Avoiding Amy Jackson

By N.A. Alcorn

Meet Amy Jackson. An outspoken, raunchy, in-your-face, loudly inappropriate ER Nurse who makes a career out of indulging.

One-night stands have always been her thing.

Commitment and relationships are two words that are not in her vocabulary.

Amy doesn't have dreams of soul mates and white picket fences. She adamantly refuses to even consider the idea of getting married and starting a family. She’s also obstinate in allowing a certain physician to get on her good side...

James Williams. A cocky, smug, too-damn-good-looking orthopedic surgeon who has his sights set on the very feisty Amy Jackson. He is more than intrigued and ready to do whatever it takes...

“I want this woman. I’m the type of guy who will fight for what he wants until he gets it. I will take my time with Amy. I won’t rush her. I will continue to slowly slide myself into her life until she realizes that I belong there. And then...I won’t let her go.”

This is Book Two in The Infamous Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.A. Alcorn
• Release date: Feb 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310714528

N.A. Alcorn

N.A. Alcorn is a Registered Nurse, book blogger,and aspiring writer. She was born and raised in Cincinnati,Ohio. She has a passion for reading novels that are romantic, funny, and full of angst. She also enjoys blogging about books and crazy, funny things going on in her life. Her website is www.livelovelaughandread.com.

Book preview

Avoiding Amy Jackson

By N.A. Alcorn

AVOIDING AMY JACKSON

Copyright 2014 N.A. Alcorn

Smashwords Edition

First Edition

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. All rights reserved.

Cover design copyright Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs

Editor: Mickey Reed www.mickeyreedediting.com

Ebook Formatting by White Hot Ebook Formatting

Disclaimer

This is a work of adult fiction. The author does not endorse or condone any of the behavior enclosed within. The subject matter is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity and explicit sexual situations.

Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book is also available in print at most online retailers.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Epilogue

Coming Soon

Reader Information

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Dedication

For The Neighbourhood

Your lyrical genius and undeniably melancholic, beautiful, heart-wrenching, soul-shattering music have left me awe-struck and inspired.

P.S. You’re all really wonderful guys, but I’m married, so I think we should just be friends.

Prologue

"Every man loves to hear he has a huge cock." James

You ready to head out of here? I discreetly whisper into Amy’s ear.

She looks up at me with a seductive smile and nods her head.

We currently reside at a table full of physicians and hospital administrators, having just finished dinner after Regency Memorial’s annual golf charity event. I had the pleasure of golfing with a fellow surgeon who has become an extremely close friend of mine since I moved to Charlotte. Trent Hamilton is a trauma surgeon who has temporarily taken over Dr. Grey’s practice. Dr. Grey was injured severely in a car accident several months ago and won’t be able to come back from his medical leave of absence until sometime in October. It’s crazy to say, since I’ve only known Trent for a short time, but he’s good people. I respect him highly as a fellow surgeon.

I really hope Trent chooses to stay in Charlotte permanently, and my gut instincts tell me that his girlfriend Ellen will be a huge factor in this decision. I’d bet a lot of money on the fact that it won’t be too hard to persuade him. Trent and Ellen are kind of perfect together. Their sexual tension is practically palpable. Those two were having an extremely difficult time keeping their hands off of each other at the golf event, and they managed to slip out before dinner even started, visibly ready to head back to his place to get their hands on each other. Assholes.

Today was my first opportunity to hang out with Ellen’s best friend. Amy Jackson. A beautiful, sexy, downright hilarious ER nurse at Regency. I’ve met her a few times over the past few months, but today I actually got to spend some time with her. I laid the flirtation and charming banter on heavily. Real thick. This woman has more than intrigued my interest and this is not just from a purely gentlemanly perspective.

