Five Hearts Anthology

by Sandy Sullivan

  “I’m not here to replace Phil. I’m here to be a new love in your life at a new time in your life. I never want you to forget him, your marriage, or the love you two shared. Grieve for him, talk about him, love him, but know you’re with me, and I’m here for you, to love you and cherish you until the day I die.”

  “I’m so afraid to love you, because I couldn’t bear to go through another loss like I did.”

  “Cat, I don’t mean to sound harsh, but dying is part of living. We’re all going to leave this Earth at one point or another, but why not be happy and fulfilled while you’re still alive. You need to live, sweetie. Phil would be heartbroken if he knew you weren’t moving on with your life.”

  Alex spoke the truth, and she knew it. She couldn’t deny herself the love he offered and the happiness he brought to her life. The time had come to move on. Promising herself she would never forget Phil, she knew he wouldn’t want her to lock herself away, mourning his death for years to come. Placing her hands on Alex’s face, she looked into his eyes. “I love you, Alex, and I want to make this work between us.”

  His smile lit up the room and his dimples made her weak. How could I ever say no to this loving man?

  “You have made me the happiest man on Earth.” Leaning forward, he kissed her lips tenderly.

  Loving the feel and taste of him, she open her mouth eagerly to his invading tongue. The passion built between them, and Catrina could feel her pussy growing wetter with every kiss. Finally, she managed to pull away from his lips and asked, “Shall we go to the bedroom?”

  Right away, he responded to her loving request. Standing, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to her bedroom with strong, determined strides. Once in her room, Alex set her down in front of her wardrobe. Undressing quickly, he stood before her naked, vulnerable, and sexy. He reached toward the hem of her sweater and pulled it up and over her head. Next, he removed her jeans and socks, exposing her black, thong panties, and then straightened up to work on taking off her bra. His desire for her evident, she reached out for his rigid flesh, dabbing her thumb in his precum and stroking his juices over his purple head. His eyes closed, his head rolled back, and he moaned a deep, guttural sound, vibrating through her body to shake her to her core. He belonged to her, with all his vulnerability for her to see, and she loved him all the more for it.

  With his focus back on Catrina, he unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor to join their pile of clothes. Bending over and capturing one of her elongated nipples in his mouth, he suckled from her breast, while playfully pulling at the other nipple making both of them swollen and hard. She could never grow tired of his touch and the pure bliss he brought to her body.

  Working his way down her form, he slid his hand between her legs and rubbed her pussy through her panties. She pushed herself against his hand, loving the sensation he created. When he pulled away, he brought his fingers to his lips and tasted her juices, which had soaked through the flimsy material.

  “You taste so sweet,” he said placing his hand on the side string of her panties and yanking hard, ripping them off her body.

  An ache coursed through her snatch, as it throbbed with longing to be filled. “Oh, you naughty boy, ripping off my panties like an animal.”

  “Yes, I’m an animal for you.” Immediately, he slipped his fingers into her shaved pussy, coating them with her essence. “I have something else I think you’re going to like too.” He brought the tips to her mouth, running them over each lip, then slipped them inside. As he pushed farther inside, she opened her mouth and sucked hungrily.

  Since she’d never tasted her own juices before, she found this quite erotic. She tasted sweet and musky. Removing his fingers, he kissed her again, sucking on her top and bottom lip in turn. His hands moved back to her breasts, and he squeezed their fullness, moaning in her mouth. He dropped his head again to her tit and sucked, then rolled and flicked his tongue on her nipple.

  His hands moved to her ass, and she felt his reluctance in releasing her breast. After lifting her onto the dresser, he spread her legs wide. He stood back, gazing at her body, appearing to take her in, his erection pointed straight for his goal.

  “Please, Alex, take me now. I’m so ready for you.”

  Reaching her hand out for him, she moved first, pulling him to her, resting the swollen head of his cock against her pussy. She stroked him up and down her wet slit and guided him into her core.

  Immediately, he began to thrust into her in a steady, strong rhythm.

  “Oh God, you feel so good inside of me.” Wrapping her legs around him, she pulled him deeper inside her body.

  “Oh, Cat, you’re so tight,” he said as he pounded harder, held her tighter, and growled toward her. “Mine,” rumbled from his throat.

  Feeling his possession of her, she loved every second of it.

  Their mutual passion bonded them with every thrust of his cock. He started to finger her clit as he continued to plunge deep into her cunt. “I want you to come for me, baby. I want to hear you scream your desire for me.”

  She’d been close to coming, but with his magic touch on her clit, he pushed her over the edge of reason. “Oh God…ah…yes!” she cried out as her body clenched around his cock causing him to follow close behind her.

  “Yes…oh…baby!” he growled, holding her tighter against his body as he came deep in her snatch, filling her full of his cum.

  They leaned against each other, their hearts pounding in rhythm together while they caught their breath in a lover’s embrace. Catrina realized they belonged together, Alex suiting her perfectly.

