Page 17 of The Watcher's Bride

“Why do you even want me? We barely know each other,” I say, trying to push those traitorous thoughts out of my mind.

“I know enough to be intrigued, and you can’t deny there’s chemistry between us. Ever since I saw you in that towel, I can’t stop thinking about what’s underneath it, what you taste like, imagining how fucking gorgeous you look when you come,” he admits frankly.

Good god, his words have my knees going weak and my pussy getting wet with anticipation. My mouth parts and my breath hitches.

“See, you want me, too. You’re just not ready to admit it,” he murmurs, slowly closing the gap between us, giving me ample time to move away, to say no. But I don’t.

God help me, he’s right.

I press my hands against his chest, neither pushing him away nor drawing him closer. The contact sets me on fire, and I can hardly think, my senses surrounded by him.

It would be so easy to surrender, to let my instincts take over.

But, as always, my past holds me back. It wouldn’t be fair to Max to get involved, not when he doesn’t know the truth about me, the danger that comes with getting close to me.

“Max, I… there are things you don’t know about me. I can’t…” I whisper, looking down at the floor, unable to formulatewhat I want to say. Because there’s no way to explain what’s going on inside my head without sounding batshit crazy.

Gently, with his thumb and forefinger, he tilts my chin up to look at him. “You don’t need to tell me, not if you don’t want to. But I’m not giving up on you either,” he promises, his voice a low hum that I feel in my core, and I believe him.

The way my body is singing right now, it wouldn’t take much to tip me over the edge to forget myself and beg for him. Instead of being repulsed by the thought of a man’s touch, I ache for more. Every inch of my body wants me to fall headfirst off that cliff and to let this happen. This is entirely new for me. Being touched by a man and not only liking it, but craving more.

Well, that’s not true, you liked how your masked watcher felt too.

Unbidden, the thought crosses my mind and it’s like a bucket of ice water being dumped on my head. What is wrong with me? Clearly, my body is going into meltdown, and I can’t let Max become collateral damage for the fucked-up things going on in my life.

Who knows how my stalker might react if he saw me with Max.

With that on my mind, I step back suddenly as if scalded. “You should go.”

Confusion flits across Max’s face for a moment at the sudden change in my demeanor. “Okay. But, Nora, you know that if there’s anything bothering you, you can tell me. I won’t let anyone hurt you. If you’re in trouble, I can help keep you safe,” he says gently.

We barely know each other and yet I know for sure that his words are true. Despite having just met him, Max makes me feel safe, protected, and it’s comforting to know he’s across the hall should I ever need his help. But I have to keep him away, for both our sakes.

“I know, thanks, but really, I’m fine,” I insist, moving to grab my stuff and start locking up.

Max sighs but doesn’t press the matter. “Come on, I know a great late-night pizza place nearby.”

I’m ridiculously grateful for his kind understanding. I should end things before both of us get hurt. Max is a good guy, but there’s no space for good guys in my world. Part of me yearns to reach out and take his hand, to act as though I’m just a normal girl going on a first date with a guy she likes, but my life will never be normal.

“I’m not hungry.”

Max looks at me with an expression that tells me he won’t take no for an answer. “I know that has to be a lie. You’ve gotta eat, Nora.” When I still look uncertain, he sighs. “What if we agree that this isn’t a date, it’s just two new friends going for some food and getting to know each other better?”

“Alright, fine,” I reluctantly agree.

He can’t help himself, though. As he holds the door open for me, he adds, “I’ll take you somewhere much nicer for our first date.”

Despite myself, I laugh.

Where did this perfect man appear from?

Chapter 12

Leo

Nora and Max’s date goes well.

And once more I wish it could be me sitting across the table from her. Speaking my words and not spouting out the shit a man like Max does. I wonder if she really likes this persona I’m wearing. The good guy, non-threatening, the sort she could take home to her father—that’s if her father wasn’t a ruthless mob boss who terrorized her. I make her laugh—or rather Max makes her laugh. The more time I spend with Nora the harder it is to try and keep myself hidden. I speak carefully. There’s no Russian accent when I talk—but if I’m tired, or let my emotions surface, it slips out.

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