Chapter 9

 

Now we had a plan. I needed to get to know Alex and do everything in my power to get him to fall for me. The real challenge, tempt him like crazy but never let him physically near me. Which in some ways, I think Grayson seemed a bit too pleased about.

It was also his genius idea to pretend I was waiting for marriage. This was supposed to be my cover, and since the guy clearly would have no plans to marry me, we’d hopefully lure him into my dream to defile me. The whole thing was seriously twisted, but some tiny part of me got a thrill out of the challenge. Which probably made me a little twisted, as well.

Of course, our plan was full of holes. I wasn’t sure how either one of us thought we’d ever pull this off. We based the entire thing on the assumption I was worth leaving Grayson’s body for, and while I don’t doubt guys will go to the ends of the Earth for a piece of ass, this pushed it.

And, the whole not looking like Grayson thing bothered me. How was I to know when it was Alex in my dreams? I didn’t anticipate having a ton of sex dreams in the near future, but it would help if I were a little prepared for this.

Of course, the biggest problem was if by chance the cards lined up, how would Grayson get back in before Alex realized what happened? I had no intention of having dream sex with him. Would we distract Alex long enough to give Grayson the window he needed?

My head hurt thinking about the possibilities. I decided to take this one step at a time. Somehow, I must portray a virginal vixen, a challenge in itself. I just prayed Alex would stay interested in me long enough to give this plan a running chance, but Grayson swore guys always wanted what they couldn’t have. So, I’d give it my all.

I planned an early dinner date with Alex, squeezing him in before a dream job. While getting ready I toyed with the idea of a fake business needing computer help. It still needed a bit of work to be believable. I tucked it away, keeping the idea on the back burner.

Finishing the last touches of my makeup, I stared at my reflection. Undoubtedly, I was attractive enough. I worked out, was a decent dresser, and even took the proper steps with my hair and makeup. In the end, I cleaned up nicely, but still didn’t see a chance in hell for this to work. The moment I used waiting and marriage in one sentence, Alex would bolt.

I tugged my V-neck sweater down and ran my fingers through my wavy hair. Here went nothing. Grabbing my coat, I headed off to meet the possible inmate residing in Grayson’s body.

When I arrived at the restaurant Alex already sat at a table. He waved and I made my way over.

“Emory, you look beautiful. As always.” He helped me with my jacket and slid my chair out. “I’m glad you called.”

I smiled. “Me too.”

He sat across from me just as a waitress arrived. She grinned broadly at my attractive date. “Nate will be your server today. Can I get you started with some drinks or appetizers?”

It seemed a waste of time to answer, considering her eyes never left Alex. Like a gentleman, he looked at me, awaiting my response.

“I’ll have some water with lemon.”

“I’ll have iced tea.” He ordered his drink with just a quick glance, his gaze returning to the menu.

She smiled again at Alex but looked disappointed as she walked away. A twinge of jealousy rose in me. It didn’t bother me if the waitress had interest in Alex, but technically, she drooled over Grayson. When she reappeared with our drinks, her gaze once again, remained fixed on him. He remained friendly and smiled back, while I enjoyed an amazing mental picture of what accidentally tripping her might look like.

Thankfully, she vanished and a few moments later Nate, our waiter, appeared. A young, attractive guy, maybe a college kid trying to earn some extra cash. As he approached our table, the corner of his mouth tugged up and his gaze roamed down and back up. He clearly liked what he saw–Grayson.

Crap. I couldn’t win. I was with the restaurant’s most eligible bachelor. I watched Alex to see if he noticed our waiter’s appraising eyes. I hid the giggle threatening to escape as I pictured the real Grayson’s reaction when I told him the story. He’d probably have something cocky to say.

“What are you thinking about?” Alex seemed to notice my amused expression.

“You.” It wasn’t a complete lie.

“Oh?”

“Do you always get so much attention from the wait staff?”

“What do you mean?” He tilted his head.

