Page 55 of Matteo

“Stizzy…I’m coming for you…” Matteo’s voice was a whisper on the wind filled with promise.

I didn’t dare look behind me because I was sure he was there, watching. Glancing down, I could see the water moving beneath my feet ready to take me. A few steps later I was across and on solid ground.

Looking around, I realized there was nothing in front of me except that house. It was lit up like a Christmas tree, a beacon against the night.

I’d seen it a million times in my dreams.

The last time I’d dreamed about it; he’d carried me inside…

Hesitation rode through my body like a horse on the open plains. The house stood like a threat in the pale moonlight. Desperation closed in and I started my trek towards it as I yearned to rest.

Each step felt like an eternity until I finally reached the door, my hand poised above the knob. With a turn the door swung open, and I looked over my shoulder to see Matteo advancing behind me.

I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he could see every inch of me.

Stepping in, I slammed the door behind me…

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Rain,” he called from the other side of the door. “Let me in baby. I need you…”

“No!” I said backing away from the door. “Leave me alone.”

“Now, Stizzy, I simply can’t do that. Me and you…we…”

His voice seemed to trail off and before I knew it, the door was opening despite the fact that I had locked it. He sauntered over the threshold, a smirk on his lips.

“Chasing you through a dreamscape is not my idea of fun, Stizzy.”

“Quit fucking calling me that,” I mumbled already looking for an out.

“Never,” he replied.

He began to approach but there was no way I could make it this easy, not after I’d nearly gotten away.

Right?

Or had this been the plan all along?

He seemed to study me, and I didn’t like it, and so I decided to make a run for it. He was so fast that when he snatched me close and pulled me against his chest it knocked the wind out of me.

“Why do you keep running, when we both want it?” he grinned.

I stared up at him trying to avoid looking at his mouth. His fingers were wrapped around my wrist, and I could feel my heart speeding up at the closeness. Suddenly I closed my eyes, trying to force myself awake.

“Wake up, this is a dream,” I whimpered as shiver wracked my body.

“It’s a dream, but we are very real,” Matteo whispered into my ear, and another shiver followed.

“I can smell how wet you are for me, Rain.”

Suddenly, I was up against a wall, my eyes were still squeezed shut.

“No more games. And no more running,” he whispered and finally I opened my eyes.

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