by Mac Flynn
Beth stepped inside expecting a mess and was pleasantly surprised to see a neat living room with an open kitchen. She gingerly set her coat on the top of an entrance hall table and plopped her bag down on the floor. Michael closed the door behind them and stepped past her. "The bathroom's down the hall and there's plenty of towels in the closet. I'll get the cocoa ready."
"Oh, and what about the cookies?" Beth blushed when her stomach grumbled. "I haven't really had a chance to get any dinner."
He smiled. "Well, I suppose we could have them for a treat, but I could make something for us to eat."
She emphatically shook her head as she moved toward the bathroom. This was going to be an in-and-out operation. She would get her drink, eat some cookies and leave. "No, it's fine. I'll just dig into those cookies and see how they taste. One of my friends told me about the place and said I had to try the stuff there."
"My little sister told me about it. Said if I wanted to get my disgusting cookies then that was a place to look for them."
Beth laughed all the rest of the way to the bathroom. Michael prepared the drinks and got out the boxes, so by the time she came back out everything was ready. She admired the nice, clean cups and the dash of marshmallows at the top. With the quiet, comfortable atmosphere, she felt like being bold and making a toast. She raised her mug to her host. "Here's to good friends, good cookies and good luck." Beth noticed Michael frowned at the last part of her statement. "What? What'd I say?"
"Just thinking about that old man at the shop," Michael replied. He ran his hand over his box of cookies, and glanced up at Beth. "You think it was just a coincidence that he had us be there at the same time?"
"Well, I guess he just wanted to have the cookies ready for me, so he had you wait," she pointed out. "It's nothing to be bothered about. Is that what you were going on about in the shop when you ran up to the front?"
Michael nodded. "Yeah. I think he was up to something making us wait there for the cookies."
Beth laughed at his suspicions. "You think that old man is some sort of matchmaker or something? He doesn't exactly look like a cupid."
"Yeah, well, I still think he was trying to get us together." Michael took a swig of his cocoa and picked up a cookie. He looked it over with a careful eye. "I wonder if these things are any good."
Beth rolled her eyes and picked out one of her own cookies. "Well, there's only one way to find out." She took a big bite out of her treat, and her eyes lit up when the taste hit her tongue. Sugar melted into her mouth and down her throat in a creamy, wet river of exploding flavor. The macaroon rolled over her tongue like a smooth jellybean. When she bit down, the flavorful nut smoothly broke apart and joined the sugary bits down her throat.
She hardly noticed when Michael snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Hey, you okay? You in a trance or something?"
Beth shook her head and set the powerful cookie down on the counter. She clutched her head in her hand and blinked against the light from above them. "Wow. Just...wow."
"Wow bad or wow good?" Michael asked her.
"Wow good. Definitely wow good." Beth picked up her cookie and inspected the inside. It looked just like any cookie filling; brown with whole macaroons sticking out here and there. She couldn't understand how one treat could have such a powerful and wonderful flavor.
Michael frowned and looked over his own cookie. He didn't see anything wrong, so with a shrug and a prayer he bit into it. Beth watched his face and recognized her own reactions in his shocked, pleased expression. He swallowed and glanced back at his cookie. "Wow. Definitely wow."
Beth laughed. "See? Told you it was wow."
Michael was too busy inspecting the cookie to be mad at her triumphant words. "You think he spiked these things with something? I almost felt like I was on an acid trip or something."
Beth folded her arms across her chest and leaned to one side. "Have you ever been on an acid trip?"
"Well, no, but I've read a few books on it. This is definitely a similar experience," he admitted.
"Well, that's comforting," Beth replied with a laugh. "But seriously, I think there's something in these things." She picked up a cookie from Michael's box and examined it. "Mind if I try one of yours? I just want to see if they taste the same."
"Only if I can try one of yours," Michael answered.
"Agreed."
