It was one of those hot humid nights that you sometimes get in June when even with the windows open and the lightest of sheets over you, your sleep is still fitful and dream-filled. It was June 21st - Midsummer night - a magical evening in many ways, too. Shakespeare had thought so and set one of his most appealing comedies on that night when lovers meet and spells are cast and unlikely fantasies take shape. Down at Stonehenge, the police would be out in full force to try and keep at bay the followers of the old ways who know that there is power in the sun and magic in the moon.

There was a knock on my door that disturbed my restless slumber and I rose groggily, aware that I was scantily clad but somehow still dream-soaked enough not to care. Tripping down the staircase, I opened my front door to a man in a uniform standing before me. "Your car, Miss."

"My what?" I asked bemused.

"Your car. For the journey. As requested."

That is so typical of a dream, isn't it? I found myself moments later leaving my house, still wearing my cotton sleep shorts and allowing this chauffeur to help me into a large limousine that was parked incongruously on my narrow street. I remember thinking that I ought to have put some clothes on but no sooner had I thought that than I was aware that I was dressed in an elegant day dress, powder blue linen, and it was no longer night.

It was also no longer my hometown, either. In fact I didn't even know where I was. This beautiful countryside was nothing like Berkshire or the Home Counties, being both wilder and grander. We seemed to be in deep countryside but I got a glimpse of sea through a break in a hedge as we sped on. Then we reached the crest of a hill and I saw the sprawl of a vibrant city in the valley below. Where was this place with so many different aspects? It was nowhere I had ever been before, an almost dream-like landscape.

"Where are we?" I asked the driver curiously.

"Anywhere you want to be, ma'am," he answered mysteriously and said no more.

That's a dream for you, isn't it? One minute it can seem so real and the next something so ludicrous occurs that you wonder later why it seemed so plausible at the time. I answered with a simple. "Right. Thought it was something like that," as if I hadn't been tucked up in bed in England minutes before.

Shortly afterwards, the road seemed to descend and we were on the outskirts of an urban landscape, in what appeared to be a decent are of the town, large properties on wide streets and elegant apartment blocks.  Not long after that, the car pulled up alongside a kerb and came to rest outside a rather typical English pub, well kept and festooned with flower baskets hanging from the low eaves. It seemed to be an old coaching inn from the black and white half timbered frame and the small bullseye windows. From a sturdy gibbet hung a traditional sign 'The Come On Inn'.  I thought what a charming place it seemed to be; the kind of pub that is now disappearing in our cities replaced by the theme pubs installed by the large breweries that control everything these days.  The driver stepped out, opened my door and held out his hand to help me out.

"The Inn, ma'am," my driver announced formally as I got out and walked towards the steps, unsure of what to do and exactly where I was. Turning back to ask the chauffeur if he knew where we were, I was shocked to find that he had disappeared, although I know that I had heard no engine sounds. How curious. I felt like Alice in Wonderland when she fell down the rabbit hole and everything odd seemed perfectly plain.

'This is a dream so you might as well enjoy it.' I thought to myself and so I acted in a way I never would have done in life and sauntered right up to the front door, bold as you please pushing against the heavy oak door. As I peered within I saw a man sitting in a chair by the door, rocking back slightly. I couldn't believe it was him!

"I thought it would be you," he said quietly. "We were expecting you."

"Me? How do you know me?" I asked.

He smiled. "Same way as you know me, I suppose. Don't you feel it?"

I stopped and gave myself a moment to feel. And he was right. I could feel something; something hard to define, as if I had an extra sense. And it wasn't just emanating from him. I sensed it all around, to lesser and greater degrees. Most strange.

"Come on in and let me explain," he said by way of response.

Leading me into the large bar, heavy wooden beams and the rich mahogany bar giving a warm and inviting feel, I noticed the gleaming brasses of the beer pumps, the collection of pewter shining above the bar, the vast array of every conceivable alcoholic beverage displayed on the glass shelves. Several rooms led off the main bar area, one appeared to house a restaurant section, another a games room and there were French windows leading off out to the large beer garden beyond..

