Wicked Dreams (The Dreamweaver Saga Book 1)

by K. G. Reuss

  One of my powers as an incubus was the ability to change and manipulate any dream I wanted. So, I didn’t think anything of it when I opened the wooden privacy fence and walked out of the yard and into the room I brought all the women to.

  She quickly scanned the room. There wasn’t much to see: a bed in the center with a red, silk sheet draped over it, and two bedside tables topped with a burning candle on each. I liked it simple. Besides, we weren’t going in there to discuss window treatments and decor.

  “Where are we?” she asked, her eyes coming to land back on me.

  “We’re in your dream. We can be anywhere you want to be,” I replied, stepping up behind her and peppering her neck with kisses, my stomach rolling like a python squeezing its prey.

  “Anywhere?”

  “Anywhere.” I pulled her dark hair over her right shoulder, so I could kiss and nibble my way up to her left ear.

  “I know where I want to be.”

  “Just imagine it, and we’ll be there,” I whispered in her ear.

  In the blink of an eye, we were in a dark living room. The city lights were bright and shining in through the floor to ceiling windows. Black leather furniture adorned the room, along with a top-of-the-line flat screen tv and sound system.

  “Where are we?” I asked, glancing around. Honestly, I didn’t really give a shit. I just needed to be between her legs, so I could move on to the next woman. But I had to make pleasant with the niceties, so I didn’t lose her.

  She spun around to face me. “In Howard’s apartment.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck.

  “You want me to take you in your ex-boyfriend’s apartment?”

  She nodded her head with a wicked gleam in her eye. “If he’s going to break up with me, I’m going to get back at him. Even if it is only in my dreams.” Her lips pressed against mine, and I welcomed the kiss, grateful we were finally getting somewhere.

  Reaching around her, my hands found the zipper on the back of her dress and tugged it down quickly. The satin material fell from her body, landing on the floor at her feet. I pulled away and jerked my shirt over my head. We wasted no time dispensing with the rest of our clothing. “Are you sure about this?”

  Her eyes greedily raked over my bare chest, all the way to my eyes as she smiled and nodded. “It’s only a dream. What could it hurt?”

  I smiled because she just gave me exactly what I wanted. I pulled her against my chest, pressing my mouth to hers while my hands got to work on ridding her of the rest of her clothing. Once she was completely bare, I picked her up against me and pressed her back to the window as I positioned myself at her entrance.

  Her delicate fingers tangled into my mess of dark hair, and she pulled her lips back to mine. With a roll of my hips, I slid deep inside. That was always the part I hated the most. I could pretend and tell them what they wanted to hear, but when it came to having sex with them, I always felt eaten up with guilt. I never wanted this life. I only wanted her — Olivia. But in order to get back to her once she’d been found, I had to do the one thing I hated. To survive, I had to work my way through as many women as possible and hope that when Olivia found out about the monster I’ve become, she’d be able to look beyond the curse and see what drew her to me from the start.

  My stomach revolted with the thought of having to bury myself deep inside this woman, a woman who wasn’t Olivia. But I pushed the thought away and willed myself to finish the task at hand. I’d done this countless times before, each time twisting my guts with remorse. The only way I was ever able to finish was by thinking back on the times Olivia and I shared, hiding away from the king while I fucked his future queen any way she’d let me. The memories were so vivid. I could remember the sweetness of her taste on my tongue, like strawberries in the summer. I could remember the way she smelled of fresh cut roses and jasmine, the scent filling my nostrils. And I could remember just how hot and tight she was around me. Just imagining it pushed me over the edge, and I thrust deeper and harder until I was tearing apart at the seams, spilling every last drop.

  My hips slowed as her muscles began to contract around me. A warming feeling settled over me. It was hot and heavy as I absorbed her soul. And even though I hated what I’d become, it rejuvenated me, causing me to feel stronger and more powerful. I caught my reflection in a mirror. My red eyes and distraught face gazed back at me. Anger and soul stealing always made my damn eyes red.

