In My Dreams (First Tracks Book 2) Read online

  “It’s driving me crazy,” I admitted.

  “I have good news then…” That playful smile came back along with a glint in his eyes.

  “I’m waiting.”

  “I got a weekend pass.”

  Everything in me lifted, like dark clouds blasting apart and the sun bursting through in vibrant yellow. Then I wondered where we would go.

  “I rented a cabin out in the country,” he added. “With a hot tub.”

  I was floored—and then I remembered how badly he wanted a real trip for us. This would be perfect, just the two of us, along finally, without any cares.

  “The one catch is… I’m not supposed to drive yet.”

  “That’s no big deal. I’ve been driving us around all this time anyway. At least, when you were up here.” I pointed to my head. Other people were walking into the room behind me. So what did his parents think about this whole weekend idea? I braced and turned around, putting a smile on my face before greeting them.

  Elaina smiled back. I expected a hard stare from Tom but his blue eyes actually looked kind. It sent me off kilter for a minute.

  They said hi at the same time.

  “Hi there… It’s nice seeing Marcus without the cast, isn’t it?”

  His mom gave him a big smile.

  “Sure is,” Tom said, hugging Marcus. “Very nice to see you on his feet and moving around… All set to head out?”

  I stood back, shocked but happy to see this change. Before Marcus answered, I heard Elaina sigh softly. It was a happy sound. Apparently it smoothed things over when they could see he was making a full recovery.

  Marcus answered his dad and Elaina turned to me to say, “I can’t believe he’s checking out so soon. Well, I should have known he’d be ready this soon. He’s always been like that.”

  I tilted my head, curious, but before I could ask what she was talking about, two doctors entered the room. It was starting to get packed in here. Marcus glanced over as everyone said hi, then waved me over to him. He must have seen I was feeling a little claustrophobic and antsy.

  “So what’s going on?” I asked him, halfway hushed even though they could all hear.

  “He’s getting out of here,” the young, handsome doctor announced with a wide smile. Dr. Michaels, I remembered.

  “Really?”

  “Yup, I’m checking out of here and just going to outpatient therapy for a while. I’ll be training again before you know it.” He held out his fist and I bumped it.

  “Congrats!”

  “We had to come see you off,” Dr. Michaels said, throwing out his hand to shake with Marcus. Several nurses came him behind them. They all wanted hugs and handshakes. One had a photo of Marcus from Sochi for him to sign.

  “Wow, this is quite the sendoff,” Marcus said. I slipped back and took a seat. When I did, I happened to notice Jen standing by the door. I squeezed by everyone and stepped into the hallway with her.

  “Great news, huh?” she asked, her blue eyes sparkling.

  “Totally.” I pulled in a long deep breath to calm my nerves. I felt almost high and lightheaded about it and this weekend with him. She took a step to peek into the room and I asked, “So what are you planning after this?”

  “I’m heading back to Colorado tonight. Mom and dad are going to spend the weekend on the coast so they can see Marcus Monday.” She had her arms wrapped across her stomach and took a big breath, making me wonder if she was nervous about going back to normal life.

  “We should keep in contact.”

  “For sure.” She gave me a genuine smile as the nurses began filing out of the room. “Looks like they’re letting him go.”

  ***

  So the drive out to the cabin gave us the chance to catch up about everything: how I talked to Kris, the thing with Kyle, and the possible thing between Jazz and Nash. We’d shared most of this in our dreams in one form or another but it felt good to discuss it.

  “But she hasn’t said anything?” Marcus asked. He held my hand in the center of the car while I drove. A few feathery clouds stretched across the sky above the newly leafed out maple trees that lined the road. It made a really pretty picture as we zipped along through the sun and shade spots.

  “No… she’s keeping a pretty tight lid on it.”

  “But you still think there’s something there?”

  I shrugged and glanced over. “I guess it’s more of a feeling than putting anything together.”

  “Does it bother you, if there is something?”

