Dreams of Reality

by Sylvia Hubbard

  “How’s your arm?” she asked, noting he was still sporting a sling for his arm, but no bandages.

  The bullet had shattered his shoulder, but with a lot of pins and steel the doctor’s replaced the entire joint making it almost new.

  “Great, matter of fact, I’ll be back to work by the end of the year,” he said very proudly, and then decided to get down to business.

  “Well, I have good news for you.”

  She stood up. “Should I sit down for this?”

  “No, you’re fine.” He handed her an envelope from his inside jacket pocket. On the front was her name typed neatly. It was addressed from a law practice downtown.

  Upon opening the envelope, she gasped. “What is this?” she asked, looking at the check for five hundred thousand dollars and some change.

  “It’s a bonus you could say. Remember that lawyer friend of mine, who paid you a visit to help you cover your medical costs from what the medical center did to you?”

  She nodded apprehensively.

  “Well, he took it upon himself to fight the cases of all the women who were affected by these doctors and sued their estate. You’d already granted him permission to use your testimonies and name in his litigation with the doctor’s lawyers, so he proceeded to win every case for you. After taking out his cut, this was what was left for all the women divided up, from all three doctor’s estates.”

  She sat down in her desk chair staring at all the zeros on the check. It was amazing and she couldn’t believe it. “What about Dr. Carter?”

  “His trial is coming up, for attempted murder, and GHB possession. He should get life or at least no parole for about fifteen years. The state plans to be hard to people involved in any GHB handling charges to send a message to all the ones that got away or dealing it. Either way, he’s destitute.”

  “It’s all mine?”

  “Yes, but the lawyer said if you didn’t mind he took the liberty of putting aside the money already that you owe the IRS and at tax time he would deposit this amount into your account. He’s also set up the services of a very impressive profiled investment clerk, who is also an accountant who could rightly set you up for a very nice life. His card is in the envelope and he said if you felt comfortable enough to give him a call, he’ll be waiting”

  She was so shocked. Looking up at him through tear stung eyes, she tried to smile in appreciation. But was so flabbergasted, smiling seemed complex. “Thank you so much.” Standing up, she hugged him tightly.

  He flushed from her appreciation through his somewhat dark brown sugared sugared. “It’s no problem. Unfortunately, it’s not me who you should thank.”

  Just looking up into his eyes, she knew whom Craig wanted to say, but she had made him promise not to say that man’s name in her presence if he wanted to speak with her. Thaddeus had tried to use Craig to get to her, but Craig didn’t want to jeopardize the friendship he had grown to like with Skye and respected her wishes.

  She moved away from him turning her back on him. “If I was a hateful person I would give it all back.”

  “Why? It’s yours. It rightfully belongs to you. Thaddeus just got better and faster results because of his influence in certain places. He made sure all the other women and their families were paid off. You were a valuable key to all of this, and without you those women would have nothing.”

  She faced him. “Do I have to thank him personally then, or will you do it for me?”

  “I could do it for you,” he said reluctantly, “but I’d much rather you do it.”

  Skye knew she was acting silly. Good Lord, he was just a man and people had sex everyday. It should not bother her so much that she had experienced a good time, but it was. Maybe because she had never expected to enjoy sex after her awful memories of it when she was younger. “Would he like me to thank him personally?”

  Craig smiled a beautiful cajoling smile meaning, ‘yes.’

  “Fine, I’ll do it.”

  “Tonight at his place?”

  It felt too soon, but she decided to go ahead and do it. “I will meet him at Fishbone’s downtown restaurant. I think meeting Mr. Newman at an intimate place such as his apartment would not be appropriate and you can tell him I said so.”

  Craig nodded in agreement. “Don’t let him get the upper hand, Skye.”

  “You bet your broken arm I won’t,” she promised.

  * * *

  Dressed in a simple after five black dress of rayon that flowed down to her knees and some pleasant pumps. She walked into Fishbone’s restaurant feeling as if a million butterflies were in her stomach. She had swept her hair up in a tight ponytail tucked under with several ringlets to grace around the edges of her hairline to bring the softness out in her face. With a light layer of make up to just her lips and eyes, her natural beauty was very evident.

  The host greeted her at the door and she really wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Do you have reservations?” he asked.

  “N-No,” she said nervously noting that it was rather quiet and she didn’t see anyone around. This was strange for this very popular restaurant on a Thursday night. “I’m meeting a Mr. Newman.”

  “Ah!” he said excitedly. “Please come this way, he has been eagerly expecting you, Ms Patterson.” He led her through the restaurant, which was empty to a cubbyhole on a raised dais.

  Thaddeus was seated there in a nice gray Louis Vitton suit. When they approached he stood and flashed a heart-dropping smile that could melt ice.

  Lowering her eyes, she decided not to show her emotions just about yet. The attendant left them alone after taking her coat and getting her order for a nice white wine.

  After seating her, Thaddeus sat across from her feeling a bit hesitant as well, but she could hardly notice because she was too involved with her own emotions.

  ‘Just thank him and forget how gorgeous he looks,’ she told herself, forcing herself not to enjoying just the wonderful smell of him and how it brought back all those sensual feelings inside of her.

