Her Dakota Summer

by Dahlia Dewinters

  Her full lips curled into a half-smile. “Well,” she said. “You are a good attorney, aren’t you?”

  “Except for the ‘I’m sorry for the lie’ part.” He touched her arm again, this time letting his fingers rest against her velvety soft skin. Her lips were begging to be kissed and her warm, sugary fragrance was drawing him closer. “You won’t be seeing him again.” He meant to phrase it as a question, but it came out between a statement and a command.

  Celeste raised her delicate eyebrows. “How much of the conversation did you hear?”

  “Enough,” he admitted. “But not so much.”

  This time, she laughed. “Another lawyerly answer.” She tossed her purse onto the coffee table, yawned. “I guess I’d better get to bed.” She shook her head, but made no move to get up. “What a way to end the night.”

  They sat there side by side. Adrenaline mixed with arousal flowed through his body and he decided, now or never. He had waited over three weeks for this and didn’t have the patience to wait any longer.

  “Let me make it better for you.” He kissed her full lips and pulled her body against his. She tasted both tangy and darkly sweet, the flavors mingling and fueling his ardor.

  “Dakota.” She exhaled and up at him. “I don’t think…”

  “Hold that thought.” In answer, he kissed her again, and it was better than the first time. He prolonged the kiss, stroking her tongue with his own until she responded by sliding her arms around his neck and pulling him against her.

  Dakota strained toward her, every cell in his body wanting, needing her, but she pulled away and slid toward the end of the couch.

  “Celeste…” He reached for her, but she got up and crossed the room, away from him. His erection still stood at the ready and he was disoriented and trembling with desire. “Come back. It’s all right.”

  Celeste shook her head, hugging her elbows. “There was nothing right about what we just did.”

  “What do you mean? It wasn’t okay? You didn’t want me to kiss you?” Dakota felt as if he were being scolded for reaching into the cookie jar, which only made him want the sweet treasures inside more. Her breasts swelled over the low neckline of the sundress and he ached to touch the soft flesh. Instead he balled his hands into fists and squeezed them tightly.

  “It’s not that, Dakota, but…” She shook her head again and brought her hand to her mouth. The image of her touching the lips he’d just kissed was more than he could bear and it was only the force of will that kept him seated. To chase after her would only send her running away from him.

  “But what, Celeste?” He knew exactly what she was thinking, but he was going to make her say it.

  “You know as well as I do. You work for me. We can’t have a relationship. No matter how much we’re attracted to each other.” She sighed. “I thought we had this straightened out.”

  “I’ll quit.”

  “And leave me in the lurch?” She chuckled. “You better not,” she said.

  “I was kidding.” He got up and moved toward her.

  When he placed his hands on her shoulders, he was pleased to see that she was shaking. “We can’t.”

  He was willing to compromise. “Not now, maybe after…”

  “Not ever. You’re too young for me.”

  He slid an arm around her waist to pull her closer. “Doesn’t matter,” he whispered.

  Celeste ran her fingers through his hair, sending tingles over his body. He wanted her warm and naked against him, whispering in his ear.

  “You have beautiful hair,” she remarked.

  “You have beautiful everything.” He wanted to kiss her again.

  “Dakota.” She sighed and leaned against him for a second. “You have to let me think.”

  He watched her scoop up her purse from the table, kick off her shoes and climb the stairs to her bedroom.

  “Good night.” She paused mid-way up then turned to give him a little wave.

  “Good night,” he said and watched her walk all the way up the stairs.

  * * * *

  Celeste turned over, flipped her pillow to the cool side and tossed the cover off her legs. The central air conditioner kept the house at an even seventy-two degrees but she still felt sweaty and uncomfortable.

  She rolled on her side and stared at the red digits shining from the bedside table. After midnight. Jackson and Malcolm had been asleep when she’d checked on them, She’d tucked Jackson’s bear pillow next to him and cleared off the building blocks Malcolm had played with after lights out.

