by Ariana Dupre
Making her even madder.
"You big bully! Get out of my way right now!” She tried to push past his large body, but he didn't even budge.
Grasping her upper arms, Jared, still smiling, moved her in front of him.
Sudden panic engulfed her, stealing her breath. Angie struggled even harder to break free.
"Angelina,” he said, still holding her. “Calm down."
Oh God! I thought it was over, but it's not. She had to get away. The briefcase dropped to the floor, followed by the files. Pushing against Jared, Angie wrenched her body from side to side in a frantic flurry.
"Angelina!” he said forcefully, “Hey! Calm down!"
Terrified, her gaze quickly shot up to his.
"What in the world? What's the matter with you? I was only teasing."
Quaking with fear, she felt as if her feet were glued to the floor. She tried to speak but her throat was so constricted she could barely breathe, must less scream for help. Her stomach tightened into a hard knot of fear as her pounding heart threatened to break through her ribs. Eyes locked with his, she continued to shake uncontrollably—completely engulfed in the panic attack.
The dream never went this far. Oh God, what happens next? Her legs buckled beneath her.
Bending down, Jared scooped her up and carried her into the living room. He sat on the couch, with her still in his arms, and gently laid her head against his chest. Without a word, he held her, slowly stroking her hair.
I don't believe it! The thought burst into Angie's mind. The enactment of the dream, the thing she'd feared for so long, had ended not in death—but in Jared's embrace.
A deep feeling of safety surrounded her. A feeling of being loved and protected. Oh, this is so wonderful...
Angie let her guard down for just a moment, and Jared's emotions came rushing in, overwhelming her.
She had blocked her empathic abilities with him since that day at Clyde Davis's house. As much as she wanted to know, she wouldn't use her gift to pry. But now, in this brief, unexpected moment, her empathic abilities took over. Just as quickly, she closed the gateway within her.
But not before putting a name to the intense emotion she'd felt coming from him. Could it really be true? Did Jared love her?
She shook her head. She'd made a pact with herself never to trust her abilities until they proved themselves right. Concern for a co-worker? Yes, that's probably it. Love? No way!
"I'm okay now,” she said, squirming to escape his embrace.
"What happened back there?” Still holding her tightly, he pinned her with a look.
"I guess I had a little temper tantrum,” she said slowly.
"You're not a very good liar."
She looked away.
"What I saw in your eyes, Angelina, that was fear, not a temper tantrum."
"Fear?” He's right. I'm a terrible liar. “You're crazy, Jared. You just made me so mad! Look, I admit that I went a little ballistic for a minute. I'm sorry."
His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her, as if he knew she was still lying. “Apology accepted under one condition."
"Which is?"
"Tell me why you're so afraid of me."
Sighing, Angie lowered her lids. “Let's just say some things are better left unsaid."
Jared kissed her on the forehead. “I will never hurt you, Angelina. Never."
She riveted her gaze to his. “Please, let me up now."
Immediately, he released her. “Angie, why don't you believe me?” he asked, as she stood up.
"I'm going back to work."
Jared sighed deeply. “It's already eight PM. Why don't you stop for the day?"
Angie studied him for a long moment, wondering just which side of this man was the true one. Then, deciding that she couldn't decide, she headed back to the ballroom for her belongings.
* * * *
Chapter 15
Angie's hands shook as she picked up her scattered files and shoved them into her briefcase. Maybe Jared was right. A hot bath followed by bed sounded much more appealing than work.
Leaving the ballroom she went into the library to look for a book, but was distracted by flashbacks of the scene that had so recently played out between them...
The moment in the ballroom doorway could have been straight from my dream, she thought, staring at the book titles without really taking them in. But the setting was different and I didn't run.
That's when it hit her. She leaned against the bookcase, and closed her eyes. Oh no. What happened tonight wasn't my dream coming true. It couldn't be.
