Page 128 of Fever Dream
“Emmett Brandt, you watch your fucking hands!”
“Oh, I’ll watch them all right. Watch them go right here.” I flip us, leaning over her and going straight for her armpits.
She laughs. She gasps. I watch the tip of her nose wiggle. A dimple pops on her cheek as I tickle her. Her breathless giggles turn to hysterical cackles.
On one hand, we’re both acting like children. On the other, this is perfect.
She’s fucking beautiful. Laughing in my bed with nowhere to go.
“Emmett, Emmett, Emmett!” She twists around, fighting me off—but not really. It’s almost as though she’s reveling in the feeling. The bliss, the attention, the thrill. And I am too. When I finally see a tear streak from the corner of her eye, I stop and kiss it away before withdrawing.
“How is that? Is it better being tickled to death than fucked to death?”
“No.” She laughs the word. “Being fucked to death is officially one of my favorite things to do now. In fact, I’d like to do it again, but I need to eat.”
It’s Sunday morning, which means I know exactly what to do with her. I push up out of bed before lifting her over my shoulder in a farmer carry that sets her back to squealing.
Then I land a firm slap on her ass and walk us both to the bathroom. “Can’t have my girl going hungry,” I murmur, nipping at her neck again as I back her into the shower. “Let’s wash you up before I take you to the farmhouse for a chaotic Brandt family breakfast.”
With Catherine’s help, Julia escapes through the back door, headed to where she parked her car at the base of Prickle Point. At the front door, I have a quick chat with Catherine. She puts on a hell of a show, admitting that she feels like I pay more attention to Evelyn than her. She points out that it’s unfair Evelyn’s had more one-on-one dates when she and I clearly have such a deep connection.
We’re both smiling as we talk, but it’s not because what either of us is saying is true. It’s because we’re both in on the joke.
I kind of admire the way this woman can tell a bald-faced lie while wearing a frilly pink dress and sporting perfectly curled blond hair.
I assure her that we’ll have plenty of time together and that she doesn’t need to worry about Evelyn because, yes, our connection is justthat strong.
She grins like a loon as I usher her down the stairs and send her back to the driveway toward the bunkhouse. I head to mycar and drive the short distance to Oma and Opa’s house where I find Julia already waiting, propped against her car, nibbling at her lower lip. She looks nervous, even a little uncomfortable, and I hate to see it, especially when the farmhouse is a safe space.
So, I step out of my truck, walk straight toward her, and wrap her in a hug. I cup her head against my chest and stroke her hair, kissing the crown of her head before admitting, “I missed you.”
She laughs against my chest. “That’s ridiculous. We’ve been apart for fifteen minutes.”
“Yep, fifteen minutes too long,” I reply matter-of-factly, before reaching for her hand and pulling her into my childhood home.
CHAPTER 38
Julia
“THEN THIS WILLbe a nice opportunity for you and Evelyn to release some… tension,” Teri says suggestively.
Me? My eyes water under the strain of not rolling them.
I’m standing with the crew around me, facing the love seat that Emmett and I built. Teri’s back is to me, and Emmett faces her. Which means I can see every expression that plays on his face.
He’s being interviewed before the next date. Evelyn’s turn comes after him, followed by a couple’s massage in front of the cameras.
One of the largest spare rooms in the bunkhouse has been transformed with two simple massage tables, crisp white sheets tucked tightly against the mattresses. Candles flicker on the chair rail, and vases of red roses adorn the dresser behind them. A playlist calledRomantic Jazzfilters from the speaker in the corner.
I know, because I set up this date for them. And while I should be uncomfortable about the whole thing—I’m not.
Partially, because I feel incredibly invested in Emmett succeeding. I adore his family, and I want to save this farm almost as much as he does.
And partially, because I’ve slowly been allowing myself to believe that this thing between us is real. That we have a shot once we get clear of this sham of a show. And it’ssoclose to being over.
“So tell us, Emmett,” Teri starts, tapping her tablet and flicking through questions. They want to get as much footage as possible before they make this date look more suggestive than it will be. “Do you think you’ve found love onRomance Ranch? Or a connection that feels intense enough that it might be love?”
Lame.
