Wild Dreams

by Dawn Pendleton

  He sounded concerned, but he was also reprimanding me, so I wasn’t sure how to respond. I kept quiet and waited for him to go on.

  “I think I’d lose it if something happened to you,” he admitted.

  Whoa. “What?”

  His eyes met mine, the dark chocolate pools wide. “You heard me. I’m not quite sure how you did it, but you’ve gotten under my skin. You mean more to me than just some lay, and I don’t want to lose you.”

  His admission took my breath away.

  Twenty-Three

  Dallas

  I didn’t mean to say it. In fact, my life would have been a whole lot better off if she never knew how I felt, but the words were out and I couldn’t take them back.

  When I walked into the room and she was barely breathing, my heart stopped and I thought for sure she would be ripped away from me. It wouldn’t be the first time. Rainey’s death, though we had warning, was not something I wanted to repeat. And when things with Nicole were moving along nicely, I couldn’t imagine losing her before I even got the chance to make her fall in love with me.

  I wasn’t in love with her. I liked her; I wanted to spend more time with her. But it wasn’t love. Not yet. I was certain that’s where it would lead, but my heart seemed to have a hard time letting go. I wanted to cling to my old ways, to hold on to the playboy status I’d had as long as I could remember.

  There was something about her, something that drew me to her. I knew there was a chance of getting burned, but I didn’t seem to care. I wanted her now and in the foreseeable future. Given how withdrawn she was, though, I imagined I was going to have to lay off until she felt something akin to what I felt for her. I would wait a lifetime for her, though.

  “Can you back up? I feel suffocated,” she gasped, my words affecting her physically. After a few calming breaths, she evened out. “I’m not saying I don’t like you, Dallas. You know that I do. But I’m not big on relationships and sharing feelings, okay? If you can’t respect that, then just get out now. If you can accept it, then we can try, but I’m not making any promises and you’ve got to stop with the emotional stuff. For now, we’re just friends. Friends with benefits,” she added.

  I didn’t want to be friends with benefits, but if that was the only way I was going to get her, then I would do whatever it took. I nodded, letting my eyes drift to the IV that was in her hand.

  “Good. How long was I out?” she asked.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “A few hours. They thought you might have Ebola.”

  “I bet they did. I guess I should be grateful they checked and that I’m not infected, but I just want to go see Tyler.”

  I couldn’t blame her. “The nurse said you should be released in a few more hours. They are running a couple more tests.”

  “What? Why? I passed out because I hadn’t eaten,” she groaned.

  “Yeah, but they have to be thorough.”

  She mumbled something about getting something to eat and then the nurse walked in with a plate of food. Nicole perked up a bit as the tray was set in front of her. When the lid was lifted, though, even I cringed.

  “You call this food?” she grumbled.

  “It’s better than nothing,” the nurse replied, giving Nicole a fake smile and walking out.

  Nicole looked at me. “So I really have to eat this?” She eyed the plate nervously.

  “At least try a little something. When they let you out of here, I can make you anything you want,” I said.

  She seemed appeased and nibbled on the burnt toast. She drank the bottled water, pushing the rest of the tray away from her.

  “I can’t eat anymore. I feel like it’s going to make me sick,” she whispered.

  “You ate a little bit. Hopefully, it’s enough to appease the nurse,” I said with a smile.

  She nodded and leaned back on the bed, her head rested against the pillow. Her eyes closed and within seconds, she drifted asleep.

  For several minutes, I watched her sleep. Not to be creepy, but to take in her beauty. Her hair surrounded her face in unruly dark waves, but her face was pale. Her head tipped to the side as she slept, her mouth dropping open just a bit, still hiding her white teeth inside. With her high cheek bones, her skin looked like porcelain, but I knew how soft it truly was. I reached out, tracing my finger down her cheek.

  She mumbled something in her sleep and then turned on her side, facing me. Her hands went beneath her cheek on the pillow and I smiled at the picture of perfection she made. I wondered exactly how creepy of me it would be to take pictures of her right then. Ultimately, I decided against it.

