The characters of this story belong to Margaret Mitchell, but the contents of the story are solely mine! This next chapter is dedicated to the Siamese cat! I hope it is worth the wait, I hope to continue this story, since now I have sort of an idea where I want take it. Thanks so much…Demon that is Dreaming

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Scarlett's mind was reeling when she awoke to the sounds of Rhett's drunken snoring. Scarlett could almost have passed last night off as a crazy wanton dream, but the hard arm beneath her neck along with the reverberating sound of Rhett's' slumber contradicted her thoughts. Scarlett turned her head slowly towards Rhett careful not to move to quickly as not to awaken the beast. Rhett gave another loud snort which told her he had not awakened. Scarlett took this opportunity to look at his face in detail. Despite his puffiness and pallor he was still a handsome man, slowly Scarlett moved her arm towards Rhett, placing her index finger of her right hand on his full sensual lips, tracing the softness from corner to corner causing Rhett to twitch. Scarlett smiled at this. Then she traced the contour of the bridge of his nose lightly with her finger tips, and he shook his head. But the movement was soon followed by another deep inhale and a snore with exhale. Becoming more daring Scarlett turned on to her side facing Rhett , still watching him like a cat that watches a mouse with every slow but deliberate movement cautiously making its way closer to its pray. When his breathing returned to its undisturbed state Scarlett slowly began removing the sheet from Rhett's torso, drinking in the site of his naked body. Scarlett's hands ached to caress the skin in front of her, the soft flesh of his most tender areas. He was so strong, yet there were vulnerabilities too on this strong man. The hollow at the base of Rhett's throat, Scarlett wondered if Rhett would feel the same sensations she did when he kissed her there if she were to kiss him in this spot? And if Scarlett ran her fingertips along Rhett's sides would Rhett feel that mixed sensation that she herself felt when he did this to her? If she was to places kisses on the soles of Rhett's feet as he did to her would Rhett get the same desirable feeling that he caused her from this very action? All these thoughts swirled about in Scarlett's mind, and she found herself becoming aroused by her mere thoughts. Scarlett glided her leg up Rhett's, nestling it against his burning manhood. With this brief contact, Scarlett felt Rhett harden against her leg. Suddenly Scarlett's green eyes met with the lusty blue ones of Rhett. And no words were spoken; Rhett pulled Scarlett to him kissing her in a soft lingering kiss his fingers caught in her hair. When the kiss ended, Scarlett boldly placed her lips on the hollow of Rhett's throat placing soft kisses there and trailing them around his neck, gently sucking on one earlobe then nibbling his neck.

Rhett's mind was whirling at this unexpected ardor from Scarlett, he began thinking to himself, Is this some wild crazy dream? He had experienced these kinds of dreams before in Belles house, and though the dreams usually had a horrible outcome he surrendered himself to the intoxicating allure of a wanton Scarlett wanting and craving him.

Scarlett ran her fingers through the thick black mat of chest hair, letting it curl around her tiny fingers. Scarlett took her finger tips and teased the skin on Rhett's body sending tingling sensations all over on him. Soon it was too much and Rhett could not hold back any longer he had to take Scarlett, had to claim her as his again. Rhett eased Scarlett onto her back and braced himself above her easing himself between her legs. Taking his man hood and stroking her delicate folds spreading her wetness around. Then when Scarlett's moans began to drive him over the edge Rhett plunged his shaft deep within her smoldering sheath. Slowly he almost completely removed himself from her and when she began to cry in protest, he would plunge back in deep. He continued this for a few moments then holding Scarlett rolled over onto his back with her still connected to him. At first Scarlett was apprehensive, but with Rhett's hands guiding her she soon was rocking back and forth on his shaft on her own. Moving in such a way that each movement seemed to threaten to be her undoing. And Rhett was feeling the same; his every fiber ached for release. But he also got the utmost satisfaction watching the passion play across Scarlett's face. When he finally couldn't take no more, to Scarlett's delight he rolled her back onto her back and took on the task of finishing their union. Scarlett was now crying for release and Rhett gave that to her as he succumbed to his own abandonment. Collapsing on her in utter exhaustion, Scarlett clung to him as her body continued to convulse around Rhett's. With his mouth against her ear his face buried in her hair, Scarlett heard the faint muffled voice whisper, "God help me, but I love you!" Scarlett was breathless, trying to regain her breath despite Rhett's weight on top her own she replied in gasps. "I love you too Rhett, more than I ever knew!"

