THE NOVEL taking chances

TakingChances
byAnnOmasta


Dedication:


Thisbookisdedicatedtoyou,wonderfulreader.Ifeelgratefulforyouevery
singleday,andmyhopeisthatyouwillenjoythisbook.Happyreading!


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Chapter1

“Thekissstartedsoftlythenslowlybuiltinintensity.Hislipswere
smooth,andhistonguegentlygrazedmine.Iuntuckedhisshirtandeased
myhandsuphisbacktohisstrong,smoothshoulders.”

Ipausedtorefillourmargaritaglassesfromthepitcherandchuckledat
mybestfriend,Courtney.Herbig,blueeyeswerewideopenandshewas
leaningsofarforwardthatIfearedshemighttoppleover.Shewas
normallytheonewiththesexystories,soIwasenjoyinghavingoneof
myown,foronce.

WewereseatedatourusualtableforourSundaynightritual–tacosand
margaritasatJoe’sBar&Grill.Joe’swasanisland-themedrestaurant
thatremindedmeofthethatch-roofedeaterywheremyparentsusedto
takemewhenwewentonourannualtrektotheFloridaKeys.Even
thoughJoe’swaslocatedinHarborShores,Michigan-aboutasfarfrom
thetropicsascouldbe-itwasusuallyteemingwithpatrons,bothlocals
andtourists.

Joeletushavethebestseatsinthehousewithafantasticviewofthelake,
eventhoughweweregiven“familypricing.”Courtneyhadbeena
waitressattherestaurantforovertwoyears,butJoeknewneverto
schedulehertoworkonaSundaynight.Ourgirls’nightsweresacred.

Courtneygrabbedthepitcherfrommyhandandquicklysloshedmoreof
thefrozenconcoctionintoourglasses.“Goon,”shedemanded.

“MyfingerswereshakingasIunbuttonedhisshirt.”OnlyCourtneyknew
ofmyinsecuritiesinthebedroomandthereasoningbehindthem.She
nodded,encouragingmetocontinuewithmyplay-by-play.

“Irefusedtogiveintomyfears.So,Iranmyhandsalonghisflatabsand
overhischestasIremovedhisshirtandtossedittothefloor.AsIkissed
hisneckandnibbledonhisear,heundidthebuttonsatmyshoulderand


loweredthetopofmydress.That’swhenhediscoveredthatIhadn’tbeen
abletowearabrabecauseoftheopenbackstyleofmydress.Ithinkhe
likedthat.”Ismiledandchuckled,rememberingthelookofaweinhis
eyesashegazedatmyamplebreasts.

“Ibethedid!”Courtneyhootedwithlaughter.Shelookedterrific,as
usual,withherblondepixiehaircutandhuge,skyblueeyes.Sheoozed
sexualconfidence,butshehadadmittedtomeonmorethanoneoccasion
thatshewastotallyjealousofmychestiness.Myboobswere,infact,one
ofmyonlybodypartsthatIfeltwereaboveaverage.

“Heusedjusttherightamountofpressureasherubbedhisthumbsover
mytautnipples.Thenhebegankissingandlickingandnibblinghisway
downme.Mywholebodyquakedwhenhesuckledonmybreast.Iran
myfingersthroughhishairandarchedmybacktowardhimashegently
tuggedonmynipplewithhisteeth.”

“Everythingokaytonight,ladies?”Joeasked.Neitherofushadseenhim
approachthetable,andwewerestartledbytheinterruption.

“We’refine.”Courtneysnappedthewords,causingJoetoholduphis
handsinmocksurrenderashemadeaquickretreat.

Courtneyletoutadeepbreathasifshe’dbeenholdingit.“Geez,Abby,
thisstoryismakingmehorny.I’mgoingtohavetofindahotguytohook
upwithandworkoffsomeofthissexualtension.”

IwonderedforthehundredthtimeifCourtneyeverwantedamoreserious
intimaterelationshipthanthebootycallsandonenightstandsthatshe
currentlyenjoyed.Sheseemedtobecontentwithherlife,soIhadnever
pushedtheissuewithher.

“So?”Courtneypromptedimpatiently.

“WherewasI?”Iasked,perplexed.

“Nipples,teeth,tugging,”sheremindedme.

“Oh,right.Hishandsglideddownmyhipsandundermysilkpanties.In


onesmoothmove,heslidmydressandunderwearoff.Isteppedoutof
themandstoodbeforehimwearingonlythoseridiculousLouboutinheels
thatyoutalkedmeintobuying.Heseemedtolikethatview,too.”

“Theyarefabulousshoes.I’mgladtohearyoufinallyputthemtogood
use.Didyouwearthemthewholetime?”

Inodded,smiling,beforecontinuing.“Istruggledtoundothesnapofhis
jeansasheeasedmebackonthebed.Heliftedoneofmylegsandrubbed
myankleashebegankissinghiswayupmycalf.Hegentlyrubbedhis
handsalongtheinsideofmylegs.Thenthosemagicalthumbsbegan
massagingcirclesuptotheapexofmythighs.”

Istoppedtotakeabite.“Damn,don’tstopnow!”Courtneycommanded.I
hadalreadyshoveledthefoodin,soIdida“mouth’sfull”motionather
andcontinuedchewing.Atherexasperatedlook,Igulpedthebitedown
andcontinued.

