Chapter Two

Alex

Oct 1st 12:31 AM

I’m okay. I’m fine. I have friends here with me, and I know we’ll get out. We have phones, and this is a business. They need good word of mouth, so they will rescue us if need be.

Pushing down the heavy weight laying on my chest, I slowly lead the others through the maze. The girls stumble and giggle, trailing along behind me, making me stop and wait for them several times. I do my best to ignore their nonchalance and steadfastly trudge through the maze. It’s a challenge to keep the panicked thoughts rattling through my head to myself, but with the drunken mood the girls are in, I know I’d draw their criticism.

The corn stalks aren’t as high as the hedges in my mind, and that is the only thing holding my fight-or-flight reaction in check. All I can think about is the sky blocked off from the giant bushes looming over me. Being alone back then only exacerbated the scars that feeling trapped had on my soul. So, while I’m still in a maze, I’m at least not by myself.

“You’ve got this, Alex,”

I mumble to myself. “You can do this. No need to spill your phobias to the girls.”

They’d probably just make fun of me for being afraid of the dark.

After another stumble from Hannah, I pause to wait for her and swipe my hands over my face. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart before it beats out of my chest. When a drop of sweat trickles down my spine despite the cooler temperatures, I know it won’t be long before my mind gets the best of me.

“Hey girls,”

I say with a slight tremble to my words, “can we walk a little faster? I’d like to get to bed before dawn.”

I add a small chuckle, hopefully coming across as non-confrontational as possible.

“Actually,”

Lainey says with a hiccup, “I need to find a bathroom. I’ve got to pee so bad!”

After those last few words slip out on a groan, she shifts from side to side, wringing her hands together as a distraction.

Giggles spill from the other two at Lainey’s ‘potty dance’, until they too grow silent while squirming.

“Come on, then,”

I say, grabbing Hannah’s hand to help her along.

It takes another fifteen minutes before we find our way to the end. At one point, I nearly broke down when we hit a dead-end, but Lauren only spun around and headed back, and Hannah dragged me along. I guess their need to pee trumped my potential emotional implosion.

As soon as the bonfire appears around the corner, the girls take off, presumably to find a bathroom. Me? I’m finally able to take a calming breath, even though I don’t stop walking until I find the closest log bench surrounding the fire pit. I drop to sit, staring off at the surrounding scene. It feels surreal that I survived one of my living nightmares. Focusing on the white-hot flames and glowing-red embers in front of me and the tall, green and yellow stalks behind me allows me to ground my consciousness.

As I look around, I see the spookily decorated farmhouse in the distance. Turning to focus on the food trucks where we got our hot chocolate, I jump when I notice one of the hired actors standing off to the side, staring in my direction.

Fuck. That dude is creepy. Is that a bloody clown mask?

I quickly turn away, instantly unnerved at his observation. While I wait for the girls, I busy myself with checking my phone, all while tracking movement with my peripheral vision. Another costumed man is walking toward me. Where are those girls? I turn to search for them, but they aren’t visible. They must have gone back to the front of the farm.

“Excuse me, miss.”

A voice that seems to come out of nowhere announces the steady approach of a farm actor. I spin, immediately recognizing this one isn’t the clown but the plague doctor. My heart pounds from the unexpected greeting, but I shake off the surprise in order to be polite.

“Um, hi. Hello,”

I stutter, still on edge from the stressful evening. His costume consists of low-key black jeans, a black shirt, a dark red tie, and a trim-fitting leather vest. The outfit is accented with lace-up black boots and black leather gloves. He wears the traditional beak mask, though it is relatively short, and a wide-brimmed hat covers his hair. Even though he’s fully covered, the stretch of his clothing around his wide shoulders and thighs helps me imagine the muscle he hides.

“You aren’t alone, are you? I’d fear for you in this big place with how dark it is, if you are. We want to ensure all of our guests are safe, so I thought I’d check in on you.”

The man's charming British accent floats across the night air with the embers of the fire.

“Hi, yes, I’m fine. My friends went to find a restroom.”

I smile, trying to be polite. I’m a little unnerved by his presence but not at all scared. He seems genuine, and that puts me at ease. Shaking off my anxiety from earlier, I stand and stow my phone in my back pocket before approaching him.

