Page 2 of Stalked By the X-Ray Tech

One night, as I sit parked under the shadow of an oak tree across from her apartment, something shifts.

Bella steps out for a late-night run, her body hugged by those tight athletic leggings that show off every curve. My heart slams against my chest—fuck me if I don’t follow her.

Keeping a safe distance, I jog behind, watching the rhythmic sway of her hips that whispers promises to parts of me better left unspoken. She stops at a park, stretching her legs, completely unaware of how much control she’s unknowingly wielding over me.

The moonlight dances over her skin, casting her in silhouettes that fuel my fantasies even more. It’s almost poetic, the way she moves, fluid and strong.

And then she looks up suddenly—as if feeling my gaze—it feels like our eyes lock even from this distance, and my pulse races.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath and duck behind a tree. My heart’s pounding out of my fucking chest like it wants to escape.

Does she see me? Does she know?

But then she just resumes her stretching, and I release the breath I didn't know I was holding. I’m filled with half relief, half disappointment. She obviously didn’t see me, and that’s good, but it also leaves me feeling hollow that our eyes didn’t actually lock.

But it's clear—I need to get closer to her, somehow legitimately because this stalking shit is not sustainable. Nor is it sane.

I’ve got to find a way to see her again professionally or maybe bump into her ‘accidentally.’ Anything less creepy than lurking in the shadows like some desperate loser.

Driving back home with my skin still buzzing from watching Bella, ideas swirl through my mind like a manic carousel.

Because one thing is crystal fucking clear—I’m not done with Bella.

Not by a long shot.

CHAPTER

TWO

Bella

I stride out of my apartment, the morning sun kissing my skin with a promise of the day's warmth. My wrist twinges slightly, a reminder of the slip-up on the court last week, but it's healing.

That's when I spot him, Jacob, the x-ray tech with those piercing blue eyes that saw right through me—literally.

"Hey!" I call out, jogging lightly towards his car. He's casually leaning against it, looking like he stepped off a damn billboard for how to do scrubs justice. "What brings you to my neck of the woods?"

Jacob straightens up as I approach, and there's this flicker in his gaze, something that makes my stomach do a playful flip. "Oh, uh, I'm just looking for a friend's place," he says, his voice that calm, measured tone I remember all too well.

"Really?" I tilt my head, tossing a lock of hair over my shoulder. "In this building? Who is it? Maybe I know him—or her."

He shakes his head. “Not on in this building, no.” He motions his head to my building. "You live here?" His feigned shock is almost convincing, but I've seen enough people bluff on the tennis court to spot a fake-out.

"Yep, fourth floor, with a view of the park." I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Maybe I'll show it to you sometime."

There's a pause, a beat where his careful composure slips, just enough to let me know he's interested. My cheeks flame. Did I really just insinuate what it sounds like I did? I’m such a freaking idiot. Though Jacob is hot as sin, there I go again saying things before I think them through and sticking my foot in my mouth. I really was just offering to show off my nice view, but it sounds like I was offering more.

Not that I would necessarily be oppposed to more with Jacob.

Stop it, Bella! I tell my racing thoughts.

"Would be nice," Jacob finally replies, a hint of something darker in his tone. His eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, we're caught in a silent conversation neither of us is ready to voice aloud.

"Anyway," I flash him a grin, "good luck finding your friend." And with that, I turn on my heel, hurrying away before I embarass myself further.

But then I stop and bite my lip, considering.

Fuck it.

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