Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 55

Book Covers, part four

Read part one, part two, and part three first!

Surprise spread across Harmony’s face. She eased into his arms, slightly disappointed that he didn’t kiss her, but intrigued by the dance. Before long she was laughing as he spun her around to the music in his head. Kevin held her close and her body heated up. With every brush of his hand down her back, sweep of his breath across her face, and bump of their bodies together Harmony got hotter and hotter.

When he spun her out then crashed her back into him, his eyes held hers. An invisible pull between them brought Kevin closer and closer until their lips touched.

Fire shot through Harmony, leaving her wanting more. Seeming to feel the same way, Kevin angled his mouth over hers and deepened the kiss, his tongue darting out to trace the seam of her lips. Harmony opened for him and slid her tongue along his. He tasted like the beer he’d had earlier and she hummed her approval.

His hands drifted over her, one tangling in her hair and the other going low to cup her ass. She felt his arousal against her belly and rubbed against him, wanting more, wanting all of him.

“Let’s go to my place,” she murmured as she pulled back from him.

He nodded hazily and let her lead him back to their cars. Harmony climbed in hers and watched as Kevin got behind the wheel of his car. She briefly wondered what she was doing. Hooking up with the person who was sent to eliminate her job was not only crazy, it was possibly career ending.

But for some reason she just didn’t care.

Harmony was never one for flings. The only men she’d slept with were ones she was in committed relationships with. With Kevin though, she wasn’t backing down. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t going to see him again after a few weeks. She was content to make some memories that would keep her warm at night once he was gone.

Back at her apartment Harmony let him in and suddenly felt nervous. She didn’t know how to do it. No, she knew how to do it, she didn’t know how to handle things. Should she offer him a drink? Maybe they should go straight to the bedroom. Or did they have sex on the couch?

That was why she didn’t hook up with random guys.

“Harmony, nothing has to happen,” Kevin said softly as he pulled her into his arms. “We can just get to know each other.”

Harmony shook her head. “I’m sorry. I just don’t ever do this. I’m feeling insecure and foolish all of a sudden.”

“Don’t worry about it. How about some music? We could dance again,” he offered with a grin.

Harmony smiled at him despite her unease and started a playlist. Kevin pulled her into his arms again and they danced slowly in the darkness of her living room. Slowly moving around, like teenagers at their first dance, they held each other close and listened to the music.

Harmony picked her head up from his shoulder and looked into rich, brown eyes that held more care for her than she’d seen in a while. Without a word she led Kevin toward her bedroom.

They kissed softly, learning each other without any sort of urgency. It was understood that they had all night together and they were going to take it.

Kevin’s hands drifted under her shirt to graze her bare back. She arched into him, feeling the hard planes of his body against her. As he lifted her shirt, she stepped back from their kiss to see him. With her shirt on the floor, his followed right behind and she could feast her eyes on the taut muscles of his body.

Their mouths collided again, flesh brushing flesh, heat brushing heat, desire brushing desire. Fingers fumbled at buttons and zippers before both were naked and panting. Kevin’s hand dipped between them and found her center, wet and ready for him. He slid a finger inside and she bucked against him, eager for his hands to carry her to the edge of sanity and push her over.

He made quick work of her first orgasm and guided her to the bed for the second. Once she was breathing heavily and boneless, he protected them both and slid into her.

The fullness of him shocked her. He wasn’t overly long, but he was thick in a way she’d never experienced before. She felt every glide of him, in and out, in and out, and her body twisted into knots. His pace increased and she moved with him, a boost of energy driving her forward. He looked down at her, eyes blazing with desire she felt from the tips of her hair to the edges of her toes. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t break the connection they had, and she wondered, just briefly, how she’d ever go on without him.

He covered her nipple with his lips and her back bowed toward him, offering herself to him, willing him to take everything he desired. Kevin accepted what she gave and returned the promise with his body, driving her higher and higher into the oblivion she sought.

As her body coiled tightly around him, she felt the last bit of her control slip away and shatter beneath her, a glorious wave of power coming over her. Kevin pumped into her then roared her name, pulsing deep inside her.

He collapsed on top of her then rolled them to the side. With her head tucked under his chin they both started breathing normally again. Panic set in for Harmony and she wondered what in the hell had gotten into her. She never did that sort of thing. Especially not when it could compromise her job.

No, she wasn’t going to regret it. Kevin was leaving and it would never be more than it was at that moment, but Harmony was not going to feel bad about doing something for herself. About letting go for once. She was going to enjoy the moment and worry about the future when he was gone.

Then he whispered, “I don’t know if I can go on without you.”

The post Book Covers, part four appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Book Covers, part three

Read part one and part two first!

Kevin’s eyes went wide as he realized he spoke aloud. “Shit, Harmony, I shouldn’t have said that.”

She smirked at him. “Really? I thought maybe that was part of your game. Maybe try to sleep with me so I’ll join the manager’s program. I mean you’re cute and all, but I’m not into stuffy men who think I’m worthless because I have purple hair.”

“I’m cute? That’s all you’ve got.”

Harmony leaned back in her seat and looked at him. She raised an eyebrow and appraised him slowly. “Well, first of all, you’re here to eliminate jobs, most likely mine if you can find a way to do it. Secondly, yeah, cute is all you’re getting for now.”

Kevin smirked at her, enjoying her sass. It was easy to see why guests liked her so much. Just like she said, if you could get past the odd appearance, she was kind and funny. Not to mention beautiful. Hell, even with the purple hair he thought she was gorgeous.

“Why don’t we get out of here?” Kevin asked, knowing she’d never agree. “Go somewhere we can talk. Maybe I can convince you to upgrade my status.”

She shocked him when she sucked down the rest of her drink and stood up. She flashed him a look and headed for the door, leaving him to decide if he was going to follow her or not.

Harmony was halfway to her car by the time Kevin caught up to her. “Keep up. I tend to drive fast,” she said without stopping. She got in her car and he stared after her for a minute before climbing into his car and chasing her out of the parking lot.

