Dream Makers: Dream Of Me Part 5

Serenity couldn't help but crack a smile, though Darla told her laughing at his jokes only encouraged him. Serenity disagreed. She always responded, I think if we didn't laugh at them then he would just tell more because he would be determined to get a laugh out of us.

"You're right, Uncle Wayne, compared to your other material that wasn't too bad." Serenity waved goodnight and headed for her room.

She set her alarm on her phone, just in case she actually got some sleep. Being late to work was not something she made a habit of, especially when she knew those poor dogs were waiting to go outside to do their business. Serenity flipped off her light and then pulled back the covers of her bed and climbed in. But just like the other nights, tired as she was, she couldn't sleep. She stared up at the ceiling counting the fan rotations. Nearly a half hour later the blades on the fan began to grow darker. She thought perhaps her eyelids were finally getting heavy, but she quickly realized that she still wasn't the least bit sleepy. He was back.

Serenity shot up and she realized how comical she must have looked but she pushed away her embarra.s.sment. She had more important things to worry about besides being self-conscious.

"Dair?" she nearly whispered into the now completely pitch black room.

"Yes." His voice was every bit as potent as it had been the first time he'd spoken to her. Serenity shook off the effects. Focus Sarah, she told herself.

"I wasn't sure if you'd come back," she admitted.

"I told you I would."

She couldn't tell anything by his tone of voice. It wasn't betraying any emotion and it frustrated her. Was he irritated with her for doubting him? Had he been thinking about her all week and worrying about what she was going to say to him?

"How was your week?" he asked.

"Long," she blurted out before she had time to censor herself. He chuckled and, by all that was delicious in this world, that chuckle should be outlawed. Any woman who heard that would want to crawl up in his lap and purr.

"As was mine."

"Really?" Serenity thought she detected a little sadness in his voice.

"It was not my choice to be separated from you, Serenity. Why are you surprised that I would dislike being away?" He wasn't being mean, just stating the facts.

"I guess I'm a little leery. You claim to have intense emotions for me, but you don't even know me."

Again with the chuckle.

"Could you please not do that?" she asked almost breathlessly.

"Do what?" His voice rumbled.

He knew exactly what she was talking about but she answered him anyways. "That little laugh. Could you refrain from it please?"

"I will do my best if you tell me why you don't want me to laugh."

Seriously! she mentally huffed. "It's disarming."

"Hmm, good to know," he muttered and it seemed it was more to himself than an answer for her. "In response to your concerns," he continued in a less flirty tone, which Serenity's dignity appreciated. "We have established that I am not human."

"Definitely established," she agreed.

"And because I'm not human I don't think and feel as a human does. My emotions are much, much more intense. They are not fleeting nor are they given freely to just anyone. My life is much too long to squander such precious things like love, trust, respect, and adoration. I am not meant to have a mate. Perhaps, that also is why my feelings are so strong, because being drawn to you cannot be either of our fates. It cannot be because the Creator never intended the Sandman to have a companion. My existence was to solely be about my task. And I had accepted that. But then you were my next a.s.signment and I was intrigued by the selflessness in you. So I watched you, I listened, and I do apologize if that sounds a little like I was stalking you."

Serenity laughed because he was right, it was pretty freaking creepy. But she could hear in his voice that he wasn't watching her in a creepy way. He was curious. He wanted to understand her.

"And so because of the things you observed about me, you began to care for me?" she asked.

"I was attracted to you the minute I saw you. But it grew into something more when I got to see beyond your beautiful face."

If he was trying to get brownie points he was doing a good job. Serenity felt her face heat up at the compliment. She'd never been good at taking compliments.

"Your skin is lovely when you blush."

His words took her by surprised and she sucked in a sharp breath. "You can see me?" She was looking around as if that was going to somehow help her see him. Stop being a moron, Sarah, you can't even see your hand in front of your face, Serenity chastised herself and then sat still.

"I am the Sandman, the Dream Weaver, the Enticer of Slumber. The night is mine. The darkness is my cloak and obeys my commands. If I do not want to be seen, I can prevent it."

"The girl in my dream, Emma, has seen you," she pointed out.

"Yes." There was a smile in his voice, and Serenity wished so much that she could see that smile. "Children are very perceptive, much more so than adults. Emma saw me when I was on another a.s.signment and she interrogated me. She is quite impressive for an eight-year-old."

"I thought the same thing."

They were both silent for a few minutes. Serenity wasn't sure what to say next. Should she just jump in with, hey please stay and hang out so we can see where this goes? Could he stay, even if he wanted to? There were just so many questions, so many what ifs. She didn't know where to start so instead she stayed silent.

"Have you decided whether you want me to leave or not?" he asked, proving that he was indeed braver than she.

"I talked about it with my best friend." She waited to see if he would freak out over the fact that she'd told someone about him.

"She believed you?" He sounded completely skeptical. Silly immortal.

"Not all adults are closed minded. Glory knows I wouldn't lie. So yes, she believed me."

"What did she say?"

