# The General by Girl Friday

Copyright 2003, all rights reserved

This story tied as Winner of the August 2003 Silver Clitorides Award

# Prologue

“There she is! That’s her, the General!”

“Who’s the General?”

“There – the tall one, long brown hair, perfect breasts. Oh man what I wouldn’t give…”

I smiled to myself when I heard this whispered exchange on my way out of the dining hall. Two guys, sophomores maybe, were following me with their eyes as I walked by them.

“Why is she called the General?”

I chuckled quietly and thought, if you only knew …

# Chapter 1

It was a sunny Friday in late August as I pulled into a parking space and sat for a minute watching the confusion going on around me. It was move-in day for the upperclassmen at the large university where I had decided to finish my education. Everywhere I looked there were students, arms full, scurrying towards the dorms. I flicked a glance to my own pile of belongings waiting to be unloaded from the back of my Expedition and sighed; better get started. I grabbed a bag of clothes and my computer case and headed towards my dorm.

Robinson Hall was located near the edge of campus, far from the classrooms but nearest the bustling town that had sprung up around the college. It wasn’t a long walk from the lot where I had parked my SUV and the day was so beautiful that I didn’t mind carrying my load. I found the building I was looking for and thought: Well, this is it. For the next 9 months, this is home. It was a large brick building, six stories tall; pretty much standard college issue. Inside was a line of students all waiting to be checked in. I joined the line and looked at some of the people I was going to be living with and smiled. No really young kids horsing around, thank god. Robinson Hall was a co-ed dorm for people 24 years or older, mostly graduate students. Some, like me, were ANTS – Adult Non-Traditional Students; students that for various reasons were starting or finishing undergraduate degrees well past the age of most college students.

Me? I’m probably one of the oldest. 30 years old and moving into a dorm for the first time in my life. Am I crazy? More than likely, but I always wondered what it would be like to experience college as a resident and since the house I was building wouldn’t be finished for several more weeks, living in the dorm was the logical choice.

“Next!”

Startled out of my reverie, I realized I was the one holding the line up. I shouldered my bag and stepped up to the table, where I locked gazes with the most beautiful pair of blue eyes I had ever seen. Not your standard blue, oh no. These were the color of my favorite pair of faded jeans, a blue so light that they were almost clear and made all the more startling by the rest of his face. Skin tanned a golden honey color from long hours in the sun; short black hair, slightly tousled; square jaw with just a hint of black stubble; and a generous mouth with lips that made me shiver to think of how they would feel on my skin. Stop it, you’re here to learn, not get laid.

“And your name is …?” Oh god, his voice was the icing on the cake, tenor with a hint of baritone and smoother than a gentle breeze on a spring day.

“Samantha Wilson, call me Sam.”

“Hi Sam, I’m Jake. Just bear with me a minute while I get your keys and packet.”

He turned to a table behind him filled with boxes and sorted through one marked U-Z. He stood well over six feet tall and was built like a swimmer. His tee shirt stretched across broad, powerful shoulders that tapered to a trim waist. His long lean legs were encased in jeans that did nothing to hide the muscles of his thighs or his world-class butt. He pulled a large brown envelope out of the box he was sorting through and turned back to me.

“Let’s see what you got. Okay, you’re in suite 618, top floor. Turn left out of the elevator and go to the end of the hall. It’ll be the last door on the right before the TV lounge. I met a couple of your roommates earlier; you’ll like them. Here are your keys, your student ID, and orientation packet. It’s got your schedule, campus map, events calendar, that type of stuff. Let me know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.” He smiled as he said it, handed me the packet, and pointed me towards the elevators.

“Thanks.” I headed to the elevators and managed to catch a ride on the next one going up. As I stepped off the elevator a couple of guys standing in a doorway let out with whistles and offered to show me to my room. I smiled and told them I thought I could find it on my own. I’ve never understood why men whistle at me. I’m okay in the looks department, but I’m no Pamela Anderson. I’m 5’10” with dark brown hair that’s slightly curly and falls to just below my shoulder blades and hazel eyes under dark curving eyebrows. I’m fit and trim; okay, my breasts are nice and my legs are long, but I still don’t understand why men whistle.

The hall was littered with duffle bags, pillows, furniture, and people as everyone tried to move in at the same time. I carefully negotiated my way down to the end. There, just as Jake had said it would be, was suite 618. I opened the door and took a look at my new home. A decent sized living room, the far wall mostly windows. A couple of chairs and a couch, all of them well used, were scattered around the room. On either side were two doors that led into the small private bedrooms. They were all standing open so a quick glance into each told me three of the four bedrooms were already claimed. I was the last one here, but no one else seemed to be home. I wandered into the empty bedroom and surveyed my private room.

It was a cramped rectangle of space with a large closet on the short wall to my left. The twin bed was shoved along the wall directly opposite me, with a tall chest of drawers near the foot of the bed. To my right was a small table I think was supposed to be my desk what a joke with a set of long shelves mounted on the wall. No window. Well, that’s what I get for being late. A door on the right end on the room led to the bathroom I would be sharing with the occupant of the other bedroom. A small room with a pedestal sink, large mirror, toilet, and a shower comfortable enough for one, but any sharing in there would take some creativity. Hmm. I hoped my roommate wasn’t one of those girls who primps for hours or the situation could get ugly. The door on the other side of the bathroom opened into a bedroom identical to mine except that it had a window on the far wall. Shit. A window would have been nice. I turned back to my room and was startled to see someone standing in it.

“Hi, I’m Traci, one of your roommates. Pretty depressing isn’t it?”

She was lovely. Chin length, blonde hair, cut in a bob; sea green eyes perfectly spaced in an oval face, with a beautiful smile. Traci appeared to be in her mid-twenties, around 5’6” with a slender figure. She grinned at me and I liked her instantly.

“Traci, I’m Sam. Nice to meet you and yes this is pretty depressing. I’m beginning to wonder what possessed me to live on campus.” Her light musical laugh signaled her agreement. “Is that you over there?” I pointed to the room on the other side of my bathroom.

“Nope. I’m on the other side of the living room, in the room with a window. That’s Jake’s room.”

“Excuse me? Jake from downstairs, Jake?”

“Yep. That’s the one.”

My head was spinning. There was no way I could share a bathroom with that gorgeous man and still make decent grades. No way. He could have at least warned me that he was one of my roommates. The rat!

It must have showed on my face. She giggled and explained that Jake and our other roommate, Matt, had arrived shortly after she did. Matt decided he would rather share a bathroom with her, as opposed to Jake, and quickly claimed what was supposed to have been my room. Wonderful.

Traci asked if I needed any help bringing my stuff up. I assured her the help would be nice and together we headed back to my Expedition. We chatted companionably, getting to know one another. She was a 24 year old junior, pre-law, paying her own way through school. Financial aid and scholarships went towards a large chunk of her tuition, but she worked several jobs after high school to be able to make up the difference. Traci had started college late, hence her ANTS- status. It didn’t take us long to get back to the parking lot and the rest of my stuff.

“Geez, Sam, there’s not a lot here. Where’s your fridge?”

“Not a lot here? Traci, it’s going to take both of us to carry this junk back to the dorm!”

