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Faith

By: smj54ap



My daughter Faith had a brooding look on her usually sunny face. When she returned home from college for winter break, her mood alternated from surly to morose. My efforts to engage her in conversation failed and I tried every approach I knew as a professional therapist but she refused to open up. 

Earlier that day, I heard Faith talking to someone on her cell phone. When she ended the call, her attitude took a sudden and chilly dip. She was lying on her stomach with a pillow under her arms for support when I walked past her room. 

Faith's sad gaze was fixed on the wall in front of her and I clearly saw tears rimming her eyes. 

"Mom, can I ask you something?" She inquired in a sad voice.

"Sure baby." I said calmly.

I sat on the side of the bed next to Faith and waited for her to continue. My mind went thru a shopping list of possibilities but except for boyfriend woes, I failed to imagine anything that would upset her this deeply and for this amount of time. 

"Are you having problems with your teammates?" I asked in a quiet tone. 

Faith was member of the swim team and the program was highly competitive for spots on the roster. Unexpectedly, she turned to look at me with a quizzical expression on her face. Obviously, I had struck a nerve.

"Well, kind of." She said almost in a whisper and sighed.

Lightly, I rubbed Faith's back, hoping to alleviate some tension. 

"What is it baby? Is it a boy?" I inquired hoping to hit the mark.

"No!" She stated emphatically and sighed deeply.

I waited patiently for Faith to continue speaking and as I rubbed her back, it started jerking. She was crying and turned to embrace me. 

"My poor baby." I said tenderly and tears ran down my cheeks. 

I hugged Faith tightly against my body hoping to shoulder some of the pain that enveloped her. She cried softly for a few minutes and slowly regained control of her emotions. She sat up and looked at me with shame in her normally sparkling green eyes. 

"It's embarrassing." She said with a downcast face and wiped her eyes.

Faith was my only child and we shared a close mother/daughter bond. 

"I'm in a relationship with someone but it's, oh... so frustrating sometimes!" She said with exasperation and a sorrowful look. 

"Is it anyone I know?" I inquired with heightened curiosity.

"I think so." She said with a timid air.

"Who is it baby?" I inquired with uneasiness. 

"It's one of my teammates." She stated with a miserable expression.

"A girl!?" I asked in a disbelieving tone.

"Yes, Christa Bernardo." She uttered softly as though the walls had ears. 

I met Christa at one of the swim meets, she was a dark haired beauty with an imposing physique. 

Faith slumped against me and held on with all her might. 

"Please don't hate me." she begged in a panicky voice.

"I could never hate you." I cried. 

My heart ached for the child that I bore and loved more than my own life. When Faith looked up, tears streamed down my face.

"Don't cry Mom." She said in a heartfelt manner and wiped a few tears away with her fingers.

"Baby, when you're a parent and your child hurts, then you hurt too." I replied in a weepy voice.

Faith took my hands in hers and looked into my dewy eyes.

"I'll be ok." she said with confidence.

From her earliest years, Faith possessed impressive resiliency and strength of character. 

"When did you start having these, ah...feelings." I asked politely.

"I'm not sure but we've been friends since freshman year. One day I looked at Christa and something about her appealed to me." She replied honestly. 

"All I know is that I wanted to be with her, you know, in that way." She intimated in a low and reserved voice.

"I understand baby." I stated soothingly.

"I guess nothing like this ever happened to you." She said with a sigh.

Her comment froze me and I searched my mind for an answer. Faith picked up on my hesitation immediately.

"Mom, did you have the hots for a girl!?" she asked with wide eyed astonishment.

'Well, ah...oh...ok, yes I did." I answered and it was my turn to be sheepish.

"Was she a hottie?" Faith asked as her curiosity took over. It was the first time I saw her smile in over two weeks. 

"Yes, she was." I answered in a whisper as memories flashed thru my head.

What I left out was the fact that while I desired and pursued many girls only one captured my heart. 

"I guess it runs in the family." Faith said pensively and lay against my body.

* 

As I held Faith and gently rocked her, I remembered my college years as the time of my sexual awakening. I was a member of the gymnastics team and had a steady stream of boyfriends. A virgin until my sophomore year, my boyfriend Chuck plucked my cherry after a frat mixer. 

Although I was aware of same sex encounters among my teammates, I had little or no interest in the goings on around me. That was about to change when I arrived home for summer break at the end of sophomore year.

My family resided in an upper middle class neighborhood in Southern California. We were the only family on the block without a swimming pool because my Dad had an irrational fear of water. My best friend, Robyn and her sister Tracy lived next door and I was a frequent visitor to their pool. 

The day after I arrived home, I walked into their back yard and saw Tracy swimming laps. When she noticed me, she waved and walked up the pool steps where I was standing. 

I gawked at the young Venus with the strikingly athletic body. In the past year, Tracy's body had undergone a transformation. Her skinny frame had filled out with fuller breasts and hips. Attired in a form fitting bikini, her physique had a muscular and marvelously proportioned look. 

"Wow! She's not Robyn's little sister anymore." I mused to myself. 

Much to my surprise, I got a tingly and warm feeling looking at Tracy's body. She was about my height, 5' 6' and model pretty without an ounce of extraneous fat on her frame. 

"Hi Jane!" She yelled enthusiastically.

"Your coming to my birthday party tonight, aren't you?" She pleaded.

"I wouldn't miss it." I croaked with a dry mouth.

Tracy was celebrating her eighteenth birthday and her parents had pulled out all the stops hiring a live band and caterer. 

"Robyn's in her bedroom. See ya tonight." She exclaimed and dove back into the water. 

At the party, I couldn't take my eyes off Tracy. She looked very sexy in a pair of short/shorts and halter top. Her blonde hair was cropped close in a sort of page boy style that really accented her natural looking face. Occasionally, she caught me looking and gave me a wicked smile.

I was baffled by my behavior. That night in bed, the images of Tracy in her bikini kept popping up in my mind. Without realizing, my hand had moved between my legs and a finger was lazily tracing a line along my panty covered slit. For the first time in my life, I masturbated with images of another girl racing thru my mind. 

The next morning I kept a sharp lookout for Tracy from my bed room window. I knew Robyn worked at the Community Center pool until 2pm. While I was performing stretching exercises, I saw Tracy on the pool deck in a bikini that looked molded to her body. 

As though I had no will of my own, I found myself in Tracy's backyard eying her magnificent teenage body. I became obsessed with her and dropped by on a daily basis to ogle the young goddess. 

One afternoon Robyn called to ask a favor. She was going up to the lake with her boyfriend and another couple for a few days and would I mind staying with Tracy until she got back. Her folks were back east on a business trip and would be pissed if they knew she went away without her sister. 

"Sure!" I said with an evil smile on my face.

It was like asking the fox to watch the henhouse while the farmer was away.

Friday morning Robyn left early for the lake. When I saw Tracy, I hot footed it until I was standing next to the pool. 

Slowly and deliberately Tracy climbed up the ladder to the pool deck in front of me sans bikini top and bottom. 

"The brazen brat, she knows!" I muttered to myself.

Tracy's breasts were round swells that hugged her body and were topped with the cutest pink nipples. A flat tummy outlined by a six pack and the hottest ass I had ever seen on a girl. I felt my pussy dampening and was unable to look away. Tracy looked spectacular and I got weak in the knees. 

But, best of all, Tracy was delightfully hairy at a time when grooming ones cooch was becoming popular. Her pussy was perfectly framed by a downy blanket of dark blonde pubic hair. Like one of Pavlov's dogs, my mouth was watering. 

Tracy had a shit eating grin on her face as my pussy creamed from the overwhelming sight. 

"Do you think my breasts are too small?" she asked with fake sincerity.

I was barely able to speak and croaked out some inaudible reply. I felt like I was in a surreal dream that I had no control over and couldn't wake up from. The kid had a killer body. 

"For Gods sake, it's Robyn's kid sister." I kept thinking as an internal debate raged in mind. 

The entire situation was too overpowering and my will to resist evaporated. In its place was a lust the likes of which I had never known. I had dreamt about this the first time I saw Tracy in the pool. Lord knows I masturbated myself silly picturing her in the nude. 

Tracy reached for her towel on the lounger and winced.

"Ouch! That smarts!" she said with pain in her voice and grabbed her shoulder. 

"I think I strained it swimming laps." She stated and looked at me with a soulful expression.

"You need a good massage." I stated in a husky voice.

I doubted that Tracy's shoulder hurt at all and she was using it as an excuse to get my hands on her body. 

In the family room I instructed Tracy to lay face down on a beach towel and placed a smaller towel over her sexy ass. I started at her shoulders and gently kneaded the velvety flesh. Gradually, I worked my way down her muscled back stopping at the edge of the towel. 

"Ooh, that feels great." She purred.

Emboldened by her words, I ran my hands along her sides and palmed the fleshy part of her flattened breasts. Tracy was fidgeting her butt and the towel slipped off. Instantly, my hands massaged her sculpted derriere' and she moaned out loud. This was proceeding faster than I anticipated.

My hands kneaded and squeezed the firm cheeks of Tracy's butt and slipped farther into the crack. My fingers toyed with the sensitive rose cluster and a trickle of creamy fluid oozed from the bottom of her slit.

"Oh, that feels soo good." Tracy panted breathlessly.

Unexpectedly Tracy rolled onto her back and put her arms behind her head. My body pulsated with new and rapturous sensations. I stared at her hot and luscious titties, especially the nipples which were a combination of puffy and long. 

I ran my hands all over Tracy's muscled body. With trembling hands, I gently caressed and squeezed Tracy's round mounds, awed by the firmness. I spent a long time massaging her nipples which I lovingly tweaked with my fingertips.

Tracy was breathing rapidly as I slowly lowered my head to a turgid right nipple and gently licked the long protuberance. She watched me intently as I worked feverishly on her delicious tits. When my hunger was finally sated, her eyes were glazed over and filled with lust. Seductively, I trailed wet kisses over her flat belly and stopped at the bushy mound. 

Tracy opened her legs and brought her knees up giving me a clear view of her crotch. I leaned forward and gazed longingly at her pretty pussy. It was like a delicate pink flower glistening with dew.

The aroma from Tracy's slit was intoxicating to my senses. I lightly kissed up and down her slice and as if on cue, it opened up to show the delicate and wet inner parts. With long graceful licks, my tongue caressed the soaked creases and gathered her tart secretions. 

"Oh God!" She moaned.

The heady flavor was beyond description and inflamed my libido. My tongue burrowed into her soggy slit and I watched with utter fascination when her head lolled to and fro as I gave her pussy a licking she would never forget. 

As my mouth engulfed Tracy's snatch, my tongue executed rapid butterfly licks on her clit. Tenderly, I sucked and licked the stiff nub which was out of its hood, sending her into another dimension of pleasure.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" she roared with passion. My hunger for Tracy's pussy was reaching new heights as I wildly sucked the swollen, randy and juicy flesh. Her young gash burbled and frothed with juice which I vigorously lapped like a horny slut. When I renewed my assault on her clit, creamy girl cum dripped into my maw and not a drop escaped my thirsty gullet. 

Tracy pushed her slit hard against my mouth and her body suddenly stiffened. I shoved my rigid tongue into her delicate and oozing hole when the first spasms hit.

"OH! OH! I'm cuminggg!" She wailed. 

I kept sucking her pussy with a vengeance as her body shook and stiffened. In the aftermath, Tracy regarded me with affection. 

"That was wonderful!" She trilled in a dreamy voice. 

I spent the next week at Tracy's house with my head buried between her thighs servicing her scrumptious young pussy. 

"You're a natural." She cooed breathlessly as I feasted on her boggy slice one morning.

After Tracy's first orgasm, I descended for an encore but she offered me her butt instead. The girl easily had one of the sexiest asses I ever saw and I devoured it with equal passion. 

Tracy confided in me that she'd been having girl on girl sex most of her senior year in high school and usually with fellow swim team members. 

However, when Robyn returned from the lake there were limited opportunities for sex. Then her parents returned from their business trip and they left for vacation with Tracy in tow, leaving Robyn behind.

Robyn was sunning by the pool when I stopped to visit. 

"Hey, what's happening?" she said cheerfully mimicking a popular sitcom line of that era.

"Not much." I stated in an even tone.

"I hope Tracy wasn't a pain in the ass last week." she said sympathetically.

Just the mention of Tracy's name made my pussy twitch.

"Naw, no sweat." I replied.

Robyn leaned on the edge of lounger with serious a look on her face. I had known her since 1st grade and something was bothering her. 

"What's up? You look like your puppy dog just died." I asked with concern.

"Did anything happen at the lake?" I inquired curiously.

"No, everything was fine." She said in an absent minded way.

"Did Benny do something wrong?" I demanded angrily.

"No, he was a perfect gentlemen." She answered with assurance.

Robyn changed the subject and her mood lightened considerably. 

The same week Tracy left for vacation, I started working part time at a popular clothing store in the mall. The parade of sexy young women into and out of the fitting rooms had my imagination working overtime. On more than one occasion, I daydreamed about Tracy's tasty young pussy and dampened my panties. 

On a busy Saturday morning, Carly, one of my gymnastics teammates from high school walked in the store. After an exchange of pleasantries, she explained that she was searching for a new and more provocative bikini. I gathered up several suits in her size and waited outside the fitting room. We reminisced about school thru the door as Tracy tried on the swimwear. I was rehashing a funny story about a fellow teammate, when I heard her ask for assistance.

"Can you help me decide which one looks the best." She asked in a needy voice.

I entered the fitting room and gaped at Carly. Her body had matured since high school. She had nice muscle tone, an attractive face and sexy curves. 

"She's not an "A" cup anymore." I mused to myself

I sat on the far bench and appraised each suit with honesty. She made no attempt to cover up between changes and the sight of her naked body was turning my insides to jello. The contrast of her alabaster skin with the dark brunette hair was a huge turn on. 

It was a well known fact that she explored her bi side with other team members in high school. I was hoping that she still had the itch because I wanted to scratch it. 

Finally, a muted green string bikini looked the best. 

"Thanks." She said with gratitude and blushed ever so slightly.

As Carly paid for the new bikini at the register, I grabbed my purse to go on break. I was headed for the women's rest room and a rendezvous with my fingers. Watching Carly in the changing room had turned my loins fiery and moist. 

When I passed her at the register, I heard her voice behind me. 

"Do you have time for a coffee or soda at the food court?" She asked with some urgency. 

"Sure do." I replied eagerly. 

We reminisced about our time on the team and laughed at some of the shenanigans that we perpetrated on our coach, Mrs. Ericsson. All too soon my break ended and Carly invited me to her home for a swim. 

"I get off work at 5pm. Is six ok?" I asked politely.

At six, I rang the doorbell and Carly answered wearing the new bikini. Unless my instincts were dead wrong, she was my next conquest or vice versa. It was the perfect opportunity as her parents were away for the evening. 

We sat on the pool deck sipping wine coolers and continued our conversation about school. Carly had undoubtedly changed since high school. She was confident and outgoing with a more feminine appearance.

We were both tipsy as we splashed and cavorted in the pool. In a mocking voice, Carly stood in the shallow end and sang the school alma mater. When it concluded, she executed the standard jumping cheers. In her exuberance, her top loosened and dropped off her chest. I gazed with lust as her nipples hardened into bullets from the cool air. 

Carly leaned against the side with her chest thrust proudly forward. The erotic sight inflamed my libido and her eyes had a beckoning look. I palmed her nipples and delicately squeezed the surrounding flesh. 

Carly groaned in appreciation when my tongue plopped out, dripping saliva and lathed the straining buds. 

"OOH! That feels good!" Carly moaned lustily.

Carly held my head and gasped as I toiled on her cute titties. I lustily slathered and sucked the hardened protrusions until she humped her mound against my thigh. She was ready. 

I told Carly to hop up on the pool deck and spread a towel for her butt. She was biting her lower lip in anticipation with an anxious look on her face. Slowly, I pulled her bottoms off and nuzzled her trimmed brown bush. Her womanly fragrance drifted into my nostrils as I nibbled her moist sensitive folds. 

Carly made little growling noises in her throat as I slurped her soggy slit. I lifted her butt for better leverage and dove into her gasping gash. 

My tongue lashed every centimeter of her succulent snatch and she howled her approval. 

"OH God! Eat my pussy!" She hollered.

Carly threw her legs over my shoulders and bucked her juice bloated slice until tiny drops of girl goo spattered my face. With zealous need, I swallowed her tart/creamy fluids down my appreciative throat.

"Suck my pussy Jane." She roared and mashed her engorged box on my mouth. 

Carly's head whipped from side to side as I sucked her foaming hole with demonic intensity. Her body shook like a tree in a gale force wind as my mouth engulfed her boiling box. 

"Oh God! OH! It's incredible" She shouted at the top of her lungs and rode my lashing tongue with wild abandon. 

Carly's sexy bod stiffened and quaked for a minute or longer. 

"Goddamn! You eat pussy like it's your last meal." Carly panted with admiration. 

I'm sure I had a satisfied look on my sticky cum coated face. My bi curious lust was sated; for the moment. 


Faith



I followed Carly into the kitchen where she nimbly extracted two wine coolers from the fridge. As we sat enjoying the liquid refreshment, she gave my body the once over. I looked into her fascinating grey eyes and realized they were filled with hunger. 

Carly's mouth was slightly open and she was breathing heavier than normal when I shed my bikini and stood naked before her. With my athletic background, I was slender and small breasted. I usually wore my blonde hair pulled back in a French Twist and rarely shaved or groomed my privates.

Carly directed me to sit on the counter top and I spread my legs for her view. She leaned in for a closer look and I felt her hot breath on my sensitive lips. When her tongue traversed the entire length of my slit, hot currents of sensation pulsed in my pussy.

I had boyfriend's who ate me frequently but they were neophytes when compared to an experienced girl like Carly. She ate me with ferocity and precision. I hooted and howled while intense bolts of unadulterated pleasure seared into my gash. 

My eyes were riveted on Carly's tongue as it danced and whirled thru every fold and crease of my throbbing slit. 

"Oh God!" I shrieked.

While Carly sucked my gushing hole with unrestrained lust, I threw my head back from the sheer ecstasy and moaned in one long wail. Her expertise was awe inspiring and I ground my swollen snatch all over her face. 

When I exploded the waves of my orgasm increased in intensity until they reached a mind bending crescendo. I lost track of time as I quivered and quaked with each contraction. 

Carly refused to stop and worked my pussy into another gurgling pot of girl cum. When her tongue found my clit, strong sensations coursed thru my body and sizzled deep in my box. 

"Fuck! I'm cuming again!" I howled like a coyote.

As the contractions subsided, I sagged back against the cabinets too weak to stand. 

"That was fantastic!" I declared with high regard for her proficiency.

Carly gave me a knowing smile and embraced me with tenderness. It was the start of a quasi-relationship that ended with her return to college. 

As much as I loved feasting on Tracy, the mutual give and take that I shared with Carly was ultimately more satisfying. 

In late August, Carly left for college back east and I instantly felt lonely. I was sunning by Robyn's pool with a glum look.

"Are you feeling blue?" Robyn asked with concern.

"Vacations almost over and its back to college." I stated as a half truth. 

Robyn looked at me as though she was mulling over something in her mind. 

"Benny and I are going up to Spencer's Lake this weekend. Come with us. Please?" She said in a little girl voice.

"No way, three's a crowd." I said with conviction.

"Why not? It'll be fun. Please? Pretty please?" She begged.

I wasn't convinced but I valued Robyn's friendship and didn't want to hurt her feelings. 

Spencer's Lake was known for its beauty and seclusion. Benny picked a perfect spot for the tent and we ran to the inviting water. The weather was perfect and we swam until our skin was wrinkly. 

Although I was having fun, I missed Carly and my mood turned sullen. Robyn did her best to cheer me up but I never told her the reason for my depression. 

At dusk, we were sitting by the fire when Benny produced his pipe. 

"How 'bout a little smoke?" He said with a sly look on his face.

Now, I was a casual or infrequent pot smoker. I liked drinking beer and wine but rarely did I get drunk or over imbibe. Benny had a deserved reputation as a connoisseur of weed and after two tokes, my head was spinning like a child's top.

In just a few minutes we were stoned off our gourds and I got a serious case of the giggles that had my sides aching. Benny wanted to go skinny dipping because the night air was warm and sticky. He fired up the pipe and we merrily shed our clothes. 

We swam out to the diving platform and took turns creating the silliest dives we could execute. Benny performed a completely ridiculous dive and based on difficulty, was declared the winner. He stood to take a bow and I marveled at the length of his flaccid penis, very impressive.

In a formal stage voice, Benny bid us adieu.

"My apologies dear ladies but I must rest my weary bones." 

Benny swam back to shore leaving Robyn and I alone. We lay on our backs staring at the canopy of stars overhead until Robyn turned on her side and gazed at me with an odd expression. She was reticent for several minutes. 

"What?" I asked quietly.

"We've been friends for a long time, right?" she asked nervously.

"Yeah. Why?" I wondered aloud.

"So, we can ask each other anything, right?" She inquired with an unsteady voice.

"Sure." I replied. 

Robyn hesitated for a few seconds.

"Have you ever made it with another girl?" She asked with a bashful look.

I had eaten a lot of pussy during the summer and saw little reason for deception. 

"Yes." I answered softly.

"Did you like it?" she asked with intense curiosity.

"Yeah, I liked it a lot." I stated with honesty. 

"Before I tell you something, you have to promise not to tell anyone." She stated demandingly.

I hesitated and grumbled my dissatisfaction. I thought the idea of "promising" was ridiculous. 

"Promise you won't breathe a word to Tracy or anyone else." She implored.

"Robyn, you know I think this is childish." I stated with a disapproving tone.

"Promise Jane." She demanded.

"Ok, I promise." I said sarcastically.

Robyn took a deep breath and lowered her voice to a whisper. 

"Do you remember when Benny and I went to the lake with Debbie and Nate?" She asked.

"Yeah." I answered quickly.

"One night, Debbie and Nate got shit faced and decided to go skinny dipping. They were in the water yelling for Benny and me to come in. Benny grabs the pipe and we wade out to them and start smoking some primo hash."

Robyn looked around to see if anyone was listening. 

"Robyn, we're in the middle of the lake." I said with frustration and she continued. 

"After two or three tokes we are sky high and I mean 'high'. The guys swim out to the boat dock leaving Debbie and I on the diving platform with the pipe. We splash around for a while and get out for another toke or two. We're lying on the platform butt naked and I notice that Debbie's checking me out. But, instead of me getting angry, it was turning me on. 

Debbie Masters was an attractive brunette with a slim body but Robyn was pretty with a svelte and toned figure sculpted by years of competitive swimming. 

"The simple fact that Debbie was looking at my body made me feel all tingly and damp. She was reclining on the platform, grinning at me like the Cheshire Cat, when out of the blue she asked me if I'd ever been with girl. If there'd been enough light, she would have seen me blush."

Robyn stopped for a moment and took a huge swallow from her beer bottle. "Debbie told me to follow her so we swam back to shore and ended up in her tent. I was shivering from the cold water and night air when Debbie opened her sleeping bag and gestured for me to join her. I was high as a kite and the sensation of her body against mine was making me horny as hell." 

Robyn looked down for a moment but continued.

"I'd never been with a girl but I was curious." She said shyly. 

"What happened?" I asked when I already knew the answer.

"She, ah...performed oral sex on me." She said in a hesitant voice.

"Were you grossed out?" I asked probingly. 

"No. I thought I would be but I really enjoyed it." she said in a low but excited tone of voice.

"I enjoyed it so much that I let her eat me a couple times a day. She would have done it more if I wanted." She said timidly but with a lively edge to her voice.

"Was Benny pissed." I asked in an inquisitive tone. 

"Naw, he jerked off each time." She stated with a chuckle. 

Robyn's mood brightened. 

"The night before we left, he admitted that he loved watching Debbie's head between my thighs." She said with amusement.

Robyn insisted that I promise again and with my eyes rolling heavenward, I did as she asked. 

Robyn's revelation had dampened my pussy and I wanted to finger myself. Then it dawned on me that while she was getting "lip service" at the lake, I was doing the same thing to her sister.

"As much as I love having sex with Benny, I can't stop thinking about Debbie eating me. It was fantastic!" She said wistfully.

A hunger for pussy overtook me and my gaze drifted to Robyn's crotch. She looked at me with surprise and I licked my lips.

"You want to..." She asked incredulously.

"Oh yes!" I answered enthusiastically.

Robyn's shyness was appealing and she giggled coyly. We smoked another hit on the pipe for the jitters but it was mostly for Robyn. 

Robyn leaned back on her elbows and opened her thighs for me. She had an athletic but feminine body that radiated sensuality. While not the raw beauty like her sister, she was very sexy.

As soon as I leaned towards Robyn's crotch, her scent filled my nostrils. I grasped her ass, drawing it closer and nuzzled her pussy. 

"Oh Jane!" she groaned as I mouthed her soft furry mound. 

With skill that I learned over the summer, I leisurely slurped Robyn's moist flesh until her pussy oozed with tangy juice. While Tracy liked it fast and furious, my intuition directed me to a much gentler approach. 

With Robyn's constant moans and groans, I knew I was on the right track. 

"Oh Jane, that feels wonderful." she said breathlessly.

I gently probed Robyn's soggy hole and elicited louder moans from her. When I lifted her cute little ass higher, I ran my dripping tongue up and down the length of her crack, stopping to probe her butt hole. 

"Oh my God!" she yelled.

I took my time licking Robyn's hot ass and she panted like a race horse after winning the Kentucky Derby. 

I was lowering Robyn's butt and refocusing on her pussy when she rotated her body until we were in a sixty nine. Without any prompting from me, she licked me with a novice's determination. 