  Celeste thought about everything that had happened that day, successfully avoiding the very event that kept her awake and kept a low flame of desire burning in her belly. She sighed and tried to find a comfortable position.

  Defiance crept up on her, tapped her on the shoulder. She’d kissed him because she wanted to, because they had been flirting with each other ever since that first day they’d met. But what the hell did it mean? Yes, she could have a little fling with the nanny but would it leave her better or worse off? And the boys. There hadn’t been a man around since she and Charles had divorced three years ago. Michael didn’t count. She’d never brought him around and they only knew of him in passing.

  But now there was Dakota. She buried her face in her pillow and groaned. How many times had she dreamed of kissing him, entertained the thought of running her hands through his hair, holding his body against hers…?

  Celeste sat up in bed and switched on the bedside lamp. Too much thinking never got anyone anywhere.

  So she was going to stop thinking.

  After checking on the boys one final time, she tip-toed down the stairs and into the alcove leading to the separate suite. A sliver of light from under the door beckoned to her and she hesitated only a moment before she knocked.

  Chapter Nine

  Dakota opened the door, an expression of surprise brightening his face. “You changed your mind.” Without waiting for her to respond, he bent his head and kissed the soft curve between her shoulder and her neck. Her skin heated in response, tendrils of pleasure curling in her belly and surging throughout her body. He made her feel wanted, something to be cherished, handled delicately, something that she’d never felt with either her husband or Michael. “I’m glad.” The brush of his lips against her skin made her shiver and her nipples tightened against the thin cotton of her nightgown.

  “I’m glad too.” Celeste put her arms around his neck.

  He pressed his lips to hers and slid his tongue around her mouth in such gentle sweeps that Celeste’s knees buckled. Warm liquid heat spread through her belly and thighs, radiating from the languid exploration. She moaned and leaned against the wall next to the door, her legs becoming too weak to support her.

  He caught her in a strong embrace to pull her body closer, the ridge of his erection nudging against her aching center. One simple kiss and he had her blazing with passion, wanting nothing more than to throw herself down on his bed and allow him to have his way. And why not? She was already playing with fire, why not be consumed?

  “What’s this?” He grasped her hand in his and found the foil packets. Her face flamed with embarrassment, but he only smiled and tossed them onto the bed. “Prepared?”

  “As always,” she managed before he kissed her again, a small grunt of satisfaction coming from him as he smoothed his hands over her body in slow, delicious strokes.

  He thumbed her nipples through her nightgown, gently pinching and thrumming the sensitive peaks until she moaned outright and the dampness began to slide from her pussy. He teased her with his cock, rubbing in slow, lazy circles against her hips, plying her with tender kisses.

  Tension stiffened her spine, causing her to thrust her aching body against his, silently begging for release. The skin of his torso and chest was smooth, the muscles contracting under her fingers as she traced the hard landscape. He was young and nothing was going to come of this, but she was going to ignore the voice of reason, just this onc
e.

  “Stop thinking. I can feel your body tensing up.” He clutched her bottom, ground against her. “Think about this, think about how much I want you.” He dipped his head and nuzzled her breast, licking at the sensitive nub through her nightgown.

  She cried out then, driven beyond any further reason, beyond any desire or thought to say no. Her body trembled uncontrollably and she was glad of his steady guidance to the rumpled bed that smelled of fabric softener and him.

  He fumbled with the tiny buttons of the nightgown and she helped him, pulling it up over her head and tossing it to the side. Her panties were next. They both pulled at the material until those, too, lay on top of the discarded nightgown.

  The look of appreciation in his eyes was embarrassing and she quickly wiggled under the sheet. Yes, she took good care of herself, eating right and exercising, but she hadn’t been naked in front of anyone but her mirror for the past two years or so.

  A smile made his eyes twinkle. “Don’t be shy.”

  Celeste raised an eyebrow. “Then you get naked too and we can both not be shy together.”

