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I haven’t been the center of anyone’s world since I lost my parents. Haven’t felt unconditional love since I was a teenager. And this man is really freaking intense, sure, but he also closed my bedroom window when it was storming, and he followed me all the way to my backwater hometown when he could have gone anywhere in the world. He could have chosenanyone, and he picked me.
His obsession with me is like a warm blanket on a cold night. It’s a steady hand taking mine, squeezing my fingers when I’m scared.
It’s everything.
“Come through my window tonight.” I force the words between stiff lips. “Please, Tudor. I want you to come in.”
There’s another long pause, but this one isn’t awkward. This one is heavy and fevered, and it sets my pulse throbbing. I feel thetap tap tapin my wrists.
Tudor’s mouth drags across my throat, and white static fills my brain.
“Alright, sweet girl.” He sounds ruined already. “Leave the window open for me.”
Oh, I will.
Seven
Tudor
The damp sand is hard and gritty, the waves angry behind me as they lunge at the shore. Out here by Carmen’s beach house, the salt air stings my face and flecks of sea foam cling to my hair.
I’ve watched her from this beach so many times already. I’ve stood out here in the howling wind and spitting rain, cold seeping into my bones as I stare at the warm light of her windows. And I’ve never resented her for being warm and safe and dry inside—I’ve only ever wanted Carmen to be comfortable—but I never dared imagine that one night I might join her.
Come in through my window.
She might regret those words already. If she blurted them on a whim, feeling reckless in the safety of the diner, she might have second thoughts now that she’s home alone.
If Carmen asks me to leave tonight, I will.
I’ve always been at her mercy that way. So desperate to see her happy that the one thing on this earth that could drive me away from her is a command from her pretty mouth.
Shards of seashells crunch beneath my footsteps. I approach slowly, mouth dry.
Heavy clouds block large patches of the sky, but there are gaps where stars peek through. They glitter and pulse high above, and shafts of silvery moonlight spill onto the empty beach.
Carmen’s house is smaller than most on this street, and her decking needs repairs. I could fix that for her. Anything she needs from me, I’ll provide.
The first step creaks as it takes my weight. Every time before this when I’ve climbed the steps to her deck, I’ve placed my feet carefully near the edges, avoiding the worst tortured squeaks of old wood. Didn’t want her to know I was here.
Tonight, I place my feet dead center of each step. The creak and groan of wood is loud enough to hear over the crashing waves.
There. She knows I’m here. I’ve bought her time to think—and if she runs out brandishing a baseball bat, if she tells me to leave and never return, then even though it’ll crack open my chest… so help me god, I’ll go.
A lamp is on in her living room, and so is a kitchen light, but she’s not in there. I turn to her darkened bedroom, my heart thumping against my ribs.
Come through my window.
She invited me, but it still feels wrong when I approach her bedroom, the empty shadows calling to me. I swing a leg over the sill, moving slowly and silently out of habit.
I’ve crossed so many lines when it comes to this girl. I stared at Carmen all summer on the Run Along Ruby tour, and I followed her back to her hometown uninvited. I’ve dug up every possible detail I can about her, and I watch her most days at work. Let’s not sugarcoat it: I’m her stalker.
And yet climbing through her bedroom window, sneaking into her beach house when I finally have an invitation… that gives me pause? Come on.
The bedroom is quiet and dark when I duck my head inside. I pause, halfway over the threshold, ears straining for a sound from my girl.
Distant music floats through the house. The pluck of guitar strings and a soft voice—myvoice.
I grin, cheeks aching in the darkness.
