Dreamscapes

by Tamara McKinley

  Catriona snorted. ‘I might be old and past it, dear, but please don’t treat me as if I’ve lost my wits.’

  ‘I’ve never thought of you as old, past it or witless,’ stormed Rosa. ‘Harriet and I had a row. It was over something I said in the heat of the moment, and let’s face it, the atmosphere is so charged after your revelations, it’s easy to say the wrong thing.’

  Catriona dug her hands into her pockets. ‘I agree today has been difficult. But it had to be a very serious falling-out for Harriet to leave without saying goodbye.’ She paused and licked her lips. ‘You don’t fool me, Rosa,’ she said softly. ‘I know what you’ve been up to.’

  Rosa raised an eyebrow and tried to appear innocent, yet the colour in her face gave her away, and her inability to meet Catriona’s gaze was the final proof she was guilty. She lifted her chin in defiance, prepared to fight her corner until the bitter end. ‘And what exactly is it you think I’ve done?’

  ‘You’ve been meddling in things that don’t concern you,’ countered Catriona. ‘I hope you’re prepared for the consequences, Rosa. Because nothing is ever as simple and straightforward as it first appears. Harriet’s departure is proof of that.’

  Rosa bit her lip as doubt swept away the anger. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I think you know exactly what I mean,’ replied Catriona.

  *

  Connor looked down at the girl standing beside him. She was wearing jeans and a shirt, and there was a sweater loosely tied around her waist. Her mop of hair was flowing around her shoulders and her face was naked of any make-up. His thoughts turned fleetingly to the cool, sophisticated Harriet, and he couldn’t help but make comparisons. He’d been attracted to her, what man wouldn’t be, but apart from being one of Rosa’s mates, and a sight for sore eyes on the back of a horse, Harriet couldn’t hold a candle to the girl standing next to him.

  ‘Looking a bit thoughtful, there, mate,’ said Belinda. ‘Something on your mind?’

  He reddened as he looked down into the dark, sparkling eyes. It was as if she could read his thoughts, and he realised he’d have to watch himself, otherwise he was in danger of becoming as much of a fool as Tom Bradley. ‘It’s getting late,’ he said gruffly. ‘I should be sorting out the men.’

  Belinda smiled at him and leaned back against the railings, her fingers buried in her damp hair as she yawned. Connor couldn’t help but notice the ivory curve of her breasts that were exposed by the gape in her blouse. He reddened again as she caught him looking, and her deep, throaty giggle made him all too aware of the effect she was having on him.

  ‘Nice to know you like the view,’ she said, her face alight with humour.

  Connor studied the ground. She was flirting with him, and he wasn’t sure how to take it. He decided to fight fire with fire. ‘Reckon it beats looking at a steer’s backside,’ he muttered.

  She tipped back her head and roared with laughter. ‘Thanks,’ she spluttered finally. ‘I think. I suppose that was meant to be a compliment?’

  He grinned, feeling like a kid again. ‘Reckon it was,’ he drawled as he stamped out his smoke.

  ‘You aren’t so bad yourself,’ she said as her gaze trawled over him. ‘Almost better looking than Max, but then he’s got something you haven’t.’ A smile twitched the corners of her mouth, and her eyes glittered with fun.

  ‘Max?’ He knew he shouldn’t have asked, knew this was a game, but he couldn’t help but play along.

  ‘He’s my partner,’ she said, the laughter bubbling in her throat in a deep, sexy gurgle.

  ‘Oh,’ he said, his spirits plummeting. ‘I didn’t think you were already involved with someone.’

  Her laughter was uproarious. ‘Poor Connor,’ she said. ‘I shouldn’t tease you, should I?’

  He looked at her in bewilderment. He would never understand the workings of a woman’s mind, but he did wish they wouldn’t talk in riddles.

  ‘Max is my partner at work,’ she explained as she turned to face him. ‘He’s clever, loyal and the best friend I’ll ever have.’ She paused, looked at his face and gave him a sweet smile. ‘Max is a German Shepherd, with a cold, wet nose, too much hair and a tendency for hating cats and villains, not necessarily in that order. So I don’t think he’s any threat to you,’ she finished softly.

