MADISON

My eyes wandered around the room for a while. Where could he be?

These days, Caden hadn't been the stay-at-home type; he had made it clear he wanted to be away from me. However, I was hoping to find him here in his room.

With knitted brows, I stepped into the disorganized room, feeling like screaming. Even walking through the room was difficult for me. I hated messy places, and he definitely knew it. Maybe that's why he chose to never be tidy, instead calling me fastidious and incisive.

Caden wouldn't clean the house or even the bathroom after using it. He appeared physically dashing, but at the end of the day, he slept in a slum. That's the truth about the man I live with.

Arghh! He is so irritating.

Seeking a momentary distraction, I walked over to the window, my eyes fixated on the parked cars lining the side of the road. Among them, I couldn't help but notice the gleaming Porsche parked across the street. "Oh, he does know how to clean his fucking car," I muttered, a mix of admiration and annoyance tugging at my emotions.

My heart raced as I was reminded of his presence.

Suddenly, a voice from behind startled me, breaking the silence of the room. "What are you doing in my room?" he asked, his voice thick with a blend of surprise and suspicion. His words pierced deep into my core, tensing the atmosphere.

In that moment, it would have been so easy to turn around and give him a piece of my mind, just as I had done countless times before. Caden may be an insufferable asshole, but I had my own share of stubbornness. I should stand my ground and face him, reminding him that he had no right to intrude upon my life and manipulate me as he pleased.

The reminder of his actions surged through me, fueling a fiery rage. I regained my composure and summoned all my strength, spinning around to confront him. But as I completed my twirl, I instantly realized it was a misstep.

Flesh... Full flesh.

There he stood, completely exposed, his flesh on full display. In that moment, it felt as though all my memories were wiped clean, from birth until that very instant. My eyes gradually drank in the sight of the man before me, starting with his flawless torso adorned with pectorals and a chiseled eight-pack. The defined V-line leading to regions lower down caught my attention, and my mouth went dry as I involuntarily took in a sharp breath.

'Damn, he is huge,' I thought, my eyes fixated on that part of him. My throat perched as I continued to swallow rapidly, unable to tear my gaze away.

Our eyes stayed locked.

Amidst my internal turmoil, I heard him scoff, his voice dripping with arrogance, before he began moving toward me. Yet, my stupid eyes remained transfixed on his form. Yes, I am a bitch, incapable of tearing my gaze away from this captivating sight.

Okay here is the thing; Caden, the man I came here to give the piece of my mine to is sauntering nearer completely naked and wet from the shower he probably had, his long brown hair clinging to his forehead, his arousal-so help me, god.

A shudder of unease rippled down my spine, sending a prickling sensation through my body. As he took a deliberate step toward me, closing the space between us, my instincts kicked in, and I jerked back in alarm. But to my dismay, there was no room to retreat, and I ended up crashing into the unforgiving wall.

Confusion mingled with fear as I pondered his intentions. What was he going to do? Would he try to kiss me? Perhaps even cross boundaries I wasn't ready to explore?

But before my thoughts could spiral any further, I mentally scolded myself, forcing the chaotic whirlwind to quiet down. 'Stop, just stop, Maddie,' I chided, desperately trying to regain a semblance of control.

When he leans forward, I manage to utter, "Back away." But it appears my voice is stuck in my throat, given the fact I can't stop staring at what I shouldn't.

Shit. Even naked, he sure can be intimidating.

"What are you doing here?" he impatiently asks again. His fingers wrapped tightly around my forearm, their firm grip forcing our eyes to meet.

He smells fresh, just like his skin.

I should push him, slap him-anything to remind both of us that this proximity is dangerous, that we both hate each other. But the truth gnawed at me, whispering that my feelings were anything but hateful.

Something striking explodes in every part of my body, butterflies dispersing like a bell in my stomach. I can't think; I'm preoccupied with the sensation of his idle touch against my clothed skin. The feeling is inexpressible, but I'd be lying if I denied the excitement it stimulates. The tips of my breasts pucker, every muscle in my body tightens.

