Beautiful Dreams (The Beautiful Series) Read online

  Shit, he looks pissed. “Kyle, before meeting you only a short time ago, no, I didn’t plan on ever getting married,” I said, hoping like hell I was voicing my feelings correctly. “Now, things have changed, but that doesn’t mean I want to get married next week.”

  Kyle nodded his head in anything but agreement. After what seemed like hours, he took a slow, deliberate step toward me. He reached his hand up to gently grasp the tip of my chin. He tilted my head up to meet his intense gaze, and I was struck all over again by the ache and hurt in his eyes.

  “You need to think long and hard, Lily.” His voice was edged with conflicting emotions. “Because I’m not in this for the short-term. I don’t think I could bear to see you walk away from me when you feel the pressure of commitment.”

  While racking my brain for a response, I opened my mouth, but then he turned on his heel and strode away toward his office.

  What the…

  Tears blurred my vision as I wanted to inwardly slap myself, feeling responsible for our fight. How did I mess that up so badly? Why couldn’t I just say yes, like a normal person? I chided myself for always putting my guard up immediately.

  With shaky hands, I turned back to the stove, only to realize I had probably burned the sausage. I went back to making dinner in a mindless state of shock.

  After I finished, I made Kyle a plate and wrapped it in plastic wrap, unsure if he would eat it. Not feeling the slightest bit hungry, I put the leftovers in containers I’d found in a cabinet.

  Uncertain of what else to do with myself, I slowly made my way toward the loft. My laptop was up there, and I could at least lose myself in my work. That would give us time to process our thoughts separately.

  I paused as soon as he came into view from within his office. His back faced me as he sat in the chair. The rigid set of his shoulders told me he was still beyond angry.

  Part of me desperately wanted to go to him, bring him close to me, and tell him that I would marry him in a heartbeat. The rational part fought for time to learn and grow together. My internal war gave me no answers. I closed my eyes and shook my head. Clearly, we weren’t ready for marriage if we couldn’t work through an argument.

  I sighed silently and sauntered up the stairs to the loft. My Kindle was sitting on the end table next to my laptop. Straightaway, I changed my mind about working. A book sounded like a much better way to drown out my reservations.

  After randomly searching through Amazon, I settled on a paranormal romance. It was out of my norm since I usually read romance, but it seemed like a perfect fit for today, and variety was the spice of life.

  By the time I finished the first chapter, I was hooked. Damn, I should read paranormal more often! I flipped page after page, wanting more. It was a refreshing change to read something different.

  When I reached chapter thirteen, I flicked on the lamp next to me, so the bright light would keep me awake. I sat up, changing positions, so I did not fall asleep. I knew my drastic measures to stay awake were freakishly cheesy, but I had to reach the end of this book. Damn, it is good.

  I felt Kyle’s presence right before I glanced over the top of my Kindle. Without so much as a word, he walked right up to me and picked me up in one swift move. I automatically clung to his nape, careful not to drop my precious e-reader, as he started back in the direction from where he had just come. His body was tenser than usual, and I knew he was still upset with me.

  Baffled on why he was carrying me when he evidently still had no intentions of talking to me, I broke the silence. “What are you doing?” I asked in a serene tone.

  He concentrated on each step down the stairs. “Even though I’m still fucking pissed and hurt and confused, I did learn one thing from my parents’ many years of marriage…” He paused at the threshold of the bedroom. “Never go to bed angry, and while I’m not one hundred percent sure I can do that right now, I sure as hell won’t go to bed alone.”

  “Oh,” I muttered.

  He set me on my feet. Time seemed to come to a standstill as we held each other’s stare. I wanted to say so much to him, but I was afraid it would come out all wrong again.

  Why couldn’t love be enough right now? Why did he need more?

  I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head at me.

  “Get into bed, Lily,” he said despondently.

  I could hear his underlying hurt. I climbed into bed, warily staying on my side of the mattress. I wanted to kick and scream and cry at how the last five hours had made such an extreme change for the worst, but I had no one to blame but myself.

