Add to your TBR List!

Excerpt

I don’t see anyone as I lock up my room, then race down the back stairs like my shoes are on fire. I have no idea what’s gotten into me or why I’m suddenly acting so recklessly, but I feel nothing but anticipation and excitement as the back door of the dorm bangs shut behind me, and I step out into the cool evening air.

The area around me is clear, but that familiar sensation of having eyes on me is back, and instead of turning around and going right back up to my room like a sane person, I jog toward the trees.

It’s nearly dusk now, and the woods are eerily quiet. I’m almost at the path when a figure melts out of the shadows and grabs me around the waist.

I let out a pathetic squeal as he yanks me against his body, and my breath catches as he holds me tight, one arm around my middle and one hand loosely wrapped around my throat.

My entire body glitches out for a second as fear and excitement mix together, creating an incredible buzz that feels like being high, and I’m overwhelmed by not just his presence, but the weight of what I’ve just invited to happen.

I didn’t get a good look at him before he seemed to materialize out of nowhere, but he’s once again clad head to toe in fitted black clothes with an oversized hood obscuring his face. He’s warm and solid behind me, and his hands are rough and lightly calloused. Everything about him screams danger, but the faint scent of apple shampoo and spicy cologne that surrounds us is weirdly calming.

“Think really hard before you answer,” a low, raspy voice says in my ear. “Are you sure you want to do this? If you run and try to hide from me, I will find you. But I won’t just find you.”

I swallow at the implication. He could be saying that he’ll hurt me, but my instincts are telling me he means something completely different. Something I’ve not only dreamed about but have spent way too many hours thinking about. Something I’ve never told anyone because I know they’ll never look at me the same if they find out what I’m truly into.

But this isn’t a fantasy. This is real life. He’s giving me an out. Too bad I’m not smart enough to take it.

“I understand,” I croak as more adrenaline pours into my veins.

He loosens his grip on me and drops his hand from my neck. “Twenty, nineteen, eighteen—”

It takes a second to process that this is really happening, then I dart out of his arms and race away from him as he continues his countdown.

I’ve spent enough time wandering around the woods since I started school that I don’t think twice about veering off the path and running deeper into the forest.

The ground is uneven beneath my feet as I duck under low-hanging branches and run around fallen trees. My footfalls are way too loud, and my breathing is already harsh, but I don’t dare slow down.

I’m so focused on trying to get away that I’m not watching my feet, and I trip over an exposed root. I instinctively bite my lip to silence my cry of surprise and desperately grab at the tree in front of me so I don’t face-plant on the forest floor.

It’s not pretty or graceful, but I manage to stay on my feet, my heart racing as even more adrenaline floods my system. The near silence that surrounds me, punctuated by my harsh breaths and racing heart, makes me pause.

Is he done counting? Has he started looking for me yet?

“Ready or not,” a raspy voice calls from my left.

I whirl toward the voice and scan the trees, but there’s no sign of him. A jolt of panic mixes with the adrenaline still flowing through me, and I can’t tell if I’m terrified, excited, or both.

“Here I come,” the voice says. He’s closer now. But I still can’t see him.

Rather than stick around and wait to be found, I take off again. I’m running blind, and I have no idea which direction I’m headed in or where I am, but that doesn’t stop me from racing deeper into the woods.

Before my parents got rich, we lived on a semi-isolated plot of land surrounded by forest. I spent my childhood playing there, and I’m as comfortable out here as I am when I wander around my old hometown.

I thought that would give me at least a bit of an advantage over him, but I can already hear the echo of footsteps behind me, heavy and steady as he closes in on me.

More excitement joins my fear as I try to lose him, taking what I hope are unpredictable turns as I jump over fallen logs and dodge around rocks.

I toss a quick look over my shoulder and almost stumble when I see a dark silhouette in the trees about twenty feet behind me. Digging one foot into the ground, I do a quick pivot to change directions and slip between a cluster of trees, then take another hard turn and run toward a pile of moss-covered rocks, tossing another glance over my shoulder to see if I’ve managed to shake him.

I don’t see or hear him, and pride settles in my chest as I dive behind the rocks and press myself against them. I’m breathing hard, but not from exertion. I’ve barely covered any ground, but the fear and adrenaline from being chased are tightening my chest and making my heart race like I just finished doing uphill wind sprints.

The snap of a twig in the distance catches my attention, and I put both hands over my mouth to try and quiet my breathing.

Did he hear me? Is he closing in on me again?

What’s he planning when he catches me?

My cheeks and neck flush hot, and my entire body tightens. I’m crazy. There’s no other explanation for why I’m doing this—or why I like it so much.

What the fuck is wrong with me that being chased through the woods by a stranger who’s been stalking me is the most exciting thing I’ve ever experienced? What does it say about me that instead of being terrified, my dick is half hard?

Pre-order Link

Giveaway

One of Five eARC's for Hide and Seek

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

WICKED GAMES

Silvercrest U - Book One

Available Now

About the Author

What can I say about myself? It’s kind of like being the new kid in school and being asked to tell everyone a bit about yourself. Anyone else forget everything they’ve ever liked, thought of, and even their name in those moments?

A few facts about me; I’m a veteran, I’m Canadian, and I love books! I’ve been writing my own stories since I was eight and wrote my first novel at sixteen. I’m the first to admit those attempts weren’t my best work, but they started me on a journey of creating stories that has led me to fulfilling my dream of becoming an author. I’ve written and published in several genres under different names, but MM is by far my favorite, and I’m so happy to be able to share my stories with people today.

I currently live on Canada’s east coast with my kiddo and my cats. I have a shoe collecting addiction, and I enjoy taking long walks, discussions with friends, and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on.

Connect with Willow

Website: https://www.willowdixon.com/

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3hQpa68

Facebook Author Page: https://bit.ly/3vjfWmg

Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3FZeg66

Goodreads Author Page: https://bit.ly/3WGqR5z

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3WHeEgm

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Gi2C7U

TikTok: https://bit.ly/3WEX7p0

Amazon Author Page: https://bit.ly/3YPBq7H

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3I3LvI9