Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
HER
L eaning back against the brick wall of Epic Flix, I take a deep drag of my cigarette and hold the smoke in my lungs. I savor the feeling for a moment before exhaling, watching as the wisps drift away like a ribbon of gray against the sky. I close my eyes and listen to the passing traffic, trying to distract myself from my spiraling thoughts.
Between the humiliating incident in the break room—where I had to scrub my shame from the floor and endure an uncomfortable ride back home until I could wash my clothes—and my father’s execution date encroaching ever closer, I haven’t been in the best mood. It’s bad enough that I’m paranoid that psycho is still stalking me.
His words echo in my head: I haven’t been the one breaking your shit and vandalizing your property . If not him, then who? Should I believe him? The thought of two different masked maniacs running around Fallbank doesn’t make me feel any better, either. I have no interest in their territorial pissing match, and I refuse to be dragged into their deranged games.
And I remember his other words, too. Vividly. As he fucks me with his fingers like he owns me, my knees quaking, my stomach twisting into knots. You belong to me. My chest flutters, and I rub my thighs together. It feels like it just happened yesterday, his words still haunting me. I can feel his presence everywhere I go, like he’s got a hold on me, like we’re tied together with the red strings of fate.
I can’t shake the feeling that he won’t ever let me go.
Do I want him to?
After taking another puff of my cigarette, I crush it against the brick and toss it into the nearby dumpster. What is wrong with me? I shouldn’t be wrestling over whether I’m attracted to this guy. Yes, he violated my boundaries. But his touch, in some fucked up way, filled the intense void that has plagued me since childhood. Having someone so completely obsessed with you should be off-putting, should feel wrong. And yet, it didn’t—not entirely.
For some inexplicable reason, I find it oddly reassuring. Part of me loves the attention, but maybe that’s just my loneliness talking. Regardless of how I felt, I have to take a step back and think logically about this situation. Blake is kind, supportive, and stable—just the sort of guy someone like me needs. I should be grateful for being with someone like him, not some asshole who goes around wearing a mask, terrorizing people .
Not to mention the whole murder bit.
So why can’t I just let go? I take another deep breath and cross my arms, tapping my fingers against my elbow. There isn’t any comparison between them, so the answer should be simple. I check my watch, realizing my break is over, and I head back into the break room and towards the main part of the store. Jen finishes up with a customer and greets me with a warm smile.
“How’s it going?” she says, her expression thawing into a frown. “You look like you have something on your mind. Everything okay?”
I sigh and nod. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Still trying to decide what we should buy for the store.” I return to the open catalog laid out on the counter. “It’s hard to choose. There are a lot of great options the customers would love. As long as Brian doesn’t throw a fit about the prices again.”
Jen laughs, and her eyes soften in understanding. “I know it’s overwhelming,” she says, touching my arm lightly in comfort. “Take some time to think about what the store needs, not what the customers want.”
I know she saw through my lie, but I’m thankful she played along, anyway. “Thanks, Jen. I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon.”
She pats my arm again before going back to helping customers. Jen’s words were more than just advice—it was genuine care and understanding. I don’t deserve her as a friend.
I take a few minutes to peruse the catalog, contemplating how best to approach Blake to reconnect with him. And apologize for being such a selfish jerk. Just as I’m about to close the tome, the bell chimes and Blake enters. My heart flips at the sight of him. His eyes flick to mine before quickly averting them as he walks toward the horror section.
Steeling myself, I suck in a breath and clear my throat. “Hey Blake,” I call out, hoping for the best.
He stops and turns to look at me, his lips parting in surprise like he didn’t expect me to be here. “Oh, hey. It’s been a bit.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other and looks away again, as if he doesn’t quite know what else to say.
“It has, hasn’t it?” I try to keep my expression unreadable, but somehow, his words still sting. “Can we talk?”
He looks at me again, pausing for a few seconds before nodding slowly in agreement. My heart leaps; maybe he’s open to listening after all. Jen looks at us with a knowing smile but says nothing as I motion for Blake to follow me into the break room. Once inside, I shut the door, giving us some privacy. We sit and he looks at me expectantly.
Words spill out of me like a faucet. “I know things have been weird between us lately, and that’s why I wanted to talk. I want to apologize and clear the air.” He remains silent, and I take it as a sign to continue. “I know I hurt you the other day. And all the times I blew you off. Hurting you is the last thing I want to do. I’m sorry for being such an asshole. Maybe we can start fresh?” I quickly add, “If you’re willing to, that is. ”
My mouth goes dry, my pulse quickening as he takes my hands in his. “I’m sorry, too. I haven’t been much better, have I?” he says, chuckling softly.
Never since the night of the vandalism have I experienced such a genuine sense of connection with him.
“I mean it, though,” I say. “I’ve been a total idiot.”
“No, no.” He looks me in the eye and gives my hands a gentle squeeze. “It wasn’t just you. I should have been more understanding when you were going through a tough time. We both made mistakes and acted foolishly. Honestly, I should’ve talked to you sooner about this.” Leaning closer, he presses his face against my cheek. “I promise to make it up to you.”
