A Haunting in the Cathouse

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A Haunting in the Cathouse Copyright © 2005 Ann Cory Cover art and design by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books, a division of Zumaya Publications, 2005 Look for us online at: www.zumayapublications.com www.extasybooks.com

Dedication To my one true love, Norm. Our love will last a lifetime, and then some.

Ann Cory

O

rgasmic screams echoed along the darkened hallways. Gargoyles with enlarged penises and breasts were mounted in the corner of the dining room, their eyes wild and hungry. Kama Sutra pictures depicting women in compromising positions with the devil hung on the walls between wrought iron sconces. The soft flicker of candlelight gave off suggestive shadows, dancing in a pulsating, rhythmic frenzy. Michael followed behind his friend Lee, his eyes darting everywhere, admiring the sexual innuendo. “Guess they weren’t kidding when they said this place was for adults only. Damn if this isn’t impressive.” “When I read about it in the paper, I knew we had to check it out. There’s only one way to celebrate Halloween, and that’s in a creepy old house.” Loud, raucous laughter captured their attention and brought them to a large sitting room. Scantily clad women roamed about the room with feathered boas emphasizing their bosoms. Several men flashed their wad of money while others were chasing the women, eager to pinch a little flesh. Lee’s eyes were wide. “Can you believe this place really was a brothel? They called it the Cathouse. Hordes of horny women willing to do anything, their sole mission to cater to the sexual needs of a man.” “Yeah, and don’t forget they were paid for it.” “Minor detail. Look at them, man. Those women 1

A Haunting in the Cathouse are drop dead gorgeous.” “And probably all married. Remember, they don’t really work here. Halloween is the one night to be somebody else for a change. Let’s go check out the rest of the place.” “Fine, but the first chance I get to nail a buxom blonde, you’re on your own.” “I believe the Cathouse has been closed down for decades. You’re so easily fooled. Like I said, those women are dressed up in costumes. You can forget about sex tonight.” Lee pretended he was going to pass out. “I live for sex, man. Besides, the women looked authentic to me.” “If they were authentic, they’d be ghosts.” “Damn sexy ghosts.” Michael pushed his friend forward. “Come on.” They wandered into a parlor complete with a bar and an old style piano. He sat on the swivel stool and ran his fingers along the dusty keys. The scent of brandy was so strong in the air he could almost taste it. Michael started to get up when he felt himself pulled back down. The feeling of several fingers kneading his cock brought him to a hard and fast erection. Before he had time to react, the zipper of his trousers slid down. Something warm coated his shaft, and he just about fell off the stool. Closing his eyes, he bit his lip to keep from drawing attention to himself. “Hey, man, you plan on playing something or are you going to sit there doing weird impressions?” Michael’s eyes opened wide. The invisible fingers stopped, and he was left with a raging hard on. “No, 2

Ann Cory I…I’m not sure what just happened there.” “This is a pretty cool room. Furniture’s a bit eccentric, but it’s classy.” “I imagine the women served drinks in here to their high paying customers. A lot of brothels have special rooms set aside for those with unlimited funds.” “How is it you know so much?” “I don’t really know. It’s strange. I must have read it somewhere.” Michael was about to test out the piano when he heard the sound of ice cubes clinking against glass. “Did you hear something?” “Yeah. I’d say the bar is open.” A woman stood in the corner of the room, filling a tray of glasses with liquor. She was naked, with the exception of a small white apron tied around her waist. Michael liked the way her breasts jiggled as she poured the drinks. “I swear she wasn’t there when we first walked in.” The woman looked up and smiled. “You fellas need a pick-me-up?” Lee strode over and reached out, swiping a handful of air. Both the woman and the glass disappeared. “What the hell? Where did she go?” “I don’t know. Let’s just leave. This room gives me the creeps.” Michael walked toward the doorway. He heard the sound of ice clinking in a glass again, but kept on walking. If Lee heard, he didn’t say. Cheap, faded rugs lined the hardwood floor, leading them to a spacious kitchen. 3

