Wanted (The Dare to Dream Series Book 1)

by Jennifer Kittredge

  “Ryan,” I whispered.

  “Hello there, beautiful. How are you?”

  “What are you doing here?”

  I couldn’t move, and my heart was beating so fast. This had to be a dream. How could Ryan be standing there, in front of me, in that moment. I wanted to cry. He stepped toward me and tears welled up in my eyes.

  “Kate. I actually saw you at the marina. I couldn’t believe my eyes—I thought I was dreaming. But there you were. I wanted to call out to you, but by the time I got my wits about me, you were gone. I may have done a little digging and found out where you were staying. I didn’t want to bother you because I knew you were working, so I waited until today. Surprise.”

  “Oh, my God. I can’t believe this. I thought I would never see you again.”

  “Ms. Jones?” said a voice from behind Ryan.

  It took me a moment to register.

  “Ms. Jones, I’m ready for you.”

  “Yessss…I, yes, of course, I’m ready,” I stammered.

  “If you’ll follow me please.”

  “Kate, have dinner with me tonight?”

  “Ryan, I can’t. There’s no future for us. You and I both know that. It wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”

  “Kate, it’s just dinner. Please.”

  How could I resist? The man I adored, who held my heart in his hands, was standing before me for the first time in a year.

  “Okay, just dinner.” I smiled shyly.

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  Holy shit! Ryan was there. I swore. If I was dreaming, I never wanted to wake up. God, he looked good. Better than I remembered. My heart beat wildly, as if out of my chest.

  “If you don’t mind me saying, ma’am, that’s one good looking gentleman.”

  “I don’t mind you saying at all. I completely agree with you.” I giggled.

  I don’t know how I made it through my massage. The excitement that coursed through my veins made it hard to relax. Ryan. Ryan was there. I was going to have dinner with Ryan. Please tell me this isn’t a dream. Please don’t wake me up if it is. These thoughts continued to race through my mind.

  When my massage was done, I was disappointed not to find Ryan in the waiting room. I didn’t know why I expected him to be there, but I longed to see him again. I barely made it through my day of pampering. All I could think about was dinner tonight with Ryan. Was he staying at this hotel? How did he find out where I was staying? How would I get through the next four hours until it was time for dinner?

  “Jesus, Kate. Get a hold of yourself. You wanted to get out and take some pictures of Charleston, so get out there,” I admonished myself.

  I spent the day as a tourist. The memories of being there with Ryan were ripe in my mind. They weren’t as painful as I thought they would be because I knew I would see him later that evening. Every time I thought of it, my heart beat wildly. I was like a lovestruck teenager who totally needed to get myself together. I reminded myself that nothing could come of this. Our lives were too different. We were worlds apart—well, states apart—so there was no way that we could make this work.

  To calm myself, I walked Charleston, capturing the essence of this amazing place. I loved it there. I photographed locals in the market district, tourists walking and exploring the city, wildlife down by the water—you name it, I captured it. I made my way back to the hotel at six to get ready for dinner. I had no idea where we were going, so had no idea what to wear. I settled on a classic black dress with heels, figuring it could fit in almost anywhere, and went down to the lobby a few minutes before seven. I didn’t want Ryan to come up to my room for fear I might jump him. He walked into the lobby a few minutes later and my jaw nearly hit the floor. He was in a gray suit with no tie and the top button of his shirt unbuttoned. He looked hot.

  “Hello, beautiful,” he said as he sauntered over to me.

  “Hi.” I smiled shyly at him.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  He took my hand and led me out the front door, where he had a car waiting for us.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “It’s a surprise. We’ll be there shortly.”

  I smiled at him. God, it felt good to be in his presence again.

  “It’s good to see you, Kate. I’ve missed you.”

  “It’s good to see you, too.”

  We pulled up to a restaurant called Circa 1886 and were ushered into a private dining room called the Garden Room.

