The Four Leaf

by Lee Jacquot

“Bambi, we both know you will never win a game with me. Wherever you hide, I will find you.”

“You know what I think, Sam? I think you like it when I chase you. And even more so when I find you.”

“A promise to always catch you when you fall. Both physically and in life. My best friend to the end.”

“And as your best friend, I promise to always support anything you do. I know you were meant for bigger things outside of these walls, and I’m excited to be standing on the sidelines, cheering you on.”

“No one touches you, Bambi. Not without your consent.” Adrian nods to Willow, who smiles and starts making what I assume is his regular drink. He turns to the side and places one forearm on the bar and the other hand on the back of my chair. His hazel eyes burn a trail up my frame until he reaches my face, to which he grins. “And I’m the only one who gets to massage your feet.”

“Why’d you run from me, Sam?” I suck in a breath, but it’s too thin, forcing me to clear my throat. He’s near my ear now, his warm breath tickling the fine hairs on top. I’m grateful he can’t see my mouth open and close twice before I find the right words. “I wasn’t meant to see that. It was an invasion of a very private moment.” I can hear the grin on his face as he speaks. “If you weren’t meant to see it, don’t you think I would have stopped?”

“Once I find you, there’s no going back. It will change everything. So I advise you to choose your spot wisely, Bambi.”

She will be my greatest hunt yet, and if I have it my way, she’ll be my last.

“Now, for my secret.” He smiles, silencing the alarm and slipping the phone back into his front pocket. “I want to know what my name sounds like when you come.”

“I need you to know something, Bambi. I’ve waited a long time for this. I won’t be sweet, soft, or anything remotely close to gentle. This will be years of pent-up desire, unleashed in a way that will leave you a fucking mess. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I found you, Bambi,” he growls, his eyes burning into me. “And I keep what I catch.” “Like finders keepers?” I breathe, my heart singing from what his words imply. Though his gaze remains deadly, his lips twitch, a hint of a grin playing at the edges. “Yes. You’re mine now, Samantha.”

“You’re so fucking gorgeous, and I…” he trails off, falling to his knees. “Am fucking starving.”