A Haunting in the Cathouse “Smells like something’s burning.” Michael thought so too, and checked the oven. “Strange. Must be left over from the last time someone cooked in here.” “Yeah, maybe.” “Want to check out the upstairs?” “Thought you’d never ask. I heard the Cathouse was built with over seventy bedrooms. Can you imagine? Talk about a whole lot of sex going on at one time.” “Did you happen to read why it was closed down?” “No. I don’t get into researching stuff the way you do.” “That’s cool, I just wondered. I’m sure it has a very interesting history. Most old places do.” Lush red carpeting lined the wide steps leading upstairs. Cobwebs were scattered between the wooden bars of the paint chipped banister, adding to the eerie ambience. Lee rubbed his hands together. “This place is something else. I feel like I’m walking the stairway to sin.” At the top they paused, eyeing a hallway that seemed to go on forever. “Just think. At one time, there was a woman behind every one of those doors, lying on her back, ready and willing.” Michael couldn’t help but laugh. “Leave it to you to make it all sound so glamorous. Most of the women in brothels were underage, inexperienced, and had nowhere else to go.” 4

Ann Cory “Hey, it’s my fantasy. Take your gloom and doom reality elsewhere.” Heavy grunts and sighs came from inside the rooms as they walked along the hallway. “Now that, my man, is the sound of hardcore sex. Hot, sweaty, slippery sex. Those women are doing more than just dressing the part around here.” “I guess so. Unless maybe they’re having sex with their husbands.” “Dude, open your eyes. Little nymphs are still hiding behind these doors. And so help me, I’m going to get laid by one.” Michael shook his head. There were times he wasn’t sure why they were best friends. Lee was a sex maniac through and through, with his mind on little else. A little further down the hall, a door creaked open. They waited, but no one came in or out. “I’m going to go check it out,” Lee volunteered, running a hand through his dark hair. “Wait—” “No chance. Open door is the same as an invitation. I’ve been summoned.” He walked quickly toward the door, whistling a tune. A wide smile spread across his face and he disappeared into the room. Slowly the door closed behind him. Michael sighed and turned to go back downstairs when a cool draft rushed along his body, nearly knocking him over. **** 5

A Haunting in the Cathouse

He looked up in time to see a woman standing across from him. Long black hair encased her pale shoulders like raven’s wings. Baby blue eyes framed by long, dark lashes observed him with a sultry look. “Like what you see?” Mesmerized by her ruby red lips, he nodded. “Good boy, then follow me.” She walked by him and headed down the hallway, passing the door his friend had disappeared in. His eyes trailed to the luscious creature’s naked body, following the succulent curves of her backside. Her sensual walk summoned an erection again, pressing tight against the fabric of his pants. The ends of her hair swayed just above the swell of her hips, enticing him further to a lust-filled state of urgency. She stopped and gave him a wink. “This one’s mine.” The door opened before her fingers touched the brass handle. Michael hesitated. A sudden chill raced through his body. Was he seeing things? She turned toward him, her breasts bare and prominent. With every breath, they beckoned his attention. Buds of pink hypnotized him, begging to be kissed and suckled. “Aren’t you going to come in?” Michael made to move when the door across from them opened. A redhead was straddled atop a large man, riding him so hard the headboard banged against the wall. Another door opened and he watched a ravishing blonde with long legs dance suggestively while two guys looked on. Moans of 6

Ann Cory men and women echoed along the hallway, filling his head with exciting images. “Sounds like we have many satisfied customers in the Cathouse tonight. Now, please come in.” Not wanting to seem rude, he entered her room. “What do you mean by satisfied customers?” “Well, sugar, what do you think men come to a brothel for? Oh, wait, I get it, you’re a virgin.” “What? No. You misunderstood. I realize this was once a brothel, but you ladies are going to extremes with your reenactment.” The puzzled look on her face spoke volumes. Was it possible the Cathouse was still in business, only kept under wraps and toted as an old gothic house to lure in men with money? “So you’re telling me you actually live here, still?” “Why, yes, of course. Where else would I live? Don’t get me wrong, someday I’ll have enough money to get my own place, but right now I have nowhere else to go.” “You’re good.” “How do you know? You haven’t had me yet.” “No, I mean your act.” “I assure you, I’m genuine. I never fake an orgasm.” “I’m referring to the whole Halloween thing.” “Is it Halloween tonight? I had no idea. The days and nights all run into one another around here.” He searched her eyes for signs she was kidding around. All he saw was the same sultry look laced with a hint of innocence. “So, what do you think of my room? Not bad, huh? 7

