Chapter 1

“I’m alone now,” whispered 8-year-old Cassandra, her innocent eyes bloodshot and swollen from relentless tears. Her heart felt so heavy. The anguish within her wouldn’t stop, and her heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the emptiness that surrounded her. A seemingly endless week had crawled by since the moment her foster parents were tragically laid to rest; stranding her in a world that suddenly felt lonely and cold. “No one loves me. What should I do now?”

Her foster parents unfortunately died in a car accident on the way home one evening, leaving Cassandra with everything. She couldn’t forget them, not when they showed her love no one had ever shown to her before. At six, they were her light in her very dark life, but now, her light was taken, and her life was in darkness again.

A soft knock on the door made her wipe her tears and compose herself.

“You should sleep, Cassie; I’ll stay here with you. Come here,” he opened his arms, inviting her onto his lap.

She hesitated for a moment before climbing onto Jake’s lap, seeking solace in the warmth of his arms. The floodgates of her emotions opened once again, and she cried, her tears soaking into the fabric of Jake’s shirt. His hand gently rubbed her back.

“I don’t want to go back there, Jake,” she sobbed painfully. “I don’t want other... foster parents.” She pulled back and watched Jake’s face in the dimly lit room. “Why does everyone leave me?”

Jake’s heart tightened at the sight of her tear-stricken face. He too lost his loved ones, and it was painful, but he felt her pain more. It hurt him. “You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to. You’re not alone, Cassie, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re lying!” she burst out, angry. Her green eyes darkened in the shade. “I heard them! No one loves me here! Mommy and Daddy... they’re gone. You just say that because...because you pity me, but you too...you want me gone.”

“Cassandra, that’s not true,” Jake, using her real name, emphasized his words so that her young mind would understand. “I care about you. I want to be here for you. It’s not pity.” And even Jake didn’t know what it was.

Her lips churned into a beautiful pout, her tears still flowing. “Why? Why would you care about me?”

Jake took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “Because you matter, little mouse.”

TEN YEARS LATER

JAKE

“Dammit!” I chugged down the whiskey, feeling it burn my throat down to my stomach. Ryker and Harper’s wedding turned out magical, but one thing was un-magical about it, Cassie. The tease enjoyed herself so much that she seemed to forget she was just eighteen.

Slamming the empty glass on the bar, the loud thud echoed my frustration. The dancing lights matched the fury raging inside me as I watched Cassie, and with her coy smiles and playful glances, she managed to provoke me. And I knew it was her intention.

I couldn’t shake the image of her dancing provocatively on the edge of the dance floor, her eyes watching as if challenging me to join her. The whiskey did little to drown out the image, and if anything, it only fueled the fire of frustration burning within me.

I signaled the bartender for another round, needing something stronger to numb my frustration. As the amber liquid was poured into the glass, I couldn’t help but wonder how I had let myself become affected by this bitch. Yeah, she was a bitch. A weak bitch! And dammit! I shouldn’t be affected.

Ryker and Harper’s celebration should have been about their love, but Cassandra had turned it into a personal battleground. I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of my emotions, but the sight of her dancing on the dance floor made it nearly impossible.

“Jake, everything okay?” It was Mason, grinning from ear to ear. Since the day he made it up with Emily, this man just couldn’t stop being a happy man.

I mustered a forced smile, masking the rage in my gut that was swelling every second. “Just enjoying the festivities, Mas. The wedding was incredible.”

“You can say that. The Blackthorn’s gone. Must be tired.” He nodded to Cassie’s direction. “You’re taking her home?”

“Who do you think will?”

Mason laughed. “I understand the frustration, man, but has she gotten over her infatuation for you? She’s eighteen. Must have found some other guy in her class. She hasn’t seen you for like what? Five years? She grew up into a fine lady though, just saying.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the surge of anger that Mason’s words stirred inside me. The mention of Cassie finding someone else in her life felt like a stab to my gut, even though I had no right to feel possessive. Yeah, I had no right. Besides, I didn’t want her. Fucking no!

“Yeah, well, I don’t think it’s any of my business,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. “But she still wants to annoy me.”

“She’s legal now, Jake, and she’s still obsessed with you. You should do something about it. You’ve provided for her since you lost your uncle and aunt in the accident, and I see no problem with letting her in. You’re single.”