As Harmony drove through the quiet streets of town Kevin wondered where she was leading him. They passed through the center of town and headed out the opposite end. Harmony turned off the main road then made two more turns. Harmony parked in a parking lot near what looked like a park and got out of her car.

“I love coming here at night,” she told him once they were walking across the grass. “It’s so peaceful. I grew up not far from here and spent my summer swimming in the lake and playing on the playground.”

Kevin followed her quietly, not willing to break the spell she seemed to have cast on him. The moonlight caught her hair and reflected the colors within the depth of the purple. He watched her hips shift as she moved across the grass toward a gazebo close to the water’s edge and his cock shifted in anticipation.

Harmony stepped into the gazebo and sat on one side, facing the water. She leaned forward and gripped the seat, emotionally and physically on edge. “I don’t know why I brought you here,” she confessed.

Kevin sat across from her, not caring that the view was behind him. He was content with the one in front of him. “I’m glad you did. How old were you when you learned to swim?”

She laughed and it transformed her whole face from pouty and sexy to light and stunning. Kevin was finding it harder and harder to convince himself he didn’t want her, purple hair and all.

“I was four. My mom always loved to swim so she brought me and my little sister here a lot. I don’t really remember not being able to swim.”

“I was almost ten before I learned. We didn’t have a pool or any public water close by so I never got a chance. In school they started teaching us so I learned, but I was never very good.”

Harmony snickered. “You’re good at your job. Or at least I assume so or they wouldn’t send you around to different restaurants.”

He shrugged like it embarrassed him. “I guess. I’m starting to look at things differently though.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Because of me?”

“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. “You were right about me. I saw the surface and never bothered to find out what was underneath people. Your guests looked underneath you and showed me what I’d missed before.”

“And what do you think now?”

“I think I’ve been a fool.”

She laughed softly and nodded. “This place brings out the truth.”

“The truth is I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I first saw you. And with every word out of your mouth I want to kiss you even more.”

“And what I’m trying to figure out is what’s stopping you.”

Kevin sucked in a breath and met her eyes. The depths of her blue eyes shone back at him and he found himself drawn to her in a way he’d never been drawn to a woman before. She was beautiful, sexy, and absolutely amazing. But she was also his employee.

“You work for me. Plus, I’m trying to convince you to join the manager’s program. I don’t want you to think I’m attracted to you before I want to manipulate you.”

“Are you? Trying to manipulate me?”

Kevin shook his head. “No. I’d never do that to you. Or anyone else, but especially to you.”

“Why me?” she asked, looking vulnerable all of a sudden.

“You don’t know how beautiful you are, do you? I didn’t want to see it, but I can’t deny it. You’re stunning, but more than that you’re kind and outgoing and friendly. The first words you said to me were trying to protect your friend from losing her job. You weren’t worried about yourself, you were concerned for her.”

Harmony shrugged. “I know her situation. If you fired me, George would give me a kick-ass recommendation and I’d have a new job within a day or two. Molly though, she’s got a kid to worry about and George works with her hours so she doesn’t have to hire a babysitter.”

“See that’s it, right there. You’re getting passionate about someone other than yourself. It’s sexy in a way you couldn’t imagine.”

Harmony looked at him again and asked, “And yet you still don’t want to kiss me.”

He shook his head and pushed off the bench he was sitting on. “It has nothing to do with want. I want to kiss you more than I want to keep my job, more than I want to have my next breath.”

He stalked toward her, slowly and purposefully. Her head tipped back to watch him approach. When he was right in front of her he reached his hand out to her. She slid her hand into his and let him pull her to her feet. She leaned toward him and he slid one arm around her back, keeping the other in his grip.

“Dance with me,” he whispered against her ear.

The post Book Covers, part three appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Book Covers, part two

Read part one first!

Harmony was gorgeous with her bright smile and sparkling eyes. Of course the smile had been for her coworkers and not for Kevin, but he saw it, just before she noticed him, and the smile fell from her lips.

“We need to talk,” Kevin said.

Harmony stood rooted to her spot, her feet frozen to the ground where she’d spotted him. Kevin tried to read her eyes but wasn’t sure he could tell what she was thinking. She crossed her arms over her chest elevating her breasts up and drawing his attention to them.

“Are you trying to fire Molly because if you are I have nothing to say to you,” Harmony spat at him.

Her audacity frustrated him but her protection of her coworker made him curious. She wasn’t asking about herself and her own job, she latched onto her friend’s future.

“I’m not after Molly. Besides that, I wouldn’t talk to you about one of your coworkers. I want to talk about you.”

She scoffed at him and rolled her eyes. Harmony brushed past him to get in her car. She opened the door and looked back at him. “You want to fire me because of my appearance and not my skills. If you have something to say about my work I’ll speak to you, but if you’re just interested in me because of the way I look then you can talk to George, or any other employee in there. While you’re at it, stop by and talk to all the customers who come in every night and request my section, or the ones who don’t get into my section.”

The anger radiating off her was palpable. Kevin could feel her fury and the truth was, she was right. He was still questioning her skills because of her appearance, not because of anything he’d seen her do. If anything she was the best employee in the entire place.

And Kevin didn’t understand it.

“I’d like to talk about your work. Can I buy you a drink? There’s a bar not far from here.”

Kevin watched as she chewed her bottom lip, the dark red contrasting against the bright white of her teeth. His cock twitched as he imagined being the one to sink his teeth into her lips. He wanted her. She was nothing like any other woman he’d been with, but there was something about her that was undeniably attractive.

“I’ll meet you there,” she said finally then climbed into her car. He tried not to watch the way her hips moved or the curve of her ass when she slid into the seat. When she closed her door he snapped out of his trance and went around to get in his own car and followed her to the bar.

Inside the bar was quiet since it was a Tuesday. TV’s crowded the room and a few people sat at tables, a few more on bar stools. Kevin directed Harmony to a table near the door and sat across from her. A waitress brought Kevin a beer and Harmony a water. She took a sip then got to business. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

*****

Harmony watched Kevin take a sip from his beer. His lips were full and soft, just like she liked. Men with thin lips always made up for it with too much tongue when they kissed. And soft lips… well who wanted to kiss sandpaper.

