Page 6 of Always Right Here

The Stalker

She may have been covered in bubbles up to her neck, but the gentle sway of the water told me exactly what she was doing. Her plush, biteable lips parted in pleasure as she let her head fall back against the rim of the bathtub. She was close. So, so close.

I resisted the urge to touch myself and bring myself to climax with her. All my attention needed to be on her. I wanted to memorize every breath. Every movement. I needed to study what she liked and what she disliked. What made her scream. I needed to see what she looked likewhen she finally came. I needed to gather all of that information and store it for when I finally had her all to myself.

So long I’d waited to make her mine. So long, that being just a few feet away from her and not being able to touch her felt like torture. But soon. Soon she would be writhing in my arms. Soon she would be moaning my name. Soon, she would be mine.

Just as her face scrunched with her orgasm, her eyes flashed to where I stood just outside her window. I retreated before her brain could fully register what she saw. I despised being in these shadows, but it's the only way. I’d do whatever it takes to get her.

She already left me once, but I’d make sure she would never get the chance to leave me again.

Chapter 6

Korie

I was fresh off a job, running on three hours of sleep and an energy drink, but here I was, rushing to my best friend’s little sister’s house to install a free security system.

It had been only three days since I helped her move in and something about her made me want to jump into action and never let her lift a finger again. So when she texted at 8 am saying she was free all day, I was up, out of bed and in my car in less than twenty minutes. To mask my embarrassing urgency, I stopped to grab us some coffee andpastries.

After pulling up to her house and hauling everything I needed from the truck, Riah answered the door before I could even finish knocking. The faint, pink flush of her cheeks sent a fluttering shock to my stomach and a goofy smile across my face. As I felt my own cheeks start to heat, I raised the coffee and pastries in front of my face to hide the evidence.

She ushered me inside and I set the refreshments on the kitchen island before moving the security system supplies in the door. She examined each cup as I made my way back to her side.

“Is this one for me?” She plucked the paper coffee from the drink carrier, her eyes lighting up as I nodded. “How did you…”

Now my face was really on fire. Had I remembered her exact coffee order from 5 years ago? Yes. Was I just now realising how creepy that was? Also, yes. But I couldn’t bring myselfto care. The awe in her wide eyes was enough for any embarrassment to be worth it.

“Do you remember when your parents used to drive us all over to Eddie and my basketball tournaments?”

Riah nodded.

“We always used to stop for coffee and treats. You always got the same thing.” I gestured to the pastry box with my chin.

She squinted in playful suspicion as she lifted the lid.

“Wow.” Her breathy sigh prickled under my skin. “You have an amazing memory.”

I watched as she brought her cup to her lips and took a long sip. I was not prepared for the low groan that rumbled in her chest. I had to steady myself to keep my knees from buckling.

“I really needed this,thank you.”

I reached around her, dangerously close to her hips that rested against the counter, and slid my own drink towards me. Instead of standing straight up again, I leaned over the counter, looking up at her from inches away. Her deep brown eyes pierced into mine.

“You’re very welcome, Riah.” My voice was huskier than I’d intended.

Her throat bobbed. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and chewed. Her full chest rose and fell dangerously close to my mouth. All I would need to do is lean forward just a few…

“Oh!” She quickly turned away, sliding her phone out of her back pocket. “Looks like my grocery order is ready!”

I hadn’t realized how hard I was squeezing my paper cup until the absence of her chest in my face pulled me from my haze.

“I need to go pick it up really quick…will you be okay alone here to get things started?”

“I’ll be fine, Riah,” I smirked as I took a sip of my coffee. “Drive safely.”

I watched as she drove away. I tried to focus and get started on my task, but curiosity was tugging in my chest. I squeezed the edge of the kitchen counter until my knuckles whitened, trying to hold myself back from the place my deeper desires were pulling me, but it was no use.

I checked out the window one more time to make sure her car was gone, set my coffee down and half-jogged up the stairs two at a time. Once in Riah’s room, I closed the door behind me. Although she’d just moved in, the smell of her surrounded me. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply.