This story was an entry to BodiceRippersContest (2022 edition). It won in the 'Souls of a Different Age' category.
CoppertopJ helped me with beta work - big shout out to her for being extra fast.
Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable characters herein. No copyright infringement is intended.
The way his succulent lips wrapped around his fingers, tasting the cream from the cake Bella had baked, had her knees buckling. His vibrant green eyes penetrated her soul as his tongue cleaned the last bit of cream from the side of his thumb.
"Delicious."
Bella refrained from moaning. She could almost taste blood in her mouth from digging her teeth into her bottom lip.
She felt a painful jolt in her ribs and winced at her mother prompting her to say something. The last thing she needed was her mother embarrassing her in front of Uncle Edward. They weren't technically related, but he had been friends with her father since she could remember.
Edward was only a few years younger than her father, which should have grossed her out, but she was a horny nineteen-year-old girl from a small town with no other option to release her tension.
Her father was the chief of police and her mother was the town's gossip. There was no way for Bella to have some fun. The only boy she hung around was Jacob Black, and her father had made it clear to him that he was going to dismember him painfully if he touched his daughter inappropriately. But that was back when they were fourteen. Jake had never tried being more than her friend, and Bella sometimes wanted more. But then she remembered her huge crush on Uncle Edward. Maybe she should stop referring to him as uncle, but it was what she'd called him from the moment they were introduced when she was four.
"Happy birthday, Uncle Edward," she said in a shaky voice.
He wet his lower lip, still looking at her as if he wanted to taste her cream – not only the one she'd made for the cake.
"Thank you, Bambina." That was what he'd always called her, and lately, it really made her feel like a little girl. But not in a bad way; in a safe and protected way.
"Bella insisted on baking you this cake," her mother interjected. "I reminded her that you could afford a much better dessert with the money you make in the city."
Bella felt her cheeks flushing, more in anger than in embarrassment, and to her horror, she felt tears springing into her eyes. She wanted to smack her mother for putting her down in front of the only person who understood her.
Uncle Edward had always made an effort to talk to her as an adult, even when she was still a child. He had never judged or criticized her in any way. Contrary, he had encouraged her to follow her dreams and stop paying attention to her mother's narrow-minded advice.
His eyes flashed dangerously as they focused on Bella's mother. "Renee, your daughter ripped a few hours out of her life to do this for me. That's why I appreciate this cake more than any other gift money could buy."
Uncle Edward had always taken her side, especially when her mother bad-mouthed her or disregarded her opinion, blatantly ignoring Bella's feelings.
"Anyway, you'll get a full taste later. We're ready to eat the main course now."
Bella glared at the floor, feeling a tear rolling down her cheek, as her insensitive mother left the kitchen.
Her right elbow caught on fire when Uncle Edward cupped it. His touch had always made her skin burn and tingles run down her spine.
His crooked forefinger guided her head up with a small nudge under her chin. "Don't listen to her, bambina. I thought you stopped wasting precious energy over Renee."
"I don't understand what she gets out of embarrassing me in front of you…and everyone else in the world."
He chased another tear with his thumb, making her cheek burn at his touch. "Have you given my suggestion some thought?"
Her eyes widened in shock. The last time Bella talked to him was when she had gathered the courage to call him several months ago. It was after yet another evening at the community center, where the whole town gathered every weekend for catching up. There were fun activities involved – from a cook out to singing and dancing and a bonfire to end the night.
Bella had gotten the courage to go on the stage and play the guitar. Most of the town was stunned by how well she played, but her mother had dragged her down, yelling about being an embarrassment to the family and how a wooden box with strings would never bring her any money in life.
Bella had been so distressed, she was ready to leave it all behind.
The thought to sneak out of the house after her parents had gone to bed had crossed her mind, but she knew she wouldn't make it far. And she wasn't stupid. She couldn't imagine something happening to her. Her survival instincts kept her in that hellish place, but she had called Uncle Edward.
She had his phone number for years, but had never used it.
When he had picked up after several long rings, it was clear she had interrupted his night. He sounded on his way to getting drunk, but he had spent two hours on the phone with her. At a random time during their conversation, he had offered her an open invitation for her to join him at his penthouse in the big city.
Bella had only been to the closest city, where he lived, only twice. They were some scary experiences, but she wasn't used to that hectic life. She was ready to face her fears, and there was the odd chance her parents would agree.
