Page 52 of Stalk Me

Her throat works beneath my grip as she swallows. “Let go.”

I release her throat but keep her pinned against the wall with my body. The hurt and betrayal in her eyes cut deeper than I expected.

“The cameras. Breaking into my apartment. My missing things.” Sofia’s voice trembles with rage. “What kind of sick obsession?—”

“I’ll tell you everything.” My hand slides to cup her face, thumb brushing her cheek. She jerks away from my touch. “But you need to listen first. Your life is in danger.”

She scoffs. “More manipulation?”

“Your real name is Sofia Castellano. Born in Rome to Maria Elena Romano and Antonio Castellano.”

The color drains from her face. “What?”

“I found your sealed adoption records. Your mother was killed two months after sending you to America. The same people who murdered her may have killed your foster parents.” My fingers tighten on her jaw. “And they might be coming for you next.”

“You’re lying.” But doubt creeps into her voice.

“I’ll show you the documents. Everything I’ve found.” I lean closer, willing her to understand. “Yes, I put cameras in your apartment. Yes, I broke in. I’ve been watching you, protecting you?—”

“Stealing my underwear? My hair ties?” Her eyes narrow. “That’s not protection; that’s perverted stalking.”

Shame burns through me, foreign and unwelcome. “I won’t deny my obsession with you.

I brush my thumb across her cheek, my pulse racing at her defiant glare. “From the first moment I saw you, you consumed me. Every thought, every breath—just you. I couldn’t bear not knowing what you were doing.”

Sofia tries to pull away, but I hold her firm. “That’s not normal, Nikolai. Breaking into my home, taking my things...”

“Normal?” I let out a harsh laugh. “Nothing about how I feel for you is normal. You’re under my skin, in my blood. When I’m not with you, I can’t focus. Can’t think. I was so fucking intoxicated with you I had to jerk off over your sleeping form.” His jaw clenches. “What the hell? I said I’d tell you everything. I even came in your water bottle one night. You would have consumed my cum the next morning…”

“That’s disgusting,” she spits, but her pupils dilate.

I grab her jaw, making her meet my eyes. “It’s how deeply I feel for you,malishka. How completely you’ve possessed me. I’ve never...” My voice roughens. “I’ve never lost control like this. Never needed someone the way I need you.”

Her breath catches. “Nikolai...”

“Fight it all you want. But you feel it, too. It’s beyond reason, beyond sanity.” Our foreheads touch. “I won’t apologize for wanting every part of you. For needing to mark you as mine in every way possible.”

Her lips crash into mine with devastating force. The taste of her anger and desire floods my mouth as she kisses me with rawdesperation. My hands slide into her hair, gripping tight as I devour her. She moans, pressing closer, her body betraying her need despite everything.

The kiss turns savage, teeth clashing, tongues battling. The wall provides perfect leverage as I press her against it, letting her feel the full extent of my arousal. She matches my intensity, raking her nails down my back through my suit jacket.

Then suddenly, she tears away, chest heaving. “That’s the last kiss we’ll share.” Her voice cracks. “Nothing good can come from this. From stalking. From violations of trust.”

“Stalking is the highest form of flattery.” I trace her swollen bottom lip with my thumb. “You’ll understand eventually. Everything I do is to possess you, protect you.”

“You’re insane.” But she doesn’t pull away from my touch.

“Perhaps.” I lean close, my lips brushing her ear. “But you need to come with me now. Your safety depends on it. The people who killed your mother, your foster parents, are still out there.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Not against this level of danger.” My fingers flex against her jaw. “Come with me willingly, or I’ll force you. Your choice, but you’re leaving with me either way.”

The challenge sparking in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. Sofia shifts her weight, ready to bolt or fight. I’ve seen that stance before, knowing she won’t come quietly.

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” I murmur, reaching into my pocket.

“Go to hell.” She tries to duck under my arm, but I catch her easily.

---