Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities between these characters and real people are, like, so coincidental. This one has a Valentines theme, therefore a little romance, flirting and sex are part of the story. If you're not of the legal age, sorry, even this one you're not supposed to read. With a lot of the stories I write I connect with a song while I'm writing. In the case of "Cupid's Last Shot" I found the Foo Fighters latest CD, more specifically, the song "Learn to Fly" as my inspiration. I always urge readers to tune into the song, if at all possible. I'll even provide a link if I can. In this case, www.foofighters.com. Thanks and Happy Valentine's Day! *** Cupid's Last Shot (c)2000 by Virago Blue "What the hell is wrong with this picture?" Cupid One tapped her little bare foot on the bar stool, eyeing Cupid Two in aggravation. "What? It's just a slight glitch. Nothing to worry about, darlin'. Just watch." Cupid Two lifted the shot glass to his lips and slammed back the whiskey. He smacked his lips loudly, sliding the glass to the bartender. "Another one, Jeeves." Cupid One smacked Cupid Two on the back of the head. "Hey! No drinking on the job! You need to pay attention. Your guy just made a major boo-boo. Do I have to remind you what will happen to the both of us if we screw up again?" Cupid One scowled at Cupid Two, her male partner in crime. "The Fates will have our wings and this time Skuld will probably shove the arrows you have left right up your a---" "Alright, alright. Them Fate sisters can be tough. Yeah, enough already. " Two turned around, adjusting his quiver before smiling at One, chewing the cigar in his cherubic lips. "I'm sorry. Now, where were we?" One sighed, rolled her eyes, and pushed a blond ringlet from her chubby cheek. "Don't screw this up for me, Two. I want that promotion. " One elbowed Two and directed his attention back to the current situation. Two looked down at the floor, through the peanut shells and cigarette butts, through the fine opalescent mist, past the clouds and focused on his doofus. Theodore Thomas, 34, bachelor, unruly brown hair, medium build, hazel eyes, yadda, yadda, yadda, just stole his future wife's parking spot right out from under her. Two slapped a chubby hand to his forehead. "Cripes! Did he just do what I thought he did?" His gravely voice rose above the crowd in the celestial bar. One nodded. "And it just started raining. Great move, Casanova." One shook her head and sympathized with her poor victim. Melanie Goodwin made a rude gesture to Theodore. "Oy-vay! Did she just do what I saw her do?" Two cringed. "Yep. See what happens when you turn your back for one second?" "Hey, don't worry. I'll fix it. Just watch this." Two chewed his cigar a few more times before sprinkling a small amount of glamour through the clouds. "Where did you get that?" One demanded. "You visited Elora again, didn't you?" One glared, putting a hand over her gaping mouth. "It's just not a good idea to bargain with the fae. They're--they-re . . . nasty." Two grinned, sliding a glance at One. "Tell me about it. Did I ever tell ya about the time Elora slid one of those long fingers of hers right up--" "NO!" One cleared her throat. "No, you didn't. Feel free not to tell me now either." One harrumphed, turning away from Two. "What a dame . . . " He chuckled lasciviously, sprinkling the yellow dust through the opening in the clouds. One watched as Melinda raced through the downpour to the doors of the meeting hall, bundled up in a yellow rain slicker. She splashed past Theodore just as he tripped over a stone concealed by fairy glamour and landed on his side in a water puddle the size of-- "Woohoo!" Two hollered. "That'll show him!" Two elbowed One roughly. She peeked through her fingers at the snickering Melinda and the disheveled and very wet Theodore. "Alright. So maybe now we can start over. Seems like most of the aggression is gone." One admitted. "Are you sure you got the next part straight?" "Yeah, yeah, don't you worry your curly little head none. It's all good, baby." One rolled her eyes and turned back to the scene playing out before them. *** Theodore stood at the glass door, shivering and wet, holding the door open for Melinda to pass through. He smiled down at her in a way that almost made her feel sorry for him. Melinda smiled and stepped smugly through the door, shaking the rain from her slicker. Theodore stepped back from the offending splatters. "Really, now, what's a little more rain. You're already drenched." Melinda said, smiling, and maybe a little too maliciously. "Yeah. I guess. Sorry about taking that parking spot. I guess that was a little rude of me." Theodore apologized, pulling a handkerchief from his back pocket. "Looks