Icarians: Poisoned Dreams (11 page)

This time when Analeigh started to dream, it was very different. 'She was asleep in a strange bed and when she awoke she was more than a little unnerved, until she saw him. Moonlight streamed down his beautiful, lean, tan body. He was so astonishing he stole her breath. He slowly walked to the bed. Each step he took was torture, she couldn't wait for him a moment longer. He leaned down at the end of the bed and kissed her calf softly. His breath and lips seemed to ignite her. He slowly moved forward until she was completely covered by him.

He kissed her then, it was so fulfilling and at the same time leaving her hungry for all of him. He rested himself between her legs only putting the slightest bit of pressure on her panties making her crazy with need. His mouth found her neck and his soft tongue traced her delicate skin. She moaned with deep desire, pleading with him to take her higher. She wrapped her legs around him tightly trying to rush him. He looked into her eyes and said with his deep sultry voice "I have loved you from the first moment I saw you, but I can't make love to you until you know.'

Analeigh woke drenched in sweat. She had a need deep inside her that felt very much like pain. Although it wasn't like the other dreams, this one was just as disturbing. She needed to stay away from Jaxon Cole or she needed him, she wasn't sure yet. Frustrated she got out of bed and went to the kitchen.

She glanced out the window into the night. Analeigh realized someone was walking through her backyard. Her heart jumped and her body froze. In a panic she went into the next room to wake Todd. He was gone, she snuck back to the window and almost laughed at herself when she saw that it was Todd. Analeigh went to the door and waited for him to come back inside. She still didn't feel safe outside with the wild beast lose.
"Todd, what were you doing? You scared me half to death!"
"I thought I saw something outside." Todd looked slightly alarmed and said defensively.
"I'm not mad you just startled me." She felt a little strange standing with Todd alone.
"Well I’m going back to bed." She turned to leave. Todd reached out a hand and stopped her.
"Lets talk for a bit Analeigh. We haven't had a chance to catch up yet." She paused and turned back around, his hand remained on her arm.
"Look Todd I'm really tired. Can we do this some other time?" He moved closer to her.
"This might be the only time we can be alone." He whispered to her. She frowned up at him. "Todd there is nothing between us anymore. We are just friends remember?"
"I made a mistake. You are all I have thought about since we broke up." He seemed a little desperate. She felt guilt but still stood her ground.
"I'm sorry, but if this is why you came you wasted your time." Analeigh quickly walked away. She all but slammed her bedroom door. Disgusted with herself and the way she handled the situation she ran herself a hot bath.

Chapter 13

Nicole woke up the next morning as early as usual, the smell of her cooking woke Analeigh. She groaned as she rolled over. Her body felt as if it had been through a severe beating. By the time she got downstairs her breakfast was waiting on the table. She went straight for the coffee pot.
"Hey, good morning." Nicole said cheerfully. Analeigh grumbled the proper hello and sat down at the table. Nicole laughed.
"Same old grumpy Analeigh in the morning."
"Um where's Todd?"
"He went for a walk, said he didn't want any breakfast."
"Did he seem upset?"
"Yeah he did, but he didn't tell me why. What’s going on?"
Analeigh sighed, "We just talked a little last night and he wasn't pleased with the outcome."
Nicole shrugged a shoulder "Well I'm sure he will get over it." Analeigh's head jerked up.
"Woah, what is that?"
"I just wouldn't worry to much, I'm sure the only thing that’s bruised is his ego. Todd’s a really nice guy, but he bounces around. I mean you found that out. Anyway the three of us should go see a movie tonight or something." Nicole explained.
Analeigh was still digesting, not just what Nicole said but the way she said it. Nicole never says anything about anyone but for now she let it go.
"Yeah that’s fine with me. Wait we don't have a car big enough for all three of us and there is no way I'm riding on his lap again."
"Well you and me can go and rent a movie and watch it here."
"Sounds fine... " She was cut off by the knocking on the door. She got up to answer it with Nicole at her heels. They both looked out the side window and Nicole gasped.
"Who is that?" She laughed.
"They are gorgeous huh?" Analeigh opened the door.
"Hi you guys come in." She greeted Mercedes and Jaxon. Jaxon took his sun glasses off and revealed his deep blue eyes.
She introduced them to Nicole. After they made polite conversation Jaxon pulled her aside.
"I have the window for your bathroom and I'm dropping off my car. If you don't mind I'll get started right away." "Yeah that would be fine." Every time she talked to him she felt blindsided. She never knew what to expect from him. Analeigh went back over to Nicole and Mercedes.
"Hey what did I miss?"
"I was just telling Nicole that I have to go out of town for a few days." She said.
"Then I invited both Sadie and Jaxon over for dinner tonight." Nicole confessed looking a little guilty and hopeful.
"That sounds fantastic. What should we have for dinner?" Analeigh asked.
"I’m not picky. I know Jaxon likes country cooking. If that helps." Sadie winked at her. Analeigh could feel her skin turning pink. Sadie snickered. Nicole looked very confused but smiled anyway.
"Hey look Jaxon is meeting Todd." Nicole noticed. All three ran to the window. They were perfect replicas of the Garfield that suction cups to the back of the car window.
"Who's Todd?" Mercedes wanted to know.
"He's an ex boyfriend of mine, we are still friends." Analeigh said.
She looked back out the window. Todd looked kinda pathetic standing next to Jaxon. It was the difference between boy and man.
"It doesn't look like it went too well." Mercedes commented.
"Well he's your brother so I'll take your word for it." Analeigh was hopeless when it came to reading him.
She looked at Jaxon, his muscles were perfectly chiseled, his jaw was working hard as he listened to Todd. Jaxon turned his head halfway toward them, his mouth curved slightly, just enough to let them all know he knew they were watching. They jerked from the window. Nobody said anything for a moment then all three burst out with laughter. Todd walked in somewhat angry.

