The Sixth Curse of Spring

THE SIXTH CURSE OF SPRING

Mechele Armstrong

® www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

The Sixth Curse of Spring Mechele Armstrong This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © March 2008 by Mechele Armstrong All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-668-2 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Georgia A. Woods Cover Artist: Croco Designs

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

“I should have known.” Mckenzie rested her back against the rough bark of the tree as she leaned her head back on the trunk as well. A breeze blew the branches of the tree slowly back and forth. New growth had sprouted on the old tree this week as the warmness of spring had started to infuse the earth. It had been a warm one, almost too hot for the season. She scanned the blue sky. Not a cloud marred the beauty of the day. “Bryan was dating around. I would have been okay with it. I mean we were only hanging out. But, he didn’t bother to tell me.” She blew out a breath, hugging herself tightly. “Jerk.” It had been the perfect end to a perfectly awful week to go out to a movie with friends and see the object of your affections making out two rows ahead of you. Not that she’d been overly affected by him. He’d been a way to pass the time. But it still stung that she’d been the last to know he’d had three other women as the objects of his affection. The tree rustled, almost as if it reacted to her words.

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Hidden under the silver maple’s low lying branches, Mckenzie hunkered down, sitting on the ground. “Men should be put on an island somewhere. With each other. There, they can lie, cheat, and beat their chests like Tarzan.” A branch swayed down in the wind as if it nodded in agreement with her. She’d planted the tree so long ago. For some reason, being under its cover had always made her feel better. From humid summer nights spent camping out under it to her first kiss from Bobby Jenkins, who’d pined for her long after she’d lost a taste for him. She’d spent times laughing in its branches and crying about losing her dog and her grandmother. This was where she headed when she needed comfort. Always. She laughed out loud, spurred on by her tree’s support. “They could put in a track for racing cars. And lots of mud to roll in with no washing machines. And tons of beer. That’d make ’em happy and keep them there. Castration Island…” She continued on her roll, exposing all the follies and fallacies of men. Her anger at being duped, even from a man she didn’t see as a forever thing, burned her to her core. Of course, most of the things that bothered her about the end of her relationship with Bryan weren’t the important ones. The passion she’d felt about all the men to date could be described as a low dial tone. Nothing and no one had rung her bell. Maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a girlfriend. To any man. Bryan’s deception was the last straw in a plethora of failed relationships, driving home that maybe she wasn’t cut out to be with anyone. That the rest of her life might be spent with herself and a dozen cats. That was what had brought her to her “Let It Be Tree.” Not the loss of Bryan, but the concern as to what might never be. She was so into her diatribe that it took two throat clearings before the noise registered. “Mom? I’m just here…” To visit her tree? That sounded hokey, even if she always came to the tree when she was upset or needed some time to think. The thought of being with her tree always drew her, no matter what her mood.

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“Your parents aren’t here, Mac. But I’d be interested in hearing more about this Castration Island.” She froze as the wicked voice penetrated her consciousness. The wicked familiar voice. “Jake? What the hell are you doing here?” Jake had been her neighbor for all of her childhood. Once they’d graduated college, he’d moved away to another city. Or so he had according to the last time her Mom had filled her in about the goings on of the neighbors, who were her parents’ best friends. Warmth ringed her cheeks. He’d heard her rant on men, which she’d only made to her tree. Oh, well, screw it. He shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. Jake strolled into her line of vision, ducking a branch to stand in front of her. Same Jake as she remembered, with his dark hair always in need of a cut and his speculative brown eyes. Only, he seemed much bigger now. She assessed him. Quite a bit larger than she remembered. Where had those bulging biceps come from? Surely not his career as a…whatever he was. He must work out. When had she seen him last? It had been several years at least. They’d never been close, usually fought in the way boys and girls do who live so close and were forced to spend time together because of proximity and parental friendship. Her gaze fell upon his muscular physique. Jake wasn’t a boy anymore, nor was she a girl. For some reason, a shiver raced along her spine at that. She shook it off. This was Jake, for God’s sake. He smirked. “Nice to see you, too, Mac.” No one besides her parents called her Mac anymore. “Your parents and mine went to dinner. To the city. In case you were wondering where they are.” They were always spending time together, so that made sense. She hadn’t been thinking of seeing her parents when she’d driven out here. Only considered spending time in

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the familiar. “What are you doing back in town? You came all that way to doggie sit for the night?” Where was the shaggy brown horse that his family called a dog? “I’ve been back for a week. I’m staying here until I find a place to live. Better question. What are you doing here? And still talking to that dumb tree, I see.” Transported in time like she was twelve again, she glared at him. “It’s not a dumb tree. And I can come home whenever I want.” She almost added “nyah” but stopped herself. Jake had always brought out an argument in her. She stood up to find herself looking up at him. Had he always been this tall? Or had she never noticed before? “I haven’t seen you out here.” “You’ve only been home a week.” She folded her arms in front of her chest. “Why are you back anyway?” “I’m moving home.” “Didn’t like the bright lights and big city?” He’d never seemed the city boy type, and the look of him now was not some froufrou boy. He looked too large to be anywhere but in open spaces. “As a matter of fact, no, I didn’t. Done with the interrogation? You always were a nosey little thing.” He took a step closer to her. “Should I let you get back to conversing with the leaves?” Her face warmed again. The tree rustled behind her. Must be a squirrel in the

branches. “Dammit, I wasn’t…Jake, go blow an egg.” He busted out laughing. His eyes twinkled in the sunlight. “Your insults haven’t gotten any better. I remember the time you told me to go drink the lake instead of jumping in.” “I was six. And your looks haven’t improved either.” Untrue. She’d always called him a toothpick when they’d gotten into arguments in the past. Now, he couldn’t be called that. Not unless toothpicks had muscles rippling in places she didn’t know had them. He captivated her gaze. She blinked. This was Jake. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking of him

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that way. Uggh. What was wrong with her? Bryan’s betrayal must have hit her harder than she thought. “Touché.” He grinned at her. In that grin, she saw the boy she’d sparred with. He’d never lose that boyishness. He probably wouldn’t even when he was an old man sitting in his rocking chair. And dammit, he’d probably still be baiting her to fight in the rocking chair next to him. “Not going to call me toothpick?” “No.” “How come?” “Don’t wanna.” And she didn’t want to tell him why. It would puff up his arrogant self way more than it needed to be. Jake had always needed to be taken down a few pegs, not be made more egotistical. How many girls had chased him home from school? Never her, though. Instead, she’d tossed rocks and acorns, along with verbal shots, whenever they’d walked home at the same time. He’d done the same to her. “Your looks have.” “What?” What was he talking about? Her mouth drew up. What insult would he toss her way now? “Improved.” He moved closer to her, his body almost touching hers. Warmth radiated out from him, catching her like a magnet with its hold. Her traitorous body wanted to lean in closer to him. “You always were pretty. Now you’re drop-dead gorgeous.” “Uh…umm…ehhh ” She wasn’t sure how to respond. She should be slightly insulted he’d said her looks had improved, but she kept getting hung up on “You always were pretty” and “Now, you’re drop-dead gorgeous” when she attempted a retort. Where had that come from? She tried to work up some old-fashioned go get’em grit to toss back in his face like she usually did, but couldn’t get out a word. This was so unlike her. Her heart pounded and a sudden warmth infused her stomach. It grew even warmer when Jake smiled.

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His hand rose to clutch her chin and pull her mouth in for a kiss. His lips met hers in the sweetest of joinings. Her lips parted under his as he gently deepened the kiss. His tongue licked across her top lip, seeking access to her mouth to run and play with hers. He mastered her mouth, keeping it under his control, and pulled away after too short a time. She didn’t want the kiss to end. Her heart pounded. Her breathing came erratically. It was all she could do to stop from hyperventilating. Where had all this come from? Parts of her that had been so dormant with other men stood up and rang like church bells, begging to be sated. So much for nothing pushing her buttons. This kiss had tipped her over the edge into abandon. She almost expected birds and flowers to fly overhead like they did in cartoons when the little animals started to fall in love. Not that that was happening, but a great deal of lust had descended on her. It was all so familiar. Like it had happened before. Only it hadn’t, had it? She needed to be closer to him, only he pulled away. Her clit throbbed in frustration. She clenched her hands together. Even during such a wonderful kiss, he frustrated her to no end. His hand slid against her jaw and caressed her face. “Your kiss has definitely improved, too.”

***** Deidre simmered as she made the branches rustle in the tall maple tree. Damn arrogant son of a bitch. Get him, Mckenzie. A grin infused her soul. Mckenzie would, too. She’d been brought up right. She might enjoy a man a time or two, but she always came back to her tree. Always. Deidre’s tree remained the only constant in Mckenzie’s life. Her rant on Castration Island for all scum proved how Mckenzie felt about men and relationships.

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The way all women should. Men were dogs of the worst kind. How many women had Deidre watched hurt by a man’s hand while she rested trapped in a seed or a tree, unable to do a damn thing about any of them? Only after her vessel had grown a few years, could she do anything to affect the outside world. After her last home had perished, she’d been tossed into a maple seed, which a young girl had received at an Arbor Day festivity. Deidre had now grown into a tree stretching up almost forty feet in the air. For whatever reason, one curse a day was still the limit to her powers. The tree must not be big enough for anything else, though it seemed bigger than the cedar tree she’d last had powers in. Deidre didn’t understand the machinations of the curse that had placed her inside the seed eternities ago. Damn Adam for making the rules so complex. These past few years, she’d kept most of her curses light and frothy. A little cheating here. A little STD there. She’d already done a curse or two, or five, in the direction of Jake Bremmer. Something had crackled between them for years, but neither of them knew the currents, which ran so deep. Deidre had always taken care of the feelings before they brimmed into anything. They’d forgotten the kisses they’d shared before, or at least, Mckenzie had. Deidre had finished up that Bryan situation yesterday. A few words from her and Bryan had lost any ground he’d gained, and now he’d have premature ejaculation forever and a day. She cackled, her branches shaking in the air. Fitting future for a double-dipping asshole. She didn’t need to waste her curse for today on Jake Bremmer. After all that had happened with that kiss, Mckenzie would toss him to the curb. Mckenzie would not let this man into her life or her emotions.

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No, Deidre had watched their banter for a long time as they’d grown up as neighbors and taken care of any incident that might have deepened their relationship. This sorry sack of shit didn’t have a chance. He’d have his nuts roasted for taking this little liberty of kissing Mckenzie in the state she was in. Jake had brought hell down on his head. In a way, Bryan had helped her finish off Jake as well. It was a two for the price of one sale. Deidre owed Bryan one. Now, Deidre would have the pleasure of seeing Jake put down for good. The arrogant bastard deserved all he got. If only she could will herself out of the tree to help. It would be so much fun to help Mckenzie put Jack in his place. Maybe when the time came, Mckenzie would help Deidre get her own revenge. Adam would pay for his transgressions eventually. This time, she didn’t have to worry about the demise of her vessel prematurely. No one would ever cut down this tree. Mckenzie cared for it too much. The little girl turned woman had ensured her safety and continued power surge. This time, she’d reach the consortium of strength she needed to will herself out of the tree. Just like Jake’s comeuppance, it was simply a matter of time. She quieted her limbs to hear every word of Mckenzie’s diatribe toward the man who’d taken such liberties. Deidre didn’t know who was more shocked, her or Jake, when Mckenzie said, “If you’re going to say that, you better get another dose to be sure.” And then, Mckenzie pulled his head down for a rousing play of mouths.

***** Jake melted under Mac’s questing lips. He got lost in the taste of her. In the feel of her. She tasted as sweet as a fine wine. He pulled her closer against him, something he hadn’t done the first go round because he’d expected to get smacked, not pulled in for an even

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steamier kiss. His hard cock rubbed against her middle. He ground it harder against her. A moan sounded against his lips. When she pulled away, he felt the loss as surely as if the temperature had dropped several degrees. Her hand came up to her lips to touch them as if she couldn’t believe what had happened between them. He wasn’t sure he believed it himself. How many times before had things simmered between them almost to the flash point? Too damn many times for his liking. Mac had always pulled back before anything got going. She’d found a way to evade whatever had happened and ignore it. She’d pretended it never happened. Not this time. One thing being in the city had taught him was you’d better take advantage of opportunities when they came along because they may never happen again. It had been too many years since his last crack at Mac. One of the things he’d looked forward to in his trip back home had been her. He hadn’t been sure why. The reasons hid buried beneath a lot of teasing and sparring. He wouldn’t lose this opportunity. He pulled her in for another kiss, letting his lips linger over hers. Allowed himself to press in and get the taste of her all over him. A weak hand pushed on his chest. He pulled back to look in her dreamy hazel eyes. “What’s happening?” She shook her head as if to clear cobwebs from it, looking much like he felt. “What are you doing to me?” “Kissing you.”

