To Ponder
Our minds can take us to some very dark places when we think no one is looking. It is those illicit pleasures and fantasies lurking in the depths of our souls, that are barely held at bay by fear of reprisal. The forbidden fruit men and women alike secretly covet sparks new life in our bellies when awakened. It’s usually of the flesh—the touch of a new passion that ignites the sleeping ogres buried deep within our respectable facades. We feel alive again and soar with secret excitement that must remain ours alone. We feel that churning in our gut the moment we awake and carry that secret with us while we try to maintain our daily lives and then embrace our pillows at night with heart-pounding fantasy, pretending it is something else.
Some possess a mightier sword and more resolve than others, and able to lop off the heads of those persistent goblins who pop into our thoughts. Many of us do not…
Chapter 1
Sunset Beach, NC
Paul Allen locked the door to his study, careful not to make any sound, and sat back down at his laptop. His heart raced as he stared at the incredibly beautiful woman on the screen in front of him. Her long, luxurious hair framed her face in a careless cascade—wisps of white, blond feathering her cheek and forehead. Her bright blue eyes bored into his as she smiled her perfect seductive smile.
“Paul? Paul, are you okay?” Her voice was husky—thick with accent.
“I…I’m here.” He licked his lips, taking a long drink of his water. His hand trembled as he set it back down on the desk.
She moved closer to her screen and spoke in an urgent whisper, “Well, what do you think about us finally meeting? I want to see you. I want to feel your arms around me. I want so bad, Paul. Do you want same?”
His chest was tight. “Of course, I want to see you. I’m just nervous, is all.”
“But…but why are you so nervous? Do you not like me?” He heard the hurt in her voice and saw doubt flicker in her eyes. “Paul, what is wrong? I am not liking your look.”
“Nothing. I want you so bad. It’s…it’s just…” He was torn by so many things.
She leaned closer. “Yes, my handsome man. Tatyana wants you, too. Now, we should…”
Paul’s heart almost stopped as a buzzer sounded on his desk next to the computer screen.
“What is? What makes sound?” she demanded.
He swallowed, looking toward the door. “I have to go. Can I talk with you later? Please?”
She shook her head and frowned at him with a sad expression. “No, not tonight, my darling, I have to go out. Maybe tomorrow.”
“No,” he stammered in frustration as the buzzer sounded again. Damn it! “I want to talk later. Please. I need to…” The damn buzzer sounded again with insistence.
“Goodbye, Darling,” she said and was gone. He stared at the empty screen and swore.
The buzzer sounded again, and he slammed the laptop shut with a curse. “I’m coming, Susan, I’m coming.
