by ML Michaels
“Eliza, look at me.” He said softly. Eliza opened her eyes sleepily and watched as Asher put his wet fingers into his mouth and sucked, closing his eyes as he savored her juices. His eyes snapped open, and he kissed her possessively, Eliza, tasting herself on his lips, softly whimpered.
Asher positioned himself at her entrance, the tip of his cock brushing against her clit.
“This is gonna hurt,” and he pushed himself inside her. She cried out in pain tears spilling from her eyes as she tried to push Asher away. He spoke to her softly, whispering love and sweet words to comfort her before moving slowly until he filled her completely. He waited for what seemed like an eternity, and in a way it was, before trying again. Eliza bit her lip as the pain slowly turned into something completely different.
Asher pulled out completely before pushing himself inside her again, and this time Eliza moaned in ecstasy. He continued his slow pace as Eliza got accustomed to feeling him inside her.
“Harder,” Eliza gasped, and Asher obliged, lifting her other leg to his shoulder and thrusting inside her again, hitting a spot that made Eliza scream in pleasure.
“Faster. Faster Asher, please” Eliza begged, and Asher’s control broke as he rode her, keeping her leg in place. He pounded into her, Eliza meeting him thrust for thrust until he felt himself nearing the edge.
“Eliza,” she looked at him under her lashes, and he kissed her as they both lost themselves completely. He groaned as he spilled his seed inside her, her walls clenching and milking him for every single drop.
He collapsed on top of her, both of them spent, and Eliza tangled her fingers through his hair, loving the way his weight felt on top of her.
She fell asleep soon after, and as Asher moved to her side, he sleepily kissed her forehead and snuggled against her. For the first time since that night centuries ago, he welcomed his sleep. He knew that only good dreams would come to visit and that their days would be filled with a deep and passionate love now that they were finally together.
The End
*****
Secrets Beyond the Spotlight: A Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance
By: Bess Hart
“And the award for Best Pop Singer of the Year goes to…Apryl Johnson!” Hank Leonard, rock and roll icon, announced into the microphone. Apryl placed her hand over her mouth and stopped from screaming, or crying – or both in excitement! She stood up and heard the thunderous roar of applause through the filled amphitheater.
This was her first appearance at the annual Music Millennial award show and subsequently, her first win. She had two singles out from her yet-to-be released album and they were entrenched at the top of the charts for 18-weeks, longer than any new artist in history.
Apryl took slow calculated steps up the stage making sure not to trip on national television. All the cameras were glued to her radiant mocha skin, silky brown curls, and silver strapless mermaid gown. She took the award from Hank Leonard and gave him a quick hug. She was so overwhelmed she couldn’t even react to being touched by the legendary musician. She took a deep breath to steady herself before speaking into the microphone.
“I am beyond excited. I didn’t even expect to win. I only showed up to take pictures.” She joked, pausing to breathe and allowing the room to roar in laughter. “I would like to thank my record label and my manager Suzann. Nothing would be possible without God and lastly, thank you Music Millennial for giving me this award.”
She lifted up the award and let it catch the spotlight. She couldn’t have been prouder as she walked behind the curtains to the backstage area.
“Apryl!” Suzann shouted once she returned to her seat. They embraced and she accepted congratulatory praise from the musicians and celebrities around her. She sat in her chair and couldn’t even pay attention to the performances going on in front of her. She was now an award-winning singer.
She was 28 and although she was new to the music industry, she had been singing at local coffee shops and open mic nights in Chicago for years. Her manager discovered her one night when she traveled to New York for a special show. After a few renditions of Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner songs, she finally performed an original piece. The moment she belted out the first note, Suzann knew she would be a star. It seemed to happen overnight and now with this award, Apryl felt untouchable.
The show came to an end and everyone began shuffling out of the building. Apryl and her best friend Felicia were lead outside by Suzann.
