That Unexpected Kiss

by Tamara Ferguson

  Dylan was standing in the doorway after wrapping his arm, and had apparently been studying her for a while. “I would’ve ended the charade with Kate a lot sooner if I though it would’ve mattered, Julie,” he said softly. “Once you took that job in Colorado, I figured why bother?” He gave her a rueful smile. “Of course, I thought that Kate had already told you we’d broken it off by then, and the two of us had decided we were only going on as friends.”

  Closing her eyes, Julie hugged Buster even closer as he rubbed his face against hers.

  Dylan approached, and after gently tugging Buster loose from her arms, he rested him on the couch.

  When Dylan turned back to Julie, there was definitely a question in his eyes.

  Staring into her eyes for a long breathless moment, he was suddenly reaching out and pulling her into his arms.

  “Oh, Julie, you wouldn’t believe how long I’ve been wanting to do this,” he whispered into her ear.”

  Her eyes were closed as she stood wrapped within his arms. “Oh yes I would.” She smiled a tender smile before laughing softly. “Because I’ve been feeling exactly the same way too.”

  They stood still and silent, and Dylan held onto her like he was never going to let her go.

  Finally, he stepped back, and reached for her hand. “Are you sure about this? There’s no going back.”

  Julie nodded, giving Dylan a wry smile.

  Dylan tugged Julie along through the long open hallway, leading her into the bedroom at the very end. Her eyes went wide, searching the room. The bedroom was massive inside and the same vaulted ceiling stretched from the living room overhead.

  “This cabin is huge. Beautiful too.”

  Dylan grinned. “If you think it’s huge now, wait until it’s finally finished.”

  Although hesitant to ask, she thought what the heck. “It looks like you’re here to stay?”

  “I am.” He answered firmly. “And you know why,” he continued, as bending down, his lips covered hers.

  Although he’d kissed her before, she’d been distracted by the desire she’d felt for him. She reveled in his taste as the coolness of his lips quickly became warm. First laying her hands over his broad shoulders, her palms smoothed over his arms, while one hand lingered on the bandage covering his wound.

  Julie just couldn’t help it. She broke away from the kiss when tears came brimming to her eyes. “I was so scared when I read in the paper that you were shot.”

  “I’m really sorry that I didn’t call you after it happened. I was in the hospital last night, and was kind of messed up because they gave me some pain killers.” Dylan hesitated, frowning. “We’ve got a lot to talk about Julie. I’m going to tell you everything about myself, because I don’t want any secrets between us.”

  Grimacing, she answered, “Okay.” Although there was something in Dylan’s eyes that was beginning to scare her a little. She’d been getting a totally different impression of him these last few months than she had for the entire two years she’d known him. He’d always appeared quiet and retiring, and not this self-confident guy, constantly teasing her with sexy innuendo.

  Dylan waggled his brows wearing a smile that was definitely suggestive. “Lift your arms.” Reaching over, he began peeling away her layers of clothes by pulling the silky sheer blouse she was wearing over her head first.

  His rough calloused hands moved over her shoulders lightly, until they splayed across her back, pressing her closer, where she felt the rasp of the stubble on his chin against her face. She inhaled his clean musky scent and the faint smell of soap on his skin.

  “Stop sniffing me,” he muttered, with laughter in his voice.

  Julie snorted, and began laughing. “It’s just that you smell so good,” she answered, but she was being silly.

  Dylan growled, “So do you. You always smell like spring.”

  Dropping an arm to encircle her bottom and pulling her closer yet, he rubbed her against the ridge beneath his jeans.

  Pleasure shot through her, and the moan was muffled by his lips as his mouth covered hers once again. He repeated the motion with his hips, and Julie clung to Dylan’s shoulders as the transition from pleasure to desire was so quick, she couldn’t control it.

  Desperately, she clung to him trying to steady her spinning senses. With his tongue, he licked into her mouth with a hungry urgency that sent fire shooting straight to her toes.

