Page 8 of Silent Stalker

I wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn't. The Audi purrs as we weave through traffic, and I notice every detail screams money – from the custom interior to the subtle scent of expensive leather. His suit alone probably costs more than my monthly salary.

"That's... vague." I keep my tone light and playful.

His lips curl into a slight smile. "Numbers bore most people."

The car slides to a stop at a red light. In the glow of the traffic signal, I study his profile—the sharp jaw, the perfectly tailored collar of his shirt, the way his hands rest with casual confidence on the wheel. Everything about him speaks of wealth, but it's understated—old money kind of wealth.

"Try me," I challenge.

He glances at me, those blue eyes dancing with amusement. "Another time, perhaps. Tonight isn't about work."

The light changes, and we accelerate smoothly. I notice we're heading toward the expensive part of town, where the restaurants require months-long reservations and have prices that make my credit card weep. Of course, he'd have connections there.

My curiosity burns stronger. What exactly does this man do in finance? But something in his tone tells me he won't share more tonight, and pushing feels wrong. Like I'd be breaking some unspoken rule between us.

6

SILAS

Clara takes another sip of her wine, her throat moving as she swallows. The candlelight dances across her features, casting shadows that only enhance her beauty. My grip tightens on my glass as I shift in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position with my cock tenting my pants.

"What fascinates you most about psychology?" I lean forward, genuinely curious about her answer.

"The darkness that lies beneath the surface." Her eyes meet mine. "How people hide their true nature."

My pulse quickens. "And what's your true nature, Clara?"

She traces the rim of her wine glass with her finger. "I'm drawn to things I shouldn't be. Dangerous things."

I adjust my position again, watching her every movement. "We all have desires we keep hidden."

"Do we?" She raises an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

The waiter arrives with our entrees, breaking the intensity of the moment. Clara cuts into her steak, the knife gliding through with precision, making my breath catch.

"Tell me about your work in finance," she says, but I can see how her chest rises and falls rapidly, betraying her attempt at casual conversation.

"Numbers are predictable. People are more... interesting." I take a slow drink of my wine, maintaining eye contact. "Especially people who understand the appeal of darkness."

Her fork pauses halfway to her mouth. The tension crackles between us like electricity, and I grip my thigh under the table to maintain control.

"Are you always this intense?" she whispers.

"Only with someone worth the effort." I shift again, watching a blush spread across her cheeks.

"Do you date much?" I lean back, already knowing the answer from months of surveillance. Her laptop camera has shown me countless nights of solitude, broken only by her fingers between her thighs as she watches masked men online.

"Not really." Clara dabs her lips with her napkin. "Work keeps me busy. This is a nice break from... everything."

Everything. The murders. The investigation. The darkness calls to her even as my goddess pretends to fight it. My cock throbs as I imagine her discovering who I am, seeing the recognition in those beautiful green eyes when she realizes I'm the one she's been hunting.

I am her salvation. Her gateway to embracing what she truly is. These other men, these pathetic creatures who've tried to court her—they could never understand her the way I do. They don't deserve to breathe the same air as her.

"Sometimes we need a break from reality." I trace my finger along the stem of my wine glass, imagining it's her throat. "To explore other... possibilities."

The flush deepens on her cheeks. She has no idea that every reaction, every subtle shift in her expression, feeds my need to possess her completely, to own her mind, body, and soul.

"What possibilities did you have in mind?" Her voice trembles, sending electricity through my veins.

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