They both picked up their cookies and, with a toast to the other, took a large bite out of the treats. The only sound in the apartment was their chewing, but the silence didn't last long. The same delicious flavors sprang up from the cookies, but with an even greater intensity. Michael swallowed and shook his head to clear his mind of a haze over his mind. Beth set down her cookie and clutched her head in one hand while her whole body swayed. Michael jumped forward and caught her before she toppled over.
"You okay?" he whispered to her. He was surprised by how breathy and soft his voice sounded.
Beth nodded her head, but her eyes were closed. "I-I think so, but that was, I don't know. That was a lot stronger than the last one."
"You're telling me," Michael replied with a wide grin. "How about you lay down for a bit? Might help to clear the mind of whatever this haze is."
She could only manage another nod, so he led her to his bedroom. He flipped on the light and guided her over to the large bed. They were both glad to have a seat on the end of the bed, especially as now even Michael felt more than a little lightheaded. The haze crept over his brain like a slow, persistent fog, but through it all he could hear and see Beth by his side. He was glad somebody was there.
"You don't look so good yourself," she commented. Her voice echoed in his addled brain. "You sure you shouldn't be lying down?"
At her suggestion, a thought entered his foggy mind. A wicked grin slid onto his lips and before she could stop him he'd slid his arms around her. Beth let out a squeak of surprise but didn't try to break free of his hold. He pulled them both backward and the bed bounced when their backs hit the soft sheets. Beth squirmed in his arms, but he snuggled close against her side.
Her voice came out quivering, but not afraid. She was just nervous. "Are you sure there's nothing in those cookies?"
"Nope." His voice sounded like he was drunk and he snuggled his head against her breast.
"Hey hey! Easy there, boy!" Beth scolded. She put her hands on his head but didn't have the focus to push him away. Besides, he was already nuzzled against her breast and the fog in her mind was swept away in a rush of heat. She closed her eyes and shuddered. "I-I don't think that's a good idea."
"Nope," he repeated. His arms wrapped tighter around her midsection and he pulled her closer to himself.
"Michael?"
"Call me Mike."
"Mike?"
"Mhm?"
"You have to be drunk right now."
"Maybe, but I would rather be drunk here right now with you than sober anywhere else with anyone else."
Beth was both flattered and annoyed. She squirmed and pushed away from him, but he was having none of that. His face stretched up and buried itself into her neck. She stiffened when his warm breath brushed against her heated skin. "You smell really nice," he whispered.
She cursed herself when her own voice came out shaky and sultry. "Thanks."
"You've got a few more clothes on than you need," he scolded.
Beth blushed and turned her head so fast toward him that her chin knocked into his cheek. He didn't even flinch. Instead one of his hands reached down and massaged her hip. Beth shifted and felt a large, stiff object in his pants. She stopped and looked down at his face. "A-are you sure you want this? I mean, we just met a few hours ago," she pointed out.
"Seems longer," Mike murmured. He raised his head and looked into her eyes. She blushed at the hungry eyes, but was pleased to see they were steady. "I won't go any farther if you don't want to, but I do want to go farther. You're the most interesting girl I've ever met, and pretty."
Beth pondered his invi
tation for a moment. Her body soaked in the strange heat and beads of sweat burst from her skin. She felt her panties soak with her need and his manhood dug into her hip. Beth closed her eyes and let out a shuddering breath. She couldn't deny she wanted it, and he was awfully nice, not to mention handsome. Mike awaited her answer with baited breath, and when she lifted her eyes back up to him a smile lit up his face. They showed her own need, and she reached up to brush her fingers against his chin. A smile slipped onto her own lips.
"I'm okay with it, but be gentle. It's been a while for me."
He nodded and rolled over to settle partially atop her. She enjoyed the feel of his warm body over her own, and relished the way his hand made an eager, straight line down to her thigh. His fingers brushed against her inner thigh while his lips playfully kissed and nipped at her tender neck. He reached up and his hand cupped her groin. She gasped and he grunted into her quivering neck, sending shivers down her spine. His fingers toyed with her pants, but his touch was achingly softer than her body demanded. She bit her lip when he reached up and popped open the button to her jeans. His lips reached her chin and he leaned up to capture her own lips in a blindingly slow, sensual kiss.
