“Hello.”
“Gail, it’s Norris. I think it’s time I met Reese.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll try to arrange something soon.”
“I don’t want you to try. I expect the three of us to have brunch tomorrow. You pick the location, and I’ll be there.”
“Norris, look, . . . .”
“No excuses, Gail. I’ve missed sixteen years, and I won’t miss any more. Call me later with the details.”
Norris hung up before Gail could offer a protest. If she truly wanted him to have a relationship with Reese, arranging brunch shouldn’t be a hardship.
With the first step in getting closer to Reese taken, Norris turned his attention to the important first step with Dahlia. He needed to tell her how he felt, but he didn’t want to scare her away. She still had very real pain from her divorce, and getting her to see love didn’t have to hurt would be his challenge.
Besides being the first woman to find her way into his heart, Dahlia was the first woman to find her way into his head. She challenged him, made him laugh, and made him want to know every detail about her. She excited him, and not just in the bedroom. The idea of spending a lifetime with her was all the incentive he needed to give winning her over a try. He only hoped she would want to be won.
* * *
Reese returned home to find her mother sitting on the couch, looking as strangely serious as she had the night before.
“Were you waiting for me?” Reese asked.
“Yes, I was,” Gail answered. She patted the spot beside her. “Join me.”
Reese sat. “This is the talk, huh?”
Gail nodded. “I saw Dahlia today,” she said, taking Reese’s hands in hers. “I’m sorry you thought I was ill. I should have been more up front with you, but I didn’t want to pile on too much at once.”
“So, you’re not sick?”
“I’m the picture of health, baby, really.”
Reese sighed in relief. “Thank God. So what’s with all this talk about my father?”
“I’ve mentioned Ben’s desire to do relief work in Africa.”
“Yeah, and I think it’s great.”
“It is great. A lot needs to be done over there, and they need all the help they can get. Ben’s leaving for Uganda after the wedding, and I’ve decided—”
“Whoa!” Reese broke in, getting a sinking feeling where this was going. “You’re not going with him, are you?”
“Sweetheart, I know this is sudden and unexpected, but I need you to understand.”
“Understand what? You leaving me to run off to Africa with your new husband! I guess that explains your sudden urge for me to know my father.”
Tears filled her mother’s eyes. Regret grabbed Reese by the throat. “I’m sorry, Mom. I should’ve said that better.”
“People don’t tend to think when they’re angry.”
“I know, but I’m sorry I hurt you. It’s just . . . You have to know how this looks to me. You’re leaving the country at the exact time you decide it’s time for me to know my father.”
“You’re right, Reese, this looks one way, but my decision to go to Africa came after I decided it’s time you met Norris.”
“That’s his name? Norris?”
“Yes, Norris Converse. He’s an accountant in town. You need to know coming to this decision wasn’t easy. I struggled with this, but I realized it was something I had to do.” Gail pressed her hand to Reese’s cheek. “I’m so selfish when it comes to you,” she said with a kiss to Reese’s forehead. “For sixteen years I had you to myself, and even when you asked about your father, I fought you. I didn’t want to share you. I realize I was wrong, but it doesn’t make sharing you easier.”
“Mom . . .”
“No, let me finish. Self-reflection can be very hard, especially when you find things you don’t particularly like. I’ve made some mistakes in raising you, in keeping your father from you, and I’m trying to make that right. You need to know Norris, and I need to let that happen without interfering the way I know I would if I were around. Baby, I don’t want to do this, but I need to. My saving grace is knowing you’ll get to know your father while I’m in Africa helping to save lives.”
Reese clasped her hands around her mother’s. “Mom, you’re working under the assumption that my father, this Norris, wants to get to know me. Maybe he doesn’t.”
“No, he does. He wants to have brunch with us tomorrow.”
Reese sighed. Meet her father tomorrow? She released her mother’s hands and eased further down the couch. This was happening way too fast. “I don’t know about all this.”