  The relief was overwhelming. ‘That’s all right then,’ he said, wishing he could have thought of a more witty reply.

  She smiled back at him, her eyes dark, her expression enigmatic as the silence grew and the electricity hummed between them. ‘It’s been one of those days,’ she said finally. ‘What do you say to going for a ride?’

  Connor thought it was a bonzer idea, but, ever cautious, he decided to play it cool. ‘I would have thought you’d have work to do,’ he said.

  She shrugged. ‘It can wait until tomorrow. There’s not much I can do before I get to Cairns.’ She tipped up her chin and eyed him solemnly; she was closer now and he could smell the scent of her hair. ‘So, what about it? I am supposed to be on my vacation and could certainly do with the exercise and fresh air.’ Her hand was on his arm. It was soft and warm and sent tingles up his spine. ‘Come on,’ she breathed. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

  The sun was low, cresting the mountains, as they kicked their horses into a gallop and headed out into the grasslands. The fire of the evening sky bathed the Outback in a warm glow and set light to the tips of the peaks, throwing deep shadows over the forest of pines which clung to the mountainside.

  Connor exchanged smiles of pleasure with Belinda as she rode beside him, her hair streaming in the wind, her face alight with the sheer joy of being free in the wide, empty spaces that surrounded Belvedere. He no longer felt ill at ease with her, was no longer shy and awkward, for he knew that this was the woman he wanted to share his kingdom with.

  The sky blazed with orange and purple, the birds returned to their roosts and the kangaroos and wallabies emerged from the bush to begin their night grazing. Deep shadows spilled across the grasslands as the trees were silhouetted against the glorious sky, and the night-scents of the wildflowers drifted with the pine and eucalyptus on the cooling air. As darkness fell with the swiftness they had come to accept, they slowed their horses into an easy walk. There seemed little need for conversation, for they were easy in each other’s company, and a nod and a smile was enough. It was as if they were in tune with the land around them, and in harmony with one another.

  Connor looked out at the land that had come to mean so much to him, and realised how much more beautiful it was when he had the chance to share it with someone who appreciated it as much as he. He glanced across at her and found she was watching him.

  ‘What?’ he asked, almost defensively.

  ‘You really love this place, don’t you?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘Better than any city,’ he replied.

  ‘I agree,’ she murmured. ‘I love it too, and can understand only too well why you’ll never leave it.’ She sighed and he thought he heard a world of regrets in that sigh. ‘I wish …’ she began.

  ‘What do you wish?’ he asked as they approached the line of soft hills they’d ridden through the night before.

  She sat taller in the saddle, her shoulders square as she looked across at him with a grin. ‘I wish I was a man,’ she said finally. ‘Then I could have stayed at home and run Derwent Hills and told my brothers to rack off.’

  He was extremely relieved she wasn’t a man, and that it was dark, for as she smiled at him the heat rose in his face and his pulse rate jumped. ‘Women have been known to run stations very successfully,’ he said as he tried to maintain an outward composure. She was having a powerful affect on him, and all he could think about was finding an opportunity to kiss her again.

  ‘Yeah, too right,’ she replied. ‘But those women don’t have four brothers who actually want to run a station. Trust me to be the only girl in the one family that really loves the way of life out here.’ She sighed. ‘But the place just
isn’t big enough for all of us, so what else is a girl to do, Connor?’

  Connor realised she wasn’t really expecting an answer, and probably would have been horrified if she could have read his thoughts at this moment. He led the way through the silent, majestic hills and drew to a halt at the foot of a narrow path which led up to an ancient cave and a grassy plateau that was all but hidden by a tumble of rocks. Swinging down from the saddle they stood side by side and he could almost feel the bolts of electricity jump between them as they looked at one another.

  Belinda was the first to break eye-contact as she turned away and looked up at the steep track in the grass. ‘What’s up there?’ she asked.

  Her voice was husky, sending ripples of pleasure through him. He cleared his throat.

  ‘The best view in the world,’ he replied. ‘Ready for a bit of a climb?’

  ‘I am if you are,’ she challenged with a smile. Before he could reply, she was running, her legs and elbows pumping as she raced up the dirt track and out of sight.

