Slowly coming awake, Abby opened her eyes. It took her a moment to process where she was and she rubbed her heavy scratchy lids. The room was dark, the only light coming from the cracked door over to her right, but even in the dimness she could tell it was way too large to be her own. Her gaze skirted over to the bank of windows and the strange unfamiliar feelings dissipated. Adam Steele. She was in his room, in his bed and way to warm.

Abby frowned. It wasn't a full body type of warmth, but a very odd centralized heat between her legs and it was...vibrating? Throwing back the cover revealed a pair of glowing orbs and she screamed. The eyes hissed and the body attached to them arched high, spitting furiously causing her to scramble backwards and hit her head on the headboard while doing her best impression of a victim in a slasher film.

In her attempts to get away from the demon, she kicked her legs furiously sending something wet plopping on her thigh causing another set of high pitched squeals to tear out of her throat. A rush of fear had her rampaging for her life and she clawed at the cover trying to break free. Her frenzied movements edged her too close to the edge of the bed and she toppled out, landing in a pile of blanket, limbs and one very pissed off large tabby cat who was yowling in tune to her screams.

The door to the bedroom burst open hard enough to break a hinge, cracking against the wall. Both Abby and the cat screeched in unison. The cat, free of the blanket, bolted between the legs of the two men running into the room, tripping one of them up as it ran out the door, hissing and spitting the whole way.

"Fucking cat!" A strange voice Abby didn't recognize, cussed as he caught his balance just in time before ending up on the floor next to her.

The lights blazed on, blinding her and she covered her eyes at the rude intrusion.

"Trixie!" Adams worried deep tenor reached her ears at the same time he did. His hands skimming across her body looking for injuries, brushed against her breasts causing her heart to skip up her throat.

"Trixie?" The other man asked, his voice trying hard to conceal a chuckle.

"Shut it Jonathan," Adam warned. "Are you alright? What happened?" He gently pushed a tangle of hair out of her eyes.

"I woke up...and...," she panted, trying to catch her breath, but the way he was looking and touching her was making it difficult. "You have a cat?" Was all she managed.

"Yes, he's a real pussy lover." The other man snickered behind Adam.

"Oh for fucks sake!" Adam scrubbed his hand over his face and Abby could tell he was trying hard to keep his temper in check. "Don't you have somewhere you need to be?"

"Nope." He shook his head crossing his arms over his chest, completely unaffected by Adam's hostility. "I think I will stick around. This is far more interesting than anything I have going on at home."

"I...I didn't know you had a cat," Abby stuttered, turning wide eyes to Adam. Her embarrassment over the whole thing quickly overtaking over her fright causing her face to burn. "What's your cat's name?" she asked with a smile, trying in vain to cover-up her mortification of having screamed the house down over a cat.

"JC," he answered gruffly through clenched teeth. "I'm going to pick you up off the floor." Before she could even utter an answer, he scooped her up and cradled her in his arms, blanket and all. "Are you hurt? Do I need to call Simon back?"

"No, I'm fine," she stuttered, her eyes zeroing in on the tantalizing patch of bare skin from his unbuttoned shirt. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she tore her gaze away and focused on the other man in the room.

He looked similar to Adam, except he was grinning from ear to ear. Dark haired, roughish good looks...a bit shorter and blue eyed where Adam's were the color of smoky amber. He looked a lot like Matt Bomer, Abby thought, tilting her head to the side.

Adam set her gently on the bed, removing a soggy bag with a cap. Obviously, that was the thing which had landed on her thigh, she thought, rolling her eyes at her over reaction. She tensed up when he lifted her ankle back up onto the mountain of pillows, a low hiss escaping under her breath. The damn thing throbbing from her futile attempts to escape.

"You're lucky you didn't break it," he muttered.

"I think she's fortunate she didn't break her neck. That cat is a damn menace to society." The other man ambled over and stuck his hand in Abby's face. "My name is Jonathan, I'm his much better looking brother by the way."

"You admit that?" She quirked an eyebrow, keeping her face blank as she reached a tentative hand.

Jonathan threw back his head and laughed. "I like her!" He plopped down on the side of the bed, sending Abby bouncing to the other side.

"Careful you idiot!" Adam snarled. Grabbing her, he pushed her back over and fluffed her pillow with much more effort than needed, glaring at his brother the whole time.

"Chill out. It's not like she's made of glass. She did survive a fall off of your bed." Jonathan rolled his eyes, continuing to smile at her while Adam stiffened.

Abby swallowed a grimace after Adam gave the pillow a particularly violent punch before stuffing it behind her back.

"What she needs is rest," he snarled.

"Hey, I'm not the one who owns a psychotic cat who scared her half to death." Jonathan shrugged, feigning innocence.

"He startled me, that's all." Abby felt it necessary to come to the stupid cat's defense.