He set the bottle down and looked at her. His brown eyes watched her, glancing at her lips before focusing on her eyes.

“I’m trying to figure you out. Are you really as good as you seem?”

She snickered and shook her head. “Yeah, I’m as good as I seem. You want to know my secret, don’t you?”

His eyes narrowed and took her in. She watched him, waiting for his admission. He leaned forward and smiled, “Yeah, I do.”

Harmony leaned in too and whispered, “I give a shit.” She sat back and sipped her water, watching for her words to sink in.

“That’s all? You give a shit?”

“That’s all? You think it’s easy. Here’s the thing, most people who work in a restaurant are either doing it until something better comes along or because they can’t get anything better. I do it because I love meeting new people every night. I love my job and it shows. I ask my customers why they’re out, I talk to them about their kids, I learn what they like and what foods appeal to them. When the same people come back I recognize them and can recommend new dishes for them to try and ask about things we talked about before. I’ve been doing this so long that it’s rare I have a table full of people I’ve never met before.”

“People love you,” Kevin said, not a question, but a statement.

“People who are open-minded love me. When someone like you comes in and sees someone who looks different, well, you don’t love me. People who know the color of my hair, or my lipstick, or if I’ve got tattoos, don’t matter… those people love me.”

Kevin leaned back in his seat and lifted his beer to his lips. Harmony watched his mouth and found herself imagining his lips over hers. The soft glide of his tongue, the brush of his fingers over her.

If only he wasn’t a stuffed shirt.

“I’m starting to see I was wrong,” he began. “I’ve spent most of my time here trying to figure out how you do it. Every employee I’ve worked with has sung your praises, not to mention I’ve seen how well you work. Honestly, you should be in our manager’s program.”

Harmony shook her head. “I don’t want to be a manager. I like being on the floor with the customers. Plus, I make more money as a waitress.”

Kevin nodded as though he understood. “Okay, but what if I made it worth your while?”

“You couldn’t. George already tried to get me into the program. He’s been trying to talk me into it for years.”

“I bet I could convince you.”

Harmony raised an eyebrow at him in challenge. “What makes you think that?”

“Because I know how to push your buttons. And because I have a bit more pull than George.”

Harmony ran her tongue over her lips and Kevin’s eyes focused on her tongue.

“God, I want to kiss you,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

But Harmony heard him.

The post Book Covers, part two appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Book Covers, part one

He walked in and surveyed the room. He spotted her right away, but then again, anyone would have. One look and he knew she was going to be a challenge for him. In his position he couldn’t fire someone for their appearance, but if he could, she’d be the first to go.

Working for the corporate management of Quality Foods, Inc, Kevin mostly kept to the office. Lately though, his job had started changing and he’d been forced into the restaurants they managed to do evaluations. He would go in and determine if a restaurant was being run efficiently or if changes needed to be made.

So far he hadn’t seen one restaurant that didn’t need a change. Everywhere he went there were people slacking on the job, and every single time the slackers looked just like her.

If he looked past the dark red lipstick, the smokey eyes, and the blue hair, she could be pretty, maybe even an asset to the company. He’d learned that the ones who customers responded to the most were young, attractive women with bright smiles. The woman he was assessing had a scowl on her face that matched the darkness of her appearance.

Kevin shook hands with the manager of the restaurant, George, and they talked about how things were going for a few minutes before he was introduced to the group of employees. Everyone smiled and said hello but Kevin could feel the tension radiating off them. It was the same everywhere he went. He was a consultant, and everyone knew that meant he was there to cut employees. His mere presence put that on edge, but he couldn’t do anything about that. He had a job to do and he was going to do it.

The hour before they opened passed quickly. He watched how the employees interacted and noticed they all went up to Harmony, the blue haired woman, to speak about something. She appeared to be helping everyone with one thing or another and still managed to get her own work done.

But Kevin didn’t get to his position by believing only what he could see.

When the doors opened everyone took their positions. Harmony was a waitress in the largest section of the restaurant. With that load Kevin had no doubt she’d show her true capabilities and he’d be free to let her go by the end of the night.

Slowly the restaurant began to fill up. Kevin stood behind the bar watching as customers were seated and served. Harmony’s section was the first one full, even though the others still had open tables and she had the largest section. He pulled out his notebook and wrote down ‘Seating Rotation’ so he would remember to ask George about the way they sat guests and why all sections weren’t filled at the same time.

In fact, some sections had only one table with guests while Harmony was handling six tables herself.

Something wasn’t right.

He watched Harmony intently. She greeted every guest with a bright smile and a kind word. Many of them she appeared to know personally, leaving him to wonder if she’d invited all her friends and family in to help her evaluation. He’d never seen someone stoop to that level, but he wouldn’t put it past an employee to manipulate a situation to their advantage.

When food started coming out Kevin saw that Harmony got help from the other servers to carry food to her tables. Her guests all had their food at the same time instead of in shifts as she could carry it. She returned the favor for her fellow servers and overall he was shocked by how well everything appeared to run.

Determined to find a problem, Kevin wasn’t willing to give up. When the night was over he returned to his lonely hotel room, but he found his thought occupied by a certain blue haired waitress with soulful blue eyes and too much red lipstick.

*****

Three days later Kevin was still hanging around. Harmony was getting frustrated by his presence. Her entire shift he would spend watching her, waiting for her to screw up. He was one of those corporate stiffs that thought she couldn’t do a good job just because she chose to have blue hair, purple now, and liked tattoos.

Although the tattoos part she couldn’t blame him for. He’d never see any of her seven tattoos. They were all carefully placed to be hidden under normal clothing, just in case she ever got a ‘real job’ like her mother kept insisting she do.

Harmony liked the restaurant though, at least most of the time. The customers loved her and she was equally enthralled by them. Nowhere else could she meet a new person every night and feel like they were her best friend within an hour. She was amazed how people opened up to her while they were having dinner, but she’d shared in more than her fair share of anniversary dinners, break-up celebrations, birthdays, reunions, and countless ordinary evenings where people came together just to be together.

She had the best job in the world.