“Girl, I can’t even believe you won,” Felicia said with widened eyes. Apryl shook her head in equal disbelief and held the prestigious award in her hands. Her name and the title of the award were carved into the plaque on the bottom.
“Dreams can really come true, Felicia. That’s why you need to start sending your drawings to fashion companies. I know I’m not the only one who knows you have talent. Stop letting your fear of rejection hold you back. Someone will love your designs just as much as I do,” Apryl said to her friend. Felicia shrugged and blushed.
“Easier said than done.” Felicia put simply. Suzann spotted the black Range Rover they had arrived in across the lot and made a beeline towards it.
“Oh my gosh, it’s Apryl Johnson!” A shrill woman’s voice screamed from behind them. Apryl looked over her shoulder and a crowd of fans came towards her. Men in all black with camcorders on their shoulder followed the crowd towards Apryl.
Bright lights. Smiles. Screams. Apryl was experiencing her first taste of fame. Suzann quickly took the award out of her hand and gestured for her to take the photos fans requested. Felicia stepped out of the way and stood with Suzann. They watched the faces of fans light up as Apryl approached them.
She placed her arms around two girls and smiled as a harsh flash and shutter sound indicated the successful snapping of a photo. She did this for eight more groups; thanking them for their kind words and support each time.
“When does the album come out?” one teenage girl asked.
“It’ll be at all major retail stores next week.” Apryl smiled down at her.
“You can preorder it tonight when you get home!” Suzann shouted from behind Apryl. They laughed nervously and gave Apryl a hug – She was caught off guard but didn’t make a big deal of it.
“Thank you so much for supporting me guys!” The crowd of people overwhelmed Apryl. It continued to grow as word got out. Some of the people approaching her weren’t full-fledged fans but Apryl was the only celebrity outside without security.
Suddenly, as she began signing a man’s t-shirt she felt a hand firmly grip onto her butt. She twirled around to see a figure in a rusty plaid jacket bent over her. It was a man. His eyes were glazing over her, and he licked his lips.
“What’s up little mama? Let me get a piece of this.”
“Get your hands off of me!” Apryl shrieked stepping away from him and holding her arm out to create a space between them. She furrowed her eyebrows and a look of disgust was apparent on her face.
She stared at the man, and he grinned. He seemed happy to have gotten her attention.
“Don’t fucking touch me. Are you listening? Don’t ever disrespect me that way. Don’t ever disrespect any woman like that!” Apryl pushed him away. Paparazzi began flashing their cameras and taking pictures from every angle. Suzann pushed through the crowd and held her hand up at the camera lens as she wrapped her free arm around Apryl and led her to the car. They jogged with paparazzi shouting right behind them:
“Apryl, why are you so hostile with your fans?”
“Why do you hate the people who love you?”
“Why are you so stuck up?”
Apryl and Felicia slipped into the car and shut it as fast as they could. The crowd outside continued to holler and shout; Apryl couldn’t hear them over her harsh breathing and the ringing in her ears.
She felt as if she was in a whirlwind. So many things began to happen so fast and the lights were so blinding. It wasn’t until she sat in the car that she
finally felt she was on solid ground.
“Apryl, are you okay?” Felicia asked grabbing her hand and staring into her distant eyes. Apryl’s thousand-mile stare was broken as the car began to leave the parking lot. The banging of photographers against the windows shot her back into reality.
“Uh… Yeah, I think I’ll be okay. That was crazy for a stranger to think he could just touch me so inappropriately. Have you ever seen anything like that, Suz?”
Suzann smiled and shot a look up at the rearview mirror, catching Apryl’s wide deer-like eyes before responding:
“Welcome to Hollywood, baby.”
***
“We have a treat for the Apryl J fans out there; if you’ve never met her, you’d probably think she was a sweetheart. Last night, paparazzi got an exclusive look at how the diva actually treats her fans.” The news anchor said with a grin on her face before playing the video clip Apryl was being forced to watch by her manager, Suzann and publicist, Jacob. She placed her hand on her forehead and took a deep breath, leaning further down into her couch. She didn’t want to relive that moment.
