Rachel pushed through her front door and slammed it shut. Leaning back against it, she rested her head on the wood and closed her eyes.

Cole had been wrong. She hadn’t taken care of herself after he’d left. Oh, she had been tempted, but knowing he’d suggested it grated on her nerves.

So now, she was standing in her apartment at two in the morning, frustrated and alone.

Pulling out her phone from her bag, she then dumped it onto the floor. As she moved straight to her bedroom, she checked her phone for any messages.

Four missed calls. No surprise they’re from Mason, Mason, Josh, and—yep, I knew it—Mason.

Sighing, Rachel ran a hand through her hair and hit play to listen to the voice mails.

“Rach, just calling to make sure you got home okay. Call me.”

Shaking her head at Mason checking in on her, she hit delete and listened to call number two.

“Rach, call me.”

Kicking off her heels, she trashed another one of Mason’s messages and hit play on Josh’s message.

“Mason told me to call you to tell you to call him. So, please, Rach, call him. It’s one forty-five in the morning. You know he’ll worry until you do.”

Looking at the photos on her dresser, she focused in on the one of her and Mason at his wedding. She had to laugh a little. Surely, one day, he’ll quit worrying, right? Playing the final message, she felt her heart warm at Mason’s concerned voice.

“Okay, Rachel Langley, I know you’re an adult, but it is now one fifty in the morning, and you left at eleven fifty. Shh, Lena…she knows I hate that she has to catch a taxi so late at night...I know she’s an adult.”

There was a pause, and she could hear him sigh and rustle. It was probably from the bed he was lying in.

“I am not going to sleep well until you text me. I’m worried. Love you.”

She typed a text to both her brother and Josh.

I’m home, safe and sound. I was not mugged, accosted, or taken by a sex addict (I should be so lucky). GO TO SLEEP. —R

Standing, she unzipped her leather pants and peeled them off her body. I thought I would be doing this in front of Cole. Guess not. Apparently, that man had decided on a different agenda. It was a pity he hadn’t filled her in on it before she got herself all worked up.

Once she was naked, she slipped between the sheets, closed her eyes, and immediately drifted off to sleep.

* * *

“Turn around,” his voice commanded in her ear.

Obediently, Rachel turned, so she was facing the wall in their bedroom.

“I got a little gift for you today,” he said as he unzipped his jeans.

He had called her earlier and told her she should be naked by the time he got home because he needed to fuck her. At first, she had been hesitant, especially after their argument last night, but she knew if she didn’t do as he suggested, the evening would be that much worse.

“I just love your ass. I’m going to have it one day, I promise you.”

Rachel shivered. He knew how she felt about having his cock near her ass, but he constantly liked to push. Instead of protesting though, she kept her mouth shut, just as he preferred it.

“Maybe tonight?” He planted his palms against the wall by her head and pushed his erection against her bare crack.

Being this close to the wall, Rachel felt cross-eyed, so she shut her eyes and turned her head, laying her right cheek against the wall. Lately, it was becoming more and more obvious she needed to end things with him. But every time she approached the subject, he would turn the tables, and she would end up apologizing before she took off her clothes.

That was the problem with their relationship. He never listened, and she couldn’t help the way he made her feel. What the fuck is the matter with me? How can I get off on the way he treats me? To be more precise, it was the way she let him treat her.

In the beginning, it had all been fun, having a little kink in the bedroom, but over the last year, he had become more aggressive, more demanding. When he would be in the right frame of mind, it would turn her on more than she had ever imagined. Lately though, his moods and disposition had become volatile, and that frightened her.

“Hands behind your back, Rach.”

Slowly, she moved and rested the backs of her hands against the curve of her waist right above her ass. That was when she felt the cool hard snap of a handcuff encircle her right wrist. Automatically, her shoulders stiffened, and she raised her head from the wall.

Looking back over her shoulder at him, she locked eyes with hot, annoyed ones.

“Handcuffs? I don’t think that’s a great idea.”

His lip curled in a cruel twist as he lowered his face close to hers.

“I don’t remember asking for your opinion. Now, turn around, and shut your mouth.”

Biting down on her bottom lip, Rachel lowered her eyes and tried to control the shiver that racked her body. Something didn’t feel right. The way he had looked at her with a glint in his eyes that hadn’t been there before felt evil.

“Spread your legs,” he demanded, his warm breath skating along the skin at the top of her spine.

Opening her eyes, she slowly spread her legs as she felt him snap the left cuff around her wrist. Rachel could feel her heart beating faster, and despite her growing fear, she could feel herself becoming more and more aroused.

When she heard him removing his jeans, she closed her eyes again, waiting for whatever he was about to do.

“I ran into your brother today,” he said, his voice cutting through the air.

The words were so unexpected and so inappropriate that she had no idea what to say or if she was supposed to say anything at all.

