Dreamlike State (The Magic of Black Forest Book 1) (23 page)

When I awoke, my body was draped across Bradley’s naked body. My breasts were pressing against his chest, my hand between his legs, holding his hard shaft. It took me all of one second to take advantage of the situation. I started to massage him, stroking him up and down. He was big. Kissing my way up his chest I moaned and gazed up at him. Instantly I stopped when I saw his face. Staring up at the ceiling, his jaw locked firmly, he had one hand gripped tightly full of bed sheets while his other hand locked onto the headboard. I slowly let go and slid off of him. I pulled the covers over him and myself, no longer permitting our naked bodies to touch. Looking at him, I said his name. Slowly, his dark eyes met mine.

“Bradley, are you okay?” He didn’t respond. I’m not quite sure he could. His eyes looked up to the ceiling again.

Thinking I had crossed that thin line, I rolled over facing away from him making sure our bodies weren’t touching. We lay there quietly. For a few moments, I stared at the picture of him on my nightstand. Saddened, I got up, grabbed my clothes, and went to take a shower. He didn’t stop me from leaving. From my experience, he wouldn’t be there when I got out of the bathroom.

Standing there in the shower, I wept quietly. Why did I have to be so selfish? What did I expect him to do? He said it would be too much for him yet I pushed him over the edge. I don’t deserve someone like him. He deserved someone that could please him without causing him so much stress like I do. With my eyes closed, I let the water wash away my tears as they fell.

Without a sound, I felt Bradley wrap his arms around me. He turned me to face him. Shaking his head he admitted, “I keep making you cry.” He pressed his body against mine and kissed me tenderly. “I’m sorry, my love, but you’d been playing with me for quite some time. Had you woke up sooner, I would have been willing to let you finish. Not wanting to wake you, I let you go and let’s just say that was a huge mistake on my part. By the time you actually woke up, I was gone. I couldn’t move.

“No one ever wanted to please me the way you do. Natalia, you are very good at that. I would like it very much if later tonight we could pick up where we left off.”

“Really?” I asked doubtfully.

He kissed me as if to seal the deal. “Until later tonight, my love.”

Wrapping a towel around me he asked, “How about we go for a walk? It’s been snowing while you were napping. Colleen, Jesse, and Seager are already out there playing in the snow. Let’s go and enjoy our white Christmas.”

“How long have I been sleeping?” I wondered if I played with him the entire time I slept.

“For two hours. It was the last hour that was the hardest for me. Going forward when you go to sleep, I wear pants.” He laughed loudly, and it echoed in the small bathroom.

After getting dressed we went outside. It’d been snowing heavily for over an hour and a half. We accumulated about six inches. We built a small snowman, had a snowball fight, and made snow angels.

After dinner, we watched a chick flick. I really couldn’t tell you what it was about because I fell asleep on the couch in Bradley’s arms mumbling, “This is one of the best Christmases I've ever had. Thank you.” He kissed the top of my head and I was out.

That night I had sweet dreams about my parents and our past Christmases.

Chapter 15

Since Christmas day, I barely got to spend any quality alone time with Bradley. Though he stayed with me every night, he always left bright and early. Always leaving me a note, telling me to have a nice day and that he loved me. He said he had things he had to take care of but I had the feeling he purposely avoided me. Tonight he won’t be able to come by at all. Therefore, I won’t be able to see him until tomorrow night, which is New Year's Eve. He said he had something special planned.

I didn’t feel like cooking so I took a drive to Lee’s for dinner. They made an awesome burger. I got a seat in the corner of the bar and ordered a coke and burger. As I sat there, enjoying my meal, minding my own business, I felt someone staring at me. I took a subtle look around the bar until I found who had been glaring at me so intensely; the woman who kissed Bradley just over a week ago. She didn’t look happy to see me. My goal had been to finish eating and get the heck out of here as quick as possible. In an effort to dodge trouble, I avoided eye contact for the remainder of my meal.

When I didn’t look up again, she must’ve taken that as an invitation to come over to me. Standing behind me she sneered, “Hello,
Natalia
. My name is Jessica. Do you know who I am?”

I put money on the bar to pay the bill. Leaving, I said as politely as possible, “No. Have a nice evening.”

I made it into my truck but she prevented me from shutting my door by holding it open and blocking my closing it with her body.

“I’m Brad’s girlfriend. Or I was until he met you. Did he tell you about me?” Her eyes were black with jealousy.

“No. I’m running late, so please move and let go of my door.” Her laughter sounded purely evil.

“I’ll let you go if you promise to break it off with
my
man.”

“Bradley makes his owns decisions. You’ll need to have this discussion with him not me.”

“Oh I will later tonight when he meets me here. Did he tell you he was meeting me tonight? I’ve been his sexual partner for a few years now. Since he can’t have sex with you, a mere human, I’m sure I’ll be taking care of him tonight. Don’t wait up for him.” With that, she slammed my truck door. I floored it out of the parking lot. I looked in my rearview mirror and she stood in the parking lot, laughing as I drove away.

