Chapter 2

GRACE

^FOURTEEN YEARS LATER^

~His body pressed against mine, his green eyes flecked with yellow gazing deeply into mine. His muscles were firm and toned, and I traced them with my fingers, exploring him for what felt like the hundredth time.~

~He was enjoying it. I could tell by the way his eyes darkened to a ruby red. That was always a sign that he was excited, that he liked what I was doing.~

~I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, and as always, it felt like fireworks. I loved his lips. I loved the way he growled softly as his tongue met mine.~

~“Grace,” he would murmur between kisses.~

~“Yes?” I’d moan as his lips moved down my throat.~

~I ran my fingers through his silky, chocolate-brown hair, pulling him closer. My body was heating up, the tingles growing stronger. I craved his touch, his kisses, but I wanted more.~

~But he would never give it to me. I knew he would stop after kissing me again.~

~“Haven.” I pouted.~

~He chuckled and gave me a light, feathery kiss. “Not yet, angel,” he said in his deep voice. “Soon.”~

~“You always say that.” I sighed.~

~“I mean it. I’ll come for you soon. Happy birthday, my love.”~

I woke up flushed and breathless. That dream again... But the last part was new. Haven had never spoken that much before.

Ever since I turned sixteen, I’d been having these dreams about him. He was... unlike anyone I’d ever seen in real life, but he was a comforting presence in my dreams.

He was even my first crush. How could he not be? He was gorgeous. He made my heart race and my blood heat up. There was just something about him.

Maybe I should get a boyfriend. I was always so worked up after Haven visited my dreams. This longing needed to be addressed—and soon. I was eighteen today, after all! Most of my school friends had boyfriends, but none of them compared to my Haven.

~My Haven~. I chuckled. He wasn’t even real. Since I was a child, he’s been a comforting figure whenever something happened to me. I liked to think that he was my guardian angel, always there when I felt sad or hurt.

It was silly, but my heart didn’t think so. It wanted to believe that he was real.

I got out of bed and got ready, then went downstairs to the kitchen where my grannie was. She was making breakfast for me before school in our small, orange kitchen. I was pretty sure she hadn’t changed the decor since the ’70s, but I liked it.

I was excited to graduate in a few weeks. I wouldn’t miss school, that was for sure. But it also meant that I would need to work. I couldn’t let my grandmother pay for everything. Maybe with two incomes, we could update the kitchen.

“Happy birthday, my beautiful baby!” she said as soon as she saw me.

“Grannie.” I chuckled. “That’s a bit much.”

I didn’t think I was beautiful. I wasn’t ugly, but I was average. I was too short to be a model and too curvy to be a damsel in distress. My breasts were so large they often got in the way, and don’t get me started on my ass.

I wasn’t fat, but I wasn’t thin either. My golden hair and honey eyes were probably my best features.

“Sit down, kid,” she said cheerfully. “I made your favorite.”

I sat at our small table and enjoyed my birthday breakfast: waffles with whipped cream and blueberries. I loved that woman. I kissed her cheek when I finished eating and left for school so I wouldn’t be late.

My best friend, Lee, was waiting for me at the school gates. She looked excited as she waved at me.

“Happy birthday, girl! You look amazing! How does it feel to be eighteen?” She smirked.

I had chosen to wear a black crop top with high-waisted washed jeans. The outfit highlighted my curves and was perfect for the hot weather. It showed just a bit of skin above my jeans, so I felt comfortable too.

I pulled my golden hair into a loose bun and put on a bit of makeup—just a winged liner. I felt good, and I was glad my friend noticed.

“She’s right, Wolf. You look good.”

I turned to see playful hazel-green eyes. That was Daryl Tailor. He was the rock star of our high school. I blushed at his compliment. He was in our class and friendly, but I wasn’t used to him talking to me.

He was the captain of our swim team, and even through his shirt, I could see his muscles. That almost made me drool. He wasn’t as beautiful as Haven, but at least he was real.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“It’s your birthday? Maybe we should celebrate.” He smiled.

“Oh...I can’t. I have to work tonight at the diner,” I said.

I had been helping my grandmother ever since she took me in after my parents died. I was also saving money for college, or at least night classes.

I didn’t want her to dip into her small pension, so I worked at the local diner because the owner was a friend of my grannie. I guess it wasn’t much of a real job, because I basically worked for free, but it felt good to help out.

“Another time, then.” He smiled at me.

“Sure.” I smiled back.

He walked past us to go to class, and I heard Lee exhale the breath she’d been holding. I felt the same. That guy was a dream, and I was a hormonal teenager, especially after my dreams with Haven.

“Can you believe it, girl?” she said excitedly. “Daryl ~fucking~ Tailor talked to you!”

“I know,” I said, my heart pounding in my chest. “I can’t believe it.”

“You’re one lucky girl! I’m green with envy.” She pouted.

“We better head to class before we’re tardy.” I laughed.

“Sounds good.” She agreed, and we walked together.

The day was long, but I was still in high spirits as I left for my shift at the diner. It was a quaint little place, a bit old-fashioned with its large booths and leather couches, but I liked it.

As soon as I walked in, the entire staff wished me a happy birthday. I thanked them all, then headed to the small locker room to change into my uniform—a pastel pink dress with a white apron.

It wasn’t exactly my style, but I didn’t mind. I looked like a Barbie doll in it.

I stepped into the main room and began taking orders. There were already a few customers there. I preferred working behind the bar, but I didn’t mind waitressing.

I just hoped I wouldn’t do anything clumsy today. I had a tendency to be a bit awkward. Maybe the boss would let it slide since it was my birthday. I could only hope.

As night fell, I still had two hours left on my shift. The crowd in the diner began to shift from coffee drinkers to those looking for a beer and a meal.

My arms were starting to ache from carrying heavy plates, but I was too busy to dwell on it.

I delivered an order to a large table, then moved to a man sitting alone in a booth. His back was to me, and all I could see was his thick, dark, chocolate-brown hair that reminded me of Haven. I approached him, my eyes on my notepad, ready to take his order.

“Hi! What can I get you?” I asked.

He chuckled, and a shiver ran down my spine. I only ever reacted like that to Haven’s chuckle. But that couldn’t be.

I looked up from my notepad and found myself staring into the same green eyes that had been filled with lust in my dream that morning. He was looking back at me with a fond smile, and my jaw dropped. ~This can’t be real~...

He exuded confidence as he looked at me, his messy brown hair falling to one side. He was dressed in a gray suit, his large hands resting on the table.

“Hello, Grace,” he said, his voice deep and resonant.

It took all my self-control not to whimper. I wasn’t prepared for the wave of desire and love that washed over me as I looked at him.

Could it be? How? How could a dream become reality? How could I dream about a man for years and then meet him in person?

“Haven,” I whispered, completely taken aback.

He looked amused, but I saw a flicker of something dark in his eyes. Were they about to turn red? Like in my dream?

~Get a grip, Grace. This is reality. You need to apologize for being so informal with a customer, and fast.~