Dreams That Bind Us (Romancing The Keys #3)

Chapter 2

K ey West

"Good lord." Annette eyed James, frowning as he slumped into the chair across from her. "You look like shit."

"Thanks," he grumbled, running a hand self-consciously through his damp, short hair, and flinging sweat droplets around him. "I haven't slept much lately."

"Yeah, well it shows," Annette snarked, her lips curling on one side. "Ugh… Gross!" She grimaced as she swiped at the drops on the table with a napkin. "Why are you so sweaty? Did you run here?"

"Of course." His eyes scanned the cafe, his hackles rising when he found other patrons openly staring. "Doesn't anyone around here run?" he added, raising his voice. He felt a twinge of satisfaction as several pairs of eyes skittered away.

"No." Annette shook her head. "Not really." One eyebrow arched elegantly. "Alright. Tell me what's going on with you."

James huffed a rough breath, still winded from his flat-out sprint across town. It hadn't made the slightest dent in his restlessness. "I don't know."

"Good morning, Annette!" An energetic young woman popped up next to them, her long dark hair in a high ponytail bouncing as she rocked on the balls of her feet. She was completely unperturbed that she'd interrupted their conversation, which irritated James even further. "Rico has your coffee order ready."

"Hi, Maria! I love your hair like that," Annette answered. "I should try it."

"Thanks!" Maria grinned, fingering a few black locks. "I found one of those instructional videos online about high ponytails. I'll send it to you." Her eyes swiveled between Annette and James. "Can I get something started for you?"

"Large black coffee," he snapped. She gave him an efficient nod and turned to Annette expectantly.

"Large coffee with almond milk and two Cuban croissant sandwiches." Annette flashed a smile. "Thanks, Maria. And would you let Rico know I'm ready whenever he is?"

"Of course!" Maria turned and practically skipped away, her hair bobbing with each step.

Annette snorted. "Way to win over the wait staff, asshat. Keep that up and you'll be banned at every café across the island. And good luck finding staff for the hotel. The locals talk around this island and if word gets out that you treat people like that, you can kiss hiring anyone decent goodbye."

"What?" James scoffed as he leaned back in his chair. "I wasn't rude."

"You were completely rude and you didn't say thank you. She didn't have to take your order." Annette pointed toward the long line at the counter. "She could have made you wait like everyone else."

James grunted. "I'll leave her a good tip."

"Make sure you do." Annette’s head tilted to the side as she eyed him. "Now, what is going on with you? You should be excited right now. The Majestic is nearly completed. Gus told me it's ahead of schedule and looking amazing. Pretty soon you'll be up to your elbows with difficult guests." Her laughter trilled in the air.

"No, my managers will be dealing with difficult guests," he corrected, holding up a finger. "I'll be tracking all the money coming through the door."

"Well, there you go, something to look forward to. So why are your panties in a wad?"

"My panties are not in a wad," James groused. "I just haven't been sleeping well." He sighed and fought his instinct to keep the information to himself. "I keep having weird dreams."

Annette's spine snapped into a straight line, her gaze bright and alert. "Weird dreams? About what?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." He grimaced. "Let's just say I'd feel a lot better if I could clear my damn head."

"Huh…" Annette eyed him shrewdly. "Maybe you should try some yoga or meditation. That usually helps when people are stressed out."

"Here's your order," Maria placed a white bag and two coffees at their table. "Rico said he'd be out in just a minute." She looked pointedly at Annette's stomach. "How are you feeling?"

Annette immediately brightened as she laid a protective hand over the slight bump. "Much better! I think I'm over that morning sickness hump. Now, I could eat just about everything in sight."

Maria clapped her hands. "Yay! I'm so happy for you and Gus. Every time we see him, he talks nonstop about the baby." She dropped a hand on Annette's arm. "Well, and you too, of course. But he's wanted to start a family for so long and now he finally has it."

"I know what you mean, Maria.” Annette rolled her eyes. “He’s so excited, he started singing to my stomach last night. He said the baby can hear him."

