Everything I Dreamed (Everhope Road #2)

5. Hailey

5

HAILEY

I ’m shaking.

Yet nobody would be able to tell because it’s inside of me.

The sound of the door gingerly closing behind me breaks my moment of soaking in the charming room, with a dresser, wood floor, and a big window with rain trickling down the glass from the sky, a dark early evening. It’s cozy and sophisticated. Tiny features of a century ago.

I spin on my feet and see Oliver standing there.

In this bedroom.

With one bed.

With me.

All day my resolve has broken off piece by piece. We haven’t ever had a day just he and I. I mean, sure, we would run into one another at Foxy Rox or when friends need group help. Then there was my brother’s engagement murder mystery last year where we ended up on a scavenger hunt together, and I swear he would have kissed me, but every corner when we found ourselves alone, someone would interrupt us.

Today is different. I feel it in my bones.

It sticks in my head that he bought me the wind chime to hold onto. I could say it’s sweet, but it feels more profound. He touched me and he has no idea. It was inside my constrained chest of emotion.

One day someone will be so damn lucky to have him.

He’s biting his inner cheek because he is trying to stop a smirk. Is it because he is amused by this turn of events?

I’m not complaining, except there are nerves swirling.

Oliver clears his throat and scratches his cheek, unsure of what to say. “I’ll take the floor.”

Instantly, I sputter out a laugh. “I think we are two mature adults who can handle sharing a bed.”

He steps forward, composed. “Okay, then I guess I’ll go shower while we wait for that snack plate.”

“Yeah. You deserve it. You’ve been driving all day. I’ll get ready for bed later.” A strong sound of thunder causes me to flinch from surprise, and it only heightens the thousands of floating dots inside of me.

He drops our bags in the corner of the room and begins to unzip one of the outside pockets of the bag. I just watch as he lifts his laptop out.

“Oh no you don’t, mister.” It’s a shame he likes to work. Oliver is funny and fun to be around, but when you unmask relaxed Oliver, then it’s even better. Sometimes I wonder why he hides behind work so much.

His eyes survey me. “Uh, why not?”

My hand falls to my hip while I squinch my eyes at him. “No work. Besides, you know lightning can strike a laptop? It’s a thing. A rare phenomenon, but you might not want to risk it.”

Oliver stays mute and for a few seconds assesses me before he ceremonially tucks the computer back into his bag.

I smile brightly at my victory. “Good choice.”

“I don’t have many options. If I don’t listen to you then you might steal the blanket during the night or something.”

My body rockets in heat again at the reminder. “Nah, I’m not that mean.”

“True. You’re alright if I sleep in boxers?” He throws that question out at me as though it’s simple.

But it is. I don’t need to act like a shy woman. This is logistics, and neither one of us needs to read anything more into it.

“Oliver.” I inhale a strong breath, choosing to channel my confidence that I always possess. “It’s fine. I mean, we’ve seen one another in swimsuits before, and it’s the same amount of clothing as my bra and lace panties. It’s just that society makes us think that seeing someone in their underwear is a big deal.”

He drags a hand across his face with a closed-mouth smile apparent, even though something is bothering him. “You had to mention lace, huh?”

That’s what has him in this state? I really like that.

And now we’re alone in a room. I get to stare at a sleeping Oliver shirtless. He mentioned shirtless, right? Or do I need to crank up the AC?

A knock on the door breaks this moment, and I watch Oliver as I walk backwards until I have to turn to open the door.

Our attentive host greets me on the other side with a plate in her hand and balancing a bottle of wine and flashlight with her other arm. “I already had an extra serving on hand.”

She passes me the plate full of fruit, cheese, crackers, hummus, and cut-up veggies, not to mention a few pieces of fudge that appear to be local based on the wrappers.

“That’s very kind of you.”

She grabs the flashlight that she had tucked under her arm and hands it to me. “This is for you two. Just in case we lose electricity. It looks to be just a storm that will clear the area in about an hour. I’ll be back around 9 with brandy unless the sign is on the handle.”

My eyes dart to the inside handle and I see the do-not-disturb sign.

Before anything she said registers, Oliver appears at my side and spears his eyes straight into my own. With purpose, he slides off the sign then plants it onto the front handle, not breaking eye contact, and coyness shades his face.

“Forgot to put that on,” he declares. My eyes widen enough for him to appear satisfied that he caught me off guard.

“No problem. Breakfast is from 7 and late checkout is possible, too.” We don’t give Patricia any notice.

“Perfect. Have a good night.” Oliver can’t close the door fast enough.

We both step back into the middle of the room. I’m trying to digest what just happened, and when I turn, he’s standing there with his hands free. But that smug and determined look remains. Without a word, he takes my plate and wine then sets it aside on the bedside table.

Who will speak first?

The room is quiet, except there are a thousand fireworks exploding in my mind. It feels as though we’re challenging one another.

“Didn’t realize we would be needing the sign,” I comment flatly. I’m still trying to discern what is running through his mind. He doesn’t need to know that I’m mentally flipping through a catalog of every filthy fantasy I’ve ever had for him.

Oliver prowls forward, and it raises my attention again as he closes in. “Cut the crap, Hailey.”

