Sweet Dreams

by Bolryder, Terry

Men have only caused chaos in my life. This one brings peace, happiness…

  But that’s hard and uncomfortable too. And hard to believe, even though Lorien makes it harder and harder not to believe him.

  Above all, his actions just line up with his words, which is a quality I haven’t found much in this world at all.

  With social media, anyone can look like a saint by only broadcasting the good things. Anyone can hide behind a screen.

  But Lorien is here in the world with me, proving over and over just who he is.

  My body already can’t wait to experience more of him.

  I’m kind of glad we have something planned tonight, out in the world where we can just dance.

  It’s easier for me to connect with him when it’s not like something from a dream.

  I turn in his arms to face him, brushing back a lock of black hair that glistens in the sunlight with an iridescent glow. “Listen, Lorien. I want to explore things with you. After last night… I don’t know how I could resist. But just stay with me in my world, okay? I don’t want dream sequences or armor or wings. That just makes this already hard situation that much harder to believe.”

  He nods but looks puzzled. Just the heat of his body pressed lightly to mine is making it hard to think or breathe. “Whatever you want, dream mate. But why would any of this be hard to believe?”

  I rest my head against his chest, not caring if I’m being silly or crazy anymore. He just feels so good, makes me feel so good, that I want to believe.

  Even though that attitude has gotten me in trouble before.

  “When no one has loved you, it’s hard to believe someone could.”

  He brushes my hair back, smiling down at me. “Well, I was born for that purpose, so believe it.”

  I nod but bite my lip, wondering if he’ll remember how much I need him to just be normal.

  “And tonight, we’ll just go dancing. I’ll stay here in your world with you.”

  “No more dreams?” I ask. “I don’t want to see you there. It makes it hard to separate everything from reality.”

  He hesitates, then nods. “Then you won’t see me there. I promise.”

  “Thank you, Lorien,” I say, flushing as I pull back to compose myself. “Okay, I guess you can go back to practicing in the dream realm. I still have some work. Though, I am looking forward to seeing you dance tonight.”

  His eyes are soft but wicked as he raises his hand to snap. “And I look forward to dancing in your arms.”

  Then, before I can protest, he’s gone without even a puff of smoke this time.

  Damn, it’s nice to have a man who actually listens.

  I might fall for him just for that.

  16

  Tess

  “I’m so excited to see this,” Sandra says. She’s looking gorgeous in a sexy black skirt with a red silk top and black heels.

  “See what?” Jen asks.

  “The fae dancing,” Sandra says, looking at Lorien, Jerrek, and Reve who are huddled outside the entrance of the club, discussing the last details of their “dance.”

  Lorien was gone all day practicing, but I have no idea what he and the others were doing.

  “They dance?” Jen asks. She looks so cute today in a cream sweater that sets off her gorgeous red hair, which spills over her shoulders.

  Sandra’s wearing a long weave that looks amazing with long, straight black hair framing her gorgeous features. She likes to be able to whip her hair to the music.

  “Yup,” Sandra says to Jen’s question. “They seemed pretty excited about it. Apparently, Lorien was gone practicing all day.”

  Jen looks up at me in shock, and I just shrug. Tonight, I’m only wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans. I don’t really feel like drawing attention.

  Most ladies’ nights, I just look for pervs to pull off the girls who are trying to have a good time.

  “I think they might have the wrong idea about ladies’ night, though,” Jen says. “I mean, they seemed shocked at how many men were lined up out front.”

  “Yeah,” I say. “Hey, Lorien!” I call out to him, almost missing having his attention, as he has been busy a lot of the day.

  He lifts his head and smiles at me, and electricity zings down to my toes like it always does now when I lock eyes with him.

  “You have it so bad, girl,” Jen says, sharing an amused look with Sandra.

  “Hey, she deserves this,” Sandra says sweetly. “It’ll distract her from all the vigilante stuff.”

  “As if you two don’t have side projects of your own,” I say, calling them out for being just as dangerous as me in some of their behavior.

