Heartless (Starcrossed Lovers Trilogy 1)

“I want everything. I want to know everything,” I insisted, and he sighed.

I knew he thought I was as crazy as I did, but he knew better than to challenge me again. Sure thing, boss was the answer he gave me, and with that he was gone.

Friday morning was a bore and a slow burn. Elaine didn’t move until the sun was up high in the sky, walking on foot through NYC with her cousin Harriet.

I was a true damn stalker as I ditched my chauffeur in a city parking lot and followed her through the streets. I kept my distance, far enough behind that she didn’t stand any chance of catching my face, but again, her instincts were still pricking strong. So many times she cast a glance behind her, wide eyes searching for her hunter. So many times I dipped away out of her view.

It was when she was getting a dress fitting at one of the premier boutiques in the city that I finally opted to poke the bitch’s fear some more. I stepped up to the window, just close enough that she’d catch a glimpse of me. Then I waited. Waited until she stopped in the middle of a twirl, an instant halt which had the stylists as surprised as she was. My pretty blonde minx blinked and took a step forward, her shock so palpable that I could taste it on the air.

She rushed for the door towards me, but that didn’t matter. I was gone in a flash, just out of view as she dashed out onto the sidewalk.

I loved the self-fucking-doubt on her face as she stepped back inside. So much self-fucking-doubt she must have thought she was losing her mind.

I did it again when she was having a coffee with Harriet in one of the bars on East Street. I hovered on the other side of the street, my eyes firmly fixed on hers until she turned her head and caught a glimpse. This time she visibly flinched, getting up from her seat to rush in my direction, but again, I was gone.

Over and over I played my game through the streets. Chasing her. Teasing her. Watching the paranoia rise higher and higher. Cat and mouse had always been my favorite game, ever since I was a child. It gave me thrills all the way through my veins.

Here pussy, pussy.

So many times I gave her a glimpse. So many times she was rushing to find me.

Every single time she was a failure.

The afternoon was a long one. The evening drew in with both girls swinging a collection of designer bags along with them, Elaine managing to laugh through her fears. She headed back to her apartment as soon as they were finished, hugging her farewell to Harriet in the backseat of their limo before dashing inside.

I was still hovering outside her place when Hunter began trying to get hold of me. He called three times straight before my reality came crashing back in like a hammer blow. Fuck. Of course he was calling me. I was supposed to be out with him for his social meal. I pressed to receive the damn call.

“Hey, finally,” he said with a groan. “You coming? We’re waiting on you before we order our main courses.”

I could hear the thrum of the restaurant in the background, and should’ve been heading right on over there, but I wasn’t. One look at the light on in the top windows of Elaine bitch Constantine’s tower block was enough to keep me in my seat.

“No. I’m not coming,” I grunted. “Enjoy your night.”

“Not coming? For real? What the hell?”

“For real,” I said. “Greater priorities.”

“Shit with Trenton?”

I didn’t lie. I never lie.

“Other shit that needs sorting,” I snapped.

He knew me so fucking well. I heard it in his voice as he sighed.

“You still caught up with that Constantine bitch? Please tell me you’re not caught up with that Constantine bitch.”

“Enjoy your night,” I told him again, then hung up.

I didn’t answer when he called back, just put my cell on mute and stared up at that window. I wanted to see her. I wanted to hear her short breaths and feel her fear. Surely she’d leave. Surely she’d head on out somewhere on a Friday evening and allow the cat another tease with his paws, but no. My time was wasted. She didn’t leave her place again that night.

Hunter called me again on Saturday morning, when I’d finally gathered sanity enough to head back to my own apartment for a shower. I tried to keep my tone regular as I answered him.

“Early damn call,” I said. “Calling to give me an update? Getting some more Melissa pussy, or moved on to fresh turf?”

“Don’t even try to change the subject,” he barked, and this time his voice was tense as hell.