DREAM

by Mary Smith

  Gable is trying not to laugh, but his dimple is giving him away.

  “What?” I stand up and cross my arms.

  “Nothing.” Gable’s still chuckling.

  “What?” I say firmly.

  “I swear it’s nothing.” He’s trying to keep a straight face. “I’ve just not heard you flirt before.”

  “Am I bad at it?”

  “No.” He quickly says. “You’re not bad at it.” He pulls me back to him. “I’m not used to it from you. You’re usually straightforward with me.”

  “True. But,” I pout a little bit. “I was trying something new.”

  Gable softly tugs my hair until my face is close to his. “I like it.” He kisses me. It’s not a hard kiss; rather, it is tender and sends a shiver through me.

  “I’m going to take care of you tonight.”

  “Are you?” He lightly grasps my neck and runs his thumb up and down the base of my throat.

  I remove his tie, take his cufflinks off, and toss them on the stand. He doesn’t say anything as I unbutton his shirt and push it off his shoulders. I motion him to stand up and I unhook his belt and drop his pants, along with his boxer briefs and free him.

  I don’t hesitate to slide him into my mouth. His low growl as I take him deeply into my mouth, lets me know I’m doing it right. This is the first time I’ve given him a blowjob. The velvety steel that I usually feel is harder in my mouth as I continue my motion up and down his length.

  “Dream,” he moans my name and fists his hands in my hair. In the past, the guy would pull my hair too tight and I have to stop sucking him off for them to let me go, but not Gable. He’s affectionate tugging turns me on more.

  I lick his underside and I feel him quivering at my touch. I suck him deeper until I can feel him in the back of my throat.

  “Baby. Dream.” I can feel him drawing up and I know what’s coming next. I pull my mouth back and suck the tip, before taking him for the final time and his hot liquid hits the back of my mouth.

  “Dream.” Gable shakes and holds me in place until he’s finished and I’ve swallowed him all down.

  I release him and push him down on the side of the bed. I stand up and his dark eyes are bright again. I bite my lip to hold back my smile as I take off my nightie and slowly sway my hips to remove my thong. I watch as Gable strokes himself and it makes my body clench. That’s hot and I feel myself growing wetter as he becomes harder. I place my hand over his and kiss him.

  “Lie back, please.”

  Gable scoots to the middle of the bed and I straddle him. I watch his face as I position him at my opening and sink down. I toss my head back as he slides deeper into me. I rest for a beat, feeling Gable roll my nipples between his fingers making them stiff peaks. He glides his fingers down and guides my hips back and forth.

