Dreams That Bind Us (Romancing The Keys #3)

Chapter 15

K ey West, One month later

Anna stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror and anchored her high ponytail, letting her curls fall around her face. Her cheeks were flushed from the soaking bath that had been a necessity this morning to work out all the soreness.

Her cheeks heated even more at the reason for the bath and of what James had pushed her to do last night. He'd been insatiable the last several weeks, usually taking her two to three times a day.

She shivered, remembering the intensity in his eyes when he'd turned to her over and over again last night. He'd been particularly creative, and she'd lost count the number of times he brought her to a climax. Which made the hot bath a requirement if she planned on getting any work done today.

And there certainly is plenty to do.

The sunlight filtering through the wooden slats of the Bahama shutters illuminated the pristine white of the new oversized porcelain tub and shower. If Anna could have planned a perfect bathroom, it would be this.

The renovations to the second floor turned out exactly the way she’d explained to James. Taking out two rooms to expand the master bedroom and bathroom had been remarkably easy, considering the difficulty of working on an historic house in Key West. But Gus had helped with the special permitting, so the work had been completed in record time.

Making good on his promise to make her as comfortable in his home as possible, James also had a garage built in his small backyard specifically for her beloved truck. When she'd mentioned in passing she was worried about parking her truck on the street, James got to work and eliminated that problem.

In fact, if any issue arose, or even a minor inconvenient thought, he immediately found a solution. He was determined to have her around as often as possible, which she secretly loved.

A tingle moved insistently up her arm, and Anna stilled, concentrating on the feeling. She’d felt the familiar push several times. But she was still wary of making those connections, so she nudged it away.

She’d sensed for a while that someone wanted to speak with her, or rather through her. And she had a good idea who it was, but she wasn't ready to fully open that door yet. More to the point, she was certain James wasn't ready if her suspicions about the visitor were correct. The time was coming, but it was not now.

Pushing the presence away, she dressed for work, grabbed the blue folder sitting on the bed, and skipped down the stairs. Her eyes closed when the delicious smell of sausage hit her nose. Her stomach growled in response. James enjoyed making her breakfast each day before she left for her workshop.

And what girl wouldn't love that, right?

She’d worked hard over the last few weeks and had cranked through her entire backlist. Now she had time to begin the final order for The Majestic. Today, she’d oversee the pickups for the sold pieces and apply finishing touches to three pieces for the gallery. Easy enough.

"Good morning," she purred to James, who was at the stove clad in only dark gray workout pants that cupped his muscular ass. He looked sexy as ever. She perched on a bar stool, trying not to wince as her delicate parts made contact with the hard wooden seat. Splaying the folder in front of her, she scanned the short order list.

James sent her a searing glance over his shoulder, his brow furrowing when he caught her discomfort. "Morning, Kitten. I was a little rough on you last night, wasn't I? Can I get you some aspirin or ibuprofen?"

"No, I'm fine, but thank you." She took a sip of her coffee as she made notes. "Just doing some homework before I head to the warehouse. I need to prep for your furniture order."

Chewing her bottom lip, she studied the inventory, highlighting the required materials and necessary time frame. If she guessed correctly, it would take her roughly a month, maybe two, if she took her time. And that was if all her supplies arrived as scheduled and she had no other production delays.

"You keep doing that and we're heading back upstairs. You can forget about work for the day."

She lifted her bewildered gaze to James and blinked several times, trying to process what he said. He was facing her, his chest and chiseled abs still glistening from his workout. The sight alone was distracting and enough to fry her brain.

"I’m sorry. What?"

He pointed at her with the spatula. "You nibble on that lip one more time and I'll give you something else to set your teeth on. Like my shoulder while I fuck you on the counter."

She couldn’t hold back the grin that spread across her face. It was tempting to test his threat, but she doubted she could walk today if they performed more bedroom Olympics. Plus she had too much work waiting for her at the warehouse and she had to be there for the delivery pickups. "I'll behave. I promise...for now."

James smirked and turned his attention back to cooking breakfast. If she wasn't mistaken, there had been a hint of disappointment in his gaze. She had no idea where the man found his libido.

