Page 43 of The Black Lotus (Fatal Florals Duet #2)

THIRTY-SIX

SERENA

T he weather outside has been gloomy, and according to the weather app on my phone, there is a warning of an incoming thunderstorm. Which means it’s the perfect weather to sit in my cozy chaise and read. I can’t remember the last time I opened up a book and really lost myself in one.

Slowly and as quietly as I possibly can, I leave Aster's embrace as I glance back to see if he is still asleep. He’s on his back, one arm rests beside him the other over his face, leaving only his lips in view.

A soft smile lifts my own. I want to lean down and give him a soft kiss, but I know that would definitely wake him and I want to let him sleep.

With a soundless, defeated sigh I walk away, throwing on a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt.

I already know which book I want to read; it’s a new release about a serial killer couple by my favorite author.

I wonder how right she got it. I creep towards the door, but my body locks when I hear Aster’s deep, raspy, morning voice. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I turn slowly on my heels to find Aster sitting up in bed, his chest exposed as he lifts a questioning brow. I thought I was being stealthy enough, we both need rest especially after yesterday, him more than me. But I should have known he’d sense me sneaking away.

“I was going to go make some coffee, then read in my library.”

He gracefully crawls out of bed, and my eyes travel down his body landing at his exposed and very erect cock. This man is insatiable. My traitorous cunt clenches around nothing as I mindlessly lick my bottom lip.

His gaze darkens. “I can think of something else much more appetizing than coffee and a book.”

I slowly walk backwards towards the door, my hand searching the knob behind me. “As much as I wish that were true, your dick can’t fill me up.”

He pulls on a pair of grey sweats, the ones he knows make me feral.

“Last I checked, my dick fills you more than anything else.”

With a slow swallow, I trap my lip between my teeth as my hand finds the knob. Hoping he won’t notice, but knowing he will, I take a deep breath and unlatch the door.

“Not the way food can.” I fling the door open just as he lunges, wrapping his arms around my waist. He is quicker and stronger than me, pulling me back and slamming the door shut as I collide with his chest. One arm bands tightly around me, keeping me trapped, while the other braces above the door.

It’s last night all over again. No matter how much I wiggle and punch and kick, I can’t escape, so I do the only thing I can think of and elbow him in the chest.

His surprise gives me the opening I need to duck, spin, and run. I sprint towards our bathroom, the only place left with a lock since he is still blocking the hallway. I quickly shut and lock the door, sliding down and keeping my back pressed firmly against it.

A bang makes me flinch. “I just want to play, little vixen, I won’t hurt you,” Aster taunts.

I press my back to the flexing wood, my chest rising and falling as I look around for anything that can help me escape the beast trying to break in.

I know he won’t hurt me, but I know I will be punished.

All I wanted was to drink my coffee and read, but now I’m hiding in the bathroom from the man who wants to fuck me and ruin my plans.

I mean, a little dick in the morning isn’t a bad thing, and seeing Aster back to himself is making me want to have him work for it a little, but a girl also needs some time with her book boyfriends.

The knob rattles as I cover my mouth, stifling my squeak. Will he win and claim my pussy, or will I escape and get a day with my books? It’s going to be fun to find out. I press my thighs together, rubbing them to create some friction to ease the building ache in my core.

“Serena, if you come out, I promise I won’t punish you! We can go downstairs, and you can have your coffee.”

“I don’t believe you!” I yell, bending my legs, keeping my feet planted on the ground as I push harder against the flimsy barrier.

He pounds his fist once more before silence blankets us. Then a low, menacing chuckle shatters our standoff. “I’m going to count to three, vixen, and if you don’t come out by then,” he scoffs, the sound harsh, “well, you better move.”

I slowly turn my head towards where he stands between our barrier as goosebumps skitter up my arms. What does he mean by that?

“One.”

I stand up, scrambling as I look all around the bathroom for a place to hide.

“Two.”

He’s going to pick the lock and get me. I run and dive into the closet, searching for a good spot I can hide. I know trying to escape my fox is futile, but I still have to try.

“Three.”

A loud bang echoes around the bathroom, my body jumping and as a tiny yelp slips past my lips. Did he just kick the door down?! I cover my mouth to quiet my breathing, making myself as small as possible, pushing my back flat against the wall in the back of the closet.

“Serena. Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he sings in a haunting tone.

I shake my head as a silent answer to his request. Looking around, I find a pair of shoes. The perfect weapon to escape .

“There is nowhere to run. The longer you hide, the more you’ll be punished.”

That’s what he thinks.

The sounds of cabinets opening and closing become louder the closer he gets. I don’t hear when he enters through the left open closet, but his shadow envelopes the space, blocking the light from the bathroom.

“Are you in here, little vixen?”

I clutch the shoe in my hand, ready to throw it when the time is right.

Moving my head a little to see what he’s doing, I see the strength of his back, the sounds of moving hangers making me tense.

I crawl out of my spot as he slowly turns, a wicked smile splitting his cheeks.

Without thinking, I throw the first shoe, watching it smack him in the chest.

“What the fuck?” he balks as I run past him, shutting the door behind me. Not a second later is it thrown open, slamming against the wall, and I chuck the second shoe, aiming for his head, but he catches it.

My mouth drops open but I don’t have time to gawk, I just run, and dart across our room.

I swing the door open and dash down the stairs.

The sound of angry footsteps thunders behind me, my heart pounding as they get louder and louder.

I can’t outrun him, but if I can get to the kitchen, I can go behind the island and force him to take longer to get me.

I make the mistake of turning around to see where he’s at. Aster stands at the top, holding the boot I threw at him, a crazed look in his eyes.

“Did you throw a boot at my head, Serena?”

My eyes widen. “Nope. Wasn’t me.”

“Oh, really?” He takes one step down, and I want to run but his looming presence keeps me rooted to the spot. Run, Serena. Move your feet! “It sure looked like you.” Another step, slow and calculating. “But my vixen would never dare do something so childish.”

“Never,” I whisper, fighting a smile.

Two more steps and he inches closer, my feet still refusing to move from where they're glued. I feel like a deer caught in headlights and Aster is the light I fear will be the reason I meet my maker. Maybe, I can’t move because I want to get caught.

Maybe, I want to be punished and this is my body's way of telling me.

Maybe, I do want to be fucked into oblivion, again.

A few more steps and he’s standing right in front of me, his gaze one of a predator daring their prey, and even as every bone in my body screams at me to run I can’t.

My chest rises and falls as my breath catches in my throat, his energy sucking all the oxygen out of the room as I wait to see if my body will listen to my brain and run.

“Do you know what happens to vixens who hurt their foxes?” he asks with a daring smirk.

I nod, knowing the answer, but not wanting to say it.

“Use your voice and tell me.”

I swallow, lifting my chin with a confidence I don’t feel. “They’re punished.”

“That they are. Do you know how they’re punished.”

“Yes,” I breathe.

Aster steps even closer. “Are you sure about that?”

I bite my lip, forcing myself to stay in the power of this orbit. The first time it was anal, which I’ve come to enjoy, and the last time was something I never want to go through again. I have no idea what he has in store.

One word leaves his lips. “Run.”

Obeying immediately, I turn and run towards the front door, swinging it open, only to run square into a hard chest and fall backwards onto my ass.

When I look up, I see Aster stands in front of me, the muscles in his back more tense than they’ve ever been, and the face I’ve seen on tv too many times stands ominously at our door.

Deputy Wiley.