  He sounded curious, if maybe a bit guarded. It was a funny topic to discuss with Marcus: my old (almost) boyfriend getting together with one of my closest friends.

  “It doesn’t bother me, not about them, but I feel a little odd about how this thing is spreading.”

  “First Kyle… Then Jazz and Nash.”

  “Yeah, and maybe… maybe your parents.”

  “How’s that?” He turned his body my way.

  “I’m not sure if it actually did anything, but I dreamed about them, so I tried to talk to them and let them know they could trust me.” I shrugged and peeked at him, unsure how he’d react. It felt a little like I’d tried to manipulate them.

  “Wow, cause they did have a change of heart out of the blue…” He rubbed his chin with his knuckles, thinking. “They didn’t say anything to me about dreams or anything odd, but who knows? Maybe it did work.”

  He didn’t sound like he minded what I did.

  We were almost to the cabin and the scenery was so breathtaking that it was hard to feel anything but joy. White and pink blossoms speckled the trees in patches of sun, and in other places ferns grew around tall, thick evergreens. The sun set while we drive and the forest areas grew darker. The GPS announced a turn soon, and when our road came up and I turned off.

  We grinned at each other. This was our time.

  The dirt road dipped down into a gully with ferns and thick forest all around it. With night approaching, there were small spots of silver light shining down through the trees, catching on a leaf or fern here and there to make mysterious outlines.

  The moist, rich forest smell slipped into the car, inviting us. We followed the drive for about a half a block when the cabin came into view. It was a small log cabin, but very nice, and the front porch light had been left on for us. The porch had a big wooden swing and firewood outside the front door.

  “So rustic and pretty,” I breathed as I pulled up and parked.

  Marcus jumped out and ran around the car to my side. I laughed, so happy to see him up and active like that.

  He opened my door and made a big, sweeping bow with a hand flourish. “My lady, your magical weekend awaits.”

  When I stepped out of the car, however, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, backing me up against the car. I gripped him by his hair, pulling him close, kissing with him with everything in me.

  Minutes later, he pulled back enough to plant a quick kiss on my lips, then on my cheek, the other one, my forehead, my neck, and then he started sucking and making me laugh and gasp at the same time.

  “Alright, now we go inside.”

  ***

  Half an hour later, I opened the bathroom door with a big beach towel wrapped around my swimsuit. Marcus had gone out to open the hot tub. I stepped outside into the cool night air that felt alive with night secrets. A million stars twinkled down and the sliver moon, just rising over on the horizon, threw soft moonbeams across the yard and evergreens.

  It was quiet so I thought I was alone until he moved. Marcus stepped closer and took my free hand.

  “I can’t believe we’re here together,” he said, his voice quiet and soft, like a summery breeze. His other hand lifted to my shoulder, and I felt his finger running along my collar bone. I couldn’t help but close my eyes. The sensation triggered a shiver that vibrated through my entire body, then settled in my low abdomen. It caught me by surprise like it does every time, and while I marveled over it, Marcus turned toward the hot tub
and moon light gleamed on his fully nude body.

  And that feeling low in my body tightened and turned over; something feeling like hot liquid shot through me. He stepped into the hot tub and threw an evil grin over his shoulder.

  “You didn’t want to get that swimsuit all wet, did you?” His voice held a dare.

  I started to tell him to turn around…and remembered he had seen all of this before, but from inside my head. The cool air and seductive moonlight must have done me in, along with the beautiful man standing before me.

  I accepted the dare. I slowly slid the shoulder straps off and reached behind to undo my bikini top, then tossed it in the pool chair. Marcus faced me but he didn’t seem to be looking down. Half of me wanted him to, but the other half was thankful for his politeness as I shimmed out of my bottoms and tossed them in the chair too.

  He held out a hand for me. It was dark enough, and I wasn’t familiar with the steps inside the water, so I gratefully took his hand and climbed in. He sat first, still holding my hand, and guided me to sit on his lap.