  He moved first, pulling away from her and helping her off the dresser. Leading her to her bed, he pushed the covers back and guided her to lie down in the cozy warmth of the mattress. Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

  Alex’s retreat left Catrina alone with her thoughts. I hope you understand, Phil. I love you, and I always will. A feeling of relief and peace washed over her heart as if Phil approved of her new union and blessed it somehow.

  A few minutes later, Alex came back into the room, still naked, and crawled into bed beside her. Pulling her into his arms, he held her like a precious gem in his warm embrace. Snuggling against him, she heard him snap his fingers a couple of times.

  “What was that for?”

  He looked at her innocently, as Dapple came running into the room and jumped on the bed.

  “Hey, little guy, what are you doing here?” The kitten marched across the bed, and Catrina’s body, to sit on Alex’s chest.

  “What’s this?” Catrina asked, noticing a big red bow tied around Dapple’s neck.

  “I don’t know. It’s a mystery to me. Maybe he has something for you.”

  “This seems very suspicious. I think you two are in cahoots.” She laughed as she pulled the willing kitty closer and untied the bow. Hidden in the folds of the ribbon, she noticed a large gold heart pendant with small diamond on one side and engraving on the back. She read the note aloud.

  My Little Cat,

  Here’s to many more Valentine’s Days together.

  Love forever, Alex.

  “This is so beautiful. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re very welcome. I have the chain for it in my coat pocket. I didn’t want to weigh Dapple down anymore than I already had. I meant what I said. I’m here forever. I’m yours, heart and soul if you want me.”

  “I couldn’t ask for a better Valentine’s Day present than you. I do feel bad, though. I didn’t get you anything.”

  “I have everything I want right here,” he said as he leaned over to kiss her and hug Dapple at the same time.

  *THE END*

  Forever Kind of Love

  By

  Sandy Sullivan

  Chapter One

  Valentine's Day sucked! Becky O'Rourke hated it with a passion. Hoping the one coming up in a few days would be different, only broke her heart even more. Ever since the last one
turned out so badly, she decided the day wasn't worth much, all the mushiness of couples everywhere and God forbid she run into Emma, Brandon and Beau. Those three were the worst. Hugging and kissing each other—the guys fawning over their son. Yuck! Lucky for her, they didn't live in Red Rock anymore, only visiting several times a year. She missed her friend terribly, but Emma was happy in her relationship with her men and Becky adored seeing the love they shared even if she'd never have the same for herself.

  The man she wanted didn't love her. Seth Reardon.

  She hated him with every other breath from her body and loved him with the rest. Would she ever get over him? She didn't think so and all her father could do was say 'I told you so'.

  Two summers ago she finally gave into his asking her out, much to the delight of Emma. They quickly fell in love—or she had anyway.

  Every day he told her how much he cared about her and how much he looked forward to the day their relationship would blossom into a lifetime of love and happiness. She foolishly believed every word.

  Until Valentine's Day last year.

  They made a date for dinner and Seth said he planned something special for their day. Little did she know his something special meant breaking her heart.

  She'd been waiting anxiously at home, dressed to the hilt with a brand new white flowing skirt and soft blue off one shoulder blouse, her mother's pearls around her neck and a diamond bracelet her father had given her for her sixteenth birthday, on her wrist. With her hair up in a soft upswept hairdo, light makeup and shiny lip gloss, she'd paced the living room watching the clock.

  The soft knock on the door startled her and she glanced through the sheer blinds to see Seth standing on the porch. When she opened the door, she was shocked to see his hair mussed like he'd been running his hands through it, his eyes red-rimmed and his clothes wrinkled.

  "Seth, what's wrong? You look terrible."

  "Becky, we can't see each other anymore."

  "What! Why?" she said, her throat closing to any other words.

  "We just can't." He reached out like he wanted to touch her, but stopped halfway and then let his hand drop back to his side. "I'm sorry." He laid a single red rose on the bench against the railing of her porch and walked away.

  For almost a year she'd avoided anything to do with Seth Reardon. She didn't go to community events if he would be there. The rodeo didn't happen for her anymore. Her nights were spent in front of her television cuddling her cat, Simon on her lap and wishing for something she couldn't have. All she wanted to know was why.

  This Valentine's Day I'm done moping around after Mr. I-can't-see-you-anymore. The new vet in town, Marcus Milton had asked her out a time or two, but she'd always turned him down. Well, not anymore. In fact…

  She picked up her phone and dialed his office.

  "Doctor Milton's office. Can I help you?"

  "Yes. Is there any way I can speak with Doctor Milton, please?"

  "Is this in regards to a patient?" the receptionist asked.

  "Well, uh…yes. Sort of," Becky said, wincing as she lied to the woman on the phone.

  "Can I ask who is calling and I'll see if he's free."

  "Becky O'Rourke."

  "One moment please."

  Elevator music started playing in her ear. Not unpleasant even though it wasn't her type of music. Good old country and rock were her favorites. Give her some George Strait, AC/DC, Garth Brooks or Journey and she loved it.

  "Hello, Becky?"

  "Hi, Marcus," she replied.

  "Is something wrong with Simon? You can bring him in right away if you need to."

  "I'm sorry, Marcus. I kind of fibbed a little. Simon is fine, but I wasn't sure if your receptionist would let me talk to you if I told her it was personal."

