Shades of Pink

by 33 authors

  She speared her tongue into his mouth and began sliding it along his, in and out, much like he’d do to her when he had her on her back. She kissed him like his throat held the secrets to life, and he rewarded her by sliding his hand between her legs. Their lips tangled together. He devoured her sweet responses.

  “Do you want this?” He pressed two fingers deep into her, scissoring them, stretching her for his cock. “Do you want me?”

  Allison arched her breasts toward his mouth. “Oh, yes. Now. Please, sir.”

  “If we do this, there’s no turning back.” He bit down on the soft flesh she offered, sucking and nipping until she moaned. She liked his bite and he’d give her much more of it before this day was over.

  “I don’t want to go back. I want this.”

  She quivered around his hand, rocking against him, and when he had her on the edge, he bit down on the nipple bobbing in front of his face. The little bit of pain added with the extra finger he slid into her sent her over the edge and her whole body shook with the spasms. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever witnessed. He’d never been with a woman that gave herself over so completely, and he knew what he had to do.

  When the last shake left her, he cradled her against his chest. “Ms. McAnders?”

  She tipped her head back and smiled up at him. “Yes, sir?”

  “You shouldn’t be wearing pink leather around your neck. You deserve a collar of diamonds. A collar I’d be honored to place around your neck. But first, we need to clear something up.”

  She sat up and traced a finger down his stomach. When she reached the bottom hem, she snaked her hand beneath his undershirt. “And what is that, sir?”

  “You’re fired.”

  ~~~

  Rachel Firasek creates naughty short stories, passionate paranormals, and edgy new adult romances. She’s been known to shock little old ladies, embarrass her husband on occasion, and has even been caught with her corset twisted in a hotel restroom—but that’s a story for another day. Visit her at http://www.rachelfirasek.com

  PRINCESS PINK

  Kristin L. Wilson

  Amara is given one taste of freedom as an exchange student on planet Earth before she must return home to Xythos and her royal duties. She never expected to fall for someone, nor to learn what love feels like. How will Amara ever be able to say goodbye?

  ~~~

  Caleb Gordon knew he was in trouble the minute he saw the flash of pink from across campus grounds. His best friend, Axel, let out a low whistle from his seat on the bench next to him.

  “Check out that babe,” Axel whispered loudly, nudging Caleb in the shoulder.

  Both men watched transfixed as the lithe figure seemed to glide across the pavement in a billowing cloud of sheer pink. Her hair was so blond it looked almost white in the high afternoon sun, and it contrasted sharply with the deep golden hue of her skin. She was too far away to tell what color her eyes were, but Caleb couldn’t help the feeling in his gut that he was going to find out. He felt a jolt of attraction to her that started a burning ache in his groin. She was beauty in motion. Behind her trailed an entourage of uniformed men, each carrying various shapes and sizes of boxes.

  “What in the worlds is that all about?” Caleb mused out loud, his gaze locked onto the woman.

  “That, my dear friends,” interrupted a voice from behind them, “looks like yet another student in the Intergalactic Exchange Program.” Russell Campbell set his stack of books down on the table with a loud thud and took the empty seat across from Caleb. “I think ‘princess pink’ over there makes four so far. I wonder how many more exchange students we’ll have this term?” All three men watched as the parade of people turned a corner and finally marched out of sight.

  Caleb leaned across the table in earnest, “Do you know who she is?”

  Russell shook his head and shrugged in response. “Who cares?” he asked. “I’m just trying to get through these third year courses. I don’t have time to play nice with the Outies who decide to grace us poor, primitive people for a term.”

  Caleb cringed at Russell’s use of the word “Outies.” It was a derogatory term used to refer to the various species of extraterrestrials that came to Earth to study or visit. In the past three hundred years or so, the government of the United Federation of Earth had been hard at work maintaining peace with the other planets of outlying solar systems. Unfortunately, most of the other races Earth had come in contact with felt that humans were quite slow and somewhat undeveloped. The Intergalactic Exchange Program was meant to be a way for students to get to know each other and to foster the message of peace throughout the universe. A lot of humans felt the way Russell did, but Caleb had always been fascinated by exploring the universe, and loved getting to know the different students and their cultures. And this woman had done more than pique his cultural interest. He was determined to get to know her.

  An alarm chimed on Axel’s telewatch. “Hey man, we’ve got to get to aero-physics class,” he said tapping a button to silence the beep. “Professor Kane’ll be pissed if we’re late again.”

  Caleb grabbed his satchel by the strap and stood up with a stretch. “Later, Russ. Let me know if you find out who that girl is.” Russell waved a lazy hand at them, his nose already buried in his lesson. Caleb shook his head at his friend and started down the path that led to class. One way or another, he was going to find out who she was.