"That sounds exactly like something he'd do. I’ve never seen him happier than he was at your wedding. I’d swear he was crying." Maria giggled. Her gaze skipped to James and a small vee appeared between her brows. "Well, I'll just be going." James watched as she scurried away, slowly sipping his coffee.

Annette shot him a glare. "Did you have to scare her off?"

"I didn't scare her off."

"Are you serious right now?" Annette snatched her phone from the table and snapped a picture, then turned it around to show him. "Look at yourself. You were glowering like this the entire time she was talking to me. You look like an ogre."

James nearly recoiled at his picture. He had to admit she was right. His face was red and scowling, his hair sweaty and standing on end. Not his best look.

"I'm sorry." He deflated in a huge sigh. "I just need some sleep. I'll be better after that.

"You probably need to eat, too." Annette opened the bag and pulled out a croissant sandwich, placing it in front of him. "Here. This will help for now."

James took a bite and moaned as the savory flavors of buttery pastry, ham, and cheese blended into a beautiful taste melody. He hadn't eaten since the evening before, which probably added to his overall grouchiness. "Damn, this is good."

"Right?" Annette closed her eyes as she chewed. "If I hadn't already married Gus, I swear I'd propose to Rico's chef. The guy works a miracle with food. You should try his donuts. They make angels cry."

"I have a toxic relationship with donuts, so I'll pass on that, thank you. And I think Gus would have a thing or two to say about you marrying someone else."

"What's this about you marrying someone else?"

James blinked at the scowling, hulking man hovering over their table, a large paper bag under his arm.

"Hey, Rico." Annette gestured toward James with her sandwich. "I was telling James if I hadn't married your brother, I'd propose to Juan in a heartbeat."

Rico plopped the bag onto their table and folded his arms across his massive chest. "This guy is right. Gus would have a problem with that."

"Oh! Do you two not know each other?" Annette waved her finger between them. "James Armstrong, this is Rico Reyes. He's Gus's brother and he owns this place. Rico, this is James. He bought The Majestic. Jack and Gus are rehabbing it for him."

Rico bobbed his head. "Yeah, I know," he replied, offering his hand. "I saw you at the wedding."

"That's right." James stood and shook his hand. "If I remember right, you were a favorite with the ladies of the Royal Conch Society."

Annette giggled. "That's an understatement."

Rico was unperturbed, shrugging as he ran a hand down his chest. "I can't help it that women love me." He swiveled on his heel and disappeared into a nearby building.

"Oh, good lord." Annette snorted. "Well, I need to get back to Paradise West. I'm covering the desk for the next couple of hours."

James crammed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth and stood. "Give me that." He grabbed the bag before she could. "I'll walk you there."

"Okay. But don't forget your coffee. It would be a shame to waste it. It's literally the best on the island."

James hummed and took a long sip. Annette wasn't wrong. It was the best he'd ever had, and considering he'd lived in New York City most of his life where coffee was an art form, that was saying something.

"Go that way," Annette said behind him, pointing to the left. "We can cut through this alley. It's shorter. But be careful where you step. Sometimes drunk people stumble in here from Duval Street and use it as a bathroom."

"Ugh. That would ruin my day." His eyes scanned the ground as they cautiously navigated through the narrow passage. He held his breath as the dank air and distinct scent of urine reached his nose.

Approaching the end, he glanced over his shoulder as he rounded the corner. "Okay, I think we're clear."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a small body collided with his, making him stumble. A soft cry reached his ears as his coffee splashed over the rim and he was momentarily blinded by a riot of blonde curls. The sweet smell of honeysuckle enveloped him, and he wanted nothing more than to bury his face in those soft, platinum locks.

Realizing that he'd nearly run over a woman, he dropped the bag of coffee to the ground and clasped her elbows to steady her. "I'm sor?—"

James drew back, and the breath whooshed out of his lungs as startled teal eyes met his.

"You!" he ground out, feeling like he’d been punched in the gut.

She squeaked and her mesmerizing eyes widened even further, her posture shifting from surprise to panic in an instant, and if he wasn't mistaken, she recognized him, too. His hands tightened as she tried to yank free. His beautiful tormentor was real and in his grasp, and he wasn't about to let her go.

