Dream Lover by Té Russ

to John. “You're about the same size as my brothers and I know for a fact they leaves plenty of clothes here.”
    John shrugged. “I don't have a problem with it.” He looked over to Liz, who was tugging on the corner of her bottom lip. What he wouldn't give to take that lip into his own mouth and do wicked things to it.
    Finally, she relented. Lila clapped her hands. “Now that that's settled,” she said looping each of her arms through theirs, “Let me show you to your rooms.”
     
    Liz instantly regretted agreeing to spend the night when she realized their sleeping arrangements. She soon found out that her bedroom was connected to a Jack and Jill bathroom, and John was in the other bedroom.
    She was pacing around the bedroom wringing her hands nervously, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. When she'd first locked eyes with John, the feeling that rushed through her almost knocked her off of her feet. She shook her head remembering the thought. She'd already had this conversation with herself in the last week more times than she wanted to have, and yet the feelings were getting stronger.
    “This is bad. This is really bad,” she mumbled to herself continuing to wring her hands.
    Suddenly, a loud boom of thunder made her nearly jump out of her skin. By now, the thunderstorm was torrential. She screamed when she was startled by a knock on the bathroom door.
    She stood there staring at the door. She knew he was there because he'd known about her fear of thunderstorms. Ever since he'd discovered it, he made sure to be with her whenever possible, so she would feel safe. If he couldn't be there with her, he would call her. That was John, her best friend. He always looked out for her. That was what he was doing at the door.
    That's how he'd always been. That's how it would always be. She would make sure of that. She would tell him so if need be. At the sound of another thunderclap, she rushed to open the door and flew into his arms.
    Suddenly the storm outside was the least of her fears, as a storm of different kind surged through her. She realized that he'd changed into some silk pajamas that Lila had provided for him. He had not yet put a shirt on. He was resting his head on top of hers; she could feel him smiling into her hair.
    “Why haven't you changed into something more comfortable, beautiful?”
    He was stroking her back, and she couldn't speak. Her breathing became labored as she felt his muscled chest against hers. He continued talking. “You know, I was wondering all night, how in the world this dress stayed up.”
    She leaned back to look up at him. Another mistake she'd made in the past few minutes. He had that look in his eye again. She moved out of his arms and walked back in the room. She desperately needed to change the subject in a hurry.
    “Can you believe someone paid that much money for my painting?”
    He smiled at her again. “Yes,” was all he said. He moved towards her again. She was trapped between him and the ottoman at the foot of the bed. “You did it, Peaches. Although I never had a doubt in my mind.” He slipped his hand behind her head at the nape of her neck.
    “I'm very proud of you,” he whispered as he lowered his mouth towards hers.
    Her eyes widened and she quickly averted her head to avoid his kiss. “John,” she shuddered. He stepped back slightly. She didn't have to say anymore. She tried to appear indifferent to what almost happened. Again. Trying to lighten the mood and release some of the tension in the room, she smiled and said. “You know the food was great, but the dessert wasn't as good as yours.”
    “You think so?” he asked as he smirked at her. She nodded. “It was less than satisfying.”
    She regretted her wording almost instantly, when his eyes got dark and he asked her, “Would you like me to satisfy you Peaches?”
    She tried to pretend not to notice the blatant double meaning, and smiled at him. “Lila says the kitchen fully stocked. Maybe