Page 22

Lucy

W ith a belly full of Thai food and my laundry folded in the back of Billy’s car, I’m confused about what we’re doing in the middle of a forest. He pulls two axes from his trunk and I raise my eyebrows.

“What the fuck?”

“Okay, so I figure you must have some anger built up in there.” He points to his temple and hands me an axe before walking to the closest tree and drawing a circle on it with chalk.

“So get it out. Don’t let it fester and become blackened slime in your veins.”

“I’m not angry, Billy. I just don’t know what to feel.”

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair before adjusting his hat. He throws his axe, and it hits outside the target.

“Listen, Lou, it’s okay. I can’t imagine what you must feel, but I want you to get it out,” he says .

With a soft touch, Billy comes up behind me and guides my hands over my arms, instructing me on the precise movements required to throw the axe.

The feel of his warm hands over mine settles something in my chest, but uneasiness still sits just below the surface. I don’t believe it’s going to help.

What worries me the most is the thought of losing him. I hurl the axe, frustration washing over me when it misses the bark, but he rushes over, picks it up, and retrieves his own from the trunk.

“What did you mean by my research?” I ask while I watch him fling the hatchet again. It soars through the air and connects with the tree, creating a satisfying thud.

“I feel like you can connect the dots,” he mutters.

“Each thing I asked about, you tried?”

Before throwing his axe again, he hands me the worn wooden handle.

“More or less. It’s something I’ve been doing for a long time. You helped give me a purpose.”

Knowing he went to such great lengths for answers gives me a warm feeling and makes me feel like I’m as crazy as he is.

“But they weren’t evil people?” I ask him.

He shrugs before getting our axes again. “Isn’t everyone a little bad, Lou?”

“It’s odd that you call it Lou’s Organic Soap, now that I know. ”

The silence consumes the area. Birds fly by, but the only real sound is our heavy breathing.

“It was meant to be sweet, but I guess I see how it’s not.” He doesn’t look at me, and I realize I have to be all in or out.

“If I said no, what would happen?”

Mid-swing, he freezes and pivots his attention towards me. “I’d leave.”

“How long do you think it’d take two people to turn against each other? That being told to kill your friend would work?” I ask, twirling the wooden handle in my hands.

I think about the recent scene in my book. There is a shift in the air, as if unspoken words linger, silently accepting his secret life as a serial killer.

“Honestly, it depends on the people. I don’t think it’d be worth the effort to try it out. Some people turn on others immediately and some would hold out to the bitter end. It’s too hard to experiment, but if you need something different, I can try.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Billy. I love you and this is what you do.”

As he turns and runs toward me, a rush of adrenaline fills the air as he sweeps me off my feet.

With each turn, his grip tightens, and when he finally lowers me to the ground, his fierce kiss leaves me breathless.

“Darlin’, I love you. ”

He grabs the axes and together we head back to the Cruze. We drive home with music blasting. The new song I found is on repeat and it’s a banger.

“I don’t want to be a part of the killing. I’ll help you sell the product, but I think that’s as far as I go.”

His laugh fills the car as he turns off the street to his shop.

“That’s more than enough for me. Besides, I’m gonna scale down for us to work. The last thing I need is to lose you. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“I hate that you’re so sick,” I say into the phone.

“Me too. I’m sorry, Lucy. I know you despise working with her,” Arties gruff voice filters through the speaker.

“It’s alright. I’ll manage. Get better soon,” I say before hanging up.

Leaning against my desk chair, I move my mouse and look at my document. I feel the need to scrap the entire thing because it is total trash, but I’m pretty sure Billy would fuck the shit out of me .

He’s been out in the barn all day and it’s odd, but unless I want to be involved, I think it’s best to stay out of his business.

Billy has had a slew of animals come in over the last few days, so I suspect he is doing his usual work and not indulging in extracurricular activities.

The idea of him changing for me feels wrong. It’s disturbing what he does, but it is unfair to expect him to transform into a different person just to be with me.

That’s not how relationships operate. Love and support.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Billy asks, and I turn to look at him leaning against the doorway.

He shouldn’t be this fucking hot. He’s sporting his typical ensemble of worn-out jeans, a tee-shirt, and a baseball cap. I check him out, top to bottom, looking for blood splatter, but he’s clean.

“Stuff and things,” I say.

His tattooed arm leans against the doorframe as I direct my attention toward him. I meet his gaze and notice a slight smirk playing on his lips, accompanied by a raised eyebrow.

“Artie is sick, so I’m gonna have to work with stupid Leah for the next few days. I don’t know why I can’t get past what she did. I’m over Miles, and I love you, so why does the anger twist in my gut like a dagger?”

Billy straightens slightly and strokes his moustache before staring at me.

“Because she’s untrustworthy. That alone is enough to fucking hate her. On top of that, it’s not like she’s tried to be anything other than a cotton-candy whore. Fuck that cunt. She hurt you and she should pay for that.”

If I ask him to use her for soap, he would, and that alone gives me some comfort.

I avert my eyes and reach for a notebook, seeking a temporary escape from the rawness of the situation.

“Question,” I say.

