Page 356 of Evil Hearts

“Okay, just take a nap and then order some pizza. That’ll solve everything.”

Trusting in the “scientific” proof behind sleep and delivery, I hurried to my bed, hopping under the covers like I might run into something on the way to my room. I tried desperately to pretend I wasn’t as freaked out as I was, failing miserably.

The last thing I heard, my head buried beneath the blanket, before weariness fully ushered me into the land of unconsciousness, was the sound of my breathing rolling in and out of me in time with the howling wind outside.

It was hot and dark, and the silk of my sheets sliding across my skin felt…good. Something more was there. Something else was flitting across my consciousness as I slept.

Was I asleep?

It was bizarre. I’d never lucid dreamed before, but I could sense the space of my bedroom suspended somewhere else in the universe while these sensations still clung to me, keeping me from being fully awake.

Darkness and warmth were everywhere here. But something was with me—apresence.

I swirled through the ocean of my sheets, black and slippery around me. I could almostseemyself lying there in my bed, imagining my legs as they moved through the fabric, my waist as my shirt pushed up, exposing the underside of my breasts and revealing the tattoos usually hidden beneath my clothing.

I was ravenous, desperate for contact and release. It made me fist the sheets and then drag my hands down my body, findingthe growing wetness between my legs. I had to have it, touch it, claim it.

Itwas making me feel this restless need. Whatwasit?

The dream space was tight and all-consuming. Hands grazed over mine, directing me, pushing me for more. Was it hands?

I couldn’t think. I could just feel, just let go.

Guided inside my desperate center, a tiny moan slipped out as I found it slick and aching. I whined, burning at the contact as I stroked my clit, then dipped inside and twirled. It was everything. Everything was too much and not enough.

Something else took my breasts, squeezing, and dragged claws down my skin, finding my ass. Thin trails of blood, barely anything, bloomed under the scratches. I arched, pressing deeper and craving more.

It built up, the cresting ache getting stronger and stronger. I was so close.

Picking up my pace, I dove in and out of my cunt as my dream gave me the sensation of groping all over me. I could feel something exploring, and then imaginary fingers joined my own. Impossibly full, I panted as my release peaked, ecstasy just on the other side. A hand wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air as the other moved to pinch my clit.

I woke up coming on my hand, black spots dotting my vision.

Chapter Three

Akirako

As the fogof sleep receded, I quickly sat up, out of breath and my head spinning.

“What the fuck was that?”

I’d never had that good a sex dream before. Hell, I’d never had that good of sex at all. My heart pounded, and I stifled a shiver. Lingering wetness clung to my fingers and thighs, a light sheen of sweat on my brow.

It was so… real.

Jesus, I was actually sweaty, and I needed to wash my hands.

Looking around, I realized it was the middle of the night. I’d slept nearly half the day. I picked up my cell with my clean hand, swiping it open. My pizza order sat ninety percent complete in the browser window. I finalized it, desperately wanting my pepperoni, bacon, and jalapeno, and went to the bathroom to splash my face and make myself presentable for the delivery person.

When the pizza arrived, I was as polite as I could be, accepted my food, and then got back inside to plop down on the couch. I was determined to give this chill-and-eat-to-a-movie thing another try. Still, I only managed one movie, something about werewolves, before I was tired again. Probably because the flick was boring AF, I wound up passing out right on my couch.

Tomorrow would be my last day off. Hopefully, it would be a better one.

Morning light cut through my half-cracked blinds and right into my closed eyes. I groaned and stretched, my joints creaking after an uncomfortable night on my sofa. Fuck, I should have gotten up and gone to my bed.

My bed.

As the thought of my previous “rest” in there surfaced, I felt a familiar burn snake its way through my core. Why on earth I’d done that and why it still haunted me was beyond me.

---