“Hislipsandtonguefollowedthepaththathishandshadtaken.Ibecame
soworkedupthatIwaswrithingandbrazenlypushingmyselfuptowards
him.Hisheadwasbetweenmylegsasheusedhisfingerstospreadme
wideopen.Hepausedforamomenttolookupatmewiththemost
gorgeousgreeneyesI’veeverseen.Helookeddirectlyatmeanduttered
thewords,‘You’resobeautiful.’Iwaspantingandachingwithneedashe
begantolowerhismouthtome.”

“Uh-huh,”Courtneysaid,urgingmeonwhenIpaused.

“Thenthealarmwentoff.”

“O-M-Geeee!”Courtneyscreechedasshepretendedtobangherheadon
thetable.“Itwasalladream?You’vegottabekiddingme.What
happenedonyourblinddate?”

“Thedatewasadud.Hespentthewholeeveningcomplainingabouthis
exes,andthenhewantedtosplitthecheck.Imeansplitthecheckdown

tothepenny-asin,Iatemoreoftheappetizerthanhedid,soshouldpay
formorethanhalfofit.”Irolledmyeyes.“Hedefinitelywasn’ttheguy
ofmydreams.Oranyoneelse’s,”Iaddedsomewhatcontrarily.



I’msuremyeccentricboss,Annie,hadmeantwellwhenshesetmeup
withMarcus,tellingmethatshewassurehe’dbetheloveofmylife,but
hewasclearlynotthemanforme.“Maybethereisn’tamanthat’sright
forme,”Igrouched.

“Pleasetellmeyouusedthebattery-operatedgadgetIboughtyouto
finishofftheworkthatdream-guystarted,”Courtneysaid.Shenarrowed
hereyesatme,assessing,thensaid,“Icantellyoudidn’t.You’retoo
grumpy.There’snothingwrongwithavibrator,Abby.Itcaneasesomeof
thattensionthat’sbeenbuildingupforwaytoolong.”

“Youmeanforever?”Iquipped.

Courtneysmiledatme,butitdidn’treachhereyes.Sheknewhow
sensitiveIwasaboutthissubject.Afterall,howmany28-year-old
divorceeshadneverhadanorgasm?Ifeltliketheonlyone.

“Icantellwhereyourmindisgoing,sojuststop.”Courtneygavemethe
lookthatsheuseswhenshemeansbusiness.“Don’tgodownthispath
again.Thereisnothingwrongwithyou.Thattwo-pump-and-dump
bastard,whowasmarriedtoyoufortwoyearsbutdidn’ttakethetimeto
learnhowtopleaseyou,istheonewhoshouldbefeelingbadabout
himself.”

Isnortedwithlaughteratthenameshehadcalledmyex-husbandthen
startedgigglinguncontrollably.“Youaretheonewhoneedstostop.
You’regoingtomakemargaritashootoutofmynose.Wheredoyou
comeupwiththisstuff?”

“I’vebeensavingthatone,waitingfortheperfecttimetozingit.”She
grinnedandliftedherglasstoclinkwithmine.


Chapter2

AsIgotreadyforworkthenextmorning,IwasthankfulthatIhad
remainedcoherentenoughthenightbeforetodrinkabottleofwaterwhen
Igothome.Courtneywouldappreciatememakingherhaveoneasa
preemptivestrikeagainstahangoveraswell,eventhoughshewaspissy
aboutitatthetime.Thesecondpitcherofmargaritasmayhavebeenabit
much.

Idownedacoupleofaspirinandanotherbottleofwaterfortheslight
headacheIhad.ThenIsnuckintoCourtney’sroomandquietlyleftthe
sameitems,alongwithapieceofbutteredcinnamonbreadandsome
orangeslices,onherbedsidetable.Shelookedsopeacefulandsweet
lyingthere.Itmademewishtherewasawayformetomakeherseein
herselfallofthewonderfulqualitiesthatIsawinher.

Onawhim,Itiptoedthroughhergirlybedroomandwenttoherensuite
bathroomtograbafuchsialipstickoutofherenormousmakeupcase.I
drewahugeheartonhermirror.InsideitIwrote,“Youmakeeverything
better.”

Sinceitwassuchabeautifulday,Idecidedtowalktowork.Ileftthe100year-oldlakesidecottagethatCourtneyandIsharedandheadeddownthe
shoresideofthesidewalk.Thebreezeoffthelakewasalittlechilly,but
thesunwasshining,andthelakewascalm.Ifeltgreataboutleaving
thoselittlepick-me-upsforCourt.

ShewasalwaysquicktosaythatIhadsavedherlife.Whenshehad
arrivedinHarborShorespennilessandalone,Ihadtakenherinandgiven
heraplacetostay.Iknewthetruth,though.Sheistheonewhohadsaved
me.

Shehadarrivedinourquainttownjustafewmonthsaftermyparents’
deathsinthathorrificcaraccident.Theyhadbeentakenfromthisworld
intheprimeoftheirlivesduetoacarelessdrunkdriver.Ihadjustleftmy
ex,Larry,afterwalkinginonourrealestateagent,Trudythefloozy,
suckinghiscockinthelivingroomofourcondo.Wehaddecidedtosell


ourcondoandmoveoutofthecityinhopesoffinallystartingourfamily.
Instead,ImovedalonetoHarborShorestothecute,lakesidecottagemy
parentshadleftme.

IsupposeIshouldthankTrudybecauseIhadbeenunhappyinmy
marriageforalongtime.Ithadnevercrossedmymindtoleavehim
though,becauseIfelt,asmyparentshadfelt,thatmarriageisforever.
SeeingTrudyonherknees,withherfaketitsbolsteredupbymycouchas
shecuppedmyhusband’sballsinhernastyhandswiththeirblood-red,
cheap,press-onfingernails,andherbrightredlipsslidingupanddown
hisdick,sealedthedealformeongettingadivorce.Icouldn’terasethat
hideousmentalimage,nomatterhowhardItriedtoun-seeit.