When I got home, I made sure every window and door was locked. I know it won’t keep a vampire out but it somehow made me feel safer.

“What’s the matter, Nat?”
Seager growled from his striking position.

“I bumped into Bradley’s vamp girlfriend when I went to Lee’s for dinner. She wasn’t too pleased and told me to leave him alone.” I gave him my leftovers.

“What did you say?”

“I told her to tell Bradley herself. I don’t tell him what he can and can’t do. She made it quite clear that she’d be discussing it later tonight when he meets her at Lee’s. Apparently, they’ve been lovers for years. She implied that they were meeting for sex tonight since he could never have it with me.”

“Please don’t let your jealousy or imagination run wild again. You know he’s not with her anymore. Brad said he hasn’t kissed another woman since the day he met you in Black Forest. Trust Brad, Natalia… Please.”

“I don’t care either way.” I heard Seager sigh as he ate.

My plans were to watch Parent Trap tonight, one of my most favorite movies. I wasn’t about to let Bradley or his vamp girlfriend ruin my night. Unfortunately for me, the movie did not hold my attention. I found myself thinking of ways to leave tomorrow, just for a few days. That’s when it hit me, we could spend the holidays with Melissa. She invited me to her New Year’s party.

“Hey, Seager, you remember when I told you Meliss was having a party tomorrow night?”

“Yep and no I don’t want to go. Again, you’re just running instead of facing the truth. Haven’t you and Brad been through enough? Can’t you for once give him the benefit of the doubt?”

“Sure I will, if you can tell me what his plans are for tonight. He hasn’t been here during the day, when I’m awake, only when I’m sleeping. I’ve been wondering if he’s been purposely avoiding me. It makes sense that he would do that if he were having sex with someone else. Maybe I should just set him free so he can be with whoever he wants, without feeling guilty about hurting me.” That sounded like a good idea. Tomorrow night I would let him go. Just the thought of it brought tears to my eyes.

“Nat, he gave you that promise ring. You need to trust him. Please don’t cry. Ugh!! Never mind. I don’t know why I bother. If you don’t mind I’d like to sleep on the porch tonight.”

“Fine. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to be around me either.” I sobbed. He just rolled his eyes and went to sleep on the porch.

I cried myself to sleep before the movie ended.

I woke up to static on the television. When I reached for the remote, I noticed Seager sleeping on the floor next to the couch. Bradley was here, I could feel it. I pretended that it didn’t register and checked to make sure the front door was locked. I sat back down to find something else to watch. If he were actually in the house, he would have said something by now. I quickly fell into dreamland again. I woke up as I was being carried to my bedroom. Although I knew it had been Bradley, I was in the middle of a nightmare so I freaked out a bit.

He set me on the bed and turned on the lights. “It’s okay, Natalia, it’s me.” I could see he was worried about earlier. Still not ready to talk about his vamp girlfriend, I rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep. I felt him silently crawl in behind me, spooning me.

After a few minutes, I rolled over again and pulled his shirtless body to mine. I caressed his back moving my hand to his butt and discovered he was completely naked. Not wanting him to know I woke, I moved my hand up slightly and held him tight against me. I fell asleep for real this time.

I dreamt that the vamp girl was chasing me through the woods, angry that Bradley had chosen me over her. I ran, screaming for Bradley to help me. I woke myself up when I screamed his name. Sitting upright in my bed, I realized I was safe at home. It was still dark out.

I heard Bradley whispering my name in my ear. “It’s okay don’t be frightened.” He said. “Go back to sleep, love.”

“You’re naked.” I looked at myself. “So am I.” I didn’t remember taking off my clothes. “What’s going on, Bradley?”

He smiled devilishly, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “You kept telling me you were hot. So to make you more comfortable, I removed your clothes. Why don’t you lie back down? Come on you can still get a few hours of sleep.” Dazed and confused, I just stared at his gorgeous body. I felt myself grinning but I couldn’t make it go away. The man is truly unbelievably beautiful.

When I finally drifted my gaze back up to his face all I could think of saying was, “Hi.”

He chuckled and the bed shook. Kissing my forehead, he returned a hello. We just laid there staring into each other’s eyes. Every now and then, I would peek at the rest of his body, which made my grin grow wider. I kept my distance, never letting my body touch his.

When I awoke in the morning, our bodies were pressed against each other’s. My leg was over his hips and my breasts pressed against his chest, my face hidden deep in his neck.

I pulled away and looked into his eyes, “Sorry about that.”

“Please don’t apologize and definitely don’t roll away from me.” Pulling me into him he placed my thigh back on his hips and kissed the top of my head.

“No, Bradley, I don’t want to cause you any anxiety or stress.” I tried to pull away but the harder I tried the tighter he held me.

“This feels good doesn’t it? Are you not enjoying yourself?”