"James, what are you—" Annette's voice snapped him from his daze. She peered around him. "Oh, no! What happened? Anna?"

"Anna?" James stared into the beauty’s startled gaze. "Is that your name?" he muttered, his eyes roving her figure, drinking her in.

She was petite and perfect, practically elfin with smooth, porcelain skin. Even more gorgeous in the flesh than she had been in his dreams as she trembled beneath his stare.

"Jesus, James. You dumped your coffee all over her," Annette scolded.

The moment his gaze swung to Annette, Anna twisted sharply, breaking his grip on her arms. Her foot made swift contact with his shin, then she spun on her heels and was off like a shot. She darted down another dirty alley like an agile deer.

In mere moments, his mystery woman was gone.

"Wait!" James shouted, launching himself after her. He couldn't lose her now that he knew she was real. But it was as if the woman—Anna—had vanished into thin air.

"What in the world is wrong with you, James?" Annette's voice was tense behind him. "You scared the crap out of her."

"It's her! I have to find her!" The urge to chase the woman who had tortured him for months overwhelmed him. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to take a calming breath.

"You have to find Anna? Why?"

James swiveled toward Annette. "How do you know her?"

"Nearly everyone on the island knows Anna." Annette's head tilted to the side. "The better question is how you know her."

"I don't know her, per se," he ground out. "She's the woman I see in my dreams every night." He peered down the alley again. "She's the reason I can't sleep."

Annette's entire countenance shifted in an instant, her eyes dancing with mischief as the corner of her lips ticked up. It was a grin he knew from experience meant trouble for anyone receiving it.

"You don't say," she drawled.

He glared at her, heart still hammering in his chest and patience hanging by a thread. "This isn't funny."

"And I'm not laughing…yet." Annette motioned with her chin. "Come on. I need to get back to Paradise West. Unless you want me to carry that big, heavy bag of coffee all by myself," she teased.

A snarl ripped from his chest, but he snatched up the bag and followed her. "What's that supposed to mean? That you're not laughing yet?"

"Because you'll be running into Anna again—figuratively speaking—very soon. And it won't be in your dreams. Just try not to scare the daylights out of her or dump more coffee on her when you do."

His brow dropped, irritated by Annette's cryptic answers. "I don't understand."

"Oh, you will." Annette patted him on the shoulder. "This is gonna be fun to watch," she crowed.

"Stop making jokes and tell me."

"And spoil the surprise? Uh uh." She emphasized the words with a head shake. "Not a chance. Just relax, big guy. At least you know she's real now, and you know her name."

"What's her last name?"

"Why? So you can set one of your private detectives on her and spoil the surprise?" Annette shook her head again. "Nope. You'll have to wait and see. Trust me, you won’t be waiting long."

James heaved a prolonged sigh, frustration eating at his gut. He wanted to tear the town apart to find Anna, not wait and see.

Anna… The name suited her, delicate and petite just like she’d been in his dreams.

Anna raced down the alley, barreling around the corner and nearly colliding with several pedestrians. She slipped into the nearest doorway, plastering herself against the wall. She held a shaking hand to her racing heart and tried to catch her breath, praying he hadn't followed her.

Oh my god! He's real. He's REAL and he's HERE! In Key West!

She groaned and rubbed the heels of her hands into her eyes. This was her worst nightmare—quite literally. It could not be happening.

From now on, safely roaming around the island would be a distant memory. She would always worry about running into him again.

And that look in his eye…

She shivered as a wave of fear and lust washed over her at the memory of his gaze. She'd seen it the night before in another dream that left her breathless and begging for more. It was as if he was a sorcerer, conjuring a curse tailor-made for her.

Inhaling through her nose, she tried to calm herself by focusing on the air filling her lungs and then slowly exhaling, over and over, pulling in breath after cooling breath.

She jumped, her eyes popping open at the sound of heels clacking on the wood floor, moving swiftly toward her.

"Anna? Is that you?"

Anna sighed in relief, sagging against the rough brick wall as she realized she’d run into a nearby art gallery. It was the gallery manager who’d approached her.

"Hi, Becky." Her hand trembled as she swiped it across her forehead. "I just stopped by to cool off for a second. It's gonna be another scorcher out there today."

