Un-Sweet Dreams (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Shawn Wall

  They drove about five minutes, climbing further up the mountain. Then, they turned down a gravel drive and drove another two minutes. A forest was on each side of the one lane path. The end revealed a two-story log cabin with a porch across the front and two rocking chairs flanking on each side of the front door. A small shed was in the back, and a whole cord of firewood was stacked by the door on the porch. It was very secluded with no other sign of civilization in sight.

  "Here's the key. Go on inside. I'll park the bike in that shed. I think it's going to snow tonight.”

  She grabbed their bags, climbing about five steps up the porch, and then unlocked the door to find a huge living area with an open loft above. The stone fireplace took up most of the right wall along with a winding wooden staircase. Two windows flanked the front door with wooden blinds and green and white plaid curtains. Even the floors were a shiny, stained oak color, and a large green couch and chair in the living space surrounded the hearth. To the left, the room opened into a kitchen, which was completely modern with an island and barstools in the center.

  She had the entire ride to think of what this trip must mean. Seth had planned it entirety, which left her even more curious. After that night of the dance, their intimacy went no further than kissing and cuddling. She had sworn to herself that very night she would never be humiliated again. Seth had never made an inappropriate move toward her either. Now could this mean he was ready? She heard the front door shut and walked into the living area, knowing she’d find Seth. Suddenly, nervous knots rolled in her stomach.

  "We made it just in time. It's already snowing," he said.

  She raised the shade and looked out the window to her right. It was getting dark now and snowing heavily.

  "We may be stuck here for a while.”

  "That wouldn't be so bad." Seth pulled her to him. "Have you taken the grand tour?"

  "Only the bottom floor.” She kept her head down, terribly afraid look into his face.

  "Let me start a fire, and we'll see upstairs, too.” He grinned again like he was giddy with anticipation.

  Seth carried in enough firewood to fill one whole side of the fireplace. The wind was stronger and blowing snow on the porch.

  "I don't want to come out in the cold in the middle of night for firewood." Seth grabbed another armful. She sat on the deep green couch and watched him build the fire.

  "You are a pretty handy guy to have around. Is there anything you can't do?"

  The fire was roaring now, already warming the room.

  "I'm a Boy Scout through and through. I was in Scouts when I was a kid, and we hiked all the trails up here. We'll have to come back in the spring, when the valley is green and wildflowers are everywhere. You'd love it."

  He sat on the couch, pulling her between his legs, leaning her back against his chest. He held her for a long time, both of them watching the fire in silence. She had never felt more at peace, and she didn't have to try to be anything with Seth but who she was. Even so, she didn’t have the courage to ask where either of them would be sleeping.

  "Are you hungry? Want something to eat?"

  "No, not really, maybe later,” she said, and then yawned.

  "Let's see the upstairs.”

  Taking her hand, he led her up the winding staircase that opened into a large master suite. There was a huge four poster bed, which she would probably have to climb to get into. At the far end was a bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, and all the walls were still rustic in décor, keeping with the cabin theme. Seth went to the closet and pulled out an electric blanket, spreading it on the bed, turning the blanket on high.

  "Between the blanket and the fireplace we will stay pretty warm, don't you think?" Her voice was low and throaty as she walked to the balcony overlooking the living area.

  She waited with anticipation, unable to offer herself to him again. The fear of rejection had haunted her since that night almost two months ago. She knew he was approaching when his woodsy smell mixed with the smell of smoke and green wood coming from the fireplace.

  Seth didn't answer as he interlocked his hands around her waist. Then, he pulled her close against his chest, inhaling her hair and caressing her neck with his lips. She trembled from his touch as fear gripped her even stronger.

  “What are you afraid of?” he whispered.

  She only sighed as he nibbled at her neck.

  “I won’t hurt you.” He released his hands for only a moment to remove his shirt. Then, he wrapped them back around her delicately before releasing each button of her top. She quivered as his fingertips brushed her chest.