I feel like my insides are vibrating, and I swallow hard at the implication. “That sounds like a great idea.”
Warmth spreads in my gut as he presses his lips against my skin. “What do you say we meet up after work? Just you and me, at the park.”
“I’d like that,” I reply, my toes curling in my shoes.
He stands, coaxing me upward, and then pulls me into an embrace before I can ask what he’s doing. I hug him back tightly, neither of us letting go. Relief washes over me—and something else.
As we stroll through the park, we chat and marvel at the beauty of our surroundings. The trees stand in silhouette against the orange sky, painted by the setting sun, and the lush green leaves have slowly turned into golden and red hues for autumn.
When we round a curve in the path, I tug on Blake’s arm and point to the pond. “Wanna sit and watch the ducks?”
“Sure, why not?” he answers, leading me by the hand toward the bench near the edge of the water.
We sit and take in the lovely scene. I remember when my father used to take me to the pond as a kid. We’d sit there for hours, watching the ducks and their little ducklings. I can almost feel my dad’s hand in mine as we would throw seeds and oats out to them.
Blake wraps an arm around me as if sensing what I’m thinking about. “This is nice, isn’t it?” he comments.
I turn to look at him, his face bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Being here with him under this beautiful autumn sky makes me feel so content. “It really is,” I reply before leaning my head against his arm and closing my eyes for a moment. “I wish I had something to feed them.”
“What, like bread?”
I shake my head. “That’ll just make them fat and unable to escape predators. That’s what my dad always said.”
He laughs. “He sounds like a smart man. Maybe he can come here with us next time.”
I contemplate telling him the truth about my father—even if it’s just a small part. But I can’t compromise my anonymity. I trust Blake, but I’d rather leave the past behind. “I’d love that, but he’s not in my life anymore,” I say, shifting my gaze to the pond and silently praying that he won’t prod me for more details.
The sun has now dipped below the horizon. The only thing lighting our way are the tall lanterns strategically lining parts of the path and the moon, its glow softly reflecting on the pond. I can feel Blake’s arm around me tighten.
“It’s okay,” he says, his voice kind but serious. “He doesn’t need to be here for us to enjoy this beautiful sight.”
I nod and lean into his chest for comfort, my eyes falling closed again. But he glides away, breaking my moment of peace and serenity.
“Keep your eyes closed,” he orders, his eyes twinkling like diamonds in the moonlight.
I wonder vaguely what he’s up to. Before long, I receive my answer as he slips between my legs and yanks my pants down to my ankles. “What the fuck are you doing?” I yell-whisper, embarrassment surely coloring my cheeks red.
“Just trust me,” he breathes as he starts trailing kisses up my inner thigh.
I let out a little moan as his hands explore my body, starting with the sensitive skin of my stomach. I feel myself melting underneath his touch, desire coursing through me like a tide. My heart hammers with the thrill of getting caught. I peek open an eye to check for strangers, but Blake gently swats me.
“I told you to keep your eyes shut,” he scolds, burying his face between my thighs .
I do as I’m told as he moves the gusset of my panties aside and tugs my legs down to rest on his shoulders. My head falls back against the back of the bench with a moan as he licks a firm stripe up my slit—before drawing my clit into his mouth. My back arches, and I cry out as he sucks the sensitive bud indulgently.
“F-fuck!” I whine, my heels digging into his back as I try to pull him closer.
He grips my thighs roughly, his nails poking crescent-shaped cuts into my flesh. Knowing he’s drawn blood, I can’t help but think about the masked man—how he pinned me against the counter and thrust his fingers inside, taking what he wanted from me. Possessing me.
My fingers scrape against the wood of the bench as I pant Blake’s name, my insides taut with pleasured tension. His tongue licks and flicks in all the right places, but my mind keeps wandering back to the man in the mask. My stalker. A wash of arousal soaks my brain, my heart pounding as I imagine him eating me out. “So fucking good … Please, keep going!” I whine, wanting nothing more than to be pushed over the edge.
But instead of flying toward my climax, Blake stops—and I want to scream as I’m backed off from the precipice. I blink open my eyes to see his brows drawn together, his gaze fixed in horror on my thighs.
“Fuck, I’m so sorry!” he says, freaking out. “I got too caught up. We need to treat those wounds before they get infected.”
My head tips back with a groan, and I roll my eyes at his mother-hen nature. “Don’t worry about it.” God, I want to come so badly, I’m on the verge of tears. “I don’t mind you being rough. Please .”
“You taste amazing, but …” He readjusts my panties, pulls up my pants, and takes my hand in his. “I’ll make it up to you. Promise. But for now …”
I barely listen to what he says as we walk back to his car. Blake is such a caring guy. Though I wish he’d think about something other than attending to my needs like a caretaker for once. Mentally, I chide myself for being so ungrateful. But my body throbs with need, and I can’t think about anything else but getting fucked silly as we drive home.