Pretty Lies (Watch Me Burn Book 1)

by R. E. Bond

  “Let’s all go swimming, yeah? Good to see you, Holloway,” then he took off outside with Jensen and Lukas behind him.

  Caden sighed before looking at me again with curiosity.

  “So, they looked out for you today? No other problems?”

  I fiddled with my hands and shook my head.

  “No problems, but we left morning class and hung out till lunch before coming home, so I guess no one got the chance. I still find it fucking weird that we get out at lunch most of the week.”

  Seriously, study period wasn’t compulsory, so unless we had a scheduled assignment or extra lesson, we never had to stick around once lunch was over.

  He seemed confused for a moment before raising an eyebrow.

  “They’ve seriously brought you into the crew, huh? Never thought I’d see the day.”

  I frowned, not following what he was implying.

  “What day?”

  “The day that a fucking girl brought them to their knees,” he stated casually, taking my hand and leading me out to the pool to join the others as if he hadn’t just dropped that little fucking bombshell.

  Fuck me.

  “Want a beer?” Tyler asked as he climbed out of the pool hours later, glancing around the group.

  The other three nodded, but I hesitated, not particularly wanting Max to bust me drinking.

  “Max would kill me.”

  Caden grinned, pulling me firmly against him and causing the cool water to splash around us.

  “Mom and Max took off for a week. Mom’s got some business stuff to do, and Max wanted to go with her.”

  “They left us alone?” I asked, anger lacing my tone.

  I hardly knew these guys, and Dad had just left me there?

  He was lucky that I was actually getting along with them, or I’d have blown a fucking fuse right about now.

  He looked amused for a moment before winking at me.

  “Well, they think I’m still at Dad’s. Dad doesn’t give a fuck what I get up to, so I came home when I heard they were going away for a bit. Figured you’d want company.”

  Jensen smirked, giving Caden a tormenting waggle of the eyebrows.

  “Hey, I would’ve kept her company for you.”

  “I bet you fucking would’ve,” he snorted, but gave me a small smile and continued, “Anyways, have a beer. It’s fine.”

  I finally nodded and Tyler wandered inside to get everyone a drink, but Lukas watched Caden with a frown.

  “What’s the deal? Her dad isn’t here for you to upset but you haven’t kept your hands off her.”

  Great way to freak me out.

  Thanks, Lukas.

  My body tensed and I swam back from Caden slightly, but he rolled his eyes and gave me space as he replied.

  “C’mon, I’ve got a hot stepsister. Why would I keep my hands to myself?”

  “Oh, I dunno, because maybe if you knew what really fucking happened to her, you wouldn’t…”

  For fuck’s sake, was he ever going to shut his fucking mouth?

  I angrily threw a tennis ball at him as it bobbed past me, socking him in the eye with it.

  “Mind your own fucking business, asshole.”

  He rubbed his tender eye and scowled at me.

  “Damnit, Aurora. You are my business.”

  “Like fuck. I haven’t been your business in a long fucking time. It was all a fucking act anyways, so stop acting so heartbroken by me,” I bit out, watching his hands splash water everywhere as he smacked them against the surface with frustration.

  “It isn’t a fucking act and it never has been! I fucking loved you, Rory, and you won’t even hear me out as to what actually happened!”

  Tyler stood by the pool silently, glancing between us with confusion, but Caden and Jensen paid close attention as we kept arguing.

  Lukas was lucky I wasn’t completely crazy, or I’d have drowned him where he fucking stood.

  I flung my hands in the air with annoyance, flicking water across the water’s surface.

  “You don’t know what fucking love is, so don’t give me that shit. I’m not doing this with you, back the fuck off.”

  “Why won’t you let me explain?” He shouted, but I was fucking done.

  “Because, you can’t fix it, so why fucking bother? You have no idea what you did when you walked away from me that day. No fucking clue,” then I swam to the edge of the pool and pulled myself out, snatching a beer from Tyler on the way past.

  I made sure to slam the door on my way inside, and I didn’t care if I looked like a spoiled fucking brat either.

  I was only alone for ten minutes before Caden found me in the kitchen.

  He kept his distance as he spoke gently, waiting for me to go to him if I wanted the comfort.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” I said bitterly, but he just shrugged.

  “That’s fine, just wanted to check on you.”

  “Well stop it!” I shouted, his eyes narrowing at my outburst.

  I pushed myself off the bench and finished my beer as I chugged it down, glaring at him with frustration.

  I knew I was alienating the one person who appeared to have my back at this point in my life, but I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to.

  “Stop pretending to care about me! You don’t give a fuck about anyone but yourself, so…”

  He moved faster than I expected as my back hit the wall and he got in my face, his hand wrapping around my throat before I could shove him back.

  Panic surged through me as he became nose to nose with me and growled.

  “You hardly fucking know me, so don’t you dare tell me who I give a fuck about. Why the fuck wouldn’t I want to check on you?”

  “Don’t fucking touch me!” I growled back, desperately clawing at his hands, needing distance from him.

  He was scaring me.

  “Why? You like it,” he sneered, his words digging deep inside me until I couldn’t fucking breathe.

