I checked the clone of her phone on mine and read through her messages to Alice. They would meet at 8 pm then move on to the restaurant down the road for a reservation at 8.45 pm. She was already in the pub across the street. I’d seen her go in about ten minutes ago, looking dishevelled and stressed from the rain, but even more beautiful than this afternoon. It’d be another half an hour before they left.

I put the phone away and rechecked the route. I’d be able to follow her unseen then get to the doorway to wait opposite the restaurant after they went in. It wasn’t an ideal spot, but the best option I had.

Leaning against the wall, I relaxed into the wait. Cold droplets made their way down the back of my collar and sent icy slivers across my shoulders. I let my head roll forward and encouraged it, welcoming the refreshing chill.

It had to rain. Every time I came out to watch in this city, it rained. It made me look even more suspicious. Who the hell stood about on the street while it pissed it down?

It would’ve been much better if I’d been able to stay in the car, but I couldn’t get a good vantage point. I’d had to ditch it further down the road. Trust her to be meeting in Soho. She couldn’t have picked a nice out of the way place in zone three; that would be far too easy. She doesn’t even know I’m here, and she’s making things difficult.

I smiled as I thought about her rebellious streak. She’d give me such a hard time, but I couldn’t wait to break her. To have her bow to my whim and enjoy doing so. That’d be the challenge I’ve been craving.

My attention was brought back by a couple leaving the pub. A cute girl with strawberry blonde curls draped herself in the arms of a lanky guy in a trench coat. My breath hitched when Olivia came out a few seconds behind. Alice must’ve been the one cuddled up to the tall guy in front. A blonde haired lad opened an umbrella and closed up next to Olivia.

Who the hell was that?

I stood straight and squared my focus on him. My jaw clicked as I clenched my teeth. The pissant kept trying to edge closer to her. It was too soon to follow them, but I needed to get a better look at that little prick. I set off, staying close to the wall and avoiding the street lights.

He switched the brolly to his right hand and shifted the left towards her back. My temples throbbed in time with my pulse. If he put his arm around her, I swore, I’d find him and rip it off. It moved as if he thought about it, but he didn’t; good for him.

I drew level with them. Risky, but I needed to see his face. I matched pace until I got a good look. A pretty boy. What the hell did she see in him? The little wanker wouldn’t know what to do with a woman like that. I wanted to smack him and destroy those soft, boyish features.

A couple approached up on my side of the road. Too late to hang back now. I had to keep on and get to the door before she saw me.

Shielding my face from view with my arm, I marched forward. A quick glance up the street confirmed the coast was clear before I slid into the doorway.

Fuck. This wasn’t how it was supposed to play out. I regrouped and eased around the brickwork. They’d just reached the door of the restaurant. Pretty boy spun to hold it for her; how chivalrous. Olivia was staring directly at me when he moved. My heart lunged to my throat.

Shit, shit, shit.

I slipped back into the doorway and held tight against the frame. Arrive, watch, leave without being seen. It was that simple, and I screwed it up. She’d seen me, I was certain, but I had to hold for a minute longer just in case. Taking a few breaths to calm my racing pulse, I peered around the stone. She’d gone inside.

All rational thought told me to abandoned the watch. To cut my losses and head back to South London, but an urge in my chest compelled me to stay. I couldn’t explain the longing that rooted me in this bad situation. It was like I could see the light of the exit, yet, all I wanted to do was to go further into the darkness. There was no reason for it, but I needed to know who the blonde lad was to her. I had to see it through.

Looking around the miserable streets, I spotted the alleyway on the opposite side. It wouldn’t give me a clear view of the restaurant, but it would offer more cover. Sprinting across the road, I slipped behind the bins, and prepared to wait for as long as it took. Thankfully, she didn’t make me wait long.

Only minutes later, she reappeared across the street and headed straight for the doorway I’d left. It surprised me, but then I laughed at how she couldn’t leave anything alone. She was determined, bloody-minded, and even the threat of a dark figure looming in a doorway didn’t scare her away. Olivia was unlike any woman I’d ever met, and she intrigued the hell out of me.

Now, she was alone.

I smiled to myself. I’d unwittingly gotten her away from her friend and that little prick. The rain soaked her hair and strands clung to her delicate face as her gaze searched for me through the dark drizzle. She looked lost as she spun in circles, unsure where I was or what to do next. She was vulnerable, and that awoke a dark instinct inside me.

The longing in my chest grew as I watched her. It wasn’t the need to see what happened which compelled me to stay; it was the need for her. I wanted to hunt her down and take her. There were no preparations and no plan in place, but the urge to have her in my arms overwhelmed me. I almost felt her soft skin between my fingers.

It was time to take what was mine.

The car was further down the road, but I couldn’t drag her to it without anyone seeing. The streets were quiet from the rain, but it was still central London. Cameras were everywhere. Even if I got her there, I had to get the cable ties from the back. The boot was an option, but again, I’m in the middle of the capital, forcing her in was not a good idea.

She moved away in the opposite direction, back up the road to the tube. If I’d been sensible, I would’ve let her go and planned it for another day. But sensible wasn’t driving me, the ache in my chest was. Owning her was the only way to satisfy it.

I lowered to the floor, found a stone by the wall, and threw it down the road towards my car. It was impossible to see her from this position. I stayed low and hoped she took the bait. A few seconds later, she walked past the alley, glancing about the streets. The sight of her sent a stream of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

The hunt had begun.

Edging to the street, I stood and peered out. She was walking straight. It was too risky to follow her. If she saw me, she might run. I glanced behind and spotted the back street that ran parallel with the road. I decided to come at her from the bottom. Pulling out my phone, I loaded the clone and engaged the GPS. It confirmed the back street led on to the same connecting road.

I took off and sprinted down the dark, narrow alley, dodging boxes and bins as I ran. The street lights loomed ahead. My car was parked just up from the corner. I was unsure how I would get her in it, I just knew I had to.

Reaching the main road, I slowed and checked her position on the map; she was nearly at the bottom. I walked to the corner and waited. Holding my breath, I heard her footsteps clear, growing louder. She was close. I sensed her near me, like a magnetism pulled me towards her.

My heart pounded heavy in my chest and every muscle tensed with the anticipation. I stepped forward and rounded the corner. She was directly in front as I faced up the street.

“Looking for someone?”