They held each other quietly in the aftermath, not moving when the lights flicked on and the ceiling fanstirred overhead. It was only when her stomach growled for the second time that Erin suggested they go have dinner.
Only to realize he’d fallen asleep beside her.
Tenderness curled inside her at seeing him relax with her that way. She studied his face in sleep, the lines of loss around his eyes eased for a moment. He looked younger. She stroked his face and hair for a long time, until her eyes drifted shut.
Right up until the moment he twitched. Tensed.
“Where?” he snarled out, still sleeping.
His tone—both furious and terrified—made her breath catch. She recoiled to the edge of the mattress. Not sure if she should wake him or slip out of bed.
Was it kinder to let him sleep through a bad dream so he might forget it? She laid her hand on his arm carefully, and hoped her whisper-soft touch might soothe him.
His muscles clenched tight. His jaw flexed. No doubt about it, he was deep in a nightmare.
Chapter Fifteen
The road homewas wet and rainy.
Remy navigated the curves along Vermillion River just before dawn after touching down at the local airport half an hour prior. He steered the Lexus sedan through Lafayette toward the new house, which became a little more elegant every time he left for a few days. Liv was like a magician that way. Everything she touched with those creative hands of hers turned more graceful and refined. Hell, he’d gone from being a backwoods photographer to a reality show producer with prospects.
She had that effect on people and places. So even though the cost of the travertine marble was putting the decorating costs way over budget, Liv was happy. Soon, her new perfume would go to market and that would help defray some of the extra expenses. When he’d talked to her on the phone before bed the night before, she said she was finalizing the package designs.
He couldn’t wait to see what she’d come up with. Actually, he just couldn’t wait to see her. The production job sucked ass for the long hours and the travel, but it had giventhe woman he loved the opportunity to pursue her dreams in a way his photography never could have. Now Sarah was in private school. He had a new home on three acres along the river. Liv had gardens and a studio.
If he could come up with another show like American Voice, he’d be able to ease up on the travel. Spend more time helping Liv. His brothers had laughed until tears streamed down their ugly mugs when he told them he liked working in the hothouse with the flowers. But then, not even Liv could work magic on Armand and Landry.
He slowed down as he turned the last corner before the new house, savoring the sight of the place he’d worked hard to build. An unnatural light shone ahead. The reflection of a streetlight distorted by the rainfall? Except there were no streetlights out here…
Police cars lined the front of his house. Three of them. Two with their headlights shining into the rain, each drop illuminated so clearly it could have been snow falling in front of the cars.
He noticed it every time he remembered this night. Every time he took those heavy, leaden steps toward the house. He might have been running, but each step was so slow it’s like he saw every detail. His own life flashing in front of his eyes, because he knew. He knew his happiness was too good to be true. His life too perfect.
He’d come too far, too fast. The boy from the bayou had gotten the princess, but then the dream had crumbled to ashes.
Yeah, he knew. Even before the lady cop tried her best to intercept him.
He started shouting at her to let him see his wife.
“Where’s my wife?” he yelled at every single face that tried to get in his way. Tried to tell him gently…
“Remy.”
A frightened voice pulled him out of the dream before he could see Liv.
He’d just sprinted from the house out to the studio in back, his feet sliding on wet grass. All the lights were on…
“Remy?”
Soft hands clutched his arm. Made him realize he wasn’t out in the cold rain, but in a warm bed. In sheets that smelled like amber.
Ah damn.
“It’s okay.” He forced his eyes open and remained in two worlds at the same time. “I’m awake now.”
“Sorry.” Erin knelt beside him on the bed, her hold on his arm easing. “I was worried about you.”
“Bad dream.” He sat up, cradled his head in his hands. “I’ve had it a million times.”
