Zoey gulped as Harriet pinned her against the door the moment they stepped inside. When she looked up, she caught the mischievous smirk on Harriet's lips. Flustered, she tried to avoid her gaze, but Harriet chuckled, tilting Zoey's chin up to make her face her again.
"What's with that look, sweetheart? You look surprised," Harriet teased, her smile playful as she leaned in. "Isn't this a little more private?" She winked at Zoey.
Zoey laughed, trying to compose herself. "I get what you mean, but shouldn't we change first?" she asked, clearing her throat.
"Why bother if I'm just going to strip you down anyway?" Harriet replied with a smirk. "Or... don't tell me you're getting nervous?" she teased.
Zoey scoffed, giving Harriet a gentle shove. "Nervous? Have you forgotten who made the first move?" she challenged, arching an eyebrow.
Harriet laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah... you kissed me first. At the bar," she murmured. "Did you enjoy it?"
Zoey chuckled, tugging Harriet closer by the neck of her sweatshirt. "Who wouldn't?" she replied, pressing her lips to Harriet's in a kiss that felt urgent, like she'd been waiting too long for this.
Harriet laughed between their kisses, her hands gently cupping Zoey's cheeks as she deepened the kiss with matching intensity. Her hand found the door, locking it before she quickly slid Zoey's coat off. As they held each other close, Zoey reached for Harriet's sweatshirt, tugging it upward. Their eyes met, and Harriet gulped before leaning back in, hoisting Zoey up as Zoey's hands found her hair, her legs wrapping instinctively around Harriet's waist.
"I love you," Zoey whispered as she broke the kiss, her voice soft. "I love you so much, my Harriet," she murmured, playfully peppering kisses across Harriet's face.
Harriet laughed as she opened the bedroom door, carefully closing it behind them. "I know. That's why you're marrying me, becauseâwell, let's face itâI love you more than most," she said, lowering Zoey gently onto the bed.
She grinned. "Now, should we go with the strap-on, or let the doctor work her magic?" Harriet asked, licking her lips.
Zoey's cheeks flushed, her hand reaching to stroke Harriet's hair. "Why don't you choose tonight?"
Harriet tilted her head with a chuckle. "Are you sure about this, sweetheart?" she asked, eyebrow raised.
Zoey nodded, biting her lip. Harriet chuckled softly. "Alright, just stop me if you feel I'm getting carried away," she said as she crawled slowly onto the bed.
"On second thought..." Zoey sat up hastily, scooting backâonly to bump against the headboard. "W-waitâ"
"No backing out now, sweetheart," Harriet murmured firmly, capturing Zoey's lips again. Her hands slid to the buttons of Zoey's blouse, unfastening them with practiced ease. Zoey gulped as Harriet's lips moved along her jawline, trailing down to her neck.
"Oh, God," Zoey whispered, breathless, as Harriet unclasped her bra and massaged her gently.
"Don't hold your breath, sweetheart," Harriet murmured as she moved lower, her tongue flicking over Zoey's nipple while her hand teased the other. Zoey bit her lip, gripping Harriet's hair and urging her closer.
Harriet reached for Zoey's pants, deftly undoing the button and zipper before sliding them down along with her underwear. Zoey's back arched as she felt Harriet's cool fingers press against her warm skin, her body sinking against the headboard.
"I think I'll go with my tongue and fingers," Harriet murmured, cupping Zoey's cheeks and stealing a brief kiss that left Zoey's pulse racing.
Slowly, Harriet traced every curve of Zoey's body before positioning herself between her thighs, gently spreading her legs. "Just tell me if anything feels uncomfortable," she said, glancing up at Zoey before leaning in, trailing kisses along her inner thigh.
As Harriet's tongue began its slow, deliberate work, Zoey's head tipped back, her breath catching. Her hand tightened in Harriet's hair, her other hand gripping the mattress as Harriet continued, sending waves of heat through her body.
"Good God!" Zoey cried out, fingers tangled in the sheets as Harriet's mouth moved deeper.
