Rekindled Dreams (Moon Child)

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  That thought brought to mind the kisses they had recently shared. Her body reacted. Would they find the passion they had shared and be skin to skin again. A pulsing began low in her belly. Not the time for those thoughts.

  As she unpacked the boxes in the bathroom, Jenny cried and stopped. Dana finished the box of linens and allowed curiosity to send her toward the living room. Simon held the baby as though she was a football. He moved in a slow dance and crooned nonsense. Dana’s pulse galloped. She wished for a video camera to record the event.

  “You two having a moment?” she asked.

  “Looks that way.” Simon grinned. “She stopped crying when I picked her up but she’s dripping. I’ve no experience with diapers.”

  Dana opened the diaper bag and spread a changing pad on the leather sofa. She took Jenny from Simon and quickly changed her daughter. With a glance she noticed Simon watch her movements.

  “I think I could do that. No pins to push through.”

  Dana chuckled. “Modern conveniences.” She handed him the wet diaper. “Put this in the garbage.” Jenny’s mouth opened. Her face scrunched and she cried. “Hungry, puss?” Dana asked.

  Simon snatched the diaper. “I’ll be in the bedroom.”

  Dana nearly laughed at his hasty retreat. She sobered. Did he think breast feeding was ugly or was there another reason for his flight? He’d seen her breasts. When hey were teens he’d done magical things with hands and mouth. Just thinking of those days brought desire flooding her body. She settled on the couch and opened her blouse.

  After Jenny burped Dana fastened the infant in the seat and went to find Simon. He stood in the bedroom with a sheet in his hands. She hesitated before entering. “Let me help you.” She walked to the far side of the king-sized bed and slid the bottom sheet over the corners of the mattress.

  Simon tossed her the end of the top sheet. “There’s something I need to ask.”

  Dana braced her shoulders. “What?”

  “Why the hell did you marry Randy?”

  The anger in his voice startled her. She sucked in a breath. “I wouldn’t put out so he proposed.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  Her hands clenched. “Did you expect me to wait until you got over your tantrum? Forever if that suited you.”

  He glared. “He took what should have been mine.”

  Dana straightened. She seldom lost her cool but Simon had pushed her into the boiling cauldron of anger. Her hands fisted. She fought the urge to physically attack him.

  “Excuse me. He didn’t take. I gave. What makes you think my virginity was yours?”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Yes you did.” Her fists tightened. So did her throat. “Tell me this. Where were you? Dead? Married? You threw what we could have had away when you ran.”

  “Dana.”

  “Did you call? Send a note or an email? Anything? Your aunt never said a word about you until she told me you refused to attend the wedding.”

  “Dana.”

  “For your information, your name wasn’t on my list. You chose your life and I had no place beside you.” She pushed past him.

  “I should have called.” He reached for her.

  She batted his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Just listen. I intended to call you but every day passed and I didn’t. Became harder to try.”

  She wheeled to face him. “After a week of marriage I believed I’d made a mistake. They my parents were killed in a car accident. For all his selfishness Randy helped me with my grief. For several months I thought we could make the marriage work. Then my parents’ estate was settled and he reverted.” Tears streamed down her face.

  Simon groaned. “I didn’t know. I didn’t try to discover what you were doing. I’m here now.”

  “So am I and I’m leaving.”

  “What will you do if your business doesn’t work?”

  ”Return to my old job.”

  “As a secretary?”

  “As a nurse.” Her tears stopped but she had to leave before more was said and she started crying again. Why couldn’t she show anger without becoming a fountain? She glared. “I’m taking Jenny home.”

  His shoulders slumped. “I won’t stop you.”

  She wanted him to say he would give her time to settle and put her anger aside. He wouldn’t call. Like always he would turn on his heel and walk away. Regret shone in his eyes, a sentiment she couldn’t believe. What they could have found together had cracked like a basket of dropped eggs. She hurried to the living room and packed her things. She slung the diaper bag on one shoulder and lifted the infant seat.