Once I draw close, I notice just how tall he is. I’m on the taller side of average for a woman, but he towers over me even with the boots I’m wearing. I’d say he’s at least six-foot-four, based on where the eyes of the mask hit; his hat makes him seem so much taller.

“I appreciate your concern. I should probably make my way to find them.”

“Would you like some company? I could even give you a small tour on our way.”

His offer is sweet, and I think I can hear a small smile in his words. There’s something in his tone, though; I can hear it. A warm, gravelly tone that contrasts with his elegant accent hints to an air of danger that floats around him. Yet, I don’t feel like I’m in danger. There are no nagging thoughts screaming at me to run. He told me I’d be safe with him, and every instinct I have is telling me he would do anything to keep his word. For me, at least.

As I near him, I can’t help but study his body language. He’s calm and collected but still has a daring and sexual presence that lures me even closer. He wears confidence and integrity like a cloak. It’s like his presence wraps me in a sense of security. What is it about this man? Something is pulling me in; not that I want to escape. But I also know nothing about him.

“I’d love a tour of the farm.”

“Delightful,”

he purrs, a smile teasing through the silky word. He extends his right hand, beckoning for mine. I raise my hand to take his, and the worn leather feels good under my touch. Too good, almost. Like he wears the gloves often, and they’ve conformed to his hands. They have warmed with hours of wear tonight, and when he leads me away from the fire pit, his hands transfer mine to hook under and around his elbow. The move is smooth, with precision and grace, despite his casual costume. That transition to lure me closer is hot, and I have no idea what his play is.

Walking across the lawn nearest the corn maze, my eyes keep glancing over the scene. I guess my distraction is self-preservation, ensuring we don’t venture into the torture I only just escaped.

“Tell me—”

the charming man begins, before his sentence drops off suddenly. “My apologies, but I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing your name.”

My gaze swings to my escort as a blush warms my cheeks. “Alex,”

I whisper as I smile up at him. A glint flashes behind the eyes in his mask, and I feel my body warm under his attention.

“Indeed, such a gorgeous name for a gorgeous creature. Tell me, Alex, do you enjoy Halloween?”

A shiver runs down my spine as his words seem to hide an underlying meaning. I answer honestly, yet I don’t disclose everything; it doesn’t matter how charming he is, my secrets are just that. Mine.

“I like autumn. Spooky season is a bonus for the collection of months that make up my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather and changing of the leaves. I can finally enjoy hot cocoa without burning up, and sweaters and leggings are my favorite outfits to wear.”

“I see,”

he says succinctly, before turning to point out the fields in the distance where livestock are usually kept. After he explains the animals were loaned out to a neighboring farm, he turns, gathering both of my hands in his. “And is there anything you don’t like? You were quite vague when I asked about the specific holiday.”

“Ah, um,”

I sputter, not sure I want to tell him the primary attraction to his farm is something I avoid. “I’m not a huge fan of mazes. My friends dragged me out here tonight as their designated driver, and I barely made it through without a mental breakdown.”

When my escort remains quiet, I continue, “I have some trauma that revolves around mazes. I hate feeling scared and out of control.”

“Ah, so that’s the crux of the matter. That’s such a shame,”

he murmurs, before he steps closer to me. The closer he comes, the hotter I feel my body become, and it has nothing to do with his body heat. Everything about him overwhelms me, in a good way—in a way where I feel his attention toward me is sexually charged, and I’m not used to that. The only serious attention I’ve had was from James, but compared to this, he was lazy and immature. This man radiates charisma and confidence, all of which are beginning to weaken my knees. My core tingles with the thought of what he could accomplish if his smooth and seductive tone truly translates to his skills.

“Sometimes, letting go of control can feel good.”

His murmured words barely reach my ears, but that doesn’t hide the lust in them. “I know your friends are likely to be back soon, but would you consider an experiment in control? One that I promise will banish the scarier thoughts? I’d love to give you pleasurable memories of giving up control.”

He reaches a hand up, slowly caressing my cheek as he waits for my response.

