The Beckoning (Entangled Series Book 2) Read online

  “Are you okay?” Vaguely, he was aware of Brea’s hand touching him.

  “Yeah, fine,” he said between clenched teeth.

  “I’ll got get your medicine.”

  Damn it. He’d had other plans. Plans that included running his hands over every inch of her, enjoying how soft and warm she was. But now, the pain was so overpowering, he couldn’t bear to even pry open his eyes.

  “Here.” She took his hand and dropped a few pills into it. “I have water.”

  Without questioning, he swallowed the pills and then lay back when she shifted the pillows behind him.

  “You need to rest. You need time to heal.”

  He knew it, but what he wanted and what he needed were two different things.

  Finally, he opened his eyes and felt his breath leave him for a second time that morning.

  She was standing less than a foot away from him, the sunlight streaming into the window behind her, setting her blonde hair on fire. She’d donned his shirt, leaving all the buttons open, revealing the sexiest strip of skin that he’d ever seen.

  “Come here.” He was surprised at the croak in his voice.

  “You’re hurt.” She bit her bottom lip, and he felt himself grow harder.

  “Not so much that I can’t enjoy looking at you.”

  She smiled and took a step towards him. “You need rest.” Her eyes roamed over him and landed on his chest.

  “Brea.” Her eyes met his. “I want you so bad. I’ve dreamed of this moment.” He wrapped his good arm around her hips, causing the shirt to fall open a little more. “What I need is right here.” He slowly opened the shirt wider. He laid his lips against her soft skin and felt her melt.

  Her fingers went into his hair, gently holding him to her breasts.

  She tasted so good. Her skin was so soft, he doubted he could ever get his fill of her.

  He nudged the shirt until it fell onto the floor in a pool of white. His eyes moved over every inch of her perfect skin, her perfect body. She was heavenly.

  Before he could touch her again, she took a step back and put a hand to his chest.

  “No.” She shook her head, the sunlight streaming in behind her. “This time it’s my turn.” She gently placed a hand on his good shoulder and pushed lightly until he leaned back against the headboard.

  She moved closer and straddled his hips. He still wore his boxers, but just feeling her naked body next to him was driving him crazy. She slowly trailed her mouth over his jaw line, then down his neck and his chest.

  She pushed his boxer’s down his hips, running her mouth over the skin she was exposing.

  He couldn’t take his eyes from her as she nudged the boxers off him. Her smile was quick when she laid eyes on what she was doing to him.

  “I want you so much.” He reached for her, but she leaned back and shook her head.

  “Not yet. I told you last night that I owed you.” It came out as a purr. Then she bit her bottom lip as she ran one fingertip over his chest, down each rib on his good side, and around his navel. He closed his eyes and released a moan when she trailed a finger down his length.

  “You’re killing me,” he groaned. She wrapped her hand around him, and he almost jumped out of his skin when her lips followed.

  “My god!” he groaned, his hand going into her hair. “My god!” he repeated as she used her sweet mouth on him.

  She was taking him to the edge too fast.

  He silently prayed that his brother would have him covered and reached for the nightstand drawer, smiling when he felt a box of condoms.

  She leaned over and took the wrapper from him. “Let me.”

  “I’m not totally helpless,” he joked as she slid the condom on him. He hissed with pleasure. “But, I have to say, being hurt does have some benefits.” His smile fell away when she straddled his hips. His hand went to her hips, holding her, guiding her.

  When she slid down onto him, he felt his entire system shake. He never imagined she would feel this good. No matter how many times he’d dreamed about her, it had never compared to the real thing.

  Brea closed her eyes and leaned back. She had completely lost control. The way he’d looked at her earlier still caused her body to vibrate.

  She’d never been looked at like that before. Like she was the most beautiful thing on earth. She wanted to keep going, caution be damned.

  He felt too good. Just running her eyes over his body had hers responding. Even with the bandage covering half of his shoulder and arm, he was pure sex.

  Everything about him was hard and toned. Every inch of his body was perfection.

  His eyes met hers as she slid down onto him. Her thighs wrapped around his hips and she knew there was no going back. She still feared some of the horrible things she’d seen in her visions, but for now, she would take this moment. Take what she could and hold onto it for the rest of her life. No matter how short it was.

  His hands went to her hips, his nails digging softly into her skin, holding her down on him. Then he nudged her to move and she obliged, moving slowly at first, then faster and faster until she felt herself once more near the edge.

  Her eyes met his and she knew he, too, was moments away from release.

  Her hand sought his, their fingers tangled together. She felt something shift deep inside her chest. A power that hadn’t been there before. Leaning down, she placed her lips gently on his as they both jumped off the ledge together.

  Ten minutes later, she stood in the shower playing over the scene in her mind.

  She wasn’t feeling guilty yet, but she was close. After all, she’d technically only met the guy yesterday. And cue the guilt.

  Shoving her head under the water, she decided to drown those feelings.

  She turned around when she felt cold air hit her. Deciding to hide her doubts for now, she turned towards him. Her eyes met his and a slow smile formed on her lips.

  “You’re not supposed to get that wet,” she said, glancing down at his arm.

