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Chapter 165: Devastated
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Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 166: His Mission
Chapter 166: His MissionJudd Farris scanned the room uncomfortably. He didn't belong here, not really. The truth was, he had been friends with Graham Crenshaw. Good friends. But Graham was his only connection to this gathering, and Graham was dead. Judd had attended the funeral at the church, and then the burial out at the cemetery. There'd been no need to follow up with the gathering at the Crenshaw home. But he'd been asked for a favor, and he hadn't yet completed it. There hadn't been opportunity at either the funeral or the burial. Maybe he could find a moment here.He took a glass of wine from a buffet table in the dining room simply to have something to do with his hands, then made his way to a vacant spot by the wall in the living room. His position on the edge of the crowd afforded him a perfect place from which to people-watch.He'd spotted Jessi in her simple black dress from the moment he'd entered the house. She was hard to miss with her bright auburn hair, her
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 167: A Promise to a Friend
Chapter 167: A Promise to a FriendJudd arrived home after midnight, happy to be finished with another twenty-four-hour shift. He loved his job as a paramedic with Fire/Rescue, but it had been a busy shift. What he wanted now was a nice juicy steak and some downtime. Currently between girlfriends, he was content to grill up his beef and settle in with sports on television. The Dolphins had had an appalling season. Hopefully the Heat would fare better. As his steak cooked, he gazed out across the beach to the waves that crashed onto the sand. There was a storm out at sea. Lightening flashed in the distance, though it was too far out to hear the thunder. The wind was whipping up the surf into a white froth. He wondered vaguely whether his colleagues would be called out tomorrow to transport swimmers caught up in rip currents, and he sighed, glad to be off for the next twenty-four.Following his dinner and a decent showing by the Miami Heat, he stretched out in bed, and his tho
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 168: Falling Apart
Chapter 168: Falling ApartJessi held herself together while the kids were home. No sense having them worry about her. They needed to get back to their lives. She certainly didn't want them feeling as though they needed to babysit her.Adam left for Orlando on Friday morning. By the time Jessi dropped off Cara at Palm Beach International on Friday afternoon, she was exhausted. She hadn't been able to keep food down since she'd gotten the news about Graham. She also hadn't been able to sleep. Now, with the house to herself, she finally let herself fall apart.In the hamper in the master bath, she found an undershirt of Graham's. It smelled of his cologne and dirty clothes. She undressed, shrugged into the 'wife-beater' tank top, and crawled into bed. There, she cried for hours, screamed for a while until her voice was gone, and ranted at the universe for letting her down. When the tears dried up, she curled into a ball and found herself in a sort of twilight not unlike subspa
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 169: The List
Chapter 169: The ListWhen Judd arrived at the Crenshaw home, he surveyed the vintage two-story Spanish-style structure. Like so many houses in the neighborhood of El Cid, it had been built in the early 1920s, with its white stucco exterior and red barrel tile roof. It had distinctly Spanish details like arched doors and windows and wrought iron railings. He recalled the beautiful wood floors and exposed-beam ceiling he'd seen on the day of the funeral.The first thing on Graham's list had been the hedges that surrounded the property. They were tall, about eight feet high, and they were definitely in need of being trimmed. He'd borrowed a gas-powered trimmer from a buddy at work. He himself rented his beach townhouse. Lawn equipment wasn't something he usually needed.He pondered whether to knock on the door and let Jessi know he was there, but then he decided to just start. She'll figure it out. And she did. When he'd first seen her, he'd been shocked. Gone was the demure
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 170: Alone
Chapter 170: AloneJessi spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday hovering between being alright and losing her mind. She tried to eat but just couldn't bring herself to cook anything, or to face the wall of casseroles in the fridge. At one point she found herself in the bedroom staring at a spot on the floor. It was at the end of the bed, although there was nothing to mark it, to render it unique from any other place on the hardwood. It was simply the designated spot where Jessi had presented herself to Graham every evening at precisely 7:00 p.m. for the last eight years. Mechanically, she removed her clothes and placed them in the hamper, taking the folded green throw from the wingback chair in the corner, and placing the blanket on the floor. Opening a drawer in Graham's dresser she removed a black leather collar and its matching lead, fastening the collar around her neck and kneeling on her spot. It was here every night that Jessi would wait for her Master, eyes closed, brea
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 171: The Other Thing
Chapter 171: The Other ThingIt was 9:30 on Saturday morning when Judd pulled up in front of Jessi's house in his beat-up F-150. His main focus today was to fix the driveway gate that opened onto the street. It had apparently been rusted open for the last few years.That was his main focus. Then there was the other thing. He rolled his eyes and tried to mentally prepare himself for Jessi's reaction. He breathed out sharply. "Here goes nothing," he muttered.It was about half an hour later that Jessi glanced out her front window and noticed Judd on a ladder at the end of her driveway."What the…?" She marched out the front door and down the driveway."Excuse me," she said, feeling like she was stuck in a time warp to the previous week. At least she hadn't awakened on the pool deck. And a quick glance down confirmed that she was indeed dressed."Good morning, Jessi," Judd answered, swinging down off the ladder. He couldn't help noticing that she looked much more put together to
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 172: Puppy Problems
