DREAM

by Mary Smith

  When we pull into the driveway of Butler Mansion, I wait for Leo to open the door for me and escort me into the house. It’s eerily quiet, and I don’t focus on anything, but heading to the media room.

  The second I’m in the plush movie recliners, I use the tablet remote to turn on Gone with the Wind. I sit and stare at the screen. Any other time it would make me feel close to Dad and even my mom, but today it’s making me cry. Scene after scene, more tears came. The tears should have dried up by the time Scarlett loses her first husband, but they keep coming.

  I cover my face with my good hand and close my eyes tightly. I pray these emotions stop soon, because as I told Leo, I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m hanging on like a broken limb of a tall tree that cracks a little more each day, and if it breaks I won’t survive the fall. I smell the Miller Harris before I feel him lifting me up. I bury my face in his neck, and he carries me to the elevator.

  Gable says nothing to me as he continues to carry me to our bedroom. He kicks the door shut and lays me on the bed. Finally, I open my eyes and his blue, lustful glaze greets them. Not a word is spoken between us, as he brushes his lips against mine. With my good hand, I grip the nape of his neck and pull him closer to me. I’m trying to be careful of his split lip, but Gable is the one who opens his mouth wider sweeps his tongue into my mouth.

  He begins to shove my skirt up and it dawns on me I haven’t even taken off my boots. He continues to kiss me as the material pools around my hips. Gable lifts his hips and I hear the sound of his zipper opening and he pulls my thong out of my way.

  I gasp as he pushes himself into me. I open my eyes and he’s studying me, as I am him. The lust and love are gone from his eyes, and I’m scared to think what’s going on his head. He rocks his hips faster, but makes no sound. His jaw is shut tight and I feel the tear escape the corner of my eye.

  This isn’t my Gable.

  This isn’t my husband.

  This isn’t the man I love.

  He thrusts harder into me and it hurts as my body tries to accommodate him. I try to move but he holds me firmly in place and moves faster. I know that he’s close, but I’m nowhere near it. He grunts his release inside of me and I close my eyes and turn my head.

  I can’t look at him.

  He kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, “Call the divorce lawyer.”

  I wince as he pulls out, but I keep my eyes close. When he leaves the room, I knew that I had lost him.

  Chapter 24

  I stand and I adjust my skirt. The tears are officially gone, along with the pain from the sex—if you call it that—from Gable. His whisper still burns against my skin and it fuels my anger.

  How dare he?

  I jump up from the bed and go to his office. I’m not sure if he’s there, but I’m going to find him and he isn’t going to like me when I’m done kicking his ass, even with my one good hand. When I step into the room, he’s leaning back on his desk and Joy is on the couch typing on the laptop. She looks up, and before I can say anything, she rushes out of the room.

  I slam the door shut. “What the fuck was that?”

  “I’m giving you what you want.” He’s voice is emotionless and cold.

  “How dare you treat me like some slut you picked up on the corner. I’m your wife.”

  He glares at me.

  “Knock it the fuck off, Gable, and fuck you for treating me like some whore.”

  “Ease up on the cussing, Dream.”

  “Don’t.” I point my finger in his face in warning. “I only want to hear an apology from you.”

  “You want a divorce. Call the lawyer.”

  I growl in frustration. “I don’t want a divorce. I want my husband.” I yell at him. “Why can’t you understand that, Gable?”

  He crosses his arms, not answering me.

  “All I want is for you to hold me and tell me it’s going to be okay. You’re constantly coming in on your white horse with your shiny armor to save me, and now that I really need you, you fucking treat me like this. How could you Gable? How could you?”

  He looks away from me, but I keep yelling at him.

  “The only thing I could think about when Jacob was ripping my clothes off, touching me, and on the verge of raping me was you.” Gable closes his eyes as if I’m causing him pain. “When I woke up after he hit me, all I wanted to know was where you were and if you were okay. I heard you screaming for me, and how hard you fought to get to me. You did that because you love me, but what you just did to me wasn’t love?

