Presenting: The Finalists

First, lemme say I was so freaking excited to see so many entries that were prefaced with something about being new or not having written before. I love that!

Second: Ya know, when Bam ran this contest previously, she'd always talk about how hard it was to pick the finalists. "But Bam, it's not that hard," I'd said to my monitor. "Just pick me and a couple others." Er. . . ok maybe I didn't quite think that (every month) but I didn't quite get what was so hard.

Dude. It's freaking tough. It's just taken me about three hours to narrow it down. "But I wanna keep that one too!" is what I kept saying. Everyone had some twist that made it a little bit awesome. But I couldn't pick every one. Contests don't work like that.

So with no further ado, here's our finalists:

jennifer y.

Cassie opened the door realizing the time had come. After ten long years, she was going to tell her best friend that she wanted him.

The grin on Jack’s face disappeared as he took in her attire. The expensive black lace teddy had been an impulsive purchase, but the heat in the deep-blue eyes raking over her body and causing her heart to skip a beat proved that it had been worth the price.

“Um, did I interrupt something?” Jack asked while Cassie dragged him into the house seeing no point in giving the neighbors a free peep show.

“Nope, you’re just in time,” Cassie smiled seductively as she helped Jack remove his coat, her mind planning the removal of other items later.

“What are you talking about? And what’s with the get-up?” he asked, his eyes never leaving her.

“Jack, we’ve been friends for a long time now.” Cassie purred brazenly rubbing her body against his, “I have something I need to tell you.”

Bracing herself for Jack’s rejection Cassie closed her eyes half-expecting him to walk away. Instead, to her surprise, he moved closer pressing her heated body to the wall.

“Your sink isn’t leaking, is it?” Jack murmured near her ear.

“Forget the sink! I want you, damnit!” she blurted her well-rehearsed speech gone with the touch of Jack’s lips on her neck. The toolbelt fell forgotten to the floor, his mouth continuing its assault her neck and addling her senses.

“Why haven’t you said anything before?” he asked in between nibbles.

“I was afraid it would ruin our friendship.”

“You haven’t ruined anything. I just need to be clear on what it is you want,” he said hesitantly, pulling back to look into her eyes, his need evident.

“I figured it would be obvious once you saw my outfit,” she said wondering if she should have gone with her first clothing choice…nothing.

“Well, why don’t you spell it out for me, just in case,” he whispered into her ear, his tongue darting out to trace the sensitive shell. The closeness of their bodies leaving little doubt of the effect she had on him.

Her confidence bolstered by her newfound knowledge, Cassie said, “Okay, I’ll tell you what I want. You…me…in bed…naked…now. Got it?”

“Yes Ma’am!” Jack said, his lips descending onto hers. Overwhelmed by his scent, Cassie forgot to breathe as his tongue touched hers.

angeleque

She spotted him immediately when she entered, seated at the bar. Renaldo was surrounded by his two business partners, each man flanked by a silicone enhanced woman.

The hostess stepped out from behind her podium, looking Evelyn’s outfit of a simple pair of faded jeans and tank top, up and down with her wrinkled nose but it was her sour expression which told all.

Normally she would have taken more care with her attire, dressed more appropriated but tonight her focus wasn’t on dress code but going after what she wanted.

She hated the smile which was instantaneous now whenever he was around. Blowing out she approached the bar and tapped the woman who’d wrapped herself around Renaldo’s side.

The group turned, looked at her but her gaze remained centered him.

“You accused me of not being real, not being honest with you about who I am and what I want. I want someone to talk to on the way home, no matter the time.” She paused, cleared her throat, stepping closer to him. “I want a friend. I don’t just want the hot, sweaty, monkey, acrobatic, mind blowing sex. I want love and romance, moonlight and roses, snuggling on the couch and kissing in the rain.”

Finally she moved in, taking her place next to him, edging the other woman out and back toward his friend.

“A friend, lover, dance partner, champion, protector, provider… I want it all. House, kids, career and home-cooked meals. And it pisses me off. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you. It was supposed to be just sex. My life... I had everything figured out, what I would be doing and by what age.”

His hand rose to caress her cheek and she leaned into his touch. Briefly relishing the gentle touch and what the words could not convey. Her rich coffee colored eyes linked to his deep sapphire ones.

“I never dated anyone like you. You see me, not an extension of my family or for what lies in between my thighs. You changed my life, pushed me off my square and told me I was beautiful and meant it.”

“Siete bei il mia amore.”

“I want the fucking happily ever after.” She sighed, stepped back, “Now the ball is in your court.” Turning, she walked away, not looking back. Her head hoped he would follow, her heart knew he would.

ali

Sam took a deep breath and started to turn the doorknob to the apartment. She could do this. She would go in, tell him how she felt, and go on from there. Simple, right? She stared down and realized that her hands were tightly gripped to the doorknob. Damn nerves. Okay, so maybe she needed a little more time.

Turning around and walking away, Sam stopped before she reached the stairs. What was she thinking? She had nowhere to go. This was her apartment.

Summoning up all the strength she had in her she marched back to the apartment, opened the door and right away could hear Leo talking to himself in the kitchen. She could smell lasagna in the air and felt her stomach rumble in response. Laying a hand on her tummy she reminded herself that Leo came first, and then food. And if she was lucky, she’d get some dessert before the main course.

Walking into the kitchen she got a nice look at Leo’s butt while he was bent over looking in the refrigerator. Ooh, she couldn’t wait to get her hands on that. She pictured herself running her hands down his back before giving his butt a squeeze as he slid himself inside of her.

Sam didn’t realize she had gone off daydreaming until she caught the look Leo gave.

“Sam?” Leo gave her one of those heart stopping smiles, probably correctly guessing what she was thinking. Probably thinking the same thing.

Taking another deep breath, Sam walked up to Leo and decided it was now or never. “Leo, you’re right. There’s something between us and I would be a fool to let this pass. I want it. I need it. You,” she poked his chest, “Me. Hot monkey-sex.”

“Um, Sam, honey, I love what you’re saying, but,” Leo placed a finger against her lips.

No, dammit, he couldn’t have changed his mind. Not giving him a chance to stop her, she pulled his head down and started to softly kiss him.

Quickly taking over, Leo pulled Sam closer and what started out as soft and sensual turned hot and heady. Sam moaned as she felt Leo’s erection harden, making her feel light headed and thinking she heard voices.

Pulling away, Leo turned towards the phone on the counter and Sam instantly realized Leo wasn’t talking to himself earlier, there was someone on the speaker.

Voting will be open through midnight, Pacific Standard Time, 20 May. Get to it.