Shiver : 13 Sexy Tales of Humor and Horror

Chapter 1

“Damn, damn, damn,” I screamed while pounding the steering wheel of my old beater. I coasted the car to the side of the road after the engine went silent. “Not now. I’m only a couple miles away!”

Adding to my already frayed nerves, my confined cat, Tommie, howled in his carrier sitting next to me on the passenger seat. I think he’s ready to be freed from this car. God knows I am too.

I can now add a broken down car to the crazy mishaps I’ve been lucky enough to experience during the last month. The first one led me to the unemployment line. The magazine I worked for in New York City decided to go belly up and notify their employees by securing the glass front door with locks and chains.

No sign or note was left for all of us stunned workers as we rattled the doors. Not even a thank you for showing up today, but we’ve decided not to.

I bought a gallon of Ben and Jerry’s on the walk back home to my apartment, and mourned my job loss by watching Bravo for a week straight. It helped to see rich and spoiled housewives who were more miserable than jobless me. I’ve always wondered one thing about those crazy reality shows… Don’t they know every bitchy thing they say about their friends is being recorded?

The week following my overnight unemployment, my Aunt Marge died and left her entire estate to me. It was amazing and very generous but came with one big condition… I had to move back to my hometown of Marietta, Ohio, and live for one year in her house. Damn, I loved New York. And to make things worse, if I refused the estate would go to my derelict cousin, Lenny. His most recent mug shot with stringy blond hair and missing front teeth was posted next to the term “Meth Lab Owner” on Wikipedia. No lie!

Aunt Marge’s scheme worked, I had no job and there was no way in hell I could let my aunt’s hard earned money land in Lenny’s hands or on his meth boilerplate.

My aunt never married and was known around town as the “Spinster.” She taught creative writing at the local college and wrote romance novels under a secret pen name. She made her real fortune selling books written as Demi Duke, the bodice-ripping historical romance writer. It was only after her death that the hidden name leaked to her colleagues, and then the rest of the small town. I had no idea my aunt lived a double life until the estate lawyer’s contacted me.

After two hundred turns of the key in the car’s ignition, I gave up and flipped on the hazard lights. The sun had set a couple hours ago, but I didn’t feel any danger since the town of Marietta was sleepy, safe and as boring as a beige pantsuit. What a contrast from New York City. My cat seemed to agree as he begged to be freed.

“Come here, Tommie.” I flipped open the carrier’s wire door and inched my hands inside. I wanted to make sure Tommie had calmed down and didn’t show his claws. He bolted out of his confines and made a beeline for the back seat, by-passing my lame attempt to catch him.

After a howling meow, Tommie leaped on top of my head via my seat’s headrest. The entire tomfoolery took less than ten heartbeats. One might say fur was flying.

“For Pete’s sake, Tommie.” I tried to wrestle the cat off of my head without further scaring the animal. My once tightly pulled ponytail resembled a tangled mop of blond locks. I moved a few strands away from my eyes with a huff of breath.

“Meow.” Tommie repeated sounding more like a dying cow than a sweet little kitten.

I began rubbing between his ears. After a minute his whining turned to purring and I gingerly removed him from my head.

“Sorry boy,” I cooed while placing him back in his carrier, and hoped we both adjusted to our move.

Tap, tap, tap.

I turned to the left as someone tapped against the driver’s side window. One quick glance brought a shiny police badge into view.

“Great,” I complained under my breath before rolling down the window.

Maybe the officer can help me figure out what to do about my broken down car. I haven’t lived in the Marietta since I left for college and had no clue who to call for a tow. As a New Yorker that didn’t need to drive, my new set of wheels was a last minute purchase before moving. A friend of a friend gave me what I thought was a great deal. Now I’m not too sure.

As I lowered the tinted window, I had a better view of the man standing outside, though I couldn’t see his face because he was rather tall. But what I did see of him perfectly stretched the legs of his navy pants. My gaze traveled up to find narrow hips and what looked like a flat stomach beneath a shirt with official looking buttons. I licked my lips as I saw the beginnings of a square jawline.

“Ma’am,” the officer spoke, breaking through the silence and my imagination of what he was packing. He bent down toward me, but I had trouble seeing him fully through the wisps of hair covering my face. “Can I see your license and registration please?”

“My car has broken down. I hope that’s not against the law.” I replied sarcastically while turning to reach for my purse and getting a quick view of myself in the rear view mirror.

“No ma’am. Just a routine request for identification.” I swear the baritone sound of his voice caressed something that had been without male friction for months.

My hair was a mess and I resembled a deranged woman more than a pretty young twenty-five year old. Also, Tommie had decided to start protesting his imprisonment again. I giggled realizing I fit the definition of a crazy cat lady and wasn’t even thirty yet.

Fuck my life.

Rummaging through my purse I pulled out my wallet and handed over my license to the officer. “Hold on let me find my registration.”

Before I moved across the seat to get to the glove compartment, the officer stopped me. “Patricia Hopkins? Patty Cake, is that you?” he asked through a laugh. “It’s Thomas Brooks. Mel’s brother.”

Holy shit, I knew who it was the second I heard him say Patty Cakes. Just hearing him say it made me feel fourteen again, because he wasn’t just my best friend’s brother, but my life long crush and the hotter than hot guy I’d pined for.

And of course I would be looking like a hot mess. I sighed realizing that my luck hadn’t changed. Not to mention he had dredged up the cringe worthy nickname.

Welcome home.

Chapter 2

“Hi, Thomas,” I groaned in embarrassment while pulling out my hair tie and running my fingers through the tangled ends.

“Yes, it’s me Patricia, but I go by Trish now.” I muttered the second part glancing one last time into the rearview mirror and hoping I wouldn’t frighten him.

I yanked the door open and stepped onto the pavement. As I stood up in front of Thomas, I reached the height of his shiny badge and looked up into his steely black eyes.

Boom.

Even in the moonlit night I saw his smirky smile showing just a hint of the boyhood dimple I had loved. But there was nothing boy about him now. Nope. He radiated hot alpha male, decked out in his perfect fitting police uniform.

I licked my lips, and a dirty thought went through my sex-starved mind as I wondered where he kept his handcuffs, or if he might like to use his stun gun on me. I was close to holding out my wrists in surrender.

“I would’ve never guessed it was you.” Thomas scanned up and downed my body. The effect his eyes had on me only added to my already heightened state of alert. “You’ve changed.” The smirk was now a full blow knee-weakening smile, and I was glad to be leaning against the car door.

He seemed to like what he saw and then I remembered my tragic hair or rat’s nest. Darn kitten.

“Yes, it’s the hair. I’m trying out a new do. I’m calling it, Confined Cat Curls.” I lowered my head and giggled.

“Well, your hair is a little wild. But…wow. You look great. Nothing like the Patty Cake I once knew.”

I looked down at the pavement and smiled after his compliment. I didn’t mind Patty Cake too much. It was the other nickname I hated. The ugly one I’d worn in shame during my school days. Fatty Patty.

