Chapter 10 - August #2
Brazen little Glitter Bomb. She has zero shame or hesitation in asking for what she wants. How the hell am I supposed to hold the line when she flirts like this?
Before I let my mind drop into the gutter, I check in with her.
Me: You get home safe?
Kate: Safe and sound. Guard dog on duty.
Me: If you’re not okay, you can say so.
Kate: I’m better than good. I’ve got wine, pajamas, and a grumpy biker stalker who breaks glass for me.
My chest pulls tight. She’s performing again.
Kate: Ask me what I’m wearing, Grumpy Daddy.
My hand aches from gripping the roof tiles tight.
This is the part where I log off. Stay professional.
Stick to the friend zone script. But there’s something in her message, the teasing that clings to the fantasy to forget the pain of reality.
Part of my control breaks and I risk a peek over the windowsill.
Fuucckk.
She’s palming her breasts over her robe.
Circling over her lace green panties, the parted silk revealing smooth, thick thighs that I want to throw over my shoulders while I dive between her legs and plunder her pussy.
My jeans feel three sizes too tigh. I dare any man to resist that.
Because this just crossed the line from surveillance into obsession.
Two thumbs up come in from my enforcer. I swipe him away.
This isn’t the plan. But plans don’t survive proximity to her when she’s lying on the bed, sin incarnate. She wants her fantasy from the pages, red flags and all, and hell, she’s got it. Purely for research purposes… and to find her weak spots. That’s what I tell myself.
I put aside any doubts for now and I genie up her wish.
Me: Are you touching yourself for your grumpy stalker?
Kate: Yes
I know I should stop. Like fuck, I am. Spare room in my pants shrinks. Little August is awake, and I’m thinking with the wrong head. Logic is out. Lust is in.
I bang out words to Katar.
Me: Log out. Now. Or I take your eyes.
Katar: Done. She’s your princess.
He’s gone before I can argue.
Kate slides her hand under her waistband and thumbs her phone with one hand.
Kate: Where did you go?
I snap to attention. She’s waiting. And I’m hard.
Me: Right here, Glitter Bomb.
Her smile lights a fire in my chest that melts the ice block I call a heart. My cock aches as her hand sinks between her thighs.
Kate: Are you coming with me, Grumpy Daddy?
I’ve gone too far to stop now. My hand is already moving south. Zipper down, cock free. Stroking for her.
Me: I’m hard for you. Touch yourself for me. Scream for your Grumpy Daddy.
Her fingers work, and I pump myself to match her rhythm. Moans slip through the glass that tempt me to smash the window and climb inside her room. She’s on her back, writhing, mouth parted, finger working faster.
Me: Fist me hard, baby.
She moans loud enough to pierce the window. Squirming on the bed, she struggles to type with one hand.
Kate: Are you close?
Me: No more typing. I want to hear you, Glitter Bomb.
She obeys. Her breath. Whimpers. My fucking name.
The glow of her pleasure. And when she comes?
Fuck… the sound she makes, the arch of her back, the raw surrender, the image of her flushed face burns into my mind.
I explode into my hand and mop up the mess with a cloth I always carry for blood and sweat. Now this.
She cleans her hands with a wet wipe from her drawer, then picks up her phone to message me.
Kate: That was so fucking hot.
She kisses the screen.
Hot, alright.
She takes my silence as a sign.
Kate: Don’t go. Knowing you’re with me… makes me feel safe.
The words hit harder than my climax. She wants me for protection and safety. I don’t know what to do with that. Don’t know how to be that. Some part of me wants to be, and that’s the problem.
Kate: Gone shy?
She probes my silence.
Don’t do it. Leave. Cool down. Ride home. Melt glass and blow a new creation into existence. Stop before this gets out of hand.
Another buzz.
Kate: Want to talk? Can’t sleep?
Hell. She’s rattled from earlier tonight, and that won’t fade in the dark. Maybe I should suggest another wine. Let her crash out. But she’s got to face her dickhead boss tomorrow and needs comforting. Friends do that, right?
I give in to her.
Me: What do you want to talk about?
Kate: Anything. Flirt? Plan more equine dumps? Discuss how to dispose of my neighbor’s body.
I bark out a hushed laugh, which sounds dry and rusty from disuse. Leave it to her to drag it out of me. Flirty. Forward. Fierce. She’s a triple threat to my composure.
I let my guard down for the first time in a long while. Because that’s what friends do.
Me: Put the equine dumps and murder on hold. I’ve committed enough crimes for the day.
Her cute little snort cracks something in me—the part that wants to give her everything.
Kate: Want to walk me to work tomorrow? Give me a ride? Smash my boss’ window again?
The wink face emoji might be my downfall.
Me: If I agree, will you promise to sleep?
Kate: 100%
Me: Liar
Shit. I just winked back.
I rub at the warmth spreading through my ribs.
Kate: You’ve been a meticulous stalker if you know that.
Me: What rational woman finds that acceptable?
Kate: Don’t be a moral stalker now. I need red flags
Am I red flag material? I assess my actions this far.
1. Touch her and die threats to her boss – check.
2. Vigilante out for revenge against well-resourced foes – fucking check.
3. Villain who takes down monsters when no one else will – check.
4. Stalker who jerks off on her roof – don’t want to admit it, but check.
Facts are in. Yeah, I am. The angel on my shoulder snorts in disgust. I flick him off and glare at nothing.
Kate: Okay, fine. I’m going to sleep. But only because I’m a good girl who wants that ride. Will you sing me a lullaby?
I’m weak.
Me: No lullaby unless you’re a good girl. Sleep well, Glitter Bomb.
The ache in my chest doesn’t want to let her go yet.
Kate: Going to dream of you, Grumpy Daddy. Sleep Tight.
She sets her phone on the nightstand and rolls over in her covers. I will her to pick it up and keep typing.
A missed notification from Grayson waits at the top of the screen. An update. I can’t afford to let my guard down and miss something important.
One thing is clear from tonight. Kate’s got her Book Boyfriend fantasy.
And me? I’ve got a problem I can’t walk away from. I’ve emerged from the shadows to protect her. Promised my friends to play nice and extract what I can that’s useful to our mission. Agreed to a black wedding and stalker fantasies. The jury’s out on what else I’ll do.
Whatever happens, I’m in deep. Losing my grip. And it’s only the beginning. Kate Williams wants a villain who will burn the world down for her, and the terrifying thing is, I want to be him.