Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 1

by Tina Bendoni, Michelle Hasker

  Linda loved few things in life more than a long, hot bath. But she'd never had one with someone else before, and suddenly her conditions of what made a bath wonderful were forever changed.

  He laved her body with the soft cloth, rubbing every inch of her. The hot water made her skin extra sensitive to his every touch. He ran the cloth across her breasts, scraping across her still erect nipples. He stroked down her stomach, and each of her legs. Her arms got all the attention they could want. In fact he gave her complete body attention, all except for between her legs.

  When she thought she was going to scream from need his hand, sans cloth, finally stroked her plump clitoris. She lay back against him with a deep sigh as one hand stroked her pussy, and the other played with a breast.

  "I have wanted you like this since I saw you poolside the other day. The thought of you all wet and slick in my arms made it nearly impossible for me to approach you that morning. I had to wait and calm down before I could talk to you.” He whispered the words in her ear as he nibbled down the side of her throat. Nipping at her, he licked the sensitive spot he found some time the night before.

  She was lost in the sensations of his words and hands. All the while he was talking, he was still stroking, plucking, playing her body. Gently he slid a finger inside her, followed by another. He pumped her as his thumb played with her clit, bringing her slowly to a calm, gentle orgasm. Tingles shot through her body as though feathers were brushing her skin under a gentle breeze. Sensation rippled across her as she came easily in his arms.

  Relaxed, she lay there against him, satisfied. For the first time in her life she felt at home. Protected and cherished. He gave her that. In such a short time he made her feel as she had never felt with any other man. Tears of appreciation pricked her eyes.

  Wanting to give him something back, she reached for the floating cloth and turned to him. “My turn."

  She lathered up his body, his chest, his back, and his legs, paying special attention to what lay between them. He was hard as a rock, and she knew just how to take care of it for him.

  Climbing out of the tub to grab a towel, she instructed him to follow her and encased him in the large bath sheet she held. Drying his body quickly, she dropped the towel at his feet and knelt down in front of him.

  "Linda. You don't have to."

  "Shh. I want to.” Her hands were on his firm muscled thighs clenching beneath her touch. She sat back and gazed at him for a moment before bringing her hands together to cup his glorious cock.

  They'd spent the night together last night, making love more than once, but at her insistence it had remained dark. She had yet to see him in all his erect glory, and she had to admit she was impressed. Thick and long, he filled her quite well. In fact, she suddenly realized she may not be able to handle all of him with her mouth.

  Willing, eager to give it a try, she grasped him by the base and stroked upward, her hands cupped around him. He was silky smooth. Partly from the bath, but his skin truly felt like silk to the touch. The hard steel underneath promised pleasure for both of them.

  Leaning forward Linda flicked at the tip, licking off the pre-cum already there.

  He groaned and wrapped his hands in her hair, pulling at the pins holding her tresses up.

  Tired of teasing, wanting him in her mouth, Linda opened her lips and slid him in.

  "Mmm.” She couldn't resist making the sound as she took him into her mouth. He tasted and felt divine. Her tongue wrapped around him, licking him quickly as her lips worked her magic on him.

  One of her hands cupped his balls, squeezing gently, as the other wrapped tightly around the base of his shaft, squeezing and massaging him.

  His hands knotted in her now loosened hair as he groaned and moved his hips slowly, helping her as she made love to him with her mouth.

  Linda could tell he was close to coming. After all the dancing and then the fooling around in the tub, she wasn't surprised to hear his groaned warning, “Beautiful, I'm close."

  But she wasn't about to stop now. She wanted it all from him, and increased her attention. Her left hand reached around to the line between his balls and ass, massaging it as her right stroked his shaft up and down, meeting her mouth as she moved faster and faster, sucking on him, willing him to come.

  With a loud groan and one last thrust of his hips, she took him deep into her mouth as he shot his cum down her throat. The salty, nearly sweet taste of him flooded her mouth as she swallowed all he gave.