Well, I sure didn’t fit that description anymore, if Thomas’ continued glances at my boobs were any indication.

When I headed to Boston for college, I changed my entire lifestyle. Instead of gaining the freshman fifteen, I lost fifty pounds and tightened up my curves. My entire life transformed from being a wallflower to getting unsolicited attention from boys who never gave me a second glance before.

“Thanks for noticing.” I leaned against the car with my hands behind my back. The new angle let me take in the entire view of Thomas, and damn it was a view. It was my turn to peruse, and I think he liked the new position of my boobs too. All win.

“You’ve changed too.” I paused and decided if my hair didn’t freak him out, I might as well go for the gold. “Nicely.”

Thomas stood a little taller. “Gotta stay in shape with all the criminals I have to chase around here.”

I laughed knowing the worst criminals in town where the jaywalkers. “It has to be a rough job. Like now. Helping damsels with car trouble.”

“Not just any damsel.” Thomas lowered his voice and moved closer to me and I sunk down lower against the curve of the car door. “I specialize in helping lost girls find their way home.”

A shiver ran down my spine even though the night was unseasonably warm. “Is that so?”

“So I’ve been told.” Thomas inched toward me. He was so near I could smell his cologne. A nice mix of a spice and woodsy scent. My senses started to distract me, but Tommie wouldn’t be ignored and decided to let his presence be known.

“Meow,” Tommie cried out in neglected misery.

“That would be my cat,” I explained while tilting my head toward the car’s interior. “He’s had a rough ride locked in his little carrier for over eight hours.”

“I bet. What’s his name?” Thomas inquired as he peered into the car to see a black kitten staring at him.

“Tommie,” I spoke in a hush knowing the name was also Thomas’ old nickname. I held my head down to avoid his eyes.

“Tommie?” He scoffed. “Should I be flattered?”

“You wish.” It was my turn to mock him. “His official name is Tomcat.” I lied to save my ass. It seemed easier than saying I saw the cat and thought of your black as night hair, so I named him Tommie.

“Sure,” Thomas replied as he raised a brow at me and stared me down for a few long seconds, maybe wondering if he could spot my fib.

“So you said your car’s broken down.”

“No, I like pulling over to the side of the road and having a cat claw my hair into a rat’s nest.”

“I see you brought back a little of New York City with you.” Now Thomas had both brows raised at me. But I didn’t miss the fact that he knew I’d been in New York City. My heart might have leapt a little at the thought.

“Sorry, I’m a little fried.”

“It’s okay. I get it.” Thomas reached out and rubbed my arm, which made me forget what we were talking about.

“Huh?” I asked, still numb.

“The car, driving all day. And why you’re back in town.” He likely knew everything since secrets were hard to contain in a small town like Marietta. I’m still amazed at my aunt for hiding her Demi Duke side for all those years.

“It’s not where I thought I’d be a couple months ago,” I confessed. “But I’m here.”

“Let’s call you a tow.” Thomas stood tall and pulled out his radio. He pressed a few buttons and put it up to his ear. “Hey, I’m with a stranded driver and need you to dispatch a wrecker.”

I watched Thomas as he listened to the response and nodded his head, seeming so in charge of my problem. I continued to take in this hot alpha man, and enjoyed the view of what looked like grapefruits packed away under his shirtsleeves. The man must work out three hours a day or combine it with other extracurricular activities, perhaps those of a sexual nature. Wonder if he’s looking for a new workout partner? I mentally raised both hands and stifled a laugh.

“Yes, I’m still at the same stop where I last radioed in.” Thomas glanced over my car. “It’s a late model Ford Focus. Black with its lights flashing. I’ll stay here with the vehicle until the truck arrives. Barring another dispatch.”

Thomas ended the call and put his phone away. “Okay, the tow truck should be here in a few minutes. Any ideas how we can pass the time?”

He twitches his brows and winks.

Oh boy.

I can’t seem to find a quick, clean answer to that question.

Chapter 3

“Well, I’d rather not get back in the car and wait. I’ve been in it all day.” I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed Thomas. I might have pushed my boobs together a bit to enhance my cleavage. I wanted to make a point… or two.

“How about we sit on the hood of your car and catch up.” He reached around me and opened the car door. I scooted out of the way as Thomas retrieved Tommie’s carrier.

“Can’t have him all by his lonesome. Us Tommie’s need to stick together.”

Thomas seemed to be ribbing me about naming the cat after him, though I’d never admit it out loud. Instead I kept my mouth closed and followed him around to the front of my car.

“Sit here.” Thomas patted the hood of the car and I eased myself up onto the metal. Years ago I would’ve dented the damn thing, but today there wasn’t even a give as I sat on it.

Careful not to scratch the car, Thomas placed Tommie next to me and the cat appeared to be sleeping for now. “The engine is still warm.” I said after feeling the engine’s heat against my butt.

“The night is warm too. It’s felt like Indian summer for the last week.” Thomas turned to lean his backside against the front of the car. His long legs were hardly an inch away from mine. His invasion of my personal space felt deliciously inappropriate considering we hadn’t seen each other in eight years. “Anyway, I’m sorry about your aunt. I always liked her. Kind of kept to herself though.”

“Thanks.” I peered up at the bright moon shining down. “She kept a lot of things to herself apparently. None of us knew about her writing. I remember visiting her house and seeing her books sitting on a table. She snatched them away from me before I could touch them, saying they were too steamy.”

“That’s what some of the women are saying around town. They’re seeing your aunt in a whole new light.”

“Aren’t we all?” I joked back. “But it’s cool how she was able to live two lives. Some people never even live one.”

“Very true.” Thomas moved away the car and stood to face me. He stared into my eyes with the moonlight illuminating behind him. I suddenly had trouble breathing. Maybe some rescue CPR would be in order here. He’d have to touch my lips and boobs.

“So tell me. You go by Trish now, right?” Thomas eyed me with a cocked brow and waited for my answer.

“Yes, I wanted a new beginning when I left Marietta, so I buried Patty somewhere along the highway as I drove to Boston for college.”

“It appears that you were very successful with the burying part. Because your nothing like the young girl I remember.” Thomas grinned at me and placed his hand down on the hood. His body loomed above mine, and I wanted to spread my legs like a hussy. It wasn’t like we just met. I loved trying to rationalize my dirty mind. “So tell me what have you been up to for the last eight years?”

“College, moved to New York City for my first job, lost said job, and now I’m being bribed by my late and scheming aunt to move back here.”

“Eight years in one sentence? Sounds like you might be trying to hide a few things.” Thomas glanced down at the finger I would have a wedding ring on if I was married or engaged. A smile curved across his lips as he found it bare, and I was glad I’d pawned the ring that used to be worn on that finger to buy this damn car. “No significant other?”

“Nope,” I clipped my answer, hoping he would drop the subject of men, boyfriends, or manwhores, which was my term for the male population in New York City under the age of forty. “Single and not looking.”

