Dream a Little Dream of Me

by Daniels, Cobie

  At three a.m. Kelsey lay in bed contemplating the contents of the letter. She’d read it at least fifty times. Processing and pondering each line and its meaning. How had she been so naïve? When was she going to grow up and realize that life was never this simple? Gareth wasn’t to blame, entirely. She was just as much at fault in this scenario. She saw the signs, she questioned things, but in the end her stupidity won. “Dumb, stupid girl” was all she could mutter.

  She had to make a decision: get up and start packing to be ready to go first thing or take his letter at face value and enjoy their last day of this adventure together. She cared for him so deeply. She couldn’t give him what he wanted. Her heart was Jason’s. What she could give him was one more day together here on the island; and she could make their last few days together free of any awkwardness. She was desperate to keep their friendship intact if at all possible. He made it clear in the letter that, as much as he loved her, he wanted their friendship above everything. The words he wrote her were truly beautiful. Such raw emotion. Kelsey knew that he’d never written another letter like this to anyone. He put his heart on paper knowing that, when she read it, she could pulverize what was remaining once the full gravity of his feelings were revealed. Sitting up on her bed, fighting a headache, she looked over at the writing desk where she saw the stationary. She walked over and grabbed a piece, and with a pen she wrote.

  Gareth,

  I wish to spend our final day on the island together, if you will still have me?

  Kelsey.

  She folded it, quietly opened her door, walked over to his, and carefully slid the note under. Going back to her room, she readied herself for bed. Just as she pulled the sheets back, she saw the note sliding across her carpet. She walked over and picked it up. Opening and reading it, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  Lady Kelsey,

  It would be an honor.

  Sir Gareth

  She smiled and wiped a couple of stray tears from her eyes. With that, she crawled into bed, her body letting out breathy shutters from all the crying she’d done earlier. Her lids became heavier and heavier, and she finally succumbed to sleep.

  April 2014

  Full Moon

  “What do you mean I have to answer these questions in order to reset my password?” Kelsey cleared her throat and calmly replied, “Well, when you set up the account, you created the security questions and answers. That’s why they’re asking you these particular questions right now; these are security measures to protect your information.”

  “I didn’t set up the account; my kids did. I just want to download this book, and it keeps telling me my password is wrong. I hate technology!” Now the customer was on the verge of tears. Taking a calming breath, Kelsey talked the customer back from the brink and reassured her that she would do whatever possible to help get this all figured out. Two hours later, passwords and security questions had been reset, and the customer thanked her profusely for all her help. If Kelsey had known that every customer interaction that day was going to suck on every level, she probably would have called out sick. All the customers she greeted or attempted to help whined or blamed her for their technological woes. She was grateful that her final customer contact for the day ended well, but she was still in a mood.

  It didn’t help that she was still disappointed with Jason for not sharing with her that Michael had stolen from the company. Trust had never been an issue for them their entire relationship. Maybe that’s why Kelsey was taking it so hard. But this occurrence left her feeling like what she thought was a solid foundation was severely cracked. She hadn’t made herself available to him all week. Part of her was dying on the inside as making love to her husband was one of her favorite things to do, but she had to make sure he knew how upset she was.

  She punched out at six p.m. and looked at her phone to see a text from Jason. Call me as soon as you get off work. lv u. She grabbed her bag and called him as she headed to the car.

  “Hey, kiddo.” That always made her smile. “Hey, yourself.”

  “Are you on your way home?”

  “Yes. It was a stupid long day. I’m pretty sure there’s a full moon tonight; it can be the only explanation as to why my customers were such a handful.”

  Jason laughed, “Well, I have a surprise for you when you arrive. Do me a favor and park in the driveway and call me from the car when you get home.”

  “Jason Holden, what are you up to?”

  “Just do me this favor—and don't ask any more questions and just get home.”

  “That’s three favors. And I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” She ended the call and hoped that the surprise included a soak in a hot bathtub and a pint of chocolate brownie ice cream.

