Dreamlike State (The Magic of Black Forest Book 1) (18 page)

Laughing under his breath, “Natalia, I love you, will you be mine.”

“Always, Bradley.”

We were kissing, lost in our own world when I heard someone clear their throat. “I guess the two of you finally worked everything out.” Jesse sported a huge ‘I told you so’ grin on his face.

Unsure if I should know about them being grizzlies, I said nothing about it. Bradley noticed my discretion and said, “I told her just about everything, including about the two of you. The rest can wait until tomorrow. She needs to get some sleep.”

“It’s about time, I’m exhausted. I call the couch.” Bradley and I just looked at Seager, but Jesse and Colleen… well their jaws dropped and their eyes practically popped out of their heads. “Give me a break, I knew the entire time. See you in the morning.” He curled up on the couch and fell asleep in seconds.

Bradley and I went to my new bedroom, downstairs, to lie down on the bed. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him but he said it could all wait until morning. He started singing my song. I tried to fight the heaviness of my eyes, but sleep consumed me. The last words I heard him whisper were, “I love you, Natalia, and I promise I’ll never hurt you again. I’ll spend the rest of your life making up for the last time I hurt you. Only sweet dreams, my true love.”

Chapter 13

I awoke to the sound of clanging. My head began to pound when I sat up. Touching it, I felt a huge lump. Darn. Quietly, I walked to the living room and I saw all of them cleaning. “What are you guys doing? Stop that, I’ll take care of it.”

Bradley shook his head, and narrowed his eyes before saying, “Good morning, beautiful. How’s that head of yours?” He disappeared into the kitchen and returned with some aspirin. “Here, take two of these.”

“Don’t move so quickly. Please, it makes me dizzy. Where’d they come from?” I didn’t bring any aspirin with me and wasn’t about to take anything that the previous owner left behind.

“I ran out and got them, Nat.” Colleen danced out of the kitchen. She had a bandana wrapped around her head, wearing a tee shirt and sweat pants. “Now, Nat, this is what you wear when you’re cleaning the house, not hanging out with a bunch of friends.” She waved her arms up and down showing me the proper dress attire for cleaning.

“I think she looks gorgeous in everything she wears.” Bradley put his cold hand on my forehead relieving some of the pain. “So tell me how bad it hurts.”

Putting my hand over my mouth, I covered up my morning breath and mumbled, “Not as bad as last night. I’ll be right back. Need to brush my teeth.”

“You should run a rake through that nest of yours while you’re in there.” Jesse laughed as he pointed to the back of my head.

I went into the bathroom and noticed that they already cleaned it. Looking in the mirror, I saw what Jesse meant. Ugh, I looked horrible. The gash on my head would most likely leave a scar. While cleaning myself up, I mused about what colors I wanted to paint my bathroom, maybe a lavender or sage green. I’d need a new shower curtain and some towels. I’d better make a list for each room.

Bradley stood in the hallway waiting when I opened the bathroom door. “Can I get a good morning kiss now?” He didn’t wait for the actual words, my eyes conveyed to him to come and get it. His kiss, soft and tender, had been too short. “You have company. Plus Colleen is starting to rearrange your living room.”

“No, wait, Colleen.” I took Bradley’s hand and pulled him into the living room with me. “I want to show you something, Bradley.” Excited that I would get to show him my newly inherited gift, I asked them to move aside. I didn’t plan to keep the furniture but for now, I needed it. When I came back, I’d replace most of the old furniture with new stuff. Concentrating, I moved the couch under the front window followed by the end tables, placing them on each side of the couch. Next, I waved my hand as to gesture the vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust bunnies from where the couch used to be. I repeated that move as I finished moving the rest of the furniture around. Enjoying myself, I totally forgot about my audience, which Seager so kindly reminded me.

“Show off. Why don’t you send some of your magic my way and feed me.”
Giggling, I magically placed his dinner bowl in front of him and filled it with food.

“Happy now?” He nodded and gobbled down his food. I turned my attention to Bradley, Colleen, and Jesse; they were just staring at me, eyes bugging and jaws on the floor. Shrugging my shoulders I said, “I got skills, too.” We all stared at each other. No one moved. “What! You can be a vampire, you two bears, but you see someone perform magic and you’re speechless?” With that, everyone started laughing.

“Looks like we weren’t the only ones keeping secrets, Brad,” Jess said while scowling at me.

“I didn’t receive my powers until I turned twenty five. Pretty neat, huh?” I went to the kitchen to see what I had to eat and remembered I didn’t bring any food. I forgot that I had planned to go out to breakfast before going to the store.

