Page 55 of Not Another Dark Romance

I’m going to go to jail. I knew this situation was too good to be true.

Fuck, I had no idea when I woke up this morning with Mason wrapped in my arms that it would be the last time.

And I never even kissed him.

Somehow, despite everything else, that’s my biggest regret. Because even as I face a future behind bars, I can’t find it in myself to regret knowing him. Mason set me free in a way I never could have imagined. He showed me a life and a happiness that I never would’ve experienced without him.

If my future is the price I’ll have to pay for the time we did have together, it was worth it. I just hope my friends don’t get dragged down with me. Grant might’ve accepted my bi-identity with ease, but I don’t think he could accept me being a kidnapper and abuser.

Hearing Mason inevitably tell me it was all a lie is going to break me.

Holy shit. What a weird moment to realize I’m in love with him.

Because that’s what this is, isn’t it? The way my heart feels like it’s crumbling in my chest at the thought of things between us truly being over. The way I simply can’t imagine a future without him in it.

Mason turns into the park, still running away from me as he takes the path that leads toward a small river. The park is barely lit, and I haven’t seen anyone yet. Having nearly a full moon helps illuminate the path though, and I close in on him, only a few feet between us now. Maybe he’ll give me a chance to explain… to tell him how I really feel and beg him to come back with me. Find a way for us to work things out.

He looks over his shoulder, and his eyes widen as he confirms I’m just behind him now. To my surprise, he leaves the path, slowing down as he approaches a cluster of thick trees. It would be easy to lose him if he continues into the forest, but he stops in front of an oak tree, spinning completely to face me.

He’s panting, his chest heaving as I follow, only stopping when I’m right in front of him. I raise my arms to lean against the tree on either side of his head to trap him there so he can’t try to escape again.

He looks up at me with an unreadable expression, parts his lips, and I slowly shake my head, dreading the next words out of his mouth. He’s never said it, but I know this is the moment he’ll finally use his safe word.

I also know I don’t have it in me not to listen to it.

That I’ll let him go.

“You boys alright? I saw you running through the park just now,” a deep, slightly out-of-breath voice calls out, and I look over my shoulder to confirm my absolute nightmare has come to life.

A fucking police officer is here.

And he just caught me chasing Mason.

My blood freezes over as my entire body fills with dread, and I turn back to look at Mason one last time before he answers with my damnation.

The corners of his mouth lift, and a warm smile takes over his entire face as he turns his gaze to the cop. I try to commit his smile to memory, to catalog every detail of his perfect features as he finally opens his mouth to turn me in.

25

Ican’t believe my brilliant idea led us right to a cop. What shitty luck, but we weren’t doing anything illegal or wrong—at least, I don’t think making your captor chase you through the night into a park to hunt you down and confess how much he doesn’t want to let you go is illegal—so I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Even if this isn’t one of my more thought-out plans, it’s turned into a great one. Just like stalking him way back when we first met. Tonight, I was hoping that Zane would catch me, shove my face into the dirt and fuck me primal style, but I guess we’ll have to save that for another time.

Zane looks like he’s seen a ghost. He’s staring at me with a slack jaw, which works in my favor because I’m ready to seize the moment.

“We’re fine, Officer, thank you! My boyfriend was just proving that he is, in fact, much faster than me. I thought maybe my shoes were holding me back and being barefoot would help me, but I guess I just need to accept that he’s faster.”

“Is that right?” the dark-haired mustached man asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

“We just couldn’t go to sleep until we raced. Even got a head start and everything while he was taking our dog out, but it didn’t matter. He caught up.” I shift my attention back to Zane as I add, “Just like I knew he would.”

“You gave it your best shot,” Zane finally adds, playing along after he remembers how to close his mouth.

“Well, alright, maybe next time try this in the daylight. Technically this park’s closed at dark.”

“I don’t think we need a next time, but got it, Officer. Thanks for your help!” I say as cheerfully as I can, hoping he’ll leave us alone.

“Why don’t you head home now?” he pushes.