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A shiver goes up my spine at hearing my name uttered in her soft voice. I want a recording of her saying it so I can listen to it any time I want. Fuck that, I want to hear her chanting it in my ear over and over again as I—
My thoughts are interrupted by that voice again. "What would you like me to do?"
I blink, my mind going blank for a fraction of a section. I know exactly what I'd like her to do, but I know she's not talking aboutthat.
I shake my head to clear my lustful thoughts from it and clear my throat. "The files. Start with reorganizing them. Once that's done, we'll go from there. If there are any calls, take messages and email them to me."
I don't really need my files organized, and I'm certainly more than capable of answering my own phone calls, but that should keep her busy at her desk for days.
And I can sit right here and watch her.
So close and yet so far away.
* * *
You would think I would tire of watching every miniscule movement Elena makes throughout the day, but I honestly don't.
Everything she does completely fascinates me. Like the way she brushes her hair over her shoulder when she leaves it down. Or the way she chews on her lip or the end of a pen when she's deep in thought.
The way she stands up periodically to stretch, arching her little back as she does so. When she does that, I want to wrap my arm around that arched back, pull her flush against me, and give her a better reason to arch up.
I like the way every movement she makes is unconsciously graceful. And I'm pleased to see that she's sensible enough to wear flats to work instead of sky-high heels like so many of the women who work in business offices. I don't have to worry about her breaking her pretty little neck in ridiculous shoes.
I still follow her home every day and watch over her apartment while she sleeps every night.
I'm completely obsessed—like a junkie looking for his next hit.
I can't stop now even if I wanted to. The more I watch her, the more myneedto watch her grows.
And while I long for more, I'm also strangely content to just stare at her all day. It's the damnedest thing.
I've never experienced anything like this. If she were anything but human, I would take her to be my mate, but she's mortal, and I can't bear the thought of condemning her to the same fate as me. Immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I wouldn't have chosen this life had I been given the choice, and I won't have her grow to hate me for taking her life from her. I'd rather watch her from the shadows her entire life than have her hate me.
And I must not be greedy, I remind myself. At least I can hear her voice speaking tomeevery day now. At least I can see her every day and watch over her and keep her safe.
That's more than I could have ever hoped for with a mortal.
Still, I can't deny that sometimes I fantasize about biting her and turning her.
An eternity with her…I could have it all if I would just give in to my baser instincts.
But if I do that, then I'll truly become the monster everyone thinks vampires are.
She deserves better, but damn if I'll ever let her be with another man. That is my one condition. I want her to be happy, but I cannot watch her be with another.
I'll suffer in silence, sacrificing my wants for her good no matter how much it's tearing me up inside, but I won't let any man—mortal or immortal—touch her.
Whether she knows it or not, she'smine.
Seven
Elena
Working for Mr. Argyle—orStephan, as he insists I call him—is nothing like I thought it would be.
Stephan must be a very private man because I've never met my mysterious employer, though we talk on the phone every day.
