I searched the room for my phone, finally finding it under the couch. The screen lit up with an unknown number, and I felt my chest tighten as I answered.
“Hello?” I whispered, trying to keep from waking Casey.
“You look so pretty when you laugh,” the voice said gruffly.
My heart stilled as I looked around the room, searching every dark corner. I got up, stumbling around the apartment, the alcohol instantly evaporating from my system.
“Who is this?”
A dark chuckle echoed over the phone, making me shiver. Warmth pooled in my stomach, an unexpected sensation that I tried to push away.
“Everything you never knew you wanted.”
I searched the last room, finding it empty, and sat down on Casey’s bed. My body trembled with fear and something much darker, as I listened to the sound of his heavy breathing.
“I’m not in there,” he said.
I stilled at his words, the sound of my pulse rushing in my ears. My eyes darted to the window as dread filled my chest, and I walked over, hesitantly looking out.
A tall figure stood on the street below, shrouded in darkness. I swallowed down tears and peered out at him, his body eerily still.
“What do you want? Why are you doing this?”
Silence filled the phone as I waited for him to answer.
“You.”
A soft click filled the phone, letting me know he’d hung up. I watched him below as he gave me a wave, then turned his back to me, walking away.
I knew I should probably call Detective Pearson, but as my fingers hovered over her number, something stopped me. I told myself it could wait until the morning and made my way back into the living room.
Casey lay on the couch, her arm and leg hanging off the edge, loud snores filling the silence. I stumbled over, draping the blanket across her, and sat down on the floor.
My phone lit up in my hand, a text from an unknown number appearing on the screen. I unlocked it, staring down at the words I knew were from him.
You’d look so pretty with your lips wrapped around my cock
I shuddered at the words, feeling arousal and fear war beneath my skin. His words replayed in my head as I stared down at my phone before finally shutting it off.
I glanced up at Casey, knowing I couldn’t tell her about what happened tonight. She was already worried about me and stressed about work without adding this to the list. I pulled a blanket off the back of the couch, wrapping myself in it tightly.
Above me, Casey began to move, her arm that hung off the edge reaching down to rub the top of my head.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice hoarse from sleep.
Minutes passed, and I didn’t answer, unsure of what to say.
Everythingwasn’tokay, but I couldn’t tell her that. I couldn’t tell her anything about what just happened.
Eventually, she leaned over the couch to stare down at me, her brows furrowed in concern. We lay there, staring at each other until she finally broke the silence.
“I know things have been tough, Lila. But you know you can talk to me.”
I forced a smile and reached up to hold her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Something deep in my chest ached, causing tears to spring to my eyes.
“I miss your dad,” I whispered. “He always treated me like his own. He gave me something no one else ever did.”
Casey sighed softly as she slipped off the couch, snuggling against me. Her warm breath caressed my cheek and I relaxed against her.
