Dreaming in Blue Read online

  “I’m sorry, but I guess I missed that part.” His mouth dry, he sucked down a swallow of tea.

  She took a long sip of her wine. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can cut the evening short.”

  Her grin remained fixed, but he didn’t miss the hurt in her voice. And the way she drew up in her chair and lifted her chin. He’d managed to do it—make a complete ass of himself. “No, it doesn’t matter to me, and right now I deserve a swift kick in the backside. Which you’re welcome to give me. Or I can get the busboy to do it.”

  Her posture relaxed and she shook her head. “I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself, but I’ll keep the busboy in mind.”

  He leaned toward her. “Oh, thank God. He’s built like a linebacker, and honestly, I’m a little afraid of him.”

  Her musical laughter filled his ears and he hoped he was forgiven. He looked her over with new interest. Sierra twirled angel hair pasta on her fork and brought it to her lips without a drop of sauce spilt, proving more skillful at eating messy food than he did with his twenty-twenty vision.

  He could learn a thing or two from a woman like Sierra. Her energy beamed like sunshine—in her quick and honest grin, her ready laughter at his corny jokes, and her eagerness to hear about his life. It warmed him to his bones and he leaned forward, reaching for more. Her spirit acted more an aphrodisiac than her looks, although she was beautiful. His cock swelled, and he reached to adjust beneath his napkin. He wondered if it’d be appropriate to skip dessert and request the check. Probably unchivalrous.

  That is, if she was still interested in sex, considering his callous behavior earlier. They ate, exchanging small talk, while he worked out specifics. Was he cut out for a one night fling? Thirty-nine was a little old to be playing the roving dog. His hormones played tug-of-war with his psyche, neither gaining the upper hand.

  “They have an incredible flourless cake called Chocolate Sin,” he said, after the server removed their dinner plates.

  She licked her lips and dirty thoughts fueled his hormone argument.

  “Sounds heavenly.” She reached across the table, palm up in invitation. He covered it with his and electricity leapt into his bloodstream. “Can we get it to go?”

  His pulse hammered. His hormones won.

  Chapter Four

  The two glasses of wine left Sierra, a lightweight with alcohol, ready to face wherever the rest of the evening led.

  “Where should we go?” she asked, loving Daniel’s fingers laced with hers while he led her through the gauntlet of tables in the restaurant. His strong grip did wicked things to her libido. His wonderful woodsy scent wrapped around her.

  “I know a nice romantic spot to stop first, if it’s okay with you.” He sounded nervous and she couldn’t help but smile. She’d always preferred the beta male over the alpha.

  “Sounds great.”

  Daniel helped her into his SUV. She held the cake on her lap, the smell of dark chocolate and raspberry making her mouth water. And the man who maneuvered the vehicle left her wet. She wriggled in the car seat, her pussy throbbing. He squeezed her hand, and she wanted him to pull to the side of the road and take her right there.

  She resisted the urge to stroke her palm against her nipples and hoped they’d be at their destination soon. As if in answer to her prayer, the SUV slowed and turned.

  “We’re here.”

  She waited until he came around and helped her out. The wine buzz had worn off some, and worried thoughts started tumbling over one another. 1Night Stand did thorough background screenings of its clients so she wasn’t concerned about her safety, though the knowledge didn’t dispel the anxiety of the unknown. When he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, comfort and oneness dispelled the last of her worries.

  The odors of moist leaves and earth filled her head, while crickets and other night creatures created a racket in the background. “Where are we?”

  “It’s a favorite place of mine, a nature trail outside the city. There’s photographer’s blind, with a beautiful view of the lake.”

  The last word hitched, and she laid her head against his chest.

  “I’d love for you to describe the scene for me. I can paint it in my mind’s eye.”

  He chuckled. “I think I can do that. I’m simply amazed at your resiliency, Dr. Applegate.”

  The sweet compliment sent a wonderful rush through her. She gave him a playful punch in the arm. “I told you doctor is too stodgy.”