  “You look beautiful,” he complimented her.

  “Thank you, but I didn’t come here to get smoke blown up my butt, Mr. Newman. I would like to get to the issues at hand.” She paused as a waiter delivered their drinks.

  Thaddeus had ordered a club soda too uptight to drink any alcohol. He took the liberty of ordering food for her, she didn’t mind and once the waiter was gone, she continued to speak.

  Calming herself down, knowing that she had sounded bitter and angry, she spoke in a cool voice. “I’m upset with you. Not because we made love. Remembering it all. I could sense you were very attracted to me and that there was a lot of emotions and resistance to making love to me, but I can understand the lust you felt.” That was because she had felt it also, but she wasn’t going to admit that to him now.

  “I am still very attracted to you, Skye, much more. I want-”

  She cut him off. “Please let me finish, Mr. Newman.”

  Thaddeus nodded in acquiesce, but he was worried about what decision she had come to. Her mind seemed set and determined and he didn’t know if he could find the words to make her want to see him again. Damn! He could even accept being friends with her, just to be close to her. He had missed her more than she could ever know and more than he could ever put into words to make her understand.

  “I’m upset with you because when you knew, you could have come and let me know, you didn’t and it caused a lot of mental stress upon me before and after the incident. You deceived me. You could have stopped at any moment even after I arrived that night and gave me the sleeping serum.” While she waited for trial, Dr. Johnson told her about the serum. “You didn’t and there is no way to take back the nights, and there is no way to apologize for what could have been a horrible experience for me.”

  Thaddeus had known this and the guilt showed in his eyes as to how sorry he was that she just wanted to reach over and kiss him to let him know everything was okay, but she wanted to also let him st
ew about it too, because the attention he poured upon her for his actions were just the sweetest.

  When he was sure she was done, so he could speak, Thaddeus chose his words carefully and allowed to breath himself to calmness before speaking. “I can never apologize enough for what I did. Just knowing I would get a chance to have you made me push all common sense away. I wanted you and when the opportunity came, I took it. I wanted you more than life itself and I still want you, Skye.” He gently took her stiff hands in his. “I’ve cursed, bullied and argued with myself over these last months, over what I did to you, Skye, and I know there is no way in the world you could possibly forgive me, but I’ve come to realize a thing or two about myself and us.”

  She raised a brow waiting for him to continued as he paused to get a drink to wet his throat.

  “I would do anything in this world to have you close to me. Not just your body, but also your mind, your soul... your heart. You’ve come to mean a great deal to me than just a case I worked on with Craig and more than just a friend. You’ve come to mean a world only you and I could share that would make us happy. Even though you weren’t willing you were doing what your conscious wanted to do in that situation. You told me. You wanted me, just as much as I wanted you and I know you cannot deny it, but I hope with everything that has happened, I haven’t ruined it all for you and I.” He leaned in close to her. “Have I?”

  Her eyes lowered to their joined hands and then hesitantly raise slowly to meet his. “No, you haven’t,” she admitted honestly. “I can’t stop thinking about you and... I do want you in my life.”

  Thaddeus smiled almost victoriously, but masked his emotions, knowing he should not show his triumph yet. “I want you in my life as well, Skye. More than ever, I’ve come to realize I don’t want to spend another day without you.”

  She lowered her head to hide the joy that was appearing. His hand softly caressed her cheek and then gently nudged up her chin, until she was looking into his eyes.

  In a very deep passionate silky voice, he almost whispered, “I’ve waited so long to see you show me some joy. Let me show you more for the rest of your life, Skye. Let me be that man you walk down the aisle with.”

  She couldn’t help herself. Releasing his hands, she cupped his face and kissed him. His response was immediate and lingered until they knew what they wanted right then.

  He could see the heat in her eyes and suggested with a lot of caution, “We could go to a room at the Athenaeum behind the restaurant that I have for my out of town guest and have the food delivered.”

  Skye frowned, worrying Thaddeus a bit. “Are you always so prepared?”

  “When dealing with you, yes.”

  “You know I just came to thank you for the wonderful check I received today.”

  “Are you thanking me now, or did you want to thank me in the room?”

  She smiled wickedly. “Why don’t I thank you at breakfast?”

  Thaddeus smiled in understanding. It would be a wonderful night for the both of them sharing a love beyond compare.

  Chapter 21

  Skye felt herself come awake, but she didn’t want to open her eyes. She didn’t want to wake up in her bed all alone like the last time after having a beautiful night of love. Yet the most astounding stimulation encompassed her body from head to toe.

  The powerful fervencies were coming from her groin and they were getting stronger until she allowed herself to explode releasing a sexually gratified whimper never opening her eyes the entire time.

  “I know you’re awake,” Thaddeus said anxiously.

  She gasped feeling his hot mouth on her breast, coaxing the dark tip to hardness, and then she purred in pleasure loving the sensations overwhelming her body.

  “You don’t have to open your eyes,” he whispered, moving on top of her.

  She could feel his stiffness finding her moistness and entered her to the hilt. His groan joined hers as satisfaction covered his body as well to feel her so responsive to his ministrations.