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“That, I noticed. Hard to miss.” She swallowed, and he followed the movement down her throat. Her breasts strained against her T-shirt. They looked as though they sought a way out. He’d be happy to oblige. God, they’d feel good under his hands. He wanted to see them. Much like when he’d been a curious twelve-year-old and had peeped in her windows. She’d tossed a baseball at his head when she’d figured out who she’d seen. He’d had a goose egg for two days. But she hadn’t ratted him out. Only kept a careful watch from then on. “Glad you noticed.” He dipped his head again, stroking his tongue against hers, savoring her reactions. She had the deepest little moan. She pressed against him as he rubbed his hard cock against her, letting her know how much this was affecting him, how much he wanted to be inside her. He’d never been so close to creaming his pants as he was at that moment. She’d feel delicious and taste even better. His hands slid down her back and around her ample hips to cup her ass. Her cheeks fit in his palms. He pressed her against him as much as he could, liking the feel of her. Taking her against the trunk of her Let It Be Tree would be a fitting start to things between them. He salivated at the thought. Another weak hand pressed against him. He pulled away to survey her face. Swollen lips. Passion-hued eyes that gleamed and twinkled. He lowered his lips to keep her looking that way, but she pulled back before he could reach them. He blew out a deep breath. “What now?” She was talking way too damn much. She needed to let his mouth stay on hers. “What is this?” She waved a hand. “What?” “This.” She moved back to lean on the trunk of the maple. “This whole thing between us. We’ve…what the hell are we doing?” “Kissing. I already said that.”

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“But…I…I” She pulled her arms around her to rub her arms as if cold. The wind blew the limbs on the tree back and forth. “This isn’t normal. You’re Toothpick.” There went the nickname she’d called him for years. “You’re not Scrawny.” Not hardly. She’d filled out in all the nicest places. Even more so than the last time he’d seen her. “Not at all.” “I don’t get this. Why…” She shook head back and forth. A limb fell as if to cut between them. “We’ve never done anything like this.” He blinked, staring at her. Had she developed amnesia? “Are you serious?” “Yeah.” She wrapped her arms around herself, covering those luscious breasts. “This is all so unexpected.” Maybe she didn’t remember the times before, but he sure did. A little chink in his ego made him twinge. Maybe those times hadn’t registered on her radar. He sure as hell planned to change that. “You’ve got to be kidding me. We’ve kissed five times before.” Then he winced. Telling her he knew exactly how many times they’d kissed was like confessing a crush. But what the hell? It was about time he laid it all out in front of her.

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Chapter Two

Deidre seethed from her spot inside the maple. This couldn’t be happening. Not to her Mckenzie. She shook out her branches in frustration. They’d been through so much together. Now one kiss from Jake had turned Mckenzie into a ball of goo under her branches. Mckenzie should be doing a great many things. Kissing Jake wasn’t one of them. A stick flew off and hit him in the head. “Ow. Your tree has it in for me.” He rubbed his head and glared up at her branches. If she’d had eyes, Deidre would have glared back. If only the stick would have struck him in the eye. Or gone up his nose into his brain. Yes, that would have been a fitting end to the strapping man. Bastard. Mckenzie patted his head before stretching up to press a kiss against where he’d rubbed. “You’ll live. And what other kisses? I don’t remember other kisses.”

That’s because I took care of them. Like I always do for you. Deidre tittered in the wind. And always will. Mckenzie had become the friend she’d never had before.

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“That’s not so important. What is vital is that we are kissing now.” Jake pulled Mckenzie close again, his arms snaking around her. “Again.” He lowered his head to claim her lips. Deidre could do nothing but watch as the man kissed her Mckenzie. Deidre could sense the arousal pushing up in them both. They were going to do it under her branches.

Yuck. Wait a minute. She could stop this. She had her curse left for the day. Her leaves rustled in the wind as she shook them. A few words from her and Mckenzie’s ardor would cool. That would take care of any chance for a scene that would burn Deidre’s eyes from their sockets. The time had come to take care of Jake Bremmer once and for all. That involved planning. No light frothy curses for him. Nothing temporary. This had to be permanent. She’d go all out. Have a plot and put him on the sidelines forever. No man would ever take her Mckenzie from her. Ever. Each curse would need to take Deidre nearer to her goal. The end would justify the means of getting there. Once she’d finished, Jake Bremmer would be twisted up in knots, and Mckenzie would never have any problems with him again. All that would be left was a happy Mckenzie, who’d never let a male torture her with emotions, and a male who Mckenzie would torture by not having any feelings for him. It would end the way it should. The way it should have last time in that damn cedar tree. If only her vessel hadn’t died before she’d done a number on the bastard. No danger of that this time. She laughed evilly and put forth her first curse. No question on what to do. It would disturb Mckenzie and do some of the work for Deidre already. She knew Mckenzie well enough to predict her reactions to what she cursed.

Jake will have sex with Mckenzie, but not here.

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Her branches fluttered even as she put forth the words. She’d said two curses in one, a cheat, and only the first would come to pass. Fuck. She had condemned herself to seeing a man’s cock again. Not a pretty sight.

***** Mckenzie dissolved under Jake’s questing tongue. Heaven couldn’t feel this marvelous. His lips didn’t just kiss her, they possessed her. Sent shivers down into her being. Nothing had ever felt like this. This rang her way beyond a low dial tone. Fireworks exploded with the kiss. Electricity swirled like lightning. This was what she’d been wanting for so long. Her nerve endings sat up and said, “Have mercy,” though they didn’t want Jake to have any on her. She wiggled herself closer, rubbing her body against his. Pressing her chest against his. Feeling his hard cock across her middle. Oh, to be naked. It would be a good thing to remove these impediments to getting closer to him. Even better if he were naked, too, of course. As his tongue slid along her own, she moaned against his lips. His hand slipped down her back to cup her butt and pull her closer to him. His hard body rubbed her own.

Oh, yes. The bay of a dog broke into their concentration on each other. The shaggy beast did a hyper doggie dance.

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A car made its way down the road. They lived in a place where people still stopped when they saw a car. Stopped and stared. Few cars ventured down the little dirt road that led to their houses. Both she and Jake froze. Samson, the wooly mammoth of a dog, didn’t bark out of malice. He yelped for joy. He knew the car. Their parents traveled up the little road in the Bremmer’s station wagon. A groan sounded from her lips. Why now? Of all the times to be interrupted. Maybe they could hide until their parents left? No such luck. Her mom waved from the backseat with an incredulous look on her face. Mckenzie could see her mouth moving excitedly. Busted. With Jake Bremmer of all people. Not that it would bother her parents. They’d long thought that she should hook up with him. He leaned over to whisper, “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.” Then he moved off toward the slowing car. The butterflies in her stomach grew butterflies. What would happen between them later? When their parents headed off again, if they headed off again? Did she want their parents to go or stay? Jake’s voice had no right to do such things to her. His voice had such a growly quality. It made parts shiver that never had before. Her body felt strangely like strings of stretchy marshmallows as she followed Jake on shaky legs. Her mother bounded from the car. “Mckenzie! What are you doing here?” Her gaze shifted from Jake to her again. The unspoken question in her eyes was, “with Jake?”

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Mckenzie’s hand almost came up to feel her lips but she defeated it at the last second. Were her lips swollen? They felt like they might be. She didn’t want to draw her mother’s attention to that. “I came up to…just hang out. Ran into Jake.” Like a brick wall. “I didn’t know he was back.” “That’s because you never call, dear.” Her mom moved forward to give her a hug, laying on the maternal guilt as only a mother could do. Her dad rolled his eyes behind her mother’s back. “She’s busy.” He smiled at her with a wink. Jake stuck his hands in his jean pockets. “So, what are you all doing back? I thought you were going to eat and go see that play.” Mckenzie couldn’t pull her gaze away from Jake. Not the best plan in front of all their parents. Now that their bodies were separated, she questioned how on earth she’d ended up in his arms. Something had gone horribly wrong. Or was that horribly right? As if he knew what she was thinking, Jake moved closer to her. The irresistible pull of his body struck her like he’d turned into the magnetized poles of the earth. She still had the urge to pull off her clothes and have mad monkey sex with Jake against her tree. She had to fight down the urge. What was wrong with her? Maybe she’d stepped into a parallel universe? Or at least a black hole? Jake’s dad looked sheepish. “I thought the tickets to the play were in my wallet.” He shrugged wide shoulders. “Guess they weren’t.” Mr. Bremmer wasn’t known for his great memory. Jake looked a lot like his dad. Mckenzie had never realized that before. Would Jake look like that when he got older? Both of his parents worked out and remained fit and trim. He’d be one handsome older man if he resembled his father this much at that age. What the heck was she thinking? She had stumbled into a parallel world.

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Mrs. Bremmer patted her husband’s arm. “Least we checked before we got into the city or to the theater.” “Good thing, too.” Her dad reached down to pet Samson, who lolled his tongue around, happy to see everyone. He began making the rounds to sniff and lick everyone in his pack. “You going to pick up the tickets and head back in?” Jake had a note of hopeful impatience in his voice. Mckenzie shot him a dark look, which he responded to with a quirked brow. All four parents looked on with knowing expressions. This wasn’t going well. The four of them had all been scheming to get her and Jake together. One whiff of that in the air and they’d be on it like crust on bread. “We don’t have time to go anywhere now to sit down and have food.” Mrs. Bremmer thumped Samson on the side. They didn’t believe in eating fast food either. “We thought we’d grab some fish from the freezer and grill it.” “We did… Oh yeah, I’ll go fire up the grill.” Mr. Bremmer and her father walked on to the rear of the Bremmers’ house, where their deck was located. And the grill. Both fathers thought grilling was an art form. From spring to fall, they grilled everything they could. The only reason they didn’t grill in winter was the snow and the early darkness. Jake groaned. Two pairs of all-seeing eyes surveyed him. “Are you feeling okay?” His mother moved toward him with her hand outstretched. “You look flushed.” Mckenzie’s cheeks heated. They were probably both flushed after their earlier activities. Jake tried to shake off his mom’s hand but she had the aim of a Roman spear thrower. Tried and true. “You feel hot, too. Are you getting sick?” He swallowed, frowning at her. “I’m fine, Mom. Just a little warm today. It is spring.” He moved away and shot Mckenzie a come-hither look.

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It made her weak in the knees. Her clit had never been this sensitive. This desiring to lose what… A nose poked her thigh. “Samson.” She pushed his snout away from her legs. At least he hadn’t inspected her privates, which he’d done before. He grinned up at her without remorse. She reached down to pat his lumpy head. “Lucky dog.” The comment was muttered for her ears only, and it warmed her face again. At this rate, she would have a permanent blush. “You could have some fish with us.” Mckenzie’s mom beckoned to her. “Stay for dinner with us and Jake. We have to leave right after dinner, but it would be nice to spend some time together.” It had been a while since she’d seen her parents. Guilt filled her at that, but she could never spend enough time with them. “Okay.” Staying with them would save her from having to deal with Jake for a while. Of course, she could run now, begging off from dinner. No, she’d never turned down a challenge. He challenged her more than anything she’d ever faced. Jake frowned at her. They followed the two women up on the deck with the dog trailing along behind them. Jake blocked her way and whispered, “Don’t think about leaving until they do.” He moved over to sit by his dad on a deck bench by the grill. He knew her so well, he understood what she’d contemplated. Mckenzie settled down in a patio chair. The man was getting downright bossy. It would serve him right if she did book out of there before the parents did. She ignored the thrill that raced around her heart at being told what to do. Bryan had never issued orders, nor had any other boyfriend she’d ever had. Not that Jake was anywhere near a boyfriend.

