Page 6 of Stalked By Pestilence

Chapter Three

Emily

The figure’s distinctive red hair and piercings were what gave him away first, but it was that intense yellow stare that stole all of my attention, like he was peering straight into my soul.

Songbird strolled forward, a bit too casual for my liking. I jerked my head back to where Blue Eyes was—except, he was already gone. I searched the sidewalk and street.

I hadn’t heard the asshole run off, and even if he had, there was no way he’d just disappear, right? Had he tucked into an alcove nearby? A side street? Was this asshole hiding now that he couldn’t corner a woman alone?

“Fancy finding you here, NotInterested.”

I growled under my breath. “Is it?”

“Mate of yours?” he asked, referring to the asshole who’d bailed at the first sight of him.

After another slow sweep of the quiet street, still trying to wrap my head around that weird flash of…whatever the fuck it was, I turned to look at my unexpected savior. “Not even a little bit. You and him have a lot in common, actually. You know, with how quick you both are to accost women and make it impossible for them to leave.”

The side of his mouth kicked up at the insult, and it sent my eyes rolling. “Come now, pet. You can’t really think that little of me when you’ve barely given me a word edgewise.”

“Oh, so you didn’t follow me out here?”

His devious grin bothered me more than it should. “Well, guess I can’t argue there, but it was well meant.”

I landed a hand on my hip, giving the asshole a skeptical eyebrow. “Well-meant stalking? That’s a new one. Well then, Songbird, by all means, do plead your case with the court.”

I could’ve sworn his yellow eyes sparked and beamed their own light at the challenge I issued. “How about I do you one better, love. How about we skip the trial and go right to the punishment, yeah?”

My pulse thrummed at his invitation, the subtle nagging of need at the back of my throat. “I told you I wasn’t—”

“Interested, yeah. I got that bit, pet. But it looks like your meal for the night scurried off on you and you’re in need of a replacement.” He walked forward, and unlike with Blue Eyes, I didn’t feel the need to step back. I stood my ground. “You’ve got nothing to lose, yeah? Wouldn’t punishing the wanker who blocked yourpath and followed you out to your car be the perfect way to end the night?”

I hated that he’d baited me, and worse, that I was tempted by it. Punishing guys who’d pissed me off had been a hobby of mine once upon a time, but I’d moved away from it because I couldn’t stomach being around them afterward. They always took it as interest rather than disgust.

Guys were so much nicer to deal with when they had a ball-gag in their mouth.

I got the sense that this one was only in town for a gig or two. He’d fly the coop soon enough. What was a little illicit affair with a hot singer going to hurt? Besides, I’d be New Emily tomorrow and ditching this scene, anyway.

My eyes swept his body, giving him my first real assessing glance.

His face was definitely his selling point. Well, that and his voice. He was both conventionally and uniquely attractive. Hard and soft angles. Perfect lips for nibbling and shushing. Eyes that seemed to say more than his mouth did, as unbelievable as that was. He was well sculpted. The tattoos were inviting to the eyes. His piercings gave me plenty of ideas for activities. And if he was a shit lay, at least I’d get to punish the prettiest boy I’d ever met.

Humming, I tossed my car a look, then knocked my head toward it. “Get in, Songbird. I’ll humor you, but only for thisonenight.After we’re done, you need to get the fuck out and lose my address.”

His Cheshire grin was out the second I spoke, and he politely gestured to my car. “Lead the way, pet.”

When we pulled up to my block, Songbird lost a little of his smile. I’d only noted it because the asshole had been so damn pleased with himself since I’d invited him back to my place. He’d never know how the only reason I bothered at all was because tomorrow I’d be a whole new person.

I parked and got out, leading the much-quieter Songbird to my apartment building. I keyed the code into the usual entrance box and opened the door, not bothering to check if he was following. I didn’t care if he decided to ditch. Either way, I’d be getting into bed.

His footfalls were the only reason I knew he’d come after me. I took the first two flights of stairs without once addressing him, but on the final flight, I glanced over my shoulder. I’d planned to lay out the rules, but the look on his face gave me pause. It was dark. Lethal, even.

“If you’ve changed your mind, then you can just head back down and call an Uber or something. I don’t give a shit,” I told him instead.

Songbird’s eyes sliced up to mine with violence. “What makes you say that, little viper?”

Little viper? Guess I’d been called worse.

I gave him my best are-you-serious scowl before heading up the final flight to our door. I’d only just gotten the key into the lock when an arm landed next to my head. I jerked my eyes over to it in confusion. His throaty lilt was next to my ear as I freed the door after a little fight with the knob.