Page 48 of Carnival Nightmare

I shiver, recalling the skull’s empty black eyes. “Doesn’t it weird people out?”

“Sure, but no one gives Gage trouble. He’s built like a tank and keeps to himself. I try not to pry into his business.”

I glance over my shoulder, but Gage has disappeared into the crowd. One of the many colorful characters that make up Cade’s world. A world I’ll soon be joining if I can gather the courage.

“Come on,”Cade says, tugging my hand. “Let’s go on the Ferris wheel before they close up.”

I let him lead me toward the giant, spinning wheel glowing against the night sky. Pushing aside what tomorrow will bring, I focus on savoring these last perfect moments with Cade in this town. Because I can’t be sure that leaving the only town that has given me stability all my life will be so easy.

28

CADE

The carnival goers are thinning out, and the rides are being powered down while Lily and I wander around.

“Cade,” she says my name.

I look down at her to see the anxiety blazing in her pretty blue eyes. “Yes, baby?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know if I can leave this place behind. It’s my home and?—”

Grabbing her throat, I silence what she’s about to say. “I’m your home now, angel. You agreed to come with me earlier. What changed?”

“It’s a huge step, and you didn’t give me much time to think about it and put things in order.”She wrinkles her nose. “I’ve got a job, an apartment. You don’t just leave those things on a whim.”

I feel my blood boil at her calling what we have a ‘whim.’ She really doesn’t get it. I grab her hand firmly and start walking, practically dragging her to the main events tent.

“Cade, stop! Where are we going?”she cries out, struggling to keep up with my fast pace.

I don’t answer, fury pulsing through me. We reach the empty tent, and I force her onto a chair in the middle of the large space.

“What we have is special, Lily,”I state through gritted teeth as I pace in front of her. “I will prove it to you so you never question me again.”

She watches me with wide, fearful eyes, shrinking back into the chair. “Please, Cade, listen?—”

“No, you listen!”I roar, crouching down and grabbing her chin roughly. “I saw you when I got to this town and knew you were mine. Don’t you feel our connection?”

Tears spill down her cheeks as she whimpers, trying to pull her face from my grip.

I soften my voice and caress her cheek. “We’re meant for each other. I can’t leave here without you. You have to see that.”

She shakes her head slightly, sniffling. “I don’t know...”

I stand up abruptly, fists clenched.“Well, I do know. And I’ll prove it to you before we leave Willow Creek.”I quickly undo her blouse and bra, discarding them on the floor.

“What are you?—”

“No questions,”I growl, moving to her skirt next and forcing her ass off the seat to drag it down. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”I drag a finger through the soaked gusset of her panties. “All for me, isn’t it, baby?”

Her eyes flutter shut as she exhales deeply. “Yes,”she murmurs.

I tear her panties in two, discarding the fabric so she’s entirely naked on the chair before me. “Beautiful,”I muse, grabbing some rope from the floor and tying her body up, using bondage techniques to put pressure on her most sensitive places. Once finished, I circle Lily.

Fuck she looks angelic.

A prize ready to be claimed.

I circle around Lily, admiring my handiwork as she sits bound on the chair. The ropes accentuate her curves perfectly, tightening in all the right places. She watches me with those doe eyes, equal parts nervous and excited. I can’t wait to make her scream.

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