Stalking His Claim - Lucy Darling Page 0,8

to me to mess this up.

“It’s better now. How was yours?” I ask.

“I went on a little adventure today. Come.” She grabs my hand, pulling me towards the kitchen.

“An adventure?” I know every step she took today but I want to hear it from her.

“It’s quite hard to buy a birthday present for a man that has everything.” That’s why she was in the department store. She’d gone there for me. Stepped out of her comfort zone because she wanted to do something for me. There aren’t many people that do things for me in my life without an agenda. I could probably count them on one hand. So her doing all of this because she wanted to has me about to lose any self-control I might have left when it comes to her.

“I don’t need anything.” The few touches I’ve had from her were more than I could have ever asked for. More than I should get. They were meant to be innocent on her end, but my thoughts are far from innocent when it comes to anything that concerns her.

“Close your eyes!” she says, turning around and coming to a sudden stop. I don’t have enough time to stop. My body collides with hers, almost knocking her down. I catch her before she can hit the ground. She smiles up at me with that beautiful ray of sunshine that lights up wherever she is and I’m tongue-tied for a moment. I lift her. Her body slides up mine, allowing me to feel every curve she has. We remain silent for a few moments. Neither one of us pulling away. My cock is hard and I know it’s impossible that she doesn’t feel it against her.

“Surprise.” Her cheeks are pink. I’m guessing it’s because of our current position. Yet, she still doesn’t make a move. “I made you cupcakes.” I reluctantly take my eyes from hers and peer into the kitchen. She has the entire thing decorated and cupcakes in all different colors are spread out on every surface. Thoughts of her being barefoot and round with my child in this room race through my mind. “Do you like it?” Her tentative voice breaks me from my thoughts, making me realize that I haven’t said anything. She takes a step back, turning to look for herself. I feel the loss of her immediately.

“It’s perfect.” That gets me another one of those smiles. I want to tell her that I love it, that I love her, but I shove those thoughts away and decide to enjoy whatever she’s willing to give me for now. I don’t want to ruin this day by scaring her away.

I’ll take each and every one of the small pieces of her that I can get. They’ll have to be enough. For now.

6

Tinsley

Reed ate five of my cupcakes. I was impressed. Sadly, the evening is coming to an end. I ate my dinner as slowly as possible, not wanting the night to be over. I look at my phone that is vibrating across the table. Each time it goes off, Reed glares at it. I should put it away, but his reaction has me leaving it on the table.

“Who is blowing up your phone?” There’s a hint of something in his voice that I can’t quite place.

“I’m popular. What can I say?” I joke. It’s Carly, I’m sure. Which is part of the reason I’m not checking it. I’m sure her texts are filled with requests for Reed updates. It would be my luck that Reed would see one, so I don’t check my phone.

“You’re making friends here?” Reed puts his fork down. He’s cleared his plate too.

“Not really.” I shrug. “I’m shy so it’s been a little hard. It’s Carly blowing up my phone.”

“It’s probably for the best. When you return home it might be hard to leave new friends behind.” I stare at him. Is he waiting for me to leave? The thought that he’s counting down the days until I move out slices through me. Have I overstayed my welcome? Is that why he’s been acting so weird lately?

“I don’t know if I will return home. Carly is making plans to move out here, in fact.”

“You’re thinking of staying?” My phone buzzes again. Reed clenches his jaw. I grab it, putting it in my lap under the table. I switch it to silent.

“Am I supposed to go back home to my parents? I know it’s hard for you to realize it but I’m