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I ease back into the shadows and lean against the stone column.
“I just wanted to make sure you got home safely.” I don’t bother hiding the amusement in my voice.
“Well, I did. Great job. I’m safe. You may leave.”
The blinds of her window roll up. My eyes don’t have to strain to see her silhouette—her milk-white skin takes on a glow in the moonlight. Her head turns side to side as she scans the street, and I let out a little chuckle.
“How do I know you’re safe?”
“I’m assuming you can see me, yes?”
“I sure can.”
“Well, what the fuck else do you want from me? I’m right here.” She mockingly waves through the window.
“Hmmm…better be sure.” I see my opportunity to rectify not one but two problems and say the only thing that comes to mind. “For all I know, you could have a gun at your back. Flick the lights three times.”
“What? Three times? No. My feet hurt. I’m exhausted. Thanks to you.”
“Flick the lights. Three times. I’m not leaving until you do.”
She lets out a long sigh. I can tell she’s contemplating the request.
“Fucking weirdo.” Her silhouette disappears into the darkness of the room.
A moment later, the lights flicker on and off, on and off.
“Patience…” I say through gritted teeth. She’s doing it on purpose. I know she is. I run my hands through my hair. This woman is more stone-headed than anyone I’ve ever met. My skin begins to crawl at the incomplete sequence. Her defiant little self just won’t do this one thing.
“That is sufficient.”
The smile in her voice does nothing but confirm what I already know.
“Yes. Sufficient to piss me off. Three times.”
Rustling over the phone has me mashing my molars. If she thinks she can get into bed and I’ll go away, she’s in for a rude awakening. I know I may have crossed into questionable territory following her home, but I had no choice. She forced my hand.
Moving from the shadow, I take a step toward the street. The light upstairs flickers on and off, on and off, on and off. My mind eases at the completeness and confirmation that she’s ok.
“Good night, darling. Try to get some sleep. You’re going to need it.” I don’t hide the sickeningly stupid smile I cast at her illuminated form in the window.
“Asshole.” She sighs before the call ends.
The blinds lower.
I remain glued to the spot, unwilling to leave the rightness of being so close. I don’t know how long I’ve been standing here. I don’t really care. I’ll stay here all night for one more glimpse of the woman who holds my mind captive.
11
The sun breaks through my curtains in an all-out assault, blinding me until I have no choice but to concede defeat. A check of the calendar on my phone confirms I don’t have any events or meetings planned for today. My professional career is nosediving faster than I thought.
If my professional career is dwindling, I might as well make the most of it.
Ethan Passmore. According to the Daily Herald, he is scheduled to be at a charity event this afternoon. How convenient. After last night, I had already decided to be proactive and stop underestimating the man. Then he followed me home, which just pissed me off.
Perhaps he thought he was being nice. Well, maybe nice is a bit too much. For all I know, he has a bottle of lotion with my name on it. My white satin skin is amazing. However, I prefer it on my body, thank you very much.
Even after I turned off the lights, I could feel his presence. For hours. What’s worse was his closeness felt…comforting? I slept like a baby.