  Without another word of encouragement, he obliged, stripping off his shorts and tossing them to the side. Celeste sat frozen, struggling to keep her face neutral. She had seen her share of cock in her time, but this was the first that she’d seen that actually made her bite her lip in anticipation.

  He grinned at her and grabbed his cock, stroking it until a bead of pre-cum glistened at the tip. “Do you like it?”

  She gazed up at him then back down at his erection, clenching her pussy at the thought of having him inside her.

  “Let me get a closer look.”

  She met him at the edge of the bed, the sheet falling away from her own naked body as she took him into her mouth, humming in appreciation at his sweet taste. She stroked his velvet skin with her tongue, alternating sucking and licking it around the head until she heard him moan with ecstasy.

  Hot desire licked at her sex and she pressed her eyelids shut as she sucked harder, tugging at him with her lips and teasing him with her tongue. She scooted closer, taking in even more of his rigid flesh to the back of her throat, enjoying the pleasure she knew she was giving him.

  “Celeste.” He stroked her hair, stilling her movement. His voice caught in his throat. “Wait, please.” Gently, he disengaged her then eased her back on the bed, straddled her. “My turn.”

  He parted her legs and arrowed his tongue directly onto her clit, stroking the tiny, sensitive nub until her back stiffened and she writhed against the sheets. The ebony curtain of his hair fell across her thighs and she reached down to tangle her fingers in the smooth strands.

  White heat sprang under his tongue and he pressed two fingers against her briefly before sliding them inside. She twisted on the bed, her moans now short, whistling breaths as he swept his fingers across the rough spot inside. Celeste opened her eyes wide and she raised her hips to bring her pussy closer to his mouth. Wild, fluttering sensations swirled within her, joining together in a tight ball, then breaking apart as she climaxed in breathless, racking spasms.

  “Music to my ears,” he said and leaned over her to open his bedside drawer. In her haze, the crackle of the foil packet got her attention. She pushed herself up on one elbow and reached for the pair of condoms she’d brought.

  “I have some here,” she said.

  He laughed a little. “Force of habit, sorry. We’ll use yours next.”

  Celeste lay back and watched as he rolled on a condom. The excitement made her gasp. Next… He said next…

  Warm and fragrant, he pressed against her and nestled the head of his cock at her entrance. She raised one leg and guided him in.

  He entered her with a long, smooth glide, settling in to a nudging rhythm that made her sigh. Kissing her throat, her neck and the curve of her ear, he whispered sweetly to her, making her moan with pleasure.

  Dipping his head, he pulled at the tip of her bare breast with his lips, sending hot streaks of sensation through her. She raised her other leg, clamping tightly around him as he pushed against her.

  Celeste shuddered, a dreamy warmth suffusing her limbs. His breath puffed against her cheek, light and uneven, as he thrust into her, holding her steady with his hands under her bottom.

  He made a small sound in his throat between a grunt and a sigh, and surged forward again. Celeste closed her eyes, felt the familiar tension build within her with every forward movement. She gripped him tighter, tangling her fingers in his hair, digging in to the tight muscles of his back, urging him forward. Abandon ran through her veins and all she cared about was the pleasure that he was giving her.

  Dakota kissed the side of her face. “Do you like it?”

  She nodded. “Yes,” she managed to say.

  “How about like this?”

  He did something, angled her body so subtly that she didn’t notice a change in movement until a wave of new, greedy desire washed over her. Celeste gasped, the heat rising into her face and she pressed her cheek against his shoulder. Wild instinct took over. The exquisite sensations began building within her, the passion drawing tighter until it broke, pushing her closer to the edge until she climaxed into a breathless orgasm.

  “Oh…” she whispered, writhing beneath him. Tiny sparks of fire skittered across her scalp. She released him, her arms aching from the strain, her body thrumming with energy.

  Satisfied from her own climax, she was able now to watch him, his eyes half-closed, a line of concentration between his brows. Smiling to herself, she began squeezing and releasing her inner muscles and was rewarded with his look of puzzlement, then helpless pleasure. He tightened his grip on her hips.

