New Dawning International Bookfair
Presents
Fortune Cookie Magic
(Abridged)
A novel by Dee Dawning
Copyright © 2010 Dee Dawning
Contemporary erotic romance
Smashwords Edition
Chapter One
Eddie Chang’s Chinese Bistro
“Hi Jill, here’s your morning dose of caffeine.”
Jill set her pen down, and flashed a broad smile at Beverly, her friend and co-worker. “Thanks. I’ve too busy to get a cup myself.”
Beverly cleared a corner of Jill's desk and sat down. “I hope you’re not too busy for lunch today.”
Jill leaned back in her chair. “Lunch? Sounds good. Could we leave early and beat the crowds?”
Bev nodded. “Why not? Do you like Chinese? I found a wonderful place.”
“Chinese? I love Chinese and I haven’t had it in ages.”
Bev leaned over and kissed her friend on the cheek. “Great. You won't regret it. It's my treat”
Jill frowned and rubbed her cheek as Beverly walked back to her desk.
The restaurant Beverly spoke of was Eddie Chang's Chinese Bistro, located on the corner of Sixteenth and Maxwell. As they stepped inside, Jill whispered in Beverly’s ear, “This place isn't exactly the Ritz. I hope they don't have cockroaches.”
Bev turned her head and giggled. “I never claimed it was the Taj Mahal. I said the food was super and priced right. Let's grab a table. Soon the place will be full.
After the host led them to a table, Jill, still concerned, surveyed the room. Only one other table had occupants. However, she realized it was still early when she noticed the clock on the wall read 11:30.
Beverly closed her menu. “The Mongolian beef and lemon chicken are out of this world. If it’s all right with you, I’ll order for us and we can split it.”
“Mmmm. Two of my favorites. Go ahead.”
When the server arrived with water, Beverly ordered, “We'll have two iced teas, a mixed appetizer plate, and orders of house fried rice, Mongolian beef and lemon chicken.”
Their order came out quickly. They filled their plates and when Jill took her first bite, Beverly studied her reaction. “Bev, this is fabulous. Why haven’t I heard of this place?”
Bev’s arms swung out in a ‘who knows’ pose. “I think they’re fairly new.”
Jill frowned. Looking around she commented. “If this is new, why does everything look so old?”
“Beats me. Let’s just enjoy the food.”
They dined in silence. Jill pushed her plate away when she finished and leaned back in her chair. “That was great. Thanks for bringing me here.”
The bus boy stopped by filling their water and iced tea glasses.
Eyes sparkling, Beverly leaned toward Jill. Isn't this place the bee's knees? And the prices. That's why it’s so busy. I don't know how they do it.”
Jill giggled. “Bee's knees? I never heard that expression. What does it mean?”
“It means the absolute best. My grandmother used to say it. Isn't this the best?”
Jill glanced around. As Beverly predicted, the restaurant was jammed and customers were waiting for seats. In addition, they had a brisk take out business. “You’re right, it’s like ordering from a twenty year old menu—except for the fortune cookies. Instead of being free, they’re twenty bucks a pop. That’s a bit high, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s their specialty. More than anything else, I would like you to eat one. Remember, it's my treat.”
Jill looked conflicted. “Bev, you can’t afford to spend that kind of money on me.”
She laid her hand over Jill's. “C'mon Jill. I'm gonna get one. You have to get one. Eating one of those fortune cookies can change your life.”
Yeah right. Jill thought cynically.
The busboy cleared the dishes and the waiter filled their water glasses. “Would the ladies like to see a dessert menu?
With smile on her lips, Bev informed the waiter, “We've made up our minds. My friend will have a red fortune cookie and I'll have a blue one.
The waiter raised a single eyebrow and casting a knowing smile, addressed Bev. “Excellent choice. I trust you've tried the red one?”
Beverly nodded then shook her head once, almost indiscernibly.
“Very well, I'll return shortly with your cookies. Would you like some coffee, also?”
Jill nodded. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
The waiter bowed and walked away.
“Beverly! Speaking of life changing experiences, I had a bizarre dream last night. In fact, it's ironic you brought me here, since it involved a Chinese man, wearing Chinese attire.”
Beverly cupped her chin with her upturned palm, then directed her attention toward Jill. “Really? Tell me about it.”
“Well, it's kind of naughty. I was seduced by a phantom who accompanied the Chinese man. One minute I'm in my living room in my nightgown, then suddenly a mist appeared and when it dissipated, there he was. He wasn't very tall and had this long Fu Manchu moustache.” Jill's forefingers mimicked the outline of the moustache, starting below her nose, traveling around her mouth and down toward her chest. “And…he had pig tails.”
Bev’s brows rose sharply. “The Phantom?”
“No, Eddie. That’s right…his name was Eddie as well. Isn’t that a co-incidence?”
Straightening up, Beverly’s face showed a strange almost shocked look. “Yes. Where was the phantom?”
Jill pursed her lips. “I think he stood in a corner, in the shadows. This didn’t feel like a dream. This felt real, like now. The thing is, when Eddie materialized, I became naked. I covered up with my arms as best as I could, but I was mortified.”
Bev smirked. “I'll bet. Then what happened?”
“He handed me something and told me to eat it. I couldn’t tell what it was, but I ate it anyway, as if I’d lost my willpower.”
Beverly took a sip of iced tea and frowned. “Was it red?”
Jill got a bemused, conflicted look. “Yes. How did you know?”
“Lucky guess. Go on.”
“After I swallowed the object, he said something strange, ‘Aw, so pretty. You will make your man so happy.’” Jill paused and glanced around, worried about being overheard. “Then he waves the phantom over, who turns out to be a man. A naked man with a body to die for, however, I couldn't make out his face. He could have been the Phantom of the Opera. I couldn't tell. But I could see his body. And his thing…it was…” Jill raised her forefingers and began to separate them, but made a funny face and stopped. “…big and he turned me on. He sat on the other end of the couch and Eddie handed him the same thing he'd given me. He ate it and then the son of a bitch disappeared.”
Bev’s head snapped back. “The phantom?”
Jill shook her head. “No Eddie. Leaving me with the naked faceless hunk who slid beside me and…”
She paused when a small Chinese man sporting a Fu Manchu moustache and pig tails brought the cookies to them instead of the waiter. With fanfare, he set the cookies down, a blue one for Beverly and two red ones for Jill.
