What have you fucking done to me that I can’t get you out of my head?
How dare she drag me in only to flip the script and become this bullshit shell of herself? How fucking dare she give me a taste of what she can be and then toss it aside for mediocrity?
I thought I’d found someone I could understand as well as I know myself. I thought, for once, there was another person in this world that is as tragic and empty as me.
Adeline stares back, innocent, a sweet smile pulling at those blood red lips as her question hangs answered. She doesn’t have the first fucking clue that a demon watches her, that I am the reason we’re standing in this cemetery in the first place.
“I’d love to see it.”
Lifting a hand, I motion for her to walk. “Lead the way.”
Her smile widens, and it’s the genuine one I know means she enjoys being near me. I’m pissed at her for that as much as everything else.
In all the times I’ve been close, she’s never given me the fake smile.
I need to walk away. For her good and mine, yet I find myself stepping up beside her again, my shoulders locked with tension while she rambles on about tombstone symbols and the different techniques of carving them.
She’s oblivious.
Just like always.
To the danger walking next to her.
To a presence that is darker than she could ever imagine.
The iron gate creaks when she pushes it open, dry leaves rushing along the concrete entryway from a breeze that pushes through the branches of a large tree overshadowing the place.
There’s only room for one person to walk through at a time, so I step back, follow behind her, my gaze dropping to run down a body I’ve wanted since the first night I saw her. My fingers curl into my palms, the urge to wrap them over those round hips almost impossible to ignore.
It would be so easy to shove her inside and take everything I want.
Once inside, she turns to look at me, her shoulder brushing against mine. Dappled sunlight paints her face, the blue of her eyes hypnotic, the shadow of ivy dancing over her skin.
“Isn’t this place amazing? You could get lost in here. Never found.”
She grins at the thought of being tucked away and secluded where nobody can find her. I almost laugh at the absurdity of it.
This.
This right here.
This is why I’ve spent seven years chasing after her to make sure she doesn’t fall victim to all the stupid decisions she makes.
Damn it, Adeline. I should spank you for driving me insane.
“It’s definitely big.”
Did I seriously fucking say that? It’s definitely big? What a moronic statement. But what else is there to say? We’re in a damn crypt with dead bodies tucked in the walls. This isn’t Disneyland.
You wouldn’t know that by looking at her, though. She’s like a kid in a candy store. Her eyes round and wide. Her lips curling with forbidden mischief. She’s coming to life right in front of me. Revealing the girl I’ve followed for so long.
It only proves I’m right. Adeline hasn’t changed since getting married. She’s drowning instead.
She continues to lead me farther into the structure, her feet light on the ground, arms swinging, her voice melodic as she points out different carvings.
“I’ve wanted to bring my camera in here for a long time. Take pictures of this place and process them to show what I see.”
Finally, she gives me an opening.
“You’re a photographer?”
She nods, but then the smile falls, the melodic quality of her voice dying.
“I was at one time. It’s been a while since I picked up a camera.”
Turning, I step into her space, directing her without making it noticeable. Her back presses up against a wall, our chests so close, I can feel the heat of her body.
Leaning in, I’m slowly losing the ability to keep my distance.
“Why?”
Our breath mingles, her eyes widening more as her face tips up to mine. Careful to hold her stare instead of sliding my hungry gaze down her body, I stay quiet. Wait for her to process that I’ve asked a question.
She’s scared.
Nervous.
Excited.
Not sure what to do now that she finds herself alone with a strange man in a very secluded place.
Good. She should have thought of that before inviting me here. I can do anything I want at this moment, and there isn’t a damn thing she can do to fight me off.