âIâm a little out of practice.â
Dylan ended his confession with a frown.
âItâs okay,â Nikki reassured him. âYou want us to explore thisâ¦attraction, right?â
He nodded. âInterested?â
She swallowed hard. This was her chance to help him. Warmth filled her as she envisioned touching him, stroking him, bringing him pleasureâ¦and peace. But something told her that leaving this man would be one of the hardest things sheâd ever do.
She kept her voice casual, though her pulse pounded and her lips ached for more of his kiss. âCould be.â
âI canât make any promises, Nikki. Iâm not looking for anything serious.â
âYou mean no extras?â She laughed, knowing that they wouldnât be together long enough to worry about serious. âNo frills? Sex only?â
âWell, I do owe you dinner.â
With a boldness she didnât feel, she ran her hand up his torso. âLetâs not put off until tomorrow what we can do today.â
Dear Reader,
Have you ever met someone whose true-life story captured your interest like that of a fictional character?
I once met a young man whoâd grown up with the Roma (Gypsies), saved a girl from an abusive household by running away with her, become engaged to her, then lost her in a senseless shooting. He was the first tortured hero Iâd met outside the pages of a book and he inspired Dylan Cain, the hero of The Morning After, the first book in my SEXUAL HEALING trilogy.
Dylan captures the essence of the man who has loved deeply and now grieves the loss of that love. How could Nikki McClellan, born with the gift of sexual healing, not be drawn to him?
As always, itâs a pleasure to share my stories with you. Feel free to write me at [email protected] or P.O. Box 769012, Roswell, GA 30076. Please visit my Web site at www.doriegraham.com.
Best wishes,
Dorie Graham
While writing this trilogy I reflected on the number of sisterhoods that have touched my life. Marion, Carol, Maureen and Cathy, this one is for you. I wouldnât be the person I am today without growing up beside you. Thanks for the support youâve given me along the way and the love you continue to offer each day.
Iâd like to offer a special thanks to Tami Harmon McGraw for her help and advice in portraying Nikki as a veterinarian. Thanks, Tami, for helping me keep it real.
SHE WASNâT A ONE-NIGHT wonder after all. Euphoria filled Nikki McClellan Sunday morning as the aroma of fresh coffee and the clatter of dishes roused her from a languorous sleep.
This was a Sunday for the record books.
True to his word, Brad Turner was making her breakfast to celebrate their first night together as lovers. A profound relief poured through her. At long last, sheâd kept a man until morning.
The intense Miami sun peered through a crack in the curtains. It promised to be another scorching June day, but today she could face anything. With a smile she slipped from the bed, then stole into the shower. Humming softly, she lathered herself, then let the warm rivulets rinse her. This morning her luck had changed. If she played her cards right, she might finally have the lasting relationship sheâd always longed for.
As she exited the bathroom, she breathed deeply the scent of the bacon and eggs she could almost hear sizzling. Tying her robe snugly, she padded barefoot down the hall to the kitchen. Thank goodness neither of her sisters seemed to be stirring.
âYou adorable maââ She stopped in her tracks.
A tray laden with bacon, eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit, coffee and croissants graced the center of her breakfast counter. A folded sheet of paper sat beside it, her name scrawled across its front.
Brad was nowhere to be seen.
Disappointment choked her as she sank onto one of the bar stools. âWell, at least this one left a note.â
Sighing, she unfolded the paper.
Dearest Nikki,
Last night was the most amazing night of my life, but Iâm sure you get that all the time. No one has ever made me feel that way. Sex with you was like a spiritual experience, and Iâm sitting here in awe, still trying to figure out exactly what happened.
All I know is that last night somehow changed my life. I feel as if I could go out and conquer the world. So thatâs what Iâm off to do. Iâve never felt so sure of myself. You did that for me. Youâre a goddess and I only wish I was worthy of you. I will always cherish the memory of our time together.
With deepest gratitude,
Brad
âGratitude?â She ground the word through her teeth. âOh, hell, at least the man can cook.â
âWOULD YOU LIKE SOME TEA and honey cakes, dear?â Sophie Patterson, Nikkiâs aunt, set a tray filled with the steaming brew and sweet-smelling cakes on the low coffee table before them the following Thursday.
Nikki rubbed her stomach. Sheâd managed to finish off the entire meal Brad had left, then sheâd spent the rest of the weekend and a good part of the week eating through her misery. Still, she felt a little hollow, and the best place for filling up was at her auntâs. It was also the best place for getting advice.