  “Trust me.” He turned her around and drew her to him. “I love you.”

  She could feel his heart racing or was it hers. She was lost for the night in his sweet kisses and soft touch. She had known love before, but nothing like this.

  * * * *

  She woke to the bright sun peering through the windows. He was still asleep, his breathing slow and easy. As she lay as still as possible trying not to wake him, she thought of that horrible New Year’s Eve only a year ago, tainted by her mistake. Using Dwight had been so selfish, and she had known physical intimacy would deepen his love for her. At the time, she could only think of shielding herself from the worst nightmare imaginable, her grandfather’s death. At that moment, she realized Seth’s love wasn’t only masking the pain. It was slowly healing her. Finally, his eyes opened.

  "Are you warm enough?"

  "Quite toasty. I have never been happier, and I love my surprise." She turned her body to face his, and she kissed him softly. "Thank you. I love you so much."

  "You are very welcome. I'm quite pleased with myself. I didn't know if I could keep it from you. I've been planning this for weeks.”

  "You’re sneaky. I'll have to remember that," she said under her breath.

  "Are you hungry now?”

  "Yes, I'm famished. I worked up quite an appetite."

  He chuckled. "Let's get some breakfast."

  She climbed out of bed, and grabbed her bag, looking for the warmest clothes possible. Then, she realized with the bright light, he could see every inch of her.

  Seth stared and reached out. "I just can't stand that. Come back to bed with me.”

  She climbed back in, kissing him, and all her senses were in a frenzy whirling her out of control. His masculine scent was now blended sweetly with her own. She was lost from the taste of his open-mouthed kisses to the feel of his long, muscular body. However, her undoing came with the sound of his smooth voice murmuring her name. The night before had been a sweet exploration, but the morning brought a feral submission. Later, he cuddled her against his chest, and she was in complete bliss. For a long while, neither of them moved, until her growling stomach broke the silence.

  "Okay, I'm really starving now.”

  "We can't have that. Come on.”

  She headed to the kitchen as Seth salvaged the dwindling fire that had almost died during the night. She found everything to make an omelet in the refrigerator—cheese, ham, onions, and peppers—although this would be brunch now. By the time he made it to the kitchen, she had coffee brewing and one omelet flipped in the skillet. They sat at the island and ate, and she burned her mouth a little she was so hungry.

  "Let's go for a walk in the snow." Seth pulled her between his legs. “Or we could go back upstairs.”

  "How much did it snow?"

  "At least five inches, enough to cover the ground.”

  They hurried and finished, doing the dishes together. She washed as Seth rinsed and dried. It was actually fun, especially throwing bubbles on him when he wasn't watching. The snow was breathtaking, with the bright sun glaring off it. Now, the thermometer on the porch showed thirty-four degrees, still cold enough the sun did not melt the snow. Seth went to the shed to check on his bike. As Suzanne walked down the path a bit, she took in the view of the forest, which was beautiful with snow sitting on the tree branches. The next thing she knew something hit her in the back of
the head. She turned to see another snowball heading for her, and Seth laughing loudly. She packed snow into a ball as quickly as she could, but he got her again.

  "I'm going to get you for that one, Seth Griffin.”

  "You have to catch me first. I don't think you can." He laughed, running away.

  She couldn't catch him, but she chased him anyway. He finally gave in, fell into the snow, and she fell on top of him, laughing so hard they could barely kiss.

  "Even my socks are wet now," she told him.

  "We better get you inside. I don't want you to get sick.”

  The fire had warmed the cabin again, and Seth had hung her socks on the mantel to dry.

  "I'm going to get on some dry clothes. I'll be back in a few minutes."

  There was a nice stereo with a remote in the living room. She hadn’t noticed it last night. Seth crashed on the couch, flipping through the stations.