Jonathan gave her a lopsided grin and winked. He was definitely a charmer, Abby thought, but there was something about him she didn't quite trust. She couldn't put her finger on it, but whatever it was, he did a very good job of hiding it. If there was one thing she could spot, it was another secret keeper. It would be wise to avoid him.

Adam looked at his watch and then at the two of them. "I need to refill this with ice, I will return shortly." He stopped at the bedroom door and hesitated. Turning back he looked at Abby. She couldn't read his face, but his silhouetted frame caused her a pang of longing, before he disappeared into the hall.

Frowning at her wayward emotions, she took a deep breath. Wanting him was not something she had a right to do and needed to remember that. The horror of the past year should be enough to remind her what a terrible folly it would be if she fell for anyone, let alone someone as affluent as Adam Steele. It would be even wiser for her to avoid him along with his brother.

"So, Trixie, where are you from?" Jonathan's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Brooklyn," she answered automatically, turning to him.

"Ah...a Brookie. Funny...you don't sound like you come from there. What do you do?" Jonathan's smile stayed on his face, but his eyes were accessing and narrow. Apparently, that look was a family trait, she snorted to herself.

"I'm a waitress," she replied casually.

"Where?"

"Brooklyn."

"At which establishment in Brooklyn?" Jonathan chuckled, but the amusement stayed clear from the iciness of his eyes.

"Does it matter?"

"Let's just call it...curiosity."

"You know what curiosity did to the cat."

"It ended up here in bed with you," he laughed drily. "You are being very elusive, why is that I wonder," Jonathan leaned in, dominating her space though he smiled.

"And you're being very nosy," Abby sniffed, crossing her arms over her chest, she scowled at him.

"It's not every day my brother brings a girl into his home. In fact, it's a rather rare occurrence. How old are you?" he asked softly, sitting back and raking his eyes over her.

Abby held perfectly still, though she wanted desperately to grab the cover and throw it over herself. "I'm old enough to know better than to answer that."

He crossed his arms and tapped his lips lightly with his index finger. "You look very young."

"Skin moisturizer, it does wonders."

"What is it that you wish to achieve here, Trixie?" His softly spoken question surprising her.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." All pretense of friendliness disappeared, leaving behind a hard ruthless edge. "My brother does not make a habit of bringing women in off the street, which leads me believe you have jeopardized him in some way. What do you hope to gain out of playing the victim tonight, hmmm? Thinking he will pay you off? Or is it something more?"

"Enough!" Adam roared, stepping into the bedroom causing Abby to jump and breathe a simultaneous sigh of relief. "Jonathan, I will see you out," he snarled and nodded towards the broken bedroom door. His stance, combined with his tone, not allowing for dispute.

"Until we meet again, Trixie." He nodded his head towards her before gracefully standing up and striding out the door. The way he said her name making her shiver in his wake.

"Your brother is a real hoot." Anger seeping into her voice from Jonathan's accusations.

"He has that effect on people," Adam muttered, placing the fresh ice pack on her mummified ankle.

"What is he, some kind of lawyer or something?" she scoffed, flopping back against the pillows.

Adam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile toying with the side of his lips.

"That's exactly what he is."

Abby's mouth popped open before she quickly snapped it shut. It would be her luck to spend years avoiding the law only to run smack dab into an upholder of it. Her eyes darted around, looking for an escape. Adrenaline pumping hard through her body when it dawned on her she was stuck.

"Relax, baby." Adam sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up her hand, his fingers parting hers and intertwining them. The heat of his hand telling her how cold hers had turned. "He may be a pain in the ass, but I would never allow him to hurt you. I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

Her brain raced to remember. Safe, he promised to keep her safe. Taking a long breath to slow her thudding heart, Abby studied her fingers locked in-between his. His voice was impossibly tender and she struggled between wanting to believe him and knowing she couldn't. The pad of his thumb brushed against her wrist, sending tingles rushing up her arm. The sensual contact brought her out of her trance, forcing her to remember that nobody, not even the powerful Adam Steele, could keep her safe. Not forever.

"Why do you call me that?" she asked, reluctantly pulling her hand out of his, reaching for the blanket and throwing it over herself. A sad protection against the draw of the man beside her.

"It's your name. Unless there is something else you would like me to address you as." His challenging gaze slamming into hers.

"Baby is not my name," she whispered.

"Baby?" His brow dropped to a confused frown.

"You keep calling me that." Abby broke eye contact and plucked at the blanket, wishing she hadn't brought it up and that things could be different.

He cleared his throat, quickly standing up. "I was unconscious of doing so. My apologies, Trixie."

Part of her wanted to scream to never call her that wretched name again and to beg he keep calling her baby, but she bit her tongue and nodded. A new, sad plan taking root. It was time to end this. Her reactions to him were getting out of control and she needed to nip it in the bud before things got out of hand.

