DREAMS OF TOMORROW: A NEW ADULT TIME TRAVELING ROMANCE (Ravenhurst Series)

by Lorraine Beaumont

She ripped off her sleeping mask and looked around the room. She let out a deflated sigh as she pushed herself off the bed. Just a dream. She wanted to cry suddenly, not in sadness, no, not that, but instead in frustration. It had seemed so real…

  There it was again. Thump. Thump. Thump. Now she was not only frustrated but pissed too. Who needed to make so much damn noise? A simple knock would suffice. She glanced angrily at the bed as she swayed sideways walking towards the door. She yanked the door open. And there he was.

  Reed had his hand lifted in midair about to pound the door again.

  It was just like her dream. She stood there, toe to toe with him. Her mouth fell open, slightly, hoping, and half expecting him to kiss her just like before…

  “What in the hell took you so long,” he asked, raking one hand through his hair while the other held something big and white draped over his arm, which hung to the floor in front of him.

  She shook her head, trying to clear the fog of sleep and heated visions from her mind. Well so much for that— Figures.

  “Well?” he asked again as he lowered his hand.

  “Gee Reed, I was sleeping. You know the thing you do at night, unless you are a vampire,” she snipped back at him, still amped from her dream. An image of his mouth sucking her hip bounced into her mind. Her face burned, a light sheen of perspiration formed on her skin. She pulled at her top, trying to cool herself.

  Reed gave her a glare then pushed past her as he dragged the big white bag into the room and laid it over one of the chairs.

  Raven puffed her cheeks out, releasing air little by little, as she tried to get herself back in check. She was finding it hard to focus though. His hair fell forward, sweeping across his brow and his eyes had dark shadows underneath, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. Today he was dressed in jeans, extremely flattering jeans, too, and a simple black t-shirt. She had to take a second look. Actually, it looked like he was wearing Lucian’s clothing. Well almost, there was one exception, the clothes he had on looked clean.

  Reed turned toward Raven, noting her rumpled appearance. Her mass of dark hair floated around her face in wild disarray; his fingers itched to touch it. He wanted to gather it in his hand and then kiss that look she was giving him from her face. It smoldered just beneath the surface. He took a step forward, and then stopped himself. What was he doing? He had to stop before he did something foolish. Like push her on the bed and take her, right here, right now. His body throbbed for it. Hell, he woke up with a hard-on for her.

  It was the damn dream he kept having with her in it. It was so real…he reached down and adjusted himself. Damn. He had to stop. He knew what his problem was. He needed sex; a good flesh pounding, body grinding, romp session would put an end to these silly thoughts and dreams. He needed to go see Suzette, if only he had the time…no, that was not true. He didn’t want Suzette though. He wanted the rumpled girl in front of him now, staring at him like he was…what? The word he was looking for eluded him at the moment…but it didn’t stop his body from responding. “Quit biting your lip,” he ordered, then turned promptly away and headed toward the door.

  That snapped her out of her stupor. Raven didn’t even realize she had been biting her lip until he mentioned it. Now that he had, she realized she had been, because her lip kind-of hurt. She lifted her hand and rubbed it, glaring at his retreating form. What in the hell crawled up his ass? She had to wonder.

  “That’s your dress,” he tossed over his shoulder, walking into the hall. He needed to put some distance between the two of them.

  “My dress…wait…what are you talking about?”

  He turned, huffing out the breath he had been holding. “For our wedding…remember?” he asked, lifting his brow, and then crossing his arms across his chest.

  Right, she had almost believed that was part of her crazy dream as well. Apparently, it was not.

  “Where did it come from?”

  Reed uncrossed his arms. “Milford gave it to me and I have no idea where he got it, so don’t ask.”

  Fine, she wouldn’t ask. Jerk.

  Reed took a breath. God, he was being an asshole to her, and for the life of him, he didn’t know why. He was being forced into a marriage he never wanted in the first place, but it wasn’t her fault. He had no idea why he was taking his frustration out on her. It probably had more to do with the fact he was having one hell of a time getting the sleep he so desperately needed because his dick wouldn’t deflate long enough for him to rest. And it was still throbbing. Damn. He was going to have to take another cold shower.

