Lost in the Dark Read online

  “That is a good goal. Your parents wouldn’t approve?”

  “Not even a little bit. They want someone to obey not to think.” She took a sip from her margarita and waved her hand as if dismissing the conversation. “What do you do for a living?”

  Dragon hadn’t been drinking as much knowing he had to get up at the crack of dawn. “I’m in the Navy.”

  “Really? You don’t look like military with the long hair. Do they let you grow it long because of your perfect muscles?” She winked at him teasingly.

  Dragon winced hoping Colt hadn’t overheard that particular statement, but that hope was useless.

  Colt laughed “You are sitting with a bonafide SEAL and an undercover party boy.”

  Dragon loved the sparkle of humor that lit her eyes like candlelight.

  “I can totally see that.” She smiled at his friend before turning back to face him. “Are you stationed here in Denver?”

  “No, I’m on leave. My family lives here. I go back tomorrow.”

  It made him feel good to see her shoulders droop slightly in what he hoped was disappointment. “I guess that means dinner tomorrow is off the table.”

  Dragon was surprised he felt a tightening in his chest at the thought of not seeing this beauty again. The two of them had been flirting, nothing more, but the connection he felt with this woman was incredible. “Unfortunately, yes. I’m just staying in town tonight to be close for my transport. I don’t know when I’ll be back, it could be months.”

  Or with how dangerous his job was it could be never. His enlistment was up in seven months and he still wasn’t sure what he planned on doing.

  “Closing time,” Colt shouted to the half empty bar.

  Was it really two o’clock? Dragon couldn’t believe how quickly time had passed.

  “Give me your phone.” Tari held out her hand. Amused, Dragon unlocked the screen and handed it over.

  She navigated to his contacts and entered in her information. “In case you decide you want to catch up next time you’re here.”

  Dragon smiled and thought he might just do that. “Let me give you a ride home, Querida.”

  Chapter 3

  When life throws you a curve… take it!

  Tari had never ridden on the back of a motorcycle before and the experience was exhilarating. Feeling the play of his stomach muscles under her hands while she was pressed up against him, with the vibrating motor between her legs was almost enough to trigger a mini orgasm. When they stopped at a light, the alcohol in her system gave her the courage to explore lower, and what she found had her heart racing.

  He was large and hard, pressing, what had to be uncomfortably, against his jeans. She stroked along the edge and found the tip of him poking slightly out of the top of his jeans so all that was between her hand and his dick was the thin cotton of his shirt.

  “You’re playing with fire, mamacita,” he growled.

  “I know, Papi.” The endearment felt naughty as she said it. But it felt right. “How long do you have before you have to leave?”

  “Three hours is all I can give you, Mami.” The sexy Spanish nickname had her thighs clenching. His voice was harsh as she used her fingers to tease his length.

  “I’ll take it.” Her breath rushed out of her as he took off heading a slightly different direction now ignoring the posted speed limits. Ten minutes later they were parked in front of a motel and he was lifting her from the bike.

  Tari wasn’t used to being manhandled like a child and found she loved it. Their mouths clashed and it was like a war of pleasure each one trying to memorize the other’s tongue. Her back slammed against the door forcing them both to come up for air.

  “You sure about this, Mami? The only promise I can make is, if I take you inside, I’m going to make you come so many times you’ll be screaming my name.”

  Tari only had one sexual experience before with a long-term boyfriend and it had been nothing like the pure need she felt at that moment. She had never had a one-night stand and, being honest with herself, this would probably be one. Even knowing that, she would never forgive herself if she didn’t give in.

  “I’m sure.”

  He opened the door behind her and she almost fell backwards into the small room but caught herself and walked backward till the edge of the bed touched her legs. Like every motel, there was barely room to walk, the majority of the space dedicated to the King-sized bed. By the entrance, a green satchel was propped up ready to go. A door at the back of the room probably led to a bathroom and a small dresser held an ancient TV. It was surprisingly clean looking for a roadside motel. All thoughts about the room fled, when Dragon closed the door with a click and pulled off his t-shirt in a single, swift motion that Tari had only seen in the movies.

