I stood there staring at my father for I don't know how long. He had a sneer forming on his lip as he looked at me, obviously thrilled to have caught me in this compromising position. I glared at him and furrowed my brow. "I thought you were staying at Uncle Joey's until the 5th?"

Rachel peered up at me, her eyes full of questions. I never had the chance to tell her that my father had come back. I saw him a few times before Christmas. When he said he was going to stay at his brother's house over the holidays and he wanted me to go too, I opted out, called my mom and went to stay with her instead.

Things weren't any better between us during the times he stayed at the house, but at least I wasn't afraid of getting my ass beat anymore. That was the real reason I had bulked up and basically begged Manny to teach me how to box. My father had only tried to hit me once since then and he soon realized what a mistake that was. Piece of shit.

My father shrugged. "Yeah, that didn't work out too well," he finally replied. "Samantha and I weren't getting along that well."

I scoffed. "What'd you do this time?"

He shot me a look asking me to drop it. Samantha was my aunt, Joey's wife. I was surprised she had tolerated him for as long as she had. Hell, he probably hit on her.

My father sipped his scotch and eyed Rachel, who was still nestled against me. "And who do we have here?" he sleazed.

Rachel looked up at me, her long dark lashes fluttered. "Put me down, Paul," she urged gently.

I nodded slowly, hesitantly giving up my hold on her. She squeezed my bicep before turning to my father and offering him her hand. "I'm Rachel Black," she said sweetly. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Lies. I could tell the way her hand shook, she was mad or scared or both. My father gave a her a predatory smile and nodded. "I'm Jack. It's nice to meet you, too."

He inspected her hand and then her outfit and smiled wider. Fuck this. I stepped between them, sliding my hand into hers and tugging gently. "Rachel has been staying with me since she's been home." And back off, she's mine.

He finally released her and nodded. "Billy doesn't mind you sleeping over with this guy?" He gestured toward me, giving me a dirty look.

"She's 21, Jack. Her dad knows where she is."

My father nodded again. "And Billy knows how old my son is?"

Rachel smiled. "My dad really likes Paul." She paused and leaned against me. "He knows what a good guy he is."

I cheered inside for the compliment, but I could see how it was pissing him off. Good, asshole, be pissed. He lowered himself back into his chair and sneered, "Well Paul can be quite charming...when he wants to be."

Rachel wrapped her other hand around my arm and squeezed. "We're going to bed," I announced. I was ready to end this before it even started. "Night, Jack."

I made it halfway across the room before my father's voice thundered, "You don't mind if I talk to my son alone, do you, Rachel?"

I felt a sense of dread wash over me. I walked Rachel to my bedroom door and kissed the top of her head. "I'll be right back," I promised.

Her eyes shone up at me, silently pleading for me to be okay. I sighed deeply and left her standing there as I begrudgingly returned to my father. "What?" I demanded.

He shook his head and sucked in a deep breath. "She's a big improvement over the last few tramps I've seen you with."

I heard my door close and I knew that Rachel had heard that. Shit. More damage control. "What do you want?"

"Don't worry. I'll let you get back to your sweetie soon enough," he smarmed. "I just had one question."

I shrugged out of my coat, tossed it on the couch and crossed my arms over my chest. "What?"

"How long do you think it's gonna take for her to figure out that you're not good enough for her?"

His words sliced through me. I clenched my jaw so tightly, it popped. I didn't realize how badly my father could hurt me until he was no longer able to give me bruises. Somehow this hurt worse.

"Isn't she in college, Paul? Obviously she's smarter than you, better looking than you. How long do you think those muscles will keep her interest?"

I tried to keep my breathing even. I didn't want to engage with him. He was looking for a fight, I could feel it. He was pushing all my buttons.

"Well just don't knock her up. I don't think Billy would like that very much. You can barely take care of yourself, let alone her and a baby."

I lifted my father by his shirt and looked him dead in the eye. "This house isn't big enough for both of us."

He pulled my hands away and laughed. "Don't worry. I'm just stopping through. I had to make sure you hadn't gotten the lights shut off yet. I'm going to Tina's. I'll be back in a few weeks."

He sucked back the rest of his scotch and smiled at me. Smarmy bastard. I don't know how long I stood there, staring at the back of the front door. When I finally returned to my room, I felt like I had been punched in the gut.

God, I hate him.

I glanced briefly at Rachel, noticing her sitting on my bed, her arms wrapped around her legs. I moved to stand in front of my dresser and I peered outside, double and triple checking that he actually left.

"Is he gone?" Her voice sounded so small.

I didn't answer her, too consumed with the playback of my father's voice in my head. How long do you think it's gonna take for her to figure out that you're not good enough for her?

When she approached me from behind, I felt her delicate fingers tracing my well-toned shoulders. How long do you think those muscles will keep her interest? My father's voice echoed in my head. I wanted to forget him, to block out the fear and doubt.

God, I hate him.

When Rachel's fingers slid around my waist, I twisted around to grab her, sliding my hands under her, and slamming her ass on top of my dresser in desperation. I leaned over her and saw the fear in her eyes. Was I the animal my father made me become every time he came near me?