Robyn's silky tongue gently slid thru my wet folds and sent shivers up and down my spine. An irresistible desire to please her flooded my being. For a long time, we devoured each other, refusing to stop. 

My breath was returning to normal after my second orgasm when I looked at Robyn and realized that my heart was thumping in my chest. She gazed at me with adoring eyes and we fell into each others arms. 

We lay on the platform holding each other and kissing ardently. What had started as lustful want had evolved into something entirely different. Robyn was looking at me with real affection.

"Jane?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes?" I inquired.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked very sweetly.

"How glad I am to be here with you." I said with uncharacteristic emotion.

"Me too!" she cried and we kissed with enthusiasm.

Robyn had been my best friend for as long as I could remember but that night we connected on a much deeper level. I felt closer to her than any other human being on the planet. The experience deepened a strong bond that existed between us and brought us together as lovers. 

As we swam back to the tent, loving feelings enveloped me. We spent the night in my sleeping bag; holding, touching and kissing. The next morning, Robyn asked Benny to leave and to my great surprise he agreed. 

The next five days were a romantic idyll that I have yet to repeat. Daily, we showered together at the women's bath house, giggling and laughing like schoolgirls as we soaped each others body and pinched butts. 

We took long walks on the trails with Robyn pulling me aside for frequent make out sessions. One day an older lady saw us in a lip lock.

"My word!" she stated huffily. 

We just laughed and shrugged it off.

At night, we swam naked out to the diving platform and lay in each others arms, staring at the majestic firmament overhead. Our love for each other defied convention but was as real and genuine as the wood platform we lay on. 

With the sounds of nature resonating in the night air, our passion filled lovemaking burned white hot and lasted until the wee hours before dawn. 

When we parted for different colleges in September, it was heart rending. In the privacy of my room, we embraced as tears glided down our cheeks. We wrote to each other often and tried to keep our affair alive during holidays and vacations. But, gradually it slipped away. 

Our families were a major obstacle. My parents were staunch Reagan Republicans and looked down on anyone who didn't follow their strict code of morals and ethics. To them it was a forgone conclusion that I would marry (preferably a man with the same political convictions) and raise a family.

Robyn's parents held similar views. Her mother, always friendly and warm, now regarded me with cool detachment when I was at Robyn's home. I was positive that her mother was aware of our new found love and my suspicions were confirmed the following summer. They insisted that she accept an eight week internship with a biological research firm in Colorado.

I argued with Robyn that this was an attempt by her folks to keep us apart. 

"But Jane, my father went to a lot of trouble to get me this internship. It's a wonderful opportunity." She said in a calming voice.

When Robyn left, I couldn't shake the feeling that our relationship was nearly over. I sulked and moped around the house until I got a summer job at the Community Center camp for kids. It occupied my days but at night I yearned to be with her. 

Robyn returned for two weeks at the end of August but I saw precious little of her until the final weekend. It was enough time to reconnect and while the flame of passion burned bright, a feeling of hopelessness for a future together had crept into the equation. 

Someone once said that long distance romances were doomed from the start and ours was no exception. I returned to college for my senior year in a disheartened mood. I wrote letters to Robyn but none came in return until October. She wrote about a guy she had met and fallen in love with. I was crushed beyond words and for a long time, I grieved and pined for Robyn. We remained friends but we saw each other only occasionally. 

A month before graduation, I met Seth and had a brief but torrid affair. He was eager and I was drunk the night we fucked without protection. Unbeknownst to me, as I walked down the aisle to accept my diploma, I was pregnant. 

A furor of biblical proportions erupted with my parents. They wanted me to get an abortion but I steadfastly refused. I told them I would leave to spare them any embarrassment and they accepted. But, at least they had the courtesy to find me a place to live. In frustration, they sent me to an aunt in San Jose. 

Seth refused to have any contact with me and I felt abandoned. He was my daughter's sperm donor and nothing more.

Thanks to my Aunt Judith's support (she was the complete political opposite of my mom and dad) I gave birth to my daughter Faith. For many years her love and kindness were an invaluable source of comfort to me. 

I was estranged from my parents and had to find my way in the world with a young child. It was a difficult struggle but I succeeded. Over time, the estrangement from my mother and father was repaired but never healed. It improved solely because Faith wanted to meet her Grammy and Gramps.

At first, Faith simply asked to visit them. I made up excuses why we couldn't and she would drop the subject. However, one day she made a comment that caught me off guard.

"Mommy can we visit Grammy and Gramps?" she asked brightly.

I gave her the old line that they lived too far away and were very busy.

"Don't they like us mommy?" She asked me with a hurt expression.

My heart squeezed in my chest and tears enveloped my eyes. For the first time in several years I reached out to my parents. My first visit was awkward but Faith won their hearts. 

It was during a visit to my folks one Christmas that I ran into Robyn at the grocery store. Faith was sitting in the shopping cart pointing to everything she wanted me to buy and pulling it off the shelves. 

"Mommy I want Fruit Loops." She demanded and flung the box into the cart.

"Baby, we have Frosted Flakes and Cocoa Puffs. I'm not buying Fruit Loops too." I said in a parental voice. 

Faith crossed her arms with a huffy expression on her adorable face. As I turned to put the box back on the shelf, I saw Robyn and her mother at the meat counter. My heart nearly burst out of my chest but I hastily pushed the cart to a different aisle. 

The thought of a teary reunion with her mother present horrified me. But escape was impossible when they turned up the same aisle. Robyn's mother greeted me with a chilly air and turned her attention to Faith. 

Robyn and I embraced and looked deep into each others eyes.

"Hey you!" She said with emotion.

"It's good to see you." I answered with affection in my voice.

I managed to keep my emotions in check and we spoke briefly until Faith wanted Robyn to hold her. She chattered like a magpie and I had to rescue Robyn lest Faith chew her ear off. 

We parted with promises of getting together but it never happened. My life had changed dramatically and there was no going back or resurrecting the past. But, the love I had felt for Robyn that beautiful week at Spencer's Lake was still in my heart. 

When I put Faith down for her nap, I went to my room and sobbed with gut wrenching emotion. Robyn's love was irreplaceable and although I had lovers of both sexes over the years nothing came close to the incandescent glow that I felt with her.

*

I was in the kitchen sipping tea when I heard Faith talking excitedly on her cell phone in the hallway.

"Hold on a sec Christa, let me ask my mom." She said in bubbly voice.

Faith ran into the room with her hand over the speaker portion. 

"Mom, is it ok if Christa spends a few days with us?" She asked with yearning in her voice.

"Sure baby." I said in a comforting tone.

"Thanks mom." She gushed and pecked me on the cheek.

As Faith left the room talking excitedly to Christa, I reflected on life's unexpected twists and turns. 

My Aunt Judith told me that faith is an important ingredient in life's journey. I was six months pregnant with a small pot belly, sitting in her breakfast nook and thoroughly despondent. In the span of one year, I had lost my parent's, my friends and my beloved Robyn. 

"My dear have faith in your abilities. They will carry you far in life. Have faith in me. I will help you thru this difficult time." She stated with authority and took my hands in hers.

I looked into Aunt Judith's eyes and saw her strength of character. She had suffered thru the loss of her husband and son. Both were young when they died and under tragic circumstances. Alone in the world, she never grumbled or complained about her lot in life. 

"Never lose faith in yourself. It will give you the courage to carry on when the struggle seems too great a burden to bear." She said in a soothing voice and embraced me.

As I broke down and bawled with intensity, I felt like a lost child who suddenly found some solace and protection from the hard cruel world. 

*

Faith strode back into the room with a serene look and put her arms around me. 

"Mom thanks soo much! You can't imagine how much this means to me." She exclaimed in an ecstatic voice. 

"Yes I can baby. Yes I can." I said in a soft reassuring voice and hugged her tight.



Faith



Author's Note: I'd like to thank KevH for his outstanding editing skills. His tireless efforts were much appreciated. Also, thanks to Tom Collins for her help and suggestions. 

*

It was cold, bitterly cold as the snow fell sporadically, lightly dusting the street in a white blanket. 

At least the holidays won't suck for everyone, Tyler thought cynically. 

His eyes wandered away from the road to the strip malls he was passing. Christmas used to be his favorite time of the year. He would watch the people busily preparing for the holiday, or just spending time with their families, and it always brightened his mood. As his eyes took in the sight that used to bring so much pleasure, Ty was saddened by how apathetic he felt toward the jovial atmosphere. 

"Who cares?" he said aloud, his eyes briefly returning to the road, before moving back to the stores flashing by. The last year had been very difficult for him. Despite support from his family and friends, Ty felt himself sliding into a chasm that seemed bottomless.

With a loud sigh, he looked again at the families scurrying about happily, enjoying the light layer of snow. The scene reminded him of Christmas for the first time all season.

"Shit!" he screamed suddenly, as his eyes moved back to the road in front of him. Traffic had come to a sudden stop and there was no time to react. 

Tyler slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel hard to the left in desperation, trying to avoid the semi that had stopped directly in front of him. His car spun, turning almost completely sideways, before gaining some traction. At the last second, he managed to veer into the turn lane, and then watched helplessly as he passed within inches of the stopped truck.

After sliding another fifty feet, the car finally came to rest in the left-turn lane, almost as if he planned it all along. Ignoring the alarmed stares of the drivers beside him, Tyler pulled his shaking hands from the steering wheel and looked at them in wonder. 

"I should have died," he said quietly, shocked at how loud his voice sounded in the eerie silence. His hands returned to the wheel, but were shaking so badly that he decided to pull over and give himself a second to recover.

Looking around, his eyes settled on a familiar sight. Years earlier, Tyler lived nearby and would occasionally stop at Johnny's on the way home. In addition to being a relaxed place to hang out, they featured live entertainment. He used to love winding down there after a tough day at work.

He waited until there was a large gap in the traffic, then did a U-turn and pulled into the parking lot. The non-descript building looked more like a house than a place to go for a good time. Tyler stepped out of the car and was surprised to find that his legs were still wobbly. He took a moment to steady himself before walking to the front door.

As he entered, he was greeted by a wave of blaring dance music. There were two pool tables in back, where several young men were playing. He turned the corner to the right and managed a smile for the first time, as he caught a glimpse of the entertainment. She appeared to be in her early twenties, about five foot six with long brown hair and the most amazing ass he had seen in as long as he could remember. The woman was wearing a mesh top and a white thong with thigh-high stockings.

Tyler looked around, surprised that she was the only dancer in the room. Normally, he would have expected to see two or three girls working the bar. Then again, since there were only six other men in the room, it was possible that any other dancers might have gone home early. 

He walked to the bar, where he asked a pleasant looking blonde for an import, but she told him they were out. Annoyed, he said to just give him whatever they had on tap. As he stood, impatiently waiting, he felt something brush the back of his head and realized it was the dancer saying hi as she walked toward the back of the room. It caused him to smile again, this time with a little more enthusiasm, both from the contact and the scent of her perfume. He glanced to his left, but only caught a glimpse of her before she stepped out of sight. 

The bartender handed him a beer, which he accepted, trying to do so without indicating his displeasure. He walked over to the tables against the wall, not wanting to sit with the men at the bar. Tyler took several deep gulps, trying to calm his frayed nerves. When a new song came on, he glance around, surprised that the woman hadn't returned to the front. He glanced to the back of the room and realized that she was talking with the men playing pool.

Swell, he though, aggravated. I come to a strip bar and still get ignored. He quickly finished the first beer and thought about leaving, but decided he needed one more to calm his nerves. When he returned to his seat, Closer by Nine Inch Nails began blaring from the jukebox. Tyler chuckled to himself, well aware of the explicit lyrics. Just then, the dancer appeared, walking to the makeshift stage against the front wall. It had a pole mounted to the small riser that ended about a foot short of the low ceiling. The haphazard appearance added to the impression he already had formed about not expecting much from the show.

Tyler watched with mild interest as she began her routine to the beat of the slow, driving, primal song. Despite his mood, he was anxious to find a way to escape the negative feelings he'd had for the last few weeks. He leaned against the wall, deciding to give her a chance to atone for the slight. 

The woman began with the typical bumping and grinding most dancers used, but caught his attention when she grabbed the top of the pole with one hand and began spinning herself like a ballroom dancer. She ran her hands down her body, bringing them between her legs, then grabbed the pole and climbed. Reaching the top, she flipped upside down, using her strong thighs to stay aloft. She caressed her smooth, tanned skin, while the music pulsated and her dancing became more and more erotic.

I want to fuck you like an animal I want to feel you from the inside I want to fuck you like an animal My whole existence is flawed

Tyler's breath quickened and he felt a stirring in his groin while he watched her amazing performance. How anyone could be so sexy while performing for a nearly empty room was beyond him.

She put her foot on a table, spreading her legs tantalizingly, again running her hands over her panties, staring at Tyler like it was all for him. He watched her move with a grace that was beyond most exotic dancers he had seen, while never losing the eroticism that seemed to emanate naturally from her.

Without warning, she dropped to the floor, quickly spinning to her knees. She looked over her shoulder, flashed a devilish grin, and slapped her ass with an open hand. Rolling over again, she spread her legs, running her fingertips up her thighs before grabbing the pole with one hand. Using it for leverage, she arched her back, her head just above the ground. She slowly brought one leg straight up until it reached the pole high above her, her toe pointed like a ballerina.

Suddenly the song ended and Tyler realized that he was leaning forward in his chair, anxiously waiting to see what she'd do next. He applauded enthusiastically, along with the few men present, then impatiently waited for her to make her rounds. After visiting each of the men at the bar, she made her way over to his table. 

"Hi, did you like the dance?" she asked in a soft, sultry voice. 

"It was amazing," he stammered, feeling foolish and cursing himself for acting like a love struck teenager. "So, are you a dancer...a professional dancer, I mean," he quickly added.

"No," she said, smiling at the compliment. "Not unless you count me dancing in my room. I always wanted to be, but this is as close as I'm ever going to get." She regarded him with a sly smile. "Would you like a private dance?"

Tyler couldn't suppress a grin. "I thought you'd never ask." 

She offered her hand and said, "I'm Faith". 

A flash of pain in Tyler's eyes was the only sign that her words struck a nerve, but the look was immediately replaced by one of open admiration. He took her hand and introduced himself.

Faith walked him to a more private area in the back of the other room. They talked for a moment while the song on the jukebox ended. The lighting was better there and he was able to look closely at her for the first time. 

He noticed that she wore very little make-up, but still looked beautiful. Her lips were full and sensual. She had brown eyes that peeked out through oval lids, giving her the look of someone always on the verge of smiling, a mischievous smile that belied a quirky sense of humor. Her hair, dyed red in the front, gave her an untamed appearance that fit her dancing perfectly.

But what caught his attention the most was her chest. Through the mesh shirt, he could see a red shape that stretched from between her breasts to the middle of her stomach.

"Is that a drawing or a tattoo?" Tyler asked in fascination.

"A tattoo," Faith answered with a satisfied smile. "It's a phoenix; I designed it myself. Do you like it?"

"Yes," he said, staring brazenly at the tattoo. "It's beautiful." 

She regarded him cautiously. "It's kind of a spiritual thing." 

Tyler couldn't take his eyes off of the design. He had never seen one like it, nor one in the particular spot she had it placed. It was beautifully crafted and made him wonder about the story behind it. He smiled wryly as he realized the tattoo was distracting him from a much more interesting sight.

The sound of the jukebox starting again jolted him from his reverie. He heartily approved of her choice, Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. Faith immediately began swaying to the sensual beat. Tyler resisted the urge to look at her body, finding her eyes mesmerizing. She stared back at him lustfully as she slipped the strap of her top off her shoulder, while moving toward him. Her head dipped close to his lap before dragging up his body, her hair brushing against him tantalizingly, until her lips hovered beside his cheek.

Tyler could feel the warmth from her face as she brushed lightly against his cheek, causing his penis to begin twitching. He'd had lap dances before, many that caused an erection, but never one that created this kind of immediate reaction. She purred into his ear, raising goose bumps on his neck, then lifted her head over his, letting her hair spill into his face. Her perfume threatened to overwhelm his senses. 

He sighed aloud, bringing a knowing smile to Faith's lips. She had him and knew it. Standing slowly, she turned away and shrugged the straps off her shoulders, letting the garment slide down. Her skin looked smooth and soft, making him wish he could touch it, just for a second. The top bunched when it reached her hips. With a seductive shake, it dropped to the floor and she slowly reached down to retrieve it, giving him a perfect view of her ass and her mound pushing against the thong.

He struggled to maintain his calm, sliding his hands under his legs to avoid giving in to the temptation to touch this amazing creature. Faith stood back up and set the top on the table beside them, and then turned to face him, her hands covering her breasts. Her hips moved as she massaged them teasingly, refusing to let him see more. His breath quickened and he shifted, trying to relieve the pressure of his rapidly growing prick trapped against the seam of his pants.

Faith gave him her naughtiest look, as her hips swayed and her knees bent. She moved her hands down slowly, letting her small, firm breasts slide into view. Tyler felt a lump in his throat as he saw her light brown nipples for the first time. 

She saw him staring and moved closer, pressing his face between her breasts. Normally she wouldn't be so bold, but something told her that this man wouldn't do anything she would object to. His warm breath washing over her skin made her feel weak in the knees. 

What is going on? she wondered. Faith enjoyed teasing men, but she rarely let one get to her like this. There was something about him; something sad, vulnerable and tender that touched her.

Shaking her head to gain control over her emotions, Faith redoubled her efforts to arouse him. She dipped her head low toward his lap and could clearly see his erection straining against his slacks. Turning her head, she dragged her face against his clothes as she moved upward, putting her hands on his legs for balance. She nuzzled against his cheek, delighting in the slightly rough feeling of his unshaven face. 

She put her foot on his shoulder, giving him a view of the inside of her thigh, leading up to the crotch of her panties. The material stretched and molded itself into the shape of her mound. Tyler forced himself to look into her eyes, a part of him uncomfortable with ogling her in such an obvious way. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her hand move across the cloth, her finger teasing the opening of her sex, while he watched her smile. 

"It's all right, you're allowed to look," she teased, amused by his shyness. 

Tyler returned her gaze intently. "I'm looking exactly where I want to," he said firmly. He saw surprise register in her eyes, then it was replaced with the look she wore earlier. 'It must be how she looks at all the guys to make them feel special,' he thought. 

She turned again and moved her back against his chest, leaning her head against his shoulder. Her left arm curled up and around his head, while she ground against his cock, which was now completely erect. His head spun as he tried not to embarrass himself. Just when he was afraid he couldn't hold out any longer, the song ended and she stopped moving, lingering against him for a few moments before stepping away. 

"So I guess you enjoyed that," she said mockingly, the twinkle in her eye letting him know she intended no insult.

Tyler blushed, "I'm just glad the song ended when it did or you might have found out how much I enjoyed it."

Faith leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, her breasts brushing against his arm. "Always glad to have a fan," she teased.

"Forever, milady," he said flamboyantly. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his wallet to fish out the money for the dance. As he handed it to her, Tyler gave her a strange look. 

"Can I ask you something personal?" he asked. Her expression was a little guarded, but she nodded. "Faith isn't your real name, right?"

She laughed warmly. "Yeah, it really is my name. I know, almost all dancers use stage names. I did when I first started, but I grew up around here. The first time a guy I went to school with came in, that was ruined. After that I just started using it because people like it as much as any of the fake ones." 

Again, she noticed something in Tyler's expression that disturbed her, but she couldn't get a read on it. Whatever it was disappeared quickly. She decided to change the subject before the mood was ruined.

"Care for an encore?" she cooed. She was surprised to see his expression darken.

"Honestly, I'd love to, but I need to get going." 

He smiled, but it looked strained to her. Faith tried to change the subject, not wanting to see him look so sad. "So a rain-check then?" 

"I'd like that." This time his smile looked genuine. Impulsively, he leaned forward and gave her a quick hug. "Thank you. I really needed that."

She hugged him back, then watched him walk toward the front door. As she turned to reclaim her shirt, she tried to understand why she suddenly felt unhappy to have to go back to work.

******

Tyler pulled his car in front of the red brick house. He turned off the ignition, but paused before opening the door, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel. Despite wanting to be there, it was still so difficult.

He walked slowly to the door and rang the bell. There was loud barking from inside, followed by footsteps. The door opened and an older man's face appeared. He looked kind, but his appearance was marred by wrinkles and dark circles under his eyes. It looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. 

"Hey Ty," he said wearily.

"Hi Dad," Tyler responded, stepping in the door to embrace him. He was jarred by a weight crashing into his leg. Looking down, he smiled. "Hi Fia," he said affectionately, patting the dog hard on the ribs, then scratching behind her ear. 

He walked into the living room as his father closed the door behind him. Glancing at the wall, he felt a heaviness on his heart as he saw his favorite picture. Desperate not to relive those emotions yet again, he turned to his father.

"Anything interesting happen today?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

The old man shrugged. "Not really. I've been pretty tired so we've stayed around the house," he said, gesturing toward the dog, who had already found a warm spot by a heating duct and was curled up for a nap.

Ty frowned. "Dad, this has got to stop. You can't stay cooped up here forever. Why don't you go out with friends from work? It's not like you don't have enough of them."

His father looked at him sharply, his exhausted appearance quickly replaced by one of concern mixed with annoyance. "Look who's talking. When's the last time you did something other than come home from work and sit by yourself?"

Tyler met his father's stern glare. "Well, now that you mention it, I stopped at a bar tonight. I met a nice girl and we talked." Looking at his father's skeptical expression, Ty was ashamed of himself. 

"Fine, I don't have a life. Is that what you wanted to hear? I almost had an accident on the way here and stopped off at a bar to get a drink and calm my nerves. I paid a stripper to dance for me."

His dad gave him a wry smile. "Was she talented?"

Tyler laughed at the double entendre. "Yes, she was very beautiful, sexy and a marvelous dancer. Honestly, we had a nice chat. It's the best I've felt in a while." He paused, weighing the possible consequences of his next words. "You know the strangest part? Her name was Faith."

His father stared at him for several seconds with an expression of pain. He looked away, wiping his eye with the back of his hand. "Maybe you should talk to her again."

Tyler nodded absently while the two men sat quietly, absorbed in their own thoughts.

******

"Just go inside already!" Tyler scolded himself angrily.

He had been sitting outside Johnny's for a half hour, but hadn't gathered the courage to get out of his car. He looked again at the door, then tightened his hands around the steering wheel in frustration. Sighing, he reached into his pocket and grabbed his keys. He started the car and reached for the gearshift.

As he pulled the lever into reverse, a flash of movement caught his eye. He turned his head in time to see the door to the bar open and a small figure step out into the snow. 

"Faith," he mumbled, instantly recognizing her. Without thinking, Tyler shifted the car back into park and watched, longingly. He noted how differently she appeared from the previous week. She was wearing jeans and a turtleneck sweater, topped by a light jacket. It seemed odd, since the temperature was supposed to reach single digits. She had a scarf draped over her shoulders, that she quickly pulled across her face. 

Tyler watched as she hurried to her car, opened the door and slid inside. He faced forward again, watching his knuckles turn white as he gripped the wheel, trying to decide what to do. 

The sound of a car door slamming startled him, shaking him from his thoughts. He looked over his shoulder and saw Faith walking to the front of her car, and then pulling up the hood. The desire to help immediately outweighed his indecision, so Tyler stepped out of his car and walked toward her, the cold wind stinging his cheeks.




Faith



"Hey," he said, trying to alert Faith to his presence without scaring her. "Is there anything I can do?"

She looked up, obviously annoyed. "If you can make this damn thing work, you're welcome to try." She paused, then her eyes widened, "Oh, it's you...Tyler, right?"

Ty smiled, pleased that she recognized him and surprised that she remembered his name. He knew she had to have dozens of guys flirt with her every week. 

"Yeah, I stopped by for a drink." He thought for a moment, then added, "I kind of hoped you'd be dancing tonight."

Faith grinned warmly. "Well, I was, but there's nobody here tonight. Everyone but me has something better to do on Christmas Eve. They let me go early, but my car isn't cooperating. Do you think you can help?"

He shrugged nervously. "I'll try. Cars aren't really my thing. I usually call Triple-A." He looked under the hood, but didn't see anything obvious. Faith tried starting it again, but the car wasn't turning over at all.

"Let's head back inside," Tyler said, his face beginning to feel numb. Faith nodded and they hurried back into the bar. 

The atmosphere was far less intrusive than the last time Tyler had been there. The music was quiet and the lights turned down, giving the room a surreal quality that made him feel like he should be whispering. He sat at the bar and ordered a beer while Faith went in the back to make a phone call. As he was finishing the first one off, she joined him.

"So is someone coming to fix it?" Tyler asked.

"No, I just called a cab. Johnny's cousin is going to come by soon anyway. He always fixes it for me. If he doesn't have time or can't get it running, I'll worry about it in a couple days."

Ty looked at her in surprise. "What are you going to do in the meantime?"

Faith shrugged. "I don't have anywhere to be so it doesn't matter."

"Nowhere to be? What about tomorrow?"

She looked away. "My parents moved to Arizona a couple of years ago. I'm not seeing anyone right now and all my friends will be with their families. I was just going to sit around the apartment and relax." Faith looked back up and gave him a warm smile. "Don't worry. I'm looking forward to a peaceful day, curled up on my couch, watching TV."

Tyler felt sorrow for her situation, but tried not to show it. He could tell without asking that she would be offended at such a reaction. Besides, who was he to be feeling sorry for anyone that was miserable on Christmas?

"So how long until the cab gets here?" he asked, trying to maintain a neutral tone.

"Actually, they said it will be a while. They're busy, plus a lot of their drivers have the night off."

Tyler smiled, hoping she wouldn't notice how pleased he was that she would have to stay with him. "Would you mind me buying you a drink?" he asked.