“Yeah, but it’s only one trip. Most of us brought twice this amount.”

Traci grabbed the laundry sack full of clothes and the shower pail of toiletries. I gathered up the heavy box that contained books, binders and miscellaneous school supplies. After locking up the SUV, we headed back to our room.

“So, what’s the deal? How come you didn’t bring anything to school?”

“I’ve never lived on campus before, Traci. I didn’t know I needed a fridge. I’ve been going to school part-time for a few years now but I commuted from home. I moved out of my apartment yesterday and had the movers put most of my stuff in storage until the house I’m having built is done.”

“You’re building a house? Sam, that’s really cool, but how can you afford it?”

I gritted my teeth. It was going to come out sooner or later, might as well be now. “I was in a bad car accident about ten years ago. I filed suit against the jerk that caused it and won. The settlement was enough that I can finish my degree and build a house.” It was not the complete truth but it was all she needed to know. It was time for me to change the subject.

“So, experienced dorm resident that you are, would you go shopping with me tomorrow? It seems I need a fridge!” The change of subject didn’t fool Traci, but she kindly didn’t pursue the matter and agreed to go shopping with me. We arrived at our room to find both of our new roommates home.

The guys quickly relieved us of our burdens and dropped them on my bed.

“Hi, you must be Samantha. I’m Matt.” A grinning, sandy-haired blonde was holding out his hand.

“Matt, call me Sam.” I clasped his hand and started to shake. I found myself roughly jerked against him and bent backwards over his arm as he proceeded to drop a dramatic, rather chaste kiss on my lips.

“Let go of her, you big goof.” Jake lightly punched Matt in the arm. “Let her up.”

Matt did not let go. His green eyes sparkled with mischief. “The grouch over there is Jake, our other roommate. Ignore him and runaway with me. We can live in Paris, where I will paint portraits for tourists and you can wash my socks.”

I looked at Jake, who was glowering at Matt, and decided a little payback was in order. He really should have told me he was my roommate when I checked in. “I’ve already met Jake. Let me grab my passport and we can be on our way!”

“Matt.” Jake’s quiet firm tone brooked no argument this time. I giggled as Matt set me on my feet and shot a “stick in the mud” look back at Jake.

“Does he do this with all the girls or am I just the lucky one?” I looked to Traci for a response.

Traci laughed. “Nope, he did that to me too, but we’re going to live in Fiji where he’s going to paint coconuts and I’m supposed to weave grass skirts. I think my kiss had a little more tongue than yours, though.”

I looked at Matt and raised an eyebrow. He waggled both of his back at me and leered at Traci, “Well everyone knows that gentlemen prefer blondes!”

“You’re no gentleman.” Jake’s comment brought a laugh from all of us-- and a “Too right!” agreement from Matt.

“Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving. We can all get to know each other over pizza, please?” Traci had a pleading look on her face and was rubbing her stomach. We all quickly agreed and went in search of dinner.

# Chapter 2

I lay in my bed, eyes closed, resisting the morning. Just a few more minutes, I thought. I always have trouble sleeping in a strange bed and I really wanted just a little more sleep. It was warm in the room and I had opened my door in the middle of the night, hoping for some air circulation. As I tried in vain to get back to sleep, I sifted through my memories of last night.

Dinner had been fun and relaxing. Matt really was the goofball that Jake accused him of being and it made the evening go quickly. Where Matt was outgoing and exuberant, Jake was more subdued and serious, though quick to laugh at Matt’s antics. Jake was 27, a senior like me, and a computer science major. He had spent six years in the Army before coming to college. Matt was here on the G.I. Bill too, a 25 year old junior studying mechanical engineering. They had roomed together the year before and appeared to be very good friends.

After dinner we had walked around the campus a little bit, the rest of them showing me around. Traci told them about our shopping adventure for tomorrow and asked them if they wanted to join us. To my surprise, they had both quickly agreed, Jake commenting on his addiction to gummy bears and current lack thereof. Once back at the room, we all started unpacking rather halfheartedly and took frequent breaks to visit with people stopping by to say hi to the guys.

Around 11:00 p.m. I decided it had been a long day and made my excuses for bed. The other three agreed and we all headed to our rooms. I pulled on my usual sleeping gear: a close-fitting short sleeve tee shirt that ended just above my navel and whatever underwear I had worn that day, and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I actually had my hand on the doorknob before I realized that maybe I should put my robe on or Jake was going to get an eyeful. After donning my robe I went into the bathroom, toothbrush in hand. I glanced at the door to Jake’s room, which was standing open. Beyond it, Jake was standing there with his shirt off and fly undone, getting ready to shuck off his jeans. I must have squeaked because he looked up at me, his expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to peek. I was just going to brush my teeth and your door was open and ...” I was babbling and we both knew it.

Jake came to the door I was looking through. “Sam look, let’s get this straight right now. We have to share this bathroom for the rest of the year. We are going to see each other naked, there’s no way to avoid it. Nudity doesn’t bother me much. Boot camp doesn’t allow anyone any privacy, and modesty was a waste of time. Let’s just be adults about it. As long as we can agree on that, there’s no need to be embarrassed.”

“Uh, okay. If that’s the way you feel, it’s fine by me. Tomorrow, no robe!”

“Now that I look forward to! Mind if I share the sink?” Jake retrieved his own toothbrush and we brushed our teeth together, before heading off to bed.

I groaned softly in my bed, thinking about that little conversation last night and wondered how I was going to keep my hands off a naked Jake all year. Impossible. I turned on my side towards the wall and once again tried to go back to sleep. Someone started rummaging around in the living room. I was doomed; no more sleep today. I tried to decide who was making all the noise when I heard Jake’s voice.

“Matt try to keep it down, the girls are still sleeping.”

“Yeah, I know but I can’t find my sneakers. Hey how about Sam? She’s pretty hot.”

“Keep it down, would ya? Besides, I thought you liked Traci.”

“I do! Traci’s awesome and we have great chemistry. But Sam, WOW! Did you notice her eyes, how they change color?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There they are! As I was saying, Sam’s eyes, they change colors. Normally, they seem to be hazel, but when she was laughing last night, they looked really green. I wonder what they look like when she’s getting screwed?”

“Matt! I’m warning you. Stop talking about her like that.”

“You like her don’t you? Don’t worry, man. You’re secret’s safe with me. Let’s go, I need some food.”

Their voices trailed off as they left the room and I lay there stunned. Matt must have been teasing Jake. That’s the only explanation. I decided to ignore it, after all I had been eavesdropping.

The shopping trip later that day was fun and no mention was made of the early morning conversation. Traci and Matt spent a lot of time flirting, but the day was generally uneventful. Classes started on Monday and life settled into the routine of all college students: go to class, study, goof off, and sleep. I enjoyed living in the dorm. It was nice that there was always someone around to talk to or help you out when needed.

My only problem was my growing attraction to Jake. Despite our conversation about nudity in the bathroom, I still tried not to walk in on him. One day I wasn’t so lucky. I came back from class with a really full bladder. I had to go NOW. I walked into our bathroom and Jake was in the shower.

“Jake, I’m sorry but I gotta go.”

