Dreaming of a Hero (Heroes Series Book 2)

by Lyssa Layne

  “I think it’s brilliant. We’ll talk to Lissa and Marcus tomorrow and make sure their schedules are clear. I’ll call my manager tomorrow also and let him know what’s going on. He’s not going to be very happy but he’ll get over it. We might have to wait on the honeymoon so I can finish my obligations but after that, I promise to take you on the longest, most beautiful honeymoon you could ever imagine!”

  “That’s a lovely thought but leave the honeymoon trip to the expert. Remember what I do for a living? I plan dreams.” she pulled Rick’s head down and licked his lips, then softly pushed her tongue inside his mouth. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tighter, forgetting everything but the woman he loved, here in his arms.

  She didn’t know how she could feel more blessed or more fulfilled than being in his arms. She knew he was right, people did have more than one soul mate and she was experiencing it right now. Yes, she had loved and still did love Austin and that love didn’t go away but her love for Rick was just as strong, just as intense and just as deep as it had been for Austin. It was just different, different because he was different. He was Rick, not Austin. She felt her heart open up and flood her body with the gratitude of love, giving love and receiving love. She opened her mouth to tell him that, to tell him how much she loved him but his lips found the hollow space at her throat and it took her breath away. Her thoughts now focused on the physical sensations that were chasing her towards ecstasy.

  He felt her change but was unable to put a finger on exactly what had altered. He knew she loved him, wanted him, fought for him but while he was kissing her and she melted into his arms, he felt her soul, her aura fluctuate. It was intense, powerful and sensuous. The love that now emanated from her was so commanding that he felt humbled that he was the object of that pure emotion. Knowing words weren’t enough to express how he felt, he held her tighter, his kisses more intense as he allowed his body to take charge of his motions. He reached the little hollow at the base of her throat and licked and kissed, feeling her pulse quicken, her scent so strong there that he felt he was going mad with desire.

  She was his, he was hers. They were going to be together for as long as this life allowed them to be. She knew that time could be fickle, that it changed every day and their life together could be short or long, but she vowed to live it like every day was their forever, their happily ever after that would go on and on. She could be happy with that and she knew Rick would be too.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  The fall foliage was brilliant with reds, oranges and bright yellows. There were about fifty white folding chairs set up on the grassy knoll, a red velvet stretch of carpet running through the middle of them towards a white wicker archway. Jewel toned Sumatra lilies adorned the archway with green ivy weaving in between the colorful blooms.

  Jennifer, dressed in an emerald green satin cocktail dress, chatted with guests as they showed up and she helped usher them to their seats. Her joy filled her body knowing that her grounds were going to be the start of a beautiful marriage between two of her closest friends. The only thing that made her happier was when she looked at Stavros, also escorting guests, and found him watching her too. She felt the tremor shoot through her body and was reminded of when she was a teenage girl and found the captain of the Rugby team staring at her. Butterflies were an understatement for what she felt in her stomach and she wondered if the flushed feeling in her body was visible. God, she hoped not! Looking at him now, she felt exposed and raw with emotion. He was wearing a black Chiarelli Uomo tuxedo with an emerald green vest and bow tie that purposely matched Jennifer’s dress. The Italian, single-breasted jacket fit his figure perfectly, enhancing his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

  Her eyes found Sally, whom she had met just yesterday, and she felt herself smile at her. The bubbly brunette was as friendly as Ana had claimed and Jennifer found herself immediately taken with the petite pixie. Just as Ana had described her, Sally had arrived dressed in dark purple leggings with an oversized men’s pastel pink shirt, belted loosely at the waist. The calf-high black army boots were laced with matching purple ties and her short hair was pulled back in a multi colored hair band. She and Sally talked for hours while Ana was at the spa, having her nails done while Stavros sat in the corner, trying to keep up with the bubbling female conversation.

