The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers)

by Jen Robyn

  “Dominick,” she breathed, “We can’t do this here. The rainbow...”

  “Is the perfect place,” he finished, gazing into her eyes. “Don’t worry, love. The span of this rainbow is broader than it seems, and there are invisible borders along the edge to keep us safe.” Sensing her relax, a mischievous smile stole across his face, as he ran his fingers lightly along her arm. “So, my lady, I take it you’ve never done this at the top of a rainbow before.”

  “Before last night, I’ve never done this at all.”

  “I know. I was there.”

  His mouth descended on hers again, expertly parting her lips to reach the softness within. Between his deep kisses and his strong hands sliding down to caress her, Julianna nearly forgot where they were, except for occasional glimpses of the soft colors that played around them. Although the ground had seemed highly solid on the trek up here, the surface they were lying on now seemed endlessly softer, no doubt thanks to her companion’s forethought.

  “Julianna… I want this time to last forever,” he murmured, holding her easily with one arm, while his other hand reached within the top folds of her gown. At his warming touch there, Julianna found herself gasping, one bare knee revealing itself when it raised up, her gown falling back enticingly.

  In response, while continuing his kisses, his hand retreated to move lower, skimming down along her waist to her bare thigh, stirring a tremor from her. Deftly stealing under the gown, he began to stroke upward, causing her to stir restlessly, breathing his name.

  Smiling knowingly, Dominick withdrew to embrace her again, brushing soft whispers of kisses across her mouth. She returned them eagerly, reaching towards his chest to tug at the fabric she encountered. Gently assisting her in removing both his jacket and shirt, he then guided her hands back to his bared skin.

  Her fingers ran across his strong muscles, marveling at this. “You must take good care of yourself to be this fit,” she whispered in admiration. “Do you lift weights?”

  He shrugged slightly. “Some of the time, but I get more exercise just from attending to the many matters regarding the island. Always places to go, people to see.”

  “Women to see?” she queried, glancing up at him.

  “Now look,” he laughed, brushing a hand across her hair, while leaning on one arm. “I’d think it’s perfectly clear which woman I desire to see around here. Any others I meet are strictly business, Julianna. You have no need to feel jealous of them.”

  She looked skeptical. “Except for this Sionne you mentioned, who seems to want you served up on a silver platter and bound to her by a wedding ring.”

  “I don’t look at Sionne in that way and never will,” he said seriously, continuing to stroke her hair as it fanned out about her, shining and fiery against the rainbow’s glow. “If I ever do choose to get married, it’ll be for love. Not an arranged marriage by my persistent family.”

  “Well, at least one of us can still keep an open mind about marriage,” Julianna sighed, shaking her head. At his apparent confusion, she explained, “Although knowing men’s egos, I suppose I shouldn’t say this... but I find it highly unlikely a man like you exists on Earth, and I could never settle for a lesser marriage.”

  Dominick’s eyes held hers as they glittered. “Maybe you were never destined to marry a man from Earth,” he said softly, brushing the top of her gown aside to kiss along her neck. “A woman who looks to the stars long enough might one day find her heart’s desire among them instead.”

  “Maybe…” she agreed breathlessly, arching back as his kisses went lower.

  Raising up slightly, Dominick’s hands moved to her shoulders, sliding down the length of her. As they did, the gown melted away beneath them. Mildly surprised by this, she glanced up at him with glazed eyes, but unabashed this time as his gaze roamed over her.

  He gave a low murmur of appreciation, pressing heated kisses against her neck again, and then traveling lower to do the same with her sensitive breasts, spurred on by her responding sounds of yearning.

  Feeling her skin turn as hot as flames beneath his touch, his hands began to explore her body anew. It was when his kisses went lower to trace the same path as his hands that Julianna’s soft cries of pleasure suddenly heightened, this intimacy so provocative to her reawakened senses.

  “Dominick...” she pleaded.

  “Shhh, I’m right here, love,” he murmured gently, moving back to kiss her mouth again. Smiling seductively at her unbridled response, he discarded the last of his clothing and pulled her close.

