boat as the bolt struck to top of the wheelhouse. Jared was tossed through the air to crash against the back wall. The lights in the pilothouse went out and the throb of the diesel engines died. For a moment, he sat on the deck too stunned to move, then, scrambling to his feet, he dashed to the controls and turned the ignition switch. If the engines don't start, I'm dead. He watched the tachometer and longed for the familiar throb of the deck. It didn't come. Another wall of water crashed over the prow. The Linna wallowed like a drunk then bobbed to the surface.
He turned the ignition switch again but the engines didn't fire. That's it. Time to abandon ship. Jared pulled the cord, and the life preserver he wore inflated with a quick, whoosh. He stepped out of the dark wheelhouse into the howling wind and driving rain. Mounted to the side of the wheelhouse was a case containing a state of the art life raft. Something Becky had insisted on, he remembered. Not that even that is going to save me in this storm. Then again, maybe that is a good thing. I'll be with her again soon. A fifty-foot cord was attached to the case and on the other end was a cuff. He secured the cuff around his wrist then rolled the case over the side.
Before he could administer the quick snap required to activate the inflation mechanism on the case and dive over the side after it, a wall of water crashed over his head. It swept him off his feet, and he rode a sheet of liquid over the side. Something hit the side of his head along the way causing him to see stars. The subdued light vanished as he was dragged into the depths.
Open your mouth, get it over with. Join her. A voice in his head urged.
A violent tug nearly yanked his arm out of joint. Pain lanced though his shoulder. He ceased thrashing, and his life preserver pulled him upward. His head bobbed to the surface and he gulped in a breath of air just in time to see a wave twice as tall as the Linna crash over her. When the wave flattened into a valley, the boat was gone.
Another yank of the cord sent more pain shooting along his arm and shoulder. He grasped the cord with his other hand to ease the tension. There in the distance, he saw a flashing strobe. Jared sighed. His tossing and turning in the turbulent water had supplied the tug needed to activate the inflator. He remembered the display model on the day they bought it. The life raft looked like an orange tent mounted to a black rubber base with a flashing light on the top. He recalled his comment to Becky about hoping they never had to use it. Another hope dashed to pieces.
Slowly, he pulled on the cord drawing him closer to the bright orange floating island. Using the rope handholds on the sides, he pulled his way around the raft to the rope ladder that hung over the side.
After several tries, he managed to climb the ladder and tumble though the open flap. Drawing on the last reserves of energy he had, he zipped the nylon closed sealing the raging elements outside. Jared braced himself on hands and knees in the pitching rolling life raft and threw up what seemed like gallons of swallowed seawater. He tumbled to his side. Not even the nausea churning his stomach, or the pitching and rolling craft, could prevent him from passing out.
***
Jared forced his eyes open, only to snap them closed again to shut out the spinning orange light that made his stomach churn. After waiting for his stomach to calm, he tried again. He turned his head to the side and focused on the black floor of the raft instead. He had a throbbing headache and terrible pain on the left side of his head. Placing his hand to the side of his skull, he felt the jagged laceration there and when he drew it away, his hand was red. He couldn't see any cuts or scrapes on the rest of his body, but he had a number of bruises and pain surged through his shoulder. Torn muscle or ligament?
He looked to his wrist, but his watch was gone. Carefully, he glanced up toward the orange ceiling again. It seemed lighter than it had earlier. It was early evening when he abandoned ship and now, although the light is subdued, it had to be daytime. So I must have been unconscious all night.
He crawled to the entrance and unzipped it just enough to peer out. The sea was still rough and the wind still howled, but the rain had tapered to a drizzle. The waves were no longer the monstrous ones they had been yesterday. He zipped the flap closed. On the way, crawling to the emergency pack, dizziness assaulted him. He collapsed and passed out. He opened his eyes briefly to see it was pitch black.
Nighttime?
The next time he opened his eyes light stabbed into them. The water had calmed and the wind had died away. As he became more aware, incredible heat generated by the sun beating down on the tent like ceiling assaulted his senses. In addition, his throat was parched and his stomach growled. Using his left arm, he crawled to the rafts entrance and unzipped it. Cooler air started to dry his sweat soaked body.
Next, check out the emergency pack, I need water, food and a first aid kit.
He opened the pack about the size of a suitcase and surveyed the contents, paddles, bailing cups to remove water, audio and visual signaling equipment, a small flashlight with extra batteries and other items. He spotted a ration pack, several plastic containers of drinking water, and a first aid kit.
Dying of thirst or starvation won't be a critical factor for several days.
He opened one of the water containers and took a small sip to ease his dry throat. Next, he opened the ration pack. It contained a number of pills and several high-energy bars. Nothing tasty but they will provide sufficient nutrients. He selected one of the pills, and washed it down with another sip of water. Jared opened the first aid kit, squeezed out a bit of antibiotic salve and gingerly rubbed it on his head wound.
I hope someone heard my radio call for help and rescue is searching for me. If not it will be several days before I'm reported missing. At least I remembered to file a trip chart with the coast guard. I wonder where the storm has taken me. Not too far away from traveled routes, I hope.
His head began to spin with dizziness. I must have a nasty concussion, he thought. Rolling to his back, he drifted into an unconscious state again. He lost all track of how many days had passed, because he continued to slip into unconsciousness. Sometimes he awakened into inky black and at other times bright sunlight. His only clue that many days had passed was his dwindling supply of water and food.
During his awake times in the day, he spent hours gazing out on the endless water surrounding him. Not once did he spot a ship, even in the distance. Where the hell am I? Where has the storm taken me?
Jared took a tiny sip from the last bag of drinking water. Although the raft had provisions for collecting rain water for drinking or condensation there hadn't been any rain nor enough condensation for it to work. With the reduction of water intake had come weakness until now it required all the energy he could muster just to open the water pouch and drink. He slept a lot now. He eased back and closed his eyes. Time to go to sleep and not wake up.
***
A week had passed since the terrible storm, with its howling wind and pounding rain, had confined Elina to her cave. She woke, stretched, then crawled from the dark interior. She squinted for a moment in the bright sunlight then headed for the beach. Elina paced along the shore wearing a frown as she often did. She searched the rolling surf for anything that might have washed ashore. Anything that symbolized civilization, no matter how useless the item might be. So far, she hadn't spotted one thing after this or any of the other infrequent storms which led her to believe any inhabited areas or shipping routes were far away from her island prison.
She lamented her past life of splendor in a high-rise Miami apartment. She had been in human form then and seduced a man, Mark, to the dark side using the promise of sex and fabulous wealth as tools to lure him in. When the time came to kill him, she hadn't been able to do it, no matter how many sins he had committed, no matter how corrupt he had become. Even now, she remembered that final night, being coupled with him with her face buried in the crook of his neck. His heart hammered against her breasts and his cock was swollen in her ready to erupt. The carotid artery in his neck pulsed enticingly against her lips. Her fangs elongated as she readied herself for the kill.
Over time, Elina had grown to know Mark and even though she had corrupted him, he still retained some redeeming features. That last day, Mark had rescued a young girl from a life of prostitution. A vicious pimp had the intention of beating and drugging the young girl. Instead, Mark had beaten the pimp and left him lying in a puddle of his own blood. He had taken the girl to the bus station and given her a generous amount of money. Enough to buy a ticket to anywhere in the states and have some left over. Mark had encouraged the young girl to go home.
I just couldn't bring myself to kill him that night. She had fled the apartment and hadn't seen Mark since.
Adam, her demon creator had been enraged at her for not killing the man. "A demon showing mercy and compassion is unheard of, disobeying me is unthinkable," he screamed. Rather than kill her outright which he was perfectly capable of, her demon creator had decided to banish her here to this small island to live out her long life in solitude.
Elina peered out at the seemingly endless ocean. With her great strength, she was capable of swimming for a long distance, but she had no idea where she was and therefore no idea in which direction to swim. I do have limits as to how far I can swim. Traversing the mile wide by two miles long island had provided no clue and in the year she had been here, she hadn't sighted a single ship.
The few predators on the island had quickly learned that she was the top of the food chain. Rather than hunting her, now they avoided her. She easily ran down wild boars to eat and accurately thrown stones felled birds to add variety to the menu. Fish were another reliable source of nourishment. The stream and pool where she had taken up residence provided ample fresh water to drink.
Company is the main thing lacking.
A brief flash of light caught her attention. Elina placed a hand over her eyes, and looked closer. Another flash of light caused her to zero in on the source. Bobbing on the waves was a small orange dot at nearly the limit of her vision. Flashing light and the orange color told her whatever the object was, people had created it. Her curiosity rose.
It's not like I have other pressing business to take care of.
With no further hesitation, she waded into the surf and dove when the water was deep enough. Her large webbed feet, the webbing between her fingers, and the scales that covered her body, permitted Elina to glide through the water with little effort.
As she swam closer to the object, she recognized it as an inflatable raft with an orange tent like ceiling. Are there people inside, she wondered. No matter, if nothing else searching through the boats contents will give me something to do.
She reached the raft and swam to the rope ladder. Cautiously, climbed it just enough to allow her to take a quick peek inside. I don't want them to see me and get alarmed. She darted her head above the edge quickly scanned the interior, then ducked down again.
One person, a man, and he seems to be sleeping.
Her next inspection was much longer. Yes, one man and he appeared to be pale, anorexic but the rise and fall of his chest told her, he still lived. He needs water, probably food too. Elina pulled the cord she found attached to the raft into the water with her. Swimming out in front of the boat, she looped the cord around her neck, rolled to her back, and with strong strokes, began towing it toward the island.
It took a long time, but at last, her feet touched the ground. She waded the rest of the way to shore and pulled the raft onto the beach. She looked in again. The man hadn't stirred. Carefully, she stepped into the boat and knelt beside him. Still he didn't stir. Cautiously she lifted him into her arms and carried him up to the beginning vegetation. There she laid him down in the shade. Water, he needs water but first…
Elina walked and stooped peeing on bushes and dirt in a circle around him. The man was safe inside it. She had marked her territory, neither mammal or reptile would cross the circle of her scent fearing her wrath. She shinnied up a tree nimbly and plucked one of the gourds there. A single chopping blow of her hand split the gourd in half. Elina raced through the jungle vegetation to her fresh water pool a short distance away. After scooping out the gourds contents, she filled each with water and dashed back to the man. Gently she pried his mouth open and poured some water in. He swallowed and she poured more.
Food next.
She waded into the water, then plunged beneath the surface. A short time later, she returned to the beach with a fish in each hand. She ripped off a tree frond and after gutting them with a claw, laid the fish on it. Elina then moved to the side, squatted on her heels and waited. The sun had dropped near the horizon when then man stirred. Elina scurried up the tree next to her and observed him while hiding in the branches.
Chapter Two
Jared propped himself up on his good arm and gazed around in amazement. The last he remembered he was floating, now he was on dry land and out of the boat. He couldn't remember spotting land or coming ashore. His gaze locked onto the two gourds of water and the gutted fish. Did I do this? How? I don't remember anything.
He picked up one gourd, and tilted it to his lips. He allowed himself to take a larger drink than he had permitted himself to take for days. He looked at the fish and picked one up. "Raw, but much better tasting than a fucking pill," he croaked.
He took a bite, and chewed slowly before swallowing. He took another bite then another. He took a drink. Before he realized it, he had eaten both fish and emptied both gourds. In the waning light, he saw the boat pulled far up onto the sand.
"How the hell? There is no way I could have pulled it out of the water that far. Especially not in my condition."
He gazed around searching for another person, or persons. No one.
"I should get up. Get into the boat. It's safer there than lying out here in the open."
Jared tried to sit up and groaned. "Too weak to rise further. Fuck it. If something kills me so be it." He fell to his back and closed his eyes.
***
"Do not worry man, nothing will harm you tonight, none would dare try," Elina whispered from her perch in the branches. When she was certain he was asleep, she dropped to the ground and knelt beside him. After studying her companion for a time, she backed away and sat, resting her back against a tree trunk. She closed her eyes. Just having another person close by gave her comfort. A feeling of ease rippled through her. Something she hadn't felt for a long time.
Elina jolted awake at the slight sound and was instantly alert. The predator was obviously young, and unaware of her deadly nature. Silently, she rose and entered the jungle to meet it. They spotted each other at nearly the same time. The jaguar bared its fangs at her and gathered its haunches preparing to leap. Elina dropped to a crouch and bared her fangs in return.
The confrontation ended in seconds. In a blur of motion, the cat leaped. The animal was fast, but Elina was much faster. A single swipe of her clawed hand decapitated the beast, and the rest of its body fell harmlessly at her feet. Blood from her assailant sprayed on her face and upper torso. Did this jaguar have siblings? Are they aware of my danger? This area is not as safe for the man as I thought.
Elina returned to stand over the man she had saved. He slept on. She gathered him in her arms, carried him to the raft, and placed him on it. Next, she gathered the carcass and dripped its blood around the raft as a further warning this was an area to be avoided. She crept into the raft again and leaned over the man, then whispered, "I must leave for a while but I'll be back. You should be safe here because it is nearly dawn and the cats will be returning to their lairs for the day."
Elina gathered the empty gourds in one hand, and slung the cat's carcass over her shoulder. The sky had brightened with the coming of dawn by the time she reached her home. She dropped the carcass the grass next to the pond, set the gourds next to the water and gazed at her reflection in the clear water. A face made for horror stared back at her. Instead of her long dark hair, her head was bald. Her soft golden tan skin was replaced by dark green scales, covering her from head to toe. Her soft lips and narrow nose had been replaced by a mouth and nose that formed a short snout. Two-inch fangs protruded from her jaws and curved over her lips. Tears leaked out of her blue eyes, and rolled down her scaled cheeks. Her sculpted eyebrows and long lashes were gone. Her icy-blue eyes were the only part of her that remained the same.
"What am I to do? If he sees me, he will be terrified by my appearance and yet I long to visit with him. I haven't spoken with anyone in over a year. I also want to protect him." She scowled at her refection and longed for her human appearance. In frustration, Elina thrust one of her clawed and webbed hands forward causing the water's reflective surface to shatter into a splash and scattering droplets of liquid. "I need to return and leave him food and water before he wakes."
In anger, she used the two-inch razor-sharp claws on her fingers to rip the furry hide off the cat's body and cast it aside. She tore out a chunk of meat from the animal, filled the gourds, then carried the hide and carcass into the jungle away from her home for the scavengers to feed on.
When she came into sight of the raft, she waited in the jungle listening intently for any sound indicating he was awake. When she felt certain he still slept, she dashed over the sand and deposited the meat and water at the raft's entrance. She retreated into the lush undergrowth and knelt to patiently wait.
***
Jared opened his eyes and stretched. Today he felt better, stronger. He then realized he was on the raft again. Gazing down, his eyes widened when he saw the dried blood that coated his clothes. After a quick survey, he determined the blood wasn't his. "What the fuck?" he shouted. Scrambling to his knees, he crawled to the entrance flap and gazed around in confusion. No one, not a soul. I've lost it. I can't remember anything that happened last night.
His gaze dropped to the sand and spotted the water and meat. What the hell? "Is anyone there?" he shouted, not expecting a response.
His eyes shifted to the jungle when a beautiful sounding female voice answered.
"I'm here. Eat, you need the nourishment to regain your strength."
English, whoever it is, speaks English. "Who are you? Show yourself…please."
"I will not. You would find my appearance frightening and repulsive. At the same time, I long to visit with you. I haven't spoken to anyone in over a year."
"I doubt that I would be shocked and afraid of your appearance and obviously you have a warm heart because I think it is you who are providing for me. If you won't come out here on the beach perhaps I should come to you."
"You're right, it is I who feeds you. There are predators here in the jungle but do not fear, I won't let anything harm you."
Jared crawled out of the raft and seated himself beside the food and drink. He took a sip then, after casting a distasteful glance at the raw meat, took a bite. He swallowed and addressed the jungle again. "You have a beautiful voice, whoever you are. My name is Jared at least tell me yours."
"Elina, my name is Elina. I'm happy to meet you Jared."
"Where are we?"
"On an island, but I don't know where it's located."
"And you've been stranded here for over a year?"
"Yes."
"Elina please come out so I can see you."
"I will not, and if you come in searching for me you won't find me."
"Fine, then for now we'll visit this way. I haven't talked to anyone for a long time either. It's nice to hear the voice of someone besides yourself."
"I agree."
They chatted all morning and into the early afternoon. He learned a little about her life here on the island but she refused to talk about her former life before coming to the island. He in turn told her some about himself.
"I must leave now," she said. "I need to hunt to feed us. For now, stay on the beach near your raft. You'll be safe there."
"Elina, no disrespect intended but I prefer my food cooked. I need to gather wood for a fire."
"No offense taken, I understand. I'll gather firewood for you then hunt."
"I feel much better now. I can't just stay here on the beach and let you provide for me. I have to venture into the jungle sometime. And there is such a thing as male pride. I can't just let you take care of me." She didn't respond. “Elana, Elana?" Nothing she is gone.
A short time later, he heard stirring in the woods. "I've gathered wood for you. You can take it down to the beach for your fire while I hunt. I'll be back soon."
She tossed a piece of wood out on the beach to mark the spot where he would find the pile. Jared collected the wood in several trips while she was gone.
"I'm back. You'll find meat near where the wood was piled. I'll be back soon with water."
"The gourds are down here, you can come down and get them."
She chuckled. "Nice try at making me show myself, Jared, but it didn't work. I'll get new ones. Do you have some way to sharpen a stick to make a spit for the meat?"
"I have a knife."
"Good, then while you're doing that and building a fire I'll get the water."
After getting the fire started, Jared retrieved his knife and started to sharpen one end of a stick. He had just finished when she announced her return and told him the water was where the wood and meat had been.
"You're making unneeded trips to get water. Wouldn't it be easier just to show me the source so I can get my own?"
"I've been thinking about that. I agree. Tomorrow I'll take you to where I live. There is fresh water there and a pool for bathing. A small cave there will provide you with shelter."
"So we'll finally meet eyeball-to-eyeball," he said.
"No, I'll stay in the woods nearby."
"Elina, I can't take your home and make you move out."
"Maybe when we get to know each other better I'll greet you in person but not right now. Please Jared."
"Fine, you win. I think it's silly but I'll do as you ask."
"Thank you. Sleep in your raft one more night. Tomorrow morning I'll come for you and take you to my home. I must leave for a while and get things ready for you."
***
Elina faded into the jungle and headed for home. Talking at a distance was nice, but she wanted more. Emotions for him were stirring to life in her already and she sensed the same feelings in him. When she got home, she peered at her reflection in the water again. "If I just wasn't so ugly. If I just looked like my human form."
Early in the morning before light, she was back at his raft. Jared was asleep next to his dying fire. She quietly stole closer just to see him. For a time she knelt beside him then leaning forward, she brushed her lips to his forehead. His eyes snapped open and she leaped back out of the dim light.
"Who's there," he called into the dark. "Is that you Elina?"
When she had retreated to the tree line, she answered. "Yes. I'm sorry I disturbed you. Go back to sleep."
"Did you just kiss me?"
"Yes . . . I'm sorry."
"Sorry you kissed me?"
"No, sorry I woke you."
"I'm not sorry you kissed me, I am sorry you ran away after. Elina, I don't care how bad you think you're deformed I want to see you. You saved me. We've become friends. It hurts me you have so little confidence in me that you think I can't handle it no matter what you look like. We may be here for a long time and I can't take having you stay out of sight all the time."
She didn't answer right away. When she did she only said, "Soon, I'll let you see me soon."
She remained out just out of sight as she led him to her home. "We're almost there. Just walk straight ahead." She faded further into the bushes. He explored her home then sat near the shore. She watched him cook the remaining meat she had left from the branches of a nearby tree.
"Elina?"
"I'm here."
"I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow you're going to show yourself, understood?"
"Tomorrow. Okay." Tomorrow you will be repulsed by me and loth me. She cradled her head on her arm, tears rolled from her eyes and sobs wracked her.
***
"Elina, Elina, Are you out there."
She jolted awake at the sound of his voice. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so soundly. "I'm here."
"Today is the day. Come out here and join me for breakfast."
"Okay," she answered in a weak voice. She leaped from her perch among the branches and stopped at the edge of the clearing. "Please don't be afraid. Please don't run, I won't hurt you."
She stepped forward.
"Oh my God—"
"I know I'm ugly, but—"
"Oh my God Elina—" He averted his eyes.
"I told you—"
"Elina please shut-up and let me finish. You're beautiful, stunning, but damn-it woman I wish you had some clothes on."
For the first time she looked down at herself. In surprise rather than modesty, she covered herself and darted back in the bushes. Somehow, overnight she had changed. She was in her human form. With a smile in her voice she said, "Don't go away, I'll be right back."
Elina stood perfectly still for a moment. Seeing her had caused him discomfort but not the type of unease she had feared. A smile spread across her lips. Judging from the bulge that grew in his pants, it is a good uncomfortable. She ripped off a wide leaf and tied it around her waist hiding her bare folds. She grasped her waist length dark hair and used it to cover her breasts.
He was still standing in the same place when she entered the clearing again. His jaw dropped open at the sight of her. Elina glided across the sand and placed her hands on his cheeks. "I've wanted to do this for a long time instead of a kiss to your forehead."
She brushed her lips to his, at first lightly but as passion soared to ever-higher levels it deepened. Yes, yes please hold me. She thought as his arms circled her.
Elina drew away from his arms and stepped back. "I'm sorry Jared, I shouldn't have reacted like this. It's just that it has been over a year since I've touched someone and… you're not unattractive, and…" I'm gushing, shut-up Elina. Calm down.
Jared gazed deep in her eyes. "I'm not sorry you kissed me. Not at all. It's been a long time since I held someone and kissed. Not since Becky—"
"Becky?"
'My wife . . . she died last year."
"I'm sorry."
Obviously wanting to change subjects, Jared asked. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did it's just that you were completely naked. Where are your clothes?"
"They wore out a long time ago and since I was alone on the island I just never thought of covering myself," she lied.
Jared cleared his throat. "So will you be joining me for dinner tonight or are you going to watch me eat from the woods again?"
"I'll join you. While you get the fire going I'm going to pick some berries to go along with the meat." She spun and marched away into the jungle pausing only long enough to scoop up the furry jaguar pelt she had discarded earlier. She grinned when she sensed his gaze admiring her flawless back and naked butt.
***
Jared watched her swaying hips and fine looking bare ass walk away from him. Damn, why does she think she's ugly. Elina is anything but ugly. The memory of her dusky red and hardened nipples peeking out of the long hair that covered them flashed through his mind. He adjusted his pants to shift his erection to a more comfortable position. Her kiss and the touch of her nearly naked body had done much more than taste and feel good. It's been too long. Over a year since I last touched Becky.
Jared jolted into action building the fire and sharpening another stick to cook a slab of meat on. "Tonight Elina you will eat cooked meat," he said to the area she had vanished into.
