Page 78 of Trick or Stalk

I file those four words away with everything else I've learned about her.

She likes Halloween.

Horror movies.

Romance novels about men who stalk women.

Apparently ugly fucking rugs.

And coffee.

Although I still need to figure out exactly how she takes it.

Penny ventures onto the porch and immediately sniffs the new rug.

“No peeing on it.”

Penny looks at her.

“I paid twenty-eight dollars for that.”

I almost laugh.

Presley points at the rug. “Twenty-eight dollars, Penny. For a doormat. That's ridiculous.” She pauses, her tone softening. “But worth it.”

Penny walks in a circle and sits in the middle of it.

“Really?”

Her tail thumps.

“You have the entire house.”

Another thump.

“And you choose my new rug.”

Penny lies down.

A laugh escapes Presley. I hear it clearly from where I'm standing.

I could listen to that laugh all night.

Presley crouches and scratches Penny's ears. “You're lucky you're cute.”

She stands and picks up the old rug.

She looks around... and then her gaze drifts toward the woods.

I don't move.

Her smile slowly disappears.

Her shoulders stiffen as her attention settles on the trees. Not exactly where I’m standing, but close enough.

She feels me. I know she does.

The knowledge sends a dark thrill through me.