like somebody else made you pay for it." Melinda smiled and scampered off, eager to meet up with Abby and Zoe. The three women exchanged hugs and hurried off to the bar. The annual Valentine's Day social was about to start for the singles club of Saginaw County. Each year couples are matched up and sent on a date, all financed by the ticket sales to the popular event. The social had grown to such proportions that a ballroom at a local hotel was reserved for the occasion, having outgrown the fellowship hall at the local Methodist church. The girls decided to try their luck this year. The club had a fine reputation for marrying off blind-date couples. Abby, Melinda and Zoe were tired of their biological alarm reminding going off. The girls took a table near the podium and refreshment table. Their eyes looked over the men in the room, wondering just which one they will be paired with. Melinda's eyes fell on the man still trying to blot water from his pants with heart shaped napkins. "What a doofus." Melinda mumbled, hoping she didn't end up with him. Abby and Zoe were pointing to a group of young bachelors. They in turn lifted their glasses to the girls, winking and smiling. Abby simpered. Zoe giggled. Melinda smiled and lifted her glass before taking a generous sip of the spiked punch. Melinda felt radiant today, despite the dreary weather. She wore her favorite pink cashmere sweater and taupe suede skirt. Her dark hair tumbled to mid-back, a style she refused to change, despite the pleading of her well-meaning mother. The room grew quiet as the president of the Saginaw County Singles Club began the social. The secretary of the club, Trudy Anderson, herself engaged after last year's social, brought the heavy-looking crystal punch bowl to the podium. Pink, red and white winked through the cut glass, promising many good things to the crowd. One of those cards could possibly have the match of her dreams. How many couples would actually form a lasting union after tonight's events? "G's! There at the G's, Melinda!" Abby said, squeezing her friend's arm. The president looked up when he said Melinda's name, smiling with a nod to acknowledge her presence. Many eyes turned to Melinda when her name was called. She felt her cheeks flush. "Melinda Goodwin....your date will be...." President Michaels swirled his hand around in the punch bowl and pulled out a card. He broke the seal and read..."Theodore Thomas." Just then Melinda scanned the room and saw the puddle-splattered stranger from earlier stand up, waving in Melinda's direction. Melinda plastered a fake smile on her face, muttering under her breath. "Great. Just great." She had to get this over with. Just one date couldn't be all that bad. The day was somewhat young and the skies had actually cleared up. Maybe that was a good sign. She approached Theodore and held out her hand. "Well, Mr. Thomas, we meet again." He smiled back at her. His eyes were hazel, she noticed. "I'm sorry, and I will make it up to you. By the way, just call me Tad. That's what all my friends call me. We can at least be friends?" The last comment sounded like a question and Melinda wasn't the sort to hold grudges. She laughingly took his hand. Tad had the hands of a man who knew manual labor. She shivered at the rough calluses grazing over her warm palm. Melinda was tall yet he stood at least a foot taller. The denim shirt he wore was open at the neck, a crisp sprinkling of dark hair peeking from the V. His light brown hair needed a trim in Melinda's opinion, but somehow the wavy curls against his collar appealed to her. "Yes, Tad, I don't see why not. That is, unless, you had something dull in mind to do today? I hope you're not the boring type?" Melinda's soft green eyes settled briefly on the tiny earring in his ear. It gave her another nice shiver. *** One winked at Two. "Nice touch. The earring I mean." One nodded. "She likes a little touch of the bad-boy look. Can't say that I blame her." One mumbled under her breath. Two glanced over at One. "What was that?" One smiled. "Yeah, well, just wait and see what else the guy has up his sleeve." "I can't wait. " One replied, lifting a glass of champagne in a toast. "Hey, I thought you said no drinking on the job?" "I'm paying attention." One smiled prettily at Two. *** Melinda and Tad spent the next hour talking over a plate of oysters on the half shell and Bloody Mary's. "How uncanny that we have the same strange taste in alcohol." Melinda mentioned, swirling her celery stick in the grainy red liquid. "But I bet, no, nevermind..." Melinda trailed off. "What?" Asked Tad, leaning closer to her. "Well. I don't know. You might think this is silly of me." Melinda tongued the celery stick, some of her inhibitions slipping away with the