Twelve

I've always loved dreaming. It's one of the two reasons I love sleeping so much. Dreams are like movies where the unrealistic and realistic are fused together. In dreams, you get to be anything, anyone.

As the familiar yet annoying urge to drink water or any sweet liquid pulled me from the lovely movie playing in my sleep, I hugged the pillow to my chest, trying to ignore it. I didn't want the dream to end. But as expected, I gave in to my extreme thirst that has been the reason I'm always up so early in the morning these past few weeks.

Hugging the pillow tighter to myself, I reluctantly opened my eyes. All that was left to do was to persuade my legs to get off the bed and walk all the way to the kitchen. I sat up and looked to my right where the empty bottle of water I'd taken to bed lay, as I was preparing to sleep.

Wondering why I've been having an immense need for water, I finally got up, one of my legs kicking the bottle. As I stepped out, Mr. Powers' strong masculine scent hit my nose, and I felt my lips curve up in a short smile. It was good to finally have him back in the house after a while, even though he was probably feeling terrible at the moment.

I mean, his girlfriend cheated on him big time. If I were him, I'd probably be digging into a huge bowl of ice cream by now. I walked to the top of the staircase and bumped into the man I was just thinking about.

And the man I was just dreaming of. When I suddenly remembered the dream I was having, I felt my body grow hot. Because, as in the dream, he was also standing shirtless in front of me.

"Miss Sands. Unable to sleep again?" His bags were almost gone, and he didn't sound like someone who was experiencing heartbreak or even a tiny bit of sadness. Instead, his eyes had that look that just hooked me, making me stare more and more at his magnificent build.

I couldn't answer his question. Instead, my eyes went to his exposed chest. Even though I've seen it before, having it so close to me felt different. And I was so close to touching it. Its firmness was compelling me to reach out and...

"Miss Sands." His finger lifted my chin and raised my head to look at him. "That's not my face. This is." He was so close to me. As I recalled the dream further, my eyes fell to his lips that were furiously attacking mine in my sleep.

Why I was having such a dream, I don't know, but like I said earlier, I was enjoying it. It made me wonder what it would feel like if something similar happened in reality.

Oooh. I shivered as the thought both delighted and frightened me.

"Sir..." My voice betrayed the tension I felt, and indeed, I was tense. My gaze returned to his. His finger withdrew from my chin, and his thumb lingered over my lips. With his eyes still intensely fixed on mine, he traced the side of my mouth ever so slowly.

A soft gasp escaped my lips under his touch, stirring something within me, and they parted slightly as I struggled to form words. In my struggle, I caught a fleeting smirk on his face.

It was then that I realized he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Come, let's go play some music." His large hand enveloped mine, and though I knew I should refuse and retreat to my room, I didn't resist. I allowed him to lead me to the piano, my eyes following the bounce of his tousled hair as he strode down the stairs with an air of majesty.

He seated me gently on the piano stool, and I stared at the black and white keys before me. Swallowing deeply, I pondered what would happen next. I should have fled upon realizing his intent.

But I was too captivated, too curious, and found myself unable to move. "Do you remember the music we made the other day?" I turned to look at him, taking in his posture.

"Let's make more." His hands rested on my shoulders, squeezing them lightly. I exhaled deeply, my focus returning to the piano. His hands remained on me, gliding down my arms with such slowness that a wave of tension seized me. His warm hands ignited a fire on my skin as they settled on my fingers.

It had been years since I'd felt this way, and it was oddly exhilarating.

He lifted my fingers to the piano keys, his hands guiding mine. "Relax," he murmured close to me, his deep voice resonating in my ear, sending shivers through me. If I wasn't careful, my body would soon start yearning for more of his touch.

"It's just music, Grace." I turned to meet his gaze, looking into his deep eyes. The way he said my name sent my mind reeling.

What was he trying to do to me?

With our eyes locked, he intertwined his fingers with mine, accidentally grazing the piano keys.

"Mr. Powers..." His touch intensified the heat within me, his proximity to my back tempting me to lean back into him without a second thought. I noticed his eyes drop to my lips, and a thrill coursed through me. But it was quickly extinguished by the images of him with his ex. I withdrew my fingers from his abruptly.