  “I’ll take that.” Simon’s hand brushed hers.

  “Thank you.” She ignored the arrows of flame shooting to her core. She pushed aside the yearning in Simon’s blue eyes.

  As Dana fastened her seat belt, Simon put his hands on the driver’s door. “Drive carefully.”

  “Always.” As she pulled into the street she remembered she hadn’t told him about Patricia’s threatening call or the spate of late night hang-ups.

  Chapter 8

  Simon stood on the sidewalk and watched Dana drive away. He’d blown it again. The apartment keys dug into his palm. The bubble of anger broke. Disgust with himself flooded his thoughts. Why hadn’t he called her during the early days of his flight from Fern Lake? For ten years he’d ignored the nightly appearance of her in his dreams. In the morning he’d shoved those memories away.

  He’d acted like a child deprived of a favorite toy. The night of graduation he’d felt hurt. He’d graduated with honors and no one had come to see his triumph. There’d been a charity ball at the Club. His aunt’s presence had been ordered. She’d attended the gala with her family. He had stood alone.

  Never Simon. Why hadn’t he been good enough? His cousins had attended the exclusive private school in town. He’d gone to the public schools. Always reminded he was the poor relative.

  Then the night when his spirits and his sense of worth had hit bottom, Dana had refused to have sex. His thoughts had churned. He’d believed he wasn’t good enough for her. He’d only wanted to make sure she was his.

  Simon drew a deep breath. He couldn’t let today’s stupidity stand between them. Years ago he’d deserted her but she’d remained like a ghost in his thoughts. Memories of her had kept him from forming other than casual relationships with women. For seven years he’d lived a few hours from Fern Lake and had never returned. If he had, Dana would never have married Randy.

  So what will you do?

  The question rattled like die in a metal container. He had returned. He had a new career. Aunt May had given him the money so he could be his own boss. He planned to stay in Fern Lake. Could he and Dana start over? There’d been a chance and he feared he had ruined it.

  Why had he said those words to her? He needed to apologize to her. That meant eating crow and he hated the taste. Walking away was easy. If he did he would be alone for all time.

  His phone was in the apartment. He could return and call a cab and be at Dana’s in ten or fifteen minutes. A sudden thought brought a memory. He should give her time to think and for her anger to calm. Once when they were in junior high, he’d upset her and tried an immediate apology. She’s been angrier and walked away. She hadn’t spoken to him for a week.

  Her house was five miles from the apartment. He would walk. After dining on feathers he could call a cab and go home.

  He’d planned to take her to dinner. His stomach rumbled. He’d eaten nothing since breakfast. Too late to change his plans now.

  As he strolled up the walk to her house he hoped she wouldn’t slam the door. He rang the bell. Dana answered. “What are you doing here?”

  “Trying not to be a jerk.”

  “Where’s your…oh, you don’t have one.” She peered around him. “No cab. Did you walk the whole way?”

  “Appears so. Wanted to give you time. Can I come in so we can talk?” H
e stared at his shoes.

  “Or what? Will you walk back?”

  “Unless you let me use your phone to call a cab.” He groaned. This wasn’t going well. “My phone’s at the apartment. I just, well, took off.”

  She stepped aside. “Typical Simon. Come in.”

  He looked up. Her reddened eyes showed she’d been crying again. “I’m not worth crying over.”

  “Wasn’t you this time.”

  “Who?” His hands fisted. If someone had hurt her he would take care of that person.

  She walked to the family room. He followed and noticed her breathing had a hitch. What had happened?

  “Listen to this.” She pressed a button on the answering machine. “This isn’t the first time she’s called and made threats.”

  “Dana, just a warning. I’m going to claim Randy’s baby. He left me everything he owned. You screwed me out of the house and some of his money. His possessions are mine and so the baby is mine. Trash isn’t a fit mother for a Grantlan even if it’s a girl.” The voice was slurred and too loud.

  When the message ended Dana turned to him. “What am I going to do?”

