Source One

gasped as he lifted her up.
    Brian laid her on the bed and slid his hand between her knees.
    Amber’s eyes were fixed on his. She opened her legs so that he could move his hand higher.
    As he reached the scrap of silk covering her, Amber sucked in a breath and closed her eyes.
    Brian quickly slid her panties down. Off her legs.
    He stroked her clitoris then pressed his thumb against it.
    Amber arched her back and moaned, offering herself to him.
    Brian’s groin tightened further.
    She was so delicate. So lovely.
    Brian put more pressure into his touch.
    The noises Amber made grew louder.
    With his thumb still on her clit, he eased a finger inside of her and stroked the surrounding walls.
    Amber clutched at the bedspread. “Oh God.”
    Brian continued his strokes.
    A minute later, Amber bucked and let out a loud cry. Then she lay still, panting.
    Brian leaned down and kissed her. Her eyelids fluttered open.
    A moment later, she wet her lips and reached for Brian’s belt. Unbuckled it.
    Brian straightened. He unbuttoned his pants and quickly shed them, along with his boxers.
    He unwrapped the condom and rolled it onto his length.
    Amber looked up at him as he climbed on top of her. She ran her hands through his hair.
    Brian stroked her cheek. “Ready for me?”
    Amber nodded.
    Brian supported himself against his forearms. With a groan, he entered her.
    He sucked in a breath.
    God, she felt good.
    He pushed deeper into her and began to thrust.
    Amber arms were wrapped around Brian’s torso. He could feel her heels against the back of his thighs.
    He increased his rhythm.
    A minute later, he sped up again. Try as he might, he couldn’t get enough of her.
    Brian tensed. He’d wanted to savor this moment for as long as he could. But his control was slipping. With a gruff noise, he exploded into her.
    Afterward, Brian rested against Amber, catching his breath. Amber’s arms were still wrapped around him.
    Brian could hear her heart beating as quickly as his own. Her breathing as rapid.
    Brian swallowed. He’d been a little rough at the end.
    He pushed himself up until he could see Amber’s face. “Did I hurt you?”
    Amber shook her head. S he smiled up at him. “You didn’t hurt me,” she whispered.
    Brian got up and quickly took care of the condom.  He got back into bed and pulled Amber on top of him. “You’re so beautiful, Amber.”
    Amber turned her head and kissed his chest. Then she lay back against him.
    Brian stroked her hair. He ran his hand down her back and sighed with contentment.
    She felt so right. So perfect in his arms.
    ***
    When Amber woke, it was morning. She was alone in bed.
    The door of the master bath was closed.
    She walked to it and knocked. “Brian?”
    There was no answer. He was probably downstairs with Katie.
    Amber glanced at the pile of clothes on the bedroom sofa. She’d have to wear the same clothes as yesterday, but at least she could freshen up.
    She took a quick shower. Borrowed Brian’s brush and pulled it through her wet hair. She used the mouthwash on the counter.
    She dressed and went downstairs, following Brian and Katie’s voices into the kitchen.
    Brian was standing at the stove, cooking something. He was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. Katie, still in her nightgown, was setting the table.
    She looked up. “Morning, Amber!”
    Amber walked to Katie and hugged her tightly. “Morning, Katie.”
    Brian turned around and grinned.
    His hair was tousled, and he looked relaxed.
    What a difference from a few months ago.
    “Do you like pancakes?” he asked.
    Amber grinned back. “Who doesn’t like pancakes?”

CHAPTER 14
     
    Amber was telling Mrs. Quinn about the job fair at Second Street Mission. Brian was in the family room, helping Katie with her homework.
    “I’m not much of a graphic artist, but they asked me to work on the flier,” she told Mrs. Quinn.
    “I used to work in advertising. Why don’t you show me what you have so far?”
    M inutes later, Mrs. Quinn had sketched out a revised design. “If you add a picture here, I think it would look even better. You can put the copy down here instead. And it would make sense to make the date and time even bigger.”
    Amber nodded. “That’s so much better than what I had. Thank you.”
    She asked Mrs. Quinn about her advertising work.
    The San Francisco agency didn’t exist anymore, but it was the reason Mrs. Quinn had moved to the Bay Area from Central California. And it was where she’d met her