Crazy love, p.1
Crazy Love, page 1
Crazy Love
MINK
Crazy Love
MINK © 2021
All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book only. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from MINK.
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Contents
Crazy Love
Chapter 1
Slade
Chapter 2
Bunny
Chapter 3
Slade
Chapter 4
Bunny
Chapter 5
Slade
Chapter 6
Bunny
Chapter 7
Slade
Chapter 8
Bunny
Chapter 9
Slade
Chapter 10
Bunny
Chapter 11
Slade
Chapter 12
Bunny
Chapter 13
Slade
Chapter 14
Bunny
Chapter 15
Slade
Chapter 16
Bunny
Chapter 17
Slade
Chapter 18
Bunny
Chapter 19
Slade
Chapter 20
Bunny
Chapter 21
Slade
Chapter 22
Bunny
Chapter 23
Slade
Chapter 24
Bunny
Epilogue
Also by MINK
About the Author
Crazy Love
MINK
When I caught a glimpse of Bunny, I knew she was the one. From that chance meeting, I created an entire life just for her. She’s right at home with me, both of us cuddling by a fire at our expansive cabin or going for a boat ride on our private lake.
She’s so happy here with me … Or, she will be. Once I kidnap her and bring her home, I’ll show her how much she means to me. And when she realizes the lengths I’ll go to just to make her happy, she’ll see our love is real. Her mouthy cat notwithstanding, Bunny is everything I’ve ever wanted.
With Bunny, it’s a fresh start for me. But maybe I should’ve kept a closer eye on my past, because when old business associates come calling, danger isn’t far behind.
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.
2
Bunny
I watch as Ted takes off, getting back to his run. I know I’m not the only girl on the block that steals peeks of him working out. All the ladies talk about him. Even the married ones. I mean, I can’t blame them based on how handsome he is. And there’s also that toned body, and don’t even get me started on those thick, muscular thighs. But that doesn’t mean I have to like the way their eyes roam all over him. It always irritates me, which I know is irrational considering I barely know the man.
A few of the girls have asked me in the past if Ted has ever asked me out. They said they figured he would have since I seem to be the one he talks to the most on the street, but I’m sure that’s only because we live right next door to each other.
As if Ted would ever ask me out. I mean, he’s surrounded by all of these dolled-up women. The complete opposite of me. I spot Becky a few doors down as she steps out of her house and walks down her driveway. She’s in a tiny, silky, dark teal nightie. I can see her freaking nipples poking through the fabric from here. Somehow, she’s still in her pajamas but her hair and makeup are all done.
I watch as she calls out to Ted to get his attention when he’s about to pass her house. I huff a breath, turning and going back into my place to get ready for work. Ted must think I’m a giant dork with my kitten pajamas. They’re comfy and adorable, but I’m guessing they’re not what others would consider sexy. I love them, and that’s all that matters.
I push my insecurities aside. Ted and I will never be a thing. I have to stop allowing
My mind lingers on him as I get ready for work. I don’t have to be super dressy, but I don’t think kitten pajamas will fly with my employer, Mr. Foley.
I’ve been with Mr. Foley for a few months now. It’s the longest I’ve ever been at the same job. With the temp agency, I normally get shifted around every two or three weeks. I prefer it that way. I can never find anything I enjoy enough to do for longer than that. I keep hoping that one of my temp jobs will help guide me down a path I want to stay on, but no such luck yet. I hold out hope that it will happen sooner rather than later.
I find Walter by the front door pouting. He knows I have to go to work, and he’s reminding me he’s not okay with it. When I’d first gotten Walter a year ago at the shelter, I could barely get him to come out of his crate when we got home. It had taken a few days for him to warm up to me. Now, he barely lets me out of his sight. Half the time he wants me to carry him around like a baby. I mean, when he was younger it wasn’t so hard, but now he’s gigantic. Even so, I swoop down and pick up my puffy fur baby. I give him kisses on the top of his head before I leave.
“You be a good man while I’m gone.”
He meows, not agreeing. I carry him back into the kitchen and give him a few treats before I sneak out. I think a dream job would be taking care of kittens all day. People have dog sitters. What about cat sitters? That should be a thing.
When I make it to the office, I don’t even have time to get settled, because the schedule is so busy today. It's one meeting after another. They all start to blend together—rich people and their lawyers talking about investment deals and golf. Mr. Foley always has me sit in his office and take notes over freaking everything.
I think some of the time they forget I’m here, and their conversations will turn to their last poker game or the women they’re sleeping with. I’ve been uncomfortable more than a few times. Especially when one of Mr. Foley’s business associates decided to go into great detail about getting a blowjob from some waitress.