She just hoped she’d be able to keep it.

Just like every other night, Harmony was given the largest section in the restaurant. She never minded though because even if she didn’t get assigned to it, she would end up with the largest section. Customers came in and asked to be seated with her all the time. She felt bad for her fellow servers sometimes because it was rare someone asked for one of them, but they weren’t as good to their customers.

Harmony never gave away things for free. She never gave discounts that weren’t issued by a manager. She didn’t do anything special, but she knew how to treat people. Every single person who came through her section mattered to her, and she made sure they knew that.

Kevin was shadowing Molly, the hostess for the night. Harmony hoped he wasn’t gunning for Molly. She was a sweet kid, about six years younger than Harmony’s 28, and just out of college. Molly was living with her parents since she couldn’t get a teaching job right out of school and working at the restaurant to support herself and her two year old daughter. Harmony had a lot of respect for someone who went through college as a single mom. It had to be tough.

The hours passed on Harmony’s shift and she was only mildly aware of Kevin’s presence. If he let loose a bit she could see where he’d be attractive, but the suit coat and tie made him look too stuffy to be any fun. Still, his rich brown eyes and broad shoulders, not to mention the flat stomach she was sure was hiding under his starched shirts, gave him a few points.

When Harmony’s six hour shift ended she was more than happy to head home, but she stayed to clean up. Only once the dining room, bar, and kitchen were clean did she even think about heading out. She waved goodbye to the others in the parking lot as they all retreated to their cars and found Kevin leaning against the car next to hers, a serious look on his handsome face.

“We need to talk,” he demanded.

The post Book Covers, part one appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Big & Beautiful, book one

I have a whole new series coming out in a few months. It’s a long way off, but I just couldn’t wait to share a little peak of it with you.

The series is my Big & Beautiful series, something I mentioned a while ago. It’s going to follow eight friends who are both Big & Beautiful. Each woman will get her own story and I’m loving these sassy, sexy, and smart women.

The first book, tentatively called Chubby & Charming, follows hopelessly single Mandy. She is convinced she’ll never find love and has basically given up. Mandy was the perfect woman to start off this series and I absolutely loved telling her story. I hope you like it too!

Chubby & Charming – out Summer 2015

“I mean why are you calling me so late?”

“Ahhhh,” he said directly into the phone. He finally caught on to my line of questioning, and my mood. “You think I was out with someone else, is that it? Really, Mandy? You’re the only one I’ve been able to think about for two weeks. You occupy my thoughts, only you. Why would I be out with someone else?”

Instantly I felt embarrassed and guilty. I’d accused him of cheating on me when there wasn’t really an us. You can’t cheat if you aren’t together.

But he did say he was only thinking about me. That’s good right?

Then again, he didn’t tell me what he was doing. That’s bad, right?

As if reading my mind he picked back up, “I was with my sister. I told you about her. We try to go to dinner about once a month together. We’re both always so busy that we don’t get to see each other much, but we’re still close. When she asked if we could go out Friday I agreed, but I didn’t want to miss our call.”

Wow, I was a jerk. I couldn’t comprehend being that close to my brother. We grew up fighting constantly and never liked each other. As adults, we only see each other at family gatherings, and even there we barely speak. It’s like we’re complete strangers.

“I’m sorry I was suspicious of you.”

“Honey, listen, I want you to be able to tell me what you’re thinking. We need to be honest with each other, even if the truth hurts sometimes. I want to be with you, and only you, and I’m not going to do anything to screw that up.”

He always knew what to say to make me feel better. I don’t know how he did it, but it was like he already knew me. Knew my heart. In a way, I guess he did.

“Thank you for not freaking out on me. I’ve never told anyone the things I tell you.”

He laughed softly. “Me too. It’s strange how connected I feel to you. Especially since I’ve only seen you once.”

“And I was a bitch,” I added.

He laughed again, harder this time. I heard rustling in the background and looked at my clock. It was almost ten and I wondered if he was going to bed. There was something about talking to a man in bed that was very sexy.

“You weren’t sure about me. I know next time we see each other things will be different.”

“Are you in bed?”

He paused, briefly, before answering, “Yeah. It’s been a long week. I was going to lie down while I talked to you. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. It just feels… I don’t know, really personal. Like we’re sharing secrets.”

He chuckled, “We are sharing secrets. I’m just sharing them while I’m in bed.”

My heart rate picked up at the thought of Xander in bed. I knew how gorgeous he was and I found myself wondering what he was wearing. I opened my mouth to ask him but he spoke first.

“Why don’t you tell me something new, something you haven’t told me yet. How about you tell me five new things and I’ll tell you five new things.”

Suddenly feeling tired, I climbed the stairs to my room. “Okay,” I said on the way up. I walked into my room and turned on the lamp next to my bed. For some reason, the low light made me feel better about talking to Xander while I was in bed. I went into my closet and changed from the work clothes I was still in to my pajamas. I pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top then climbed into bed.

“Are you in bed too?” he asked, his voice deep and sensuous.

“Yeah. I was getting tired and I figured if you were in bed I might as well be too.”

“God, I wish I was there with you, by your side.”

I smiled, a breath pushing from me in a half-laugh, half-nervous sound. “Me too.”

“Hmmm,” he moaned softly. “Okay, before I get too distracted, tell me your five new things.”

I snuggled under the covers a little deeper, trying to think of anything new I could tell him. After talking all week, I wasn’t sure what there was about me that he didn’t already know.

“I had my first kiss when I was fourteen, my first love was George Strait because my mom listened to country music, I read about three books each week, the only foreign country I’ve visited is Canada, and… I really want to see you again.”

Xander laughed at my first admissions and got really quiet for the last one. I started to wonder if he’d hung up, or we’d gotten disconnected, because he was silent for so long. “I really want to see you too. Who was your first kiss? What was his name?” His voice had gotten deeper, softer. He was tired, I could hear it in the slow way he was talking, but he was also sexier with his sleepy voice.

“His name was Joey Maynard. We had social studies together and he asked me out after class one day. He kissed me in the woods behind the school. We dated for about a month before he moved on to someone else.”