The sensation built, electric and overwhelming, Harriet's tongue and fingers working in sync. With each motion, Zoey felt herself nearing the edge, her back arching and hips pressing into Harriet's rhythm.
"Please... don't stop," Zoey breathed, biting her knuckles, gasping as she met Harriet's intensity, letting her body move in time with Harriet's touch. She tugged Harriet closer, her breath ragged as she reached her climax, her whole body shuddering as a soft release took over.
"Harriet," Zoey whispered, her grip loosening on Harriet's hair as she fought to catch her breath. Harriet gave her one last lingering kiss, savoring the warmth between them.
"Hmm, yes, sweetheart?" Harriet asked, sitting up as she licked her fingers with a satisfied grin.
Zoey, still breathless, chuckled at the sight. "Oh gosh, I love you," she murmured softly as Harriet leaned in, smiling.
"Just breathe, sweetheart," Harriet whispered, guiding her to calm her breaths. "That's right... there's my good girl," she said, pressing a gentle kiss to Zoey's forehead. "I love you," Harriet murmured, lying beside her, letting their silent breathing settle around them.
Zoey smiled, glancing down at the cake box in her hands. She opened the passenger door, setting the box carefully on the seat, then circled back to the driver's side. Just as she reached for the handle, a sharp, overpowering scent filled her nostrils. She tried to resist, but the person behind her held firm, and the fumes were relentless. Her vision began to blur.
"Harriet..." she thought weakly before everything faded to black.
Groggy and nauseous, Zoey groaned as she slowly regained consciousness. She tried moving her hands, but they wouldn't budge. Blinking, she squinted through the haze and realized she was bound. What... what the hell? Her muffled attempts to speak were met with silence; she was gagged, duct tape pressed tightly over her mouth.
"Ah, finally awake," said a familiar voice. Zoey turned to see Markus beside her, a twisted smile on his face. "Don't bother trying to struggle. It's pointless," he sneered.
Zoey's pulse raced. She was in a moving carâhis car. Markus shot her a cold glance, then peeled off the duct tape roughly.
Zoey gasped in pain. "What the hell, Markus?" she spat, tugging at the restraints on her wrists secured to the car's upper handle. Her legs were bound too. "What is this? Let me go!"
Markus only chuckled darkly, eyes flickering between her and the road. "So, you're engaged to that Pierce woman, huh?"
Zoey scoffed, fear lacing her tone. "Did you seriously kidnap me because of that? We're over, Markus! We've been over for years!"
Markus's jaw tightened. "I told youâyou're supposed to marry me, not some... woman!" he snarled, venom in his voice.
Zoey's hands clenched. "You don't get to choose who I marry! You're my ex, Markus! You're not part of my life anymore, and you never will be again. Now let me go!"
"No." His tone was chilling. "If I can't have you, then maybe we should just... go together. What do you think, Zoey?" He looked at her with a dark, twisted smile that made her heart hammer.
Zoey's breath caught in her throat, her eyes brimming with tears. "You're insane, Markus! Please... stop this. Just let me go."
Markus's face flushed with rage. "You don't understand! I love you. I would leave everythingâEllie, even my sonâif it meant having you back. Just... please, come back to me, Zoey."
Zoey let out a bitter laugh as tears slipped down her cheeks. "Markus, we're over. It's been over for years. Please, let me go. I deserve to be happy." She tried to keep her voice steady, hoping for some shred of reason in him.
But Markus's eyes hardened. "No, Zoey. If death is the only way for us to be together, then so be it." He slammed his foot on the accelerator, the car picking up speed.
"Markus, stop!" Zoey screamed, struggling against the ropes as tears streaked down her face. "Please, Markus!"
"Together forever, Zoey," he murmured, steering the car toward the icy river ahead.
Zoey's eyes widened as they veered off the road, the car hurtling toward the water. She braced herself for impact, closing her eyes. "Harriet..." she whispered to herself, holding onto the memory of her fiancée's smile. "I'm so sorry. Whatever happens... please don't blame yourself."
With that final thought, they plunged into the freezing river.