Potent Spirit

Published by Phaze Books Also by Aurora Black

Melting the Ice Queen I Heart You Phaze in Verse Bitter Harvest

This is an explicit and erotic novel

intended for the enjoyment of adult readers. Please keep out of the hands of children. www.Phaze.com

Potent Spirits a Phaze Frost HeatSheet by

AURORA BLACK

Potent Spirits copyright 2007 by Aurora Black All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. A Phaze Production

Phaze Books 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC. To order additional copies of this book, contact: [email protected] www.Phaze.com Cover art © 2007, Debi Lewis Edited by Will Belegon eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-801-4 eBook ISBN-10: 1-59426-801-0 First Edition – November, 2007 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Before the night of Christmas Eve, shy and quiet Vivian Woods

resigned herself to the belief that Christmas would come and go just like any other day. But nothing could have prepared her for what happened, a series of events that opened her eyes and changed her view of Christmas forever after. **** The clock struck eleven as Vivian yawned and burrowed under the blankets she'd arranged on the sofa. Cradling a hot toddy in her hands, she silently cursed the fates for the apartment's heater being on the fritz. Just my luck, she thought. As if she didn't hate this time of year enough, she had to freeze as well. She carefully sipped her drink, a tiny smile curling her lips. It could be worse, she thought as she glanced at the television. She could have lost the electricity. Vivian finished the toddy, sighing as the warmth pooled in her belly. She placed the empty mug on the coffee table and reached for the remote control. Absentmindedly flicking through the channels, she quickly dismissed the special Christmas episodes of the sitcoms, cartoons, and the billionth broadcast of It's A Wonderful Life. She shuddered and changed the channel again. After another few seconds of channel surfing, she stopped in her tracks when she noticed that A Christmas Carol was starting. Normally she didn't care for old movies any more than she did holiday ones, especially old holiday ones, but this time she felt drawn to the dance of pale light and shadow on the TV screen. She reached for the half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels beside the couch and began to drink as she was sucked into the story. Vivian grew warm and relaxed as the time passed, so much so that it didn't matter when her thoughts drifted away from the movie and onto more pleasant territory. Caleb Blackwell, the man always on her mind. He was gorgeous, kind, brave, passionate...and completely out of her reach. Vivian's sigh was a mixture of yearning and self-directed frustration as she put down the bottle and turned over onto her back, staring at the ceiling. She first met Caleb over a year before, on the night her house burned down. The fire had been accidental, and within minutes

everything was engulfed in flames. The overpowering stench of smoke jolted her awake, but the sight of everything around her catching fire paralyzed her. She was terrified of sharing the same fate as her mother, but she couldn't move to save herself. Her eyes watered at the memory. She closed them as she remembered Caleb charging through the flames to save her, the blazing fire complimenting and accentuating his red hair and golden brown eyes. They were lion's eyes. She remembered the strength of his arms as he lifted her and carried her out of the charred ruins of her home, the bottomless depths of his eyes, the smell of his masculine sweat, and the feel of his body against hers despite the heavy fireman's gear. Vivian wanted him from the first moment she saw him, but she was afraid to risk being hurt again. Their paths crossed several times after that night, and he'd always been friendly and concerned with her, asking how she was and what she was up to. But Vivian never allowed herself to read much into it, convincing herself he was only being polite; that he wouldn't be interested in her when he could have any woman he wanted. "Ebenezer Scrooge!" The television droned on, but she didn't notice. Her hands trailed slowly beneath the layers of blanket and flannel to cup and squeeze her bra-less breasts as she imagined what she would do to him if he were in the room with her. Shove him down onto the couch, rain kisses all over his face and neck before reaching for the buttons of his shirt... "Tonight, you will be visited by Three Spirits..." Vivian cried out as she pinched her nipples, twisting and pulling them slightly before releasing them. Her breathing was harsh as she sank deeper into her fantasy. In her mind's eye, she pulled Caleb's shirt free of jeans that fit him like a glove, attacking buttons one by one until the cloth parted to reveal his mouthwatering chest. She leaned down, gently capturing a dusky male nipple between her even white teeth, lashing the tip of it with her tongue briefly before switching to the other... "At the stroke of midnight, the first one will come..." One of her hands pressed between her thighs as the other continued its breast play. She carefully inserted one, then two fingers into her dripping wetness as the images and sensations of Caleb tantalized her. She could almost hear his rough groans as she licked her way down his chiseled abdomen before dipping her tongue into his belly button. She felt his large hands run through her raven curls, cradling her head to guide her mouth to where he needed it the most.

Vivian added a third finger to the mix, curling them slightly inside her as she moved them faster. She brought her thumb to stroke her clit as she imagined herself smiling seductively at him before teasingly rubbing his erection through the thick layer of denim that kept it prisoner. She saw her hands tugging forcefully on the button fly until his briefs were revealed, and then she yanked them down before taking him into her mouth. She cried out again as she felt the pleasure build. He tasted just like she imagined, tangy yet sweet. Her tongue swirled around the shiny mushroom head, collecting as much of his nectar as she could before taking him deeper into her mouth. His grunts of lust echoed inside her head, his hips rising off the couch to grind against her pouty, glistening lips. Vivian writhed in pleasure as the fantasy Caleb's breaths grew shorter, his moans more frequent as his grip tightened in her hair. She knew he was close; she relaxed her throat to take even more of him, enough for his cock to brush the back of her tongue. His throaty growl rewarded her as he found his release. She orgasmed with her dream lover, her hips jerking hard as she screamed out her satisfaction. After a long moment, she collapsed against the couch, a wide grin on her face. Vivian gasped in surprise as the lights in the apartment went out. She hurried to cover herself before leaving the sofa in search of a flashlight. She carefully navigated her way through the total darkness, until she stubbed her toe on the leg of a chair. Wincing in pain, she located the drawer where she kept the emergency flashlight and candles. "God damn it! Just my luck for this to happen now! Fucking Christmas..." Vivian pulled out the flashlight, flipped its switch and froze when the beam revealed she was no longer alone. The slightly older woman looked at her with the same melancholy expression she had worn throughout her short life, the same habitual expression the younger one had adopted. She tried to smile at Vivian, but it fell flat. "I remember when you loved this time of year, Vivy." Vivian dropped the flashlight, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes brimmed with moisture. She couldn't breathe as she stared at the figure before her.

