He Sees You When You’re Sleeping: A Dark and Steamy Holiday Romance of Obsession and Secrets – Where Desire Meets Danger in the Heart of NYC

Jack. Stalker. Jack. Jack!

How is this possible?

I slam the door shut, my hands shaking as I fumble with the locks. The sound of Jack’s footsteps tromping through the snow fades away, but I can’t shake the feeling of being watched. I lean against the door, sliding down to the floor as sobs wrack my body.

How could I have been so blind? The signs were there all along, but I’d chosen to ignore them, to see only what I wanted to see. Now, the truth is laid bare, and its uglier than I could have imagined.

Did I think I had a stalker? Maybe . . . if I’m being honest with myself. Yeah, maybe. But I thought it was Tyler. Not Jack! Never Jack. Even when he ended up being WinterWatcher, which was an unrealistic coincidence now that I think back . . . but even then, I didn’t connect the dots.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop shaking. The house feels different now, tainted by the knowledge that Jack has been watching me for years. Every window, every corner suddenly seems sinister.

He was watching. Has always been watching.

Oh Jesus . . . why in the fuck did my pussy contract at the thought? I’m sick. Yes, that’s the only explanation. I shake my head, disgusted with myself. How can I feel anything but revulsion after what Jack’s done?

This isn’t sexy, Chloe! This isn’t the sexy, consensual kind of watching my subscribers do.

My subscribers! Fuck. I run to my laptop and open it up to Dark Secrets. Between Tyler discovering my secret account and my job being on the line, and now Jack—I can’t delete my account fast enough. I frantically log into Dark Secrets, my fingers feeling as if they are pieces of lead as I navigate to my account settings. My safe space, my outlet for the thoughts and feelings I couldn’t share anywhere else. Except it wasn’t safe at all. Jack had been there too, watching, reading my most intimate confessions. The familiar interface that once brought me such excitement now fills me with dread.

My mind races back through our interactions, analyzing every word, every touch. Was any of it real? Or was it all part of his obsession, his invented idea of me?

I pace the house, checking and rechecking the locks. The cat I let in earlier watches me with wary eyes, sensing my distress. I wish I could be as oblivious as it is, curled up on the couch without a care in the world.

As the night wears on, exhaustion begins to set in, but I can’t bring myself to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Jack’s face, hear his voice explaining how he’s been watching me since the night of the accident.

The accident. My parents. A fresh wave of grief stabs at my heart as I remember that night. How could I have forgotten the firefighter who pulled me from the wreckage? Was the trauma so severe that it blocked out that memory, or was Jack lying about that too?

I curl up on the couch, pulling a blanket tightly around me. The Christmas lights outside cast eerie shadows on the walls, and I consider unplugging them. But the thought of going outside, even for a moment, terrifies me.

My phone buzzes, and I flinch. Reluctantly, I retrieve it from where I threw it. I prepare myself for a long apology text from Jack but instead it’s a text from Tyler.

Fuck.

I stare at Tyler’s name on my phone screen, my stomach churning. With everything that’s happened with Jack, I’d almost forgotten about the other crisis looming over me. I take a deep breath and open the message.

I might pass out. My ears ring in warning. Tyler knows. He really knows. And now he wants to meet. Is this it? Am I about to lose my job on top of everything else?

I type out a response with fumbling fingers. It’s late and snowing really hard here. Any way this can wait until tomorrow?

I wait anxiously for Tyler’s reply, hoping against hope that he’ll agree to postpone this dreaded meeting. But my phone buzzes almost immediately with his response:

My heart sinks. There’s no escaping this confrontation. I glance out the window at the swirling snow, then back at my phone. The thought of leaving the safety of my house terrifies me, but the prospect of losing my job is equally frightening. I try to call Sloane but don’t get an answer, so text her as well. Nothing. She wasn’t planning on dealing with this until tomorrow. But clearly Tyler doesn’t want to wait until then. And who knows what he’ll do if I don’t show?

With shaking hands, I start to get ready. I change into more professional attire, trying to project an air of confidence I certainly don’t feel. As I apply a touch of makeup, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looks haunted, her eyes wide with what appears to be fear and uncertainty.