  Raven walked over and touched the bag covering the gown; it was a heavy material, not plastic or vinyl.

  Reed watched her from the open doorway. “The wedding will take place at twilight, this evening.”

  Raven turned her face void of all expression. “So soon?”

  “Yes, Milford thought it was best to get this ruse in motion as soon as possible, something about a window of time, or some other bullshit.” He sighed heavily. “Sorry. I just don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter what I think. The girl is what matters, she deserves a chance.”

  “So you believe her?”

  “Not really, but I am willing to play my part to help her out if I can.”

  Raven blew out her pent up breath. “What time is twilight?”

  Reed laughed, it was hollow, a tad bitter. “Beats the shit out of me.”

  Raven pursed her lips, nodding her head. “Alrightly then,” she mumbled and turned back towards the gown. She held the heavy metal zipper between her fingers. She was dying to see what the gown looked like. Getting married was every girls dream, at least it was to most girls, and she was one of them. This one of course wasn’t real but it would be a good dress rehearsal for the day she finally did get married. She would get to play dress up, marry a handsome man, in a house that was really more of a castle, with a guy who really floated her boat, one she was sure she could fall head over heels for…or already had considering her heated dreams. And instead of happily ever after she would get dumped and sent packing within a few days. It was like a dream come true and her worst nightmare, all rolled into one—what an unbelievable mess this was turning out to be. She could hardly wait… Right.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Reed was still standing there, looking at her with an odd expression on his handsome face. She wished she knew what he was really thinking. “So who’s doing the honors?” she asked, not really caring, but she felt like she should say something, since his ass wasn’t budging for some reason.

  Reed hesitated on the threshold, half of him wanted to run out the door, down the hall and from the house as well. The other half was curious, kind-of, what would a marriage be like to her? And the sex, would it be as hot as he imagined? He shoved his hand in his pocket, his fingers closing over the small velvet box. The ring was a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation. He thought about pawning it for cash but could never bring himself to get rid of it. He wondered absently if the girl in front of him now was the reason he had kept it so long. He shook his head again, wondering why he was even thinking such strange things. The marriage was a ruse—hoax … a long shot, so they could send the girl, Marguerite, back to the Knight.

  If that was even possible, which he had strong doubts about and yet he agreed, on a whim really. Odd, it was all really odd. He lifted his eyes back to Raven, shaking his head, suddenly remembering she had asked him a question. “I think Milford is doing the so called honors.”

  Raven laughed and it came out sounding more like a pig snort. “How can he marry us? He is only a butler right?” She instantly felt bad. Who was she to judge? She was only a glorified receptionist for heaven’s sake.

  “Apparently he went on the internet and got himself ordained as a minister.”

  “Huh, interesting.”

  “Yeah, right, it fits, I suppose. Who better to marry us then the person who started it all in the first place…right?” Reed wasn’t sure if he was answe
ring her question or asking himself the very same question. “I better get going.” Again, he paused in the doorway, debating… “Ah…”

  She turned back towards him, pulling her gaze from the gown once more. “Yes…” she left the question open.

  “Maggie will be up shortly to…ah…” He paused again raking his gaze down the length of her body. “Yeah, she will help you get dressed.”

  “Okay.” Raven widened her eyes. “Thanks.”

  Reed finally made his feet move. Leaning forward he grabbed the handle to the door. “I’ll just shut this for you,” he said as he pulled the door closed.

  Raven walked over and fell back into the bed. “Holy shit, I’m getting married.” She laid there in a daze staring up at the canopy above her head. She wasn’t sure how long she stayed that way but after a while she started to feel anxious, jittery, excited. It didn’t matter if it was just for pretend. A huge smile broke across her face as giddy excitement got the better of her.

  She jumped out of bed, swinging her hips from side to side, her arms going, flapping up and down as she dug her bare feet into the carpet, doing her happy dance across the floor. “I’m getting married!” she whooped out loudly and then ran into the bath to start getting ready.

