Mysterious Gift

by Carlene Rae Dater

  He suppressed a groan and tried to will his erection to go away. “A back rub sounds perfect. I know I’ll feel better after I take a little nap. I love the outfit, but can you save it until later?” He wanted her badly but knew he was too tired to perform. She was still a little insecure, and he’d hate to disappoint her.

  “Of course, I understand. Let me grab a pair of jeans and T-shirt so I don’t tempt you too much. Then while you sleep, I’m going to take a walk.”

  “That’s a great idea. Take the key. By the time you get back, I’ll be awake and we can find a restaurant around here that delivers. Maybe they even have room service in this place, what do you think?”

  “Oh, no. That man, Garrison, said the kitchen was stocked. I’m going to check out what’s there and make you a good, home-cooked dinner. You crawl in bed while I change.”

  When he walked into the master suite, he saw the bathroom door was closed. Turning, he looked at his bedroom. It was decorated in a very masculine style in colors of tan and black with a few accents of silver. This room also had floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the bay. He hoped he’d be able to return here someday and enjoy both this great penthouse and the city of San Diego.

  He pulled back the covers on the bed, eased down, and closed his eyes. He was almost asleep when he felt Robin’s presence beside the bed. Then it was lights out.

  Chapter Ten

  The next thing he knew, his headache was gone, the room was dark, and he smelled something delicious. His stomach growled. He slid out of bed and stretched.

  He opened the walk-in closet and found row upon row of suits, casual wear, and even two tuxedos. He grabbed a pair of khakis off a hangar and spotted the large, black suitcase in the far corner of the closet.

  He’d have to pack after dinner so he’d be ready for the early flight. He had no idea what one wore to learn to control his psychic abilities. Hell, with the money he had, he could buy what he needed once he got to the institute.

  He pulled open dresser drawers—socks, underwear. He shed the hospital scrubs and pulled on the clean, crisp clothes. It felt so good after being in hospital stuff for so long. A casual button-down shirt finished it off, and he tucked in the tails and zipped his fly. As he closed the dresser drawers, he noticed the jewelry box perched on top of it.

  In it was a gold Phillip Patek watch set with the correct time, so he put in on. There was a very nice black opal ring set in 18 karat gold that felt just right on his right ring finger. He clasped a heavy gold bracelet around his wrist.

  Finally, he dug out the note from Phelps from the pocket of the discarded scrubs and went to sit on the edge of the bed to read.

  Brian,

  I trust you are feeling much better by now and look forward to your adventure. I purchased two, first-class seats for you on the airplane, so you won’t have to touch anyone during your journey. I know how uncomfortable that can be for you at this stage of your transformation. A car will be waiting for you at Logan Airport in Boston to drive you to the institute in the Berkshires. I look forward to seeing you soon. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call.

  Phelps

  Two seats. That was one problem solved. Now all he had to do was explain to Robin about his gift, WIAPT, and the trip. He put the note back in his pocket, took a deep breath, and went to find her.

  “There you are! How are you feeling?” Robin stood in the kitchen, wearing her jeans and T, barefoot. Russet curls sprang free all over her head, and her naked face was shiny with moisture. She looked adorable, and he wanted to kiss her. Instead, he put his hands in his pockets and stayed where he was. Pots and pans steamed, the oven timer dinged, and she looked as if she was having a ball.

  “Much better, thanks.” She’d set the dining room table with china, crystal, and had lit two long, tapering burgundy candles. “Something smells good.”

  “I thought you’d enjoy a good meal after all that hospital goop. I made pot roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh green beans, a tossed green salad and, for dessert, apple pie ala mode.”

  “It sounds perfect. Do you need any help?”

  “Nope. I’m all set to put food on the table. What would you like to drink?” She began filling bowls and platters with food. It looked as if she’d cooked enough to feed a small tribe.

  “I’d love some wine, but I think it will be safer for me to drink ice water. I’ll open a bottle for you though.” There was a method to his offer. He hoped she would drink enough to be in a good, receptive mood when he told her about Phelps and the upcoming trip to Massachusetts.