  His hands were still tangled in her hair, and he rubbed her scalp, massaging her head as he pulled away and sank to his knees in front of her.

  "Are you okay?"

  Linda answered dreamily, “Oh, yeah."

  "Did I hurt you?"

  She laughed, laying her hand on his cheek. “No, you big lunk. I'm fine."

  "That was wonderful.” He turned his head to kiss her hand, bringing one of his back to hold hers against him. “But I don't know how much energy I have left."

  Linda smiled at him. “Me either. I'm all for bed and a nice long nap."

  "Only if I get to pay you back later."

  "No worries on that score, trust me."

  * * * *

  Linda looked out the small window of her office. Being a social worker at the small city hospital she worked at was a busy job, but she loved every minute of it. Helping people was what she was made to do. Nothing made her happier.

  Why then had she been depressed since returning from vacation? As the saying went, what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas. She was the one who made the decision to leave. He'd told her he wanted to see her again, had even said he didn't want to lose her. And what had she done?

  As soon as she was sure he was out for the night, she had snuck off like a thief. She'd gone back to her room, packed and took the first available flight home. Talk about commitment issues. She couldn't even give a guy her phone number, never mind her last name.

  Those forty-eight hours had been incredible. But when it came to trusting her heart, her instincts, trusting that she was worth something more than a social worker, than someone who was only good to help others, she ran.

  Hell, she wasn't stupid, she was a mental health professional. She knew why she had run. She couldn't face the possibility of being disappointed or hurt. Like she had been in the past.

  Those few days with Michael were perfect. Why let reality get in the way of a wonderful memory? He knew everything there was to know about her, except how to find her. She'd never told him where she was from, or where she worked. Michael Conner was a memory, and he would have to sustain her for a long time to come.

  It should have been impossible, but she had fallen in love with the man in less than two days. Everything about him turned her on physically, emotionally and intellectually. Even now the thought of him made her heart race and she could smell the woodsy cologne he always wore.

  "So this is where you hide out from the world, huh?"

  Linda's head whipped around to the door of her office. She hadn't even heard it open, and now it was propped closed and someone was leaning against it. A six foot four someone that looked suspiciously familiar. What the hell is he doing here? How the hell did he find me?

  "I knew it wouldn't be easy to convince you to let your guard down, but damn, woman, you're one tough cookie."

  "Michael? But how?"

  Michael shook his head. “You know, Karen told me you wouldn't recognize me, but I didn't believe her. Even at the pool, I thought you were pulling my leg. It was only once we were on the tour that I began to believe she might be right."

  Karen was her best friend. A resident on the surgical floor, the two of them often shared lunches and dreams. How the hell does he know Karen? She'd never mentioned anyone by the name of Michael before.

  Michael smiled. “My cousin knows you better than I gave her credit for."

  Linda's mind raced. What the hell is he talking about? Karen's cousin? Mikey? But she'd met him only once, over five years
ago and barely spoke ten words to the man.

  "Mikey?"

  "It took you long enough."

  "But you're in L.A."

  "Obviously not.” Michael pushed himself away from the door and walked toward Linda slowly. He perched himself on the edge of her desk and took her hand in his. Her pulse jumped into overdrive as her heart beat out a rapid tattoo. “I don't know how much Karen told you about me leaving, but it was one of those things I needed to do. I had to get out of the mold my father built me into. L.A. was the perfect place to escape to. Or at least I thought it was.

  "I worked in a private hospital there for the last few years, but realized it wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to come home and make a difference here. My father was right all along."

  As he talked, he continued to rub his thumb against back of her hand, distracting her with the sparks of electricity shooting through her body.

  "I don't know if you remember the first, actually the only, time we met. It was at Karen's one Thanksgiving. All day you helped her cook and clean. Your boyfriend was to meet you later that night. Something came up and he decided he didn't want to have dinner there, so he came and got you. Made you leave early, before dinner even started. I had arrived shortly before he did, but I remember wondering how the hell you got stuck with such an asshole. Karen talked about you nonstop during dinner. I don't know if she ever told you, but she hated that guy. Hated the way he treated you.

