The pictures told a lie, but it was a lie I had lived and wouldn’t turn my back on now. I picked up one of the pictures that had been Miriam’s favorite. The three of us were on the beach, the sun setting behind us. We’d had a good time that day. I remember being happy and enjoying fatherhood. It wasn’t long after the picture was taken that they were stolen away from me.
We worked into the night, and when it was all done, I had one box filled with mementos that I chose to keep. The rest would be donated.
We were both exhausted and sat down on the couch, each holding a beer. “Be honest with me,” Jake started. “Is this newfound need to clear this stuff out because of Tessa?”
I had to mull it over before I answered. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
Jake grinned. “Well, I would say that is pretty much a yes. Be careful, big brother. I think you may be playing with fire.”
“I know,
and that’s the shitty part about all of it. I don’t know that anything will ever come of it, but at least it has given me the kick I needed to start moving again and doing all this,” I said, waving my arm around the room.
“You’re right, and for that, I will be forever grateful to her. I’m going to take off. You good?”
“Yep, thanks, man. Really, I don’t know if I could have done it without you,” I told him, meaning every word.
He left, and I quickly stripped and crawled between the sheets. Thank God the sheets and bedding were post-Miriam. After exorcising her spirit, I don’t think I could have comfortably gotten in bed with her memory all over again.
The beer had left me feeling a little buzzed, which I needed. I don’t think falling asleep would have been possible without the help of the beer. Unfortunately, the buzz had a way of breaking down my barriers in sleep, as well as when I was awake. Tessa had been on my mind as I drifted off.
I could taste her on my lips. I knew she was here, I needed to find her. I walked through the marsh, following the scent of her perfume.
“Tessa?” I called out. “Where are you?”
“Here,” her soft voice floated over to me.
I turned in the direction and started moving towards her. I’m close; I could practically feel her.
“Tessa, I’m here. Where are you?”
Just like that, she materialized in front of me. My breath caught in my lungs as I took in her beauty. She was practically glowing in a light-yellow sundress that pushed up her breasts, hugging her tiny waist. I reached out, needing to touch her. My hands land on either side of her hips and I squeezed before I pulled her in close. My erection jumped the second her body connected with mine. I wanted to savor her, but I couldn’t hold back. I needed her.
My lips came down on hers. I should be gentle. I wanted to be gentle, intended to be, but the need was all-consuming. I pushed my hips against her; demanding she feel my need, my desire.
“Ian,” she breathed.
I understood. I knew exactly what she wanted and was more than happy to oblige. My tongue dove into her mouth. I sucked and bit her bottom lip moments before my hand cupped her pert breast. I couldn’t get enough. I needed all of her, and now. I was losing control and unable to stop it.
“I need you,” I whispered against her mouth before sweeping across her jaw and nibbling on her ear.
She bucked against me. “Take me. Please, I need you, Ian.”
Her words drove me over the edge, and I frantically lifted her dress, ready to take her right there in the marshes. The dress seemed like it was a mile long. I kept pulling and lifting, but I couldn’t find her center. There are miles of fabric.
“What the fuck!” I scream in frustration—waking myself from the most erotic dream I had experienced in years.
I laid back on the bed, pulling in air. My heart was still racing with the intensity of desire I felt.
“It was only a dream. It wasn’t real,” I said out loud, trying to calm myself. I could feel my erection, straining against my boxer briefs. It was the first wet dream I had in a very long time. The woman had bewitched me. I needed to put her out of my head once and for all.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tessa
I quickly showered and slid on my tiny two-piece bathing suit. It had been a long time since I’d taken a day to really enjoy the sun and the beach. This was a well-deserved break from school and life in general. The weather was perfect—not too hot and not too chilly. Just right for a day on the beach.
“You almost ready?” Maria called out.