CHAPTER 7
Blurring the Lines


  



I can't believe he got me this dress. It's... ridiculous. I'm so not the kind of girl who can pull off a daring red dress with a split up the side that stops high on my thigh. The longer bottom trails me just barely, and the one-strap top draws the eye to my barely tasteful cleavage.


My hair is pulled up on one side, and it drapes down the other in large, elegant curls. The side that is pulled up has a large, faux flower holding it in place. Ember was nice enough to come help me out with my hair, as a way of profusely apologizing for screwing some guy on my bed.


Turns out, she's been after him for years. Her mom works as a maid in his house, but he hasn't ever even noticed Ember. After their drunken fun, he went back to not knowing her. It's a small reminder what money means, and Kade's family has a lot of money. I don't even have as much money as the help.


"Kade, this isn't me," I gripe, talking loud enough to let my voice carry through the door and down the stairs, and distracting myself from thinking about the two very different worlds we live in.


"Then you should have come with me," he taunts.


I'll never accuse Kade Colton of bluffing again. I've learned my lesson. I've also learned that he has no qualms about rummaging through my closet to learn my size.


This week has been confusing. He has either cooked, helped me cook, or gotten us takeout all week long. We've spent every meal together, and we've spent most nights on the couch, either studying or watching a movie. I even fell asleep on him twice, only to wake up in my room the next morning. I really wish he'd go back to the arrogant prick I loved hating.


My door opens and I turn to face Kade, pushing forth my best glower. My angry fumes turn to lusty drool when I see him though. He's heaven in a designer suit. I've never seen a tux look that amazing on anyone. Damn him.


His eyes widen, and he slowly licks his lips as he runs the length of my body with his perfect blues. My girly excitement tries to bubble up. I have to be reading him wrong. He can't possibly be looking at me like... that.


"Damn," he drawls out, loosening his tie as he openly gawks at me the way I always gawk at him.


I blush and bite back a grin, doing well not to become putty right now. My legs have the consistency of jelly. It's all I can do to stay upright.


He shakes his head, and a small bit of blush creeps up to his cheeks as he tries to wipe away his grin with his hand. "So much for it not being you. It'll be hard to keep the eyes off you tonight."


A bashful grin crawls over my face, and I look away when it becomes too hard to make eye contact.


"Come on. Let's go make some jaws drop."


He gives me a wink as I take his arm. Gah, he smells so damn good. A subtle cologne mixed with his own scent. It's too good. I'm officially melting.


"You okay?" he asks when my legs actually try to falter.


"Yeah," I grumble. "It's the heels."


He accepts my lie, and then leads me out to the car. "You'll get to meet some of my family tonight. Be warned, my mother is... someone you have to warm up to. She'll grill you at first, but she'll back off once she sees you're genuine." That's disconcerting. I expected his mother to be just like his father - sweet and not judgmental.


"Relax, Raya. You'll be fine. I'll be there with you."


I nod, trying not to read too much into his words. I hate how sweet he's been acting. It just makes me want all the things I'll never have.


I climb in his Range Rover instead of one of the cars, and he joins me quickly, taking the driver's seat.


We sit in a comfortable silence for most of the trip. Every once and a while, I catch Kade's eyes on me. It almost makes me want to wear a dress like this daily.


When we pull up to the iron gate that stands at least ten feet tall, my mouth tries to fall open. With barely a glance at the attendant in the big brick box, the gates start opening for Kade.


The cobblestone driveway leads to a gallant house that stretches out like a mansion. Every intricate detail makes me wonder if Cinderella just threw up in my life. There's no way I'm actually here.


Kade pulls up beside a massive fountain, and a valet rushes over to open his door, while another opens mine. It's the first time in my life a door has been opened for me by a valet.


"Have a good evening, Mr. Colton," one of them says to Kade.


He nods and then comes to offer me his arm as we reach the wide steps that lead to the ungodly home.


"This... yeah... I wasn't expecting..."


I give up. My brain and mouth aren't doing too well together right now.


Kade chuckles as he guides me through the door being opened by a butler-type man. Amazing. I'm officially wowed.


The inside is even more glorious than the outside. The chandelier dangles low from the high ceiling. It's a piece of artwork more than it is a light. Golden lighting decorates the home, making it all the more elegant.


Two staircases start on either side of the foyer and lead up in opposite directions. It looks like a palace and I'm on the arm of the prince.


"You lived here?" I whisper, worried my voice might shatter the illusion if I speak too loudly.


"Yes," he whispers back, mocking me a little with his teasing snicker.


I roll my eyes while holding onto his arm a little tighter. I thought Kade's house was big, but this house... this is a dream.


I scan the scene, and a familiar smile catches my attention the moment we walk into a glamorous room made to be danced in. Mr. Colton excuses himself from the group of refined businessmen he's surrounded by, and he heads toward us, beaming.


"Raya, I'm so glad Kade convinced you to come. And you look ravishing," he mutters softly, drawing my hand in his to kiss the back of it.


"Thank you for inviting me."


"Of course. I assume the two of you have been getting along a little better?" he asks, seeming to carry a bit of mischief in his eyes as he directs his attention toward Kade.


Kade fights hard not to grin, though I'm not sure why. We really haven't fought since the day he threw me in the pool.


"We're getting along," Kade murmurs, offering a shrug instead of the restrained grin.


Paul smiles a little longer at his son, but Kade seems to be ignoring him as another guy joins us. I almost swallow my tongue when I see it's Tagland Masters - A.K.A.Tag. The multi-millionaire playboy. Kade knows him? How?


"It's about time you showed up, and thank God you brought something worth looking at," Tag says, smiling at me with a Cheshire cat grin.


Paul laughs while slapping Tag on the back, and then he nods to me. "I need to make my rounds. Have a good time, Raya. Make sure Kade doesn't leave you next to the wolves without him."


He looks pointedly at Tag who feigns offense. Then Paul heads into the crowd to go play the good host. I chuckle lightly until Kade's arm slides around my waist. Then I feel my face flood with heat as everything on me tingles.


"Where's Star?" Kade asks, making Tag grin for some reason, as if they're sharing a silent conversation.


"I decided not to bring her. Wren's fiancée doesn't get along with her too well.Besides, I don't really do the dating bit. Too much drama."


The brief spurt of interest Tag showed me has vanished, as if I'm suddenly invisible. I glance in the long wall of mirrors, wondering if there's something on my face.


"You feel like dancing?" Kade asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.


I look up to see Tag has disappeared. I hope Kade doesn't notice whatever Tag did. I really don't want him running off.


"Something wrong, Raya?" Kade asks as he pulls me onto the dance floor and starts moving me with the elegant music being played by a stringed-quartet.


"Just... Is there something wrong with me that I can't see?"


He tilts his head, seeming bemused. "Why do you say that?"


I glance over to see Tag pulling a girl onto the dance floor, and her dreamy-eyed state reminds me of how I feel around Kade these days. Though I don't want Tag, I'd still like to know what flipped his switch.


"Tag Masters... he acted like there was something wrong with me."


He rolls his eyes as a teasing grin forms. "Don't tell me you're Tagged," he jokes.


I've read that somewhere. The girls who fall over themselves for the rich player are called Tagged.


"No, I just don't particularly like feeling as though there's toilet paper stuck to my shoe or something. I looked in the mirror, but I don't see anything standing out. So, I'm asking you."


He glances down and stares directly into my eyes as he towers over me. "There's nothing at all wrong with you, Raya. Just dance. Lighten up. Then we'll grab some champagne. Tag doesn't have a very big attention span.""How do you know him?"


"He's my cousin's best friend. My Aunt Melanie pretty much raised him, so he and Wren grew up like brothers."


His jaw seems a little tense for no real reason. I'm starting to worry I've made him mad somehow.


"How did I manage to piss you off?"


Just like that, his anger flees and a smile brushes his lips. "You didn't. I just don't want you going after someone like Tag. He's like family to me, but he's not exactly the kind of guy who sticks around for longer than a night or two."


I roll my eyes while biting back a grin. It's actually adorable he feels that protective. I suppose we've become friends after all.


"Well, I wasn't trying to get in his bed. I was sincerely worried I had something wrong with me that I couldn't see." He seems to relax under my touch, and he pulls me closer just as the music changes. "You're very hard to read sometimes, Raya."


I tilt my head while leaning back. "What does that mean? Is that what's wrong with me?"


His harsh exhale is accompanied with a small chuckle. "No. Like I said; nothing's wrong with you. Ready to drink?"


  



After meeting his cousins, Billy and Wren Price, I've decided the family tree is loaded with delicious apples. Though Billy is shorter than the rest, he's still striking, as is his older brother, Wren. Neither of them are as breathtaking as Kade, but it's still obvious this family has a rich gene pool.


Tag and Wren seem closer than Billy and Wren, but I'm sure I don't know everything behind that. Kade surprised me with his interaction with his grandparents. He was a little... stiff.


When he speaks about his grandfather, his eyes gleam with pride, but in the same room with him, he seems so formal and rigid. I was sure I'd get to see him connecting with someone. He's always so... closed off. And he says I'm hard to read.


It's obvious there's a rift between him and his dad, though I can't understand why, since Mr. Colton is one of the nicest people at this party. He seems comfortable with Wren, Billy, and Tag, but I was hoping to see something deeper when he was in the room with the man he seems to adore.


Mr. Grayson, Kade's grandfather, seems just as proper and stuffy with him. He barely offered me a cold acknowledgment. It's not what I expected.


As the evening winds down, more and more people filter out. Soon, all that's left is the family... and me. His grandparentsoffer stilted farewells and shallow hugs, while Tag, Billy, Wren, and Kade's parents all flop down in the grand den.


The fake fireplace sparks its faux flames - intended for ambience rather than heat, since it's warm outside.


"I'm exhausted," Wren groans, stretching out on the couch.


Tag is texting someone, probably a girl, and Billy is doing the same. Kade tugs me to be beside him on the small sofa next to the fake fireplace.


Mr. Colton comes to take the largest chair in the room, while a sweet elderly lady comes in to pass out glasses of a dark amber liquid. I wave her off when she offers me one. The champagne is still kicking my ass.


Kade accepts, just as all the other men do, and then Margaret, Kade's mother, walks in and grabs a glass from the tray on her way by."Thank goodness it's over," she says, exasperated, and then she drops to her husband's lap, earning a deep chuckle from him as he wraps her in his arms.


I smile involuntarily. She's not the stuffy prude in here that she was all night long in front of the socialites. I've barely spoken to her at all.


"We still on for Aspen?" Tag asks, looking up from his phone and toward Paul and Margaret.


"Of course. Is Melanie going to be there?"


"Mom?" Wren asks, seeming distracted as he pulls out his vibrating phone. "Yeah, she's coming."


This is getting annoying. I'm ready to take all their phones away. After spending so many nights getting comfortable around each other, I don't even think about it when I lean up against Kade and yawn.


His arm comes down to rest over my shoulders, and his hand slides down to be on my arm as he tucks me against him. I could go to sleep right now.


Tag smirks when he glances our way. "What about you, Raya? You coming with us?"


I stiffen against Kade. I've been so relaxed with him in his house, that I didn't think about how misconstrued this situation might get. I'm curled into him, his arm is draped around me, and we almost look like a couple.


"Um... no," I say with a quiet, but nervous laugh.


"You going to your family's place?" Wren asks, putting his phone away.


"No. My family does Christmas next weekend, actually."


Kade tilts his head as I lean up and away from him. "So soon?" he asks, bemused.


"Yeah. My stepbrother is a marine, so it'snot easy for him to come back on holidays. Instead, we celebrate when we can. Mom plans it around his return."


"Then what will you do for Christmas?" Margaret asks, making me feel all the more scrutinized.


"I'll... I might go see a friend or something."


Well, hell. I didn't think about the fact Kade might not want me in his house while he's away. He's mentioned Aspen a few times now, but it didn't ever really register that he might be hinting for me to make arrangements to be gone.


"Nonsense," Paul says, swatting the air. "You can come with us. We have more than plenty of room. Tag has a beautiful home up there, and Margaret and I own one as well. It's always a good time."


I squirm uncomfortably when everyone stares at me. I want to look at Kade, gauge what he's thinking, but at the same time,I'm scared to know.


"Come on, Raya. It'll be fun," Kade says, tugging me back to his body. "Lots of skiing and eggnog."


I breathe out in relief when I hear the sincerity in his tone. He really is okay if I go. Do I want to go?


"Talk her into, Kade," Paul says with a smile. "In the meantime, what about your family? They live in Utah, right?"


I nod, unsure where he's going with this.


"How are you getting there?"


"Oh. I always take the bus. I'll leave Friday after my last class, and I'll get home Sunday night."


Paul frowns, his brow furrows, and he glances over to a large plaque with numerous keys hanging from engraved perches. Each one is labeled, but it's too far away for me to see what they say. It's sad when you have to label your sets of keys because you have so many vehicles.


"Take one of my cars. There's no sense in you riding the bus."


Crap.


"Thank you, that's sweet, but I can't. I'll be fine on the bus."


"Don't be ridiculous, Raya," Kade interjects. "I'll drive you. I don't have anything going on next weekend."


My heart flutters and crashes at once. I can't let the Colton Prince walk out of here and see my sad trailer. I'd be mortified.


"Kade, I'm fine going on the bus. Shift the subject, please."


Everyone chuckles lightly at my obvious discomfort, but they start talking about plans for Aspen. Kade seems intently focused on me, which is making me uncomfortable.


"I've got somewhere to be," Tag says as he stands up. He glances over to Billy, who is still furiously pounding on his phone. "Forget it, Bity. Rene isn't going to Aspen with you."

CHAPTER 6
Frustrated


  



A hard body is pressed against me, hot breaths are on my neck, and a firm piece of temptation is touching the inside of my thigh. My eyes go wide in the bed, and I realize Kade is almost on top of me, holding me to him, and wrapping me up like I'm his.


His soft, dark hair is against my chin, and I lick my dry lips as I try to ignore the fact he's aroused in his sleep. I should probably move out from under him, but after the hellacious night of dreams I've had about him, it's hard not to put his morning arousal to use.


He stirs lightly, tightening his hold on me as he breathes in deep. His knee comes up to press against the spot I never imagined he'd touch. Frustration grabs me and shakes me with an agonizing tug. It'sbeen so long since a guy has made me feel anything like this. Even though the sex with Jeremy wasn't great, it was sure as hell exciting to lead up to it.


He mutters something in his sleep, though I don't know what, and then his hand slides up to grab my left breast in a groping motion. A pathetic moan slips through my lips, and I mentally slap myself.


Heat floods between my thighs, and a forgotten ache comes back with a vengeance. This isn't good. This isn't good at all.


"Christ," he gasps, jarring me out of all my fantasies.


He scrambles back, releasing me from his delicious clutches, and leaves me with that damn ache that now refuses to leave.


"Shit, Raya. I'm sorry," he grumbles while wiping his eyes and rubbing his head.


I sit up, praying I'm not as red as I feel,and I shrug, pretending as though I just woke up.


"Sorry for?" I ask, doing all I can to keep this from being awkward. "I just woke up."


He breathes out heavily while getting up from the bed. "Never mind. I need to grab a shower. You good?"


Hell no, I'm not good. That's a terrible word to describe me right now.


"Yeah," I drawl out, feigning a yawn. "Maybe Ember has left my room. I'd like a shower, too."


He tenses up, which is odd. "If she's not, then just come back down. You can use my shower when I'm done."


Images of me climbing in the shower with him attack my already scandalous mind. Stop it, Raya!


"You okay?" I ask.


Shit. It must have really pissed him off to be touching me. I'd find it offensive, butI'm starting to understand his way of thinking. I'd ruin his reputation in the business world, considering I come from nothing. And he doesn't even know about my father's scandals that would really destroy his pretty name.


A washing sense of disappointment cloaks me, almost drowning me with severe realizations. I have to stop thinking about him like this. I'm the daughter of a conman. It would ruin him if people thought we were really together. I have to squash those rumors if he's ever going to be anything in a world full of socialites who judge so harshly.


"Yeah. I'm fine," he finally says through a sigh, but I've already left the bed and have almost reached the door.


I don't acknowledge his words. I don't know why this suddenly bothers me so much. Maybe it's because, even though I kept telling myself no, I kept hopingsomething might could happen. It can't though. If anyone ever found out I belong to Ray Drivel, my name would destroy Kade and his future. No one would trust anyone connected to Ray.


I almost run up the stairs to my room. Ember's ass had better be out. When I open the door to see the bed made, deceitfully seeming clean and pretty, I sigh in relief. It's then the first tear falls from my eyes.


I moved out here to get away from my past, only to learn there's no chance of ever having a better life because of it. I can work like hell to redeem my name, but I'll always be linked to the notorious man. They won't care what an incredible, loving father he is. It'll only matter what he once did.


  



A tiny knock at the door makes me flinch, but I steady myself before answering. "Yeah?"


"Raya?" Kade says as he steps in,seeming uncomfortable.


He's still freaked out about this morning. "Yeah," I murmur again, moving my eyes back down to the book I'm not really reading.


I've been on the same page for over an hour. My mind is too busy to make room for reading. I've been sorting through the numerous ways to squash this rumor about Kade and me.


"You okay? You haven't come out of your room all day. Did... Is... Does this have anything to do with this morning?"


This morning when you freaked out for touching me? No. Never.


I almost roll my eyes at my mind's snide remark. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have to finish reading this for class. The only thing that happened this morning was you woke up and took a shower. Beyond that, nothing else happened."


I look up just as he pockets his hands.His eyes are on the floor, his body is rigid, and his lips are in a tight line.


"You... Look, I don't know why I was spiraled around you or why you're pretending you didn't notice, but we can't make this awkward. I apparently like the way you feel when I sleep. No big deal."


No big deal. Nice to know. It was a huge deal to me.


"Kade, I really do have to read this. As for you liking the way I feel when you sleep, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."


I grin up at him, praying he doesn't see how forced it is. He relaxes a little, and then comes to flop down on my bed beside me. I wish he'd just leave.


"New sheets?" he asks, smiling at the bed dressed anew.


Fortunately, Kade has tons of freshly packaged sheets in the hall closet."Two strangers were in my bed, so yes. New bedding all around."


He frowns, almost as if he's confused. "It wasn't Ember in here?"


"Ember is still a stranger. I just met her Friday. I only invited her because she's one of the few people I've met that wasn't making fun of me."


He breathes out heavily and pulls his phone out of his pocket. "You're different today."


My phone buzzes on the table beside me, and I answer as I reach over to get it. "I'm just exhausted. Someone made me go to this party until early this morning."


He smiles as I check the message on my phone. An involuntary grin spreads when I see the message is from Kade, who really did program his number into my phone.


It's a picture of me in my skimpy white dress while I'm on the dance floor with Ember."That party had you smiling, so it couldn't have been too bad. I thought you might want a reminder about what fun looks like, in case you forget sometime soon."


"Thanks," I chuckle out.


"Better. Hungry? You've been hiding all day, so I assume you've got to be starving."


"I ate some of my tuna earlier. I have a few cans up here."


He turns his nose up, which makes me chuckle in response.


"That's disgusting. I'm actually getting so used to the smell that I didn't even notice it. Why the hell do you eat so much tuna? It can't possibly be that good."


I roll my eyes, still smiling, and then I turn my attention back to the book. "It's that cheap."


The bed shifts when he moves, and I look up to see him almost scowling at me. What the hell did I do?


"Wait. You're eating that shit because you don't have money or something?"


That's embarrassing. Why did I even say anything?


"No. I've got some money, but food is just food. It's something that goes in your stomach to keep you alive. I'm not going to spend massive amounts of money on something just to enjoy it for a few minutes."


I don't have hardly any money, but I won't tell him that. I'm sick of being a charity case.


"Hell no," he growls.


He pulls me up by my arm and hoists me out of the bed. "What the hell, Kade?" I ask, shocked.


"Have you seen the pantry? There's more shit in there than anyone can eat, and you're choking down that vile shit becauseyou need to save cash? That's a little insulting, Raya. Go find something that you want to eat."


I laugh lightly while shaking my head. "Kade, believe it or not, it's not vile. I grew up on tuna in a can. It's what us lower class citizens do."


He takes a deep breath and slows down on the stairs, still dragging me behind him. "Promise me you'll start acting like you live here, too."


He turns to face me, and my heartbeat quickens. There's that look - that depth of sincerity I never thought he could possess. He's making it hard not to throw myself at him.


"I promise."


"Good." He lets go of my hand and starts walking down the steps again. "Dad called and wants you to come to a charity event next weekend at his house. You game?"


I swallow hard and start following himagain. "Me? Why?"


Because I'm a charity case?


"Because he likes you," he says with a shrug. "Take it as a compliment. He doesn't like many people."


"That would be... weird, wouldn't it? Me at some ritzy function meant for people like you. I'll probably pass, but tell Mr. Colton thank you for me."


I start to turn around, but he speaks before I can. "First of all, people like you? You mean people that don't wipe their asses with money? I can assure you my father prefers people like you, since he used to be one of you. Secondly, you'll fit in just fine, and I'll be there. It's not like you'll be in the trenches alone. Come on. Don't make me go deal with all the rich people kissing my father's ass by myself."


It's almost comical to think the man who came from nothing is one of the most prominent men in Sterling Shore."You sure?" I ask, probing for some sort of promise he wants me there.


"Positive. I'll drive you back to the store to get a dress. You'll need something nice."


"There're a ton of dresses in there, thanks to you tossing half the store on the counter."


"Not good enough. You need something a little more flashy. It's one of those parties. If you feel like it, we'll go right now."


I can't let his dad buy me another dress. It already feels wrong to have accepted as much as I have. Taking any more will just feel greedy.


"Um... I don't care to wear one of the others. I'd rather wear one of the others, actually."


A small grins slides over his lips and he comes to pull my hand in his again. "Either you come with me to find you a dress, or I'll go alone. Are you sure you want to let thisfall in my hands?"


I roll my eyes. He's not going to have it any other way. "I trust you," I say with a shrug, hoping I just called his bluff.


I turn around and rush back up the steps, ignoring his enigmatic chuckles. He's bluffing. He doesn't even know my size. Those girls see hundreds of people a day. There's no way they'll remember.

