Five Hearts Anthology

by Sandy Sullivan

  Her heart pounded so loud in her ears, she almost didn't hear his words. "Rough?"

  "I won't hurt you." He walked her toward the table. "Lie on your stomach."

  The dining room table felt cool against her heated flesh. She couldn't see Seth and it made her a bit nervous. She could feel his jean clad thighs brushing hers.

  "First things first. Safe word. What do you want to use?"

  "Safe word?"

  "Something like red will do."

  "Red is fine, but what do I need it for?"

  "In case things get too much for you either physically or mentally, but don't use it lightly because if you use it, everything stops and I go home."

  "No!"

  "Good. Ever had a butt plug?"

  "No."

  "Ever had a man in your ass?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you like it?"

  She wasn't sure if she could admit the naughtiness of wanting a man's cock in the dark, forbidden place or not. His hand came down on her butt cheek again. "Ouch."

  "Did you like it?"

  "Yes, all right. I liked it. A lot."

  "Such a naughty girl for a preacher's daughter."

  "Don't mock me, Seth."

  "Sorry, baby. It just surprises me."

  "It shouldn't. My daddy doesn't know I've even had sex. He thinks I'm still a virgin."

  "Personally, I'm glad you're not." She heard the distinctive sound of the cap on the lubricant bottle shortly before the cold, wet slide of it hit her behind. "I'm going to put this plug inside you. Push back when you've got the urge."

  The miniscule beginning of a burn started in her rectum as Seth pushed the plug slowly through her anal muscles. A small hiss escaped her lips.

  "Okay?"

  "Yeah. It's been a while."

  "Nice to know."

  Soon, the plug slid past the widest part as she felt the base against her bottom.

  "I want to touch you."

  "Not this time." His finger glanced over her clit and then plunged inside her pussy.

  "Ahhhh!"

  "A little horny are we?" he asked, working his finger in and out.

  "A lot horny, Seth. Please."

  "Please what?"

  "Fuck me. I need you deep."

  The crinkling sound of a condom wrapper reached her ear and she braced herself with her hands on the other side of the table for his plunge. But he didn't take her right away. "What are you waiting for?"

  He swirled his fingers in her juices and spread them around and around her clit. "I don't want to rush this."

  "We can do it again slow in a few minutes. Right now I need you to fuck me, damn it!"

  "I'm letting you get away with mouthing off this time, but rest assured, baby, it's only because I can't hold back anymore."

  A scream ripped from her throat as he grabbed her hips and rammed his cock home. "Yes, yes, yes."

  Chapter Three

  The shower had grown cooler by the time Seth lost his grip on his climax and cum squirted up his stomach. He sagged against the wall, breathing hard and shaking his head to clear his foggy brain. Coming that hard always took it out of him even if they didn't happen very often and a lot less since he'd broke up with Becky.

  Things were gonna change if he had anything to say about it. To hell with her and Marcus. She belonged to Seth and by God, they were going to be together if it killed him and it just might. Proving to her he could and would make her the happiest woman on the planet, might be difficult since he didn't have a lot. Hell, her daddy's place was fancier than his little apartment above the bar. He didn't care whether the church supplied her daddy his home or not. The large cottage next to the church with its abundant flowerbeds, climbing ivy and bubbling fountain screamed homey far beyond anything Seth could give her.

  He finished washing his hair and body as the doubts resurfaced again.

  What if she doesn't want me back?

  What if I can't make her happy?

  What if she doesn't love me anymore?

  What if she's in love with Marcus now?

  "Enough! I have to give her the chance to tell me." He grabbed a towel and dried off as he walked toward his room. The queen-sized four poster bed took up most of the bedroom, but he had to have a longer bed being over six feet in height. To share it with Becky had been the best thing in his life and he’d screwed it up.

