Page 26 of Jealous Stalker

I feel steadier. Like I walk taller when I know he’s near. Like I’ve become a flame with the luxury of a shadow.

It’s late when I finally clock out. My feet ache. My back twinges. My head’s still full of everything I couldn’t say to Dr. Greene.

But I smile as the elevator dings and I step in because I’m looking forward to a hot cocoa…and my bed. Because maybe, he’ll come to?—

My breath stalls a little at the figure already in the elevator. He’s turned away from me, and his hood is pulled low.

He’s a big guy, with mile-long shoulders and a hint of a strong, stubbled jaw. But he carries himself with a stillness that blares out loud.

My pulse flares, wild and heady.

He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t look directly at me. But the air between us feelswired. Pulled taut and humming. Just like it did with that VA guy I saw a few days ago. The one I told Jules about.

Is it him? I can’t check without being obvious. Without prying, and heaven knows, these veterans deserve some privacy after the often-harrowing experiences they’ve been through.

I hit the button for the first floor, notice he’s going to the basement.

As I step back, biting back a jolt of disappointment, I smell him.

God. That scent. Clean sweat. Warm cedar. A whisper of citrus and ozone.

It’s incredible. I want to breathe him like a dream.

Like something I’ve dreamt.

A sensation tickles the back of my mind, just as the elevator bumps a little, then the doors start to part. I turn my head slightly, pretending to check my bag, just to breathe deeper.

But he’s turned away from me, looking at something on his phone. Large, capable hands. Hands I want to…want to…

The doors slide open at the ground floor. I step out. I want to look back, check if he’s watching me. If he’s the VA guy.

But I don’t. I can’t seem to. Something propels me forward one foot in front of the other. Until the door dings shut and takes him away.

My whole body trembles by the time I reach my car.

I have a stalker at home…and another one at work?

Is that possible? Or is it the same guy. My protector stepping into the daylight. Standing right there next to me?

The questions race through my mind all the way home.

And I tell myself it’s not too early to go to bed at eight. And as I shut my eyes, the last thing I see is the note I left for him.

CHAPTER 11

S.t.a.l.k.e.r

Ella:

You didn’t come last night.

I missed you.

I didn’t realize how used to you I’d gotten.

I slept on your side of the bed this morning.

Just to feel close to you.

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