Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(41)

“Travis,” she whispered.

One eye slowly opened. “Um.”

Rising up, she slid herself up his chest and kissed him deeply.

Now she knew he was fully awake and very aware of her body against his. Through her pajamas and his jeans, she could feel him stirring in all ways.

“I promise I won’t run screaming,” she said very softly.

“I thought we were just going to sleep,” he muttered cautiously.

“Well, if you want to,” she answered, feeling a slight pang of disappointment.

Travis instantly flipped her onto her back and grinned. “Sleep can wait.”

Responding hungrily to his kisses, Katie felt her reservations fading. He was gentle and tender. His kisses passionate, but loving. Any awkwardness they had both felt began to fade away as their desire for each other grew.

When she finally felt his skin against hers, she luxuriated in the feel of it. Simple things like the width of his shoulders and the narrowness of his waist and hips enthralled her. His cheek was scraggly against her skin, but she enjoyed the sensation.

Travis did not have to worry about performance anxiety. He soon had her gasping and moaning and their bruises were forgotten. She buried her face in his neck and wrapped her legs tightly around him as her body shuddered beneath him. He kissed and nuzzled her neck, stroking her hair as she trembled with pleasure.

“Love you,” he whispered.

“Love you,” she answered, and to her joy, she meant it.

They held each other in the drowsy aftermath of their lovemaking. He stroked her skin with infinite gentleness. She ran her hand down his side to rest on his hip. They shared little kisses and whispers of endearment. It felt good and wonderful. When they finally fell asleep, they were both smiling.

When Lydia’s zombified ghost came into her dreams, Katie was waiting for her. In her dream, the specter rose over her and Travis, angry and fierce.

“How could you do this to me?” the zombie version of Lydia demanded.

“If you were really Lydia, you would be happy for me,” Katie answered bluntly. In her dream, she sat up and faced the creature boldly.

The zombified Lydia hesitated. “You left me.”

“You were already gone. All that is left now is the shell of who you were,” Katie said in a firm, yet quavering voice. “You're not Lydia. You're my guilt that I didn't save her. I’ll always love her essence. She is the love of my life. But I need to move on. I need to be happy. And if you were truly Lydia, you would understand that. You would understand that because you would love me from beyond the grave. You're not her, I'm not giving you power over me anymore.”

The zombie staggered back, lost its form, and disappeared. The true Lydia stepped out of the darkness and drew near the bed. She looked whole and beautiful, her smile as wonderful as always. This spirit was different from the other. It was full of Lydia's wonderful essence. Katie could feel love radiating out of her.

"You finally let go of your guilt," Lydia whispered.

"I wish I could have saved you," Katie said in a voice that was ragged with emotion.

Lydia swept Katie's curls back from her face with a delicate hand. "It was not meant to be. I died minutes after you left. I was in the driveway when they rushed me."

Katie whimpered and clutched Lydia's hand tightly. Drawing it to her lips, she kissed it. "I'm so sorry, babe."

"My thoughts were of you, Katie. I prayed you would escape. I prayed you would live. I passed over to this side wanting you to go on. You know I’m happy, baby. I never would want you to be alone. We were so happy together. No one can ever take that from us,” Lydia said in her soothing tones as she held Katie’s hand.

“I love you, I never wanted to be without you,” Katie said, tears in her eyes.

“And I love you,” Lydia answered with the gentlest of smiles. “Be happy, Katie. Be happy and live your life.”

“Lydia,” she sobbed, desperately missing her.

Lydia kissed her lips, then drew back and disappeared.

Katie awoke with a start, her hand flying to her mouth. She could almost feel the softness of Lydia’s lips on her own. The sun was higher in the sky. Light was pouring through the slit in the curtains.

Beside her, Travis was on his elbow looking down at her. He looked worried and he slid his hand over her hair tenderly. “Are you okay?”

“I dreamed of Lydia,” she answered truthfully.

Travis nodded, his brow furrowed. “I know. You said her name.”

Katie rubbed her brow and took a deep breath. “It was odd. It was like she was really here. Not like my other dreams. I really felt her here, with me. It's so odd.”

Travis stroked her arm. “She's a part of you, Katie. Of course she's going to haunt you in some way.”

She could see the tension in him, his worry and his fear she would push him away. “You don’t have to compete with her ghost,” Katie assured him.

“I don’t?” Travis’ voice was strained. “Are you sure?”

Katie smiled and took his face between her hands. “I’m sure. I’m very, very sure. If for no other reason than I know she would want me to be happy, to live my life, to not be afraid or sad.”

Sighing with relief, Travis wrapped his arms around her. She nestled into them, and for the first time in a very long time, felt at peace.