  She went to the upstairs bathroom and peeled off her wet jeans. Her feet felt like they were frozen. There were all types of individual body washes, bubble baths, shampoos, and soaps on the bathroom counter. A bubble bath in that tub would unthaw her feet well enough. She needed a bath anyway, after last night’s and this morning’s activities. The tub was pretty deep, so she filled it to six inches from the top and let the bubbles fill the rest. It was plenty big enough for two people, so she finished undressing and called out to Seth. She could hear Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart” flowing up from the downstairs. That seems fitting. Then she clipped her hair up and slipped in the tub with only her shoulders showing above the bubbles.

  Seth called for her as he walked up the stairs. "Where are you?"

  He came in the bathroom. His eyes widened.

  "Come join me," she said in a sultry tone.

  "I'd be glad to." He grinned, undressed, and slipped in the tub, moving toward her.

  "That's not fair. I didn't get to watch you get in." He pulled her to him and sat her on his lap.

  “I can get out and come back in again,” she teased, swinging her right leg over, straddling him.

  “You’re not going anywhere.”

  They stayed in the tub until the water was cool and they were both as wrinkly as a prune.

  "Seth, I think we were a little rowdy. More water ended up on the floor than is left in the tub.”

  He just laughed, both of them cleaning up their mess. They dressed and noticed that they had lost the day again, and it was already dusk. Seth grilled them steaks and baked potatoes for dinner.

  "You are so crazy to grill out in the cold.”

  "I want a steak. I'll suffer to get it."

  She was so hungry by the time they were ready. After dinner, they sat on the couch watching the fire. He pulled her between his legs, and she leaned her back against his chest. Suzanne knew with Seth she was safer and more secure than she had ever been in her life.

  "I don't want to leave here.”

  "I know. I feel the same way, but we have to get back to school for spring semester registration next week."

  "Then let's not waste any more time.”

  She shifted her body, wrapped her legs around his waist, and rested on his thighs. Then, she kissed him and nibbled on his bottom lip pulling herself as close to him as possible.

  He sighed with a raspy groan. “We used my last rubber in the tub.”

  “I’m sure we can figure out something that won’t require the use of a condom.” She tried to sound as naughty as possible.

  They never left the light of the fire as they discovered one another’s fantasies. The remainder of the night was filled with moments only a willing and mischievous young girl would allow an impish boy to talk her into.

  Chapter Seven

  She’d begun to feel a sense of dread. She tried to shake it off. This feeling always came from death. She didn’t want to acknowledge it because she was happy. Although she didn’t deserve it, she had found the happiness that people talk about in movies. If she pretended it wasn’t there, ignored it, maybe it would go away.

  “Spend the night with me,” Seth whispered in her ear, his breath hot.

  "Not tonight, I have to get a good night's sleep for our Anatomy II test tomorrow, and if we are alone in your room, that won't happen." It was hard to resist him. Every inch of her body yearned for him.

  "Okay," he replied with a grimace. "I'll let you rest, but I don’t have to like it."

  Her dreams of late had been happy dreams, but tonight, nightmares from the past found her. They were not of her grandfather or Dwight, but a new victim. She woke in a cold sweat, and the mirror revealed dark circles under her eyes, although she had slept.

  * * * *

  Dear Diary,

  I dreamed of a young girl, probably my age. Honey blonde hair draped, hiding her face, and flowing long over a purple sweater. It was a clear night, and she was headed for the library with the bell tower lighting her way. A tall, stocky figure came out of the bushes and grabbed her, covering her face with his large hands, dragging her away.

  Something changed within the dream. Before, even with Dwight, I was an onlooker, but I lost myself and now I was looking through her eyes feeling what she felt. He was carrying her back toward the parking lot, and she was getting very sleepy as he covered her mouth and nose with a cloth. She held her breath as long as she could but had to inhale, and her nose began burning. She tried to struggle but he was too strong, and he threw her in the back seat of a car. Her head became fuzzy as she drifted away, watching a figure get into the driver's seat. Then, everything went black, and I lost her. Could this be real? I didn't think I knew this girl. The dreams I had were only of people I loved and cared about, never strangers.