"Mind," she said, looking amused, "I was hoping the night wouldn't be a total loss."

"Well," said Ty, delighted by her reaction, "I'd love to ask you for a dance, but I think it might be a little unfair to ask you to change again." 

Faith looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. "The drink will be fine, thank you."

He ordered two beers and they walked to a table away from the bar where they sat facing each other. Tyler tried to appear casual, hoping she wouldn't realize just how nervous he was. With her hair pulled back, wearing the maroon sweater and jeans, he thought she looked even sexier than when she had danced for him the previous week.

"So," she said abruptly, startling him. "What brings you out here tonight?"

He grinned sheepishly, "I already told you, I was hoping you'd be dancing."

Faith smiled, appearing genuinely moved. "You came here to see me? Awww, thank you. At least I feel a little better about tonight."

"Well, I'm glad I could at least keep you company. While I have you here, I wanted to ask you something." He watched as she turned her head, indicating he should continue. "You told me your tattoo was 'spiritual.' I was wondering what you meant by that...if it's not too personal."

Faith studied him intently for a moment. Finally she cleared her throat and spoke. "I've had a lot of bad breaks since I got out of high school. I made some serious mistakes and paid dearly for them." 

She took a drink, then continued. "Well, I was twenty and had just about done every stupid thing a kid could do. My parents moved away, but I stayed to be near my friends. After a year on my own, I was alone, broke and didn't know how to get out of it. I was close to giving up. I thought about running away and living with my parents again." She looked down at her drink. "It would have been like admitting I couldn't make it on my own.

"One weekend, I was sitting for two kids whose parents were friends with mine. They wanted me to read to them and I grabbed a mythology book they liked. It had a story about the Phoenix and something about it clicked in my head. I'd made mistakes and thought that I had damaged my life because I couldn't take them back. I thought life was a straight line, and if you screwed up, you would be stuck with less than you hoped for from then on.

"After I read the story, I thought about it for days. Finally, I decided that I could put the bad things behind me and start over again. You know, rising from the ashes," she said, with a wink.

"Things started turning around for me and from then on, I stopped worrying about the past and looked at ways to fix the present. I got this job and finally got out of debt. After reading some self-help books one of the girls recommended, I managed to start saving money. The first thing I did when I was out of debt was the tattoo. It might seem silly, but it's a reminder of how close I came to not living my life the way I wanted."

"That's really cool," Tyler said, impressed at the level of insight she displayed. He sat back and had another sip of his beer, finding himself more fascinated with her by the moment.

"So what's your story?" she asked with a grin. "Why are you hanging out here on Christmas eve instead of in front of a warm fire with some lucky lady in your arms?"

She immediately regretted the jocular tone she used when she saw the reaction on his face. 

"Well, it's not such a great story, unfortunately. I had been dating a woman for close to a year. Despite the advice from my friends and family, I thought she was the one. Turns out they saw her a lot more clearly than I did." He took a long drink, then nervously ran a hand through his hair. 

"Her idea of faithful and mine didn't exactly see eye to eye. I didn't find out until after I bought her an engagement ring and she had agreed to marry me. Once I found out the truth, I confronted her and told her to never bother me again." He smiled ruefully. "Of course, she didn't feel compelled to return the ring. Go figure."

"I'm so sorry," Faith said sympathetically, touching his hand with her own. "There are a lot of people who just don't appreciate what they've got."

"Thanks," Tyler answered, resisting the urge to pull his hand away. "That's nice of you to say." He finished off the remainder of the bottle. "That was four months ago. It was a really bad time," he paused and looked away, "and it hasn't gotten much better." He shook his head. "Wow, that definitely calls for another drink. Can I get you a refill?" 

Faith nodded and studied him carefully as he walked toward the bar. What is it about this guy? she wondered. She had met plenty of good-looking guys and heard more than a few sob stories, but it seemed like everything Tyler said managed to touch her. There was just something about him that made her want to know more. She watched him walk back with their drinks, pleased with how attentive he seemed. 

After over a year at her job, plus a lifetime of dealing with guys hitting on her, Faith knew all the normal signs. However, Tyler looked at her with affection and desire, but not the kind of unbridled lust she saw from many men. She sensed a level of compassion from him that made her want to find out more. 

They talked quietly for the next half-hour while waiting for her cab. The conversation ranged from their childhoods, to work life, to relationships. It was relaxed and natural; more like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years than strangers getting to know one another. 

Both of them were so absorbed in talking that they were startled by the sound of a car horn just outside. Faith jumped up and ran to the door, waving to let the cabbie know she was on her way out. She walked back to the table and grabbed her coat, scarf, and purse.

"Well, I really enjoyed the talk, Tyler," she said a little sadly. "I'd like to do it again if you ever have time to stop by the bar."

They shook hands and she turned, heading for the door. Tyler's head was pounding as he felt an overwhelming desire to say something, anything to keep her from leaving.

"You could spend Christmas with us if you want," he blurted, not believing the words as they tumbled from his lips. 

Faith stopped in her tracks and turned, looking at him curiously. 

"Us?" she asked, giving him no clue what she thought of the idea.

Tyler blushed, realizing there was no way to retreat from his offer.

"My dad and I," he said uncertainly. "It's just the two of us having a late lunch and watching the game. If you're bored, you'd be more than welcome to at least have something to eat and a little company."

Faith paused for several seconds before answering. "How big is it?" she finally asked, with a sly grin.

"Pardon me?"

"Your TV. How big is it?" she said, laughing at his discomfort.

"Oh," he said with a nod, "very funny. My dad has a fifty inch projection TV...with surround sound," he added with emphasis.

Faith looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. "Well, I'm not that interested in a big meal." She watched his face fall and quickly added, "But I love football. Do you think I could watch the game with you guys and maybe bring a salad?"

She couldn't hide her delight at the way his face lit up. It was beyond adorable.

"If Jimmy can fix my car tonight, I'd be happy to come by tomorrow." Faith reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone. "Just give me your number and I'll call to let you know if I can make it. You can give me directions then."

Quickly, Tyler reeled off his number, almost as if he was afraid that she might change her mind. With one final hug, Faith turned and left. He watched her from the door until she climbed into the cab, then sat down at his table, where he quickly downed the rest of his drink.

"I must be insane," he said to no one in particular.

******

"...You'll see my car in the driveway. It's the dark blue Camry. Great, I'll see you then. Bye." 

"So she's coming after all?" Ray asked.

"Yeah Dad, the guy got her car running last night and she just picked it up. She should be here in about twenty minutes." Tyler looked around the living room with concern. "I've got to get this mess cleaned up."

Ray shook his head and laughed. "Son, I don't think I've ever seen you this worked up over a girl. Especially one you just met."

With an embarrassed smile, Tyler nodded, conceding his father's point. "I don't know why. Something about her is just..."

"Special," his father said, finishing the thought. "Trust me son, I understand." The two men gave each other a quick nod. There was no need for further explanation.

A half hour later, the doorbell rang. Tyler couldn't stop himself from rushing to answer it excitedly. Before opening it, he took a deep breath, hoping to appear more calm and collected than he felt. With a shaking hand, he turned the doorknob and swung it inward.

"Hey you, Merry Christmas," Faith said with a wide smile. 

Tyler couldn't stop himself from doing a double-take, amazed by how stunning she appeared. Although dressed casually like the previous night, there was something magical about her. She wore faded blue jeans with several patches and a light jacket. With a mischievous grin, she peeled it off to reveal an expensive Bears jersey.

"Nice," he cooed appreciatively.

"Why, thank you sir," she replied, glancing down at the logo. "My father gave it to me. I only wear it for special occasions."

"You know, I thought you were kidding when you said you wanted to watch the game with us," he said, stepping aside to let her in.

Faith leaned in and playfully punched him in the arm. "No way, buddy. I'm here to see the Packers get smashed."

"Well, you're not going to get any argument in this household," he chuckled.

Tyler took her coat and put it in the closet. He was about to lead her into the living room, when she spoke, her words stopping him in his tracks.

"Are these your folks?" He turned to see her pointing at a picture of him with his parents taken when he was in the third grade. It was always one of his favorites, taken at the Grand Canyon. He grimaced at the pain associated with the fond memories.

"Tyler, are you all right?" she asked, noticing his expression. 

"Faith, I didn't know I was going to ask you here today or that you'd accept. There's something I need to tell you."

She stared at him, alerted by the sudden change in his mood. "What is it?"

"I told you about Renee and the breakup, but that's not the only reason things have been so tough." Tyler took a deep breath.

"My mom...she got sick a couple of years ago. It was cancer. She fought it with everything she had, but passed away two months ago."

"Tyler, I'm so sorry," Faith said, stepping forward and touching his shoulder.

He gratefully accepted her kind gesture. "It's all right, we knew the end was coming for a while. Christmas just reminds me of her so much...it was her holiday. She's what made it special for me and dad."

"Oh, your father," Faith groaned. "He must be devastated."

"Yeah, he doesn't know what to do with himself. I come over to spend time with him, but just don't know what to do to help. Anyway, I didn't want you to say something and feel bad when you found out. I guess I should have told you before now but I had no idea what to say."

"No," she said firmly. "You were trying not to dump your problems on me. Trust me, I understand." She took his hand, delighting in how warm and comfortable it felt. 

Faith nudged Ty playfully, coaxing a grin from him. "Why don't you introduce me?"

******

"Are you kidding me? What kind of horseshit call was that?" Faith screamed at the television. 

Tyler looked at her, then back at his father with a wry smile. The day had been a great success. Faith dutifully stayed by Ray's side, laughing and joking, acting more like the hostess than the guest. Once the game started, she sat between him and Ty, cheering boisterously. She rivaled them both by how emotional she got over the game. Faith had been so wonderful that Ty could see his father begin to brighten in a way that had been missing since Marie died. 

It only helped solidify the feelings that were rapidly growing inside of him. Everything about her seemed to be perfect. She was beautiful, graceful and as caring as any woman he could have hoped to meet. Tyler even had to smile at the way she immediately started cursing like one of the guys once the game got going. She wasn't afraid to be herself, and he found that irresistible.

They all jumped and cheered as the kicker nailed a forty-five yard field goal to win the game. Tyler found himself in Faith's arms, causing him to blush furiously. He quickly found an excuse to run to the kitchen and compose himself while she continued to celebrate with his dad. 

After things wound down, she grabbed her things and said goodbye. Ty gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, which she accepted with a pleased expression. She took the presents he had hurriedly prepared for her the night before, just in case she was able to come by. They weren't expensive, but she had accepted them excitedly as if they were diamonds.

Faith gave Ray one last hug and walked out the door to her car. Tyler watched as she slid behind the wheel. After a few moments, it was obvious that the car wasn't starting and he could see her pound her hands against the steering wheel. Just as he stepped outside, her door swung open and she climbed out, appearing furious.

"Son of a bitch!" she snapped. Faith turned and saw him. "It's dead again. Now what do I do?" The frustration was clearly evident in her voice.

"Come back inside and we'll get it into the garage," Tyler said, hoping to make her feel a little better. He threw on a coat and got his dad to help him roll the car inside. Faith stood next to him fidgeting as his dad looked it over.

After working under the hood for about fifteen minutes, Ray looked up with a smile.

"Well, I can fix it." Just as Faith started to say thank you, he interrupted her. "But not until tomorrow. I'll need a few things and it will take a couple of hours. I can't believe whoever looked at it didn't notice the wiring problem. You're lucky you didn't get stuck in the middle of nowhere."

"I'm stranded," she moaned. "Another cab ride, just what I needed." She caught herself and her expression softened. "I'm sorry Ray, that was thoughtless. It's so kind of you to offer to fix it. I don't know how to thank you."

"Are you kidding?" Ray responded with an even wider grin. "This means you'll have to come back here to pick it up. That's the best news I've had in weeks." When she laughed, he added, "Honestly, I'm happy to have something important to do. I'm looking forward to taking care of this. You're such a delightful young woman, I want to make sure this gets fixed right this time."

"Ray, you are so sweet," she said, stepping forward and giving him a firm hug, followed by a long kiss on the cheek.

"Please," he sputtered. "I don't think you'll need to call a cab anyway...will she Ty?"

"No," Tyler answered immediately. "I'd be happy to give you a ride...if you want me too?" he added hopefully. He realized that she might be reluctant to let him know where she lived, considering how little she knew about him.

Faith looked at him coyly, not betraying her thoughts. "Well, if you're going to be a gentleman about it, I guess it would be wrong of me to not take you up on the offer."

Thirty minutes later, Tyler pulled his car in front of the apartment complex Faith pointed out. 

"Thank you for everything today, I had a great time. Please tell your dad thanks again. He is a wonderful man."

Tyler shrugged. "He really is looking forward to fixing it. It's the kind of thing he loves to do. He always wanted a daughter, so is really protective toward young women." Ty smiled, "Especially ones who fawn over him endlessly. You have no idea how much he enjoyed having you over today."

"Just him," Faith replied, raising her eyebrows.

"No," Tyler admitted. "I was very glad you could make it. Everything was perfect today. Thank you." He opened his door and stepped outside.

"You don't have to walk me to my door. You've done enough good deeds for one night."

"Sorry Faith; one thing my father made sure to instill in me was to always walk a lady to her door. You're stuck with me until I know you're safely inside."

She smiled, but Tyler couldn't tell if it was amusement at his insistence or that she was happy with his offer. They walked inside, then took the elevator to the third floor. When they reached her door, he tried to think of a way to smoothly approach her for a kiss. While he debated what he should do, she opened the door and turned her head.

"Would you care for a drink? It's the least I can do, considering your chivalry," she said with an inviting wink.

"Uh, sure...I'd love one," Ty stammered.

He followed her inside and sat on the couch while she went to the kitchen. A quick glance around the apartment revealed a glimpse of her personality he hadn't had the chance to see. It was immaculate, adorned by paintings, poems and magazines, all emphasizing success and personal power. It told him that she was organized and driven. 




Faith



"Here we go," Faith said, walking into the room with two glasses of wine. She set them down on the table and sat next to him. 

"Thank you," Ty said, taking a sip.

Faith studied him seriously. "No Tyler, thank you. Today was wonderful and I'm glad you included me."

He smiled wryly. "There's no need to thank me. I love my dad, but the thought of the two of us staring at each other for hours isn't exactly the Christmas I'm used to having."

"Would you tell me what happened to your mom?" she asked, displaying a level of sincerity that caught him of guard.

Tyler took a deep breath. "Well, she was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. She beat it, but at a routine checkup six months ago the doctor found it was back and had spread everywhere. He told us there was nothing that could be done, so she came home where we took care of her until the end."

Faith looked at him sadly. "I'm very sorry, Ty. Could you tell me about her?"

He wiped a tear from his eye and looked up at her with pride. "Mom was amazing. She was my role model in every way. When I was in school, she encouraged everything I tried. She attended every game, concert and student activity. After I graduated, she pushed me to find the right college, stayed on my ass to get good grades and supported me in any way I could have asked.

"She sang and played the piano at church, volunteered at shelters and nursing homes, took the time to know my friends who all called her Mom and never turned away anyone asking for help. There was a line out the door at her wake from friends and admirers."

"Wow," Faith whispered, honestly impressed. "She sounds amazing." 

"She really was. It's so funny," he said staring at his glass. "When I met you..." his voice trailed off as he realized what he was saying.

"What?" she asked, leaning forward.

"Nothing...it's stupid. Just forget I mentioned it."

Faith face took on a determined expression. "That's not fair. You can't bring up something like that, and then just tell me to forget it. Besides, you owe me for all my cheerfulness today," she added, elbowing him gently.

"Hmm, I wasn't going to say anything. I feel so stupid for even bringing it up."

"Go on," she encouraged.

"Mom was very religious," he started uncertainly. "It wasn't just going to church, she believed that good things happened if you believed. She always scolded me and Dad about not having enough faith. It was her special word, almost like a mantra. She said it all the time. When I met you, I..." Tyler trailed off again feeling foolish, still avoiding her gaze.

He felt her fingers under his chin as she gently urged him to meet his gaze. "You thought it was more than a coincidence? Maybe a sign...or fate?"

Tyler nodded, suddenly wishing he had stayed in the car. It sounded crazy to him, what would it sound like to her?

He was startled by the sound of soft laughter. Looking at her in confusion, he wondered if she was mocking him.

"You're telling the person with her spirituality tattooed on her chest, that you feel awkward for believing in signs? Tyler, trust me; if anyone would understand, it would be me."

"Still," he said, feeling embarrassed. "It sounds crazy. I just met you and already feel comfortable, like we've known each other for a long time. Then I throw this on you. I just..." Faith stopped him by pressing her lips against his with an urgency that left him stunned. 

Tyler felt shock for a split second, then the sensation caused by her lips cut through the haze in his brain. They were warm and soft. He felt her nibble on his lips with her own and his uncertainty was washed away by a wave of desire.

Faith's kisses intensified as she leaned against him, feeling his erection growing, trapped in the confines of his jeans. Despite the promise to herself, the feel of it against her thigh stoked her own arousal, pushing her past the point of self-control. 

His hands ran down her back, touching her gently. She shuddered at his caresses, moaning softly into his mouth. 

Tyler pushed his hands under the soft jersey and touched her skin. She was warm, her skin impossibly smooth. His hands moved upward, his fingers grazing her ribs as his thumbs glided over her toned stomach. Faith groaned hungrily as his hands made contact with her breasts, squeezing them at the base and sliding up the sensitive sides. When he reached her nipples, he caught them between his thumb and index finger, squeezing and rolling them. 

When she sucked against his tongue, Tyler aggressively pinched harder, pulling them slightly before letting go. Then he ran his thumbs over the erect nipples and pinched again.

Faith could feel the warmth of the juices seeping from her pussy. His assertiveness had triggered something primal inside her. She found her hands reaching for his slacks, seemingly of their own accord. His belt gave way and she slid her hand in, caressing his erection. 

"Oh Faith," he moaned passionately. Tyler squeezed her breasts harder, feeling his fingers sinking into the soft flesh. He was so aroused he didn't notice her deftly undoing his pants until she slid them down partially, allowing her to grasp his shaft with the other hand as well. Although still a little cold, her grip was firm and he responded passionately to her touch.

She began stroking him in slow, sensuous motions, both hands squeezing him with just the right amount of pressure. Her left hand let go of his shaft and cupped his balls, lightly kneading them as the other continued to stroke his cock. He pulled his shirt off and she slid her lips away from his, running her tongue down his chin, to his chest, finally settling at his navel. Her hands caressed his sensitive flesh as her tongue teased his stomach and belly button. 

Tyler pushed his hips upward, hoping she would take him in her mouth, but she refused, moving with him instead. Her left hand edged lower and the index finger teased his anus. 

"Fuck," he panted urgently. "I need to be inside you."

"Soon baby," she cooed, her words muffled. Faith moved her mouth lower, but veered to the left, inciting a growl of frustration from Ty. She ran her tongue across his lower stomach until she reached his leg, leaving a trail of saliva. Her hands pulled off his slacks impatiently. She returned her tongue to his leg, dragging it down until she reached the middle of his thigh, and then moving to the inside. 

When Tyler felt her reach under his scrotum, he grabbed the pillows beside him and squeezed as hard as he could. Faith sensed his arousal was at its peak and finally ran her tongue across his balls, nibbling them with her lips. She moved her hand to the back side of his cock and opened her mouth slightly, letting her lips fall on either side of the vein running up the underside of his erection. He felt her tongue dart out across the sensitive flesh as her lips moved up and down the shaft. She sucked hard against him, then resumed running her tongue across the length. 

Tyler looked down to see her head moving back and forth as she enthusiastically pushed him toward an orgasm. "Yes," he moaned, letting his head fall back, lost in pleasure.

Faith sucked harder against his shaft, making small love bites up and down the warm surface. She could feel his body shake as the climax overtook him. He came explosively, drenching his stomach as his hips moved wildly. She continued sucking and licking the shaft, nursing him through a series of smaller tremors until he finally relaxed, his body limp with exhaustion.

"I guess that worked for you, huh?" she asked with a devilish grin. She laughed as he looked at her, his face clearly reflecting the ecstasy he felt. He was about to answer, when she slid upwards and let her tongue run across his belly, making a path through the warm fluid covering it.

"Oh shit," he moaned, overcome by the sight. Faith continued licking across his stomach, greedily lapping at it until there was no more. She kissed her way up his chest, then paused at his neck to run her tongue across the side. 

"So what do we do now?" she asked, clearly amused at his reaction.

With a burst of energy that caught her by surprise, Tyler caught her by the shoulders, rolling on top of her. He pulled the jersey above her breasts and took a nipple into his mouth. His hand squeezed one breast as he sucked as much of the other into his mouth as he could manage. She had large nipples that were already erect. He let her breast slip from his mouth and nibbled at the bud with his teeth.

"Uh," she groaned. Tyler let his hand slide from her breast to the top of her jeans. He quickly unfastened them and slid his hand inside. She wasn't wearing underwear and his fingertips slid across an unexpectedly smooth surface, then made contact with the hood of her clit.

"Ooh, I like this," he said, pleasantly surprised.

"Well," she said with a grin, "when you wear as little as we do..." Her voice trailed off as he pressed down on her clit with his fingers, rotating his hand in a small circle. She moaned encouragingly, so he pushed harder, moving his hand faster. He began moving it side to side and she immediately reacted by moving her hips uncontrollably.

Tyler took the opportunity to slide off the couch and grab her jeans with both hands. She lifted her hips off the cushion as he eased them down into a pile at her feet. He moved quickly up her legs, letting his fingertips caress her skin. His mouth covered her sex; his tongue tracing her outer lips. 

Faith moved a leg over his shoulder as he pushed against her urgently. His tongue dipped between her lips, tasting her for the first time. She was tangy, almost sweet, the flavor enflaming his passion. He moved his lips to her clit, while his hand reached around her leg, his fingertips pulling back her hood, exposing the sensitive bud to him. Tyler wrapped his lips around it and sucked, then flicked his tongue rapidly, drawing even more prominent notes of pleasure from her.

He pressed two fingers against her soaking pussy, sliding them inside to the second knuckle. He couldn't push further, so he slid them back out, twisted his hand and pushed them in again, reaching another inch inside her. He continued pulling them out, twisting, then pushing them back in until his hand reached her entrance. Then he stopped, letting his fingertips dance across the sensitive walls of her sex.

"Yes Tyler, please...I need to cum," she pleaded. Her body twisted back and forth, seeking release as he skillfully pushed her closer to the edge. When he dragged his teeth across her clit, she exploded against him, her entire body wracked with spasms from the force of the orgasm and the smaller ripples that followed. 

Tyler continued licking around her lips, avoiding her clit until she finally slumped back against the couch. 

"You were saying?" he asked mischievously.

She exploded in laughter, her face glowing. "Okay, we're even," she said, unable to stop chuckling.

"Oh no we're not," Tyler said forcefully.

He stood, pulling Faith to her feet. Their lips met again as he slowly walked backwards, pulling her with him. When they reached the side of the couch, he unexpectedly spun her around and pushed down on her shoulders, forcing her to lay her upper body across the arm and back of the plush sofa.

Tyler kneeled, again running his tongue across the lips of her pussy, then letting it run briefly across her anus, drawing a different, deeper moan from her. 

"Later," he said purposefully. He stood, using his right hand to push his erection against her wet folds, seeking her entrance. She whimpered as the tip slipped between, lodging itself inside her. He took a second to savor the sensations, as her pussy wrapped around his cock. He grabbed her hips and pushed, sliding another inch inside. Again he paused, relishing the feel of her body shuddering as she tried to push back against him, desperate to draw him further inside.

He reached his right arm around her chest, his hand settling on her breast, then moved his mouth to her upper back. He bit the skin between her shoulders playfully as he pushed again, sliding further into her. 

"Tyler, please stop teasing. Fuck me now," she pleaded in a shaky voice.

He moved his mouth a little higher, his teeth digging into her skin at the base of her neck. Just as she moaned her approval, he slid the rest of the way inside her. 

The position Tyler had Faith trapped in left her helpless to do anything but enjoy the feel of his cock slipping between her lips. His teeth against her skin combined with the feeling of his body against hers made her head swim. He slipped further inside her, his cock seeming to touch all the right places at the same time. Just when she felt herself swooning from the sensations, he pulled back, leaving her feeling empty. It seemed like she could feel every vein of his erection as it moved through her, pausing at the entrance briefly, then quickly sliding all the way inside again.

She felt her eyes water at the combination of pleasure and pain he was causing, her hands gripping the cushions in ecstasy. Tyler turned his hips slightly, and pressed forward again. The new angle of penetration pushed the tip of his penis against her walls differently, making her cry out louder as the friction caused a series of tremors throughout her body; each larger than the last. Every time their bodies met, her moans changed, becoming higher pitched, her breathing erratic.

Suddenly he shifted again and pushed deep inside her. "Yes!" he heard her cry out, indicating she was close. Tyler willed himself to move even faster, longing to bring her to an orgasm before he came. His hips surged forward relentlessly as he stood up straight, crashing into her so hard, her body shook from the impact.

Faith's moans and pleadings were escalating, so he continued, grabbing her hips to maximize his penetration and speed. I can't keep this up, he thought.

Just as he felt the precursor to his second orgasm, Faith screamed out, her body writhing uncontrollably. He leaned forward, burying himself inside her, the sweat on her back feeling slick and warm against his chest. Lying still, Tyler allowed her movements to do the work, triggering his release and he came deep inside her. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over him, the feeling of her muscles clenching against his shaft threatening to overwhelm his senses. 

They lay still for several minutes, neither wanting to disturb the other's pleasure. Finally, he pulled back, his deflating penis slipping out of her. She stood and turned, looking at him with an expression of awe. 

