Page 15 of Dread’s Beloved

I still don’t know what that looks like. For so long my life revolved around Zane. And now it doesn’t.

I park in my usual spot and Dread pulls up behind me. My dad is home, so there’s no reason for him to hang around.

I shut off my car and grab my purse from the back seat. “Thanks for making sure I arrived safe and sound.”

“You want me to stick around?”

“Nah. Dad is here and I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”

“Looking out for you isn’t a hardship, babe.”

My stomach goes all warm and gooey at him calling me babe, even though I know he doesn’t mean it like that. Tonight was him just doing what my brother asked while pissing Zane off. I don’t need to read into it more than that.

“I’ll be all right.”

“At least let me walk you to the door.”

“Suit yourself.” He falls into step beside me.

It’s a cloudy, cool night. Fall is settling in. Soon the leaves will start changing color and falling off the branches. It's my favorite time of year. Not too hot. Not too cold. Soon the hills and mountains will be orange, yellow, and red before everything turns gray and looks dead.

Dread takes my hand in his, saying, “Lead the way. I can’t see shit out here.”

I stifle a laugh. “Don’t worry, it's just us and the dead. And they don’t bite.”

“Unless the zombie apocalypse hits while we're standing here,” he mutters as I dig my door key out.

“Fat chance, but seriously. Thanks for tonight. Not just for driving me home. What you did on the dance floor was sweet. You didn’t have to. I know how people love to talk in this town. I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”

“The people of Kill Creek seeing me with a pretty woman having a good time helps my street cred. Way I see it, was you doing me the favor.”

“I doubt that.” I get the key into the hole and twist to unlock the door.

“Night, sweetheart.”

“Good night.” I lean in and kiss his cheek.

Dread gives me a blank stare, and my cheeks turn red. I rush inside and shut the door behind me. Why did I do that? I’m such an idiot.

I flop down on my bed and kick my boots off. I stare up at my ceiling, replaying the events of the night through my head. Analyzing and shifting through every conversation. Every stolen glance with Dread.

He’s not interested in me.

None of the guys see me like that. They all look at me like a little sister or view me as untouchable. I don’t know how to be single. I’ve been in a relationship since I was twelve. I gave Zane nearly fourteen years of my life. I know I’m done wasting time on men who don’t deserve me.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about a man. Any man. Definitely not Dread. And yet, as I lay here, I can’t help but smile at the way he handled me on the dance floor. With care and dominance. He didn’t ask for permission. He just went for it. I like that. I like it a little too much.

And with the calls and letters, I need a good distraction.

That warm, silky feeling threads through my lower belly, and I unbutton my jeans and close my eyes.

I slide my fingers inside my panties and let my imagination run wild.

Oh yeah.

I picture Dread and all the dirty things we’d do to each other.

Chapter Six