Beautiful Dream (10 page)

Chapter 5

-Luci-

“Speaking of your sister, I have a card for her, but I didn’t know how to address it,” I hand Josh my glass of champagne before going through my purse and fishing it out. “Do I put Ms. Harrington? Deb? The Future Mr-”

“Don’t worry about it,” he laughs.

“No, I mean, it’s only right that I give her something,” I grab a pen and look up, spotting -
is that his ex-wife?”

“Is that?”

“Yeah, sorry,” he sighs. “I don’t-”

“No, it’s fine,” I laugh awkwardly. “It’s only natural. You have a lot of mutual friends, I’m sure.”

“Yeah,” he swallows uncomfortably. “If it’s any consolation, I’ve been doing a stellar job at avoiding her.”

“What if she sees me?” I question nervously. “Wouldn’t that be weird?”

“I don’t know,” he hesitates. “I think my sister suspects something now, so I guess-”

“Joshy!” I turn around just as a lady with flowing chestnut hair, red lips, and a massive dress walks up and kisses him on his cheek. “Gosh I’m so sorry your cat died. We’ll have to reschedule our date very soon!”

He’s caught off guard, smiling tightly and nodding.

“Hello,” she acknowledges me before walking away. “Call me, Josh.”

“Since when do you have a cat?” I question. “I thought you hate cats?”

“That was something I made up to get out of a date.”

“Right,” I laugh, just as another lady approaches, also giving him a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. I try to tune them out until they’re finished, as this greeting is a little friendlier than the last.

“And that was?” I whisper.

“Lisa,” he answers. “The text you found,” he cringes. “I stood her up when I went to see you at school.”

“Did you, like, date everyone here?” He laughs at my semi-serious question, and I don’t miss the way Lisa turns back around and stares daggers at us both.

Ugh.

“Did you at least call her to cancel?” I prod. “You didn’t actually stand her up, did you?”

“Come on,” he holds out his hand, brushing off my question with a chuckle. “Dance with me.”

We hit the dance floor just as the band changes to a slow song. Josh pulls me against him as one arm wraps around my waist, and I try to ignore the feel of his hard chest mixed with his intoxicating scent.

His other hand grabs mine, and I look up at him before quickly turning away. I simply can’t stare at him while being this close without feeling completely vulnerable, as if anyone who looks over at us right now can tell
exactly
who he is to me, and all the things we’ve done together.

He pulls me even closer, and I continue to look everywhere but at him. I can’t help but notice that people are starting to pay attention to us, the way we’re pressed together -
fitting
together
, a little too well.

“I can’t thank you enough for the other day,” I whisper, telling myself that no one is staring, and that it’s just my imagination. “You came all the way to me. Based on a message - three words, actually.”

“Luci,” my name is but a sigh. “Did you really think I wouldn’t?”

“It was just so nice of you. The way you dropped everything.”

“You would’ve done the same for me.”

“I would have,” I admit, pulling back to look him in the eye. “Even when I hated you the most.”

“I know,” he mouths, before pulling us close again, so close that I can feel his heart beating.

“Your heart and my heart are very old friends,” he whispers.

“Since when do you read poetry?” I smile, catching the eye of someone in the corner before looking away.

“Since we stopped talking,” his chest vibrates. “I thought it would bring me closer to you.”

“Josh-” My face saddens.

“It was hard on me too, Luci,” he exhales. “I hate myself for it too.”

We’re four songs in, and even when an up-tempo number plays we don’t stop our slow swaying.

“And who is this lovely lady?” I turn around, coming face to face with an older lady in a royal blue dress.

“Mom, this is Luci,” Josh smiles calmly. How is he so calm? “Luci, this is my Mom, Caroline.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrington,” I reach out to shake her hand, trying my best not appear nervous.

“Likewise, dear,” she smiles a vicious smile, and I swallow hard, widening mine.

“Holly tells me you’ve gone to school together? In the high school?”

My eyes bulge nervously, darting to Josh’s.

“Yes,” he coughs. “We still do. Colleagues,” he clears his throat. “Luci is a student teacher.”

“I see,” she smiles as she starts to back away. “Lovely to meet you, dear.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, watching as she retreats.

“Wow,” I sigh. “Your Mom is intense.”

“Yeah,” he laughs.

“I don’t think she liked me,” I grumble.

“Eh,” he places his hand back on my hip as the next song rings in the air. “She doesn’t really like anyone.” He smiles, raising his eyebrows as our hands twist together, and the next thing I know, he’s bringing us even closer than before, too close to be entirely appropriate in front of all these people. His left hand brushes slowly against my back just as his thumb traces small circles on my hand.

“It’s like prom all over again,” I whisper, closing my eyes, letting his spicy scent flood my nostrils.

“That was a great night,” his chest vibrates, and the way he feels brings back a new set of memories, and for the first time, they’re good.

I open my eyes, and his gaze is intently on me. I’m not bitter, or mad, just enjoying the way he’s looking at me, until it dawns on me how easily he can break me again. I start to feel sweat form on my forehead, mixed with the quickening beat of my heart, recognizing the oncoming panic attack.

“Excuse me,” I swallow, and even though we’re mid-song, I rush out of the tent.

It’s freezing, and my throat starts to sting from the coldness. I hear as he catches up, and I twist my hair around my finger, closing my eyes and breathing deep.

“What’s wrong?” His shout rings into the quiet night.

I stop in my tracks, admiring the massive building I’m in front of, before turning around to face him.

“Um. I… need a breather,” I place my head in my hands, and he immediately removes them.

“So you randomly ran off?” He shrugs out of his jacket and places it around me. “Luci…”

“I don't want to lead you on, or myself,” I sigh, confused and defeated. “I’m just so stressed… over everything.”