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“Mckenize, you never said why you’d come home.” Her mother sat a tall glass of lemonade in front of her. Her mother looked innocent but her next words belied the spirit behind the question. “We weren’t home. Did you come by to see Jake? I think I’d mentioned he’d been back.” Jake’s grin traveled across the deck and rankled her last nerve. “I don’t think you had mentioned that, Mom. I was rather surprised to see Jake.” She took a long sip of lemonade. “Really surprised.” And pleased. That didn’t sit well with her. She shouldn’t have been pleased to see him. But even before the kisses, the unforgettable kisses, she had been. Why? It made no sense. Jake’s gaze held her captive. It wouldn’t let her go. “I was surprised to see Mckenzie, too. I think she came to see her tree.” Her mother made a face. “I’m just glad you finally stopped trying to climb it. I thought we’d have to get the ladder truck out here one day to rescue you.” “Mom. I never went that high.” She looked down at her feet. “I just needed to come home for a bit.” No one understood her connection to the tree. She’d stopped trying to explain it years ago. Her gaze sought out its willowy branches. It swished back and forth in the wind as if it knew she looked. Her mother tittered but didn’t ask any questions. Unlike Mrs. Bremmer. “Your mother said you were seeing someone. Ryan, is it?” She blew out a breath and glanced to Jake, who scowled. “Ryan?” He gripped onto the sides of his chair. She took a swig of lemonade. To deal with these people, she needed something stronger. Like tequila. “I…I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.” As of yesterday, but they didn’t need to know that. Nor did she bother correcting the name. Ryan was history with or without the correct name.

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The scent of grilling fish wafted through the air. Her mouth salivated. Maybe she was hungry. Her gaze sought out Jake’s large form. Her mouth ran rivers. Oh yeah, she was starving. And not just for food. “Oh.” Mrs. Bremmer beamed from ear to ear. “Isn’t that interesting? Jake’s not seeing anyone either.” Mckenzie almost choked on her own spit. Jake made a strangled noise down low in his throat. Mr. Bremmer turned over the fish with a sizzle. “Lois…” Her father shook his head at her mother. Lois shrugged. “I’m just saying…” Her mother remained quiet, presumably because of the head shake from her father. Yes, the matchmakers were in full swing today. Not that they ever weren’t. Mckenzie took another large sip of lemonade. “Jake, why don’t you get Mckenzie some more lemonade?” His mother’s voice sounded bright and cheery, as if the world were finally going her way. Not much didn’t go her way. She had Jake and his father completely wrapped around her little finger. Without protest, Jake got to his feet and ambled along to the pitcher. He refilled her glass, brought it over, and deposited it beside her. But instead of going back to his seat, he pulled a deck chair beside hers and sat down. Attracting the attention of mothers and fathers alike. The closeness of his body made her senses prickle from end to end. For God’s sake, when had she turned so needy? She wanted his hands on her. His mouth. His body. She wasn’t choosy. She grabbed the glass and took a swig, needing something to cool herself down. “You’re thirsty today, Mckenzie.” Her mother didn’t bother to cover a smile. “Jake’s hot, and you’re thirsty. Must have been a heat wave before we got back home.”

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She choked on her drink. Her head swiveled toward her mother. Had they seen something? No, they hadn’t been up the road in enough time to see what she and Jake had been doing. But her mother wasn’t dumb either. Mckenzie and Jake had a guilty look about them; even Mckenzie knew that, though she didn’t know how to fix it. She’d never hidden much from her mother, even as a teen. “It’s a hot spring day, Mom.” She wiped her sweaty hands on her pants. “That it is.” Jake leaned back in the chair, his long body looking so at ease. And so…strong. He’d become so yummy looking while being in the city. She never knew city boys could look like him. Their parents drifted into conversation about the warm weather. That left Mckenzie and Jake to their own devices. One of Jake’s hands disappeared under the patio table. Mckenzie almost startled when it stroked along her hand, but managed to keep herself quiet. She looked at him with a question on her lips that died when she saw his expression. He looked at her as if she were the prey, and he was the predator. She swallowed. She’d never seen such a look directed her way. This was Jake. Her neighbor. Her enemy on some occasions. She shouldn’t be eyeing him like this, and he sure as hell shouldn’t be looking back like that. Maybe it was a good thing their parents had come home. It gave her time to think. Time to put the brakes on her reckless mind. His gaze challenged her. Reminded her of what he’d said earlier. This wasn’t over. He wasn’t going to let her run from this. The question was. How far was she willing to let it to go?

***** Deidre seethed inside the gray bark of her tree.

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Not that she was unhappy about them not fucking in front of her, but being with their parents wouldn’t help anything. In fact, they might push things forward that Deidre would have to step in and stop. The only thing that made her smile was that Jake must be going nuts with carnal desire. His balls must have turned blue by now, so many minutes after the curse had been delivered without it being completed. Fulfilling the curse would be on both their minds, distracting them from whatever their parents pushed.

I hope you cream your pants, or hit your boner on the table. I hope you drop hot fish on the tip, and it burns you through your pants. Their parents liked the idea of the two being together as a couple. Had they lost their minds? She could understand the Bremmers not wanting to admit they’d created another asshole for the world, but Mckenzie’s parents should be ashamed for wanting to put their beautiful daughter into the hands of a bastard. What were they thinking? Both women were a little too enamored of and under the men, if you asked Deidre. Maybe sometime soon they would need a comeuppance curse to play with. She felt Mckenzie’s gaze on her tree while Mckenzie sat on the Bremmer’s deck. She waggled her branches back and forth, capturing Mckenzie’s attention. She sensed Mckenzie’s confusion about what she should do. Her libido said to go after Jake, but her mind cautioned her of the dangers. If only Deidre could speak to her and tell her the truth about men. Not some lies the parents concocted to bring her into the same hell they existed in. The mothers must be in denial. They’d never looked unhappy to be with the two men, but they had to be. They were obviously concealing their misery. Maybe one day she’d free the two of them as well. For now though, she’d concentrate on Mckenzie. Keeping her free from any man’s clutches.

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The parents’ arrival had been unexpected. Now Mckenzie debated what to do. Deidre could feel the pent-up feelings building in the woman. She didn’t like Mckenzie feeling this way. If only Jake hadn’t shown up. If only he hadn’t kissed Mckenzie. If only the parents hadn’t shown up to put off the curse. Things weren’t working her way today.

What are you going to feel when she’s hurt and lost from not being with Jake after your next curse? Especially after you destined them to fuck, building up those feelings. The questioning voice took her by surprise. She rarely questioned her actions. The only time she had before was in that fucking Christmas tree. But that had only been nuggets of questions, not full-fledged ones like these. The sex made up part of the steps that would constitute her plan to deal with Jake. She couldn’t have one big step without the little ones leading up to it. She had to punish Jake. That meant the two having sex.

Isn’t that messing with Mckenzie’s mind? The woman who you consider your friend? Are you any better than a man to do things like that to her? A shiver twisted her branches. No. This wasn’t like that. Not like that at all. She was better than the twisted men. She was doing all of this for Mckenzie’s own good. She’d protect the woman at any cost from anyone. What a true parent should do. Yes, she’d taken the best course of action, even with the delay of the parents showing up. Maybe this visit would even work to her advantage. The delay would have them both eager to consummate, making the actual sex time short. No way would Jake take any time to make this special for Mckenzie. He’d be in too big a hurry to stick in his dick for a piece of tail.

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By the time Mckenzie gave in, she’d be in such a quandary it would mar their time together. Their short time. Nothing that happened between Jake and Mckenzie would last too long. Deidre had her next curse primed and ready. Once it went out, Jake would cease to be anything but an annoyance in Mckenzie’s mind.

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Chapter Three

Jake pushed closer to Mckenzie. Sitting next to her and not being able to touch her had been torture. He’d remedied that. His hand still lay along hers under the table. So far their parents hadn’t noticed. There’d be hell to pay if they did. They knew something was up and had since they’d come home. Grilled fish, his ass. That had been a last-minute excuse to stay there and see what was up with him and Mckenzie. If they made it to togetherness this time, his mom would be first in the cheering section, followed closely by Mckenzie’s mom. Even their dads thought the two of them made a good match. They’d just never pushed them together like their moms. His finger lingered over Mckenzie’s skin. She was so soft, even on the back of her hand. He wanted to get to know her entire body. From each freckle to each imperfection to each tiny pore. He wanted to kiss her all over. Except that he didn’t want his mom and dad looking on. He wanted Mckenzie all to himself. Didn’t look like that would happen anytime soon though, so he contented himself with running his fingers over her hand. She reached up with her free hand to grasp her cup of lemonade.

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Her hands would grasp his cock tightly. He’d fill up her small hands. She’d be so tight around him. Her pussy would be even tighter. He shifted in his seat before blowing out a breath, took his free hand, and sipped some lemonade himself. He needed ice to cool down. Only he didn’t want to cool down. He wanted to get to Mckenzie. To finish what they’d started. He didn’t intend to lose this chance. There was no going backward this time. He’d learned a lot about himself in the city. How he liked to be in charge. It would be so much fun showing that to Mckenzie. His gaze turned to her again. She had a drop of lemonade hanging on her lip as she put down the cup. He wanted to lick it off. The wetness around her mouth reminded him of how she’d look after giving him a blowjob. Her lips would glisten like they did now. Her tongue came out to softly press against the drop and take it within her beautiful mouth. That tongue would wrap around his cock and do wonderful things to him, all wet and wild. He shifted again in his seat. The fish was nearly ready. They’d turned brown. He could smell the aroma taking over the whole deck. Except for the part that sat by him. Over the harsh scent of the grilled fish, he could smell Mckenzie’s perfume. Such a heady scent. He took a deep breath, pulling it into his nostrils. This was the stuff wet dreams were made of. “You all right, son?” His dad flipped a fish over with a slap of the meat against the grill. “You’re being quiet.”

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Jake would swear he heard a note of amusement in his dad’s voice. Maybe he knew how much being this close to Mckenzie tortured Jake tonight. “I’m fine, Dad.” “You’re being awfully quiet, too, Mckenzie.” Mrs. Cade’s face drooped in a concerned manner toward them both. She pushed her long hair back from her face. She looked so much like Mckenzie. Her gestures. Her mannerisms. Her dialect and speech patterns were the same. This was what Mckenzie would look like as she aged. It was a pretty picture. Mrs. Cade had aged better than most. So had Mr. Cade. What a joy it would be to watch Mckenzie grow old. To grow old with her. “I’m fine. Just thinking, Mom.” Mckenzie shifted her hand away from his. Jake frowned. He didn’t like the loss. That puzzled him. Why were the fires banking so hard within him for this woman? He’d never thought about growing old with anyone. Mckenzie turned her crystal gaze back to him. She looked at him with an upturn of her chin and opened her mouth. Her eyes locked him in chains he couldn’t break. Didn’t want to break. Oh yes, that was why. She was slamming gorgeous. Smarter than most. And she liked to give him what for. “Dad, how soon until those fish are ready?” The sooner they ate, the sooner they’d be on their way back to the city and the play. “Soon.” Which, to his dad, could mean anywhere from a minute to a day. He looked back at Mckenzie to find her smiling in amusement. She knew he wanted them gone and why. Damn wench.

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“You’re not having problems at work, are you?” Mrs. Cade looked even more concerned. “You work too hard. I’m always telling her she’s working way too hard. Never any time off for fun. Or boyfriends.” “Maybe she just hasn’t met the right guy yet.” Jake picked up his cup to take a long swig. Mckenzie growled. “Or maybe I don’t need a man in my life to make me happy. Maybe I’m perfectly fulfilled by my job.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her breasts. Breasts he hadn’t seen yet. Yes, he needed to rectify that sooner rather than later. He’d once thought a job could fulfill him. But that hadn’t turned out so well, bringing him back to his roots. Back to Mckenzie. “Maybe you think you are. But you aren’t. You’re waiting for that Mr. Right to show up.” She stuttered a little. Deep wrinkles etched across her forehead. He’d struck a nerve. “Hardly. I love my job. Very fulfilling work.” “You work too much. Hank, tell her she works too much.” “Mckenzie’s not the only one who works too much. Back here barely a week and already he’s taking on jobs…” Their parents launched into a conversation on their children’s work habits. He’d heard the bleakness in Mckenzie’s voice as she’d talked to her tree about an island for men. She was disillusioned with his sex. Yes, she did love her job. Yes, she did fine on her own. But she wanted what her parents had. He’d known that since middle school. She’d talked about it once to him. She wanted someone to grow old with. That wouldn’t have changed since then. He wanted the same thing.

