Chapter 4

Two weeks later

Emily

Dreams.

Raw nightmares of seduction and flesh, blood and gore.

They plagued me, along with the incessant memories of the dark and gloomy night when a monster had entered my room.

The moment he'd laid claim to my body and my soul.

Soon he would return. I was certain of it.

Or maybe I was losing my marbles, and the beast was nothing more than a malevolent spirit or a delicious fantasy?

You do prefer the darkness.

The thought lingered in the forefront of my mind. Maybe that's why I'd chosen the piano music I had to memorize, the darkest of concertos and preludes written.

I couldn't get a grip on why the utterly delicious sensations continued to feel real.

He's here. He's coming for you.

God. What was wrong with me?

"Why are you in such a foul mood tonight?" Janie asked, keeping her eyes pinned on me. She was a good friend, someone I cared about. So were the other girls surrounding the firepit.

The licking flames were mesmerizing, so much so I was caught in myriad visions that continued to plague me. I could still see the mysterious stalker's piercing eyes, the intense orbs dark and bottomless like I envisioned his soul. I could also feel the same rush of sensations that had kept my skin prickled for hours after the storm had dissipated several nights before. I licked my chapped lips, slowly realizing Janie had been talking to me.

The events of the last couple of weeks, including the last rehearsals for the graduation concert had been surreal. Especially the nightmares. Oh, I had to get them out of my mind. I was likely just exhausted.

He's here. He's here. He's here.

My inner voice was crushing my spirit tonight.

I clutched my bent legs as close to my chest as possible, turning and resting my head on my knees. Suddenly, the wooden slats of the chair made the entire moment that much more uncomfortable. "I'm not in a foul mood. Just thoughtful."

The three girls had somehow managed to drag me out of my protected cocoon for an adventure. I'd even lied to my father, which never happened, telling him I was spending the night with my only friend he considered acceptable for me to be around. While I was almost twenty-three, he continued to treat me as if I was barely a teenager. I was forced to obey his rules for fear of harsh punishment.

Which had included holding my allowance, my fabulous education and expensive clothes, and my trust fund over my head.

I had to admit I was fed up with being in a glass house. However, that was about to end. Janie was right. I should feel gleeful, not melancholy. Maybe the fact a black cloud was definitely hovering over me kept me from feeling anything but the heebie-jeebies.

As horrible as it sounded, my father kept me locked away most of the time, the gilded prison past the point of suffocation. Granted, he had his reasons, threats constant in his life because of his unscrupulous career choice and dark, demented hunger for power, but he'd yet to accept I was an adult and more than capable of making my own decisions.

"You need to get laid, Emily," Cara offered, her lilting laughter floating into the dark night. Their chiding of me was usual, but tonight everything seemed different, the world ready to explode from the inside out.

My response was to bury my head in my folded arms like I always did when they talked about sex.

"I bet you're still a virgin," Sierra piped in as she pushed her body against mine. Of course she knew better. We didn't keep anything from each other, including the fact she'd lost her virginity to a teacher. When her father had found out, he'd ruined the guy's career. We'd heard the teacher had committed suicide only a year afterwards. It was just one of many instances where our respective fathers had ruined someone's life.

Cara laughed again, the lilting sound reminding me she was about to embark on a fabulous new journey.

The gorgeous girl was the sexpot, the one from our group most likely to end up with a cover model as a boyfriend. Oh, wait. She already had a hot GQ model as a boyfriend, the dark hunk appearing on several magazine covers and billboards by the time he was twenty-five.

I threw her a look then lifted my arm, giving her my sign of disgust.

My three friends laughed. They were only teasing me, but they had no idea how much their taunts hurt. No, I wasn't a virgin at least, not that I'd call what limited experience I'd had satisfying or memorable. My first and only intimate event had been with a boy who'd dared me for a kiss. That had turned into awkward fondling then sex that had lasted for all of thirty seconds. Somehow, his apology hadn't been any more adequate than the less than stellar initiation.

