Opie beamed. “I have an idea.”
“But I think I’m the one who is supposed to plan the date,” Dominic said.
“I don’t mind bending the rules if you don’t,” she said to him.
She whispered something to Wednesday.
“Oh, I think that’s a great idea,” Wednesday said. “I’ve wanted to check out that place. You’ll have to tell me what it’s like.”
Dominic cleared his throat. “Wednesday, would it be okay with you if our date started now?”
She gave him a side-eye glance. “That’s not up to me.”
Dominic faced Opie. “Would you like to spend some more time together tonight? We can just talk and maybe find a place to dance a little more.”
Opie opened her camera bag and pulled out a set of car keys. “Wednesday, can you see that Lou gets my keys?”
“Absolutely. I’m sure you’re in good hands, but just in case remember, the front desk always knows where I am.”
Opie handed her the keys, and they hugged. Wednesday left them alone.
A nervous knot settled in his stomach. Nothing made him nervous before, so what was this about? “Gee, you’d think I was an ax murderer.”
She tilted her head to the side. “You aren’t, are you?” Her lips pressed together.
What kind of impression had he given her? He put his hand over his heart. “I promise, I am not an ax murderer.”
When her expression didn’t change, the knot in his stomach tightened. If he ruined this before it even started, he would never forgive himself. He rubbed his hand and held his breath.
Her smile started in her eyes first, and then a broad grin took over her face. “I’m just giving you a hard time.”
He let go of his breath and relaxed his tight muscles. “Er, I wasn’t sure. I thought I’d blown it for sure.”
She put the strap of her camera bag over her shoulder. “You haven’t ruined anything. But, um—” she glanced down at the floor, “—um, could we go somewhere more private than that.”
He thought about that. “I don’t really know this place that well, but I could talk to Wednesday, I suppose.”
She put her hand on his arm. “Or we could go back to your room.”
His mouth dried, and his hands grew clammy.
Damn it. Be a man, not a kid.
He filled his lungs with air and let it out slowly. “That could be arranged.”
They walked out of the ballroom, up the elevator, and to his room.
He opened the curtains to the sliding glass door for the balcony. “There’s a nice view of the pool area if you want to sit on the balcony. I’ll order some room service.”
She put down her bag and stood behind him, overlooking the pool. “It is nice, and room service sounds great.” She stepped around him and settled on one of the lounge chairs.
After ordering, he joined her. Steam rose from the heated pool while a maintenance worker skimmed fallen debris from the water. Two younger couples played in the hot tub. They were drinking and a little loud for his taste.
“I guess the view isn’t that great after all,” he said.
She seemed lost in thought, watching the scene below. Instead of responding to him, she went into the room and came back with her camera.
“Won’t they mind you taking pictures of them?”
She didn’t answer him but leaned over the railing and snapped pictures of the steam rising from the pool. After a few shots, she turned to him, a smile on her face. “Isn’t that beautiful?”
He leaned over the balcony and studied the pool. He didn’t see anything but leaves, sticks, and flowers in the pool. “Yeah, I guess.”
She pointed to the water. “See that purple flower?”
He nodded.
“That’s Hummingbird Mint. It doesn’t bloom during the winter, but Connor made a deal with Doug, and he cast a spell around the hotel. Now it blooms year-round here and in a variety of colors.”
“Who’s Doug, and why does Connor like that flower so much?”
“Doug is a witch. He’s dating Tatum’s brother. He and Sky have a son together.
“And Connor likes to garden?”
“No.” She paused. “Well, maybe. I don’t know. Hummingbird Mint is the flower he brought Tatum after they first met.”
“And I forget, what does Tatum do?” He turned his back to the pool and leaned on the railing.
“She’s Connor’s mate and a doctor at the local hospital.”
He thought the gesture sweet, but what was so beautiful about flowers on a pool?
Opie must have noticed his scowl because she stepped closer and cued up the pictures she had taken.
Discarded purple and yellow flowers floated on the water, but the rising steam and underwater lights gave the scene a surreal feeling. They were great pictures. He checked the pool then looked at the camera.
“Wow, that’s impressive. I was too annoyed by the noise. I’d have missed all of that. How did you know which way to take the shot to make it look so good?”
She took back her camera, pushed the power button, and replaced the lens cap. “Practice, I suppose. I’ve spent a lot of hours seeing the world through a lens. It gives me a different perspective, I suppose.”
A slight breeze blew her hair. A small section fell across her face. He pushed it behind her ear, brushing the back of his hand on her face. Her deep eyes stared back at him. He bent down and pressed his mouth against hers, his fingers moving from her cheek to thread themselves in her hair.
She pulled back. “Can I take your picture?”
Was she pulling away from him because she didn’t feel safe? Taking pictures wasn’t what he had in mind, but maybe it would scare her away if he said no.
“Yeah, I guess.”
The smile on her face brightened her whole countenance. “This will be outstanding. Give me a minute to get the room ready.”
She disappeared into the room and he heard furniture moving and saw the lights dance on the walls as she moved the lamps.
