Gemma Blackwell
Collector of Pleasure
I have been called a witch, a lover, a thief, a goddess and a demon. A whore, a healer. And once, I was even called a murderer. Only some of these things are true.
Before we start, here's a definitely true thing about me: I'm a time traveller.
The Preacher's Son
Small town in Alabama, 1961
There is no one quite as lovely as a preacher's son. No one quite as hungry for the forbidden either.
I stepped out from an alley onto a street. Harry's Hardware on my right, a drugstore on my left, and the midday sun high above me. The thick southern air clung to my skin, sweat beading at my temples. Across the street, a group of women entered a small Baptist church.
I looked down to find a plate of cookies in my hand. Interesting. I was wearing a flowy, light blue dress cinched at the waist by a belt made of the same fabric as the dress. I brought a hand up to my hair-pulled back into a bun. It's always fun to find out what kind of person you're to be playing.
Apparently, I was a cookie baking, church going, proper young lady in the deep south.
I licked my lips. Red lipstick. I smiled. Not so proper after all. And yes, I can tell what color lipstick I'm wearing by the way it tastes and feels on my lips and tongue.
I might be a witch after all.
I figured it was safe to assume the church was my destination. As I stepped down from the sidewalk onto the street, a breeze picked up, twirling around me, just long enough for my dress to billow up and show a hint of thigh. And oh!... just strong enough for me to realize I wasn't wearing any panties. I quickened my pace, eager to find whoever was waiting for me.
Inside the church, two large fans hung from the ceiling spinning their blades with enough force to move the air around, but never quite managing to make it any cooler. A group of women gathered by the altar, their voices high pitched with excitement.
"I hear the new preacher's quite handsome, and a widower," someone said from behind me. And then its owner fell into step with me.
She widened her big brown eyes and pressed her lips together, like she hadn't meant to say it outloud. Her eyes took me in, suddenly unsure of many things. She was a young thing. Pretty.
And probably wearing panties.
With a wink, I offered a small conspiratorial smile, and just like that, her relief was instant. Obviously, we were, at the very least, long acquaintances of sorts; and of course I wouldn't share her indiscretion.
Perhaps, I am a demon instead of a witch.
As I neared the front of the church, the preacher finally came into view. Wholesome was the word that came to mind. Mid fifties, classically handsome, dressed in a button down shirt, and clean shaven. His black hair showing hints of grey, and eyes that could warm a whole congregation.
The women around him began to part as I closed in. The preacher's eyes met mine, and a smile sweet as honey parted his lips. I put out my hand. "Gemma Blackwell. It's a pleasure to meet you."
He took my hand with both of his, a very preacher like gesture, and with a southern drawl as thick as molasses he said, "Charles Harrison, and the pleasure is all mine, Miss Blackwell." Then, with a quick nod he added, "That's my son, Richard," before his attention was quickly pulled away by a woman who nearly yanked his hands away from mine.
My! These vultures were hungry for some preacher cock.
Richard- a younger version of his father, a sexier one, too- stood just off to the side of the altar. When I smiled at him, he blushed.
An invitation.
I slipped through the crowd, and as I left the circle, there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief. So soft and hushed, I don't think any of the women even knew they had been weary of my presence.
Richard shifted on his feet, but his gaze was steady. And on me. I let my tongue peek out and licked my lips, not suggestive like-okay, maybe a little. Just enough that his gaze dropped to my mouth and lingered there for a moment too long.
He was most definitely why I was in that church in the middle of nowhere Alabama.
Just a few inches taller than me, he had wide shoulders, thick arms. All corded muscles straining against his shirt. Tanned, smooth skin that just begged to be touched. And a wildness in his blue eyes. A hunger. His lips were full, and I was already imagining taking his mouth.
I remembered I wasn't wearing panties, and the thought of Richard slipping his hand under my dress, all the way up between my legs, sent a jolt of desire through me.
No, no. Not yet.
"Richard," I said, trying out his name.
"Miss Blackwell?" His voice was deliciously husky and low.
I stepped closer- he smelled faintly of cloves. Nudging the plate of cookies at him, I said, "Be a darling and help me find a place for these."