Only in My Dreams Read online

  With each stroke, she moaned a little bit louder and her thighs clenched him a little bit tighter. He kissed her, open-mouthed, and devoured her cries like a hungry beast. He slid his hand between them and thumbed her clit. Her muscles tensed and he felt her come. He let go and just drove into her with savage thrusts. He went rigid as his orgasm crested over him like a tidal wave. White-hot light blinded him and his harsh breathing filled his ears. Her fingers dug into his flesh, and her rasping joined his.

  At last, she loosened her legs and he eased her down to the floor. He pulled out and realized this was perhaps not the best time to be without a stupid condom. “Um, sorry about the mess.”

  She shook her head. “I have tissue in my purse.” She went to the corner where her clothes were piled and dug out her purse. She tossed him a few tissues while she tidied herself up. Meanwhile, he found her underwear and handed them to her.

  While she dressed and he readjusted his jeans, he couldn’t stop from staring at her ass, her long, gorgeous legs, or the sexy curve of her back as she bent to pull her shoes on.

  “I should get back upstairs.”

  She flashed him a smile. “Uh-huh.”

  “Thanks.”

  She straightened. “Thank you.”

  He gave her a long, lurid stare and his lips curved into a very satisfied smile as he turned and started up the stairs. He leaned over the railing for a final look. “You’re incredibly hot, you know.”

  “I do know.” She grinned.

  He jogged up the stairs and rejoined the guys. If they wondered what had taken him so long they didn’t ask. And he didn’t care that his burger wasn’t hot. He’d just had mind-blowing sex with an incredible woman. He felt invincible. Spectacular. Content.

  A shaft of cold speared through him. What the hell was he doing?

  Chapter Sixteen

  MAY IS SUCH a gorgeous time in Ribbon Ridge, Sara thought to herself as she parked in the lot at The Alex. She stepped out of her car, the day bright despite her sunglasses. She noted Kyle’s car and hoped he was in the trailer instead of at the site. She was feeling happy and buoyant, and though they’d adopted a fairly civil relationship, their unresolved issues hovered in the air between them like a swarm of bees.

  The familiar knock of hammering and buzz of saws greeted her as she headed down the well-worn dirt track to the cottage.

  Things were coming along nicely. She tried not to come out every day, but it was hard to stay away from watching the progress and, probably more accurately, from watching Dylan work. It was warm enough that by afternoon, he typically doffed his shirt and let the sun bronze his back. Sara found she could sit and watch that action all day. But to do that would be to advertise their friends-with-benefits status to the entire universe, something she worried about doing on a regular basis. They managed to keep their hook-ups quite private—like the tryst in the basement at the Arch and Vine or the one the other day in the tunnels under the job site—and had yet to get caught. She worried, though, that it was only a matter of time.

  The cottage came into view, and again the progress was evident. They’d framed the entire second floor and tomorrow, she thought, the roof joists would go on. Everyone was thoroughly impressed with Dylan’s delivery schedule. He’d worked in an asbestos abatement, but it had taken less time than he’d budgeted, so they were officially ahead of schedule. This made everyone positively giddy, and that was such a wonderful thing to feel after so many months in darkness and turmoil.

  Which wasn’t to say that things were perfect. There was a lingering strain between Mom and Dad, and Kyle was still Archer-non-grata. Life at “home” was about as tense as ever. Another reason to spend so much time at the job site.

  While the second floor of the cottage was coming along, the first floor looked like it had been through a war—the front door and windows had been removed, part of the siding had been pulled off, and the landscaping around it had been utterly trampled. Dylan stepped out through the opening where the front door had been. He was dressed in a dark heather-blue T-shirt and faded work jeans. He slipped his sunglasses on and smiled as he saw her. “Hey, what’s up?”

  They came together but didn’t touch. “I have a meeting with Aubrey in an hour.”

  “Yeah? What did you decide—fight or sell?”

  They’d discussed her options the other night. She could either hold her clients to their contracts or she could sell the business to Craig. “Right now my life feels like it’s here, in Ribbon Ridge. I’m going to sell. For a hefty price.”