  Cradling her face in his hands, his kisses became feverish. The same fever caught hold of Julianna, her hands tangling in his hair to make sure he didn’t leave her. A possibility that Dominick knew was impossible, fighting his impatient body to lengthen their loving as much as possible.

  It proved to be a losing battle.

  Soon possessed by desire so overwhelming, there was only one way to quench it, his eyes sought hers questioningly, expecting hesitation but receiving none. Instead, Julianna’s fingers slid across his back to encircle his neck eagerly, murmuring his name as her eyes filled with unspoken adoration.

  Mesmerized by her response with a tenderness even stronger than the night before, Dominick lowered his mouth to hers again with gentle reassurance, enfolding her in his embrace, long moments before he carefully eased within her. His prolonging this only heightened their senses, both shutting their eyes with soft cries of passion, their expressions sharing the same look of ecstatic joy.

  This time there was nothing but mutual pleasure in their loving, as their bodies already knew each other, communicating this knowledge most sweetly. They slowly moved together as one, kissing each other leisurely, teasingly, sharing everything.

  Their desire gradually built, until Julianna’s hands ran along Dominick’s back, hugging him closer, silently expressing what she couldn’t in words.

  He understood all too well what she was feeling, and how new these feelings were to her, clasping her hand. Kissing her passionately again, she sweetly responded, as his free hand slid beneath her leg to pull her still closer. They ascended new heights together, while the softly continuing music blended in harmony with the sounds of their yearning.

  “Dear heaven, Dominick,” she breathed. “Is it always this wonderful?”

  Reveling in her response as he rained kisses upon her, Dominick’s glazed eyes slowly lifted and held hers, even as a new wave of pleasure softened both of their expressions. “Yes, love,” he replied softly. “Always with us.” Touching her cheek with a smile, he gazed at her lovingly. “Now, dearest...” he murmured encouragingly, “Let me show you the stars.”

  His mouth closed over hers, swallowing her sounds of wondrous joy as he drove deep within her.

  Julianna held fast to him, feeling as though she was melting, arching up against Dominick as he brought them to an intensely powerful release. Their hands still clasped, they soared through the shimmering heaven they’d shared, and then... gradually, drifted back against the surface of the rainbow, their fingers still intertwined loosely.

  For several minutes neither even thought of moving, remaining entwined together in their intimate embrace, even as the music about them faded. Dominick stirred first, kissing Julianna as her eyes fluttered open to stare at him.

  “A bit tired, sweetheart?” he whispered knowingly.

  Julianna nodded with a languid smile, unable to speak. He smiled back in understanding as he shifted to move beside her instead, gently pulling her halfway across his chest, one leg protectively surrounding hers, while covering them with a swiftly conjured blanket. Murmuring soft acknowledgment, she snuggled closer.

  Dominick stroked her shoulder possessively, thinking that she seemed more beautiful than ever, her passion-weary expression looking so innocent and content as she curled up against him. He was amazed at how she still exuded such an aura of innocence, after they’d certainly gone far beyond that tonight. Never before had he felt so soul satisfied, f
or Julianna was not only highly passionate, but he loved her for her mind and personality as well.

  He loved her. This time he didn’t shrug it off with hesitation, but smiled in acceptance. After tonight, he was certain it was the truth. He’d enjoyed their conversation over dinner, and she’d displayed a gift for imagination that rivaled his own. Not to mention, they were compatible in many other ways.

  “Will it always be like this between us?” he heard her ask softly.

  “I wouldn’t object if it was,” he murmured, turning to lean on one arm to gaze into her wakened eyes. He began to sense uncertainty behind her expression. Does she still doubt my feelings for her? he wondered. “Sweet Julianna,” he whispered, caressing her back. “Intelligence, beauty, humor, and passion. What more could any man ask for in a companion?”

  A companion, her mind repeated, feeling a twinge of pain.

