Amanda Steiger - Without Shame

7/30/2019 Amanda Steiger - Without Shame

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WITHOUT SHAME

By

Amanda Steiger

cop yr i gh t O cto ber 2 00 4, A man da S t ei g er

C ov er A rt b y A mb er M oo n, c op yr ig ht O ct ob er 2 00 4

New Concepts Publishing

L ak e P ar k, G A 3 16 36

www.newconceptspublishing.com

T hi s i s a w or k o f f ic ti on . A ll c ha ra ct er s, e ve nt s, a nd p la ce s a re o f t he a ut ho r? s i ma gi na ti on a nd n ot t o b e

con fu sed w it h f act. A ny r es em bl an ce t o l iv in g p er so ns o r event s i s m er el y coi ncid en ce.

" Ar e y ou n er vo us ?" a sk ed G re g. N ic ho le f el t h is w ar m f in ge rs t hr ou gh t he c ot to n r ob e a s h e t ou ch ed h er

shoulder.

"A little," she said.

" Ju st t ry t o r el ax. I t w on ?t s ee m s o s tr ang e o nc e we g et s ta rt ed ."

N ic ho le t oo k a de ep b re at h a nd l et h er r ob e s li p t o t he f loo r. S he w as c om pl et el y n ak ed b en ea th . H er

c he ek s g re w h ot a s h er n ip pl es t ig ht en ed i n t he c oo l a ir . I ns ti nc ti ve ly , s he r ea ch ed d ow n t o c ov er t he

t ri an gl e o f d ar k b ro wn cur ls n es tl ed b et ween h er t hi gh s- -t hen p ul led h er h an d b ack. C on si deri ng w hat

s he wa s h er e f or , he r mode st y wa s mor e t ha n a l it tle si ll y. How w ould s he ge t t hr ough t he r es t of t he

eveni ng i f s he cou ld n?t even k eep h er r ob e o ff w it ho ut b lu sh in g? " I?m k in d o f emb ar rass ed , I g uess ," s he

admitted.

" Em barr as s ed ?" H is chu ck le w as w ar m and d eep. " Wh y o n eart h w ou ld y ou b e emb ar ras sed?"

" I do n? t k no w. I ?m j us t no t us ed t o t hi s, I gu es s. I f ee l s o. .. "

H e s mi led w it h o ne cor ner o f h is m ou th . " Naked?"

" Tha t a bo ut s um s i t u p, I g ue ss ."

" Tr us t m e, y ou h av e n ot hi ng t o b e emb ar rass ed abo ut . B ut i f y ou ?r e h av in g s econ d t ho ug ht s. ?"

S he s ho ok h er h ea d. " I p ro mi se d y ou , d id n? t I ?"

" Yo u d id ." G reg?s eyes m ov ed i n l it tl e f li ck er s, s tu dy in g d if ferent p laces o n h er b od y. T hey l in gered o n

h er l ip s, t he d el ic at e h ol lo w b et we en h er c ol la rb on es , a nd h er b re as ts , s ma ll a nd f ir m a s p ea ch es .

Nichole?s heart was beating quickly. The only other time she?d been naked with a man, it had been


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c om pl et el y d ar k. N ow , s he s to od i n a b ri gh tl y l it r oo m, e ve ry th in g e xp os ed t o h is e ye s.

He r t ong ue da rt ed o ut t o w et he r dr y l ips . " Re ady w he n y ou a re ," s he s ai d.

Gr eg s at on a r ic ke ty c ha ir a nd pi ck ed up hi s s ke tc h p ad a nd pe nc il . " I? m a ll s et ."

N icho le l oo ked aro un d t he clu tt ered art s tu di o. " Wh er e s ho ul d I s tand ?"

" Ov er t he re , o n t he w ood en b lo ck b y t ha t t abl e. T ha t? s i t. N ow t il t y ou r h ea d ba ck a nd l oo k u p. St an d

w it h y ou r l eg s a pa rt , o ne f oot w it h t he h ee l o ff t he g ro un d, a nd y ou r a rm o ve r y ou r h ea d, w it h t he p al m

cupped, like you?re holding something."

"Like this?"

" Go od ." H e b ega n t o s ke tc h, h is e ye s d ar ti ng f rom t he pa ge t o he r b od y, t he n ba ck t o t he pa ge . " Am I

t he f ir st p er so n y ou ?v e m od el ed f or ?"

S he l au gh ed . " Is i t t hat o bv io us ?"

" No , act uall y. Y ou t ak e i ns tr ucti on s v er y w el l, and y ou ?r e h ol di ng t hat p os e l ik e a p ro . I ?d alm os t t hi nk

you had experience."

" Yo u k no w m e b et te r t ha n t ha t. I d on ?t t hi nk I c ou ld d o t hi s w it h a s tr an ge r. I ?d p ro ba bl y f ai nt w it h

embarrassment."

" It ?s n ot t ha t b ig a d ea l, o nc e y ou g et u se d t o i t. " H is f ea tu re s s of te ne d i n a s mi le t ha t t ra ns fo rm ed h is

w ho le f ac e a nd f il le d h is g ra y e ye s w it h l ig ht . M any p eo pl e n ev er g ot t o s ee t ha t s mi le . I t w as a s pe ci al

e xp re ss io n h e r es er ve d f or h is c lo se st f ri en ds . N ic ho le f el t h on or ed t o b e o ne o f t he p ri vi le ge d f ew . " Itc an b e k in d o f a p ai n, t ho ug h, s ta ndi ng i n o ne p la ce f or s o l on g, " s ai d G re g. " Li ke I s ai d, I ?m w il li ng t o

pay you."

" St op , G re g. W e? ve b ee n f ri en ds t oo l on g t o e ve n t hi nk a bo ut p ay me nt ."

H e s hr ug ge d. " Wo rk i s w or k. A nd I ?m t ak in g a l ot o f t im e o ut o f y ou r s ch ed ul e. "

" I d on ?t m in d. I ?m j us t afr ai d K at hy w il l b e j ealo us ," s he ask ed , o nl y h al f- ki dd in g. S he k new h ow

possessive Greg?s girlfriend could be. They made jokes about it, but sometimes, it made Nichole

genuinely nervous. "Don?t tell her, okay?"

G reg?s s mi le w it hered. " I w on ?t ," h e s ai d, and r es um ed d rawi ng .

"Greg? What?s wrong?"

" Kath y and I are t hr ou gh ," h e s ai d, w it ho ut l oo ki ng u p f ro m h is s ketchp ad .

Nichole?s eyes widened. "What?"

" We b ro ke u p. " H e t or e a p age o ff t he s ke tc hp ad .

"But ... why?"


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Silence.

" I?m s or ry . I s ho ul dn ?t h av e ask ed . I t?s n ot m y b us in es s. "

" It ?s a ll r ig ht ." Hi s v oi ce w as f la t, t he w ay i t a lw ays g ot w he n h e w as t ry ing t o hi de h is e mo ti on s. F or a

m om en t, h e s tared s il en tl y d ow n at t he s ketchb oo k, t he p en ci l d an gl in g b et ween t wo l on g, g racefu l

f inge rs . " It c ame out of t he bl ue . She j us t c am e h ome f rom wor k one da y a nd s aid s he c oul dn ?t go onl ivi ng l ike t hi s, t ha t s he wa nt s a r ea l m an wi th a re al j ob, not s om e na ve ki d w ho wa nt s t o ma ke a c ar ee r

out of playing with clay."

N icho le?s eyes w id en ed . " Sh e s ai d t hat?"

" We ll , n ot t ho se e xa ct w or ds . I t hi nk s he a ct ua ll y s ai d ? Pl ay -d oh ? i ns te ad o f ? cl ay .? S he g av e m e a

c ho ic e. G iv e u p m y a rt a nd g et a b et te r- pa yi ng j ob , o r s ay g oo d- by e. I m ad e m y c ho ic e. " H e f in is he d o ff

h is s ke tc h w it h a f ew q ui ck , s ha rp l in es , a nd t he n t or e o ff a no th er p ag e. " I a lw ay s t ho ug ht s he c ar ed

e no ug h a bo ut m e t ha t t he m on ey w as n? t a n i ss ue . T ha t s he r es pe ct ed h ow s er io us I a m a bo ut s cu lp ti ng ."

H e w as m ak ing a n e ff or t t o k ee p hi s v oi ce l ev el , b ut hi s j aw w as c le nc he d, s ho wi ng t he t en si on i n h isbody. His hand moved in quick, violent jerks as he sketched. "When I told her it was too much a part of

m e t o g iv e u p, s he s ai d I w as b ei ng i mm at ur e a nd s el fi sh . S el fi sh . G od , I m us t h av e b ee n f ool in g m ys el f,

t o b el ie ve s he r ea ll y l ov ed m e. " T he p en ci l t or e t hr ou gh t he p ag e, a nd h e m ut te re d a s of t, " Da mn ."

"I?m sorry," Nichole said quietly.

H e s ighe d a nd r an a ha nd ove r hi s f ac e, a s i f t ryi ng t o wi pe hi ms el f c le an. " No . .. I? m s or ry. You di dn? t

c ome he re to l is te n t o me ra nt . I was n? t pl anning t o bri ng it up a t al l. I wa s goi ng to wa it unt il I ?d c al me d

down a li ttl e bef or e I t ol d anyone. I f ee l l ike my ins ides a re i n a knot. M y mom? s goi ng to l ove thi s.

Sh e? s g ot te n i t i nt o he r he ad t ha t I ?m g oi ng t o ma rr y Ka thy. She e ve n a ske d me onc e how m any ki ds we

were planning to have."

" My m om ?s t he s am e w ay . I ?m n ot e ve n t we nt y- fi ve , a nd s he ?s a lr ea dy s o d es pe ra te f or g ra nd ki ds t ha t

I t hi nk s he ?s p la nn in g t o s te al s om eo ne e ls e? s, " N ic ho le j ok ed w ea kl y. T he n h er s mi le f ad ed . " Gr eg . .. I

really am sorry."

" I? m no t," he s ai d. " She di d m e a f avor . She s how ed he r t ru e c ol or s b ef or e I ha d t he c ha nc e t o f al l

d ee pe r i n l ove w it h h er . I ?m j us t a ng ry a t m ys el f f or n ot s ee in g i t s oo ne r. " H e r ub be d h is e ye li ds w it h h is

f in gert ip s, and t hen p icked u p h is p en ci l. " Li ft y ou r h ead a l it tl e m or e, p leas e. "

N ic ho le t il te d h er c hi n u pw ar d, w at ch in g G re g o ut o f t he c or ne r o f h er e ye . H er h ea rt a ch ed f or h im .

He ma de a f ew mo re qui ck s ke tc he s, t he n l ay t he m a ll i n a pi le on a r ic ke ty s too l. " Ne ed a b re ak y et ?"

h e a sk ed . " Yo u? ve b ee n h ol di ng t ha t p os e f or a wh il e. I ?l l m ak e s om e c of fe e, i f y ou l ik e. "

" Su re ," s he s ai d, a nd g la nc ed a t t he c lo ck o n t he p ai nt -s pa tt er ed w al l. " Ma ke i t d ec af , t ho ug h. I t? s

getting late."

H e n od ded. " Yo u s ho ul d p ro babl y g et h om e s oo n. "

" Bu t y ou h av en ?t even s tart ed t he s cu lp tu re y et ."

