Page 19 of Stalked By the Farmer

Conner

My heart poundsas I spot Misty sitting across from some guy in a booth at a fancy Italian restaurant, her tinkling laugh drifting over to where I’m standing. Panic and rage war inside me. How dare she go on a date with another man?

I slip into the shadows and trail them down the street, keeping a safe distance. Misty links her arm through his, gazing up at him with those luminous brown eyes.

My heart twists.

Mine. She belongs tome.

I find a spot at the bar where I can see them in a mirror along the back wall. From here, I have a perfect view of Misty and her dates's table. My hands curl into fists as I watch them chatting and laughing together.

Misty looks radiant tonight in a little black dress that hugs her curves. Her hair falls in soft waves around her face, drawing attention to her bright eyes and full lips. Lips the dumb fuck keeps glancing at with obvious interest.

Rage and possessiveness war inside me. How dare he look at her like that? Touch her hand or arm the way he does? She belongs tome. She's always belonged to me. I was just too stupid to claim her before now.

I can't tear my eyes away from them, torturing myself with every gesture and smile Misty bestows on her date. The sounds of conversation and clinking glasses fade around me, my entire world narrowing to the woman I love slipping further out of my grasp with each passing second.

Panic rises in my chest, strangling me. I have to stop this. Have to show Misty we're meant to be together before it's too late. Before she gives her heart to someone else.

My decision made, I wait until her date leans in close to whisper something in Misty's ear that makes her blush and duck her head with an embarrassed laugh. Then I'm on my feet and striding toward their table, pulse pounding in my ears, a wave of possessive fury propelling me forward to claim what's mine.

I come up behind her date and grab his shoulder, wrenching him away from Misty with enough force to make him stumble.

"What the hell?" the asswipe spins around, eyes blazing with anger at the interruption.

I step between them, facing Misty across the table. Her eyes are wide with shock, lips parted in surprise. I drink in every detail of her expression, the sight of her enough to calm the raging storm inside me. She's here. With me. Where she belongs.

"You need to leave," I tell the dude, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Like hell I will." He shoves my shoulder, but I don't move an inch. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

I turn and spear him with a hard look. "Leave. Now."

The man blinks at me like I've lost my mind. Maybe I have. All I know is that I can't let him touch Misty again. Can't let him put his hands on what's mine. My gaze slides to Misty, a silent promise in my eyes: she'll be mine before the night is through.

The dude scoffs. "You're insane." But he throws his hands up and turns away, stalking off without another word.

Silence falls between me and Misty. Her eyes are still wide, lips parted around unspoken words. I reach across the table and take her hand in mine, stroking my thumb over her knuckles.

"Misty," I say softly. "What are you doing?"

Misty stares at our joined hands, her expression unreadable. I give her time, waiting patiently while my heart hammers against my ribs. If she rejects me now, I don't know what I'll do. I can't lose her. Not again.

Finally she lifts her gaze to mine, eyes shining with unshed tears. "What areyoudoing?" she bats my question back at me.

"Protecting you."

She just stares at me. "You're a good friend, Conner..." she begins cautiously, but I interrupt her.

"No, I don't think you get what I'm trying to tell you, what I've been trying to tell you our entire lives. You'remine, Misty. You've always been mine. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"

Misty stares up at me with wide eyes, and I can take it no longer.

I take her face in my hands and look deep into those eyes that I love as I finally tell her my secret, "I love you Misty Roberts. Always have. Always will. Yes, you're my best friend, but you're myeverythingtoo. Everything I do, I do foryou. Why do you think I bought a farm? Becuase it's whatyoualways wanted. I bought it for you. Everyting I've ever done has always been for you."

I cup her face with my hands and press my forehead to hers, drinking in her sweet perfume and the soft scent of her skin. "So, why have you stayed away from me?"

Misty opens her mouth, but no sound comes out. She's crying, silently, but her eyes, her beautiful eyes, they speak for her. They're saying all the things she can't.

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