Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance

by Delaney Cameron

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  Corbin smiled ruefully. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  His thoughtfulness brought a lump to her throat. “I’m sorry I ruined everything.”

  He squeezed her hand gently and then let it go. “You didn’t ruin anything, but for my peace of mind, would you please stop packing?”

  * * * *

  Several hours later she was sitting next to Mike in the backseat of Corbin’s rental car for the half hour drive from Brunswick to Sebasco Harbor. The tour of the inn wasn’t nearly long enough to satisfy Aubrey. She fell in love with the lofty rooms complete with high ceilings, decorative crown molding, and ornate fireplaces. Had she not been part of a group, she would gladly have delayed dinner so she could more fully explore all the rooms.

  Like the inn, the restaurant was situated on the water. Aubrey found its modern décor appealing, but couldn’t help comparing it to the quiet luxury of its neighbor. She wished she could do justice to the excellent food, but her appetite seemed to have vanished. For some reason, she felt curiously detached from everything going on around her. It was as if in her mind, she was already pulling away.

  When someone touched on her shoulder, she jumped. Her eyes widened when she realized Mike and Mandy were gone. “Where are the others?”

  Corbin leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Does it matter? Does anything else in the world matter right now?”

  She turned her head to look at him, wondering what he meant by such cryptic questions. When their eyes met, he asked, “Some things are inevitable and there’s no use fighting them, don’t you agree?”

  Thinking he was talking about Mandy, Aubrey nodded her head. She was incapable of saying a word. Corbin apparently didn’t need any words. “I’m glad we agree on it. Let’s go join the others.”

  Aubrey took her place in the back of the car and tried to ignore the two in the front. Mike politely answered her questions about his job as an engineer, but he seemed to know she wasn’t really listening. They were both relieved when they arrived back at the cabin.

  Not in the mood for company, Aubrey excused herself as soon as it was decently possible. A wave of icy air met her when she opened the door to her room. She vaguely remembered Mike mentioning a problem with the furnace. Hopefully, the electric fireplace would provide some heat. Shivering with cold, Aubrey undressed quickly, donning a pair of flannel pajamas and a warm fleecy robe.

  Turning off the lights, she switched on the fireplace and pulled a cushion from the chair. Sitting down on the floor, she spent a few minutes watching the flickering flames and then began to brush her hair. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the soft knock on her door. The man waiting outside took matters into his own hands.

  “Still awake?” Corbin asked as he came into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

  Aubrey nodded slowly, her eyes still dreamy. “I love sitting by a fire, don’t you?”

  “Yes, especially when it’s the only source of heat. Are you warm enough?”

  “As long as I don’t move from this spot I’m fine.”

  He dropped down behind her, took the brush from her hand and began to pull it through her hair. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said after a moment.

  “Brush my hair?”

  “Just be close enough to touch it and feel it running through my fingers. It’s beautiful.”

  Her breath caught. Was this really happening? “Thank you.”

  “Who’s this man you can’t forget?” He leaned closer and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Do you love him?” he asked softly.

  A deep sigh escaped her. Why bother to pretend anymore? “Yes, but he’s in love with someone else.”

  “In that case, you’ll have to forget him.”

  “You make it sound so easy. Have you been able to forget Mandy?”

  “It’s more accurate to say I’m over her.”

  If he didn’t love Mandy, why was she here? Aubrey’s heart began to beat so rapidly she thought she might actually faint. She turned sideways to look at him. “Does she know?” she asked in amazement.

  “She’s been resistant to the idea, but I think I convinced her at last.”

  “How did you do that?”

  “I told her I’m in love with you.”

  Aubrey stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “You did what? Are you crazy?”

  “Why couldn’t I be in love with you?” He trailed his fingers along the side of her neck. “Did you think I never noticed the way your lips curve when you smile?” His fingers moved to her eyes. “Was I supposed to ignore the beauty of your eyes?” He cupped her chin and waited until she met his gaze. “How I could remain unaffected by a person whose nature is so unselfish and whose heart is so unbelievably pure? I love you because it’s impossible for me not to. I might as well tell my heart to stop beating or my lungs to cease breathing.”

  Aubrey bit down on her trembling lips. “I thought you loved Mandy.”

  “That ended a long time ago. Now that we’ve cleared that hurdle, let’s talk about Richard.”

  She reached out and touched his cheek. “There’s nothing between me and Richard except friendship. I love you.”

  He lowered his head and kissed her lightly at first, his lips seeking a response from her. She instinctively moved closer to him and his arms tightened. The quality of the kisses subtly changed from tentative to passionate. His lips left her mouth and moved over her face and neck. A sigh of pleasure escaped her and hearing it, Corbin laughed huskily.

  “That’s something else I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

  “You’ve kissed me before, Corbin.”

  “I kissed you one time, and it has haunted me every day and night since.”

  She smiled. “Is that why you told me ‘once was enough’?”

  “That was to reassure you and warn me. But in reality, it was too late. I was already lost. I have something to show you.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a photograph. Aubrey found herself gazing at her own likeness. The picture was one of the set taken by Phillip down on the beach.

  “Where did you get this?” she asked incredulously.

  “I took it or to be strictly truthful, I stole it.”

  “Why?”

  “I couldn’t resist having something of you with me all the time.”

  “No one would have known it.”

  His hand went to her head and gently stroked her hair. “I was afraid. I once thought myself well on the way to marital bliss, and you know how that turned out.”

  “What made you put it to the test tonight?” she asked curiously.

  “The way you looked at me in the restaurant. It was as if you finally let your guard down, and all the things I’d hoped to see in your eyes were finally there.”

  “It’s hard to be near the one you love and not be able to express it.”

  He laughed softly. “There were times when it took everything I had to stay away from you. I was so jealous of Richard. I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching you.”

  She laid her head on his chest, content to listen to the steady beating of his heart. “Phoebe will give him all he can handle, but I do feel sorry for Mandy. I can’t imagine losing you twice.”

  “I would feel more sympathy for her if I thought she loved me, but I’m not sure she knows what love is.”

  “Things will be awkward in the morning.”

  “No, they won’t. She has an early flight, and Mike volunteered to take her to the airport. If you sleep in, you won’t see her.”

  “In that case, I’ll sleep in.”

  “As much as I want to stay, I need to go. I was supposed to check the temperature of the upstairs rooms and then return to help Mike work on the furnace. Otherwise, we’re all going to freeze.”

  “I’m surprised he hasn’t come looking for you.”

  Corbin grinned wickedly. “I’m sure he’s figured out what’s keeping me.”
He stood up and pulled her to her feet. “I’m not too thrilled about long engagements and big weddings, but if you won’t feel married without them, I can make myself be patient.”

  “I’m thinking short engagement and small wedding.” She took his hand and lifted it to her lips. “Or if you prefer, we can elope. I’ve never been caught up in how it happens.”

  “I won’t ask you to give up your special day, but I can’t deny that I’ll be holding my breath until I see you walking down the aisle.”

  Words seemed inadequate then. There were better ways to assure Corbin how little he needed to worry about such things. With a soft sigh, Aubrey melted into the strong arms drawing her close and thrilled to the touch of his lips on hers. Together they would erase the nightmares of the past and build new dreams of tomorrow.

  The End

  I hope you enjoyed reading Aubrey and Corbin’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’m a big believer in second chances. If you liked this book, please consider leaving a review. Thank you very much!