"So, have you lost any weigh—"
"Gotta go. Love you.”
The phone goes limp in my hand as I fall into a weird staring contest with my stalker. Weirder still, Ifeelhim staring—intently—even though I can’t see his eyes.
“Where is Graham?”
He shrugs. “At home.”
“Thisismy home.”
“Not anymore.”
What the actual fuck?
“Stop speaking in riddles. I want my cat and my things.”
He holds out a hand. I can’t help that my eyes are drawn to those gloved fingers that once made me fall apart with a single touch.
“Do you trust me?”
I blink at him. “Trust you? I don’t even know who you are.”
“Angel,” he sighs. “Just come with me. I’ll take you to your cat.”
“And if I say no?”
I swear he's grinning beneath that mask. “Then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you anyway.”
I cross my arms. “No, you won’t. I’m far too heavy for that.”
In a blink, he’s in front of me. He bends to meet my height, voice low. “Don’t test me, Angel.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Suit yourself.”
Then suddenly—I’m off the ground. He hauls me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. One firm smack to my butt, and he’s walking toward the open window.
“Put me down!”
He obliges—briefly. But before I can bolt, he drags me out onto the fire escape and lifts me again like I’m weightless.
“Stop! I weigh too much!”
Why isthatmy focus right now? He’s literally kidnapping me.
He pauses on the steps, breath warm against my waist. “Do Ilooklike I’m struggling, Angel?” Well… no. “Don’t insult me by calling me weak.”
“I’m not. I’m callingmyselffat.”
His grip tightens.
“Don’t use that word like it’s an insult. Your beauty isn’tdefined by your size. Next time you think about calling yourself fat, it better be followed by ‘and sexy as hell’.”
I have no words.
When he sets me down again, we’re standing in front of a sleek black motorbike.