WhenIdescribedthesceneIhadwalkedinontoCourtney-includingthe
sightofLarrywithhisheadtippedback,mouthagape,lookingatmewith
aglassy,uncaringstare-unwantedtearshadstartedtowellinmyeyes.

Courtneypattedmykneeandsaid,“Honey,that’sjusthead-face.Theyall
getitwhenthey’regettingablowjob.”Thenshedroppedherfaceintoan
exactreplicaoftheblanklookLarryhadgivenme,andwebothwhooped
withlaughter.

Thememorymademesmile.ThemessageIhadleftonCourt’smirror
wasperfect.Shereallydoesmakeeverythingbetter.

AsIwalkedalongthelakeshore,Inoticedthattouristswerestartingto
trickleintotown.Itwasmid-April,stillearlyforsnowbirdsand
vacationers,buteachyearthetourismseasonseemedtobestartingearlier
andlastinglaterintothefall.Forasmall,quiettownlikeHarborShores,
Michigan,thatwasgreatnewsforthelocalbusinesses,likethetrendy
shopthathademployedmesinceImovedhere.

AssoonasIopenedthedoortoEck,Meck&Dreck,mywackyboss
Annieattackedwithquestions.“Howwasit?Didyoutwohititoff?Was
itloveatfirstsight?Areyougoingoutagain?Whyaren’tyoutellingme
allaboutit?”

“Iwaswaitingforyoutotakeabreath.”IsmiledatAnnie.Shelooked
lovelytodaywithasunshineyellowscarftiedinherunruly,redcurlsand


abohemianskirtflowingaroundher.IntypicalAnniefashion,shewas
wearingturquoiseConversehigh-tops.Thecombinationwouldnotbe

flatteringonmost,butsomehowshemadeitwork.

ShelookedsohopefulthatIhatedtodisappointherbytellingherabout
mylessthanstellardatewithMarcus.Idecideditwouldbebesttoripthe
bandageoffquickly.“It’sano-go,”Isaid.

“Notevenonemoredate?”shetried.Tohercredit,whenIshookmy
head,sheletitdropimmediately.“Noworries,”shesaidasshebreezed
pastme.“Plentyofsardinesinthecan.”

Ichuckledatthemottoshehadchosen,asuniqueasAnnieherself.Annie
hadbecomelikeasecondmothertomewhenmyownmotherhadpassed
away.Shehadbeentheretohelpmethroughthecompletedevastationof
thelossofmyparents,andthecrumblingofmymarriageinawaythat
onlyamothercould.

SheknewthatthemoneyfrommyinheritancemadeitsothatIdidn’t
needtoworkforfinancialreasons.Ineededtoworkformysanity,
though,andsheinsistedonpayingme.Onthesly,Isetasidealmostallof
themoneyIearnedfromworkingintoamutualfundforCourtneyor
Annie,shouldtheyeverneedit.ItfeltgoodtoknowthatthetwowomenI
caredmostaboutwouldneverhavetoworryaboutmonetaryproblems.

Ibeganturningonthemyriadoftwinklelightsthatdottedthestoreas
Annieproppedthebrightpurplefrontdooropen,jinglingthebellsonthe
handleandyellingdownthesidewalk,“Tchotchkes!Getyourone-of–akindartsy-fartsytreasureshere!”

Asusual,peoplecouldn’tresistAnnie’smagneticcharm,anditwasn’t
longuntilthestorewasbustlingwithactivity.Ilikedbeingbusyand
helpingpeoplefindtheperfectgiftforalovedoneoraspecialsouvenir.It

wasterrificgettingtoseepeoplewhentheywereattheirmostrelaxedand
happy.

IsmiledasIwatchedAnnieopenahugecardboardboxthatcontainedthe
newteapotlinewewouldbecarrying.Theceramicteapotswereanimal
shaped,andtheywerebeautiful.Annieexclaimedovereachonelikea


childonChristmasmorning.“Lookatthegiraffe!Oh,Ithinkthedolphin
ismyfavorite!Suchbeautifulcolorsonthisparrot!Oh,Abby,look.The
cowhasacalf.”Shebubbledwithuninhibitedjoyasthecrowdthathad
gatheredaroundherleanedintoseewhatshewoulddiscovernext.

Suddenly,Ifeltalmostoverwhelmedwithgratitude.CourtneyandAnnie
weretwoofthemostwonderfulpeopleonEarth,andtheyweremy
familynow.IwashealthyandhadaterrificjobthatIloved.Myparents
hadleftmeamagnificentcottagewithinstepsofthebeachinabeautiful
town,whichIhadbeenabletoescapetoaftermydivorce.Iwasan
incrediblyluckylady.

Theonlythingmissingwasamaninmylife,butwhoneededoneof
those,anyway?Inmybriefhistorywiththem,theyseemedtobefarmore
troublethantheywereworth.


Chapter3

ThenextmorningwhenIstumbledintomybathroom,Ifoundamessage
scrawledinpretty,lightpinklipstickonmymirror.“Say‘Hi!’toacute
guytoday.”Thewordswerefollowedbyahuge,winkingsmileyface

withlongeyelashes.