  As she pulled into the driveway she looked to the east and saw the giant orange moon making its way up into the night sky. “Well that explains a lot,” she muttered to herself. She grabbed her phone and called Jason. “I’m in the driveway,” she announced. “I’m on my way,” he answered. When he got to the car, he led her to the front door of the house and gave her instructions, “I want you to go shower, and when you get dressed please clip your hair up, and wear your short, purple satin gown and robe.”

  “These are a lot of orders, Jason, and I’m not entirely sure I’m in the mood to follow directions,” she said with a tired and snarky tone. The look that he gave her was of disappointment, but he quietly responded, “Please, Kels, I just need you to trust me. I know I’m asking a lot, but tonight—just trust and give me tonight.”

  She could see that he was serious, and she decided not to deny him this. She did exactly as he asked, and twenty minutes later emerged from the bathroom. She threw on her gown and matching robe and cinched the belt around her waist. Jason came into their bedroom with a huge smile on his face. Kelsey’s insides melted at the sight of Jason’s dark stubbled chin, his button down shirt, unbuttoned, exposing his gorgeous muscled chest that Kelsey loved to lay her head on. Kelsey pulled herself together when she heard his voice. “I need to blindfold you.” He held up a satin blindfold. “We’re heading outside, but I don’t want you to see why.”

  Though she’d felt so distant from him, in that moment she had no reservations about following his direction. Without a word, Kelsey walked over to Jason and turned her back to him. Jason carefully tied the blindfold on. The soft satin was cool and felt so good on her face. He pulled her back against his bare chest and started to carefully kiss her neck. Reaching around to her breasts, he began to speak with shallow breaths into her ear, “I’m going to pick you up and carry you to the barn.” Kelsey nodded her head with a yes. Jason carefully scooped her up. She laid her head against his shoulder.

  Once they were in the barn, he kept the blindfold on and carefully whispered into her ear, “I need you to climb the ladder to the loft. I’m going up before you, but you know the ladder. It’s only ten steps, and I’ll be at the top to grab your hand and pull you to safety.” He could tell Kelsey was hesitant. “Please trust me,” he asked, and he kissed the corner of her mouth and went ahead of her. Once he got to the top of the loft he spoke reassuringly, “Kelsey, I’m right here waiting for you.” Carefully reaching out in front of her, Kelsey put her foot on the first rung and stepped up. “That’s my girl; take it slow.”

  She knew the smell of her barn, but there was something very warm and fragrant that she was smelling as well. It became stronger with each step. As she got to the top, Jason reached for her hand and pulled her up and into his arms where he held her and softly began to kiss her. Kelsey put her arms through his shirt and pulled him in tighter to her. The air was heavy with want. Both their breathing was hitched in anticipation. Jason pulled her away from him. “Not yet, sweetheart.”

  He took off his shirt and then reached out to her, carefully turned her around and spoke into her ear from behind, “I’m going to take your mask off, and I want you to slowly open your eyes.” He removed the blindfold, allowing her to gradually take in her surroundings.
Kelsey couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She blinked several times. “Jason, how did you? When did you?” He smiled and carefully took her hand. “Let’s just say I called in a few favors.” He walked her over to a queen size bed made up with oversized pillows, a soft duvet, and Egyptian cotton sheets. It was sitting on a gorgeous red and gold Oriental rug. There must have been fifty, giant, battery-operated candles spread around the bed and on the dresser and chest he’d managed to get up to the loft. The candles flickered as if they were real flames surrounding the barn loft bedroom, giving off a beautifully seductive glow. He’d even gone to the expense of having giant glass globes hung from the beams, filled with soft glimmering lights that completely transformed the space into a sacred room.

