Hidden Obsession (The Club)

I break into a run, my heart racing. My only focus right now is getting myself back inside my apartment where I can appropriately freak the fuck out. Trying to run in heels proves difficult, so I kick them off, discarding them on the footpath as I sprint inside my building.

“Miss, are you all right?”

The doorman appears, scaring the fuck out of me. After I retrieve my heart from the floor, I nod and force a smile onto my face.

“Uh, yes, just a little early morning jog,” I mumble.

He glances at my bare feet and smiles.

“Please do not let anyone up without talking to me first.” I slink away before he replies, only letting my guard down once I’m safely inside the elevator.

I make it inside my apartment, but I feel no calmer because I can’t get it out of my head that he’s been inside my place. What’s to stop him from doing it again? The first was just his way of showing me I have no control over him—and he’s right. He holds all the cards and I have nothing.

Digging my phone out of my bag, I locate the card Conrad left me and punch his number into the keypad. I’m not worried about waking him, considering I only left him less than an hour ago. He answers right away.

“I was expecting to hear from you again, but not this fast,” he jokes.

“I think he was following me,” I say breathlessly. I sit down and cradle my head in my hand, trying not to cry. Most of the time I’m strong enough to at least pretend he doesn’t get to me, but for some reason tonight I feel fragile.

“Where? Are you back home?” he asks.

“Yes. I’m sorry for calling you—”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll come over, okay?”

“Thanks,” I whisper. I hang up the phone and stand up. After checking all the windows are locked, I turn on all the lights and make myself a coffee. It’s nearly five in the morning and the sun is beginning to rise, but there is no way I’m getting to sleep anytime soon.

A few minutes later there is a knock on the door. I’m surprised at how quickly he arrived and annoyed the doorman doesn’t appear to be taking my requests very seriously. How many other people does he let up? My hand on the door, I’m about to open it when I freeze. What if it’s not Conrad? The thought of coming face to face with my stalker makes me dizzy.

“Raven?”

Conrad. I sigh with relief and swing open the door, practically throwing myself into his arms.

He wraps his strong arms around me and helps me over to the sofa. “Shh, you’re okay.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I mutter, rubbing my head.

“Fear and anxiety can do crazy things to a person,” he murmurs, handing me my coffee. “Are you sure caffeine is a good idea?” I shoot him a look and he chuckles. “Just saying.”

“I don’t know what else to do,” I mumble. “This is driving me crazy. Why won’t he just leave me the hell alone?”

“We’ll get him, I promise you that. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure this all stops, okay?”

I sigh as his strong arms wrap around me. He pulls me closer to him and I snuggle into his embrace. I’ve only known him a short while, but I feel blessed that I have him to turn to. How much of what I’m feeling centers around my stalker? If I was just a normal girl with a normal life, would I be feeling this drawn to a total stranger?

But that’s the thing: nothing about my life is normal.

Chapter Five

By Sunday I’m feeling much better, and my day improves when I spy Conrad at work. I try to keep my expression stoic, knowing full well I’m not supposed to engage with the members of the club.

He spots me and his face lights up. I roll my eyes as he walks toward me, a smirk on his face. I force myself not to swoon over the way his pants hug his frame, or how sexy he looks in a simple charcoal shirt, the first button open.

I wonder what he looks like under those clothes?

My cheeks heat as I chastise my line of thought. The last thing I need in my life right now is more complications, but after that kiss I know I need more of this guy.

“Are you here to tell me I now have two stalkers?” I tease.