Predator - Part 4

Lorena felt light on her feet.  She left work and went home - insanely -- to primp before going out shopping.

ridiculous of course - "it's not as if he knows what restaurant I might go to -- or where I might be shopping"  After all, she was undecided herself about her plans.

And yet -- there she was -- putting her hair down, curling it into long ringlets -- freshening perfume -- and changing to a pushup bra.

She smiled at the girl who smiled back at her in the mirror.  "Not bad", she thought.  That voice in her head that picks apart the reflection silent for once.

She looked taller
thinner

"must be the skinny jeans and heels", she thought - -and then "silly slut -- dressing up for no one"

She enjoyed the idea of him searching for her -- the excitement of it.  She wondered if the odds would be in her favor and he would say "hello".

She wandered the bookstore -- caressing the spines as she walked and picking up an erotic novel.  She crossed the dark parking lot to the burrito place she loved -- but rejected it after seeing the horribly long line and moved next door for a bit of chinese food.

She settled down for some beef and broccoli and dug into her book.  Glancing around from time to time, on the off chance that maybe -- just maybe he would be here.  What a delicious game, she thought.

How fun -- leading him on a merry chase.

as she left the restaurant he texted her

"Where are you?"

'lol' - she texted back -- 'leaving the restaurant.  did you find me?'

'Too many restaurants little one -- headed home?'

"no", Lorena responded - -'off to the grocery store then home'

*****************

He watched her leave the mexican restaurant and move to her second choice, new book in hand.

He circled her once as she smiled into her beef and broccoli -- absorbed in her book and looking pleased with herself.  Her perfume filled his nostrils with a fresh citrus scent as she ran her hand through her hair

Inches from her at one point.  The temptation to touch her was palpable.  He fantasized about dropping his fork to be able to bend down and see under the table but knowing that it would draw too much attention - now is not the time to show his cards.

"She's growing in confidence.  Taking better care of her appearance.  She's making herself more beautiful for me.

blooming right before my eyes.

a flower that just needed some care"

he looked at his watch -- just enough time to make it to her store in time to watch her walk in.  He walked past her empty table to find her book -- left behind in her happy state - he smiled and slipped it into his pocket caressing it.  He was becoming as addicted to her as she was to him.  A slippery slope for a hunter, to fall for his prey.