My mind spins out of control, considering everything that has happened tonight. The maze, and the anxiety from it. The guilt for taking care of my drunken friends. And then meeting this man. This man I don’t even know, and yet he’s set my body ablaze with just his words and actions. I’m afraid to accept his offer, but I’m curious what he means and what I’m willing to risk. Can I trust him?

“I can make your body tremble in ways you’ve never known, nor will you ever forget,”

he says, growling softly.

Fuck. At this point, I’m too intrigued and worked up to care. My friends will find me soon enough, and there are a few other people enjoying the haunted maze. Throwing caution to the wind, I look up into his mask.

“Show me.”

Two words, barely above a whisper, spark something between us. It’s a physical, carnal reaction that radiates back and forth. He raises my hand underneath his mask, and I feel warm, pillowy lips gently caress my knuckles.

“Dear Alex, I cannot wait to see you lose control and revel in it.”

He grasps my hand and leads me away. I notice quickly he’s guiding me toward the back of the farmhouse, and a wave of hesitation washes over me. With a shock, I pull my hand from his, and he pauses to look back.

“Love,”

he says with gentle words, “I’m only trying to bring you somewhere discreet. I don’t want you to feel exposed when I help you lose control. I believe it will be a memorable experience for you—one I doubt you want to share with anyone else.”

Goddamn, his confidence is sexy. And he’s right, if he is ready to rock my world, then I don’t want these people seeing. I nod, reaching my hand out to him again. I can feel just how wet my panties are from everything leading up to this, and I need more from him than words.

Slowing his pace, he tugs me around the back corner of the house and leads me to a porch hidden from view. Extending his hand, he leads me up the small stairs to the cover of darkness that awaits. Once I step up and into the shadows, his warm body quickly closes the distance between us. I shudder with anticipation; a white-hot electricity jolts from every point of my body he brushes against. I’m imagining just what parts of his body touch mine when he nudges my hand with his hat.

“Hold this for me, please? I need to remove my mask for what I have planned for you.”

My eyes close of their own accord as I feel his hardness poking my back. Fuck, he is tall.

I hear a soft click from a buckle behind me before a swish of fabric reaches my sensitive ears. Within mere moments, his gloved hand swipes my hair off my back and onto my shoulder. Those soft lips I felt on my hands descend onto the sliver of skin peeking out above my collar. A moan escapes my lips as his hands wrap around my body, caressing and gently grabbing ahold of my curves. Those large hands deftly unbutton my jeans, and my core clenches in the promise of more.

The plague doctor reaches around me with both hands, the necktie he once wore stretching before me. Raising it higher, he silently asks permission to blindfold me. Fucking hell, why not. I chuckle nervously as he gently wraps the tie and binds it.

“In for a penny, in for a pound,”

I say nervously. His only response is the soft squeeze of my hand after he retrieves his hat. Now that my sight has been removed, my hearing amplifies, making every squeak and brush of fabric so much louder. I can hear him manipulate his hat in his hands before replacing it on his head. Stepping backward, he grabs ahold of my hand, gently turning and stopping me before the steps.

“Sit down on the steps, Love.”

Barely whispered words sound like they are shouted; his deep voice seems to cut right through me. I reach for the railing and slowly lower myself to the first step before waiting for more instructions.

A warm hand wraps around the back of my neck before suddenly those warm lips graze against mine. Not enough for a full kiss, but enough to where I tilt my head up, reaching for him. The movement opens me up and allows him to lay me down against the rough boards of the porch, but I don’t care. This man promised me trembling.

His hand gently circles my neck, lingering on my pulse before moving down the center of my body. The soft brush of his hands over my tits draws an arch from my back. My nipples react instantly, stiff and aching for his touch. Once he reaches my waistband, he lowers the zipper ever so slowly. The teeth tick loudly to my sensitive ears, and the sound causes ripples of need to ricochet throughout my body.

The double tap on my wide hips startles me out of my spiraling thoughts of need. I raise my ass off the step, and he peels my jeans and plain black cotton panties down my legs. It's there that he struggles, having to reach down and remove one of my boots before slipping my clothes off. Once free from the restraints, his hands move up to my thick thighs, spreading them wide. The crisp night air rushes in against my throbbing heat, and I squirm for relief.