I smoothed my hands down her cheeks and kissed her forehead softly. "I'm sorry," I breathed so quietly I wasn't wasn't sure she even heard me. I sucked in several deep breaths through my nose, inhaling the coconut scent of her skin and letting it wash away the anger.

When I tipped her head back and looked deeply into her eyes, I saw nothing but pity. And it disgusted me. Poor Paul with his fucked up home life.

I cringed when she reached for my face. Dammit all to hell. Why was I letting the old man get to me? I knew this girl loved me...for some reason.

I rifled through my dresser drawers in search of something to wear to bed.

"What's wrong, Paul? Talk to me," she pleaded.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Nothing," I answered robotically. "I'm gonna get a shower."

~♡~♡~♡~♡~

I stood in the shower, facing the spray and just letting it pour over me. I felt awful for walking away from Rachel. She didn't deserve it. I just couldn't take seeing that look in her eyes. Fuck pity.

I lowered my head, allowing the warm water to run through my hair and run down my back. I felt a chill of cool air and then hands smoothing over my back. I looked down to see her fingers tip toeing over my stomach. I could feel her breasts pressed against my back and her lips brushing over my shoulder blades.

She flattened her palms over my thighs, edging closer and closer to my achingly hard dick. Her hands were shaking and when I just couldn't take it anymore, I turned to face her. She smiled up at me, her eyes wide and her breath shaky. I smiled back at her and nodded. I watched as she wrapped those delicate fingers around me and began to stroke me. I turned her a little so I was positioned at the outside of her right hip.

I leaned over her, pressing my palms against the back of the shower wall. My eyes rolled back as she applied more pressure and I could feel my release getting closer. She watched my face, my mouth, every reaction. She smiled when I did and when she snaked her free hand around to the back of my neck and pulled me into a deep kiss, I lost all control.

I bucked my hips into her hand and completely let go. I bit down on her lower lip when I finally exploded. My hands shook, my arms, my legs, and it was all I could do not to collapse. She pulled away and watched my expression as I rode my climax all the way to the end. I finally came back to Earth when I felt her hands soaping up my body.

I complied when she pushed me back toward the spray. She gently washed every single part of me and I loved the way her hands felt on me. I didn't see any pity when she looked at me. I saw love and lust and I wanted more.

I stepped out of the shower, just to step back in behind her. I turned her to face the spray and began soaping her body just as lovingly as she had done mine. Her breasts felt phenomenal between my fingers. I rested my head on her shoulder while my hands went to work squeezing and rubbing her in the most delicious ways. My cock sprang back to life when her head dropped back and small, strangled moans escaped her lips.

I let my hands travel lower, dipping dangerously close to my warm, wet prize. I barely grazed my thumb over her mound and her whole body jerked. Oh yes. I finished washing her body and rinsed her quickly. Her hair would have to wait. I had to touch her...now.

I turned her again, this time backing her up against the shower wall. I watched her face when I slid my hand down her inner thigh, hooked my fingers behind her knee, and brought her leg to rest on the side of the tub. With her foot planted securely up on the side, I scanned her face one more time and finding no sign of hesitation, I went for it.

I dragged both hands up her inner thighs, loving the way her breath hitched as I got closer. I pressed one palm to the wall behind her as the other kept edging closer. She was shaking with anticipation. I kept flirting closer and closer but not quite there. I smirked at her, seeing how impatient she was getting.

"Please," she gasped so breathlessly.

When I cupped her mound with my whole hand, she sucked in a sharp breath. I kept my hand still, aching to enter her, but curious to see how she would react to my teasing. I found out when she covered my hand with both of hers, forcing my middle finger deep into her warmth.

"Yes," she whimpered as I pushed deeper.

When I found her spot, she gripped my shoulders tightly and began to buck against my hand. I pressed the heel of my hand to her clit and started a friction that continued to build. She tipped her pelvis forward, urging me me deeper. Her chest heaved as she gasped for breath and her orgasm approached.

I pressed my forehead to hers as she climbed closer. I began to rock my hips forward, my own need growing. Before I could argue with her, she gripped my full length and stroked me again. She squeezed me tightly as she tumbled. Her legs spasmed, her head fell back and somehow she brought me right along with her.

We both trembled together as my lips captured hers. I slowly withdrew my finger and she released me too. We wrapped our arms around each other, I turned her quickly, and buried us under the pulsating spray. She swirled her tongue around mine and I tasted her hungrily. Water poured over us, thankfully still warm. I kissed her until her breathing returned to normal.

She smiled at me when I shampooed her hair. She used her fingers to trace all the ridges in my muscles as I carefully rinsed us off one more time. I gathered her into my arms and lifted her from the shower. She watched me through a hooded gaze as I gently dried her body. I smiled when she took another towel and dried me just as carefully.

Rachel gasped when I scooped her up and carried her to the bed. I deposited her in the middle of the bed and sighed when pulled me down to join her. We held each other tightly, just kissing and snuggling close. I loved how she felt in my arms and I tried to ignore that nagging ache in my heart when I thought about the next time she had to leave me.

......

A/N: I know I promised an imprint and it's coming. Please stick with me...