Dream Demons

The Morning After

            Dar felt the dawn deep in his bones, grateful there's no window to burn him as consciousness left him. There's no greater worry than waking up crispy critters. Well, except waking up, detached from one's own head. One of the reasons he'd never stay anywhere other than his lair during the day. He'd certainly had his share of s****l partners over the centuries but he always left before it was too late. Trust was a hard thing to come by and taking a chance on it could be the last thing he ever did. 

        The other problem, human females tended to be clingy after s*x. Especially, great, mind blowing s*x.

        He felt the pull of sleep, a part of him knowing he had to go while the sun was out. The other part relaxing next to the contradictory mysterious woman snuggling her naked body against him. Knowing, somehow, that she posed him no risk. Besides if someone was stalking Marita in her dreams, he could help her only if he was with her.

            Marita slowly came back to herself, feeling amazing, well rested and more relaxed than she ever remembered. Looking over at her small alarm clock, she gasped, noting it was 5:00 in the evening. She had never slept so late! Feeling a warm weight across her waist pinning her down as she struggled  to get up. After minutes of trying unsuccessfully  to escape the suffocating confines of the weight, she tried facing her captor. Slowly rolling over, and coming nose to nose with the most beautiful eyes framed by long, thick dark blonde lashes. His eyes crinkled slightly at the edges as he gave her a cocky crooked grin. He lifted himself resting on his elbow and looking down on her.

            "Good morning." His voice husky from sleep and even sexier than she remembered. Despite her uncertainty she found herself returning his smile. 

            "I'd hardly call this morning. More like evening. " Trying to stretch her sore muscles, hinting he let her loose. He didn't budge, trying to move him was like moving a mountain. He leaned down, capturing her lips with his own. Her eyes widening in surprise at the suddenness of his attack, as well as, the gentleness of it. Sighing she melted against him no longer trying to free herself. She lightly stroked the side of his face, opening her mouth to his gentle explorations. Enjoying the sandpaper roughness of his whiskers against her fingertips, trailing up towards the soft hairs draping across his brow. 

            Dar couldn't believe he'd never woken up with a woman in his arms before now, if this was what it felt like. When he first woke he was confused by his surroundings. The scent of the sleeping female calmed him as he pulled her tighter to him, breathing in her unique scent. This must be what it felt like to be mated. What else could calm his beast? Life mate. Realization dawned and he couldn't contain the feeling welling inside of him. So he kissed her. 

            The second she submitted and melted against him he deepened the kiss his tongue tracing every inch of her delicious mouth. 

            Breaking apart, Marita tried to catch her breath and calm her erratic heartbeat. 

            "I'm starving." Dar laughed at her change of topic. Even before they made love he'd noticed a slight change in her but the morning after brought more self assurance and even her appetite had returned.

            Last night she could barely tolerate French fries. She had slept better than she had in a long time, the circles under her eyes were gone and their was a twinkle where before the light had nearly been snuffed out. He could feel the strength of her aura now. A rejuvenation had taken place, now the hard part was keeping her from making a downward spiral. He wouldn't let that thing get her again, that he swore.

        "Go take a shower. I'll take you to dinner. We need to stop at my place for a change of clothes." Getting up, Dar grabbed his clothes, getting dressed sans shirt. He must look like a fool grinning like the Cheshire cat but gods he felt amazing. 

        "Why? What's wrong with yours?"

        "For one thing my shirt has seen better days." He held the tattered garment for her inspection. The cuts across the center were wide and long.     

        "Oh, my goodness! What happened?" She jumped up, forgetting to cover herself, her boobs bouncing deliciously in her angst. She grabbed the rags and looked for corresponding damage.

        "I went back out while you were sleeping to check on my team and the demons. I had to dispatch one and he wasn't too happy about it. I returned after and that's when you were having your nightmare."

        Her furrowed brow, delighted him. She was concerned about him. Also, quite confused when she didn't see anything out of place. His stomach jumped when her fingers grazed his abdomen. 

        "I'm fine, really." He assured, gently gripping both her hands in one of his. 

        "Oh, Well then, I'll be out in ten." She dropped her hands and started walking towards the bathroom. His eyes wandered over her perfectly pale skin and the slender curve of her bottom. Turning back with a smile. "You better not take too long. I haven't been this hungry in a long time." 