Oh,Courtney,Ithought,IjustcametotheconclusionthatIdon’tneeda
man.Ileftthemessageonmymirror,though,asaremindertohavefun
andnottakethingssoseriously.

SinceIhadthewholedayoff,withnospecialplans,Idecidedtogofora
workoutinthepark.Afteraquickshower,Idonnedmycapriyogapants
andasportstank,thenIcoatedmyexposedskinwithsunscreen.Iknew
mymotherwassmilingdownonmeforthat.Shehadalwaysinsistedon
moisturizingandprotecting.Ipulledmythick,brownhairbackintoa
simpleponytail,skippedmakeup(otherthancherryChapstick,ofcourse),
andtiedmybrightpurpletennisshoes.

Lookingatmyreflectioninthemirror,IdecidedthatIwasasolidsix
withmyglossy,chestnuthairandbigbrowneyes.Iwasn’tgoingtowin
anybeautycontests,butwithmake-upandasexydress,Icouldpassfora
six-and-a-half,maybeaseven.AtleastIwouldn’tscareanyoneoff.
“ReadyasI’lleverbe,”Isaidtonooneinparticular,sinceCourtney
likelywouldn’trolloutofbeduntilitwastimeforthelunchshiftatJoe’s.

Buster,oneofCourtney’sstraysthatshewasconstantlytakingin,shifted
hisheadalongthefloortowatchmego.Itoldmyselfthatitwouldbea
muchbetterworkoutwithouthim,butthespottedbassethoundhadsuch
sweet,sadeyesthatIcouldn’tresisthim.

“Doyouwanttogo?”‘Go’musthavebeenthemagicwordbecausehe
thumpedhistailtwiceandstartedtomaneuverhissquatlittlelegsinan
attempttogainenoughtractiontostanduponthehardwoodfloor.Itwas
suchanoperationthatIwastemptedtogohelphim,butinsteadIgrabbed

theleashandwaitedforhimtojoinmeatthedoor.Lookingathispudgy
littlebody,Idecidedthatalackoffoodwasdefinitelynotaproblemin


Buster’slifebeforeCourtneyrescuedhim.

IsetmyiPodtoplay“BrownEyedGirl,”whichwasthesongmyDad
usedtosingtome.AsIwalked,Irelishedthememoryofhimusinga
toothbrushforamicrophoneasheserenadedme.BusterandImadeour
waytotheparkatBuster’space.IfoundthatIlikedbeingforcedtoslow
downalittle.ItfeltlikeIwasalwaysrushingsomewhere,eventhoughI
didn’tknowwhyIwashurrying.Habit,Iguess.

AlmosteveryonewepassedsmiledatBuster.IcouldseewhyCourtney
hadfallenforhimsoquicklyandtakenhimin.Hewascuteinadroopy
kindofway.Unlikethatawfulyellowcat,Tabitha,whoskitteredoffor
hadahissingfitanytimeIcamenear.IthinkCourtneybelieved,atfirst,
thatIwasmeantoTabbehindherback.Nowthatwehadbecomeso
close,CourtneyknewthatIwouldneverintentionallyharmananimal.
Thatcatjustdidn’tlikemeforsomereason.Sheprobablyjustwanted
Courtalltoherself.

AsBusterandIwalkedalong,Iliftedmyfacetothesunandenjoyedthe
lightbreezeoffthewater.Itwasatrulygloriousday.IheardhimbeforeI
sawhim.“Buddy,come!”heyelled.Justthen,abiggoldenretriever
barreledtowardshimwithanorangeFrisbeeinitsmouth.Iwaswalking
upbehindthem,soIcouldn’tseeifhewasa‘cuteguy,’buthisbroad
shouldersandgreatasssuggestedthatheprobablywas.

Whenthedogreachedhimandhebentdowntolovinglyruffleitsearsas

hetooktheFrisbee,Imadeasnapdecisiontosayhitohim.Itwas
completelyoutofcharacterandto-the-moon-and-backoutofmycomfort
zonetowalkupandspeaktoastranger.Ikeptremindingmyselfthatit
wasonlyonewordasIforcedmyselftowalktowardshim.

WhenBusterandIgotwithinafewfeetofhim,hisdoggaveaquick
“Woof!”ingreeting.Heturned,andIwasmetwithoneofthemost
gorgeousmenIhadeverlaideyeson.Hisdarkhairwasjustasmidgetoo
long,andheusedaneleganthandtoswoopitbackoffhisforehead.And
thoseeyes–theywerethemostamazinggreeneyesI’deverseen.They
maynothavebeentheeyesfrommynaughtydream,buttheywere
fantasticanddrapedbylong,darklashesthatmostwomencouldn’tdream
ofhaving,evenwiththehelpofmascara.Hetookmybreathaway.



Ifeltcompletelytongue-tied,andweweretoocloseformetojustwalk
awaylikeIhadn’tintendedtospeaktohim.“Ummm,”Istalled.Jeez!
Whatiswrongwithme?MybreathwascomingfastandIcouldfeelmy
faceflushing.Ihadtodosomething.Afterwhatseemedlikeaneternity,
butwasprobablyonlyafewseconds,Ifinallygotthewordout.“Hi,”I
mumbled,crossingmyarmsawkwardlyandintendingtomakeaquick
exit.

“Hi!”herespondedandflashedmewithagrinthatjustaboutbowledme
over.Hewaswayoutofmyleague,andIjustwantedtogetawayfrom
himbeforeIembarrassedmyselffurther.Ofcourse,Busterchosethat
momenttoplophisbuttonthegroundandsitforaspell.Icoaxedhim
witha“ComeonBuster,let’sgogetatreat!”Iwhistledandtuggedat
him,butthedamndogrefusedtobudge.