  Sandra just shrugs. “But you’re the one who keeps getting in trouble.”

  I sigh. “I know.”

  “I think a big, strong dream fae is just what you need,” Sandra says.

  “But you think these guys are for real?” Jen asks. “Really fairies?”

  “What else would they be?” Sandra asks.

  “Demons?” Jen says. “Aliens?”

  “Shh, he’s coming,” I say as Lorien reaches us, Jerrek and Reve right behind.

  “Stay out of my way tonight, dude,” Sandra says to Jerrek.

  Jerrek, who is wearing his hair short tonight, has on a short-sleeved pink button-up and jeans that hug every monstrous muscle on his legs. Neither his maroon hair nor pink shirt takes away at all from the literal walking male sex god that he is.

  Reve is next to him, looking gorgeous in a short-sleeved seafoam button-up and black jeans. He sends Jen a shy smile, but she looks away quickly.

  “I’m not looking for anything either right now,” Jen says.

  I get what she’s saying, even if Reve can’t. Jen still has nights out with us sometimes, but her first priority is her son.

  I wonder what Reve will make of that, but then I shake my head because it’s really none of my business, at least until they start going out.

  I wonder why it feels like a foregone conclusion.

  Lorien, who’s looking gorgeous in a short-sleeved blue button-up, reaches me and puts his arm around me. I sink into his touch in pure reflex for a moment before catching myself and jumping back.

  “No, it’s ladies’ night,” I say, gently pushing him back. “I told you. It’s for me to spend with the girls.”

  Lorien nods, but Jerrek steps forward, followed by Reve.

  “This isn’t what I expected from ladies’ night,” Jerrek says. “There are a lot of men here.”

  “Well, it makes sense. How could we come if it was women only?” Reve asks.

  “Yeah,” I say. “It’s ladies’ night because the drinks are cheaper and we get in free. But, uh, that does tend to draw a lot of men.”

  I see Jerrek lean in to whisper into Lorien’s ear, but it’s loud enough that I can hear. “Perhaps we should let the men know to be on their best behavior, you know, since there are so many.”

  Lorien nods, but I don’t know what they’re even thinking because Sandra is grabbing me and Jen through the arms and pulling us into the club where neon lights are flashing.

  She pushes past the fae, then turns back to them with a grin. “Remember, don’t bother us.”

  Jerrek pins her with a haughty look. “After you see us dance, you’ll wish I was already in the midst of our mate pursuit.” His lips curve up. “But sadly, you’ll have to wait.”

  Then he grabs Reve and Lorien, and they move along the outside of the crowd, headed for the dance floor, which is below a small stage where live bands sometimes perform.

  Right now, there’s only a DJ there, pumping up the eager crowd.

  “You think they’ll be okay?” Jen asks, looking at their heads, which are still visible in the crowd due to their height.

  “I think so,” Sandra says. “They can just poof anything in and out of existence, right?” She lets go of me and Jen and starts dancing her way to the bar. “Time to get my drink on.”

  “Right,” I say, following her as
she pushes onto a stool to begin flirting with the bartender.

  Soon enough, drinks are headed our way, and we’re throwing them back, ready to get tipsy.

  I can’t help looking around for Lorien, and I see him and the others at the base of the stage, talking to someone with a microphone.

  What are they doing?

  I throw back a shot and let the warmth spread through me. I’m kind of surprised Lorien isn’t being clingier, but since I did tell him this was a night I wanted to spend with my friends, I guess he’s taking what I want into consideration as always.

  I didn’t know men could be like him.

  My stepdad… I shake my head, not wanting to think about it. But everyone from him to my exes just walked over what I wanted until I finally gave up on love.

  But somehow, despite all the hurt in my heart, something just stirs in me when I’m with Lorien.

  I just can’t be that hard and cold when he’s around.

  He looks over to meet my eyes over the crowd, and there’s a twinkle in his aurora irises that says he already can’t wait for the dance I promised him at the end of the night when the girls are ready to go home.