“Reese, I would never entertain the notion of leaving you if I thought for one second you wouldn’t be in good hands.”
“But these hands belong to a stranger, Mom. You only knew him for a short while, and I don’t know him at all.”
“You’re right, my time with Norris was short, but it was profound. It gave me you.” Gail smiled. “As nervous as you are about this meeting, I’m sure Norris is feeling the same.”
“I guess he might be feeling more. I always knew he existed, but he never had a clue about me.”
“That’s another reason I think my going away is important. Six months won’t make up for the sixteen years he’s missed, but it will give you both some much-needed time alone.”
Reese groaned as butterflies flitted in her stomach. “This alone thing, Mom. Do you really think that’s a good idea? If we’re both nervous and tentative, how are we going to get any bonding done? Will we be living together?”
“I’ve thought about that. I do want you to spend time with Norris, and living together is a consideration, but if you’re not comfortable with that, I’ve made arrangements for you to stay with Dahlia. But you have to make yourself readily available to Norris. That’s the deal. You okay with that?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
“I enjoy being with Dahlia, so I guess I can live with those terms. When are you leaving for Uganda?”
“Right after the wedding.”
“And you’ll be gone for six months?”
“Yes.”
Tears filled Reese’s eyes. “Oh, Mom.”
“It’s okay, baby.” Gail brought Reese into an embrace. “I’ll miss you, too. But the time will fly by. It’ll be through summer and I’ll be back soon after you get settled into your senior year. I hate I’ll miss your birthday this year.”
“But you’ll return a few weeks later, and that’ll be the best belated birthday present ever.”
“So, you’re okay with all this?”
“I can’t say okay, Mom, but I’m willing to try.” Reese sighed. “I guess there’s only one thing left to ask.”
“What’s that?”
“What time is brunch tomorrow?”
Chapter 8
Wearing her sexiest dress and most winning smile, Dahlia pushed Norris’s doorbell and waited for him to answer. The approval-filled eyes and big smile that greeted her moments later confirmed the powder blue sundress with its deep neckline and high hem as the perfect choice.
Dahlia smiled. After hearing Gail’s conviction that Dahlia had more than friendship with Norris, she wanted something that would bring their relationship back to its basis. Norris’s reaction to this outfit told her she’d done just that.
“You going to invite me in?” Dahlia said, when it appeared Norris would keep her standing outside as he shamelessly ogled.
Norris blinked the lust from his gray eyes. “I’m sorry. Yes, come in.” He took her hand and escorted her inside. “Have I told you how incredible you look?”
“Not with words.” Dahlia laughed. “I’m glad you approve.” She moved to the comfy leather couch and crossed her legs, exposing even more of her thighs to his unwavering eyes.
Norris growled. “Is it your intent to drive me crazy?” She beckoned him over with her forefinger, and flashed her most provocative grin. “You tell me.”
The role of aggressor wasn’t unfamiliar in her arrangement with Norris, but in her only other physical relationship, the one she’d shared with Jonah, she had never been so brazen. With Norris she could be this uninhibited woman, but just chaste enough to come across as an innocent temptress.
Smiling seductively, Norris joined her on the couch. The warmth of his breath tickled her neck as his fingers slowly trailed along her cheek, eliciting tingles down her spine and a soft moan from her lips.
Desire darkened his smoky eyes. “Dahlia, I’ve been thinking about you all day.” His lips nuzzled her neck while busy hands slid up the skirt of her dress, caressing her thighs. “You smell so good, and you feel even better.”
His lips claimed hers in a slow, intoxicating kiss. Her tongue met his, willingly surrendering to the quiet demand of shelter in his warm mouth. Cinnamon flavored his tongue, making his fiery kisses even more so.
“Mmm. Mmm.” Norris pulled away. “This is really nice,” he murmured, “but I want us to talk before things get too intense.”
