Flora shook her head in agreement.

  “So, did you tell your parents anything about what’s been going on with us?” Collin asked, unsure if he even wanted her to answer.

  As part of their new open, honest selves, they had tried to talk more about their parents, even if it was awkward, simply so there could be no secrets that could get blown out of proportion between them.

  Neither one of the couple were particularly fond of this agreement, or comfortable with talking about the people who still tried to make their lives miserable; even more-so now that they had made such large life changes. However, the couple had stayed strong in their resolve, and with positivity from the outside world affecting them, between the house, the new job, and other variables, they were reaffirmed that their decisions were right.

  Regardless of what anyone said or thought, the couple was living their life the way they wanted to and that was all they decided to care about.

  The whole situation they had gone through had made them both realize that they weren’t living their life to the fullest, with one another, or with their own personal goals.

  Collin, especially, was living for his father’s goals, while Flora was still in the mindset that even though she was going to work, her husband had to have a job too.

  Sure, they got strange looks, even from friends, when they found out that Collin was a house-husband, but they were both happy with this arrangement and that was all that mattered to them.

  “Well, you know. My momma and daddy are always thinking that I’m not doing the right thing. They don’t understand my goals, and my momma can’t wrap her head around the idea that I don’t want to be a homemaker. She can’t accept that some women aren’t like that, or for that matter, that some men are.”

  Collin laughed, still getting used to the concept himself; though he was the one who initiated it.

  “Unfortunately, my dad and your parents will probably never be happy with our choices,” Collin agreed, putting his arm around Flora in a comforting gesture, “But, if we’re happy, we should keep doing whatever it is that makes us feel that way.”

  “Absolutely,” Flora beamed happily up at him, “We can’t dwell on the lack of other’s happiness. We aren’t responsible for it and we aren’t doing anything wrong.”

  “Exactly,” Collin insisted, now pulling Flora close to him.

  Between the excitement that Flora already feels and the way that Collin was holding her ignited a fire inside her that she was happy to revel in. Twisting eagerly in his arms, she stared up at him and beamed.

  Collin looked back at her, gazing deep into her eyes, trying to figure out exactly what was on his wife’s mind. He was certain that there was something. She was acting strange for the past few days.

  However, before he could ask what was going on, she reached up and kissed him, which propelled Collin’s hand to reach up, so that he could trace the outline of her face with a tender intimacy, while her tongue danced with his, as she intensified the kiss.

  Feeling the warmth of her cheeks, radiating into his hand, he curved his palm around the back of her neck, directing in down, so that he too could develop the intense movements of their mouths.

  Flora drew in short breath, as she started to unbutton her nightshirt.

  When she was finished, Collin drew back and watched the silk slink off her shoulders and gingerly fall back onto the bed behind her, exposing herself completely to him.

  It was now that it was revealed to Collin that his wife wasn’t wearing any undergarments whatsoever.

  Realizing this, he repositioned himself over her, breaking their kissing stride, only for his lips to reconnect with her neck, before traveling down her chest in a seductive pattern.

  When his mouth reached her waistline, Flora grasped the bed and spread her legs wider, as Collin buried herself in the mess of soft, russet curls, which lead to her moist, welcoming chasm of womanly wonder.

  Collin started slowly, licking and nipping at Flora, before committing to her completely.

  Flora groaned and writhed with pleasure, with every stroke bringing her closer to complete sexual euphoria.

  However, before she had a chance to completely submit to being overcome by the essence of their lovemaking, Flora stopped Collin.

  When Collin looked up, he received a come-hither look from Flora.

  Collin grinned, pulling himself up, so that his lower half was now able to press against her sufficiently wet sheath of pleasure, causing his body to quiver with passionate anticipation.

  He drew himself up, once securely between Floras legs and buried himself deep inside of her, while she grasped ahold of his arms and thrusted back and forth with ease and grace.