“Don’t [beep] touch me! Are you listening? Don’t ever disrespect me like that!” Apryl was shown shouting angrily in the video. Apryl waited for more but the clip cut there. She dropped her jaw and sat up on the couch.
“I also told him not to disrespect any woman like that. It wasn’t all about me like their making it seem. I wanted him to know that he can’t just disrespect women by thinking we’re just things you can touch without permission!” Apryl explained, her anger now shifting from the man to the news outlets. Suzann nodded in agreement.
“We know you said that, honey, but they can cut and edit the video how ever they like.” Suzann shrugged as if to say, ‘that’s how it is.’
“That shouldn’t be legal! How is that legal?” Apryl asked and received no answer. Jacob’s cellphone vibrated in his pocket and he quickly raised it to his ear and gestured that it was a call. Apryl rolled her eyes and waited. She was fuming. It felt horrible to be taken out of context and slandered like that.
“She just won an award for her fabulous singing and now you see it all going to her head in this video. It’s too soon in her career for a major diva moment like this. It’s going to hurt her.” Aaron Federly, a morning news broadcaster, said giving his two cents on the situation. His partner, Sara nodded in agreement.
“Does she not understand that people give hugs as signs of affection? To tell someone not to touch her and that they’re disrespecting her is beyond absurd.” Sara added. Apryl picked up the remote and forcibly pressed the power button to turn the TV off. The more she heard them speak as if they knew the situation, the angrier she got.
“We’ll ring you guys up,” Jacob said to the person on the phone before hanging up. Apryl furrowed her eyebrows and waited for him to explain.
“So, because this is a very popular topic and the only drama that came out of the Millennial Music awards, it’s going to be everywhere for the week. We need to release a statement that blames the malicious editing of the paparazzi and explains the situation,” Jacob explained. “We’ve hired a security team for you. Now that you are an award-winning singer, crowds like the one from last night will be everywhere. We can’t risk another incident like that. It may harm your brand and your career.”
“Most importantly, it may harm me. If a man thinks he can just grab me imagine the vile things he was prepared to do to me, Suzann,” Apryl asserted. Suzann seemed unaffected by her words. She stared back at Apryl blankly and held back the urge to say, “You just don’t get it, do you? Image is everything in this business.”
“The security team will be up here shortly so you can meet them, before all the stuff we have to do today. Then tonight we’re having a get together to congratulate your win and the fact that you are the twentieth artist to get that award under my management.”
Apryl picked up her coffee mug and downed the caffeine in one gulp. It was going to be a long day.
Suddenly, a knock on the door of Apryl’s studio apartment door filled the room. She hadn’t noticed until that moment she was still in her pajamas and her hair was in a messy bun. She smoothed out her top and pulled down her bottoms. She tried to quickly make herself presentable before the bodyguards walked in.
“Lucas, how are you?” Jacob greeted a tall man as he came in through the door.
Lucas stood tall at 6 feet, which compared to Apryl’s average 5 foot and 4 inches, seemed gigantic. He glared at her and swallowed hard. ‘She is absolutely stunning.’ He thought.
“Apryl, this is your team. Some of these men have worked for top celebrities. I’m sure they can list their accomplishments better than I can,” Jacob said nodding at Lucas.
“I worked my way up the ranks as an officer in the United States Army. I was discharged two years ago, and I have been a security guard since,” Lucas explained quickly avoiding Apryl’s eyes. She watched his shapely pink lips open to expose his brilliantly white row of teeth. As he spoke, a light dimple dented his cheeks.
“Great,” Apryl said, unable to tear her eyes away from him. He was a brunette with striking blue eyes; his skin was a tad pale but in a breathtaking way. His strong arms poked out of the black sleeves of his uniform and contrasted with his skin tone.