“Well a beautiful woman like you shouldn’t have to look or be single.” Thomas raised himself to full height. “Unless she aspires to be a nun.”

“Definitely not nun material. Mainly because I’m a Christmas and Easter Methodist, but I’m content with my life.” I wanted to say except the part where I lost my job and had to move away from the city I loved. In other words, I was lying through my teeth right now, and had no clue why. Silly pride perhaps.

“Glad to hear about the nun part, but I’d like…” Flashing lights pulled up right beside us before Thomas could finish. Dammit. I wondered what he’d like. Hoping in secret that he might like me.

“Let me talk to the driver while you put Tommie back inside the car.” Thomas acknowledged the tow’s arrival and held out his hand to help me off the car’s hood.

I lifted Tommie’s carrier off the car and watched Thomas walk away. What had gotten into me? I’ve followed every order he gave me. Sit here. Confess this. Do that. Yes, everyone last one. And strangely I liked it. Very, very much.

Chapter 4

“I can’t believe the car was out of gas.” I shook my head in disbelief as the tow truck driver gave me the news. I wanted to blame it on the fact I’ve rarely driven a car in three years or that the gas gauge might be busted. But there was no excuse for my stupidity, as usual. Or was it ass as usual?

“You’d be surprised how often this happen.” The tow truck driver tried to cheer me up. “I bet it’s once a day. That’s why we always carry a full can of gas with us.”

“Well, at least the car doesn’t need repairs. Not so sure about my ability to drive one though.” I quipped under my breath as the driver put the cap back on the now empty can. “How much do I owe you?”

“Taken care of right, Bernie?” Thomas stuffed a few bills into Bernie’s shirt pocket. His hands were so quick I wasn’t able to see how much money he’d put inside.

Dammit, I hated owing anyone a dime, and once again Thomas was in charge. I wondered if he thought of me like a kid sister since I was Mel’s best friend. One thing for sure, I appreciated his help and the view.

“Thanks. But I owe you.” Thomas just smiled and shook his head. It didn’t appear I’d win the argument with him either. “I’ll make a donation to the policeman’s fund in your name.”

“How about I follow you back to your aunts? That’s where you’re staying I presume.” Thomas opened the car door for me and I slipped inside.

“Yes, but I’ll be okay on my own.” Part of me wanted him to follow me home and tuck me into bed for the night while he slipped in next to me under the covers. Naked. “I survived living in New York City for three years and you know what they say…”

“If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.” Thomas crooned and a sweet tingle ran over my skin.

“Where did you learn to sing like that?” I’d never heard him sing all the times I’d hung out at their home when I was a kid. I would’ve remembered because he sung in a way no one could forget.

“There’s more than muscle behind this badge, Patty Cake.” Thomas closed the door to my car now that I was seated behind the wheel and staring up at him in awe and lust. Mainly lust.

“Hey. It’s Trish to you buster.” I teased him with a smile through the car’s open window.

“Fine, Trish,” Thomas spat out my name. I would’ve preferred that he sang it.

“Fine.” I returned with a mocking tone.

“You’re something else, PC.” Thomas reached in and tasseled the hair on the top of my head, adding to the already messed up do.

“What the…” But it was too late. Thomas had already headed back to his patrol car.

After putting the car in drive, I steered out onto the road. A pair of headlights shone in my rear view mirror as Thomas followed close behind.

When my car hit the paved driveway of Aunt Marge’s house, I noticed how dark it was without a light shining from a window. The place didn’t look like the same inviting home I remembered now being cast in darkness. I was glad to see Thomas’s patrol car stopping right behind mine.

I had mixed emotions about going inside the house since I’d really not said farewell to Aunt Marge. She left specific instructions in her will. Since she knew her time was short, she dictated exactly how she wanted her funeral services. Basically none. A short but sweet memorial service was planned at the college she taught at for some time in mid-November. Other than that, she asked for no fanfare. And no goodbyes

Tap. Tap. Tap.

There was Thomas again at my window while I sat daydreaming and thinking about my aunt. Walking into the lonely house couldn’t be avoided, so I took a deep breath, reached for Tommie’s carrier handle, and opened the door.

“You okay?” Thomas asked in concern.

“Yeah. Just thinking. Seems weird to come back here and Aunt Marge’s gone.” Thomas took the carrier from my hands as we started to make our way toward the front door.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Thomas questioned while we walked up the Victorian’s wooden steps.

“She came to visit me last Christmas in New York. I had no idea she was sick at all. She didn’t tell a soul.” I could almost feel my aunt’s arms from the last hug we shared. If I’d only known then…

“Give me your keys.” Thomas ordered in a quiet but firm way. Without thinking I dug the keys out of my pocket and handed them over. I obeyed Thomas very well. I hope it earned me some brownie points.

The door creaked open and the smell of roses hit my nose. Tears soon followed.

“Let me get the rest of your stuff out of the car while you get settled.”

I wiped my eyes and pushed back my hair before I turned to face Thomas. “Who knew you were such a nice guy?”

“I have my rare moments.” Thomas walked toward me, closing the gap between us and brought his fingers up to my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

His gentle touch swiped away any stray tears. “Thanks,” I whispered and looked up at him through watery eyes.

He reached around my body with his strong arms and gave me a comforting hug. But as he pulled away, I thought I heard him say. “I’d rather be naughty.”

Chapter 5

“How did everything go at the attorney’s office today?” Mel asked as she sat across the table from me.

We’d decided to meet for lunch at a restaurant close to the river. I’d only been back a couple days, and we hadn’t had a chance to really catch up.

“My aunt has to be laughing in her grave.” I put the menu down and looked at Mel. “The hoops I have to jump through to inherit her estate are nuts, but I really don’t have a choice.”

“This reminds me of one of the those movies where the person has to find a spouse by the weekend or they’re written out of the rich uncle’s will.” Mel laughed, hoping to lighten my mood, but this wasn’t some Hollywood comedy. Instead it was my fucked up life.

“Yeah. I keep waiting for the Punk’d film crew to show up at any minute.” I scanned the patron’s surrounding us. “But I don’t see hide nor hair of Ashton Kutcher and he’s not easy to miss.”

“So what are all the requirements?” Mel took a sip of her diet cola. “They have to be something crazy to get you to move back here from New York City.”

“Well you know my cousin Lenny.” I paused while Mel nodded her head.

“He’s scary.” Mel shuddered and I followed with a knowing laugh.

“You have no idea. He was at the meeting today and I swear he looked like a Zombie ready for Halloween. It’s been forever since I’ve seen him. Maybe ten years and he looks like he’s about fifty with no teeth.”

“Why was he at the attorney’s?” Mel asked.

“Long story short. I have to stay here an entire year at my aunt’s house. Basically set up residency. Remove every shred of evidence that I was once a happy New Yorker. If I don’t, Lenny will inherit the estate, lock, stock, and meth pipe.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Mel scoffed and scrunched her face in a most unpleasant manner. “Is that even legal? Can she really make you do this?”