Bradley wrapped his arms around my waist, “Are you hungry? Colleen also picked up some eggs, bread and other things so that we could have breakfast here.”

“Do you eat food? Do they?” I asked.

“No I don’t, but Colleen does. Jess, well he inhales food, it really doesn’t qualify as eating.” He brushed the loose strands of hair from the left side of my neck to kiss it.

“You don’t need to eat? What would happen if you did?”

Laughing in my ear he said, “How many questions are you going to ask today? You know I have a few of my own but, by all means, ladies first. I do not need to eat but I could. I prefer blood over food. Food does not taste good to me. It actually makes me nauseous. I don’t get hungry, not really. It’s more like a thirst.

“Like you, my life changed when I turned twenty-five, I stopped aging for one. Before that, I stopped eating and started drinking. That was over fifty years ago.” He stared at my hand while he played with my pinky ring, spinning it round and round. “I’ve never cooked anything until I met you. Since you need to eat at least three meals a day, I thought I’d better learn how to cook.” He looked up at me and smirked.

Bulldozing his way into the kitchen, Jesse started making breakfast. “If we wait for you, we’ll starve.” His shoulders shook from laughter. “I realize you’ve been apart for a month or so but we still need to eat.” He opened the fridge and hollered, “Hey, Coll, we’re cooking up everything right?”

“No need to yell, I hear perfectly fine. I’m pretty hungry and I know Natty will eat, so yes let’s cook it all up. We’ll cook and you two can clean up.”

She forgot that I could perform magic. Quickly I responded, “Deal, Colleen. We’ll be out in the living room. Let us know when it’s done.”

Both of them realized what just happened and sighed. “She tricked me.” Colleen said.

Feeling quite pleased with myself I danced and twirled into the living room, towards the couch. Bradley, however, had something else in mind. Taking my left hand he led me up the stairs, into the bedroom to the right.

“Why don’t you show off your newly found skills and change the sheets?”

“Changing a bed sheet doesn’t require skill so technically it isn’t showing off but…” I trailed off and fulfilled his request.

The single bed left little room for Bradley and I to both lay side by side on our backs. I climbed in and plopped down on my back. My breath caught when his heated gaze met mine and butterflies fluttered wildly inside as he seductively crept up the length of my body. Holding his weight from crushing my body, he leaned on his arms and knees, and stared into my eyes.

His lips were less than an inch from mine as he emitted a low, husky growl and whispered, “I missed you, Natalia.” The erotic feral sound excited something within me. A warm sensation spread low in my belly. In a crushing kiss he molded his lips to mine. With the passion brought a promise that left me gasping for air. He pulled his mouth slightly from mine and flirtatiously swept his tongue along my plump flesh. A soft heated moan escaped me. Barely audible, it was an invitation for more.

Soft, tender kisses traveled along my left cheek to my ear igniting a fire within. He nibbled on my earlobe. That, along with his heavy breathing, drove me insane. My body reacted on its own accord when I heard another seductive growl; back arched, pushing my breasts against his solid chest, and my hips thrust upward, grinding against his stomach.    

Crowning the nape of my neck with his right hand he placed his thumb under my chin and pushed upward, exposing my throat. He left a trail of kisses from the tip of my chin, down the center of my neck, to my chest. The slow tortuous pace drove me wild. My breathing excelled, my chest rising and falling with every breath. Cautiously his left hand drifted up under my shirt, pushing it and my bra upwards, exposing my breasts.

“Beautiful,” he breathed before pressing his luscious cool lips against my peaked left nipple. The gentle sucking fueled the flames within. Getting lost in the moment I simultaneously arched my back again and grabbed a fistful of his hair, crushing my breast against his mouth. Inflamed, my breathing grew loud, almost obscene.

“Natalia…” Without saying another word, he shifted his body from mine and lay on his left side.

I became frustrated by the thought of him possibly putting an end to our intimate moment. “Bradley, don’t… Please don’t stop.”

Tracing the edge of my ear with his tongue, he kissed it and whispered, “I promise you’ll finish.” His ardent eyes gazed into mine. So hot… the room suddenly felt extremely hot. Gliding his right hand over my left breast, down my stomach, he rested his palm between my thighs. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he massaged my crotch, rubbing his hand up and down. My blood boiling with pleasure, I pushed my head deep into the pillow, exposing my throat to him. Cool lips and his tongue caressed the middle of my neck, sending me into a frenzy. My body writhing under his, I fisted his hair and pulled his lips to mine.

