Page 9 of Sweet
The color drained from my face as I slowly turned to see Dream, standing just a few feet away in the dark hallway. She was wide awake with her long hair flowing down past her back, wearing a thin, pale, blush-colored cami and velvet ruffle shorts.The thin pajama set hung just right from her curves, allowing her perky nipples to peek through while she stood there. She was barefoot with her hands behind her back, her head tilted as her large hazel eyes locked onto me.
My cheeks burned at the sight of her and I had to swallow, salivating at the way she made me feel. But then I rememberedwhereI was andwhatI had been caught doing.
Shit—
And yet, despite everything, whatreallytook me back was when she moved one of her arms, lifting what looked like a small bedazzled handgun, and aimed it directly toward me.
Instead of grabbing my own concealed weapon, I slowly raised my arms, taking a step back. “Easy now.” I gently tried to calm her. “I can explain?—”
She cocked her head and took a step toward me. “I’m not stupid.” She inched closer. “Iknewsomeone was watching me.” Her voice remained low like a whisper, hanging in the night air as she kept encroaching on the space between us. “I told them I felt eyes on me…heavy, hungry eyes, looking for their fill.” Dream stopped and blinked. “Did you think I didn’t know?”
I took another step back, both turned on and worried by her boldness. “I?—”
“Shhhh!” She pressed her manicured finger along her lips and smiled, baring her teeth. “They said I was crazy…but who’s crazy now?” She let out a faint, whimsical laugh as her finger hovered over the trigger, quickly pulling it with a loud expression. “POW!” Dream giggled loudly to herself.
I blinked, trying to understand what the hell just happened. And why her gun didn’t go off. “What the?—”
Dream fluttered her eyelashes and tilted her head in a playful way. “Need a light?” She waved the rhinestone-covered gun around, a single flame burning from the tip of the barrel. “Well?” She popped the magazine open, revealing a bunch ofcigarettes stored like ammo, before pulling a single one out. I didn’t respond, trying to grasp the fact her gun was no more than a ridiculous toy-like contraption created to store and light them. “Here.” She briskly walked toward me, offering them to me. “From the smell of you, I take it you’re a heavy smoker.”
I couldn’t speak and just stared at the woman, taken aback by her brazenness.
She flashed me another smile that made my knees weak, and without warning, she popped the cig between her lips and raised the toy gun, pulling the trigger and lighting the tip. The flame flickered bright, dancing in the reflection of her hazel-colored irises. “What’s the matter?” she asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Cat got your tongue?”
I gently plucked the cigarette free from her fingers and leaned down, observing her closely. She blew a small trail of gray smoke into my face as I squeezed her chin softly. It was obvious she lacked any hint of fear in regards to me, which only made me more curious. “More like a rabbit,” I replied.
Dream’s smile grew at my response. “A wild rabbit.” She yanked free from my grasp before spinning away from me, both her hair and that fucking scent of hers smacking me in the face. Her head shot back, and she looked at me over her shoulder. A giant smile on her face as she blinked. It made my heart flutter.
“So,” she chirped as she approached the shoes she kept by the entryway. Her body leaned forward as she spotted my boots and turned to look at me. “Was it the door?”
My brows furrowed at her odd question. “The…door?” I wasn’t sure what she was asking.
She crossed her arms, playing with a strand of her hair. “The door. It was unlocked, wasn’t it?” I didn’t answer. “That’s what enticed you to come inside, right?” She began to walk back toward me, taking each step on the tips of her toes like a dancer. “You noticed I left it unlocked and just had to make sure I wassafe all by my lonesome.” She stopped a few inches from me, twirling her hair. Her eyes raised to meet mine and a sparkle flicker behind them.
Say something…anything. Fuck, just open your mouth!
Before I could even attempt to spit the words out, Dream raised up onto her tippy toes and touched either side of my face with her hands. Even with her height, she was still a bit shorter than me, but feeling her body against mine made my heart stall as I held my breath.
Dream ran her nails along the material of my mask, gasping softly to herself. “Those eyes…I recognize them.” Her focus lifted as I locked my gaze with hers. “It’s you,” she breathed.
I nearly fainted at the way she expressed herself but quickly tried to regain my composure. I reached out, carefully wrapping my fingers along her wrists to remove her hands. “I-I’ll just—” I stepped back, letting her go as I briskly rushed past and grabbed my boots. I reached for the door when her next question stopped me dead in my tracks.
“I saw you that night…at the club.”
I didn’t move or even dare look back at her.
“Your eyes,” she whispered. “I remember them…their color.” I turned my head to see her standing a little closer. “Like two raw emeralds, basking in the sun on a hot summer’s day.” She stepped closer, her feet silent as she moved. “Waiting for someone to stumble upon such rare treasures.” Dream reached toward my face again, but I instinctively flinched, catching her off guard. “I never imaginedyouwere the one watching me…I guess Iamcrazy.” The corner of her lips raised slightly as her eyes began to water.
I let go of the doorknob, feeling uneasy seeing her like that. Anger toward myself built behind my ribs as I realized it was my fault she was upset. “You’re not crazy,” I whispered back.
Dream’s smile returned and she wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath and exhaled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “So…” She cleared her throat. “Want to go on a date?”
I blinked, completely thrown. “I’m sorry…what?”
“A date.” She repeated her question.
MaybeI’mthe crazy one.
Dream tilted her head. “What? Not used to girls pickingyouup?” she teased. I didn’t answer, still stunned. “Look, obviously you have some interest in me if you’ve decided to stalk me and break into my home.”
