Page 87 of Desperate Needs

Every time I’d looked at the pics I had of her, I’d close my eyes, take a breath, and make that silent, desperate wish.

I’d whisper the same sacred prayer that someday all my prayers, all my longing to have just a taste of the inner light she carried, might be answered.

Someday. Let me get what I want. Just this one thing. Let me have what I need so badly.

It had nothing to do with logic or reason. When I looked at Clementine, my very soul went on high alert.

I craved her with a hunger that went all the way to my marrow.

Yes, I hunted her.

For a whole year. I followed my redheaded firefly all over the place. Sought every bit of her life I could reach.

Fine, I was obsessed.

But I had camouflaged it somehow for months. All the way to Liam’s son’s christening. God, she was so beautiful then draped in emerald fabric.

She spoke to me and that little spark of hope I’d been carrying turned into a blazing fire.

Sometimes that was all it took for an ember to turn into a flame.

The odds were stacked against me. But I was familiar with reaching for stars.

And maybe—just maybe—that wish I had for her, that unexpected dream that dwelled inside me to be with Clementine, was closer than I thought.

I never imagined I could have her. Not for all my fantasizing. But she changed that all when she all but dared me to text her for a date.

That was the signal I’d needed. The shot fired in the air. It was the moment I realized my dream had the potential to be real.

The shiver of awareness that raced up my spine at the sparkle in her eye, and the mischief I witnessed in her smile, touched me in ways I had never expected.

And after, fuck, after, she surpassed my wildest dreams. But I fucked it up. I lost the only woman who ever meant anything to me, and now I had to get her back.

There was no other choice. Now that I had her in my arms, warming my bed, her slick covering my cock, I knew she was more than a dream. More than an idea or a wish.

Being with her was a fucking necessity.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. My whole body was attuned to her every move. She looked happy. Dancing and jumping, having fun with her girls.

Part of me wanted to howl and roar at every motherfucker in there to avert their gaze. To look away from what was mine.

But another part of me, a more civilized part I guessed, was proud of her for being so damn confident and happy despite the shit I put her through.

I wanted her happy. Always. And even though I was barely keeping myself in check after who knew how many minutes of her shaking that fine ass, I bit my cheek and let her have her night.

She deserved it. She deserved everything. If my sweet Darlin’ wanted to dance, then I could help her do that unmolested.

I texted my team, making sure they were ready to aid the Den’s bouncers. We’d keep their area clear of assholes so they could just have their fun.

I stayed on the periphery, keeping myself hidden. It was a role I was good at. Stalker. But I wasn’t staying in the shadows forever. And when she walked off the dance floor and headed to the bar, I knew this was my chance.

Finally, I breathed.

I almost have you, Darlin’. This time, I’m not letting go.

Chapter 35-Clementine

He’s here.

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