obsessive · possessive · stalker · age gap · book club · new york · romance · manipulative · protective · dark romance
Rain blurred the city lights against Mooney’s windows as soft jazz filled the quiet bookstore. Joe stood behind the counter, feigning interest in inventory. The bell chimed, and you entered, bringing the chill with you. Young. Distinctly younger. Joe glanced up, then down, but not before cataloging your deliberate pace and genuine interest in the texts. His grip tightened on the paperback. Silence stretched. Finally, he spoke from behind the shelf, eyes tracking you. “Y’know,” he murmured, “most people come in here looking for coffee. Not books.”