Rhett eased over on his side, but remained in tangled with Scarlett. And they both fell asleep entwined. Arms and legs meshed together. Both felt more completely whole then they ever had in their entire lives.

Rhett's head was pounding like a marching band was going through his head. It had been a long time since he had felt this hung over. Rhett listened intently for any sounds about him, and when nothing particular came to his ears, he slowly opened his eyes a slit. The furniture that came into sight shocked him. "No? I couldn't be, no it's not possible?" How on earth had he ended up here of all places? He thought back trying to remember his last recollection of the evening. He had been at Belles playing poker that much he remembered. And he remembered Belle wanting him to stay instead of ride home in his condition. But he could not stand her coddling; she wasn't the one that he wanted to be indulged by. And when he had gotten home he had sat in the dining room drinking still more and like a dream Scarlett had appeared as before in a moment of total déjà vu. Rhett's stomach was knotting up, he needed to get out of here now, and he needed time to regroup his thoughts. What had he done last night? Bits and pieces of the dream like reality came back to him slowly. Slowly he eased himself out of bed trying his hardest not to make a lot of commotion. Rhett was making his escape with the utmost discretion. But to Rhett's surprise as he dared to look back he discovered that Scarlett had not been in the bed next to him. Perplexed Rhett halted his retreat, curiosity getting the better of him he searched her dressing room but Scarlett was not there. Looking in the water closet was to no avail either. Suddenly Rhett was flabbergasted. Rhett went down the hall into his chamber and after a quick sponge bath he dressed taking less care than usual his mind twirling the thought of where Scarlett had gone around in his mind. Surely she was just downstairs, but something in the back of his mind gave him a feeling that it was more than that.

Once dressed to his satisfaction Rhett peaked his head into Scarlett's room after a light wrapping went unanswered. Still the room was unchanged since his recent departure. So Rhett continued his search down the hall to the nursery, where all he found was an empty room. Either Wade or Ella had not slept here or the maid had already made the beds. Listening intently Rhett waited for sounds of life in the house. Such as the sound of Mammy grumbling, or chastising the children about eating and less chattering, but nothing came to his ears. The house was silent, what could have happened? Why had Scarlett left so suddenly, had something happened to Melanie, or Aunt Pitty Pat? All sorts of thoughts whirled through Rhett's tortured mind. Rhett couldn't stand the silence of the house were the devil were Mammy, Pork, Prissy, and the rest of the house servants? Rhett went around to the kitchen nobody was there; the cook stove was cold as could be. So nobody had eaten anything here this morning. Rhett was becoming more and more perplexed as he searched the house. Finally not bearing it any longer Rhett went to the little house where Pork and Dicely resided. Rhett knocked at the door and after a bit of shuffling about in the little house the door opened with Pork greeting Rhett. "Mornin' Master Rhett, what can I do for you?"

"First of all Pork you could fill me in as to why nobody is at work in the house today?" Rhett smiled a perplexed smile at his old and dear friend.

"Well Mister Rhett, Miss Scarlett dun told us all to take the day off yesterday. She said she didn't want anybody in the house till tomorrow."

"What would make Scarlett want the house empty Pork?"

"When Miss Scarlett tells me to do something Master Rhett I have learned its best to do what she wants and not ask questions. "

Rhett laughed genuinely, "Touché my friend touché!"

