Chapter One

“You would think someone that thick wouldn’t be that hot. I’d do her as long as my boys didn’t find out.”

“How the hell are her heels higher than mine? Fat bitch.”

“They’re all the same at night with the lights off, just a wet hole.”

“I wonder if she’s desperate enough to go home with me?”

“Another strawberry martini, please.” Ivy groaned on the last word. There wasn’t enough alcohol or a high that was high enough to stop the pouring of random thoughts into her head.

Wouldn’t it be cool to be psychic? You could know what everyone was thinking! Hell no, she hated this.

“Bartender make me two, thanks!” She gave him, her patented fake smile and a jaunty wave. He rolled his eyes but set about making her two.

She came for one thing, and one thing only. She wanted to get laid. To have an hour, that may be pushing it, more like fifteen minutes where she was so busy getting pounded into the mattress that her mind couldn’t concentrate on the silly, stupid thoughts of mankind. Was that too much to ask? Apparently, it was.

The bartender set her drinks in front of her. She picked up the first one and slammed it like it was soda.

“Hey, did you skimp on the alcohol?” She glared at the barkeep. If she couldn’t get laid, she at least wanted to get wasted.

“You’re drinking those things like water. I skimped. I’m the one who will have his ass chewed out of something happens to a drunk you.”

“Fucking, crazy bitch. Why can’t she have a death wish in a different bar??”

Like she said she could hear every thought spoken in another’s mind.

“I don’t have a death wish, but if I develop one, I will make sure it’s on your shift. I want two more of these.” The barkeep walked away staring at her over his shoulders. He didn’t know if he spoke aloud. How else would she know what he was thinking?

She laughed, she didn’t need to hear his thoughts to know what was going on in his mind. Nope, she had seen that look on different faces her whole life.

“Strawberry margaritas, I swear I think you're addicted to those things.”

That fast she had peace. Her body slumped over while the flight or fight reflex drained out of her.

“How do you do that Troy? Can I pay you to stay by my side 24/7?”

“I’d say yeah, but I’m sure your mate would kick my ass.”

She wasn’t going to touch the whole mate thing. There was no one for her. Why drive another person mad, she was crazy enough?

“What brings you out?”

“I came searching for you Ivy.”

“Aww, you love me.”

“I do, but I’m concerned about you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I need this mythical, magical mate. You ever see that old sitcom, Nanny and The Professor?”

“Nope,” Troy shook his head.

“Weird it just came to me out of nowhere. I think I’m really losing it, Troy.”

The bartender placed two more margarita’s in front of her.

“I’ll take a bourbon neat,” Troy ordered.

“How do you drink it like that?” She wrinkled her nose when the bartender placed the glass in front of Troy.

“The same way you corrupt your alcohol with fruit flavoring.”

“Bet.” She lifted her glass and tapped it against his before taking a drink. “What’s happening to me, Troy.”

“You need an anchor.”

He told her that more than once. She usually let it go in one ear and out the other. This time she perked up a little and paid attention. Tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee anymore. The older she got, the harder it was to deal with knowing what the whole world was thinking. This is why people went on killing sprees and robbed banks and casinos. She knew better than that. It felt like the reason though when every thought around her bombarded her leaving her no space in her own head to think.

“Explain.”

He cut his eyes to look at her. When he saw that she was paying attention, he took another long pull of his drink. Then he launched into his explanation.

“You’re a psychic. That means you need an anchor.”

“You know what an anchor does right? It keeps a boat from drifting away.”

“It anchors it so that no matter what is beating against the hull it stays in the same spot.” He told her.

That sounded better than the drifting away thing.

“An anchor will give you what you need to keep out the thoughts of the people around you.”

“Is that what you’re doing right now?”

“Yes, and no. Your anchor will allow it to happen even if you are apart.”

“That sounds too good to be true. I can’t believe this mysterious person exists.”

“You exist.”

She did, but she hated herself at times for taking up space on the planet. How could she be so different from the rest of the world? She sucked up oxygen that someone more deserving could be enjoying. She knew all about self-loathing, but it didn’t change her life or who she was.

“How do I find this paragon of virtue?”

Troy laughed. She raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, somehow I don’t see him that way.”

She shrugged; she wasn’t sure she deserved anyone that good.

“How do females meet males?”

There were times when Troy said things that didn’t make sense. This was one of them. He couldn’t be much older than her. He knew how women met men.