Chapter 172: Puppy ProblemsAll the following week Jessi thought about Judd. How could she not? Buddy followed her everywhere she went. She'd ordered him a bed from L.L. Bean and paid extra for expedited shipping. When it arrived, she placed it beside her bed, replacing the blanket she'd put there.She'd managed to get a reasonable amount of dog food into a one-gallon airtight container. At a pet store, she bought a large container the size of a kitchen trash can, planning to ask Judd to help her put the rest of the kibble into it when he came by on Friday.Work was work, but thankfully they were busy with five events that week. She was glad that Judd was coming on Friday rather than Saturday. There was a huge quinceanera on Saturday night, and she and Sarah would both be busy all day.From time to time, Sarah asked how she was doing. Jessi always gave the same answer. "I'm fine, just fine."She and Sarah were close friends but even so, Jessi couldn't exactly say, "Oh, you kno
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 173: How Did You Know Graham?
Chapter 173: How Did You Know Graham?Jessi sat gazing out across the moonlit water to the red lighthouse on the opposite side of the inlet. In the cool evening breeze, she was almost cold in her casual pink and orange sundress. She thought about the ride from her house, unable to recall the last time she'd ridden alone with a man other than Graham. The uncomfortable feeling had returned, and she'd chided herself mentally.Oh, for fuck's sake, grow up! We're going out because obviously, there's nothing in the house to eat.She'd been surprised when Judd played country music on the truck's radio, although she couldn't figure why that had been surprising. She knew nothing about the man and his taste, in music, or anything else for that matter.When they'd pulled up in front of the Square Grouper, she'd also been surprised. It was not the kind of place Graham had liked, he'd been more a fan of quiet and sedate restaurants. Places that were actually indoors, unlike this bar with san
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Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 328: Epilogue
Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present
Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present"You should go home and get some rest, Jackie."Without taking her eyes off Scott, asleep in his hospital bed, she reached for Blake's hand. "I can't. I need to be here when he wakes up.""You're sure?"She nodded, then looked to her brother. "Can you take care of the kids? I hate to impose, but…""No worries, Jackie. Now that the storm's over, we'll take them back to our house. Amy's more comfortable there, anyway. We'll have a sleepover party."Jackie sighed. "I know they're ready to be back in their own beds. But I'll be home tomorrow, for sure, at least overnight.""Okay, sis." He kissed Jackie on the cheek. "Keep us posted."In the quiet of the hospital room, Jackie pulled a chair beside Scott's bed. As soon as they'd arrived back at the lodge, Blake and some of the others had carried Scott to the battered Suburban, laying him on the back seat.At Amy's insistence, Blake had driven Jackie and Scott to town. By the time they reache
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 326: Dream Versus Reality
Chapter 326: Dream Versus RealityHe was staring up at an azure sky. A warm summer breeze caressed his face. He turned his head and Jackie smiled at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling. "Where were you?" she asked.Scott shrugged. "I don't know.""Well, you're back now. That's what counts." She took his hand and led him to a bed in the middle of a sun-drenched field full of flowers. The bed's sheer white canopy billowed in the breeze. Kissing his hand, she released it, reaching up to slide first one, then the other spaghetti strap of her filmy white dress, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her bare feet. His gaze slid from her sapphire eyes to her succulent lips. Then it traveled over the firm globes of her breasts with their pert pink nipples, to the flair of her hips, to the junction between her thighs where tight black curls were neatly trimmed. When he met her eyes again, she smiled knowingly and sank to her knees, bowing her head and resting her hands palm
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 325: Warrior Princess
Chapter 325: Warrior Princess"Jacks, you can't go out there." Blake's face twisted with concern."He won't come back until he finds Pierce. But he won't find Pierce, because Pierce is here. You can't leave Amy. I'd never even ask. And if Ned Hart won't go out there, I have no other choice." Her voice was deadly calm.She grabbed her grey coat, then put it back on its hook, heading into the dining room. Blake followed. "Jackie, seriously, I don't want you going out there." He grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Scott wouldn't want you going out there.""He can tell me that when I find him. Can I borrow Amy's pink parka? It's brighter than mine, easier to see."Blake exhaled sharply, his tone resigned. "I've known you long enough to know that once you've set your mind on something, that's it. At least let me put together a pack for you."While Blake scavenged from the survival students, Jackie put on Amy's parka and spoke to Grant and Emma. "I'm going out to let Scott know
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 324: From Bad to Worse
Chapter 324: From Bad to WorseAway from the wide-open expanse of the lake, the trees blocked a certain amount of the wind, but plenty of snow filtered down. Try as he might, Scott couldn't make out any tracks left by Pierce. He continued up the trail, slipping and sliding as he made his way up a steep ridge. The designated campsite was the clearing at the top, but once he arrived, the area was empty. Even the snow was thin, having been blown into drifts against the bases of the trees surrounding the clearing. Where are you, you little shit? Scott turned in a circle, considering the most likely way Pierce might have gone. The clearing was exposed. He'd have wanted to find a spot that afforded more shelter. Which meant he would have gone lower. But in which direction?Rolling the dice, Scott headed west, where the clearing dropped off in a bluff about thirty meters above a ravine created by a now-frozen creek. He peered down into the gully, willing Pierce not to be there at
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 323: Who's Missing?