"Oh, my God. Mom? You're dead. No, this can't be..." The older woman stepped closer and for the life of her Vivian couldn't move away. Her eyes burned because she didn't dare blink. Her mother looked exactly as she did on the day she died. Ten years earlier, a Christmas Eve fire extinguished her mother's life. Deep inside, Vivian also died that day. Her mother could sense her thoughts, and she took Vivian's hands in her own. To Vivian's surprise, they felt warm and real. Her mother squeezed her hands firmly, forcing Vivian to look at her. "You have to listen to me, honey. I don't have much time, and it's almost midnight. You have to let your bad memories go. They're holding you back from living your life to the fullest. You're afraid to take risks, pretending to be content with hiding yourself away from others and not getting involved. You're only deluding yourself, sweetie. By avoiding relationships with people, with men, you're only hurting yourself more. Please, baby. Don't end up like I did, alone and waiting in vain for my soul mate. Your father was the love of my life, and even after he left us, what was left of my heart still ached for him to change his ways for the better and return. I died with his name on my lips. I want it to be different for you. You have the power to do whatever you want with your life, and you can have anything your heart desires if you want it badly enough. You're so beautiful and intelligent, and I'm honored to have you as a daughter. I'm so proud of you." Vivian felt the hot tears trickle down her face as the clock struck twelve. Her mother shivered briefly, tilting her head toward the noise. Vivian's grip tightened. "Mom, what is it?" The older woman's sad smile returned. "It's time for me to go." She felt her heart pounding in her chest as her mother slowly withdrew her hands and backed away, returning to the shadows from which she came. Vivian sobbed into the darkness. "Please don't go!" She could hear her mother's voice in the distance, growing fainter by the second. "When they come to you, you must allow yourself to trust them completely. Don't be afraid, they will help you move on with your life. Trust me, my sweet child, and you'll be free of the hatred that you hold in your heart. Free to love fully and to cherish each day as if it was your last..."

The voice faded, and she felt a sharp pain in her chest at the loss. The clock chimed for the last time as she bent to retrieve the flashlight and return to the living room. She sat on the sofa in a daze, unable to wrap her mind around what she'd just experienced. She actually saw her mother again, and for that brief moment she'd been as alive and real as Vivian remembered her. Vivian couldn't stop shaking. She buried her face in her hands, unaware of the shadowy male figure standing beside her. His large hand gingerly touched one of hers, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She ran from the couch, ignoring the pain of bumping into furniture in the darkness in favor of the need to grab the nearest weapon. She snatched a kitchen knife and held it before her. The man raised his hands in surrender, his eyes glittering in the beam of the flashlight, which she'd hurried to discard so she could arm herself. "Just take it easy, little lady. I'm not here to hurt you." Vivian gritted her teeth, not willing to believe anything the stranger said. He was completely naked, and it took every ounce of willpower to keep her eyes fixed on his. "Who the hell are you? You've got ten seconds before I make sushi out of you!" A masculine chuckle escaped his lips, and she bristled with anger. How dare he laugh while she had a knife pointed at him! He seemed unconcerned as he spoke. "Didn't your mother tell you about us?" She stepped closer, raising the knife point to the hollow of his throat. "What the hell do you know about my mother?" His eyes were the color of emeralds, and she could feel a strange heat envelop her body as they traveled over her. He cleared his throat. "I know that she came to warn you, Vivian. Warn you about what's in store for you. I'm guessing by your hostile reaction that she didn't go into detail before returning to the other side." Vivian shook her head, trying to make sense of what was clearly an insane situation. "What's in store for me? Exactly who the FUCK are you?" The handsome stranger took a step back and bowed, his shoulder length brown hair flowing downward like melting chocolate. "I am the first of three Christmas spirits destined to visit you on this

night. At your service." Her grip tightened on the knife handle as she stared at him in disbelief and fear. She leveled the knife at his chest as she slowly backed away. "You're crazy. Stay right where you are! I'm calling the police!" Before she could reach the phone, the stranger stepped forward and the knife sank deep into his muscled chest. Vivian screamed and released her hold on the blade, watching in horror as the stranger smiled in amusement. He reached up and removed the knife. The sound of sharpened metal on flesh was sickening. Vivian bit her lip at the sight. She stared dumbfounded as the wound glowed before disappearing as if it had never existed. Then it was all over and the knife lay harmlessly on the floor at his feet. The spirit's voice was quiet as he addressed her. "Was that enough proof for you? I'm not your enemy, Vivian. You can trust me." She remembered her mother's words upon parting. Trust them completely, she'd said. Don't be afraid of them, and they will help free you from the hate and fear so you can move on with your life. Her lower lip trembled from the lunacy of it all. "What do you want from me?" His eyes were tender as he held out his hand for her to take. "All I want is to take away the pain. Come with me." She could almost feel her mother's presence beside her again, encouraging her. Go on, honey. Take a chance. Be happy. Live free and open your heart to love. Vivian placed her trembling hand in his, and he gently lifted it to his lips. "You won't regret this," he murmured against her shivering skin. She remained silent as he wrapped his arm around her, leading her to the window. "Look outside, Vivian. What do you see?" Her dark brown eyes darted over the scene below as she licked her dry lips. "I see other apartment buildings, cars on the busy streets, falling snow." The spirit dropped his arm from her shoulders and stepped behind her, his eyes drinking in her beauty. He tenderly stroked her hair as she faced the window. With one hand he brushed away some of her wayward curls, leaning forward to graze his sensual lips against the sensitive nape of her neck.

His breath was warm against her ear, and her eyes fell shut from the sensation. "Do you know what I see? I see people who have purpose in their lives, people who love and are loved in return. I see them racing through the icy wind and snow to get home, back to the warmth of their houses and the company of loved ones." His hands trailed down her sides to cradle her hips, pulling her to him. She could feel him growing hard against her ass, and instinctively she pressed back. He let out a soft grunt, his breathing heavy as he slid his hands beneath her pajama top to cup her breasts. His husky voice seduced her as he resumed speaking. "I can feel the grief and loneliness that you carry in your breast, Vivian. Such a heavy burden. I sense that you've been burned badly in the past. As a result you've abandoned your dreams and resigned yourself to the life of a hermit. It's not too late to set things right." She reached back and traced his powerful thighs with her fingernails, entranced by the cords of muscle that quivered beneath her touch. He gave a wordless murmur of encouragement as his fingers deftly unfastened the buttons of her shirt and slid it off, exposing her breasts to the night's chill. His callused hands covered her aching nipples, and she whimpered in pleasure. Vivian leaned forward and rested her forehead against the frosty glass as her earlier apprehension was replaced by lust. Her breath came in pants, fogging the glass even further. With a great deal of effort, she managed to speak. "I...I don't usually do this with men I don't know..." His laughter was deep and rich as he gently pushed down her pajama bottoms and motioned for her to step out of them. She wore only a pair of lacy panties, but she wasn't cold. On the contrary, she was downright hot. The spirit embraced her from behind, his chest flush against her back as he cupped her mound through the thin barrier of lace. "If you must attach a name to me, call me Tobias. That was my name in life." She turned her head to the side, her eyes filled with wonder as she regarded her ghostly lover. "What are your plans, Tobias?" His soulful green eyes flashed in the darkness, his lips close to hers. "I'll show you, if you'll allow me." With a sigh of sweet surrender, Vivian closed the distance between their mouths and gasped as Tobias groaned in response and plundered