“Excuse me?” My eyes grow big.

I shudder the moment he plants his fingers on my arm just above my elbow. There is a gust of wind that nearly knocks me down, but it’s not from outside; it’s purely due to his touch.

“You really needed to inform me of your lacy details?”

“That’s what is bothering you?”

He flexes his jaw and then his mouth forms his signature cocky smirk that causes my entire center to tighten. My breathing grows faster, and I’m hanging on by a thread. All because of his sexy mouth that displays something different.

A dare, perhaps.

No. It’s a warning.

He watches as he strokes the back of his knuckles gingerly up my arm, sending a ripple of sensitivity through my body.

“We can be responsible adults and sleep in a bed half naked as though it’s a normal day. But you know the thing about that?” he asks softly.

“What?” I rasp.

“Neither of us wants to just sleep.” His eyes strike up to mine. “Care to admit that too? We’re both thinking the same thing.” His fingers begin to curl around my arm, holding me still with no escape.

And the coy smirk slowly spreading on my lips informs him that I wouldn’t want to anyhow.

“I admit it.” Suddenly the words I thought I should never say become so easy. For one night we can’t hide from one another. “We keep dancing around the… issue between us.”

He steps closer, and prickles run down my body in anticipation.

“We shouldn’t give in, but for one night, I don’t fucking care.” His voice is firm with a sweltering grit.

“What a coincidence. I return the sentiment,” I say, flippant.

A gravelly noise rumbles in his throat as his hands cup my face. The moment his lips slam down on mine, I think I’m temporarily blind.

His lips are commanding yet soothing. Repositioning to kiss me better, I murmur from the contact that I’ve been desperately wanting from this man. I nearly forget that I’m standing on earth until his tongue parts my lips to delve into my mouth. One swirl of tongues and I’m addicted to his kisses.

Only briefly parting, our lips reconnect, and he groans from the contact. This is no longer a first kiss; we’re escalating to new heights. His fingers rake through my hair and my fingers fist his shirt.

We slowly subside, and a few quick kisses lead us in all directions. Oliver’s mouth abandons my lips to skim along the line of my jaw.

“Do you like that we just kissed?”

I’m almost breathless. “I like it a lot.”

“Oh, thank God.” Then he bruises my lips with another kiss.

I take a few seconds to enjoy the feeling. Oliver kissing me and treating me like a map to explore makes my pussy throb, and I smile to myself that this is happening.

Deep down, I wanted to believe that one day, even if just once, I would have to confess what I desire, even if the sentiment isn’t returned. Except it is, and it’s not at all surprising.

We both knew.

My center of gravity has shifted, but before I can stumble, Oliver’s strong arms snake around my middle and he pulls me close. I don’t waste a second, and I begin to paw at his shirt, searching for the best way to lift it as we begin to walk together with our mouths sealed, circling together, until our legs hit the mattress.

I’m not sure if we are beginning or ending, but it’s only when his hand on the back of my neck pulls me close to enable our foreheads to touch that we pause. “Are you sure?” he checks in with a whisper.

My mouth stings in the best possible way from our kisses that have been a long time coming, but one word still manages to leave my lips. “Very.”

Softly, he kisses my forehead and my eyelids hood closed as I take a few seconds to let reality sink in. Then we are right back at it.

I’m tugging on his shirt, he’s finding the hem of mine. I drop down on the mattress, and he keeps his word and encases my body to ensure he can kiss me whenever the opportunity presents itself.

I’ve secretly been worshiping his toned body in my head for years, which is why I don’t take a moment to linger. Instead, I focus on dragging his shirt up.

He kneels on the bed for a second to yank his shirt over his head, and I do the same with mine. Lying on my back in shorts and a black lace bra, Oliver rakes his eyes all over my body, causing me to clench between my legs.

The subtlest of smirks returns to his face, and he leans down to unzip and drag my shorts down my legs that he holds in the air against his body. He has me pinned with a stare as he softly kisses my ankle before the shorts disappear onto the floor.

Every inch of skin that his eyes explore heats, and I’m desperate for him to touch me everywhere. It feels like time has slowed down, or maybe it’s the way I feel as I lift my upper body to unhook my bra, teasing him by sliding each strap down slowly before I toss the bra to the floor too and lie back with my mane of hair splayed across the mattress.

His sound of approval includes a small hiss. “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

Maybe he has said that once or twice when we were at a mutual social gathering, but never like this. Never as a man marveled by what he sees and his eyes powered by hunger.

“I don’t recall,” I simply reply.

He lies on his side next to me with his head propped against his bent arm. My breath hitches when his fingers arrive right above my belly button and swirl. A new wave of sensation zips straight to my nipples that are already hard and perky.

“I bet if I touch you right here,” his fingers barely touch over my lace panties, “that you’ll be soaking for me.”

I lift my hips, trying to bring his touch closer for friction, anything to relieve a little pressure from my clit, but he doesn’t play fair and his palm plants down on my belly to keep me firm on the mattress. With his mission accomplished, he drives his hand up to my breast, two fingers circling around my nipple, and I whimper when he pinches his fingers around the nub.