  The heat of the water seeped right into me, feeling so nice. Relief swept through me as my body relaxed and I leaned back against his chest.

  The moon inched up a tiny bit more and its light swam over my face and the hot tub water.

  “Oh, wow…” Marcus breathed in my ear.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “I’m sure the moon is too, but you should see your body in the silver light.”

  I tilted my head enough to see… oh my. My skin was all wet and gleaming, and my stomach was flat and tone. Wow. Was it the running and sit ups? I looked good. A secret thrill ran through me that Marcus was holding me and appreciating me like this, and then his hands came around me and flattened on my lower stomach. I coiled up inside, feeling desire like never before. I gasped and then held my breath as his hands ever so slowly began to slide upward—soft and intentional like he was reading brail, his palms against me but also his fingertips playing notes on my skin. Memorizing me. His breath sped up next to my ear.

  He caressed over my lower stomach and navel and inch by inch up to my ribs. There he slowed down even more while I silently begged please, please, please.

  His breath turned ragged.

  I reached up to his hands and guided them upward to cover my breasts.

  Lava hot heat exploded inside me, burning outward and pooling in a wonderful pain. I twisted my face and found his neck. The scent of his skin filled my nose as I moaned into him. I thought I was about to die, and then he slid one hand back down, moving as slowly as before. My body pushed up out of the water on its own accord, my mind nothing but white hot light. My blood pounded in my head and, oddly, my lips. I felt them swelling.

  The ache started low and rose inside me, a physical pointed ache I didn’t know existed before. One of his hands slid slowly down my stomach and between my legs.

  I couldn’t stop myself from panting.

  Marcus’s teeth closed around my earlobe and I heard a low hum. Whatever he was doing vibrated through me. His fingers moved on my body, on the sensitive place, making me want more. I reached up and gripped his hair, trying not to scream, as he slipped his fingers into me. I couldn’t contain myself. I couldn’t be quiet. And I couldn’t keep my hand away. I held onto him still while reaching down, covering his hand, pushing his fingers deeper into me.

  He slid up, pulling me into a sitting position, without removing his hand, touching me until everything inside of me broke. The white light behind my eyelids burst into color as my body rocked.

  Then it felt like all the blood drained from my head, leaving me dizzy. Happy. Floating. My body vibrating. My legs felt funny, like I wouldn’t be able to walk if I tried.

  I wanted to say his name but felt myself twirling through space, thoughts floating away.

  “Ave? Babe? You okay?”

  His voice sounded musical to me. I wanted to bottle it and take it with me always.

  “Hmm?”

  “That good, huh?”

  “Oh! Oh.” I tried to lift my head. Slowly, I slid and turned around to sit on his lap facing him. “Marcus, that was amazing…”

  The moonlight bounced off his perfect white teeth. I’d noticed his three day growth earlier that was turning into more of a beard, but his face looked different in the moonlight. Older in a good way, like refined and classy. His eyes were darker too, maybe all of his features more stark. I traced his eyebrows; they were strong and defining in his handsome, chiseled face.

  “That was like your bath. Remember that, at the beach house?”

  “How could I forget?” I almost giggled, embarrassed, and realized he had just recreated that moment, but with him in it physically.

  Marcus took me by the hips so I’d stand up. I thought he wanted to get out of the hot tub, but instead he guided me to the edge so I was bent over it, his hands sliding down my back, over my ass and between my legs. He ran a finger across me and inside, and got me worked up again, panting, griping the tub’s edge.

  Just as I whispered, “I want you,” I felt his maleness touch me.

  Oh, my, god, it was the most amazing feeling of my life as he finally slid inside in a slow, long push.

  “Yes, oh, fuck, yes!” I pushed back against him, wanting more.

  “My god, Avery.”

  I could tell he wanted to take his time but I couldn’t handle it. I’d been aching for him for so long, and I just wanted him to use me. Words escaped me but I reached back to his hip to pull him against me harder and faster. His hands roamed by back before grabbing my hips.

