Hidden Obsession (The Club)

We leave the restaurant and drive back to his place. I’m determined to get a few more hours of study in before I go to work, but it seems Conrad has other ideas.

“Have a drink with me,” he says, leading me into the living room.

I laugh. “I can’t. I have to work, remember?”

“So have a soda. I’ll drink.” He smirks.

I roll my eyes and agree, sure he’s not going to give in until I do.

“Good. Sit down and relax. You study too much anyway.”

“I wish my grades suggested that,” I call out as he disappears into the kitchen.

He comes back a few minutes later juggling a beer, soda, and a bag of chips. Sitting down next to me of the sofa, throws the bag on the coffee table.

“Why business?” he asks. “It seems odd when you work in security. Why not law or something?”

“Because I dream of running my own club someday.” I grin.

“I’d be up for that. Would you let me in?” he teases.

“I don’t know, it would be pretty exclusive. I wouldn’t want just anyone in,” I reply with a laugh. “You might attract the wrong kind of clientele.”

“Me?” he gasps, offended. “I’ll have you know I’m a fine, upstanding member of the community—”

“With a taste for all things kinky and naughty,” I add with a devilish grin.

“Doesn’t that make me a typical guy?” he retorts, his eyes sparkling.

I laugh and lift my leg onto the sofa, tucking it under me. I could quite happily sit here all night chatting to him. The more I get to know him, the more I like. If only I didn’t have to be at work in twenty minutes.

“I’m having fun, but I really need to get to work,” I say sheepishly.

“Let me drive you,” he suggests, getting to his feet.

“No, you’re already doing too much for me,” I protest.

“Seriously, it’s fine. I was on my way there anyway,” he says with a chuckle.

I raise an eyebrow but don’t question him any more. To be honest, if he’s headed there to fuck other women I’m not sure I want to know about it. “Okay. But that means you’ll have to pick me up too.”

He cocks his head and smiles. “Who said I was planning on leaving?”

Chapter Nine

It’s been nearly a week and I’ve heard nothing from my stalker. I was sure the fact that I was staying with Conrad would annoy him into acting out, but I’m relieved that I might be able to go back to my own place soon. Not that staying with Conrad doesn’t have its perks. He’s a hell of a cook and it’s been great getting to know him.

“I think I might go home tomorrow,” I say, sitting down at the table with my coffee and toast.

“Sounds reasonable. We haven’t heard from him and the guys turned up no leads with the people living in your building.” He shrugs and stands up, clearing his plate and cup. “I guess we wait until he does act out again and go from there.”

It makes sense. I’m not stupid enough to think that he’d moved on, but a small part of me hopes that on some level maybe he’d gotten the message how spooked his actions had made me.

After Conrad leaves for work, I pull out my books, ready for another long study session. I only have two days until my next exam and I’ve done next to nothing to prepare for it. I open my textbook and try to focus on the words in front of me, but I’m struggling.

I reach for my phone and search for my aunt’s number. I haven’t been in contact with her for a while and I feel bad. Pressing call, I wait for her to answer. She does almost immediately.

“Raven, hey!”