Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 1

by Tina Bendoni, Michelle Hasker

  Her arms brought her chest up higher, dragging his attention to the ample amount of cleavage her silk robe left available for viewing. He gritted his teeth. “Yes, boyfriend. I assume you have one if you have a man's robe waiting around for strangers."

  Turning back to the sauce, she waved her hand. “Assume whatever you want. If you're comfortable in only a towel, feel free."

  Damn, this woman was more on again off again than a water spigot. Her comments, both the one in the truck, and when she lay over his body were deliberate. He knew she wasn't unaffected by him, how could she be? Then she turned her head slightly and she licked her lips, as she took a deep breath with her eyes closed.

  Chris smiled. She definitely wasn't unaffected. Hmmm, how can I best take advantage of that? He wanted her, and she obviously wanted him. No more game playing.

  Taking a few steps closer to her, he brought his body up against her.

  "So, is there one or isn't there?"

  He heard her breath hitch. “One what?"

  "A boyfriend."

  "What does it matter?"

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. “Because I want to know who I am going to have to deal with after doing this."

  He swooped down, intending to take her lips in a quick, hard kiss, but she beat him to the punch, meeting him with open wet lips, eager to match his.

  The shock that shot though his system when he had touched her earlier was nothing compared to what he felt at the touch of her lips. Soft, full and gentle, they gave way to his pressure as sparks shot straight to his groin, waking up a cock that had been at least semi-hard ever since she walked into the banquet hall earlier today. He groaned as he pressed against her further, opening his mouth to search hers, stroking her tongue as he tasted the sauce she had obviously sampled before he entered the room. Tingles at the back of his head shot down his spine, urging him to deepen the kiss.

  And he did. He took her tightly into his arms and crushed her against him as he thrust his tongue between her lips. All thoughts of boyfriend or husband fled as the only thing he could think of was her in his arms, under his body, in his bed.

  Her arms twined around his neck as he pulled his body back slightly to allow himself access to the tie of her robe. He tugged at the belt, allowing it to slide free as he reached a hand in to cup her breast.

  She was naked underneath the robe and the touch of her hard nipple against his palm was enough to convince him she wanted him as much as he did her. Flicking it with his thumb, he caressed her large breast, weighing it in his hand.

  "Mmmm,” she moaned into his lips, vibrating against his tongue as he tasted her fully. He pulled his head back and bent down to take her nipple in his mouth, as he bent her over the arm he put around her back. He imagined she tasted as sweet as she smelled, and he wanted to sample all of her.

  As he took her into his mouth, her hands wrapped in his hair, urging him harder. Not wanting to be accused of not listening to women again, he was eager to comply. He opened his mouth to take the nub in entirely, before pulling back a bit to nip at it with his teeth.

  She had large, rosy nipples, and he couldn't resist playing with them both. One with his lips, the other with his hand. Her sighs and moans of appreciation told him he was doing something right. His cock hardened even more when he heard Dawn hiss, “Yes,” as he bit firmly down on one.

  Pulling back he looked in her eyes and said, “Bedroom.” It was a demand, and she gestured back down the hallway in response as he picked her up and strode quickly in the direction she had pointed.

  He barely gave her room a glance. All he saw was the bed in front of them. It was a king-sized bed, plenty big enough for both of them. Bringing her to it, he laid her down in the middle of the bed, and sat beside her.

  She held onto him as she watched him with questioning eyes, tracking his every movement.

  "I want to look at you. Ever since I saw you across the room today, all I have been able to think about is this beautiful body. How it would feel against mine as we made love. And how you would taste."

  He saw her shiver at his words, and his body grew warm at the pleasure he knew they both were about to experience. He reached for her hands, kissing the palm of each one gently before laying them down at her sides.