She wanted to continue her education, but they didn't have any money. Uncle Edward had come up with a few options that night.
But Bella hadn't given that conversation much thought the next day. He had been wasted, and she was certain he had forgotten about it.
"Let's chat about this later, bambina." He dropped his hand from her cheek, trailing the fingers from the hand on his elbow over her forearm until they grazed her palm. He snatched his hand away when her father opened the kitchen door.
"There you are! Your mother says you're incapable of setting the table. I'm not sure what you did wrong, because it looks good to me."
Bella caught her trembling bottom lip between her teeth, trying hard not to burst into tears.
"Jesus, Charlie," Uncle Edward exclaimed. "What the fuck is wrong with your wife?"
Bella tensed up at his raised voice, and she wasn't ready to hear her father's answer…if he had any. So she slipped out of the kitchen and ran to her room. She shoved a chair under the door handle and threw herself on the bed, sobbing her heart out.
She tried to envision a life in the big city with Uncle Edward.
Firstly, she would be much happier than in this place.
Secondly, she wouldn't feel constricted and afraid to live her life.
Thirdly, she would interfere with his bachelor life, and she wasn't sure how happy she would be to see women milling in and out of his house.
She had overheard a conversation between her father and Uncle Edward, many years ago, when he was accusing his friend of man-whoring. That term had meant nothing to her thirteen year old self, but now she understood.
Bella had even witnessed it during his visits to his hometown, here. Uncle Edward would leave the community center with some woman, but never the same one.
It was a tough decision, but she was willing to have her heart broken by seeing him with someone else, rather than living in this house.
The attraction she felt toward him was unreal. She had never wanted anyone more than she wanted him. He was thirty-six years old, and she was nineteen, almost twenty in a few months. He would never look at her, but heated gazes and gestures like the ones exchanged in the kitchen earlier gave her hope.
Could he feel the same pull?
Bella jumped out of her skin at the pounding in the door.
"Stop being dramatic! Get your ass downstairs, young lady. Edward came all the way here to see us and you're acting like a brat."
"I'm not hungry!" Bella yelled, pressing a pillow to her face and screaming into it.
"So help me, Bella." Her mother wasn't done. The door handle rattled. "What have you done to the door?"
"Leave me alone!"
The last thing Bella could stomach was eating, especially in the same room with her inconsiderate mother and her ignorant father and especially with Uncle Edward. He had never liked her mother, and she didn't know why, but she whole-heartedly agreed with him in that moment. Her mother was a cold-hearted bitch.
Eventually, Bella was left alone. She continued to cry, as she made the hardest decision of her life. Even if her parents wouldn't agree, she was leaving with Uncle Edward.
It was dark outside when there was gentle rapping on her door.
Bella scrubbed at her crusted eyes, padding to the door. "Yes?" she called out in a rough voice.
"It's me." Her heart skipped a beat at Uncle Edward's distressed voice.
She pulled the chair away and opened the door. He had a tray of food in his hands, and she felt like crying all over again. He was the kindest person under her roof.
"May I come in?" His eyes studied her face in the darkness.
She stepped out of the way, and once he was into her room, she placed the chair back into place.
She turned to see he had deposited the tray on her wooden desk, and he was smirking.
"What?" She squirmed, feeling nervous.
"Bambina," he whispered, coming closer. "How are you feeling?"
"Truthfully? Like shit," she mumbled.
"Fuck," he spat, running a hand through his hair. "When did it get so bad? I swear it wasn't like this the last time I was here."
"The last time you were here it was on my graduation day," Bella reminded him.
"Fuck me, bambina."
Bella threw her arms around his waist, sobbing into his shirt. It felt soft under her cheek, and it was probably expensive, but that was the last thing on her mind.
Uncle Edward wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly. "My sweet bambina," he whispered into her hair, and her heart nearly imploded.
"Yes," she gasped, pulling away enough to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "Yes, Uncle Edward. Please, take me with you."
His groan fueled the ache between her legs. Bella barely had time to register what happened next. His plush lips covered her mouth, and her knees buckled. Only his strong hold kept her upright.
A moment later, he gasped, jerking away, but she wasn't ready for the kiss to end. She hadn't even gotten to taste his mouth. Her fingers knotted into his hair as her chest slammed into his while she kissed him back with passion.
