OBSTACLES of LOVE

CONTEST WINNERS

The first-place winner in this contest moves to the final round on the Romance Profile!

*****

First Place: heythereelijah

THE WHISTLE of the TRAIN 

A single rose was all I'd had left.

The day the last petal fell, the dry wisp of burnt sienna fluttering to the table like the broken wing of a butterfly, was the day I vowed to get over him.

It had been three weeks since our whirlwind romance ended, twenty-one days since I'd kissed him goodbye with my eyes closed so tight I saw stars.

"Goodbye, Emmeline." His strained whisper still lingered in my ears, echoing through my chest like a bullet and causing only slightly less damage.

One week was all we'd promised, no more, no less, and three more had passed along with it. It was time to step forward and not let the past tether me to a fantasy any longer.

But that was so much easier said than done.

From the moment he sat beside me on the train, he'd consumed me. I could smell nothing but the woodsy scent of his aftershave, see nothing but the warmth of his mahogany gaze.

Our fire burned so bright so quickly, it was inevitable the flames would flicker and die out until we were left with nothing but the glowing embers of a passion that once was.

But we never had a chance to burn out, the white-hot flames still roaring for him as I stepped onto the train that would take me back home to reality.

I didn't even know his last name, but I could vividly recall the location of every freckle that rested upon his cheeks and had memorized each fleck of gold in the chocolate sea of his eyes.

I'd forced myself to step on the train the next morning, the local train just uptown to the library.

Maybe if my heart didn't clench every time I heard its whistle, I could begin to heal.

"Is this seat taken?" There was no accent curling around the words this time, no velvet timbre making my breath catch, but it was a pleasant voice just the same.

I looked up with a smile, before shaking my head. He was certainly handsome, his dark hair thick and brushed back neatly, although I noticed there was no silver lining his temples prematurely.

He struck up a polite conversation, and by the time we'd reached the marketplace, we found we both enjoyed Thai food, had sisters we'd detested, and summered in the Outer Banks as children.

We exchanged numbers just before he missed his exit, rushing to the door with an adorably apologetic smile.

"Goodbye, Emmeline," he'd called to me, but the words were not heavy with emotion; they did not play endlessly in my mind after they'd left his lips.

His number illuminating my screen the following day did nothing to my pulse, which remained steady as we made plans to meet for dinner, and his hand wrapped around mine did not ignite tiny flames beneath my skin. But his witty conversation and intelligent humor had me agreeing to a second date.

The lips that pressed against mine as we stood outside my door were thinner than those I'd been dreaming of, but they were sweet nonetheless, leaving behind a drop of honey on my tongue and a pleasant hum of contentment in my chest.

By our third date, the fingertips pressing into my back as he led me through the restaurant had become familiar, perhaps even welcome. The cologne that tickled my nostrils was new and different, and the way he ordered my preferred drink before we'd even glanced at the menus had a smile tugging at my stubborn lips.

"I hope you don't mind. My sister is in town unexpectedly, and I've invited her to join us." His hand wrapped around mine, squeezing once in earnest.

"Of course, I don't mind at all."

Moments later, he stood. A beautiful blonde woman appeared, with elegant posture and cherry lips.

"Emmeline, this is my sister, Melanie. Oh, and our cousin, Daniel."

My eyes widened as they drank in the sight of my long lost lover.

Shock flowed through my veins, numbing me from the inside. I murmured an excuse and rushed off to the restroom.

Before I could push open the door, his fingers curled around my arm. He brushed back a lock of blonde hair from my face, as his dark eyes filled with unexpected joy.

"Hello, Emmeline."

Words seemed unnecessary with serendipity crackling in the air around us.

In the distance, I could hear the whistle of the train.

[The end.]

*****

Second Place:  jkowen8

AT LEAST ONCE

"No," was the first thing Raul said when meeting Cara's practiced smile.

In the motel room's doorway, he stared at how her thin black straps dug into her shoulders to hold her heavy cleavage up.

"Oh, so serious," she joked to test him.

The comfortable room served as a command center for their undercover operation. Husband and wife, like in all their best missions. On pause ever since her stupid mistake, when she accidentally...

It was time for Cara to make it right. He had moved on, on his way to getting married, avoiding her. All she wanted was a chance to prove that if he preferred to stay friends and co-workers, she would be more than happy to. She'd missed their effortless missions, laughing and struggling not to end up in bed together, keeping it "professional". They worked so well as a duo.