“Go ahead, just don’t flush.”

I quickly went about my business. I went to wash my hands and realized I shouldn’t run the water with Jake still in the shower.

“It’s okay, I’m done now.”

I turned and there he was. The water streamed from his hair and ran down his skin in rivulets as he reached for his towel. Oh my god, he was beautiful. The lean muscles of his chest danced as he roughly toweled his hair. My gaze traveled lower. His cock was seven limp inches hanging between well-defined thigh muscles. As I stared at it, my breasts began to ache.

“If you don’t stop staring, it’s going to get bigger.” Jake’s low throaty comment jerked me out of my perusal and I felt my face start to burn.

“Sorry.” I flushed the toilet and washed my hands quickly, making a dash into my room. Late that night after everyone had gone to sleep, I masturbated furiously, picturing Jake’s lips on my breasts and imagining his fingers on my clit.

About three weeks into the semester, the four of us were sitting in the living room, working on homework. Matt threw his pencil down. “You know what we need? We need a little study break.” Jake groaned and covered his face with his hands. “Matt, we do not need a study break.”

“Yes, we do! You explain it to the girls and I’ll go knock on the doors.”

Traci and I both looked at Jake as Matt went out into the hall and starting knocking on the other suites and shouting, “Study break!”

“What’s a study break?” Traci looked just as confused as I was.

“Matt likes to play stupid games, kid games. You know: Truth or Dare, Strip Poker, 7 Minutes in Heaven, and Spin the Bottle. He calls it a study break. He’s famous for it. Everyone who’s interested will gather in the TV lounge to hear what the game is and what the rules are. The ones who don’t want to play leave.”

Traci grinned at me. “Sounds like fun. Let’s go.”

The three of us went to the TV lounge and watched as about 13 people joined us. Soon Matt came in holding a white PVC tube that was painted red on one end.

“Okay everyone, today’s game is easy since we’ve got some newbies here. The game is Spin the Bottle. Anyone who wants to play sits in the circle boy girl boy girl. This is the bottle.” He held up the PVC tube. “One of us spins the bottle. It must make a complete spin to count. The red end will point to the person the spinner kisses. If it’s pointing to someone of the same sex, you kiss the person on their right. Once you’ve spun, the person on your left will spin. We take turns spinning until everyone has spun at least once. Those of you who don’t want to play can go back to your rooms or stick around and watch. Anyone who’s playing needs to sit on the floor in a circle.”

“Are you going to play?” I whispered to Traci.

“Yeah” she said, “Why not?”

“We’re a little old for this, don’t you think?”

“So? I think it might be fun.”

We shoved the furniture out of the way and sat down in the circle between guys neither of us knew very well. There were ten of us in the circle. Two of the others sat in chairs to watch, while the third went back to her room. I could feel Jake’s gaze on me and somehow I knew that it wouldn’t be long before his lips were pressed to mine.

Matt started the game by spinning. The bottle stopped on the girl sitting right next to him. He leaned over and kissed her, then she spun the tube. It ended up pointing to the guy next to me. They crawled out into the center of the circle and kissed for much longer than she and Matt had. And so the game continued, some kissing briefly, while others really got into it. One couple had to be reminded to stop kissing.

Closer and closer the spinner came to Jake. The more I thought about it the more nervous I got. Jake spun the tube. I closed my eyes briefly while it spun, not really wanting to know who it was going to be. The spinner stopped, pointing once again to the girl on Matt’s right. They crawled to the center and kissed briefly. I heaved a sigh of relief and began to enjoy the game. The next guy spun and it pointed to me. I crawled to the center of the circle for my kiss. He was nice about it and gave me a sweet kiss, but no sparks flew. We broke off quickly and went back to our seats.

I glanced over at Jake. He was staring at me with a heavy lidded gaze that seemed to look into my soul. I tried to ignore it and enjoy the game. And then suddenly it was my turn to spin. I set the tube on the floor and with a quick flick of my wrist set it spinning. (Please not Jake, Please not Jake) My internal mantra seemed to work as the spinner stopped on the girl sitting between Jake and a guy from across the hall, Steve. I couldn’t remember the rule, which one was I supposed to kiss? Matt quickly solved my dilemma.

“Jake, that’s your kiss. It goes to the guy on the right.” (Holy shit!)

Jake crawled to the center of the circle as I sat there rooted in place. He smiled at me and crooked his finger. Slowly I got to my knees and crawled to him. He pulled me upright so that we were kneeling, facing each other. He slid one hand up my neck and under my hair to cup the back of my head. His other hand went to my hip and pulled me up against him. He lowered his head and gently nibbled my bottom lip, then settled his mouth firmly on mine, exploring, tasting, sending me into orbit. My hands fisted in his shirt as he plundered my mouth. His tongue brushed my lips and without hesitation I opened to him. His tongue stroked mine and they began a wild dance as my body began to throb with need. Jake groaned softly and started to pull away. Slowly he disengaged, leaving me aching. I opened my eyes to find Jake’s face still just inches from my own as I heard Matt’s voice.

“You guys done now?” The world started to come back into focus. I looked around at the people sitting in a circle, all of them avidly watching and clapping. I could feel my face burning as I let go of Jake and crawled back to my space in the circle.

The guy on my right leaned over as the next person spun. “Jake’s a nice guy. You could do worse.” I nodded mutely and tried to calm my raging hormones. Then it was Traci’s turn. She spun and the red end of the tube pointed squarely at the guy who had just talked to me. They kissed briefly and the game continued until the spinner was back around to Matt.

“Okay everyone, study break is over. As you were.”

I got to my feet and walked back to the room, still in a daze. Traci quickly caught up with me. “That was some kiss!” Like I didn’t know that. I was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other. “So are you and Jake an item?” Traci was grinning at me and not about to be deterred.

“Not that I know of. I’m sure I would have noticed. We were just playing Matt’s game.” Even to my own ears the words sounded ludicrous.

“Yeah, right.” Matt walked into the room. “You looked like you were enjoying my little game!” Unable to formulate a convincing response, I ignored Matt’s teasing and curled up on the couch.

Traci plopped down next to me. “Well I, for one, am disappointed. I didn’t get to kiss the guy I was hoping for. That game was the perfect excuse and now here I am with nothing to show for it.”

Matt looked like someone had knocked the wind right out of him. “Then go kiss him for crying out loud! No one here is stopping you.”

Traci sprung up off the couch, “Fine I’ll just do that” and headed for the door Matt was standing near. As she moved to go by him, she quickly turned and pulled his head down to hers. Traci really laid one on him. Poor Matt never saw it coming. Finally they came up for air, Matt with a huge smile on his face. He scooped Traci into his arms, carried her into his room and kicked the door shut behind them. Well, I thought, at least someone’s happy. I sighed and went to my own room. Maybe homework will help me settle down.

Two hours later, I gave up. Unable to accomplish a single thing, I closed my books and put them away. All I could do was sit on my bed and wonder what the hell I was going to do. My head kept telling me that Jake was my friend, nothing more. My libido was screaming, “Screw that! Paradise is at hand!” My heart was quietly trying to decide if it was worth the risk; after all, Jake was not Brian.

