by R. R. Banks
I smile and feel my heart speed up even more – worrying me that it might just pop out of my chest entirely.
“That's how I feel too, Caleb,” I say.
“I'm so glad to hear you say that.”
I stand rooted to my spot, clamping my hand over my mouth when he drops to his knee before me. Looking up at me, a nervous – almost terrified – expression on his face, Caleb slips a small box out of his pocket and opens it, revealing an amazing diamond and white gold ring.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice little more than a whisper.
“I'm asking if you'd do me the honor of being my wife, Veronica,” he says. “And not my fake wife, but my real wife. I love you and want today's ceremony to be real.”
I stand perfectly still, not trusting myself to speak for a long moment. I just stand there and stare at him like an idiot.
“Veronica?” he finally asks.
His voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I nod as tears well in my eyes.
“Yes, Caleb,” I say. “Yes.”
He stands up and I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. I can't believe this is happening. It's surreal. And yet, it makes me happier than few things in this life can.
“Well then,” he says. “Shall we go get married?”
I take his arm and let him lead me to the sliding glass doors that lead to the gazebo beyond. And as the wedding march begins to play over the small stereo system we have set up, all eyes turn to us. My stomach is in knots and I'm about to burst – but I'm happy.
With Justin preceding us down the aisle, the ring sitting on a red cushion Caleb had given them, we step out of the house and onto the red carpet, taking our first steps toward building our life together.
Chapter Eight
“That was amazing,” I say as we step into our cabin.
“Great runs today,” Caleb said. “I'm so glad we got a fresh snow last night.”
For our honeymoon, we decided to forgo the usual tropical locations like Bali or Tahiti. Instead, Melinda offered to watch Justin for us, so we headed for Brianhead, Utah for a weeklong ski trip. And it has been the most amazing trip of my life. It's also the first time I've ever been skiing.
There is a fire burning in the fireplace, so I strip off my jacket, and stand before it letting the warmth envelop me. Caleb stands behind me with his arms around my waist, nuzzling my neck.
“You're getting pretty good out there,” he says.
“I have a good teacher.”
I turn and wrap my arms around him, pulling him close to me. Our kiss warms my skin more effectively than the fire. As he runs his hands through my hair, I feel the heat inside of me building. I feel myself growing wet as Caleb caresses my body, as our tongues mingle and swirl together.
I lift his t-shirt off over his head and toss it to the side, running my hands over his smooth, toned chest. Leaning forward, I tease his nipples with the tip of my tongue and then suck on them, bite them, drawing a gasp from Caleb.
I raise my hands as he lifts my shirt off of me and tosses it in the general direction I'd tossed his. The heat inside of me is building and I need to have him inside of me. We're still wearing our clumsy ski pants, so we both step back and quickly wriggle out of them, throwing them on the floor. Both of us now naked, I take his hand and pull him to the rug in front of the fireplace, relishing in the feel of the heat upon my skin.
Caleb leans down and kisses me as I take his cock in my hand, giving it a firm squeeze. He's hard and thick and moans softly as I start to stroke him. I've never been looked at the way he's looking at me in that moment. The way his eyes roam my body, from my toes to the tip of my nose, he drinks me in and appears that he's savoring me. He makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Caleb makes me scream and then giggle as he picks me up and then bends me over the arm of the couch. I look back at him over my shoulder and bite my bottom lip, my body tingling with anticipation. Caleb looks at me, absolute desire and hunger in his eyes.
“I can't wait,” he says. “I need to be inside of you. Now.”
That naked display of desire gets me even wetter than I thought possible. He steps forward, and guides his cock to my tight, wet little opening. With one hard thrust, he sheaths himself deep in my pussy, filling me up completely.
I cry out and then call his name as he begins pumping his cock, driving his shaft into me again and again. Caleb gives my ass a firm smack as he pulls my hair, wrenching my head backward. I revel in the sensations coursing through my body as he thrusts his cock so deep inside of me.
“Yes, baby,” I cry out. “Fuck me. Harder.”
Keeping hold of my hair, with his other hand, Caleb digs his fingers into the soft skin of my hip as he begins thrusting himself into me harder and faster. Our cries blend together with the sound of flesh meeting flesh as our bodies collide, filling the cabin with the sound of sheer ecstasy.
He thrusts hard, burying himself deep inside of me, and sets off an explosion that rocks my entire body. I shudder and shake, calling his name and crying out as my orgasm tears through me. My eyes roll back in my head as its fire runs through my veins.
When the orgasm finally subsides, I stand up and put my hands on Caleb's chest. He smiles as I push him down on the couch and climb onto his lap, straddling him. I grab hold of his long, stiff cock and guide it to my opening. I gasp as I slide the head of his dick into me, moaning as I slide down every incredible inch, and bite his shoulder as he fills me up.
He squeezes my ass and gives it a firm smack, kissing my neck as I start to move my hips, sliding up and down on his cock. The sensation of him buried so deep in me as I ride him sets off fireworks behind my eyes. My head is spinning and I feel almost lightheaded as I start bouncing up and down on his cock harder and faster.
