Page 63 of Claimed By Desire

“Good to know your motives are pure.”

“Fuck you, Alex.” There’s no malice in his tone though, and he disappears back into the shop.

I slump down in the alley, sitting on top of the cooler. I sit in silence for a while, listening only to the found of workers in the building, the cut of their shovels in the ash and the banging of their hammers on the smoke-damaged walls. I stare at my hands and think about Step and the dozen ways I’ve fucked up my relationship with the people I care about the most lately, and finally I take my phone from my pocket and connect to the security system back in my apartment.

It boots up slowly and shows fuzz for a few briefs moments until an image appears.

The living room is empty. I pan the camera right, toward the balcony, and I can just make out the pool.

Natalya’s still in there. I can see her as a vague outline in the distance.

I have more cameras to install, but this will do for a now.

I sit back to keep an eye on my wife while I finish my lunch.

Chapter 25

Natalya

Istruggle against the loneliness.

Floating in a gorgeous infinity pool with an incredible view of the river helps a whole lot, but it’s still there, lurking deep inside of me. I can’t remember the last time I felt whole—like there were people in this world that genuinely knew and cared about me.

Maybe the other night, sleeping in bed beside Alexander. Or back in Paris when he showed up at my door.

But no, that’s way too pathetic. I don’t love the thought ofAlexmaking me feel complete and push that idea deep down with all the other feelings I don’t want to examine too closely.

After soaking for a while, I decide to have some lunch. I towel off briefly before heading inside. It’s chilly in the air conditioning and I hum my music to myself as I throw together a quick little girl lunch of crackers and slices of cheese. When I’m nearly done, my phone buzzes.

Alexander: You’re dripping on the floor.

I frown at his text. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is he sending some bizarre dirty talk?

Natalya: I don’t know what that means and I refuse to respond to it.

Alexander: You didn’t dry off enough. You’re dripping on my kitchen floor. Pool water is bad for the wood.

I frown then glance down. He’s right—there are some droplets and footprints where I’ve been walking around.

How the hell does he know that? I clean it off with my towel and pat myself down again, and I’m about to head outside to eat when I hear it.

A soft mechanical whirring sound.

I look up at the corner of the living room and there’s the security camera staring right back. A red light’s glowing at the top.

My phone buzzes.

Alexander: I like that bikini. It suits you.

Natalya: Are you watching me right now?

Alexander: I’m making sure you aren’t doing something stupid. Like dripping all over my floor.

Natalya: You’re an absolute fucking creep ,you know that?

Alexander: And you still haven’t dried off enough.

Natalya: Just because I’m living in your apartment, doesn’t mean you get to spy on me. You total dick.

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