feel toward her.
But ignore her I must because monsters don’t deserve good things in their life. I retract my hand from the bottle, though, and reach for the TV remotes instead.
Chapter 6
Delicious dreams
[Pam]
I sleep fitfully, but not as restlessly as the man next to me. At some point, I slipped off his sweats, not liking the confinement and extra material under the too comfy blankets on Jacob’s bed. He also removed his own clothing, remaining in his boxer briefs as he did last night, and slid under the sheets. He isn’t anywhere near me tonight. His body heat helped with the fever and perhaps that’s something my mother told him although I can’t imagine her going so far as to tell Jacob to get nearly naked with me. My mother didn’t even know who he was until he called her. I’m going to have so much explaining to do. To Mom. To Mae. Ethan Scott’s the only one who knew of Jacob’s existence because I got him a job with Jacob last fall.
I’m thinking these things when Jacob calls out, “No.” His legs jolt, and his body flinches. Spinning to face him, I hold my breath.
“I said, no.” His arm twitches, and I slowly sit upright. His head moves from side to side on the pillow and then stops as though he’s been slapped. His breathing is heightened. His chest rises and lowers exaggeratedly. The sheets have lowered to his waist, revealing the fine lines of his abs. A dim illumination glows through the large window wall as the moon is in the sky somewhere.
“No,” Jacob groans again, and I hesitantly reach out a hand, resting it on his shoulder.
Saying his name, I gently jiggle him. His skin is hot to the touch, and for a second, I worry he’s caught what I had. I’ll feel terrible if he gets the flu from me and sharing this bed. Then his entire body jolts again and I press harder at him.
“Jacob, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”
His body stills. “Angel,” he whispers. His forehead heavily furrows.
I repeat his name, and his hand snaps upward. My throat is cupped, and I’m flipped, pressing back into the mattress. Jacob’s body is instantly over mine, the weight of him heavy enough to take my breath. He isn’t squeezing my throat, just holding it as he stares down at my face, but his eyes are wild. He doesn’t see me, and I whisper his name.
Lifting a shaky hand for his face, I intend to cup his cheek and help him focus, but his free hand shoots outward, capturing my wrist and pinning it to the bed near my head. He continues to breathe heavily, his chest pressing against mine with each heave. His nostrils flare as we stare at one another.
“Lilac,” he whispers, and tears fill my eyes for some reason. I’m not afraid. He won’t hurt me, but something’s hurting him. The fear and anger in those midnight eyes darkens of all stars. His heart hammers against my breast while he’s covering me. One of his legs is between mine, but he slowly shifts so the other meets the first. On instinct, mine spread to accommodate him, and the sheets tangle between our legs. He shifts his body lower, adjusting between my thighs. Gently, he releases my throat and slides his hand to my chest, flattening his palm over my racing heart.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he whispers. “I’d never hurt you, Lilac. Never.” His voice strains as he stares at his hand just above my breast, concentrating on the rapid beating. He speaks as if begging me to understand, begging me to accept that he would never cause me harm.
“I know you wouldn’t.” His quick reflexes and sudden reaction were a response to whatever was haunting his dreams.
“What happened?” I question.
He shakes his head. “No. I’m not going there with you.” He’s slipping away from me, retreating into his head. He’ll move off me any second and pretend this didn’t happen, which might be for the best. I’m hyperaware that he’s hard and resting against my core. Everything pulses—that spot between my thighs, the blood in my veins, my heart behind my ribs.
His eyes focus on my lips, which I nervously lick.
“I want to kiss you.” His voice is that low rasp that sends a thrill up my middle. He must still be dreaming. Perhaps, he’s not fully awake and doesn’t realize it’s me, although he’s called me both Lilac and