"Who's the Neanderthal?" He asked frowning. The three girls burst out with laughter all over again.
"What’s so funny?" He asked. Analeigh calmed down enough to answer him.
"I have no idea, but we are having dinner with the Neanderthal and his sister tonight." She motioned toward Sadie.
Todd was being rude and Analeigh wouldn't allow him to be rude to her guests. It really must not have gone well at all. Todd turned red and mumbled an apology as he hurried out of the room.
"Sorry about that, Todd isn't used to being put in his place, especially by a woman." Nicole told Sadie.
Analeigh made it a point to talk to her friend when they went to town later, she had to find out why her friend was being so hostile.
"Lets all go and have some coffee, sound good?" Analeigh invited them.
They all sat around Analeigh's grandmother's old oak table and chatted. She was pleased that her old friend and new one were getting along so well. An hour or so later Jaxon walked into the house and announced that he was finished installing the new window and it was time for them to leave. He didn't appear to be thrilled at the prospect of having dinner with them. He said he would come anyway. After Jaxon and Mercedes left, Nicole almost burst out.
"Who was that?" She demanded.
"Isn't he stunning?"

"Absolutely! What’s with you two?" Nicole asked.
"Honestly I don't know. One minute he's warm and charming, the next he could freeze boiling water right out of the pot. I don't think he likes me very much." Analeigh tried to explain.
"I wouldn't say that. He definitely has something for you. If he ever offers, jump him and I do mean JUMP him." Nicole told her with a big grin.
"Nicole! Don't embarrass me. Anyway! What did you think of Sadie?" Analeigh wanted to know.
"I really like her. She's very nice. It was kind of surprising considering how pretty she is. Does she model?"
"Hmm I don't know, but I imagine she has had the opportunity. There is a few things I have to do today before dinner tonight, thanks to you I am hosting without notice."
"Yeah sorry about that. I just thought it would be fun."
"Its ok, I agree."
First on Analeigh's agenda was Todd. She went to see where he ran to. She found him pacing her hallway.
"What’s going on Todd?"
"What do you mean?"
"You just seemed a little tense downstairs. Did anything happen with Jaxon?"
"No I just thought he was a jerk. I'm sorry I didn't realize he was a friend of yours. Is he just a friend?"
"Yes. As of right now Jaxon and I are just friends. So please be nice to him and his sister tonight. Both have been nothing but nice and helpful to me."
"Yeah, no problem. I'll be on my best behavior." Something about the way he said it didn't convince her, but what could she do?

