The Four Leaf

by Lee Jacquot

For the readers who just want to smile after their book buddy gave them a rec that tore their heart out. This one’s for you.

The desire to get shitfaced drunk and dance naked in my living room to songs from the nineties is strong right now. So strong, in fact, I have to make a mental list of pros and cons to keep from saying screw it and actually doing it.

“Ah, Bambi. You know anytime you wish me luck, I never fail.”

“Yes, sir. Whatever you say.” Oh, Bambi. If only.

“And it’s about damn time you admit you lied. On a pinky swear, no less. It’s the principle.” “You’re such an igit.”

“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.”

“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.”

Adrian kissed me. Really kissed me. And it wasn’t only the fact his kiss brought me to the edge of the world, shown the vast universe, then plunged back into gravity. It was how right it felt. Utterly and indisputably right.

“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 need your eyes on me when I’m touching you, Bambi.”

“Cocky little thing. You wanted me to see how wet you are. All for me.”

“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.”

“I hate you think so little of me. Meanwhile, I’ve been out here, bored out of my mind, dating boring ass suits when I could have been getting railed in the forest by the man I’ve loved since I knew what love was.”

“Having the luck of the Irish sounds good to me, Bambi.” “Having you inside me sounds better.”

“Come on, Bambi, there’s nowhere you can go.” The deep rumble of his voice echoes up the hollow stairs. “And if I get you to the roof, I’ll fuck you right there for the whole city to see.”

“I will rip this world from its roots to find you before the time runs out, little prey. Now come out.”

“Have it your way, baby. But when I find you, I’m fucking you until your voice no longer allows you to scream.” He tips a trash can over. “Until your muscles seize from the orgasms.” He smashes a laundry cart over. “Until your pussy is raw and filled to the brink with my cum.”