In Her Dreams by Bolryder, Terry (the reader ebook .txt) 📕

Honestly, it was like treading water with my head only barely above the surface. So why would I choose to go back to that now?

The memory of someone hitting me across the face, pain lashing through me, mixed with betrayal, and the horrifying feeling that I’m trapped because I live with that person reminds me why I might choose not to move forward.

But Reve isn’t like that. I know he’s not.

“There is one other complication,” I say. “Mark’s brother Adam showed up, and he wants a chance to know his nephew.”

“Oh frick,” Sandra says. “That’s a complication. But honestly, can anything good come from knowing someone who was raised by the people who raised Mark?”

“I mean, we can’t judge everyone by who raised them. Or judge Mark’s parents for what Mark did.”

“I do,” Sandra says. “Anyone in his family who knew what was happening should have had him locked up. Not just supported you in the divorce.”

“Still, he’s Joey’s uncle—”

“I think Reve is a much more valuable ally no matter what,” Sandra says. “He loves your son. He wants your son. He wants you. I really don’t see the problem or why you’re holding back so much.”

“I guess you’re right. I just got so shaken up when Adam showed up. It reminded me of the family I had before. All the hopes I had of them loving me, of having a real family. And then the devastation after being caught up with Mark.”

“But it wasn’t all devastation,” Sandra says. “You have Joey.”

“I do,” I say, feeling love flood through me just thinking about his piercing brown eyes always twinkling with life. “I just want the best for him.”

“What does Reve say about Joey?” Sandra asks. “Just ‘cause I’m curious.”

My heart squeezes warmly, and I smile. “He says he’s another soul bond.”

“Wow!” Sandra says. “I mean, you know that means he’d defend both of you to the death. Can you ask more from a man?”

I laugh. “No, I can’t.”

“And look, regardless, you won’t be alone,” Sandra says. “If you have to stay in the dream realm to be with Reve, you could always visit and do half the year here or there.”

I blink. “I can’t imagine even half the year without him.”

“Then how could you let him leave?”

I blink again. “I don’t know. I guess you’re right. I let fear get the best of me. It took me into the past, not the future. You’re right. I need to get him back. We can work out the rest later.”

“I tend to think finding the right person is the hardest part, yes. Besides, Tess and Lorien will be in the dream realm full time if you are too.”

“What about you?” I ask. “When would I see you?”

“It’s a little more complicated for me because I do have family here. But I would visit, obviously,” Sandra says. “As for Jerrek, God, I have no idea. He’s unbelievably hot in bed, but—”

I let out a squeal of excitement. “What? You’ve slept together.”

She exhales into the receiver, making it crackle. “Yes. The night they danced at the club.” She giggles. “I went into mating thrall. It’s not my fault.”

I laugh. “That’s when it started for me and Reve too.”

“By the way, Jerrek loves Joey. He already sees himself as an honorary uncle. Don’t you see? This is a chance for Joey to have a real family. Not just people related to that monster who hurt you. If you ask me, having Mark and everyone related to him on another planet couldn’t hurt.”

“But what if Adam really is trying to make good? He has been in the military for years. Maybe he didn’t have a chance before…”

Sandra is quiet for a moment. “It’s just too late, honestly. Too late for it to be anything but selfish.”

I think for a moment. “You might be right. Reve doesn’t like the idea of it. He didn’t want me to meet with Adam at all.”

“I don’t blame him,” Sandra says. “I guess we shouldn’t judge other people by their siblings, but he never even called? Come on. Being in the military doesn’t excuse that. Besides, don’t you think it’s a little weird Adam showed up after Reve attacked Mark with a whip?”

I blink. “How did you know about that?”

“Jerrek was there, remember? He had to stop Reve from killing the guy. So yeah, you have no idea what this brother wants.”

“Adam said he was angry at Mark,” I say.

“People can say anything. But regardless, a man you do trust and love really doesn’t like it. Again, this comes back to trust.”

“I want to trust,” I say, rubbing my temples. “But when you’ve trusted wrongly, it’s so difficult.”

“I know. I get that. Believe me, I do,” Sandra says. “It’s why I don’t know how this all will end for me. But Jerrek? He has his issues. Reve? He’s just a big sweetie wrapped in another big box of sweetie. And you, my strong, courageous, mother bear of a marshmallow, deserve him.”

I laugh. “Thank you. How is the most recent book coming?”

“Bad,” Sandra says. “A certain fairy keeps distracting me. But honestly, it’s going to be okay. Don’t push Reve away. If Adam wants to be around while Reve can court you here, I suppose so. But don’t give up on an amazing life for you and Joey just because you’re scared or because you think you owe something to someone who wasn’t around for almost a decade.”

“You’re right,” I say. “I was just scared. Adam showing up threw me. Thinking about it, why would I allow him in Joey’s life? He was just so sweet, so persuasive. He always was, even in high school. But he should understand that it’s not good for Joey to be around a relative of his abusive dad.”

“Trust me,” Sandra says. “As a divorce lawyer, it’s better to just keep the kid out of the reach of any abusers. And if Adam is Mark’s brother, that still puts