Chapter 1: Night Intruder

[Cara]

For the last thirty minutes now, I’ve kept my gaze riveted at the balcony door of my family-owned condo unit located on the 35th floor.  The lights were already off, save for the dim nightshade lamp set atop my bedside table.

Being the owner’s daughter of this complex building comes with the privilege to have heightened security access around my unit. Cameras, sets of emergency alarms, and all.

However, that doesn't stop him.

My shadow.

I have this recurring memory while sleeping that someone was watching me. That he would just slip into my room and stare at me, even with my balcony doors closed.

Sometimes I wake up stripped down with my undergarments when sure as hell before getting to bed I was in my pajamas or a nightgown but still ended up with my panties the next morning.

Though he didn’t violate me, nor that I am aware of. 

But, who knows? I sleep like a hibernating bear whenever I’m deadbeat and tired from work at my office. That's why tonight, I finally took up the courage and made a decision to meet my night intruder.

It scared me, but at the same time, a rush of thrill coursed through my veins.

Sometimes, I felt him, yes I came to the conclusion that it is a man. There were times when he would touch my face and judging by the profile of his hand tells me it belongs to a man. Additionally, the masculine perfume he always wears is quite intoxicating. I wasn’t afraid that it might be a burglar, a murderer, or something. Because, if he ever had a bad plan, he would have killed me right then.

But, no. 

I only felt him watching me intently while asleep every night without fail.

Creepy, isn’t it?

It started right after my birthday party and dad invited almost all magnates around the world. He basically turned my special event into a business coalition. Not that I begrudge him that. He did make up for me during the weekends and celebrated a private occasion just for me and mom at our private beach resort.

Time check 11:30PM. The light from my desk alarm blinked red.

I’m now lying on my bed, covered snuggly with my thick duvet. My heart jumps unevenly, edging with excitement at the thought that tonight will be the night to finally catch him and know who he is.

Closing my eyes and pretending to sleep, I waited for a while. Yet, the time ticked on, and still no presence. I worried for a moment that my plan had failed, but the curtains immediately flutter then a silent foot thud follows.

‘He’s here!’

I keep myself calm and refrain from doing any movements that will alert him in any way. His heavy footsteps grew closer, then the edge of my bed dipped as he took the place right beside me.

“So beautiful, my Cara.” His deep baritone voice whispered while caressing the side of my face. 

He knows me! He knows my name! I was panicking on the inside.

Too bad there he remains an enigma to me. This is the first time I heard him speak and never imagined that his voice would be this sexy. So rich and velvety. Bringing forth some peculiar sensation through my body and making my core clench upon hearing his voice.

As his hands began to move, I did my best not to flinch or open my eyes, but couldn’t contain my chest to flutter in excitement. His fingers traced down the outline of my jaw, down to my collarbone, and to the very deep line of my cleavage. In one single motion, he lowered my blanket down to my waist and then pulled the strap of my dress down to my shoulders.

Exposing one of my boobs, his thumb ran along the edges of my nipples, making it stand up in action. I tried to suppress my moan but it was too late. I felt him lean down and press a gentle kiss on my throat.

“Baby, I know you're awake. You don’t have to pretend.” He whispered in my ear, chuckling at my failed attempt. My eyes immediately peeled open, bringing my arms to move and push him away.

I stared at him. To my dismay, he was wearing a mask with only his mouth exposed.

“Who are you?” I grilled out, pushing myself upright, and tried to crawl backwards away from him and quickly fixed my dress. 

He straightened up as eyes remained hidden behind the mask. Assessing his frame, he seemed to stand more than six-foot height. From what I can see through the dim lighting, stubborn stubble littered on his sharp jaws and plump kissable lips beckoning me to taste.

Really, Cara? That’s all you can think of? Fuck!

I can't pin my finger on it, but somehow his physique is quite familiar. I made a quick recap in my brain if I had met him in person? But damn! My brain isn’t functioning well. His presence’s corrupting me.

Too immersed in my thoughts, I didn't realize that the hem of my nightie was raised to my thighs and the edge of my red panties was slightly peeking into his satisfaction. Scrambling to cover myself quickly, he suddenly put his hand on my thigh and caressed it in a very sensual way.

Damn it! 

Sending a wave of sparks making its way through my bones and eliciting a shudder in my spine. 

This isn’t right, but fuck! It felt so good at the same time. Yet, I still managed to throw him a deathly glare.

There was an emergency button underneath my bedside table. With one push, it would send off the alarm and turn the entire building into lockdown mode.

If only I could will myself to move, but low-key I am enjoying the way his rough palm scratches my skin. 

Fuck, Cara get a grip!

Quickly putting my wits together and slap his hands away, and lunges into the table. However, as if reading my thoughts, he catches me right before I could move an inch. Moving like a cat, graceful and soundless. I didn’t manage to escape him as it happened so instantly. He caught me so easily with his brute force, his hands captured my wrists and pinned me to the headrest of my bed. Locking me with his body while his knees were on both sides of my waist.

“Let go of me, you creepy bastard!” I struggled under his grip, wriggling and kicking but all my attempts were like a fly hitting a bull.

The man laughed manically at my futile attempts. His chest rumbling so deeply somehow making me utterly still with sheer terror. A glint caught his eyes as he leaned down his head, leveling his face closer to mine. The tip of our noses touches, lips millimeters away from each other that I could smell his minty breath with a hint of scotch.

Feeling so bold, I steeled my spine and meet his smoldering gaze. 

“What do you want with me? Don’t you know you’re trespassing a private property?” My voice considerably trembling nervously, yet I refused to cower. As much as I like the way he was pressing his body against mine, this fucker still scared the living shit out of me.

His laughter dies, but a sinister grin remained curled on his lips. “You're going to be mine, love.”

That was all he said, and before I could roll out a retort, his lips slammed fully into my mouth.