by Harmony Grey
“I’ve got a heap of schoolwork to do, mom. Do you really want me falling behind so soon?” I try to drop the guilt card, but my mom doesn’t give two hoots how I get on at school. My studies and future education don’t seem to have any interest to her. I’m not behind—yet, but that could happen at some point. Lying to my mom comes naturally to me, just like the air that I breathe. And these days I don’t even feel bad for doing it if it means I don’t have to spend time with her.
“Can’t it wait? Just until later or tomorrow?” she pleads.
“Not really mom.” Wow, she’s really not for giving up on this which isn’t like her.
My mom offers me a small smile and I can already feel my shoulders sagging in defeat. “I just want to spend a little bit of time with you. Plus, it will be great for you to finally meet Dean.”
My insides groan out in protest. Is she being for real right now? My mom can go weeks without checking on me, giving me at least the basic care that a parent should give to their child, yet she expects me to drop everything at the last minute for her. None of this make sense. I’ve waited a lifetime for my mom to spend some time with me and now here she is acting like the perfect loving and caring mom. This is the last thing I want to be dealing with right now. I mean why would I even want to sit down and play happy families with some random guy? Especially when I have zero intention of trying to get to know him. The chances are we’ll probably be out of here by the end of next week.
“Really, mom? Can’t we do this some other time?”
My mom opens her mouth to speak but quickly closes it again. “Now you must be Olivia.” A deep voice sounds out from somewhere behind my mom and her smile is so bright it lights up the whole room. I can’t deny that she looks the happiest I have ever seen her. But then, I suppose that doesn’t really mean anything. Going off my mom’s past experiences she could be all loved up today and dripping with hatred and anger tomorrow. Who the hell knows what goes on in my mother’s head of how it works? She’s certainly one of a kind, that’s for sure.
“Erm... hey,” I nod back and offer him a small smile as I take in the tall handsome figure who’s just appeared beside my mom. On first glance he seems nice enough, but I know that isn’t always the case. The less I think about that the better. I’m not prepared to go back there. The tall figure slowly comes to a stop just in front of me with my mom still attached to his side and I can see that’s he’s pretty well put together. Although I wouldn’t really expect anything else coming from someone with endless amounts of cash.
My initial guess is that he’s probably a little older than my mom, although his grey hair gives the impression that he’s a lot older. That is until you get to his eyes. His big brown eyes still look kind and carefree. I bet that won’t last for long with my mom by his side every single day. She’s extra enough to put anyone in a grave.
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Olivia.” He tells me in a small voice. He smiles cautiously at me and I can tell he’s trying to give me as much space as I need—unlike many of my mom’s past boyfriends, and I’m thankful. This is all still so new to me and to be fair I still don’t know if I’m coming or going. Here’s to hoping things will get a little easier with each day that passes. So far, I’m getting the impression that this guy is being super kind and he’s quite welcoming too.
“You too…” the words fall out of my mouth on a stutter and I’m desperate to escape this unwanted and totally unexpected interrogation. I mean how hard would it have been for my mom to at least drop me a message and give me the heads up? But why would I ever expect her to do something like that knowing full well that she only thinks about herself? “I’m just going to go and put my things away, if that’s okay?”
“Of course it is. You can do what you like. This is your home too now.” Dean is quick to tell me with a kindness in his voice and I can tell my mom’s itching to tell me to stay where I am until she’s finished with me.
“Okay, just make sure you come straight back down here when you’re done, young lady.” My mom narrows her eyes and gives me a clear warning with a more controlled voice than I’m used to, and I can tell she’s struggling trying to keep her composure.
I smile back at them before shrugging my bag over my shoulder and turning towards the stairs. I’ve never been more desperate to escape their heated stares and the inevitable twenty-one questions that are bound to be fired at me some time in the not-too-distant future.
I think it’s fair to say that I’ve already had the day from hell. School sucks right now and so do the majority of the people who are in it. Especially…
“Kane?” I stop dead in the doorway and my heart drops to the bottom of my stomach as though I’ve just dived headfirst off a cliff. I bet if I’d done that it would still have a better outcome than what I’ve just walked in to.
“Looking good, princess…” Kane’s tall, muscular frame moves next to my bed and his voice taunts me across the room.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand while quickly turning to close the door on us as fast as my shaking hands will allow. I know that being alone with the likes of Kane Egan isn’t big and it’s not clever, but it sure as hell beats my mom finding out that there’s a boy—a very hot boy, hiding out in my room. Honestly, if she knew there was some random guy just chillin’ up here, waiting for me to get back from school, she’d actually kill me. “How did you even get in here and why are you in my room?”
This is totally fucked up. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that Kane Egan would be lurking in the shadows of my bedroom. There’s no two ways about this—I totally underestimated him. I knew he wanted to play games and make my life hell but stalking me and breaking into this house is taking things a little too far—even for the likes of the so-called King and Legend of Manorcroft High.
“Don’t you worry you’re pretty little head about the specifics. I’m here and that’s all that really matters, no?” He whispers, yet I hear him loud and clear like he’s just shouted it out for the whole house to hear. The air suddenly shifts in the room around us and an icy chill runs down my spine as Kane pierces me with his emerald green eyes. He watches me for a second before slowly putting one foot in front of the other as he carefully makes his way towards me, slow and steady like a predator sizing up its prey. “This isn’t your house, though, is it?”
