31. Lily

Clutching my arms around my waist, I stroll the grounds where the carnival is set up next. This isn't a life I ever envisioned for myself. Yet, here I am, with my best friend by my side.

Alice and Lars are an inferno together. Lars's obsession with her is fierce, almost maddening. He clings to her like she's the oxygen he breathes, which, admittedly, can be grating. And I thought Cade was possessive.

I can't deny that I wanted him to come to my apartment and force me to leave with him a week ago. There's something fundamentally wrong with me. Cade's dominance ignites a fire within, a raw, unquenchable need. I crave it. Especially when he forces himself on me wearing a mask.

"Wait up, angel!" Cade's voice cuts through the air.

I spin to face him, my pulse quickening at the sight of those dark, desire-filled eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?"he murmurs, his arms coiling around me like a vice.

"I'm just exploring,"I whisper, melting into him. "And thinking."

"Thinking about what?"he demands, his voice a low, thrilling growl.

"How crazy this all is. Me and you."

He kisses me roughly, stealing the breath from my lungs. "Nothing crazy about it. We're meant to be, baby."

Heat flushes my cheeks as I glance away. "You're right. We're meant to be together. I can't imagine my life without you now."Nervous, I bite my lip and meet his intense gaze. "There's been something on my mind lately..."

Cade raises a brow, his eyes darkening with curiosity. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."

"A kink I want to explore more."

He groans softly, his grip tightening. "What kind of kink?"

"Rape fantasy,"I breathe, my voice barely a whisper. "I know we've done it, but I want to role-play it more seriously."

My heart races as I wait for Cade's reaction. His eyes blaze with desire, and he pulls me closer, his voice low and gravelly. "Rape fantasy sounds fucking hot. You've been holding out on me, baby. I knew there was a naughty side to you waiting to be unleashed."

I flush under his intense gaze. "I thought you might not want to..."

Cade cuts me off with a rough kiss, his tongue plundering my mouth. "Oh, I want to. I'm going to make all your filthy fantasies come true. Now, tell me exactly what happens in this fantasy of yours."

I glance around, wondering if someone might hear us. It's absurd, considering some of the guys have actually gotten off on watching us fuck. Knowing their names now, it's a bit embarrassing seeing them. Nash, Remy, and Colt all pretend they didn't see me get taken in both holes that night.

"Getting shy, angel? How about we find somewhere quieter?"

I smile. "Where do you have in mind?"

He grabs my hand roughly, dragging me away from the carnival camp toward the forest.

"Where are we going?"I demand.

"Somewhere private,"he says, a predatory glint in his eyes.

I follow Cade into the forest, my heart pounding with raw anticipation. He leads me down a winding path until we reach a secluded clearing. With a sudden, forceful movement, Cade pins me against a tree, his body pressing urgently into mine.

"Tell me about this fantasy of yours,"he growls. "I want to know every filthy detail."

I flush with a mix of embarrassment and arousal, but the hunger in his eyes pushes me on. "I imagine being taken against my will...forced. You catch me off guard, maybe alone in the trailer or wandering somewhere, and you're wearing a mask."Biting my lip, I hesitate.

"Keep going, baby. I want to know."

Drawing a deep breath, I lock my eyes with his intense gaze. "You don't take no for an answer. You just...take me while I scream and shout for you to stop."I arch my back, the thought alone making me shiver. "You slam inside me and fuck me senseless."

Cade groans, grinding his hips against me, his desire palpable. "Fuck yes. I'll make that happen for you when you least expect it. Surprise you out of the blue."

I take a deep breath as Cade pulls me closer, his words sending a shiver of raw excitement through me. This dark, twisted fantasy feels strangely right with him. Our connection is deeper than I ever imagined.

"I trust you,"I whisper, locking eyes with his intense gaze. "We might need a safe word."

Cade's expression darkens, confusion giving way to something more primal. "A safe word?"

"Yeah, in case it's too much, and I need you to stop."

A dangerous glint flashes in his eyes. "Fuck, Lily. You're asking me to rape you, but you also want an out?"His jaw tightens. "I'm not sure I can stop once I'm inside you."

My stomach flips at his words. "Why?"

"Because you're fucking addictive. Because I can't get enough of you."

Moaning, I arch my back, desperate for him. "Cade,"I breathe.

"What do you want, angel?"

"You,"I respond, voice thick with need.

An animalistic growl escapes his lips. "You can have me, but that fantasy must wait until the right moment. When you're unsuspecting."

I nod eagerly. "Yes, but I need your cock now,"I murmur.

"Fuck,"he breathes, quickly freeing his hard length and lifting me off the forest floor, pinning me against the tree. "Beg for it, angel."

I suck in a breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Cade's intense gaze ignites every nerve in my body.

"Please, Cade,"I beg, grinding against him. "I need you inside me."

He growls, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. Rational thought flees as his large hands roam my body. When we break apart, we're both panting.

"Turn around," he commands.

I obey instantly, bracing against the tree. Cade presses against my back, his hardness pressing into me. One hand grips my hip while the other teases me between my thighs.

"So wet for me, angel,"he murmurs, biting my neck. "You want this as much as I do, don't you?"

