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Chapter 1

Lily's POV

I slammed the front door behind me so hard that the whole frame rattled, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest as I stormed down the dimly lit sidewalk, the cool night air hitting my face and doing nothing to calm the fire raging inside me.

My mother had pushed too far this time, going on and on about settling down, about a nice guy she found that she would marry, before I even finished college.

I wasn't ready for any of that crap of stepfather, not when I was just trying to enjoy my break and figure out who the hell I was.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my shorts, pulling my jacket tighter around me as I walked faster, not even sure where I was headed but knowing I couldn't go back inside that house right now.

Cars whooshed by occasionally, their headlights cutting through the darkness, but I kept my eyes straight ahead, replaying the argument in my head, her voice echoing about responsibility and futures.

Her words kept echoing in my head.

“It has been four years since your father died.”

I scoffed bitterly.

My best friend back at school had told me what her stepfather and his son did to her and her mom. The bruises on her arms and back.

The way her mother stopped standing up for her once the new man moved in. Last year, her mum died from the beatings. I couldn’t get those images out of my head.

I don’t want anyone taking my mom away from me.

But couldn’t she just wait two more years? Just until I’m done with college and I have work? If any stepfather misbehaves, I will sue them immediately.

Was that really too much to ask?

I know she deserves to be happy again. But I don’t want any man to hurt her too.

That's when I heard the low purr of an engine slowing down beside me, and I glanced over to see a sleek black luxury car pulling up, the kind that screamed money and confidence, its tinted windows reflecting the streetlights like it owned the whole damn road.

The window rolled down smoothly, and there was a guy leaning over from the driver's seat, his face partially shadowed but enough in the light to make my stomach flip a little because damn, he looked good, older, maybe in his late thirties, with sharp features and a jawline that could cut glass, his dark hair tousled just right.

"Hey, are you okay out here walking alone this late?" he called out, his voice deep and smooth, carrying over the hum of the engine without any effort, like he was used to people listening when he spoke.

I stopped in my tracks, eyeing him warily because let's face it, strange men in fancy cars at night weren't exactly a recipe for safety, but something about the way he held himself, casual yet commanding, made me pause instead of just flipping him off and keeping going.

"I'm fine," I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest and shifting my weight to one foot, trying to look tougher than I felt with my pulse picking up a notch. "I just needed some air."

He nodded slowly, his eyes scanning me up and down in a way that wasn't creepy but definitely appreciative, lingering just long enough on my legs in these tight shorts to send a tiny spark through me before meeting my gaze again.

"The air's better with company, especially at night in this city. Hop in, I'll give you a ride wherever you're going.”

I hesitated, biting my lower lip as I glanced around the empty street, the chill seeping through my jacket now making me shiver, and part of me screamed to say no, but another part, the one tired of walking and secretly thrilled by the offer from someone who looked like he stepped out of one of those late-night fantasies, won out.

"You don't seem like a pervert or some weird guy, or are you a pervert?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. I knew the question was silly, no pervert will say they are pervert unless they are a psycho.

He chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the air and made my skin tingle unexpectedly, his lips curving into a smirk that showed perfect white teeth.

"Pervert? Nah, not my style. Just a guy who hates seeing a woman out here alone when I can help. Come on, the door's unlocked."

What the hell, I thought, my curiosity and that weird pull towards him overriding any second thoughts as I walked around the front of the car, the hood warm under my hand as I passed, and slid into the passenger seat.

The door clicked shut with a solid thunk, and he eased the car back into traffic, the engine purring smoothly as we pulled away from the curb.

I hope I don’t get kidnapped.

I settled back, buckling up out of habit, and stole a glance at him, his profile strong and focused on the road, one hand on the wheel while the other rested on the gear shift.

My phone buzzed in my pocket then, the vibration insistent against my leg, and I pulled it out to see Mom's name flashing on the screen, her face from some old photo smiling up at me mockingly.

I hit ignore without a second thought, shoving it back into my pocket as the call went to voicemail, my jaw clenching at the thought of dealing with her right now.