  “Sounds lovely. You pick a bottle. I don’t know one flavor from another.” She took hot dinner rolls out of the oven. The aroma made his mouth water.

  He discovered a decent bottle of Merlot, but wasn’t sure how he knew that. He found a corkscrew after opening several drawers, and opened the bottle. He put the bottle and wine glass on the table and went to turn on the stereo. He found racks with hundreds of CD’s lining one cabinet. He chose randomly and managed to get the system to start. Soon, the sound of a soft jazz instrumental wove its magic around them.

  He went and held out a chair for her when she announced dinner was served. Outside the window, he could see headlights of cars traveling both ways on the long Coronado Bridge.

  “Here’s to finding your memory soon.” Robin took a dainty sip and started passing him the food. The roast beef was tender enough to cut with a fork, the potatoes fluffy and full of butter, and the gravy smooth and delicious. He was glad now he’d decided to hire her and take her with him. She was a good nurse, great in bed, and was a top-notch cook.

  “Everything tastes wonderful, Robin.”

  A dimple jumped into her right cheek, and he noticed a rosy tinge to her creamy skin. “Thank you. I enjoy cooking but don’t get chance to do much. It’s no fun cooking for myself.”

  He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of his upcoming trip, so he decided to simply plow ahead.

  “I have something I need to tell you.”

  She stopped with her wine glass halfway to her mouth. “What?”

  Her face paled, and he wanted to kick himself. He was screwing up before he’d even started. He reached across the table to take her hand, but pulled back just in time.

  “Remember when you asked me how I knew about your…problem?”

  She nodded her head but remained silent.

  “Ever since I got this crack on my head and lost my memory, well, whenever I touch someone, I…know things about them.”

  Robin nodded. “I’ve heard of things like that happening with a head injury, but it’s rare. Are you clairvoyant? Or psychic?”

  “I don’t know what to call it, honey, but that’s not the weirdest part.” He took a deep breath the related his middle-of-the-night conversation with Phelps. “He referred to the ability as a gift.”

  “Where did he come from? How did he get into your room?” She pushed back her chair and stood.

  He pulled the note from his pocket. “Somehow, he got into my room. I don’t know, maybe he appeared as a hologram, or…” Words failed him.

  Robin sank into her chair and read the note. “But, this says you have reservations for tomorrow morning.” A single tear formed in her eye and traveled down her face.

  “Oh, honey, don’t cry. I want to take you with me. That’s why I’m telling you. I know all this is hard to believe. Hell, I’m having a tough time myself, but it must be true.”

  She brushed the tear away with the back of her hand. A tremulous smile formed onto her lips. “For a minute there, I thought you wanted to get rid of me.”

  He pushed back his chair and went to kneel by her side. He put his arms around her and pulled her close. “You’re not getting rid of me so soon.” He pulled her head down and then quickly jerked away.

  “What?”

  “It’s hard to explain, but I got an image, or an idea, something about your grandpa?”

  Her eyes widened, and
her mouth formed a perfect O. “My grandpa died when I was five. He’d lived with us all my life, and I didn’t really understand death. One day he was there, the next gone. For a long time, I felt liked he’d abandoned me.” She started to touch him, but stopped. “Wow, that’s freaky.”

  “Yeah, pretty much. That’s why I’m anxious to go to this institute. I can’t spend the rest of my life not touching people.”

  She sat silently for a moment. “Then how can you make love to me?”

  His laugh filled the air. “It’s both a pleasure and a curse. I’ve tried humming to shut out your mind, but it’s not always successful. I hope I’m not shortchanging you in the love-making department.” He stroked her springy curls before dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. “So, what do you say? You want to go to Massachusetts with me tomorrow? I’ve already got an extra ticket.”

  “Oh, Brian, I’ve always wanted to travel, and I have the whole week off. But what if this Mr. Phelps doesn’t want me there? Are you going to call him and ask if it’s okay?”