  * * *

  Amara still couldn’t believe she was finally on Earth! She felt like dancing around her new room for joy, but that would not be considered proper behavior for a princess. She reminded herself that no one was watching, and began to twirl around until she was dizzy just for the sake of being able to do it. This was why she was here, why she had argued and pleaded with her parents for the last year—this small taste of freedom before royal duties and an arranged life-contract tethered her spirit down for good. She had practically begged to be allowed to participate in this student exchange program, citing how much she could learn about diplomacy and promising that once the term was up that she would come home and assume her position as the Crown Princess Royale, next in line for the throne of Xythos. She could hardly contain her excitement, and there was no possible way she was going to be able to get any sleep. She had dismissed all of the servants who had brought her luggage and furniture, and she was finally alone, save for Thariana, her personal maid. Actually, Thari was more like a best friend and constant companion than a servant. She had been with Amara for as long as she could remember. Thari didn’t share Amara’s excitement about being on Earth, but she loved her enough to stay with her.

  Deciding that she was just not going to be able to sleep, Amara ventured out of her room and peeked into the second bedroom. Thariana was sound asleep and snoring softly. Poor dear! She was utterly exhausted from their week long journey from Xythos. Amara wandered out into the main living area of her temporary home. She loved this little apartment already. Two plush white couches had been placed in a v-shape in front of a state-of-the-art holograph viewer. The tiny kitchenette offered a small table with two chairs, and an actual working stove, sink and refrigerator. She had never had to use any of Earth’s domestic appliances before, but she was charmed by how quaint they looked.

  Peering out the large kitchen window, Amara caught a glimpse of the moon. How novel that Earth had only one. Tonight, it was large and full, its glow luminescent in the dark night sky. Walking as quietly as she could, Amara grabbed her wrap from its hook by the front door and slid out into the brisk evening air. She inhaled deeply, reveling in the exotic smells that were so different from home. She had read that this university was not too far from an Earth ocean called the Atlantic. The faint, almost metallic, tang of salt was mixed in with a floral scent she couldn’t place. Wrapping the shawl securely about her shoulders, she started down the path that led to the sprawling classroom buildings.

  After strolling awhile, Amara noticed the huge tower in the center of campus. Even from
this distance she could make out a light on the rooftop. Curious, she headed toward the massive building. Once she got to the base, she read the neatly lettered sign proclaiming it to be the Masterson Hall of Historical Records and Library. She placed her palm on the front entry sensor and the large glass door slid aside with a soft swoosh. The entry was impressive with an intricate, swirling pattern inlaid on the marble floor, and a rather imposing dark wood information desk in the center. A tired looking student sat alone in the middle, wearily reading a softly glowing computer screen. Every so often he would tap the screen then scribble down some notes. Amara looked around for a few minutes, enjoying the sight of rows upon rows of actual books, not just computer stations. She was still curious to find out about the light on the roof and cleared her throat to get the attendant’s attention.

  “Yeah?” he answered, not bothering to look up from the screen.

  “Pardon me,” Amara said, “but where might I find the access to the roof?”

  “Back and to the left you’ll see the door to the staircase,” came the abrupt reply.

  “Oh, very good. Ah.....thank you.” The man never looked up, nor acknowledged her presence any further. Amara was briefly annoyed, but then quickly smiled at the realization that this meant she was truly like everyone else while she was here on Earth.

  Still smiling, she made her way down the middle aisle to the very back of the building, and then headed to the left, per the clerk’s instructions. She was fascinated that there were still stairs in the library instead of the lifts that most buildings used. On Xythos, transportation was a series of lifts and moving sidewalks. The only set of stairs she could think of were the three steps that led up to her parents’ thrones in the Grand Reception Hall. She easily found the door and opened it to find a winding spiral staircase. What an adventure she was having!

  The gravity on Earth was not as strong as on her planet, and as a result, Amara was able to quickly ascend the stairs to the top. In fact, she loved the feeling of walking here—she felt as if she were floating over the ground it took so little energy to move. She would have to see how high she could jump later on.

  With a huge grin, she pushed open the door at the top and walked out onto the roof. Amara had to catch her breath—the view was utterly amazing. She could see the entire university laid out, as well as the sparkling lights of a large city to the north. Lines of distant glimmers looked like tracks across the sky. She walked to the edge of the roof to lean out for a better view. Squinting her eyes, she realized that the tracks were hover cars in the distance. The sole moon was full and bathed the landscape in a soft gleaming light. The light she had noticed while on her walk was a tall standing type lantern, its light dim in comparison to the glowing orb above her.

  Hearing a noise behind her, Amara turned around quickly. Instinctively, she dropped into a guarding stance with her knees slightly bent and hands in front at the ready. She might be royalty, but she had also been well trained in Sli Beatha, the martial arts of her home planet. A tall young man stepped into view. He was wearing the typical uniform of the university, although he bore several bars and insignia on his left breast that Amara didn’t recognize. His thick, dark hair was slightly mussed and in need of a trim.

  “It’s you,” he said, his eyes widening. He took a hesitant step forward and stopped when Amara didn’t straighten up from her stance.

  “It’s me,” she answered, somewhat confused. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Caleb,” he smiled. “I’m a student here too. I saw you earlier today when you came across campus.” He offered her a hand.

  “Caleb,” Amara rolled his name off her tongue. Deciding he wasn’t a threat, she relaxed her stance and accepted the hand that he offered. “I am called Rav.....call me Amara.” She smiled up at him, noticing that even in the dim light his eyes were as blue as the Earth sky.