Raul passed her to get in, keeping the maximum distance between their bodies at all times. His codename was El Oso, which meant The Bear, completely deserved by his large frame and hairy arms.

It didn't help that she found him hot, no matter what he was wearing: biker gear, hoodie, and jeans, sweatpants, tank tops that displayed his sculpted arms. Even more so when in a suit, now black with an assorted thin tie.

Cara bit her lower lip intentionally at the exact time he brought his dark eyes back to her. His short hair made him look like a soldier, only the decorative parallel lines above his left ear, showing dark skin, betrayed he wasn't one.

He grinned with perfectly aligned teeth, bright when seeing her so deflated, "Cara. Good to see you again." He didn't let her smile spread, taking USB cables out of his suitcase, placing them on the bed in meticulous order. "We should get started."

Cara needed a moment to breathe, left without weapons. Her sharpest one had been dulled by his apparent immunity to her charms. She pushed her breasts forward, upset with herself that she wasn't accepting his rejection. She had inserted herself into his mission at the last minute, to prove to him she could be civilized when around him, and now she was all hurt he was getting married anyway, tempted to try to convince him to run away with her. She closed her eyes.

"What's wrong?" he finally asked, but it took him longer than if he didn't already know.

"Listen, I don't wanna make this weird," Cara said, avoiding his stare. Every time he looked at her, she knew he was thinking about the same thing she was: how she got down on her knees in that seedy biker bar broom closet--so that the MC leader they were surveilling found them in a position that would take his mind off the suspicion they'd been snooping around. Cara's split-second decision surprised everyone, including Raul and herself. And to be fair, it worked: Tony Romo opened that closet door ready to kill them, only to become amiable and sarcastic, watching Raul pull his pants back up.

They never did another mission together, and Cara worried it wasn't fate.

"I think we work well together," she said. "It would be a shame for us... To stop. Because of one mistake I made."

"It wasn't that," he avoided her stare. "You got us out of there alive," he joked.

Cara grinned back, then pouted, not hiding her amusement.

"I just needed some distance," he explained. "You said you weren't going to settle down very soon, we were working together... And I wanted something more... Serious."

Consequences scared Cara, they kept following her: one year later, the email asking all agents to chip in for a wedding gift stabbed her in the heart in a way no Grizzly decorated email had the right to.

"Well, congratulations," she made use of all her acting talent. She had been afraid to give the two of them a try, for approximately the same reasons he outlined. She thought it was a crush that would go away.

"Yeah, the wedding's not happening," Raul said, the laptop screen lighting his face. He kept on typing as if irrelevant information.

"What?!"

"Yeah," he said, busy connecting to the wiretapping network. "I thought I'd wait longer. You know, before settling down."

"Why--"

He was no longer typing, he just stared at the screen, his profile still in the cold white light.

Cara smiled, although he couldn't see it. "So now you're...?" she made him bring his eyes back to her. He didn't answer, so she continued, "It's a shame--because I was thinking of settling down."

"You?" he smiled warmer, and Cara took it as the invitation that it was.

"Yeah, you know, try that serious thing. I'm not sure I'll be good at it," she sauntered, encouraged by his silent admiration.

She reached him as he sat on the bed, next to the laptop, spread in a star of connected devices. "There is one thing I'm very good at, though."

"I think I got the demo," he laughed, putting his arms around her, his palms caressing her back, pulling her closer.

Cara bent to kiss him, her hesitation melting when their lips touched, her tongue rushing to taste him. His grip around her tightened, forcing her to climb him, her knees sinking into the mattress.

His mouth left hers to continue down her neck, pulling the straps over her shoulders, down her elbows. The synthetic fabric's tightness kept the dress up, his too-big hand impatiently pulling the side zipper to release her breasts into his breath. Then, he lifted the hem, revealing unnecessarily lacy underwear picked out of a lineup of twelve, just in case she might get him into bed.

At least once.

*****

A Tie for Third Place:  JoeLechene

BREAKUP NIGHT OUT

Why of all nights did I decide to finally get out of the apartment for a few drinks tonight? Why did this have to be the only gay bar in this little city? Why did my ex-boyfriend also have to pick this place and night to go on a date? And why was I still sitting on my barstool watching them from across the room? At least I knew the answer to the last question, I still wasn't over him. The night that I threw him out of our apartment was one of the worst fights that we ever had. Just because the bastard couldn't keep his hands to himself.