Handsomemanandhishappy,energeticdogstoodtherewatchingthe
wholeexchange.Bothofthemhadbiggrinsontheirfaces,looking
extremelyamusedatmypredicament.Takingmercyonme,theman
finallysaid,“Itdoesn’tlooklikeyouaregoinganywhereforawhile.I’m
Seth.SethDavis.”Heextendedahandtoshakewithmine.

“AbigailBrown,nicetomeetyou,”Isaid,shakinghishandgently.Nice
tomeetyou??Mythoughtsscreamedatme.Howclever.Itriedtopush
thenegativeself-talkoutofmymind,butitseemedtobejustasstubborn
asBuster,whowaspantingandlollingonthegroundasifheintendedto
staythereindefinitely.“ComeonBuster.Weneedtogo,”Itriedagain.

Busterfinallyharrumphedandstartedtheprocessofstandingup.
SumptuousSeth,asIhaddecidedtocallhimsilentlyinmyhead,
surprisedmebysaying,“Wait.”

Thisgavemeanexcusetopauseandlookdirectlyathim.Hewasasight
–alltall,darkandhandsome,butthatstandarddescriptiondidn’tdohim
justice.Hewasallofthosethings,buthewasalsooneofthemost
ruggedlygood-lookingmenIhadeverseen.Hisjeansandteeshirtwere
snugenoughtogiveahintofthetight,tanbodythattheycovered.I
lickedmylipsandrealizedthathisfullattentionwasfocusedonme.It
wasalmostasifhewaswaitingformetosaysomething.Ohno!Didhe


askmeaquestion?

“Huh?”Iasked.Oh,waytodazzlehimwithyourwittyrepartee,Ab.

Hedidn’tseemtobephasedbymyinnerturmoil.“IsaidthatBuddyandI
werejustgettingreadytoheadtoTreats,thebakeryonBeachStreet.
Wouldyouliketojoinus?”

Iknewtheplacehewastalkingabout.Itwasalocalfavorite.Theyhada
fewalfrescotablesthatoverlookedthewater.Peopletooktheirdogsthere
allthetime.Thebakeryevenofferedspecialtydogtreats,andtheykept
waterbowlsoutsidefortheircaninevisitors.

Ididn’thavetothinkaboutit.“I’dloveto,”Iansweredinstantly,andthe
fourofussetoff.

Thatiswhenithappened.Hewassohandsome,andIwassonervousthat
mydiarrheaofthemouthsetin.Istartedchatteringnon-stopandcouldn’t
seemtostopmyself.

Itonlytookafewminutestowalktothebakery,butbythetimewe
arrived,Ihadalreadytoldhimaboutmyjob,Courtney,andthatIwas
divorced.TheonlythingsIknewabouthimwerethathisnamewasSeth
Davis,hewassuper-hotandhehadadog,namedBuddy.

Ifinallytookabreathoncewehadarrived,andSethtookthatmomentto
say,“Ifyouwanttostaywiththedogsandgrabusatable,I’llgoinand
order.Whatwouldyoulike?”

“EnglishBreakfastteawithcreamandsugar,please.”

“Comingrightup,Ma’am,”hesaidbeforeflashinghisamazingsmileat
meanddashinginside.AsIfloppeddowninanavailablechair,Ishook
myheadindisbeliefatmyincrediblefortuneandthewaymynon-stop

ramblingwaslikelyruiningit.

“I’mgladyou’rehere,Buddy,”Isaidtothedog.Hethumpedhistailupon
hearinghisname.“IhaveactedlikesuchanassthatI’mquitecertainhe
wouldsneakoutthesidedoorifhedidn’tneedtogetyouback.”



IttookquiteawhileforSumptuousSethtocomeback.Ialmosthad
myselfconvincedthathehadleftoutthebackentranceandwouldcome
backlatertocollecthisdog.Itookadeepbreathandvowednottobeat
myselfuplikethis.Ifhewasgone,Iwasn’tanyworseoffthanIwas
whenIstartedmywalk,Irationalized;andifhewasstillhere,Ineededto
slowdownandlethimdosomeofthetalking.

MybreathhitchedalittlewhenIsawhimopeningthedoortocomeoutto
ourtable.Hewassodamngoodlooking,andIcouldn’tbelievehewas
herewithme.Iclearlywasn’ttheonlyonewhonoticedhowhandsomehe
was.Everywoman-andevenamanortwo-gawkedashewalkedpast.
Sethdidn’tevenseemawareofalltheattentionhedrew.

Hehadhishandsfullwithtwocups,apinkbox,andawhitebagfilled
withbakerygoodies,soIstartedtogetuptotakesomethingfromhim.In
thatmoment,BusterlungedfasterthanI’deverseenhimmove.He
managedtotanglehisleashwithBuddy’s,whichcausedBuddytotryto
dartaroundmetogetoutoftheway.Mylegsbecametangledinthe
leashesjustasIwastakingasteptowardSeth,andIstartedtofall
forward.Ifellface-firstintoSeth’schest.Hecaughtmebywrappingboth
ofhisstrongarmsaroundme–somehowbalancingthedrinksand
goodies-anditfeltlikeheaven.

Humiliationquicklycreptinashehelpedmegetuntangledandbackto
mychair.“I’msuchaklutz,”Imuttered,shakingmyhead.“Andyou
caughtmeandmanagedtokeepaholdofallthestuffinyourhands,”I
saidasIblewonmytea.

