by Anthology
The room was a suite, with a direct view of the ocean, the moon framed in the center of the sliding glass doors that led out to their private terrace. Candles were lit throughout the sitting area and a dozen long-stemmed roses in a crystal vase adorned the coffee table.
“Oh, Blake, this is beautiful,” Samantha said, shrugging off his suit jacket and hanging it on the back of the desk chair. She crossed the room and slid open the door to the outdoor porch, noticing the gazebo below and then the ocean beyond. Blake came up behind her and pulled her into him. Samantha could feel his need, and she trembled with desire.
Blake began kissing her neck, gently, and then, quickly spun her around to face him. His lips found hers, pressing hard, parting her lips with his tongue, his need as apparent as her own. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lost in him, in this moment, feeling dizzy and excited, smelling Blake’s masculine scent and feeling his strong arms around her.
Samantha’s lips parted allowing Blake’s tongue inside. She heard Blake moan, as he held their kiss but bent down and scooped her up into his arms.
She’d never been carried literally by a man or carried away with desire, he could have taken her anywhere and she would have gone. Where he took her was to the bedroom of their suite, to a bed covered with red rose petals. He gently placed her in the center of the bed, her blue dress a beautiful contrast to the red rose petals surrounding her.
“Samantha,” Blake said, standing and staring down at her with an intensity, a longing that made her crazy.
Samantha needed him on top of her, needed to feel him inside her. She writhed on the bed of rose petals, feeling the silky softness under her arms and back while reaching towards Blake. “Please,” she moaned.
Finally, Blake climbed onto the bed, lying on his side next to her. Samantha reached for him, trying to pull him on top of her, but he resisted. “Shh, let’s take this slowly,” he said, his eyes dark and wanting.
She sucked in a big gulp of air as Blake reached over and slid one strap of her dress off her shoulder followed by the other. He trailed his fingers lightly across the top of her collarbone, up her neck and up to her lips. Samantha wanted to scream, she reached down, reaching for his belt, but Blake grabbed her hand and placed it flat on the bed.
“No,” Blake commanded. “I want to touch all of you first.”
Samantha’s head swam, but she did as Blake instructed keeping her hands pressed against the rose petals as he slowly unzipped the side of her dress, pushing the fabric aside to reveal her left breast, as her nipples hardened.
“Gorgeous,” he murmured, cupping her breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers.
Samantha arched her back, reaching for him, but Blake said, “No,” grabbing both of her wrists in his left hand, holding them together above her head.
“If you don’t behave, I’m going to need to tie you up,” Blake said, kissing her ear, her neck and her exposed breasts while holding her arms tight.
“Oh my God,” Samantha cried, squirming in place, trying to control the growing urge inside, the need, wetness flowed soaking her underwear. She was losing control and she didn’t care.
Blake released her arms and in a quick movement, slid her dress down her body and all the way off. She was naked, exposed except for her underwear. And he was fully dressed, except for his suit coat. She couldn’t find a way to ask him to undress, she couldn’t form a thought. She’d become a ball of need.
“I dreamed you would be this beautiful, this sexy,” he said, climbing back on the bed, slipping a finger under the lace of her underwear. “And now I’m going to taste you.” Blake pulled her panties off quickly. Samantha gasped, her hips bucking as Blake’s expertise took her over the edge, his lips sucked on her nipples, and moved down to her sex. She pulled his hair, reached for his shoulders and grabbed bunches of his shirt, until he inserted one finger inside her and she screamed, her orgasm rolling through her body.
Samantha shuddered, and writhed on the bed, having just experienced the best orgasm of her life, rose petals attaching to parts of her body now slick with sweat. “Blake, please, I want you inside me,” she moaned, it was something she’d never desired more in her life.
***
Blake couldn’t believe how turned on Samantha made him. She was so hot, with perfect breasts and tiny waist. He rose and stood at the side of the bed, still watching her writhe with pleasure. Her eyes were closed, a small smile formed over her heart-shaped lips.
Blake yanked off his tie, tossing it to the ground, removed his belt, and grabbed the condom out of his pocket, tossing it on the bed. His shirt and pants were joined by his boxers and socks in a heap on the floor. He tried to calm his breathing, to regain control of himself, of his emotions. He wanted Samantha with a fervor he’d never felt before, a desire so strong he wondered if it could ever be satisfied.
Finally, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Please,” she said again.
“Since you asked so nicely,” Blake said, climbing onto the bed, and finally laying on top of her, their naked bodies fitting perfectly together, the heat between them a fire.
“I knew you’d have an eight-pack,” Samantha murmured, lying beneath him, but moving her hand appreciatively across his chest. “You are the perfect man, Mr. Putnam.”
“No, not perfect, but hopefully just right for you,” Blake answered, beginning to move his hips, his erection growing even harder, his need almost overwhelming. He began to glide his member over her sensitive sex, and she reached out and grabbed his shoulders, bringing her legs up and wrapping them around his waist.
“Please,” she begged, but Blake wanted to tease her, to push her over the edge again, so he controlled himself, rubbing against her with his hips and his erection, leaving her whimpering.
