Page 21 of Something New

She frowns at her reflection and looks worried for a moment and I think she’s seen me. But then she runs her hands over the dress.

Oh. I get it.

She wants to know who it’s from.

Curiosity is killing her, like patience is killing me.

It is time to put her out of her misery. And me out of mine.

I stand up, as silent and as deadly as a predator. Taking one slow step forward.

She sees me and her eyes grow wide.

Wide and wild and terrified.

She needs a moment to recognize me. Once she does her face will change. She will be happy. She will run into my arms, and we will celebrate being reunited.

I smile, knowing it is a dangerous smile, but unable to hold back.

I take another step closer, so that I am in better light. So, she can see my face. Her mouth drops open, and I see it in her eyes. I can see she knows who I am.

“Hello, little bird.” I growl, tilting my chin lower and staring into her eyes in the mirror.

The smallest squeak escapes her lips, and her body shakes.

Then she spins around to face me, while simultaneously taking two steps backwards and landing up with her back pressed against the mirror she was just watching.

“Tu - Tuomo?” She stammers, a breathless whisper that is barely audible.

“Did you miss me?” I purr, as I step closer.

She tries to take another step away from me, but she can’t. She’s trapped.

I step closer.

I should be offended that she looks so scared, but I am excited by it. I am excited by the idea of hunting her, of claiming her and making her mine.

I shake my head to push the thought away.

No.

Patience. I must have patience.

I stop walking towards her, tilting my head to the side and forcing my face to relax.

“I came to say happy birthday and to see if you liked the gift I got you.”

She takes a sharp breath. “Gift?” She is still in shock.

“It looks beautiful on you.” I gesture with my eyes, letting them trace up and down her figure.

Realization flashes in her face. She reaches up and touches her stomach, touching the dress.

“The dress.” She whispers. “You gave me the dress?”

“I saw you looking at it in the window so many times.”

“You saw me?”

---