  He deepened the kiss, and the heat of it melted away the last rational thought that was left in her mind.

  Dylan pulled away just long enough to slip out from his jeans. He was unmistakably turned on wearing his boxer briefs, and so hard and hot pressing up against her.

  Julie made a small hungry sound deep in her throat and pressed as close to him as she could possibly get.

  She felt Dylan’s hands sliding down the spaghetti straps of her camisole bra. Soon she was helping him tug if off as she unfastened her skirt, and the bra slid down to her feet along with the skirt.

  A giggle escaped when Dylan gave her a long slow growl, looking her over and waggling his brows. She’d never expected to see such a playful side of Dylan. He’d always seemed so serious.

  But now he was kissing her silly, and making her feel things she’d never thought she was capable of feeling. As he kissed her, he was steering her backwards, and the next thing she knew, Julie felt herself falling onto the bed with Dylan laying underneath her, cushioning the fall.

  Quickly flipping her over and moving on top, he kissed her harder, exploring her mouth with an expertise that was driving her crazy.

  Pausing for only a moment, he finally shrugged out of his boxer briefs and reached to the nightstand where he pulled out a package from inside the drawer.

  Julie frowned.

  Unwrapping the package, Dylan glanced at her face. “No. I know what you’re thinking. But no one’s ever been here Julie.” He held her gaze for a long steady moment. “There hasn’t been anyone since Kate. And that was almost two years ago.” He shrugged. “It’s always been you.”

  Her jaw dropped. Julie couldn’t help it because every minute that she spent with him, this man was surprising her more and more.

  Watching in confusion as he quickly put on the condom, she finally tried to respond. “I...yuh...”

  Dylan covered her mouth with his hand. “Julie. I know you’ve had a couple or three boyfriends since then. And truthfully?” He frowned, his eyes flashing fire. “I’d rather not know. I’d probably want to punch each and every one of those guys in the nose,” he muttered grimly.

  She nodded and smiled rather sheepishly, this time reaching out with her arms and pulling Dylan towards her. She felt safe and secure while exploring her own desire, letting herself feel the new sensations she had only for Dylan.

  He kissed her again and Julie felt alive, really alive, for the first time in a very long time. Foreplay could wait for the next time she decided, aching to feel him inside her. He pinned her underneath him, but Julie motioned for him to flip over again. He did it long, slow and deliberately, kissing her and kissing her again until finally, she straddled him, guiding him into her.

  Running her fingers through the hair on his chest, her hands explored, moving down and massaging him with long sensual strokes. She rode him slow at first, with her eyes closed and head back, savoring every stroke.

  Dylan gripped her from behind, and her heart was thundering as he rocked her faster up and down, moving into her deeper and harder.

  She climaxed, a cry tearing out from her throat, her inner muscles clamping down on him like a fist. Releasing a long loud moan of pleasure, Dylan came along with her fast and hard.

  Staring into Dylan’s eyes, deep, dark and mysterious, and filled with desire she knew he had only for her, for the first time ever, life felt incredibly good.

  Dylan sighed, when Julie collapsed on top of him, and wrapping his arms around her, he tucked her beside him against his chest.

  For about twenty minutes they laid th
ere, and Julie dozed off listening to the beating of Dylan’s heart.

  Julie felt a weight on the end of the bed, and a few minutes later Buster was stepping onto her stomach and peeking at her face.

  “Meeeooow?” He seemed to be asking for something, finally laying down between her and Dylan.

  Dylan’s laughter rumbled into her ear. “I think he’s hungry. I could really use something to eat myself. How about you?”

  She propped her head on her hand looking at Dylan. “That depends on the menu,” she answered, her eyes roving his body.

  Dylan barked out a laugh. “Julie.”

  She grinned, feeling unusually lighthearted.

  Dylan gave her a roguish smile, sliding off from the bed. “Let me go get something started,” Dylan said, pulling on his boxers. Turning back to her, he bent over the bed and kissed her. “I hope you like steak and potatoes,” he muttered, walking out from the bedroom through the doorway.