A Haunting in the Cathouse The rent is cheap here, so I lucked out. In case you’re wondering, the bed is nice and sturdy. Unless you like it on the floor, which I’m fine with.” Michael looked around her room. There wasn’t much to it other than a large king-size bed, a vanity littered with makeup and perfume bottles, and a small chest of drawers. A leather-bound book lay on her bed and he went to pick it up. “I see you like to read.” “Sometimes. What you’re holding is my diary.” He quickly set it back down on the bed, the heat rushing to his face. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to seem nosy.” “Why would you think such a thing?” “A diary is a very private thing.” She scrunched up her nose. “Not really. I hardly write in it anymore. You’re welcome to read it if you’d like.” He’d never heard of a woman allowing a man to read her diary, but he didn’t think it his place. For all he knew it was an in-depth view about each of her sexual conquests, and he was having a hard enough time pretending he wasn’t at all intimidated by the amount of men she’d slept with. “Maybe I’ll look at it some other time. Tell me, what’s your name?” “Alicia, but you’re welcome to call me any name you wish. And you are…” “Michael. In my opinion, Alicia’s a very pretty name. It suits you.” “Thank you. Some of the men come here and make up names for me, but I’ve always been partial to my 8

Ann Cory own.” “What kind of names?” “Tomcat, Wildcat, Vixen, you know, pet names. I guess it’s a guy thing. Tell me, what kind of pleasure are you after tonight?” Michael didn’t know how to answer. On one hand, he’d never paid for sex before, and he didn’t plan to start now. On the other hand, he couldn’t take his eyes off the stunning beauty standing before him. Her striking figure was petite in the waist, with curves in all the right places. He couldn’t help but notice her bountiful breasts or be intrigued by the small tuft of dark hair centered between her shapely thighs, taunting him to explore deep into the forbidden. Would it be possible to turn her down? She walked over to the bed and pulled back the sheets. “I spent most of my earnings last month on some real satin sheets. I hope you find them to your liking.” “I’m sure they’re very nice, but I–-“ Alicia put her finger to his lips. “Let’s see what you have under here, shall we?” She tackled the tiny buttons of his shirt until they were all undone, and let it slip off his arms to the floor. The wispy touches of her fingernails across his chest were charged with a strange sensation of electricity. “What is it you want?” “I—I don’t know.” “Well, honey, it’s not rocket science. Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. There’s little I haven’t tried at least once. How about a blowjob? Or do you prefer 9

A Haunting in the Cathouse shoving your cock in other places? Anal gets me off, I like being on top, and hell, I’m all for being tied up as long as you play nice. You look like someone who plays nice.” Michael wasn’t used to a woman talking openly about sex. He hadn’t a clue how he liked it best. Sex was sex. “I can see you’re shy. How about I get creative on my own? Maybe that will spark your imagination.” He wanted to tell her to stop. A voice in his head tried to reason with him. He was one guy out of how many. He was only a customer. This was her job, a means for a way out, and a chance at independence. He knew what he should do, but his common sense blurred. She lured him in, offering herself completely with eyes that promised pleasure, and a body that wouldn’t quit. It was like he was under a spell. Alicia knelt and slid his pants down until they gathered at his ankles. Obediently he stepped out of them, realizing that his moment to walk away had faded. With the grace of a cat, she worked his cock free through the slit in his underwear, her fingers kneading him until he was fully aroused. “Mm, I bet you taste like candy.” Her ruby lips enveloped the tip of his head, swallowing it whole. It was unlike anything he’d felt before, a moist heat. Michael’s legs shook as she skimmed her lips back and forth along his shaft, suckling intensely. Her fingers teased at his balls, lightly prodding them while she worked her mouth, lips and tongue. His gut tightened. There was no 10

Ann Cory question she could bring him to a fierce orgasm with little effort, but he wasn’t ready for it to end. With his inhibitions fading, he longed to explore her tantalizing curves. He didn’t just want to be one of her customers. Her needs were important, too. “Please, what you’re doing is…wonderful, but it’s not what I want.” She stood and smiled. “Feeling inspired?” Her nipples brushed along his chest, a subtle dance of seduction. Michael leaned forward and sampled one nipple, than the other. Instantly they stiffened into hard pits, ripe enough to nibble on. His tongue flickered along their hardened shell while his teeth nipped lightly. “No one’s done that to me in years.” Her sighs motivated him to find out everything she liked. He carried her to the bed and laid her down, rolling her onto her tummy. The mattress was a sizeable distance from the floor, propping her ass in line with his lower abdomen. He stood between her legs, his fingers following the natural line of her spine. On her own she spread her legs wider, enough to make him aware of her feminine scent. With his hands he kneaded her voluptuous ass, appreciating her womanly figure. Lower his fingers trailed, swiping along her wet folds, stroking the soft down of her pubic hair. “I should be attending to you,” she whispered, standing up a little straighter. He dipped his finger between her thighs, curious to know how badly she wanted him. “I disagree. It’s time some attention was spent on 11