"Bella, my bambina. Fuck, oh my God." His hands went to her ass and squeezed the flesh.
Bella's panties were going into the trash after this night. She thrust her hips into his, and she moaned breathily when she felt something hot and hard against her stomach. Her limbs started shaking in nerves and excitement.
Uncle Edward moved her at arm's length, looking at her with a stern look. "You're not doing this because you think I could demand such a thing from you now that you agreed to move in with me, are you?"
"You talk too much."
He laughed, cupping her cheek. "So…you've wanted me for…how long? Because I was sure I was crazy when I noticed your looks."
"And I was sure you would never look at me like that. I'm ashamed to say I thought this was your game…like I heard my dad say about you…"
"What did he say?" he demanded in a rough voice.
"You're…well…I can't say it. I didn't want to believe it," she mumbled.
"Bella, what did he say?"
"You're a man-whore, a ladies' man."
He huffed, walking to the wooden chair by her desk. He threw himself down, running a hand through his hair again. It was his nervous gesture as Bella had learned over the years.
"I never did the steady thing. I never found a girl to captivate my heart that way…at least, not one I was sure I could have."
Bella swayed on the spot, because she heard him loud and clear. He had desired her for probably as long as she'd wanted him.
"When I came over for Christmas five years ago, after not being around for a couple of years, it hit me like a train-wreck, bambina. You were growing up. I felt like the biggest pervert for noticing what a fine woman you were turning into. Fuck, you had tits."
Bella giggled, her cheeks flaming. She could remember how uncomfortable it had been to be around Uncle Edward that Christmas. But he was the one to make it awkward with the looks and stumbling over his words when she tried talking to him.
"I started seeing you in a different light since I was twelve probably. Of course, I didn't really understand it until my high school years. I felt dirty for thinking of my daddy's friend like that."
"Bambina, if you felt dirty, I felt like the biggest pervert on the earth. You were a child."
"But…it didn't stop you from hoping. We wouldn't be here now if you pushed those feelings away," she insisted.
"As if I could turn off my feelings for you. Come here." He held his hand out and she shuffled closer, taking it. He pulled her to sit on his lap.
Bella snuggled into his chest, inhaling his cologne and his manly scent, her head tucked under his stubbly chin. "What's going to happen now?"
He ran the tips of his fingers over her bare arm, making shivers of pleasure course through her body. "I want you so badly, bambina. Like I never wanted another woman before."
She interlocked their fingers, squeezing his before placing his hand between her parted legs. He immediately cupped her heat, and she whimpered, tensing up. She had never felt another person's touch on her body – not at this level of intimacy.
Her rumbling stomach ruined the mood, protesting loudly and demanding food.
"Our hunger for each other can wait. I'd even suggest we should play nice until we arrive home. I'd hate for your father to shoot me," he said softly.
"I'll combust," she whined.
He laughed some more. "We're leaving tomorrow if you want. If it's enough time for you to pack up everything."
She turned to dig through the potatoes and chicken leg he'd brought over, still sitting on his lap. He traced invisible patterns on her back as she ate. It felt soothing, and her stomach was filled with butterflies. It was the reason why, after a few bites, she turned to straddle his lap.
"No longer hungry?" He lifted a brow.
"Not for food."
"We just agreed to play nice," he joked.
"You agreed, not me," she teased, dipping her head to lick at the column of his neck. The hint of sweat and his own scent made her dizzy.
"Bambina, you'll be the death of me."
"Better to perish in pleasure than being shot by my dad."
"You're a little tease tonight. I don't remember you being so outspoken."
"I know you share my feelings. I've never been happier. You're taking me away from this place."
"What if I don't like mouthy little girls?" His voice was gentle, yet it held an edge.
"I can be a nice little girl," she promised. "I won't cross you…" It was a split-second decision for Bella to add the last word that broke his calm demeanor. "…Daddy."
His fingers clenched under her ass as he stood up with her clutching to him. His hardness was pressed exactly under the spot she ached. He spun around with her in his arms, not being able to place her on the desk, so he walked to the bed, lowering her down.
His fingers deftly undid the buttons of his shirt, before dropping to his jeans to unzip them. Bella's eyes rolled back before her brain kicked into action and she pulled her tank top off her head.
"Fuck, bambina. You're gorgeous."
