Page 34 of Destined By Dragonblood
I was in charge, and I would control the outcome of our future.
Chapter 10
Ashley
I slept better than I had for over a week.
The sun shone bright through the winter sky, and I opened my blinds to allow the light and bit of warmth into my east-facing condo. Within sight of those outside, I stood still. Waiting. Scanning the length of the street out front.
Neither set of eyes made me feel any particular way.
Soothed yet a little saddened, I returned to my bedroom and changed into something comfortable since I needed to get groceries.
I started my small Coop I rarely used by remote, looking through my front window as the engine came to life.
No one but neighbors busied themselves beneath the winter’s sun from what I could see, but a rush of warmth far beyond golden rays slid over me.
Good eyes hovered nearby and watched me, same as last night.
Smiling and core warming, I hit the unlock button on my car with expectation he would accompany me and turned away, excited to step outdoors and gladly yield to his stare.
While sceneing with Master Vanni, I’d felt my stalker’s comforting presence. Got off on knowing he watched, a sense of his appreciation over my submitting to pain a turn-on so great that I’d asked for Vanni’s touch.
His fingertips on my backside hadn’t brought about revulsion or curdled my stomach as it would have done a week prior. I’d wanted to press into his hand, beg for more. Ask him to put his hand between my thighs. It wasn’t fear that had kept me silent but recognition that one step at a time would ensure I healed properly without falling backward into my trauma.
Next Friday, I’d told myself once I had locked myself in for the night.
But I didn’t want to wait a week to meet with Master Vanni and strive forward in the progress I’d been making.
Ten minutes later and considering a request to visit the club sooner than scheduled, I opened my front door. Sweet heat flooded through me, and I wanted to bask in the double dose of sunlight caressing my upturned face. I checked the back seat, finding it empty as I’d expected but hopeful my invisible…friend? awaited me. I climbed into my car, my smile widening over his close presence. Either he could pass through metal and plastic, or he’d snuck in while I’d still been out of sight putting on my coat and hat.
My body tingled with the desire to see him in the flesh.
Maybe even touch.
But more than anything, assurance of his presence filled me with peace and a sense of rightness, allowing me to move without fear of harm.
“Hi,” I whispered, straining to hear the slightest shift or breath behind me.
Silence met my ears, and I laughed at myself rather than be disappointed. Incandescent happiness flooded through me with sweet warmth. A torturous yet delicious tension filled the interior of my vehicle, causing dampness between my thighs. I rubbed them together, believing I could get myself off if I tried.
But I wanted more than self-care. Needed physical touch like a seed buried underground required sunlight to grow. The yearning inside me strengthened with every passing minute, settling my mind on what I wanted even though logically, such a step toward healing seemed more like a leap off a cliff.
I drove toward the closest grocery store like I did every Saturday morning, wishing for conversation throughout the entire five-mile trip.
His presence disappeared when I entered the store but returned minutes later, solidifying in my mind that he had to open doors instead of passing through them. Otherwise, awareness of his being close wouldn’t have waned.
He followed me through the store, my grocery cart a lame one, the front left wheel squeaking and tugging me to the right. But I was too amped up with a heightened heartbeat and impatience for the unknown to be annoyed with the faulty cart. I meandered up and down every aisle even though I didn’t need to, enjoying the eyes on my back and the arousal in my core. Comfortable with the fact I would never see my stalker if I looked for him, I finished up with my chore, not bothering to glance behind me.
I loaded the groceries into my trunk but hesitated in returning home immediately. If he couldn’t pass through metal in his invisible form, I would be driving to the condo on my own. Perhaps I could open the backdoor and invite him in.
I nibbled on the inside of my lip, wondering if Doctor Hasslet would think I was insane. Without evidence of my stalker’s presence, how would anyone but myself believe I didn’t imagine him?
A Dunkin’ Donuts sat beside the grocery store, and as my gaze landed on the coffee shop, another option presented itself. Hoping my thought might pay off how I hoped for, I made my way across the parking lot. A hot chocolate and donut would be a nice weekend treat and also a good excuse for me to keep him around a little longer.
I entered the shop, the door closing behind me, hiding me from the view of good eyes. Breath held, I moved forward, joining the line waiting to place their order.
The door opened behind me, letting in a blast of cold air.