her mouth with his tongue. His fingers expertly teased her clit through the lace, causing her to moan and arch her hips, silently begging for more. He gave her more. He broke the kiss to whisper hoarsely in her ear as he pulled her panties down, freeing the core of her to his touch. "Turn around for me, love. Lean against the window so I can taste you." She turned to face him, her eyes unfocused from desire. He knelt in front of her, his expression serious as the brilliant green of his eyes met her haunted brown. "By taking this last step between us, you will be stating that you are ready to embark on tonight's journey. That you've decided to trust me as well as the others who will visit. You will see and hear things that may upset you, but please believe me when I say that when this is over, you will rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Like a butterfly, you will emerge from your cocoon to show the world just how lovely you truly are. Make your decision now, Vivian." She knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath and decided to take a risk; to place herself in the care of this tender spirit, to allow him to sweep her away and show her a new world of discovery and pleasure. She lifted one leg and rested it on Tobias' shoulder, and with her fingers opened her flower to his reverent gaze. He moaned at the sight of her delicate inner lips; how they glistened with the moisture of her arousal. He licked his lips and brought his mouth to her. Vivian held onto the windowsill with all her might to prevent herself from falling. He teased and excited her with his tongue and lips, as if he'd done it a million times. Her moans filled with hunger, her hips rocking against his tireless mouth in a dance as old as time. She felt herself soaring towards orgasm. Tobias sensed the change. He hooked her other leg around his waist as he rose from the floor. Pressing her back against the glass, he positioned his cock at her opening. Vivian didn't protest. He kissed her passionately as he entered her with one deep thrust. She wrapped her legs around him as he pounded into her, and she bit his shoulder as they both felt her contractions start. She threw her head back, crying out as she came hard. Dimly she heard Tobias' answering groan, felt his body tense as he released into her. **** The next thing Vivian knew, they were outside in the dead of night. The wind blew furiously, making the snow swirl around like the inside of

a giant snow globe. They were still naked, and she shivered from the cold as she turned to face Tobias. "Where are we? How did we get here?" He surveyed the barren, frozen farmland around them. There was a small house in the distance. He looked at Vivian and held out his arms when he noticed that she was trembling. He rubbed her exposed skin as they quickly walked towards the cozy dwelling. "Our lovemaking brought us here. Come, let's get out of the cold." As they climbed the front steps, Vivian grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute! We're naked. We can't knock on the door like this!" A corner of his mouth turned upward in a smile. "Who said anything about knocking?" He waved his hand and the door creaked open. Taking her hand, he led her inside the house. It was cheerfully decorated with Christmas lights, but she felt a chill run through her at the sight of them. Something wasn't right about this place; she could feel it in her gut. She looked around the entry hall nervously, worried that the occupants of the house would discover them and call the police. However, something else disturbed her. The house was familiar, but at the moment she couldn't pinpoint why. "Tobias, what is this place?" His eyes were unreadable as he watched her. "You mean you don't recognize it?" Vivian opened her mouth to reply when a muted cry distracted her. She wandered deeper inside to investigate, and Tobias followed close behind. Without being told where to go, she entered the kitchen and discovered the source of the noise. It was herself. To her horror, she saw her younger self, cowering on the floor in fear, sniffling and shrinking away from the black leather belt that her drunken father held in his hand. Angry red welts criss-crossed on the young girl's skin. At the sight of the painful memory, Vivian screamed in rage and charged at the large man, wanting nothing more than to claw out his eyes. "You BASTARD! How could you DO that to me? You SON-OFA-BITCH!" She ran across the room to attack him, ignoring Tobias' words of warning. "Vivian, he can't see you or hear you! You can't hurt him!" She wanted so badly to hurt him, trying in vain to strike the man

who had once meant the world to her. He who had once been her God, but had betrayed her trust in him. Just like every other man she'd encountered since. She felt Tobias' strong arms around her, and she burst into tears as she repeated the words until her mouth felt numb. "You bastard. Bastard. Bastard." Vivian stared helplessly at the scene before her, her long-buried memories returning to the surface. Her head pounded; she squeezed her eyes shut from the agony of remembrance. Tobias tapped Vivian on the shoulder and she opened her eyes to see that her mother had entered the room. Her mother's young face was pale with shock as she took in the image of her husband, standing over her little girl. For the space of several seconds she just stood there, then she ran into the hallway. Moving like lightning, she grabbed the revolver from the bureau and returned to the kitchen. The cocking of the pistol was the only sound in the room. Everyone present, whether living, dead or traveling through time and space, held their breath. The voice of Vivian's mother was calm yet deadly as she leveled the pistol at her husband's chest. Her eyes blazed with rage, even as her hand shook. "Ray, step away from her right now or I'll shoot you down where you stand." Her father laughed mockingly, and Vivian cringed in Tobias' arms at the sound. His speech was slurred as he addressed his wife. "Put that thing away, woman. We both know you won't shoot." Vivian's mother looked down at the little girl, whose terrified eyes darted between her parents while she tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. She gritted her teeth and looked back at her husband. "Oh, no?" She adjusted her aim and fired; a pitcher of milk exploded beside him. The little girl shrieked and covered her head with her arms. Vivian's heart raced like a freight train out of control. Her mother cocked the revolver a second time, aiming again for her husband's heart. Her voice was as cold as ice. "The next bullet is for YOU, you miserable asshole! I want you to leave this house! Now, and don't come back! If you dare set foot in this house again or go anywhere NEAR my daughter, I will show you a world of PAIN that you've never imagined! You will BEG me to kill you long before I actually do! Now get the fuck out of here!"

His fear was palpable. He dropped the belt onto the tiled floor and slowly backed out of the room, his eyes never leaving the pistol. A few seconds later, they all heard the slamming of the front door and Ray's frantic steps away from the house. They heard the slamming of the driver's side door of his truck, the starting of the engine. The screeching of tires came next, the crunch of gravel, and the distant roar that eventually faded into nothingness. Vivian watched her mother go to comfort the child through a veil of tears. She let them fall as she listened to her mother tell her younger self that her father was gone for good, that he'd never hurt her again and that everything was going to be all right. She turned to find Tobias staring at her intently. He leaned forward and tenderly kissed away her tears. He remained silent, and she knew that he refrained from speaking so that she would break the silence. She licked her dry lips. Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke. "She was right, you know. I never saw him again. At first it was hard for Mom to handle everything on her own, but after a while we managed just fine. We were getting on with our lives, and I locked away the ugliness of the past in a dusty corner of my mind. But Mom was wrong about that last part; just a few years later, this very house burned to the ground with her in it. I knew that nothing would be all right ever again." Vivian’s brown eyes almost turned black from the depth of her emotions as she continued. "Do you know where I was that night? I was out with my boyfriend, making out in his car. I lost my virginity. God, if only I had been there! I could have done something. I could have saved her, but I was too busy fucking!" He gripped her shoulder. "There was nothing that you could have done. If you had stayed at home, you also would have perished. It wasn't your fault." Again, she observed the scene before her as her mother held the child she once was. She stared at them for some time, trying to commit every detail to memory. When she'd had enough, she turned to Tobias. "Let's get out of here." He held his arms out to her. "Come here." She stepped into his embrace, and tilted her face upward to accept his kiss. **** They flew over the clouds, wind and snow chilling their exposed