"You were wonderful," she said, leaning forward to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around Tyler, who swept her up, carrying her towards her bedroom. He gently placed her on the bed and slid behind her, wrapping his arms around her, too overcome to do anything other than hold her close.

He leaned his forehead against her shoulder, amazed at the most intense sexual experience of his life. Faith was unlike anyone he'd ever been with. Her skin was on fire. He could feel the sweat dripping down her back; the smell of sex was everywhere.

His thoughts were interrupted by a shudder running through her body. After a brief pause, he felt another. "Faith," he whispered, concerned. "Are you all right?"

She didn't answer so he propped himself up on his elbow. He put his hand on her shoulder, gently turning her toward him. Tyler was shocked to see tears falling down her cheeks. 

He sat up abruptly. "Faith, what's wrong?" He pulled her up to a sitting position facing him. 

"This wasn't how it was supposed to happen," she murmured through her sobs. "I didn't want it to be like this."

"Why, did I do something wrong?"

"No," she quickly replied. "It's me. I don't want you to think . . ." She stopped, hiding her face in his chest.

"What, Faith?" Tyler asked softly, stroking her hair.

"The dancing, going out with someone I met there, then sleeping with you on the first date. It's not me. I don't want to ruin this. Not after the way you made me feel about you."

Tyler was stunned. "What way?"

Faith wiped her tears, looking at him in disbelief. "Do you really think you're the only one who felt something special? Why did you think I went to your dad's house today?"

He stared at her, lost for words. "I just thought you didn't have anything else to do."

"So I'd go to some guy's house I've never met?" she incredulously. "I knew from the second I started talking to you that you were special. Every person who works there knows about you because I told them all about this amazing guy I met. I waited all week, hoping you'd come back. It's crazy. I can't explain it any more than you can tell me why my name means something to you."

Tyler shook his head. "So why are you crying? This is a good thing."

"Because I didn't want to ruin this. I wanted to wait until I got to know you better. I'm not some bimbo that strips in a bar, who just falls on her back when a guy asks her out."

"Is that what you think?" he demanded. "That this would change the way I feel about you?"

"You can't understand what it's like for me," she said, staring at him sadly. "How many guys are interested in me until they get what they want? Today was the first time anyone introduced me to their family since I started this job. What's your father going to say when you tell him the truth about me?"

Tyler looked at her tenderly, tenderly stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers. "He said that you must have been a really good dancer to make that kind of impression on me."

Faith stared at him in shock, the tears staining her face. "You told him already?"

"Yes," he said with a chuckle. "The day I met you."

"He didn't have a problem with what I do?"

Tyler tenderly ran his fingers through her hair. "I think if anything, he's jealous of me."

Now it was Faith's turn to smile. "Well at least now I know how to repay him for working on the car."

They shared a subdued laugh. Tyler wiped away her tears, then kissed her gently, trying to reassure her. 

"We don't know each other that well and maybe we should have taken things slower, but we didn't. Since it's too late to change that, all we can do is promise to be up front with each other from now on. To be honest, now that I've been with you I can't imagine trying to slow this down."

Faith stroked his cheek, looking at him intently, trying to decide if it was possible to be this lucky.

******

"Come on Ty," Dan said in frustration. "You know I'm right about this."

"It's not a question of being right, it's about me trusting her."

Dan shook his head, staring at his friend in frustration. "Trust is one thing, but five hours a day in that place...five days a week? That's asking too much from anyone, especially you."

"Look, I understand what you're saying, but it's not that simple."

"Now you're just being pig-headed. You cannot sit there and tell me this isn't tearing you apart. She's there for hours in her underwear, with guys buying her drinks and telling her anything, trying to get laid. Any time someone wants to feel your girlfriend grind against them, they just have to give her twenty bucks. It's been five months. How can you keep going along with it?"

Tyler gave him a smoldering glare. "It's not like I have a choice. I love her, but this is what she does right now. No, I'm not happy, but I trust her."

Dan's expression softened, trying to be conciliatory. "Ty, I'm not attacking you...or Faith. I think she's great. Hell, I wish I would have been lucky enough to meet her first. But one of these days, she's going to drink too much or run into some guy who knows just the right thing to say. There's no way she can live like that and not eventually slip up. Could you?"

Tyler looked at Dan, his eyes blank as if he couldn't even see his friend. "No, I couldn't."




Faith



******

Pulling up to Johnny's, Tyler turned off the ignition and stared at Faith's car. His mind flashed back to the night he got up the nerve to invite her over for Christmas. That day had been perfect, the night even better. Everything had just fallen into place after that, like a jigsaw puzzle when you finally find the one piece that makes it all work.

They had been inseparable since then, enjoying everything together. Their interests were similar, but even when they weren't, both of them enjoyed seeing new things through each other's eyes. 

The only area of disagreement between them seemed to be her job. It was a knife, twisting in Tyler's gut, pushing the two of them slowly apart. All of his friends saw it, although his father felt it more keenly than anyone. 

Ray had come to love Faith like a daughter. Seeing the two of them going through something that could rip them apart was very painful for him. Every time he tried to help, however, it only seemed to make things worse. He finally decided just to be there for both young people and hope for the best. At night, he would talk to Marie, just like when she was alive. He wished there was a way she could answer him. She had always been better at dealing with people and their emotions.

"Faith," he would whisper. "You'd tell me to have faith, wouldn't you, honey?" After the talks with Marie, he'd stare at the ceiling restlessly, trying to find a way to believe as passionately as she would have.

Nothing Ray, Tyler's friends, or even Faith said seemed to help. Despite every effort to understand and not blame, Tyler felt the nagging doubt. 

Just like Renee, the voice would taunt him. Tyler was unable to forget how she had manipulated and lied to him. After it ended, it was so easy to see the signs he had ignored. The way she acted when she had been with the other guy, how she put distance between them, yet told him it was his imagination. He felt like a complete fool for believing her. Now he was in a similar situation. Was he playing the fool again?

He stared at her car for several minutes, trying to wash the doubt from his mind with memories of how happy she made him. Faith was warm, caring and supportive. She embodied everything he had been looking for in a woman, plus a number of things he never imagined being lucky enough to find. She was adventurous, witty and had a wry sense of humor that often had him guessing what she might do next. The way she constantly surprised him was something he looked forward to every day.

Thinking about her wonderful qualities caused him to feel guilty for his doubts. What are you doing? She's nothing like Renee, Tyler scolded himself. 

Pushing Dan's warnings from his mind helped him feel a little better. Tyler got out of his car and headed for the entrance. Faith was already supposed to be off work, so he didn't hesitate to go in. Tyler found out long ago that he couldn't watch her work with customers. Instead of driving himself crazy (and her too in the process), he had learned to just meet her after work. It was easier not to think about what she might have done that day, or with whom.

He shoved the front door open and stepped inside. The place was more crowded than usual for that time of night. It was strange because there weren't more cars than he would expect, but almost twice as many men. There was a large group in the back by the pool tables hooting and hollering, but it was impossible to see what they were doing. Tyler turned to the front, but didn't see Faith anywhere. He walked to the bar to say hi to Susie, the bartender.

"Hey gorgeous, how's it going?" he asked with a smile.

"Tyler!" she said, reaching over and grabbing him in a hug. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"Well, you know," he said, a little embarrassed. "I don't like to watch her work."

Susie looked at him sympathetically. "I understand, Ty. You should know that she's still working."

Tyler looked at her, confused. "She is? I thought she was supposed to be off twenty minutes ago."

"She was, but we got a group of yuppies in here an hour ago and they've been dropping a lot of cash. None of the girls have left." Susie looked around nervously. "Maybe you should come back a little later."

"Why, where is she?" Ty asked, looking around the front. Suddenly it hit him. "She's in the back with them, isn't she?" he said with an edge to his voice. When Susie nodded, he could feel the anger building. "What's going on with the group back there? I thought you had a rule about only one at a time for the dances."

"Well," she said evasively, looking away from him. "You know how it is. Sometimes when they're dropping a lot of cash, the rules get bent a little." She looked back apologetically. "Seriously, she won't be on much longer. Why don't you go grab a bite to eat and I'll tell her to call you?"

"Fine," Tyler said hotly. He turned without another word and headed for the bathroom before leaving. He resisted the temptation to look over, afraid it would only make things worse. 

He walked in and headed to one of the stalls. As he unzipped his pants, he heard the door opening and the noise level rise, then fall again. 

"Shit, can you believe her? What a fucking slut!"

"I told you, man. Paul's a fucking machine. He nails more of these bimbos than anybody I've ever met." Tyler felt his throat tightening as the other man responded.

"You think he'll really get to fuck her? She is so hot!"

"Dude, he knows all the tricks. Spend the money on them, get 'em all hot and bothered, then work out the details. Shit, have you ever seen a stripper let a guy touch her like that? It's in the bag."

"Well, maybe he can get her to come over for a party. I'd love a piece of that."

"You never know. Paul's cool. If he can work it out, there'll be enough for everyone."

"All right, I'll catch you back there," the first man said excitedly. "I want to see what he'll be able to get her to do."

The volume swelled as the bathroom door opened, then faded. Tyler stood silently, frozen in shock, unable to say or do anything. Finally, he heard the other man leave and he stepped out of the stall. He turned on the faucet and washed his hands, watching in detached fascination as they shook uncontrollably. When he finished, his eyes rose until he saw himself in the mirror. His face was pale, sweat beaded on his forehead. 

"Get it together," he said quietly, closing his eyes. "They're full of shit, and you know it." 

Tyler took a second to compose himself, then reached for the door, realizing that his hand was still shaking. He stepped back into the bar, the scene feeling more like a dream than reality. In a haze, he walked robotically to the back of the room where there was still a group of eight men blocking his view of the area where the women danced.

As he walked toward the scene, he had a vision of the first time she danced for him. It was still so clear in his mind that he could remember most of the details, even after so long. He reached to the group of men and pushed his way through until he could see what everyone was cheering about.

Faith was dancing in front of a man, but Tyler couldn't see what the man looked like because she was blocking his face. She was between the man's legs, grinding her ass against the crotch of his slacks. Her head was back on his shoulder, her cheek rubbing against his as her hips moved to the beat of the music. 

Although her dancing was very erotic, what caught Tyler's attention was the fact that the man's hands were running from her hips to her ribs, then back down again. There wasn't supposed to be any touching at the bar, at least by the customers. A couple of times the man's fingers caught in the waistband of her panties, threatening to pull them down. Faith managed to reach down and grab them, although she did it with a laughing reprimand. It did little to discourage his attempts.

When the song ended, he reached both hands around her stomach, touching her just over the top of her panties, then held her against his crotch as he moved his hips in a thrusting motion against her. Again she laughed and playfully swatted away his hands. There was a pile of twenty-dollar bills on the table next to her, and the man reached into his pocket and pulled out another, setting it down on top of them.

"More, more," the group chanted as the man rested his hands on her hips, his fingers caressing the top of her thighs. He gently prevented her from getting up as she was now straddling his leg. The man was bouncing her on his thigh to the delight of his friends. Tyler knew her thong-covered pussy was being pressed into his leg.

"How about it Faith," he asked, kissing her on the cheek. "One more dance?"

She smiled, then looked back at the group. "What do you say guys, one more d..." Her voice stopped abruptly and her smile disappeared as her eyes locked onto Tyler's. He could see her lips moving, but no sound came out. Without a word, he turned and walked quickly toward the door. 

Tyler wasn't aware of any sound or feeling as he stumbled through the door into the warm night air. The fog he was in as he left the bathroom had deepened, and he barely comprehended anything except the need to get to his car immediately. Once he reached it, Ty realized he couldn't get his keys out of his pocket because his hands were shaking so badly. In frustration, he stepped forward and brought his right hand down, striking the hood as hard as he could. The sound ricocheted through the parking lot, bouncing back to him a split second before the pain hit. 

"Ahhh!" he screamed, cradling his injured hand against his chest. 

"Ty!" he heard Faith yell, her voice wavering. "What are you doing?" 

Shocked, he realized that she had followed him out of the club. She stood there staring at him, wearing just her panties and a jacket pulled over her shoulders, looking at him with concern.

"What was going on in there?" he demanded angrily. 

She looked down, unable to meet his glare. "I was just working late."

"Really," he said sarcastically. "So when did the bar start doing shows for groups of men in the back?"

"Look, I can explain Ty, just calm down, please," she implored. "They came in together from a bachelor party and were throwing money around like crazy to all the girls. After a while, they started singling me out for dances. Once I started dancing for this one guy..."

"Paul," Tyler interrupted with a snarl.

Faith seemed to be caught off guard by Tyler's comment. "Yes...er, he started asking for dance after dance. His friends came back after the first couple. I told them they couldn't stay, but he insisted."

"Yeah, well good to know how much influence Paul has over you."

"How do you...never mind. Ty, I know it was wrong, but I made more in the last hour than I normally make all night."

"And why do you think that is, Faith? You know how I feel about this and you know why. Then, even when you know I'm coming by, you break a half-dozen rules and rub my nose in it."

"That's not true!" Faith said, defensively. "Yes, I let it go further than I should have, but it was no big deal. I wouldn't have let it get out of control."

"Well maybe you should have let Paul know that. His friends were under the impression you'd be fucking him tonight. They also were hoping for a little gang bang later."

"What?" she shrieked. "Please don't tell me you believed them."

"I believe my eyes," he shot back, daring her to deny it.

"Listen," she said, refusing to back down. "I admit it, I shouldn't have danced in front of them."

"Or let him touch you like that?" Tyler added venomously. 

Faith took a deep breath. "No," she said quietly. "I shouldn't have let him touch me. It was wrong and I'm sorry. But you have to understand, he had already paid me over two hundred dollars."

"Yeah, what would he have gotten for three hundred?"

There was a moment of silence while Faith felt his words cut into her, slicing deeper than she thought possible. Without thinking, she reached up and slapped him.

Tyler looked back at her unmoved. "Why don't you go back inside, before you lose a good thing," he said. Then he pulled his keys out, ducked into the car and drove away before Faith could make herself move. 

As she watched the car pull onto the street, she whispered, "Tyler, I'm sorry."

******

"Uncle Tyler, can we go see Santa now?" Janie whined.

Tyler did his best grinch face, then laughed. "He's on break for a little bit. As soon as it's over, I promise we'll see him."

"Yay!" both kids shouted. 

"Until then," he said, waving his arms to calm them. "We have some shopping to do for your parents. Let try this place." He pointed to a store that sold knickknacks. He saw some fancy birdhouses in the window that he knew their mother would like. 

Tyler used shopping as an excuse to take out his cousin Randi's kids. He hadn't been the same since the breakup with Faith. With Christmas just one week away, he just wanted to do something with them to make himself feel alive again. He wouldn't have believed it was possible, but he actually felt worse this year than the previous one.

He had avoided Faith for weeks after the fight, so angry that he couldn't bear the thought of talking to her. She tried calling a number of times, but he refused to speak to her. The anger hadn't been one sided. She talked to his father several times and Ray confided that she was very hurt and angry about the way he had treated her. Tyler tried to explain what he had seen, but his father wouldn't hear it. He really cared about Faith and couldn't see her as anything like Renee.

After about a month, Tyler decided that he missed her so much he couldn't take it. He went to the bar to apologize and see if there was any way to fix the mess. Unfortunately, Susie let him know Faith was gone. She had quit soon after the blow up in the parking lot. He went by her apartment, but she had moved. 

Although he had met a couple of her friends, Tyler didn't have their phone numbers or addresses. He was supposed to meet her parents, but the fight happened about a month before the visit, so had never even talked to them. There was no way to contact her and even if he could, Ty had to admit to himself that he had gone too far. It was doubtful she would ever talk to him again.

He looked down at Janie and Steven's smiling faces and tried to forget about how empty he felt. They walked through the store until the kids picked out a set of wind chimes they liked. Tyler grabbed a box and walked to the front counter. There was one other person in line, so he joked with the children for a moment. The man in front of him turned to leave, revealing the attractive woman behind the counter.

"Faith?" he stammered. Her reaction was a mirror of his own surprise.

"Tyler," she stuttered. "What are you doing here?"

He looked around behind him, struggling to regain his equilibrium. "I'm here with my cousin's kids." He turned to the two children. "Janie, Steven, this is my friend, Faith."

They enthusiastically said hello, and Ty was deeply moved to see how affectionately she greeted them. It was exactly the way he remembered her, warm and loving.

"So, what are you doing here?" he asked timidly.

She shrugged. "I started here a while ago. It's been really crazy because of the Christmas rush." She glanced behind him, making Ty realize there were other customers waiting. He put the box on the counter, nervously trying to think of something to say. 

"I'm taking them to see Santa. Do you think I could buy you a cup of coffee?"

Faith looked at him thoughtfully, considering her response. "I have a break in about fifteen minutes. Would you like to meet me by the coffee stand?"

Tyler breathed a sigh of relief. "Sure, I'd really like that. I have to keep an eye on them, but that should work out." He took the gift and smiled nervously, before urging the children toward the exit.

"Was that your girlfriend?" Steven asked, sensing the tension between them. 

Tyler took a quick glance over his shoulder to see her waiting on another person. "She used to be," he said somberly.

Twenty minutes later, the kids were standing in line to see Santa and Tyler was sitting at a table in front of the coffee stand, sipping on a café mocha. 

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Faith said nervously, startling him. 

"Don't worry about it. I'm just keeping an eye on them." He gestured over to the stand. "What would you like?"

"Actually, I only have five minutes. We're really busy and someone called in sick." She paused and smiled. "I think I've had enough coffee to last a week, anyway." She pulled up a chair facing him, so he could keep an eye on both children while talking.

"So, how have you been?" she said tentatively.

Tyler shrugged, "You know how it is, Christmas...'tis the season." His solemn expression spoke volumes to her about his mood. "And you?"

"Just working hard. Who knew retail would be this tough?" She tried to smile, but looked uncomfortable.

"Faith, I tried seeing you after...I was such a jerk. I'm sorry."

She looked at him with regret. "It was a fight. We were both jerks. I should have never slapped you."

Tyler shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Everything was crazy that night." He shifted awkwardly, trying to think of a way to turn the conversation in a positive direction. "So how did you end up working here?"

"That's a long story. I guess I finally realized it was time to move on. The dancing thing was fun; I don't regret it, but it wasn't exactly a great long-term career. Since I already had enough in the bank, I moved in with a friend to save money and found this job. It started slow, but I'm already an assistant manager and enjoy what I'm doing." She paused as if there was something she wanted to add, but instead remained silent.

"I'm glad it's working out for you," Tyler said. "I..."

They were interrupted by the sound of her cell phone ringing. "Hello," Faith said answering it with a frown. "OK, I'll be right there." She hung up and put it in her purse. 

"I'm sorry, Ty. That was the store. They need me back there right now." She stood to leave.

"Well," he stammered, trying to think of something to say that would make any difference, but came up empty. "It was good to see you again," he finally managed.

Faith looked at him with an expression he couldn't place. "I...it was good to see you too," she said sadly. 

She turned and walked away. Tyler watched her go, suddenly wishing he had stayed home.

******

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Faith scolded herself quietly, as she walked down the snow-covered path. "Why didn't you say something? Who knew retail would be this tough?" she said in a mocking voice. "I sounded like an idiot."

"Oh, I doubt that, dearie," came a soft voice from behind her. 

Faith spun quickly and found herself facing an elderly woman sitting on a bench. She was bundled in coat with a shawl pulled over her shoulders. The woman had a kind, friendly face that was so warm it seemed almost familiar.

"Excuse me," Faith stammered. "I didn't know anyone was there."

"That's obvious," the woman said with a laugh. "I didn't mean to startle you. You just sounded like someone who needed a friendly ear."

Faith looked at her skeptically, but couldn't see anything other than compassion in her smile. She let her shoulders slump and confessed, "I ran into my ex-boyfriend today. Even though he was trying to be nice, I couldn't think of anything to say to him. I made a complete fool out of myself."

"Oh, do you not like him anymore?" 

"Well," Faith said, unsure of her own feelings. "I miss him, but things ended really badly. We both hurt each other and didn't speak again until today."

"So, you think he doesn't like you," she said in a sly way that implied she already knew the answer.




Faith



"I don't know," Faith admitted. "He seemed kind of happy to see me. You don't understand; his old girlfriend hurt him really badly. I did something that made him think he couldn't trust me. I didn't mean to, but I know I ruined everything. He's such an amazing man; I still can't forgive myself." She absently wiped a tear away from her eye.

"Young people today," the old woman muttered. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Faith," she said, distractedly.

"Oh, what a lovely name. Well, Faith, I've been married forty years and do you know what I've learned?"

"What?" Faith mumbled.

"That people these days don't seem to have a clue about love. You miss him, he misses you, but instead of telling him so, you hide and hope something happens to fix everything. I'd hazard a guess that right now he's doing the same thing.

"I had more knock-down, drag-out fights with my husband than you'd believe, but I wouldn't trade a second of my life...even the tough times. They are what made us strong, because we never gave up on each other. That's how you know someone loves you; when things go wrong, but the person is still there for you. A trust develops that is a stronger bond than how cute he is or how much money he makes."

The old woman pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders, then continued. "I became very ill and was frightened out of my mind. My husband stood by me every second of my illness and let me know I was never alone. I didn't know that it was possible for one human being to love that much. We still talk about our lives every day, although mostly he talks and I listen," she said with a grin. "That would have never happened if the first time we had a fight I ran away and waited for it to get better."

Faith blushed. "I didn't run away. He refused to talk to me." 

"Yes dear, so you said. You also said that he had a good reason to be hurt." She raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"He did," she said grudgingly. "But he said things to hurt me, too."

"I believe you, Faith. How do you think he feels about that?"

She looked down. "He told me he was sorry and had tried to contact me."

"That's not what I asked," the old woman prodded.

Faith looked up at her. "I'm sure he's hurting. He's the kindest man I've ever met."

"Well?" the old woman asked, a sly smile on her face.

"What if he's found someone else?"

"Honey, I'm sure you know him well enough to know if that's true. Besides, I don't think that's what's really bothering you." She looked sternly at Faith, the intensity of her gaze causing the younger woman to look away.

"What if he doesn't want me anymore?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Now there's the question. The answer is plain to see. Do you care more about his pain, or your own fear?"

"I...yes," she admitted slowly, beginning to understand what she needed to do.

"That's good to hear," the woman said, sounding exhausted. "You are a sweet young woman and deserve good things. I sincerely hope it works out for you and your young man. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been away for too long. I need to get back. These old bones need their rest," she said with a smile.

"Would you like some help?" Faith asked, concerned with the woman's fragile appearance.

"No dear, I'll be fine. Give it some thought and decide what would be best. I'm sure you'll do the right thing."

Faith nodded and watched the woman slowly walk away, scolding herself for not thinking to shake her hand or give her a hug for her advice. She turned and walked the opposite way, taking one last look over her shoulder, but the old woman was already out of sight.

******

"Come on Ty, hurry up. Everybody's waiting for you," Ray scolded his son from the doorway. 

"I'll be there in a second, Dad," Tyler grumbled, digging through his car for the rest of the presents. When he finished getting them together, he headed for the front door.

At least this year won't just be us, he thought. 

Randi, her husband and both kids were already there. They had decided to start making Christmas more of a family affair. The kids were looking forward to it because they knew they'd be getting more presents. Their parents were looking forward to having no mess to clean up afterwards. Ray was happy to have a house full of guests and couldn't wait to make dinner for everyone. 

Tyler was the lone exception. He was trying to put on a good face, but the encounter with Faith had devastated him. More than anything, he wanted to make her understand that he still loved her and was sorry for what had happened. But her reaction at the mall showed that although she didn't seem angry, there may not be any feelings left for him. Anger he could deal with; he could always try to win her back. But if she just didn't care... 

He opened the door and stumbled into the hallway. "Uncle Ty," the kids screamed as they ran to him, hugging him and then quickly shifting into Christmas mode, searching his gift bag for presents.

"Hold it," he scolded. "Let me get my coat off, and we'll all open presents, OK?"

The kids giggled and grabbed the bag, dragging it into the living room. Tyler hung up his coat and followed them. 

"All right, I'm here. Let's start ripping open the presents before..." His voice trailed off as he turned toward the tree to see Faith sitting in front, dressed in a white sweater and blue jeans, with a large bow on top of her head. He stood, frozen in place, unable to say anything. Janie and Steven ran back to her side and looked at him with excited faces.

"Merry Christmas," the kids shouted, prompting a laugh from everyone. Faith got up and walked over to him.

"Ty, I hope this is all right. I asked your dad if I could come over and surprise you. He thought it was a good idea. If you don't want me here..."

He interrupted her by suddenly pulling her close and kissing her urgently. 

Faith felt her knees go weak at the sudden release of tension and fear she had been feeling. She clung tightly to Tyler, savoring the way her body seemed to fit perfectly against his. The kiss sent shivers of pleasure through her body, stirring up passionate memories.

When he slowly broke the kiss, Tyler looked over her shoulder at his father. "You really got a kick out of watching me mope, didn't you," he said with a mock frown.

Ray looked at his son with fondness. "Well, you wouldn't listen to me, so I figured this was the best way. Besides, I wanted to see the look on your face," he said, laughing.

"All right, you vultures," Tyler chided. "Give us a second." He pulled Faith into the hallway, ignoring the outraged cries of the kids, who desperately wanted to start opening presents. After guiding her into his old bedroom, he closed the door behind them.

"Ok, now I need to know what's really going on." Despite his joy at seeing her, Ty didn't want to risk jumping to the wrong conclusions.

Faith sat on the edge of the bed, patting the spot next to her. When Tyler sat down, she spoke softly.

"I was wrong about dancing. Even though I enjoyed it, I knew how it made you feel. It was selfish of me not to listen more to what you were saying." Tyler tried to object, but she silenced him by putting her fingers against his lips.