  Simon clasped her icy hand. His cousin was insane and drunk. “Give me the tape. Do you have her other calls?”

  Dana shook her head. “There was only one and I erased it.”

  “From now on, don’t.”

  “I won’t.” Her voice shook.

  Simon tugged her close. “No judge would take Jenny from you.”

  “You think not. The Grantlans socialize with every judge in the county, maybe even the state. Patricia had one thing wrong. Randy’s name isn’t on the birth certificate. He and his father made sure of that.”

  “Tell Aunt May about the threats.”

  Dana shook her head. “She has enough worries without hearing about mine. Since Randy’s funeral she’s aged. Didn’t you notice?”

  Simon crooked his head. He had but he’d never asked if she had problems. “You’re right.” He embraced Dana. “I’ll talk to her.” Did his aunt regret giving him money?

  Tension oozed from Dana’s body. Simon released her even though he wanted to kiss her and explore her body. Not until they talked about past mistakes. He saw yearning in her eyes and tapped her lips with a finger. “We need to become friends again.”

  “Friends is good. Would you like something to drink?”

  “Yes.” His stomach rumbled loud enough to make Dana laugh. “I’d planned to take you to dinner.”

  “That was almost an hour ago. I was eating when you arrived. Come to the kitchen.”

  As Simon followed her he glanced into the huge living and dining rooms. Typical of his cousin, ornately decorated and massive.

  In the kitchen he sat at the table. Dana poured a glass of iced tea he downed in one swallow. She set bread, cold cuts, cheese and fixings in front of him.

  “Help yourself.” She joined him for long enough to finish a half-eaten sandwich before rising. “I need to get Jenny ready for bed.”

  A loud wail caused Simon to start. Was that the signal for another feeding? Until he was sure Dana finished he wasn’t leaving this room. No need to witness a scene imprinted hi his thoughts, one of Dana holding the baby to her breast. He didn’t have the right to watch, not until Dana and Jenny were part of the family he desired.

  He was on his third sandwich when Dana appeared in the kitchen with Jenny in her arms. Her eyes widened. “You were hungry.”

  “Had nothing since breakfast. Sorry I demolished your bread and cold cuts.”

  “It’s fine. I brought Jenny to say good night. Once she’s settled I’ll come down and we can talk.”

  He rose and stroked the baby’s cheek. Dana’s scent mingled with baby scents and made him want to hold them close.

  “See you in ten minutes or so. Family room.”

  After they vanished Simon cleared the table. He stored the remainder of the food and added his plate and glass to the dishwasher.

  Time to eat crow approached. His gut clenched. You can do this. Problem was he didn’t know what he wanted to say though he knew what he wanted to do.

  Grab her. Kiss her until she burned. Bury himself deep inside her.

  Pushing wasn’t a good idea. Mentally he made a list of topics to avoid. Little other than a short apology if the words didn’t choke him. He strode to the family room, sat on the couch and continued the search for words.

  Dana arrived before he had his speech prepared. He rose and went to her. “About what I said. I didn’t mean to blow my chance with you.”

  Her smile failed to change the sadness in her eyes. “You needed to know why I married him.”

  “But not the other thing I said.”

  “You’re right.”

  He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “Family and belonging is important. We both lost one. We sure didn’t find one with the Grantlans.” He drew her to the sofa. “Can we begin again?”

  She sat beside him. “Why are you in Fern Lake?”

  For you. He stopped before blurting those words. “I’m Matt Gray’s partner, Unless I leave on business I’ll be here forever. What I’d like is for us to learn who we are now.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Simon slid his arm around her. His mouth brushed hers. When she responded he knew slow wouldn’t work. He wanted everything she would give him. And she wanted him as much as he wanted her. His cock throbbed. His body yearned. He broke the kiss. “Didn’t mean to rush.”

  “Why not?”

  “Are you? Can you?” He felt like an ass. Her dimpled smile made him grow harder.

