Dreams That Bind Us by Irene Lawless

James jack-knifed in the bed, his hands reaching for the woman who always seemed to hover just out of his reach. He found nothing but air.

Sucking in a deep breath, he slumped against his pillow and groaned, grinding his palms into his eyes. It happened every night now: an amazingly erotic dream of a mystery woman with curly, blonde hair and eyes the shade of mesmerizing teal, similar to the waters surrounding the island. He could barely see her face, as if she were standing in a fog. But it was the silky locks and hypnotic gaze that always drew him in.

His hand wrapped around his rock-hard cock and squeezed, hissing at the sensation. The dreams had started when he’d moved to Key West months ago, yanking him awake and leaving him aching for more. Hell, he hadn’t been this horny since he was eighteen years old, and it was for a woman who didn’t exist.

He padded to the bathroom and braced against the cool porcelain counter, staring at his reflection. There were dark circles under his eyes now, probably from the lack of sleep, and he really needed to shave. He ran a hand over his bristly chin and grimaced. He’d grown lazy since he left New York.

If she were alive, his mother wouldn’t be pleased. She would remind him that, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” A pang of heartache hit at the thought. It had been six months and it still wasn’t any easier. She’d passed quickly from a stroke in her sleep, so she hadn’t suffered. Now the misery was all his because he never had a chance to say goodbye.

If only he had made the time.

He huffed out a sigh and drummed his fingers on the sink. It was time to get his life back in order and somehow figure out how to get that intoxicating figment of a woman out of his head.

If that was even possible.