Page 111 of Texting Dr. Stalker

Immediately, I went to shift away, but she moved with me.

“I know this is super forward of me and wrong on so many levels,” she whispered. “I know I’m being manipulative and owe you a thousand apologies. We don’t know each other. I don’t know your real name. I don’t know where you live or what you do or why you truly approached me, but I do know I can’t do this on my own. And I can’t move on until I claim my body as mine again. You were kind enough to be there for me and I’m weak enough to ask for something you’re not willing to give. But only because I’m sosickof feeling him punch and kick me whenever I look at certain people. I hate feeling this lost, this broken. My bruises are fading, but the walls are only getting higher.”

I clung to her. “I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry enough to help?”

I groaned and buried my face in her hair. “You’re determined to kill me, Lori.”

Her hips rocked again, waking up the parts of me that were ready and very,verywilling to serve.

“Do you find me attractive?” she asked on a shaky breath.

I laughed torturedly. “Do you really have to ask that question?”

“If you find me attractive and admit you have the same crush, then…why did you turn me down when I asked you to sleep with me?”

My teeth ground together. I didn’t have to fake my growl to cover my usual baritone—it was a thousand percent real. “Because I refuse to take advantage of you.”

“But isn’t itmetaking advantage ofyou? Like I said in our messages, aren’t I the one asking you to do this? Aren’t I the one in the wrong? Do you…” She trembled; fresh tears wobbled her voice. “D-Do you think I’m a slut?”

I reacted before I could think.

Pushing her away from me, I grabbed her chin and pinned her on her back. I didn’t know where such a move came from. I hadn’t meant to do it. But she gasped as her eyes popped wide, then shuddered as I shifted on top of her. With my spare hand, I hitched her higher up the bed and slipped between her spread legs, trapping her beneath me.

For a heartbeat, I feared I’d gone too far. This wasn’t me. This wasn’t who sheneededme to be. But then her eyes melted into molten, scorching blue.

I couldn’t stop staring at her.

With my free hand, I made sure my mask still covered my nose and mouth.

At least the room was dark. My hat had stayed low over my brow. She wouldn’t be able to tell my hair or eye colour.

Hopefully.

“If he was the one who called you a slut, he’s a motherfucking asshole. You aren’t. I’ve never thought that. Not for a single moment.”

She tried to nod, forcing my fingers harder against her cheeks.

Pulling my hand away, tingles sparked from touching her. “Sorry…I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine.” She attempted a tragic smile. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“I’m glad.” My gaze fell to her mouth. To her perfect lips. Her perfect, kissable, delicious lips.

All the blood in my body arrowed between my legs, leaving me with the intelligence of a rock.

Shifting, I attempted to get off her, but she placed her hands on my lower back. Her soft touch kept me from going anywhere.

Our eyes met.

The room, the night, the world all bled away like watercolour illusions.

We didn’t speak for so long, but our hearts thundered to the same chaos. Finally,finally, she studied my mask and whispered a single word.

One word that undid me.

One word that made me hers.

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