“Apparently it’s all legitimate though sadistic in a twisted way. The attorney mentioned something about Aunt Marge’s assets being held in an escrow account with specific stipulations that I have to meet.”

“Wow, I never knew your aunt had it in her.”

“I know. I think it’s more the Demi Duke side of her. Her alter ego.” I chuckled as our salads were placed in front of us. “My mother thinks she wanted me out of New York City. She lived there right out of college like me. Before she decided on pursuing her doctorate. She thought the city sucked souls from the young. Quote, unquote.”

“When she visited you there last December, did you have any clue what was coming?”

“Clueless. She did question me about my life in New York City. How the dating life was. Maybe I should’ve told her some lies instead of telling her I’d yet to meet a decent guy after three years. I complained about them all being asshole players.”

I had searched my mind since I heard the terms of my aunt’s will. Nothing from that three-day visit months ago would’ve tipped me off to what I was facing now.

The estate she left me was massive, totaling eight million dollars including the Victorian house. Aunt Marge found success as the writer Demi Duke in the Seventy’s and Eighty’s. A smart broker had her make two killer investments with her money. Nike in 1975 and Apple in 1981. The money grew each year, and she left a hefty estate to me, but it was a gift with strings that pulled me back to Marietta. Ones that dragged me back here kicking and screaming.

“Hey there’s Bailey McMasters. She’s walking our way.” Mel whispered leaning forward and moving her eyes somewhere behind me.

The thought of seeing “Beautiful Bailey” made me freeze. Bailey was the “It” girl that all boys wanted to date in high school and all the girls wanted to hate, but she was truly a super nice person. A basic nightmare. My days as Fatty Patty made me slide down into the seat.

“Hi, Mel.” Bailey greeted Mel before I could see her over my shoulder.

“Hi, Bailey.” Mel glanced at me and kicked me under the table, making me turn around and face Bailey. There was nowhere to hide now. “You remember Patricia Hopkins?”

I stared openmouthed at Bailey. Time hadn’t been kind to her. Her hair was shaggy and the bags under her eyes made her look well past thirty. The person standing in front of me looked haggard at best.

“Sure, I remember you Bailey,” I answered and relaxed my shoulders.

“Wow, Patty. You look great. I wouldn’t have recognized you in a million years.”

“Thanks,” I replied, and bit my lip so I wouldn’t make some mean girl comment about not recognizing her in a million years either.

“No seriously. You look like a model. All polished.” Bailey continued to gush over the changes in me since I moved away.

“Why don’t you join us?” Mel asked while pushing out the empty chair at the table. “We can catch up.”

“Do you mind? My mother has the twins for the afternoon and I so need some girl time.” Bailey had settled in the seat before she finished her sentence. “I heard you were back in town, Patty.”

I cringed when I heard that old name again. It was time to put Patty six feet under.

“I decided to reinvent myself when I left here and I go by Trish now. If you don’t mind.”

“That’s right,” Bailey exclaimed. I was puzzled how Bailey knew I changed my name. “Your brother told me about it, Mel.”

“My brother?” Mel volleyed her eyes back and forth between Bailey and me. “I think I’m missing something here.”

I hung my head before I answered. “I might have run into your brother last week.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Mel asked, appearing shocked that I didn’t mention it.

“I forgot. I’m sorry. It’s been one thing after another, since I walked into my aunt’s house.”

“Well believe me, you made quite an impression on Thomas.” Bailey waggled her brows and added a wink. “He couldn’t stop talking about you.”

“You guys are close?” I had to know more, so I pried.

“My husband and Thomas are on the force together. He’s over at our house a lot, helping us finish our basement.” Bailey beamed while telling the background to knowing Thomas. “He’s intense, but a super sweet guy.”

“He’s intense alright.” Mel quipped and all eyes were on her now. “He’s bossy sometimes is all I’m saying.

I remembered how Thomas had ordered me around and I instinctively obeyed without even a thought. He didn’t seem too demanding just in charge. An alpha-type guy who was looking out for me. Yeah, he could boss me around anytime, preferably in the bedroom.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Bailey picked her phone up off the table and answered an incoming call. Her eyes went wide as she listened to the caller. She nodded her head over and over again.

“Okay, I’ll be right there. Memorial right?” Bailey slumped in her seat and lowered the phone. “Looks like one of the twins needs stitches. I swear it’s always something with them. Last week one of them had peas stuck up their nose.”

“God, I hope they’re okay.” Mel’s voice was full of worry.

“My mother said it’s not even bleeding now. But Jack is asking for me, so I better run along.” Bailey packed her phone away and stood up from her chair. “Great to see you, Trish.”

“Great seeing you too. Wish you could’ve stayed longer. Sounds like you need a break.” I smiled warmly at Bailey, sad that she had to leave.

“You have no idea,” Bailey huffed and turned to leave, but stopped to face Mel. “Oh Mel, I think I’ve talked Thomas into doing that Peckers thing of yours. Now that my hubby has signed up, he seems persuaded.”

I raised a bitch brow at Mel as Bailey walked away.

“Peckers? What the hell is that?”

Chapter 6

“How long do you have for lunch?” Mel asked with a tease. “It may take a little while to explain.”

“I have literally all day.”

I wasn’t kidding either. One bonus about my aunt’s stipulations, I didn’t have to work during the year I’m in limbo. She did encourage me to write though. Wonder if Demi Duchess is available as a pen name?

“So back to this Peckers thing. I’m assuming that Peckers is code for a guy’s junk, right?”

“Yes,” Mel said with a blush. “I need to share the backstory first.”

“I’m all ears for this one.” I stuffed the last bite of my chicken salad into my mouth.

“You know I work as a nurse with breast cancer patients, right?” Mel asked, and I nodded back at her.

“Well, every October around Halloween the nurses in our unit put together a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. We had no clue what do this year? Our creative juices weren’t flowing, and we wanted something fun and different.”

“I remember you doing these in the past.” I stopped our server as she walked by our table. “Can we have two coffees, please?”

“And a couple of those mega size chocolate chip cookies?” Skinny Minnie Mel added. I cringed knowing that I had to be careful with what I ate. I sure as hell didn’t want to drudge up the long buried Fatty Patty.

“Coming right up.” The server wrote on her pad. “I’ll make sure those cookies are nice and warm too.”

“Great,” I whined. “I need to start up at a gym.”

“You should go where my brother does. It seems to have kept him in good shape.” I side eyed Mel, because her face had “matchmaker” written all over it.

“Okay, I’ll lay off the Thomas stuff, but I think he’s got the hots for you. Bailey sure seemed to think so.”

“You know I’ve always crushed on your brother and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m excited to hear he was talking about me. But enough about him for right now, you need to tell me your Peckers’ story.”

“You know he’s single right?” A sly smile slid across Mel’s face.

“I don’t know anything about him now.” Well that’s a lie. I know he looks fucking hot in his police uniform and I’d willingly volunteer for a full body search. Plus he can also sing like Frank Sinatra. “Well he can sure sing.”