"Ty, you were right about everything. I didn't have health insurance. If I got sick or hurt, I wouldn't have been able to dance and there's no way I could have made ends meet. Even if nothing bad happened, I wasn't going to keep making the same kind of money indefinitely. Eventually I would have had to go someplace else; someplace where I had to do more." She looked down sadly. 

Tyler put his hand under her chin and tilted it up. "I was wrong not to trust you. It wasn't just what happened that night. I was afraid something would happen like it did with Renee. That wasn't your fault, and I shouldn't have punished you because of what she did."

"Fine," she conceded. "But I did go too far that night. When I saw the look in your eyes, I felt so terrible. I knew how much I had hurt you. You have to believe me, Ty, nothing would have happened between them and me, no matter what they thought."

He nodded sympathetically. "I believe you. That night I was angry, afraid, and I let it control me. To be honest, after the way I acted, I didn't hold out much hope that you'd ever talk to me again."

Faith looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I didn't think you'd ever forgive me. After calling in sick a couple of times, I just quit. I couldn't bear the thought of going back after what happened."

Tyler leaned in and kissed her again, this time softly. His tongue caressed her lips, then slipped between, dancing with hers. Her hands ran down his back, grabbing him and pulling her chest against his. 

His hands slipped under her sweater, sliding up the smooth skin of her back, then to her bra. In one motion, he deftly unclasped it, then ran his fingers under the strap, moving them around to the front where he cupped her breasts. 

"Ty!" she scolded. "Everyone's out there waiting for us."

"Let them wait," he mumbled, kissing his way down to her breasts. He pinched the nipple of one breast with his fingers, while his lips found the other. He ran his tongue in circles around her nipple, then took it between his lips and sucked. She moaned her encouragement as he slid to one knee, freeing up a hand to reach for her belt. 

"Umm," she groaned as his fingers unsnapped the jeans, his other hand slipping inside. His fingers slid under her panties, brushing across the coarse pubic hair. Although unexpected, the sensation was arousing, almost like touching her for the first time. 

His fingertip brushed across her clit, drawing a louder moan from her. She was already wet and his middle finger slid along her slit, quickly sinking into her moist, warm entrance. 

"Ty, that feels so good."

He smiled, reveling in her surrender. Ty gently pushed Faith onto her back, sliding off her jeans. His fingers hooked into the waistband of her panties, and he pulled them down her legs, watching as the material dragged across the smooth surface of her skin. He pushed a finger deeply inside her, bending it and stroking the soft walls of her pussy. 

Faith couldn't remember ever feeling so turned on. She could feel the juices running down her skin as he began plunging it in and out of her. He moved his mouth down to taste her, but she stopped him.

"There's time for that later. I need you inside me," she pleaded.

Tyler nodded, feeling the same. He stood and quickly shed his clothes, while she pulled the sweater over her head. She lay back on the bed and he covered her body with his, kissing her navel and letting his tongue roam the sensitive area. Slowly, he slid his body up hers, feeling her shiver with anticipation.

He was already erect, and as his lips reached her neck, the tip of his cock made contact with her labia. Faith arched her back, anxious to feel him inside her. He reached between them and rubbed the tip along her folds, preparing them both. Finally, it slid between her outer lips and found her opening. 

Tyler pulled one leg up, hooking his arm under her knee, then leaned back against her, watching her expression as he slid inside. 

"Yes," he heard her moan as he pushed half his length into her. The emotion of the reunion, combined with the feel of her warm flesh, threatened to push him to the edge too quickly. He paused to regain control, then pulled back a few inches. As he moved, Tyler could feel the muscles inside her grab at his shaft, almost as if they didn't want to let him go. He lunged forward, burying himself all the way inside her, causing them both to moan in satisfaction. He pulled out again until only the tip remained inside her, then moved forward, his hips at a slight angle that he knew she loved. 

"Oh baby, that's perfect," she cooed. Her hips began moving, encouraging him to thrust faster. Tyler responded by pushing her leg a little higher and using the improved angle to crash hard against her. His speed increased until he felt the beginnings of an impending orgasm. He stopped mid-thrust, trying to stave off cumming.

"Don't stop," Faith complained. 

"I almost came...it's been a while," he gasped with a sheepish grin.

"It doesn't matter, I just want to feel you inside me."

Tyler kissed her, fucking her in rapid, long strokes. Quickly, he felt himself on the edge.

"Faith," he groaned. "I'm cumming."

"Faster Ty, fuck me faster."

Tyler moved as fast as he could, his orgasm hitting him like an explosion. He forced her leg even higher, thrusting as deeply inside her as he could; their bodies joined as he came. The feeling triggered Faith's orgasm and she wrapped her other leg around him, trying to pull him even further into her. She bucked against him wildly, kissing him to keep from screaming. 

They held each other as the passion began to drain away, leaving them with the warmth of each other's body. Tyler looked down at her face, which looked more peaceful than he thought was possible.

"I love you," he said, kissing her.

"I love you too, honey," she responded, snuggling against his neck. 

He savored the feel of her skin against his for a moment longer, then looked at her in embarrassment. 

"Um, Faith...I think we should get back now, before the kids come and drag us out of here." They shared a quick laugh, then took turns in the bathroom, removing the evidence of their tryst. After finishing, they dressed quickly and rejoined the others. The kids barely noticed them returning, obsessed with the gifts Ray had given them while they waited. The adults looked at them with knowing smiles. 

After all the presents had been opened, they sat and talked while Ray finished lunch. Faith watched Tyler play with the children, amazed at how he never seemed to get tired of their games.

"He'll make a good father," Randi joked.

Faith got up and walked to Tyler. She embracing him tightly and whispered, "I know." As she rested her chin on his shoulder, she noticed a picture over the fireplace that she hadn't seen before. Something in it caused her knees to give out, forcing her to lean heavily against him.

"Ty, who is that?" she said shakily.

He turned, then smiled fondly. "It's the last picture of the three of us. That was when Mom was really sick. She changed so much in the last year that it was like a different person. Dad put it away because he couldn't bear to see her like that. I finally convinced him to put it back up this week."

She studied the picture, unable to grasp what she saw. The woman looked exactly like the old woman in the park. It can't be, she told herself. Just then Ray walked back into the room.

"Lunch is ready," he said cheerfully.

Faith turned and looked at him. "Ray, how long were you married to your wife?"

He looked surprised at the question, but quickly responded. "It was thirty-nine years."

"Oh," she said, leaning against Tyler again, remembering the woman's words. Just your imagination, she chided herself.

"It would have been forty last March," he continued, not noticing how pale she suddenly was. "You know, I still talk to her every night. I know it's silly, but I really feel like she's listening sometimes."

Faith hugged Tyler tightly, trying to make sense of what she knew was impossible.

"What is it, sweetheart?" he asked, stroking her hair.

She looked at the picture again, trying to decide if she was imagining things or just crazy. Shaking her head, Faith decided it didn't matter. She was where she wanted to be and it didn't make any difference how it happened. Turning, she grabbed Ray's hand and they walked to the kitchen. 

"Would you tell me about Marie, Ray?" she asked, knowing she could never explain the thoughts she was having. She glanced back toward the living room at the picture above the fireplace. I don't know if I'm crazy, she thought somberly, but thank you.

*

Authors Note: I'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to the real Faith for letting me write a story, using her as a character. You can find her in the club I described, if you are in the area. Although most of the details are products of my imagination, her dancing is even more amazing than I could describe. The tattoo is really cool too.



Faith and Fate Ch. 01



We were supposed to meet at her house for one o'clock for my Reiki session. Looking at my watch I knew it was a little earlier then planned but figured since I'd done all the running around I needed to do I would go anyway. What is a half an hour early anyway I thought, Faith won't mind, she never has before. I am one of those people who is perpetually early or bang on time, usually on the early side and people have pretty much come to expect it.

I walked up the steps and knocked on the door and waited, trying to be patient but it was cold outside and I am not one who enjoys the cold at all. Wiggling from one foot to another in an attempt to keep warm, the snow swirling around me on the exposed front porch, I peaked in a window to see if anyone was coming to the door...nothing.

Knowing the doorbell didn't work and figuring Faith was in the rear of the house, probably doing laundry and didn't hear the knock, I opened the door and let myself in. This was not unusual either; we had both done it at each others homes many times over the years.

Calling out the usual hello, hearing my voice echo back at me, I expected a reply but got a simple silence, not even the dogs came to greet me which actually made me uneasy. Where on earth could everyone be, she was expecting me soon anyway and the dogs were always running around yipping about whenever anyone came in the house.

Calling again and receiving the same non-reply I began to grow worried, just a little really but still concerned. I was thinking maybe she had just taken the dogs for a walk and would be back anytime now or perhaps they were out in the yard and that would explain why she had not heard the door. I made my way through the kitchen and looked out the side sliding door, where the deck and part of the side yard and driveway were visible. 

Seeing nothing I continued my journey through the house, down the four stairs to the lower level and to the back sliding door. This one had a view of the entire back yard, covered with a light dusting of snow, but not even a faded footprint from one of the dogs. This was getting really weird now.

I really shouldn't have been wandering about I guess, but I had been here many times and it felt more like my own house then a friends. Starting back to the stairs, with the intention of just going to plop myself on the couch and wait for her return, I heard a "bump" that sounded like it had come from the back bedroom. Knowing that room belonged to her son, the border had moved out last year, I went down the all and knocked on the door. He should be in school right now and if he was bagging he was going to catch hell for it.

"Mitch?" I called through the door. No answer, no more bumps, nothing. Opening the door I looked in and called his name again, saw only his unmade bed and a few clothes on the floor as is typical of a teenager. Maybe the cat was locked in his room or something and had made the noise. 

Leaving the door open for the skittish Whiskey, I went back to the stairs. "Bump, ooof!" There it was again, in the laundry room. Ok, so my initial thought was right, she was down doing laundry. 

Opening the door and walking into the room her name died on my lips as the dogs came rushing over to me and began to jump at me in their happiness to see me. Ok I was now wondering what the hell was going on. Why were the dogs locked up in the laundry room?

Pushing Cody down before he did the same to me I walked away telling them to stay but leaving the door open. Cobalt gave me his sad eyed stare almost as if to say "but you just got here!"

I ascended the stairs, back into the kitchen and stood still, listening. Finally I heard some of the soft music Faith used in her Reiki sessions coming from the top of the stairs, and what sounded like water running. On my way up I noticed it was a little dim in the overcast of the day but that didn't bother me so I didn't even turn on a light.

Heading in the direction of the "Reiki" room and the music I said to the walls "Faith, It's Katy, I am a bit early but..." I stopped speaking as I realized the shower was running and she wouldn't hear me anyway. With a chuckle to myself for being so silly and worrying I opened the bathroom door, once again intending to call out and let her know I was here. 

The sight that I saw at that moment will forever be burned in my memory...it was absolutely breathtaking. I had been in this bathroom only a couple of times as mostly we just used the lower one for it's convenience so I had completely forgotten it had the clear glass shower door. Seeing Faith totally naked was not new to me, but seeing her masturbating in the shower was.

Now I had known for quite some time that I was bi-curious but had done very little about it. Faith held always had an attraction for me with her large breasts and hips yet a tiny waist. Shoulder length hair, usually a honey brown shade, had change little over the years and its softness always intrigued me.

Faith leaned up against the shower wall, one leg propped on the side of the tub displaying her pussy to the door I had just walked through. She didn't even notice that I had come in she was so lost in her moment of passion. 

It was hot in the room, steamy from the shower that had obviously been going on for a bit and the mirror above the sink was fogged but the shower doors remained completely clear, as was their design to do.

I could see the soap still on her nipples and sides of her full breasts, tracing a path down her slim belly and down the leg that stood on the floor of the tub. I could see her head thrown back under the spray of water that was gliding it's way down that slim sexy body. And I could see her belly button ring, the little diamond swaying back and forth with the motion of her hips as she fucked herself with two fingers of one hand and the other flicked at her clit.

I knew I should leave, wanted to really, but I couldn't. The sight before me was just so fucking hot. My pussy was getting wet just looking at her, watching her pleasure herself. 

The heat of the shower had made her skin a pale shade of pink where the faded tan did not reach in her bathing suit, on her mouth watering tits and her succulent looking pussy, now receiving 3 fingers in her frustrated attempt to reach orgasm. She looked almost like she was on the very edge and it still kept eluding her.

I'd had the same issue from time to time and knew just how it felt to be so close but unable to cum, to fall over that edge from suspended bliss to complete sensation.

I watched Faith's face as she struggled to cum, wanting it so bad she could just about get to the edge but then for unknown reasons was drawn back.

I had worn a simple tracksuit for our Reiki session, since I found it the easiest to relax in, and in a split second I had it off along with my underwear. With a deep breath, and a little hesitation I opened the glass door.

Faith had known of my curiosity for years, but not of my interest in her. She was an admitted bisexual and had been with women before, as I had not. Maybe it was for this reason she seemed a little shocked at my entrance to her shower at first, and then as I touched her breasts she relaxed. Leaning into me she placed a kiss on my mouth and in her honey like voice said a simple, "Hi Katy."

I smiled at her and said nothing. I don't know if my voice would have worked at the time over the pounding of my heart, I was scared but so exhilarated at the same time. I wanted this, I wanted her, I always had and now was my chance.

Even in my inexperience I knew instinctively what to do. I began to run my hands over her gloriously tight tummy, up on to both her tits at the same time. Pinching her nipples lightly to make them stand hard I bent my head to one and began to suck. 

I was in heaven. The feel of her tit in my mouth was something I had been missing, I knew it now, I liked it...a lot. Flicking my tongue around and over her nipple as I sucked, listening to her moans of pleasure, I could feel the wetness of my own pussy already and it had nothing at all to do with the water from the shower.

Faith held my head to her breast, loving the feel of my mouth on her as much as I did I think. Taking my hand she placed it on the little nub of her clit within the folds of her pussy. I could feel the heat radiating from her at my touch; her breathing grew faster as I moved my finger to the opening of her wet pussy. 

Feeling bolder now, as she had definitely accepted my being there, seemed quite pleased about it in fact, I went to my knees and kissed first her belly, twirled my tongue around that sparkly diamond and then placed my mouth to her clit. I wanted to taste her, to know her intimately, to know what it was like to be with the woman I had secretly lusted after for years.

I can't really explain the actual taste of her other then to say ambrosia. I could smell the sweet scent of her pussy mixed with the body wash she had used and together they tasted so good I felt like I could do this for hours. I don't really know if this was just my desire for her over the years or if this was the way it would be with any woman, she has only ever been the one.

I flicked my tongue over her clit, sucked it gently at first then a little harder. Noticing her wincing I thought at first it was too much and backed off until she whispered "Harder..."

I knew I liked it myself when my partner was quite insistent in his tongue action and the harder he sucked the better I felt so I applied this knowledge now to Faith. She reacted violently, only in pleasure rather then pain. I could see my mouth around her clit was just what she needed...it was what I had needed. 

My tongue traveled down to her hole and darted inside, tasting the faintest hint of her juices as they began to build. Fucking her pussy with my tongue, faster and faster until she was moving her hips in a motion opposite of mine and grinding her pussy into my face. I almost instinctively knew she was ready to cum as her pussy started contracting around my tongue and I could feel her clit swell in my mouth. 

In an instant I had two fingers inside her, fucking her, making her juices cover my hand as she began to cum freely, finally. Continuing to suck her clit with a pleasure all my own I looked up at her. Watching her face as she came, her head thrown back under the spray of the shower again, knowing it was my touch that gave her so much pleasure was absolutely incredible, an experience I will never forget.

I had been able to do what she had not alone. The amount of satisfaction I actually got from this was amazing. The reaction of her cumming on my hand, feeling her pussy squeeze my fingers, her facial expression as she was able to go over that edge to bliss and the knowledge of what it was like to finally be with her was too much for me, I actually came myself.



Faith and Fate Ch. 02



When Faith had come, with a very satisfied look on her face, she looked down at me and pulled me to my feet. Kissing me deeply, but almost so quickly it was over before I had even realized. I knew now it was my turn as she leaned in towards me with her body. I was exhilarated and scared at the same time, not knowing what I was going to feel but definitely wanting the experience of completely being with a woman, with Faith.

Saying nothing at all Faith touched first one of my breasts, then the other. She repeatedly pinched my nipples between her thumb and forefinger and I could feel the sensations that flowed through my body to my pussy with every pinch. Taking my breast in her mouth, now biting my nipple as she sucked it hard....I absolutely loved every moment of it.

I leaned back against the wall of the shower as Faith slowly nibbled her way down my stomach, moving down towards the core of my body so slowly it was agonizing but so sensually sweet at the same time. She did not move too fast, knowing this was my first experience and wanting to make it all that it could be, to help me to know the thrill I could achieve being with her.

Her hands stayed on my breasts while her mouth traveled down, kissing every inch, licking here and there, and biting gently. Reaching my belly, she used her teeth to tug a little at the ring in my belly button, that small bit of silver had never caused me to feel quite the way it did now.

Resuming her licking, biting and sucking she traveled to my hips, first one then the other and then finally to the top of my pubic area. She licked all around it, intentionally missing the parts that so longed for her touch. Her hands followed the path from my breasts downward, quicker then her mouth but not without enjoyment, as I felt them slide across my wet flesh finally coming to rest on my hips, cupping around to grab my ass and use it to bring me to her.

My intake of breath as she finally found my pussy made her grin, just a bit, as she flicked her tongue onto the tip of my throbbing clit...once... twice ....three times, Faith teased me. Oh god, she was driving me wild with wanting to have more of her, to have her taste me, to know if she felt the same as I did when I had done this to her.

I could not help the loud moan that escaped me. Watching Faith move down my wet body, kneeling on the floor of the bathtub, her face level with my pussy, her hands all over me at once, it was a sight that just about brought me to orgasm all on it's own.

I suppose looking back now I expected to feel like I did when I was with a man, but I didn't. I don't really know how to explain it except to say it was very different. Knowing it was Faith who was licking my pussy, placing her mouth around my most intimate parts was just more then I could have ever imagined. My best friend, my confidant, the woman I had lusted after for years, secretly, was now teaching me just what being with a woman was truly like. I still could not believe it was finally happening.

As she placed her mouth around my wet pussy and began to suck I was amazed at the pleasure I felt. This was oh so not like I have ever felt before. I held her head to the junction of my thighs, lacing my fingers in her hair, as I began to come in waves. I could feel her tongue licking the sweet, warm wetness that escaped from my pussy. 

Still continuing to suck my clit she then followed the same path I had with her and put her middle finger deep into my warm, now very wet, pussy and began to move slowly, building the next orgasm up to the point where I was almost in pain when it finally released.

I cried out with the force of it, the pain, and the pleasure. Faith moved her hand faster, making it continue on for what almost seemed like hours when in fact it was barely minutes. This was so different, so good, so Faith and so damn right...finally!

Faith looked up at me when I had finally finished coming, slowly removed her fingers from my now burning hot pussy and gave me one last sweet lick. Then she smiled. That simple sexy smile that I had known over this many years had just changed, now it meant so much more.



Faith and Hope



My high school girlfriend was an absolute doll – about 5'4" tall, pleasingly round, with short blonde hair, big brown eyes, a gorgeous butt and a firm pair of tits that I’d say were probably a size C. Faith was, like me, raised in a very religious home in our small Texas town and had vowed to “save herself for marriage”. Still, it was wonderful to kiss and hold her, and we enjoyed each other’s company. I was a year ahead of her in school, and I went out of state to college. We’d write each other every day, and get in a phone call now and then in those days before long distance was an everyday thing.

During my freshman year I didn’t get involved with any of the girls I met, though I did make some close friends, including a sophomore girl named Hope. She was a drama major and since I always enjoyed working backstage on the High School plays, I met her during rehearsals for the college production of “Fiddler On The Roof” and really enjoyed her wit and humor. Hope was very pretty, too, in a way that was very opposite from Faith. Hope was 5'9", very slender, with small boobs and long dark brown hair that hung clear to her ass. She had the palest complexion of anyone I’d ever met. Many times while talking to her, the twinkle in her blue eyes was enough to make me think to myself, “If I didn’t have a girlfriend back home, I’d ask her out” but I never reconsidered my relationship with Faith. I loved her and couldn’t wait for her to come to school here so we could be together.

In the spring, Hope was initiated into the national drama society, and part of that initiation was to be dressed up in costume and recite, to anyone who asked them to, a selection of Shakespeare that the local chapter members had picked out for her. Several others were going through the initiation at the same time, so the snack bar in the student union was full of people in costumes, spouting verse. One guy had to stand on a chair to give his speech from “Much Ado About Nothing”, another had to pace around doing a Hamlet soliloquy. Late in the afternoon I saw Hope in the union and innocently asked her to recite her piece. She blushed bright red, then wrapped her arms around my neck and began.

“Fondling,' she saith, 'since I have hemm'd thee here 
Within the circuit of this ivory pale, 
I'll be a park, and thou shalt be my deer; 
Feed where thou wilt, on mountain or in dale: 
Graze on my lips; and if those hills be dry, 
Stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie. 
Within this limit is relief enough, 
Sweet bottom-grass and high delightful plain, 
Round rising hillocks, brakes obscure and rough, 
To shelter thee from tempest and from rain 
Then be my deer, since I am such a park; 
No dog shall rouse thee, though a thousand bark.' 

This bawdy selection from “Venus and Adonis” took me completely by surprise, because Hope was normally pretty reserved. Her red face told me that she was completely embarrassed by the whole thing, but she was a good sport about it. After that, for some silly reason, I would yell “Passion! Lust!” at her when I spotted her on campus. Hope, having gotten over the embarrassment of the initiation, began to yell “Lust! Passion” back at me. People would stare at us and we’d laugh and go our separate ways. I don’t think either of us meant anything by it. At least I didn’t. I still intended to be true to Faith.

Faith came to visit the campus for a weekend as a prospective student shortly after spring break. My roommate, thinking it a good time to leave town, decided to go see his parents. John also decided to give me a pack of condoms before he left. I laughed, but I thought the chance of using them was less than the chance of me graduating Summa cum Laude. Faith didn’t get a very good tour of the campus. We spent most of the time together. I really had missed her and I couldn’t get enough of her kisses. Apparently Faith felt the same way, because she allowed my hands to roam more than they ever had before. Normally whenever I’d reach to caress her breasts or even touch her ass, Faith would gently redirect my hand to a “safe” part of her body. That Saturday night, however, Faith didn’t stop me at all as I squeezed her plump ass-cheeks, so I thought I’d try my luck on the other forbidden zones. I could barely contain my excitement as my hand reached her chest. Even feeling those luscious mounds through a blouse and bra was uncharted territory for me, and Faith was the only girl I’d even gone this far with, so it’s a wonder I didn’t cream my pants right there.

I could sense that Faith was open to letting me do more, so I began to try and take things further. Fumbling every step of the way, I began to undo the buttons of her blouse. She didn’t object at all! She just kept kissing me. Once I had the buttons undone all the way down to her waistband, she stopped kissing me just long enough to pull the shirttails out and shrug the blouse off her shoulders, then she lay back on my dorm bed and pulled me on top of her in the missionary position. We kissed continuously as we lay there, crotch to crotch, and soon Faith wrapped her thighs around me. I reached under her and cupped her ass with both hands. 

Faith’s hands weren’t idle. She gently stroked my back as we kissed and dry-humped on the bed. After a while I was concerned that I might be crushing her so I rolled us over. Faith straddled me and I began trying to undo her bra. My inexperience showed. I was totally baffled by the hooks on the back, but she took pity on me after a while and reached behind herself to undo them for me. I couldn’t believe it! Faith was actually letting me see her naked breasts. I was very tentative as I reached to touch them, but her sighs of pleasure soon reassured me.

I couldn’t believe what happened next (actually I had trouble believing any of this was happening at the time). Faith grasped the back of my head with both hands and guided my face to her tits. I really didn’t know what to do, but I guess my instincts took over at that point and I began to suck on them like a baby would. Faith really enjoyed this and started grinding her pussy against my throbbing hard-on. 

Next, and I’m sure this was all instinct because I had already passed the limit of my experience with women nearly 20 minutes earlier, I rolled her onto her back again. Rather than mounting her as I had before, I lay beside her. Propping myself on an elbow, I continued to suck on her puffy nipples. My free hand continued to explore her naked flesh, sometimes playing with the tit I wasn’t suckling, other times roaming down her torso. Thinking I’d just see how far Faith was willing to go this time, I ran my hand over her pussy through her jeans. Her back arched and she pressed herself into me, barely stifling a moan in the process. 

Encouraged by that, I started fumbling with the snap of her jeans. There was no resistance at all. The snap popped open, then I slid the zipper down – slowly, as if I was afraid that the noise would startle her back to her senses. I needn’t have worried. Once I got the zipper down, Faith lifted her hips and started sliding her jeans down for me. I took over once she got them over her hips, pulling them off her and tossing them over to the side where her blouse and bra had landed earlier. I remember clearly to this day the exact pale shade of lavender bikini panties she was wearing and the few stray honey-blonde and wiry curls that stuck out from the leg openings. I also remember wondering why her panties were so wet at the crotch – remember, I had absolutely no experience to guide me in this.

I would’ve been content at that point to just stare at this new site in front of me – Faith, with only a pair of panties on, lounging on my bed. It’s a sight that I still masturbate to 30 years later. Faith, however, had other plans. She pulled me down to kiss her again. My hands roamed her body, and every time I brushed over her pubic mound she gave a little moan and pressed herself up toward my hand. I may have been inexperienced, but I could take a hint – I let my hand linger on her panty-clad pussy. I didn’t know where to touch her, but she guided me by opening her legs and rolling her hips so that my hand naturally fell between her thighs. I rubbed gently and Faith went wild.

