Bureaucracy had enabled him to earn a living for over twenty years, but now, on the other side of the fence, it felt like a chore and one that he found exhausting. Her questions had a clear purpose, but he struggled more with each passing minute. She recognised that he was finding the process difficult. It was part of her job to help those she met open up, providing insight into how their issues affected them. However, sh...

On either side of the ocean, both took some time to catch up on their messages. As usual, Shiba had many to read, while Justin had far fewer. Among the messages, one stood out to Justin. He smiled, confident that Shiba would feel the same once she saw it. 'Festival Of Erotica' was the title of the message that had captured Justin's attention, and beyond its headline, the details brought a smile to his face. A gathering wa...

It wasn't a big surprise when the news came; the business had been quiet for a long time. Agreeing to go down with the ship was an easy decision for Bella. A month's pay with very little asked in return? She couldn't sensibly say "no." When not working her shifts, Bella had begun chatting online. It was enjoyable to connect with someone who could make her laugh. The latest person she was talking to was Marc, who had a lig...

His escapist writing had come to an end and a cool drink brought reality back into focus. The square wasn't particularly busy, but it had become noisier, as the three women who had arrived planned their next move. The loudly discussed and agreed plan of action involved sitting at his table. When the three women did so, he saw the logo 'Tick Box Trio - Summer 2024 Tour' on each of their tee shirts. He made no effort to hid...

There are many ways people hide their shyness. Some methods are more successful and logical than others. Being introverted can also be situational. I saw that in myself. I travelled to many places people thought were dangerous. My choices seemed foolhardy to some, but this was my place to be me. While travelling through five continents, separated by work to finance it all, I lived life to the full. I drank just a little a...

As Martin prepared to walk the final few steps to reach home, the call to close the door to the world seemed loud. Things weren't that bad, he just felt stuck in a rut and the loneliness didn't help either. "Get out!" Martin spun around. It was his neighbour, Kathy, who had shattered the peace, her orders seeing four men walk sheepishly away. Martin and Kathy spoke occasionally, refuse collection, postal deliveries and lo...

At times, the banter exchanged on the on-line story site had no focus whatsoever, Mike liked that. Some could not make comments without depth, agenda, or attempts to show how clever they were, but Stephanie was different. Mike and Stephanie were separated by thousands of miles, but this was unimportant. Their shared passion was creativity and writing and the fact that the environment was erotica wasn't necessarily as rele...

A new message. His day felt better already. The thoughts they shared were so precious and always had the understanding developing between them at their core. 'Sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell. We will leave debate over intuition's inclusion for another time. I thought about all of the senses and the part they play in our erotic journey. I did not choose where and when to ponder well, and became inappropriately aroused...

Saturday nights made everything else seem almost bearable, It was the only time the girls could get together regularly nowadays. Work, families and other issues made it the highlight of the week. The ten-strong group had all worked in the factory and whilst its closure had seen many friendships wither, the Pack, as they called themselves, had stayed in town and remained as close as they had always been. Nobody could actua...

The Meaning Of Trust ( Inspired by someone who knows who they are ) Matt looked at his phone, He had been waiting for what seemed like forever for Polly to return his message, but nothing. Polly realised it was already late, Where had the time gone? It was almost December. Where had the year gone? A new decade was around the corner. Madness. Living with his mother made Matt the butt of a few jokes, but it was only when re...

Pippa closed down her computer and looked at her phone. She had lost track of time and she'd have to be up for work soon. The online world might have felt safer than the real one, but there was no last bus or train to catch there, or people to tell you it was late and you really should be getting some sleep. After just four hours in bed, Pippa was woken by the alarm on her phone. It was time to face the mind-numbing envir...

Ben enjoyed his time away from work. His love of travel meant he lived from week to week financially, but he had few complaints. Yes, some of those he had remained friends with for many years had done very well for themselves indeed, but Ben never felt envious, just happy for them. Ben and Sally had been friends since their schooldays, despite living very different lives thereafter. Sally was successful, happily married a...

"I'm on the look-out for prey tonight, but you're still on your 'nun run', aren't you?" Debbie said to Maria with a frown. The 'nun run' was the name Debbie had given to Maria's decision to have a period of celibacy, following a particularly wild six months spent ticking as many different new sexual experience boxes as she could. Maria confirmed to Debbie there were still two weeks left of the project to run, although she...

Entering the competition had been a spur of the moment decision and although Becky didn't need the lure of a prize to be inspired, she had decided to make the next story she wrote suitable for submission. Becky's disappointment at her lack of creative ideas found her discussing it on the forum she used that was for fellow authors of erotic fiction. Those she exchanged messages with included some who she regarded as good f...

'Eight-fifteen. The barrier'. The message to his phone. 'We chatted on the website and I need a helping hand.' 'Blue coat, white blouse, black skirt', she typed, 'see that, you've found me.' 'Just wave your hand and I'll smile back and see where it all leads.' He tells her that he'll be there, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Just a tube ride, hoax or not? So, curious, he bites. Her message held such detail, she is spott...