When Elina returned, her hands were filled with berries. They ate and talked around the fire. They even laughed a few times as they pulled chunks of meat off the sticks or popped a berry in their mouths.
"Tomorrow we'll go down to the raft, get anything from it we can use and bring it here."
"That sounds like a good plan. I need to go hunting again tomorrow."
"Would you like me to go with you?"
She laughed. "As much noise as you make you'd scare everything away long before I was able to kill it. No you wait here at camp and get the fire ready. I won't take long."
"I'm not exactly a hunter," He chuckled then yawned. "I'm sorry Elina but I'm still weak. I need to rest. Are you going to sleep in the jungle again or will you join me and sleep in the cave?"
She climbed to her feet and held out a hand. "Since you've seen me now and my looks don't frighten you, I'll sleep in the cave."
Jared rolled his eyes. "I'll be honest, your looks do frighten me a little, but only because of the way my body reacts. I haven't slept with a woman present in... Anyway I'm afraid I might attack you."
Elina giggled. "Maybe I wouldn't mind being attacked. It has been a long time for me too." She jerked him to his feet and he didn't try to release her hand when she led him to the cave.
A brief argument ensued as they discussed who would take the sleeping mat she had made. She won the argument when she threatened to leave and sleep in the jungle again.
"Alright, you win, but tomorrow we trade places and you take the mat."
"Fair enough."
He sprawled out on the mat, and she curled up in a corner of the cave.
Chapter Three
Early the next morning they went to the raft. They returned to camp, their arms filled with items taken from the raft's supply pack. Among those items were two survival type knives. He took one and handed her the other. They stashed the rest of the items in the cave.
"I'm going hunting now," she announced.
"Are you certain you don't want me to go with you?"
She grinned. "We've discussed this before. I want to eat today, not tomorrow or the next."
"Smart ass," he said.
"Be a good boy, a proper domestic and take care of things here at camp, I'll be back before dark."
"Why you—"
Darting back, she easily avoided the smack he aimed at her bare butt.
Still chuckling, she strolled out of camp leaving him behind. Elina made a detour, picked up the discarded hide, and headed for the beach. She carved out two pieces, One to cover her breasts and the other her pussy. She washed them and secured them in place with vine ropes. She pulled her hair back and tied it into a ponytail. The hide pieces were scratchy and slightly hard but they covered the parts of her that caused Jared discomfort.
With her new clothing in place, she felled two birds from air but she didn't hurry back to camp. She needed time to think. She sat, leaned back against a tree, and recalled her life.
***
From the time she turned fourteen she desired money and beauty above all else. The good looks she had, but as the youngest daughter of ten, money was a different matter. Her father was seldom home, he was busy working to provide for the family. Although their mother was present for their upbringing, she was usually drunk.
In high school, she lied, stole, and used people, always aimed at satisfying her greed and vanity. She was smart and because of that, she received a scholarship for college. Moving away from home was no problem she didn't miss her parents or siblings. At the beginning of her second year, she went to a party and it was there she met Adam. He was strikingly handsome, well dressed and smooth talking. Many of the girls at the party fawned attention on him but he zeroed in on her.
When the party ended, she accepted his invitation and went to his luxurious apartment. She knew what he desired and she wasn't above using her body to get what she wanted. At the end of three days of promises made by him and fantastic sex, he had completely seduced her. She only returned to her dorm room long enough to pack.
The next four months exceeded her wildest dreams, with world travel, fast cars. opulent apartments, expensive clothes and seemingly endless money. At the end of the four months, she learned of his true identity, but by that point, she didn't care.
At his request, she surrendered herself to him completely. The sex they shared that final time was different. It was hot, sweaty and filled with passion. At the same time as his seed pulsed into her, he bit into her neck. As he drained her blood, he filled her with a part of his demon essence. The process was not without pain but it only seemed to enhance the coupling. She experienced the most intense climax she had ever had, then passed out.
When she awoke the next day, he informed her of her new life. "You can have most any material thing you desire. You will have a long life and ageless beauty." Adam took her hand, pulled her to my feet, and led her across the room to a full-length mirror. He stepped behind her and placed his hands on her hips holding her in place.
"You had great looks before but behold the new you."
She gazed into the mirror at the woman reflected there in awe. She had long waist-length dark hair. Her eyebrows were thin and perfectly manicured, strips. She had long natural eyelashes framing ice-blue eyes. Her nose was thin and straight. The woman's lips were dark pink and thick." Her gaze lowered.
Although not overly large, her breasts were firm and rounded. Her areolas and nipples were the same dusky red as her lips. Her flat stomach was to be envied. She had a black cobra tattoo on her left lower stomach. Her core led the way to long exquisite legs.
Adam spun her around to face him and urged her to look over her shoulder at the woman's backside. It was just as perfect with soft round perfectly formed ass cheeks. He spun her back to face the mirror. Not a single blemish marred the woman's all over tan, her flawless beauty. It took a while for her to realize she was looking at herself.
Adam peered into her reflected eyes. "I have stripped away your humanity and replaced it with a bit of me. You have a devastatingly beautiful and perfect body. You will use that beauty and your other charms in any manor I command."
He spayed his fingers wide on her flat stomach. "I have given you the ability to ready yourself for sex. I will do it this time, but in the future your thought alone will do the same. Slick yourself," he ordered.
She observed in amazement as her body transformed. Her lips became swollen as if from lengthy kissing. She watched as her nipples peaked and stiffened. Her bare folds became slightly puffed as if she had just finished a lengthy session of sex and tiny droplets of dew formed on them. Her channel became warm and wet.
"What you see and feel is your ability to prepare yourself for penetration within seconds, thus eliminating the need for foreplay. Seducing and having sex with someone will be a duty for you, and not a pleasure. It is doubtful you'll be aroused by the act. You will only be obeying my orders. I am your master and you will do anything I command. You will use your beauty and charm to seduce and corrupt whomever I choose, do you understand?"
She nodded.
"Good."
She didn't even flinch when Adam transformed into his frightful demon self. Nor did she move when moments later he changed her into her demon form.
"This is what we truly look like. Now dress and we will meet your first victim."
He pointed her in the direction of the bed where he had laid out clothes. It didn't surprise her to discover there were no underwear. The brushed leather skirt was short and matched the soft knee high black boots. The deep V of the black and white top exposed a generous amount of her cleavage. The outfit was seductive, and looking at the labels, she knew expensive.
Adam pointed out Raul at a party then relaxed in a corner and watched her go to work. By the parties end she left with Raul. They had sex that first night and she learned the he was a gang leader, sold drugs and had killed people. She didn't complain when a few days later he passed her around to the other six members of his gang as part of the initiation required to become his girlfriend. A hunger she had never experienced slowly built inside her. A hunger that Adam explained could only be satisfied by draining her victim's blood at the same time they filled her with their seed. When Adam gave the word a week later she took Raul to her apartment and seduced him. She had no qualms about killing him slowly.
When she had finished draining him, she calmly watched Adam dine on Raul's bloodless corpse. Having been passed around to several unsavory sex partners, she voiced her concern about sexual disease. It was then she learned what else Adam had taken along with her humanity.
"You are immune to disease and you will never have another period, I have also removed your ability to conceive."
Adam had sterilized her as part of her conversion. That is when her anger ignited and it grew as time passed. Her next two victims were a little harder to kill but not much. Then she met Mark and her disobedience and anger blossomed.
***
A quick shake of her head, switched her attention from her past to the approaching camp. Jared glanced up when she padded into the clearing. She stopped in her tracks. In her absence, Jared had shaved his beard and moustache. He had also trimmed his hair. He was handsome before, but now he looks absolutely delicious. A stirring of desire surged to life in her and along with it the familiar hunger. And that will not happen. I might fuck him, in fact I intend to, but I will not feed on him.
As she strolled forward, she noted Jared had placed two large rocks beside each other for seating. She tossed the birds to the sand and kissed him. "You've been busy while I was gone. I did like your beard but I like you clean shaven even better."
"I'm not the only one that's been busy. I adored the Eve and fig leaf look you wore before but animal print looks great on you too, then again, most anything would look great on you."
"Wow, shaving, trimming your hair, tossing compliments my way. Sounds like you're trying to get into my nonexistent pants." I hope.
She watched his cheeks redden, and decided to add to his discomfort. "Let's face it Jared, we may be on this island for a long time, and I'm the only girl in town. Sooner or later we're going to fuck. My vote is for sooner rather than later."
The redness spread and he gulped. "Elina you're embarrassing the hell out of me and making me very uncomfortable."
"Good. You know I'm just telling the truth. Now let's pluck these birds so we can eat."
She picked up one, handed it to him, and started plucking the other. He watched with a look of awe as she expertly gutted the birds and stuck them on the spits.
"Not only good looking but a survival expert too." He grinned.
"I've had months of practice on the survival part." She winked. "I have many skills, survival is just one."
"Elina, the innuendo is not lost on me. I'm willing, and judging from your words, you're willing too, but there is one problem. I don't have any protection and getting you pregnant is the last thing we need."
Her lips tightened, and anger at Adam seethed in her, then sadness replaced it. "That won't be a problem," she said quietly. "I can't get pregnant. Things I don't want to talk about happened in my past and, anyway, I can never have a child."
Jared gently caressed his hand over her arm. "I'm so sorry."
She forced a smile. "Thank you, but that means there is no reason we can't."
He helped her to her feet and pulled her close. Their initial gently kiss deepened and tongues were granted entrance as they savored each other. His hands started on her back and gradually slid down until they cupped her bare ass. She shrieked when he suddenly scooped her from her feet. "I need a bath and so do you."
Jared waded into the pond with her in his arms. When he was chest deep, he set her on her feet. He untied the vine that held her top and tossed the garment to the sand. His shirt soon joined it. She slapped his hand away when he tried to untie her skirt.
"Wait," she giggled. "You have more on than I do.”
She busied her hands with his fly and he braced a hand on her shoulder as he slipped out of them. Next came his boxer shorts.
"Okay, I'm naked, now can I finish unwrapping you?"
She chuckled as she closed her hand around his erection, and pumped it twice. "As long as you're quick about it because I need you inside me and soon." She stroked the length of his shaft eagerly.
In his haste, he broke the vine and tossed the last of her clothing on shore to join the rest. He led her out of the water and they ducked into the cave. Picking up the flashlight, he showed her that he had made an additional sleeping mat for her and blankets from the raft now covered the leaves of both her bed and his.
"That was very thoughtful of you. I don't think my new bed will be getting much use this evening though. If the sex we share tonight is anything like I'm thinking it will be, it won't be getting much use at all."
She knelt, then sprawled out on his makeshift bed. She had no need to call on her ability to slick herself. Flames of desire burned hot within her.
He lay down beside her smoothing his hand over her breasts. "I don't have any lube so we need to take some time to get you ready."
She pulled his head down and kissed him then whispered. "We won't need any lube. I'm so ready. I only ask one thing, I know this first time is going to be quick but the next time can we go slow?"
"Of course."
"Then fuck me because I need you in me now."
She urged him on top of her, spread her legs, and guided him to her entrance. His cock slipped into her easily. A few thrusts was all it took. He groaned, released and rested his chin on her shoulder with his face buried in her soft hair.
As his seed gushed into her passage, her incisors changed to fangs. She battled the urge to bite him that grew stronger with each pulse of his cock. Elina bit her lip then clamped her mouth closed. Tears stung her eyes.
I will not bite him, I will not.
Jared rolled to his side pulling her with him and while they remained joined. He brushed his lips to hers. "You're crying. Did I do something to hurt you?"
She shook her head then realized he couldn't see her. With each passing moment, her fangs shrunk more and finally she was able to speak. "No, Jared, no, They're tears of joy."
"I have a request to add to yours. When we fuck the next time, I want to do it beside the fire. I want to see the beautiful woman I'm making love with."
"Lovemaking? Not just fucking?"
"Lovemaking."
Jared pulled out of her and stood. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. Scooping up the blanket, he pulled her to the cave entrance. He stoked the fire into flames once more then spread out the blanket beside it. He sprawled out on the blanket then rolled to his side. He patted the spot beside him urging her to her back when she complied. For a moment that was far too brief to suit her, he brushed his lips to hers. Jared drew back and gazed into her eyes. He lightly grazed his fingers along her neck, through the curvature and out along her shoulder. After doing this several times, he smoothed his hand along her arm then traced it along her curves from ribs to knees and back, first on one side then the other.
"You're beautiful you know," he whispered.
Maybe right now I am outwardly but inside —
Her dismal thought ceased abruptly when he gently glided his fingers over her left breast in ever shrinking circles. His feather soft touch almost tickled, but at the same time sent her arousal up another notch. By the time he touched her nipple, it was peaked and stiff. He pinched it between his fingers, the slight pain a wonderful contrast to his light caresses. Jason moved his attention to her other breast showering it with the same affection. All the while, he never shifted his gaze from her eyes.
He smoothed his hand over her flat stomach and circled a finger around her navel. Moving his fingers further down, he glided them over her lower stomach and beside her folds but strategically never touching them. Her skin tingled beneath his gentle touch. The embers remaining from their previous coupling soared into a raging inferno of desire.
An involuntary moan tumbled from her lips when he traced two fingers over her bare and tender folds. Already wet from before, her channel flooded in anticipation.
"Are you getting ready for me," he whispered.
"Ready! God Jared, if you don't fuck me soon, I'm going to seize control and rape you."
He grinned and pulled her on top of him. She reached behind her, held his cock in place, and eased herself back until she was fully impaled. Pleasure rippled over her as his hard length sunk into her willing body, inch by inch. He began sliding in and out of her with slow easy strokes. Strokes that would drive her to madness if he did not take her quicker, quick enough to match the desire coursing through her. Elina braced her hands on his shoulders, and gazed down at his blue eyes slightly darker in shade than her own.
Her hips rocked quickly matching his thrusts. At the pinnacle of each stroke, when his shaft was penetrating her the deepest, she ground against him to each side, forward and back and around in circles savoring the feeling of their union. Sparks of pleasure danced along her skin, as every motion of his dick pushed her closer to release.
"God you feel good." Another moan poured over her lips.
"So do you."
The growing climax within her erupted without further warning, and shredded her completely. Ripples of intense pleasure rolled the length of her body, along her neck, down to her curling toes, and back up again. Her inner thighs trembled against his hips, and her fingernails bit into his shoulders. She gave thanks they were not the claws of her demon form.
But we wouldn't be doing this if I were in my demon form.
Jared's cock swelled within her and she knew the unmistakable sign he was about to unload. He erupted, pulsing his seed into her. In the past, even before becoming a demon, when a man came in her, it signaled the lovemaking session was over. Sometimes she had climaxed already, though rarely, sometimes she been left unfulfilled. When Adam had made her a demon, she couldn't recall a single time she had climaxed.
One look into his eyes told her this meant far more to him than simple release, a culmination of physical stimulation. The delivery of his load in her was an offering. A thing of him that he wished to share with her in the most intimate way possible.
Her thoughts and the feeling of his seed pulsing into her, caused emotions to race through her mind. These emotions ignited the still glowing embers of her previous climax into a raging inferno, as if pouring gasoline on a dying fire. She cried out in ecstasy, something she had never done before. Her climaxes had been rare in the past, and a back to back one, was unheard of, but another had seized her this time, and it was even more intense than the last, it was incredible, because this one was emotionally fueled. She pitched forward pressing her lips to his feverishly, delving her tongue deep into his mouth just as his cock was deep in her channel. She remained in the euphoric state of climax far longer than she had ever done in the past. The intensity of it held nothing in her past experiences to compare with. The grip her climax held on her slowly faded away leaving her perspiring and breathing heavily.
Elina propped herself up and sat perched on top of him with her hands braced on his shoulders. They were still wonderfully united. Their bodies glistened with sweat and she basked in the afterglow. The urge to bite him had been much easier to overcome this time. Her long hair shrouded her head and his. Dim light from the flickering fire shown between the strands of her hair and permitted them to see each other's faces
"God, that was," she paused, searching for something to compare and came up blank. "beyond describing," she completed her sentence.
"You took those words right out of my mouth." He smiled.
"I wish we had a glass of fine wine to celebrate the wonderful thing we just did."
Jared chuckled. "Sorry ma'am, the only thing the bar has to offer is a glass of water."
Her expression sobered. "Jared I feel I need to tell you something. There have been a number of men in my past, I haven't been a virgin since high school, but none of them ever made love to me. I never made love with them. What we just did was, magical."
"Elina now that we're intimate I'd like to know a little about your past. You know much of mine, but you've always avoided telling me about yours."
She stiffened. "I'd rather not talk about it. Let's just say it isn't a pleasant one. I'm not a good person."
"I don't believe you're not a good person."
"Maybe someday I'll tell you my ugly story, but right now, I'd rather get you hard and make love again."
She tightened the muscles of her channel and pulled on his flaccid member. "Think you're up to another round?"
Chapter Four
Elina concentrated on the new skirt she was sewing, with the passage of months since Jared's arrival, her skill had vastly improved. His clothing had rotted away to be replaced with her creations. Elina sighed and smiled. It's hard to imagine not too long ago I didn't want anything that wasn't famous name brand and expensive to touch my body. But that was in another life, now I'm making my own clothes from the hides of animals I've killed. I have virtually no material things and I'm living the existence of a primitive, yet I'm the happiest I've ever been. She giggled. Maybe I should sew my name on these clothes.
For the first time in her life, she was in love, and better yet, Jared, was in love with her. With time, the urge to bite him and take his life had faded, until now it no longer existed. She thought of his gentle caring touch and the wonderful words of love he poured into her ears, words she returned with all of her heart. Life without Jared in it was unthinkable.
In her human form, she had been forced to adapt her hunting methods. She was still as strong and fast which she carefully hid from him, but she lacked claws and fangs to accomplish the kill. She glanced to the side at one of the bows and spears they had fashioned. She often went alone on hunts because it was faster but his skills had greatly improved. During his learning process, his actions had often brought on fits of laughter to both of them.
I have never laughed so much in my life. Sometimes so hard, it brings tears to my eyes.
She placed another stich using the needle and thread that had been in the emergency kit then glanced up at the sky. Time had little meaning, they had no way to measure it other than the passage of the sun.
No rain today.
She loved rainy days. They usually spent those days in a tangle of arms and legs. Sometimes their lovemaking was raw and passion filled, at others, it was gentle and filled with emotion.
I love both. I love it when we're joined.
Jared was down at the shore fishing. They loved each other but they also recognized the occasional need for solitude.
Jared burst into the clearing bringing an abrupt halt to her pleasant memories.
"A boat Elina, A boat. I launched flares and… Elina they're coming. They're a long ways out to sea but I could see the boat turn and it's headed this way."
He rushed across the sand, swooped her up into his arms, and spun in circles while covering her face with kisses. Jared sensed her lack of enthusiasm after a few moments and set her on her feet.
"Why aren't you excited?" He grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm's length.
She averted her gaze to the sand. "When we return to the mainland you'll leave me and go back to your old life," she lied.
"Elina, are you fucking serious? You are my life. I would never leave you… unless, you want me to leave."
"Never. I never want to be without you."
"Well then."
She forced a smile. "Go down to the shore and wait. If the boat is as far away as you say, it won't be here for several hours. I'll fix some lunch for us and join you."
He shook his head but then smiled. "Okay, but don't be long."
Jared dashed from the clearing heading for the beach. When he disappeared into the foliage, she hung her head again. Tears streamed from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. I can't go back to the mainland my love. Adam might find me and if he does, he will kill not only me, but also you. He'll probably kill you first just to hurt me.
She slowly gathered some of the jerky they had made and wrapped it along with some fruit in a large leaf. She slung one of their bladders filled with water over her shoulder. After casting a sad look at their home, her place of happiness, she trudged toward the beach.
More time had passed than she was aware of when she stopped just inside the foliage and watched. A yacht had anchored off shore and a smaller boat containing four men neared the beach. Elina squinted and focused on the small boat. She didn't like what she saw. The men were unsavory looking and all of them were armed with rifles, pistols, and knives.
A sense of foreboding caused her to hang back in the shadows. Too late, Jared also recognized the danger and cast a quick glance toward the camp before facing the approaching men.
The four men halted in front of Jared and one took a step forward while holding his rifle in a menacing position.
"What is your name?" he demanded in broken English.
"Who are you?" Jared asked in return.
"I'll ask the questions and you will answer them," the man growled and pointed his gun at Jared. "On your knees and I'll ask again. What is your name?"
Jared knelt as the man had commanded. "Jared."
Oh God, he's going to kill Jared. If only I had my demon form right now, but I never learned to change at will. Adam always caused me to change.
"Where is your boat and are there others here with you?"
"No boat, just that raft." Jared nodded toward the inflatable. "And I'm stranded here alone."
"Does your family have wealth?" the man asked in awkward English.
Rather than lie, for some reason Jared told the truth. "No."
Elina felt a strange sensation ripple through her. The vines holding up the clothes she wore, snapped and the clothing dropped to her feet. She glanced at her hand that held a leaf back so she could watch the scene on the beach and smiled. Claws.
"Then Jared you are of no use to us. I'll make your death quick." He aimed the rifle at Jared's head.
The man and his companions jerked their attention to the trees when a terrifying roar split the silence.
Their hesitation was Jared's salvation. Elina covered the twenty-yard distance separating her from the group in two rapid bounds. She grabbed Jared by his shirt and flung him to land rolling in the sand fifteen yards up the beach. The leader faced her in shock while raising his gun. He pulled the trigger at the same time as she decapitated him. The gun roared, a slug ripped into her side and exited her back. She didn't even flinch before roaring again and tearing into the remaining three men. Flashing claws and snapping fangs sent body parts flying in all directions without another shot being fired.
The battle was over in moments. Her wound stopped bleeding, closed, and vanished as if it had never been. Elina glared at the boat. There may be others there.
She plunged into the surf and swam under water coming to the surface on the far side of the boat. Grabbing the anchor chain, she hoisted herself on board. Two men stood at the railing watching the shore. They were still turning to face noise she had made upon landing when she tore into them. In heartbeats, their mutilated bodies tumbled into the water. She dove in and swam back to shore racing across the sand to Jared.
I hope I didn't injure him when I tossed him away.
***
Jared tumbled to a halt, and cleared the sand from his eyes. Raising on one elbow, he watched in shock as the terrifying creature shredded the men who held him at gunpoint moments before. The battle ended in moments, the horrible beast cast a momentary gaze at him, then plunged into the ocean.
Where did that thing come from? I should get up, warn Elina. At first, his limbs wouldn't obey his order to move. Finally, he was able to climb to his knees but it was too late. The creature had returned and approached.
He hung his head knowing it was useless trying to run. His only regret was not seeing her one last time. "Please be quick," he pleaded when the heavy breathing monster stopped in front of him.
"Are you okay," the thing asked in Elina's sweet musical voice. The creature dropped to its knees in front of him. "Please Jared, I know I look horrid but I love you and I would never hurt you."
