STORY EXCERPT

Wading through the sea of faces to claim a booth held little appeal. “No problem. The counter is fine.” Emily settled on a stool and thanked Angie for the plastic-coated menu the server handed over.

“Clifford’s makes the best chicken and dumplings anywhere. You can’t go wrong with the Wednesday night special.” The man on the next stool chuckled and offered his hand. “I’m Mike Lambert. Welcome to Pinecone Creek.”

Emily noticed Mike’s frank appraisal as his gaze traveled over her. She hoped the wind hadn’t wreaked too much havoc while it played with the shoulder length brown hair that usually fell in soft waves. She hadn’t bothered with mascara, counting on her thick dark lashes to frame her blue eyes. Likewise lip gloss or foundation. She wondered how noticeable the sprinkling of freckles that dotted her nose was. Not much she could do about any of that now.

“I’ll go with that.” Emily thanked the man for his recommendation and placed her order with Angie. “I’m Emily…” She stopped when she noticed a copy of the paper beside his plate. “But you knew that already.”

“Yep, but Angie’s right. Pinecone Creek is filled with friendly folks, and Clifford’s is one of those places that everyone ends up coming to sooner or later to hear the latest news. Or gossip. Once someone recognized your picture, they’d all come over to say hello by ones and twos. The farm cooperative at the other end of town that my brother, Paul, and I bought not too long ago is another gathering place, but our crowd is mostly old-timers and farmers who come in with their coffee to chew on the latest ag report. Paul and I also run a dairy operation out on Old Aase Road.”

Emily wondered why Mike felt the need to share information about his life or assure her of the Lambert’s financial stability. Maybe it was part of that small town ambiance she came to Pinecone Creek to experience. Angie placed a plate of steaming food in front of Emily. “It will taste as good as it smells! I promise! Everyone loves our home cooking. Hey, are you the one renting the apartment above the daycare?” Angie asked while she topped off Mike’s coffee cup.

“Yes, that’s me. I’ll be settling in over the weekend, but I bought a small cabin out on Old Aase Road. It needs a ton of work before it’s livable though.” Emily’s lips closed over a spoonful of chicken. “Oh, this is amazing!”

“See! Clifford’s serves the best! I work part-time at Kids’Kingdom too. You met Sherry, right? The director and owner?” Angie waited for Emily’s nod before continuing. “Her husbands are contractors. I bet they’d help you.”

“Good to know.” Emily scooped another spoonful of her dinner. She thought she heard “husbands” but didn’t want to sound rude and interrupt Angie to ask for an explanation. “I guess we’re neighbors, Mike.”

Emily’s tongue slipped between her lips and she tried to capture a drop of broth before it landed on her shirt. Damn! There it was – a little blob right above her left boob. She hoped he hadn’t noticed.

“That’s Letty Nelsen’s old place. No one’s lived there in a while. Not since—” Mike’s gaze travelled downward.

“Letty got murdered,” Angie finished. “People say strange things happen out there at night. Lights, sounds of a woman crying and moaning…” She shivered.

“The realtor told me a lady died there, but he didn’t say anything about a murder. I’m not sure if I believe in ghosts or hauntings, but that is awful. I planned on stopping out there tonight to unload tools, take measurements, and try to get an idea of how much DIY is in my future.” And how much it’ll cost, Emily thought. “But I haven’t been back in weeks. Can you give me directions? It’s no fun wandering around in the dark.”

“Tell you what. Why don’t you follow me?” Mike offered.

“Oh, thanks, but I don’t want to put you out. If you don’t mind just directing me…” Emily honestly didn’t want to impose on Mike, but going off with a strange man to an isolated cabin in the woods wasn’t a smart thing to do—no matter how nice he seemed or how fast a woman might drown in his soulful brown eyes or notice the muscles straining against the Henley underneath his flannel shirt or…

“No trouble. It’s on my way home,” Mike coaxed.

