A Dream Desire

By C. Tyler

Olivia intended for nothing more than a one-night-stand when she saw him in the bar that night, yet what she ended up with was more than she ever could have imagined.

Ian, a consummate playboy, never anticipated stumbling across her, but the moment Olivia came into his life, everything he’d worked so hard for was thrown into absolute chaos, threatening his career and sanity.

But what are they supposed to do when the real world refuses to be ignored?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: May 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9780369508164

Book preview

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2023 C. Tyler

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0816-4

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: CA Clauson

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A DREAM DESIRE

C. Tyler

Copyright © 2023

Chapter One

Los Angeles was a strange place.

It’d been a couple of years since Olivia was in town, but the massive city had somehow remained the same while simultaneously shifting. It was a phenomenon that she wondered if other towns went through, too.

The truth was everything in L.A. changed with startling frequency, businesses coming and going within the blink of an eye, but there was something familiar with that.

She’d returned to visit her little sister, a much-needed vacation and reunion. The last time she and Poppy had seen each other in person was nearly four years prior when her little sister made the trip to Wyoming. They spoke often, but lives and being in different states did make it difficult for quality time.

Olivia decided it was her turn to buy the plane ticket.

After landing, trudging through horrific traffic, and checking into her hotel, Olivia had calmed, showered and changed. She’d meet her sister the following day for lunch, but in the meantime, the night was hers.

Somewhere to drink was her destination, a place to unwind and further relax. Maybe, if the stars aligned, she would find someone to spend the night with, too.

While sitting at the bar surrounded by patrons chatting away, Olivia couldn’t help but people-watch. It’d been something she’d done since she was a kid. She was an artist, in a broad sense, and enjoyed examining features in search of inspiration, uniqueness or simple beauty.

They were all so different, yet somehow the same. People liked to believe they were individuals, but the fact remained it was statistically impossible. With over seven billion human beings on the planet, chances were there were a few duplicates in the mix.

Glass to her lips, Olivia’s gaze danced around the room. At a table sat a group of girls. She assumed they were of legal age given each held a brightly colored alcoholic beverage, but their high-pitched laughter and clothing told her they couldn’t have been far into their adulthood.

They would’ve made nice subjects to draw, however. One had beautiful hair, jet-black that flowed in a straight line to the center of her back. It shined blue in the light. Another had a slight nose, narrow and perfect in shape.

In the corner had been a small gathering of men wearing business suits. Their ties were in various stages of disarray. They could’ve been bankers letting off steam, or worked in an office. While they likely held a mundane job, a couple of them struck her as the type to tell a lady they worked in show business. They had the air and her interest drifted immediately.

Olivia continued on with her observations and found her attention landing on a gentleman at the other end of the L-shaped bar. He caught her eye and held it.

Seeming to be deep in conversation with another man, Olivia couldn’t help staring at him.

He sat forward, elbows on the bar-top with a half-drunk pint near his crossed arms. The long sleeves of his Henley shirt had been rolled up to his elbows, revealing part of a tattoo on one forearm and a gathering of miscellaneous bracelets on his wrist. He wore a couple of rings, too, though he was too far away for her to see any detail in them.

Dark hair had been sculpted atop his head and a beard covered his face. He was handsome, enough so that in spite of the distance, he made her heart flutter just a little.

Olivia thought about approaching him, about whether or not he would be the one she could spend the night with when he lifted his pint to his lips and caught her staring.

He took a hefty drink and set the glass down, meeting her eye without reservation. It became clear he’d expected her to look away when his thick brows twitched together. Coyly averting her gaze wasn’t Olivia’s style, so instead, she smiled at him and cocked a single brow.

An uncertain smile flickered at the corner of his mouth. Amused with his reaction, Olivia grinned and took a drink of her beer, finally breaking their eye contact. It seemed to be the only invitation he needed.

