Page 85 of Dreaming of Dawson

He’s a bear of a man, just like I thought the first time I saw him. The most surprising thing about Dawson isn’t his appearance. It’s that, despite his size and his demeanor, he’s such a gentle lover. That thought makes me smile and snuggle a little closer to him, recalling how he said he was falling for me after we first made love. It felt good to hear him say that, even if I urged caution at the time.

I didn’t do that out of any sense of doubt, though.

How could I doubt the man who’d offered to sell his bar, just so we could be together? How could I doubt anything about him when he treats me the way he does?

No… it’s not that. It’s just that I don’t want to rush things…

Okay, so I know I’m the one who came in here last night, even though I’d asked him to give me time. But I couldn’t seethe point in lying awake next door, missing him, when it was obvious we both wanted the same thing.

Regardless of that, and everything we’ve done, I want to make sure it’s right for both of us. I may be deeply in love with him, but I’d rather he took his time and made certain he feels the same way about me, because I couldn’t bear it if we got this wrong.

“Tanner!”

I jump as Dawson startles awake, his friend’s name crossing his lips in a surprising cry.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, and he turns his head, his eyes meeting mine, and widening slightly, as though he’d forgotten I was here. He reaches out, putting one hand behind my head, before he dips his, our lips meeting as he kisses me deeply. It’s like he’s missed me, even though he’s been asleep, and as I pull myself up his body, he turns over, so we’re face-to-face, wrapping his arms and legs around me. I can feel his arousal pressing in to me, my sighs matching his groans, as we greet each other wordlessly.

We take our time exploring… like this is a new beginning, which I suppose it is. Eventually, though, Dawson pulls back, sucks in a deep breath and smiles at me.

“Good morning,” he whispers.

“Good morning. Was there a reason you woke up saying your friend’s name?”

“Yes. I suddenly remembered something.”

“Even though you were asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Does that happen often?” I ask, nestling against his chest as he strokes my back.

“I don’t know. I’m usually too hungover to engage my brain in anything as complicated as thinking.”

I chuckle and he hugs me even tighter.

“Was your thought about Tanner important?” I ask.

“Only that I promised myself I’d organize something for his and Zara’s wedding night.”

“Their wedding night? Isn’t that kinda personal to them?”

“Yes, it is. Or it should be… and that’s the whole point. The way they’ve got it planned, it’s not gonna be very personal at all.”

“Are you sure you didn’t have anything to drink last night?” I say, and he tilts his head, his brow furrowing.

“I’m positive. Why?”

“Because it sounds to me like you’re still hungover. You’re not making any sense at all.”

“I am. At least, I am to me.” He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. “I came up with a half-assed idea to do something for them… to fix up a surprise. Only I was drunk at the time, and I’ve been drunk ever since… until yesterday. And now I’m running out of time, and even though they know nothing about it, I don’t wanna let them down. I feel like I’ve done too much of that already.”

“Hey…” I reach up, dusting my fingers down his cheek and he sucks in a breath, leaning in to my touch, then turning his head and kissing my hand. “Stop beating yourself up.”

“I think I’m entitled.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been a god-awful friend to Tanner over the last few years.”

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