  With much effort, I forced myself to look away and to see the woman I’d taken rather than the woman I’d envisioned. She was now limp in my arms. Her eyes were wide, but they were glassy and frosted over. Her red lips were dry and turning purple. And her once smooth, tan skin was pale and felt cold and hard to the touch. Thankfully, they never saw it coming. Their souls were ripped from their bodies so fast, they felt nothing but the pleasure I gave them. At least that’s what I told myself whenever I looked down at their faces afterwards.

  Remorsefully, I removed myself from her and placed her gently on the couch, covering her body with a throw blanket that was tossed over the back.

  Why did I feel the need to cover them afterwards? We were only in a dream. When their bodies were discovered, they were exactly as they were when they fell asleep: safe and warm in their beds. I guess it was my way of showing my regret. My respect for the dead. It just didn’t feel right if I didn’t cover them.

  As their brains finally died, I was tossed out of their dreams. Part of me knew they were still alive for a few moments after their souls had been taken. Their bodies wanted to live but couldn’t. Not without their souls. They dried out like the dead the instant their souls were mine, leaving behind struggling, confused shells of what once was.

  It sickened me. Without a word, I grabbed my clothing and left the room behind me as I forced my way back into Hell, refusing to feel bad for delivering the latest woman to its hot depths. I was only doing what I had to do. If I didn’t take the souls I needed, I’d vanish — cease to exist. And there was no way in hell I would let that happen. Not since I’d finally found Olivia.

  I stepped back through the projection and turned to look over the flashing images, hoping for a glimpse of my girl. I watched as dreams played out before me, none of the women in them even remotely as beautiful as Olivia. But then, there she was.

  Olivia came into view. Without thinking, I stepped forward, walking into her dream. I only needed a moment. I couldn’t control myself.

  I found myself in a darkened corner of a bedroom, only I wasn’t alone. Olivia was there, along with some teenaged prick. Immediately, I could tell this wasn’t some fantasy — it was a memory.

  “Take it off for me, baby,” he breathed out.

  With shaking hands, she pulled her tank top off, revealing a white bra. His hands flew up and cupped her large chest, making a deep growl escape my throat. She was mine. Who the fuck did he think he was? No one touched her!

  “God. Just how I imagined,” he moaned as his lips pressed to her toned stomach.

  I couldn’t hold back any longer. I ran forward and grabbed ahold of him by his shirt, dragging him up to my level. Olivia stumbled backwards, watching as everything unfolded, her vibrant green eyes wide with fright.

  I threw one punch, landing a solid hit to his jaw, and then another to his stomach. He groaned with the hits and doubled over.

  “Don’t ever touch her again,” I spat out as I opened the door and threw him from the room with my chest heaving in anger. I knew this wasn’t real. It was just an ugly dream that was haunting her. Lucky for the teenage jockstrap because if it had been real, he wouldn’t have been so lucky. I’d have beat his ass into the next century for even thinking about touching her.

  I locked the door and turned around to face her. “This doesn’t change anything, you know? Whatever happened that night, it still happened. This is nothing but a dream, and that we can control.” I bent down and picked up her shirt, handing it over.

  She quickly took it and slipped it on, coverin
g up the body I longed to hold again. “Donovan? How’d you get here? You weren't here that night.” She sat down on the edge of the bed, and I sat next to her.

  How could I put it, so she’d understand… or believe me?

  “Let’s just say that… I’m your subconscious, and this”—I motioned around the room— “is your nightmare. I didn’t change anything that happened that night. Right now, I’m just trying to protect you from reliving a traumatic memory. And maybe you were looking for someone to help. So here I am.”

  “My subconscious?” Confusion laced her delicate voice.

  I nodded my head. “That’s right. I know your secret wishes and deepest desires.” I flashed her a grin as I waggled my eyebrows in her direction, wanting her to smile for me and relax.