“Come again,” Blake said, “Do you feel me? Let yourself go.” Blake could feel her shaking beneath him, he could feel her pelvis thrusting upward, wanting him inside, and even though he wasn’t, it was enough to send her over the edge and she screamed.
“Oh my god,” she said, “I can’t take anymore.”
Blake reached for the condom and quickly pulled it on.
“Shh, baby, I’m here,” Blake said, rubbing her cheek, pushing her hair off of her face until she looked up at him, her pupils huge with desire. “Let’s do this together.”
Blake stared down into Samantha’s eyes as he thrust inside her, slowly pushing into her, thrusting again, her tightness forcing him to moan. “God Sam you feel so good.”
“You’re so big,” Samantha said and Blake swelled with pride. Nobody had made him feel like this in bed. This was what it was about, he realized, lowering his head and kissing one of her nipples, teasing her again. She writhed and moaned beneath him as he thrust deeper inside.
Blake pulled out halfway, causing Samantha to wrap her legs around him, trying to pull him back in. “Ok, I’ll give you it all,” Blake growled, pushing and thrusting completely inside her, as deep as he could go, rocking his hips, causing his erection to fill her fully, completely.
They climaxed together, with Samantha shouting his name as he exploded inside her, and then collapsed on top of her, drenched in sweat, his muscles beginning to relax as he regained control.
Finally, when his breathing had almost returned to normal, Blake wanted to make sure Samantha was ok. She had a folded rose petal crushed against her stomach. Her long blonde hair was wild, and tangled, and she looked like a dream, a dream he never imagined he’d live.
Blake pulled her close to him, and they spooned, each of them breathing a bit easier as time went by. He couldn’t believe how great it made him feel, to hold her this way. Sure the sex was amazing, but this, this was something more. This was something he’d never felt before. Usually, he’d want to get out as soon as sex was over. He didn’t want to lose control to anyone, he didn’t need complications in his life.
But Samantha was more than a complication. She could become a permanent part of his life, his rea
l life, he realized. He wouldn’t lose his edge if he cared for this woman. No, he could still be a strong man, a successful entrepreneur, and have someone by his side, as long as that someone was Samantha.
But did she feel the same way?
“Samantha?”
“Hmm,” she said, rolling over to face him, a rose petal stuck to her cheek.
“How was it?” Blake asked, worry, an unfamiliar emotion, flooded his brain.
“That was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Samantha said, staring intently into his eyes. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me Blake.”
Samantha sat up next to him, pulling a throw around herself, a shy move Blake found adorable after all they’d just done together.
“How about some champagne?” Blake asked, sliding off the bed and returning from the other room with an iced bucket with Veuve Cliquot.
“Sounds great, just let me go freshen up,” Samantha said.
“You’ll find some clothes to put on in the closet,” Blake said as Samantha made her way towards the bathroom and the walk-in closet. “I had them sent over from the house, just in case.”
“Wow, you’re amazing,” Samantha said, turning to give him her signature smile.
Blake felt a lightness, a carefree feeling, he hadn’t felt since he was a child.
Twelve
After sharing half a bottle of champagne on the balcony, enjoying the moonlight, Samantha had suggested they’d need to get some sleep for the wedding the following afternoon. How they’d managed to have sex again, before turning in, she wasn’t sure, because she didn’t think it was possible for her to have that many orgasms in one night. But she did.
Blake was an amazing lover, and he had such a strong, hard body, she loved the feel of all of him. This morning, they’d had breakfast brought to their suite. She’d changed into the jogging clothes he’d brought over from her room and had decided to run back to the plantation, hoping she could have an enjoyable morning run, and that it would give them a chance to each return to the Putnam Plantation alone. Maybe nobody had noticed they’d spent the night out, she hoped. By the time she returned from her jog, nobody was milling around the first floor so she was able to make it up to their room without talking to anyone.
With a couple hours before she needed to get ready for the wedding, she decided to take a shower and a quick nap. She opened the door to the bathroom and walked in on a naked Blake, just out of the shower.
“Oh good, it’s you,” he said, his eyes narrowing as he walked towards her, locking the bathroom door behind her. “I was hoping you’d join me for a shower.”
***
The weather was perfect for an early evening wedding. Samantha, dressed in her baby blue Oscar de la Renta and dripping in diamonds, as Shelby noted, sat next to Shelby in the back of the Putnam family section and beamed at Blake, handsome in his tux, standing between his two brothers as the groomsmen. Max had left the island, so only Avery’s brothers stood up for Mark. He seemed fine with it, though. Maybe Max was a jerk to him, too, Samantha realized.
Avery glided down the aisle escorted by both her mom and dad. She looked beautiful in a simple white gown, with a thin diamond studded tiara holding her delicate veil. The string quartet played the wedding march, and Samantha and Shelby stood and held hands as Avery walked by.
“I can’t wait to be a bride,” Shelby said, leaning in close to Samantha.
Samantha, who had dreamed of all the details of becoming a bride in her scrapbooks and on Pintrest, suddenly realized her dreams might come true. She turned to look at Blake. He was smiling at her, his blue eyes communicating the secrets and the passion they shared.