Looking up at the beautiful vibrant man before her, she knew it was time. If something happened to him because of her, she would never be able to forgive herself and she already had the blood of one on her hand. Abby could not stand the stain of another.

"I need to go see to my brother." He ran an agitated hand through his hair, making her feel even more guilty for what she was about to do. "Do you need anything before I leave?" Politeness making his tone cold.

The last thing she wanted was to stay here, so why was it so hard to let go? Abby bowed her head, swallowing the knot forming in the back of her throat. Frustration tightening her shoulders. This was for the best, she reminded herself on a sigh.

"Could I borrow your phone?" she asked, keeping her tone calm and light.

"Of course." He dug into his slacks, pulling out a sleek black cell phone. Pausing for a moment, he flicked his finger across the screen before handing it to her.

"Thank you." Abby took the phone, seeing he had already brought up the numeric keypad. "I...," she stalled for a second, the words choking her. "I need to call my boyfriend and let him know that I am alright."

Her words slapping his face into shock as he shifted on his feet. Hands which hand been holding hers so tenderly a moment ago, where now bunched into fists at his sides.

"I see." Anger leached through those two small words.

Abby shrugged. "You never asked." Guilt at lying to him boring a hole in her stomach.

"My mistake." Adam turned quickly and stepped out of the room.

Sighing heavily, she leaned against the pillows, fighting the tears which threatened to fall. The safe haven she'd been fooling herself into feeling, evaporated. It had been such a long time since she felt so protected by someone who would be strong when she was at her weakest. The temptation to call him back astounded her. He was right there, within reach, all she had to do was grab hold and have something for herself, even if it was for only a few hours.

But, deep down, she knew a few hours would never be enough. Not with him. Her thirst was too great. Besides, just because she had no fear of Adam, did not mean she shouldn't be afraid. She was alone with a man she barely knew, tucked into his bed and ultimately at his mercy. It was against every rule she ever learned in self-defense class.

"You know what happens when you drop your guard," she muttered, quickly dialing the number and putting the phone to her ear before she did something stupid like chase after him.

"Hello?" A sleepy Jo-Jo answered after a half a dozen rings.

Abby sagged in relief. "It's me."

"Baby doll? Do you have any idea what time it is?" His groggy voice made her smile.

"Depends on what time you went to bed."

Abby could hear some rummaging around. "That would be two hours ago," he chuckled. "What's up buttercup?"

"I need you to come get me."

"Why? Where are you?" Rising panic erasing the last of his sleepy voice.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "I had a little accident." Abby pulled the phone away from her ear as a shriek punctured her eardrum.

"Oh my God! What kind of accident? Where are you? Whose number is this? Are you in the hospital? Oh God! Did you give them your real name?"

"Calm down Jo-Jo."

"I think I am getting the vapors."

"Breath...just breath." Abby waited until she heard some light huffing in the phone before she continued. "I'm not in the hospital and no, I didn't give anyone my real name."

"Oh...oh...jeezus...don't scare me like that!"

"What's going on? Why are you screaming?" Vivian's raspy voice reached Abby and she sighed.

"It's Abby, she's been in an accident."

More screeching made Abby pull the phone away again.

"Give me that phone," Vivian demanded. "Abby? Are you there?" Her voice sounding distant.

"I'm here Viv."

"Why can't I hear her? Abby! Abby! Can you hear me?!"

"You have the phone upside down dear," Jo-Jo said calmly and the phone shuffled some more.

"Abby?" Vivian's voice blasted through the phone.

"I'm here Viv, I hear you." And so can half of New York probably, Abby thought to herself.

"Are you okay dear?"

"I'm fine Viv, just a few bumps and scrapes," she lied, certain she was going to hell for the amount of it she'd been doing this evening.

"Oh thank goodness!" Abby could hear the thumping sound of her patting her ample chest. "And my wig?"

"I have it Vivian, can I talk to Jo-Jo, please?" Abby rubbed the bridge of her nose. The wig. She'd forgotten about that. Vivian was obsessed with them, especially any out of her Dolly Parton collection. Number 36 was presently sitting in Adam's living room, a ragged mess.

"Of course dear, see you soon." Sloppy kissing noises coming through the other end made Abby wince.

"Abby?"

"Listen Jo-Jo, I need you to come get me."

"At this time in the morning?" he whined.

"It may take you awhile to get here." Abby played with the blanket.

"Why? Where are you?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but I'm..." Abby closed her eyes and braced herself for what was coming. "I'm in Adam Steele's penthouse."

I wanted to take this time to thank you for reading! I really hope you enjoyed this installment of Bending Steele, and that you'll consider giving it a vote. I can't tell you how much your support means to me and how much it motivates me to keep going.

If you find any errors along the way, don't be afraid to point them out and I always enjoy any recommendations or critiques you may have. As always, I will try and update once a week, usually on Thursdays, but if you don't see an update here, check out my other story When Roses Collide. Thanks again!