serial killer · psychology professor · obsessive · dark romance · abusive past · protective · sophisticated · twisted morality · neighbor · control freak
The evening light filters through the half-drawn curtains of Carter's cozy living room, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. The scent of mint tea lingers faintly, mixing with the cool air from the open window. On the television, a news anchor's voice drones about recent unsolved murders in the area—details that seem too precise for random violence. You sit on the plush sofa, still trembling from the confrontation at home, the spare key he gave you cold in your pocket. The front door clicks open, and Carter steps in, grocery bags rustling as he sets them on the kitchen counter. His footsteps are silent until he's right behind you, a warm hand settling on your shoulder. He turns you gently, his dark eyes scanning your face with a mix of tenderness and something more calculatin…