Page 15 of Hollow Forest

But the masked man wasn’t facing me. He dropped a bit of olive oil onto the pan and let it cure on a low heat.

It was domestic.

Fucked up, but still domestic.

When he flicked the gas off, his shoulders dropped as he sighed. “You haven’t been eating properly.”

“And how, pray tell, would you know?” I demanded around a mouthful of food.

Turning, he crossed his arms over his chest. The weight of his gaze smacked into me. The kitchen grew smaller.

I gulped. My fingers twitched, and my lizard brain screamed for me to arm myself.

But the masked man continued to stand there, watching me.

Swallowing hard, I lowered the sandwich. “I asked you a question.”

“I’ve been watching you, little one.”

My blood warmed. At first it was pleasant. Being the focus of a monster like this would make any red-blooded woman preen. But the heat notched up as logic came barreling to the forefront.

“That’s fucked up,” I spat.

He lifted a shoulder carelessly. “There are fresh groceries in the fridge. And now you have a toaster.”

My gaze flicked to the counter before I could stop myself. “I don’t need anyone taking care of me!”

“Most people would say thank you.”

Damn…. The rough cut of his voice made my skin tingle. The devil, coaxing me to accept this messed up situation.

My alarm chose that moment to beep. I jumped in my seat, heart slamming against my ribs.

“Finish up,” he rumbled. “Then you can get on with your day.”

The intruder pushed off the counter. I dropped my sandwich and snatched the gun. His exhale was part sigh, part growl. But he didn’t stop on his way to the back door.

It wasn’t fear making my stomach twist. I almost thought that I was sad to see him go.

But that was even more messed up than this weird breakfast.

The door cracked open. A gust of frosty air invaded the cheery kitchen. The nip made my nose prickle.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Sam,” he said, pausing and turning to give me a look.

I wet my lips. “Forgive me for not trusting the guy who comes and goes at all hours of the night!”

His hand tightened on the nob. “I won’t. You have nothing to fear.”

Life had shown me the worst-case scenarios too many times for me to believe him. “I don’t trust people.”

He nodded as if he already knew. “Then I’ll prove it to you.”

“Oh! And just how are you going to do that?” I laughed tightly.

“Simple,” he growled. “I won’t touch you until you touch me.”

It was simple.