Jill’s attention shifted when she heard a voice from her recent past. She did a double take when she stared into his eyes. “Me, Eddie. Aww, so pretty! You will make your man so happy.” Setting two cellophane wrapped fortune cookies in front of Jill, she noticed they looked like regular fortune cookies, but were a little bigger and red instead of gold. Eddie smiled once more and winked at Jill before leaving.
Jill, in a state of shock, blinked twice, grabbed Bev's hand and leaned toward her ear. “Bev, that's him! The guy from the dream!”
They both turned and watched the retreating man, pigtails swaying with his steps.
“Do you think what I dreamed could have been real?”
“I don't know. What happened next?”
Out of nowhere, a flash of lighting lit up the now gray outside. The lights inside flickered off momentarily, followed by an earsplitting thunderclap and a cloudburst. Jill and Beverly jumped, then laughed at the other's jumpiness.
Beverly put her hand to her chest and took a deep breath. “Dang. That scarred the bejesus out of me. Where did that come from?”
Jill shook her head in disgust. “I have no idea, the weather forecast didn't say anything about rain today. I didn't bring an umbrella.”
“Me either. So tell me, in this dream, what happened next?”
“Bev! Do I have to spell it out for you! He's naked with a. . .” Jill once again raised her hands, forefingers extended, starting to part them, but stopped when the waiter brought their coffee.
“Anything else ladies?”
Bev shook her head. “No thanks. That'll be all.”
The waiter laid the check on the table and Beverly palmed it. Then she raised her hands, forefingers extended like Jill had done and snickered. “You were saying?”
Jill pursed her lips. “Never mind. It'll sound like a fish tale. There he sat naked, sporting a very active libido and my will power was stripped away. I let him pull my arm away from my breasts and in this deep melodic voice he said ‘nice.’”
Beverly, who'd been unwrapping her blue fortune cookie, giggled.
“Then I let him pull my hand away from my groin and he said, ‘The Gods have chosen well.’”
Beverly pursed her lips. “Get to the good part, did you do him or not?”
“What do you think? I'm naked and heating up faster than a college bonfire and he's there also naked with his impressive thing jutting out.”
Beverly chortled. “So that's why you were in such a great mood this morning. How was it?”
Jill sighed. “Amazing! You have no idea.”
Having unwrapped her blue cookie, Beverly read the fortune aloud.
The business world is like chess, in which most have not a clue, if your goal is success, this cookie is 4 U. Waste not, want not.
Beverly took a bite, and still chewing, asked, “Did you ahh…you know…finish?”
Moving her hands excitedly, Jill nodded enthusiastically. “Finish? Bev. I had the big O and I’m not talking tires. It was the greatest feeling I’ve ever experienced. It was like traveling in space. There goes Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Look at that meteor shower, isn’t it electrifying? Is that a comet over there?”
Bev raised a solo brow. “And would you like more experiences like that?”
“Would I? Beverly, I would almost sell my soul for more experiences like that.”
Beverly leaned back and then pointed at Jill's fortune cookies. “Luckily, you don't have to do that. Eat one of your cookies.”
Jill stared at them then pulled the wrapping off one and read her fortune.
'This cookie of love is no hex, the nectar of life is sex, should love be your desire, a cookie for you each, as you retire. Waste not, want not.’
“Hmmm.” That saying from last night again. She thought.
A loud crash filtered through the room caused by someone dropping a tray of dishes. Beverly jerked then looked reassuringly at Jill. “Go on eat it, but save the other for your partner next time you get...you know...intimate.” She was serious.
Jill laughed quietly. “I wish! Except for my dream, I haven't had sex with anyone in six months. This cookie might be rock hard by the time I get a chance to give it to my sex partner.”
Beverly lifted her eyes to the ceiling and smiled, shaking her head in a wry all-knowing manner. “Honey, your luck is about to change. Prepare to be swept off your feet.”
Jill absorbed what Beverly said and found it hilarious. She laughed uproariously.
“What's so funny?”
Jill paused to pick up a napkin and wiped her eyes. “Nothing. It's really stupid. It's just when you said I would be swept off my feet. I thought, I could sure use a good sweeping.”
Beverly joined in laughing with Jill, tears running down their cheeks.
Outside, the rain hadn't diminished one iota by the time they finished and were ready to leave. In fact, it seemed even stronger. They said their goodbyes outside of the restaurant under the protective overhang of the awning, hugged and then Beverly dashed back to the office.
Jill had an assignment to complete, so she sat down at the nearby bus stop to wait for a bus. She felt lucky because it was covered, which kept the rain off her, but that lasted only until Chad showed up.
She sat there, reading a Danielle Steele paperback, waiting for the bus, when without warning, a wave of cool rainwater swamped her. She and Danielle Steele were both soaked. Nothing had been spared, not even her hair. Shocked, she glanced up and glimpsed a red Corvette rounding the corner. She noticed the silhouette of a man and cursed his carelessness under her breath. Now she needed to take a cab home, or buy a new outfit, which she’d have to charge. She’d just been paid, but as usual was already broke.
A Checker Cab approached and she rose to wave, when suddenly, the same Corvette cut the cab off, and pulled alongside the curb. After rolling down the window, the driver leaned over. His friendly blue eyes twinkled, and he lavished her with the friendliest smile she’d seen in years. He was very apologetic and…he was gorgeous. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I wasn’t thinking, and I drenched you before I realized it. I feel terrible. Please, let me take you somewhere to dry off?”
Gorgeous Man’s voice, a rich baritone, had a western drawl. She wanted to go, to learn more about this interesting man, but told him bluntly, “Thanks, but as you can see you’ve caused enough damage.”
“Say, aren’t you that TV reporter? Ah…don’t tell me. Jill. That’s it! Jill Sinclair. You are re-e-ally good. I can see you’re getting cold. Please, let me take you somewhere to change or at least warm up. If nothing else, take this Kleenex and dab your eyes. Your mascara is running.”