"So you haven't seen Mrs. Butler this morning then Pork?" Rhett asked.

Rhett noticed that at this question his valet seemed to become distant, thinking carefully on his reply.

"Yes um I had seen Miss Scarlett." Pork replied looking nervously at his feet that were twisting awkwardly.

"Where has she gone Pork?"

"I can't rightly say sir."

"Can't or won't Pork?"

"Can't Mister Rhett, because I don't know rightly where she was headed."

"Well did she take anything with her? Anyone, the children where are Wade and Ella?"

"Miss Scarlett done told me that the children be with Miss Melanie, and as for taking anything with her, I believe Miss Scarlett only had a carpet bag with her. "

A carpet bag, Rhett thought to himself? Rhett could not imagine Scarlett traveling anywhere with just a single bag? What on earth was going on here? His mind was flooded with possibilities. Had something happened suddenly for which she had to make a hasty departure? Why, if that was the case maybe Scarlett had left him a short letter, with this thought foremost in his mind he ran back into the house and into his study turning it upside down looking for a note. It occurred to Rhett that strange as it was that Scarlett left no note about her whereabouts, was the very fact that he even cared all that Scarlett was not here. Just yesterday he could have cared less if he had ever seen Scarlett again, what had changed so much in the last twelve or so hours that made him frantic at the thought of her never returning? Why just moments ago he was trying to sneak out of her boudoir, only to find that Scarlett had snuck out before him. But where would Scarlett run too? The first thought to enter his mind was Melanie's. So Rhett saddled his horse and rode down Peachtree Street to the humble residence of the Wilkes's. Descending his horse and tethering him to the hitching post, Rhett strode casually up the sidewalk to the Wilkes' front door were he wrapped three times.

Dilcey answered the door and returned with Mrs. Wilkes a moment later. "Captain Butler please will you come inside?" Melanie smiled warmly.

"Thank you, but no Mrs. Wilkes, I came to inquire if you knew the whereabouts of my wife?"

"Goodness is Scarlett missing? " Melanie said in a hushed voice as not to alarm the children.

"That is what I am trying to find out. I have no idea where Scarlett has gone too."

"The last time I saw her was yesterday afternoon, when she came and asked if I would watch the children for a couple of nights. She had not intended on taking a trip though I assure you."

"What reason did she give you for wanting you to take the children for a couple days then Miss Melly?"

Melanie started to blush and smiled softly, "Well Captain Butler, she wished to have some time alone for the two of you."

Rhett's mind whirled at this revelation; Scarlett wanted time alone, with him? Is that why she had dismissed the staff too? But it didn't make sense; evidently she had gotten her time alone so why did she run off? What had happened that caused her to flee? Rhett decided to go home and see if Scarlett was there or wait for her return. Rhett returned to the house and doing another search found it was still empty. Rhett decided to retire to his study for a much needed cigar and a drink. He just couldn't put it together, all the pieces of the previous night. Minutes turned to hours and still Scarlett did not return, and when the sun faded in the western sky Rhett knew she wasn't coming back, not tonight. The walls of the house were closing in on him, he was going stir crazy. Should he be out looking for Scarlett? Had something happened to keep her from returning or was that her intent, not to return? Rhett racked his brain over and over again, trying to recall something from the previous night that perhaps would have caused Scarlett to flee?

Scarlett had awakened and detangled herself from Rhett's warm body. Recalling there exchange of words they had exchanged at first elated, then she thought differently. What if Rhett hadn't meant his in the heat of the moment outburst? What if he regretted it, worse still what if he didn't mean it? Would he runaway like he did the last time? Scarlett could not bear his abandonment again. So this time she told herself she would not wait to wake up and find him gone in the morning. Instead he would find her gone! How would Rhett feel when he woke up in her room? Expecting to find her lying unwittingly content beside him, but then discovering he was alone? Well, this time Rhett could feel the loneliness, the dejected feelings of abandonment. This time the tables would be turned.