Page 27 of Stalker's Valentine

“Right,” she answered, then something in her expression changed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I groaned. “Why?” Was it that obvious I was seeing someone? Or hanging out Because was it dating if he wouldn’t kiss you?

“I don’t know.” She sighed. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re seeing someone.”

“I see people all the time! I’m not blind,” I joked, but there was something in her eyes that made me think Coral’s big sister sense was going off. “Come on! Let’s hurry and get out of here before Raven picks at all our food.” I winked. She relaxed enough to follow me out.

Since we had all ridden together, I didn’t have a moment to respond to Merri’s texts or calls. I just hoped he would be okay with that. Even if it did suck that I wouldn’t be able to hang out with him like I’d planned.

merri

. . .

The carI was sitting in felt fucking claustrophobic.

The space felt confined and the air stale. I was losing my motherfucking mind. I was cracking. Hell, I’d cracked a week ago by asking her to date, and the last seven days had been the sweetest torture. Being around her and not kissing her was slowly killing me, but I’d stayed true to my word.

To all of them.

My dick was like fucking steel pressed against my thigh while I sat outside her oldest sister’s place. I wasn’t sure what happened during brunch, but she had stopped responding to my texts.She didn’t take my calls.

A sinking grim feeling started to grow in the pit of my gut. I let go of the steering wheel and stroked my beard. What if she told them about me? About the gifts I hadn’t been able to stop sending.

Shit, she hadn’t even mentioned them to me.

But I didn’t miss the way the teddy bear I’d sent her sat next to her desk along with the croissant and latte figurine. Noticing the things around her place, her using them, making her lifeeasier, had fed the thing inside me. It made him get cocky and arrogant enough to send earrings.

Earrings she hasn’t put on yet.

I’d noticed the black box on top of a bookshelf. Had I gone too far?What if I did something to tip her off?Enough to have her suspect the guy she let sleep on her couch, when he knew exactly how to sneak in without her permission, was her secret admirer? What if she noticed that I’d switched out her pills?

You should have claimed her! Go in there, toss her over your shoulder, and take her home! Tie her to the bed and do anything to make her fall in love with you,the monster inside my head growled, but I shook it away.

I ignored the fact one of Oleg’s men was on the same street doing what I was doing and getting paid by me to do it. I couldn’t get myself to move from the spot, though.I miss her.Knowing where she was didn’t help when she wouldn’t talk to me.

My hands dropped to my lap, and I exhaled slowly. I needed to get my shit together.You need to feel closer to her. You know what you need to do,the deep voice inside me that was getting louder with every beat of my heart growled.

I started my car and drove off. Every mile I set between us felt like hell, but I needed to be around her, and the only way to do that without stomping through her sister’s place and ruining any and all chances of having a future with her was to go to her place.

I parked down the street, walked to her place, and snuck in like a thief in the night. I should have felt bad about being there when she wasn’t. Yet taking in that first lungful of air the moment I walked in helped ease a knot in my throat, and I didn’t feel bad. I liked being in her space.I need it.My mind ran dizzy with need as I ignored the small voice begging me to stay in her living room while I entered her bedroom.

I walked right in and straight to the hamper. I looked down and saw it.

Her pjs.

The vision of her in that little mint green and cream satin short and camisole set last night made my teeth grind down. It had put me on edge last night, and it was no better right now. It tested every fucking bit of willpower I had. Fuck, I’d almost swallowed my tongue when she walked out of her room in it.

Not to mention the confident sexy way she walked right over to me and sat on my lap.

I loved seeing her come out of her shell. She was still skittish sometimes, and her inexperience that became a little clearer by the day made me suspect she was untouched, but I didn’t let myself think about it. I just loved how she kept getting more and more comfortable around me.

And when she’d kissed my cheek? Fuck! The brush of her lips against my skin had been innocent, so innocent and sweet, it had made me cum a little.Right in my pants.Like a damn hormonally whacked-out teenager.

I had no idea how the hell I hadn’t taken her right then and there.

My hands clenched at my sides as I breathed in. Scarlett’s feminine scent clung thickly between the walls of her bedroom. My fingers undid my belt. I’d told myself not to come. Not until I had her to give her the biggest load I could. But I couldn’t help myself.

I needed a release. Right then and there. If I didn’t, I wasn’t sure what I’d do.

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