  His eyes narrowed as he looked down at the white bandage covering his upper arm and shoulder.

  She was shocked when he turned pale white and slid to the floor of the shower. He was too heavy for her to stop his fall, but she did shield his head from hitting the tile as she screamed his name over and over again.

  Reaching up, she shut off the water, which was hitting his face full on. Her hands shook when she reached for a towel and slid it under his head.

  Racing into the other room, she pulled on a robe and dialed Xtina’s number.

  “Help,” she said when someone answered the phone. It didn’t even register who it was, only that she needed help. “Ethan’s passed out in the shower.” She tossed the phone on the bed, knowing that someone would be there soon. Then she went back into the shower and covered Ethan with a towel, knowing that he wouldn’t appreciate everyone getting a show.

  She slapped his face lightly several times, but didn’t get a response. His skin was too pale, too colorless.

  Tears flowed from her eyes as she called his name over and over until she heard the front door open.

  “Brea?” It was Mike who rushed into the bathroom, hobbling on his good leg without a cane.

  “He just passed out. Like last night,” she said, shifting aside so Mike could squeeze into the shower.

  “Damn,” he said, shaking his brother. “Better call…” She was pretty sure he was about to say Jacob, but Ethan moaned.

  “Shit,” he said, pushing Mike away. “Who invited you?”

  Mike chuckled, but Brea could see the worry behind his eyes. “Any time you decide to take a swan dive in the shower, I’ll be here.”

  Brea pushed against Ethan’s shoulder, keeping him from standing up. “You passed out.”

  “Yeah?” His eyes met hers and she could tell he was masking his pain for his brother’s benefit. “You can go.” He looked over at Mike.

  “Nope, not until you’re back in bed.” Mike stood up and leaned on the bathro
om countertop.

  “Where’s your cane?” Ethan said as she helped him up.

  “Don’t need it anymore,” he said, just as Xtina rushed in.

  “Is he…?” She released a sigh. “Good.” She handed Mike his cane. “You forgot this.”

  Ethan chuckled as he walked by his brother.

  “Shut up,” Mike said, using his cane to follow them back into the bedroom. “What the hell were you doing taking a shower anyway?”

  Ethan glared at Mike. “A guy’s gotta get clean somehow.”

  Mike’s eyes moved over to Brea. She was pretty sure her face turned bright red, since it was obvious she’d been in the shower too.

  “Right,” Mike said, smiling. “Well, we’ll leave you two…alone.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Xtina asked.

  “Yeah, just bruised my ego,” he said as they left. “And possibly my ass,” he said when he sat on the side of the bed.

  “Serves you right. What were you thinking?”

  His smile was fast. “Do you really want to know?”

  She groaned and rolled her eyes. “You could have waited until I was out.”

  He reached up and brought her closer to him. “Waiting isn’t in my vocabulary.” He drew her down until their lips met.

  “Why did you pass out? Maybe you need some food?”

  “I could go for some food,” he said after his stomach growled. But there was something else behind his eyes. Something she knew he wasn’t telling her.

  “How about I change your bandage again and then make us some breakfast.”

  He reached up and took her hand. “We could go into town for some food.”

  Since she was officially out of a job, she had to think about her bank account. So far, she’d been eating what food was left at Mike’s place, in hopes that whatever was going on would fix itself before she ran out.

  She bit her bottom lip, and Ethan rubbed his finger over her lips. “Why the worry?”

  She sat down next to him and started removing his soaked bandages. “It’s nothing.”

  His finger pushed her chin up until she was looking at him. “Brea? After last night and this morning, you can tell me anything. What’s wrong?”

  She sighed. “I’m sort of out of a job at the moment.”

  The corners of his lips turned up. “I’ll buy.”

  She closed her eyes. “I’m not asking for charity.”

  “Honey, you just saved my ass for the second time since I’ve met you. I think I owe you that much.”

  Her throat threatened to close, so she just nodded. “I’ll get you fresh bandages.” She got up and walked into the bathroom.

  Chapter 10

  Ethan chose to believe that it was the serious lack of food in his system instead of the weird déjà vu vibe he’d gotten that had caused him to pass out. He was pretty sure he’d dreamed the shower scene for the past few months. Had she had the same dreams? Would she think that he’d slept with her because he’d been dreaming about her for months?

  He cringed inwardly at what she’d do. Women tended not to like it when the guy they were sleeping with ended up crazy.

  Sure, they’d talked about seeing one another before they’d actually met. But that didn’t mean he had to tell her that each dream had been X-rated. Or that she’d been turning him on since long before he ever laid eyes on her.

  “Here we are.” She stopped in front of the small café. He’d eaten here a few times when he’d stayed with Mike last year.

  “Are you sure you’re feeling up to this?”

  “Yeah.” He reached over and took her hand. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

  He still saw the worry behind her eyes. She nodded her head. “Wait until I come around. I don’t want you taking another face plant. Your meds say it causes dizziness,” she warned.

  He would have argued with her, but she moved too fast. He felt like a freaking girl. Letting her open his door took a lot of points from his manhood score.