Updated @greatlinda and @Frozen6

I woke up alone, my hand on cold, empty sheets. I wasn’t surprised—Katy had been more restless than usual the past few nights, and even more so last night. More than once I had pulled her back to me, feeling the sobs she was trying to hide. I had held her, letting her emotions drain from her body.


I ran a hand over my face and sat up. I would have a shower, then find her in the kitchen. I had to talk to her. There was so much to clear up—a great many things I needed to apologize for, so we could move forward—together.


I swung my legs off the bed, grabbed my robe, and stood up. I began walking to the bathroom and stopped. My bedroom door was shut tight. Why was it closed? Was Katy worried about disturbing me? I shook my head. She was one of the quietest people I knew, especially in the morning.


I crossed the room and opened the door. Silence greeted me. No music or any sounds from the kitchen met my ears. I glanced over toward Katy’s room. Her door was standing ajar, but there were no sounds from her room, either. Something in my stomach tightened, and I couldn’t shake it off. Crossing the hall, I looked inside. The bed was made, the room tidy and spotless. It felt empty.


I headed to the stairs, taking them two at a time, making a beeline for the kitchen, calling for Katy. She didn’t respond, and the room was deserted.


I stood, panicked. She must have gone out—maybe to the store. There were several reasons for her to have left the condo. I hurried to the entryway. Her car keys were on the hook.


She must have gone for a walk, I told myself.


I headed back to the kitchen toward the coffee maker. She had shown me how to use it, so at least I could make a pot of coffee. It was misty out, the clouds low and dark. She’d need the heat of a hot drink when she returned.Except, when I reached for the pot, I saw her phone sitting on the counter. Beside it, her condo keys. My hand shook as I picked them up. Why would she leave her keys? How would she get into the condo?


I looked back to the counter. It was all there. The bankcards and the checkbook I’d given her. The copy of her contract. She had left it all because she had left me.


A glint of light caught my eye, and I leaned forward to pick up her rings.


My memory flashed with images of Katy. Handing her the box and telling her I wasn’t going down on one knee. The look on her face when I slid the band on her finger the day I married her for circumstance and not love. She had looked beautiful, but I never told her. There were many things I never told her.


So many things I would never have the chance to tell her—because she was gone.

CHAPTER 25
RICHARD


THE CONDO WAS QUIET. KATHARINE, after another night of silence, had gone to bed. She hadn’t eaten much dinner, barely sipped her wine, and answered my questions with small hums or shakes of her head. I heard her moving around upstairs, the sound of drawers opening and closing, and I knew she was probably rearranging and organizing. She did that when she was upset.


Worry ate away at my nerves; it was something I’d never experienced. I wasn’t used to caring about anyone. I wondered how to help her to feel better, how to help her talk. She needed to talk.


The memorial had been small but special. Since Laura and Graham handled most of the arrangements, it wasn’t surprising. Laura sat with Katharine and helped her pick out some photos, which they placed around the room. Her favorite one of Penny they positioned by the urn that was decorated with wildflowers. There were flowers sent by different people, the largest arrangement came from Katharine and myself. All of Penny’s favorites filled the vase beside her picture; the majority of the flowers were daisies.


Most of the staff from The Gavin Group came to pay their respects. I stood by Katharine, my arm wrapped around her waist, holding her rigid body close to mine, in silent support. I shook hands, accepting the murmured words of condolences; aware of the way her figure shook at times. Some care workers and staff from Golden Oaks attended, and Katharine accepted their hugs and whispered words of shared grief, then always stepped back beside me, as if seeking the shelter of my embrace. There were few of Penny’s friends left to attend—those who did, Katharine gave preferential treatment. She crouched low to speak in hushed tones to those in wheelchairs, made sure the ones with walkers were escorted to a seat quickly, and after the brief ceremony, spent time with them all.


I kept my eye on her and stayed close, worried over the lack of tears and the constant shake of her hands. I had never experienced grief until that day. When my parents died, I had felt nothing except relief after all they put me through. I had been sad when Nana left the house, but it was the sadness of a child. The pain I felt for Penny was a scorching ache in my chest. It welled and spilled over in the strangest of ways. Unshed tears burned in my eyes when I least expected them. When the boxes containing her possessions arrived, I had to stay in the storage room, overcome with an emotion I couldn’t explain. I found myself thinking of our talks, the way her eyeswould light up when I mentioned Katharine’s name. Her sweet, funny stories of their life together. My calendar still showed all my Tuesday evenings blocked out with the name Penny across them. Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to erase them yet. On top of the already strange emotions I felt was the concern for my wife.


I thought she was handling everything. I knew she was grieving the loss of the woman she loved like a mother, yet she had been calm. Steady. She had cried once, but I hadn’t seen her weep since the day Penny passed. Since the memorial earlier today, she had shut down. She had gone out for a walk, silently shaking her head at my offer to accompany her. When she returned, she went straight to her room until I went to get her to eat dinner.


Now, with my limited knowledge of helping other people, I was at a loss. It wasn’t as if I could call Jenna or Graham and ask them what I should do for my ownwife. They thought we were close and would assume I would know exactly what to do. Today, when we left the funeral home, Jenna had hugged me and whispered, “Take care of her.” I wanted to, but I didn’t know how. I had no experience with such intense emotions.


I paced the living room and kitchen, restlessly prowling the floor, sipping my wine. I knew I could go and work out to relieve some of my tension, except I wasn’t in the mood. Somehow, the gym seemed too far away from Katharine, and in case she needed me, I wanted to be close.


I sat down on the sofa, and the plump cushion beside me made me smile. Another one of Katharine’s touches. Silky blankets, downy pillows, warm colors on the walls and the artwork she had added, made the condo feel like home. I paused as I lifted my glass. Had I ever told her I liked what she did?With a groan, I drained my wine, setting down the glass on the table. Bending forward, I clutched my hair, tugging on it until it was painful. I had improved over the past weeks, of that I was certain, but had I changed enough? I knew my tongue wasn’t as sharp. I knew I’d been a better person. Even so, I wasn’t sure if it was sufficient. If she was struggling, did she trust me enough to turn to me?


I was shocked to realize how much I wanted that. I wanted to be her rock. To be the person she could depend on. I knew I had come to rely on her—for many things in my life.


Giving up, I snapped off the lights and went to my room. I changed into my sleep pants and walked over to the bed, hesitating, then left my room. I went to her door, not surprised to see it partially open. How my “night noises,” as she politely called them, brought her comfort, I didn’t understand, but ever since the day sheadmitted needing them, I never shut it at night.


For a moment, I felt odd standing outside her door, unsure why I was there. Until I heard it. The sound of muffled weeping. Without another thought, I slipped in her room. Her blind was open, the moonlight spilling in her window. She was curled in a ball, crying. Her body shook so hard with the force of her sobs, I could see the bed moving. Lifting the blanket, I slipped my arms around her, holding her close and carrying her to my room. Cradling her, I lowered us to the bed, tucking the covers around us. She stiffened, but I held her tight.


“Let it out, Katharine. You’ll feel better, sweetheart.”


She melted into me, her body molded to mine. Her hands clutched at my bare shoulders, her tears hot on my skin as she wept uncontrollably. I stroked my hand overher back, my fingers through her hair, and made, what I hoped were, comforting noises. Despite the reason, I liked having her close. I missed her softness melded to my hardness. She fit to me so well.


Eventually, her sobs began to taper, the terrible shudders easing from her frame. I leaned over, grabbing some tissues and pressing a bunch into her hand.


“I–I’m s–sorry,” she stuttered in a whisper.


“You have nothing to be sorry for, sweetheart.”


“I disturbed you.”


“No, you didn’t. I want to help you. I keep telling you—anything you need, all you have to do is ask.” I hesitated. “I’m your husband. It’s my job to help you.”


“You’ve been so nice. Kind, even.”


I winced a little at the shock in her voice. I knew I deserved it, but I still didn’t like it.“I’m trying to be better.”


She shifted a little, tilting up her head to study me. “Why?”


“You deserve it, and you just lost someone you love. You’re grieving. I want to help you. I don’t know how, though. I’m new to all of this, Katy.” Using my thumb, I gently wiped away the fresh tears leaking from the corner of her eyes.


“You called me Katy.”


“I guess it rubbed off. Penny called you that all the time. So does everyone else.”


“She liked you.”


My throat felt strangely thick as I studied her face in the pale light from the window. “I liked her,” I stated, quiet but honest. “She was a wonderful woman.”


“I know.”


“I know you’ll miss her, sweetheart, but . . .” I didn’t want to say the same platitudes I’d heard uttered to her over the past fewdays. “She would have hated being a burden to you.”


“She wasn’t!”


“She would have argued with you. You worked hard to make her feel safe. You sacrificed so much.”


“She did the same for me. She always put me first.” She shuddered. “I–I don’t know where I’d be today if it hadn’t been for her finding me and taking me in.”


I didn’t want to think about that either. Penny’s actions had affected both our lives—for the better.


“She did it because she loved you.”


“I loved her.”


“I know.” I cupped her face, staring into her pain-filled eyes. “You loved her so much you married a total asshole who treated you like shit so you could make sure she was looked after properly.”


“You stopped being a total asshole a fewweeks ago.”


I shook my head. “I should never have been an asshole to you at all.” To my shock, I felt tears gather in my eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”


“You miss her, too.”


Unable to speak, I nodded.


She pulled me down, my head resting in the crook of her neck. I couldn’t remember the last time I cried—most likely when I was a child—but I cried now. I cried for the loss of a woman I only knew for a brief time, yet came to mean so much to me. Who, with her stories and fractured memories, brought to life the woman I was married to—her words showed me Katy’s goodness and light.


She and Katy showed me it was okay to feel, to trust . . . and to love.


Because, in that one moment, I knew I was in love with my wife.I yanked Katy to me, holding her tight. When my tears dried, I lifted my head, meeting her gentle gaze. The air between us changed from one of comfort and care to something charged and alive.


The lust and longing I had denied myself ignited. My body burned for the woman I was holding, and Katy’s eyes widened, the same desire flaring in their vivid blue color.


Giving her the chance to say no, I lowered my head, pausing over her quivering lips.


“Please?” I whispered, not certain what I was asking.


Her feather-soft whimper was all I needed, and my mouth met hers with a hunger I had never experienced.


It wasn’t only lust and desire. It was need and longing. It was redemption and forgiveness. All of it wrapped up in one tiny woman.


It was like being reborn in a fiery burst of flames that licked and snapped at my spine. Every single nerve hummed in my body. I could feel every inch of her pressed to me; every curve fit to me as if she were made for me and me alone. Her tongue was like velvet against mine, her breath like gusts of pure life filling my lungs. I couldn’t get close enough. I couldn’t kiss her deep enough. Her ridiculous nightshirt vanished under my fists, the material ripping easily. I had to touch her skin. I needed to feel all of her. Using her feet, she pushed down my pants; my erection released, trapped between us. We both groaned as our skin met. Soft, smooth skin, rubbed my rougher, harder body.


She was like cream—fluid and sweet, wrapping around me. Using my hands and tongue, I discovered her everywhere. The dips and hollows hidden from the world were now mine to explore. I feasted on her taste, each discovery new and exotic. Her breasts were full and lush in my hands, hernipples pert and sensitive. She moaned as I tongued them to stiff peaks, tugging on them gently with my teeth. She squirmed and whimpered as I drifted lower, swirling my tongue on her stomach, down to her tiny belly button, and beyond, until I found her, wet and ready for me.


“Richard,” she gasped. The word was static and frantic as I closed my mouth around her and tasted her sweetness. Her body bowed, arching and stretching as I explored, using my tongue to delve and tease. She buried her hand in my hair, pushing me closer and tugging me back as I built a rhythm. Her moans and whimpers were like music to my ears. I slid a finger, then two, inside, stroking her deeply.


“God, sweetheart, you’re so tight,” I moaned into her heat.


“I’ve . . . I’ve never been with a man.”


I stilled, lifted my head, her words sinking in. She was a virgin. I needed to remember that, to be gentle with her and treat her with respect. That she would bestow that gift to me, of all people, made me ache with emotions I couldn’t identify. I shouldn’t be surprised, yet, as always, she continued to confound me.


“Don’t stop,” she pleaded.


“Katy—”


“I want this, Richard, with you. I want you.”


I crawled up her body, cradling her head; kissing her mouth with a reverence I had never felt or shown another person. “Are you sure?”


She drew me back to her mouth. “Yes.”


I moved over her carefully; I wanted to make her first time memorable. To show her with my body what I was experiencing with my soul.


To make her mine in every sense of the word. I worshipped her with my touch, keeping it light and gentle, her skin like silk under my hands. Loving her with my mouth, I learned every part of her in the most intimate ways, memorizing her taste and the feel of her. I stroked her passion with my own until she was pleading for me.


I groaned and hissed as she became bolder, touching and discovering me with her teasing lips and tender hands. Her name fell like a prayer from my mouth as her fingers stroked my shoulders, down my spine, then encased my cock. Finally, I hovered over her, covering her with my body, sinking deep into her tight warmth, holding her until she begged me to move, and then, and only then, did I let my passion fly. I thrust powerfully, driving into her over and again. I kissed her hard as I took her, needing her taste in my mouth as much as I needed her body wrapped around me. Katy held me tight, groaning my name, her fingers digging into my back as she grasped me hard.


“Oh, God, Richard, please. Oh, I need . . .”


“Tell me,” I urged. “Tell me what you need.”


“You . . . more . . . please!”


“I’ve got you, baby.” I moaned, pushing her leg higher and sinking deeper. “Only me. You’re only ever going to have me.”


She cried out, her head flung back, body tensing. She was beautiful in her release, her neck stretched taut, a slight sheen of sweat on her skin. My own orgasm flickered, and I buried my face in Katy’s neck as the force of my pleasure rocked my world. I turned my head, grabbed her chin, bringing her mouth to mine, kissing her as the shockwaves rippled then calmed in my body. I rolled, tugging her to my chest, nuzzling her hair. She sighed, burrowing close.


“Thank you,” she breathed out.“Trust me, sweetheart. The pleasure was all mine.”


“Well, not all yours.”


I chuckled against her head, pressing a kiss to her warm skin.


“Sleep, Katy.”


“I should go—”


I tightened my arms, not wanting her to leave. “No. Stay here with me.”


She sighed, her body giving a long, slow shudder.


“Front or back?” I murmured. She liked to sleep with her back pressed to my chest. I liked waking up with my face buried in her warm neck and her body connected to mine.


“Back.”


“Okay.” I loosened my arms so she could roll over. Bringing her back to me, I kissed her gently. “Go to sleep. We have a lot to talk about tomorrow.” “Tomorrow. We’ll figure out the next step tomorrow.”


“Okay.”


I shut my eyes, breathing her in. Tomorrow I would tell her everything. Ask her to tell me what she was thinking. I wanted to tell her what I was feeling—that I was in love with her. Clear the air for both of us. Then help her move her things into my room, making it our room.


I didn’t want to be without her beside me again.


With a sigh of contentment I didn’t think I’d ever experience, I fell asleep.

My phone vibrated on the wooden table and I picked it up, stifling a grin at the number. Golden Oaks. I wondered what Penny was asking Tami for now. Since our unsettling evening last week, she had wanted something daily, and I made sure she got it. I never told Katharine about our conversation. She was already plenty worried. Penny was obviously slowing down, and her mind giving She had been more like herself last night, but had fallen asleep as soon as I got her back to her room. I left her in her caregiver’s capable hands with a kiss on her downy cheek.


I declined the call, planning to return it when the meeting was over. I focused my attention back to Graham, who was pointing out a client’s desires for their next campaign, when my phone went off again. Glancing over, I saw it was Golden Oaks. A small pit of worry began in my stomach. Tami knew I would call her back. Why was she being so insistent?


I glanced up at Graham, who had paused his speaking.


“Do you need to take that, Richard?”


“I think it may be important.”


He nodded. “Five minute break, everyone.”


I accepted the call. “Tami?” more often. “Mr. VanRyan, I’m sorry to interrupt.” Her voice sent ripples of anxiety down my back. “I have some terrible news.”


I had no recollection of standing, but suddenly I was on my feet. “What happened?”


“Penny Johnson passed away about an hour ago.”


I shut my eyes against the sudden burn. I gripped my phone tighter, my voice thick. “Has my wife been told?”


“Yes. She was here this morning, and had only left a short time before I went in to check on Penny. I called her back.”


“Is she there now?”


“Yes. I tried to ask her about arrangements, but I can’t get her to talk. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I called you.”


“No, you did the right thing. I’m on my way. Don’t let her leave, Tami. I’ll handle all the arrangements.”I hung up, dropping my phone, the sound of it hitting the table, a dull thud breaking the roar in my head. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up into Graham’s concerned face.


“Richard, I’m sorry.”


“I have to . . .” My voice trailed off.


“Let me drive you.”


I felt odd. Off balance. My mind was chaotic, my stomach in knots, and my eyes burned. One thought clarified, her name burning in my brain. “Katharine.”


“She needs you. I’ll take you to her.”


I nodded. “Yes.”





At the home, I didn’t hesitate, rushing through the hallways. I saw Tami outside Penny’s room, the door closed. “Is she in there?”


“Yes.”


“What do you need?”


“I need to know if there was anything arranged, pre-planning, what her wishes were for when she passed?”


“I know she wanted to be cremated. I don’t think Katharine had made any pre-arrangements.” I ran my hand over the back of my neck. “I have no experience with this, Tami.”


Graham’s voice came from behind me. “Let me help, Richard.”


I turned in surprise. I thought he had dropped me off and left.


He extended his hand to Tami, introducing himself. She smiled in acknowledgement. He turned back to me.


“Go to your wife. I have a good friend who has a string of funeral homes. I’ll contact him and start things for you—Tami can advise me.”


She nodded. “Of course.” She laid her hand on my arm. “When you’re ready, I’ll get Joey and take him to the lounge. He is staying here with us.”


“All right.”


“I’ll help Mr. Gavin as best I can.”


“I’d appreciate it—so will Katy.”


Graham smiled. “So rarely you call her that. Go—she needs you.”


I slipped into the room, quietly pushing the door shut. The room seemed so wrong. There was no music, no Penny sitting at one of her canvasses, humming away. Even Joey was silent, huddled on his perch, his head buried in his wing. The curtains were drawn, the room dimmed in sadness.


Katharine was a huddled figure sitting beside Penny’s bed, holding her hand. I moved beside her, allowing myself a moment to gaze down at the woman who had changed my life. Penny looked as if she was asleep, her face peaceful. She would no longer be confused or agitated, no longer searching for something she couldn’t remember.


No longer able to tell me stories of the woman who was now grieving for her.


I lowered myself beside my wife, covering the hand clutching Penny’s with mine. “Katharine,” I murmured.


She didn’t move. She remained frozen, her face blank, not speaking.


I slid my arm around her stiff shoulders, bringing her close. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know how much you loved her.”


“I just left,” she whispered. “I was halfway home, and they called. I shouldn’t have left.”


“You didn’t know.”


“She said she was tired and wanted to rest. She didn’t want to paint. She asked me to turn off the music. I should have known something was wrong,” she insisted.


“Don’t do this to yourself.”


“I should have been with her when she—”


“You were with her. You know how she felt about this, sweetheart. She said it all the time—when she was ready, she was going. You were here, the person she loved the most—the person she would want to be the last one she saw, and she was ready.” I ran my hand over her hair. “She’s been ready for a while, baby. I think she was waiting to make sure you were going to be okay.”


“I didn’t say goodbye.”


I tugged her head to my shoulder. “Did you kiss her?”


“Yes.”


“Did she tweak your nose?”


“Yes.” “Then you said goodbye. That’s how you two did it. You didn’t need words, any more than you had to tell her you loved her. She knew, sweetheart. She always knew.”


“I don’t . . . I don’t know what to do now.”


Her entire body shuddered, and unable to take her intensifying pain, I stood, lifted her, sitting back down before she could protest. She still clutched Penny’s hand, and I could feel her trembling.


“Let me help, sweetheart. Graham is here, too. We’ll figure out what we need to do.”


Her head fell to my chest, and I felt the wet of her tears. I pressed a kiss to her head, holding her until I felt her body relax and she released Penny’s hand, gently letting it rest on the quilt. We sat in silence as I stroked my hand up and down her back.


There was a knock at the door, and I called out for them to enter. Graham came in, crouching beside us.


“Katy, dear girl, I am so sorry.”


Her voice was a mere whisper. “Thank you.”


“Laura is here. We would like to help you and Richard with the arrangements, if you are willing.”


She nodded, another shiver running down her spine.


“I think I need to take her home.”


Graham stood up. “Of course.”


I bent my head lower. “Are you ready, sweetheart? Or do you want to stay longer?”


She looked up at Graham, her lips quivering. “What is going to happen?”


“My friend, Conrad, will come pick her up. According to Richard, she wanted to be cremated?”


“Yes.”


“He will arrange everything, and we can discuss what sort of service you would like.”


“I want to celebrate her life.”


“We can do that.”


“What about”—she swallowed—“her things?”


“I’ll arrange to have everything packed up and brought to the condo, sweetheart,” I assured her. “Tami said Joey was staying here?”


“The other residents like him—they’ll look after him. I’d like to donate some of her things to the residents who don’t have as much as she did—her clothes and wheelchair, things like that.”


“Okay, I’ll make the arrangements. When you’re ready you can go through everything, and I’ll make sure it happens.”


She was silent, looking at Penny. She nodded. “Okay.”


I stood up, taking her with me. I didn’t like the trembling in her body or theshakiness in her voice. I felt better holding her, and she didn’t protest.


I looked down at Penny, saying my own silent thank you and goodbye. Feeling the burn of emotion in my eyes, I blinked it away. I had to stay strong for Katharine.


“I’ll get the car,” Graham offered, and left the room.


I met Katharine’s gaze, her eyes wide with pain and sadness. A rush of overwhelming tenderness ran through me, and the need to ease her hurt filled my entire being.


I pressed my lips to her forehead, murmuring against her skin. “I’ve got you. We’ll get through this together. I promise.”


She leaned in to my caress, her quiet need touching.


“Are you ready?”


Nodding, she buried her head into my chest, tightening her grip on my jacket. I strode from the room, knowing both our lives were about to change.


Once again, I had no idea how to cope with it.