"Sorry to disappoint you, James Mitchell. But I'm much too sore for any more of your shenanigans at the moment."

It took her a minute to notice the quiet in the kitchen. She peeked at him and nearly fell off the stool when she found him staring at her, his eyes wide and his chest lifting and falling rapidly.

Anna glanced around, but everything looked normal in the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

"What did you say?" His voice was eerily calm, his eyes focused like lasers on her.

Anna searched her memory but couldn't think of what had spooked him so badly. "I'm too sore?" she repeated, her voice rising in pitch as adrenaline flooded her system. His intensity was scaring her.

He shook his head. "No. Before that."

"Umm…" She frowned, trying to remember, but it was difficult to think under his thunderous gaze.

"You called me James Mitchell. How did you know that name?"

His sharp tone was alarming and Anna felt her shoulders crawl up to her ears, her heart plummeting. "I don't know. It just came out."

"Anna, I'm serious. Where did you hear that name?"

"I don’t think I’ve ever heard it. It just…" How could she explain something that happened to her so naturally? She’d become more sensitive to the energy as she’d worked to lower her blocks.

Usually, when it started, words would tumble from her mouth without conscious thought. It was part of who she was as a psychic in tune with the spirit world. So she had a difficult time explaining it to people who weren't as intuitive.

"It just came out. I don't know where it came from. Was it bad? Did I say something wrong?"

He continued to stare at her as if she had predicted the end of the world, or more like a ghost had walked across his grave. She had no idea of the meaning behind this name, but he was definitely spooked.

She winced as she slid off the stool and moved around the island toward him. He watched her warily as she approached. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

Anna laid a hand on his chest and her heart broke a little when she saw the slight flinch on his face. "James, please."

His head dropped, and he stared at the floor, his hands on his hips, as she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. She tasted the salt on his skin as she kissed the space above his heart.

"It happens sometimes, words will come out of my mouth without me thinking of them. It's usually when a spirit is present. I've lowered my blocks, so I feel them more often now. That's all. I didn't mean to frighten you, and I hope you understand it’s not always something I can control."

James released a shuddering breath and his arms looped around her, pulling her into his damp chest. His hand snaked up to her ponytail and fisted it, yanking her head up for his devastating kiss. His mouth dominated hers, tongue spearing between her lips.

Anna softened beneath him, taking what he was giving her, letting him release his emotions into her. She knew instinctively this was his way of letting it go.

He finally lifted his head and studied her quietly. "I'm sorry," he murmured after several moments. "That was uncalled for."

"It's okay, James. I could see you were upset."

The smell of burning sausage hit them at the same time. James made a jump for the stove, twisting the knob to turn it off and removed the frying pan from the burner.

"Shit," he ground out.

"It’s okay. I don't mind burnt sausage, baby," she remarked absently as she pulled two plates from the cabinet. She felt the tingling again and the same spiritual nudge as she opened the utensils drawer. "Ah, you kept my grandmother's silver. That makes me happy."

Again, silence was her answer.

"I'm sorry. That came out of nowhere." That wasn't exactly true. She knew who was trying to connect with James. But based on his reaction, it was clear he was not receptive.

Anna winced and doubled over as she massaged her temple. There was a painful throb that speared into her head and her stomach lurched.

It had been a long time since she allowed a spirit to break through her defenses and direct a message to a loved one. But this spirit was determined to not be held off any longer. Anna straightened and shook her head. "No. Not now."

The answer was another push and a stabbing bite of pain. Anna released a shuddering breath as she rested her forehead on the cool marble of the island.

"Anna?" James sounded hesitant, and she felt his hand tentatively touch her shoulder. "What’s wrong?"

Just say it and get it over with. Then she'll stop pushing and the pain will go away.

Knowing what she had to do, Anna pulled in a sharp breath and lifted her head, letting her gaze go blank as his mother pushed forward.

"Don't be upset with your lovely young lady, James Mitchell. This is not her fault. She has resisted me, so I'm taking over now. I've been with you every step of the way. It's time for you to stop grieving me and blaming yourself. I left the way I wanted, and that's all you need to know. You must let go so you can step into this new life you're creating. It will be so beautiful. You were always meant to come here. This is where you'll be happy and raise your children.