  Buster looked at Julie. “Meeooow?”

  She grinned. “Go ahead Buster. I know you’re hungry.”

  Buster stalked across the bed and jumped down, darting across the floor and through the doorway.

  Julie’s eyes searched the room. It was lovely with another fireplace built into a wall that was apparently shared with another room. Beautiful Maplewood flooring encompassed the entire cabin and there were so many windows. Since the ground floor was huge, Julie wondered what Dylan had in mind for the upper level?

  Slipping off from the bed, Julie picked up her clothes and began to get dressed. It was a pretty warm evening, and just as she was deciding whether she should bother putting her blouse back on over the camisole, she heard the phone ring.

  When Dylan didn’t answer right away, Julie looked around for the phone and realized it was ringing in the adjoining room.

  Opening the door, she paused in astonishment before walking inside. Two computers were laying on top of a massive desk, while a couple lap tops were folded up on a conference table. A heavy-duty printer and fax were set up at the other end of the room, which was probably as large, if not larger, than Dylan’s bedroom. Monitors lined the upper wall over the window, and Julie realized there were cameras positioned around Dylan’s entire property.

  Julie walked up to the phone on Dylan’s desk, ready to pick it up. But noticing the name on the thick file laying on his desk, Julie forgot about answering.

  What in the world was going on here? Why would Dylan have, what was obviously, the twenty-year old case file from her mother’s disappearance?

  Feeling totally disheartened, Julie sat down and laid her head on top of the desk.

  Who was this guy that she’d just made love with?

  CHAPTER

  FIFTEEN

  Dylan realized that it had been about twenty minutes since he’d left Julie in the bedroom. After speaking on the phone with the replacement game warden who would be taking over his duties on the lake through the weekend, Dylan had fired up the grill and thrown some potatoes in the microwave.

  Maybe she’d fallen asleep?

  “Julie?” he called out, walking down the hallway and into the bedroom.

  Dylan grimaced, noticing the office door was open. It looked like he was going to have to begin revealing a few of his secrets right away.

  Peeking into the office, he noticed she was sitting with her head laying on the desk.

  “Oh, crap,” he muttered. He’d forgotten that he’d left Leanne Thompson’s case file laying out in the open, on top of the desk.

  “Julie. It’s not what you think,” he said softly, walking up to her.

  “What is it then?” she asked dully, obviously feeling disillusioned.

  Bending over, he spun the desk chair around and stared into her eyes. “I should’ve had that file put away. I just wasn’t thinking.”

  She shrugged, refusing to look him in the eye.

  “I’m working for Jake, trying to dig up information on the traffickers that have been operating in the area.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m still Dylan,” he answered, reaching over and opening the top desk drawer. Pulling out a flat leather case from inside, he flipped it open, exposing his badge.

  She seemed shocked. “FBI?”

  He nodded resignedly.

  “But why did you need this know this stuff about my mom?” Now Julie seemed to be getting mad.

  “I’m just gathering information about anything unusual that was happening in the area at the same time this trafficking was going on.” Dylan hesitated. “Plus I never realized that your mom disappeared Julie.” Bending down on his knee, he reached for her hand. “I decided today, I’m going to find out what happened to her for you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “But, why?”

  “I think it’s pretty damned obvious why,” he muttered.

  When she didn’t respond, and continued to cry softly, Dylan rolled his eyes, and stated loudly, “Because I love you, Julie. And I have since the first time I saw you.”

  She blinked as a smile broke through her tears. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” He cleared his throat. “What about you?” he asked hesitantly, running his hand through his hair.

  She shrugged, and began laughing.

  Looking upward, he growled, “Rrrrooww.”

  Tugging her from the chair, Dylan began dragging her through the bedroom and down the hallway. “Let’s save all this drama for later.”

  She was still laughing when she answered, “Okay. Let’s eat.”