"So are you," she gasped, struggling to push her shorts down her suddenly sweaty legs.
Edward assisted her, then crawled on the bed, hovering above her. She could see the outline of his desire for her through his white briefs.
"I can smell you, bambina. It's intoxicating." He skimmed a finger over the waistband of her panties. She trembled under him, her breath hitching. "You're sin personified, bambina," he whispered, as he pulled down her panties.
"It's not a sin if we both want this and give each other consent, Daddy."
It felt right to call him that. It had stopped feeling right calling him Uncle Edward when she became aware of her attraction to him, but now, this new term fit perfectly.
He groaned, lifting her hips before pressing his lips to her wetness. Bella slapped both her hands to her mouth, covering her cry of pleasure.
"I can't wait to have you in my bed. You'll be as loud as you want there."
Bella moaned at the delicious way her stomach muscles clenched when he ran his tongue through her slick folds. She tugged the pillow to press it against her mouth when he dipped a finger into her hot channel. She had given herself pleasure before, but it had never felt so intense. The pressure building was unbelievable.
Her whimpers grew louder as she got closer to her release. She'd only once felt something similar. It was when she had given a try to using the shower head to pleasure herself with thoughts of Edward running through her mind. But the intensity of her impending orgasm had scared her from going through with it. She had felt dissatisfied with her heart pounding in her ears when she had pulled the shower head away from between her trembling legs.
Now, Edward wasn't stopping.
Bella felt her legs shaking and she held the pillow to her mouth, as her sounds grew louder.
Her hips lifted up to meet his thrusts, and it got a thousand times better. She had lost control over the sounds leaving her throat, and she could only hope she was still quiet enough not to wake her parents.
Then Edward pushed another finger into her and curled them, touching a spot that sent a current zapping down her spine. She threw the pillow away, crying out his name, her back arching, as she floated in a sea of pleasure.
"Was that your first orgasm?"
Bella's heavy eyelids fluttered open in time for her to see Edward kneeling between her legs. He was licking his fingers in a similar manner to how he'd licked them earlier, after tasting the cream on the cake she made for him. Now he tasted her personal cream.
She shuddered all over, making his eyes widen.
"Did you just come again? Untouched…"
"You have no idea how hot you are licking your fingers."
"Bambina is one kinky little girl."
"That's a pleonasm. Bambina literally means little girl."
"You're thinking too clearly. Let's rectify that." He took a foil packet from beside him. She had missed the moment he had placed it there earlier. Edward lifted a brow, licking his lips.
"Do you want a special invitation, Daddy?"
"I thought you decided to be a good girl for Daddy. Do you know what happens to bad girls?"
"They get spanked."
"You might enjoy that too much, bambina. Bad girls don't get to feel Daddy's cock."
Bella felt her body erupting in goosebumps. She had never been so confident or so inhibition-free. She ran a hand over her breasts, whimpering when she grazed her pebbled nipples, before she touched her wet pussy. She couldn't remember ever feeling herself so wet.
She started rubbing her clit while looking into his eyes.
"But I want your cock, Daddy."
She startled when Edward stood up off her bed, pushing his briefs down his legs. When he was back sitting next to her, he pulled her across his lap. The wet tip of his cock brushed the valley between her breasts, before she got in a better position.
Bella had no idea what he wanted to do. She had no clue about sex positions, but this couldn't be one of them.
His heavy palm collided with her ass, making her gasp and clutch at his hairy knee.
"You thought I was joking?"
Surprisingly, the strike didn't hurt. It turned her on further. He spanked her three more times, before rolling her on her back. Her flaming ass protested when her bed sheet touched it, but she deserved it. She'd teased him, knowing exactly what she was doing.
While Edward rolled the condom down on his impressive cock, Bella felt a wave of fear cloud her desire for him. He was definitely used to experienced partners. This was her first time. She heard it was going to hurt. She'd probably cry and ruin the night.
"Tell me to stop, bambina. I will," he said softly, his hot breath fanning over her face as he leaned over her.
"I'm a virgin," she blurted out.
The hand on her thigh froze, and his eyes met hers. "I know, bambina. I will do my best to make it as painless as possible."
"You don't think it's gross?"
"What? Sex?" He barked a short laugh. "Sex is supposed to be gross, silly girl. And the fact that you are untouched makes me cherish you even more. You're giving me yourself – all of your body and soul. In return, I promise to always love and protect you."