The sound of a car horn outside makes me jump. I peer through the curtains to see a sleek black town car idling in my driveway, its headlights cutting through the falling snow.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my coat and purse. I hesitate at the door, my hand on the knob. Part of me wants to barricade myself inside, to hide from the world and all its complications. But I know I can’t. I have to face this. Stick with the plan that I made with Sloane. It’s my only shot.

As I step outside, the icy wind whips at my face. I hurry to the car, my feet crunching through the fresh snow. The driver, a stoic-faced man in a dark suit, opens the door for me without a word.

Once inside the warm interior of the car, I lean back against the leather seat, trying to calm my racing heart. The city lights blur past the window as we make our way through the storm-swept streets. With each passing minute, we draw closer to the office—and to whatever consequences await me there.

I close my eyes, trying to prepare myself for what’s to come. But all I can see is Jack’s face, his eyes full of desperation as he tried to explain his actions. I shake my head, pushing the image away. I can’t think about Jack now. I need to focus on saving my career.

As the car pulls up to the office building, I see a lone figure standing in the lobby, silhouetted against the bright interior lights. Tyler. Waiting for me.

The driver opens my door, and I step out into the swirling snow. Each step toward the building feels like I’m walking to my own execution. But I straighten my spine, lift my chin, and push forward. Whatever happens in there, I’ll face it head-on.

The glass doors slide open, and I step inside. Tyler’s eyes lock onto mine, his expression unreadable.

“Chloe,” he says, his voice cold and professional. “Let’s talk in my office.”

I follow Tyler to the elevator, my nerves silently screaming for me to stop. The ride up to his office feels interminable, the silence between us thick with tension. When we finally reach his floor, he leads me down the darkened hallway, our footsteps echoing in the empty building.

Tyler unlocks his office door and gestures for me to enter. As I step inside, I notice he’s left the overhead lights off, with only his desk lamp illuminating the room. The city lights twinkle beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the snowstorm creating a surreal, muffled atmosphere.

“Sit,” Tyler commands, pointing to the chair in front of his desk.

I lower myself into the seat, trying to keep my composure. Tyler remains standing, looming over me, his face half in shadow.

“So,” he begins, his voice low and controlled. “Dark Secrets. Quite an interesting hobby you have there, Chloe.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Sloane told me about your wild accusation about me. And I want you to know that if you drop this now I won’t go to Jasmine and—”

He holds up a hand, silencing me. “Stop. I’ve seen it all. Every post, every video, every . . . interaction.” He spits out the last word like it’s poison.

“To assume it’s me is—”

“It’s you. I’m not an idiot. So stop with your innocent act.” He smirks. “But if you want to go to Jasmine, fine by me. I’m sure she’ll love seeing those videos of you.”

“You don’t have proof, and your accusations are—”

He rolls his eyes. “How long are we going to play this game? Bored yet? It’s you. Anyone—including Jasmine—will see that. Not to mention you were wearing a necklace that was signed out by you and only you while you were rubbing your fingers all over your bare breasts. Sloane should have thought about deleting your name from the portal when she made up that pathetic lie.”

My cheeks burn with shame and embarrassment. I want to defend myself, to explain that it’s merely fantasy, just role play. Frankly, I also want to tell him it’s none of his business and what I do on my own time is up to me. But the words stick in my throat.

Tyler moves around his desk, his fingers trailing along the polished wood. “You know, when I first discovered your account, I was shocked. Angry, even. I thought about terminating your contract on the spot.”

My heart sinks. This is it. I’m about to lose everything.

“But then,” he continues, his voice taking on a strange tone, “I kept watching. Reading. And I realized something.”

He turns to face me fully, and I’m struck by the intensity in his eyes. It’s not anger I see there. It’s . . . something else. Something that makes my skin prickle with a mix of fear and an emotion I don’t want to name.

“You’re incredibly talented, Chloe, or should I call you BlackAsChlo now?” Tyler says. “The way you captivate your audience. It’s even more interesting than when you do your jewelry influencing as just boring ol’ Chloe.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, unsure where this is going.

Tyler leans against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have a proposition for you. One that could take your career—both of them to new heights.”

My mind reels. Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? “I don’t understand,” I say cautiously.

A slow smile spreads across Tyler’s face, and in that moment, I realize I’m in deeper trouble than I ever imagined.

“Oh, I think you do,” he says in a voice more sinister than I thought could come from this man. “I may not have been a subscriber at first. But I am now. A subscriber with expectations.”