  “You said stuffy, not stodgy. And watch using big words like stodgy, I’m a simple man from Kansas.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “Hey now, I’m from Kansas, as well.” Again, she wanted to reach for his face and learn how he looked when he had a smile in his voice. They walked forward, and she stumbled as a stiletto dug into the soft dirt.

  He grabbed her elbow. “I’m sorry, Sierra. I didn’t take your high heels into account. This wasn’t the best idea; we can go back.”

  Her stubborn streak kicked in, and she shook her head. “No, I’ll make it.”

  His hand slid over her back in slow circles and heat spread through her. The chemistry was there, but not in the way she’d anticipated. It seemed she’d known Daniel for years and not just hours, and the energy flowed around them in gentle waves and not the hot tempest she’d fantasized about.

  “And here we are.” He guided her through a doorway. “It’s a circular hut with windows all around for photographers to use.”

  The wood smell hit her and she reached out, stroking fingers down the smooth walls. He took the take-out container with the cake, freeing her to explore. Curiosity sent her hands following a built-in bench, finding it circled the enclosure. Windows were cut out of the walls every few feet. When she’d made the loop, satisfied with the mental map she’d made, Daniel placed his hands on her shoulders.

  “How do you do it?”

  She shook her head, not understanding the question. “Do what?”

  “You never drop that beautiful smile. Losing your sight had to have been traumatic. How did you pick yourself up and move on.”

  She’d been asked the same thing many times over. “I was still young, and children are more adaptable to loss than adults. And the world is vivid to me now, but in different ways than if I had sight. I can tell the lake is cold and clear, otherwise I’d smell that nasty algae which grows on warm, stagnant water. This blind is relatively new, the pine scent is strong, and the walls smooth and without splinters. Leaves rattle above us in the breeze, telling me limbs shade this area during the day.”

  The light brush of a fingertip tickled her cheek. “You’re incredible. You remind me of someone I knew once.”

  The familiarity rose again. “I feel the same. Who do I remind you of?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said, his tone low. “She died a long time ago. But she had hair like yours, and long legs….”

  What had happened to the girl? Whoever she was, she’d broken his heart—was there still room for her? Anxious to distract him from his sad memory, she changed the subject. “So tell me, what do you see outside?” A fresh rush of desire burned through her. She wanted to extend this moment, the wait its own form of foreplay.

  “The lake, with some geese and ducks.”

  “You see more than that.”

  “Hmm, the moon is out, full and silver. The water reflects it, and the birds swimming on the lake look almost ghostly. Dark trees outline the bank to the north.”

  He gently tugged her against his solid body. His lips brushed the outer rim of her ear. “A mated pair of white swans swims close by.”

  Hot breath fanned her earlobe and she melted into his arms. A hand stroked down, settling against her lower back. She tipped her head up, anticipating the pressure of his lips against hers. His knuckle nudged beneath her chin.

  He removed her sunglasses. “I want to see your brown eyes.”

  Her breathing grew shallow, making her lightheaded.

  “You’re so beautiful, sweethea
rt.”

  His mouth touched hers and the world fell away.

  Daniel’s nature dictated he take a slow pace, but the fire building in his groin threatened to overtake common decency. Sierra’s lips tasted of sweet wine, and he wound his fingers in her hair, pulling her closer. Her soft body did obscene things to his imagination, and the idea of taking her hard and fast tempted him.

  Instead, he dragged his mouth from hers. “We can’t let the dessert go to waste.”

  “I thought this was dessert.”

  He sat on the bench and tugged her onto his lap. Flipping the lid of the container open, he pinched off a bite of chocolate cake.

  “Open up.”

  She did as asked, and he placed the morsel on her tongue. Her murmur of approval toyed with him and he nuzzled her neck, craving the soft feel of her skin. He brought another bit to her lips. This time she caught his finger between her teeth, sucking it, taunting his resolve to keep his pants on for at least a few more minutes. He slid his free hand over the silky material of the blouse, until he cupped one of her full breasts. Her head fell back, exposing her pale throat to his lips. Kneading the firm mound, he kissed a trail to the hollow of her throat then traced her collarbone with the tip of his tongue.