“His loss,” Xander said huskily. “I never thought I’d be jealous of George Strait, but you’ve officially made me hate him. Joey Maynard too.”

The post Big & Beautiful, book one appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Crazy Cat Lady, part four

Mature Audiences Only (18+)

Read part one, part two, and part three first!

I had to be nuts to believe him, right? I mean, really, it was crazy. He just admitted to watching me, following me, borderline stalking me.

“Karen, please. I wasn’t stalking you. Haven’t you ever seen a guy and thought he was cute and wanted to talk to him, but you were too chicken to actually do it? That’s all that happened.”

“Except you said you saw me over and over again. That’s-”

“Yes, I saw you,” Blaine interrupted me. “And every time you were either on your way out of the pet store or I was. It’s not like I was hanging around there for weeks hoping to see you again, or watching you and creeping around the store following you. I happened to pass by you a few times and I wondered if you were as sweet as you appeared.”

I looked at him, wondering what the hell I was thinking. Why did I bring a random guy home? Was I really going to sleep with him? Was I so desperate that I was still thinking about it even though he was a stalker, sort of?

I pushed past him and went out to the living room. I had to focus. Being in the same room with him, especially my bedroom, distracted me. My base instincts were screaming at me to forget how we met and drag him back to bed. My gut instincts were saying kick him out. Now!

“What would you say if I told you to leave?” I asked. If he was a psycho he would get violent, or angry. I was taking a risk, but I had to know.

“I would say I’m sorry you feel that way but I would leave. I would leave my phone number just in case you changed your mind about me though.”

We stared at each other, me trying to decide if he was being honest and Blaine, well, it looked like he was trying to appear trustworthy. I just didn’t know.

“Okay, Karen. I’m sorry I deceived you. I’m going to give you some space to decide if you want to see me again. Here’s my number,” he pulled out a card and left it on the table near the door. “I hope you can forgive me for adoring you from afar, and for finding you so beautiful that I was afraid to talk to you.”

I watched Blaine walk over to where Skyy was snuggled up under my Christmas tree. He lifted the little cat, who fought him and grabbed the tree skirt in an attempt to stay. Blaine gently unhooked Skyy’s claws and snuggled her against his side. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the couch and walked out the door without another word.

I tried to breathe a sigh of relief with Blaine gone, but it got stuck in my throat. A lump lodged in my chest and I couldn’t breathe. Aw, shit. I was a fool.

Blaine walked out without a fight because he wasn’t a psycho stalker, he was a decent guy who was exactly what he said he was. We’d spent all evening at my house and he didn’t once make me feel like something was wrong. And I pushed him out.

I threw open the front door and chased out after him, barefoot and without a coat. His car was slowly backing down my driveway. I screamed, flailed my arms, and ran after him trying to get his attention. His car kept going, further and further away from me. He made it out onto the road.

Then stopped.

The passenger window slid down and Blaine called out, “What are you doing? You’re going to freeze!”

“I was wrong. Come back inside. Please.”

Blaine looked at me, his eyes meeting mine as he considered my words. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Blaine pulled back into my driveway and tucked Skyy under his jacket before following me inside. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to warm me up once we were inside. Blaine set Skyy down before he took of his coat. Skyy went straight back under the tree and curled up. Blaine rubbed his hands together then set them on my arms and rubbed gently, warming me up almost instantly.

Inside and out.

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. It’s a little strange to know you knew about me before I knew about you. But I believe you.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry I scared you. I won’t lie to you though, Karen. I feel a connection with you, a closeness that I don’t really understand. Thanks for giving me another chance.”

I stepped into his embrace and stood there while he held me. It felt right to be in his arms. It felt good. And I wanted to get back to where we were before.

“Shall we pick up where we left off? Before I flipped out.”

“Karen, I don’t want to rush you. We can just watch TV and get to know each other.”

“Really? I mean, I’m ready and waiting for you and you just want to watch TV?” I asked, baffled.

“Karen, I’m more than willing to do whatever you want, but I don’t want you to think I’m just here for the sex.”

“What if I want you here for the sex?”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

Blaine chased me down the hallway to my bedroom. He closed the door behind us and we picked up right where we left off.

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Crazy Cat Lady, part three

For Mature Readers Only (18+)

Read part one and part two first. 

The blazing fire between Blaine and I was burning me. I couldn’t stop wanting him and it looked like I was finally going to get my Christmas wish. Blaine laid me back over the bed and whispered, “Where was I?”

His mouth closed around my neck, those delicious shivers racing up and down my spine. I arched into him, silently offering myself to him. He accepted everything I was giving him and more.

His fingers glided over my throat, down to my chest where he latched on to one of my nipples, teasing me through the fabric of my shirt and bra. His mouth worked in tandem with his hand, tormenting me until I was a puddle beneath him, whimpering and begging for more.

Blaine grinned as he sat up. His eyes locked onto mine before he yanked his shirt over his head. As if he knew what kind of power his bare chest would have, he watched my reaction.

“Damn,” I breathed.

“That’s all I can think when I look at you. I want to see you, Karen, all of you.”

He reached for my shirt and my shyness kicked in. The only ones I’d been naked in front of lately were my cats, and they didn’t really count. Slowly, as though he was torturing himself, he peeled my shirt up. With each inch of skin he bared he covered it with kisses, sensual, open-mouthed kisses that had my skin burning like he was licking me with fire.

When my shirt hit the floor he reached around behind me and unhooked my bra, quickly sending it after my shirt. His bare chest rested against my stomach as his mouth devoured me, licking, nibbling, and inhaling my breasts as though they were the most delicious dessert he’d ever tasted. Blaine moved slowly downward, tugging my pants off as he moved.

I laid before him on my bed, naked except my plain cotton panties. “Jesus, you’re beautiful,” he said reverently as he ran his hand over his face. “I don’t know why I waited so long to talk to you.”

I froze, immediately both creeped out and confused. “What did you say?”

Blaine backed up, the realization of what he admitted to crashing over his beautiful face. All of a sudden, I saw him in a different light. He wasn’t a random guy who needed help. He was a crazy stalker.

