His face flushed. “Well, I thought we’d work up to that.”
She slipped her hands under his shirt and skimmed rock-hard abs. Who knew you could feel body heat in a dream? She moved lower, unfastened his jeans, and yanked down his zipper. “Why wait?”
He swallowed hard. “Are you sure?” His arousal swelled underneath her palm.
“Absofrikenlutely.”
He swept her up in his arms and hurried to the tent. “Whatever the lady wants.”
Best dream ever.
Chapter 21
Lauren snuggled deeper into the sleeping bag. The scents of coffee and bacon wafted into the tent. Wonderful days and glorious nights, they blended into one delicious blur of Reid treating her like a queen and making love to her like a sex god. And it wasn’t real. It would end with her waking up in her own bed heartbroken that the dream had finally ended. She’d tried to address the issue, but he always deleted the question. A wickedly handsome smile. A passionate kiss. Him just staring at her with love in his eyes.
They’d taken long hikes overlooking breathtaking views of lush green and swam in a warm, crystal-clear stream. They mapped out stars and just sat holding each other, listening to the crickets. He’d even made s’mores and sang to her. Yesterday, she’d awakened with him inside of her, filling her completely and claiming her heart. The joy of being his made her chest ache. She’d fallen in love not only with the man of her dreams but also the man in them.
She got dressed in a sweater and jeans and went outside, bracing for it. The moment she looked into his eyes, he’d tempt her into wanting to ignore reality, but this time, she’d stand firm. He had to let her wake up and go back to her real life.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He embraced her tightly, then slipped a hand in the back pocket of her jeans.
She wound her arms around his waist and burrowed her nose into the soft fabric of his black, long-sleeved pullover. His scent, if only she could take it with her and sprinkle it on her bed pillows. Maybe it would bring her back to him in her dreams.
He tipped up her chin. “Hey, why so sad?”
How could she explain to this beautiful man that she had to leave?
“I have to wake up. I don’t want to. I wish more than anything that I could stay with you forever, but I can’t.” She wasn’t going to cry. “Maybe you can visit me again. I’ll come back with you. I promise.”
Instead of a frown, Reid greeted her with a smile and one of those sweet kisses that made her weak. “It’s time for you to meet Dalir.”
“Who—”
A strong breeze rushed over them.
She brushed her hair out of her face. Like she needed one more handsome guy to add to this crazy, mixed-up dream.
Tall, dark, mesmerizing. Dressed similarly to Reid in a pullover and jeans, he looked normal, but he bore an invisible mantle of power, command. As he moved closer, static electric-like pulses grew stronger and stronger. It seemed like every part of her stood on end.
“Lauren.” His gray gaze pinned her to the spot. “I’m glad you returned.”
“Returned?” Images trickled in. Her standing near a pool of water. A stone engraved with an infinity symbol. Dalir crouched in front of her.
He needs you.
The image switched to Reid lying on a bed. Hurt, bruised, broken. Her heart slammed against her rib cage. Her knees buckled.
Reid kept her close and glared at Dalir. “What the hell?”
“She’s fine. So much of what she knows wants to break free.” He peered at her closely and held out his hand. “You helped me once. Now, let me help you.”
Reid nodded and let her go.
She took Dalir’s hand. Heat curled into her fingers, up her arm, and into her chest. It expanded wider until it engulfed her like a huge wave. She floated in a sea of images, feelings, thoughts. Then they lined up, and one after the other unfolded into the story of her and Reid from the night they’d first met at The Song. The day she found him on the steps at the cabin. Him helping her look through her father’s things. The barbecue with Thane and Celine. The moment he’d swept in to save her from Kell. The hours of agony when she’d believed she’d lost him. The time they’d spent in their own little bubble hidden from the world. The vision dissipated.
Dalir no longer stood in front of her. Reid did.
His remembered words at the fountain on their last night together settled in with sadness.
“You sent me away.”
He cupped her cheeks and laid his forehead to hers. “And it was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, along with lying about not needing you. After you left, it hurt not be able to hold you, talk to you, see you smile, or make love to you.”