“You heard him sing?” Mel said while deadpanning me.

“He might have crooned a line or two the other night.” I trailed off.

“I need details on what the ‘other night’ means. Nothing spared.”

“After you tell me about your Peckers.” We looked at each other and giggled. Our conversation was as scattered as my hair was the night I met Thomas, basically all over the place.

“Okay.” Mel took a deep breath. “The nurses and I went out for drinks after a shift to plan. We started talking about all the local places that cater to men looking at woman’s boobs. A new place just opened up called Twin Peaks.”

“You know what men say about those places. They go there for the wings.” I scoffed knowing that was a lie to cover their pervy asses.

“And you know what’s attached to wings?”

“Breasts.” We chimed in a little too loudly. The tables around us went silent as we buried our heads and snickered.

“Back to the story,” Mel took a sip of our just arrived coffee. “I said that we needed to have a place where we could go to ogle men. Have them take our Cosmopolitan and Cobb Salad orders while we checked out their packages.”

“I like this idea.” I grabbed off a morsel of the cookie in front of me and let the melted chocolate spread over my tongue. “These are crack.”

“Why do you think I ordered them?” Mel quipped.

“So you were at the ogling men part.” I twirled my hand signaling her to go on as I began morseling my way through the cookie. I felt less guilty tearing it off in little pieces than inhaling it.

“I thought we should think of a cutesy name for the male version of booby sports bars, and voilà Peckers was born or hatched.” She sat back and straightened her shoulders.

“I think it’s brilliant. So you have the name, now what?”

“We are taking over Mickey’s Bar tomorrow night. It will be called Peckers for the evening. A local company even donated money for us to buy a neon sign for outside. Also, it’s Friday and Halloween Eve. We’re hoping to find dates for Halloween amongst the half-clothed wait staff,” Mel said with a wink.

“Half-clothed?” I asked, realizing Thomas was going to be at the event. I found myself getting rather squirmy in my seat.

“Yes, we’ve asked men from all professions to come help us with the fundraiser. They will be serving drinks and food with the assistance of some of the regular employees. All the men will be shirtless. It’s the one requirement.” I liked where Mel was taking this.

“The doctors will have stethoscopes around their necks. Lawyers and businessmen will have ties. Firemen will have a small hose.” Mel stopped and wiggled her brow. “Those who do manual labor will wear their tool belts. I think I’m forgetting one.”

“You sure as hell are. What about the policemen?” I had no shame at this point. I wanted to know about Thomas’ Peckers getup.

“Of course. Your boy Thomas will be sporting a gun holster over his bare chest.”

I gulped at the thought of seeing what was under that shiny badge. “Okay, when does this start tomorrow? And how can I help?”

“I have most of the bases covered right now, but I could use help after the event with clean up. I want you to come and have fun. You just got into town and I know there will be a lot of familiar faces. Including my brothers.”

“I’m in.” Mel plopped down a flyer in front of me, and I began to read it over.

“All the details are there. It’s a thirty-dollar donation per person, which includes one signature event drink. Peckers Passion. Some wild vodka and pineapple concoction.”

“You know what they say about pineapples as it relates to Peckers.” I quizzed while looking over the costume requirements for us gals.

“So I’ve heard.”

“We’re supposed to dress up as our favorite reality show person? You’ve got to be kidding me.” I reread the paper to make sure I had it right.

“Nope, pick anyone. If you stick with one of the Housewives all you need to do is tease your hair, put on a sleazy dress, and wear a resting Botox face,” Mel remarked.

“What are you going as?” I asked Mel.

“Kim Kardashian. I’m padding my ass and whining.” Mel shook her head and rolled her eyes while I laughed at how spot on she was.

“I’ll go as Gretchen Rossi. The blonde on Orange County. I saw her one time in New York at a bar with the guy she’s engaged to. She was sweet and he was creepy. It’s either that or Honey Boo Boo.” I took the flyer, folded it, and stuffed it inside my purse. I had one day to find the perfect outfit, schedule a root touch up along with one of those flowing curl blowouts.

“Now, before we leave. I want to hear about you and my bro.” Mel reached for the last bite of her cookie and settled into her chair.

I began at the tap on my window.

Chapter 7

After spilling every last detail to Mel and answering a hundred probing questions, she decided I was going to marry her brother. She even asked if I preferred ivory or white for a dress. I told her not to pick out the linens or china yet. Wait until we at least rounded first base.

I prayed that would happen and soon. I thought back to the simple touch of Thomas’ fingers on my cheek the other night as he gently wiped away my tears. God, he was so sweet and strong at the same time. I wanted to know each side of him… both in and out of bed.

I drove back to my aunt’s house and pulled onto the driveway. The fall leaves were covering the yard and I couldn’t see a blade of grass showing. The time had arrived for some manual labor. I found a rake and bags in her gardening shed behind the old Victorian and set out to clean the place up.

I considered hiring someone to help with the upkeep around the one hundred plus year old house, but my funds were limited. The attorneys gave me a monthly allowance of five thousand dollars. Half of the amount went into a savings account for taxes, the rest was mine to spend for living day to day. If there were major repairs around the place, I could get help with them.

The weather for October was unseasonably hot so I wore a pair of workout shorts and a tank. I started raking and making piles in the front yard. I wanted the yard looking good for the trick-or-treaters descending in two days. The last thing I needed were the neighbors complaining that I let my aunt’s house run into the ground.

After an hour of raking, bending, and bagging, a car honked close by and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I put the rake down and saw a group of young guys getting out of a car. They were waving as they walked toward me. They looked to be high school age and perhaps the offensive line of the football team.

“Hey,” a tall blond called to me.

I scanned the area unsure if I was safe. Luckily I saw the neighbor two doors down on his front porch watching the unfolding scenario.

“Hi,” I responded with a bit of hesitancy.

“We were just driving by and saw you raking. Thought we might help you out. Pretty lady like you shouldn’t be doing a man’s job.” The blond puffed out his expansive chest. It was a very nice chest.

“Oh, I don’t mind.”

“Well we do.” All three of the hotties stood in front me in a line. One of them picked up my discarded rake.

“Really, you all don’t have to do this.” I tried to protest.

“We want to. Guess we should introduce ourselves. I’m Ben,” said the blond.

“I’m Marcus,” said another.

“I’m Sly,” said the last one. From the looks of him, all side swept bangs and dazzling smile, it appeared he was named appropriately.

“I’m Trish. Trish Hopkins.” I held my hand to my throat realizing I was one sweaty mess at the touch.

“We’ve not seen you around here before,” said Ben. “Believe me we would’ve remembered.”

I blushed at the inference and tried to hide a smile. Do I thank him for that compliment? I had no clue and didn’t want to ratchet up the flirting with high school boys.

“Well, I am new to town. Not really new. More like newly returned. I was raised here.” I took a breath and watched them smiling and checking me out. I suddenly felt underdressed.

“Glad you’re back.” Sly said in a sweet slur. Good God he was smooth.