  He grabbed a couple of things from the saddle-bag and set off after her. A long time later he arrived at the plateau sweating and out of breath to find her calmly waiting for him.

  ‘What kept you?’ she teased.

  He bent over and rested his hands on his knees, the sweat streaming down his face as he fought to catch his breath. ‘Where’d you learn to run like that?’ he finally gasped. ‘Jeez, you must’ve broken the four-minute mile.’

  ‘Police training,’ she replied with a hint of smugness. ‘Cops have to be fit.’ She lay back on the grass, her arms behind her head as she looked up at the stars. ‘Besides,’ she murmured. ‘I’m a lot younger than you.’

  Connor was about to protest when she turned her head, looked him straight in the eye and giggled. ‘But for an old bloke you haven’t done so badly,’ she teased.

  Connor plumped down beside her and drank deeply from the water-bottle he’d brought with him. He ignored her outstretched hand and replaced the cap before planting it out of her reach. Two could play that game, he thought. ‘Old blokes remember to bring water and tucker,’ he replied as he bit down on the laughter bubbling in his throat and unwrapped the pack of sandwiches he’d grabbed from the cookhouse. ‘But being so young and fit, of course, you won’t be hungry or thirsty.’

  She jabbed him in the ribs. ‘Give me a drink or I’ll show you just how bloody fit I am,’ she snarled dramatically.

  ‘Oh yeah?’ He bit into a delicious chicken sandwich and munched contentedly. ‘You and who else’s army?’

  She jabbed him again and the remains of the sandwich went flying.

  Connor grabbed her wrists as she tried to snatch the water-bottle and within moments he was sitting astride her squirming legs. ‘Drink?’ he teased, as he opened the cap and dribbled water over her face.

  ‘You bastard,’ she spluttered as she battled with laughter and hurt pride. ‘Just you wait, Connor Cleary, I’ll get you big-time for this.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah,’ he laughed as he pinned her firmly to the ground. ‘Heard it all before.’

  She became still suddenly, and he froze, unsure of what she would do next. Belinda was anything but predictable. The silence grew as they looked at one another in the moonlight, and Connor was certain she could hear the rapid hammer of his heart.

  ‘What are you waiting for?’ she asked softly. ‘You know you want to kiss me.’

  Connor hesitated. There was a wicked gleam in her eyes, and an impish smile on those tempting lips. She was teasing him again. Yet it was impossible to resist such an offer. He dipped his head and, after a moment of hesitation, warily feathered a kiss against her cheek.

  ‘Is that the best you can do?’ she teased. ‘For an old bloke you don’t know much, do you?’ She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. ‘Let me show you how we do things in the city,’ she murmured.

  Her lips were warm, moving against his, drawing him into a vortex of pleasure that sang in every fibre of his body. He felt her fingers running through his hair, and the fullness of her breasts pressing against his chest. The breath caught in his throat as all his senses soared. She smelled of fresh air and grass, of horse and hay and all the good things. He kissed the finely crafted nose, the dark-winged brows above her eyes, and the peachy softness of the skin that pulsed so deliciously beneath her ear.

  He heard her sigh as she pulled his shirt up and ran her fingers up and down his back like a virtuoso violinist who knew exactly the right strings to play. He realised she was aware of his arousal, by the way she pressed her hips tightly against him, and although it was the last thing he wanted to do, he knew that soon he would be at the point of no return, so he drew back from her.

  Her hands pulled him closer, her legs wrapping around his, holding him firmly. ‘Don’t stop,’ she breathed. ‘Please don’t stop. I’ve waited so long for this.’

  Encouraged, Connor slid his hands up her neck and buried his fingers in her hair as he kissed her. He could taste her tongue, could feel the desire rising in his chest, his whole body on fire with the need for her. He wanted to possess her, to make her his own, to consummate his feelings for her here in the night, beneath the stars and the moon of the Never-Never.

  Their fingers were clumsy as they fought with buttons and belts and tightly fitting jeans and stubborn underwear. Then, suddenly they were naked – pausing, breathless in that electric moment of sheer ecstasy before they gave in to their yearning.

