Mississippi Twilight Read online

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Mississippi Twilight

  ISBN 9781419922619

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Mississippi Twilight Copyright © 2009 Ann Cory

  Edited by Briana St. James

  Photograph and cover art by Les Byerley

  Electronic book Publication June 2009

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Mississippi Twilight

  Ann Cory

  Chapter One

  Madeline checked her reflection in the mirror of the cosmetic case for the third time, unable to fully relax. The afternoon humidity made for a grueling cab ride, evaporating most of her makeup away. Record temperatures in Iowa meant sleepless nights and drawn-out days. She thought she’d reached full zombie status until a mysterious letter arrived in the mail, snapping her to attention like a bucket of ice over her head. For the thousandth time she unfolded the letter and read it.

  Dear Ms. Chase, we are pleased to invite you aboard the Mississippi Twilight departing on June twenty-second for two days of pampering and adventure. Take a step back into history while enjoying all the perks of a modern good time. We’ve attached a brochure to give you an idea of what you can expect. If you have any questions, please give us a call. We look forward to your stay.

  At first she’d considered the whole thing a hoax and phoned the number listed at the bottom. A woman on the other end of the line told her to pack her bags for two lavish nights aboard the Mississippi Twilight, a triple-decker Victorian steamboat built in 1915 and rebuilt in early 1970. The trip was courtesy of the history department from her university. They’d chosen a former student they’d felt had shown the most dedication in the historical field.

  The thought of riding on a piece of nostalgia sent Madeline’s history-loving mind reeling into overdrive.

  She flipped through the brochure repeatedly, poring over the detailed pictures and memorizing every curve and point on the riverboat. From sundecks and dining salons to gourmet meals and live music, it sounded like just the vacation she’d always wished for. Madeline couldn’t remember the last time she’d up and done anything on the spur of the moment. She carefully refolded the letter along the creases and slipped it inside her duffle bag.

  Restless and sticky in her clothes, Madeline glanced at her watch and then stared out the window at the long stretch of road. Sunlight poured in with a vengeance and turned the interior leather upholstery into a true hot seat. She took a breath in and cringed. A musty smell permeated inside the cab, made worse by the unbearable heat. It clung to her like cobwebs on old attic rafters. Despite all the discomforts nothing would melt her enthusiasm. Unless she arrived late.

  Madeline leaned forward and tapped the cabbie’s shoulder. “Sir, I don’t suppose you can drive any faster?”

  The dark-haired man glanced at her from the rearview mirror, his hairy caterpillar brows angled at sharp points on his forehead. “Car only goes so fast, lady. I’m sorry.”

  Madeline winced. At the pace he drove she could walk and get there faster. Of all the cabs to come and pick her up it had to be a problematic one. Not wanting to make the ride any more uncomfortable, she tried to sound nonchalant. “It’s fine. No big deal.”

  She rested her head back and imagined the quaint little riverboat sailing off without her. Miles of confetti springing through the air as passengers clinked their champagne flutes together. Joyous shouts and a deep-bass whoo whoo from the steam whistle so loud that it vibrated through the cement. Sure she’d eventually get over it and her face would be stuck in a sour lemons expression for a week, but would her string of disappointments ever end?

  From her bag she pulled out a bottle of spring water and took a swig, hoping to hydrate her parched throat. The too-warm liquid almost made her gag and she ended up spilling some onto her lap. Three forced swallows later her throat lost some of its dryness and she went back to staring out the window. Things just weren’t going well.

  For eight years she kept to the same routine, never going beyond the city limits, running around like a rat in a maze. Around her the world moved faster, losing its color and possibilities. Doctors diagnosed her with depression and anxiety attacks but she refused the medications. Why numb emotions that were already numb?

  Madeline closed her eyes and practiced her deep breathing exercises. A panic attack would only freak out the driver and with her luck he’d turn the cab right around. Her heart thudded fiercely while she counted backward, imagining a casual stroll along a sandy white beach with rolling waves of the ocean lulling her into a peaceful repose.

  Somewhere in her quest for calm she tripped over a naked bronze body and fell to the sand, her legs tangled up in a blue striped towel. Before she had a chance to apologize, a man’s face she’d never been able to forget turned to her. His eyes smoldered, lips primed for a kiss. Thrilled to be the object of his affection once again, she threw caution to the wind and let herself be swept into his naked embrace. Her dream-self conveniently wore a sheer shirt that the stranger pulled over her head and used the sleeves as a rope, tying her wrists together. Where her bra had gone, she didn’t know, but she relished the breeze against her bare breasts until his lips suckled both nipples into glorious submission.

  His hands roamed beneath her skirt and thong, something she reserved only for dreams, and stroked her shaved pussy. Her body shivered as his thumb encircled her clit. Madeline moaned, thrilled her hands were bound. She liked her sex with a generous side of kink. The handsome Brazilian teased her nipples with his teeth and taunted her with accented whispers. Legs spread, thighs drenched, her breath hitched as he pushed his cock inside her pussy. She creamed all over him the deeper he went. Filling her with his hard, thick length.