  Parting the robe fully, he got his first uninterrupted view of her body. And it was something to gape at. His sister was right, he tended to date thinner women but he obviously hadn't known what he was missing. Dawn was soft where a woman should be, and firm where she should be firm. A little bulge over her belly that was adorable, and her breasts were more than enough to fill his hands. And her pussy. He groaned. She shaved her pussy.

  "And the boyfriend issue?” He looked at her face. He needed to know if she were dating anyone else, because he knew without a doubt once he had her, he wouldn't let her go back to another man. There was something about this woman, just being near her set his senses on fire.

  And it was more than just physical. He wanted her, yes. But he enjoyed her company. He enjoyed the time spent with her at the reception hall, and in the truck just talking.

  She shook her head in denial of a boyfriend. “I bought the robe for my father for his birthday. It's next week."

  Good, one less guy he'd have to fight for her. “You are beautiful, do you know that?"

  Dawn shook her head in the negative. “I'm average. Nothing more."

  "Oh, no, you're beautiful. From your gorgeous eyes...” He bent down to kiss them gently.

  "...to your breasts...” He cupped them lovingly as he paid homage to each one. Sucking and nipping at her until she was panting.

  "...your smooth stomach...” He grasped her by the hips and moved between her legs to more easily lave attention on her stomach, licking his way across her belly from hip to hip.

  "...to this.” His body was already positioned the way he wanted it, and he lay a gentle, sweet kiss on her shaved mound. It was smooth and soft and as he lightly blew across it, she wiggled against his hands.

  Smiling, he brought his face down closer and nuzzled against her. “I want to taste you. Please?"

  Chris looked up at her from his position between her legs and saw her smile seductively as she said, “Please."

  It was all the encouragement he needed before he moved his hands down to her thighs to pull her open for his attentions.

  He loved eating pussy. There was something about it that made his already hard cock harden even more. The sweet smell of a woman in the throes of desire, open to him, letting him do with her as he pleased.

  Slowly, he brought his tongue out and licked her vagina from bottom to top. Taking the first glorious taste of her into his mouth. She tasted fresh like the dawn of a morning, bright with promise for the future.

  It was his secret he would never share with another man, but bringing a woman to orgasm with just his tongue was better for him than an actual orgasm. He loved having her cream coat his face as she called out his name.

  Eager for Dawn to experience the same pleasure, he gave her all the attention he could deliver. Licking at her, he worked his way up to her clitoris where he paid quite a bit of attention. Sucking and nipping, he listened to her moans and muttered pleas as he drove her over the edge.

  Satisfied she had come, repeatedly, he moved up to cover her body with his.

  "Enough,” she said breathlessly.

  Chris smiled. “Enough? You want me to stop?"

  Dawn's hands grasped his hips, and the towel that was amazingly somehow still wrapped around him. “Hell no,” she said as she opened the towel and threw it to the side of the bed.

  "Condom?” Her voice shocked him. He barely stopped himself in time. I never have sex without a condom, what has gotten into me?

  "In my wallet.” He moved as though to get off her.

  "No.” She gestured with her hand toward the bed table. He reached over and opened the drawer, pulling one out.

  "Glow in the dark?"

 
She giggled. “From a trip to planned parenthood with a couple of my students."

  He grinned before ripping open the plastic package and putting the bright green condom on.

  Eager to feel her surrounding him, he repositioned his body so his cock lined up with her pussy, and slowly moved in. The first touch of her against his shaft had him shaking and he had to stop for a minute to take a breath.

  "Are you okay?” He opened his eyes to see her looking concerned at him.

  "Oh, yeah. Just wanna take this slow.” He smiled his reassurance at her as he pushed further in, slowly, until he was seated completely inside her.

  He hadn't known what paradise felt like until that moment. He was in heaven, and he was damned if he was going to rush the feeling.

  But both Dawn and his cock had other plans. Her body, still pulsating from her orgasms, felt wonderful, tightening and loosening against him, driving him insane. There was no way he would make this last, so he might as well go out with a bang.