  She’d too often been regarded as that, but never found someone who loved her as well. And while she certainly enjoyed spending time with Dominick, and felt him to be a wonderful lover, Julianna felt a still deeper hurt. Despite his simple surface attraction to her, she knew that she loved him. He was undeniably handsome, intelligent, and she loved his sense of humor and personality, even when they disagreed on matters. And he was so romantic. Surely a woman couldn’t ask for more either.

  But she still desired one thing... a mutual love.

  Yet could she leave what she had now with Dominick, simply because that emotion didn’t exist for him towards her? Glancing up at him, nearly with tears, Julianna shook her head absently. Better a short time of happiness with him now than nothing at all, she decided, leaning her head against his chest again.

  “I’m glad for the times we’ve had,” she said quietly.

  Dominick nearly flinched at her words, sounding disturbingly as if she’d determined their relationship would soon be over. Had he said something to make her believe that? If so, he wasn’t about to let it remain that way. Kissing her forehead quickly, he moved from beneath the blanket to walk over to the rainbow’s edge, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he contemplated what exactly to say.

  In response, Julianna looked up with sudden concern. Had she done something wrong? Oh, great! He must have sensed that she wanted more of a commitment from him, chasing him off as she’d originally lost Roger. Clasping the blanket to her chest, she got up to stand beside him, leaning against his shoulder. He glanced down at her with a brief smile, but then returned his gaze to the ocean.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked, genuinely curious.

  “Various things,” he replied softly, evading a direct answer as he seemed to do quite often.

  She bit her lip, but murmured, “Anything involving us?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. This relationship of ours isn’t at all what I expected it to be.”

  The pain nearly choked her heart. As she’d suspected from the beginning, he only regarded her as a temporary paramour. And now he was no doubt trying to find the right words to break things off between them, perhaps trying to minimize her pain.

  “Maybe I should leave then,” she whispered, the words catching in her throat.

  Dominick’s gaze whipped to face her. She was heading into that infuriating despondency again! It wasn’t that he couldn’t deal with it, but he hated seeing her in pain of any kind. She needed to understand how he felt.

  “Julianna...” he began.

  “Yes?” she asked hopefully.

  “Care for a swim?”

  Care for a what? her mind echoed blankly. “I... I don’t know.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. We’re the only ones here. No one else is present to notice or object to two skinny-dippers enjoying a leisurely swim.” At her blush, he took her hand and added softly, “It’s all right, love. Although admittedly, I’m a fairly uninhibited individual myself, I understand your feeling differently.” Before she could blink an eye, she found herself wearing a two-piece bathing suit beneath the blanket. Dominick wore a suit of his own now too, gently taking the blanket from her to send it back into the unknown. “Is this more to your liking?”

  Admittedly, Julianna had always worn one-piece suits in the past, but seeing as they were alone and Dominick seemed to approve, it seemed silly to mention. Especially since her companion had already seen her several times now. Still, she did find comfort in the suits, smiling up at him.

  “Yes, this is fine, thank you,” she replied. Squeezing her hand once, Dominick brought her nearer to the edge of the rainbow, but she pulled free of him when they reached it. “What are you doing?” she asked in sudden alarm. “Aren’t we going to walk down again?”

  “Julianna,” he laughed softly, “remember where we are. A dream. Now, let me show you what’s possible.” As he held out his hand, she hesitantly stepped forward to accept it, earning another reassuring squeeze from him. “You never have to fear anything with me, love. Now come with me to the edge.” Once they stood against the invisible border of the color array, he continued. “On the count of three, we’re going to jump.”

  “Jump?” she exclaimed loudly.

  “One…”

  “No, wait, I’m not sure about this.”

  “Trust me, love. Two...”

  “Dominick, you can’t be serious.”

  “Sure I can. Three.”

  “I don’t want to...”

  Julianna screamed as she was pulled along with Dominick when he jumped. She knew she should shut her eyes, but couldn’t, even as it sank in that they weren’t plummeting towards the sands below at a hundred miles an hour. Instead, they were gliding slowly downward, arcing back towards the beach.

