In my Dreams

by Alishia Tepper

  Even with the no fraternizing rule she was kind of hoping that maybe she had a chance with Ramsey. She said her goodbyes and went back to work. Ramsey had his sunglasses on gathering supplies they needed to get ready for their road trip. Well hello there, Ready for the road looks like it’s going to be a long afternoon Ramsey said, seeming to be in a better mood then when she left him. Sidney smiled, Ok, that means I can get my mind off things for a bit. Cool, I got a new CD I wanted to listen to maybe it can help Ramsey said, Sidney smiled and off they went out onto the road. In the truck, Ramsey put his CD in and started the truck he looked over at Sidney and asked, so is that your boyfriend or something? Sidney sharply answered, Ex-boyfriend, he wants us to get together again, but I am kind of hesitant, I wasn’t really happy with our past relationship. Ramsey looked over at her, “There are reasons we put things in our past, Because they don’t belong in our future.” he said smiling at Sidney. You're right Ramsey as she leaned back and began to enjoy the smooth jazz he was playing. The road trip was a long one, but Sidney didn’t mind good company, good conversation, good music, and the beautiful surroundings. She felt so relaxed with Ramsey. She then broke the silence, she then looked at Ramsey and said, you always have a way of making me feel so comfortable and relaxed, I like working with you. Thanks, Sid, Ramsey said as he could feel a fire burning deep inside of him. I like working with you too, even though you space out a lot. Are you ever going to tell me what it is that you’re thinking about so hard? Sidney smiled, maybe one day, but for now just know this. It’s nothing bad it’s just random thoughts I have that overpower my mind.

  CHAPTER 16

  Sound like another trip to the lake is in order; you seemed so calm and relaxed out there. What do you say? “Want to give it another go?” Sidney hesitated, Ramsey could see the hesitation on her face, and He knew why there was so much hesitation, so he decided to ease her mind. “Sid I promise it will be different from last time. I knew last time things got a bit awkward, but let me redeem myself and have you come out with me again.” Ramsey pleaded. Sidney was got excited thinking about the last time at the lake even though the end of the trip did make it awkward. She would love to get back to the peace and quiet, to the thought of what almost happened the last time they were there, and the kiss they shared. Then the idea that Ramsey wanted to redeem himself popped into her head. She knew what Ramsey meant by that, but maybe this time she could make it go in her favor, and she could finally show Ramsey how she felt about him. After taking a moment to think about it Sidney turned to Ramsey, she studied the profile of his face and what strong features he had. Ramsey was so focused on the road he didn’t notice. Sidney then felt the heat start pouring from between her legs. She wanted him but could she wait until they were back at the lake? She wanted to ease him into the idea that there could be something between them.

  I mean, why not they were two consenting adults, he obviously had some feelings there, or they wouldn’t have shared such a sensual kiss. “Sure Ramsey let’s do it,” she told him trying not to seem so eager about it. “Can we wait a week, so I have more time to prepare?” Sidney asked. Ramsey looked puzzled “Oh no, it’s Tuesday we can leave from work Friday and stay until Sunday, I can make you a nice dinner maybe we can even catch a Movie. I promise you will have fun.” Ramsey knew that if he didn’t get her mind off John that he might lose her or is nerve to finally make a move. Ramsey had been holding back his feelings since the last time they had visited the lake, and he wanted to show her how he felt. It’s been tough for him not to show her how he felt, but for business reasons, he had to keep everything kosher for work. He had big plans for them at the lake this time, and he wasn’t going to apologize for anything that might happen. Sidney was wondering what was putting such a sexy smirk on Ramsey’s face, but she didn’t question it. She figured if he wanted to share he would.

