Daring to Dream

His tight blue jeans clung to his long, muscular legs, outlining solid thighs and a well-defined crotch. His dark purple and black pinstripe Hugo Boss shirt was open casually at the neck, flattering his features and exposing just the right amount of chest. His face lit up when he saw her. “Thanks for agreeing to baby-sit tonight. I know it’s an imposition to ask you to come over on the weekend.”

“No.” She gulped. “It’s, eh…fine.”

“I’m behind with a few things and I have a long-distance conference call at nine, so I really appreciate you coming to help me out. And of course, Emily’s looking forward to seeing you.”

His lounge was more informal on the weekends than during the week. The luxury cushions on the brown leather Chesterfield sofas were crumpled, magazines and newspapers lay spread over the mahogany inlaid coffee tables and Emily’s toys claimed ownership of most of the deep burgundy carpet.

“Sorry about the mess. Emily caught a bit of a cold,” Jason said. “I’m afraid she’s been the one in charge today!”

Sarah could not imagine Jason allowing anyone to take control of him, but knowing how much he loved his daughter, she assumed that if anyone could be the boss of Jason, it would be Emily.

“She’s refusing to settle,” he continued. “It was a struggle to get her into bed.”

Sarah knew the context of his words, but somehow they brought that strange tingling feeling back to her. Frightened that he would somehow be able to read her mind, she looked around the room, frantically trying to find a way to deflect his thoughts. “I could read her a story.”

“She has you wrapped around her little finger too, doesn’t she?” His eyes twinkled as he spoke. “She insisted on sleeping in my bed tonight.”

Sarah froze, but Jason didn’t appear to notice her reaction. “Just go up,” he added, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to go into his bedroom. “I’ll tidy up here and then I’ll be in the study working if you need me.”

Sarah forced herself to smile. She knew where his room was, but had never been so bold as to enter it. Trying to appear relaxed, she headed toward the sweeping staircase, his words still echoing in her head as she steadied herself on the carved, smoothly polished ornate banister.

Jason’s bedroom was directly above the lounge and mirrored its imposing proportions. Its bay window boasted open views over the neighbors’ similarly grand homes and to the rolling hills beyond, which were silhouetted by the early evening moon. The carpet felt soft under her feet, its deep golden pile complimenting the Victorian mahogany furniture and a blue velvet chaise lounge in the corner. In the center of the room was the largest four-poster bed Sarah had ever seen.

There was a faint smell of Jason’s aftershave in the air, claiming the space as his private territory. It was the place where he would be at his most relaxed and intimate, the place where he would bring girlfriends and, no doubt, make love to them. Her body quivered at the thought of Jason having sex, but if the rumors were true, he had never brought anyone back here.