  My eyes watered as I tried to block the memories out, but I refused to let tears fall.

  “Holloway, let her go!” Jensen snapped as he walked into the room, but Caden glared at him over his shoulder without doing as he’d asked.

  “Fuck off, Gilbert. This has nothing to fucking do with you.”

  “Bro, she isn’t breathing.”

  “That’s because my fucking hand’s around her throat,” he replied sarcastically, making Jensen glare daggers at him.

  “Holloway!”

  He snorted, letting go and shoving me hard in Jensen’s direction.

  “Fucking have her then. You only wanna fuck her anyways.”

  I tensed up as Jensen’s arms went around my middle to catch me as Caden stormed off, but he let go instantly as I yanked back from him, keeping his concerned gaze on me.

  “Hey, breathe. I won’t touch you, okay? But you need to work with me to help you breathe properly. Look at me.”

  I peered into his piercing blue eyes, and the look on his face told me to do as I was told. There was something about him that made me want to trust him in that moment, and I reached a hand out to him, needing the contact.

  He hesitated before taking it, pulling me closer so he could hold my face gently in his hands.

  “C’mon, it’s just you and me, babe. Take a breath in with me, okay?”

  I struggled, but after a few attempts I choked on fresh air, earning a small smile from him.

  “There you go. Better?”

  I choked again as more cool air filled my lungs, closing my eyes and leaning my forehead on his shoulder for comfort.

  I wasn’t going to lie, Caden managed to scare the fucking hell out of me.

  “Caden…”

  “Meet the real Caden Holloway. See why people are so surprised that he took you in so easily? He’s not a nice guy unless you’re me, his mother, Ty, or Lukas. What did you say to upset him like that?” He asked gently, his fingers stroking my back in a
calming motion.

  Shame burned inside me, but I shrugged.

  “Nothing.”

  “Sure you didn’t. You gonna come back out to the pool to hang out or…”

  I took a step back, shaking my head.

  “Nah, I might head out for the night and stay somewhere else. I don’t want to be here.”

  Not with the asshole still roaming around.

  He sighed but gave me a small smile as if we were sharing secrets.

  I guess we were since Caden was such a private person.

  “Word of advice? Holloway won’t get violent with you. Ever. He didn’t hurt you right now, he just scared you. It’s how he works, babe. He just wants you to think he’s capable of physically hurting you so you fall in line. I promise you’re safe to stay here.”

  I hesitated before nodding, my anxiety calming a tiny amount.

  “Okay. Thanks, Jense.”

  He looked uncomfortable, but he shrugged.

  “It’s okay. I’ll see you later, call me if you need me.”

  I thanked him again before heading up to my room and shutting myself inside.

  I curled up in bed and finally let the tears I’d been holding onto fall.

  It was going to be a long fucking night.

  I woke in the middle of the night, jumping when I noticed Caden leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a hard expression on his face.

  It was only just visible in the moonlight, but I could tell he was frustrated.

  I scrambled back against the headboard, hearing him finally speak in a low voice.

  “Never tell me who I care for. You drove me fucking insane this afternoon when you said that shit. You pissed me the fuck off if I’m being honest with you.”

  “Why didn’t you hurt me then?” I asked softly, making him snort as his expression hardened more.

  “Hurt you? I wanted to do more than fucking hurt you, Aurora. I wanted to fuck some goddamn sense into you and make you fucking scream from under me until you didn’t even know your own fucking name anymore.”

  A shiver ran through me at his tone, and when I didn’t say anything, he stalked towards the bed and ripped the covers back.

  His eyes scanned my face as he growled, “Tell me right now if I’m not allowed to fucking touch you, Rory. You got two seconds.”

  Ah, fuck.

  I knew it was stupid, but I wanted him to touch me.

  Deep down, I fucking needed him to.

  Since he was one of the only people to be able to touch me and actually make me feel good about it, I was basically craving him.

  I finally spoke, no louder than a whisper.

  “Touch me.”

  A growl ripped from him as he dove down to kiss me hard, a gasp of surprise leaving me at how sudden it was.

  He ran his tongue along mine angrily, a groan leaving him as he took my lower lip between his teeth.

  “You drive me insane all the fucking time, Rory.”

  I flattened my hands against his abs as his shirt rode up, and he gritted his teeth at my touch, giving me a small amount of confidence as he forced out, “You’re making it worse. I just want to jam myself so fucking deep inside you that you forget every other man who’s ever fucking been there.”

  It was a nice thought if I was being honest, and the more confident I became, the more I knew I was asking for fucking trouble.

  My hands ran further up his shirt as I absently kissed across his pecs and up his neck as I sat up and leaned over him.

  Forgetting the memories would be nice.

  “You think it would be that good? That I’d forget the rest?”

  He smirked with a sense of cockiness that would look arrogant on anyone else, but it just made me hotter for him.

  I was fucking melting.

  “I know it would be that good.”

  “Promise?” I asked softly, watching him hesitate as an unsure look crossed his face, mixed with confusion.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Okay,” I whispered, reaching for the waistband of his sweats, hoping he didn’t see my hands shaking slightly.

  He flipped me onto my back, a feral grin on his face.