I was already on my third drink when the time came to go break the seal. Maybe the three cups of coffee that I drank before leaving the apartment were a bad idea after all. As I walked over to the restroom beside the pool table, I did my best not to look at them. He looked so giddy while chatting with the little thing across the table from him. It had barely been a month since we split, and it looked like he already found a new toy. Of course, Mitch could charm even the straightest man into his bedroom if he wanted.

After semi-successfully ignoring both, I slipped into the restroom and found the urinal furthest away from the door. Just after I started to relieve myself, the door swung open and the chatty couple waltzed right into the restroom. It was too late to stop, so I averted my gaze to the porcelain basin in front of me. Mitch dragged the little thing that he was with into the stall directly behind me, shutting and latching the door behind them. I could feel the heat rush to my face as I knew the bastard had to have seen me. He didn't even acknowledge my existence as they rushed to go do whatever it was they doing in there.

The sudden fear that I might hear something I didn't want to hit me like a ton of bricks. I finished my business, washed my hands, and got out of there as fast as I could. Even though we were separated, the thought of Mitch messing around with another guy still made me sick. After returning to my barstool, the bartender placed a full glass on the bar in front of me. I wanted to leave, but after that whole ordeal, I could use another drink. Holding my chin up with my hands, I slipped the ice-cold beverage through the straw. I didn't even notice how fast I sucked it down until there were just bubbles coming up through the straw. I hated what thinking about him did to me. Thinking about how much of a mess he turned me into. Just as the straw left my lips, someone sat down on the vacant barstool beside me. I had no interest to look and see who it was. In fact, I had no desire to move an inch at this moment.

An all too familiar voice asked, "Can I get a vodka and cranberry? My friend here will have another Captain and Coke."

The bartender answered, "Sure thing."

The empty mug in front of me was replaced with another full one while another full glass was set down beside me. I guess Mitch really was out to torture me tonight. Although I was already starting to bet buzzed, I started sipping on my fifth drink of the evening anyway. If I had to endure sitting beside him, I might as well get drunk.

Mitch asked, "Tanner, would you please talk to me?"

I gulped my drink down and let the straw slip back out of my lips. Still not looking at him, I questioned, "What happened to your plaything?"

Mitch replied, "He left."

I glanced over to Mitch and asked, "Really? Lost your game?"

Mitch huffed, "Ugh, I thought the distraction would take my mind off you. But you just had to show up the same night that I finally decided to hook up. After I saw you here, I couldn't bring myself to go through with it."

"Didn't stop you before."

Mitch slammed his glass down on the bar, "Dammit Tanner, I told you that I never cheated on you. That guy was trying to rub up on me and I was trying to push him away. You're the only man I've ever wanted. The only man that I still want."

I looked over at him and saw the sincerity in his face. The time apart must have been what I needed to finally see the truth. Mitch was just as sincere as the first time we were together. Now, he looked defeated, like he just lost his best friend. They say that time heals all wounds and maybe that was true with us too. Part of me wanted to stay mad at him while the other just wanted my best friend and lover back. I placed my hand on top of his thigh and gave it a light squeeze.

"Come on, let's get out of here. We'll see how willing you are to make up with me."

Both of us chugged what was left of our drinks and Mitch dropped enough cash on the bar to cover our tabs. It felt like our first date all over again as we left the bar and headed back to the apartment. The apartment that we got together when we went off to college. The bed that we shared every night since. The mattress that we made sweet love on countless times. I made love to my man once again for what seemed like an eternity. After, he held my back tight against his chest under the soft sheets. This time though, I didn't want him to let go.

His nose nuzzled the back of my neck, "I love you, Tanner."

"I love you too, Mitch."

*****

A Tie for Third Place:  EllaMooreAuthor

COMMANDER MINE

Mei was done waiting for Karsten to come to his senses.

When she'd left him a century ago, she'd hoped he would miss her enough to admit to himself he loved her. Instead, Mei had spent years away from him fighting for Lucifer's cause in ancient civilizations without hearing a word.