  * * * *

  Suzanne couldn't help but shudder when she passed the library. No one talked about anyone missing, and nothing seemed out of place.

  "Are you all right? You look tired. I haven't been letting you get enough rest." Seth brushed her cheek.

  "I'm all right, just nervous, wondering what I made on that Anatomy quiz." She tried to sound convincing.

  "I'm sure you did fine."

  "That's easy for you to say. You ace everything." She snapped back and purposely spoke in a petulant tone. She did trust him, but she wasn't ready to let him in on this. No one had mentioned anything. Her imagination was just working overtime. There was really nothing to tell him.

  He convinced her to sleep over with him that night.

  "You play dirty, and you know you I can't resist you when I look into your eyes." She pouted. "You don't fight fair."

  He laughed loudly. "That is what you do to me every time I look at you. You'll have to forgive my moments of weakness. I'll let you sleep now, sweet dreams."

  He kissed her hair and held her tight. She was so content and drifted to sleep peacefully in his arms.

  * * * *

  Dear Diary,

  Another dream of the same girl haunted me last night. Her bangs were in her eyes, and she tried to move, but her hands were bound. She saw a bright light above, and the walls were like the log cabin Seth and I visited, very rustic. She thrashed her head from side to side, and I could feel her throbbing headache and aching muscles. The room was cool, and she realized she was barely clothed. “Someone help me,” she called out. Her voice was weak, no louder than a whisper. Then, a tall man silently approached her. He wore a ski mask and gloves, no way to even know his age. She could not even distinguish his race. He had the cloth in his hand again and covered her nose and mouth. She fought as best as she could, but to no avail. Before she fell asleep, she could feel him climbing on top of her.

  * * * *

  When Suzanne woke the next morning, Seth wasn't beside her. There was a note that said, “Went to get donuts and coffee. Be right back, love.” She lay back on his pillow, shocked and in disbelief. Who was this girl she was dreaming about? Was this real? Why was she dreaming such sadistic things? What was wrong with her? She didn’t even watch movies about r
ape and murder. Thank goodness Seth was not there. She had time to compose herself. No one else, especially Seth, would have to know how sick her imagination was.

  "They had your favorite, cream cheese, sleepy head.”

  "Yum." She sat up in bed.

  "I didn't think you would want to get up early for breakfast. Thought I'd let you sleep. You seem so tired lately."

  "I won't complain about breakfast in bed. Thanks!" She gave him a big smile hoping he wouldn't notice anything.

  He kissed her forehead and went to change for class. He didn't act like he suspected anything. She just couldn't tell Seth about her dream, not yet. In their long talks, of course, she had told him about her premonitions, her grandfather, and even the tragedy with Dwight. This wasn’t the same. Would he think she was insane? She continued to bite her tongue on this one.

  Suzanne stayed in her room the next night and finally slept out of pure exhaustion. Recently, she began to fear sleep, feared seeing the girl’s face and feeling her terror. When morning came, she was surprised she had not dreamed at all, no nightmare or anything. She actually felt rested. Thank goodness, the nightmares were gone again. Quite possibly she had only imagined it all in her sick mind, and she could live with that. Seth called soon after she woke, asking if she would meet him for breakfast. As usual, she hurried to get her shower, makeup on, and hair braided the way he loved, choosing his favorite top—a purple sweater—and rushed to meet him.

  "You look beautiful today. What do you want?"

  "Nothing I won't get anyway." She grinned.

  She was relieved the new nightmares were over of course. Hoping he wouldn’t sense anything was wrong, she quickly kissed him, running her hands from his shoulders to across his chest and got his mind on other things.

  "You can't do that to me this early. We have classes all day." He pressed his lips together and sighed.

  "I'm such a tease, aren't I?" She knew it would drive him crazy.

  "And you say I fight dirty. You really don't know what you do to me. Let's get in the cafeteria before I carry you back to my room."