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    Early Short Stories
    Early Short Stories
    Early Short Stories
    Ebook180 pages3 hours

    Early Short Stories

    By Tressie Lockwood

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    About this ebook

    These stories are republished as a compilation of Tressie Lockwood's early short works. Check to see if you already have them in your library.

    Included are:

    A Choice Between Two
    Cheating With Randy
    Cheating With Randy 2
    Dreaming of Luke
    Rival Lovers

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTressie Lockwood
    Release dateFeb 25, 2015
    ISBN9781507020944
    Early Short Stories

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      Book preview

      Early Short Stories - Tressie Lockwood

      A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO

      ––––––––

      Prologue

      Lisa stood at the window, clutching a crumpled sheet of paper in one hand; the other clenched and tucked in her robe pocket. Her forehead pressed against the glass; she let tears course down her cheeks. Now she had no choice. It was all set. The ache in her throat, the unsettled feeling in her stomach, all culminated because of her decision.

      She lifted the sheet before her blurred vision and read again the words, "We’re anticipating your arrival on May 10th." So soon. The tenth was only days away. She had to get packed, return the key to her landlord, take her little shitzu to her friend Kate’s house and...tell Trace. Her heart nearly stopped at the thought. The tears, which had begun to dry with her renewed resolve, started up again. Oh God, how can I do this?

      Strong arms encircled her waist and dipped low so that his fingertips brushed across her panties, and Trace pulled her back against his hard body. Hey, baby. What are you doing?

      Nothing. She wasn’t quite ready to explain. This time was different.

      His laugh was more of a low rumble in his throat, Then bring your sexy body back to bed, woman. I haven’t had enough yet.

      She brushed the tears from her cheeks and twisted in his arms, nuzzling deeper into his embrace. Trace, do you think—

      As little as possible.

      She swatted at his shoulder, having to lift a hand up an inch above her eyebrow to reach it. I’m serious. Do you think about us, ever? Do you wonder what it would be like if we settled down together?

      His arms dropped to his sides and he stepped over to the dresser. That was always his reaction. What had made her think Trace would be ready today anymore than he was five years ago? He was the same jet-setter now as then.

      She eyed him speculatively. With those Siberian grey eyes, the too-long, sable hair and that hard body physique, she had never been able to resist him. Not his mouth, or his body. She literally craved him. Even now, as she stood watching, she wanted to feel his hands molding her breasts, teasing the tips with his tongue.

      She swallowed and dismissed the thought. She was leaving and she better get used to not having the man she had loved from the day she’d fallen into his lap at Myrtle Beach. The instant sexual attraction was unmistakable, and Trace had been satisfying her every physical need ever since—and she his.

      Trace, I’m leaving, she announced. I’m leaving for good, moving to New York.

      He didn’t answer at first and then his gaze swung toward her. She didn’t miss the instant of pain in their depths before he masked it. We’re going there again, Lisa? Come on, haven’t you had enough of the dramatics?

      He crossed the room in two steps, then stood before her with heavy hands on her shoulders.

      I...I, she muttered incoherently. She swallowed and tried again. This is not for show or to tease you into giving me what I want, Trace. I’m really going. This letter confirms it.

      He snatched away the offensive missive and tossed it to the floor. With a roughness he always demonstrated when miffed at her, he grasped her around the waist and tugged her panties down. Before she could protest, he shoved one long finger inside her already moist center. You’re telling me you’ll walk away from this? he demanded.

      Lisa threw back her head and her intimate muscles clamped down on his finger, as he slid it in and out. Sticky wetness was already pooling around his strokes and dampening her upper thighs. She whimpered, knowing she should make him stop, but Trace’s slightest touch was so good.

      Are you sure about this? he whispered, before imprisoning her nipple between his teeth and tugging at it. And this?

      He pulled his finger free and captured her chin, forcing her to watch as he licked her sweet juices from it. Lust roiled inside her, threatening to erupt. One last time, she thought, hating herself for giving in to his expertise.

      Trace seemed to see her surrender without her uttering a word. Already his hands were relieving her of her gaping robe, and he kicked away her discarded panties. He lifted her and carried her back to the bed where they’d spent most of the night making love. 

