Kindred Souls (The Sable Inn Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  She smirked at her feet. “My shoes are already soaked.”

  Derek knelt and picked up the larger pieces of glass and Lana grabbed a trash can. Together they cleaned up the rest of the spill and Derek mopped the area.

  “I swear, it seems you do more work here than the workers,” Lana told him.

  He laughed as she led him to the pantry to return the broom and mop. In the small room, Lana gasped as Derek lifted her from her feet and sat her on a nearby counter.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as he bent to her feet.

  He checked the bottom of her shoes. “Taking off these wet shoes that have fragments of glass in the soles, and your wine soaked socks.”

  “I’m on my way home,” she protested.

  “You still don’t want to track this back through the Inn,” he cautioned while removing her shoes then her wet socks.

  Lana thought about that then shrugged. “You’re right and I’ve walked barefoot before.”

  Derek placed her shoes and socks aside then lifted her into his arms. “Not tonight though.”

  She held on in surprise. “You are not seriously thinking about carrying me to my house.”

  “Come on, barefoot country girl,” he said kissing her cheek. “Let me take you home, it’s late.”

  “I can have Willie bring a golf cart,” she whispered.

  “Now why would you want to bother Willie, when I have this taken care of?” he asked walking out of the room and into the kitchen. He stopped at the light switch and she flicked them off before he proceeded.

  “I was getting a bottle of wine,” she told him.

  Derek shook his head. “No wine tonight.”

  She laughed. “I forgot that you don’t like me tipsy.”

  “I like you anyway I can have you,” he corrected. “But I’d rather know, that you know what you’re doing.”

  Lana crossed her bare feet while still in his arms. “I know exactly what I’m doing,” she whispered in his ear.

  Derek strode through the lobby where Willie was seated at the desk. “Goodnight Willie,” Derek said passing him.

  “Goodnight Derek, goodnight boss.”

  Lana called back as Derek walked to the door. “Goodnight Willie!”

  Willie watched the couple walk out the door and smiled. That Derek Wells was certainly enamored with one Lana Sable and vice versa. He hoped things worked out for them because they both were such good people. The fact that she was letting him carry her through the lobby spoke volumes…that girl was falling in love.

  Outside in the dark, Derek continued toward the homes in the short distance and Lana stared at his profile as he walked.

  “You know that I can walk,” she told him.

  Derek glanced at her. “So you’re just not going to let me do my romantic thing?”

  She smiled. “Is this your romantic thing?”

  “Yes, you’re supposed to tell your friends, “Girl, then he picked me up and carried me to my house…” he imitated her voice.

  Lana laughed. “Really?”

  He nodded. “And then Nadia will say something like, “Did he carry you straight to bed?”

  She agreed still laughing. “Yep, that would be Nadia.”

  “See, I know these things.” He boasted, getting closer to the homes.

  “That one,” Lana pointed out the home and he headed in that direction. “What else will I say?”

  Derek arrived at her door and looked over at her. “You’ll tell them, “I’ve waited for a brother like this to come into my life and now that he’s here, I’m not letting him go.”

  Lana tightened her arms around him and looked into his eyes. “You really do know these things.”

  Chapter 9

  Derek stood Lana to her feet inside her living room after carrying her across the threshold and closing the door behind them.

  “I need to change because I have wine all over me,” Lana told him softly. “Can I get you anything while you’re waiting?”

  “No, I can just chill out here or if you need help with dinner…”

  Lana cut him off. “You’re not doing another thing. I want you to sit down and relax then let me make dinner for you.”

  He nodded. “Okay, you’re the boss.”

  “Make yourself at home and I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Derek watched her walk over to the mantle and pick up a remote that lit the fireplace into a myriad of colors, then piped soft music into the room. She smiled and walked away, then he lowered himself to the sofa. He looked around Lana’s place and admired its décor. She was neat without being obsessive. She liked colors and soft fabrics which he also liked. He’d learned those terms from his interior designer at his D.C. townhome since he hadn’t known the difference between a duvet and a blanket.

  Derek sat back and relaxed against the fluffy cushions and closed his eyes. Inhaling, he smelled flowers and a slight smile covered his face. He became so relaxed that he jumped when a warm hand touched his face.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” Lana whispered.

  He ran a hand down his face. “Did I fall asleep?”

  She nodded. “I’m not surprised. You haven’t really rested since you got here.”

  “I’m sorry, I got so relaxed.”

  Lana rubbed his lightly bearded jaw. “I’m glad you feel comfortable here…with me.”

  Derek looked her over in the short sundress that exposed her brown shoulder and arms in addition to her long legs. “I like this look.”

  “You’ve seen me in less,” she commented.

  “And I enjoy all of it.”

  She kissed him softly until he pulled her into his lap and relished her mouth. “Lana…” he whispered against her mouth.

  “Mmmm…I’ve told you not to say my name like that.”

  Derek began to trace her lips with a finger. “Why not?”

  “Because, it makes me want you so badly,” Lana confessed as she moved to straddle his lap.

  “That’s the point,” He slid a hand up her thigh. “Because I want you so badly.”