  “I thought about that but decided we’ll simply show up. If he doesn’t like it, I’ll leave too. We can come back here, go to Europe, or the Caribbean. Heck, I’m getting better, at least with you. I can tolerate touching more all the time.”

  “Tolerate?” She put on a mock frown. “I’ll have you know, Mr. Wakefield, you don’t have to tolerate me at all. I can leave right now.”

  “Don’t you dare.” He pulled her up and into his arms. “I need my nurse to feed me, and bathe me, and…” He cupped her delightful butt with his hands and pulled her close so she could feel his erection.

  “My, my, you do have a way with words.” She rubbed against him, causing a delicious agony. “If I didn’t have to clean up the kitchen…” She stopped and pushed him away. “Oh, my God. I don’t have any clothes to wear!”

  “Don’t worry about the kitchen. I’ll make sure Garrison has the cleaning crew in. And I told you, I’m rich. Really, really rich. Just go pack what you have or want to take. We’ll buy whatever you need when we get there.”

  “Okay, give me a few minutes, then we’d both better get to bed and get some sleep. Tomorrow is bound to be a long, exhausting day.” She reached up to brush her lips against his and almost danced her way down the hallway toward the bedroom.

  Whatever happened between the two of them in the future, Brian was delighted he’d made her happy now. He went to sit and stare out the window. The night sky was filled with stars, and the bright lights of the city twinkled below. He wondered if he’d ever retrieve his memory.

  He couldn’t help but wonder what the future would bring.

  Fatigue pulled at him, so he swung his feet up and stretched out on the comfortable couch while he waited for Robin to finish in the bedroom. He put one of the pillows behind his head and slowly drifted away.

  He dreamed he was in a desert. A hot wind caressed his face, while soft palm fronds tickled his chest. Something moist and dewy laved his nipples, wandered through his chest hair, and moved lower, lower until it plunged into his navel. His erection was strong and immediate. It pulsed against his slacks, demanding to be set free. He felt a tug, heard the rasp of a zipper, and someone pushed the cloth aside to expose him.

  Fighting to wake up, he groaned as his cock was engulfed in warm wetness. His eyes shot open, and he found Robin kneeling at the side of the couch, naked. Her thoughts jumped into his mind. He hummed, low in his throat and softly, forcing his concentration away from the glimmering body crouching beside him. It helped, and now he could focus on what she was doing to him.

  Her springy red hair was spread around his lower body, touching his thighs, and she was carefully, slowing, driving him insane with her mouth. Her teeth scraped the edge of his erection, making him gasp.

  She hesitated, looked up to find him awake, and smiled.

  “Don’t stop. Don’t stop.” His state of arousal was almost painful.

  She took him into her mouth once more, sliding up and down, causing delicious waves of ecstasy. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold on any longer, she crawled onto the couch and slid her body up his. Her engorged nipples pushed against his stomach and chest until she was lying on top of him. She reached down and guided the length of him into her.

  She was wet, tight, and more than ready. He reached up and took a breast in each hand, his thumbs circling their rosy tips. He brought first one and then the other to his mouth to taste.

  She started to move, slowly, then faster and faster. He had to bite his lower lip to keep from coming too soon. He reached around and clasped her creamy tight bottom in his hands, and she moaned his name.

  “Yes, yes, yes, baby, now yes,” she screamed as she came in thunderous waves. He couldn’t hold on any longer. His orgasm rippled through his body, leaving him limp, satiated, but still hungry for more. She collapsed on top of him, and they lay snuggled together on the couch. He stroked her hair and nibbled at her ear lobe.

  “That was so good,” she said. “I was afraid the first time we made love was a fluke, but it wasn’t. You’re the only man I’ve ever been able to have an orgasm with.” She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “How can I ever thank you?”

  Her smile almost broke his heart. He looped strands of hair behind her ears but said nothing. She sighed and lowered her head to his chest once more.

  “How about if we move into the bedroom? I think we’ll both be more comfortable in there.”