Grrr. I decided to get ready for bed. I pulled off everything but my underwear and started hunting around for my sleep shirt. Just as I closed my fingers on it, my bathroom door opened and into my room walked Jake. I jumped and yelped, “You scared the crap out of me!”

“Er, sorry.” Jake stood there sort of dazed, his mouth hanging somewhat open. He closed it with a visible grinding of his teeth.

“What’s wrong?” He was really acting strange. I hoped he couldn’t hear my heart thumping in my chest as I tried to recover.

Jake cleared his throat a couple of times, “I need to talk to you.” He gestured to the shirt in my hand, “Would you mind putting that on before I embarrass myself?”

He had startled me so badly I had completely forgotten that I was standing there in just my bikini panties. I hastily shrugged my shirt on and sat down on the bed. Jake sat down beside me. “It sounds like Matt’s entertaining. Anyone we know?”

I smiled at him. “Traci. She tackled him after the game. They’ve been going at it for a couple of hours now. Where did you disappear to?”

Jake shrugged and fiddled with a curl of my hair. “Just had something to take care of, nothing important. How do you feel about what happened during the study break?”

Just be cool, play it casual. “It was just a game, right? We did get a little carried away, but it served a purpose. Now Traci and Matt have something to tease us about; so all’s well that ends well.”

“And that’s it?” Jake searched my face for clues. It’s a common joke around the dorm that my face is easier to read than an open book. I was really trying hard to project casual disinterest.

“Yes. Why?”

Jake stood up and headed back to the bathroom door. “Just wondering. Well, have a good night. Sorry I startled you. Guess I should knock next time.” His grin as he glanced down at my chest was anything but sorry.

“Get. Out.” I threw my pillow at him to enforce my point. He laughed and shut the door behind him.

# Chapter 3

One month later and only small things have changed. Traci was walking around on a cloud, while Matt couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from his face. They’ve started calling each other really stupid pet names like sugarbuger and sweetbuns. Ick. Jake has made it a habit to play with one of my long brown curls whenever he sits next to me. It never fails to make my stomach flutter.

Midterms were finally over and I was looking forward to an extra day off, courtesy of Columbus Day. I walked into my room and dropped my book bag on the bed, kicked off my shoes, and headed back into the living room. I curled up on the couch and listened to the bustle in the hallway. Most students were going home for the weekend, but not the four of us. We were all staying. The others were too far from home to go for just three days. Me? I didn’t have anywhere to go, but my house was making significant progress.

I managed to squeeze in a quick trip last weekend to check on it and the work was moving right along. The exterior was completely finished now and the interior was only in need of finish work: moldings, light fixtures, and such. My contractor assured me it would be finished in a little over ten days. The interior designer I was working with had ordered my furniture several weeks ago. Everything was ready to be delivered as soon as the contractor finished. The house is a little over two hours away, so I would still be living in the dorm, but I was looking forward to having my own place again.

Matt and Traci, wrapped around each other, wandered in followed by a tired looking Jake. This week had been hard on all of us. Jake dropped down on the sofa next to me and pulled me into his lap. “How about we just cuddle on the couch all weekend? I’m too tired to do anything else.” It wasn’t unusual for us to sit this way, so I murmured an agreement, as Traci and Matt took over my vacated spot. The four of us sat there, talking quietly and waiting for the general exodus to be over.

When the noise finally died down, we all wandered out to the elevator, checking suites as we went to see who was staying behind this weekend. We found only twelve others on our floor. As a tired group, we all trudged to the dining hall for some dinner. The rest of the evening was spent with most of us sprawled in the TV lounge. I gave up and called it quits around 10:00 p.m., Jake slipped a companionable arm around my waist and walked back to the suite with me. He steered me into my room, dropped a chaste kiss on my temple and murmured “G’night, Sam. Sleep well.” I think I was out before my head hit the pillow.

After sleeping in and having breakfast, the four of us spent the day just goofing around. Jake and Matt played Frisbee in the quad while Traci and I watched and laughed. It was a little too chilly to stay out all day though and we ended up once again in the TV lounge watching football. Some of the others who stayed behind joined us after dinner, while the rest went in search of a party. At 30, I was a little too old to go looking for a party and the other seven in the lounge agreed with me. During a break in one of the games on TV, one of the girls called out, “Hey Matt! How about a study break? It’s been awhile since the last one.”

Oh god, not another study break. Everyone else seemed to think it was a good idea, and Matt went to get one of his games. He came back with two stacks of index cards and a small cardboard box. “Tonight’s game is Truth or Dare.” Hoots and shouts of laughter greeted this statement. Matt explained the rules:

“The white cards are Truth cards and have a question written on them. The yellow cards are Dare cards and have an action that must be performed. All of the cards go into the box and are mixed up. With eyes closed, reach into the box and select a card. If you get a Truth card and refuse to answer the question or get caught in a lie, you will pick a Dare card as punishment. If you pull a Dare card and refuse to perform, you must leave the room for the duration of the game. Truth or Dare is not a spectator sport. Does everyone understand the rules?” We all nodded. “Any questions?”

A girl who lived across the hall, Sarah, asked, “Just how racy are we talking?”

“Strip to your underwear, kiss a member of the same sex; nothing really over the top. Most of them are pretty tame. The worst one is to make someone cum, but doesn’t specify how, that’s your choice.” More shouts and whistles; everyone was ready to blow off some steam. “Traci, why don’t you take this Dare as a demonstration to get things started.” Matt leaned down to Traci and whispered something in her ear as he handed her the card.

Traci read the dare aloud. “Kiss a member of the same sex.” A hush went through the crowd and Traci headed towards me with a determined look on her face. She bent down and dropped a kiss on my forehead. Groans emanated from around the room, with Jake looking at me and openly laughing.

Matt raised his hands to shut everyone up. “Each dare has leeway. It said to kiss someone. It didn’t say where or how. That’s what makes this game fun; how each person interprets the dare. Everyone ready to play?”

Matt brought the box over to me. “Close your eyes and pick one.” I reached into the box and stirred the cards a little, finally settling on one near the bottom. I pulled it out and opened my eyes. It was white. Relief coursed through me. I read the question for everyone to hear, “When was the last time you had sex? Sex being defined as actual intercourse.” Everyone was watching me, waiting for my answer. “Ten years ago.”

The response was immediate. “No way!” “Lie! Pick a dare!” “I’d go nuts!” And so it went. Jake looked as though he had been punched in the gut. Matt finally called everyone to order. “Can anyone offer proof that Sam told a lie?” No one spoke. “Then her answer is judged to be the truth. Let’s move on.” Matt stood in front of the person next to me, a guy named Steve.

Steve closed his eyes and pulled a dare. “Go to the nearest window and shoot the moon.” Laughing and eager, Steve rapidly complied and then mooned the room as well. I started to loosen up; this really wasn’t as bad as I feared. I actually found myself hooting along with the others as Sarah was caught in a lie and her punishment dare was to play the rest of the game in her underwear. She stripped to her bra and panties, blushing clear to her navel.

Jake’s turn was next. His card was white. “Name three things you would take with you to a deserted island. That’s easy. The only thing I need is Sam.” Jake leered at me and wiggled his eyebrows as everyone reacted with the expected lewd suggestions.

