I eye the blue siding of the two-story ranch house I lived in almost two years ago. Back then I was a seventeen-year-old asshole that loved ticking off the King of the Kingdom, my stepfather.
He was barely thirty when he married my mother. Being nearly fifty herself, she went for the rich, hot as hell men that could give her what she wanted when she wanted it.
The worst part? She felt no remorse signing the divorce papers every two years. It’s what she did to him, and what she’d do to the one she’s married to now, Greg.
Exhaling a breath I grip the steering wheel tightly, sweat forming against my palms as anxiety zings through me. What will I do if he says no?
I’m terrified he will. I have nowhere else to go, no one that cares enough to even check on me. I curse my mother again under my breath for leaving with her brand new billionaire husband to go to the Bahamas.
He hates me. When they told me about their vacation plans, he called me a bitch, then banned me from stepping on his property when he wasn’t home. Since my mother already sold the house we bought when she divorced Caine, my ex-step dad, that leaves me sleeping in my car if I can’t find somewhere else to stay.
Staring up at the house I lived in what feels like so long ago, I nibble at my bottom lip. There’s no denying the feelings Caine sparks in me. He’s a six foot two, two hundred pound alpha male, with tattoos on both arms. He oozes power and control, and nothing is more fun to me than pushing boundaries.
But I need to remember I need him to agree. Staying with him is my last resort, my only option. Breaking Caine’s rules isn’t going to help me at all. I’m willing to beg if I have to.
Sucking in a breath of oxygen, I wait for it to filter in through my lungs before forcing my hands to release the steering wheel so I can exit the car. I have one bag with me, and though I plan to going to college in the fall I know that isn’t going to happen, not if I don’t find a job fast.
“Remain calm. The worst he can say is no.” I whisper to myself closing the car door and walking up onto the sidewalk. I stop at the edge and gaze up at the house again, frozen in place. I’m a nervous wreck. My stomach is all knotted up and I think I might throw up.
Pulling on my big girl panties, I cross the sidewalk and walk slowly up the brick walkway. I’m almost to the huge white door when it opens. Caine’s huge body takes up the entire doorway, and I suddenly feel like a little girl stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.
“Maddie?” He says my name like a question, squinting those warm whiskey colored eyes of his. I’ll never forget the way they would flicker with fire when I taunted or disobeyed him when he was married to my mom. It was so hot to see the anger spiral out of control inside him.
“Uhh yeah.. Hi.” I wave awkwardly trying to smile, though I’m sure it’s more of a grimace, before crossing the space between us. Caine’s gaze never leaves mine and I can see him sizing me up. It’s been two years since we’ve seen each other but he’s hotter than ever. Strong, toned muscles played peek-a-boo beneath his T-shirt. My mouth waters and my heart slams against my rib cage as if it was trying to escape my fucking chest when he crosses his arms over his and stares down at me appraisingly.
Stop. Stop picturing him using those muscles to pin you against the wall and fu-
“Is everything okay?” His voice is smooth, and it soothes some of the anxiety I’m feeling. I try to hide my emotions the best I can. I don’t want Caine feeling sorry for me, I just need a place to live and to find a job. With his brows pinched together and his hard stare on me, I know he’s trying to figure out the situation before I can explain it to him. He probably thinks I’m going to lie the way I used to.
“Actually, it’s not…” I trail off tucking a couple strands of my honey blonde hair behind my ear, embarrassed to even have to say the words. “I’m a little down on my luck right now and-“
Crossing his arms, Caine growls. “If you’re here for money I can’t fucking help you, you know that…” It’s a real growl, like that of a bear or something. I feel that growl deep in my belly and it sends shock waves deep into my core.
I’ve never felt anything like that before so it takes me a moment to gain my bearings. “I’m not here for money. Not at all. I’m here because mom’s out of town with her new husband,” I make a disgusted face at just the thought of Greg before continuing, “who says he doesn’t want anyone in the house while they’re gone, including me. I don’t have anywhere to go right now.” I look up at him sadly. “I just need a place to crash for a couple of weeks until I can get a job and save some money. I swear I’ll do whatever you need me to…” The word vomit won’t stop and before I realize it Caine is invading my space, his woodsy scent filling my nostrils and calming my erratic heart beat.