  Until then, we’re going to be mostly separate.

  But he did promise that I would see him dance.

  I wave away another shot, wanting to only be slightly buzzed. Sandra takes mine and throws it back, and Jen finishes the virgin piña colada she’s been sipping, as she’s their designated driver and doesn’t much like alcohol anyway.

  Sandra isn’t always much of a drinker, but this week at work was a real doozy.

  Apparently, a client attacked her.

  I don’t even want to know what Jerrek would do if he knew that. But I know Sandra would kill me if I told her business to anyone else.

  Besides, it was all handled. No need to bring it up again.

  “Come on,” I say, slipping my arm around Sandra’s waist before she can order another drink.

  I’m already buzzed, and if she isn’t, she soon will be.

  I’m already laughing at something Sandra said as the three of us reach the dancefloor and push our way out into the moving bodies.

  We dance together, ignoring the bump of others against us, letting the neon lights and music rain down and surround us.

  I keep my eyes out for any men creeping around, for anyone creeping around, but tonight, it seems the women are dominating the center of the dance floor, having a true ladies’ night.

  Then I look for Lorien and see him and his friends dragging random men back, pushing them to the outside of the dance floor.

  To my shock, some simply disappear from sight. Others get a glazed look and nod.

  Jerrek snaps his fingers, and one man disappears into the darkness.

  I see Reve having a serious conversation with a group of men, all of whom are shaking their heads.

  Lorien is dragging someone drunk, trying to talk to him, but I notice that he takes him to a dark corner where I can’t see them, and then only Lorien reappears.

  He looks over, giving me a satisfied smile, and I mouth, “What are you doing?”

  He just shrugs and moves over to me, bobbing slightly to the music. “We’re just getting rid of any human nightmares so you three can relax.”

  “What are you doing to them?” I ask, trying to not look down his gorgeous body as he moves, emphasizing his perfect muscles and build.

  “Just putting them outside,” he says.

  “Outside far away,” Reve says, grinning as he pokes his head in over Lorien’s shoulder.

  “Come on, guys,” Jerrek says, appearing behind both of them. “We’re supposed to let the ladies do their thing. While we do ours.”

  Lorien laughs but gives me a wink before his friends pull him back into the crowd.

  I try not to pay attention to the fae making people disappear as I make my way back to Sandra and Jen who are dancing joyously with other women all around.

  I can’t remember the last time it felt so peaceful, without men encroaching on all sides at all times, trying to grind into my butt from behind, trying to grope one of my friends when they’re dancing on me.

  For once, I’m free to just dance.

  We all laugh and dance together, getting a bit sexy and playful as one of our favorite songs plays, and Sandra grins as she glances over at me.

  “Great night, right?” Sandra says, almost yelling over the music. “Maybe we should bring them more often.”

  “Do you think there are more ladies than normal?” Jen asks, looking around her for maybe the first time since we’ve been dancing. “I mean, I’m not complaining, but—”

  I flush. “I mean, maybe?” I’m not going to bring attention to the dream fae because, honestly, I believe in what they’re doing.

  And with Lorien here watching out for things, I somehow know we’re perfectly safe.

  Dang, that’s a really rare feeling.

  The song fades out and lights flash over the stage, illuminating the room slightly.

  The DJ is standing in front of his booth with his arm around Jerrek’s tall shoulders. Lorien and Reve are standing below the stage, patiently waiting.

  “We apparently have a surprise for you ladies,” the DJ says. “These guys are here to dance for you!” He looks at Jerrek. “Anything you want to say first?”

  Jerrek nods his head, then takes the mic as the crowd goes a little more silent. Already, women are murmuring all around me, as beauty like Jerrek’s can’t really go unnoticed.

  “God, what is he doing?” Sandra asks, swaying slightly as she looks up at the stage.

  “This is for our dream mates and all the women here on Earth to enjoy. We’ve trained for this moment, and we hope you enjoy it.” Jerrek goes to give the mic back to the DJ but hesitates when Lorien makes some kind of motion at him.

