Monday Minute Fiction: Ms. Claus

Everybody likes to take a vacation. A lot of people like to take sultry summer vacations at the beach, especially those from cold climates.

Living in the sub tropics, I dream of snowy vacations. But I'm probably not in the norm.

Today's story features a woman from a cold climate who longs to enjoy the summer beach.

Before I forget, don't miss my new book releasing today at Total-E-Bound: "Whirlwind Relationship"

When Colleen gets sucked into a hurricane and awakes in 1978 she gets a second chance to be with the only man she’s ever loved.




Colleen’s life didn’t turn out like she planned. At fifty plus she’s divorced, childless and her career’s nowhere. If that isn’t bad enough, a hurricane destroys her home and sucks her into it.



When she awakes she’s either dead or crazy. It can’t be 1978 and she can’t be young again but all indications point to that.



She really can’t have a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved...or can she?




Ms. Claus
by Ashley Ladd

All rights belong to Ashley Ladd. This story may not be reproduced without written consent

"I will not go into the family business. I will not move back home." Chrissie stared up at her mother and folded her arms across her chest. She loved the tropical beaches, the warm sunshine and the tall, muscled hotties riding the surf. And she hated snow and cold, and long, dark wintry nights.

Her mother, pale as snow, wearing a long, red dress, looked completely out of place on the beach full of bathing beauties. She let out a long suffering sigh and gazed at Chrissie with a mixture of concern and frustration. "But it's the best place in the world, the best job. If I could do it, I would. Think of it as job security. In this economy it's a blessing."

Chrissie grabbed a long, tall pina colada from a passing waiter. Then she took a long drink and lowered her sun glasses over her eyes before constructing a reply. "I don't think it's the best place int he world. I'm sick of it. I want to be free. I want to see the world."

Her mother gasped and wrung her hands. Her brows pinched together. "Christmas Claus, I can't believe how selfish you're being. Children worldwide are depending on you to take the reigns and deliver their toys when your father retires."

Chrissie's heart raced and she jumped off her beach chair. Her gaze collided with several amused and skeptical ones which made her skin crawl. Before they got carted off to the loony bin or laughed off the beach, she took her mother's hand and dragged her to her room.

She faced off against her mother. "I can't believe you blurted that out in front of everyone."

Mrs. Claus shook her finger in Chrissie's face. "I can't believe you'd let everybody down. You're the only child of Santa Claus. Millions of children would love to change places with you."

Chrissie gazed down at herself pointedly. "Millions of children expect a jolly rotund old man to pop down their chimney, not me. Cousin Stuart's a Claus. He can grow a beard and a big pot belly. Can't he inherit the family business?"

Her mother closed her eyes and shook her head. "You're rewinding the women's right movement a hundred years. And your cousin Sutart's a screw up. Remember the Christmas he fed spiced egg nog to the reindeers? And they were doing the loop-de-loops and almost dumped your poor father out of the sleigh? Or the year he convinced the elves to go on strike and we almost missed Christmas? Or the year he tied up the tooth fairy and demanded ransom?"

Chrissie tried to hide her mirth but a chuckle erupted. "Yeah. Cousin Stuart's a pretty colorful character."

Then she sobered. "Isn't there someone else? What about Trey? He's Dad's right hand and knows the business better than anyone. He'd do a great job."

Her heart glowed and she grew warm and fuzzy all over when she thought about Trey. She hugged herself and rocked back on her heels. Trey was the best man she'd ever met. Kind. Easy to talk to. Funny. Strong. And he had the prettiest twinkling blue eyes she'd ever gazed into.

Her mother harrumphed and lowered herself into her chair. She played with her bell earrings making them tinkle. "Elves can't be Santa Claus. It's simply not done."

Chrissie shivered so went in search of her robe. She snuggled into it, wishing it was a shield. When she rejoined her mother, removed her glasses and tented her brow. "And female Santa Claus's are?"

The door burst open, making her gasp.

Trey swaggered in, leading a team of fierce looking elves. He marched up to her and climbed onto the table beside her so they were eye level. The normal twinkle in his eyes faded into rebuke. "Your father wishes for you to come home."

Anger boiled in her vins and she narrowed her eyes. Then she put her hands on her hips. "I don't want to go home. I want to spend my summer at the beach, not buried in snow. I'm tired of toys. I'm tired of kids things. I'm ready to be an adult." And she was tired of being so close yet so far from the man she loved.

Trey stroked her hair as if it was spun gold or the rarest silk. Then he leaned forward and slashed a kiss across her lips.

Shocked, she parted her lips and leaned in for the kiss. When he deepened it, he wrapped her arms around him.

When he pulled away, he murmured, "Then it's time to start acting like an adult. It's time to stop running from your destiny, Christmas."

The same songs year in year out, mining the coal for naughty kids, referreeing the reindeers' disputes, trying to stick to a diet with so many sugary temptations around... "I'm not running from, I'm running to a normal life."

But was she? Her heart flipped over. She'd been running from her feelings for the forbidden.

Trey cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Normal's over rated. You were born for far superior things."

She rolled her eyes but didn't move away. His touch mesmerized her. His eyes bewitched her. And his lips, were conquering her.

Her heart cried for him and she put her hand over his. If only she could have him, she could face anything, do anything, go anywhere--even the North Pole.

But he was an elf. She was twice his size. And she'd had a crush on him since she was a little girl. A crush that had blossomed into love.

When she tried to pull away, he caught her in his arms. "Please come home."

She wondered why his voice was so ragged. But hers was also raw. "Because my father told you to bring me?"

Trey leaned his forehead against hers. "No. Because I miss you. I love you."

Mrs. Claus put her hands over her ears and started to sing Christmas songs.

Chrissie's nerves riccocheted through her. She couldn't stand one more Christmas song in the summer. "Mother, please. Could we have a few moments alone?"

Mrs. Claus bustled to the door but not before Rudolph stuck his head through the open door and his nose made the room glow red. Chrissie had to laugh and winked at him.

"Admit it," Trey said huskily. "You miss your family, your home."

Affection for her favorite reindeer, her mother, and her family filled her but still couldn't overpower the love she felt for this man. She nodded. Then his words sank in and wonder pushed out everything else. She gazed into Trey's eyes. "You love me?"

A slow smile dawned over Trey's chiseled lips. He traced her lips with the pad of his thumb. "With all my heart. Enough to leave the North Pole to be with you if you refuse to return."

Her eyes widened. Her heart palpitated. "Honestly?"

He nodded. "Do you love me? Will you marry me?"

Joy flooded her. Magic flowed through her. She pressed her lips to his, soaking in the magic. Against his lips she murmured, "Yes. And I'll return to the North Pole with you."

After he kissed her thoroughly, he held her close. "How about we honeymoon here? At the beach." He lowered his voice as reindeers had excellent hearing. "And how about I make some adult toys?"

