Page 29 of Stalker's Valentine

“N-no. I got home, and I heard a groan or growl, I’m not sure. It was in my room or down the hall.”

“Okay, breathe.”

“Merri––

“I’ll go check the place out.”

“What if it’s a bear or…”

“Or?” he asked, and I swallowed.

“I might have someone sending gifts.”

“Gifts,” he repeated, his face blank of a reaction.

“A secret admirer,” I cleared up. His manly brows bunched, and he exhaled.

“We will talk about that in a moment, just wait here.” He left me where I was, and I watched him walk over to the front door. I hadn’t locked it, and he walked right in.

My home lit up from the inside, the light streaming through the curtains I hadn’t shut before I’d left. I heard his muffled call to see if someone was inside. I lost sight of him, and it dawned on me just how clearly you could see into my place when night hit and I didn’t shut my curtains or blinds. I shivered, wondering if whoever had been in there had heard me and was outside.Watching me.I turned, but there was nothing but quiet homes in the neighborhood. I turned back just in time to see Merri walking out and straight towards me.

“It’s all clear. There was a window open. Maybe a cat or dog snuck in?” he said easily.

“I left a window open?” I asked. That was weird. It had been too cold to open them lately. For a split second, a thought popped into my head.

What if my secret admirer, the person who had been watching me and sending gifts, was the very one in front of me?

“Where were you?” I found myself asking out of nowhere. His face was wiped clean of an expression. It was weird. It was like I couldn’t read him.

“What?” he asked?

“Right now? When I called.”

“What?” he asked again.

“Where were you?” I repeated, wondering why he was trying to evade the question.

“I should be asking you the same thing, baby. You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No. I was at my sister’s. I should have called but—“ I shook my head. “Where were you? You got here quickly.” But then, come to think of it, it wasn’t like I knew exactly how far he lived from my place since he hadn’t invited me over.

“I was driving home. I had to drop some shit off at Boyd’s.” His brother.

“Oh.” My shoulders sagged, automatically believing him. “I’m sorry I freaked out. I can’t believe I left a window open.” I’d been born and raised in Moonlit Pines. I knew just how dangerous that could be.I know better.“I freaked out for nothing.”

“It’s okay. Come here.” He pulled me closer, but when I was near him, he didn’t take my hand in his like he usually did. Nope. My big, sexy, tall man lifted me up, and I squeaked.

“Merri!” I whispered, wrapping my legs around his waist and resting my hands on his broad shoulders. “You’re going to hurt yourself!” I warned. I was too heavy for him to carry around.

“None of that, baby.” His hands squeezed my ass cheeks, and a moan escaped past my lips despite the fear I’d felt just moments before. White-flamed heat coursed through me and pooled between my thighs. I couldn’t get myself to think about what had just happened.

“Throw those thoughts right out of your head.” I had no idea how he could read me so easily. “I got you.” The depth in his voice made everything inside me warm and fuzzy. “I always will,” he vowed before stomping his way to the front of my house. Merritt carried me through acting like I weighed nothing more than a sack of potatoes and kicked the door shut before turning slightly to lock it.

But he didn’t stop.

The man was obviously on a mission. He kept moving until he stopped in the middle of my living room. His chest rose and fell heavily, like he was out of breath, but it wasn’t that. It was more.

“You okay?” His voice was scratchy with worry.

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