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Both his parents and hers had been married for over thirty years. They were comfortable, loving, and passionate people. Not that he wanted to think about his parents’ sex life, but from too much information reports on occasion, it was active. He’d be lucky to find something rare like they had, yet he wanted to. “I’m not saying your life isn’t good. But…” Their parents ignored them again so he leaned in close. “I know you. And what you want.” She looked up at him with a haughty lift of her neck. “Do you, now?” “You told me.” “When?” Her tone turned dubious. “That summer we took swim lessons together.” She blinked at him then opened her eyes wide. “We were…thirteen? Fourteen? People change a lot.” “Not the basics, they don’t. You might have matured. But you were honest that day. What you wanted wasn’t going to change.” “Yeah, well, I also wanted a horse and to be a supermodel.” “Those were your desires. But your wants haven’t changed.” “What exactly are those wants?” She tilted her head to the side and looked at him with her “come on” look. “If you know so much.” “When they head back into town, I’ll tell you.” A grin tilted his lips upward. “In fact, I’ll do better than that. I’ll show you.” A shiver raced down her torso. He watched it ripple. The experience would be the most fun game of show and tell he’d ever played. “The fish are done.” His father pulled them off the grill with a smile. “Who’s hungry? I know you two kids must be famished.”

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Jake was famished. But what he wanted didn’t lie on that plate. She sat in the seat next to him.

***** Jake took a bite of the fish, which tasted good, and chewed. “Is this fish you caught, or fish you bought?” His father grinned. “Will you believe me if I say I caught it?” “No.” Though his dad loved to fish, he had no luck at it. Jake’s mom always caught more fish than he did, even though she never tried. His dad humphed. “I bought it.” “From the local warehouse store.” Mrs. Cade took a bite. “But it tastes so fresh. Just like fresh.” His mom nodded. “It is good.” He turned his attention to the quiet woman beside him. She hadn’t said much since before the fish had been served. She took a small bite into her mouth. Somehow that mouth fascinated him. He couldn’t draw his vision away from it, despite trying to. Her tongue came out to dab at a morsel on her lip. She looked up at him and her eyes widened. He let her see everything in his gaze and more. Everything he wanted to do with her, do to her. His cock rested hard and heavy between his legs. With both sets of parents there, his arousal should have abated. But so far his desire had done nothing but increase. Everything she did turned him on.

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His mom eyed Mckenzie. “Mckenzie, honey, are you enjoying your dinner? You don’t seem to be eating much.” She’d been pushing pieces around on her plate, except for a few small nibbles here and there. “It’s good, Mrs. Bremmer. I’m just not hungry.” “Oh.” Mckenzie’s nerves had crept in. He frowned. He took another good look at her. She looked like a colt about to bolt. He surveyed the rest of the plates. Everyone was almost finished. He rubbed his hands together. Soon they’d be going, and that would leave him and Mckenzie alone to finish what they’d started. Jake moved his own plate closer to him and polished off the last of his fish. “Better eat up all you can. You’ll need your strength.” He’d said it a little louder than he’d meant to and now had everyone’s attention. “For the drive home.” The dads’ eyes met in a silent communication, and both mothers snittered. Wasn’t quite a titter or a snicker, so it was a snitter. Mckenzie’s face blushed in a rosy glow. It looked good on her high cheekbones. “Yes, I wouldn’t want to get hungry on the way home.” She pushed her half-eaten fish away. “In fact, I’d better be heading home.” And there it was. She was going to run away from this. From him. From what had almost happened before their parents showed up. His hand tightened on the table. Oh, no, she wouldn’t leave. Not now. Not without them sorting things out between them. “I thought you said you were staying a while. You know, so I could show you the…wood samples I made.” Four pairs of eyes surveyed him with curiosity then shifted their attention back to Mckenzie to hear her response.

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“You can show me your wood some other time.” Her face colored again, though he wasn’t sure why. “I really must go.” “I’d like to show you tonight.” Show her the world and everything in it. Her staying had suddenly become the most important thing in the world to him. She had to stay. He couldn’t let her leave. If she left, whatever existed between them might fade away. Like it had before. He couldn’t allow that. “I…” “I’d rather show you now. Tonight.” He was losing her. That couldn’t happen. He had to keep her here. He looked to his parents. “When do you need to be back for your play?” Must be soon. If they hadn’t had time to eat in town, though he doubted the truth to that, it meant the play had to be starting soon. That would help Mckenzie believe they’d have to leave. He tried to convey something in his gaze. If only he could get a minute alone with his dad. But his mom got what he was trying to say. She looked down at her watch. “Oh, my, look at the time. We do need to be getting back to the city.” She pushed to her feet. His dad looked down at his own watch. “But we still have…ooof. Oh, you’re right. Yes, we do need to head back.” Jake would bet money his mother’s foot had landed on his father’s. God love his father, he could be obtuse at times. The Cades looked amused but they had gotten the message, too. So it would set their tongues wagging. There’d be lots of questions and hopes put forth by their parents. They’d probably stay out after the play to give the two of them more time alone, which was a good thing. “See, they are heading back into town now. Stay a few more minutes. Let me show you that…my…wood.” Well, no wonder she’d blushed. He’d been so focused on keeping her there, he hadn’t paid attention to the double entendre. Of course it was all he could do not to

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order her to stay with him. Hell, he wasn’t above binding her in some way. As long as he got the chance to move on her. To be with her. She swallowed. The delicate lines of her throat moved up and down. Her teeth came down to bite her lip. “I guess I will.” His mother picked up her plate. “No, Mom, I got it. I’ll take care of cleaning up.” He motioned with his hand. “Go so you can make that play.” He would clean up after them. Later. If all went well, much later. “You sure, Jake?” His mother put her plate back down on the table. “Yes. Go, Mom.” Mckenzie stood up right next to him. Even over the smell of the grill and the honeysuckle that grew by their deck, he could smell her. She had such a beautiful scent. Such a heady arousal smell. Her body almost touched his. He wanted to explode in a trail of fire. Soon. His mother touched his arm. “Walk us to the car?” He nodded. Mckenzie picked up a plate with a hand that trembled. “I’m going to pick up.” Her voice sounded low. Subdued. Her parents came over to hug and kiss her. “Don’t be a stranger, Mckenzie. You can come out for more than that tree.” Her mother patted her arm. “I know, Mom. I’ll be back out again soon.” She started stuffing paper plates and cups in the trash can that sat on the deck. Samson wagged his tail and got up from his perch, hoping for scraps. Jake’s mother opened the door to let him inside. “Fish doesn’t agree with him.”

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“I’ll be right back.” Jake directed that to Mckenzie. “Don’t go anywhere” remained unspoken but sounded loud and clear between them. “Then, I’ll show you my…wood.” More, if he was lucky. He walked down the steps, which squeaked as always, and to his parent’s car. Mr. Cade opened the door for Mrs. Cade, who stepped in with a wave good-bye. Then, he got in the back seat while mouthing his own good-bye. Jake’s father opened his mother’s door. She didn’t get in. “Lois…” She patted Jake’s arm. “You take care of that girl.” Mckenzie was a woman. A beautiful, sexy woman. He started to say something, but his mom hushed him. “I’m very serious. You take care of her. You know how I feel about her. I find out you treated her wrong… You’re not too big to spank.” His mother said nothing she didn’t mean. He swallowed. “I’ll take care of her.” “You can tell me more of what’s between you later. Go back to her.” She sat down in the car. “Don’t wait up.” She turned her attention to his father. “I have the tickets this time.” She blew him a kiss. His dad shut the door even as he shook his head. “Like I’d forget them again.” He turned back to Jake. “Listen to your mother.” He nodded. “I will.” “There’s a chance of thunderstorms this evening. Keep Samson inside. He smells when he gets wet, and he’s a baby when it comes to thunder.” That would also keep him out from underfoot. “I will, Dad.” He turned to go back to the woman waiting for him.

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“Have fun, Jake.” Now that he would definitely do. The car door shut, and Jake turned to watch it travel back down the road toward the city. He and Mckenzie were finally alone. He turned back toward the house to find Mckenzie had come off the deck. She’d walked to her tree and stood under it. Her arms were folded in front of her chest. He ambled over with a spring in his step. “Alone at last.” “You think they think something’s going on?” She leaned back against the trunk of the tree. Her hair bristled in the breeze. “They don’t just think. They know.” “Aw, hell. They’ll be Cupid’s minions for a while. We’ll never hear the end of it now. They’ll have us married by the end of the night.” “So?” He moved closer. “Is that a bad thing?” He wasn’t sure of the answer to that. But how she saw it was crucial. She looked alarmed at his approach but didn’t back up from him. She didn’t answer him either. “I guess it’s to be expected.” A mischievous grin twisted her mouth. “Going to show me your wood?” Now that was the Mckenzie he loved. The one who gave back just as good as she got. His voice deepened. “You want to see it?” Still grinning, she moved closer to him. “Yeah. I’m wondering if it’s pine or oak. Or maybe cedar.” She didn’t say maple. The wood of her tree.

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The branches swerved back and forth in the air as though cheering Mckenzie on. Sometimes that tree seemed like it reacted to things that were said near it. But that was impossible. He shook his head. Now he was as bad as she was, personifying a stupid tree. “How about hardwood with no splinters?” He waggled his brows and moved still closer to her. The air blew from her lungs in a big sigh. “Jake…” He moved against her, basking in the heat from her body. “Hush.” It was an order. A command, putting him in charge. Would she take it from him? She did, hushing, and he captured her lips in a kiss that rocked him to his core like a bomb. Oh, yeah, hardwood indeed. He extricated his mouth from hers, leaned back, and with a gruff voice said, “Take off your shirt.” She hesitated. He backed a step away from her body, letting his hands drop from the contact. “Now. Take it off.”

***** The harshness in his tone sent spirals of desire down every channel of Mckenzie’s body. No one had ever ordered her around like he did. She’d caught him doing it earlier and had no idea how much she’d like being commanded. “But someone might come up here.” “No one comes up this way. My parents and your parents are gone for a few hours.” He folded his arms in front of him. “Take it off.” A light growl permeated his words as though no one questioned him. A light breeze caressed her face. The sky remained that brilliant cobalt. Another stick flew down from the tree’s sheltering branches.

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The command in his voice did things to her that she couldn’t explain and didn’t even want to try. Her hands shook as she unbuttoned the thin shirt and let it fall from her body. Even with the warm air, coolness brushed across the now-bared skin. Her hand came up to unsnap her bra. “Not yet. Pants come next.” He didn’t move. His gaze didn’t flicker over her with any emotion reflected. Instead of a half-naked woman, he might as well have been looking at the Saturday paper. Self-consciously, due to his lack of reaction, she unsnapped her jeans and slipped them down her legs. Dammit, no man had ever made her feel this way. Not even as a teen when she’d read more romance novels than experienced the joys of sex. Pull yourself together,

Mac. Get some self-confidence going. Yet she continued to obey his commands. Her tennis shoes came off with the pants. Soon she stood in bare feet and bared skin. The warmth of the air welcomed her with light brushes that tingled across her jazzed nerve endings. Who’d have thought being ordered around and stripping in public would have had her so aroused? She was more turned on than she’d ever been in her life. The sides of her thighs felt slick with moisture. Jake’s face set in a tight line. He walked in a circle around her. His gaze shifted from impassive to savoring. She didn’t try to hide herself but stood straight under his perusal, following him as well as she could with slight turns of her head. Some wilting flower she wasn’t, so she’d never try to cover with inadequate, small hands, but she didn’t want him at her back. She wanted him in her line of vision. Nothing had ever seemed as dangerous as him at that moment. Why that was, she wasn’t sure.

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When on earth had the boy next door turned into the bad boy? Yet she welcomed that sense. The danger in him thrilled her. Made her pussy ooze with unfulfilled desire. She was turned on even more with him circling her. She was horny. For the first time in her life, she wanted to do this because she wanted to fuck. Not because it was expected that she should want to have sex. The wanting thrilled her beyond anything else. His gaze heated her as he continued his walk, touching every part of her. He looked as if he saw into each part of her with X-ray vision. Her body wasn’t thin or slender. She no longer fit the word scrawny, that was for sure. But everything in his eyes said he liked what he saw. And reflected everything he planned on doing to what he saw in front of him. Decadent things. Wild things. Wonderful things. His voice shifted impossibly, into even more of a baritone than it had been. “God, you’re beautiful.” She shuddered, both at the sound of his voice and the words he said. Hard to believe she was standing under her tree, almost naked with the boy next door. Only he wasn’t a boy anymore. And she wasn’t a girl. Funny how that information kept coming to a head. Like maybe she would be, too. Coming that is. “Be right back.” He hurried in the direction of his house. “You stay here.” He didn’t even glance back to see if she’d comply, assuming she’d obey his every command. Leaving her standing there. Alone. Almost naked.

