I shove the truck into gear, keeping a careful distance, eyes fixed on her. Just to make sure she gets home safe. That’s all. I don’t care about anything else right now. Only her safety. There’s a pull I can't fight—the need to protect her. I shouldn’t follow her, I tell myself. But I can't stop.
I continue to follow her at a safe distance, keeping eyes on her as she walks. Finally, she turns down a side street, heading toward an apartment building. Relief washes over me—I can pull off now.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I see him. The scrub from the bookstore. Following her.
I slam the truck into park, heart hammering, I jump out and bolt toward him. I grab the man by the collar, yanking him backward. “What the hell were you doing following her?” I demand, voice low and dangerous.
He smirks. “I could askyouthe same.”
I pause. My fists clench.
His smirk doesn’t waver. “We’re… the same,” he says.
That’s it. Something in me snaps. I shove him back against the wall, my voice booming. “Stay away from her.” I say before I slam my fist into his jaw, hearing something crack beneath my knuckles. I grab him by the neck, lifting him from the ground, “She’smine.Understand?”
I throw him to the ground and take my boot to his ribs so hard the force vibrates through my bones. I step back, chest heaving, eyes locked on him. “If you ever go in that bookstore again, or anywhere near her, I’ll kill you.”
The man coughs against the concrete and I take one last look at the apartment building. She’s safe. I let out a long breath, letting the adrenaline drain from my body.
I slide back into my truck, hands still gripping the steering wheel a little too tight. I pause. “No, I shouldn’t.” I tell myself. “Just for a minute. For the sake of her safety.”
I pull into the parking lot, headlights cutting through the night, and find a spot near the back.
I lean back into my seat; I can’t help but wonder which window is hers. My eyes sweep over building.
My gaze stops at the curvy figure moving behind the sheer curtains. There she is.
I just watch for a moment, drinking in the way she moves. Does she have any idea how captivating she is?
I shouldn’t be doing this, I know it. But I can't look away. She moves closer to thewindow, and I can see the faintest outline of her ass.
My hands grip the steering wheel as I let out a long shaky breath. I fight the urge to stay and watch her a little longer.
But it’s time to go. I know which window is hers now. I hate to admit it, but I’ll most likely be back.
I sigh, forcing myself to pull onto the road, a sick, twisted part of me already plans the next time I’ll be here.
And I’m afraid it won’t be long.
CHAPTER THREE
OPAL
The store is finally quiet after a busy day; the weekend rush having finally tapered off. Saturday is always our busiest day.
The bell above the door jingles one last time as the final customer leaves, and I grab the broom, starting to sweep the scattered crumbs and dust along the floor.
“Ugh I hate closing,” Alex, my coworker says from the aisle next to me.
“Could be worse. At least you’ve got me for company,” I say grinning.
Alex has been here almost as long as I have, and somewhere along the way we shifted from coworkers to actual friends.
I put the broom away and join her stocking shelves. As I slide a book onto the shelf, she leans against the cart.
“So, what are you doing tomorrow night? Big Halloween plans?”
I shake my head. “Not really. Probably just… hand out candy and watch spooky movies.”