  Jennifer giggled at the expression on Stavros’ face and Sally’s animated hand expressions. She had gone to pick up Ana at the spa, which left Sally and Stavros unaccompanied for an hour but she didn’t fret or worry about any possible attraction. She had seen the look of bewilderment in Stavros’ eyes while Sally had babbled on about the singles scene in New York and the various bars and dance clubs that she enjoyed. She was more animated and bubbly than what Stavros was accustomed to and she knew that he would quietly and politely excuse himself if he got too overwhelmed and was also confidant that Stavros only had eyes for her, just as she did for him. She fondly remembered their first official date.

  They had gone for coffee at the Café Rouge and then wandered the streets of Haywards Heath. Although they had done similar things often in the years that Stavros had been working for Austin, they both knew that this time it was different. It was personal and definitely not work related. They had strolled for many blocks with Jennifer’s hands at her side and Stavros behind his back, but when they both bent over to smell some fragrant candles a shopkeeper had on display, Stavros had tentatively linked his fingers with hers. They both looked at each other and smiled, not relinquishing each other’s hand until they got back into the car to come home that evening.

  They hadn’t kissed yet, both wanting to take their time and respect the circumstances that had brought them together but Jennifer knew that she wouldn’t be able to wait that much longer and she didn’t think Stavros could either. She dreamed of him every night and her guilty feelings of desiring him were starting to fade. Austin had put her and Stavros’ mind at ease that night when he had expressed his joy and blessings that Jennifer had found someone who was only her friend, but her future. He wanted Jennifer to know that he loved her, always would and that finding true love again would be a way of honoring his memory. She had cried as Stavros had held her, Stavros nodding and thanking his best friend before Austin left with Barry.

  Now she was hosting a wedding, with Stavros by her side as her partner, she glanced at him and smiled when she saw he was looking at her again. As the music began to play and people returned to their seats, she and Stavros quickly made their way to the front of the archway, Stavros standing beside Rick while she crossed opposite of them and stood next to the priest.

  Rick dressed in black tails, looking as nervous as a man on his first date, anxiously looking around, barely acknowledging friends that waved and tried to reassure him. He knew that they thought he was nervous about getting married a third time but they were wrong. He was elated to marry Anastasia, his third soul mate. What he was worried about was how she felt, if she was as sure as he was and if there were any residual concerns from Barry. He believed that Barry felt the shame that Ana had unleashed on him but did he really pass over? His misguided desire for her was so displaced that maybe he decided that he should have her and came back. He hadn’t seen her for over twenty hours and though Jennifer assured him she was dressed and loving absolutely stunning, he felt unease with her being by herself in the bedroom, finishing getting ready.

  “Don’t be nervous, my friend. This will not be too long and before you know it, you’ll be eating, drinking and dancing! All will be good.” Stavros encouraged.

  “It’s not that. I’m looking forward to marrying Ana. It’s just that I don’t want anything to happen to stop the wedding. What if Barry comes back, or she changes her mind, or…” he whispered, hoping the priest hadn’t heard him.

  “Nothing is going to happen. Barry is gone, Austin took care of that, and Ana is not going to change her mind! She is so in love with you that you are not going to be out of her sight for a minute once you two say ‘
I do’. Ah, here comes the beautiful bride now, told you so.” he grinned.

  “Oh my god. She’s beautiful!” Rick gasped.

  Ana started walking up the velvet path, wearing an exquisite Maggie Sottero gown. The white and pewter slim-line gown was soft and sultry, the gathered Gossamer Chiffon spilled from the empire waist, accenting Ana’s curved waistline, which was also highlighted by the beautiful beading.

  The deep V-neckline was complimented by the heavily ruched shoulder straps. Her hair was swept up into a princess bun, long wispy tendrils allowed to loosely hang along her cheekbones and neckline. The beaded comb placed in the front of her bun matched the beaded accent on her dress perfectly and sparkled in the afternoon fall sun.