      A jolt of pain stabbed at Lisa’s heart, knowing she wouldn’t lay beside him ever again. She wouldn’t fly around the world to exotic locations like Paris or Rome or even South America. But that had never been the appeal. It was the man. The dominating, self-assured—yet totally generous—man.

      She grinned secretly as he placed her face down on the bed. Trace always demonstrated his unquenchable desires and his penchant for dominating her by his choice of sexual positions.

      Yet, she wasn’t mentally griping about it. No man had ever satisfied her like Trace, and she wasn’t a virgin when she met him either.

      In anticipation, she drew up her knees beneath her and arched her back to give him greater access to her rear. Anticipation had beads of sweat forming on her lip and at her hairline. When he delayed too long, she glanced back to catch a look of open lust in his eyes.

      She clamped down on a groan of impatience, Come on, Trace. Fill me now, baby.

      He chuckled and toyed with her swollen center, easing in a finger and withdrawing it. His exploration spread to her rectum, as he shoved in a thumb, rough and punishing. She cried out and pressed back against it. She loved when he was rough. And when she couldn’t take his cruel teasing anymore, she reached back, grabbed his thick, erect shaft to give it a yank.

      Ouch. He slapped away her hand and then grinned. You’ll pay for that.

      How? she demanded, wanting him to stop delaying.

      Like this. He grasped either side of her hips and without any preamble, shoved deep inside her. His stroke was fast and he pounded against her bottom, causing her to scream in ecstasy. 

      Unable to stop it, she exploded in a too-soon orgasm. No. Oh, God, Trace.

      Don’t worry. I’m not finished punishing you yet. 

      He reared back and slapped at her already sore bottom. She clenched against the sting, yet it did the trick. Her desires began to climb again. His thrusts had not slowed, though she’d become more sensitive. Trace reached beneath her and entered two fingers in her vagina. Coupled with his pounding thrusts, Lisa squirmed against his hold and screamed the second time.

      Trace pulled his fingers free, licked them clean, and then shoved her down flat on the bed. With the straightening of her legs, his stroke became tighter. She was going to cum again. 

      He reached a hand beneath her again and pinched at her nipple. She turned her head, seeking his mouth. They kissed, tongues twirling in aching lust for their perfect lover.

      For Lisa, this was it. This was the last time she’d taste her lover’s mouth, and she savored it. She let his tongue fill her mouth as she sucked gently. When she came the second and then the third time, tears wet her face.

      She clung to him, dragging at his arms to wrap around her. With a trembling voice, exhausted from their bedroom activities, but also from her breaking heart, she whispered in his ear, I really am leaving, Trace. In a few days. I love you, but I can’t do this anymore.

      This? He indicated their stance, him still buried within her.

      This! She insisted. This relationship. You don’t want children. You don’t want to settle down. I’m not getting any younger.

      He rolled off her and she immediately missed the feel of him inside her.

      You picked a great time to argue about this, Lisa. During our love-making. He sat on the side of the bed, his back to her.

      Lisa rolled over, wincing at her abused rear. There is no better time. If we’re not traveling, we’re having sex in some hotel room somewhere or at a resort having sex, on the beach....

      And you’re complaining?

      He was deliberately being obtuse. She wasn’t playing the game anymore. She said what she needed to say. He had time to review the letter she’d received. It was over and the sooner she got dressed and said goodbye, the better.

      Chapter One

      Are you sure about this, Lisa? James Johnson queried.

      She nodded, Yes, Daddy. It’s the only way. You know I’ve wanted to advance my career for a while now. Marketing and Advertising in Holt is not something I want to do for the next twenty years. There are bigger and better opportunities in Manhattan. I’m just following my dreams.

      Her father sighed wearily. Lisa knew he’d miss her. He’d depended on her presence to remind him to take his medicine, to cook his dinner, pay the bills and clean the small house she was born and raised in.  But she had to do this, despite the twinge of guilt that reminded her that she was the only one her father had left, now that her mother had passed.

      Well, I support you in whatever you do. You know that, Lisa.

