Chapter 4

After Nancy made sure I really wanted to leave, she cackled for a long time.

She sounded exactly like an evil boss, chuckling and muttering under her breath, "Norris, looks like you finally have your day too."

I asked Nancy to take the pretty clothes and head out first. And I wanted to stay behind and double-check everything.

Just as the moonlight spilled into the room, Norris walked in. He had a bag in his hand and looked more cheerful than ever. "Baby, did you eat?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

Norris continued, "How was your shopping trip today?"

"Yeah," I replied.

After just two questions, Norris could tell something was off.

Usually, he just had to say a word and I'd be chattering away about everything fun that happened today.

"Feeling down? Check out what I got for you," Norris said. He sat down on the edge of the bed, met my gaze, and started pulling things out of the bag to make me smile.

It was the bunny ears and tail I'd been wanting since yesterday, plus a new bunny dress.

It was ripped. Again. I couldn't hold back.

I pushed him down, climbed on top of him, and demanded, "Do you even like me?"

Norris looked me straight in the eye and said seriously, "I love my little bunny the most."

"Then why won't you sleep with me? Do you even know that bunnies can die from frustration when they're in heat?" I pouted.

Norris chuckled softly, his captivating eyes brimming with a love that could sweep anyone away.

He replied, "Bunnies and snakes are different creatures, you know. If we want to sleep together, we need to take our meds first."

With that, Norris picked up the pill bottle and gave it a shake. "Wanna go to bed now?"

'Liar. Even the cows and horses on the mountain aren't the same kind, but they still sleep together. So what's his excuse? So Norris really is just trying to eat me up, huh?'

I eyed him warily. "You take it first."

Norris just grinned, shook out a pill, and swallowed it without a second thought.

As soon as I saw him swallow, I quickly grabbed his tie and tied his hands to the headboard before he could react.

"Are you just trying to eat me up?" I demanded.

"Yeah, I've wanted to for a long time," Norris admitted without hesitation.

'He's not even trying to hide it anymore.' I smacked him on the chest, unable to hold back my frustration.

Norris swallowed hard, his throat moving. "Baby, now it's your turn to take the pill."

I hopped off him in one swift move and turned to leave. "No way I'm taking it. You're just a liar."

"Baby, is there some kind of misunderstanding? Just tell me, and I'll explain everything," Norris coaxed, his voice low and husky.

Norris had the same look on his face when he told me he was broke.

Acting all sweet and gentle, but every word out of his mouth was a lie.

Just thinking about it made me even angrier. I snapped, "No way there's a misunderstanding. I heard you and Nancy plotting to eat me."

I looked at him, my eyes kept welling up with tears I just couldn't stop.

We'd always been together. From when I was just an egg, to now, all grown up and big.

Norris's eyes, usually so clear, suddenly went blank and lost.

But after a moment, Norris snapped out of it and finally understood. He said, "Baby, just listen to me."

"I'm not listening. Not listening," I cut him off, covering my ears and shaking my head.

His mouth was nothing but trouble. Every word he said was a lie.

Norris tried to explain himself a few times, but I just kept cutting him off.

Norris's eyes were wet with unshed tears, and his snake tail had already appeared, slapping the bedframe over and over in frustration.

Seeing I was really about to walk out, Norris started to struggle. His powerful arms bulged with veins, the tie digging into his skin and leaving angry red marks.

When playing nice didn't work, Norris had to switch tactics and get tough.

"Gabrielle, if you dare walk out that door, you're finished," Norris growled, his voice low and dangerous.

'If I stay, I'm the one who's really doomed.'

When I was a kid and went out to play, Norris would give me the same warning. "Gabrielle, if you dare stay out all night, you're dead meat."

At first, I thought he was just bluffing, but one time I stayed out too late and he dragged me home.

My bunny butt was so red from the spanking, I couldn't sit for days.

Norris was breathing hard, his eyes sharp and dangerous, full of possessive intent as he stared me down.

I couldn't help but shiver. 'I need to get out, now.'

When snakes are in heat, it's nothing like us bunnies. They just get way more dangerous and scary.

Seeing Norris like this, I seriously need to get out of here before things get crazy.