  Lana framed his handsome face. “Is this going to complicate things?”

  “Not in the least,” he answered. “I want more than just a part of you, Lana.”

  She stared down into his face. “I want the same thing.”

  Derek reached up to cup her neck gently, bringing her mouth to his. With the music as their backdrop, the two now indulged in the instant attraction that had caught them both by surprise and taken them over.

  Lana sighed into his mouth as his hand slid up to grab her butt cheek, left bare by the thong she wore underneath her dress. Moving closer, she grinded against his body and tightened her arms around him.

  “Why now?” she whispered. “Why you?”

  Derek lifted her face to stare at her. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know how long you’ll be here…” she began.

  “It doesn’t matter where I go, Lana…I’ll always make it back to you.” Derek promised.

  She sighed. “I don’t want to fall too deep, for you to disappear.”

  “Baby, you’ve talked to my Momma. I don’t let anybody get that deep unless I’m serious,” he confirmed.

  Lana smiled at him. “So your Momma doesn’t invite all the women she talks to on the phone to meet her?”

  “She’s never talked on the phone to any other woman. She shocked the hell out of me when she asked to speak to you.”

  “You must’ve said good things about me,” Lana commented softly.

  “What else is there to say about Lana Sable, she’s incredible. Ask anybody in Grayling, Michigan.”

  She laid her forehead against his. “I really did invite you here for dinner.”

  “I really came to eat.”

  “But…” she trailed off as he began to kiss her neck.

  Derek slid the thin strap of her dress down her shoulder then placed his lips in that area, causing her to arch into him. Slowly, his mouth moved to t
he tops of her exposed sable breasts. Lana smiled at the song that began to play above their heads.

  “I love this song,” she whispered.

  He lifted his head and listened before smiling and nodding in agreement.

  “Girl, I’m a good man, and you’re a good woman,

  There’s so much more I want to discover, baby…” He recited the words to her as he touched her hair.

  Lana picked up the chorus, stroking his jaw.

  “If it’s love, it’ll last a lifetime,

  Deep in my heart, I know baby…” she whispered.

  Together, they finished….

  “If it’s love, it’ll last forever,

  It’ll just start to show…”

  They watched each other until the song ended and another one began. Lana stood to her feet and looked down at him before holding out a hand.

  Derek looked her over slowly, then took the hand she offered and got to his feet. Without a word, she led him to her bedroom and when she turned to him, he took her into his arms and kissed her softly. Lana pressed into him and lifted on her bare feet to meet his kiss.

  “Lana Sable, what have you done to me?” Derek asked lifting her off her feet, against his body.

  She had no answer because the same question resonated within her mind. What had Derek Wells done to her? She wanted this man with an intensity that she’d never known and if she never saw him again, tonight she would discover if this was more than simple chemistry.

  Derek felt her softness flush against him and his heart accelerated. From her hair, to her skin, her smell and her taste…Lana Sable had done something to him. He laid her on the bed and watched as that glorious hair spread over the covering.

  His gaze moved down to sexy dark eyes where he saw both passion and excitement. Joining her on the bed, Derek placed a hand on her waist as they laid side by side.

  “What are you thinking?” Lana asked quietly.

  He gave her a sexy smile. “I’m not thinking at all. What are you thinking?”

  “I’m wondering why I still have clothes on,” she told him.

  Derek slid a slow hand up her arm to her face, then kissed her. “Because I don’t have to rush…I know how to savor the beautiful things in life.”

  She smiled softly at him. “I keep telling you how charming you are.”

  He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. “And I keep telling you how beautiful you are…do you want me to show you?”

  Lana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Did she want him to show her? Uh…hell yeah, her brain screamed. What kind of question was that?

  “We’re in my bed…so that’s a definite yes,” she told him aloud.

  Derek turned her onto her back and kissed her hotly. “So you want my hands on you?” he questioned.

  “Mmmm…hmmmm...” Lana moaned as he continued to suck on her full bottom lip.

  He slid a hand under her dress. “And my mouth?” he asked licking her lips.

  Lana felt his hand touch her heated area. “Yessss…”

  She held her breath as her dress was slowly lifted up and finally over her head, then tossed onto the bed. Derek’s dark gaze scanned her body in the white thong against supple chocolate skin and Lana tingled from the look in his eyes.

  Gently cupping her breast in one hand, Derek confessed, “I’m not prepared for this. I really thought this was dinner.”

  Lana understood his meaning, then quickly climbed over him to her nightstand. Derek concentrated on her naked behind and bouncing breasts as she reached into the drawer. She produced the foil packages and returned to his side.

  “Is this what you’re referring to?” she asked holding one of them in her hand.

  Derek covered her hand with his and lifted it above her head in answer to her question. He moved from her mouth, down her neck to her breasts, feasting on each dark chocolate areola and nipple, causing her to run her hands over the dark hair on his head.

  Moving lower, he tongued the line that led from her navel to the top of her panties. Two strong hands grabbed the sides and he moved back to pull them down her shapely legs. Staring down at her naked form, Derek’s mind thought that he’d never seen a more beautiful sight.