  "You never knew but after that I kept an eye on you here at the hospital. The way you were always there to help people, even above and beyond your job. I grew to love you even then, but the time was never right.

  "After I left town Karen still kept me informed about you. When you and that asshole, Adam, broke up, I was ecstatic. But I couldn't come home then. And Karen told me you needed time.

  "The trip to Vegas seemed perfect timing. I thought you'd recognize me. I didn't think I look that different, despite the longer hair. It never occurred to me you'd have forgotten about me. And once you started letting your walls down, I was afraid to say anything, because I knew you'd be angry about my deception."

  He put his hand up to forestall her comment. “I know, I made it worse by not saying anything, but by then I was hooked. Again. I couldn't let you walk out on me without giving us a chance. So I cheated. And given the chance, I'd do it again."

  He pulled her chin toward him. “Please, Linda, give us a chance. I won't hurt you like the men in your past. I promise I will never do anything to deliberately cause you harm."

  Linda sat there beside him. She went over everything she'd just heard. Should I believe him? Can I believe him?

  A voice in the back of her head pulled her attention. "You base too much of your life on your past. Remember the past has passed, the future is yet to be, and you need to live in the present. Trust your instincts ... intent can make all the difference."

  Perhaps this is what the gypsy woman really meant. It was time to let go of the past. Michael wasn't going to hurt her like Adam or the other men in her life had. He was different. It was time to get out of the past and live in the present for the future. Here was a man promising just that for her. Could she trust her instincts and grab hold?

  Yes.

  THE HERMIT

  by

  Michelle Hasker

  "The Hermit! Ada drew the Magician card. How could I get the Hermit? Are you sure you did this right, Mrs. Montgomery?"

  Abigail smiled as she studied her latest client. “Oh, yes. I'm sure. The Hermit isn't what you think it is, my dear."

  "You aren't either. Ada said you had the typical fortune teller setup, but you don't look like a gypsy woman, and this room, hell this store, isn't what I'd call typical. It's more classy than Ada led me to believe, too."

  "Ada saw what she wanted to see and heard what she wanted to hear."

  "She did mention you were cryptic.” Cybil laughed and glanced around the room again. “At least she got that right."

  "The Hermit is not what it sounds like to you. It is a card of introspection, analysis and virginity—"

  "I'm no virgin,” Cybil interrupted, then laughed. “You are so wrong there."

  "No. It doesn't mean you are a virgin. It is a card represented by Virgo. She is often called a virgin, but in reality she is more sexual than one thinks. Anyway, this is the card I picked for your immediate future. It basically means it is time for you to take stock of things, organize your life. Or get yourself together, if you prefer me to be blunt. The Hermit could also represent someone close to you. A person you often see alone. One who is wise and trusted. They will be able to help you find what you seek."

  Cybil groaned and leaned back in her chair. “So I need to find a hermit because his brother or best friend will be my true love?"

  "I never said that.” Abigail tapped the card and closed her eyes while she replayed the vision in her head.

  "I want to know about true love. Will I find love? Is there anyone who will love me and stick around?"

  "I've done your reading for now, Cybil. You will find all the answers you seek when you search your heart. The Hermit is the key, but only you can unlock the answer."

  "So damn cryptic.” Cybil snorted and shook her head. “Okay, thanks for my reading, Mrs. Montgomery."

  When Cybil reached for her wallet, Abigail raised her hand. “There is no charge for today. I have been gifted with the answer you wanted and offer it freely to you. Use it as you see fit."

  "Use it as I see fit,” Cybil grumbled softly as she shook her head. “Thanks, again."

  "You're welcome."

  Abigail watched Cybil walk away and wondered if she would be as stubborn as Ada had been.

  * * * *

  The Hermit!” Cybil tossed the wet dishtowel on the counter. “I get the damned Hermit."

