Good for Something Read online

  A Total-e-bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Good for Something

  ISBN # 978-1-906590-62-8

  ©Copyright Anika Hamilton 2008

  Cover Art by Anne Cain ©Copyright June 2008

  Edited by Christine Riley

  Total-e-bound books

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-e-bound eBooks.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-e-bound eBooks. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2008 by Total-e-bound eBooks 1 The Corner, Faldingworth Road

  , Spridlington, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 2DE, UK.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  GOOD FOR SOMETHING

  Anika Hamilton

  Dedication

  To my mom, Marie, for encouraging me to write.

  To Claire and Total-e-Bound for taking a chance on me.

  To Chris for being such a fantastic editor.

  Chapter One

  Nicolette Marchand exited the bus at the corner of 85th Street

  and 10th Avenue

  . Standing on the sidewalk, she scanned the streets in all directions, trying to get her bearings and take in all the little town had to offer. This was her first foray into the shopping district of her new home in South Florida, and she couldn’t wait to explore.

  Smiling at the people she passed, most of them eyeing her suspiciously, she said a quick hello to the ones who smiled back. Used to small town hospitality, Nicolette was surprised at the lack of response. This level of coldness from others was jolting. Up to a week ago, she lived in a little town near Glendale, Arizona. She had liked that town but certain circumstances had necessitated her departure and her employer, Hastings Conglomerate, had granted her relocation request.

  Crossing 85th Street

  , she made her way along the sidewalk. She glanced into the various storefronts she passed, admiring the many knick-knacks on display. But the fifth store on her stroll elicited more than a brief glance. Unable to resist, she couldn’t pass by the little bookshop.

  She loved books, enjoyed reading every chance she got. As a matter of fact, her tote currently had three books stashed in it…just in case. The bookshop advertised the sale of new and used books, spanning all genres.

  Entering the store, she smiled at the little tinkling bell going off above her head. The bookshop carried the scent of books and coffee. And even with the musky used book smell, the aromas were tantalising and inviting.

  Strategically arranged near the front of the store were four large lounge chairs. The soft chocolate-brown chairs added to the inviting décor. She liked this place, really liked it. This would definitely be one of her hangouts from now on.

  “Hello,” a beautiful and soothing voice intoned. “Welcome to Feed Your Mind.”

  Turning towards the voice, Nicolette stared at the alluring woman before her. She wore frumpy clothes, baggy jeans, oversized shirt, hair pulled back into a bun. But despite her attire, her nipples could be seen pressing against her blouse.

  Nicolette’s mouth watered at the tempting nubs. For some reason, this woman provoked more than a passing attraction in her. She hadn’t been this attracted to anyone since…since ever. Not even her ex elicited this kind of response.

  Smiling, Nicolette asked, “And what do you have to feed this starving mind?” The laughter her words inspired sent a delicious tingle travelling down her spine. Continuing, her smile grew, hands sweeping her surroundings. “You have a nice setup here. Very nice. Inviting even.”

  “Thank you.” The woman extended her hand. “My name is Casey. Casey Addison.”

  This was the friendliest anyone had been to her since landing in Florida and Nicolette welcomed the bit of generosity. She took the proffered hand. “Nicolette. Nicolette Marchand, at your mercy.” The first touch of their hands was…wow. Surprise flitted across Casey’s face and Nicolette knew she felt it too. Spasmodically, Nicolette tightened her grip. Heat suffused her hand where they touched. Nicolette didn’t want to let go.

  Casey gripped her hand more firmly. Turning away, Casey dragged Nicolette along behind her instead of releasing her. Moving deeper within the depths of the bookstore, Nicolette couldn’t wait to see where their journey would lead. She tried to take in some of the books they passed, attempted to ascertain the general layout of the store, but Casey moved so fast she barely made out any of the titles.

  Near the back of the store, Casey invited Nicolette to sit. Although they were able to see anyone coming in through the front door, the chair was hidden behind a small bookshelf, out of the line of sight of passers-by.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee?” At Nicolette’s nod, Casey prepared two cups. After handing one to Nicolette, Casey sat next to her, settling in as if for a nice visit. “So Nicolette Marchand, are you a native or a transplant of our fair city?”

  Relaxing into the chair, Nicolette welcomed the chance to meet someone new…someone attractive and new. Taking a sip of her coffee, Nicolette admired Casey Addison. Long brunette hair with deep hazel eyes, Casey’s beauty lay in her smile. Nicolette never really knew what ‘having a smile that could light up a room’ meant until now. She really liked that smile, could even get used to that smile.

  “A transplant, actually. My employer relocated me recently,” Nicolette responded. Raising the coffee cup to her lips, she took a sip. “Hmm. This is delicious.”

  Eyes roaming her face, Nicolette noticed the laugh lines bracketing Casey’s lips, a clear indication this woman enjoyed her life. Nicolette fantasised about tracing those lines, of tasting them. Nicolette thought about all she would do with Casey if given half the chance.

  “Thank you.”