Encouraged, I decided to see if the last barrier would stand firm. I tugged at the waistband of her panties and she lifted her hips to allow me to pull them off her. My hands were trembling as I finally held my first completely naked woman. I realized that I was fully clothed at that point, so I quickly stripped off my shirt and jeans as Faith watched wide-eyed, but when I started to drop my briefs, she stopped me and insisted that I leave them on. Still, I couldn’t complain. This was way beyond my wildest expectations for her visit.

More kissing followed as I held her warm soft body in my arms and let my hand trail to her pussy. Soon I was sliding my middle finger through the wetness between her nether lips, marveling at the contrast between the rough wiry hairs on her mound and the warm slippery wetness just inches away. “I’m all wet for you”, she whispered. “Wet, so you could slide in and we could have sex.” That cleared up the great mystery for me. Men get hard, women get wet. I could live with that.

Encouraged by the mere mention of actually having sex, I thought of the condoms John had left for me. “I think John may have some condoms....” I said, letting the comment hang in the air. 

Faith shook her head vigorously. “No! I can’t let you. Please don’t.” 

“OK” I said, not even bothering to hide my disappointment. I was truly disappointed, but I knew how firmly Faith held to her religious upbringing, and I truly did not want to hurt her, so I acceded to her wishes. We kept kissing, though and my fingers continued to explore the hot, wet folds of her sex. Sometimes I’d dip into the very center of her wetness, dreaming that my cock was there instead of my finger, but soon Faith started guiding me with her words. 

“Slide your finger up from there just a little,” she whispered. “There. Feel that part that’s sticking out some? That’s where it feels really good. Rub in little circles.”

I did as she instructed, and she responded in a big way. Soon she threw her head back, grabbed my shoulders so tightly that her long nails cut into my skin, and let out a long, low moan that I could tell was pure pleasure. I could feel her pussy throbbing around my fingers and even more moisture seemed to flow from her.

Faith soon became very limp. “That was way better than when I do it myself,” she cooed. I was a bit shocked that my upright Southern Baptist girlfriend played with herself, but I wasn’t going to say anything. I masturbated practically every day myself and I shouldn’t have been surprised that a girl could do it too.

Faith slid from the bed and retrieved her lavender panties from the pile of clothes on the floor. Sliding them on, she sat next to me on the bed. Grasping the waistband of my briefs, she began to tug them off me. I was very surprised and more than a little nervous, but not scared enough to stop her or lose the erection that had been throbbing for the uncounted time since we started making out. I lay back and lifted my hips as Faith finished stripping me naked. She straddled my legs just above the knees and, looking me in the eye with a sexy smile, began to slowly jack me off. 

It was indescribable to watch and experience as Faith slowly stroked my dick. I still remember watching her – her eyes glassy with lust and love, her tits squeezed slightly together between her upper arms, her pale lavender panties with the wet crotch. Her whole body seemed to move with her hands as she stroked me slowly, her hands barely gripping my shaft. She wasn’t kidding about it being better than when you do it yourself! It seemed like an eternity at the time, since my whole memory of the event is in slow motion, but I soon exploded in my own climax. 

I’d usually just dribble out about a teaspoon of cum when I jacked myself off, but this was an ejaculation worthy of a porn star. I shot cum clear over my head, wad after wad flying out the end of my dick and coating me everywhere from my hair to my navel. There looked to be about a cup of the creamy white stuff.

“Oh, my...” Faith whispered. Her eyes were wide. “I knew there’d be semen, but I never guessed it would shoot so far, or that there’d be so much... Now, go take a shower. You’re a mess.” Then she rolled off me and started mopping her hands with a tissue like she’d gotten toxic waste on herself.

When I came back from the dorm showers with my towel wrapped around me, Faith was curled up in my bed and barely awake. “Put your underwear on and snuggle with me,” she purred. After I’d pulled on a clean pair of briefs, Faith flipped the edge of the covers back to invite me to bed. I could see that she was only wearing those pale lavender panties. I slipped into the twin bed beside her. By now it was about three in the morning, and, much as my hormones may have wanted to pull an all-nighter, the rest of me was worn out. We curled up spoon-fashion with my arms around her. It felt so wonderful to be holding her, nearly naked under the covers, smelling the sweet fragrance of her, feeling her warmth.

“I love you, Billy,” she whispered, then we both slept.

We barely woke up in time for her to get to the airport the next morning so there wasn’t any time for more play. We kissed deeply at the airline gate, and said such long goodbyes that Faith was practically the last person on the plane. We knew it would be a long time before we saw each other, since I was staying at school for an internship I’d been accepted for that summer, and Faith had her own commitment as a counselor for a church bible camp for most of the summer. We continued to write each other every day, and call whenever we could. This being apart was very hard on us both.

Finally the day came when Faith was to arrive for Freshmen orientation. The school always had the frosh come a full week before the rest of the students arrived so they could get to know the campus. She practically jumped into my arms when I picked her up at the airport. It was incredible to be with her again – almost as if my life was in black and white until she walked off the ramp from the airplane.

She had a lot of required meetings that week, and I was finishing up my internship, so that left us only evenings to be together. We spent every moment we could spare with each other, eating dinner, taking walks, sitting side by side and, of course, making out. We never went as far as we had during her visit in the spring, but I usually got to suck on her nipples while we dry-humped, both of us without our shirts. Only once did I manage to get her jeans unzipped, and even though I didn’t get them off her, I did slip my hand in and bring her to climax. She never did more than rub at my cock through my jeans. Still, we were in love, and we had said we would wait.

All the rest of the students arrived the next week, and it was a big boost to my ego to introduce Faith to all my friends and watch the guys look slightly jealous of me because of the beauty on my arm. We had lunch together between our classes that first day, then spent some time together studying before dinner. After dinner we were walking back to her dorm, hand in hand, when I heard a familiar voice shouting from an upstairs window.

“Billy!!!”

It was Hope. I hadn’t seen her since she left campus for the summer. She was beaming at me from her room on the second floor. Without thinking – and, yes, I realize now that I should have thought before I did it – I yelled, “Hope!!!! Lust!!! Passion!!!”

Hope laughed and yelled back, “Passion!!! Lust!!!” Then she waved and said “Talk to you soon?” and disappeared from view.

“That Hope,” I chuckled. “What a nut.” Then I turned to Faith. She was furious.

“Is this how you wait for me?” she huffed. “How much time have you spent in her bed, writing letters to me and stringing me along the whole time?”

I hadn’t ever been in Hope’s bed. I’d never even been in her room, and I told Faith that, but she had the idea in her head now that I was two-timing her and it was going to take a lot of reassurance to kill that idea. I think I tried my best, but Faith’s jealousy and suspicion grew every day. Even though I spent every waking moment outside of classes with her, somehow she imagined that I was slipping off to be with Hope. 

The truth is, since we had different majors and were in different graduating classes, I never ran into Hope during the day unless it was in the Union after classes, and I always was with Faith at that point. No matter how much I told Faith this, she just didn’t hear it. I was hurt and frantic. I just couldn’t convince Faith that there was nothing between Hope and myself. She kept trying to catch me in unguarded moments and make me “confess” that I had been with Hope, or was thinking about her.

Faith’s jealousy drove her to invent rules for me – rules that, by the way, only applied to me and not to her – rules such as, “no talking to any girl unless I’m with you.” There were tests, too. She went so far as to go through my dirty clothes one day. She told me she was looking for long brown hair. She would take my hand and sniff my fingers as if she was expecting to smell Hope’s pussy on them. I found myself constantly reassuring her that not only did I never touch Hope, I never even saw her at anytime during any day. It only escalated from there. After a couple of weeks of this, I was fed up.

Then one night, after a very hot, very long kiss, Faith whispered in my ear, “Better than Hope?”

That was the last straw for me. “If there’s no way you’re going to believe the truth, then I may as well go back to my room,” I said, and started toward the door.

“Fine!,” Faith shouted after me. “Go! Have a nice screw with Hope”

I walked away feeling empty. I got back to my dorm room and my roommate, John, was surprised to see me. I never came in before midnight now that Faith was on campus. He could also see I was upset.

“What’s wrong?” John asked, looking concerned. You and Faith have a fight?”

“Yeah,” I muttered. Faith’s got this jealous streak in her and just won’t let up about it.

“Not much you can do about it,” John said sympathetically. “I was just finishing up this assignment. You want to go over to the Union and hear that band?”

I didn’t really want to go, but John insisted that getting out would be good for me, so I tagged along, determined to be miserable. I was miserable, for about a half hour, after which I really started to enjoy the band. I’ve never been much of a dancer (blame my Baptist roots) so I was standing in the back of the hall enjoying the music when I Hope appeared at my side.

“Where’s your shadow?” she asked.

“We had a fight,” I said glumly.

“Oh?” Hope said sympathetically. “What about?”

I looked her in the eye and said, “You.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. She has the idea that you and I are an item and won’t believe otherwise.”

Hope was sympathetic. “I’m really sorry, Billy,” she said. “I could tell just by watching you two together that you really care about each other.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, not knowing what else to say.

Suddenly, Hope was dragging me by the elbow and we were headed toward the door. “You need to get out of here,” she said. “Let’s go walk and you can talk it out of your system”

I followed numbly. Hope led me out of the Union toward the Library. There was a big park behind there with lots of sidewalks crisscrossing it, and we walked every one of them at least twice while I whined to her about how much Faith’s jealousy and rage had hurt me. Hope never said a bad thing about Faith. She just let me ramble. 

Finally I started to cool down and come back to reality. I felt pretty foolish then. Here I was, walking beside one of the prettiest girls on campus and all I could talk about was how pissed I was at my girlfriend. I started to apologize to Hope for that, but she cut me off.




Faith and Hope



This story is longer than most that I submit. Both parties in the first marriage make mistakes. There is cheating and a partial reconciliation. 

I choose to be brave, or foolish you choose, and submit this under Loving Wives. It might also fit in Romance or other categories.

Be kind with the comments, personal attacks are removed. I hope you enjoy.

----------------------------------------

Just how long does it take to run in and get "...a few things for dinner"? I was parked outside the local big name superstore; Wanda had to run inside to get a few things for dinner. It was February and the van was starting to become unbearably cold. She had the keys. She had a habit of doing things like this to me. It made me wonder....

I decided to step in, warm up and find out why she had been in there for over 45 minutes. 35 minutes later I spotted her slipping out of the back warehouse and heading in my direction. I stepped behind a tall rack of coats and continued to watch the warehouse for a bit longer. It wasn't long before Snake came out too; he was adjusting his shirt and pants as he walked out. I did not know him, just of him.

After he was out of sight I headed toward the front of the store and went into the restroom. When I came back out Wanda was standing near the exit doors looking for me. 

"Bob, where in the hell did you get off to?" she almost shouted. 

"I was wondering the same thing." I replied. "I was left in the car for almost an hour while you ran in for a few things. It was too cold to take it any longer, so I came into the store to find you. You were nowhere to be found."

"Was it really that long?"

"You have been in here for over an hour and a half now."

"I am sorry. I ran into Reverend Jones and we got to talking. I had no idea."

I had seen him walk out of the store about 35 minutes into the wait.

"Did you see anyone else and stop to talk?" I was getting a little sarcastic now.

"I said I was sorry, there is no need for that tone of voice." She always thought a good defense was a good offence.

I walked past her, grabbed the keys and headed toward the car. She just stood there and looked at me like I had 2 heads. 10 minutes later she was still standing there. I got back out and walked to the door at the other end of the store and went to get a cup of coffee and a snack. 

As I returned to the car, a pickup pulled out of a spot nearby and went flying by me. Wanda was in the front seat and Snake was driving. I got in the van and went home.

She never came home that evening, she never called and she didn't answer any of my calls to her cell phone.

The next morning I was sitting outside her job when Snake dropped her off and kissed her goodbye. I got good photos of the entire thing. It was lucky I was scheduled to have that day off. 

My next stop was to take all of my money out of the joint account and open a new one. I called and removed her name from the credit cards and bought new locks for the house. The house was mine; I grew up in it and inherited it when my mother died. Dad had died years before in the war; he knew of me but he never knew me.

I had her phone cut off; it was my account. 

The next morning, when she had not called, I reported her missing.  

After 3 days she came home. The spare key we hid did not work anymore. I had the van locked in the garage, the ignition disabled on it and 2 tires were flat. The valve cores were out of them. Her clothes were in trash bags on the front porch.

She pounded on the door for about a half an hour before she was interrupted by the police. They called me on the house phone, I did not pick up. Then they called my cell phone; I answered that one. I said "Sorry I am home to let anyone in." Then I hung up. 

Wanda's side

I only went in to the store for a few things. I spoke to Reverend Jones for 5 minutes and got everything I needed. As I headed to the checkout I heard someone call my name. I looked around to see a high school friend walking after me. I had not seen Snake for 4 years. We spoke for a while and he was paged to come to the warehouse to unload a truck. He asked me to follow him. We talked a little each time he went by as he pulled 14 pallets off the truck. To be honest I completely forgot Bob out in the van. 

After I paid for the things I went out and found the van empty. I went back in to look for Bob. I was starting to worry and feel a little guilty about the entire thing when he came out of the restroom. I called him and he came over to me. He was a little less than pleasant. 

My first thought was I don't have to put up with that kind of behavior and just stood there while he snatched the keys and went back out to the van. I was pissed at the way he had spoken to and treated me and was waiting for him to come back and apologize for his rudeness. I could barely see the top of the van over the other cars out there. I waited for a while and finally decided to go out and give him hell. When I got there the van was locked and he was not there. 

Now I was really pissed! Snake had just gotten off work and was heading to his truck; he asked if I needed anything.

I told him "I am cold and Bob has disappeared with the keys." 

He offered me a ride home. Rather than go to our house I suggested that we go to his place and I would make the lasagna I was going to fix for Bob. As we left the parking lot I saw a figure jump back out of the traffic lane, it looked a bit like Bob. It was all so fast I was not sure. Oh well!

After supper we fell asleep on the sofa while we were talking. I awoke a little before I was due to work in the morning. He offered to drop me off. As he drove I saw the messages from Bob the evening before and decided I was too angry to look at them yet. Snake gave me a friendly kiss as I got out and ran into work.

I tried to look at the messages at lunch, the phone would not work. I called the provider and was told it was not in service. Now I was beyond pissed. I called home and the phone just rang and rang. Bob's cell phone would not take my calls. 

I called Snake and left him a message to "...Please, pick me up that evening."

I slept at his place the next 2 nights; finally I decided that I had to speak to Bob. After work I called a cab and had him drop me at the house. It appeared that no one was home and the extra key no longer fit the locks. I pounded on the door in frustration. The police showed up and told me I would be arrested if I continued. They tried to call the house phone; it just rang. I could hear it. Then they called Bob's cell; he answered it and told them he was not at home; then he hung up. I asked them to call and see if Spike would come and get me; he did. 

I was starting to get the feeling that Bob was going to be a little difficult. As I waited I wrote a note and slipped it under the door. 

That evening I cried my eyes out. One thing led to another; somehow Snake convinced me that having sex would fix things. It was not even enjoyable; even though I did have a small climax once. The entire time I kept thinking about Bob. Just where did things go wrong? I didn't do anything wrong, it had to be Bob.

I tried to call he never returned my messages. I tried to corner him at church, he went out another door. 

I mailed a letter telling how I missed him and was sorry for the problems we were having.  It was returned, unopened, with the notation "Occupant does not wish to correspond with whores". I went out to the house and waited on the front porch; he pretended he was not there. I stayed on and off for 3 days. The police came and told me I had to leave or be arrested for trespassing and stalking.

Bob never made any effort to contact me.

I was starting to feel badly in the mornings. I did a pregnancy test and it was positive. I went to see Reverend Jones. He agreed to speak to Bob on my behalf. 

The message Bob sent was "I had hid in that warehouse doing who know what, abandoned him at the store, my lover tried to run him over in the parking lot. I had lived in sin with the man and he kissed me goodbye as we parted in the mornings at my job. Bob supplied a photo as proof on that one. I did not remember the kiss until I saw the photo. Bob did not want to hear from me ever again, if I wanted a divorce I could file."

In so far as being pregnant "...that is what happens to whores."

I was devastated.

Snake was asking more and more often for sexual favors. I tried to refuse him; he was rough and just took me a number of times. Each time all I could think of was Bob and how much I loved and missed him. I would have moved out but I couldn't find a place I could afford on my wages. I was trapped; I had no family to move in with either.

Finally I broke down and went to a shelter for abused women. I was 8 months pregnant. They documented the bruises and other damage to my body caused by Snake's rough handling. Snake left town shortly after I went to the shelter. There was a warrant for his arrest.

They ran a series of medical tests to determine my health and that of the baby. I had syphilis. It was best if the baby was taken soon by Cesarean to avoid possible contamination.  

The next week the child was taken out. I elected to bottle feed her, the medicine they now gave me for the syphilis was not good for the baby. She was having some problems and was placed in the intensive care unit; I was sent home before she was ready. Bob only visited once; he was not nice to me at all.

The forms all listed Bob as the father. I know that is correct; you see I am blond, Bob has bright red hair and Snake is a mix of Chinese and Thai. The child had the reddest hair this side of anywhere. After I left the hospital, I left town and returned to the area where I grew up about 50 miles to the north. I stayed in a shelter there for a little over 4 months before I was able to work and support myself. Then I rented a small room.

Back to Bob's story.

Wanda seemed to get the message after Reverend Jones interceded on her behalf. She never bothered me again. I occasionally saw her watching me while I was at work, as long as she let me be I was happy. Well, not really. I still loved her; I just could not live with her anymore.

My job is the supervisor of the town's recreation department. We run the ball fields and the swimming pool and organize holiday parades; among other things. 

I took notice that there was a young mother and daughter who started to use the pool everyday. They came in wearing one set of clothes, swam for a short while and left wearing another set of clothes after showering. The next day they came back in the clothes they put on the day before. They had an older station wagon; it looked as if it was on its last breath. I started to notice the car around town in various parking lots. It was always parked off in a far corner as if to not bother the businesses there. They found a new spot each day.

I smiled and said hello to them as they came and went from the pool. After a while they smiled and spoke back. I noticed there were only 4 or 5 sets of clothes that they wore. 

One day right after they went into the pool I went outside and checked out their car; I was correct, they were living in it. The inside was neat and orderly. I also noticed that wherever they stayed overnight the area was always spotless when the left.

Somewhere along the line I found out that the mother was Anne and the daughter was Mary. I was known as Mr. Bob at the community center.

It was nearing the end of the summer and soon we would have to enclose the pool so it could be used all winter too. We had removable walls and a retractable roof so it was open to the sky in the summer. The roof rode on steel beams when we needed to close it. The walls fit securely under those beams. In less than 4 months it would soon be too cold to live in a car, I was concerned. 

I stopped to visit Reverend Jones and discuss what I had seen. I asked if he would be able to help them. He had little he could offer other than a few small, one time monetary donations. I asked if he knew of any jobs the mother could do. He indicated that he would look into it for me.

I had an idea that might be acceptable if presented to them in the right way. He said he would help if they came to him and asked. We worked out the plans.

The next day I waited until they were in the locker room and slipped outside again. I placed an envelope from the church under their windshield wiper. Inside was a note on their letterhead indicating there was help to be had at the church if anyone was in need. So as not to embarrass them, I slipped an envelope saying exactly the same thing under the wipers of the other 3 cars in the lot. The next day Anna asked me if I knew the good Reverend. I responded that I attended his church. 

That evening he called and told me they had an appointment to see him the next day. As they spoke Anna indicated she was having trouble finding work that would allow her time to take care of Mary. We had found 3 families that would be able to take them in, in exchange for doing work around their homes; one was me. My house had a small apartment in the basement. The others only offered a room in the house. In exchange for domestic help; they could have meals and a roof over their heads. I couldn't pay them much, but there were other members of the congregation who would like to have someone do their heavier cleaning. 

Another plus for my place was that the school was a block away and the church was another block further. If they wanted to swim they would only need to walk 6 blocks to the pool. I also promised that I would pay for a locksmith to change the 3 keyed locks on the doors to the apartment and all keys would be given to them. It would be up to them if they wanted anyone else to have a key.

A week later they decided to accept the offer and Mary was soon registered for kindergarten at the school. They moved in.

We did not see each other until the next Monday when Anne stopped in to get her work assignments. She was astonished to see me answer the door and started to mumble about how she had made a terrible mistake in accepting the offer. I stepped out and asked her to sit and we could talk about it. I sat in a chair on the porch and she sat on the steps. 

I explained how I was still deeply in love with my wife, but that she had left me for another man. She lived on the far side of town now. I needed some help with the cleaning and quite frankly my cooking was intolerable. I was tired of eating half cooked or burned food, one time the food was still frozen in the middle and burned badly on the outside. I was even more tired of fast food places. I handed a sheet with a list of phone numbers on it. The list included the mayor, the elementary school principal, the chief of police and all of the town council. I told her to call any of them and ask for a reference, and no I had not talked to them about this. 

Finally I offered to have the reverend come in as I took her on the tour to see what her duties would be. She would only need to be in my area when I was gone. She and Mary could eat downstairs if they desired and return the dirty dishes the next day.

Finally she calmed down and accepted the job as offered. They had already moved in, and my offer was by far the best. The sparse furniture that was in the apartment was older, but it was sturdy and functional. 

Mary started school the Wednesday after Labor Day and loved her class. When I came home that evening she ran up to me and said "Thank you for allowing them to live here and attend that school." 

I had left instructions for Anna to not fix dinner that evening. Instead I left $30 to order pizza and drinks for all 3 of us. I stopped and bought a small cake on the way home. We had supper on the back patio that evening. Mary, Anna and I played horseshoes and talked until 8:00, when it was time for Mary to go to bed. I said good evening and wished them a pleasant night.

The next few weeks we only saw each other at meals upstairs. I authorized Anna to sign for groceries at a small store just on the other side of the school. The house was looking better than ever. Anna was now working 3 to 4 hours a day for some other people too. She was able to buy Mary some much needed school clothes. I paid to have her car repaired at the garage since she was using it to run errands for the house. When she needed gas I left her some cash on the table. She always left the receipt for me, even though I never asked for one.

Then there was the call from the hospital, I was a father. Or so they said. I went down to see the child; I stopped in to congratulate Wanda on the lovely little girl. She cried and said she missed me and still loved me. She tried to explain how it was all a mistake and she wanted to come back home. I did not hear most of what she said because I was already out of the room. I submitted, as requested, a sample for DNA testing to determine that I was the father. I was almost positive I was. I still did not go back to see either of them.

Wanda was released a week before the child, she left town and never returned for her.

After Wanda deserted the baby at the hospital, I was called to pick her up. Frankly I was surprised that she was mine, but there was no denying the red hair. We had never used birth control and after 3 years had not conceived. When we were checked out I was told my sperm was weak; we would be lucky to conceive.

They needed a name for the child so the paperwork could be completed and sent in. I went home that evening with the weight of the world on my shoulders, or so it felt. I had been an only child; I knew nothing about childcare except for what little I remembered of my own and what I had seen around me. I skipped going into the house and went to sit in the backyard. When I did not come in for supper Mary came out to sit with me. Finally she asked "...why I was so sad?" 

I told her "I was not sad, I was confused."  I thanked her for caring about me.

"Momma is really smart, she can help you." And she ran into the house to get her Momma.

Anna came out after she put Mary to bed. "You look like your world imploded" she said.

I sat there for a while longer and then it all came rushing out. There was no stopping it; all the dirty, nasty details were exposed for her to see.

After sitting there for another little while Anna finally spoke. "You are a father, you are angry with your wife because she destroyed your life. This child has done nothing wrong, yet everyone wants to abandon her. She is your child and needs to have at least one loving parent in her life. Since your wife ran you are elected and you need her in your life more than you realize. Bring her home, Mary and I can help. Have faith that it will all work out well."

That is how my daughter came to be known as Faith.

After Anna walked Mary to school the next morning, she and I went shopping for the things I would need to bring her home. They were all delivered while I was springing Faith from her confinement at the hospital. She was screaming when they handed her to me; she immediately settled down and snuggled onto my shoulder. It took a few minutes for her racking sobs and then her hiccups to die down.

I had not bothered to put the van back on the road after I disabled it. I drove her home in one of the pickup trucks from work. Faith gurgled and cooed all the way home as the truck shuddered over every bump and pothole on the road. I really tried to avoid them. The car seat did little to cushion the rough ride. I don't know if it was so, but I thought she spent the entire trip looking at me through wide open eyes. The back of the truck was loaded with bags the hospital sent home; most of which I had no idea how to use.

The next day I called the garage and asked them to get the van and see if it was worth putting back on the road. For a little over $500 is was as good as new. 




Faith and Hope



Anna and Mary fell in love with Faith and the 3 became inseparable. Anna taught me how to be a responsible father. Mary was learning how to care for a child too.

Around 9 months after I brought Faith home I received a letter from Wanda. She was diagnosed with aids. She was worried for her child. 

Faith and I had already been tested twice and found to be clear of all STDs. I sent Wanda back a letter with pictures and told her that our child was named Faith. I explained that I had a housekeeper who was helping a lot. I promised to send photos from time to time.

The next time I heard from Wanda was almost 3 years after we had separated. She was extremely sick and wanted to see me one last time before she died. Her signature was barely recognizable on the bottom. 

She said she loved the pictures I had been sending. They made her life worth living. 

Wanda continues.

After I gave birth I knew there was still something wrong, I could not put my finger on what it was. I just knew.

After careful consideration I decided that I would not be able to care for a child on my own and left her for Bob to take care of. Lord, I missed him so much. After I calmed down and thought about the situation I realized how foolish and angry I had been. I knew he would never take me back. The best I could do was to allow him to have the child. She would have a life filled with love and happiness with him. I had nothing to offer.