  He smiled at his own analogy as he started to move against Dawn. Her hips swung up to meet his thrusts as he rammed into her harder and harder. It was a matter of no time at all before he felt the pressure building up, and he knew he was about to come. Reaching down, Chris flicked at Dawn's clit again, pushing against it, driving her to one more orgasm, as he too came with a final thrust.

  * * * *

  "You think maybe we should call Julie and tell her we won't be making it back tonight?” He realized it had only been a few minutes since he had collapsed against her, but it felt like hours, and he wasn't eager to move from the heat of her skin.

  "I already did. While you were in the shower."

  "What did she say? Was she worried?"

  Dawn smiled at him. “A little. But I assured her we would be okay."

  "Dawn, listen, about this."

  "About what? This? Don't worry. It was nothing. We had a little bit of fun. That's it.” She tapped him on the hip, and rolled out of the bed. “I'm gonna take a quick shower. You're welcome to sleep here with me, or if you prefer, I have a guest room made up."

  "Guest room?” What the hell is she talking about? Is she kicking me out of her bed after the best sex of my life?

  "I know some guys prefer not to cuddle after sex, so thought I'd make sure you know I'm not making any demands. You can sleep in the other room if you want. It won't bother me either way."

  He watched as she walked into the attached bathroom, and he heard the shower turn on. Didn't she feel the connection between us? To hell with the spare room, he was going to convince her that he wanted to be with her even if it took him all night.

  * * * *

  Chris looked up from the head table at the wedding reception and searched the hall for Dawn. The rain had stopped at some point while they were making love, and shortly after she'd gotten out of the shower, her father called to say the water was down and he was coming over to check on her.

  She'd convinced Chris to leave before her father got there, and assured him her dad would take her to pick up her car on Friday. They'd loaded up the candelabra, and she'd given him a peck on the cheek before sending him on his way.

  He expected to spend some time with her after the rehearsal dinner last night, but she'd left as soon as the rehearsal was over. He'd had to stay for the dinner, and thought about seeing her afterwards, but Julie had told him something about her having a date.

  A date? After what had happened Thursday night? What the hell did she think that meant?

  And today, she had totally ignored him all day. Only spoke to him to direct him in his duties as Man of Honor. He'd be damned if he let her get away tonight without explaining herself to him.

  He saw her meet up with Julie across the room. She was wearing her coat, as though ready to leave for the night. Oh hell, no. Before he knew what he was doing, he was out of his seat and halfway across the room.

  She managed to get out the door before he reached her, but that wasn't going to stop him.

  Finally catching up with her as she got to her car, he called out her name. She turned and smiled slightly at him.

  "Dawn, what's going on?"

  "What do you mean?” She was fiddling with her keys as though nervous.

  "Well, you've been ignoring me, for one."

  "Ignoring you? What gives you that idea? I've been talking to you all day."

  "Yeah, to tell me where to stand or what to say. Other than that, you haven't said a damn word to me."

  "Chris, it was your sister's wedding. That's what I was here for."

  "Well it's over now."

  "Yes, it is. And it's time for me to go home and catch up on my sleep. I have another wedding next weekend to finish up."

  "What about us?"

  "What do you mean? There is no ‘us'."

  "What about the other night?"

  She looked down at her keys in her hand. “Chris, the other night was wonderful. But that's all it was. Great fun. It's over."

  "The hell it is!” Chris heard himself curse at the same instant her eyes widened in anger at him. That definitely wasn't the right thing to say.

  "Excuse me?"

  "Look, I'm sorry. But I thought we had something the other night."

  "We did. We had great sex."

  "We had something more than that."

  She sighed. “What is this, Chris? A test?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  Dawn turned away and unlocked her door before opening it and throwing her purse inside. She turned to face him, her body in the V of the car and door. “I know how you are with women, Chris. I knew it going in, and I accepted it. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

  "Dammit! Julie warned you away from me, didn't she?"