skin. Briefly looking down at the ground below, she shivered and wrapped her arms and legs tighter around him. "Where are we going now, Tobias?" His emerald eyes lost their earlier sparkle as he replied. "You will go on to explore with the next spirit. This is as far as I go." A sharp pang speared her chest at his words, and he stroked her cheek. "Don't be sad, beauty. We both know that it isn't really me you love. I am merely the vessel through which you express your feelings for the one who is your true heart's desire." Closing her eyes, she nodded in agreement. She loved Caleb very much. Tobias whispered in her ear. "If you want him, don't be afraid to show him." Vivian looked at him in frustration. "How?" He exhaled shakily as his body began to shift and change before her eyes. "You'll see," was the last thing he said before his green eyes changed to the color of polished silver, his chocolate hair growing darker and longer until it cascaded down his back like an ebony waterfall. He grunted in pain as his face rearranged itself, his cheekbones lowering, his nose lengthening slightly. After what seemed like an eternity, he raised his head and she gasped in shock. The second spirit flashed her a broad smile. "Greetings!" She blinked rapidly, surprised at what she'd just witnessed. "Who are you? What happened to Tobias?" He held her tighter to prevent a fall as they approached their destination. "It's one o'clock, so he had to go. But I promise to keep you warm. My name's Christopher, sweetheart. Most folks call me Chris, but you can call me yours." She couldn't help but laugh at his cockiness, and he winked in response. "So, Chris, where are we going?" "We're going to crash a party." Vivian frowned. She didn't care much for parties, whether she was invited to them or not. Most of the time, she was not. "Why? What's so special about it that we have to be there?" Chris cradled her in his arms as his feet made contact with the ground. "There's something that you should see."

They had landed outside of a very large house on the outskirts of the city. She immediately recognized it as the house of Brianne Doyle. Vivian cringed as she remembered her annoying co-worker from the law office; she was the All-American blonde beauty who had all the men chasing after her. She was rich, popular and well connected; basically everything that Vivian herself was not. Brianne also had her sights on Caleb. Vivian's hands curled into fists as she remembered an incident the week before, when Brianne had caught her looking longingly through the office window at the fire station below. Caleb had been outside washing the truck, and when Brianne the bitch noticed Vivian's obvious interest in the handsome fireman, she couldn't wait to try and sink her claws into him. As soon as the lunch break came, Brianne went down to the street and flirted shamelessly with Caleb while Vivian watched helplessly from her window. The bitch even had the nerve to look up and smile at her while she was doing it! Incensed by the memory, she turned toward Chris. Entering that house was the last thing she wanted to do. She didn't want to see Brianne at all. "Unless that whore gets drunk off her ass from eggnog, I'm not interested." Chris chuckled softly. "Caleb's in there." She looked at the house again, her curiosity growing along with her sarcasm. "How interesting. He's there and I wasn't invited. Figures." He had a difficult time keeping a straight face as he waited for her to make up her mind. "Vivian, let's go in already! I'm freezing my balls off out here." She started to laugh. "Aww, poor baby. And they're such pretty balls too!" "Come on, honey. If you come in the house with me, I'll give you a special gift." Vivian's eyebrows lifted. She never could resist a gift. "What is it?" "Come in with me and I'll show you." They stood inside the entry hall, and Vivian was breathless as she took in the scene before her. A large fire was blazing in the fireplace, and she gratefully let the warmth seep through to her chilled bones. Christmas lights were strung everywhere, along with fresh sprigs of mistletoe. "I'll say one good thing about Brianne; she has one hell of an

interior decorator." She heard music coming from somewhere deep inside the house. She and Chris followed the sound. They entered a huge living room, packed almost wall-to-wall with guests. The crowd was obviously in high spirits from the food and full bar. Many couples had paired off and were either making out openly for anyone to watch or had retreated from the room to find their own darkened corner. Vivian was nervous as her eyes searched the crowd for a flash of Caleb's red hair. She didn't see him there, and her heart sank at the thought that he may be in one of the upstairs bedrooms, occupied with Brianne. Chris sensed this and rubbed her back. "Relax," he drawled as he looked toward the ceiling. He gently nudged her. "Hey, look where we're standing." She looked up to see the mistletoe hanging above their heads, and she smiled when she saw his expectant gaze. "Sure, why not?" Where Tobias had been tender, Chris was deliciously aggressive. His lips slanted over hers relentlessly, teasing her with a hint of tongue just inside her parted lips until she moaned for him to give her more. He gave it to her, exploring her mouth. His hands roamed over her back and ass, pulling her to him. He broke the kiss, and she noticed that his eyes were brighter than before. "It's time for your surprise." Chris led her out of the living room. They walked to a closed door at the end of the hall. Before she could reach for the doorknob, he stopped her. "Just a second. Stay absolutely still, and keep your eyes on mine." Vivian nodded, and Chris cupped her face in his hands. Her eyes grew wide as his silver eyes brightened until it was almost painful to watch. But she bit her lip and managed to hold his gaze until they returned to normal. He released her, panting like he just finished running the marathon. She opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her with a finger on her lips. "You'll see. Let's go." They stepped into the game room. The first thing she noticed was the large plasma screen television that dominated one wall, featuring a well-known cable sports channel. Then her attention was drawn to the dart boards lined up against another wall, followed by various arcade

games situated in the corner. But the thing that drew her attention the most was the giant pool table in the middle, and the lone player who bent over it to deliver his next shot. "Caleb!" Vivian shouted out without thinking, and covered her mouth with her hand. She watched as Caleb made the shot without missing a beat, the balls flying in different directions on the green felt. Chris laughed at her, playfully slapping her bare ass. "You forget that we're still invisible. You'd love for him to see you this way, wouldn't you?" Her face grew hot, but she was thankfully spared from replying when the door opened and Brianne stepped in. Upon seeing Caleb alone in the room, a smug and self-satisfied grin appeared on her face that Vivian longed to rip off. Brianne approached Caleb and stood very close to him. Vivian's stomach was as heavy as lead. Chris leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "Don't judge the situation from what you see. Listen with your heart." An electric warmth suffused Vivian at his words. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the sound of her breathing, the beating of her heart and the way the tiled floor felt beneath her bare feet. She emptied her mind of everything except for Caleb. It was then that it came to her. He doesn't want her. He's been avoiding her all night. She opened her eyes in time to see Caleb jerk his head away from Brianne's touch, and her heart soared at the confirmation. He's annoyed that she refuses to take the hint and leave him alone. He couldn't have made his feelings more clear, and he'll set the record straight again. Caleb glared angrily at Brianne, and Vivian stepped closer so she could hear. "Why didn't you invite Vivian to the party? You asked everyone else from the office!" She heard Brianne mumble some feeble excuse. Caleb threw down the cue stick that he'd been holding. It was then that Vivian finally realized the truth. He came to the party to see me. Vivian covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my God." Chris smiled at her look of shock. "Aren't you glad you came now?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Caleb is interested in me? That's impossible. I..." Chris frowned, highly annoyed. "What's so impossible about it? It's not only possible, it's completely natural. You underestimate yourself too