  Having had plenty of practice lately, on what exactly one another liked, they both had found their perfect positions quickly and were able to quicken their lovemaking tempo now, within a few quick thrusts; while they both soared toward oblivion.

  Faster and faster, the couple moved, thrusting harder, deeper, and with more intensity each time they moved.

  It was now as though Flora and Collin couldn’t get close enough to one another, although they melded easily and efficiently.

  The damp, warmth of Flora was throbbing around Collin as he spiraled toward ecstasy. The feel of being inside of her was intoxicating and Collin couldn’t get enough.

  However, after a few moans and two more thrusts, the couple was able to enter the world of jubilation and otherworldly bliss together.

  Once they were finished, with the euphoria of lovemaking still causing Flora’s heart to flutter, she decided that now was as good a time as any to tell him the latest in their streak of good news.

  “Collin,” she called, turning toward him and staring her husband straight in the eyes.

  Collin’s brow furrowed, instantly concerned that something might be wrong.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes,” Flora answered quickly, now hardly able to contain herself. “Everything is wonderful! Actually, I have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise?” Collin asked, confused, “Between the house and the fact that we have time to spend together, without fearing that we are going to get fired is a pretty damn good day, already if you ask me.”

  Still, hardly able to keep the words from spilling out, she manages to tease, “Oh, well, if you think that’s enough for one day, I guess I could wait.”

  After she spoke though, Flora hoped to God he wouldn’t call her bluff. She was having trouble keeping from blurting it out and she was moments away from the reveal. If she waited any longer, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make it.

  “Whoa,” he chuckled, “I didn’t say that. I love surprises. You can keep them coming. I don’t mind.”

  Flora giggled, “You sure?”

  “Honey, you know me. If you don’t tell me, it’ll drive me nuts!”

  “Yeah, especially with all this newfound time on your hands,” she laughed as her arms snaked around his neck.

  Playfully scoffing, Collin’s mouth hung open as he insisted, “Excuse me, do you know how much work I’ve put into this house? You just come in like some whirlwind, and don’t even notice…” At this, he burst into laughter.

  Flora rolled her eyes, “Do you want to know what your surprise is or no?” I asked him.

  “Of course, I do,” he answered with a cheeky grin. “Come on, what is it?” He urged after a moment of silence.

  “Collin, you’re going to be a daddy!” Flora exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear.

  “What?” He asked, as a broad smile crossed his face, while it seemed that the rest of the air he was holding expelled from his lungs with shock. “What? You’re pregnant?”

  By this point, Flora’s head was wagging up and down with excitement, as she watched the man she loved realize the news that was going to change both of their lives forever.

  “I went to the doctors yesterday afternoon to confirm.”

  “Oh my God!” Collin exclaimed, kissing his wife passionately, while his heart pounded with anticipation and excitement.

  “This is it,” Flora replied, touching her stomach when they pulled away, “This baby is ours and it is all that matters, now that we enter this new chapter of our lives together. We’ve waited so long and now, we only have to wait a few more months, and we’re going to be parents!”

  Even though she wasn’t showing yet, Collin excitedly pressed his hand against Flora’s stomach, while his lips searched for hers, again, as the news sunk in for both of them, and the couple passionately embraced their new life!

  Book 3 - Fake It

  Sophia

  I tie my long dark curls back and get ready to go to work. The chatter around me blends together into a cacophony of slurred voices. Everyone is already wasted and they are yelling over each other, over the music, and over the buzzing in their own ears. God forbid you ever have a headache when you have to work.

  I’ve been working in bars for almost three years now and the scene is always the same. There are groups that come in and sort of interact with each other at a distance. You can almost pick out which guy is going to talk to which girl by the group of people they came into the bar with. One of my favorite games is “Will they or won’t they?”

  I notice someone is either trying to talk to, making eyes at, or buys a drink for someone else. The other bartenders and I then make up the things they are saying to each other and what potential deal breakers can be. The reasons they won’t make it out of the bar and on their way to love town get completely ridiculous. Like he had a snake in the bathtub and wanted her to feed it rats.

