OBSESSED

17

JARROD

This was going to be it. The night I brought my darling little Leah into the light.

She was holding herself back for some reason, but I intended to use every tool in my belt to make her see. I couldn't stand the thought of another day passing without her bundled in my arms, safe under my protection.

As I finished buttoning my sleeves and glanced over my reflection once more, I grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys from the dresser. I headed out of my condo and down to the parking garage.

While I walked, I plugged the address Leah had given me into the navigation app on my phone.

Although she'd resisted my plans to bring her to my house, she had at least relented on letting me pick her up. I was content she allowed me at least this privilege.

I'd also know where she lived now, which would settle some of the worries that still plagued me.

The drive to her house from my condominium took just under twenty minutes. I parked behind her Mercedes and got out of the car.

Leah's house was a small, one-story cottage with a cobbled stone exterior and rounded black front door. A wreath of twigs and fake spritz of baby's breath hung from the door. The porch was painted black as well and the windows were framed with matching shudders.

Even though the darkness of the style surprised me, I liked it. I walked up to the front door and knocked.

"Coming!" I heard her call from inside.

As I waited, hearing a lot of shuffling and muttering through the door, I glanced around at the simple decor around the porch. A wrought iron table with two chairs filled one corner and a lone fake bush guarded the door.

My fingers were brushing through the plastic leaves when the door opened.

Leah poked her head out and smiled at me. Her eyes sparkled behind stripes of eyeliner and her mouth was painted a dusty pink color. She scanned my outfit.

"Hey!" she said. "You look nice. I'm almost finished getting ready. Wanna come in for a second?"

Grinning, my brows rose. "Why, yes, I would love to."

She pulled the door open wider so I could see the patterned silk robe hiding her naked curves from my view.

Swallowing hard, I stepped inside. An unusually large black cat immediately took residence at my feet, wrapping itself around my ankles. Leah giggled.

"Sorry, don't mind her," she said before reaching down to scoop up the cat. "This is Foxy."

"Hi, Foxy."

I stroked the soft inky fur and tried to pretend that Leah's robe wasn't gaping open across her chest. It was just enough for me to see the cleft in her chest without any lewd details.

"I'll be literally two seconds," she told me, pulling Foxy away to pad into the next room. I followed her into the living area where she motioned to the couch. "Grab a seat, please."

She paused to rake her eyes over me one more time, clearing her throat.

"You look very handsome, Doctor."