Argus-In Dreams

220 Pages·2016·1.19 MB·English

by  Bendoni Tina

ARGUS: IN DREAMS

Tina Bendoni

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This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered
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* * * * *
This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some
readers may find objectionable (violence).
Argus: In Dreams
Tina Bendoni

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or
existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by
Loose Id LLC
1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924
Carson City NV 89701-1215
www.loose-id.com

Copyright © December 2006 by Tina Bendoni
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of
this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing,
photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-373-5
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Catherine Gilbert
Cover Artist: Kelly Priddy
Dedication

To Debbie and Tennille my first fans: Thank you for everything.
Kelly, without whom this would never have happened.
And, always, Pat. Thank you, honey. Without your support and love I wouldn’t be half
the person I am today.
Prologue

He watched from the back of the room as the tall, dark-haired woman approached the
podium. Black hair, pulled back into a braid, bared her long, slender neck to his view.
Graceful and elegant in a red cashmere sweater and calf-length A-line skirt, she had the
attention of every person in the room, especially the males. Definitely worth the wait, he
decided.
Picturing her hair loose and flowing around her body, the only covering he would
allow her once she was his, brought his blood to boiling in anticipation. He would be pleased
when she surrendered to him.
He saw her shiver and glance around as though aware of his scrutiny. Not yet, he
thought to himself as he backed away, blending seamlessly into the audience. Soon, though,
you will be mine. You have hidden long enough, my Diana. Regardless of who you pretend
to be, you will be mine. Soon, he promised himself as he walked out of the bookstore and
onto the dark street.

A shiver ran up Diana’s spine as she walked toward the dais. She looked around, but
didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Just a room full of her fans, here to ask questions
about her newest book. It was different now that people knew who the person was behind
the pen name she’d used for the last seven years. This was the tenth stop on her present book
tour, and she still expected someone to accuse her of not being who she said she was.
With her real name known, she felt exposed, unprotected, but from what, she didn’t
know. Tonight, specifically, there was a feeling that was off -- as though something wasn’t
right. As she approached the podium, the feeling lessened in intensity, so she shrugged it off
as nerves.
2 Tina Bendoni
Five hours later, Diana let herself into her hotel room. She settled onto the settee and
breathed a sigh of relief. She was never comfortable around large groups of people, and when
all the attention was focused on her, it was nearly impossible for her to function. How she
managed to get through these book signings was a minor miracle.
Too wired to sleep, she opened some of the fan mail her agent had forwarded to her.
She tried to answer as many letters as she could, but it was getting more difficult as she
became more popular. Seeing a familiar envelope, Diana stopped. Another one. Why hadn’t
her agent sent it to the police?
With dread, she opened the letter from her secret admirer.

My Dearest Diana,
It has been too long since I have seen you, my dear, although I plan to rectify that soon.
I always knew you would come to my attention, and since I found you, I have been awaiting
the time when we can be with each other. I look forward to our joining with pleasure. As
you read this, rest assured that I am busy preparing for us to be together again. Soon, you will
be mine, and together we shall conquer all.
With all my love,
Your Other Half

She had been getting these letters for the past six months, since her real name had been
released to the press. Whoever this man was, he was fixated on her and wouldn’t leave her
alone. So far the police had been unable to find any evidence to point to his identity. They
didn’t treat this as a high priority, either. After all, what was the problem with a few
upsetting letters? It wasn’t like he had ever threatened her. Just because she got the shivers
every time she received one of his letters wasn’t reason enough for them to hunt him down.
They’d decided he was harmless. She wasn’t so sure.
She never expected this eight years ago. Back then she had been a substitute teacher
looking for a full-time job. Writing short stories for her own enjoyment, she occasionally had
one accepted for publication. Never had she anticipated becoming a best-selling author of
paranormals.
That was when the dreams had started. She still thought of them like that, all in italics.
The dreams. In the beginning they had been about pain and despair. The loneliness in them
had scared her. How could anyone feel like that and still survive?
After a while, though, they had changed. They were no longer about loneliness and
anger, but about honor and duty. They were filled with a driving need to make things better,
to make a difference in the world.
Still, she had felt herself slowly going mad. Every night she would go to sleep, and
every night she would have the most vivid dreams. Dreams that scared her because of their
Argus: In Dreams 3
intensity. Meditating didn’t help and sleeping pills were useless. Even the few times she’d
tried drinking herself to sleep they hadn’t stopped coming.
At a loss, and not knowing what else to do, she started writing them down in hopes of
finding a common thread. To find something that would explain why she was having them.
It was the only thing that kept her sane. She would wake up every morning and write for
hours before she had to go to work. She wrote down everything she remembered, what she
had felt, what she had experienced.
It always felt as if she’d been there. She remembered smells, sounds, and even the feel
of what was going on. She, herself, was never in these dreams, but she experienced them as
someone else. A man. A man in charge of others. One who valued the lives of his
subordinates, and at the same time, made sure his mission was accomplished successfully.
Then the dreams stopped. Only for a month or two, but she was able to recharge
herself and think. She went over her dream diary and realized what she had. A story, with
the action and dialogue all written. All she had to do was put it to paper and send it out. It
wasn’t her story, and she didn’t know where it came from, but it was a story begging to be
told.
Luck must have been on Diana’s side. She beat all the odds and got an offer to publish
her book from the first publishing house she sent it to. Paranormal books were popular, and
publishers were looking for original stories. Her dreams were just what they wanted.
Who knew a demon-fighting psychic would be so popular? Major Tony Lebretti was
not only the perfect hero, he was the perfect lover. What woman wouldn’t give her eyeteeth
to be with a man that knew exactly what she wanted, when she wanted it? What man didn’t
want to be the strong hero who always saved the day and got the girl? Even if he never kept
the same woman from book to book, there was something about him that women loved.
Perhaps they hoped in their hearts that one day they would be the next one he chose.
She wrote Tony as she dreamt him. At least, the warrior part. The rest of it, she created
out of the daydreams she had built around him. Well, he was her creation, right? Who could
blame her for upping the sensuality factor? She spent eighteen hours a day with him and his
unit. Might as well make it enjoyable.
But why did she feel guilty? Why did she feel as if she was taking something away
from someone without their permission? Like she was stealing their very soul?
4 Tina Bendoni
Chapter One