  The next thing Madeline knew, the car door flew open and a wave of hot air wafted in with an unmistakable scent of cedar. She was aware her legs were spread, her hand clutching her breast. The blood drained from her face. Could she look anymore ridiculous? If the word desperate flashed on her forehead right now, she’d die. Fortunately the driver’s expression spoke volumes that he wanted her out of his cab with as much emphasis as she did.

  “Miss, we’re here in Le Claire. Your boat¾ she waits for you.”

  It took her a moment to come to full consciousness. “Where? Oh yes, the riverboat. Wonderful.” Groggy and weakened from the impassioned dream, she grabbed her belongings and stumbled out of the cab. Another draft blew up her skirt, alerting her to a now soaked pair of panties.

  On awkward legs she tried to regain her composure and pulled out a crumpled wad of bills from her
purse. “Thank you.” The driver didn’t bother to count it out, instead hurrying to his seat and driving away without looking back. Her body appreciated being out of the car and she sighed with relief. She stretched her spine.

  Madeline turned toward the waterfront, her mouth widening at the picturesque scenery. The brochure didn’t do the riverboat justice. With bags in hand, she walked toward the dock and soaked in the boat’s exquisite details. Three-tiered decks with gingerbread trim gave the illusion of a fancy wedding cake or something out of Hansel and Gretel. An enormous red paddlewheel protruded from the back of the boat and a pair of black smokestacks jutted out from the top.

  Madeline stopped at the gate and set down her bags, rummaging around for her identification. Two well-dressed gentlemen in starched white uniforms stood on either side. One man held a clipboard that she figured was the guest checklist. Her hands shook as she showed them her picture ID. Two days of adventure awaited and her inner child shrieked in delight.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Madeline Chase and I received an invitation in the mail…”

  The taller of the two men, with frosted blond hair, nodded while the darker longhaired man scooped up her bags, managing them effortlessly beneath his arms.

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Chase, no need for ID, we’ve been expecting you. If you’d kindly follow us, we’ll get you safe and secure aboard the Mississippi Twilight. Please watch your step along the wooden plank. I’m afraid there’s a loose board.”

  With both hands gripped tightly on the side ropes she stepped carefully across the rickety plank, not daring to breathe until she reached the other side. Once onboard, she fixed her gaze on the ornate architecture of old fashioned steamboats. “Floating palaces” Mark Twain once called them, and in her opinion the name fit. Painted in white with dusty blue trim, the riverboat matched her idea of paradise. Hand over eyes as a sunshield, she admired the slow moving water and marveled at the big leafy trees along the distant shores. Her lungs filled with the sweet scent of nature and fresh air.

  “Let us show you to your room where you can unpack and freshen up.”

  Madeline nodded and followed the two men up a flight of stairs, admiring the view as they climbed. Tight butts and firm thighs. Not a bad start to a vacation. Fantasies of bedding two men at once never occurred to her but the possibilities were opening up. At this point she would welcome any physical touch. She smiled and shook her head. Men weren’t what she needed, even if their smoking hot bodies with sun-kissed tans elevated her pulse to a whole new level. Adventure, and a chance to witness a part of history she’d longed to immerse herself in, topped her agenda. With sunbathing and a cool daiquiri not far behind.

  At the third flight of steps she paused, lightheaded from breathing in all the clean air. With her hands against the rail she realized the boat had left the dock. While she was lost in thought, the Mississippi Twilight made its way to the middle of the river. The wooden plank she’d walked over now resembled a tiny speck. Nothing, not even the absence of confetti and champagne, could dampen her spirits. The tranquil swish of the paddlewheel and far-off birdcalls were the only sounds she heard. For her, summer officially began.

  Madeline climbed the last of the stairs and noticed both men waiting for her in front of a door. She hurried over and choked back laughter at seeing the number sixty-nine hanging above the nautical doorknocker. Since her daydream in the cab, her mind continued with its dirty thoughts. If she believed in fate, she’d consider the numbers a sign.

  The striking blond man unlocked the door and handed her a brass key, antique looking in its shape, and unusually heavy. “I’m Lee and this here is Marcus. Should you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask. We hope you find the room to your satisfaction.”

  Butterflies flitted around inside her stomach as Madeline inspected her own little sanctuary. The blue and white spacious room filled her with cozy thoughts. A small dresser, twin-size bed, nightstand and wardrobe closet took up the wall space, all finished in dark walnut. Each handcrafted piece looked as if it were right out of an old movie, full of elegance and class. “Thank you, I’m elated to be here. The Mississippi Twilight is simply breathtaking.”

  “We’ll pass along your compliments to the captain,” said Marcus. “He’ll be pleased to hear them. If you’d like something to eat, the dining salon is on the first floor, or you can have your meal brought to you.”

