Page 27 of Peach Cobbler Confessions
“That was you?”
I nod. “And the cobbler was delicious.”
She grimaces and her face freezes that way. And, I’ll admit, she looks downright creepy in this low lighting.
“What?” I ask, tugging my dress down. “It was good. In fact, it was the best peach cobbler I’ve ever had.”
She bursts out laughing in that annoying way where she keeps her mouth closed and her throat is gargling from the effort.
“Okay, so seeing that you’re still breathing, I don’t see the harm in telling you.” She blinks those metallic lashes my way. “I don’t work for any bakery. I added a little something something to that cobbler because I was intending to give it to my ex, but you sort of got in the way.” She winces. “And believe me, I felt bad about it. But I was able to slap my ex silly, so that sort of made up for the fact I wasn’t able to poison him.”
“Poison?” My voice shrills to the ceiling. “What exactly did you adulterate my cobbler with?” I tug her close by the wrist. Nothing pulls out the ninja in me the way messing with my baked goods can.
“Relax.” She wrangles free from my stronghold. “I laced it with psyllium—aka a laxative. I meant to lacehisfood with psyllium and give him the runs, but I gave it to some cobbler hungry woman instead. And since it was you, and you’re here and looking like the pink picture of health, I’m guessing it came out all right in the end.” She gives a little wink before barking out another laugh.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. No wonder I was so nauseated. No wonder I craved a toilet the way a pregnant woman craves her nachos. And speaking of which, both of my men happen to think I’m carrying their child.” I drill my finger into her chest before quickly recoiling. “Sorry. But I’m not sorry. And don’t you dare tell them I’m not with child. That’s my secret to spill.”
An odd cackle comes from her as she navigates me back into the hall and in through a black door with the wordritualwritten in red letters that appear to be bleeding.
“I like you,” she whispers. “You’re a spicy one. And the fact you have two hot men on the hook makes you my hero.”
My eyes adjust to the darkness and I note a fog swirling in the huge room that looks like a bona fide forest. A blue glowing light comes from around the corner, giving this place an eerie feel. The air is icy and smells like thick cologne, something heavy you might smell in church, but I get the feeling nothing in here has anything in common with a house of worship—and then I see it. A large stone sits in the middle of the room with a giant bloody X through it.
“I don’t want to lie on that stone,” I hiss.
“Fine,” Sammy hisses back. “I’ll tie you up to the tree.”
“Tie me to what?” I try to grapple with her, but before I know it, I’m led into the faux woods, complete with lavender sky with angry clouds and charred trees everywhere you look with crooked branches and burnt out trunks.
Sammy binds my wrists and lands my hands over my head as she hooks me to the girthy tree in the middle of the room facing a large glass mirror that seems to be painted black. I’m guessing that’s a one-way mirror and I‘ve got an entire legion of perverts gawking over at me.
Wonderful.
Just when I’ve got my girls out and ready for all to see. My girl parts are strictly for Everett’s eyes. And well, I’m not sure why, but it feels right to include Noah in that equation, but his eyes can take a peek at me, too. Maybe because he just so happens to be packing heat, and I never seem to bring Ethel with me anywhere these days. She’s the Glock handgun Noah and Everett bought for me to use for my protection. Of course, Everett is packing heat, too—in a rather creative location.
“I’ll be watching!” Sammy trills as she takes off. “Try to have fun.”
The sound of thunder rumbles from above and a bolt of lightning fills these haunted woods as an owl coos somewhere behind me. The sound of evil laughter comes from the speakers, and the wind picks up, or at least it feels like the wind, and I can hear the sound of footsteps quickening in this direction.
Then as if we’ve been transported into a rock concert, loud music erupts over the speakers, something head pounding and obnoxious to a fault.
Two shadowed figures appear—I’d recognize Noah and Everett’s bodies just about anywhere, even if they are engulfed in darkness. I manage to make out the fact both are shirtless. It looks as if one has his suit jacket on. I’m guessing it’s Noah so he can hide his gun. And as they step in closer, I can see they both have dark hoods over their faces, giving them that mysterious executioner vibe.
Is it wrong to admit that I’m slightly intrigued by this less than savory scenario?
The music growls and roars as do the faux lightning and thunderstorm. Everett and Noah stalk my way and break out into what looks to be a genuine fistfight right in front of me. The one in the blazer dives my way and tries to untether my hands and the other quickly pushes him aside and holds out what looks like a bandana that he’s quickly twisting. Before I know it, he’s tied it over my eyes and I’m missing out on the bare-chested show.
A warm kiss lands over my lips and it feels naughty and delicious, but in a moment that kiss is disrupted as the man with the kissable lips is snatched away from me.
Someone caresses my cheek and dots warm kisses up my cheek to my temple. The music picks up in crescendo as a body warms my chest and those familiar lips work their way to my neck.
And if that wasn’t titillating enough, another warm body warms me from the side as a string of soft kisses glide down my right side.
This is far too much. This is way too far out of my comfort zone.
I moan without ceasing as Collette Jenner chortles next to me.
“Oh, Lottie, this is fabulous!” Her voice echoes in a way that only the supernatural can pull off.