Page 1 of Taking Adalisa (Montgomery Syndicate #2)

ADALISA

“ A re you sure you should be going to this?” Margery asks. “I just don’t know about this whole speed dating thing. What if one of them falls in love with you ’and then murders everybody you come in contact with because they’re jealous?”

I laugh and shake my head. “Nothing like that is going to happen. Everybody gives a fake name, and nobody knows your address. They don’t know your phone number.

You fill out a form as each person stops at your table, and then give it to the host. They go through the information and if both of you are interested in each other, they’ll email you and then you decide what you want to do next. Totally safe.”

It would be totally safe if I were actually going to the speed dating thing that was happening tonight, but I wasn’t. I’m actually going to a munch. A munch specifically for people who have a somnophilia kink.

To say I’m nervous is an understatement.

But I’m also really excited to see where this takes me.

I’ve read so many books with somnophilia in it, and it just calls to me.

It turns me on every single time, so I decided to finally take a step in the right direction and go to a munch with like-minded people.

I know I won’t be going home with anyone and actually doing it, but maybe I will meet a couple of people who I vibe with.

Maybe then we can exchange phone numbers so we can get to know each other and potentially do something in the future.

But I can’t deny that if I feel a connection with someone tonight, I’m going to suggest going back to my house.

“Still. It could be so dangerous. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. What if somebody becomes obsessed with you? What are you going to do then?” Margery worries.

“Then I’ll go to the authorities. You know I’m not afraid to go to them.

I’ll make sure to keep all the evidence, if there is any, and give it to the police.

But that isn’t going to happen. This event has been going on for years, and they always make sure the people who participate are safe,” I explain, trying to ease Margary’s concerns.

She’s a sweet friend, but sometimes she can be over the top. I don’t want to be single for the rest of my life.

“Maybe you should just try going on a dating website so I can follow you to the date and make sure that you’re okay.” Margarie stands behind me, doing my hair. “Or maybe I can say no to my plans today and make sure you’re okay. Tell me the address?”

I shake my head and place my hand on top of hers.

“No. You aren’t skipping your date for me’.

You’re finally getting out into the dating world, and I’m not about to let you stop.

It’s time; you need to do it. I’ll be safe.

I promise.” I look at her reflection in the mirror.

“I promise I will be extra careful tonight so you don’t have to worry. ”

“Maybe you should just wait.” An uneasy look crosses Margery’s face.

I sigh and shake my head once again. “I’m not going to wait.

I’m tired of reading about this. I want to experience it.

So I’m taking matters into my own hands and doing it.

I know you don’t like it, but it’s happening.

If you want, I’ll text you when I get home.

We can’t have our phones on while the speed dating is happening. ”

It’s a big fat lie, but Margery doesn’t need to know it. I can have my phone at the munch, it is encouraged to have it in case you connect with someone. I don’t want to be texting Margery every thirty minutes to ease her worries, though. I’m a grown woman.

“I’m also turning my location off on my phone so you can’t follow me. Go have fun. You deserve to finally be happy.” I turn around and look at Margery.

I didn’t know Margery when the love of her life, Ethan, was in a horrific car crash that killed him. Even years later, Margery still hasn’t gotten over it, and it breaks my heart that she hasn’t moved on.

“You can’t do that!” Margery glares at me.

“I can. I already have done. Now you’re going to be late for your date, so leave. Go have fun. I’ll text you when I get home,” I shoo Margery away.

She sighs and nods. “Okay, I know when I’m not wanted. If you don’t text me before midnight, I will have a search party out for you. Don’t think for a second I won’t actually do it. You mean too much to me for me not to.”

I crack a smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Nerves run through my body as I stand outside the bar.

This is where the munch is taking place.

I haven’t let myself think too much beforehand, but right now, I’m second-guessing myself.

It’s a smaller bar, one that the organizer had rented out for the night.

I don’t want to think about how much it costs.

A thrill shoots through me when I realize it’ll only be people in there with the same kink as me?

Should I actually be here? Have I thought this through well enough?

Just as I am about to turn around to leave, a hand comes to rest on the small of my back. My whole body stiffens as I look over at the person next to me.

Gasping, I’m instantly mesmerized. He’s about a foot taller than me with a beard. His hair is jet black with silver strands peppering it.

Fuck.

He’s hot.

My legs shake as I take in his beautiful green eyes that seem to captivate me like no other has.

“Are you going to stand out here all night, or are you going to go in?” he asks.

I lock my knees out, worried I’m going to become a pile of goo right in front of him on the sidewalk. His voice is smooth and deep, making my panties dampen and my pussy tingle.

He can talk to me any time he wants. Talk to me about anything and everything as long as I get to hear his voice.

“Wh-what?” I whisper, not hearing a word he said.

He turns toward me and gives me a dashing smile before gripping my chin between his thumb and pointer finger. “Are you going to stand out here all night, or are you going to go into the munch?”

“H-how did you know?” I whisper.

This isn’t like me. I’m not the shy and insecure type, but I am in front of him. I want to drop to my knees and let him do anything he wants to me. I want him to take full control, dominating me however he sees fit.

He raises an eyebrow, his hand still on the small of my back, almost possessively. “How do I know you were going into the munch?”

I nod, not trusting my voice right now.

“It’s rented out tonight for us. People who have the same common interests. ” His voice is gruff but smooth and calming.

