I woke up feeling drowsy and unnecessarily warm. Something—someone—was pressed against me. My eyes flickered open, and reality set in. This wasn't my room. Cat was curled into me, her body snug against mine, her steady breathing tickling my chest. Last night came rushing back.
Flirting. The rides. The cotton candy she insisted on. Booking the hotel.
And then… her, flipping me over, completely in control, taking me apart piece by piece.
I exhaled, running a hand down my face. She was a wild hellcat, that was for sure. I didn't mind being dominated, but Cat? She took it to another level. The memory of our bodies moving together, the way she pulled me deeper into her, had me pressing my lips together to suppress a groan.
She shifted in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible. My fingers absentmindedly traced along her bare back before I carefully slid out of bed. I relieved myself in the bathroom, threw on my boxers, and headed for the mini-fridge. As I twisted open a bottle of water, my phone buzzed.
Erick.
How was Cat?
Might have a go with her as well.
Jessica invited a friend of hers.
The threesome was mind-blowing.
She took my number.
I rolled my eyes.
Why the fuck are you telling me every single detail?
And Cat was amazing.
Before I could put my phone down, I heard soft shuffling. I turned just as Cat strode over, my shirt draped over her frame, doing absolutely nothing to hide her legs.
"Good morning," she greeted, voice raspy with sleep.
"Morning. How are you feeling?"
Her lips curled as she walked over, snatching the bottle from my hand and taking a sip before giving it back. "Wonderful."
She leaned against the counter, legs crossed effortlessly. "What about you?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Do you have to ask?"
She laughed, smooth and teasing. "Right. I believe you feel wonderful too."
She closed the distance, wrapping her arms around my torso, smiling up at me.
"I did. I still do."
We stood like that for a while, wrapped in the quiet comfort of post-pleasure bliss, until she insisted on leaving. The shower together turned into something not-so-innocent, and by the time we were dressed and checking out, she handed me her card with a smirk before walking off.
I watched her disappear, still lost in thought when a voice pulled me back.
"A pleasant night, was it?"
I turned toward the reception desk. The man who checked us in last night was watching me, his expression knowing.
"Something like that," I replied.
His smile deepened as he slid a small card toward me. I glanced down. A tarot reading invitation.
"Sorry, but I don't believe in these kinds of things," I said flatly.
His eyes glinted with something unreadable. "What do you believe in then? Two-headed deer?"
I frowned. "What?"
He flipped the card over.
A deer stared back at me. No—not just a deer. A two-headed deer. Its fur was an eerie blend of gold and black, but its eyes—they weren't just ink on paper. They looked alive. Watching me.
Like it knew me.
"Like I said," the receptionist continued, his voice calm, almost amused. "Things are about to get a lot more… interesting for you."
A slow, creeping unease settled over me. I grabbed the card and walked out, already pulling up Erick's number.
"Erick, I think I just got harassed by the receptionist."
A loud laugh greeted me. "Wonderful sense of humor, my friend."
"I'm not joking!"
"Huh-uh, of course," he drawled. "Anyway, we're going out tonight."
"What? Why?"
"Why not? It's Saturday."
"We literally went out yesterday!"
"Dude, you're turning into an old man. We're getting our future read by some astronomical people or whatever the hell they call themselves."
"You believe in that?"
"Course not."
"Then why?"
"I was handed a card, obviously," he said, laughing.
My stomach twisted.
Of course he was.