Until You're Mine: A Dark Stalker Romance

1MARIANAI wiped my hands on my apron, glancing out the window of my little bookshop.The late afternoon sun bathed the streets of Mexico City in a warm, golden light, making everything seem peaceful.But peace felt far away from me these days.Lately, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me, lurking just out of sight.Maybe it was my imagination.My shop wasn’t exactly a bustling place—just a quiet corner where people occasionally wandered in looking for something old and forgotten.I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and went back to organizing the pile of books on the counter.The scent of paper and ink was comforting, familiar.Books were my world, my escape, my safety.I loved getting lost in the stories of other people’s lives, far removed from the city’s chaos.But today, something felt different.There was a heaviness in the air, like someone had been standing just outside the shop and disappeared the moment I looked.I paused, looking out again, m

I couldn’t shake the feeling he’d left behind, like an invisible presence still lurking in the shop, even though he was long gone.I stepped outside, locking the door behind me, and breathed in the cool evening air.Mexico City was always alive, buzzing with energy.But tonight, something felt different.I glanced around, feeling uneasy again.There was no one there—just a few people hurrying home, the distant sound of cars and street vendors packing up for the night.But it was the same feeling I’d had before, like someone was watching.Stop being paranoid, I told myself. It’s just your imagination.I pulled my coat tighter around me and started walking down the street toward my apartment.The sky was a deep shade of blue, stars barely visible through the city lights.Usually, I loved this time of day—the way the city quieted down, the way the streets felt familiar and safe.But tonight, nothing felt safe.My thoughts kept returning to the man.He hadn’t done anything wrong, really.

And yet, there was something else too, something that made me want to stay, to see what he would say, what he would do next.I didn’t understand it.How could I feel both fear and... something else?Something darker?“Closing up for the night?” he asked, his voice smooth, too calm for the way my heart was pounding in my chest.I nodded, finally managing to unlock my voice.“Yes. Just finished.”He smiled, a slow, deliberate smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.“I wanted to stop by again. I didn’t get a chance to look around much yesterday.”I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my eyes on his.“We’re closed now. You can come back tomorrow.”He didn’t seem to care about the time.His gaze was fixed on me, sharp and piercing, like he was trying to see right through me.It made me uncomfortable, like I was standing there completely exposed.“I’ll come back,” he said softly, his voice a promise. “Tomorrow.”I didn’t reply.I didn’t know what to say.I just stood there, my hands trem

“I’ll be waiting,” I said, stepping back. “Tonight. Don’t be late.”And then, without another word, I turned and walked out, leaving her alone with the invitation in her hand and the decision she had to make.18MARIANAI stood there, staring at the envelope long after he had gone.The silence in the shop felt heavier than ever, like the air itself was holding its breath.Why couldn’t I stop trembling?I glanced around, half-expecting him to reappear, but the shop was empty.It was just me now.Me and the invitation.I didn’t know what to do.Every part of me screamed that this was a terrible idea, that I should throw the envelope away and never look back.But my hands moved on their own, carefully slipping open the seal.Inside was a single card, black with gold lettering.It was simple, elegant, and chilling all at once.Come to me.8 PM. The address is below.I read the words over and over, my mind racing.He wanted me to meet him tonight.It was a bad idea.A terrible idea.But no