  Reve reaches up to take the mic from him, drawing gasps from the women in the crowd at his beauty as well. “If any men in here even think about accosting a woman, we’ll kill you!” His tone is almost cheerful as he hands the mic back to the DJ who steps back to his booth with a glazed-over look.

  “I got this,” Lorien says as he walks forward into a curious crowd that easily parts for him.

  The men in the room are quiet as if there’s a spell over them, but the women are buzzing with excitement, and I’m sure Lorien wouldn’t need a spell to get their attention.

  Why did I think going to the club with magical beings would ever be normal?

  I try to ignore the jealousy that surges in me as the women around try to approach, but a quick hand up from Jerrek tells them all to move back, and all together, the three dream fae make a fairly intimidating sight as they move into the center of the floor.

  The three of them are now alone on the dance floor with the rest of us backed up in a circle.

  It’s kind of rude, probably, taking up this much room on ladies’ night. But they did say this was for the ladies.

  The women don’t seem to mind, with drunken catcalls all around. But Lorien’s eyes are only on me, and Jerrek and Reve are coolly focused, standing on either side of Lorien with folded arms, ready to start.

  Lorien holds up his finger, and lights center over the dance floor. My breath catches in anticipation. I can hardly wait to see what he does.

  Odd music begins to play, thrumming through me with a primal beat and a haunting melody as the fae all start to sway and step side to side.

  It’s oddly rhythmic, hypnotic, and human-looking at first.

  They’re in perfect union, slightly bobbing their heads, letting the music carry them as the surrounding crowd watches, entranced.

  Just their sheer beauty makes this interesting.

  Lorien’s eyes catch mine, a mischievous glint in them, as I wonder what kind of dance moves a fairy would do.

  But then he turns to Jerrek, who turns to face him, as Reve moves in from behind, wrapping his arms around Lorien’s waist, much to my shock.

  Jerrek puts his hands
on Lorien’s shoulders, brushing back his hair as Lorien and Jerrek body roll together in a dance that is as erotic as it is strange.

  I blink, heat surging through me as Lorien sends me a cocky glance, his handsome face glowing as his friends feel up his body and dance.

  He rolls again as Jerrek’s hands move from his chest to his belt, playing at unbuckling it as the crowd begins to scream in shock and delight.

  It’s like watching a boy band molest each other as the room fills with heat and wanton lust.

  The three of them have assumed another position, with Reve dancing seductively in front as Jerrek mimes hitting Lorien from behind. Lorien’s so gorgeous, muscles rippling and moving, his tall body only looking stronger in contrast to the smoothness of his moves.

  Jerrek’s hand moves to Lorien’s waist, a teasing smile on his face, and Lorien turns to dance with him, making the girls shriek even louder in response.

  “My God, that’s so hot!” a girl next to me screams.

  “I want this every ladies’ night!” another says.

  “Let me at one,” another says. “Damn, I’ll pay whatever they want.”

  I blink, then turn to Jen and Sandra, who are frozen and watching, slack-jawed and wide-eyed.

  “Oh my God, what am I seeing?” Sandra says. “Tell me I’m hallucinating.”

  Reve flips his head as he moves in front of Lorien and bends all the way over, letting Lorien dance behind him confidently, smirking at me as he grabs Reve’s hair and mimes pulling him back up.

  He turns to face Reve as Reve leans back, letting Lorien mime moving forward to kiss his neck, though he stops at the last moment despite the shrieking of the crowd.

  It’s all fairly innocent, playful, the way women dance with each other to entice men, I guess.

  But it’s so hot watching Lorien’s body move, watching him smile, watching him act sexual with other hot dudes.

  I never thought I would like it, but…

  A blush runs over my face as Lorien turns Jerrek and they dance together, rolling their perfect bodies in unison in a way that makes all of us just want to picture how these guys would be in bed.

  Heat is burning through me, and as Jerrek sends a mischievous look our way and leans into Lorien, sudden jealousy burns through me too hot to ignore.