He grins, and his posture relaxes in the doorway. “Shoot.”

“Does chasing and killing a person make sense?” I read over my notes before looking up.

Billy swivels his hat backwards. “Duh. I could’ve killed you in the forest.” He winks at me.

“Right, fuck. How long do you think you could kidnap someone before they’re too weak to fight? Have you already done that?” I fidget with the pen before glancing up at him.

“Nope, but I can try. I think if you research, you’ll find it’s only a few days without water.”

I bite my lip, rolling over the ideas.

“What else?”

“What if you gave them the bare minimum?” I ask, knowing it is deranged that I’m giving ideas .

He shrugs and juts his lower lip out while he thinks.

“Probably. I think everyone is different. Anyway, will you do me a favour and help me with my hair?”

I grin and stand. When we’re both in the doorway, his gaze intensifies and the way he towers over me makes need run through my body.

Before our lips meet, he smirks, his grip tightening around my neck. I can feel the strength of his desire as our mouths crash together. As he locks eyes with mine, he flashes a lazy grin and strolls off to the bathroom.

I follow him and pull off my shirt as he strips down. I mix up the bleach while he sits on the toilet in his boxers, unfazed by the strong scent permeating the room.

“Thanks for always doing my hair. What colour do you want me to be next?”

“It was part of the contract when you furnished my house,” I joke.

“Right. What colour, Lou?”

“Magenta. It matches you so well.”

He peers up at me and grins.

“Can we do it tomorrow night? When I’m done at work?”

“Sounds good. Wanna go out tonight or stay in?”

“In. I need you to fuck the bad mood out of me,” I whisper .

He chuckles, and once I’ve finished with his hair, I step back.

“I can do that. Let this cook for a bit and then I’ll shower.”

I clean up the supplies and pull the gloves off. “Want a PB&J for dinner?” I ask jokingly.

“Fuck yes,” he says.

I grin and head down to the main floor. Being with Billy gives me things I’d only ever dreamed about growing up. Someone who listens to you is a different type of relationship. The years I spent hoping anyone would care about me have been granted in a twisted way.

With the bread, peanut butter, and jam in hand, I make my way to the counter, ready to create sandwiches.

His strides echo through the hushed house as he descends the stairs and grabs his plate. The scent of Billy’s go-to soap hangs in the air as water trickles down from his bleach-blonde hair. Before heading toward the table, he steals a quick kiss, catching my lips with his.

When I sit down with him, I watch him flick through his phone and take a bite out of the sandwich.

“How have your sales been?” I ask with a mouthful of food .

“You're a goober, but pretty good. Sold out of everything. Just updating with an away-for-now message.”

The fact that human beings are being used and appreciated worldwide is a creepy thought, but I cannot deny my pride in his accomplishments and how well he has done for himself.

“Won’t you need more products soon?” I look at my sandwich and eat the rest of the half.

“I told you, I can cut back because I’d rather have you.”

“It’s not fair to change for me,” I mumble. Picking up the other half, I lock eyes with him.

“Don’t make me flip this fucking table. You know I’d do anything for you.” His eyebrow raises, and he finishes his sandwich.

He gets up to put his plate in the sink.

“Isn’t it like a disorder?” I ask, peeling off the crust from the bread.

An infectious laugh fills the room.

“Fuck if I know, Lou. You sure liked it when I chased you and fucked you in the forest. Maybe that’s enough fear for me.”

He picks me up, setting me on the counter before situating himself between my legs. Forcefully ripping my leggings off, he nonchalantly throws the tattered pieces behind him.

“Billy!”

He only grins wickedly .

His tongue encircles my clit. I arch my hips, needing more, but he takes his time worshipping every inch. As his thick fingers enter me, I clench around them and he moans against my clit.

The vibrations ripple through my body, causing my muscles to coil like a spring, ready to snap at any moment.

Billy pulls back and leans over me to the big utensil container. His grin widens as he plucks a spatula out and slides the handle into me, fucking me with it, his skilled tongue bringing me to the brink of ecstasy. I teeter on the edge, my body trembling with anticipation before he withdraws.

“Lick it clean, darlin’,” he whispers.

He holds the spatula up to my mouth and I do as asked, tasting myself over the handle.

He grips the outline of his dick through his pants.

“Fucking Christ, I need you,” he says before lifting me off the counter.

His fingers lock with mine as he drags me up the stairs. I get onto the bed, and he digs in the nightstand’s drawer, pulling out the dildo and a bottle of lube.

I lie on my back and look up at him, nervous but soaked.

“Such a good fucking girl, so damn wet for me,” he whispers.

His fingers glide over my clit, eliciting an immediate response from my body. Billy smirks before brushing his shaft against my clit and entering me.

“Fuck, your cock is so perfect,” I groan.

With my legs draped over his shoulders, his grasp firm on my breasts, Billy pounds into me, delivering powerful thrusts.

When our eyes lock, it feels as if our souls are intertwining. His hand slithers its way up my chest, tightening its hold on my neck.

His touch intensifies, causing my body to shudder with pleasure. As the ecstasy builds, my vision blurs with specks of darkness.

I can no longer suppress my moans as I tighten around him.