Landon
I’M GOING TO FLY to Oregon.
The private investigator I had look into Nathaniel was really only able to dig up a few important things: his home address, the fact that he was born and raised in Austin, Texas, the fact that he’s thirty-four, and his job at Chastain Castle.
Apparently, Nathaniel has no internet presence or much personal information lying around. Which is simultaneously very annoying and kind of hot and mysterious.
All that to say, it’s finally time to make good on my promise. I’m going to rip Nathaniel Barfred to shreds and eat the remains.
My plan? Seclude and destroy. He clearly finds the hatred he has for me very enticing, and I plan to use that against him. And once he’s fallen in love with me—come on, who wouldn’t?—I’m going to leave him and break his heart.
It’s the perfect plan; I will get my revenge for all the cruel shit he’s said, for all the time he’s followed me around.
Unfortunately, I sort of need to be around him to seduce him.
That’s why I’ve booked a ticket for later this afternoon. I’ll land in Oregon around dinnertime and book a car to take me to the little cottage Nathaniel lives in. Then, the fun begins.
But first, I have to explain these charges to my parents before they check the credit card they gave me.
I’m packing my carry-on as Susie comes into my room, her eyes narrowing on the pajamas I’m shoving inside it.
“Where are you off to? I feel like I hardly see or hear from you, and I live here.” Susie gives me a pointed look, her lips tilting into a frown.
“I’m uh… going out.” I can’t tell her I’m going to Oregon; she’ll assume I’m visiting Julian and call him.
“Going out,” she repeats, crossing her arms as she stands in the doorway. “To where?”
“You’re not my mom, Sue,” I complain, my eyes rolling as I zip up the small suitcase on my bed.
“But I am your best friend. Someone who loves you.” Susie takes a step into the room, deflating. “Seriously, Lan. What has gotten into you? I haven’t seen you this distant and weird since high school.”
Right. Since the last time the depression was bad.
But right now, I’m not sad. I’m vengeful and weirdly excited.
So, I turn, giving her an award-winning smile. “It’s really nothing. I’m just going on a little trip with some family.”
She sighs, throwing her hands out in defeat. “Alright. Fine. But I’m here to talk if you need me, okay?”
I nod and accept her brief hug, watching her retreating back as she finally leaves me be. I hate lying to her, and I refuse to use coercion to do it, but I’m definitely not giving her the truth.
She wouldn’t agree to the idea of vengeance, and I’d have to admit to seeing Nathaniel in that hotel. Which was a big mistake. I have no business knowing how phenomenal that man’s cock tastes, or how good he sounds while he comes down my throat, thick and hot.
Plus, he’s like, twelve years older than me. She’d kill me.
I should find it gross, right? Nathaniel being so much older than me? Why the fuck do I not find it gross?
With Susie convinced enough to leave me be, I drive over to my parents’ house, slipping into the dining room where they’re sitting for dinner.
Mom’s head pops up, her eyes widening at the sight of me. “Lan, honey, I didn’t know you were coming. Would you like a plate?”
“No, I’m alright,” I assure her. “I just wanted to tell you guys I’m heading out for a day or two.”
“Heading out?” Dad inquires, dropping his fork onto his plate as he looks me over. “To where?”
Why is everyone so nosy?! On the bright side, they won’t call Julian.
“I’m heading back to Oregon,” I offer.
“Oh, to see Julian?” Mom asks.
Perfect, they’ll buy my lie easily. But something inside me also cringes, anger simmering in my skin as I think of him and how unfair this all is.
“Yes, to see Julian,” I lie.
“Well, don’t be gone for too long,” Dad insists. “You can’t spend all of your youth messing around.”
“Of course, Dad,” I concede, giving him a small smile as I turn back toward the door.
“And I want you to think about it,” he adds. “When you’ll be joining the company. We need an answer soon.”
With one more subtle nod, never quite turning back around, I leave the house as quickly as I came.
The airport is surprisingly empty, though I guess midday on a Tuesday isn’t the best travel time.
I get to security about an hour before takeoff, and soon I’m boarding the plane, settling in for the short flight.
Personally, I can’t wait to start slowly unleashing the destruction I plan to cause. Nathaniel, with his cruel and self-centered nature, deserves everything I plan to dish out.
He probes and probes and doesn’t let up, willing to hurt me just to learn me. Nathaniel is a vicious bulldozer of a man—but I’m more than capable of knocking him down a peg. I will knock him down.