Don't forget the Christmas in July contest going on at Romance Books R Us. There's only a few more days to enter to win a Sony Touch eReader from Romance Books R Us or a copy of my book in pdf format, Carnal Lust. To enter to win my book please leave a comment on my blog and tell me you'd like to enter.

For more Monday Minute Fiction, click here.

Monday Minute Fiction: Mr. Perfect

Mr. Perfect
By Ashley Ladd

All rights belong to Ashley Ladd. This story may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

Dale, the Greed God who owned the shop next door and her fiercest competitor, sauntered into Joellen’s beach T-shirt shop. He flashed his killer smile and showed off his perfect white teeth that glowed very bright against his perfect tan.

God, but the man was too perfect. She did her best not to ogle his perfect pecs, his tight abs, and his long, powerful legs. It wasn’t fair! In a voice that came from a freezer she asked, “May I help you?”

“The name is Dale, remember? And why so formal, Jo?” He leaned across the counter and trailed his finger tip down her arm. “We used to be very close. Remember?”

She remembered but she wished she didn’t so she didn’t bother to hide her scowl. He’d been wooing her after work just so he could screw her business. Now she was in bankruptcy and ready to close the store that had been in her family three generations and he was the last person she wanted to lay eyes on.

“Snake.” She turned her back and tried to keep her tears at bay. By now she thought she’d be drained of all the moisture in her she’d cried so much. Enough was enough! It was time to dry the tears and get on with her life. Another life. “Thanks to you, we’re closing. Are you happy?”

“Snake!? You blame me for your failure?” Dale’s voice held a store-full of disbelief. With a choice epithet he pivoted on his heel. Then he twisted around. “I was coming to see if I could help. To make an offer for your business.”

She’d had enough of the games. She waltzed out from behind the register to face him. Then she balled her fists and planted them on her hips. “Don’t stand there like you don’t understand. Ever since you moved in you’ve undercut me.”

Dale didn’t flinch. His gaze drank her in.

She remembered she was wearing a skimpy bikini and heat flooded her body. Quickly, she moved behind a T-shirt rack. His days of getting to see her body were over.

“It’s just business.”

She bit her lip until she tasted blood. Still, a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. Angry at herself now, too, she swiped at it. “Yeah. I heard that line in a movie. Can’t you come up with something more original?”
Dale slid his hand over the back of his head. He shifted his feet. Then he hooked his thumbs into the waist band of his swim trunks. “It’s the truth. I’ll make more than a fair offer. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Ah ha! That was it. He’d been eyeing her prime beach front property so he could expand his store. “No thank you. I’m considering another offer.”

“I’ll top it. How much?”

God but he looked cool despite Florida’s sweltering July sun. She admired his cool business head while she also detested it. “You can’t.”

His forehead furrowed. “You signed a contract? My lawyers can take a look at it.”

Her blood brewed. Her temperature shot up and sweat glided between her breasts. She spoiled for a last stand even if it was a suicide mission. She didn’t care, either, that her last remaining employee ogled them from the other side of the room. “No contract. I don’t want to sell to you for any price. You used me to get ahead in business.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t use you. I’d like you to work with me.”

She bristled. Her eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t work for you if you were the last man on earth.” She had to keep a shred of dignity. No way would she report to him as a lowly store clerk, be the laughing stock of the beach. She’d rather move into the projects across town.

“I said work with me, not for me. There’s a big difference. I want you to be my partner.”

She opened her mouth to blast him but when the words sank in, she closed her lips. Finally, she asked,

“What exactly do you mean?”

He got down on his knee and took her hand. “I mean the ‘til death do we part kind. Marry me, Jo. Merge with me.”

Happiness choked her. The love she’d been locking up inside overwhelmed her. But she wasn’t convinced this wasn’t a cheap and easy way to steal her business. She regarded him with a tilt to her brow. “So you want a bed partner, a cook, housekeeper and you run the business?”

His lips quirked into a smile. “No. I’m not suicidal. I wouldn’t eat your cooking unless it’s the only way to keep you in my life.”

Suicidal?

“How dare you insult my cooking! Ooh!” Anger choked her. Without thinking she rolled up a T-shirt and started batting him. “I’ll have you know I’ve taken gourmet cooking classes…”

When she ventured too close, he pulled her down on top of him. He held her wrists firmly so she couldn’t flail him. “You’re not exactly Martha Stewart, either.”

Seething, she said between her teeth, “So you are just marrying me to get the business. No way will I sign it over to you!”

His body heat burned into her. His hard chest beckoned her. But she didn’t want to be seduced by his hot body. Or his smoldering brown eyes. Or his chiseled lips. She tried to get up but he rolled on top of her, molding them to one another.

“I want you to work with me equally in the business. Co-owners. Co-managers. Equal partners. If you want to run this half the same way you always have, go ahead.” He captured her hand and dragged it to his lips. He kissed, then sucked each finger into his mouth.

She was rendered speechless. Her body quivered so hard she feared the store would crumble. When she opened her lips, he pressed a finger to them.

“I’d rather, however, open the wall and work side by side with you. I love being with you. I don’t care if you can cook or keep house.”

“Or run a business?”

He shook his head. “Your store’s a victim of the economic downturn. You are a very capable, talented business manager.”
She softened and squirmed against him, wishing the store was closed and blinds were closed. “Keep flattering me.”

“I’d rather kiss you. Put my ring on your finger. But if you want me to keep on talking, I’ll do anything you say to prove how much I love you.”

On second thought, she put her finger to his lips. “Stop talking.”

Monday Minute Fiction: Clambake

Clambake
By Ashley Ladd

All rights reserved. This story may not be reproced without permission of Ashley Ladd.

Clambake is a sweet short story.

Brynn is on hiatus until further notice but I will continue Monday Minute Fiction with free short stories every Monday for your reading pleasure.

Tessa couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t believe her best friend, Alyssa, had lied to her. Without turning to look at her ex, she stomped off in search of Alyssa. She had to weave in and out of the couples slow dancing to Dusty’s sultry voice.

As hard as she tried, she couldn’t block out Dusty’s sexy tenor, couldn’t stop the memories from flooding her mind. Or heart. When she’d first saw Dusty up on the stage, a modern day Elvis, she’d fallen head over heels. But she knew a crush on a musician was just that—a crush. And then they’d met and fallen in love.

At least she had.

Under her breath she cursed too softly for anyone to hear over the loud music. By the time she found Alyssa ensconced in the arms of a sexy stranger clad only in tight swim trunks, she was fuming. When she poked Alyssa’s shoulder it was none too gently. “Liar! You promised Dusty wouldn’t be here.”

“Ouch!” Alyssa turned out of her partner’s arms and rubbed her shoulder. She shot a glance filled with trepidation and sympathy at Tessa.

Tessa crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the wet sand. “What were you thinking? You know I never want to see him again.” Or hear him, either.

