Page 22 of Primal Urges

No. He wasn’t stalking. A stalker was a creepy dude who followed people home late at night and peeked in their windows…

And what is it that you think that you are doing?that pesky voice asked him once again.

Fuck you.

He watched as Lucas cut across Old Man Benson’s field and headed toward the barn he had out back.

What was Lucas doing?

Pulling open the barn door, Lucas disappeared into the wooden structure.

He ignored that feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him he had crossed so many lines—starting with following Lucas home after work to now, about to peek through his open barn windows.

No, he was not a stalker. Or a peeping Tom.

Try telling that to the judge as he passes his sentence at your serial killer murder trial.

Seriously, what was wrong with him?

Crouching down next to one of the back windows, Caden slowly lifted his head so he could peek inside without being noticed.

Not creepy at all.

God, if the guy ever found out, he would fucking kill him.

Well, maybe not kill him because of the size difference, but probably never talk to him again.

Or slip laxatives into his beer.

Either way, Caden would be fucked.

A light flickered on inside the barn, followed by another, and then soft music began to play.

Outside, Caden watched as Lucas climbed the wooden ladder up to the loft, which appeared to open up to a large living space.

It was the end of June, so the temperature outside at night was warm and comforting. Come wintertime, though, the barn’s temperature would not be so welcoming.

He wondered how long Lucas planned to live here. It couldn’t be comfortable or even enjoyable to reside in a large wooden structure that had previously housed animals and stored hay.

From what Caden could recall, Old Man Benson used to keep three horses in this barn, using them for work around the farm.

Why wouldn’t Lucas just rent a normal place? There were plenty of apartments for rent scattered around town.

Because most places performed credit checks and asked for references.He doubted that Old Man Benson did either of those things. He was a cheap man who only did the bare minimum.

One by one, the lights inside the barn turned off as the new boy in town prepared for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.

Another part of the Lucas mystery had been unlocked.

The more Caden uncovered, the more determined he became.

He needed to do more to help this kid. He wasn’t sure why he felt so protective, but god help the person who ever attempted to take advantage of his boy or do him any harm.

Lucas Braden was under his protection now.

As the last light turned off, Caden stole one last glance up at the loft. Somewhere, hidden in all that darkness, was a scared young man with a secret he kept hidden from all.

It was getting late, and he was already tired. Plus, he had his own little princess to check in on.

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