Free His Reverie by Monica Murphy Page B

swear.
    “You wouldn’t believe the stuff I had to do. Including sober her up.” Heather rolls her eyes when she notices my shocked expression. “She’s a total drinker, you know.”
    “Really?” I frown, turning my attention to Heather more fully. Michael doesn’t need my help lighting fireworks. He’s doing a mighty fine job of it on his own so I’m going to dig for information. “Like…has a problem with drinking-type drinker?”
    Heather nods slowly. “She got into a huge fight with her daughter last night right before her birthday party started. I saw it all happen and it was ugly.” She mock shudders.
    Now I’m really interested in what she’s saying. “What about?” I keep my voice casual. I already knew what it was about, at least according to Reverie. But maybe it involved something more.
    “She’d been drinking all day.” Heather lowers her voice, like we’re surrounded by a ton of people and she doesn’t want them to hear. Considering we’re only hanging out with Michael and his stash of fireworks, she doesn’t have to worry about that. “And she was mad at everyone. Just on a total rampage, calling Rev a whore, accusing Reverend Hale of cheating on her.” Heather’s eyes went wide, as if she couldn’t believe she just said that. “God, you really have to make sure you never say anything about this to anyone. I’d lose my job in a heartbeat.”
    “I swear.” I cross my heart with my index finger. Cheating? That was a pretty damn harsh accusation. “This doesn’t go beyond me and you.” If I was sitting down, I’d be hanging by the very edge of my seat, waiting to hear what Heather has to say next.
    “What doesn’t go on beyond you two?”
    Everything inside of me goes still at the sound of that voice. That very sweet, very female and very familiar voice. The look on Heather’s face says it all. Holy shit and every other cuss word I can think of.
    We almost got caught spilling some very private information.
    Slowly I turn to find Reverie standing in front of me. Looking fucking hot as sin in a white tank top that makes her tits look huge and faded denim shorts that I wish were way shorter.
    But I’ll take what I can get.
    “Reverie.” I smile at her dopily, feeling a little buzzed and not just because she’s in my presence though that’s definitely a major influence. I chugged that beer Heather had only just cracked open plus the first one Michael handed me. And I haven’t eaten anything in hours. I’m a total fucking lightweight at the moment and it doesn’t help that the girl of my jack-off dreams is staring at me like I’m her favorite ice cream and she wants to lick me up.
    My entire body tightens and I breathe deep.
    Jesus. I need to be careful with where my thoughts go.
    “Nicholas,” she returns, flashing me an equally dopey smile.
    This gives me hope, as much as I tell myself to knock that shit off.
    “What are you doing here?” I ask, glancing around to make sure she didn’t bring anyone else with her. Like her rude as hell brother and all of his rude as hell friends.
    I don’t like those punks. The majority of them are older than me and I see the judgment in their eyes when they look at me. They think they’re so much better than me. Jerks. The only difference between me and those assholes is that they have money and I don’t.
    “Um, I live here?” She glances around before her gaze lands on Heather. “Hi.”
    Heather steps up to stand beside me and I’m instantly afraid we’re giving off the wrong vibe. “Hey, Rev. You wandered off from the party? Get a little lost?”
    “Heather,” I warn, shocked she would talk to her boss’s daughter in such a snide tone. I don’t even know Heather but no way am I going to let her speak to Reverie like she’s some dumb little girl.
    “I was looking for Nicholas.” She hesitates, her smile falling from her face as she sinks her perfect white teeth into her perfect lower lip. “But maybe you’re