Page 125 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

Chapter 31

It was weird not goingover to Rueben’s on Friday. I wanted to see him, and I’d gotten used to his presence. But I also missed spending my evenings with Mark and Sophie. This evening when I went over to see them, Mark, Sophie, and Cat were all sitting outside on the back porch of the Baker’s cabin. Cat was drinking whiskey, Mark was smoking, and Sophie had taken an edible that she’d made with her tincture.

She offered me one, but I said no. “Probably a bad idea,” I said. “I haven’t gotten spanked since Sunday.”

Mark choked on his smoke and then laughed. Cat just rolled her eyes at me.

“So, did he cook for you?” Sophie asked. “What did he make?”

I told her all the other yummy things he’d made for me that week, and she watched me with jealousy. “He calls me sometimes and asks me for my thoughts on things, or has me come over to try something he’s cooking. I think it’s because he gets lonely... Maybe if you guys are together...”

“I’d love it if you came over to hang out with us!” I bounced in my seat in excitement thinking of all of us hanging out on Reuben’s living room together.

“So, things are going well, then?” Cat asked.

“So far so good. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but...” I shrugged as I trailed off. Who was I kidding? My hopes were already sky high.And after yesterday’s discussion, I went home and used my vibrator until it ran out of batteries.

But in the back of my mind was that weird fear that it was all too good to be true. Daddy always said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

I hid my discomfort and changed topics, avoiding talking about Reuben for the rest of the night. I did eventually hear back from Megan that evening.

Megan: Are you local? We should meet.

Alice: I’m actually in NC.

Megan. Got it... let me know if you have time for a call. There’s a lot to say, and I’ll answer any of your questions and tell you anything you want to know.

I also had a message from Reuben.

Reuben: “Perfect princess,” huh?

Alice: *smirk*

Reuben: Why does Pierce call you Sprite?

Alice: I told him I was a fairy princess. He said I was more like a demon sprite.

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