Page 27 of Dreamscape Therapies

Something twists in my chest.

“I mean…” He rubs the back of his neck. “We were called monsters for a reason, right?”

“Could you describe it?”

He hesitates before nodding uneasily. “I'm really tall. Over seven feet with a skull over my face and horns and a fur pelt.” He looks uncertain.

“So what you're telling me is that you're a seven-foot-tall buff skull beast?”

His cheeks turn red. “Yeah.”

Holy shit.

That is hot.

Very hot.

I take a large bite of beans before my face can betray me.

“I think that's cool.” I swallow. “I wish I could shapeshift. All I got was this scrawny body.”

Vincent looks at me; his expression is completely serious. “I think your body is great.”

My brain stops. Completely. The man has killed me.

I clear my throat and stare very intently at my plate. “Thanks.”

My face feels like it's on fire. Vincent seems completely unaware of the damage he's caused.

The conversation continues, and somehow, it gets easier. We talk about old urban legends, online college classes, books, music, bad movies. By the time I realize how long we've been talking, our plates are nearly empty, but I don't want the conversation to end.

Which is probably the first warning sign.

“So…” I try to keep my tone casual. “You mentioned your ex earlier.”

Vincent's fork stops halfway to his mouth, and he slowly sets it down. I instantly regret asking that particular question.

“Sorry.” I hold up a hand. “You don't have to answer.”

“No.” He takes a breath. “It's fine. I don’t mind talking about it. It was a long time ago now. We met online.” He pauses. “In a kink community, actually.”

Oh. I keep my face neutral. Supportive. Professional.

“I know how that sounds,” he says quietly. “But it wasn't like I was just looking for hookups.”

“I didn't assume that.”

“I was trying to find people who understood that part of me. The alpha thing. The dominance dynamics. It felt safer online. Less judgmental.”

I nod. “That makes complete sense.”

“Trent seemed perfect at first.” There's bitterness in his laugh. “He knew exactly what to say. Exactly how to make me feel like I'd finally found someone who understood me. I should've seen the red flags.”

“You were trusting someone.”

“I was desperate not to be alone.” His voice is quieter now.

My chest tightens. “You weren't desperate. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a connection with someone.”