“
It’s me . . .
Maggie.”
A faded, high-pitched voice
echoed through the dark night. “Wake up, Katie. It’s okay, it’s
just a bad dream.”
Looking into familiar eyes, Katie sat
up and wrapped her arms around Maggie. Sucking in deep breaths, she
tried to calm her racing pulse. “I was so scared, Mags. It felt so
real.”
“
What happened? Want to
tell me about it?”
“
It was Branson . . . and
then it wasn’t.”
“
You’re shaking, Katie.”
Maggie turned on the bedside lamp. “Look at me. You’re okay. We’re
in our room and no one is going to hurt you.”
“
I know, thank you. I’m
sorry I woke you . . . again.”
“
It’s okay. I just wish we
could figure out why you’re riddled with nightmares. Maybe you
should see a fortune teller or something?”
She always made me laugh, even when it
wasn’t intended. “Sure, Mags. A fortune teller. What will she tell
me?”
Katie lowered my voice, mimicking her
version of a gypsy psychic scammer. “You’ve been reincarnated into
this life. In your past journey on earth, you were a cockroach that
everyone tried to stamp out. This is the reason for your terrifying
nightmares.”
They shared a giggly,
four-in-the-morning, sleep deprived laugh. She waited for Maggie to
climb back into her bed before shutting the lamp off. “Thanks,
Mags. Good night.”
“
Sweet
dreams, friend,” she replied, followed by a long, audible
yawn.
Six
Celebrations had already begun all
over campus by the time Katie finished her last exam Thursday
morning. Branson’s was in the late afternoon, so Katie had time to
enjoy a few beers with Maggie before joining Branson that
evening.
As she stepped outside, the air was
swirling with little white flakes of snow. The wind bit at her
cheeks and nose, causing her to pull her scarf up over them. The
sidewalks were blanketed with the sparkling white powder and a thin
layer covered the streets, swirling around as the wind
blew.
“
It’s snowing!” Maggie
sang as she threw her head back and twirled around.
“
Yipee.” Katie replied
with very little enthusiasm. She hated to be cold, and although it
was a beautiful sight to see out of a window, having it land on
your head, cheeks, and nose was like having someone stick ice cubes
down your shirt as a gag. It wasn’t as bad as rain, until it melted
inside of your boots and you were left with soaking wet socks and
numb toes.
Thankfully, the pub was warm enough to
enjoy a cold beer.
“
What’ve you got planned
for tonight?” Maggie asked as she tipped the bottle of Killian’s
Red and took a drink.
“
I’m not sure. Maybe we’ll
end up back here for burgers and beer again.” Katie laughed. “What
are your plans for Christmas break?”
“
My sister and I are going
to spend a week on the slopes in Canada, and then we’ll be home for
Christmas with Mom and Dad. What about you?”
“
A week in Canada sounds
great, except the frigid temperatures.” Katie shivered. “I’ll go
home to see Gram. Who knows what she’ll have planned. I can’t wait
to take a break from studying, watch Christmas movies, and eat all
of Gram’s goodies. But two weeks without Branson is going to
suck.”
“
What are Branson’s plans?
Do you think you’ll see him over the holidays?” Maggie grinned,
leaning forward as if Katie were about to fill her in on the town
gossip.
“
I don’t know, I guess
we’ll talk about it tonight. I do hope to see him,
though.”
After lunch Katie called
Gram and talked for an hour. Gram asked her about her exams and
college life, and then filled her in on the happenings around York.
“I’ve already got our tickets for the
Nutcracker
this year. You’re not too
old, now that you’re almost a college graduate, are you?” Gram
teased. Katie couldn’t wait to get home and wrap her arms around
her grandmother. She could see Gram’s green eyes dancing as she
talked, and swore she could smell a hint of her Estee Lauder
perfume.
“
Of course not. This is a
tradition I plan on carrying with my own children one day. I can’t
wait to see you, Gram.”