Serenity thought back to the many times her best friend had asked if Dair was hot and then about her description of what his voice induced. She decided he didn't really need to know much of what Glory said. "She thought I should give you a chance."

His silence indicated to her that he was surprised by her best friend's reaction.

"And what are your thoughts?"

"I," she took a deep breath and let it out before she finished, "agree."

Suddenly the darkness began to grow lighter until she could see though her light was still off. She blinked and let her eyes adjust before looking up. When she finally did, she found herself having to tilt her head up and up and up until she finally saw the face of the very tall, inhumanly handsome immortal before her.

Her throat suddenly felt as if she'd been drinking sand all day and the hinges in her jaw seemed to be broken because her mouth would not close. No matter how much she screamed in her mind for her brain to close her gaping jaws, it just wouldn't happen. As Serenity stared up into eyes so black and clear that she could nearly see her reflection, a brief thought flew through her mind; I could stare into those eyes for eternity.

When he cleared his throat it seemed to make something inside her click and her synapses started firing again. She was able to look away from the mesmerizing eyes to the rest of his face. He was beautifulmasculine, no doubt, but beautiful as well. He had black hair, s.h.i.+ny and long on top, sweeping to the side. His skin appeared as smooth as marble and his jaw was strong and defined. His nose was straight and perfectly proportioned for his face and his lips. My, my, Serenity purred to herself. His lips, plump without being feminine, curved up in that moment to one side in a little smirk. Her eyes snapped back up to his and the gleam in them said he completely understood that she was basically just checking him out, like looking over a piece of fruit in a grocery store. And much to her chagrin, her next thought was whether or not he'd taste as sweet as the fruit looked. It was one of those moments when she really wanted to smack herself.

"I had the same reaction the first time I saw you," Dair said wrapping her in the warmth of his deep voice again.

It took some work but Serenity finally managed to swallow down the sand. "I, uh, I don't know what you mean." Playing dumb was a good way to go, right? She couldn't very well fess up to mentally drooling over him.

"So you don't find me attractive?" His brow pinched together giving him a boyish cuteness.

"I didn't say that."

"But you didn't say you did either."

"Do you start all your conversations with how attractive you find the other person?"

There was that laugh again. The heat rushed up her neck until Serenity was sure she must be as red as Santa's b.u.t.t.

"Alright, you win," he conceded. "I will refrain from making any more a.s.sumptions because I don't believe I could keep up with your witty banter." He held out his hand then and leaned forward just a bit. "I'm Brudair, and it's an honor to meet you."

Coming from any other man on planet earth that would have been the cheesiest thing she'd ever seen. But from Dair, it was so natural and sincere that instead of laughing she wanted to sigh. Was she pathetic? Definitely. Did she care at that moment? Not even a tiny bit. Serenity reached out her hand and placed it in his larger one. The contact with his cool skin made her want to sigh. "I'm Serenity, but you already know that. It's nice to meet you as well." She expected him to release her hand but instead he simply held it firmly in his own. He straightened and took another step towards her. She felt so small sitting on the bed while Dair stood looming over her. "Would you like to sit?" She nodded to the end of her bed. He nodded in return and stepped to the side, and, in moves that seemed too graceful for such a large person, he sat, barely jarring her at all. He had yet to let go of her hand, not that she minded.

"So what now?" Serenity asked him trying very hard not to squirm under his intense gaze.

"I'm not sure. I've never been in this situation before. What have you done in past relations.h.i.+ps?"

Serenity didn't miss the tightening of his lips as he asked her about other boyfriends. He needn't have worried. Looking away from him, suddenly feeling inadequate she answered, "I've never been in this situation either. I've never dated anyone."

"Then once again you are not like the other humans. I will not deny that I am happy to hear that there have been none before me. I would hate to have to compete with memories."

She looked back at him, thankful that he didn't think her strange for being eighteen and a virgin in more ways than just the biblical sense. She'd never held a guy's hand, not romantically. She'd never kissed anyone or been held in strong arms by a guy who cared for her. "Maybe we could start by getting to know each other a little better. Where did you come from? Where do you live? How long will you be here? Just for a start." She smiled sheepishly as his eyes widened at her sudden rapid fire questions.

"I was hoping I could win you over by my charm, charisma, and good looks before I had to tell you things that might scare you off." Despite the light sound in his voice, in his eyes Serenity could see real worry.

"If you are worried that I will be shocked by what you are going to tell me, then you're right, I might be. But I'm not a coward. I don't run from something just because it's different from me."

"Fair enough. I will hold you to your word," he said as he finally let go of her hand.

She fought the urge to s.n.a.t.c.h it back. Because ya know, that wouldn't be weird at all. Serenity rolled her eyes at herself.

"I was made by the Creator," he began. "I do not have a home. I have no need of sleep or food, and I can find shelter in the homes of my a.s.signments if I need to get out of the weather." His eyes seemed to grow troubled and she was captivated by the swirling darkness she saw in them. As if black smoke was a part of his iris, it danced in the orbs. "And as for how long I will be here," his stormy eyes met hers as he finished, "I do not know the answer to that."