" We c an s ta rt t om or ro w. " H e p ic ke d u p t he s ta ck o f p ap er s a nd s hu ff le d t hr ou gh t he m. " I h av e s om e

preliminary sketches now, at least. I can use them for reference when I make the armature, so I can start


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s lapp in g t he clay o n n ex t t im e y ou ?r e h er e. " H e h eaded i nt o t he k it ch en w hi le N icho le s li pp ed b ack i nt o

h er j ea ns a nd T -s hi rt . G re g r et ur ne d, c ar ry in g t wo l ar ge c of fe e m ug s, a nd h an de d o ne t o h er . " Yo u t ak e i t

with half-and-half, right?"

S he n od de d a nd s ip pe d, w at ch in g a s h e t ra ce d t he r im o f h is c up w it h o ne f in ge r. H e h ad b ea ut if ul

h an ds . T he f in gers , n ow s mu dg ed w it h p en ci l, w er e l on g and d ex tero us , and h e h ad t hi ck cal lu ses o n h is

palms with dirt engrained into them. He took a lot of odd jobs when he wasn?t working on commissions.H e? d b ee n a p ar t- ti me c on st ru ct io n w or ke r f or t he p as t f ew m on th s, a nd t he j ob h ad a dd ed d ef in it io n t o

h is m us cl es . H e l oo ked alm os t l ik e o ne o f h is o wn s cu lp tu res.

S he i ma gi ne d o ne o f t ho se b ig , c al lo us ed h an ds s li pp in g b en ea th h er s hi rt t o c up h er b re as t . .. t he n

s ho ve d t he i ma ge a wa y. G re g w as h er f ri en d; t ha t w as a ll . T he y? d k no wn e ac h o th er s in ce c ol le ge , a nd

alt ho ug h N icho le h ad alw ay s b een a l it tl e i nf at uated w it h h im , s he?d k no wn f ro m t he b eg in ni ng h e w as o ut

o f h er l eagu e. H e w as h an ds om e, s mart , s en si ti ve, t al en ted and aff ecti on at e, every th in g a w om an cou ld

w an t. A nd t ho ug h h e n ev er b oa st ed , h e w as c er ta in ly a wa re t ha t h e c ou ld h av e j us t a bo ut a ny w om an h e

cho se. N icho le k new s he?d n ev er h ad a chance, esp ecial ly w it h con fi dent , r ed- hair ed, g reen -eyed K at hy

i n t he p ictu re.

" I?m s ur pr is ed y ou cho se m e t o m od el f or y ou ," N icho le r em ar ked.

"Why?s that?"

" We ll . .. y ou k no w, " s he s ai d, s ta ri ng i nt o h er c of fe e.

" No , I d on ?t . W hy ?"

S he s hr ug ged. " I?m n ot w hat m os t p eo pl e w ou ld cal l b eaut if ul ."

" Ni ch ol e, w hat i n G od ?s n am e g av e y ou t hat i dea? Y ou ?r e l ov el y. "

S he s mi le d. " An d y ou ?r e v er y s we et . B ut i t? s o ka y. Y ou d on ?t h av e t o f la tt er m e j us t b ec au se I ?m y ou r

friend."

" I? m no t f la tt er in g yo u. " H e s et do wn h is c of fe e c up a nd f ra me d h er f ac e c ar ef ul ly w it h h is h an ds . S he

f ro ze, h er b reat h cat ch in g i n h er t hr oat as h is t hu mb s l ig ht ly b ru sh ed h er cheek bo nes. H is l ar ge, g ray eyes

w er e f oc us ed o n h er s. " Yo u? ve g ot e xq ui si te b on e s tr uc tu re -- li ke a G re ek s ta tu e. I c an ?t t el l y ou h ow

m an y t im es I ?v e t ho ug ht a bo ut s cu lp ti ng y ou , b ut I n ev er a sk ed b ec au se I a lw ay s a ss um ed y ou ?d s ay n o.

Y ou w er e a lw ay s s o s hy a bo ut y ou r b od y. " H e t il te d h er c hi n u pw ar d, s tu dy in g h er f ac e f ro m a no th er a ng le . A s i f r ea li zi ng w ha t h e w as d oi ng , h e s ud de nl y r el ea se d h er , c le ar ed h is t hr oa t a nd l oo ke d a wa y.

N ic ho le ?s m ou th w as d ry , h er p ul se a d ru mb ea t i n h er t hr oa t. S he c ou ld s ti ll f ee l t he s ha pe o f h is w ar m

ha nds on he r s ki n, a s i f t he y? d l ef t a br an d t he re . S he wa nt ed t o t ouc h h is c he ek , t o f ee l t he r oug h s tubb le

beneath her fingertips. She started to lift her hand. Losing her nerve, she let it drop to her side. She

f in is hed h er cof fee. " I s ho ul d g et g oi ng , I g uess . W or k t om or ro w. "

"I?ll drive you."

" Th at ?s o ka y. I ?l l t ak e a c ab ."

" Ca bs a re ha rd t o c at ch a rou nd h er e, a nd I do n? t l ik e t he i de a of you wa lki ng a ro und t hi s l at e a t ni ght ."

H is eyes m et h er s. " Let m e d ri ve y ou ." H is v oi ce w as g en tl e, b ut i ns is tent . N icho le cou ld n?t r ef us e.


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Th e d ri ve t o h er h ous e w as s ho rt b ut a wk wa rd . N ei th er of t he m s po ke , s o N ic hol e t ur ne d o n t he r ad io

t o f il l u p t he s il en ce . T he m us ic s too d be twe en t he m l ik e a w al l.

A t l as t, G reg p ul led u p i n f ro nt o f h er apart ment b ui ld in g.

"Thanks, Greg," she said.

"No problem."

" See y ou s oo n?"

" Su re. I ?l l g iv e y ou a cal l. "

N ic ho le got out of t he c ar a nd wa lke d up to t he door . Onl y w he n s he w as i ns ide t he bu il di ng di d he p ull

a wa y f ro m t he c ur b a nd d ri ve o ff . S he w at ch ed h im f ro m t he w in do w. T he n s he w al ke d u p t he s ta ir s t o

her apartment.

S he h ad n? t b ee n l iv in g h er e v er y l on g, a nd t he a pa rt me nt w as s ti ll a l it tl e c ol d a nd b ar e. T he re w er e

w hi te p at ch es o n t he f ad ed i vo ry w al ls w he re p re vi ou s o cc up an ts h ad h un g p os te rs o r p ic tu re s, b ut o nl y a

f ew s ca tt er ed t ra ce s o f h er o wn p er so na li ty : a b ru sh o n t he d re ss er , a f ew p in k p il lo ws c ov er ed w it h

e mb ro id er ed b lu e f lo we rs o n t he c ou ch , a c er am ic c al ic o c at o n t he c of fe e t ab le . .. a nd o n t he w al l,

a bo ve t he c ou ch , o ne o f G re g? s d ra wi ng s, f ra me d a nd s ig ne d. A r ar e s el f- po rt ra it . H e d id n? t l ik e

d ra wi ng h im se lf , b ut h e? d d on e i t a t h er r eq ue st , a s a b ir th da y g if t. T he r es ul t w as w or th i t. H e? d

cap tu red h im self p er fect ly : t he l ean f ace, t he f ir m m ou th and f ocus ed , i nt en t g ray eyes. N icho le p au sed a

m om en t t o a dm ir e i t. T he n, l oc ki ng t he d oo r b eh in d h er , s he h ea de d i nt o t he b at hr oo m, u nd re ss ed a nd

s tepp ed i nt o t he s ho wer s t al l.

As t he h ot w at er c as ca de d ov er h er , s he t ho ug ht , o nc e a ga in, a bou t Gr eg? s ha nd s on he r s ki n a nd f el t

h er n ip pl es t ig ht en in g, p uckeri ng . C lo si ng h er eyes, s he t ou ch ed o ne h ar d l it tl e p eak and b eg an t o cir cl e i t

s lo wl y w it h h er f in ge r. S he d id n? t t ou ch h er se lf o ft en . I t f el t a l it tl e od d, b ut t he n, s he w as n? t o ft en s o

a ro us ed . S he r em em be re d a f ew t im es s he ?d w ok en u p i n t he m id dl e o f t he n ig ht , f ev er is h w it h d es ir e,

h er m in d s ti ll f il led w it h d ream s o f w ar m, m al e f lesh and s tr on g, k no wi ng h an ds . G reg?s h an ds .

S he t ou ch ed h er self n ow , w it h a s in gl e, t en tati ve f in ger, and m oaned s of tl y. C lo si ng h er eyes, s he l eaned

again st t he s ho wer- st al l w al l, w at er cas cadi ng o ver h er l on g, t hi ck b ro wn h ai r, d ow n h er b ack. S lo wl y,

u ncer tain ly , s he b eg an t o m as sage h er s ex , t ry in g t o i magi ne t hat i t w as G reg t ou ch in g h er . B it in g h er

l ow er l ip , s he s li pp ed a f in ger i ns id e h er self . S he i magi ned t ho se w ar m l ip s o n h er t hr oat, h er col larb on esa nd b re as ts . S he o pe ne d h er e ye s a nd w at ch ed t he s ho we r w at er d ri pp in g f ro m t he t ip s o f h er j ut ti ng

n ip pl es , t ri ck li ng d ow n h er s to ma ch a nd b et we en h er t hi gh s. S he h ad n ev er b ee n m or e a wa re o f h er o wn

body. She felt as if she were on fire. She buried her hand deeper between her legs, panting, leaning

again st t he s ho wer- st al l w al l as s he p ro bed d eeper i nt o h er self , f in gers s eeki ng s om et hi ng elu si ve, s om e

s en si ti ve s po t b ur ied i ns id e h er . H er w al ls clenched as h er f in gers t ou ch ed an exq ui si tely s en si ti ve s po t.

"Greg," she whispered--and came.

I t t oo k a m om en t f or h er t o r ec ov er h er b re at h. H er h ea d s pu n w it h t he i nt en si ty o f t he o rg as m b ro ug ht

o n b y t he m er e t ho ug ht o f h im . S he w on de re d w ha t i t w ou ld b e l ik e t o a ct ua ll y b e h is l ov er .

A lt ho ug h s he w as t went y- fo ur , s he?d o nl y h ad o ne b oy fr iend : A nd y, a y ou ng m an s he?d m et i n h er

E co no mi cs class . H e?d t ak en an i nt er es t i n h er and w oo ed h er m er ci less ly , w it h f lo wers and l it tl e v el vet

t ed dy b ea rs a nd g al lo ns o f c ha rm . O nc e h e h ad h er h ea rt , h e? d t ak en h er v ir gi ni ty . T he n h e s ud de nl y


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d ec id ed t ha t h e w as o ve rw he lm ed b y t he i nt im ac y a nd n ee de d s om e p er so na l s pa ce . H e? d s to pp ed

r et ur ni ng h er c al ls , a nd o n t he f ew o cc as io ns s he m an ag ed t o g et a h ol d o f h im , h e? d a lw ay s f ou nd s om e

e xc us e n ot t o s ee h er . A ft er a wh il e, s he ?d s to pp ed t ry in g.

B ut s ur el y, G re g w as n? t l ik e t ha t. A nd n ow t ha t K at hy w as g on e. .. .

N o. I t w as t oo s oo n. S he c ou ld n? t s ta rt h it ti ng o n h im r ig ht a ft er h is b re ak -u p. I t w ou ld m ak e i t s ee ml ik e s he?d b een w ai ti ng f or t he o pp or tu ni ty .

H ad s he ?

