PROLOGUE
Halloween - Friday Night
Taking slow, deliberate breaths, I crouch behind a tree, trying to steady the wild beating of my heart. The Halloween night air is thick with the scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke, a reminder that this isn’t just any night. I thought fear would consume me. Instead, it's the adrenaline and pure excitement that pulses through my veins. And something else—arousal. I can't even remember the last time I felt this turned on.
Leaning my head back against the rough bark, I inhale deeply, the cool autumn air a welcome contrast to the warmth flooding my body. The last remnants of summer have finally given way, leaving the night refreshingly crisp. Despite wearing nothing but a matching black lace set, I feel warm—warm with anticipation.
I shift slightly, the lace brushing against my skin, heightening my awareness of every sensation. The anticipation is nearly unbearable, a tight coil of need winding inside me. I can’t stay hidden forever, and part of me doesn’twant to. The thrill is in the chase, but what comes after… that’s what I crave.
Another deep breath, and I push myself up from my crouch, peering around the tree. The full moon, brighter and more menacing on this Halloween night, casts long shadows, turning the woods into a labyrinth of dark shapes and hidden corners. I know they’re close—I can almost feel their eyes on me, watching, waiting.
A rustle nearby makes my pulse spike. I bite my lip, holding back a gasp as I catch a glimpse of movement in the shadows. One of them is near, closer than I expected. My heart races, but it’s not fear that drives it—it’s the intoxicating blend of excitement and desire that courses through me.
Without thinking, I take off running again, the cool air whipping against my skin. I’m not running to escape—I’m running to be caught.
1
October 1st
The sunlight streaming through the cafe window is too bright, too cheerful for how I feel inside. I stir my coffee absently, watching the cream swirl into the dark liquid, trying to ignore the dull ache of yet another disappointing night. Across from me, my best friend Lena practically glows, her newlywed happiness radiating off her in waves. I envy it—envy her. Not that I’d ever tell her that.
“So, how was last night?” Lena asks, raising an eyebrow as she sips her iced tea. There’s a hint of mischief in her voice, like she already knows the answer.
I let out a long, frustrated sigh, dropping the spoon into my cup with a clatter. “It was… I don’t even know how to describe it. Boring? Awkward? Pointless?”
Lena’s brow furrows in concern. “That bad?”
“Worse,” I groan, leaning back in my chair. “He seemed perfect on paper. Tall, dark, handsome, a lawyer—everything you’d expect, right? The chemistry was off the charts. Wecouldn’t keep our hands off each other the entire cab ride back to his apartment…”
“But?” Lena probes, raising her brows.
“We got to his apartment, clothes falling to the floor as he led us to the bedroom,” I continue, pausing as the server sets plates in front of us. I blush slightly, and Lena laughs, nudging my shoulder.
“Oh my god, don’t stop, Zara!” She grins, eyes gleaming as I sigh.
“Ten minutes, Lena. I didn’t even get to enjoy it before he was done.”
I take a large sip of my coffee as Lena winces beside me. “Ouch.”
“Yeah. So I just laid there, frustrated and annoyed. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long for him to pass out so I could sneak out.”
Lena sets down her fork, a thoughtful look on her face. “Maybe you’re just looking in the wrong places.”
I scoff, shaking my head. “And where exactly am I supposed to look, Lena? I’ve tried everything—dating apps, blind dates, random hookups. Nothing works.”
She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Maybe it’s not about where you’re looking, but what you’re looking for.”
I frown, confused. “What do you mean?”
Lena bites her lip, hesitating for a moment. “What do you really want, Zara? What’s your ideal fantasy?”
I take a moment to think about it—really think about it—before answering. The truth is, I’m so tightly wound, I’m not even sure what I want, so I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I just want to be used. Forced to orgasm so many times, I black out. I want to wake up sated for once.”
Lena laughs before reaching into her purse. She pulls outa small black business card, sliding it across the table toward me. The card is sleek and simple, with the nameObsidian Dreamsin dark purple ink. I turn it over to find only an email address.
“What’s this?” I ask, picking it up.
“It’s a service,” Lena explains, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “They specialize in creating experiences tailored to your deepest desires. Scott and I used them before we got married.”