“
Me either, love. It’s
just not the same here without you. Now tell me more about this
boy—what are his plans for the holiday break? I’d love to meet
him.”
Katie filled Gram in on the most
recent dates with Branson. “I don’t know what his plans are yet,
but I do want you to meet him. He’s just wonderful, Gram. He has
the most beautiful blue eyes you’ve ever seen, and dimples that
make you come up with funny things to say just to make them appear.
He’s strong and smart. Did I tell you that he’s on the tennis
team?”
Katie rambled on telling Gram
everything. As she talked, she realized she was beginning to sound
like the fisherman who caught the most magnificent fish, but never
could reel it in for proof. The story just kept growing until
Branson was a perfectly sculptured mythical creature.
She couldn’t wait to see Gram and tell
her every detail about their dates. He was romantic and thoughtful,
always opening doors and pulling out her chair. She thought about
him playing a song for her on the guitar for the first time. He
began to play a soft tune as Katie watched his fingers strum the
strings. He was talented on the guitar and she was impressed . . .
and then he began to sing. His rich, smooth voice took her breath
and she wondered when she would discover his
imperfections.
“
Why don’t you invite him
for the weekend, dear? Let me see this marvelous creature
myself.”
“
That’s a great idea. I’ll
talk to him, and let you know.”
“
What does he like to eat?
I need to make a list.”
“
Gram, I don’t even know
if he can make it. I’m sure he’ll eat whatever you serve. Don’t
fuss.” Knowing it was a waste of her breath, she had to say it
anyway. Gram
would
fuss, she took pride in feeding people. She was generous with
her acts of selfless service and hospitality.
“
I want him to be
comfortable. It’s not easy meeting the parents . . . or
grandmother!” She chuckled.
God, Katie missed her and couldn’t
wait to get home. Her brain was pushed to the limit, with all the
studying and testing she had done. A break was not only desired,
but necessary. “I’ve gotta run. I’ll call as soon as I know
something so you can buy way too many snacks.” She giggled. “Bye,
Gram. See you soon.”
Katie sat on the edge of her bed and
contemplated a weekend with Branson. She thought of all of the
places she wanted to show him. A knock on the door broke her
reverie. She opened it to find Branson standing there, smiling.
“Come in,” she offered.
“
Hi.” He kissed her softly
on the lips. “I just talked with my parents, and my sister is
coming in for the weekend with Jackson.” He paused, collected his
nerves. “I’d like you to meet my family this weekend, if you’re
able.”
“
That’s hilarious. I just
got off the phone with Gram and intended to have you over for the
weekend.”
Branson laughed. “Well, I would love
to, but can you come to my place first, since my sister will be
there? She doesn’t come home often, and I’d love to see my nephew.
We can spend a few days with my family, and then go see
yours.”
“
Of course. I’ll just let
Gram know that we’ll be coming on Monday.”
“
Perfect. Now let’s go
play in the snow!”
“
Not you, too?”
“
What do you mean? Don’t
you like the snow?”
Katie walked over to the window and
watched as the trees were painted silvery-white. “It’s beautiful,
but I don’t see why everyone wants to play in it. You never see
anyone running outside to play in the rain, but freeze it and it’s
a party.”
“
Oh, no! You’re not going
to bahumbug Christmas too, are you?”
“
I love Christmas. I just
don’t like to be pelted by frozen water.”
“
Well, I’m going to change
your mind. Let’s get you dressed properly, and then we’re going to
play in the snow.”
“
No, please, I really
don’t like to be so cold.”
Branson pulled her in close, pressing
his body into hers. A gripping current traveled through her and she
wasn’t sure what the stronger contributing force was—his intense
eyes, or firm, well-built body. She longed for the feeling of his
lips on hers as he looked at her hungrily. God, he was sexy. He
moved teasingly slow, barely brushing his lips across hers and
pausing for effect. She tried to pull him in, but he held her arms
and resumed the tortuous pleasure by softly planting kisses up her
neck and behind her ear. Katie lolled her head back and moaned as
the fire spread throughout her body. She was filled with an
indescribable desire and felt like her body would detonate, leaving
Branson standing there among a pile of ash.
