Dreamlike State (The Magic of Black Forest Book 1) (21 page)

The glorious night ended too soon. He said he had to go because tomorrow would be a sunny day and he needed the protection of the clouds and trees. I wanted to ask him about it but his quietness as he got ready to leave, bewildered me. He seemed distant, lost in his private thoughts. It didn’t take me long to figure it out; the many close calls we had tonight had him concerned. A few times, he came pretty close to sinking his teeth into me. I trusted him more than he trusted himself and that scared him. If I don’t act quickly, he would do something drastic like leave me. Thinking he’s protecting me, he may be able to live without me, but I’m too selfish, I can’t nor do I want to live without him. My mind quickly began to plot. That’s when it hit me, my temporary solution.

“Bradley, I think you were right. Although it was the best night we’ve ever had together, I think it was too soon. Maybe we should wait awhile before doing something like that again. Would that be okay with you?” I wanted to do it again, right now but I had to make it sound the total opposite. If I play my cards right we’ll be trying this again after the New Year.

“Did I scare or hurt you?” He knew he didn’t and as I expected he sounded pleased by my request.

“No to both.”

“Then why?” He fished for the sudden change in my hormones.

Now prepared for such conversation I fibbed, “Bradley, we haven’t been together very long yet we’ve done so much sexually. We’re obviously compatible in that department. I’d like to spend more time getting to know you. I like taking long walks, watching movies and just sitting on the porch talking with you.”

Pulling me closer to him he continued his questioning. “Did you not enjoy yourself tonight?” He’s testing me. He’s not buying it.

“I thought I made it perfectly clear that I enjoyed myself. You’re here, that alone is enough for me.” I paused trying to figure out what to say next. I’m walking on that thin line Colleen talked about. I don’t want to lose my balance or we’ll both fall on opposite sides. “Bradley, I’m sorry but I want more than just a sexual relationship with you. I want to be able to lie in your arms without it turning sexual. I’m handing you my heart not just my body. If you don’t want both then I suggest we no longer see or speak to each other. Maybe, in the future, we could be friends but not now, I want more.” I surprised myself by how serious the words came out. I even believed it. As soon as I looked into his eyes, I knew he also bought it… hook, line and sinker.

“Thank you for giving me your heart. I promise to cherish it forever. You let me know when you’re ready, until then I promise not to make any sexual advances towards you. With exception to a hello and goodnight kiss. That is one thing I won’t budge on. Would that be alright with you?” Relief, that’s what I saw in his eyes. He didn’t have to choose, I chose our future for him, and it was something he could live with.

“Yes. Thank you, my love. You would have broken my heart had you not taken it.” I kissed him lovingly then pulled away from him. I needed to continue my charade until after the New Year at which time I hoped to have him completely.

We walked hand in hand to his truck. Saying our goodbyes, he emitted a raspy growl, “This will be harder than I thought.”

“You promised your love was pure, so it can’t be that hard. Drive safely and call me when you get home.” I giggled then started walking towards the house. I heard him laughing. Once safely inside the house, he pulled away.

In the last two weeks, I had been able to tie up my loose ends with the house, so I changed my plans. Now we are going to move up there before Christmas day. I wanted to surprise Bradley like he did me. To ensure it didn’t back fire, I recruited Jesse and Colleen to help me get my things up state. Of course, they were both more than happy to help out. Jesse and Colleen made plans to meet Bradley at Lee’s tavern for dinner on Christmas Eve. That’s where I’d surprise him. They also made plans to spend Christmas day together. This way the four of us could spend the holiday at my house. By the time I arranged everything and finished up the financial business, Christmas Eve day had arrived. Perfect.

Jesse and Colleen showed up the night before to help with the move. After dark, while the neighborhood slept, I used magic to load the three trucks. Everything went like clockwork. We left before dawn. Jesse drove the moving rig, Colleen drove Jesse’s truck, and I drove mine. All three vehicles were packed full. Seager was beside himself with excitement even though he had to sit in the front seat for the entire ride. My cab was full.