  Another long evening is ahead of me and I take a deep breath before going out for the start of my shift. I stand just in the storage room where I can see everyone but they can’t see me and I can certainly hear them. The flat screen televisions in high-definition line the walls playing the latest game. There’s never any sound playing on the TVs because there just wouldn’t be a point, no one would hear anything. The bar is packed and with all the shoving going on, I knew it was a matter of time before this happened.

  “I’m going to kill you,” a dyed blond Amazon screams. She’s freaking massive and as I get closer, I think about shying back a little. Maybe it’s not fair to call her that but she had to be at least six two and thin as a rail. She could definitely take me out or at least break me in two, with a half-hearted college try.

  “You just freaking try,” a short brunette with earrings that should be causing her to topple over swinging from her ears. I know she’s a D list socialite because she’s in the bar all the time and I’ve listened to her go on and on about her supposed fame. The Amazon will indeed kill her if I don’t step in. The last thing I want is to get in the Amazon’s way or be noticed, but the shorter blonde here wasn’t giving me much of a choice. The tall woman’s whole body is rigid as if steam could come from her ears and it would be mingling with all the vape and overpriced cologne in the air making my eyes tear.

  As predicted, the shoving starts, and people clear out from around them, scattering like mice away from the feral pair of cats. The bystanders escalate the situation by turning around to watch, blocking my view. After I make my way around the edge of the bar, I move into the fray to try and separate the two extremely drunk women. I shake my head at Gary, disappointed. The bouncer won’t break up girl fights. He worries about roughing up women too much and getting sued. He should be worried about our boss getting sued instead. But, that’s why I step in. Despite everything, I actually like my job.

  That leaves it all up to me to be the hero. I’m not out of shape, but I’m not the strongest woman. At five feet five, I hold my own. Going to yoga a few times a week really pays off as does running, when I can. Perhaps it has made me bolder than I should be because once I get into the middle of the women I realize this is a mistake. The Amazon woman looks about seven-foot-tall and the socialite swings right when I get in front of her catching me in the eye.

  Stars explode around my vision as a throb begins. It’s not the hardest of punches, but it is enough to stun me for a couple of seconds. The jarring force propels me out of the fray for a second cupping my hand to my face. The blonde slings several more drunken slurs. Now I’m starting to get pissed. I regroup jumping back in and reaching out. I grab her by her slicked-back ponytail and give it a sharp tug.

  Okay, maybe I’m not fighting fair, but at this point, I don’t give a shit. I just can’t have bloodshed during my shift, and judging from the rage coloring Amazon’s face, there is the potential for bloodshed. She’s the kind of girl who probably writes REDRUM in the steam of her bathroom mirror after a shower. She has a look in her eyes that I’d definitely be afraid of if I were the other girl.

  I tighten my hold on her hair, pulling her away from the tall Amazon before we are both slung over the top of her mountainous body. This would go down easier if she would co-operate with me rather going against but I doubt she realizes I’m trying to end this as quickly as possible.

  “Regina,” I yell to the other bartender, “help me get them out of here.” Regina looks at me with a blank stare. I give her a curt nod which seems to get her moving.

  With Regina tentatively grabbing onto the larger one, we get the two women out of the bar. They push and pull against us but they can figure it out in the street if they need to fight.

  “Shit,” Regina says, “she got you good in that eye.”

  “Of course,” I say and touch a finger to the tender spot. I flinch. I’m surprised it’s swelling up already. The adrenaline ebbs leaving the pain behind and lucky that I didn’t feel exhaustion before my shift.

  “Bleach Blond Dumb-dumb got skills?” she chuckles. Regina is a natural blonde and not Amazon tall, but definitely several inches taller than me.

