Man of Her Dreams by Debra Webb (good ebook reader txt) 📕

There was only one thing he could do at this point: Keep her distracted until he devised a plan to protect her from Galen, O’Riley and herself.

He reached out to her. She tensed, but didn’t avoid his touch. Her reasoning was clear. She knew he had avoided the truth in regard to the men who had pursued them last night. For that her trust wavered. He would have to find a way to reaffirm that trust. To make her forget.

“You’ve had a long day,” he said softly as his fingers curled around her nape. “A long, hot bath would be relaxing.” He pulled her to him, claimed her lips. She didn’t resist but her hesitancy persisted just beneath the surface. He leaned her back onto the sofa and came down atop her, allowing her to feel the need pulsing already in his body. She moaned softly and he deepened the kiss.

He reached under her skirt and delved into her lacy panties, finding that tight, wet place that burned for him. He knew how she wanted to be touched…knew her most secret desires. He would satisfy each and every one…until all other thought ceased.

Until she was his…completely…once more.

Chapter Twelve

Audubon Zoo

New Orleans

“No, Penny!” Darby rushed to catch up with one of her charges before she got too far ahead of the group.

“Let’s stay with the others,” she scolded gently. Four-year-old Penny stuck out her bottom lip and trudged back to the group. Though Darby greatly appreciated her new position at the Riverwalk Preschool, she could have done without a field trip her first day on the job. But since she’d missed her real “first” day, she certainly couldn’t complain.

Twelve children and three teachers made for nice ratios, but she was still learning the names and faces of those under her care. That made an outing of this caliber less than fun.

The zoo was more crowded than she’d expected. But most of the visitors were groups from nearby schools. As they began their journey into Jaguar Jungle, she quickly surveyed her charges, repeating their names once more. Penny, Jarred, Brooke, Tiffany, and Timmy. No sweat. Two towheads and three brunettes.

She glanced behind her, beyond the clusters of children with their matching shirts that identified their schools and their teachers, who looked flustered already. He was still there. Somehow his presence made her feel safe.

Aidan had insisted that he would hang around a few more days, at least until Lester was found. He wanted to stay close…to make sure she was safe.

The idea warmed her, though she still sensed that he had lied to her about the men who had forced them to run for their lives in the swamp. She could only assume that he had his reasons. Concealing what she suspected could be part of his job. But, somehow, after all they’d shared, she couldn’t help feeling disappointed that he’d chosen not to simply tell her that he couldn’t discuss the matter. She would have understood. As a teacher, she was well aware of sensitive issues and confidentiality matters.

Directing her attention back to the tour guide, she dismissed the unsettling thoughts. He would tell her when he could. If he chose not to, there had to be a good reason. She had to trust that. She’d allowed him into her heart…had given her body to him—she had to give him the benefit of the doubt on this, as well. Otherwise, she would be a hypocrite.

She chewed her lower lip and hoped the fact that they’d failed to use protection wasn’t going to complicate matters. Though she loved him without question, pregnancy was a subject they had not discussed. Besides, she couldn’t be certain he felt the same way she did. She suspected he cared deeply for her. Hadn’t missed the way his body responded to hers, the way their lovemaking affected him. But that was not a certainty that he felt the same emotional bond. Her lack of experience in the area didn’t give her much of a basis on which to form conclusions. She could only hope that this wasn’t a one-sided affair.

She shuddered at the word.

Was it just an affair? It felt like a great deal more than that to her. Desire, strong and hot, sang through her veins each time she thought of the way it felt to be with him. It was too incredible for words. How could that not be true love? Lust couldn’t possibly burn this hot.

The children’s zoo adventure began with an archaeological dig where they unearthed artifacts that were explained to them in generous detail. She doubted any of them would remember all that the guide passed along, but his dramatic dialogue and presence certainly held their attention well enough.

From there, they journeyed along a meandering path cloaked in fog that reminded her of the cemetery the other night. She thought of the way Aidan had looked in that long duster…like a vampire or a pirate. She shivered and tried again to focus on the guide’s narration. The path led through archways, past stone carvings that were realistic replicas of those found in Central America. The whole setting was remarkable.

The real thrill came when they reached the Jaguar Plaza and watched the magnificent cats in a setting that duplicated their natural habitat. The guide talked about their incredible strength and speed. Jaguars were, apparently, afraid of nothing, making them extremely dangerous predators. Darby tamped down another urge to shiver as she watched the sleek animals stalk about before reclining, as if some internal clock had alerted them that it was siesta time.

The children appeared enthralled, pointing and chattering as they admired the beautiful creatures through the sturdy fence that kept awestruck visitors from getting too close. Darby crouched in the middle of her group and observed the show from their vantage point.

Laurie, one of the other teachers from Riverwalk Preschool, was having a difficult time with two of her