  For the rest of the day they talked about their plans for the weekend and Ramsey even mentioned having a party on the lake the night they get there and Sidney was excited about it. Time alone would have been better. Sidney just figured maybe he was keeping things from happening like last time. The fact that he told her she could even invite John made her sure that he was trying to keep their little incident from happening again. That day they worked hard all afternoon, and they were both exhausted when they got back to the office. It was 9:25 pm and all Sidney wanted was her bed and maybe Ramsey in it. Ramsey walked into the depot and dropped their stuff off. “Let me walk you to your car.” Ramsey said to Sidney. She didn’t think it was necessary, but she knew if she said no he would do it anyways like he had always in the past.

  That was one of the best things about Ramsey, unlike a lot of the men she had dated in the past John included, Ramsey was a gentleman, a true gentleman. They began walking out to the parking lot to her car, when Ramsey spoke up and said “So it’s set then, this weekend, We will have the party Friday night, Then we can do whatever you want Saturday and Sunday before returning home.” Ok, cool now let’s get home so we can finish up this week and get the weekend started!” Sidney said excitedly, Good night Ramsey. Goodnight Sidney, Ramsey said back to her, as he met her gaze; for a moment, they both shared an intense gaze that sent heat shooting through both their bodies. They could both feel the effect their eye contact had on each other. They couldn’t deny their chemistry and this just from looking into each other’s eyes.Finally, Sidney broke the gaze and again said her Goodbye’s to Ramsey before getting into her car and pulling off.

  When she got home, she happily got in and immediately got a shower to relieve herself of some of this heat. The thoughts of everything they had decided to do together this weekend ran through her mind. She could swear in that last look he actually looked like he might be feeling the same thing she was felt, she thought to herself. She then shook her head and Thought no, that’s not it, That’s more of a hope than reality she convinced herself, she knew she had to be imagining things since she did have a very vivid imagination.

  When she got out of the shower, the thought of Ramsey made her body ache, it had been a long time since she and John had split and she hadn’t been intimate with anyone since their breakup a few months ago. She couldn’t get Ramsey out of her head, as she finally got dressed.

  Sidney began getting her stuff ready for the next day when she suddenly heard a muffled melody from her jacket that she had left out in the living room. When she ran out to check her phone, it was a number she didn’t recognize, the message read, “Thanks for lunch, hope to see you again soon, I Love you, Sidney,” Ugh, it was John, she murmured, but she didn’t reply. She was just too tired to deal with him at that moment.

  After getting into bed, Sidney began thinking about what Ramsey had said in the truck, about things being in the past for a reason and she smiled. He was so smart she thought, as she turned over to see her alarm clock, it was midnight. Sidney still couldn’t help feeling so relaxed replaying the music from the truck in her head. It made her think of his face, and his smile, until she drifted off to sleep.

  Across town, Ramsey laid in his bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep thinking about Sidney. How he really liked her, but didn’t want to break rules fraternizing. She is the first woman he has had an interest in for a long time.

  Yes, he was a loner. For the right person, he could easily make himself available, especially to someone like Sidney. She was everything he looked for in a potential mate. She was smart, sexy, and she could keep up with him and his quirky demeanor. They also had a lot of other things in common. Ramsey tossed and turned all night at the thought of Sidney having lunch with her ex. “I’m not jealous!” Ramsey kept telling himself as he lay there. He tried to keep thinking about what he would like to happen when he got to the lake his weekend. For now he didn’t know how things would turn out, but he had to play it cool as to not alert her that he was developing feelings for her.

  Sidney woke up after a very restful night’s sleep, feeling ready to take on the day. She couldn’t b
elieve how well she had slept. She felt amazing and hearing the birds chirping outside her window made her feel like today was going to be a great day. She looked at her alarm clock, and realized she had gotten up two hours before her alarm, but even though she had to work that day, she thought she would take her time getting dressed this morning. As her coffee brewed, she decided to check her phone, She had three messages waiting for her. Two were from John, and one was from Ramsey. She smiled and thought to herself. “Which one do I check first?” She clicked on the first message

  “I hope our lunch date was as great for you as it was for me. It was great seeing you again and catching up. I was hoping we could do it again this weekend if you wouldn’t be busy”.

