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Lucca

I’m not sure how I stayed away from her for so long. Maybe it’s because I’ve kept my distance that I never got this obsessed. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’ve been obsessed with Claire’s safety before now. But since she has been staying with me, that obsession has reached a new height.

I used to be okay with watching her through surveillance videos, pictures, and Carter’s reports. Now, none of those would quench my thirst for control. The only way to satisfy my need is to watch Claire constantly. I need to know what she is doing every second of the day. I need to see her with my own eyes, feel her skin, fill my nostrils with her flowery scent.

Sitting in the car across from the entrance to the college, I get restless, waiting for Claire to walk out. Checking my watch constantly, I feel like I’m on a stakeout, but instead of killing the subject, I just want to protect it. Maybe I’ll kill everyone around her just to be sure she is safe. No one can harm her if everyone is dead.

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That plan sounds even better when Claire walks out, and I spot the guy walking next to her. A guy walking way too close, if you ask me. He is the typical college boy: jeans, sneakers, and the university hoodie. With a backpack slung over his shoulder, he walks like he owns the campus.

My blood boils as I watch the way he leans into her. She giggles and touches his arm like he just said something funny. That’s when I’ve had enough.

I kill the engine and climb out of the car. Her classes are not over yet, and I didn’t plan on letting her know I’m here, but I can’t stand back and watch this any longer.

Like a man on a mission, I stomp over to where they are. The moment Claire spots me, her eyes go wide with a mixture of shock and fear. Either she feels like she just got caught doing something wrong, or I simply look scary enough for her to worry.

“Hey, Gregg, why don’t we grab lunch another day,” I hear her say, and my anger reaches a new height. Lunch? Fucking lunch with Gregg? Fuck, Gregg!

“Yeah, sure. Maybe tomorrow?” Gregg asks.

“No,” I growl. “She won’t have lunch with you tomorrow… or ever.”

“Lucca,” Claire warns, annoyance bleeding through her voice. She grabs my arm, and her touch sends a bolt of lightning through my body.

“Eh, okaaay,” Gregg says, looking between us in confusion. “I guess I’ll see you in class.”

Not if I can help it.

Gregg white knuckles the flimsy strap of his backpack and scurries away from us as fast as he can. I turn my attention back to Claire, who is looking at me with her head tilted, and her hand propped up on her hips like she is about to give me a lecture.

“Seriously? Was that necessary?”

“Very. I told you, no funny business with guys.”

Mischief twinkles in her eyes, and I already know she is going to do the opposite of what I’m asking just to spite me.

“We’ll see-” she starts, but I cut her off by grabbing her upper arm and dragging her across the sidewalk. Pulling her behind the building, I don’t stop until we are hidden by some bushes and the shadow of the extensive building. Once alone, I shove her against the wall, causing her to gasp. I lean into her face, letting a mask of menace fall over my face.

“You listen to me. You will not talk to any other guy on this campus.”

“What if my teacher is a guy?” She grins like she’s fooled me in some way.

“You know what I mean. Don’t play games, Claire. You are done acting like a brat. You will listen to me and not flirt with anyone.”

“Or what? You’re going to pull me back to your cave by my hair?” She laughs without humor.

“No, Claire. I will find every single guy you talk to and kill them.”

Her big green eyes grow to the size of saucers with shock.

“That… that is insane.” She shakes her head, most likely with disbelief. “Actually, you know what, Lucca, you’re insane.”

“I know, and I also know you think I’m lying, but I’m not.” I lean in, my nose brushes hers, and a strange tightness forms in my chest.

I’m close enough that I could kiss her. Her pink lips are right there, right fucking there, and I’m tempted to do it. Her sweet breath fans against my face. I want to taste her, draw from her, but that would be stupid. She can never be mine. I can never be hers.

“Don’t test me, please, don’t…” I succumb to the temptation for a millisecond and brush my lips against her bottom lip. A gasp that sounds like a whimper meets my ears, but I can’t stop myself. I bite her lip, tugging on it, and then place both of my lips over hers.

It takes a moment for her to catch up, but once she does, she’s clawing at me. Her arms come to wrap around my neck, and her petite body presses against mine.

She feels so perfect in my arms, but I’m not stupid. It’s all merely an illusion. I’m a criminal with enemies a mile long. What can I offer her besides a life on the run? I’ve hurt her enough, made her develop feelings. I need to stop this.

Forcing myself to pull away from her, I stumble backward and shiver at the loss of warmth her body gave me. We are polar opposites like the sun and the moon. Like a hero and villain. Like dark and light.

Clearing my throat, I shove my hands into my pockets and try to forget what just happened. I look up and regret it almost immediately. Claire is holding a finger to her lips, her cheeks are rosy red, and her eyes flicker with heat.

“I’m not joking, Claire. Take this as your one and only warning.”

She pushes off the wall with determination. “If you don’t want me, then why can’t anyone else have me?”

I wish I knew the answer to that question, but I don’t. Making Claire mine would lead to a life of unhappiness and hate, but letting her go means I have to watch her with someone else.

“I’ll pick you up after class,” I tell her and turn around and walk back out onto the sidewalk. The tightness in my chest becomes an ache, and I’ve never experienced this feeling before. It’s more than obsession, it’s something else, and I’m not ready to face it yet.