Angie's shoulders sagged. She'd felt her nightmare was over at last but now she realized it hadn't even begun.
What an idiot I am!
She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. She knew from experience that her observer dreams always came true, exactly as she'd dreamt them. She'd been in such a blind panic, and had felt so desperately relieved when she realized that Jared intended her no harm, that she hadn't paid any attention at all to the details of the situation.
Damn!
Grabbing a book at random from the shelves, she rushed to the staircase. Halfway up, she paused to glance down into the living room. Jared was still sitting on the couch, his head in his hands, and didn't even look her way. He was probably suspicious of her now. It shouldn't matter, but guilt rushed through her all the same.
Because I'm a liar, too.
No, you're not, her inner-self protested. You have to protect yourself. Jared doesn't need to know that he's in your observer dream.
Still troubled, she continued on to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. The hinge squeaked. I better get some oil on that later, she mused, as she turned on the bath taps.
While the tub filled, she went to her bedroom and gathered her toiletries and clothes.
"This is absurd. I shouldn't feel guilty,” she muttered, heading back with laden arms. “He's the one in the wrong, not me."
She sighed as she poured lavender scented bubble bath into the running water, enjoying the scent even as her mind still turned over the evening's events. When she placed several jasmine scented candles around the room and lit them, the glow began to work it's magic, and she slid out of her clothes, then kicked them under the pedestal sink. Knotting her hair in a scrunchie, she lowered herself inch by inch into the steaming water.
Already, a thick froth of bubbles bobbled and danced on top. Angie took her time, letting her skin adjust to the wonderful heat before plunging deeper down. When at last the water completely closed over her up to her neck, she stuck one foot out and turned off the tap.
Oh yeah ... perfection. She sank back dreamily into the soothing warmth.
A little while later, she reached for the book she'd placed near the tub, and opened it.
Pictures of chickens? She turned the spine toward her, and read the title. Chicken Farming Made Easy.
Rolling her eyes, Angie tossed the book back onto the floor and slipped deeper under the foam. I'll just think about the beach on a hot afternoon, she mused, imagining the cry of the seagulls.
It reminded her of that squeaky hinge.
* * * *
Jared, thinking Angie was in her bedroom, entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
When he turned to reach for the light switch, what met his eyes were shadows, steam, and candlelight glimmering on Angie lying in the tub...
Taken completely by surprise, he sat down on the toilet seat, realized the solid lid was up, and stood slightly to lower it before sitting again.
She was completely immersed in bubbles, her eyes closed, and as he watched, she raised one slender leg through the water, pointing her manicured toes toward the ceiling, so that bubbles ran like liquid silk back down to her thigh.
She was so beautiful. Tempting. I love her.
Whoa, boy. Get that thought right out of your head.
"Angelina,” he whispered, his voice husky.
Angie jumped, then sunk lower under
the water. “What are you doing in here?” she cried. “How did you get in?"
"The door was unlocked. I didn't know you were bathing."
"You should have knocked.” She started swirling bubbles around to cover her body.
But her movements thinned them out, instead.
Heat rushed through Jared as he watched more and more of her smooth rosy skin becoming visible under the water. He could see almost all of her breasts, and even the promise of her slender midriff ... He felt himself stiffen with desire. Thank God I'm sitting.
"Got a camera?"
The words were challenging, but her voice was low and gentle, and it spread through him, flaming the heat into a raging fire. “What?"
"A camera,” she said softly, but now he could hear nervousness in her voice. “If you take a picture, it'll last longer.” A slow smile spread across her face as she looked at him. “Is there something you want, Jared?"
Is she coming on to me?
"Ah, Angie, look,” he said, still standing indecisively in the doorway. “We have to talk."
"Now?" she said, with a little laugh. “Isn't it obvious that I'm busy soaking?"
