MADISON

While watching him walk out of the room, an idea pops into my head.

Ever since we moved here, none among us had enjoyed the full benefits of this apartment, and I am talking about the jacuzzi.

Giggling to myself, I slipped out of the dress and quickly went into the closet, pulled out the drawers, and grabbed a set of red bikini I never wore.

As I hurriedly get ready, I had to peep at the door every often. Brushed my hair, applied red lipstick, and some perfume before sneaking out of the room to the deck where the jacuzzi was wholly cold, given the time of the year.

However, I carry all intention of having Caden taste what it feels like in the water.

His whole life, he had been afraid of water, that I am sure he doesn't know how to swim.

I don't think I can erase the fear I saw in those hazel eyes when he found me under the full bathtub. It was like his soul was yanked from his body. He was scared, he never gets that scared, not even through his nightmares that were no more these days. But I vow to be right here, holding his hands as the fear fades away with time.

I set the champagne and two empty cups before unwrapping the towel from my body and drop it to the floor.

Shivering, I step into the jacuzzi, waiting for Caden to appear from the door.

When he did, with a giant woven basket in his hand, he halts, blinking.

"What are you doing?" He asked, gaping. Panic flickers in his eyes.

"I want you to trust me." I pleaded, softly.

"I do." He breathes and swallows.

"Then come in."

"It's cold, we will catch a cold."

Excuses. And I truly understand. This isn't easy for him.

"It will warm up with us." I smiled seductively. Yes, I will try everything. Even selling myself to him. He looked left and right, his brows knitted. "I think we should have a dry valentine."

"But I am wet," I smirked, slowly biting my bottom lip as I look up at him from the jacuzzi. "You want to lose the chance?"

"Fuck!" He hissed, his eyes wandered around the deck. He seems to be weighing his choices.

"Soaking wet." I kept teasing.

"Fine, I am coming in." He drops the basket to the floor and began taking off his socks, then paused halfway unbuttoned shirt, and began: "But if I- if I get in there, I am going..."

"Take me as you want," I interjected.

I would give him anything if it will comfort him.

"Deal." He agreed.

Finally slipping out of his pants, and join me in the jacuzzi.

I watch his heart throbbing as his chest rises and falls from anxiety.

Swallowing, I push back the tears in the back of my eyes, the lump in my throat, and straddle him.

"Is okay! I am here." I told him, running my wet fingers into his soft hair.

He disconnects our eyes and lowered his gaze to my neck. His heart still pounding hard, I felt it against mine.

I could only think of one way to distract him.

So I loosen the straps of my pantie, toss the little thing aside, and dug my hand into his brief.

He looked up to me, his eyes a little quizzical but not relaxed. So vulnerable, so frightened.

He strained the moment I palmed him, and a gasp escaped his slightly parted lips.

Content by the satisfying response, I gently lowered myself onto him, letting him fit into me just perfectly, like we were meant for each other, as soft moans escaped us both.

"What is that?" I beckoned at the basket he dropped earlier, as I began rolling my hips against him, breathing heavily.

He exhaled.

"I got you flowers and chocolate but it seems Valentine is over." He exhaled loudly again.

"Is it? We're naked... Making love."

"How did you get this confident?" He smirked, cupping my ass with his both hands.

"Learned from the courageous," I whispered a feverish moan as the tension started swelling in my lower stomach, I lose balance and fell against his bare chest.

He chuckles from the nook of my neck while thrusting into me, slowly and deep, I almost scream for release. "Fair enough."

"Wha-what do you want to do... tomorrow?" It's Saturday.

"Anything you want." He groaned, biting tenderly on my neck.

"Road trip. I'd like to go on a road trip." I gasped, pulling him to me as close as possible, I wouldn't be surprised if I left a scar on his back.

"I am in... And if we come around empty roads, I could teach you how to drive." He pants each word with a thrust, until I had enough and let out an uncontrolled moan, I'm afraid might wake up the neighbors.

I came along with him, both lost in ecstasy for a moment, breathing hard against each other while my body shakes from the intense release.

"Illegal," I whispered, smiling in the tight hug.

"It doesn't matter. We've been to jail." His body shook against mine from laughter.

"Oh my God." I jerk back, still straddling his laps. "And we are never returning there." I sternly warned him.