  Sidney hated to admit it, but she did have a good time with John on their lunch date. It wasn’t at all what she thought it was going to be. John was sweet, romantic and was even gentlemanly at times, while they were on the date. This could just be a ploy as it had been in the past. He would be sweet and nice for a while, and then back to his old ways.

  She then read the message from Ramsey,

  “Good morning Beautiful, I won’t be working today, I am taking a personal day, but don’t think that it means you’re getting off the hook for this weekend.”

  She didn’t know what to think. She wondered why he needed the day off. Was he trying to get space from her? Was she making her feeling towards him too obvious? Whatever it was, she wanted to find out. She replied to Ramsey’s Message.

  “Hello there, I hope everything is ok. I will miss you out on the road today, and I don’t think that meant we were canceling this weekend.”

  Ramsey immediately replied,

  “Everything is fine, and I just need a day to get my head on straight about a few things, but I promise this will not affect the weekend.”

  Sidney smiled at his reply forgetting all about John and the messages he sent. Sidney needed a second opinion, so she decided to call her sister and get her opinion on the whole situation with John and Ramsey. She knew her sister had always been there for her with brutal honestly, which is exactly what she knew her sister would be happy to deliver.

  Ramsey took a sip of his beer, as James his best friend sat across the table from him trying to process all the information that was presented to him.

  “Ramsey man, you have never been this caught up with a woman before. Do you think it is just because you guys work together so much?” said James.

  Ramsey thought about it… “No, that couldn’t be it? Could it?”

  “Dude, you have to find out if she feels the same way you are! Are you taking her up to the lake this weekend? Since the incident last time, you’re thinking she has to have some feelings for you Right?”

  Ramsey replied with a depressing, yes. All he really knew was even more confused now than when he first walked into the restaurant to have lunch. “I don’t know, but I have to use this weekend to my advantage. I have to see if there is something there.” Ramsey said to James.

  Ramsey and James then enjoyed the rest of their lunch talking about sports and work. James and Ramsey had been friends since childhood. They were in the same classes all throughout school. James was now a jeweler with a very reputable jewelry company. Ramsey invited James to the Friday night party, seeing how he claimed he could spot if people were a good match together after just one conversation and interaction with them. Working in the jewelry business, James has seen a lot of couples in and out of the store and so he knew what true love or true lust really looked like. After leaving the restaurant, James and Ramsey went their separate ways. Ramsey still confused about what exactly he wanted to do this weekend. He began to form a plan in his head as he his way back home.

  Sidney was glad the day was over. She had a rough day between running collections department all day, and dealing with unhappy customers on the phone all morning. She was even almost attacked by someone’s dog. She is ready to go home. Hoping tomorrow would be better, she looked at the clock and couldn’t help wondering how Ramsey’s day was going, and she missed him today, in more ways than one.

  CHAPTER 17

  As she looked out into the store, she noticed that it was only Mr. Brody and her that were left in the building, and it had been dark outside for a while. She didn’t want to inconvenience Mr. Brody by asking him to walk her out, and it wasn’t that she was afraid. She had just become accustomed to having that extra security as she walked through the large parking lot to her car. Sidney gathered up her stuff, and said Goodnight to Mr. Brody. She left the store looking up after shuffling in her bag for her keys, to make sure her car key was ready so she could jump into her car when she got there. Just then A smile reached her face when she saw someone leaning up against her car. She knew it was him, it was Ramsey but what was he doing here? How long had he been waiting for her? She thought to herself.

  Ramsey began walking towards Sidney. “Hey, I thought you might like an escort to your car, and I was in the neighborhood,” he said as he flashed her that smiled that made her knees weak.

  “Hello, Ramsey and thank you,” She answered. “You didn’t have to inconvenience yourself with the likes of me. What would people think of you doing such a thing?”