Dahlia groaned. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. It was talking that got them into trouble. “We talked last night, Norris. Tonight is about the arrangement.”
“I want to talk about that, too.”
His finger brushed her cheek and he gave her that disarming smile. Those damn tingles returned. She shouldn’t be feeling tingles from a smile and a touch. She wanted to tell him that, but the way her heart raced made her doubt she could get a word out. Then, again, she didn’t want to talk.
Dahlia curled her arms around his neck, bringing his lips crashing down to hers. No more talking. Talk was overrated. She kissed his neck, loosening his shirt buttons.
Norris moaned. “Dahlia,” he said, reaching for her hands. “I want to tell you something about my daughter.”
Dahlia left his neck and met his gaze. “What is it?”
“I talked to her mother today. With any luck, I’ll be having brunch with them tomorrow.” He grinned. “I’ll finally get to meet my daughter.”
Dahlia smiled at his happiness. “That’s great, I know how important this is for you.”
“It really is.”
Norris’s excitement about meeting Reese made it clear to Dahlia she had to tell him about her relationship with the girl and her mother. “I need to tell you something,” she said.
“You can’t wait to have your way with me?” He laughed. “Ms. Sinclair, you’ve not made that a secret.”
“Guilty.” She laughed. “But there’s something else. I suppose I should have told you this last night, but it didn’t feel right.”
Norris rested his arm along the back of the couch, drawing the heat of his body closer to her and giving his magnetizing aftershave the opportunity to weaken her like an invisible gas. “What is it, Dahlia?” His gaze held hers with an intensity she’d never seen before. “You can tell me anything.”
Dahlia’s heart pounded so hard she thought she would pass out. Get yourself together, girl. Vulnerability is not your friend. She pulled away, pressing her back flush to the couch. “I know them,” Dahlia said. “I know Reese and Gail.”
Norris blinked. “What?” he said just above a whisper.
Dahlia couldn’t tell if he hadn’t heard what she said or was surprised by it. “I said I know Reese and Gail. They’re clients and friends.”
“Wait a second. You knew about her and didn’t tell me?”
“No, no, no. I didn’t know you were her father until you told me last night. I wanted to say something, but I didn’t want to put myself in the awkward position of answering questions for you that I had no answers to. The call I got this morning was from Reese. And after learning what I had, I needed to talk to her. I wanted to make sure she was all right.”
“You two are close?”
She nodded. “We are. She’s like another niece to me. My brother’s children are in their teens, but since Quentin’s a serviceman and constantly moving, I don’t see them very often. Reese is such a sweet girl. It was easy to get close to her.”
“She was upset when she called you. How is she?”
“She’s good. Better. Dealing with everything and what it means. I told her to go out and have some fun.”
“With Diana Monroe.”
Her eyes narrowed. “How did you . . .”
“Lara mentioned they were friends. I saw her father later on, and he told me they were together.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my connection to them, Norris, but it just felt like the best thing to do.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “You’re Switzerland–-neutral ground.”
“That’s exactly what I am. I’m glad you understand.”
“Sweet Dahlia, it’s easy to understand things with you.”
Norris pulled her from the couch and crushed her body to his, kissing her like a man possessed. Never breaking the kiss, he directed her to his bedroom. Dahlia drew closer to him, drowning in his scent, reveling in the majesty of his touch. Her heart might be in a battle with her head, but her body knew exactly what it wanted. And in this moment, that was all that mattered.
* * *
Only when they reached the bed did Norris release Dahlia’s mouth. He watched, transfixed, as her tongue slid against kiss-swollen lips. His flesh tingled. How he wished at that moment those lips were his. He pressed his hand against her face, staring deeply into her eyes. “You take my breath away.”
Dahlia sighed softly. The expressiveness of her brown eyes got him every time. They said so much more than she ever allowed her words to say. For the last several weeks, he’d been struggling with how to deal with the feelings he’d developed for her. Now, as he gazed into those telling eyes, he saw the truth she seemed determined to keep secure deep within herself.
