Page 23 of Bitten By Desire
“Very impressive.” No wonder he’d asked if photography was a hobby. He was a grown ass man with a grown ass job. Not a coach pretending to be a student, just so I’d open my legs for him. Although…Callum had never said he was a student. He hadn’t said much at all. Except for all the sinful things he’d whispered in my ear.
“You okay?” Bennett asked. He reached out and lightly touched the back of my hand to get my attention.
I shook away the pestering thoughts of Callum. It was easy when Bennett touched me. Like he was chasing away the cold. “Yeah, I’m good. And I can’t wait to try this world famous hot apple cider.”
“And don’t forget about the huge stuffed animal I promised to win for you.”
I smiled.
“Sorry it took me so long,” Zoey said. She blew a loose strand of hair out of her face. She’d taken off most of her makeup and made her ponytail a little sloppier, but she looked as great as she always did. Possibly even better without all the extra layers of makeup. But I loved that she’d tried her best to look a little frumpy. It was proper wing-womaning 101.
“Shall we?” Bennett put his hand out for me.
I tried to hide my smile as I slipped my hand into his. But I was pretty sure I wasn’t hiding it at all. It didn’t take long for us to make our way to Main Street. And it had completely transformed since yesterday.
The lights strung between the lamp posts were dripping with cobwebs. And the whole street seemed dimmer somehow. Music you’d hear when you were about to be killed in a horror movie was lightly playingfrom somewhere. And each shop had bigger and bigger pumpkins outside. Like there was a competition I wasn’t aware of. There probably was.
As sinister as the cute little street was trying to be, it was definitely outdone by the park at the end of the lane. Everything looked old-fashioned. Except the carnival rides that stuck out, proving that we were actually in the 21stcentury. A gazebo had more cobwebs than wood showing. And there were even people dressed in old Victorian outfits. It was like we’d stepped back in time.
It was chilling, but Bennett’s hand in mine was comforting.
“It’s even better than last year,” Bennett said.
I wondered if better meant creepier. Tons of booths were set up that looked like they were right out of a Wild West ghost town. They’d all nailed the creepy vibe they were going for. It was all definitely more Halloween Festival than Fall Festival. I don’t know what I’d been expecting really. Tons of beautiful leaf decorations, maybe? Definitely not this.
A little kid dressed as a vampire ran past us and I jumped. He even had painted blood dribbling down the side of his chin.
Zoey shuddered. “Do you know what this reminds me of? The drive up to the party at that creepy gothic mansion senior year. When we almost hit that fox. Or big cat. Or whatever it was.”
I was surprised she’d brought up Callum’s house. But there really wasn’t a better comparison. I’d never seen a Victorian town or a Wild West one. But I had seen this vibe before. Zoey had nailed it perfectly. I halfexpected to see one of Callum’s portraits come to life and walk by.
The wind blew, and I couldn’t really explain it…but it smelled like Callum’s property too. I knew it was just the crisp fall air. Or maybe it was because I’d thought I’d seen him the other day. But it really did feel like I was going to turn around and he’d be standing there staring at me with his golden eyes.
I looked over my shoulder. But there were just a few kids playing behind us.
“You’re shivering,” Bennett said. “Let’s go get that hot apple cider to warm you up.”
I nodded and let him guide me toward one of the booths.
The apple cider was being stirred in a big black cauldron, by a woman dressed as a witch.
“Three apple ciders,” Bennett said.
She nodded and lifted the ladle, spooning out the steaming liquid.
Bennett handed me the first cup. I was almost scared to drink it. The smoke swirling off the top drifted into the sky, making everything just look creepier. And I felt the same shiver down my spine.
I looked over my shoulder again. But there was no one there. So why did it feel like someone was watching my every move?
Chapter 8
Saturday
“So what do you think?” Bennett asked with an easy smile.
“Hmm?”
“The apple cider.”