The drive took forever but we finally got to my house mid-morning. Colleen went and did the food shopping out of town while Jesse and I took care of the unpacking. Actually, I used my magic. I have to admit I did enjoy having magical powers, especially when it came to cleaning. The move went smoothly. Jesse even called Bradley to confirm the dinner plans. To my relief dinner was still on.

Finally, I started to get ready. Looking forward to tonight, I purchased a new dress to wear. It’s a nice shade of blue, form fitting and comfortable. At first, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wondering who the woman was staring back at me. I didn’t even recognize myself, especially with my cleavage bulging out the way it was. It’s almost offensive. Hopefully, Bradley would like it. I decided to get an opinion from Colleen and Jesse before we left.

When I came out of my bedroom, Colleen applauded me while Jesse had to pick up his jaw from the floor. I smiled shyly. I’m not sure that’s the response I’m looking for from anyone other than Bradley.

“Oh, Nat, Brad is going to love it! I’ve never seen your cleavage before. Nice!” She gave the thumbs up and nodded in approval.

“I was thinking of wearing a sweater to cover it up.” I put my hand on my cleavage to hide it.

“I think Brad would like it as is. Honestly, Nat, seeing you wear something like that is a little shocking but trust me you’re not revealing too much. As your big brother and Brad’s best friend, it’s just right. But if you’re uncomfortable, bring a sweater. We don’t want it to ruin your night.” Sometimes Jesse knows exactly what I need to hear.

“Thanks, Jess. That’s a good idea.” Off we went. Jesse drove. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to see him, it would be the first time I’d surprised him.

Even though Lee’s was ten minutes from my house, it felt like our journey took forever. As soon as Jesse shut the truck off, I jumped out and danced into the bar. To my relief I saw Bradley before he saw me. I disguised my voice then tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me sir, would you like to buy me a drink?” He turned slowly looking a little annoyed. That facial expression cleared quickly once he recognized me. His eyes didn’t hold mine for too long before descending down my body. Upon their climb upward, he paused at my breasts. His glorious smile made my body do strange things. He looked like he could be on the cover of a magazine. No better, pleasantly scrumptious. By the time he found his way back to my eyes, my cheeks were fire engine red.

I rested my hand on his chest as he pulled me to him, “What a nice surprise. You look amazing.”

“Surprise,” I giggled. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” We started dancing slowly with him gazing deeply into my eyes and pulling me against him even tighter.

Jesse came over and teased, “Are you two joining us or are we no longer useful so we’ve been silently dismissed?”

“Dismissed,” Bradley, said chuckling as I replied simply, “Yes.” We just grinned at each other and followed Jesse to our table. The place was packed, which was a good thing. It just meant that he would sit closer to me.

He did.

Unable to resist, Colleen blurted out, “So were you surprised, Brad?” Jesse laughed as we watched her at the edge of her seat swaying excitably back and forth.

He ran his index finger down my nose, “Yes, very.”

“Good! Nat set this plan in motion the morning you left her on Black Friday,” Jesse explained, relieved that we surprised him. “Now let’s get something to eat and have a great time.”

“We still need to decorate so the good times should begin once we’re safely at the house,” Colleen corrected.

“Okay. After we eat, we leave.” Jesse shrugged, “Assuming that’s what everyone else wants?” We all agreed to eat and return to my house to party and decorate.

All through dinner, Bradley’s eyes were on me. A few times, I sighed from the intense electricity running between our bodies. It was very frustrating to be this close but unable to act upon it. I don’t know if I’ll make it to the New Year to fulfill my desires. While they ate dessert, Bradley and I danced.

“The evening has been wonderful. I can’t wait to get back and decorate.”

“Will you wear that dress?”

“Do you want me to wear the dress?” I teased. I will definitely change before decorating but I wasn’t about to tell him just yet.

“Yes but if you need to change, may I be the one who takes it off?” He asked devilishly.