damn much. You are a very beautiful woman, Vivian, and you are very passionate despite always trying to hide it. Caleb, as well as any man with or without a pulse, would have to be a fool to not want you." Speechless, she stared at Chris until she managed to pull herself together. "Wow, Chris. Thank you." His eyes shone like freshly minted quarters. "You are very welcome. Now we'll have to hurry if we want to make it to our next stop before time runs out." Vivian looked over at Caleb, shrugging into his black leather bomber jacket as Brianne watched him with narrowed eyes. She turned again to Chris, afraid to believe. She was afraid to hope. "So he doesn't feel anything for her at all?" Chris was serious as he replied. "He only has eyes for you." She shivered as the seeds of self-confidence began to take root inside her. Chris gently took her arm as he watched Caleb stride out the door and into the night. "He's heading home now. We have to follow him." The next thing she knew, they were inside Caleb's truck. He drove back to the city as fast as the weather conditions would allow. Vivian stared at his reflection in the rear view mirror as she used her new ability to read his emotions. He's wondering what I'm doing at this very moment. If only he knew. Several minutes later, the three of them entered Caleb's apartment. This time, Vivian didn't bother to look around at the decor of the place; all of her focus was on the man she loved, who apparently felt the same way for her. She bit her lip to hold back the tears of joy threatening to escape as the protective walls surrounding her heart came crashing down. Vivian looked on as Caleb pressed a button on his answering machine, hanging up his jacket as he listened to his messages. There was one from his mother, his brother and various other relatives, and each one asked if there was "someone special" that he could bring to the family dinner on Christmas Day. Caleb sighed heavily. "Yeah, but it's complicated." She felt his yearning and frustration, and she gasped. He thinks that I don't want anything to do with him! That's definitely NOT the case. Her heart sped up as he stripped off his white oxford shirt, revealing

his breathtaking chest and abdomen. She licked her lips at the sight of him. The last message began to play, and the sound of her recorded voice filled the room. She had forgotten that she called earlier that evening. "Hi, Caleb. This is Vivian. I was just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas. So, um, Merry Christmas. Maybe I'll see you around sometime. Bye." She winced at how she'd sounded, glancing to see Caleb's reaction. He stood beside her, staring at the machine as it clicked off. His tawny eyes softened, and he played the message again as he removed his belt and unsnapped his jeans. Behind her, Chris leaned forward and whispered in her ear. She could feel his erection throbbing against her ass. She imagined his wicked smile. "Now the fun begins, baby." Vivian’s mouth fell open as a half-naked Caleb strode into what must have been his bedroom. She turned to Chris, who was watching her with raw lust in his gaze. She felt warm all over from the lethal combination of his look and the fact that her man was undressing just a few feet away. And then it dawned on her that she was alone in the apartment with not one, but two gorgeous men. Oh, the possibilities! Her answering smile was positively feral. She trailed a hand down his body and firmly gripped his cock, giving it a few pumps before releasing it to walk toward the bedroom. "Shall we?" Chris followed closely behind her, his penis bobbing with each step. They entered the bedroom to find that Caleb had started without them. He was lying fully naked on top of the soft cotton sheets, moaning softly as he stroked his erection up and down. His hair flowed along the pillows behind him like molten lava down a volcano. Vivian's desire for him made her weak in the knees, and she shakily climbed onto the bed to get a closer look. Chris stood to the side, his silver eyes traveling over her curvy body. He whispered to her again. "Concentrate, and you'll be able to hear what he's thinking." Breathless, she nodded. She wanted to know everything about Caleb, his thoughts and his feelings. She wanted to learn about his desires, explore his deepest fantasies. More than anything, she wanted to make them come true. She knelt beside him, unable to tear her eyes away from the passion in his face as he pleasured himself. Was he thinking about her? Something inside her said yes, and she used her gift to confirm it. She

opened the door to Caleb's thoughts. Oh, Vivian. Why can't you see how much I want you? I want to taste your mouth, feel your body against mine when I pull you to me. Christ, you drive me crazy. I don't know how many times I've gotten a hard-on just from running into you on the street. So hard that I could have cut diamonds. What is it about you? Is it the lost look in your beautiful, sad eyes? They break my heart every time I see them, but it becomes whole again whenever you smile. I wish you were here with me. "My God," she whispered to Chris, who was stroking himself behind her, his eyes on her dripping pussy. She looked over her shoulder at him and felt a rush of heat run through her body. Without breaking eye contact, she licked a finger and brought it down between her legs. Chris made a choked sound deep in his throat and pumped harder, his eyes locked on her intruding finger. "Keep listening, and you'll know when the time is right to act." It was on the tip of Vivian's tongue to ask what he meant, but she was soon swept away by sensation and stopped caring. She turned back to Caleb, leaning forward as close as she dared before whispering in his ear. "Caleb, what would you do to me? Tell me how you would fuck me." He groaned loudly at her words and she jumped. Did he hear me? She looked over at Chris again. He removed her hand and began to rub his pulsing length between her thighs. She arched against him with a moan. "It's all right," he managed to say, "He thinks that he's just fantasizing. Go on." Vivian rubbed herself harder against Chris as she eavesdropped again. God, baby. What wouldn't I do to you? First I'd slowly take off your clothes and kiss each and every part of your body as it's revealed to my eyes and hands. Then I'd gently lay you down and worship you the way you deserve. The sweet friction of Chris’ cock on the outside of her pussy was just what she needed at that moment. She gasped as she felt the familiar tingles build up inside her. "Tell me more, Caleb. How would you worship me, baby?" Another moan tumbled from his lips, drops of pre-cum falling down his shaft like rain. I'd kiss my way down your body, teasing you with my lips and tongue on all the places where you'd beg me to linger. I'd swirl my