His perfectly sculpted hand engulfs my cheek, the gesture gentle, and kind, and something I hadn’t expected from him or anyone else from that matter. “Shh. Calm down, doll.” He shakes his head, like he can’t believe she would leave me homeless, though he knows that’s just like her. Your mom’s a bitch, but you know that already. If you need a place to crash, you’re more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need. I’m not going to let you be homeless” Relief floods my veins, while fire ignites in my belly at the touch of his skin against mine. It’s so taboo to be attracted to your ex-stepdad, but it’s not like we’re blood related. He never even slept with my mom. She married him for his money, and I’m not exactly sure why he married her.
“I’m sorry if I’m intruding, “ I mumble feeling every bit as young as my nineteen years. Coming here was a bad idea because he seems to be agreeing to let me stay here, but only because he has to. I don’t want to be a burden and it’s painfully obvious that’s all I’ll ever be to anyone.
Caine opens his mouth to say something else, but before he can, a new hand pulls the door open further and I watch as the hand becomes an arm, then reveals another man standing behind him. My body quivers when his eyes travel down my body and I can see the approval in them. He likes what he sees.
“Who’s this?” he asks, one dark brow raised as he looks at Caine. His voice is even deeper and more growly. It sends a shiver down my spine, one that neither man misses. They grin at each other, and I can tell they’re having some sort of silent conversation, but I don’t know what is being said.
Finally, Caine introduces us. “Knox meet Maddie, my ex-wife’s daughter. Maddie meet Knox, my best friend and business partner.” I blink, taking it the two men before me. Knox is huge, eating up all the space behind Caine who is just a few inches shorter than him.
Caine’s forest green eyes pierce mine as he speaks to Knox over his shoulder, “Maddie here needs a place to crash for a couple of weeks. You mind if I put her in the empty bedroom? The one that’s down the hall from the office?” Knox’s eyes are dark and intriguing and he watches me like a lion would watch its prey before pouncing on it.
A pink tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip and I feel my insides quake with need, my breasts suddenly feeling heavy. I want to be that lip.
This is definitely a bad idea.
“It’s not a problem for me,” he says with a shrug. “Whatever you want Caine, you know I’ll support your decision.” Knox takes a step back, a smile pulling at those full lips of his. It’s like he knows I’m interested and maybe even turned on. When I look back at Caine, I can tell he knows it too and for some reason that makes my cheeks warm, prompting them to grin at each other.
Caine rubs at his chin thoughtfully. He’s let a small amount of scruff grow on his chin and cheeks making him seem older than the thirty-something I know him to be. “Alright, you can stay, but no funny business. I don’t want any boys here, and I don’t want any drama with your mom. It’s bad enough she tried to take half of everything I own.”
I let out a breath I wasn’t even aware I am holding. “Thank you, Caine. Thank you so much. I swear you won’t regret it. I won’t do anything that would upset you or break your trust, I promise.” I try to exude confidence knowing without a doubt that I will try my best to remain out of trouble.
Caine lifts an eyebrow as if to say, “really,” but thankfully he doesn’t voice his doubt. Instead he moves from the doorway and gestures for me to come in. My feet are heavy as I nod and take a step forward and then another until I’m across the threshold, standing in the living room.
“I know you won’t, Maddie.” Caine’s voice makes me shiver, and I whirl around to face him once more, not sure where the conversation is going, but irritated at the smug tone in his voice.
“Why’s that? I know I’m not exactly the best teenager in the world. Hell, I’m still young, and at times dumb.” Caine takes a step forward and then another until he’s invading my personal space once more, and this time it takes everything in me not to drop my head and submit to him. The thought of being at his mercy causes the blood to roar in my ears.
“You might be young, but you’re not dumb, and this time around I won’t hesitate to take you across my knee for being an ungrateful brat.” Fire flickers in his green eyes and I know he’s not lying which only makes me want to misbehave more. The idea of my ex-stepdad, taking me across his knee and spanking me for being a bad girl definitely turns me on, if the wetness in my panties is any indication.
I hold my breath watching as he slowly moves away from me and up the stairs. I’m not sure where he’s going but I’m glad he’s leaving because I’m seconds away from begging him to do something neither of us can come back from.