  They walked into the diner, where an older woman waved them to take any of the free tables. Ethan followed Brea to a booth near the back and sat across from her.

  “I’m starved,” he admitted when his stomach growled.

  “You should be. You only ate half of a slice of pizza last night.” She frowned over at him.

  “I didn’t think anyone was paying attention.”

  “Everyone is worried about you.” She reached across the table and took his hand.

  “Yeah, I guess I’m not used to the attention,” he admitted as the waitress walked towards them.

  “So, you are still in town.” The older woman smiled at Brea. “I thought you’d gone home.”

  “No.” Brea smiled up at her. “Just to collect a few things. I’m staying at Mike’s place. This is…”

  “Ethan.” Clara smiled over at him. “I know. I heard about what happened to you.” She frowned slightly as her eyes ran over his shoulder. “Breakfast is on the house for anyone who’s willing to get themselves shot up giving us our freedom.” She winked at him.

  “Thank you.” He smiled at the woman and they ordered.

  “So, do you want to tell me the real reason you passed out?” she said after they were alone again.

  He took a drink of his water. “Low blood sugar.” She shook her head and leaned her elbows on the table. “The meds.” Again, she shook her head, and this time her eyes narrowed.

  “Ethan, like you said, after last night and this morning, you can tell me anything.”

  He hated having his words come back to him, but she was right. He couldn’t keep something like this a secret, especially after she’d told him that she’d teleported. That one still got him. It was hard to wrap his mind around. He’d heard of people sleepwalking, but hadn’t heard of anyone doing so when they were awake. He’d planned on doing some research on it, when he could. She seemed like a perfectly reasonable woman. Hell, he couldn’t explain his visions of her either.

  She sat across from him, her silver eyes glued to him.

  “You’re not going to believe anything I say.”

  “Try me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and he felt his desire for her spike.

  Closing his eyes, he leaned closer. “I had a… déjà vu moment.” Her eyebrows rose slightly, but she remained silent. “I’d had dreams.” He shook his head. “Visions of this morning. Before.”

  “Which part?” she asked.

  “When I walked into the shower and you turned around.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, wishing he could pull it out. How frustrating all this was becoming. Not only was he weak as a baby, but now he kept passing out like one of those fainting goats he’d seen in a video.

  She was frowning back at him. “Is that why you passed out? Did you… feel anything strange?”

  He shook his head and took another drink of his water. The pills made him thirsty, and he wasn’t surprised that Clara had to top off his water twice before delivering their food.

  “Okay,” Brea said between bites. “So, you’ve had visions of that moment. Any others?”

  He felt the room heat and he avoided looking in her direction.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry, I have too.”

  His eyes finally met hers. “You’ll have to tell…”

  She broke in. “Not until you tell me first.” She smiled and laughed. He liked the rich sound and couldn’t stop himself from smiling back at her.

  “Fair enough.” He glanced around. “But, let’s save that for some time when we’re alone.”

  She nodded, “Any other… visions? One’s we can talk about now?”

  He thought about it. “There’s the field.”

  Her face went a little pale and her hand stilled as she reached for her water glass. “A field?”

  He nodded. “We’re walking, hand in hand.” He saw her relax. “Then it starts raining and we rush into a house.” He shook his head remembering almost every detail
about the two-story home he’d seen in his dream. “It’s fuzzy, but there’s someone else there. Someone we both love.” His eyes met hers. He knew he was being vague, but he remembered holding a small bundle and didn’t want to scare her by telling her that he was holding their child in his arms.

  “Okay, I haven’t seen that one.”

  “Tell me one of yours.” He pushed his empty plate aside and thought about ordering a slice of pie or, better yet, one of those large blueberry muffins he’d seen. Having his appetite back was a good sign, right?

  She frowned and he could tell she was thinking about it. “There’s the tunnel,” she said after a while.

  “Tunnel?” He’d never dreamed of a tunnel before. “What tunnel?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ve only dreamed about it once.”

  “Dreamed or daydreamed?”

  She relaxed even more. “So, you’ve had these… visions when you’re awake too?”

  He nodded. “Sometimes they block out everything around you.” When she nodded in agreement, he continued. “It’s like time stops, though. Minutes pass in the vision, but in real time, it’s only seconds.”

  “Yes, at first I thought I’d traveled.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “But, no one around me seemed to notice.”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. No matter what happened, at least someone else was experiencing the same thing as him.

  “Well, isn’t this cozy,” someone said, breaking into his thoughts.

  Brea glanced up and jerked her hand from Ethan’s.

  “Drew? What are you doing here?” She frowned up at him.

  “Well, I was checking in on you and your story.” His eyes moved over to Ethan. “It looks like I’ve found the reason it’s taking you so long.” His voice had changed slightly with the sarcasm.

  He sat next to her without asking, causing her to move over until her shoulders were pushed up against the wall.

  “I’m Drew Debris.” Drew held out his hand towards Ethan. “Breanna’s boss and boyfriend.” He glanced over at her and winked.

  “Ex,” she jumped in before Ethan could even blink. “Ex-boyfriend.” She glared over at Drew. “Ex of several months. Several long months.”