Jared opened his eyes and ventured a look at the terrifying thing in front of him. It had to be nearly seven feet tall with deadly claws on its feet and hands. The creature had long frightening fangs. It was covered with dark green scales from head to toe and yet when he peered into them, the creatures blue eyes were the ones that mesmerized him every day.
"Elina?"
"Yes it's me."
"God."
"Please don't be afraid of me. I will understand if you don't look at me, but please don't be afraid."
"Elina I…I don't understand. How? What?" He shuddered but forced himself to look at her, focusing on her beautiful eyes.
"I'm going to tell you about my past, unbelievable as it may sound."
Jared sat back in the sand. The creature moved a few feet away and did the same.
She recounted her story starting with her vain and deceitful teenage years. "I was pretty on the outside but ugly and evil on the inside. I lied, cheated and stole."
She went on with her story telling him about Adam, what he was, how he had made her a demon too. "I'm not a nice person. I've corrupted and killed people." She ended her story by telling him of her punishment. "When I refused to take Mark's life, Adam became enraged at my defiance. Rather than kill me outright, he decided to make my suffering extend for years, and he banished me to this island. I dare not leave or he will kill me and if you're with me he will kill you too."
Jared alternately seethed in anger and cried in sorrow as her story unfolded.
"So now you know about me and why I can't go to the mainland. On the bright side, you have a boat now so you can leave this island and forget you ever knew the hideous thing named Elina."
"Elina, I won't leave without you."
While she told her story, the sun dipped lower and finally kissed the water.
"We'll talk more of this tomorrow, right now we need to go home before it gets dark."
They stood, he shuddered, then resolutely, stepped up next to her. She towered over him, the top of his head barely reached her chest. They trekked silently through the woods each silent, and lost in their own thoughts.
"Jared, I'm going to sleep in the jungle tonight. Being near me makes you uncomfortable."
"Damn-it Elina this is your home too you will not sleep in the woods."
"Compromise then, I'll sleep out here by the fire but I will not sleep in the cave with you. I'm ugly and frightening and that is how it is going to be. Either here by the fire or the jungle, you're choice."
"The fire then, but you should know I'm pissed."
She chuckled. "You aren't going to hit me are you? I would advise you not to, you might hurt your hand."
"Damn-it." He stalked off into the cave.
***
She sat in front of the fire in a morbid mood. "I wished for change to aid Jared against the pirates but now… Will I ever change back into the woman he loves?"
Gradually the fire died to embers and she slept.
She jolted awake at Jared's shout. "Elina! Elina! Oh thank God, Elina you're human again."
She sat up just in time to be crushed into the arms of the man she loved and have her face covered in tears and kisses. When she was finally able to speak without having her mouth silenced by his frantic kisses, she held him away.
"You know what I am now Jared. You should also know I have no idea if or when I will change forms again. We need to do things while I'm in human form."
"Elina I still love you even when you're in your demon form—"
She placed her finger on his lips. "We need to go out to the boat and check things out there. We can talk while we do."
She put on clothes and they left the clearing holding hands. They rode out to the anchored yacht in the small inflatable. There were a few pictures of a light complexioned couple and their two teenage kids scattered around the boat. Scraps of female clothing and bloodstains in both staterooms indicated the probable fate of the boats original owners. The details, they felt certain, were best left unknown.
"We'll leave tomorrow morning," he said.
She forced him to sit on the couch using strength she had hidden from him for months. "No, you will leave tomorrow. I'll stay here." She placed a finger to his lips to silence his protest. "You need to listen to me. You know what I am and I have no idea when or if I'll change again."
"But—"
"I'm not finished. It is too dangerous for me to go to the mainland, if Adam found out he would kill both of us."
"So we'll move somewhere and keep low profile."
"When you show up in this obviously stolen boat, there will be a lot of publicity. There is a good chance Adam will find out."
"Then I'll stay here."
Elina leaned in and kissed him. "I love you and I appreciate your noble offer but I have a better idea."
He grumbled. "I'm listening."
"When you get back you will doubtless have to prove you weren't the one that did this awful thing. We need to make up a plausible story to explain how you came to be in possession of this boat and the pirates are dead. The closer to the truth the story is, the easier it will be for you to tell the same one repeatedly."
"Okay that makes sense, but we could just as easily both be there telling the same story."
She took his hands and forced a smile on her lips. "This is the way I see things unfolding. You'll sail this boat to some port in Florida I assume. You can't just leave it floating and swim to shore, that would set off all kinds of alarms and bring in the coastguard. So that means you'll have to rent a slip to park it in. Now, we move to the next problem, you have no id because you lost your wallet when your boat sank. Maybe you can tell them a sob story about losing your wallet and get your id, in fact I'm certain you can—"
"Damn, I had a slip in Miami before we started leaving our boat in the Bahamas."
"Can't change that now. So, you get your id and park the boat, next problem is, you don't own this boat. There must be ownership papers or a registration somewhere on here but your name and the name on the registration won't match. That will trigger a call to the authorities. Piracy and theft are not unknown in these waters. We aren't professionals and I'm certain no matter how well we clean and go through things, we'll miss something. The professionals will find what we missed, I have no doubts about that. No matter how convincing your story is, they'll investigate, especially when they find out the owners are missing, and they will find out. That means the authorities will call in a forensics team. When that happens, you're fucked. They'll find clues to violence. Blood traces we missed, your DNA, Pirate DNA and the DNA of the owners for a few examples."
"Holy crap, how is it you know so much about police and forensics and everything else?"
"I'll tell you after I finish. In the end, you may well get locked up for a while but eventually they will believe your story, especially if it is close to the truth and you can tell the same one each time your questioned, when that happens they'll release you."
"I still don't like the idea of leaving you here."
"Adam," she reminded. "If I'm with you, he will find out. After the publicity dies down, you can drop out of the lime light. It may take a few months but you can do it, I know you can. Then you can resume a normal life and forget about this island and me."
"Never. Your solution sucks and I won't do it."
She grinned. "I figured that is what you'd say so I have a plan B. I'm not without wealth and Adam is unaware I have the funds stashed away. I'll give you my pass code. There is more than enough in the account to buy a boat. You can equip it and return here. We can either live here, which would be the safest, or we can sneak onto the mainland and spend the rest of our lives hiding, but at least we'd be together."
"I like your plan B much better although I hate the thought of being away from you for any length of time."
"But what I suggest is the best way and you know it. I'd like to make love to you tonight here on the boat but I don't want to risk leaving any trace of me onboard, that would complicate things. I'd also like to keep a few things such as a blanket and pillow. Those won't be missed but I would like a soft pillow since my normal one won't be here."
He guided her to a seat at the table. "Now I want to know how you know so much about cops and forensics. Did you take courses in college or something?"
She refused to look in his eyes and averted hers to stare at the tabletop instead. "Or something."
"I'm waiting to hear about the, or something."
"There was a guy in college. He was taking medical investigation classes. He wasn't like the other guys I went out with, he wasn't just interested in getting into my pants, he liked to talk to me too. He was interested in my mind, not just my body. He told me a lot about the classes he was taking."
"I see, that's how you know so much. Do you know what happened to him?"
"I have no idea. I only went out with him a few times. I seldom went out with anyone more than a few times. He was too nice to me. I could have easily developed emotions for him, and that I didn't want, I just wanted the material things a guy would buy me and in turn I gave them what they wanted. No emotions and no strings. They spent the bucks and I gave the fucks. I told you I'm not a nice person."
He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up so she was forced to look at his eyes. "Maybe not then, but I know you are now."
As they gathered the items to stay with her, they came across a video camera. The pirates had filmed themselves and their actions. The film was sickening to watch but it would provide strong evidence that Jared was not the killer. Their lovemaking beside the fire that night was bittersweet and filled with emotion.
The next morning they stood on the beach in front of the small boat. "I hate leaving you here alone, you know that don't you Elina?"
She smiled through her tears. "I lived here alone for months before you showed up. You're forgetting what I am. I'm the most fearsome predator on this island. The top of the food chain. The animals here fear me, not the other way around. I'll be fine. Now go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back."
After lengthy goodbyes and many tearful kisses, Jared sailed away.
***
Months passed and loneliness caused her to break down in tears often. During his absence, she experimented and after much practice, she was able to change between her human form and demon form a will. She slept on the mat they had shared with her pillow and a set of his clothes. Ones she had made for him. She remained ever confident of his return.
Elina strolled along the beach gazing out on the ocean as she did daily. She turned and retraced her steps intending to head back to camp when she spotted it. The it, was just a small speck on the horizon but it was without doubt a boat. It grew closer and she retreated into the jungle. She shifted into her demon form and waited in silence in case the boat contained more pirates.
The yacht dropped anchor and a few minutes later a small inflatable dinghy left it. The small boat came closer to the shore and her heart hammered. The man steering it was Jared. She dashed out on the beach filled with joy and met him as he beached the dinghy.
Jared grinned at her. "Well don't you look lovely. You'll excuse me if I don't hug and kiss you."
Only now did she realize she was still in her demon form. She shifted. "How about now? Will you kiss me now?"
His answer wasn't verbal. He pulled her in his arms and squeezed her tight while devouring her lips and mouth with his. He broke their kiss and held her at arm's length. "Damn, you're beautiful. And I love that you have met me without a stitch of clothes on."
Elina smiled. When she had changed to her demon form, the vines holding on her clothes had snapped and they had fallen away. She hadn't even noticed in her excitement. She remembered long ago when they had first met how she had acted modest and ducked back into the bushes when he had seen her naked. Not this time. She smiled up at him. "What you see is what you get. Your little savage monster."
"I'm resisting the urge to throw you down right here in the sand and make passionate love to you, but I won't. I've been promising myself since I sailed out of Miami that the first time would be in the soft bed of our new boat. Or I should say your new boat, since you paid for it."
"Our new boat. And I want to see it."
He helped her in the dingy and they cruised out to the yacht where he assisted her onboard.
"Tour later, bed now," she said.
When they parted hours later, he showed her the rest of the yacht. When they finished the tour, he took a bottle from the cupboard. He poured two glasses and handed one to her.
"I believe the lady once told me she liked fine wine. I hope this meets with her approval."
Elina took a sip and smiled. "Excellent, of course even if it were cheap wine, if you were serving it, it would be excellent."
Jared turned his back to her and took something from the drawer beside him. When he turned to face her again, he held a small box. Dropping to one knee, he opened it and held it out to her. "Will you marry me?"
Elina looked at the diamond engagement ring with a fluttering heart and butterflies going mad in her stomach. "Yes," she whispered. Then louder she said, "Yes, yes, yes."
When he removed the ring, she saw it was attached to a gold necklace.
"I'd like to put this ring on your finger but I didn't know which form you'd be in so I put it on a necklace. That way you can wear it no matter which form you're in."
He slipped it around her neck and fastened the clasp. "Tomorrow we pack and the next day we head for the mainland."
"Jared, love, remember Adam. It's too dangerous."
He smiled. "No it isn't. I did some snooping and made a few discrete inquiries while I was gone. Adam is dead, killed by another demon. No one is looking for you. They don't even know you're still alive."
"Oh my God. We're free, we can live our lives without fear. I just have to make certain I don't change into my demon form where anyone can see." She tilted her glass and finished her wine in a single gulp. "That is no way to drink fine wine to say nothing of being very unlady like, but I don't feel like being a lady. Jared, take me back to that soft bed and let's fuck so hard we just might break the bed."
The end
By G.E. Stills
Chapter One
Jared held the microphone to his lips, and hollered to be heard over the howling wind. His boat pitched and rolled wildly, tossed like a cork on the angry waves.
"Mayday, Mayday, This is the Linna, location," he glanced at the digital readout on the gauge in front of him, and read off the longitude and latitude location displayed. "Mayday, Mayday."
As had been the case for hours, the radio's only answer was static.
The weather had been balmy, and the seas calm when he left San Juan, Puerto Rico to take the boat back to Florida and turn it over to the buyer. But I didn't bother to check the weather forecast. There are a lot of things I'm not careful about anymore. I just don't care anymore.
A huge wave crashed over the deck of the converted fishing trawler. Cascades of water pounded against the window he peered out of, cutting off his view. The boat shuddered, then nosed through crest of the wave as the strong diesel engines powered it forward. He glanced down at the gauges again and made certain the bilge pumps were operating on full.
He remembered the happy day he and his wife had purchased the Linna. Most men would have named the boat after their wife, but Linna had been the girl responsible for introducing them in college. Linna had been Becky's roommate, and a mutual friend. They had agreed that Linna would be the name. Both he and Becky loved cruising the ocean, but neither had been enthused about sailing. A memory of the many happy hours they had spent converting the trawler to a pleasure boat flashed through his mind.
Hard to believe it was five years ago that we graduated college and got married. Those were happy days. Three years passed, our medical careers took off, then we purchased the Linna. He mentally smiled as he recalled the carefree days spent lounging on the boat and making plans for a bright future.
Streaks of lightning lit up the dark afternoon sky, followed seconds later by crashes of thunder. Abruptly, the wind shifted and before he could react and turn the prow into it, again a wave hit the boat on the starboard side. The boat tilted to a steep angle, and skittered to the port side while threatening to capsize. Jared desperately spun the steering wheel, while his other white-knuckled hand, flew to the sliding throttle controls. He cut back on the starboard engine, and throttled forward the port engine. The vessel groaned, righted itself, and managed to meet the next wave head-on. He evened the throttles and surged down into the trough before prow plunged into the next wave.
And then cancer snuck up on us. The happy days were gone and six months ago Becky died.
Jared grabbed the radio's microphone again. "Mayday, mayday, this is the vessel Linna." He gave the last know coordinates then placed the mic back on its hook.
A blinding flash accompanied by tooth rattling thunder lit the entire boat as the bolt struck to top of the wheelhouse. Jared was tossed through the air to crash against the back wall. The lights in the pilothouse went out and the throb of the diesel engines died. For a moment, he sat on the deck too stunned to move, then, scrambling to his feet, he dashed to the controls and turned the ignition switch. If the engines don't start, I'm dead. He watched the tachometer and longed for the familiar throb of the deck. It didn't come. Another wall of water crashed over the prow. The Linna wallowed like a drunk then bobbed to the surface.
He turned the ignition switch again but the engines didn't fire. That's it. Time to abandon ship. Jared pulled the cord, and the life preserver he wore inflated with a quick, whoosh. He stepped out of the dark wheelhouse into the howling wind and driving rain. Mounted to the side of the wheelhouse was a case containing a state of the art life raft. Something Becky had insisted on, he remembered. Not that even that is going to save me in this storm. Then again, maybe that is a good thing. I'll be with her again soon. A fifty-foot cord was attached to the case and on the other end was a cuff. He secured the cuff around his wrist then rolled the case over the side.
Before he could administer the quick snap required to activate the inflation mechanism on the case and dive over the side after it, a wall of water crashed over his head. It swept him off his feet, and he rode a sheet of liquid over the side. Something hit the side of his head along the way causing him to see stars. The subdued light vanished as he was dragged into the depths.
Open your mouth, get it over with. Join her. A voice in his head urged.
A violent tug nearly yanked his arm out of joint. Pain lanced though his shoulder. He ceased thrashing, and his life preserver pulled him upward. His head bobbed to the surface and he gulped in a breath of air just in time to see a wave twice as tall as the Linna crash over her. When the wave flattened into a valley, the boat was gone.
Another yank of the cord sent more pain shooting along his arm and shoulder. He grasped the cord with his other hand to ease the tension. There in the distance, he saw a flashing strobe. Jared sighed. His tossing and turning in the turbulent water had supplied the tug needed to activate the inflator. He remembered the display model on the day they bought it. The life raft looked like an orange tent mounted to a black rubber base with a flashing light on the top. He recalled his comment to Becky about hoping they never had to use it. Another hope dashed to pieces.
Slowly, he pulled on the cord drawing him closer to the bright orange floating island. Using the rope handholds on the sides, he pulled his way around the raft to the rope ladder that hung over the side.
After several tries, he managed to climb the ladder and tumble though the open flap. Drawing on the last reserves of energy he had, he zipped the nylon closed sealing the raging elements outside. Jared braced himself on hands and knees in the pitching rolling life raft and threw up what seemed like gallons of swallowed seawater. He tumbled to his side. Not even the nausea churning his stomach, or the pitching and rolling craft, could prevent him from passing out.
***
Jared forced his eyes open, only to snap them closed again to shut out the spinning orange light that made his stomach churn. After waiting for his stomach to calm, he tried again. He turned his head to the side and focused on the black floor of the raft instead. He had a throbbing headache and terrible pain on the left side of his head. Placing his hand to the side of his skull, he felt the jagged laceration there and when he drew it away, his hand was red. He couldn't see any cuts or scrapes on the rest of his body, but he had a number of bruises and pain surged through his shoulder. Torn muscle or ligament?
He looked to his wrist, but his watch was gone. Carefully, he glanced up toward the orange ceiling again. It seemed lighter than it had earlier. It was early evening when he abandoned ship and now, although the light is subdued, it had to be daytime. So I must have been unconscious all night.
He crawled to the entrance and unzipped it just enough to peer out. The sea was still rough and the wind still howled, but the rain had tapered to a drizzle. The waves were no longer the monstrous ones they had been yesterday. He zipped the flap closed. On the way, crawling to the emergency pack, dizziness assaulted him. He collapsed and passed out. He opened his eyes briefly to see it was pitch black.
Nighttime?
The next time he opened his eyes light stabbed into them. The water had calmed and the wind had died away. As he became more aware, incredible heat generated by the sun beating down on the tent like ceiling assaulted his senses. In addition, his throat was parched and his stomach growled. Using his left arm, he crawled to the rafts entrance and unzipped it. Cooler air started to dry his sweat soaked body.
Next, check out the emergency pack, I need water, food and a first aid kit.
He opened the pack about the size of a suitcase and surveyed the contents, paddles, bailing cups to remove water, audio and visual signaling equipment, a small flashlight with extra batteries and other items. He spotted a ration pack, several plastic containers of drinking water, and a first aid kit.
Dying of thirst or starvation won't be a critical factor for several days.
He opened one of the water containers and took a small sip to ease his dry throat. Next, he opened the ration pack. It contained a number of pills and several high-energy bars. Nothing tasty but they will provide sufficient nutrients. He selected one of the pills, and washed it down with another sip of water. Jared opened the first aid kit, squeezed out a bit of antibiotic salve and gingerly rubbed it on his head wound.
I hope someone heard my radio call for help and rescue is searching for me. If not it will be several days before I'm reported missing. At least I remembered to file a trip chart with the coast guard. I wonder where the storm has taken me. Not too far away from traveled routes, I hope.
His head began to spin with dizziness. I must have a nasty concussion, he thought. Rolling to his back, he drifted into an unconscious state again. He lost all track of how many days had passed, because he continued to slip into unconsciousness. Sometimes he awakened into inky black and at other times bright sunlight. His only clue that many days had passed was his dwindling supply of water and food.
During his awake times in the day, he spent hours gazing out on the endless water surrounding him. Not once did he spot a ship, even in the distance. Where the hell am I? Where has the storm taken me?
Jared took a tiny sip from the last bag of drinking water. Although the raft had provisions for collecting rain water for drinking or condensation there hadn't been any rain nor enough condensation for it to work. With the reduction of water intake had come weakness until now it required all the energy he could muster just to open the water pouch and drink. He slept a lot now. He eased back and closed his eyes. Time to go to sleep and not wake up.
***
A week had passed since the terrible storm, with its howling wind and pounding rain, had confined Elina to her cave. She woke, stretched, then crawled from the dark interior. She squinted for a moment in the bright sunlight then headed for the beach. Elina paced along the shore wearing a frown as she often did. She searched the rolling surf for anything that might have washed ashore. Anything that symbolized civilization, no matter how useless the item might be. So far, she hadn't spotted one thing after this or any of the other infrequent storms which led her to believe any inhabited areas or shipping routes were far away from her island prison.
She lamented her past life of splendor in a high-rise Miami apartment. She had been in human form then and seduced a man, Mark, to the dark side using the promise of sex and fabulous wealth as tools to lure him in. When the time came to kill him, she hadn't been able to do it, no matter how many sins he had committed, no matter how corrupt he had become. Even now, she remembered that final night, being coupled with him with her face buried in the crook of his neck. His heart hammered against her breasts and his cock was swollen in her ready to erupt. The carotid artery in his neck pulsed enticingly against her lips. Her fangs elongated as she readied herself for the kill.
Over time, Elina had grown to know Mark and even though she had corrupted him, he still retained some redeeming features. That last day, Mark had rescued a young girl from a life of prostitution. A vicious pimp had the intention of beating and drugging the young girl. Instead, Mark had beaten the pimp and left him lying in a puddle of his own blood. He had taken the girl to the bus station and given her a generous amount of money. Enough to buy a ticket to anywhere in the states and have some left over. Mark had encouraged the young girl to go home.
I just couldn't bring myself to kill him that night. She had fled the apartment and hadn't seen Mark since.
Adam, her demon creator had been enraged at her for not killing the man. "A demon showing mercy and compassion is unheard of, disobeying me is unthinkable," he screamed. Rather than kill her outright which he was perfectly capable of, her demon creator had decided to banish her here to this small island to live out her long life in solitude.
Elina peered out at the seemingly endless ocean. With her great strength, she was capable of swimming for a long distance, but she had no idea where she was and therefore no idea in which direction to swim. I do have limits as to how far I can swim. Traversing the mile wide by two miles long island had provided no clue and in the year she had been here, she hadn't sighted a single ship.
The few predators on the island had quickly learned that she was the top of the food chain. Rather than hunting her, now they avoided her. She easily ran down wild boars to eat and accurately thrown stones felled birds to add variety to the menu. Fish were another reliable source of nourishment. The stream and pool where she had taken up residence provided ample fresh water to drink.
Company is the main thing lacking.
A brief flash of light caught her attention. Elina placed a hand over her eyes, and looked closer. Another flash of light caused her to zero in on the source. Bobbing on the waves was a small orange dot at nearly the limit of her vision. Flashing light and the orange color told her whatever the object was, people had created it. Her curiosity rose.
It's not like I have other pressing business to take care of.
With no further hesitation, she waded into the surf and dove when the water was deep enough. Her large webbed feet, the webbing between her fingers, and the scales that covered her body, permitted Elina to glide through the water with little effort.
As she swam closer to the object, she recognized it as an inflatable raft with an orange tent like ceiling. Are there people inside, she wondered. No matter, if nothing else searching through the boats contents will give me something to do.
She reached the raft and swam to the rope ladder. Cautiously, climbed it just enough to allow her to take a quick peek inside. I don't want them to see me and get alarmed. She darted her head above the edge quickly scanned the interior, then ducked down again.
One person, a man, and he seems to be sleeping.
Her next inspection was much longer. Yes, one man and he appeared to be pale, anorexic but the rise and fall of his chest told her, he still lived. He needs water, probably food too. Elina pulled the cord she found attached to the raft into the water with her. Swimming out in front of the boat, she looped the cord around her neck, rolled to her back, and with strong strokes, began towing it toward the island.