  Jason walked over and pushed the loft door open. It gave them the perfect view of the moon from their bed. Kelsey stared at Jason with a puzzled look on her face. Coming back over to her, he placed his hand on her face. “Last week when you found out about Michael the way you did, it really hit me how unfair and wrong I was to keep that from you. Kelsey, you’ve been my best friend for damn near twenty years, and when you walked away angry last week, I became angry with myself because I’d broken a level of trust that we’ve always held in our marriage. Your opinion and insight will always matter and always come first. You’re precious to me, and I’m furious with myself that I took you for granted.” Slowly kissing the top of her hand and then each finger, he asked, “Will you forgive me, Kelsey? Will you let me make it up to you tonight so that, going forward, you’ll always know that you matter above all others. Let me use tonight to strengthen the vows that I made to keep you first in all things.”

  He pulled the sash to her robe causing it to fly open as he reached his arms in and slowly began to massage her hips over the silk gown while kissing her neck, her jawline, and landing on her mouth. “Kelsey, will you allow me the honor of worshipping you mind, soul, and body tonight to right this wrong that I’ve created because of my selfishness?” Her eyes filling with tears from his words, she could only nod her head yes as he pushed the robe off her shoulders.

  The spring air was still cool, and when it hit her skin, it created goose bumps all over. Jason laid her on the bed, and she felt as if they were floating on clouds. Firmly he asked her, “Please sit up.” Using her elbows to push herself up she found her face against Jason’s chest as he straddled her and removed her hair clip and placed the blindfold back on. “That’s my girl; now lie back. Tonight is about building trust again. I need to hear you say it, Kels. Do you trust me?” Her breathing heavy, she replied, “Yes. Yes, Jason. I trust you.” He kissed her forehead. “Good girl, now lay back.”

  Kelsey did as she was told as Jason’s hands moved down and freed her breasts from her nightgown. He slowly and methodically rolled her pink buds; Kelsey’s breath left her body. Pushing her arms above her head, he grabbed a black ribbon and tied her hands together to a spindle in the headboard. Kelsey’s entire body was immediately on fire. Jason leaned down and breathed into her ear, “Do. Not. Move.” Kelsey began to focus on her breathing. Jason was in total control, something she wasn’t used to. Right now, with her hands tied to the bed, she was at his mercy, taking this trust game to a whole new level.

  Jason slid her nightgown down, and she felt the slick-smoothness of the satin as it brushed past her belly, over her hips, across her thighs, and then down her calves and feet before he cast it to the ground. She could hear him getting something from the dresser, and soon she felt his return as he slowly poured a soft and fragrant oil up and down her body and began to tenderly massage her. Starting with pressure points in her feet, he pulled and rubbed, working his way up her body. Catching her by surprise, he flipped her over suddenly. Still tied to the post, Kelsey’s breathing was now erratic. Jason’s large and firm hands massaged and kneaded her calves and then her thighs, making their way up to her backside. “Kelsey, you are so beautiful. Every bit of you.”

  He allowed his hands to explore, spreading her legs apart and wandering into her heat and massaging until he felt the dampness release around his fingers. Lifting her head, Kelsey was already on the verge of her release when he brought his hands out and began to massage from her lower back up to her shoulders. Jason got up and removed the rest of his clothing and carefully turned Kelsey back to her front. He laid his body over hers, resting his arms on either side of her head. He gently kissed her forehead, nose, and mouth. Kelsey’s body was now rippling with desire as she did her best to control her breathing. “Why are your trembling?” Jason asked as he kissed her and allowed his splayed left hand to move down to her side and land on her stomach to feel the tremors. Kelsey was unable to answer as she was shaking with desire and need. Jason smiled and took her in deep, passionate kiss.

  When they came back up for air, he slid his body down hers and began to kiss her stomach. As he traveled lower, Kelsey’s hips lurched forward, silently bidding Jason’s mouth to come closer to her center. Lifting her legs to his shoulders he obliged and ravaged her with his tongue.

  Although Kelsey was blindfolded, she saw a burst of colors when she climaxed. Jason quickly untied her arms and carefully turned her back on her stomach and whispered into her ear, “Do you trust me?” Kelsey could only shake her head yes. “No, Kelsey, say it, say you trust me.” “Yes. Yes, Jason, I trust you.”