Matt was next and pulled a dare “Kiss everyone in the room.” He started with me, kissing the girls on the lips and the guys on the tops of their heads. He ended with Traci and bent her backwards is a kiss that left her giddy and breathless. Traci pulled a truth card and had to name everyone she had ever slept with. It was a relatively small list and ended with Matt, to the groups’ thunderous applause.

Matt took a bow when the applause continued. “All right, as you were. We’re back to Sam. Pick a card, if you dare.”

I closed my eyes and put my hand in the box. It was yellow. I read the card in disbelief. “Make someone in the room, other than yourself, orgasm. Use a technique agreeable to both you and your partner.”

The group went nuts. I felt like I was going to throw up. Several of the men volunteered to be my partner. Jake sat and smirked. He raised one of his eyebrows at me in challenge, clearly expecting me to refuse the dare. Something inside me snapped. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk from his face and I knew just how to do it. The room went silent as I rose to my feet. I walked to Jake stopping six feet in front of him.

“Ten HUT!” My voice was steady and firm. There was no mistaking my command. Jake, Matt, and Steve all jumped to their feet and stood at attention in an instinctive reaction from years of military service. “You and you," I pointed to Matt and Steve, “As you were.” They sank back to their seats and avidly watched the scene that was about to play out. “Soldier, you’re with me.” I walked to the center of the room, no doubt in my mind that Jake would follow. I turned to face him once more as he returned to the rigid posture of attention: shoulders back, legs stiff, and eyes fixed on a distant point.

“Soldier, you have been selected for a special mission. I will not force you to participate. Let me describe what will happen if you consent to this mission. First, I am going to unbutton your shirt and peel it slowly from your body. Next, I will open your fly, lowering your trousers and underwear. Then I will apply my hands and my mouth to your body, working you into an aroused state. This exercise will continue until you ejaculate. At no time may you place your hands upon my person, or otherwise move unless directed by me to do so. Do you understand this exercise as I have explained it to you?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” I let the “Sir” slide. I was having too much fun.

“This exercise is voluntary on your part. You may decline by responding ‘Red light’; acceptance and consent will be signified by your ‘Green light’. Now I ask you, do you choose to participate in this mission as I have described it to you?”

“Green light, Sir.”

“Very well. At ease.” Jake dropped from ‘attention’ and shifted to the traditional ‘at ease’ stance: legs slightly spread, shoulders relaxed, and hands clasped in the small of his back. I stepped closer to him and lifted my hands to his shirt. One by one, I popped the buttons open. When I reached his waist, I tugged the shirttails from his jeans and finished the buttons off, letting the shirt hang open. Lightly, I trailed my right index finger from his collarbone to his navel and watched his nostrils flare. I moved around him until I was facing his back. I stepped closer, letting just the tips of my breasts brush against the bottom of his shoulder blades, rubbing his back lightly with my erect nipples. My hands rested briefly on his elbows before I slid them up his arms and grasped the yoke of his shirt. Slowly pulling it back and sliding it down his arms, I let the shirt fall, watching as it came to rest tangled over his clasped hands.

I trailed the fingertips of one hand along the outside of Jake’s ear, down his neck and across the breadth of his shoulders as I moved around to face him once more. I lightly scraped his left nipple with my fingernail and heard him hiss in response. Gently, I touched it with the tip of my tongue and felt him shudder. I reached for the button of his jeans and worked it loose, careful not to touch the lump beneath it. I scraped his other nipple and covered it with my mouth, sucking gently. I stepped back and slowly lowered the zipper holding his jeans closed, once again ignoring his sizeable bulge.

I could feel Jake’s heart pounding as I ran the palms of my hands down the sides of his neck to the center of his chest, then out to the edges of his ribcage. I traced his shape with my hands and slid them underneath the loosened waist of his jeans. I sank to my knees as I carefully started to lower his jeans and boxers, leaving a trail of small open-mouthed kisses on his abs and navel. Jake’s breathing became more pronounced as a muscle started to work in his jaw. I blew a stream of air across his erect penis, watching it jump and twitch in response. Sliding my hands back up his now naked thighs, I planted my mouth on his lower abdomen, where his leg joined his groin. I could feel his dark pubic hair tickling my cheek as I licked his sensitive skin. The muscles in his thighs began to tremble under my hands as I backed off slightly and gently cupped his balls, lightly manipulating them in their loose sack. Turning my head slightly sideways, I ran my tongue slowly up the underside of Jake’s erect shaft and engulfed the sensitive glans in my warm, wet mouth. I applied suction and began to bob, keeping my strokes slow and steady, while swirling my tongue over his shaft. My other hand stroked a matching rhythm on the base of his cock, applying pressure to the sensitive underside. It didn’t take long. I could feel his balls begin to tighten and his shaft turned to steel in my mouth. I backed off, leaving just his glans in my mouth. Three strong spurts of cum hit the back of my throat as Jake moaned and arched his back. More spurts, weaker, dribbled out as I worked to frantically swallow his load. When his cock started to deflate, I gave it one last gentle suck and let it fall from my mouth.

Jake’s skin was covered in a fine film of sweat. His eyes were closed, his breathing ragged. I pulled his jeans and boxers back up, carefully concealing his still sensitive organ. I brought his shirt up his arms and over his shoulders, but let it hang open in front. The room around me was silent. Some were openly stroking themselves. Traci had her hand on Matt’s bulge, gently squeezing, as they watched to see what I would do next. I’d had enough, time for me to leave.

“This concludes today’s special mission. Soldier, you’re dismissed.”

As I left the room, I could hear Matt. “Game’s over, folks. Traci, let’s go.” I heard them in the hall behind me, but I was already past our suite and headed for the way out. Steve came bounding up to me as I reached the elevator.

“Major, this soldier volunteers for any future missions under your command, Sir.”

I flicked a glance at Steve, really not in the mood. I needed to get out of there before Jake could grab me. “Son, if you don’t know a *General* when you see one, then you need to go back to boot.” I stepped into the waiting elevator and closed the door on his astonished expression.

For three hours I just walked. Around town, around campus, I walked. I was in love with Jake. There was no way for me to deny it any longer. Now, what do I do about it; that was the problem. After making some hard decisions, I went back to the dorm.

The living room was dark. Jake’s bedroom door was shut. Everyone had gone to bed. I went to my room and dropped my keys on the desk without turning on the light.

“It’s about time. I was beginning to worry.” Jake’s velvet voice was coming from behind me. I flicked on the light to find him sitting on my bed, back against the wall, with my pillow behind his head.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you. You really didn’t think I was going to let you off the hook, did you?” He patted the place next to him on the bed and I sat.

Resigned now, I sighed, “No, not really. Jake, I owe you an apology. I’m really sorry for what I did tonight. It was completely uncalled for.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not. That was one of the most erotic experiences of my life. Granted, it was a little public, but I’m not sorry it happened.” He picked up one of my long curls and began to wrap it around his finger. “Sam, how about we stop kidding ourselves? We belong together. You know it and I know it. Have dinner with me tomorrow, just the two of us?”

