Dead of Summer

by A.J. Merlin

“Oh, my god.” The words come out as a whisper as all the warmth drains out of me, into the ground below. “Not quite,” Kayde responds, still with that half-apologetic smile. “And if you’re really good for me, sweetheart, I won’t make you meet him tonight.”

“I’ve been playing this game for years, and you’re just getting your feet wet in the kiddie pool. Poor, poor Summer. But I can’t feel too badly for you…” With that, he licks a quick, hot stripe up my jaw, and shoves me away from him with a laugh on his lips. “After all, you fucking volunteered.”

“I hate you,” I whisper against his tanned, perfect skin, breathing in open-mouthed pants. “I hate you so much.” “I know, Summer.” His hands shift down to my hips, just to wrap around me again and hold me close in his embrace like he really gives a damn. “But if you didn’t, then this wouldn’t be nearly as fun for me.”

“You’re staring,” he murmurs, still keeping most of his focus on the boys on the course as they finish up. “Is it because you like looking at me, sweetheart?” “No,” I assure him, hating that I do like how he looks. “I was just thinking, is all.” “What about?” My smile becomes absolutely beatific when he meets my eyes, and in the sweetest voice I can muster I say without stopping to think, “About the likelihood of you falling off that course and snapping your neck on the ground.”

he cuts me off with a soft laugh before I can speak, shaking his head as he finally gives me his full attention. “I love it when you surprise me with your backbone, Summer. Most people wouldn’t want to upset me given our”—he looks around dramatically, then back at me—“circumstances. But not you. You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“Stop,” I whimper, jerking hard on my arms. “Can’t breathe, can’t—” My words come to a stop when he presses down hard on the sides of my throat, completely cutting off my air in that one movement. “That’s the point,” he reminds me, panting. “Your cunt gets so tight when I do this. Did you know that?” He’s taunting me, considering he knows I can’t answer or deny him. “Fuck, but you just love this so much.”

“You’re going to look at me, and you’re going to thank me when I spit in your mouth to remind you whose you are tonight. And then?” He swoops down until his lips brush my ear. “Then I’m going to fuck you like I’m your boyfriend. And you’re going to thank me for ruining you for any other man you ever even think about looking at. Understand?”

“I came back because I’m in love with you, Summer Walsh. And you’d better understand real quick that I’m going to make sure you feel the same before these kids go home. No matter what I have to do to make that happen.”

there’s something about a thunderstorm at summer camp that hits different. Somehow, it feels special. Like an event, instead of just weather patterns in the mountains.

somehow, Kayde’s gotten me addicted to him. And I have yet to find the cure for him, though I’d like to keep him in the dark about that for as long as humanly possible.

“All mine, for the rest of your life. I don’t really believe in an afterlife, by the way. But if there is one, you’re mine there as well.” “What if we go to separate places in the afterlife?” I ask, scoffing a low laugh. “Last I checked, heaven isn’t for murderers.” “Then I’ll just have to drag you down to hell with me.”

“Careful, baby girl,” Kayde sighs, though there’s no real threat in it. “Or you’ll hurt me?” It’s easier to be bold in the dark, when I can barely see the looming, blond consequences of my words glaring down at me. “Or I’ll pin you to that tree about six feet behind you and fuck you until you can’t walk. Doubt you want to get back to camp with me carrying you. Just think of how we’ll have to explain things to Kinsley and Liza when I go get you an ice pack or a heating pad for your soreness.” “Is that—” Somehow, I cut myself off. “Never mind.” “No, come on,” Kayde leans closer, cooing. “I want to hear what risky, bold thing you were about to say to me.” Well, fuck it, I suppose. “Is that a threat?” I lean into his hold, staring up at him. “Or a promise, Kayde?”

Just take it for me, baby.

“I love hearing you whine when I breed your pretty pussy.”

“You first. Let me hold it for you.” Part of me bristles at the idea of being treated like I’m new at this, and I open my mouth to protest, only to stop. Maybe…maybe it isn’t so bad that he wants to make this not so bad for me. Maybe I should let him take over and take charge, instead of being a bitch about the whole thing at every turn.

“Baby girl, you know I love you,” he tells me,

Because, Summer. It was always you.