“Just a couple more steps and you’re there.” Ryan slid his arm around Sophie’s waist and nudged the taxi door closed. As the car pulled away from the curb he glanced at the veranda of her cottage-style home, thankful she’d left the porch light on so they wouldn’t have to navigate the brick pathway in the dark.She clutched his hand and snorted. “Someone’s moved the house! I can’t make it that far.”Ryan smiled and stepped a...

Thank you to Wellmademale for coming up with the challenge to write a story based on the above photo.Maggie stood in the middle of her bedroom and peered into the full-length mirror, fluffing her long blonde hair and blowing the side-swept fringe from her eyes. She smiled as she gave her outfit a final once over. The mismatched collection of garments clashed and fit together perfectly all at the same time.  Her shoulders...

Jack awoke to the sound of gentle snoring and the alluring scent of warm woman. Long limbs draped over his chest and thighs, wrapping him in a snug cocoon. He shifted his arm and realised his elbow had somehow become nestled between a pair of breasts. A slamming door and a burst of raucous laughter broke the silence outside as the hotel grounds slowly came to life. The rattle of a cart echoed in the corridor, bypassing th...

Meg dropped her beach bag onto the sand and spread her towel over the sun lounge she’d just rented from one of the locals. She adjusted the strap on her white bikini and tugged her sunglasses from her hair, sliding them into place over her eyes. With her fingers linked above her head, she arched her back and gave her muscles a leisurely stretch. She’d started the day on little more than two hours sleep after making love w...

Meg let out a relieved sigh as she kicked off her sandals and leaned on the balcony railing of her second floor hotel room. She tucked her russet-coloured curls behind her ear and gazed at the tropical gardens below. Butterflies hovered over lush plants and the breeze carried with it distant laughter from the swimming pool. Her skin gleamed with moisture and her long hair clung to the back of her neck. She absently traile...

Emma sipped absently from her champagne glass and glanced around the room. The three piece band had just begun playing, the lively tune almost drowned out by the thrum of voices. Many of the guests had already found their tables, while others milled around the bar chatting and drinking. She smoothed the skirt of her black strapless dress and tucked a tendril of auburn hair behind her ear. Her stomach fluttered as she sear...

Grace Newell tugged at the strap of her black singlet and let out a sigh. She couldn’t believe she was actually going through with this. She rapped her knuckles against the door and took a step back. Her heart thudded so loud the beats pounded in her ears.  She smoothed her hands over her denim skirt and turned to gaze at the quiet street. Sunlight bounced off the windshield of her parked car. A dog barked in the distance...

Tess stopped walking and blew out a loud breath. She shoved tangles of flame-red hair from her brow and stared up at the sky. The clouds had shifted and reformed, their colour deepening to an ominous grey. It was only a matter of time before they broke.She slanted a glance at her wristwatch; four-thirty already. Her stomach churned at the thought of the storm threat hanging over her and the good couple of hours hiking she...

Molly's voice echoed in the candlelit bathroom, her off-key words bouncing from the tiled walls. The scent of gardenias filled the air, drifting from the emptying bath behind her. With her face scrubbed free of makeup and her body relaxed after a long soak, this was one of her favourite parts of the day. The boys were in bed. Housework done. Her time to finally wind down at the end of it all. She pulled her robe closed an...

Catherine wandered through her noise-filled home, listening to her heels click on the floorboards as the music's heady beat thrummed through her veins. She sent an occasional smile to one guest or another, raising the champagne flute clutched in her fingers in a silent toast. Friends and family filled her home to capacity, all in attendance to celebrate her husband Sean's thirty-fifth birthday. Despite the chaos surroundi...

Chloe perched on the edge of kitchen bench, her legs crossed at the knees. A silver heel dangled from one set of toes while the other lay on the tiles at her feet. A feeling of contentment washed over her. She tossed her black hair over one shoulder and glanced around the chaotic kitchen. There were empty glasses everywhere, half-finished plates of food, and someone's forgotten jacket draped over a dining chair. She drew...