"But you will have to leave, eventually?" Serenity wanted clarification. She did not want to get so attached to Dair that when he left he took more of her with him than was left behind to cope. A thought occurred to her then. Was he the reason she wound up staying in Yellville in her dream? She wouldn't deny that he would be a major point in favor of staying.

"I wish I could tell you no." Dair looked down at his hands which were clasped in his lap. His large shoulders slumped forward. "I should have already left. My a.s.signment was done the night that you finished the dream. I don't know how long I have before I am sent for."

"Will you be punished?" She didn't like the idea of him being hurt because of her.

His lips twitched in amus.e.m.e.nt. "Not in the way you're thinking. I won't be flogged or anything. Do you have any other questions?"

Serenity knew he was changing the topic on purpose and she would let him, for now. "Is it hard to adjust as the times change? I mean, how do you keep up with all of it?

"I am merely an observer in this realm, so I get to watch everything, and I pick up on things like the changing lingo and clothing. I've become quite adept at it over the years. I'm usually ahead of the times actually. Knowing what is normal for each of my a.s.signed humans is a necessity for the dream I make for them. Each dream must be at least somewhat familiar to them."

"What's your favorite decade?" Serenity leaned forward so that her elbows were resting on her legs and her face propped in her hands.

"Until now I'd never had a favorite. I wasn't a part of the human world, just an interloper. It's hard to enjoy something that you never partake in."

She realized then from that statement just how lonely Dair's life must be. To have to watch others have relations.h.i.+ps whether with parents, siblings, or significant others but to never get to experience them would be a very lonely existence.

"So, I'm a.s.suming that you don't have any parents?"

He shook his head. "Only the Creator. I have existed for a very long time but I was never a child. I was created just as I look now and I've always been this way." His eyes met hers and she saw the swirling storm in them again.

"Why do your eyes do that?" She pointed as if he didn't know where his own eyes were.

Dair closed them for a few seconds and when he opened them back they were clear and black again. "My emotions tend to cause it. Strong emotions."

She wasn't sure if she was ready to hear what those strong emotions were so she didn't ask. When in doubt, avoidance seemed like the best course of action. The slight smile on his lips told her he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"It's late," Dair said as he reached up and brushed aside a lock of her hair. "I should let you get some sleep. Do you work tomorrow?"

She nodded, unable to speak as his fingers trailed down her neck. When he pulled his hand away the loss of the cool contact reminded her that she wanted to ask him about that.

"Why is your skin so cool?"

"Last question for the night, Princess."

She frowned at the nickname. Serenity wasn't sure if she liked it or not. But coming from Dair and his sultry voice, she just might let him call her anything.

"When you think of daylight, of daytime, do you a.s.sociate it with warmth or coolness?"

She considered the question. "Warmth, of course," Serenity answered.

Dair nodded. "And when you think of the dark, of nighttime you probably think of it being cool. I am like the nightcool, a lack of warmth because there is no sun during the night which is my time."

"There is warmth in you, even if it isn't in your skin," she told him impulsively because she knew it was true.

"Thank you," he said quietly but the grat.i.tude she saw in his eyes said more than his words ever could. "Now I will let you get some sleep."

He stood and Serenity found herself scrambling to her feet. She didn't want him to go, but she knew that he was right. She had to be up early and would be exhausted if she didn't get some sleep.

"So," she said as she looked down at the suddenly very interesting floor. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Dair took a step towards her and then lifted her chin with a gentle finger. His large hand moved to cup her cheek as her wide eyes looked into his swirling ones. "I couldn't stay away even if you wanted me to. This past week was nearly unbearable for me. I'd not like to repeat it anytime soon."

Heat swept up her body as she felt the blush on her skin.

"So yes, you will see me tomorrow," he continued when she didn't say anything. "What time to you get off work?"

"Noon," she told him and wanted to give herself a round of applause that she actually spoke and didn't just stand there drooling over him.

"Can I meet you there?"

She nodded. Okay, so forget the round of applause; now she couldn't even utter one word. Dair took another step closer to her and then began to lean down towards her. Was he going to kiss her? Would she let him? Glory would probably kill her once she got a look at Dair and then found out that Serenity hadn't let him kiss her. She heard him take a deep breath and could have sworn he groaned, but it was so soft she couldn't be sure. Her eyes fluttered closed as his face came closer. Okay, so maybe she would let him kiss her. Instead of his full lips on hers, she felt them on her forehead. She started to be disappointed but then she felt his strong arm encircle her waist and pull her to him. His body was hard against her softer one, and Serenity couldn't help but notice how sheltered she felt enveloped in his large frame, as if nothing in the world could hurt her as long as his arms were around her protecting her.

"Sleep, good Princess of Peace," he whispered as he stepped away from their embrace. When she opened her eyes her room was empty.

Serenity s.h.i.+vered. "You're not going to stay invisible in my room are you?" she asked the empty room. After several minutes with no response, she took that to mean that Dair was really gone. She climbed back into bed and let out a soft sigh as Mr. Whitherby hopped up next to her. "Well, what'd you think about him Mr. W?"