Jill, suspecting he was looking at her breasts when he said she was getting cold, confirmed it by sneaking a peek, as she accepted the tissue. Her nipples were showing through her wet blouse and bra, and that wasn’t all. She was beginning to feel warm and tingly. She didn’t have time to think about the ramifications of this sensation, because the scheduled bus pulled up and started to honk at the Corvette, for blocking the passenger loading zone. Smiling, Gorgeous Man waved for her to join him but she was worried. She didn’t know him. He could be a Ted Bundy acolyte. The bus’s horn kept blaring and Gorgeous Man gradually started to pull away. His adorable smile widened and he shrugged, as if saying, what am I supposed to do? Jill had a good feeling about him, but still she resisted.
The Corvette rounded the corner. That’s the end of Gorgeous Man. Disgusted, she closed her eyes and mumbled under her breath, “God, I wish I wasn’t such a coward.”
Then something weird and wonderful happened.
“Hi, I’m Chad Conroy,” A rich baritone voice introduced himself.
Who said that? She thought.
Opening her eyes, she almost passed out. Stunned doesn’t begin to describe how Jill felt. She was in the Corvette. She started to panic. Short of breath, she screeched, “How did I get in here?”
Gorgeous Man, AKA, Chad Conroy, cut her a warm, reassuring smile and said, “You rushed over to my car, ma’am, and hopped in.”
She wasn’t quite ready to buy that, but strange things had been happening to her all day, night too if you included her pornographic dream. Besides, Chad with his angelic face, and lean, well muscled frame, distracted her. Chad. She thought. What else could you expect from someone named Chad?
She studied him as he drove, admiring what she saw, while guarding against any false move from him. Chad reached behind his seat, pulled out a large sweater, and handed it to her. “Here, you might want to put this on and pull your wet blouse off, so you don’t catch cold.” Chad’s sandy brown hair appeared a little disheveled. As his bright blue eyes took in Jill’s essence, she noticed that when he smiled, which was a lot, a dimple formed in each cheek. Although Jill couldn’t tell how tall he was sitting in his sports car, she guessed he was six feet tall.
Following Chad’s advice, she removed her blouse and bra under the sweater.
“Where would you like to go?” She knew it didn’t make sense but she was reluctant for him to know where she lived. However, she was willing to go back to his apartment so she could dry off.
“Do you live far?” Jill wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but his dimples were the size of quarters when he smiled.
Chad’s sweater felt like alpaca. It pressed softly and sensuously against her uncovered breasts. The traffic was congested and progress was excruciating in the heavy rain, but for some reason she was not in a hurry. Jill thought the rain seemed romantic and she couldn’t get over how mesmerizing Chad’s voice was, while tendrils fragrance from his musky cologne completed his sexy aura. She didn’t know if it was the ambience, or the fortune cookie, but the warm tingle had centered between her thighs and increased. She felt aroused, which led her to having suggestive thoughts about Chad. Closing her eyes, she imagined him kissing her neck, touching her breasts, and moving his fingers around the nipples.
This isn’t like me! She thought. It seemed as if she suddenly had the libido of someone else. Her mind said stop, but her body rebelled. “You wouldn’t have a blanket back there too, would you?”
“As a matter of fact,” he replied, giving Jill his most endearing smile, he fetched a small blanket.
Jill reluctantly accepted what appeared to be child’s blanket. She checked his hand. He wore no wedding band. “Are you married?”
He shook his head. “Oh, you’re wondering about the blanket? I sometimes help my sister out and take my nephew, Jimmy. He’s eight.”
Relieved, Jill relaxed and positioned the blanket loosely over her breasts and down to her knees. As Jill’s evolving desire gained momentum, she moved her left hand to her right breast and placed her other hand between her legs. Unseen under the blanket, she languidly moved her fingers, pleasuring herself, imagining that his hands were on her sensitive areas. Jill wasn’t sure what was happening, whether it was the fortune cookie, a strong attraction, or simple lust, but this man had a strong effect on her.
It seemed to take forever to get Chad’s apartment and since she was shamelessly preoccupied, she hadn’t paid attention to where they were heading. She paused for a second to consider where they were. She suspected they were in Queens.
“Do you mind if I remove my wet skirt and panties?”
Glancing at her, his smile was as wide as Central Park. “Heck no, ma’am. Whatever turns you on.”
Jill flushed and had trouble catching her breath. “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing, ma’am. It’s just an expression.” He smiled and winked.
With the removal of her skirt and panties providing clear access to her erogenic zones, she couldn’t control herself. Chad was inside her now—in her fantasy, that was—stroking her, his pelvis pounding against her abdomen on each inward stroke, which coincided with each swipe of the windshield wipers. It was getting hot. The windows had steamed up from the humidity. The world suddenly seemed surreal.
She ran her finger around the nipple in rhythm with the in and out movements of her fingers within her core. Her thumb strummed an erotic symphony on her little love bud. Maybe that was part of the turn on—fondling and caressing herself in front of him. She couldn’t help it, she was moaning under her breath and thrusting her sex into her fingers. Could Chad see this?
She glanced over to make sure his eyes were on the road and not on her thighs. They were, but he did sneak a quick look at her, smiling in a conspiratorial manner, before looking back to the road. Again, she wondered if he could see her pleasuring herself. She was beyond caring. The feeling…the moment…the all-consuming primal urges were all that mattered. The idea of Chad being aware of her actions was as sexy as it was humiliating. Then, unexpectedly, but oh so welcome—sudden and full release! Unable to help it, she yelped. Mortified, she looked away. She hoped Chad hadn’t heard it or if he did, maybe took it for, heavy rain, traffic noise in the big city, or the windshield wipers squeaking. But no—
“Is something wrong?” She heard him say.
She pictured him grinning. Refusing to turn her head, she answered him, “No. I’m fine, really. It was just a sudden chill.”
Out of her surreal world, she hoped he hadn’t realized what she’d done. That would be embarrassing. What is wrong with me, she thought for the tenth time. I’m not like this. Her mind kept flashing back to what Beverly said when she told her that she hadn’t had sex in six months. “Your luck is about to change.”
She hoped Bev was right. She finally dared to turn and look at Chad. He must have been waiting because he looked right at her with a brilliant all knowing smile, dimples a-blazing, and said with his melodic Western drawl, “Relief is just ahead.”
She turned around to face him, annoyance on her face. “What the hell does that mean?”