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Chapter Four

Was he playing some practical joke? With the relationship they’d had in the past, Mckenzie wouldn’t put it past him. It would be his style to get her aroused, clothes off, and leave her. Should she wait? Or leave now with at least some of her dignity intact? He’d ordered her to stay. Some part of her wanted to acquiesce. Wanted to stay until he came back. Heed his order. Her hands clenched and unclenched. She couldn’t bring herself to move yet. Her thigh muscles tightened in disappointment. So much for the desire brimming within her. She never should have allowed Jake to kiss her. Should have sent him packing the instant he’d shown up. Never should have given into her lust. Look where it had gotten her. Into trouble and heartache. The tree moved as if backing up her thoughts with approving whispers. Silly, but she always felt the tree’s support when she talked to it. Especially about men. Most would say she was crazy. Maybe she was.

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Look who was standing out here, mostly naked, alone, waiting for the boy next door to come out. She’d finally reached for her shirt when he came strolling back. Like he wasn’t in any hurry and had no place to be. But he had come back to her. He arched a brow at her as if he couldn’t believe she’d started to dress. “What are you doing?” His long strides carried him to her side in seconds. “I told you to stay put. Put the shirt down.” “I…I thought maybe you’d left me.” The shirt dropped from her hands back to the ground where it had been lying. “I thought you weren’t coming back.” Her mouth dried out. He had returned to be with her. This wasn’t some joke, some misuse of her trust. He’d gone back to ordering her around, too. All things that had her senses plunging into desire-land again. He tossed packets on the ground. Condoms. He spread out a blanket under the tree. “I told you I’d be back. I had to get a few things.” “I see…” “Do you?” He sounded aggravated at her. She bristled under his irritation. “I do now.” How was she supposed to know what he’d been doing? Wasn’t like she had a playbill or an agenda. “I always keep my word, Mac. If I tell you something, I’ll do it. The other men you’ve been with may have said things and didn’t follow through. But I’m different.” He folded his arms in front of his chest. She swallowed uneasily. The web of arousal around her had faded with his absence, hadn’t completely come back with his presence, and now his mood killed off what remained. What in the hell were they doing out here like this? How did he know what she’d done with other men? Because by his speech, he did know. Not a hard answer to find -- her mother and

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his. Jake must have had stories of her bad luck with the opposite sex passed to him. “Look. I probably should…” He didn’t let her finish. Instead, he was on her. Kissing, nibbling, touching. His hands and mouth came out of nowhere and were all over her, pulling her back to the state of desire she’d been in before he left. Amazing how little time it took for her to become hot and bothered with Jake again. Much more so than she’d ever been with anyone else. Even artificial means of bringing herself pleasure hadn’t gotten her this wet, this needy. Cupping her face in his large hands, he pulled back to look fully into her eyes. “I’m telling you I don’t say anything I don’t mean. It’s important. You need to trust that.” His eyes pierced her soul. She’d never hide anything from that intensive acorn brown gaze. The boy Jake had been had never said anything he didn’t mean either. “I know.” She did. And always had, even amid her doubts of him leaving like that. The doubts had come because of the way other men had acted, not anything that Jake had done. He might tease her, but he wouldn’t deliberately hurt her. “I had to get protection.” “You keep condoms at your parents’ house?” Not anything she’d do in her own mother’s house. Mrs. Bremmer had a snooping streak a mile wide. “I’m moving back. I have all my stuff here. They were in a box. I had to dig for them, which took a while.” He didn’t carry condoms around with him in his wallet. He hadn’t been looking for this. Neither had she. “I… Who said we’d need condoms anyway?” She said the words with bravado and mock indignation. He was so sure of himself. Not that they weren’t going to have sex. They’d almost gone too far to end it now. But she had to test him. To question him. Even if she knew the outcome as well as he did. Otherwise he’d think he was with another woman.

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His thumb pressed down, sliding from her cheek to her lips to run across them with a light brush. “I did.” “Look, you don’t…” His thumb pressed against her top lip, stopping her speech. “Something has been between us for years. This time, I’m not letting you pull away.” She nipped the end of his digit, which he removed without comment. He leaned in to push a gentle kiss against her lips. Unlike the firestorms of the earlier ones, this one gentled. Relaxed. Not a brotherly kiss, but not as breathtakingly intense as those first, frenzied ones either. “I intend to make love to you out here. Under your tree.” A low-hanging limb whapped his head. “What the…” She giggled, unable to resist. “Gonna pay for that laugh.” He growled and pulled her against him. Several swishes of his cock against her and a deep kiss made up her restitution before he’d pushed her away again. “Lay down.” He’d gone back to commanding. Not that he’d ever stopped. Such a dominant male. Lord help her, she liked that about him. “Where do you get off ordering me around?” She folded her arms in front of her chest, controlling her shiver. “You want to get off? With me? Then do what I say.” His gaze trapped her like an animal in a snare. “As I say.” Yes, the man had a dominant streak. She responded to him acting like that. Thighs quivering, she lay down on the blanket, accepting his domination of her. Her eyes closed briefly as she reflected on liking this a little too much. Could he tell? Was that why he kept on giving the commands? Or was that a part of him and his methods of seduction? He kneeled near her on the blanket. “Before we start, we should establish some things up front.”

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She nodded to him to indicate he was right. They should. He’d already taken care of a must for her -- protection. Somehow, that warmed her. That he’d thought of that and a blanket for her comfort. Both things were thoughtful for a man who didn’t seem like the type to think of his lover. Maybe it was part of the dominant nature in him? “This isn’t casual.” The words brought up a whole torrent of emotions racing inside her. Whatever lay between them, it wasn’t anything off the cuff. He let her know his intentions up front. That scared her and delighted her at the same time. “And?” There had to be more to whatever he wanted to say. There was probably a “but” coming up and not the fine-looking one with double t’s that he had. She wouldn’t like the rest of what he had to say. Only he unfastened the top snap of his jeans. A start to giving her what she wanted. Him naked and with her. “That’s about all for me. You got anything?” Eyes widening, she shook her head. What should she say? She didn’t know what she liked and didn’t like when it came to matters of the heart and sex. Nothing had ever sexually struck her like Jake had already. He zinged her like lightning. He electrified her whole state of being. He eased her zipper down. Her mouth dried. He stopped, looking at her as if gauging her reactions.

Come on, finish it. She wanted to see him naked. See his hard cock, which had been against her so often in the last few minutes. The time had come for quid pro quo. He slipped his jeans down to his hips. She could make out the ridge of his cock, and she took in a breath. Had to fill her lungs with air because she wasn’t going to blink and look away from a single second of the unveiling of his cock. Yanking down his jeans and briefs, he pulled them over his long, muscular legs.

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His cock bounced free. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. Yeah, he was large everywhere. Nothing that screamed porno movie star, but a filling size that she couldn’t wait to get in her mouth. In her everywhere. He pulled off his shirt, eliciting another round of staring. Six-pack abs and pecs that were a girl’s dream. The boy next door had been working out. And reality set in. This was her neighbor. Her parents’ best friends’ son. The boy she’d grown up next door to. Who’d spied on her when he was twelve, trying to get a peek at her still-developing bosom. Hell, she’d only known what bosoms were from romance novels, and they had heaved in all the books, while hers had…well, barely moved. Now the two of them were about to get horizontal. Maybe her bosom would heave…if she were lucky. “Are you sure about this?” One final check to make sure he was on the same page as her. To make sure of herself in what she was about to do. “Surer than I’ve ever been. If you have doubts, speak them now.” He lowered to the blanket beside her. Without his even touching her, fire burned her skin, heating her with his boiling furnace. “This is your last shot. Later will be too late.” “I mean…this is so sudden.” “I thought about you.” Her heart stopped for one earth-shattering moment. “Wha --?” “When I was in the city. There were lots of women. But none of them were you. I never stopped thinking about Scrawny from next door. Who wasn’t so Scrawny when I left. You kissed me that day. When I left for the city. It was in the spring.” His face grew thoughtful. “In fact, all our kisses were in the spring.”

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Had she? If she’d kissed him before, it must not have registered, not like it had today. How was that possible? If he’d kissed her half as intently as these kisses, they would have walloped her. She wouldn’t have forgotten them, that’s for sure. “You really thought about me?” If it was a line, it was good one. Nothing warmed her more than thinking of Jake Bremmer thinking of her. Well, except his big naked body laying right there in front of her. “I did.” She placed a hand on his chest, stroking along his skin. Sparks darn near flew between them. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. She’d always been so reserved. Hard to turn on. Yet everything Jake did revved her up that much more. Why shouldn’t she take this moment with him? She scooted over and let her lips meet his. He took over the kiss with a mastery that had her gasping. His tongue played into hers with a wicked abandon. The featherlight touch moving toward her breast made her pause a second before losing herself in his kiss again. Slowly the hand cupped her through her bra, moving her more fully into fingers that tweaked her nipples and had her back arching like some purring cat. A branch rained down on them and smacked him in the head. Not a big one. But he made a face at the pain incurred. She couldn’t help but snicker at his wounded expression. His hand came up to touch the place where it had hit. The little branch couldn’t have done much damage. “Ah, yes, now I owe you again.” She couldn’t wait to pay.

*****

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Jake looked at the bounty lying before him on the blanket. Two scraps of material were all that kept his eyes from taking in the whole package. Two small scraps. This was finally happening between them. Even as they’d fought as teenagers, Mckenzie had been the subject of many a day dream. Of many a wet dream. Her creamy skin called out to him to taste. To lick from top to bottom and savor her whole flavor. He ran a hand down her shoulder, stopping beside her breast. His hand scraped against her soft flesh. “Don’t worry. I like rough hands.” She looked down and blew a kiss. “I thought you were some kind of business bigwig in the city. How’d they get that way?” “I was a manager, but I’ve been doing some carpentry on the side for the last year.” He pulled down one bra strap partly down to press a kiss against a creamy shoulder. “Why?” The question made him pause. Why had he been doing carpentry on the side? He’d had a well-paying job. A life in the city. He’d left it all. To come back here. Because he liked to work with his hands. The city hadn’t suited or fulfilled him. Something had always seemed unfinished about the way he’d lived his life. Mckenzie. He hadn’t been thinking about her when he’d moved home. Not consciously. But now that she was here and things felt so right… Had he moved back with the intention of working out whatever had been between him and Mac? “Jake?”

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His thoughts turned to mush as she moved closer with that luscious body only a handful away. Only Mac could send him into his own thoughts with a question when he had her nearly naked self next to him. It was time to put that nakedness to use. He settled on the blanket. “I like carpentry. I moved back because I didn’t like city life.” Not all of the explanation, but at least some truth existed in the statement. From what he’d seen of her and knew of her, she wasn’t ready to hear the whole explanation. Plus, how corny was it to admit he’d moved back partly because of a woman who’d done nothing but toss acorns and verbs at him. And five kisses. A ghost of a smile moved across her face. “I can see that. Both the woodworking and you not fitting in the city.” Why had she always pulled back from him? Why had he let her? He should have pushed the issue before now. Staring at her beautiful nakedness, wanting to see more, feeling as though he might explode, and also realizing how much he’d needed to see her, he had no idea. But it wouldn’t happen this time. She might not have recalled the other times they’d kissed, a sign of how it hadn’t affected her like it had him, but he damn sure meant to affect her today. With renewed vision of what he wanted to happen, he pushed down her bra strap the rest of the way, kissing behind the movement as he went along. She tasted and smelled of vanilla. He inhaled as he laved, enjoying her taste and smell together. He slipped the other strap down her arm so he could give it the same treatment. He wanted to taste every inch of her. Even her elbows. Good thing he’d had his revelations when he had. When that bra came off, he wouldn’t be stopping to think, that was for sure. She sat up and whispered, “Help me take it off.”

