In Time to Love

by Gloria Martin

  He winked at her, clearly amused with her overwhelming desire.

  “You know, I can do this all day.”

  Vienna lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him down onto the bed. She rolled, pinning him beneath her and sliding her sex against his hard length.

  When his head met her opening, she slipped onto him, taking the wide length of him to the hilt. Her head dropped back and she began moving her hips vigorously.

  When she looked down at Ethan, he was smiling wickedly at her. His hands went up, cupping each breast and squeezing roughly. Vienna’s eyes fluttered and she bit her lip. He watched her as she moved, continuing to knead and pull at her supple breasts. One final thrust sent Vienna over the edge and she began to buck and shudder around him.

  Ethan pulled her down, squishing her breasts against his hard chest and wrapping his strong arms around her.

  He dug his heels into the mattress, driving into her over and over until he joined her. She writhed and whimpered in his arms as his orgasm consumed him. She finished before him, but he continued to thrust, squeezing every last drop of pleasure out of her before he fell back, spent, his arms locked around her.

  He was still inside her, the heat of her almost burning his sensitive flesh. He kissed the top of her head, whispering sweet words to her while he cradled her in his arms. In no time, her body relaxed and her breathing was slow and even.

  Still buried within her, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  *****

  Vienna’s legs were still a bit sore when she stepped off the ice the next morning. She pushed thoughts of the previous day out of her mind. Her competition was early Saturday morning, which meant today was the last day of practice in Chehalis. Tomorrow was Friday, and today she would be leaving for Seattle shortly after lunch. That would give her most of Friday to get accustomed to the rink in Seattle and plenty of time to rest. She was down to the wire. Her stomach was in knots, but she wasn’t sure all her excitement was over the competition.

  Ethan sat in the stands, cellphone in hand, pulling up the video of each of her programs while she took off her skates and laced her running shoes up.

  “Do you want to watch them now?”

  “No. Let’s go back to my place and eat. I need to pack so I can leave right after lunch.”

  “I’ll meet you over there. I need to grab a few things.”

  Vienna nodded, lost in thought. She walked out of the building, not even noticing when Ethan leaned down to kiss her. He smiled at her back as she walked away. She was in the zone and nothing was going to distract her. He found this side of her amusing. She was so driven and so goal-oriented. It was one of the things he liked most about her.

  Vienna got into her car and drove to her home, leaving the door unlocked behind her so Ethan could let himself in. She’d spent so much of yesterday wrapped in his arms she hadn’t gotten around to packing.

  She put her large duffle bag on the bed, pulling her costumes out. She packed one for each program and two more in case something happened to the first two. She tossed her competition skates into the bag, wrapped in a towel so the brads for her laces didn’t snag on any of her clothes.

  She made a quick sweep of her room and the bathroom, making sure she had everything for her stay in Washington. The competition started on Saturday and ended Sunday afternoon. It was going to be a long weekend, but she was ready.

  If she did well this weekend, she would set her sights on qualifying for the Olympics. She closed her eyes, envisioning that for a moment before she pushed it to the side. One dream at a time. And right now, she was focused on the World Championship. Next week, she would reevaluate and plot her course. Now, she had to stay focused.

  She could smell the food cooking before she realized that Ethan was already there. She was going to miss his cooking while she was gone.

  Vienna lugged her bag into the living room, setting it down by the door and pulling up a chair at the table.

  Ethan had sautéed chicken to go on a beautiful salad he’d already prepared and placed on her plate. He brought the sizzling pan over to the table, pushing half the chicken onto her salad and putting the rest on his.

  “This looks delicious, thank you.”

  “My pleasure.”

  They ate in companionable silence, Ethan watching Vienna as she lost herself in thought over and over.

  She looked up and caught him smiling at her.

  “What?”

  “You’re cute when you’re mulling over stuff.”

  “Thanks. I’m just trying to visualize everything. It helps keep me calm before a competition.”

  “Oh. I forgot to bring my phone in.”

  He scooped up her empty plate and set it in the sink with his before racing outside to his car to get his phone.

  When he returned, Vienna furrowed her brows in confusion.

  “What’s in the bag?”

  “My stuff.”

  “For what?”

  “For the weekend.”

  “Which hotel are you staying at?”

  His smile faltered.

  “Whichever one you’re staying at.”

  “What? No you can’t stay with me. My coach won’t like that and I have to focus.”

  “So I can’t share a room with you?”

  “No. The rooms we reserved are for competitors only. Even pairs skaters that are married don’t share a room.”

  “My parents did.”

  “Well that’s different.”

  “So I can’t stay with you? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “Of course not. I have to focus and rest. I can’t do that if you’re underfoot.”

  “Is it alright if I come and watch you, or is that too distracting too?”

  “Ethan, I don’t mean it that way. I want you to come to the competition, but the rest of the time, I need my space. I don’t know why you don’t understand.”

  “I understand alright. It’s okay to sleep with me, but you don’t want to be seen in public with someone like me.”

  “What do you mean someone like you? You’re amazing.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “It’s just the way it is.”

