Southern Seduction

by Alcorn, N. A.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to take a photo, Savvy? You’re looking at me like we’ll never see one another again. You’re mine, Savvy. We will be together, I promise.”

  I can’t say anything. I don’t want to think about the day after tomorrow when I have to get on a plane to Colorado. It’s sweet that he thinks we will work it out. I’m a realist, not a dreamer. I stopped dreaming that day at the fairground. I continue to look at Jackson, thinking of all the ways in which I will have him tonight.

  I grab his hand and pull him into the bedroom. “Lay down, Jackson. I want to suck your cock.” I didn’t need to ask twice. He moves faster than I’ve ever seen. In fact, I don’t think I ever saw him move that fast on the field. I slide my body up his, running my breasts from his feet to his thighs. The prickly hair rubs against my nipples, making me groan. I run my tongue from his sac to his shaft, making Jackson inhale sharply.

  “Oh my God, Savvy.” Jackson likes his balls stimulated while his cock is being sucked. I love the way they tighten up just before his release. When I was younger, I decided that I was going to give Jackson the best blowjob ever. I studied every Cosmo article and watched every internet video I could find. I’m a true believer that a great blowjob is the way to a man’s heart.

  “Feel good, baby? I’m going to suck you dry, Jackson. You will never find anyone who will love your cock as much as I do.”

  “Oh God, Savvy. I love what you do to me,” he says breathlessly.

  My mouth wraps around him. Having him in my mouth makes me salivate at an increased rate, and the saliva is spilling from the corners of my mouth, creating the lubrication I need to rock his world. My left hand is firmly holding his sac as my right hand grabs the base of his shaft. I squeeze him firmly as I run my tongue up and down the length of him. I spend several minutes reacquainting myself with every ridge, bump, dimple, and vein.

  His hips pump up, trying to plant himself deeper into my mouth. I run my tongue over the velvety length of him. Picking up the pace, I allow him to pump himself deep inside of me. Working his length with my mouth and hand, I can feel the telltale sign that his release is nearing. I feel him tighten and tense as he releases his pleasure into my mouth. I lovingly and softly caress him with my tongue as he comes back to down to earth.

  “I love you, Savvy. I really do. I always have.”

  I would love it if only that were true. I think most guys will tell you that they love you after you let them come in your mouth. The hardest thing for me is that I do love Jackson. I suppose I never stopped loving him.

  We climb into bed and snuggle. Ironically, we find My Cousin Vinny as we scroll through the channels. Snacking on Funyuns and sipping red wine, we laugh at how art imitates life. You only need to watch this movie to know how true that statement is.

  “I know you don’t believe me, Savvy, but I will come to Colorado soon. I promise.” He straddles my legs so that he is sitting directly in front of me. He stares at me like he’s looking into my soul as he asks the next question. “Do you want to pursue this thing that we have? I sure as hell do!”

  “Jackson, I would love to believe that we could work things out. I want the fairytale. I want the happily ever after. I want you. I can’t wait for you to come to Colorado. I want you to be with me. I also know that we both have to work in order to live. Our jobs are in different states. I love you, Jackson. I trust that we will both do our best to make it work out.” I try to sound positive, but the facts are clear. I live eight hundred miles from Phoenix.

  “Shut up, Savvy, and come here. I’m tired of you doubting me. I don’t want to hear another word about all of the obstacles that stand in our way. I believe in the power of our love. We’ve been separated for seven years. Some days it felt like seventy years, but lying in your arms, it feels like seven seconds.”

  We spend the remainder of the night making love. Jackson is taking me up on my challenge. He’s doing his best to hinder my ability to walk onto the plane. I’m giving him the opportunity to succeed.

  Dani’s funeral is really lovely, the service is beautiful, and the video montage is moving. Donna obviously spent a lot of time putting the music and pictures together. As The Band Perry song If I Die Young plays, I look up to see the last picture of Dani scrolling by. She is blowing us a kiss goodbye. Looking around me, I see that there isn’t a dry eye in the place. Jackson holds my hand as we make our way through the line to give our condolences to Dani’s family. Standing to the side is Sterling. His red-rimmed eyes show his softer side. For good or bad, Dani loved him. He didn’t deserve her and she deserved better, but in the end, I’m happy that she experienced love.

  We follow the line of cars to the cemetery, and the police escort makes the trip quick and efficient. Dani would have been thrilled with the thought that she had stopped traffic.

  Only a handful of people are at the gravesite. I am somewhat relieved that the cemetery is relatively empty. I’m just peopled out. Her casket is placed above her grave. A tent is set up to shelter the graveside attendees. Dottie sits in the center, flanked by Donna and the rest of the D names. Jackson and I hang towards the back of the tent. As the Baptist minister finishes his sermon, the Humble representative pushes the button to lower the casket into the ground. I watch as my friend takes her final bow. Dani would have wanted to have an encore performance. In the end, we only get to experience each moment just once.

  In the corner of the tent, Jackson pulls me to his chest and hugs me hard. His embrace reminds me that life flows through both of us.

