I told her I was going to find her and make her mine.
Deleting them all was the best move. Even the dinner request was a toned-down version of my original message when I told her she was coming to dinner with me.
I know I’d be able to direct my woman like that in person. But with the barrier of the internet between us, I have to be careful.
She can’t read the smirk, lust, or desire in my eyes.
Are you serious? She messages back.
100%, I reply.
Three dots appear and vanish.
I glance at the corner of the chat screen, making sure everything looks as it should. The last thing I want is for it to end suddenly like last time.
Four days… it’s taken four long days to reconnect with my woman. I’m not sure how many chats I’ve started, or how many hours I’ve waited in the queue. All I know is that now I’ve got my chance, I’m not letting it go.
Are you really who you say you are, Ryland?
Yes.
So why the heck do you want to take me out?
My chest clamps at her words, my hands curling into fists. Something about the question makes me want to cause damage, to hurt someone – to hurt every bastard who’s ever turned the other way, or made a joke, or failed to see how beautiful she is.
I saw your photo. I would like to get to know you better. So, what’s it going to be?
I want to, she replies. But how do I know you’re really Ryland Ross? Maybe you’re some crazy online serial killer stalker freak or something.
I smirk. I promise you I’m not a crazy stalker.
The second part’s right, at least. I’m not a stalker.
But as for being crazy… the very fact I’m asking a woman out over an online helpdesk system would be a mark against me there.
You said you want to, I go on. I can’t let her slip away. Let’s meet somewhere public then, like the park. We can walk Rusty. He’s my dog, and he loves new people. Meet with me, Rachel.
I’m getting pushy, but it’s nowhere near how dominant I want to become with her. I want to tell my woman what she’s going to do, where we’ll meet, and for how long.
But how can I do that when she doesn’t even know she’s my woman?
That could work, she writes. When?
Today, tomorrow, the day after.
What, all of them, LOL?
I smirk, imagining her laughing, causing her long wavy brown hair to bounce around. If you don’t get sick of me, sure.
I don’t think I could get sick of you.
Brave words, I reply, grinning. Maybe we’ll put them to the test. So that’s a yes, Rachel?
I finish at five today….
I glance at the clock at the bottom of the screen.
That gives me three hours to try and control the series of tsunamis simply speaking to her provokes in me… to try and tame the beast she makes me. And to find a way to make it to wherever she’s at.
That’s perfect. I’d offer to pick you up, but…
That sort of defeats the whole public place thing, right?
Exactly. I’ll pick you up on our second date.
I imagine her blushing, her young cheeks turning a tempting shade of red. I imagine her turning her face away, her eyes aimed downward…and then I imagine touching her chin and making her look up at me, leaning in and kissing her passionately, kissing her hard.
I can hear her moaning, her nerves drifting away as our bodies give in to the primal desire.
I message back. Let me know if there are any parks convenient for you. We can meet there.
There’s one. She shoots back. I go there with my sister sometimes. Heck, I think we’re supposed to be going today, actually. But I think she’ll understand. She might even want to come along to make sure you’re not a creep.
I chuckle. That’s fine. Whatever you need.
I know what I need… I need to see her today, as soon as possible, this second.
It’s good she didn’t give me her address, in a way. It means I can’t storm downstairs, grab my car, speed through the city, and crash through her door.
And God help any bastard who’s already there, sniffing around my woman, my property.
I’d snap his neck with my red-hot rage before I realized how primal I’d let myself become.
I’m on my feet, pacing, the phone squeezed tight in my hand. Rusty pads at my side like a wolf ready to go to war.
Okay, Rachel writes eventually. Let’s meet.
We arrange the time and the place. We’ll meet in a few hours at a park near her apartment.
I can barely process it all, my body shaking as the realization hammers into me.
Squeezing onto the balcony railing, I lean over the edge as I rock back and forth. There it is, proof that I will see her, and suddenly I feel like roaring.