Page 106 of Bake the Town Red

Hell, no. No, no. no.

This world I’ve created for myself is mine. It’s been my therapy for four years while Ty has been dealing with his own issues.

I won’t allow him to barge in here. Can’t let him stomp into my back-back room where his suspicions will be confirmed. Where he’ll tell me to pull the plug.

Even though him being with me is supposed to fix myproblem, I still want to keep my hobby. It won’t put me at risk. It won’t.

He doesn’t get to end this.

A flare of rage shoots up my spine at the same time Tyler starts talking. The sound on the app is off.

I turn it on. “—to come out here, little savage.”

Whatever he said before doesn’t matter. I’ll come out there, all right.

I’m already stalking out of the back-back room. My baking room disappears behind me as well, and I push through the swinging door.

Dark eyes gleam in the darkness. His attention is a force that almost knocks me over. The chastity belt burns my skin, my wetness dampening the metal.

For the love of everything fuck-holy, why does being angry get me so turned on?

“Dahlia.” Tyler’s voice carries behind the glass. “Come out.”

At the force of his command, I stumble, reaching back to balance myself. My hand hits the display window, undoubtedly leaving smudges. Fuck.

When I pull myself back together and straighten my spine, I rearrange my thoughts as well.

Distracted murderers make mistakes. They get fucked, I repeat to myself.

My heart flutters regardless. Whispers that Tyler’s worth it. He’s my weak spot. He might actually convince me to stop this.

He might make me resent him, and no. No.

Never.

He has to be okay with what I’m doing. Truly okay with it.

His scowl doesn’t exactly scream being okay with it.

So I’ll let him in.

Another day.

“Little savage.” He tilts his head. “I won’t ask you again.”

I offer him a smile that would frighten most people. Instead of fearing me, his lips quirk in the tiniest smile. Then it’s gone.

“Asshole.”

He doesn’t answer. Just lifts his hand. Shakes a small, silver key in my face.

The chastity belt doesn’t scald me anymore. It weighs heavily on me. As if the dangling key is a magnet that Tyler uses to draw me to him.

I have to…

I must…

I’m running back behind the counter at record speed. My key set is in my grip in one instant. The next, I unlock the front door to the shop.

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