Page 98 of XO Karma

“Sorry, Daisy Mae can’t come to the phone right now,” I say in a sweet Southern accent.

“Stop it, I’m getting hard,” he growls, and heat tugs between my thighs.

“I would have assumed by your nudes request you already were.”

There’s a pause on the line. “Hard-er.”

My stomach swirls as I find myself pacing the room, unable to remember the last time I felt this way. I shouldn’t feel this way. Especially about him. But damn, it’s been so long since I’ve had this chest-aching, skin-tingling happiness. And to be honest, I’m not sure it’s ever been quite like this. So free. So honest. So addicting.

“I should get you a new burner,” Aster suggests.

“Oh, really?” I flop stomach down on my bed. “I’m forced to use that piece of shit for weeks, but the second you realize we can’t send nudes, that’s the deal breaker?”

“What can I say? I’m a selfish man.”

“I’d argue you’re a giver.” He was the other night, that’s for sure. A smirk forms on my lips at the memory. What has my life become? I’m flirting with a serial killer, and I’m… enjoying it? But I can’t find it in me to stop.

He’s a murderer!

But he’s so deliciously hot!!!

“Well, I have a surprise for you,” he says, yanking me from the devil and angel fighting on my shoulders. I’m going to have to go with the devil.

“Please tell me you didn’t kill someone else.” My words are teasing, but I do freeze, realizing it’s a possibility.

“I did not,” he reassures me, and my body relaxes. “But I must warn you, my motives for this surprise are entirely selfish.”

“I’m listening…” My feet kick to and fro like a goddamn schoolgirl.

“Check your closet.”

“Aster!” My stomach drops. With excitement. Annoyance? No, hardly any annoyance. Why am I not more distraught? “You can’t keep breaking in.” I roll off the mattress and all but fall to the floor as I rush for the wardrobe.

A low laugh rumbles through the line. “How else would I watch you sleep?”

I freeze with my hand on the closet. “You didn’t.”

“No, I didn’t,” he confirms, and for some insane reason, my body deflates with disappointment as I slide open the door. “You were at Mocha Muse.”

The hangers clank as I finger through them until they land on a black garment bag. “How long has this been here? How have I not noticed it?”

“Since yesterday. Maybe you’ve been too distracted thinking about that hot guy who was apparently a very giving lover last weekend.”

“You are so cringe.” I chortle, placing the phone between my ear and shoulder as I tug out the bag and pull down the zipper. A gasp leaves my lips.

“Now, that’s the reaction I was hoping for.”

“Wow.” My fingers graze over the floral lace of a gorgeous baby blue gown. “It’s beautiful.”

“There’s a mask too,” he says, and sure as shit, there’s a matching mask hooked in the garment bag as well.

“This was highly unnecessary.” I hold the phone to my ear once more. “I had a dress to wear.”

“Yes, but you know I have a habit of cutting off clothes if they’re in my way, and I worried you’d stop me if it’s a dress you love.”

A moan almost escapes my mouth at the memory of him slicing off my panties. “I love this dress.”

“Should I have sent an uglier one?”