Page 15 of Wonderland Asylum (Wonderland Killers #1)

FOURTEEN

First Date

It's all fun and games until your step brother catches you with another guy. Then all Hell breaks loose.

-Presley Kate

I'm late leaving to meet Leo, because I second guessed every outfit I put on. Ultimately, I chose a simple above the knee teal dress with tiny flowers on it. The flowers are a deep purple, and the colors compliment my complexion.

The problem is I feel the dress might be a tad too 'fancy' for a first date. I did pair it with a jean jacket though so maybe that’ll dress it down enough.

Regardless, there is no going back to change. It's this or naked. That thought does make me smile.

What would my daddy dearest and my guard dog think if they caught me in a compromising position with Leo? Lose their shit that's what .

Since Kai is on high alert, I told Leo not to pick me up at the dorms. He was disappointed but understood. I think for the first time my plan is foolproof, and I’m not going to get caught.

We’ve decided to meet up at the docks near my favorite restaurant instead. Hopefully, he’ll want to take a long walk on the beach with me before we eat. I know its cliche but I’ve always wanted to do that on an actual date.

Thankfully, Kai and Gunner will be busy at Wonderland tonight. I haven't been on a date in four years, my throat thickens with anxiety, and my heart goes into A-fib. I'm a mess, and I haven't even gotten out of my car yet.

My main objective for joining Twisted is to get laid, but that doesn't mean I'll just have sex with anybody, it’s whoever is the best candidate that’ll get my virginity.

Who knows maybe I'll even find a love match that will take my lustful heart away from the Donovan's. They'd have to be a pretty good catch for that to happen though. So, I'm not holding my breath.

AJ gave me her phone to use tonight, because we're paranoid that my stepbrothers might have a tracker on mine.

I'm notorious for ignoring Kai's calls and messages when he's made me mad, and he's appeared out of thin air too many times when that's happened.

Long story short, I'm not taking any chances tonight. Kai is sneaky as fuck, and I don't trust him not to pop up and ruin my date.

My phone is with AJ, and she has promised that she'll move it to a different location within her dorm room every couple of hours. As long as she does that we should be fine.

The salty air envelopes me like a long lost friend when I get out of my car. I smile into the night, because the full moon looks like it's playing peek a boo with the dark clouds.

There's a promise of rain, and if I'm lucky it'll wash away all the confusion I feel towards my stepbrothers.

Walking towards the dunes, I wrap my jean jacket closer to my body. The wintery chill coming from the ocean is unexpected this time of year. Usually late August in Georgia is hot enough to make the devil sigh.

My body shivers, but it's not because of the wind. Leo appears to be harmless, but what if he's not. I'm meeting a total stranger in the dark, which is how every true crime podcast starts out.

Taking a deep breath, I calm my nerves by doing a checklist of everything we did to vet him. We stalked all of his social media profiles, asked his mutuals about him, and I hacked into the schools power grid to see his test scores. Leo's smart, but math isn't his forte, I can live with that.

I don't like math either. I mean, I’ve got my calculator, why do I need some long formula that won’t even be in existence fifty years from now?

Pushing forward, I walk towards my date. He's even cuter than his pictures suggested. His brown eyes drink me in, and find me worthy. "Presley Kate?"

I nod, and hold out my hand. "Yes, and I'm assuming you're Leo?"

"I am. My God you're prettier than I imagined." He smiles devilishly.

I giggle. "Thank you, you're not so bad yourself. How about a walk on the beach before dinner?"

Leaning closer to me. He whispers conspiratorially. "I'd like that."

Offering me his arm, we weave in and out of the numerous dunes until finally reaching the beach. "I've always loved this beach, and when I was younger, I wanted to be kidnapped by pirates." I admit .

He laughs heartily. "Is that an invitation to kidnap you?"

Lightly bumping his hip with mine, I smile. "The jury's still out. I'd want you to wear an eye patch though."

He crosses his fingers. "Jury's usually like me, and an Amazon search is only a few clicks away."

I roll my eyes. "Why stop with just a patch, when you could get the whole outfit?"

He smiles, with a shrug. "What made you set up your Twisted account?"

"I'm looking for a possible long term relationship, but still open to something short term. How about you?"

"I'm open to anything really. I just moved here from California, so I'm looking to make friends first." He answers honestly.

I respect his honesty. "Cali is a long way from Georgia. What made you pick Pixie Hollow?"

He shrugs. "I come with a lot of baggage that's too heavy for a first date, but I'm trying to get better everyday. PHU was the furthest Ivy League I could run to and my parents still foot the bill for it."

My grip on his arm tightens. I don't know what he's done or what he's been through, but I'm a sucker for an underdog. "Well, I'm glad you're here."

We walk in companionable silence just enjoying each other's company. This is the first time I've been around another guy and felt something for them.

Which is pretty damn awesome, because if I can be interested in someone other than the Donovan's then there's hope I won't eventually wind up as the scary neighbor lady that everybody thinks is a witch.