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Hell yeah. He reached behind her to unsnap her bra. She slid the entire thing off her arms and tossed it to the ground. He couldn’t look away from the bouncing breasts in front of him. Her creamy skin sloped out to a puckered, rose-colored nipple. Heavy weighted, they rose from her chest in a fascinating curvature. Today, he’d get to play with them. And maybe for forever, if he had his way. He reached out to cup her as she lay back down. A soft sigh broke free from her lips. He lifted her slightly to flick her nipple with his tongue. The sigh turned into a gasp. He suckled her into his mouth with a vengeance, covering her tip with his warmth, letting his wet lips envelope her as his tongue circled her nipple like it was on a racetrack. He pushed up, giving himself more purchase and sucked her deeper into his mouth, increasing the tension around them. His free hand shifted over to fondle her other breast. When his mouth left her nipple, he looked up to her face. A look of bliss had descended upon her features.

Just wait, honey. You haven’t felt anything yet. Another stick struck him from behind. That one smarted, whapping him in the back of the head. Come to think of it, he’d always had to dodge branches and sticks when he was under her tree. Damn maple. Good thing it didn’t have gumballs or acorns.

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He turned his attention back to Mac. Her other breast looked lonely with only his hand on it, so he lowered his mouth to suck deeply. Again and again, he sucked her in and out. Sometimes retreating to blow on the nipple and other times, increasing the suction until she reacted with a jiggle or a moan. While his mouth was still engaged, he sent his hand traveling down her torso. Over her rounded belly to her navel. Her hips shifted against him. His hand continued down to the top of her bikini underwear. The last barrier before she was bared before him. A shiver rocked her. She was such a responsive woman. Todd Maverly, an ex-boyfriend of Mac’s, had once made a habit of saying she was frigid. He’d nicknamed her Ice Queen. Until Jake had used a little persuasion to convince him he shouldn’t be saying things like that. The boy had been so wrong. The woman was on fire. She was the queen of heat, not ice. His hand plunged into her underwear down to her hot pussy. He’d never felt anything so scorching. Heat radiated out of that sensitive part of her. One finger delved into her outer folds even as his mouth continued to tease her breast.

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Chapter Five

Deidre rustled her leaves. Not that the couple would notice, as tangled up in each other as they were. She scrunched up her face in revulsion.

Fuck, Mckenzie. Fucking was exactly what Mckenzie planned to do. She’d never enjoyed any intimacies with men before. Not like this. Her whole face had flushed in abandon. Her pussy leaked moisture all over the place. The man hadn’t even slipped inside her yet. Even the visit of the parents hadn’t derailed the coming sex. Mckenzie was enjoying things a bit too much. She should have been less sure of herself. More in doubt. Where are

your balls, Mckenzie? Don’t mess with his. You don’t know where they’ve been. This whole situation vexed Deidre to no end. The wanker had to go soon or she’d find a way to vomit. If only she had gumballs to pitch at the idiot. Or nice solid acorns. Deidre had expected part of the work of the curses to be done for her by Mckenzie. She’d expected Mckenzie’s normal reactions to creep in about having sex. The dominant Jake Bremmer and his attitudes about fucking should have brought up every reservation Mckenzie had. Instead he made her innards ooze with cream.

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Made her thrive under his careful attention. Mckenzie had never been this turned on. This alive. Deidre put out her feelers and felt the arousal boiling in Mckenzie. It was something that had never been there before. Why now with this heathen? Her desire existed along with something else, which also had never happened before. Feelings. Deidre recoiled from the force of them and her surprise at finding them. Mckenzie had intense feelings for Jake. Not anything that Deidre had tampered with or created artificially. That meant they’d been there before Deidre started this curse on Jake. Why hadn’t she seen that these emotions for Jake were there before? Why had they remained there, under the surface for so long, buried deep within the recesses of Mckenzie’s psyche? Deidre wanted to pace back and forth. Not something that being inside the tree would allow. Instead, she rustled the leaves. This couldn’t be happening. She’d been so careful. Been so close to Mckenzie, knew how the woman would react to any situation before she did so. She’d kept a careful eye on Mckenzie’s emotions, keeping them close at hand. Intervening whenever a man had come around sniffing after her like a dog would a bitch in heat. She’d protected her from the evils men did, letting her emotions for them be muted. Her desire for them had been kept at low levels. How could she have so greatly underestimated this situation with Jake? How could she not have known Jake was the biggest threat to keeping Mckenzie safe from men? Had she known about these silly feelings, she would have handled them before siccing the dog on Mckenzie. Would have made other arrangements before telling them to fuck. She should have rained boils down upon Jake’s ass with her curse. Made him impotent. Fuck, even a shot of the clap would have done more than her curse had.

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She’d made a mistake before, especially in not being able to mute Mckenzie to this man. The next curse would have to take drastic measures. She’d annul Mckenzie’s feelings like she should have done from the beginning. This time, she’d keep her plan simple. Curse Mckenzie with no feelings for Jake. That would take care of his threat. After that curse had come to pass, she could rain others down upon his head. If only she could speed up the clock. Too much time remained until midnight. A grin flittered through her branches. At least this time, there existed no danger of her dying. The only thing that might kill her tree so quickly was lightning. There was no chance of storms today. She would have her vengeance upon Jake Bremmer. He’d never have his chance with Mckenzie. She’d see to that. Mckenzie would be better off without him. She’d stay safe. Spend her life with Deidre watching over her.

***** Mckenzie drowned in her own heat and juices. Her head arched back. To think she’d compared her passion to a low dial tone hum. Now she had the Liberty Bell ringing at great volumes all over her body. Jake’s finger slipped between her wet folds. Her hips arched in a circle, enjoying every sensation he sent her way. Who knew hands could feel so good? He plucked her clit liked he’d once plucked guitar strings. Did he still play? Yeah, he played her like an instrument. She shivered, letting the pleasure swamp her. His tongue splayed a wicked suckle to her nipple while his fingers strummed a beat on her clit. His thumb slipped inside her, making her gasp.

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She drew up her legs, rubbing them against the blanket. She ached for more and more of his touch. He could be an addiction. One she’d never need a program to break. His other hand slipped down to caress the skin of her stomach. His rough touch tantalized as he slid down her abdomen. Then his hand rested, unmoving and warm on her belly. Possessive. And so right. He pulled his head away from her breast. His serious eyes regarded her with inquiry. They lit up as though he liked what he saw. Somehow the soul-seeking gaze didn’t bother her. Instead, she reveled in what he must see. Wanted to show him everything she had inside and more. There was nothing aloof about her with him. She wanted him to know all about her. He pushed himself down the blanket, down to her feet. He might not be giving orders, but his body told her everything he wanted to do and more. Her breath rode up her throat in anticipation of what he was about to do. Something that would send her to the stratosphere and beyond. She’d experienced oral sex before. But like his kisses and touch, this was bound to feel so much better than anything else ever had. Only, the tree swished above them. A few scattered sticks dropped down on them. Not big like a branch, but small and sharp. Jake ducked his head. She didn’t even see much of a breeze blowing. What was up with her tree? It almost seemed to be moving of its own accord today. She blew that off. Couldn’t be. Her maple was a tree, nothing more. Must be squirrels in the branches. A couple more slipped through the sky onto Jake. Releasing an oath, Jake withdrew his hands from her sensitive clit and channels. He swabbed at his eye with the hand which hadn’t been inside her. “Are you okay?”

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He didn’t look okay. He looked as though his eye hurt. He grumbled but she couldn’t hear what he said. “Jake?” Her voice rose with anxiety. Was he hurt? She half expected to see a stick poking from his eye because of one too many late night horror movies. Then the tree would come alive and eat them or something. “I got a stupid stick or bark in my eye.” The track of a tear ran down his face as he scrubbed along his cheek. “How bad?” Maybe that wouldn’t be horror movie thinking but reality, except for the tree eating part. When he moved, she saw nothing poking out. Just a red, watery eye. “It’s not bad. Just give me a minute.” Relief he was okay, along with frustration, ran through her veins as the tree swished again, almost like it was happy at the situation. She straightened up. Of all the bad times for that to happen. She’d been close to orgasm. Close to coming from Jake’s hands doing such amazing things to her. He’d planned to do more. He rubbed the eye and blinked furiously. “Argh.” “Why don’t…” “No.” His voice grew sharp. He shook his head. “It’s better already. Give me a minute. No, we aren’t stopping. Or going inside. It’s too late to stop now. I told you earlier there would be no stopping after that.” Her breathing took a nosedive, barely making it out of her chest. “Good.” Like she’d want to stop. Her whole entire body felt like she’d been running a marathon. She didn’t want to quit now. She wanted the fireworks which had been so close to exploding. She wanted this time with Jake.

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She’d think about the consequences of what they were doing later. Live the “carpe diem” way for now. “You mean that?” He swabbed at his eye again, blinking as if to clear the tears. “That you want to continue?” “I do mean it.” She wouldn’t delve too much into what she was about to do, or she might stop. It wasn’t time to think. Just act with Jake. The act would be so good. Look how turned on she was from a make-out session. Full-out sex might kill her. She put a hand on his leg. “Why wouldn’t I?” “Before, we’ve been hot and heavy and you’ve pulled away.” “Have I?” “Yeah. Like after graduation. We almost…well, we got friendly. You pushed away and went inside. The next day, you didn’t even want to talk about it. Or, like right before I left. One serious kiss and yet, when I came back over, you wished me well on my trip as if nothing had ever happened.” A cold wind rushed through her, making her skin prickle. Had they come close to having sex before? Jake had no reason to lie. In fact, he seemed perplexed that she’d pulled back those times before. Something was odd about this whole situation. “I don’t know, Jake. I don’t know why that happened.” “You don’t remember, do you?” He moved closer. “From the look on your face, I can see that. You’re being honest with me.” “I don’t remember.” How many times had this happened before in her life? She’d be told something had happened, and she wouldn’t remember the situation coming about. Mainly it had happened a couple of times with men. This wasn’t the first time men had pointed this out to her. Maybe her hazy memory had something to do with men who hadn’t affected her so she’d forgotten things that happened between them. But Jake sure was

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affecting her now, and she couldn’t fathom that in the past he would have affected her any less. “You say we’ve kissed how many times before?” He hesitated. His eye had already stopped leaking tears, but still looked red and irritated. His hand balled up but he stopped rubbing his eye. “Five times before. This would make it six. The sixth time in the spring.” He was so sure. There was no warble in his voice like he’d always gotten as a boy when he’d mislead, and he lied less than most people. No, Jake was confident in what he believed had happened and the number of times it had happened. That he knew exactly how many times they’d kissed before was a…a heart-stopper. He didn’t have to think about it, didn’t have to count on his fingers. He knew the number right off. Which told her so much. More than he probably wanted to reveal. “Six times, huh?” “Yeah. All in the springtime, too.” He met her gaze full on. “And you always seemed oblivious afterward.” Spring was a time for renewal. And revitalization. And fancies. How appropriate to have kissed him in the spring. Why couldn’t she remember the times before? Well, this time, she’d remember if she had to write in marker all over her hand what had happened between them. “Well, this time I’m not pulling back. I will remember.” She had no idea why she’d pulled away from him before or forgotten. But this time, they’d inch their relationship beyond being the boy and girl next door.

***** Jake’s eye continued to burn as he tried to keep his hand away from the socket. Didn’t want to make it tear up any further. What lousy timing.

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Except that it made them pull back from the sex they were about to have. Not usually a good thing when he was so turned on. But the talking had made her more determined to go through with making love to him. A boon for him. Why didn’t she remember those other springtime kisses? If he couldn’t read her face so well, he wouldn’t have believed that she couldn’t recall them. He might have thought she was lying. But a lot of things hadn’t changed about Mac. One of them was that she wore her emotions on her face. No duplicity could be pulled off with a face like hers. Maybe they hadn’t affected her as much as him so that was why she’d forgotten. He couldn’t come up with any other logical explanation. This time, however, would be different. The stinging lessened in his eye. Damn tree. “Should we take this inside?” Now that he was sure she wouldn’t pull away, he could be more confident in moving this operation somewhere else. Their parents wouldn’t be home for several more hours. “It’s not supposed to storm, is it?” Her gaze shifted to the sky. A few dark clouds now had drifted across the horizon, though it remained still mostly clear. “Nope. No chance.” ’Course as hot as it had been, the weather people might be wrong. They often were. Her mouth carved into an elaborate grin. “Good. Let’s stay out here.” Her voice grew mischievous. He couldn’t help but smile in response to her playfulness. “Feeling like an exhibitionist?” His cock resurged with the coming knowledge it wouldn’t be denied this time. He couldn’t wait to sink into her silken depths. The smell of honeysuckle drifted to him on the wind. A sweet smell not unlike the perfume Mac wore. God, he loved her scent. He wanted to wallow in it like a butterfly in nectar. He wanted to wallow in her.

