Shiver : 13 Sexy Tales of Humor and Horror, стр. 99
Confused, Adam asks, “So you didn’t know it was a Clue party?”
“No, you jackass. In fact, she kept talking about interacting with other guests and role-playing — even told me to let it all go and enjoy new experiences.” I lower the volume of my voice, knowing that Adam will find my next statement hysterical. “I thought we were going to a sex party.”
They both erupt in laughter. Adam slaps my back and teases, “So when did you figure out the mystery?”
“Colonel Mustard was the a-ha moment,” I answer, embarrassed.
“And that’s when you left?” Chloe asks, still chuckling.
I close my eyes and exhale. “Not exactly. I thought it was just a nerdy swinger party, and when you have such high hopes for sex in a new way, it’s impossible to believe it could be anything else.”
“Shit, Brooks! When did you finally figure it out?” Adam quips.
“Can I get a stronger drink first?” I ask, placing the nasty beer on the table.
Chloe shakes her head. “Not tonight. The bar is only serving pumpkin ale and the house special.”
Frowning, I say, “Well, after the maid was killed with my dagger in the kitchen, it clicked. To make the long story short — ”
“Too late.”
That voice. Her voice.
“Nat, you’re here!” Chloe shouts.
Natalie.
“Looking cheesy, Adam. Who’s the geek with the elbow patches?”
Damn, her snarky mouth is incredible.
Turning around to meet her gaze, I glance at my watch — willing it to stop. Our eyes connect. There she is … the girl that will eventually belong to me.
“Do you remember Chris?” I think Chloe asks the question. But I can’t be sure as I enter a new dimension that only consists of Natalie, smiling in suspended time.
“Hey, darlin’,” I finally say with a smirk.
Her red lips part and slowly form a smile. “Hey.”
There’s conversation happening all around us, muffled and unimportant. Monster Mash pounds through the speakers as a few guys dressed in ridiculous costumes whistle as they walk past Natalie. But I don’t look. This is our bubble — a public seclusion of two people destined to be together.
“Odd costume,” she teases, thumbing my sleeve.
“Long story,” I reply, taking her hand.
Chloe interrupts our moment of suspension by shouting over the music. “Nice costume, Nat! Only you could pull off Marilyn Monroe. Want a beer?”
I glance at my watch as Natalie turns her head. As I suspected, no time has elapsed.
“Pumpkin beer is vile. What else is there?” Natalie asks.
“Blood-orange Sangria. Hey, did Pete come with you?” Adam asks, organizing the empty beer bottles on a tray.
Natalie sighs. “I left his lederhosen-wearing-ass at the party in Chelsea,” she looks back at me with a smile, “and came here.”
Best decision she’ll ever make.
Taking her hand, I say, “Let’s get a drink.” Walking toward the bar, I notice the eyes of every single guy skimming her body — Natalie’s a vision tonight, platinum wig and iconic white dress swaying against her hips — but she’s mine.
Soon.
The first and last time I saw Natalie, she had some major shit going on in her life. But on that night, I knew without a doubt that we would eventually be together. Funny how fate likes to control the outcome. And funny how we both allow it, knowing that one day it won’t matter.
“Here, grab that seat,” I say, guiding her by the small of her back to an empty chair.
Natalie sits on the leather stool and pulls me in next to her. “Let’s order the Sangria.”
While motioning for the bartender, I place my other arm around her bare shoulder. The bartender, dressed as the alien, Alf, places two napkins on the bar in front of us.
“Beer or Red Rum?” he asks in a nasally voice.
“Red Rum, I guess.”
When the bartender leaves, Natalie swivels slightly on the stool, her knee resting under my nuts. “How’ve you been, Chris?”
“I’m good. Busy at work.”
With her blue eyes sparkling, Natalie asks the inevitable question. “Are you seeing anyone?”
“Nah, holding out for someone special. You?”
“Yeah, but nothing serious. No one special.” Her hand moves to the waistband of my jeans as her pinky strokes my stomach. But when the bartender places the mini pitcher of blood-red liquid on the bar, she quickly removes her hand.
“May I present, Red Rum. Do you want to start a tab?” the bartender asks.
“Sure,” I say, pouring the alcoholic punch into our glasses. He leaves an orange ticket next to the pitcher and waddles away toward the other patrons in his furry costume.
When it’s just us, alone in a pocket of space controlled by fate, I smile. Returning my smile with a wink, Natalie brings the glass of Sangria to her mouth. She slowly takes a sip, and then staring into my eyes, sensually licks her lips.
I simply watch.
“Perfection. Do you want a taste?” Natalie asks.
I take the glass from her hand and place it on the bar next to mine. Leaning in and inching closer, we let our lips linger on the verge of a new story — our story. Placing all my faith in our future, I don’t kiss her, not yet.
I shift behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders, and pressing my mouth against her ear.
“Soon,” I whisper.
Are you craving more from Chris, Natalie, Adam and Chloe?
Continue on their timeless journey of friendship and love in the upcoming release, The Album.
A moment, a kiss, a love, an epic soundtrack.
Available 11.11.14
Hey y’all!
Fifteen years ago I became a permanent New Yorker, but I have yet to abandon my Texas charm. NYC is an amazing place to find inspiration — the random and the ordinary that make up reality. My writing showcases inspired ideas, as well as my love for dichotomy, authenticity and humor.
I'm just a girl. A girl with a dream. A dream to write for television. I also had a dream to marry Christian Bale, but I digress. I'm a girl with a dream to write and write and write until someone tells me to stop. And even then I would find a way to write about the jerk who wanted me to stop.
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The Album 11.11.14
The Ballad 12.11.14
Double Dare by Penny Reid
Never play truth or dare with identical twins
Dear Reader,
This short story is actually the beginning of book #1 in the Winston Brother’s series (the full novel will be released before summer 2015). I did my best to end it at a place where (if this is all you were to read of Jessica and Duane’s story, then) you would feel content and satisfied that they reached their Happily Ever After. But for those of you who want more, do not fret! It’s on its way.
I hope you all have a happy Halloween!!
Part 1: The Tale of Two Twins
— Jessica~
I pulled into the Green Valley Community Center parking lot and scared the crap out of five senior citizens.
Though it was Halloween, frightening senior citizens was not on my agenda.
I’d dutifully stopped as they crossed in front of my vehicle. Unfortunately for everyone within earshot, the truck made a ghastly, high-pitched whining sound whenever it idled.
The five of them jumped, obviously startled, and glared at me as though I’d commanded the truck to make the screech on purpose. Soon their glares morphed into wrinkled squints of plain befuddlement as their eyes moved over my appearance from my perch. It took them a few minutes, but they recognized me.