“Yes and of course I like it, I like it a lot. But…” I hesitated trying to figure out a way to bring up his vamp girlfriend, and how I needed to break up with him.

“Natalia, you’re not breaking up with me because of some ex-girlfriend who wasn’t even a girlfriend to begin with. I won’t leave.”

“Is that why you came to see me last night? Did she tell you she talked to me?” I was about to say a lot more but I couldn’t think straight with his body pressed against mine and his breath smelled so delicious. “You weren’t supposed to be here with me last night. She said it was her night.”

“Did you believe her lies?” He asked quietly.

“I almost let my imagination get away from me but then Seager reminded me of something you said the first week we’d met and about the promise you made me when you put this ring on my finger.” I lifted my hand to his face for him to see that the ring remained where he put it, on my finger. “Why did you come over last night? I wasn’t supposed to see you until tonight.”

“Seager came and got me at the bar, worried you might leave again. He also said he needed to see for himself. I brought him home and let him in. Then I went to help Jess finish making Colleen’s New Year's gift. We’ve been working on it all week. I promised him I wouldn’t say anything to you or anyone else. When we finished I told him I had to tell you, that your imagination would drive you from me. He just laughed saying he totally agreed and understood.

“So now you know where I’ve been all week. Do you feel better?”

“No, now I feel selfish and embarrassed.” My cheeks were scarlet with embarrassment.

Using his usual technique to make me look into his eyes, he lifted my face to his by placing his finger under my chin. “I love it when you blush, you silly woman.” He kissed me before telling me he had to go.

“Colleen will be here shortly. Please do not say anything to her.”

“Why is she coming over?” I asked. This was the first I’d heard about this.

“Natalia, my true love, I have some serious plans for us tonight. I bought you a new dress and Colleen is bringing it over. She plans to do your hair and nails for tonight. I know how you love that. Please make sure she pretties herself up as well. Jesse and I will be back around three to take you two out for the night.” Frustrated and disappointed, I agreed and sadly said I’d see him later.

“Aw, I can see how sad I’ve made you. I’m sorry, my love. Would you like a peek at what I sort of have in store for you.” Before I could say another word, he had me screaming his name over and over again.

With a huge grin on my face, I stood there waving goodbye to Bradley as he drove away. He must have passed Colleen while she drove up the drive because he no sooner left and she was here.

When she got up on the porch, she made a comment about the bright glow reflecting off my body and asked if I knew what they were up too.

“I have no idea but supposedly you have something for me and we’re supposed to dress up including doing our nails. Did you bring your manicure kit?” I laughed at her expression. She lived for this girlie-girl stuff.

We passed the entire day beautifying our nails and hair. I actually got into it this time. I was telling Colleen how much fun I was having when I heard a knock at the door. Before Colleen could stop me, I opened it. Standing in the doorway, with evil in her eyes, was the vamp girl, Jessica.

Annoyed, I asked, “Can I help you?”

“No, I’m looking for Brad. Can I talk to him?” She tried to see into my house, so I stood in front of her, blocking the view. Angered more she snapped, “We were interrupted last night…”

That’s when Colleen yanked the door open, “Listen, bitch, do everyone a favor, and stay away from Brad. Don’t make me come after you.” She put herself between me and the vamp, her body trembling. She backed the vamp onto my lawn while telling me to stay back.

The vamp hissed and swatted at Colleen. Colleen let out a wicked laugh before her image blurred and her clothes flew through the air. She changed shape into a huge grizzly bear that stood over the vamp. Colleen, in her grizzly form, furiously growled at the vamp, and drug her foot along the ground throwing dirt and rocks into Jessica’s face.

In awe, I couldn’t move nor could I wipe the smile off my face. I knew I should’ve been scared but seeing Colleen as a grizzly bear, rendered me speechless.

When the vamp didn’t run, Colleen stood on her hind legs. She was gargantuan in this form. I wouldn’t have thought that little ole’ Colleen would be such a big grizzly.

Colleen swung her paw and made contact, throwing vamp girl through the air and right into a tree. The impact cracked the trunk and the tree fell crashing to the ground. I gasped with disbelief. The vamp jumped upright and told Colleen that she was going to be sorry before running off into the woods. Colleen roared in response, so loud that it echoed several times through the forest. After a few minutes, Colleen changed back to her naked self. I ran in and grabbed my housecoat for her to wear.

Putting it on quickly she said, “The guys are coming. I think they heard me. It’ll ruin the night if we say the bitch showed up here. Let’s tell them that you wanted to see what I looked like. I’ll pick up my clothes and you let Seager go. I tied him up in the kitchen.”

Running to Seager’s rescue I asked, “Why did you do that, Colleen?”

She met us in the living room, “Sorry, Seager, it was for your protection. Jessica could have used you against me. Come on and let’s get changed. We have less than a minute. Seager, mum's the word until after our evening is over please.”