Page 26

25

THE STALKER

S he walks out of the restroom, jerking to a stop when I stand there, wearing only a pair of sweatpants. Her gaze roams over me slowly, moving down my body to my cock. Damned if I don’t get hard the second her eyes lock on my dick.

When her eyes meet mine, I cock my brow at her. Her face turns scarlet from her anger. Crossing her arms over her chest, she steps closer. “What are you doing in here? Checking to see if I climbed out the window?”

I laugh, the sarcasm lacing her voice humorous. “Nope. I came in here so you could stare at me in my sweatpants like I’m a piece of meat, especially my dick.” Pushing off the doorway, I slowly stalk closer to her, like a predator approaching its prey. “If you tried to escape, I’d know, baby girl.”

She frowns, her honey eyes narrowing from her anger. “I was not—” her mouth snaps closed as I give her a look, the promise in my eyes that the next time she lies to me, I’m shoving my dick in her mouth. Clearing her throat, she says, “I wasn’t trying to escape. I’m sure you have cameras everywhere, stalker.”

I wink. “You were checking me out, especially my dick. Don’t worry, baby girl. You’ll get to touch it, suck it, and fuck it soon enough.” I can’t contain my laugh as her face gets so red, it appears her head will explode. Her tiny hands are clenched are curled into tight fists. “You know, if you punched me with your hand clenched like that, you’d break your thumb. That’s not the proper way to make a fist.”

Maddie lets out a frustrated huff, her hands unclenching as she rolls her eyes, then crosses them over her chest. “You’re an asshole.”

I shrug, a smirk on my face. “I’ve been called a helluva lot worse.” My gaze roams down her body, stopping on her crotch. “Are you all cleaned up, or do I need to bring you a mop?”

“I swear to God, Jagger if you don’t shut your damn mouth—”

My chest bumps against hers, fingers cupping her chin. “What will you do, baby girl? You keep making threats but not acting on them.”

“I hate you,” she mutters through clenched teeth.

Releasing a whistle, I lean into her, my lips dropping to her ear. “Careful. You know what I said about lying.” Inhaling her skin, I smile as she sucks in a breath. Lifting my head, I stare into her honey-brown eyes, seeing the desire burning in them before she’s able to school her features, her face impassive. Victory puffs out my chest. “Come on. They just pulled in.”

“How do you know that? You stalk them, too?” There’s a biting tone in her voice that makes me grin.

“No, baby girl. I only stalk you.” Grabbing my phone from the pocket of my sweatpants, I hold it up. “My cameras send me notifications.” Shoving it back in my pocket, I grab her hand. “Come on. You’ll get to see your new home.”

She growls like a pissed off kitten as I tug on her hand, pulling her from the bedroom. Oh, baby girl. I plan to hear all the sounds you make. Especially once I get your delectable body naked and in bed. You’ll be begging me for more.

“Tell me what happened.” Her voice pulls me from my thoughts as I lead her down the hallway and to the stairs. I throw her a look over my shoulder. Maddie stares back at me, a frown on her face. “I’m going to hear it anyway. Won’t your sister ask what happened?”

I grunt. “She’s aware of the things I do.”

Maddie’s eyes widen, stopping at the top of the stairs, a horrified expression on her face. Anger rises inside me and I glower at her, not saying anything. A shiver runs through her, pissing me off even more. “You weren’t somehow stabbed by that college girl. She was—” she stops speaking as she looks at my face.

Dropping her hand, I spin around, my feet pounding down the stairs, my hands balled into fists. When I reach the bottom, I head directly for the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and another beer. As I straighten and spin around, Maddie is in front of me, a guilty look on her face.

“Jagger.” She reaches out a hand, gently grabbing my uninjured arm. “You didn’t do it, did you?” She bites her lip, fear in her eyes as she blinks, staring at me.

“You’re asking if I raped and strangled that woman in the woods.” Looming over her, she drops her hand from my arm, taking a step back and another as I keep advancing, matching her step for step. She stops when she bumps into my table. Averting her eyes, she swallows hard. “You already know the answer, Maddie.” Thrusting the bottle of water toward her, I spin around, heading for the door just as the doorbell rings.

As I walk away, I say, “I went after a drug dealer tonight. He infiltrated Falls Creek with fentanyl laced drugs. Only, his second-in-command was also there, as well as two bodyguards. I didn’t count on all four of them being there, hence the stab wounds.

Her voice trails after me. “Isn’t that dangerous as hell?”

