Draft version - Russian Roulette - Family secrets

Ch. 164: You cheeky...

It was the same dream almost every time she closed her eyes.

He was there; big, strong and handsome. Caring and saying all the right things. That he forgave her, that he still wanted her. How he had missed her. His voice enveloping her with its charm and sensuality.

Warm arms embracing her, kisses...

So many kisses.

Small, quick ones.

Long, dwelling ones.

Deep and passionate ones.

That smell of him.

Whiskey, cigarettes and a deeply masculine cologne. A smell she would always have with her. To some, it might be a strange combination to bring a person to a calm and happy place, to her it was the only smell that mattered.

It was him.

It was what made him Gareth.

And she dearly loved that smell.

She felt happy, loved and safe until the dream became dark and foggy. The warmth Gareth had given her vanished as the fog appeared, his voice became distant and she searched frantically for him. Calling his name and begging him to come back to her.

Every time he disappeared, leaving her devastated, heartbroken, she broke into tears. Tears ran down her face while she fought to wake up, searched for a way to get back to where she had control again.

Like most of the other times, strong arms gently wrapped around her, soft words were whispered into her ear, coaxing her back to reality.

Drawing her from the dreams that broke her heart.

"Come on, Darling, it's just a dream. Wake up."

"He left me again," Mackenzie cried, clinging to the arms around her.

"No, he didn't, he was never there. If he had been, he wouldn't have left you."

Mackenzie sank into the comforting embrace and tried to stop crying. The dreams were so real, the emotions real, and they tore at her. She could not see right from wrong in her dreams, there was no anchor for her to hold on to, nothing to make her realize it was not real.

Not until the warm embrace and soothing words brought her back.

Sniffling into her pillow, Mackenzie slowly returned from her nightmare. The morning light was sharp and uncaring of her sensitive eyes and desire for more sleep, dreamless sleep. She needed sleep so much, it had been months since she had last had a peaceful night.

"Are you awake?"

"No."

He chuckled and held her a little tighter. "You're so stubborn."

"I'm not."

"I rest my case."

The low, rumbling laugh made her smile. He always did that, comforted her and made her smile. Made time fly and her worries push to the back of her mind. She felt safe with him, loved in a way.

Cared for 24/7.

He was one of the nicest men she had ever met. And knowing the men she held dear from Gareth's group, that was a compliment of epic proportions. What he had done for her...

"Thank you."

"Don't give me that. I don't need you to thank me."

"But I want to thank you, you put your life on hold for me."