            She closed the bathroom door quickly behind her. When she awoke it was like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders, Dar's solid weight notwithstanding. She smiled, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She barely recognized herself. Her skin glowed with contentment and her thoughts were light and positive. She felt like she could conquer anything. 

            She hummed to herself as she jumped into the shower, quickly wetting her hair. Her thoughts turned to Dar as she squeezed shampoo onto her hand and lathering it into her hair. Where had he come from? He was definitely an amazing lover and considerate. She'd never met anyone like him. She didn't know how long he'd be around and certainly didn't expect him to linger after dinner. But she felt like a new woman. Maybe now she could finally start her life over.

            The black cloud that had been hanging over her for the last two years had finally moved on. She spread soap on her sponge before spreading suds all over her shoulders and torso working her way to her deliciously sensitive core. Letting the warm spray attack the bubbles and her underused muscles she took a deep breath before turning off the tap. Stepping out of the shower onto the soft mat, she shook her hair out before wrapping it in another soft towel, then wrapping a larger one around her chest, she stepped into the bedroom. 

            After dinner, Dar drove Marita uptown to an elegant apartment building. This part of the city was like another world compared to her neighborhood. No graffiti on the buildings and everything looked well maintained. Each skyscraper sported its own doorman, opening doors to cabs and lobbies.

             When she saw Dar's apartment building she was surprised at the warehouse ambiance. He'd led her to a freight elevator that opened directly into his loft. It was large and efficient. Some workout equipment in the corner a few couches by the fireplace. And up a winding staircase ran Dar to switch his clothes. Marita stayed by the door watching him sprint, his room overlooked the common area and she was able to see him slip off his clothes from where she stood. His deliciously muscular back had been teasing her since they awoke. But watching the muscles play as he discarded his clothes and stepped into a new set was pure art. 

            Dar maneuvered his silver Jaguar in front of this building, she was startled by the doorman opening her door as Dar handed his keys to the valet. She'd been increasingly quiet during supper, afraid to break the spell, unsure of Dar's feelings and what she should do next. She'd been surprised by his continued offer to help her discover the cause of her torment. 

            Marita's silence was disturbing. He'd give anything to read her mind. What if as she healed she pulled away from him? That without the cloud of negativity shrouding her she'd move beyond it and not want him. Insecurity was a new experience for him. And he didn't like it. Not one little bit. He'd never had difficulty with the ladies, he'd never had to work at it. Things had moved very quickly for Marita, maybe she didn't feel the bond the way he did? The part of his soul that was drowning in it was hurt by her withdrawal.

            Stealing quick glances at her proved she was lost in thought, staring ahead of her. Her hands folded demurely in her lap beside him. He handed the keys to the valet and met her on the sidewalk, doorman having resumed his post, holding the door for them. Gently placing his hand on the small of her back he guided her to the elevators.

            When they were safely inside and he selected the floor button, he reached for her, pulling her gently to him. She stiffened in his arms a split second before molding herself to him. Her arms wrapping around his waist, he held her with one arm and stroked her hair with the other. Maybe she did feel the bond? He wouldn't push her.

        She pulled away, looking up at him. "So, what's your friend like? This is a pretty swanky building."

        "Michael's an enigma. Definitely the silent type, but I suppose that's how he sees so much more than most. As far as I know he has some pretty strong investments that allow him freedom."

           "Do you think he can help me?" He voice was small, he fear starting to come back the fore. 

            "I've never met anyone like you but Michael's been around longer than me and has seen things I couldn't even imagine. So he's definitely my first choice. If he doesn't know he'll know someone who does." His arms were still loosely around her small frame. Stepping out of the elevator, onto shiny hardwood,  they walked to Michael's door, he tilted her head gently, giving her a tender kiss of support, before knocking on the large door. 

            As the door slowly opened in front of her, Marita's mouth went dry. Apparently all the moisture from her mouth went to her hands and she quickly dried them on her jeans. After last night she was remembering more about who she was and regaining her strength. But meeting Dar's friend had her flummoxed for a whole other reason. What if he found something horrible out? How would Dar feel? What would he think? Would it change how he felt about her? So many questions running through her mind.         

            She knew she wasn't the quiet, desolate woman who could barely form a cohesive thought. What if he only wanted her to save her? Any lost girl would do. Once he saved her he would move on to the next hapless soul. Wouldn't he?