A dark romance novel unraveling the thin line between love and obsession
Can love be born out of obsession?
Alice never considered this question until she laid her eyes on a handsome blond man during a night out with her best friend, Jenny.
What starts as a fleeting, one-sided encounter quickly consumes her thoughts, leaving Alice daydreaming about the mysterious stranger.
When fate finally brings her face-to-face with her dream man, Danny, Alice must confront the lingering question: Is he truly the one for her?
AmazonExcerpt from Heart Collector © Copyright 2024 Kamila Nabiyeva
“Hey!” the same voice demanded to be heard.
“Alice, please! Stop!” he implored in a soft silky tone, and this changed tactics worked wonders, compelling Alice to slow her pace, and finally stop.
“What is it you want, Danny?” Alice asked impertinently, with each word growing angrier at the sight of him.
“Could you please turn around?” Danny insisted, still maintaining an amicable facade.
Alice turned around, noticing that both of them were wearing sunglasses, which spared her from having to look him directly in the eyes. Danny took off his sunglasses and approached her.
“Alice, I need a word with you, please.”
He was close enough for her to catch the scent of his cologne, and his entire presence seemed to draw her in.
“Danny, I don’t know what we’d be talking about? After all, what can whores talk about?” she replied with an air of indignation.
“Don’t be saucy, Alice.” Danny’s voice started to quiver.
“Danny, you’ve made yourself clear as to what you think of me. The thing is, I didn’t mind the lovemaking that much, it’s the morning after—which I did, and thanks for showing me your true colors,” Alice blurted out the words and turned away, but Danny quickly hugged her, pulling her close to him.
“So what if I said that? It doesn’t diminish other things.” Danny tried to work his charm.
“A relationship is based on mutual respect, Danny. Even though I’ve never been in one, I understand that much,” Alice said, turning toward him as she took off her shades.
“The thing about regret.. I said I don’t regret making mistakes, but I wish I had kept my mouth shut that morning,” Danny confessed, but Alice seemed unapproachable and unaffected by his words. In truth, despite her attempts to remain distant, she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him, which only intensified her already frazzled nerves.
“Well, if you had kept it shut, I wouldn’t have ever found out what you thought of me, so thanks!” Alice responded, this time meeting his gaze directly.
“I can change! I think of you higher than that, you’re more than that, I can see now. I won’t lie to you—I’ve had a lot of women, and I thought I knew them, but I don’t think I know you…” Danny seemed puzzled, his blue eyes as kind and innocent as before, which likely contributed to why women trusted him. Lean and handsome with a charming attitude, he presented himself well on the outside. Little would a woman suspect how such a gallant man could act within the confines of four walls.
“You having all the past, and me having no past at all… We aren’t a match, Danny.”
“Why do you want to get away from me so badly? I mean, without giving it a second chance?” Danny reached for Alice’s hand once more.
“Is this your tactic? Do you win women’s trust by taking their hand? Is this your secret weapon for bending an unwilling woman to your will?” Alice found herself venting, unleashing all the stress Danny had caused her. Now, he was getting a taste of his own medicine.
Danny glanced down at the ground before meeting Alice’s gaze again.
“What if I beg you to give me a second chance?” Danny looked directly at her, and she wondered if he truly meant his words, or if he was merely playing a role.
“So, you mean to say that just because of me, you’ll drop your disrespectful misogynistic self-centered attitude?” Alice enjoyed making Danny uncomfortable.
Danny remained silent as he leaned in to kiss Alice. She didn’t pull away; the kiss felt like a breath of fresh air. Danny’s lips were gentle against hers, his hand resting softly on her neck.
The kiss was over. Alice wondered again if she had made another mistake by giving in to Danny’s appealing promises. He was still holding her neck gently and gazing right into her eyes. If only he hadn’t caused so much damage. From the outside, he seemed like the most tender boyfriend imaginable, but Alice knew the darkness he was capable of.
“Alice, don’t kill us, please!” he begged, maintaining eye contact with her.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“You know what I want, I want you to be mine.” Suddenly, the dream flashed back into her mind, making his words feel hollow. She pulled away from his hold.
“We’ve just met, Danny. How can you be sure I’m the right one? And how can I know if you’re right for me? I don’t understand what you want from me! We ended up sleeping together on the first day and have already quarreled over our differences. We’re fundamentally different people, and I can see that clearly.” Alice began to rant, fully aware of her own frustration.
“Would you have breakfast with me? Or coffee? Please talk to me, as all I want is to be with you. This shouldn’t scare you, but even now, I recognize how serious this is. I’ve never said anything like this to anyone before.” Danny’s expression was resolute, his brows furrowed, and his gaze unwavering.
