Page 13 of Their Offering

“Tell me about it.”

I told her about that night, but I made sure to mention Iknewit was a dream, even though I didn’t believe that anymore. As I got to the steamy parts, I tugged on my jacket sleeves, ensuring the faint but still noticeable marks around my wrists remained covered.

She listened intently, nodding to let me know she was engaged. After I’d finished, she scrunched her face up like she was thinking and leaned forward in her seat.

“That is one intense dream, Lilly.” She waited for me to respond, but when I continued to fiddle with the rips in my jeans, she spoke again. “How did that make you feel?”

“I think I, uh, enjoyed it. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.”Literally. “I just don’t know what to make of it.”

She nodded. “I hear you. You are not alone. This is more common than you think, especially with people who have experienced sexual trauma.”

I shook my head. I had let it sliponce, and this woman took every opportunityto get me to talk about it. “I’m not going there.”

She nodded empathetically. “That’s okay. We don’t have to talk about anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

I bobbed my head but remained silent.

“It sounds like you may be looking for a thrill. Your dream was very different from your normal day-to-day. The dark woods, the abandoned building, the strange men, theencounter.” She paused. “This was just a dream, but I would suggest you don’t put yourself in dangerous situations to get that adrenaline rush. If you truly want a thrill, try something safer, like skydiving or something.”

I nearly rolled my eyes and asked her how jumping out of a plane was safer than sex with a stranger, but my session was over. “Well, thanks for listening. I’ll see you next week.”

I practically ran out of the building. I put my hand on my chest once I exited the double glass doors and focused on taking deep breaths. So much was running through my head; talking about Aiden and his brothers as if they were a dream didn’t sit well with me. The fact that I woke up in my own bed and hadn’t heard from them since made my head spin.

I pulled out my phone and called Katie. “Hey, are you busy?” I asked before she could even say hello. “Ireallyneed to talk. I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Yeah, totally. Come on over…or do I need to pick you up?”

I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see me. “No, I just left therapy, so I’m like a six-minute walk away.”

“Perfect. Gives me time to doll myself up for you,” she snickered.

“Can’t wait.” I was too worked up to enjoy her joke.

Why was I so hung up on those men? I didn’t even know them. My life was changed thanks to them, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.Fuck me.

Chapter 7

Lillian

Katie opened her door before I even stepped onto the porch. My best friend was glowing, her long blonde hair swaying in the breeze, a gorgeous, straight, white smile on her face, sunlight bouncing off her high cheekbones. I’d always been jealous of her beauty. I was the average-looking friend, the one guys turned to after she rejected them.

“Hey,” I muttered, a frown tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“Oh, yeah, youdoneed to talk.” She closed the door behind me and followed me to the couch. “What’s going on?”

I laid my head in my hands. I didn’t even know where to begin. What if she thought I was being ridiculous? I didn’t even know these guys, and they hadn’t bothered to stick around anyway. I was beginning to feel desperate, which made me sick to my stomach. It didn’t feel likeme.

“I can’t stop thinking about them.”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows scrunched together. “The guys from Hell?”

I nodded and looked up at her. “I don’t obsess. I don’t get attached. I don’t do anything more than sex.” She nodded and waited for me to continue. “I went to Rhea’s Bar and hooked up with a guy last night. It was awful; the worst sex I’ve ever had. All I could think about was them, even after. I went home. I took some shots. I went to sleep.Boom. They were in my dreams. It was fuckingamazinguntilMargaretinterrupted with another one of her frantic money searches.” She opened her mouth to say something, but I kept talking. “Then today at therapy...”

“You told yourcounseloryou fucked a prince of Hell?” She gave me a look like she did not think it was a good idea.

“What? No. God no.” She relaxed. “I told her it was a dream.” Her eyes widened. “Iknow. I just needed to talk about it. I thought it would make me feel better, but talking about them as if they weren’t realkilledme! She thought I was dreaming because I’m a thrill seeker. Theywerethere, though. They’re real. They touched me, and now I can’t stop thinking about them, Katie. What am I gonna do?”

I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes and forced the tears back, feeling weak for getting so emotional over these strangers. I couldn’t help it, though. I felt full when I was with them, and not just because they literally filled me. Now, without them, I felt like something was missing.

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