  “Yes, I told Leo I was going to contact a divorce lawyer and leave. I said it because you won’t even look at me. You’re carrying so much weight on your shoulders, but you won’t let me in. Apparently, I have become too much for you to bear. What happened to us communicating with each other? We’re supposed to trust each other, what about that? I want my husband back. I want my Gable I fell in love with.”

  He keeps his face away from me and I won’t lose him. I can’t lose him. I thought I had in the bedroom, but seeing the pain and hurt written all over him shows me that he loves me.

  “Talk to me Gable. Please,” I beg. “Please.” I watch his Adam’s apple moving up and down and I know he’s trying not to show emotion. “Gable, I’m here for you and only you. I’m the one person you can confide in that will never pass judgment. I love you more than anything.” I keep my voice low and calmer than it had been a moment ago.

  With his eyes still shut, he shakes his head. My heart breaks as he battles with himself.

  “Dream.” His voice cracks. “I failed.”

  “At what?”

  “Gideon. You. Mama. Hell, even Jacob.” When he opens his eyes, the frosty glare is gone and all I can see is hurt.

  “Gable, you didn’t fail at anything.”

  “I didn’t save my little brother. I didn’t save you from being hurt. Look at Mama. She’s lost her son and that’s because of me. I tried for years to help Jacob get out of that line of business, and look where I put him.” The first tear rolls down his cheek. “I don’t know how to fix this,” he whispers.

  “You can’t honestly believe all of this is your fault? Gable, Gideon and Jacob are grown men and they made their choices. I was hurt because of them, not you. I know it’s hard for Mama, but she’s a smart woman. She knows what Gideon did is illegal and he needs to pay for it.” I softly wipe the tear from his cheek. “It’s not your fault.”

  “Why do I feel like it is? My brother is sitting in jail.”

  “Because he chose sides; he chose Jacob He could have backed out at any time. No one forced him to do it.”

  Gable cups my face. “I’m sorry. I should have never treated you that way. I deserve your anger.”

  “I am angry and hurt. Don’t you ever do it again, because I will leave you.” I tell him without a hint of hesitation. “I’m your wife. We’re a team. End of story.”

  “I want you to remain my wife and stay on my team.” He softly kisses my lips.

  “I’m not leaving Gable. I miss you. The last two days all I’ve wanted was for you to hold me. Do you know how scared I’ve been?”

  He lays his forehead on mine. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he says repeatedly. “I don’t want to lose you. You’re the one thing that keeps me sane.”

  “Stop, Gable. Here I am, right in front of you. I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  He wraps his arms around me, and I feel safe again. This is where I want to be: in his arms. We hold each other, letting our love for each other surround us. Gable relaxes against me and I accommodate his weight. His tears on my neck tug at my heart. He’s blaming himself for everything and there’s no reason for it.

  “Dream. Gable.”

  I let go of Gable and see Mama sitting there. He harshly wipes the tears away and turns away from her.

  “Oh, son.” Mama walks around me to him. I step out of the way, because I know the hug from a parent can heal all. Gable is trying to compose hims
elf, but he’s failing at it. “It’s okay. Don’t carry this burden.” She soothes.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers with his voice cracking.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, Gable. Since the day your father died you have run yourself into the ground with worry to protect everyone, not only our family, but Dream, and hell the whole world. You can’t do it all.”

  “I tried—”

  “Stop it. I know you were there for Gideon as much as I had been. He made his bed and now he must lie in it. I told you today not to bail him out either. I would have told him the same thing had it been you behind those bars. You can’t put this all on you Gable. Do you understand me?” Mama’s tone is motherly but harsh. It’s exactly what he needs to hear right now. She holds him tightly and then pats my shoulder as she walks out of the room, leaving us alone again.

  I know he needs to be alone for a little while. I’m the same way. I quietly leave him to his thoughts and head to the kitchen. Mama, Misha, Mrs. Stones, and Joy are all at the breakfast bar having coffee. Misha stands and makes me a cup.

  “Is he okay?” Joy asks.

  “He needs to be alone for a little bit.” I take the cup from Misha.