Chad sexily raised a single eyebrow. “Oh, just that you'll be warm and cozy and can relax.”
She calmed. “Yes, that would be nice.” Self-conscious she dropped her eyes from his intense gaze. That’s when she noticed what appeared to be an erection tenting his jeans.
“How much farther?” she asked.
“About ten or fifteen minutes I’d say.”
Now, that she’d temporarily sated herself, Jill asked, “I can tell from your accent, you’re not from here. So, where are you from?”
Chad had been acting antsy. He surreptitiously reached down to his crotch with his left hand and adjusted something. “My Arizona drawl gave me away, huh? I’m from a little town about halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff, called Camp Verde. My family owns ranch just outside of town on the way to Payson.”
Chad’s Arizona origins explained his tanned complexion. His sandy brown hair even had sun-bleached highlights. His blue eyes were a little narrow, and the color of cornflowers. His nose was straight with a little bump at the top. Hawkish, she thought. His weathered skin was not perfect, but perfect in its imperfection. His mouth...his mouth was extraordinarily sensuous with relatively thin lips, beautifully straight white teeth and a brilliant smile.
Tell me some more about yourself. What brought you all the way to the Big Apple from Arizona?”
“Don’t laugh. I came here to be an actor. I’ve been here two months. For now, I have a day job in the building trades. I picked up enough from working at our ranch to do almost anything, so I hooked on with a builder. At night, I have a part in an ‘Off Broadway play.’ You’ll have to come and see me sometime.”
Jill got goose bumps at the idea of seeing him on a stage. “I’d like that.” Then without thinking, she blurted out, “You are very good looking. Has anyone ever told you look like Robert Redford in the Sundance Kid?”
Chad's smile flashed bright, white, perfect teeth, but he did blush a little too.
Jill jumped as he honked his horn.
“Sorry, they fell asleep at the green light. To answer your question, yeah, I've heard that a time or two.”
Jill thought he might be able to get a girl in bed without a word, just his smile, however, failing that, his marvelous voice would seal the deal. “I love your voice. I'll bet girls melt when you speak to them.”
“I don't mean to brag, but they usually melt before I speak.”
Jill rolled her eyes, then threw her head back and laughed. “Chad Conroy. You're a cad, but a likable cad.”
“Good. I know I like you. Maybe it's your sexy attire and the compelling odor of wet wool.”
She laughed again, even louder. Smiling, she gazed out the window. It was still overcast and raining. “You sure know how to woo a girl.”
“Woo a girl. Is that what I'm doing?”
“I don't know. Are you? Don't you have a girl friend?”
“Not here. Not yet. My girlfriend broke up with me when I moved here.”
She snickered. Then looked at him and smiled.
Chad frowned. “Glad you think it's so funny.”
“You were dumped?” Jill put her hand on Chad's knee. “She must be crazy.”
“I wouldn't know, but I do have an opening. Would you like to apply?”
Jill looked around. The rain had stopped and he turned off the windshield wipers. Rays of sunlight tried to peek through the clouds. All of a sudden, Jill grew serious. She curled into the corner and smiled demurely at Chad.
“I don't know. What's it pay?”
“It doesn't pay in money.”
Jill raised a single eyebrow. “No. What then?”
“It pays in love. Lots of love!”
“And sex?”
“That depends on you. We're here.”
Chapter Two
Eddie Chang’s Chinese Bistro, Three Months Later
Three young women sat at a table at Eddie Chang’s Chinese restaurant. An ice bucket with a bottle of Champagne waited beside them.
Jill sighed, while she tapped her fingers on the surface and scanned the entrance, “I wonder what’s keeping Gail?”
Rita glanced at her watch, and said, “Calm down, Jill. You know how Gail is often late for our luncheons.”
Jill had been in high spirits. She was anxious to trumpet her exciting news, and she waited for her closest friend, Gail’s arrival. Jill dug her cell phone out of her Luce leather handbag and speed-dialed Gail’s number.
Saundra inhaled. “Shall we go ahead and order? I’m famished and the heavenly aromas emanating from the kitchen smell delicious.”
Jill waved her hand signaling for quiet. “Gail? Hi, this is Jill. Is everything all right? Where are you?”
A pert young woman, smartly dressed in a burgundy business suit arrived at their table. “I’m right here, sweetie.”
Rita looked up and smiled. “Ah, there you are. Glad you made it. We were thinking about ordering without you.”
Gail glanced toward Rita, nodded and sat in the empty seat between Jill and Rita. Addressing Jill, she said, “Sorry, I’m late Sweetie. It’s as if my boss has a sixth sense when I have something planned. Today, he brought me a twenty page contract to review at eleven forty, which had to be finished before I could take lunch.”
After weeks of trying unsuccessfully to get her friends together, Jill beamed. They were finally all here. She assured Gail, “Don’t worry, Gail, we understand. It’s not a problem.”
* * * *
Gail glanced warmly at Jill. She wasn’t gorgeous like Rita. Nor was she rich and sophisticated like Saundra. Still, Gail felt closest to Jill. She was nice looking—quite fetching actually—but her best trait and the reason Gail felt close to her was she was sweet. Rita, Jill and Saundra had been classmates at Hofstra University. They, along with two other out-of-state friends had comprised the ‘Sexy Six.’ The four that remained in the New York area remained friends.
Gail placed her hand on top of Jill’s while she stared straight at Rita and Saundra. “Gee, thanks, Jill. I knew if anybody would understand it would be you.”
Both Rita and Saundra responded to this jibe with a little tender understanding of their own and some backtracking. Gail hushed them up. “Okay, Jill. You brought us here for a reason. I believe you have some major earth-shaking event to reveal to us?”
* * * *
With her eyes and smile wide, Jill had a self-satisfied look on her face as if she had struck gold in her back yard, but she was reluctant to reveal her surprise quickly.
“Yes. Please tell us your news?” asked Rita, “I have a photo shoot at two-thirty for the cover of Glamour. I can’t be late.
Jill’s eyes had a mischievous sparkle. Looking to prolong her big news, she said, “Guess!”
Rita rolled her eyes and started to say something but Saundra cut her off, “You got a promotion—Channel Eleven finally made you anchor?”
“I wish. Good try, but that’s not it. It’s something better, something that will change my life.”