“Me too,” Samantha said to Shelby.
The wedding reception took place on the lawn of the Melrose Inn, and Samantha and Blake were inseparable. At one point, Blake suggested they make a break for the suite, visible from where they were standing, but Samantha knew that would be wrong.
“I just want to rip that gown off of your body,” Blake whispered, sending shivers down her spine.
“Behave, Mr. Putnam. Do you know how much you spent on this little gown?” Samantha teased. “Besides, your family needs you here today. We have plenty of time for that once we get back to Charlotte. Don’t we?” Samantha asked. Worry had crept into her voice, she knew, as she thought about how everything could change once they were away from this island.
“We do. You’ll help me close the Daycon deal next week, we’ll pitch them on the direct to consumer DNA testing which will of course close the deal. We’ll celebrate by taking a trip somewhere fabulous, getting to know each other even better,” Blake answered, pulling her into an embrace. “And I can’t wait for that.”
“Hello you two,” Richard Putnam said walking up to them.
Samantha gave him a kiss on the cheek as his son clapped him on the back. “How’s it going Dad?” Blake asked.
“It’s great Son. Beautiful wedding. Life is as it should be but I still wish you were down here, with us, in the business. I miss you, that’s all,” Richard said.
“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard a dad say to his son,” Samantha said, while Blake smiled.
“He’s just sentimental. Besides, you’ve got James, Dad. And Denton soon enough. I’d just be in the way,” Blake said.
“Son, there will always be room for you. We could make you and James co-presidents eventually,” Richard said.
Samantha realized there might be a stronger sibling rivalry between Blake and James than she’d thought. She knew Blake would never be number two to anyone. Maybe that was the real reason he’d started his own company, Samantha thought.
“Dad, I love you, but I’m happy making my own way,” Blake said, and Samantha’s heart warmed as he expressed love to his dad.
“I know Son. And I know I’m loyal. Loyal to a fault, as your mom would say. But there isn’t anything weak about that. It’s a character trait that’s served me well. Blake thinks I’m soft, Samantha. You see, I was raised by an egotistical, distant, control freak who for some reason, Blake decided to emulate.”
“Dad, Grandfather was amazing, look what he built,” Blake said, crossing his arms. Samantha saw him as a boy, stubborn, confident.
“Yes, he did create Putnam Industries and grew it through his cold, ruthless management style. That worked for him, but not for me. I’ve quadrupled the size of the business, and continue to do so with heart, Blake, and hard work, and loyalty to family. They can go together quite well,” Richard said, taking a big sip of his martini. “There are many different ways to operate in life, and in business. Some ways enhance your life and the people you care about, some make you seem cold and detached. Life’s too short, Son. Excuse me.”
Samantha was puzzled by Blake’s seeming resistance to his dad’s way of living, of being. When in fact, Samantha knew if Blake allowed himself, he could be just like his father. She’d begun to see glimpses of that kindness, that loyalty already.
“Conversations with him always end that way,” Blake said, taking a sip of his drink. “I just don’t agree with my family’s business, about what they’re doing to the environment. And I don’t agree about the nepotism, that will continue now again with Avery’s husband. It’s not merit based, it’s embarrassing.” Blake didn’t mention it, but now she knew he never would be comfortable reporting to James.
“Well, it’s good you are out of that business then. You shouldn’t be there if you don’t believe in it. But they do. Maybe they’ll change, but maybe they won’t. All you can do is live your truth. Your dad is right, you have all of those wonderful traits inside you. You are a warm, caring man. Just like your dad. Let everybody at Blake Genetics see that side of you. You’ll be even more successful, you’ll help even more people and maybe you’ll be able to change the family business someday.”
Blake stared out at the sound. Samantha was afraid she’d upset him, but she knew his true nature was in there. He was funny, and warm, he c
ould connect emotionally with people. She’d help him, if he’d let her.
“Well, alright then, I guess I need your help,” he said, and turned and pulled her close to him, breathing in her sweet lavender scent. Blake leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, a brief tender kiss with a promise of much more to come.
“Glad to be of service, boss,” Samantha said with a smile.
The End
Kaira Rouda’s first novel Here, Home, Hope was published in 2010. All the Difference followed a year later, and most recently, In the Mirror released in 2014. She hopes her novels will touch readers with humor and poignancy, suspense and delight.
When not spending time with her made up characters, Kaira is busy with her own supporting cast: Four kids, three dogs and her amazing husband, who helps keep the household from falling into complete chaos. She enjoys yoga, spending time with friends and never tires of watching the sunset at the beach.
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Through My Window
by
Jayne Rylon
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Dedication
For my husband, who explored Amsterdam with me. Where are we going next?
Dusk
Through my window, a sea of strangers swirl and retreat like waves in an ocean of humanity. I brush my hair, fix my makeup and flip on the glaring red light in my booth before turning to face them on the other side of the glass.
They begin each evening like still waters. Ebbing and flowing past my window. Unaffected by buffeting winds or brewing desires. Eddying in swirls as they gather, peek around our infamous district with downcast eyes, then scatter—awkward and unsure yet inquisitive.