Alyssa sighed and pushed her heavy hair out of her eyes. A hot pink streak didn’t catch behind her ear and fell across her forehead. “I didn’t lie. The original band backed out. Dusty’s band was nice enough to fill in at the last second.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t sure whether to believe her friend. The matchmaker had done more devious things than this. Still… “You should have told me.”

Alyssa accepted the beer her new fellow passed to her. She took a long swig before answering. “Then you wouldn’t have come.”

Tessa’s heart pounded in her ears louder than Dusty’s music. Her palms grew clammier than the wet sand clinging to her feet. “Darned right! What part of I’m through with that cheater don’t you get?”

Alyssa’s expression hardened. “So you’re going to turn tail and run every time you bump into him? You’re going to avoid your friends because he might show up?”

Hearing it that way, Tessa felt like a spoiled little girl. Her brain demanded she square her shoulders, look Dusty straight in his face and pretend he meant nothing to her. It didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of having another notch on his belt. But her heart tumbled to her feet and was in danger of being irreparably crushed underfoot. She craned her neck and looked to the twinkling stars overhead for guidance.

When the song ended, couples remained in each other’s arms swaying to nothing more than the soft lap of waves on the shore. Several were necking and some had already retreated to their beach blankets shadowed by giant outcroppings of rock.

She stared at a couple bathed in moonlight a few yards away, heavily petting one another.Her tongue swelled in her mouth and she got choked up. Just two months ago that had been her and Dusty making out on the beach.

She’d been so crazy about the guy she hadn’t noticed or cared if someone watched them, either. “I-I can’t. I can’t deal with this.” She wanted to add “yet” but wasn’t sure if she ever could.

Alyssa shook her head as her new man hooked his arm around her bare waist and pulled her back into his embrace. “You’re making a mistake. You haven’t even heard the guy out. He’s really raw.”

Tessa’s heart jolted, but not enough to make her stay. She wiggled her fingers at her friend. “I’m outta here.”

But when she tried to wind her way through the crowd, loud static from the mike made her wince. Dusty’s voice came on, “Stop that woman! The one in the purple polka-dotted bikini. The most beautiful girl in the world.”

The throng of couples closed as tightly as a wall and wouldn’t permit her to pass. Frustrated, she turned on her heel and tried to go around them. But they closed around her in a circle, not allowing her to pass.

She began to smolder but then his words sank in. The most beautiful girl in the world.

The hair on her nape prickled. If he thought pretty compliments would erase his wrongs, he was sorely mistaken. But she was compelled to turn and look at him.

Up on stage, bathed in silvery moonlight, looking larger than life, he stole her breath. He looked like a rock god with his guitar slung over his shoulder and his lips kissing the microphone.

Needing to be strong, she squared her shoulders and jutted up her chin. Her gaze met his in challenge but she didn’t make another step in either direction.

“If you won’t hear me out any other way you will here and now. I didn’t cheat on you. I’d never cheat on the only woman I could ever love. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes. Visions of her misery blinded her. “Why did a naked girl come out of your hotel room? I saw her with my own eyes.”

Dusty tightly squeezed his eyes. He put one hand to his heart and held the other out to her.”She got past security. But I didn’t invite her. I was kicking her out.”

He fell to his knees. In a ragged voice, he cried out, “God, Tessa, I only have my word to defend me. You know me. You have to trust me. Please, trust your heart. You know I’d never hurt you. I’d rather die.”

Sighs drowned out the music of the sea. Bikini-clad women melted against their men. Several whispered to her, “Give him a chance.” “Go to him.” “Believe him.”

Dusty pulled out a small, velvet box from his pocket and held it out. “I was getting ready to do this in private, but I didn’t get the chance. Marry me. Be mine forever.”

Love burned away all her doubts. She felt more than silly, she felt criminal for not believing him, not giving him a chance to explain before. It propelled her to him. “Yes! Oh, yes! I love you.”

Dusty slid the ring onto her finger. Then he stood and caught her in his arms. He swung her around on the stage. His eyes, dark and full of love, blazed down into hers. He set her on her feet but didn’t release her. He bent his head and nibbled her lips. Against them he murmured, “I didn’t know what I’d do if this didn’t work tonight.”

She gasped but joy replaced her previous anger. “So Alyssa did know! She was match making again, wasn’t she?”

Dusty winced, but he said, “I won’t lie. Be assured I’ll never lie to you. Yes, she did. But don’t be angry with her. She did it for us. She wants you to be happy as much as I do. Are you happy?”

Giddy and ebullient, Tessa couldn’t wait to show him how happy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to hers and showed him exactly how much.

Monday Minute Fiction: Memorial Day

Monday Minute Fiction

I'm a disabled Air Force vet married to another disabled Air Force vet. Both my grandfathers served in WWI. My great uncle died serving in WWI. My uncle served in WWII. My dad wanted to serve in WWII but was a bit too young.

In their honor and in honor of all the men and women who have served and who now serve in the Armed Forces, I offer this story.

Memorial Day

Short story by Ashley Ladd

This story may not be duplicated without written persnmission of Ashley Ladd.

Ellie circled her neck then massaged her shoulders. She adored Michael, her ten-year-old nephew, but he’d worn her out. Of all weekends to do so, Memorial Day was not the one. Of course she had a long weekend off from the day job, but she was also a vet who’d volunteered to participate in the day’s festivities.

She awoke early, took a quick shower and washed her hair. She let the cool spray wake her up and soothe her sore muscles. Playing leap frog and rough housing with the ten year old was a lot harder than she’d realized. She gave her brother and sister-in-law credit for keeping up with the tyke. She also had serious doubts about becoming a full-time mom.

Not that she had a man, so that wasn’t a consideration.

She pulled her old uniform out of its plastic cleaner’s bag and dressed reverently. Although she’d always been patriotic, she felt a lot more so in her old uniform. As she slid the last button through its hole she murmured to herself, “Has it really been 15 years since I separated from the Air Force?”

Fifteen years since she’d seen Neil, the love of her life. Seven years since her divorce from Kale had been finalized. Three years since she’d had a steady boyfriend.

She preened in front of the mirror, resplendent in her dress blues, proud to have served her country. If she was young enough, she’d reenlist and head for the fight in Iraq. “You look good.” Then she saluted herself.

Many people smiled and some saluted as she passed by on the way to the local Veteran’s Park. She nodded and saluted back. She wondered if she’d know any of the other veterans in attendance today. Doubtful as she’d lost touch with her Air Force buddies years ago. Still, she was proud to stand up for her nation, to show respect for all the fallen military personnel, for all this day meant.

But when she reached the park, the first man in uniform looked an awfully lot like Neil. Her Neil.

“Not my Neil,” she reminded herself. “It can’t be Neil.” The last she’d heard, Neil lived several states away. He’d been married and out of reach.

