Page 73 of Shadowed Obsession

“What the fuck is he doing?” I ask myself, squinting to make out what he’s up to.

Moments later, he lifts the garage door and emerges on my riding lawn mower. Dressed in a long sleeve shirt and dad hat, covering his face with sunglasses and a neck gaiter.

But below the waist, he’s wearing what Skye calls “hoochie daddy shorts.”Could he crush a watermelon with those thighs? Or my head? Both? I’m curious now.

My mouth waters as I admire this infuriating man tending to my yard. Either this book has got me hot, or lawn mowing is sexy when he does it.

He eventually looks toward the camera and waves as he passes by on the riding lawn mower. Like he knows I can’t resist an opportunity to observe him.He’s so annoying,I think, but oddly charming.We’ve embraced these fleeting moments at a respectful distance with tampered boundaries that’ve only increased the excitement of the danger we are to each other.

If things escalated, I’d have the same concerns that I always do. How much time would we have before the mask came off? Not the mask hephysicallywears, but the one that holds his guard.

The inevitable slip of the tongue in a state of comfort is how it begins, always ending in a familiar demise. My love is lethal, unintentionally violent, and incredibly hopeless. For his safety, I shouldn’t pursue him.

I can’t even explain what’s transpired without them going all Klarke, killing first and asking questions later. I’ve learned my lesson, and moving across the country hasn’t absolved me of their sins.

He doesn’t deserve to walk into a burning building that he won’t exit. I know what I attract and grant in return. Partners aren’t allowed to make mistakes and move on.

At least not when they know too much and pose a threat to the organization. However, the possibility of him working for my family only increases the chances of him not making it out of this alive.

That’s why I haven’t entirely ruled out Xavier, though I must admit he doesn’t excite me the way Scar does. He’s a pretty boy, and I get the feeling that he only wants sex, but I also wouldn’t mind that human contact, even if just for a night.

There are rules when working for the Klarkes, and one is that no one is allowed to touch me. I assume he’s been so creative with my pleasure due to this very rule, but regardless, I do have needs. Needs Xavier can fulfill without a death sentence.

Does Xavier know about the significance of celosias on Thursdays? Of course not. Would he take care of me during my period? Or make sure I have time to read after a long day?

My guess is none of the above, but he’s the safer choice. That is, if I stand to protect Scar from ending up like Lawrence.

My Bluetooth speaks again, serving as the perfect distraction from my thoughts.

“Incoming call from Skye. Answer it?”

“Answer it.”

“Heyyy,” she sings.

“Hey, girl. What’s up?”

“I’ll be in town this weekend for the Techy Awards and wanted to see if we could have lunch?”

“Of course! I miss you,” I admit, excitement now filling my voice. A visit is just what I need to keep my mind off of my stalker and the lackluster dating pool.

“I miss you, too, and you better finish that audiobook so we can talk about it!”

“I’m trying to, but you interrupted me.”

“Well, shit.” She chuckles. “Love you. Bye.”

“Bye. Love you, too!”

30/

our lawn

César

2:11 p.m. | 3 days after ‘the sixth incident’

You should fire your landscaper.

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