Free Wild Men of Alaska 03 - Dreamweaver by Tiffinie Helmer

tied to his life.”
    “And if you move on?”
    There was a long pause as he slowly turned her in a small circle. “There is no place that I would rather be than in your arms.”
    “We are talking Heaven here, right? You want to give up Heaven to be with me?”
    “Gemma, when I’m with you I feel more alive than I did when I was alive.”
    “But you climbed mountains, lived on the edge. How does being with me, like this, compare to all that you have done before?”
    “Don’t you realize that love is the biggest adventure of all?”
    Did that mean he loved her?
    “Yes.”
    “You’re supposed to stay out of my head.”
    “That is too important of a question not to hear ... or answer.”
    She stopped swaying and stood still within his arms. “What do you see as a future for us?”
    “I don’t know.” His arms tightened around her as though he was afraid she’d break their embrace. “All I know is that love is the most important thing out there. Love traverses life and death. Close your eyes, Gemma. Let me show you.”
    Part of her wanted to do exactly that. Close her eyes and be lost in the fantasy of this man. But wouldn’t that be opening herself for heartache to come? Of course it would.
    “Gemma?”
    “I need some time to think.” This was not the ideal relationship. What kind of future would they have together? Her always alone except for her “imaginary” friend. While she believed he was real, others would not. They might do to her what they’d done to her mother and commit her to the mental ward of the hospital.
    “Gemma?” Lucky prompted again. “You aren’t crazy. I’m real, just physically impaired. We were meant to be together.”
    Meant to be or not, what about children? She wanted them. Had always dreamt of a big family. She’d been an only child. Children needed siblings to play with, plot with, and help care for their parents. She wanted at least four kids. And no way could a dead man get her pregnant. That she was pretty damn positive about.
    “We can figure this out. Together.”
    But the deeper her heart was involved with Lucky, the harder it would be to let him go.
    “Don’t think. Just feel.”
    Under her hands she felt taut muscles, and smooth flesh dusted with fine hair. What she wouldn’t give to actually see him. Her eyes slid shut and there he was in her mind. The adventurous man from Tern’s picture. Real, vibrant, and so alive. She pressed her body harder against his and glorified in the moan of pain and pleasure that seemed torn from him.
    “I’ve never had a woman affect me like this. Never felt desire so deep.”
    Neither had she.
    One of his thighs thrust between her legs, and it was her turn to moan as she made more room for him, straining against him. His hands cupped her behind and lifted her. Swinging her around, he pressed her against the bookcase of Divination and Prophecy. A few books hit the floor, and she didn’t care. All that occupied her mind and body was Lucky and how he coaxed the wicked little flame inside her into a greedy fire.
    “Gemma, Gemma. I can’t get enough of you. I need you. To be part of you.”
    She felt the release on the button of her slacks and the zipper slide down. Why, oh why hadn’t she worn a skirt today? Her clothing was too restrictive.
    He gave a soft chuckle. “Oh, babe, you are the sweetest thing I’ve ever known.”
    Her head started to buzz as everything inside her pooled into a wave of unquenchable thirst. He’d been stringing her along for weeks, with her waking just before diving over the edge into bliss.
    But tonight she was awake.
    She felt the bookshelves dig into her back, the tight band around her upper thighs as he held her still, positioning her perfectly for the rubbing of his engorged erection through the constraints of her clothing. The need to have him deep within her, now, caused her ears to ring.
    The impatient peal of the phone rang throughout the store, clashing with Fleetwood Mac’s