  An hour later, I had checked on Tyler, who was the same he’d been for the last few days, and was sitting in the uncomfortable chair in Nic’s room. The nurse walked in and woke her up.

  “You’ll be going home,” she announced to Nicole, who was still groggy.

  She sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Huh?”

  “The doctors have released you and you get to go home!” The nurse repeated.

  It was good news, but I wondered if it was too soon. She only passed out a few hours ago. Nicole’s face lit up as she realized what was happening.

  “I want to go sit with Tyler,” she announced.

  The nurse shook her head. “You are to go home, eat something, and rest for the next thirty-six hours. Doctor’s orders. We don’t want to see you back here to visit Tyler until the day after tomorrow.”

  Nicole looked pissed, but she kept her mouth shut.

  “Will you call us if anything changes?” I asked the nurse.

  She gave me an irritated look. “Of course we will. We aren’t monsters.”

  I had a feeling Nicole might argue. “Great. Thank you. Nicole, let’s get you back to the hotel,” I said to her.

  She nodded at my pleading glance, swinging her legs to the side of the bed. After signing the paperwork for her release and getting her IV out, she was wheeled to the front entrance, where I picked her up in Tyler’s Jeep.

  The ride back to the hotel was silent. Nicole refused to speak to me and although I wasn’t exactly sure why, I had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that she wasn’t allowed to see her cousin.

  I parked in front of the hotel and she let me help her inside. She slid her arm, through mine and held on for dear life. She was still a bit shaky, her wobbly knees barely holding her up. We walked arm in arm through the hotel lobby and into the elevator.

  I set her on the couch in the small room and she laid down, asleep in just a few minutes. Her body was weak. I picked up the room phone and called for room service. I ordered a little bit of everything and gave them my card to charge it to. I didn’t want her paying for everything, especially when she wasn’t feeling all that great.

  Several minutes later, a waiter knocked on the door and once the food was on the small table in the corner, Nicole woke up.

  “Something smells good,” she said with a grin.

  “I told you I’d make you something good.”

  “You didn’t make all this,” she accused.

  I sighed. “You got me. But I ordered it like a boss.”

  Her laugh was music in the silent room. The sound filled my heart in ways I never knew possible. I couldn’t help the smile I wore as I helped her to the table to sit.

  “Why are you grinning like the cat that ate the canary? Did you cop a feel or something while I was asleep?”

  “What? Of course not! I would never do that,” I explained.

  She huffed. “Too bad. I was having a really erotic dream and I was hoping you were the reason.”

  I pushed her chair in at the table and then leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’ve got no doubts that I was the reason. I can make you wet without touching you.” It wasn’t an empty boast, but I figured I’d let her eat her dinner before I tried anything. I wanted to be a gentleman, even though my dick was hard and ready to fuck.

  She sucked in a breath at my words, an attempt to cover her surprise,
and ultimately, her fevered response. I went around the table to the other chair and sat, noticing her tightened nipples through her tank top. I wanted to lick them, but I refrained, even though it felt like death. I lifted the lids of the plates on the table and watched her eyes grow wide.

  “There’s so much food!” she exclaimed.

  I saw desire in her eyes, but her mouth watered at the sight of all that food, too. I knew then that she needed to eat and build her strength before I took her to bed again, which meant nothing would happen tonight.

  “It’s all for you,” I said.

  She looked at me shyly. “Normally, I would protest, but this looks amazing and I’m not sharing!”

  She dug in with gusto, scooping food onto her plate. From fruit to chicken, from veggies to beef, there was enough to feed her for days. To my amazement, she ate almost half of everything. I wasn’t even sure I could eat that much.

  “Do you want some?” she asked after she stuffed her face full.

  “Is there any left?” I asked, mocking her.

  She bit her bottom lip. “With an attitude like that, maybe there won’t be.”