tongue around your hard nipples until you scream for me to suck them. When you've had enough, I'll continue my journey until I find your hot pussy, all wet and ready for me to fuck you. But I won't… Vivian groaned at his teasing words as she opened her legs for Chris. She needed relief. Now. Chris was happy to oblige, and she felt the head of his cock rubbing against her opening. He whispered to her. "Use me. Pretend that I'm him." She released a shaky breath. "Please, Caleb. Keep going. I'm almost there." Christ, you excite me. Don't you want me to lick your little clit until you cream? Pound you hard and fast with my fingers while my tongue plays peek-a-boo games between your legs? Tell me what you want, Vivian, and I'll give it to you. She was so hungry for him, so desperate for both of them that she couldn't stand it. She didn't even know which of them she was talking to when she screamed out, "Fuck me! Fuck me now!" They both penetrated her. One in fantasy, and the other in a twisted reality where the dead were once again made flesh, and cavorted with the living. Chris thrust hard into her from behind while Caleb dug his heels into the bed beneath him, arching into his closed fist. Vivian was caught in the middle and she loved every second of it. She buried her face in the blankets as she groaned like a wounded animal, her hips rising to take more of Chris' cock as she talked dirty to Caleb. "Caleb, oh God! Fuck me baby. Ohh." Jesus, you're so fucking tight! I've waited so long for this, baby... The explosion was coming, and she trembled as she pushed herself harder against Chris. She imagined that it was really Caleb taking her to such heights. Clawing at the sheets, her moans turned into lustful cries. "Mmm. Caleb! Chris, I'm coming! Oh God, I'm coming so hard! Ohh!" Chris growled behind her as his body stiffened in climax, and through her half-closed eyes Vivian saw the head of Caleb's penis pulse wildly right before it exploded, releasing milky-white jets of come onto his chest, stomach and the sheets beside him. **** Vivian closed her eyes with a purr of satisfaction. When she opened them again a second later, both Caleb and Chris were gone. The bedroom was gone, and so was the apartment. She was completely alone, standing in the pitch blackness of what appeared to be a graveyard. She was

surrounded by tombstones. With every step she took upon the frozen ground, the icy wind tore through her flesh. "Hello?" There was no answer, but in the distance she heard the faint sound of footsteps on snow, drawing closer. She turned in the direction of the noise, but the blizzard of snowflakes obscured everything around her. She couldn't see. "Is there anyone there? Please, answer me!" As if it were an answer, the wind died and the snow stopped falling. It was then that Vivian saw him. Covered from head to toe in black, he walked toward her. The large hood of his cloak hid his face, but as he moved she saw a lock of silvery-white hair against the dark fabric. He stood before her without a word, motionless as a statue. She looked up at him, and she saw that his eyes were a very deep and beautiful shade of blue, cold like a glacier. She cleared her throat, meeting his eyes with more than a little fear. "Who are you?" His voice rumbled like thunder. "I have no name. I am the third and final spirit to meet with you tonight, and it is my duty to show you the future that is in store for you if you don't alter the present course of your destiny. You may have noticed that we are in a cemetery. I will not lie to you. This is your final resting place. You have yet to learn the way you lived out the rest of your life on this earth." Vivian shivered at the thought of being dead and buried in the ground beneath her feet. The spirit noticed her discomfort. Thinking she was cold, he slowly removed his cloak and handed it to her. Touched by his generosity, she accepted it and wrapped its thick folds around her as she regarded him. His white hair fell to the middle of his back, and his eyes were the kind that could see straight into one's soul and learn all the secrets hidden there. He was just as exquisite as the other spirits had been, if not more so. He had an otherworldly beauty that was hard to ignore, but she could also sense the beast within. The brief flash of tenderness in his eyes was replaced by something darker, and his voice grew cool and remote as he looked away from her half-naked form. "Shall we go? We are on a very tight schedule." Without waiting for an answer, the Spirit with No Name turned and walked at a fast pace along the snow covered path, high leather boots crushing the snowflakes and fallen leaves with each step. Vivian had to

run to catch up with his long strides, her breath visible in the chilly night air. "How much further?" No Name glanced down at her. "It's not far. Look there." She looked in the direction he pointed and saw a shadowy figure approach a simple tombstone, a few feet away from where they stood. As they drew closer, she could make out the outline of a middle-aged man kneeling before the stone marker and placing a single red rose on the grave. With a sigh of regret, he rose and began to walk away, and beneath the man's hat she saw a flash of red hair lightly tinged with gray... Tears sprang to her eyes as she shouted at the top of her lungs, waving her arms wildly. "Caleb! Caleb, I'm here! Don't go! Please, don't go..." Caleb continued walking, deaf to her cries. He followed the path down the hill, and Vivian saw a car waiting below, a woman behind the wheel. She watched helplessly as he opened the passenger side door and slid in, the dome light reflecting off the gold band he wore on his left hand. Then the car was gone. She let her eyes mist over as No Name took her hand, leading her the rest of the way. They stood before the grave, and Vivian dropped to her knees before the tombstone, searching the chiseled surface for the information that she sought. "Here lies Vivian Woods: April 24, 1980 - December 25, 2025." Vivian remained on the ground, staring at the brief message. When she spoke again, her voice was low and thoughtful. "That's all? No mention of a family or friends? Nothing like 'She will be greatly missed'? Just my name, birth and death?" She looked up at No Name in disbelief. "What the hell happened to me?" His eyes burned like blue fire as he spoke to her, the anger obvious in his voice. "Why the shocked face, Vivian? What do you think happened? You died alone, don't you understand? Completely and utterly alone. Do you know why? Because you didn't have the courage to break out of your shell and take what you wanted out of life. You were content to stay in the shadows and let it all pass you by. And since you hate this time of year so much because of all the bad memories you have of Christmas – which you could easily have corrected by making good ones to replace them, but never bothered to try – you took your own life! Sleeping pills

combined with Jack Daniels make one hell of a cocktail. You didn't stand a chance." He reached for her and shook her hard. "How could you have been so blind? Caleb loved you and you loved him! Why didn't you take a chance at love? You didn't trust him because you were afraid that he'd break your heart, but you didn't trust yourself, either! He got tired of waiting for you to make up your mind, and found someone else to share his life. But your memory will haunt him forever, a reminder of what could have been the love of his life. Yours was a love that never came to be." Vivian screamed at his words, her head throbbing from the shaking. "No! I won't let that happen! Let go of me, you're hurting me!" No Name ignored her pleas. He was lost in his own world, his eyes glittering with madness. He threw her hard onto the frozen ground, pressing her head into the dirt. "Listen! Listen carefully!" Her heart pounded with fear, her mind racing. There was no way to escape him; he held all the cards and she had no choice but to play along. She closed her eyes and could smell the earth beneath her, moist from the snow. The distant moans and cries were heartbreaking when they finally reached her ears. She knew immediately they were her own. She lowered a trembling hand to touch the ground, and felt the vibrations from six feet under. "Oh, my God. It's me! Oh, no..." No Name laughed at her, a cruel smile twisting his mouth as he continued to hold her down. "Seeing is believing. Perhaps you need a closer look, Vivian." His hands tightened on her shoulders and she knew what was coming. "NO!" She was trapped inside the terrible blackness of the coffin, deep underground. She couldn't see, couldn't move, couldn't think or breathe. She tried in vain to kick the top and sides of the wooden casket, hoping it was only a joke, but there was nothing to be done. She took one last breath and screamed into the darkness. "God DAMN you! I want to LIVE! I WON'T let it happen like this! I WANT TO LIVE!" **** Vivian shifted around the couch, shoving at the blankets covering her face.

