Bait

If I can see him again.

I approach from the front of his truck, standing like an idiot to block his way out of here. He’d have to mow me down to get out of my sight.

And then I look at him. Really look at him.

He’s as dark as I imagined. Dark hair, dark eyes, heavy brows. His hair is long on top, just as I remembered. His beard is fucking perfect. He looks fierce, wild. He’s dressed in black. Black jacket, black t-shirt, black everything. My legs are quivering and I don’t care. My whole body is thrumming, and it feels like life itself.

The tattoos on his neck are obvious. Glorious.

He’s fucking glorious.

And he’s staring right at me.

“It’s you,” I tell him, even though my voice is weak.

He doesn’t even flinch, just raises an eyebrow. “It is?”

I’m nodding, even though I’m second guessing myself. I contemplate the possibility that I’m crazy, and this guy – this beautiful creature – is just a coincidence.

But no.

I know this isn’t a coincidence.

I remember the way his skin felt under my fingertips. I remember the graze of the hair on his scalp.

I remember him.

He takes a step forward and my breath catches in my throat.

“What’s me exactly, sweetheart?”

Another step forward and I’m so aware of the bulk of him. So aware how easily he picked me up.

There’s a tension in the air between us, and I’m not imagining it. His body knows mine, just as mine knows his, and I’m not imagining that either.

“It was you…” I whisper. “I know it was you…”

He tips his head. His smile is dirty.

Divine.

Everything.

He could run me down with his truck for real before I’d move an inch.

“You’re looking for someone?” he asks.

I nod like a fool.

He shrugs. Playing with me. He has to be playing with me.

“And where did you meet this someone? Are they from around these parts?”

“Online,” I whisper. “I met him online. I ran through the darkness and he caught me. I had a fantasy and he brought it to life. He made it real, and now I can’t stop. I don’t want to stop.”

“So you came looking for him?” he asks, and I see it. He can’t hide the glint in his eye.

“I couldn’t think of a better option.”

He smiles at that. “In that case I’d suggest you go looking for him back where you found him.”

“He’s deactivated his profile,” I say, deadpan.

He shrugs. “Maybe he’ll turn back up.”

“You think?” I ask.

He nods, just a little. “Worth a shot, right?”

I watch mute as he climbs into his truck. I’m still standing there as he turns on the ignition.

He puts down the window and leans out on his elbow. I see the ink snaking up his arms and wonder how far it goes.

All the way.

I imagine it goes all the way.

“Must’ve made quite an impression, this stranger,” he says.

“You could say that.” My smile feels ridiculous. I feel ridiculous. I step closer, as close as I dare. I could reach out and touch him. I wish I was brave enough. “He’s all I can think about.”

He smiles back at that. “Should be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.”

“I’m counting on it,” I tell him.

His eyes eat me up but I hold mine firm. The darkness there takes my breath. My demons wave at his, and I swear they wave back.

I feel the ghost of a shiver up my spine.

My whole body wants him to wrestle me into his truck and drive me away.

“Goodbye, Cinderella,” he says and my heart stutters.

My shoes. He remembers I lost my shoes.

It’s still stuttering when he puts the truck in gear and drives away. The truck rumbles, loud. His elbow is still resting on the open window as he pulls onto the street and disappears from view.

If I wasn’t a puddle of everything, I’d drive after him.

If I wasn’t shaking like a leaf, I’d try to tail him all the way to forever.

But I’m both.

It takes every last scrap of composure I’ve got left just to drive my car off the forecourt.PhoenixI’m done fighting.

I drive home without going back to the warehouse. I take the scenic route up the hills only to make sure she isn’t following me.

If she was, I’d head her off long before I ever got there. I’d coax her into the middle of nowhere and punish-fuck her for her boldness until she screamed.

I’m at least partially disappointed her Mini doesn’t appear in my rearview, but that’s okay.

We’re well off fucking script all round, but that’s okay too.

It’ll have to be.

I barely acknowledge Serena when I step through the door at home. Cameron heads on over and I scoop him up for a bear hug, just like usual.

“Good day, champ?” I ask and he nods.

Serena’s made lunch for the both of them. Potato salad with mayo. She holds up the bowl and I nod.