Ryker
When Lennon laughs, the clouds part and sunlight streams through. Every worry fades away. Is it possible to bottle the sound and play it on repeat?
I PEER AROUND the hallway corner and blow out all the pent-up panic from the last hour. I take a few deep breaths to loosen the knot currently squeezing my chest. That was a close fucking call. Far too close for my liking.
My eyes strain as I stare at Lennon curled up on that uncomfortable chair. The tears streaming down her cheeks make it very difficult to keep my distance. Every instinct is screaming at me to comfort and love her. I take a hesitant step forward, uncertainty warring with driving need, when Lennon sniffles loudly.
And then she smiles.
I slam to a stop as the radiant expression stretches her plump lips. I shift closer, as if pulled by a force beyond control, but am still hidden behind the adjacent cubicle. Lennon’s delicate fingers trace my note on her coffee cup.
Is that smile because of me?
Is she happy because of the treats I left?
Could she be wondering who I am?
I can’t start wishing for miracles like that but . . .
This was the exact reaction I’d hoped for. I figured she could use her two favorite treats after pouring hours into creating another beautiful dress. I’d been looking forward to basking in her sunny warmth while she discovered the goods outside the studio door. Those moments keep me sane.
And he fucking ruined it.
When I found him hounding Lennon, murky red spattered across my vision. This dumbass had bothered her in the past and he received a fairly pleasant warning from me. Too bad he couldn’t fucking stay away. I’ll be paying him a special visit for that stupid choice. My fists grind the concrete wall as my eyes narrow into slits. No one messes with my sunshine and gets away with it.
While my mind is spinning with ruthless possibilities, Lennon starts eating her bagel. Even from my hiding spot, I can hear the soft humming noises she makes with each bite. Watching her enjoy something I provided temporarily cools the fire burning in my gut. She’s here, safe, and almost in reach. Exactly where she belongs.
The vibration on my wrist pulls me back to reality and I tamp down a groan from being interrupted.
Dx8MM: Account back to normal. His phone signal has left the building so he should be long gone.
I tilt my head back and blow out a heavy breath, thankful to have help with this clusterfuck. I pull out my phone and send a quick reply.
AATS: Appreciate it, D. Owe you one.
Dx8MM: Next time I ask for help, day or night, you better pay up.
D probably won’t let that go until I actually return a favor but he saved my ass tonight. The online life I’ve built comes in handy when I need a quick hack.
My forehead thumps into the rough brick pillar before I roll my brow against the abrasive surface. Fuck, this is one more mark against me that I’ll have to explain to her someday. Will she understand my motives? What about my insane infatuation with her? How could she ever excuse some of the shit I’ve pulled? I better keep hoping for a damn miracle.
Why can’t I be normal?
Can she love a flawed man?
I’ll never deserve her perfection.
What I've been doing all these years is an unspeakable invasion of her privacy. I can't stop though. She’s sunk deep into my soul. So deep she’ll never escape. I can only hope that once Lennon knows, she’ll want to stay. My devotion to her is what keeps me going—it's who I've become.
I wouldn't exist without her.
Lennon stands from the table and stretches. My hands burn in need, itching to rub her sore muscles. She’s so beautiful, even with slightly swollen eyes and blotchy skin. Those temporary imperfections make her more stunning to me.
When she turns away, I manage to move a bit closer without her noticing. My body zaps awake with her close proximity. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay away when everything within me begs to give in. I won’t hold out much longer.
Lennon’s several feet ahead as we go downstairs. When she takes a sharp turn and heads outside, it becomes obvious she isn’t returning to work tonight. Hopefully we’re heading back to the apartment where she’ll be safely tucked away for the night. My eyes focus on the gentle sway of Lennon’s hips as she slowly walks along the path. Everything else fades away as I get lost in her hypnotic rhythm.
Being around Lennon’s light, even from a distance, has been repairing the painful damage from my past. After leaving high school and all those assholes behind, my anger has been slowly dissipating. The heat boiling my veins had become a constant onslaught so when the flames started fading, I wasn’t sure how to handle the shock to my system. Without their continuous jeers and jabs, the raging fire seems more like dying embers.
Obviously, there are certain situations where Lennon has been around guys and they’re beyond my control. I keep my shit in check while she’s in class or working on team projects. I can’t block her from all communication with the opposite sex but there’s definitely a line they aren’t allowed to cross.
I’ve gladly scared off the idiots who thought there was a possibility for more. It’s usually fairly easy, especially since Lennon steers pretty clear of men on her own, but there’s a stupid few who refuse to take a hint. My strength and bulk come in handy when additional intervention is necessary—anxiety be damned.
As we near our building, I shove all the grit away and pay attention to the beauty shining in front of me. Lennon’s pace seems more lax than her typical stride and I wonder why she’s moving slower than usual.
Is she avoiding something at home?
Maybe Lucy has a guy over. I grit my teeth at the thought as the evening air cools my heated face.
