Love's Tender Fury Part 11

It had been like flying. It had been heaven. It had-she couldn't think of the exact word, she, who always had a quote or an adjective for every occasion. Tony had been hungry, he'd been skilled, he'd been phenomenal. His mouth had been everywhere, his hands, his fingers, his tongue. He'd made her laugh and come in the same breath. He'd made her come before she had all her clothes on the floor.

And he hadn't gone anywhere near her a.s.s.

Not, as Seinfeld would say, that there was anything wrong with that. But Tony did so many other things. Instead, he'd made himself at home between her legs and licked and sucked and nibbled until she was screaming at the ceiling. When he'd surged into her, her vision actually went dark around the edges as her o.r.g.a.s.m bloomed within her like a black orchid.

She'd begged, she'd screamed, she'd shuddered around him, she'd left tracks on his shoulders...

and he had asked for more, demanded more.

Oh, it had really been something.

"I think you've ruined me for life," she said, stroking his hair.

"Ruined you for gay men at least."

"Well, that, too."

She felt two of his fingers slide up inside her and shuddered as he quickly worked her to another o.r.g.a.s.m. "Oh, jeez, you've got to let me get my breath back."

"Why?"

"So I can return some of those amazing favors you've bestowed upon me."

"But you're so slick and slippery," he teased, and oh G.o.d, she was, his fingers were still sliding around and she squirmed against his hand, "I can't stay away."

"Well, I never said-said I wanted you-you to stay away-oh, G.o.d-"

"If you don't mind," he said into her mouth, "I really need to f.u.c.k you again."

"Mind?"

He slid inside her with a laugh, and she wrapped her legs around his hips and pumped back at him.

Oh, Christ, it was so sweet, it was delicious, it was heaven in bed. "Look what I've been missing," she gasped.

"Well, I didn't want to rub it in," he teased, though she was gratified to hear he was out of breath, too. His breathing started to hitch and he buried his face in the hollow of her throat, nipping lightly as she clenched around him, as she felt a new wave of heat race down her limbs, through her stomach, through her c.u.n.t...

"Oh G.o.d!"

He groaned something in response and then shuddered above her.

"Oh G.o.d," she said again, slightly more calmly.

"I must be crus.h.i.+ng you," he moaned, but didn't move.

"You're all right. Stay right there."

"Forever," he moaned again.

She laughed, and kissed the top of his head.

EPILOGUE .

Fourteen months later, Marnie was at another book signing and, for a wonder, was enjoying herself.

Sales of Be Careful What You Wish For were brisk, and if it didn't do as well as one of her romance novels, she wasn't going to cry about it. This was the book she wrote for the pleasure of it, not because she was trying too hard to be what she was not.

This signing was different in other ways, too. For one, Joe and Tony had come with her. Joe, poor b.u.m, had a rather large crush on Tony. Tony was oblivious, but Joe had no secrets from her. She was sorry for him, but not immune to irony. Hopefully after her wedding next spring Joe would recover from his case of puppy love and settle down himself. She supposed it was about time she turned matchmaker, which was another irony.

"Say, didn't you used to be Jessica C. LeFleur?"

Startled from her thoughts, Marnie looked up and saw Barb, the ICU physician, standing at her table, holding a copy of Be Careful What You Wish For.

"Dr. Barb! How are you? I haven't seen you since Lynn's funeral."

"I'm good, thanks. It was kind of you to come."

"It was the least I could do, believe me. She fought to the end, didn't she?"

Barb nodded, and Marnie saw the woman's smile tremble a little.

"Ah-don't you dare buy that book, I'll give you one of my copies."

"It's a wonder you make any money at all. No, I'll buy it, thanks." She flipped the book open and, with a twinkle in her eye, read the dedication out loud. "For the late, great Lynn Filkins, who hung around long enough to show me the truth, and then went on to a better place. We miss her so much."

Barb smiled and slapped the book shut. "She would have loved that."

"I wish she could have seen it."

Barb sighed. "Baby, don't we all. What kind of book is the new one?"

"Well, it's not literary. But it's not awful, either. It's kind of a mystery, I guess. I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will. I have to run, Marnie. It was nice to see you again."

Before she could answer, Barb was gone. Marnie couldn't help but again think of Lynn's influence.

She'd spent one afternoon with the dying woman, and it changed her life. It was all very- "Hi...I know you're promoting your new book...but I was hoping you could...maybe sign this one?"

Marnie looked up and saw an older woman with a kind, lined face. She was neatly dressed, but her clothing had seen years of use. She tentatively handed Marnie a battered copy of Love's Tender Fury. At the sight of the familiar cover, a tangible symbol of her past unhappiness, Marnie had to smile. She had been unhappy, yes, dreadfully so. But it was of her own doing. She'd never been a victim, no matter how much it had pleased her to think so.

"No problem at all. What's your name, ma'am?"

"Karen. I really liked it. It's my favorite."

"I'm so glad. If you like my style, you might want to try Julie Garwood or Catherine Coulter."

Tony, returning with coffee and sandwiches for her and Joe, stopped short by her table. "She's recommending other romance authors! My heart! Can't...take...the shock..."

After setting the coffee down, Tony dramatically tumbled to the floor. Marnie didn't turn around, though her fan gasped and looked suitably alarmed. She handed the book back, explaining, "That's my fiance. He hasn't taken his medication today."

Karen was backing away. "I-I hope he gets better."

"Unlikely. But thank you."

Marnie glanced behind her, toward the floor. "Tony, you're scaring the customers. Joe, get off him!

He does not need artificial respiration. Will you get off? I said get off him right now!"

For heaven's sake, she thought, trying not to laugh. I need to get Joe fixed up, p.r.o.nto. Say...there might be a book in that...

THE END.