“It’s someone who looks like Neil,” she muttered under her breath as she crawled out of her car. “All tall, handsome Airmen look alike from a distance. It’s a trick of the sun.”

She wanted to remember the reverence and import of the day not dwell on an old boyfriend who’d long ago forgotten her, so she focused her attention on the active duty military men and women in attendance. She also scanned the crowd looking at her with respect and gratitude. All but the youngest children regarded her with awe.

Then the commander in charge of the day, Colonel Stevens, strode up to her and saluted.

She snapped to attention and saluted. “Good morning, Colonel.”

The Colonel’s smile relaxed but he squinted against the brutal sun. “Captain Borland, I’m pleased you could join us. Please come with me and I’ll show you where to stand.”

She strode by his side but her step faltered when the Colonel headed in the direction of the Neil look-alike. Of course, the man stood with the rest of the Air Force vets.

The closer she got, the more her step faltered. Her muscles protested. Her palms grew clammy. The tall man was exactly what she’d always pictured Neil to look like fifteen years later.

The Colonel stopped in front of the man. “Captain Borland, I’m sure you remember Major Randolph from Keesler Air Force Base.”

Ellie’s blood froze despite the heat of the day. Her gaze widened. Her tongue grew thick in her mouth. Finally, she returned the Major’s salute and forced out words. “It’s good to see you, Major.”

“You’re looking well, Captain,” Neil said, his gaze raking over her.

She was very glad she’d kept her figure, that she’d spent hours in the gym. It looked like he was no slouch about visiting the gym himself, either. “You look very well yourself.”

“I’ll leave you in the Major’s capable hands.” The Colonel tilted his head and marched away to tend to his other troops.

During the ceremony, she tried to blank her mind of everything but the pomp and circumstance. Sandwiched between the major and a master sergeant, however, she couldn’t ignore Neil. Not when his thigh brushed hers and shot heat through her. Not when she caught him staring at her with his peripheral vision.

When the ceremony ended, she turned to Neil, not sure what to say, what to do. “It was good to see you again. I hope life’s been good to you.”

Before she could ascertain his intent, Neil cupped his hand around her elbow and guided her to a secluded grove of trees. “I was hoping to find you here. The colonel told me he was arranging today’s festivities and that you’d signed up to help.”

Shock flooded her and she blinked. “So you live around here now? Since when?”

“No. I live in Oregon but thought I’d visit a couple old friends from my military days.”

Her heart flipped and she daren’t hope he meant her. “That’s very nice. I hope you have a good visit.”

“That depends…” Neil turned her to fully face him and he gazed deeply into her eyes.

Her breath stuck in her throat and her heart skipped beats. “On what?”

“On if you have time to visit with an old friend. If you want to see me, too.”

She gulped and the sun seemed to magnify on her. For several moments all she could do was stare back. Finally she asked, “What do you mean? I haven’t had breakfast yet. We could catch up over at the deli.”

His face relaxed as if he’d feared she’d shoot him down. “That’d be nice.” As he escorted her to her vehicle, he kept his hand on her arm. “Your significant other won’t mind you sharing a meal with an old friend?”

Chuckles pushed past her lips. “There’s no significant other to mind.” Before she got cold feet, she asked, “Your wife won’t mind?”

Neil stopped and blocked her way. His gaze caressed her face. “I have no special someone to mind. I haven’t in a very long time.”

A mixture of emotions slammed into her. Sorrow. Relief. Happiness. “I’m so sorry. I heard you were married, that you were happy.”

He slid his thumb along the curve of her jaw. Then he traced her lips. “I was married, but not very happy.”

Her smile fell. “I’m sorry.”

“There was someone else. Someone I couldn’t forget. Someone I should have been with.”

Her heart spun out of control. She was afraid to blink lest he was a vision that disappeared. She was afraid to hope lest he tell her someone else was the love of his life, that he was just passing through.

With all her effort, she kept her voice steady and her smile in place. “I wish you luck.”

“It’s you.” Neil stepped closer until their bodies almost touched. “I know it’s presumptuous, that it’s been a long time, but would you spend today with me?”

He’d come all this way for one day only? “I have today off. I’d enjoy spending it with you.”

He linked his fingers through hers and squeezed her hand. Then he slashed a kiss across her lips. “This will be my best Memorial Day yet.”

She tingled all over. “Mine, too.”

The colonel walked by and frowned. “No PDA in uniform.”

Ellie giggled to Neil’s matching lopsided grin. When he said in a low, husky voice, “Then I guess we’d best get out of uniform asap,” she broke out in happy laughter.

She tugged his hand, eager to take him home. “I guess so.”

Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Wendi Zwaduk 

Author Interview: Frances Pauli


Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

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Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Wendi Zwaduk are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Sucked In

If you arrived here to read about Ashley’s new erotic vampire romance “Carnal Lust” that released today at Total-E-Bound, click here.


If you arrived for my free short story, keep reading. Or why not check out both?

Sucked In

This story was written by Ashley Ladd and may not be reproduced without Ashley’s written permission.

Pepper Collins dug her toes into the moonlit dappled sand and luxuriated in the feel of cool waves lapping over her feet. She stared at the horizon, a blur of midnight blues fading into the jade green of the ocean.

No clouds, no city lights hampered the brilliance of the moonlight sparkling on the rippling waves. No city sounds spoiled nature’s symphony of waves crashing against shore. Only the occasional seagull’s caw interrupted the lulling sound of the ocean.

She hugged herself as she stared into that gap where sky and sea faded into eternity. Everything was perfect. Or it would be if Sean was here.

Sean…

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes and angrily, she swiped at them with the back of her hand.

Screams gurgled in her throat and she wanted to yell and flail her hands at fate. She wanted her Sean back.

A year ago tonight he’d drowned in these deceptively calm waters. His body had washed ashore at right about this point. The flowers she’d strewn across these sands at his memorial had long ago blown away but not her memories. Not her love. It was as vivid as the last time she’d lain in his arms basking in his kisses.

She closed her eyes and remembered his beloved face, could almost feel his touch on her bare arms. The dreams they’d shared had begun and ended on this stretch of beach. And it was here that she felt closest to him. That she could still feel him reaching out to her.

Suddenly, the wind whipped up and the waves sucked harder at her feet. Wet spray splashed her face and moistened her tongue when she sighed. “Time to leave.”

She knew the bitter truth was that it was time to leave Sean behind, to get on with her life, not merely seek shelter for the night. But she wasn’t ready to let go.

The wind swirled around her and she could swear she heard him calling her name.

She put a hand to her cheek and cradled her face, pretending it was Sean who caressed her. She whispered back, “I wish you were. I wish it with all my heart.”

Her heart twisted and threatened to crash to her feet. Her knees wobbled, then she sank to the sand and pummeled the ground with her fists. She glared at Heaven. “Why’d you have to take him? We weren’t finished! It wasn’t his time.” Sobs strangled her. Her tears mixed with the waves, tried to swallow her. She was all alone. She had nobody left. “It wasn’t his time.”