“Bars.” She spread her arms wide to indicate the one they were in. “Online dating sites.”

“That sounds about right, you should do that.”

He stared at her. This stare had a different meaning, this one said must I repeat myself.

“Sure, when I get home I’ll just pull up a site and make a profile.”

“Good, it’s all settled. Are you ready to call it a night?”

Uh huh, there was not going to be a one-night stand tonight. If she was honest with herself, some man she didn’t know fucking her made her slightly nauseous.

“I’m going to hit the lady's room first.” She slid down off the bar stool and swayed a little. She was more wasted than she thought. An off-tune hum came from her as she tried to follow along with a popular song blaring over the speakers. She entered the bathroom and wrinkled her nose. This was bad but not as bad as the ones at the amusement parks. She hadn’t visited one of those in years. She’d never make it out alive.

“Aren’t you a tasty morsel?”

What the hell? She looked around checking every stall to confirm she was alone. She went into the biggest one and slammed the door behind her hoping it would keep the voice out of her head.

“Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across you. A psychic, the real deal. One with impossibly tight shields.”

She felt the attack on her shield as something akin to a bomb went off next to them. They didn’t even shake.

“Beating you down will be fun. When I’m through, I’m going to open you up and suck out the soft center. I will feed on you, then I think I’ll fuck you too. My new body wants to play.”

She was already taking a vow of celibacy when she felt cruel hand's stroke over her mental shield.

“Soon I’ll be able to touch your body.”

She quickly used the restroom washed her hands and almost ran into Troy’s arms. As soon as she was around him, the sensation of being mentally raped disappeared.

“Ivy are you alright?”

“I think I was hallucinating. I just want to go home. Can you take me? I didn’t drive.”

“I can.” He led her to his car and drove her home in silence. “Will you be alright here?” They were idling in front of her building. The doorman was waiting for her to get out.

“I’ll be fine now. Thanks, Troy.” She opened the car door. He placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her before she could get out.

“Do it tonight, Ivy.”

“I will, thanks.” She got out waiting until he drove away before she entered the building.

“Hello Ms. Moore,” the doorman greeted her.

“Hi Ben, how are the wife and kid?”

“They’re good thanks for asking. Do you need anything?”

“Nothing but some sleep. Have a good evening.” She walked over to the private elevator. It went directly to the penthouse apartment. Her apartment.

The higher she climbed, the better her head felt. This is why she fought and clawed her way to becoming rich. Not for the money, for the peace. She couldn’t find it in a house with neighbors, but in the penthouse apartment high in the air, there was peace. It helped that she refused to rent the five floors below her apartment out.

The elevator opened into her place. She kicked off her shoes before walking into the bathroom. A shower would help with the buzz she was still feeling as well as the ick from the mental attack she endured.

She stood under the hot water for a long time before washing, then getting out and drying herself off. She grabbed a nightgown and went to sit on the couch. Her laptop, as well as a piece of paper, were there tempting her to pick them up.

The paper had been thrust into her hand the other day.

Looking for love? Looking for relief?

Or do you just want a pity fuck?

Looking for something you can’t find on earth?

Look no further.

Log onto Heaven and Hell matchmakers.

Our matches are out of this world!

She was sure this isn’t what Troy had in mind. She, on the other hand, wanted to have some fun with it. She logged on and immediately needed a username.

Username, she tapped her finger against her chin before smiling. CrazyPhyscoB. That should do it. Favorite color red. Sex, yes, please. Long-term relationship, nope, just one night.

What was she looking for a man? Hot as hell with a long, thick dick and the ability to use it. She laughed; she couldn’t help it. It wouldn’t get her laid, but she was having fun.

Tell your male what you’re looking for. Well, that was worded funny. She ran all the comedic ways she could say she wanted to get laid through her head and then decided to take a different approach.

I’m looking for a male whose kiss and touch will make me see the stars with stops at the sun and the moon. I want to sigh as well as scream in pleasure. When we’re back on earth, I want him to kiss me tenderly before wrapping me in his arms and keeping me safe all night long. I want him to be male enough to wake up with me in the morning and tell me it was worth every minute we spent together.

If you can’t deliver that experience, you need not apply.

She closed her laptop. That was fun and who knows maybe she’ll have lots of stupid replies to make her laugh in the morning.