CHAPTER 10
Frankie
I sit up, stretching my arms overhead while yawning. I’m surprised to wake up without a headache or nausea considering all the alcohol I drank. Looking over, I spot a note on my nightstand.
Thanks for the fun night. Call me sometime. 555–123–4567. ~Zarreth, the sexiest name you ever heard.
Bits and pieces of the night come back to me. I can’t believe I tried giving my stalker a lap dance. Was I really licking his neck while he carried me to my room?
My thighs clench together remembering what Zarreth whispered in my ear about fucking me. I imagine what his strong hands and firm lips could do to me.
Jesus, what has gotten into me lately? It’s been over a year since I’ve had sex, and I couldn’t care less. Now I’m suddenly making out with random drummer’s and fantasizing about doing it with my stalker.
If Zarreth hadn’t had the shred of decency he bragged about, I would be walking bowlegged today. What is wrong with me? I never act this way. Especially over someone who may have ripped someone’s head off last night. Maybe I should raise my standards.
It's possible things didn’t happen exactly how I remember them. It sounds like the new drug going around is bad news. The guy in the woods yesterday was probably doped out.
If the drugs Brent referred to can cause people to eat human flesh, then eating an animal in the woods is not very far-fetched. I can also admit Zarreth jumping over our heads may be an exaggeration.
But it’s impossible for someone to burst into flames and turn to ash. I know I didn’t imagine that. Something crazy is going on, and my gut tells me it’s related to Nate’s disappearance. I have a feeling my stalker knows more than he’s letting on.
Opening my nightstand, I grab the old magic 8 ball my brother gave me.
“Is my stalker dangerous?”
I shake the 8 ball, watching as the word yes appears.
Maybe I need to be more specific. “Is my stalker dangerous to me?”
Maybe.
I glare at the dumb toy. “What do you know?”
I decide to give it one more try, shaking it again. “Should I text my stalker?”
Yes. It’s a sign. It would be reckless of me to ignore it.
I return the 8 ball to my nightstand and grab my phone. Tiptoeing past Jess, who’s snoring on my couch next to MJ, I make my way to the kitchen. I start the coffee, deciding to text Zarreth while I wait for it to brew.
You must have misheard me.
I said Zarreth was the craziest
name I ever heard. Thank you for
tucking me in last night.
His reply is almost instant.
Is that so? Then why were you
kissing my neck? And it was my
pleasure tucking you in.
Maybe you were just
fantasizing about me
kissing your neck.
Trust me, little one, your pretty
little mouth does a lot more than
kiss when I fantasize about you.
Heat rises in my cheeks. Why would someone who looks like him fantasize about me? Before I can change my mind, I shoot him another message.
Can I take you to breakfast as
payment for saving us last night?
Obviously, I don’t want to see him again. That would be crazy. I just need to get some information from him, and we will be in a public setting. That’s safe, right?
I’m not much of a breakfast guy,
but I would love to buy you breakfast.
Pick you up in an hour?
That sounds great. See you soon.
I pour myself some coffee, internally admonishing myself for being so reckless. I try waking Jess to see if she wants to join us, but she threatens to kick my ass if I don’t let her sleep. I convince her to at least take ibuprofen before she zonks out again.
Honestly, if Zarreth wanted to hurt me, he would have done it already. Instead, he refused my advances and tucked me into bed. He’s either the worst stalker who ever existed, or he has no intention of hurting me.
Or maybe I’m making excuses because I’m hopelessly attracted to him. Either way, I change into my cutest sundress and apply some mascara before waiting on the porch.
I make my usual calls to Nate’s boss and friends. They all said they would let me know if they hear from him, but I call anyway. I don’t know what else to do; doing nothing is driving me crazy.
A few minutes later, Zarreth pulls into my driveway. He hops out of a Jeep, smiling at me. Damn, he’s sexy. I bet he gets whatever he wants with that smile.
“Hi,” I say, walking toward the Jeep, my voice quieter than intended. Apparently, I’m a little nervous hanging out with my stalker without any liquid courage in my system.
Zarreth’s eyes roam over my body. “I like you in a dress,” he says as he rounds the vehicle, opening the door for me. I make a mental note to wear this dress more often. Not that I need to impress a dude, but I would do anything to have him look at me that way again.
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself when you’re not covered in blood.” That’s an understatement. Zarreth is absolutely gorgeous. I wonder if he has a girlfriend. Someone with those mesmerizing eyes and six-pack abs surely can’t be single.
He inhales deeply as I crawl into the passenger seat. “You smell like warm honey.” His voice deepens when he says the word honey, making my thighs squeeze together.
It’s a short drive to my favorite diner, well, the only diner in town. It’s the kind of place where they fry their eggs in bacon grease, and every Friday their chicken strips taste like fish because of the all you can eat fish-fry.
I order chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, orange juice, and coffee. Zarreth orders a coffee.
“I can’t believe you don’t eat breakfast.” I shove a huge bite of syrupy pancakes into my mouth. Maybe I should act more lady-like, but I’m starving. I’m always hungry lately.