She’s indulged in copious amounts of alcohol since about noon today, and now, well… the time is past seven. So you can only imagine the kind of state she’s in. Yeah, she’s shitfaced, and I know it’s about time I get her little ass home. Amy is the type of girl who says what she thinks and doesn’t give a fuck about the consequences. This is exactly why I need to get her out of here before she opens her mouth and lets her opinions about Regency’s policies be known to the hospital administrators near our table. There is no doubt that this girl has spunk and sass and enough confidence to bring any man to his knees. I really like that about her. I really like a lot of things about her, especially her tenacity and fiery personality.

Amy enjoys a good time—sometimes too much—as evidenced by her current state. I’ve found that when you work in an area of the medical field like the emergency room, you tend to play harder than most. The stress of adrenaline-rushing situations can wear on you, and sometimes—or in Amy’s case, a lot of times—you might indulge. I can relate to this. I’m a former Marine who has completed several tours in Iraq. And believe me, I’ve had my share of indulgent nights—far too many to count.

I’ve found that the drunker Amy gets, the louder Amy gets…and apparently the hornier she gets, too. She’s brushed her fingers along my crotch underneath the white linen table cloth more times than I can count. She’s now gazing at me with pure sexual wantonness written all over face.

Fuck.

Don’t get me wrong, I want Amy. I mean, I really want Amy, but I just can’t get past the fact that she’s far too intoxicated. I don’t want our first time together to be something she doesn’t remember—or in the worst-case scenario, regret. I don’t want Amy to have any regrets once I get her naked and in my bed. I only want one reaction after that momentous occasion—her on her knees, desperate for more. When I get Amy naked for the first time, which will happen, I will make it a night that she will never forget. But unfortunately for me, tonight is not that night. I prefer my sexual partners to be sober participants. Shitfaced and slurred speech are not qualities my cock enjoys. And Amy, well… She’s actually a little of both of those right now.

She’s still hot as fuck and I’m hard with every seductive glance she slides my way. Actually, I should clarify that I’m turned on every time she attempts at being seductive. She’s drunk and a little sloppy, so her seduction techniques aren’t exactly up to par at the moment, but her brazen motives, fantastic tits, and curvy ass are really helping to offset this. And her legs—oh my, the long, perfect legs on this girl… they drive me wild. If there is one quality that I can appreciate the most, it’s a nice set of legs, and Amy has these in spades. Despite the fact that I’m still undeniably attracted to Amy and practically drooling at the mere idea of sliding inside of her, I refuse to be that guy. The guy who gets his date drunk so he can ensure that his cock gets action at the end of the night. That kind of guy is a fucking asshole. I hate guys like that. And I am most definitely not that guy.

I have morals and consider myself a gentleman for the most part, but I’ve also had my fair share of one-night stands that were purely motivated by the attractiveness of the opposite sex…or fantastic legs. Yeah, those will definitely get me every time. It’s a sad, sad day when a man has to pass up an opportunity to get his hands on a pair of amazing legs or perfect tits, and I’m well aware that tonight may be one of those unfortunate days.

I wouldn’t say I’m not a relationship kind of guy. I’ve just been a guy who hasn’t really had time for a relationship. I’m a former Marine and currently an orthopedic surgeon. My life has been in warp speed since I graduated high school. Boot camp, several tours in Iraq, college, medical school, and then my surgical residency. And now, here I am, at the ripe old age of thirty-five, finally able to settle down in one place. I feel like I can actually breathe, actually appreciate this much slower pace. To say my life is in slow motion would be a lie. I’m busy nearly sixteen hours a day at least five days a week. I run my own practice just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, and find myself in the OR at Regency Medical Center nearly every day during the week. I’m busy, but just busy enough. I still have time for myself, time to enjoy my life.

Amy’s speech is visibly slurred as she engages in a conversation with one of Regency’s board of directors. I really need to get her out of here, like two hours ago. I pull the wine glass from her hand and give her my most convincing smile. I’m ready to get you home, doll. I wink at her and set her wine glass on the other side of me, far out of her reach.

"I’m ready for you to take me…home."

Her mind is on a one-way track, straight into my pants. I like this train of thought, but it’s just ill-fated that it will be wasted tonight. I’m more than hard at the thought of Amy naked, but the only thing that stands in the way of this glorious occasion is the copious amounts of alcohol she managed to consume tonight…today…all god damn day. I want to have sex with Amy tonight, but I know this would be an extremely terrible idea.

