Home > Once She Dreamed Part Two (Once She Dreamed #2)(12)

Once She Dreamed Part Two (Once She Dreamed #2)(12)
Author: Abbi Glines

“Another glass?” he asked, standing up from the table.

I shook my head no. I was tipsy. Strike that, I was drunk. “No thank you. I’ve had my fill.”

He nodded and glanced at the time on his phone. “I need to be going. I’ll clean this up first.”

I quickly stood to help him. “You can go ahead and go. I’ve got this. Really I do.”

He paused and his eyes locked mine. “You’re not my fucking house cleaner sweetheart. This was my idea. My job.” His smile was the size of a planet. I began hyperventilating. I wasn’t going to argue with him. “At least let me help a touch. I need to contribute something.”

“You’ve contributed yourself. I enjoyed the day and the evening more than anything I’ve done in years. This has been peace for me.”

My cheeks flushed and I wanted to tell Mr. Ezra about his magical smile, how he made me feel, but I feared the wine was talking and my clothes may land on the floor. That didn’t seem like the end of the world. The idea was growing on me. I picked up my plate and an empty box then followed him inside the apartment.

“Hale will be home within the next thirty minutes. As much as I like your clothes I think you’d better change into that ridiculous shit he bought for you to wear.”

I’d wondered about that earlier. But hearing Ezra say it like he was protecting me made me more alert and wary. Was he afraid Hale would get angry and send me back to Moulton? Or was there more to his suggestion?

“Does Hale have a temper?” I asked.

He paused and held the garbage in his fist. With a sigh he turned back to me. “Hale is an intense man. He likes things to be in his favor. You work for the man so you follow his rules. Even if he has other plans, that eventually, do include you. Just be careful and” he extended his hand “give me your phone so I can put my number in it. That way if you need me for anything, and I mean anything at all, you call and I will answer.”

I gave him my phone and watched as he saved his number into it. Somehow, I felt safer. And I didn’t think that was wine.

“Have I made a mistake coming here?”

He didn’t respond at first. After a moment he shook his head. “No. You’ll be fine.”

I wanted to ask more questions while the wine was making me brave. But I didn’t, because they’d go unanswered.

“Thank you for your time,” I said.

Ezra put his plate in the dishwasher. Reached for mine and did the same. When he was finished he closed on my body. I thought he was going to make another comment but his hand slid into my hair and tilted my head to the side. I was so immersed in the look from his eyes that when his lips touched mine I was startled. The soft warmth of his mouth sent a jolt of electricity through everything that was inside me. I grabbed his arms and held on tight. He deepened the kiss as his tongue touched mine and I shivered from the pleasure of it all. The richness of the whisky on his breath fit his mouth like his shirt fit his body. It was exactly how I thought he would taste. Like something dark, but thoroughly exciting.

I was leaning into Ezra when he finally pulled back, his blue eyes sinking their depth. “I need to go. Better go now.” His voice was a husky whisper.

I started to say something but he turned and left, quietly exiting the apartment. Standing there alone I suddenly felt cold. I touched my lips and the warmth from his lingering kiss remained and I could still taste him. My heart was thumping rapidly in the center of my chest and I wanted to run after Ezra. That was silly and caused by the wine. As pointless as my attraction to the man. Then again, he’d shown me what I always desired, but was yet to experience in this life. I hoped Hale would be like him, but he wasn’t and that wouldn’t change.

And now he was out of my reach. Ezra would soon be gone. I didn’t know where or even why he was leaving and his job seemed to be a secret. All he could do was what we’d done today, which was fleeting and had become a memory.

The pleasure I’d experienced turned to an ache at the thought of not having it again. I’d been selfish with expectation. When it was gone it was just as quick, as having dreamt about perfection in the first place. For the very first time I understood longing. If that solitary kiss had made me feel alive then what more would happen when he loved me. If he could ever love me at all. Could ever want a girl like me. Sammy Jo Knox from Moulton. And I didn’t even know his last name.

There was a sound at the door and my head jerked around to see if Ezra was waiting. To say something more, or anything less, or just to stand and permit my staring. Hale then stepped inside and my hopes became pure anxiety. His gaze took in my clothing and the look of displeasure on his face was rude and obvious. “I didn’t buy you decent clothing for you to wear that stuff around. What if I’d had company? Is this how I’d want you to look?”

I was being scolded like a child.

“No,” I replied. “No it wouldn’t.”

“I don’t want to come home to find you dressed like this. Never again Samantha.”

Again he called me Samantha. A name that wasn’t mine. Just like the clothes I was wearing.

“Go change if you intend to stay awake and visit with me this evening.”

I turned and headed to my room. Not because I wanted to visit with Hale, but because I knew if I didn’t change soon his anger would linger until he would leave and then return when he came back. Soon I’d be alone and this phase would be finished, at the least for a couple of weeks. I could tolerate as much as Hale could deliver and I imagined that was a lot but a load I was willing to bear.

   
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