  Ramsey chuckled, “It isn’t an inconvenience, People would think I am a gentleman, and I don’t mind plus I wanted to see if you wanted to grab a cup of coffee or something so I can also hear how today went. She smiled as she was hoping he couldn’t see how red her face was getting because of the attention he was paying to her.

  “I would like that, but it’s late,” she said back to him. His smile lessened, she saw that he wasn’t expecting that answer.

  Then she heard herself say, “Well, how about you follow me to my place, and I can make us some coffee there and talk. She sat stunned that she just invited him back to her place. What if something happens or what if nothing happened. She didn’t want to think how awkward things would be at work if something went wrong. She didn’t have time to think of any other scenario right now, because just then when she looked up, she saw a little twinkle in Ramsey’s eye, she was mesmerized! His crystal blue eyes and amazing smile. She often wondered what it would be like to be in his arms again, like the day she almost fell and he caught her except this time she wouldn’t be her as a damsel in distress it would be because they were making love.

  Ramsey smiled, “Are you sure you want me over this late?” Ramsey thought maybe he could give her a preview of what was to come in two days when they got to the lake. It was time out of work to see if they could still be in good company like they were at the lake house. Sidney was nervous for a moment and then said yes, because then if I get tired, I am already at home.

  She could smell his cologne, and it was doing something to her that she could feel all the way down between her legs. On top of his scent driving her hormones crazy, he was wearing a pair of nice slacks and a button down shirt that she thought made him look exceptionally good in. It wasn’t helping the feeling either she had between her thighs, green definitely was his color, she thought to herself.

  “Ok, I will follow you,” Ramsey said to her, breaking the awkward silence that Sidney didn’t realize she had created while she stared him up and down. Ramsey then opened the door to let her in, Sidney smiled, I guess chivalry isn’t dead, she whispered, not thinking he could hear her.

  Just then he leaned down and whispered back, “Not to me; it isn’t,” as he flashed her a flirty little grin and closed her car door.

  Her heart continued skipping beats the whole way home, as she kept staring back at the car lighst following behind her, knowing it was Ramsey. When she finally made it to her place, she took a minute trying to slow her heartbeat a get herself together. A knock on the car window startled her, she knew it was Ramsey but it still startled her not expecting it, she opened the door to see him standing there offering his hand to help her out of the car. She could feel her face turning red, she took his hand and then exited the car. She nervously walked up
the path to her door with him, she could still smell his cologne still thinking about his smile and how good he looked. When she finally reached the door, she felt herself being spun around and met Ramsey’s gaze, the look of desire filled his eyes and she knew she wasn't just imagining it now.

  Ramsey slowly took her face in his hand, then watched as she released a sigh. Her eyes began to shutter when she met his gaze again. She felt him slowly pulling her in for a kiss, just then her cell phone starts ringing.

  She snapped out of the trance Ramsey had put her in and looked at her phone,it was John, I haven’t heard from you all day, I miss you. Can I come by to see your new place and maybe we can talk some more.

  Sidney let out a little sigh, and Ramsey could see whatever it was about to happen between them was no longer there, as he watched Sidney start to text a message to someone. “Is everything ok, Sidney?” he asked.

  Sidney quickly replied to John that it’s a little late, and she would talk to him tomorrow before shoving the phone back into her pocket. Yes, everything is fine, just my friend checking in with me. She finally was able to open her door and they went inside.

  “I will start the coffee; make yourself at home Ramsey,” she said, pointing the living room with the huge TV that she then turned on for him. Sidney entered the room a few minutes later holding a tray with two coffee cups on it. “Here ya go Ramsey, lots of cream, no sugar,” she said, smiling as she passed him the cup.

  “Thank you, you know me too well Sidney,” he said, grabbing the cup taking a sip and placing it back on the tray. Sidney held the warm cup to her lips and took in the aroma of the coffee before taking a nice long sip.