I call out his name as he thrusts his hips upward, driving himself even deeper into me. I dig my nails into his shoulders as he sucks on my breasts while he moves within me. The pressure low in the center of me is rising again and I know he's going to make me come again.
Caleb's breathing grows shallower, ragged, his movements becoming more frantic. I feel his body tensing and he lets out a sound that's half-growl, half-moan of pleasure.
“Come for me, baby,” I say. “I want to make you feel so good.”
“Oh, you do, Veronica,” he gasps. “You make me feel amazing.”
I use the muscles inside of me to squeeze his cock as I slide down on Caleb's shaft, taking him as deep inside of me as I can, making him cry out. His body stiffens and I feel his cock start to throb and pulse deep inside of me. A moment later, I feel the gush of his hot, wet seed as he fills me up.
The sensation of his cum spurting inside of me sets off an explosion within me. My body trembles and clenches up as my orgasm comes crashing down over me. I scream Caleb's name as the ripples of pleasure spread throughout my body.
We collapse together on the couch, our bodies tangled up with each other. I lay my head on his chest, hearing his heart thundering inside of him and relishing the feel of his seed still inside of me. Placing a kiss upon his skin, I trace my fingertips across his body.
Slowly, our breathing returns to normal and he places a kiss on the top of my head. Life has a funny way of throwing you twists and turns you never expected. And falling in love with my best friend certainly qualifies as that.
But it feels so natural. So right. Our bodies feel like they were made for one another – as do our souls. Everything just feels so – perfect. It's a feeling I never expected, but one I can get used to.
I look up at him and smile. “I love you, Caleb Graham.”
His smile lights up the room around us. “And I love you, Mrs. Veronica Graham,” he says. “My almost fake wife.”
I playfully slap his chest but laugh. And in that moment, as the snow starts falling gently outside again and the fire heats up the cabin, I doubt that I could possibly ever be happier than I am.
THE E
ND
These are some samples of amazing work by my friends that I think you’ll really enjoy!
Legends of Black Salmon Falls (Sample)
Loved by a Bear (Complete Book 1)
Prologue
The man took a seat at the counter of the roadside diner. It was late, there was a chill in the air, and it had been drizzling on and off all day long. In other words, just another typical day in the Pacific Northwest. But he was used to it. As a truck driver, he'd made the run up and down through Washington, Oregon, and California more times than he could count.
But in all his trips up and down the West Coast, he hadn't ever passed through Black Salmon Falls before. He was on his way to Olympia and this popped up as a shortcut that would save him a few hours. So, the man, always looking to do less work than necessary, decided to give it a shot.
“What can I get you?”
The man looked up from the menu at the cute, perky little waitress who was husting over to where he was sitting.
“They got you workin' late,” he said.
She shrugged. “It's quiet,” she said. “Gives me time to do some homework.”
The man nodded and looked the girl up and down. She was pretty – had a wholesome look to her, with her long blonde hair and milky white skin. She probably wasn't more than nineteen or twenty. Fresh faced and with a girl next door appeal.
And the man was suddenly in the mood for something – it just wasn't for food.
But the man was subtle. Sly. He'd had more than enough practice over the years and all of his trips up and down the left side of the country to know that he needed to bide his time and wait for the opportune moment. He was patient and he was deliberate – skills he'd spent years honing.
“Homework, huh?” he asked. “What are you studying?”
She smiled and he thought it made her even prettier. “Nursing,” she said. “I want to be a nurse.”
The man nodded. “A nurse, huh?” he said. “I bet you'll make a good one too.”
The girl smiled and her cheeks colored. She had a sweet, quiet way about her. Definitely the girl next door type. Definitely his type. The man felt that familiar surge of energy in his body he got whenever he was on a hunt – whenever he found his quarry.
And he had definitely found his quarry.
“So, what can I get you?” she asked.
He sighed and looked at his menu. “I'll take some coffee. And give me the chicken fried steak special. Fries instead of mashed potatoes, and wheat toast, please.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “I'll go get your coffee right away.”
“Thank you –” he squinted and looked at her name tag, “Aubrey.”
She smiled at him. “Of course.”
The girl turned and punched his order into her computer. She was a good-looking girl and the man smiled to himself. He hadn't intended to stumble upon this little treasure trove, but he thanked his good fortune for it. He hadn't had a woman in a few weeks and he'd been feeling a little restless. Aubrey had come along at just the right time.
The man smiled to himself again – apparently, the gods were rewarding him. He wasn't sure what he was being rewarded for, but he'd take it.
She came back and set his mug of coffee down in front of him. “So, you just passing through?”
He nodded. “Yup, got a run up north a ways yet,” he replied. “Thought I'd stop in for a little fuel for the last push.”
“Good idea,” she said. “The last thing you want is to fall asleep on the road.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
She flashed him another smile and then turned and walked off. She checked on two guys at a table in the corner. He felt a surge of anger rush through him as she laughed and flirted with the two guys. The girl belonged to him. And he didn't like the way she was throwing herself at those two guys.
