Sleep Stalker (Ghosts Beyond the Grove Book 1) by Joy Elbel Read Free Book Online Page B

Hanging
     
     
              Sleep.  I’d always enjoyed it but it never felt as sweet as it had lately.  I wasn’t much of a dreamer or at least I rarely remembered them.  But the last few nights had produced some unforgettable subconscious scenarios.  I couldn’t wait to see what tonight would bring.  With my waking hours being such huge disappointments, good dreams were all I seemed to have left anymore. 
         I closed my eyes and thought of Ruby—just not the bitchy, naggy side of her that was so evident lately.  Instead, I began to fantasize about what would have happened if she would have let me catch her at the bookstore today.  I would have taken her into the darkest corner I could find.  There, I would have gotten high from the mere scent of her.  But she had to taste as good as she looked.  I would have kissed the side of her neck just to find out—warm vanilla and hot cinnamon melting together on my tongue.
         But even in my dream, she wouldn’t let me touch her.  One minute we were in the bookstore, but the next, we were in a forest of dark evergreens.  She was making me chase her and I was all too willing to oblige.  We ran for miles it seemed but she was always five steps ahead of me and just out of my reach.  The moonlight bathed the path we walked on but even with my eyes closed, I would have known which way to go.  I was like a wild animal chasing its prey, relying on scent alone. 
         She led me to the shores of a small lake, its surface rippling and sparkling like a sea of diamonds.  Tossing her gold braided sandals aside, she lifted her dress to her knees and waded into the water.  I prayed for the sun to replace the moon so that I could get a better look at her golden brown skin.  There was nothing but silence here but she began to dance, moving to the memory of music that wasn’t really there. 
         Mesmerized, I watched her sway back and forth, lifting her dress slightly higher as she went.  When the strap of her dress fell delicately over her shoulder, she let out a high pitched giggle.  She was teasing me on purpose and she enjoyed every last second of it.  I would let her have her way for now as long as I got to have my way in the end. 
         As the second strap fell away, I decided that I’d had enough of her games.  It was time for me to stop standing by like a sleazy voyeur.  She was my girlfriend not some stripper who was off limits.  There weren’t any bouncers ready to pounce on me if I touched her.  She was mine.  All mine. 
         “Ruby, I….”
         She cut me off sharply.  “No, I think you should call me Señorita.”
         I’d always found Latino girls hot—always.  But I definitely never told Ruby about it.  I didn’t want her to be jealous or insecure.  How did she figure it out?  And why was I analyzing it?  If she wanted to spice things up with a little role play, who was I to argue?
         “Señorita,” I whispered, “you look so beautiful in that dress but when do I get to see what you’re hiding underneath it?”
         She said nothing.  She merely smiled and motioned for me to come toward her.
         I didn’t waste time taking my shoes off—I walked straight into the water after her.  She looked me in the eye, leaned over, and then sent a huge splash of water in my direction.  Or more specifically, in the direction of my crotch.
         What the…?  Suddenly, I was awake and my pants were soaking wet.  Ruby retreated into the bedroom and I heard the lock on the door clicking into place.
         “ What is your problem!?” I shouted, “Why do you keep doing this to me?!”
         Her silence angered me to no end.  I lay there on the futon too tired to chase her.  I screamed furiously for an explanation until I was too tired to even speak.  Sleep came but the ending to the dream that I so desperately sought did not. 
     
     

8.  Mountain vs.