My hands explore his strong physique, sending my heart aflutter. As my right hand drifts below his waist he shifts his hips, preventing me from going any further. “No Natalia. This is about my pleasuring you.” Ignoring him I tried to squeeze my hand between our bodies, reaching for my trophy. Gently he pulled my hand away and repositioned. His chuckle, low and velvet, shook the bed. “If you want me to stop, I will.” The sparkle in his eyes revealed how much he enjoyed teasing me. And, he knew the last thing I wanted was for him to stop. Continuing his ministrations, he rubbed between my thighs profusely, creating an uncontrollable blaze to burn inside. He crooned while his lips explored my left breast then over to my deprived right nipple. Caressing and rubbing in all the right places, quickly pushed me over the edge.

My hips thrust, fast and hard, pushing my crotch against his hand, as my orgasm ripped through me. It took all the self-control I had not to scream out with pleasure. Grabbing his biceps, I pulled his body against mine. Holding him as tight as possible I gave in and screamed, “
BRADLEY…
” telepathically. 

Minutes later, when my body finally stopped twitching, he spun us around, laying my body over his. My breathing quieted some but my heart rate hadn’t quite returned to normal. As my mind cleared, all sorts of emotions consumed me. Embarrassment, prominent, raged its ugly head. I tried to hide it by laying my head on his chest to avoid his eyes. 

Like a feather, his fingers tickled up and down my spine, calming me. “Natalia, please don’t feel embarrassed.” The comforting tone in his voice had me wanting to look into his eyes, but I couldn’t. Although the flames below were gone, the fire in my cheeks remained.

Placing his right hand under my chin, he gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look up at him. The corners of his mouth upturned, he sported my favorite crooked smile. I glanced into his eyes and turned away, unable to hold his ardent gaze. I attempted to get up but he refused to let me go. “I don’t think so,” he teased, holding me tighter. “I may have to do that again. The way you said my name as you came. Never have I heard anyone say my name like that. I want to hear it every day. If possible, a few times a day.” He smiled right before he passionately kissed me.

“Oh my god, I screamed your name! Great, now I’m even more embarrassed. Jesse and Colleen probably heard me screaming,” I whispered. Again, he moved our bodies as one. Lying us on our sides, face to face, giving me no place to hide the smile that suddenly spread wide across my face.

“You didn’t scream it aloud but I still heard it. You want to go another round?” He didn’t wait for me to respond. Pushing me onto my back, he lifted my right leg and placed it over his hip. “Please, I want to hear it again.” Staring into his eyes, I saw his desire burning bright. Sliding his right hand in my jeans, his fingers explore under the thin elastic band of my panties. “Natalia,” he said with a low guttural growl, “You’re so wet.” 

Even though I didn’t want him to stop, my body stiffened when his hand parted my lips. I’ve never gone this far. He stopped immediately and pulled his hand out. “I’m sorry, Natalia, I’m being selfish.” Then he kissed me like I’ve never been kissed before.

Nervously, unsure how to tell him I don’t want him to stop, I put my hand on his. Mixed emotions had me confused. I’ve never thought about going this far with anyone, ever. Just him. I’m worried, even after all the conversations we’ve had on the subject, that he may think I’m easy. I didn’t know how to react. Avoiding eye contact I stammer, “I’ve never… no one has ever…”

“Oh, I see.” I felt his breath on my ear. “So you didn’t want me to stop, you’re just a little nervous. Please know that I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do, I’ll respect your wishes. Since we can’t have sex, I wanted to seduce you one more time. I thought you would enjoy it more this way.” With a devilish grin he shrugged his shoulders and continued, “I wanted to hear how it would make you say my name.” Kissing my ear he asked, “May I continue?” The seductive whisper had my blood starting to boil and my breathing became heavy with anticipation, he chuckled, “I’ll take that as a yes.” His fingers were cold and stiff yet he touched me so tenderly. Slowly he removed my clothes, never taking his eyes from mine until I'm naked. His eyes gradually grazed over my body.

Seeing the way his eyes admired my body I playfully asked, “Do you like what you see?” I sounded more confident than I felt.

Eyes full of hunger he replied, “You have no idea. I like everything I see.” He slipped his hand behind my neck. Gripped my hair as he pulled me towards his lips, he kissed me seductively. I gasped for air once his lips left mine. With his fingers still locked through my hair, he cupped my left breast with his other hand, circling his tongue around my nipple, making it harder. Gently nibbling and tantalizing it by sweeping his tongue over before suckling it. Massaging my breasts, he moved from one to another. The sensual experience had me longing for more, to take it a step further. I wanted to have another mind blowing orgasm.