  The mattress dipped as Kyle slipped in beside me. I held my breath in the darkness, unsure of what to expect.

  “I’m just as new to this as you are, Lily, but you can be damn certain you aren’t sleeping all the way over there.” He wrapped his arm around my abdomen and gently hauled me against his side.

  I twined my fingers with his, and I rubbed my thumb back and forth over them. “Still love me?” I asked with a light tease even though my insecurities were running rampant.

  “Forever,” he answered with absolute certainty in his voice.

  I drifted off into a slumber, and I felt better, knowing that we would be okay tomorrow.

  I tossed and turned, shifting restlessly with every passing hour. My stomach was nauseous with anxiety as the night’s events replayed in my mind. I cuddled into Kyle, draping my leg over his with my arm over his chest. I was hoping that his warmth would calm me. Since he didn’t even move, I knew that he was in a deep sleep.

  Still unable to zone out, I climbed on top of him. I laid my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. He moved slightly, placing his hands on my lower back. After a few minutes, the rhythm of his breathing regulated into an even pace again.

  And he said I sleep like the dead?

  For the hundredth time tonight, my thoughts returned to our argument, contemplating what I could have said differently to make for a better outcome. Is he ready to get married? Now? That was the only reason that made sense for his reaction. The only thing I knew for certain was that I loved him with every fiber of my being.

  Kyle’s erection stirred considerably with the weight of me straining against it. With the close proximity to him, I could not help as my desire quickly intensified. My body had a mind of its own as it rocked my pelvis along his length. I moaned softly into the blackness of night, yearning for him to wake up and make love to me.

  I felt the instant his breathing changed. His hands tightened around my lower back as he ground his hips in sync with mine. The pressure of my core ached with heaviness. He sat up, taking me with him. I pushed off his shoulders, so I could bend my legs and wrap them around the outside of his thighs to straddle him. With our mouths less than an inch apart, his hands held me in place while he thrust upward. Our groans filled the air. Even though we were clothed, the way our bodies moved together was extremely sensual.

  He cupped my jaw with his fingertips and captured my mouth with his own for a scorching, passionate kiss. His tongue stroked mine with tenderness and love. I melted into him, never wanting it to end, but we parted, gasping for air. He stroked my cheek while keeping his lips inches from mine.

  “I know you’re scared, but I need you to have faith in me, faith in us,” he said with absolute sincerity.

  My heart swelled profoundly as tears welled in my eyes. I grazed my fingertips along his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat, before making my way up to rub across his collarbone.

  “I do have faith in us,” I breathed, meaning every word.

  “You’ve had my heart since the first time I laid eyes on you, beautiful girl of mine,” he said softly with the utmost sincerity while continuing to caress his hand up my cheekbone. “Marry me, Lily,” he whispered.

  I drew in a swift breath as my heart swelled with every possible emotion for him. He had always said I was beautiful, but in all honesty, he was the beautiful one, inside and out. Without another thought, I sea
led my lips over his. I poured all of my love for him into this kiss, feeling it all to the depth of my soul. I pulled back with my eyes shining brightly. I knew there would never be another man for me. He was it.

  “Yes,” I whispered back, feeling the coolness of the air against my tears now streaming down my cheek. I nodded rapidly. “Yes,” I repeated with overwhelming emotions coursing through me.

  “Thank God.” He exhaled in relief.

  Before I knew it, I was flipped onto my back and pinned beneath him. He used one arm to brace his weight above me while his other hand cupped under my thigh, pulling me against him.

  “You have no idea how happy I am right now,” he said in a warm tone before swooping down to kiss my awaiting lips.

  My hands traveled up the length of his sides and all the way to his shoulders.

  “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

  I cradled the curve of his defined jaw, caressing my thumbs back and forth. “We have plenty of time.”

  “I’ll give you a week,” he demanded in his sexy alpha tone.