  Ada snickered and looked at Grace. “I told you she would be worse than me. And she knows it will come true!"

  Both women started to laugh even harder, setting Cybil on edge. “I don't see what's so funny. I mean I'm the most outgoing of us all. What would a hermit see in me, or vice versa? What would we do? Stay in every night? Ugh!"

  "What did she say the Hermit meant?” Ada asked as she reached for a chip. “With me, I got my magician, but maybe when she says hermit, she doesn't mean an actual hermit. It could be someone who would rather stay in at night instead of partying."

  Cybil groaned. “Come on, Ada. You got your magician. I'm going to end up with a grouchy old hunchback hermit. What would I do with a hermit, anyway?"

  "What else did she say?” Grace asked, repeating Ada's question. “We need to hear the rest before we can decide if you're right or not."

  "That it is time for me to organize my life, get my act together, yada, yada, yada. Nothing about true love, and of course she didn't say anything about my ex getting what he deserved, or me getting laid."

  "You got laid last night. What are you complaining about?” Ada shook her head and grabbed another chip.

  Cybil tried to think of a good comeback while she bit into a chip. It was obvious the woman had been wrong about the Hermit. What about the rest of what she had said? “Maybe I could use a little organization,” she said as she looked around her cluttered apartment.

  "Maybe?” Grace snickered.

  "Okay, I need to clean the place. But I haven't been bringing any guys home anyway."

  "Speaking of guys,” Ada said as she poured more wine into her glass. “What are you going to do about finding a date for the art auction?"

  "Look for a hermit?” Grace laughed.

  Cybil couldn't resist joining in the laughter. It was totally ridiculous to even think about being with a hermit. Not like she'd be going to any caves or abandoned trailer parks looking for one anyway.

  This was why she'd invited them over. It was almost impossible to remain sad and lonely with the two of them around. But now Ada had Yves and Cybil knew she'd see less of both of them. Reminding herself that she was gaining a cousin,
not losing a best friend, only helped a little. At least she still had Grace.

  "If you want to do a thorough spring cleaning in here, I can come back tomorrow and help,” Ada offered. “Yves is going to Vegas and I know I'll miss him. Helping you will be better than moping around."

  "Only together a week, and you can't bear to be separated.” Cybil smiled to hide the jealousy she was afraid showed in her face.

  Ada blushed, but smiled. “That fortune teller was dead on accurate. Even if she is wrong about you getting a hermit, there is something in there you should listen to."

  "Like what?” Cybil asked.

  "Didn't she say something about being more sexual?"

  "She said the card is represented by Virgo and everyone knows that most Virgos are virgins,” Grace said.

  "Actually, she said that Virgo is sexual. Think about some of the famous Virgos. I looked them up online last night. Sean Connery is a Virgo. That man is far from a virgin and is as sexy as sin. Cameron Diaz, same goes for her. Hugh Grant, Keanu Reeves, Charlie Sheen, David Copperfield, Sophia Loren, and many more. In fact, I can't even remember all of them.” Cybil laughed. “But they are far from what you think of when you hear the word Virgo or virgin. In fact, the list contained several presidents and famous authors."

  "Not Bill Clinton, I hope.” Ada laughed.

  "I didn't see his name.” Cybil shook her head. “Anyway, I think I'm just going to forget all about what she said and just keep looking for Mr. Right. She might have been accurate for you, Ada, but no one is perfect. She can't get all those readings correct. Everyone has an off day."

  Grace sighed as she stood up. “If that's how you feel then I'm done trying to convince you otherwise."

  "Grace, you haven't even gone to see Abigail Montgomery yet. How can you know if she is always accurate?"

  "I have been to see her,” Grace whispered, tears filling her eyes.

  "Why are you crying?” Cybil asked, fear settling thick and heavy in her stomach. “What lie did she concoct for you?"

  "She drew Death."

  Ada and Cybil gasped. Shock raced through her system as Cybil numbly watched Grace grab her jacket and race out of the apartment.