  “What do I desire?” she whispered, leaning in until her shoulder pressed against mine. Her touch sent the flames within me into a reckless wildfire. It took me a moment to compose myself. I knew what she wanted. She wasn’t the girl I’d once known. This Olivia was barely being held together, tormented and torn down daily.

  “You want a normal life. You want friends. You want to be accepted. You want… love.” With each word, I moved in a little closer until we were practically nose-to-nose. I wanted her so badly, the fire within choking me from all the desire it ignited. She was right here. I could kiss her. I could touch her. My beautiful girl sat beside me, staring at me with so much curiosity that I could barely stop myself from bursting out with our story, begging her to remember me. Remember us.

  I licked my lips, and her eyes fell to my mouth. I could try. I had to try. “Let me show you.”

  Without further warning, I pressed my lips to hers and a flood of emotion and wanting washed over me. It was nothing compared to how I felt moments ago. This was amplified by the taste of her lips. By the breath she gasped out into my mouth. The way she felt so close to me. Two hundred years of missing her and yearning for her all poured out of me at once, and I was completely lost to the heightened emotions she brought back.

  Somewhere deep inside of her, she remembered me. I could tell by the way she kissed me. Her soft lips and strong tongue danced alongside my own, and her hands found their way into my hair, threading the strands between her fingers as she pulled me closer. A soft moan escaped her lips, and it fanned the fire burning inside of me, bringing my dick to life.

  I was nowhere near done with her when she pulled away, her wide, green eyes locked on mine and her lips swollen from our kiss. They parted as if she was going to say something. I prayed for her to say something. Say she remembered me. To say she missed me. To say she’d been searching for me for as long as I’d been searching for her. But before any words could escape, she slowly faded away, leaving me sitting alone on the bed as she drifted back to the waking world.

  To a world I didn’t belong to.

  Olivia

  “Damnit!” I slapped at my alarm clock, knocking it to the floor with a crash. That had been the best dream I’d ever had, and it would figure that a Monday morning would ruin it. Mondays ruined everything.

  Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes irritably. How the hell had my mind become so creative as to make up such a gorgeous hero to come save me? I smiled as I touched my lips. His kiss had sent shocks of electricity through my body. I could still taste him on my tongue. He tasted exactly like something I’d been searching for.

  Sighing, I pushed my covers off and got out of bed, immediately missing it. Today meant I’d have to face Brent and his squad of goons. It probably meant Anita would be glaring at me from across the cafeteria as some random guy tried to dry hump her arm. And it meant I’d be awake and missing my mystery dream guy. Seemed fitting that I could only find a decent guy in my dreams. Real ones didn't seem to exist in my world.

  I grabbed a quick shower and tugged on a pair of leggings and a giant sweater before pulling my long hair up into a ponytail. I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment.

  “You’ve got this, Butler. Keep your chin up.”

  I nodded at my reflection before snatching my backpack and going downstairs. My mom worked nights and was probably sleeping in her bedroom, so I grabbed a toaster pastry and went out to Old Faithful.

  “Come on, come on, come on,” I grunted as I turned her over. The engine made a whining noise before it rumbled to life. “That’s a good girl.” I patted the dashboard in relief and backed out of the driveway and onto the street.

  I turned the radio up, hoping to drown out all the nasty thoughts in my head. But they were burned right in there, continuing to torment me. Pulling the car into my parking spot at school, I sat back in my seat, closed my eyes and drew in deep, calming breaths. I was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. I needed to focus. What was it that my therapist said?

  Focus on five things I could see. Four things I could hear.

  No, wait.

  Four things I could taste?

  Shit. I couldn’t even focus on what I was supposed to be focused on!

  A tear slipped out as I squeezed my eyes shut, my nails digging painfully into my palms as I tried to quell all the frantic thoughts and worries in my mind. And then, his face flashed through my mind.

  My dream hero.

  Dark hair. Dark eyes. Plump lips that left me whimpering. Skin hot as fire.

  My breathing slowed as my hero caressed my cheek in my mind’s eye, whispering that I’d be OK.