  "Personal?"

  "I know you've asked me out a couple of times before and well, I'm sorry I turned you down. I wanted to see if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight?"

  "Uh…sure. How about I pick you up at your house around six?"

  "Great. I'll see you then."

  After hanging up the phone, she let a small smile spread across her lips. She had a date! Even though Marcus didn’t have Seth's rugged good looks, he definitely had handsome down. Chestnut colored hair and big blue eyes sure spun her wheels—when she wasn't thinking, lusting or drooling over Seth.

  "Enough! Seth doesn't want me and I'm tired of waiting for him to change his damned mind. He made it clear there wasn't anything between us anymore when he walked away last year."

  There. She'd convinced her mind if not her heart she’d gotten over Seth Reardon and would be moving on with her life. A great theory anyway.

  To top it off, she planned to wear the same outfit she'd worn the night Seth broke her heart. That would show him. Not like he'd know it probably, but she felt better for doing something a little spiteful for the way he'd dumped her.

  Two hours later, she stood dressed and ready. Her stomach felt like a thousand butterflies danced inside. A year was too long to wait to reenter the dating pool and too long to wait to get over Seth Reardon.

  The doorbell chimed with a gay peal, announcing the arrival of her date. Six o'clock. Right on time. Seth had been forever late whenever they dated. Enough. I'm not going to compare Marcus to Seth all damned night. Seth made his bed and now he can lie in it alone. At least I hope he's in it alone.

  When she opened the door, Marcus turned around and his eyes lit up with an appreciative gleam.

  "Wow. You look great!"

  "Thank you. Would you like to come in for a moment while I get my coat?"

  "Sure," he replied, opening the screen and stepping inside the doorway. "Nice place."

  "Again, thank you. I'll be right back." She spun around and headed for the coat closet to retrieve her jacket. The white skirt swirled around her legs making her feel feminine and pretty. Too bad Seth hadn't had the chance to appreciate it on her.

  "Stop it!"

  "Pardon?" Marcus said from several feet behind her.

  "Sorry. It's nothing. I'm talking to myself." She spun around to face him with coat in hand.

  "Simon looks healthy and happy." Marcus bent down to pet the cat entwining himself around Marcus' legs.

  "Thanks. He's my baby, so he's spoiled rotten."

  "Ah. Cats are such loveable creatures."

  "Are you more of a cat person or dog person?"

  He scratched the cat behind the ears and under the chin. "Not a fair question to ask a vet."

  "Oh sorry."

  "I'm teasing, Becky. I like both equally actually. They each have their own personalities and quirks. Dogs are fun, playful and exuberant where cats are mellow, self-sufficient and cuddly."

  "True." She struggled to pull the coat around her shoulders and he grabbed the back to help her. "Thanks."

  "When did you break your wrist?" he asked, nodding to the cast on her left arm.

  "Two weeks ago. I fell on some ice on my front walk during the last snow storm."

  "I bet it hurt like the devil."

  "Yeah, but it's better now. It's just a nuisance having the cast on, but at least it's not my dominant hand."

  "You'll have to let me sign it."

  The grin he gave her warmed her heart. He really was a nice guy and cute…but he wasn't Seth.

  * * * *

  Whiskey. I need a good shot of whiskey. He, Seth Reardon was a pussy. He'd let the best thing in his life walk away a little less than a year ago over what? His own insecurities. After a talk with his best friend, Joe Collier, he'd come to realize he didn't have anything to offer a girl like Becky. The bar paid his bills, but didn't leave a lot extra afterward. He lived above the bar in a small apartment. Nothing fancy. Becky owned her home. Had a good job and had a dad who loved her. He had no one anymore. His father died a few years ago. His mother ran out on them when he was a baby, leaving his dad to raise him alone. Seth wondered if he even knew how to love anyone. Surely, he didn't. His dad never said 'I love y
ou'. Not once. The bar was his mistress and his life until his death and now it had become Seth's.

  The clank of the bottle against the rim of the glass seemed loud in the quiet bar as he poured himself a shot and threw it into the back of his throat. The burn of the whiskey calmed the ache in his chest. Drinking had become a staple for him lately. He hated himself for giving into the booze, but nothing could stem the self-loathing he felt for breaking Becky's heart. Tonight, he could drown his sorrows since the bar didn't open on Tuesday's and he had no place to be except in his apartment alone with his television and the bottle.

  A car door slammed, drawing his attention to the window. Grabbing his glass, he wandered over to see what might be going on. Trouble outside would bring the cops and he vaguely wondered if Laurel Dunn might be working tonight. The wife of Becky's best friend's brother could be ruthless when it came to drinking and driving. Luckily, he wasn't driving anywhere.

  With the glass to his lips, he peered outside noticing a newer Ford pickup truck parked next to the curb. One of the fanciest restaurants in town sat two blocks down from where he stood. Apparently, their parking lot was full or the cheap bastard in the truck didn’t want to pay for valet.

  "Figures," he grumbled, tipping the tumbler up and draining the contents in one fiery gulp. "Damn rot gut."

  Shit! It can't be.