Page 21 of Unbinding the Demon
“Will you love me someday, Buttercup?” His voice was deep and velvety, laced with tenderness.
Before I could respond, his warmth vanished. The dream was over and I was awake, back in my bed. There was an emptiness in my heart from the loss of his touch. My eyes shifted around the darkness of the room, unsure of what exactly I was looking for. I laid there feeling confused and lonely until I fell back to sleep.
I’m never eating mixed nuts before bed again...
10. Unexpected Company
The whimsical sound of wind chimes and the cadence of little songbirds filled my room. My eyes fluttered open to the sight of a misty, gray morning. My body quivered as I recalled the erotic dream the night had brought. It was strange that it had happened again; however, I figured there was no harm in enjoying a few naughty little dreams. I could keep it a secret between me, myself, and I, after all. It wasn’t like Ashton would ever know.
I sat up with a smile and slipped out of bed, feeling lively and refreshed. I’d noticed the previous day that all the recent rain had caused a plethora of wild mushrooms to sprout. It was probably a dumb idea, and I knew Oliver would kill me if he found out, but I had decided to go foraging in the woods despite all the serial killer hullabaloo. Reishi mushrooms were in season, and I was determined to find those suckers, regardless of the possibility of running into a foaming-at-the-mouth, heart-collecting maniac.
I got ready for the day and made a lunch to bring with me, only sharing my plans with William. Then I went back up to my room to grab a basket. I threw in my aunt’s journal to read later and spent a minute petting the cats. With some pep in my step, I headed back down the stairs with the basket in my hand and a bright smile on my face. I turned the corner... and then froze with a horrified expression.
Oh shit.
Ashton was here. Inside my house. In the living room. Talking and laughing with William...
Fucking fuckity fuck-fuck!
Silent as the grave, I began to creep backward. If I could make it back around the corner and up the stairs without him seeing me, then I could hide under my bed like a frightened house cat. His golden gaze snapped up and met the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look I was giving him.Dammit!
“Good morning, Gwendolyn,” he said with a devilish smile.
“Um, good morning, Ashton.” I cleared my throat, anxiety tightening in my chest. “What are you doing here?” With caution, I took a few small steps toward them, pretending I wasn’t just trying to sneak away.
“You left your phone at my place. I’m here to return it.” There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he held out my phone.
“Isn’t that so sweet of him?” William said while sending me abow-chicka-bow-woweyebrow raise, pointing his eyes at Ashton suggestively with a grin.
“Oh, okay. Thank you.” I walked over and took the phone from him. “Well, I have to get going now. Goodbye!” I said in a hurry and attempted to slip out the door with finesse before he could say anything else. I didn’t even have my shoes on yet, but fuck shoes, I had to make a run for it!
In one swift swoop, his large, muscly arm lassoed my body and pulled me into a big, unreturned hug, locking me in with his tight, boa-constrictor grip. My arms were glued to my sides, and my hands flopped around a bit. “And where are you off to today?” he asked while smiling down at me. The scent of fire and spice permeated my senses while the heat from his body seeped into mine. I tried to ignore it, but holy fuck was he sexy.
And just like that, I’m wet.
“Oh, I was just going to do some stuff at, um, a place,” I rambled, my stiff body still squished against him. I certainly didn’t need this whacko knowing what I was doing or where I’d be. And I especially didn’t want him to know that I’d be alone!
“She’s going mushroom hunting on the trails down the road and she’ll be completely alone,” William blurted. “Oh my god, Ashton, you should go with her! Keep my girl safe!” he enthusiastically added, much to my dismay.
“Oh, I’d love to,” Ashton answered with a sly grin.
“No, no, no. There’s no need for that. I’m fine going alone.” I tried to squirm out of his iron grip while shooting William a death glare.
“Gwendolyn, can I speak with you for a second?” William asked in a more serious manner while getting up and pulling me away from Ashton. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” Ashton replied as he shook his head and held his hands up.
“Great. We’ll be right back.” He pointed down the hall, then dragged me into the bathroom and shut the door behind us. He pressed my back against the Frank N’ Furter poster, trapping me with his slender arms.“Girl! What are you thinking!?”He yelled in a sibilant whisper while waving his perfectly manicured finger in my face. “A drop-dead gorgeous man has seemingly descended from the heavens upon you, and you’re really going to give him the cold shoulder like that!?”
“Dude, you don’t understand! He’s a psychopath!” I whispered back sharply.
“Shush!He seems perfectly normal to me! In fact, he seems like a really nice, well-rounded guy!You’re just making up excuses to justify your incessant self-sabotage! Just take a chance and let him go with you, for crying out loud!”
“No, Iwon’t!”
“Yes, youwill!”
“No!”
