Tangled Dreams (3 page)

“Oh my god. I forgot which way to go.” I shrieked not caring I was talking to myself.

Gavin was starting to pace in his bedroom when he hadn’t heard her come back. Now that it was almost dark he knew she should be back inside.

“Damn it Madison. You don’t know your way around a freaking farm.” He mumbled more out of annoyance, than worry at this point. Walking to his closet and throwing on a shirt he left his room to go look for her. Walking out toward the barn, he was a little surprised when he didn’t see her on the porch. Maybe she was in with the twin’s pony.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any darker it did. Trying to look through the trees I didn’t even see any light from the moon. The panic becoming more urgent as time flew of out my grasp. Trying desperately not to get more and more scared by the minute. Unfortunately, every minute that ticked by felt like an hour. Jumping at every sound around me. Walking slowly, trying to feel my way through the trees coyotes started howling around me in every direction. “What am I going to do?” Muttering to myself. Knowing I hadn’t told anyone that I was going outside, now relishing in my own stupidity. The realization hitting my like a ton of bricks, tears started streaming wildly down my face. Not liking the prospect of spending the night out here.

Gavin walked back out of the barn perplexed, looking all around him as he stood in front of the doors. “Damn woman. Where the hell did you go?” He said out loud to himself. Not as much annoyed now, as he was worried.

“Come on Maddie. Don’t get hysterical. Just calm down. I lived in the same apartment building with people who had done jail time for all sorts of horrible crimes. I can handle being lost in the country.

Right as I thought that, something growled somewhere beside me.

“Who am I kidding? No I can’t.” Turning in the opposite direction of the growl I started to run . It was now so dark, I couldn’t hardly see my hand in front of my face and in a few short steps, I tripped over what felt like a tree root and fell hard to the ground.

“Oh no. What did I do?” The sharp searing pain was undeniable as I rocked back and forth holding my ankle in pain. Trying to convince myself that I was fine, and reason with my hysterical self, I started to rise again slowly. The intense pain shot through my ankle once again and the burning was horrible. Knowing I wasn’t going to get anywhere with my ankle the way it was I cursed my accident prone self, laying down on the ground. I knew I was now covered head to toe in dirt and mud and it was getting very chilly. I knew screaming would do me no good. Now feeling defeated and terrified.

Gavin was searching all around the outside of the barn. I am going to be really pissed off if she is already up in her room. Chucking a stick into the darkness. I’m out here looking all over for her, and meanwhile I am losing sleep. Relieved when I find her but, mad as hell. Looking back up at the house her room was still dark, and he was starting to get discouraged. Just as he was thinking he might have no choice but to wake up his parents, he heard a faint sound like crying, realizing it was Madison. Feeling the panic bubbling up inside of him, he started towards the woods following the faint sound of the cries growing louder and louder. Coming up on the creek he spotted her not to far laying on the ground.

“Madison, oh shit. Are you alright?” Running over to her, he knelt on the ground and lifted her up into a sitting position. Cupping her face in his hands. “Madison are you alright? Talk to me babe. Your shaking.”

With tears streaming down my dirty face. I had never been so happy to see him. “I’m alright now. I think I might have sprained my ankle. Gavin I was so scared. I’m sorry. I just got lost in my thoughts and before I knew what was going on, it was dark and I was lost.”

Pulling her in close he gave his best effort to comfort her. “Sh, it’s okay Madison. Everything is going to be okay. I’m here now, and I’ll get you home.”

“I don’t know if I can walk Gavin. My ankle is pretty messed up.”

“It’s okay. We are not far from the house.”

Lifting me up effortlessly, he held me close while I sobbed on his chest feeling horrible. “I’m sorry Gavin. You shouldn’t have to carry me. Maybe I can walk.”

“And have you fall again? No. I’ve carried heavier things, a lot farther distances. Don’t worry about me.” Then he was maneuvering his way through the brush and weeds and along the creek into the pasture like he had done it a million times before. Dread washing over me suddenly.

“What is your mom and dad going to think when they see me? They are going to think I’m irresponsible.”