Or awesome…

No. Terrible. Idea.

This cannot happen. No matter how much she begs. I don’t consider myself a religious man, but please, God, let her pass out on the drive home. I will just tuck her into bed, let her sleep off the booze, and hopefully she’ll wake up with the same train of thought…to get into my pants.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and lead her out into the parking lot. The last drop of alcohol I had was over four hours ago so I’m more than okay to get us home safely. I open the passenger door of my SUV and start to help her inside, but she attacks my face like a mad woman. She sucks and bites and slips her tongue past my lips. I immediately taste the combination of red wine and strawberry gloss on her lips; it’s undeniably delicious and has me relinquishing into the kiss. I kiss her back, despite the warning bells that ring loudly in my head.

Stop.

Her tongue licks inside my mouth, tasting every inch of me.

Stop.

Amy’s breath hitches and her hand slides down my chest, past my stomach, and her fingers are dancing along the waistband of my pants.

STOP.

I grip her shoulders tightly and lean away from her mouth. She looks up at me underneath her thick lashes with unadulterated desire present in her eyes.

Let’s get you home, sweetheart. I gently peck her lips and slide the seatbelt over her lap, clicking it in place.

Hell yeah! Let’s get me home so you can slide that big cock inside of me! She yells out into the parking lot before I shut the passenger door.

Dear God, this will be harder than I thought.

I shake my head and chuckle a little at her drunken outburst as I walk around the back of my SUV. I hop in the driver’s seat, start the engine, and head out onto the main road. We’ve got about an hour drive until we reach her apartment. I’m more than thankful that Ellen was kind enough to text me the address before she and Trent bailed for the night. At this point in the game, Amy would either not remember her own address or refuse to tell me so that I would end up taking her back to my place. Not happening. No way, no how. I can’t resist the temptation of a drunken Amy, naked and seductively strutting around my apartment. I’m a gentleman, but not a fucking saint.

We’re about twenty minutes into our drive and Amy has the window rolled down. Her shoes are off and her feet rest comfortably on the edge of the door. She continues to hog my music selections as she loudly sings along to some chick song. I glance over at her with silent hope that her eyes look tired or her lips release an occasional yawn, but no. Amy continues to get more energy.

Did Regency have crack inside of the free booze tonight?

Do you have a big dick, James? Her inside voice is more like an outside voice. Or a voice you would use to speak in the middle of a rock concert.

The shock and audacity of her question takes me off guard and I sputter a little.

"Uh…what?" I look in my rearview mirror as I switch lanes on the highway.

Do. You. Have. A. Big. Dick? She somehow manages to leave the drunken slur out when she slowly and precisely pronounces each and every syllable of her question.

I’m not sure how to answer this. She’s wasted and horny, and if I even mention the far-above-average length and girth of my cock, I highly doubt that it will aid me in strategically getting Amy to bed without having to pry her off of my dick. And to answer your question, yes, I’ve been known to please many women with the equipment God gave me. I’m not egotistical, I’m fucking honest. They called me Seabiscuit in high school for a reason and it had nothing to do with my interest in equestrian sports.

We need more music, sweetheart. I glance at her out of my periphery and grin. I’m desperate to get her mind off of anything remotely sexual.

"Ohhhhhhh I bet your dick is huge. I could tell when I was running my hand up and down your pants at dinner. Let me touch. She starts to take off her seatbelt and lean over towards me. Get your dick out, James. Get that big dick out. Her hands start to grab for my zipper and my eyes go wide in shock. What, are you hiding an eggplant in here?"

I deftly try to maneuver away from her grabby little hands. For a drunk woman, she’s ridiculously quick. Let’s save the fun for later. Jesus, that’s not going to help me. It might tide her over for twenty more minutes, but when I get her back to her apartment, she will be even more ready. My gaze meets hers and I swear she looks like a prizefighter ready to get into the ring and hump her opponent to death. Her lustful eyes are starting to scare me a little. They’re intense, and I’m pretty sure this look right here is Amy’s game face. Her I’m going to ride his cock until he’s screaming my name game face.