A few minutes later, she returned and set his plate down in front of him with a smile. “One chicken fried steak special.”
“Thanks,” he said and then looked over at the men in the corner booth. “You know those guys over there?”
“Yeah, they're regulars,' she said. “Local guys. They usually come in for pie and coffee a few nights a week.”
The man nodded and couldn't completely stuff down that surge of dark anger inside of him. “Yeah? So, which one you screwin'?” he asked. “Both of 'em?”
The girl froze in place and looked at him, eyes wide, her mouth agape. “Excuse me?”
“Just a question,” he said. “You seem pretty friendly with 'em. Pretty familiar.”
The girl let out a sound of disgust and turned away from him, storming off to the other end of the counter. It wasn't his smoothest move, but the man didn't care. She belonged to him. She was his property. And he didn't like the thought of his property being handled by anybody but him.
The man dug into his meal, keeping on eye on the girl, who was trying to concentrate on her books. But judging by the look on her face, she was having trouble doing it. He'd obviously rattled her. Which wasn't a bad thing. It was part of his routine – he usually just set it up a little bit better. But he relied on his quarry being rattled and upset. It clouded their thinking and kept them off balance.
And that was exactly how he wanted them. Needed them.
He drained the last of his coffee and raised his cup, indicating he wanted a refill. Still looking angry and upset, Aubrey closed her book, grabbed the coffee pot, and walked down to his place at the counter. She didn't smile, make eye contact, or speak to him as she refilled his mug.
“Listen,” he said. “I'm sorry about before. I just –”
“It's fine,” she said, her tone telling him it was anything but fine.
She turned to go, but he grabbed her by the wrist. She cried out in pain as he forced her to turn around and look at him.
“I'm trying to apologize,” he hissed. “The least you could do was have a little respect.”
“Please,” she said, struggling to break free of his grasp. “You're hurting me.”
“I said I was –”
The man stopped talking when a hand fell onto his shoulder, gripping him tightly. He turned and looked at the man whose hand was on him. Standing behind him were the two guys from the corner booth – the local boys. The two guys his property was probably banging like drums.
“There a problem here?” the guy with his hand on the man's shoulder asked.
“No problem,” the man replied. “Just trying to make a point.”
“Yeah, you can probably make your point without manhandling her,” he said and then in a tone practically dripping with ice, added, “so take your goddamn hands off of her. Now.”
The man looked at him, fighting back the rage that was bubbling up inside of him. Now, was not the time to let it out. He'd be able to extract his pound of flesh later. On a field of his own choosing. He let go of Aubrey's wrist and she immediately held it close to her chest, rubbing it like it was sore.
“My apologies,” the man said. “It was a simple misunderstanding.”
“Yeah, well,” said the guy behind him, “I think it's time for you to go.”
“I haven't finished my meal yet,” he said.
“And you're not going to,” the guy said. “You can get another meal somewhere else down the road.”
The second man stepped in and took the plate off the counter, walking behind the counter and dropping it in a tub of dirty dishes with a loud clatter.
“Looks like you're done,” he said.
The man smirked and wiped his mouth off with his napkin. He didn't like the idea of being told he had to leave. But at the same time, he didn't want to make any more of a scene than he already had. He didn't want to be memorable. He'd let his temper get the best of him and now, discretion being the better part of valor, he knew he needed to retreat and regroup a little bit. Standing up, he reached into his pocket for his wallet.
“Don't worry about it,” the first guy said. “Your meal's on us. J
ust go.”
He looked over at Aubrey, who refused to look at him. She simply leaned against the counter, clutching her wrist, tears rolling down her face. The man sighed and turned to the two men who were looming over him. They were both big men. Thick through the shoulders and chest. Typical jock types. He may have been able to take one of them. But two? The man was smarter than that.
He cleared his throat and pulled his hat lower. Without another word, he walked out of the diner and into the chill of the night air. Discretion was the better part of valor. He'd already screwed up once, he wasn't going to make another mistake. Instead, he would get his head back on straight and move forward from there.
He climbed into his truck and looked back at the diner. The two jocks were still standing in the front windows, watching him. The rage within him swelled as he fired up the truck and he imagined himself driving straight through the front of the diner, crushing both of the jocks beneath the wheels. It would have been grisly, but satisfying.
Instead of doing that though, he pulled out of the lot and headed off down the highway a bit. He recalled seeing a sign for a rest stop half a mile down the road and when he found it, he pulled in and shut down.
Taking a few moments to collect himself, the man closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. He concentrated, trying to slow his heart rate and clear his mind. He'd let the two jocks get under his skin. He'd let his control slip. But the girl was his. His property.
And he was going to have her. Nobody was going to stop him. Least of all, a couple of jock frat boys.
Feeling more grounded and centered, the man grabbed his bag out of the sleeping compartment and climbed out of his truck. He surveyed the lot and saw only two other trucks parked at the far end. The night was dark and the lights in the rest stop were dim – the bulbs in the lights were obviously on their way out. There was more shadow than pools of light, making visibility difficult – something that worked in his favor.