  As I reached for a biscuit, she grabbed it out of my hand and licked it. She looked at me triumphantly. I shook my head and snagged the biscuit out of her hand with a grin. I took a bite and raised my brow at her.

  “I’ve kissed every inch of your body, Nicole. Do you really think your saliva is going to deter me from a biscuit?”

  She gulped. It was obvious she was remembering our time together; her lips parted and her breath hitched. Her chest heaved and my eyes were drawn to the sliver of cleavage her tank top allowed. I wanted my hands on her, and if her reaction was any indication, she wanted my hands on her, as well.

  I forced myself to look away, wanting to keep my promise to myself to protect her. She was still weak, still tired. Once she was rested, I planned to take advantage of having her alone in the room for a day and a half, but until then, I would keep my distance.

  “Did you want to shower? I know you didn’t get a chance to this morning.”

  She nodded gravely but didn’t move. “Will you help me?”

  She was trying to kill me. “Sure. Come on.”

  I left the food and helped her up. We went into the bathroom and she closed the door. She used the counter for balance while I started the water.

  “Would you rather have a bath?” I asked, thinking it might be easier.

  She looked uncertain. “I think that would be alright, but you’ll have to wash my hair.”

  Just the idea of running my fingers through her dark locks had my cock back at attention. I nodded at her and focused on the bath. The tub was large, big enough for two people, but I wouldn’t be joining her. The hotel was kind enough to provide a bubble bath solution, so I poured nearly the entire mini-bottle into the water. I swirled it around and watched as the bubbles formed. The water was hot and I hoped the bath would relax Nicole.

  I turned around to find Nicole completely naked, standing in front of me. The sight of her gorgeous body was a kick in the gut. I stood up, forcing my eyes to her face instead of taking in every inch of her.

  “Let me help you in,” I said, holding out a hand to her. She grasped my hand and stepped over the side of the tub.

  “It’s the perfect temperature,” she said, her voice unusually low.

  She was turned on and my left hand fisted so I would reach out and touch her. She held my right hand until she was fully seated in the tub. The bubbles covered her completely and I let out a breath. At least I could wash her hair without having to see her nude.

  Twenty-Four

  Nicole

  The fact that he was ignoring my attempts to seduce him pissed me off. He was being too good, too much like a gentleman and nothing like the rough lover I knew him to be. I wanted him to take me, to possess me.

  He let go of my hand as I sunk into the bubbles and excused himself, telling me to call out when I was ready for my hair to be washed. I didn’t want him to wash my hair; I wanted him to fuck me senseless. But I knew he was holding back for a reason, and eventually, he’d let me know what that reason was. For the time being, I was just going to tempt him.

  I washed myself and then decided to make a move. “Dallas? Can you come wash my hair?” I called out.

  He walked in and kneeled beside the tub. His resigned look didn’t go unnoticed. I flashed him a smile and sat up fully, covering my breasts as they came up out of the bubbles. Relief washed over him as I did so and I knew something was bothering him, so I kept my hands over my chest.

  I tilted my head back as he rinsed my hair and proceeded to wash it. Once he had all the shampoo out, he moved to get up.

  “Dallas, don’t forget the conditioner. It makes my hair soft and it’s not as tangled.”

  He nodded, grabbing for the conditioner. He massaged the thick liquid into my hair and I groaned, leaning toward him a bit.

  “That feels amazing,” I said as his hands rubbed my head. “Will you massage my shoulders, too?”

  I flashed my eyes to his and saw just how turned on he was. His pupils were dilated and his breathing was ragged. He gave me a short nod and I turned in the tub so my back was facing him, my legs folded together in the narrow space. I moved my hair to the side to give him better access. I also gave him a perfect view of my breasts, which were no longer covered by my hands or bubbles.

  His sharp intake of air told me he noticed the view, as well. His hands were rough on my shoulders, but I didn’t care. I leaned back against the edge of the tub, my body slightly at an angle. With defiant determination, I moved my hands over my breasts, cupping them seductively. I rubbed my fingers over each nipple, each bud tightening into a point. Dallas’s hands gripped my shoulders harder, as if he was holding on instead of massaging.