“Who the hell are you?” I nearly screamed, trying to cover myself up with the blanket as I backed away from him. “What do you want from me?”

“Karen, please, baby, don’t flip out on me. It’s not like that,” he pleaded.

“Then, please, Blaine, tell me what the fuck it’s like because it sounds like a big fucking mistake on my part.”

He picked my clothes up off the floor and reached them out to me, staying far enough out of reach that I couldn’t slap the shit out of him like I wanted to do. He grabbed his own shirt and pulled it back over his head then turned his back so I could get dressed. “This isn’t a mistake, Karen. Please give me a chance to explain.”

“I’m waiting for something other than you telling me you have something to say.”

“Listen, I shouldn’t have said that, but I don’t want to lie to you. I’ve seen you before. At the pet store. The first time was a few weeks ago. Your smile absolutely lit up the whole place. I knew from that moment I had to find a way to talk to you.”

I smiled, unable to stop myself. He half-smiled back at me and I forced my lips back into a frown. Blaine ran his hand through his hair again before he continued.

“After that I went to the pet store hoping I’d run into you. I was there so much the adoption center was starting to wonder about me. When I went earlier this week I was talking to Molly, the woman who manages the adoptions, and saw Skyy. She was beautiful and really took to me. Molly convinced me to take her home and I loved her. Tonight was purely an accident. I didn’t know you’d be there, but when I saw you in the cat food aisle, I couldn’t resist talking to you. Just for a minute I wanted to feel that incredible glow you bestow on everyone around you.”

I was dumbfounded. I really wanted to believe him but felt stupid giving in so easily. Could I really trust a guy I just met? One who just admitted to essentially stalking me? Wasn’t that Smart Woman 101 – don’t give away trust?

“How can I believe that you’re just a normal guy who happened to follow me around for a few weeks?”

“I didn’t follow you around,” Blaine pleaded. “I only saw you at the pet store. When I went back I hoped to see you, but I only saw you there a few times. One of the cashiers noticed me watching you and mentioned that you work with the adoption group to place cats. That’s how I met Molly. But I never followed you home until today when you invited me. And I never asked anyone about you. I didn’t even know your name until you told me. I promise you, Karen. Please believe me.”

 

Will Karen give Blaine a second chance? Is he really a creep or just a man who fell in love at first sight? Come back next week to find out!

The post Crazy Cat Lady, part three appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Crazy Cat Lady, part two

Check out part one first. 

I unlocked my front door and flipped on the lights. My Christmas tree stood in the corner, lit up and blinking at me. Two of the cats were snuggled up underneath and Max stood on the mantle batting at one of the ornaments. I shook my head at his playfulness.

Blaine was right behind me, carrying Skyy in his coat. It was the second man I’d let into my apartment in one day but for some reason I didn’t worry as much about Blaine insulting it. He already knew I had a bunch of cats, and why, and I didn’t think he was going to judge where I lived.

“Your tree is awesome. That one looks like he’s going to leap into it though.”

“Yeah,” I said, brushing Max off the mantle. “He thinks he’s a squirrel. He doesn’t do any damage, but he gets feisty. All my ornaments are non-breakable though, just in case. A few years ago I had one cat that was seriously nuts and he pulled my whole tree down.”

Blaine laughed. “You’re kidding me? How did you ever get rid of him?”

I smiled thinking back on the family that took the crazy cat. “It was a big family that had a big house and lots of property on the outskirts of town. The parents said one more crazy thing in their house would just make it more fun. I don’t know how they did it, but I get a Christmas card from them every year. So far it hasn’t come with coal. Or flaming dog shit. I guess that means he’s doing okay.”

Blaine laughed again, the booming sound echoing off the walls in my small house. He made it seem more like a home, like he belonged there. Skyy was making herself at home too, nuzzling up to Flower who was curled up in the corner trying to hide from the crazy boys. I smiled at them before lifting my gaze to Blaine’s.

And stopped breathing.

His eyes were heated and focused on me. He looked like he was as swept up by the day as I was. I could use a confidence boost in the way of some male attention after the disaster of a non-date earlier. Blaine looked eager to please.

He stalked toward me, carefully dodging cats and toys, and came to rest without actually touching me. I could feel him, almost like a physical presence, on me. Like being near him was enough to know he was there, without actually being in contact. But being close wasn’t enough. I needed to feel him.

We leaned in at the same time, an invisible pull drawing us together. When our lips met an explosion occurred within my body, heat and desire and need and impatience all warred for a starring role with Blaine. He clawed at me as I clawed at him, desperate to get closer and closer. We collapsed onto the couch, knocking a few cats to the floor in the process. The disgruntled mews fell on deaf ears as Blaine and I focused on each other.

He pressed my body into the couch cushions and positioned himself between my thighs. I could feel his desire hard against me and arched up into it, my body seeking his. Blaine growled against my throat and returned the gesture with his hips leaning into mine. If he kept doing that I knew it wouldn’t be long before I lost it like a teenager on the couch with her first boyfriend.

Blaine seemed to get the unspoken message and ground his hips into mine again and again, making me moan as his body tortured mine. His lips and tongue burned a trail down my neck to my collarbone before he got frustrated with the layers I wore to fight off the chill outside. His hand worked it’s way under my shirt and was sliding it up my ribs when Blaine screamed and jumped off me.

“Crazy cat,” he howled as he reached behind himself for the offending creature. I giggled when I saw Skyy dangling from his shirt as he danced around.

I stood and went for the cat, pulling her close to me for a snuggle. “Oh, you sweet thing. You were just trying to play with your daddy, weren’t you? You thought it was a game and you were missing out. I told you to get some toys for this playful little one,” I teased Blaine. His eyes held the same heat they did before but it had dropped to a simmer. He grinned at Skyy and rolled his eyes.

“I see she has you as wrapped as she has me. Little shit. It’s a good thing you’re cute,” he said affectionately as he scratched behind her ears then under her chin. “Maybe we should head out,” he said, not meeting my eyes.