  It was mad and fast and crazy and everything I needed and wanted. I came three times in a row before he suddenly lost control in one, final push that sent me over the edge again.

  I saw stars, literally saw little white lights blinking all around me.

  Marcus fell forward, pressing his face to my back before kissing his way around my shoulder blades. I shivered from his touch.

  “Cold?”

  “No… happy,” I breathed my answer. “I like your touch and kisses.”

  He kept kissing my back, making me wiggle. My legs were in the water still, and I realized we were probably getting too hot. He sensed that too and turned me around so we could wrap our arms around each other.

  A minute later he pulled me even closer so I wrapped myself around his body, and suddenly he pushed up to his feet.

  “Marcus!” I panicked, thinking he couldn’t hold me after his injuries.

  “Babe, I’ve got you.” He carefully stepped out of the hot tub and carried me toward the glass door.

  He did have me.

  He didn’t shake or even act like it was hard to carry me. We went inside and he took me to the bedroom, holding me close and planting a very soft, sweet, tender kiss on my forehead as he walked.

  He laid me down on my back and, as he pulled back, ran his hands down my naked body. I arched up into his touch, my body going all hot for him again.

  “Now I get to take my time,” he said in a voice that didn’t leave room for arguing, while he sat back to take me in. His long, intimate look made me tingle with anticipation. When he finally moved, he leaned down to caress my feet, and then slowly moved his hands up my calves, molding to the curve of them. His mouth followed, lightly kissing up one and down the other. He skimmed his lips over my skin, breathing hot breath on me, and ever so lightly touching with his tongue.

  “Mmm, come up here.”

  “Not yet. Don’t move, okay?” His voice was sweet and firm, teasing. I couldn’t hold still while his hands and mouth played up and down my legs, though. “Ave, don’t move!”

  I tried to hold still as he kissed and caressed higher and higher, and then his mouth kissed up one thigh and hovered between my legs.

  “You know… I seem to recall telling you… I’d show you what a real kiss felt like.”

  I thought back—he did tease me quite a bit when I could only hear him.

  “Maintenant j
e vais vous montrer…” He spoke low, his voice tickling over my most intimate part. I didn’t understand anything he said as he continued to tease me.

  “Whaaat?” I could hardly talk. Had I really forgotten he spoke French? Excitement rippled up me, and not just because his breath was tantalizing me there, but because I knew we had so many things to still talk about and share.

  “And you meant—Oh! Oh, my god!”

  I was not holding still now. I couldn’t keep my back on the bed. I could not get enough of this man. And just as I thought that, he slid his finger inside while teasing with his tongue. I grabbed hold of a pillow, twisting it in my hand and then biting it to muffle my moans.

  I wrapped a leg around Marcus’s head and screamed into the pillow. How did he do that to me again so soon? Surprising me more, he nibbled his way up the dip by my hip and over my stomach.

  “You’re…not…holding….still.”

  I wasn’t! I was squirming and pushing my body up into his touch. Still, he did what he said and took his time, kissing every inch of my skin, running his hands over every curve and dip, and exploring his way up until he was looking down at my face. His hands wove into my hair and gripped two handfuls, tilting my head back so he could kiss me, tongue to tongue, our mouths moving together as he slid into me.

  “You drive me crazy,” he said, one hand smoothing my hair back so he could kiss on my neck.

  “I drive you crazy?” I had to laugh.

  “Ohh, do that again!”

  That made me laugh more, and I guess tighten around him. By the sounds he made, he liked it. A lot. I bit my lip—I had a way to tease him back now.

  But even with my touching him all over and teasing, he didn’t hurry. We’d waited so long for this so I didn’t really mind. And we had several more positions to try…

  Somehow each orgasm just built into the next until my entire body felt warm, lazy and satisfied. Then Marcus rolled onto his side, pulling me with him so we were lying facing each other. The new angle felt amazing. My mouth fell open and I started to close my eyes, ready to climax again, but he touched me.