“Say it.” He leans over and whispers in my ear, making chills run down my body. “I need to hear the words.”
Heat races to my core.
“I want you, “I pant.
With one swift scoop, I’m in his arms and being carried to the bedroom. I have never felt safer.
“Make me forget, Nathan.” My body hums in anticipation.
“I want you. Let me touch you, taste you, fuck you, baby.” His breath speeds up.
I kiss him and gently suck in his bottom lip. Our hands connect and interlace. He moans, and I take him in desperately. My tongue finds his and we kiss passionately.
“You’re every man’s fantasy, and so out of my league.” He returns my searing kiss full force.
I break away for a much needed breath. “Take your shirt off.” He grabs the bottom and goes to tear it off, but I stop him. “Slowly.”
I run my hands over his incredible body. First his shoulders, chest, and biceps, and then I trace his sentimental tattoo. I pinch his nipples and his head flies back.
“Oh.”
I move my fingers down to his eight-pack. I slide my finger back and forth under the top of his jeans, making him groan. His eyes follow my every move, I don’t hear him breathe.
“I have an intense urge to suck you,” I say, and his legs quiver as I slowly peel away those sexy as fuck jeans. “Someone’s a little off kilter?” On that playful note, I slide to my knees.
“Fucking adventurous, are we?”
“Just testing your stamina.”
As I slide those Calvin’s down his legs, his cock makes an appearance, standing proud. His muscles flex in anticipation, and I can’t help but feel a rush of power.
“Stamina?” he says.
I take hold and swirl my tongue around his large head. A throaty moan escapes him and I smile. Taking just the head in my mouth, I suck.
“Take off your top, baby.”
On his command, I stop long enough to shed my shirt, in one effortless motion I’m left in my lacey pink pushup bra, which makes him growl.
Without hesitation I take his cock as far in my mouth as I can. His hands fly into my hair as his hips grind against me. “I’m yours,” he whispers and his space surges with fiery need. “For the love of God, Bryer, I’ll come if you keep doing that.”
“Challenge accepted,” I manage to say, then I push my own limits while he’s igniting. He’s struggling to hold off. I feel it with every thrust, with every moan, but he wants it to last. I know he’s teetering on the brink when he grips my hair and pushes into my mouth.
“Oh fuck, baby. I can’t hold back.”
A warm rush slides down my throat. And I feel his aftershocks consume him.
“Take off your clothes and climb on the bed face down, now.” He barely has his breath back, yet still he ushers directives.
In seconds I’m in position, but it’s hard to wait.
“Stamina?” he says. Then he straddles me and whispers in my ear, “Challenge accepted. Game on, baby.”
Oh hell.
His strong arm encircles my waist, lifting my ass in the air. He spreads me apart and his face is right there, doing naughty things. His tongue has a driving force all it’s own as I cry out his name. His finger finds that place, that magic place deep inside me, my body’s responding to each touch.
“Say it baby.” He says. “Say you want me.”
God I do.
He doesn’t wait for my answer. Instead, he rises and lines his cock up with my folds, and pushes inside me with great force, then pulls back and slams in again.
“Oh my God.” That gnawing feeling sneaks up on me again while his rhythm increases.
“I’m going to savor you Bryer.”
“Yeah, do that.” I think I said that out loud. The pacing doesn’t stop until I’m taken over the edge, his slow methodical pace trapped me and didn’t let go. “Oh, Nathan, I’m coming.” A state of bliss overcomes me.
“Bryer.” His body tumbles on to mine. “Oh, baby, I’ve never...”
Is he afraid of saying too much, afraid of being honest with me?
“Is this where we have pillow talk?” I tease to distract myself from my fears.
“I worship you,” he says as he rolls off of me. “Baby, I didn’t use a condom.”
I look him in his concerned eyes. “I have an implant, so I don’t think we need to worry about birth control.”
“I get tested often, and I’m religious about wearing a condom.”
“It’s okay, Nathan.” I’m feeling very close to him, and I need him close to me. “Stay with me?”
“Of course. Fall asleep in my arms, but wake up in my dreams,” he says, and I give him a questioning look. “Mac” he says to explain where the quote came from.
We snuggle face to face. He plays with the necklace he gave me.
“Yes, you still own me, Nathan.”