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“Maybe.” She bit her bottom lip, sucking it in between her teeth. “Maybe I’m feeling a lot of things.” Damn straight. He sure was. He put his pointer finger on her chest. “Lay down.” The finger met resistance. He grew more commanding. “Lay down.” “You sure are bossy.” “Lay down.” He controlled his tone, pushing more steadily with his finger on her chest in between her lovely breasts, though not hard enough to hurt her. He was always in control during sex. Always. He’d learned something about her earlier. She liked to be ordered around. She liked him in control. That gave him leeway to be even more bossy. She leaned back, going down as far as the finger took her but didn’t stop talking. “You already did stuff to me.” “And I have more to do.” She swallowed, audibly. “Like what?” “Eat you. Take you. Make…” He paused a moment. Damn, why not lay it all out on the table? Maybe that would help her understand what he wanted from her. Damn, what he needed from her. “Make you mine.” Her hair prickled up in goose pimples. When had Now Not So Scrawny become such an important piece of the puzzle to his life? Only when confronted with her presence, did he admit how much she’d always meant to him. No wonder the women in the city hadn’t seemed interesting or revved his motor to NASCAR quality, not like this woman did. “Do you mean that?” Her voice trembled as much as her limbs. She radiated arousal along with a tinge of uncertainty. What had the men she’d dated done to her? His mom had regaled him with horror stories of Mac’s boyfriends. There had not been a lot to reassure her of the male sex. No wonder she doubted him.

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Somehow he’d make her sure of him. Even if he had to spend the rest of his life letting her see the “real” him. Doing what men should never have to do. Talk about his feelings. He’d do that for her and more. “I don’t say things I don’t mean. I already told you that.” A soft, contented sigh broke free from her lips, as though she couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer. “Okay.” He removed the finger from her chest and moved it to the top of her underwear. He looked up and down her creamy, pale skin. His hands were twice as brown as hers, even with how little he’d been outside so far this season. The contrast made his desire rage. He slipped her underwear down her legs to her ankles and over her feet. Baring her to his sight. Her hips flared out from her body in a curve he wanted to taste. Nibble on. Lave with his eager tongue. He would. Do all that and more. He ran both hands over her hips, gently teasing her. Enjoying the feel of her soft skin under his hands. He lowered his head to her and ran his tongue up the side of her tender thigh before quickly laving back down. He ran his tongue over every inch of her rounded, short legs, before coming back up to her center. Moving slightly, he delved into her folds, taking his time to taste and feel. He wanted to know every inch of her body. She quivered under him, making the most sensual noises as he continued his exploration of her. He found her little clit bud and poked it with his tongue. She moved, arching her hips. Another flick of his tongue across her.

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She shuddered and lifted herself as if in offering. Even the gods hadn’t had it this good. He applied his tongue to her clit, licking and sucking her in, while his thumb found her entrance. In and out he pressed, keeping a steady rhythm. He nipped the delicate flap of skin, making her writhe. Nothing too hard, but he clamped his teeth around her, giving her a tug. More writhing. Another suckle and she keened, the sound rolling out and across the yard. Her hips bucked wildly. Good thing both sets of parents were gone. And they had no other close neighbors. She’d cried out loud enough to wake the dead. Her face had broken out in a sheen of sweat, as had the rest of her. Her eyes had closed. Her skin was flushed. She’d pursed her lips together. She looked as if she’d been wrapped up in bliss like a present. He’d been the cause of all her reactions. He’d never felt like this. Like he wanted to give her all the pleasure in the world. Wanted to take her in ways she’d never thought of or experienced. He wanted to be everywhere at once. Around her. In her. Against her. Without opening her eyes, she said, “I want you.” Her arms beckoned him to come on top of her. To claim her as his own. That’s what making love to her would be. “No more than I want you.” And he’d have her. Over and over again.

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Chapter Six

There was nothing Deidre could do. She could rail. She could shake her limbs, and she could gnash her teeth. But none of those things affected the scene in front of her. There was nothing she could do to stop it. All she could do was wait until she could fling her next curse. What a wicked one it would be. One she should have put forth to start with. What a screw up. She should have made Jake’s dick fall off. Should have made the dog pay for what he’d done and been about to do to her Mckenzie. She never should have made sex the curse, even as a way to draw in Jake so she could slam him down. Who could have known what seeing Mckenzie having sex up close like this would do to her? She wanted to scratch out Jake’s eyes from their sockets. She sent her feelers out, trying to focus on anything but the couple in front of her. She wouldn’t look at Mckenzie’s degradation. Would only repair her when the time came. She would make everything right again. Make Mckenzie forget this had ever happened. She’d protect the woman in a way no one else but Deidre had ever protected her.

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Clouds now dotted the darkening sky. No streams of sunlight lit them with red. Guess the sailors didn’t have delight this night. Or was it warned by red sky at night? She never could remember the saying. Only Jake Bremmer should be warned about his last escapade with Mckenzie. He would pay and suffer for his transgression. The clouds thickened and became more ominous. Surely such a beautiful spring day wouldn’t bring a storm? Katydids called in the distance and were answered by a few crickets chirping. Insects buzzed in the air, taking their last flights of the day. Overtaking day's end, night approached, just as the wings of birds faded to bats stretching and staking out their domain. Mckenzie -- her Mckenzie -- moaned beneath Jake Bremmer. It was shrill and forceful. Had the bastard hurt her while Deidre’s attention had been elsewhere? He’d pay dearly if he had. Her feelers zinged out to the couple, despite her misgivings at seeing them up close like this. She found Mckenzie flushed and sweaty. Full of juices. Heart palpitating like a racehorse. Breathing increased. And blissful. Happy even. Her body tingled in a flurry of hormones. All her nerve endings seemed poised with pleasure. It couldn’t be. Jake couldn’t make Mckenzie happy. That wasn’t right. Couldn’t be happening. There had to be a mistake. He’d taken her over that sweet edge. Twice now. Deidre had seen the buildup and crossover the first time. Had seen her come. She’d heard the second orgasm strike Mckenzie. Heard it hit, and seen the aftereffects of the intensity. Could Mckenzie be happy with Jake?

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None of the other men, even with Deidre’s tampering, had made Mckenzie feel even remotely like this. Deidre had thought she’d found a kindred spirit who would remain unaffected by men for millennia. Had Jake blasted through all that? Maybe the reason that Deidre hadn’t seen Mckenzie’s feelings for Jake was because she’d only seen what she wanted to see.

No. Mckenzie couldn’t be happy with a man. She was better off by herself. Because eventually all men would hurt the one they professed to love. Deidre had seen it enough times to know how men operated. They were scum. They lied. They cheated. They ripped women’s hearts out. Her mind pictured Adam. Thought of how much she hated that man for doing what he’d done to her. All men were scurvy assholes who deserved what they got. Look at the way that Jake had ordered Mckenzie around during sex. The way he’d dominated her. As if he didn’t care about her wants. The orgasms had probably been an accident, considering his previous behavior. Even if there had been two of them. No way he’d meant to bring her any pleasure. And that stupid nickname he called her. Mac. What kind of a name was that?

You’re better off with me, Mckenzie. As soon as my next curse can be tossed, I will take care of this. For good. She paused as her feelers went out again, searching over the landscape and the people on the blanket. Was that thunder she heard in the distance? A storm might cool off the lovers under her branches.

***** Jake lifted up on his hands. He looked down into the face of an angel. His angel.

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His throat clenched as his mouth dried out. His first time with Mckenzie would be in a few seconds. Had to put on a condom, then he’d be sheathing himself in her tightness. He couldn’t wait. His hands shook as he opened the tiny package. Why didn’t they make them easier to open? His fingers fumbled. Did she notice? “Here. Let me.” Her hoarse voice broke into his concentration. Yep, she’d noticed, but she didn’t comment or joke. The time for teasing had passed. It was time to consummate. She took the condom wrapper and slit the tab open with her long pink fingernail. Then she held them up for his inspection. “Claws.” Good thing for him, too. He grabbed for the wrapper before suddenly pulling his hand back. “Don’t want it?” She arched a brow at him. “No.” “No?” Now she had that unsure quality to her voice. That tone saying she didn’t know what to do. He liked her off balance. Liked the way her brows knitted together when she was unsure of herself. “I want you to put it on me.” He held his breath as he waited to see what her reaction would be to that order. A grin lit her face, lightening it with her amusement. “I can do that.” Yes, his Mckenzie liked to be ordered around. Her agreement spiraled through him. He’d thought that he couldn’t get more turned on, but then he got hit in the solar plexus with her submission. What a woman. His woman.

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God, though he’d thought of her when he’d moved home, he’d never expected to win her. To have sex with her one of his first nights back. Wholly surprising and wholly right. She took his cock in her hand as he straightened up. She was liable to kill him with her effort. It would be an excellent way to die. “Hmmmm.” She looked down at his throbbing cock. The appreciation in her eyes made him burn even more. She moved her hand away slightly. His wayward member followed her movement. Craving her touch. Like he did everywhere. She clasped him again with a firm grasp. Her warm hand sped soft as silk around his hardness. “Condom,” he croaked. “In a minute.” “Now.” He would explode soon if something didn’t happen quickly. He needed to be inside her. That was until she lowered her mouth to kiss him on his tip. His need transferred into something completely different. Her tongue traced a pattern around the head of his cock. He arched back, sitting up to give her access. To give her all the room she needed. Her mouth had a siren’s pull on him, especially when it took in his cock completely. She gently placed her mouth on him, going up and down, slowly taking him farther into her warmth. A moan broke from his lips. His thighs quivered with the effort of keeping himself upright while she was doing that to him. So much for sitting up to give her the access she needed. He needed to lie down. His body felt wobbly with need. “Mac.” She didn’t answer but drew him in even more deeply. Something he felt all the way to his balls.

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She sucked on him like he was a straw. When she finally removed her mouth to grin at him and say, “Now, let’s put that condom on,” he was almost incoherent. He rested so close to coming. He pushed her head back down. “Finish it.” He thrust his cock in her face. Needed her mouth back on him. Needed to come in the worst and best ways. He was past caring how it happened. “Yes.” She ended the word with her mouth going around his cock again. His hips thrust forward as she enveloped him tightly, taking him as deeply as she could and sucking even more around him. He grabbed the back of her head, holding on for purchase as he pressed himself as far into her as he could get. Faster and faster, she went down on him until in one blinding moment of bliss, his orgasm hit hard enough he saw stars. She drank him down as though he was the best drink she’d had in a long time, not letting much of his essence escape. When she removed her mouth from him, she let her lips linger over his flesh, going as slowly as she could. She straightened up to look at him, licking her lips. The sight of the pink tip of her tongue caused an aftershock to rock his body. He swallowed, running his hand down her head. He leaned in to kiss her fully, tasting saltiness on her tongue. She’d swallowed for him. After the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers, resting it there. “Guess we don’t need the condom.” “We will. Later.” He opened his eyes as she pulled away from him. Her loving face shone in the dying light like a beacon to all his emotions.

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“I love you, Mac.” He kissed her again, fiercely. Wildly. With all the pent up passion he’d never anticipated using on her. “I think I always have.” He stroked her face gently, watching her reactions and memorizing each feature. A fresh dewdrop of a tear rolled from one eye. “I think I love you, too. No one has ever made me feel like this.” “There’s more.” He’d see that she experienced everything. “More?” “I’m going to use many condoms tonight. Show you how much more.”

***** Deidre crowed in her position in the tree above the couple.

I knew he was a selfish bastard. He’d taken his pleasure and given Mckenzie none. No matter she’d had a couple of accidental orgasms before. Mckenzie had tried to pull away from that snaky thing hanging out of his pants. He’d pushed her back down. Bastard. She had proof he acted badly to Mckenzie. Not that she’d needed a reason, but now she had one. He was like them all. All men were the same. Selfish. Assholes. Controlling. Mckenzie would be better off without him. Not that Deidre doubted her own wisdom, but the evidence made her ever more sure.

You’ll be happier once I take care of this.

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Much happier. Deidre sniffed. Rain would be coming soon. More thunder crackles echoed. The coming storm would chase the lovers inside. No matter. Her curses would reign supreme. She couldn’t wait to say aloud the curse that would keep them apart forever. Mckenzie would never fall in love with the bastard. Someday soon, he’d have a dick problem the experts couldn’t fix. Not even Viagra would solve his issues.