“I never feel like eating food in the mornings, but I could watch you eat all day.” Zarreth leans forward, wiping syrup off my lip before sucking it off his thumb. My mind goes blank. Why was that so hot?
“I... um... should... do you want more coffee?” I blurt out, holding up the carafe. Real smooth, Frankie.
Zarreth chuckles and gives me a sinful smile. “I would love some.”
He looks at me like he wants to devour me for breakfast, and I can’t stop my cheeks from turning red. His eyes are so intense. It’s hard not to get lost in their odd amber color.
He must know the effect he has on me. The effect he has on everyone for that matter. The waitress can’t keep her eyes off him either, but Zarreth doesn’t notice her. In fact, he doesn’t seem to notice anyone. Only me, but why?
“Why are you stalking me?” I blurt out.
Zarreth leans across the table, taking my hands in his, sending a shock up my arms. I study the way our fingers intertwine-his large and rough, mine small and delicate. The warmth of his palms comforting despite our current conversation.
“I don’t know,” he replies.
His honesty throws me off guard. “What do you mean you don’t know? What do you want from me?”
Zarreth inhales deeply, the flirty demeanor leaving his body. He looks at me like he is peering deep into the depths of my soul. “Everything,” he says.
An audible gulp leaves my throat. “Will you hurt me?”
“Only if you want me to.”
My eyes widen to the point of almost aching, and I pull my hands away. “You scare me.”
“You scare me too,” he says.
I giggle nervously. It’s a terrible habit I have. My stupid giggle has gotten me into so much trouble over the years.
I chew on my bottom lip. “I don’t scare anyone.”
“You have no idea what you’re capable of.” The tone of his voice causes my breath to catch in my throat. He looks at me like he is in awe, and it makes me uncomfortable. People don’t look at me that way.
I finish eating breakfast, and we walk out to his Jeep.
“What do you want to do now?” he asks.
I put my hands on my hips. “I could show you my most favorite spot in the whole entire world, but apparently you already know since you put dino in my car the other day.”
Zarreth opens the Jeep door. “I was trying to show you how easy of a target you are. Your house and car were both unlocked. You’re lucky it was me and not someone else stalking you.”
“Oh gee, thank you,” I say sarcastically as I slide into the passenger seat.
He smirks. “Any time, little one.”
We don’t say much on our drive to Beauty Lake, but the silence isn’t awkward like it usually is with a stranger. In fact, I feel quite peaceful in Zarreth’s presence.
We get to the lake, and Zarreth grabs a blanket from the Jeep. We walk down the overgrown trail before removing our shoes and settling onto the blanket.
I pluck a dandelion from the ground and roll the stem between my fingers. “My brother and I came here a lot when we were kids. He’s been missing for about a week now.” Despite my efforts, my voice cracks.
“Really?” He props himself up on one elbow. His eyes intently focused on me. “Do you think he’s in trouble?”
“I don’t know. Nate would never leave without telling me. We live together, and we always check in with each other.” I pluck a few more dandelions and begin weaving them together.
“Have you gone to the police?”
“Yes. Apparently, nothing can be done with his truck missing and no evidence of foul play. I called all his friends, his boss, and drove everywhere looking for him. I found his cell phone when I searched his room. Why would he leave it behind if he left on his own?”
“If there is anything I can do to help, please ask,” he says softly. My heart softens when I see the sincerity on his face.
“I know you think I was hallucinating last night, but I can’t stop thinking about that body turning to ash. I found ash in Nate’s room. I feel like they’re connected somehow.” I struggle to make a bracelet from the dandelions, so I throw them to the ground.
Zarreth picks one up, tucking it behind my ear. “Frankie, I don’t mean to upset you, but that man didn’t burn up last night. It’s impossible.”
I’m so frustrated. I know what I saw, but I can’t argue with logic. “Well, then Nate’s disappearance has to do with those drugs.”
“Is your brother into drugs?”
We smoke weed, but Nate would never do real drugs. “I don’t think so, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. Maybe Jess can ask Brent if he knows any drug dealers around here.”
I shoot Jess a text. I know it’s a long shot, but it’s all I have.
Zarreth tugs on my braid. “It’s dangerous for a cute little thing like you to confront a drug dealer by yourself.”
“I won’t be by myself. You’ll be with me.” I give him my most convincing smile. “You said you wanted to help.”
“I would do anything for you, Frankie.” His words make me melt a little inside.
“It’s a date then.” I smile, this one more genuine. “Speaking of dates, you don’t have a girlfriend or wife, do you?”
“Not yet.” Zarreth grins as a wicked light gleams in his eyes, his gaze sliding over me.
I want to believe he’s interested in me, but he could have anyone. Why me?
“Aren’t you going to ask me if I have a boyfriend?” I tease.
Zarreth’s eyes darken as he growls, “I don’t care if you have a boyfriend, Frankie. It won’t stop me from making you mine.”