Maybe she’s considering going back to campus to finish her blue dress. But what about Douchebag David? He might be waiting around regardless of what D’s tracking suggests.
Lennon looks over her shoulder and I dodge from her sight, but not fast enough. My distracted brain missed her subtle change in step and she probably caught me. Again. But after a slight pause, Lennon continues moving like nothing out of the ordinary happened.
She hops up the front steps and unlocks the door without another backward glance. In the next breath, she’s dashing away to her apartment and I’m stuck outside with a muddled mind. Watching Lennon disappear is like a punch to the gut, just like every night before this one. I’d love nothing more than to stand outside her window and process the baffling events from today but there’s another stop to make.
After pulling out my phone, I get to work finding David. With a few quick swipes, I’ve tracked his cell signal and my eyes hone in like a heat-seeking missile. He’s conveniently located a few blocks away at a bar. Probably the place he wanted to drag Lennon off to. The idea of her being forced out with him is enough to ignite a fierce explosion of fury in my blood. The anger consumes me as I stomp the short distance to him. My entire being surrenders to the madness surging through me, which evaporates the momentary bliss that was comforting me.
I send a decoy message disguised as one of his regular hook-ups—I uncovered her identity ages ago. “Molly” wants to meet at a club across the street, and David, being the pig he is, will gladly accept a chance at getting laid. My lip curls as I imagine his reaction to discovering me instead of a drunk co-ed.
David shoves through the door a moment later, a cloud of vomit-inducing cologne accompanying his disgraceful strut. I almost choke from my spot along the alley wall but spit rage instead.
“Hey, Asshole.” The growl vibrates from my chest.
David stops in his tracks and whips around, a sneer marring his features. “Who the fuck do you think—”
His bullshit rant cuts off when he steps closer and catches sight of who’s speaking.
Little bitch is scared, my mind silently taunts.
I hear him gulp as his eyes widen to saucers. David clears his throat while raising his chin, as if suddenly realizing fear is wafting from him. When he squares his shoulders and straightens his spine, I almost laugh. He’ll never be half my size but his efforts are entertaining.
I move away from the cool brick against my back, ready to get this shit settled. “I tried to warn your stupid ass before but that clearly didn’t work. Now you’ve pushed me beyond reason and forced me to waste precious time dealing with you.” My words spit through clenched teeth, the rage threatening to bubble over.
“What the hell are you talking about?” David sputters loudly.
When I begin crowding his space, his lips clamp shut.
“You don’t mess with another man’s woman. That’s how you get the shit kicked outta you. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that?” The venom leaks from my voice.
David holds out his hands, as if that will stop me from getting closer. “Dude. You’ve got the wrong guy. I didn’t touch any girl who’s attached.”
I scoff loudly. “Stop lying, Pinocchio. I can see clear through your bullshit. You haven’t just been messing with mine either. Don’t wedding vows mean shit to you? What about school policies or the fucking law?” My fists clench tight, desperate to punch him, but I deliver a different blow instead. His dark eyes blink slowly but otherwise he’s frozen. “Since you’re not getting the hint, let me make it easy.” I carelessly toss a few snapshots of him and Professor Carter by his feet. “And I’ve got plenty more where those came from.”
He peers at the images and I swear his face drains of all color. “Who the fuck are you? What the hell is this shit? You’re spying on me?”
“You done with the twenty questions? Seems pretty clear what’s going on to me. These don’t leave much to the imagination.”
“You’re a psycho creep. Need to watch me to get off?”
“I wouldn’t spew that shit my way. You’re a despicable piece of shit, preying on vulnerable women. Don’t bother twisting the truth.” My harsh tone bounces off the building wall and I almost hope people hear me.
David puffs out his chest. “What the fuck is your problem?” He shakes his head when a savage sound breaks from my mouth. “Never mind, don’t bother answering that. Just tell me what you want.”
“Leave. Lennon. Alone.” Each word is a sharp command.
His face scrunches up while he glares at me. “Lennon? Lennon Bennett? What the fuck? She doesn’t have a boyfriend. That sweet honey—”
I launch at him and he stumbles back against the wall to avoid me. “Don’t you dare finish that disgusting sentence. Lennon is none of your concern. Hear me? Leave her the fuck alone or those pictures will be plastered all over campus. Got it, Dickhead?”
“Fuck. You’re a special case of crazy.” His cold stare locks on me, looking for what I don’t know. “Fine, what the fuck ever. I’m not dealing with this shit. She ain’t worth the trouble.”
I slam my hand against the wall, roughly bending his ear in the process. “She’s everything to me but nothing to you. Don’t talk to her. Don’t look at her. Don’t even say her name. Get it through your thick, dumb skull. Lennon is mine.”
“Fine. Jesus. Back the fuck off. I’ll leave her alone.” His gaze drops with the last word.
I take a step back, my roaring fury easing with his acceptance. “Don’t make me find you again. I won’t be so nice next time.”
David’s head snaps up. “And you’ll get rid of the pictures?”
My lips curl in disdain. “We’ll see.”