“You’ll be safe with Mike. Besides, I know you’re leaving with him, so he’d be in for a big hurt if you disappeared!” Angie declared while she cleared their plates.

“Thanks, Angie.” Mike rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“My pleasure, Mike,” Angie answered over her shoulder before she disappeared into the kitchen.

ADULT EXCERPT

What would it be like to have two lovers at once? Almost as though someone flipped a switch, her imagination blinked on.

The soft glow from the bedside lamp bound Emily and her lovers together in a small pool of light but left the rest of the room in shadow. She stood in front of the bed and watched the men seated at its edge. Her gaze followed their fisted hands moving slowly up and down over their engorged cocks. She licked her lips when drops of precum appeared on the mushroom-shaped heads. She needed to taste them more than she wanted to take her next breath.

“Get naked. Now.” Paul’s deep voice cut through her reverie. His commanding tone made her core clench and her panties dampen.

Emily unbuttoned her shirt. The silk whispered off one shoulder and then the other before it puddled on the floor. Reaching back, she unhooked her bra and let it fall. She stood and watched the men’s gaze roam over her pebbled nipples as the cool air caressed her body. Their intensity made her smile. Emily hooked her thumbs in her jeans and wiggled them to the ground. Her panties soon joined the rest.

“On your knees.” Mike stood and pointed to the floor in front of his spread legs. He waited patiently for her to obey.

Emily sank, gracefully, to the ground. Her knees pressed into the hard wooden floor.

Mike’s thick cock bobbed in front of her, and his male scent surrounded her. She inhaled deeply.

“Is your pussy wet for us? Spread your legs. We want to see our woman’s arousal.” Paul’s voice. “Take Mike’s cock into your mouth. No, don’t touch him! Hands behind your back.”

Emily opened her thighs and strained to keep her balance. She wrapped her lips around the tip of Mike’s cock. Her tongue slid over the drops of precum. His musky male essence flooded her senses. She heard Mike groan and felt his hands grasp her head. Her tongue worshipped his cockhead by slowly circling it and then sliding underneath the sensitive crown.

Mike threw his head back, and his grip tightened. He threaded his fingers through her hair and worked to control her movements.

“Take Mike deep. He wants that, wants you to swallow his cock.”

Emily’s chest rose, pushing her breasts up, as she took a big breath.

Mike’s hips thrust his cock toward her. His cock slid across her tongue. His hands tightened in her hair and held her in place. Mike’s hips thrust his cock along her tongue until it touched the back of her throat.

Emily’s gaze sought Mike. She trusted him to take control but not harm her. She inhaled when he pulled back.

“I’m so damn close.”

“Fondle Mike’s balls, Emily.” Paul grinned evilly.

Emily cupped Mike and gently massaged him. His hands tightened in her hair again, and he pulled her head back, exposing the column of her throat. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for his cock. It slid into the warm moist depths of her mouth. He didn’t stop this time but kept a steady rhythm, fucking her mouth. Mike’s hips bucked into her until his cock slid down the back of her throat. A lone tear rolled down her cheek as she fought her gag reflex.

She imagined hearing Paul growl seconds before he’d slide off the bed, and then feeling his strong, arms wrapping around her hips. He’d pull her up until her ass rubbed against his engorged cock.

She’d tense as she tried to keep up with Mike’s demands as his cock pounded into her mouth.

Emily would manage to groan around Mike’s shaft when Paul thrust his cock into her wet cunt, balls deep. His fingers digging into her hips would serve as a reminder that she had to take whatever they gave. Her pussy burned as it stretched around his cock. It filled her. She never felt so full. But oh it hurt so good. His balls slapped her ass with every thrust. Ragged breathing and the sloppy wet sounds of her arousal were all she heard.

“Swallow every drop,” Mike ground out between clenched teeth. He threw his head back as he came and emptied himself down her throat.

“Like that baby? Mike sure did. Let’s see if I can make you groan again. Maybe scream my name. I’m gonna give you a good hard dicking. And you’re going to come on my cock.