His Reverie (Reverie #1)(54)

I’m relieved it has nothing to do with me, which is sort of shitty but I can’t help it.

Well that’s a good thing right?

I guess.

Are you mad at me?

No. Just a little sad over how we parted.

I smile despite her words. My girl is such a romantic and I’m afraid I ruined all of her expectations.

I’m sorry, I type. That’s all I can say. There’s no excuse for what I did so an apology is all I can offer. I decide to add one more sentence.

I didn’t mean to hurt you.

I didn’t. It f**king kills me that I made her miserable. I hate myself for it.

I’m sorry too. For making you feel bad. For making you think I regretted what happened between us. I don’t. Not at all.

I don’t regret it either.

She doesn’t answer for a few minutes and fear makes my heart knock against my chest. Outside I hear a dog bark ferociously and a horn honk in the complex parking lot. This place is always noisy no matter what time of day it is. But I bet it’s quiet where Reverie is at this time of night. And safe. Even though her parents are being strange and she’s nervous, at least she’s secure and safe in her home.

I’m always afraid someone’s gonna break in in the middle of the night and steal something. Not that I have anything of value here. What the hell could they even want?

But they’re out there. Lurking. Watching. I can’t offer much but they’ll take whatever they can get if they think I’m an easy mark. I can’t allow them to see any sort of vulnerability. I can’t make any mistakes.

It’s exhausting, having to deal with everything in my life. Sometimes I just wish for a f**king break.

I miss you.

I swallow hard at seeing her text and rub my chest. But it doesn’t ease the pain in my heart that I’m not with her. That she’s not right here in my arms, by my side. Where she belongs.

I miss you too.

Do you really? she asks.

That she doubts me hurts, but I expected it.

Yeah. So bad I’d do just about anything to see you.

Anything?

I don’t even hesitate.

Definitely.

Then come see me. Drive out here right now.

Excitement fills me. No way can I do what she’s asking, can I?

You’re crazy.

I’m serious! Come on.

I want to see you, she adds.

It’s too late. And your parents are home. We’re taking a huge risk.

I sound like an old man but damn, what she’s suggesting is risky. And I think we’ve taken enough risks these last few days.

They’re so distracted they’ll never notice. I need to see you, Nick.

When I don’t answer right away she sends another quick text.

Please?

I can’t resist her. I don’t want to resist her. I tell myself I should leave her alone. That it’s best we end this now but I can’t.

I need to take a shower first.

Ohhh. :)

I wish I were with you. *blushes*

A smile plays at the corners of my lips. Even in her texts she lets me know she’s blushing. My sweet virginal girl is being bad. She’s only ever bad for me. Just me.

I wish you were with me too. So we could take a shower together.

I’d like that. A lot.

My body tightens. My mind wanders to what we’ve shared. How there’s so much more I could show her.

I would too.

Hurry Nick. I want to see you.

I’ll be there.

Promise?

Promise.

32

Desire: sexual appetite or sexual urge

One hour later…

I parked at least a mile away from Hale House, in a dirt turnout that hopefully no one will pay attention to, specifically the police. If I get a ticket or worse, my truck gets towed, I’ll be pissed.

But Reverie’s worth it.

It’s dark, the outdoor lights at the house are off and I’m making my way to the back door by memory and what little moonlight available that’s guiding me. Clouds came in from the west as I drove to the house and I tried my best not to take their sudden appearance as a warning but it was hard to ignore the sign.

The sign that I’m taking a huge risk coming out here in the middle of the night so Reverie can sneak me into her room. We’re freaking crazy, doing this.

No lights are on inside the house either, with the exception of a dim glow shining from one of the windows on the second floor. I’m assuming that’s Reverie’s room. I’m anxious to see her, to hold her in my arms, to whisper in her ear that everything’s going to be all right.

“Hey,” a feminine voice whispers from the rose garden, making me jump about a foot. I whirl around to find Reverie standing there, wearing a white, lacy nightgown that’s both sweetly innocent and outrageously sexy all at once.

Typical Reverie style.

“You scared the hell out of me,” I whisper back at her, making her smile as she comes toward me.

“Sorry. I was excited to see you. I wasn’t sure if you were coming.” She’s standing in front of me, looking too beautiful for words and I grab her, haul her in close so her body collides with mine.

Oh, I’ll be coming tonight. And so will she. “You shouldn’t be out here waiting for me. It’s dangerous,” I say accusingly, not much force behind my words because damn, she feels good all pressed up against me. Her nightgown is soft and short, the straps are thin and lacy. Lots of skin is exposed, gilded silver by the weak moonlight shining upon us.