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The path rounds a small cliff, granting me a momentary reprieve from the ravenous llamas. But as soon as the path straightens and descends, the llamas run across the thin grass to beg for more.
Three more slices and I exit the llama enclosure. The next few areas are a bit quieter. The animals are interested in the bread but act a little less exuberant upon my approach. Zebras and Tibetan yaks. Brown bears and black bears.
The next section does not allow feeding. These animals either have special diets or are new rescues. Wolves and hyenas. Large cats and coyotes. Raccoons and peacocks and emu.
At the stop sign, I have the choice to exit or drive through the final enclosure. The elk and bison. I take a deep breath and aim my car to the right. As I approach the first gate, a large red sign with white letters greets me.
“No stopping in the elk or bison compound. Damage may occur.”
I swallow and accelerate forward. Gate one opens and I drive through. Elk meander nearby but aren’t interested in me at the moment. Continuing forward, gate two opens; the same red sign is on either side.
“What the hell did I get myself into?”
The first minute in the paddock is lackluster. Cars farther in have elk and bison corralling them. I grab slice after slice of the bread and toss them out the window into the field. It isn’t until I round the first corner in the loop that one of the bison takes an interest in my vehicle. And I may just have a heart attack.
Closing in on the car ahead of me, a bison shifts his gaze and steadily walks in my direction. Two breaths pass and that steady walk turns into a sprint.
“Oh shit!”
Heart pounding in my chest, I crack the window more and launch piece after piece out the window and away from my car. Mere feet from my car, the bison redirects and heads toward the offered snack. This happens two more times as I drive around the rest of the loop.
I exit the enclosure, drive out the main gate and park my car in the lot. Throwing the car in park, I drop my head to the steering wheel and press a hand to my chest.
“Nothing like looking death in the face… for entertainment,” I mutter.
Minutes pass as I work to level out my breathing. And once it does, once my heart finds its natural rhythm, I hate the first thought that filters in.
Alessandra.
The idea of bringing her to this place and laughing as we fend off the energetic llamas and colossal bison. Of the fight-or-flight rush we would both endure driving through certain areas. Followed by the need to drive off and find somewhere secluded to quell the surge of adrenaline.
I groan. “Why, brain? Why?”
Regardless of how much distance I put between myself and Alessandra, I can’t escape her.
After my first trip to Lake Lavender, it took several weeks to not think of our night together twenty-four seven. Slowly, the fantasy of her dimmed. Faded into the background as I worked all hours of the day and traveled to new towns.
The only time she snuck back in was when life got quiet and loneliness or horniness took hold.
Nights when I fisted my cock and tugged roughly, it was Alessandra who entered my mind. The image of her beneath me—head tipped back, lips parted, breasts smashed into my chest, nails digging into my back as my hips rocked in time with hers. On those nights, I swear I heard her whimpers in the room. Swear I felt the heat of her breath and slickness of her skin on mine. And when I came, it was with the name I’d given her on my tongue.
Firecracker.
Eyes closed, I bang my head against the steering wheel. Roll it side to side as I shove away thoughts of her.
Dad wants me in Lake Lavender for at least another eight days. Wants me to capture all the magic in this small town. But I may need to cut my trip short.
Six days. I have been here six days and I feel my control slipping. Control I need.
“One more day,” I whisper to myself. “I’ll give this trip one more day.” Then, I will drive home and spend the rest of my “time away” scouring the internet and reading the book I purchased at One More Chapter. Should be enough to write amagicalstory. It has to be. Because there is no way I can spend another week in this town.
My heart won’t survive.
CHAPTER10
ALESSANDRA
“Have a great weekend,” I say to Sharon as we exit the back of the coffee shop.