CHAPTER 24

RICHARD


I GLANCED OVER AT PENNY with a frown. I had been excited the same jazz trio we’d seen before was doing an encore performance this evening, but she’d been off the entire night. More than once, she had lifted her hand, wiping away a tear as it rolled down her cheek. When I asked, concerned, if she was all right, she waved me away with an impatient hand.


“I’m fine.”


Yet, she seemed to be anything except fine.


I wheeled her back to her room, hoping the treat I had waiting would pick up her spirits.


Katharine mentioned Penny wasn’t eating well the past couple days andseemed tired. Tonight, her caregiver told me she picked at her dinner and had only eaten lunch because Katharine fed it to her.


I knew Katharine was worried. She had considered canceling her yoga class, but I encouraged her to go. I reminded her only two classes remained, then she could join us every Tuesday. I would miss my time with Penny, but the classes started again a month later, so it would be back to us at that point. My favorite part of the night was listening to Penny tell stories of Katharine. There were so many—some Katharine herself had undoubtedly forgotten. They often contained humorous, embarrassing moments that made me chuckle.


I sat beside Penny, sliding the pizza box open with a smile. “Voila!”


When I discovered, next to cheeseburgers, pizza was her favorite food, I started bringing it to her regularly. It was fine with the home, and I made sure I had plenty for the staff on occasion. One day I brought enough pizza so any resident who wanted some could enjoy it. I was a hero that day.


Today, however, it was only for Penny.


She took a slice yet made no move to eat it. With a sigh, I took her slice back and returned it to the box. I wrapped my hand around her fragile wrist, rubbing the delicate skin of her palm.


“Penny, what is it? What’s wrong?”


She heaved a deep exhale of air, the sound drained and resigned. “I’m tired.”


“You want me to get Connie? She can get you ready for bed.” Tami was off tonight, but she liked Connie.


“No. I don’t want to go to bed.”


“I don’t understand.”


Withdrawing her hand, she rubbed it over her face in a weary manner. “I’m tired of all this.”“Your room?” If she wanted a different one, I’d get it for her.


“Of being here. In this . . . life, if you can call it that.”


I had never heard her talk this way. “Penny—”


She reached out and wrapped her hand around mine.


“I forget things, Richard. Time goes on and I don’t know if it’s the same day that it was only a moment ago. Katy comes to visit and I can’t remember if she was here hours ago, days ago, or if she just left the room for a minute. Some days, I don’t recognize anything, and I’m scared. I know there are days I don’t know her.” Her voice shook, eyes glimmering with tears. “I don’t know myself most days.”


“She’s here. Every day, she comes to see you, and even if you forget her, she knows you. She stays and sits with you.”


“I’m a burden to her.”“No,” I insisted. “You aren’t a burden to her. She loves you.”


“You must resent me.”


“What? No. Not at all. I love spending time with you. You’re part of my family now, Penny. You became that when I married Katharine.” As the words left my mouth, I realized I was telling her the truth.


“She should be doing other things, traveling, having babies, making friends, not babysitting an old woman.”


“Why are you talking like this? You know Katharine would do anything for you. So would I.” I lifted her hand up and pressed a kiss to the thin skin. “Please, Penny, if she heard you . . .”


“I miss Burt.”


“I know,” I soothed. “You were married a long time. Of course, you miss him.”


“Forty years. We weren’t rich, but we had love.” She smiled softly. “I loved watchinghim cook. He was a chef—did you know that?”


“Yes, you told me.”


“I was a teacher. We had a good life. When he died, I didn’t know how I was going to carry on. But then, I found Katy. She became my reason.”


“She needed you.”


“She doesn’t need me anymore.”


“You’re wrong. She does.”


“Will you look after her?”


“Don’t. Don’t give in yet, Penny. Katharine—she’d be devastated.”


She shut her eyes as her shoulders sagged. “I’m just so tired.”


I panicked when I realized she wasn’t referring to wanting to go to bed. She was tired of life and being trapped in a body that no longer worked, with a mind that left her confused and forgetful.


I bent close, lowering my voice. “I’ll lookafter her. I promise. She won’t want for anything.” I could promise her that. I would make sure Katharine was all right. “Don’t give up. She does need you.”


Her eyes opened, her gaze drifting past me. “Can you give me that picture?”


I turned and handed her the picture to which she pointed. After coming clean about being married, Katharine brought her a picture of us on our wedding day, and one Tami had snapped when we were visiting. Katharine was holding her hand, Penny was tweaking her nose and laughing, and I sat beside them, smiling. We looked like a family.


She traced our faces. “She’s been my life since I lost Burt.”


“I know.”


“She is everything I knew she would be—smart, loving, strong.”


“I agree. Beautiful, too. Tough as nails. You had a lot to do with that, Penny.”That made her smile. The first real one I’d seen tonight.


She stretched up and patted my cheek. “You’re a good boy.”


Those words made me chuckle. No one had ever said them to me.


“When you get older, Richard, you realize life is made up of moments. All sorts of them. Sad ones, good ones, and great ones. They make up the tapestry that is your life. Hold on to all of them—especially the great ones. They make the others easy to take.”


I covered her hand with mine. “Stay,” I urged. “For her. Give her more great moments, Penny.”


With a sigh, she nodded. “I want to go to bed now.”


Turning my face, I kissed her palm. “I’ll get Connie.”


She met my eyes, a fierce gaze thattrapped and held mine. “Love, Richard. Make sure you surround her with love.”


I could only nod.


She tweaked my nose. That was what she did to Katharine—her way of saying, “I love you.”


My eyes stung all the way to the desk to get Connie.

You can also check my other story "The Contract". Here is the link https://www.nairaland.com/5242677/contract-melanie-moreland/3#79855955

I leave out the part where Brock was acting like he wanted to play this game with me.


"No," he chuckles out. "Brock isn't in the market to settle down, but Mel wants him. So, she plays this game every party. When the DJ sees her close to Brock, he plays the song. That's your cue. Just find me, unless you want some strange guy locked on your lips or tossing you in the pool."


His eyes move down to my lips, and his breath catches for a second. With his mouth just slightly ajar, I finally see the silver mystery a little better.


"You do have your tongue pierced," I murmur to myself. "I thought so."


His grin slides up, and I look up to see his eyes intensely focused on mine. "You've been trying to get a look?"


My face heats, and he leans in closer, making this even more intimate. He rolls his tongue in his mouth so that he canshove part of the bar between his pearly whites, and then he bites down on the metal so that it's the only thing I can see other than his perfectly straight teeth.


Yep. I think I just forgot my own name.


The bar slinks back into his mouth, and his grin returns. "You could have just asked."


The song shifts, and the make-out frenzy ends. My breaths are erratic and scattered when he finally leans back and returns my personal space. I waver in my heels, but his arm wraps around my waist to steady me.


"I guess you did more than nurse that beer," he says with a teasing grin, thinking my staggering posture is due to alcohol. It's not the toxins in the drink that are making me unbalanced; it's him. This is so bad.


"I guess so," I lie, making his smile grow.


"Good. You need to loosen up."He pulls my hand in his and takes my empty cup. I'll just let him think I've had more than one. If he found out what his touch was doing to me right now, he'd mock me relentlessly.


"That dress looks good on you. I'm glad I didn't let you bypass the dresses you'd 'never wear.'"


I giggle lightly, silently chastising myself for sounding like an idiot with a crush. His smile is rewarding though, and it makes me want to giggle more. I look around nervously as he hands my cup to one of his friends to refill.


Brock is chatting up some girl, and Mel's eyes are on him, though she does well to hide the scowl I'm sure is lurking within.


"Don't tell me Brock's your type," Kade says, cutting into my moment of observation.


"No," I murmur, looking up at him. You are, though."Good. I really don't want Brock hanging out and making your room sound like a carnival."


It feels like that was supposed to be a joke, but I'm not sure. "No worries. I can promise you won't be hearing anything like that coming from my room. What about you? Are any of these girls part of your business?"


I attempt to sound teasing, but it sounded more like the words left a bad taste in my mouth. He scans the room, shrugging.


"Not in that way. I'm friends with them, but I draw the line at those sorts of personal relationships with anyone you see in this room. I don't need the drama later on in life. This group - these people - have some of the most influential parents I've met, which is why they're the hardest partiers. Let's say I hook up with one. Later on she or her husband could be the hitch in a majorbusiness arrangement."


I shake my head in disbelief. "You plan really far ahead, don't you?"


"I have to if I want to be successful. Considering it'll be my grandfather's business I take over, I want to be very successful. It's what he deserves."


Again, I melt. He has to stop talking about his grandfather. There's such raw emotion in his eyes when he does. It's beautiful.


"Do you ever do anything just for fun?"


His smile lifts up, and his gaze comes back to me. "All sorts of things. I'm driven, but I'm not a robot."


"So?" I prompt, wanting to delve deeper.


"I'm talking to you right now for fun. I have no business interest in you."


My girly grin spreads to display the fool I am. His grin mimics mine before he pulls me to the middle of the dance floor. "Now,let's dance. For fun."


I let him lead me onto the floor, keeping my perma-grin in place. His hands slide down to my back as we move to the music. Summoning up my bravery, I let my hands run up his chest, reveling in the feel of the hardness beneath the thin shirt. He moves in closer, making our bodies press together as the lust-filled melody guides our movements.


I can't do this. I can't stare at him and dance like this without letting myself do something incredibly stupid in the heat of the moment. So, I turn around and press my back to his front.


His hands move to my hips as he draws us to be touching, and I close my eyes to forget all the people around us as our bodies grind together.


"Kade! We're doing shots!" a guy calls, motioning him over.


No. I don't want to stop dancing."Time to work. I'll be back," he says in my ear, making me shiver in his wake when he disappears into the crowd.


I've got to get this under control. I can't be drooling over a prince when I'm the inmate's daughter.


  



Each time that damn song has played, Kade has pushed me into the corner to pretend as though we're just as entangled as the others. This last time, his lips brushed mine when he accidentally got too close. That's not a nice thing to do to an idiot like me who can't seem to get my fantasies to stop running wild.


I was fine before this party. Now I'm staring at him as much as Mel stares at Brock. I'm pathetic.


Ember has kept me company on the dance floor, and considering the large amount of beer I've consumed, I almost need her as a crutch. She laughs wildly aswe tangle on the floor, both of us trying to hold the other up. It earns a loud gush of laughter from us both. Letting go has been refreshing.


I look over to see Kade's eyes on me as he leans against the doorframe, feigning interest in his friend by nodding ever so often. A barely-there amused smile tugs on his lips as he watches me, and I can't look away.


The only thing that manages to snap me out of my trance is the Good Man song. Oh no.


Kade's eyes widen just as I'm ripped away by foreign arms. "Pool or kiss?" Brock slurs, chuckling after.


Mel is just a few feet away, and she looks like a puppy that has just been kicked in the face. Ember is wrapped up in a polo-shirt-wearing guy, and I'm stuck. Pool. Definitely the pool.


I open my mouth to affirm my decisionjust as I'm whirled around. Soft but firm lips find mine and steal my breath, as familiar hands travel down to my back.


"Seriously, Kade?" Brock groans, making Kade smile against the kiss with me.


Holy shit. I'm kissing Kade.


My body decides to seize control and exclude my brain from any and all decisions. My hands fist in his hair as I pull him closer, and his smile disappears as his grip gets tighter.


I wobble when his tongue delves into my mouth, and the hot metal of his piercing makes me heat up between my thighs, inviting my scandalous thoughts to dance in my mind. If it wasn't for the incredible grip he has on me, I'd melt into a puddle right now.


The longer the song plays, the more intense the kiss gets, until I'm suddenly backed against a wall. It takes all my strength not to jump up and wrap my legsaround his waist, but I refrain, and settle for the mind-blowing kiss.


I don't know when the song shifted, but it has. I don't want to pull away. Hell, I can't, but Kade finally does, sounding breathless.


"Sorry," he says, grinning. "It was going to be me, him, or the pool. Mel would have flogged you if it had been him."


Shit. Why the hell did I think he wanted to kiss me? He was just saving my ass.


"You. Definitely you," I blurt out, making him laugh before he tugs my hand in his. I hope that didn't sound as bad as I think it did.


"Conversation is getting pointless now. The shots have ruined them all, so they won't remember much from here on out. I'll hang out with you the rest of the night to keep that from happening again."


No. I want that to happen again.Fucking eh. I'm pathetic.


"Want to go chill by the pool?"


I just nod as he leads me out, and I smile when I see some girls climbing out of the pool for not having engaged in the game.


"Thanks," I snicker.


He grins, and then shakes his head. "I never recommend wearing white to one of my parties again."


I let a laugh out as he pulls me down to a chair beside him. "I agree."


And just that fast, we become lost in conversation for the next two hours. I don't know how he managed to do it, but I've forgotten every bit of my hatred for him. He's so... normal. Not at all what I expected.


As the last few guests start tapering off, Kade pulls me from my seat. "I'm spent. I'll warn you, there will be people still passed out in the morning, so you don't run around in your tank and panties."My cheeks heat and he chuckles as he guides me in. "You staying to party more?" he asks, walking me through the few still dancing.


"Um... no. I think I lost Ember though."


"She'll turn up. I'll walk you to your room."


I want to ask why, but at the same time, I don't want to seem like I'm offending him. His hand stays on my back as he guides me up, and I try not to concentrate on it too much.


Regret fills me as soon as I open the door. The light filtering through the window shines down on the dark locks tilted back as two naked bodies collide.


"Ohholyshit," I screech while slamming the door back shut.


My heels do me no good and I stumble backwards into Kade's arms as he chuckles and catches me. "I guess Ember just showed up."I shake my head, praying the images aren't forever burned in my mind. "I couldn't tell who it was."


"I should have warned you to lock your door. Looks like you'll need another mattress," he snickers, helping me stand on my own. "Come on. You can sleep in my room. You'll find something a hell of a lot worse in all my other guest rooms. Mel's game always gets people riled up."


Sleep in his room? Hell no.


"I can just crash on the couch."


He snorts out a laugh. "With this many people still here? Not happening. These people are notorious for pranking the sleeper. It's no big deal. My bed is massive. It'll be like you're all by yourself."


Doubtful. How the hell does he expect me to sleep in his bed?


Every part of me is almost shaking as I follow him back down the stairs and to his bedroom door. The combination keypad on his door has always confused me until right now. He uses it to keep anyone else from doing what Ember is doing in my bed. She and I will have to discuss this later.


"I'll grab you a shirt and some shorts." He flips the light on and I see his devilish grin. "Unless you want to run and grab something from your room."


"Hell no," I blurt out, forcing him to release a throaty chuckle in response.


I fidget like a nervous girl in the doorway as he moves to the drawers. "Shut and lock the door."


Swallowing hard against the hellacious knot in my throat, I do just that. I linger on the lock, wondering how to steel myself for the rest of the night.


"Here," he says, bringing my attention back.


He hands me a pair of black boxers and a red T-shirt. Damn. These boxers have touched him in places I really don't need to think about.


"You can change in the bathroom. I'll change out here."


I watch as he pulls his shirt over his head, and my eyes fall on the numerous tattoos that line his chest, sides, and stomach. They all seem to form a pattern instead of seeming randomly detached.


"What do the tattoos mean?" I ask, unable to quit staring.


He grins as he tosses his shirt on his dresser.


"They're blended together, but they all mean different things. There are different points in my life I wanted to remember, so I did what I wanted to in order to mark them. I don't get one anywhere I can't cover it up easily. You going to change?"


I'm almost worried I'm drooling right now. His body is flawless. The perfect definition of his chest and abs becomes a feast for my hungry eyes. This should be illegal. Sexy, rich, and nice should not be wrapped up in one untouchable package.


"Raya? You okay?" he chuckles out.


I snap my eyes free and turn on my heel to almost dive into the bathroom. This is going to be a long night, and if I sleep at all, I'll be shocked.


I strip down completely, including the stringy underwear I'll never be able to sleep in. After tossing on the clothes he's given me, I walk back out with my dress in hand. I carefully tucked my underwear inside to keep them from falling out in front of him.


"Just toss your dress on my dresser. I'll send it to the drycleaners with my stuff," he says without looking at me as he types something on his phone.


I suck in a sharp breath of air. He's in his track pants and he's still shirtless. I huddle up in my room most of the time, so I never get to see him getting ready for bed. I won't be hiding in my room anymore. I want floor seats for this show from now on.


I put the dress on his dresser, next to his stuff, and then I walk over to the far side of the ridiculous bed meant for Jack's giant.


"You need me to set an alarm or anything?" he asks as I slip into the heavenly folds of his bed.


Wow. His bed is so much better than mine. And I thought mine was pretty frigging fantastic.


"No. You can just toss me out with the sun, though."


He laughs and slips into the covers on his side. If you had told me I'd be sleeping in Kade Colton's bed two weeks ago, I would be in the hospital from my side-splitting laughter.


He just chuckles as he turns over, giving me a view of his perfect back. I should probably face the other way, but I can't tear my eyes away. He hasn't mentioned thatkiss, and I doubt either of us ever will. I just wish I could quit thinking about it.

CHAPTER 5
Playing Games


  



My room looks like fashion central threw up in it. I've tried on seven dresses, three pairs of jeans, and fifteen or more shirts. Nothing looks right. Nothing even comes close to looking right on me. I don't look like a pretty girl dressed up and ready to party. I look like Raya Capperton, daughter of Ray Drivel, the conman's trashy daughter playing dress-up.


Just when I decide it's pointless, the door to my room creaks open. Butterflies ruffle my stomach as I anxiously wait to see Kade's blue eyes, but I'm met by a different pair of blues instead. My heart sinks back down from my throat as Ember walks in wearing an excited grin and a killer dress.


Her hair is tossed in perfect ringlets today instead of pigtails. Her red dress is just short enough to drag the eye down, andher classy cleavage brings the eyes back up. She looks far less innocent than she did yesterday. I'm jealous. I've got Paul Colton's latest line of fashion, and she looks better in her thrift store buy. Maybe that's the problem. These clothes are too dazzling for the jaded.


"Hey. I hope this is okay. Kade let me in and told me where to find you."


I nod, forcing a tight smile. I'd fallen asleep while we were watching the movie, and Kade must have carried me back to my room last night.


He'd caught me off guard with the sincerity in his eyes when I asked him about why he was suddenly being nice to me. The look he gave me... He's different than what I once thought, and now it's even more confusing. He didn't say anything much after that.


We sat in a comfortable silence, kept our distance, and watched a terrible movie likeit was riveting. I shouldn't have asked that question. I wish I hadn't. Today we've barely spoken at all, since he was busy preparing for the party. I've stayed in my room most of the day.


"Is that what you're wearing?" Her wide eyes only cement my reservations. She sees the trashy girl playing dress-up, too.


"It looks terrible, doesn't it?" I groan, glancing down at the tight white, strapless dress that was meant for someone far more impressive than I.


"Hell no," she gushes. "It's fucking awesome. That's... I'm so jealous."


I almost bite back a grin. I'm jealous of her thrift store dress, and she's jealous of the dress I can't actually pull off. "Maybe we should trade."


She laughs and shakes her head. "Not happening. I'd never look that good in white. There's only one problem... You can't wear that underwear. It's leaving lines."I try to glance back at my rear, but I can't twist that way in this tight dress. I finally give up and look over at her rummaging through my drawers until she finds where I store my panties and bras. Another boundary. I need to make a mental note to google what the boundaries are around here. I was apparently raised very differently.


"Here," she says, handing me a pair of white thongs.


I don't even know how those managed to make it to the counter. I can only assume Kade tossed them and several other pairs of underwear on the counter that day. It's not something I need to think about right now.


I slip out of the more comfortable underwear and make the trade for the small stringed thing meant for a goddess. This should be interesting. Ember goes to be in front of the mirror as she checks her hair.


"It's crazy down there," she giggles,bubbling over with excitement .


"Already?"


I'd heard the music, but I thought Kade was just setting the mood right for all the partiers on their way. I guess I've been in here longer than I thought, battling my indecisiveness.


"You seriously look like sex in heels. I really wish Kade had bulldozed my house."


I let a laugh out, which is something I really needed. Considering how nervous I am, I'm surprised I'm able to laugh at all.


"Kade didn't bulldoze my house; some frat boys from his party did."


"But he's the one you're living with?"


I shrug and open the door. "I had to live somewhere, and Mr. Colton volunteered his son's house."


"And Kade is cool with all this?" she asks.


"I... I think he is now," I stammerunsurely.


She gives a goofy grin when she sees the lights flickering below. It looks almost like a club.


"This is going to be so awesome," she gushes, and then she loops her arm through mine.


These heels make the stairs a little precarious, but I cautiously make my way down. My long hair isn't balled up on my head or swept back in a ponytail. Tonight I'm letting it hang free with some loose curls. Maybe no one will even recognize me.


Ember giggles more once we rich the thick of the party. It's not too crowded, surprisingly enough. I don't have to press against sweaty bodies to make my way over to the keg.


My breath almost leaves me when Kade steps in from the dining room. No. No. No. He's not supposed to make it hard to breathe, damn it. I have to live with him."Hey," he says, grinning when he sees me. His eyes scale up and down my dress, making me flood with a tingle of excitement. "Need one?" he asks, holding up his cup.


"I need two."


I motion to Ember, and he offers her his best I'm-too-sexy-to-be-real grin. She shivers beside me, letting her grip tighten on my arm. I don't like that. I don't want Ember eye-fucking him right now.


"Here," he says, handing me my cup first. Then he fills up another and hands it to Ember.


She takes it while twirling her hair like a little girl with a crush. I tug free from her as she drools, but Kade either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Thankfully. Crap. I shouldn't be thankful.


"Feel like introductions?" Kade asks, sidling up next to me.


I sigh out heavily. "Yeah, sure. Ember,this is Kade. Kade, Ember."


He chuckles beside me and places his hand on the small of my back. "I've already met Ember when she came in to find you. I was asking if you wanted me to introduce you to everyone. Let you get a feel for the crowd."


Ember is almost forgotten as I stare into the endless pools of blue that suddenly carry such a meaningful depth instead of a guise of shallowness. "Not right now. I think I'll stick to nursing a beer and observing."


I glance over to see Ember has moved on to a preppy polo-shirt-wearing guy. My eyes return to Kade and his tight black T-shirt and dark denim jeans. He looks too good.