“Do you have any more racks, I mean rakes?” Ben asked and I giggled. It appeared he was the official spokesman of the group.

“I saw a couple more in the shed out back. Rakes that is.” Now Ben blushed.

“Got it. Marcus and Sly you all get started out here.” Ben took off toward the back and grinned mischievously as he passed by me. I sure as hell don’t remember boys looking like this in high school. Well, there was Thomas. He’s the exception to everything here in Marietta.

Chapter 8

The boys had raked and bagged every single leaf in my yard. I tried to offer them some money, but they refused. All they would take were water bottles and a promise from me that I would come to their football game on Saturday. Ben said his first touchdown pass would be for me.

I hated to admit it but I enjoyed the attention. Maybe it made up for all the times Fatty Patty was ignored when I lived here. The game wasn’t until two in the afternoon. So if the Peckers thing left me hung-over, I had time to recover Saturday morning.

I was digging through my closet in search of the perfect “Gretchen” dress. It needed to be bright and bold. Something flashy but still classy. I decided on one of my favorite dresses and best of all it was new to all the eyes here.

The dress was a bright turquoise with red accents along the neckline and it hit me mid-thigh. Maybe it was a bit too summery, but the color was perfect. It showcased my blonde hair and blue eyes. I’d made an appointment tomorrow at an upscale salon in town too. Now I just needed to pick the right shoes. I wanted to aim for the “fuck me” kind as I pulled out a couple pairs.

As I was deciding between a pair of peep toe pumps versus spiky stilettos, I heard shouting outside. I hobbled on different shoes to the window and saw the taillights of a car pulling away from the curb.

The car’s tires squealed and I saw the reason why as the streetlights illuminated my aunt’s yard. There were small white objects all over my front yard. Thousands of them and dammit those boys had just finished getting the yard cleaned up.

I threw off my heels in a huff and ran down the stairs to see what the hell was scattered all over the lawn. I stood at the top of the porch stairs and stared at forks… Hundreds upon hundreds of forks.

I sat down on the steps and started to cry. I don’t know what tipped the emo scale, but I think the whole moving thing caught up with me. Plus, I was starting to feel like I was connecting to my hometown again. This trickery took that wind out of my sails.

I heard a car pull up, then a door opened and shut. I looked up to see a sight for my teary eyes. Thomas. All decked out in his navy blue police uniform as he strode up the concrete path to the house.

I quickly wiped away my tears. The last time I saw him I was crying. I worried he might label me a hormone head case if I didn’t watch out.

“Good evening, Trish,” Thomas said like a knife through hot butter. I melted into the step even with the chilly night’s air.

“Hi Thomas,” I stood up to meet him and realized I was clothed in an almost see-through camisole and barely covering my ass boy shorts. I thought I was in for the night, so I had on my pajamas.

Thomas’ eyes landed on my nipples, as they seemed intent on saying hello to him. Part of me wanted to cross my arms over them, the other side said stick out your chest. It’s not too easy to hide D-cup boobs, so my inner hussy won and I made my way down the stairs to meet him on the lawn. I’m pretty sure things bounced as I did too.

“We got a call that you were forked,” he said while sticking his hands in his pockets and shifting on his feet. Or was he shifting himself down there? I’ll go for Pecker land.

“Forked?” I looked closer at the white pieces of plastic sticking out of the ground. Sure enough, plastic forks were shoved into the dirt every few inches. I couldn’t even imagine how many of them there were.

“Yep. It looks like you’ve been thoroughly forked.” he chuckled and added a smirk that hit me between by legs.

“Ha, ha,” I said back to him. “You wish.” Thomas raised his brows as to confirm that he did indeed wish. Good God. I was a goner for this guy.

“You're the fourth fork I've had tonight.” He moved a little closer to me and I caught a whiff of his cologne. Yes. Completely gone.

“Don’t you get around? I thought that was wasn’t allowed on duty?” I teased him back and moved even closer still.

“Just drinking,” he answered. “Though I’ve never been told not to have sex while on duty, but I guess that’s implied.”

“You think?”

“I do.” He removed his hands from his pockets and rubbed them over my bare arms. I might’ve heard my camisole tearing as my nipples broke through when I felt his soft touch. “As much as I love seeing you out here in next to nothing. You need to change into something warmer. I’ll start cleaning this shit up.”

I nodded as he removed his hands from me. “I’ll be right back.” I turned and hurried inside. My mission. Find the sexiest hoodie known to man.

An hour later, most of the forks resided in trash bags. Thomas refused to let me pick up anything. So I used the hour to stare at his arms as they reached for each fork and pulled. Then there was that perfect ass of his on display as he bent over. I’m now a big fan of forking.

“You sure know how to clean up after a good forking.” I joked while he tossed the last bag into the trash bin.

“I’ve had a lot of practice this week,” he said as we stood in the dark by the side of the house.

“Just this week huh?” I couldn’t stop with the kidding. Forking was now my favorite form of vandalism.

“Funny,” he laughed. “It’s been a big problem this week and a sign that someone likes you.”

“What?” I asked. “They like me?”

“Most of the forking victims have been the pretty senior girls in town. A group of boys is going around forking them for a Halloween prank. Basically they really are saying, we want to fuck you. I mean fork you.”

I leaned against the trash bin for support. Those words out of his mouth made me weak. “So someone wants to fork me?”

“I think there are more than a few someones, Trish.” He winked at me and I was speechless and soaking wet.

“Officer Brooks.” A voice came through his radio.

“Yes.” He turned his head and spoke into the contraption on his chest.

“There’s been another forking incident reported at thirteen-fifty five South Fort. We need you to respond. Officer Tillman is still on his last call. Damn forkers.”

Thomas and I both laughed at the dispatcher’s comments. He cleared his throat before responding. “On my way.”

“Looks like I have to go save another lawn.”

“Duty calls.” We started walking toward his squad car with neither one of us in a hurry.

“Heard you were going to Mel’s Peckers fundraiser tomorrow. Mel text me this afternoon.”

“Yes. I can’t pass up a night full of peckers.” I said with a giggle.

He placed his finger under my chin and lifted so he could stare into my eyes. “Wear something tight and skip the bra. I met a couple of friends tonight that I’d like to see more of tomorrow.”

Stunned, I watched him get into his car and pull away. My mouth still gaping open as his taillights faded in the distance.

Chapter 9

The neon Peckers sign blazed as I pulled into what was usually Mickey’s Bar. I took one last look into the car’s visor mirror to check the lipstick I’d applied ten times. Yep, it was still red.

I inspected my chest to see if my nipples were saluting. Bingo. I think my appearance will be Thomas approved.

My hands sweat as I walked across the parking lot in my stilettos. I opted for the pair that screamed, “do me” the loudest and these won. After seeing Thomas last night, I realized I had no shame where he was concerned. I wanted him and I knew he wanted me.

Smoothing my dress and blown out hair, I opened the door, walked inside and found the placed packed. Nothing said Girls Night Out like a room full of peckers supporting a hooters’ fundraiser.