  Nicolette couldn’t help staring. God, was she drooling? Surreptitiously swiping her mouth, she confirmed the she was drool-less, oh small mercies and all. There was something about Casey, her voice, her face, something, everything. All Nicolette knew was she found the woman incredibly appealing.

  “Nicolette. You okay? I asked you where you were from.” Casey touched her arm and Nicolette’s mind began to wander.

  Her lips would trace along Casey’s dimple. Her fingers would skim along the slight arch of her nose. Nicolette would kiss her gently, until passion overtook them, deepening the contact.

  Casey stroked her arm once, arousing her more.

  Nicolette imagined the hand continuing its journey up her arm, along her shoulder... A slight jerk to Nicolette’s arm refocused her thoughts to the present. Casey didn’t remove the hand though, skimming her hand over Nicolette’s arm. The gentle touches almost caused Nicolette to zone out again.

  “Nicolette, you all right?” Casey asked.

  “Hmm. Oh, I’m good.” Embarrassment heated Nicolette’s cheeks and she attempted to rejoin the conversation by dragging her mind out of the sexual haze.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” Nicolette nodded.

  “Okay. So where are you from
?”

  “Arizona. I lived there for the past ten years, went to school there and decided to find a job and stay.” Nicolette got that far away feeling for a moment, then continued. “I’ll be living here from now on though.”

  With a cheeky grin Casey said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this but my store isn’t zoned for residential. So you’ll have to live somewhere else.”

  Nicolette rolled her eyes, playfully smacking Casey on the arm. “I meant at your home, silly.”

  Casey’s eyes widened and Nicolette couldn’t contain her laughter. Eventually, Casey joined in as well. Nicolette used her hand to cover her mouth, trying to contain her own laughter when the doorbell tinkled admitting a new customer to the bookshop.

  “Ah.” shrugging, Casey stood, regret evident in her voice. “Duty calls.”

  * * * *

  Casey greeted her newest customer in high spirits. She’d laughed more in the past half-hour than she had in far too long. She’d become a veritable hermit the last few years, spending all her time in this bookshop.

  “Welcome to Feed Your Mind. How may I help you?”

  The tall bushy-haired man turned from the book he’d been perusing. “Howdy-do. I’m looking for a specific cookbook. This is the fourth store I’ve visited today, and I hope the last.”

  “Okay, if you tell me what you want I might be able to help.” Smiling at the customer, she listened as he described the cookbook he needed.

  Assuring him that she did indeed have the cookbook he wanted, she led him to the correct section and left him to peruse. That done, she moved to a spot where she’d be able to see Nicolette unhindered. She was still lounging in the chair, sipping her cup of coffee and reading a book. She liked that Nicolette had reached for a book to while away the time, definitely a woman after her own heart.

  “Found it,” the older man said.

  Smiling, she led him to the cash register, ringing up the cookbook he had originally requested and two additional ones. “I’m so glad I don’t have to search anymore.” A nice man, he seemed genuinely pleased.

  She nodded at him. “You come back anytime you need to find an elusive book, or any other time as well.” She said, seeing him to the door.

  Barely waiting for the door to close behind him, she eagerly returned to Nicolette. She couldn’t remember the last time she wanted to be in another’s company. But she wouldn’t complain. She looked forward to spending more time with Nicolette. She wanted to get to know her…to see where this would lead.

  Nicolette had her nose buried in her book and Casey stopped for a moment taking the opportunity to admire her. Straight black hair, a tanned, flawless complexion and beautiful pouting lips. Her eyes tilted at the corners making her look exotic. She had on blue Capri shorts with red thread pinstripes, a printed peasant top and green flip-flops. Her handbag was bright, bringing the colours of her outfit together.

  Nicolette looked up from her book, meeting Casey’s eyes dead on. Her face lit up with a smile. Casey had the ridiculous urge to put that look on her face every minute of every day.

  “Hi there.” Waving her over, Nicolette patted the empty space on the chair beside her. “Come sit with me, roomie.”

  Now how could Casey resist an invitation like that?

  “I really should invite you to stay with me,” she mock threatened, feeling like it was more of a promise than a warning. She had never lived with anyone before, but her gut told her living together with Nicolette would be right.

  She must be going crazy. She just met the girl half an hour or so ago. One hour tops. And already she wanted to move in with her. She’d never felt so drawn to anyone before.

  Refilling their coffee cups, she retook her seat right beside Nicolette. She couldn’t help the absurd notion that this was where she was meant to be. For the rest of her life.

  “So tell me, Casey girl, were you born in Florida?”

  “Yeah, and I’ve lived here all my life.” Sweeping her hand around, she indicated the bookshop. “I inherited Feed Your Mind when my aunt died eight years ago. She practically raised me. My parents died when I turned twelve.” Scooting closer to Nicolette, their thighs brushed together, causing tingles to run the length of her body.

  Nicolette placed her hand on Casey’s thigh, offering comfort lacking in Casey’s life. “I’m sorry you’ve been alone for so long.”

