Page 7 of Jealous Stalker

I watch him grab his phone once more and the screen lights up.

I check my clone version of his phone and see he’s texting Jules.

Sorry, need to head back to my place, babe.

Can’t find one of my inoculation papers.

Will text you in the morning.

C x

I’m annoyed that it’s plausible enough to make him a good liar, which means he’s fooled Jules and probably Ella too.

My rage is still stroking boiling point but I’m satisfied I’ve carved the devil’s promise so deep into his spine, he’ll never to return here again.

I’m still tempted to cross the street and bash his face in for daring to sniff my girl when she was completely oblivious, though.

But I stay put, teeth gritted, when he starts the car and drives away.

CHAPTER 4

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

It’s just past midnight and I’m in her place now.

Quiet. Careful. Sitting on her couch like Ibelonghere.

Because I do. Don’t I?

The small house is lived-in in a way that makes my chest ache.

The kind of semi-tidy shared space where one person starts off a complete slob—Jules—and the neat freak—my sweet girl—picks up the slack for a long as possible, until she can’t.

The aforementioned security system is a joke, as is the deadbolt. Above it is a thin chain lock a strong gust could break.

She shouldn’t be here alone tonight or any night. Not in a place this easy to enter.

The place smells like vanilla, a hint of citrus, something floral that makes my teeth ache with wantingHer.

Throw pillows with worn seams. A fuzzy blanket slung across the couch.

There’s a chipped mug on the coffee table withEAT. SLEEP. HEAL.printed in cracked purple letters. It’s hers but I know the boyfriend used it. Another thing of hers the fucker touched without permission.

My fists bunch between my thighs and I force out a slow breath.

Tonight’s confirmed my every fear. She’s soft in here. Open. Unprotected.

I’m the only thing standing between her and a world that doesn’t deserve her.

When I put my phones and surveillance gadgets away, I had every intention of staying put in my hiding place in the trees.

But I couldn’t. Watching her through the video feed wasn’t enough. I needed to make sure she was okay.

So the second the neighbour finished his smoke and went inside, I let myself in. Now I settle in, make myself comfortable so I can watch over my beauty for the rest of the night.

I rub my jaw, staring into the soft shadows of her living room. Trying to ignore my cock, that feral beast that hasn’t softened once since she walked into my life, harder than steel. It always rises the second I smell her scent. And being a glutton for sweet punishment, I’ve made sure I can always smell her, every hour of every day.

It started the night I first broke in.

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