“He’s such a player. He’s always got a new piece of pussy on his arm. Wonder what he does to make the women flock to him.”

Rachel stiffened. Turning around, she was ready to tell him to get lost. As she faced him, he reached out, and with a strong palm to her breastbone, he pushed her hard against the wall. Looking up at him, she could feel her breathing accelerate as fear fully replaced any kind of arousal she had been feeling. Her arms hurt as he moved in close and crushed her against the wall, forcing the metal cuffs to bite into the skin on her wrists. Sliding his hand up to her neck, he squeezed as his eyes narrowed.

“Your precious Mason told me to let you know he heard from a friend of his.”

Rachel’s brain was trying, trying to catch up, but nothing was making sense. “You’re hurting me. Can you please move?”

“No, I can’t fucking move, and you aren’t going anywhere either. Who’s Josh?”

Josh? What the fuck is he talking about?

“Josh, an old family friend, according to Mason. He told me you used to have a big old crush on him.”

Rachel swallowed, trying to think, willing her brain to catch up. Josh? She hadn’t seen or heard from Josh in years. Yes, she’d had a crush on him in high school, but that was fucking high school.

The man in front of her had completely morphed, and there was no way he was going to listen to her. Changing before her eyes, he had gone from a man she had found comfort with to a man she no longer knew. He had become a man who terrified her.

“Let me go. You’re being ridiculous, and I don’t think this is the time for me to explain anything.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” He took a step back and removed his shirt.

Rachel looked him over as she stood there, shaking. “Well, I’m not staying here with you.” She moved to push past him and leave the room, but she didn’t get far.

Before she knew it, he grabbed her shoulders and threw her on the bed. She landed on her back, and as he straddled her body, crushing her hands beneath her, the pain in her arms ricocheted up to her shoulders.

“Get off me,” she yelled as she thrashed underneath him.

“No. You’re going to fucking lay there while I show you exactly who you belong to,” he growled. He held her shoulders and pinned her down, leaving her utterly helpless.

“Get the fuck off me, Ben.”

She bucked her hips up just as he raised his right hand, and he slapped her hard across the cheek. Closing her eyes to the pain that blasted up the left side of her face, she felt the tears sting her eyes as they escaped down her cheeks. As the weight on her shifted, she turned her head, hoping to block out some of what she knew would follow.

Preparing herself for a second blow, she was shocked when she felt fingers lightly graze her stinging face, wiping away her tears. A strong grip took hold of her chin, pulling her face back, as a voice filtered through her throbbing head.

“I know I shouldn’t touch you, Rachel, but I wanted to.”

Her eyes fluttered open and met with heated hazel.

Naked from the waist up, Cole straddled her hips as she realized her hands were suddenly free and clasped together above her head of her own volition. Her core clenched while she stared up at exactly what she wanted.

His mouth pulled into a tight smile as he reached forward with a large hand. Automatically, Rachel flinched, but it didn’t deter him. He gently pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear as he lowered himself down until his lips were against hers.

“Keep your hands right there above your head for me.”

After nipping her bottom lip, he shifted and brushed a kiss against her cheek. “I won’t touch you again until you ask.”

Rachel felt her mouth part as he moved away from her. She was about to ask. She could feel it. And that was when…

She woke up.

* * *

Three meetings later, Cole glanced at his watch as he stood, stretching his neck. Finally, he could head out. It was a shame he had to go out of town. He wouldn’t have minded a follow-up visit with one Rachel Langley, but this was something he couldn’t put off.

Moving to the coatrack, he fastened his suit jacket, pulled on his thick coat, and draped his scarf loosely around his neck.

“Heading out for the weekend, sir?”

“Yes, Jane,” he told her, stressing her name, as he walked over to her desk.

“Well, you drive safely.”

Cole shook his head with a small smile as he turned and walked to the elevators. He pressed the button and then faced his paralegal. “I have been driving for years. I’m sure I will be okay.”

Jane looked at him with a serious expression, and he was surprised at the frown that creased her brow. That look was usually reserved for him.

“Yes, but you are preoccupied. Try not to worry. Check out the situation before you fly off the handle.”

A loud ding sounded behind him, signaling an elevator’s arrival.

Nodding once, Cole told her sincerely, “I will endeavor not to lose my temper unless it is warranted. How’s that?”

“Very good, Mr. Madison.”

Cole turned, stepped onto the elevator, and pressed the parking garage button. Just as the doors started to close, he called out, “Go home early, Mrs. Markham.”

He chuckled as “Yes, sir,” met his ears.

* * *

The drive to Lake Forest took approximately forty-five minutes to an hour, and as Cole finally drove down the main road, he tried not to feel annoyed at himself. He hated leaving her here, but it seemed like the best solution.