  "No more. To hell with her dad and his condescending attitude. To hell with us having a lot. If we have love, then it'll be enough." He quickly pulled on a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and grabbed some socks and his boots. The errands he needed to run couldn't wait this close to Valentine's Day. The flower shop might be out of roses and he might not be able to get reservations at the restaurant housed inside the hotel. He snapped his fingers and grinned. His credit card might get maxed out, but Becky would be worth it.

  Grabbing his cell phone, he dialed the hotel. "I need to make reservations for a suite for Friday."

  "I'm sorry Sir, but the entire hotel is booked except the honeymoon suite."

  "Perfect. I'll take it."

  "It's two hundred eighty-nine dollars, plus tax, sir."

  He groaned and pulled out his credit card. "Fine. Here's my credit card number. I'll also need a bottle of champagne and several dozen roses. Can you handle the order?"

  "Certainly, sir."

  "Excellent."

  "Celebration, sir?"

  "I'm hoping so, yes," he said as he pulled out the diamond solitaire from his pocket where it's been sitting since this time last year.

  "Very good, sir. We'll see you on Friday."

  Now, what to wear. Tux? Suit? Jeans and a flannel shirt? She'd probably kill him if he got too fancy and if he wore jeans, she'd definitely kill him.

  He had to figure out how to get her to the hotel.

  "Emma!"

  With cell phone in hand, he grabbed a beer and took a seat at his dining room table. His hands shook as he found Emma's phone number and stared at it for several minutes before he hit talk.

  "Hello?"

  "Emma?"

  "Yes, who's this?"

  "Seth Reardon."

  Click.

  Fuck! She hung up on me!

  He dialed again and got voicemail. "Emma, please. I know you're probably majorly pissed off at me for what I did to Becky, but I need your help. I'm begging here. I want her back. I love her and I don't care if she's dating Marcus Milton or not. I have a plan to win her back or try to. I even have an engagement ring I want to give her. Please call me back."

  He waited several moments, and then his phone rang. "Emma?"

  "What's your plan, Seth? I'll warn you, if you hurt her again, I'll personally break both of your legs or have one of Brandon's bodyguards do it for me."

  "I made a mistake," he replied, running his hands through his hair.

  "No shit."

  "I let someone talk me into believing I wasn't good enough for her. I don't have a lot, Emma. You know that."

  "She wanted you, Seth. Not what you have or don't have."

  "I could hardly provide for her."

  "Ever heard of a two income household?" Emma asked, irritation clear in her voice and he couldn't blame her.

  The stupidity of what he'd done made his stomach hurt. "Yeah, but I was supposed to take care of her."

  "Listen, dumbass. She loved you. Still does from what I hear when I talk to her. And what's this about someone named Marcus?"

  "I saw her out with him last night. They had dinner together."

  "Must be the new vet she mentioned, but I didn't think she'd said yes."

  "Apparently she did. They made it look like they've been dating a while."

  "Not that I know of."

  "How are you, Brandon and Beau doing?"

  "Good. We're expecting again. June baby this time."

  "I'm sure your little boy is growing like crazy."

  "Yes, he is and Beau already has him on horseback. Silly man. He's only two."
r />   "It's a guy thing, I'm sure. Brandon will probably be teaching him to play guitar soon too."

  "Already is. We bought him a smaller one for his hands, but he'll be tall like his daddies."

  Misty eyed, he said, "I'm happy for you, Emma. Y'all make such a cute threesome."

  "I never thought I'd be this happy, Seth and I hope you and Becky can get things straightened out."

  "That brings me back to why I called. I need your help getting her to the hotel. I've booked a room with champagne and roses, but I'm not sure how to get her there. It's the honeymoon suite even."

  "Huh. Let me think a moment. It's not going to be easy. She's been telling me for weeks how she plans to stay in and eat her way through two gallons of ice cream by herself."

  "What about you telling her you'll meet her at the hotel?"

  "On Valentine's Day, Seth? She'll never buy me leaving the guys on Valentine's Day to spend it with her. Besides, she knows Brandon and Beau have planned something special. We even have a sitter to take care of our son so we can have some alone time."