  I opened my eyes a moment later, my heart still fluttering, but not from anxiety. From my memory of him.

  “Why does he have to be a dream?” I whispered morosely as I steeled myself and tugged my bag with me as I got out of the car. Keeping my head down, I walked into school, wishing I could be pretty much anywhere but there.

  “If it isn’t Butt Whore!” Eddie’s voice greeted me as I opened my locker. “Heard you and Brent had a real good time Saturday night. Hope he used a rubber on you, Butt Whore.” His raucous laughter left my body shaking as I tried to remain composed. Wordlessly, I placed my book bag inside my locker and grabbed my history book out. Then I made to step away, opting to ignore Eddie’s ignorant comments.

  I was an idiot for thinking I’d get away so easily.

  “Where you going? Hot date?” Eddie asked, falling in step beside me. I remained quiet as I picked up speed. If my luck wasn’t bad enough, he was soon joined by Caleb Parker, another jockstrap.

  “I heard you scrape your teeth when you give head, Butt Whore,” Caleb stated loudly as he walked on my other side. The two guys exchange loud laughs and high fives over my head. “I’m free tonight if you want lessons—”

  “Why? Because you suck dick?” I barked at him, stopping to face him. He snapped his mouth closed as I glared at him. “You going to teach me how to do it the right way, Caleb? I’m sure you’re a real pro considering you have Eddie’s junk stuffed down your throat every night.”

  I yelped as Caleb shoved me hard, my history book falling from my hands. I fell backward into Eddie who gave me a hard shove back at Caleb.

  “I’d be careful what you’re saying, you slut,” Caleb’s dangerous whisper sent shivers up my spine. “Everyone knows what you did with Brent at the party. Things could get rather ugly if you get my meaning.”

  “Like your personality?” I managed to choke out, wanting to come out of this encounter with some sense of dignity. “Yeah. I get it.”

  “Good girl.” He chucked my chin and leaned down to whisper in my ear, “And I was serious about the lessons. I’ll let you practice on me. Meet me in the auditorium after school. Maybe I can help Brent loosen you up.”

  I didn’t say anything as he reached out and thumbed my lip. He kicked my book across the hall before pushing me aside and giving Eddie another high five, leaving me to stand there, my eyes stinging with the threat of tears and my throat aching from trying to hold back the anger causing my blood to boil.

  It was really saying something when real life held more nightmares than sleep ever could.

  Olivia<
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  The bell rang, and the hallways cleared out, leaving me alone—and late. I rushed across the hallway and picked up my book, then ran to my first class: history with Mr. Puglisi.

  When I walked into the room, everyone was already in their seats, and Mr. Puglisi was at the blackboard with chalk in his hand. Everybody looked at me when the door closed loudly behind me from my rushed attempt at not being too late.

  My face lit with fire, but I forced my eyes to the floor as I walked through the aisles to my desk in the back.

  Mr. Puglisi’s eyes locked on mine. “Everything okay, Olivia? You’re not usually late.” Concern was laced in his words and etched on his face. He knew what the other students thought of me, and he was almost always around to stop the bullying. Not every time though.

  “I’m fine. Sorry I’m late,” I mumbled, not wanting to give everyone a reason to turn and look back at me. It’s why I chose the seat in the back. They had no reason to notice me.

  He didn’t look like he bought my line, but he nodded and turned back around to write something on the board. I silently thanked God that I got away without giving more detail as to why I was late.

  “Pst,” Anita whispered from her desk next to me.

  I quickly glanced over at her to see her holding out a note.

  I grabbed it and held it in my lap to unfold it.

  I’m sorry about Saturday night, Liv. I was drunk. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Can you please forgive me, even though I don’t deserve it?

  I looked over at her, and she was sticking out her bottom lip. I couldn’t hold back my silent laugh. I quickly grabbed my pen off the desk and wrote back:

  Fine, but you owe me a raspberry, cream-cheese Danish at lunch.

  Without being seen, I passed it back and watched as she opened and read it.