downslide of alcohol. "I doubt it. C'mon, tell me." Tad leaned closer. Melinda inhaled a bit more of his cologne, an intoxication of another kind. "There's a carnival in town. They have a Ferris wheel, two of them actually. And a few other rides, fast rides. Do you like fast rides, Mr. Thomas?" Melinda asked in a very teasing tone. "I love fast rides, Ms. Goodwin." Tad smiled, mischief in his eyes, and touched the tip of her nose with his warm index finger. "Well then, Mr. Thomas, put your money where your mouth is." Melinda stood, sliding another fat oyster down her throat and handing the last one to Tad. Tad gulped the oyster down and watched the nicely curved backside of Melinda Goodwin sashay to the exit. He followed after like a starved puppy. Tad caught up with Melinda as she was sliding the thin leather strap of her purse over her shoulder. "Are you coming?" Melinda asked, a salacious grin curving her lips, a perk to her slender dark brow. Tad nearly choked but took it all in with a dash of boyish cutey-pie charm. "I'm right behind you." They both left for the parking lot. Tad lightly gripped Melinda's elbow, guiding her to his coveted parking place. Melinda delicately stepped over a large puddle, smiling down at the ray of sunshine. She stopped suddenly and gasped. "Did you see tha--nevermind." Tad looked down at the puddle. If only the sun were shining at a different angle he may have gotten a better look at those lovely legs beneath the expensive looking skirt, perhaps a bit higher. Somehow he didn't think that was what she was referring to. "What?" "Nothing. Perhaps three Bloody Mary's should be my limit. I could have sworn I saw...I don't know..." "Tell me?" "...well, cupid." They both started laughing hysterically as Tad fiddled with the lock on the passenger side of his truck. *** Two snatched One back from the opening. "Shi-it, we almost got busted." He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with the back of his pudgy hand. One was trying to catch her breath and find the arrow she dropped. "Why did you do that!? Pull me back? I almost had them. One shot and that would have been it. They would have eloped tonight." "C'mon, give the kids a chance to have a little fun. Don't you remember what that's like?" Two's baby blue eyes met One's. For a moment something was there, something soft and promising. Then it was gone. One bit her lip. "I lost an arrow. I only have one more. If I don't get a shot in..." She let her words trail off. Two patted her dimpled knee. "Don't worry. I don't think we need to worry about these kids too much more. Seems like they're hitting it off. Just...don't worry sweetheart." Two's hand stayed on One's knee, not sure if he was comforting her or irritating her. Of course he knew what would happen if she wasted her very last arrow. One nodded and turned back to their opening and watch Tad and Melinda drive off, a lone gold filigree arrow rocking gently in the bed of Tad's black F150. *** "No more, I swear I cannot eat another bite of that funnel cake!" Melinda giggled, leaning into Tad, wiping powdered sugar from his cheek. He smiled down at her, another genuine smile, complete with crinkles at the corner of his beautiful hazel eyes. "Hey look!" Melinda pointed. "The line to the Ferris Wheel is short. C'mon!" Melinda grabbed Tad's hand and pulled him along. He didn't mind. He had this funny feeling that he would follow her wherever she went. They settled into the cotton candy pink seat of the Ferris Wheel and cuddled close. The air was cool and crisp with the afternoons cold front. Tad snuggled Melinda into the crook of his arm. Together they stayed warm. He kissed the top of her head. He just did it. Spontaneously. It was the normal thing to do. Melinda responded by laying a hand on his chest. They both sighed and watched the afternoon melt away into a midnight blue evening. "Tell me, Melinda. What else do you do besides make loans at State Street Bank?" Tad asked. "I read, jog, and keep my Cocker Spaniel, George, company. I have a few other hobbies that are slightly unconventional. I love painting, wallpapering, antique-shopping, finding the right touch for a room. Something you're probably not too interested in." "You wouldn't by any chance know anything about wood-burning stoves?" Tad asked. "I'm renovating this old house on Ave C. It's a great house. I was going to turn around and sell it, like I've done with a few of the others I've bought in the past. There's something about this house, though. Can't put my finger on it. Just a feeling." "I thought you owned Thomas Hardware?" "Well, that's a family business. Unfortunately with the new Home Expo coming up on the highway, I doubt our small operation will be able to stay in the black much