  "I really don't need to hear about it, Emma."

  "Sorry, but it's the truth." After a long pause, she said, "I've got it. Give me Marcus' number. I need to talk to him."

  "The enemy?" he asked as he looked up the vet's number.

  "Only if he's really interested. Let me find out what's between them and I'll see what I can do. I'll call you back in a little while."

  After he hung up, he drank his beer and paced. He tried to watch television, but nothing could hold his attention for long. He even tried deciding what to wear, but his thoughts kept going back to the last time he'd made love to Becky in his bed— only a week before he'd broken off their relationship. Damn Joe anyway.

  He jumped when his phone rang an hour later.

  "It's all set," Emma said. "She'll be at the hotel at five."

  "What did you say?"

  "Never mind. Just be ready. It seems Marcus is all about getting you two back together."

  "I didn't tell you the number though."

  "I know which one is the honeymoon suite, Seth. My brother is a co-owner of the thing and I spent part of my honeymoon there."

  "Great. I've already closed the bar for the evening since it's usually slow anyway. People in Red Rock don't want to spend Valentine's Day at the bar."

  He heard a heavy sigh.

  "This is your one shot. If you don't convince her you love her, I can't help you anymore. I won't risk my friendship with her to save your ass again. Understood?"

  "Perfectly. You're the best, Emma."

  "Just remember what I said. Hurt her again and I'll break both your legs."

  "Got it. Talk to you later."

  "Bye."

  * * * *

  Soft music played as the cooler air hit Becky in the face when she rushed through the double glass doors of the Mill House Hotel. Emma wasn't very clear on what the problem was just that Marcus wanted to meet her here in suite twenty-one-twelve. She needed to dress nice and wear perfume? Odd. She figured Marcus would have called himself, but Emma said he was embarrassed about not calling her himself after their date and wanted to make it up to her.

  This whole thing sounded strange, but the call had come in from Emma not more than a few hours ago, leaving her not much time or choice in the matter.

  The short black dress with the elbow length sleeves and full skirt swirled around her. The black mid length jacket she wore covered everything except her shapely legs and peep-toe shoes. She hoped it wasn't too much or too slinky for whatever Marcus had planned.

  Maybe he'd changed his mind about wanting me together with Seth again. After the other night at the restaurant, he'd been the perfect gentleman. Didn't even kiss me goodnight.

  The elevator dinged as it arrived at the ground floor. The bellman inside asked what floor and when she told him the room number she needed, he smiled a sly kind of a smile and pushed the button.

  This whole evening was turning out really weird.

  "Here you are, ma'am."

  "Thank you. Can you point me where—"

  "Second door on the left at the end of the hall. There are only four suites on this floor. Can't miss it."

  She remembered Emma staying in one of these rooms after her joining ceremony to Brandon and Beau. Even though she'd never seen the inside of one, she knew they were luxurious.

  After she found the correct room, she raised her hand and knocked softly calling out Marcus' name.

  The door opened and Marcus held the door open for her. "Come in."

  "What's going on, Marcus?"

  "Alone time, sweetheart."

  "Marcus, you know how I feel about Seth. This isn't right. I thought we agreed on—"

  "We did," he replied, and then kissed her cheek. "Enjoy your evening and don't hate me for this."

  Marcus disappeared out the door, leaving her to stand in the middle of a candlelit room with six doses roses scattered in vases around the area. Brandon's new hit single, "Forever Kind of Love" played softly in the background and Becky wished Seth could understand the concept of the type of love Brandon, Emma and Beau have.

  A table with fine china and silver domes sat to the left. Whatever food sat underneath smelled wonderful as the scents drifted to her nose. A single red rose lay across a plate with an envelope. Her name scrawled in familiar handwriting swam before her eyes.

  Her hands shook when she reached for the note.