He blushes, pushing forward his bottom lip: "That depends." He winked, attractively.

Smiling, myself, I repeat: "I am serious. We are not returning to the cell."

"Fine, Mrs. OCD." His eyes rolled, theatrically.

I grin, caressing his face with my fingers.

"Do you mean Mrs. Thaddeus?" I muttered, my brows, arched.

"Oh, that..." He began but I interrupted with a curious question: "Isn't it weird, both mom and I have the same name?"

"It's cute. Mostly on a double date. It could confuse the waiters." Caden grins widely.

"And that must entertain you." I playfully roll my eyes.

"Exactly."

I couldn't stifle the laughter anymore.

We laugh for a while in each other's arms while the water warmed up with us in it.

"Hmm... I have access to my trust fund." He said after a comfortable silence.

"You are not legally old enough," I whisper from his chest, my fingers tracing his defined pack abs.

"Dad says he will work it out."

"So, what about work?" I asked, my voice very low, my concentration stuck to every movement of his fingers around my bareback.

"I like to work, but I was thinking maybe... Since you like it here and we are both going to be skilled psychologists in two years.

Maybe we could build a health center of our own, here in Palo Alto. Have our own offices and be the bosses at the same time." He said in my hair.

I rise from his chest, looking deep into his lucid eyes.

"Caden that's a lot."

"I know... But it would be cool to..." He paused, his eyes pleading to share understanding.

"It is cool but it is too much... I-" I can't let him use all this trust fund on my dream. "How much?" I asked.

"Seventy percent of the family business, and belongings." He answered. My eyes dilated instantly.

"What the fuck?"
He's a fucking millionaire.

"I know." He exhaled, tugging my hair behind my ear, he kissed my scar. "When my mom left, she also left behind all she possessed in my name."

I blink from the warmth of his lips against my neck.

"That's crazy."

"I always wonder why she did that." He said in my neck.

"Maybe it was her way of apologizing for what she did to you." In a complicated way.

"But I didn't want her money." He nibbled my earlobe, prompting my heart to pick up speed. "All I asked for at that moment was her love, and her to return."

"You can't get the world to work in your favor." I reminded him, holding on to his shoulders, as my groin began throbbing.

"Well, I can." He brought his forehead against mine. "Look, I have you, the purest and flawless human, the earth will ever have."

"You talk a lot." I smiled, my fingers stroking his smooth face.

"I don't know how to shut up about you." He replied, staring into my eyes with many emotions that match mine.

It was then I realized his breathing had become even, he was relaxed in the water.

I couldn't help but smile at him.

"Did I fix you?"

"No, but you resurrected me. You brought me back to life, where all that is around me is beauty, fresh air, and placidity." He answered, meaning every word he said. "Thank you. I will be forever in your debt." He kissed my lips, deeply.

"I love you." It was all I could articulate at that moment, having finally got to breathe, knowing he was at ease, just as he deserved.

"I love you more." He pulled back, our eyes locked. I watch him watch me, our breathing syncing.

I felt no barrier around us. I have so much faith in him. I must admit, there was no time or tears ever went wasted. Each pain, hatred, and anger, had brought us to this moment.

As I quietly appreciate the man I fell in love with, holding me in his warm protective arms. In his eyes, I discovered all the difficulties, and agonies were worth enduring.
Caden was worth all the troubles, the fights, and the years. He was worth it all.

If there's another life after this one we are living in, I want him to know I wouldn't hesitate to do this all over again.

He was my bully, my stepbrother, my husband. And I am fucking in love with him.

"Let's fight again?" His lips spread into an adoring smile.

Right here I learned, I won't flinch to give him all of me.

A/N

Hi besties! If you're here, that means you've completed bully stepbrother, so please don't forget to vote <3.

Also, don't miss out on adding Daisy Esteban and Kaiser Chandler's story to your reading list. Deuce-Ace Roommate is book 2 in the Drowning/Bully series and is completed. They can all be read as stand-alones, but where's the fun in missing out? My Boyfriend's Cuckoo Roommate, book 3 in the Drowning/Bully series, will also be uploaded soon. It's about Amelia Coleman and Cameron Reynolds. Let me know what y'all think, guys. And I'm on my knees—please give the Hues series a chance too. I need your support there.

Love, xoxo