Tormented

13. Dreams

Lucy pov

James.

I lay back in bed thinking of him.

After his visit and a few minutes of hugging, he went back to his room. He came to my room at 3:00 in the morning.

I sigh.

I know what he wants but I also know my situation. I'm a poor girl from a poor family who needs me.

Needs me.

They would die without me. James wouldn't die without me. Sure he'd feel hurt, but he wouldn't die. So keeping him at a distance is for the best. Even if I want him, just as much as he wants me.

I realized last night that I feel a lot more for James than I thought. His embrace and kindness surprised me for someone who has so much power.

All I have are dreams and hopes. I've dreamed of a man like James and I didn't even know it. But that's all it is, a dream. A dream where I and James are equal in power, and instead of me being his pa, I'm his business partner and we build a life together, surrounded by happiness. A sweet dream.

I close my eyes and let sleep take me.

After all, dreams are where even the wildest fantasies exist. Where the most far-fetched things happen. Like me and James.

Together.

James pov

I wake up as my alarm sounds.

"Ughh." I hate mornings.

I get up and get ready. After finishing up, I go to Lucy's room. To wait for her.

I chuckle standing in front of her door.

Me, waiting for a female. Another thing I've done for the first time because of Lucy. And I'm enjoying every minute of it.

She brings me joy just being around. I think I'm falling in love with her. Maybe that's why I can't stop thinking of her. Imagining her with me forever. Loving her laugh and smile, as though her joy was mine as well.

I sigh.

But we're just friends. I'm starting to hate that word, seriously.

I finally knock on the door after standing in front of it for around 5 minutes in my thoughts. Lucy opens the door wearing a white skirt and a gray blouse with her usual black heels, her hair in a bun.

"Here to walk me down?" She asks with a smile, but caution lingers in her eyes.

"Of course, friend." I say, showing her I understand now.

Even though I don't want to. Her smile becomes sincere and the caution in her eyes leave.

"Well then let's go." She says, stepping out of her room, walking alongside me.

We talk casually about past experiences, laughing. This is great. Being with her like this every day for the rest of my life would be...

Amazing.

We enter the elevator, laughing at my teenage foolishness.

"Why?" She asks, still chuckling.

"I don't know, I really don't." I wheeze out, laughing.

As the laughing ends and the elevator closes, we stand in comfortable silence.

I look at her and reach over to her hair. That bun has been annoying me. Tying up all her beautiful hair is such a waste.

"I like your hair down." With that, I pull her hair out of the bun and watch it fall down her back.

She sharply inhales and I look down at her lips. I take a step closer to her, about to put my arms around her and kiss her like a starved man eats...

But the elevator opens and I'm interrupted. Damn, elevators, and opening all the time.

I look up at her and see a flustered face, red cheeks, panting, and the shine of a thin layer of sweat.

I want it all. I bite my lip and her eyes follow the movement.

I smile.

She wants me.

I step back and exit the elevator, while she stands dizzy still. I reach my hand out to stop the elevator door from closing.

"You coming?"

She snaps out of her daze, looking up at me blushing a fever. My smile turns into a smirk as she exits, as I feel the teenage boy in me, fist bump.

She wants me.