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‘There’snothingI wouldn’t do to keep you, Dahlia.’

I let them bury themselves deep in my soul. And, for the first time in forever, I had hope.

Chapter Fourteen

Surrender

Dahlia

“Theo, the cuffs are a little tight,” I said, ending on a moan as he kissed my neck.

“Want me to loosen them?”

I shook my head. “I’m not trying to pull away, so they’re fine.” My answer was met with his own moan.

Layer after layer of dress was pushed aside as Theo tried to get to my pussy.

“I didn’t realize the dress was that poofy,” I said, my frustration and impatience growing in equal measure.

“Almost there.” Theo smiled as he shifted the dress out of the way. Before he could touch me, though, his phone started ringing. Then another phone. And another. Pretty soon, the room was filled with an incessant ringing.

“Just answer!” I yelled, my voice echoing in the suddenly silent room.

Pressing his finger to his lips, Theo shushed me as he held the phone to his ear. I couldn’t hear his whispered conversation even though he was standing right next to me. The longer he spoke, the more distance there was between us.

“Theo, let me up,” I called. I pulled at the handcuffs again, the sharp edges digging into my wrists. “Please, just unlock me!”

But he didn’t seem to hear. Instead, he talked on the phone, watering the plants that formed in the corner. For each one he watered, another three appeared.

“Theo!” I shouted as loudly as I could. “I’m stuck! Let me out!”

But he couldn’t hear me. The plants grew bigger and bigger until I couldn’t see him anymore.

Vines spilled out from one of the large pots near the bed. Growing larger, they snaked their way up the bed, weaving and knotting around the wood. Continuing up, the vines tickled across my exposed skin. The gown was no longer visible, leaving me covered in only leafy green. Reaching my neck, the vines wrapped around, over and over, circling my throat.

I couldn’t breathe.

I was trapped.

Bracing against the pain, I counted to three. Fighting for a lung full of air, I held it as I pulled forward with all my might.

Shooting up easily, I almost fell out of the bed. I gulped down air, my hand running along my bare neck.

“You ‘kay?” Theo asked, his voice rough with sleep.

I nodded before realizing it was pitch black and he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, just a weird dream.”

Flopping back down, I curled to the side. Throwing my leg over Theo’s, I put my head on his chest, the sound of his heart lulling me to sleep. Just as my eyes began to close, I caught sight of the clock.

“Crud.” I rolled away onto my back, kicking off the covers so the cold air could wake up my body. My mind wasn’t going to get any help until I had a cup, or seven, of coffee.

“What’s wrong?” Theo asked, reaching for me.

I dodged his grabby hands. “I’ve got to hop into the shower in two minutes. I hate waking up right before the alarm.”

Theo leaned up and looked at the clock before groaning and covering his eyes. “Being up this early on a Saturday is illegal.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”