My brows knit together as I frantically try to piece together this unsolvable puzzle. “I don’t see how that has anything to do with you.” I know I don’t need to worry too much, and this is all part of his games. Everything he says is nothing more than an empty scare tactic. Kane is trying to instill fear into me, and he thinks if he succeeds with that then he’ll get to take complete control and use me as he pleases.
I’m not about to allow that to happen. “Quit playing games, Kane.” I tell him and my voice is shaky but I’m desperate to stand my ground. “Why don’t you just tell me what you want from me and then you can go.”
He laughs.
It’s a deep menacing rumble deep withing his chest and I know I should back off a bit. I should be scared of this crazy intruder, yet my erratic brain is currently on overdrive and point-blank refusing to process anything of importance.
“But games are what I play best, princess.” He sneers, causing the small hairs to stand tall on the back of my neck. He either doesn’t notice my trembling body, or he just doesn’t care what kind of feelings he’s awaking within me as he moves even closer to me. So close that I can feel the heat of his fresh, minty breath on my face as he towers his big bulky frame over mine.
I try to speak, to divert his attention somehow but my voice decides to betray me once again and I find myself totally transfixed by his unexpected presence.
When we’re alone like this, just the two of us in a confined space with the rest of the world closed off I somehow lose all sense of control over my mind and body. My common sense is practically non-existent, and I lose myself in his hypnotic eyes—only now I c
an see the reflection of my own fear staring back at me.
“This is all kinds of wrong, Kane,” I try to be all firm and matter of fact, only my voice doesn’t hold any conviction. “You shouldn’t be here.” I finally find enough strength from somewhere inside me to break away from the incredible hold he seems to have on me.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” My heart beats faster and I can hear the blood rushing through my ears. “This is exactly where I should be.” He growls his words out and a sudden flash of danger dances in his beautiful green eyes.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, not really knowing if I can handle his answer, but I persevere. “What are you doing in my house?” I try to stay as calm as possible but it’s proving to be a whole lot harder than I initially anticipated. Especially with him being so close to me. And it sure as hell doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to play.
“Ah, you see… now that’s where you’re wrong. Just admit to me that this isn’t really your house.”
“Fuck you.” I hurl back ready to launch into a full-blown verbal attack on him, or at least give it my best shot, but Kane is quick to silence me with one move. His hand grips my hip, his strong fingers digging into my flesh and a small gasp falls from my mouth. He’s clever, I’ll give him that. The second he knows he’s caught me off guard he lowers his face to mine and his lips crash into mine. I can’t move. Hell, I can’t even catch my breath as his heated touch renders me completely motionless and I’ve quickly fallen victim to him once again.
I know shouldn’t want this and I should be trying everything I can to push him away from me when he’s this close, with his body pressed perfectly against mine I can feel the beat of his wild erratic heat beating in perfect unison to mine. Both dancing along to the same rhythm and for once, everything suddenly feels right in the world.
As stupid as it sounds, I finally feel complete—like the void in my life has been filled by none other than the reckless Kane Egan. The bad boy who came crashing into my life when I least expected it.
I allow my mind to relax as I lose myself to the feeling of his soft, warm heated lips and his touch leaves me breathless. I’m sure he knows this too as the edge of his mouth curls a little at the sides before a low, menacing chuckle escapes him.
Kane continues his delicious assault on my mouth, and he doesn’t pull away. I’m too consumed to even attempt to push him away. Instead, his hips roll into mine as he pushes me back against the wall, somewhat easing the dull ache which has been quickly building between my thighs and an embarrassing moan falls from my lips—one which Kane seems to approve of which he swallows whole before his kisses grow harder and more intense.
I have zero control whatsoever. My entire body has succumbed to him and I am now foolishly at his mercy. He could do anything he wanted to do with me right now and there’s no way I’d have the power to stop him.
The way he’s making me feel right now, I don’t think I’d even want to stop him.
The feel of his rough hands set my skin on fire, blazing under the heat of his touch as they wander freely around my body, eagerly exploring all the places I’m desperate for him to discover.
Something wild and unfamiliar takes over my body—kind of like I’m possessed by some sex-craved inner demon. As Kane’s heated touch grows rougher and more demanding, I feel his arousal pressed firmly against me and it makes my stomach clench tighter while the dull ache pooling at the top of my thighs intensifies.
My hands, just like my body before them lose all sense of control as they hungrily seek more of his body. They slowly trail up his toned chest, starved for more of him as they work their way around his big, broad shoulders before nestling themselves in his messy brown curls at the nape of his neck and I pull him in closer to me, desperate for more of him.
“Make no mistake. I’m going to claim you, Princess.” He moans into my mouth before biting down hard on my bottom lip and the pain shoots from my lips all the way down to my core. “Whether you like it or not, you’re mine now.” I inhale his minty breath and it drives my senses wild. I struggle to regulate my ragged breathing as I succumb even deeper to the wave of pleasure as it seeps through my body. My body goes completely lax under his touch and as if his threat never happened, he pursues my mouth again with ease and I can feel the sated hunger, drinking me up like he needs me just as much as the air in his lungs.