  “Amara. That’s a beautiful name,” he lightly squeezed her hand and then let it go. “What do you think of this view?”

  “It is incredible. I have never seen anything like it.”

  * * *

  Caleb thought his heart was going to explode. He couldn’t believe that he was actually standing here with the girl from this afternoon. He had been thinking of her all day, and had found himself restless, unable to sleep. He often came up to the library roof to relax and wind down. He enjoyed the peaceful serenity up here, and usually no one wanted to bother with the stairs to get all the way up to the top.

  He walked near the edge and found that Amara had followed and was right next to him. Her scent wafted up, teasing him. It reminded him of the exotic vanilla his mother liked to bake with. He glanced over at her. Her long hair was almost white, and looked like spun silk in the moonlight. He had to fist his hands to keep himself from reaching out to touch it. She looked up at him, a slight smile playing on her mouth, and Caleb noticed that her eyes were amethyst colored. He swallowed hard and shoved his hands in his pockets. It was all he could do not to grab her into his arms and kiss her.

  “So,” he cleared his throat, “where are you here from?”

  Amara tilted her head to look up at him. He was at least a foot taller than she was. “I am arrived from Xythos.”

  “Xythos?” Caleb quickly sorted through information in his memory. “From the Andromeda galaxy, right? Your sun is called Mikos.”

  “Yes,” she sounded pleased. “We are a smaller planet, and not too many people seem to know much about us. I think, in fact, that a long time ago when the scientists of Earth first discovered our planet we were labeled merely as Planet X175.”

  Caleb chuckled. “That sounds about right. Wait a second, you aren’t wearing a universal translator? How am I able to talk to you?”

  “I have wanted to come to Earth for some time now, and have studied Earth’s language for many years. I find it to be quite fascinating,” she answered. “How do you find my accent? Is it correct?”

  “You look...I mean your accent sounds great.” He smiled. “So, what classes do you have?”

  “I have Earth Languages, World Literature, and Intergalactic Sociology. Oh, and Ancient Astronomy,” she glanced up at him. “My parents only allowed me to sign up for four classes. Still, I am excited to start tomorrow.”

  “Well, I’m taking Ancient Astronomy too. I bet we have the same class.” Caleb made a mental note to hit the registrar’s office first thing in the morning. There had to be some strings he could pull. He actually was signed up for Ancient Astronomy, but he was willing to change a class or two to accommodate her schedule.

  Far across campus an old bell started to chime the midnight hour. Amara tilted her head to one side as if trying to decipher what she was hearing. The clangs resounded in the still night sky, reverberating across the air.

  “What is that sound?” she asked, leaning across the wall as if to hear it better. “I have never heard its like.”

  “That’s the old bell in the chapel steeple,” Caleb loved her genuine enthusiasm. “It’s supposed to be around eight hundred years old, and has a thin crack running up one side. It’s quite a relic. I can take you there to see it, if you’d like...”

  “But why does it sound,” she interrupted, curiosity filling her voice.

  “Oh, it tells the time. It’s part of a huge clock that’s at the top of the chapel. You know what hour it is by the number of chimes,” he counted in his head quickly. “I think it rang twelve times, so it must be midnight.”

  “Midnight?” Amara gasped. “I had better get back to my rooms. If Thari wakes up and I’m not there she will be worried.” She turned and rushed to the door that led to the long staircase.

  “Amara, wait!” Caleb hurried after her. They quickly descended the staircase, and although he considered himself in top shape, Amara was more agile and much faster. “Wait, please!” He called out again. She stopped and turned around to look at him, her brow knitted with concern.

  “I am sorry. I don’t mean to be rude,” she said contritely.
>
  “It’s okay. Look, I’ll feel better if I can walk you back....”

  “No,” she said quickly, “I mean, no thank you.” She bobbed a quick curtsey and then hastened on her way. “I hope to see you in class tomorrow, Caleb,” she called out over her shoulder. “Good night.”

  “Good night,” he called back slightly bewildered as he watched her disappeared into the night, her pink shawl fluttering out softly behind her.

  * * *

  True to his word, Caleb finagled his schedule around so that he was in three of the four classes that Amara was signed up for. At first he worried that she would think he was stalking her, but he noticed a genuine smile on her lips with each class that he waved to her. He noticed too that she sat apart from the rest of the students, and that she was always accompanied by another woman. He assumed this was the “Thari” that she had mentioned. He also couldn’t help but notice that she always dressed in some article of pink clothing. Although she wore the traditional uniform of the school, her jacket was pink one day, her scarf was pink the next. He wasn’t complaining—he thought it looked great on her—but he had overhead some of the other students referring to her as ‘Princess Pink,’ just like Russell had that first day.

  Caleb made sure to get to classes early each day so he could spend a few minutes talking to her before the lecture began. He started lagging behind after classes let out as well, so he could walk with Amara and Thari when they headed back to their campus apartment. He made a point of asking the ladies to lunch several times, but Amara would always smile shyly and decline politely. Caleb had yet to get Thari to crack a smile, but not for a lack of effort on his part.