“Don’t worry about them. We’ll figure something out. I’ll get you in unnoticed tonight. Then we’ll get you into the work shower down in the basement. They will never hear us. You can just tell them in the morning you slipped in the shower. They’ll never know the difference.

“I don’t want you to lie for me.”

“I wouldn’t be lying to them. You will be.” He said with a hint of a smirk.

“Good point.” 

Stepping up on the porch quietly, with one hand he eased it open and slid us in carefully like he had done it a million times. He navigated us through the kitchen into the back hallway leading to the dining room. Opening the door, we were heading down basement steps and he wasn’t even breaking a sweat. Walking across the room he sat me down on a chair by the shower. The only thing besides the pain I could think about was how good he smelled. Kneeling down in front of me, he took my ankle in his hand and started taking off my shoes. Hypnotizing me with every gentle motion he made.

“Gavin you don’t have to do that. Really. You have done enough already.”
Looking up at me with those gorgeous eyes.

“Madison I have to look at it. So just shut it.”

“Alright, sorry.”

“Madison, did anyone ever tell you that you apologize to much?” He asked smirking.

Why is it every time he smiles I get butterflies in my stomach? “No, I can’t say anyone has ever told me that. I have been accused of being to quiet or gullible but, this is a first.”

Looking at it, “Well it isn’t to bad. I’ve seen worse sprains. I’m no doctor but it’s probably a mild one. I’ll have to get some ice on it. But, first I guess you need a shower.” He said to me looking me up and down. Obviously noting that I was covered in dirt, like I had rolled around in it. “Do you need me to run up to your room to get you a change of clothes?”

“Yes please. If you could. I need my nightgown on my bed.” Forcing myself to stop staring at him and try to form a sentence.

“Alright. I’ll go get it.”

Rising up off the chair to get ready I realized just how much I hurt. If that wasn’t enough, the side of my leg was throbbing where I fell down. Having enough humiliation for one day, I decided to keep that to myself. With the searing pain I sat quickly back down on the chair.

With a look of concern on his face, “Madison, I’ll help you.”

“No. I can do it myself.”

“Yeah because you’re doing such a smooth job of handling yourself already. I”ll help you.” He said giving me no choice as he reached over me to turn on the shower and grabbed a towel “Here wrap this around yourself and unbutton your pants. Pull them down as much as you can. Try not to put any pressure on your ankle though.”

With trembling hands I unbuttoned my pants and he came around to me and lifted me up off the chair far enough for me to get them past my thighs. Coming back around to my front he reached up the towel with both hands which automatically sent me jerking up in my seat. Making me cry out in pain as I put pressure on my ankle.

Placing both of his hands on each side of my face as he looked up at me, “It’s okay Madison. I’m just going to finish pulling them over your ankle. I promise.” Nodding my head nervously with the go ahead.

With gentleness I would have never dreamed he was capable of he gently put his hands up the towel and pulled my jeans over my thighs, and then over my ankles. I didn’t feel a thing except for the new burning in my stomach.

“I’ll go throw these in the washer over there.” Pointing across the room. “I’ll turn around so you can get your shirt off.”

When he turned around, I pulled my shirt off, quickly wrapping the towel back around me. Making sure that all my potentially embarrassing body parts were fully covered. Well as covered as they were going to get anyhow.

“Alright here is my shirt.” Holding it out with a shaky hand. Not really sure if I was shaking over him, or from the events of the night. Walking over to me, he grabbed my shirt and quickly threw it in the washer.

“Okay, I’m going to help you up and in the shower. You can then just hand me the towel when  you get in and I’ll get you a fresh one. I’ll then run upstairs to get your night-gown.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

As soon as he touched me, my skin started tingling under his touch. I was pretty sure I would melt right here in his hands. He was so strong and perfect. I couldn’t think of someone who was more striking as him in every way. Grabbing me gently under my arms he helped me step up in the shower. I noticed as I pulled the curtain and he gave me my towel he was trying not to look at me.

“I’ll be right back.” Gavin said turning and walking away.

I’m not going anywhere. I thought helplessly to myself.

