Page 46 of Carnival Obsession

Without waiting for a response, I guide her toward the exit of the haunted house. As we walk through the carnival, the air is thick with anticipation.

I can sense her inner conflict, the pull between the life she knows and the one I’m offering.

I unlock the door and usher her inside. The space is modest but cozy, and I can see Alice taking it all in, her eyes darting around curiously.

“Welcome home, princess,” I murmur, my hand finding the small of her back as I guide her further into the trailer.

Alice turns to face me, her green eyes shining with mixed emotions. “Lars, I...” she begins, her voice barely above a whisper.

I silence her with a finger on her lips, my gaze intense and unwavering. “Shhh. Don’t fight it, Alice. This is where you belong.”

Without another word, I pull her close, my lips crashing down on hers in a passionate, possessive kiss. Alice melts into my embrace, her body responding to my touch.

I know she’s mine, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep her by my side forever.

24

ALICE

Iwake to the sensation of Lars’s strong arm draped over my body, his warmth enveloping me like a cocoon. As I lay there, my mind wanders to the life-altering decision that looms before me. Could I really leave Willow Creek behind? This town has been my home for as long as I can remember, and the thought of abandoning it fills me with a sense of unease.

My mom, who raised me alone, remarried and moved six hours away to Kerry when I turned eighteen. I chose not to go with her, opting to stay in Willow Creek. But honestly, a part of me has felt like something’s been missing since she left. We were so close, and her presence provided a sense of companionship that I couldn’t replicate, even with my best friend, Lily.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Willow Creek and the people here. Lily is an amazing friend, always there for me through thick and thin. And I have other friends who make life here enjoyable. But as I lay here, wrapped in Lars’s embrace, I can’t help but feel a longing for something more.

My mom and I still talk on the phone regularly, but it’s not the same as having her here with me. When she left, I felt abandoned, like a piece of my heart had been ripped out. I’ve tried to fill that void with work and friendships, but it’s never been enough.

Now, as I contemplate the possibility of leaving with Lars and the carnival, I wonder if this could be my chance to find that missing piece.

I feel Lars’s body stir beside me as he shifts and opens his eyes. “Good morning, princess,” he murmurs in that deep, gravelly voice. He leans in and presses his lips to mine in a lingering kiss.

As our lips part, Lars must sense the unease coursing through me. “What’s up? You seem tense,” he says, his brow furrowing.

I take a deep breath, unsure how to voice the thoughts swirling in my head. “I... I was just thinking about the decision I have to make,” I admit hesitantly.

Lars lets out a low chuckle, his eyes darkening slightly. “You can pretend you have one if that makes it easier.”

I feel my heart rate quicken as his words sink in. He’s insinuating that no matter what I decide, I’ll be coming with him when the carnival leaves town. The intensity in his gaze leaves no room for doubt that I’m already his in his mind, and my so-called choice is merely an illusion.

I take a deep breath. “How can I leave with someone I know nothing about?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly. “I mean, I barely know you. How can I uproot my entire life for a stranger?”

Lars’s eyes soften, and he tries to brush a strand of hair from my face. “I’m an open book, princess. What do you want to know? Ask me anything.”

His sudden willingness to share catches me off guard. I pause, considering what I truly want to know about this enigmatic man who’s turned my world upside down.

“Tell me about your family,” I say finally. “And your upbringing. I want to know where you come from, what shaped you into who you are today.”

Lars’s expression shifts, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for what he’s about to share.

“My family...” he begins, his voice low and measured. “It wasn’t exactly a picture-perfect childhood. My old man was a mean drunk, always taking out his frustrations on my mom and me. We lived in a small, run-down house on the outskirts of town. Money was always tight, and tensions were always high.”

He continues, his gaze fixed on a point in the distance.

“My mom worked herself to the bone, trying to keep food on the table. Double shifts at the diner, cleaning houses on the side. But it was never enough for my dad. He’d come home late, reeking of booze, and start in on her. I’d try to step in, but...” He trails off, his jaw clenching.

I reach out and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Lars looks at me, his eyes filled with a vulnerability I’ve never seen before.

“I practically raised my little sister,” he says softly. “Made sure she had something to eat, got her ready for school. It wasn’t much of a childhood, but I did what I had to do.”

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