  Connor saw her beauty in the golden light of the moon, his fingers tracing the delicate path from her belly-button to the valley between her breasts. Her breasts were creamy, firmly rounded and voluptuous, her nipples dark, engorged with desire. He took one in his mouth, teasing it with his tongue as he heard the deep gurgle of pleasure rise in her throat. She tasted sweet, her skin as scented as flowers.

  Her hands moved over him, exploring, teasing, drawing him ever closer as the tracery of her fingertips stoked the heat in him and her need grew. Connor’s need was just as great, but he understood enough to realise this lady was special; this lady deserved the very best he could give, and that meant giving her time, giving them both time to explore and enjoy one another at leisure.

  He stroked the firm columns of her thighs and discovered that her skin was like silk, soft and gilded by the moonlight. Her dark bush glistened, and he buried his face in it and breathed in her musk.

  Belinda gasped and wrapped her legs around him as he brought her to climax. Then she drew him up so she could kiss the mouth that had given her so much pleasure. A moment of electricity, an instant of almost intolerable pleasure and then they were finally joined.

  He felt the velvet texture of her surrounding him, clinging to him, drawing him further into her until all he could feel was the pulsating need to take this magical journey to its natural conclusion. They moved, skin on skin, sweat intermingling, dancing in time to the age-old rhythm that was as natural as breathing. He scooped her up in his arms until she was straddled over him, his hands clasping her neat bottom as they hungrily devoured each other and soared towards that final, glorious explosion of pleasure.

  They had finally fallen asleep on the hillside beneath the stars, and when they awoke sometime later they reached for one another again and made slow, sensuous and achingly tender love beneath the makeshift blanket of their clothes. Sated, they drifted between sleep and wakefulness as they lay tightly enfolded in one another’s arms and watched the moon traverse the sky and begin to dip below the far horizon.

  Connor smiled as he looked down at her. Her voluptuous curves felt so right within his embrace, her flesh against his flesh, her soft breath stirring the hairs on his chest. She looked young, almost vulnerable, in her sleep, the thick eyelashes curving against her cheek, the generously drawn mouth smiling as she dreamed. Who would have guessed at the hidden fires in that voluptuous body, at the passion she’d wrought in him?

  He feathered his lips over her brow, tracing the curve above her eyes an
d down to the tip of her nose; the urge to protect her was overwhelming. He had never felt like this before, had never experienced such a sense of belonging, of knowing that what they had shared tonight was right.

  Belinda stirred and opened her eyes. She snuggled closer, her legs and arms tightly encircling him as she kissed his lips with sleepy contentment. ‘We’d better go,’ she said regretfully. ‘Soon be dawn, and I’ve got an appointment in Cairns.’

  Connor kissed her again, fearing to lose her, jealous of the sunrise that would part them. He wanted this night to last forever, wanted to shut out the rest of the world and remain here in her arms beneath the stars, but of course that was impossible.

  Belinda seemed to share his thoughts, for when they stopped kissing to catch their breath, she eased from his embrace and looked at him squarely. ‘I’ll never forget tonight,’ she said softly. ‘It couldn’t have been more perfect, and I wish I didn’t have to leave.’

  ‘There can be other nights,’ he said as he ran his fingers through the wild curls that drifted like a dark halo around her head. ‘And days too. Don’t go back to Brisbane, Belinda.’

  Belinda swiftly kissed the tip of his nose and began to dress. ‘I have to, Con,’ she said through chattering teeth as she pulled on her jeans and sweater and struggled into her boots. ‘But it won’t be for long.’ She glanced across at him and smiled. ‘I’ve waited too long for you to let you go now.’

  Connor kissed her cold cheek and swiftly dressed, his emotions in turmoil. He was a man who rarely showed his true feelings. A man who had always been wary of trusting anyone, who had shied away from words like love and commitment – he knew where they led. Yet Belinda had torn down those barriers, and he’d allowed her to breach that dam of resistance and look into his heart. She’d released the little boy within the man, shown him the light and the warmth of a love he’d been searching for, for so long.

  He glanced across to her, as he fastened the buckle on his belt. How could this beautiful young woman still love him after so many years? She was a miracle, and he was terrified of losing her. ‘Belinda,’ he began. ‘Belinda, if I ask you something, will you promise not to laugh?’