  “Yes, it’s getting late.” She stood and stretched. He couldn’t help but admire her firm, high breasts, small waist, and tight round butt. He followed that delightful bottom down the hall, shucked his clothes, and slipped naked into bed beside her. She fell asleep almost immediately, and he was half asleep before he remembered to set his alarm. It wouldn’t be a good start if they slept late and missed the plane.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Brian explained about his gift, Robin hadn’t quite believed him at first, or maybe she hadn’t wanted to believe him. He’d suffered severe head trauma, and God only knew what had been ripped, depressed, or generally moved around in his brain. Then he mentioned her grandpa, and she had to believe.

  The very idea of flying across the country with a relative stranger, instead of scaring her, excited her. She didn’t tell him the only time she’d been on an airplane was a trip to Vegas with three girlfriends after graduating from nursing school.

  She’d hurried into the bedroom to pack and became dismayed at her lack of chic clothing. Thank goodness Brian had money and was generous. She decided to wear her nurse’s uniform on the plane. That would lend authenticity to her adventure. Excitement sizzled though her, and she was positive she’d never be able to sleep. She had gone to find Brian, found him fast asleep and, on impulse, jumped him. Great sex had to be better than any sleeping pill, because the instant her head hit the pillow, she was out.

  “Robin, time to get up.” She opened her eyes to find Brian standing beside her, fully dressed, holding a cup of hot coffee.

  She pushed masses of curls out of her eyes and took a grateful sip of the delicious liquid. “What time is it?” Darkness still filled the bedroom, not a bit of light leaking through around the edges of the drapes.

  “A little after five. I let you sleep as long as possible, but we have to get going or we’ll miss our flight. I called down and arranged for a cab to pick us up in forty-five minutes. Will that give you enough time?”

  Before he’d finished talking, Robin threw back the covers and headed for the shower. “Yes. I laid out my clothes for the trip last night and only have to put my makeup bag in the suitcase.”

  She finished the now cool coffee, brushed her teeth, and was dressed and ready to go in a little over twenty minutes. She found Brian in the living room, gazing out at the mauve shadows of the sunrise off to the east.

  “It’s so beautiful here.” She snaked her arm around his waist.

  They stood side by side, watching morning arrive. She co
uld still smell last night’s dinner, and it bothered her to leave a mess. Brian squeezed her and kissed her temple.

  “Ready to go?”

  “Yes. I hate to leave this apartment. I’ve only been here a few hours, but…it feels like home.”

  “We’ll be back. I own the place, so we can revisit whenever we like.” They walked to the foyer, and Brian loaded her small weekender and his huge case on rolling wheels into the elevator. She nibbled at the inside of her cheek. All this would take some getting used to.

  Garrison stood waiting in the lobby when the elevator doors opened.

  “Perfect timing, Mr. Wakefield. Your cab just pulled up. May I take that luggage out for you?”

  “Thank you.” Brian slipped a folded bill into the man’s hand. Robin couldn’t be sure, but it looked like a hundred dollars. Nervous sweat dampened the palms of her hands. Cripes, she was a nurse. She’d never been around money like that—a hundred dollar tip?

  “And you’ll see to it that the apartment is cleaned and ready for us?” Brian asked.

  “Certainly, sir. Safe journey.”

  They swept out the door and into the cab. In less than ten minutes, the car pulled up in front of the terminal at Lindbergh Field.

  More money appeared in Brian’s hand as a Red Cap came up to help with their luggage. Robin’s eyes almost popped out of her head when they entered the First Class Lounge. A table held a coffee and tea pot, platters of muffins and sweet rolls. Another was lined with fresh, cut fruit. Brian gave their tickets to the hostess, along with his passport and her driver’s license. Then he took her hand and led her over to a comfortable chair.

  “Do you want anything to eat? More coffee?” he asked.

  “Hey, I’m the nurse. I should be waiting on you.” Before she could get up, the woman came over and handed Brian’s papers back to him. “You’re all set. This is the breakfast flight, and we won’t be seating for another half hour, so if you’d like coffee or something to eat?”