"Love?" Bella was aware she might be killing the mood, but that word caught her attention.
"I've loved you for a while now, bambina."
She clutched at his shoulders, tears welling up into her eyes. "I'm so in love with you, it's ridiculous, Edward."
He smiled, guiding one of her legs up, wrapping it around his waist. He shuffled closer, aligning the tip of his cock to her aching pussy. She inhaled sharply, holding her breath, as he inched into her.
Her fingernails dug into his skin as she braced herself for pain, but it never came. There was a pinch somewhere deep inside her, which made him stop for a second, then he slid all the way in, until their hip bones met.
"Does it hurt?" His voice was gruff, unlike his usual velvety soft tones.
She shook her head, not trusting her voice. She might burst into tears or moan loud enough for the whole town to hear.
Slowly, Edward started moving in and out of her, making Bella search for his mouth to keep both their moans as muted as possible. She even lifted her own hips to meet his thrusts, as their sweaty bodies moved in sync.
It felt like nothing else. Not like her own fingers on her clit late at night, not like the shower head, not even like his tongue and fingers from minutes ago.
The pressure started building slowly, but it felt out of reach. She had no idea how to achieve the blissful end, and the only thing she could think of was: "More."
"You don't want 'more', bambina. It's your first time."
"It hurts."
That had the opposite effect she wanted. Edward stopped moving, watching her with concern in his eyes.
Her fingers clutched at his sweaty back as she slammed her hips up into him, grunting softly. "Please. It hurts. I need it so badly."
"Fuck, bambina. I thought I hurt you," he chided her.
"Make me come, Daddy."
Bella almost started crying when he pulled out of her, but then he flipped her around, bringing her on her knees. She pressed her face into the mattress since she'd thoughtlessly tossed her pillow away earlier.
When Edward pushed into her again, at this new angle, she could feel him differently. His large palm covered her mouth when a loud moan exploded from her lips.
"Be quiet, bambina. If Charlie shoots me, you'll never get your orgasm."
She nipped at his fingers, not happy with what he was suggesting.
Then he started moving, and it was everything she needed. Her world exploded behind her closed eyelids as her release consumed her every cell. But Edward didn't stop, and the ache between her legs almost became too much when it soon turned into a fresh build for a much stronger orgasm than she'd ever achieved in her short life.
Bella became aware of her headboard hitting the wall, and how their moans weren't as quiet as they should be, but her brain was a pile of goo. She could only feel. Her focus was on the storm in her lower stomach and the delicious zaps of current running down her spine.
Edward's other hand grabbed her left breast, pinching her nipple. She yelped, her orgasm slamming into her out of nowhere. He fucked her through it, before an inhuman growl left his throat. He stilled above her, and she felt his cock pulsating inside her. Then he fell on her, but soon he rolled on his back, breathing heavily.
"If there was any doubt, you just sold my moving in with you," she slurred out, snuggling into his side.
Edward said something she couldn't understand, because she was falling asleep, exhausted.
.
.
.
Morning brought ugly clouds, but Bella was used to the changes in the weather in her small town. She stretched, becoming aware of how she deliciously ached everywhere.
She couldn't forget what had happened the previous night.
Of course, Edward wasn't beside her. She had to wait a few more hours for them to live alone in bliss and for her to enjoy waking up next to him every morning.
After a shower, she pulled on the same clothes she had the previous day and went downstairs.
Her father was watching television and her mother was sitting next to him on the couch. But she was looking behind her shoulder toward the window.
Bella noticed Edward pacing on the porch, a hand into his hair.
She must have made some sound, because her mother's eyes turned to her. In that moment, Bella understood that they knew. She felt betrayed.
Why would Edward tell her parents what had trespassed between them?
"You better start packing and get the hell out of here, you little whore," her mother snarled.
Tears welled up into her eyes.
The front door opened at that moment for Edward to step back inside the house. He looked tired, and she almost felt bad, but he deserved it.
Her father jumped to his feet when he spotted Edward, now standing next to Bella.
"You have thirty minutes to leave my house, you demon," he shouted. "As for you, if you decide to stay, I better not hear a peep from you. I will try to find a good man for you, who won't care you're broken."