I spotted Mel standing by a pub table. She was talking to what appeared to be a doctor. A hot, hot doctor I might add. He was undressed in just his scrub pants with a stethoscope wrapped around his neck. Something told me he’d like to have Mel’s legs wrapped around them instead.

“Hi Mel,” I broke into their conversation.

“Trish,” she shouted above the TV in the bar. The damn thing was blaring loud.

“Mel,” I hugged her back and helped her stand. “Looks like you starting the party early.”

“Dr. Talbot insisted I take shots off of his abs.” Dr. Talbot gave me a knowing smirk. The kind that says I’m getting lucky tonight.

“I bet he did.” I laughed. “Hi, I take it your Dr. Talbot.” I held my hand out to him, he took it in his, and kissed it. The hot doctor appeared to have quite the bedside manner.

“Nice to meet you,” he replied to me. “Mel told me you were here. Welcome back.”

Dr. Talbot turned to Mel and held her hand in his. “I need to get back to being a Pecker. Remember I’m driving tonight.” He kissed her on the cheek and I swear she swooned.

I watched her watch him walk away. Yep, she was a goner like me.

“So Dr. Talbot,” I thought she could finish my sentence and fill in the blanks for me.

“Yes. He’s so dreamy.” I didn’t know who she was. Mel didn’t do swoony or dreamy. “He’s the one.”

“The one? As in china and linens?” I asked and wondered why I was just hearing about him now.

“Already picked them out and I’m wearing ivory,” Mel giggled. “Mrs. Jared Talbot. Sounds perfect.”

“Who are you and when did you meet this man?” I placed my hands on my hips and waited for her reply.

“This is our first date sort of. I stopped by work today and he told me he was driving me to the event. He also told me we are going out tomorrow night as we drove here. I have a date for Halloween!”

“Oh my God. I think you’re either drunk as hell or in lust. Likely both.” I started laughing. Amused at how bossy her hot doctor was. Must be a common trait found in the men here.

“I’ve had a crush on him for two years. Two long years!” I saw her looking over my shoulder and smiling at someone. The angle of her eyes meant they were likely tall and looming right behind me.

I felt a hand on the small of my back and knew in an instant who it was. A shiver ran through me before I turned. I glanced down at my chest and saw all systems were a go with his simple touch.

I turned around and his hand followed across my body as I did. “Hi, Thomas.”

“Hi,” he said in a low, sexy voice as his eyes found that I’d obeyed him in the bra department. “You look great. Nice dress.”

He took a strand of my hair between his fingers and twirled it around one. “Beautiful.”

“Thanks,” I could barely speak as I stood there in front of him. His shirt was missing and my brain seemed to have disappeared too.

He was perfect. The kind of man who makes Michelangelo’s David look like an out of shape sloth. A toned chest, led down to a distinct six-pack with hard ridges that needed exploring or licking. I bit my tongue to control myself.

Gathering all the will power in the world I could muster, I brought my eyes back up to his. I swear his eyes were laughing at me. I reached up to give him a teasing tap on his arm, but my traitor hand wouldn’t leave his body and my fingers tightened around his bulging bicep.

“Hey remember me?” I heard a voice calling from somewhere and realized it was Mel. I’d completely forgotten she was standing there with us. A lust trance perhaps?

“Hi Mel,” Thomas said. A smile busted across his face. “I wanted to tell you that the silent auction is swinging into gear.”

“Well, well, well.” She glanced back and forth between Thomas and I. “There is definitely something major going on here between you two.”

“I agree,” said Thomas. I’d turned around to face Mel and felt Thomas backing into me. He wasn’t touching me but I knew he was super close. I was tempted to back into him fully… And I did. Why not?

“I agree too.” I said in a shaky voice.

“Trish, remember what we were talking about yesterday?” I knitted my brows confused. “Better start picking out the china and linens.”

A woman about forty came up to Mel and told her she was needed to help with something up by the front door. Mel followed behind the woman and I realized then that she did go as Kim Kardashian. She had to have been packing a couple pillows up the back of her dress.

“I can’t believe her,” I couldn’t stop laughing. “I thought she was kidding about going as Kim.”

“I think her doctor friend approved though. Who are you supposed to be?” Thomas asked.

“Me?” He nodded. “I’m Gretchen Rossi from the Real Housewives of Orange County.”

“You’re nothing like those gals because you’re definitely real in the areas that count.” I loved his blunt, bordering on dirty, talk.

“Been watching Housewives shows in your spare time?” I teased and he pointed to the TV screens above the bar. Real Housewives shows were playing on all of them.

“I came in earlier to help set the place up and suffered through about fifteen minutes. Like I said the real housewives aren’t that real.” He lowered his lips to my ear. “I prefer what you have baby.”

Damn. I wanted to find the coat closet and show him how real I was. His words and the way he spoke them were like Kryptonite to me, making me weak. This man had turned me from a streetwise city woman into a hussy on the street corner.

“You have to stop talking to me like that in public, or…”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll drag you off somewhere in private. A girl can only take so much.” I teased with a wink. I didn’t want him to know I wasn’t kidding.

“Hold that thought. I need to help out the other Peckers. I am the master Pecker after all.”

“I bet you are.” I spit out a laugh and let my eyes travel downward to Pecker land.

He bent down and kissed me on the forehead. “Get a drink and have fun.”

“I want to try the Peckers Passion drink Mel told me about.” I waggled my brows.

“That can be arranged.”

He walked away to join the other Peckers and I looked over at Mel who smiled at me and shook her head. She knew I was a goner too.

Chapter 10

I’ve had three strong Peckers Passion drinks since I sat down. One after the other and I was very buzzed. The kind of buzz that was dangerous around a hot guy like Thomas.

He hasn’t spoken a word out loud to me since our encounter by the pub table. Instead he has talked to me with his eyes, finding me no matter where I was in the room. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention and I had a hard time processing it. I felt like a tightly wound-up spring that would come undone with the slightest touch, his touch to be specific.

I was sitting with a few girls that I knew from high school, and they couldn’t stop gushing over the changes in me and how “big city” I now looked. I had to laugh, because my turquoise dress, teased-to-within-an-inch-of-its-life hair, and heavy make-up were the furthest thing imaginable from my normal New York City attire. I’d strayed far from basic black, but my teased hair was the topper. No one wore hair like this in the city.

“Can I have your attention please?” Mel stood up before the crowd with a cordless microphone in her hand. “I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight to support the hooters this Halloween. Can we have a big round of applause for all the helpful Peckers with us tonight?”

Everyone clapped while I laughed at the whole scenario. I worried I’d fallen into a bad romantic comedy movie. Peckers. Hooters. It was all Looney Tunes.

“So far this evening we have raised twenty thousand dollars. One of our own Peckers, Dr. Jared Talbot, has pledged to match every dollar we raise tonight. Please come up front Dr. Pecker, I mean, Dr. Talbot.” The room broke into applause and laughter.