  Every muscle stood out in brilliant relief, including that perfect V that led down into his pants. Tari wasn’t sure if she should applaud or begin worshipping. Gorgeous, colorful dragon tattoos wrapped around his chest like ancient warriors. Tari had the urge to lick every line.

  “I love the way your eyes sparkle like the night sky. Reminds me of the stories of Citlali: goddess of the stars.”

  He bent down to untie his combat boots and Tari wanted to catch up. She unzipped the sides of her own boots toeing them off. She was very happy she was wearing a pair of her sexier underwear; tiny red boy shorts that she decided to reveal by turning around and pulling her jeans slowly down her legs ending in a perfect Uttanasana yoga pose leaving her bent perfectly in half looking at Dragon upside down from her ankles.

  He stood unmoving, his pants unzipped and hanging just off his hips. She could see lust sparking in his eyes as he took in her seductive pose. Spreading her legs a little to give him a better view, she pulled off her shirt leaving her bent over in nothing but red underwear and bra.

  “You’re flexible.” His voice was a growl that shot right to her core.

  “Yoga classes almost every day. I also have excellent balance and muscle control.”

  She had never talked like this or even considered herself a sexy woman, but something about this man had all her darkest fantasies bubbling to the surface. She was absolutely naughty as she dropped her hands to the ground and slowly moved into crow position, then into a handstand.

  “Cristo, I can see how wet you are for me.”

  She was about to drop her feet down when Dragon was there pulling her panties up and off her legs. She almost lost her balance when he bent over and ran his tongue up her thigh teasing along the edges of her pussy.

  “Dragon, as much as I want your lips on me. I can’t hold this position when you do that.”

  He stepped back letting her lower her feet but as soon as she started to stand, she was tossed onto the bed like she weighed nothing more than a throw pillow rather than the 168 lbs. she knew she weighed. Blood rushed out of her head and before she got her bearings, he was spreading her thighs, his tongue finding her core like he was laser guided.

  A loud moan was all she could manage as he teased with his tongue, coming close to, but not ever touching her clit. Pleasure built and almost exploded, as he eased first one finger then another inside her. She had never had an orgasm brought about by someone else, but there was no doubt in her mind, tonight would change that.

  “You taste so fucking good, Mami. I could spend all night tasting you.”

  “Please, Dragon, Papi. Te necesito!” She was so close if he would just do something more she knew she could fall over that edge.

  He did something with his fingers stroking a spot deep inside her, and his lips latched around her clit, sucking hard, causing lights to explode behind her eyes as the biggest orgasm of her life obliterated her senses. She screamed out her pleasure and all of the overwhelming feelings that needed somewhere to go.

  “Cristo, you are so beautiful.” Dragon kissed his way slowly up her body, slowing to let him draw each nipple into his mouth, starting the fire of desire building back in her core. When his mouth reached her�
��s, Tari tasted herself mixed with his own unique flavor.

  His kiss claimed her in ways she didn’t even know she wanted to be claimed. This man, at this moment, owned every part of her heart and soul. It didn’t matter he was going away to do dangerous things. He would always own the part of her soul she was giving him right now.

  His hard length slid back and forth against her core in time to their kiss and, without a second thought, she lifted to meet his next glide welcoming him into her depths. He was so big, she thought for a moment he wouldn’t be able to fit all the way inside her. Letting out a breath she relaxed, letting her body accept him.

  “God, you’re so tight. Fuck, what are you doing?” His words were muttered against her lips as she used her Kegel muscles to pull him deeper inside her.

  She had heard about the benefits for both parties, but this was the first time she had tried it out. If his moans were anything to go by, she was doing it right. He slowly pulled out on her next contraction and she felt the tip of his cock rub against that spot his fingers had found earlier, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before she was thrashing in pleasure.

