Dreaming in Blue Read online

  A bell chimed, making her flinch.

  “It’s three in the morning. Who could be here?” Daniel grumbled, sliding out of bed. She heard the rustle of fabric and a moment later the door clicked closed behind him.

  Chapter Six

  Sierra stumbled over clothes strewn on the floor. She eased the door open a crack.

  “I couldn’t reach you by phone,” a soft feminine voice said.

  “It’s on vibrate. I guess I didn’t hear it. What’s wrong?” Daniel replied.

  “I’m sorry. I know you had your date, but she’s had nightmares all night and wanted to come home.”

  A child’s whimpers carried to her.

  “Is your date still, uh, still here?”

  “It’s okay, Roseanne. I’ll take her.”

  Sierra crawled into bed, feeling guilty for eavesdropping. She heard heavy footfalls on the stairs.

  “Daddy, I want to sleep with you.”

  “No, pumpkin, you have to sleep in your own bed tonight.”

  They walked past the closed door.

  “No, Daddy, no.”

  Another shut down the hall, and Sierra wondered if she should call a cab. Daniel had his responsibilities as a parent, duties she’d never even considered taking on. She couldn’t imagine inviting a child to disrupt her meticulously ordered life. Yet, she was surprised at her desire to comfort the little girl, the pang she felt at the tiny, distraught voice.

  So many reasons to find her purse, phone for a taxi and slip out of Daniel’s life. She played them in her head until she fell asleep, still alone.

  ***

  Sierra awoke, her internal clock so thrown off, she had no idea how late she’d slept. She felt around, still disoriented, until she found Daniel’s broad back next to her. Birds chirped outside the window, and one particularly loud one seemed in the room with them. She rubbed her gritty eyes and stretched—her muscles sore in delightful new places.

  “Morning,” Daniel mumbled, rolling to his side and throwing an arm across her waist.

  “Same to you.” She buried her face in the hollow of his throat, inhaling his masculine scent, filing it away with other wonderful memories she’d cherish. His hand stroked her back and the remnants of morning wood brushed her thigh.

  The bird chirped louder.

  “Where is that coming from?” She tilted her head, trying to place it.

  “It’s Alisha’s canary. Somehow it ended up in my room instead of hers.”

  Time to leave, yet she hesitated. It seemed too soon to end the date. Daniel rained kisses down the side of her neck as she laid her leg over his hips, his cock coming fully to life. There was a click down the hall, and the pitter patter of little feet came straight to the bedroom door. The knob jiggled and Sierra shoved back.

  “It’s locked,” he said rolling onto his back.

  “Daddy!” Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle. “Daddy!”

  He groaned.

  “It’s okay, pumpkin, I’m up. I’ll be out in a minute. Go downstairs and watch cartoons.”

  The feet trotted away, muffled by the carpeting.

  “Don’t run down the stairs!” He rolled back to Sierra and cupped her cheek.

  “My daughter is a morning person, if she slept past seven a.m. it’d be a miracle.”

  Sierra let out a breath, finding his face with her hand. She retraced his features: strong nose, full lips, high cheekbones….

  “I need to be going. I should have left last night when your daughter got home,” she whispered surprised by the hitch in her voice. His mouth moved into a frown beneath her fingertips.

  She knew now that casual sex would never be her thing, and regret swamped her. It was unreasonable to become attached to Daniel in just the short amount of time they’d spent together. Deep down, she felt she’d known him longer, though she did her best to ignore it.

  He kissed her, long and deep. “It was too late for you to leave when she got here. Alisha’s young. I’ll figure out something to tell her. It’s not like I have a revolving door to my bedroom, you’re the first woman I’ve had over since I lost my wife.”

  A warm wonderful feeling filled Sierra’s chest.

  “How about breakfast before you go?”

  She smiled, though words of caution warned her. You’re delaying the inevitable.

  “Yes, I’m starving.”

  His voice dropped to that low, wicked octave. “We worked up an appetite last night.”

  ***

  Sierra leaned back in the chair Daniel had guided her to, listening to his and Alisha’s exchange, the little girl’s ramblings an early morning delight. The four-year-old had many questions for her daddy’s new friend, as well, and Sierra did her best to deter her interest.

  “So what’s for breakfast, pumpkin?” Daniel asked, interrupting his daughter’s interrogation.

  “Chocolate ice cream!” Alisha squealed.

  “Now who eats chocolate ice cream for breakfast?” he asked in a serious tone.

  “Fairies and gnomes eat chocolate ice cream for breakfast. And worms baked in mud pies.”

  They laughed at the girl’s vivid imagination.

  “Waffles it is.”

