STORY EXCERPTS

I was in my office checking the mirror and fixing myself after running ragged through the event this morning. I wore a pink sleeveless dress and a pair of floral-patterned peep-toe shoes. My necklace was simple, but had beautiful greens, purples, and pinks in it.

“You look gorgeous, as always.” I turned to see Adam standing in the doorway watching me.

“Thank you. How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to notice your jitters and watch you reapply your lipstick. Sexy, by the way.” I took a deep breath and he came around my desk and grabbed my hands. “You are going to be amazing today. You look perfect.”

“Thanks. I am nervous. I don’t want my story to tear me apart today in front of national television.”

“Alayna, you are a strong woman. Focus on your strengths and the obstacles you have overcome that have allowed you to get right here. Right here, in this moment.”

I smiled at him and gave him a gentle kiss, not wanting to mess up my lipstick. “Thank you for all that you have done. But more importantly, thank you for believing in me.”

We walked out of the office hand in hand. Liz was checking over the boys to make sure they were ready for the cameras and reminded them to be good. She looked up and saw me and Adam and gave me a reassuring smile. She was content to see me back to normal, whatever normal was.

“All ready, Alayna?” asked Sadie.

“Yes.” The boys stood on either side of me with great big smiles on their faces. They looked beyond precious in their Sunday best clothes.

Sadie looked into the cameras and began when she got her cue. “Hello, everyone. We are featuring a number of businesswomen who have overcome so many obstacles, but still remember that giving back to the community is always important.” She looked over to me. “This is Alayna Taylor. She owns The Land of Sweets in Carmel, Indiana. Alayna, tell us how you started the business.”

“Thank you, Sadie. I started The Land of Sweets a year ago, but it had been a dream of mine for some time. My late husband gave me his bonus check for a special project he was working on and that is how I started it.”

“How did you persevere through everything?”

“After Matt’s accident, it was really hard. Hard on me, my boys, and those around us. I had a wonderful support system, especially with my mom and my best friend, Liz. They kept encouraging me and I threw myself into this place knowing that I needed it to be successful now more than ever. I wanted the kids to have a good role model. A strong mother, not one that was falling apart. The kids loved helping me and the store helped us bond even more. I wanted their perspective on the sweets I carried, the décor, everything. I want everyone to feel like a kid when they walk in that door. And who better to ask than a child.”

“I will tell you what, Alayna. That is exactly how I felt when I walked in! That brings me to The Children’s Group you support.”

“Yes. I have been a supporter for years and happy I can do more. Fifty percent of our proceeds from our anniversary party today will go to The Children’s Group. The money will be used to buy birthday and Christmas presents for the children.”

“That is so generous of you. A hometown hero.”

“No hero here, Sadie, but thank you. I am just someone that cares. Children are our future. They all deserve a chance despite whatever situation they may be in or circumstance that may come up.”

“What are your future plans for The Land of Sweets?”

“I am almost done completing franchising opportunities with my attorneys. The information should be up on my website by the end of the month.”

“We will be sure to check that out. The Land of Sweets’s website link can be found on The Sadie Show’s webpage. You truly have the absolute best selections of sweets that I have ever seen. Candy I remember from my childhood, goodies for every allergy, and everything in between.”

“I aim to please and make sure everything in this store is to my high standards and stays that way.”

“Well, we at The Sadie Show wish you the best of luck. Thank you for letting us share your story and your anniversary here.”

“Thank you, Sadie. I also want to thank this wonderful town, its families, and local businesses, Mr. Smith and everyone at The Children’s Group, as well as Dr. Bryant and the Children’s Hospital for helping make this event possible.”

As soon as he heard his name, he smiled and winked at me. I had to thank him. He had done so much promoting this event.

The cameras filmed around the store for a few minutes, taking in the candy selections and general feel of the store. Then they turned off and Sadie and her producer thanked me again.

“Alayna, here is my number. If you ever need anything, please contact me. I do wish you the best of luck and I have a feeling that your franchise will be booming very shortly.”

“Thank you, Sadie. I appreciate you making the trip out here and promoting The Children’s Group and my store.”

“Anything for a fellow survivor,” she said with a smile. I knew her story. She had lost her husband ten years ago to cancer, right at the start of her television career. She gave me a big hug and they packed up and left.

Adam walked over with that boyish smile on his face. He grabbed me in his arms and whispered, “I am proud of you. You did a great thing here today.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“Rise and shine, handsome.” I said ever-so gently. “We have lots of wine to taste today.”

A big smiled appeared on his face and then he slowly opened his eyes. “I want to taste you first.” He grumbled.

He playfully pushed me off of him and ripped off my clothes. The desire in his eyes made my body quiver with anticipation and excitement. He shoved me down and straddled me around my belly. His cock was so close to my mouth that I wanted to devour him on the spot. He held me down on the bed with my hands above my head. Electric shock ran through my body in response to his sexual assertiveness, my folds getting wetter by the second.

“Well, thank goodness you are a morning person,” I said with a sexy grin.

“Only when I wake up with you.” With a sexy grin, he said, “Hold onto the headboard, baby, and don’t let go.”

Hmmm…this could be exhilarating, but nearly impossible for me not to touch him.

He began at my fingertips, kissing and sucking on each and every one. He overwhelmed my body with his touch. Not just with his fingers, but his mouth, his tongue, his skin. The way he moved all over me, always making sure every possible part of his naked sexiness was touching me. He seemed fascinated with every inch of me as his cock trailed down and around my body with the rest of him.

I began to moan, “Mmmmmm, Adam.” He hadn’t even touched my sex yet and I felt like I was going to explode.

Oh God, this man!

He trailed right past my sex that I was certain was glistening in the sunlight. I was so wet and ready for him. I could feel it on my thighs. He continued to my inner thighs, spreading my legs ever so gently, caressing every part of my being. I pulled my knees up so my feet were resting on each side of him. He continued licking me and sucking me. My legs shot straight back down and I was squeezing the headboard so tightly, the sheer torment of his touch was sending me over the edge. A sensational orgasm filled me as I let out a cry of his name and my legs quivered. Adam was near my ankles and looking up at me, surely watching as my pussy contracted and cum seeped out of me. Still feeling the after-effects, I reached to get him in my arms.

“Not yet. I am not done with you,” he said, pushing my hands away. “I still have another half of you. Roll over.”

“Adam—” As much as this was thrilling, I wanted him inside me now.

“Alayna, I know you enjoyed that. Let me do it again. I want you to taste every inch of you.”

I rolled over and grabbed onto the damn headboard again. I felt him straddle me on my back, his cock gently pushing into the middle. I tried to clear my mind of wanting to touch him and let him partake in this fantasy.

Why was it bothering me so much? I have never been touched like this to the point of sheer ecstasy. Am I just scared about my feelings? Oh, shut the hell up! I told myself. Just enjoy all this pleasure this man wants you to experience.

My questioning thoughts quickly faded away as he trailed around my shoulders and down my back. His tongue dampened my spine and sent electricity to every nerve ending on the way down. His lips and tongue felt so good. He stroked and kissed the curves of my ass. He worked his way around both of my legs and my mind quickly became oblivious as my body took over…again. Just like that, I was on another thrilling ride, rocking my hips into the bed as my clit felt the pressure against the sheeted mattress. The headboard was pounding against the wall. My breaths were rapid as I tried to wrap my head around two orgasms that didn’t even involve my sex.

“Holy shit, Adam. The things you do—” I didn’t even finish my thought.