Like That

Chapter 5 - You're back

Do all you can to make your dreams come true -- Joel Osteen

Chapter 5

Emily POV:

I stretch, roll over, and open my eyes. Patrick is sitting on my bed studying me. He smiles at me and then he reaches out and caresses my face. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you up." His eyes darken and are very full of desire. "I've missed you, sweetheart," he tells me.

"I can't believe you're here. I wasn't expecting you...I'm glad you're back. How was your flight? When did you get in?" He stands and begins unbuttoning his shirt. I can't help but watch as he begins to reveal his body to me. It's been too long. I feel the familiar ache I have for him.

"I just got here." I watch him in the dim light as he finishes undressing and joins me under the blankets. "I love you Patrick. I've really missed you," I tell him as his hand begins to find my skin under my night gown. I miss his touch, his smell, and him. I raise my hands over my head and enjoy his touch. All of the months of absence seem to evaporate as his touch melts into my skin. I can't believe he's back.

"Oh god, Em - your skin feels so good." With one hand rubbing my back under my nightshirt and the other caressing my cheek, my body begins to burn...I have missed him - missed this. "You are so beautiful...I love you, Em. I don't ever want to be that far away from you again. These past few months have been the worst." He leans forward gently to kiss my lips. I watch his eyes darken and heat surges through my body. As our lips meet I move my hand to his hair...

I wake up in a cold sweat. Breathe! I keep having the same reoccurring dreams, each of them about Patrick returning. Breathe in...breathe...out... It's getting harder to sleep. I thought with time it would become easier, but it's not.

It's Friday the last day of soccer tryouts. Foster tells Mason that he made the team, but he is still waiting to find out what position he will be playing. It's been over a week since I have celebrated my new job. I was actually shocked on the first day of work, seeing Addyson sitting all sweet faced in my new classroom.

I stand and stretch. It's only 3:45 a.m., but there is no way I can go back to sleep. My heart hurts. This dream felt so real. I need to do something so I can quit thinking about Patrick.

By 5:00 I have done two loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and made my bed. I still have a lot of nervous energy... I change clothes, put on my running shoes, and grab my iPod and mace (because my mom didn't raise a fool). I leave a note for Mason, in case he gets up before I get back home. I head off to the walking track that is lit with path lights. I need to clear my head...I hope this helps.

I pick up my pace as the song changes to One More Night by Maroon 5 a much more upbeat rhythm. As I am almost half way around the track, I am aware of movement behind me. I put my hands on my can of mace and pick up my pace a bit more. I turn down my music so I can concentrate on my surroundings. The sound of footsteps behind me starts to increase and move closer. Fear is beginning to overwhelm me. I'm still about half a track length away from the path to my house. As I try to calm my fears and concentrate on the exit, I feel a hand touch my arm. I pull the mace and aim it at the intruder.

"What the Hell! You could have been maced. Don't ever sneak up on someone like that. You scared me." I am fuming. I stop to catch my breath. Relief takes over my body and suddenly I am exhausted. I collapse onto the track still shaken. He bends down to look at my face.

"I'm sorry...what are you doing out here at this time of day...alone?" He gives me the same look as he did the other day something between a glare and contempt. I try to shake it off. I get up and begin walking without saying a word to him.