Orin laughed. “Sure, let’s fix that, eh.” Curiously, he made no move to pull out his cell phone. Instead, he tucked the bit of shirt that I had pulled out back into place. “You know, it might be nice to do more than talk someday...” He said it softly as he leaned in closely.
Something about his nearness unlocked my imagination. A vivid image surged through me, like a dream, or more like a vision –
Orin’s lips pressing down on mine, soft, warm, and just the right amount of tickle from his mustache. I find myself laying down, and Orin’s splendid body, every inch, all wonderful raw muscle, gleaming in the moonlight. Unable to help myself, I spread my legs and wrap them around Orin. I breathe his name as he puts his hands to good use, caressing me gently, everywhere. His kisses trail from my lips all the way down to my breasts, which are suddenly bare and heaving. The stimulation has me practically begging for mercy…
Suffice to say that none of this actually happened. But it was so... real. I was left breathless and all I was able to stammer out was “Uh, yeah, definitely. Would love to do something with you someday.” Now my weird dreams had extended to horny fantasy visions.
“Mmm. Such a tease. But you’re cute.”
My cheeks warmed. Was I flustered from my graphic smut flash? Or from Orin’s flirting. “Who are you calling a tease, Mr. ‘I’d like to do more than just talk’?”
“And funny, too. What a treasure.” I then noticed he was holding my cell phone. He must have sent a text to himself using my phone so he could get my number. “Anyway, this is done. Call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks for the ride, Sir Galahad,” I mumbled, taking back my phone. “I’ll see you around. I hope.”
“You most certainly will,” Orin said. As he made his exit, I took the full opportunity to study his marvelous, world-class buns again.
Shaking the nonsense out of my head, I hauled my suitcase up the dark brown mahogany staircase toward the master bedroom. Drained, I stopped to gather my breath. I noticed an old-fashioned black chandelier hanging in the clerestory space where the staircase curved to the second floor. It was made of different sized black crystals, with two black ravens perched on either side. Definitely something you do not see every day. Well, at least we have one thing in common, Grandma. Those damn birds.
I pushed open the French doors and dropped my bag in the middle of the bedroom. Inside was a massive four post canopy bed dominated with a fluffy white comforter neatly made and a battalion of plush pillows. I took a quick look around the room: matching brown armoire, floor-length mirror, a small brown oak vanity. Unlike the rest of the house, this room had been freshly cleaned and dusted. New sheets and towels, even fresh cut flowers.
I kicked off my shoes, but didn’t bother with pajamas. I just stripped down, wiggled under the covers, and burrowed into a small nest of fluffy pillows. When a longing crept into my body to cuddle up to Orin’s butt, I switched my brain off. A hard reset of my body and mind was just the ticket.
I succumbed to the warmth surrounding me, and fell asleep...
Why We Need Coffee
- Keira -
I gradually became aware that I was in a dream-like state - not asleep, but definitely not fully awake either. I was no stranger to this feeling, but my attitude toward this fugue state was complicated. Today I was too tired to fight it off. I just wanted to get some decent sleep. I stopped resisting and surrendered.
I could hear a dog making a ruckus outside, barking and growling and making guttural warning noises. After enough time had passed for me to realize that a peaceful sleep was clearly not in the cards, I got up to investigate, grumbling the whole way.
I opened the front door quietly and saw a large black dog. His fur was up in hackles, and was so dark that he looked almost blue. He stationed himself in front of the fountain in the driveway. When I laid down earlier, it had been the middle of the day, but it was well past midnight, as if the night had risen on a horse of pure black velvet, with bright stars dotting the sky.
As soon as the black hound saw me, he calmed down. He scurried over, tail wagging. I know the rules – you’re not supposed to reach your hand out to a strange dog. But I couldn’t help petting him anyway. Fortunately, he seemed quite happy to have his back scratched, and his ears roughed. My reward was several ounces of slimy dog spit. “What a good boy,” I cooed. “Who’s a good boy?” I wondered why Orin didn’t mention having a watchdog here.
This tender moment between girl and dog was cut short by a peculiar and sudden drop in temperature. An abrupt wind chill cut through what had, up until now, been pleasantly warm summer air. The dog ducked away from my hand. He moved to my side, staring off into the shadows, and pointing at something with his nose. “What... what is it?” An even more frigid gust whipped through. Then, a sinister, hypnotic voice came from the dark shadows where the dog was pointing.
“I knew you would come.” Out of the shadow stepped a man, with a familiar askew grin. He had ditched the hoodie from the airport. He was now cloaked in a dark, hooded leather robe. He wore no shirt, but had matching dark leather jeans. He looked every inch a sorcerer - all that was missing was a tall, pointy hat. His skin was ghostly pale. He peered from a flawless face, with brown eyes so dark they looked black. My breath caught, and I took an instinctive step