  “How?” she gasped, suddenly clutching him fiercely.

  He didn’t seem to mind.

  “Dreams are capable of many things, flight being just one possible aspect.” As their feet touched the sands gently, Dominick placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled at her. “You see? We survived. That’s one less fear you’ll have in the future of your dreams, love.”

  “I guess so,” she murmured, half in amazement as she glanced back at the distant rainbow’s peak. His hands fell away from her, but she was too surprised at the revelation of safe flight to notice. Before she could ponder it long, she heard the sound of splashing water. “Dominick?” she asked, whipping around. He was wading into the ocean, but at the mention of his name, he turned to her with a grin.

  “Come on in, Julianna!” he called out. “These waters will be perfectly attuned to your comfort, so you can’t give me that excuse, and if you can’t swim, I’ll teach you!”

  “I can swim!” she called back.

  “Then what’s the delay?”

  Not one to ignore a challenge, Julianna strode forward, yet stopped at the water’s edge to tentatively dip her foot within. Dominick’s words were true. The waters were like those in a heated swimming pool. And despite the silvery appearance, the water droplets were crystal clear against her foot as she looked down upon it... just before a large splash of water soaked her, bringing a startled scream from her.

  “This year, Julianna,” laughed Dominick.

  “Oh, you’ll pay for that, dreamphaser!” she replied with a smirk, splashing him back and drenching him completely. As he brushed his eyes clear, Dominick strode forward with a grin, picking her up while she was lost to her own laughter.

  “You’re all washed up, my dear lady. Or soon will be,” he chuckled, carrying her towards the deeper water.

  She gave a mock display of protest, while he asked her what she’d be willing to do in exchange for his placing her back on the dry sands again. Some of her suggestions certainly seemed tempting enough! he thought, just before he tripped—truly by accident—dumping them headfirst into the waters.

  They both reemerged laughing, just before they continued a playful contest of splashes. One that was abruptly dismissed shortly afterwards when Dominick picked up his opponent and began kissing her. Fortunately, she could stand here, although only her
head and shoulders were visible, unlike Dominick who was taller.

  Despite the aspect of water, it didn’t deter certain desires in the dream-state, so in no time, the pair ended up skinny-dipping after all. Inwardly, Julianna had doubts about his intentions. After all, weren’t they running the risk of drowning?

  As usual, Dominick’s persuasive confidence won out as he pulled her close, caressing her thoroughly beneath the waters, while kissing her thoroughly above them. Not certain what to expect, she let him take the lead, putting her arms about his neck to kiss him back.

  “My sweet Julianna...” he murmured, smoothing her wet hair back against her forehead as he continued to kiss her hungrily.

  She responded eagerly, even as he abruptly lifted her from the ocean floor, so he could reach her neck and the softness of her breasts without being hindered by the water. Helpless in his arms, she arched back and gasped, hearing as well as feeling him laugh in a seductively knowing voice against her bare skin. She decided it was a good thing it was dark out, so her newly flushed face wasn’t so apparent.

  He lowered her to kiss her mouth again, erasing any discomforting thoughts she might have felt. Even with the water all around them, Julianna was very conscious of the sensations her body felt as it slid down along his.

  Apparently, he felt it too.

  “By Chavernos,” he groaned against her mouth. “I can see how mermaids like you might entice a man to risk drowning for them.”

  “I’d rather have the enticement without the drowning, thank you very much,” she laughed.

  “Even if it’s merely a drowning in passion rather than water?”

  “Mmmm, now that sounds tempting.”

  He gave a low chuckle against her cheek. “Then allow me to show you, my beautiful mermaid.”

  After a few more kisses, such playful teasing became more serious, as he lifted her again to follow through on his words. She caught on instantly, keeping her arms about his neck as her legs hugged him most affectionately. Even more when Dominick’s hands supported her as he skillfully joined them underwater, earning a gasp of delight from her, and warm agreement from him.