Giggling, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Once the dance finished, I grabbed Colleen and pulled her towards the bathroom. “Pay up, Jess, so we can go,” Colleen concluded.

Beaming, Colleen asked, “So tell me, what did he think about your pretty dress?”

“You know he liked it, Coll.” Although I am excited to be alone with him, I’m a little more excited to begin decorating. “I can’t wait to get back to the house and decorate. Thank you for staying with me tonight. Christmas has always been a special holiday for my family. The thought of my parents not being here is devastating enough as it is. If I had to spend it alone, it would have crushed me.”

Caringly, Colleen said, “There’s nowhere else we’d rather be. I hope we can make this a new tradition for all of us.”

“Yes, let’s. Come on let’s go get our men and head back to the house.”

We found Jess waiting for us by the door. I searched for Bradley. He stood across the room with his back to us, looking into the crowd. A woman with the same pale skin as Bradley gracefully walked up to him. She smiled seductively then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. I couldn’t believe my eyes. An excruciating pain tore through my chest. It felt as if my heart had been ripped in half.

I just stood there frozen, staring at this gorgeous woman as she kissed my Bradley. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and he looked right at me, shock apparent in his eyes. I gasped, spun around, shoved Jesse and Colleen to the side and yelled, “I’m going home.”

“No, Natty, wait…” I heard Colleen say.

I started running once I heard her coming after me. I ran as fast as I could and hid myself in the woods. I totally forgot about their sense of smell. When I no longer heard her chasing after me, I started walking back to my house. I didn’t live too far up the road. Any time I heard a vehicle coming, I darted into the dark and scary forest. The sounds of animals, breaking branches and crushing leaves are what scared me most. So to avoid walking up on a bear or something, I decided to talk out loud to myself.

“I can’t believe it, Bradley, kissing another woman. I guess I’m not worth the wait after all. Boy, he’s a good liar. Well it’s better to find out now then after I let him take my virginity along with my heart. My heart will heal in about a hundred years but I’d never get my virginity back.”

Blinded by anger, I tripped over a log. To prevent myself from smashing my face into rocks, I stopped the fall with my hands. In doing so, I sliced my left wrist open. Sitting on the ground bleeding, I started crying. The anger turned into hurt and pain. I had hoped that the anger would get me all the way home. Not paying attention to the truck driving down the road, I walked out of the woods to see how bad I cut myself. It was pretty bad. To stop the bleeding I tied my sweater around my wrist and arm like a tourniquet then began walking into the woods again. I heard the truck pull off to the side of the road so I took off running. I could have sworn I heard laughter. I heard someone behind me, right behind me. Running as fast as I could, I once again tripped over a stump. Or maybe it was the heels I wore. Either way it was going to hurt. This time however right before I hit anything, someone caught me.

“Natalia, did you think you could run and hide from me?” He didn’t wait for me to answer, “You silly woman. Don’t you know you should never run from a vampire, especially when you’re bleeding, you’ll provoke a hunting frenzy?” Bradley’s voice shook, almost out of control. He kept sniffing my sweater and whispering that I smelled so good.

“You okay, Brad, or do you need me to help her up?” Jesse stood above us. He sounded angry too. I could hear his voice trembling.

Bradley started snarling furiously at Jesse, “Get away from her. I’m capable of helping her up myself.”

“Then do it and stop sniffing her wound. Hold your breath if you can’t handle it.” Jesse didn’t believe Bradley. This was so confusing. Even though I didn’t want anything to do with Bradley after seeing him kiss that woman, I still felt the need to protect and defend him.

“Knock it off, Jess, I’m fine. He won’t hurt me. Not that way anyway.” Bradley helped me up and looked me in the eye. They were the wildest I’ve ever seen them. “Get off and leave me alone.” I slapped him in the face with my bloody hand, turned and walked towards the truck. All three of them just stood there. Bradley swore under his breath but Jess and Colleen both had grins on their faces.

“Don’t I get a chance to explain what happened?” Bradley asked as we all began to pile into Jesse’s truck.