Sethbroughtawarmblueberrydoughnutoutoftheclassicpinkbakery
boxandsetitonanapkininfrontofme.“Itcouldhavehappenedto
anyone,”hereassuredmekindly.Thenhechuckled,“I’veneverseena
bassethoundmovethatfast.”

“Iknow,right?Iwonderwhathewasafter.”

“Well,Ihatetorewardhimforalmostknockingusbothdown,butIdid
enjoycatchingyou.”Hiseyestwinkledashegrinnedatme.Heliftedtwo
dogtreatsoutofthewhitebakerybag.“Doyouthinkhe’dpreferpeanut


butterorchicken?”

“Fromthewayhelicksourjarscleanwhenwearedonewiththem,I
knowhe’safanofpeanutbutter.”

Sethleaneddowntogivethedogstheirbone-shapedcookies,andItooka
deepbreathtocalmmyself.ThenIshiftedtheconversationandstarted
askinghimsomequestions.Ilearnedthathewasaboatbuilder,thathe
lovednatureandthathewasn’tjusthandsome.Hewasalsofunny,smart,
andsweet.

Mr.Finley,thegrandfatherlybakeryowner,stoppedbyourtabletoseeif

weneededanything.WhenheleanedoverSeth’sshouldertorefillthehot
waterinourteamugs,hecaughtmyeyeandwaggledhisbushy
eyebrows,makingmesmile.

IkeptlookingforthefatalflawthatmustbepresentinSeth,butIsure
didn’tseeone.Withthislevelofperfection,womenmustbethrowing
themselvesathimallthetime.Itdidn’tmakesenseforhimtobe
spendingtimewithme,whileseemingtoenjoyhimself.Ialmosthad
myselfconvincedthathewasgaywhenheaskedifhecouldseeme
again.

ImadeavaliantattempttocontroltheexcitementinmyvoiceasI
respondedthatIcouldprobablyworkhimintomybusyschedule,texted
himmycellphonenumberandtoldhimgoodbye.ThenIproceededto
floatoncloudnineallthewayhome,thinkingaboutwhatafantasticday
thishadturnedouttobe.


Chapter4

“Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!”Isaid,grabbingCourtneyand
huggingherassoonasshewalkeddownstairs.

“Umm,you’rewelcome,”shesaid,huggingmeback.“What’dIdothat
wassogreat?”

“YousuggestedthatIsayhitohim,andheissohandsome,butIdidn’t
knowhowhandsomeuntilheturnedaround.He’ssodreamythatitnearly
tookmybreathaway,butit’snotjusthislooks.He’salsokindandfunny
anddown-to-earth,andhehasagoldenretriever,”Igushed,breathless.

Iknewthegoldenretrieverpartwouldwinherover.“Well,anyguywho
hasagreatdoglikethathastobesomewhatokay,butslowdown.Whois
thisguy,andwhatdoyouknowabouthim?”

Itookamomenttoenjoyhowprotectiveshewasofme,andthenIstarted
abouttellingherallaboutSumptuousSeth.Courtneylikedmynickname
forhim,butdecidedthatSSwasmucheasiertosay.

“SSdoessoundgreat,”Courtneyadmitted.“Justbesafeandonlymeet
himinpublicplacesatfirst.Youneverknow.Hecouldbeanaxmurderer
orsomeotherkindoffreak.”

“We’recomingtoJoe’sonFridaynight,soyoucancheckhimoutfor
yourself.Letmeknowifyouthinkhehasdeadbodiesburiedinhis
basement.”

Webothsnickered,butthenCourtturnedserious.“Imeanit.Youhaven’t
beenoutinthedatingworldforawhile,andit’sajungleoutthere.”

“Technically,I’veneverbeeninthedatingworld,otherthanthatfiascoof
ablinddatethatAnniesentmeon.”Ihadbeensoawkwardwithmy
pimplesandbracesinhighschoolthatboyshadbarelyglancedatme.
LarryandIhadmetduringmyfirstweekofcollege.Irememberedthe
thrillingfeelingofrealizingthathewasactuallyflirtingwithme.



Larrywasn’tSumptuousSethhandsome,buthecertainlywasn’t
unattractive.Intheinitialstagesofourrelationshiphehadbeenattentive

andsweet.Hehadcompletelysweptmeoffmyfeet.Wedatedtheentire
timeIwasincollege.Duringthattime,wehadsomeseriousmake-out
sessions.Iregularlygavehimhand-jobsandhadevensuckedhimoffa
fewtimes,butIwasdeterminedtoremainavirginuntilmarriage,evenif
Iwasonlyatechnical-virgin.

ThesummerafterIgraduatedfromtheUniversityofMichigan,wegot
married.ThatwaswhenIlearnedaboutmyinabilitytoorgasm.Iloved
thatCourtneywassowillingtoblameitallonLarry,butdeepdown,I
knewthetruthwasthatinthoseinitialmonthsofourmarriage,Larryhad
trulytriedtopleasureme.Whenhehadhisfingersordickinsideme,it
feltgood(sometimesreallygood),butitneverquitesentmeoverthe
edge.

Wehadexperimentedwithdifferentpositions,lubricants,nipple
stimulation,watchingpornandwatchingourselves,butnothingworked.
Wedecidedtotrydifferentlocationstospicethingsup.Wefuckedinthe
car,onthefloor,onthecounter,outside,onhisofficedesk,intheshower,
inarestaurantmen’sroom,atagoodfriend’sparty.Whateverwecould
thinkof,wetried.