  Dylan muttered something under his breath when he reached the kitchen and pulled out a chair from under the table. He shoved her lightly into the chair and went outside, probably to take a look at the grill.

  Deciding to make herself useful, Julie stood up and began gathering plates and silverware to set the table. Such a fabulous kitchen, she thought, glancing at the modern appliances and huge kitchen island where a second sink had been fitted. There was even a wine cooler installed.

  Wait a minute—wine? Dylan had always drunk beer, from what she remembered. Julie shook her head dazedly. Apparently, that wasn’t the real Dylan.

  Who was he, really? Now she was looking around the cabin with an assessing eye. Building this cabin had to have cost a fortune. Plus, he was still adding on. And what about all the surrounding property he had to have purchased?

  Dylan came back inside with a smile on his face. “Hey. You even set the table.” He turned to the wine cooler and reaching down, he opened it up, pulling out and glancing at the labels of a few of the bottles.

  “This one should do,” he said. Opening a drawer, he pulled out a wine screw and twisted it into the top of the bottle. After tugging out the cork, he brought it to his nose and inhaled lightly. Dylan grabbed some wine glasses from the cabinet overhead and rested them on the counter.

  Julie watched with fascination as he poured the wine with expertise.

  When he handed her one of the glasses, she looked at its contents dubiously, clearing her throat. “I’ve never been much of a wine drinker.”

  Dylan smiled, sipping at his. “You don’t strike me as someone who’s afraid to try out something new. Just taste it.”

  Taking a hesitant sip, her eyes went wide. “That’s good.”

  Dylan laughed. “It better be, for what it cost me.”

  Maybe this would be the time to ask him about his background? But, no. She was so confused right now. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  Resting his wine on the table, Dylan opened the fridge and brought out the steaks he had ready to go on a platter.

  “Want to sit outside?”

  “Okay,” Julie answered.

  Picking up hers and Dylan’s glasses from the table, she followed him outside onto the patio. It was beautiful out here too, Julie thought sitting down on a large swing. There was a lovely view of the setting sun toward the west.

  Dylan was grilling the steaks on a huge charcoal grill, and Julie watched as he efficiently
laid the monstrous sized steaks over the fire and closed the lid.

  Picking up his wine, Dylan sat down beside her and began talking about his plans for the cabin.

  “I thought about enclosing this into a three-season porch and adding a hot tub. What do you think?”

  Julie looked around. “I’m not sure about having the hot tub right here. Anyone fishing on the lake would be able to see you. I think a three-season porch would be nice here though.”

  During the time they’d been chatting, Dylan had slid closer beside her, and now he was wrapping his arm over her shoulders.

  When she turned her head, Dylan’s face was right near hers. God, the man was gorgeous. Julie felt shivers running down her spine looking into the depths of those mysterious blue-gray eyes of his. He’d told he loved her. Somehow, she couldn’t get passed that in her mind. It was scary, but at the same time it was probably the most exciting and romantic thing that’d ever happened to her in her life.

  All of sudden, she frowned. “What’s going to happen in the future, Dylan? Won’t you have to leave Crystal Rock because of your job?”

  “I’m trying to figure a way to stay in Crystal Rock.” He grinned. “I love it here.”

  Julie frowned, looking away from Dylan. “Am I going to be able to look at that file you have about my mom?”

  Dylan sighed, pulling his arm from Julie’s shoulders and standing up so he could check out the steaks. Lifting the cover off the grill, he grabbed a spatula and flipped the steaks.

  “I’ve been trying to get your mind off that,” he said, becoming serious. “Finding this stuff out about me has kind of put a wrench in our evening together. Hasn’t it?”

  “That’s a mild way of putting it,” Julie admitted wryly.

  “I’ll give Jake a call as soon as we’re finished eating, and let him in on what’s going on. I wouldn’t think looking at your mom’s file would be any kind of violation, but I do have to ask him how much information I’ll be able to let you in on regarding everything else.” He hesitated. “But I’m going to need your help to find out what happened with your mom. Okay?”