“You have to trust me.” She pulled back the curtains, inviting him inside.
“I’m not too worried.” He snickered.
“Awesome.” She pointed to the overstuffed side chair she moved away from any of the other furniture. “Sit there and take off your jacket.”
“I don’t know.”
“No, trust me.”
He did as she said, and she snapped a few pictures of him just sitting.
“You’re too stiff,” she said.
“Sorry. This isn’t something I’ve done before. It’s kind of weird.”
“Tell me about your horse ranch. Unbutton your shirt and pull it out of your pants.”
He did as she asked, letting her fix the way it hung open.
As he talked about the ranch, he forgot she was taking pictures. She continued taking pictures and arranging his poses. When she told him to take off his shirt, she let her fingers trail down his chest.
After a few more pictures, she showed him the photos. They were amazing. It looked like something out of a magazine.
At this point, she straddled one of his legs. Her skirt raised high. He could feel the heat of her body as she sat on his leg.
“Has anyone ever taken your picture?” he asked her.
“Sure, dozens of times.”
He gently pushed her off his leg and reached out to her camera. She made an odd face. “Trust me. Isn’t that what you told me?”
She pouted and held out her hand to the camera. “Do you know how to use that? It cost me a lot of money.”
He pushed her hand down. “If I break it, I’ll buy you a new one. Now sit in the chair and let me take some photos of you.”
She held up her hands in surrender. “Whatever.”
He wagged a finger back and forth in front of her. “Not whatever. Trust me.”
He checked out the camera’s buttons then held it up to see her. She filled the lens. It was the only thing he saw, and he liked it.<
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Dominic started clicking pictures. “Now cross your legs. Put your legs over the arm of the chair. Lift your skirt a little more. Put your head back and run your fingers through your hair.”
She followed every one of his suggestions. This was like a custom porn movie. Each new pose exposed a little more of the body he wanted. She took off her shirt without hesitation, and the red lace bra was a pleasant surprise.
He wanted to see more but worried she wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to oblige him. “How do you feel about taking off all your clothes? I promise I will keep everything tasteful.”
“You’re having fun, aren’t you?”
More than you know.
He almost finished alone as he watched her slide the skirt over her hips and down the floor. Her thong matched her bra. There was barely enough to cover her, and he couldn’t stop imagining how she would taste.
“Lean on the table,” he told her.
The shadows fell across her body everywhere except for her ass. The creamy white skin glowed in the dark. Instead of touching, he focused the camera on the curve of her hip and the arch of her back, and her toned arms.
The more pictures he took, the more she played for him. He moved behind her, and she parted her legs just enough for him to see the silky thong sitting between her folds. He moved to the side, and she let her hair fall to the opposite side as she closed her eyes and puckered her lips. When she took one finger, rested it on her bottom lip, and sucked it in deep, he couldn’t take it anymore.
He put down the camera and took her in his arms. “I told you I would give you the best night of your life.”
She rested her head against his chest. “I would like that.”
He pressed his hands against her back, slipping one hand under her bra. His head bent low as he took in her essence, honeysuckle, and denim. She lifted her head and stood on tiptoes kissing him hard.
He picked her up and sat her on the table then stood between her legs. He couldn’t hold her close enough. His cock rubbed against her. She wrapped her legs around him, using the heels of her feet to push him even closer. With the flick of one hand, her bra came undone, and he let it fall to the floor. He lowered his mouth to take one of her hard nipples into his mouth. She rested her arms behind her back and arched back. His hand held her other breast.
“Yes,” she cried out as he rubbed his tongue over one and his thumb over the other.
He pulled back and ran his hand up between her breasts, his hand wrapped around her neck, then dropped to her shoulder. Her horse was beautiful and strong as she was. If he could take all of her at once, he would.
“You are amazing. I never saw anything more beautiful.”
She sat up and used her hands to undo his pants. He let them fall, and he stepped out of them. He helped her slip out of her thong, and a finger pushed deep into her wet wall. Touching wasn’t good enough. He bent to the floor, rested her feet on his shoulders, and used his tongue to taste her. Her clit was hard against his tongue, and she mewled as he changed the pressure and speed. Before long, he felt her legs tremble as she orgasmed, calling out his name as she did.
He wanted to take her on the bed, so he carried her to the bed. He laid on top of her and pushed himself into her, filling her with his hard and needy penis. She arched her back and met his body with every thrust. When she squeezed around his shaft, he knew she was close to the edge again, and changed his speed to draw out their pleasure. Her eyes opened wide when he did the same a second time. It was fun to see the small spark of frustration in her eyes. She wanted to come again, but he enjoyed teasing her. When he felt her tighten a third time, he pulled out and told her to roll over.
She held herself up on all fours raising her ass high enough in the air for him to see her gorgeous pussy.
He entered her from behind and went deeper than before. She moaned.
“You are the most incredible woman. I want to let you fall over.”
“Yes, yes,” she pleaded.