“I am a former police officer from Chicago, which I know is your home town,” the second guard began, waiting for a response from Apryl.
“Apryl?” Suzann murmured under her breath. Apryl smiled nervously, forcing herself to snap back into reality. She looked over at the second guard and tried not to look at Lucas again.
“You worked in Chicago, huh? That means you’re one of the toughest cops in America,” Apryl joked. The others chuckled politely except for Lucas who was trying not to stare at Apryl. He slowly took in every detail. Her big brown eyes, her high cheekbones, her flawless mocha skin, and her hourglass figure.
His insides began to tremble and he felt a growl erupt in the pit of his stomach. It wasn’t a hunger for food; it was a hunger for her. It was a mating call. His inner tiger was calling to claim its mate. He had never felt this way before and wasn’t sure if he’d be able to control himself. He bit down onto his bottom lip and began distractedly observing objects in the room. But her scent was hanging in the air, and he wanted nothing more but to inhale it all day.
“Are we ready?” Jacob asked clasping his hands together and startling Lucas. He had to forget about her and do his job.
“Alright, men get into formation,” Lucas instructed and took his place behind Apryl. She took a deep breath. It was as if her mind was enamored with him. Immediately, she imagined his big strong arms wrapped around her and holding her closely to him.
“Apryl, these men are bodyguards not guide dogs. Open your eyes.” Suzann quipped. Apryl tried to laugh it off but she felt a pang of loneliness in her. Something she hadn’t ever felt until today.
***
Apryl collected her personal items from the dressing room in the building where they taped Roman and Donna’s talk show, and the six-man team of bodyguards immediately engulfed her and Suzann. Apryl giggled.
“This is something I’ll have to get used to.”
“Trust me, soon enough you won’t even know we’re here,” Lucas responded, his deep voice sending involuntary shivers through her body. He noticed her reaction, although it was small, because of his keen eyesight and blushed. That tore him up – if she liked him that was too good to be true. But it was also a problem because she didn’t know the secret he was harboring. And she would never understand.
“You’re ungrateful!” a woman shouted as soon as they stepped outside. She tried to throw something at Apryl, but the guards caught it and immediately disposed of it. Apryl tried to see through the body of security guards obstructing her vision. They held their arms out to shield Apryl from the crowd of people that were waiting for her outside of the show.
“I love you Apryl!” a few fans shouted.
“I know where you live!” an enraged man shouted. “No amount of security can protect you!” Apryl stopped in her tracks. She remembered the events after the show, and it was feasible that someone knew where she lived. Right after the show, Suzann dropped her off at her apartment building first. It was a straight drive with no detours.
“Apryl, we’ve got to keep moving,” Lucas said trying to gently propel her forward. She was stuck in place. “Would you like me to carry you?” He asked looking down at her. She turned to look up at him and saw that he was sincerely trying to help. She shook her head and began keeping pace with the group. She arrived into the car, and Lucas gave her a final look before shutting the door. She took a deep breath and looked over at Suzann.
“You are a superstar baby! I knew putting all my chips on you was a great idea,” Suzann said excitedly. Apryl furrowed her eyebrows.
“Did you hear what they said? Someone knows where I live!”
“Oh yeah, well I’m sure they were just trying to get under your skin.”
“What if they weren’t? Last night, anyone could’ve followed us,” Apryl worried. Suzann sighed.
“Fine, fine. I think you’re overreacting but we’ll get one of the guys to stake out at your house for a few days. Sound good?” Suzann asked while chewing a piece of gum nonchalantly and dialing Jacob’s number into her cellphone.
“Hello, Jacob? Can you ask one of the guys to guard Apryl’s house tonight? She’s frightened by a threat that one of those fans yelled at her.”
“That person was definitely not a fan,” Apryl corrected with her arms crossed. Suzann cut her eyes at her and waited for Jacob’s response.
“Okay, so you’ll send the best one back to the house at the end of the night? Great.” Suzann hung up and faked a smile at Apryl.