Resting my hands in my lap, I collected myself and asked, "How are you feeling now, sir?"

He quietly withdrew his fingers, and the slight pressure of his weight against my back vanished. I listened as he took a seat beside me. I shifted slightly to the side, conscious of the way his arms brushing against mine might affect me. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him glancing my way after I moved.

He didn't speak but instead faced forward. "What do you mean by 'how am I feeling?'"

"Well," I moistened my lips, which brought me back to my initial concern, "you caught your girlfriend in bed with another man. And you looked very tired when you came in."

"We weren't dating. And I never really liked her." I nodded slightly, feeling an unexpected wave of relief wash over me. "But yes, I am tired."

Turning to face him, he mirrored my movement. "Really? You seem fine to me, sir."

"Sometimes I just want to run away," he confessed, piquing my interest. I shifted to face him more directly.

"From what?"

His gaze drifted to the piano. "I think I need a break from the professional part of my life. I want to be like Ruby, who doesn't have to worry about which meetings to attend, which investments to make, which decisions to take, which parties to go to. I want a break from all that." His voice lacked the usual sternness, the occasional grimness. He sounded almost childlike—a child yearning for the simple wonders of the world.

"Well, sir, take a break."

"I can't. I've worked too hard to make my mark in the business world, and I have a goal I'm yet to achieve. I'm so close to becoming what I've always wanted to be."

"Then hang in there, sir. It's just a matter of time. Before you know it, you'll have reached your goal and you'll have all the time in the world to run away." I offered a quick smile.

"It's nice to hear what you have to say. You always manage to make sense."

"I'm that special, sir." Without thinking, I beamed at him, which he countered with a smirk. This prompted me to retract my smile as I noticed the genuine smile in the corners of his eyes that didn't quite reach his lips. "This is so weird," I murmured to myself after turning away to hide my smile.
Just minutes ago, we were in a heated moment, and now here I was giving him life advice.

"Did you say something?"

"Uh..." I stood up. "No. I need to get water. Goodnight, sir." He didn't reply, so I walked away, trying not to complicate things further for myself.


********

"Did I tell you Daddy's birthday is the day after tomorrow?" I said, dropping a box of cereal into the cart.

"How come I'm only hearing about this now?"

She gave me a sheepish smile. "I forgot?"

"So what happens now?"

"I need to get him a present. It's my first time giving him something, and I want it to be special." Ruby walked ahead as she spoke. "What do you think I should get him?"

"I don't know, Ruby. What do you want to get him?" I picked up a jar of mayonnaise and dropped it into my cart.

"I don't know! That's why I'm asking you." She had stopped walking and was facing me, her expression one of deep thought.

"Why don't you make him something? Like, create your own present. You could draw or paint something."

"Do you think he would like that?"

"Of course, he would. Who wouldn't prefer their child's handmade present over something bought?"

She shrugged and continued walking. "I guess I'll finish that drawing after all."

"Which one?"

"It's a surprise."

"But it's not my birthday."

She stopped and faced me. "I want it to be a surprise for you too." I raised my hands in surrender. "You should get him something."

I glanced her way and hummed in response. The idea of giving a gift to my boss, who was succeeding in making me more attracted to him, wasn't exactly appealing. "I don't know, Ruby."

"Please. He'd love it." I couldn't resist the pleading look on her face, so I chuckled and agreed. "Yay! So, what are you getting him?" We were already heading to the checkout counter, pushing our cart ahead of us. I pondered her question.

What would I get Dominic Powers for his birthday? He's rich, so if I'm going to get him a meaningful gift, it has to be something priceless. As our goods were being packed, I looked down at Ruby, who was watching the cashier confirm our purchases and package them. I smiled. "Ruby, I know what to get your dad."

"Really? What?"

"It's a surprise." I winked.

We grabbed our bagged items and walked out of the supermarket. It was nearly dark outside, and I checked the time. "Ruby, we need to hurry. We're running late." I checked my phone's screen again, and when I saw the date written just below the boldly written time, my eyes widened, and my heart clenched with sudden sadness.

I had totally forgotten.