“I don’t think—” I start, but a gently push to my back has me stepping forward.

“I’ve watched you look at it for the past five minutes. We’re going in.”

Before I can get any words out or fight away from his touch, we are already at the door. And before I know it, I’m inside. All eyes turn our way as the door shuts behind us.

“Welcome!” A heavy set man walks toward us. “My name is Benji, and I’m hosting tonight. We are just getting to know each other. Can the bartender get you anything to drink?”

Words are stuck in my throat as I stare at Benji. I didn’t think I was going to get this far, yet here I am. In the bar where the munch is happening with a random person who encouraged me.

Benji moves on his feet, looking uncomfortable as the seconds go by.

“We’ll both take a whiskey, neat, please,” the man beside me says. “Sorry about her, she’s a bit nervous.”

I turn my body toward him and glare. No one needs to know how nervous I am.

“Don’t worry! Everyone is the first time they walk into a munch. Sometimes they’re still nervous on the two-hundredth time. Don’t worry. Are you two together?”

“No,” I say.

“Yes,” my dark-haired companion says at the same time.

I don’t even know his name and he’s telling the host we are together. Who does he think he is?

“She’s mine.” He pulls me into to his body, and I glare at him, annoyed.

Benji looks between us, a smile blossoming on his face. “Your names?” he asks and then turns to the bartender and tells him our drinks.

“Matthias and Adalisa,” Matthias replies.

My whole body freezes as he says my name. How does he know my name? I didn’t introduce myself before. Have we met before and I just forgot? I shake my head. There is no way I would forget someone who looks and talks like him.

Tall. Dark. Handsome. Dangerous .

He has this air about him that sends sparks up and down my body. Nerves run through my body as I take him in. Excitement or weariness, I don’t know.

“My little Addy,” Matthias gently speaks, brushing his lips against mine. “We’ve been together for a couple of years, and she still tries to fight me on it. I think she likes me getting possessive, if you know what I mean.”

“Totally,” Benji replies.

My mouth hangs open as I stare at Matthias in utter shock. Is he for real right now?

“We felt like our sex life was getting a little boring. We both interested in this, so we decided why not try it and meet some others,” Matthias explains. “We wanted to spice things up a little. Bring some excitement back.”

A huge smile breaks out across Benji’s face as he looks between us two, not at all concerned by my shock. “Well, I’m glad you two came! Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Matthias grabs our drinks, handing me mine before placing his hand on the small of my back and pushing me forward a little. I glare at him. I need to get away from him and soon, but I can’t just leave right now without a reason. And if I do, he’ll come with me since he introduced us as a couple.

What is he thinking? How does he know my name?

Unease fills me the closer we get to the group. I push my concerns to the back of my mind as we get closer to the small group of people.

“This is Adalisa and Matthias, they have decided they want to join us to spice things up,” Benji explains as he sits beside a woman. “This is Morgan, Flynn, Rye, and Kirra.”

I wave but stay close to Matthias, not liking all of their eyes on me. I’ve never felt comfortable with so many people looking at me at once.

“You’re okay,” he whispers in my ear before turning to everyone. “So nice to meet all of you guys.”

We both sit beside next to each other.

“How did you two meet?” Morgan asks as she leans forward. “You look so good together. The perfect couple.”

Morgan and Kirra look exactly the same with short, brown hair in a pixie cut, side bangs, and hazel eyes.

“Yes, we’re twins,” Kirra responds. “We’ve got this whole thing on with another set of twins. It’s so hot and totally worth it. No jealousy between us.”

I blink several times, processing her words. They are twins dating twins.

“Enough about us. I want to know how you two met,” Morgan insists. “Come on, don’t be shy now.”

“We met at the bookstore Adalisa works at,” Matthias offers, and my whole body locks up again as I stare at him both in shock and a little bit of fear.

He knows more about me than I like. Have I met him before when I was really busy and didn’t realize? I would have remembered what he looked like since he is so hot. I would have stopped to admire him. So does that mean he’s been stalking me?

“I was walking by and saw her and knew she was the one for me. So I walked in and said I was looking for a book that I couldn’t remember the name of or who the author’s name.

I could only remember the basics,” Matthias explains.

“I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could, and it was the only way I knew she would give me a chance.”

My mouth falls open. I remember a guy his height and stature came in to look for a book. I remember that interaction, but I don’t think it was Matthias. They look totally different.

“What happened next?” Kirra asks. “Don’t leave us hanging.”

“Girls, they obviously got together,” Flynn says, rolling his eyes. “Let them breathe.”

Matthias chuckles and takes a sip of his drink before looking down at me, his eyes twinkling.

The heat in his gaze makes me feel like I’m his world and everything revolves around me.

Tears pool in my eyes, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m scared or if he seems to be telling the truth about wanting to spend time with me.

“Shh, you’re okay,” he whispers. “Everything is going to be all right with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

But will he keep me safe from him ? “What a precious moment,” Morgan whispers. “She is getting teary-eyed with him just talking about how they met.”

“She helped me find the book, and obviously, I bought it. I came back a week later, trying to find a different book. This time I remembered the title, so it didn’t look too weird.

After that, I asked her out,” Matthias continues.

“She said no, but I wasn’t going to give up.

I knew what I wanted, and it was her. She is my everything, and I love her. ”