The waves grew stronger. They raised high in the air above her. She told herself to run to safety, but her limbs were sluggish and the water engulfed her.

“Wake up, darlin’,” Sean whispered against her lips.

She gulped and tried to lift her heavy lids, but they were too heavy. She struggled against the heaviness weighing them down.

His voice sounded distant, frayed, as if at the edges of a dream.

Had all this been a dream? God, she hoped so.

She fought the grip of her sleep, fought to snap out of the netherworld that imprisoned her in its grip.

Shivers racked her body and her teeth chattered. Goosebumps rose on her arms. She was wet. And sand grated against her back. She coughed and water spurted from her lips.

Then strong, warm arms picked her up and she was cradled against a hard masculine chest. Scents of seaweed, salt and male muskiness wafted around her and she curled her arms around the man’s neck. Finally she forced her eyes to open.

She sucked in her breath and stopped breathing. Her eyes grew so wide her cheeks ached. “Sean! You died…”

Sean smiled down at her. “Funny. I feel very much alive.”

Pepper squinted through the harsh morning sunlight to see him clearly. His eyes were still the vivid aqua of his beloved ocean. His smile still dazzled. His shoulders were strong and broad.

Then a car flew above them. And another. They had wings!

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, then peeked again. They were floating above the water.

She gulped. “What’s going on? Is this heaven? Did I die? Am I dreaming?”

Sean tilted his head and regarded her with concern. “You’re very much alive and we’re in the Confederation of States.”

She shook her head. “You mean the United States? Florida?”

“No. South Virginia.”

Confederation clanged through her mind. Did he mean “Confederacy? You mean the South won?”

What in hell was going on?

He slashed a kiss across her lips. “In this dimension, yes.”

She tightened her grip around his neck. “This dimension? What do you mean? How can we fly?”

Sean carried her to their beach house and perched on the rail. He kept her in his arms and wrapped his legs around her as he so often had.

A thousand thoughts collided in her mind. Nothing made sense. She ran her hands over him, making sure he was solid, that he was warm and breathing. “You are Sean Watson, aren’t you? But how can you be? Sean died a year ago.”

The man nodded and gazed deeply into her eyes. He caught her hands and hypnotically rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “Yes. I’m your Sean. I didn’t die. My counterpart from this world switched places with me. After he died, I couldn’t get back.”

Everything sounded fantastical. When a flying car landed in the water and sped away on the waves, she gaped. “How’d we get here?”

Sean looked into the distance then shook his head. “I don’t understand it, but the people in this dimension can travel through time and space. Sometimes the portal between worlds opens and we can cross over. There must be one that opens at that point. I’ve come here every night for the past year, hoping it would open, that it would let me return to our world. Instead, it brought you here. To me.”

She didn’t know if she’d ever understand this. She didn’t know if she should care. She had no one to leave behind.

She stared so long at the ocean, Sean nudged her. “What are you thinking about? You don’t believe me. You don’t love me anymore.”

Love swelled in her heart and giddiness flowed through her. She hugged him and beamed up at him. “You’re not getting away that easily, mister. I love you with all my heart and now that I’ve found you I’m not going to let you go.”

He plundered her with kisses. Then his hot breath coasted along her bare back as he murmured against her ear, “I hope I’m not dreaming.”

She chuckled. “Then we’re both dreaming so we’re okay. But if you’re right, we’d better get far away from this beach before one of us gets sucked back to the other world…”

Crave more Monday Minute Fiction?

Visit Brynn Paulin here.

Read more of Ashley’s free short stories here.

If you like Ashley’s stories, be sure to check out her new erotic vampire romance, “Carnal Lust” that released today at Total-E-Bound. Click here to find out more about “Carnal Lust”.

Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Wendi Zwaduk 

Author Interview: Frances Pauli


Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

Incognito: free short story

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Wendi Zwaduk are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Book Man

Monday Minute Fiction

Book Man

Welcome to Monday Minute Fiction.

This work belongs to Ashley Ladd and cannot be reproduced without written permission.

Val Byrnes stepped off the plane in Ft. Lauderdale. her muscles weary, her clothes wrinkled, her spirit sore. For the past year she'd traveled throughout the most exciting countries in the world looking for Mr. Right and all she had to show for it was a lot of stamps in her passport.

She'd had a one-night fling in Singapore.

She'd gotten sunburned on the Riviera in some very naughty places.

She was now well acquainted with on and off-Broadway.

She just wasn't well acquainted with any eligible men. The only sexy man she knew of was the one she'd been reading about in the novel she'd picked up at JFK.

As Val wheeled her luggage to the curb and hailed a taxi, she grumbled to herself, "What a bust."

Half an hour later she stretched out on her bed and opened the book she'd started reading on the plane. Logan, the hero, was the most exciting male by far she'd met on her trip.

Raw sensuality dripped off the pages. Hot for him, she pretended she was his heroine and writhed on the bed. The heroine was named "Val" like herself, so it was easy. In fact, that's why she'd chosen this book.

"Open your heart, Val," Logan murmured. "Let me in."

His words rang in her head as if he'd whispered them in her ear. His voice was husky, chocolately.

She closed her eyes and savored him. "If only you were real."

Warmth enveloped her. It felt as if Logan was taking her in his arms, cradling her against his heart.

"I am real," Logan said. "Open your eyes."

Knowing she must be crazy to listen to her imagination, she did so anyway. No one would ever know.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the figure of a man popping out of her book. He was life-sized, covered by the book's page. And he held her.

Her heart stopped. She couldn't breathe. Her eyes widened. Then screams choked her.

"Don't be scared. This is where you're supposed to be," Logan said.

She stopped squirming and looked at the book man. Warily she asked, "What do you mean?"

"You fell out of our dimension. You've been searching the world for me. You found me. It's time to come home."

She blinked and tried to scoot back but came up against the headboard. She pinched herself and flinched. "You mean I'm not real?"

"Of course we're real. Every bit as real as the people in the dimension you fell into."

She didn't believe any of this and grabbed her phone. She punched speed dial for her mother. Nothing happened.

Logan grabbed the phone from her and it became covered in the book page. He waved it before her. "It only works in here, where you belong. Where your family is."

"If I was in there, why don't I remember you? Why did I only meet you today?"

"You must have bumped your head when you fell off your dragon. You fell out of the book and I've been searching for you since."

Dragon? Book?

"Stop fighting me. We belong together, Val. Petorka misses you, too."

"Petorka?"

"The dragon in the book?"

"Your dragon."

"I always wanted a dragon," she murmured. "I thought they were just fairy tales."

"Come inside...with me, my love. I don't want to lose you again."

My love...

She'd been searching high and low for love. Maybe she hadn't found him because she was in the wrong dimension.