Chapter 323: Who's Missing?An hour later, Scott sipped his coffee and gazed out over the room. A handful of his campers had volunteered to help with lunch, and they'd all enjoyed potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, a group of guests was working on chili for dinner.Out of habit, he mentally counted his group. Tom and Patty Payton, who'd headed up lunch, were playing cards with Justin Sapp and Paula Martinez. Dan Spinelli was talking fishing with the father and sons from Cherub Lake. Not finding Pierce, Adams, or Bennet, he frowned slightly. A trip to the restaurant kitchen revealed Brian Bennett and Keely Adams working on cornbread to go with the chili.That leaves one. Scott returned to the dining room. Jackie was across the room checking on Amy. He cruised by the table where Dan was swapping fish stories. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Pierce?"The younger man frowned. "Not since we ate. But you know, now that you mention it, his backpack is gone." H
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the Lodge
Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the LodgeAs Jackie and the children hiked toward the main lodge, they heard the snowmobile returning from the island. Jackie sent Emma and Grant ahead with their backpacks, Max galumphing along behind them, while she waited for Scott to secure the snowmobile."How'd it go?"Scott's lips were a grim line. "About how you'd expect. There's nothing we can do about it with the storm coming. Everybody understood, really. Except for Pierce. He's such an asswipe."Jackie's eyes widened but her lips curled impishly. "Oh my, Sire. Language."He popped her ass lightly. "And now my Princess requests a spanking. My day is complete."They both laughed as the entered the lodge. Trina had a huge fire going in the dining room's fireplace, and she'd already been to the cabins to invite guests to gather in the main lodge, where there would be food and heat."Hi, guys," she greeted Jackie and Scott. "I called the crew to let them know to stay home today. Then
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 321: Blizzard Warning
Chapter 321: Blizzard WarningFrowning, Scott watched the latest weather report on the early morning local news, his mouth set in a grim line. Beside him, Jackie stirred. "What is it?" she murmured."It's alright," he answered softly. "Go back to sleep. It's not even 5:00 yet."She sniffed loudly and yawned. "I'm awake now. What's the matter?" She pushed up on an elbow and rested her head against his shoulder.He shook his head derisively. "The blizzard. They're predicting the storm to hit by this afternoon.""I thought it was supposed to skirt us to the south.""I hoped it would. But now we're under a blizzard warning." He kissed her temple and slid out of bed."What are you going to do?"He stepped into a pair of fleece-lined jeans and shrugged into a grey thermal Henley. "I'm heading to the island to let the campers know. Obviously, we're postponing the solo outings. I'll offer them the chance to return for free to finish their second week of this session." He glanced
Dream Dominant Collection Chapter 320: Winter Session
Chapter 320: Winter SessionPulling the hood of his black parka lower over his head, Scott ducked behind the windscreen of his snowmobile and headed back to the lodge. At the bunkhouse cabin, he'd just welcomed Tom and Patty Payton, the only married couple he'd had thus far in his wilderness school.Having checked in with Jackie in the reception area of the lodge, the pair had made their way on foot across the ice to the island where they joined fellow survival students Justin Sapp, a stocky young man with an infectious sense of humor, and Paula Martinez, an attractive thirty-something Latina who wrote a Spanish-language adventure blog.Everyone in this session had broad outdoor survival experience, including the Paytons, who had once spent a year in the Amazon cataloging wildlife. They'd told Scott they were excited to learn winter survival skills in the wilderness of Ontario.That leaves four more clients yet to arrive, Scott mused as he pulled up the slope to park beneath the lodg