"I want to live! I want, ahh!" Jerking awake with a start, she threw the blanket across the room. She stared at the familiar surroundings of her apartment, her heart still in her throat from what had happened. Was it all a dream? She no longer knew what was real and what was fantasy. She slowly rose from the sofa, her eyes glued to the wall clock. It was three o'clock Christmas morning; exactly when the three spirits were supposed to be finished with her. She trembled with a mixture of fear and pleasure as she reviewed the events of the night. She knew what she had to do next. Vivian immediately reached for the phone and dialed Caleb's number. She was still afraid of making a fool of herself with him, but after everything that she'd been through, she knew that she'd be seriously cheating herself if she didn't try. His voice was sleepy when he answered the phone. "Hello?" She smiled as she remembered the reason he was so tired. "Caleb, it's me. Vivian. I have to talk to you as soon as possible. It's important." His voice grew concerned as he became more alert. "Hey, is anything wrong? Do you want me to come over?" "No! I mean, I'd rather come over there if that's okay. Everything's fine, I just need someone to talk to. Do you mind?" She held her breath as she waited for his answer. "Hell no, I don't mind. How soon can you get here?" Her smile returned. "About thirty minutes. I'll see you then." Caleb's voice made her inner thighs tremble. "I can't wait." She hung up with an excited cry. Tonight she'd take a risk and shape her life into something better, instead of just coasting along. She was going to tell Caleb how she felt about him. She hoped that her visions were accurate and he actually returned her love. Vivian hurried to shower and prepare her body for what was to come. The night was still young, and she had a lot in mind. In her bedroom, she stood in front of the mirror and stared at her naked body from every angle. She smiled in approval, something she hadn't done in a very long time. She searched her underwear drawer for the sexiest lingerie she had. With a sigh of satisfaction she put on a red silk teddy that she'd recently bought. It had been an impulse buy, a naughty creation she’d spied in the department store window and imagined wearing for Caleb. Now was the time.

Moments later, she parked her car outside Caleb's apartment building. She took a moment to collect her courage before forcing herself to leave the car and go to the front door. She buzzed him and he let her in. She climbed the stairs, wondering briefly if he was as anxious as she was. Then, he opened his door and she didn't think at all. He had thrown his white shirt back on, along with his jeans. She knew without a doubt that everything with the spirits had been real. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, and by God, she was going to do something about it. Caleb's face flushed slightly. "Hey, Vivian. I was surprised at your call." She smiled warmly, her voice seductive. "Aren't you going to ask me in?" "Oh, yeah! Sorry about that." His grin was sheepish as he stepped to the side. She walked in, her hips swaying confidently as she recognized the inside of his apartment. She stood in the middle of the living room, staring at him with open hunger. He had always been slightly shy with her. Now she knew why. God, she had been so blind; but now she could see. He closed the door and locked it before turning to her. "May I take your coat?" Vivian wrapped her arms around herself, pretending to be cold. The truth was she was wearing only the teddy and high heels underneath. She didn't want to reveal herself until the time was right. "Not yet. I'm still a little cold." Caleb nodded. "Please, sit and make yourself at home. Would you care for some wine?" She flashed another smile at him as she sat on his couch. "Yes, please." He disappeared into the kitchen and the butterflies in her stomach worked overtime as she thought over what she was going to say. He returned and handed her a glass of red wine before sitting beside her, his eyes never leaving hers. She sipped at the spiced wine. "Mmm, this is delicious!" Caleb grinned. "Yeah, my mom made it. She really likes that kind of stuff. Cooking, arts and crafts, you name it." A drop of wine sparkled on Vivian's lower lip, and she saw Caleb swallow hard as she sensuously licked it away. His eyes watched her

tongue. From the corner of her eye, she saw a twitch of response in his jeans. She wanted to lick him next. She cleared her throat. "I guess you're wondering what I wanted to talk about." All of his attention was focused on her. "The thought did cross my mind, yes." "Well..." She stood up and paced in front of the couch, unsure of what to say. Take a chance. Be happy. Vivian stopped and looked directly into Caleb's soft brown eyes. "I've been going through some major changes lately, and I realized that I haven't been living my life the way I really want to. Until recently, I was too afraid to stand up for the things that I want, the things I deserve..." She reached up and loosened the first button of her winter coat, followed by another. "Caleb, do you remember when we met?" His eyes were passionate as he stared at her. "How could I forget?" She released another button. "Since that night, you've never left my thoughts. I would lie awake in bed at night thinking of you. When I slept, you were in my dreams. Because of you I actually looked forward to going to work each day, because I knew I'd probably run into you outside the fire station." Her hands trembled as she undid another button. Caleb stood and went to her. He cupped her face in his strong hands, and she felt a tear escape. "For so long I kept telling myself that you couldn't feel anything for me beyond friendship. I didn't dare hope for anything between us, but now I can't take it anymore. Caleb, I love you. Do you hear me? I love you so much that I..." His lips covered hers, and she forgot everything but the feel of his mouth. She wrapped her arms around him, parting her lips to welcome the slide of his tongue. He tasted like spiced wine and desire, and he was in her arms at last. She moaned because he felt so good against her, but she was still wearing the thick winter coat. Vivian broke the kiss and stepped back to release the last button, her eyes locked on his as she slid it off her shoulders to reveal herself to him. He groaned and reached for her, kissing her with all the passion he'd been holding back since the night they met.

