The devil

He runs his hand over his chin, looking bemused but not saying a word.

“What?” I prompt after another moment passes.

“Nothing.” When I give him a look, he says, “We’re a lot alike is all.” Another long sigh. “I don’t like the thought of wasting my time or starting over again, either.”

“I guess that’s why you’ve been so on edge about the election.” I clamp a hand over my mouth when I realize I said that aloud. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” His hand accidentally grazes my foot when he rests it on his knee and my breath steals. “One of my favorite qualities about you is how blunt and honest you are.”

My lips twitch. “Wow, would you look at that—a politician who admires honesty.”

The rumble in his chest makes my heart take flight only to dive right into the pit of my stomach a second later when he grabs my foot playfully and gives it a squeeze. “Smart ass.”

I swallow the ball of nerves lodged in my throat when he places my foot in his lap and looks at me. “David says you’re making progress.”

I nod. I hate when he brings up my therapy. It only reminds me how messed up I am and how there’s virtually no chance of us ever being together.

It also reminds me that our time is coming to an end. I’m not an idiot. I know Cain only insisted I start intensive therapy to deal with my agoraphobia and other issues after my mother’s death because he wants me out of his life when I turn eighteen.

Can’t say I blame him. Who in their right mind would want to keep taking care of a headache they didn’t create? Cain’s already done more for me than my biological mother ever did.

And while I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go outside without feeling anxious about people gossiping and saying horrible things behind my back…I finally have hope that one day I’ll be normal.

Still doesn’t change the fact that I’m absolutely petrified Cain is going to set me loose soon. No matter how much he deserves to live his own life.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He gives me the same look I gave him earlier and I cave. “I’ll be eighteen in three weeks.”

I watch his Adam’s apple bob. “I know.” His pinched expression tells me he’s been thinking about it as much as I have.

My stomach knots. I can practically hear the clock ticking. “I think I’m go

I go to get up, but he places my other foot on his lap and rests his forearm on top of my ankles, locking me in place. “What’s going on with you?” I open my mouth, but he growls, “Don’t tell me nothing.”

Tears prickle my eyes. I have no idea how to say this without sounding like a desperate nutcase, but I’m so scared I’ll take the risk.

“I’m not ready to leave yet. I need more time.” I meet his eyes. “I know it’s a lot to ask. I know it’s not fair to you. I know I’m leftovers—”

“Leftovers?” He looks at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “Eden, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Aren’t you kicking me out when I turn eighteen?”

“No.”

I look at him skeptically. “You sure?”

He chuckles. “I’m pretty damn positive.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “Oh.” Half of me feels like a fool…and the other half is grateful nothing’s changing. “Thanks.”  

“Not exactly sure why you’re thanking me, but you’re welcome.” He gives his head a shake. “I should probably let you get back to whatever it was you were doing.”

He starts to get up, but a red mark on his collar catches my eye and my stomach rolls with a violent lurch. “Where were you tonight?”

I’m not stupid, I know Cain’s had sex with other women after my mom died. Heck, I’m almost positive he was having sex with other women before she died given the two had absolutely zero chemistry.

I’ve just never been confronted with the evidence like this before.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

He’s right, it isn’t…but my heart didn’t get the memo. It was bad enough I had to witness him with my mother—I don’t think I can handle the thought of him being involved with someone else.  

If I had it my way, I’d be the dirty little secret he takes to his bed every night instead of his doting little stepdaughter.

If I had it my way, I’d be the one fulfilling every single want and need of his so he’d never have to look elsewhere.

If I had it my way, Cain would feel for me a fraction of what I feel for him.

But Cain’s never seen me that way and I don’t think he ever will.

His morals and ethics won’t let him.

Not unless I do something to shake them up a little.

Leaning back against the pillow, I dangle my feet on his lap again, intentionally stretching out my slim, t-shirt clad frame. “Come on, Cain. I thought we were friends.”

If he notices the provocative tone my voice has taken, he doesn’t comment on it.

As usual, he remains silent. Jaw clenched. Eyes hard.

But he’s not leaving…which means there must be a small part of him that likes being around me.

“Have you been seeing her long?”

He glares at me. “I’m not talking about this with you.”

“Why not?” I ask coyly. “I mean, I’m pretty much legal now. Surely we can have an adult conversation…right?”

His eyes follow the fingernail I’m sliding up my torso. “I’m not talking about my sex life with my daughter.”

“We both know I’m not your daughter, Cain.”

My nipples pebble when his gaze locks on my bare legs. “No, you’re not.” Torment etches his features. “Still doesn’t make it right.”

My heart is practically beating out of my chest. This is the first time he’s ever looked at me this way, but if I play my cards right…it won’t be the last time.

Slowly, I slink my foot up his thigh. “Doesn’t make what right? We’re friends. Friends talk about sex.”

He snorts. “I’m not talking about sex with someone who hasn’t even had her first kiss yet.”

I don’t know whether to be flattered he thinks I’m so virtuous or offended. “I’ve been kissed before.”

“When?” His eyes narrow. “You told me nothing happened with that pervert—”

“Not him.”

“Then who?”

The whisper of jealousy in his tone makes my insides swoop.

I bite my lip and wiggle my toes a little, making sure they brush a certain appendage that’s growing thicker by the second. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”

“No.” The pad of his thumb traces the arch of my foot and I shiver. “You go first.”

“Fine. My first kiss was with a girl I used to hang out with.”

He eyes me skeptically. “What was her name?”

“Viola Cesario.” I fold one arm under my head—an intentional move that causes my t-shirt to rise, exposing my white cotton panties. “I used to go to her house after school, and one day while we were doing our math homework—she asked if she could kiss me to see what it was like.” I draw in a leisurely breath and his eyes drop to my breasts. “I was a little nervous, but she was so gentle with me.” I lick my lower lip. “To this day, I still remember how her mouth tasted like bubble gum.” I give him a wry smile. “We kissed for so long I thought our lips would fall off. If it wasn’t for her older brother walking in on us, they might have.”

His throat bobs on a swallow. “What did he say when he caught you?”

My smile grows. “He asked us to do it again.” This time, I’m not subtle when I brush his now bulging erection with my foot. “But he had one special request.”

Cain makes a low noise in his throat. “What was that?”  

I walk my fingers down the length of my body, stopping when I reach the band of my underwear. “He asked her to kiss me here.”