“Did you win the lottery or inherit some money?” Gail guessed.
“Another good guess, but no. This has nothing to do with career or money.”
Just then, the waiter came, and the ‘Fantastic Four’ ordered. An appetizer plate, grilled vegetable medley, Chang’s special shrimp foo yung with low fat topping, spicy lettuce rolls and house fried rice.
After the waiter left, Gail joked, “Jill, are you going to tell us what your big news is, or am I going to break your arm?”
Jill threw her head back and laughed. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Don’t test me!” Gail warned.
The busboy filled their drinks. Then, seconds later the waiter brought the order and spread the food around the table. “Is there anything else I can bring?”
“Thank you. I think we'll be fine for now.”
The waiter left and everyone helped themselves.
After awhile, Jill paused and teased.
“Are you ready to guess some more?”
Rita looked at Jill with a straight face. “I got it! You registered Republican.”
Gail coughed and accidentally spit out some of the green tea they’d just been served. Jill gave Rita a disgusted look.
Saundra’s eyes had a flash of anger. “What’s wrong with being a Republican?”
Trying to head off trouble, Gail answered Saundra’s question, “Nothing, dear. Don’t worry about Rita. She’s just baiting you.”
Rita pushed it, “Saundra was born a republican.”
Jill had reached her limit. She slapped her hand down on the table. Patrons at the adjacent table stopped and stared as Jill let off steam.
Loud enough to make the entire restaurant look, she said, “Enough! Stop the squabbling right now! Since you continue to make a joke out of my surprise, I’ll just tell you—I’m pregnant!”
Three mouths dropped open in unison. For once Gail seemed to be at a loss for words.
Meanwhile Jill’s attention drew toward the unexpected clamor from the adjacent tables and booths in the form of clapping and spoken congratulations. She turned and smiled at everyone, nodding as she went. Yet, the commotion continued, so Jill stood and waved. Now, the whole restaurant applauded. Jill turned beet red and bowed several times. At last, the applause died down allowing her to return to her friends.
She sat back down and looked at her friends. “My, what a friendly bunch.”
Finally, Gail managed to squeak out, “Pregnant? For real?” Flashing a big smile, Jill nodded. “Oh, Jill, that’s so wonderful.” Hugging her. Gail asked, “This is such a shock, when’s the baby due?”
“December twelfth.”
Rita got up also hugged Jill adding, “This is so exciting. I’m sorry, I didn’t think of that.”
Everyone was happy for Jill, except Saundra, who unfortunately, was incensed. “How are we supposed to guess that, when you’re not even married? In fact, I don’t remember you even having a boyfriend. Who’s the father or is this an immaculate conception?”
Rita and Gail looked at Saundra with incomprehension, not believing the meanness in Saundra’s words, but Jill looked straight at her and replied. “Immaculate conception? Not hardly, but if you must call it something, call it a fortune cookie conception.”
Saundra had been trying to have a baby for a few years and since Jill, who wasn’t even married, was expecting a baby, she wasn’t taking this gracefully. “Fortune cookie conception!” Saundra blurted out, “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Jill had everyone’s undivided attention. “You didn’t let me finish. I met someone. A wonderful man named Chad Conroy. We’re in love! Chad and I are going to get married and it all happened after I ate one of Eddie Chang’s Fortune Cookies.”
Rita demanded incredulously, “What could a fortune cookie have to do with getting pregnant?”
Gail, who apparently could see that Jill was getting upset, grabbed her hand. “Yes Jill, please tell us how the fortune cookie fits in.”
“Don’t you see? That’s why I brought you all here. I wanted you to find happiness, like I have. I wanted you to eat the special Fortune Cookie.”
Glancing at her friends, Jill saw nothing reassuring in their expressions.
Gail grabbed and held both of Jill’s hands and said, “Jill, honey, I think you’d better start at the beginning.”
After telling her friends about having lunch with Beverly, the rain and her extraordinary ride with Chad to his apartment, she paused to take a drink.
From obvious astonishment, her friend’s mouths were all open the whole time she told her story. When Jill paused to take a drink, Saundra indignantly harangued Jill, “My God! Are you losing your mind? You actually masturbated in front of this man. A stranger?”
Jill looked at her uptight, sometimes bitchy friend and replied, “That’s right! Sucked and fucked him too! Can you think of a better way to get to know someone?”
Shocked by Jill’s rare use of profanity, Gail and Rita burst out laughing.
An older woman at the next table looked sternly at Jill and whispered to her elderly companion.
Saundra smiled. “No, I suppose I can’t. What I don’t understand, is why you’re so sure it’s the fortune cookie that made you act that way. You could have just been smitten with the man. He does sound like a dream.”
“Oh yeah, he is, but I know the fortune cookies work. Let me tell you why I know.”
Jill’s friends sat right up and leaned toward her expectantly. “You remember Beverly, right?” They all concurred and Jill continued, “After my night of torrid sex with Chad, my clothes had dried sufficiently to wear them to work. When I arrived at work, I sought Beverly, out. I was dying to tell her about my fabulous evening. I walked into her cubicle, but she wasn’t there. Sherman, her assistant told me she’d been moved upstairs, promoted to Assistant Producer. I couldn't figure out how she’d swung it until I remembered the blue fortune cookie.”
Saundra shook her head. “Still, it didn't have to be the cookie.”
A disgusted look formed on Gail’s face. “Right, five levels? Let her finish.”
“When I finally reached Beverly, she was too busy to talk so we arranged a meet after work. There, I told her about my extraordinary night and it turns out the same thing happened to her a few weeks before. A friend brought her here. After eating one of the red cookies, she met Clifford, an assistant to the Mayor, covering a story, and within hours, they were in bed, at her place.
Saundra exclaimed, “Clifford Lang? I know him. She’s going with him? He's hot!”
“Yes. Beverly and Clifford have been inseparable since then.”
A middle aged couple approach the table. “Hi, I don't mean to interrupt, but when I find out someone is expecting, I get so excited. I'll bet your husband’s excited.”
“My fiancé. Yes, he's walking on a cloud.”
“Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to offer my congratulations. You're all so pretty and you have such a sweet look, I'll bet you'll be a wonderful mother.” The man nodded, the lady took Jill's hand and hugged her.