A sob escaped Bella's lips, as Edward stepped forward. He stood in front of her, like her personal protector.
"You're angry with me, Charlie. Bella hasn't done anything wrong."
"Of course, she's a saint. A bout of her klutziness struck and she stumbled and fell on your dick."
Bella couldn't believe what she was hearing from her own father. She focused on Edward's wrinkled shirt.
"Even if this hadn't occurred between us, I'd still be leaving your house with Bella. She has the right to a better life than what you want from her."
"Did you plan to seduce and steal my daughter?" Bella's mother screeched.
Bella's anger flared as she took a step forward to stand next to Edward. "No, Mother. I made the decision on my own. I felt guilty for accepting Edward's offer to live with him, but I couldn't live here anymore. You never cared about my feelings and you always make me feel like I'm a mindless, small-town girl. That's not me – that's you, Mother!" Bella took Edward's hand, glaring at her parents. "I'm leaving with Edward and you'll never hear from me again."
"Good riddance. I don't want to be associated with a slut."
Edward advanced toward Bella's mother, lifting a finger in warning. "You better watch your mouth, Renee. Everyone in this room knows exactly why you are so upset. If you remember, Charlie even joked about me ending up with your daughter, but of course, for you, it's the end of the world."
"Shut your mouth," she cried out.
"What attracts me to Bella is how humble and honest she is, unlike you. I still think Charlie forgave you too easily that day."
He spun on his heels, gently guiding Bella to her room. Once the door was closed behind them, he gathered her in his arms.
"I'm sorry, bambina."
"What the hell was that? And why did you tell them?" Bella demanded.
"Renee saw me coming out of your room this morning."
"Oh. Oh, shit." She felt terrible for even entertaining the thought of Edward betraying her.
"Yeah, sucks. It wasn't pretty."
"What were you talking about?"
"I don't think you should know," he said warily.
"I have a wild imagination, don't fuel it to get out of control," she demanded.
"It happened when you were five years old. It was the first time I was coming here after my parents' death. My friends invited me into their house, telling me I always had a place here. Since my own house was burned to the ground and I had no desire to stay at that filthy hotel, I accepted.
"Keep in mind that I was still mourning. My visit happened only a few months after the tragedy. You were the only thing to still make me smile – your innocent and witty mind. Then, one night, I was trying to sleep to shut my mind, when Renee came into the guest bedroom."
Bella gagged, feeling faint.
"Nothing happened," he reassured her softly. "She came onto me, in the guise to comfort me. I'm not stupid. I noticed how she looked at me from the moment Charlie introduced us. She was pregnant with you at the time. It makes me want to vomit just remembering this. The commotion from the guest bedroom, where I was trying to talk sense into her without hurting her, brought your father to check what the ruckus was.
"We ended up talking about what happened over whiskey until three in the morning. He had sent Renee to bed before we had our chat. We never talked about that again – neither of us." He cleared his throat, caressing her cheek. "Charlie warned me about attempting to seduce you at your graduation. He said something along the lines: It doesn't matter if she's a big girl now, she's still my daughter. She's eighteen. His words rang loudly in my head for months, and yet…last Christmas I broke my promise."
"What do you mean? I haven't seen you since I finished high school," she said, perplexed.
"Did you never wonder who sent you that guitar?"
"What guitar?"
His green eyes frosted as his jaw went slack. "That fucking bitch. I'm sorry, bambina. Fuck, I never thought your mother would intercept my gift…or that she'd be so cruel to never give it to you."
"You bought me a guitar?" He was the only one she'd ever confessed to about her love for the instrument.
Bella had learned how to play on Jacob's old guitar, during her visits at his house.
"Let's pack. We have to get out of here before I punch Renee."
"You'll have to fight me over who throws the first punch, because I'm ready to kill her. How can she be jealous of our love?"
"It's all she knows. And Charlie learned how to ignore the fact that his wife is drooling after me."
"Promise to kiss me in front of her before we leave?"
"If I knew Charlie wouldn't shoot me, I'd fuck you in front of her."
Bella laughed, as they began to pack her clothes and books. She felt like a weight was being lifted off her shoulders.
Bella was ready for her new life with her Daddy, her best friend, the only person who was there for her whenever she needed someone.
Thoughts? Impressions?
I'm not saying no to another chapter or two in the future, but for now, this story stays complete. =)