"I can see what you're doing.” God help him but he wanted to see more. “Look, Angie, I don't know why I frighten you so much but your reactions are bothering me. Will you please tell me what I've done?” Cornered in the tub, maybe she would answer. He doubted if she would storm out of the room dripping bubbles. Then again, this was Angie. I wouldn't put anything past her.
She released a long sigh. “Can't it wait, Jared?"
"I've waited a long time already."
She looked up into his serious face. “Well, okay, if it's bothering you that much.” She sighed. Shook her head. “It's not you, Jared, it's me. You haven't done anything.” Yet.
"Are you sure? If I've made you afraid of me somehow—I want to put it right if you'll give me a chance.” He paused for a moment. “Angie. There's something else going on between us, too, you know it as much as I do."
Angie blew a bobble of bubbles off her nose.
The silence pounded in Jared's ears as he waited for her to answer.
"There's nothing to put right and there's nothing between us, Jared,” she said at last. “I don't know what you're talking about.” She raised one languid leg above the water again.
"Yes, you do. You're just lying to yourself.” He made himself look away as the delicate foot and glorious, golden calf dipped down toward the bubbles. “Can you please stop doing that?"
She looked at him innocently. “Doing what?"
"The leg thing."
"What? This?” she said, raising her eyebrows and the offending limb at the same time. Payback time! You shouldn't have come in while I'm bathing. “Does it bother you? If it's a problem for you, why don't you leave me alone so I can enjoy my bath?"
"It doesn't bother me,” he said, his voice thick. “It excites me."
The water splashed when her leg hit it. “Oh."
"You excite me.” Kneeling by the tub, Jared ran his knuckles along the line of her jaw.
"Don't,” she breathed harshly.
When she didn't pull away, Jared forged ahead. “Why not? It's the truth. You really don't know how you affect a man do you?"
Her eyes, widening in surprise, answered him.
Inching his fingers down the front of her neck, to her collarbone, he watched her eyelids flutter. As she inhaled deeply, the swell of her full breasts rose to the top of the water. Jared's sigh was almost a moan as he slowly moved his hand toward the objects of his desire.
Her hand caught his. “It's time you left me to my bath, Mr. Maxwell,” she said on a breath, stilling him with a look. “Now.” She gently pushed his hand away.
"Maybe I'll get in with you,” he offered.
She laughed. “Nope. Bye-bye.” She flipped froth and water at him until he moved to the door.
"Okay, I'm going,” he said, shoving a hand into one pocket to disguise his state of arousal. “But that doesn't change the fact that you excite me. And I excite you."
When the door shut Angie sat up, turned on the cold water and stuck her head underneath the faucet.
* * * *
Long after Angie had gone to bed, Jared wandered around the yard, gazing at the stars. He'd hoped the coolness of the night would calm him, but the air was muggy, and hot.
It was bad enough that he'd been unable to sleep. After Angie finished in the tub, he'd showered, but the lingering scent of lavender and jasmine only made him think of her more.
He never thought a woman could capture his heart this way. His body yearned for her, to feel her softness underneath him. He had wanted to lift her out of that tub and make love to her right there on the bathroom floor. Now he was paying dearly for keeping his cool and respecting her. I wouldn't have it any other way. The thought came unexpectedly, but he knew it was true.
A shooting star caught his eye, flashing across the night sky. Instinctively, he wished that Angie would fall in love with him and they'd be married, then went back inside the house and climbed into bed.
Two hours later, he was still tossing and turning when a terrified scream pierced the silence.
"Run! Run!"
Racing down the hall, Jared twisted the handle of Angie's bedroom door. Locked. He tore back to his own room, grabbed the master key he kept there, raced down the hall again, thrust the key in the lock, and himself into her room.
She was asleep.
In the moonlight from the naked window, he could see sweat glistening on her forehead and arms. Strands of her dark hair stuck to her cheeks as she thrashed around in the throes of what could only be a nightmare.
"Run! Run!” she screamed again.
What should I do? If I wake her, I'll surely frighten her. Would it be worse than the nightmare?