  “He’s strong, but he takes on too much. I’ve told him for the last few years to ease up a bit, but he’s as hard-headed as his father ever was.” Mama sips her drink.

  “Gable’s worried about Gideon. I know it’s hard on him and you, too.” I lightly pat her hand.

  “It is. I never want to see my children in trouble with the law. I know Gable and Gideon aren’t perfect, but my husband and I did the best we could with them. When Gable got into trouble, we left him in the detention center. Of course, Gideon has done a lot worse this time, but he’s an adult. He knows the difference between right and wrong.” Mama stares ahead and doesn’t show any emotion on her face. She’s putting on a brave front.

  The four of us sit in the quiet listening to nothing but the sipping of our drinks, or the occasional spoon clanking against the side. We’re all in our own thoughts about everything that’s happened in the past week. I’m about to get up and tell Mrs. Stones that we need to work, when Gable walks in with a granite expression.

  “Aven and Gideon have made bail.”

  “What?” We all say at the same time.

  “I don’t know who posted it, but they will be out by the end of the day. I know Aven will be heading to the hospital. I’m sure she’s itching to unplug Jacob so she can have his estate.” Gable throws his phone on the counter and crosses his arms. “I want to keep everyone here until we know what’s going on between the two of them. I don’t think that they are smart enough to try to hurt us a second time, but I’m not in the mood to take those chances either.”

  “I’ll need to run home then.” Joy speaks up.

  “As will I,” Mrs. Stones adds in.

  Gables nods. “Bruce and Trent can take you both.” He picks up his phone, and in a few moments, the men appear for the ladies.

  “I think I’m going to rest before dinner.” Mama stands and hugs Gable before heading out of the room. Misha grabs a few cleaning supplies from the closet and heads toward the back of the house. Gable strolls over to me, and without saying a word, takes my good hand and leads me upstairs to our bedroom.

  The covers are slightly rumbled from the earlier excursion we had. I hate to think about that and the way he treated me. Gable shuts and locks the door and does the same with the bathroom. Still not saying anything, he comes over to me and begins to unbutton my white dress blouse and softly pushing it off my shoulder. He slowly walks around me and unzips my skirt and shifts it till it’s off. He bites the back of my right thigh, then my butt cheek, my waist, and all the way up to my neck. A shiver of lust runs through me with each ting of lovable pain.

  “Gable.” I breathe his name as nibbles on my earlobe.

  “I’m going to apologize to you with my tongue and then I’m going to love you with my body.”

  I moan in pleasure as he unhooks my bra and removes the thin thong. He guides me over to the bed and lays me down. As he kisses down my front, all I can think is how much I love him.

  I watch him remove his clothes, thinking this is my Gable. This is my husband.

  I don’t want him to stop as he pays special attention between my legs. The sucking, licking, small biting, and thrusting of his fingers send me into a lightning storm of satisfaction and sexual ecstasy.

  When he pushes into me, my body craves for his touch and love. I need this as much as he does. We both need to forget what happened earlier and everything else outside of these doors; we need to remember we’re a team and we’re here for each other. We find our release together, panting each other’s names as a thin sheet of sweat blankets us.

  When we finish, Gable draws a hot bath for us both and we sink into the hot water with each other, letting our bodies relax more. He gives me soft pecks around my face and shoulders. I bask in his touch and we say nothing. We let our lips and loving touches speak for us.

  The water begins to cool and Gable rises and steps from the tub. He helps me up and uses the large, soft white towel to dry me off then secures my fluffy robe tightly. After he slips into his boxer briefs, he comes back to me and kisses me.

  “Thank you.” He finally speaks.

  “For what?”

  “You always make me forget everything else, and I needed that right now.”

  “I love you, Gable. No matter what, I’ll be by your side.” I give him a chaste kiss. “And I accept your apology.”

