Page 135 of The Dark Obsession

“It doesn’t matter if we’re just an inch apart, I have to feel your skin against mine.Always.”

Turning around in my embrace, Malory wraps her arms around my waist, fisting my shirt as she pulls me closer.

I crush her little body into my much bigger one, my inked arms contrasting with her pale skin.

“How about we head out and get some food. Maybe look for some more of those leafy vines you force me to hang from the ceiling. There’s never enough of those.”

I know we went out just yesterday, but I want to make this day special for her. Make her forget about her father.

“That’s ivy, and I would have hung it myself if you hadn’t wrestled me from the ladder.” She playfully swats my ass, propping her chin up against my chest.

“I’m not having you climb that thing and hurt yourself, Malory.” I growl, bringing my face to hers.

“I was on the first step!” She huffs and I can’t resist running my thumb over her pouty lips.

“Where do you want to eat?” I change the topic before I can get carried away with her mouth and we won’t be leaving at all.

“I used to get this plant-based pistachio ice cream they have downtown every summer.” Her eyes light up just from talking about it. “I was thinking, maybe you’d want to continue that tradition with me.”

Of course I want that.

I’d do anything with her, I would eat fucking mud if she asked me to.

For Malory to share her special spot with me, it does something to my insides that doesn’t seem healthy.

How could I have missed this when I was stalking her day and night?

I made sure to know all her favorite things and habits before bringing her here so she’d have everything to feel perfectly at home.

No need to cause her unnecessary distress over not having her fancy shampoo or favorite pair of pajamas.

However, it does feel oddly satisfying, rewarding even, when she tells me something I haven’t found out on my own.

I want to possess her every thought, fulfil her every unspoken wish.

“Let’s go.” I hoist her up, her legs immediately wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the car.

We exit the small café near the Golden Gate. Walking hand in hand while holding two scones loaded with pistachio ice cream.

Uncharacteristically for the Bay, there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Even the drive up to San Francisco, which I’ve done hundreds of times between stalking my girl and getting the cabin ready for her arrival, has been enjoyable with Malory by my side.

I don’t particularly like staying in the city, only coming out at night if a job needs to be done. By then most people are already fast asleep, rendering it somewhat quieter.

I’ve grown up in Los Angeles, never leaving its borders until I got out on my own.

Maybe that’s why I feel this resentment at seeing all those desperate people, hiding their suffering behind fake smiles and forced politeness as they go about their meaningless lives.

I knew that fate all too well until I found someone who made life worth living.

Looking down at our entwined hands, my blood warms at how my large hand engulfs her small one perfectly.

It feels fucking incredible.

With Malory’s fingers laced through mine, squeezing my hand and happily lapping at her melting ice cream, suddenly this outing seems a lot more pleasant.

As long as I keep my focus on her, I don’t give a fuck where we are. She’s all that matters.

Fucking hell.

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