  I begin to move and moan Gable’s name at how full he is inside me. He rubs my clit and it doubles my efforts. Before I can register how amazing he feels, the tension is tight around me and he continues the circular motion on me. I rock faster and Gable lifts his hips, causing me to scream and collapse on his chest.

  ~~~

  I have the stylist leave my hair down for the event tonight. I know Gable likes it that way; so I have a complete blowout done. My makeup is a little heavier and my lips are a bright red and will match my gown perfectly. After my pedicure and manicure, I follow Trent out to the car, where Leo and Bruce wait for me. I still don’t know why Gable sent Bruce with me, but he did and I didn’t argue.

  Leo opens the car door for me and I stop in my tracks. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I feel like someone is staring at me. It’s unnerving. I turn and see a woman in her late thirties staring back at me. She has a long bob and it’s jet black, but her green eyes are almost like daggers aimed straight at me.

  “Are you Dream Jackson?” She asks, looking me up and down. Leo and Trent flank me and I hear Bruce jump out of the Mercedes.

  “No, I’m Dream Butler.” I inform her firmly. I don’t know why I say it that way, but I felt it necessary.

  “Ms. House.” Bruce stands in front of me almost to the point that I can’t see her. “It’s nice to see you again, but we need to get going and you know Mr. Butler wouldn’t approve of you speaking to his wife.”

  “Wife?” She scoffs at the term. “Gable doesn’t approve of anything if it isn’t part of his grand plan.”

  I step around Bruce and stare at her. “Who are you and how do you know my husband?”

  She gives me a sly smirk and narrows her eyes at me. “Oh, I’m just a friend of Gable’s. A very dear and close friend.” We stare at each other as my stomach drops at her words. How close of a friend? “Nice to see you again, Bruce.” She flicks her tongue and walks away.

  I study her thin frame as she strolls away from me and into an awaiting black Cadillac Escalade. I swivel to Bruce and growl at him.

  “Who is she?”

  Bruce’s face drops. “Mrs. Butler, please don’t put me in this situation.”

  “Is Gable cheating on me?” Bruce starts to open his mouth, but I shut him down. “Get me home now.”

  I jump into the SUV and I’m bouncing my leg up and down. That fucker has been on me since day one about cheating. How could he do this to me? I thought we were really connecting and I was rebuilding my trust in himagain. Gable’s lies and cons have been prevalent since day one, and now cheating. I won’t stand for it. I won’t be a doormat for anyone.

  “Mrs. Butler—”

  “Don’t talk to me right now, Bruce.” I seethe at him and stare out the window as he speeds through the city to Butler Mansion.

  When he pulls into the driveway, I leap out before the car stops and rush into the house. I see Joy’s car and I know they will be in the office. I stomp all the way down the hall and fling the door open. Joy, Gideon, and Gable are all sitting there. Gable has been keeping Gideon in the loop of a few small projects, just to keep an eye on him.

  “You two.” I point to Joy and Gideon. “Get out, now.” Joy doesn’t say a word and races out of the room. On the other hand, Gideon just looks at me. “I’m not in the mood, Gideon. Get the fuck out.” He slowly rises and strolls out of the room and I glare at him the entire way.

  “Dream.” Gable is standing in front of me. “What is it?”

  “She saw Ms. House.” Bruce answers for me from the doorway.

  “What?” Gable panics. “Are you okay?”

  “No, I’m not okay. How could you cheat on me?”

  Gable’s jaw drops. “Cheat on you? Dream, I would never.”

  “I was trying to tell her.” Bruce explains.

  “Who is she?” I cross my arms.

  “She’s Aven House, the ex that cheated on me.” Gable narrows his eyes at me. “You really think I would do that to you.”

  “No.” I snap without thinking about it, even though I had thought it. “But, the hell does she want with me?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her in years. Are you okay, though?” Gable grips the top of my arms.

  “I’m fine,” even though I feel a little silly. I know how hurt Gable was at catching her in bed with his friend, even if he says he didn’t love her. “I need to finish getting ready.” I move away from him and around Bruce to go to our bedroom.

  I’ve turned my bedroom into my closet since Gable doesn’t handle all the colors well in his. However, it’s why I picked a red dress. It’s a halter top with a slit almost all the way to my hip. As I wiggle my foot into my high heel, I catch the glimpse of Gable in the doorway.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nod. “I shouldn’t have jumped to the conclusion you were cheating. I know better.”

  “I would never.”