My blood runs cold at Tyler’s words. The implications of what he’s saying sinks in, and I feel a wave of nausea strike.

“Tyler,” I start, my voice shaking, “I don’t think—”

“Don’t think, Chloe,” he interrupts, his eyes glinting in the dim light. “Just listen. I’m offering you a chance to keep your job and expand your extracurricular activities. All you have to do is follow my lead. Besides, I saw the video of you fucking one of your subscribers. I’m only asking for the same treatment.”

I stand up abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “No. Absolutely not. What I do in my private life is none of your business, and I won’t be blackmailed.”

Tyler’s smile fades, replaced by a cold, hard look. “Are you sure about that? Because I’m certain Jasmine would be very interested to know what one of our top influencers does in her spare time. Not to mention your followers. How do you think they’d react if they knew their favorite jewelry expert is a fucking whore?”

I can’t catch a full breath.

“There’s a price for my silence and an even bigger one for cleaning up the mess so no one else at Moth to the Flame finds out,” he says, his voice dripping with malice.

My mind races, searching for a way out of this nightmare. First Jack, now Tyler—it seems like my whole world is crumbling around me.

“What exactly are you proposing?” I ask, trying to buy time.

Tyler’s eyes gleam with a predatory light as he steps toward to me. “It’s simple, really. You continue your work for Moth to the Flame during the day. But at night, you’ll perform for me. Private shows, tailored to my . . . specific interests.”

Bile rises in my throat.

“Starting with right now,” he adds as he moves closer.

“No,” I say firmly, gathering every ounce of courage I have. “I won’t do it. Fire me if you want, tell anyone who’ll believe you, but I won’t be doing that.”

Tyler’s eyes narrow dangerously. He laughs. “You think that’s really an option?” He closes the distance between us.

I back away from Tyler. “Don’t come near me,” I warn, but my voice cracks.

Tyler smirks, continuing to advance. “Come now, Chloe. We both know you enjoy this kind of thing. I’ve seen your videos, remember? The thrill of being watched, being controlled . . .”

“Fuck you. That’s consensual role play, not actual blackmail and assault!” I glance over my shoulder at the hallways, searching the corners for cameras.

“Of course I turned them off,” Tyler says with a chuckle, reading my desperate mind.

My back hits the wall. I’m trapped. Tyler looms over me, his breath hot on my face.

“Last chance, Chloe. Play along, or lose everything. It’ll be fun.”

In that moment, something inside me snaps. All the fear and anger from the night’s events comes rushing to the surface. Without thinking, I bring my knee up hard between Tyler’s legs.

He doubles over with a pained grunt. I shove him aside and make a dash for the door.

“You bitch!” Tyler wheezes behind me.

I don’t look back as I run down the hallway to the elevator. My hands shake as I frantically push the button. Come on, come on!

I scream as Tyler’s weight crashes down on me, pinning me to the cold floor. His hands grope roughly at my clothes as I thrash and kick, desperately trying to break free.

“Stop fighting,” he snarls, his face contorted with rage. “You know this is what you want. All your dark fantasies come to life.”

Panic surges through me as his fingers work at my zipper. This can’t be happening. In desperation, I slam my head back, feeling a satisfying crunch as my skull connects with his nose.

Tyler reels back with a howl of pain, blood streaming down his face. I scramble to my feet and run for the stairwell, but he takes hold of my ankle, pulling me back toward him.

The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I’m not sure if insanity has truly taken hold or not, because for a moment I wonder if I’m seeing things.

Jack.

Jack bursts out of the elevator, taking in the scene in an instant. His eyes lock onto mine, filled with a mix of concern and rage.

“Get away from her!” he roars, launching himself at Tyler.

The two men collide in a tangle of limbs. I scramble away, my heart thumping as I watch them grapple on the floor. Jack lands a solid punch to Tyler’s already bloodied face, sending him reeling back.

Tyler scrambles to his feet and backs off, hands up in defeat. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He’s reverted to the whiney coward I always knew him to be.

Jack stands over Tyler, fists clenched, chest heaving. “You’re sorry? You try to assault her and you think ‘sorry’ cuts it?”

Tyler cowers, blood still streaming from his nose. “It was a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Jack snarls. He turns to me, his eyes softening. “Chloe, are you okay?”