Here we sat in the main lounge on stools by the bar while my host poured us both a glass of chilled white wine. I watched him as he attended me with gracious ease. He is a handsome man, even more impressive in the flesh than in film. His eyes seemed larger, more glassy, his lashes long and almost pretty, his angular jaw more defined, his lips more sensual. I could not help but take a peek at his body encased casually in jeans and a white shirt; he was not as tall as I had imagined but seemed larger than life. His shoulders were powerful even beneath soft cotton, his hips were narrow, his butt was shapely, hugged by the blue denim. I blushed at the sturdy thighs and think of the times I have imagined my legs wrapped around them. His thick fingers gripping the stem of the crystal glass give me an unexpected thrill.

"Let me explain a few things..." he began and I settled back to let him talk, allowing the deep timbre of his voice to wash over me like whisky-flavoured, cigarette-roughened late night conversation.

"This place is real but unreal all at the same time. If you want to join us then simply wish it to be and it will be so. Once you enter this dimension, you live in some parallel universe where all your dreams are possible. You make friends, take lovers, meet soul mates, chat with like-minded people, even on occasions have a humdinger of a row. Just like real life but better."

He stopped and I realised that he was waiting for a response. "Who are these people? Why am I here?"  But even as I said it I found myself realising something of the enormity of what this place represented.

I was rewarded with a smile, and the sparkling of his eyes. He pointed to a cabinet near a giant TV screen and I glanced at the DVDs arranged neatly in chronological order. I almost knew what I would find before I saw them. Every film made by Russell Crowe starting with Blood Oath and ending with Master and Commander: Far Side of the World.

"Take your pick!" he said with a grin.

"Really? All of you? You are here?"

"Yeah...with the added charms of Stephen Maturin and Dino to cater for others tastes..."

"All the time? You live here?"

He laughed. "No, of course not. We're ordinary men, just as you are ordinary women. We have homes and jobs and lives outside. But when we are free and feel like touching base, we come along here. This place is a sort of touchstone for us all. It's hard to explain. Something you just feel..."

What a dream! I suddenly began to panic. This is normally the time I wake up when I'm having a deliciously erotic dream. I never ever get to the bit when the object of my lust actually gets to the point when he declares his undying love for me and sets out to woo me. I tried to mentally will myself to stay deeply asleep and hope for the best.

I couldn't really think what to say next. I mean is there actually an answer to that sort of proposal? So I fell back on a line from a film I knew. "Why me?"

He recognised it and laughed. "I don't know," he replied in the same style. "But...I hope to find out."

That was a pretty clear statement of intent.

"However, the choice is yours. If you wish to see us, then you just whistle. You know? Put your lips together and blow..."

I giggled at that reference. "How do you know I love old movies?"

He gave me a smug look. "My business to know."

This dream was becoming more and more enthralling. I remembered the words from Alice in Wonderland again. 'Curiouser and Curiouser.'  He seemed to know as much about me as I did about him. And I knew a lot about him, I couldn't deny it. I might be acting vague but I was piecing this together better than I appeared to be. As a long time Russell Crowe fan, I couldn't pretend I had never heard about these online games with the imaginary characters. The only surprise was to find that they might actually be real. Or rather...no, this was a dream, wasn't it? Wasn't it?

"Let's show you around then?" He stood up and held his hand out, taking mine and leading me out through the French windows. The next half an hour made even surreal look surreal. We walked around this amazing old hostelry and he introduced me to so many different versions of himself that it was mind-blowing.

In the garden were Jeff and Dominic, larking about with Jack Corbett. They shouted out 'G'day' before resuming their horseplay. It was a hot day and they were throwing a soft rugby ball the kind kids play with so that they don't damage the windows. I have to admit the expanse of naked chests was a very welcome sight. Out in the car park were Colin and Dominic working on motorbikes, grease-stained and sweaty. Both looked up and mumbled something. In a small room which must have been the original library-cum-study was John Nash who barely looked up from his calculations and Stephen Maturin who leapt from the computer terminal, shook my hand warmly and hoped we would get to know each other better soon.

Then into the TV area, where Steve and Zack were arguing about sport whilst eating lunch. My arrival stopped them both in their tracks and they turned on the charm. Yes...even Zack has some charm, surprisingly enough. Out by the store were Egan and East, rolling barrels and lifting crates into the back of the pub. It was hard to know which was the more beautiful of the two young horsemen.

As we were exchanging a pleasant word or two, up Cort strode up and we shook hands. He is something else and his soft-spoken drawl enchanted me. On the way back to the main bar, I asked where all the others were.