  “Wha—what are you doing?”

  “Nothing.” She continued to work her muscles, a steady rhythm of clenching and loosening until he had stilled his movement, focusing on her actions. He held his face against her shoulder as he climaxed, hips pumping, damp, hot skin pressed against hers. Celeste slipped her hands across his back, feeling the muscles work under her palms.

  Celesta lay against his chest, not wanting to leave. She brushed the hair back from his face and kissed him slowly, savoring his taste.

  “I can’t stay. I have to go back upstairs.”

  Dakota nuzzled against her breasts, rubbing his face against her skin. “I know.”

  The doubt that she had forestalled came creeping back, settling over her like fine mist. Just over two weeks left, how would they relate to each other? The dynamic had changed, that was for certain. And whether it was for better or for worse, she didn’t know. She, rather they, would have to wait and see.

  “It’s your day off.” She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on her nightgown.

  He yawned and walked his fingers up her back. “Yes. I might spend it by the pool.”

  She laughed a little. “But it’s your day off. Don’t you want to get away from us for a couple hours?”

  “No.”

  “Yes, but—”

  He cut her off. “Celeste, don’t. I’ll see you in the morning.” He sat up and kissed the back of her neck.

  “Which is in less than six hours.” Clutching her underwear in her hand, she kissed his cheek. “Good night.”

  He lay back against the sheets and gave her a lazy, satisfied smile. “You’re welcome to stay.”

  She watched his hand slide down his flat belly and her body responded with a flush of heat. She moved toward the door, shaking her head.

  “If it were up to you, I wouldn’t get any sleep tonight.” Celeste placed her hand on the doorknob, held it in a tight grip, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Night.”

  She turned her gaze away from the empty space in the bed she had left and made her escape. The temptation to crawl back beneath the sheets next to him was much too great. Upstairs, she clutched her pillow to her chest moments before falling into a deep, satisfied sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  “Mommy.”

 
Celeste cracked open one eye and looked directly into the huge brown eyes of her younger son, who stood right next to her bed. “Mommy, Dakota says get up and don’t sleep the day away.”

  She sat up in bed and looked over at the clock. The red digital numbers stared back at her, telling her that she was over an hour past her usual waking time of eight a.m. With young children in the house, she never had the luxury of sleeping in—ever.

  “Get up, Mommy, we’re having pancakes.” He pulled at the covers. “I’m wearing my rock star shirt today.” Jackson ran out of the room and down the stairs yelling, “I woke up Mommy!”

  Celeste threw back the covers and eased herself out of bed. Stretching her arms upward, she tried to rid herself of the unfamiliar aches that plagued her after her recent activities. She grimaced, unsure of whether to smile or frown about how she had spent the earlier part of her night.

  After a quick shower and an even quicker glance in the mirror, she dressed and descended the stairs, dragging her feet on the risers. The sounds of little voices and the children’s station on the radio drifted to her ears as she paused at the bottom, hunger making her stomach growl. She could always run back up, survive on water and the stale gum that she knew Malcolm hid in his jeans drawer.

  That wasn’t an option. Facing the fact that she’d just had an extremely satisfying—yet highly unethical—roll in the hay with her nanny was part of being an adult. She took a deep breath, arranged her face in what she hoped was a pleasant expression and entered the kitchen.

  The sight that greeted her was nothing like what she expected. On most of the previous Sundays before he set off for wherever he went on his day off, she had been up at seven, brewed coffee and made small talk with Dakota as he prepared his breakfast. Now it was a totally different ballgame. He was staying around today, and well…she’d slept with him last night. Not only was it a different game, it was a different sport altogether.

  “Morning, everyone.” She went straight for the coffee pot, selecting her favorite cup from the cabinet and filling it halfway with the fragrant rich brew. Sitting at the kitchen table, she caught Dakota’s eye and covered her giggle by sipping her coffee. She had forgotten to put any creamer into it and she nearly gagged on the hot, bitter liquid.