Free Dreaming by the Sea (an erotic paranormal short story) by Delilah Devlin Page B

ring?”
    With reluctance, I tried dragging my fingers from his, not wanting to admit the thrill his touch had given me.
    His grip tightened.
    “I don’t believe in symbols.”
    “I don’t believe that.”
    I tried to pull my hand from his again but felt foolish because he held it easily and didn’t attempt more. I gave up and let him soothe my pulse with a rub of his thumb. “Do you think I’m lying?”
    “I think you’re unaware. Why live beside the sea?”
    “It’s not permanent. I needed a change of scenery.” I gave him a scowl before continuing. “ And to be alone so I could work.”
    “But why come to the sea when you’re afraid to get wet. You are afraid of the water, aren’t you?”
    “Only salt water,” I responded automatically. And then I realized what he’d guessed. My eyes and the back of my throat burned. “How can you know that? And why the hell would you care?”
    He tugged me closer until I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze. His expression was still taut, but his gaze was warm. He studied me, seeking something in my expression. For just a second, I wished I could give him an answer. “I came here for you,” he whispered in a confidential tone. “To return you to where you belong. But you don’t remember, do you?”
    I shook my head. “Remember what?”
    “Let me come home with you. I’ll explain.”
    So close now I could smell his sea-fresh scent and feel the warmth of his breaths, I caved to the wild impulse thrumming through my veins. “Come then,” I whispered. “But we really do need to hurry. If the sun sets, we won’t be able to find our way up the cliff.”
    *
    After I’d found him a pair of drawstring pants to wear from the jumble of clothes in the guest room, I wandered out onto the balcony, cradling a cup of hot tea and gazing out at the darkening ocean.
    “Is there another cup?” came the low rumble of his voice behind me.
    “On the counter in the kitchen,” I said, feeling breathless. I didn’t hear footsteps padding away, but then again I hadn’t heard him approach. It was just a little creepy how quietly he moved. I leaned against the rail and sighed as the wind tugged at my hair again.
    Fingers loosened the rubber band I’d used to tame my hair. “That’s better, isn’t it?”
    I nodded, sighing as his fingertips scratched my scalp. “Shouldn’t you be making your way back to your car? Or to your own house?”
    “Do you really want me to leave?”
    I kept my gaze stubbornly on the blinding rim of the horizon.
    His hands landed on my shoulders and kneaded away the tension. Warm, sweet breath slid along my cheek. “Isn’t this better?”
    “This is crazy. I don’t know you. You haven’t even given me a name.”
    He turned me to face him then gripped my hips to pull me so close our bellies rubbed. I didn’t miss the bulge of his erection.
    “I’m Thane,” he rumbled. “Give me your name.”
    I wrinkled my nose and tried to ease the tension a bit with a smile. “Despy.”
    “That’s unusual.”
    “It’s short for Despoine.” I wrinkled my nose. “Try getting anyone to spell it, much less pronounce it.”
    “After the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon.”
    Surprised he’d made the connection, I blinked. “You know your Greek mythology.”
    “Of course. Just as you do.”
    I grew still, my smile fading. Why had I let down my guard? He was just a stalker. More handsome than most, but he knew who I was, had probably read everything I’d written. Of course. It’s how he’d figured out my fear of the sea. My young heroine was terrified of the sea due to the nymphs who waited in the deep water to drag her down. “Let me go.”
    “I can’t.”
    “You’ve read me. My Poseidon series. You know who I am.”
    His eyes narrowed.
    And was that confusion knitting his brow?
    “You wear your emotions on your face. I don’t have to read your mind to know something about what you think.”
    Wriggling, I tried to free myself, but his arms