Chapter 1

Greer’s POV

I stood in shock as I stared at my stepfather's eight-inch cock, unable to look away as my eyes traced the lines of the veins on it. This was wrong, I told myself. I already had a crush on his son, Wells, who was my stepbrother. How could I compound it by also being attracted to his father?

There was no momentary answer I could give except to stare, and when it became obvious that I was staring, I turned back immediately, ignoring him and the unexplainable gaze I had seen in his eyes as I wondered what had just happened. Had I been desiring my own stepfather? I asked myself before I continued walking.

But before I continue, allow me to take you back to where it all began...The Rhys mansion rose like a dark jewel against the cliffs of Havenridge, all sharp glass and cold stone that caught the late-afternoon light and threw it back in shards.

My mother, Veda, stepped out of the chauffeured car first, heels clicking with purpose, her smile already in place like armor. She looked radiant, cheeks flushed from excitement or champagne, I could never tell which anymore. I followed behind, clutching my small duffel bag, the one thing I had refused to let the staff carry. It felt like the last piece of me that still belonged to the old life. Inside, the air smelled of polished wood and money.

Marble stretched in every direction. A double staircase curved upward like it was waiting to swallow someone whole. Servants appeared without sound, taking Veda's coat, offering water, murmuring welcomes. She accepted each gesture as her due. I stood a step behind, trying to make myself smaller.

Calder Rhys appeared at the top of the stairs. Tall, broad-shouldered, silver threading through dark hair. He wore a charcoal suit that looked like it had been tailored around his body while he stood still. His expression was calm, almost polite, the way people are polite when they are used to being obeyed.

"Welcome," he said. His voice was low, measured.

"Both of you." Veda floated forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Darling, it's perfect. Just perfect.”

His eyes flicked to me then. Not long. Not searching. Just acknowledgement.

"Greer." I nodded, throat tight.

"Mr. Rhys."

"Calder," he corrected, though it didn't feel like an invitation so much as a correction of protocol. He turned back to Veda, and the moment passed.

That first evening passed in a haze of introductions and forced smiles. Dinner was served in a room longer than our old apartment. Crystal glasses. Silver cutlery that clinked too loudly against porcelain.

Veda laughed at everything Calder said. I picked at my food and tried not to notice how the chandelier light made everything feel exposed. After dessert, Calder excused himself to take a call. Veda followed him with her eyes, then turned to me.

"Smile more," she whispered. "You look like you're attending a funeral."

"I'm fine," I said.

"You're not helping my image."

I didn't answer. I never knew what to say when she reminded me I was an accessory.

Later, I slipped away to explore. The house felt endless, hallways branching into more hallways. I found a sitting room with tall windows that overlooked the bay. Moonlight silvered the water. I pressed my forehead to the cool glass and let my breath fog it.

That's when I heard footsteps.

I turned.

Wells stood in the doorway, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tie gone. Early twenties I think, golden hair falling into his eyes, mouth curved in the kind of half-smile that made your stomach flip whether you wanted it to or not.

"Lost?" he asked.

"Maybe." He stepped inside, hands in his pockets. "First nights are always strange here. Too quiet after the city."

I nodded.

Words felt stuck. He crossed to the window, stood beside me. Close enough that I could smell cedar and clean cotton.

"You're quieter than I expected."

"I'm not good at... this." I gestured vaguely at the room, at him, at everything.

"You don't have to be." His voice softened.

"Not with me." I looked up at him then. Really looked.

His eyes were the same winter blue as his father's, but warmer. Kinder. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered against my cheek."

“You don't have to disappear, Greer."

My breath caught. No one had ever said anything like that to me. He smiled again, small and private.

"Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be long.”

Then he left, and the room felt colder without him.

I didn't sleep much that night. I lay in the too-big bed and replayed his touch, his words. For the first time in years I felt seen. Wanted. Even if it was only for a moment.

The next morning I overheard him. I had gone downstairs early, hoping to find coffee before anyone else was awake. Voices drifted from the library.

Wells and two friends I didn't recognize.

"...Indira's coming to the rehearsal dinner," one said.

"She's already planning what to wear. You know how she is."

Wells laughed. Easy.

"Yeah. She's... persistent."

"Still stringing her along?"

"Not stringing. Just... keeping things light. She's good company."

I pressed myself against the wall, heart sinking. Of course he had a girlfriend. Of course she was perfect. Of course I was the idiot who had let myself hope.

But even knowing, I couldn't stop the pull. Every time our eyes met across a room in the days that followed, he smiled. Every time we passed in the hall, his hand brushed mine. Accidentally, maybe. Maybe not.

I told myself it was harmless. A crush. A fantasy. He was safe because nothing could happen. We were going to be step-siblings. Lines were drawn.

I was wrong.