  I rolled my eyes even though he probably couldn’t see me very well. “I can’t plan a wedding in a week!” I chortled. I was still in utter shock that he’d asked me to marry him. Married? Holy shit!

  “Fine, a month, tops,” he countered. “I can’t wait much longer than that. I want you to be mine,” he said in a husky voice.

  He ran his lips across my throat until he reached my ear. I shivered as an electrical current shot straight between my legs.

  “I want you to be mine forever…in every way possible,” he added.

  All I could do was move my head in agreement as my body ached for him. Then, as if unable to resist the urge, he took my mouth once more.

  We made love in the middle of the night, and it was all tender touches and soft caresses. My mind, body, and soul pulled him in, never wanting to let go.

  On Friday, I awoke with a sense of peaceful tranquility. I wasn’t sure if it was because my argument with Kyle had been resolved or because our future together was now sealed with a promise of commitment.

  My first thought was that I should be completely freaking out, but there was no point in fighting the way that we both felt. A deep sense of gratification came over me as I realized I had let go of my last fear—marriage.

  As I turned on my side to snuggle into Kyle before he left for work, I came to see that he was already awake. He was slightly propped up against the headboard with two pillows behind his head. I tucked my pillow along his, so I could be level with him.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he said with a rough morning voice.

  “Morning,” I replied as I tilted my head to look at him.

  His expression was unreadable. I put my hand on his chest as I noticed that he was fidgeting with something in his right hand. It was just far enough under the bedsheets that I could not see what it was. He followed my gaze, and then we both looked at one another.

  Before I could ask, he said, “I have something for you.” He paused.

  The nervousness in his voice immediately sent my pulse into overdrive.

  “I wanted to give it to you last night, but I wanted to see the look in your beautiful blue eyes when I gave it to you,” he said with a shy smile. He lifted his hand, revealing a turquoise box, and he set it next to my left hand that was resting on him.

  I gasped as I read the Tiffany & Co. inscription on the lid.

  “I’ve had this since the day I told you I loved you, and I meant every word. It has damn near killed me to wait this long, but I knew we needed more time.”

  With shaky hands, he lifted the top. My breath caught as I took in the beautiful two-carat square diamond in a thick platinum setting. It was so simple and elegant and stunning.

  “I know we still have so much to learn about one another, but nothing will ever change the way I feel about you. I once told you that you had my heart, and that part will never change,” he said, his voice filled with love and affection.

  He took the ring out, angling it. There was an engraving on the inside that read, Forever Yours, Kyle. I barely had time to read it before my eyes blurred with tears. I blinked them back as Kyle slipped the ring onto my finger. His eyes filled with a deep satisfaction.

  I maneuvered myself closer to kiss him. “Thank you,” I breathed against his lips after I pulled back. “It’s truly the most beautiful gift you could have ever given me.”

  Kyle wrapped his hand underneath my fingers, raising my hand near his face. “As soon as I saw it, I knew that it would fit you perfectly,” he said before placing a tender kiss on my knuckles.

  I nuzzled into his neck, feeling utterly content.

  After a few moments of floating on cloud nine, Kyle broke the silence. “There is nothing more I’d rather do than lie here with you right now, but if I do, I’ll be late picking up Jason and Damon.”

  “Oh,” I said while sitting up, still wrapped in the sheets. “I didn’t know you were going to get them.”

  “Yes, I have to pick them up from the airport. I’m pretty sure Jason will be pissed if I’m not there on time.” Kyle laughed. He kissed me sweetly and then rose from the bed. He quickly threw on a pair of jeans and a navy blue dress shirt.

  I lifted my hand, feeling the heavy weight of the exquisite diamond on my left ring finger. I smiled in pure bliss.

  Kyle walked over to the bedside and bent forward. “Now that is a sight to behold,” he said in regard to me staring at my new ring. “But I don’t want your cousins to kick my ass, so I better go.” He was unable to resist kissing me once more. “See you later, beautiful. I’ll call you when we are on our way back.”