Then she shook her head. This was insane. Crazy!

"Take a deep breath, darlin'. You're coming in." Logan yanked her through the veil before she could further protest.

When Petorka saw her, he snorted and blew fire out his nostrils. Then he rubbed his nose along her around wrapped her in his purplish blue wings.

"See? He's happy to see you, too."

Val looked from the dragon to her dark-haired hero. Suddenly, her memory returned and she hugged the two males most important to her in any dimension.

More Monday Minute Fiction by Ashley
Brynn Paulin's Monday Minute Fiction



Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Wendi Zwaduk 


Author Interview: Frances Pauli


Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

Incognito: free short story

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Wendi Zwaduk are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Forever

Monday Minute Fiction

"Forever"

This work belongs to Ashley Ladd and may not be duplicated.

Peggy Hyatt drove around the block of her alma mater several times. Did she really want to see people who  called her "Piggy"? Who had given her a complex during her crazy, impressionable teen years?

She scowled at her CD player when a song came on she didn't like. Quickly, she skipped over it. Why hadn't she been able to skip over those morons as easily? She could this time. All she had to do was keep driving in a straight line and not look back.

But she wouldn't get to see Gabe, her best friend. He was the one guy who had been nice to her, that had never called her by that awful nickname. Surely she could brave a few bullies and jerks for the chance to see him. She'd kicked herself for a long time for letting him get away. By now he must be married with kids. After all, fifteen years had passed since graduation. Still, it would be nice to see him.

Decision made, she pulled into the teeming driveway and parked. She girded herself for the inevitable but hoped for the best.

When she spied Dwayne Henderson, her worst nightmare, she stayed in the car, waiting for him to go in before she ventured out.

But Dwayne veered toward her car with his hated swagger. He rapped on her window until she lowered it a smidge.

"Soo-ee. I didn't think you'd show your face here again, Miss Piggy."

"Grow up." She rolled her eyes and wound up the window.

Dwayne pushed up his nose with his finger and squealed like a pig. Then he let loose several roiling belly laughs her glass window didn't muffle.

"Screw it," she mumbled under her breath and turned the key in the ignition. "I don't need this shit. High school sucked. Still does."

In her rear view mirror she saw movement. Sure one of Dwayne's idiot buddies was coming to help him grunt and squeal, she scrunched her nose.

But when the giant of a man approached Dwayne, she sucked in her breath. Her heart did a funny little flip, and her gaze glued itself on the newcomer. Gabe.

She couldn't take her eyes off him. He was sexier than ever, muscled in all the right places. Matured.

Gabe stopped a foot from her but his attention was fully riveted on her heckler. "Stop bothering the lady. What are you? Thirteen?"

Dwayne held his belly and laughed again. "Ha ha. You're so damned funny...looking."

From where she sat, Dwayne was the funny-looking one. Tattoos covered his otherwise bald head. Huge earrings elongated his ears. And a gold ring pierced his nose. On top of that, his gut was twice the size it had been the last time she'd seen him.

"FU! Get outta my way, moron." Dwayne shoved Gabe then stomped away, calling soo-ee at the top of his lungs.

Peggy rolled down her window and smiled up at Gabe. "You okay? I almost didn't come because of him."

Gabe grinned. He leaned against her car nonchalantly. "I'm glad you did. I only came to see you. I would've been very disappointed if I'd missed you."

She started to glow from the inside out. It was hard to keep the radiance out of her smile. She felt the same. "You could've just called, saved us both from running into that jerk. I'm in the phone book."

Gabe ran his fingers through his hair. His jaw flexed. "I figured some lucky guy would've snatched you up long ago." He paused then asked, "Has some guy put a ring on your finger?"

That made her chuckle. She flashed her ringless hand out the window. "Hardly."

Gabe looked over his shoulder and scowled. Then he turned back and winked. "I don't really want to go in there. What do you say we blow this joint? Go somewhere we can talk."

Her heart swelled. It sounded perfect. There was no one else here she wanted to see. "Hop in."

When he slid in beside her, she tried not to grin like a maniac but her happiness won out. She beamed at him. "Where should we go? There's a Starbucks close by."

Gabe shook his head. "Too many people. Too noisy. I want you all to myself."

His words made her feel giddy. She moved the car forward slowly and breathed a sigh of relief when she could no longer see the high school in their rear view mirror. "Where then?"

Gabe gave her directions. When they wound up at a playground, he said, "Here."

The park was deserted. Dim light from a nearby street lamp spared it from being completely dark. She put the car into Park and arched her brow. "Here?"

He nodded. Before she could say more, he hopped out and rounded the car. Then he opened her door for her. Once she alighted, he captured her hand and held it.

As if they were kids again, they swung their hands. Then they claimed adjoining swings, still holding hands.

Gabe turned to her. His eyes glittered and his thumb stroked the top of her hand. "I've missed you."

"Ditto. Why did we lose touch?"

He heaved a sigh. "Colleges on opposite coasts. Life. But we're here now. I'm back to stay."

Was he trying to tell her something? She wanted to know more but was afraid to assume too much.

When she remained silent for several moments he asked, "Would you see me again if I asked?"

Would she?! "Yes."

She cursed the breathiness of her voice. He hadn't asked her to spend the rest of her life with him, to be his.

Breathe.

He pulled her swing closer until his lips were mere inches from hers, until his breath tickled her neck. "May I kiss you?"

"I thought you'd never ask." She tilted her head and leaned in to close the distance. At first the kiss was tentative, sweet. Then they parted their lips. Their tongues duelled.

His free hand circled her waist, drew her closer. But the swings groaned and twisted.

Laughing, they broke apart. Then he stood and pulled her up and into his embrace. "Would you like to come home with me?"

She molded herself to him, feeling the hot bulge in his pants. She rubbed noses with him. "The sooner the better."

"How about forever?"

Giddiness overtook her and she nodded. "Forever."


To read past Monday Minute Fiction stories visit:

Brynn Paulin

Ashley's MMF

Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

Incognito: free short story

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Body Painting

Monday Minute Fiction

Body Painting

by Ashley Ladd

  

(this work belongs to Ashley Ladd and cannot be duplicated without permission)

* Don't forget, my erotic romance novel "Bad Conduct", the sequel to "The Perfect Gift" releases today, Monday April 19th at Total-E-Bound.

Body Painting  

 

 

Shivers attacked Brandee Levy as she unzipped her pants. "I thought you were going to paint me naked," she asked as she looked around at all the graffiti decorating the walls of the old warehouse.

Nate looked up at her from the cold concrete floor, his blue eyes inscrutable. "Body art."

She looked around but spied nothing except large cans of paint. Her brow crooked. "What kind of body art? Where's your canvas? Your easel?" 

Nate pushed off the floor and rose to his feet. He took her jeans as she stepped out of them and folded them neatly. Then he helped her out of her unbuttoned blouse and added it to the stack of clothing.