“Didn’t you notice? Either of them would be thrilled sitting in my place right now.”

“Hmm.” He rested his chin in his hand. “I’m pretty sure you’re irreplaceable.”

I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face if I tried, loving Grayson’s smile and wishing Alex wasn’t so sweet. My mind couldn’t draw the line between the two.

“I hope you still feel that way after you get to know me better.”

“There’s nothing I want more.” He unrolled his napkin and placed it across his lap. Not very prison inmate like. Maybe my nerd theory was more accurate.

“So tell me more about you. I want to know everything. For starters, what do you do?” Of course, Alex’s first question would dive into the red zone.

I took a sip of water to give myself a moment. “I teach Muay Thai.”

“Are you serious?” He appeared awed.

“Yes. It’s just part-time but I’m thinking of expanding to full-time. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about some computer stuff. I want to drum up some new business and figured a good starting point is a website.” Here went nothing. If I planned to lie, it should at least be a comfortable subject.

“Wow, impressive, and yes, I’d love to help you with your website.”

“Thanks. That’d be great.”

Nate returned with our food. He wasn’t as blatant as the girl and made sure he took care of me as well. Alex and I chatted about website ideas as we ate, but the conversation wasn’t getting me the information I needed.

“What made you start your own website design business?”

“I’ve always loved working with computers. It came natural, so it felt like the right direction.”

“How long have you run your own business?”

“Just a few months. I did website design for several years with a company but decided a few months ago to just pick up my life, move somewhere else and start fresh. I decided to take the plunge and give my own company a shot. I leased my new apartment, created a home office and well, here we are.”

“Here we are.” I smiled. “So where did you live before? What made you want to pick up?”

“A small town, my hometown actually. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone. My life was stagnant and boring. I met some people and they opened my eyes to bigger possibilities.”

“What kind of people?” I’d leaned in, so I adjusted my shoulders back, trying to appear more casual.

“Hard to say, drifters, motivational free thinkers. They were an interesting bunch.”

“So, you don’t talk to them anymore?”

“No, they moved on.”

“How did you meet them?” I might have asked too many questions, but I needed this information. Who he was and how he took over Grayson’s body lay somewhere in these answers.

“A lady approached me one night. I was out of town at a work convention, technology convention to be exact. Pretty boring–think nerds unite–and there was this woman I noticed. She didn’t fit in. Next thing I knew she talked to m–”

It seemed he realized he’d said too much. I took a bite of food and pretended to have only a polite level of interest.

“Anyway, to make a long story short, she introduced me to another guy. We talked and they changed my life. Never looked back.”

My throat tightened. Were these people responsible for the body snatching? Who were they and how did they know about dreamwalkers? I didn’t like it and my gut instinct told me this was bad.

“Sounds interesting,” I said around another bit of food. “Were they there offering a class or something? I’d love to meet people capable of changing my life.” I smiled.

“I wouldn’t even know how to find them again if I wanted. They found me.”

More like preyed upon “Too bad, sounds like people I’d love to meet.”

“I’m just glad they weren’t conmen. While worth it, changing my life didn’t come cheap.” He laughed, but I wondered what he meant. Did he pay these people or was he speaking figuratively?

“Never does, I suppose. So, you’ve changed your life. What comes next? Business expansion?”

He smiled. “I’m not sure. Just taking it one day at a time right now. Have you ever felt like things are just too good to be true and one day someone will just come snatch it all away?”

I choked on my water. “Excuse me. I think I swallowed wrong.” I coughed into my napkin, trying to formulate a response. “Well, I’m sure you would just pick yourself back up. Your old life isn’t that bad, I’m sure.”

He shook his head. “Nothing like this one. In fact, I wouldn’t be sitting here across from a beautiful woman if I hadn’t changed who I was.”

“But can we ever truly change? I mean you started your own business which takes confidence, motivation and a drive to succeed, but it didn’t require changing your whole life.”