  “You sure? Because I’ll be devastated if you’re fucking with me right now.”

  I ignored the anxiety in my head that screamed at me to stop as I shuffled out of my own sleep shorts and shirt, a small boost of confidence hitting me as his green eyes greedily trailed over my naked body with appreciation.

  “Caden, I trust you. I mean it,” I added, something crossing his expression that almost looked like regret, but he masked it quickly and gave me his panty-dropping smile.

  “In that case, lay there and let me make you feel good.”

  I knew I was tense as he moved down my body, but once his mouth moved over my pussy, I relaxed.

  A complete calm washed over me as he worked me up until I was a gasping, shaking fucking mess in front of him, my limbs feeling like jelly as I went to move in the aftermath.

  He cockily crawled up my body, stripping himself off and moving his hand between us to stroke himself.

  “We don’t have to fuck if you don’t want to.”

  “I do,” I replied quickly, making him chuckle, oblivious to my desperate reason of wanting his touch.

  “Alright. I’m rough in bed but I’ll start off a little nicer on you. You on the pill?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Thank fuck,” he groaned, startling me as he finally pushed inside me.

  It fucking burned, my entire body tensing up with discomfort.

  He stilled, looking down at me in the moonlight with confusion in his eyes.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  I nodded, trying hard to fight off the fear that threatened to spill out of me, but his face softened completely, and he lay over me more so he could stroke my cheek, taking my nerves as inexperience.

  I mean, I guess it was that too.

  “I’ve got you, okay? I’ll be gentle, I promise. I won’t pick up the pace until you want me to.”

  Thank fuck.

  I seriously needed a minute.

  When I relaxed, he started moving again, and I had to admit he knew what he was doing.

  My nails dug into his back as the panic slowly left me, and he groaned the harder I dug them in.

  He buried his face in my neck and sucked hard on the sensitive skin, causing me to let out a little moan that seemed to rev him up more.

  His hips picked up the pace, and when he knew I was okay with it, he went even harder, lifting one of my legs over his shoulder to get deeper somehow.

  I didn’t know sex could be so fucking good as he fucked me into the mattress, his fingers digging into my thigh and surprising me when an orgasm started to build so soon.

  The angle of his thrusts changed, his pubic bone rubbing against my clit and sending me over the edge so suddenly that it startled me.

  I clung to him as he hammered into me, my nails tearing his back up in the process which just seemed to turn him on even more.

  I panicked as he moved back and flipped me onto my stomach, his arm going around my middle to lift my ass up as he moved back inside me.

  I felt caged in and exposed, the panic rolling through me like a fucking wave.

  His sweaty chest slid over my back as he kissed down the side of my neck, and just as I started to relax again, his hand came around the front of my throat and he squeezed, causing me to buck against him.

  I was officially fucking panicking.

  “Caden…”

  “I warned you I like it rough, but I won’t hurt you. Trust me, remember?” he murmured in my ear without moving his hand, and I shivered as he licked down the cord of my neck and bit into my shoulder firmly.

  I’d never really understood why people liked the position, but the rougher he got the more I wanted to let him have his way with me completely.

  There was something fucking wrong with me.

  The arm he had around my middle m
oved slightly so his hand was between my legs, and I gasped as his fingertips rubbed my clit, making him growl.

  “Fuck you feel good.”

  Oh, fuck.

  My back arched and he groaned, moving his hand from around my throat to push my chest down into the mattress more to fuck me harder again.

  I let out a loud scream as an orgasm ripped through me and he finally buried deep, coming inside me before slumping over my back to catch his breath.

  When he finally rolled off me, he gently pulled me into his arms and placed soft kisses down my throat.

  I knew I’d be bruised and sore in the morning, but I didn’t mind.

  It was worth it.

  When I stayed quiet, he chuckled softly in my ear.

  “What’s on your mind? I can hear the wheels turning.”

  I fidgeted for a moment before speaking, my anxiety fighting itself.

  I wanted to be left alone to deal with my emotions, but also be held by him to deal with them.

  “Can you stay in here with me tonight, or does that break your rules?”

  He tucked me even tighter against him and kissed the top of my head, whispering, “Course I can stay. For future reference, you can’t break the rules if there are no rules, baby.”

  I smiled against his chest, feeling safe despite the anxiety bubbling below the surface as I drifted off to sleep in his arms with a false sense of security.

  Caden

  I lied.

  It totally broke my fucking rules.

  I never cuddled. Ever.

  I should have gone back to my fucking room, but something kept me there.

  She annoyed the fuck out of me and I wanted her gone, but I’d let her get close, just for that night.

  After all, I was the reason her fucking father hurt her.

  She was meant to just be a bit of fun until I got her and Max to fucking leave, but I found myself enjoying the company.

  Usually, I spent most nights alone in my massive fucking house, but now I at least had her noise in the background to make me feel less lonely.

  Mom worked her ass off, so it’s not like she was running off to party.

  I had a good life because Mom made it for me.

  I was lucky, I guess.

  Tyler was always alone because his parents were shit, and Jensen’s dad was the only parent around in his life, but even that was a rare occasion.