One last thing, my son, I left something for you in that special hiding place in my apartment. You know where — the closet beside my favorite window. You missed something when you packed up my things. Trust me, you'll need this. Remember, James Mitchell, I will always love you."

Anna went limp as his mother's spirit left, leaving her shaking as she clung to the kitchen island. Her strength gone, Anna slumped to the floor, covering her mouth as she dry heaved. It had been a decade since she'd allowed a spirit to take over like that, and she'd forgotten how disorienting it could be.

She slowly became aware of the silence and she glanced up, freezing when her gaze landed on James. his mouth hung open, eyes wild and wide like saucers, a vein in his forehead throbbing.

"James…" she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't hold her off any longer."

Anna jumped when his phone began to ring on the counter just above her head. He stared at her as it continued to trill before he snatched it up and answered.

"What is it, Gwen?" he barked. James held Anna's gaze as he listened to his assistant. Anna could tell that whatever it was Gwen was saying was not what he wanted to hear this morning. "Dammit, the man can fucking wait."

Gwen's mumbled response was firm and lengthy and apparently enough to make him cave. A deep breath whooshed from his chest, and he closed his eyes, finally breaking their gaze.

"Fine. I'll be there in a few hours. Set up the flight for me."

Anna's heart sank. He was leaving.

James ended the call and shoved the phone in his pocket, his eyes wide and staring, chest heaving as his breath came in short, quick gasps. The tension was thick as molasses.

"James…" Anna reached for him, but he took two steps back and turned to the stove. He dumped the burnt sausages onto a plate, busying himself by scrubbing out the pan in the sink.

"James, can we talk? Please?"

"I have a flight to catch in an hour. They need me in New York." His voice was flat, his eyes distant and cold when he glanced at her. It wasn't an expression she'd ever seen on his face before, and her heart clenched at what it meant.

She knew a wall going up when she saw one, after all she’d done it often enough herself. She could feel her heart ripping in two at the sudden distance between them.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone. But it’ll be a while."

Anna blinked. That was a subtle brush off if she'd ever heard one. "Okay. Is there anything I can do?"

He was quiet as he rinsed the pan and set it to dry, then wiped his hands on a dish towel. Finally, he met her gaze, and she shivered at the pain and grief in his eyes.

"Gwen says things are heating up with the bids and the deals are proceeding more quickly than anticipated. According to the broker, I have meetings stacked back-to-back for the very near future at this point. One of the buyers is also interested in a property in Singapore, so I’ll be traveling extensively. I don’t know when I’ll return."

He pushed away from the island and edged toward her, stopping just out of reach. "I have some emails to send then I need to pack," he said before brushing past her as he walked out the door, his steps robotic as if he was on autopilot.

"Okay," she whispered to the empty kitchen. Despite everything—the assurances from her aunt, the intensity from James, her belief that a relationship could work for her—the nightmare was happening again, and it was like a knife to her soul.

Her lungs constricted and she suddenly couldn't be in his house another second. Scurrying up the stairs, she winced when she heard his office door close with a sharp snap. It wasn't a slam, but it was enough of a statement for her to know that he had closed her out.

She was no longer welcome here.

Hot tears overflowed as she grabbed the bag she kept under the bed and stuffed it full of clothes and shoes. Luckily she hadn't brought too much over that would require a second trip, but it was enough for her to fill the bag completely. She stumbled into the bathroom and scooped her makeup into the bag, then zipped it up.

Lifting her gaze, she nearly recoiled when she met her reflection. Her nose was cherry red and her running mascara left black streaks down her cheeks. It was a stark contrast from how fresh she had appeared just thirty minutes earlier.

How could everything, her whole world, shift so suddenly? How could she lose her happily ever after in the space of a few minutes?

Maybe because it was never real.

What really worried her—what she knew would keep her up at night—was how would she ever get over James.

She ran down the stairs and out the door, trying to outrun the heartbreak and ghosts of her past.