Irish Dreams

by Hasker, Michelle

  Eileen led her to a small white car. Maybe she could get a quick catnap in on the ride to Eileen's. Because of the Brendan dreams, she woke more tired than when she went to sleep.

  “Eryn? Are you a million miles away?”

  “No. I was just thinking about how much I need a good night's sleep. I haven't had one in weeks, months maybe.” Eryn glanced at Eileen to see if she could tell she was lying. She knew exactly when the dreams and her restless nights had started. Her last trip here.

  “Well, then, after we get home, you're going to eat a nice dinner, take a warm bath, and sleep. Tomorrow is soon enough to discuss my problem.”

  “No, Eye. You don't have to wait until tomorrow,” Eryn protested.

  “Yes, I do. I want you well rested before I ask you for this favor.”

  “See, now you've roused my curiosity.” Eryn sighed and wriggled into a more comfortable position.

  As they drove past the O'Connell farm she looked for the opening in the trees that led to the pond Eileen had taken her to last time she was here. The place where the dreams had begun.

  “Your curiosity will just have to wait.”

  “Why, Eye? I didn't come this far to turn you down. Not when it has you this upset.”

  “I know, but trust me, you'll appreciate the rest. Besides, that was a long flight. Anyone would be exhausted,” Eileen said as she turned into her drive.

  Especially someone who dreamt of hot steamy sex the entire flight over.

  “You came.”

  Eryn smiled as Brendan looked up from his bed. His room looked exactly like she remembered it, but instead of him gloriously naked, Brendan lay on the bed fully dressed.

  “You doubted me.” She frowned, unsure for the first time since the dreams began. “This is my dream. You should be pleased to see me. I don't understand.”

  “We're dream walkers, Eryn. At first, I slipped into your dream, but one taste of you wasn't enough, I needed more. And you obviously feel the same, since you have come to me the last two times. Your impatience to see me makes my cock swell.”

  “I'm a sex therapist, not a dream walker, but, more importantly, why are you dressed? Remove your clothes, or better yet, I'll remove them for you.”

  Eryn climbed onto the bed and walked to him on her hands and knees. His expression was enough for her. She tugged off his boots, then socks. Once that was done, she tossed them across the room and crawled up a little higher until her face hovered over his erection.

  “Mmm.” She moaned and pressed a kiss to his denim-covered cock.

  He twitched under the kiss, and clenched his fingers in the blanket. With a smile, she realized it was an attempt to let her take charge.

  “I remember what you said to me the other night,” she whispered while she unbuckled his belt. As she lowered his zipper, she met and held his gaze again. “Something about me only liking what you can do for me.”

  Brendan nodded, his breath coming quick and shallow as she slowly stroked his erection.

  “There's only one thing I can think of to show you that I want your pleasure even more than I want my own.”

  Eryn tugged on his pants until she removed them and tossed them across the room as well. Her eyes locked on his cock. She licked her lips and reached for him. Before he could do more than arch into her touch, she'd wrapped her fingers around him and licked the top of his shaft. Precum beaded there as she repeated the move once, twice, then a third time.

  “Eryn. You're torturing me.”

  He thrust his hips, forcing himself into her mouth. Eryn shook her head and made a tsking sound as she slid back.

  “Patience, loverboy.”

  “I am being patient. If I wasn't, you'd already be naked and panting under me as I fucked you senseless.”

  “Brendan! Such naughty words. I had no idea you liked to be vulgar.”

  “Does it turn you off?” he asked.

  “On the contrary.” She grinned and grabbed his hand as she adjusted their position so they could please each other at the same time. Eryn guided his hand under her nightgown and pressed it against her core.

  His fingers brushed over her slick folds, damp with desire. As she moaned and arched against his hand, he slipped two fingers deep in her, twisting and crooking them until he found her sweet spot.

  “Brendan!” she shouted when she came fiercely. Her muscles tightened on his fingers as tremors shook her body. Instead of letting her come down from the high, Brendan continued to press on that spot.

  Eryn whimpered as he rose up and pressed her down on the bed. He ripped at her satin nightgown until the cool air brushed over her heated flesh. He tossed the scraps aside. Before she could moan, his mouth was on her clit, sucking and nibbling her.

  “So sweet, like candy.”

  Her body tightened even more at his words and continued thrusts. She screamed her release while she thrashed under him, unable to control her body as pleasure swept over her.

  “Mmm.” He purred as he licked and sucked at her juices. When he glanced up at her, moisture covered his lips and chin.

  “I wanted to pleasure you,” she whispered, unable to move or say anything else.

  “You have. Aye, you most certainly have.”

  She reached for him, but his image faded, leaving her alone once more.

  Chapter Two

  “So now will you tell me what's wrong?” Eryn asked as she reached for a piece of toast.

  “You look well rested.” Eileen passed her a plate filled with pork sausage and bacon rashers.