It took a long time, but at last, her feet touched the ground. She waded the rest of the way to shore and pulled the raft onto the beach. She looked in again. The man hadn't stirred. Carefully, she stepped into the boat and knelt beside him. Still he didn't stir. Cautiously she lifted him into her arms and carried him up to the beginning vegetation. There she laid him down in the shade. Water, he needs water but first…
Elina walked and stooped peeing on bushes and dirt in a circle around him. The man was safe inside it. She had marked her territory, neither mammal or reptile would cross the circle of her scent fearing her wrath. She shinnied up a tree nimbly and plucked one of the gourds there. A single chopping blow of her hand split the gourd in half. Elina raced through the jungle vegetation to her fresh water pool a short distance away. After scooping out the gourds contents, she filled each with water and dashed back to the man. Gently she pried his mouth open and poured some water in. He swallowed and she poured more.
Food next.
She waded into the water, then plunged beneath the surface. A short time later, she returned to the beach with a fish in each hand. She ripped off a tree frond and after gutting them with a claw, laid the fish on it. Elina then moved to the side, squatted on her heels and waited. The sun had dropped near the horizon when then man stirred. Elina scurried up the tree next to her and observed him while hiding in the branches.
Chapter Two
Jared propped himself up on his good arm and gazed around in amazement. The last he remembered he was floating, now he was on dry land and out of the boat. He couldn't remember spotting land or coming ashore. His gaze locked onto the two gourds of water and the gutted fish. Did I do this? How? I don't remember anything.
He picked up one gourd, and tilted it to his lips. He allowed himself to take a larger drink than he had permitted himself to take for days. He looked at the fish and picked one up. "Raw, but much better tasting than a fucking pill," he croaked.
He took a bite, and chewed slowly before swallowing. He took another bite then another. He took a drink. Before he realized it, he had eaten both fish and emptied both gourds. In the waning light, he saw the boat pulled far up onto the sand.
"How the hell? There is no way I could have pulled it out of the water that far. Especially not in my condition."
He gazed around searching for another person, or persons. No one.
"I should get up. Get into the boat. It's safer there than lying out here in the open."
Jared tried to sit up and groaned. "Too weak to rise further. Fuck it. If something kills me so be it." He fell to his back and closed his eyes.
***
"Do not worry man, nothing will harm you tonight, none would dare try," Elina whispered from her perch in the branches. When she was certain he was asleep, she dropped to the ground and knelt beside him. After studying her companion for a time, she backed away and sat, resting her back against a tree trunk. She closed her eyes. Just having another person close by gave her comfort. A feeling of ease rippled through her. Something she hadn't felt for a long time.
Elina jolted awake at the slight sound and was instantly alert. The predator was obviously young, and unaware of her deadly nature. Silently, she rose and entered the jungle to meet it. They spotted each other at nearly the same time. The jaguar bared its fangs at her and gathered its haunches preparing to leap. Elina dropped to a crouch and bared her fangs in return.
The confrontation ended in seconds. In a blur of motion, the cat leaped. The animal was fast, but Elina was much faster. A single swipe of her clawed hand decapitated the beast, and the rest of its body fell harmlessly at her feet. Blood from her assailant sprayed on her face and upper torso. Did this jaguar have siblings? Are they aware of my danger? This area is not as safe for the man as I thought.
Elina returned to stand over the man she had saved. He slept on. She gathered him in her arms, carried him to the raft, and placed him on it. Next, she gathered the carcass and dripped its blood around the raft as a further warning this was an area to be avoided. She crept into the raft again and leaned over the man, then whispered, "I must leave for a while but I'll be back. You should be safe here because it is nearly dawn and the cats will be returning to their lairs for the day."
Elina gathered the empty gourds in one hand, and slung the cat's carcass over her shoulder. The sky had brightened with the coming of dawn by the time she reached her home. She dropped the carcass the grass next to the pond, set the gourds next to the water and gazed at her reflection in the clear water. A face made for horror stared back at her. Instead of her long dark hair, her head was bald. Her soft golden tan skin was replaced by dark green scales, covering her from head to toe. Her soft lips and narrow nose had been replaced by a mouth and nose that formed a short snout. Two-inch fangs protruded from her jaws and curved over her lips. Tears leaked out of her blue eyes, and rolled down her scaled cheeks. Her sculpted eyebrows and long lashes were gone. Her icy-blue eyes were the only part of her that remained the same.
"What am I to do? If he sees me, he will be terrified by my appearance and yet I long to visit with him. I haven't spoken with anyone in over a year. I also want to protect him." She scowled at her refection and longed for her human appearance. In frustration, Elina thrust one of her clawed and webbed hands forward causing the water's reflective surface to shatter into a splash and scattering droplets of liquid. "I need to return and leave him food and water before he wakes."
In anger, she used the two-inch razor-sharp claws on her fingers to rip the furry hide off the cat's body and cast it aside. She tore out a chunk of meat from the animal, filled the gourds, then carried the hide and carcass into the jungle away from her home for the scavengers to feed on.
When she came into sight of the raft, she waited in the jungle listening intently for any sound indicating he was awake. When she felt certain he still slept, she dashed over the sand and deposited the meat and water at the raft's entrance. She retreated into the lush undergrowth and knelt to patiently wait.
***
Jared opened his eyes and stretched. Today he felt better, stronger. He then realized he was on the raft again. Gazing down, his eyes widened when he saw the dried blood that coated his clothes. After a quick survey, he determined the blood wasn't his. "What the fuck?" he shouted. Scrambling to his knees, he crawled to the entrance flap and gazed around in confusion. No one, not a soul. I've lost it. I can't remember anything that happened last night.
His gaze dropped to the sand and spotted the water and meat. What the hell? "Is anyone there?" he shouted, not expecting a response.
His eyes shifted to the jungle when a beautiful sounding female voice answered.
"I'm here. Eat, you need the nourishment to regain your strength."
English, whoever it is, speaks English. "Who are you? Show yourself…please."
"I will not. You would find my appearance frightening and repulsive. At the same time, I long to visit with you. I haven't spoken to anyone in over a year."
"I doubt that I would be shocked and afraid of your appearance and obviously you have a warm heart because I think it is you who are providing for me. If you won't come out here on the beach perhaps I should come to you."
"You're right, it is I who feeds you. There are predators here in the jungle but do not fear, I won't let anything harm you."
Jared crawled out of the raft and seated himself beside the food and drink. He took a sip then, after casting a distasteful glance at the raw meat, took a bite. He swallowed and addressed the jungle again. "You have a beautiful voice, whoever you are. My name is Jared at least tell me yours."
"Elina, my name is Elina. I'm happy to meet you Jared."
"Where are we?"
"On an island, but I don't know where it's located."
"And you've been stranded here for over a year?"
"Yes."
"Elina please come out so I can see you."
"I will not, and if you come in searching for me you won't find me."
"Fine, then for now we'll visit this way. I haven't talked to anyone for a long time either. It's nice to hear the voice of someone besides yourself."
"I agree."
They chatted all morning and into the early afternoon. He learned a little about her life here on the island but she refused to talk about her former life before coming to the island. He in turn told her some about himself.
"I must leave now," she said. "I need to hunt to feed us. For now, stay on the beach near your raft. You'll be safe there."
"Elina, no disrespect intended but I prefer my food cooked. I need to gather wood for a fire."
"No offense taken, I understand. I'll gather firewood for you then hunt."
"I feel much better now. I can't just stay here on the beach and let you provide for me. I have to venture into the jungle sometime. And there is such a thing as male pride. I can't just let you take care of me." She didn't respond. “Elana, Elana?" Nothing she is gone.
A short time later, he heard stirring in the woods. "I've gathered wood for you. You can take it down to the beach for your fire while I hunt. I'll be back soon."
She tossed a piece of wood out on the beach to mark the spot where he would find the pile. Jared collected the wood in several trips while she was gone.
"I'm back. You'll find meat near where the wood was piled. I'll be back soon with water."
"The gourds are down here, you can come down and get them."
She chuckled. "Nice try at making me show myself, Jared, but it didn't work. I'll get new ones. Do you have some way to sharpen a stick to make a spit for the meat?"
"I have a knife."
"Good, then while you're doing that and building a fire I'll get the water."
After getting the fire started, Jared retrieved his knife and started to sharpen one end of a stick. He had just finished when she announced her return and told him the water was where the wood and meat had been.
"You're making unneeded trips to get water. Wouldn't it be easier just to show me the source so I can get my own?"
"I've been thinking about that. I agree. Tomorrow I'll take you to where I live. There is fresh water there and a pool for bathing. A small cave there will provide you with shelter."
"So we'll finally meet eyeball-to-eyeball," he said.
"No, I'll stay in the woods nearby."
"Elina, I can't take your home and make you move out."
"Maybe when we get to know each other better I'll greet you in person but not right now. Please Jared."
"Fine, you win. I think it's silly but I'll do as you ask."
"Thank you. Sleep in your raft one more night. Tomorrow morning I'll come for you and take you to my home. I must leave for a while and get things ready for you."
***
Elina faded into the jungle and headed for home. Talking at a distance was nice, but she wanted more. Emotions for him were stirring to life in her already and she sensed the same feelings in him. When she got home, she peered at her reflection in the water again. "If I just wasn't so ugly. If I just looked like my human form."
Early in the morning before light, she was back at his raft. Jared was asleep next to his dying fire. She quietly stole closer just to see him. For a time she knelt beside him then leaning forward, she brushed her lips to his forehead. His eyes snapped open and she leaped back out of the dim light.
"Who's there," he called into the dark. "Is that you Elina?"
When she had retreated to the tree line, she answered. "Yes. I'm sorry I disturbed you. Go back to sleep."
"Did you just kiss me?"
"Yes . . . I'm sorry."
"Sorry you kissed me?"
"No, sorry I woke you."
"I'm not sorry you kissed me, I am sorry you ran away after. Elina, I don't care how bad you think you're deformed I want to see you. You saved me. We've become friends. It hurts me you have so little confidence in me that you think I can't handle it no matter what you look like. We may be here for a long time and I can't take having you stay out of sight all the time."
She didn't answer right away. When she did she only said, "Soon, I'll let you see me soon."
She remained out just out of sight as she led him to her home. "We're almost there. Just walk straight ahead." She faded further into the bushes. He explored her home then sat near the shore. She watched him cook the remaining meat she had left from the branches of a nearby tree.
"Elina?"
"I'm here."
"I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow you're going to show yourself, understood?"
"Tomorrow. Okay." Tomorrow you will be repulsed by me and loth me. She cradled her head on her arm, tears rolled from her eyes and sobs wracked her.
***
"Elina, Elina, Are you out there."
She jolted awake at the sound of his voice. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so soundly. "I'm here."
"Today is the day. Come out here and join me for breakfast."
"Okay," she answered in a weak voice. She leaped from her perch among the branches and stopped at the edge of the clearing. "Please don't be afraid. Please don't run, I won't hurt you."
She stepped forward.
"Oh my God—"
"I know I'm ugly, but—"
"Oh my God Elina—" He averted his eyes.
"I told you—"
"Elina please shut-up and let me finish. You're beautiful, stunning, but damn-it woman I wish you had some clothes on."
For the first time she looked down at herself. In surprise rather than modesty, she covered herself and darted back in the bushes. Somehow, overnight she had changed. She was in her human form. With a smile in her voice she said, "Don't go away, I'll be right back."
Elina stood perfectly still for a moment. Seeing her had caused him discomfort but not the type of unease she had feared. A smile spread across her lips. Judging from the bulge that grew in his pants, it is a good uncomfortable. She ripped off a wide leaf and tied it around her waist hiding her bare folds. She grasped her waist length dark hair and used it to cover her breasts.
He was still standing in the same place when she entered the clearing again. His jaw dropped open at the sight of her. Elina glided across the sand and placed her hands on his cheeks. "I've wanted to do this for a long time instead of a kiss to your forehead."
She brushed her lips to his, at first lightly but as passion soared to ever-higher levels it deepened. Yes, yes please hold me. She thought as his arms circled her.
Elina drew away from his arms and stepped back. "I'm sorry Jared, I shouldn't have reacted like this. It's just that it has been over a year since I've touched someone and… you're not unattractive, and…" I'm gushing, shut-up Elina. Calm down.
Jared gazed deep in her eyes. "I'm not sorry you kissed me. Not at all. It's been a long time since I held someone and kissed. Not since Becky—"
"Becky?"
'My wife . . . she died last year."
"I'm sorry."
Obviously wanting to change subjects, Jared asked. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did it's just that you were completely naked. Where are your clothes?"
"They wore out a long time ago and since I was alone on the island I just never thought of covering myself," she lied.
Jared cleared his throat. "So will you be joining me for dinner tonight or are you going to watch me eat from the woods again?"
"I'll join you. While you get the fire going I'm going to pick some berries to go along with the meat." She spun and marched away into the jungle pausing only long enough to scoop up the furry jaguar pelt she had discarded earlier. She grinned when she sensed his gaze admiring her flawless back and naked butt.
***
Jared watched her swaying hips and fine looking bare ass walk away from him. Damn, why does she think she's ugly. Elina is anything but ugly. The memory of her dusky red and hardened nipples peeking out of the long hair that covered them flashed through his mind. He adjusted his pants to shift his erection to a more comfortable position. Her kiss and the touch of her nearly naked body had done much more than taste and feel good. It's been too long. Over a year since I last touched Becky.
Jared jolted into action building the fire and sharpening another stick to cook a slab of meat on. "Tonight Elina you will eat cooked meat," he said to the area she had vanished into.
When Elina returned, her hands were filled with berries. They ate and talked around the fire. They even laughed a few times as they pulled chunks of meat off the sticks or popped a berry in their mouths.
"Tomorrow we'll go down to the raft, get anything from it we can use and bring it here."
"That sounds like a good plan. I need to go hunting again tomorrow."
"Would you like me to go with you?"
She laughed. "As much noise as you make you'd scare everything away long before I was able to kill it. No you wait here at camp and get the fire ready. I won't take long."
"I'm not exactly a hunter," He chuckled then yawned. "I'm sorry Elina but I'm still weak. I need to rest. Are you going to sleep in the jungle again or will you join me and sleep in the cave?"
She climbed to her feet and held out a hand. "Since you've seen me now and my looks don't frighten you, I'll sleep in the cave."
Jared rolled his eyes. "I'll be honest, your looks do frighten me a little, but only because of the way my body reacts. I haven't slept with a woman present in... Anyway I'm afraid I might attack you."
Elina giggled. "Maybe I wouldn't mind being attacked. It has been a long time for me too." She jerked him to his feet and he didn't try to release her hand when she led him to the cave.
A brief argument ensued as they discussed who would take the sleeping mat she had made. She won the argument when she threatened to leave and sleep in the jungle again.
"Alright, you win, but tomorrow we trade places and you take the mat."
"Fair enough."
He sprawled out on the mat, and she curled up in a corner of the cave.
Chapter Three
Early the next morning they went to the raft. They returned to camp, their arms filled with items taken from the raft's supply pack. Among those items were two survival type knives. He took one and handed her the other. They stashed the rest of the items in the cave.
"I'm going hunting now," she announced.
"Are you certain you don't want me to go with you?"
She grinned. "We've discussed this before. I want to eat today, not tomorrow or the next."
"Smart ass," he said.
"Be a good boy, a proper domestic and take care of things here at camp, I'll be back before dark."
"Why you—"
Darting back, she easily avoided the smack he aimed at her bare butt.
Still chuckling, she strolled out of camp leaving him behind. Elina made a detour, picked up the discarded hide, and headed for the beach. She carved out two pieces, One to cover her breasts and the other her pussy. She washed them and secured them in place with vine ropes. She pulled her hair back and tied it into a ponytail. The hide pieces were scratchy and slightly hard but they covered the parts of her that caused Jared discomfort.
With her new clothing in place, she felled two birds from air but she didn't hurry back to camp. She needed time to think. She sat, leaned back against a tree, and recalled her life.
***
From the time she turned fourteen she desired money and beauty above all else. The good looks she had, but as the youngest daughter of ten, money was a different matter. Her father was seldom home, he was busy working to provide for the family. Although their mother was present for their upbringing, she was usually drunk.
In high school, she lied, stole, and used people, always aimed at satisfying her greed and vanity. She was smart and because of that, she received a scholarship for college. Moving away from home was no problem she didn't miss her parents or siblings. At the beginning of her second year, she went to a party and it was there she met Adam. He was strikingly handsome, well dressed and smooth talking. Many of the girls at the party fawned attention on him but he zeroed in on her.
When the party ended, she accepted his invitation and went to his luxurious apartment. She knew what he desired and she wasn't above using her body to get what she wanted. At the end of three days of promises made by him and fantastic sex, he had completely seduced her. She only returned to her dorm room long enough to pack.
The next four months exceeded her wildest dreams, with world travel, fast cars. opulent apartments, expensive clothes and seemingly endless money. At the end of the four months, she learned of his true identity, but by that point, she didn't care.
At his request, she surrendered herself to him completely. The sex they shared that final time was different. It was hot, sweaty and filled with passion. At the same time as his seed pulsed into her, he bit into her neck. As he drained her blood, he filled her with a part of his demon essence. The process was not without pain but it only seemed to enhance the coupling. She experienced the most intense climax she had ever had, then passed out.
When she awoke the next day, he informed her of her new life. "You can have most any material thing you desire. You will have a long life and ageless beauty." Adam took her hand, pulled her to my feet, and led her across the room to a full-length mirror. He stepped behind her and placed his hands on her hips holding her in place.
"You had great looks before but behold the new you."
She gazed into the mirror at the woman reflected there in awe. She had long waist-length dark hair. Her eyebrows were thin and perfectly manicured, strips. She had long natural eyelashes framing ice-blue eyes. Her nose was thin and straight. The woman's lips were dark pink and thick." Her gaze lowered.
Although not overly large, her breasts were firm and rounded. Her areolas and nipples were the same dusky red as her lips. Her flat stomach was to be envied. She had a black cobra tattoo on her left lower stomach. Her core led the way to long exquisite legs.
Adam spun her around to face him and urged her to look over her shoulder at the woman's backside. It was just as perfect with soft round perfectly formed ass cheeks. He spun her back to face the mirror. Not a single blemish marred the woman's all over tan, her flawless beauty. It took a while for her to realize she was looking at herself.
Adam peered into her reflected eyes. "I have stripped away your humanity and replaced it with a bit of me. You have a devastatingly beautiful and perfect body. You will use that beauty and your other charms in any manor I command."
He spayed his fingers wide on her flat stomach. "I have given you the ability to ready yourself for sex. I will do it this time, but in the future your thought alone will do the same. Slick yourself," he ordered.
She observed in amazement as her body transformed. Her lips became swollen as if from lengthy kissing. She watched as her nipples peaked and stiffened. Her bare folds became slightly puffed as if she had just finished a lengthy session of sex and tiny droplets of dew formed on them. Her channel became warm and wet.
"What you see and feel is your ability to prepare yourself for penetration within seconds, thus eliminating the need for foreplay. Seducing and having sex with someone will be a duty for you, and not a pleasure. It is doubtful you'll be aroused by the act. You will only be obeying my orders. I am your master and you will do anything I command. You will use your beauty and charm to seduce and corrupt whomever I choose, do you understand?"
She nodded.
"Good."
She didn't even flinch when Adam transformed into his frightful demon self. Nor did she move when moments later he changed her into her demon form.
"This is what we truly look like. Now dress and we will meet your first victim."
He pointed her in the direction of the bed where he had laid out clothes. It didn't surprise her to discover there were no underwear. The brushed leather skirt was short and matched the soft knee high black boots. The deep V of the black and white top exposed a generous amount of her cleavage. The outfit was seductive, and looking at the labels, she knew expensive.
Adam pointed out Raul at a party then relaxed in a corner and watched her go to work. By the parties end she left with Raul. They had sex that first night and she learned the he was a gang leader, sold drugs and had killed people. She didn't complain when a few days later he passed her around to the other six members of his gang as part of the initiation required to become his girlfriend. A hunger she had never experienced slowly built inside her. A hunger that Adam explained could only be satisfied by draining her victim's blood at the same time they filled her with their seed. When Adam gave the word a week later she took Raul to her apartment and seduced him. She had no qualms about killing him slowly.
When she had finished draining him, she calmly watched Adam dine on Raul's bloodless corpse. Having been passed around to several unsavory sex partners, she voiced her concern about sexual disease. It was then she learned what else Adam had taken along with her humanity.
"You are immune to disease and you will never have another period, I have also removed your ability to conceive."
Adam had sterilized her as part of her conversion. That is when her anger ignited and it grew as time passed. Her next two victims were a little harder to kill but not much. Then she met Mark and her disobedience and anger blossomed.
***
A quick shake of her head, switched her attention from her past to the approaching camp. Jared glanced up when she padded into the clearing. She stopped in her tracks. In her absence, Jared had shaved his beard and moustache. He had also trimmed his hair. He was handsome before, but now he looks absolutely delicious. A stirring of desire surged to life in her and along with it the familiar hunger. And that will not happen. I might fuck him, in fact I intend to, but I will not feed on him.
As she strolled forward, she noted Jared had placed two large rocks beside each other for seating. She tossed the birds to the sand and kissed him. "You've been busy while I was gone. I did like your beard but I like you clean shaven even better."
"I'm not the only one that's been busy. I adored the Eve and fig leaf look you wore before but animal print looks great on you too, then again, most anything would look great on you."
"Wow, shaving, trimming your hair, tossing compliments my way. Sounds like you're trying to get into my nonexistent pants." I hope.
She watched his cheeks redden, and decided to add to his discomfort. "Let's face it Jared, we may be on this island for a long time, and I'm the only girl in town. Sooner or later we're going to fuck. My vote is for sooner rather than later."
The redness spread and he gulped. "Elina you're embarrassing the hell out of me and making me very uncomfortable."
"Good. You know I'm just telling the truth. Now let's pluck these birds so we can eat."
She picked up one, handed it to him, and started plucking the other. He watched with a look of awe as she expertly gutted the birds and stuck them on the spits.
"Not only good looking but a survival expert too." He grinned.
"I've had months of practice on the survival part." She winked. "I have many skills, survival is just one."
"Elina, the innuendo is not lost on me. I'm willing, and judging from your words, you're willing too, but there is one problem. I don't have any protection and getting you pregnant is the last thing we need."
Her lips tightened, and anger at Adam seethed in her, then sadness replaced it. "That won't be a problem," she said quietly. "I can't get pregnant. Things I don't want to talk about happened in my past and, anyway, I can never have a child."
Jared gently caressed his hand over her arm. "I'm so sorry."
She forced a smile. "Thank you, but that means there is no reason we can't."
