A light shiver races over her fragile frame.
Arousal at the hint of danger? Or fear at my masculine attention?
Maybe both.
The impulse to grasp that alluring purple curl and tug her toward me makes my fingers furl at my side.
I force myself to relax. That would be far too frightening, and I’d probably end up in the back of a cop car.
I’m clinging to my control by my fingernails. It’s horrifying and fascinating.
I have to leave before I say something else that I’ll regret. Abigail will be here whenever I want to see her. I’ll find a way to lure her into my bed.
“Have a great day!” she says in that falsely bright tone.
It’s so practiced that I almost believe it.
I summon up my own familiar mask and barely suppress a grimace at the bitterness of the espresso on my tongue. Usually,I take my coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar, but Abigail thinks I like it black now. I can endure the bitterness to avoid further awkwardness.
I’ll come back for her.
I recall her submissive responses to my firm commands last night. She must be pliable enough for me to seduce her without too much difficulty.
Then I can explore and master these strange newfeelings.
I’ll fuck her out of my system, and everything will go back to normal.
3
DANE
I’ve visited the café every morning for a week, and Abigail is simply polite to me, as though I’m like every other customer.
It’s frustrating.
Infuriating.
So, I find myself strolling through her neighborhood after the sun sets. She won’t even look at me when I’m at the café. I must’ve thoroughly intimidated her when I completely misjudged the situation.
I can’t harass her while she’s at work; that’ll only raise more red flags.
But now that I’m a regular at the café, I can’t approach her elsewhere without seeming like I’m stalking her. I’d only spook her even more.
I force my clenched jaw to loosen.
This woman is maddening, but the more difficult it is to pursue her, the more I crave to conquer her.
I’ve never been evaded by a woman before. No one has wanted to evade me.
But Abigail is a stubborn exception in so many ways.
I shouldn’t be here. It’s risky to follow her home.
And I never put myself at risk. I refuse to do anything foolish that might end with me behind bars. I’ll never be caged.
I’m too smart for that.
I glance around the deserted street. This isn’t the nicest neighborhood, but it’s quiet.