“Clearly.” I throw her a look, pulling my phone from my pocket, entering the code to deactivate my alarm and unlock the front door. Grabbing the doorknob, I pull it open, my sister’s scowling face the first one I see. Her husband and my best friend, Bryce, stands directly behind her. Beside him is Jason, my brother, grinning like the betraying fuck-face asshole he is.

“Hey, Abby. Bryce.” I don’t greet Jason, still pissed he called Abby. She’s pregnant and didn’t need to be woken up at this ungodly hour of the morning. Opening the door wider, I step back so they can come in.

“I’m so damn mad at you, Jagger.” Abby’s finger pokes me in the center of my chest. “You’re lucky I love you so much or I’d hit you right now.”

Glancing at Maddie, who has moved closer, I grin. “Seems to be a common theme tonight for me.”

Abby’s head turns, brown ponytail swinging as she takes in Maddie, who shifts her weight from foot to foot under her scrutinizing gaze. “I like you, already.” Strolling forward, she immediately heads to Maddie, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Abby. Jagger and Jason’s sister. I work as an emergency room nurse at Falls Creek Hospital. Many times, I nurse these three fools back to health when they get injured from the shit they do.” She throws an annoyed glance at the men, staring each one down for a few seconds, before turning her attention back to Maddie. “Although Bryce is the tech guy and usually avoids the crazy situations the other two fools get themselves into.” She rolls her eyes, then smiles.

Maddie glances at me, then at Abby before taking her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby. I’m Maddie.” She shakes Abby’s hand. “I’m not sure what to say about the foolishness they get into, since I don’t know much other than Jagger was stabbed tonight.” She throws me an angry glare before her her gaze drops to Abby’s very pregnant belly. “Looks like you’ll be welcoming a new addition, soon.”

Abby’s face glows, her hand rubbing over her belly. “Bryce and I will get to meet her around Christmas. We’re so excited.” She turns around, smiling at Bryce and beckoning him closer.

“Hey, Jagger.” He pats my shoulder. “Told you that you couldn’t keep your injuries from Abby.” As he heads to Abby, Jason steps up to me.

“Bryce knew you were stabbed before you told me? Fucking asshole.” Jason grumbles.

Laughing, I clap my hand against his shoulder. “You’re always the last to know everything.”

“You’re an asshole.” Jason shakes his head, his gaze moving to Maddie, Abby, and Bryce. As I turn my attention to the three of them, my eyebrows raise when I see Abby hugging Maddie. A small gasp of surprise leaves her mouth before she hugs her back. Her eyes meet mine before she steps back, as though gauging my reaction.

Then Abby opens her mouth and pisses me off. “You’re lucky, Jagger. Maddie looks pretty good, considering the ketamine.”

I frown at Abby, shooting her a warning look. She’s not at all intimidated.

Maddie draws back like someone slapped her. Her disbelieving eyes lock on me and for a brief moment, I feel my heart squeeze inside my chest at the look of betrayal on her face. She stiffens, angrily shaking her head as her mouth forms a round “O.” Her stare is intense and cold as she snaps, “What the hell is ketamine?”

Fuck . I hadn’t told her about it yet. I was too busy arguing with her or fingering her.

“Jagger,” her voice is full of warning.

Abby speaks before I say one word. “It’s a dissociative drug that can cause hallucinations or a dream-like state. It often makes users feel happy and relaxed—”

“That’s enough, Abby.” My voice cuts through the room as I glare at my sister. Turning my gaze to Maddie’s pale face, I say, “I had to do it, Maddie. You were panicking—”

“I just saw a woman raped and strangled to death. Of course I was panicking.” Tears are in her eyes. “I can’t believe you, Jagger.” Her hands press against her trembling lips, a faraway look in her eyes. I know she’s remembering the moment I grabbed her, then injected a needle into her shoulder muscle.

She pushes past Abby and Bryce, a deeply pained look on her face. “How could you?” The look of betrayal on her face nearly kills me. She tries to rush past me but I reach out, my grip like iron as my hand curls around her arm.

“Excuse us,” I say to the Abby, Bryce, and Jason without taking my eyes from Maddie. I drag her down the hallway, then push her into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. Removing my hand from her arm, I run my fingers through my hair, hating we are having this discussion right now. “Look, I know you’re upset.”

“You’re damn right I’m upset.” She blinks, tears rolling down her cheeks. Disbelief is on her face as she crosses her arms, as though shielding her body. “I trusted you.”

Her words piss me off. “Do you?” Stepping into her space, I tower over her. “You thought I was capable of raping and strangling a woman in the woods.”

She blanches, trying to take a step back, but I push her against the counter, caging her in with my arms. “No, Maddie. You aren’t going to run from this. You’re going to hear me out.”