  Using more oil, he massaged her backside and slowly pressed his finger into her back entrance. Kelsey took in a deep breath as she rose up. Without saying a word, he allowed her body to relax as it became used to his presence. He very carefully but firmly spoke her name and made a request. “Slowly lift to your hands and knees, Kels.” Kelsey was still coming down from her first climax and was now hungry for more. As he kept his finger in her back entrance, he plunged his large erection into her front entrance from behind, immediately sending them both over in the most intense and intimate orgasm they had ever experienced in their married life. Jason held them both there while the aftershocks shook them both to the core.

  Sweating profusely and labored in breathing, Jason slowly removed himself and carefully turned Kelsey over to face him. He lay against the giant pillows and headboard and pulled her onto his chest. He kissed her forehead as she could barely move. They held each other and fell asleep on the beautiful bed under the hanging lights and the moon. Trust, on a whole new level, had been restored.

  August 1995

  One Day by the Sea

  Gareth barely slept and knew that he was going to be living on pure adrenaline the whole day. Should he ask her what she thought of the letter? Obviously if it had been that terrible, they’d be going home and not staying the whole day. Should he act as if none of it ever happened? He knew he needed to apologize for his words in the pub last night, but not for the letter. As painfully wrong as the night had gone, she finally knew, and there was some relief in that. Maybe the truth really did set people free.

  It was seven forty-five. Gareth showered, dressed, and, taking a last look in the mirror, psyched himself up. Don’t fuck this day up, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. With that, he opened his door where he found Kelsey. Locked in each other’s gaze, they both began to speak at the same time. When they realized neither of them heard what the other was saying, they both laughed. “You go first, Kelsey.”

  Pausing to collect her breath and her thoughts, she looked up. “I want you to know that I’ve never read anything so beautiful in my life. Your honesty and transparency humbled me. With all that said, can we please do our best to try and be who we have been to each other for the past eleven weeks, before last night? I lay in bed and realized that, even though I can’t give you what you want, Gareth, I need your friendship. I know that isn’t easy to hear, but with all that we’ve experienced while I’ve been in England, the depth and value of our friendship counts for something, does it not?” Letting her words go down deep, he nodded his head yes.

  They stood there quietly for a few more moments when he finally broke the si
lence. “May I say something?” he quietly asked. Kelsey looked back up with a small smile. “Of course you can.” “I need you to forgive me.” Looking confused, she opened her mouth to ask why when he held his hand up. “Let me get this out. I need you to forgive me for not being honest with you about my feelings. I need you to forgive me for being a complete ass last night when I hurled those awful words at you. I need you to forgive me for breaking your trust in our friendship”

  Kelsey’s eyes began to fill. “Dammit, Gareth, what are you doing to me?”

  Throwing back his head, he replied, “Funny, as I’ve been asking the same question to myself about you for the past eleven weeks.” That got him a small laugh. “I forgive you, Gareth, but asking wasn’t necessary. You have not broken my trust; you’ve been the truest of friends, and it is I who should be asking you to forgive me.”

  Absorbing her words, Gareth said, “You truly aren’t like the others, Kelsey.” Gareth reached out his hand. When she accepted his hand in hers, he bowed and kissed the top of it. “Lady Kelsey, your carriage awaits.” Looking up he saw her big smile. “Ahh, there it is.” Letting go of her hand, they walked downstairs to have breakfast and set out on their final day of adventure.

  “Look at how gorgeous this is, Gareth.” He and Kelsey stood on the side of the bluff overlooking Brook Bay as they headed down the path to the beach. They’d already walked three of the six-mile trail, and Kelsey was determined to get to the water. Taking pictures left and right, she worked really hard to capture the beauty she was experiencing. Kelsey was practically skipping down the path as she spoke, “You know, I read in that book you lent me that General Seeley would ride Warrior into the surf on this beach to build his endurance. I want my feet in the same water Warrior trained in.”