Without hesitation, he trails a finger from my apex through my soaking center before slipping it inside my entrance. An embarrassing groan slips free from my lips, desperation for release already pulling my words away, allowing only soft moans of desire and pleasure. I can hear panting from above me, and I know this is both a challenge and a performance of just how high he can take me.

With a shuffle, I suddenly feel his broad shoulders settle between my thighs. I know what he’s about to do, but the shock of his warm, wet tongue licking through my folds still elicits a loud gasp from me. “Shh, Love,”

he whispers. “Unless you want other monsters in the night to find us.”

Those husky words give me caution, but my thoughts run off, imagining what that might be like.

He doesn’t let my mind wander, though, as he pulls his finger almost all the way out of my pussy before slowly thrusting two fingers in and massaging my walls. He leans in, gently wrapping his lips around my clit. With the slightest suction of his mouth, I see stars. I cover my mouth to prevent any unnecessary noises. My partner, however, is only just beginning.

Groans vibrate through his lips and tongue as he laps at me. I shudder, the tension in my body already building. When he slips a third finger inside me, I can feel the stretch of my walls. A gush pulses from me, and he becomes frantic, licking and sucking in a frenzy as his fingers pump inside of me. Finally, he curves his fingers up, stroking that spot inside and pushing me over the edge. My body seizes, my core clenching hard on his fingers as I bite my lip to stop from screaming. My head tips back as I arch and grind on his tongue, reveling in the explosion of pure bliss. As my orgasm subsides, I melt into a puddle of complete ecstasy right there on the steps.

I only vaguely feel him withdraw his hand and stand back. As I try to calm my racing heart, I hear a soft sucking sound before a muffled groan.

After taking a deep breath, I struggle to sit up. I suck in air when my stomach muscles twinge from the strain of the powerful orgasm I experienced. When I’m finally sitting upright, I remove the tie that hid my view and look around. Only, no one is with me.

I don’t know what to think. He blindfolded me to hide his identity. I get that. I guess I can understand why he wouldn’t stick around. But he spoke the truth. He promised to make me feel out of control, but for me to enjoy it. And, fuck me, I enjoyed the way he made me tremble, just as he said he would.

I remove the tie, dropping it to the porch floor before I slowly redress. A slight ache blooms between my legs; I guess I shouldn’t be surprised I am sore after the littlest action. It has been months since I broke up with James. I wasn’t going to give my body to him after I caught him with another girl.

After I slip my boots back on, I quickly rush back to where I last saw my friends. I turn the corner of the farmhouse, seeing Lainey and Lauren holding back Hannah’s hair as she empties her stomach into the bushes near the front. I glance around, noticing the lights on the house are now off, and it seems the place closed down while I was otherwise occupied.

“Hey, sorry, I got distracted with one of the horror actors,”

I say as I approach them.

“It’s ok,’“ Lainey mumbles. “We only just stepped away from the toilet trailers. Hannah was fine until we had to take turns inside, and the smell is what got to her, I think. This”—referring to our friend groaning and wiping her mouth—“only started a few minutes ago as we were starting to look for you.”

“Okay. I’m glad I have a bucket in the trunk of my car, just in case,”

I say as I loop Hannah’s other arm over my shoulder. The walk to the car isn’t long, and as I get Hannah settled, Lauren leans back against the side door.

“Why didn’t you answer my texth?”

Her slurred question causes a wave of panic to crash through me.

“What?”

“Yeas, I texthed you while I was waiting to pee.”

Fucking hell; I reach for my phone in my back pocket but, of course, it’s not there. I lean down, head dropping to the door, as I debate trying to find someone now that the event has closed for the night.

“Call them from home tomorrow, babe. I’m sure they found it,”

she says with a sleepy yawn.

“Alright. Get in. It’s time to get you all home.”

As I pull onto the road, the thoughts racing through my head are so confusing. I enjoyed myself, despite the maze. The girls were hilarious, when I wasn’t almost panicking. I just can’t believe my night ended with an unexpected orgasm but without his name or my phone.