  No longer in control of his impulses, he slipped his hand between her thighs pressing them apart, needing to know if she was wet. He wanted to taste her juices, know how she responded when he sucked her clit. Her palm came to his cheek, and her sharp intake of breath cut through the fog of lust.

  “What happened to you?”

  The scarring.

  “You don’t know?”

  Sierra shook her head. “Your profile didn’t mention….”

  He squeezed his eyes shut—Sierra’s rejection would kick him in the gut.

  “Three years ago, my home caught fire while I was out with some friends. The alarm came across the scanner at my buddy’s house. I didn’t have my gear with me, and in my panic didn’t have the mindset to go after it at the station. I arrived at the scene first, got my daughter out, but when going back for my wife, the fire overtook me, and….” He swallowed, the old emotions bitter, the evening taking a turn he hadn’t been prepared for. He waited for her to push away from him. Instead, her fingertips sought out his face, exploring his chin, nose, and forehead.

  “I want to know what you look like. From my perspective.”

  She took her time and he waited for some kind of reaction. Oddly, the loss he’d suffered three years before didn’t swamp him. Instead, Sierra’s energy filled him, renewing parts of him he’d long since forgotten.

  Leaning forward, she brushed her mouth against his, tasting of Chocolate Sin.

  “You’re sexy, Daniel. I want you to make love to me tonight.”

  Chapter Five

  “It’s kind of a mess—” Daniel cleared his throat. “I guess it doesn’t matter.”

  A blast of air conditioning sent a shiver through Sierra. Leading her a short distance inside, he paused. The keys clattered near her, maybe in a bowl. She took in the comforting aroma of clean laundry while shifting from foot to foot, waiting for his next move.

  More than anything she wanted him to kiss her again. Fingertips brushed her forehead before tucking hair behind her ear. She licked her bottom lip.

  His body heat enveloped her and her nerve endings tingled. At last his mouth brushed hers, and the world rocked beneath her feet. Tentative, his exploration gentle. She sighed leaning forward, reaching up to cup his smooth shaven cheek, encouraging him. A flash of her first kiss with Tommy flooded her thoughts—puzzling why she’d think of it when she’d had several adult relationships since.

  The kiss grew firmer, more urgent, and he drew her tongue between his teeth. He wrapped his arm around her waist, hauling her into his body. His cock pressed against her stomach, letting her know his readiness.

  “Shall we take this to the bedroom?” he asked against her lips.

  She nodded. “Please.”

  He scooped her into his arms, making her gasp in surprise.

  “There are stairs and I’m feeling impatient.”

  She giggled, wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed the ride to his bedroom. Since leaving the nature trail, she had been caught in a whirlwind.

  Daniel seemed so much more…everything than Mike. Perhaps her lonely heart played tricks with her mind. But the woman in her wanted it to mean more, hoped he felt a special thread between the two of them like she did. She couldn’t put her finger on what created it, other than a sense of connection.

  He laid her on the bed, and his heavy body pressed her into the mattress. Desire stole her thoughts while she clawed at the fabric of his T-shirt, wanting to feel his skin against hers.

  His pelvis ground down, charging her system with renewed lust. She cursed the fit of the tulip skirt, unable to free her legs to wrap around his waist. As if reading her mind, his hands sought its hem and shoved it over her thighs to her hips, wedging his pelvis between her legs. She pushed her pussy against the bulge of his cock. Circling, she groaned at the pleasurable friction through their clothing.

  “It’s been a while, sweetheart,” he said against her neck. “I can’t guarantee how this is going to go, but I’ll give it my all.”

  She smiled. “I’m sure whatever you have to offer will be incredible.”

  Daniel undressed her, taking his time to enjoy every lovely inch revealed. Her lightly-freckled, pale skin was baby soft and, raining kisses over every exposed inch, he couldn’t get enough of its taste.

