Page 14 of Always Right Here

My willpower was slipping. My desire for her grew into a raging fire in my belly. A thundering storm in my heart. The need to resist the urge was quickly melting away, leaving nothing in its space but the need to make her mine.

As I felt my control slipping away, I finally let myself rub a finger over her skin. As if on instinct, she turned her face, pressing her cheek into my touch. It was the last confirmation I needed. I wanted her and I would do anything to make her mine.

Chapter 13

The Stalker

The way she stretched the deep green, form-fitting dress over her mouthwatering curves had me mesmerized. The warm tones melted into her golden, shining skin perfectly. I couldn’t help but think it was all for me. She knew I could be watching. She knew I could be lurking in any corner. Outside any window. But still, she stood there in her room, curtains slightly open as she zipped into the dress and donned her gold jewelry.

She set up the house nicely. Plenty of food and drinks. Tasteful music forentertainment. Warm, glowing lighting. Comfortable seating. And now, the final decoration was finally ready. Everything was set in place for the perfect night. She floated down the stairs with a smile stretching across her gorgeous face.

It was like she knew tonight she would finally be mine.

Chapter 14

Riah

I had been preparing all day for the housewarming party and everything was finally in place. All that was left to do was go downstairs, wait for everyone to arrive and try not to think or freak out about the stalker that may or may not be watching the get-together through my windows.

I insisted that Korie attend the party as a guest, since she was originally invited. After a little back-and-forth, she finally agreed. Her replacement, Jesse, stood just outside the door on watch. He was a large, quiet man with apermanent, hyper focused scowl on his face. I could tell he was good at his job. It didn’t look like anyone could get past him, but still, something about him unsettled me.

Maybe it was his seriousness. How he looked cold as he stood there in front of the door, stone still. Maybe it was the perfect, creaseless suit he wore. Or maybe it was just the fact that he was a man of few words. He’d barely said two words to me even when I tried to strike up a conversation. I quickly learned to stop trying, I didn’t want to make him or myself any more uncomfortable.

It was selfish, but I wished Korie could stay with me all the time. Not just because she was nice to look at and my stomach did flips every time she came around…but because she made me feel safe in all ways I needed to. Not just physically, but mentally. Slowly, I’d finally let the thought that I wasn’t a burden to her burrow into my brain.

When she grabbed my chin in the kitchen the other day. When she made me say it. The look in her eye and the sincerity in her voice proved to me that she wasn’t just trying to get me to stop complaining. She meant it and it made all the difference in the world.

I busied myself with pointless tasks like dusting the shelves as I waited for guests to arrive. As I slid the feather duster around my newly placed houseplants, a text came through on my phone. Immediately, my skin heated. My heart pounded. My head swam. The panic was so thick I could feel it coating my skin.

I should ignore it… but what if that makes them mad?

It was a lose-lose situation, but there was no way I would want to anger the stalker and cause them to hurt anyone at my party. So with shaking hands, I opened the text.

Do you need anything before I head over?

I sighed in relief, my hand pressing over my heart as a smile split my face. I had never been so happy over a text. My shaking hands steadied as I texted Korie back.

No, thanks :)

I considered my words carefully and quickly typed out a follow-up message.

Not in an 'I'm a burden' way...

I just really don't need anything :)

You'relearning.

Proud of you ;)

I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth, my body squirming as I read the words. Who knew such simple words could make me so excited and desperate to learn anything she could teach me?

Just as I began to let my mind wander, the front door swung open. My dad, mom, Eddie and Chrissy walked inside, arms full of gifts. I quickly stuffed down my impure thoughts of my brother’s best friend and greeted them with open arms.

“What?! You didn’t have to get me anything, are you crazy?”

I took the gifts from each of their hands and placed them on the entryway table as they filed in.

“Yeah, yeah,” Eddie waved me off. “Where’s Korie? Who’s the suit outside?”