  Perfect Setting

  RAVENHURST * PRESENT DAY

  LARGE vases of colorful flowers were placed around the room, the fragrant aroma almost overpowering.

  Reed tugged at his necktie—it felt like it was choking him. He couldn’t catch a breath. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

  Milford leaned forward and handed him a handkerchief. “Here use this.”

  Reed snatched it from his hand and patted his face. “Damn, why is it so hot in here?”

  “It’s not.”

  Reed glared at Milford. “How can you say it’s not, I’m sweating bullets.”

  Milford shook his head in understanding. “It’s just nerves, Sir.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I am not nervous.”

  “If you say so, Sir,” he replied and tried hard not to roll his eyes.

  Reed glared at him. “My God Milford, stop calling me Sir,” he snapped. “It makes me sound like an old man.”

  “Well, you aren’t getting any younger.”

  Reed cut him another sidelong glare, and then turned back facing the door. “This is ridiculous, what is taking her so long?” he said and tugged on his collar once more. “And could you please tell me again why she had to wear a real wedding gown. It isn’t a real wedding.

  “More than you think…” Milford mumbled under his breath, and then clasped his hands together, twiddled his thumbs and looked upward at some distant spot on the ceiling.

  Reed jerked his head around. “What?”

  “I said, it is almost time,” Milford lied, a smile lingering on the edges of his mouth.

  Reed took another shaky breath, looked out the windows, flexed his fingers, and shook his arms out at his sides, bracing himself for the inevitable. “Where did all the flowers come from?”

  Milford did roll his eyes this time. “The Conservatory, Sir, erm, Mr. Scott. The large glass building at the back of the gardens…remember?”

  Reed shook his head as if he suddenly did remember, and then added. “I don’t like that.”

  “You do not like what, Mr. Scott, the Conservatory?”

  “I don’t like you calling me Mr. Scott.”

  “Then what shall I endeavor to call you in the future,” he added with a smirk.

  “Call me Reed.”

  “I cannot do that.”

  “Why?”

  “It is not proper.”

  “You are like family to me,” Reed argued and looked at Milford’s profile. Finally realizing how true the words he just said were. God, he was going to miss the man.

  “As you are to me,” Milford added with sincerity. Reed was his family; he loved him, just as he did Darias, and Sebastian. Reed was a good lad, a bit stubborn and too set in his ways, but that would change soon enough. Milford was making sure of that.

  Reed was contemplative for a moment. “Then why not call me Reed?”

  “It just doesn’t seem right.”

  Reed had no idea why it did not sound right, it was silly, this proper name-calling. Hell, the man had been around more than his father ever had and now he was going away. His throat constricted with emotion. “Fine.”

  Milford slanted him another look. “Fine what?”

  “I would prefer for you to call me Sir, then, and not Mr. Scott,” he answered, taking another unsteady breath, before he made himself turn away.

  “As you wish…Sir…” Milford smiled.

  After a few moments of awkward silence passed Reed couldn’t stand the quiet. “So what happens to you after all this,” he asked, even though truthfully he didn’t want to know the answer.

  Milford turned back toward him a question in his eyes.

  Reed lifted his hand indicating the room where the ruse of a wedding was going to be performed. “Are you going to disappear too?”

  Milford pressed his shoulders back. “No Sir, I am not.”

  Reed let out the pent up breath he had been holding. “Won’t your job be finished?”

  Milford rocked back on his heels. “Well,”….he hedged. “Yes and No…”

  “What is that supposed to mean? What else do you need to do?” Reed started to get a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  Milford completely ignored his question. “Oh I think I hear Marguerite.”

  Reed turned to look at Milford curiously because he didn’t hear anything…well he hadn’t, but now he heard the distinct sound of clank, clunk, drag, clank clunk, drag, as she backed into the library, dragging something. She turned her face flush with color. “Oh Milford, there you are,” she called over her shoulder breathily when she spotted him.

  Milford rushed to her side to help her drag her cloak into the room. Once the length hit the carpet, it slid easily across the floor.