A guy has fortunately started talking to him, keeping him distracted as I shamelessly ogle him for the first real time. He doesn't look like a business-suit in training; he looks like forbidden fruit Idesperately want to taste.


"You good?" Kade asks, acting as if he's about to leave me stranded.


"Um... yeah. Go have fun."


"Business," he says, offering me a wink. "You go have fun. It'll be loud, so call me if you need me for anything. My number is programmed in your phone."


The speck of silver in his mouth intrigues me again, but I dare not stare at those perfect lips too long. I can only see a glimpse of the secretive thing when his mouth opens, so it has to be a piercing. Gah, I wish I hadn't thought about it.


He gives me a quick wave before walking away. I don't have my phone. I was so busy gawking at him that the words never left my mouth. I hope I don't need him for anything.


I turn around, seeing Ember still giggling in that guy's arms. Whew. At least it's not Kade she's wrapped around.I groan inwardly. I can't keep doing that. Kade is... my roommate? My friend? I don't know, but I can't be interested in him. He's an elite and I'm the girl from the trailer park.


I do well to hide in the back, possibly seeming like the creepy girl just watching everyone. After observing everyone dance and drink for thirty minutes, I start to relax. No one at all has said anything rude to me whatsoever.


"Raya, right?" a guy asks, proving I'm not hiding as well as I thought.


"Yes." I force a smile and turn to meet him, drawing in a deep breath to prepare for whatever he might say.


"I'm Brock." He proffers his hand, and I place mine in his for the shake, though I admit I'm wary.


He grins, giving me a shot of his dimples as he props against the wall beside me. He's dressed in a pair of designer jeans, a blueT-shirt, and a sexy gaze. Considering I don't know if he's one of the many who ridiculed me, I don't exactly swoon.


"Nice to meet you," I murmur as sincerely as I can muster, while returning my eyes to the party.


"It's Get Wet time!" a girl's shrill voice announces as the music dies down. "Same rules as always. When you hear the song, grab someone to lock up with until it stops. All ladies without a partner, prepare to be tossed in the pool!"


My stomach tilts to the point I'm worried I'll get sick. She can't be serious. Surely no one would actually throw me in the pool. Shit. Kade has thrown me in the pool before.


"I think I might hang out over here with you," Brock says, grinning as the girl speaks with the DJ behind the traveling booth.


I swallow hard as she continues. "Tonight, the Get Wet song is Good Man!"The DJ plays a sample, and everyone roars in cheers, getting excited. Then the song changes, and the girl hops down, beaming from the mischief she just delivered.


I don't feel like partying anymore. Now I just want to go crawl in a closet and hide. The girl who was announcing the bomb-drop sidles up next to Brock, rocking back on her heels as hearts form in her eyes.


Warm hands wrap around my waist seconds before the Get Wet song kicks in. I'm whirled around and pushed into the corner, gasping for air. My eyes lock with Kade's and he grins as he brings his lips within centimeters from mine, keeping one arm pressed against the wall, blocking our faces somewhat.


"What... w-what are you doing?" I hoarsely release, swallowing hard thereafter.


"Making people think we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. Otherwise,you'll get tossed in the pool. Considering you're wearing white, and you don't have... much on back here," his hand trails over my rear, making me tremble as he slides his hand back up to my back and tugs me closer, "you might not need to get caught."


I shiver noticeably, feeling trapped and completely stupid as a crushing wave of unbidden desire unfurls within me. This just changed... everything for me. I don't even remember how to hate him in this moment.


"Whenever you see Mel drift toward Brock," he says, motioning toward the game announcer and Brock who are in a tongue-tango lip-lock, "find me, and I'll make it look like we're just as engaged as everyone else enjoying the festivities."


My knees try to buckle, but I steady them, locking them into place like I just shoved steel rods in there. "So they're a couple?"

CHAPTER 4
Unlikely Friendship


  



I should have gone to Silk. Nothing I'm reading is making a damn bit of sense because all I can think about is how Kade said I needed to have fun. I could still go. I'm sure a bus could take me there, but I've got thirteen dollars left to make it until the end of the week when my next check comes from the church.


I really don't think it'd be wise to use church money to go to a club. I'd hate to get struck by lightning in the middle of the dance floor.


I'm starving and I'm sick of tuna, but it's affordable and plentiful. Several cans of my tuna survived the wreckage.


I go to grab a can just as Kade walks through the door. I freeze in the living room, standing in front of him in my panties and tank-top. He wasn't supposedto come home this early. It's barely ten.


A teasing gleam spreads through his eyes as his lips curl up in a taunting grin. A squeal finally bubbles free from my lips as I rush up the stairs, wishing I hadn't been brave enough to strut around in my underwear.


Kade's roaring laughter drifts up the stairs as I slam the door to my room. I can feel my whole body flushed. I'm almost worried I'll be stained crimson forever.


"Raya," he chuckles out, lightly rapping on my door. "Come on. Don't hide. It'll only make it more awkward... for you."


Great. He's feeling playful tonight. I almost prefer the brooding weirdo who can't make up his mind if he's pissed or pleasant.


"I'm not hiding... I'm... getting decent," I lie, well, sort of. I am getting decent, but I have no intentions of coming out. I might possibly go in and out of my window for awhile.


"Raya," he says again, his laughter still lacing his words. "Come on."


I groan and glance in the mirror to see if I'm as red as it feels like I am. Yep. I'm red. My dark brown hair actually looks darker next to the red.


I stare at the doorknob like it's the enemy. The shadow he casts tries to slip underneath the door. He's not going anywhere until I come out.


"You know it was bound to happen sooner or later. Would it make it easier if I stripped down and let you see me in my underwear?" he jokes.


Now I'm blushing for a whole new reason. It sure as hell wouldn't make this easier. He needs to go back to annoying the crap out of me. He's just confusing me with this... less shallow version of himself.


"Raya?" he asks, prompting me to break my silence."Do not strip," I grumble, making his laughter fall out louder once again.


"Come out. I grabbed some burgers. It'll be better than the tuna you insist on eating. The house will stink less, too."


Crap. My tuna is stinking up the house? Great.


Why is he buying me food? Gah, a burger sounds perfect. I'd love to eat anything that I didn't have to pull out of a can right now.


"Promise you won't laugh at me?"


He laughs. Of course he laughs. Jerk. But while he laughs, I find myself smiling. Stop smiling.


"I'm only laughing because I've been expecting it. You always ran around your house in your underwear. Not very smart for a girl trying to lay low."


I only thought I couldn't get any redder. I look like I've been cooking under the sun for ten days straight right now.Please tell me you're joking," I whine.


"You should have bought curtains or worn shorts if you didn't want anyone to notice."


"I never thought anyone was peering through my damn windows!"


He almost coughs from his even louder laughter.


"Seriously? Your room was almost directly across from mine, and your bed was pressed against the window. How was I supposed to never see you lounging around in your underwear? Don't make it a big deal."


Don't make it a big deal. Yeah right.


I tug at the shorts, making sure they are covering up everything he's already seen - numerous times apparently - and I use all my willpower to open the door to the smiling bastard propped against the frame.


"I hate you, you know."He chuckles as he motions for me to join him. I'm relieved when he doesn't touch me, but then again, he hasn't touched me at all inside the house - only outside.


I follow him down the stairs, glaring at the back of his head as he continues to revel in my humiliation. "I'll grab some plates."


I just nod, refusing to meet his gaze, and I move to stand in front of the island bar while he moves to the other side. When a clear glass plate comes to rest beneath my eyes, I let out a snort of a laugh. Leave it to a rich kid to break out the real dishes for paper-plate food.


I frown. Or maybe leave it to me - the poor girl - to prefer paper plates.


"I thought you'd be at the club longer," I mumble by way of explaining.


"I don't ever stay long. It's business. Same for my parties. I hang out until the sobriety is gone, and then I head to my room for the rest of the night. Everyone gotdrunk earlier than usual tonight."


That brings my eyes up from the empty plate.


"Business?"


He offers a wry grin as he pulls out the paper bag and starts unwrapping the burgers that smell almost divine. Way better than canned tuna. It takes a lot more effort than I care to admit just to refrain from licking my lips and gapingly salivate.


"Yes, business. My parties aren't for me to sew wild oats. I have fun sometimes, and let loose, but most of the time I'm earning contacts. Though Adam, John, Mandy, or Carla might seem like hell-raisers right now, in another few years, they'll be climbing high in whatever company they choose."


Ah. "Pedigree rights," I murmur, clapping my hand over my mouth immediately upon hearing myself say it aloud.


He shrugs, never looking up from histask. "Pedigree sometimes plays a part. Most of the time they're actually brilliant minds. There aren't a whole lot of people in an Ivy League college because they're stupid, Raya. One day, I'll need to call them, and they'll remember these years at college. Same for them and me. Business. You don't get to the top by hard work and brains alone. You play the game. Nothing else matters if you don't play the game."


"So you play games?" I tease.


Oh shit. Am I flirting? I had better not be flirting.


"When I have to," he says while offering me a delicious wink.


I would melt, but I'm too practical. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? He better not wink at me again.


"So, you came here to be close to your family and to play games with the other socialite offspring?" I ask, sounding less flirty and bitterer.He tenses for a second as he grabs a couple of glasses from the cabinet. He brought me dinner and he's getting it all together, and I have to go and say something unnecessarily snippy.


"Sorry. That came out a little... harsher than I intended."


He nods slowly as he turns back around. "Is it just me you hate or all of us?"


I sigh out heavily. "I haven't had the best experience with the upper class. Take this week for example. Until today, most of the campus has been running their mouths about me. The ones making my life hell weren't scholarship students."


His jaw clenches for a second, then a small smile comes into play. "There are thousands of students here. It's college; not high school. Only a tenth of the population even know you exist. Don't be so dramatic."


"Well, the ten percent who know I exist seem to be everywhere.""Still?" he asks, leaning back while forgetting the task at hand - food.


Is this when I should tell him? Should I tell him all his upscale friends are whispering behind his back about him being with me? I might as well. All hell might break loose at the party if I don't warn him.


"No, but only because-"


"They've moved on to something juicier. Don't treat this like high school. It's not the same. There's no queen, no king, and no cliques that rule it all. People talk whether you're in school or not, but it doesn't dictate anything. You choose how much you allow people to rule you."


This is too deep. Way too deep. He's right. This isn't high school, and there's no chance everyone here has been in on the rumors, but it sure as hell felt like at the time. Maybe he doesn't have to know that some of the whispers amongst the groups are about us - together.I'm definitely loving the reprieve from the ten percent.


"Was this your way of getting around my question?" I ask, stifling a grin.


"Ah, yes. Your question. I came here to be close to my family, as I said. But also because this is where most of the partiers will be - rebels without a cause acting out for attention. Believe it or not, the ones who don't end up in rehab will be some of the most successful businessmen or businesswomen in the country. Always are. And you build stronger bonds over beer than you do over brunch."


I chuckle over that last bit and he gives me a wink while popping the top on a beer and pouring it into a glass. A glass.


"You want one?" he asks.


"Um... I'm eighteen."


"Old enough to vote and go to war, but not drink?"Valid point? Yes. Legal and logical? No. But let's face it. I'm no angel. It won't be my first beer, so I don't know why I'm hassling him.


"I'll take one, but you can keep the glass."


He chuckles lightly while shaking his head. "I only pour it in a glass when I eat. Less backwash."


Ew. "On second thought, I'll take the glass after all."


He smiles as he pours it carefully, acting like a pro.


"So you're twenty-one?"


"Yep. Not far from twenty-two."


"And you're set to start work right out of school, I bet." I'm so proud that didn't come out snarky.


"Yes. Though, I doubt it's for the reasons you think. I'm not going to deny I'm lucky, fortunate in some areas even. Having a joblined up with my grandfather's company is one of those fortunate circumstances."


"And it's just that easy. Finish college and take over his business?"


He laughs, sounding a little condescending in tone, but I'm hoping I'm reading too much into it.


"Definitely not easy. My father hates it. He built his business on his own, and then he married into money. He came from the belly of the lower-class, and he earned his right to stand high in the upper-class - as you called it. He thinks I should start at the ground-level and work my way up."


"And you don't feel you should have to?" Entitled brat. "You don't think there are people who have been working and waiting for an opportunity like you'll have?"


"My grandfather needs someone to take over certain pieces of the business as soon as possible. Those pieces aren't the ground-level. Though there are others who have been waiting longer for this opportunity, this is the company my grandfather built from nothing. He wants someone he can trust, and he knows that's me. So is it unfair to some? Yes. But do I feel guilty for being the one my granddad trusts? Hell no."


I'm almost in awe. He definitely knows how to make you see his side of things. He'll be excellent at negotiations. It's crazy to think about all the times I've envied him and his friends for getting trashed and enjoying a good time, when he only looks at it as a future business investment. He's a workaholic and he doesn't even have a job yet.


It's as though he's proud of something, but I don't know what. Then it dawns on me. The mention of his grandfather. That's what's sparking the twinkle of pride.


"You're fond of your grandfather," I observe.


His smile quirks up while he resumes histask of dividing the fries on the plates.


"Very." Then he points to my full plate. "If that's the end of the Capperton Inquisition, how about we move to the living room and watch a movie while we eat?"


He's so confusing.


"One more question," I murmur softly while sliding off the stool and carrying my plate.


He heads into the living room and I follow, waiting on him to respond. He waits until he puts his food down on the coffee table in front of the couch and then he leans back.


"Yes?" he says.


"Why are you being so nice to me all of the sudden?"


He frowns as I take a seat beside him, making sure to leave a respectable amount of distance between us without goingoverboard and making it look like I'm disgusted by him. I was once disgusted by him, but he keeps... blurring the lines.


His eyes fall to my shoulder where one of my yellowing bruises barely remains visible.


"Because believe it or not, I don't like knowing you got hurt. I feel like an ass. Seeing the proof of the damage that could have been done... Let's just say it scared me. Now, can we eat?"

This is the link to the other story. https://www.nairaland.com/5275292/sterling-shores-series-c.m-owens#

Katharine stared at me over her coffee and picked up the contract again. “Just like that? He canceled your trial period?”


I nodded, my mouth full of scrambled eggs. Chewing, I swallowed and grinned. “I have an idea Jenna’s little visit may have had something to do with it.”


She chewed on the end of her nail, and I reached over, smacking her hand. “Stop that.”


“Why do you think Jenna being here had anything to do with it?”


“Think about it, Katharine. Think of what she saw. Us in the same bed, me all over you. We got along well. She even knew we had a fight and made up. I’m pretty sure she told Graham he was wrong to have any doubts.”“Makes sense, I suppose.”


“Plus, he said I’d done a great job—I surpassed expectations. It was his way of rewarding me.” I took a sip of coffee. “Well, the end of my probation, and a generous bonus.”


Her smile was warm. “I knew you’d blow them away with your work. It doesn’t surprise me. You’ve always been brilliant with your ideas.”


Her praise did strange things to me. I rubbed my chest, as if I could move around the warmth radiated by her words, and I smiled at her, my voice sincere. “You’ve always been supportive. Thank you.”


The smile she returned was wide and open. I looked down at my plate, as the normalcy of our situation registered. Was this what marriage was like? A real marriage? Small moments of sharing that made you feel whole—connected.


I dug in my pocket, and slid the smallbox her way. “For you,” I said gruffly, picking up my mug.


She made no move to touch it. I had never met a woman like Katharine. My wealth had always been a magnet for the women I dated. They would be all over me for gifts—wanting them, dropping hints, showing me items on the internet. Practically ripping any offering from my hand if I decided to purchase something. Not Katharine, though.


“Your bonus,” I insisted and nudged the box closer. “Open it. It won’t bite.”


Her hand shook as she reached for the box. She hesitated once it was in her palm, as if anticipating the moment of opening the lid. Appreciating the mystery. I liked watching her expressions as they flitted across her face.


Her eyes grew round as she looked at the ring inside. As soon as I saw it, I knew she would love it. Small and delicate, thediamonds were set into different shaped frames. Tiny squares, ovals, circles, and rectangles made up a ring as unique and different as her. It wasn’t the most expensive ring the store had, and certainly not the biggest, but it suited Katharine. Even Graham had nodded his approval the second my finger tapped on the glass case.


“That one, please. I would like to see that one.”


Katharine looked up at me. “I don’t understand.”


“It’s a gift, Katharine.”


“Why?”


I shrugged. “Because you deserve it.” I touched the contract envelope. “None of this would have happened without you. I wanted to say thank you.” I added, completely sincere. It was important she believed me—that she knew I was aware of how much she had done for me.


“It’s beautiful.”“Put it on.”


She slid the ring on her right hand and twisted her wrist in the way women did when admiring a ring on their finger. “It fits!”


Reaching over, I took her hand and studied it. It fit well and it suited her perfectly. I set down her hand on the counter, patting it awkwardly.


“Do you like it?”


“It’s . . .” Her voice was thick. “It’s gorgeous.”


“I was thinking of earrings, but I noticed Jenna and Laura have rings on their right hands, so I thought you’d like one, too. We could get earrings, if you prefer.”


She shook her head. “No. It’s perfect.”


The air around us swirled with emotion. She kept looking at her hand and blinking fast. Oh God—was she going to cry? Over a present? I wasn’t sure I would be able tohandle it if she started crying. Emotion like that made me extremely edgy.


I clapped my hands. “Good choice, then. I’ll save the earrings for another time. Maybe a six-month anniversary or something. I’m sure the Gavins celebrate milestones like those. I’ll have to keep up.”


She cleared her throat and slid off her stool. “I guess so.”


I was shocked when she stopped by my chair after dumping her coffee in the sink. She cupped my cheek and pressed her lips to it, lightly. “Thank you, Richard,” she murmured, then kept walking.


I turned in my chair to watch her climb the steps. It was only when I shifted back that I realized my hand covered my face where her lips had touched, as if I was holding her kiss to my skin.


How odd.

CHAPTER 23
RICHARD
I SLID MY KEY IN the lock, entering the condo quietly. I was shocked to realize how much I had missed being home. How much I had missed Katharine.


I found myself texting her, checking she was okay, that Penny was well, or she remembered to lock the condo door. Her return texts made me smile, always a little cheeky and sweet. She had adored the cheesecake, telling me how the staff all dove in and helped her and Penny eat it. She found it amusing I had also sent a fruit arrangement for Joey’s snack. When she mentioned Penny seemed more tired than usual, I had phoned the home to check up on her twice, making Tami chuckle at my worry.


I had to laugh at myself. It seemed, even without trying, Katharine’s presence in my life brought forth more emotion all the time.


I should hate it, yet somehow, I didn’t.


I was anxious to get home, see her, visit Penny, and get back to the office. When the client had agreed sooner than expected to our pitch, we had both agreed to head home early and caught the last flight out. The cab dropped me off, Graham laughing at my exuberance as I grabbed my case.


“I don’t expect to see you in the office first thing, Richard. Enjoy the morning with Katy. I’ll see you in the afternoon.”


I nodded. “Thank you.”


I put down my case, flicked on the light, and froze.


I wasn’t in the same room I left days earlier. The bold claret color Katharine had picked out now graced the massive wall around the fireplace and highlighted the wood mantle. The cream of the other wallswas rich and attractive. She had added some cushions, the two chairs she had shown me, and the result of the transformation made it warm and inviting. Homey.


The biggest surprise was the artwork she had hung. She had used some of the prints she found, but on the red wall, she had some of my photographs, printed, double-matted, and framed. I was stunned by how great they looked and amazed she had chosen my favorite ones to use. The entire room looked spectacular.


I ran my hand over the curve of the chairs she’d added. They were strong pieces. The effect was still masculine, yet softened by what she had created. On the mantle was a picture of us, taken by Jenna on our wedding day. I picked it up, studying the candid photograph. Katharine was smiling into the lens, her face almost glowing. My forehead rested on hers, and I was smiling. We both looked happy. Like a couple in love. I ran my finger over her image, unsureof the odd sensation in my chest.


Placing it back on the mantle, I picked up my bag and climbed the stairs. In my doorway, I stopped, surprised to see Katharine asleep in my bed. I was sure she would have moved back into her own room by now. She hugged my pillow, her hands fisted in the material as she slumbered, her dark hair a wave of chocolate behind her on the crisp, white sheets. I studied her as she slept. She looked young and vulnerable. I remembered thinking she was weak. She was anything but. Knowing her now the way I did, I knew she had a core of steel—without it, she’d have folded up long ago—yet she hadn’t.


She survived losing her parents, living on the streets, the pain of watching Penny become ill, and me—in all my selfish, shortsighted, egotistical glory.


She shifted, the covers dragging back with her movement. I grinned when I sawshe was wearing the T-shirt I’d had on the day before I left.


My wife was in my bed, wearing my clothes.


I found I was more than okay with both facts.


With a muffled sigh, I put down my bag, grabbed some sleep pants, and got ready for bed, making sure to stay silent. Carefully, I slipped in behind her and tugged her back to my chest. She startled awake, stiffening in my embrace.


“Relax, sweetheart. It’s me.”


“Why are you home?”


“Business went well. Very well. We wrapped up early.”


She struggled to get up. “I’ll go to my room.”


I pulled her back down. “Stay. You’re fine.” With a grin, I dropped a kiss to her neck. “I’m a snuggler, remember?”She burrowed down with a contented little sound. “Your bed is comfy.”


I couldn’t help teasing her. “And my T-shirt?” I asked, fingering the worn cotton. “Is it comfy, too?”


She brushed my hand away. “I’ve been busy. I hadn’t got around to doing the laundry. It was lying there, so I used it.”


“I saw how busy you’ve been.”


“Do you like it?” Her voice was shy and hesitant.


I dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Good job, Mrs. VanRyan.”


She giggled into her pillow. “I’m glad you’re pleased, Mr. VanRyan.”


I tucked her closer. “I am. Go to sleep. I’ll tell you everything in the morning about the trip.”


“Okay.” She hummed sleepily. “Night.”


“Night.”

“What are you smiling about?” Graham asked. The trip was going well, and the client had been enthusiastic today. I had spent the afternoon adding to my outlines and ideas in preparation for another meeting in the morning. Graham insisted we go to dinner to celebrate.


I looked up from my phone and handed it to him. “Oh, I sent a massive chocolate caramel cheesecake to Penny to make up for not being there tonight. Katharine sent a picture of them enjoying it.”


