But last night, something had shifted. He could feel eyes beginning to turn his way, interest sharpening where there previously had been none. He needed to be careful. The smallest misstep could unravel everything.
That he could not afford to happen. Ignoring the strident voice of his mother, he picked up napkin Kiara had used. He considered himself lucky that he had been near enough to grab it before someone tidied up the table where she had been sitting.
Closing his eyes, he pressed it to his nose and inhaled her scent. She had pressed it against her lips and even though no lipstick mark was there, the imprint of her lips were visible, allowing him to rub his over it. He felt the familiar spurt of lust and the weakness invading his body.
He could see her in his mind's eyes, wearing that outfit. He had been close enough to see the imprint of her nipples. He didn't want it to be physical, but he was a man and he was weak. Reaching into his underwear, he gripped himself and pulled his erection out.
He could feel her inside the dingy kitchen, her presence filling the room. Leaning against the fridge, he started stroking, breath hitching and coming frantically through his parted lips.
The sound of his mother's shrill voice was drowned out by the blood thundering inside his head.
The release came, leaving him weak, drained, and crying out Kiara's name. Soon, very soon, he would be pouring himself inside her and she would know what it's like to be truly worshipped.
"The bad news is this guy." Margo tapped on the screen. "He's not the only one who wandered upstairs. I counted fifteen people, including two drunken couples."
"So, there's no way of telling which one, if any of these people is the stalker." Oscar had deliberately taken the meeting at the pub in order to spare Kiara. Besides she was on a roll as she called it and did not want to be disturbed. He had taken special precautions and instructed one of the drivers to stay at the house.
"No. And there are no prints on any of the letters. This creep knows what he's about."
Oscar nodded. Pushing away from his desk, he went to the bar to pour himself a shot of whiskey. "Can I offer you anything?"
"No, thanks. How's she?"
"Stubborn as a bloody mule. But I'm standing my ground." He brought the drink back and sat on the edge of the desk facing Margo. "I'm accompanying her to every doctor's appointment and will be sticking to her like glue."
Margo eyed him for a few seconds, her expression thoughtful.
"What?"
"He thinks he's in love with her."
His expression darkened. "He can bloody well think whatever he likes, if he touches her, I'll kill him."
Margo's brows lifted. "I'm pretty sure you should not be saying that to a cop."
"I'm saying that to a friend. And it's a fact. No one hurts her."
"As I was saying, he fancies himself in love with her. Which means you're the enemy, the one standing in his way."
Oscar quirked a brow in amusement. "That's just fine then, let him come at me. I want him to."
"I want you to be careful and smart. This guy could be anyone, and he's been doing this for a while. In my experience, stalkers are harmless. They get fixated on celebrities and after a time, they lose interest and go on to the next person. This one is sticking. He's identified something in Kiara that appeals to him. It might be sexual or not, but in his sick brain, she belongs to him."
Tossing back the drink, he moved around to his desk and sat. "She has enough dealing with." Suddenly he felt the weariness invading his body. "I can take her out of the country. Force her to go to Ireland and stay with my parents."
"He'll just wait her out."
"Yeah." He rubbed at the headache brewing at his temple. "I thought of that too."
He stared into his glass, the amber liquid swirling slowly as he tried to collect his thoughts. The pub's din faded into the background, replaced by the persistent hum of anxiety. Each moment seemed heavier than the last; the sense that time was running out gnawed at his resolve.
Oscar knew that the easy solutions Margo offered were just that, easy, but not effective. This threat would not be outrun or ignored. Determined, he promised himself to stay vigilant, hoping that his instincts would keep Kiara safe as the shadows around them grew longer.
"I promise to stay on it. And check out all of these individuals. I just might come up with something."
"Thanks Margo."
"Of course." She rose. Pushing from his desk, he moved swiftly to open the door for her.