Thefinalstrawcamewhenwerentedasleazymotelroomandagreedto
meetthere.Feelingnaughty,Ihadgreetedhimwearingatrenchcoatwith
nothingunderneath.Hehadrippeditoffmeandwespenttheentirenight
goingatithard.Oursweat-slickedbodiesmadesmackingsoundsashe
poundedintomefrombehind.Suddenly,hesurprisedmebyslowing,
thenstopping.“Youcouldatleastfakeit,youknow,”hegrowledinmy
earbeforeshovingoutofmeandslammingthebathroomdoor.

IfeltlikeI’dbeenslapped.Icouldn’tbelievethathewouldevensuggest

thatIfakeit.Howwouldthatmakeanyonefeelbetter?Fromthatnight
on,oursexlifeconsistedofaweeklymissionary-stylesessionofhim
gruntingandrammingintome,whileIcountedtheceilingtilesand
waitedforittobeover.

“Youstillinthere?”Courtneywaswavingherhandinfrontofmyface.



“Sorry,IguessIgotcaughtupthinkingaboutthepastforaminute.Ido
haveaquestionforyou.”

“Shoot,”CourtneyencouragedmewhenIdidn’timmediatelycontinue.

“Well,asyoumentioned,Ihaven’tdatedinawhile.So,Iwasn’tsure
whatthecurrentprotocolis.Imean,Iwaswondering,um.”

WhenIpausedagain,Courtneygavemeacuriouslook.“Spititout.”

“Whenshouldwedoit?”Iaskedher,squeezingmyeyesclosedin
embarrassment.Iopenedoneeyetogaugeherreaction.Shewasn’t
laughing,soIcontinued.“Iwon’tbeexpectedtoputoutonthefirstdate,
willI?”

“Probablynot,”shereassuredme.“Ifallgoeswell,akisswithalittle
tonguewouldbeappropriate.Maybeevenalittleoutsidetheshirtbooby
action.Ifallgoesfantastic,andyouwanttobanghisbrainsout,Idoubt
hewouldcomplain,though,”shelaughed.

Icouldhandlekissing.Itwasgoodtoknowhewouldn’tlearnofmy

sexualfailingsonthefirstdate.WhenCourtneystartedtoleavethe
kitchen,Icalledouttoher.“Wait.WhatshouldIwear?”

Courtneysmiledassheputherarmaroundmeandsaid,“Youhaveasked
therightperson.Let’sgofindyouacuteoutfitthatshowsoffyourperfect
ta-tas.”IshookmyheadasIfollowedher.


Chapter5

TimeseemedtoslowlycrawlbywhileIwaswaitingforFriday.Whenit
finallyarrived,mynerveskickedintohighgear.Allweek,Ihadbeen
writingpick-me-upreminderstomyselfonstickynotes,andtheycircled
mymirror.Itookamomenttoreadthroughthem.Breathe.Youarean
intelligentwoman.Don’tchatternon-stop.Smile.Donotworry.Youare
worthy.Youdeservetobehappy.Theyweresimple,butreadingthem
helpedmecalmdown.

IsmiledatthenewonethatCourtneyhadaddedinthecenterofmy
mirror.Havefun.Itookasipfromtheglassofchilledwhitewinethatshe
haddeliveredtomybathroombeforeleavingforhershiftatJoe’s.

SinceIstillhadoveranhourbeforeIneededtomeetSethatthe
restaurant,Idecidedtotakeabubblebath.Thewineandbathmusthave
beenjustwhatIneededbecauseIwasalmostcalmasIdonnedmydenim
miniskirtandthev-neck,lightpinkteeshirtthatCourtneyhadchosenfor
theoccasion.Istillcouldn’tbelievethatshehadloanedmeherfavorite
cowboybootswiththepastelflowersswirlingaroundthem,butthey
lookedfantastic,andgavemejusttheextraboostofconfidencethatI
neededasIwalkedtoJoe’s.

Joe’swasoneoftheonlyfull-service,waterfrontrestaurantsintown,and
itwasbustlingwithactivitywhenIarrived.Thankfully,Courtneyhad
promisedtosaveusatable.SheranovertogreetmeassoonasIwalked
in.“Youlookfantastic!”shegushed.“Heisn’tgoingtobeabletokeep
hishandsoffyou.”Herenthusiasmwascontagiousasshecoveredmy
eyesandledmeovertothetablethatsheandInormallysharedongirls’
night.

“Ta-da!”sheyelledwhensheremovedherhandstorevealhowthetable
hadbeentransformed.Twinklelightssparkledfromabovetheboothand
alongthebackofthetable,alitcandlecreatedasubtleglow,anda
bouquetoffreshwildflowershadbeenplacedinawaterglassatthe
centerofthetable.



“Oh,Court.It’sbeautiful!Youtreatmelikeaprincess,”Isaidwith
wateryeyes.

“Youdeserveonlythebest,”shewhisperedinmyearbeforeslidingupto
thebartograbatrayofdrinksforoneofhertables.

IknewwhenSetharrivedbecausethegroupofladiessittingacrossfrom
mestoppedtalkingandturnedtogazeathim.Hewalkedtomytableand
grinnedatme.“You’reevenmorebeautifulthanIremembered.”