Wincing, I decide it's time to discuss some of my baggage. It could save him a trip to the hospital after all. "In honor of first date baggage, my stepbrothers, Gunner and Kai will be livid if they catch us together. They think I should focus on school instead of guys."

I don’t add that we have this weird relationship dynamic going on between us. I’ve kissed them both, and one of them likes to rub their erection on me while the other one likes me to call him daddy. That would definitely not be first date etiquette.

He chuckles. "Ah. I get it, y'all grew up together?"

I look away from the intensity of his stare, because I don't want him to see my expression. Heavy on the nope. "Not really, it's been two years, but I haven't had an easy life. So, they are extra protective."

Bringing us to a screeching halt, he brings my gaze to his. "Please, don't hide from me, I don't like that. If this date continues in the direction that it's going, your stepbrothers will have to deal with me."

My eyes widen, I love his authoritativeness, and for the first time tonight he reminds me of them. I love and hate that about all of them.

In theory being dominant is a bad quality to have, but like a bad habit I've been running toward red flags since I met the Donovan's. I don't see that stopping any time soon.

"If that time comes, I want y'all to get along, and not be alpha holes that you apparently are." I'm a naturally born submissive and a people pleaser to boot so it's not easy for me to be so plain spoken.

I'm tired of wishing for things that will never belong to me, and my stepbrothers will never be mine. So I'm going to take matters into my own hands and see who else is out there.

They won't like it, but I know they care about me. In the end, what it really boils down to is what I want, what I like, and to hell with the consequences of what they want .

He smiles down at me. "You seem all prim and proper, but there's a fire burning inside of you that's begging to be let out."

"I'm just tired of living life on the sidelines." Bridging the gap between us, I bury my fist in his jacket to bring him even closer. It's a bold move for me, but I'm ready to live.

"Whether we remain just friends or become something more, I'll never ask that of you." He plants a chaste kiss on my lips.

His gaze darkens but it's not with desire. No, it's with an emotion I'm not exactly familiar with. Even though he's done nothing to warrant my fear, his reaction to our closeness scares the hell out of me all the same.

My heart plummets to my feet, because I’m stupid as hell to walk with a stranger on the beach at night. We haven't passed another soul in minutes, and I couldn't tell you where my car is parked if my life depended on it.

Taking a deep breath, I smile, not allowing my fear to show. Clearly, I'm allowing my imagination to run wild. There is no need to panic until he actually gives me a reason to. "Leo, can we go eat now? I'm starving."

Like Hyde turns quickly back to Jekyll, Leo's personality veers back to the charming guy from California. "Yes, I can't have you hungry."

I try to conceal the relief in my voice, but there's no pulling that off. "Do you have any clue how we get there?"

He nods. "I think so, come on."

In hopes that small talk will return the easy comfort I felt in his presence, I ask him a question. "How many dates have you gone on through Twisted?"

He grunts. "I've been ghosted twice by the same girl, so you're the first. It's good to know not everybody is AI."

"With your stunning looks, I would have figured you'd be a spokesperson for the app by now." I tease.

Throwing back his head he laughs. "It feels so good to be seen. How many dates have you lined up?"

I chuckle. "You're the first, and two more coming."

Reaching for my hand, he laces our fingers together. It's not like holding hands with Kai, but it's a close second. "Well, you never forget your first."

"That’s what they say. In honor of twenty questions first date edition, do you come from a big family?"

He nods. "Yeah, I'm number six of seven. How about you?"

"Damn. Six of seven? That would be a dream for me. My bio dad has two kids but I'm the black sheep so I don't really know them well. Until my stepbrothers showed up, it was only me."

We walk past the last dune, and he stops us in front of the steps to the restaurant. "What is something you can't live without?"

The Donovan's. "You promise not to judge me?"

"Never." He admits.

"I guess there's no time like the present to admit that I'm a computer nerd. I need my computer to survive."

"Okay, I'm totally judging you." He laughs.

"No take backs!" I slap his arm.

Biting his lip, he smiles. "You ready?"

His smile is infectious. "I didn't even think to ask you if you liked seafood. Is this restaurant okay?"

"You have nothing to worry about, it's perfect. I’m from the coast."

This place has been a favorite of mine since moving to the island. While it's not a five star establishment it's not a hole in the wall either. The only light in the dining room is what's given off by the candlelight at each table.

Those same tabletops are lined with black tablecloths, and Victorian black candelabras that give off gothic vibes within the already romantic setting.

At Leo's request our hostess shows us to a booth by a big window in the back.

Not only is he good looking he's got good taste.

Like spiders crawling up my arms, goosebumps rise on my flesh.

There's movement in my peripheral vision, but as soon as I turn my head to investigate whatever has caused it, it has vanished.

My imagination is fucked tonight. So, I try to turn it down a notch or two and just enjoy the evening.

Leo's a perfect gentleman, he holds my hand and truly listens when I talk.

Our meal is filled with laughter and amazing food, and when Leo pays our check I'm disappointed that this night is about to end.

"Let me walk you to your car. I'd love to do this again." He whispers in my ear.

"I'd love that." Taking his hand in mine, I let him lead us toward the parking lot.