Page 66 of Born into Madness

I kiss him back and then give Chort a hug. “Do I even have your number?”

“I put it in your phone while you were sleeping.”

I grin and give him another quick kiss before getting out. Before I walk in, I look back and wave. Sasha waves back, looking effortlessly sexy as usual while Chort keeps his head out the window with his tongue lolling out. They make a very cute picture, and I can’t resist snapping a quick photo before I get my ass inside and hustle to the back office to see what’s on the schedule for today.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I see a text coming from a new contact. It’s labeledBoyfriend/Stalkerand the photo is a close up of him in his skull mask. The vivid blue of his eyes stands out sharply against the bone color of his mask. It doesn’t scare me like it once did. I see too much of him in those eyes, and I’m no longer scared of Sasha.

BOYFRIEND/STALKER:

Did you just take a picture of me?

ME:

And of Chort. You guys looked so cute. I couldn’t resist. Nice profile pic, by the way. So are you my boyfriend or my stalker?

BOYFRIEND/STALKER:

Both and more, Cyn.

I hear footsteps coming closer, so I hurry up and text that I need to go.

BOYFRIEND/STALKER:

I’ll be thinking about you, krovinka.

ME:

I’ll be thinking about you, too.

I hit send and then slip my phone back in my pocket right as Dr. Mindy walks in.

“Hey, Cindy. I’ve got a Dalmatian waiting in room two. Can you help Cheryl with the x-rays?”

“Sure,” I tell her, and then I force myself to forget all about my personal life while I switch over to work mode. For the most part, I manage it. Even as I’m helping the techs and cleaning out kennels and loving on all the animals, some part of my mind is still with Sasha.

By the time my four-hour shift is over, I’m covered in cat hair, and other things I don’t want to think about. I’m desperate for a shower, and the last thing I want is for Sasha to see me like this, but there’s no hiding it. When I step outside, I see him sitting on his motorcycle, waiting for me. His dark helmet turns in my direction, and a part of me melts at that small movement. Apparently I’m developing a kink of my own.

I don’t realize I’m frozen in place until he curls his finger at me, beckoning me to come to him. Feeling my face heat up, I close the distance, and as soon as I’m next to him, he raises the visor on his helmet. His lower face is still hidden from view, so I lean in and kiss the tip of his nose. I can tell by the way his eyesnarrow that he’s smiling, and then he surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. I relax in his arms, forgetting all about the cramps that still plague me and my sore feet and need for a shower.

“I missed you, Cyn.”

His words are as sweet as the hug he’s still giving me, and I cling to him for a few more seconds before stepping back and taking the helmet he hands me.

“Change of plans,” he says while I shove the helmet on.

“How so?”

Reaching out to do my strap, he says, “I’m taking you back to my place before we meet up with Savanna.”

“I really need some fresh clothes. I feel disgusting.”

After tightening the buckle, he gives me a wink before closing my visor. “Trust me,krovinka.”

I nod, because I do trust him, and then I get on the back of his bike. I wouldn’t say I’m graceful, but it’s not nearly as bad as the first time I did this. I even manage to get my feet on the pegs all on my own, and by the time he starts the engine, I’m already clinging to him from behind. The ride back to his place is peaceful. I never thought I’d feel comfortable on the back of a motorcycle, but I feel completely safe with Sasha, so safe that I shut my eyes and squeeze him tighter.

When I feel the bike slow, I open my eyes as we turn into his driveway. We go through his insane security features, and after we’re inside and I’ve spent several minutes loving on Chort, I look around and my mouth drops open in surprise. The place looks exactly like it did this morning, but there are a few key differences that I immediately notice, like my favorite purple blanket that’s now draped over the back of his couch, a stack of my textbooks on his coffee table, and when I look back at the door, I see my shoes lined up beside his.

“Sasha, what did you do?” I ask as I look over at him.