It almost distracted her from his insistent hand that, once her zipper was down, dove into her pants. His fingers slid against her soft panties and cupped her womanly center. She pulled away from his luscious kiss and gasped while her hands clutched onto his strong arms. He had a smirk on his face.
"Like that?" he whispered into her ear. His fingers teased her wet folds through the thin, soaked cloth.
"Y-yes," she stammered out. She'd never had anyone be so gentle and sensual.
His breath tingled her ear. "Do you want more?"
Her heart beat like a war drum excited for battle and her voice choked up in her throat. He gave her a push by rubbing his finger along her sensitive, pulsing clit. Her pulse quickened and her voice, faint, barely audible, broke through the silence. "Yes," she hoarsely whispered. "Oh god yes."
He obeyed her plea with relish. His first victim was her pants, which he deftly pulled down over her smooth hips and flung to the floor. She herself pulled off her shirt while he did the same. His eyes focused on her heaving, shining breasts, slick from sweat, and their depths spoke of his need as surely as the bulge in his pants. She blushed and turned away from his hungry gaze. Gentle fingers cupped her chin and pulled her back to face him. There was a soft, teasing smile on his lips.
"I think I was wrong when I said you were pretty," he whispered to her. "You're beautiful."
Her face brightened, but only for a moment as he captured her lips in another long, sensual kiss. Their lips meshed together while his hands roamed her body, exploring every part of her. He laid her down and groped at her heaving, swollen breasts. The bra fell away beneath his deft fingers, and he teased and massaged the pert buds atop her luscious mounds. She groaned into the kiss and he grunted in reply. At some point his pants joined her clothes on the floor.
Now their smooth, sweat-slick bodies rubbed against one another. The friction stoked the fire in her body. She stretched her leg out and wound it around his waist as he lay with half his body atop her own. He took the invitation further, sliding himself between her legs and forcing them open to make room. His underwear joined her own on the floor, and they were naked before each other. She enjoyed the feel of his muscles beneath her fingers as her hands ran over his firm but smooth chest. He leaned over her on his hands, the tip of his member quivering at her hot, wet entrance.
He wanted nothing more than to shove himself deep into her waiting core and take her as his own, but he heeded her warning to be gentle. Instead he pushed himself into her only part way. She gasped at his size and clutched onto his forearms. Her walls wrapped tightly around him and he had to clench his teeth to fight against the urge to take her rough and fast.
"You okay?" he softly asked her. The harsh, heavy tone of his voice told her how badly he wanted her.
"Y-yeah, just surprised," she whispered back.
"Ready to go on?"
Rather than answer in words, she wrapped her legs around his waist. The movement pulled him deeper inside her body. He couldn't take it any more, and set the rest of his body atop hers. His arms wrapped around her body, and she did the same. Then he pushed himself deeper, penetrating her as far as he possibly could. Her wet walls pressed against him, massaging his member every moment. He was also careful to rub his member against her sensitive clit. She shuddered at the pleasure-filled vibrations that rippled through her body.
He pulled out and back inside, and she matched his slow thrust hip-for-hip. The bed groaned beneath them and the covers shifted, but all that was forgotten. They were a man and a woman intent on pleasuring one another. Their grunts and groans mingled in the quiet air as they pushed and pulled against each other. Sweat glistened off their hot, strained bodies. She clung to her lover, forgetting all else but the feel of him inside her, pressing against her clit with each thrust and pull. Her hips moved on their own, following him and rocking faster and faster. Her fingers dug into his back. Her teeth nipped at his skin and her tongue flicked at his neck. The pace was slow, achingly slow. She needed faster. The burning in her hot core demanded satisfaction.
She leaned forward and her warm breath brushed against his ear. "Faster," she groaned. "Oh god, please faster." His eyes widened and he thrust hard into her. She leaned her head back and moaned her pleasure. "Yes. Oh god, yes."
