Page 115 of The Stalker

She was so wet and aching for Hayden. He was only a room away, and all she needed to do was open that door, then she could be with him.

She pushed away the desire and looked back down at the box she’d opened. Inside it was a pair of drumsticks that looked very similar to, if not the same as, the ones Hayden used. She pulled out a typed note that was in the box with the gift.

My love,

You really need to be more careful. You can’t keep breaking drumsticks, you know. I suppose that’s the price you pay for your art. I’ve always been in awe of your musical ability. You’re the most amazing drummer I’ve ever seen, and when we’re together, maybe you can teach me how to play.

Please know that I love you and I’m sure that you love me. Until we’re together, accept this gift and know that I’m thinking of you. At least this is one less pair you’ll have to buy.

You have my heart and soul.

XOXO

“Fuck,” Tatiana whispered, her blood running cold as she read the letter.

She was already holding it, so she pulled her phone out with her other hand and snapped a photo of it before setting it aside. She called out to Jesse as she took pictures of the box, packaging, and drumsticks.

“What’s up?” he asked as he entered the room.

Tatiana glanced at the closed bathroom door to make sure Hayden wasn’t coming out before she nodded at the table next to her and said in a tight voice, “Another gift.”

Jesse’s eyes widened, and he strode over to look at it. He didn’t attempt to pick anything up, and Tatiana was pleased that he’d remembered her instructions from the last time.

“I’ll go see who accepted this package and get Tanya,” he told her.

“Thanks. I’ll call Cooper and talk to Hayden.”

Jesse nodded and left the room. Tatiana quickly finished going through the rest of the gifts, then called Cooper to tell him about it. She was looking at the note again where it laid on the table when Hayden came out of the bathroom. She heard the door open just before the scent of his cologne hit her, and she turned to look at him.

He was giving her a seductive smile, and he said, “I had a very enjoyable shower, in case you were wondering.”

“Hayden, you’ve got a gift from your stalker.”

The smile dropped off his face at once, and he frowned at her. Tatiana had come to know the signs of Hayden being stressed, and she hated it. His jaw was tight and his whole body was rigid as he walked over to her.

“Which one?” he asked.

“The drumsticks. Don’t touch the gift or note,” she reminded him, and he nodded.

He looked at the sticks and then peered over at the note, reading it with that worried look on his face.

“How would they know you broke your drumsticks?” she asked, concerned about how the stalker had this information.

To Tatiana’s surprise, Hayden laughed and turned to grin at her. “Everyone knows I break drumsticks. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed.”

“I mean, I guess I’ve seen you do it once or twice?”

Hayden raised an eyebrow at her. “You really don’t pay any attention to me during the concerts, do you?”

“I pay attention to what I need to pay attention to, which is not you.”

Unless he happened to break a drumstick when he was taking his shirt off, you were hardly likely to notice.

It was the one time during the concerts that she’d been unable to resist watching him. She had noticed him switching drumsticks at a concert a couple of nights ago, though. She just hadn’t realized why he was doing it.

“Well, I’m very sad that you don’t pay attention to me,” he said with an obvious fake pout.

“Don’t be. You’re alive, aren’t you?”

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