      I know, Daddy. She stood and crossed the tiny, crowded living room to perch on her father’s knee. She brushed affectionate fingers against the graying hairs at his temples. How handsome he was, she thought—half Cherokee, half African American.

      His eyes, almost black with worry, fixed on her face. What about Trace? I always  thought—

      I know. She didn’t want to discuss her ex-boyfriend. The pain in her chest barely allowed normal breathing as it was. That’s another dream, one that I have finally given up. Trace doesn’t want to get married and have a family. He doesn’t want to settle down. No matter how much he’s professed his love for me, his all important love of freedom gets in the way.

      Well, my dear, you’re not like your mother, he said, a thoughtful look on his face.

      She winced at the hurtful words. No, she wasn’t like the gentle beauty her father had fallen in love with forty years ago. Her mom had commanded the love and respect of her perfect match from the moment he set eyes on her. Lisa wouldn’t admit to anyone her inner doubts at not being able to win Trace like that. Maybe he wasn’t the one, though her heart beat for him only. She closed her eyes against the pain, struggling to keep the tears banked.

      Her father noticed, I’m sorry, Lisa. That came out wrong. What I meant to say is you’re the independent type. You like to have your career. Kids will come along with the right man, I’m sure, but right now you want to write the next big Super Bowl commercial, huh?

      She laughed and stood up again, Oh Daddy.

      He chuckled and joined her by the front door. Well, come on. Your bus leaves within the next hour and a half. Don’t want to miss it.

      * * * *

      A few hours into the journey north, Lisa sat alone in her row of seats on a Greyhound bus. With each passing mile, she trembled more, memories washing over her of the wonderful times she’d shared with Trace over the last five years.

      Who would have thought the man accustomed to breakfasting at Tiffany’s and jet skiing in Milan, would be found on a regular American beach at the same time she was? She’d been so embarrassed when she, shuffling blindly through a haze of tears at her ruined relationship, fell headlong into his lap. With his portfolio, it had to have seemed like a setup, but Trace took it well.

      His eyes, as smoky as a steam engine—and just as hot—bore into hers, a smile brightening his face in an instant when he looked down at her. Well, what have we here?

      She wriggled to get up, growing embarrassed as it became obvious what her movements were doing to his anatomy. She stiffened and wondered how she’d gain her footing without causing this pervert to maul her more than just leaving his hand on her rear.

      Kindly remove your hand, sir, she demanded.

      His hand shot away as if he’d been burnt. Oh sorry, he laughed. But when a woman’s soft round bottom is presented to me so freely, I accept the offer.

      Arrogant...! She rolled to her side, their legs somehow tangling. A jolt of desire scorched its way across her belly. She gasped and met his inviting gaze.

      The straight white teeth, the chiseled physique, had her heart pumping harder and her words died in her throat. 

      You know what I’m going to do? he breathed against her ear, his lip barely grazing the delicate skin.

      What?

      A rumble of laughter, I’m going to take you back to my room, rip off that cute yellow sundress you’re wearing and feast between those hot thighs.

      She gasped, I don’t even know you.

      He laughed again, throwing back his head, causing his black wavy hair to swing. "Oh my beauty, I’m going to know you over and over again."

      Lisa squirmed at the memory, feeling moisture collect in her panties as she struggled to force her mind away from thoughts of that day. Trace had always kept his word—about everything—but especially about sex. He did take her to his room and he’d completely torn off her new dress. Even as the ripping sound echoed through the room, she didn’t care. His long wet tongue had found its mark between her legs. Lisa had stumbled onto the perfect lover.

      * * * *

      After a fitful sleep, hunched in her chair, the bus finally pulled into the New York station. Lisa stretched out her cramped muscles and prepared to disembark.

      Her first impression of the world famous city was that it was enormous and crowded with people, even in the late afternoon. Somehow the sea of faces helped her not to feel so lonely, having just left her home and those who loved her.

      She lugged her bag behind her on unsteady wheels, while easing between the bodies littering the sidewalks to the curb. A groggy smile lighted her face as she came upon a line of cabs waiting for passengers. This transition was going to be easier than she thought.

      Soon she was traveling along Main Street, taking in the sights—the

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