“I know,” he pauses. “And you're not leading me on,” he moves my arms to my sides, not letting go of my wrists. “I understand it’s difficult to trust someone again after what I did to you, believe me, I know.”

I look up at him.

“I get I’m most likely exhausting you,” he pauses, smiling hesitantly. “I hurt you, and I deserve every bit of this,” he lowers his voice.

“It's not fair!” I practically wail. “Do you know what it’s like… to come to
enjoy
the feeling of pain, because it reminds me just how real we were? Because even when I tried to feel nothing for you, I couldn’t! Despite everything you did, I couldn’t stop lo-” I sigh heavily. “It’s just… just… YOU! I can’t stop thinking about you! You’re everywhere! Still! And I can’t do it. I need perspective, and you’re-”

“Come,” he interrupts, pulling me along to the other side of the building.

We round the corner, and I can just make out the rows of cars parked in the nearby distance, and the faint murmur of music in the background. Stars illuminate the night sky as a light breeze whisks through the air.

“Josh-”

“This isn't meant to be some ploy,” he presses me against the cold brick wall. “Don't think right now, okay?”

I nod slowly, and an unmistakable smirk ignites in his eyes. I know that look all too well.

“Jo-” I start to protest, but he places a finger on my lips, stopping me.

“After our phone call the other night…” his voice trails off as his arms entrap me on either side of the building. His body pushes against mine and half a protest escapes. I meet his eye, challenging me to stay put as he drops his arms. He bends down and his hand wraps around my ankle as it travels up my leg, slowly, bringing my dress along with it. I shudder from his touch and the cold. He eventually reaches my thigh, and is standing again. He smiles naughtily, his eyes alive, and I swallow hard, frozen and wet.

“I can give you exactly what you want.” His breath is hot on my cheek, smelling of mint and alcohol, and I inhale deeply. “Let me give it to you?” His voice is smooth, his eyes full of amusement, knowing that I won’t turn him away.

“Do you want me to stop?” His hand moves towards my center, and I’m fixated on his eyes, as I shake my head no slowly.

My legs open automatically at his touch, and I can't help but lean into him. He pushes his right leg in between mine, steadying me. He's careful not to kiss me, but I feel the outline of his lips hot against mine before they lower to my neck, placing a trail of warmth in their soft wake.

I close my eyes, basking, as his other hand moves under my dress, trying to keep at least part of it down. Meanwhile, his right gently moves my underwear to the side. His breath catches as he feels how wet I already am, and my hips instinctively push forward, begging.

“Shit,” he mumbles. “You
do
want this, huh?” His voice is raspy and deep, and I don’t know what excuse to give him, certainly not the truth.

“I’m just-”

“It’s okay,” he soothes. “I’ll take care of it for you.”

I say nothing as I rest my head on his shoulder, shuddering the moment his thumb makes contact with my wetness. He moves my juices towards my clit, pressing down, and pulses against my thigh. It takes me all that I have to keep from moaning loudly.

“Fuck,” he sighs out a grunt. “Touching you is just as good as I remember. How quickly do you want to come? I'll do this any way you want.”

“It's going to be quick either way,” I pant.

He moves his other hand to my thigh, caressing it slowly, and the gentle motion only increasing how turned on I am. I bite down on his shoulder, and my hips eagerly meet his fingers as his thumb continues its circling motion.

I cry out as his middle finger finds my hole and starts plunging into it slowly.

“Do you forget how well I know you?” He laughs, his thumb moving dangerously close to my favorite spot.

“Of course not!” I cry out, opening my eyes.

“Because,” he smiles, “all I have to do is touch you
right here,
and you're done.” His eyes are gleaming as bright as a summer’s sky just as his finger finds my most favorite, sensitive spot.

I'm shaking, convulsing, coming apart on his hand, grabbing onto him hard, while I moan out my orgasm. When it becomes too much to bear, I bite down on his shoulder so I’m not too loud.

“Fuck I wasn't expecting it to be that fast,” he laughs.

“It's been a while since someone else’s fingers have done that.” I'm still shivering, grasping onto him while his finger slowly plunges in and out. I’m in a wonderful state, torn between my high and getting turned on all over again. He throbs against my leg, three strong pulses, and I can’t help it, I immediately want more of him. I can’t get enough.

“Yeah?” he grunts, shoving his finger deeper into my hole. “How long?”

“Since you,” I confess, and he stills, his finger deep inside me as he stares.

“But you said there have been others?”

I sigh, throwing my head back against the cold brick. “But none of them were able-”

“Oh, Luci,” he pulls my head back down to his shoulder, enveloping me in some sort of twisted hug before kissing my hair, and I suddenly feel a slight wetness on my leg.

“Wha-”

“I think I just came little,” he laughs, and I can’t help my smile.

He moves closer, and I feel his hot breath against my lips. I swallow hard, not ready for him to kiss me, and thankfully, he continues to my ear.

“You have a sweet smile,” he whispers, and I spread my legs wider, pushing him between them, so that despite being clothed, we’re lined up in all the right places. He's so hard and solid, and the pulsing of his dick against my underwear has me wanting to go all over again.

I move my hand to feel him, but he stops me. “Just you tonight. This is about you.” I start to protest, and he grunts, giving my leg another thrust. I lift my leg and wrap it around his waist, the front of my dress hiking up even higher, knowing he can’t say no.

“This
is
about me,” I whisper, thrusting my hips against his. “Make me go again, but with you this time. Like the first time in your office.”

He growls and adjusts us so that his cock is beating directly against my mound again. His hands move lower, under my dress, around my underwear, until he’s squeezing my ass, lifting me up higher. I wrap my other leg around his waist so that I’m fully straddling him.