Chapter 2
TWO
MOLLY
Everyone has a deep, dark fantasy they hide, never telling a single living soul due to the fear of judgment.
I have no such qualms.
Being the talk of the town for being raised by a single mother, I’ve become a pro at ignoring the unsolicited scrutiny of society. The experience has taught me to be brave and accept the truth that their opinion is a reflection of them, not me.
It’s the reason I didn’t shy away from confessing my dirty fantasy to Matt. He might’ve balked, teased, and been shocked at first, but he didn’t judge me. Maybe that’s why the best friend makes the best boyfriend.
Ever since he said yes, after we talked about it once more, I’ve been counting down the days until we act on it. Dancing butterflies have taken permanent residence in my belly, so much so that even sleeping became a hardship the past week.
Tonight is the night my naughty desire will come true.
Everything has been set in motion.
Excitement courses through my veins as I walk down the street lit with pumpkin-shaped lanterns and tall and scary skeletons. While kids in all sorts of horror and cute costumes run door to door for trick-or-treating.
We live in a small town like a tight-knit community, so at festivals, every person pitches in to decorate the suburbs and the markets. Halloween is no different. Because of how much both adults and kids love it, it turns into a week-long celebration.
“Molly!”
I whip around at the sound of my name being shouted from somewhere behind me. My best friend, Rita, dressed as a sexy gothic nurse, comes barreling in my direction.
“Whoa! Slow down, Ri,” I chuckle as she slams into me.
“Ahh! Stupid heels,” she groans, steadying herself. “Why did I think it was a good idea to wear them?”
“It goes with your outfit. A classic slutty nurse.”
“Not just any nurse.” She cocks her hip. “I’m a ghost nurse.”
“So, you bring them back to life with your hotness?”
“Exactly.” She winks. “But for a price, of course.”
“What’s that?”
“I control their souls.”
I chuckle. “Wicked.”
“Why aren’t you in your costume?” she utters, giving me a once-over.
I gaze down at my white polka-dot satin top with lace edges and a deep V-neck, leaving my midriff bare and putting my belly button piercing on display. I’ve paired it with straight black denim jeans and matching high-heeled boots.
It’s a sexy outfit for going out on a picnic with your girlfriends. Just not on brand for the scariest night of the year.
I sense Rita’s confusion. However, how do I explain that being a simple girl going about her day, ready to be taken hostage, is my costume?
“I guess I wanted to stand out by being the odd one out,” I utter with a cheeky grin. “I do, don’t I?”
“You’re a cute weirdo.”
I shrug, looping my arm through hers. “Where are you off to? The club or the haunted house.”
“I need liquid courage before I step foot inside the haunted house.”
“Not the words you expect to hear from a ghost nurse.”
“Shut up!”
Our laugh gets lost in the chilly night air as we hail a cab to the club, which happens to be within walking distance of the haunted house. I could use a drink or two to ease my nerves. Matt better bring his A game tonight.
Half an hour later, we enter the club after giving our IDs.
It’s completely packed inside with the music pulsing in the open expanse of the room.
I do stand out with my non-Halloween costume.
It’s not just to fit in my role as an innocent girl, but to make it easier for Matt to chase me and tell me apart from the crowd.
Rita tugs me straight toward the bar. We have to literally kick and shove through the mass of writhing bodies on the dance floor to make it without anyone groping us. Not an easy feat, dare I say.
“Your poison, sexy ladies?” asks the bartender.
“Tequila!” we shout together.
He smirks and turns around with a nod. His biceps bulge as he pours our shots. I eye Rita, who is licking her lips while gazing at his profile. I know who she’ll be going home with tonight, considering the attraction is mutual from the way he made his way to us.
“Here you go.” He slides the glasses to us while keeping his gaze locked with my friend’s.
With a sultry smile, Rita leans on the bar. “Care to share a shot with me?”
His lips tipping up on the side, he grabs the lemon slice and holds it between his teeth. Arching a brow at her, he waits.
I watch, amused, as Rita downs the shot and meets the bartender halfway to lock her red-painted lips with his. The lemon long forgotten, their kiss escalates as he grabs the back of her neck and dominates her mouth.
Ignoring them, I gulp my shot. The tequila burns its way down my throat, warming me up from the inside. I don’t want to be wasted, so I skip another shot. Pulling out my phone, I check the time. I still have another half an hour before I have to meet Matt.
“Let’s dance!” Rita shouts in my ear.
Smiling, I tug her to the center of the dance floor. It’s not long before we lose ourselves to the loud bass of the music thudding through the speakers.
Closing my eyes, I sway and roll my hips, running my hands up my sides. The alcohol does its magic as it courses through my system, building my anticipation for the rest of the night.
Someone bumps into me.
I snap my eyes open, sucking in a sharp breath when I stare at a man in a matte black mask standing still as a statue a few feet away from me. I can’t see his eyes, but I know he’s looking right at me. He towers over everyone as they dance around him while he remains unmoving.
Menacing.
Predatory.
Daunting.
As though it’s just him and me.
When the strobe lights flash down on him right as the couple before him parts, I get a glimpse of his attire. It causes me to stumble and my jaw to drop.
A loose black hoodie and matching cargo pants.
Matt.
I know it’s him because we agreed to him wearing something discreet in all black, including his mask. No one is dressed like him either, in the sweaty and drunk crowd.
Did he follow me here? Is he improvising?
Fuck. I didn’t think he had it in him to be so intimidating and chilling.
My pulse pounds in tune to the beat of the song “Animals” by Maroon 5. I almost smile at Matt before falling back into my role of us being strangers.
Rita yanks my wrist, ripping my attention away from him.
“Who’re you looking at?” she asks curiously.
“Ah! No one,” I lie, discreetly staring over her shoulder. I frown when there’s no sign of my boyfriend. I search the mass of bodies and jolt when I see his back walking toward the rear of the club.
At the last second, he pauses and peers back, finding me at once.
He inclines his head subtly in a command to follow him.
As he disappears, I glance at Rita. “Hey! I’m on my way to the haunted house. You coming?”
“Nah!” She grins. “I think I’ll stick around for longer.”
Translation: she’s going home with the bartender.
I’m all too pleased.
Hugging her goodbye, I quickly run to the back of the hallway. I can’t keep the grin off my face at Matt’s surprise. I’m loving this dark side of him.
Here I come, my captor.