A Haunting in the Cathouse you.” Holding the sides of her hips, he thrust his cock far inside, his balls slapping at her slick port of entry. She gripped the bedsheets, writhing frantically beneath him. Deep inside her walls, he felt her inner muscles clench him tight. Michael slowed down to savor the delicious freedom she made him feel. He slid his hands to her front, pinching her nipples tight while driving hard into her. “I need this…I need this,” she groaned between labored breaths. Michael was surprised how right it all seemed. He’d had sex plenty of times before, but this time was different, there was something more. Alicia rose to all fours and slammed her body back into him; flexing her inner muscles tight around his shaft. His orgasm was close, but he wanted to cater to her first. He maneuvered her body around, wrapping her legs around his waist. Her eyes flickered open and shut the harder he pumped. “Come for me, Alicia.” She fingered her clit, at the same time thrusting her hips up to meet his steady rhythm. “Yes…right there…” Her body jerked and shuddered as he gave it his all. It took only seconds after her orgasm for him to let go. His heartbeat thundered like a drum. She pulled him down on top of her, kissing his chest, neck, and lips. Her taste was unique, a mix of chocolate and cherries. “No man has ever held back the way you did for me. I feel as if I could fly right now. Sounds silly, 12

Ann Cory doesn’t it?” “Not at all. It’s a liberating moment.” Michael held her tight until the spasms subsided, kissing her forehead, nose and cheeks. “I wish you could stay here forever.” Her voice sounded sad and childlike. Everything inside his being shouted to take her with him, be the protector and care for her the way she deserved. She was too beautiful and special to give herself to strangers for money. But she wasn’t his, and what did he know about love anyway? It was sex. Didn’t it always feel this good? The answer came from his heart. “I wish I could, too, but things don’t always work out the way we want.” “I don’t know if it’s because we’ve shared an intimate moment, but I feel a rush of feelings going through me.” Michael trailed his fingers along her supple skin. “I know what you mean.” He wanted to beg her to not have sex with any other man, and tell her how much she deserved to be loved and treated well, not used for her body. “What are you thinking?” Her question was innocent enough, but the answer was potent. His thoughts swam before his face. Did he dare risk frightening her away by sharing his feelings?” “I’m thinking about taking you away from here.” “We’ve only just met. Haven’t we?” “I feel closer to you than anyone else I know. It doesn’t make any sense. What about you?” “I’m thinking how I’m not sure what love is, but 13

A Haunting in the Cathouse that it seems right to associate it with you.” Michael let her words ease along in his mind. Something magical had happened, and he’d be a fool to let her get away. The quiet was briefly interrupted by the sound of gunshots downstairs. Alicia bolted upright in bed, gathering a robe around her body. “Oh, my God! What was that?” “Stay here. I’m going to find out. Wait for me here, okay?” “I’d wait forever for you.” She smiled though her eyes were heavy with concern. Of all the places to fall for a woman, he chose a brothel on Halloween. “I’m sure everything’s fine. Stay right here.” Michael ran down the stairs, buttoning his pants on the way. A flurry of movement took place in the sitting room as women whimpered and cowered under the furniture. “What’s wrong? Is everyone okay? I thought I heard a gunshot.” A woman crawled out from under a table, tears streaking down her face. “There’s an irate group of men threatening to burn the place down if we don’t hand over all the money we’ve made. They all have guns.” The mere mention of fire set Michael reeling. He sprinted to the kitchen and kicked open the door. Three men stood laughing while another doused the room with gasoline. “What do you think you’re doing? Leave now or I’ll call the police and have you all arrested.” 14

Ann Cory A tall, brown-haired man with a pistol stepped forward, his face set hard. “Go ahead. These witches need to be shut down anyhow. Thieves, that’s all they are. Stealing money, stealing souls…they ought to be burned at the stake.” “These women haven’t caused any harm.” “They use their bodies as a weapon, inflicting us with their seductive powers and feminine charms.” Michael stifled a laugh. If they would only hear themselves, they might realize how foolish they sounded. “Please, no one wants any trouble around here. Walk away now and I’ll forget I saw you. No one needs to get hurt.” The man holding the gas can took out a cigarette and stuck it between his chapped lips. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a box of matches. “Well, that’s a tempting offer, but we’ll have to pass. Those whores need to burn like the witches they are. We aim to save this town and the rest of the men in it. All those pieces of flesh know how to do is cast spells, lure us into their bedrooms, and take our hard earned money. More than their mouths are sucking us dry.” “No one makes you come here.” “Like Hell! They know what their doing, you just can’t see it. Only a witch knows how to break down a man’s resistance. It’s time they were stopped, once and for all.” “You will have to get through me.” Two of the men walked up to him, each showing off their serrated knives. The one with the pistol waved them off. “Quit wasting your time talking to this one. It’s 15