N ic ho le t ur ne d o ff t he s ho we r w at er a nd s te pp ed o ut o f t he s ta ll . S he c au gh t s ig ht o f h er r ef le ct io n i n t he

f ul l- le ng th m ir ro r a nd p au se d t o s tu dy i t, w at ch in g w at er d ro pl et s r ol l d ow n h er s ki n a nd p oo l o n t he t il es

beneath her feet. She forced herself to look at her body objectively and ask herself if there was anything

t he re a ma n w ou ld d es ir e. Sh e ha d h ar dl y a ny c ur ve s t o s pe ak of . H er b re as ts w er e t oo s ma ll , h er h ip s

n ar ro w, a nd t he re w er e f re ckl es on e ve ry pa rt o f h er b od y t ha t h ad b ee n e xp os ed t o t he s un . T he y

d us te d h er s ho ul de rs a nd a rm s, h er n os e, h er l eg s, e ve n h er f ee t. S he c ou ld n? t s ta nd t he m. T he y m ad ehe r l ook l ike a ki d.

H er h ai r w as p ro ba bl y h er b es t f ea tu re , l on g, w av y a nd g lo ss y b ro wn . P re tt y, b ut n ot s tr ik in g, l ik e

K at hy ?s . S he w as n?t K at hy . S he w as N icho le: s weet , i nn ocen t, b or in g N icho le A nd er s. S he s ig hed, l ef t

t he b at hr oo m and s li pp ed i nt o h er w hi te n ig ht go wn -- th e o ne h er m ot her h ad g iv en h er o n h er eig ht eent h

birthday. She looked down at the long white sleeves with their lacy cuffs and wrinkled her nose. Even her

clo th es w er e chast e and d ul l.

W hy n ot s le ep n ak ed , t he n? w hi sp er ed a v oi ce i n h er h ea d. S he s hi ve re d s li gh tl y. T he t ho ug ht w as

d el icio us , and n o o ne w ou ld k no w, aft er all . S he d rew t he cur tain s t ig ht ly s hu t, t hen u nb ut to ned h er

n ig ht go wn a nd l et i t s li p t o t he f lo or , a lo ng w it h h er p an ti es . S he c li mb ed i nt o b ed a nd s li d be ne at h t hec ot to n s he et s. T he y w er e s of t a nd c oo l a ga in st h er b ar e s ki n. S he h ug ge d h er se lf , t hi nk in g a bo ut t he w ay

G re g? s h an ds h ad f el t o n h er s ki n.

En ou gh . S he h ad t o put G re g ou t of h er m in d a nd ge t s om e s le ep. S he ha d wo rk t om or row , a nd s he

w ou ld p ro ba bl y b e go in g t o G re g? s a pa rt me nt a ga in i n t he e ve ni ng t o m od el f or h im . A t t ha t t ho ug ht , a

n er vo us s hi ve r t ra ce d i ts w ay u p h er s pi ne .

S le ep w as n? t g oi ng t o c om e e as y.

* * * *

Gr eg s at a t t he de sk i n h is s tu di o, a s ma ll l am p wa sh in g e ve ry thi ng i n di m y el low l igh t. H e s qui nt ed a s h e

a dd ed a no th er b it o f c la y t o t he s ma ll m od el . A no th er y aw n e sc ap ed h im , a nd h e s ti fl ed i t a ga in st a h an d

before taking another sip of hot, black coffee. He glanced at the window where the first, pink light of

d aw n s tain ed t he h or izon . G au zy p ur pl e clo ud s s mear ed t he eas tern s ky .

G oo d t hi ng h e d id n?t h av e w or k t om or ro w. H e d id n?t t ru st h im self t o h an dl e con st ru ct io n equ ip ment

w he n he w as t hi s t ir ed. H e f el t a s i f t he re we re l ea d w ei ght s d an gl ing f rom h is e ye li ds .

H e? d g ot te n a l ot d on e, t ho ug h, a nd t he p ro gr es s w as w or th i t. A rt d em an de d s ac ri fi ce s, a ft er a ll . H is

phone company knew that all too well. He?d gotten another letter that morning, reminding him that he


7/21

ha d bi ll s t o pa y .. . e xc ept h e c oul dn? t be ca us e he ?d us ed up a ll t he mon ey o n n ew c la y f or t hi s

com mi ss io n. I t w as a m ir acle t hey h ad n?t d is co nn ected h im y et .

H e t ur ned t he com pl et ed m od el aro un d, s tu dy in g i t f ro m all s id es . F ro wn in g i n con cent rati on , h e w et h is

f in gert ip s i n a s mall b ow l o f w at er and s mo ot hed o ut t he i mp er fect io ns , t hen m easu red t he m od el f ro m

h ea d t o f oo t w it h a r ul er , c he ck in g t he p ro po rt io ns a ga in st t he s ke tc he s h e? d d on e e ar li er . I t w as a g oo d

s tart . T he act ual s cu lp tu re w ou ld b e m uch b ig ger, o f cou rs e, s li gh tl y l ar ger t han l if e- si zed.

H e c ou ld h av e h ir ed a p ro fe ss io na l m od el , i f h e w an te d. I t w ou ld h av e r eq ui re d s om e e xt ra w or k h ou rs

s o h e c ou ld s cr ap e t og et he r h is r en t, b ut h e? d a lw ay s m an ag ed i n t he p as t.

H e h ad n?t w an ted a p ro fes si on al , t ho ug h. H e?d w an ted N icho le. H e?d k no wn , s om eho w, t hat s he

w ou ld b e p er fe ct f or t hi s. A nd h e? d b ee n r ig ht .

H e s tu di ed t he s ke tc he s s pr ea d o ut o n h is m es sy d es k, t he c le an , g ra ce fu l l in es o f h er b od y. M os t a rt is ts

w ou ld h av e cho sen s om eo ne f ul l- fi gu red f or a s cu lp tu re l ik e t hi s, s om eo ne w it h cur vy h ip s and D -cup

breasts--someone like Kathy--but Nichole had a slender, willowy beauty of her own. Slight as hercur ves w er e, t he s ketches l ef t n o d ou bt w hats oever as t o h er f em in in it y.

G reg clo sed h is eyes, t hi nk in g abo ut t hat s up pl e y ou ng b od y, abo ut h ow t hat v el vet s ki n w ou ld f eel

beneath his hands as he ran them over her breasts and thighs. He took a deep breath and tried to push

t he i ma ge a wa y, b ut i t j us t s pr ang b ac k, v iv id a s e ve r. " Th is i s w ro ng ," he m ur mur ed. " You k no w i t. " H e

c ou ld t el l h im se lf t ha t i t w as j us t a es th et ic a pp re ci at io n un ti l h e w as b lu e i n t he f ac e, bu t h e k ne w t he t rut h.

H e w an te d h er , a nd h is d es ir e w as o nl y g ro wi ng s tr on ge r. U si ng h er a s a m od el f el t t oo m uc h l ik e

e xp lo it at io n, e ve n i f s he w as i de al f or t hi s p ie ce . B ut w ha t w as h e s up po se d t o d o? T el l h er h e? d c ha ng ed

h is m in d, t ha t h e w an te d t o f in d s om eo ne e ls e? H e k ne w N ic ho le . H e k ne w h ow m uc h t ha t w ou ld h ur t

h er . B ut t he o nl y o th er a lt er na ti ve w as t o c on ti nu e s ta ri ng a t h er n ak ed b od y h ou r a ft er h ou r, w hi le h e

t ri ed n ot t o i ma gi ne t he f ee l o f h er t ig ht , s li ck w et ne ss a ro un d h is c oc k a s h e t hr us t i nt o h er . N ic hol e, w hoh ad be en h is f ri en d f or s o l on g, w ho t ru st ed h im e no ug h t o t ak e o ff h er c lo the s w hi le s he w as a lo ne w it h

h im i n h is s tu di o, w as n ow t he o bj ec t of h is e ve ry f an ta sy .

H e f el t l ik e a n u tt er p ri ck .

G re g c lo se d h is e ye s a nd l ea ne d h is e lb ow a ga in st t he d es k, r es ti ng h is f or eh ea d o n h is f in ge rt ip s a s t he

s un r os e s lo wl y i n h is w in do w and f lo od ed h is s tu di o w it h l ig ht .

H e w ou ld s ee he r a ga in t on ig ht , a nd h ave t o d ea l w it h h is f ee li ng s a ga in . B ut f or n ow , i t w as t im e t o s et

h is w or k a si de a nd t ake a m uc h- ne ed ed na p. H e k ne w w ho w ou ld oc cu py hi s d re am s.

E ve n w he n h e s le pt , h e c ou ld n? t e sc ap e h is d es ir e.

* * * *

" Hey, N icky , y ou o kay?"

" Hm ?" S he l oo ke d up f rom h er c of fe e, bl in ki ng . S he ha te d i t w he n L in da c al le d h er " Ni ck y. " I t m ad e he r

s ou nd l ik e s om e e ig ht -y ea r- ol d b oy . B ut s he ?d n ev er q ui te h ad t he g ut s t o t el l L in da t ha t. S he w as h er

boss, after all. "Oh ... yeah. I?m fine."


8/21

" Yo u s ur e? Y ou s ee m r ea ll y s pa ce d o ut t od ay ," s ai d L in da .

" Di dn ?t s le ep w el l. " S he c lo se d h er e ye s a nd r ub be d t he m w it h o ne f is t. " I j us t n ee d t o h av e s om e

coffee."

"Insomnia, huh?" asked Linda. "You should try some sleeping pills. My husband was having trouble

s le ep in g a f ew y ea rs b ac k, a nd t he p il ls w or ke d w on de rs f or h im ."

H er b ri gh t, p er ky v oi ce s ou nd ed u nu su al ly s hr il l t hi s m or ni ng , t ho ug h N icho le k new i t w as j us t h er

f at ig ue . S he w an te d n ot hi ng m or e t ha n t o p ut i n s om e e ar pl ug s, l ay h er h ea d d ow n o n t he d es k a nd t ak e

a nap. " I don?t t hi nk I ne ed pi ll s. I j us t ha d a l ot on my mi nd l ast night , tha t? s al l."

" Oh . S tr es s, h uh ? W el l, i f y ou n ee d t o t ak e t he da y o ff , I ?l l u nd er st an d. D on ?t w an t y ou d ri ft ing o ff i n t he

mi ddl e o f a c al l, a nd you ha ve n? t u se d up a ny o f you r s ic k da ys ye t. " S he p la ce d a ha nd o n N ic hol e? s

f or eh ead. " Yo u s ur e y ou d on ?t h av e a f ev er o r any th in g, h on ey ?"

H on ey . N or mall y, L in da o nl y u sed t hat w or d o n p eo pl e w ho w er e m uch y ou ng er t han h er . S om et im es ,s he s ee me d t o f or ge t t ha t N ic ho le w as h er o wn a ge . H el l, n ea rl y e ve ry on e i n t he o ff ic e t re at ed h er a s i f

s he w er e f if te en . S he g ue ss ed i t w as h er a pp ea ra nc e: j us t o ve r f iv e f ee t t al l, a nd s li gh t, w it h b ig , b ro wn

eyes. Some mornings, she considered wearing something scandalously low-cut to work, something that

s how ed of f he r br ea st s, i f j us t t o r emi nd t he w or ld t ha t s he ha d br ea st s. B ut o f c our se , s he ?d ne ve r do

any such thing.

"I?m fine," Nichole insisted, pulling away from Linda?s cool, dry hand.

Linda shrugged. "If you say so." Then, mercifully, she left.

