Chapter 4
four
RUBY
The roads are icy as I drive back to my place, but thankfully, the snow has eased up a little. I’m a good driver, my pop taught me how to drive in some of the most precarious of conditions. Just call me the female version of Marshall Kerr—just without the horrible accident and fractured hip—but I still panic a little when it’s like this.
Sticking to the speed limit, I take my time and safely make it back to my cottage. Unlike Mad, I didn’t encounter Murray. After his near miss with Mad, he’s probably hiding out somewhere cleaning the poop from his ass after his near-death experience with Mad and his truck.
Leaving Sab and Maddox just now, left me with a sense of déjà vu. It reminded me so many times of when we were growing up, and I would head back to my place after having dinner at theirs.
Grabbing my things, I head inside and place my keys in the bowl and my handbag next to it. Next, I shuck off my coat and hang it on the hook near the front door. Kicking off my boots, I slide my feet into my Uggs and let out a contented sigh. A sense of peace washes over me, and I know Nan and Pop are here with me, happy I made it home safely.
Grabbing the gift box from Sab out of my bag, I walk over to my tree, looking for the perfect spot for the ornament. The lights are on an automatic timer and they shimmer and sparkle as I continue to look for the spot. Finally, right at eye level, I find where I’m going to place it. Lifting the lid, I carefully pull out the ornament. Holding it up, I gaze at it and smile. My best friend knows me too well, this is stunning and one-hundred-and-ten-percent me.
Placing it on the tree, I smile, even amongst the other decorations, her gift shines brightly and is the focal point on this year’s tree. This Christmas is even more perfect now.
Walking into the kitchen, I pour myself a glass of red wine and take a sip. Closing my eyes, I savor the flavor and let the wine infuse my soul and warm me from the inside out. With my glass in hand, I head into the living room and sit down. Grabbing my phone, I shoot off a text to Joel.
RUBY
Hope you had a good day. Just got home from dinner with Sab. Love You.
Picking up the remote, I turn the television on and Home Alone 2 is playing. It’s not Christmas without watching these movies, so I snuggle back and laugh along at Kevin and his antics. My eyes grow heavy, and I drift off to dreamland.
In the middle of the room, I stand in my wedding dress while a man in a suit runs his fingertips sensually up and down my arm. Reaching up, I cup his cheek, and when my palm connects with his skin, the room lights up and my heart races. He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. Fireworks explode around us. The room fades away, and it’s just the two of us. His tongue pushes into my mouth. Mine pushes into his and an erotic dance happens in my mouth. His hard length presses into my stomach, and I moan into the kiss.
He slides his hand down my body and slips it under the tule of my dress, his finger runs over my pussy lips and once again, I moan into the kiss. He pushes the soaked material of my panties to the side, and I hold on to his wrist as he thrusts his digit into me.
In and out.
In and out.
With each flick of his wrist, I fall under his spell. Closer and closer to the big “O.” Pleasure builds deep within, and when I open my eyes, I stare at a faceless man as I explode.
My eyes snap open and I gasp, as my dream fades away.
Closing my eyes I try and catch my breath. Breathlessly panting, I lie here with my eyes closed, trying to calm my racing heart, but they fly back open when I realize I have my hand in my panties and I’m fingering myself … just like the faceless man of my dream. I’m on the cusp of an orgasm and need to come. I should feel guilty for getting off over my mystery dream man but I’m too far gone to care.
Lifting my other hand, I squeeze my breast and it’s what I need. I writhe on the sofa as an explosive orgasm envelops me, my body shudders as my fingers slide in and out of me. I pinch and squeeze my breast harder as the last of my release fades away.
Collapsing back onto the sofa, that feeling of guilt intensifies and I quickly pull my hand out from between my thighs. I shouldn’t be dreaming of faceless men, I should be dreaming of my fiancé doing things like that to me. “I really need to get laid,” I mumble to myself.
Sitting up, I swing my legs over the edge of the sofa, and as I move, the ornament Sabrina gave me catches my eye. I think of what the shopkeeper told Sab about it … and then her questioning if Joel is the one. Is that why I just dreamed of a faceless man? Is the universe trying to tell me something? Quickly, I shake off that thought. Joel is the one but as I think of my fiancé, I realize over the last few weeks, he’s been absent. It kind of feels like he’s pulling away from me. I’m hoping it’s just nerves due to our upcoming nuptials and the stress of work and the holidays, but is it more? Or am I overreacting?
In seventeen days’ time, when I become Mrs. Joel Prior, he and I will be blissfully happy and I can look back on this and laugh. Flipping the television off, I hop up and shuffle into my bedroom. I change into my pajamas and climb into bed, where I once again dream of my faceless man … but this time, I keep my hands to myself.