A deep crease formed between his brows and I feared I’d said too much. “No, I guess you’re right. I could have made these changes on my own, but sometimes I felt trapped in my own body. Like I wasn’t going anywhere and needed a fresh start.”

My neck tingled with goose bumps as I pictured him escaping his crappy existence and moving into Grayson’s.

“Enough about me though. Tell me more about you.”

“I don’t have anything nearly as interesting to tell. I’m just a normal girl–work, hang out with friends, the usual.” Oh, and I wander through dreams taking down bad guys and you’re on my list.

“Oh come on, you teach Muay Thai. Hands down that’s more interesting than anything I do.”

Doubt that. In order to avoid talking about me, I needed to kick up the flirting. “Maybe I can give you a lesson some time.”

“Getting my ass kicked by a girl. Sounds fun.” With a nod, he leaned back and crossed his arms.

“I’ll go easy on you. How about a trade? You teach me a little about website design and I’ll teach you a little Muay Thai.”

“I’m in.” A small smile played on his lips.

I grinned back. “You’ve just made my day.” In some ways he had. Getting to see Grayson’s body in a little Muay Thai action had my heart racing. “How about tomorrow? Your place?”

“It’s a date.”

* * * *

I left the restaurant in a hurry and rushed to beat my client to the office. Alex headed in a different direction, so he had no idea I’d be in the same building as him overnight.

When I arrived, I found Johnathan waiting outside.

“Sorry, I’m late.” I jammed in my key and unlocked the office door.

“Wow, you’re dressed up. Did you come from a date or something?”

“Actually, yes.” He nodded his approval, which caught me off guard. Some little part of me thought he might be jealous.

“Someone I know?”

“Not really.” I smiled and walked inside. “My client should arrive soon. Make yourself comfortable. I need to get a few things ready.”

“No problem. Whatcha’ got tonight?”

Flipping open my calendar, I scanned the page and groaned. “Recurring nightmare about a snake.” A chill raced through me. I could deal with seeing a snake but handling them was a whole other story. The slithering and fangs creeped me out.

“Maybe have the client provide you with a flute, see if you have any hidden snake charmer talent.”

“Wouldn’t that be hilarious, more so, how awesome would that be?” I chuckled picturing myself sitting cross-legged on a carpet with a basket and flute. My dream jobs couldn’t get much weirder. Though, when I pictured Grayson stepping into my dream and seeing me as a snake charmer my cheeks reddened, followed by a flutter in my chest. I wondered if he’d make and appearance in tonight’s dream. A knock at the door disrupted my thoughts.

“I’ll get it.” Johnathan answered the door for my client.

“Hi, Carter.” Carter was in his early thirties, with no idea why snake dreams plagued him, but he found them embarrassing and wanted to put a stop to them. So I was going in, Emory Bennett snake charmer extraordinaire.

He greeted the two of us and headed to the bathroom, as a repeat client he knew the drill. I’d already helped him with his spider dreams, clown dreams and one bad ex-girlfriend dream. It was unusual to get return clients since most people didn’t have multiple nightmares to deal with, especially so close together but it happened. Since it’d be too stressful on the client to address all his nightmares in one dream, we took them on one at a time.

After everyone settled, I transitioned over to Carter’s dreams. Having done this before we both felt comfortable with the routine. After I captured and killed the snake he’d almost stepped on, I glanced around for Grayson. I couldn’t hide my disappointment in not seeing him. He existed only as a spirit in the dream realm so he bounced from dream to dream. If he wasn’t here, where was he? Where did he spend his time when not in my dreams? Another hint of jealousy stabbed at me.

It was my time to go so I faded to my body and waited for Carter to wake.

As soon as he did, I made an excuse to stick around. Johnathan surprised me by having no argument about my staying and left as soon as the client did. I had a change of clothes, and since I planned to meet Alex the next morning, it made sense to sleep in my office. Plus, I had a lot to tell Grayson and it warranted speaking with him right away.