Page 27 of Sweet Dreams

“An odd one,” the male said. I blinked rapidly. He sounded so familiar, but those horns. Was he simply a figment of my imagination? An amalgamation of too many late night fantasy books blended with too much stress and not enough good men in my life.

But, wait. I did have a good man in my life. Zaldi. That’s who he sounded like. That’s why he was so interesting to me. I was sure of it.

“You sound like someone I know.”

“Do I?” His voice changed now, a flirtatious edge. “Does he know you dream about me?”

I laughed, “No. Is my subconscious trying to make my boyfriend jealous?”

The male pushed off the dresser he’d been leaning on and then wandered over to sit on the edge of my bed. His face was downcast, expression hidden from my view. I didn’t like that, but I couldn’t explain why it was suddenly so important for me to see what he looked like.

He was attractive, of course, my imagination wasn’t a slouch. But, I hadn’t had a clear look at this dream man for years. And now, I wanted a new one.

“Boyfriend, huh?” He spread his legs out, leaning forward on thighs currently encased in simple black pants.

I stepped closer. “Yeah, I mean, if he wants the job.”

A could see the corner of his mouth lift, “Oh, he will. Don’t worry about that.”

There was a tiny throb at the side of my head. I raised my hand, pressing my palm there with a soft whimper. “God, that hurts.”

When I opened my eyes, I was staring straight at the chest of my dream man. “Whoa, what are you doing?”

His fingers were in my hair, feeling around gently. “What hurts?” His voice has lost all traces of flirtation and I could feel the worry swirling around the male against me.

“I think I fell.”

His body stiffened, his fingers pausing, “You fell, when?”

I shrugged, looking up and staring into the handsome face I’d been craving earlier. It appeared that I’d shocked him enough to allow me a good look at him. Sharp cheekbones, bold jawline and soft looking lips that are currently pursed and angry looking.

I smiled, feeling lighter than before, my eyes focusing on those lips. I wanted to touch them, my hand began to move but quickly stopped. It was so heavy now.

“Lulu, where are you?’

My head lolled backwards. “I’m in my dorm circa four years ago?”

Warm, calloused hands found the sides of my face, tilting it back, steadying my neck, which was just so loose now. I was forced to look up into those inhuman glowing eyes. “No, I mean right now. In Salus Glen. Where are you?”

His voice. I knew that voice. I frowned at him, feeling intoxicated at the closeness of him. “I’m at home. I was…. I was talking to Grandpa.”

“Good girl, that’s good. Are you inside?”

I wrinkled my nose, “Why does it matter? I’m dreaming?”

“Tell me, baby. Where are you?”

Shrugging, I smiled up at him. “I went outside, I wanted to see if he was really mad at me.”

“Did something happen?”

I frowned, “I don’t know.”

“You’ve got to focus, okay?” His thumbs stroked my skin, “Try for me.”

But, I couldn’t anymore. I was so tired. Too tired to focus on his words. But, he wasn’t giving up. He leaned in, careful to only gently bump my forehead with his own. “Come on, Lulu, you need to remember. What happened?”

“I fell,” I whispered, my hands finally cooperating and climbing up his body to wrap a weak grip around his shirt. “I fell in the driveaway.”