He chuckled, and passed it back. “You’re very fond of Penny.”


“She reminds me of someone from mychildhood.”


“A relative?”


I shifted in my chair. “No.”


He regarded me shrewdly over the rim of his glass. “You don’t like to talk about yourself. Specifically your past.”


“No, I don’t.”


“Do you talk to anyone about it?”


“Katharine.”


“Your catalyst. The woman who changed your life—who changed you.”


I tilted my head in acknowledgment, hoping he would take the hint and drop the subject. He was silent for a moment, then reached in and took an envelope from his pocket, sliding it across the table.


“What is this?”


He tapped the heavy cream-colored stationery. “You’ve been outstanding since you came on board, Richard. You’ve surpassed my expectations. All of ourexpectations. Your work on the Kenner Footwear campaign, the way you’ve pitched in and been a key part of the team. Coming on this trip last minute. All of it.”


I shrugged in unusual modesty at his praise; his words warmed me. I wondered if that was how it felt to a boy basking in the glow of his father’s pride—something I had never experienced. Graham was quick to compliment, and rarely criticized—his remarks more often teaching, as opposed to condemning. I had been amazed how fast I had slipped into my role at The Gavin Group. I enjoyed the positive energy and the entire “working with and not against” attitude they shared. His words, however, meant a great deal. My throat felt tight, and I took a sip of water to clear the thickness before speaking. “Thank you. It’s been remarkable for me, as well.”


He pushed the envelope closer. “For you.” Inside was a sizable check—my eyes widened at the generous amount—along with the copy of my contract. What really got my attention, though, was that clause six was crossed out and initialed. I lifted my eyes to his with a questioning look. “I don’t understand.”


He grinned. “The check is your bonus for an exceptional job. Kenner signed a multiple year deal with us all because of your idea. They want you on every campaign.”


I held up the contract. “You crossed off my trial period.”


“I did. I had only put it in place to be sure I was right in my gut instinct you would fit in with us. You have more than proven yourself to be what you stated you were: a changed man. Your Katy has indeed brought forth the real Richard.” He held out his hand. “You have a place with my company for as long as you want it, Richard.I hope we have many years ahead of us.”


Reeling, I shook his hand. I had pulled it off. I had done it.


I should have been gloating, euphoric. All my plans, all the arrangements had led to this moment. I had secured my position with The Gavin Group and screwed over David.


Mission accomplished.


Yet, while I was thrilled, it wasn’t for the reasons I had thought. I found I didn’t care one way or another about David or how he felt. He could walk in, offer me a partnership and more money than I ever dreamed of, and I wouldn’t be tempted to leave. Instead, I only wanted to bask in the approval from Graham. I wanted to make him proud. I wanted to keep working for him and to hear his kind, praise-filled words. Along with those thoughts came an emotion I wasn’t used to having: guilt. Guilt for how this started and why I wassitting here now. Guilt for the deception I had used to get to this moment.


As I stared at the papers, I wondered how much the fact Jenna had stayed with us had to do with his decision. She had certainly seen enough of us acting like a normal married couple to convince anyone we were real. She thought I couldn’t keep my hands off Katharine, we had a great sex life, we argued and made up—everything other couples shared. Maybe the storm had not only brought Katharine and I closer, but also eliminated any doubts that still lingered in Graham’s mind.


Internally, I shook my head. It didn’t matter. What mattered was I would keep working hard and proving myself to Graham and his company. No matter how it began, I would earn it—and keep it.


“Thank you.”


He clapped my shoulder. “I am sure Katy will be happy.”Another odd emotion bubbled in my chest—the anticipation of telling her, sharing this victory with her. I grinned, knowing how positively she would react. “I’d love to tell her, but I think I’ll wait until I get home.” I looked down at my bonus. “I think I need to buy her something to celebrate. I thought that last week she needed a present. This is the perfect excuse.”


He nodded. “That’s a great idea. I know a wonderful jewelry store down the street.”


My eyebrows shot up. Jewelry. I hadn’t thought of that, but it was . . .


“Perfect.”

“Katharine, syrup is a condiment. Not a food group.”


She looked up from her plate, already shaking her head. “Each hole needs to be filled with syrup, Richard. It’s a rule.”


I snorted as I lifted my mug to my mouth. “You’re drowning the waffle. There’s more syrup than food on your plate.”


“It’s better like this.”


I groaned. “And you add bacon?”She hummed around her mouthful. “Perfect.”


Jenna chuckled as she cut into her breakfast. “Not a syrup fan, Richard?”


“I added a reasonable amount. I want to taste the waffle, too.”


Katharine held out a forkful in my direction. “Try it.”


“No.”


“Please?”


I speared a piece of my far dryer waffle. “Then you try mine.”


We fed each other pieces of breakfast. Hers was dripping in syrup and butter, way sweeter than I was used to. I grimaced. “That is god-awful.”


She grinned. “Better than yours.” Looking down, she cursed. “Darn it, I got syrup on my shirt. Excuse me.”


She hurried out of the kitchen. I waited until she had disappeared and grabbed thebottle of syrup, adding more to my waffle.


Jenna giggled. “The two of you are so sweet. Have you never eaten waffles together?”


I had to think fast. “No, Katharine always made pancakes. I bought her the waffle iron for a wedding gift.”


Jenna gaped at me “You gave her a waffle iron for a wedding gift?”


“She wanted one!”


“Good Lord, Richard, you have a lot to learn about romance.”


“She got me.”


Jenna picked up her coffee mug. “Hmmph. Maybe the waffle iron was the better gift.”


I glared. “When are you going home?”


She smirked. “Adrian will be here soon.”


“Good.”


She pushed on my arm with a playfulwink. “I interrupted your make-up session last night. Sorry. The thunder caught me off guard.”


“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”


“Of course not. Katharine is always that, ah, disheveled.”


I smirked. She had looked rather rumpled when she left the bedroom last night.


I winked at Jenna. “We have the rest of the day to make out. I mean up. Or both.”


She rolled her eyes, muttering about men and one-track minds.


I kept eating my now syrup-laden waffle.





I came out of the den, looking for Katharine. Jenna had left mid-afternoon,and I had gotten busy with some work, then had a call from Graham. I heard noises down the hall and went to investigate. The door to the smallest bedroom was open. I used the room for storage now. At one time, it held a bed, and I used it for my female guests and the after dinner activities, since I didn’t ever take them upstairs. I had gotten rid of the bed when Katharine moved in—all that remained were boxes and files.


I leaned on the doorframe, watching her for a few moments, an indulgent smile tugging on my lips. “What are you doing?”


She indicated a few framed pictures. “You have some nice prints in here.”


“I wasn’t sure where to put those.”


“They’d look great in the front room.” She lifted some photographs from the box she’d been sorting. “These are lovely shots—shame to see them packed away.”


I held out my hand, and she placed the stack of photos in it.I shuffled through the pictures, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “I took these.”


“You did?”


“Yeah. I went through a phase where I tried my hand at photography. It didn’t last long.” I handed them back to her. “I wasn’t any good.”


“I think they’re great.”


“Help yourself.”


“Do you have the negatives?”


I shook my head. “All digital. One of those boxes has my camera and all the SD cards inside.”


“Okay.”


“Listen, Graham called. He wants me to go with him out of town to see a client. I think he’s feeling guilty Adrian went the last two times.”


“When are you going?”


“Tomorrow.”“How long?”


“That’s the thing. I’ll be gone until Thursday, which means I’ll miss Tuesday with Penny.”


She grinned impishly. “Not a problem—I can miss yoga. I’m not that good at it.”


“Tell her I’ll come see her Friday for lunch. I’ll bring her favorite cheeseburgers.”


“She’ll love that.”


“What will you do while I’m gone?”


“Work on the living room.”


“You have painters coming right? No ladders?” She did an amazing job in her room, but the living room was too big a job for her alone. The thought of Katharine on such a tall ladder made me nervous—especially if I was going to be out of town.


“I have professionals coming in, Richard. It’ll be finished in two days. You’ll miss all the fun.”


“What a shame.”She stood up, brushing off her pants. “I’ll help you pack. I need to change the bedding and move my things back.”


The word was out before I could stop it. “Don’t.”


“What?”


“Sleep in my room while I’m gone. Don’t worry about the laundry. You have enough to do.”


She chewed the inside of her cheek. “And tonight?”


“We share again.”


“I . . .”


I took her hand. “It makes sense. Saves you some work.”


A mischievous grin curled her lips. “You’re a snuggler. You like to snuggle with me!”


I scoffed. “I’m simply being practical.”


“Admit it, and I’ll sleep with you.”I arched my eyebrow. “You want to rephrase that?”


“Oh, I—”


There it was—the flush that amused me. It bloomed on her chest and stained her cheeks. She pushed at my arm, teasing. “Admit it, and I’ll sleep in your bed while you’re gone.”


“And tonight?”


The flush deepened.


“Yes.”


I bent down, brushing my mouth across her cheek over to her ear. “I like snuggling with you. You’re all warm and you smell good.”


It was the truth. I had woken up again this morning with my body wrapped around hers. I was rested and relaxed; even if I had to deal with the after effects of her soft figure pressed to mine.


She brushed past me. “Fine. If that’swhat you want.”


I grinned. It was, in fact, exactly what I wanted.

CHAPTER 22
RICHARD


KATHARINE WAS QUIET THE REST of the evening. The rain came and went, eventually easing off around midnight. Jenna sensed the turmoil in the air and tried to be discreet. At one point, she asked me if Katharine was all right.


“We, ah, had a disagreement,” I admitted. Couples argued; my response—it seemed probable.


“Because of what happened earlier?”


“Yes.” I didn’t tell her to which earlier occurrence it pertained. I let her think it was what happened with Penny.


“Do you want me to leave?”


“No, it’s fine.”


“Don’t go to bed angry. Talk it out,” she encouraged. “I’ll head up soon and give you some privacy.”


Unsure how else to respond, I nodded. I had no idea what to say to Katharine, but as soon as Jenna went upstairs, she followed. I waited a while, shut off the TV, and joined her in my bedroom. She was already in bed, curled up and close to the edge. I got ready and slipped in behind her small, warm body. I hesitated, then reached over, tugging her back to my torso.


“Don’t be angry with me.”


“I’m not, just sad.” She sighed.


“I can’t change who I am.”


She rolled in the dark to face me. “I think in some ways you have changed.”


“Maybe,” I admitted. “Still, it doesn’t change how I feel about certain things—children and love are two of them.”


“Everything is black and white with you.”“It has to be. It’s how I deal with life.”


“You miss so much.”


I trailed my finger down her cheek, touching the softness of her skin in the dark. A trace of dampness lingered, and I knew she’d been crying. It bothered me, thinking of her lying there, upset.


“Katharine,” I began.


“What?” she whispered.


“I know this got bigger and more complex. I know you’re a better person than I am, and it bothers you. I didn’t expect the Gavins to be part of our life outside the office. I hadn’t planned on meeting Penny and being fond of her. There isn’t anything we can do about that now except go with the flow. I can’t change my outlook because it’s what I believe. There is something you’re wrong about, however.”


“What is that?”


I cupped her cheek, bringing her faceclose to mine. “I don’t dislike you. Far from it. I regret every nasty word, every lousy fucking errand I sent you on, and every dirty job I got you to do. I think you’re incredibly brave to have agreed to do this with me, and the reasons you did it are astonishing to me. You are selfless and kind, and the fact you’ve become so important to me is a testament to how special you are.”


Hot tears ran down her face. I groaned, unable to handle more emotion today. “Jeez, woman.” I growled playfully. “I try to be nice and you cry. I give up. I’ll go back to being a jerk.”


She patted my hand. “No, it’s fine. I’ll stop.” She sniffed. “That was unexpected. That’s all.”


“I’m trying to apologize.”


She lifted her face, brushing her mouth to mine. “Accepted.”


I buried my hands in her hair, holding her close. I pressed my mouth to hers,wanting to taste her once more. She responded with a low sigh, her breath drifting over my face. Long moments passed as our lips moved together, tongues touched and teased. Desire built, slow and heavy, and my body hummed with need. With a moan, I drew back, staring down at her. Her lips were swollen, her breathing fast. I traced her bottom lip with my finger.


“Katharine,” I murmured in a husky voice as I ran my hand up her bare leg.


She lifted her head, and just as her mouth met mine, we heard it. A crack of unexpected thunder followed by a crash in the guest room and a loud yell.


I groaned, dropping my head to her shoulder. “Fucking Jenna, again.”


She huffed out a huge exhale of air. “Well, hell. I think she broke my damn lamp. I liked that lamp.”


I began to laugh at her rare colorful statement. I rolled off her, throwing an armover my face. “Go see what your friend has done now.”


She slid out of bed, hesitating. The dim moonlight behind her highlighted her silhouette through her wispy nightgown. She had filled out a little, her body softening with curves. With her hair tumbled over her shoulders, her eyes wide with desire, she looked sexy. Sexy as hell, in fact.


“Go.” I growled. “If you don’t, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”


Pivoting, she hurried to the door.


“Katharine,” I called.


She turned, her hand resting on the doorknob.


I gentled my voice. “If the lamp is broken, I’ll buy you a new one.”


Her smile was brilliant. “Okay.”


I flopped back on the bed.


What the hell was I doing? That wastwice today I had wanted to Bleep her thoroughly—the woman I once wanted out of my life. Now, she was all around me. In every aspect of my life. In my bed.


The strangest part? I didn’t mind any of it.

Started a new story, check it out Sterling shores please. You would enjoy it and thank me later.

"You're already sitting down. We came to talk, and you'll have to talk louder if you sit over there. Just stay where you're at. I don't bite."


Cynthia, a waitress, walks up to take our order, interrupting whatever argument I might have had. We both order, and Cynthia offers her wink of approval when she misconstrues the situation. Now even more people are going to think we're dating. I try to think of how to broach the topic of our gossip issues.


"Um... Kade?"


"Yeah," he says distractedly, keeping his eyes focused on the TV and the game. "You ready to spill?"


Spill? Spill what? I tense up. Surely he doesn't think I started these rumors. Is that what he means?


"What do you mean?"


"I mean about you. How'd you end up here?"I almost feel my body visibly relaxing. He doesn't know yet. Wait. He's asking about me?


"I've lived beside you since the semester started, and you're just now curious?"


"You lived beside me, now you're living with me. Yes, now I'm curious."


Fair enough.


His smartass remark is followed by a daring grin that is too charming to stare at for too long. I refuse to dissolve like an idiot for the guy who has more money than manners.


"I grew up in Utah, wanted a good education and a fresh start, made good grades, got great scholarships, and came here. End of story."


His grin only grows as he turns to face me, finally peeling his eyes away from the TV sportscast.


"I doubt that. There's no way that's thewhole story. Why did you need a fresh start?"


Because Ray Capperton was really Ray Drivel - conman extraordinaire. I was trash that no one would take seriously all because my father went to prison for swindling millions of dollars we never knew he had. I went from a decent home to a dilapidating trailer in less than a week after the FBI stormed our small town and caused a hellacious scene. Yeah... Probably shouldn't tell him that.


"I just wanted to branch out... spread my wings. How about you?"


Definitely a better answer.


"Simple," he says, shrugging. "My family lives nearby. I didn't want to branch out. My Granddad doesn't have a lot of time left. I wanted to be near to him."


Crap. Now I'm dissolving. He's not supposed to have any redeeming qualities.


His arm slips to be on top of the booth'sback, just behind my shoulders. I only pray he doesn't notice that movement made me shiver and tense in one breath.


Cynthia brings our coffees over to the table, smiling and winking at me once again. Kade doesn't notice, thank God. This is so bad. He's going to freak out when he finds out.


"So, do you have a boyfriend? I'd like to know when to make myself scarce. I definitely don't want to hear crazy sounds in the middle of the night."


His teasing grin makes me blush, but I roll my eyes instead of shying away the way he most likely expects me to. A bitter snort sneaks out unbidden, but I straighten up and try to recover, hoping he didn't notice.


"No. No crazy sex sounds will be waking you in the middle of the night."


He smiles bigger, drawing me into a mesmerized trance when my eyes fixate on his damned perfect lips. A sliver of silver inside his mouth catches my eye when he draws his cup up to his lips, but I don't study it for fear I look like a fool staring at his frigging mouth... again.


I start sipping my coffee when I manage to rip my eyes away from him and his dangerously perfect mouth that makes all the wrong things heat up.


"So, you're a virgin?" he asks, making me spew and sputter my coffee all over the table.


Several people stop what they're doing to turn their attention to me. I can't believe he just asked that.


I expect him to laugh, but an amused grin plays on his lips as he studies me, watching me intently, waiting on me to answer. I don't have to answer that. It's far too personal.


"No," I manage to blurt out while coughing, drawing a little more unwanted attention my way.His amusement never falters. His gaze burns through me, as if he expects me to elaborate. Boundaries. These damn people need boundaries.


"So no boyfriend, but you're not a virgin?" he prods, seeming to delight in this terribly awkward conversation.


I take a calm, steadying breath. I'm eighteen - almost nineteen. I can have a mature conversation about this, even if it is incredibly inappropriate. I'm not giving this jerk another excuse to look down on me.


"I had a boyfriend, but we broke up."


Simple, explanatory, but not graphically detailed. See? Mature.


I don't have to tell him that all three times we had sex were terrible. Personally, I learned sex is highly overrated. I see no point in reliving the worst six minutes of my life... total. I don't get the appeal. Maybe I'm broken, but I think people are weird for loving it. It's more exciting to do everything leading up to sex. The actual finale is less than climatic. It's a letdown.


"Why'd you break up?"


I really don't like this conversation. Too many memories are attached to the questions he's asking.


"Because things didn't work out. That's why most people break up." I'm hoping my clipped tone is enough to halt his inquiry. No such luck. The gleam in his eyes lets me know it's not over.


"So you left him after he took your virginity?"


"No, I left him after he took my best friend's virginity."


That snarky comment flies out of my mouth before I can stop it. I almost want to look around for the filter that had to have fallen off my usually tight lips.


"Oh," he mouths, letting his amusement fall from his eyes. "Sorry." I shrug, trying not to act as though I care. "It happens. It's not like you knew, so don't apologize for that. If you feel a need to be remorseful, then apologize for keeping me up so many nights when I had a test the next day."


His eyebrows shoot up and he strangles on his coffee for no real apparent reason. What'd I miss?


A rumbling laughter falls through his lips when he finally manages to free his lungs of the intrusive liquid, and he brings his arm out from behind me while shaking his head.


"What?" I ask, confused.


"Just how exactly did I keep you up, Raya?" he asks, seeming teasing, but I don't know why.


Yep. I'm stupid. I get books, but I'm slow when it comes to jokes. My cheeks flare up with heat, and I shake my head when I finally find the meaning behind hismockery.


"Not what I meant. I meant your parties kept me up."


"You've never been to a party," he says, shifting from humorous to serious. "Why?"


"Well, I wasn't invited for one, but also because I'm on scholarship. I'm not here to play. I'm here to change my life."


"You lived next door. An invite wasn't necessary, and I like to believe you can do both. Partying in moderation is good for the clogged mind. I drink, I play, and then I work just as hard. I think tomorrow will be damn good for you."


I dread it with everything in me.


"What're your plans for tonight?" he asks while tilting his coffee to his lips, drawing my attention to the silver again. Is that a... tongue ring? Mr. Ritzy has a tongue ring? No. Surely not.


Look away, Raya. Look. Away. "Um... study?" I ask, rather than state. Now I'm nervous. How did he turn me into a pitiful nervous fool? I hate him. Hate. Him.


Telling myself I hate him isn't helping.


"Change your mind and go with me to Silk tonight. It's a club that's only open to the public once a month. Tonight's the 'once a month.' It'll be packed, and it'll be fun. No offense, but you need fun."


No offense? I'm very offended... I think.


"I need a scholarship to stay in school, so if I go to the club and the party tomorrow, I won't have very much study time this weekend. I need to maintain my GPA. Maybe some other time."


He frowns, which is just as confusing as he's been all day.


"Fine. Rain-check. You ready?" he asks, standing up with his coffee in tow.


Cynthia runs over to take his card as I fish out my money from my pocket."I've got it," he says. "I invited you."


I want to object, but even though I ordered the cheapest coffee they have - plain with a touch of cream - I still don't have five dollars to spend on that single cup. If he's offering to pay, I really need to let him. Gah, I feel like a mooch now. I need a new job.


I notice a few eyes on us. There's a group of people who've been bashing me waving at him. I look away, but his arm comes to rest over my shoulders again as he nods in acknowledgment and offers them a smile.


Why does he keep touching me? It's-


"Kade!" one guy yells, chuckling. "You shittin' me?"


Oh no. The color drains from my face. He's about to say something. The moment I've been dreading is here.


"Huh?" Kade asks, seeming confused.


The guy grunts when he takes a hardelbow to the ribs by another guy, and Kade looks to me and shrugs before leading me through the doors with his arm still draped around me.


He has no idea what he's just done. He shouldn't have touched me in front of them. Now more people will think he and I are together, and when it blows up, something tells me I'll be humiliated.

"S-sorry," he stammers out, sounding a little panicked as he rushes to jerk me to my feet. In his haste, he almost jerks my arm out of socket.


Sorry? Really?


He scrambles to start scooping all my stuff up and push it back into my bag, while I stand there stupefied. What's going on?


When he finishes the task of reassembling my backpack, he frantically starts trying to fix my destroyed zipper.


"Bleep," he growls when he's unable to make it work. "I'll buy you a new one," he says while standing up and carefully handing it to me without letting the sides fall open.


I warily accept it, still waiting on some major blow up. Should I look around to see if this is the distraction before the ambush?


It's then I notice his black and swollen eye - the reason he's hiding under a hat. An involuntary smile tugs at my lips. Thisasshole has apparently tried bullying the wrong person at some point and time. Serves him right.


"I'll get my own backpack," I mutter as his trembling hands release the bag. "I'd hate to end up with a backpack full of snakes or something."


He doesn't say anything else before almost sprinting away from me. I'll add that to the list of bizarre things that have happened today. Most people have gawked at me, but no one has really taunted me. The group of girls who've been calling me "Daddy's dirty little secret" for several days have all but disappeared today.