He helped her to her feet and pulled her close. Their initial gently kiss deepened and tongues were granted entrance as they savored each other. His hands started on her back and gradually slid down until they cupped her bare ass. She shrieked when he suddenly scooped her from her feet. "I need a bath and so do you."
Jared waded into the pond with her in his arms. When he was chest deep, he set her on her feet. He untied the vine that held her top and tossed the garment to the sand. His shirt soon joined it. She slapped his hand away when he tried to untie her skirt.
"Wait," she giggled. "You have more on than I do.”
She busied her hands with his fly and he braced a hand on her shoulder as he slipped out of them. Next came his boxer shorts.
"Okay, I'm naked, now can I finish unwrapping you?"
She chuckled as she closed her hand around his erection, and pumped it twice. "As long as you're quick about it because I need you inside me and soon." She stroked the length of his shaft eagerly.
In his haste, he broke the vine and tossed the last of her clothing on shore to join the rest. He led her out of the water and they ducked into the cave. Picking up the flashlight, he showed her that he had made an additional sleeping mat for her and blankets from the raft now covered the leaves of both her bed and his.
"That was very thoughtful of you. I don't think my new bed will be getting much use this evening though. If the sex we share tonight is anything like I'm thinking it will be, it won't be getting much use at all."
She knelt, then sprawled out on his makeshift bed. She had no need to call on her ability to slick herself. Flames of desire burned hot within her.
He lay down beside her smoothing his hand over her breasts. "I don't have any lube so we need to take some time to get you ready."
She pulled his head down and kissed him then whispered. "We won't need any lube. I'm so ready. I only ask one thing, I know this first time is going to be quick but the next time can we go slow?"
"Of course."
"Then fuck me because I need you in me now."
She urged him on top of her, spread her legs, and guided him to her entrance. His cock slipped into her easily. A few thrusts was all it took. He groaned, released and rested his chin on her shoulder with his face buried in her soft hair.
As his seed gushed into her passage, her incisors changed to fangs. She battled the urge to bite him that grew stronger with each pulse of his cock. Elina bit her lip then clamped her mouth closed. Tears stung her eyes.
I will not bite him, I will not.
Jared rolled to his side pulling her with him and while they remained joined. He brushed his lips to hers. "You're crying. Did I do something to hurt you?"
She shook her head then realized he couldn't see her. With each passing moment, her fangs shrunk more and finally she was able to speak. "No, Jared, no, They're tears of joy."
"I have a request to add to yours. When we fuck the next time, I want to do it beside the fire. I want to see the beautiful woman I'm making love with."
"Lovemaking? Not just fucking?"
"Lovemaking."
Jared pulled out of her and stood. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. Scooping up the blanket, he pulled her to the cave entrance. He stoked the fire into flames once more then spread out the blanket beside it. He sprawled out on the blanket then rolled to his side. He patted the spot beside him urging her to her back when she complied. For a moment that was far too brief to suit her, he brushed his lips to hers. Jared drew back and gazed into her eyes. He lightly grazed his fingers along her neck, through the curvature and out along her shoulder. After doing this several times, he smoothed his hand along her arm then traced it along her curves from ribs to knees and back, first on one side then the other.
"You're beautiful you know," he whispered.
Maybe right now I am outwardly but inside —
Her dismal thought ceased abruptly when he gently glided his fingers over her left breast in ever shrinking circles. His feather soft touch almost tickled, but at the same time sent her arousal up another notch. By the time he touched her nipple, it was peaked and stiff. He pinched it between his fingers, the slight pain a wonderful contrast to his light caresses. Jason moved his attention to her other breast showering it with the same affection. All the while, he never shifted his gaze from her eyes.
He smoothed his hand over her flat stomach and circled a finger around her navel. Moving his fingers further down, he glided them over her lower stomach and beside her folds but strategically never touching them. Her skin tingled beneath his gentle touch. The embers remaining from their previous coupling soared into a raging inferno of desire.
An involuntary moan tumbled from her lips when he traced two fingers over her bare and tender folds. Already wet from before, her channel flooded in anticipation.
"Are you getting ready for me," he whispered.
"Ready! God Jared, if you don't fuck me soon, I'm going to seize control and rape you."
He grinned and pulled her on top of him. She reached behind her, held his cock in place, and eased herself back until she was fully impaled. Pleasure rippled over her as his hard length sunk into her willing body, inch by inch. He began sliding in and out of her with slow easy strokes. Strokes that would drive her to madness if he did not take her quicker, quick enough to match the desire coursing through her. Elina braced her hands on his shoulders, and gazed down at his blue eyes slightly darker in shade than her own.
Her hips rocked quickly matching his thrusts. At the pinnacle of each stroke, when his shaft was penetrating her the deepest, she ground against him to each side, forward and back and around in circles savoring the feeling of their union. Sparks of pleasure danced along her skin, as every motion of his dick pushed her closer to release.
"God you feel good." Another moan poured over her lips.
"So do you."
The growing climax within her erupted without further warning, and shredded her completely. Ripples of intense pleasure rolled the length of her body, along her neck, down to her curling toes, and back up again. Her inner thighs trembled against his hips, and her fingernails bit into his shoulders. She gave thanks they were not the claws of her demon form.
But we wouldn't be doing this if I were in my demon form.
Jared's cock swelled within her and she knew the unmistakable sign he was about to unload. He erupted, pulsing his seed into her. In the past, even before becoming a demon, when a man came in her, it signaled the lovemaking session was over. Sometimes she had climaxed already, though rarely, sometimes she been left unfulfilled. When Adam had made her a demon, she couldn't recall a single time she had climaxed.
One look into his eyes told her this meant far more to him than simple release, a culmination of physical stimulation. The delivery of his load in her was an offering. A thing of him that he wished to share with her in the most intimate way possible.
Her thoughts and the feeling of his seed pulsing into her, caused emotions to race through her mind. These emotions ignited the still glowing embers of her previous climax into a raging inferno, as if pouring gasoline on a dying fire. She cried out in ecstasy, something she had never done before. Her climaxes had been rare in the past, and a back to back one, was unheard of, but another had seized her this time, and it was even more intense than the last, it was incredible, because this one was emotionally fueled. She pitched forward pressing her lips to his feverishly, delving her tongue deep into his mouth just as his cock was deep in her channel. She remained in the euphoric state of climax far longer than she had ever done in the past. The intensity of it held nothing in her past experiences to compare with. The grip her climax held on her slowly faded away leaving her perspiring and breathing heavily.
Elina propped herself up and sat perched on top of him with her hands braced on his shoulders. They were still wonderfully united. Their bodies glistened with sweat and she basked in the afterglow. The urge to bite him had been much easier to overcome this time. Her long hair shrouded her head and his. Dim light from the flickering fire shown between the strands of her hair and permitted them to see each other's faces
"God, that was," she paused, searching for something to compare and came up blank. "beyond describing," she completed her sentence.
"You took those words right out of my mouth." He smiled.
"I wish we had a glass of fine wine to celebrate the wonderful thing we just did."
Jared chuckled. "Sorry ma'am, the only thing the bar has to offer is a glass of water."
Her expression sobered. "Jared I feel I need to tell you something. There have been a number of men in my past, I haven't been a virgin since high school, but none of them ever made love to me. I never made love with them. What we just did was, magical."
"Elina now that we're intimate I'd like to know a little about your past. You know much of mine, but you've always avoided telling me about yours."
She stiffened. "I'd rather not talk about it. Let's just say it isn't a pleasant one. I'm not a good person."
"I don't believe you're not a good person."
"Maybe someday I'll tell you my ugly story, but right now, I'd rather get you hard and make love again."
She tightened the muscles of her channel and pulled on his flaccid member. "Think you're up to another round?"
Chapter Four
Elina concentrated on the new skirt she was sewing, with the passage of months since Jared's arrival, her skill had vastly improved. His clothing had rotted away to be replaced with her creations. Elina sighed and smiled. It's hard to imagine not too long ago I didn't want anything that wasn't famous name brand and expensive to touch my body. But that was in another life, now I'm making my own clothes from the hides of animals I've killed. I have virtually no material things and I'm living the existence of a primitive, yet I'm the happiest I've ever been. She giggled. Maybe I should sew my name on these clothes.
For the first time in her life, she was in love, and better yet, Jared, was in love with her. With time, the urge to bite him and take his life had faded, until now it no longer existed. She thought of his gentle caring touch and the wonderful words of love he poured into her ears, words she returned with all of her heart. Life without Jared in it was unthinkable.
In her human form, she had been forced to adapt her hunting methods. She was still as strong and fast which she carefully hid from him, but she lacked claws and fangs to accomplish the kill. She glanced to the side at one of the bows and spears they had fashioned. She often went alone on hunts because it was faster but his skills had greatly improved. During his learning process, his actions had often brought on fits of laughter to both of them.
I have never laughed so much in my life. Sometimes so hard, it brings tears to my eyes.
She placed another stich using the needle and thread that had been in the emergency kit then glanced up at the sky. Time had little meaning, they had no way to measure it other than the passage of the sun.
No rain today.
She loved rainy days. They usually spent those days in a tangle of arms and legs. Sometimes their lovemaking was raw and passion filled, at others, it was gentle and filled with emotion.
I love both. I love it when we're joined.
Jared was down at the shore fishing. They loved each other but they also recognized the occasional need for solitude.
Jared burst into the clearing bringing an abrupt halt to her pleasant memories.
"A boat Elina, A boat. I launched flares and… Elina they're coming. They're a long ways out to sea but I could see the boat turn and it's headed this way."
He rushed across the sand, swooped her up into his arms, and spun in circles while covering her face with kisses. Jared sensed her lack of enthusiasm after a few moments and set her on her feet.
"Why aren't you excited?" He grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm's length.
She averted her gaze to the sand. "When we return to the mainland you'll leave me and go back to your old life," she lied.
"Elina, are you fucking serious? You are my life. I would never leave you… unless, you want me to leave."
"Never. I never want to be without you."
"Well then."
She forced a smile. "Go down to the shore and wait. If the boat is as far away as you say, it won't be here for several hours. I'll fix some lunch for us and join you."
He shook his head but then smiled. "Okay, but don't be long."
Jared dashed from the clearing heading for the beach. When he disappeared into the foliage, she hung her head again. Tears streamed from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. I can't go back to the mainland my love. Adam might find me and if he does, he will kill not only me, but also you. He'll probably kill you first just to hurt me.
She slowly gathered some of the jerky they had made and wrapped it along with some fruit in a large leaf. She slung one of their bladders filled with water over her shoulder. After casting a sad look at their home, her place of happiness, she trudged toward the beach.
More time had passed than she was aware of when she stopped just inside the foliage and watched. A yacht had anchored off shore and a smaller boat containing four men neared the beach. Elina squinted and focused on the small boat. She didn't like what she saw. The men were unsavory looking and all of them were armed with rifles, pistols, and knives.
A sense of foreboding caused her to hang back in the shadows. Too late, Jared also recognized the danger and cast a quick glance toward the camp before facing the approaching men.
The four men halted in front of Jared and one took a step forward while holding his rifle in a menacing position.
"What is your name?" he demanded in broken English.
"Who are you?" Jared asked in return.
"I'll ask the questions and you will answer them," the man growled and pointed his gun at Jared. "On your knees and I'll ask again. What is your name?"
Jared knelt as the man had commanded. "Jared."
Oh God, he's going to kill Jared. If only I had my demon form right now, but I never learned to change at will. Adam always caused me to change.
"Where is your boat and are there others here with you?"
"No boat, just that raft." Jared nodded toward the inflatable. "And I'm stranded here alone."
"Does your family have wealth?" the man asked in awkward English.
Rather than lie, for some reason Jared told the truth. "No."
Elina felt a strange sensation ripple through her. The vines holding up the clothes she wore, snapped and the clothing dropped to her feet. She glanced at her hand that held a leaf back so she could watch the scene on the beach and smiled. Claws.
"Then Jared you are of no use to us. I'll make your death quick." He aimed the rifle at Jared's head.
The man and his companions jerked their attention to the trees when a terrifying roar split the silence.
Their hesitation was Jared's salvation. Elina covered the twenty-yard distance separating her from the group in two rapid bounds. She grabbed Jared by his shirt and flung him to land rolling in the sand fifteen yards up the beach. The leader faced her in shock while raising his gun. He pulled the trigger at the same time as she decapitated him. The gun roared, a slug ripped into her side and exited her back. She didn't even flinch before roaring again and tearing into the remaining three men. Flashing claws and snapping fangs sent body parts flying in all directions without another shot being fired.
The battle was over in moments. Her wound stopped bleeding, closed, and vanished as if it had never been. Elina glared at the boat. There may be others there.
She plunged into the surf and swam under water coming to the surface on the far side of the boat. Grabbing the anchor chain, she hoisted herself on board. Two men stood at the railing watching the shore. They were still turning to face noise she had made upon landing when she tore into them. In heartbeats, their mutilated bodies tumbled into the water. She dove in and swam back to shore racing across the sand to Jared.
I hope I didn't injure him when I tossed him away.
***
Jared tumbled to a halt, and cleared the sand from his eyes. Raising on one elbow, he watched in shock as the terrifying creature shredded the men who held him at gunpoint moments before. The battle ended in moments, the horrible beast cast a momentary gaze at him, then plunged into the ocean.
Where did that thing come from? I should get up, warn Elina. At first, his limbs wouldn't obey his order to move. Finally, he was able to climb to his knees but it was too late. The creature had returned and approached.
He hung his head knowing it was useless trying to run. His only regret was not seeing her one last time. "Please be quick," he pleaded when the heavy breathing monster stopped in front of him.
"Are you okay," the thing asked in Elina's sweet musical voice. The creature dropped to its knees in front of him. "Please Jared, I know I look horrid but I love you and I would never hurt you."
Jared opened his eyes and ventured a look at the terrifying thing in front of him. It had to be nearly seven feet tall with deadly claws on its feet and hands. The creature had long frightening fangs. It was covered with dark green scales from head to toe and yet when he peered into them, the creatures blue eyes were the ones that mesmerized him every day.
"Elina?"
"Yes it's me."
"God."
"Please don't be afraid of me. I will understand if you don't look at me, but please don't be afraid."
"Elina I…I don't understand. How? What?" He shuddered but forced himself to look at her, focusing on her beautiful eyes.
"I'm going to tell you about my past, unbelievable as it may sound."
Jared sat back in the sand. The creature moved a few feet away and did the same.
She recounted her story starting with her vain and deceitful teenage years. "I was pretty on the outside but ugly and evil on the inside. I lied, cheated and stole."
She went on with her story telling him about Adam, what he was, how he had made her a demon too. "I'm not a nice person. I've corrupted and killed people." She ended her story by telling him of her punishment. "When I refused to take Mark's life, Adam became enraged at my defiance. Rather than kill me outright, he decided to make my suffering extend for years, and he banished me to this island. I dare not leave or he will kill me and if you're with me he will kill you too."
Jared alternately seethed in anger and cried in sorrow as her story unfolded.
"So now you know about me and why I can't go to the mainland. On the bright side, you have a boat now so you can leave this island and forget you ever knew the hideous thing named Elina."
"Elina, I won't leave without you."
While she told her story, the sun dipped lower and finally kissed the water.
"We'll talk more of this tomorrow, right now we need to go home before it gets dark."
They stood, he shuddered, then resolutely, stepped up next to her. She towered over him, the top of his head barely reached her chest. They trekked silently through the woods each silent, and lost in their own thoughts.
"Jared, I'm going to sleep in the jungle tonight. Being near me makes you uncomfortable."
"Damn-it Elina this is your home too you will not sleep in the woods."
"Compromise then, I'll sleep out here by the fire but I will not sleep in the cave with you. I'm ugly and frightening and that is how it is going to be. Either here by the fire or the jungle, you're choice."
"The fire then, but you should know I'm pissed."
She chuckled. "You aren't going to hit me are you? I would advise you not to, you might hurt your hand."
"Damn-it." He stalked off into the cave.
***
She sat in front of the fire in a morbid mood. "I wished for change to aid Jared against the pirates but now… Will I ever change back into the woman he loves?"
Gradually the fire died to embers and she slept.
She jolted awake at Jared's shout. "Elina! Elina! Oh thank God, Elina you're human again."
She sat up just in time to be crushed into the arms of the man she loved and have her face covered in tears and kisses. When she was finally able to speak without having her mouth silenced by his frantic kisses, she held him away.
"You know what I am now Jared. You should also know I have no idea if or when I will change forms again. We need to do things while I'm in human form."
"Elina I still love you even when you're in your demon form—"
She placed her finger on his lips. "We need to go out to the boat and check things out there. We can talk while we do."
She put on clothes and they left the clearing holding hands. They rode out to the anchored yacht in the small inflatable. There were a few pictures of a light complexioned couple and their two teenage kids scattered around the boat. Scraps of female clothing and bloodstains in both staterooms indicated the probable fate of the boats original owners. The details, they felt certain, were best left unknown.
"We'll leave tomorrow morning," he said.
She forced him to sit on the couch using strength she had hidden from him for months. "No, you will leave tomorrow. I'll stay here." She placed a finger to his lips to silence his protest. "You need to listen to me. You know what I am and I have no idea when or if I'll change again."
"But—"
"I'm not finished. It is too dangerous for me to go to the mainland, if Adam found out he would kill both of us."
"So we'll move somewhere and keep low profile."
"When you show up in this obviously stolen boat, there will be a lot of publicity. There is a good chance Adam will find out."
"Then I'll stay here."
Elina leaned in and kissed him. "I love you and I appreciate your noble offer but I have a better idea."
He grumbled. "I'm listening."
"When you get back you will doubtless have to prove you weren't the one that did this awful thing. We need to make up a plausible story to explain how you came to be in possession of this boat and the pirates are dead. The closer to the truth the story is, the easier it will be for you to tell the same one repeatedly."
"Okay that makes sense, but we could just as easily both be there telling the same story."
She took his hands and forced a smile on her lips. "This is the way I see things unfolding. You'll sail this boat to some port in Florida I assume. You can't just leave it floating and swim to shore, that would set off all kinds of alarms and bring in the coastguard. So that means you'll have to rent a slip to park it in. Now, we move to the next problem, you have no id because you lost your wallet when your boat sank. Maybe you can tell them a sob story about losing your wallet and get your id, in fact I'm certain you can—"
"Damn, I had a slip in Miami before we started leaving our boat in the Bahamas."
"Can't change that now. So, you get your id and park the boat, next problem is, you don't own this boat. There must be ownership papers or a registration somewhere on here but your name and the name on the registration won't match. That will trigger a call to the authorities. Piracy and theft are not unknown in these waters. We aren't professionals and I'm certain no matter how well we clean and go through things, we'll miss something. The professionals will find what we missed, I have no doubts about that. No matter how convincing your story is, they'll investigate, especially when they find out the owners are missing, and they will find out. That means the authorities will call in a forensics team. When that happens, you're fucked. They'll find clues to violence. Blood traces we missed, your DNA, Pirate DNA and the DNA of the owners for a few examples."
"Holy crap, how is it you know so much about police and forensics and everything else?"
"I'll tell you after I finish. In the end, you may well get locked up for a while but eventually they will believe your story, especially if it is close to the truth and you can tell the same one each time your questioned, when that happens they'll release you."
"I still don't like the idea of leaving you here."
"Adam," she reminded. "If I'm with you, he will find out. After the publicity dies down, you can drop out of the lime light. It may take a few months but you can do it, I know you can. Then you can resume a normal life and forget about this island and me."
"Never. Your solution sucks and I won't do it."
She grinned. "I figured that is what you'd say so I have a plan B. I'm not without wealth and Adam is unaware I have the funds stashed away. I'll give you my pass code. There is more than enough in the account to buy a boat. You can equip it and return here. We can either live here, which would be the safest, or we can sneak onto the mainland and spend the rest of our lives hiding, but at least we'd be together."
"I like your plan B much better although I hate the thought of being away from you for any length of time."
"But what I suggest is the best way and you know it. I'd like to make love to you tonight here on the boat but I don't want to risk leaving any trace of me onboard, that would complicate things. I'd also like to keep a few things such as a blanket and pillow. Those won't be missed but I would like a soft pillow since my normal one won't be here."
He guided her to a seat at the table. "Now I want to know how you know so much about cops and forensics. Did you take courses in college or something?"
She refused to look in his eyes and averted hers to stare at the tabletop instead. "Or something."
"I'm waiting to hear about the, or something."
"There was a guy in college. He was taking medical investigation classes. He wasn't like the other guys I went out with, he wasn't just interested in getting into my pants, he liked to talk to me too. He was interested in my mind, not just my body. He told me a lot about the classes he was taking."
"I see, that's how you know so much. Do you know what happened to him?"
"I have no idea. I only went out with him a few times. I seldom went out with anyone more than a few times. He was too nice to me. I could have easily developed emotions for him, and that I didn't want, I just wanted the material things a guy would buy me and in turn I gave them what they wanted. No emotions and no strings. They spent the bucks and I gave the fucks. I told you I'm not a nice person."
He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up so she was forced to look at his eyes. "Maybe not then, but I know you are now."
As they gathered the items to stay with her, they came across a video camera. The pirates had filmed themselves and their actions. The film was sickening to watch but it would provide strong evidence that Jared was not the killer. Their lovemaking beside the fire that night was bittersweet and filled with emotion.
The next morning they stood on the beach in front of the small boat. "I hate leaving you here alone, you know that don't you Elina?"
She smiled through her tears. "I lived here alone for months before you showed up. You're forgetting what I am. I'm the most fearsome predator on this island. The top of the food chain. The animals here fear me, not the other way around. I'll be fine. Now go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back."
After lengthy goodbyes and many tearful kisses, Jared sailed away.
***
Months passed and loneliness caused her to break down in tears often. During his absence, she experimented and after much practice, she was able to change between her human form and demon form a will. She slept on the mat they had shared with her pillow and a set of his clothes. Ones she had made for him. She remained ever confident of his return.
Elina strolled along the beach gazing out on the ocean as she did daily. She turned and retraced her steps intending to head back to camp when she spotted it. The it, was just a small speck on the horizon but it was without doubt a boat. It grew closer and she retreated into the jungle. She shifted into her demon form and waited in silence in case the boat contained more pirates.
The yacht dropped anchor and a few minutes later a small inflatable dinghy left it. The small boat came closer to the shore and her heart hammered. The man steering it was Jared. She dashed out on the beach filled with joy and met him as he beached the dinghy.
Jared grinned at her. "Well don't you look lovely. You'll excuse me if I don't hug and kiss you."
Only now did she realize she was still in her demon form. She shifted. "How about now? Will you kiss me now?"
His answer wasn't verbal. He pulled her in his arms and squeezed her tight while devouring her lips and mouth with his. He broke their kiss and held her at arm's length. "Damn, you're beautiful. And I love that you have met me without a stitch of clothes on."
