Page 22 of Sweet Dreams

I quicken my stride, trying to add space between us. I head toward the school, which is probably not the brightest idea. The streetlights are too distant to reach this side of the school. I keep going, not lettinganything stop me until I finally make it to the slide connected to the tower and bridge.

“You can’t run away from me all the time. Let me have my fun.” I hear his muffled voice behind me; his mask distorting his words.

“What kind of fun? You sicko.” The words are barely out of my mouth when his hand wraps around my hair and yanks me backwards into his chest. Before I can scream, his gloved hand covers my mouth.

“Shh.”

My heart is pounding so loudly that I can't even hear what's happening around me. I sense his hand shifting from my hair to my waist, stirring up a sense of familiarity, yet uncertainty clouds my thoughts. His gentle yet firm touch traces delicate patterns on my skin beneath my shirt, summoning a rush of tingling sensations down my stomach, creating a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

I slam my hand over his when he reaches the waistband of my jeans. Clarity is starting to make its way through me. I can't help but wonder, what am I doing here? Is this truly what I desire? Honestly, who am I trying to fool? Embarking on this adventure with a stranger, whom I'll probably never cross paths with again, feels like the most daring thing I've ever done. But they know who I am; they couldknow everything about me. They could ruin my entire life if they wanted to. They hold all the cards in their hands.

“Trust me.”

There’s that trust word again. I don’t even know this person; how can I trust them? He pushes his fingers inside my mouth until I gag on them. I move my hand away from the one on the waistband to take his fingers out of my mouth. When I feel his palm slide into my jeans, I freeze.

My stalker now knows I go commando. And it’s a free pass to the fucking clit. I dig my nails into his wrist, trying to remove his fingers from my mouth, but it’s no luck. He pumps his fingers in and out until drool falls from my mouth. When he withdraws them, his fingers in my jeans start moving.

“Fuck.” I groan when his finger slides inside.

His hand delves into my hair, yanking my head back and causing me to arch my back. His finger buries deeper as his palm rubs against my clit. I brace myself against a pole by the slide when my legs shake. With each stroke of his finger, my hips meet the stroke of his palm, trying to chase the orgasm that my clit desperately needs. He must notice because he slides his finger out and presses them on my clit.

“Fuck my fingers,” he demands.

I don’t think twice; my hips move, grinding on his hand, sending shockwaves throughout my body. He releases my hair, wrapping his hand around my waist and lets out a small groan when my ass rubs against his hard-on. His fingers press harder into my clit, the more I push into him. I also want him to come, and I won’t stop until he does.

He drops his head on my shoulder, and the glow from his mask reminds me that I’ll never know who this is. But it only drives me wild at this moment. He pulls me closer to his body the more I grind into his hand, and I hear his breath hitch and a quiet ‘fuck’ falls from his mouth. His nails bite into my skin as he chases his orgasm. Just hearing that sends my world tumbling.

As I let out a loud moan, he quickly covers my mouth with his hand to muffle the sound. My legs feel like they're about to give out, but he steadies me by pulling his hand away and wrapping his arm around me for support. That has been the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had by far. He removes his hand from my jeans, and the cloud slowly clears; I realize what I have done.

I slowly move away, watching him stay where he is. He cocks his head to the side as if he’s watching his prey get away.

“This can’t happen again. I had a lapse of judgement. Whatever your fascination is with me, you can forget about it. You got what you wanted. Now, leave me alone. I have a boyfriend.”

He tilts his head back and bursts into a hearty laugh.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sweets. But we both know you don’t.”

His nickname sends my stomach into a frenzy and gives me electrifying shivers from head to toe. I can’t stand here and be in his presence anymore. It’s too dangerous, and who knows what he’s capable of. Anything by the looks of it. Jesus, he stuck his fingers in me in public, for Christ's sake.

I step back as his mask switches off, plunging us into darkness. I stand there scared, not knowing what to think. As I reach into my back pocket, my fingers fumble around for my phone. With a quick press of a button, the flashlight bursts to life, illuminating the darkness around me. It's then that I realize I am completely and utterly alone.

“Are you kidding me, you asshole.” What am I even saying? Why am I getting angry at him? It’s good he left, he’s stalking me. Oh, my God. I’m losing my mind.

I swiftly leave the park before anyone notices me. The last thing I need is for Elma to catch wind of this. I wasn’t thinking, the pussy was leading the way on this one. I cut across Mr. Campbell's yard like I usually do if I come this way. I’m sure he knows, but he hasn’t said anything. Until he does, it shall be my shortcut, mainly to get away from a masked man.

As I turn the key in the backdoor and step inside, a feeling of safety envelops me. As I let out the breath, it fills the room with a sense of relief. I gently push the door closed and lean back, feeling the weight of the night start to lift off my shoulders.

What the hell am I going to do now? He’s taken things to the next level, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say he knows my daily routine. Who’s to say he hasn’t already been in my house? I had a sense of dread one morning. Was it because he was in here? I have so many unanswered questions I’m not even sure I'll get my answers.

I ensure the deadbolt is securely locked before checking the front door. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I can’t help it. I refuse to relax until either he’s out of my life for good or I unmask him and reveal his true identity. I swear I will unmask him one way or another. He won’t be able to hide forever.

I had the worstnight's sleep. The nightmare that woke me kept me up for hours. That’s how I know I’m under too much stress when outside shit is plaguing my dreams. The horror of dreaming of Nancy was enough to wake me from a dead sleep. Especially when that dream involved her showing up at the shop and shutting down the construction, that’s all I need. I can’t afford any hiccups. I hope this isn’t a sign of what’s to come.

When I turn the corner, I see it. The black Land Rover is parked outside my shop, and only one person in this town drives it. I don’t have time to call Dad and tell him to hurry and get his ass down here because World War III is about to start. Nancy’s hands are flying around while arguing with John.

Here we go.

“Nancy, what brings you down to the peasant part of town?” I casually walk up next to John, arms crossed, and shoot her my most intense glare.