Chapter 120
Chapter 120
“Chloe,” Amos’s voice came softly, near her ear. “Sweetheart, wake up. It’s getting close to sunrise p>
She blinked blearily, trying to get her bearings. Eventually, her brain came back online, and she sat up abruptly. “What–what time is it?” She scrubbed at her face, trying to get the sleep out of her eyes. “Oh, god, did I fall asleep on you? I’m so sorry, Amos p>
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Don’t be sorry, I enjoyed it p>
Chloe felt herself flushing. She normally wasn’t a bashful, blushing sort of person. But something about Amos’s sweetness brought it out in her. “Oh.
Um p>
He let his fingers trail gently along her jaw before he pulled back. “I don’t want to rush you, but if I’m going to see you safely home and then return to mine in time for the sunrise, we’ll need to leave soon p>
Less than an hour later, Chloe found herself standing in front of her mother’s house.
“Thank you for walking with me,” Chloe said, fishing in her pocket for her house key.
“Thank you for letting me,” Amos answered.
She nodded, hands stuffed in her pockets, weight shifting from heel to toe, heel to toe. “So… tomorrow p>
“Ah.” In the soft glow cast by the streetlights, Amos’s pupils dilated to predatory darkness. “Yes. I’ve been thinking on that p>
A dark thrill shivered over Chloe’s skin.
“The sun sets at 7:21 tomorrow. Wait until 7:30 to leave your house p>
“Will you be waiting for me p>
Amos grinned, a sharp curl of his lips that was so unlike his usual mildness. “I will be–but you won’t see me p>
“Oh,” she breathed.
“You’ll leave your house and start walking p>
“Where p>
“Anywhere. There’s not a block in this city you couldn’t safely walk through when I’m watching you p>
The entirety of her body was made of butterflies.
“Dark alleys, empty parks, rail yards, the docks… you can go anywhere.” His voice deepened. “I’ll find you. Wherever you are p>
Chloe knew the answer, but she couldn’t help asking, “And then what p>
Amos’s grin sharpened. “And then you become prey p>
Her heart was already pounding. She was half tempted to turn on her heel and run, just to see what Amos would do. But, no, that had to wait for tomorrow. The sun would rise soon, and Amos needed to get to the light–proofed safety of his bedroom. For a moment, Chloe imagined herself curling up into his bed with him. How much better would she sleep if she were doing so beside Amos instead of in a rickety twin bed in her childhood bedroom? Just cuddling with him on a couch had given her the best sleep she’d had in months.
“Chloe?” Amos asked, his voice soft.
She blinked, realizing she’d zoned out for a second.
08:13
Caught Naked By My Alpha Neighbor! Now I’m His–No Escape.
“Are you afraid? We don’t have to p>
“No, I want to. I was just thinking about… you. Us p>
“Oh.” His expression didn’t shift much, but somehow, pleasure radiated.
“om him. “Well p>
Chloe fidgeted, uncharacteristically bashful again. What the hell was it about this man that turned her into a giddy teenager?
Amos glanced up at the sky, brow furrowing, before looking back to Chlo
“Before I leave
you, we should establish safe boundaries for tomorrow p>
“Like what p>
“You want to be overpowered?” Amos asked.
Chloe nodded. She wanted that very much. “Yes p>
“You want to fight to get away p>
“Only if you won’t let me p>
Amos’s gaze darkened. “I won’t. And I won’t physically harm you to do it, either. I don’t need to, and I don’t want to p>
Chloe wasn’t into that either. She didn’t need pain. She just wanted to be overpowered. Have control stripped from her. Be all fail, and have it be alright–praised even.
uggle and
“But if something’s gone wrong,” Amos continued, “if it’s too much, I need a way for you to tell me that it’s not play anymore p>
“A safeword p>
“Yes p>
She thought of the floral arrangements that Amos always had for her visits–a perfect symbol for the sweet, thoughtful said.
man he was. “Flowers,” she
“Flowers,” he repeated. “And if you can’t speak p>
“I’ll… snap p>
“Can you snap easily?” Amos sounded doubtful.
Chloe held her hand out and demonstrated three quick, loud snaps.
His brows rose. “Huh. I’ve never been good at that.” He gave her a rueful smile. “Alright, snap three times if you can’t speak p>
She immediately envisioned Amos’s big hand pressed over his mouth while he grabbed her from behind. She couldn’t suppress the eager shiver that ran down her spine.
“Flowers or three snaps,” she confirmed.
“Good.” Amos suddenly stepped in close, wrapping an arm around Chloe’s waist and hauling her body against his. “Goodbye, Chloe.” He dipped his head and kissed her. It was sweet and soft and, despite that gentleness, it set Chloe on fire from head to toe. All too soon, he released her.
“Goodbye,” she said breathlessly.
He stood on the sidewalk as she climbed the front steps. Her shoe scuffed over something small and oddly shaped and she paused, looking down–it was a little pewter keychain cast in the shape of a teddy bear. She bent to pick it up.
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