Free Come by Becca Jameson

was it a coincidence.
    Adrenaline kicked into gear and Rafe ran hard to his own truck. He jumped into it and was pulling out of the lot almost before he shut the door. “Come on. Come on.” He tapped the steering wheel as he waited to turn right.
    His tires squealed as he pulled away. Thank God he knew where Katy lived. He prayed he could catch up before she arrived. Was he imagining things?
    He grabbed his cell phone, but immediately tossed it on the console. No way would Katy answer while driving, and he doubted she’d turned the volume back on after their date. In any case, he didn’t want to scare her to death.
    Rafe turned left onto a busier street and changed lanes. He could see Katy’s car about six cars in front of him. The shiny red was easy to spot. The black Kia was still on her tail. And when she changed lanes, so did the Kia, way to close for comfort.
    He grew more restless by the second. He tried in vain to catch up, but he never had the opportunity. Someone was blocking him at every turn.
    When the gap grew larger, Rafe cussed under his breath. What did that jackass plan to do when he arrived? He couldn’t imagine she worked with someone that bold and relentless. He was pushing the legal limit when it came to stalking her. Fucking pervert. How much time did he spend following her every day?
    Rafe felt violated. He shook. Had the guy seen them yesterday at the blues club? The thought someone had watched them dry hump against the wall or make out in the parking lot made his head pound.
    Finally there was a break in the traffic and Rafe managed to pass several cars, weaving in and out of the right lane. He prayed he didn’t get pulled over. At this point there was no way he would stop even for a cop.
    As he rounded the last corner to her condo, he saw Katy exiting her car and locking the door. The black sedan was parallel parking two car lengths from her.
    Rafe pulled alongside the stalker and tried to see inside the driver’s window. All but the windshield were tinted, however. He slowed down and twisted his neck to see over his shoulder as he passed slowly. He didn’t give two fucks that he was obvious about it.
    If he was wrong, so be it. But if his instincts were correct, he wanted a good visual.
    The second the man realized Rafe was staring at him, he shot into reverse, turned to look over his own shoulder, backed out of the spot, and peeled away.
    “Fuck.” Rafe pulled into the space directly behind Katy and jumped out of his truck before she reached her front door. She was obviously completely oblivious to the fact someone had followed her. And that scared the daylight out of him. She wasn’t safe.
    While he raced toward her, the Kia sped out of sight. “Katy,” he shouted as she unlocked her door.
    She spun around, startled. “Rafe?”
    He grabbed her with both arms and pulled her against him. “That jackass followed you,” he said as he loosened his grip. “I couldn’t catch up.”
    “What?” She peered around him, gazing back and forth.
    “He left when I pulled up next to him. Sped out of here in a hurry. That’s three times I’ve known him to follow you. That isn’t normal, Katy.”
    “Are you sure? Maybe it’s a coincidence. Similar car?” She opened her door and stepped inside.
    Rafe grabbed her arm and pulled her back out. “Let me look around first, okay?”
    She gave him an evil eye, cocking her head. “Really? You think the partner at my office has planted someone here to grab me when I enter?”
    Rafe nailed her with his own gaze. “Don’t move.” He pointed at the doorway. “Humor me. Please.” He entered and flipped on the lights, scanning around the room. Nothing appeared out of place. He quickly poked his head in every room and then returned to the front door. “I don’t see anything.”
    “Of course you don’t.” She attempted to chuckle, but it came out strained. “Jonathan hasn’t spoken to me since last Saturday morning when I saw him in the