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Chapter Ten
Grant stared down at the long line of sand that had no doubt come from Natalie’s body. He smelled her hair then his own skin. They both smelled like the ocean.
She crawled backward off the bed. “I’ll get some fresh linens then we’d probably better shower.” She was frowning as she spoke the words.
He was already moving. “I’ll get the water warmed up.” He headed straight to the shower, turned it on and stepped in. He didn’t care that the water was cold to start. What the hell did it mean that their experience in Santa Cruz had followed them home? It had felt real to be in the water, to walk on the sand, to see the sunrise. Yet the entire time he’d known he’d been in the dreamglide and that his corporeal self had been back in bed.
He shampooed the salt water out of his hair. When Natalie didn’t come to the bathroom right away, he knew she’d set about changing the sheets instead. He would have helped her, but he needed time to think this through.
Something about his dreamglide allowed them to have a real, a very real, experience. He didn’t know what to make of it.
All kinds of possibities, however, began whipping through his mind. They could travel the world and actually be in the places they visited. They might not be able to sit in restaurants and order food, but they could walk all kinds of trails, thoroughfares and back streets. They could also enjoy the sun again, as long as they had the protection of the dreamglide.
The next question that rose, however, was a big why. Why was he able to do this?
More questions surfaced: How was is it even possible. Was it because they were together? Or could he do this on his own?
By the time Natalie joined him in the shower, he’d decided to forget about the unanswerable questions, at least for now. He could see that she was exhausted and after caressing her shoulder, he left to towel off. He took some time to blow most of the moisture from his long hair then padded off to bed.
He’d been right. The bed was freshly made.
He climbed into the far side away from the window and the cordoned off patio garden. He swore he fell asleep the instant his head hit the pillow.
He was awakened about two hours later with a jarring fist to his face. He sat up ready to do battle then realized it was Natalie. Something was wrong. She was almost thrashing in bed.
He turned on his side and reached for her. He pet her arm all the way to her wrist and squeezed her fingers. “Natalie, you’re dreaming.”
Natalie’s eyes popped wide. She stared at him for a moment then burst into tears. Few things were as hard for a man as a woman’s tears. These might have been worse because they took him by surprise.
He scooted close. “What’s wrong? What were you dreaming about?”
“It was the old days. I mean not with Aaron, but here. The first year I arrived. I didn’t know anyone, and my heart was broken. But I’d developed a friendship with a very gifted fae. Her name was Alexis. She’d been here awhile, maybe three years and knew the ropes. She helped me so much, but she died in the Fae-Wolf Wars.”
His heart sank. The Fae-Wolf Wars. Again. “Do you often have nightmares?”
“Sometimes. I think I keep trying to bring her back. I feel responsible for her death even though I know I wasn’t. She was the most wonderful person. But never mind. It’s old business. I’m so tired.” She patted his hand. “I’ll be okay. Go back to sleep.”
He cradled her and caressed her back in gentle strokes.
“Mm, that’s nice.”
The patio drew his gaze and the morning glories that needed clipping. There were several evergreens. At the top of the tall wood ceiling were several spotlights, maybe grow-lights.
He sighed. He was tired, and his mind was already wandering. He needed his sleep. He realized Natalie was breathing evenly so he closed his eyes and once more drifted off.
When he awoke, the room was quiet and empty. Natalie was already up. So were the shutters.
He knew the hour. 7:33. It was full dark. He’d slept all that time. Truth? He felt wonderful. After escaping Kryder and his minions at The Sapphire Club and after several bouts of extraordinary sex, he’d had hours of good sleep.
Renewed. That was the word for what he felt.
He smelled something. His nostrils flared, and his chin jerked up and down a few times.
“Bacon.” He spoke the word aloud and hopped from bed.
He could hear laughter as well. Another aroma reached him.
“Coffee.”
