Chapter 62

Matt sat on his lumpy hotel room bed and tried to pay attention to the television.
His meeting today with Summer hadn't gone as well has he'd hoped, but it had gone better than he had any right to expect. She hadn't told him to take a flying hike, but he was still stuck here while she was in her lonely bed, miles away. At least now she knew he was real. What was it going to take to convince her he was serious about her, about them? He'd spent his whole life falling in love with Summer. He didn't want to wait months or even years for her to fall in love with him.
He'd done more walking than usual today, and his hip ached. Since he was trying to keep his use of pain pills to the bare minimum, he went down to the hotel's pool area and lounged in the hot tub for a while, letting the heated jets relax the stiffened muscles. A small spa was definitely something to consider for his backyard. He figured it could be added unobtrusively, without significant damage to the landscaping. That thought led to even more ideas, like what he and Summer could do in the bubbling water, and suddenly Matt decided he'd better go back up to his room. Even if he didn't sleep, at least there he wouldn't freak anyone out with an inexplicable hard-on. Good thing his swim trunks were baggy.
Back in his room, he opened his computer and answered some emails until he was relaxed enough to fall asleep.
He wasn't at all surprised when he dreamed of Summer.
Now that he'd seen her in person, she seemed even more beautiful than ever, looking at him through startled blue eyes.
"Well. I didn't expect to see you tonight." She twisted her hands in front of her.
Matt sat on the piece of driftwood that was always there. "Sorry. I can control what I do and say, but the dreams come when they want to. I've never been able to bring one on or fend one off."
"It's different now, knowing you're real, that we could pick up the phone and talk instead of meeting in our dreams." She didn't move toward him but didn't run away either. Her teeth toyed with her lower lip. "I had fun today though. I'm glad I finally got to see you in the flesh."
"I had fun too. But then I was sure I would. I've known you most of my life, after all." He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "And yeah, it was hard keeping my hands to myself when I wanted to touch you."
"Awkward, at least." She took one tentative step forward. "In our dreams, there's nothing we haven't done - even some kinkier things I thought I'd never try in real life. But in person, we've barely kissed."
"I'll be happy to fix that whenever you're ready." Given half the chance, he'd spend the whole day kissing her, touching her, fucking her until neither of them could stand.
Another few steps forward. "I want to. A big part of me wants to just fall into your arms and pick up where we left off in our dreams. But the logical, rational side of me isn't sure. We could be totally different in real life - not at all compatible."
"I don't believe that - and I don't think you do really, either. But you can take all the time you need to get used to the idea." He'd hold out if he had to, though it would be the most difficult thing he'd ever done.
She took a deep breath, making her breasts rise against the filmy fabric of her sundress. "We definitely need to spend more time together."
"No arguments from me on that, sugar." He'd take whatever he could get.
"When you come tomorrow - bring your suitcase. You might as well stay here with me until you can move into your house."
Joy and relief flooded his soul. She was opening up to him, giving him a chance. He believed down to his bones that once they were together, she'd realized their love was as real as it had always been in their dreams.
"I can't wait." He closed the distance between them and dropped to his knees in front of her on the sand. Lifting her hands in his, he dropped kisses on each of the fingers. "I've waited my whole life for this, darlin'. It's what I thought about to keep myself going through all those years in combat. I swear I'll make sure you don't regret this."
"Matt..." She reached down and tangled her hands in his hair, drawing him up for a scorching kiss. "I don't know what to do. I want you, but now that we've met, having sex in our dreams feels weird."
"I know." He kissed her nose, her cheeks and her forehead. "Next time we make love, I want it to be the real thing. Not that the dreams weren't real - aren't real - in their own way. I swear one time I woke up with a hickey, and a couple times with scratches on my back."
Summer laughed. "That's nothing. You know that the first time - even in the dream I was still a virgin?"
Matt groaned at the memory. Not something he could ever forget. He deeply regretted that he hadn't had the good fortune to be her first in real life.
"I woke up with blood on my thighs, Matt. I think I must've used my hand in my sleep or something. Or else it was just some kind of magic. The first time with a guy in college, there was no tearing. So, in some way, you really did take my virginity."
Matt shook his head. "Now that's just weird, darlin'." He couldn't help being glad though, that no other man had that same sweet memory.
Summer yawned then slipped off the log to sit in his lap and lean her head against his shoulder. "I think we should go back to sleep now and rest up for tomorrow."
"That's not a bad idea, sugar." He loved the feel of her in his arms, even if it was a dream.
"Oh and, Matt - " Another yawn interrupted her. "Might want to bring some condoms. I don't have a stash with me at the beach house."
Matt knew his own laugh sounded raspy - or maybe desperate. "I'll be sure and do that." If he had his way, they were going to need several boxes. Soon.