In an instant Gavin raced off upstairs as quietly and quickly as he could with his mind racing. God, she is gorgeous he thought. It’s taking all the strength I have not to want to kiss her and wrap my arms around her. After all, we are not related at all, and just for that split second he was thanking the lord for being adopted. And thinking maybe everything does happen for a reason. When he got to her room he seen her nightgown laying on her bed, so he grabbed it and raced down the stairs to the second floor. Pausing for a moment on the landing, relieved that everyone was still asleep. Turning, satisfied he continued down to the basement closing the door behind him.

“Madison are you doing alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Saying with a shaky voice, this time from the pain. Looking down at my thigh as the water dripped down me, I realized just how much of a nasty fall I had taken. I’m not going to be able to talk my way out of this bruise that easily. Luckily it will be easy enough to hide. Shutting the shower off I heard Gavin jump up from his chair and handed me a towel through the curtain.

“Thank you.” I said as I wrapped it around me tightly and pushed back the shower curtain.

Damn she looked even more gorgeous with her hair soaking wet laying down her back with just a hint of curl. “Um here is your nightgown.” He said as he grabbed me under my arms lifting me out of the shower onto the chair again. Grabbing another towel he started to dry off my legs.”

“Gavin, I can do that.” Then it was too late he had already seen it.

“Madison, what the hell? Why didn’t you tell me you hurt your leg to?”

“Because, I felt stupid and clumsy enough.”

“Madison you are not stupid so don’t say that.” Running his hand over the huge bruise already taking form. I tried to not make the shiver obvious when he did it. “Sure, you’re clumsy, but not stupid.” He said as he looked up at me with a smirk on his face.

“Now was that a joke Gavin McKnight? If I didn’t know any better I would think that was an actual joke.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you know better then. We’ll have to put some ice on your thigh to. We better get you finished up here and upstairs it’s getting toward midnight already.”

“Oh. God. I’m so sorry. I know how you have to get up early in the morning to work.”

“It’s alright babe. Besides, you have to get up early and cook me breakfast.”

“Oh is that right? And are you going to actually be down to eat?”

“We’ll see. He said with dark eyes. Okay, your shivering now. Let’s get your nightgown on and get you upstairs.”

Suddenly I felt panic shoot through my stomach when I remembered how flimsy and sheer my night-gown was. It was not going to leave much to the imagination. He handed it to me and turned around so I could slip it on and throw my clothes in the dryer.

“Alright, you can turn around. I’m ready.” And when he did I could feel his eyes burn right through me.

Shit! Gavin thought. Now I know what is under those baggy clothes. His head clouded he wasn’t sure if that was a safe thing to know. He could see a lot through the sheer material and it was short reaching halfway up her thighs. His mouthwatering he wasn’t sure if he could form a syllable at this point. Now, I have to get myself under control enough to carry her up three flights of stairs? God she has no idea what she is doing to me.

“Gavin are you alright?”

“Um yeah. I’m fine. Let’s get you upstairs.” Walking over towards her he got even more of an eyeful than he anticipated. Unfortunately, this made him want her even more. Looking at her, he could tell how embarrassed she was by her face and tried hard not to gawk at her too much. But, God help me she’s got nice curves in all the right places.

The embarrassment I was feeling at that moment could have killed me. I was actually thinking about laying down to die right here where I stood. But, I also felt strangely turned on by the way he was staring at me. This time he made sure to pick me up with more caution than he did in the woods. Sliding one arm underneath my thighs and the other behind my back I could tell he was trying to pick me up gently.

He was so worried of exposing her in picking her up. Although, he knew he wouldn’t mind he didn’t want her to be mortified by it.

Lifting me up I couldn’t help but thinking how good it felt when he touched me. Knowing there wasn’t much material between the two of us and that made it even more dangerous. Taking a deep breath I hadn’t realized just how truly exhausted I was. Deciding to lay my head against his chest and how great it felt. Now even more groggy.

As she laid her head against him, it caught him off guard and he stumbled on the step. Which she hardly noticed but, absently wrapped both her arms up around his neck getting even closer forcing their chests even closer. He tried not to clear his mind. Unfortunately, that made him have the realization of just how very much he loved touching her. Most of all the feel of when she touches him back. She has to be the sexiest, most beautiful girl I have ever seen. And what attracts me to her even more is she doesn’t even know how gorgeous she is, he thought.