  “Ready to go, darlin’?” He doesn’t wait for a reply. He pulls my hands around his arm and leads me back to the car.

  We head back to Leesville, where just fewer than seven thousand people are moving forward with their lives.

  “I’m sorry that Dani is gone, Jackson, but if she didn’t leave me, I may have never been given the chance to find my way back to you. I also believe that had I followed you to Crimson Tide, we may not be here today. No matter what happens, Jackson, I want you to know that I love you.”

  “I love you too, Savannah Steele, and this is just the beginning for us. Let’s go back to our room. You seem to be walking pretty good and I need to fix that situation before you head back tomorrow.” He gives me a wink and shows me his crooked smile.

  Alone in my room, I collapse on the bed that still smells of him and shed my tears. We didn’t sleep a wink during the night. Jackson and I made love in every position we could think of and a few we looked up on the internet. I helped him pack his bag and sat wrapped in his arms until he had to leave for the airport. I promised myself that I would not cry until I knew that he was in his car and headed to Alexandria. The kiss he gave me before he left carried with it a promise for the future. I watched as the taillights of his car disappeared and Jackson exited my life.

  After several minutes, I pull myself together and think more about the last few days. In the span of four days, I was able to put a lot of things to rest. I buried a friend and buried my anger. Things aren’t perfect with my mom, but we have a way forward now. I fell in love with Jackson all over again. Whether we become lovers or remain friends is not as important as the fact that we will always remain in each other’s lives. I fell in love with Leesville as well. There is nothing nicer than knowing where you came from.

  Wondering if Jackson made it to the airport safely, I send him a text.

  Me: Just checking to see if you made it safely to the airport. I miss you, Jackson. Thank you for taking such good care of me.

  Jackson: I made it in good time and will board the plane in a few minutes. It’s incredibly hot outside so dress in light clothes. I wouldn’t want you to get all sweaty before you board your flight.

  Me: Jackson Moore, have you been gone so long that you’ve forgotten that Southern girls don’t sweat? We glisten. Safe travels, Jackson. I love you!

  Jackson: I love you too, Savvy, and I will see you real soon.

  I hope that we can work it out to see e
ach other again soon. I think he may have more flexibility at his job than I do. Thank God for unlimited text messaging and minutes. That will have to sustain us until we can figure this thing out.

  I pack my bag and make the drive to the airport. I take a deep breath and suck in the humid, musty air I loved so long ago. I will never regret the last four days; I risked everything and came out better for the experience.

  My flight left nearly a half an hour late, which means I have arrived in Colorado Springs later than I anticipated. It doesn’t really matter; I have nowhere to go and no one to see.

  I pull my bag from the overhead bin and exit the plane. As I make my way up the terminal, I pay no attention to the people around me. My brain is focused on tomorrow and how far behind I will be at work.

  “Excuse me, ma’am. I couldn’t help but notice you glistening from afar.”

  I swing around at the voice whispering in my ear and find Jackson standing behind me.

  “You’re late, baby,” he says. “I didn’t think you were going to show.” His smile melts my heart.

  “Oh my God, Jackson! What are you doing here?”

  “I’m throwing caution to the wind, darlin’. I caught an earlier flight so you weren’t left waiting for me ever again. I can work from anywhere, baby. Home is where you are, Savvy. I told you I’d see you soon.”

  Throw Caution to the Wind - Recipes:

  I have never lived in the South. However, I did get to experience wonderful food and meet wonderful people when I traveled to bury a close friend. The recipes below are some of the fabulous fare I enjoyed while spending a week in Louisiana. I thought I would share some of the dishes that soothed my soul.

  Cheddar Cheese Grits

  Ingredients:

  2 cups whole milk

  2 cups water

  1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  1 cup coarse ground cornmeal

  1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  4 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded

  Directions:

  Place the milk, water, and salt into a large, heavy-gauge pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the milk mixture comes to a boil, gradually add the cornmeal while continually stirring. Once all of the cornmeal has been incorporated, decrease the heat to low and cover. Remove lid and stir frequently, every few minutes, to prevent grits from sticking or forming lumps; make sure to get into corners of the pan when stirring. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is creamy.

  Remove from the heat, add the pepper and butter, and whisk to combine. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in the cheese a little at a time. Serve immediately.

  Sweet Potato Casserole

  Ingredients:

  For the sweet potatoes

  3 cups (1 29-ounce can) sweet potatoes, drained

  ½ cup melted butter

  ⅓ cup milk

  ¾ cup sugar

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  2 beaten eggs

  salt to taste

  For the topping:

  5 tablespoons melted butter

  ⅔ cup brown sugar

  ⅔ cup flour

  1 cup pecan pieces

  Instructions:

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mash the sweet potatoes and add the melted butter,

  milk, sugar, vanilla, beaten eggs, and a pinch of salt. Stir until incorporated. Pour into a shallow baking dish or a cast iron skillet. Combine the butter, brown sugar, flour, and pecan pieces in a small bowl, using your fingers to create moist crumbs. Sprinkle generously over the casserole. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and the top is golden brown. Let stand for the mixture to cool and solidify a little bit before serving.