Elina smiled. When she had changed to her demon form, the vines holding on her clothes had snapped and they had fallen away. She hadn't even noticed in her excitement. She remembered long ago when they had first met how she had acted modest and ducked back into the bushes when he had seen her naked. Not this time. She smiled up at him. "What you see is what you get. Your little savage monster."
"I'm resisting the urge to throw you down right here in the sand and make passionate love to you, but I won't. I've been promising myself since I sailed out of Miami that the first time would be in the soft bed of our new boat. Or I should say your new boat, since you paid for it."
"Our new boat. And I want to see it."
He helped her in the dingy and they cruised out to the yacht where he assisted her onboard.
"Tour later, bed now," she said.
When they parted hours later, he showed her the rest of the yacht. When they finished the tour, he took a bottle from the cupboard. He poured two glasses and handed one to her.
"I believe the lady once told me she liked fine wine. I hope this meets with her approval."
Elina took a sip and smiled. "Excellent, of course even if it were cheap wine, if you were serving it, it would be excellent."
Jared turned his back to her and took something from the drawer beside him. When he turned to face her again, he held a small box. Dropping to one knee, he opened it and held it out to her. "Will you marry me?"
Elina looked at the diamond engagement ring with a fluttering heart and butterflies going mad in her stomach. "Yes," she whispered. Then louder she said, "Yes, yes, yes."
When he removed the ring, she saw it was attached to a gold necklace.
"I'd like to put this ring on your finger but I didn't know which form you'd be in so I put it on a necklace. That way you can wear it no matter which form you're in."
He slipped it around her neck and fastened the clasp. "Tomorrow we pack and the next day we head for the mainland."
"Jared, love, remember Adam. It's too dangerous."
He smiled. "No it isn't. I did some snooping and made a few discrete inquiries while I was gone. Adam is dead, killed by another demon. No one is looking for you. They don't even know you're still alive."
"Oh my God. We're free, we can live our lives without fear. I just have to make certain I don't change into my demon form where anyone can see." She tilted her glass and finished her wine in a single gulp. "That is no way to drink fine wine to say nothing of being very unlady like, but I don't feel like being a lady. Jared, take me back to that soft bed and let's fuck so hard we just might break the bed."
The end
Added April 11, 2015
Growing Up in Querque (an unedited free read)
By G.E. Stills
A friend asked me to write down my memories of the teenage years in Albuquerque. Wow, such a vast undertaking. The memories, at least some of them, are crystal clear and at the same time, some of them are clouded, murky, like seeing them through a hazy thick fog.
These memories are fun, exciting, painful and tragic. They reach from wonderful floating among the clouds, highs to the deepest darkest and lowest of despairs. So where do I start. Certainly not in any semblance of chronological order. Memories simply don’t work that way.
When I was very young. A little boy, my parents took me with them to the drive-in theater. Do you remember those? Mom popped a bag of pop-corn, I can’t remember for sure if we took cokes or bought them at the snack bar. They were nowhere near as expensive as they are now. If I remember right they were less than a buck for the 32oz size.
The show was of course in black and white. I remember it well. I had nightmares about it for weeks. The show was Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock. Going to the drive-in was for the most part, all the entertainment our family had. Mom and Dad were constantly buying savings bonds and saving to buy a farm in Nebraska. But I’m going back too far. This is supposed to be about the teen years.
I went to Ernie Pyle Middle School. Back then mid schools covered grades 7,8 and 9. I rode a bus each day. Mom and Dad both worked so from the 7th grade I was a latch key child. Each morning I had to lock up the house and walk to the bus stop a block away. I carried a sack lunch of course, along with my books. No backpacks back then. You carried your books under your arm if you were a guy or against your chest if you were a girl.
Boys and girls rode separate buses. No mixing of gender back then. I recall one time on the way home from school, we were acting up. I don’t remember what we were doing but it angered the bus driver. She ordered all of us off the bus and made us walk home. She just left us there and went back to wherever she parked the bus. I’m certain it was less than a mile but it seemed like ten. So a bus load of boys walked home. We separated when we reached the housing development going our separate ways in smaller groups.
While taking a new route one day, we passed another school bus going the opposite direction and busing boys from a rival school, John Adams. The next day we were ready. We bombarded their bus with tomatoes, peaches, sandwiches made for our lunches and any other food item we could lay our hands on. We didn’t get caught by the bus driver that day. The next day of course the John Adams boys reciprocated. During the seconds spent passing each other’s busses an all out war was waged. We got caught this time and of course were lectured and punished. We had to clean the bus, both inside and out until it was spotless. After that, the powers that be, changed the bus routes so we no longer met.
Then there was another time, in the morning, when one of the boys had the bright idea of causing the bus to get a flat tire. The reasoning was, it would seriously delay our getting to school. The boy put a board with nails driven through it, under one of the pairs of rear tires, flattening both. It worked. By the time we reached the last bus stop, the tires were flat. No cell phones or any other type of mobile communication devises back then. We had to wait until the girls bus got to school and that driver reported the problem.
They sent out another bus and yes, we were late for school. We also got chewed out and received major punishment, though I don’t remember exactly what it was. The entire bus load got punished. In addition we were forced to provide our own transportation to and from school for a week.
That of course got our parents involved. It caused them a major imposition. They had to find a way to get their kid back and forth to school. Taking turns car pooling to deliver kids, each of the parents had to arrange to be late to work or get off early. To say the least our parents were not happy. The words Hell Hath no Fury comes to mind. Back then, the punishment meted out by the school, though harsh, could not even compare to the wrath of a pissed off parent. Needless to say, there were no more incidents with nails.
I mentioned the punishment school dished out but failed to provide details. Back then, the punishment that was meted out wasn’t in the form of simple detention. Oh yes, they had that, but that was reserved for very minor infractions of their rules. The main method of discipline was called the Board of Education. If someone acted up in class the female teacher would send the culprit to the principle’s office. If the teacher was male, well, he meted out his own punishment.
Now I don’t know what the girls received but I know what the boys did. At the principal’s you were called into his office. There, you were instructed to empty your back pockets, bend over and grab your ankles with your hands. The Board of Education sang through the air and delivered blows to your butt. These boards were lovingly designed. Some were shellacked. Some were carefully crafted with designs carved in them and painted. Most were fashioned in wood shop by, you guessed it, students. Many had holes drilled through them to allow increased speed through the air and additional sting when they landed. To say nothing of the fact your tender skin often squirted into the holes to add to the pain. Geez.
The number of whacks you received was determined by the severity of the infraction you had committed. Believe me, one trip to the principles office, left a long lasting impression. You were not so anxious to commit another infraction any time soon. Of course some of the teachers abused the delivering of this punishment. I remember one in particular. My shop teacher in the 8th grade. He bragged that no one got out of his classes by the end of the years without getting the board at least once. No matter how well you conformed to and followed the rules. The gym teachers, coaches, delivered the board themselves.
Okay so now I’ve mentioned gym. Gym was mandatory all through mid school. We played flag football, track, basketball and most other sports dependant on the season. You dressed out each day in you gym clothes. Unless you had a damn good excuse, not dressing out was considered a violation of the rules punishable by…you guessed it, The Board. At the end of gym class you were required to take a shower.
I remember this one poor guy. He was not popular. Don’t know why. Probably wore the wrong color of clothes or something equally silly. Anyway, a group of boys grabbed him while he was taking his obligatory shower. Kicking and screaming, and entirely naked, they carried him across the hall and shoved him into the girl's locker room. I have no idea where the coaches were. Probably in their office talking to their wives, girlfriends or something but we didn’t get caught. As the group of us stood at the doorway to the separating hall, we were treated to numerous female screams and one male one under extreme duress.
This new form of entertainment went on for several days with a new guy chosen each time. A new guy had been selected and was being cornered in preparation. Imagine our surprise, when suddenly the hall door burst open. A naked girl was shoved into our locker room. This time the hall and our locker room, overflowed with male shouts and a single female cry of absolute terror. On the down side, we got caught. The coaches must have finished their phone calls or what ever they had been doing. I don’t remember what it was, but of course we were punished and our new game came to a screeching halt.
In the dead of winter, between basketball and before the weather warmed enough to go outside to play other sports, we were forced into the most dreadful thing imaginable. We were forced to square dance each day at gym class with yucky girls. God we guys hated that. Although I’m certain it was only a month, or maybe a month and a half, in duration, it seemed to go on forever. I’m certain the girls, at least many of them, felt the same. So you had a choice, either you picked a partner each day, or the coaches did it for you. Jesus, you even had to touch the girls. Hold their hands sometimes and even hold them around the waist when you promenaded. Talk about punishment.
Then late in the 8th or early in the 9th grade, something happened. It took place seemingly insidiously but at the same time overnight. They changed from cooty infested, pains in the asses that smelled strange and always tattled on you, getting you in trouble to…girls. Girls that were suddenly attractive, smelled nice and dressed nice. God help us boys.
Of course we boys didn’t know how to deal with this. Our new awareness was manifested by looking at them in a new light. We didn’t do much of anything other than we wrote our favorite girls name on our textbook covers. Covers that were made from paper grocery sacks. The ones that were shy, wrote the names inside the cover. Those more daring, scribbled them across the outside. They decorated them with pictures drawn of flowers and hearts, colored their names in different shades etc. When a girl saw her name written on a guy’s books, and she like the guy, she would write his name on her own books. That was all, no interaction with the girl herself. That would be way too much.
Of course when others saw the names, you got teased severely, by both other guys and the once yucky girls. When you became attracted to a different girl, you changed book covers and wrote a new name on them. Simple as that. I had several names on my books over the course of the year. Doing this, was as far as it went for me, at least in the 8th grade. I got more daring in the 9th.
So the 9th grade year arrived and with it, for the first time, an actual girlfriend. Well sort of. What did a boy do? Why of course, he walked with her from one class to the next and carried her books. That was huge. The only other interaction you had with her was the occasional secret phone call you made to her or she made to you, at home. That’s all. Nothing more.
It happened to me in the later half of the year. Her name was Sherry. I diligently walked her to each class and carried her books. Now that I look back our relationship was just a friendship and not a girlfriend- boyfriend one. She had a girlfriend that was always with us. For every step and all the time. I never even held hands with Sherry, too busy carrying her books. At the end of the year, Sherry and I parted for the summer, and since she went to a different high school, due to living in a different area, we never saw each other again.
With graduation from the 9th grade I went to a new, just built, High School. West Mesa. What was really bad was our former rivals from John Adams went to the same school. Talk about trying to mix oil with water. There were numerous fights that first year. Not knives and guns like now, just fist fights. They were quickly squelched too. Teachers were not powerless in those days. The male teachers broke up those fights, often forcefully and were not punished or censured for doing so. And of course, the parents didn’t condemn the teachers. They instead punished their child. The combination of aggressive teachers and angry parents soon brought the fights to an end.
School also transitioned at this time. Junior high, (mid school) added 6th grade and 9th grade was changed and now was part of high school. Because of this, I was never a lower classman. I started out in the middle as a 10th grader. The first year of operation West Mesa didn’t have a senior class.
We had a dress code in those days. Boys wore sport pants and sport shirts. Their hair could not touch their ears. If the hair did, the boy was sent home and told not to return until his hair length met requirements. Once again, a large imposition for the parents. Needless to say, the hair got cut.
Girls. Oh my God. They had a dress code too. Dresses or skirts and a full coverage blouse. Of course they did test this. Their blouses no longer had collars up around their necks and their dresses and skirts were no longer knee length or longer. The girls even developed something under their blouses called boobs. Different sizes, at different ages, with different girls, but all of them absolutely fascinating to a boy with a newfound appreciation for the female anatomy.
The necklines got lower and the hemlines became shorter. Some of the hemlines mid-thigh in shortness. Some of the blouses had necklines that plunged low enough to reveal the beginnings of what was called a cleavage.
The teaching staff took a dim view of the plunging necklines and shortened hemlines. The punishment for the girls was the same as for a boy with long hair. Much to the disappointment of us boys, a girls plunging neckline and short hemline usually didn’t last long. Damn! There were absolutely no blue jeans or shorts allowed for boys or girls.
I had several girlfriends early in the 10th grade but none of the relationships lasted long. A matter of a few weeks or months at most. When you have no transportation other than your parents and don’t see a girl other than at school, it doesn’t make for much of a relationship.
And then in about the middle of the year, I met her. Ancilla! She had reddish-brown shoulder length hair, fantastic brown eyes that glistened brightly with humor and I could get lost in for days. If I remember right she had a few freckles on each side of her nose. She was slender as a rail and yes, she had those delicious looking bumps under her blouse or sweater. Lord I loved that girl. If I was a cat, she was my catnip.
Things weren’t easy. She didn’t live in the same housing area as me. She lived a long ways away in fact. At least a long distance away when you have no transportation. We managed to get around it though, I spent every moment I could with her when I walked her to class. Often I was late to mine. Yes, I got in trouble for that but I didn’t care.
What made it even better, was she didn’t seem to care that when we went to the movies downtown, or a concert at the civic auditorium, my parents had to chauffer us. Her parents and mine were very understanding too, because at that time I think both of us were only 14. We had so much fun when we were together. I remember going to see the Graduate with her. Our parents had no idea how racy that film was. Well racy at that time. We both enjoyed the crap out of it and if I remember right, that was when I got my first kiss from a girl. Yes she was my first kiss. Never forgot that.
Everything was going great. Did I say before, I was in love with that girl. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life to my way of thinking. Funny, entertaining and I was totally and willingly under her spell. Other than going to classes we had that weren’t together, we were inseparable each day. We spent many a night talking on the phone. Late at night after our parents were asleep and all night long. About what I have no idea. How can you talk for hours and really say nothing.
Our late night conversations were not always joyful. Ancilla had an older brother and he was in Viet Nam. She missed him a lot and was worried about him. I don’t even remember his name just that he was missing and overdue to return home. I never heard if he got back from over there and I fear he didn’t. I offered her what comfort I could.
Sometimes we’d walk home after school. She’d skip her bus and I’d skip mine. Together we’d walk to her house, about a mile from school. We’d spend time sitting on the couch at her house, pretending to watch TV or doing our home work. My mother picked me up on her way home from work. Boys and girls were not allowed to take the opposite sex into their rooms back then. When Anacilla’s mom wasn’t in the room watching, we’d hold hands and even steal brief kisses.
Then things went to crap. Sherry, remember her? The one I walked to class in the 9th grade. Turns out she had a boyfriend. A guy that was a freshmen in college. He had to be at least 19 and her 13 or 14. Yep, I know. Even back then there were laws against that.
He found out that I was walking her to class in the 9th grade. He was jealous. Even though I hadn’t seen or talked to her in nearly a year. I found out later that her girlfriend, the one that was always with us, told him. What she told him is anybody’s guess. He came to my school and confronted me on the steps as I exited for the day. In front of Ancilla of course. I don’t remember what he said, just that it was not complimentary. Ancilla got on her bus and I got on mine. I didn’t know it, but the guy followed my bus.
When I got off at the stop by my house, he started a fight with me. Needless to say, I got my butt kicked. The physical pain was nothing compared to what happened later. Ancilla called and broke up with me. I was decimated, crushed and was certain the end of the world had arrived. My world was at an end.
The next night I got a phone call from Sherry. She was pissed. Not at me but at her boyfriend. She must have really raked him over the coals. Sherry put him on the phone and he was obviously crying. She made him apologize to me and ask forgiveness. Sherry also informed me that her former girlfriend and she were friends no longer.
I forgave him. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. I had lost my Ancilla. For the months that followed, I had several girlfriends, but none of them could compare to Ancilla. School was a dismal affair that I trudged through daily.
There was one bright thing that happened over the months that passed. I got my ticket to freedom. It came in the form of a driver’s license. Along with that, came the privilege to drive the family car. On the weekends, with their permission. Once in a while, I was even allowed to drive the car to school. That was long before students had their own shiny new cars to drive back and forth to school. Before the ones in the student parking lot at school were newer than the ones in the teachers lot.
Now neither of the family cars, we had two, was the GTO or Charger I wanted but what the heck, beggars can’t be choosers. Our cars were a 60 Buick LeSaber and a 65 Ford Falcon. I drove the Falcon most often. I’m sure I told my friends the car was mine, that I owned it. Of course that was a lie and everyone knew it.
Friday night or Saturday, when I could wangle the car from my parents, was a trip to the light fantastic. There were usually four of us boys that went. We all put on the best looking duds we had from our limited wardrobe. Spruced up our short hair and headed out at about 7 pm. Everyone divvied up their fifty cents and we put $2 worth of gas in the car. That bought more than enough to last all night. Gas was about 25 cents per gallon back then. I even recall gas price wars. Remember those… I even rememb when gas got down as cheap as 19 cents per gallon.
Anyway, we put our $2 dollars in and went to cruise the strip. The most popular strip was the one that went from Frank’s drive-in on Menaul to Vips Big Boy on Central Ave. Both were drive in restaurants where you could drive through sort of like Sonic. So yes, we drove through. From one restaurant to another. Sometime during the evening, we usually stopped at one or the other and bought cokes. Provided funds allowed. I got an allowance of $1 dollar per week. Now you take away fifty cents for gas, that doesn’t leave much. But then, cokes were cheap. I don’t remember for sure but I would guess in the range of 15 to 20 cents, I know you could get them out of a machine for 10 cents.
We spent the night cruising between the two places and…you guessed it, looking at girls, driving in their parent’s cars and looking at guys. Very seldom did we do more than holler smart remarks at each other when carloads of guys and girls passed. The girls wore the sexiest outfits they could sneak out of the house with. In fact they usually changed clothes after leaving home. I found that out later. (grin)
All night long we went back and forth. I don’t ever remember meeting up with a single girl during those times. There were a few couples that were in the procession on the strip but for the most part there were guys in one car and girls in another and never the twain did meet.
We had to be home by midnight. That was the curfew imposed by the city, but more importantly, imposed by our parents. It really didn’t matter though, because the drive-ins closed at eleven. Everything with the exception of a few circle K’s and 7 to 11’s was closed by eleven.
We went roller skating at skating rinks. I went ice skating once but soon found that my ankles were too weak for that. Sometimes we went to the drive-in theater. There was a wealth of choices there. Terrace, Tesuque, Wyoming, Circle, Duke City, 66 Drive-in, Cactus, Sunset, Star and there may have been others I can’t remember. I don’t know what the normal admission price was because we usually scoped out the ones that were $1 per carload. Let me tell you, when we drove in, the car was certainly loaded. Usually by at least ten kids. That was long before the seatbelt laws too. Once in the theater, the car unloaded. The excess kids took a seat on the benches in front of the snack bar or just wondered around socializing and didn’t return until the movie was over.
It was easy to tell which cars had teenage couples on a date. The windows were usually steamed up so bad, even in the summer, there was no way those inside could possibly see out to watch the movie. When I took a date, rather than a passel of kids, I quite often steamed up the windows myself.
At the beginning of the 11th grade, I was in heaven again. Ancilla and I got back together. We thoroughly enjoyed my new found freedom. And yes, we steamed up the windows of my car quite often. I’ll never forget one outfit she had. It was my favorite. A mini-skirt, white with brown paisley print and made of vinyl. Her sweater was a brown turtle neck and it was wonderfully tight. It’s really funny to look back on now. We never went further than kissing. Deep passionate kisses to be sure. Hours of them. I never went further than touching her boobs though. On the outside of her blouse or sweater. We definitely steamed up the windows whenever she wore that outfit though.
Sadness and heartbreak returned once more. Ancilla and I broke up again. This was to be the final time. Though we remained on speaking terms, we never dated again. I’m certain our breakup was probably over something stupid I did or said but I don’t remember what it was. It may have had something to do with two new friends I started hanging out with. Rolando and Bill.
The three of us quickly became almost inseparable. In looking back now, I’m almost certain that Rolando and Bill were gay. I didn’t see that at the time though and this was long before gays came out of the closet. They were simply my best friends. Rolando had a Plymouth Valiant and he drove like a maniac. The first ride I took with him, he scared the bejesus out of me. As time went on, I began driving much the same. Stupid, reckless and risky.
Bill got killed while working at his fathers business and his death crushed, Rolando. He moved to Florida. So now I was without a steady girlfriend and my two best friends were gone. Depressed, doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. .I dated a number of girls but none of them created the fire in my stomach or the rapid beat of my heart like Ancilla.
I got my first job. I worked about ten to twenty hours per week at night. I was rich. I made a whole 85 cents per hour. Later, I was promoted to night manager and got a raise. I was now making 90 cents per hour.
I also discovered a teenage nightclub. It was called Carnaby 66 and located just inside the Sandia mountain pass called Tijeras canyon. It was set up much like an adult nightclub but didn’t serve any alcohol of course. It was very loud, very smoky and always packed. I say smoky, because many teens smoked at the time, myself included. This was long before the dangers of cigarette smoking were known. It was a very acceptable habit. Carnaby 66 was also full of potential dates. For the first time I became acquainted with boys and girls from all over the city and not just my high school area.
Besides smoking, I started doing something else. Drinking. Yes I know it’s illegal for a minor to drink. I also know that it goes on all the time to this day. One thing I never did though was drugs. They were available. Mostly pot, Acid or LSD or heroin. I never had any interest in them. Too busy getting drunk probably. (grin) I smoked an occasional joint but that was when I was in the Army. I never did drugs while I was a teen.
Midway through my 11th grade year I made a series of stupid moves. First I ran away from home. That didn’t last long. I ran to Nebraska, to a town filled with my relatives. I was sent home quickly. Next I dropped out of school. That was a very bad mistake. Then, almost equally bad, I met a girl and we got married. I’m not saying the girl was bad, just that we were both too young. The future was dim to say the least. No prospect of getting a good job and married.
I worked for a while as a tire buster at a local tire shop and then did what so many teens at that age in those times did. I went into the Army and after schooling for a year was shipped to Viet Nam. I was barely 18 and overseas in a war zone. During the tour, I got divorced. Our marriage never had much chance, I was gone most of the time in the service. I changed in that year overseas. Even though I was still less than twenty, I stopped being a teenager and became an adult.
Growing Up in Querque (an unedited free read)
By G.E. Stills
A friend asked me to write down my memories of the teenage years in Albuquerque. Wow, such a vast undertaking. The memories, at least some of them, are crystal clear and at the same time, some of them are clouded, murky, like seeing them through a hazy thick fog.
These memories are fun, exciting, painful and tragic. They reach from wonderful floating among the clouds, highs to the deepest darkest and lowest of despairs. So where do I start. Certainly not in any semblance of chronological order. Memories simply don’t work that way.
When I was very young. A little boy, my parents took me with them to the drive-in theater. Do you remember those? Mom popped a bag of pop-corn, I can’t remember for sure if we took cokes or bought them at the snack bar. They were nowhere near as expensive as they are now. If I remember right they were less than a buck for the 32oz size.
The show was of course in black and white. I remember it well. I had nightmares about it for weeks. The show was Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock. Going to the drive-in was for the most part, all the entertainment our family had. Mom and Dad were constantly buying savings bonds and saving to buy a farm in Nebraska. But I’m going back too far. This is supposed to be about the teen years.