"Trouble in paradise?" he asked, his eyes flicking over to me briefly, that smirk still playing on his lips as he changed lanes effortlessly, the city lights streaking by outside the windows.

"Something like that," I muttered, leaning my head against the cool glass and watching the buildings blur past, the tension in my shoulders easing just a bit from the warmth of the car's interior.

"My mother's calling to probably yell at me some more. She's... she's getting remarried,."

He let out another chuckle, this one is fuller, shaking his shoulders slightly as he kept his eyes on the road, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.

"Remarrying, huh? That’s great, you don’t want her to?” He asked, and I nodded.

"Something personal… hmm," I said, turning to look at him fully now, my gaze dropping involuntarily to his arm as he shifted gears, the muscles flexing under his shirt sleeve, thick and powerful, veins standing out just enough to make my mouth go a little dry.

God, those arms looked like they could lift someone without breaking a sweat, pin them down maybe, and I felt a flush creep up my neck as I imagined it, my thighs pressing together subtly in the seat.

I kept staring, tracing the line of his forearm up to where his sleeve hugged his bicep, the fabric stretching taut, and heat pooled low in my belly, unbidden and insistent, making me shift again.

He caught me looking, his head turning just enough that our eyes met, and I snapped my gaze away so fast, heat flooding my cheeks as I pretended to watch the road ahead, my heart thumping harder now for a whole different reason.

Shit, that was embarrassing, but the way his chuckle followed, soft and knowing, only made it worse, or better, I couldn't decide, my mind already wandering to places it shouldn't with a guy I'd just met.

We drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the city unfolding around us, until he slowed down and turned into a side street lined with upscale buildings, pulling up in front of what looked like a swanky bar, the neon sign glowing invitingly above the entrance, people milling about outside in fancy clothes.

He killed the engine and turned to me, that smirk back in place.

"This is my spot for the night. Come in with me, grab a drink”

I blinked, shaking my head quickly as a rush of dirty thoughts hit me unfiltered, images flashing of us inside, his hands on me, the bar's dim lights hiding what we might get up to, my body responding with a sudden ache between my legs that I tried to ignore.

"A bar? With you? I mean, why would I just walk into a place like that with some guy I barely know?"

My voice came out breathier than I wanted, laced with that undercurrent of curiosity I couldn't quite hide, my eyes darting to his mouth as he spoke.

He chuckled again, the sound warm and teasing, leaning back in his seat as he unbuckled.

"It's my bar, actually. I own the place, I come here to unwind when I feel like it. Unless you're scared of a little fun."

My pulse raced at that, the implication hanging in the air, but before I could respond, we both stepped out of the car.

Just as we reached the door, a car barreled down the street way too fast, tires splashing through a massive puddle right beside the curb, and dirty water erupted up, soaking us both in one filthy wave, the cold muck hitting my jeans and jacket, seeping through to my skin and making me gasp out loud.

"What the fuck!" I yelped, jumping back too late, wiping at the splatters on my arms as the offending car sped off without a care, leaving us dripping and messy on the sidewalk.

He burst out laughing, a genuine, belly-deep sound that made his chest shake, water dripping from his hair onto his shirt, darkening the fabric and clinging to his broad shoulders in a way that drew my eyes despite the situation.

"Well, that's one way to wake up at night. Come on, let's get inside before we turn into drowned rats."

I couldn't help but laugh too, the absurdity of it cutting through my annoyance, my wet clothes sticking uncomfortably to my body as he grabbed my elbow gently, steering me around to the back entrance instead, his touch firm and warm even through the chill.

We slipped through a side door, up a narrow staircase that led away from the thumping music and chatter below, emerging into what had to be his private room above the bar.

He closed the door behind us, still chuckling as he shook water from his hair, then turned to me, his eyes darkening a fraction as they took in my soaked state.

"Alright, strip off those wet clothes before you catch a cold or something. I've got towels and dry stuff around here somewhere."

My eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat as his words hung there, direct and unapologetic, a thrill shooting straight to my core at the command in his voice, my nipples hardening against the damp fabric of my shirt from more than just the cold.

“Strip???”