  She looked like an angel. Her presence glowed and emanated a hazy white appearance that made her look as though the sun shone from her instead of behind her. She floated across the carpet as though she were a ghost, a whispering presence that wasn’t real but Rick prayed to God that she was, that he wasn’t dreaming. This beautiful soul was going to be his wife.

  Whispered approvals and compliments swept through the audience as Ana made her way to her future husband. She felt herself blush, seeing Rick’s unabashed desire and awe as she walked towards him. She felt as beautiful as a goddess and tried to memorize every emotion with each step, wanting to hold on to the fairytale.

  As she made her way to Rick’s side, she smiled at Jennifer and mouthed her thanks before turning and facing her love. He quietly cleared his throat and whispered how stunning she was. She smiled and winked before giving her attention to the priest.

  Though Rick and Ana both recited their own vows, the ceremony only lasted fifteen minutes. She couldn’t remember what the priest had spoken about, her eyes and thoughts focused on Rick as he was focused on her. Before she knew it, the priest was pronouncing them husband and wife, exclaiming that Rick could kiss his bride.

  His bride! How she had longed to hear those words and had given up hope of ever hearing them before she had met Rick. It should have been odd to her, having her first love, Austin, helping her find her second true love but it wasn’t. She felt it was a gift that Austin had given her, along with his blessing that she be happy and have a wonderful life. How quickly a life could be changed. Circumstances that she never thought possible suddenly appeared in her life and made her become a believer. She had never been to a psychic, read anything about them or desired to, now she was married to one! What an interesting future she was going to have with him, what an adventure!

  “Ana?” Rick spoke softly, bringing her back to the present.

  “Yes?” she answered dreamily.

  “May I kiss my bride?” he grinned.

  “Yes, my love. Now and forever.

  The End

  Thank you for reading my story. If you liked my tale, please leave a review on Amazon. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter @raeannehadley

  Feel free to email me at raeannehadley@hotmail.com.

  Life is meant to be fun; enjoy the journey!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I'm an accidental author as I began writing my first story, Mechanics of Murder, after I had been fired for taking maternity leave. I took a 3rd shift job and trying to keep myself awake, I used my imagination and started creating a story of a female mechanic, which I was, finding a dead body underneath the truck she was working on. My father absolutely loved the story and encouraged me to complete it and get it published. I was almost finished with the first draft when my father had a stroke. Encouraging him to get better, I rushed the book to Lulu Publishing without it being edited. My father was able to hold my first novel but was never able to read it; he passed away 2 days later. But it began a passion for me that has not dwindled! I have continued writing and my list has now grown. With Love; Now & Forever and Shadows, both paranormal romances though with different personalities and twists. The sequel to Mechanics of Murder, A Wrench in the Plan, was completed in January of 2011 and was released in the spring of 2012.I know my Dad would be proud. My contemporary romance, Love's Everlasting Song, is a sweet tale where hopes, dreams and occasionally fairy tales do come true. I usually have 5-7 novels in the works and plan on writing for many more years! My stories are not sexually graphic because I believe each readers experience and imagination are usually more erotic and more sensual than what I will put into words and I ALWAYS have to have a happy ending! Life is meant to be fun, enjoy the journey!!!

  Contact RaeAnne:

  https://www.facebook.com/raeanne.hadley

  www.raeannehadley.wix.com/author

  Desert Heat

  D’Ann Lindun

  Other Titles by D’Ann Lindun

  The Cowboys of Black Mountain:

  A Cowboy To Keep

  Promise Me Eden

  Ladies Love Cowboys: the daughters of Clem Jamieson

  *

  Mississippi Blues

  Vaquero

  *

  Anthologies:

  Cowboys, Buckles and Bulls

  Cowboy Country

  Cowboys Forever

  Cowboy, Mine

  Cowboy Time

  Cowboy Yours

  Five Roads From Beltane

  Holding A Hero

  Hotshot Heroes

  More Cowboy Country

  Desert Heat

  Copyright 2016 by D’Ann Lindun

  All Rights Reserved

  DEDICATION

  Mom and Dad~

  This one’s for you.

