Chapter One: The Window Was Open Again

Dominic

She left the window open again.

Not wide—just enough. An inch, maybe two. Enough for the night air to slip in and caress her skin. Enough for me to know she was inviting me in, even if she didn’t realize it.

I watched from across the street, concealed in the shadows of my apartment. The glow from her penthouse illuminated her silhouette, a delicate figure wrapped in a silk robe that clung to her curves. She moved with a grace that was both effortless and intoxicating.

Every night, I observed her. Learned her routines. Memorized the way she sipped her wine, the books she favored, the music that made her sway ever so slightly. I knew the exact moment she would dim the lights, the precise second she would let her hair cascade down her back.

She was art in motion.

Tonight, she approached the window, her eyes scanning the cityscape. Did she sense me? Feel my gaze tracing every inch of her? I remained still, barely breathing, as she reached out and closed the window, securing the latch with a soft click.

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

She was cautious. Good. It meant she was aware, on some level, of my presence. The connection between us was growing stronger, even if she couldn’t name it yet.

I turned away from the window, retreating into the darkness of my apartment. The monitors displayed various angles of her penthouse, each one a testament to my devotion. I had eyes everywhere, ensuring her safety, her comfort.

She was mine.

And soon, she would understand that.