Becky's brow puckered, but she nodded her agreement. "Yeah, I guess so. Is everything okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

A bubble of nervous laughter escaped Anna's lips.

A ghost? She didn't fear ghosts, she'd been acquainted with them throughout her life. But her dream lover? He may as well be a demon haunting her, seeking to possess her body and soul.

To learn that he not only existed but was also in Key West was a shocking twist. And Annette knew him, which made it only a matter of time before questions would be asked. Questions for which she had no answer.

James —his name was James. If she wanted, she could always stop by Paradise West to see what Annette would be willing to divulge about him.

Nope, not a chance. Nothing good could ever come from that.

"Oh, no. I'm fine." She fanned her face with her hands, trying to calm the flush that she knew for certain made her face look like it was on fire. Her lips curved in a forced smile. "Just feeling a little stressed. I have a big order due first thing next week and it's a lot to manage right now."

Becky nodded, her eyes soft with sympathy. "I understand. Your furniture is in big demand." She indicated the corner where several of Anna's pieces sat.

"I had a client in here yesterday, a very wealthy transplant from New York, who promised to stop by later today to buy your entire collection." A twinkle of amusement flitted through her gaze. "I'd made a note to call you this afternoon to see what else you could spare to fill the void we'll have in the gallery. I mean, we could easily go with any other artist on the island, but your furniture has that perfect twist of eclectic and classy that our patrons absolutely love."

"Um…" Anna rubbed the spot over her heart, relieved as she felt her pulse lower. Discussing her art was always soothing. "I have a few odds and ends in my warehouse that could work."

That was certainly true. Her workshop was littered with pieces she wasn't ready to relinquish or that didn’t meet her standard of excellence. "Would you send me an email so I'll remember to set them aside for you?"

"Of course." Becky motioned to their left. "Would you like to use the bathroom? It looks like you spilled coffee all over yourself."

Anna glanced down, and sure enough, her white tank top was completely saturated with brown liquid. She'd been in such a state of panic after running into James and escaping as quickly as possible that she'd hardly noticed the catastrophe that was her shirt.

"Oh, crap." She cringed as she pulled the wet, and possibly ruined, tank away from her skin. Thankfully, the coffee hadn't been hot enough to burn. It was now a cold, sticky sensation that grated on her frazzled nerves. "Thanks, Becky. That might be a good idea."

Anna closed the bathroom door and locked it. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and recoiled. Good lord!

She looked like a crazy woman, and rightfully so. It had been a jolt, learning that her tormentor was a living, breathing man, not just a figment of her imagination.

But what had shocked Anna the most was that he'd seemed to recognize her . That fierce gleam in his eyes had been so familiar. Was it possible they were having the same dreams?

Were they sharing dreams?

She'd heard stories of the phenomenon but never known anyone who'd actually experienced it.

Could he be as tortured as she was, going to bed every night with the same erotic visions of their bodies twining and merging together until there was no beginning or end? Was he waking, sweaty and exhausted, and yearning for someone he’d never met?

She shook her head. The possibility was too disturbing to consider.

Deep down, she had worried this day would come. Her aunt's predictions always came true, so Anna knew better than to take her aunt's foretelling lightly. Yet, she’d laughed it off and shelved it for another time.

But now the time had arrived, and her aunt’s words were especially haunting after feeling James’s hard body against hers, the grip of his powerful hands on her flesh bringing dreams to life. Not to mention those eyes, and the gaze she knew would consume her and leave her begging for more.

With a sigh, she splashed water on her face and used a towel to dry off. There was no helping the shirt, but luckily her truck was just around the corner. Feeling a bit more settled, she made her way to the exit. "I'll keep an eye out for your email, Becky. Thanks," she called over her shoulder.

"Anytime, Anna. See you soon."

Before stepping out, Anna's gaze darted up and down the street. There was no sign of James, only groups of tourists out to enjoy the day. She ran to the safety of her truck, jumped in and started it with a roar. Stomping on the gas, she peeled away much too fast on the busy street. Her sole focus was to return to the peace and sanctuary of her warehouse as quickly as possible.