  The space was lit with what had to be over a hundred candles, and there was a small table for two in the center, complete with white linens and a bottle of Sonoma Cutrer. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Kate? Hello, Kate?”

  “I…I-I don’t know what to say,” I stammered.

  “You don’t have to say anything. I want you to be in the moment. No thinking ahead. Just be present, right here, right now.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  Ryan pulled out my chair and then took his seat. I couldn’t believe this gorgeous man was sitting in front of me again. I couldn’t believe he had done all this for me.

  “So, let’s catch up. Tell me how you’ve been, beautiful. I’ve missed hearing your voice.”

  I didn’t know where to start. So much had happened since I left him a year ago.

  “I don’t even know where to start, Ryan. So much has transpired. I’m officially divorced as of two weeks ago.”

  He didn’t say anything, merely nodded as if telling me to go on.

  “When I got home last October, I knew I would divorce Daniel. There wasn’t anything left between us, nothing left to repair. He was furious at first. He tried to forbid me from leaving—which, of course, didn’t work. I rented my own little bungalow, started my photography business, and really took this year to rediscover who I am. The kids are doing fine. It was difficult for them at first, but Daniel and I have vowed to remain friends for them. It’s working for now. I think he came to a place where he realized we weren’t working anymore and we were both happier as friends. He actually isn’t such an asshole anymore.” I laughed. “My photography business, Captured, has taken off. It’s what brought me here this weekend. It’s my first on-location shoot, and I’ve loved it. It’s been a good year, Ryan. It’s been a year of change, but it’s been good change, much needed change. I feel alive again. Well, most of me, anyway.”

  “I’m happy for you, Kate. You look amazing. You look happy. I’ve waited for you, beautiful,” he said as he took my hand across the table. “I’ve thought of you every single day since you left. I promised you I wouldn’t impose on your life and make it more difficult. It took every fiber of my being not to reach out to you, Kate. I wanted to. Every day, I wanted to call you, just to hear your voice, but I knew you needed time for you. I knew you needed to grieve and grow.”

  “Oh, Ryan, please, don’t say that. How could you wait for me? The hardest thing I ever had to do was leave you and then delete you from my life. You should move on, Ryan. You deserve better. I’m damaged goods.”

  “How can you say that, beautiful? You are so not damaged goods. You are strong, a fighter, you are kind and sweet, soft and sexy, you are desire all wrapped up into the most amazing human being I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  Tears welled in my eyes. He still completely undid me. I didn’t know how he did it, but he did.

  “Let’s enjoy our dinner, be in this moment, and we can figure out the rest later, okay?”

  “Okay,” I replied.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dinner was fabulous. Ryan had picked out the most delightful menu. The staff left us alone for much of the evening, except to check on us as needed. We laughed and talked easily. It felt good to be with him. When our eyes locked, the tension between us was thick. I tried to ignore it for much of the evening, but it got harder and harder to do. We finished dessert and Ryan came around to my side of the table.

  “Ready?” he said as he pulled out my
chair. “I thought we could walk back to the hotel. It’s not far and that way, I get to spend some more time with you.”

  “That would be nice.”

  Ryan took my hand as we made our way through the restaurant. We walked in comfortable silence for a few moments.

  “Where are you staying?” I asked.

  “On my boat. I was actually up here checking on a venue when I saw you on Friday.”

  “A venue? What kind of venue?”

  “I’m opening another restaurant in Charleston.”

  “What do you mean another restaurant? I thought you were a bartender at The Pub.”

  “Kate, I own The Pub.” My eyes grew wide. “Well, that explains how you were always able to leave and take time off when you wanted to.”

  He laughed. “Yes, that’s one of the perks. I’m looking to expand and open something a little more trendy and upscale here. Tim and I think it would be a good move.”

  “Tim?”

  “Yes, Tim. He’s my partner. He’s also my cousin and best friend.”

  “Wow, I had no idea.”

  “Here we are,” he said as we stopped in front of my hotel.

