13. Lily

"Hey, Lily, can you lock up?" Daryl asks from the kitchen. "I've got a few errands to run."

My stomach twists at the thought of being here entirely alone, not that it made any difference having Darryl in the kitchen earlier.

"Sure, no problem," I say, despite not wanting to be left here alone. It's already getting dark outside, which only puts me on edge.

I finish cashing the register and doing some admin before locking the door to the office. When I return to the diner, my breath catches in my throat. There, sitting on the counter is a bouquet of white lilies.

My stomach churns because I instantly know they're from my stalker. I hesitantly approach the flowers, looking around warily even though I'm alone. There's no note attached, but the meaning is clear. He's been here. Inside. While I was in the other room.

A shudder runs through me, thinking about him sneaking in, unseen and unheard. Violating this space that's supposed to be safe. Leaving a "gift" meant to terrify me.

I want to sweep the flowers into the trash. Stubbornly, I leave them sitting there. I won't give my stalker the satisfaction of knowing how deeply he affects me.

I finish my closing tasks methodically, hyperaware of the lilies taunting me. Their pure white petals glow in the low light, and their delicate appearance contrasts the sinister threat they represent.

As I lock the diner door, a tutting sound behind me makes me freeze.

"Why are your flowers still in the diner, baby?" He moves out of the shadows toward me. "There's an important note you haven't read with them. Now be a good girl for me and retrieve them and follow the instructions, or you won't like what happens."

I'm frozen at the sound of his voice. My thighs tremble, but that traitorous ache ignites almost instantly. What the fuck is wrong with me?

To be fair, no man half as gorgeous as Cade has ever touched me, but his psychopathic tendencies should be enough to douse any desire toward him. Instead, I feel drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

"Do as you're told, angel."He's behind me, and I haven't dared turn to look at him. But his presence is overbearing.

My hands tremble as I turn the key and open the diner door again. The click of the lock echoing results in an appreciative sound from him. "That's my good girl."

I take a deep, shaky breath before stepping inside. The flowers sit perfectly on the counter, almost glowing in the low light. Taunting me.

Slowly, I approach them. I can feel his intense gaze following my every move. My heart hammers against my ribs.

I reach out and wrap my fingers around the stems. The lilies feel like velvet against my skin, deceptively soft and innocent for something delivered by a monster.

I lift the bouquet, my eyes scanning for the hidden note. There it is, a small white card nestled between two blooms. My fingers tremble as I pull it free, the anticipation electric.

With trembling hands, I unfold the notecard. In neat, precise letters, it reads:

Lily, my beautiful flower. Meet me tonight at 8pm by the Ferris wheel. Come alone. I'll be waiting.

-C

I suck in a sharp breath, my heart pounding. My stalker wants me to meet him alone at night? It's clearly a trap. However, we won't really be alone. The carnival is packed at that time every night. But the thought of disobeying his demands fills me with dread. What will he do if I don't show up?

I glance at the clock on the wall. It's nearly 7pm already. I've got an hour to decide if I'm brave enough to face my tormentor.

My legs shake, walking to the door, the note clutched tightly in my fist. Cade is no longer outside waiting for me. I don't know whether to feel relieved or more afraid.

Once home, I pace my small apartment, sick with indecision. I could call the cops, but he has proven he can evade them easily. And if I don't show up to meet him, what horrific retribution might he take?

7:45 arrives faster than I hoped. Hands trembling, I get in my car and begin the short drive to the carnival. My mind races with terrifying possibilities of what he has planned. But underneath the fear, a traitorous thrill runs through me. I tell myself it's morbid curiosity, not attraction.

The carnival looms ahead, bright lights cutting through the darkness. I park and make my way slowly toward the Ferris wheel, hyperalert. All the town is here, and kids' laughter fills the air, highlighting how tense I am.

I don't see Cade, but I sense his eyes on me. My cell pings, and I dig it out to see a text from Alice.

"Are you staying at mine tonight? Thought you'd be back by now."

Shit.

Now I've got to lie to my best friend about what I'm doing. This is so screwed up.

"No, I wanted to go home. Tired of being intimidated. I'll pick up the stuff I left in the morning."

Once the text is sent, there's no going back. He will have me exactly where he wants me. Alone and at his mercy, which a small twisted part of me wants more than anything.

I sense his presence and catch that scent of tobacco and leather before seeing him. His large hands land on my hips, forcing all the air from my lungs.

"You're such a good girl, Lily. I like this submissive side of you."His breath teases my earlobe. "Now it's time for me to show you why we belong together."

My breath catches in my throat when Cade squeezes my hips. Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I can't deny the electric thrill that shoots down my spine at his touch.

"We don't belong together,"I say, trembling. "I don't even know you."

Cade leans in close, his warm breath tickling my ear. "You do know me, Lily. I know everything about you. Your hopes, your dreams, your desires."His hands slide up from my hips, wrapping around my waist possessively. "Because I'm your sweet nightmare, angel. Did you know nightmares are so much more exciting than dreams?"

I suppress a shiver, unsure if it's from fear or unwanted arousal. Cade's muscular body presses against my back, enveloping me, making me feel tiny and fragile in his arms.

"What do you want from me?"I ask, desperation creeping into my tone.

He chuckles darkly. "I think you know exactly what I want."

One of his hands leaves my waist, trailing up my body. He gently grasps my chin, tilting my head to the side. I gasp as his lips meet the sensitive skin of my neck.

"We're meant to be together, Lily,"he growls against my flesh. "I knew it from the moment I first saw you. Tell me you feel it, too."

My treacherous body ignites at Cade's touch, my skin burning everywhere he kisses me. But my mind recoils in fear.

"Please let me go,"I whimper, even as my legs threaten to give out. "I don't want this."

Cade laughs, the sound sending chills down my spine. "Oh, but you do. Your body betrays you."His fingers trail down between my legs, brushing against my pussy through my panties.

I bite my lip to hold back a moan, ashamed at how my body is responding. This is so wrong but I'm helpless to stophim. Or myself.

His teeth graze my neck, and I gasp again. "Please..."I beg softly, though I'm unsure what I'm asking for.

His hand on my chin turns my head, bringing his lips crashing down on mine. I whimper into his devouring kiss, overwhelmed by dark desire.

"Mine,"he growls against my lips before claiming them again.