  “I haven't slept this well in months. Since my last visit here, actually.”

  “I'm glad that you found peace last night. And, yes, I will tell you what my problem is. It's actually Liam's brother. For the past few months, he's been having extremely erotic dreams. He's obsessed with them to the point he isn't working on the farm. I've been spending every free moment helping Liam. His brother used to be the level headed one. He practically ran the whole farm, and, now that he's not well, Liam and I have been covering for him.”

  “So you called me here in my official work capacity.” Eryn sighed. She'd hoped a shopping spree and some girl time and Eileen would be right as rain again. Instead, it wasn't Eileen who needed her help. Well, she did, but not directly. Now, she had to help someone who suffered from the same problem she did. Hot, erotic dreams that were better than real life. If his were half as good as hers were, she didn't blame him for wanting to stay in his fantasy world.

  “Please, Eryn. He's barely eating. He doesn't even do anything anymore. He acts as if he's given up living and wants to stay in his dreams. In whatever fantasy world he's created. This sounds a little crazy, but he says he feels compelled to stay with this woman. That he needs her or needs to help her.”

  “Eye…”

  “Please, Eryn. He's gotten so violent. This last week, he's started to hit Liam when he wakes him. It's an obsession. He'd rather be in bed dreaming of his fantasy woman than living. He's not eating, and quite frankly, I'm more worried about Liam at this point. He's ready to have his brother committed. He'd already have done it, if it wasn't for his promise to their mother. They both had vowed to always put family first, and to take care of each other. He needs you to help his brother, Eryn. Liam doesn't want to see him locked away for the rest of his life.”

  This was a first. She'd met men obsessed with erotic dreams, and helped most of them find things in reality worth giving up the dreams for. The ones who wanted to be helped, anyway. But a man who preferred his dreams to reality?

  “I don't know, Eye. I think he might need to see a psychologist. I mean, I specialize in helping people with sexual problems, I don't think I'm capable of helping someone who is living in a delusional world with violent tendencies and who might be suicidal.”

  “I don't think he's suicidal.” Eileen shook her head. “At least, not yet. But we can't figure out a way to snap him out of this. Liam and I were planning on marrying in a few months, but we scrapped the idea
because we simply can't marry without his older brother and best friend there to celebrate with us.”

  “Congrats, Eye. I had no idea! Why didn't you tell me?” Eryn grabbed her cousin's hands. “It's so exciting. But you stopped making plans for it because of the brother?”

  “He means the world to Liam. He was there for him when their parents passed away. Without him, and me, Liam's alone in the world. At least meet him and see if you can help. If you can't, we'll try something else, but you're the only one Liam is willing to trust right now. He doesn't want word of his brother's real problem to get out. And I would have invited you here anyway. We didn't get further than the shopping for a ring stage. See, no ring yet.” Eileen held up her unadorned hand.

  “Okay, I can understand that, but do me a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “Wait to thank me after I've helped him. If I can.”

  “You're the answer to our prayers, I know it.”

  Eryn remained silent. How could she help this man with his fixation when it was perilously close to her own? Even though she didn't get enough rest when she slept, she longed for the moment when she took a nap, or when she went to bed. Anything that enabled her to experience more of the wondrous pleasure Brendan was capable of giving her. The fact this man had grown violent made her nervous. Would she be able to help him?

  As soon as breakfast was over, Eileen called Liam and told him to get ready for visitors. While they were busy on the phone, Eryn closed her eyes and remembered the first time she saw Brendan.

  A gentle breeze blew over the water as Eryn relaxed in the grass watching Eileen paint. The soft sounds of nature lulled her into a peaceful state of partial awareness. She heard the sound of the paintbrush on the canvas, and the call of several birds.

  Tiny wings beat quickly, next to her ear, but she was too relaxed and comfortable to look. When the Gaelic words were whispered softly in her ear, she did turn in confusion, but no one was there.

  The sun beat down on her, the rays warming her. Even though summer was just beginning, it was warm and she'd been dressed in a tank top and shorts. As she soaked up the sun's rays, she turned on her stomach and dozed off.

  The sound of splashing woke her. She turned her head to the side and looked to see what Eileen was doing. Only it wasn't Eileen in the water. It was a tall, dark hunk of man who froze when he saw her.

  Eryn gasped and stared at him as he stood there unashamedly naked.

  When people spoke of love at first sight she'd always thought they meant lust. This just confirmed it. She wanted to run her hands all over that gorgeous body and make love to him until dawn. Now that she knew him more intimately, she felt stirrings in her heart when he was near, but how could you love someone you don't even know? Desire them? Sure, but love? Impossible.

  “Are you ready, Eryn? Liam told us to come over. He wants you to wait in the office, kind of like a surprise tactic.”

  “I have a weird feeling about this,” Eryn admitted as she rubbed her stomach. She was already a bundle of nerves, what would she be like when faced with this angry, horny man?