  Something had been gnawing at the back of her mind and finally broke free. “If you don’t mind my asking, where are all the other passengers? It’s so quiet, er, not in a bad way, just noticeable.”

  The blond smiled and glanced at his clipboard. “I’m sure they’re either in their rooms or feasting on the buffet. If you’d like we can show you the way.”

  Suddenly the thought of other people seemed intrusive. Peace and quiet never sounded so good. Madeline giggled. “No, that’s okay.”

  The dark-haired gentleman set her bags inside and brushed against her as he walked back out. “Might I suggest sunbathing up top? The view is incredible and very relaxing.”

  Her knees buckled at his words. The tension in her neck and shoulders from the cab ride over would eventually turn into a headache. Two days of pampered luxury. Didn’t she deserve a break?

  “Miss Chase?”

  Madeline sloughed away the thoughts and returned her attention to Marcus. “I think I’ll take you up on your suggestion and soak in some rays. I’ll need to change into my suit first.”

  Both men smiled approvingly and headed toward the stairs. “We’ll leave you to your privacy. There are towels on the table next to the lounge chairs for your convenience. Would you like a cool drink brought up?”

  She’d be spoiled after this but decided to take advantage of a good thing. “Yes please, iced tea would be great.” Madeline wanted to add that a daiquiri would be even better but thought it wouldn’t go over well on her empty stomach. Summer always squelched her desire for food, though somehow managed to increase her libido.

  “Excellent, we’ll have it to you shortly. Enjoy.”

  Madeline nodded. “Thank you both.” They disappeared down the stairs and she closed the door. She sat on the bed and bounced to check the firmness of the mattress. Marcus and Lee at the same time? She wouldn’t rule the idea out.

  * * * * *

  Reinaldo Sieranos rested his hands on the steering wheel, his heart racing faster than the churning of the paddlewheel. From his vantage point Madeline still looked fantastic. All legs, long chocolate-brown hair and hypnotic hazel eyes. She’d radiated sexiness before but age had defined her look further into a classic beauty.

  At one time he’d kissed every square inch of her sinful body, startled by the tingling of his lips against her soft skin. He first noticed her from his classroom at university, enticed by her confident walk and the sway of her hips. The swish of her black nylons roused his cock to the point of pain as it stretched inside his tight jeans. It took three months of strategically placed notes and flowers before she accepted a date with him. After that she never played hard to get, but damn, the woman played hard. Beyond beauty, she possessed a sharp mind and fun sense of humor.

  Her outspokenness on a range of topics made for wild debates, and instead of silencing her opinions he respected them. They talked about anything and everything at all hours of the day. Six days into dating, at a charming Italian restaurant, she revealed her wicked fantasies. Two hours of detailed eroticism ranging from ropes, harnesses, flogs, whips, fetishes and fucking machines. Sweat beaded his forehead as he listened, the carnal intent of her words scorching his mind and body. The torture didn’t stop there. Provocatively she wrapped spaghetti noodles around her fork and toyed with meatballs along her lips, giving him the fiercest hard-on of his life. His first instincts were to throw the plates to the floor, hike up her barely there dress¾knowing she’d be without panties, and stuff his face between her thighs, tongue flickering against her glossy clit.

  Instead he suffered through the re
st of dinner and a walk in the park, not an easy task with a raging erection, before getting to his apartment where they fucked for hours. She belonged in his bed, disheveled hair outlining her naked breasts, arms stretched above her head and wrists bound in velvet cuffs. Her voracious sex drive proved to be a challenge some nights but he knew how to please her. Bent over his knee she squealed with every barehanded smack to her ass before breaking into a series of girlish giggles. She surprised him once with handcuffs and rope. The thought of the tables being turned terrified him. Instead she handed them over and dutifully stretched out on the bed, asking her master to bind her and take her in the ass.

  Those moments were forever etched in his mind. Foreplay consisted of where, how and what to fasten her delicate wrists and ankles with, freeing him up to do as he pleased. Her trust in him simulated a drug shooting through his veins, infusing his every thought. Unfortunately their hot nocturnal adventures reached a few snags along the way. Sleep deprivation, dozing off during lectures and late assignments created a slide in his grades and took an emotional toll on Madeline, prompting a breakup he’d never recovered from. A woman of her caliber couldn’t be forgotten, only admired.

  Reinaldo shifted his direction away from the past as a warm breeze sliced through his hair. After much detective work and scouting newspapers, he had finally found her. Even as he watched Madeline slink out of the cab, legs first, wearing a flowing short skirt, he pinched himself. The roundness of her breasts showed through her tank top and he couldn’t ignore the tips of her nipples taut against the fabric. He longed to feel their caress against his chest. Hard. Electric. Charging his body if he ever felt weak. Even now she held the same power over him.

  From the corner of his eye, he watched Marcus and Lee set folded towels on the table by the lounge chairs and then join him in the captain’s box.