"Biebe's around somewhere but I think he has Clarity with him...so don't expect we'll see much of him. Those two are a real item these days. Most of the guys and girls will be working at this time of the day but you'll see them later. The K and R men have a security job in town. Jack and Gaia disappeared last night and no one's seen them since, Bud's over at Marie's...Lachlan could be anywhere..." He pointed skywards "... and Hando's up to God knows what, as usual. That covers everyone, I think."

"Guess it does," I smiled. "And it was certainly a scenic trip! What's next on the agenda?" I teased.

He gave me a searching look. "Up to you really. You hungry? Or would you like to see the rooms? Uma has a few guest rooms upstairs. "

What could I say? "This is a dream, right?" Dreams are different from reality. In a dream when a man you have met only a short while before makes an obviously sexual suggestion, you are allowed to go ahead and say yes - why not?

"In a manner of speaking. A sort of a dream. But if you don't want, you don't ever have to wake up.  It's simple. You need to make a choice."

"What do I need to do? Wait for a formal invitation? Pass some kind of test? Go through an initiation? Get the approval of the other women? Make sure I know the rules?

"Rules? Initiation? What do you think we are - a secret society?' He laughed softly. "No...you found us. S'up to you. No one decides your fate but yourself. We have every kind of personality under the sun here. Look at the men - if we put up with them then surely we can put up with you ladies without too much trouble? We have our ups and downs - but I'll tell you this. Something brings you here and it usually knows what it's doing. Go with it. Gut feeling. Don't think too much or you'll never take a chance."

"But how can I just roll up on my own? Not knowing anyone?"

"Just try it one of these nights. When you feel the urge..."

"Urge?" I asked with a knowing smile.

"Urge," he repeated, his eyes dancing. "When you feel it. You'll know it."

"I think I feel it now," I whispered, astonishing myself at my boldness, but then rationalising that boldness was acceptable in dreams, along with bloody unlikely chance meetings with objects of your lust.

"Well, you could always get it over with here and now...the difficult bit...your first visit... I mean...I'm available but you might have your sights set on someone else..." he added with a bashful look that was wholly unexpected in him.

"Someone else?" I seemed to have lost anything but the power of echo.

He laughed. "Would you prefer time to think who you want to be your first? It's up to you. I won't hurry you."

"I guess whoever arranged for you to be here, also knew my inner desires. In other words...you sure you can square this with Uma? It's allowed to be initiated even before you meet all the gang? Won't you get into trouble?"

Another grin. "I like to live dangerously.  Don't worry. Uma and I are like that." He crossed two fingers. "Well, when we aren't like this..." he mimicked throttling her. "She'll be delighted. And so will you...so food or a tour round the bedrooms?"

"You have to ask? To my room, sir, if you please!"

Up the staircase we walked to the floor above and along a narrow corridor to a corner room. He opened it and indicated that I should enter. It was a charming room, light and airy; at the centre was an enormous bed with a canopy of a wispy fabric, floating softly in the breeze from the open window. He led me to the balcony and I stood and watched the scene. The city had disappeared and the inn seemed now to be situated in a dreamy rural landscape with rolling fields and grazing cows, horses prancing in far off paddocks and apple orchards scattered around the cornfields. It was like an eighteenth century landscape painting by Constable. His arms suddenly wrapped around me and held me close. His breath was warm against my ear. "Beautiful view" I whispered.

"Mmmm." He answered. His eyes were taking in the cleavage at the front of my sundress.

"I meant the scenery. The background." I said to him with a grin.

"I meant the scenery. The foreground," he replied trying to keep a straight face.

Turning in his arms, I gazed up into his beautiful eyes. His hands tightened around my upper arms and then his mouth dipped down to capture my lips in his kiss. What a kiss! One that I have observed for years in so many films but never believed would be mine. We broke for air. I blushed as his hands cupped my breasts sensuously and his thumbs skimmed over my nipples. I muttered. "How do we do this?"

He shook his head. "You don't. I do. This is your 'initiation'. So prepare to be initiated." With that he swung me up into his arms and carried me effortlessly to the bed, where he laid me gently down. "This is about you. Just enjoy."

Every woman's fantasy - the man of your dreams makes love to you. But then this was my dream so I was going to have it all my own way.

He placed his hands on the straps of my dress and eased it down my body to throw it on the floor. I noticed I was wearing a beautiful silk and lace set of underwear, not one that I owned in real life.  With a slight growl of approval at my body displayed, he deftly popped the clasp at the juncture of my breasts and then slipped off the tiny scraps of satin. I was completely naked before him.