They finally caught up with Snake; he was arrested, tried and sentenced to time in jail. As he was processed into the jail they found that he had many STDs, among them was aids. I was contacted and tested. Snake died in there; I never heard how or felt badly about it.

My world collapsed the day they told me I tested positive. I had been working at my job for a little under 6 months, the world was looking much better. I even had a little over $300 in the bank. However, I still missed Bob and Faith so badly it hurt. I had to write the letter. It could drive the wedge between us too far to reconcile. I cried for days.

I was amazed at the letter he sent back. He answered promptly. He confessed that he still loved me, but could never live with me again due to the way we separated. He included the information on his medical insurance; he had never taken me off of it. We were still married. The most amazing thing was the photos of our little girl. There must have been fifty of them. She looked more and more like him as she aged in the photos. I never wrote back. What could I say other than I was sorry. Bob did not need to hear that again, no matter how true it was.

At first I always referred to her as The Child. I could not call her my child until Bob wrote and told me he had named her Faith. The name was perfect.

I cried each time he sent new pictures. Without really knowing her, she became my life.

Bob kept sending me photos every few months, they became my only world.

I worked as long as I was able. Finally it became too much and I had to quit. I was extremely careful and never passed the disease on to anyone else. 

I had lots of time to straighten out my thoughts. I put them down in writing and used the notes to compose a letter to Bob and another to Faith. Her letter was to be held until her 18th birthday. I sealed the envelopes and kept them in my possessions to be delivered to him when I died. 

About 3 years after we separated and after many buckets of shed tears, my counselors convinced me that I needed to speak to Bob and allow us both to have some closure. They wrote a letter to him on my behalf, it took me a week to finally sign it and tell them to mail it. I dictated another letter to him as a follow up to my first one; I knew he needed to read them both before he was allowed to see me. I also knew the sight would be a shock. I barely weighed 75 pounds soaking wet with a roll of quarters in my hand.

The day he came to see me, I watched him walk into the hospice. There were a beautiful woman and 2 children with him. Each adult held the hand of a young girl. I watched as they stopped and talked just outside the building. The woman and both girls walked back to the parking lot and then to the playground next to it. I knew which one was Faith; she was the most beautiful child I had ever seen.

Between the letters and meetings with the doctors it took almost 2 hours before Bob got in to see me. I spent most of that time watching the 3 of them at the playground. 

Our meeting

Bob stepped into the room and looked around; he did not see me in my chair by the window. I saw his reflection in the window. As he turned to walk out I spoke "She loves you, you do know that."

"Who? How do you know?"

"I can see it in her eyes; she loves you even more than I did. You were my world."

I told her how Anna, Mary and I had met and that she was in need of help as much as I was. Anna was my housekeeper, Mary was her daughter. They live in the small apartment in the basement. I told her that we had never been intimate; after all I was still married. I took my promises seriously. 

Wanda broke out in soft sobs after that statement. "I suppose I deserved that" she finally said.

I was ashamed and turned away. "I'm sorry, that did not come out the best way."

"No, I am sorry I chose to drive you out of my life. I didn't know what I had until it was too far gone."

We were silent for a long time; both lost in our thoughts of what could have been. Then we spoke and cleared all the angry thoughts we held for each other and truly were as one for the first time in years.

The nurse came in and said visiting time was over. The entire visit was only 3 ½ hours.

I blew her a kiss and turned at the door to see her for the last time. 

Wanda spoke again. "I release you from your vows to me, after what I did it is unfair to hold you to them." She held out 2 more envelopes for me to take, the one without the name was for Anna. I was to give it to her before we were married.

Before I turned to go I told her "I love you and forgive you for all that has happened." 

As I approached the door for a second time she said "You love her too, I can tell. I wish and hope for all of you the best life possible."

Tears were running down both of our faces as I left. I thought I heard her mumble "She has to be a better wife than I was."

.

Anna drove home. The children both chattered about how much fun the day had been. I was lost in my own thoughts. 

That evening as I lay in bed I thought about the courage it took for Wanda to write those letters and all the things she said in them. I thought on her words about Anna and me. I was confused about my feelings for everyone involved. I knew I loved Faith with all my heart. 

I went over my feelings for Anna and Mary; I was amazed to realize that Wanda had been correct. As I finally fell asleep the last words Wanda would ever say to me came back to mind, "You love her too, I can tell. I wish and hope for all of you the best life possible." I did love Anna. 

The hospice called the next morning and told us Wanda had slipped into a coma. They had never seen her so happy. The smile on her face was beautiful. She was holding her only picture of Faith and me in her hands. They could not get it out of her grasp.

Wanda died peacefully 2 weeks later. She was cremated and her ashes were placed in a lead urn and dumped in the ocean, at her request. Her possessions, except clothes and hygiene products, were returned to me. I was amazed at how tear covered and dog eared the photos had become. Right on top of it all was the wrinkled photo of Faith and me. I placed it all in storage for later. Her rings were placed in our box at the bank with the one wrinkled photo.

In the months after Wanda's death Anna and I began to talk about the experience. I slowly felt the love I had for Wanda slip away to be replaced with an even deeper love for Anna. Finally one evening I brought up the last conversation with Wanda. I explained how we had forgiven each other and she released me from my vows. Anna started to cry softly. I reached across the table and took hold of her hand.

Anna said "She must have truly loved you to say what she did and allow you to have Faith. I do believe that I love you; but we need to take our time and really get to know each other. You do not really know much about me." Anna then got up and kissed me on the forehead.

As she left I whispered "I love you too." She just turned and smiled and went downstairs to sleep.

I fell asleep much more quickly than I thought I would that night. I had the first good nights sleep in a long time.

That Sunday after church Anna surprised me by saying the girls were going to spend the day with Reverend Jones and his family. He had 2 girls around the same age as Mary and Faith. We got in the van and Anna drove out into the country. About an hour out of town she pulled into a small park. I had never been there before. I was further surprised when she pulled a complete picnic lunch from the back of the van.

Anna explained how she came to find the place as we set up the meal. Her family had recently disowned her for becoming pregnant out of marriage. She had seen the park on the map and decided to end her life here. She spent the last money she had for a dollar sandwich and a drink. After eating the meal she was going to fall off of the cliff into the river. A family came along just before she did and invited her to join them in their meal. They were so nice and she had such a good time that she never got around to it. 

When they got ready to leave they asked if she lived nearby. Anna broke down and told them her story. They took her home and she lived with them until Mary was 4 years old. One day Anna told them she felt an urge to move on, they allowed her to leave with the knowledge that she was loved and should return if she ever needed to. 

After we ate she continued her life story. She was a freshman in college; there was a party that she was invited to. Someone put something in her drink; she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She was in the middle of a gangbang; she was the bangee, as she put it. When it was over they drove her to her dorm and informed her that she should not go to the police because they had video proving she was a willing participant. She withdrew from all campus activities and discovered she was pregnant a few months later. She had been a virgin until that night. She eventually left the college and drove home; only to be turned out into the world.

Until she met me she ran as fast as she could from men, the big exclusion was the father in the family that rescued her. 

She felt that I was the answer to her urge to leave the family. She did not know why until Faith arrived in my life. The answer became clear in her mind; there was a mutual need between the 4 of us. As she learned about Faith and I; she grew to love us more than she could imagine possible.

Over the time she had been with me she had found that she could trust me. Since I was married and followed my vows she felt there was little she could do except hope. Over the years we had formed a unique family unit, and she felt comfortable in it. When Wanda died Anna became frightened again until the evening we discussed the final conversation.

I found myself holding her hand as she talked, not daring to ask questions of interfere in any way. I was aware how difficult it was for her to divulge that information. 

I can not remember what I said but it must have been the correct thing. She came around the table and sat next to me. We held each other for the longest time not daring to say any more. 

A little later another car pulled into the parking lot; I could not see much for the dust it threw up. Anna had a strange smile on her face as the family piled out and started to set out their picnic. Suddenly a loud shriek could be heard in the woods. It sounded like someone had called Anna. The entire family ran over to us and all started to talk at once. 

Anna held up her hand and they all fell silent. She spoke "This is Bob. We have recently discovered we are in love. I just told him the story of my life. I hope he still feels the same after I finished." Then she introduced me to all 12 in the family. The father's name was also Bob. The wife was Martha. Of the 10 children 4 were theirs by birth. I could never remember all the children's names. A few had disabilities, but they all worked as a team.

This was the family you hear about that always had enough love for one or two more.

We talked until it was almost dark and headed home with a promise that we would get together again.

The ride home was mostly silent. She was scared to ask what I was thinking and I was desperately trying to digest all the information I had just received. 

I fell asleep just before we got back to our town. Anna picked up the two children and tucked them into the car for the ride home. As we separated in the kitchen I had an overwhelming urge to kiss her. I did. It was short and oh so sweet.

She went downstairs with a tear on her cheek. The kiss and tear spoke loudly between us.

We had always told Faith the truth about her mother; we just never shared the unnecessary details. The week following the visit to see Wanda she came to me and asked why we went to visit that place. I answered her as simply and honestly as I could. "Your birth mother had a terrible disease and was dying. She had asked to see me one last time so I went to say goodbye. We could not let you go in to see her because of the disease. Your mother saw you outside playing and thought you were the most wonderful little girl. She was sorry she never got to know you."

With the wisdom of a child Faith just said "Tell her I am sorry too."

Just before her 4th birthday Faith came to me and said "Do you know what I want for my birthday? I want you to love Mommy Anna; I want us to all live together instead of her and Mary living downstairs."

"I will see what I can do." I replied. 

Anna overheard the conversation and smiled. I wanted to ask if she had anything to do with it but did not dare to ask. Later that evening as we talked she told me "Faith came up with that request all on her own." She did admit to hearing Mary and Faith talking about wanting to get us together as a real family with a Mommy and Daddy.

That year for Thanksgiving I suggested that we invite Bob and Martha and their family to dinner. Anna called and invited them. They arrived the evening before and we stayed up way too long visiting. The next day Martha, Anna and the 3 oldest girls spent all day creating a feast worthy of being served in the finest restaurants. Bob and I worked to prepare the yard for the upcoming winter.

When we sat down to eat I asked Bob to say the blessing. 

He spoke "Thank you Lord for this chance to get together with friends. Bless this family and their home. May there ever be happiness and love. Bless this food and keep us all safe after we part." Then everyone said "Amen."

The food was passed and enjoyed by all. 

After dinner I spoke. I started by addressing everyone, "Thank you for all being here with us today. It has been a privilege to have everyone here today. This family as Bob has called us might never have been due to many circumstances. I have a confession to make today. I worked with Reverend Jones to provide a home for 2 lost persons, not out of a want for myself but a fear that they might not have survived the coming winter living in a car on the streets."

I turned in my chair to face Anna and spoke directly to her "Can you please forgive me for the deception. I was only concerned for your well being."

With tears in her eyes Anna nodded yes.

I continued "That one simple gesture was the catalyst for all of the love we feel in this house now. I believe our love speaks volumes of how correct I was to have done so. Both of us had such a rough beginning, but things are improving. It was slow at first, but like a snowball rolling downhill things have started to move quickly. All 4 of us have spoken of our love for each other; I feel that it is real and true. Anna, will you consent to be my wife." With those words I pulled my mother's ring from my pocket and presented it to her. 

Anna softly said "Yes!" Just how do you smile and cry at the same time?

"This is my mother's ring, if you choose to have one of your very own we can buy it tomorrow." I slipped it on her finger; it fit perfectly.

For some reason it did not feel right to offer that ring to Wanda. This time it not only felt right, but I was obsessed with making it more than right.

"I love this one. That it was your mothers makes it even more special. Don't you dare try to replace it."

Suddenly 2 little girls were there hugging and kissing both of us. Mary was already calling me Daddy and Faith dropped Anna from Momma Anna's name. 

Later, Bob and I went for a walk at his request. When we were away from the house he told me that he had been keeping an eye on Anna's family. Her father had turned to the bottle after he threw her out of the house. Recently he was killed when he drove into a large tree while returning from a bar. Her mother appeared to still be in shock 3 months later; so much so that she looked to be lost and confused all the time. 

He handed me her name, address and phone number. I was told to do what I felt was right. I quickly noticed her mother's was named Mary. I put it away to think about the right thing to do.

Bob and his tribe left the next day after promising to be back for the wedding. Anna wanted him to give her away; I wanted him to be my best man. He just smiled and said "Maybe, we will see."

We talked that evening as usual. I managed to steer the conversation around to her family. Anna managed to explain how it had been her father who threw her out against her mother's wishes. She had called and spoken to her mother 2 times. The second time her father figured it out and beat her mother severely; she witnessed it on the phone. She had Martha call the police and report it to them. They arrived just as her father went out the back door headed for the bar. Bob and Martha took her to see her mother one time. Anna never dared to contact her mother again out of fear for her safety. 2 weeks later she had her baby and named her after her mother.

I held her for the longest time before she fell asleep in my arms. I picked her up and put her in my bed then went out to sleep on the sofa. Mary and Faith had taken to sleeping in each others rooms and were upstairs that night so I did not feel it would be a concern to them to find Anna was not downstairs.

The next morning the girls came in to wake me and found Anna there instead. 

Mary asked "Where's Daddy?"

Anna, who was nowhere near awake, simply replied "Upstairs in his bed."

This got the girls to giggling, until Anna woke up enough to realize where she was. She blushed and just shrugged. The girls went to look for me; they woke me and asked "Why are you on the sofa?"

"Because, I try to be a gentleman, and a gentleman never puts a lady in a compromising position."

They ran off to find Anna and explain where I was. 

Anna refused to tell them what a 'conpromising possession' was when Faith asked. She is still young.

Monday was a slow day at work. I pulled the slip of paper out and dialed the number.

Finally after many rings a woman answered the phone. I introduced myself as Bob, who was a friend of Anna. There was a gasp and the woman accused me of trying to cause problems. I assured her I was not. 

After much discussion she asked what I wanted. 

I simply answered that I wanted to let her know that Anna was alive, happy, and healthy, and engaged to be married in the spring. I told her she had a beautiful granddaughter, named Mary, who was also doing very well. I gave her my cell phone number and told her she could call any time during the day, but never at night. Finally, I told her I was sorry to hear of her husband's death.




Faith and Hope



The response I will not put here, just understand it was not kind toward the husband.

The next day a few minutes after noon she called back and asked a lot of questions. I answered them all honestly but was afraid to give away where we lived just yet. 

It was the next Tuesday when she called and asked if I would consent to meet her. I told her I would be in a city near her to pick up some items for my job on Friday. I named a restaurant and told her I could meet her there at 1 in the afternoon. I was there at noon; she was there at 12:30. 

After watching her for ten minutes I approached her. "Mary, I am Bob. Anna and I are good friends" I sat across from her. We talked for well over 2 hours before she broke down and cried. 

"I did not agree with throwing her out. Her father did not believe she had been drugged and raped. I could see the sadness in her eyes even before she first spoke. Her father was a good man most of the time; this time he was wrong and stepped over the line with his actions. I became so lonely since he chose to hide inside a bottle to avoid the shame he felt. It only got worse after I was in the hospital because Anna stayed away to avoid causing him beating me again."

"Anna did not cause him to beat you. It was all his own choosing. Only a coward beats on someone who is defenseless."

I asked what her most urgent wish was. She told me "...to see her daughter and granddaughter."

I told her I would see what I could do. I paid the check as I went out the door.

That evening I was a little happier. Anna noticed it immediately. "Why are you so happy?"

"No special reason; just the holidays I guess. If there was any one special thing you could have for Christmas, what would it be?"

"Just to be with the man I love and adore."

"No special jewelry or gadgets?"

"I have been thinking about how the season was always so special between my mother and me. I miss her most of all at this time of year. I just can't bear the thought of my father hurting her again."

"No, I don't suppose that would be right."

The next day I called Mary again. I told her "Buy a few simple gifts that Anna and Mary would like. Have them wrapped and ready. I will call you at noon on Christmas Eve with directions and an address, please be there for supper at 5:30. Pack a bag with enough to stay for up to a week if you wish. There is also another small girl there you will get to know."

I could hear the excitement in her voice as she confirmed my instructions.

Christmas Eve I called to give her the directions, they were simple. She was to get on state road 34 and drive to our town. After she passed the big dairy barn on the right she turned left on Maple Street and went 3 blocks to the big brown house on the corner numbered 2130. She was to go to the basement door on the right side of the house and ring the bell. Any time after 5 would be fine.

She giggled as she hung up. 

At 5:05 there was a ring from the basement door. Mary ran down to see why someone was at that door; after all everyone always came to the front of the house.

She called up the steps "Momma, there is a woman here asking for you."

Anna had a look on her face that said this is not the time to bother me.

"Go see who it is, Faith and I will make sure nothing gets burned."

"Faith, yeah she can do it. You PFFFffft."

I smiled and waved Faith over to stand by me. "Watch this." I whispered as Anna went down the stairs.

I heard a muffled "Momma?" and then a thump. I guess I didn't figure that one correctly.

"Faith, watch the food for a few minutes."  I ran down the stairs. As I got to the bottom Anna was just laying on the floor looking up.

"Momma, how did you find us?"

"You can thank that man behind you."

Now, I had never seen that look on anyone's face before. I was not sure if I was in trouble or had just done the most wonderful thing in the world. I reached down to help Anna up; she pulled me down on top of her and gave me the biggest kiss I ever received.

"So, I am not in trouble?"

"Maybe later!" I got another super kiss.

As we went back up the stairs I heard Anna whisper "What about Daddy?"

"No problem, I will tell you about it in a day or two. We don't need to go into that tonight." 

For the record Faith did well with all the food. 

When we got up to the kitchen Grandma, as she asked to be called, was introduced to the girls.

The conversation at supper was lively; everybody wanted to know about everybody else. 

We went to church at 7:30; Mary and Faith were shepherds in the play. They were the best actors there. Well, OK, maybe my opinion was a little biased. I don't care what anyone else thinks.

Martha and Bob called Christmas morning. Bob almost let the cat out of the bag about her father when he said: "I am sorry about your Dad". He managed to extract himself from trouble when he explained he meant to say he was sorry Anna's Dad was not able to make it.

If I had known how badly Mary's car was running I would have made other arrangements to get her to our place. I paid the garage $450 to make it run correctly. Anna managed to pry more information out of her mother; she had not been able to make the payments on her home since her husband died. She owed 11 more payments but was behind by 3; her savings was seriously depleted. Anna had saved enough to cover 2 of the owed payments, I covered the other. The house needed some repairs too.

Mary had so many wonderful memories of the house, but the last few years had soured her life there. She wanted to sell it and find another that was not so big. Since her husband hid in his bottles she found out who her real friends were; there were only 2 real friends. One of her friends was a realtor, she kept telling Mary that the land under the house was worth much more than the house. The friend said she should "sell the old, drafty barn and move on. If Mary chose to list with another agent she would not be offended." She offered to watch over their shoulders to be sure Mary was treated right.

Mary had 6 acres in the center of town; it would sell quickly for a high price. Mary decided to call her friend and tell her to put the property on the market, with the stipulation that if the house was destroyed she would retain possession of a pair of stained glass window in the living room.

As soon as the word of the property sale hit the streets a bidding war started. When the dust settled the house would be torn down and the land went for 4 times the original estimate. We had thought that estimate was optimistic.

A month before we married during another of our talks I gave Anna the letter from Wanda. The handwriting was shaky, the lines moved up and down and you could see the stains from all the tears on the page. 

It simply said:

"I am sitting here in my room watching a beautiful woman and 2 girls playing in a park. I can tell you love my husband dearly. I give him to you gladly. If he can still love me after the things I have done, he will do no less for you. 

I alone am responsible for the breakup of our marriage. What is done is done. My biggest regret in my life was the way I treated him, even before we separated. I ask you to treat him kindly and always respect and love him. He loves you too, I can tell. I wish and hope for all of you the best life possible.

Please care for and love my child as if she was your own."

It was signed simply "Wanda."

As she read the letter Anna added some of her own tears to it.

Anna and I were married the Friday before Memorial Day. Grandma would take care of the girls while we were away. We rented a cabin on a lake 2 hours away. 

Little Mary was the maid of honor. Faith was my best girl; you can't call her best man. Can you? Bob and Martha also stood with us. We also had a special part of the ceremony when we took the girls as both of our children and they accepted each other as sisters. Both Marys gave Anna away to me and Faith gave me away to Anna. It seemed to be a fair decision.

The first night of our honeymoon we just held each other and fell asleep. I awoke the next morning to find Anna watching me. She leaned over and we kissed and caressed each other lightly. We held each other for the longest time.

The second evening we started out the same way. Every time I made a new move I felt her tense up, only to relax a few seconds later. Ever so slowly the foreplay increased. I whispered "You let me know when you want to move on, if I move too fast slow me down." 

She nodded and I saw tears in the corners of her eyes. I kissed them away. An hour later she finally climaxed after some brief stimulation by my hand. She cried and told me it was her first ever. We fell asleep holding each other.

The next morning I woke to find her sitting on the bed beside me slowly exploring my body with her hands. I pretended to be asleep. She bent down to kiss my nipples as I had done with her the night before, I forgot I was supposed to be asleep and moaned lightly.  She sat back in a hurry. "I will give you 3 hours to stop that" I whispered. She giggled and lay back to kiss me. As I caressed her body she followed my example and did the same to me. She only hesitated for a moment when I reached between her legs again. 

I told her "My body is yours to do what you want with it, just please don't ever hurt me."

She looked up and smiled. She said "Thank you and I am yours. I already trust you to not hurt me."

We hardly left the bed that day. The sigh she gave as I first entered her was payment for all the frustration of the last few days. 

The next morning I woke to feel her lips wrapped around my shaft, my moan gave me away. She smiled and said "This is so much nicer when you love the one you are doing it to." She finished me a few minutes later. I never asked what she meant.

After breakfast she climbed on my lap and held me tightly; she thanked me over and over for teaching her how to make love with me.

For the rest of the week we tried almost anything we could think of. On our last day she finally said "There is only one thing left to try." I knew what she was thinking of and was not sure we should try anal. We did.

Afterward Anna decided that it was OK, but she did not want to do it often. She said that "...it too, was at least better with someone you love." 

She was a little uncomfortable on the ride home.

Grandma Mary found a new home under construction about a mile from ours that she loved. She was moved in by the middle of August; meanwhile she lived with us in the apartment. Anna and Mary were now living upstairs. 

The stained glass was made to look new; it was placed between other glass panels and made into energy efficient windows. They were installed in the living room on both sides of the fireplace she had built.

Grandma Mary paid back our loans, as she called them, two fold. She would not take no for an answer. We took the extra and started college funds for the girls.

A little over a year later Anna became pregnant. There were few problems and we were rewarded with a beautiful baby girl we named Hope. 

Anna insisted on the name because of the line in the letter from Wanda. "I wish and hope for all of you the best life possible"

Mary did say her mother was wise.



-----------------------------------------

Second chapter? Maybe if I like what I put down to follow this.



Faith and Hope



“It’s OK, Billy,” she said softly. “We all get hurt by someone we love. Trust me, I know.” In the dim light, I could see there were the beginnings of tears in her eyes. Hope took a deep breath, shook herself as if to make the feeling go away, then took my hand and we started walking again. This time we were headed into the center of the park, where there was a natural amphitheater of sorts – a big grassy hill, at least. We sat on the grass at the top of the hill and just talked. I can’t even remember what we talked about now, but soon we were joking with each other.

I must have said something really funny, because the next thing I knew she was sitting on my legs and trying to tickle me. I’m not normally very ticklish, but she found the spot and I started to laugh. Thinking I had to “defend” myself, I started tickling her too, and in trying to roll her off of me, I started us into a tumble that rolled us clear to the bottom of the hill. Hope ended up lying full-length on top of me as we both laughed uncontrollably.

Once we’d regained at least a little composure, Hope lifted herself up on her elbows. I can remember feeling like we were in a cave made up of her long dark hair because of the way it flowed all around us, shutting out the rest of the world.

“So, “Fondling,” Hope said, her voice suddenly serious and almost husky. “Since I have hemm'd thee here . . .” 

The next thing I knew, the softest lips I have ever felt were pressed against my own. Our lips parted and our tongues met. I’m sure that one kiss had to last about five minutes and it was followed by several more that seemed even longer. As if by instinct, my hands roamed Hope’s slender body. One of the first things I noticed as my hands traveled across her back was that she wasn’t wearing a bra. My hands traveled down to Hope’s slim hips and I cupped her ass in my hands. She let out a little sigh, as if she was actually relieved that I was groping her.

I rolled us over so that she was on her back and I was lying next to her, propped on one elbow. My other hand was softly traveling over her body – still outside her clothes, at first, though I was having a very easy time of undoing button after button of her shirt. “Within this circuit is relief enough,” Hope sighed in my ear, recalling the bawdy bit of Shakespeare that seemed to have become her favorite. She moved to kiss me again, moaning soft approval for the places my hands were exploring, murmuring more lines of Venus and Adonis as my hand moved from one spot to another.

“Round, rosy hillocks,” she purred when I bent my head to suck on the tiny nipples of her small firm breasts. 

“High, delightful plains,” she whispered when my hand touched her flat stomach. 

I felt her pull her abdomen in as my hand reached the waistband of her tight hip-hugger jeans. It seemed almost like an invitation, but in my inexperience I wasn’t sure. Nervously I opened my eyes and glanced at her. She was smiling dreamily, eyes half closed until she noticed me watching her face. Her smile didn’t change, but her eyes met mine full on and she mouthed the words, “Brakes obscure and rough to shelter you from tempest and from rain.”