Either they've resorted to hushed whispers, or my prayers for a bigger scandal have been answered. I'll gladly let them talk behind my back. There's no one here I'm trying to impress. As long as they leave me alone, they can ruin my name in this state.


"What happened?" Kade growls when he walks up beside me, his eyes on my bag.


I jump a little from the unexpected suddenness of his presence. "Nothing. Joseph ran over me, my bag fell and broke open."


I shrug, trying not to seem rattled. I'm still humiliated for letting him see me fall apart yesterday. I should be seething over the fact he threw me in the pool, but sadly, I'm almost glad he did. I would have probably left and been homeless if he hadn't.


He lets a snort of disbelief free, and then his eyes scour the grounds for something. I tilt my head, curious as to what he's searching for.


"Looking for someone?"


"Yeah. I'll catch up with you later."


He's gone before I can say anything more than that. It's not like it matters. He's so... confusing. He tosses me in a pool and then avoids me. Then he shows up at random to ask about my broken backpack before disappearing again. I wish he'd make up his mind about whether he hated me or tolerated me.


"Hey," a voice says, startling me.


I turn to see a girl with braided pigtails and a secretive grin. Here it comes. I should have knocked on wood or something. I jinxed myself by thinking they'd moved on from torturing me.


"Go ahead. Say whatever you want. I've heard it all," I mumble while turning away.


She jogs up beside me, and I chance glancing at her to see a frown instead of her earlier smirk.


"I wasn't going to say anything. Believe me, I know what it's like to be the brunt of a joke."


That stops me. I give her my full attention, while trying to keep from dropping my gaping backpack."Then what do you want?" I ask, unable to keep the disbelieving suspicion out of my tone.


She fidgets awkwardly and twirls one of her pigtails for a second.


"I was going to see if I could maybe come to the party tomorrow? I don't usually get invited, and I know you don't have a lot of friends, so... I don't know. I thought we could possibly help each other out."


I study her, waiting for this pretty girl with perfect hair and crisp blue eyes to lead me into a trap.


"Why don't you usually get invited?"


"Because I'm not a rich brat with big connections. That's all Kade invites."


Of course he does. He's a snob.


"It's not my party. I don't exactly have the right to invite anyone."


I turn to walk away, but she jogs up beside me again. "No, but since you're dating Kade now, I thought-"


"Whoa. Wait. What?" I interrupt, feeling my shock fall out with the words.


She tilts her head, suddenly seeming uncertain about whether or not she should continue.


"You're dating Kade, right? Not his father? It's all over campus. The rumor is that you and Kade got together before the bulldozer incident and that's why his father moved you in with Kade. Then Kade bought you a bunch of clothes because all of yours were ruined in the wreckage and he felt responsible. You didn't want to accept them, but he forced you to. I thought... You're not dating?"


A harsh breath falls out in the form of laughter. I don't know why I'm laughing. I suppose it's because it's so ridiculous.


"Kade Colton? You seriously think I'm dating Kade? He hates me most of the time, and he barely speaks to me the rest. Why on earth would you think I'm dating him?"


She looks over her shoulder before tugging me at my elbow and leading me away from any prying ears.


"You need to let people believe it. It's the only reason they've backed off. If you go around proclaiming the truth, then they'll start back up. It's not as scandalous for a rich guy to be taking care of his girlfriend after a bunch of jerks wrecked her house. It is scandalous to be the mistress of his father. And you're nothing more than a punch-line if they think Kade and his father simply feel sorry for the poor girl without another option."


I swallow hard. Shit. That's why today has been less brutal. For some reason, these idiots think I'm dating Kade.


"I'm not a damn mistress," I hiss.


I don't bother denying the charity case accusation, because in all actuality, that's basically what I am. My pride can't compete with reality. I'd have to leave school and return to Utah if I moved out.


"Well, I'm sure Kade will quickly refute that rumor soon enough. As in the second he hears it," I add, groaning inwardly.


I grip my head. My day was nice, and now I learn it was a mere misunderstanding. Damn it!


"Surely he's already heard it by now," she says in a low whisper.


I start to walk off, but I stop myself. This party tomorrow will surely tip everyone off to the truth when they see how very much we're not in a relationship. It might not be a bad idea to have at least one ally.


"Come tomorrow night," I say to the only person who's been nice to me since I've been here.


She squeals in delight before grabbing my phone from my back pocket. I jerk a little from the unexpected touch as she starts pounding away on my keys. Onething I've learned... my small town respected personal space, but this place has no boundaries.


I've had my ass grabbed, groped, and mauled numerous times by men and women. Most of it has been innocent, but for Christ's sake, couldn't someone simply warn me before they touch me?


"My name is Ember, and now you have my number," she says while handing me back my phone. My hands are full, so she simply slides it back into my back pocket. At least I had warning this time.


She runs off before asking my name. Who am I kidding? Everyone here apparently knows my name.


A warm arm wraps around my shoulders as a body sidles up close to me, forcing my head to snap to the right to see who's touching me this time. Kade?


"I'm back. Let's go grab some coffee. I'm bored." I look around, somewhat curious if he's mistaken me for someone else. The only things I notice are the numerous pairs of eyes on us.


"Why would you want to get coffee? With me?"


He chuckles at my question while steering me toward his flashy Mercedes that is parked at the curb. Another one of his vehicles. His four-car garage hosts his nice selection.


"It's coffee, Raya. We live together, so we might as well get to know each other. It'll make it less awkward. Coffee is a start."


As we near his vehicle, I decide to capitalize on this rare moment of civility.


"I invited someone to your party. Is that okay?"


He tenses beside me, and his steps catch small lulls, as if I just caught him off guard.


"Care if I ask who?" It's like he's trying to sound casual, but it's forced. Have I just ruined the chance for us to try and get along by inviting someone who is poor like me? Well screw him.


"Her name is Ember. She's not exactly one of your socialite elites, but she was nice-"


"That's fine," he interrupts, sounding truly relaxed now.


Damn, he's moody.


He holds the door for me, and I climb in, refusing to entertain all the eyes on us with a glance. Kade's going to flip the hell out when he finds out that my rumors have now bled onto him. This small window of civility will be slammed shut, and he'll probably even join in on the next heckle-Raya session.


"Don't you work at the coffee place?" he asks, drawing me out of my miserable thoughts.


"I did," I mutter with a scowl. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at the road ahead.


"O...kay. Anything you'd like to share?"


Should I tell the rich brat I was fired when I could barely reach above my head for three days? The bruises were so severe that it hurt when I tried to stock the cabinets. After two days, Mr. Grady, the owner, decided he didn't have the time to wait on me to heal. He fired me, using the excuse he needed a full-time employ instead.


"Not really," I mumble, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing I lost my job because of his stupid partiers.


"Do you need a job? My granddad has a-"


"I don't need one right now. I have my monthly scholarship money. It's from my town church. They always pick a senior every year with good grades to give a scholarship, and they pay it in installments. I'll be fine until I can find something." Since I'm not paying rent. He doesn't say anything. I'm sure he doesn't even know how hard someone has to work to earn a scholarship. I wrote essays, sent test scores, and filled out countless forms while submitting for all the scholarship money I could.


My mom would never have been able to afford college for me, I won't take Dad's money for fear of where he got it, and I didn't qualify for a student loan. My only option was a scholarship. So I spent night after night doing all the legwork while working at the local diner and saving up every penny I could. It wasn't until I got here that I realized how much more the cost of living is. For a smart girl, I made one hell of a stupid mistake.


We turn into the coffee shop, and I sigh in relief when I don't see the owner's car. I'm happy to not have to deal with Mr. Grady.


"You cool?" he asks, stepping out of the car as my eyes scour the lot.


"Yeah."


I hop out, trying not to seem affected, and he waits for me to pass in front of him before he places his hand at the small of my back. What is with people here and touching? Is it so much to ask for everyone to keep their hands to themselves if they don't know me.


I start to comment on it, when he removes his hand and opens the door for me. The second I see a couple sliding out of a booth, I make quick strides to snatch it up. I hate tables. I love the booths.


I expect Kade to slide in across from me, but instead, he slides in right next to me, forcing me to scoot over more.


"TV's up there," he says by way of explanation.


"Then I'll sit over there," I murmur, nudging him to move.

CHAPTER 3
A Little Too Close


  



I've spent a week in Kade's home. Despite the fact we live in the same house, we barely run into each other. And when we do, he always makes a hasty exit, avoiding me like I've got some infectious disease. He hasn't had any raging parties. Of course I'm sure that has something to do with the fact he'd have to ask for my permission - due to his punishment - and he won't do that.


Just as I reach the main building, I see him. I never see him at school.


He takes a drag off a cigarette while getting flogged by the numerous eager followers who seem to worship his every word. I hear gushing about a new party as people beg for some excitement.


This college was supposed to be different. It's Ivy League, but it's newer, and even though it's not far from the beach, this area is rather dull. I expected all the rich brats to be at Harvard or Yale, where their alumni parents went. They weren't supposed to be here.


This is the whole reason I chose this place. Out of all the scholarship offers I had, this was the most promising, and it's close to my father. I expected more people like me - people who value education over pedigree and partying rights. I was wrong.


This is just as bad as any other preppy choice I could have made. Most of them want to start their own legacy, and there are a lot of rebels who feel like coming here was a way to stand up to their parents. Just what I need.


"Nice clothes, Princess," a guy says as he sidles up beside me. "I take it Kade's daddy is making you his project or his toy. Which is it?"


My cheeks flame. This isn't the first time I've endured these remarks this week. I've been accused of screwing Kade's father so many times that I don't ever think I can face the man again. The ones not referring to me as a mistress are calling me a charity case.


Kade glances up just as I start in, and he flicks his cigarette to the ground before casting his eyes toward the guy heckling me.


"Joseph," Kade calls, seeming bored as he walks over to my harasser. Figures he knows him. He's probably the one feeding them this bullshit.


The guy chuckles and jogs toward Kade, leaving me to the next attacker, whenever they come. I'm sure it won't take long.


  



My head is still reeling from calculus when I step out of class, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. During class, several snickering fools called me a few choice names. The professor finally had to put a stop to it. I need to call Mr. Colton and tell him this arrangement won't work. I also need to go buy cheap clothes.


Tears have been on the edge of my lids all day, but I've been refusing to let them fall. I won't let these assholes see me cry. They might be rich and cruel, but I was raised too stubborn to crumble. I'd already acquired a few extra layers of skin back home, where the trailer park girl wasn't exactly popular at school. This isn't anything new. There are just more people here to torture me.


"Hey," a velvety voice says as feet thud behind me.


I ignore the familiar sound. I can't let him see the glistening specks in my eyes. The tears aren't falling, but they're there.


"Raya," he says, making me cringe. Why does my name sound so foreign yet so warm when it slides through his lips?


"What?" I ask, grimacing when the word comes out in a choked form. "Shit. What happened?" His mock concern forces me to roll my eyes. The tears slink back enough for me to face him.


"Nothing. You'll be pleased to know I'm calling your father today to apologize for going back on the deal I made with him. You win. I give up. Call off the hellhounds. I'm waving the fucking white flag."


My voice starts cracking too much, and I take a steadying breath before deciding I can't face any more school today. I almost break into a run in an effort to escape him, but he grabs my arm and pulls me back.


"I didn't do this, and you can't call my father. He'll come to the school and raise hell if he finds out this is happening, and you'll have an even bigger target it on your back. What did you expect to happen? You'd move in and no one would say anything? That's not the way it works."


"So it's my fault they want to call me a slut and a charity case? Nice. Real fucking nice," I say in a deadly calm tone before walking away again, ripping free from his grip.


"Damn it, Raya! Stop. If you have me chasing you across campus they'll talk even more."


"Then stop chasing me. I'll just move out without calling your father."


I don't turn around to see if he stops, but I never hear him arguing anymore, so I assume he has. I cross the road without even looking, and a horn blows loudly as tires screech. I never even bother lifting my head. I hate this. It's high school all over again. This was supposed to be a new beginning, a new life - a life where I wasn't the trailer-park girl.


I sling my backpack across the room the second I reach the upstairs suite. I don't care about the small crack I just made in the sheetrock. It's as though I'm not allowed to catch a break. I'm not supposed to just have one frigging thing go my way.


It's not like I can call my mom and gripe. She feels so guilty about so many things already, even though she shouldn't. I can't call my Dad's family, they'd do something incredibly illegal, like hack the files of everyone hassling me and give them failing grades. I can't call my best friend, considering she and my ex-boyfriend got together the second I moved out here. I have no one, and now I barely have myself. This is not how everything was supposed to go.


I start shoving different things into my bag, bypassing the new fancy clothes I should have never agreed to accept, when the door slams.


"Raya!" Kade blares, making me jump.


How dare he yell at me.


I hear quick strides bringing him up the staircase, and I rush over to shut the door before he can see the tears that have started to fall. Before it can seal, I'm being thrown back as he barges into the room.


"You can't let them win. If you do, you'll be their doormat for the rest of the year. Possibly the rest of your college existence. You're a freshman, so that's not going to work out so well for you."


The hard edge to his tone isn't fair. He doesn't have the right to be mad at me or to speak to me like this is my fault.


"Go to hell, Kade. Maybe you shouldn't have told them to ridicule me if you didn't want your daddy to be pissed."


I sniffle and wipe my nose as more of my traitorous tears fall. He grinds his teeth before walking over to my bed and dumping out the bag I just finished packing with all my insulation-laced clothing. I'll itch to death before I wear that fancy shit again.


"Get your ass up and grow the hell up. Get over it, Raya. You're a poor girl who landed herself a spot in a rich house. People are going to talk. The only thing you can do is show them they're wrong. I've already spread the word that there will be a party Saturday. They'll start easing off you. Show up, drink, have fun... be a normal teenage girl."


I let out an incredulous laugh while dropping my head. "You're such an idiot. I won't be here in five minutes, let alone on Saturday. I'll live in the laundromat before I stay here for one more second."


He cracks his neck to the side before jerking me by the arm and dragging me out of the room. I stumble as I fight against him, calling him a string of names - none of which really make any sense.


"What the hell are you doing?" I bark.


"Keeping you from being a dumbass."


When I plant my feet and force my body to the ground, he leans over and scoops me over his shoulder. I squeal and scream as I beat his back ineffectively, probably hurting my fists more than his hard body.


I feel the air, the breeze, and the pool in one gust. I gasp for air, only to find a choking amount of water as I scramble to the surface, swatting my arms through the thick chlorine-filled beast that is burning my open eyes. That son of a bitch!


I choke and spit in a heaving fit when I finally find air again.


"Cool off," he says with a smirk. "When you get out, go grab a shower, eat something, and get some rest. Things will be different tomorrow."


If I wasn't still coughing up all the intrusive water in my lungs, I'd scream at him. He walks away before I can manage to recover, and I lose my opportunity.


I know I look like a fool trying to haul myself over the edge of the pool, but I do it. I lie there for a minute, trying to catch my breath, but I finally manage to stand up and stalk through the house, ready to unleash hell. He's gone. That coward has run off after throwing me in the pool.


One of his cars is gone, his backpack is still tossed against the wall of the foyer, and there's no chance of me berating him before I leave.


Reality slowly creeps in. I have nowhere to go. I have no money to get another place right now. One of my scholarships comes in monthly installments, but I won't get it for another two weeks, and it'll only be three-hundred dollars. What the hell am I supposed to do if I leave?


Without another thought, I walk outside, step to the edge of the pool, and let myself fall back in.


  



Kade has done well to avoid me since our confrontation yesterday. Since I really had no other option, I decided to stay. Once the fury had worn off and the dire reality of my circumstances set in, I begrudgingly accepted my one and only option - live with Kade and endure the mockery.


Maybe I'll get lucky and some scandal will sweep the school and steal the spotlight from me. Tomorrow he's having a party. I never agreed to that, but I'm not calling Mr. Colton to tattle. I doubt I'll ever speak to the man again.


As soon as I leave my last class, I see the guy who harassed me in front of Kade yesterday. His hat is drawn so low I can't see his eyes, but you never forget those who love to torture you. Their image is always burned into your brain.


He runs all over me before I can sidestep his path, and my backpack falls from my shoulder. I curse when the zipper strips and all my shit spills out onto the ground. So now he's resorted to physical contact to humiliate me as well. Perfect. I almost made it through a whole day without anyone spewing their lies or taunts.

I start reaching for strings or laces or whatever they're called, but I can't get the knots undone. She walks out, abandoning me, and I start wheezing and straining harder. I've worn stuff similar to this on Halloween, but damn, this is the real deal. You could shift the placement of organs with this sadistic contraption.


"Help," I wheeze out, still struggling to undo the knot.


"Raya?" Kade's voice sounds out.


As much as I'd really rather wait on anyone - and I do mean anyone - else, it's either him or passing out.


"Can't breathe," I strain out again, and the door flies open.


He bursts out laughing when he sees what's going on, and then he shakes his head while coming to stand behind me. I need air more than I need dignity right now.


He pushes my hair to be over my shoulder, and I shiver when his hand touches my bare skin.


"Don't move," he says, still laughing as his deft fingers go to work.He manages to loosen it up enough for me to catch the first breath of air, and I actually cough on the abundance of it.


"Don't ever let Sarah lace you up. She's got a nasty habit of making girls with curves pay."


"Holy shit," I cough out, feeling more relief when he loosens it higher, slowly separating all the laces. "It's not like I'm obese," I growl, finding anger when my panic dissolves.


"No," he says, seeming distracted. "Not even close."


I look up to the mirror to catch his eyes intensely focused on my lower back. His fingers have stopped unlacing the corset, and now his hands are gently placed on my hips as he examines something.


"Is this from the roof collapsing?" he asks, motioning to something I can't see.


"Is it another bruise?" "It's a massive bruise," he huffs out, seeming to curse under his breath.


"Yeah. I've got them all over me."


It's then his eyes move to my shoulders where I've got several nasty ones. He lifts my hair up to start inspecting them as well. The heat from his breath caresses the skin of my neck, making me squirm. Uh-oh. No. I refuse to be turned on by this asshole. Not happening. No way.


I hold the corset to me as I step out of his grasp, and he lets his hands fall to his sides.


"They said you didn't get hurt," he murmurs, showing humanity flicker in his eyes for the first time.


"I didn't suffer anything major," I say while shrugging. "But when a roof collapses on you, it still tends to leave a mark. Thanks for the help, but I need to get redressed."


He hesitates to move at first, and his eyes fall to my chest. Fortunately, I have it very covered up.


"How much longer will you be?" he asks, letting his eyes come back up to meet mine.


"I'm done. I don't want this thing, and I don't really need the dresses. I don't go anywhere that I would need to wear something like that. Just the regular clothes for me."


"And the swimsuits," he adds, pointing toward the rack.


"No. I don't feel like swimming. Not my thing. Besides, I'd look like a punching bag with all these," I say, motioning to some of the bruises around my shoulders.


He frowns again, but walks out. I opt to go ahead and put on some of the jeans. It's hot as hell today, but there are too many bruises on my legs to wear shorts.


I slip into a shirt with quarter-length sleeves as I walk out holding a few of the items and the underwear I picked out. This will be enough. It's a week's worth of clothes. Once I get paid, I can go buy some more things from the cheaper stores.


Kade is leaned over the counter talking to the girl who showed me in. She's giggling and nodding, which forces me to roll my eyes. I plop down some of the stuff, carefully keeping the panties and bras tucked under the clothes.


"Is that all you're getting?" Kade asks, seeming confused.


"Yeah. And what I'm wearing," I say, motioning to the t-shirt and jeans I've got on.


The girl frowns when she sees the small selection, and Kade disappears. "Hurry up and ring out the underwear before he gets back," I whisper, causing her eyebrow to lift.


"Kade said his father gave you his card to get all you needed."


"This is all I need. More than I need. Please hurry." She turns her nose up in disappointment as she rings it up, seeming to sigh every two seconds. "Add this to it," Kade says as he and two other girls put mounds of clothes on the top.


The girl behind the register gleams as she starts adding it in.


"What are you doing?" I whisper, scolding him with my eyes more than my voice.


He shrugs, seeming bored again. "I know my father better than you. He'd make me bring you back, and I've got shit to do today."


And he's back to being a dickhead. Great.


"I don't want all this."


"Too bad."


My mouth tries to fall to the floor when the giddy girl announces the ungodly price, but Kade pulls the credit card from my back pocket and hands it to her, acting as though she didn't ring out two new vehicles instead of some clothes.


"It's his store, Raya. It's not like he's not getting it all back," Kade chuckles out.


Why even pay at all?


He pushes my jaw back into place with his finger, and then he leans over me to take the card back from the girl.


"Let's go," he says, scooping up all my bags.


Some of the girls help carry out the bags, too, and Kade loads down the small trunk area. I reach in and grab some sunglasses from one of the bags. I don't know who put them in there, but I'm thankful because the sun is blinding me.


When Kade shuts the trunk, he surprises me by walking over to open my door.


"Come on," he urges impatiently.


The girls stare at us... Well, they stare at him. I get in, still dumbfounded by his oneredeeming act of the day. Once my legs are safely tucked inside, he shuts the door, gives the swooning girls a wink, and then glides to his side of the car. Great. He even walks sexy. I wish I was still blinded by my fury enough to have not noticed that. He had to go and help me out of my corset and then open the door for me.


Silently, I start remembering all the reasons I've hated him over the past few months. Sleep deprivation. He's caused me to struggle many times on a test because of his obnoxious partying. I focus on that instead of the two acts of kindness.


"When's your next doctor's appointment?" he asks, surprising me again when he starts down the road.


"Um... I don't think there's going to be one. Since it was just some heavy bruising."


I don't know why I suddenly feel nervous. Damn it. I need my fury back. Do something bastard-like! "What?" He seems ill, almost as if he's shocked my bruises don't need a follow-up appointment.


"Like I said, no major injuries. No need for a second visit."


He grips the steering wheel as his jaw clenches together. Then he turns on the road that will lead us back to his home. I really wish Mr. Colton hadn't made me shake his hand on that second deal. It's as if he knew I was loyal to my word. I should have held out for Kade's counter offer. I'd already be out of this awkwardness.


Fortunately for me, he never says anything else. Instead, he hops out of the car, seeming angry for reasons unbeknownst to me. I struggle between my two options - keep my mouth shut or ask him what's wrong. I keep my mouth shut.