“Oh, thank you, you're too kind and thanks for stopping by.”
“As the couple leave, Gail, Rita and Saundra nod approvingly.
After Jill sat back down, Rita turned to her. “If I wanted to, could I order a blue cookie?”
“No, you need to eat a red one first.”
Saundra frowned. “Why’s that, I'm already married? I don't need a boyfriend. And Gail is going with her law-clerk. Why couldn't we skip the red and take a blue cookie?”
Gail grit her teeth and stared at Saundra. “Damnit, Saundra. Sometimes I think you try to be annoying. Jeremy is not my boyfriend, though he'd like to be. When the need arises, he comforts me. We comfort each other.”
“Yeah, he's her fuck buddy.”
Gail turned toward Rita, reacting sharply to her quip. “Rita-a-a!”
“Sorry. Anyway, Saundra, I know you're married, dear, but I'm not so sure Basil knows it. He may not be right for you. This sounds like a way to find out.”
“What do you mean not right for me? I’ve been married to him for six years.”
Jill didn’t give Rita a chance to answer. “To answer your question Saundra, everyone has to start with red. The theory is, if your love life is lacking nothing else will work right. After that I don’t know.”
An impish smile appeared on Gail’s face. “Tell me Jill. Just how did you manage to get Chad to take the other red cookie?”
Jill gave the girls a beatific smile and said, “You’ll hear about that when I tell the rest of my story.”
Chapter Three
Chad’s Apartment, three months earlier
The small one-bedroom apartment featured contemporary furnishings. It was neat and clean, except for about a dozen dishes sitting on the drain board. Chad used posters of actors, old and new, from Gary Cooper to Johnny Depp, for wall coverings. All the posters were male, which made Jill slightly anxious about his sexual orientation. He had a small bookcase, which contained titles about acting, with a few scattered King and Koontz novels.
Jill continued to wear Chad’s sweater and had the blanket wrapped around her waist, but she was still naked as the proverbial jaybird underneath.
With Chad’s height being over six-feet-two and with her being relatively short at five-feet-four, he towered over her by almost a foot. After putting her wet skirt and blouse in Chad’s stacked washer/dryer unit, he invited Jill to sit. As Chad set the dryer to the gentle warm cycle, she just knew he would be gentle and warm as well. She settled on his sofa and he offered her something to drink. She requested a bottle of water.
He opened a light beer placing it and a bottle of water on the coffee table and sat down on the couch. As if frozen, she stared at the floor. Chad took a swig of his beer, moved halfway over to Jill and propped his feet in the center of the coffee table. Then he placed his right arm on the back of the couch. His hand reached forward and his fingers begin to play with strands of her hair.
She shivered from his touch. She glanced at his feet and her gaze worked its way upward, stopping at the overt bulge in his jeans and returning to the floor.
“What would you like to talk about?”
“I have a question. How come a great looking guy like you isn't married?”
He chuckles. “If I answered that question truthfully, I would sound conceited.”
“Try me.” Oh yes try me. She thought.
“Well Miss Sinclair. . . Jill. If I were to marry, I would be restricted to one woman and though I have looked, I have yet to find a woman with whom I could be totally faithful. I like and enjoy different women. Like trying different fine wines, to enjoy and set aside when a new bottle is ready to be sampled. If I were to find a woman who makes further sampling unnecessary, I’d marry her, if she’d have me.”
Jill turned and glared at him “You’re right. It does sound conceited. But since you’re speaking of favors, could you do one for me?”
Chad’s eyes met hers,
“I was wondering if you could scoot over and put your arm around me? I’m having trouble warming up.”
Smiling, dimples and all, he slid over and put his right arm around her. God, he smells sexy too. She thought Now, being next to him, his arm over her shoulder and his fingers, an inch or two from her breasts, her arousal shot up a degree or two, which she hadn’t thought possible. She didn’t need to warm up so much as cool off, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.
Afraid to look at him, she stared straight ahead, trying to think of what to say next, when he asked her in that deep seductive voice, “Does that help?”
She almost said, No you gorgeous hunk of flesh. It’s making things worse. Instead, she turned her head toward him. His beautiful face was so close their noses were almost touching. Naturally, the first thing she saw was his alluring smile, which made her want to take him in her arms and kiss him, so she did. She turned her head slightly and lightly touched her lips to his. He responded with fervor, parting her lips, skirting her slightly parted teeth in search of her tongue. Following a dance of tongues, he kissed her neck and nibbled on her ear. He whispered, “I’ve wanted to do that since the minute I saw you. You are beautiful.”
Jill didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing and kissed him once more, aggressively, while running her hands through his magnificent sandy-colored mane. While kissing her, he started to lift the sweater up and over her head. He paused as she started unbuttoning his shirt. He finished for her, removing the shirt and throwing it on the coffee table. Once he’d removed her sweater, Chad, admiring her breasts said, “Nice,” before returning to their passionate kiss and moving his hand to one of her breasts. As he began to move his finger in a pleasure circle around her nipple, Jill’s eyes zinged open. Déjà vu—he said ‘NICE’!
Chad jerked away. “Ouch! What’d you do that for?”
“What?”
Chad seemed incredulous. “You…you bit my tongue. That’s what?”
“Sorry. I have to ask you a question. Do you know Eddie?”
Chad had a bemused look on his face. “Eddie…Eddie who?”
“Eddie! A short Chinese guy with pigtails and a long drooping mustache. You know him don’tcha?”
Chad “No. I can’t say I do. Why?”
“Oh, nothing. I’ll tell you about it later after we finish.”
“Finish what?”
Do I have the nerve to say what I’m thinking?
“Why, make love of course. You’re not going to withhold your favors from me after we’ve gone this far, are you?” as she looked down at his hand, which was still upon her breast. She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it, the returning it to her breast, smiled. Then she flushed at what she’d said and did.
Chad flashed a devilish smile, “What a fabulous idea,” he continued sarcastically. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He rubbed the back of his knuckles tenderly against her cheek. “Seriously, you drive me crazy, baby. I want you so much.” He touched his forefinger to her lips and stroked her hair. He kissed her softly. His tongue divided her lips once more and ran over her teeth, then pried them apart and sought out a passage to her tongue.
Ummm, he is a wonderful kisser. She shivered.