  Dawn shook her head as she sighed. “She didn't warn me away from anyone. She just wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into."

  "But it's not like that with you, Dawn."

  Dawn gave a harsh laugh. “Chris, you don't know me. All you know is one night together. Hell, it wasn't even the entire night. It was a couple hours."

  She was right. He didn't know anything about her except for those couple hours. And what Julie had told him. Well, that and what he knew about her deep inside. What he felt about her. He really had felt a connection with her.

  It had started from the moment he had seen her walk into the reception hall, and it had grown every second in her presence. There was something about her that was different, special. He knew he couldn't let her go. He needed to see if this had any potential.

  For the first time in his life he was looking forward to a possible future with someone.

  "Dawn, I know this is gonna be hard to believe, but I felt something the other night. I can't explain it, but I need the chance to see if this can be as good as I think it can. There is something between us, and I don't want to throw it away before it even starts."

  He reached out for her, lifting her chin with side of his first finger. “Do you?"

  She looked away for a few seconds. For a moment he was afraid she would insist there wasn't anything there, that it was all in his imagination. And then her soft, “No,” reached his ears.

  "I have never felt this way about someone before, Dawn. Can we give it a try? See if this is something real and not just a fluke? Please?” He realized with a start that the fortune teller had been right. It was time to experience life in a different way.

  As she nodded, a weight lifted from his chest. It was definitely time to change things. And he was ready to start with Dawn.

  DEATH

  by

  Michelle Hasker

  "Death."

  "Death? Are you sure? I'm so very young, I have my whole life ahead of me. I mean, I haven't even found a man to love yet."

  Abigail Montgomery stared into the wide blue eyes of the petite blond. Grace Evans, an elementary school teacher, always put her friends and career before herself. Grace wasn't pleased by the news, but she deserved a f
air warning so she would be prepared when the time came. The lives of many depended on the choice Grace would be forced to make by the end of the year. The wrong choice could cost more than her life. The price could be her very soul, and those of many others.

  "You know what I mean.” Grace laughed, nervousness evident in her every motion.

  Abigail nodded her head. She wished ignorance was bliss in this case. But she had to give Grace enough information so her client could make the right choice. “You thought you had plenty of time to check the water before diving in. I understand that. In today's world, it is a wise choice. Pulling the Death card during a reading doesn't necessarily foretell your death. It can mean many things; like the ending of a cycle or a transition into a new state. It can be a warning that you need to change, or you have to sacrifice or give up a vice or even the loss of someone close to you, be it friend or foe."

  "But?” Grace asked after a minute. “What aren't you saying?"

  Abigail smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, I knew you would be a tough one, but I also saw that you will be strong enough to handle what the Goddess has chosen for you."

  "Please, I don't understand what you are saying."

  "In this case, drawing the Death card means exactly what it implies. Death. But the death of your body doesn't mean the end of you. Our souls live on to be reborn again and again. The death of your body isn't the end of your existence."

  "You are telling me that I am going to die?"

  "I'm sorry, Grace, but that is exactly what I am telling you."

  Grace stared at her in a stunned silence. Abigail knew the thoughts that were probably running through Grace's mind.

  "Do you do this often? Tell people they are going to die, and then expect them to be happy about it?"

  "Actually, I never enjoy giving anyone a reading that upsets them, but I can only read the cards that are chosen. I can tell you one more thing. There will be a man—"

  "Isn't there always?"

  Abigail ignored her and continued to speak. “This man will either be your salvation or your destruction."

  "I can't listen to anymore. I'm sorry.” Grace jumped up and ran out of the building.

  This one would need to be carefully watched. Whenever Death showed up in a reading such as this, Abigail made sure she monitored the people to ensure they didn't do anything rash or stupid. Grace seemed like a girl who had it all together, but receiving a death sentence could transform anyone. She just hoped this one turned out the way her vision revealed it would. Otherwise someone would pay for this.