Page 51 of Stone
Chapter 27
Dream
She dreamed that at some point during the night,Garenthcame into the living room and stood there for a long time watching her sleep. He never made an overt move toward her, but seemed content to just observe her. After a while he finally went back into the bedroom, pulling the door to rather than leave it open as she’d done earlier.
Brielle opened her eyes to see the moon brightly shining through the window that faced the street. That one window was the main reason why she’d begged to move into this apartment after the last owner vacated it. The apartment she’d had previously was smaller, but not by much. However, the only window in the entire unit was in the bedroom, opening onto the fire escape. Although the rent on this apartmentwas slightly higher, it had a few more square feet, plus it had two windows. The second one was in the living area and overlooked the street where the apartment building was located. Just for her mental health’s sake, she’d needed this window.
She had the sofa positioned in the living room to where she could sit or lie on it and just stare out at the weather. There had been manydays when she’d watch it rain or snow. Sometimes it would be so cold outside that ice crystals formed on the panes. Those were her favorite moments.
Tonight the skies were clear. The moon was an orb of nearly pure white. Its light bathed the living room in a beautifully bright light.
She sat up. Something had awakened her, although she was unsure what. She wasn’t thirsty,and she didn’t need to use the toilet. It couldn’t be because of her phone. It was set to night mode so alerts wouldn’t disturb her.
She ran her hands through her hair and got to her feet. She no longer felt exhausted.I might as well check onGarenthto see how he’s doing.
She turned to go into the bedroom when a chill went through her, and she stopped. The bedroomdoor was pulled to. Not closed, but neither was it open the way she’d left it. She then realized she hadn’t dreamed of him coming to watch her sleep. He had been there, but he hadn’t done or said anything to awaken her.
Curious, she entered the bedroom to find him no longer slouched against the headboard. He was lying on his side, his face and chest in shadow as the moonlight streamedbehind him. She remained in the doorway and tried to hear him breathing when something twinkled where the pillows were propped.
He was awake. How long he’d been lying there, resting but not asleep, she couldn’t tell. But she knew now that once he’d left the living room and returned to the bedroom, he hadn’t laid down to rest.
He was waiting for her. She didn’t know how she knew, but shewas certain that was why he was still awake.
She was at an impasse. Should she go up to him and see if there was anything bothering him? Or anything he needed? Or would it be better to return to the sofa?
Wait. I couldn’t ask him anything anyway. Not without the phone.
She turned to retrieve the cell, her mind made up, when a deep voice whispered in the semi-darkness.
“Brielle.”
It wassoft. Beckoning. In that one word she thought she heard an undercurrent of loneliness, and it drew her toward the bed.
“Garenth?”
He arose from the mattress, his movements almost liquid. His naked body was a pale ghost as he made no sound. One moment he was lying under the covers, and the next he was standing beside her.
She peered up into his dark eyes that were locked on hers. His handsremained by his side. He was as still and silent as the stone artifact he’d once been. Only his breathing betrayed him, his breaths coming faster as the seconds ticked by.
He was waiting for her, and he would continue waiting. He would not do anything unless she initiated it. Unless she showed she was willing to accept it.
After today, she knew they may never have thischance again. There was tonight, and she’d be damned if she’d let it slip through her fingers.
She stepped toward him and lifted her arms. Taking his face between her hands, she drew his head down for another one of those mind-numbing kisses, barely aware of the fact that his arms were encircling her. He pulled her tightly against him as his mouth lowered onto hers.
She could barely breathe, much less think as his kiss engulfed her senses. He may no longer be covered in stone, but his body was rock hard. Evidence of his growing passion nudged her abdomen, and her body went rigid from the sudden heat that infused her. She gasped and jerked away from his mouth to stare up at his amused gaze.
His arms moved, lifting her oversized t-shirt over herhead. The chill in the room made her shiver as he dropped it to the floor and wrapped his arms around her again. Or so she thought. Instead, he lifted her into the air and swiveled around to lay her on the bed that was still warm. As he climbed back under the covers, she hastily removed her panties, tossing them behind her.
He approached her like an on-coming storm, his body engulfinghers as it blotted out the moonlight behind him. Dipping his head to the curve of her neck, he kissed the juncture, running his tongue erotically over her skin as his hands roamed over her breasts and ribs.
Enthralled by his hairlessness, Brielle let her fingers trace the muscles in his smooth chest until she found his nipples. They were small yet noticeably taut, and she lightlypinched them.Garenthgasped in reaction, then chuckled. He said something she didn’t understand, but it didn’t matter. She got the gist of it when he slid a hand between her thighs.
He found her clit, rubbing it provocatively and making her squirm. What she didn’t anticipate was when he slid a finger inside her as he continued to attack that tiny bundle of nerves. The heat rampedup, and she arched her body in response. She was being overwhelmed by his presence and his strength, and she didn’t care. There was no hesitation in her as she surrendered herself to him.
His lovemaking was intense, yet curious. Every now and then he would stop whatever he was doing, as if to judge her reactions. At those times she would smile and caress him, silently letting himknow she was open to whatever he wanted to do. Reassured,Garenthproceeded to explore every inch of her.
Flipping her onto her stomach, he spread her legs, insinuating his erection between her thighs as he worked his way down her back. Cupping his hands around her breasts, he gradually moved downward, kissing the length of her spine until he reached her buttocks. Spreading her cheeks,he hoisted her hips slightly and pressed his fingers inside her again. She started to squirm, when he lifted her thighs once more, and this time slowly slid his hard length within her.