“A sudden chill?” he asked jokily, referring to her explanation to cover her climax in the car.
Very funny.
“Oh!” Jill remembered the red cookie and she stopped him. She reached down into her purse, felt it and pulled it out, showing it to him. “Here, you need to eat this.”
“What is it?”
“A performance enhancer.”
“Really. What’s the matter, hasn’t my performance been good enough?”
Oh yes, you are magnificent. Please take the goddammned cookie so you can continue to drive me crazy. “Of course it has, just eat the cookie and I’ll do something special for you.”
“Like what?”
“It’s a surprise. Eat the cookie and you’ll see.” Chad took the cookie, looked it over, took a bite chewed and swallowed it. Then he put the rest of the cookie in his mouth and swallowed it.
“Now, what's my surprise?”
“You have been a good boy.” Jill stood and removed her last vestige of clothing, the blanket that wrapped around her waist. While her friends always said she was attractive, even pretty with her pert shoulder length bob and friendly blue eyes, she, on the other hand, was her own worst critic. She never thought she was much above average, however, she felt her figure was top notch. She noticed him staring admiringly her, taking in her upright breasts and slender hourglass figure, something, which she worked very hard for and was justly proud. She was in her naked glory, but felt no reticence. Instead of modesty, she felt exhilaration. The new Jill, felt divinely naked and wickedly adventurous.
As Chad’s beautiful blues drank in her attributes, he reached out and pulled her to him placing his fingers on her taut throbbing rose-tipped nipples, circling, flicking and rubbing them tenderly, sending signals of need to her core. She purred, shivering at his touch. His eyes examined her mons. He seemed drawn to the sexy, tender, nub of flesh at the top of her folds, which dangled alluringly below her well-trimmed pubis. She felt as though she might pass out when his tongue found her sensitive bundle of nerves, and a hot bolt of electricity shot through her.
She couldn’t stand anymore and sat, then laid down, her head against the armrest. Chad knelt on one knee and split her legs apart. One of which ended up over his shoulder as he buried his handsome face in the sexy hollow between her thighs. “Oh God!” She arched her back when another scorching shock of current pulsed through her from his tongue swabbing the rim, then dipping inside her hot crème filled channel. She gasped loudly when fingers replaced his tongue, gliding and out of her slippery recess. His lips moved upward enveloping her clitoris. Sucking on her sensitive bud and flicking his tongue over the ultra sensitive tip drove her bananas. Her excitement was such that she could feel the blood pulsing through her body and breathed heavily. She was hotter than Fourth of July firecracker, thrashing her head and flailing her arms. She reached for his head and as her long fingers tunneled through his mane, she pushed her pussy forward seeking more tongue and fingers. She was primed, nothing but putty in his sensational mouth and hands. It came with soul-shattering intensity in seconds. Her entire body quaked as her pussy spasmed around his fingers, and a wave of scintillating pulses slammed through her.
Holding his head in place, his mouth to her vulva as she slowly recovered from her sizzling orgasm, she could see a sparkle in his eyes, as he gazed along her lean shapely torso straight into her eyes. “I love the sexy view from here. I also love to suck on your tender bud.” He then sucked her nub and continued flicking his tongue over it. She was getting as aroused as before. He was making it very hard to try other things. She took his head and raised it to her welcoming lips. After a long wet kiss, she said, “That feels wonderful and I love what you’re doing to me, but I need that long hard thing of yours buried in me.”
She pushed him back and rose. His only remaining item of clothing was his jeans. She grabbed his hand and jerked him to his feet. Bending down, she dragged the denims down, and over his as he stepped out of them. Rising she said, “I’d like to see your bedroom now.” Reaching between her legs as if he knew what he was doing, he lifted her up as her legs spread and eased her down onto his stiff upright member. Realizing what he was doing she wrapped an arm around his neck and guided him into her needy channel. She gasped from the suddenly full feeling as his cock stretched her.
Shivers shot through her as he whispered breathily in her ear, “Is that what you wanted?”
Ahhh, just like my fantasy in the car. “Oh, yes. Now I need you to fuck me.” Her legs wrapped and crossed around him. She nibbled on his earlobe as he waddled into the bedroom and set her down on the dresser. She watched his magic wand disappear then reappear within her as he stroked her, while his hands once again fondled her breasts. A deep ache began to build inside her core and sear her flesh with heat.
As good as her fantasy had been this was better. He fit inside her perfectly and stroked her tenderly but firm. She had never experienced sex this wonderful. She never even knew it was possible and Chad was so sexy. It almost made her come to look at him. His lean, slightly haired chest. His flat washboard tummy. Her hands felt behind him, kneading his tight buns, while his cock pummeled her sizzling, slick pussy and his talented hands roamed all over her body. She pulled him in tighter, allowing his rhythmic pounding to stroke her clit. She could feel an orgasm coming on. She was almost there. Then when Chad suckled her nipple, she exploded. Stars flew everywhere as he rang her bell. She bent down and found his ear with her mouth. She bit down on it and suddenly, Chad thrust forward. He was cuming. He was grinding his cock into her deep well. It felt so good, so natural. She loved it. She wanted more, much more. For the rest of her life. She wanted Chad. She loved Chad.
How could she love Chad? She only met him five hours ago. I don’t know, but I know I love him and I think he loves me!
Jill was in sexual nirvana. She thanked the gods that Chad was straight. Then she recalled, my dream lover had mentioned the gods. How strange this all is.
After climaxing on the dresser, recalling her sexy dream, she came again and then Chad came again. They moved to the bed where Jill, Chad’s semen running down her legs, rung the bell a few more times—she’d lost count.
She opened her eyes and saw daylight. Jill hadn’t remembered going to sleep. Maybe she passed out from exhaustion. She peeked under the sheet and was still naked. She noticed a couple love marks, but was no worse for wear and felt completely satisfied with no more urges for sex. Then she noticed Chad, lying on his side facing her. Oops, he had a hickey on his neck. She hoped he didn’t mind.
Slipping out of bed She entered the bathroom. After taking a shower, she dressed in yesterday's now dry clothes. She's stood at the bathroom sink looking in the mirror, applying her makeup when she feels Chad's strong arms around her. Turning around, she observed Chad’s nakedness and sensed a warm sensation returning in her loins.