Disappointment and shame washed through me, thinking he thought I was nothing more than a pet store slut, picking up guys in the cat food aisle and taking them home to have my merry way with them. I guess I was, although he was the only one I’d ever taken home.

“Unless, you want to order dinner?” he offered, giving me hope. I shouldn’t want to spend time with him so much, but I didn’t want him to leave.

“Dinner would be great,” I said, desperately trying not to sound too eager. His grin matched mine and we went together into the kitchen to find take-out menus. After deciding on Chinese for dinner we settled in front of the TV and found a movie. Blaine pulled me against him and wrapped his arm around me, kissing me softly and sweetly before turning his attention to the movie.

After dinner arrived we ate in companionable silence then settled on the couch again. Blaine stretched out and positioned me in front of him, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. His scent tickled my nose and made me want to burrow into him and never leave. My fingers entwined with his and I wriggled my hips to get closer to him. He breathed out a huff of breath when my ass nudged against his jeans, which were still happy to see me.

He drug my hair off my neck and covered my skin with his lips, a kiss that made my entire body shiver and want more. Just when I thought he was going to pull back he growled in my ear and whispered, “Fuck it.”

Before I could ask him what was going on he scooped me up and was carrying me down the hall. I directed him to my bedroom and felt my pulse kick into high gear as Blaine checked for cats then kicked my bedroom door closed. “You’re all mine tonight,” he demanded before sealing our lips together and cutting off any possible answer.

The post Crazy Cat Lady, part two appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Crazy Cat Lady, part one

I slammed the door in his face, not giving him another chance to say something. The nerve, calling me a Crazy Cat Lady. He’s a first class asshole and I’m not wasting my time on him, or any other man, again. Some people have no vision, or compassion.

“Alright, kitties. Since my night just got ruined, I’m going to go to the store. It’s always nice and quiet on Friday nights. Unfortunately I know that well. I’ll be back in a little while.”

I draped a scarf around my neck to ward off the chill in the evening air and went out to my SUV. A few meows followed me out the door, but they would be fine. My nine cats were used to being left alone and occasionally there would be fights as a result, but it seemed Boots was showing the others who was boss.

The pet supply store was a brightly lit beacon calling to me as soon as I turned into the shopping center. Even the employees were starting to recognize me, probably thinking I must be a crazy cat lady too. Well, screw them too. I knew I wasn’t crazy.

I parked out near the cart return and headed into the store. The smell of the animals and the pet supplies wrapped around me and made me feel better already. That jerk didn’t know what he was talking about. Maybe nine cats is a bit much, but he didn’t even want to consider anything other than me being crazy. Maybe a part of me was, but I couldn’t turn my back on those cats.

I had no problem turning my back on an asshole though.

I wheeled a cart over to the cat aisle and looked at the options. Not that I needed to. I practically had the aisle memorized. I could close my eyes and still pick out exactly what I needed. Something was bothering me though. Like that jerk got to me more than I wanted to admit.

“Excuse me,” a deep voice said behind me. My eyes flashed up, and up, and up to the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen. A smile quirked the side of his stubbled jaw and a dimple peeked at me. But it was the tiny kitten cuddled in his large hand that melted my heart.

“Mew,” whispered the kitten and I reached out to pet her.

My hand connected with her soft fur and she nuzzled her head into my hand. My fingers grazed the edge of his hand and reminded me the kitten wasn’t alone.

“I’m sorry. I should have asked. I have a weakness for cats,” I admitted sheepishly. The last thing I needed was another man telling me how crazy I was in one night.

“You’re fine. I was actually wondering if you would be willing to help me. I just got her and I’m a bit lost with what she needs.”

“Oh, uh… I don’t work here,” I stammered. I glanced down at my clothes and wondered why he would think I could help him.

His free hand dove through his hair and he scratched the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah, I know. Actually, I saw you in here a while ago buying a huge bag of cat food. I just sort of figured if you needed that much cat food you would know what a cat needed.”

Embarrassment crept over me, turning my cheeks pink and making me wish I’d just stayed home tonight.

“I’m sorry. If you’re busy, that’s fine. The employees seem nice but they’ve always come across as doing a job, not loving animals the way I figured any animal owner and lover does. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

He turned away and tucked the kitten closer. My heart melted just a bit and I knew I was taking out my anger with that jerk, Rob, on him. “Wait,” I called after him. “I’m sorry. I’ll be happy to help you.”

“Really?” he asked with an adorable grin. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, let’s get this little one set up. I’m Karen, by the way.”

“Right, sorry. I’m Blaine and this is Skyy.”

“Nice to meet you both. So, Blaine, do you have anything yet?”

He shook his head and his dark hair drifted over his right eye. I noticed his broad shoulders and long lean form and couldn’t stop the flash of desire that rocketed through me. He looked adorable with his black and white kitten nuzzled against his chest and the look of pure confusion on his face. I wanted nothing more than to cuddle up with the two of them for the night.

Or the rest of my life.

No, I wasn’t going to go back there. I wasn’t going to imagine my life with a guy, especially one I just met.

“The first things you’ll need are food, litter, a litter box, and food and water bowls. After that, you might want to think about a carrier and some toys.”

“Let’s just get it all. Any suggestions?”

I walked Blaine and Skyy through picking out everything they would need. He had gotten her earlier from the pound so I also gave him the name of my vet and offered him some flea meds to get them started.

“You seem to know a lot about cats. How many do you have?” Blaine asked as we walked out to our cars, me with a super-sized bag of cat food and a matching box of litter, and Blaine with everything Skyy needed and more.

“Uh, well, I actually have a lot. I sort of can’t stand to see an animal put down if it’s healthy so I tend to take them in.”

He cocked his head to the side and looked at me. “You rescue rescues, don’t you?”

I blushed and nodded. He’d so easily explained what I could never seem to get others to understand. When the shelter had cats that were set to be euthanized I would adopt them. It’s added up, but I always seem to find a good home for them.

“That’s really admirable.”

I shrugged. “It’s my small part. Anyway, that’s how I know so much. I’ve had about thirty in and out of my house this year.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind us coming over?”