  For the years we spent at Jokake, some of the best ever!

  Love you both.

  CHAPTER ONE

  A wave of despair kicked Mike Malone in the gut, nearly doubling him over.

  Warm Arizona air in his face and the sweet perfume of nasturtiums in full bloom made his stomach churn. This time of year—early February—The Jumping Cholla Resort should be packed with tourists escaping bitter northern winters. With the holiday hustle and bustle over, the century-old ranch would normally be bursting at the seams with pale-faced vacationers soaking up sunshine.

  The pool stood empty, the horses grew fat, most of the help had been let go. Besides four long-time friends, the only other resident on the ranch was an old prospector named Skeeter. Because Mike felt sorry for the guy, he let him stay in one of the cabins. Hell, someone might as well use them. No one else could.

  Skeeter minded his own business, wandering out in the nearby Superstition Mountains for days, sometimes weeks on end, searching for lost treasure. His only companion on these trips was a little burro named Nobody. Mike had asked about his name once, and Skeeter told him nobody else would want the homely little animal. Mike grinned thinking of it. There was precious little else to feel good about.

  Maybe Skeeter would like to have breakfast. Mike walked the short distance to the Spanish-styled cabins, enjoying the view along the way. The near horizon was filled with jagged red cliffs and a cactus forest. In the distance, the violet-hued Superstitions strained for the sky. Along the western edge of the property, the Salt River provided water to the citizens of Phoenix and its suburbs. Right now, Mike almost hated the sight of the slow-moving current. Fighting off his anger, he knocked on the door of the last cabin. When no one answered, he shrugged and turned away.

  Then he spotted Nobody staked out a few feet from Skeeter’s cabin. Something didn’t look right. The burro’s head hung between his front legs, his ears drooped. In two quick strides, Mike was at the little animal’s side. The burro’s sleek tan flanks were drawn up tight. He obviously hadn’t been fed or watered in at least a day or two. This wasn’t like Skeeter. He loved his little companion. Something had to be wrong.

  After leading the burro to an empty corral and filling the trough with cool, clean water and the feed bin with good hay, Mike went to see about Skeeter. He knocked again, listening carefully for signs of life. Hearing nothing, he took the master key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. The stench hit him first. His mind refused to believe it for a
moment, but the sticky-sweet smell of something once alive, now rotting, was unmistakable. He’d come across enough dead animals in the desert to recognize the particular odor.

  Digging a clean bandanna out of his pocket, Mike held it over his nose and mouth and stepped inside. In the dim light, he saw Skeeter’s bloated body in the bed. Apparently he’d fallen asleep and not awakened again. For that much, at least, Mike was grateful. He scanned the room. Skeeter had been a man of simple means. Nothing personal adorned the room. No pictures, no mementoes, nothing. Turning away, Mike wondered if there was anyone alive who cared about the old prospector.

  ~*~

  After the ambulance carrying Skeeter’s body pulled away, a sheriff’s deputy lingered. “Too bad about your friend. At least he died here, where someone knew the score. If he had croaked out in the desert, nobody would’ve been the wiser.”

  “Yeah. It’s a good thing,” Mike commented, his tone as dry as the air around him. He handed over a ragged green duffle bag. “This is all he had. What about the body?”

  “Someone will have to claim it; make funeral arrangements.” The deputy looked pointedly at Mike.

  He sighed. “I’ll be in touch later this afternoon.”

  “Good.”

  Waiting until the cop pulled out of the driveway, Mike headed for his house. He needed coffee. What a fine mess this was. As if he didn’t have enough problems of his own, now he was saddled with making burial arrangements for a mere acquaintance. He and Skeeter hadn’t been close friends. While riding in the desert last fall, Mike had met up with the solitary prospector, and taking pity on him, invited him for a meal. With the ranch standing empty, Mike had urged the old man to stay, and Skeeter accepted. Whatever his business in the desert, Skeeter didn’t share, and Mike didn’t pry.