Page 50 of Feel Free to Scream

I would not want to be in Dez’s shoes right now. It’s wild to me that she’d push the buttons of a guy like that.

Is it?

My mind flies back to last night. To the jolt of electricity pressed right at my clit when I earned a punishment. At the time, it was overwhelming. So much so I screamed. I must have had tears in my eyes. Today, the only response is—embarrassingly—my thighs clenching, and my core heating at the memory.

Yes, it was a lot. It didn’t feel good…exactly. But itfelt. Right there.

Maybe Dez likes earning punishments.

I cut a little piece of pie—I’m not that generous—and lift it to Keller’s mouth, before trying it myself. My eyes widen.

Oh, this is good. Like very, very good. There’s a layer of something creamy, but a bit solid, like creme patissiere, and then a fruit coulis of sort, tangy and fresh. Then, the slightest hint of chocolate, all with the most perfect crust.

“No wonder you want to marry her,” I tell Markus honestly.

“Right?” he smirks.

“If she keeps saying no, can I marry her?” I joke, a little unsure.

I feel like there’s a fifty percent chance the guy might flip on me. But he just laughs. “Your funeral, Barbie.”

“Seriously, she should be a pro. Is she studying culinary arts?”

“No, believe it or not. She just locks herself in the kitchen and tries stuff.” He stares at Dez like he wants to eat her up.

“I’d love to spy on her. I mean, I like to bake, but I’ve never even seen anything like this, outside of fancy cooking shows or Instagram pictures.”

“You bake?” Keller asks.

I lift an eyebrow. “Oh, you didn’t know?”

The corner of his mouth hikes up. “I didn’t, actually.”

It occurs to me the rest of the table is silent. I cut up the rest of my pie in four pieces, and eat one, before sliding it to Liv, Lily and Jack, who all take a bite, and moan in delight, just like I did.

I’m glad Markus doesn’t explode at my sharing the pie slice. In fact, he seems rather smug at all the delight. Why wouldn’t he? He snagged the genius who bakes him his own pies all the time. Lucky guy. Suddenly, he doesn’t seem all that crazy about wanting to keep them to himself.

“How are you so ripped?” Lily asks him. “If I had a baker like that in the house, I’d be the size of an elephant.”

“Oh, I work it off,” he announces, his tone highly suggestive in my opinion. Then, he glances at me. “You can, you know. Spy on her, that is. She lives in my house—wyvern. Pop by any morning around seven. That’s when she likes to bake. She doesn’t mind. She’s given lessons to a bunch of people.”

“Oh!” I blink. “I mean, can I?”

Somehow, I thought I wouldn’t be welcome again in the Wyvern House.

Markus shrugs. “Sure. Dez likes you. Hey, how did the chat with Dad go?” he asks Keller.

I blink. “You’re brothers?”

That would explainso much.They look nothing alike, Markus being tall dark and handsome, while Keller’s rocking the Apollo vibe, golden blond and sky-blue eyes. But they’re equally stunning. But my internet search didn’t mention another son for Arlo.

“Cousins,” Keller corrects.

“Sort of,” Markus responds, rolling his eyes. “His aunt’s married to my dad.”

Yep. There’s definitely something in the water, then.

“Your dad acted as expected,” Keller tells him. “I’m very satisfied with the result—though not everyone will be.”

---