  He grinned. “That’s my girl.”

  His girl? She tried not to read too much into his words. Things were going really well between them. The friends-with-benefits situation was working out great. It was one of the reasons she’d also decided to make a permanent return to Ribbon Ridge, but she wouldn’t tell him that. Not yet.

  “I hope you’re making him pay.”

  Her lips curved up. “Definitely. Aubrey is encouraging me to be ruthless. We’re going to write up the sales contract today. He’s also not getting any of my assets.” Sara Archer Celebrations owned a lot of decorating accessories, and there was no way she was letting him have them. He could buy his own.

  “Good for you. Show no mercy.” He drew off his sunglasses and his gray-green gaze was intense, or maybe it was just the intensely blue sky behind him. “Particularly when your opponent has demonstrated absolute savagery.”

  Sara laughed at his hyperbolic characterization. “That’s pretty much what Aubrey said. And you’re both right. He blatantly went after my clients and robbed me of future income, which Aubrey used to threaten Craig with a lawsuit.”

  Dylan nodded approvingly, a smile playing about his lips. “Nice.”

  “Ruthless.” She pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and gave him a dark stare. “Does that turn you on?”

  “Everything you do turns me on.”

  “Mmm.” Her phone buzzed in her back pocket, and she checked the display.

  HAYDEN: Emergency family meeting tonight at 6.

  Sara’s stomach twisted and plummeted into her feet.

  “What is it?” The concern in his tone told her he’d read her face.

  “Emergency meeting tonight.” She shoved the phone back in her pocket, trying to imagine what disaster could rain down next.

  “What do you think it is?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. Hayden sent the text. Could be a lot of things.” The last time she’d gotten a 911-type text had been because Kyle had come home. Did it have something to do with him? “I need to get to my meeting with Aubrey.”

  He brushed his hand against hers. Subtle, but comforting. “Hey, don’t freak out.”

  “I won’t. Thanks.” She smiled to reassure him, though she felt anything but reassured.

  By the time she walked into the gathering room at six o’clock, her feet were leaden and her senses were completely frayed. She’d gone totally old school with her SPD and donned a thick fleece vest with weights in the pockets to try to regulate herself, but it wasn’t doing much to calm her nerves.

  Everyone was already seated around the table—Mom, Kyle, Hayden, Tori, Derek—except Dad. His absence and the weary expression on Mom’s face sparked an even deeper anxiety in Sara’s gut. “Where’s Dad?” she blurted.

  “Right here.” His hand clasped her shoulder and she startled.

  Then she spun and hugged him. His arm came around her and swiftly squeezed her shoulders. “My little kitten,” he whispered against her ear as he pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

  Memories of her childhood, of him holding her and soothing her, filled her with warmth. Her senses relaxed a little and she released the tension in her body. Everything would be okay. It had to be. There had already been too much sadness. Too much upheaval.

  Dad guided her to the table and held out a chair for her next to Kyle. He took his customary seat at the head, opposite Mom at the other end.

  “Who called this meeting?
” Dad asked.

  Hayden laid his palms flat on the table. “I did.” He was sitting next to Mom, and he reached out and covered her hand with his. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just say it. I’ve been offered an internship at a winery in France, and I’m going to take it.”

  Sara watched for Mom’s response, and when there was none, grew suspicious.

  “Now?” Dad’s voice snapped through the room like a firecracker.

  “In a week,” Hayden said, still holding Mom’s hand.

  “You couldn’t have said something sooner?” Tori asked, her tone wound with irritation. “Like, I don’t know, one of the hundred times we’ve been working together over the past several weeks?”

  Hayden didn’t appear affected by Tori’s reaction. “I only decided to take it today.”

  Derek was on Hayden’s other side. “How long will you be gone?”

  “A year.”

  “What about your job?” Again Dad’s voice shot out, crackling with anger. “You’re a vital part of Archer Enterprises and I don’t even get the benefit of a proper notice? I’m not just your boss, I’m your father, for Christ’s sake.”