“What’re ya doing, gorgeous?”
“Getting ready for work. I missed all afternoon yesterday and there’s a story I need to check out.”
Concern flashed across his face. “You weren’t going to walk out of here and never see me again, were you?”
“Not unless that’s what you want.”
Chad flashed an aw-shucks smile. “Well, that’s not what I want. I think we’ve got something good going and I want to be with you.”
Jill was a little skeptical about Mr. Sowing-my-Seeds. “And I want to be with you, but I’m not a good time girl. Honesty in affairs of the heart is not always a good thing, but I’m going to be honest. I am very attracted to you and could fall in love with you, but I will not be the next bottle of wine to be sampled.”
Chad’s grim grew wider, then he chuckled. “I would say I’ve more than sampled you. I drank the whole bottle and I’m drunk with desire for Jill Sinclair 2012.” With apparent sincerity, he continued, “Jill, I don’t want a fling. I want something permanent. Come back to bed with me and when we’re finished, I’ll drive you where you need to go.”
A tear formed in Jill’s eye. She looked over his nakedness once more. “Doesn’t your weapon ever take a break?”
“Not when it has someone as lovely and talented as you in sight. It wants you! I want you—permanently!”
“Are you sure.”
He nodded and took her hands
“Once you get me, you won’t be able to get rid of me. I refuse to be your next discard.”
“I would never get rid of you. Didn’t I say when I found someone special I would marry her? Well I’m going to be honest now. Marriage has flashed through my mind, but for now I would like us to live together.”
She hugged and kissed Chad passionately before heading back to bed.
Chapter Four
Eddie Chang’s – Chad
Finishing her sanitized version of events, Jill announced, “That’s my story. We are totally in love and have been together ever since. I became pregnant about six weeks ago and when Chad found out, he insisted we get married.”
Gail cooed, “That’s so romantic. Chad sounds like a fabulous guy. I’m really happy for you, Jill.”
Rita’s eyes were watering and mascara was beginning to run. She hugged Jill, and whispered in her ear, “I’m so happy for you, too. No one deserves happiness more than you.”
Jill whispered back, “Except maybe you.” She knew Rita was still heartbroken over losing her fiancé four years ago in a hunting accident, three weeks before they were to marry.
Saundra, apparently feeling left out decided to speak once again when she shouldn’t. “Romantic? How can you say it’s romantic? She hooks up with a guy she’s never seen, gets laid in record time, then to top it off she gets pregnant. I would call it depraved.”
Gail was so incensed she addressed Saundra by her hated nickname. “Sandy, just shut the fuck up! Will you? You’re just pissed because your sex life, like mine, is in the shitter. If you really consider us to be your friends you will apologize to Jill, right now.”
Saundra started to respond to Gail, but seemed to think better of it, like just maybe she was jealous of Jill.
It was Jill who saved Saundra’s bacon, “No big deal, Gail. Saundra is right. It does seem a little depraved, but that’s the way the cookies work. They turn your world upside down while turning your love life topsy-turvy. Instead of a normal courtship where you date for a while and grow to love your partner before you make love, the cookies compel you to make love first. I know it sounds bizarre, but it works. I don’t care if you think my behavior is decadent, Chad is worth being depraved over. You remember that old saying ‘One woman’s romance is another woman’s depravity.’”
Everyone laughed at Jill’s juxtaposition of the old saying, even Saundra.
“I'm sorry Jill, I think maybe I'm a little jealous, especially since I've been trying to have a baby. I probably wouldn't mind a few sexy urges myself.”
Gail smiles at Saundra and pats her hand. “That’s nice Saundra.”
Then she turns to Jill. “So, when is the big day?”
Remembering her upcoming marriage, Jill’s face lit up. Four weeks from tomorrow. It will be a small, private affair. Only our closest friends and family will be invited, and of course you guys. I want all three of you to be my bridesmaids, but I can’t single any one of you to be my maid of honor so Beverly agreed to be it. After all, she is responsible for me meeting Chad.”
Being the ever-practical one and Jill suspected she felt a little guilty too, Saundra asked Jill, “Are you and Chad in a strong enough financial position to start a family? If you need any financial help, I’d love to help out.”
“Absolutely,” Adds Gail, “Count me in, too. Anything you need. Just name it. Anything.”
Then Rita volunteered, “And I'd love to throw a bridal and baby shower for you.”
A tear rolled down Jill’s cheek. “You girls are the best. I/we appreciate your offer, but we'll be fine.”
Rita tried again, “How about babysitting? You know how crazy I am about kids. I’d love to be your babysitter during my free time and you wouldn’t have to pay me, either.”
Before Jill could respond, the server was setting a cup of green tea and two cellophane wrapped red fortune cookies in front of everyone except Jill, who received a blue fortune cookie.
Jill and her friends glanced up and noticed the inscrutable Eddie Chang standing behind the waiter. He was bowing from the waist. He stepped over and bowed once more, saying, “It pleases me greatly to help such pretty young women find amour. Return with your men and we will talk.”
Eddie bowed once more and left.
Saundra asked, “What’s this?”
“I told you, I want all of you to have the same shot at love I had, even if it is a little depraved.”
Rita snickered, but Jill continued, “Did you see the little man in the Chinese outfit? That’s Eddie Chang. Wait until I tell you about the crazy dream I had involving him.”
Gail had already started eating her cookie, while Saundra looked confused about what she should do.
Rita looked at her watch and frowned. “I’d love to stay and hear about your dream, but I really have to run.” She stood, gave Jill a peck on the cheek. Then while still bending over, she stopped and looked up toward the source of an intriguing voice.
“My, my, aren’t you a pretty one?”
Their gazes drew to the great-looking man that stood behind Jill, hands on her shoulders.
Rita slumped back into the chair. “I could say the same about you, handsome.”
Chad was wearing his cowboy hat today, Gail, joked suggestively, “You wouldn’t want to check out my private tattoo, would you, cowboy? You could leave your cowboy hat on.”
“Sorry, ma’am, I am happily taken.”
Chad bent down and kissed Jill heartily on the lips, pulled up a chair from an empty table and sat down. “So this is the Sexy Seven?”
“Six,” Gail said, “It is six, unless you want to be number seven. You’re certainly sexy enough.”