Sweet Dreams (Sweetwater Book 2)

by Rivi Jacks

  “What is it?” Lucas asks sharply as the Hummer slows.

  I look at him and shake my head. “Nothing. I was just… thinking how terrifying it would be to meet up with one of those… Puxuna in the dark.” I turn back to look out the window but feel him watching me as the Hummer accelerates.

  After a few miles, his continued silence makes me uneasy again. “Was your trip successful?”

  He throws a quick glance my way. “Since I spent most of my time on the phone with either Max or Taylor worrying about where you were” —his voice has an edge to it— “I would say, no. Up to this point, my trip has not gone according to plan.” He pulls his ringing phone out of his pocket. “But I intend to change that,” he says under his breath. “What?” he snaps into the phone.

  Crap. I knew it wasn’t good the way he came back so soon. I wish we had more time to talk so I could try to make him understand that I’ve decided I can’t let the fear of the Kihn control my life.

  “I won’t be back until early next week; you’ll need to handle it.”

  I sit up straighter. Early next week! He’s not only leaving again, but he’ll also be gone for longer this time. I look out my window, watching the darkened woods and the occasional house pass by. I don’t want him to leave.

  “Let me know how it goes.” He ends the call, and I can feel him looking at me, but he doesn’t say anything.

  In my quiet misery, I finally realize that he’s taken a different route back to Sweetwater and when he passes the turn he should be taking, I glance over at him. “What are you doing?” We’re on the outskirts of a small town sitting east of Sweetwater that has access to the interstate. “Lucas?”

  “Sofie, we’re headed for the airport in Springfield.”

  For a moment, I think he means to have me drive the Hummer back, but that thought is dismissed in an instant. I know what he has planned.

  “I can’t go with you.”

  “You can and you will.” He gives me an arrogant smirk.

  What? “Lucas, I am not going—” I realize I don’t even know where he’s headed. I never know, and he wants it that way. I recall what he just said in his phone conversation about when to expect his return. I take a slow, deep breath. “Lucas.” I try to sound as reasonable as I can. “I am so thankful you came to our rescue tonight, and I’m awful sorry I worried you, but my family doesn’t know where I am, and I have to be at work on Monday.”

  He slows the Hummer to take the ramp onto the interstate highway. “Sawyer knows.”

  “Sawyer knows what?” My voice holds a bit of anger.

  “That you’re going with me.”

  Oh, the nerve of this man! “Well, Sawyer knows more than I do. Don’t you think you should ask me instead of just making this decision?”

  “The decision was made when you decided to put your life in danger,” he snaps. “Now we’re finished talking about this.”

  I gape at him. “We are not finished talking about this.” But no matter what I say or ask he remains silent.

  We make it to the airport in record time, and how he manages it I don’t know, but he drives straight back to a private jet bypassing the terminal.

  When he opens my door, I refuse to look at him or get out. He reaches over to unbuckle my seatbelt.

  “I expect you to behave yourself and walk up the steps into the plane, or I can carry you. Your choice,” his voice is raspy.

  My mouth drops open again. I quickly glance around, but it’s dark, late, and quiet in this area.

  “Sofie,” he says in warning.

  “I’ll scream.” I glare at him.

  He smiles, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll gag you.”

  He would too. I can’t believe he’s doing this. I know I don’t have any choice though, he’s shown me that before. He’s a man used to getting his way. Okay. I take a deep calming breath. He may be able to force me to go with him, but I don’t have to be happy about it.

  “I’ll walk.”

  He raises his eyebrows as if in warning and then steps back.

  As we walk up to the plane, I suddenly feel panic set in. I hate flying.

  “I don’t even know where we’re going.” I turn to look at him. Something in my voice alerts him to my fear because his face softens and he puts his arm around my waist.

  “Jackson Hole, Wyoming.”

  Wyoming!

  He leads me up the steps.