  Hayden exhaled. “I’m sorry, Dad. They had an opening and I had to give them a quick answer. I’ll do what I can remotely. Please understand. I can’t turn this down.”

  Dad didn’t look convinced.

  “Rob, it’ll be fine. We’ll make it work,” Derek said. He looked at Hayden. “This is a great opportunity for you.”

  It was. Hayden had been making small batches of wine the past few years—it was his secret passion. His job at Archer was just that: his job. The rest of them had pursued their dreams outside of Ribbon Ridge. Why shouldn’t he?

  “You can’t be COO remotely.” Dad’s tone was clipped. “I’ll have to hire someone.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  Everyone turned to stare at Kyle. Derek looked particularly surprised, and maybe even a little horrified. Sara couldn’t imagine he would look forward to working with Kyle, at least not until they resolved their differences.

  “Hey, don’t everyone look so shocked.” Kyle shifted in his chair. “Hayden’s got a few days before he leaves, and he can show me the ropes. And I’m sure he won’t leave me hanging if I have questions.”

  Hayden met Kyle’s gaze. “You can count on me anytime.” He looked back at the head of the table. “Dad?”

  Dad was staring out the window. The trees were green again, providing a thick canopy around the edges of the backyard. Life had continued and marched onward even if everyone in this house was still struggling in the horrid vacuum of Alex’s death.

  “I don’t know,” he said finally. He kept his gaze firmly on the outside.

  “Why?” The resentment in Kyle’s voice skidded across Sara’s nerves, bunching her muscles into tight knots of stress.

  Dad finally looked at Kyle. “Because you’re unreliable.”

  “You don’t know that. Just because I didn’t take the job you offered me before doesn’t mean I’m unreliable. It’s not like I made a commitment and then reneged.”

  Dad’s gaze sharpened. “Do you really want to get into the specifics right here, right now?”

  Kyle glanced away. “No.”

  “Dad . . . Dad, you’re being overly harsh.” Sara closed her mouth because she didn’t want to reveal the depth of her distress. They’d all pick up on it and then the focus would turn to her. She absolutely did not want that.

  Mom cleared her throat. “There’s one more thing. I’m going with Hayden.” She gave him a warm smile. “A change of scenery will be good for me, and it’s been years since I used my French.”

  Hayden returned Mom’s smile. “There’s no one I’d rather have with me.”

  Sara’s heart ached. She’d never loved her brother more than in that moment. But if Mom left, what did that mean for Sara? She’d come home to be with Mom, to give her what she’d always provided for Sara—love, comfort, support. She’d also abandoned her life and signed away her business. And for what? She closed her eyes and tugged on the bottom of her vest so that the weight of it pulled on her shoulders.

  Silence took hold for a long moment. When Sara opened her eyes, everyone was watching Dad. At last he looked at Mom. “You should go.”

  Mom nodded. “I’m glad you agree.”

  “But . . . Mom . . . ” Sara was having a rare moment when words seemed to jumble in her brain and trip along her tongue on their way out of her mouth. This had been a regular occurrence when she was younger, but therapy and practice had all but eliminated the problem. She pulled tighter on the vest and clenched her muscles. She didn’t want them to see how badly she was affected. “What about Derek’s wedding?” Thank God the words came out all right.

  Mom smiled at Derek. “I’d never miss it.” Though Derek wasn’t her blood son, he was family and the first of them to be getting married.

  Hayden nodded, looking at Derek. “Me neither—I’m the best man after all.”

  From the corner of her eye, Sara caught Kyle stiffening beside her.

  Mom returned her gaze to Sara. “You and Chloe will manage things. And I’ll only be a Skype away.”

  This was all too much. Hayden leaving. Mom going with him. Dad shutting down Kyle’s offer to take Hayden’s place at Archer. Deciding to sign away her business earlier.

  Sara shoved back from the table. “I need to go.” She left the kitchen via the mudroom hallway, grabbing her purse on her way to the door.

  “Sara!” Kyle called after her.

  She heard his footsteps in the hall, but didn’t stop. He caught up with her in the courtyard as she went to the garage for her car and punched in the code for the door.