When his fingers grazed her naked flesh, she quivered. She'd never posed naked before, never known a man like Nate. And she wanted to know him...intimately.

First, however, she let him take charge of the session. She liked take charge men and hoped he was one. With his dark good looks, and intense gaze, his every look made her quiver. His brief touch threatened to melt her. And the idea of being immortalized naked on canvas made her pussy quake, especially if Nate hung her nude painting in his bedroom.

To her disappointment, he walked away from her, leaving her cold and bereft in the drafty room. She'd hoped he'd warm her with his body.

A couple moments later he swaggered back, carrying a large tent-like thing. Then he spread it on the floor. "This is the canvas."

She eyed it and frowned. "On the floor? What kind of artist are you?"

"Abstract." He grabbed a can of yellow paint and poured a large circle onto the canvas. Then he added blue, red and purple.

Brandee put her hands on her hips. She wasn't sure what to think but when his gaze caressed her breasts, her nipples beaded.

He pointed to the canvas. "Roll around in the paint. Spread yourself on it."

Not sure about it. she hesitated. Then she decided, "What the hell. Might be fun."

She threw herself into it and rolled around the canvas, painting with her toes, her nose, her nipples and even her pussy. She tossed a saucy gaze to the artist. "How's this?"

Nate ambled up to the edge of the canvas and towered over her. His shadow kissed her.

She wished with all her heart that it was him kissing her, rubbing paint over her body, painting her with his cock. "Good, but I think it could be better."

Better?

She tilted her face up to him. "How?"

Nate cracked a lopsided grin and began to strip. When he was fully naked, his engorged cock hanging heavily, he drawled, "Let me help. Let me caress you like the paint. Let the canvas be an expression of our passion."

"Be my guest." But she hoped he wouldn't be too abstract. She longed for him to be very specific.

He added green and white paint to the mix then lowered himself to the canvas, rolled around in it, then painted a heart with his cock. When she giggled, and said, "I've never seen a man do that before."

Nate tented his brow at her. "You've rolled around naked in paint before?"

She shook her head. "Not that, either." She swept her lashes low over her eyes and curled her fingers around his cock. It was warm and pulsing in her hand and made her blood boil. "And I've never made love in paint...but I'd like to."

He pulled her into his arms and his hot breath skipped across her neck. His minty breath mingled with hers. "I'd love to also."

Then a sobering thought brought her back to earth and she sighed. "We can't. The paint might be toxic...inside. Is there a shower in here?"

A bright smile lit his lips. "It's non-toxic, edible paint. We can lick each other clean all over and we'll be perfectly fine."

Joy radiated through her and she moulded herself to him. Slick with paint they slid against each other, laughing. When he nudged his knee between her legs, she spread them wide and invited him inside.

To read past Monday Minute Fiction stories visit:

Brynn Paulin

Ashley's MMF

Recent posts you might like to read:

Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?

Procrastination

Cliche or Coincidence?

Incognito: free short story

Dedicating Books

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Lost…and Loving It

Monday Minute Fiction

"Lost…and Loving It"

All rights belong to Ashley Ladd.

This story cannot be reproduced without written permission of the author.

*This story contains explict male-male sex.

Travis Moore chuckled at how low he had fallen. He had nothing to do on a Saturday night except laze around his apartment and watch DVDs. There wasn’t even anything decent on TV except. It was raining so using the pool was out and he’d already worked out at the apartment’s gym.

So he grabbed his laundry and decided to get it done while everybody else was out having a good time. At least he could get in and out quickly. He didn’t even bother to throw on a shirt before he traipsed down the hall with his basket.

He bet that two-timing Rory was whoring it up tonight with every drunken Joe he could find. One man wasn’t enough for the jerk. He wanted everyone who had a hard-on. Just once Travis wished he could be so uninhibited he could be in an orgy or do it with more than one man in a night. But he’d always been the solid, one-man-at-a-time kind of guy. He was a homebody who liked to cuddle up with his lover, keep him to himself. His heart couldn’t stand another rejection yet. So here he was, all alone in the Laundromat.

He opened the door to throw in his laundry and he heard strange rumblings.

“Earthquake,” he mumbled and tried to steady himself for when the floor started shaking. The crazy things had been tearing apart the world lately. “It’s the end of days so I should find me a man, too,” he said under his breath. When he died, he wanted to be in a pair of strong arms who belonged to a kindred heart.

The roaring grew louder and wind whipped around him. “Tornado! Shit!” He dove under the table but the cyclone caught his feet and dragged him back. It sucked him into the air then pulled him into the machine with his clothes.

His fingers scrabbled for purchase on the door, the lip of the machine, anything, but he was sucked into the vacuum. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t exhale. His blood rushed to his feet and he couldn’t piece together a coherent thought.

Then he was dropped to the ground and the wind stopped as suddenly as it had begun. He held his aching head and opened his eyes.

He blinked. Then he blinked again. His eyes widened.

This wasn’t the laundry room. And it wasn’t the remains of a building torn to shreds by an angry storm.

Was it heaven? Hell? The Land of Oz?

He held his head and closed his eyes again. He counted to ten demanding his nightmare to go away. But when he opened his eyes he still saw the odd surroundings. Palatial columns rose to a gilded ceiling. Wispy sheets hanging from the ceiling wafted in the slight breeze coming in from a large open doorway. Marble floors felt cool and glassy beneath his hands. Soft, harp-like music drifted around him. Everything was white on white with tints of gold. Could it be heaven? It sure didn’t look like hell.

He lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers in front of his eyes. Then he circled his ankle in the air. After that he pushed himself to his feet and stretched his sore limbs. He marveled that he wasn’t black and blue from the rough treatment. But that was secondary to the mystery of where he was.

The door opened and the most beautiful man he’d ever seen glided in. He was naked except for wide gold bangles around his wrists and ankles, and a gold Egyptian-like necklace around his neck.

Travis’s mouth watered and his cock grew heavy in his shorts. When the other man’s cock grew long and thick before his eyes, Travis blinked again. “Where am I? Why am I here? Who are you?”

He winced at how trite he sounded, but the questions were honest ones.

The other man swaggered to him and circled him, looking him up and down. Then he sidled close and stroked Travis’s cock through the thick denim. “I am Ammon, Sheikh of Annuki. And you are the newest member of my harem.”

Travis’s mouth went dry and he wished he was as naked as the other man. He croaked, “Harem?” He shook his head. He’d never heard of a gay harem.

“This must be a mistake. I’m a man. I can’t…”

“No mistake. I have hundreds of the most beautiful men from all over the world, from throughout time. And you are my newest acquisition.” The god-like man blazed gold in the streaming light through the doorway as the sun climbed in the cloudless sky.

“Acquisition? Newest member of your harem?” Travis knew he must be dreaming but if he got to taste that cock, to feel the man’s magical hands on his bare flesh, he didn’t want to wake up. “Am I your prisoner?”

