Page 50 of Feverburn

“Your littlerevengeplot didn’t go as planned, did it?”

“Who’s to say? Maybe I got what I wanted after all.”

“Do you know what I want?”I asked.

“Tell me.”

“I want you to take that shirt off your pretty little body. Shorts and thong, too.”

“And then?”

“I want you to touch yourself. I know you need to finish what we started.”

“And what if I don’t?”Her voice was raspier than usual. It sounded like she was already touching herself.

I gritted my jaw and sucked in a deep breath.“Do I need to come and fix that attitude myself? I already broke down one door and can do it again, sweetheart.”

“Go on.”

“You mentioned something battery-operated and how it could replace me. We both know that will never happen, but I don’t mind theextrahelp. Run it over every wet part of you, and imagine it’s me.”Moments passed without a response from her, so I sent a single voice memo growling,“Now.”

I saw on my phone that she listened to it, so I went on this time in Greek, telling her all the filthy things I daydreamed about in a low, slow voice so she knew I wasn’t fucking around. It was easier todirtytalk in Greek. It felt more freeing and nastier, and it always worked.

After thirty minutes, I sent another voice memo.“Show me what I did to you.”

A picture of a black thong with a glistening patch on its center came through. I bit back a tortured groan and fought theurgeto drive back to the store. If I did, it would give her too much power. Gaining composure, I listened to the voice memo from her. She sounded husky and out of breath.“Don’t think this is over.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Remember what I did to you next time you consider wearing that damn shirt. If I see it again, I’m burning it.”

She purred back,“Good night, Carson.”The way she said my name sounded like an enchantment, a spell. It was then I realized I didn’t know who was truly running thissteamyfuckery.

All I know is that when I went to work the next day, the same black thong was wrapped around the bottom of my Yeti cup on my desk like someraunchysouvenir. And I fucking loved it.

The Flame

Chapter Twenty-One

Last night, Carson and I almost got caught devouringeach other in his office. The feeling of his bulge under the seams of my Levi’s mixed with his dominant voice memos had me a little too hot. I needed to cool off. Tonight, I avoided going home after work altogether, knowing if I were so much as two feet in front of the man, I’d fall to my knees tosuckhim off.

Instead of indulging in my whorish tendencies, I committed to myself, deciding to spend time in nature. After Silver Springs closed, I stayed and worked on some admin stuff. Then, once the night was in full swing, I drove out to the south of town.

As I pulled up to the small lake Viviane told me about, I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror, eyes sparkling and hairwildin curls from the humidity of summer. Hopping out of my vehicle, I peered up at the almost full moon, making her way higher in the sky from where she rose above a bluff. Her light tonight was silvery lilac and bright enough to see her patterns, craters, and my path to the water.

I ensured I was alone before I stripped off my clothes and waded into the lake with my hair down. The water was brisk, but my body adjusted to it quickly. Lights from cabins glinted on the lake far off in the distance, along with a gentle hum of crickets and the occasional call of a night bird. Other than that, it was just me and the moon.

I floated on my back, soaking in the calming water and lunar rays. Meditating, I focused on the stress from work and interacting with others, melting away from me with each wave. I let my hair fan out around me like a halo while tilting my head side to side, feeling it drag against the water. With each swish, I visualized my worries leaving me.

The summer air felt good on my breasts, the softness of my stomach, and the tops of my thighs sticking out of the water. I relaxed even more, held by the lake, suspended in her nurturing waters. I cupped some water and ran it over my chest to cleanse the rainbow moonstone pendant I wore. The round shape matched the moon above me.

My ears were underwater, but I could have sworn I heard a truck driving by. Willing to remain calm and present, I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping they didn’t see me. Seconds later, the heavy thunk of a door shutting carried across the lake. Standing up in the water, I squinted towards the shore. A dome light in a truck faded to black while a tall man made his way closer to me. A thrill coursed through my body, sensing he was close.

“Rosie?”his rich timbre echoed across the lake.

“Hey, Carson.”My voice was breathy and higher than usual.

Now, at the water’s edge, no more than thirty feet from me, he asked,“Are you doing witchy stuff under the moon?”

His observation made me even more enamored.

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