Page 83 of Stalker

“I was in six foster care families starting from when I was three years old. Not one of them was decent. But I wasn’t a nice kid, filled with anger and hatred. So I lashed out. No, Cassandra. My life wasn’t a Hallmark movie by a long shot, but you live, you learn. You get over it. Or you die. It’s as simple as that.”

“And when something or someone precious was taken away from you, what then?”

His smile was unnerving as hell. “Then you do what’s necessary to protect yourself.”

The answer would haunt me. I had many more questions, but I sensed he was shutting down.

At least for now.

So he drove in silence, my pussy continuing to throb, my nipples aching.

And dear God, I wanted the man all over again.

When he headed into the small town, I was even more fascinated by the scourge of sensations controlling my brain waves. I was allowing my desire to override all common sense. While I hadn’t been the only woman Wilder had jumped in to save, I’d prosecuted a killer who’d used a similar method of luring his victims into feeling comfortable.

What was the difference in the two?

The two sides of me were a trait I’d accepted early in my profession. Which is why the fact I hadn’t seen David’s aggression maturing was both annoying and disturbing.

Was David capable of much worse?

What about my date?

Just then he made a wide turn down what appeared to be a long gravel driveway. Given we’d driven through a residential area, I had a feeling he owned property here. An odd choice for a man like him. The town was considered very tightly knit, tourists welcomed, but outsiders ostracized. The location was nothing like I would envision Wilder being comfortable in.

“You have a house here,” I said almost absently.

“I do. Does that surprise you?”

“In truth, yes. New Buffalo’s population is around two thousand people. From the pictures I’ve seen, the town is beautiful, but someone could find themselves very lonely.”

“Loneliness is all in the mind, Cassandra. I learned a long time ago that I was my own best friend. That and books. Besides, the number of people swells in the summer.”

“Why here? Why not any other small town?”

“You might be surprised.” He pulled up in front of a beautiful, coastal-style home. From the brightness of the lights, I was able to see the siding had been painted a stunning coral color with white accents.

“I’m beginning to appreciate the surprises of your many sides.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He threw the gear into park and yanked the keys. “I fell in love with a wine I had a few years ago and came here to purchase a few cases. I also admired the winery and attached restaurant and purchased the business, or at least fifty percent of it anyway.”

“You did not.”

“I did. There’s an excellent chef as part owner and it seemed like a solid investment. As I’ve already told you, I rarely make mistakes. Come on.” He opened the door, allowing the overhead light to stay lit while he studied me.

He was daring me to join in the adventure with him.

Why not?

“I am surprised, but pleasantly so.” I got out, taking a deep whiff. The scent of the water permeated my senses immediately, the sounds of nature everywhere. While there were no other houses close by, I didn’t feel caged, which is what I’d envisioned.

When he led me inside, I wasn’t certain what I’d expected to find, but the home inside was exactly what the exterior presented: coastal cozy with a slightly manly flair accentuated by warm colors of leather furniture and bold artwork on the walls. The layout was open, the sweeping glass windows and doors providing a method of escape.

Just in case I felt it necessary.

He wasn’t standing close, didn’t act as if he had plans on shackling and fucking me, which was what I’d envisioned on the ride here.

Or maybe it had been more about wishful thinking. I was fraught with the strange sensations I had being around him.

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