  Ryan wrapped me in his arms and held me tight. I hugged him back hard, not wanting to let go. A sob escaped me.

  “Hey there, beautiful. No crying. You promised to be in the moment.”

  “I know. I don’t want this moment to end.”

  “It doesn’t have to, beautiful.”

  I looked up into his eyes and he kissed me gently. Our kiss deepened and the electricity between us was almost painful.

  “Let’s go have a drink at the bar. You up for it?” he asked. “

  Yes!” I said, a little too enthusiastically.

  Ryan laughed, “Let’s go, beautiful.”

  We made our way to the bar and Ryan ordered both of us a glass of Sonoma Cutrer. We chatted easily.

  “Tell me more about your new restaurant. I’d love to hear about it.”

  “Well, it’s really still a beginning concept, but Tim and I want to use the local resources of Charleston—more farm to table, but a little more upscale. Specialty cocktails and a wine list like no other is included in our vision. We’ve got the name and beginning concept, we just need to see if we can find the right location.”

  “It sounds amazing, Ryan. I’m thrilled for you. Will you move to Charleston?”

  “Well, that’s up in the air at the moment. One of us will definitely stay in Charleston for the first year to get everything up and running, but we should have a staff and manager that can handle it after that, with one of us coming up monthly to check in.”

  “It sounds exciting.”

  “It is.”

  I held up my glass of wine. “Cheers, to new beginnings.”

  Ryan clinked his glass with mine and said, “To new beginnings,” then leaned over and kissed me tenderly.

  “I’ve missed you, Kate. More than you could ever know.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Ryan. My heart ached for you. I don’t know how I’m going to say goodbye to you again.”

  “You promised to be in the moment, beautiful. Let’s not think about goodbye right now, okay?” With that, he kissed me again as both our passion and desire surged. The combination of “us” was intoxicating.

  “Come upstairs.” I breathed heavily against his mouth.

  “Are you sure?” he asked gently.

  “Yes, I’ve never been so sure in my life. Please.” I was close to begging.

  Ryan paid the tab, took my hand, and led me to the elevator. We didn’t say a word as we rode it to the fifth floor. I fumbled in my purse to find my room key. God, I wanted him. I opened the door to the suite and walked inside. Ryan grabbed my hand and turned me around to face him. He kissed me hungrily, and I kissed him back desperately. He made his way from my mouth, over to my ear, and down my neck. I was panting heavily with desire. Ryan unzipped the back of my dress and let it fall to the floor, never taking his mouth from my skin. My skin sizzled. He unhooked my bra and exposed my breasts. He took one in his mouth greedily. Moisture pooled between my legs as Ryan made his way to my other breast while pinching my nipple with his fingers. I couldn’t get enough of him as I stood there in my heels and panties.

  Ryan stood back and drank me in. “You’re a mighty fine sight, beautiful.”

  I felt sexy and powerful standing there in front of him. Brazen almost. I took a few steps toward him and claimed his mouth with mine. I slid his suit jacket off and unbuttoned his shirt. I peeled it away from his body, wanting nothing more than to feel his skin against my own. Ryan made his way down my neck to my breasts, then down until he reached my panty line. He smirked up at me.

  “I’ve missed this, beautiful.”

  He pulled my panties to one side and slowly inserted two fingers inside me.

  “Oh, Ryan,” I cried out.

  He tortured me slowly with his fingers, bringing me to the edge. “Ryan, I can’t hold on any longer.”

  “Let it go, beautiful. I want you to let go.”

  With that, I exploded around him. My body convulsed right there in his arms. He removed my panties and licked up the orgasm I just had. He made his way back up to my mouth and claimed me. I remembered the taste of us so clearly, and when he kissed me, it brought back so many memories of our time together. I kissed him with more force. I was naked before him, only in my heels. Ryan picked me up and I wrapped my legs around him. He turned and backed me up against the wall, entering me as he did so. I couldn’t get enough of him. He plunged deeper and deeper inside me. I could feel myself building again. My arms wrapped around his head as he sucked on my breasts. This man drove me totally wild.