She shocks me when her hands cup my face. “I’m sorry for thinking it was you. I didn’t remember—”

“You experienced a helluva shock and I injected you with ketamine. I would’ve given you grace, but it really fucking hurt. I thought you knew me better than that.” I lean closer to her, one of my hands wiping the tears from her face. “I’ve stalked you. But when have I ever done anything sexual that you didn’t want me to do?”

She remains silent, staring into my eyes.

“That’s what hurt. In the truck, what I said. I fucking meant it. I’ve never forced myself on any woman in any way, nor would I. And I wouldn’t allow another man to do it in my presence.” I know she sees the hurt in my eyes because her expression crumples. Though I hate hurting her, she needs to understand how much she hurt me. “Even when I touched you earlier, you wanted it. You may not realize all the signals you send me, but trust me, baby girl, I’ve stalked you long enough to read them.” My voice lowers. “Did you tell me to stop anything I was doing in my truck earlier? Or what happened in the room tonight?”

Maddie shakes her head.

“If you would have told me to stop, I would have.” Maddie winces again but I’m not finished. “The thought of forcing myself on you or any other woman makes me sick. I have more respect for women than that. Even the whores I fucked in the past.”

She gasps and I can’t help the thrill that goes through me at the jealousy on her face. She swiped the tears from her cheek.

My fingers are gentle against her cheek. “Don’t get jealous, baby girl. My dick has not been inside anyone but you since the moment I first laid eyes on you over six months ago.”

Her muscles are still tense as she says, “And what about your other parts?”

I can’t suppress the smile that spreads across my face. “Yours, baby girl. Only yours .” Flipping my hand around, my knuckles graze her cheek. “I haven’t wanted anyone but you since I saw you. You’re all I could think of. I’d rather go home, wrap my hand around my dick, and beat off to thoughts of you than kiss, touch, or fuck anyone else.”

Her body relaxes, her face softening. When her lips part in a slight exhale, I know what she wants. And I give it to her.

Closing the distance, I press my lips against hers, showing her with my mouth what I just said with my words. A small sigh escapes her as her hands slide around my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss.

When I finally pull away from her, I’m breathing heavily, my skin tingling from her touch. “It may not have been the best idea, but I had ketamine in my backpack. I’ve used it on some other people. Like those guys in the warehouse. I gave you a small dose to calm you down and get you out of there before you gave us away. Could I have taken him on in the state I was in? Maybe, but I didn’t want to chance it after being stabbed twice tonight. My focus was on getting you the hell out of there before he could get his hands on you.”

A mixture of emotions crossed her face—shock, relief, and fear. “I’m glad you got me out of there. I-I don’t remember who he is. A part of me screams that I know him, but his face alludes me.”

I give her a small smile. “You’ll remember. And it’s best you do, rather than me tell you.” Even though she seems fully convinced I didn’t rape and kill that woman, I want her to remember on her own. “You’ll know for sure it wasn’t me when you do.”

Disappointment crosses her face, but she nods. “I really am sorry, Jagger. You’re right. You’ve never pushed me to do anything I didn’t want to.” A small smile curls her lips up. “Even when you did those things earlier…” her cheeks are scarlet and it’s so fucking cute she’s too embarrassed to say the words.

My lips move to her ear. “When I fingered you and sucked your nipple until you came all over my hand.”

A shiver goes through her as she nods. Turning my head slightly, my lips press against her neck. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I injected you with ketamine.”

Her hands push against my chest and I pull back, studying her face.

“Just promise you won’t do that again.”

“I can’t.” My response is instant, causing her mouth to drop open. “If there was no other option and you were in a situation where it was my only chance to save you, I’d take it.” My hand cups her cheek. “I’m always going to put your safety first.”

Her expression changes and before I can react, her lips press against mine, her hands winding around my neck.

Jesus Christ, this woman unravels me so quickly. The second her lips hit mine, I forget everything except her. I moan, pressing into her, wanting desperately to feel her naked skin beneath mine. But the copper scent of my blood hits my nostrils, knocking sense into me before I get carried away and fuck her on the bathroom counter while my brother, sister, and best friend stand in my living room.

Pulling back, I loosen my arm from around her waist, drawing my arm up to see the bandage soaked from my blood.

“Oh, Jagger.” Her hands grip my wrist, staring at my bloody bandage. “Let’s go get Abby to take care of this.”

I nod. “Are we good?”

Tearing her gaze from my wound, she looks surprised, then her features soften. “We’re good.” She sucks in a breath. “Thank you for saving me. Again.”

“Always, baby girl. That’s what I do.”