Page 51 of Pretty Monster

My fingers splay across her back, more than aware of the fact that she’s completely naked with nothing but a towel wrapped around her gorgeous body, and it kills me to not tear it off and take her to my bed. “Good night, Mace,” I murmur, not wanting to let go, only she inches back, and I reluctantly drop my arm from around her waist.

She steps back through the doorway, stopping midway again, her fingers lingering on the frame as she glances back at me. She doesn’t say a word, just holds my stare as a breathtaking blush begins to spread across her cheeks. And with that, she walks away, leaving my heart galloping inside my chest.

23

KYAH

Makingmywaybackinto my apartment, I can’t keep the smile off my face. There’s just something about Mr. Parkour that does it for me. He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted. I’ve been surrounding myself with men like Crew and Viper, ones who want to control me and tell me how it’s going to be, and it’s never made me feel the way Alex does.

Sure, he has that dominant, controlling streak, but so far, it only seems to come out when things are getting hot and heavy between us. Every other time I’ve been with him, he’s been playful and cocky with that boyish charm that makes my knees weak. Hell, the way he raced me down to the laundry room still plays in my mind.

I’m already addicted.

Despite Alex checking the apartment, I quickly scan it for myself before realizing it must have all been in my head. There’s no message left on any of my walls, no random scent of men’s cologne lingering in the air, and the living room window is closed and locked.

It was definitely in my head. I must have imagined it all, allowing my paranoia to run wild, and now I’ve gone and humiliated myself in front of Alex. He probably thinks I’m an idiot, making up stories in my head just for an excuse to see him.

God! How stupid can I be? Besides, this asshole who’s been using my apartment for his own sick and twisted games generally waits until after I’ve gone to sleep. He’s not bold enough to try sneaking in here while I’m awake. At least, I don’t think he is.

Either way, my situation is messed up.

Certain I’m alone, I double-check the window lock before double and triple-checking the deadbolt on my front door. No one is getting in here tonight. Feeling better about the whole situation, I wander into my bathroom to fix my dripping hair and get dressed before finally taking myself to bed, turning off my bedroom light as I go. Then just to be sure, I open the security app on my phone and check over everything, coming up with nothing and proving once and for all that it was all in my head.

It’s been a huge day. I worked all morning, squeezing in a few extra clients and exhausting myself to the point I finally caved and told Big Jim to hire a replacement for Crew. I mean, no one is going to be able to create the kind of designs he was so good at and be able to make me smile when I first walk through the door in the mornings, but we desperately need the help, and I’m sure that we’ll eventually find someone who will be a welcomed addition to the High Voltage Ink family.

After getting home from work, I barely had fifteen minutes to get dressed and ready for my date with Alex. I had every intention of being on time, waiting by the door just like last time, but apparently, finding an outfit that screamsI want you but please don’t think I’m a slutis a lot harder than it seems.

Climbing into bed in nothing but a pair of skimpy panties and a crop, I pull my blanket up to my chin, but despite my exhausting day, I find it impossible to fall asleep. Tonight was simply amazing, and the way Alex threw me around like a fucking rag doll has me more than excited to see what else he has in store.

He ate my pussy as though he would die without it, easily getting me off, but I’m not going to lie, I needed so much more, and despite the incredible, intense orgasm that tore through my body, I was left still hungry for him. Though I guess that’s what they say—always keep them wanting more. Hell, I feel as though he must have heard that old saying and took it as gospel.

The thought has a stupid grin cutting across my face, and as I replay everything that went down in the hallway, I find my hand slipping down between my legs, unable to sate the hunger I have for him. I’ve never been so needy for a man before, but the more that cocky smile of his flashes my way, the more I want to throw myself at him.

My fingers roll over my clit, and my hips jolt, picturing the way Alex would touch me—his fingers, his tongue, his huge fucking cock that I can’t wait to explore. My head tilts back into my pillow, and a low groan rumbles through my chest as my fingers rub tight little circles.

“Oh God,” I groan, gritting my teeth.

Wanting so much more, I drag my hand down my body to my needy cunt, finding myself soaking wet, and I can’t wait, pushing my fingers deep inside. I split my fingers, gently massaging my walls as my thumb continues working my clit, but it’s too much. My body is already so worked up.

I thrust my fingers a little deeper, and just as I start to pant, a soft groan rumbles through my room and my eyes spring open.

What in the ever-loving fuck was that?

My hand pauses under the sheets, my heart lurching out of my fucking chest when I hear it again, the groan coming from across the room, not even concealed behind the closet door, but the small armchair in the darkest corner.

The lights are out, and it’s pitch black in my room, but I feel him, sense him watching me, and I fucking missed it. How could I be so stupid? Alex came through here, checked every fucking room, looked everywhere, and he insisted the apartment was clear. I so blindly trusted that I was safe. So where the fuck did he come from?

Is this guy a figment of my imagination? Am I going crazy?

FUCK!

No, this isn’t my head screwing with me. I know it’s not. I feel it in my bones. This is as real as it gets, and something tells me he’s not just here to watch me sleep anymore. This is some kind of vile game to him, and it terrifies me. I mean, who is this guy? He was capable of evading Alex during his search, and that couldn't have been an easy feat. Alex has military training and was relentless in his search. So how the hell did he evade him?

All I know is that this guy clearly isn’t here for a little innocent stalking, and considering the subtle groans coming out of him, he’s obviously in the middle of getting off. My stomach clenches realizing that he’s getting off while watching me get off, but what the hell am I supposed to do now?

If I stop, if I pause for just a little too long and he becomes suspicious that I know he’s here, is it game over for me? Do I try to run, risking the sprint through my apartment in the dark and having to try to unlock my door with him quickly gaining on me? Can I even make it back to Alex in time? And what happens if I do? Does he beat the shit out of this guy and make matters worse?

Or do I just keep going? Finish what I started and pretend to go to sleep as though I have no idea he’s sitting right there in the corner of my room, hoping like fuck he doesn’t try to touch me . . . doesn’t end my life?

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