That had been almost three years before and the moment in time had left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Come on. Lighten up," Janie chastised. "This is supposed to be fun."

We were at a glorious and protected campsite miles away from the city, not something I would have ever placed on my bucket list. Granted, most people would call our environment glamping instead, the exclusive location catering to the rich and famous who hungered for a taste of roughing it. Right. As if that's what we were doing. My bedroom at home didn't have as many fancy amenities as any of the four tents Cara's father had rented for her birthday celebration.

He'd spared no expense, every tent with a private claw-foot tub and king-size bed, the fluffy comforters softer than a baby's butt.

"It's supposed to be a celebration. It is my birthday. You're not having any fun, which isn't allowed," Cara chided as she grabbed the second champagne bottle she'd opened, refilling all our glasses, even though I'd only taken a single sip. I wasn't much of a drinker, not because I didn't enjoy the taste, but because drinking excessively was frowned on like almost everything else in my life.

Except for studying and playing the piano.

"I am having fun," I insisted, dragging the crystal stem to my lips and licking the rim. We were spoiled rich kids, all of us growing up in posh environments, attending the finest schools and colleges. We'd been close for years, telling each other every secret and dark fantasy during the best and worst of times.

"Right," Sierra muttered. "You just got the job of your dreams, able to finally move out of your father's prison and you're sulking."

I tossed back almost the entire glass, laughing when frothy beads slipped past my lips. Maybe my friends were right in that I needed to loosen up. "I know. It's just…" I had no real answer to why I was in a dark place other than the crazy girl inside of me continued to long to catch another glimpse of her midnight visitor. I could tell the girls were watching me as I refilled my glass. Maybe the chilled bubbly would help ease the tension that I'd felt since checking in.

"I'm telling you, girl, you need hot sex," Cara teased again. "What about Troy?"

I spit out the sip I'd taken, glaring at her with all the nasty hatred I could muster in my expression. "You are kidding me. Right? Troy is an utter douchebag."

"A douchebag in one hot body and he's been after you for two years," Sierra countered.

"As if I give a shit." I slapped my hand across my lips. Cursing was for dirty girls.

My besties laughed again. We were all preparing to go our separate ways, our careers getting ready to take off. Cara had been offered a fantastic advertising job in New York, although the rest of us were pretty certain her father had twisted the owner's arm, forcing him to make the offer. Still, she'd be earning two hundred and fifty thousand her first year, living in a high-rise condo with her famous, good-looking if not amorous boyfriend.

Janie was headed to Atlanta, ready to tackle the morning news in an anchor city. And Sierra had landed a part in an A-listed movie, only her third audition garnering her a part that could land her a multi-year series. The girl was moving to California. Sun. Surf. And hot men.

I was also headed to New York, thrilled that I'd been selected to work with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The pay wasn't that great, but I'd be traveling the world while doing what I loved. One day I hoped to garner a solo pianist position, which could lead to record deals in the future. A girl could dream.

The sad part was that all three women had passionate men in their lives while I remained very much alone.

"Okay," Janie cooed, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone would walk right up to us. That wasn't likely given the expansive and very protected campsite. There were even armed guards parading around the property to ensure guests wouldn't be bothered by transients or masked men. I almost giggled from the thought. "I think it's time for our favorite game to spice things up a bit."

Cara, Sierra, and I groaned as if on cue. The fantasy game had started when we'd been teenagers, barely kissed and more than eager for hot nookie. As it was Janie's filthy creation, I'd always been fearful she'd secretly recorded our sinful desires, and eventually would pen the naughty fantasies for a fabulous and very salacious book that would embarrass the hell out of us while making her rich and famous.

I could even see a movie in the works.

"Come on. This might be our last time as a foursome. One last time," Janie grinned before tossing another piece of wood onto the fire.

"Fine," Cara said. "Who's going first?"

