Page 17 of Always Right Here

“What?” I flashed him a playful, irritated look.

“Nothing, nothing,” Edward added, sarcasm lacing his words.

I opened my mouth to question them again, but they immediately straightened, lifting their drinks to their mouths and averting their eyes.

“Why do you two look so weird?” Riah’s voice was suddenly next to me, my whole body snapped to attention.

“What?” Edward placed a hand over his chest in fake shock. “Us? Weird? We were just thanking Korie for taking such good care of you, sweetheart.”

“Yeah,” Riah looked up at me and my whole body relaxed. “She does a very good job at keeping me safe.”

Eddie stifled another laugh and I shot him an annoyed glare, not so playful this time. Riah’s face snapped over to him at the same time, her expression confused.

“Anyway, weirdos, I’m going to freshen up. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I watched as Riah scurried up the stairs before redirecting my glare back at Eddie. Hefinally broke.

“I’m just saying…I would approve,” he said with a smile.

“Me too.” Edward winked.

“Of?” I waved my hand for them to continue.

“My God, Kor,” he laughed. “You knowwhat. I’ve known since we were kids.”

Before I could respond, a deafening scream rang throughout the entire house.

Chapter 16

Riah

It was nice to let loose for a night. With Korie watching over me and my family and friends surrounding me, any thoughts of creepy text messages or stalkers outside of my window faded away.

Although I felt mostly relaxed, Korie kept a small piece of me on alert. Not out of fear, but out of pure, raw desire. The way she looked tonight. The way she constantly reassured me. The way she could calm me with just a touch and ignite me again seconds later with a look. The absolute feral possessiveness I felt over herwhen we were talking with my friends. All of it was a messy cloud of confusion that I could barely see through.

The only clear thing is that I wanted her way more than I probably should have. Way more than she probably wanted me. I still wasn’t entirely convinced that she wanted anything more from me than a professional and friendly relationship. Either way, I needed a break from her intoxicating stare, so I decided to take a break up in my room for a few minutes.

I flopped down on my bed with a sigh. Something crunched and poked just under my neck. I lifted to my elbows and dug under my hanging curtain of curls. When my fingers brushed across a folded corner of paper, my heart stopped.

Shooting up to my feet, I pulled the small, folded note up with me. My chest shook with ragged breaths as I slowly pulled it open andfound a short, typed message centered on the page.

You look beautiful tonight, Riah.

You are so perfect.

Are you ready to be mine?

Finally mine.

I’ll see you soon.

My head whipped around. I threw the closet and ensuite doors open, searching for whatever intruder had slipped past two security guards and all the cameras and alarms. I had a sickening feeling that none of us were safe. That this stalker had something planned.

I bolted out of my bedroom and down the stairs, my focus was funneled on finding Korie. She would know exactly what to do. As long as I was with her, I would be safe. Relief washed over me when I finally saw her, butthe second my feet hit the last stair, darkness closed in around me.

A scream ripped through my throat when all of the lights in the house went out. I froze in my spot, scared to take another step forward. I felt all around me for anything I could use as a weapon, when a strong hold closed around me. I opened my mouth to scream, but Korie’s soothing voice in my ear stuffed it back down into my chest.

“It’s okay. It’s just me,” she shushed me gently, rubbing her thumb over my stomach as she held me from behind. “It’s Korie. I’m right here.”