We both watch what his fingers are doing to me. “Be warned. If we are going to do this then I will be taking advantage of the whole night to fuck you senseless and get you out of my head.”

“Yes,” I whimper when his tongue darts out to play with my other nipple. “I believe we are in agreement of that plan.” My breathing is no longer steady; it’s growing heavy from the overload of Oliver around me and touching me. Soon, he’ll be in me.

He pops his lips off my nipple and shifts on the bed until he is on his knees at the end and between my thighs. His mouth trails from my belly button down, and he bites the fabric to taunt me, pulling enough fabric away for the air to hit my clit, and I want even more. He hooks his fingers into the waistband and yanks them down my legs.

The moment he brings the bunched fabric to his nose for a strong inhale, I nearly explode. It’s so erotic. He tosses my panties to the side, and his lips make contact with my skin.

Everything inside of me thrums with anticipation. One kiss and then another from my knee up my thigh, tantalizing me as he closes the distance. I keen with a need for more because I’m growing impatient.

I’ve waited for this moment for far too long.

The room fills with my moans when his mouth touches my pussy. He wastes no time, and his tongue flicks my bundle of nerves, his arms hooking under my thighs to hold me tightly to him. He swipes a few times up and down my slit, only to return to my clit. I can’t help but look down, and his eyes are still on my face as his wicked tongue causes my blood to burn and my pussy to grow even more needy.

“You’re sweeter than I expected,” he says against my thigh as he kisses my sensitive skin.

“Expected?” I whisper.

“Let’s not play surprised. You’ve thought about me fucking you, and I’ve thought about me fucking you. And now I plan on living out the many ways we can make that happen to prove my theory is correct. Your body is by far more beautiful in the naked flesh.” The feeling of his finger sliding inside me causes my hands to clench the duvet. “Your pussy is as tight as I hoped.” He adds another finger to lazily stroke me in and out. “And I want to make you come.”

His mouth is back on my pussy as he continues to stroke inside of me. Oliver is on a mission that I don’t mind one single bit. The room begins to spin as tension around my clit builds. My fingers comb through his hair as he feasts on me. Every one of my moans makes him more persistent to make me come. And it doesn’t take long, as I’m under the spell of his magical tongue.

“Oliver,” I plead for my orgasm. He follows my cue because it’s not long after that my entire body convulses, vibrating against his mouth that refuses to abandon my pussy until I ride out my orgasm.

He holds me down with his hands to ensure I accept every molecule of my orgasm in full force.

When the last wave falls, he pulls away, completely content with his efforts. “Do you know that you are more beautiful when you have a post-orgasm glow?”

I smile drowsily and lift my hand as I’m boneless limbs right now. “I did not know that, but thank you.”

“I’m not done with you yet,” he warns and quickly searches for his pants and pulls out a condom.

The mere thought of him being fully inside of me pools wetness between my legs. When he lowers his pants, my eyes nearly pop out from his size. I figured he wouldn’t fall short, but now I’m scared I can’t handle him. He sheathes himself, and since the moment our lips landed on one another, the air calms and acknowledgment floats between us.

“No going back after this,” he reminds me.

I draw my toes up the mattress until my knee is pointed up in the air, a sort of sultry pose. “And here I am, still on the bed,” I say huskily.

Then he is right between my legs again, and I’m flat on the bed while he kisses me, and my hands drift down his back. I catch my breath while I coat his tip with my desire for him. His soft groan and the anticipation that any second he will be where I’ve always wanted could make me scream.

Instead, I moan in one long breath as I feel him enter me.

Our eyes haze with lust as he nudges further in until he is fully seated. I bite into his shoulder and wrap my legs around his waist.

“The perfect fit,” he whispers into my ear.

My heart constricts, and I’m unsure of what to focus on because I’m completely lost in him.

“Ah.” He hits the button inside of me that sends me on a whole new rollercoaster. “You feel good, too good.” And addicting.

Our bodies rock together as his thrust is hard and deep.

He’s been unleashed, and I like this side of him. Even if his eyes check in every so often that I’m okay, with a caring nature in his eyes that ignites hidden corners inside me.

We both pant as we continue our ride, adjusting position when needed, but we always end up back to our eyes being tied together.

Now we are face to face on our sides with my one leg hooked over his thigh.

He drags his thumb across my lips. “Let me make you come. I’m so close, but I’ll only finish if you come again for me.”

I chuckle through labored breath. “What a gentleman.”

The same thumb travels between us to stroke my clit. “This round, maybe. But I have full intention to use that mouth of yours later.”

He circles and flicks while he slams his cock into me.

Bringing my fingers to my nipples, I pinch and play as he picks up his pace. Then it happens.

My vision litters with stars as my body trembles.

Shortly after, he roars a moan as he lets go.

When we both return to earth and end up as two jellyfish in bed, the reality of what we just did sinks in.

We glance at each other but say nothing. It’s not bad, just indescribable.

Oliver disappears without a word to go get rid of the condom.

It’s then that I examine my surroundings and the clothes on the floor, with me naked on top of a bed, and I can only hope he doesn’t regret this.

Because attraction is one thing, but mixing it with genuine affection for the other is a dangerous ledge.