Dr. Talbot scooted up next to Mel. “Thank you Dr. Talbot for your generous donation. How can we ever repay you?”

Mel’s face blushed as Dr. Talbot whispered something into her ear. As he pulled away a corner of her lip curled into a smile. I would wager Aunt Marge’s house on what I thought he said. I’m pretty sure it involved her hooters and his pecker.

“It was my pleasure to help raise more money for Breast Cancer Awareness. I’ve seen it claim way too many women’s lives. I only wish I could do more.”

Mel took back the microphone and had a look in her eyes like she wanted to jump Dr. Pecker. I had to admit he seemed like a great guy by donating to the cause.

Mel cleared her throat before continuing. “We have one more treat for you all tonight. My brother, Officer Thomas Brooks, has agreed to sing. He’s been an in-the-shower singer most of his life, but I’m encouraging him to do something with the great voice he’s been given. Give it up for Thomas.”

Thankfully, I chose a seat that faced the front of the bar. I clapped with everything I had as Thomas approached Mel. The women at the other tables were a little too enthusiastic to see Thomas sing. But in reality I didn’t have a claim on him…yet.

“Thank you, ladies. I want to hand it to my sister for putting this evening together. I’ve watched her prepare for months. Great job sis.” The entire place sounded in applause once again. “I’ve decided to sing ‘Every Breath You Take’ by the Police. Hit it Mac.”

Thomas began to sing, and he never once took his eyes off me. The room and the people around us faded away. I became caught up in the words and their meaning. He had been acting just like the song since I walked inside the bar, watching every step or move I made. Was he telling me I belonged to him?

I had chills as he walked to me with the microphone in his hand. He started the last part of the song standing right in front of me.

Embarrassed I sunk down into my chair, but it only made him come closer. When he started singing the chorus, he reached for my hand. As the last word of the song left his lips, he pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“For fuck’s sake, give the woman a real kiss.” Someone yelled from behind us.

“All right with you?” Thomas asked. I nodded and gave him the okay with my eyes.

He placed the microphone on the table and took my other hand. He lifted me from my seat and pulled me into his arms. I wrapped mine around his neck as he wrapped his around my waist, bringing me into him. I smelled the scent of his skin as my cheek made contact with his chest. All musky male and divine.

I raised my head and met his eyes. He looked down at my lips before he descended. When our lips touched, I melted into him. He pulled me tight against his body and we kissed like no one else was in the room.

My fingers weaved through his hair and traced the strong lines of his neck. I could feel the flexing of his muscles under my fingertips.

“All right, all ready.” I heard from the right.

“Get a room you two.” A voice said to the left of us. But I wasn’t going to pull away from his kiss. I wanted it to never end.

Thomas broke the kiss slowly and gave me one last, quick scorcher. “I didn’t want to stop.”

“Me either,” I whispered with my arms now embracing him at the waist.

“Really you all. I think every woman in this place needs to change her panties after watching that kiss.” Mel said under her breath as she grabbed the microphone off the table.

“Thanks again for coming out tonight ladies. Check the silent auction items before you leave to see if you’re a winner. Until next year.” Mel said into the microphone.

“I promised Mel I would help her with cleaning up.” I was sad to have to break out of our little bubble. The feeling inside it was beautiful.

“Funny thing. She asked me to help with clean up too.” Thomas shook his head. “That sister of mine is a schemer.”

“True, but she means well and this time I think she might be right.” He smiled after I exposed my true feelings, and I sighed in relief. I wasn’t used to placing everything out on the line with men. But with Thomas I felt safe.

“Let’s get this place cleaned up. Whatta ya say?” Thomas asked.

“Lead the way.” I motioned with my hand.

We started in the kitchen area, mingling with the hired wait staff. I think we were more a hindrance than a help, because they told us to go stand by the freezer.

“I think we just got kicked out of KP duty.” Thomas said with a chuckle.

“We are sad,” I laughed.

Thomas reached his arms around me and I saw a glint of silver in his pocket.

“Are those handcuffs?” I pointed to the metal.

“Yes, a cop can never be too prepared.” He reached in, took out the cuffs, and let them dangle from a finger. “I think I might have to make an arrest tonight. I heard there was some lewd kissing going.”

“Yes, very lewd. Filthy as a matter of fact. My mother would’ve been shocked.” I giggled and held out my wrists in surrender. “Are you going to take me back to your jail?”

“I’m off duty and would rather take you back to my bed.” The silver metal was cool against my skin and I knew I was in trouble when I heard the cuffs click together. “But I’ll settle for a date first. Tomorrow night I’m taking you out for dinner. Then maybe later, we can put these cuffs to good use.”

“Sounds perfect. I’m in need of a thorough forking after your kisses.”

Epilogue

Here’s Tommie…

A year has gone by since I arrived in town. The trip here was a freaking nightmare. I was trapped inside a plastic box for eight hours, and no amount of screaming made my owner have mercy on me.

But things have become more normal since we moved. We live in an old place with tons of mice. They keep me rather busy. Caught a big bad one this morning.

A tall man started coming around after we settled in. I think he lives here now. He has this strange notion we are buddies, and always tries to pet and hold me. He brings me awesome treats, so I put up with it.

The tall man keeps my owner busy playing games all day and night in the big bed. I have to jump on their heads in the morning to wake them up so I can get some food.

Jumping on heads is my favorite trick. I always get their attention when I pull that move.

I’ve been sprawled out in the middle of the hallway waiting for them to finish shaking the bed. It seems to be taking them longer than usual today.

I give up and stroll into the room across the hall from them. This room has the best smell in the house. They’ve been moving new things in here about every day.

Yesterday it was a bed with tall bars. It reminded me of my box but it’s way bigger. There’s a chair in the corner with a curved bottom that makes it move back and forth.

Sometimes my owner sits down in the chair while the tall guy sings to her and rubs her feet. I do like his singing. It might be his one good quality other than the treat giving.

I hear a creak in the floor by the shaking bed. I think they’re up. I waltz into the room and see my owner easing out of the bed with the tall guy’s help. I’ve noticed she doesn’t move like she used to. She’s grown this big thing around her middle. I’ve seen the tall man talking to it. Very odd.

Well, I am going to see if they will fill up my food bowl, then I’m taking a nap. That’s how I roll.

Thanks for reading Peckers. I hope you enjoyed it. I never thought I would write anything from a cat’s point of view!

If you would like to check out more of my books,visit my website for store links. I have a completed series, Touch of Tantra, and with the exception of the novella, the series is in the man’s point of view.

I’m brewing up more books in my cauldron, so please sign up for my mailing list to keep up-to-date on my tricks and treats. I promise to never spam your inbox.

Enjoy the rest of the anthology,

Liv

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THE COMPLETED TOUCH OF TANTRA SERIES

Adam’s Apple (Book 1)

Temptation (Book 1.5)

Adam’s Fall (Book 2)

Love in the City (The Complete Collection Boxed Set)