Through the mirror on the back wall, Olivia watched him rise to his feet, say something to his friend and approach. Her heartbeat quickened, but practice allowed her to keep it from her features.

After making his way through the crowd, the stranger slid up beside her, planting an elbow on the lacquered surface and shifting to face her. Olivia met his gaze. His eyes were hazel, a beautiful mixture of brown and green that added another layer of attraction in her mind.

Hi, he said, brandishing a wide smile and flashing a perfect set of teeth.

So close, Olivia was able to see how well-crafted his outfit had been, the perfect combination of flattering and simple. Even his cologne suited him. Olivia wished more men wore scents.

Hi, she replied. How’s it going?

Good, I think.

Not sure?

A smirk remained while he narrowed his eyes. S’pose it depends.

On what? She kept her tone playful and he responded to it.

On whether or not you’re meeting someone here.

Olivia shifted in her seat to better face him, crossing her legs when she had. His gaze drifted downward and she knew he noticed the right thing.

She’d picked her outfits for her vacation with California’s perfect climate in mind, meaning she’d brought more skirts than pants. That night she’d chosen to wear a knee-length, pleated skirt. It was one of her favorites, both for its deep navy color and the way the pleats allowed it to glide across her legs when she crossed them.

No, not meeting anyone, she said, drawing his gaze to hers. I’m on vacation.

His eyes sparkled with something wicked. A tingle rippled across the back of her neck in response.

Oh, yeah? A crooked smile formed, complimenting the wickedness perfectly. He shifted a little closer. His voice dipped. Have any specific plans while you’re in town?

His level of confidence had been a delightful surprise. Some men seemed to feel they had to pussyfoot around what they wanted and for some women that might have been true. Olivia wasn’t among them. She preferred bluntness and given how attractive the man was, she assumed he did, too. At the very least, she didn’t doubt he was the sort who’d charmed his way into plenty of panties.

Olivia leaned in further, helping close the gap between them even more. Peering at him through her lashes, she cocked her head to the side.

Not any for tonight. Do you have any suggestions?

The air around them pulsed and sparked. He ran his bottom lip through his teeth while unknown things coursed through his head.

I can think of a few.

I don’t doubt it.

Do you need to tell your friend you’re leaving? she asked.

His gaze briefly darted to the corner she’d first spotted him.

Probably. He looked at her again. Give me five minutes?

I’ll meet you out front.

His smile returned, prouder than before if possible.

Without a word, the stranger headed toward his buddy to tell him God-knows-what.

Easier than I thought. Good.

Olivia stood and finished off her drink.

She wove through the crowd and out the front door, glad for the breeze that graced her skin. Was it smart what she was doing? No, not really. There were plenty of weirdos and psychos in the world, and while she didn’t get that vibe from him, it didn’t mean he wasn’t one. On the other hand, sometimes a girl just wanted to get laid.

Olivia ran her fingers through her hair and checked her bag for her things. She retrieved her phone first and foremost, unlocking it and pulling up the camera.

Footsteps approached her from behind. Olivia turned to find the stranger walking toward her, pulling on a jacket and still brandishing a proud smirk. She lifted her phone and he paused.

Say cheese.

He flashed a smile when she took the picture, stuck in the middle of fixing his coat. Sure the image had been taken and it was clear enough, Olivia locked her phone and put it in her bag again.

Hope you got my good side, he said with a teasing tone. What was that for, anyway?

In case I go missing. She kept her gentle cadence in spite of the strange topic. They’ll know who to look for.

He gave a nod as though thinking it over. Creepy. Smart, but creepy. Running his fingers through his hair, he glanced around. Look, if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. He met her eye again. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.

That’s kind of sweet.

I’m a big girl, she said, stepping forward until she’d been forced to crane her neck to keep his gaze. The man only stood a few inches taller than her, but most seemed to like the ego boost. I can make my own decisions.

He let out a deep chuckle.

Okay. Well, your place or mine?

My hotel’s around the corner.