  “Ryan, please,” I begged.

  “Let it go, beautiful. Let it go.”

  He thrust hard into me and we both came. I convulsed in his arms as he held me.

  “I’ve missed you, Kate.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  He removed himself from me and unwound my legs from his body. I moaned. I didn’t want to be apart from him.

  “We’re not done here, beautiful.” He kissed me tenderly and, as always, our desire grew quickly. It built until we were both panting with urgency and need. He picked me up and made his way to the bedroom, never taking his mouth from mine. He placed me down beside the bed.

  “Bend over, beautiful.”

  I did as he asked, so desperate for him to be inside me again. Ryan took off his pants and slid two fingers inside me as he cupped my ass with his other hand.

  “So wet for me, beautiful. Always ready.”

  “Ryan, please!” I begged.

  I felt the tip of his manhood outside my entrance. He leaned over me and whispered in my ear, “I’ve been dreaming of this for a year, beautiful. I’ve missed you.”

  “Ryan…” I panted.

  With that, he plunged deep into me. God, he felt so good inside me. I was overcome with emotion. Ryan pumped harder into me from behind and then quickly turned me over and moved me up higher onto the bed. He climbed on top of me and claimed my mouth with his as he plunged back into me. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he thrust into me harder and harder. We both exploded at the same time. We completely came undone in each other’s arms.

  Ryan lay on top of me for a long time, not saying a word. Tears streamed down my face. I love this man was all I could think. I love this man and I can’t have this man. Ryan lifted his head to look at me.

  “Hey there, why are you crying, beautiful? Please don’t cry.”

  I cried harder.

  “I’m sorry, Ryan. I’ve just missed this. I’ve missed us. When I’m with you, I feel complete. I feel whole. Saying goodbye will open up a wound for me. A wound I don’t think will ever heal.”

  He kissed me tenderly.

  “Kate, I know you can’t make any promises to me. You made that clear a year ago, but I want you to know, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for you until the day I die. If you
never come back to me, it will have still been worth the wait. What I feel for you is nothing I’ve ever felt before. It runs deep. It’s at the core of who I am. I will wait for you, beautiful.”

  I sobbed harder in his arms as he held me. God, I was a freaking mess. I loved this man and the miles that separated us physically seemed insurmountable.

  “I’m sorry, Ryan. I swear I cry more in front of you than in front of anyone else. My emotions seem to be right at the surface when it comes to you. You do something to me that I have never felt before.”

  “I could say the same about you. You undo me, Kate.”

  We made love throughout the night. I’ve never felt more wanted or desired than when I was in Ryan’s arms. We made no promises except to be there, present in that moment.

  I woke the next morning in Ryan’s arms. I loved the way he spooned me from behind and held me close to his chest. His chin rested comfortably on my head. I pushed my backside into his groin and felt him harden immediately.

  “Well, good morning to you, too, beautiful.”

  I giggled.

  “Is that an invitation?”

  “Always,” I replied.

  Ryan kissed my shoulder and entered me slowly. I was always so ready for him, so wet.

  “So wet for me baby,” he murmured.

  “Always.”

  Ryan flipped me over onto all fours and slammed into me from behind. He grabbed both my breasts and pinched my nipples hard, pumping faster and faster. He reached around and pinched my clit between two fingers.

  “Oh, my God, Ryan.”

  He didn’t stop his torture and my body responded eagerly. I felt the slow shudders between my legs as my climax began to build.

  “That’s it, baby. Come for me.”

  “I can’t hold on much longer, Ryan.”

  “Don’t hold on, beautiful. Let it go. Come for me.”

  I exploded as Ryan sank deeper into me. He let out a low growl as he came with me. He collapsed on top of me and we lay like that for a long time, both breathing heavily, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking.

  “Breakfast?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m starving!”

  “I’ll order room service. I want to spend the day naked with you.”