A Haunting in the Cathouse obvious the witches have poisoned his mind. Light the fire, Sam.” Michael knew he didn’t stand a chance taking on all four men. All he could do was get everyone out. He turned and ran out of the kitchen. “Everyone get out right now, the place is going to blow!” There was a second of eerie silence, followed by the deep resonating bong of a large grandfather clock in the sitting room. He noticed a sudden change in the air. Pieces of the gargoyles started to crumble and fall to the floor. A thunderous explosion from the kitchen sent him and several others flying into the other side of the room. The fire spread quickly as it burned right through the old, dry wood, consuming everything in its path. A cacophony of screams rang out like sirens. Concerned for Alicia’s safety, Michael picked himself up and ran toward the stairway. He saw her at the top of the stairs, leaning over the balcony. Violent flames crept along the red carpet and scorched the banister. There was no way to get to her from the inside. “Hang on, Alicia, I’m going to get help.” “No, you can’t leave me. Please, I beg you!” “I’m coming back!” He ran for the door and yanked on the knob. It was stuck tight. Michael pulled and pulled but it wouldn’t budge. Looking around, he tried to find something to break the window with. Thick layers of smoke made everything appear hazy. He was going to grab a chair to break the window when a beam came crashing down. Michael dodged the beam and crawled along the 16

Ann Cory floor, fighting for air. He choked out a cry for Alicia but he couldn’t see her face through all the heavy smoke. Crawling to the sitting room, he looked to see if anyone else was still alive. The screams had died away, leaving only the slow tick of the grandfather clock. He rose to his feet and staggered around. The sound of ice clinking in a glass ushered him into the parlor. For some reason, the room had been untouched by the fire. “Hey, fella, care for a pick-me-up?” The woman in the apron poured scotch into a glass and offered it to him. A newspaper lay on her tray and he glanced at the front page. The words he read churned his stomach. “May I?” “Suit yourself.” He picked up the paper and took a seat on the swivel stool. When he looked again, the woman had disappeared. Unfolding the paper, Michael held his breath as he read the headline. TRAGIC FIRE HEATS THINGS UP IN THE CATHOUSE On October 31st, 1939, an out of control fire burned down most of the Cathouse, a well-known brothel in Nevada. Only four men survived the deadly blaze, leaving over a hundred bodies unidentified and unaccounted for. Michael recognized the faces of the men in a small 17

A Haunting in the Cathouse picture at the bottom. In the article, the men insisted they were doing the town a favor, citing the Cathouse as a breeding ground for witches. They felt it their duty as respectable citizens to take the law into their own hands and burn the witches alive. He was shocked to find no one pressed charges and the men were congratulated for courage and bravery. Tears of rage and disbelief blurred the rest of the words. How could the woman he’d fallen in love with not be real? She’d felt damn real to him. All the people he’d seen had all been ghosts, their lives destroyed by cold, heartless bastards, too afraid to admit the truth. Michael had always believed in ghosts without needing proof of their existence, and now he wondered if that’s why he’d been able to see them. The newspaper slipped out of his hands, turning to ash once it hit the floor. He heard loud voices and followed them to the sitting room. They were back. The night of the fire was set to play out again, starting from when he’d come in. Women paraded around in skimpy attire and the men flashed wads of cash. Everything was back to normal, or as normal as the Cathouse would ever get. Michael climbed the restored red-carpeted stairway to the second floor, again hearing the sounds of the so-called ‘satisfied guests,’ as Alicia had deemed them. He stopped at the door his friend had entered and opened it slowly. Sure enough, Lee was on the bed, surrounded by fifteen beautiful women. “Hey, man, this is wild. The women love me.” 18