“Henceforth, you are mine. And you will never want to leave. When I am not partaking of your beauty and your pleasure you will be free to love the other members of my harem. No one has ever wished to leave. I doubt you will be the first.”

Tsk-tsking, Ammon slipped the button of Travis’s pants out of his hole then unzipped them. “It’s not fair that you can see me in all my glory and I can’t see you.”

Travis wasn’t sure what to do. He yearned to shed his pants and his inhibitions and have wild sex with the handsome stranger. But he didn’t belong here. He didn’t want to be a kept man. He had a life…

Ammon pressed his lips to Travis’s neck and trailed hot kisses across his shoulder blade. Then he pushed Travis’s pants down his legs.

Mesmerized by the Sheikh’s soft lips trailing down his body and his masterful hands on his legs, Travis trembled and gave into the pleasure. When Ammon’s lips kissed his cock, Travis’s knees buckled.

Ammon took off the rest of Travis’s clothing leaving him naked. Then he swept Travis into his arms and deposited him on the extra large bed. He kissed his way up Travis’s legs, to his cock where he languished. “Um, you taste wonderful. I could get lost in you.”

Travis was already lost…and loving it. This was a fantasy come true and he didn’t want to wake up. He lifted his hips off the bed and pushed his cock deeper into his lover’s mouth.

Ammon cherished Travis’s cock for several moments, moaning in chorus with Travis. When he left Travis’s cock, Travis growled his protest. But when Ammon flipped him over and plunged his cock inside, Travis forgave him. At this moment, he never wanted to leave. He felt that he was where he belonged.

Expertly, Ammon drove in and out, bringing Travis to the brink of ecstasy, backing off, then restoking Travis’s fire higher and hotter. Finally, Travis came long and hard in Ammon’s arms.

“I have a treat for my new favorite man,” Ammon whispered against Travis’s ear as he pulled out of him and took him in his arms.

“What is that?” Travis would be happy if he never had another surprise in his life. He’d never felt so fulfilled, so blissful.

Ammon authoritatively clapped his hands high in the air. “Join us!”

The gilded doors flew open and several buff, naked men flooded in. Their cocks were long, thick and heavy. They glistened with cum. They were all colors of the rainbow, all exemplary of their races. And all crawled onto the bed and began to kiss and caress Travis.

Ammon moved back and held his hands wide. “Enjoy!”


Previous Monday Minute Fiction:

Incognito
Soul Mates
Tease
Holding Up The Contract
more MMF by Brynn Paulin




Recent posts you might like to read:

Bookville - New Chat Forum

Author Interview: Marcia James

Author Interview: Elaine Hopper

Weathering A Bad Review

What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?

Dedicating Books
You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Monday Minute Fiction: Incognito

Monday Minute Fiction

Incognito

Copyright by Ashley Ladd.

This story may not be reproduced without written permission.

When Aiden's boss, Ivy Stevens, accidentally grazed him, lightning struck. The electricity made him sizzle and he hoped she felt the same. For two years he'd been her body guard and protector and the role felt right. Money or no money, he'd give his life for her. However, he'd rather spend his life with her, loving her.

"Sorry," she mumbled with an apologetic gaze. Still, she kept walking, darting through the crowded city streets, enjoying a day of being incognito.

He couldn't take it. Employee or not, he was a man first. He blocked her way and stopped.

Ivy tented her brow and thrust out her hip but waited for him to speak.

"Didn't you feel anything when we just touched? Can't you feel this amazing connection?"

Her eyes grew wide and she blinked. She licked her lips and started to speak, "I..."

Her phone rang and an apologetic light lit her eyes. She grabbed it out of her slouch purse and looked at it, grimacing. "I have to take it. It's Justin."

A growl rose in his chest and he longed to rip off the guy's two-timing head with his bare hands. "He's a jerk. He's no good for you."

She held up her hand as if to silence him. "What do you mean you can't attend my premiere? You pro-"

Aiden couldn't take anymore. He couldn't understand what Ivy saw in the guy. Justin was a moron who didn't deserve a sweet woman like Ivy. He had his fans and Ivy fooled but not him. The way he treated Ivy infuriated him.

Rage exploded inside him and he snapped. He snatched her phone and dropped it down his pants. The metal was cool against his cock and it scraped his balls. The phone hung heavy in his briefs and felt funny. But  he dared her to get her phone.

Ivy gaped at him, her eyes wide as quarters. "I can't believe you did that." She bent and spoke into his groin, "Justin, do you hear me, you snake?"

She pushed Aiden onto his rump on the sidewalk and looked inside his pants.

"What do you think you're doing?" He hoped she liked what she saw, that it would drive all thought of the other man out of her head.

"What do you think I'm doing, you dork?"

Shadows fell over them and he glanced up. Several people were pointing and laughing. Others gasped and shook their heads. Cameras began snapping.

When he recognized the Paparrazzzi he swore under his breath. "Creating a scene. Much as I've dreamed of you playing with my cock," he murmured huskily so that just she could hear. "I don't think you want it smeared all over the news."

Her eyes narrowed, pinning him as if he was a bug. "I'm going to get you for this."

"Promises, promises."

She gave him her hand and helped him to his feet. "I should fire your impertinent ass."

He yanked her hat low over her eyes. "Keep your face covered. Hold my hand. Run!" He wound his fingers around hers, pulled her against his backside and plowed through the crowd. The damned phone crushed his balls but he bit his lower lip.

The phone blasted out a Lady GaGa song. Wincing, he cursed himself for his impulsive moment.

Ivy poked him in the shoulder. "Your pants are ringing. Do you mind if I answer it?"

He glanced over his shoulder, assured himself they'd lost the Paparrazzi, and pulled her into a dark doorway. He lifted his arms and smiled. "Be my guest. Get your phone."

She stuck her hands down his pants, groped around, and squeezed his cock. She stroked it until he moaned with pleasure. Then she wound her fingers around her phone and pulled it out. She waved it under his nose. "Don't ever do that again."

He leaned in close and stopped a kiss away from her lips. "If it makes you play with my cock, I might do it at least once a day."

A sly look crossed her eyes and passion pooled in them. "Would you like me to play with your cock?"

He ground his hips against hers and brushed his lips to hers. Against her lips he murmured, "Absolutely."

The phone rang again and annoyed with the damned thing, he wished he'd thrown it down the gutter instead. "Is it Justin again?"

Cross-eyed she stared at the phone. Then she shut it off. "Who's Justin? I don't know Justin anymore."

Feeling carefree and lighthearted, he chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "What do you say we hurry back to your apartment?"

She locked her arms around his neck and swayed in his embrace. "What do you say we make your room into a guest room?"

His heart fell. "You're firing me? I thought..."

She put her fingers to his lips. "No. I want you to move into my room. Permanently. What do you say?"

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