by Jamie Knight
His deep-brown eyes took on a different sparkle as I said that. “What you like about me?” he prompted curiously.
Looking up, I took in the width of his strong shoulders and the way his torso slanted down to a narrow waist. In his early thirties, Alex was a well-built man and muscular. Many fans commented on his rugged looks, from his square chin to the mop of unruly brown hair that refused to lay straight no matter what he did.
But the thing I liked most was Alex’s hands, think fingered and manly. Still, he could type faster than anyone I knew, making it look like he was caressing the keyboard with his fingertips.
After a few seconds, “I replied, “Yeah, like.”
We remained frozen, just looking at each other. Suddenly, we both leaned in. It was an innocent kiss that seemed like it happened too fast. It was also my first.
All I remember after is that my father grabbed me by the arm and pushed me behind him. “What do you think you're doing with my daughter?” he yelled at Alex. Alex looked at him in shock, neither of us knowing what to say. “Just get out of my house! I don't want you anywhere near my daughter or me again!”
My mentor turned to look at me, giving me a final wave, and I felt my heart break in two. I lost my first love, my best friend, and my mentor in that one moment.
Shaking away the memories, I turned from the window, sat down, and focused on my computer. Taking a trip down memory lane wasn't going to help my writing. I needed to be inspired.
Picking up the newspaper, I thumbed through it. Maybe I'd find an interesting headline or juicy story. I spent thirty minutes studying it from cover to cover, then threw it down on the desk in frustration.
Feeling myself getting angry, I took a moment to breathe deeply before I was calm again. About to walk out of the room, I glanced at the paper again. There it was. I couldn't believe my eyes. There on the back page was an ad about writing. I carried it to my desk and sat down to read it.
Put some zing back in your writing with our three-month retreat! We’ll help you surrender all your distractions and guarantee to have you writing in no time — Lakeshore retreats, where greatness begins.
Honestly, I thought the ad sounded a little cheesy, but I was desperate to put all this stuff with Alex behind me and get started on my next book by myself. Without hesitation, I visited their website to sign up. Once my reservations had been made, I put my head down on my desk.
What have I just done! I can't believe I agreed to hand over my phone and any connection to the outside world just so I can enter this writers’ retreat.
This sounded like it was going to be the longest three months of my life. Well, it would be worth it if it could help me get back on track with my novel. I hoped it would be the kick in the pants I needed to ditch the writer’s block.
Chapter Two - Alex
Lakeshore Writers’ Retreat was supposed to be the best, and I needed the best. It took every penny that I had, but I had to do something to turn my life and career around. I couldn't keep wasting my time away. This retreat was the last chance I had at writing another bestseller.
In five years, I hadn’t been able to write anything. Ideas were illusive. My stories were lackluster. Everything in my life had changed in one terrible moment, and in that moment, I lost it all, my desire to write, my best friend, everything.
It all happened the day that I kissed Gary’s daughter. A piece of me died that day when my best friend threw me out of his house and told me to never talk to him again. I didn’t. Then two years later, he died of cancer. The idea of not being at his bedside ate at me, but he didn’t want to see me. I had made a huge mistake — one I couldn’t take back.
My life took a downward spiral after that. I lost my will to write. I couldn't even get out of bed most days. When I wasn't sleeping, my free time was spent drinking. I also fell heavily into drugs, almost overdosing many times. That one kiss changed my entire world, and my life had been rock bottom ever since. My fortune was gone. I was nearly broke.
The writers’ retreat presented a once in a lifetime opportunity that I desperately needed. After I saw the ad in the paper, I spent a few days debating what to do. I knew I couldn't really afford the trip to Colorado, but what other choice did I have? I hadn’t written anything or worked in years. I was a disgrace because of my drug and alcohol use. No one wanted to hire me, not even for the tiniest, most insignificant jobs. I didn’t even have an agent anymore.
I remember the worry I felt as I sent in the deposit for my trip, but I had to do it. Moving on with my life was the only choice.
Pulling my old, worn suitcase from the closet, I filled it with my tattered clothes. All my money went to the retreat, so there would be no new wardrobe on the trip. The day before I was supposed to leave, I was able to sober up for a while, spending the morning in the bathroom of my small apartment, giving myself a shave and a haircut. I couldn't afford to go to the barbershop, but I wanted to look decent for the trip. Afterward, I devoted the afternoon to checking my travel information and organizing my luggage.
I knew getting sober was going to be difficult. I had been drinking for so long that I didn't know if I could function without alcohol, but I also understood the importance of this trip. It had the power to change my whole life for the better, and I sincerely hoped that's what was going to happen.
I grabbed my luggage and took a cab to the airport. I avoided talking to people during my time at the airport. I wasn't there to make friends. I'm used to flying coach, so that's where I ended up. Closing my eyes, I slept the whole flight. It made the time pass faster. A trick I had learned back in the heyday of my career.
I dreamed of becoming what I once was, a highly successful author. Maybe that was a glimpse of my future, but I seriously doubted it because I didn't believe in things like fate or destiny.