  “I don’t buy it,” he said, turning to leave.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going home, where I’m welcome. I wouldn’t want to break your concentration and ruin your competition. Goodbye and good luck.”

  “Ethan please don’t-”

  But the slamming door cut her off mid-sentence. Hot tears threatened an instant before they spilled over. This was the last thing she needed before a competition. He should understand. It’s not like the figure skating world was new to him. But maybe they were too different.

  Vienna moved around her home in a daze, tears flowing and heart broken. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but her priorities were clear. Double checking her heavy bag, she zipped it back up and hefted it over her shoulder. She didn’t have to leave for another hour, but she might as well.

  There was no reason for her to stay here.

  *****

  Vienna scanned the crowd early Sunday morning, but she knew she wouldn’t find Ethan there. He’d been noticeably absent Saturday night, making her high-scoring short program hard to get excited about. She was in the lead in her division going into the long program. All she had to do was skate the long program clean and she would win the women’s single skate.

  Her name was called over the loudspeaker and she pushed thoughts of Ethan out of her mind. It was his loss, and no big surprise. He was just like the other men she’d dated over the years. He got what he wanted from her and moved on at the first sign of tension. She would get over it, but for now, she had to focus.

  She stepped out onto the ice, waving to the crowd when she took her courtesy circle around the rink. She stopped in the middle of the ice, getting into her opening pose and waiting for her music to start.

  The piece began gently, and s
he flowed into her opening sequence with effortless grace. A medley of her favorite Broadway tunes.

  When the tempo picked up, she shot into her first sequence to loud applause from the crowd. She nailed the landing on both, a broad smile spreading across her face.

  The wind whipped her skirt around as she picked up speed. She was exhausted and emotionally drained, but the excitement of the competition fueled her. She stuck the next two jumps and mentally prepared herself for the last sequence; Ethan’s signature move.

  She didn’t let the thought of him wiggle its way into her mind. She was too focused on nailing the jump and the landing. The crowd held its breath as her feet left the ice, the slicing of the blade almost deafening as it echoed above the silence.

  She heard the crowd go silent, all eyes on her. Her skates touched down easily on the ice and she allowed herself a moment of relief as the crowd roared its approval.

  Tightening her circle, she worked herself into the final spin sequence. She couldn’t hold back her smile as the music faded and she came out of the spin feeling triumphant.

  She’d done it!

  Flowers and tiny stuffed animals rained down from the stands and she stooped to pick up a few as she skated off the ice.

  She sat on the bench beside her coach, waiting for the judges to tally her scores.

  Her coach whooped in response to her high scores. The two competitors that were following her couldn’t close the gap no matter what they did. She’d won.

  “Great job, Vienna,” her coach beamed.

  “Thanks, Franz.”

  She moved to the edge of the rink, watching the final performer take the ice. This was the best moment of her life, but Ethan’s absence was tearing at her. In a little under five minutes she was going to be on that ice, accepting her hard-earned medal.

  A hand touched her shoulder, and she turned, expecting to see her coach.

  She was shocked to see Ethan instead. He held a single red rose in his hand.

  “What are you doing here?” she said, not wanting to get into a fight right before she went out to collect her medal.

  “I’m sorry. That’s why I’m here. I was wrong.”

  “You were,” she said, surprised at how hurt she sounded. “You missed my short program last night.”

  “I didn’t. I saw you.”

  “Why didn’t you let me know you were here then?”

  “Because I was still mad, but I’ve had some time to think, and I realize I was wrong. I’m so sorry Vienna.”

  Vienna searched his eyes, his face. He looked like a lost little boy. His expression almost undid her.

  The announcer read the results of the last competitor, leaving a brief gap before they announced the winner.

  “And your champion, ladies and gentlemen, is Vienna Rhett of Chehalis, Washington!”

  The crowd roared and Vienna turned.

  “Wait.”

  “Ethan, I have to get out on the ice. I’ll be right back.”

  “Promise?”

  She kissed him on the cheek and took the rose he offered.

  “I promise.”

  She skated out onto the ice with the second and third place competitors, tears of joy streaking down her face. The crowd was on its feet, several of them chanting her name. It was more than she’d ever dreamed of.

  She took her spot on the podium, catching Ethan’s gaze and smiling. His being there made the moment all the more special, and she was glad he’d set aside his hurt feelings and had come.

  The small, gold medal felt heavy on her neck. She took a victory skate around the rink, waving at the fans before skating off the ice and into Ethan’s arms.

  “I’m so glad you came,” she said, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around him.

  “Whoa be careful,” he said, setting her back a little bit.

  She saw something move beneath his coat.

  “What is that?”

  “Well,” he began, reaching into his heavy jacket, “you said that you wanted a roommate. It’s not a goldfish, but I think you two will get along.”

  He pulled out a tiny, fluffy silver kitten with bright green eyes.

  “She reminded me of you,” he said, handing the purring kitten over.

  “Because I’m hairy and fluffy,” Vienna laughed, snuggling the precious cat tight.