The hum of the office filled Nichole?s ears: phones ringing, fax machines spitting out paper, voices saying" Ho w c an I h el p y ou ?" a nd " Pl ea se h ol d. " N ic ho le t un ed i t o ut a s b es t s he c ou ld , h er h ea d s in ki ng t ow ar d

t he des k a s s he s li ppe d i nto a da ydr eam of ma king l ove t o Gr eg in t he mi ddl e of a lus h, gr ee n fi el d

s pr in kl ed w it h d an de li on s. T he p ho ne o n h er d es k r an g, d is tr ac ti ng h er f ro m h er r ev er ie , a nd s he p ic ke d i t

u p. " Co leman?s G if ts , t hi s i s N icho le s peak in g. H ow m ay I h el p y ou ?"

S om eh ow , s he m an ag ed t o g et t hr ou gh t he d ay , a lt ho ug h s he n od de d o ff a c ou pl e o f t im es d ur in g s lo w

h ou rs . A t f iv e, s he t oo k a c ab h om e, w he re s he i mm ed ia te ly c ur le d u p o n h er c ou ch w it h a b la nk et

w ra pp ed a ro un d h er a nd t ur ne d o n t he T V. T he c om me rc ia ls w er e a l ow , s oo th in g d ro ne i n t he

background of her thoughts. Her eyes drifted shut.

J us t t he n, t he p ho ne r an g.

N ic ho le s at u p, t ur ne d o ff t he T V a nd p ic ke d u p t he r ec ei ve r, h ea rt p ou nd in g. S he f el t s ud de nl y w id e

awake. "Hello?"

"Hey, Nichole."

" Oh . H i, G re g. " D am n i t. H er v oi ce s ou nd ed s o . .. s qu ea ky . S he w as m ou sy e no ug h w it ho ut s ou nd in g

l ik e o ne . S he c le ar ed h er t hr oa t. " Wh at ?s u p? "

" I w on de re d i f y ou c ou ld c om e o ve r a nd m od el f or m e t hi s e ve ni ng . T he y s ho rt en ed t he d ea dl in e f or t hi s

c omm is si on. I ne ed t o ge t i t do ne a s s oon a s po ss ibl e."


9/21

"Oh...."

" If y ou ?r e b us y, I ?l l m ak e d o, " h e add ed . " I?ve alr eady m ad e a s mall m od el f ro m t he p reli mi nary

s ke tc he s. I k no w t hi s i s s ho rt n ot ic e. I d on ?t w an t y ou t o c an ce l a ny th in g i mp or ta nt f or m e. "

Go d, he h ad s uc h a s ex y v oi ce . S o d ee p a nd c on fi de nt . K at hy h ad b ee n i ns an e t o l ea ve hi m. " No , I ?m

n ot b us y. I -- I? ll b e o ve r a ro un d s ix . I s t ha t o ka y? "

" Th at ?s f in e. H av e y ou eat en y et ?"

"No."

" I?ll m ak e s om e d in ner, t hen. D o y ou l ik e s pagh et ti ?"

"Sure. That sounds great."

" Al l r ig ht . S ee y ou t hen. " A s of t cli ck .

S lo wl y, a s i f i n a t ra nc e, s he h un g u p a nd d ri ed h er s we at y p al ms o n he r s la cks . " Re la x, " s he m ur mu re d.

" Thi s i s n o a b ig d ea l. I t? s n ot a d at e o r a ny th in g. H e? s j us t m ak in g d in ne r. " S he t ri ed t o r em em be r i f

h e? d e ve r d on e t ha t f or h er b ef or e. T he y? d g on e o ut f or p le nt y o f c as ua l d in ne rs a t r es ta ur an ts , b ut s he

w as p re tt y s ur e G re g h ad n ev er c oo ke d.

S he t oo k a s ho we r, w on de re d b ri ef ly i f s he s ho ul d w ea r s om et hi ng a l it tl e f an cy , a nd t he n n ix ed t he i de a.

S he ?d b e t ak in g i t o ff s oo n a ny wa y. S he p ut o n h er u su al j ea ns a nd T -s hi rt i ns te ad , a nd l ef t h er

a pa rt me nt . S he d id n? t b ot he r t o h ai l a c ab . I t w as o nl y a h al f- ho ur w al k t o G re g? s a pa rt me nt , a nd t he

w ea the r w as w ar m a nd s un ny . W al ki ng , h ow ev er , g av e h er a l on g t im e t o w or k h er se lf i nt o a b al l o f

n er vo us e ne rg y. B y t he t im e s he g ot t he re , h er s to ma ch w as a fl ut te r.

F or ge t b ut te rf li es . I t f el t a s i f s om eo ne h ad t ur ne d a f lo ck o f s pa rr ow s l oo se i ns id e h er .

W ha t w as t he bi g de al , a ny wa y? S he ?d a lwa ys h ad a c rus h on G re g, b ut t he y? d b ee n o ut t oge the r

plenty of times as friends, and she?d never felt like this.

B ut t he n, i n t he p as t, h e? d a lw ay s b ee n d at in g K at hy . S he ?d a lw ay s k no wn h e w as o ff l im it s. T ha t m ad e

h im s om eh ow m or e com fo rt ab le t o b e aro un d. S he cou ld s af el y f an tasi ze abo ut h im , k no wi ng h e w as

i na cc es si bl e. I t w as a lm os t l ik e b ei ng i nf at ua te d w it h a n a ct or o r a p op -s ta r, e xc ep t t ha t s he c ou ld t al k t o

h im and s pend t im e w it h h im . .. even t ou ch h im , i f s he w an ted. T he m em or y o f t ho se s eemi ng ly cas ual,f ri en dl y t ou ch es h ad k ep t h er w ar m o n m an y l on g, col d n ig ht s.

Ni cho le s ighe d. Wa s s he r ea ll y s uc h a c ow ar d? W hy wa s s he s o t hr ea te ne d by t he i de a t ha t he m ight

act uall y r et ur n h er f eeli ng s? W as i t t he f ear o f d is ap po in tm en t? K no wi ng h ow m uch i t w ou ld h ur t i f s he

da re d to hope and t hen ha d t hos e hope s c rus hed? Or wa s s he jus t af rai d t o st ep out of he r s af e,

comfortable, passionless little world?

S he w al ke d u p t he s te ps t o t he a pa rt me nt d oo r. G re g? s a pa rt me nt b ui ld in g w as o ld a nd r un d ow n, t he

bricks faded from red to the dull orange of autumn leaves. To the building?s right was a basketball court

c ov er ed w it h c ra ck ed p av em en t a nd s ur ro un de d b y a w ir e f en ce . A f ew g an gl y a do le sc en ts w er e

s ho ot in g h oo ps , and t he d ul l t hu d- th ud o f t he b ou ncin g b as ketb al l, t he s of t s wi sh o f t he n et , ech oed

t hr ou gh t he s il en ce . T he w al l b es id e t he c ou rt w as s cr aw le d w it h g ra ff it i. B es id e t he d oo r w as a s et o f

d oo rb el ls w it h t he l as t n am es o f t he b ui ld in g? s o cc up ant s n ex t t o t he m o n p ee li ng b ro wn t ap e. S he r an g


10/21

G re g? s b el l a nd s to od , c lu tc hi ng t he s tr ap o f h er p ur se i n t ig ht , n er vo us f in ge rs . T he d oo r o pe ne d.

N ic ho le ?s s to ma ch d id a s om er sa ul t. G re g s to od t he re i n a p ai r o f t ig ht j ea ns , f ad ed t o w hi te a t t he

k ne es , a nd a n o ld , w or n s hi rt , s ta in ed w it h s pl as he s o f d ri ed s li p t he c ol or o f c of fe e w it h c re am . T he f ir st

f ew b ut ton s w er e o pe n, a nd a b it o f c he st -ha ir p ee ke d ou t. H e s mi le d a t h er a nd p us he d a ha nd t hr ou gh

h is w av y b ro wn h ai r. T he f ad in g d ay li gh t b ro ug ht o ut t he cop pery u nd er to nes.

No m at te r how ma ny t ime s s he s aw hi m, s he n eve r g ot o ve r ho w ha nd som e he wa s. I t ma de h er a che .

" Hey, " h e s ai d. " Co me i n. S pagh et ti ?s alm os t d on e. "

S he f ol lo we d h im i ns id e a nd u p t he s ta ir s, w hi ch c re ak ed b en ea th h er f ee t a nd w er e c ov er ed i n s ta in ed ,

f ad ed , b lu e- gr ay car pet. A s t hey n eared t he t op , N icho le cau gh t a w hi ff o f s om et hi ng s pi cy . " Sm el ls

g reat, " s he s ai d.

" Th an ks . I t? s m y m om ?s r ec ip e. " H e c hu ck le d. " Sh e t au gh t m e h ow t o c oo k. S ai d w om en l ov e i t w he n

m en coo k f or t hem. "

"She was right."

G re g t ook ou t a k ey , un lo ck ed t he do or t o hi s r oom a nd h el d i t op en f or h er . N ic ho le e nt er ed . Th e

w in do ws w er e o pen, f lo od in g h is s tu di o w it h t he o rang e l ig ht o f s un set. H e p ul led t he cur tain s s hu t, g iv in g

t hem s om e p ri vacy . T he n ak ed b ul b o verh ead p ro vi ded m or e t han eno ug h l ig ht .

T he arm at ur e- -t he w ir e s keleto n o f h is s cu lp tu re-- st oo d i n t he m id dl e o f t he r oo m. A ll t hat r em ai ned w as

t o a dd t he c la y, t he f le sh . A lr ea dy , N ic ho le c ou ld s ee t he s cu lp tu re ?s s pi ri t e me rg in g. I t s ee me d t o r ea ch

t ri um ph an tl y t ow ar d t he s ky w it h i ts l on g, g racefu l arm . S he cou ld o nl y i magi ne h ow b eaut if ul i t w ou ld b e

w he n i t w as d on e.

" Wo ul d y ou l ik e t o s ee t he m od el ?" G re g a sk ed .

" Su re ." S he w is he d s he c ou ld t hi nk o f s om et hi ng w it ti er t o s ay . I t s ee me d s he w as a lw ay s r ed uc ed t o

monosyllables around him, these days.

" It ?s p re tt y r ou gh ," s ai d G re g. " It ?s j us t t o g ive m e s om et hi ng t o w or k f rom w he n y ou ?r e n ot a ro un d. "

He t ook a c la y f igur e, a bout a f oot t al l, of f t he t ab le .

N icho le?s eyes w id en ed . T he f ig ur e w as p rett y r ou gh -- th e f eatu res w er e j us t s hall ow i nd en tati on s- -b utsomehow, he?d captured her perfectly. "It?s wonderful!"

" Yo u? re t oo k in d. " H e s et t he m od el d ow n, b ut h is f in ge rs l in ge re d o n i t f or a m om ent , t ou ch in g i ts b ac k

almost lovingly.

A s hi ve r t ra ce d i ts wa y u p Ni chol e? s s pi ne . I t w as a lm os t a s i f he ?d t ouc he d he r.

G re g g la nc ed d ow n a t h is s pl at te re d, h al f- op en s hi rt . " So rr y I ?m s o m es sy , b y t he w ay . I ?v e b ee n

working all day."

" It ?s o ka y. " S he s et h er p ur se d ow n o n t he t ab le . S he f ou nd t ha t r um pl ed , m es sy l oo k i nd es cr ib ab ly

a pp ea li ng . T he re w as a l ig ht s ha do w o f s tu bb le o n hi s f ac e a nd c la y d ryi ng un de r h is n ai ls .


11/21

H e r ins ed hi s ha nd s i n t he s ink a nd dr ie d t he m o n a fa de d bl ue t owe l. " You wa nt di nn er be for e or a ft er

work?"