Carrying all my bags at once, he heads into the house, leaving me outside with all the uncertainty of what just happened. Hot and cold. I like him pissing me off. It's easy to hate the rich jerk when he's actually being a jerk.

"Because I'm not supposed to touch that money. It's part of my trust, but I became eligible to use it when I turned twenty-one. My grandfather has requested I keep it locked up until I finish college. I respect him, so if he asks me not to do something, I try to oblige. In this case, I think he'd agree it was worth touching my trust."


Am I that frigging bad?


"I can't do that," I mumble, looking out at the passing scenery.


"Why? It's basically the same deal my father made you." The hard edge to his tone doesn't go unnoticed. He's such a condescending dick.


"Your father worried you'd do this, so he made me a deal I couldn't refuse when I rode with him to your house."


I swallow hard, recanting that impromptu proposition.


"What was it?" he asks, gripping the steering wheel tighter.


"He said if I stayed until the start of next semester, he'd buy me a home after I graduate college, too. Wherever I choose. It's not exactly something I can afford to pass up. Not all of us have a trust."


"Well, hell. I'll buy you a home after you graduate. There. Problem solved."


"I already gave him my word. To some people, that means something. You had three days to try and make this right. You didn't want to, and now your father has been too nice to me to screw him over."


"Make it right?" he asks, laughing incredulously. "I didn't bulldoze your house. The frat boys, who I didn't even invite, did it. Why the hell am I being tortured? Because my family has the most money, that's why. You see dollar signs, Cherry. That's it."


"My name isn't Cherry. It's Raya. And no, that's not it. You're an inconsiderate son ofa bitch who has never once given a damn about anyone other than yourself and what you want to do."


I hadn't meant to go all crazy-rant-girl on him, but I'm sick of him and everyone like him. Entitled pricks have done nothing but piss me off since I came to California. Sterling Shore, though beautiful, is loaded with nothing but money-hungry people who judge you after two seconds. All they need to know is your parents are nobodies with no money, and then you're blacklisted.


"Tell me how you really feel. Don't hold back on my account, even though you don't know the first damn thing about me," he sardonically mumbles.


I roll my eyes. "I know all I need to."


You're rich, arrogant, and shallow. What more is there to know?


He pulls into a parking lot, squeals to a stop, and hops out before I even get unbuckled. I stare up at the enormous store as I climb out, trying not to let my mouth flap agape. Shit. I didn't realize Mr. Colton was Paul Colton, owner of the most coveted fashion line. I'm way out of my depth here.


I swallow hard, wondering how in the hell I'm going to be able to fit into any of these clothes. I've seen his models on TV. They eat air for breakfast and ice for lunch. There's no way.


Before I got here, I thought a size four was a good size. And then I saw the natives wearing a size negative-triple-zero, or something crazy like that. The girls here look like walking beanpoles. I never had a problem with my curves or my chest until this place. It's amazing that big chests have been popular forever, but the second my breasts fill out, small chests come into style. My luck. Go figure.


I'll bust a seam in anything this store has to offer. Something tells me Kade is going to revel in my humiliation. When I walk inside, I'm met with a smiling woman with bright eyes. "You must be Raya. Mr. Colton called to tell me you might be stopping by. I've got a wide selection already set up for you," she says, sounding overly eager to impress.


Her eyes slide up and down my body, making me feel uncomfortable. She's probably realizing just how badly these clothes are going to fit.


"I think I can add a few more things that will go well with these," she says, pushing up on my breasts and startling me into a squeal.


"Sorry," she chuckles while moving her hands away


The fever invades my cheeks as I blush, and she walks off. A smug, almost taunting grin is playing on Kade's face when my eyes find him. He's sitting in the corner in one of the recliners, feigning interest in a magazine. "Not used to being felt up, Raya?" he asks, keeping his eyes on the page before he flips it. "With a shining personality like yours, I would've assumed no one could resist."


I just scowl at him. I'm sick of his snarky remarks. He's going to make my life hell until I move out. Maybe that's his game. I can't let him get to me, because I'm not going to make a deal and then back out.


"Raya?" the woman calls. "You ready?"


I turn away from the ass who's still smirking, and I head to the back to follow the sound of her voice. This store seems endless, but all of the women's stuff is right here in this area.


Her heels clank against the marble floors as she struts toward a large dressing room. There's a couch in it. Really? This dressing room is bigger than my bedroom - the one that was destroyed.


"If you need any help, just call me. I'll go see if I can round up some more items. Mr. Colton said you might need some swimwear, so I've started acquiring some things."


I swallow hard, and then I scratch my side. It draws her attention, and a cringe comes over her face like she thinks I have cooties.


"Sorry. My house was ripped up by a bulldozer and my clothes got insulation on them. That's why I'm here."


She forces a tight smile, still seeming disgusted, and then nods before walking off. Great. Now I'm the dirty girl no one wants to be around.


I pull my shirt over my head, and then screech when a girl walks into the room with me.


"Sorry," she says, not sounding genuinely apologetic at all. Who the hell is this one? "Jessica said you needed swimsuits, so here you go." She places a wide variety of stringy messes on the rack that is packed full of clothes. Then she pops back out as quickly as she came in. Does no one give a damn about my personal space?


I jerk a shirt on over my head before anyone else can come in. I'm almost afraid of taking my pants off. I had to buy new underwear since I didn't want to scratch... there. But the selection was limited based on my budget. I'd be humiliated if anyone saw these cotton monstrosities.


Without giving it too much more thought, I slip out of my jeans and into another pair without itchy particles all over them. Oh damn. I had no idea jeans could fit and feel like this. No wonder Paul Colton's business is thriving.


I give a twirl in front of the mirror to see my body has been transformed. I'll never be the same. I seriously just fell in love with a pair of jeans. I'm done. I don't want to try on anything else.


Reluctantly, I slip out of them and start making my way through the hordes of clothing. Right when I'm in the middle of pulling my shirt off again, a different girl pops in.


"Mr. Colton said you might need some dressier items in case you felt like attending some of his events, so I brought you these." She hangs up several dresses, and then she pulls out a selection of underwear from a rolling cart. "And he said you'd definitely need this stuff. Just turn around so I can put this on you and lace it up."


She holds out a white corset, but I shake my head. "Why would I need that?"


"Because you'll be wearing dresses that will require some... boost. You've got the ideal chest for this. It'll be perfect for slimming your waistline, too," she says, letting her eyes drift to my midsection.


Sure it doesn't look like I work out everyday, but it's flat enough. Just because she starves herself to be three sizes smaller doesn't mean I have to. Bitch.


I turn around, begrudgingly, and she slips it around my waist and pulls it up. With a flick of her wrist, she's gotten my bra off and tossed it to the floor. With the first tug of the laces, my breath heaves out of me. Bitch! With the second tug of the laces, I refrain from elbowing her in the nose. By the third tug, I'm condemning her to hell.


She's not being the least bit gentle. Does she not see all the monstrous bruises on me? That shit hurts.


After a few more laces, she's finally done, and I'm turning purple from lack of oxygen. She smiles, but her phone buzzes. "Mr. Colton," she says, seeming all too giddy. "Of course we are."


"Can't... breathe," I whisper, trying to draw herI start reaching for strings or laces or whatever they're called, but I can't get the knots undone. She walks out, abandoning me, and I start wheezing and straining harder. I've worn stuff similar to this on Halloween, but damn, this is the real deal. You could shift the placement of organs with this sadistic contraption.


"Help," I wheeze out, still struggling to undo the knot.


"Raya?" Kade's voice sounds out.


As much as I'd really rather wait on anyone - and I do mean anyone - else, it's either him or passing out.


"Can't breathe," I strain out again, and the door flies open.


He bursts out laughing when he sees what's going on, and then he shakes his head while coming to stand behind me. I need air more than I need dignity right now.


He pushes my hair to be over my attention back to me, but she's too busy sucking up.

CHAPTER 2
Punishment


  



"Counselor, you realize the actions of Mr. Colton and his friends could have resulted in the death of a student, correct?" the judge asks, frowning as he stares down at the snob.


"My client is perfectly aware of the severity of the situation. However, Your Honor, he wasn't one of those four boys who stole and wrecked the bulldozer into Ms. Capperton's home. He simply hosted the party that got out of hand. Surely you can't hold him responsible for the actions of four grown boys."


Kade chances a smug smirk. He doesn't have an ounce of humility. He's lazily lounging in the chair, his arms crossed over his chest, and he even goes so far as to look bored.


"And the school is allowing him to stay there because of that, Counselor. The others were expelled and arrested. However, I'm not too thrilled with the fact he supplied that much alcohol to underage partiers who then destroyed the home."


That earthquake had turned out to be those idiots crashing that big-ass bulldozer through my living room. Damn near killed me. Had I not gone to take a shower, they probably would have killed me. Now I've been living in one of the dorm rooms for three days. The school offered it to me temporarily, under the circumstances. I have two days to find something else.


"He didn't supply that alcohol, and he checked the identification of every partier. No one under twenty-one was allowed."


"Sure he did," the other lawyer scoffs, cutting his eyes toward Kade.


As if anyone doesn't have a fake ID. Even I have one. Albeit I never use it, but I have one. I'm not voicing that though. I just hope they make him pay me something. That's all I need. Just a little money to replace what I lost.


I'll probably have to go to a different court for that, though.


A snooty man in a pristine business suit stands up and walks over to be behind Kade. This small courtroom just hosts a few of us. This isn't exactly a murder trial, but a jury would have been nice, dammit.


"I think I know a way we can solve this," the man says, texting on his phone as though he's above all this too much to grant it any real amount of attention.


"Please, Mr. Colton, proceed," the judge snarks, sounding bitter, but... compliant? Why is he letting Kade's father run the show.


"My son bleeped up," he says simply, putting his phone away and turning his attention to the agitated judge. "But he didn't force those boys to mount a bulldozer and go for a joyride. I do agree he should be punished in some form, but I think I know better than anyone else how to do that."


Kade's jaw clenches, and he sits up a little better while barely turning his head to listen in. His devilish good looks and rich influence won't help him out with his own father.


"I think Ms. Capperton's situation has become... a problem now," he says, turning toward me with his award-winning smile. "She needs a home," he continues, turning back to the judge. "My son's home is directly across from the school, he has amenities most would die for, and there is plenty of room there for another person."


Kade's jaw clenches all the tighter, making me worry it's about to snap off. What is his father talking about?


"Are you suggesting Ms. Capperton go live with him?" the judge scoffs, rolling his eyes. "That's your form of punishment? No wonder he's so irresponsible."


Mr. Colton lets a rumble of laughter free. "Then you don't know my son as well as I do. He hates to have rules. While Ms. Capperton is there, he will respect any and all her needs. Everything he wants to do will have to go through her for approval. She'll have power over him, which will limit his social life. If he steps out of line, she can call me, and I'll start taking things away as punishment for refusing to abide by her rules. Let's face it, Roy, you can't hold him for anything. You can't charge him with any wrongdoing. I'll hire the best lawyer to keep him from having jail-time on his record. It's up to you."


I can't believe he's doing this. Me? Live with Kade? Hell no. Not happening.


"Ms. Capperton? How do you feel about this?" the judge asks through gritted teeth.


Apparently Kade's father holds more power here than he does. Hell, he even called him Roy instead of Your Honor.


"I don't want to live with Kade Colton," I say quickly, bitterly, turning my nose up in disgust.


Mr. Colton smirks, and Kade relaxes.


"Ms. Capperton, do you have a home or money to rent anywhere? I've looked over your financials. It wouldn't have been long until you were being kicked out. I'm sure you could sue for the damages done, but that takes time and money as well. Do you have time and money?" Kade's father asks, sounding so fucking pompous.


"No," I almost whisper.


"Didn't think so. You'd have a home - a nice home - and at the end of the school year, I'll buy you a new house you won't have to stress over. You have to live with Kade first, though. And if he gives you any trouble at all, you call me right away."


This is one twisted man. Has he no clue how much I hate his son? Why punish me by making me live with him? I don't really have a choice though. If I was a guy, he'd have me by the balls.


"Ms. Capperton?" the judge says, prompting me to make a decision.


Do I live through hell for the rest of the year and then have three years of paid housing? Or do I let the devil off the hook without any punishment while I go homeless and possibly get kicked out of school. Shit.


"Fine."


Mr. Colton's deep, satisfied smile spreads like the Cheshire cat's grin. "Fine? What does fine mean, Ms. Capperton?" the judge asks.


I roll my eyes, and Kade cuts his eyes toward me, willing me dead with his icy glare.


"It means yes. I'll do it."


Mr. Colton turns to his son, seeming to enjoy this immensely, as he says, "Son, meet your new leash."


  



I don't know what I was expecting to find inside Kade Colton's home. I suppose I expected the chandelier to be decorated by beer bottles and lacy underwear. I wasn't expecting to feel like I'm in a house meant for royalty.


It's grand on the outside, all three stories, but inside... wow. Marble floors, tall ceilings, immaculate furniture, and all the newest appliances and gadgets one can fathom. Spoiled brat.


"I think you'll find everything you need here, Ms. Capperton. This room is almost just as big as the master. Are you sure you don't want the master? I'll gladly make my son switch with you," Mr. Colton says as he types away on his phone, putting it down when he finishes.


I scratch my side, trying to relieve the agony I'm in. Damn it hurts and itches.


"This will be fine," I murmur. I sure as hell don't want to touch Kade's icky room. I've seen the girls that come and go during the parties. "And please, just call me Raya."


"Very well," he says, smiling. "Raya, are you okay?" he asks, pointing to my constant scratching.


"Yeah," I mumble, growling almost. "My clothes were in the midst of the destruction path. The ones that weren't ruined were covered in insulation. I've washed them over and over, but they still... it just itches."


He frowns just as Kade fills the doorway. He hasn't stopped scowling or tossing me death-glares since I agreed to this. He's tall, at least six-foot-three. I've never before noticed how tall he is.


His dark hair is always bedroom sexy, and his eyes are pools of perfect blue. His body is enough to make immortals envious - toned and cut in all the right places. He'd be the sexiest thing I'd ever seen if I didn't hate him so damn much.


"You rang," Kade snarks, turning his burning hatred toward his father.


"Yes, I was texting to tell you to make sure you get this mattress replaced today. There's no telling what your friends have done on it, and I want Raya to have fresh sheets as well."


Ew. Gross. I hadn't thought of that. Sick.


I casually pull my bag back off the bed and drop it to the floor, earning a small grin from Mr. Colton.


"Already called the furniture shop. They'll be bringing it by tomorrow." Kade seems bored now, though still irritated.


I groan inwardly. No way can I sleep on this mattress now. "Not good enough," Mr. Colton says. "I'll contact them myself. I'll have it delivered this afternoon. In the meantime, take Raya shopping. She's itching to death since your friends got fragments of fiberglass in her clothes. It'll never come out. Grab some stuff to help her dress up the room a bit as well."


"I have to chauffeur her around?" Kade growls.


"No. You have to chauffeur her and carry her bags. You'll do whatever she needs you to do."


Kade rolls his eyes and pockets his hands to keep his father from seeing the fists he's made. I fidget awkwardly, feeling like this is already the biggest mistake I've ever made.


"You call me if he gives you any trouble. I need to get a hold of the furniture shop. Do you need anything else?" he asks, seeming so genuine.


"Um... my clothes are fine," I murmur, not wanting to tell him I don't have enough money to buy more.


"Nonsense," he says, pulling out a black credit card. "Take this and get whatever you need. Have fun with it. Abuse the bagboy as well," he jokes, forcing the card into my hand.


"I can't-"


"Kade, take the girl to some of my shops. They have a better selection. Make sure they dress her right," he says to interrupt me.


"Whatevs," Kade grumbles before walking out, never looking at me again.


"Have fun," Mr. Colton says with a wink, and then he disappears out the door.


I huff as I walk down the stairs, itching and wincing. My body is battered beneath my clothes. I took a hard hit when the ceiling collapsed. This was all just brushed under the rug. The four guys will barely get a slap on the wrist. The school only expelled them because they were the ones who were paying for the bulldozer the idiot quartet crashed, not because they crashed through my house.


Kade wouldn't have suffered anypunishment at all if his father hadn't stepped in and made sure to divvy some out. It's nice to know someone thinks of me as brutal punishment. What does that say about me?


I walk out just as Kade pulls his Audi out of the garage. His perfect sea-blue eyes are guarded by designer shades. I hesitate about getting in, especially when he lowers the top. The music is blaring, which means he's either trying to deafen me or keep me from speaking to him.


"Get the hell in," he gripes without looking at me. "I don't have all damn day."


I huff, but I climb in without further delay. He doesn't even give me the chance to buckle up before he's squealing out in reverse, slinging me to the side when he jerks it hard right to line up with the road.


I squeal, which provokes a menacing smirk from him, and then he starts shifting gears rapidly, throwing us forward. My hands rattle against the seatbelt as I try to snap it, silently praying for someone to save me from this madman. I knew he hated me. Why in the hell did I willingly get into the devil's chariot?


He presses a button that mutes the stereo as he slows down. I let out a sharp breath, feeling my knuckles slowly uncurl from their death-grip on the door.


"Move out and I'll pay your rent anywhere you want to go," he says calmly.


"What?" I ask, bemused.


"I said move out and I'll pay your rent. You can pick any place you want. I don't want to be your bitch, and my father is loving this shit. Get your stuff out of my house, and I'll pay your rent somewhere else. I have my own money."


"Then why let your dad pay for all your shit?" I snark, turning my head away.


He chuckles as he hits another street with a more feasible speed.

BOOK 1 (HOOKED ON THE GAME).
CHAPTER 1
Grounded


  



Great. Just frigging great.


The bills stare at me from the counter and I glare back with disgust. When I moved in here, I had two roommates to help pay the bills. My part-time job at the coffee shop isn't going to be of much use. I'll never cover their half of the rent with it, and my monthly scholarship isn't going to cut it either.


They'll cut my power off tomorrow if I don't manage to come up with the money for the outrageous electric bill. This wasn't supposed to happen. I had it all planned out. My various scholarships would cover tuition, books, and part of the rent, and then I'd find two roommates to cover the rest. It's too late in the year to go shopping for roommates; everyone else already has a place now, and no one is answering flyers.


Part one was working out. I had my money managed to an exact science. My part-time job was to cover food and clothes. Then my two roommates, Megan and Lana, stupidly broke into the school to pull a prank and they were both expelled, leaving me without anyone covering the rest of the rent.


I've barely slept an ounce for so many different reasons, and I'll lose my scholarship if my grades drop. It's hard to focus on my schooling when life is kicking my ass.


My phone buzzes on the counter, right next to a two-thousand dollar check. I groan when I see a number I don't know flashing across my screen.


"Hello?" I ask, having a good idea about who it is going to be.


"Hey, sweetheart. Did you get my check?" Dad asks, sounding hopeful. I love the man, but this money is tainted. It has to be.


"I got it, but you know I can't cash it."


"Raya," he grumbles, "I've told you over and over that money is legitimate."


A man from prison sending two-thousand dollars every month is anything but legit. Considering why he's in prison... I have to change the subject and distract him.


"Whose phone are you using this time?"


He chuckles, as though he's amused. "One of the guards left it unattended. I did him a favor. Most of this lot would never give it back. I plan to be a good boy and return it. Don't worry."


Right. I'm sure he left it unattended. It was probably holstered on his hip or snugly tucked in his pocket, but to Ray Drivel, that is considered unattended.


"What is that ungodly racket going on there?" he asks, sounding annoyed. Quite frankly, I'm annoyed, too. The party going on next door is ridiculously loud, obnoxious and irritating as hell. I hate Kade Colton. Preppy, rich, snobby, son of a bitch. He lives directly beside me in his house that makes my home look like a shoebox. All he does is party.


That massive home was a gift from his parents. I can't accept such lavish things from my dad. There could be jail time involved.


"My neighbor," I huff, finally answering Dad.


Something crashes outside, and I look out to see the drunken fools cackling as they stand up from the broken fence they've just smashed into. Kade has no respect for anyone. This is ridiculous.


"I need to go. I have an early morning," I say, sighing as I tear his check into tiny pieces and toss it into the trash.


"Okay, sweetie. You still coming out soon?"


I smile as I start heading toward the back window, following the idiots who are still trampling over the fence.


"Of course," I mutter sweetly before telling him bye.


It's no surprise that Kade isn't doing anything to stop them from further destroying my yard. He's a selfish prick like that. I'm trying to figure out how to keep from being evicted without touching jaded cash, and he's over there blowing money on booze and who knows what else.


"Dude, let's do it," one yells, slurring his words.


I watch as they clamber into the large bulldozer that is parked in the field directly behind the homes. That's another reason I don't sleep much. Those bulldozers start early - four in the morning most days. They're trying to add more houses behind ours to make more money off campus students.


I hope those idiots run that thing into Kade's pool and destroy it. It'd serve him right.


Deciding not to waste another second on the idiocy going on outisde, I grab some clothes from my room and head to the bathroom down the hall. My plans for the rest of the night are to take a hot shower and pray for answers to all my problems. I'm sure I'll be met with the same silence as usual, but it's the only hope I have right now.


The roaring pipes need a plumber, too. They're too loud. I'll call a plumber when I can afford one.


Just as I start to strip down, an earthquake strikes, rattling my house all around me. I scream while grabbing onto anything not shaking violently. I hear it tearing apart one side of my house. Why only one side? A pile of my ceiling drops, slamming into me, and all I see are small flakes of darkness speckling my view before I completely pass out.

New story update but this one is series, we are going in for a long and unforgettable ride and this books contains strong adult scene. Underage not allowed because no soapy here for u please.

Cont.
been nothing but kind. It’s as if I’m betraying them with this farce. The people at the home think we’re married.”


“We are,” I insisted. “It’s not a farce. Our marriage is legal.”


“They think it’s real. They think we’re in love. And Penny . . . I never wanted Penny to know. I didn’t want to have to lie to her of all people. I hate lying to her the most.”


“You know she’ll probably forget.”


Katharine rolled her eyes. “It’s still a lie. Tami and others will keep reminding her, so she may not forget. And there’s Adrian, Adam, Julia . . .” She huffed in exasperation. “The list grows.”