I ignored his searching gaze and tried desperately to think of an answer, but the truth burst out of me before I could stop it. “Jake, I’m sorry but I can’t. Not tomorrow, not ever.”

He dropped my curl as though it had burned him. “Why the hell not?”

“Because. We live together. We’re best friends. I’m older than you. Take your pick.”

“That’s crap! Traci and Matt live together. Traci and Matt are best friends. You don’t see that stopping them. The age thing is not an issue, three years means nothing. So what’s really the problem?” He stood up and started pacing like a caged tiger. “How can you deny the chemistry between us?”

It was tearing me up. I didn’t want to do this. What I really wanted was to throw myself at him and hope for happily ever after. “We are not Traci and Matt. I refuse to get involved with you, or anyone else for that matter, ever again. Now please let it go.”

“I will not let it go.” Jake was getting pissed in a hurry. “Have I gone out on a single date since school started? Does anyone else ever sit in my lap? Do I kiss anyone else the way I kiss you during Matt’s stupid games? Damn it, Sam, what I said tonight is the truth. You are all I need. Without you, anything else is meaningless. It’s too late. We’re already involved.”

My heart shattered. I couldn’t stop the tears running down my face as I looked up at Jake. “No. If you care about me as much as you say you do, then please accept that I can’t be anything other than your friend. I’m sorry, Jake.”

He stopped pacing and glared at me. “Fine. You win, for now. But I’m not giving up, Samantha.” He jerked me to my feet. “I want you to think about this...” He pulled me against him and lowered his lips to mine. The kiss was a raging inferno of need and want. Wildly, our mouths mated. My body responded to him as it had no other. Relentlessly, Jake continued his assault on my mouth until I was moaning with need.

Jake pulled away, “This is what you’re asking me to forget, Sam, and that’s just not going to happen.” Speechless, I watched as he went to his own room and closed the door between us.

# Chapter 4

After lying awake most of the night, I climbed out of bed late Sunday morning. Traci was in the living room reading. Jake and Matt were nowhere to be seen. “Hey.”

Tracy dropped her book to her lap. “Hey yourself, sleepyhead. How did things go with Jake last night?” I shrugged my shoulders and avoided her gaze. “You know he’s in love with you.”

“No, Traci, he isn’t. We had a long and detailed discussion about our relationship last night and not once did he mention love. Chemistry, yes; love, no. It doesn’t matter anyway. We’ve decided to just be friends. Can we please not talk about this now?”

Traci’s sympathetic expression was mirrored in her tone, “Well, if you change your mind you know where to find me. How about getting some breakfast?”

“Fine, but let me get showered and dressed first.” I headed for my room and caught a glimpse of my door. A patently new sign was taped at eye level: General Samantha Wilson, Special Missions HQ.

I stared at the sign in utter shock. “What the hell is this?”

Traci started to laugh, a great gasping belly laugh. “I wondered when you would notice it. Steve put that up this morning. The story of your little show last night went through the dorm like wildfire. Everyone is talking about it.” Her laughter followed me as I made my miserable way to the shower.

The rest of the week was just as bad. Everywhere I went men saluted and called me General. I had several more volunteer for future missions. Jake was being revered as a god. Like he’s the first man to ever get a blowjob, give me a break!

The next week was somewhat better. The story of Jake and I seemed to be dying off finally, but my new nickname appeared to be permanent. On Monday I received a call from my contractor. My house was finished. I made arrangements for the final walkthrough and paperwork to be done Thursday afternoon. After hanging up the phone I went to the TV lounge where Traci, Matt and Jake were sprawled out, nominally studying, and told them the good news. They all offered to help me move on Saturday.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel obligated.” I shot a look at Jake to let him know I meant him.

Jake came over and wrapped me in a hug. “Of course, we’ll help. That’s what friends do.” Traci and Matt quickly agreed. We decided to drive out together on Saturday morning and spend the night at the new house. The rest of the week passed in a blur. I signed the papers on Thursday, and dropped a key off with my designer so she could supervise the deliveries on Friday. After all, I wasn’t going to bail on classes two days in a row!

Friday evening I realized we would need some supplies. Jake was the only one around so I wandered over to his room “Hey, I’m going to go get some groceries for tomorrow. Do you want anything special?”

He looked at me and smiled, “Yeah, I want something special. I want you; but I’ll settle for gummy bears. How about I tag along?” He matched actions to words and we began the short walk to the village grocery store, chatting companionably. He captured my hand and laced his fingers with mine. I decided not to make a fuss and enjoyed the sensation of his hand holding my own.

We stopped at the corner, watching the traffic, waiting for a chance to cross the busy street. A car full of teenagers was across from us, music blaring from the stereo. They weren’t paying attention to the light and began to turn onto the busy street, right into the path of an oncoming car. I screamed and watched in horror as the cars crashed into each other. My world started to spin and the ground rushed up to meet me.

Jake was hovering over me, his face stricken, as he brushed the hair from my forehead. “Sam, are you okay?” He helped me to sit up from my prone position on the ground.

“What happened? Why am I on the ground?” I couldn’t make my brain function.

“You fainted. Damn, you really scared me Sam. Are you okay?” Memory returned, bringing with it a wave of nausea. I retched. Jake turned me on my side and held me steady as my stomach heaved. When I was done, he helped me to my feet and wrapped me in his arms.

“Jake, I have to know, how bad is it? Was anybody hurt?” I couldn’t force myself to look over at the intersection.

“Nobody’s hurt. The one car just caught a glancing blow that spun it a little. There’s not even much damage. C’mon, let’s get you back to the dorm. Groceries can wait.”

Picking me up as he would a child, he swung my long frame into his arms and carried me the short distance back to our room. Matt and Traci were there when we arrived. Jake ignored their questions as he stepped into my room and set me down gently on my bed.

They came to stand in my doorway and watched as reaction finally caught up with me. I began to tremble and cry. Jake pulled me into his lap, rocking gently back and forth, rubbing my back and trying to soothe me. “Can you guys give me a bit to get her settled down? I’ll tell you about it later.” Concern etched on their faces, Traci and Matt silently agreed and closed the door. I don’t know how long Jake rocked me, but he didn’t stop until I cried myself out. “Why don’t you climb into bed? I’m going to get you some aspirin and talk to Traci and Matt, okay?”

Numbly, I nodded and let Jake help me undress. After making me swallow two aspirins and tucking me in, Jake went out to the living room, closing my door behind him. I quickly fell into an exhausted sleep.

As I woke up, hushed voices were speaking nearby. I opened my eyes and tried to decide how long I’d been asleep. No way to tell without looking at my clock and Traci was blocking my view. “How’s she doing?”

“Still asleep.” Jake’s soft voice answered. I looked to see Jake sitting on the floor next to my bed, holding my hand as I slept.

“Do you think she’s ever going to talk about it?” Traci’s tone was skeptical.

“Yes, I am,” They both started at the sound of my voice. “But not tonight. Tomorrow, at the house, okay?” They exchanged a look over my head. “I promise that I will tell you everything after the work is done tomorrow. Now can I please have some of that juice?” I sat up in bed and reached for the bottle sitting on my desk. Traci handed it to me, wished us both goodnight, and headed back to her room.