Diana hated airports, and KCI in Kansas City was no exception. True, it was better than
most, but having to go through security again just to get bottled water made it extremely
irritating. And it was so open. Large glass windows to the main section of the airport allowed
anyone, not just ticket holders, to see who was coming and going, and where.
She relaxed into her first-class seat with a sigh of relief. Much more comfortable than
the waiting area and less exposed. After buckling herself in, she turned her attention to the
other passengers boarding. Was he here? Was someone really watching her, or was she just
being paranoid?
Settling in, she put her laptop under her seat and prepared for the three-hour flight to
Boston. Whether she was paranoid or not, she needed to get some work done. She pulled a
notebook out and was immediately lost in the planning of her newest novel.
Despite her plan, her attention was pulled away from her work the moment a man sat
beside her. Instantly, she felt the electricity bouncing off him in waves, hitting her with an
almost physical presence. Startled, she turned to look at him.
He was busy adjusting his seat belt, so she only saw his profile -- but what a profile it
was. He had a strong chin, full lips, and his nose appeared to have been broken at least once,
creating a ridge that interrupted an otherwise perfect silhouette. His hair was a liquid
chocolate brown, the kind you licked your lips in anticipation of tasting. She was still
picturing the tub of chocolate when he turned his full attention toward her.
Diana inhaled a silent gasp. His eyes were the most vibrant, clear, piercing blue she had
ever seen. They sparkled with intelligence and humor. Sucking her in, they left her unable to
breathe as she drowned in his gaze. She had to force herself out of the spell they seemed to
cast on her, before losing herself completely.
Argus: In Dreams 5
Concentrating, Diana searched the rest of his face. He had smooth skin, with laugh
lines that told her he enjoyed life. His hair, cut fashionably short, had enough waves to run
fingers through. She was right, his nose probably had been broken, but it just seemed to add
to his attractiveness, giving him a rugged, rough-hewn look that suited his body.
His body. She was suddenly aware of her arm pressed against his. His hard, tight bicep
left her in no doubt as to whether his bulk was fat or muscle. It took a lot of weight lifting or
hard labor to build a body like that. Diana had to calm her breathing at the thought of him
naked. His torso filled the first-class seat. Long legs encased in tight, well-worn jeans just
asked to be touched. She realized she was staring at the same moment he smiled at her.
“Hi.” His smile was perfect. Bright, with straight, white teeth and full, kissable lips.
Get a grip, Diana, she thought to herself. It’s been way too long since you’ve been with
someone. Get your hormones in check.
“Hi,” she answered with a smile of her own.
“I’m Gabe.”
“Diana.” She got to sit with him all the way to Boston? Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so
bad, after all.
* * * * *
Gabe grasped the hand of the woman beside him. Warmth enveloped him at her touch.
He felt the heat travel from his palm to the pit of his stomach, leaving instant desire in its
wake.
His eyes widened at his body’s reaction to her. Strange. He gazed intently at her face.
Pale-blue eyes, almost gray in appearance, entranced him as he continued to hold her hand.
Her smile was welcoming and comforting, with more than a hint of sensuality behind it.
Something in her called to him. Desire and need shot through his body. A need only this
woman could fulfill.
“Going to Boston? Or further on after that?” Gabe realized how inane his question
sounded, but what else did you ask someone on a plane who you just met?
“Stopping in Boston.”
“Business or pleasure?” He gestured toward the notebook she had been writing in.
“A little of both. I have some readings and signings to do, and I plan to sightsee while
I’m there.”
“Readings?”
“I’m an author,” Diana answered.
“Really? Anything I would have read?”
“Probably not.” She smiled and shook her head.