  “Thank you.” He kisses me again.

  ~~~

  Our evening is perfect. We stay in the bedroom and eat dinner together. We actually talk a lot. He tells me a lot about his childhood with his parents and Gideon. He shares some of his escapades, when he graduated college, and how he and Jacob got started. It is the first time I have a true glimpse into Gable’s life and even though some of it has been rough and illegal, I love that he’s opened up to me.

  The morning light is what officially wakes me, and I realize Gable isn’t in bed with me. The clock reads eight in the morning and I’m sure he’s been in his office for a while. I decide I need to get my day started and head to the bathroom.

  When I’m fresh and clean, I’m ready to get my life back on track. I’m not going to worry that Gideon and Aven are still out there. I know Jacob isn’t a threat anymore, but I’m not going to hide. When I find Mrs. Stones in the kitchen, I inform her, even though we won’t be in the office, we do need to get things prepared and get back to work.

  I run off to find Gable and just as I had thought, he’s in his office. I smile at Joy and she smiles back as she leaves the room to give us privacy, and I wait for him to end his call. He’s listening intently to whoever is on the other line. I sit on the couch and watch him. Occasionally, his gaze flicks to me, but overall he’s staring at this computer screen.

  “Thanks,” he says at last and ends the call. “Jacob died during the night.” He looks over at me.

  I softly gasp. Gable had told me he was brain dead but hearing he is gone and no longer a threat leaves me surprised.

  “Aven turned off the machines.”

  “Are you okay?” I know they both have a long history together.

  “He assaulted and almost raped my wife. He beat the shit out of me and my two most loyal employees, and God knows what else he had planned. Trust me when I say, I’m fine.” He abruptly stands, almost knocking over his chair.

  “Gable.” I know he’s over thinking again and I softly chastise him.

  “I can’t find Gideon,” he confesses. “I’ve contacted everyone I can possibly think f and no one has seen or heard from him since he left jail. I thought maybe he would have been at the hospital with Aven, but he wasn’t. I even contacted Larissa to see if he tried to speak with her, but she hasn’t heard from him and she’s staying with her father since Gideon knew where she lived.”

  “She can handle herself. She�
�ll be fine.” I reassure him. “Don’t add her to your worry-list.”

  Gable gives me a tiny smirk. “I’m not. I only want to make sure that Gideon is okay. He’s still my brother.”

  “I know, and I know how much you care for him. He’s still your family, but Mama’s right when she said he made his choice.”

  Gable nods, but doesn’t say anything.

  “Mrs. Stones and I are going to work.”

  “You’re not leaving the house,” Gable growls at me.

  I roll my eyes. “Calm down. No one is leaving the house. We’re going to work in the dining room again. Relax, Gable.”

  He stares at me as I leave the room. He’s going to end up having a heart attack if he keeps up with this much worrying. When I walk into the dining room, Mrs. Stones has everything already set up for me and we begin.

  I put all my focus into work and making sure JE is running smoothly. Of course, it had been. After all the emails—I’m becoming a master of one hand typing—voice mails, and everything else Mrs. Stones throws at me, the whole day has past. We hadn’t even stopped working for lunch.

  When we complete the last file and go over the business plan, I tell her to rest and enjoy herself for the rest of the evening. I tend to forget she’s almost sixty, but I think she has more energy than I do at times. We gather everything up and she shuffles it all away as I head off to gain some clarity in the media room.

  This room seems to be the where I think the clearest and I’m not sure why. I understand why Gable needs all the white, but it becomes claustrophobic after a while.

  I snuggle deep into the recliner and turn on the tablet remote. I flip through the movies, but none of them seem to appeal to me. Instead, I turn on the music app and listen to the sounds of a soft violin flow from the surround sound speakers. I lie back, tucking my feet under me, and close my eyes. The soothing sounds make me feel relaxed and serene.

  I shut out my thoughts and everything that’s happening outside of Butler Mansion. I don’t need to think of Gideon or Aven still out there. I don’t need to feel bad that I don’t feel bad about Jacob’s death. I focus my attention on Gabel and our love for each other. Who would have ever thought I’d been in love with Gable Butler? Had someone told me that three months ago I would have laughed in their faces? Now look at us. Husband and wife.