I feel his presence, like a pleasant warmth in the back of my mind. When I turn around, there he is, standing underneath the starry night. As I glance up at the sky, I realize I’m in the dusky sky.
My head whips to him. “Is this a dream?”
Obviously it’s a dream, Sunny.
“It’s whatever we want it to be,” he says, closing the space between us.
“What is it?”
He smiles. “It’s ours.”
I glance around again, taking in the beauty of it all. I’venever seen anything like it. Colors so vibrant, somehow speaking to the soul and making a person never want to leave. It feels too real, but almost too unreal to exist at all.
“Do you like it?” He asks.
“It feels safe. It feels right. I love it.”
“I agree.” He cups my cheek after hooking a curl behind my ear.
We shouldn’t be doing this, but whatever this place is, it’s telling me otherwise.
Looking up, I see where the night sky and fiery dusky sky become one. And somehow, that feels familiar too. Like it’s something that exists deep in my soul and has finally been awakened here.
My gaze meets his, seeing a soft smile on his full lips, curving that scar in the right corner. He steps into my space, getting closer. We shouldn’t…but I really want to. It’s just a dream, anyways. There are no consequences here.
Just as my eyes close and I feel his lips whisper on mine, not a kiss but almost,I wake up.
The light of day peeks through the white sheer curtains of my floor to ceiling windows. Sitting up, I realize I fell asleep with Tyler in my bed. I won’t vocally admit the disappointment of not finding him right next to me, considering his comments about a sleepover.
I wouldn't mind.
Huffing a breath, I’m crushed with reality as my shoulders slump. My heart aches for a place I didn’t even know existed— a place only in my dreams. Where all the unexplainable feelings somehow have answers and can breathe without the repercussions that come with it.
I rub my face and swallow down the dryness, testing out my throat soreness. I actually feel a little better after a full night's sleep. I realize for the first time in months, I slept through the night. No nightmares.Just sleep.
Something feels different after last night. I can’t put a finger on what exactly, but I know it’s deeper.Something has changed.
Tyler, he’s safe for me. Even if he is dangerous for others. Reaching over, I grab my phone and notice one single text from him in our private thread.
Sweet Dreams, little fire.
Things aredefinitelydifferent now. Something about last night shifted our relationship. It makes me worry for myself, and him. I’m here on a travel assignment and will be leaving soon. Nothing will derail that plan.
My phone vibrates against my chest with an unfamiliar number. I send it to voicemail, because if it’s important, they’ll leave one.
Rolling back over, I see my book sitting on the nightstand with the bookmark sitting on top.
He finished it.
There it goes again, my heart being foolish and feeling those things I refuse to accept. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I get up and walk to my kitchen to see a coffee and a brown bag with a bagel and cream cheese.
I massage my weary face to try to distract myself from the somersault my heart is doing in my chest. A stupid smile forming on my face.
I can’t like you, Tyler.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TYLER