His eyes meet mine. “I mostly want your heart, but to have every part of you would be more than I could ask for.”
We fall asleep with me pressed against his ripped physique. Later, I feel him jerk, then his nightmare starts.
“Please don’t make me,” he shrieks.
Beyond this, I can’t make out what he’s saying. Touching him has always escalated the terror, so I lean over and turn on the light.
“Nathan, wake up! Nathan!”
He stirs and his eyes slowly open. Perspiration covers his body in a cold sweat, and my concern jumps a level. I sit on the bed and take his hand.
“Are you all right?”
“Not again.” He looks down at our joined hands.
“Can you remember anything?”
“No.” He wipes sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
“Look at me,” I say. “How open are you to getting to the bottom of this?”
“I don’t know what you’re asking.” There’s a worried look in his eyes.
“There are options: therapist, hypnotist, talking to family. Something is deep-rooted and it’s trying to get your attention.”
“I’d like to speak to my uncle. He may have some answers.”
“Of course. You arrange it and I’ll be there. Are you open to seeing someone, if I research it?”
“Yes,” he says. “I need some fucking answers.”
***
NATHAN WAS SERIOUS
about getting to the bottom of his nightmares. He contacted his uncle and within days we are scheduled to meet.
“My boy. So good to see you so soon.” Mac says when he arrives at the coffee shop. He shakes Nathan’s hand and pulls him in for a hug. This man has a genuine smile, and as I watch his eyes close while they the embrace it moves me.
Nathan takes a step back and puts his arm around my waist. I can’t help but smile. “Uncle Mackenzie, I’d like you to meet Bryer Reid, my girlfriend.”
I think I just swooned.
Uncle Mac wraps me in a big hug. “Oh, Bryer, I’m so pleased to meet you. I wasn’t sure I’d be around to meet the one who stole Nathan’s heart.”
Nathan coughs, and I smile knowing he was just caught off guard. An embarrassed Nathan is kind of sexy.
“It’s so nice to meet you too, sir,” I tell him as I gently pull away.
“Please call me Mac.”
Let’s have a seat.” Nathan reaches for my hand and sits me beside him, while Mac sits across from us. He’s a handsome man who looks a great deal like Nathan, only older.
“So, I assume my boy has filled you in on the latest turn of events?” Mac says.
“Well, I’m not sure that he has.” I look at Nathan with my brows raised in question.
“I wanted Bryer to hear it from both of us, and I had some other questions that I wanted to discuss with you,” Nathan struggles to explain.
Looks are exchanged between the two men and I wonder what could be so serious.
“Bryer, Uncle Mac, he has, well, he’s not… There have been some changes.”
“Let me help,” Uncle Mac says. He looks straight at me, those same blue eyes slaying me. “Bryer, I’m sick. I’ve been given three months to live, so I’ve asked Nathan to settle my estate, and part of that will include taking over my company, M & M Global Research.”
When I turn to look at Nathan, he pats my leg to comfort.
“He will be an inactive CEO with little responsibility,” Mac says. “I know where his dream lies, and I want him to continue with what he loves. I just need him to protect what I’ve created.”
This man has been through hell, and I know from experience that it’s only begun.
“Mac, I’m so sorry to hear this.” Sorrow fills me, and I’ve only just met this man. “Are you sure? Have you gotten a second opinion?”
“Yes, my dear. I’m certain about everything.”
I bow my head, thinking of what I went through with my mom. This is going to be difficult for everyone. “I understand. Cancer took my mother.”
“Oh?” Uncle Mac says.
“Yes, pancreatic cancer is a swift killer.”
He knocks his water and it spills over the table.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Uncle Mac says.
Nathan jumps up to get a few napkins.
“That’s my diagnosis. I have often wondered why God wants me so soon?” He contemplates the answer.
I’ve lived this tragedy, and I know what’s to come. My eyes cloud, knowing way too much about his journey.
Nathan returns with napkins and the water is cleaned up. “Leave it to you, Uncle Mac, to sum it up in less than a minute.”
“I know this has been sudden, but the clock is ticking,” Mac gives him a compassionate look. “Nathan will carry on my dream.”
“As promised,” Nathan tells his uncle.