“No, it’s fine, as long as you don’t mind a bunch of cats and being around the Crazy Cat Lady.”

His eyes narrowed at me and he reached out to grip my shoulder. “You are not a Crazy Cat Lady. You’re amazing. And beautiful.”

His compliment hung in the air between us. Blaine stepped toward me and brushed a strand of hair from my cheek, his warm fingers feathering over my face until they tunneled through my hair. His lips came down on mine as his hand pulled me into him. Warmth spread through me, heating my body from the inside out, as Blaine kissed me thoroughly and passionately, like a man starving for everything I had.

I returned his kiss with equal fervor. His tongue tangled with mine until a sharp pain pierced my chest. “Ow,” I cried, jumping back.

“Mew,” leaked out from between us, reminding me that he was cradling Skyy the whole time. One of her claws must have got me as we crushed her between us.

“Sorry,” Blaine started. “I… You just looked so beautiful and I couldn’t stop myself.”

I cocked my head to the side and gave him a look full of confidence I didn’t really feel then asked, “Are you going to follow me home?”

The post Crazy Cat Lady, part one appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Homegrown Love, part three

Read part one and part two of Homegrown Love first!

Alex took the news better than expected. He was upset that Hope had kept such a huge secret from him, and that they’d gone behind his back for so long. He was also hurt that Paul had come back to town and not called him, but Hope couldn’t do anything about that.

She put Adam to bed at seven and set about cleaning the house. She picked up his toys and stashed them in the bins she kept around the room, the ones that were usually empty. The living room looked the same as it had the last time Paul had been in her life, something Hope suddenly felt embarrassed by. She wanted him to believe she was doing well, that she didn’t need him and didn’t miss him. She wanted to show him how great her life was.

It was all a fake.

With Alex out for the night and Adam sleeping, Hope had nothing to do but sit and wait. And worry. She’d gotten good at worrying since becoming a mom. Some days she felt like her only conscious thoughts were worrying about what could happen to Adam. Now, with Paul back, her fears centered around losing her son, even part of the time, to the man who’d left her when she needed him most.

When the doorbell finally rang Hope had chewed off all her fingernails. She jumped at the sound and rested a hand on her chest as she went to open the door.

Paul looked good. His dark hair was still wet, curled around his collar. On top was disheveled as though he’d been running his hands through it the entire drive. She knew he probably had and it made her feel better that he was just as nervous as she was.

Hope stepped back without a word to let him in. Paul stepped inside for the first time in five years and looked around. She wondered if he saw any of the things she saw when she looked around the room. Like the couch where they’d shared their first kiss. The door that he’d pressed her against after she went out with someone else and he admitted he wanted her all to himself. The kitchen where they’d made dinner more times than they could count. Or the bedroom where he’d taken her virginity and then some.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Paul asked.

Hope sat on a chair opposite the couch and gestured for him to sit across from her. He did. With her hands clasped in front of her, Hope began her story. “I found out after you’d left. I was 17 and didn’t know how to find you. Alex didn’t know where you’d gone and you changed your number. We had no way of getting in touch with you. I tried social media but couldn’t ever find you. There was no way for me to tell you.”

“I left because I knew Alex would kill me if he found out. I’d made a comment about how gorgeous you’d gotten and he nearly took my head off. I told me not to ever look at you again or he’d kill me. I knew I had to leave.”

Hope nodded. She understood. Five years was a long time to stay away but she’d decided years ago she wouldn’t ever see him again. She’d set her mind on getting over him. If he hadn’t left, they would have stayed together, she’d never doubted that. But Alex was very protective of her. It wasn’t a surprise that he threatened Paul.

“I’m sorry you had to find out how you did.”

“Would you have told me?”

Hope took a deep breath. “No. He’s my whole life. I can’t lose him. I don’t know what you’re hoping for, but please don’t take my son away from me.”

Her throat clogged with emotion and her eyes filled. She tried to blink them away but gave up when they streamed down her cheeks. Hope squeezed her eyes shut. She heard him move, rise from the couch and move toward her. He took her hands in his and wiped her cheeks with a finger. “Please don’t cry Hope. I could never handle it when you cried. God, honey, please, stop.”

Hope strained to stop the tears and finally managed to calm the terror in her chest and look into his eyes. He was so close, his crystal blue eyes peering deep into hers.

She wanted to believe what she saw in his gaze. It opened up a part of her that had been closed off since he left, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust it. Didn’t know if it was real.

Paul’s hand caressed her cheek and she leaned into it, unconsciously. “I left because I loved you. I left because I couldn’t have you, not the way I wanted. It broke me to leave. Without you in my life everything was… it sucked.”

He paused, obviously searching for words. Hope waited him out, not trusting her own voice to say anything. She didn’t know where he was going with his train of thought but she wasn’t about to stop him.

“I’ve missed you every single day. I tried to move on but I saw your face on every woman I met. I heard you laugh inside my head constantly. I dreamed of a life together. A little boy,” he laughed. “I came back to find you. I was going to call Alex and ask if I could date you, tell him I’m in love with you. Start over. I got a job here so I could be close to you and I was hoping you would give me another chance.”

Hope’s heart crashed inside her chest, pounding relentlessly as he spoke. She closed her eyes and could see everything he talked about. A family, the two of them together, with their son, maybe even more kids. It was everything she wouldn’t let herself dream of, but everything she’d ever wanted.

“It won’t be easy, I know that,” Paul continued. “But I’m willing to do whatever I have to to prove that I’m not leaving this time. And it doesn’t matter what Alex says. You hold my heart, you always have, and I’m not letting you go again. Please, Hope, say something.”

Words left her. She couldn’t think of anything to say. Instead she just leaned in and tentatively brushed her lips against his.

The soft kiss shocked him still for a second before he took control of her lips. His hand cupped her cheek and pulled her close to him, his tongue sweeping through her mouth to learn her all over again. She sighed softly against his lips, new and old all at the same time.

“I never thought you’d come back.”

“I’m never leaving again. I’m home. For good.”

He sealed his lips to hers again and let her lead him to her room. And started to make up for the last five years.

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