  “I know. Now, hurry up and get ready, please.” I blow him a kiss and turn back to the array of clutches on my bed as I try to figure out which one will go best with my dress.

  Once I pick one and gather all my items, I study my Gone with the Wi
nd poster. I softly touch the sides of the frame and I know deep down that Gable loves me and he’s trying to do everything to keep my trust. Our marriage was a sham and began because of lies, we both know this, but this past month has been different. It’s been a real relationship. I’m in love and he is too. It has become a real marriage.

  I twist my wedding ring around. It hasn’t left my finger since the day he put it on, not even the night I left him. The day he put it on, there were no words or vows to go with them. I didn’t even put his on, but he wears it every day with pride. Again, there were no vows.

  I spin on my heels and head into our bedroom. Gable is fixing his bowtie in his closet. He looks dapper in his tux, styled hair, and freshly trimmed beard. I don’t say anything; I walk in and grab his arm, drag him to the bed, and make him sit down.

  “Dream.” He looks confused and almost afraid when I take my ring off and then tug his off, too. “What are you doing?”

  “Be quiet.” I order him and place my ring in his hand, as I hold his. “We never had a wedding nor did we exchange vows, and I think we need to. Right now.”

  “Um…okay.” He’s perplexed, as he should be, because I’m a bit erratic now.

  I take his ring and slide it onto his finger. “Our marriage didn’t start from love at first sight. I didn’t even like you when we got married. However, your kindness, your caring way wore me down and I grew to like you. Then you became a lying bastard and I hated you. I hated you because you broke my heart. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. You kept your word and were truthful with me from that point on and you protected me from Jacob. Now, we’re here and while I did think for a split second you cheated on me, I know deep down you would never do that.

  “So, every time you look down at this ring I want you to know I love you. I might not like you all the time, but I will love you.” I lean down and kiss the ring. “And I seal it with a kiss to bind my promise.” I throw that in for a little for a bit of dramatic effect.

  Gable is quiet and I almost thought he might cry, but he doesn’t. He clears his throat and takes my ring and slips it on my finger.

  “It was love at first sight for me. I saw you sitting on a bench reading a textbook, and I thought you were the most magnificent being I ever laid my eyes on. I knew I wanted to be with you. When your father died, I would have moved heaven and earth to protect you. I lied to get you to be my wife, Dream. I’m sorry, but I wanted you safe and I used the one means I had at my disposal.

  “I never felt more alone in my life than the day you walked out on me. I hadn’t cried since my dad died, and that night, alone here in this bed, I cried for you.”

  My heart stops at his confession. He cried? Gable Butler cried for me.

  “I felt my soul rip away that night without you here. I loved you and I hated myself for lying to you. When you came back, I felt my spirits lift, even though you weren’t happy. Just having you around me brought joy and meaning to my life again. I’m forever in your debt because you fell in love with me and you’re truly my wife.

  “Now, every time you look at this ring, remember my promise to love and protect you all your days.” He kisses my ring.

  “I really want to rip that tux off right now and not go to the event.” A single tear slides down my cheek at his words.

  Gable stands and swipes my cheek. “I promised I would be there. However, you look good enough to eat.”

  “There’s an idea.” I flirt with him and he bellows out a laugh. He leans down and kisses me, but our bodies aren’t touching. I try to pull him closer, but he stops me.

  “Dream, I…that red…” he is shaking his head.

  “The dress? Do you want me to change?”

  “No, you’re stunning, but today I’ve been a little more one edge.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. There’s something unsettling, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

  “Okay.” I step away from him. “Give me a minute.”

  “I don’t want you to change…”

  “But, I want you to touch me tonight. I have a black dress. Will that be better?”

  His shoulders relax and say yes. I go back into my room and change into a sweetheart chiffon gown, but I kept the red shoes. A girl needs some color, even if her man can’t handle it.

  “Better?” I twirl for him.

  Gable drops his head in shame. “Yes.”

  I walk up to him, flush with his body, and lift his chin. “Don’t be ashamed. We’re a team and this dress makes me look thinner anyways.” I joke, trying to ease the tension.

  Gable kisses my cheek and forehead. “I love you, Dream.”

  “I love you, Gable.”