  Dear Becky,

  I'm sorry I had to do this in such a sneaky manner, but I couldn't bring

  myself to crawl back to you until now.

  I love you with all of my heart and I have to apologize for how I treated you.

  I never felt good enough for a woman like you, but I've come to realize

  loving you should be enough.

  "You have my heart and soul and always have." Seth's voice reached her ears as she read his words on the page. "Can you ever forgive me and love me again?"

  Tears rolled down her cheeks and his face blurred when she lifted her head to see him standing outlined against the bank of glass overlooking the town of Red Rock below.

  "I never stopped, Seth."

  He moved closer. "I did the stupidest thing ever when I walked away from you. I didn't think I had enough to give you."

  "All I wanted was your love."

  "I can't give you a big house like Emma has or fancy cars—"

  She stopped his words with her fingers against his lips. "If we have each other, it's enough. Someday we can buy another house or whatever. Being with you is all I ever wanted."

  He kissed her fingertips, and then placed her hand on his chest near his heart. "You've owned this heart of mine for a long time. I don’t ever want you to give it back."

  "And you own mine forever."

  "I want to make love to you. Right here, right now, but there is something I need to do first."

  "What?"

  He dropped down on one knee and pulled out the diamond ring. "Becky, will you marry me?"

  She licked her lips and laughed. "Of course, I'll marry you. I love you."

  "I love you too," he said, as he slipped the ring on her left hand, and then kissed her with so much passion, it took her breath away.

  The moment she sighed, his tongue dove inside her mouth to tangle with hers. Their mouths fused and their hands explored.

  She needed him to touch her in places long denied physical contact.

  After she pulled her mouth free, she moaned, "Seth, please. I need you."

  He took both of her hands and clasped them behind her back. "We should eat dinner before it gets cold."

  "Seriously?"

  "Anticipation makes it better, baby. You know that."

  "Damn you."

  His free hand came down on her butt. "Do it again."

  "I forgot how much you enjoy spanking. I'll need to punish you some other way if you keep mouthing off."

  "Did you bring toys?"

  "
Your favorites."

  "Awfully sure of yourself weren't you?"

  "Yes, after Marcus told me what you two pulled at the restaurant the other night."

  "I wanted you to love me again."

  He ran one finger down her cheek. "I never stopped, baby. I was just too blind to see our love could be enough to start with and we could build on the rest as we go along."

  "I wish you would have talked to me instead of shutting me out." She huffed and pulled at her wrists, but he wasn't letting go.

  "I'm a man. It's what men do, but I'll do my best to talk things out from now on."

  "Are you going to make love to me or talk all night?"

  "Just for that comment, we're going to eat first."

  "Seth, wait. Please. I'm sorry, Sir. It's been so long."

  "How about if I give you a little something to hold you until you get my cock in your ass?"

  Her pussy throbbed and twitched at his words. She needed him so badly she forced herself not to rub her legs together to relieve the pressure. "Please."

  He released one wrist, but kept a hold on the other until he had pulled her into the area where the bed lay. Dozens of rose petals were strewn across the bedspread.

  "How pretty."

  "All for you. Now strip."

  Within moments she had her dress on the floor, her bra flipped over the headboard and her underwear around her ankles.

  "Nice, baby." He waggled his eyebrows and crooked his finger. "Come here."

  When she stepped close enough he could reach her, he grabbed her around the waist and tossed her on the bed amongst the petals.

  "Wha—"

  "I told you I'd help you out, but if you don't be quiet, I won't."

  She zipped her lips closed and he laughed.

  "That's my girl. Open," he said, tapping the inside of her thighs before he settled himself between her legs.

  A quick lick over her clit had her moaning in ecstasy. The moment he sucked it between his lips, she almost came undone, but getting her off wasn't going to be quite so easy. The slight relief I get from my vibrator would stall any climax I could have—Oh Hell! Her whole body shook from the intense climax washing over her so fast she barely had time to breath.