Jake climbed up on the bed next to me and brushed the hair from my face. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. You don’t have to stay Jake. I’ll be fine now.”

“Nice try. I’m staying right here. I’ll sleep on the floor but I’m not leaving you tonight.”

I was too tired to argue. “You don’t need to sleep on the floor, just don’t hog the covers.” I put the juice back on my desk and made room for him to get in the bed with me. It was a very tight fit but Jake climbed in and spooned himself around me. Nestled safely in his arms, I sank into oblivion.

The world was black and spinning. In the distance I could hear people screaming. Spinning and spinning, I moaned and tried to make it stop. I couldn’t move. I panicked and began to struggle. I had to make it stop; please make it stop! I could hear someone shouting my name from a distance, but I couldn’t reach them. Please make the spinning stop!

“Samantha! Wake up, sweetheart. It’s just a dream.” I awoke, gasping and sweaty, my heart pounding in my chest. Jake was shaking me, “C’mon, sweetheart, wake up. You’re having a dream.”

I clung to Jake and tried to catch my breath. I haven’t had that dream in such a long time. He held me close dropping little kisses on my hair and face. “You’re okay now. You’re safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. It’s just a dream, just a dream.” He continued to murmur soft reassurances while I pulled myself together.

I snuggled closer to Jake, taking the comfort he offered, and realized I was tired-- tired of being scared, tired of trying to stay aloof, tired of being lonely. Most of all I was tired of pushing Jake away when all I really wanted to do was let him in. Ten years is long enough, I thought, tonight I start to live again.

Feeling Jake place another soft kiss on my forehead, I lifted my face to his. He captured my lips in a soft gentle kiss. When he tried to end it, I stayed with him, deepening the kiss. Jake pulled his lips from mine. “Sam, are you sure … ?”

I reached up and cupped the side of his face, “More than anything.”

With a groan, he crushed me in a kiss that took my breath away. Lightly he rubbed the tip of my breast, causing my nipple to become a hard nub in his palm. Jake's lips played havoc with my system as he placed a series of soft, sensuous kisses on my neck, pausing to lap gently at the hollow of my throat. Lower his hand traveled, grabbing the hem of my sleep shirt. As he leaned back to pull my shirt off, he rolled too far and fell right out of the bed!

I looked down at him and felt the laugh bubble out of me. I couldn’t help it; he looked so cute lying there on the floor. “Brat, you’re going to pay for that!” With a mock growl, Jake pounced on me and started to tickle my ribs. I squealed and squirmed and begged forgiveness. He stopped long enough to strip my shirt and panties, adding his own boxers to the pile.

Climbing back in bed, Jake continued his assault on my willing person. Tiny little kisses down my neck to my breasts, where he sucked one of my nipples into his mouth, flicking it gently with his tongue. As I moaned in need, his hand traveled lower and cupped my mons. Slowly he rubbed and slipped a finger into my slit, sliding it into my warm, wet canal. As his mouth traveled to my other nipple, he slipped a second finger into me and started pumping them in a slow steady motion, while his thumb started circling my clit, flicking it gently at random intervals. He was driving me insane. I couldn’t believe the sensations he was creating, pushing me to the brink. Not this way, I wanted him in me as I went over the edge. I wrapped my hand around his erection and tugged gently. “Jake, please, *now*,” I could barely moan the words. He kissed me again and gently nudged my legs further apart. Impaling himself in me in one long, smooth motion, he began to stroke, driving me higher than ever. I wrapped my legs around his waist as the base of his shaft drove into my clit. I began to shake and moan as my climax approached. Jake picked up the pace, driving deeper into my body. I could feel the muscles in my belly clench and my thighs tighten as my climax built. Jake continued his smooth, even strokes as my back arched beneath him and I went screaming over the edge. My body pulsing and writhing beneath him, Jake slammed into me one more time and bottomed out. I could feel him spurting inside me as he moaned my name and collapsed on top of me.

We lay there together, wrapped around each other, as we both rode the wave of release. As our breathing began to return to normal, Jake rolled off me, this time towards the wall. He tucked my back against his chest and wrapped himself around me as I drifted off to sleep once more.

# Chapter 5

“Hey you two, up and at ‘em.” Matt was standing over us grinning as I blinked at him owlishly.

Behind me Jake growled, “Fuck you. Learn to knock, why don’t you?”

“I did knock, twice in fact. Looks like you two had fun last night.” Matt wasn’t making any effort to leave. I groaned when I realized Jake and I were still naked, the blankets around our waists. Matt was unabashedly enjoying the view.

“Sam move, so I can beat the shit out of him.” Jake clearly was not a morning person. Then again, we hadn’t done a lot of sleeping last night.

Matt got the message, and left us alone. Jake dropped a kiss on my temple, “Morning, beautiful. Any regrets?"

I thought about our lovemaking and ruthlessly suppressed the twinge of fear trying to creep in. "No, Jake, no regrets."

"In that case, do you think we have time…?"

I looked at the clock, 9:00 a.m. It was a two-hour drive to the house. “They let us sleep in, we better get going.” With a sigh, he nodded and we climbed out of bed.

An hour later, after a quick swing through the grocery store, we hit the road. The trip went quickly as Matt went into goofball mode and Traci and I cranked up my iPod to sing along. Finally we pulled up in front of the house. We all piled out of the Expedition and looked around. The house was a two story contemporary log cabin that looked pretty unassuming from this angle. It stood on 10 acres of land, heavily wooded in places, with not another house in sight.

“Kind of remote, isn’t it?” Matt was still looking around at the forest.

“Yeah, but it’s worth it. Come on in.” I went to unlock the front door as the others trailed along behind me. As I opened the door, Jake scooped me into his arms and carried me over the threshold, dropping a kiss on my lips as he set me down in the foyer. I stepped through the archway that led into the great room.

“This is what makes it worth it.” Moving to the side, I turned so I could see their faces as they followed me into the room. They each stopped in their tracks, stunned by the incredible view of the small private lake through the soaring two-story wall of windows. After a quick tour of the rest of the house, we had lunch and got to work.

The guys assembled beds and set up the entertainment systems while Traci and I unpacked boxes. As we worked, I kept an eye out for one particular box. I spotted it just as we were ready to quit for the day and make dinner. “Jake, can you carry that out to the great room? I’m going to need it after dinner.” He gave me a quizzical look but did as I asked.

Dinner was a quick affair and we settled in front of the fire in the great room. I’d put it off long enough, time to get it over with. “Traci, I assume you told them the little bit you know?”

Traci shook her head. “Only that you were in an accident, and that just last night.”

Okay, might as well start at the beginning. “I enrolled in college right after high school but I lived at home and commuted because there wasn’t enough money for me to live in the dorm. In the spring semester of my junior year, my parents and I were in a really bad car accident.” I went to the box and opened it, sifting through it until I found the pictures and newspaper clippings. I spread them out on a coffee table and motioned everyone over.

“My parents were killed instantly.”

Traci gasped as she looked at the horrific pictures of my parents’ car after the accident. Matt looked like he might throw up. Jake had a muscle twitching convulsively in his jaw and his hands shook as he picked up one of the clippings.