IblushedandthenchuckledasCourtneywalkedbehindhimfanning
herselfwithahand,andsilentlymouthingthewords“hubbahubba.”She
wasright.SethlookedlikeaGreekgod,andIcouldnotbelievehewas

herewithme.Hisdarkhairwasslightlydamp,asifhe’djustgottenoutof
theshower.Hewasclean-shavenandsmelledlikeIrishSpring.Hisblack
teeshirtwasjusttightenoughtoshowoffhisflatabsandbulgingbiceps.
And,speakingofbulges,hisjeansweresnugenoughtogiveatantalizing
hintofhisjunk.Ihadtoprymyeyesaway.

Ashesatdown,hecommented,“Wow,itlookslikewescoredthebest
seatsinthehouse.”

Igrinned,“Iknowpeople.”

Courtneystoppedbywithaquick,“Hi,I’mCourt.Takegoodcareofmy
girlorwe’llhavewords.”ShewaggledawarningfingeratSethwitha
smile,beforehustlingofftohernexttable.Shehadarrangedforoneof
theotherwaitressestotakecareofus.Thathadsurprisedmeatfirst,but
beingherthoughtfulself,shehadprobablyfiguredIwouldbemore
comfortablewithoutherstoppingbythetableperiodicallyallevening.

SethandIsplitabottleofwhitewinefromalocalvineyardandan
appetizerplatterfulloffried,fabulous,fatteninggoodies.Thenwetopped
italloffwithabrowniesundae.Itwasaperfecteveningfilledwith
interestingconversation,laughter,andgreatfood.

Sethsurprisedmebyturningtowardsthebarandasking,“Howlongdo
youthinkitwillbebeforeyourfriendandthebartenderhookup?”



Igavehimasidewayslook.“Courtney?AndJoe?He’sherboss,”I
responded,shakingmyhead.

“Well,they’vebeengivingeachothergooglyeyesallnight,”he
countered.

Isatbackinmyseat,thinkingthatoneoverforaminute.Couldhebe
right?Courtlovedsexandmen,butshehadnevershownaninterestin
keepingonearoundformorethanacoupleofdates.AsIcontemplatedit,
IrealizedthatshedidactdifferentaroundJoe.Ihadalwayschalkeditup
tohimbeingheremployer.

IwatchedJoeworkingthebarwithhiscustomarylaidbackease.Hewas
kindofcute,withhisslightlyscruffy,dirty-blondehair.Hisstyletended
towardsteeshirtsandflip-flops,whileCourtwasaglamourgirl.“Hmm,”
IsaidaloudasItiltedmyhead,ponderinghim.

Sethcoughed.“Pleasedon’tgazeatanotherguywhileyouareoutwith
me.You’regoingtogivemeaninferioritycomplex.”Hesmiledafterhe
saidittoletmeknowhewasteasing.

“Well,thenyoubetterworktokeepmyattention,”Iretortedquickly,
openlyflirtingwithhim.

“Let’sgetoutofherethen,andfindsomeplacewhereIcanhaveyouall
tomyself.Howaboutawalkalongthewater?”heasked.

“I’dloveto,”Iresponded,decidingtogivemorethoughttotheCourtney
andJoeidealater.

AsSethpaidJoeatthebar,Courtneyslidbehindmeandwhisperedinmy
ear.“Don’tdoanythingIwouldn’tdo.”

IchuckledasIturnedtoherandasked,“Whatwouldthatbe?”

“Thereisn’tmuchthatwouldbeoff-limitswiththatfinehunkofman,”
shemumbledunderherbreathasIturnedtoleavewithSeth.“Havefun!”
Sheyelledthewordstobothofus,asSethputagentlehandatthesmall
ofmybackandguidedmeoutoftherestaurant.


Chapter6

Wewalkedhand-in-handalongthesandyshore.Thenearlyfullmoon
glimmeredonthewater.Itwasunseasonablywarm,soeventhebreeze
offthewaterwasn’ttoochilly.IwaspleasantlytipsyandhappierthanI
everrememberedbeinginmyentirelife.

IwasinmyownworldwithSethandbarelytooknoticeofthecouple
walkingtowardsus,untilthemanspoke.Iwouldhaverecognizedhis
voiceimmediately,evenifhehadn’tcalledmebythenicknamehehad
usedtheentiretimethatweweremarried,despitethefactthatIdidn’t
careforit.

“Abracadabra.”Hedrewthewordout.“Workingyourmagiconanew
fellow,Isee.”

Sethsmiledandintroducedhimself,extendinghisarmtoshakehands.

IalmostfeltsorryforTrudytheskankwhenLarryintroducedhimselfas
myhusband.“Ex-husband,”sheandIinterjectedsimultaneously.

“Right,ofcourse,weallknewthat.Whatgoodfortune,torunintoyouon
ourlittleweekendgetaway.”Ihadtoforcemyselftorefrainfromrolling
myeyesathisbroadinterpretationofthewords‘goodfortune.’

“Well,asyoucansee,”Larrysaidloudlyandwithabigsmileashepatted
Trudy’sslightlyprotrudingbelly,“I’vebeenbusysincethedivorce.My
LittleLoveMuffinandIaregoingtobetheproudparentsofLarryJr.ina
fewmonths.”

IfeltlikeIhadbeenpunchedinthestomach.NotbecauseIstillcared
aboutLarry,butbecausethispregnancyprovedthatIwasbarren.
Throughoutourmarriage,Ihadlongedforachild.Iwantedtobea
mothermorethananything.Larryhadbeenagreeablefromthestart,and
wehadneverusedbirthcontrol.Asoneyearrolledintotwo,itbecame
apparentthatsomethingwaswrong.