I can only whimper in response, my mind shrouded in a fog of lust. Cade chuckles darkly, savoring the moment as he slowly pushes inside me, stretching me. We groan, the raw sensation electrifying us, and he pauses to let me adjust.

"Move, Cade,"I plead, my voice barely more than a breath. "Please, I need you to move."

With a primal growl, he begins thrusting, the sound of skin slapping skin reverberating through the clearing. I bite my lip to stifle my cries, but Cade tsks disapprovingly.

"Let me hear you, angel,"he commands. "I want to know how much you're enjoying this."

I throw my head back, surrendering to my moans. Cade sets a punishing pace, driving me closer and closer to the brink. When I think I can't endure anymore, he reaches around to rub tight circles on my clit.

"Come for me,"he rasps in my ear. "Let everyone know who you belong to."

I moan shamelessly, my cries piercing the secluded clearing. Cade's fingers expertly work me, sending electric shocks of pleasure through my body. My orgasm builds rapidly, coiling tighter and tighter until it finally shatters through me.

"That's it, angel,"Cade growls, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "Come for me."

I clench around him, my walls fluttering as wave after wave of ecstasy crashes over me. Cade's pace never wavers, drawing out my climax until I'm trembling and oversensitive.

"Please,"I whimper, uncertain what I'm begging for.

Cade chuckles lowly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Please, what, Lily? Use your words."

I take a shaky breath, trying to collect my scattered thoughts. "I-I don't know. Just...more. I need more."

"Your wish is my command."He punctuates his words with a particularly hard thrust that has me crying out.

Cade continues pounding into me relentlessly, his grip on my hips bruising. The sounds of our frantic coupling fill the air, mingling with the distant noises of the carnival. We should be more discreet, but at this moment, I don't care who hears.

"Cade,"I gasp, feeling the familiar tightening. "I'm going to come again."

"Then come,"he growls, his fingers returning to my swollen clit. "Come for me, Lily."

The combination of his skilled touches and the intense friction of his cock stretching me sends me hurtling over the edge. My orgasm rips through me, leaving me shaking and boneless. He groans lowly, his movements becoming erratic as he chases his own release.

With a final, deep thrust, Cade stills, spilling himself inside me. We stand there, panting, as the aftershocks ripple through us. Cade places a surprisingly gentle kiss on the back of my neck before slowly withdrawing.

I wince at the loss of contact, already missing the feeling of him filling me. Cade turns me around and pulls me into a tight embrace, his heartbeat thundering beneath my ear.

"You were perfect, angel,"he murmurs, kissing my forehead.

A deep sigh escapes me as I burrow deeper into his embrace, feeling an intoxicating mix of safety and desire, the outside world dissolving into oblivion.

"We should get back before they send out a search party,"he jokes, taking my hand and guiding us out of the woods.

The sun dips low, casting a burning orange glow over the carnival. I spot Alice by the food stands, her laughter with Lars a distant echo in the electrifying air.

"There you are!"she calls out, her voice dripping with relief and suspicion. "I was beginning to think you two ran off together."

I roll my eyes, feeling the weight of her gaze. "Very funny. We went for a walk."

Alice gives me a knowing look, and my face burns, but she doesn't push it. We dive into an effortless conversation as the four of us grab dinner—steak sandwiches dripping with juices and cold beer. It's almost normal, a fleeting illusion of simplicity. For a moment, I can pretend I'm not ensnared in a dangerous affair with a madman.

The carnival lights flicker on as the sky descends into darkness, casting a surreal glow over the chaos. Tinny music, the shouts of vendors, and the piercing screams from the rides create a symphony of sensory overload. It's chaotic, yet oddly comforting.

As the night wears on, exhaustion starts to creep in. It's been a long day. Part of me struggles to grasp that this is my reality now, but another part knows this is where I belong.

Cade notices my weariness and pulls me close, his arm a possessive band around my waist. "Ready to call it a night, baby?"

I nod, sinking into his embrace. "Yeah, I think so. It's been quite a day."

He chuckles, pressing a kiss to my temple. "That it has. Let's head back to the trailer."

We say our goodbyes to Alice and Lars, promising to meet for breakfast in the morning. A profound sense of belonging washes over me as we walk through the carnival grounds. This nomadic life, laced with excitement and raw passion, suits me in ways I never expected.

Cade unlocks the door to our trailer and ushers me inside. This small space has become our sanctuary, where we strip away all pretense, leaving judgment and prying eyes behind.

I slip into an oversized t-shirt, the fabric grazing my skin as I crawl into bed. Cade joins me moments later, pulling me into the firm embrace of his arms.

"I love you, Lily,"he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion and desire. "I know our relationship isn't conventional, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Tears prick at my eyes as I gaze up at him. "I love you too, Cade. You've shown me a side of myself I never knew existed. I'm grateful for that, for you."

He kisses me tenderly, pouring all his love and devotion into it. As we part, I nestle into his chest, feeling safe and cherished.

Sleep begins to tug at my consciousness, and I surrender, secure in the knowledge that Cade will be by my side when I wake. Our journey together is just beginning, and I'm eager to see where it takes us.