Page 22 of The Four Leaf

He takes a wide step back, allowing the cool air to sprout goosebumps down my arms.

“Now?” Still half dizzy from the moment, I almost forgot I was supposed to reach the woods.

But then he smirks, and every nerve I have tingles in unison all over again. “Go on, Bambi. Don't make it easy on me.”

My pulse soars, my heart thumping against my rib cage as I watch him give me more space.

“This time I want to hunt you. I want to struggle to find you.” He glances down at his finger and then back at me. “I’ll give you a ten second head start.”

I suck in a sharp breath; the idea of being not only chased, but hunted, making my skin hot all over. Adrian's smile fades, and a heavy realization settles in. He’s serious, and when he catches me this time, I knowexactlywhat’s going to happen.

Finally, I take a step forward, halting in enough time to see his eyes lower, a hooded, predatory gaze taking over.

“Run.”

The cool wind slaps against my face as I sprint through the alley. No matter how much adrenaline pumps through my veins, or how fast I think I’m moving, my ten seconds will likely be up before I reach the edge of the woods. I force the possibility from my mind. If I don’t, I won’t be able to focus or maneuver through the thick cluster of trees when I reach them.

Luckily, they’re extremely close together on the outskirts of the park, one tree no more than a foot away from the next. They stretch high into the night sky, drowning out most light pollution. This plays in my favor, considering I’m in dark clothes and he has on another white Henley.

Unfortunately, though, because of the darkness, I will have a hard time winding through. I’ll need to be careful not to fall, and even more so not to make a lot of noise while I’m running.

The count in my head reaches zero just as my hand makes contact with the first tree. The rough texture of the bark scratches against my palm while I use it to guide me inside.

My heart hammers in my chest, my nerves nearly vibrating through me, but I push through, focusing on the excitement swirling in my stomach. I mean, I want him to catch me, but there’s a part of me that’s completely terrified of what exactly he’s going to do.

I have an idea, though the idea of needing a safeword makes me anxious, but in a good, I’m-probably-going-to-pass-out-from-the-pleasure-way.

Dead leaves and twigs crunch under my shoes, but thinking about it, it’s nearly impossible to be quiet until I get deeper inside, where the trees begin to thin out more.

A stray skinny branch nicks me in the shoulder, and I have to cover my mouth to keep the curse from spewing out. I’m already making more than enough noise, since the bagpipes and cheers are fading the farther I go.

I take a few turns, my body instinctively leading me to the spot we all used to visit when we were younger. There’s a clearing not too far ahead that has trees with low, but strong branches I can climb.

An image of Adrian yanking me from a tree invades my mind. He said he planned to hurt me, and though I’m not one hundred percent sure how, I wonder if he’s rough enough to do that. If he plans to command everything that’s coming.

Is the Adrian in bed the same tender, loving man I’ve known nearly my whole life? Or is he rough and rugged, ready to leave marks and bruises of his victory?

I pull in a hard breath, my pussy quivering from the thought. I’ve dreamt of excitement for so long, and how I thought spanking or a throat grab would suffice, I’ll never know.

Finally, I break through a tight cluster of trees and into the clearing. Just as I remember when we played here as kids, there’s a large stump in the center, surrounded by a patch of deep green clovers. Overhead, the once clear sky is now painted in dark clouds, hiding the stars.

I rush across the clearing and reach for one of the low-bearing branches. But when I hoist myself up and bear my weight down on it, it snaps, coming with me when my back hits the forest floor.

This time I can’t hold back the groan escaping my lips as a spike of pain shoots up my spine. “Damn it.”

I roll to the side at the same time a heavy snap echoes in the air.

It takes everything in me to give her the full ten seconds as I watch her flee down the alley, her long brown strands whipping behind her.

After feeling her,tastingher, the beast in my chest is hungry, eager for the chase, and the short run to find her in the alley isn’t enough to satiate him.

He needs more. So much more.

Pure adrenaline pumps through my veins as I count down, my arms shaking at my sides as I bounce from one foot to the next. When I reach five, I bend down and ensure my boots are tied.

By the time I stand, her time is up.

The crowd and music fade into the background. The lights from the parade dim to darkness. The brick walls shift into tall tree trunks. My feet carry me faster than I’ve ever moved before.

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