" Af te r. I h ad a l at e l un ch. "

" Al l r ig ht . G o a he ad a nd t ak e o ff y ou r c lot he s. I ?l l g et m y t hi ngs r ea dy ."

S he n od de d a nd s li pp ed o ut o f h er s hi rt . S he ?d t ho ug ht i t w ou ld b e a l it tl e m or e c om fo rt ab le n ow t ha t

s he ?d d one i t b ef or e, b ut s he w as s ti ll e ve ry bi t a s c on sc io us of h is e ye s on he r na ke d s ki n. S he w as a ls o

v er y aware o f h er o wn aro us al . E very n er ve w as u nb earabl y ali ve, h er f lesh alm os t p ai nf ul ly s en si ti zed.

"Chilly?" asked Greg.

" I?m o kay, " s he s ai d. " Wh y?"

" Well , ah- -" H e g es tu red v ag uely t ow ar d h er .

H er c he ek s r ed de ne d a s r ea li za ti on d aw ne d. H er n ip pl es w er e h ar d a s b ul le ts . Q ui ck ly , s he c ro ss ed h er

a rm s o ve r h er c he st .

" I? ll t ur n t he he at u p, i f yo u l ik e, " h e s ai d.

" No, i t? s f in e. Re al ly. " S he s te ppe d on to t he w ood en b lo ck a nd s to od w it h he r f ee t a pa rt a nd on e a rm

s tr et ch ed t ow ar d t he cei li ng w it h t he p al m cup ped. T he f in al s cu lp tu re, s he k new, w ou ld s ho w a b ir d

f ly ing f rom he r pa lm . I t m ade h er t hi nk of t he o ld s ay ing : i f y ou l ove s om et hi ng , s et i t f re e.

" Th at ?s g oo d, " h e s aid . " Ho ld t hat p os e. "

She w at che d f rom t he c or ne r o f h er e ye a s he s et u p hi s t hi ng s, u nw ra ppe d a l ar ge bl oc k o f t he s of t,

g ra y c la y, d ip pe d h is h an ds i nt o t he b uc ke t o f w at er n ea rb y, a nd t or e t he b lo ck i n h al f, h is l on g f in ge rs

m ak in g d eep i nd en tati on s. H e s lapp ed chu nk s o f clay o nt o t he s keleto n, j oi ni ng and s mo ot hi ng t he p ieces

w it h s li p. T he s cu lp tu re t oo k s hape s lo wl y b en eath h is g en tl e, s ki ll ed h an ds . F ro m t he s hapeless clay

e me rg ed t he s of t r ou nd ne ss o f c al f, b ut to ck a nd b re as t, t he g en tl e s lo pe o f t he s ho ul de rs , t he c ur ve o f t he

spine.

G reg w or ked f or s ev er al h ou rs , add in g t hi nn er l ay er s o f clay, b ui ld in g u p t he con to ur s o f m us cl e and

t en do n . .. u nt il at l as t, a com pl et e- -i f s om ew hat r ou gh -- fi gu re s to od t here. N icho le k new, f ro m w at ch in g

h im w or k o n p as t s cu lp tu re s, t ha t t hi s w as t he e as ie st p ar t. T he d et ai l w or k w ou ld t ak e m uc h l on ge r.

H e w ip ed h is b ro w w it h o ne s le ev e. H e g la nc ed a t h is w at ch a nd r ai se d h is e ye br ow s. " Di dn ?t r ea li ze

h ow m uc h t im e h ad p as se d. T he s pa gh et ti ?s g oi ng t o b e c ol d. "

" It ?s oka y, " s he s ai d. " We c an he at i t u p. " S he s te ppe d do wn f rom t he b loc k a nd s li ppe d i nt o a s of t,

co tt o n r o be.

" Yo u m ak e a g re at m od el ," h e s ai d a s t he y w al ke d i nt o t he k it ch en .

" Th -t hank y ou ." T here w as t hat s qu eaky v oi ce again . D am n. W hy cou ld n?t s he b e coo l and con fi dent

f or o nce? W hy d id s he alw ay s t ur n i nt o a s hy t hi rt een- year -o ld w hen G reg com pl im en ted h er ?

" I j us t w ant ed yo u t o kn ow t ha t I a pp re ci at e yo u do ing t hi s, " h e a dd ed.


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" No p ro bl em ." S he f in ge re d t he s as h o f h er r ob e. " I? ve a lw ay s w an te d t o. I j us t n ev er t ho ug ht y ou ?d b e

i nt er es te d. T ha t, a nd I w as w or ri ed t ha t K at hy m ig ht g et t he w ro ng i de a. "

" Sh e w as a lw ay s a l it tl e w ei rd a bo ut t ha t, " G re g s ai d, l ad li ng s pa gh et ti n oo dl es o nt o a p ap er p la te . " Sh e

n ev er l ik ed m e t o w or k f ro m f em al e m od el s. S he n ev er o ut ri gh t t ol d m e n ot t o, b ut I c ou ld t el l s he d id n? t

l ik e i t. S he a ske d m e q ue st ion s a bo ut t he m a ll t he t im e. "

"That doesn?t seem fair."

H e s hr ug ge d, s po on in g s au ce o nt o t he n oo dl es , t he n p ut i t i n t he m ic ro wa ve . " I g ue ss i t? s f or t he b es t

t hat w e b ro ke u p. S ti ll h ur ts l ik e h el l, b ut w e j us t w er en ?t com pati bl e. D if ferent i nt er es ts , d if ferent

lifestyles. All that."

" Sh e w as n?t g oo d eno ug h f or y ou ." T he w or ds s li pp ed f ro m N icho le?s m ou th b ef or e s he cou ld s to p

them.

G re g t ur ne d t o l oo k a t h er i n s ur pr is e. " Wh at ?"

S he l ow er ed h er eyes, b it in g h er t on gu e. " Never m in d. I t?s n on e o f m y b us in es s. "

G re g s ai d n ot hi ng , b ut h e k ep t l oo ki ng a t h er .

N icho le s wall ow ed . S he f ou nd h er self s peak in g again , again st h er b et ter j ud gm en t, as i f h er t on gu e h ad

de ve lope d a w il l o f i ts own . "S he wa s wr on g t o t ry t o p us h you i nt o a not he r c ar ee r. She kne w f rom t he

beginning that you didn?t want that sort of life--the ladder-climbing, the back stabbing, and all that

c or po ra te b ul ls hi t- -b ut s he c ou ld n? t a cc ep t y ou f or w ho y ou a re . S he a sk ed y ou t o g iv e u p y ou r w or k,

y ou r p as si on , f or h er o wn con veni en ce. A nd w hen s he f ou nd o ut y ou w er en ?t w il li ng t o chang e y ou r l if ea nd p er so na li ty f or h er , s he d um pe d y ou . S he d id n? t g iv e a d am n a bo ut h ow m uc h p ai n s he c au se d y ou .

Y ou d es er ve s o m uc h b et te r t ha n h er ."

F or a l on g m om en t, G re g w as s il en t. H e f in is he d h ea ti ng t he s pa gh et ti a nd s et t he t wo p la te s o n h is s ma ll ,

r ickety k it ch en t ab le, alo ng w it h p last ic f or ks and k ni ves. " I?ve n ev er h ad v er y g oo d l uck w it h w om en ,"

he s aid a t last . "I remember how upset my mom wa s when I tol d he r I wanted t o be a sc ulptor . She sai d

t ha t i f t ha t w as w ha t I p la nn ed t o d o w it h m y c ol le ge e du ca ti on , t he y w er e w as ti ng t he ir m on ey o n m e. S o

I pa id f or my own e duc at ion. Se ems l ike t ha t s et t he pa tt ern f or t he r es t of my l if e. C ome t o t hi nk of it ,

t he onl y w oma n w ho? s e ve r be en ha ppy wi th me a s I a m i s yo u." Hi s e ye s m et he rs , a nd he s mi le d, a

s ur pr is in gl y y ou ng , a lm os t s hy s mi le . " Yo u? ve a lw ay s b ee n t he re f or m e, w he n I n ee de d t o t al k, or j us t b ew it h s om eo ne w ho w ou ld n? t t el l m e t ha t I h ad m y p ri or it ie s w ron g, o r t ha t I s ho ul d b e t hi nk ing a bo ut a

r ea l j ob a t m y a ge . Y ou ?v e a lw ay s u nd er st oo d m y c ho ic es ."

N ic ho le w as d im ly a wa re t ha t s he w as n? t b re at hi ng . A t t he m om en t, i t d id n? t s ee m i mp or ta nt . S he w as

aware o nl y o f h is eyes, t ho se clear , l ig ht g ray eyes, w it h t heir u nu su al ly t hi ck , b lack l as hes t hat m ad e t heir

col or all t he m or e s tr ik in g. " I w ou ld n?t chang e any th in g abo ut y ou ," s he s ai d.

" I c an ?t t hi nk o f a ny th in g I ?d c ha ng e a bo ut y ou , e it he r. " H e g ot a b ee r o ut o f t he f ri dg e. " We ll . .. m ay be

one thing."

She frowned slightly. "What?s that?"

" Yo u cou ld u se a l it tl e m or e s el f- co nf id en ce." H e s mi led. " On ce y ou r el ax , y ou ?r e a t ot al ly d if ferent


13/21

person. But you?re so quiet most of the time. If you?d just show your real self more, I think you?d be a

lot happier."

" I wi sh I c oul d. But s om et ime s i t? s ha rd ." She s at a t t he t abl e a nd s ta re d a t he r pl at e, t wi st in g a f or k

a ro un d i n t he n oo dl es . " Yo u w ou ld n? t t hi nk i t w ou ld b e s o h ar d, j us t t o r el ax ."

" No rm al ly , y ou ?r e r el ax ed aro un d m e, " h e s ai d. " Bu t n ot t on ig ht . T on ig ht , y ou ?r e all t en se and clo sedup, a nd I c an? t f igur e ou t why. I kno w t ha t t hi s i s how you g et whe n you? ve be en hur t, s o now I ?m

wondering if I?ve done something to hurt you without realizing it."

" Oh , G reg . .. i t?s n ot l ik e t hat, " s he s ai d q ui et ly . " Yo u h av en ?t d on e any th in g w ro ng ."

"Then what?"

S he b it t he i ns id e o f h er c he ek. " It ?s h ar d t o e xp la in . B ut i t? s n ot y ou r f au lt ."

" I w is h y ou ?d j us t t al k t o m e. " H e p au se d. " Wa nt s om et hi ng t o d ri nk ? A b ee r, m ay be ?"

"Water?s fine. Thanks."

He f il le d a gl as s f rom t he s ink , dr op pe d i n a f ew i ce -c ub es a nd ha nde d i t t o he r.

T he y a te t he ir s pa gh et ti i n s il en ce . N ic ho le c ou ld n? t s ee m t o m ee t G re g? s e ye s. S he w as w or ri ed h er

o wn eyes w ou ld g iv e away h er f eeli ng s.

T he y f in is he d t he ir di nn er , a nd G re g c le ar ed a wa y t he p la te s. " Ar e y ou u p f or a no th er f ew h ou rs ?" h e

said.

" Su re ." S he w al ke d b ac k i nt o h is s tu di o. T he b li nd s h ad b ee n d ra wn o ve r t he w in do ws , b ut s he c ou ld

t el l t ha t t he s ky o ut si de w as da rk . S he s te pp ed u p o nt o t he w oo de n b lo ck a nd t oo k of f h er r ob e.