  As soon as we’re in the air, I let out a sigh of relief and open my eyes. Lucas is staring at me from across the cabin where he sits at a table, his laptop out. He planned for me to sit there with him, but I purposely sat in a seat on the other side of the cabin, at the farthest end from him. I thought it a good idea to put a little space between us while I work at getting my temper under control. He holds my gaze, and then his eyes move down my body, before returning to his laptop.

  I want to hurl an insult or—something at him, but we’re not alone. Two men are making the flight with us. I assume they are members of the Guard, although something seems different about them. They look more—military. Lucas introduced them as we came on board and they were very polite, not subjecting me to the curious looks I’m used to receiving when I first meet one of his men. Lucas also introduced them as Hayes and Losa, which sound like last names to me. They both sit near the front of the plane, facing forward. There’s a steward too, but I’ve not seen him since before we took off.

  I look around the cabin. When I first stepped inside the plane, my mouth dropped open. My lips part slightly now, and I shake my head in disbelief. The wealth and luxury of this aircraft is beyond anything I’ve ever known or imagined. I’m sitting in a reclining seat covered with the softest cream-colored leather I’ve ever felt. Soft as a baby’s butt. Other chairs, covered in the same supple material, are placed around the cabin with small, highly polished wood tables placed beside them. The same rich wood is used as trim throughout the decor, adding to the warm ambiance of the cabin. The carpet is thick and plush, and there’s even artwork on the cabin walls. And the bathroom—not like any bathroom I’ve ever seen on an airplane. I turn in my seat to look at the gold, opaque glass doors near the back of the plane. They’re just beyond the bathroom, and I wonder where they lead. I wish I had my phone so I could take a picture of it all for posterity.

  As I look back at Lucas, he’s watching me again, and he smirks before returning his attention to his work. I narrow my eyes at him and decide to hell with it.

  “You know, this could be considered kidnapping,” I needle.

  He raises his eyes to meet mine and then looks back down.

  He might not be so smug if my uncle Ben reacts the way I suspect he will. How the hell does Lucas have the nerve to just make off with me without asking my permission first?

  “I really don’t want to be here.” I want to sound clear-cut and firm, but I think my voice comes out sounding surly. But I’m mad, damn it!

  He continues working, and I use the opportunity to watch him. Even though I’m irritated as hell at him, I can’t help but acknowledge how handsome and freaking sexy he is in that tux. I’m used to seeing him in jeans, and he looks hot no matter what he’s wearing, but this tux— I feel the faint stirring of desire low in my belly. Scruff darkly shadows his jaw and his hair, enticingly disarrayed, makes me want to muss it further. I have to look away before I decide to weaken my resolve and move to sit by him.

  Why is he so difficult more times than not? So damned bossy. And why does he have to make me feel like a child at times? That royally pisses me off. He’s bossy, highhanded, exasperating—and I want him despite his infuriating ways. My eyes suddenly sting. I love him so much that it scares me. He’s never told me he loves me, and it’s never really bothered me. I feel his love. At least I think I do, maybe I’m just fooling myse
lf. I mean, if he loved me— I blink rapidly. I am not going to cry. I take a deep breath to get my emotions under control, finally looking back at him.

  “I don’t have any clothes. What are you going to do about that?” I need to keep this up. Annoy him the best I can. The irony is not lost on me that I am acting childish.

  Lucas looks up and gives me a lascivious smile.

  Oh! Don’t even go there, buddy. If you think, you’re going to— Who am I kidding? The minute he crooks his little finger, I melt.

  “This is going to cost you, and not just clothes. You could go to jail kidnapping me like this, you know.” My irritation at his high-handed decision-making reinforces my need to irritate him. “You won’t like prison—someone as pretty as you.”

  One of the men, Losa, I think, coughs but it sounds a little like he’s covering a laugh.

  Lucas leans back in his chair. Raising his arm, he props it on the arm cushion and rests his chin on his hand. He gives me a thoughtful look.