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Chapter Seven

I gave Jake Bremmer a blowjob. Mckenzie shivered at the thought that kept rolling through her head. She’d enjoyed every single moment of the act. Couldn’t wait to do it again, in fact. She lay in his arms, the place she’d been while the darkness fell. His breathing came easily against her head. She’d never felt more at home or content than she did right now. Not even with her Let It Be Tree. That was saying something. The branches swirled against the night sky. A brief flash caught her eye from a distance. A soft rumble sounded from across the landscape. “I think a storm’s coming.” His voice came from above her head. “Is there? I didn’t think there was a chance of storms today.” “Anytime it’s this hot, there’s a chance.” She leaned forward to prop herself up on an elbow.

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Another brief flash colored the sky. “One Mississippi. Two Mississippi…” She started counting until the rumble sounded. “It’s nine miles away.” An old childhood game of figuring how far away the storm was. She’d played it with Jake before. But never naked. “We should go in.” He attempted to move away from her. “Your house or mine? We have our pick until the parents come home.” “No. Not yet.” “Mac…” She didn’t move to bring him back to her, but he came anyway. “I love to watch the storms come. Please. Let’s stay out.” He wrapped a hand around her middle. “We’ll stay out a few minutes, then.” His body came along the backside of hers. He nibbled her neck. Another flash and rumble. The earthy scent of rain swept by on the wayward breeze. The storm rolled, well on its way to them. He pulled her even closer to him with a strong arm. The touch of him made her heart do flip-flops. Was this what being in love was like? If so, no wonder so many poets and novelists wrote about the emotion. She’d never felt anything like what she was feeling now. Not for anyone or anything. The tree swirled its branches again viciously against the dark sky. More thunder boomed in the distance. The long weeds at the driveway began to blow down in the blooming winds. It would be one heck of a storm. “Mac…” “A little while longer.” She turned into his body and planted a kiss on his lips. It didn’t start out deep and frantic, but before long, it became that way. She swirled her tongue around his. Her arms

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went around him and her hands stroked down the broad planes of his back. She loved touching him. He was so broad and powerful. His erection swung out between them. Guess he’d had enough recovery time from his orgasm. She bumped her hips against him, doing a shimmy. Amazing how needy she felt inside. After all, he’d given her several mind-blowing orgasms before she’d returned the favor. Shouldn’t that have sated her? She was anything but sated with his body against hers. She wanted him. More than she’d ever wanted anything else. He groaned against her lips. The sound electrified her senses. Why couldn’t they have a round? The storm wasn’t here yet. She pulled away to grab a new condom wrapper. Quickly, she ripped it open and pulled out the latex. “Mac, a storm’s coming.” “I know that.” She leaned down to push the rubber onto his hard cock. Once she grabbed him, he stopped protesting. He watched, his frown evident even in the lackluster light from the lamp outside her parents’ house, which had come on earlier. It must be controlled by a timer or a light sensor. “Relax.” Yes, Jake liked being in control. She liked him in control. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t ask for what she wanted. He would humor her on his terms. Shivering, she finished wrapping him with the condom. Kissed him again as deeply as she dared. Being with him wasn’t going to be an easy thing. They’d have their arguments, like now about going in. Sometimes she’d win, sometimes he’d win. But in the bedroom, he would rule supreme, the way she’d discovered she liked. His body relaxed against her. Not all of him, though. His cock remained hard against her thigh. As the kiss deepened, his cock waggled against her more.

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He pushed her down onto her back with a growl. Yes, it was to be on his terms. Oh, how she relished that. Her hands urged him on top of her. She stroked his chest, liking the crisp hair and pointed small nipples. Pinching one between her fingers, she gasped as he thrust against her. He breached her opening and slipped inside. Incredible. He pulled back only to push her over onto her stomach. He eased her butt up in the air and reentered her pussy. Her whole body shivered with the newness of the position. With the feel of him inside of her. In and out, he moved slowly against her, letting her adjust to him. He trembled with his efforts to hold back. “This is what you want. With me.” He lodged fully within her folds. She’d never been taken in this position before. Her hands clutched at the blankets as she moaned. Such a different angle than what she was used to. She felt spread out. More vulnerable. He’d take every advantage. Yes, sex would always be an adventure with Jake. A closer rumble sounded. Followed by another one. The storm neared. Each thunder roll was deeper. More constant. She didn’t care. She wasn’t stopping this now. Luckily, Jake had forgotten his admonishment that the storm was coming and that they needed to go inside. He was lost in her. His movements began to mirror the thunder booming around them. Each time he went down, the clap sounded. She saw each flash of light as he pulled back. Soon, he was pounding into her. All gentleness was gone.

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The storm too had shaken off any pretense of being a lazy one. Instead, it crashed and lit the sky all around them. She looked up into the night, keeping her butt up as he slipped into her from behind. She was so wet around him. The new position did wonderful things to her. Making love in time with the storm was amazing. Each drive into her made her feel connected to their surroundings. And to Jake. He quickened the pace, slamming down into her as hard as he could. The tree became bathed in light from the lightning every few seconds. Each time was but a glimpse of her surroundings as he rode her. Something big and wet struck her nose. Raindrops. The storm broke overhead with a loud crescendo of sound. It almost masked her cry as the wave of orgasm broke over her as well. She came hard with the storm surrounding her as Jake did. She felt one with the storm, and one with the man, all at once. His entire body contorted as he cried her name, pounding so fast she could hardly tell where he began and she ended. They became one under nature’s fury, which unleashed all over them. As the afterglow faded, Jake leaped to his feet. He yanked off the condom and tossed it to the ground. Rain pelted them from all sides. Good thing it wasn’t hail. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and sprinted toward her house. She pulled back on his arm. “Our clothes.” Her gaze sought them out on the ground but couldn’t find them in the muck and mud created by the rain. Even the blanket blended into the ground.

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“Leave them.” He dragged her as wind whipped the plundering droplets all around them. Another crash of thunder echoed through the sky. The thunder was instantaneous now with the lightning. The lightning made it almost look like daylight with the constant strikes. They reached her parents’ porch, both of them drenched and panting. “You’re crazy, you know that?” Jake pushed a hand through his sopping hair. He didn’t look mad, but looked more alive than she’d ever seen him. She shook her head, spraying water everywhere. “Yeah.” She’d never experienced anything like that. They’d made love to nature’s music, in time with it, almost as if they’d been a part of the storm. It had been so sexy. He was so sexy. His arms enveloped her in a big hug. His skin was cool from the wet and felt wonderful against her own. “And that’s why I love you.” The words again. She’d been delighted to hear them earlier. Even though she’d been suspicious it had been because of the postorgasmic glow. But this time, running from the storm had taken away any aftereffects of that. She could be sure he meant it and it wasn’t hormones talking. “I love you, too.”

***** The storm raged, blowing Deidre this way and that. Jake and Mckenzie had run to the shelter of the porch for safety. Fuck him. They’d made love under her as the storm approached. Didn’t the man have any sense? He could have hurt her Mckenzie. What a useless man. They’d been under a tree, for God’s sake. Yet, the emotions and play while the storm had gone on had made Mckenzie burst in a conflagration of joy. Deidre had felt the orgasm build up and explode inside the woman.

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She could be happy with Jake Bremmer.

No. The thought wouldn’t go away. Hadn’t she wanted her Mckenzie to be happy? She had a chance of it with the man now holding her close on her parents’ porch. Deidre would take it all away.

For her own good. Was it? Yes. He’ll hurt her. He’ll endanger her. Look what he did with this storm. Better she stayed with Deidre. Never being hurt and staying safe. Deidre would protect her for always. Like a daughter she’d never had.

Then she’ll never know the love of a man. Who will hurt her. Better for her if she doesn’t. Like she’d been hurt so long ago. Adam had cast her aside for another. Used her. He’d crushed her hopes and spirits.

Only he hadn’t. He’d always loved someone else. You knew that from the beginning. All you wanted was his power. No. He cast me aside. Deidre gnashed her teeth against the doubts assailing her about Jake and Mckenzie. She wouldn’t doubt this. Men were dogs. They deserved every bad thing that ever happened to them. If she ever got out of the tree, she intended to pay back the whole lot of them, starting with Adam. Until then, she would protect Mckenzie against them. No matter what. She’d vowed it when Mckenzie had first picked Deidre’s tree up as a small seed. Midnight couldn’t come fast enough. Only a few more hours…

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A blinding flash. A crack. A woman’s scream. And everything went dark.

***** Deidre came to in the dying tree. It wouldn’t last more than a few minutes. The life essence had almost drained away completely. She wouldn’t make it until midnight to do her next curse. She’d be sent into another seed again. Start over with a new life. She’d leave Mckenzie. Her feelers crept out for one last sight of the girl-turned-woman. Had to see her one last time before Deidre moved on. If only she wasn’t in the bastard’s arms. If only Deidre would know that she’d be safe from that snake. She’d never get a chance to do anything beyond the sixth curse of spring to deal with Jake Bremmer.

If you’d given it a chance, maybe you could have had a daughter by now. Like Mckenzie. You could have loved her as you do Mckenzie. The voice that had been sounding in her head, arguing with her points, became familiar. Why hadn’t she realized it before that it hadn’t sounded like her own voice? Jana. Adam’s wife. They must have been monitoring her again as they had the last time she’d been close to getting out of the tree. Fuck you. You did this to me. They had used the storm to kill the tree, making sure Deidre would not escape. Ensuring that Jake would have his way with Mckenzie.

No. We would never use our power thusly. This was a natural occurrence.

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Deidre snorted. Adam would do anything to see me imprisoned. Humiliated. Kept

down from doing anything. He’s a bastard. Jana’s soft voice ripped through Deidre’s spine. One day, Deidre, you’ll learn that men

aren’t all bastards. Adam wasn’t…still isn’t, and Cedric wouldn’t have been if you’d given him half a chance. Never. Men are bast -Deidre leaped through space and time before landing in a seed, which had plopped in a pot of gravel.

***** “Noooooooooooooooooo.” Mckenzie screamed as the lightning burst across the tree, creating sparks. “No.” She buried her face in Jake’s chest, unwilling to look at the damage that had been done to her tree. Jake held her close, stroking her back in little circles. Tears rolled down her already wet cheeks. Lightning had struck her tree. She could smell the charred wood. The rain would put out any fire. But the tree had been struck by lightning. It wouldn’t survive such a blast. “No.” She closed her eyes, leaning into Jake’s warmth. “It will be okay.” He spoke gently, soothingly. “I promise.” “It won’t survive that, will it?” Jake hesitated a moment. “It might. But it was a direct hit with a powerful jolt. I’m glad we weren’t under it at the time.” “No.” Certainty filled her. “It’s dying.” Somehow she knew it was leaving her. “If it dies, we’ll use the wood. I’ll make you a chest. Maybe we’ll even use it in our new house.” She stared up at him. “New house?”

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He nodded. “We can’t stay at our parents’ for the rest of our lives. We need our privacy. I don’t have a place yet. You have a small apartment, according to your mother. Once we get married, we’ll need a house.” A lump formed in her throat. Somehow that pronouncement about her future didn’t scare her one bit. It seemed fitting that the tree that had meant so much to her would be moving on with her. To a new life. With Jake. It looked like spring would be a time of new growth for her and a revitalization of her life. She grabbed his hand. “Come on. Let’s get inside and dry off. We still have a box of condoms to use.” He blanched and looked out into the still-pouring rain where they’d left the condoms. “Shit.” She laughed fully and freely, in love for the first time.

Mechele Armstrong Have you ever wondered, “What if crayons have a kingdom?” Mechele Armstrong did at age five. Now, turning the imagination of a wide-eyed child into intense spellbinding stories for adults, she is winning over new fans every day. Writing stories and poetry as a hobby, she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Religious Studies and Social Welfare. Although there were challenges with work and family, the need to write and be published, to share her passion for books was always there. During a rainy weekend at the beach reading several romance novels she fell in love, not with the hero, but with the genre again. So began a two-year adventure of doing what she loved most, creating worlds with strong heroines and enchanting heroes that will keep you turning pages until the end. Using the Internet and the local Romance Writer’s Association, she learned and refined her craft. Living in Virginia with a husband, kids, dog, and fish, she finds time to share her vivid imagination and ability to tell stories of adventure, love, lust, and everything in between. Visit Mechele on the Web at http://www.mechelearmstrong.com, or email her at [email protected].