Page 58 of Haunt the Mall
He smirked and lifted my hand to kiss my knuckles. “I suppose you have a knack for tempting me into doing your bidding.”
Pleasure flicked through my chest with the smug snap of a cat’s tail.
Perhaps we were living dangerously. But we also had a lot of luck from earlier. And a lot of something else if I let myself feel it.
26
Waiver-Worthy Fun
Screams and shrieks shot through the night air. Orange sky bled into purple as the sun set on our haunted house line.
Victor frowned at the waiver. “They’re not responsible for any injuries, death, or psychological damage. Even those inflicted by the cast members.”
“Sounds like quite an experience.” I chuckled and signed the paper. Half the waiver’s lingo was written as a joke, so I wasn’t too worried.
He tugged his fingers through his bangs. “My apologies. I thought this was more of a walk-through with a few jump scares and creatures. This seems a lot more interactive.”
Was my spider man worried?
“I’m happy to try it. But if you’re having second thoughts, we don’t have to do this. They have a corn maze and midway games,” I said, smothering my disappointment.
“No, I’m more concerned about any legitimate risk of harm or upset. I don’t want you to regret…taking a chance.” The sincerity in his declaration disarmed me for a second.
Did he mean taking a chance on him or the Halloween attraction? Because either way, I was all in.
I looped my arm through his and handed in my waiver. “I’ll be fine. You’re here to hold my hand, and I’ve got my big girl boots on today. Anyone comes at us with a chainsaw, it’s hi-ya for them,” I joked, kicking the air.
The grumpy ‘ghoul’ at our station gave me a dark glare.
I smoothed my skirt. “Not that I’d ever attack a cast member.”
“Good, because they fight back,” the ghoul snarled, rapping their cane on the table. Excellent commitment to character.
“Next victims up,” a ghoul at the entrance crowed. The line surged forward.
“I suppose it’s time.” Victor swirled his signature, then sighed. “You won’t hate me if this is unpleasant, right?”
“Not unless you throw me to the evil clowns as a sacrifice.” I grinned, swaying into his side.
He gave me a dead stare. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Besides,” he leaned closer, his voice rumbling low with promise, “I’d rather be the one to make you scream.”
Well, fuck me, then.
I giggled and dragged him into the crowd instead of a dark corner where he could devour me. “Am I supposed to consider this foreplay?”
“Maybe. Assuming we both make it out in one piece,” he said.
We put our belongings in a locker, then made our way into an industrial, dark room.
Inhaling deeply, he gripped my hand tight.
A ghoul cackled at us. “Prepare for your worst fears to come true.”
I nudged Victor and whispered, “Thankfully, I don’t think they can make me live with my sister again.”
He arched his brow. “I thought you liked her.”
“No, my older one, Jennifer. She’s scarier than—”