I fold my arms across my chest. Two can play at that game. “Then why are you here, if not to get to know me better?”
He takes a step closer, the distance between us almost nonexistent.
Snaking his fingers around the back of my neck, he pushes my hair out of the way and cocks my head to the side before pressing his lips to my ear.
A gravelly whisper silences every other noise in the room. “My Little Cupid, Serena Rafferty. Twenty-six years old. Five foot four. Lives alone with a mini dachshund named Freddie.”
My stomach drops at the mention of Freddie. It makes sense that if he’s been watching me, he also knows about my little guy. But hearing him say it out loud brings a whole new level of reality to our situation. This may be a fantasy, but what’s happening is very real.
He stands back to his full height but leaves his hand on my shoulder, his thumb stroking my collarbone.
He continues, every declaration truthful, and it’s clear thatstalkingdoesn’t feel like a strong enough word to describe what he’s been doing, “Likes her coffee to be mostly creamer. Has an infatuation with love so intensely that it transpired into a business. She is absolutelynota morning person and has an abusive relationship with her alarms. Sleeps in oversize T-shirts while listening to music every night. Favorite flower is the cliché red rose, not because of the cliché, but despite it.”
He takes a breath, and tingles roll down my back.
“You find beauty in the little things in life. Find peace in consistency. You romanticize the world around you, and you’re fucking gorgeous. There isn’t a thing I don’t know about you.” His thumb brushes the side of my throat. “This night was never about that. I know you better than you know yourself. Tonight is about breaking the barrier and making you understandyou’re mine.”
“Yours?” The word leaves me in a breathy exhale, a touch of sass on the end of it.
His hand tightens. I’m already panting from his monologue alone, and now he’s nearly choking me, which would be threatening if I wasn’t already so turned on.
He growls, “Mine. Don’t make me prove it to you, Serena. I don’t think you’re ready for that.”
He might believe that, but my body disagrees with him, my core pooling between my thighs. I’m more ready than I’ve ever been.
Part of me wants to poke the bear, push that side ofhim to come out and play and show me what he thinks Ican’thandle.
Before I can even form a concrete thought, he whispers into my ear once more, “Be on your best behavior. Don’t flirt with anyone and turn me into the bad guy. That’s the last thing I want for both of us. But if another man touches you at this party, I can’t say what’ll happen next, but I know damn well he won’t do it twice. And then I’ll have to remind you who you belong to.”
My lips are parted. Jaw unhinged. Pupils blown. Pussysoaked.
He pinches my chin between his thumb and finger as he rights himself, and I can’t help but admire the veins bulging in his forearm. “I’ll be watching.”
Curiosity gets the best of me, and I can’t help but ask, “Who are you?”
He cups my cheek. “You’ll know soon enough. I’m not ready to reveal that just yet.” He pauses. “Remember what I said.”
“And if I don’t?” I challenge him.
He rolls his shoulders back and somehow straightens up even more. My confidence wavers.
“Then I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”
He turns on his heel and strides away, his two friends following suit. I’m left alone and fucking dumbstruck.
I have no time to process it because I hear Ker’s squeals growing louder as she races over to me.
“Was that him? That washim! Oh my God!”
My gaze hasn’t left the trio, who are still crossing the room. I remain silent as I watch them find an empty tableand sit down, my masked man facing me while the other two fall into conversation.
“Ker …” I exhale her name in disbelief at what just happened. “I’m, like,shaking.”
She sucks in a breath. “Good or bad shaking?”
I chuckle, loving that at any moment, she’s still ready to call the police or face him herself if I’m uncomfortable. But the uncomfortableness is part of what I love.
Finally, I turn to her, unable to fight the smile that’s taking over my face. “Verygood.”