He obeyed her command and quickened his pace. Their thighs slapped against each other. She wrapped her legs up around his waist, allowing him deeper penetration. She wasn't able to grind her hips against his own but that didn't matter. He pounded into her with all the desperation of a hungry, starved man in need of release. Then she felt it, the pulsing inside of her grow and envelope her in its warm, delicious embrace. Her body trembled and lights flashed before her eyes. Then she hit her high. The sensual feeling washed over her again and again. She arched her back and clung onto him with her hands and walls. He grunted, thrust once, twice, deeper and deeper. Finally he found his release and stiffened as he came inside of her.
Then they both fell into a heap of warm bodies upon the soaked, ruffled sheets. Their loud, exhausted breathing echoed through the otherwise quiet air. He gained enough strength to lift himself up and looked down on her glowing skin. She smiled up at him and lifted a hand to brush against his cheek.
"That was really good," she breathed out.
A wicked smile spread across his face. "Wait until I'm ready again," he teased.
She returned his smile with one of her more innocent own and sighed in contentment. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the after-glow feeling of their lovemaking. She could have laid their forever without a care in the world. Finally she had found a man that liked what she liked, and who was considerate and gentle. For her this was certainly heaven.
However, a shadow passed over Mike's face. As he lay there with the beautiful woman snuggled beneath him and the after-sex rush fading, he had to wonder: had all this emotion, all this craving for one another been a lie? Were those cookies really laced with some sort of aphrodisiac and they were merely being fooled into believing these emotions? He couldn't answer that question without a chemist's kit, but since he wasn't a chemist he promised himself he'd find out.
The next day, he did just that and found himself out front of the sweet shop. Though it was Sunday he could see there were lights on inside and the old man was at the counter. He took a deep breath and strolled inside. Eres leaned over the counter and smiled at his young customer.
"Good morning," he greeted Mike.
"'Morning," was the half-hearted reply. Mike stepped in front of the man and leaned over the counter to where their noses almost met. "You know why I'm here?"
Eres had a bright, mischievous smile on his face. "I suppose it's to ask about the ingredients in the cookies. After all, they are very special."
Mike didn't like the sound of that. "H
ow special are we talking about?"
"Well, nothing dangerous, nor anything that would show up on a chemist's test kit," Eres replied. Mike started back at the same suggestion he'd thought about last night. Eres continued without apparently noticing the other man's startled expression. "I merely put in a suggestion, and if the seed is there then a flower will grow."
"A suggestion? Seed?" Mike repeated. "What does that mean?"
Eres reached down and took out a chocolate cupcake from beneath the counter. He held up the delicious treat so the frosting gleamed against the lights above them. "I make some very special treats in my store. They are made with love, and they are attracted to love. If they find that a pair of people love each other, they encourage the couple to show their love in whatever way possible. It takes merely a bite to help the pair on their way, but eating more certainly helps the, ahem, conclusion."
Mike straightened and held up his hands. "Wait a sec. You're trying to tell me these are some sort of magical treats?"
"In a way," Eres replied with that smile of his. "Though there has to be magic in the relationship for anything to happen, so I make sure only those people in need find my shop."
"With more magic?" Mike asked him, and Eres nodded. Mike looked the old man over for signs of senility, but the only thing that caught him off guard was that smile. "You're serious about all of this, aren't you?"
"Quite, but I don't expect you believe a word of it," Eres admitted. He put the cupcake back and pulled out a pink box. The lid was opened to reveal a dozen macaroon cookies. "If you wish for a more sensible explanation, then merely believe that you two were connected by your love for these cookies, and everything else sprang from that shared love." Eres closed the lid and slid the box toward Mike. "And as a gift I give you another box, free of charge. I hope nothing but happiness for you both, and look forward to seeing you again."
Mike glanced suspiciously between the box and the old man. The cookies smelled as delicious as the last batches, but he wasn't buying either of the reasons the proprietor had given him about the sudden connection between Beth and him. However, the final note in Eres' voice told him no other explanation would be given, and free cookies were free cookies. No harm done the first time, and he could always call the police if anything did happen.