“This is why I fell to pieces yesterday. Suddenly, I was in the backseat again, watching the truck about to hit us.”

Jake indicated the clipping he was holding, “This says you were in ‘serious but stable condition.’ What does that mean?”

“I didn’t wake up for two days, and I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Overall, I was pretty lucky, no permanent damage.” I sat back down on one of the couches and the others followed. Jake pulled me into his lap and buried his face in my hair.

Matt looked at the box in trepidation. “What else is in there?”

I smiled, “Nothing gross. The rest of it is the lawsuit. The truck driver who hit us was drunk. I sued him. I won. The driver appealed. It took forever, but I won in the end.”

Jake looked at me perceptively, “That’s not all of it, is it?”

I got up and started to pace. “No. I had a boyfriend, Brian. That’s who took those pictures. A week after the accident, he asked me to marry him. He said it made him realize how much I meant to him and I believed him. A couple of months later, I stopped by his dorm room unexpectedly and I heard him on the phone. He was bragging to one of his friends about how between the life insurance and the lawsuit his girlfriend was going to be rolling in the dough. He was never going to work again. I was devastated. I gave him his ring back and refused to see him again."

Jake was raking his hands through his hair. “That’s why you wouldn’t go out with me, isn’t it. You were afraid I was after the money.” He looked at me accusingly, “How could you possibly believe that? Damn it, Samantha, what do I have to do to get you to believe I love you?”

I couldn’t stop my smile, “Well, it might help if you actually told me.”

Matt snorted with laughter, “Ask him what’s in his pocket!”

Traci and I looked at Matt and then Jake in confusion. “What’s he talking about?”

“Never mind. It’s time for us to talk in private. I’ve had enough of the peanut gallery.” Jake grabbed my hand and led me upstairs to the master bedroom, locking the door behind us. He sat in one of the chairs and settled me in his lap.

“Samantha Wilson, I love you. I have loved you from the moment I saw you waiting in line at the dorm. You were so beautiful standing there. Then you smiled at me and it knocked a hole right through me. I’ve never been the same since. The more I got to know you, the deeper I fell.” Jake reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small velvet bag.

“Remember the night we played Spin the Bottle?” I nodded. “That kiss shook my soul. I opened my eyes and looked into yours and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. After the game, I went to the village and hunted until I found this.”

Jake opened the bag and emptied it into my palm. Oh my god, it was a ring. The stone was a beautiful golden citrine. “It reminds me of how your eyes looked after I kissed you. This is where you belong, Sam, right here with me. Forever. Marry me?”

Stunned, I stared at the ring in my palm. Tears started flowing down my face. I looked at Jake and let my smile say what my voice wasn’t capable of.

“Sam, it that a yes?”

“Yes, yes, forever yes.” Jake took the ring from my palm and slipped it on my finger. Our lips met in tender kiss that quickly gained heat. I slipped my hands around his neck and …

BANG, BANG, BANG. Jake and I jerked apart. Someone was beating on the bedroom door.

“C’mon you guys, we’re dying out here! We can’t hear anything. Did she say yes or what?” Matt’s voice was plaintive. I grinned at Jake as he rolled his eyes.

“I’ll take care of this.” I walked to the door and pulled it open. There stood Traci and Matt, wearing matching expressions of curiosity. “Soldier, since when is it permissible to beat on a General’s door? Go to bed. That’s an order.” I pointed down the hall towards the spare bedrooms, making sure to wave my ring under their noses.

“Sir, yes, Sir. Congratulations, Sir.” Matt didn’t even try to keep the smirk off his face. Traci squealed and gave me a quick hug before grabbing Matt’s arm and dragging him away. I shut the door, double-checking the lock.

“Now, where were we?” Jake captured my hand and kissed my palm. Rivers of desire ran from my hand and settled in my center. I had to tell him now, while I could still think.

“Jake, I love you.”

He went as still as stone. “You can’t imagine how much I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”

“Oh yeah, prove it.”

Jake took my soft words as the challenge they were. He began to undress me, stopping every so often to kiss me here, lick me there. He tossed me on the bed and began to undress himself. I crawled to the edge of the bed and ran my hands over the warm taunt skin of his chest. I moved closer so that my naked breasts brushed against him as I continued to explore his body, my nipples hardening a little more each time they touched him. Trailing my mouth along after my hands I worked my way towards his throbbing erection. As I closed my hands over it, Jake hissed.

“Oh no you don’t. This time it’s your turn.” He pushed me back on the bed and started at my feet. Slowly he worked his way up my body, touching, tasting, exploring. My anticipation was building as he worked his way toward my mons. I could feel myself getting wetter as his face hovered briefly over my center, breathing in my scent.

A moan escaped me, “Jake, you’re driving me insane.”

“Yes, I know, my love.” He continued his deliberate exploration, undeterred by my plea. He flicked my pebbled nipple with his tongue. I wove my fingers in his hair and held him there as he suckled my breast. Briefly his head dipped as he dropped a kiss on my navel, igniting a fire in my pussy. His hand moved between my legs as he slipped a finger into my slit. He moved it slowly, just barely grazing my clit. I jerked in response. He did it again, then added a second finger and slid them both up inside me.

“jakejakejakejake” I chanted as he started moving his fingers in and out. Just as I felt my orgasm approaching, he stopped. His fingers still buried in me, he leaned over and sucked my clit between his lips. I shrieked, my back arched, and every muscle in my body seized up as my climax crashed over me, leaving me gasping and shaking.

I opened my eyes to see Jake watching me. I smiled at him and rolled him on his back. Climbing on top of him, I placed his dick at my entrance and sank down on him. He reached up to play with my tits as I began to slide up and down on his shaft. Slow and steady, I continued to ride, stopping now and again, exhilarating in the feel of him buried deep within me. Jake groaned and moved his hands to my hips, quickening my pace. It wasn’t long before I was slamming myself down on him. He moved his thumb to my clit and began flicking it gently as I rode him. Once more I stiffened and shrieked as I went over the edge, feeling Jake spasm inside me before I collapsed on top of him.

I slid sideways off him, pillowed my head on his shoulder and tried to catch my breath. Jake tangled one hand in my long hair and stroked the thigh I had thrown over him.

“Sam, you love me right?”

“Mmmhhmmm”

“You enjoy it when we make love?”

“Ooohhh yeah”

“And you’re going to marry me?”

“Definitely”

“So, now can we go out on a date?”

# Epilogue

Smiling to myself as I walked back to the dorm, I remembered the question Jake had asked me six months ago. Yes, we went out on dates, lots of them. Making love in a twin bed was a skill that we had mastered too, but we still grabbed every weekend we could at the house.

Graduation was only two weeks away. Jake had insisted on signing a prenuptial agreement, even though I told him it wasn’t necessary. He laughingly said it was so everyone knew he was just after my body. The wedding was going to be a week after graduation, with Matt and Traci standing up as best man and maid of honor, respectively.

I giggled as I thought about the guys in the dining hall this morning whispering about the General. I set our breakfast down on my desk just as Jake, fresh from the shower, walked into my room. He smiled that slow, sexy smile that I knew was for me alone. Breakfast could wait.

“Ten HUT!”

--Fin--