Page 93 of Bake the Town Red

Despite the guts and the dying woman beneath me. Despite losing my brother again.

“Tyler?”

There’s nothing there. There’s nothing on the floor when I look down. A black tarp, that’s it.

My fingers clutch onto air, searching for Mrs. Price. The scent of blood is mild compared to the vanilla extract that’s assaulting me. The chocolate. The sugar. Strawberries. They’re everywhere, and we’ve been transported into the back-back room of Sweet DeNights.

“I’m here, Dahlia.”

He sees me. He’s known for years, but now heseesthe real me. Finally.

“Wake up, little savage.”

He loves me.

“Wake. Up.”

Poof.

The dream dissolves into thin air.

I’m in my room. With someone on top of me. Inside me. Fucking me slowly. Stretching me wide.

My first instinct is to reach for the knife I keep beneath my crumpled sheets. Shove it into their chest and rip their hearts out. I keep my eyes closed to trick them into thinking I’m still sleeping. For the element of surprise to be on my side.

The more the monster grunts and fucks me, the more I realize this isn’t a monster.

This isn’t justsomeone.

Tyler.

My sweet asshole.

He’s accepted my silent invitation. That’s so depraved. So hot that I have to stifle a moan.

How long has he been here? What have I missed? I had to have been deep under. I’ve been running on four hours of sleep for days. Skinning and chopping bodies. Stalking Tyler and waking up early to ground freeze-dried flesh and bake cupcakes has taken a toll on me.

But Tyler woke me. Forced himself on me in my sleep.

And I’m more than ready to play with this predator that owns my heart, body, and cunt.

The sexy not-monster on top of me doesn’t notice I’m reaching for my weapon. Doesn’t grab my wrist or tell me to drop it.

I have the upper hand. For a second.

He’s quick. I have to be quicker.

One, two, and three.

Oh, fuck me—that last thrust hurt so good.

Ignore.

Eyes open. Knife to his throat.

“Hello, handsome.”

A smirk graces his lips. “Hi, yourself.”

---