The plane landed smoothly. I grabbed my carry on from the overhead bin, joining the line of passengers waiting to get off the plane. We moved slow, like a herd of cattle. This made me wonder about the other authors at the retreat. What kind of genres did they write? The industry could be extremely competitive, and the high stakes made people mean. This had me worried because it had been so long since my last book. I tried to stay up to date on the latest science fiction novels, but with almost no income, that was pretty difficult to do.
Once we were off the plane and inside the airport, I made my way to the baggage carousel. My tattered suitcase stood out amongst all the other luggage. I hurried to grab it and then looked around. Needing to find a way to get to the fancy hotel where the retreat was being held, I walked up to the information desk and inquired politely from the girl there.
“Yes, a shuttle goes out there. If you hurry, you can catch it,” she informed me with a polite smile. She pointed me in the right direction before turning her attention away.
I grabbed my bags and walked off, used to being treated that way. People had been looking down on me for years. Women avoided me like they could sense my failure and despair. Life was lonely.
I found the shuttle and managed to get a seat. It was filled with couples and family members. I avoided everyone, and they avoided me. I think I actually let out a sigh of relief when the shuttle stopped outside of the hotel. I hurried out of there as fast as I could. The door slammed shut behind me, and the little bus drove off.
I paused briefly to look at the hotel, needing a moment. As advertised, it curled around a small Gary. The Broadmore was expansive. Rolling green hills, spotted with trees, flanked it on the East and West. There were more buildings than I could count, but nothing was run down at this historic resort. The tannish-pink walls were topped with red tile roofs, with little hints of brick here and there. All in all, it was fancy and lush. Just being there made me feel rich again.
I hoped I was ready for this. I needed to be prepared. This was my moment to reinvent myself. I grabbed my suitcases and walked inside the opulent lobby. This place could undoubtedly inspire the right writer.
There was a line at the check-in desk that ended with a young woman — early twenties, from what I could tell of her perfect backside. I couldn't see her face. I waited in line behind her, trying to not stare at her hourglass shape and round ass.
The girl was on her cell phone. I could hear pieces of her conversation. Her voice sounded very familiar, but that would be crazy. I had never been to Colorado before. The more she talked, the more I listened.
The stranger hung up as she reached the desk. Hoping to hear her every word, I tried to act nonchalant as I hovered too close to her.
“Yes, the writers' retreat. I have a reservation,” she explained to the concierge.
I strained to listen but couldn't hear a name. I pretended not to be watching as she was handed a key. She turned to grab her luggage off the floor. As the woman bent to grab her bags, I saw her face. It was Gray’s daughter, Hazel.
My heart stopped. I began to sweat. There was no way this could be happening, yet I couldn't doubt it. I had seen that face every day that I was at their house. It was Hazel standing in front of me.
Seeing her brought up so many memories. I started to think that maybe this trip had been a mistake. I couldn't deal with something like this, suddenly craving a drink so bad. I wondered if I should just pick up my bag and walk off. Yes, I would miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime, but I wouldn't have to deal with Hazel and all that guilt.
Chapter Three - Hazel
The plane ride out to Colorado Springs from Kansas was a lot shorter than I had expected. I spent the entire flight reading rather than sleeping. Far too excited to close my eyes. I had never been to Colorado before, but I did some research online before the trip. I also had a travel brochure, as well as a couple romance novels with me on the plane.
This trip was meant to be the turning point in my career as a writer. I looked through the novels I had brought with me and started to read one. These were actually pretty steamy. That made me wonder which genre I should write.
I had been interested in science fiction because of my feelings for Alex. Yet, perhaps I should use this trip as an opportunity to grow in my desired field and experience new things. Maybe I could try writing a romance novel or something that I would be proud to call my own?
Obviously, I was proud of my first book because it was the first thing that I had published, but it brought up a lot of painful memories every time I looked at it. I finally locked my copy away in a drawer in my desk at home, out of sight, out of mind. My second book would be different.
After the short plane ride, we touched down at the airport in Colorado Springs. It was a lot larger than I expected. I grabbed my bags and hurried to find a mode of transportation to get to the hotel. I found out that it was on the outskirts of the city, which was good. Even though it was supposed to be a retreat, it was a comfort to learn we would still be close to a major urban area.
I was able to locate a taxi outside the airport. The driver was friendly and helped me load my bags in the trunk. When I gave him the address to the resort, he asked, “Here on vacation, huh? Well, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Broadmore!”
“Thank you! That's very kind of you!” I replied, which it was.
It was a short drive to the hotel, but the driver talked about local tourist spots and places I should visit during my stay. When we arrived at the main building, he helped me bring my bags inside. I paid him, along with a generous tip. He gave me a big smile and drove off.
I walked inside and looked around the lobby. I couldn't believe I was already here. Liking the place immediately, I waited in line to check-in.
“Hello, I have a reservation, I'm here for the writers' retreat,” I said to the attendant. I waited as they checked my information and got my room ready.
Loving the fancy hotel, I started toying with the idea of having my next book take place there. I could already feel that this trip was definitely going to help me.