  Casey’s leg jerked. Anyone else who heard of her past used platitudes and banal words that meant nothing. No one ever touched on the root of her sadness. She had loved her family, she missed them every day. But she also missed having someone around. To spell it out, she was lonely.

  Furrowing her brow, she marvelled at Nicolette’s discernment. “Thank you.” Casey received a shy smile in return. That smile hit her squarely in the gut. Taking a chance, Casey asked, “Do you want to have dinner with me later?” She looked at the clock on the wall, “I close the shop in another three hours or so.”

  Nicolette tried to interrupt but Casey wouldn’t be denied. “You don’t have to wait here. You can continue shopping and then come back. We can go to the little Italian restaurant around the corner. I…”

  “Casey girl, would you shut up?”

  Disappoint welled up inside Casey. She couldn’t help but feel she was missing her one chance. Chance at what, she wasn’t sure.

  “I’d love to go to dinner with you.”

  A smile bloomed on her face. Giddy, she forced herself not grab hold of Nicolette. She couldn’t wait for dinnertime.

  The bells tinkled again alerting her to another customer. “Excuse me a minute, will you?” Hoping Nicolette wouldn’t leave, Casey stood.

  “I’ll be here,” Nicolette promised.

  Chapter Two

  Nicolette visited Casey’s store every day since that first night, about a month and a half now. She liked the store but she loved the owner even more. They were an exclusive couple now, spending as much time as they could spare with each other.

  Over the course of their first week together, they had decided to go to their respective physicians and get tested.

  Casey got her test results Friday morning. Nicolette received hers Saturday afternoon but they were too busy to connect until later Saturday night. Nicolette met Casey at the store at closing time Saturday night and they travelled together to Casey’s home. They ate a late supper and afterwards they lounged on the loveseat they’d dragged onto the balcony of Casey’s apartment.

  “So, Casey girl. What do you like? Sexually, I mean.” The question seemed innocent enough, as innocent as a conversation regarding sex could be. They had decided to ease their way into their first encounter, kind of like an olden day marriage bed situation. It was sweet and necessary, especially for Nicolette. Her ex-girlfriend, Gabriella Corte, hadn’t taken their breakup well.

  “Let’s see,” Casey began, stroking her hand along Nicolette’s arm. The gesture was soothing. “I like almost anything.” Casey’s hand travelled up her arm. “And I do own a bunch of toys. Do you like toys, my Nicolette?”

  “Hmm, yes.” Purring, Nicolette arched into Casey’s touch. Combing her fingers through Nicolette’s hair, Casey leaned in, licking her neck. She scraped her fingers lightly along Nicolette’s shoulder.

  “Good, because I have some I would love to use on you, including a butterfly and a pretty green dildo I think you’d like.” She loved the taste of Nicolette’s skin. “Sweet, my Nicolette.” Running her hand across Nicolette’s shoulders, Casey stopped her hand’s movements, resting her palm over Nicolette’s heart. “What about you? What do you like? Actually, what don’t you like?”

  “No clamps. No whips, nothing that causes pain.” Nicolette kneaded Casey’s shoulders, while she spoke. “I actually own only one toy.” Smiling, she continued, “I have a pretty purple one.”

  “Purple what, baby?” Running her hands down the front of Nicolette’s blouse, Casey caressed Nicolette’s nipples through her clothing.

  “A purple dildo. It has ridges.
”

  Casey’s hand continued their journey, stroking along Nicolette’s stomach. At the edge of Nicolette’s blouse, Casey ran her hand under Nicolette’s shirt and up. She traced along the scar there, asking, “Nicolette, what happened?”

  Nicolette stiffened, flushing with embarrassment, but in her heart she knew she didn’t have anything to be ashamed of. The shame of that scar rested solely with the giver, rather than the receiver.

  Nicolette placed her hand on top of Casey’s, not sure if her intent was to push it away or not. Casey must have sensed her discomfort because she crawled down the bed and began smoothing her tongue along the scar, softly sweeping the raised skin. She punctuated each swipe of her tongue, Nicolette deeply affected by each word spoken.

  “You.” Starting at one end, she wrapped her fingers around Nicolette’s waist, licking the scarred flesh. Nicolette stared at the top of Casey’s head, half afraid of her next words. “Are,” Casey continued, stroking her tongue across Nicolette’s skin.

  Reaching down, Nicolette combed her fingers through Casey’s hair, loving the silky soft texture.

  Then Casey stopped moving and puffed lightly on Nicolette’s moistened tummy. “Very,” she breathed.

  Nicolette squirmed from the sensation. Releasing Casey’s hair, Nicolette grabbed hold of the sheets, twisting her hands in the soft material. Each successive word Casey uttered made her feel empowered and vulnerable all at once.

  “Beautiful,” Casey ended, licking along the line of the raised skin finishing at the other end of the scar, dipping her tongue within Nicolette’s navel along the way. Nicolette’s heart constricted as the soft touch and gentle words brought tears to her eyes. She could barely contain the depth of emotion Casey’s actions inspired.