Page 288 of Trick or Stalk

“You saw how scared I was.”

“Yes.”

“And that made you want to scare me more?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

This is the part no decent man could explain. Good thing I've never pretended to be one.

“I liked your fear.”

She goes still. “That's fucked up.”

“Yes.”

“You liked making me afraid?”

“Of me.”

Her brow furrows. “What difference does that make?”

“To me? A lot.”

I lean forward.

“I didn't want you afraid of Caleb. I didn't want you afraid of walking through town. I didn't want you scared because someone might hurt you.”

“But you wanted me scared because of you.”

“Yes.”

“That's insane.”

“Probably.”

“Hades.”

“You wanted honesty.”

“I do.”

“Then I'm not going to stand here and tell you I hated watching you look for me through the window. I fucking loved it.”

Her cheeks flush.

“I loved when you started waiting for me. I loved chasing you. I loved knowing your heart was racing because of me.”

She stares at me.

“And I wanted you safe from everyone else.”

“While terrorizing me yourself.”

“Yes.”

A tiny, incredulous laugh escapes her. “You understand how completely fucked up that sounds?”