Making sure to leave the attendant a tip after he handed me my room key, I turned to pick my bags up off the floor. A man was standing behind me. I didn't know a line had formed and worried that I had taken too long. As I stood upright with my bags, I got a good look at the man. Unable to walk away, I stared hard at his face.
“Oh my gosh, Alex?” I yelled.
I hadn’t seen my mentor since our kiss. He never tried to change my father’s mind or makeup. Even when Dad passed, there was no word from Alex, and he didn’t attend the funeral. When his books stopped being published, I worried that the man I idolized was dead.
He looked away uncomfortably. I knew that it was him. I'd recognize Alex anywhere. Bags in hand, I ran up to Alex and hugged him. He stood there, stiffly in my arms.
“Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you. I had heard rumors that you were dead, but I'm so excited to see you!” I couldn't keep the joy out of my voice.
I really was so happy to see him. Alex was a familiar face for many years, and his appearance was comforting.
Yet, his next words were not what I expected to hear. “Please get your hands off of me,” he asked coldly. He was trying to be polite because we were in public, but I could see that he wasn't happy to see me at all.
I pulled myself away from him, feeling like I had been slapped. Before I could say anything, he reminded me of that night from long ago.
“You remember what happened the last time we touched. Your father kicked me out and told me to stay away — that hurt. I lost my best friend, my everything. Gary warned me to stay away from you. Even though we are at this retreat together, I'll do my best to honor that promise. You should do the same as well,” he replied coldly.
Alex picked up his suitcase and walked passed me to go check-in.
I was in shock. All I could do was stand there and try not to cry. It hurt to be treated that way. I never expected that kind of reaction from him. It was absolutely heartbreaking, the way he behaved.
Needing to be alone, I picked up my bags and hurried out of the lobby. I held my emotions in the whole trip up to my hotel room. Once I was inside, I threw my luggage down and locked the door. Laying down on the bed, I started to cry. It hurts when someone treats you like that, especially when it's someone you used to be close to.
When the tears were finished, I strengthened my resolve. “I'm not going to let him ruin this for me. I came here to write, not reminisce. I need to just ignore Alex like he's doing to me,” I told myself.
I felt much better after that, so I started to unpack and enjoy my trip once more. I could already feel that my writing was going to make a comeback here.
Chapter Four - Alex
I'd mostly been in my room for the past few days. I hadn't seen Hazel, but that didn't mean that she wasn't on my mind. The group meetings hadn't started yet, so that gave me plenty of time to avoid everyone until then.
I didn't know how to react to seeing Gary’s daughter again. It was inevitable that we were going to bump into each other again at some point in time. This was undoubtedly a crazy situation that I was not prepared for, but there was nothing I could do about it.
I hadn't been able to stop thinking about Hazel since I met her in the lobby. Seeing her brought up all those feelings about her that I had tried so hard to forget. It was such a shock losing her father as my friend and being told to stay away from her that I did everything I could to put it behind me.
Every memory since that kiss replayed in my mind. It was like it had just happened. I didn't think I could deal with all of this.
Now that I had seen her, I didn't know what to think, and it was driving me crazy. I had no alcohol, so I just laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. I could still see Hazel’s face and wondered if her lips tasted the same. I thought about what it would be like if I had her in my bed — something I wanted to do ever since our kiss.
Putting my hand under the blankets, I began to stroke my hardening cock, wishing that she was there with me.
I hadn't meant
to treat Hazel the way that I did, but what else was I supposed to do. When I saw her in the lobby, her body looked so good that I ached to feel it next to mine. To have her arms wrapped around me and her holding onto me. I'd wondered so many times what it would be like to wake up next to that incredible girl, but those were just empty dreams.
I touched myself harder as I imagined making love to Hazel. She would look up at me with those big green eyes and a coy smile on her lips, inviting me to run my hands over the curve of her hips and then gently reach up to unbutton her dress. In the last five years, her curves had filled out more. Her bust was bigger, her hips fuller. I wanted to see the roundness of her bare breasts in front of me. Imagining touching them made my body tingle and my cock ache.
My fantasy was so vivid I could practically see her nude on top of me and hear her crying out my name as she slid her tight, young pussy over my hard cock. In my daydream, Hazel was still a virgin, waiting for me to take her innocence and show her what love was.
Holding her hips, I taught her how to ride me, bouncing up and down, letting my cock slide in and out of her. Watching her breasts bounce in my face, I clung onto Hazel as her pussy tightened around my cock. I couldn’t hold back as she started to scream, her pussy milking my dick for my seed.
Finally, I came hard in my hand and was reminded that I was alone.
Depressed, I got up and showered for the day. As I was dressing, I realized that if I did see Hazel again, I probably wouldn't get a chance to talk to her after the way I treated her. My behavior had been deplorable. There was no way she would ever forgive me.
I made sure I looked presentable before leaving my room. It was the first day of activities at the retreat. I couldn't tell if I was eager to get started or eager to see her.
The group that I had signed up for is already meeting in the lobby. I hurried to join them. As I took my place amongst them, I looked around and was pleasantly surprised to see Hazel in the group. She looked better than ever. She still had a youthful appearance but had a new maturity about her now. It was hard not to notice it and be attracted to it. I'm sure others saw it as well.