"I think our little virtuoso should," Sierra taunted. She lifted her glass into the firelight, her grin practically evil.

"You are such a bitch," I told her. They also knew hot I hated the name, just like ‘child prodigy,' which had haunted me my entire life.

"Takes one to know one." At least I could laugh much easier this time. Maybe glamping was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Janie kept the mischievous grin on her face. "You always did have a very vivid imagination. Your fantasies are the best I've ever heard."

"Novel worth," Cara admitted.

I shook my head as the girls starting chanting as encouragement.

"Go. Go. Go."

"All three of you are terrible friends. Did you know that?" I eased back against the Adirondack chair, staring up at the twinkling stars. There was something magical about being away from the city lights of Boston, becoming immersed in the quietness of nature. I swirled the bubbly as a series of filthy thoughts entered my mind.

They were all of him, the mystery man that had kept my fantasies very much alive. As a primal thought came to me, I closed my eyes, allowing images of what I'd envisioned about him into my mind. "Imagine being abducted from the darkness of your room in the middle of a raging thunderstorm, stripped of every single scrap of clothing. Then you're tossed into the trunk of a car, driven to an unknown and faraway destination. Once released, the masked stranger holds up a sign telling you to run."

"Ooohhh…" Sierra breathed. "I like it. Very primal."

"Dangerous," Cara added in her sultry voice. "Where am I in this salacious fantasy?"

If only they knew I was talking about myself they'd likely be shocked for a change.

"Mmmm… In the middle of a dense forest," I continued. "There's barely any moonlight, just enough to keep you from falling over limbs and other debris as you take off running. Faster and faster, your heart racing. You're determined to get away from your captor, but the rush of excitement and desire continues to build."

Yes, I could be very dramatic.

"Go on," Janie whispered.

"You try but seconds later, you hear baying wolves and the sound of someone chasing you. You keep running, determined to get away, only to be surrounded by beasts. You realize you're their prey, brought to fulfill their ravenous hunger. They corner you, growling from every side. There's nowhere to escape, no one coming to save you. Suddenly, a bright light blinds you, the sound of footsteps getting closer. And closer. Until you can feel his hot breath cascading down your exposed skin. Him. The man you should be afraid of but the very one you long to have touch you. Kiss you. Fuck you."

To add to the dramatic moment, I raked my fingers down the side of my neck, marveling in the feel of my hammering pulse. I slowly brushed the tips between my breasts, making cooing sounds. Or what Cara would call porn sounds. I could tell I already had them enraptured.

"Then what?" Janie asked, her voice barely audible.

"Then you feel his touch, the rough pads of his fingers. A rush of adrenaline forms, your stomach suddenly in knots. You can hardly breathe as both terror and excitement tickle your senses. You strain to see his face but the light prevents you from seeing anything." I allowed myself to become breathless, my pussy aching as I envisioned the mystery man once again.

The purposeful silence was met with a groan from at least two of the girls.

"And?" Cara insisted.

I opened one eye, grinning from seeing they were all sitting on the edge of their seats.

"Then nothing. You wake up." It was my turn to tease them for what they'd done to me.

"Keep going. Don't you dare stop," Sierra huffed as she slapped me on the leg.

"Ouch!" We laughed together and I had a strange rush of sensations. There was someone watching us intently. I could feel it. I glanced toward the trees, scanning the dense forest. A slight cracking sound drew my attention a couple of seconds later and an icy chill immediately drifted down my spine.

"What's wrong?" Janie turned her attention to the location I was staring at.

"She's worried her mystery hunk won't find her here." Sierra rocked back and forth before reaching for the bottle of champagne.

"Very funny," I snarled, trying to drag my mind from the intense moment of raw fear.