I went to Ernie Pyle Middle School. Back then mid schools covered grades 7,8 and 9. I rode a bus each day. Mom and Dad both worked so from the 7th grade I was a latch key child. Each morning I had to lock up the house and walk to the bus stop a block away. I carried a sack lunch of course, along with my books. No backpacks back then. You carried your books under your arm if you were a guy or against your chest if you were a girl.
Boys and girls rode separate buses. No mixing of gender back then. I recall one time on the way home from school, we were acting up. I don’t remember what we were doing but it angered the bus driver. She ordered all of us off the bus and made us walk home. She just left us there and went back to wherever she parked the bus. I’m certain it was less than a mile but it seemed like ten. So a bus load of boys walked home. We separated when we reached the housing development going our separate ways in smaller groups.
While taking a new route one day, we passed another school bus going the opposite direction and busing boys from a rival school, John Adams. The next day we were ready. We bombarded their bus with tomatoes, peaches, sandwiches made for our lunches and any other food item we could lay our hands on. We didn’t get caught by the bus driver that day. The next day of course the John Adams boys reciprocated. During the seconds spent passing each other’s busses an all out war was waged. We got caught this time and of course were lectured and punished. We had to clean the bus, both inside and out until it was spotless. After that, the powers that be, changed the bus routes so we no longer met.
Then there was another time, in the morning, when one of the boys had the bright idea of causing the bus to get a flat tire. The reasoning was, it would seriously delay our getting to school. The boy put a board with nails driven through it, under one of the pairs of rear tires, flattening both. It worked. By the time we reached the last bus stop, the tires were flat. No cell phones or any other type of mobile communication devises back then. We had to wait until the girls bus got to school and that driver reported the problem.
They sent out another bus and yes, we were late for school. We also got chewed out and received major punishment, though I don’t remember exactly what it was. The entire bus load got punished. In addition we were forced to provide our own transportation to and from school for a week.
That of course got our parents involved. It caused them a major imposition. They had to find a way to get their kid back and forth to school. Taking turns car pooling to deliver kids, each of the parents had to arrange to be late to work or get off early. To say the least our parents were not happy. The words Hell Hath no Fury comes to mind. Back then, the punishment meted out by the school, though harsh, could not even compare to the wrath of a pissed off parent. Needless to say, there were no more incidents with nails.
I mentioned the punishment school dished out but failed to provide details. Back then, the punishment that was meted out wasn’t in the form of simple detention. Oh yes, they had that, but that was reserved for very minor infractions of their rules. The main method of discipline was called the Board of Education. If someone acted up in class the female teacher would send the culprit to the principle’s office. If the teacher was male, well, he meted out his own punishment.
Now I don’t know what the girls received but I know what the boys did. At the principal’s you were called into his office. There, you were instructed to empty your back pockets, bend over and grab your ankles with your hands. The Board of Education sang through the air and delivered blows to your butt. These boards were lovingly designed. Some were shellacked. Some were carefully crafted with designs carved in them and painted. Most were fashioned in wood shop by, you guessed it, students. Many had holes drilled through them to allow increased speed through the air and additional sting when they landed. To say nothing of the fact your tender skin often squirted into the holes to add to the pain. Geez.
The number of whacks you received was determined by the severity of the infraction you had committed. Believe me, one trip to the principles office, left a long lasting impression. You were not so anxious to commit another infraction any time soon. Of course some of the teachers abused the delivering of this punishment. I remember one in particular. My shop teacher in the 8th grade. He bragged that no one got out of his classes by the end of the years without getting the board at least once. No matter how well you conformed to and followed the rules. The gym teachers, coaches, delivered the board themselves.
Okay so now I’ve mentioned gym. Gym was mandatory all through mid school. We played flag football, track, basketball and most other sports dependant on the season. You dressed out each day in you gym clothes. Unless you had a damn good excuse, not dressing out was considered a violation of the rules punishable by…you guessed it, The Board. At the end of gym class you were required to take a shower.
I remember this one poor guy. He was not popular. Don’t know why. Probably wore the wrong color of clothes or something equally silly. Anyway, a group of boys grabbed him while he was taking his obligatory shower. Kicking and screaming, and entirely naked, they carried him across the hall and shoved him into the girl's locker room. I have no idea where the coaches were. Probably in their office talking to their wives, girlfriends or something but we didn’t get caught. As the group of us stood at the doorway to the separating hall, we were treated to numerous female screams and one male one under extreme duress.
This new form of entertainment went on for several days with a new guy chosen each time. A new guy had been selected and was being cornered in preparation. Imagine our surprise, when suddenly the hall door burst open. A naked girl was shoved into our locker room. This time the hall and our locker room, overflowed with male shouts and a single female cry of absolute terror. On the down side, we got caught. The coaches must have finished their phone calls or what ever they had been doing. I don’t remember what it was, but of course we were punished and our new game came to a screeching halt.
In the dead of winter, between basketball and before the weather warmed enough to go outside to play other sports, we were forced into the most dreadful thing imaginable. We were forced to square dance each day at gym class with yucky girls. God we guys hated that. Although I’m certain it was only a month, or maybe a month and a half, in duration, it seemed to go on forever. I’m certain the girls, at least many of them, felt the same. So you had a choice, either you picked a partner each day, or the coaches did it for you. Jesus, you even had to touch the girls. Hold their hands sometimes and even hold them around the waist when you promenaded. Talk about punishment.
Then late in the 8th or early in the 9th grade, something happened. It took place seemingly insidiously but at the same time overnight. They changed from cooty infested, pains in the asses that smelled strange and always tattled on you, getting you in trouble to…girls. Girls that were suddenly attractive, smelled nice and dressed nice. God help us boys.
Of course we boys didn’t know how to deal with this. Our new awareness was manifested by looking at them in a new light. We didn’t do much of anything other than we wrote our favorite girls name on our textbook covers. Covers that were made from paper grocery sacks. The ones that were shy, wrote the names inside the cover. Those more daring, scribbled them across the outside. They decorated them with pictures drawn of flowers and hearts, colored their names in different shades etc. When a girl saw her name written on a guy’s books, and she like the guy, she would write his name on her own books. That was all, no interaction with the girl herself. That would be way too much.
Of course when others saw the names, you got teased severely, by both other guys and the once yucky girls. When you became attracted to a different girl, you changed book covers and wrote a new name on them. Simple as that. I had several names on my books over the course of the year. Doing this, was as far as it went for me, at least in the 8th grade. I got more daring in the 9th.
So the 9th grade year arrived and with it, for the first time, an actual girlfriend. Well sort of. What did a boy do? Why of course, he walked with her from one class to the next and carried her books. That was huge. The only other interaction you had with her was the occasional secret phone call you made to her or she made to you, at home. That’s all. Nothing more.
It happened to me in the later half of the year. Her name was Sherry. I diligently walked her to each class and carried her books. Now that I look back our relationship was just a friendship and not a girlfriend- boyfriend one. She had a girlfriend that was always with us. For every step and all the time. I never even held hands with Sherry, too busy carrying her books. At the end of the year, Sherry and I parted for the summer, and since she went to a different high school, due to living in a different area, we never saw each other again.
With graduation from the 9th grade I went to a new, just built, High School. West Mesa. What was really bad was our former rivals from John Adams went to the same school. Talk about trying to mix oil with water. There were numerous fights that first year. Not knives and guns like now, just fist fights. They were quickly squelched too. Teachers were not powerless in those days. The male teachers broke up those fights, often forcefully and were not punished or censured for doing so. And of course, the parents didn’t condemn the teachers. They instead punished their child. The combination of aggressive teachers and angry parents soon brought the fights to an end.
School also transitioned at this time. Junior high, (mid school) added 6th grade and 9th grade was changed and now was part of high school. Because of this, I was never a lower classman. I started out in the middle as a 10th grader. The first year of operation West Mesa didn’t have a senior class.
We had a dress code in those days. Boys wore sport pants and sport shirts. Their hair could not touch their ears. If the hair did, the boy was sent home and told not to return until his hair length met requirements. Once again, a large imposition for the parents. Needless to say, the hair got cut.
Girls. Oh my God. They had a dress code too. Dresses or skirts and a full coverage blouse. Of course they did test this. Their blouses no longer had collars up around their necks and their dresses and skirts were no longer knee length or longer. The girls even developed something under their blouses called boobs. Different sizes, at different ages, with different girls, but all of them absolutely fascinating to a boy with a newfound appreciation for the female anatomy.
The necklines got lower and the hemlines became shorter. Some of the hemlines mid-thigh in shortness. Some of the blouses had necklines that plunged low enough to reveal the beginnings of what was called a cleavage.
The teaching staff took a dim view of the plunging necklines and shortened hemlines. The punishment for the girls was the same as for a boy with long hair. Much to the disappointment of us boys, a girls plunging neckline and short hemline usually didn’t last long. Damn! There were absolutely no blue jeans or shorts allowed for boys or girls.
I had several girlfriends early in the 10th grade but none of the relationships lasted long. A matter of a few weeks or months at most. When you have no transportation other than your parents and don’t see a girl other than at school, it doesn’t make for much of a relationship.
And then in about the middle of the year, I met her. Ancilla! She had reddish-brown shoulder length hair, fantastic brown eyes that glistened brightly with humor and I could get lost in for days. If I remember right she had a few freckles on each side of her nose. She was slender as a rail and yes, she had those delicious looking bumps under her blouse or sweater. Lord I loved that girl. If I was a cat, she was my catnip.
Things weren’t easy. She didn’t live in the same housing area as me. She lived a long ways away in fact. At least a long distance away when you have no transportation. We managed to get around it though, I spent every moment I could with her when I walked her to class. Often I was late to mine. Yes, I got in trouble for that but I didn’t care.
What made it even better, was she didn’t seem to care that when we went to the movies downtown, or a concert at the civic auditorium, my parents had to chauffer us. Her parents and mine were very understanding too, because at that time I think both of us were only 14. We had so much fun when we were together. I remember going to see the Graduate with her. Our parents had no idea how racy that film was. Well racy at that time. We both enjoyed the crap out of it and if I remember right, that was when I got my first kiss from a girl. Yes she was my first kiss. Never forgot that.
Everything was going great. Did I say before, I was in love with that girl. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life to my way of thinking. Funny, entertaining and I was totally and willingly under her spell. Other than going to classes we had that weren’t together, we were inseparable each day. We spent many a night talking on the phone. Late at night after our parents were asleep and all night long. About what I have no idea. How can you talk for hours and really say nothing.
Our late night conversations were not always joyful. Ancilla had an older brother and he was in Viet Nam. She missed him a lot and was worried about him. I don’t even remember his name just that he was missing and overdue to return home. I never heard if he got back from over there and I fear he didn’t. I offered her what comfort I could.
Sometimes we’d walk home after school. She’d skip her bus and I’d skip mine. Together we’d walk to her house, about a mile from school. We’d spend time sitting on the couch at her house, pretending to watch TV or doing our home work. My mother picked me up on her way home from work. Boys and girls were not allowed to take the opposite sex into their rooms back then. When Anacilla’s mom wasn’t in the room watching, we’d hold hands and even steal brief kisses.
Then things went to crap. Sherry, remember her? The one I walked to class in the 9th grade. Turns out she had a boyfriend. A guy that was a freshmen in college. He had to be at least 19 and her 13 or 14. Yep, I know. Even back then there were laws against that.
He found out that I was walking her to class in the 9th grade. He was jealous. Even though I hadn’t seen or talked to her in nearly a year. I found out later that her girlfriend, the one that was always with us, told him. What she told him is anybody’s guess. He came to my school and confronted me on the steps as I exited for the day. In front of Ancilla of course. I don’t remember what he said, just that it was not complimentary. Ancilla got on her bus and I got on mine. I didn’t know it, but the guy followed my bus.
When I got off at the stop by my house, he started a fight with me. Needless to say, I got my butt kicked. The physical pain was nothing compared to what happened later. Ancilla called and broke up with me. I was decimated, crushed and was certain the end of the world had arrived. My world was at an end.
The next night I got a phone call from Sherry. She was pissed. Not at me but at her boyfriend. She must have really raked him over the coals. Sherry put him on the phone and he was obviously crying. She made him apologize to me and ask forgiveness. Sherry also informed me that her former girlfriend and she were friends no longer.
I forgave him. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. I had lost my Ancilla. For the months that followed, I had several girlfriends, but none of them could compare to Ancilla. School was a dismal affair that I trudged through daily.
There was one bright thing that happened over the months that passed. I got my ticket to freedom. It came in the form of a driver’s license. Along with that, came the privilege to drive the family car. On the weekends, with their permission. Once in a while, I was even allowed to drive the car to school. That was long before students had their own shiny new cars to drive back and forth to school. Before the ones in the student parking lot at school were newer than the ones in the teachers lot.
Now neither of the family cars, we had two, was the GTO or Charger I wanted but what the heck, beggars can’t be choosers. Our cars were a 60 Buick LeSaber and a 65 Ford Falcon. I drove the Falcon most often. I’m sure I told my friends the car was mine, that I owned it. Of course that was a lie and everyone knew it.
Friday night or Saturday, when I could wangle the car from my parents, was a trip to the light fantastic. There were usually four of us boys that went. We all put on the best looking duds we had from our limited wardrobe. Spruced up our short hair and headed out at about 7 pm. Everyone divvied up their fifty cents and we put $2 worth of gas in the car. That bought more than enough to last all night. Gas was about 25 cents per gallon back then. I even recall gas price wars. Remember those… I even rememb when gas got down as cheap as 19 cents per gallon.
Anyway, we put our $2 dollars in and went to cruise the strip. The most popular strip was the one that went from Frank’s drive-in on Menaul to Vips Big Boy on Central Ave. Both were drive in restaurants where you could drive through sort of like Sonic. So yes, we drove through. From one restaurant to another. Sometime during the evening, we usually stopped at one or the other and bought cokes. Provided funds allowed. I got an allowance of $1 dollar per week. Now you take away fifty cents for gas, that doesn’t leave much. But then, cokes were cheap. I don’t remember for sure but I would guess in the range of 15 to 20 cents, I know you could get them out of a machine for 10 cents.
We spent the night cruising between the two places and…you guessed it, looking at girls, driving in their parent’s cars and looking at guys. Very seldom did we do more than holler smart remarks at each other when carloads of guys and girls passed. The girls wore the sexiest outfits they could sneak out of the house with. In fact they usually changed clothes after leaving home. I found that out later. (grin)
All night long we went back and forth. I don’t ever remember meeting up with a single girl during those times. There were a few couples that were in the procession on the strip but for the most part there were guys in one car and girls in another and never the twain did meet.
We had to be home by midnight. That was the curfew imposed by the city, but more importantly, imposed by our parents. It really didn’t matter though, because the drive-ins closed at eleven. Everything with the exception of a few circle K’s and 7 to 11’s was closed by eleven.
We went roller skating at skating rinks. I went ice skating once but soon found that my ankles were too weak for that. Sometimes we went to the drive-in theater. There was a wealth of choices there. Terrace, Tesuque, Wyoming, Circle, Duke City, 66 Drive-in, Cactus, Sunset, Star and there may have been others I can’t remember. I don’t know what the normal admission price was because we usually scoped out the ones that were $1 per carload. Let me tell you, when we drove in, the car was certainly loaded. Usually by at least ten kids. That was long before the seatbelt laws too. Once in the theater, the car unloaded. The excess kids took a seat on the benches in front of the snack bar or just wondered around socializing and didn’t return until the movie was over.
It was easy to tell which cars had teenage couples on a date. The windows were usually steamed up so bad, even in the summer, there was no way those inside could possibly see out to watch the movie. When I took a date, rather than a passel of kids, I quite often steamed up the windows myself.
At the beginning of the 11th grade, I was in heaven again. Ancilla and I got back together. We thoroughly enjoyed my new found freedom. And yes, we steamed up the windows of my car quite often. I’ll never forget one outfit she had. It was my favorite. A mini-skirt, white with brown paisley print and made of vinyl. Her sweater was a brown turtle neck and it was wonderfully tight. It’s really funny to look back on now. We never went further than kissing. Deep passionate kisses to be sure. Hours of them. I never went further than touching her boobs though. On the outside of her blouse or sweater. We definitely steamed up the windows whenever she wore that outfit though.
Sadness and heartbreak returned once more. Ancilla and I broke up again. This was to be the final time. Though we remained on speaking terms, we never dated again. I’m certain our breakup was probably over something stupid I did or said but I don’t remember what it was. It may have had something to do with two new friends I started hanging out with. Rolando and Bill.
The three of us quickly became almost inseparable. In looking back now, I’m almost certain that Rolando and Bill were gay. I didn’t see that at the time though and this was long before gays came out of the closet. They were simply my best friends. Rolando had a Plymouth Valiant and he drove like a maniac. The first ride I took with him, he scared the bejesus out of me. As time went on, I began driving much the same. Stupid, reckless and risky.
Bill got killed while working at his fathers business and his death crushed, Rolando. He moved to Florida. So now I was without a steady girlfriend and my two best friends were gone. Depressed, doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. .I dated a number of girls but none of them created the fire in my stomach or the rapid beat of my heart like Ancilla.
I got my first job. I worked about ten to twenty hours per week at night. I was rich. I made a whole 85 cents per hour. Later, I was promoted to night manager and got a raise. I was now making 90 cents per hour.
I also discovered a teenage nightclub. It was called Carnaby 66 and located just inside the Sandia mountain pass called Tijeras canyon. It was set up much like an adult nightclub but didn’t serve any alcohol of course. It was very loud, very smoky and always packed. I say smoky, because many teens smoked at the time, myself included. This was long before the dangers of cigarette smoking were known. It was a very acceptable habit. Carnaby 66 was also full of potential dates. For the first time I became acquainted with boys and girls from all over the city and not just my high school area.
Besides smoking, I started doing something else. Drinking. Yes I know it’s illegal for a minor to drink. I also know that it goes on all the time to this day. One thing I never did though was drugs. They were available. Mostly pot, Acid or LSD or heroin. I never had any interest in them. Too busy getting drunk probably. (grin) I smoked an occasional joint but that was when I was in the Army. I never did drugs while I was a teen.
Midway through my 11th grade year I made a series of stupid moves. First I ran away from home. That didn’t last long. I ran to Nebraska, to a town filled with my relatives. I was sent home quickly. Next I dropped out of school. That was a very bad mistake. Then, almost equally bad, I met a girl and we got married. I’m not saying the girl was bad, just that we were both too young. The future was dim to say the least. No prospect of getting a good job and married.
I worked for a while as a tire buster at a local tire shop and then did what so many teens at that age in those times did. I went into the Army and after schooling for a year was shipped to Viet Nam. I was barely 18 and overseas in a war zone. During the tour, I got divorced. Our marriage never had much chance, I was gone most of the time in the service. I changed in that year overseas. Even though I was still less than twenty, I stopped being a teenager and became an adult.
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Added April 11, 2015
(This story is R rated and unedited)
Delightfully Wicked (A free read)
By G.E.Stills
Chapter 1
Trina stood in the midst of the crowd watching the stage with her arms crossed under her breasts. Music blared out, filling the air with ear splitting music. She was certain her face reflected the disgust she felt while she glared at the lead singer. He walked to the front of the stage to start his solo. Michael was good looking all right, she grudgingly had to admit that. Mid-back blond hair teased and puffed out big enough to rival her own. That was the style these days. He had a bronzed body that he took great care to keep that way. Though not muscle bound, he was muscular. His lips and face were finely chiseled like a picturesque roman statue.
Oh yes he was handsome alright. A real lady killer. She pursed her lips. His looks among other things got me didn’t they? That thought caused a frown to come to her face.
Another pair of panties quickly followed by a bra, slid across the stage to come to a rest at his feet. Even from her place among the audience she could see the grin come to his face. She knew he couldn’t prevent the groupies from throwing them but she also knew he relished every moment of their attention.
There will be a party in our suite tonight. He will have sex with at least one if not more of them before the night is over. Asshole.
More bras and panties. She had seen several girls in the crowd pull up their tops and flash him. The roar of screaming and shouting was nearly as loud as the music.
This crowd is wild and rowdy. It’s going to be another of those screwed up nights.
She wouldn’t be sharing the hotel suite with him tonight she decided. That was more her choice than because Michael didn’t want her there. It wouldn’t matter to him if she watched him drink, smoke and carouse with other women. Have sex with them.
The loud music paused as the performers made ready to play the next song. A loud sigh of disgust caused her to glance up at the man standing beside her. The person that had become her best friend.
“Why do you put up with that butt wipe?” Eric asked.
Trina studied Eric before answering. Ear-length dark curly hair and a broad chest that went well with the rest of his muscular body. He wasn’t much taller than she was. Especially with her hair piled up and poofed out the way she had it styled. Though she couldn’t see them right now, his ice blue eyes were so delicious to gaze at. Get lost in. Although he was not smiling now, he had one that often made her heart go pitter patter. Eric was part of the road crew that traveled with the band.
“He’s my husband,” she said, as if that was all the answer needed. To no surprise that answer did not satisfy Eric.
“I’ll ask again Trina. Why do you put up with that butt wipe?”
She shrugged her shoulders and turning hastily, began pushing and shoving, forcing her way toward an exit. She sensed Eric following and increased her pace. She didn’t have a good answer for his question and didn’t want him asking again, which she knew, given the chance, he would.
The cool night air and the relative quiet were great in contrast to the closeness and noise inside the auditorium. Her sandals made a soft clacking noise on the sidewalk. Hooking her thumbs in her white short-short pockets she walked in silence.
She heard the rapid approach of footsteps.
Eric. Damnit.
He matched her pace and not saying a word, walked quietly beside her. Having him here was both disturbing, after their previous conversation, and comforting, because she really didn’t like being out here in the dark alone. Finally he broke the silence. To her relief, his question wasn’t a repeat of the one he had asked inside.
“So where are we headed?”
“I have no idea. Just walking.” She huffed. “I need to eventually return to our suite. I need to get some clothes and my bathroom stuff. I won’t be sleeping there tonight.”
“O––kay I think I know why but where will you be staying.”
“Hah.” she scoffed. “I’ll probably be sleeping on the tour bus.”
“I’d offer for you to stay in my room Trina while I slept in the chair but I’m sharing it with another member of the crew.”
“That’s okay Eric. It won’t be the first time I’ve slept on the bus and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
“Trina with your flame red hair, hazel eyes and full red lips, you’re a gorgeous woman and that’s just your face. You have a killer body to go with all that. I don’t see why you put up with his cheating to say nothing about having the other band members treat you like shit.”
She thought for a moment of the band members. Roxy on drums, Bos on lead guitar, Silver on rhythm, Jake on bass and Jilly on keyboard. Yeah all of them were assholes to her
She was glad it was dark, that way Eric couldn’t see that her eyes were suddenly misty and she was certain, filled with the look of hopelessness she felt. “I’m a young girl with no skill, no formal training and nowhere to go.”
