His Reverie (Reverie #1)(40)

How can I say no to her? It’s humanly impossible. “Are you sure?”

Reverie nods and kisses me again, a gentle press of her mouth against mine that makes my head spin. “I’m sure. See you in a couple of hours?”

I lick my lips and taste watermelon. “All right. But Reverie?”

“Yes?” She releases my hand and steps away from me.

“Don’t wear those heels when you walk in the woods,” I tell her.

“You don’t like them?” She kicks out one foot, swaying it this way and that. I’m practically drooling as I stare at her leg, imagining exactly what I could be doing with those legs later tonight.

“Oh I freaking love them. I just don’t want you to break your ankle later.” I pause. “But don’t change. I like the dress. And the hair.” Hair up means I have better access to her neck, which I’m dying to kiss.

She laughs and shakes her head. “So I’ll see you later? Promise?”

“I promise.”

23

Anticipation: expectation or hope

July 17th, later that night

I’m nervous. Pacing around the clearing, waiting for Reverie to show up. I went straight home after talking to her, my head spinning over what happened the entire drive to my apartment complex. I took a shower, gathered up a couple of thick blankets and pillows, found an unopened bottle of wine in the cabinet that must’ve been Mom’s. I put it on ice in a small ice chest, threw in a couple of plastic glasses and stashed it all in the trunk of my car.

I shaved, wore my best jeans and a button up shirt. I tried to tame my hair but it was no use. Only a haircut would save that mess. So I combed it as best I could. I’m trying to look my best for her because she’s so damn pretty and I’m just…

Me.

It’s past ten and she’s not here but I’m not surprised. I figured she might be late. She’s trying to escape her birthday party. They’re all going to want to keep her there. Feed her cake. Give her presents. Hell¸ Glenn Williamson is probably trying to cop a feel at this very moment and that thought alone makes me want to sock him in the nose so hard I can feel the bones crunch beneath my knuckles and see the blood spurt from his nostrils.

I’m not a violent guy despite what I’ve been accused of. I got into a couple of fights at school when I was in junior high but they were minor. Nothing serious. I’m not one to get majorly pissed off, it’s just not part of my personality.

But I will defend what’s mine. And right now, I’m feeling so proprietary over Reverie Hale it’s almost scary.

Shoving my hands in the front pockets of my jeans, I stare up at the sky. Reverie definitely hadn’t lied about the full moon. It’s so bright outside I can see almost everything. It cooled down nicely too and there’s a breeze coming off the ocean, bringing with it the salty scent of the sea.

I’m anxious. I need to keep myself busy so I rearrange the pillows, straighten out the blankets and check the ice chest. I’m close to breaking out the bottle of wine and drinking it but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Will she even want to drink any? Am I being too presumptuous in bringing alcohol? I was just looking for a way to celebrate. I brought something else for her too. A little present for her birthday. It’s nothing major and the best I could come up with in such a short amount of time so I hope she likes it.

My phone beeps in my pocket and I pull it out to find a text from Krista. Fucking great.

I miss you.

Yeah. I don’t miss her at all. I don’t reply and turn off the volume, shoving the phone back into my pocket. Krista is the last person I want to think about right now. Tonight is all about Reverie. I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this. That I’m actually going to see her. Touch her. Spend time with her. Alone.

I hear her before I see her, walking along the trail, her feet snapping a branch much like I did the first time I found her here.

And then she appears, still wearing that gorgeous as hell dress, her hair still up and flat sandals on her feet, just like I requested. The moment she spots me a giant smile spreads across her face and she increases her pace, practically running toward me. I meet her halfway, grabbing hold of her so I can pull her into my arms.

“You came,” she breathes against my chest as she wraps her arms around me, her breath warm even through the fabric of my shirt.

“I said I would.” I press my lips against her forehead and close my eyes, savoring the feel of her. I touch her shoulder, drift my fingers across her skin and she shivers. “You got away okay? No one’s suspicious?”

“They think I have a headache. Chocolate does that to me sometimes.” She pulls away slightly to smile up at me.

“Chocolate?” I frown.

She laughs. “My cake was made out of all this rich, decadent chocolate. I couldn’t even finish my piece and it was tiny. I started complaining that my head hurt and my mom said I should go lie down. So I ran up to my room, changed my shoes and here I am.”

“I’m glad,” I murmur, staring deep into her eyes. My luck has changed for the better. I’m embracing this. Embracing what I share with Reverie. “You look so pretty tonight.”

“Thank you.” We study each other for a long, tension filled minute. I’m about to kiss her but then she steps out of my hold and turns away from me to look at the blankets I spread out. “You’ve been busy.”