He lifted a brow. Lead the way.

Olivia turned on her heel and headed in the direction of her hotel. His footsteps remained close behind until he joined her in stride. All the while, Olivia’s excitement grew. She needed a fling, something that would end as quickly as it began, something meaningless, and she suspected the stranger would fit the bill.

Chapter Two

The pair made it to the hotel a few minutes after leaving the bar. Olivia led him through the lobby and to the elevator bay where they grabbed the first available. Once inside, he took his stance opposite her in the shiny cubicle.

Olivia pressed the button to her floor.

She stared at him, noting that he’d only become more handsome in the well-lit space. His eyes were brighter, his skin clearly sun-kissed and his smile more sinister.

By the way, he said. What’s your name?

Does it really matter?

Her answer seemed to surprise him and for a brief moment, she wondered if he’d change his mind. To her delight, his smile grew.

The stranger shook his head. No, guess not. He pushed himself away from the wall and crossed the space with a wide step. His chest pushed against hers, pinning her in place. Just curious.

His hands rested low on her waist. Olivia kept her grip on the bar, remaining in place while he pulled her hips into his. The stranger dipped forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck. In the confined space without interference from the outside world, his cologne had been stronger, more inviting. Something about the spicy, woody scent caused her blood to boil.

Olivia sighed when his mouth closed on her neck, placing gentle yet intentional kisses along her skin. He knew what he was doing, teasing her with the blunt scrape of his teeth and the tender flick of his tongue.

Her heartbeat increased and her body tingled. Heat pooled between her legs and as the seconds ticked by, an ache followed.

One of the hands on her hip climbed, gliding over her cotton tee and to her breast. Her stranger groaned when he grasped it, squeezing it in his large paw. Olivia encased him in her arms, threading her fingers through his hair and holding tight.

His mouth moved higher, tracing a line across her jaw while he pinched her nipple taut. She tugged on his hair and he growled in response. The bulge of his growing erection dug into her lower stomach, hinting at something much more impressive hidden beneath the denim.

The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened with a ding, forcing the two apart. He stared down at her, eyes dark and lids heavy. Something primal had overtaken his appearance and she had no doubt he saw the same mirrored with her.

Olivia took his hand in hers and grinned. Something fun was in store, she had no doubt.

Come along, she said, guiding him out of the elevator and down the hall.

Her room sat around a corner from the elevators and when she reached it, she released their grasp to find her key in her purse. Busy with it, she did her best to ignore the stranger, but he seemed unwilling to allow such a thing.

A thick, hard body molded to her back while a large hand came to rest on the wall above her room number placard. His free hand wrapped itself around her waist, though didn’t linger.

You should hurry, he whispered against the crown her of head.

His words sent a chill down her spine. Olivia’s clit immediately pulsed with want.

Why’s that? she asked.

The hand on her waist traveled down, dipping beneath the hem of her tee and into the band of her skirt.

Cause I don’t know how long I can wait.

An evil smile formed across her lips. Olivia had already found the keycard, but curiosity and anticipation kept her from revealing it.

You plan to fuck me right here in the hall, hmm?

He let out a sigh while his hand continued to travel south. Inch by inch it sank beneath her skirt and deeper into her panties. He forced it at an agonizing pace, no doubt intending to build her frustration. It worked.

If that’s what you want. His fingers floated along her slit where he found her wet and wanting. Olivia parted her legs to give him all the access he could want. He groaned, gliding his digits along her lips and opening them with ease. Fuck, he said with a moan. Maybe it is.

He began to trace circles over her clit. Olivia’s knees wavered when a tremor of pleasure rippled through her body. He caught her in an instant, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her tight to his chest.

Olivia’s head fell against his shoulder while he continued to work between her thighs. He grabbed her breast again, squeezing it hard and compounding her excitement in the process.

Because I will. His voice had become twisted with growing lust, adding yet another layer to their desires. "I’ll fuck you