The day flies by before I know it, thankfully. As each day passes, I know without a doubt that being an office assistant is definitely not the right fit for me long term. I’m grateful to have a job, though, and a steady paycheck. My bills aren’t going to pay themselves. When the last appointment is done, I log out of my computer and gather my things to head out. My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t had anything to eat today.
“Bunny,” Mr. Foley calls after me. I inwardly groan, hoping I don’t have to stay later. When I get out late I miss my chance to see Ted come home. He’s usually getting home at the same time I am.
“Yes, sir,” I respond. Sir is the only thing he’ll let me call him for some strange reason. Every time I say it, he smirks. It’s a bunch of crap. Everyone else around the office calls him Foley.
“I prefer my assistants to wear dresses. No more pants.” His eyes drop to my legs.
Heat rushes to my face. Embarrassment fills me that I’m not up to whatever standard he has.
This isn't my first time wearing these. I have on a pair of wide-legged white pants. When I wear the slacks, I can get away with flats. I don’t hate heels, at least not at first, but wearing them for eight hours is pushing it. Why is he commenting on it now?
“Sorry, sir.”
“Just don’t do it again.”
I nod, hoping I can leave now.
“We skipped lunch. Let's head over to Oaks Steakhouse and get something to eat. We can discuss some things. I’ll grab my coat,” he says before I can come up with a reason to get out of this.
“Ready?” he asks, coming back out of his office a moment later.
I can’t wait until his assistant Barbara finally comes back from maternity leave. I sigh, knowing there is nothing I can do at this point but to accept his invitation. At least I might get a good steak out of this.
“Yes, sir.” I pull my purse out from under my desk. Mr. Foley’s hand goes to my back as he guides me out the front door. I don’t miss the stares we get from some of the staff who are still working.
Great. Now everyone is going to think Mr. Foley and I have a thing going on. I know he cheats on his wife, but I want no part of that. Not even a rumor, which I’m betting has already started.
When I get home tonight, the first thing I’m going to do is email the temp agency. I’m starting to get uncomfortable here. Or maybe I’m being paranoid. John from across the street has also been giving me the same creepy vibes as Mr. Foley is now.
The world is filled with creeps. Except for Ted. He’s one of the good ones. Too bad for me all he sees me as is the girl next door.
3
Slade
She should be home by now. I usually follow her from her job, but tonight I was busy making sure everything is in place.
Kidnapping someone isn’t as easy as it sounds. Not when the person you’re taking is the only woman in the world you’d die to protect. I don’t want to scare her, to make her run. Besides, I’ll only chase her, and when a man as big as I am is running after you, it’s bound to be frightening.
So I’ve been here in the neighborhood. I pulled her empty trash and recycling bins back from the curb, mowed her lawn one last time, and made everything look normal. Same at my place.
Walter greets me with his usual purr when I unlock the kitchen door and walk into Bunny’s place.
“You act like no one ever loves you.” I kneel down to pet him. “I know that’s not true. Bunny loves on you day and night.” So much so that I find myself getting jealous of Walter, even though he’s just a cat. Still, he gets to snuggle up to Bunny when she’s in bed or sitting on her couch reading. I see every bit of it through the cameras I’ve placed in all the light fixtures. I know it sounds creepy … and I really don’t have an explanation that would make it sound better. But that doesn’t matter. Bunny is the only woman I’ve ever wanted, and she’ll forgive me for being a little overzealous in my pursuit.
“When are we leaving?” He rolls over so I can scratch his belly.
“Everything’s ready. I just need to put you in your carrier.” I unzip the door to the soft case. There are already treats inside as well as his favorite toy, a plush fish that wiggles when he bites it.
He sniffs. “Are those the turkey treats instead of the chicken? You know I don’t like the—”
“It’s the chicken.” I can’t with this furry menace. “I know you don’t like the turkey. You’ve only told me fifty times. Just get in.”
He gives me a sideways glance that’s full of sass, then prances forward. “Just like we practiced. Good.” I scoot him in and zip up the door. I frown. “Have you gained weight since we last did this drill? You’re even wider. I need a bigger crate.”
“How dare you even suggest such a thing!”
“Never mind. I must’ve miscalculated.”
He ignores me and munches on his treats. I stand and survey the house one more time. Everything’s packed, both of our houses ready to be locked up tight. The nosiest neighbors already have notes in their mailboxes about Bunny going on a girls’ trip with some friends from her hometown. No one pays any attention to my comings and goings. They think I have a job that keeps me out of town quite a bit.
I check my watch for the third time since I walked into her house. “Where is she?”
Walter peers up at me through the ventilation areas in his cushy carrier. “I don’t know. You’re the stalker. Isn’t it your job to know?”