Oh, shit. He undeniably had an effect on me.

"I-I..." I stammered, the heat of embarrassment spreading across my cheeks. I fought to maintain focus, to regain control over my scattered thoughts. But his deep hazel eyes, filled with an alluring enigma, held me captive, rendering my words momentarily elusive.

Why was it so hard to concentrate lately? To form coherent sentences in his presence?

He cocks his head to the side, and the most captivating smile takes dominance on his impeccable face. But the flicker of softness was short-lived, quickly replaced by a mask of shock, followed by a frown that etched lines into his complexion.

He quickly releases my arm. I gasp from the sudden loss of contact, and my stomach drops.

He must be trying to collect himself.

I stare at him with bewildered eyes. He pushes back the damp hair from his forehead and steps back, as if he's unraveled some mystery.

"You're trying to get me to fuck you again? What's wrong with you?" he yells, his voice thunderous. It scares the hell out of me and manages to wake me up from whatever delusional world I was stuck in.

"W-what?" I stammer at first before awareness rushes down my perception, and I curse my hormones for not cooperating.

"I won't fuck you, Mad. Just to be clear: what happened the other day was nothing but a mistake. You sexually abused me, took advantage of your drunken brother, and groped him when he had no ethical awareness."

The surge of shame and discomfort is too high. I feel like I could jump through the window if I weren't on the fourth floor.

I can't control the nervous act of chewing my inner cheeks and tugging on the hem of my shirt.

"You're sick," I croak and look away from his blazing eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Don't you think it's a little too absurd for someone as sick as you to insinuate that? You don't fucking take advantage of your drunk brother, Mad." He keeps emphasizing the word 'brother' like we really share the same blood.

"Stepbrother," I retorted.

"It doesn't fucking matter, we share the same name. And you damn well know I wouldn't screw someone as nauseating as you when sober. So you groped me." His exclamation stabbed me in the chest, my knees weakening.

Don't show vulnerability, defend your stance.

"It doesn't- I've heard enough of what you have to say. Now it's my turn." I rapidly blinked the sting of tears away, managing to defiantly stand my ground.

His lips curved, a sneer appearing as he turned away, his fingers pulling on his slightly wet, disheveled hair.

"Really? What can you say to erase the fact that I screwed you?" His hands gestured around.

I cringed at the way he shamelessly used the word.

"Stop swearing at me," I injected, calling his eyes back to me.

"But we screwed, didn't we?" His gaze intensified, his voice cold and deeper than usual. A twist motion occurred in my stomach, my heart pounding against my chest wall. "You know I fucking screw you first. I hope you wrote it down, a historic memory for Dad and Martha to know about. Their little baby isn't a virgin anymore." There was bitterness in his words, even his Adam's apple seemed to taste it as it bobbed in his throat.

"You're going to shut up and say nothing," I said, my eyes welling up, dread overwhelming me.

"Or what? Oh, I just remembered everything. Afraid Dad's favorite child won't be anymore? Welcome to the list, stepsis." A vicious laugh burst from him as he straightened and towered over me.

"You will not tell," my hands curled into fists.

"And if I do? Oh, I absolutely will. We're both blemished now. Shouldn't we be treated equally?" He wore a venomous smile as he made that promise.

I had no reply worthy of that statement, so I sputtered, "I hate you."

Caden had hit a vulnerable spot, and he knew it. His smile turned cocky, his brows lifting as he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

"I promise I hate you even more, Mad. But the game needs to be fair." The smile spread into a wide grin, which most girls would find damn hot.

To say I was spiteful was an understatement. I wanted to hit his gorgeous face.

How dare he blame me? Yes, what I did was wrong, but if he hadn't interfered in my life, threatening my relationships with others, none of this would have happened.

"You caused all of this. You threatened Caleb to stay away from me. I might make the mistake of kissing you but you were the foundation of this situation."

"Let me guess, I decided to come along to SU?"

Is he that dumb to not seeing he had ruined everything?

"That too." I pointed out.

"I know I'd guess right." He smirks, confidently standing naked before me.