  “I know what you think.” The tip of his tongue traced erotically around the edge of her passion filled lips from one corner to the next at the top, then did the same at the bottom.

  “Do you?” she asked, still keeping her eyes closed.

  “Yes, you think this is a dream still and if you open your eyes I will go away, but it’s not going to happen, because I know I’m not dreaming. I’ll prove it to you.”

  “How? Are you going to pinch me?” She giggled breathlessly, but he moved in a circular motion and her laughter immediately turned to moans of pleasure.

  He stopped before he got carried away, wanting too much to enjoy the powerful emotions, which made his body screamed for more.

  “I’m going to make love to you until you open your eyes and convince you it’s not a dream anymore.”

  “I’m pretty stubborn,” she teased. For that she received another circular motion from him that sent more wonderful sensations through her, making her gasp and cling to him for more.

  In her ear he whispered, “If it takes all day, I’m game.”

  That sent warm chills down her spine. They made love until nightfall enjoying every moment of it.

  * * *

  When she awoke again, she felt a slight soreness in her throat. Skye knew this was from screaming mercy to let him know she was truly convinced a man who could make love all day could be no dream.

  The room was filled with lit candles and there was a note attached to a rose on the pillow beside her.

  DON’T LEAVE! HAD TO RUN AN ERRAND BACK TO MY PLACE. WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH SOME THING FOR YOU TO WEAR. TN

  She like when he signed his initials. Putting the letter down, she got up and refreshed herself in the bathroom. Starving, she ordered dinner for the both of them with white champagne. While she waited, she called Sheila and then checked her answering machine using the phone beside the bed wrapped up in a beautiful white hotel terry-cloth robe.

  The computer on her voicemail spoke in a monotonous tone, “You have one new message.” It was from today’s date. A rather nervous deep voice came on next, which surprise her.

  “Hi Ms Patterson, I was... well, my name is Thomas Blair and I was informed you lived at this phone number…I’m in town looking for you because... well-ehh... because I believed you are my daughter... I would like to speak with you regarding this issue, please. I am staying at the Athenaeum Hotel in downtown Detroit, suite four-twenty-one. No matter the hour, please call or come by. I am very eager to meet you.”

  She hung up stunned again. This was just too much to adjust to in one day.

  “I brought a nightgown and robe for you to . . .” Thaddeus walked in at that moment, but his words trailed off as he noticed how spaced out she looked at that moment. “Are you okay?” he asked sitting next to her, putting the bag down with the clothes on the floor.

  She composed herself, yet her thoughts ran wild.

  He saw she seemed distracted by something. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t ask you something about now since your mind is a mile away.” He moved in front of her, kneeling while studying her face.

  “What?... No, I’m listening. What did you want?” She tired her best to give him her full attention.

  He reached in his breast pocket and pulled out a velvet ring box. Her heart began to beat erratically as he opened the box to reveal a two-carat heart shaped ring. “Would you marry me, Skye?”

  Tears welled up in her eyes and she put her hands up to cover her mouth.

  When she didn’t respond immediately he said, “I was thinking of going to Lake Tahoe for a weekend. My mother wouldn’t have time to attend and since you have no family, I didn’t think a large ceremony would be on your mind, but we can have one later on if you wish. A double ceremony can be arranged, but I just wanted you to be mine as soon as possible.”

  How many times had she dreamed of this? She asked herself. Lord, the man was phenomenal! “Yes,” she mumbled through her hands.

  “W
hat was that?” he asked, pulling her left hand down to uncover half of her face.

  “Yes,” she whimpered as he slipped the ring on her finger.

  He kissed her in appreciation. “I’ll make everyday a dream come true, Skye, I promise.” He kissed her again then once more - longer, stirring his manhood to response.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Should we get it?” she questioned warily.

  “No, we shouldn’t. Are you expecting company?” he asked annoyed someone was bothering them.

  “Just room service.”

  He sighed and allowed her to get up. “I’ll get it. Put the nightgown and robe on and then we’ll have dinner on the balcony. It’s a nice warm night.”

  Skye agreed as he headed for the front door, closing the bedroom door for her privacy.

  Opening the hotel room door, Thaddeus was surprised to see Thomas standing there. “Hi Thomas, what are you doing in town?”

  “I’ve been trying to call you for the last two months. I have good news.”

  “I’ve been pursuing a big project and hadn’t returned anyone’s calls. How did you know I was here?” he asked suspiciously.

  “I saw you in the lobby briefly, but couldn’t catch you before you rushed away and asked the desk clerk what room you were in. I told them to notify me when you returned. I didn’t know you stayed here or were you visiting someone? Did I interrupt you?”

  “I’ve been here for a couple of nights, but please come in. I’d like you to meet my fiancé.”

  Thomas stepped into the room. “So you’ve figured out who you want to be with?”

  “Well funny you should say that, because the Case and the woman were one in the same.” He laughed seeing the confused expression on the older man face. “I know you don’t understand, but I’ve got an earful for you. I’ll tell you everything much later. While we are waiting for her, what good news did you have to tell me?”