Drumming my fingers on the desk, I shrugged. “It’s bigger than I expected, I’ll give you that much. Even Brian thinks I had a change of heart. When we played golf the other day, he congratulated me on finally finding my ‘human side.’”


“It doesn’t bother you? How many people this lie touches? How many people it will affect when it’s done?”


“Katharine, stop being overdramatic. Marriages break up all the time. The world will go on. We’ll figure out the hows and whys when we decide the time is right.”


“And, in the meantime, we keep lying.”


I was done with this inane conversation. I rubbed my head and scowled. “Yes. We keep lying. I’m still paying you, and it’s still a job. Until further notice, you are my wife. Keep acting the part. Pretend you like me. Dig deep, and imagine you love me. Do whatever you need to do to keep up the ‘farce,’ as you call it.”


She rose to her feet, shaking her head. “That’s the rub here, Richard. I don’t always have to pretend to like you. When you stop acting like such an asshole, you’re a decent man. You respond to people. You’re kind and generous to Penny. For some reason, you forget to be that asshole you show the rest of the world when you’re around her. Sometimes, you forget even when you’re around me.” Her expression was sad and her voice dejected. “Sometimes, I forget you dislike me and I think we’re actually friends.”


She strode to the door, paused, and looked back. “I like those times. They make the rest of the days easier to take.”


Then she walked out, leaving me stunned.

Katharine came in, carrying a cup of coffee that I gratefully accepted. I indicated she should sit down.


“Where’s Jenna?”


“Having a nap. I think she’s taking advantage of the lull in the storm. I don’t think she slept well last night.”


“I slept like a baby.”


She rolled her eyes. “A clingy baby.”


I grinned. “Not my fault you’re so perfect to snuggle up to. You smell good.”


“Your, ah, wheezing, is much louder up close.”


I narrowed my eyes. “Cute.”


She smirked. “Sorry.” Her expression turned serious. “I am sorry about this morning.” I scratched the back of my neck. “I guess it was bound to happen.”


“There’s a good chance she’ll forget. We may have the conversation again.”


“At least we can say we did tell her, and maybe she won’t be so upset.”


“I suppose.”


I took a sip of coffee. “What did she say to you?”


“She was worried I was pregnant.”


“That’s not an issue. Never will be.” I couldn’t resist teasing her on the subject. “Even if we expand our boundaries.”


“Are you not able to father children?”


“I have no idea. I’ve never attempted to procreate, and I never plan to. I am always protected, and I make sure my partners are, too.”


She tilted her head, confused. “You don’t want children?”


“Katharine, I don’t have the capacity to actually be in a real relationship. I have no interest in being a father and bringing another emotionally stunted person into this world. I would never be able to connect with a child, which is why I have no desire for children. Ever.”


“I think you’re wrong.”


“Wrong?”


“I think you have the capacity. I think you could connect—love—a child. If you loved their mother.”


I barked a laugh. “Since that’s never going to happen, I stick to my original statement.”


“Why are you so certain you can’t fall in love?”


I was getting impatient. “I told you. Love makes you weak. It makes you need people. Depend on them. I won’t allow that to happen.”


“Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.”


I waved my hand. “Not in this case. There is no love or children in my future.”


“That sounds lonely.”


“I have my work, and it fulfills me. It’s sufficient.”


She studied me, a frown on her face. “Is it?”


“Stop trying to analyze me, Katharine.”


“I’m not. I’m trying to understand you.”


“Don’t.”


“Why?”


I leaned forward, my hands fisted on the desk. “I don’t pay you to understand me. I’m paying you to act out a role.”


“One that gets more complex every day.”


“What are you talking about?”


“Don’t you get tired of it, Richard? The lies? We seem to add more all the time. It’s like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a snowy hill.” She sighed. “It was supposed to be a simple thing—me pretending to be your fiancée. Now it has grown and escalated to the point I don’t even recognize myself! I hate lying to people—and I’m lying to everyone! Penny, the Gavin family, people at the care home . . . It’s one huge mountain of lies!”


“It’s a means to an end. No one is getting hurt.”


“Really? I think you’re wrong.”


“How do you figure that?” I waved my hand around the room. “Graham isn’t suffering, Penny is being looked after, you’re living in a better place, and you don’t have to work. Who is getting hurt?”


Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I feel guilty—more so every day.”


“Why?”


“I like these people. I really like Jenna; we’ve become friends. Knowing I’m lying to her bothers me. Graham and Laura have

CHAPTER 21
RICHARD


JENNA RECEIVED A CALL FROM Adrian while we were having breakfast, telling her he wouldn’t be home until Sunday. With the storm still all around us, we assured her she was welcome to stay until he came to pick her up the next day. There was no other option. Besides, she made Katharine laugh, and I liked hearing the sound. I wanted to make it happen more often.


The three of us went to see Penny while the storm simmered, low and tame. I insisted on cheeseburgers, letting it slip how often I snuck them in for her. Katharine was shocked to realize the number of times I’d been to the home without saying a word. Her eyes shone with appreciation when she stretched up and kissed me, catching me off guard. I yanked her close and took full advantage of the fact we had a captive audience with Jenna, kissing her until she was pink-cheeked and embarrassed. Jenna caught my eye with a wink as I accepted the heavy bag of burgers with a wide grin.


Penny was quiet but lucid when we arrived. She laughed at my offering of grapes for Joey. He liked to pick at them, and I didn’t have to cut up anything or bribe Tami to do it for me. The chocolate shop I frequented certainly had a boom in sales the past few weeks, and the staff looked forward to what I brought each visit. I never disappointed them.


Jenna was more like her usual self, bubbly and chatty, entertaining Penny with stories of her family. It gave me the chance to sit back and watch Katharine with Penny. She sat next to her, holding her hand. She would cup her cheek, run her hand over Penny’s forehead, smoothing away the flyaway hairs as she talked or laughed. She teased and encouraged Penny to eat, tucking a napkin under her chin as she scolded her for being messy. Penny tweaked her nose back. “You stop being so bossy, my Katy.”


“She is bossy,” I muttered. “She tells me what to do all the time.”


“Payback,” Katharine mused.


“That’s what wives are for!” Jenna laughed.


Both Katharine and I froze. We had never mentioned being married to Penny. Our gazes met over her head, unsure what to do next.


Penny sat up, her lunch forgotten. She looked between us. “You’re married?” She turned to Katharine. “You got married, and you didn’t tell me? Katy, are you pregnant?”


Katharine shook her head. “No, Penny. I’m not pregnant.”


“But you’re married.” “Yes.”


Penny looked at me, pushing away her lunch tray. “I’d like to speak to my daughter in private.” I paced the hall, my eyes on the closed door. With a groan, I slumped against the wall, letting my head fall back on the hard surface.


“Richard, I’m sorry,” Jenna pleaded. “I had no idea she didn’t know. It never occurred to me she wouldn’t have been told.”


“Of course it wouldn’t.”


“She didn’t know? She hadn’t simply forgotten?”


I wanted to lie and tell her we had told Penny. That the disease was at fault, not us. Except, I was getting tired of the lies. I pushed away from the wall, rubbing the back of my neck.


“Katharine had a rough time in her teens. There is more to her story than you know, but it’s her story to tell. Penny is the world to her, and she was trying to protect her wellbeing.”


She nodded, waiting for me to continue.


“I was the instigator, Jenna. I pursued her. I was way ahead of her this whole relationship. She didn’t want me to meet Penny at first, until she was sure.” I tugged on my cowlick roughly. “I forced the issue and came to see Penny without her knowing. I wanted to know more about the woman who helped Katharine. I pushed everything forward. I married her quickly—before she could change her mind. Katharine was worried Penny would think it was too fast, so we decided to stay quiet for a while and let Penny get used to me.”


“And I blew it.” I shrugged. “We should have bitten the bullet and told her ourselves. This is on us.”


The door opened, and Katharine stepped out. “Richard, can you come in?”


“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “If I don’t make it out in one piece, look after Katharine for me.”


Jenna gave me a sympathetic smile and patted my shoulder.


At the door, Katharine laid her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry.”


I squeezed her fingers. “It’s fine.”


I stepped in, Katharine close behind me.


I had faced angry clients in boardrooms. Stood in front of conference rooms filled with unfriendly faces waiting for me to fail in my presentation. I had done it all without breaking a sweat. Yet, standing in front of the stern-looking old woman, I was sweating, and gripping my wife’s hand like a talisman. Penny fixed me a look. “You married my Katy.”


“Yes.”


“Without my permission.”


“Yes.”


“Why?”


“I’ve never done this before. I didn’t know I had to ask—”


She waved her hand. “Oh, you really aren’t that swift at times, are you, young man?”


I swallowed. “Sorry?”


“Why did you marry her?”


“I couldn’t be without her.”


“And you didn’t say anything because?”


I had no idea what Katharine had said, but I sensed I needed to stick close to the truth.


I crouched down, meeting Penny’s eyes. “I married her fast because I didn’t want to lose her. I need her in my life. We were worried you wouldn’t approve, but I hoped once you got to know me, you might be okay with the thought of her marrying me.”


“She’s too good for you.”


I laughed because it was the truth. “I’m well aware of that.”


“You should have asked me first.”


“You’re right, I should have. I apologize.”


“She says she’s happy.”


“I am, too.” I glanced over at Katharine, surprised at the fact it was the truth. “She constantly amazes me.”


Penny sniffed. “Just wait. You haven’t seen anything yet.”


“I can only imagine.”


She pursed her lips. “I’m watching you.”


“Duly noted.”


“Fine. Now you owe me cake.” “Cake?”


Katharine stepped forward, laying a hand on my shoulder. I noticed her rings were now in place, the sight of them making me smile for some reason. I hadn’t taken mine off, and Penny had never questioned it. Without thinking, I pressed a kiss to her hand, the action making Penny beam.


“We always celebrated good things with cake.”


“So, it’s a good thing? I’m a good thing?”


Penny patted my cheek. “I’m depending on you to take care of her for me.”


“I will.”


“Now, that cake?”


There was a bakery down the street.


“I’m on it.”


“Chocolate,” Penny insisted.


I brushed her downy cheek. “As if there was any other kind.”

A huge gust of wind shook the glass in the long windows, the rain furious in its rage as it beat against the panes. Katharine tensed up, her gaze flying toward the sound.


I bent low and kissed her. It was tender, nothing but a brush of our lips; hers trembling and soft pressed to my humble, unworthy mouth. I kissed her with the gentleness I should have always used when speaking to her.


I moved, tucking her back to my chest.


“Sleep, sweetheart. You’re safe. Nothing will hurt you, I promise.”


“I’ve never slept with someone like this, Richard.”


I dropped another kiss to her neck, wanting her to understand, to know something about me that made me worthy of her faith. “Neither have I, Katharine. You are the first woman I’ve ever had in this bed.” “Oh, ah . . .”


I smiled into her skin. “I’ve never let anyone stay here. This is my safe place. Only mine.” I tightened my embrace. “Now, let it be yours. Sleep. I’ve got you.”


Closing my eyes, I relaxed into her warmth. Our bodies melded from chest to hips, our flesh seeking and finding something from the other.


Comfort. Whispers. I could hear whispers as I woke, drowsy and warm—almost too warm. I was surrounded by heat and something that smelled enticingly good. My pillow tickled my face and I twitched my nose, trying to ease the itch, burrowing deeper into the welcome softness. My pillow giggled a little, and the whispers started again. I forced open my eyes. The light was dull, the skies still heavy and rain-soaked outside. I lifted my head and met the amused gaze of Jenna, who was sitting on the floor beside the bed, coffee cup in hand.


“Morning,” she said with a smirk.


“Is the storm that bad you had to hide in here?”


“I came to get Katharine, but she couldn’t escape your clutches, so we were having coffee right here,” she teased.


I looked down, realizing she was right. I was wrapped around Katharine as tight as possible. Every inch of me touched her body. I had one hand fisted in her hair, and the other held her to me like an iron bar. My legs intertwined with hers and my cock—my fully erect, desperate-for-release cock—was pressed into her ass. Her firm, accommodating ass, which felt like heaven nestled into my aching erection. I buried my face back into Katharine’s neck, marveling at how natural it felt to wake with her this way.


“Go away, Jenna,” I mumbled.


Katharine pushed against my arm. “Let me go.”


I kissed her neck, liking the shiver that happened this morning. Unlike the fearful tremors last night, this was one of pleasure. It rippled down her spine, her torso flexing, her ass snuggling tighter to my cock.


“Five minutes, Jenna. Give me five minutes,” I added in a throaty voice.


It was only going to take two.


She stood up, laughing. “Men,” she snorted. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”


As soon as the door shut, I flipped Katharine, crashing my mouth to hers. I kissed her hard, needing to feel her lips beneath mine. I stroked her tongue, tracing the contours of her mouth, teasing, yet desperate. I pulled back, gasping. “You are killing me.”


“I was sleeping,” she protested. “Sleeping.”


“You feel too good.” I thrust against her hip. “Jesus, Katharine.”


Her eyes widened; the glimmer of fear piercing the lust in which I was drowning.


What the hell was I doing?


I flung myself off her, my chest heaving. I threw my arm over my face.


“Go downstairs. I need a shower. A long, cold one.”


“I’m sorry.”


“It’s fine,” I groaned, grabbing her arm. “Wait. Don’t go yet. Just . . . just stay there for a moment or two. I don’t want Jenna to think I am, ah, lacking stamina.”


Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.


Lifting my arm, I flexed my fingers as I glared at her. “I swear I’m getting carpal tunnel syndrome. I’m going to need surgery.”


Katharine began to chuckle. Her shoulders vibrated as she buried her face in the pillow, her chuckles turning into full out peals of laughter. The bed shook with the force of her amusement.


The corners of my mouth twitched. “It’s not a laughing matter.”


She didn’t stop, and I started laughing with her. Purposely, I hauled myself over the top of her, letting my heavy, hard cock drag across her body. I lifted her face from the pillow; her cheeks flushed and pink, her eyes bright with fun. I kissed her again.


“We need to talk about expanding our boundaries. Before I explode.”


I left her lying there, speechless.


But, she was still smiling.


And, she didn’t say no.

I followed not long after, leaving a couple lights on in case Jenna needed to prowl around the condo. The last thing I needed was to have to call Adrian and tell him his wife fell down the stairs in the night, and I had to take her to the hospital. Graham and Laura wouldn’t be overly impressed, either.


The rain was picking up again, the storm gathering strength outside. I wondered if any of us would get much sleep on this strange night.


Upstairs, I shut my door behind me, the sight of the small lump in my bed reminding me I wouldn’t be alone tonight. Katharine was huddled under the duvet as close to the edge of her side of the bed as she could get without falling off. Suddenly, her strange behavior made sense. We were sharing a bed tonight, and she was nervous. An odd feeling—one of tenderness—swept through me.


It struck me as I watched her tonight what a gentle soul she must have. She lost her parents, survived what I knew must have been a rough time after they passed, although she hadn’t given me a great deal of information. She never discussed her time living on the street, which must have been horrific. She put up with me, cared for Penny, and thought nothing of helping a friend, even if she had to shift her entire life to do so—and she did it all with one of her warm smiles. She was amazing.


I found a pair of sleep pants and a T-shirt. I preferred sleeping only in boxers, but I didn’t want Katharine any more uncomfortable than she clearly was already. After getting ready, I slipped in beside her, waiting for her to say something. There was only silence.


Rising up on my elbow, I peeked over her shoulder, drawing the heavy veil of hair away from her face. She didn’t speak or move, staying still, and her eyes remained firmly shut. Her chest moved far too rapidly for her to be asleep, though. I bent low over her, close to her ear.


“Faker,” I whispered.


She shivered, burrowing her face farther into the pillow. I dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder, and pulled up the duvet. “Relax, Katharine. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”


I shifted over, shut off the light and lay there, listening to her short, nervous breaths. It should have felt strange having her in my bed, and yet, it wasn’t unpleasant. I could feel her warmth, and smell her light perfume.


The bed felt wrong, though, somehow. It took me a few moments to realize why. There was a constant vibration—just enough to make the mattress quiver. I looked over at her, studying her small huddled mass. She was shaking.


Was she that afraid of me?


I rolled to my side, reaching out and wrapping my arm around her, drawing her back to my body. She let out a shocked squeak, her body rigid. Tremors ran through her constantly, and her hands clutching my arm were like ice.


“Katharine, stop this,” I murmured. “I’m not going to do anything.”


“It’s not that. Well, not just that.”


“Is it the storm?”


“It’s . . . it’s the wind,” she confessed. “I hate the howling sound of it.”


I tucked her closer, and another shiver raced through her whole body. “Why?”


“The night my parents died, there was a storm. It was like this one. Loud. The wind pushed the car around as if it was a feather. My dad lost control and the car flipped.”


My heart began to beat faster. “You were with your parents that night?”


“I was in the back seat. When it happened, the windows exploded and the wind was so loud, and I was scared. I kept losing consciousness, but I was so cold, and I could hear the wind howling . . . it never stopped.” Her voice dropped. “I knew they were dead, and I was alone and trapped.”


My throat felt tight at the pain in her voice. She had never told me any of that until now.


“Were you hurt?”


Silently, she took my hand and pressed it to the top of her leg. Under the thin material of her nightgown, I could feel a long, twisted scar running down the outside of her thigh. “I had a concussion and my leg was crushed when the car flipped. It took two operations, but I survived.” She cleared her throat. “That’s why I sometimes trip or lose my balance. It buckles.”


All the times I mocked her, rolled my eyes, and watched her struggle to her feet, filled my mind. Shame, hot and blistering, made me tighten my arms, and I dropped my face into her neck. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” “It’s not your fault.” “No. I am sorry for what you went through, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”


“Oh,” she breathed, knowing the reason for my apology. “Well, you didn’t know.”


“I never bothered to ask, though, did I?”


“I guess not.”


The next words out of my mouth shocked me. “Forgive me for that.”


“I did.”


I rolled her onto her back, hovering over her, staring down into her face in the darkness. The lightning flashes lit up her pale face, and the tears stood out in her eyes. “Forgive me for all of it, Katharine.”


“I have.”


“How?” I whispered. “How can you be this forgiving? How can you even stand to be around me?”


“Because you’re trying.”


“It’s that easy for you? A little effort on my part and you forgive?”


“I had to forgive you to do this with you.”


“In order to make sure Penny was looked after.”


Hesitantly, she lifted her hand, cupping my cheek, her fingers stroking my skin. “That was one reason.”


“What was the other?”


“I saw something—the day you told me about meeting with Graham. I saw a different side of you. I thought . . .”


“Thought what?” I asked when her voice trailed off.


“I thought if I could help you get away from the poisonous atmosphere of Anderson, maybe you could find the real Richard.”


“The real Richard?”


“I think . . . I think you’re more than you let people see. More than you let yourself see. I see more and more of the real you coming out.”


I leaned into her touch, letting her words soak in. Idly, I twisted a lock of her hair in my fingers, brushing the silkiness of it between my fingers.


“What is the real me like?” I asked, my voice low, almost pleading. I wanted to know her feelings—what she thought of me.


“Strong, caring. Capable. Talented.” She paused and sighed. “Kind.”


“You see things that aren’t there.”


“No, they are. You aren’t ready to see them yet. You will,” she assured me.


I stared at her in wonder. Gentle didn’t describe her soul. Not even close. I wasn’t sure I knew a word that did. Angelic, maybe? Whatever it was, whatever she was, I didn’t deserve her forgiveness, the high opinion she had of me—and I certainly didn’t deserve her.

CHAPTER 20
RICHARD


SPENDING AN EVENING WITH TWO nervous, tense females proved to be interesting.


Jenna was unnaturally still, which was disconcerting itself, but Katharine was the bigger surprise. I had gotten used to her quiet nature, but tonight, she rambled.


Incessantly.


Between showing Jenna her plans for the living area, “our room,” asking endless questions about the history of yoga, the general inquiries about every member of the Gavin family and office, as well as any other subject that seemed to filter through her brain, she talked non-stop. Also, she never sat down. She flitted around the room, using her hands to demonstrate her ideas. She picked, moved, tidied, and straightened every object in the room at least twice. She kept patting Jenna’s shoulder, making sure she was okay, and the cold compress she kept on my neck was switched out every twenty minutes. I didn’t think it ever reached room temperature. I had to admit, when she stood behind me, chatting, I didn’t mind the way her fingers felt as she massaged my neck, or the way she tilted my head back to the softness of her stomach and ran her fingers through my hair repeatedly. The soothing action felt good, and my headache began to dissipate, despite the constant chatter.


Still, her behavior was perplexing. Even Jenna quirked her eyebrow at me more than once. I shrugged one shoulder, offering the only thing I felt made sense when Katharine was out of earshot.


“She doesn’t like storms, either.” My explanation seemed to satisfy her curiosity.


Around ten, the storm lessened, the thunder tapering to a low occasional growl, although the rain continued to beat on the glass around us.


Jenna stood. “I’m going to go stick in my ear buds, turn up the music, and put on a night mask. Maybe I can fall asleep before the next wave hits.”


Katharine stood, as well. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I can sleep on the chaise and be close.”


Jenna shook her head and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be okay. Knowing you’re across the hall will help. I just can’t be alone. Usually Mom and Dad are around if Adrian is away. Adam and Julia are so busy with the kids, I hate bothering them. You guys were a lifesaver tonight.” She bent down and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, Richard. I know you see enough of me in the office. I really appreciate it.”


“Not a problem.”


“If you need me, come and get me,” Katharine offered.


“I’ll try not to.”


She walked up the steps, leaving Katharine and me. I studied her body language. Tense was an understatement. If she held herself any tighter, she’d be the one with the headache soon.


“Hey.”


She startled and looked at me, her eyes wide.


“What’s wrong?”


“Nothing. Why would you ask?”


I snickered. “You’ve been like a cat on a hot tin roof all night.”


She bustled around, tidying up her already neat files, straightening the newspaper I’d been trying to read, and picking up the glasses to take to the kitchen.


“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you hungry?”


“No.”


“I can make you a sandwich.”


“No.”


“Do you want coffee? I bought some decaf. Or, maybe some toast or something? You didn’t eat much dinner.”


“Katharine,” I warned, my voice becoming impatient.


She set down the glasses she was holding. “I’m going to bed.”


She bolted up the stairs, leaving me more confused than ever.