Chapter 14

Later that afternoon Analeigh and Nicole drove Jaxon's car into town. She felt a little nervous behind the wheel again so soon after her accident.
"So what’s wrong with you and Todd?" Analeigh asked her.
"Something strange is going on with him. He was fine when we drove down, but now he's different. It’s hard to explain." She knew what Nicole meant because she felt the same way last night when they talked and then again when she talked to him this morning.
They drove the rest of the way into town in silence both lost in their own thoughts. Finally when they pulled into the grocery store, Nicole broke the silence.
"I can't get over Jaxon let you use his car. You still think he doesn't like you?"
"Trust me, I don't think he likes me, it's more like he feels responsible for me or something. Its very strange."
They went inside and shopped, they came out with the makings of a good meal for five. They drove to the video store next and picked out the latest horror movie, Analeigh was disgusted but she agreed. Nicole carried the conversation on the way home, she talked mostly about school and about her new guy friend. Analeigh tried to focus on what her friend was saying but her mind kept wondering back to what has happened to her since she moved into her grandmothers house. A large part of her wanted nothing more than to pack and hightail it back to LA as fast as she could. The other more stubborn part wanted to dig in her heels and tough it out. She wasn't sure at this point which part would win. Nicole brought her back to reality when she spoke.
"We should go to the beach tomorrow. The weather is going to be fabulous, plus I bought a new bikini that I spent way too much money on so I have to wear it."
"I don’t have a suit. I left it behind but I could stop somewhere and pick one up. Do you think Todd will want to go?"
"I think he will as long as we don't invite Jaxon. What was that about anyway?" Nicole wondered aloud.
"I have no idea but I have gotten the feeling that Jaxon isn't exactly an openly friendly kinda guy. I mean he's nice enough don't get me wrong, he's got this icy exterior to him that I don't think he lets a lot of people through." Analeigh knew she was babbling but she couldn't help herself. She has analyzed him to death, trying to figure him out. Nicole had a big grin on her face.
"You got a crush! Not that I blame you he is probably the most gorgeous guy that either of us will ever see."
"Its just that he is so complex, since the first moment I met him, he has boggled my mind. Jaxon is unlike anyone I have ever met."

They arrived back to Analeigh's house to find Todd talking to a strange guy on her porch.
"Hey Todd who's your friend?" She asked as she got out of the car.
"This is Dean. Dean meet Analeigh and Nicole, both dear friends of mine."
"Hi its nice to meet you." They both said in union. Nicole asked the important question.
"How do you two know each other?"
"We just met, I was walking in the woods. I live in a house not far from here, so I guess that makes us neighbors." Dean answered. Analeigh was immediately put on guard.
"I wasn't aware that I had any neighbors except Jaxon and Sadie, surely you must know them." Something strange passed over his face. It was gone before Analeigh could recognize it.
"Yes I know both of them quite well." Dean answered simply.
Analeigh got bad vibes from him. He looked nice enough, his face wasn't what she would call handsome but it was a nice face. He was about five foot ten. He obviously worked out because his upper body was well defined. Perhaps it was his black eyes that threw her off, considering that his hair was blonde and cut in a military crew cut. His eyes seemed soulless. Analeigh and Nicole let Todd and Dean carry in their purchases. They put the food away when Todd mentioned the party to Dean. Analeigh tensed, Todd invited Dean to join them.
"What do you say Analeigh?" Todd put her on the spot.
"Well actually we only bought enough for the five of us." She tried.
"Hey what’s one more? I'm sure you can come up with some extra." Todd pushed her even more. She felt she had no choice but to agree.
At least Jaxon was coming and she felt more than safe around him. The dinner party was bound to be a disaster with the combination of guests that were to attend. She asked the men to excuse them so Analeigh and Nicole could start the preparations.
"Can you believe him?" She asked when she was sure they were out of ear shot.
"Oh my god what has gotten in to him? That Dean is weird!" Nicole agreed.
Analeigh was furious with Todd. He was playing a childish game with her.
"Well I'm not about to put up with it." She said aloud.
"Put up with what?" Nicole asked.
"Todd is just getting back at me for turning him down. I really wish I had said no when he asked if he could come too." Analeigh said regrettably.
Nicole was oddly silent the rest of the time they were in the kitchen together. Analeigh was fine with her silence because she was thinking of how she should handle Todd. She didn't have very long to think when Jaxon showed up. Analeigh opened the door for him. He surprised her with an expensive bottle of wine.
"Wow thank you so much. Come in. Todd and Dean are on the patio if you want to join them, where is Sadie?"
"She will be here shortly. You said Dean?"
"Yeah, you know him right?"
"Yeah I know him but how do you know him?" He wanted to know.
"Actually Todd met him and invited him." She tried to keep the edge out of her voice without success.