I’m so screwed.

I’ve got an idea! She bounces excitedly and claps her hands together.

What’s your idea? Please say Taco Bell or go to bed or pass out in the car… Even vomit would work. Her vomiting would definitely get me off the hook.

I’m going to give you road head! Momma’s planning a party and she needs some salami to go with her cream cheese! she squeals in excitement and dives head first into my lap.

Cream cheese?

Is she talking about salami roll-ups right now while her face is in my crotch?

Her teeth skillfully move my zipper down and then proceed to unbutton my pants. The feel of her mouth so close to my cock pull my thoughts back to the problem at hand. How in the hell can a drunk girl pull off a move like that? I’m impressed and turned on. Shit, I’m not supposed to be hard right now. Stop being hard! Get un-hard!

Think about your grandma, baseball, fractured bones, torn ACLs…

Mmmm I can’t wait to taste you, James, she purrs into my boxer briefs. Oh thank god, my briefs are still covering me. Wait…now she’s starting to pull those down with her teeth! I feel her lips lightly brush the tip of my shaft and I jerk back in response, my mind and cock at war to stop this.

Hell yeah a blow job!

Stop her!

Road head!

Don’t let this happen!

Fuuuuuuuuuck.

My mind wins the battle as I place my hand down just in time before she starts to take me into her mouth. Hey! Don’t be a cockblocker! Give me that big cock! God that thing is huuuuuuge!

Okay, I’m not going to lie; I did smile at the last comment, but seriously, who wouldn’t? Every guy wants to hear that he’s got a big dick.

Amy, I can’t concentrate on driving with your face near my cock. Please, sit up, put your seatbelt back on, and let me get us home safely.

She sits back in her seat, clicking her seatbelt into place, crossing her arms across her chest in frustration.

I attempt to brighten her mood. Don’t be mad. Believe me, I thought that idea was fan-fucking-tastic, but I just didn’t want to risk your safety so I could get my dick sucked.

I can’t lie, I really like where her head is at right now, and I pray to everything holy that Amy’s mind tends to wander this route when she’s not over-the-top intoxicated. She’s at a crucial point where she is between completely shit-canned and headed straight towards bum-fucking drunk. Yes, bum-fucking drunk. The kind of drunk that puts you at risk for having absolutely no inhibitions. The kind of drunk where you would quite possibly fuck a hobo off of the street. Basically, bum-fucking drunk is the worst kind of drunk. This is the type of shitfaced where you wake up the next day in the parking lot next to Walmart with nothing but a woman’s thong on and King Hobo written across your chest in black sharpie. The moral of this story is never let yourself get bum-fucking drunk. There is one thing I’m convinced of though. If Amy is like this sober, she might be the woman of my god damn dreams…

"Get your big dick sucked. Don’t forget the big." She flashes me an adorable smile. Her face is slightly flushed. I’m not sure if it’s from embarrassment or just from all of the alcohol she’s consumed.

I manage to get us to her apartment in record time, with only a few minor complications. Amy screaming out of the window that she’s about to get stuffed with a big dick tonight was one of them. Again, her words, not mine.

I get her upstairs into her apartment, and she grabs my hand as she proceeds to drag me to her bedroom. For a petite woman, she’s got some serious strength. We reach her bedroom and she pulls me inside. The door slams shut behind us.

Take off your clothes, James, she commands as she slides out of her skirt and then her panties. Then, next thing I know, Amy is standing in front of me, completely naked. She’s stealthy like a ninja—a little drunken ninja.

God, she’s beautiful.

I can’t stop my eyes. They roam down her body and take in every perfect inch of her petite and curvy frame. Her soft, luscious skin. Her devastating curves. Her perfect tits. Her long, toned legs.