  I nodded while still staring at my shiny new ring as he reluctantly made his way out of the bedroom. Eyes beaming and smiling brightly, I got out of bed and walked over to the closet to dress for the day. It felt so surreal to be engaged and happy. It was the best day ever.

  By ten in the morning, my scattered mind didn’t allow me to get much work done. I needed to start my plot for my next novel, but it was pointless since I could not seem to concentrate.

  I sauntered into Kyle’s office, and I began to unpack the remaining boxes. It was mostly miscellaneous items that had been randomly stuffed into packages on the last day of moving.

  I finished shortly after eleven thirty. My phone rang from my back pocket, and I pulled it out to answer. I smiled at seeing Kyle’s name across the screen.

  “Hello, handsome,” I greeted him.

  “Well, hello there, beautiful,” he replied, his tone matching my light mood. “I just wanted to let you know that their plane was delayed. We are just now leaving the airport, so we should be there in twenty.”

  “Okay,” I answered.

  “See you soon.”

  “Bye,” I said.

  Then, he ended our short phone call, and I was sure it was because my two cousins were in the car with him.

  I went into the kitchen to make everyone some ham sandwiches. I smiled, remembering at the last minute that Jason hated ham, so I pulled out some turkey for him. With every turn of my hand, my ring distracted me. I chuckled while wondering how long it would take me to get used to seeing its new place on my finger.

  The back door to the mudroom opened. I set down the last plate on the kitchen table before heading to greet them at the door. Jason walked in first. As soon as he saw me, his expression split into a grin. He opened his arms, and I smiled fondly, knowing I was about to get squeezed to death from one of his famous bear hugs.

  “Hey, Lily,” he said as he hugged me hard. “Missed you.”

  “Hi, Jason!” I exhaled on a rush as he forced the air out of my lungs. “I missed you guys, too.”

  “Hey!” Damon exclaimed as he stepped into the room. “Move over, so I can hug my favorite girl,” he said while playfully nudging Jason out of the way.

  “Hi, Damon.”

  I beamed as he embraced me gently before kissing the top of my head.

  �
��I’ve missed you, and it’s only been a few weeks,” Damon said.

  “I know,” I said, shaking my head and pulling back to look between my two cousins. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to leave everyone again.”

  “Well, your man over there,” Damon said, gesturing to Kyle, “and the two of us are working hard to change that minor detail. Just think of how awesome it would be to see us every day.”

  I chuckled and then raised my eyebrow at him while imagining all the times he used to torment me as a kid. “Maybe not every day.”

  Jason lifted his hand over his heart. “That hurts,” he said with humor as he shook his head. “And here I thought you were our favorite girl.”

  Kyle and Damon chortled in the background.

  “How about a peace offering of sandwiches? I even remembered to make yours with turkey instead of ham,” I responded as I pointed to the table where all of our plates were sitting.

  “That sounds great. I’m starved.” Jason beamed and then tilted his head in Kyle’s direction. “Kyle was in such a hurry to get home that he didn’t even stop to feed me.”

  Kyle rolled his eyes at Jason’s theatrics as we all sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Well then, this should make up for it,” I said to Jason.

  The four of us started to eat our sandwiches while making small talk. It sounded like Jason and Damon had just finished up a large job, so it was perfect time for them to visit California. I informed them that I had just finished unpacking, and I was relieved to have that overwhelming process finally come to an end.

  It wasn’t until I stood with my plate in hand that Jason’s and Damon’s eyes widened at exactly the same moment. My face instantly turned pink, knowing that they had noticed my new accessory.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Jason asked in shock.

  It was all so fresh in my mind, so I hadn’t really even thought about sharing our engagement news to anyone yet. Not to mention, I was not sure how my overbearing cousins would react.

  “Yes,” I answered.

  I exhaled in relief when Kyle cut in, rescuing me, as he came to stand at my side.