Page 65 of Dreadful

You’re mine, sweet Tallie.

But sleep doesn’t come. Instead, dark memories from long ago ravage my mind and I stay half-awake, tossing and turning as my mind refuses to give me peace. I’m on the edge of a nightmare when whimpers shock me fully awake.

I sit up abruptly and hiss at the sharp tug at my chest.

Cazzo, my nightmares are getting more realistic by the day, it seems. I shake my head and go to lay back down when I hear it again. That soft, fearful,painedwhimper.

I got stabbed tonight, and yet what I felt then is nothing compared to Tallie’s helpless, anguished cries. The pillows are tossed to the side, and she’s safe in my arms before I can stop myself.

“It’s okay,dolcezza, I’ve got you,” I whisper low, hoping it won’t wake her. As much as I wish I could snap her out of whatever nightmare that’s plaguing her, I know firsthand that the terrifying limbo between dream and reality is the worst place to get jolted awake from. Still, I wrap my arms around her and pull her close, ignoring the fire in my upper chest.

She shocks the hell out of me when her body relaxes into mine. Her warmth and acceptance make my cock twitch, but I will it to calm the fuck down. In no time, her breaths are deep and calm again, and pride fills my chest. She’s fine, at peace, even.

But I don’t want to leave her. If she has another nightmare, I want to be here.

This time, sleep comes easier for me than it ever has. Dreams filter through, but they’re different this time, as if they’re tainted by my nightmares. Fear tinges my desire. In them, I’m afraid she’ll vanish again, just like she did in the dressing room yesterday. And I don’t just want her this time, Ineedher.

The thought scares me, but I can’t stop the inevitable as I barrel into sleep and succumb to the darkness. Heat, need, and the fear of losing her war within me, hijacking my body and mind as my dream takes hold. Dream Tallie doesn’t want me yet, but I can’t let her leave me again. She’s the only woman I’ve ever trusted, and she needs to know she’s mine.

I give into my urges in the dream. My body acts on its own, forcing me to take what I need, like manna to a starving man. Instinct refuses to listen to reason, even as my guilty conscience screams at me to let her go.

Scene 19

A DREAM ITSELF…

Talia

Idream of death.

Of the relief that comes with it, of the beautiful retribution that fills my veins and heals my soul. It’s a warm blanket around me, filling my lungs with the scent of sandalwood and crisp aftershave. It promises safety, security, and revenge. Justice will take care of me. I snuggle toward the feeling, letting it embrace me like a warm hug.

Until it turns on me.

The security I felt goes rigid, stifling me and caging me in. The warm heat at my back is hot like a fever, and I try to squirm away, but it constricts around me like strong arms. I’ve had dreams like this before, confusing ones that make me feel fucked up because I got off on the thought of punishing my enemies. But this one feels different, morereal. I don’t know if I want to wake up or give in.

Logic tries to override my instincts, insisting this dream has devolved into a nightmare and I need to snap out of it. Despite the fact that I desperately want to give in to the strength protecting me, I try to fight and claw back.

“No,” the sexy growl rumbles against my neck. “Mine.”

Sever.

My mind might be screaming for me to wake up, but I melt into his embrace on instinct.

He sighs behind me, and his arms loosen their grip. My inhales and exhales match his, lulling me further into submission even as his large hands begin to roam up and down my body.

What is he doing?

“Sev?” I whisper, but all I get back is a sleepy grunt.

Wait…this isn’t a dream.

I still as his hand slides over my breasts to lightly squeeze my throat. The other trails down my soft belly to cup my pussy.

Cazzo, this is most definitelynota dream. This is very, very real, and this man is either about to make me come or kill me.

Desire floods from my core.

And I want to sate it.