He lifted her into his arms and headed for the bedroom. She thought her heart would burst from the joy she felt with him. He gently released her and laid her against the sheets, his golden eyes glowing with tenderness as he hurriedly stripped off his shirt. Kicking off her shoes, she reached for him and he climbed into bed with her. "I love you too," he sighed into her mouth. "I didn't know for sure how you felt about me, and I didn't want to overstep my bounds..." She placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh. We're here now, that's all that matters." Caleb groaned in agreement as his hands traveled over her sensitive skin, trying to memorize every curve as his lips tasted her over and over again. He slid the straps of her teddy down to feast on her throat before moving to her heaving breasts. His hungry mouth closed over an aching nipple and she cried out from the pleasure. His eager tongue circled the straining peak, his lips gently nipping at one before switching to the other. Her hands ran through his copper hair, bringing him closer as she arched beneath him. Her voice was raspy with desire. "More, Caleb. Give me more." She felt his erection throbbing against her through the barrier of his jeans, begging to be released. She reached for the buttons of his fly and yanked them open before sliding her hand inside and underneath his briefs, closing her fingers around the hot, hard length of him. He grunted and sucked harder in response. She could feel her juices trickling down her thighs, soaking the crotch of her teddy. With her free hand, she reached for the snaps of the garment. "I think we're both overdressed." Together they rid themselves of her silk and his denim and cotton, until finally there was only naked skin. She loved the feel of his body against her, on top of her. She remembered his fantasy of making love to her, and she decided to make things interesting. "What are you going to do to me, Caleb? How are you going to fuck me?" His cock jumped against her mound at the words, and his voice betrayed his excitement. "I'm going to fuck you until you scream." Vivian raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "Show me." Caleb growled and slid down her body until his head was between her legs. She gasped at the knowledge of what he was planning to do,

and then giggled with delight. He grinned up at her. His tongue parted her wet folds and erased all the laughter from her lips. She moved her hips toward his mouth, unable to control her moans. She couldn't believe she was really there with him, making love. But then his tongue and lips worked their magic on her clit, proving it to be true. She shuddered hard against him as she approached the peak, grabbing fistfuls of sheets as she felt herself explode. "Oh, Caleb. Oh, God..." He stayed with her until the spasms ended and she reached for him. He climbed back up her body, breathing hard and ready to continue. She rolled them over so she could be on top. "I'm going to have my wicked way with you now." Spreading his arms to the sides, Caleb closed his eyes in surrender. "I am yours. Do with me what you will." Vivian leaned down and licked his lips, and he parted them with a lustful groan. Their tongues danced briefly before she moved to plant kisses down the column of his throat, his shoulders. She paused in her journey to kiss his beautiful hands, delicately sucking on each finger as he watched her with a glazed look in his eyes. She reached his powerful chest and lightly raked her nails across it, loving the sound of the small hiss he released. She lovingly kissed the marks she'd left on his skin and then moved on to his nipples. She ran her tongue in tight circles around the tiny buds, and he arched up to her mouth. She captured one, then the other between her even white teeth. She could feel his moans rumble beneath her. She moved down to his toned abdomen, which shook slightly from her kisses. She used her tongue to spear his navel, and he cradled her head in his hands. She looked up at him and smiled mischievously as she lowered herself even further. Caleb felt himself being consumed by the fire that was burning inside him. His breathing was ragged as he spoke. "Christ! Honey, I'm not sure how much more I can take. God, you're driving me crazy. Please hurry..." She loved teasing him; exploring this new, more exciting side of herself. She silently thanked her mother and the three spirits for showing her what she was missing. It was a wild ride, with painful memories and a few scares along the way, but it was also a thrilling and rewarding adventure that gave her a valuable lesson she'd never forget: how to live and love. She returned her attention to Caleb.

"Poor baby. Do you want me to lick your hard cock?" He groaned at the sexy way she was talking to him. "God, yes." "Do you want me to fuck you hard and fast with my mouth until you shoot?" "Oh, hell yeah! No, wait. I don't want to come in your mouth the first time. I want you to ride me, so I can watch you come again with my cock deep inside you." She didn't answer, leaning down to swipe at him with her tongue. His entire body jerked at the contact, and she continued her delicious torment. She rained kisses on every inch of his rigid flesh, and when he began to move his hips up to her mouth she took him inside. She made love to him with her mouth, sucking and licking until he begged her to stop. "Vivian, I need you now. Ride me, baby. Please, now?" Purposefully drawing out the moment, she took her time sliding him out of her mouth before climbing on top of him. She reached for his penis, the turgid flesh throbbing with the beat of his heart. He reached for it too, angling it so she could take him in. She rubbed herself against him, coating the head with her wetness before she moved it to her opening. Their eyes locked as she pushed down, taking him deeply into her inch by inch. They both moaned from the friction, and she could feel Caleb's short nails digging into the flesh of her hips as he tried to hold on for her sake. Finally, she hit bottom and began the rhythm that would take them both to paradise. She rose and fell on him, aided by his loving hands on her hips. His head thrashed on the pillow as he watched her take her pleasure from his body. She leaned forward to kiss him, and he responded like a man discovering an oasis while dying of thirst. They whispered words of love as they rocked together, and after a short time the storm again built inside Vivian. "Caleb, I'm coming!" Her inner muscles contracted hard on him, and he finally reached the breaking point. Grabbing her hips, he thrust hard into her, dragging out the pleasure of her climax as he cried out and joined her at the top. He stiffened beneath her, pouring himself into her. "Fuck! Oh God, Vivian..." She lowered herself into his waiting arms, and he nuzzled her neck. They stayed like that for several minutes, reluctant to move and break the

spell. Caleb was the one to break the silence. "Vivian?" She didn't budge from where she rested against his chest. She wanted to stay exactly where she was forever. "Hmmm?" "I was wondering if you'd like to go with me to my parents' house for Christmas dinner. They've been asking me over and over if I have someone special to bring, and since you're very special and now you're mine..." Vivian lifted her head and saw the emotion in his eyes. She kissed him with all of her heart, and smiled at him as she replied. "I'd love to."

About the Author Aurora Black is a self-proclaimed "passionate woman of the world in an ingénue's clothing," who made her erotic literary debut in late 2006 with Phaze. She got her start at Literotica, where she learned the basics of the writing trade and gained the confidence she needed to turn professional. An erotica writer by day and sultry jazz singer at night, Aurora uses her vivid imagination combined with glamorized life experiences as material for her works. Living in exotic Greece for six years made an everlasting impact on the Detroit area native, and she writes to express the deepest (and sometimes darkest) parts of her soul along with her great love of the written word. Like her characters, she pursues her dreams with everything she has. Aurora can be found at her site, "Who Is Aurora Black? (www.whoisaurorablack.com) and her official blog, "Roses On Snow" (aurorablack.blogspot.com).

Collect All Ten Frost SHEETS! Paths chosen – kally jo surbeck The color of love – brenna lyons The spirit of giving – cat kane Enwrappture – marty rayne Ice crystal – becca dale Suni's gift – anne rainey Stocking stuffers – Jamie hill The perfect gift – jade falconer Baby it's cold outside – ellen addie Potent spirits - Aurora black

The hottest romance, the most memorable heroines, and the most gorgeous heroes… Welcome to the next PHAZE in erotic romance! Join us online for author chats, writing workshops, and big prize contests with our FREE newsletter!

www.phaze.com groups.yahoo.com/group/PhazeChatters phazebooks.ning.com (new forum!) eBooks available at Fictionwise.com, CyberRead.com, and AllRomanceeBooks.com, Print titles available at Amazon.com, BN.com, and BooksAMillion.com!