Norris recalled earlier in his living room when for a split second he thought Dahlia would speak the words he’d been longing to hear. She didn’t make that much hoped for confession, but instead admitted to having a relationship with his daughter. The woman he loved already loved his daughter. All the ingredients they needed for a happy future were laid out before them. Friendship, respect, attraction, and the deep but unspoken love they had for each other. Everything he wanted was within his reach, he just had to hold out his hand, and convince Dahlia it wouldn’t hurt to take it.
Norris slipped his fingers under the straps of Dahlia’s dress and slid them off her shoulders. He had to make her see that acknowledging those ingredients, this relationship, wasn’t a bad thing. Tonight, he would show her that it wasn’t.
Easing the straps further down her arms, Norris watched the delicate fabric fall away from her body, exposing her full breasts to his feasting eyes. Dahlia stepped out of the heap around her ankles and kicked four-inch heels from her feet. Only a scrap of lace he could hardly call panties rested about her hips.
Norris engaged in a shameless sweep of her body. From the bright red polish coating the toenails of her pedicured feet, to her luscious, long legs, curvy hips, ample breasts, and saucy smile. His arousal throbbed desperately in his slacks, aching for the relief he would find in the heaven between her thighs.
Dahlia took a couple of steps forward, loosening the buttons on his shirt. Her sweet lips trailed along his chest, greeting every inch she exposed with a feathery soft kiss. Norris managed to keep his buckling knees from giving way when her palms brushed his straining arousal in an attempt to relieve him of his belt. Her every touch turned him on more and more.
Yearning to feel Dahlia’s soft body pressed against his, Norris stripped the clothes from his body and crushed her to him, kissing her hungrily, passionately.
He lowered Dahlia to the bed, raining kisses along her neck and shoulders. She moaned his name. He trailed lower, taking an erect nipple between his lips, suckling one and then the other, enjoying her blissful cries. Led by his tongue, Norris continued on his journey.
He poked inside her belly button and then lingered around the waistband of her sexy underwear.
Peeling the panties from her waist, Norris lowered the scant material down her legs and to the floor. Dahlia’s knees bent and her thighs parted in silent invitation. He grew harder as her spicy sweetness beckoned to him. Heeding her call, he reached inside his nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom.
“Let me help you,” Dahlia said, removing the foil package from his hand.
Deep moans rumbled in Norris’s throat, the feel of Dahlia’s soft hands against his raging length driving him crazy. With the condom in place, Dahlia guided him into her waiting heat, inch by inch, until he filled her completely. Her arms curled around his back.
Norris stayed motionless inside for a long moment, enjoying the feel of her velvety warmth all around him. Dahlia whimpered beneath him, but he wouldn’t move. He closed his hands about her waist, halting her desire to move.
“Norris, please.”
He nuzzled her neck, remaining embedded inside her. “Please what?” He pushed inside her. “This?” Dahlia closed her eyes, moaning. “Oh, Norris.” He thrust again. “This?”
“Yes!” Her short fingernails dug into his back. “Yes?” He delivered another long stroke.
“Oh, yes, Norris. Yes.”
Norris freed her waist and their bodies moved together, finding an immediate rhythm in the age-old lover’s dance. Dahlia’s legs closed around his waist, pulling him in deeper with every thrust of his hips. Norris smiled into her neck. She wasn’t about to let him stop now.
Their bodies moved with expert precision. Dahlia held fast to his backside, meeting his every thrust as though she knew his movement before he made it. As many times as they’d been together, it had never been like this. They were joined as one, moving as one, loving as one.
Norris turned on his back, holding Dahlia in a close embrace as their bodies continued to stroke. Dahlia’s whisper soft kisses dusted his neck and trailed down his chest. His body trembled with the feel of her tongue against his nipple. He whispered her name. His movements increased.
Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 7