S he di dn? t kn ow how l ong he w or ke d. She wa tc he d a s hi s ha nd s m ade f le sh out of c la y, a nd t ime

s ee me d t o m el t a wa y. O nl y w he n he r m us cl es b eg an t o s ti ff en di d s he r ea li ze h ow m any h ou rs h ad

passed. "Hang on," she said, stepping down from the block. "I?ve got to stretch."

" It ?s g et ti ng l at e, any way. M ay be w e s ho ul d cal l i t a n ig ht ."

" Ok ay ," N icho le s ai d, f eeli ng a s mall t wi ng e o f d is ap po in tm en t, and s li pp ed i nt o h er r ob e.

H e w as he d h is h an ds , t he n w al ke d o ve r t o h er . " Dr iv e y ou h om e a ga in ?"

" Su re ." S he l oo ke d u p a t h im . " Gr eg . .. y ou ?r e n ot u ps et w it h m e, a re y ou ?"

" Hu h? W hy w ou ld I b e? "

" Ea rl ie r, w he n y ou a sk ed w ha t w as b ot he ri ng m e, I c ou ld n? t t el l y ou . Y ou ?v e a lw ay s b ee n s o o pe n w it h

m e. I t d oe sn ?t s ee m f ai r f or m e t o k ee p t hi ng s f ro m y ou ."

" Do n?t b e s il ly . Y ou ?r e n ot o bl ig at ed t o t el l m e any th in g. Y ou -- "

S he h ug ged h im , s ud denl y, and f el t h is b reat h cat ch . H er b reas ts , s ti ll t ig ht and s en si ti ve, p ress ed again st


14/21

h is h ar d chest .

S lo wl y, h is arm s s ur ro un ded h er . S he cou ld f eel t he h ar dn es s o f h is m us cl es t hr ou gh h is T -s hi rt , cou ld

f eel h is b ig h eart p ou nd in g i ns id e h im , w here h er cheek w as p ress ed again st h is chest . H is w ar m,

s al ty -s we et s me ll e nv el op ed h er . " Th e t ru th i s t ha t I c ou ld n? t t el l y ou b ec au se I w as a fr ai d o f w ha t y ou ?d

think," she whispered.

" Th in k o f w ha t? " H is v oi ce w as l ow a nd h us ky , a nd h is s ki n h ad g ro wn w ar me r. " Wha t d o y ou w an t t o

tell me?"

" Th at I l ik e y ou a s m uc h m or e t ha n a f ri en d. " S he t oo k a d ee p b re at h, g at he ri ng h er c ou ra ge , a nd t il te d

he r h ea d ba ck t o me et h is e ye s. " I w ant yo u. I n e ve ry wa y."

" Ni ch ol e. .. ." G re g? s e ye s f oc us ed o n h er p ar te d l ip s. H e l ea ne d d ow n, a nd N ic ho le ?s b re at h c au gh t i n

he r t hr oa t a s hi s l ips t ouc he d he r n ec k, j us t a bove he r p ul se . She f el t hi s hot br ea th on h er s ki n. T he n hi s

m ou th w as on h er s, f ir m a nd h un gr y. S he m oa ne d, he r l ip s p ar ti ng t o l et h is h ot , w et t on gue s li de i ns id e.

H er h eart and m in d w er e r acin g. S he cou ld n?t b el ieve t hi s w as r eall y h ap peni ng . S he h ad f an tasi zed s om an y t im es abo ut k is si ng h im , t ou ch in g h im , t hat t hi s alm os t f el t l ik e ano th er d ream . S he f el t a s of t, s weet

ach e g ro wi ng b et ween h er t hi gh s . .. f el t h er self g et ti ng w et w it h d es ir e. H er t hi gh s p ress ed t ig ht ly t og et her,

rubbing against each other.

G re g p ul le d h er c lo se r, a rm s t ig ht en in g a ro un d h er . H is h ar d c oc k p re ss ed a ga in st h er b ar e t hi gh , a nd

s he f el t a s ur ge o f w il d h un ge r: a pr im al , s av age f ee li ng . S he w as s o t ir ed o f b ei ng s hy -- so t ir ed o f b ei ng

t he g oo d g ir l, t he c au ti ou s, s we et g ir l. S he k ne w w ha t s he w an te d a nd s he w an te d i t n ow , w it h n o m or e

h es it at io n o r h in ti ng . S he o pened h er r ob e, exp os in g h er b reas ts com pl et el y.

G reg s tared at t hem, eyes d ri nk in g i n t he s mo ot h, s il ky f lesh and r ou nd , s wo ll en p in k n ip pl es . " Yo ur

breasts are beautiful."

"Say ?tits,?" said Nichole.

He me t he r e yes , a si le nt que st ion i n hi s own.

He r c he ek s g re w h ot -- but s he d idn? t d rop h er ga ze . " I wa nt t o he ar yo u s ay y ou l ike m y t it s."

G re g? s e ye s n ev er l ef t h er s. " I l ik e y ou r t it s, " h e s ai d. " Yo u h av e t he m os t g or ge ou s t it s I ?v e e ve r s ee n. "

H e w as b reat hi ng h eavi ly . " I w an t s qu eeze t hem, and k is s t hem and s uck y ou r h ar d l it tl e n ip pl es ."

"Do it," whispered Nichole.

H e s mi le d. " Yo u k no w, I n ev er h ad y ou p eg ge d a s t he s or t o f g ir l w ho ?d e nj oy d ir ty t al k. "

"People can surprise you."

" Yo u n ev er s to p s ur pr is in g m e, N icho le." H e p in ch ed h er n ip pl e, r ol li ng i t s lo wl y b et ween a t hu mb and

forefinger, then tugging lightly. Nichole?s eyelashes fluttered and her lips parted.

G re g c up pe d h er b re as ts i n b ot h h an ds , w ei gh in g t he m o n h is p al ms . .. t he n s qu ee ze d t he m, s o s ud de n

a nd ha rd t ha t s he g as pe d. H e t oo k on e n ipp le i nt o h is m ou th , s uc ki ng i t, g ra zi ng i t w it h h is t ee th.

M ea nw hi le , h is h an ds m ov ed o ve r h er b od y, b en ea th h er r ob e, c ar es si ng h er s ho ul de rs a nd b ac k,

slipping beneath her buttocks, then parting and kneading them. "You?re beautiful, Nichole. Every part of


15/21

y ou ." H is h an ds c on ti nu ed t o m ov e o ve r h er . S he h ad w at ch ed t ho se s am e h an ds , s o m an y t im es , m ov in g

over damp clay, molding it into beautiful shapes, transforming earth into flesh with his hands and will

a lo ne . S he ?d a lw ay s t ho ug ht i t w as s o s ex y, t he w ay h is h an ds m ov ed o ve r t ha t c la y. N ow , t he y t ou ch ed

h er t he s am e w ay -- wi th t he s am e r ev er en ce, t he s am e f ir m, k no wi ng s ur et y. H is f in gers w er e h ar d again st

her soft, yielding skin, molding her. One finger toyed with her navel, circling it, then slipping inside.

H is l ip s b ru sh ed h er e ar . " Ar e y ou w et ?"

"Yes," she breathed.

"Open your legs."

A s hi ve r t ra ce d i ts w ay u p h er s pi ne . S lo wl y, s he p ar te d h er l eg s. H e s qu ee ze d h er s of t, p al e t hi gh s,

pushing them further apart, hands tantalizingly close to her sex. She wriggled impatiently, her need

o ut weig hi ng t he f li ck er s o f n er vo us ness and h es it an ce s he f el t. S he w an ted h im t o t ou ch h er , t o claim h er ,

to fill the aching, hungry void between her thighs.

W it h o ne s tr on g arm s ti ll encir cl in g h er w ai st , h e cup ped h er p lu mp m ou nd and r ub bed h is p al m again st i t

. .. l ig ht ly at f ir st , t hen h ar der, g ri nd in g h is h ar d cal lu ses again st t he s li ck , v el vet f lesh , p ress in g h is p al m

again st h er t hr ob bi ng cen ter. H e t hr us t a l on g, h ar d f in ger i nt o h er cor e. T he s ud den i nv as io n m ad e

Nichole gasp. She clutched his shoulders, moaning as he slid the finger in and out of her slick passage,

g iv in g h er a t as te o f w ha t w as t o c om e. " Do es t ha t f ee l g oo d? " h e w hi sp er ed .

"Yes," she whispered.

"You want more?"

"Yes!"

A no th er f in ger t hr us t i nt o h er p as sage, t hen a t hi rd . H e s pr ead h is f in gers , s tr et ch in g h er s li ck , h ot w al ls .

H is t hu mb f ou nd h er cli to ri s and b eg an t o r ot at e s lo wl y aro un d i t. T he f ri ct io n o f h is r ou gh s ki n again st h er

soft, slick flesh was delicious.

" Yo u?re s o t ig ht ," h e w hi sp er ed . " So h ot and t ig ht ."

N icho le l icked h er l ip s. S he f el t w on derf ul , s o s ex y and ali ve and p ow er fu l. " Take m e, " s he s ai d, l ov in g

h ow h er v oi ce s ou nd ed , d ee p, h us ky , a nd i n c on tr ol .

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

" Th is i s h ap peni ng s o f as t, " h e m ur mu red. H is f in gers w er e s ti ll i ns id e h er , d ri vi ng h er i ns an e w it h n eed.

Now, he pulled them out, and Nichole cried out softly in protest. "Shhh." He was still breathing hard, his

body hot with arousal, but there was concern in his eyes as he looked into hers. "I just want to make sure

you wo n? t r eg re t t hi s. Y ou me an a l ot t o me , N ic hol e. I don? t wa nt t o hur t you. "

" I w an t t hi s, " s he w hi sp er ed . " I? ve w an te d i t f or s o l on g, G re g. I n ee d t o f ee l y ou i ns id e m e. P le as e? "

H e t ook a d ee p b re at h a nd n odd ed. C upp ing h er f ac e w it h o ne h and , h e k is se d he r a ga in , a s lo w,

lingering kiss. She touched his cheek, feeling his stubble beneath her fingertips. It felt delicious. His mouth


16/21

w as e xq ui si te , h is l ips f ir m a nd kn ow in g a s t he y p re ss ed a ga in st h er s. S he c ou ld f ee l h er ow n m ou th

trembling against his as his tongue slipped inside again, tasting her.

H e l if te d h er i nt o hi s a rm s a nd s lo wl y l ow er ed he r t o t he f lo or . H e w as s ti ll w ea ri ng h is j ea ns , b ut s he

c oul d s ee t he h ar d bu lg e o f h is c oc k o ut li ne d i n d eni m. H e u nd id t he b uc kl e o f hi s b el t a nd p ul le d i t o ff ,

l et ti ng h is j eans and b ox er s s li de d ow n t o r ev eal h is l on g, t hi ck o rg an . " Yo u?re s o b ig ," s he w hi sp er ed .

Sh e c ur le d he r f in ge rs a ro und i t, a nd G re g m oa ne d, d ee p i n h is t hr oa t. H is c oc k f el t ha rd a nd hot , a nd s oa li ve . I t t hr ob be d i n h er h an d. T he d ar k s ac k b eh in d i t l oo ke d f ul l a nd h ea vy .

S he s ta rt ed t o s li de he r ha nd up a nd down hi s l engt h, b ut h e c aug ht h er wr is t. " If you ke ep t ha t up, I ?m

g oi ng t o c om e b ef or e w e? ve e ve n s ta rt ed ." H is h an d m ov ed b et we en h er t hi gh s a ga in a nd s qu ee ze d h er

mound. "Ready?"