A part of me wanted to find out if I was right, certain it was the same man but the commonsense girl inside of me knew I was being ridiculous. There was no one out there. Besides, if there was a monstrous creature, I wasn't interested in becoming front page news after starring in an imaginary horror flick. Not this girl. I'd learned that caution was the best advice in every situation. Or I should say that had been drilled into me since my mother had been… found murdered.

A lump formed in my throat, my heart pounding in my ears. I was being more than just ridiculous.

"Come on. You need to finish the story," Janie pushed.

She was right. After another sip of champagne, I leaned forward, taking a few seconds to shift the glass from one hand to the other as I locked eyes for a few seconds with each of my friends. "Then he wraps his long, muscular fingers around your neck, pinning you against a tree. And he lets you know exactly what his intentions are, his deep baritone booming into the night sky."

Another dramatic pause.

Cara almost fell out of her chair. "What? What does he promise to do?"

"To whip you before feasting on your pretty pink pussy before fucking you in every. Single. Hole. The end." I leaned back with a hard thud, laughing harder than I'd done before. If they were men, I would have left them with blue balls. Of course, I'd been told that was my specialty by the last two men I'd dated, refusing to give into their disgusting wishes.

"Oh, you really are a bitch," Janie snorted as she flicked some of her bubbly in my direction.

"Why, yes. Yes, I am."

"Drink up, girls. We have another bottle to finish and toasts to be made," Sierra said.

"And men to devour," Cara added.

"It's your turn, Cara," I told her. "Come on. Are you interested in being tied up and tossed in a trunk?" I teased, the thought bringing me another series of shivers.

"Oh, my. That sounds wicked as hell," Sierra cooed. She jerked up, heading toward the cooler she'd dragged out of her tent.

"Well, let's see," Cara started. "What if I told you I'd already done that?"

"You have not!" I exclaimed, pushing her with my hand. "Confess. Have you really?"

Cara laughed then gave me a heated look. "If I told you then I'd have to kill you."

"She is such a horrible tease," Janie huffed. "If you don't tell the truth, I'll be forced to give away all your dark secrets."

"You wouldn't dare," Cara cooed, and it made me wonder what I'd been missing.

The popping sound as Sierra released the cork sent a strange wave into my system. A little hint of fear.

She raced over while the bubbly was still fizzing down the side of the bottle. "Give me your glasses. Go, Cara. We need to hear details."

"Fine. Twist my arm. Well, one night Tyler surprised me," Cara started. "He's a very kinky guy."

Tyler, the model most likely to give me the creeps. Yeah, he was drop dead gorgeous, but he had crazy eyes. Maybe we all had little secrets we'd kept from each other, mine being her boyfriend had roaming eyes.

And hands.

Which is why I couldn't stand to be around the jerk. Or hear any stories about him for that matter.

While she told the sex story in vivid details, not leaving anything to the imagination, I shifted my attention back to the forest surrounding us. I glanced from one side to the other. There was no one there, or so I hoped, but I could swear I felt someone still watching.

Forever watching.

Chills raced down my spine, almost like the girls were telling ghost stories instead of providing dirty little secrets.

One admittance turned into Janie's then Sierra's turn. By then I was a little turned off and I wasn't entirely certain why. We'd drained the champagne and I hated to admit it that I was feeling a little tipsy.

"It's time for bed, girls," I said, ready to get up and fight my way to the fabulous tent.

It was another on cue moment, the crack I heard before immediately followed by three distinct howls coming from the trees. For some crazy reason, at that moment it felt as if the four of us had been tossed into the middle of that very horror movie I'd thought about more than once. I had to wonder which one of us would be the idiot running in the wrong direction, straight into the arms of the monster.

Sadly, I knew instantly I wasn't so lucky to be in the middle of a bloodbath. The voices, even as animalistic howls, were too recognizable.

"What the hell?" Sierra jerked up but I already knew what to expect.

Their boyfriends were crashing our girls' night out.

Once again, I'd be left all alone.

I hated myself when I felt a single tear. Sometimes I couldn't stand my life.