Fantasies Abound

By Laura M. Baird

For the past seven years, straight-laced Sable Stephenson has been dedicated to her studies, leaving little time for pleasure. Even with graduation in sight, her drive begins to falter, so she accepts a friend's suggestion for a carefree Spring Break to clear the cobwebs. A little dancing, a few drinks...she'd be back on track in no time. But falling for sexy club owner Tomas Mancini isn't part of the deal. He's fourteen years her senior and a Dom, yet he arouses fantasies she's never even dreamed of. One night of passion turns to more, and Sable must decide if she can handle the kink in her plans for the future or if it will lead her down the perfect path.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: May 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781509225774

Laura M. Baird

An avid reader-turned-writer, I've also worked over seventeen years as a dental hygienist. I'm thrilled to see my dreams come to life, and hope to provide readers with many more years of sensual romance filled with laughter, maybe a few tears, and always a happily-ever-after. Married over twenty-six years to my own stud, we've raised two wonderful sons, enjoy the beauty of the Northwest, and proudly cheer on our Boise State Broncos. When not staying active and juggling multiple tasks, I'm consuming plenty of great reads.

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You

Fantasies Abound

Awakened Desires Book Two

by

Laura M. Baird

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Fantasies Abound

COPYRIGHT © 2019 by Laura M. Baird

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Rae Monet

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2019

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2577-4

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To friend and fellow romance author,

Dania Voss—thank you for your support along with your help in making sure the Italian text in the story was accurate.

To those who know—my parents were among them—it matters not the age difference between those in love.

Chapter One

The words became nothing but a blur as Sable tried to reread the last paragraph. Between doing research on the computer and writing her paper, she’d put in hours and was no closer to being finished. She could feel a headache brewing and decided to take a break. Just as she finished with a snack and washed it down with a soda, her phone chimed with a call from her best friend, Devyn.

Hey, lady! Sable answered.

Hey, yourself! Making any progress on your project?

None whatsoever. I’ve lost all focus, and it sucks.

Devyn giggled in Sable’s ear. Well, then, I have just the thing to get you out of your funk. We’re going out!

Sable chuckled. Big surprise. Let me guess, to Fantasy again?

Are you tired of it already? I thought you were having a great time.

Devyn’s voice sounded genuinely surprised, maybe even a little hurt, as if she weren’t providing enough entertainment. The last thing Sable wanted to do was upset her friend, because, yes, she’d been loving their time together, knowing she only had a handful of days remaining of her spring break to spend with her until Sable herself returned to school. And considering the two hadn’t seen one another in two years, she wanted to make the most of their time. She tried soothing Devyn.

Hey, I was, I mean, I am, it’s just, I don’t know, I can’t concentrate on my studies, which I need to do, but I want to have all the fun I can with you while I can. And I’m rambling.

It’s okay. I want to spend every moment I can with you as well, but I know how much school means to you. If you’d rather not go out, we can figure something else out. I—

No, really, Devyn, that’s the thing, school did mean a lot to me. But lately, I don’t know, I’ve just lost my drive, my focus. I don’t know what to do about it. Sable stopped pacing the kitchen and went to the living room, plopping down on the couch. I’ve never floundered like this, and well, I don’t even know if I want to finish my final year. I hate to disappoint Mom and Dad, and—

Sable, you went straight from high school to college, and you’ve dedicated the last seven years to your studies. How you didn’t burn out sooner is beyond me. So give yourself a break. Maybe you need some time off. School will always be there, ya know?

Sable sighed. Yeah, I know, but I’m so close. What if I lose my drive and never want to go back? What then?

Well, then you figure out your next route. You’re young and have the whole world out there to choose from.

Says Ms. Fearless World Traveler.

Ha! Fear is what sent me away, and while I loved my experiences, they helped strengthen me, prepare me for where I am now. I can look back and say I hated my time away from Anthony, but maybe if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be in this terrific position. I guess I wasn’t ready for him then, but I damn sure am now! Devyn laughed.

And I’m so happy for you. And Sable truly was. After running from a relationship that became too intense too quickly, Devyn recently reconnected with Anthony, the love of her life. Sable sighed. If only I could be so lucky. She startled at the errant thought and shook her head to clear that nonsense. However, I don’t think jumping around the globe is going to solve my issues.

Ya never know. Devyn chuckled. So, hey, listen, there’s this special masquerade party at Fantasy tonight. I was hoping to convince you to come with, but if you just wanna stay home I’ll understand. I really think it’d be a great distraction and so much fun and make you forget your worries for a while and—

Devyn, take a breath. Sable chuckled. I would love to go, because yes, I want to forget my worries for a while, and I also want to hang with my best friend.

Devyn squealed in Sable’s ear, causing her to pull the phone away with a wince. As both laughed, Devyn said she’d be over later to help her get ready. It’s not a full costume thing, and I have the perfect mask for you, and we’ll pick out something fantastic from your mom’s closet.

My mom’s closet? I do have nice clothes, you know.

Yeah, but from what my mom told me your mom told her, we’re going to find something smashing for you to wear.

Wait, what? What are you hearing about my mom?

We’ll talk when I get there later. Ta-ta, lovely.

And with that, Devyn disconnected, leaving Sable to wonder what she didn’t know about her own mother. She sat on the couch, contemplating nosing around her mother’s closet just like she’d do when she’d been a little child. Well, apparently we’re going to do it anyway when Devyn comes over, so might as well prepare myself. Sable shook her head as she rose from the couch, unbelieving that she was about to snoop through her mother’s things. Now I can’t not know, she said to herself, chuckling.

Her parents, Violet and Max Stephenson, were currently on vacation in New Zealand, treating themselves to a post-anniversary celebration, which meant Sable had the house to herself. She pushed aside the flicker of guilt she felt about invading her parents’ space and made her way to her mom’s walk-in closet. While her dad had a dresser and a small portion of the closet for his items, Sable realized her mom, although conservative in most aspects of her life, indulged in this area. At least four fifths of the closet, along with a larger dresser, belonged to her mom.

Violet wasn’t flashy and didn’t spend ridiculously from what Sable could tell, but she definitely liked quality clothes. As Sable perused the hanging items, her eyes snagged on a gorgeous, shimmery mahogany dress. Holding it up to her body, she knew it would come above her knees, because she stood several inches taller than her mom. As Sable turned it one way then the other, the dress appeared to take on a black shine. The softness of the material surprised her, feeling like a cool breeze upon her skin. It was absolutely gorgeous, and Sable couldn’t wait to try it on!

She stripped down to her underwear and carefully shimmied into the dress. The bodice’s cut didn’t allow for a bra, but with the looseness of the material and her small breasts, she’d be able to get away with not wearing one. She fastened the top that had a choke collar around her neck and draped slightly at the waist, with the bottom portion hugging