He lowered himself carefully onto the edge of her bed. “Angie?"
Her breathing came harder, faster, and the sheet was twisting tight around her throat as she tossed about.
"Angie!” Jared said louder. I've got to wake her. She's going to hurt herself like this.
Her body jerked violently as she clawed at the sheet, at the air. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she still wasn't awake.
Jared couldn't take it any more. Pulling the sheet from her neck, he caught her arms as they flailed about. He held them still.
"Angie!” he growled.
Her eyelids flew open, instantly a bloodcurdling scream shrieked through the night.
And scared him half to death.
"Angie, it's a nightmare! You're having a nightmare!” he yelled over her screams.
She fought like a wildcat trapped in a corner, hitting him in the chest, pushing him away, hysterically sobbing then screaming for him to let her go.
Releasing her arms he tried to soothe her with words. “Baby, calm down, please, calm down. I'm here now. You're okay."
With all her strength she shoved him away from her, jumped out of the bed and ran to the furthest corner of the room. “Get away from me! Don't hurt me!"
"I'm not going to hurt you, Angie."
Her eyes were wild with fear. He dared not touch her again. “Angie, you have to calm down. It's just me—Jared."
"I know who you are,” she cried. “And I know what you're going to do to me.” Her voice rose into another scream. “Get the hell out of my room!"
"I'm not going to do anything to you, Angie. Truly I'm not.” How could he get her to believe him? “I heard you screaming, I thought something was wrong so I unlocked your door. Angie, you just had one heck of a nightmare."
"Get out!” was all she answered, her voice now low and level.
"Angie, don't you know I'd never hurt you?” he said desperately.
"Get out!"
"Fine. I'm out. I just wanted to help you,” he said coldly, striding from the room and shutting the door behind him with a bang.
Angie ran and turned the lock. She could hear Jared's footsteps pounding ang
rily down the hall, then the slam of his own door echoing through the house.
She leaned against the wall, shaking. Her ragged breathing filled the otherwise silent room.
Oh, God. Waking from her nightmare to find Jared there in the flesh, gripping her arms, had been so terrifying.
She stumbled over to the bed and sat down. Only then did she realize that her thin nightgown was soaking wet, and sticking to her skin like plastic wrap. Immediately she went to the mirror.
Not only does Jared know about my dream now, but I gave him a peepshow too.
She ripped the gown over her head, flung it across the room. I knew that nightmare would come back. I just knew it!
She thought again of Jared, realized she'd seen real torment in his eyes before he'd stormed out of her room. Did he deserve the kind of treatment she'd just given him? It was her nightmare, her problem. He said he'd only tried to help. Maybe he meant it.
She took a T-shirt out of one of her dresser drawers, and pulled it over her head.
What am I going to do now? She knew very well what she should do, but didn't feel up to doing it. Still...
I really have no choice, she thought.
She climbed hastily into a pair of shorts, and set off resolutely down the hall to Jared's room.
Before she could lose her nerve, she rapped twice on his door.
No answer.
"Jared, please let me in."
Silence.
Angie twisted the handle, and pushed the door open.
Jared was standing in front of the open window, his back to her. At the click of the latch, he turned to face her, his eyebrows raised.
"Jared, I owe you an explanation."
Now only one eyebrow stayed lifted as he looked at her, still saying nothing.
Angie took a deep breath. “I have had the same nightmare every night for the past seven months, except for the last two weeks. I thought it had stopped, but tonight it came back worse than ever."
This was so hard to admit, especially to him.
Her feet planted firmly to the floor, knees locked for support, she continued, “A man chases me. I know that if he catches me, he'll hurt me, maybe even kill me. The dream stops when he grabs my arms."
"When I woke up, you were holding my arms, exactly like the man in the dream.... I'm sorry, Jared. I had no right to yell at you the way I did. I transferred my fear from the dream to you. I ... I know you were just trying to help.” I think.