“I would miss you a lot but you could always go home,” he suggested.
She rounded on him and her words came out in a much harsher tone than she intended. “Oh yeah. I could do that.” Her words dripped in sarcasm “Go home with my tail tucked between my legs and my parents saying I told you so, time and again. It would be even more humiliating hearing them say it because for once in their life, they would be right. Living at home was no paradise. Living under their roof in total repression would be no life at all.”
“Geez Trina I had no idea things were that bad at home.”
“I’m sorry I snapped at you Eric. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that going home is not an option for me. That would be worse than what I have here. At least traveling with the band I get to see a lot of scenery and other sights. Besides, Michael is not the only one that cheats. I do too.”
“I know,” he whispered.
“You know? You know what?”
“On rare occasions you sleep with other men. I know that all of them have been one night stands, not affairs.”
Although the night was not cold, a shudder ran through her. Eric knew way too much about her personal life for comfort. “And just how do you know all this. Are you stalking me Eric?”
“I prefer to think of it as watching over you so that you don’t get hurt. I’ve never tried to interfere. I care about you Trina.”
“Wow. My own guardian angel.” She smiled. The chills faded away to be replaced with a warm fuzzy feeling. Somebody at least cared for her a little.
Eric cleared his throat. “I’ll walk all the way back to the hotel with you if that’s your desire Trina. It’s not safe for a pretty girl like you to be walking out here alone at this time of night. It would be much easier and quicker though if we went back to the auditorium and took my truck over there. I’ll take you back to your suite, you can get your clothes and keep them in my room. When the bus returns you can take them down there.”
“Okay,” she said softly. Stopping abruptly, she reversed her steps forcing him to catch up. She didn’t talk during the return and she let him guide her in silence to his truck. While he drove, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
It was so nice to have him as a friend. She had told him things tonight that she didn’t share with anyone else. Her one night stands were just that. One night stands and usually just to get even with Michael. She never had been with Eric and she was determined she never would be. For one thing, she didn’t want to risk screwing up their friendship and for another... She stole another glance at him. For another, she was pretty certain it wouldn’t just be a one night stand. There would definitely be emotions involved in her case and she was pretty sure he would have them too. She didn’t need a messy affair and she sure didn’t want to see Eric fired.
No, we’ll just be good friends.
****
Seated in a chair in his room, with her overnight case on the floor beside her, Trina’s thoughts were elsewhere. She looked up when Eric spoke.
“I don’t suppose that the band would consider getting you another room would they Trina?”
She snorted. “Are you kidding? They’d rather see me sleep on the street.”
“I figured as much but thought I’d ask anyway.”
“Eric you’re being really kind but I’ll be fine on the bus. Oh, and I won’t be having any visitors, so you won’t need to check on me.” She flashed him a smile and winked.
“Good to know but I’ll probably check on you just the same. I’ll let you know when I do though. Now that you’re aware I’m watching over you, there’s no sense in trying to keep it secret from you anymore.” His lips spread into one of his wonderful smiles.
“Thanks.”
“Trina we’ll be stopping in Albuquerque next and we’ll be there for several days. I have a sister there I’d like you to meet. Would you consider that?”
“If she is anywhere near as nice as you, I’d be thrilled to meet her.”
“Thanks.” Eric checked his wristwatch. “I guess I better get back to help load. You can wait here. There’s sodas in the fridge. See you later.” Eric closed the door behind him.
She sat there in the chair looking at the closed door. I can hardly believe it. He complimented me twice tonight. Once saying I was gorgeous and once telling me I was pretty. Actually three times. She grinned. If you count telling me I have a killer body.
Chapter 2
Trina sipped her coffee in the hotel coffee shop after spending another uncomfortable night in the tour bus. Deep in thought, she glanced up when Eric came to a halt next to her table and cleared his throat.
“Good morning Trina,” Eric said, a smile on his face. “I won’t ask you how your night was, I know.”
She smirked but didn’t say anything. She’d seen Eric look in the bus window checking on her. Both times. The first time he’d waved. The second, thinking she was asleep, he’d just peered in for a moment.
“How would you like to spend the day with me and my sister? Get away from all this?”
Trina debated for a moment. On the one hand she hesitated getting closer to Eric by spending an entire day with him and being introduced to his family. Especially since I already have a strong attraction toward him.
On the other, meeting his sister was appealing. Making a new friend would be nice. She reached a decision. “You mean get away from all these great times?” she asked sarcastically. When Eric didn’t respond she went on. “Okay. I need to go upstairs and tell Michael I’ll be gone for…”
“For most of the day,” he supplied.
“Okay. Wait here, I’ll be back in a few.” Sliding her chair back, she headed for the elevators. Outside their suite, she hesitated but then inserted her key card and opened the door. Michael was still in bed sleeping when she entered the room.
“Michael I’m going out…”
He opened his eyes, stretched his arms over his head and smiled. A blond head with mussed up hair squirmed out from under the sheet beside him. Seconds later a brunette one with mussed hair, popped from beneath the covers on his other side.
Jilly, the brunette rolled to her back and purposely shoved the bedding down to her knees displaying the fact that all three of them were naked. She stretched and a smug smile creased her lips.
“Thank you for sharing Mitch with us last night. Cathy, isn’t that you name Hun?” she asked the blond. “And I had a great time with him last night.”
Glancing around the room she saw discarded clothing scattered around the bed. Some of it male and some of it female.
“I guess I should dress and return to my room,” Jilly continued. She turned and gave Mitch a peck on the cheek.
“Oh for the love of… I’ll be back later.” Spinning on her heel, Trish marched out of the room.
“Where are you going?” he asked behind her.
“None of your damn business!” she snapped over her shoulder, already striding across the living room.
“Would you have some coffee sent up?” he asked, not a shred of remorse in his voice.
“Get your own fucking coffee. Later.” She slammed the door behind her and stormed toward the elevators.
In the coffee shop she stopped for a moment beside the table where Eric sat. “Let’s go,” she said in a terse voice. Not waiting for him to reply, she did an about face and stormed toward the lobby doors. Impatiently, she stood outside the front entrance tapping one foot and waited for Eric to join her.
Not saying a word, Eric took her arm and directed her toward the parking lot and his truck. He opened the door for her and she slid into the seat. She sat glaring out the front windshield with her arms crossed. When they had left the hotel, he broke the silence.
“Bad?” he asked.
Turning her head to face him she snapped. “Of course. The fucker had two girls in bed with him.”
Eric shook his head. “I’m sorry. I was afraid of that. It’s none of my business but you know Trina, you should be taking precautions…”
She cut him off. “You’re right about it being none of your business but I’ll tell you anyway. We do it rarely. More rarely all the time. When we do, I make damn sure he’s wearing a rubber. Is that what you were about to say?”
Eric held up one hand as if to fend off her anger. “I’m not the bad guy here Trina. You don’t need to bite my head off.”
The scowl on her face relaxed and her voice softened. “I know. I’m sorry Eric. I’m pissed is all. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”
“I know and you have every right to be mad.”
“I can hardly wait to meet your sister,” she changed the topic.
“I think you’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will. I’ll get in a better mood. I promise. See.” She forced a smile onto her lips.
“Ye gods that’s a fake smile if I ever saw one. It looks like one I would expect to see in a horror movie…on the insane murderer’s face. Scary.” Eric laughed when he glanced at her.
A genuine smile stretched her lips wider.
“That’s better.” Eric chuckled when he glanced her way again. “My Sis lives in the mountains but we’ll be there soon.”
****
They turned into a dirt drive and briefly thereafter, parked in front of a frame house. Though not overly large, the house looked charming and inviting. Colorful flowers of lavender, pink, red and yellow ran along the wall on both sides of the front porch.
Eric knocked on the front door and moments later it swung open wide.
“Hi Eric,” the woman said in a soft melodious voice. Briefly the two of them embraced, then she stepped back and ushered them inside. The woman had dark, curly, shoulder length hair with blond streaks in it. She had high cheek bones and full lips. Her chestnut brown eyes gleamed with intelligence.
“Maggie, I’d like to introduce Trina. Trina this is my older sister Maggie.”
Maggie stuck out her hand. “Hi Trina. Nice to meet you.”
Her family relationship with Eric quickly became apparent when his same smile split her lips.
“Nice meeting you Maggie.”
“I’ve heard so much about you from Eric, it’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“Not all bad I hope,” Trina laughed.
Maggie glanced at Eric. Even her eyes seemed to smile. “Nothing bad I assure you. Anyway, come on in let me get you something to drink. Coffee, tea, lemonade a soda?”
“Tea.”
“Eric.”
“Tea for me Sis.”
The three of them gathered around the kitchen table. Maggie was so easy to talk to and in a short few hours it was as if Trina had known her for years instead of just meeting her. All during their visit Maggie kept glancing at Eric.
“How about we go for a walk in the woods,” Maggie suggested.
“Sure,” she agreed and Eric nodded in affirmation.
The three of them strolled down a wide path and came out in a clearing filled with a riot of colorful wild flowers. The clearing ended at a bluff that provided a breathtaking view of a mountain valley.
Turning to her, Eric said, “I guess I should tell you, since she is dying for me to do so.” He glanced at Maggie and smiled. “Maggie is a witch.”
“What? Calling her that is not very polite Eric,” Trina admonished.
Maggie laughed. “I don’t mind. It’s not the derogatory term that you’re thinking Trina. I’m a actual witch.”
“Uh huh.” She directed her gaze at Eric and arched an eyebrow.
It was Eric’s turn to laugh. “As you can see she doesn’t have a green face or a wart on her nose. Maggie is not evil, however, she is a witch. A good one.”
“O…kay.”
Please sit down with us,” Maggie invited.
Crossing her legs, Trina lowered herself onto the grass covered ground. Maggie and Eric sat facing her. Wind whispered through the tall pines surrounding the meadow. A gentle breeze caressed her cheeks and stirred her hair. The scent of pine and flowers was intoxicating. The view to her left over the bluff at the tops of the tall trees was exhilarating.
“So what does a witch do?” Trina asked. “Besides turning people into frogs.” She laughed. Maggie’s lips arched into that wonderful smile. A stronger breeze that only seemed to be around Maggie swirled though her hair and Maggie’s eyes twinkled. A moment later the breeze was gone. A feeling of peacefulness she hadn’t felt for a long time crept through Trina.
“I haven’t changed someone into a frog in… well I never have that I can remember.” Maggie chuckled. “I know you think I’m crazy as a loon but Trina can you explain the sudden contentment you’re feeling?” Maggie arched her eyebrows. “Don’t you wonder how I know about that feeling?
By the time the late afternoon sun had started to sink in the west sending golden streamers across the clearing, Maggie had explained more about herself.
“It’s getting late.” Long shadows from the trees were starting to creep across the clearing. “I guess we better go back to the hotel Eric” She added, “Much as I hate to.”
They strolled along the trail back toward the house. “Trina, I’ve really enjoyed visiting with you. If you would like, I’d be thrilled if you came by tomorrow and spent another day with me.” Maggie suggested.
“I’d like that too but I don’t have a car and Eric may have other plans.”
“I do have things that I need to do tomorrow,” Eric started and she felt a look of disappointment form on her face. “But,” he continued, “I can bring you out here in the morning Trina and pick you up later if that’s okay.”
Like a ray of sunshine her face brightened. “I’d love to.”
“Then consider it settled. I’ll see you in the morning, Trina.” Maggie smiled.
Chapter 3
The sunny smile on her face vanished when Trina walked in the door of the suite. Michael walked out of the bathroom, thankfully the groupies were gone and he was alone.
“Where have you been all day?” he asked.
“Shopping,” she lied. “Window shopping since you haven’t seen fit to give me any money.”
Ignoring her comment about money, he continued. “There’s a party down in Silver’s room. Wanna go? Who knows you might get lucky.”
I doubt that. Especially since I have no desire to, ‘get lucky’, as you call it. I also have no interest in watching you ‘get lucky’.
“No thanks. I’m just going stay here. Watch a little TV maybe and go to bed early.”
“Suit yourself.” Silence reigned as he finished getting ready and left.
After a peaceful evening, she shut the TV off and went to the bedroom. After putting on the long t-shirt she used for sleeping, she lined up the extra pillows end-to-end separating the bed into halves.
Hopefully that will give him the hint that I don’t want to be disturbed. He’ll probably be drunk and stoned. The last thing I want is to have is him slobbering and crawling all over me.
“So Maggie’s a witch. I want to learn more about her tomorrow. Never met a real live witch before. Plenty of witches but not the same type. They were more witches starting with a B” She giggled and crawled into bed. With thoughts of the Maggie and the things she’d learned from her, Trina drifted into slumber.
When she woke the next morning, she was happy to see that Michael was on his own side of the pillows. From the smell of stale liquor and sex he reeked with, she was certain he’d been drunk when he returned and that he had gotten laid.
Slipping out of bed, she started getting dressed and then noticed the extra lump on his side of the bed. It shifted.
“Fucking asshole,” she whispered. “You actually had the nerve to bring a whore to sleep with you right next to your wife?”
She finished putting on her shorts and tank top. After debating, she wrote a note. When she walked into the living room she found two empty glasses and several joints that were stubbed out in an ashtray. Female clothes were scattered all over the floor. They weren’t her clothes. She gathered them into a bunch, considered setting them on fire but in the end placed them on the coffee table. The note she placed on top of the pile.
Michael
I’ll be gone all day. I don’t know what time this evening I’ll return. Just be sure that your whore is gone when I come back. Have a nice day. I plan to.
Trina
Downstairs, she found Eric waiting in the coffee shop. Grabbing a cup to go, she told him she was ready. They engaged in small talk during the drive. He dropped her off at Maggie’s and drove away back toward town.
“So Trina, could I interest you in some homemade cinnamon rolls. Very decadent but I’ve been told, very delicious.”
“That sounds great Maggie. I’m feeling very naughty and decadent.”
After finishing her second large and delicious roll, she shoved her chair back and rubbed her stomach. “Maggie those were fantastic. I’m stuffed.”
“Glad you liked them.”
“Like them. Oh no. I didn’t like them, I loved them.”
Maggie grinned. “Trina I can’t help it, it seems like I’ve known you for years. I’m certain it has to do with the fact that Eric talks about you a lot when he calls.”
“He talks about me?”
“Oh yeah. A lot. Anyway Eric’s in love you know.”
The words caused Trina’s heart to nearly break. Her happiness to plummet. She averted her eyes to the tabletop so Maggie wouldn’t see the tears that had suddenly filled them. “I didn’t know that,” she mumbled. “Some groupie? Surly not one of the band members.
“No, neither.”
“Well that’s a relief. I suppose that means he’ll be leaving the road crew soon.” It took all her effort to keep from crying. With Eric gone she wouldn’t have a single friend.
“Probably. Trina I’m going to be my normal blunt self. One that I haven’t displayed to you before this,” Maggie said.
“O––kay.” she answered, still thinking about Eric and the fact that he was in love with someone.
“Why did you ever marry that prick Michael?”
“Huh?” Maggie’s question took her by complete surprise.
“You heard me Trina. Don’t try and pretend you didn’t.”
“Long story. Lots of reasons.”
“I’m listening.” Maggie placed her elbows on the table. Her long fingers forming a steeple.
She sighed. “First of all he wasn’t always this way. When we first started dating in high school he treated me good. He was a nice guy back then. He got involved with the Blood Drops and when he asked me to marry him before they left, I stupidly said, yes. I cared a lot for him back then. Besides, it was my ticket out of the house.” She paused.
“Go on,” Maggie urged.
“We got married in a whirlwind, Justice of the Peace style. When he broke the news to the rest of the band…Well let’s just say they were less than happy about it.”
“I’ve heard about the way they treat you.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “What else can I say? I won’t deny it. They treat me like shit but I’m stuck with it until something changes. I won’t go home. Now I’ve answered your questions, I want to know who does Eric love?”
She had mixed feelings. On the one hand she was curious to know who the lucky lady was, and on the other she did not want to know. She was certain that because of that woman, Eric would be leaving soon.
Maggie sat back, gazed into her eyes and smiled.
Trina wanted to slap that smile right off Maggie’s face. She was not in any smiling mood herself.
“Well you might know her. She’s a pretty young thing with red hair and hazel eyes. Her name is Trina.”
“Excuse me,” she asked, unsure she understood.
“He loves you silly.”
“What?”
“You heard me the first time.”
Pitter patter. Butterflies.
“Since when?”
“I don’t know exactly but for quite a while I’m thinking, since you seem to be the only subject he’s talked about for a long time.”
Butterflies.
Her face sobered. “I’m married Maggie.”
“And you have more than enough grounds to get a divorce.”
“What will we do? He works for the band. Where will we go if he even asks me to go?”
Will. She hadn’t even considered for a moment ‘if’ she would go. If Eric asked, she would go with him, she knew that.
Her mind returned to the conversation when Maggie continued. “Those questions you’ll have to ask him. I’ve done my part of the job by telling you.” A mischievous smile split Maggie’s lips. “A self appointed task for me that Eric is not aware of. There’s something else I’d like to discuss.”
“Um, I’m not sure I can think about anything else right now.” Trina grinned.
“Try.”
“Okay.”
“You know I’m a witch and what I’m about to say and offer is highly irregular. I will suffer the consequences for what I’m about to propose but… I think it will be so worth it. And after all, you’ll probably be my sister-in-law soon.”
****
When Eric picked her up that evening, witchcraft had taken on an entire new meaning for her.
Riding back to the hotel, Trina leaned across the seat and gave Eric a kiss on the cheek. Then, leaning back once more, she slugged him in the arm.
“Wow and oww. Just what was that all about?” Eric asked while rubbing his arm in pretend pain.
”The kiss was to say I love you too. The slug was because you didn’t tell me sooner. In fact you still haven’t told me. I had to learn it from your sister.”
“I love you Trina. Satisfied? I’ve said it.”
“Not even close. Say it again.”
“I love you. I love you. I love you.” Just as he finished, they passed under a street light and she saw his charming smile stretching his lips wide.
“Good. That will suffice for now but I’m sure I’ll want to hear those words again… and soon.”
Chapter 4
Tunes blared from the speakers. Michael moved to the front of the stage microphone in hand, as he readied to start his vocal. The music lowered in volume. Trina stood in the crowd with a decidedly wicked ear-to-ear grin on her face.
“Are you ready Trina?” Maggie asked from beside her.
“Oh yeah. Oh hell yeah,” she answered.
Reaching out, Maggie took her hand. Trina started quietly reciting memorized verse. She stifled a giggle when she saw Michael’s face sober. He reached down and scratched at his crotch.
She recited the verse again doubling the number of crabs that suddenly infested Michael’s crotch.
“Oh fuck,” he said just before he shut off the microphone. Almost doubled over, he stumbled toward the rear.
She chuckled. As he left the stage he was clawing at his belt in an attempt to remove his skin tight leather pants. At the same time he was digging at his crotch furiously. The glue on his belt buckle would complicate its removal she was certain. She was also sure he would be shocked and confused, when an hour from now the crab infestation vanished.
Jilly stepped out from behind her keyboard to take his place. Trina chuckled when she saw that Jilly had on snow white spandex stretch shorts. “This is going to be so much fun. The bitch!”
Trina began to recite once more. A crimson stain appeared at Jilly’s core and began to expand in an ever widening circle.
“Ew.” She heard from a girl in the crowd. “She’s starting her period.”
“Ick.” Another girl commented from her other side.
“That’s disgusting,” A male voice said in front of her.
“Boo,” Bellowed out a male voice from behind her.
A look of shock crept onto Jake’s face when three strings on his guitar snapped at once. Dismay washed across Roxy’s face when her drumsticks punched through the skins on two of her drums. The music came to an abrupt halt. The band fled to the back and not a moment too soon when water bottles and half empty cups began to pelt the stage.
She and Maggie turned and began forcing their way toward the exits, just before they left, Trina heard the announcer. “Due to unforeseen technical difficulties the remainder of the concert is cancelled. We will give out refunds tomorrow at the ticket office.”
A chorus of “boos” greeted his announcement.
Maggie’s car came to a halt in front of the hotel entrance. “Thanks Maggie. I guess I better get upstairs and wait. I doubt highly that Michael will have company tonight.” Trina chuckled. “I’ll pretend to console my husband for this disastrous performance. See you later.” She couldn’t help another giggle that slipped from her lips as she walked away.
One down and one to go, she thought, while she sat on the couch waiting.
****
The roar of the crowd was deafening here in Phoenix. The performance was half way over and the band was taking a short break on stage between songs. Break over, the music started to blare out of the speakers once more. Panties and bras rained down on Michael when he stepped t0 center stage to do his vocal solo.
Suddenly Eric was standing beside her. “I put all your clothes and everything you had on your list in my truck.”
“Thanks Eric. There wasn’t much. The bastard never gave me much money to get things.” For the first time since he joined her, she cast a glance at Eric.
“Wow.” She let her gaze rove over his sport pants along with the shirt and the tie he wore. “Don’t you look handsome? What’s the occasion?”
“I thought later I would take you out for a fancy dinner to celebrate.”
“Celebrate?”
“One, I quit the band earlier and two, I’m leaving here with a beautiful woman. I love, you Trina.”
Butterflies.
“I love you back Eric.”
“Are you ready kid,” Eric yelled.
“Oh yeah. You have no idea how ready I am,” she shouted back. She began to speak verse just as Michael started singing. He reached a high note and his voice cracked. Shortly after that it went away altogether.
Black smoke began to boil out of Jilly’s key board. This time multiple strings broke with a “twang,” on both Silver and Bos’s guitars. The music ceased in mid note.
Eric laughed loudly when the rain of panties and bras suddenly changed to male boxers and briefs. His laughter grew even louder when one a white pair of briefs in particular struck Michael’s shoulder and stuck there.
Once again the band fled backstage from an ugly crowd.
“I guess my work here is done.” She smiled at Eric. The two of them threaded their way toward the exit.
Behind them a chant started. “Refund, refund, refund.”
The two of them walked casually arm in arm to his truck. He opened the door for her and she slid in. When Eric was seated in the driver’s seat, she leaned across and kissed him then rested her head against his shoulder.
“You know you can’t do this anymore. I’m sure my sister will have to pay a price for this,” Eric said, “At least you didn’t do any actual physical harm. Breaking instruments doesn’t count, they do that enough themselves.”
“I know and I don’t want Maggie to be punished anymore. If I could take the retribution for her I would. I have to say, it was delightfully wicked fun doing it though.”
“So where to after dinner? The two of us are free to go wherever we wish.”
“Eric, Maggie offered to teach me in Pagan ways. I’d like to learn.”
“Then Albuquerque it is. I’m sure I can find a job there”
“I’m certain I can too.” She kissed him again.
The End
I wish to acknowledge a near and dear friend for inspiring this work of fiction. Of course I embellished on the actual story she told me considerably.