  Her breasts were every man’s fantasy. Full, firm, they spilled from his hands while he kneaded them, loving the way she arched and moaned. Her nipple budded against his tongue and he sucked one, tweaking the other between his thumb and forefinger. When he pinched it, she sucked air through her teeth, and the smile on her face said it all.

  His cock aching, he discarded his own clothes and dug the new box of condoms from his nightstand drawer. He stared at them; this would be the first time he’d had sex since losing his wife. He looked for the usual hollow ache, or a rush of guilt for sharing his bed with another woman. But, in its place, he found the warmth of Sierra’s presence. He smiled, reveling in the energy, drinking it in, alive in a way he hadn’t been in too many years. The sense of familiarity struck him again, but he wouldn’t have forgotten meeting a woman like Sierra.

  His gaze drifted down her body to the trimmed thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs. He let a finger trail over her abdomen, circling her navel, moving lower. When he slipped it through her labia, she whimpered. She was slick, and he parted her legs wide and pressed his lips to her pussy. Her musky scent filled his head, heightening his arousal.

  She cried out when he shoved his tongue within her folds, taking long licks from her clit down to her canal. She tasted sweet, as he’d imagined she would. Her nails raked his back, and her whimpers grew to pleas, as she rocked against his tongue.

  “Please, Daniel, I’m going to come.”

  He eased back, raining kisses across her inner thighs, wanting to extend her pleasure. She struggled, but he held her still. When his mouth found her again, he ate her until she screamed his name, her pussy pulsing against his mouth.

  With trembling fingers, he grabbed a condom and sheathed his dick. Her hand slid up his leg, searching until it found him. Wrapping her fingers around the girth, she drew a groan from his throat when she stroked from base to tip.

  “I want on top,” she said in a throaty whisper that sent hot waves through his system.

  He lay back, guiding her hips over his pelvis, and traced his glans through her lips until he sure she was wet enough to take him. Her pussy resisted taking his length, and she muttered in frustration. “It’s been a while.”

  “Easy, sweetheart. We have all night.” He massaged her breast, before rolling her nipples. Her head fell back and he pushed into her. She gasped, and he gritted his teeth. Her tight walls gripped him, threatening to send him over the edg
e.

  Her palms stroked his stomach. Scars marred his entire body, but she didn’t spend any particular time on them. Sliding up, she explored his chest, sending hot shudders through him, settling deep in his groin. He closed his eyes and clutched the comforter, counting sheep—the only thing he could think to do to keep from losing his load. Her fingers traced his face. When he smiled, she returned a dazzling one of her own.

  He panted when she rode him hard and held his breath when she stopped. Dizzy with mounting lust, he could do nothing but grip her thighs and hope he lasted longer than she did. He matched the rhythm, driving up when she thrust down.

  Sierra had found heaven on earth. His girth stretched her body, sending out delirious waves of pleasure. She paused, catching her breath, and he tugged her down, rolling her beneath him while keeping their union. He set a languid pace. With each push, desire spiraled higher and higher yet couldn’t crest into the pinnacle of climax. Denied release, she writhed, pleading for more. Instead, he kissed her, nipping her bottom lip. She sucked his tongue between her teeth, mating it to hers.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re incredible. If I go faster, I’ll lose it.”

  His words made her world spin out of control.

  “Let me come, Daniel, please.”

  He made one hard plunge, then two and three. On the fourth, her world shattered and a choked sob escaped her throat.

  “Oh, thank God.” He bucked into her, giving over to his own cry of release.

  They lay entangled, enjoying post-orgasmic paradise. He was a strong man in both body and soul. Losing his wife hadn’t ended his world; he’d carried on to raise a daughter and keep a career together. Her education had trained her to help others deal with their traumas, but she wasn’t sure if she could survive such loss. Having her fiancé dump her paled in comparison. Daniel had offered her healing; could she offer him the same?

  She snuggled deeper into his embrace and sighed. Come morning she’d return to the real world and perhaps never hear from him again. Frowning, she analyzed why that left an empty space inside her. Sleep beckoned, but she wanted to enjoy his company, extend the intimacy.