Crazy Love by MINK

1

Slade

The sidewalk is blazing as I jog through the neighborhood. Heat seems to ooze up between the cracks with each step I take. But I don’t quit. I keep putting one foot in front of the other as I make a circuit down my street, a side street, the alley, and then another side street.

I’ve done this run so many times my steps may be starting to dent the cement beneath me. My gaze roams over the manicured lawns, the perfect shrubs and the neat front doors that hide all sorts of secrets.

But I’m not interested in just any secrets. Only hers.

So I keep running, and I watch as her bathroom light turns on. Then, a short while later, her kitchen light glows to life. The hot sun is barely up, and Bunny is already preparing for a long day at work.

“Hey, Ted!”

I turn to the right and find my neighbor from across the street. “John.” I give him a nod and make to keep walking.

“Say, Ted.” He saunters over, his suit rumpled and last night’s whiskey on his breath. “Have you seen the new girl?”

I glare at him.

“You know,” he continues, “the one next door to you?” He gestures toward Bunny’s house.

“What about her?” I take a deep breath and promise myself that I will not lift a finger against this clown. I can’t. Not now. Not here. Someone would see. And if that happened …

“It’s just …” He peers around as if his wife might jump out of his KnockOut roses and flatten him. “She’s got those … those big, round melons. You know what I’m saying? What I wouldn’t give to bury my face between those and just go to fucking town, you feel me? Just let me die there. I wouldn’t mind.”

My spine goes ramrod straight, and I feel the moment my veins turn to ice. “John, you need to walk away.”

He blinks up at me. “Huh?”

“I said walk the fuck away.” I say it as calmly as I can, but something in my face—maybe my eyes—gives away how badly I want to do violence on this asshat.

He pales. “I, uh … Well I didn’t mean nothing by it. Carrie would put a real hurting on me if I ever even tried to—”

“Go.” I don’t say the word so much as I bite it.

He jumps. “I’m gone. Gone.” He hurries back across the street. “Good chat.” His foot catches on the curb, and he sprawls onto his front lawn.

I imagine going over there, dragging him to the curb and stomping the fuck out of his—

“Ted?” Her voice is like a caress down my skin, a whisper of silky softness.

Turning, I find her standing behind me. Her kitten pajamas are buttoned up to her neck, but that only makes the button between her breasts have to work harder. It’s straining, desperate to pop off.

I force my gaze to stay on hers instead of cheating down to encourage that button to give up the fight. “Morning.”

She tucks a lock of her messy blond hair behind her ear. “I was just, um.” She glances across the street at where John has gone into his house. “I was wondering if he said anything about me? I saw you two out here talking, and I don’t know, John just gives me this weird vibe. And I could’ve sworn I saw someone—maybe him? I don’t know …” She trails off and stares at his house.

“Saw him what?”

“Saw him looking through my window the other night,” she says quietly, as if the accusation is too delicate for my ears.

I would explode in rage, go to his house, drag him out, and beat the shit out of him right on his front lawn. But I don’t. Instead, I exhale slowly.

“I didn’t see anyone.” I shrug. That’s the truth. I would’ve known the second someone set foot on her lawn. In fact, I’m certain the person she’s mentioning was me, but there’s no need to reveal that tiny detail.

“Okay.” She meets my gaze again. “Okay,” she says again and nods to herself.

“Don’t worry.” I sidestep her. “I’m right next door.” I want to grab her and drag her into my house, show her just how much I want her. I don’t.

Not today. Tonight, though? Tonight is another story.

I’ve been preparing for this moment for a year, but I’ve been waiting for Bunny my whole life. She’s mine. The one. She thinks I’m an unassuming neighbor. An aloof man who spends all his free time at work.

It’s almost funny how well I’ve hidden my true identity. No one knows I’m a wanted man, one with a past and more enemies than I care to count.

All that changed when I saw Bunny, though. That’s when I knew what I needed to do. Get close to her. Learn every detail about her. And then, when the moment is right, take her. The primal excitement that pumps through me at the thought is better than adrenaline.

“You’re really handsome when you smile.” She’s looking up at me with those big, innocent eyes.

“Thank you, Bunny.”

Her cheeks turn a brilliant scarlet, and she clears her throat. “Oh, you were running. Sorry. And I need to get ready for work. I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Definitely.”

She smiles, her little dimples making an appearance. Fuck. She’s such a temptation. I take off at a quick pace to stop myself from doing something rash. Sticking to the plan is key.

The cabin is ready, and I’m not waiting another moment to claim Bunny for myself.

Tonight’s the night.