  At his silent perusal, Lana asked, “Are you thinking now?”

  Derek shook his head slowly as he removed his shirt over his head. “Not at all…this is strictly impulse at this point.”

  He paused before going for his pants and spread her legs further apart, then tilted his head to view her jewel. Lana watched as he examined her and her heat intensified.

  “Does it meet your standards?” she inquired, lifting a brow.

  His eyes met hers as he licked his lips. “It’s like a luscious chocolate buffet.”

  Lana flushed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard it described quite that way.”

  Derek unfastened his jeans and slid them off along with his boxers. When he stood before her naked, Lana let her eyes feast on every inch of his glorious body. “Speaking of chocolate buffets…” she whispered.

  He joined her on the bed then covered her body with his and ignited the fire again while tangling their bodies together. Lana reveled in the feel of the hard, muscles against her. Derek’s gentle tenderness melted her heart as he went about slowly preparing to make love to her body.

  He proceeded just as he’d said, as though he had nowhere to be and his entire life to dedicate to pleasing her. Lana felt the many tiny explosions throughout her body and saw them behind her closed lids, as Derek moved from one sensual spot to another setting her ablaze. He’d recalled her conversation of all the things she liked, and proceeded to do every single one.

  When he finally reached for the packet, her lids lifted slowly in time to see him ripping the packet with his teeth. He winked at her before adding the protection and turning his attention back to her. Dipping inside of her chocolate buffet, he whispered in her ear, “Lana…”

  With that one word, Lana Sable was completely gone so that when he began to stroke her, she reached a screaming climax very soon after.

  Derek looked down at her when she came back to herself. “I’m going to give you a minute to recover.”

  “Then what?” Lana said breathlessly.

  “We’ll start from the beginning…”

  ******

  “Lana…”

  Lana felt the tingles go through her body. “I told you about saying my name like that,” she said sleepily.

  Derek smiled and kissed the back of her shoulder. “Wake up baby, it’s late.”

  She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. “We have hours before breakfast,” she told him.

  “I should go back to my room,” Derek said rubbing her back and she turned to him.

  “Why?” Lana felt her heart drop.

  He shrugged. “Do you want your family to know that I spent the night here?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Do you want to leave?”

  Derek gave her a look. “Don’t do that.”

  Lana pulled the sheet up around her naked body. “Don’t do what? I mean, you’re the one who’s trying to run out the door.”

  “I’m trying to be considerate and think about you.”

  She looked away. “Bye Derek, I’ll bring your breakfast up later.” Lana didn’t look at him a few minutes later when climbed from the bed. She heard him slip into his clothes and leave the room.

  Dropping her head into her hands, she held back the tears. This is why you didn’t get involved with guests, especially guests that you just met. This is why the rules were in place!

  Lana rubbed her forehead, and took a deep breath then hiccupped before wiping the slight wetness from her cheeks.

  “You will not cry,” she told herself.

  “You’d better not,” a deep voice said from the doorway.

  Lana looked up quickly, then frowned. “I thought you were going back to your room.”

  “I decided to stay, since you asked so nicely,” Derek said coming
over to her side of the bed dressed only in his boxers. He lifted her face to his and saw the water in her eyes. “Why are you crying?”

  “Oh I don’t know…a guy makes love to you most of the night, like you’re the only woman in the world, then wakes you up saying he’s about to dip on you. It might hurt your feelings,” she said sarcastically.

  Derek stroked her cheek. “I wasn’t dipping out on you. I don’t care what anyone thinks about being with you, but I know how you all operate around here. It seems real wholesome.”

  “I’m not ashamed of being with you Derek. I’m a grown woman who makes my own decisions. If I didn’t want to be with you, I would never have invited you into my bedroom.” Lana explained.

  He nodded. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that I was trying to get away from you. That’s the last thing I ever want to do.”

  Lana held his eyes. “Where did you go?”

  “In your kitchen to find some aspirin because you were about to give me a damn headache,” he told her before kissing her.

  “Did you find them?” she asked.

  “No,”

  She smiled. “I keep them in the bathroom. Do you still need them?”

  Derek pulled at the sheet. “No, because now you’re going to make it all better.”

  Lana rubbed his head. “Poor baby, what can I do?”

  “Listen, no crying, okay? I hate that. I never want to see the women I care about in tears,” he told her.

  She wiped at another tear from his tender words. “Okay,” she choked out.

  “What?” he asked confused.

  “That’s just really sweet,” Lana sniffed. “You said you care about me.”

  Derek took her into his arms and held her gently. “I probably should have mentioned that before you brought me into your bedroom, but you surprised me…again, like at the River.”

  Lana pulled back and looked at him. “I seem to do that.”

  “I like a woman that takes charge and knows what she wants.” Derek commented.

  “I wanted you.”

  Derek held her gaze for a moment. “Lana, I’m falling hard for you, baby.”

  Wrapping her arms around him, she whispered, “You caught me.”

  ******

  A few hours later in Lana’s kitchen, Derek sat down to have the breakfast that they’d prepared together. He pulled Lana down onto his lap and positioned both plates in front of them.