  Eileen chattered nonstop on the short drive to the O'Connells' farm, which didn't do much to ease Eryn's nerves, but at least she didn't expect a response.

  When Eileen stopped in front of a large house made of gray stones, Eryn stared. It was huge, and beautiful. The grounds were immaculate and filled with blooming flowers, shrubs and trees.

  “And you're going to live here?” She turned to Eileen in awe.

  “For a little while. Just until his brother is better, then we'll move into my home. This belongs to the eldest O'Connell, but right now they're both living here.”

  “Hmmm.” Eryn found herself thinking about the older brother. Would she be able to help him? Didn't she look forward to her erotic dreams? Yes, but she didn't let them control her.

  A tall, dark man who reminded her of Brendan raced out of the house and toward the car. He ripped the driver side door open and tugged Eileen into his arms. Eryn grinned, and climbed out of the car.

  “Liam,” Eileen said as she pulled away. “You remember my cousin, Eryn.”

  His smile froze, then turned into a frown. “Eryn? Her name is Eryn?”

  Eryn took a step back, confusion and fear thickening in her throat. “Yeah, why?”

  Liam turned to Eileen and gripped her shoulders. “You've never called her by that name before. You've called her the doctor or Jewels. I thought her name was Julie. Last summer, you introduced her as Jewels. You've never mentioned her as Eryn. I don't think this is a good idea.”

  “Why not? She's an experienced sex therapist. She has a very popular office in the States. She's more than qualified.”

  “Yes, but he's gotten really desperate the past few days. See this black eye?” Liam tilted his head. Eye gasped and leaned on her tiptoes to cup his face in her palms. “I'll kick his arse. This has gone too far.”

  “I can't have him locked away like dirty laundry. Other than you, he's all I have left.” Liam pulled Eileen into his arms.

  Eryn fought a pang of jealousy that Eileen had a man who loved her this much. Other than her dream man she had no one. And he wasn't even real.

  “But he's hurting you, Liam.”

  “If he wasn't delusional, I'd have fought back. It's just not safe right now. I thought this would be a good idea, but didn't I tell you what he calls his fantasy woman?”

  “Eryn.” Eileen gasped and turned to Eryn. “Oh, no. What if he thinks you're his dream woman come to life? Or even worse what if he punches you like he punched Liam?”

  Eryn paled as she quickly added up the bits and pieces she'd heard. What are the odds that an Irish gentleman is having erotic dreams of a woman with my name? At the same time I'm having dreams of him. If his name was Brendan, then this was some sort of sick joke God was playing on her. Neither Eileen nor Liam had mentioned his brother's name yet. She took a second glance at Liam and studied his features. This time when she noticed how similar he looked to Brendan, she didn't write it off as her imagination.

  She was a smart woman and should have put two and two together to get four sooner. Something was way off, and she needed to find out what had happened. She'd been at Liam's pond the first time she'd had the dream. Had his brother seen her then and hypnotized her or done something to give her these dreams? But then why were they affecting him too? Eryn remembered the odd finality of the last two dreams. The ones he'd seemed so desperate and sad in. It had to be Brendan. There were too many coincidences for it to be anything but her dream lover come to life.

  Another glance at Liam's face reinforced that he needed her as much as she needed him. He shouldn't be violently clinging to the dreams.

  “Where is he?” Eryn asked as she swiftly walked to the door.

  “Wait!” Liam shouted. “I really don't think—”

  “Then don't think. Where is he?” Eryn slipped inside the door Liam had left open, and glanced around the hall. She noticed the expensive decor, but didn't take time to appreciate it as she peeked in the first open door. No one in there.

  The next door was closed, so she grabbed the knob and began to turn it.

  “Stop!” Liam grabbed her arm. “I don't think it's safe for you. We'll get someone else.”

  “Please, Liam. You're scaring me,” Eileen said as she caught up to them.

  “What's going on in here?” A loud, angry voice came from the end of the hallway. “I told you to leave me the hell alone!”

  Eryn shivered as she recognized the voice. Even though she'd never heard him angry, there was no denying it, or the answering response that rushed through her body. She turned to look at him and saw Brendan. Her dream lover.

  “Oh, my God,” she whispered and took a step back, right into Liam.

  His hands closed on her shoulders. “I warned you. Quick, just go. I'll explain it to him. He won't trust me now, but it's for his own good.”

  Brendan stalked over to her, and time seemed to
stand still as she looked up and met his intense blue gaze. For an incredibly long moment, they stood there, staring at each other. His blue eyes, his dark hair, hell, every last feature was engraved in her memory and matched her dream man. The full lips, the dimple as his lips curved in a hesitant smile, everything. Her breath hitched in her throat and moisture rushed to her core, soaking her panties.

  “Eryn?”

  “Brendan.” Her soft gasp echoed in the room. One second she stood and stared at him, and the next she was pulled up against his rock hard chest, his mouth crushed against hers as he devoured her.