Ann Cory Michael shook his head. “Plan on leaving anytime soon?” Lee ran his hand through a provocative blonde’s hair. “I don’t know, man, I don’t think I ever want to leave. I like it here.” He nodded his head. “I’ll leave you to your fantasy, then.” Michael turned to head toward the stairs when he felt a familiar draft. Looking up, he saw her, still as striking as ever. The sultry look in her eye sent a mountain of emotions tumbling through his body. It would be easy to fall in love with her all over again. He smiled, knowing she didn’t recognize him. “Hello.” Alicia flashed her baby blues. “Like what you see?” “Yes, very much.” She linked her arm in his. “Good boy. Why don’t you come with me so we can get better acquainted.” Michael pretended to not know which room was hers, and briefly caught sight of the redhead riding the large man and the tall blonde dancing for the men as the doors opened on their own. When he entered Alicia’s room, he was reminded of the satin sheets. This time when she offered he read the diary, he accepted. Immediately he turned to the last entry, not at all surprised it was the night she died. What did surprise him was the mention of a man she’d fallen in love with, a stranger who had given her pleasure like no other. The details were exact of the moments they’d spent together. He turned the page, intently reading her final thoughts. 19

A Haunting in the Cathouse I begged him not to leave. He promised to come back, but I fear it is too late. I finally found true love and I never want to be without him again. But fate has different plans for us. If only he had stayed we would still be together. Our boundaries of love exist only in these walls. With a heavy and broken heart, I shall stay here and wait, until my Michael comes back to rescue me. He brushed tears from his eyes and set the diary down. Things were becoming clear. She thought he’d left; she hadn’t seen him struggling with the door. In her mind they were over, just as in his mind, he believed he was still alive. He was no more alive than she was. Michael moved to embrace her, whispering in her ear, “Alicia. Do you not remember me? I have come back for you.” She pulled away, her fingers tracing his features, as if struggling to remember. “No, it can’t be. I watched you leave.” “The door was stuck. I couldn’t get out. The men who started the fire must have blocked it from the outside so no one would get out. I promise you, it’s me. I’m your Michael. Somehow you’ve helped me find my way back to you.” She blinked back another round of tears. “It really is you! I’ve missed you so much. Not a day went by where I gave up hope of seeing you again.” Alicia lavished his face with sweet-tasting kisses of chocolate and cherries. “I’ve missed feeling your skin on mine,” she said with a deep sigh. 20

Ann Cory “Then let us make a new memory.” He undressed swiftly and pressed his naked body against hers. Their lips met, sending a wave of tingly shivers through his body. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, though he wasn’t sure for how long. His mouth craved more of her taste, and their lips reunited. Mild, soft kisses turned to ravenous ones, their bodies warm and damp. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. Alicia rolled over and pushed him down in her place. “I think this time I’m going to be on top.” With her legs straddled around his, she guided herself over him. Michael sucked in his breath as he slipped into her balmy wetness. Her eyes sparkled against the dim light in her room. She moved her hips up and around, her hands pressed lightly against his midsection. Dark strands of her hair swept across his skin, tickling and getting tangled between his fingers. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on, and now they could share a lifetime together. Faster she moved, up and down, side to side, undulating over him like a goddess. His cock was tight and secure within the realm of her flooded sex. She brought his hands to her breasts where he traced her nipples, pinching and squeezing as she rode him hard. Alicia threw her head back, a long, deep cry erupting from her throat. Her body jerked above him, her thighs pressed tight against his. Michael knew he didn’t need to hold back any longer, and let his impending climax reach its peak. Intense spasms tore 21

A Haunting in the Cathouse through his body for several minutes as she stroked his belly. Slowly she slid off him, snuggling in close. Michael kissed at the little beads of sweat above her brow. “I have no idea how much time has passed since I last held you this way. The concept of time has escaped me.” “I know. The days and nights blend into each other.” “I’m sorry I didn’t read your diary before. I might have saved us a lot of time and heartache.” “Who knows? It might seem like we’ve been apart forever, but perhaps it’s only been a day.” He stroked her hair. “Even a minute is too long away from you.” “I wonder what will happen now.” “We can’t stay here.” Alicia rested her head against the palm of her hands. “No, we can’t. There are too many nightmares here. Where shall we go?” “We’ll let fate decide. But I promise, wherever we end up, we’ll be together.” Michael took her hand and led her downstairs. He hoped Lee would find his own way home, if he so desired, though he seemed content living in his own fantasy world. This time when he tried the door, it opened with ease. A warm light greeted them, and it felt right. “This way, my love. Let’s go home.” End

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About the Author

A

nn Cory’s work can be seen online and in print magazines and anthologies. Her favorite eroticinduced themes include Gothic, paranormal, lighthearted, romantic, alternative, vampires/shape shifters, and historical. Some of her titles coming soon from eXtasy Books include: A Sleighing Good Time, Royal Robes and Bard of Bristol. Visit her website http://www.anncory.com to find out what else she has up her sleeve.