I slipped my hand down the front of her jeans and under the lace front of her panties. Her pubic hairs were soft and silky just like the hair on her head. Her clit and the inner lips of her pussy were very puffy and were sticking out from between her outer labia. They were also extremely wet. In fact, she was positively soaking.

I put my fingers and my limited knowledge to work in the tight confines under her jeans, which at that point weren’t even unzipped. As I brought my middle finger from the middle of this fountain of moisture to the top of her slit, dragging it across her pulsing clitoris, Hope gave a loud moan. Mixed in with this cry of female pleasure were the words, “Feed where though wilt”, and as my mouth descended on her hard nipples again she reached down and unsnapped her jeans and lowered the zipper. As I continued fingering her and sucking first one nipple, then the other, Hope started to lower her jeans. When I figured out her intent, I helped her slide them the rest of the way off, panties and all.

With her jeans out of the way, I started to return to fingering her slit, but Hope had other ideas. Her slim fingers were already fumbling with the buttons on my 501 Levis, eagerly trying to get them, and my briefs, down and off me. I lifted my hips to help her get them down my legs, and finally kicked them off. 

Hope, smiling, grasped my hard-on, which twitched and jerked in her hand. She let out a little giggle, then pushed me onto my back in the grass and kissed me deeply, her hand still squeezing my cock. I remember the way her hair dragged across my face and down my chest as Hope lowered herself down my body, finally coming to a stop with her face just above my cock. Her hair hid my view from exactly what she was doing, but I could feel her tongue flicking along the length of my shaft, then circling the sensitive head of my cock. Remember, at this point in my naive life I’d never even heard of oral sex, so the whole idea was a bit shocking to me. ... not so shocking that I wanted her to stop, though.

My whole body tensed as Hope continued to slurp away at my cock, occasionally slipping down to flick my ball sac with her tongue too. Before long I was practically pulling sod out of the lawn, my hands were clenching so tightly. She stopped her licking and moved up beside me again and kissing me deeply. 

The next thing I knew, Hope had thrown a leg over me and was straddling me. I felt her reach for my cock and point it up in the air. Looking down my body I saw my erection disappearing inside her wet pussy. Just after the head was in, I seemed to run into some kind of barrier that I guessed was her hymen. I looked up at Hope’s face, shrouded in her long dark hair. She was biting her lower lip in concentration as she let herself down my dick. I felt the barrier give way as Hope shrieked briefly from the pain and then I felt her slid the rest of the way down to where her pubic mound pressed against my own.

“You’re my first,” she whispered.

“Mine too,” I murmured, reaching up to touch her face and wipe away the tear on her cheek. 

“I’ve dreamed about this with you, though,” she said as she leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I wanted you to be my first, ever since...”

“Since when?” I asked, amazed that this girl, a year older than me and so beautiful, would have been fantasizing about me.”

“Ever since the spring when I did the Venus and Adonis thing for you and I could feel you getting hard while I was reciting,” she giggled. “... and now we’re actually doing it!”

“Uh, yeah,” I muttered.

“God, this feels good to have you inside me like this,” Hope sighed as she used her hands against my chest to raise and lower her pussy along the length of my cock. “It feels so good.”

That it did. So good, in fact that without much warning I shot a massive load of cum inside her. I was mortified. Here I was, my first real sex and I was sure I’d gotten her pregnant. My cock started deflating instantly.

“Hope, I’m so sorry,” I stammered. 

“Sorry for what, Billy?”

“I came inside you. I’m afraid I got you pregnant.”

She leaned down and kissed me softly on the cheek, her hair falling around us like a blanket, shutting off what little light there was that night. “It’s OK,” she whispered in my ear. “I went on the Pill this summer.”

“Oh.” 

Hope raised her head to look in my eyes. Her smile was so sweet, I knew I had fallen in love right then. Hope ground her pussy around on my limp organ, which somehow was still inside her. I started to harden again. We kissed deeply and I was soon back to full erection.

“Then be my deer, for I am such a park,” Hope whispered again as she leaned close over me and moved back and forth along my length. We didn’t say another word for a long time – it felt like an eternity, but vivid experiences have a way of passing by in slow motion. The only sounds were our moans and the wet sounds of our feverish kissing as our crotches pounded together and we reveled in the new feelings and experiences of our first sex.

I could sense that Hope was getting close to cumming – even my limited experience with women’s climaxes told me that. She was practically yelling with the pleasure of riding me. Her hair was flying wildly as she bounced up and down on my cock and I pushed up from the ground with my hips to meet every one of her downstrokes. I was getting close, too.

“Cum with me, Billy,” Hope groaned. “Cum inside me.”

As if some kind of switch had been thrown, my balls tightened up and I began pumping Hope’s hungry pussy full of cum again. My back arched and my hips completely left the ground for at least the first two spurts, then Hope cried out and slammed herself down on me so forcefully that I was pushed back into the grass again. I could feel the contractions of her inner muscles squeezing me as if to milk every bit out of me that they could.

She collapsed against my chest, breathing heavily against my shoulder as she came down from her high. Occasionally her pussy would give another little squeeze that seemed to shake her entire body, and she would moan softly. Several minutes later, Hope raised her head. Grinning, she rolled off to lay beside me and rest her head on my shoulder.

“No dog shall rouse thee, though a thousand bark,” she sighed.



Faith and Lust



Maria Kelly was a strong and willful woman. As a young woman, Maria made the decision to devote her entire life to Christianity. Unlike most beautiful and voluptuous women, Maria became a faithful nun, and spread her belief throughout the world. After many years of faithfulness and tranquility, Maria began to doubt her choices in life. She wanted to experience joy and pleasure, but was forced to obey her strict code of ethics.

Despite her reluctance, Maria fell in love with a strong and sinful man. Edward Cook wanted to stop sinning, but he didn't have the will to fight against lust and addiction. One tragic day, Maria decided to give Edward's life purpose and meaning. After months of counseling, Maria thought that Edward had finally overcome his troubled past, but she was wrong. Maria had feelings for Edward, feelings that could not be controlled. Whether she liked it or not, Maria Kelly wanted to fuck Edward Cook.

One painful night, Edward decided to visit his beloved therapist and counselor. At first, Maria didn't want to see him, but she eventually allowed him to enter her apartment. Maria was not only worried, she was terrified of losing her virginity to a brutal and wicked man. With all her strength, Maria fought against her lust, fear, and doubt. Like a man with no conviction, Edward Cook sat on the sofa and smiled as he watched Maria sweat and pant.

"What are you doing here, Edward?"

"I wanted to see you," he answered.

"Is something wrong?"

"You could say that, I guess."

"Do you need me to pray for you?"

"If I need prayer, I'll let you know."

"What do you need, then?"

"You already know the answer to that," Edward laughed.

"Edward, stop it, stop it at once!"

"Stop what?"

"Don't make me say it," she answered.

"Say what?"

"Tell me, why do you insist on playing these games?"

"That depends, why do you ask?"

"Because I'm tired of your constant flirting and teasing," she answered.

"Why? Do you find it offensive?"

"That's correct," Maria exclaimed.

"Well, that's just too bad," Edward laughed as he lit his cigarette.

"I thought you quit smoking, I guess I was wrong," Maria stated.

"I thought about it, but life is too short," Edward laughed.

"If you continue smoking, life will be shorter, much shorter."

"You need to relax," Edward laughed.

"Edward, I've had enough!"

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you continue to torture yourself?"

"Honey, you're the one torturing yourself, not me," Edward laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"You're attracted to me, admit it!" Edward exclaimed.

"That's ridiculous," Maria panted.

"Is it?"

"I'm a woman of God, not a sinful slut!"

"You would like to believe that, wouldn't you?"

"That's it, get out of my apartment!"

"If you want me to leave, you'll have to force me," Edward laughed.

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"It's my nature, nothing more," he answered.

"Besides, even if I were attracted to you, I could never betray my faith, understand?"

"Oh, I understand, I just don't care," Edward laughed as he rose from the sofa.

"Edward, don't do this, I beg you," she pleaded.

Without further hesitation, Edward removed his shirt. At first, Maria looked away, but her eyes eventually overpowered her sense of right and wrong. Like a lustful teenager, Maria sighed as she stared at his muscular body.

"You like me this way, don't you?"

"If I said no, I would be lying," she sighed.

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know, I just don't know," she cried.

"Maria, try to relax, for once in your life," he stated.

"I wish I could, I really do," she replied.

Without further hesitation, Edward kissed Maria. At first, she tried to resist, but her resistance soon turned into lust as all restraint left her heart.

"Don't fight, Maria," he stated.

"Don't worry, I'm done fighting," she replied.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Edward asked.

"Fuck me, God damn it!"

Without further hesitation, Edward Cook made love to Maria Kelly. The following morning, Maria cried as she realized what she had done. Despite his concern, Edward Cook did nothing to ease her pain.

"What have I done?" Maria asked herself.

"You became a woman, nothing more," Edward stated.

"I not only betrayed my ethics, I betrayed God!"

"The guilt will pass, believe me, it will pass."

"Well, at least I have you," Maria stated as she placed her head on Edward's strong shoulder.

"You would like to think that, wouldn't you?" Edward laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"We had a fling, nothing more," Edward laughed.

"Edward, that isn't very funny," Maria replied.

"I know, it's not meant to be funny."

"You love me, don't you?"

"I never loved you," Edward laughed.

"What are you saying?"

"You were a conquest," Edward laughed.

"You mean, that all this time, I was just an animal for you to fuck and enjoy?"

"Sad, isn't it?"

"You can't do this to me!" Maria shouted.

"Maria, stop acting like you're special. All my life, women have worshipped and adored me. Like you, many of them fell in love with me, but they soon discovered that I belong to no one. At first, I thought you were different, but I was wrong, very wrong!"

"What do you mean?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, you only liked me for my charm, body, and wit. If I had been older and uglier, you wouldn't have given me an hour."

"Why does that matter to you?"

"Because behind this shallow exterior, I'm secretly looking for love, but I haven't found it."

"I love you," she stated.

"You love my body, not me."

"Don't leave me, I'll die without you," she replied.

"Don't worry, God will help you," Edward sarcastically laughed.

Edward left the room, leaving Maria behind. As the hours passed, Maria attempted to overcome her grief, but she soon realized that her sin could never be forgiven. After days of crying and brooding, Maria Kelly placed a rope around her neck.

"Father, forgive me, for I have sinned."



Faith and Tolerance



I first noticed her while tending the tombs and gravestones in the churchyard. I had of course seen her before, many times in these last few months, but this was the first time I had stopped to consider the woman. Her eyes were a wide, deep hazel narrowing to bright pupils, and these shone through the slit in her headscarf. The rest of her body was shrouded in the black cloak of one observing hijab.

She was sitting on a bench in the shade, as she always did, overlooking this lush, overgrown burial place, tucked behind one of London's oldest churches. She had been watching me for ten minutes as I picked carefully at the lichen on an 18th century tombstone. I was unsure as to whether the look was studied or faraway.

As I sat next to her on the bench I introduced myself, "My name is Seamus, I am the caretaker of All Saints. I hope you don't mind if I join you for a minute to rest up?"

"No, I don't mind. Please do," she said.

Sitting adjacent and this close I could see the curvature of her breasts, hugged tightly by the cloak, and the spread of her ample haunches. A woman shrouded, yet revealed. As respectful as I was to church visitors, I couldn't help but linger in the look and I felt a slight swell in my jeans, my heart skipping a beat at this glimpse of the unknown, the unknowable.

"This is very beautiful place, very restful," I said, as if to break my own spell. "I have lived and worked here for ten years and wouldn't change it for the world. There is something magical about the building and its grounds. I find it... sensual, ancient."

Wood pigeons fluttered from the tree in front of us and flew away into the air, drawing both our gazes to the heavens.

She turned to face me, the fine shape of her jaw and cheekbones impressed upon her veil, her lips speaking as if through a dark gauze, yet my attention fixed upon her sparkling eyes.

"Would you have the time to show me around, perhaps?" She asked.

There was a lot to see here. A Norman church with a glorious vaulted nave, faded medieval frescoes and stately Georgian memorials, this was a museum marking the evolution of ecclesiastical building and decorations. The early Tudor stonework filled the air with a humid, spectral mist, the organ recital ringing bright, piped echoes off the walls and stained glasswork.

She told me she had never set foot in a Christian church before. She was Muslim, proud of and diligent in her faith, yet she too had sensed the sacred vapour of the grounds. As she told me this we were in the crypt chapel, nearing the end of our tour, and we stood before the remains of a Saxon wall. I noticed her breathing had become heavy; her parted lips panting against the veil cloth, her bosom rising and falling as she turned to face me. In the dense air she was perspiring slightly, causing her cloak to wrap more snugly about her.

"I have thought deeply about faith and the spiritual path all my adult life'" she said. Her eyes had become vivid, almost demanding. "I am devoted to hijab, it is my choice. From Islam I draw strength and find happiness." Her nipples now began to stiffen and forcefully protrude through her cloak, the thin fabric outlining her shape boldly in this musty underworld.

"Faith through free will must be a wonderful thing." I said, really just to respond to the enigmatic woman. I was uncertain as to where this was leading us.

"Yes, it is," she said, "and free will enables me to explore and experience without fear of losing faith." At this she fell silent standing before me, her hands held low fidgeting and hesitant, her eyes fixed upon mine. She exuded overpowering desire, the surge of adrenalin before the great leap.

I had become speechless. Accompanying this mystery woman on her first footings had me in the grips of abandon. I unlocked the little gate into the oldest corner of the crypt, the site of a prehistoric well, now a tiny chapel. Here was a little altar draped with a thick, crimson cloth, which I lay folded against the near wall. And then I turned to reach for her, stooping towards those veiled lips, yet she held me back.

She had me sit on the altar cloth while, standing before me in the dim space, she slowly lifted her cloak. From the floor, I watched as her sandaled feet appeared, dark skin above pale soles and toes, and a golden ankle bracelet strung with bells. Her skin shone like stars in a new moon night, recalling rich teak as she exposed her smooth calves, knees and thighs rounding and filling to strong trunks. She turned around to lift her cloak above the hips, revealing to me a perfectly global arse, and as she bent down from the waist I noted the contrast of her tan anal button nestled in the shadows.

"Despite wearing the hijab and abaya I always attract the attentions of men, Muslim and non-mahrem alike," she said, turning to face me again, clutching her cloak above her hips. "Perhaps it is my figure showing through the garments, perhaps they leer at all the women, I cannot say." And I couldn't help but stare at the dark clutch of pubic curls, parted slightly by swollen pink folds, and the neat seam of her inner thigh as this devotee of the Qur'an brought her knee up to rest on my right shoulder. Holding the cheeks of her smooth arse gently, in reverence, I buried my face in her primeval terrain and ran my tongue widely about her salty sex lips. I could feel her open and call me in, a barely perceptible urge from her hips.

I soon became impatient with passion and forced my tongue tip along her crevice, unfolding her like a lotus. I dropped my flattened tongue on her plump, pearl-like clit whereupon I lashed her vigorously. She gasped and muttered in Bengali as she lifted her abaya further to reveal a bejewelled navel. I ran one hand down to continue caressing her wet loins as I flitted my tongue about her belly, licking and flicking about her broad hips and thick, toned waist. And upon dabbing into her deep, gold studded navel, she grabbed my hair, pushing my head back down to her yearning sex.

My devout guest then steadied herself against the wall with both hands and, as a consequence, I became enveloped by her billowing abaya. Darkly I ran my hands up her smooth torso to her heavy, firm breasts, the fleshy tips pert between my fingers. My tongue became a butterfly, fluttering wildly against her now immodest womanhood, juices trickling in streams down the insides of her thighs. I took a wet finger and gently teased her anus against which she wriggled a welcome and whispered, "Yes... please". And slowly my tip slipped further inside her tight tube as if slipping on a ring.

Her Asian shores soon began to roll to the rhythm of thunderous breaking waves; her pleasure rolled down my wrists and arms, across my face as she rocked herself back and forth between my finger and tongue. Holding on to my head, she guided my licks and kisses with her clutch, forcing and humping against me until she began a lengthy moan in a high voice, trailing off to whimper as I massaged blindly those smooth muscled, occasionally juddering thighs. "Praise be to Allah, most compassionate, most merciful" she said softly within this ill lit 10th century chapel, and slowly she let go of my head.

I slipped from under the cloaking and, easing her stance back a slight, I slid my rearing cock inside her slippery chamber. She let out a small 'Mmmm...' and I allowed myself to journey to the hilt, embracing her warmed cheeks with my grinding pelvis. With my eyes closed it felt as if I had slid into the flesh of a ripe fig, juices spilling around me, drenching my bristled bush. "Yes'" she said, "Yes, keep doing it..."

In time I looked down at the wonder of this Eastern pleasure wrapped around me; the joy of watching my sceptre slide back and forth between those widening dripping lips, those shining, cocoa orbs, the rumpled cloak hauled up her sleek back. Dew had collected about her squinting rear eye and I could not, at this moment, resist temptation.

Withdrawing my penis, I let it dance in the air like a cobra as I dropped to my knees to apply some delving, wet tongue to that tight little squint, tasting the mingled spices and fruits of her free will. She gasped and undulated against the wall, inviting further and I took my bouncing erection by the head before nosing it gently against her rim. As I slowly pushed, she pushed back, parting around me, and she emitted a tonal 'Hoo!'

"I hope you'll forgive me this pleasure," I grunted as I felt her firm grip on my shaft, slowly yielding.

"There is nothing to forgive when the action is invited," she gasped.

I pumped inside her hot, soft arse for a dozen strokes, spanking lightly her flesh and I could sense my soul lifting in this dim, divine space. As I felt her clench and release skilfully, my cap began to tingle like stardust and my thighs jerked and slapped against her. I was reaching a revelation of sorts, my Mecca, a great gathering of joy welling from within.

"I want you to come on my voluptuousness, just like I know all the men want to". And at this my taste of Islam pulled herself straight, leaving me throbbing and slimy, waving in the holy air. She lay down on the cloth, a veiled beauty wrapped in a headscarf, her hijab, and she lifted the gown seam to her armpits. 

Her breasts stood full like domes of worship, her nipples rigid, haloed by wide, dark-brown aureoles. I stood above drinking in the glory of the East while she teased and stroked herself, pushing her bosoms into an irresistible Asian hill range. Her belly was delicately plump, womanly, her thighs squirmed, and perspiration sparkled her skin like wood polish. Her wet curls had now flattened as though beaten by monsoon rain and the glistening labia spread wide and raw amongst them. 

I knelt around her waist and, hauling my juicy pole in one hand vigorously, I lowered my lips onto one of those breast tips and flicked my tongue rapidly across it, feeling it leap and stiffen further between my teeth. I could hold back no longer and, stroking her full glistening length, jerks of semen shot from my cock cascading across her breasts and belly; the last drops emptying into her navel to form an opaque pool for her stud. She sighed running a finger through the sticky trail as I sank my kisses in her cleavage. And together we lay in a motionless embrace for several minutes, until she sat up to mop herself with the altar cloth. "Thank you," I said. "Thank you," she replied.

I stood up and looked about us at the misshapen ancient walls, the statues of the Virgin and the Crucifixion, the huddle of a half dozen seats for those drawn to this sacred corner. My visitor, once done with the cloth, knelt before me and carefully unhooked her veil. "Just one last taste," she said, and with a hand delicately holding the fabric to curtain off my gaze, she began to run her lips along my reviving shaft. She played joyfully up and around the glans with a flickering tongue, engulfing me in turn, jerking my stem rhythmically in her palm, until she had slurped me like a lollipop. "Mmmm..." she murmured.

Yet here she withdrew to once again leave me hanging, and deftly she re-hooked her veil.

As I looked down at my drooping erection I saw the length of my shaft smeared in crimson lipstick and a shrouded, fleeting stranger stood up above an ancient well to leave me. Rearranging her hijab and abaya, she was set to rejoin the devotion and liberation of her choosing. On the wall, overlooking the seats, the Virgin Mary looked down upon us both. She was smiling. She recognised a divine annunciation when she saw one.



Faith Brought Us Together



I sent my fantasy woman an e mail. 

And I said that I was a son of God.

She is a very religious person, and just so beautiful, it was heart breaking just seeing her.

I didn't know what her reaction to this statement would be; it would certainly make here wonder!

I said this:-

I love you dearly.

That you are the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

And that you are the sexiest woman on this planet.

That your very being, was the catalyst to my existence.

That I couldn't possibly go through my life without loving her.

That never touching her was not an option.

That I was solely here to love her.

That she was here on earth to be loved, and honoured by me.

That to be with her was God's gift to me.

That God's gift to me was his gift to her.

Her walk was the walk of an angel floating in air.

Her smile was the sun rising everyday.

Her tears were angel tear drops.

Her beating heart was life itself.

Her lips, a heart shaped kiss.

Her eyes, like sunbeams.

Her nose, a cute love button.

Her tongue, a pink diamond.

It was a necessity to perform Gods wishes.

To realise the needs in her.

To enact her desire's in her.

To go where no one had gone.

Her body was a temple.

To be worshipped.

To be loved by.

To be given.

That her love for me would grow, like flowers in the morning sun.

That my love for her, was a testament, to her very being.

That we becoming one was as inevitable, as day following night.

That my being was a celebration for her life.

I sent the e mail, and waited to see if there would be a response.

I got one the following morning.

It read:-

Hello,

Well, I was really taken aback by your message, and what it contained, who are you?

You tell me you are a son of God?

But if you were, would you not approach me, and tell me what was in your heart?

I must confess, I was really really taken with your word power.

Are you powerful?

No one has ever used such passionate vitriol to me.

I loved the play on words, telling me how, and what to feel, and when.

I do believe in God, and I am sure that if he had plans for me, he would let me know, has he, is he?

You describe me as I see myself, I feel somehow that you know me, or if you do not, then know of me, and about me?

You obviously like what you have seen when you have looked at me?

That you know I am beautiful.

That I am as the woman, you describe in your message.

I am totally intrigued to know who you are.

Please tell me.

Looking forward to more revelations from you?

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Lisa X.

I was amazed at her response, had I hit the proverbial nail, on its proverbial head?

I wrote back:-

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for you sweet reply

I am glad that you were obviously pleased with my attempt to regale your beauty, softness, and pure love.

Lisa please gaze into your heart, and seek out the person there, the person that I am.

I will come to you if you beckon me.

I am everything

I am all

I am with you

I will never desert you

I will always be at your side

I will carry you when you are weak

I will stand with you when you are strong

I will feed you when you are hungry

I will slake your thirst when you are dry

I will raise you when you are sad

I will rejoice with you when you are happy

I will love you when you need love

My arms will be your wall

My love will be your rock

My heart will be your bed

Lisa, I love you. X

One hour later I received a reply.

Oh my Jesus, I am stunned

How you must love and desire me?

Is that true, do you?

You must, I know it

I am at a loss to know what to do?

I do somehow believe every word you have said

No one could possibly say those things, without ever meaning them

My heart is beating like a drum, crashing into my ribs with a rhythm I have never known

There is a power inside me, telling me to find you, and seek you out

I know I must, God has sent you, hasn't he?

I am at a wall now, how do I climb it?

Are you there on the other side?

Will you be?

Would you catch me if I were to ascend it, and fall over it?

Will the love you profess for me be enough to awake me from my slumber, the one I am in, and have been since I was left alone?

If you are, if you will be, if your words of your love for me are true

Then please tell me what to do?

I have been waiting 10 long years for someone, for you; would you come to me and right the ship of my life?

This ship that has been here on the rocks of my broken heart, a ship wrecked by my loss those long years ago?

I await your answer with fervour

Lisa X

I was absolutely shocked with joy; I had never expected my idea to work like it had done, or was.

I was hoping for contact, but what had flowed from me to her, had flowed back.

I had always known how she felt, what was inside her.

That it needed to be brought forth.

But how was the problem, and I had found it.

I had found it through her faith, her belief in God.

A belief that I now had to ensure, encapsulated me.

I wrote back

Lisa

You are in Gods hands now, he has sent me to you, and you to me.

It is your acceptance of whom and what I am, that will test your faith.

Will it be true enough, will it be strong enough, to carry your ship into the harbour that is me?

The ropes that will hold your ship, will be unbreakable if they are tied onto the capstan that will hold your life, until he calls you?

Will you be able to accept the gift of God?

Will the bond of God let you embrace him, and me?

Would you deny his love for you, by denying me?

Lisa, the time for your ship to come home is nigh.

She replied thus:-

I am Gods servant, I believe he loves me, I know he loves me, and no one but God himself, could have given you the desire, the need to be my saviour here on his earth.

I will do as he and you ask of me, I will come to you.

I will climb this wall.

I will be saved by him.

I will be saved by you

I will sail my righted ship into your harbour, and will tie myself to it, and you forever.

God is my staff, you will be my life from this day on, and God's will, will be done this day.

I know you, I know who you are.

Your knowledge of me is insurmountable, I will pray at the alter of your love.

Come to me, I am here; I will never deny God, nor you, never.

Come.

Lisa X X

I was on my computer in the sitting room; mum was on hers in her bedroom.

My father had died 10 years before, and I had watched her as I grew up, she kept her faith, which was difficult for her to do.

I had grown to love her as the boy I was, to the man I was becoming.

Her faith, and then mine, had brought her to me, and me to her, and us together now.

I knew she would not be surprised in the slightest when I walked through the door, and into her arms.

I walked gladly, strongly and happily upstairs.

Walking into her room, she stood from her PC, smiled, and said to me.

'My darling, my saviour, God has truly smiled on me this day.'

'He gave you the love and foresight to bring me to you, and him forever.'

'My love for you will be unbreakable; the tides will never breach our harbour of love.'

That night we made love, her for the first time in 10 years, me for the first time in my life.

God is good!