  “Sara, wait.” He touched her back. “Where are you going?”

  “Out.” The door opened and she went to her car without looking at him. “Kyle, just let me go.”

  DYLAN GLANCED AT the clock—nearly seven. He expected Sara to come by after her family meeting. His phone rang and he felt a stab of disappointment that she’d decided to call instead. Until he saw the caller ID and it said “Mom.”

  He was already thinking of how to get her off the phone when he said, “Hi, Mom.”

  “You picked up.” Her tone was dry. “I’m so used to leaving you voicemail.”

  “I’ve just been busy. Working long days.” Completely true, but he also hadn’t bothered to return her messages. He wasn’t in the mood for another lecture about how he should meet someone, not when he was quite happily engaged in a fling with the sexiest, sweetest woman in the Willamette Valley.

  “I’m calling to remind you about Brie’s graduation on Saturday. It’s at one o’clock at the college. And it’s outside. I really hope it doesn’t rain.”

  He rolled his eyes. “The forecast looks great. Stop looking for things to worry about.”

  “The party’s at six at our house. You don’t need to bring anything, though I hope you bring a date.”

  “I’m not seeing anyone, Mom.”

  “Surprise, surprise.”

  He laughed at her sarcasm. What else could he do? There was frustration, or irritation, or his typical reaction—nothing. But he decided maybe it was time to find some humor. Wow, look at him being all positive. He blamed Sara’s influence.

  “Some of Brie’s friends will be there. Maybe you’ll meet someone.”

  Oh, God. Just what he needed—live and in-person matchmaking by his mother. “On second thought, maybe I will bring someone.” He thought about asking Sara, but that would annihilate the whole secret thing.

  “That would be lovely, dear. I hope you actually mean it.” She saw right through him.

  Dylan heard a car on the drive. “Sorry to cut this short, but I need to run. I’ll see you Saturday.” He disconnected before she could argue.

  He went to the door and met Sara. One look at her pale face told him everything he needed to know. He reached for her and pulled her against his chest.

&n
bsp; Her arms snaked around his waist and he felt her exhale against his shirtfront.

  “Come in.” He guided her over the threshold and closed the door. “I have wine. Or I can even make you a foofy drink.”

  “Thanks.” She sounded sniffly, like she’d been crying. God, how bad was it?

  He kept his hand on the small of her back, applying pressure, as they walked to the kitchen. He sat her on one of the bar stools.

  “A foofy drink would be great.” She attempted a smile, but it didn’t remotely reach her eyes.

  He went to the cabinet where he kept his stash of liquor: a bottle of tequila, two bottles of scotch, and fresh bottles of pomegranate vodka and triple sec which he’d use to make a pomegranate lemon drop. He set the bottles on the counter, then got a martini glass and the lemon juicer. As he set to juicing two lemons, he glanced over at her. “You want to talk about it?”

  She stared at him. “You’re going full bartender here. Wow.”

  He paused as her words sank in. He was. He’d actually cut out a little early—the days were long and the crew typically worked until eight—just to hit the liquor store and get home and shower before he thought she might show up. In fact, he just realized she’d been taking a chance by coming here at this hour since he was typically still at the job site. It seemed they each had expectations that maybe went beyond friends with benefits.

  He pushed the thought away and focused on making the drink. Even so, he couldn’t shake the odd feeling he now had—like he was watching what was happening instead of living it.

  “Hayden’s taking an internship at a winery in France for a year.” She said this so coldly that he looked up. “He’s wanted to make wine for as long as I can remember.”

  “Really? I didn’t know that.” What was he doing working for Archer Enterprises when he lived in one of the best wine countries in the world? “How is this a bad thing?”

  “It’s not—for him. Mom’s going with him.”

  Dylan grabbed the cocktail shaker from the liquor cabinet and filled it with ice. He still wasn’t sure he saw why this was so bad, but he was very cognizant of her fragile behavior so he tried to think of something supportive to say. Or at least something that wasn’t ‘What’s the big deal?’ which would’ve been the F-grade response. “You don’t want her to go?”