N ic ho le s pr ea d h er l eg s a s w id e a s t he y? d g o. T he d ar k- ha ir ed l ip s p ar te d, a nd s he b lo ss om ed o pe n f or

h im l ik e a f lo wer, r ev eali ng every f ol d and s ecret.

H e s tr ad dl ed h er . G ri pp in g h er w ri st s, h e p in ne d h er h an ds t o t he f lo or a s h e p us he d h is c oc k s lo wl y i nt oh er h ot , w et c or e. H e s tr et ch ed h er w id e o pe n, f il li ng h er c om pl et el y.

" Oh , m y G od ," N icho le b reat hed. " Oh , G reg. "

H e k ep t h er w ri st s p in ne d d ow n, h ol di ng h er i mm obi le a s h e b eg an t o t hr us t i nt o h er b od y, s ee mi ng t o

penetrate her a little deeper each time. The friction of his hard organ moving against the soft, giving flesh

i ns id e h er b od y s ti mu lated s om et hi ng p ri mal d eep i ns id e h er , s om e b on e- deep p leas ur e t hat r ev er berated

t hr ou gh h er w ho le b od y. S he arched u pw ar d i nt o h is t hr us ts , m oani ng , g ri pp in g h is s ho ul ders . S he

couldn?t get enough.

G re g s ud de nl y s ti ff ene d a to p h er , hi ss in g s of tl y t hr ou gh hi s t ee th a s h e c am e. S he f el t h is ho t s ee ds ho ot in g d eep i nt o h er b od y, t ri ck li ng i nt o p laces t hat n o o ne w ou ld ever t ou ch . " Damn ," h e m ut tered.

" To o s oo n. " S he f el t h is cock g oi ng l im p i ns id e h er , and w hi mp er ed i n f ru st rati on . G reg p ul led o ut ,

g ru nt in g s of tl y, t hen l if ted h er l eg s o nt o h is s ho ul ders . A m om en t l at er , h is t on gu e w as i n h er f ol ds , m ak in g

h er g as p. H e l icked h er d eepl y, again and again , p ay in g s peci al att en ti on t o h er cli to ri s. H is t on gu e cir cl ed

i t, t hen s tr ok ed i t, m er ci less ly s ti mu lati ng h er and d ri vi ng h er t ow ar d t he edg e. S he h eard h er self cry in g

o ut , b ut s ee me d t o h av e n o c on tr ol o ve r h er v oi ce o r b od y. H er h ip s p us he d f or wa rd , b ri ng in g h is h ot ,

w et t on gu e m or e f ir ml y again st h er cli t, u nt il at l as t, t he p leas ur e s pi ked and h er f in gers and t oes clenched

a s s he r od e t he w av e of or ga sm .

N icho le w en t l im p, s tari ng u p at t he cei li ng t hr ou gh w id e eyes. G reg l ay n ex t t o h er , p an ti ng s of tl y. H isw ho le b od y g li st en ed w it h s we at . F or a f ew m in ut es , n ei th er o f t he m s po ke . S he w an te d t o t el l h im h ow

i nc re di bl e, h ow w on de rf ul t ha t h ad b ee n . .. b ut s he d id n? t w an t t o c he ap en t he m om en t w it h w or ds ,

k no wi ng t ha t a ny th in g s he s ai d w ou ld b e j us t a p al e s ha do w o f w ha t s he f el t. I ns te ad , s he r ol le d o nt o h er

s id e and k is sed h im s of tl y o n t he m ou th , t he o nl y g es tu re t hat cou ld com e clo se t o exp ress in g h er f eeli ng s.

G re g ga ve h er a b ri ef , t ig ht h ug a nd b ur ie d h is f ac e i n h er h ai r, br ea thi ng i n i ts s ce nt .

N ic ho le w as a fr ai d t o m ov e, a fr ai d t o b re at he , a s i f i t w ou ld s om eh ow s ha tt er t he m om en t. S he n ev er

wa nt ed t hi s m om ent t o e nd. I t s ee me d t oo m uc h t o ho pe t ha t t he re m ight be m or e pl ea sur e a nd j oy

ahead.

" I got you a ll me ss y," G re g sa id a t l as t, hi s voi ce s of t a nd hoa rs e. H is eye s move d down the le ngt h of he r

s we at y b od y a nd l in ge re d b et we en h er l eg s. H e t ou ch ed t he c le ar , s ti ck y f lu id o n o ne t hi gh . " Wo ul d y ou

l ik e t o s ho wer w it h m e?"


17/21

"Sure," she breathed.

He s tood a nd of fe re d he r hi s ha nd. S he t ook i t, a nd h e l ed he r out o f t he s tu di o, i nt o a s ma ll ba thr oom .

" So rr y, " h e s ai d, p ul li ng t he s ho wer cur tain asi de t o r ev eal a t in y s tall , o bv io us ly d es ig ned f or o ne p er so n.

" I k now i t? s n ot m uc h. I t? ll b e a t igh t s qu ee ze ."

" I d on ?t m in d, " s he s ai d.

G re g g ri nn ed a nd t ur ne d o n t he w at er , t he n b eg an t o u nd re ss . S he w at ch ed a s h e s li pp ed o ut o f h is s hi rt ,

r ev eali ng h is l ean u pp er b od y, t he s harp ly d ef in ed m us cl es i n h is arm s and s ho ul ders , t he cur ls o f r ed di sh

h ai r o n h is c he st , t he p in ki sh -b ro wn b ud s o f h is n ip pl es . S he g av e o ne a l ig ht t we ak , a nd h e l au gh ed .

"Careful with those. They?re sensitive."

" Oh r eall y?" S he l eaned f or ward and l icked o ne, t as ti ng t he s weet -s al ty h eat o f h is f lesh . T he n ip pl e

h ar de ne d a nd p uc ke re d a s h er s al iv a c oo le d o n i t. " Do es t ha t f ee l g oo d? "

" I?d p refer y ou r t on gu e f ur th er d ow n. " H e g ri nn ed and s tepp ed i nt o t he s ho wer s tall . S he f ol lo wed h im ,

s ig hi ng w it h p leas ur e as t he h ot s pr ay h it h er s ki n.

T he y s to od t og et he r u nd er t he s oo th in g c as ca de , f le sh p re ss ed a ga in st b ar e f le sh . O ne o f G re g? s b ig ,

w ar m h an ds c om be d t hr ou gh h er h ai r a nd s tr ok ed h er s mo ot h b ac k, t ra ci ng t he s ha ll ow g ro ov e o f h er

s pi ne , t he n s li pp in g d ow n t o c up o ne b ut to ck . N ic ho le c lo se d h er e ye s, s mi li ng . S pe nt a s s he w as , s he

w as a bl e t o e nj oy t he s im pl e p le as ur e o f b ei ng c lo se t o h im , f ee li ng h is a rm s a ro un d h er . I t w as a d if fe re nt

f eeli ng t han d es ir e, b ut n o l es s p ow er fu l.

Wh en he s li ppe d on e l ong f inge r be twe en t he t ig ht c he eks of he r a ss a nd t ea se d t he e nt ra nc e t o h er s ex,

h ow ev er , s he b eg an t o r ea li ze t ha t s he m ig ht n ot b e t ot al ly s pe nt a ft er a ll . F re sh w et ne ss s ee pe d f ro m h er o pe ni ng a s h e r an t he f in ge r l ig ht ly u p a nd d ow n t he h ot , m oi st c re as e o f h er w om an ho od . H is o th er h an d

s li d d ee pe r i nt o h er h ai r, m as sa gi ng t he b ac k o f h er n ec k w hi le h e c on ti nu ed t o s ti mu la te h er w et , p in k

f le sh . H is he ad d ip pe d d ow n, a nd h e l ig ht ly b it t he f ir m, s pr in gy t ip o f he r l ef t b re as t. H is t ee th f el t h ar d

and dangerous.

N icho le m oaned s li gh tl y. " Go d. Y ou m ak e m e f eel s o g oo d. " S he f el t h is cock h ar deni ng , p ress in g

again st h er t hi gh , and s mi led. " I g uess t he f eeli ng i s m ut ual. " S he r an h er n ai ls l ig ht ly alo ng t he s ur face o f

h is cock. " Lean b ack again st t he w al l. "

" Al l r ig ht ," h e s ai d. H e p ress ed h is b ack again st t he w et t il es . " Li ke t hi s?"

" Yeah ." S he k nelt i n f ro nt o f h im , t hen car ef ul ly l if ted h is b lo od -d ar k o rg an and r an h er t on gu e alo ng i ts

l en gt h. H e m oaned s of tl y, h is eyes s li pp in g s hu t. T ak in g t he f ir st f ew i nches o f h is cock i nt o h er m ou th ,

s he g razed i t w it h h er t eeth . A no th er m oan, a l it tl e l ou der. I t w as l ik e p layi ng s om e excep ti on al ly s en si ti ve

m us ical i ns tr um en t. T he t ho ug ht m ad e h er s mi le. S he t oo k h im d eeper i nt o h er m ou th , w rapp in g h er l ip s

a ro un d hi m f ir ml y, a nd b eg an t o s li de t he m s lo wl y u p a nd d ow n. A s s he d id , s he w at ch ed h is f ac e, t he

wa y h is e ye s wi de ne d wh en s he r an he r t on gue ove r hi s he ad, t he n r ol le d ba ck i n pl ea sur e a s s he s uc ke d

h im h ar der. T he f eeli ng o f p ow er w as w on derf ul .

C ar ef ul ly , s he s li pp ed a h an d b eh in d h is b al ls . S he r em em bered r eadi ng , i n s om e b oo k h er m ot her w ou ld

n ev er h av e app ro ved o f, abo ut an excep ti on al ly s en si ti ve p lace o n a m an ?s b od y. W it h o ne f in ger, s he

car ef ul ly exp lo red t he h ot , d ry f lesh b eh in d h is s ack, u nt il s he h eard h im p ul l i n h is b reat h s harp ly , and

k new s he?d f ou nd i t.


18/21

" N- Ni cho le . .. w hat d id y ou .. .. "

S he p ro be d t he s po t a ga in , h ar de r, a nd h is w or ds d is so lv ed i nt o a no th er m oa n.

I n t ha t m om en t, h e w as h er s c om pl et el y. S he h el d h im o n t he br in k o f o rg as m w it h j us t t he p ow er o f h er

h an ds and m ou th . S he s cr ap ed h er t eeth l ig ht ly again st t he s ur face o f h is d el icio us ly s en si ti ve cock, b uts he h ad s to pp ed s uc ki ng . S he d id n? t w an t h im t o c om e y et . S he w an te d t o h ol d h im h er e a l it tl e l on ge r.

W it h h er f in gert ip s, s he l ig ht ly s tr ok ed h is b al ls , enj oy in g t heir t ex tu re. H e w as h er s, every b eaut if ul i nch

of hi m, t he ma n s he ha d a dm ir ed a nd wa nt ed for s o l ong, a nd now, s he ha d hi m up a ga inst t he wa ll of t he

s ho we r s ta ll , t he h ot w at er b ea ti ng d ow n o n b ot h o f t he m a s s he h el d h im c ap ti ve w it h p le as ur e.

"Please," he whispered.

S he s li d he r m out h f re e of hi s ha rd c oc k. " Do you wa nt t o c om e? "

" Go d, y es . P le as e. I n ee d i t. "

S he gr ip pe d h is w ri st s, p in ni ng t he m t o t he w al l, a nd nu zz le d h is o rg an . " How m uc h do yo u ne ed i t? "

"Christ, Nichole, I?m begging you!"