Heading off the main road and making his way through several streets, he finally saw the sign for him to turn up ahead. Making a right, he drove past two entrances and turned at the third. Pulling his black Peugeot 907 into one of the parking spaces, he climbed out and shrugged into his coat. He didn’t bother to button it as he made his way briskly across the parking lot to the front door. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and opened the front door to Tranquil Lakes, the retirement home he had been visiting every Sunday for the past three years.

“Good evening, Mr. Madison.”

Cole moved to the front desk. Resting his arms on it, he clasped his hands together as he looked down at Gillian, the petite blonde who had been greeting him since he’d been coming here.

“Evening, Gillian,” he greeted. “Is Becky around? I told her I would be arriving by five.”

Gillian nodded and looked at the clipboard that was in front of her. “Yes, Nurse Parnell just went down to your mother’s room. Do you want me to page her?”

Cole shook his head. “No, don’t worry. I’ll meet her down there.”

Turning to his left, Cole made his way down the first hallway, leading to the east wing of the facility. Pushing his hand into his pocket, he tried for a smile as he passed a nurse in the hall, but he knew it came off more as a grimace. He was too preoccupied with the fact that he had not been contacted immediately about the incident that had occurred after he had left last Sunday night.

His mother had accidently burned herself during a cooking exercise. The activity had been supervised, but apparently, during a moment when eyes were not focused, his mother had placed her hand directly on top of the hot burner.

Cole wouldn’t have been so infuriated if he had been informed immediately. Instead, he had found out about it only after he had called. Becky, his mother’s nurse, had claimed she hadn’t wanted to needlessly worry him. Well, too fucking late for that. It was bad enough that he couldn’t look after his mother himself, but when shit like this happened, he felt completely useless.

As he reached the end of the hall, he stopped at the open door and rested his shoulder against the jamb. Looking in the large room, he could see his mother sitting in her favorite rocking chair in front of one of the large windows overlooking the lake.

The room was decorated with all her beloved knickknacks, and a single painting was displayed on the wall. She had bought an abstract of the Eiffel Tower on her honeymoon with his father.

On one of the shelves were various photos, ranging from when he was a baby up until now, and sitting by her bed was a small music box with a hand-painted rainbow on the top. Her father had given her the box when she was a child, and to this day, it still faithfully played.

He stood there, quietly watching his mother. Tipping the chair with her slippered foot each time it rocked down, the little lady softly hummed to herself. She was wearing a blue robe, and her wet, bobbed gray hair was brushed back from her face. She looked peaceful while he felt anything but. The nurse was nowhere in sight, so he decided to visit with his mother first before hunting down Becky.

Pushing away from the door, he knocked gently and coughed softly to get her attention. His mother stopped her movement and turned in her chair to look at him. Her eyes roamed over him before coming up to meet with his.

“Hello, young man. Are you looking for someone?”

Cole stepped into the room slowly. “Yes, I was, but I can’t seem to find her. Would you mind if I sit with you for a while just until she comes back?”

His mother smiled at him, and as the warmth of it met her hazel eyes, the same color as his own, he felt his heart break at the lack of recognition in them.

“Oh, of course, please. Just pull that chair over here, and we can have a chat until she comes back. I love visitors.”

Cole shrugged out of his coat and pulled up the plush sitting chair beside her. Taking a seat, he watched her as she fussed for a minute with her hair.

She straightened her robe before she turned to face him. “So, what is your name?”

Cole grinned at the same question she would ask him every week. “Cole. My name is Cole.”

“Oh, what a lovely name. It’s strong.”

“Thank you. My mother thought so. What’s your name?”

“My name is Lydia.”

Looking out to the snow falling silently onto the balcony railing, Cole whispered softly, “That’s a beautiful name.”

“What’s that?” she asked, not hearing him.

“I said that’s a beautiful name. My mother’s name is Lydia.”

“Really?” she asked with a warm expression that always reminded him of happiness, safety, and home. “What a coincidence.”

“Yes, it really is.” He chuckled as he pushed his hand into his pocket and pulled out two caramels. “Do you like caramel, Lydia?”

She looked at the white wax paper in his hand before raising her eyes back to his. “Why, yes; yes, I do. How funny.” She giggled like a little girl as she got up from the chair.

Cole knew exactly where she was headed.

After picking up the music box, she came back to him and sat down. “I keep my caramels in here, but I ran out this morning. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Cole shook his head and handed her one of the candies. He watched her unwrap it as he undid his own. Just as she popped it into her mouth, she gave him a grin that made all his annoyance at Nurse Becky Parnell melt away.

“My little boy loves caramel.”

“Does he?”

She nodded as she sucked the candy and closed her eyes. “He would eat them all day if I let him. He can be such a naughty little thing.”

As she started to hum again, Cole also closed his eyes as he tried to remind himself it was good to talk to her about these things. He had been told it would keep her mind active. It was something he could do to help her.

It was a pity though that no one had an answer on how to make his heart and mind stop hurting. That was something he had no control over, and that made him feel absolutely fucking helpless.