  I lick my lips. I think I’m getting to him.

  “Is this how you get all your girlfriends to go on trips with you, you force them?”

  He smirks, shakes his head slightly as if what I’ve said amuses him, before returning his attention to his laptop. Yeah, that was pretty lame. Now I’ve conjured up the thought of him on trips with other women.

  I sigh loudly. Acting the brat just isn’t that much fun when he won’t respond. To be fair, he’s not entirely responsible for all my frustration. The strain of what happened earlier tonight is a big part of it. I’m not dealing well with not having control of that situation or this situation.

  “I really am grateful you came tonight. Thank you,” I say softly. His lips lift slightly as he glances up before returning his attention to his work.

  I lean back, getting comfortable. Looking over at him, I wonder how he’d respond if I crawled onto his lap.

  Down girl—I’m supposed to be angry with him. Hard to stay mad though when he looks the way he does in that tux. The way his shirt is unbuttoned, exposing his neck—Mmmm. I bring my eyes back to his face and catch him watching me. I flush guiltily and raise my chin.

  “If you’re tired, there is a bedroom,” he says.

  A bedroom? Of course, there’s a bed.

  “No thank you,” I whisper.

  The steward chooses that moment to see to our needs.

  “Mike, Miss Reece needs a blanket, and a pillow please,” Lucas informs him.

  “Just a blanket please,” I request.

  “Just a blanket,” Lucas murmurs dryly.

  I snuggle down under the blanket when Mike brings it. I wonder how much longer before we reach Jackson Hole. I’m tired; I could go to sleep so easily—

  I sit up abruptly exhaling sharply. “Lucas!” He looks up. “Please, don’t let me go to sleep. Please,” I plead, slightly panicked.

  He regards me, tilting his head, his eyes speculative, too intent. He suddenly stands and heads toward the front of the plane, disappearing through the doorway. He’s soon back, holding a cup and saucer, which he brings to me. “A cup of my coffee,” he says, sitting in the seat beside me. “Strong enough you’ll be awake for hours.” He looks at me closely. “When was the last time you ate?”

  “Lunch—but I can’t eat anything.” At his frown, I quickly ask, “When was the last time you ate?”

  He’s suddenly looming over me, and I shrink back with a gasp. Hands resting on the arms of my chair, he has me trapped. “Never” —his voice is hoarse— “ask a vampire when he has last eaten. You might remind him of how hungry he is for—forbidden fruit.” His eyes are intense, pupils dilated, and my heart seems to forget how to beat.

  All I can do is nod, unable to tear my gaze from his. He looks—dangerous.

  He leans in and kisses me softly on the lips, before sitting back down beside me. My heart resumes its natural rhythm as I try to regain my composure.

  “I’m not afraid of you.” My voice sounds breathy.

  His smile is enigmatic as he reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Well, I should hope not.” His gaze is dark as it holds mine. Seductive. I break the hypnotic grip of his eyes with a long blink and then pick up the coffee cup with my free hand, taking a sip.

  Holy hell.

  “Sofie,” he murmurs. “If you want to go back, I’ll have the plane turn around.”

  I look at him in surprise. “You’d do that?”

  “For you, yes.”

  “What… about your business in Jackson Hole?”

  “You are more important.” My body responds with pleasure at his words. “I just wish I’d brought you with me, to begin with.” I look down so he can’t see my reaction to his words, but I feel him watching me.

  “I might have accepted if you’d asked.” When I look up, he grins teasingly.

  “Sofie, would you please, go to Jackson Hole with me?” he murmurs softly, cajolingly. “I have—things I need to take care of, but I should be able to wrap it all up later this afternoon and then we can stay for a couple of days, see the sites.”

  “I have to go back to work Monday.”

  “We can head home on Sunday.”

  “Well, since you asked so nicely—”

  He kisses the back of my fingers, holding my gaze as he bites the knuckle of my index finger, which apparently has a direct line to my lower extremities. I gasp softly and squirm in the chair.

