Kilgore's Five Stories #3: October 2020: Kilgore's Five Stories, #3

By Shaun Kilgore

Another selection of five original stories by author Shaun Kilgore appears in this third volume of his monthly mini-magazine, Kilgore's Five Stories. The following original short stories are included inside: "Hopewell," "I See Monsters," "A Breathless Moment," "Not A Chance," and "A Previous Engagement."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Founders House Publishing LLC
• Release date: Nov 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393947516

Shaun Kilgore

Shaun Kilgore is the author of various works of fantasy, science fiction, and a number of nonfiction works. His books appear in both print and ebook editions. He has also published numerous short stories and collections. Shaun is the editor of MYTHIC: A Quarterly Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine. He lives in eastern Illinois.

Book preview

Contents

Introduction

A Breathless Moment

A Previous Engagement

Hopewell

I See Monsters

Not A Chance

Copyright Information

Kilgore’s Five Stories

#3 October 2020

Original Short Stories Every Month

Shaun Kilgore

Introduction

Back again for another round of short stories by yours truly? Or is this your first time visiting the creations of my mind? Either way, I welcome you to another issue of Kilgore’s Five Stories, a monthly mini-magazine, populated with short stories written by me, Shaun Kilgore. You’ll get a mix here, as always, but I’m leaning heavy on the speculative and the fantasic, be it sci-fi or fantasy, with a dash of other genres thrown. I hope you enjoy them.

See you next month!

Shaun Kilgore, October 2020

A Breathless Moment

THE AIR WAS muggy and for the thousandth time Rachel wished she’d had the sense to wear lighter clothes on the hike. The mid-summer sun beamed down on her and the others trekking up through the rugged hills. She had joined a group of friends on the outing last minute. Really, it was because Jim was going to be there. Their mutual friends made up the rest of the party. Rachel had been hoping for the chance to get some time together with Jim all summer long. Today had been the first day they could all could meet up at the same time given their various duties around the resort. Rachel had gotten the job at Red Ridge Resort just after the Spring term ended, prompted mostly by her friend Abby.

About two days into her job in the inn’s dining room, she had met Jim. She was immediately attracted to him. He was the stereotypical ‘tall, dark, and handsome.’ Rachel couldn’t stop looking at him. They got on well enough from the start. Not only was he gorgeous but he could carry on a conversation. She found out that they had a lot in common. There wasn’t an immediate physical spark on his part though. That was a little disappointing, Rachel had to admit.

She prided herself in her appearance. She had kept in good shape throughout high school and on into college. Rachel spent a lot of hours in the gym. She had a slender figure with curves in all the right places. She wasn’t at all shy showing it off. If the weather hadn’t shifted so much so fast she would have been in a tank top and cut-offs. Still, though she wore a long-sleeved blouse and yoga pants, she looked damn good. Well, except for being drenched in sweat.

Hey, Rachel, come on!

Just ahead of her on the trail, Jime had turned back and was waving at her. Farther ahead, Abby, Greg, and Liz were moving along among the stunted trees and bushes.

Ok. I’m coming. Keep your pants on!

Jim grinned then set off again.

Rachel let her eyes follow him up, linging on his shapely behind, up to his broad shoulders. After a few moments, the heat in her cheeks wasn’t just due to the humid day or the physical exertion of the hike. Her thoughts then turned to other of Jim’s features. Suddenly she stumbled.

Jim glanced back. You okay.

Uh, yeah. I’m fine, said Rachel. Her face flushed in embarassment, but she didn’t think he noticed.

It’s not like he can read your mind, Rachel, she thought. Boy would I be in trouble if he could. The last thought sent a tingle through her body.

Realizing she was falling behind, Rachel doubled her speed to catch up. After a few minutes of climbing up a hill, she was panting softly.

Talk about a workout, she said.

Jim nodded as he kept moving along the narrow trail. Yeah, I know. I used to hike these trails all the time when I came to the resort with my family in the summers. It’s kind of weird working here though.

I know, right, said Rachel. It’s odd being on the other side of it. We’re on the inside looking out.

Jim glanced back, a broad grin splitting his face. Exactly.

Rachel returned his smile with one of her own.

The two of them carried on along the path, slightly separated from their friends. It was just what Rachel had hoped would happen. They started climbing another hill. Jim was in the lead, negotiating his way up, grabbing tree branches and carefully placing his feet in the well-worn grooves in the stone from thousands of other footfalls. Rachel tried to do the same.

Not far from the top, she placed her foot and the rock gave way beneath her. Rachel started to tumble backwards but Jim’s strong hands seized her. She stifled a scream. For several seconds, they just look at one another. Rachel could feel the heat radiating from Jim’s big hands, the muscles and bones in them protruding as their held on to her smaller wrist.

Rachel swallowed. She couldn’t quite speak at first. Finally she said, Thank you. Her voice was almost a croak.

Jim didn’t let go of her at first. He nodded but didn’t speak. His eyes searched hers. Rachel felt her pulse racing. He was standing so close. Jim back up to the top, slowly dragging her up with.

At the top, he stopped and let go of her wrists. He looked down sheepishly. Sorry.

Rachel moved before she knew what she was doing. She moved in close, grabbed his chin and so she could look at his beautiful eyes again.

Jim, I… Her words trailed off.

Rachel. I’ve wanted to tell you this before but it never seemed the right time.

Before he could continue, Rachel leaned in and kissed him. There was a moment of shock where he recoiled slightly, but then he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her to him. They remained that way for what seemed like forever. Finally, Jim pulled away, his breathing labored.

Rachel whimpered at the break in contact between them.

That was nice, he said.

Rachel nodded then rested her cheek against his chest. Yes. Yes, it was.

Jim, you don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.

How long, Jim asked, as he stroke her hair.

Since I met you back at the end of May.

Wow, that long?

Mmm hmm.

Jim cupped Rachel’s chin in one hand and kissed her again. She was in heaven. She wrapped her arms around him. Her body ground against his until she could feel his arousal against her belly.

Jim pulled away and took a deep breath. Damn.

The two of them started laughing.

Rachel was breathless. We… should probably…probably catch up with the others.

Jim nodded. You’re probably right. Then he gave her a wicked grin. Shall we continue this later?

Rachel smirked. "You