  With all three seated at the table together, Alisha’s happy chatter a pleasant backdrop to the morning meal, Sierra couldn’t keep the grin from her face. It was too cozy, and the warning bells sounded again, but she ignored them.

  What’s wrong with indulging in a bit of domesticity? After all, Daniel had introduced her to his daughter. Perhaps he wanted more than just one date? But didn’t she want to avoid a relationship—hence 1Night Stand?

  The questions swirled in her brain until a dull ache settled in her temples, and she willed away the impending headache.

  “I’m going to be a famous ballerina,” Alisha said, breaking into her thoughts.

  “Is that right?” Sierra asked.

  “Yes, have you seen Nutcracker? Daddy and I saw it last Christmas. I got to wear Clara’s tiara!”

  Her enthusiasm was contagious.

  “Wow, really? I watched it several times with my family when I was a little girl, but I never got to wear a tiara. You’re a lucky girl.”

  “My ballet teacher says I can be a famous dancer.”

  “It’s true, she’s quite impressed with my little girl,” Daniel added with all the pride one would expect from a doting father.

  The sweet exchange tugged Sierra’s heartstrings, and it hit her how hard it must have been for him to lose his wife. At least he’d managed to save his precious daughter.

  “Sarah, do you like my tutu?”

  “It’s Sierra, and I’m sure if she could see your pink tutu she’d love it.” Daniel’s hot breath tickled her ear. Her heart kicked up its pace. “She wears it twenty-four seven. Okay, pumpkin, go get dressed. Uncle John will be here soon.”

  Alisha sighed. “All right. You can come to the park, too, Sarah.”

  “We go every Saturday morning with my brother and his four kids,” Daniel explained. The doorbell rang, and Alisha’s bare feet slapped across the linoleum floor and out of the room. Sierra stood, ready to call a cab and leave him to his family time. His arm snaked around her waist. His lips teased the sensitive skin beneath her ear.

  “I’m in the mood for things other than five screaming kids running rampant. My brother is on his own.”

  Heat pooled low in her belly as she soaked in his strength and vitality.

  “If you’re sure he won’t mind….”

  Chapter Seven

  Water streamed over her body and Sierra sighed. The warm shower eased her tension headache. Daniel’s soapy hands covered her, sending waves of pleasure rocketing from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Massaging her breasts, he moved behind her, his cock wedged against her lower back while his tongue tickled the nape of her neck. His fingers explored lower, over the curve of her stomach and she leaned into the searching touch.

  When they delved inside seeking out her clit, her knees
buckled. He wrapped an arm around her waist keeping her upright while he circled her sensitized nub. Whimpers turned to moans and at last gasps. Ecstasy pooled and the delicious orgasm overtook her. She reeled in bliss.

  “Are you ready for the bed?”

  “Not yet.” She turned, taking his cock in her hand, sliding up and down its shaft, dropping in front of him, her lips seeking him out. Taking his glans to the back of her throat, she reveled in the power. His hips moved, guiding her into rhythm.

  He pulled back and tugged her to her feet. A soft towel draped around her shoulders before he led her to the bedroom. She knelt on her hands and knees on the bed, waiting. Her anticipation mounted with the sound of a condom wrapper ripping. He took her from behind, and spreading wider, she met him eagerly wanting it as much as he did. The second climax swept through her and she screamed his name again and again, he growling out hers. They collapsed on the comforter and he pulled her into a spoon. They lay for several minutes basking in the afterglow.

  He broke the silence with a chuckle.

  “Blue toenails, you’re a wild one.”

  She smiled. “Blue’s my favorite color. It’s what I remember best from before I lost my sight.”

  “Why’s that?” He nuzzled her shoulder.

  “It’s the color of the Kansas sky. And the eye color of the first boy I kissed when I was ten.”

  “Small world, I grew up near the Missouri state line.”

  She rolled to face him. “Are you serious? What town?”

  “Duncan.”

  “Incredible, I lived on Olathe Road.”

  He braced on an elbow. “Okay, this is crazy. Believe it or not, I grew up on Olathe Road. Why don’t I know you?”

  “We moved to Duncan from Wichita the summer I was ten. My parents homeschooled me, so it took me a long time to know any of the kids in town.”

  “That makes sense. My parents divorced when I was eleven and my dad and I moved away that same winter.” He kissed her lips and added mock sternness to his voice. “And this boy you kissed? Should I be jealous?”

  She giggled. “Well it was quick and a bit of a shock. I met him at the county fair after he ran into me, making me dump my ice cream cone. I started to cry, and he tugged me aside, told me his name, Tommy, and planted a big one on me. I guess his way of apologizing. It’s kind of fuzzy, since it happened so long ago, but I do remember his bright sky blue eyes.”