  Reed eyed the red velvet cloak warily. It had many lumps under the fabric, and if his eyes weren’t mistaken, he could have sworn some of those lumps moved of their own accord. He blinked. No he must be seeing things. He was tired. Yes that was it; he was tired and suddenly very afraid. What in the hell was he doing? He asked himself for the umpteenth time.

  Marguerite glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, hello again,” she said in a cheery voice and gave Reed a winning smile. Then she turned promptly around and lowered herself demurely to the couch. She leaned forward and lifted a fine crystal bowl out of the center of the table, which was filled with little foiled pieces of candy. She sniffed the contents…chocolate. She turned back towards Reed. “Do you mind?”

  “Ah… not at all, help yourself.”

  And help herself she did. Reed watched in amazement as she dragged part of her cloak into her lap, then once she found a pocket she dumped the entire bowl of candy into the folds of her cloak. His eyes widened as she flicked the empty bowl with her finger and balanced it in the palm of her hand. Satisfied with the sound and heft, she then dumped that into her cloak as well. And before he could say a word she turned and looked at him over her shoulder. Her deep violet eyes twinkling mischievously. Reed shivered from the look she was giving him even though he was still sweating like a pig. He didn’t know why, but the girl looked like she was keeping secrets….very dark secrets. It was unsettling to say the least, and he did not like the feeling he was getting, not one bit.

  Practice makes perfect

  RAVENHURST * PRESENT DAY

  RAVEN sat perfectly still as Maggie the maid draped herself over her body while arranging her hair. She used hot rollers, a curling iron, and little round gray squishy things she called doughnuts to pile her mass of hair up.

  “Hand me another bobby pin, love,” Maggie the maid mumbled past a rattail comb she held between her teeth. She lifted the jeweled pin up and slid it into another fat curl anchoring it in place. “I think that will just about do it,�
�� she said happily and stepped back to inspect her handiwork. “My goodness, look at you.” She let out a low appreciative whistle and crossed her arms over her chest.”

  Raven smiled warmly at her. She couldn’t help it. She lifted her hand to her hair, barely touching it with the tips of her fingers. “Are you sure I look alright?” she asked nervously.

  “I’ll tell you this, the way you look, well,” she shook her head, “you’d give Cinderella a run for her money, no lie.”

  Raven sincerely doubted that was true but laughed giddily just the same. “I wish.”

  Maggie lifted her brow defiantly. “See for yourself,” she said and turned Raven around toward the mirror.

  Raven drew in a sharp breath, her eyes widening as she stared in disbelief at her reflection in the floor length mirror. The gown was strapless with a satin bodice and hints of silver threading weaving an intricate design across the front and back. The full skirt was made from a gauzy airy material with glittering rhinestones sprinkled like fairy dust. Curls piled high on the crown of her head also had glittering pins fastened in them as they cascaded down over one shoulder. Maggie had done her makeup as well. She had been a little apprehensive about her choice to use the heavy black eyeliner, but the bold line on her lid, hugging her thick curled lashes made her blue eyes sparkle, and combined with the bright red lipstick her complexion looked luminescent, flawless…beautiful. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

  “I told you,” Maggie said as she gathered her hot rollers and makeup together and piled them in her bag.

  “I…I…” Raven was speechless.

  Maggie straightened and smiled warmly at her. “Well I guess you won’t be needing this anymore,” she laughed and lifted the book from the table, shaking it in the air.

  Raven glanced at the Knight on the cover and came crashing back to reality. This was not real. She was only playing dress-up. She felt the inevitable rush of tears spring up into her eyes and tried to force them back.

  “Now don’t you cry, you will ruin your pretty makeup,” Maggie reprimanded from across the room.

  Raven sniffed back her tears and let out a slow shaky breath before she turned back towards the mirror for one last look, making up her mind. She would enjoy the moment for as long as it lasted. With one last look at herself and with a quick adjustment to the necklace she reached down to lift her skirts and headed out of the room to marry the man of her dreams.