Page 35 of Carnival Monster

I shake my head. “You know how intense she gets. I may have lied and said I was going to bed early because she wanted to do something tonight.” I bite my lip, hating how shitty that is.

He smiles. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks, Dan.” I wave goodbye, promising to tell him the details at work tomorrow.

But as I turn to walk toward the edge of the forest where Gage told me to meet him, my heart starts to race, and adrenaline builds.

Suddenly, a strong hand grabs me from the shadows, pulling me into the darkness. My gasp of surprise is quickly muffled by a hand covering my mouth.

“Who the fuck was that guy you were talking to?” Gage growls in my ear. “Do I need to murder him for chatting you up?”

I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his question. Does he realize how possessive he sounds? Like I’m his property or something?

I twist in his grip, turning around to face him. Even in the dim light, I can see the intensity burning in his eyes.

“Relax,” I say, stepping back and crossing my arms over my chest. “I was talking to Dan, my gay best friend. Didn’t you see his arm around that other guy?”

Gage’s eyes narrow. “I didn’t notice,” he admits gruffly. “I was too busy watching you.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the admission.

“Well, now that we’ve established that Dan isn’t a threat to your manhood, can we move on to more important things?” I ask, pressing myself against him.

His grip on my hips tightens, pulling me closer. “And what exactly did you have in mind, little one?”

I bite my lip, my eyes flicking down to his strong hands resting on my hips. I feel his body tensing against my own, a coiled spring ready to snap. Something is intoxicating about his pent-up energy, the sheer force of his restraint.

“I want you to chase me again like the first night,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over my heart pounding. “But I want to play a game.”

His eyes narrow, a spark of interest flashing in their depths. “What kind of game?”

I take a step back, putting some space between us. “Chase me through the woods,” I say, trembling. “And when you catch me, I want you to fuck me while I fight you.”

His jaw clenches, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. “You want to play out a rape fantasy,” he says, his voice gruff. It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.

“It’s not... I don’t know why I want it,” I admit, feeling a flush creep up my neck. “But I do. With you.”

His eyes darken, and he steps forward, closing the distance between us again. “You realize what you’re asking for, little one? I won’t hold back. If I do this, I’m going to be rough, violent, and forceful.”

A thrill runs through me at his words, but I force myself to meet his gaze, to show him I’m serious. “I know,” I breathe. “That’s what I want.”

For a moment, he’s silent, his eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge the truth of my words. Then, slowly, he nods. “What if you need me to stop for real? I won’t be able to read your mind.”

I consider his question momentarily, knowing the weight of what we’re about to do. “If I need you to stop, I’ll safe word by saying ‘Mercy’. But I trust you, Gage. I know you won’t hurt me.”

There it is, the ‘T’ word. Trust. But I do trust him, even though it makes no sense. Maybe it’s because of the darkness I see in him, the understanding that he harbors desires that most would have him locked up for.

His eyes soften at my words, and he reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “Then let the game begin,” he says, his voice low. “I’ll give you a head start. Run.”

I don’t need to be told twice. I twist around and take off, running into the woods, my heart thudding sickeningly hard. I can feel him behind me, a silent, menacing presence in the shadows.

The crisp, cold air stings my lungs as I sprint deeper into the forest. I can hear the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath my feet, and I know he can, too. I can sense him gaining on me, his long strides easily matching my own.

I dash through the dark forest, my heart pounding, weaving between trees. But I know it’s futile. Gage is bigger, stronger, and faster. It’s only a matter of time before he catches me.

I hear a twig snap behind me, and my breath catches in my throat. Is he that close already? I push myself harder, legs burning as I sprint deeper into the woods. The moonlight filters through the branches, casting eerie shadows that dance across my path.

My foot catches on a tree root protruding from the ground, and I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall. I pause for a moment, listening intently. The forest is eerily silent. No sign of Gage. Has he lost my trail?

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