Rolling in beside me, he began to discover my body, using his hands, his eyes, his mouth to roam its curves and secret valleys. I felt that every part of me from my head to toe was covered in his attention although he especially lingered on the most sensitive parts: my ears, my throat, each nipple proudly pebbled in his mouth, the ticklish sensation about my navel, the backs of my knees, my toes, the flesh at the top of my thighs and then at last he blew gently on the curls about my sex.

His fingers, surprisingly tender for such a large hand, parted the slippery folds of my sex and then he bent, first to look and then to inhale and finally to taste. His tongue ran up and down with such skill, gliding through the wetness, teasing out each hidden secret, flickering deep within me and then coming to rest on my clit, which was tingling for his attention. With mastery quite beyond my experience, he played that knot of nerves until I came in one shattering climax, falling back against the pillow exhausted by my pleasure.

But he had not finished. While I was still shaking with the powerful after surges, he slipped two fingers into my aching hole and twisted his wrist deftly, finding that place so few men discover and then in a few strokes bringing me again to a shuddering orgasm. I was feeling weak and teary already, crying his name and reaching for him.

But he still had not finished. Pulling away, raising his sticky fingers to his mouth and licking them slowly, he stood up and began to remove his clothes one by one, giving me time to watch him. When he was naked, he stood before me and let me look at his large, thick cock rising from a nest of curly hair. Then he took himself in hand and jerked lewdly as I watched until he squeezed a drip of liquid from the tip. This he gathered on his finger and slipped into my mouth. I could taste him and smell the strong musk of my own body from his fingers. It was a heady aroma.

Lying on top of me, raised on his powerful forearms, he lifted up my hips until I was at the height he needed and then he pulled my legs apart and bent them against my chest. Lying exposed, so crudely, I felt no shame as he knelt and swiped his cockhead in my wide, open slit, a low purr of satisfaction coming from him.

At that some sense took over. This was a dream, right? Or was it real? Can you experience such a strong orgasm in a dream? Just to be sure, I stopped him. "Wait...can you...I mean have you got...look, I hate to spoil the moment but..."

He grinned. "A condom? Good girl...almost forgot. See what you've done to me already?" he teased. I swatted his arm as he leant over and retrieved what he needed from the bedside table. So Mr. Perfect wasn't beyond pushing his luck, was he? Somehow that made him seem more human, not the formidable specimen of alpha male that he had appeared to be before. There was a touch of desperation in his tone and I was proud that he was feeling passion as strong as mine.

With a sweet smile, I gave my consent; he fell forward to plunge deep into me and begin his sensual rhythm. I cannot quite describe the heights he took me to that day. On and on he went, varying the pace, changing positions, slow, then fast, then resting before raising the tempo again. I came over and over again until my body was a limp rag hanging onto him for support. And still he pleasured me.

"How can you last so long?" I gasped after countless comings had befuddled my brain.

"Tantric sex...and more than that...I don't want to come. Not yet. I want to be inside you as long as I can. Tempt Providence until I can stand no more. Take us there but watch as you fly over and I wait to catch you when you fall.  But soon... I'm at my limit. There's only so much I can take, my sweet, sweet girl."

And so it was until we both fell into an exhausted slumber, bodies wrapped up in each other as we held each other close.

My next memory was waking in the cool clean sheets, my body refreshed. I threw out a hand but touched an empty pillow. He had gone. My eyes shot open and I saw that I was back inside my bed at home. The dream was over. But what a dream! So real I could still feel the throb of where his penis had pounded, so real I could taste his kiss on my love-bruised lips. So real that the scent of a man and a woman hung in my nostrils. What kind of Midsummer madness could conjure up such an enchantment?

I slowly brought myself to wakefulness and then slipped from my bed to shower and ease my aching body with the warm jets and cooling shower gel. Dressed and purified, I sat down to a hearty breakfast and smiled at the memory.

Just then the doorbell rang. I opened it, imagining it was the postman with a parcel. Outside on the step stood a man, his back turned to me. He wore a dark suit and what looked like a driver's cap. Slowly he turned, saying, "Your car, Miss. As requested."

I gasped. The dream. But now I was awake. My mouth fell open when I realised who was standing there smiling. "Terry!"

"Cassie, sweet thing. Can we negotiate a second visit? I know you didn't call into the pub just yet but - who's counting, eh? And I think you owe me one..."