  He worked his way in and out of her, so slowly and gently she felt like she might go crazy. She tried to thrust up to meet him and his hands pinned her hips to the mattress. He groaned so deep it sounded like a frustrated growl.

  “You are so gorgeous, every thought and sensation echoes across your body.”

  “Watch my body echo later. Fuck me now.”

  “So demanding.” He gave her several quick thrusts and she screamed, loving the feel of him, brutally pushing her closer to her goal of an orgasm that she knew would shatter her into pieces. But then he slowed back down and she growled her frustration. “What, Mami? Don’t you like it slow and gentle?” He tilted his hips accentuating his words, dragging his cock along her G-spot causing shudders of tiny orgasms to roll through her body.

  If he kept this up she knew she would go wild with need. She arched up catching his lip in her teeth and biting gently down. “No seas tan dulce. Cógeme duro, Papi.”

  “Fuck, I love your dirty mouth. You want me to fuck you hard, Mami?”

  “Yes!”

  Dragon grabbed her leg and hiked it up, as he slammed so deep inside her she thought he might break through to her uterus. Her scream of pleasure unhinged something inside both of them. They fucked like they were fighting: clashing and clawing at one another, overriding any thoughts until her whole body was a mass of nerves firing with explosive pleasure.

  “Dragon!”

  All her muscles tightened, spasming. His cry of release matched her own.

  At five a.m. Dragon never regretted anything more than to have to walk away from the sated, sleeping beauty in his bed. Knowing it was probably wrong, but needing to capture the image forever, he snapped several pictures of her naked, sleeping tangled in the sheets. The note he left wasn’t nearly enough but he would call her first chance he got.

  * * *

  Beautiful Tari,

  I would have woken you but the sight of you lying there was too precious to interrupt. The mission I’m going on will have me out of communication for several months. I know we made no promises but when I call, your gorgeous voice will be the answer to a sailor’s prayers. Think of me often.

  Hasta mas tarde,

  D

  Chapter 4

  Sleep is like a unicorn. It’s rumored to exist, but I doubt I’ll see any.

  Ten weeks after the hotel

  Standing in front of the Naval recruitment center her hands clutched in front of her, Tari wasn’t sure what to feel.

  Kicked out and shunned by her parents and the community she had grown up in. Then left at the bus stop on the edge of town with only a backpack of clothing and her wallet had been mortifying.

  All because the close-minded hypocrites thought her pregnancy tainted her. The fact the father was military and not one of the fellowship made the whole thing unforgivable even if she had been willing to pretend repentance. The little bit of money she’d saved from her job as a yoga instructor had been barely enough to get her back to Denver and rent a tiny room in one of the worst parts of the city. Thank goodness, her job had health insurance and the clinic she had gone to had given her and her growing baby a clean bill of health.

  Tari stepped inside the office knowing this was her last hope of finding Dragon. She had tried to remember the name of the bar where they had met but she couldn’t even remember what part of the city it had been in. Nerves and probably the baby had acid burning at that back of her throat.

  “How may I help you?” an older man dressed in a smart Navy uniform asked. His name plate read CPO Melker.

  “I’m trying to find a way to contact a Navy SEAL.”

  His smile was friendly giving her hope he wouldn’t laugh in her face. “Any particular one?”

  “Sorry, yes.” Tari fidgeted. “His name is Dragon. I met him while he was on leave in Denver two months ago.”

  “I’m assuming Dragon is his callsign. Do you have his real name? Rank? Where he is stationed?”

  She felt stupid. Why hadn’t she considered Dragon wouldn’t be his real name. The bartender had said something about his station but she, for the life of her, couldn’t remember. Here she was knocked up and she knew little to nothing about him. “No.”

  “Are you sure he was really a SEAL?” She saw the man’s gentle eyes flick down at her hand unconsciously rubbing her stomach and she thought she saw pity in their depths. This was it, she was going to be going through this alone.