  “Let me take you back and show you the bedroom.” His voice is as soft as velvet.

  I glance at the two men sitting at the front of the cabin.

  “Don’t worry about them,” he murmurs, reaching for my coffee cup. “You won’t need this. I’ll keep you awake.” He frowns slightly before setting my cup on the small table beside me.

  “Are you trying to get into the mile high club?” I tease and then frown with an unwelcome thought. He’s probably a long-standing member.

  A smile plays on his lips, but when he speaks, there is no trace of humor. “My sweet, I have never slept with, nor had sex with anyone on this plane.” He reaches over to smooth the hair off my brow. “I’ve only used this jet for business, never pleasure.”

  “Then maybe we shouldn’t—”

  “But it’s my business to see to your pleasure.”

  I huff a laugh, and he grins.

  He grips my chin firmly and leans in, bringing his lips to mine. His eyes are a silvery-green as he runs the tip of his tongue across my bottom lip, tasting. I close my eyes and lean into his kiss as his lips demand more, kissing me long and deep. When he releases my mouth, I’m breathing deeply, and the heat in his eyes glows with intensity. He pulls my hand to his lap and presses it against his hard erection.

  “I ache for you,” he whispers in my ear.

  I bite my lip, feeling the delicious desire that only Lucas can awaken in me. “Me too,” I breathe.

  He leans back, captivating me with his heated gaze. Rising with ease, he holds out his hand. His strong fingers close around mine, pulling me to my feet and into his arms. He smiles down at me and then leads me to the glass doors at the back of the plane.

  As the doors close, Lucas pushes me back, his body pressing me flat against the door. His hands weave into my hair, tilting my head, so he has the access he wants to my mouth. I reach up, one arm twining around his neck as I grab a handful of silky hair at his nape. The other hand pulls at his shirt, pulling it clear of his slacks. I run my hand over his stomach, feeling his muscles clench at my touch. I moan as his lips devour mine, doing my best to divest him of his shirt.

  “You’d better get rid of this shirt, or I’m going to rip it off you,” I say after pulling my mouth from his.

  “Wait,” he laughs and shrugs out of his jacket, tossing it aside.

  My
fingers work at his buttons again as he pushes me back against the door.

  “You are so damn sexy,” he says as he pulls my sweater up and off, bringing his mouth to my shoulder, nipping his way up my neck, sucking against the pulse on the side of my neck.

  We’re suddenly frantic fingers and lips, pulling off clothes and kissing, biting exposed skin. I love the feel of his muscles as they strain and swell beneath my fingertips.

  Lucas lifts me suddenly, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He enters me with a growl, driving deep and hard. I cry out, the pain sharp, sweet.

  “I’ll never get enough of you,” he rasps in my ear, filling me with long, rigid strokes.

  I gasp, my back arching as he thrusts. He leans down to pull a nipple into his mouth, sucking forcefully, and an impassioned moan slips from my lips. He feels incredible, hitting that sensitive spot deep inside. He suddenly reaches underneath me, spreading my legs wide on either side of his torso, his hands gripping my bottom, pushing my legs open more fully with his arms. I cry out at the sensation of him penetrating me deeper. My hands grip his shoulders, holding on as he thrusts.

  He shifts his pelvis, driving into me at a different angle. Each stroke sends pleasure coursing through my body. My head is thrown back in wild abandon as I feel the tightening sensation deep inside which quickly becomes almost painful, the pleasure too extreme. I whimper.

  Lucas’ breathing is harsh against my neck as the pleasure-pain becomes acute. “Let go, sweet,” he growls, and I do, crying out his name as I come. My legs tighten around him as he thrusts hard one last time before he climaxes.

  He holds me pressed back against the door with his body as we cling to each other, regaining our breath. Geez, that was fast and—intense.

  He raises his head, his eyes blazing with green fire. “You. Are. Mine.”