  Air lodged in his lungs, Sierra’s memory sparking one of his own.

  “Your accident, how did it happen?”

  Her brow furrowed. “Me being a silly kid and thinking I could play on a frozen pond on our property the winter after we moved to Duncan. I fell through the ice and wasn’t found for some time.”

  Shock and disbelief barreled through him.

  His dad told him to stay close to home, but he wanted to explore one last time before the moving truck pulled away and they had to follow in the pickup. While crossing the neighboring property he caught a glimpse of pink in a pond. A girl floated in the icy water. He’d be grounded for sure if he went in after her, but he couldn’t leave her there.

  Crawling over the ice on his stomach, he got hold of her sleeve and managed to drag her to the bank. He recognized her as the girl he’d kissed at the fair, and scared she might be dead, he wrapped her in his coat then ran to tell the neighbors. And sneaked away before they could call his dad and tell what he’d done. Arriving home just as the movers slammed the tailgate of the big truck, he’d hopped in the front seat of the pickup and ridden away to his new life.

  He rained kisses over her forehead. Often he’d thought of that little girl, wondered if she were indeed dead. One of the reasons he’d become a fire fighter was to make up for not being able to do more to help someone in need. But she’d lived and some crazy twist of fate had brought them together, acting a healing balm to part of his soul.

  “Did the boy at the fair give you a bullfrog before he kissed you?”

  “Yes, a big nasty one.” She shuddered. “How did you know?”

  A smile spread across his face. “My prized bullfrog, George. I’d won the frog races with him that day. I figured he’d make up for spilling your ice cream, because I felt terrible I’d made you cry.”

  She frowned and shook her head. “Wait, no, his name was Tommy, not Daniel.”

  “I went by Tommy as a kid, something my grandfather tagged me with. My full name is Daniel Thomas McIntyre. My family still calls me Tommy.”

  He considered telling her about finding her in the pond, but the words stuck in his throat. Maybe it’d be best saved for another day.

  “So did my kiss disappoint you?”

  “This is too incredible to be true.” Sierra’s lips found his. “And I could’ve done without the slimy frog. And no, it’s the perfect first kiss.”

  He rolled her beneath him. “Can I take you out again next weekend, you know, to make up for slimy frogs?”

  Sierra’s heart swelled, the threads of their connection strengthened. Even though she couldn’t see it, the warmth of his gaze sent tingles through her. Yes, she knew their exact color, thanks to a chance childhood encounter. Maybe she’d signed up for one night of sex, but it seemed Madame Evangeline had other plans.

  No, this wasn’t a one-night stand, but a miracle written in the color blue.

  ~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

  Olivia Starke lives in a little town in southern Missouri. Some of the most beautiful country in the U.S., she loves the Ozarks and hikes, runs, or kayaks whenever possible. When not working at her laptop or in her retail management job, she’s playing mom to an ever expanding collection of dogs, cats, and horses who find their way to her little farm.

  She loves to hear from readers and welcomes them to email her at [email protected]!

  Familiar Desires

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  Ashley Adams signed up with the 1NightStand service in hopes of stirring up some cougar passion in her lackluster life. When she meets tall, dark, and oh-so-sexy Justin, the sparks fly. But something deeper lies in their magical connection, something she isn’t prepared for. Will a casual one-night stand change her life forever?

  Her Moonlight Lover

  The Edge

  Stranded in the middle of Iowa, Bailey has to rely on the hospitality of a hot redhead with a body to die for. After skinny dipping leads to an incredible night of Sapphic loving, Bailey is smitten by the eager and willing Melanie.

  When morning comes, Bailey may find there’s more to Melanie than meets the eye.

  Midnight Madness

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  Maddie takes a weekend camping trip to forget her two timing ex-boyfriend. Instead of peace and quiet, she stumbles upon two hunks who put the wild in wilderness. And they have plans of their own—to heat up her sexless life. An evening of rowdy lovin’ is just what she needs to get over her broken heart.

  When she joins them in a trio that leaves her satisfied and exhausted, they have one more surprise in store called Midnight Madness….

  Living is Overrated

  The Edge

  Sex is better when you’re one of the undead.

  When her luggage is stolen at the Las Vegas airport, Kelly finds herself stranded and broke. Lucky for her, sexy Detective Nick Rodriguez offers her a room for the night. And when he whips out the handcuffs, she is ready to offer gratitude for his hospitality all night long.

  Of course, when in Vegas the party doesn’t stop even if someone wakes up dead….

 

 

 

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