It didn't matter. The moment her best friend and Lucifer's right hand had told her Karsten was in trouble, she'd handed over her duties and traveled to Kemet, the kingdom stretching the length of the Nile where Karsten was doing Lucifer's bidding.

During the entire flight, she kept telling herself nobody was strong enough to hurt the large, stoic male. She found she couldn't fool her brain into believing her own lies.

By the time she touched down in Avaris, her legs were shaking and her demonic powers running low after the long trek. Still, she strode through the dusty, narrow streets to the one demon who could tell her where Karsten might be.

When nobody answered her insistent pounding on the weathered wooden door, she kicked the thing down.

"I'd welcome you to my house, but you destroyed the only barrier keeping the vermin out," a tanned male said, leaning against the mud-brick wall. "I'd appreciate it if you left."

Mei crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the demonic spy who knew everything that happened in Avaris, the capital Lucifer kept a close eye on.

"Don't make me kick you out," the male sighed.

"Where's Karsten?"

The demon in front of her pushed himself off the wall and ambled closer. "I should have known that damn male would bring trouble in his wake."

"Where is he?" she asked again.

When Ammon didn't reply, Mei unsheathed her scimitar from her back and pushed the last of her hellfire into the blade. The metal glowed crimson, finally drawing a reaction other than boredom from the demon in front of her.

"Show me your warrior tattoo," Ammon demanded.

Mei pulled the leather on her chest aside to unveil the coiled snake on her tawny skin, marking her as one of Lucifer's warriors.

"You could have identified yourself before you demolished my house," the demon told her.

"Where would be the fun in that?" Mei took a deep breath before repeating, "Where is he?"

Finally, Ammon caved. "I don't know. That's why I sent a report to Lucifer. He went missing a fortnight ago when he went looking for the high priest of Sekhmet on Lucifer's orders"

Mei had left the house before he could utter another word.

At the entrance of a dark room deep in the temple complex dedicated to Sekhmet, Mei stood nailed to the sand-covered stone beneath her feet.

The love of her life, the toughest demon she'd ever laid eyes on, hung broken from thick chains embedded in the rough rock. The only movement was the slow path of crimson droplets from his wrists strung up above his head along the muscle of his dark-skinned arm.

Rage slithered up her spine until goosebumps covered her skin despite the sweltering heat in the temple complex.

How dare they break the male she loved?

When the guards she'd lost mere moments ago burst through the door at the other end of the pillared corridor, the smile she sent them felt thin, tight and threatening.

She turned from her human to her demonic form, red scales and spikes plating her body and crimson hellfire flaring on her palms. The guards ground to a halt, unsure how to deal with something beyond the mortal realm they knew, giving Mei ample time to infuse her katana with hellfire and charge the damn humans.

When every one of them had lost his head to her beloved blade, she dropped her weapon and ran to Karsten's side.

Her bloodied fingers on his cheek made him lift his head. Dark eyes tried to focus on her face.

"M-Mei?"

She rested her forehead against his damp skin and whispered, "Commander mine."

He tried to smile at her old endearment but groaned in pain instead. His head dropped back to his chest, and Mei's heart fell.

Karsten's upbringing had taught him showing pain, or any emotion for that matter was a weakness enemies could exploit. Seeing him agonized to the point where he could no longer hide the pain broke her heart.

All these years she'd waited for him to show emotion, to let her in. Now she cursed her selfish desire, feeling like she'd challenged Fate.

Mei drew her daggers from the scabbards around her leather-clad thighs and pushed the last of her hellfire in the blades, shoving them between the shackles embedded in the rock. Her demonic strength and the heat of her hellfire allowed her to break the links. When she did the same to the chains around his wrists, Karsten fell forward against her, his large, muscled body bringing her down to the floor.

She had no idea how she was going to get the massive demon out of this cursed temple. Instead, she pushed herself up and positioned his head in her lap. Her fingers ran through his short dark hair and along his neck to the slope of his shoulders.

"Couldn't stay out of trouble, could you?" Mei whispered while she brushed her fingertips over his collarbone.

He arched into her touch, and her heart jumped.

"This time, I'm not letting you go," she warned the half-conscious male. "I don't give a shit how hard you fight me."

Karsten pressed his lips against her wrist in silent response, and Mei knew they'd make it.

Somehow, they'd make it through and spend eternity together.

She refused to have it any other way.

*****