Stalking His Claim - Lucy Darling Page 0,7

she would have said it wasn't necessary. Not because she didn't want one, but because she wouldn't want someone going out of their way to do something for her. To feel like she’s being a bother or a burden. But she could never be any of those things to me.

She is the most important person in my life whether she knows it or not. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for her or to keep her safe. So I just do what needs to be done so she doesn’t have to worry over the details. That had come back to kick me right in the nuts today, though. The object had been to make her feel secure and my guy had done the opposite.

I think Carter was just as surprised as the rest of us when Tinsley made a random stop at the store on her way home from classes today. It wasn’t like her to stray from her routine. She’s been doing a lot of things differently lately. She’s changing. Or maybe it’s healing.

She’s coming out of her shell more. That was the whole point of this. To give her time away from her old life. To start something new. I want her to heal. The idea of her being scared all the time is something that weighs on me every day. It’s why I give her so much room to breathe when that’s the opposite of what I really want.

My only question is what was she doing in the department store? In the men’s section, of all places. That’s the last place I’d ever thought she’d be. I lean back in my chair knowing the rest of my day is shot. My mind is now filled with far too many questions. All of them surrounding a blond girl that could be knocked over with a hard gust of wind. She’s proving to be my hardest feat.

I’ve faced off with so many people in my life. I’m good at winning. It’s why I’m where I am today at such a young age. Nothing stood in my path for long. Except her. I can’t seem to get my footing when it comes to her. I’m never sure of myself when it comes to her. A hard wind might blow her over, but a mere look from her could end me.

I hit my mouse, causing my computer to come back to life. I type in the password to pull up the security footage at home. I tab through the screens until I find the one I want. Tinsley fills my screen. She stands in the kitchen licking purple icing off her thumb before going back to decorating cupcakes. That’s why she went into the grocery store. She’s never had a need before. If she needs something she only has to put it on the list. The knowledge that she stopped to get stuff to make me cupcakes does nothing to tame my need for her.

I sit and watch as she slowly writes my name across the cupcake. She stops every so often to lick icing off her finger. I can’t take it anymore. I stand, grabbing my suit jacket and heading out of my office.

Why watch this from a computer screen when I can watch it from my very own kitchen? It is my birthday, after all. I can indulge for once. It has been so long since I celebrated this day. But Tinsley makes me want to again. The need to go home and be around her for a little while is almost unbearable. I know I’ll have to control myself. To keep my hands to myself.

When I enter the house, Tinsley is on me. “Happy birthday!” she shouts, throwing herself at me. I catch her, shocked that she just jumped into my arms. “How was your day?” The smile on her face is breathtaking, but what’s harder to handle is her softness pressed up against me. Thoughts of coming home to this every day with her run through my mind. Fuck, she smells like sweetness too. It’s all around her. She feels like home.

I put her back on her feet and take a step back. The smile on her face falters for a minute before she forces it back. I know it’s forced. It doesn't meet her eyes. I take one step forward with her and three steps back. I want her to be comfortable around me, but I’m riding a fine line of control. She’s too important