  Southern Fried Chicken

  Ingredients:

  4 pounds chicken pieces

  1 1/2 cups milk

  2 large eggs

  2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  2 tablespoons salt

  2 teaspoons pepper

  3 cups vegetable oil

  salt to taste

  Preparation:

  Rinse chicken; pat dry and then set aside.

  Combine milk and eggs in a bowl; whisk to blend well.

  In a large heavy-duty plastic food storage bag, combine the flour, salt, and pepper.

  Dip a chicken piece in the milk mixture; let excess drip off into bowl. Put a few chicken pieces in the food storage bag and shake lightly to coat thoroughly. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken pieces.

  Heat oil to 350°. Fry chicken, a few pieces at a time, for about 10 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Chicken breasts will take a little less time than other pieces. Pierce with a fork to see if juices run clear to check for doneness. With a slotted spoon, move to paper towels to drain; sprinkle with salt.

  The best things in life are shared. Whether it’s a great meal or an excellent book. This book would have never been written without help from the girls at IRAC. You know who you are and I love you all. I sleep less, but laugh more because you took me in. Thanks for believing in this orphan author and making me part of your family.

  To my friend, Debbie, who left this world way to soon, I love you and I always will.

  Kelly Collins lives in Colorado with her husband James. She’s the proud mother of three young adults who still manage to keep her on her toes and her head spinning. They are her greatest accomplishment.

  As a military wife, Kelly has traveled the world like the rock star on tour. This has given her the amazing ability to unpack an entire household in three days—another crowning achievement!

  Over her life, she has been a jack-of-all-trades between dental assisting, teaching, and running her home staging business, until finally, one day, she decided to do something she was meant to do. She wrote. And she hasn’t stopped since.

  Armed with a glass of wine and her laptop, Kelly loves nothing more than to create an alternate world any woman would want to live in.

  You can contact Kelly via social media. It’s always nice to hear from her fans.

  Follow Kelly on Facebook for updates, contests and additional information regarding new releases.

  www.facebook.com/authorkelleycollins

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  @kcollinsauthor

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  http://authorkcollins.wix.com/bestseller

  Don’t forget to leave a review on the site where you purchased this book. Indie authors can use all the help they can get.

  To my fellow Indie Romance Author Chicks. You guys have supported and motivated me like the coach of an Olympic athlete. You push me harder and elevate me to be better. Love you guys. Hard.

  The silhouette of her hair flying over her shoulder as she climbed in the front, first story window was the only thing I could see from my hiding place around the corner.

  I tried to focus harder, to see more details of her pretty face, or maybe even catch a flicker of snark in her eye, but the darkness of night and shadows of the big, old house made it impossible. Another part of me, however, had honed in on wondering why in the hell she thought using the front window was a good idea for a covert mission. I was a skilled compartmentalizer when needed.

  Maybe your first thought is that I’m a stalker.

  I could see that, what with the way I was following a girl without her knowledge and skulking around in the dead of night.

  Sorry to say, but you’d be wrong.

  But, what I was actually doing was probably even more fucked up, so you can take some comfort in that. Or maybe, if you’re normal, that’s the kind of statement that adds to uneasiness.

  No matter how you wanted to categorize it, it was happening.

  Never in my life did I think I would care about someone enough to be following them as they pulled a B & E job, but here I fucking was.

  Obviously, when the heart steps up, the brain steps back. Or takes a tropical vacation. Either
way, it just gets the hell out of there.

  My blood roared in my ears as I crept toward the open window where I had last seen her, my effort to be silent shaking violently through every muscle in my body.

  I always found that when I tried to minimize my noisemaking, I felt my loudest. Or when I tried to move with grace, I stumbled all over the place.

  Like a Law of Opposites.

  My adrenaline wasn’t the result of my own fear, but instead inspired by my worry for her. Sure, I was pretty sure this activity was on the exact opposite side of the law from where I should be as a freshly deputized member of the Sheriff’s department, but I would probably get out of it in the end.

  And surprisingly, I was finding that I didn’t really care if I did or not. But I didn’t want a stupid mistake to mess up Zoey’s future. She was smart and funny and deserved a hell of a lot better than tonight. Her intelligence was one of the reasons I was having such a hard time rationalizing this. She was too fucking smart to do something so stupid. She was too fucking smart to put so much weight in one, unbelievably stupid night.

  But I could understand it. The weight of your future can feel unbelievably heavy when you get forced into it. I knew she felt like she was standing at a fork in the road, and instead of having time to rationalize, weigh the options, and think it through, she was just shoved down one side, tripping and careening the whole way.

  That didn’t mean that the path she got shoved down was necessarily the wrong one. In fact, I was pretty sure she would find out it was right. But she didn’t get to choose. She was still finding her way. And when you’re already tripping and slipping, your body moving in a way that’s completely out of your control, you don’t always fall the right way. You don’t always protect your limbs or keep your arm from getting broken.

  And this was just a larger, much less obvious example of the same problem. She was already fighting a mental battle with her fate, and stupid mistakes like this are sometimes casualties of the war.