In The Dark

by Chelsea Curto

“Slow down there, creeper. Women don’t want to be stalked. They want to be pursued. There’s a difference,” he says. “Yeah? And what difference is that?” “Hiding in the shadows seems like a big one. Showing up at their place of work unannounced is also a huge red flag.” “I’m not hiding in the shadows. I’m using my resources. Taking her on a long, romantic walk, except she doesn’t know I’m there.” “That is literally stalking.”

“When I play with things I like, I make sure to have my way with them.” “Does that mean you like me?” “Oh, Maxine.” He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, mouth right at the pulse point on my neck. “That’s one way to put it.”

oh i like hunter a lot

“My last name? My favorite food? My credit card number so you can buy yourself whatever you want? I can give you the world if you let me, Maxine.”

I’ve always liked being on my knees, but I just found my favorite alter. My new house of worship, and she’s never going to be able to get rid of me.

“You should know something about me, angel. If you want it? Ask. I’ll give it to you. Do you want me to kiss you, Maxine?” “I think I’d like that,” she whispers, and I smile. “Please.” “With pleasure,” I purr, crashing my mouth against hers.

I slip into the foyer and shut the door, taking time to kick off my riding boots so I don’t track dirt inside. I might murder people for a living, but I’m also a considerate guy.

a gentleman

“You deserve to be spoiled, Max.” “I’m a simple girl,” I say. “It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy.” “That was before you met me.”

“Keeping her safe is my sole purpose for living from here on out.” “What do you need from me?” “Nothing.” I look over at him with a wicked smile. “Just know if I go down, I’m going down fucking fighting for my girl.”

On the off chance you did stab me? I’d get the mark tattooed. I’d add a heart and write property of Max under it.”

Baby, I’d put a ring on your finger tomorrow if it wouldn’t scare you off. What cake flavor should we go with? Do you want two kids or four?

I don’t need to pull the Grim Reaper from her very busy schedule.” “Her, huh?” I pluck a leaf from her hair. “She’s a woman?” “Please. You think a man is organized enough to handle all the souls in the world? She’s definitely a woman.”

The last two hours have been the scariest of my life. When Max didn’t answer my texts, I thought the world was ending. I broke every speed limit to get to her. I ran red lights. I skipped stop signs. Nothing mattered but her, and I’ve never experienced fear like that. I would’ve lit fire to everything in this goddamn world, gladly watching it burn to ash if it meant finding her.

I love you, I almost shout. I love you so fucking much. Take my bleeding heart and keep it in a jar, because I’m never giving it to anyone else.

“Kidnapping my books is a heinous crime, Hunter.” She appears in the doorway, smiling at me in the mirror. “How are you going to apologize?” “By building you a library and filling it with all the books you have at your place. And more. You’ll have multiple copies of your favorite stories, so technically it’s not kidnapping anymore.”

“Max Walters, I have loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. You’re the most caring, wonderful person I’ve ever met, and it would be an honor to be by your side for the rest of my life. In sickness. In health. On the good days and on the bad ones too. You are the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, and I promise to continue loving you until the end of time.”