Enchanted By Shadow

Chapter 9

Sasha

I trudged through the door of my small apartment, tossing my keys onto the countertop. The air inside felt thick, like something was lurking in the shadows. My instincts screamed that someone had been here, their presence still clinging to the walls like smoke. I paused at the door, my eyes scanning every inch of the dimly lit space, but nothing was out of place. Still, the feeling of being watched wouldn't let go.

Brushing it off, I chalked it up to exhaustion. Between the relentless shifts at the restaurant and the hangover I was still nursing, my mind was probably playing tricks on me. I kicked off my shoes, too drained to change out of my work clothes, and made my way to the bedroom. The sheets felt cold and unfamiliar, but I collapsed into bed anyway, letting the heaviness of the day pull me under.

That feeling of being watched hadn't left.It clung to me like a shadow, unsettling and persistent. Whoever it was, whatever it was, it didn't matter. Sleep was stronger than the fear. My eyes fluttered closed.

I was floating. Weightless. Colors blurred together around me, blue and gold dancing across the room. My body was moving, swaying, but not by my own will. A pair of strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. The heat of his body seared into my back, his hands gripping my hips like he owned me. The smell of expensive cologne mixed with the faint scent of leather and danger.

His voice was a low growl against my ear, making my skin prickle. "You think you can hide from me, Sasha?" His words dripped with possessiveness, making my heart race. "I'll have you, one way or another. You'll be begging for me soon enough."

A rough hand slid down my stomach, teasing lower, until it rested just above the waistband of my pants. My breath hitched, a thrill of anticipation racing through me. I could feel the heat of his body, the hard press of him against my back. Every inch of him screamed danger, power, and raw need.

I tried to turn, to see his face, but all I could catch was the glint of his eyes. Dark, predatory, filled with a hunger that set my body on fire. My legs trembled as his hand slid lower, fingers ghosting over my skin, but just as I was about to break, the dream shattered. I bolted upright in bed, gasping for air. My heart pounded in my chest, skin slick with sweat. What the fuck was that? I pressed a hand to my forehead, trying to shake off the lingering heat from that dream. But it wasn't just a dream-it felt too real, too intense, like he had been there with me, his breath still warm against my neck.

Whoever this man was, he was invading more than just my dreams. I swung my legs off the bed, my body still trembling from the memory of his touch. My reflection in the mirror across the room looked as wild as I felt-hair a mess of waves, cheeks flushed, and eyes wide with confusion.

"This is getting ridiculous," I muttered, peeling off my clothes. But as I did, that feeling returned. The sensation of eyes on me, watching me intently, like I was being devoured piece by piece. I froze, my shirt halfway off, scanning the room.There was no one there, no sign of anyone. Still, my skin prickled under the weight of an invisible gaze.

Get a grip, Sasha. I shook my head, trying to clear it, before heading to the bathroom. The warm water of the tub enveloped me, soothing the tension from my muscles. But the feeling wouldn't leave. Even here, in the privacy of my bathroom, I couldn't shake the thought that I wasn't alone.

I leaned back in the tub, my mind drifting. That man-the one from the dream-his voice still echoed in my ears. That possessiveness, that hunger. It was unlike anything I'd ever felt before, and it terrified me how much I wanted it.

But this was insane. He was just a figment of my imagination, right? He couldn't be real. Couldn't be watching me. And yet, the way his words echoed in my mind made me wonder... was he closer than I thought?

The warmth of the bath had eased the tension in my muscles, but not the kind of tension that mattered. I was wrapped in my bathrobe, the fabric clinging to my damp skin as I climbed into bed. The clock flashed 1 a.m., and the world outside was dead silent. But inside my head, it was chaos-pure, uncontrollable chaos.

That man, the one from the club. He wasn't just a fleeting attraction; he was becoming an obsession. The way his body had pressed against mine while we danced, the way his touch lingered in the air even after I left. And then he had the audacity to show up at my restaurant the next day, watching me with those dark, knowing eyes while I served him. His gaze burned into me, claiming me without saying a word. I couldn't escape him, not even in my sleep.

Even now, lying in bed, the memory of him clung to me like a second skin. His voice, his touch, the way he made me feel like prey, cornered and helpless, yet wanting more. My chest tightened with the memory, heat pooling between my thighs. The frustration was unbearable. I needed relief.

I reached into the drawer beside my bed, fingers brushing against the cool plastic of my vibrator. My body was wound too tight, and I knew this was the only way to ease the ache he'd left behind. He wasn't here, but my body didn't care-it craved him, the danger, the promise of something raw and untamed.

I slid my hand down, pressing the vibrator against my clit, the soft hum sending a jolt of pleasure through me. My breath hitched as I closed my eyes, letting the image of him flood my mind. The way he had looked at me, like he knew every dirty thought I had, like he knew how badly I wanted him. His hands, rough and commanding, would pin me down, taking control of every inch of me, forcing me to surrender to him.

My fingers gripped the sheets as I moved the vibrator, teasing myself. The wetness between my legs grew, and my thighs trembled as I imagined him-his large, calloused hands gripping my hips, forcing me to stay still as he buried his cock inside me. The thought of him, the man who had haunted my every waking moment, taking me in ways that left me breathless, left me desperate.

I could almost hear his voice again, that low growl that had sent chills down my spine. "You're mine, Sasha. You'll scream my name when I'm done with you." The way he had said it-so sure, so confident -made my pulse race. I bit my lip, pressing the vibrator harder against my clit as the fantasy grew darker, hotter. His hands would roam my body, leaving  bruises on my skin, marks of possession. I wanted him to ruin me, to take everything from me and leave me begging for more.

My hips bucked as the pleasure built, my moans filling the empty room. I could see it so clearly-his mouth on my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered filthy things in my ear. He'd make me submit to him, make me beg for him to fill me, to take me over and over again until I couldn't think of anything but him.

The orgasm hit me hard, my back arching off the bed as I came, the vibrator slipping from my hand as waves of pleasure washed over me. I gasped for air, my body trembling from the intensity. My legs felt weak, my heart racing, and yet... it still wasn't enough.

Even after the release, the hunger remained. It gnawed at me, deeper now, because no matter how many times I came, it wasn't him. He had worked his way into my mind, and I hated it. I hated how much I wanted him, how badly my body craved his touch. No man had ever gotten under my skin like this.

As I lay there, panting, staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching me. That somewhere, out there in the dark, he was keeping tabs on me, waiting for the right moment to strike. The thought made my pulse quicken again, but this time, it wasn't fear. It was excitement.

I didn't know who he was, but I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to avoid him for much longer. Whoever he was, he was going to make his move. And when he did, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stop myself from giving in to him.

Because deep down I didn't want to.