Hello everyone,

So glad to have you back. I don't have a lot to say this morning so I will get on with posting.

Thanks for joining me on this weird little ride.

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Bella-

I propped my foot on the park bench, and double knotted the lace on one gym shoe before switching to the other. Hurriedly, I finished tightening the other bow, letting my gaze skim my surroundings.

He was there. I could feel the intensity of his stare. Those pupils were burning a hole right through my soul, digging deep, threatening to steal my sanity.

It was Sunday morning, and after seeing him last night at the bistro, after feeling his knuckle run down my cheek, I'd been too flustered to pretend I wanted to be there with Mike.

Claiming a headache, I kissed his cheek and told him good night.

I felt bad. I felt like shit.

I enjoyed a stranger's touch over that of my boyfriend's. To this day, after a full week, my stalker and I hadn't spoken, yet he was always there, always close. I wasn't sure if I wanted to actually exchange words with the lurker.

The uncertainty was too thrilling to ruin with a pointless conversation. Apparently, Stalker agreed, not eager to break the silence either.

I surveyed the area, but I didn't see him. Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe he wasn't here. Odd. I felt those eyes on me, but he was nowhere to be found.

Maybe I was so used to him popping up everywhere I was, my body just believed he existed when he didn't. Shoving the disappointment away, I finished my stretches and headed off with a steady lope.

I was halfway down the trail when I heard the pounding of feet behind me. There he was. A tingle slithered down my spine, and goosebumps raced across my skin.

God, he just had a way about him.

With a smile, I ran faster, feeling the trickle of sweat slide down my cheek. The feet behind me picked up the rhythm, my heart skipping a beat as my belly tightened.

Listening, I heard his pace increase. Gaining ground, getting closer until he was almost upon me.

Wanting to see him for myself, I threw a glance over my shoulder, and my excitement deflated like a balloon.

The jogger behind me was not him. The man behind me was shorter, a little chunkier in the center, and didn't possess the same sharp features as my stalker. Gnawing my cheek, I faced forward and continued to run.

Damn.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he hadn't followed me this morning. Perhaps it hadn't been him leaning against the building across from mine.

Slowing my pace, I let the jogger round me, glaring at his back until it disappeared from sight.

I don't think I'd ever felt such a rush of disappointment as the one crashing over me now. Briefly, I closed my eyes, trying to gather the fragments of my excitement and stuff them firmly into a pouch.

Slipping off the beaten path, I wound around a trail, gliding deeper into the forest, hopping over a tree root. Dodging low branches, I hit the button on my iPhone, letting the pop music bleating to life dictate my exercise as I gave up hope of seeing him.

Lashes lowered, guarding my eyes from a ray of sun peeking through branches, I ran deeper and deeper into the woods.

I didn't even know how far I had gone. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I blinked as my vision cleared, shade now blocking the bright sun.

That's when I saw it. That's when I saw him.

It started off as just spots of black and blue. Black from the hoodie he wore and blue from his jersey shorts, peeking through leaves and branches about five feet ahead of me.

I followed the trail of color all the way up until my gaze locked on his. His mouth was set in a firm line, and my steps faltered at the look on his face.

It was dark. It was dangerous. He looked like he'd start snarling and snapping at any moment.

I almost paused. I almost fled in the opposite direction. My heart pounded in my ears, and instinct begged me to turn around. I almost listened. I almost let fear scare me off.

His deep blue eyes snapped and popped. The space between us thunder with tension.

Instead of giving in to the need to flee, I jogged past, catching just a whiff of cologne mingled with soap.

Intoxicating.

He was dangerous. He was powerful, and God, he was so intoxicating.

I was only a foot past when I heard him turn in my direction. His presence was no longer in my imagination.

He was there. Right behind me.

My pulse did a funny little jog. My blood heated as my adrenaline climbed. My nose prickled with sensation, skipping down my spine, sliding into my belly. My throat went dry as I threw a look over my shoulder.

This time I wasn't disappointed. His gaze bore into mine, eating me up, holding me, capturing me.

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