“
Are you warm enough to go
in the snow with me now?” Branson whispered enticingly into her
ear.
“
I’m afraid I might catch
on fire, actually.”
“
Good, let’s go cool off
outside then.” He chuckled and pulled away.
“
Oh no you don’t.” Katie
pulled on each side of his unzipped jacket until he was close
enough to satisfy her. “If I go out there now, I’ll melt all the
snow and ruin the fun for everyone. You don’t want to be
responsible for that, do you?”
Branson shook his head and gave her a
predatory look. “Where’s Maggie?”
“
Out.” Katie found his
lips.
He slipped his arms around her waist
and pulled her body close to his, letting her feel how much he
wanted her. Her moans were driving him wild and he hoped he could
be patient with her and not rush things like a hormone-raged teen.
Her body was extraordinary and he couldn’t wait to see what it
looked like unclothed. As he ran his hand up her small waist and
found her breast, she moaned into his mouth again, causing him to
nearly lose it.
“
God, Katie, I want
you.”
Katie nodded her head, unable to
speak. She had never been so turned on in her life. Branson removed
his jacket and tossed it on the back of the chair. Katie ran her
hands over the contours of his chest before lifting his blue cotton
shirt up over his head. Her hands moved across his bare chest and
sculpted abs, memorizing every inch. She traced two fingers over
his belly button, down the coarse trail of hair leading to the
waistline of his jeans. She felt his body tense under her touch and
looked up to see the heat behind his eyes.
“
My turn,” Branson said as
he slowly lifted her thin gray sweater over her head to behold full
breasts straining against a gray lace bra. He took her in with his
eyes before letting his hands roam over her, greedily trying to
unhook the clasp of her bra. Before he could get the last hook
undone, he heard the lock on the door being turned.
“
Shit! Maggie!” Katie
grabbed her sweater and slipped it over her head. Branson retreated
to the bathroom with his shirt.
“
Hi.” Maggie smiled, and
then looked at her roommate in surprise. “Oh jeez, is he
here?”
“
Yeah, he’s in the
bathroom.” Katie nodded her head toward the door. Embarrassed, she
kept her eyes focused on the floor, trying to find abstract images
in the pale yellow linoleum tiles. “I thought you were going to be
out all day?”
“
I ran into Ian and it
spoiled my fun.” She took off her jacket and gloves and plopped
herself into the desk chair.
Branson came out of the bathroom
looking as if nothing had happened. “Hi, Maggie.”
“
Hi, Bran—Oh. My. God.
I’ve interrupted,” Maggie said. “I’ll go watch a movie downstairs,
or something. Don’t worry—just tie something on the doorknob, so
I’ll know when it’s safe to come back.” Maggie eagerly searched for
a ribbon.
“
Maggie, stop! You didn’t
interrupt anything. Branson just came up to see if I wanted to play
in the snow.” Katie straightened her sweater and looked sheepishly
at Branson.
“
Uh huh, then why is your
sweater on inside out?” Maggie smirked. She grabbed her coat and
gloves, and placed a black ribbon in Katie’s hand before shutting
the door behind her.
Katie sighed and plopped down onto her
bed. “I’m sorry, but it just feels weird now.” She looked up at
Branson. “Are you upset?”
“
Upset, no. Disappointed,
yes. But we’ll have other opportunities.” One of their roommates
was always walking in on them. Branson sat down next to her on the
bed and shook his head as he chuckled.
“
What’s so
funny?”
“
You’re good. You
distracted me on purpose, so you wouldn’t have to go out in the
snow. Now that I know your game, green eyes, it’s on.”
“
But I didn’t—” Katie
giggled as he lifted her up over his shoulder and threatened to
take her outside and throw her in the snow. “Okay! Okay! I’ll go.
Let me dress in my Eskimo outfit first.”