He increased his speed; the sound of their bodies slapping together only enhanced the moment. When he didn’t think he could hold off any longer, she squeezed him again, sending him over the edge. He filled her until there was nothing left to give. He had never given that much of himself to anyone before.
When he was done, he rolled over and laid next to her on the bed. She rolled over and snuggled next to him.
“That was incredible,” she said.
There was so much he wanted to say, but his emotions overwhelmed him. He never felt before. He wanted to be with her forever. She was his mate.
There was just one problem. He hated to tell Gerri she was right.
Chapter Ten
Opal
Opie opened her eyes, and for the first second, she didn’t realize where she was. She inhaled. Wood smoke and cinnamon. She was with Dominic.
Her arms were wrapped around Dominic’s back. He had tucked her hands into his. She felt his heartbeat. His body was warm against hers, and despite their size difference, she molded her body around his. It was bliss.
He stirred as she inched her hand free. “You okay?” he mumbled, half asleep.
She put her hands on top of his and squeezed. “I’m wonderful. Last night was amazing.”
He rolled over as she laid on her back. A finger ran down the valley between her breasts. “Yeah, it was. Do you have to leave or something?”
She found a clock on the nightstand. “It’s morning, and I’m hungry. I don’t have to go, but I’d like to have some breakfast.”
He got out of bed and found his pants. “I’m sure this place has breakfast. We could order room service.”
She sat up and leaned against the headboard, hugging her knees to her chest. “Yeah, I guess we could do that. But it might be fun to do something else.” She gave him a half-grin.
He crawled on the bed to her. “Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?”
She lowered her legs and pulled him to her. Her mouth pressed against his as her tongue explored him. “Take off those pants,” she said between kisses.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” He stood and left his pants on the floor.
She watched as his erect penis escaped and stood in front of her. She swung her legs to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed. With one hand, she reached for him and lowered her mouth to the head. Her tongue made several circles before she traveled down the shaft and tickled his balls.
“Back up,” she commanded.
He did as she asked and gave her a confused look when she rolled onto her back and held her head off the edge of the bed. “What are you doing?”
“You’ll see.” She reached out and put her hands around his waist and guided him closer to the bed. His cock lined up with her mouth. It was perfect, like she knew it would be. She opened her mouth and relaxed all her muscles, then took him in deep. His hard cock grew even harder as he slid down her throat.
He moaned and lost his balance. She held him tighter to steady him. His leg muscles flexed as she continued her magic.
“Woman, you are amazing,” he said in gasps.
The control she had over him empowered her. She had never done this before. None of the prior guys she’d been with deserved this much from her, but Dominic was different. He’d been so giving the night before, and she wanted nothing more than to please him.
He, however, had different plans and told her to lie the other way on the bed. She was more than ready when he entered her, and as he found the best rhythm for them, she moaned and held him tighter against her.
Sex was nothing like this before. This went beyond animalistic desire. She wanted to be with him forever. When their eyes locked, she saw his horse and opened herself up to him.
They orgasmed together, then laid on the bed, breathing hard.
“You aren’t like other women I’ve been with,” Dominic said.
She propped herself up on her elbows. “How so?”
“I’ve never seen myself with any
of them beyond the moment.”
“And how long do you see yourself with me?”
He didn’t answer but got up from the bed and put on his pants again.
A heavy weight crashed against her chest. Did she say something wrong? Had she misread the emotions coming from him?
He stood at the sliding glass door overlooking the pool. His shoulders sagged. “You don’t know me very well.”
She swallowed hard. “No, I guess I don’t.”
He spun around. “It’s just that. You see, I don’t. It’s not you…”
If he finished that sentence, she would break into a million pieces. She had been wrong. He was nothing more than a one-night stand. How could she have been so wrong?
Her feet hit the floor hard. Fine, if that’s the way he was going to be, she wouldn’t stick around any longer.
She found her clothes and started to dress. “No, I get it. We just met, and it was stupid of me to think there was more.”
He froze, stared at her, but said nothing. He wasn’t even going to fight for her to stay.
After she finished dressing, she picked up her camera bag. “I’ll tell Wednesday you were the perfect gentleman on our date.”
“But we didn’t go out,” he stammered.
“That’s okay. I can tell you don’t want to. This was a great night.” She stomped to the door, opened it, and turned back. “Totally worth the money.”
She held her breath, not wanting to walk out. He needed to stop her. Tell her it was a misunderstanding, and he really did want to spend forever with her. But he didn’t. Tears welled in her eyes and she bit her lip not to cry. There was plenty she could tell him, but if she said anything, she’d lose it. Instead, she walked out into the hall and slammed the door behind her.
She held it together long enough to make it to the elevator. When it opened in the lobby, she realized Lou had taken her car home. She flopped down on the couch and stared at the fire in the fireplace.
“That doesn’t look like a happy face.”
She turned to see who sat next to her. Talking to anyone wasn’t anything she wanted to do, but when she realized it was Gerri, she lost it. Through all the tears and sobbing, she told Gerri everything about their night together, about why she thought he was different, and how wrong she’d been about everything.
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