  ~~~

  As we walk into the party, I laugh out loud and Gable chuckles. We obviously didn’t read the theme of the event. It’s a white winter. Everything in the place is white.

  “This is right up your alley.” I tease him.

  “It might be the best event ever.” He rubs my back.

  Gable hands the attendant our invitation and Bruce and Leo are patted down and show their permits for the guns they carry. Gable had obtained special permission for them to guard us with weapons for the night.

  Gable and I head to the bar for my glass of wine and his bourbon. Several people talk to us and congratulate Gable on the new company he’s officially acquired. The Japanese finally signed everything last week and Gable is moving forward with his environmental plan. I know how hard he worked for this and I am so proud of him.

  As we stand in the middle of the room, waiting to be called in for the dinner, I lean into Gable’s arms and his hand rests on my hip. I comment on several of the dresses that women think they look good in, but stop when Gable tenses up.

  “What is it?” I ask and follow his gaze to see Aven House, in a bright fuchsia gown, coming toward us.

  “Gable, I’m so happy to see you here.” She doesn’t even look my way and stares only at him.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Jacob and I were invited, of course.”

  Jacob?

  My unasked question is answered when Jacob comes up behind Aven and kisses her temple. I almost drop my wine glass at the scene in front of me. Jacob and Aven?

  What?

  “Gable.” Jacob nods at him. “Dream, don’t you look lovely.” His nose and eyes are back to normal.

  “I didn’t realize you two would be coming together. Don’t you usually keep the wife at home, Jacob?” Gable nods over to Aven.

  Wife?

  “Oh, sometimes, but tonight it’s about celebrating.” Jacob smiles at Aven.

  “And what are you celebrating?” I ask and she finally looks at me.

  “Life.” Aven smirks at me. “It can be cut short sometimes, so we need to celebrate as much as we can when we’re alive.”

  I can hear the threat and see the gleam in her eyes. I’m about to tell her shut it, when I see a familiar face coming toward me. I’ve not seen this one in a long time.

  “Mr. Dapont.” I smile brightly.

  “Dream Jackson.” Larissa’s father, and the district attorney, hugs me tightly. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well,” I keep my smile in place. “My husband, Gable Butler, brought me.”

  “Larissa told me you were married and I might have seen it in a paper a time or two.” He chuckles. “Congratulations, Mr. Butler.” He holds out his hand to Gable.

  “Thank you, Mr. Dapont.”

  “Where’s Larissa?” I look around him. She always attends events with him.

  “She went skiing this weekend.”

  I tilt my head. “Skiing?”

  “Damnedest thing, right?”

  If there’s one thing I know about Larissa, it’s she hates the snow and any outdoor sports involving it. She would never voluntarily do any anything involving the outdoors.

  “She started seeing someone about a month ago, and I think he likes it.” Mr. Dapont explains.

/>   “Oh,” I nod, giggling. “That makes more sense.”

  “I’m sorry I rushed your friends off.” He nods over to where Jacob and Aven had been standing.

  “They’re not our friends, trust me.” Gable answers.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” He states and glances back at me. “I need to mingle a bit more, but I wanted to say hello and make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m doing great. I promise.”

  He hugs me again and whispers. “If you need anything, call me.” I squeeze him letting him know I received the message.

  Once he leaves, dinner is called and we all make our way into the Grand Hall. Gable guides us to our table and pulls the seat out for me. Leo sits next to me and Bruce next to Gable. It’s only the four of us at the table and I thought it’s strange, but when I look around the room all the tables are small and intimate.

  “You know I have a ton of questions sprinting around.” I sip my wine.

  “I know.” Gable sighs. “Fire away.”

  “Her name is Ms. House, but she is Jacob’s wife?”

  “Aven never changed her name, but yes, she is Jacob’s wife.”

  “I never knew he had a wife.”

  “They’ve been together for a very long time. They don’t keep it a secret.”

  “But, she was with you, right?”

  He nods, but gives me a pointed look. It hits me right then.

  “She cheated on you with Jacob.”

  Gable nod. “That’s one reason why Jacob and I aren’t as close as we used to be.”

  I’m in utter shock. Jacob had been his best friend and he just stole his girlfriend from him. That bastard. Now, Jacob has Gideon wrapped up in his schemes, too. It’s like he’s taking everyone from Gable, one piece at a time.

  “That’s horrible, Gable.” I rub my hand up and down his back.

  Gable shrugs. “Baby, it was a long time ago. I’m over it, and I’m married to the love of my life. Hell, if anything, I should be thanking them, since their fuck-up lead me to you.”