All too soon something snaps inside my fuzzy head and brings me down to earth with an almighty bang.
This isn’t real. None of this is really happening and he’s just trying to play me like he said he would.
What the hell am I even doing allowing him to take advantage of me like that. I thought I was stronger than this, but it seems there’s no protection for me to keep me safe from Kane Egan’s advances.
He’s a monster and I’ve already learned how he uses people for his sick and twisted games and how easily he tosses them to the side, discarding them like their nothing when he no longer has a need for them. Now the psycho has found out where I’m currently staying, and he’s managed to leave school and break into my room before I’ve even made it home.
I should scream.
Sure, my mom will lose her shit when she finds Kane in my room, but Dean’s home. I’m sure my mom would go easy on me in front of him and he’d be sure to get rid of Kane once and for all.
As if sensing what I’m thinking Kane looks down on me and says, “you’re not thinking of screaming are you, Princess?” His dark eyebrows knit together as he tries to work me out, and then his face lights up with a mega smirk again and this time I notice the dimples that weren’t present before. “Go ahead. I won’t try to stop you if that’s what you want,” he teases before lowering his head and resting it against mine. “But I can guarantee it won’t go in your favor.”
“What?” Does he really think now is the time to start talking in riddles? My head’s well and truly messed up and this asshat just keeps adding to it.
“Kane…” I take a deep breath, trying to get some much-needed oxygen in my lungs and I try to keep my voice as calm as possible. “We can’t do this.” My hands find his chest and I try to push him off me, but he’s too strong—by a whole lot more than I originally thought. Maybe I’m going to have to scream after all. I don’t want to because I know it won’t end well for me, but surely the fallout will be worth it. If I can get away from this monster—this devious bully—who’s pressed against me, it will be totally worth it.
“Oh, but we can, and believe me, we will.” I detect the heavy threat in his voice and alarm bells should be sounding out loud and clear by now, only I’m still trapped under his spell and I’m totally lost, whole-heartedly consumed by Kane Egan.
“Come on…” I try pleading with him, hoping he can hear the severity in my voice. “If my mom finds you hiding up here then she’s gonna lose her shit and trust me, that isn’t a sight you want to see.”
Kane doesn’t move. His face doesn’t falter and he’s still looking at me with zero emotion and I know my words have fallen on deaf ears. “How about you let me worry about your mom?” His voice is flat and void of any emotion too and a flash of anger sparks in his deep green eyes.
“Hold up…” My mind switches back to overdrive. How did he even manage to get in here? And why would he risk getting caught just to hang out in my room? Surely someone like me can’t be that much of a thrill for him. I stand motionless as my scrambled thoughts piece together in my head as the heavy and thoroughly intoxicating Kane induced fog starts to lift. “How did you even know where I was staying?” I question and his nostrils flare in frustration.
“Too many questions, Princess.” He deadpans. “I’m all out of answers today.”
“I’m being serious. This isn’t funny. Tell me, have you been following me?” He has, I just know it and my blood runs cold. What kind of psychopath is he? I already guessed he wasn’t wired right, but stalking someone, now that takes things to a whole new level.
When he d
oesn’t answer me, my breath catches in my throat before I flinch at his touch. A spark of electricity shoots through my body when he places his hands back on my hips, pulling me into him with brute force.
“No…” I try to deny him, but he cuts off my plea by pressing his lips to mine again. Only this time I’m prepared for his attack and I bite down hard on his lip, quickly tasting his salty blood on my lips.
“Ow, you bitch,” he snaps, his voice hoarse and feral and one look at his empty glassy eyes tell me I’ve gone a step too far and now he’s murderous. Shit. What have I gone and done? Way to fucking go Olivia.
“Livy, baby. Are you coming down here?”
My mom’s voice floats up the stairs and Kane finally releases his hold on me, but he doesn’t look all too happy about it.
“This isn’t over, Princess.” Kane snaps his eyes to mine and I know he means every word, leaving me with a cold chill which seeps deep into my bones and goosepimples break out on my skin. One thing I’m quickly learning is that this guy likes to deliver on his threats, and I don’t for one second think I’m going to be an exception.
I try my hardest to look unaffected by his words, when on the inside very fiber of my being is warning me to steer well clear of him. I should have listened to my gut when I first cast my eyes on him. I can’t say he wouldn’t have ruled me out at some point, but I wouldn’t be in the massive shitstorm that I’m now facing.
I need to get out of here before my mom comes looking for me. Hopefully when I see her, I’ll be able to cause a diversion and Kane will be able to get out of here without being caught. It’s not likely but it’s my only shot. I flatten my ruffled hair while trying to think up an epic plan of action. I’m aware that my face probably looks flushed but there isn’t much I can do about that right now.
“I’m going to go downstairs,” I tell him slowly and my voice is lacking any form of conviction. “So, while I’m gone, I need you to leave. And do it quietly. Whatever game you’ve got planned; you can forget about it because it isn’t going to happen.”