I shake my head and attempt to bring myself back to Earth. Where are your pajamas? I’ll help you get ready for bed, sweetheart. I start to frantically rummage through her dresser drawers as I look for any article of clothing that will cover up her nakedness. I’m not sure how much longer I can stand here in such close proximity with a very naked Amy without doing something I’ll regret.

I don’t wear pajamas, James. I sleep naked. I’m frozen in place and my eyes close shut from discomfort at the idea of Amy sleeping naked every night. Maybe I can just sleep next to her tonight; I won’t touch her. Okay, maybe I’ll only touch her a little bit…

No. No. No.

James… she purrs from behind me. I hesitantly turn around to see Amy stretched across her bed. Her brunette hair is splayed out around her pillow, her eyes thick with want and her full, pink lips parted. Her creamy thighs are spread open and she is lightly touching herself. She watches me watch her.

This might be the most painfully erotic moment of my life.

I drag my hand down my face and take a deep breath. This situation continues to get worse by the second, and my cock now stands at attention, saluting her pussy like a god damn soldier. I adjust my pants, attempt to coax my dick to get his head on straight, and realize that sex with Amy is not happening tonight. Fuck, I want her. I ache at the sight of her, but I can’t. I just can’t. She’s far too drunk and I couldn’t be any more sober right now. This just can’t happen. It’s wrong on so many levels.

It might be wrong, but it will definitely feel good to be inside of her…

I have to think fast. I can’t just stand here and gawk at her like a horny bastard.

James…let me see that soup-can dick… Get it out for me.

Soup-can dick?

"Yes, baby. Get that soup-can cock out for me. I bet it’s Mmmmm mmmmm good," she moans while she continues touching herself, sliding her fingers through her arousal, rubbing gently on her clit as she continues to compare my cock to a soup can. This has got to be the most preposterous, hilarious situation I’ve found myself in in a really long time.

I sit on the bed next to her, my steely resolve firmly in place, and pull her hand away from herself. She looks confused and slightly shocked when I stop her. I take a deep breath and prepare myself to say the hardest words that will ever come out of my mouth. "I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I just can’t accept this very generous offer. I mean, I want to… I really, really want to. But I think you might have had too much to drink and I just…can’t do it. If I were drunk or if you were sober, you can bet that beautiful pussy of yours that I would be naked right here with you, but I can’t take advantage of you like this. Please don’t be mad."

Amy’s mouth is agape and the expression on her face has changed dramatically. She is no longer the woman who was just begging for my cock. She is now a woman I’m slightly fearful of. Her eyebrows are scrunched, her forehead is creased, and I’m pretty sure she’s about to telepathically light me on fire.

Get the fuck out! she screams as she throws a pillow at my face. Out! Now! Get your pathetic cock out of my room now!

This didn’t go as planned. Not to script…at all.

I jump up off of her bed and hold my hands in the air like I’m being held at gunpoint. I’m sorry! Amy, I’m so sorry. Don’t be mad, sweetheart.

Are you deaf, motherfucker? I said take your pathetic excuse for a cock and get the hell out of my apartment! she nearly growls at me as her drunken eyes seethe fury.

So I do the only logical thing. I turn on my heels and walk straight out of her apartment, leaving a very naked and more than pissed Amy in her room.

How in the hell did I go from being called Mmmm mmmm good to pathetic cock? She went from begging me to fuck her to boiling with rage in a matter of seconds. Amy was like a teeny, tiny drunken version of the Incredible Hulk. When she didn’t get the D, she got very, very angry.

There are a few things I’m certain of now.

I don’t like Amy when she’s angry.

If I hadn’t left her apartment when I did, she probably would have gone Hulk Smash on my balls.

Amy referred to my dick as an eggplant, salami, and a soup can in the span of twenty minutes.

Amy is a big fan of my cock.

I know tonight was a bust in terms of getting on Amy’s good side, and unless she wakes up with some sort of drunken amnesia, I’ll probably have a lot of making up to do in order to get off of her shit list, but I think it’s pretty obvious that we can go ahead and add a victory for Seabiscuit. Next time—and there will be a next time—I can guarantee that this horse will be ready to stud.