I scoffed. I’m fucking 28. And she just can’t bear me. She’s weak. “Can’t babysit her forever, Mas. She always cries at the drop of a hat. A crybaby.”

“Nah, you’ll grow fond of her, and I think you already are. Look at how you watch the man dancing with her like you want to murder him,” Mason laughed, and I was even more irritated. “Anyway, Emily and I are heading out. Enjoy the rest of the night.” He slapped me on the back before disappearing into the sea of celebrating guests.

I shifted uncomfortably on the barstool, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Mason’s words lingered, and I found myself stealing glances at Cassie. She was surrounded by newly found acquaintances, her laughter seemed to ring with the music in the air, seemingly oblivious to other men’s glances.

And that dress—damn, that dress. It clung to her curves in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination. Every subtle sway of her hips was making a man drool over what was beneath her dress.

As she danced, the dress flirted with danger, riding up higher on her thighs with each graceful step, playing a seductive game, teasing me with glimpses of what lay hidden beneath.

With a heavy sigh, I tossed some tips on the counter, standing up. The alcohol’s numbing effect hadn’t erased the frustration. Whether it was a lingering connection from the past or something more, I couldn’t deny that something was wrong with my emotions.

I approached Cassie, my steps measured, my expression unreadable. “We’re leaving.”

She looked up, meeting my eyes. Her smile dropped. “Too soon? Can’t we stay a little longer?” Her sweet voice irritated me even more.

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep a lid on the brewing frustration. “No, we can’t. I’ve had enough of this place.” Without waiting for her reply, I turned on my heel and stormed out.

In the driver’s seat, I watched her opening the passenger’s door. She had this cute pout on her lips, and her dress was doing this seductive thing again. She still wanted to stay. I could read from that stubborn brows, but as she settled in her seat, her sweet smile came back.

She was not supposed to be here tonight, but Harper insisted on meeting her. The curious woman just wouldn’t give me rest until I said yes. She had been curious about Cassie’s life. And I told her everything from how I faked documents to putting my parents’ names as her legal guardians, thanks to my hacking skills. The government didn’t look any further. Then, I hired someone to look after her in the house and continued with our lives. It was complicated, but we managed.

I only stopped seeing her when she was thirteen when she became more demanding of my time. She would use her crocodile tears to manipulate my emotions, and seeing her growing up was no good. I had spoiled her rotten. She turned into a stunning teenager, and even at thirteen, she still wanted to sleep next to me. I just couldn’t do that! Fuck no! My girlfriend at that time was raging and furious. She was so jealous she would have snapped Cassie’s neck, but Cassie would just ignore her. I had three breakups, all because of her.

And that was when I decided to leave, and even though we kept some kind of connection, I could only handle being around her for, like, a minute. It was time to cut the cord, even though it wasn’t easy.

But she just wouldn’t stop. She persisted. Her infatuation intensified, and at every opportunity, she seized the chance to test the limits of my sanity. She enjoyed it.

“Am I going to stay in your place, Jake?” she asked, turning her body toward me, her green doe-eyes looking expectant.

“No,” The words sounded harsh even to my own ears, and I could see a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

“I just thought... you know, it’s been so long, and I thought maybe we could catch up, talk about old times.”

Driving out of the parking lot, I remained stoic. “Catching up is one thing, but staying under the same roof...when I’m a bit drunk and with your advances. It’s not a good idea, Cassie.”

Her gaze dropped, and a tense silence settled between us. She looked outside, then sighed. “I’m sorry for what I did, Jake. I won’t seduce you again.”

“You know I don’t believe you. You’ve just done it again while you were dancing.”

Silence lingered, shattered only by the rhythmic hum of the tires on the wet road. “I didn’t. I was just dancing.” She chimed in, a self-satisfied hum lacing her words. “You were watching me.” A pleased giggle slipped from her lips.

“Cassie,” I interjected, a warning edge to my voice.

“What?” she replied innocently.

“I’m driving. Don’t ever do it?” I warned, trying to keep my focus on the road. She just giggled, and then she went ahead and planted a kiss on the side of my face, fucking dangerously close to my lips, and her dress seemed to be playing a risky game of brinkmanship with decency.

“Jake,” she teased, her voice a low murmur.

Fuck! “What now?” I asked brusquely, bracing myself for whatever unpredictable move she might do next. “Sit down, Cassie.”

“Can I stay in your place, please...? Pretty please...?”