  I roll my eyes and wince, boy that smarts. “Nah, it was a lucky shot.” Leave it to Regina to find a joke somewhere within a disaster. Luck or not, it hurts like a bitch. I really hope she trips over something on her way to bed tonight or stubs her toe on a dresser.

  Regina chuckles. “Lucky or not, you’re gonna have a black eye.” Regina tries to touch it and I back up not needing the extra pressure on the spot.

  I groan. “Perfect. Let me go see if I can cover it up.” I tell her and walk into the bathroom. It’s already starting to turn black and I have a good feeling my eye is going to swell up.

  I walk to the lockers behind the bar to find some makeup and see if I can salvage my look. I depend on the tips I make nightly to survive. It’s going to be pretty hard to tend the bar like a one-eyed pirate. I’d borrowed some money one time for rent, and that was a mistake that has haunted me since I did. Rent was coming up again and I needed to be able to flirt with the best of them, not look like a horror movie extra. Luckily, I keep enough makeup to cover six girls faces with me at all times.

  Regina came back to check on me. “Second shift is here. George is entertaining the crowd for a minute.”

  I look in the mirror, dabbing concealer around the darkest part of the bruise. I decide to make the most of a smoky eye before its swollen shut. At this rate, I’ll be lucky if I don’t accidentally stab myself with a mascara wand. “Yeah, I think I can cover up the darkness for tonight anyway. Not telling what it will look like tomorrow.”

  “Will you be visited by a certain rich suitor this evening,” Regina asks biting a fingernail and leaning against the lockers. It’s a habit she has, and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even know she’s doing it. I cringe thinking about the torn skin of her cuticle that’s got to burn when she drops lemons in the shots.

  “Stop that,” I scold, and then a slow smile creeps across my face. “And, I’m not sure.”

  Thomas is the best part of my evenings. Literally the highlight of my day and especially when I have to work. He likes to do it in public and coming to the bar is his favorite rendezvous. I’d only recently found out who Thomas really was. I thought he was just a nicely dressed guy who hit on me in the bar. It wasn’t until I saw him on Entertainment Tonight, I realized he was a public figure. He puts the D-list brunette to shame and makes my core tremble with anticipation.

  I still didn’t quite understand what he was famous for. He’d been the boyfriend on a reality show. The girl was still on the show, but since they had broken up, the paparazzi still followed him individually. Maybe they were hoping they would get back together and romance the shit out of their lives on television. Me, well, I couldn’t bear to watch the old episodes and the look on his face or the way she treated him during that time. It may have been the past, but it still left me feeling burned, even though he wasn’t mine and this is all in fun. Fun is what I remind myself over and over checking my reflection in the mirror. I don’t even watch television that often and I’d gotten roped in.

  Regina keeps talking but I ignore most of what she says. “He’s way too hot. I can’t believe you landed Rosa Diaz’s ex-boyfriend.”

  “I doubt he wants to be referred to as someone’s ex-boyfriend,” I say and finish up the final touches on my concealer. I turn my head from the left to the right. I’ve managed to cover up some of the redness and thankfully it’s not turning black . . . yet. I toss my makeup back into my locker and slam it shut.

  Regina hums, drawing my attention away from the metal door of the locker and my current rent problems.

  I look at Regina and can feel the color filling my cheeks. “I do hope he stops by tonight though, my break is coming up.” I fan myself quickly because the blush on my face irritates the swollen ache in my eye.

  I’ve never met someone like Thomas. He knows my needs before I do and meets them in such a way that I’m never unsatisfied after we’re together. It’s fantastic every time. It just keeps getting better. He’s so hot and strong and that’s all I can think about for hours and hours after.

  When we get back to the bar, George is doing his usual showy tricks, throwing bottles in the air and twirling around. The women eat it up even though he’s one hundred percent gay. He flashes them his award-winning smile, winking at a few and blowing kisses to a few more. He sashays around the bar making me laugh. He’s a tease for sure but as long as they’re tipping well, who am I to complain?