longer. I had to have something to fall back on." Melinda nodded. "Hmmm. I seem to remember an old Victorian for sale on Ave C. It was on the market for a long time, if I remember correctly." "That's the one. Needed rewiring. Needed a lot of things. Could have been a money pit, I've been lucky with it." Melinda pointed at a wayward seagull swooping past their seat. Both of them followed the flight of the gull before it disappeared behind the billboard touting the political successes of Clancy Arendondo for Judge, precinct Three. "Greenbriar Gables." "Excuse me?" "Greenbriar Gables. That's the name of the old Victorian." Melinda said. "At least it was back in the 1870's." "What else can you tell me? I would love to learn about the place. It has such a personality." Tad smiled. Melinda looked up at Tad, straightening as their seat reached the bottom and the attendant unlatched the safety bar. "Tell you what, Tad. Show me this house and I will tell you more." Tad took her hand, this time being the one leading her. "Deal." *** Two leaned his chin on his hand. "Nice touch, One. Did you slip her that info?" "No. I think it's going well, though." One smiled. *** Tad unlocked the door and pulled Melinda into the back room of the old house. Melinda's attention was focused on the gingerbread trim on the back porch. "Beautiful." She breathed. True to it's name the old Greenbriar Gables had a multi-gabled roof, worn and in badly need of repair after so many years of neglect. The crowning touch was the rounded tower-like room on the second floor. The windows were newly replaced, an oval stained glass window accented the southern exposure of the large room. Another bank of windows overlooked an old rose garden in the back portion of the yard. Tad nodded. "Careful. This house is a work-in-progress. Watch where you step." He guided her past tarp-covered floors, piles of sheetrock, wallpaper books and paint cans. "Would you like a glass of wine? I wish I could make you a Bloody Mary but I'm not very prepared." "Wine would be great." Melinda stepped through the tall doorway into a dining room. Through the dim light she could see the dining room poured into a large great room with a fireplace. The ceiling of the dining room was stained from years of water leaks but the old plaster medallion remained around the broken chandelier. "You have your work cut out for you. You've done a great job so far. Do I get a complete tour?" Tad handed her a glass of merlot. "C'mon." He took her hand and led her on the first tour he's given to his new home. After fascinating over so many nooks and crannies, rooms off of rooms off of rooms, Melinda turned and pointed up the stairs. "What's the round room? May I see it?" She pushed past Tad, reaching for his hand as she continued up the massive staircase. She stopped at the threshold to the unfinished room. Piles of books and boxes of clothing sat on the floor. A lone mattress lay in the center of the floor, neatly made with an old quilt and several pillows, a telephone pulled to the edge of the bed. "Ah, the master's private chambers. Good choice of rooms." Melinda entered the room, amazed at the view and size of it. She peeked into a few of the doors off of the large room, noting closets, an unfinished study and a huge master bath. The stained-glass window she noticed earlier was the centerpiece of the bath, centered above a sunken garden tub. "You have good taste, Tad." "Thank you, Melinda." They paused, looking at each other over the makeshift bed, both trying to ignore the obvious. Melinda sipped her wine, feeling a little uncomfortable. She turned to look at the overgrown rose garden. "You know, old tea roses can grow in the oddest places, still beautiful and blooming with even the worst neglect. It's amazing." She could feel Tad's breath on the back of her neck as he stepped up behind her. "Mmmhmmm." Tad ran his hand over her wavy hair, pulling it away from her neck. She sighed quietly when his lips kissed the back of her neck. Eyes closed, she turned into him, ready. "I don't do this, I mean---" "Shhhhh." He said, placing a finger on her lips before replacing them with his hungry mouth. He was slow and tentative at first, but once she opened to him, their passion flared and the kisses were more desperate and wanting. She lay beneath him on the worn quilt, naked and pale. He stroked a finger over a dark-tipped breast, dipping his head to follow with a brush of his tongue. Melinda's fingers swept through his course hair. She would have pulled him closer, if that were possible. His tonguing of her erect nipples turned into kisses, suckles and kneading. She arched her naked hips against his, ready to take all of him in. He looked down at her, gifting a kiss so soft to each finger before