  “No. Elegant and perfectly beautiful.”

  He pulled her close, kissing her passionately.

  “I was actually hinting about you when I was talking about a roommate,” Vienna admitted, letting Ethan lead her to the locker rooms so she could change.

  “I know. But a kitten is a good start.”

  “As long as you don’t make me wait for you forever.”

  He laughed, dipping his head down to kiss her once more.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “Nothing. I was just thinking the same thing.”

  THE END

  Bonus Story 22 of 40

  Tumbleweed and Daggers

  The beginning of summer on the edge of the desert was always challenging, Terry thought to herself looking at the line of people at the register. Fortunately her new hire, a girl named Charlene, was handling it like a pro. A small convoy of people was heading out into the desert to take pictures and drink water. As far as Terry could tell anyhow. She liked the desert, she lived in it, but traveling a long way to just look at it did not make any sense to her.

  Not that she would complain. Tourists were her bread and butter and the more the merrier, she thought. Especially since she was the owner of Tumbleweed Grocery and Pies and the tourist business allowed her to hire someone to work the till and cook. With Charlene working the register and her sister Cheryl baking the pies, Terry could finally be a real owner and just watch things and oversee the operation. Most of the time.

  She heard the familiar rumble of Harley Davidsons, and two motorcycles could be seen pulling off the lonely highway that passed the front of her place. She recognized the bikes and smiled slightly. She knew these two bikers, and despite their reputation and “occupations”, they were always good to her and her place. Not to mention good looking. Terry took a sip of her coffee and thought about a cigarette, watching the line of customers diminish down to just a few. Yep, she thought, she could slip out for a minute. She got up and went through the employee door.

  “Give us all your money!” came a voice from the other side of the door she had just gone through.

  “Holy shit dude, calm down…I’ll get you what you want,” Charlene said.

  Terry went back and peeked through the little window and saw the last two people who had been in line facing the register, one of them was holding a gun. She also saw two people getting close to the front door from outside and smiled slightly. A noise behind her made her turn and it was Cheryl. Terry put a finger to her lips.

  “Call the cops, we are being robbed,” she whispered softly before turning back to watch the drama unfolding in her restaurant. She prepared herself to go through the door in Charlene’s defense if she had too. Charlene was pressing the buttons on the register to get it to open without a purchase. Terry could see she was deliberately messing it up. She was a fearless woman, not to mention a beauty, so batting her eyes at the two was softening them up to her stalling.

  “Come on, idiot. Give us the cash,” the bigger of the two growled.

  “I am trying damn it! I’m nervous. Just a second and I’ll get it for you,” Charlene said as the two bikers came through the door behind the thieves. They immediately saw what was going on and the taller of the two laughed. The thieves spun around. The one with the gun backed away to stay out of their reach. Just a little further, Terry thought, both scared and excited by the dangerous activity. A little further and I’ve got you.

  “You guys wanna get the hell out of here,” the tall biker told them.

  “Yeah, this is one of our favorite stores. Leave now and we won’t leave you for the ambulances,” the shorter one said. Terry wa
tched Charlene crouch down behind the counter so when the bigger thug looked to the counter, he couldn’t see her. It looked like she had disappeared.

  “Well, you lost the bird in the hand boys. So why don’t you just leave now. Like my brother said, you don’t want to be left for the body bus,” the tall biker said.

  The two thieves muttered curses to themselves that got worse as the sound of sirens could be heard. That was fast, Terry thought. Then the two wanna be robbers backed up further, putting them right in front of the swinging door she was watching them from. Perfect, she decided, making eye contact with the tall biker and he gave a slight nod. She stood back a step and then threw herself against the door.

  It swung open like a shot and caught the big thug between the shoulder blades with the edge. This knocked him into his partner while he also dropped the gun. The two bikers stepped up and cold cocked them. One punch each had them groaning on the floor. Just like that, Terry thought, beginning to shake a little as it was over and she could recognize how dangerous it had been. She nodded to the two bikers, who stood over the crooks waiting for the cops. Then she went over to her friend and employee.

  “You okay girl?” she asked Charlene. She looked up at Terry from where she crouched.

  “It’s over?” she asked.

  “Looks like it, the cops are here too,” she informed her. Charlene stood up and looked around.

  “I guess I am alright then,” she answered as her sister Cheryl came out of the back. The cops ran in the front door with their guns drawn. Terry reflected that it was a weird way to start a day.

  ********

  Terry waved to the cops as they pulled away with the wanna be robbers. She immediately pulled out her cigarette case from inside of her leather vest and lit one. She exhaled and felt herself relax. She was always brave until after anything dangerous happened. Then she had to fight to keep from falling apart. Now that the cops and bad guys were gone she could relax. She heard the squeak of the door and she was joined by Ajax Lowell, the bigger of the two bikers and the president of the motorcycle club called The Daggers. He was a muscular guy at six foot two with long brown hair and a mustache. His sleeveless denim jacket had patches from all over the west coast as well as a big one on the back of two crossed daggers pointing up, dripping blood.