I’m still debating if I’ll let him touch me this go-around as the plane lands and I find my way to the carpool area of the parking garage, calling an Uber. It’s expensive as hell due to the location I’m going to, but it’s worth it.
It’s also not my money. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
The storm clouds overhead give Oregon a dreary feel, one that I’m noticing is almost constant here. Light rain drizzles onto the windows as we drive, fog rolling over the roads and the grass on either side.
It’s kind of nice. This atmosphere, this feeling that Port Orford gives—I could see myself happy to bathe in it. Now, to be fair, I love the sunny state I was born in, but change is good. Maybe one day I’ll move here or go right above to Washington.
After I work for Ocean View Entertainment, of course.
The Uber pulls into a short driveway; a little cottage is nestled at the end, with trees looming over the sides and all around the back.
I thank the driver and watch as her taillights disappear before turning toward Nathaniel’s home. It’s quaint and quiet, with only the sound of owls hooting and insects chirping in the distance.
Dragging my suitcase up the dirt driveway, breathing in the scent of fresh rain and pine needles. I can imagine sitting on the small front porch, watching the deer roam or the sun set. Can you see a sunset here?
The front door is locked as I reach it, and I hope desperately that the back door is open; otherwise, I’ll be forced to check all the windows.
The backyard is large, fading into a tree line in the distance. I can see a stack of logs, as if Nathaniel frequents this space to cut his own firewood or something. Why is that thought so alluring?
Wildflowers grow along the edges of the trees, and I take a moment to admire them before I attempt the back door.
As if luck is on my side today, the handle turns easily, revealing a small room stacked with boots, tools, and a corner with a washing machine and its matching dryer.
I set my carry-on by the loose pairs of boots, making my way into what appears to be a hallway. On my right is an open door, revealing a small bathroom. On my left is what I imagine to be the only bedroom here, but the door is firmly shut.
I walk out of the hallway and into an open front space, the left side carpeted and holding a decent-sized couch, a fireplace, and a TV mounted above it. A small coffee table is sitting in front of the couch, holding a singular candle. Stepping forward, I read the label.
Apples and Cinnamon. How cute.
To the right of the space is a kitchen, the floor checkered in tan-brown and white, with a small stove, a couple of needed appliances, and a table that juts out right next to the front door that’s right in front of me.
The cottage is small, but it’s homey. I can see why Nathaniel picked it—why he likes it.
He does like it, right? A part of me wants to ask, but the other part knows I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t give a single fuck what that psycho likes.
Leaving my things by the back door, I plop down onto Nathaniel’s couch, suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of him. And of course, the smell of him reminds me of the taste of him, and I’m soon willing myself not to get hard. To remember why I’m here.
I’ve decided—though my lustful brain might be a factor in it—that if it benefits me tonight, I’ll let him touch me.
And fuck, I bet it’ll feel so good. Not only is he clearly capable with those demanding hands of his, but older men have more experience. They’re more generous with the pleasure they give.
My feet tap against the carpet, the storm raging outside at this point, giving the room plenty of dark shadows to stare into. My eyes trace the walls, and after a moment, I realize there isn’t a singular picture in sight.
Is Nathaniel not close with his family? He’s clearly not married, but he has to have someone in his life, right?
The thought makes me kind of sad.
I really don’t understand this man. I want to know why he’s so obsessed with my gift when he clearly doesn’t want it for himself, the way my father once mentioned someone might.
The way my uncle warned me, saying that one day, someone might lock me up for good, ready to take advantage of any power I could give them.
But Nathaniel? He seems bothered, appalled even by my coercion.
He’s also the only one who knows about it, outside of my family. Not even Julian or Susie, whom I’ve known forever, know every inch of me. I’ve kept my gift and the sadness inside of me a secret for so long that I wonder how many people on this earth will ever truly understand me.
And suddenly, in the dark shadows of this secluded cottage, I feel lonely. An overwhelming, sick loneliness that makes the darkness inside of me swell up and crest, threatening a whole bunch of terrible ideas and desires.
I want to pinpoint this sorrow that feeds off of every negative experience I have, but I simply can’t. I don’t think I’ll ever achieve it. The urge to cry builds up in my throat, but I shove it down, just as I’ve long become accustomed to doing.
But then a loud, roaring engine disrupts the peace of the cottage, and I can hear Nathaniel’s bike as he closes in.