Is this some joke to him? He thinks he can do anything he desires, even those that doesn't concern him?

With my head up, I stepped forward, claiming the space between us.

My fingers furiously poked his chest with each statement I make: "You had no right to confront Caleb. He told me everything, how low you could go to ruin me, how pathetic you are. You really sent Avery to him so I would lose it and end the only relationship I ever had. You're a devil."

"So you watched Lucifer? This keeps getting better." His quizzical eyes anchored on me, his hand rubbing the spot where I'd poked repeatedly. "I think I'd love to be addressed like the dude. But before we proceed to choosing names, did your little male friend tell you he was willing to trade you for fifty thousand?" When I stood gaping and unable to respond, he nodded and scoffed. "Thought as much. Well, I offered, and he took the deal. That's it."

He stepped back and turned around, revealing his hard muscular back. With each step he took, his sexy butt flexed along with the lower back dimples that blended with muscles, forming something even more appealing. "I didn't have to involve Avery, did I? Well, whatever she's called. It was a very easy scheme. Like I said, it's all fair game." He said over his broad shoulder.

"You're lying," I managed, my voice betraying me.

"Oh, the asshole would clean himself, of course." He sarcastically remarked.

"I don't believe you." My voice still sounded frail.

"But he did, what jerk would turn down such an amount over someone no one wants to date? Isn't that why you fucked me? To at least experience what sex feels like since probably no one wants to do it with you?"

Those words were the most hateful anyone had ever said to me-embarrassing, hurtful, and self-esteem-shattering.

"You're so cruel," I mumbled, my watering eyes holding his gaze.

Why did fate bring us together? Why did we have to be stuck with each other? Why couldn't he just disappear so I could study like a normal student at SU?

"Don't you need to be at work?" He threw the question after a long, challenging stare.

"You've proven your point, you've won. Why don't you go back to your aviation and leave me alone?"

"But psychology is my dream too." There was a smug tone in his voice. He must enjoy taunting me.

"Everything has an expiration date. One day, I'll be far away from you, and you won't have me to torture. And when that day comes, it'll be the best day of my life." Those were the only words I could muster. Everything else I wanted to say had fled, leaving me with the shame of my actions.

He didn't respond, just kept his observant eyes on me until I'd had enough and pushed my weak legs out the door, feeling deeply disappointed in myself for what I had brought upon myself.

Okay, that's not how it should go. He doesn't get to win this round. I turn back and push the door open.

"What?" he snapped, turning around.

"Just because Caleb and me are over doesn't mean, I won't find someone."

He was laughing now, rolling his tongue in his mouth, but I could see I struck a nerve, because his nostrils were flaring.

"Maybe you are right, I am desperate to be fucked." I strolled inside, and his smile had faded into a deep frown. "Maybe I needed to fuck someone? Who knows? Maybe it could even be Paxton?"

"Shut up," he mumbled, but I didn't. He will feel the pain he made me felt.

So I kept going, stopping right before him, with barely any space left between us while I smirked. "He's bad and older."

Yeah, I cringed at that, feeling puke rising in my stomach, but I had to say it.

"Stop it, Mad," his breathing was fast and his chest was heaving. It was fun.

"No one wants to fuck me you said, but you also said men wants what's between my legs, isn't it?"

"Fucking. Stop. It," he turned away towards the window, grabbing it.

"I am sure he will take me. Besides, I've always wondered what his mouth would taste like. How huge he is when he fills me." I gently finished the last part, hating myself with whom I had to associate myself with of all people, and the next thing I saw was an object flying... to be precise, a laptop hitting the wall.

"GET OUT," he yelled, making me jump. My face went pale.

He was... I don't know.

"Okay, chill Caden." I gasped.

"LEAVE ME ALONE." he was reaching for more things to throw.

Yeah, I took the flight option and ran to my room, shutting the door. I closed my ears with my palms but I heard all the crashes, the yells, the wall slams, and cusses, then quiet. It was entirely like he had disappeared.

Maybe I shouldn't have said all those things.