  "Do you mean have sex? The doctor cleared me for all activity two weeks ago. I’m willing and able to participate.”

  “Eager, too.” He brushed a finger along her cheek. “Makes two willing and able.”

  She took his hand. “Not down here. I want to be where I can hear Jenny if she needs me.”

  Simon gulped. Was he ready for sex in a bed where she’d slept with Randy? One way to find out. He clasped her hand and they walked up the broad staircase side by side. In the doorway he stopped and stared into the room. The ceiling light showed furniture that seemed too small for the spacious area. A queen-sized bed instead of the California king he’d expected.

  Dana turned and grinned. “Randy took the custom-made furniture when he left.”

  The last of Simon’s hesitancy vanished. He tugged her close and kissed her the way he had the day he’d brought her home from the hospital. A surge of desire blossomed. Whoa. Stop thinking about yourself. Focus on her pleasure. He released her, opened his wallet and removed the foil packet he’d kept there since he’d returned to the city from Fern Lake and the funeral. He pulled his shirt over his head.

  * * *

  Dana watched Simon’s muscles ripple as he pulled his shirt over his head. His chest hair feathered across his muscles, slightly darker than the hair on his head. His pecs showed he exercised as did his taut belly. He opened his jeans and kicked off his sneakers and socks. Slowly he lowered his pants. As his erection surfaced she drew in a breath. Magnificent. More than when they were teens.

  She sat on the bed. What would he think of the stretch marks and the little bulge that hadn’t vanished despite exercise? Her breasts throbbed. Would he be embarrassed if they... She wanted him but this was a bad idea.

  A nude Simon reached the bed. He pulled her to her feet. “You’re wearing too much.”

  Dana rose. She removed her shirt and slid her slacks over her hips. Simon grasped her hands and tugged her close. “You look great.” He caressed her belly and slid his thumbs beneath the waistband of her panties. Slowly he slid them down .

  He grasped her waist and lifted her to the bed. “I’ve thought of this since the kiss in the hospital, not to mention the one at the house.” One finger teased the skin above her breasts. “Do they hurt?”

  “They’re sensitive.”

  Mouths met. Tongues tasted. The scents of arousal stirred h
er. Her breasts contracted. Simon touched them lightly, then kissed his way down her belly. He grasped her hips and traced her belly button with his tongue. He edged lower. His tongue slid over her mound and touched her clit. If she hadn’t been lying down she would have melted from the slide of his lips and tongue along her vulvae.

  “You’re so wet.”

  “And ready. Been a long time.”

  “For me, too.” He rolled to his side and opened the packet and sheathed himself.

  When he knelt between her legs, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth over hers. “I need you,” he whispered against her lips.

  With his hands beneath her hips he slowly entered. The sensations caused by his slow entrance made her smile. Randy had always thrust with force, never caring if she was ready or not. She sighed.

  “Are you all right.”

  She gazed into his eyes. “Very.”

  Simon clasped her hands as he rocked into her. Dana’s body ignited. She caught his rhythm. His mouth met hers in a kiss stoking the fires in her center and causing them to blaze. The instant in time felt so right.

  As her body rose toward the peak all thoughts focused on reaching the elusive moment.

  Simon raised his head. “I can’t hold back.”

  Neither could she. He thrust in ever more rapid moves. Her inner muscles tightened. She clutched the sheet and rocketed. The orgasm exploded. She touched the sun.

  Simon roared her name. He collapsed, covering her body with his. The warmth of security blanketed her. The sound of gasping breaths and the delightful surges of after shocks brought a sense of belonging. He rolled to his side keeping their bodies flush. He murmured words she didn’t quite hear. Her head rested on his chest. The wild beating of his heart matched hers.

  She loved him. She always had. Her time with Randy had been born of desperation to replace lost love and to have a family. Tears threatened. She wasn’t sure if they were of joy or sadness. One thought tumbled in her head. Why hadn’t he reached out to her years ago?

  He caressed her back. “I’m here to stay.”