S he g ri nn ed w ickedl y and eng ul fed h im again , t hi s t im e t ak in g h im as d eep as s he cou ld . H is h ip s t hr us t

f or wa rd , pu shi ng i nt o h er , a nd s he ga gge d a s t he t ip of hi s c oc k bu mp ed a ga ins t t he b ac k of h er t hr oa t . ..

but she didn?t pull back. She began to suck, her hot, wet mouth tugging at him relentlessly. He gripped

h er w et h ai r t ig ht ly i n h is h an ds a nd c am e, h is h ot s ee d f lo od in g h er t hr oa t. N ic ho le c hok ed a nd p ul le d

back. She doubled over, one hand to her throat, coughing so hard that her eyes watered.

" Ni ch ol e! " G re g s hu t o ff t he w at er a nd c ro uc he d, s li pp in g a n a rm a ro un d h er . H e l if te d h er c hi n t o l oo k

i nt o h er w at er y eyes. " Yo u o kay?"

" Yeah ." S he s mi led, cou gh in g t he l as t o f t he t hi ck , s al ty l iq ui d o ut o f h er w in dp ip e and s wall ow in g i t.

"Just caught me off guard."

"Sorry."

S he l au ghe d a nd p la yf ul ly t ugg ed a l oc k o f h is a ub ur n h ai r. W et , i t l oo ke d e ve n r ed de r t ha n u su al . " It ?snot your fault."

H e s mi le d. R ea ch in g o ut si de o f t he s ho we r s ta ll , h e g ra bb ed a t ow el a nd w ra pp ed i t a ro un d h er . " Th at

was amazing, Nichole," he said. "You?re amazing."

" So a re y ou ." S he l ea ne d h er h ea d a ga in st h is s ho ul de r a s h e g en tl y t ow el d ri ed h er p al e, f re ck le d

s ho ul de rs a nd s le nd er a rm s. " Yo u k no w o ne t hi ng I l ik e a bo ut y ou ?" s he a sk ed . " Yo u? ve n ev er c al le d m e

?Nicky.?"

" Do o th er p eo pl e cal l y ou t hat?"

"Some of them."


19/21

" I ne ve r not ic ed . I gue ss you j us t don? t l ook l ike a ? Ni cky? t o me ." He pul le d he r i nt o hi s l ap a nd dr ie d

e ac h b re as t, h an dl in g t he m a s c ar ef ul ly a s i f t he y w er e p or ce la in . H e l ea ne d d ow n t o k is s o ne n ip pl e.

" Ni ch ol e . .. y ou n ev er f in is hed, d id y ou ?" H is h an d s li pp ed b et ween h er t hi gh s and s tr ok ed h er m ou nd .

" Mm m. .. " S he c lo se d h er e ye s, l ip s p ar te d a s h e r ub be d h er c li t b et we en a t hu mb a nd f or ef in ge r. H is l ip s

brushed hers, and then pressed against them more firmly as he deepened the kiss. He gave her clit a light

s qu ee ze , a s i f h e w er e t es ti ng a p ie ce o f f ru it f or r ip en es s. H e s ee me d t o k no w e xa ct ly h ow m uc hpressure to apply to stimulate that little velvet nub without hurting it. Each rub and squeeze brought her a

l it tl e c lo se r t o t he e dg e, u nt il a t l as t, a s lo w s tr ok e o f h is t hu mb b ro ug ht h er o ve r. S he l ay l im p i n h is a rm s,

s we at c oo li ng o n h er s ki n, e ye s u nf oc us ed a nd c on te nt a s t he y g az ed a t t he c ei li ng .

" Wi ll y ou s pe nd t he n ig ht wi th m e? " he w hi sp er ed . " I w ant t o l is te n t o y ou r b re at hi ng a nd f ee l y ou r s of t

skin all night."

" You k no w I w il l, " s he s ai d. S he s li pp ed h er a rm s a ro un d h im .

G re g l if te d h er i nt o h is a rm s a nd c ar ri ed h er d ow n t he h al l i nt o t he b ed ro om . A s s he l ay n ex t t o h im ,c om bi ng h er f in ge rs t hr oug h h is t hi ck h ai r, Ni ch ol e f el t w ar m i n a w ay t ha t w en t b ey on d t he he at of hi s

body against hers. She closed her eyes, wrapped in contentment, and drifted off.

* * * *

" It ?s amazi ng , G reg. I t l oo ks s o r eal ." N icho le w al ked s lo wl y ar ou nd t he s cu lp tu re. H e h ad cap tu red

e ve ry de ta il of he r bo dy i n c la y, e ve n t he r apt ur ous e xpr es si on o n h er f ac e a s s he ga ze d up a t t he

h ea ve ns . H er h ai r f lo we d b eh in d h er , a s i f a g en tl e w in d m ov ed t hr ou gh i t. H e h ad n ot s cu lp te d e ac h

i ndi vi dua l s tr and, bu t he ?d s ome ho w m ana ge d t o ma ke i t l ook a s i f he ha d. A c la y bi rd wa s pe rc he d onh er p al m, w in gs s pr ea d a s i t p re pa re d t o t ak e f li gh t, a nd a f aw n l ay b es id e h er , h ea d l ai d t ru st in gl y a t h er

f ee t. " Yo u k no w, I ?v e b ee n m od el ing f or yo u a ll t hi s t im e, a nd y ou n ev er t ol d m e w ha t t hi s s ta tu e i s f or ,

o r even w hat i t?s cal led. "

" Ev e B ef or e t he F al l, " s ai d G reg.

H er eyes w id en ed . " I?m E ve?"

H e l au gh ed . " Th at ?s r ig ht . W hat?s s o s ur pr is in g abo ut t hat?"

" I a lw ay s t ho ug ht o f E ve a s h av in g b ig . .. y ou k no w. " S he c up pe d h er h an ds b en ea th h er o wn m od es t

breasts.

" I t hi nk y ou rs a re p er fe ct ," h e s ai d, a nd s qu ee ze d o ne l ig ht ly t hr ou gh h er s hi rt a s h e b en t t o k is s h er n ec k.

" Th an ks ." S he g ri nn ed and n uzzl ed again st h is chest . " So , w here w il l t hi s b e d is pl ay ed ?"

" A chu rch. W here els e?"

S he l oo ked u p at h im , m ou th h an gi ng o pen. " Yo u?ve g ot t o b e k id di ng ."

" No pe . Th ey w ant ed a s cul pt ur e of Ev e be for e t he F al l, s o t ha t? s wh at I ma de ."


20/21

" Ar e t hey g oi ng t o p ut f ig l eaves o ver t he n au gh ty b it s o r s om et hi ng ?"

" Do n? t k no w. I n a ny c as e, t he y c an ?t g et m ad a t m e. T he y a pp ro ve d m y c on ce pt s ke tc he s. "

" Mu st b e a v er y l ib er al c hu rc h. W ha t? s t he s ta tu e i ts el f g oi ng t o b e m ad e o f? "

H e r an a ge nt le ha nd dow n t he s cul pt ur e? s ba ck. " The y? re g oi ng t o m ake a m ol d of t hi s, a nd t he n p our i n m el te d b ron ze . W ha t c om es o ut o f t ha t m ol d w il l b e t he f in is he d pr od uc t. I t? ll s ta nd o ut i n t he o pe n

w here every on e can s ee h ow b eaut if ul y ou are."

" Bu t t hey w on ?t k no w i t?s m e, " s ai d N icho le.

"N ot you r n ame , no. B ut I w ant t he m a ll t o kn ow, j us t by l ook ing a t t hi s, w ha t s or t of pe rs on you a re . I

w an t t o s ho w t he m y ou r s ou l. " H e p la ce d h is h an ds o n h er s ho ul de rs a nd k is se d h er .

She giggled softly. "You?re making me feel very naked."

"Do you mind?"

" No t a b it ." S he s li pp ed h er a rm s a ro un d h is n ec k.

G re g t ra ce d he r l ip s w it h o ne f in ge r, t he n r an i t l ig ht ly a lon g h er c hi n a nd d ow n h er s le nd er , pa le ne ck .

" Yo u k no w, w he n y ou f ir st s ta rt ed m od el ing f or m e, I f el t l ik e s uc h a c ad ."

"Why?"

" Be ca us e I l us te d a ft er yo u f rom t he v er y b eg inn in g, b ut I n ev er k ne w y ou f el t t he s am e. I f el t l ike I w as

t ak in g a dv an ta ge o f y ou . Y ou k no w, o gl in g y ou u nd er t he p re te ns e o f a rt . I t w as a r el ie f t o f in d o ut h owy ou f el t. M or e t ha n a r el ie f, a ct ua ll y. A r ev el at io n. " H e p ul le d d ow n t he c ol la r o f h er s hi rt t o r ev ea l o ne

s mo ot h s ho ul de r, a nd k is se d i t l ig ht ly . " I w an t y ou , N ic ho le . M or e t ha n t ha t, I c ar e a bo ut y ou . N ot t ha t I

ha ve n? t a lwa ys c ar ed a bou t y ou, but I ne ve r r ea li ze d ho w de ep i t w ent . .. how i mpo rt an t y ou a re t o m e. "

S he l oo ke d u p i nt o h is e ye s. " I? ve w an te d y ou s in ce o ur f ir st y ea r o f c ol le ge t og et he r. Y ou h av e n o i de a

wha t it me ans t o me t o he ar you s ay t ha t."

" I t hi nk I do . .. b ec aus e I f ee l t he s am e w ay ." H e s tr ok ed h er c he ek w it h t he b ac k of o ne f ing er . " No

one ?s e ve r m ade me f ee l t he wa y you do. "

"Even Kathy?"

" No t even K at hy ." H is s tead y g aze n ev er w av er ed . " Do y ou b el ieve m e?"

"I d o. I ?m j us t not s ur e I u nde rs ta nd . Sh e? s s o m uc h m or e t ha n m e i n s om e wa ys . S he ?s s tr ong er ."

G reg f ro wn ed . " Wh at d o y ou m ean?"

"More confident. More secure with herself."

" Sh e w as n? t. N ot r ea ll y. S he a ct ed b ol d, b ut b en ea th t he s ur fa ce , s he w as v er y j ea lo us a nd i ns ec ur e. I

t hi nk s he b el ie ve d t ha t I w as c he at in g o n h er . S he a lw ay s s ee me d s us pi ci ou s. Y ou ?r e j us t t he o pp os it e.

Y ou s ee m s hy a nd r es er ve d t o m os t p eo pl e, b ut b en ea th t he s ur fa ce , y ou ?r e v er y c om fo rt ab le w it h


21/21

y ou rs el f. V er y s tr on g and i n con tr ol ." H e l eaned d ow n and w hi sp er ed i nt o h er ear , " Do n?t t hi nk I ?v e

f or go tt en w ha t y ou d id t o m e i n t he s ho we r t ha t f ir st n igh t w e m ad e l ov e. R em em be r? "

" Of cou rs e I r em em ber. I ?m g et ti ng w et j us t t hi nk in g abo ut i t. "

" Ar e y ou ?" H e u nd id t he b ut to ns o f h er j ea ns , s li pp ed a h an d i nt o h er p an ti es a nd s am pl ed h er w et ne ss

with a fingertip.

" Mm . .. o h, G re g. "

H e k is se d h er n ec k. " Wh at s ay w e c el eb ra te t he c om pl et io n o f o ur s cu lp tu re ?"

S he g ri nn ed a nd p us he d h im t o t he f lo or .

Amanda Steiger - Without Shame

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