"Holy cannoli, I can’t believe I’m doing this." Constance ran a hand over hair that ran in wild waves to her shoulders. Her dark forest gaze looked around the quiet, empty backyard - somewhat secluded by the fence and huge old oak trees, climbing roses, and lilac bushes. Still, in a neighborhood as small as hers, she never knew when some old coot or horny teen stared out a window, binoculars pressed to their eyes to catch the latest gossip.
A cold nose against her bare skin gave her a bit of a shock. Then a soft whine.
She glanced down at the small chocolate lab and terrier mix she’d recently rescued from the local shelter and brought into her small home. Dropping a hand from where it had a chokehold on her white satin robe, she scratched one silky brown ear.
"Do you think I’m nuts, Cocoa?"
As a baker, what else could she name the little brown and white dog except her favorite baking ingredient? Chocolate. Luckily, it fit the little mutt to perfection.
The dog tilted her head and barked once.
Constance sighed. "Thanks. I’ll take that under consideration."
The skinny tail swished and thumped against her leg.
Warmth flooded her chest from the ruby flame. It gave her strength to open the robe, lay it over the wooden railing, and walk down to the grass. The moon came out from behind the clouds, bathing her lawn with its pure natural light.
"This will either work or put me in the mental ward, Cocoa," Constance said.
After a soft whine, the dog laid down, head on paws.
"Thanks for the support, girl."
A little woof left the dog as an ear flicked in her direction.
Connie grinned. She cupped her hands around the necklace and lifted it from her skin. After another long inspection of the jewel, she watched the inner flame flicker under the natural light.
Would this actually work?
Standing nude in the moonlight, the necklace her only adornment, she closed her eyes, and recited the words.
There was no flash of light. No rumble of sound. The ground didn’t shake. No warm hands on her body.
Her eyes opened. She looked around.
Cocoa whined in question.
"Well, Cocoa, that was a whole lotta nothing. I feel like a complete idiot." Constance moved toward the patio and snagged the robe. "At least I got a beautiful necklace out of the deal. It’ll go great with my outfit for the dance."
She lifted it again, only this time, something was different.
The jewel was darker. It felt empty.
Cocoa growled, low and nasty.
"You called me to your bed, milady?"
Spinning around, pressing the robe to her front, Constance’s jaw dropped at the sight of the six-foot-three-inch naked male standing at the base of the porch. Not just any male, but a true blue hunk of walking sex.
"Oh my!" she squeaked.