  My tactics were working. I slid my right hand down my stomach and into the water, where he couldn’t see what I was doing. I pleasured myself for him, knowing he would enjoy it and also that he wouldn’t be able to resist.

  His hands stayed on my shoulders, though, never once traveling down my body. Frustrated, I had to make him touch me further. I reached up to grab his hands and brought them down to my breasts.

  “Touch me,” I begged him.

  His hands were perfectly still on my chest, but I knew the exact moment he gave in to his own desires; his hands squeezed my breasts and his mouth latched onto the sensitive skin along my shoulder. His teeth grazed the skin at first and then he bit me. Hard. I liked it so much, my entire body arched up and a loud moan escaped my lips. He rubbed my nipples between his fingertips, his other fingers gently kneading my breasts.

  “Fuck” I muttered and then pulled his right hand down into the water, to my waiting pussy. “I need you to touch me.”

  He didn’t do anything at first, just let his hand rest between my legs. He was fighting an internal battle, I guessed, but so was I. I couldn’t wait for him; he was too slow. I rubbed my clit, my fingers moving faster and faster around the tight little bud. I was going to come soon, and as much as I wanted Dallas to make me come, I needed the release more.

  Dallas moved like a cat, spinning me around and then he was in the tub with me. I had no idea how it happened, but he was naked and his cock was resting against my inner thigh. His fingers plucked my pussy, rubbing my clit hard and fast. I didn’t fight him; it was exactly what I wanted. He kissed my neck as he worked me up, higher and higher until I was almost there. Just as I was about to crest, he pulled away.

  “Dammit, Dallas!” I shrieked and moved my hands to finish the job.

  He grabbed my hands and pinned them to my sides. “You come when I say,” he growled. His eyes were darker than I’d ever seen them and I knew my seduction had not only worked, but I might even regret it.

  “Please,” I whispered. “I need to come.”

  He seemed to like me begging him. “How badly do you want to come?”

  “A lot.” I gulped. “Fuck me, Dallas.”


  He smiled wide, moving his dick against my thigh. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  “Oh yeah,” I agreed, moving my hips toward his. I just wanted to come.

  He leaned forward and kissed me, his tongue sweeping into my mouth without any foreplay at all. I kissed him back and tried to move my hands again. That time, he let me, realizing that my hands wanted to hold onto him. I gripped his hair in my fingers and tugged his head back.

  “Fuck me,” I demanded.

  He glared at me for a second. “Not a chance.”

  Then he thrust two fingers deep inside me and I bucked against him, not expecting the fullness so fast. He finger-fucked me for all of thirty seconds before I came. I exploded, screaming his name. Dallas smothered my cries with a kiss, his fingers still furiously working inside me.

  “Dallas!” I whispered when he finally released my mouth.

  He looked in my eyes. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” His threat worried and excited me at the same time. His stare was even more intense than usual; he wanted more from me than I was willing to give.

  He hefted himself up out of the tub, stepped out and then held his hand out for me. I let him dry me off and then lead me to the bed and as we stood at the foot of it, staring at one another, I had a feeling the night ahead would forever change me.

  “What do you want, Nicole?” he asked, his chocolate brown eyes boring into mine.

  I gulped. I knew he didn’t want to know what I wanted right then. No, he was asking me about my future, our future, if I allowed myself to even think of it. “I don’t know.” My response was honest.

  He chuckled. “What do you want right now?” He amended his question.

  I knew the answer to that one. “You.”

  “Good girl. I told myself you weren’t strong enough for this tonight, that I had to leave you alone for the next twenty-four hours because you were weakened, but I was wrong. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met, both physically and mentally. You don’t let anyone walk all over you and you don’t put up with nonsense. But tell me, Nicole: can you handle me tonight? I’m all worked up and I want to dominate you.”