Page 65 of Texting Dr. Stalker

Swooping to her feet, she said, “How do you know I’m not in danger?”

I glanced at her, making sure to keep my face shaded with the peak of my cap. “Like I said, I heard you screaming. I thought someone was murdering you. But it was just a nightmare. You should go to bed, Lori. And I do mean abed.Don’t sleep on the couch.”

She hugged herself as if I’d said something wrong. “Y-You called me Lori.”

I froze.

Had I slipped already?

Did X know that name or Zander?

She messaged you as X, you dumbass.

Breathing hard, I tried to get my anxiety under control. This was literally the worst thing I’d ever done, and I’d already burned through enough luck not being recognised.

“I have to go.” I stepped toward the kitchen.

“Wait.” She swayed toward me as her hand came up.

I stiffened. The nurturing aspect of my soul that got me into far too much strife reacted instantly. Shifting back to her, I almost—almosttouched her again. My fingers burned to cup her elbow or grab her hand. To offer support and contact.

It took all my willpower to stay where I was.

Her gaze slid over me, taking in my black attire. Her eyes widened, fear glossing her stare.

The tops of my bare toes stung as she glared at them.

“Don’t ask,” I growled, adding more rocks to my voice. “I can’t answer, and I don’t want to lie.”

Her eyebrows pinched together, but slowly, she nodded. “I wasn’t looking at your feet, actually. I…” She swallowed hard and balled her hands. “I was looking at the carpet where you’re standing.”

My heart thundered against my ribs. My gaze dropped to the spot between the couch and the coffee table. Her little inhale of pain told me all I needed to know.

I didn’t have to focus on changing my voice to a growl, it happened naturally. All those aggressive, possessive instincts that I’d always buriedroaredthrough me. “This is where he tried to kill you.”

She flinched and rubbed her bare arms.

Her dress floated around her legs with soft grey and pink layers. The sleeveless bodice twinkled in the night with pink and silver threads in the shape of falling flower petals. Her sandy blonde hair floated around her shoulders in messy, sleepy curls, and the night softened her features until she looked like a dream.

A dream where I’d wake up any moment and she’d be gone.

A single tear glimmered in the dark, rolling to her chin.

And I didn’t think.

Striding into her, I snatched her around her nape and waist and pressed her hard against me. The second her body collided with mine, I saw literal fucking stars.

Every synapse arrowed in on her. Every breath. Every heartbeat. I’d never felt anything like it with anyone. She felt so right. She fit so perfectly.

She struggled a little, and rationality tore through my mistake.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Untangling my hand in her hair at her nape, I gently pushed her away. “I didn’t mean. I wasn’t going to—”

With a soft cry, she threw herself against my chest. Her arms looped around my waist as she buried her face into my t-shirt.

I didn’t move for a second.

I couldn’t.

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