she leaned up on elbows and wrapped each finger around his thick hardness. Her long legs wrapped around his velvet ribs, heels urging him forward. "Now, Tad. Just now. We have time to take it slow another day." Tad eased into Melinda's sugary warmth, slowly at first and then when her undulations against his shaft was beginning to be too much, he plunged in to the hilt, breathing into her neck as she arched towards him, "So much time..." *** One watched the coupling with flushed excitement. Quickly she knocked her very last gilded arrow and pulled back. Two placed a hand on her back as she leaned forward, decreasing the slack. "Now." Two said. One let the arrow fly, holding her breath. *** Tad felt the pressure increasing with each thrust, it wouldn't be long. Melinda opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Now." She cried out. Tad buried himself deeper still, feeling with absolute joy and relief as his semen spurted deep insider her womb. He felt her vaginal walls gripping him with a pulse a little slower than his own. Melinda moaned louder, digging her nails into his back. They held tight to each other as the first wave of orgasm washed over them. Their bodies were sticky with sweat. Hot, hard and soft, all at once. Their hearts beat together, the pulse between their joining in sync with their breathing. All was in rhythm. A tingly warmth started deep within, spreading and enveloping both of them as their lips met. They looked at each other and didn't need to speak. They knew. Tad pulled the quilt over both of them, snuggling Melinda's back into his chest. He stroked the sweaty hair from her cheek, gently kissing her. Their breathing had slowed to a relaxed beat. No words, just quiet resolution swept over them as they drifted off to sleep in each others arms. *** "Gotta hand it to ya, One. You're one good shot." Two said. "I couldn't have done it without you, Two." "Nah." Two dismissed her with a smile. *** Melinda woke to the streams of sun lighting the room. Her eyes focused on the wall in front of her as she lay on her side. She blinked. She sighed. Tad's lips were kissing the dip in her waist, the dip before the curve of her hip started. How did he know that was a hot spot for her? She smiled and turned over. "Good morning." Tad said. A fragrant tea rose was clutched in one hand. His eyes never left hers as he lifted it to his lips. He blew the petals, his breath causing the petals to open to him. A burst of raspberry-lemon scent filled their space. He continued to blow the petals with each slow breath, his eyes locked on hers. She imagined those lips, those lips were making her blossom and open to him. He stroked her breast with the rose, each stroke agonizingly slower as he traveled lower. She moaned, opening her legs to him. He stroked her musky wetness with the soft rose petals, urging a groan from her passion-swollen lips. "Now?" He asked. "Oh, yes." They made love, had sex and fucked for the next three hours. They fit together perfectly and found more and more to enjoy about each other. They stared at the ceiling, spent and spread out on the floor of his room. "Oh! I need to show you something." Tad pushed to his feet. She watched his tight ass as he walked from the room. He returned a few moments later holding something out for her. "What's that?" She asked. Tad shrugged. "An arrow. I found it in the bed of the truck. It's unusual." Melinda sat up and took it from him, turning it in her hand. "It's beautiful. Where do you think it came from?" She ran her fingers over the fine filigree and detailed craftsmanship. "I have no idea." "You see that wall, the wall that is lit by the early morning sun?" Melinda pointed. "Yes." "Perfect touch for this room, right there on that wall, where the sun can play over it." Melinda smiled. *** "Have I ever told you how soft your wings are?" Two asked. "No." One replied coyly. "C'mon, I'll buy you a drink." Two took her hand. *** "Valentine's Day. The best day of the year." A breeze wafted through the manicured rose garden, stirring memories and scents of many varieties. "Why is that, Grandma?" The old woman looked down at the little girl, tucking a strand of long light brown hair behind her ear. "Well, it's the day I met, Grandpa. It's the day we married. And, it's the day your mother was born. Not in the same year, of course. We've just always been blessed with the best Valentine's Days." "That's my favorite one." The little girl said, taking the pink tea rose from her grandmother. "Mine, too darling. C'mon, let's go see what Grandpa is up to." They followed the path back up to the porch, passing the old fountain with the pair of cherubs. Melinda paused and glanced at the gurgling fountain. She could almost swear she heard laughter.