  “This was a bad idea. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  “No bother. If you get any of that information don’t hesitate to come back.”

  Tari hurried out. Her last hope of contacting the father of her baby, crushed.

  Seven months later

  * * *

  Tari took deep breaths trying to find her center. Exhaustion and strained muscles had her on the edge of tears. When she had dreamed of becoming a mother never had she thought she would be giving birth in a run-down bathtub of a studio apartment with no company. At least the midwife was willing to work for a couple hundred dollars. Warm water sloshed, as she tried to find a slightly more comfortable position. Her body shook with the beginning of another contraction.

  “We’re almost there, Tari. It’s time to push.” The midwife’s voice was calm, helping her focus.

  Deep breath in. Pain rocked through her as she bore down with the contraction. Tari tried not to scream but she must not have been successful as her neighbors once again pounded on the wall. None of that mattered though; it felt as if her body was tearing in two.

  “I can feel the head, Tari, you are doing great.”

  She didn’t feel like she was doing great. She felt like a complete failure. No father for her child. Living in one of the worst neighborhoods in Denver. Giving birth in her studio apartment bathroom because her job put her on leave during her later months of pregnancy and she couldn’t afford a hospital. The contraction eased up and Tari felt tears pouring down her face.

  “We’re almost there. Just one more contraction should do it and you will get to meet your child.”

  Her child. Girl or boy didn’t matter. She would be an amazing mother. Her child would never go a single day without knowing they were loved and wanted. She might not be able to provide luxuries, but Tari would find a way to make sure her child was healthy and happy.

  “Here it comes. Push, Tari!”

  She clenched her jaw and screamed, not caring what anyone thought. She roared her determination and promise to the universe and pushed. The whole world went white for a moment then the pain was just gone. Small splashing sounds had Tari opening her eyes to see the midwife pulling the most beautiful baby up and out of the water. The squall of life echoed in the small room as the woman used a small suction bulb to clean out her baby’s mouth.

  “It’s a girl.”

  Tari reached out her arms and took her tiny daughter into
their first embrace. Her cries died down as warmth seemed to pass between them. Tiny hands and feet, skin lighter and a touch more amber than her own with a fuzz of ebony hair. Dark eyes twinkled even in the low light of the room. Perfect. She was absolutely exquisite. How Tari wished she could share this moment of perfection with a family she didn’t have.

  “What are you going to call her?”

  She looked down into her daughter’s almost black sparkling eyes and heard Dragon’s voice echoing in her mind. “Her name is Citlali. For the stars in her eyes.”

  Chapter 5

  Every day I arrive at work with good intentions and a great attitude… then idiots happen.

  Present Day

  Tari struggled to get off the bus with her daughter on one shoulder and the diaper bag and stroller in her other hand. She knew her boss wasn’t going to be happy that she was bringing her child to the evening class but what choice did she have? Her now ex-babysitter had answered the door drunk off her ass. Now Tari was going to have to find another sitter for evenings who was willing to take the pitiful amount she could afford to pay.

  The truth was if it weren’t for the health benefits, she would have quit a long time ago. Being a yoga instructor at Dark Zen wasn’t what she had dreamed. The makeover the owners had done two years ago had given her hope that the place was going legitimate, but the last few months had her feeling less comfortable every day. A wellness spa in an area of Denver that bridged the line between the poor and middle class could go either way. Unfortunately, it became harder every day to ignore the side businesses going on in the back rooms. What really concerned her was the age of the recent ‘masseuses’. Just last week, when she had tried to talk to one of the girls, she had been taken to task for making customers uncomfortable.

  Apparently speaking anything but English was forbidden, and since the Ukrainian girl didn’t speak more than a few words of English it made conversation impossible. Mario and Fifi, the studio managers, were jerks on an epic scale caring only about lining their pockets and what the paying customers thought. She might be willing to look the other way on a lot to make sure she had insurance for her daughter, but the line was quickly approaching for what she was willing to accept.