I nod shakily, pulling myself to my feet. “I’m . . . I’m okay,” I manage to say, though my voice trembles.

Jack takes a step toward me, fear etched on his face. “Are you sure? Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself. “No, I . . . I’m fine. Just shaken up.” I glance at Tyler, who’s still cowering.

“Listen,” Tyler begins. “Why don’t we pretend tonight didn’t happen. Everything didn’t happen. I’ll keep your secret and you both leave and we can all go home.”

Jack’s eyes narrow dangerously as he turns back to Tyler. “You think you can just walk away from this? After what you tried to do?”

Tyler holds up his hands placatingly. “Look, I made a mistake. I let things get out of hand. But no real harm done, right? Let’s forget this ever happened.”

“Forget?” I ask. “You tried to rape me. You threatened my job, my reputation. And you want us to just forget?”

“What are you talking about?” Jack asks. “What did he threaten you about?”

I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. But after everything that’s happened, I realize there’s no point in hiding anymore.

“He . . . he found out about my account. On Dark Secrets,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “He was trying to blackmail me into . . . performing for him.”

Jack’s face darkens with fury. He turns back to Tyler, his fists clenching at his sides. “You piece of shit,” he growls.

Tyler scrambles backward, his eyes wide. “Now, let’s not do anything rash,” he pleads. “I said I was sorry. We can work this out.”

“Work this out?” Jack scoffs. “The only thing we’re working out is how long you’ll be in prison.”

“Prison?” Tyler scoffs. “You have no proof—”

“I don’t need proof to beat your ass,” Jack snarls.

I step forward, placing a hand on Jack’s arm. “Jack, wait,” I say softly.

He looks at me, surprise and confusion in his eyes. “Chloe, we can’t let him get away with this.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I know. But if we go to the police, everything will come out. About Dark Secrets, about . . . everything.”

Jack’s expression softens. “Chloe, none of that matters. What he did—”

“I know,” I interrupt. “But I can’t lose my job. I’d lose the house that once belonged to my parents. It means too much to me. I can’t.”

Jack’s eyes search my face, understanding dawning in them. He nods slowly. “Okay. So what do you want to do?”

I turn to Tyler, who’s still cowering on the floor. “Here’s what’s going to happen,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “You’re going to forget everything you saw on Dark Secrets. You’re going to make sure no one else at Moth to the Flame ever finds out about it. And you’re going to leave me alone. Completely.”

Tyler nods frantically. “Yes, yes, of course. Whatever you say.”

“And,” I continue, “if I even suspect you’re trying anything like this with anyone else, I’ll go straight to the police. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Tyler whimpers. “It won’t happen again. I swear.”

I look at Jack, who’s watching me with a mix of admiration and concern. “Let’s go,” I say softly.

Jack hesitates, clearly torn between his desire for justice and his concern for me. Finally, he nods. “Okay. But he doesn’t just get to walk away from this. I understand what you want, but no way can we trust this fucker.”

I turn to Tyler, who’s watching us with a mix of fear and hope. “Jack . . . I want this awful night to end.”

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he says, his voice steadier than I feel. “You’re going to resign. Effective immediately. You’ll cite personal reasons, health concerns, whatever. But you’re done at Moth to the Flame.”

Tyler opens his mouth to protest, but Jack takes a menacing step forward, and he quickly shuts it again.

“And if I ever hear that you’ve so much as looked at another woman the wrong way,” he continues, “everything comes out. The blackmail, the assault, all of it. Do you understand? I have close friends on the force, and I’ll have you locked up so fast.”

Tyler nods frantically. “Yes, yes, I understand. I’ll resign first thing in the morning, I swear.”

He scrambles to his feet, wincing as he touches his bloodied nose. He gives us one last fearful look before hurrying down the hallway, disappearing into the stairwell.

As soon as he’s gone, my legs give out from under me. Jack catches me before I hit the floor, his strong arms wrapping around me.

“I’ve got you,” he reassures, holding me close. “You’re safe now.”

I lean into him, letting out a shaky breath. For a moment, I forget everything that’s happened between us, all the lies and betrayal. In this moment, he’s just Jack—the man who came to my rescue when I needed him most.

But as the adrenaline fades, reality comes crashing back. I pull away from him, wrapping my arms around myself. “Stay away. I told you to stop stalking me!”