Chapter Ten

Aida pulled on her pajamas. Everything was ready to leave for tomorrow. Sliding into bed, she allowed her thoughts to linger on the mysterious Dane Sidorov.

“A man like that is something else.”

She wasn’t blind; he was attracted to her, like she was to him. But there was something else. He watched her with more than hunger. A few times, she’d caught him staring; there’d been possessiveness and pure need in the depths of his amazing eyes.

“Something else entirely,” she muttered as sleep overtook her.

“Give in to me, Aida,” his sexual tone whispered in her ear. “Let me show you how it could be. How it should be.” Strong callused hands slid down her sides and slipped under her shirt. Her belly tensed when the erotic touch moved up toward her aching breasts.

“What are you doing to me?”

He nuzzled her neck before nipping it which sent a jolt straight through to her pussy.

“Say yes,” he coaxed, teasing the undersides of her breast with his thumbs. “Tell me yes.”

Eyes drifting closed; she sank back into him, rubbing against his large erection.

“Say the word, Aida.” His voice darkly sensual and full of promise.

She flinched when a wet nose shoved her hand. Aida groaned and sat up opening her eyes. Two minutes before the alarm went off. With an exaggerated sigh, she turned it off and swung out of bed.

“For the record, Ruger, waking me from a dream like that isn’t nice, nor appreciated.”

Before long she was ready to go. Walking to the room Dane was in, she knocked softly. “Dane? Are you awake?”

No answer.

Cracking it open a bit, she tried again. “Dane, you awake?” Still no answer. Aida frowned and swung the door all the way open only to find the room entirely empty. Bed undisturbed. Backing out, she headed for the shop. She couldn’t explain the relief that swamped her when her gaze landed on him leaning over the work table.

“Morning, Aida,” he said looking up and meeting her gaze through strands of his black hair.

“Good morning. You’re up early.”

His gaze heated as it traveled over her. “Wanted to make sure this was ready.”

She moved closer. “And?”

“It is.”

“Great. Well, I’ll have breakfast ready in a few.”

“Right behind you.”

She swallowed and left the shop. Her dream all so vivid in her mind. I can’t stop imagining it was Dane.

Breakfast was quick and soon they were out by her vehicle. Hands on hips, Aida stared at the items crammed inside.

“Everything in?” Dane asked.

“I hope so,” she replied with a chuckle. “Not much room left.” She snapped her fingers. “I’ll be right back.”

“What’d we forget?” he questioned when she returned.

“I needed more rounds.” Aida waved the box of bullets at him. Opening her door, she put two fingers in her mouth and released a piercing whistle. Ruger and Kamau came running and jumped up into the seat. “Get in the back, boys.” Once they had she looked at her handsome traveling companion. “Let’s get going then.”

Driving along, Aida couldn’t help sneaking glances at the man with her. Dark, brooding, undeniably sexy. Yet she sensed gentleness in him. He cared about children and had volunteered to help her. He had a deeply hidden sense of humor and even more sex appeal. And still, there was this wildness about him she didn’t understand.

“Something on your mind, Aida?” he asked in a low intimate voice.

His tone brought to mind many, many erotic thoughts. Not to mention part of her dream. Shifting on the seat she looked directly at him. “No, why?”

“You keep looking at me. Thought maybe you had a question.” He stared candidly at her when he spoke.

Fighting her embarrassment at being so obvious, Aida shrugged. “Nope. No question.”

A husky chuckle left him. “Well I have one.”

Tucking some wayward bits of hair behind her ear, she smiled. “My life’s an open book. Ask away.” Well, most of it is.

“Why are you out here, doing what you do?”

“Besides the fact I like helping people?”

“Yes. Besides that. Why do you live here alone?”

“I was born in that house. When I graduated college, my parents gave it to me. I’m not a huge fan of the United States so it was easy for me to move back here.” Aida shrugged hiding her reaction to thoughts best left in the past. “I love it here.”

“I can see that,” he said with a nod.

She put her eyes back on the road and focused as best she could on the road only.

“Are we taking a different way?” he asked.

“Different? Oh no…well, yes but only because there’s another village up here that I’m stopping at.” She paused. “Don’t worry; I’ll have you back on time.”

“I’m not in a rush.”

Cutting her gaze toward him, Aida focused on the golden hue of his skin. He had such strong hands and the leg it rested on rippled with power. She swallowed back her moan of appreciation.

“It won’t be long before we’re at the first village.” She gestured to the glove box. “I don’t know if you’d like music or not, but my iPod’s in there. There’s a bunch of music styles on it.”

He leaned forward and soon the cab was filled with Van Halen. Aida smiled and pressed down on the accelerator. They made it safely to the village by early evening. Standing with a friend, Aida watched Dane as he secured the tarp covering the remaining items. Almost like he felt her watching him, Dane lifted his head and stared at her. Those tawny-gold-green eyes captured her and held her hostage.

With hugs and farewells they headed out again.

“Now to the other one?” he asked over the music.

“There’s a small town coming up. I need to fill up and then grab some things for dinner. Then we press on.”

The town came into view shortly and she pulled into the only petrol station. Shutting off the vehicle she jumped out and rolled her shoulders and neck.

“Hey Aida!” an older man hollered.

“Sam,” she said with affection. “Great to see you.” Heading around for the tank, Aida pulled up short at the sight of Dane standing there.

“I got this,” he said.

“Okay. Do you want anything specific?”

Heat flared in his eyes before he tamped it down. “Whatever works for me.”

She went inside the small store and grabbed another jug of water for the dogs, along with some for her and Dane. Looking over the food, she sighed, “I wonder what he likes.”

“Ask him, solnyshko moyo, he’ll tell you exactly what he likes.” The voice wrapped around her and unleashed tendrils of want within her.

Licking her lips, she continued to face forward. “I don’t know, he seems very private.” Okay, so I’d really like to know what he’s calling me.

“Are you sure you’re not just scared to find out what he truly wants?”