“I’ve arranged for all the additional paperwork to be sent to your office at the gym. Just sign where indicated. If you have questions, contact the legal team, and they’ll handle it.”
“Mac, I need your advice. I want to share some personal things with you as well, if you don’t mind,” Nathan says.
His uncle looks surprised. “Of course.”
“For quite some time, I’ve been having nightmares. Although for the life of me I can’t remember what they’re about. Only that I’m panicking. Others have told me I yell. But it’s not enough to put the pieces together.”
I watch Mac as Nathan details his experience, and he never takes his eyes off Nathan. I see concern on his face, but something else. Something I can’t name.
“What are some of the things you say, Nathan?”
Nathan looks at me for guidance.
“Get away. Stop. I don’t want it. Things like that,” I tell Uncle Mac. “As if he is fighting something or someone.”
“But I feel like I lose the battle.” A sigh leaves Nathan and it stirs my heart.
“Have you considered it may have something to do with your mother?” Uncle Mac says.
No one speaks.
“Not really. I have wonderful memories of her,” Nathan says with deep emotion.
“Of course you do. She was the most loving mother, but you lost Meredith under devastating circumstances. This could be related to that period of your life, the most tragic time of your childhood. It doesn’t explain the outburst, but it was a life changing moment for such a young boy.”
“It’s possible.” Nathan says.
“Maybe you need to look into that further, professionally. I’m sure there is a reason for all of this,” Uncle Mac says.
We both nod in agreement.
“Let me know if I can help. Just please promise me one thing: you won’t ignore it.” Uncle Mac sets his hand on Nathan’s, offering a gentle pat of comfort. “Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment. Learn from your mistakes, not your successes.”
Mac stands and pulls me into his arms.
“You sound like a keeper” he whispers, and I laugh.
***
“LET ME TAKE
you home, Bryer.”
I nod, knowing Nathan needs that time with me, and I like him needing me. The drive is quiet as he ponders therapy, and I respect the fact he’s willing to go where he has never gone before to make what we have better.
“It’s not easy exposing skeletons in the closet. I think you’re brave, Nathan.”
We pull up to my place, and I study him while he walks around to get my door. I could get used to this kind of treatment. As we walk to my door, I’m debating whether to ask him to stay, but I decide to let him take the lead. When we get to the door he takes me in his arms and I sigh.
“This feels nice.” His body presses to mine.
“That’s exactly what I want to hear, baby, but I have a five am appointment.”
“And that means what? No sleep over?”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” He smiles as his forehead touches mine.
“Is that so?”
“You could make a man fall to his knees,” he whispers.
I’m stunned at his statement, but quickly come back to reality.
“I’ll catch you.”
***
ON MY LAPTOP,
I research everything I can about nightmares, night terrors, childhood memories, and hypnosis. I’m overwhelmed with information and frustrated. With this much material, I don’t have a clue where to start.
My phone rings, and its Gen. Just the break I need. “Okay, stranger. Spill.”
“Hey girlfriend,” I say. “It’s been awhile.”
“I thought Nathan tied you to the bed and was keeping you alive with bread, water, and sex.”
“I wish.” I giggle.
“Seriously, have you two made up? Are you moving forward?”
“Yes, he certainly holds a power over me”.
“So did he get rid of the spoiled bitch?”
“Damn straight. She won’t be causing any more trouble.” Then I change the topic. “Okay, totally random, but do you know of any good hypnotists? You’re in the medical field. I know it’s not your specialty. But I thought you might have some recommendations.”
“Seriously? Why?”
“Nathan’s having nightmares and they’ve become more serious and more frequent. We need to find some answers.”
“I know someone my mom used for pain after her surgery, so she wouldn’t take so many pain meds. Do you want his name? I’ll send it to you, and you can Google him and check him out yourself.”
“That’s great. Thank you. Now, what’s up?”
“Oh, I want to tell you about the keeper I met!” She seems excited.
“Tell me all about him!”
“His name is Walker. He’s smoking hot with dark hair, a body to die for, and he’s an architect. He’s funny and exciting. Oh and hung.”
“Oh well. That’s just bragging.” We both laugh. “He sounds perfect for you!”
“You better believe it,” Gen says. “I thought the four of us could go out soon. Walker travels for work, but he’s in town all this week and weekend.”