Chapter One

"Nothing makes a vagina happier than sex, porn, and lots of masturbation." - Amy

My vagina has a first name and it’s p-u-s-s-y. My vagina has a second name… I’m screwing with you. I’m not going to sing the entire Oscar Mayer Weiner song and insert quippy words for vagina. My plan is to encourage deep philosophical thoughts on the entire issue that is the female reproductive organ, vagina.

Okay, I’m still messing with you.

I don’t always talk about my vagina.

Okay, maybe I’m still kind of fucking with you.

I’m fully aware that I’m highly inappropriate and seem to make a career out of having a good time. When you work in the emergency room day in and day out, you have to find a way to relieve stress, a way to take your mind off of the high-pressure situations you’ve dealt with throughout your shift. Don’t get me wrong, I love working in the ER, but being a nurse in the emergency department of a hospital that receives the majority of trauma victims in the area is a lot to deal with some days. I have shifts where my body feels like it is in a constant state of adrenaline, and believe me, this can take a toll.

My stress outlet tends to revolve around bars, nights out with friends, alcohol, and the occasional one-night stand. Yeah, it’s not the healthiest way to deal with things, especially since I tend to take a college sorority girl approach to drinking.

My full name is Amy Lucille Jackson. My father wanted to name me Lucille after his beloved grandmother, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting, but my mother would only settle for Amy Lucille. She refused to give me a surname that would remind most people of a redheaded comedic actress from the fifties. My closest friends call me Am, my one-night stands most likely call me greedy cunt, and everyone else probably enjoys calling me an asshole. I won’t deny that the latter two are warranted.

I’m twenty-nine years old and a seasoned ER nurse with a propensity for word vomit. I’d also consider myself someone who enjoys sex. It’s a release that aids in my one-woman act of careless avoidance. I joke that I’m an obsessive masturbator, which may or may not be true, and I take a hell of a lot of pride in my well-versed knowledge of porn gifs. The Cliff Notes version, I avoid emotional attachments with sex. I have my reasons. I may not necessarily be proud of the selfish bitch-like qualities my personality tends to gravitate towards, but I definitely own that shit like it’s no one’s business.

I love the release, the moments of mind-numbing pleasure that sex gives me. And my vagina, well… she fucking loves it too. She’s greedy and obnoxious, and she has no qualms with letting you know what she wants. She will take and take and take, and when she’s done taking, she’ll drunk dial your ass at 2:00 a.m. and attempt a late-night booty call to take some more. She’s a dirty little slut who encourages me to do filthy, vile things my mother would be ashamed of.

So that’s me, the greedy c-u-n-t you will either love or hate. There really aren’t any in-betweens. I’m a balls-out, in-your-face kind of chick. I haven’t always been this much of an asshole. Okay, that’s a lie. I guess I’ve always been kind of an asshole, but everyone has reasons for being the person they are today. Everyone has past mistakes and life lessons that shape them, that turn them into someone they may or may not like. I have my mistakes, my regrets, my accomplishments, and life lessons. I have flaws. I have weak points, but who doesn’t?

I guess it’s what you do with those regrets that truly make a difference, and honestly, I’m not sure I’ve handled my regrets appropriately. I’m painfully aware that my coping mechanisms haven’t been the healthiest. I’ve made a career out of carelessly flitting through life, evading facing actual emotions. After a traumatic life experience that left a giant, jagged scar on my heart, I became agonizingly aware of the fact that I’m selfish. I learned at the very young age of fifteen that I’m the type of person who tends to put her needs, her wants, and her desires first. I’ve had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing the consequences of my egocentricity. I’ve witnessed the devastating aftermath that can occur after my selfishness wreaks havoc. Somewhere underneath all of my bitch-like qualities, I know I have yet to come to terms with this. I haven’t faced the grief I’ve managed to bury deep inside of my soul. I’ve only avoided the pain and owned my predisposition for greediness.

I guess that’s