CHAPTER ONE

He closed the door behind me, and my heart pounded abnormally, its rhythm spiraling out of control.

I wanted to ask him what he was trying to do—why he was dragging me into the dimly lit space of the house—but the words wouldn't come.

He said nothing. Just watched me. His eyes followed my every move, intense and unreadable.

I parted my lips, but no sound escaped.

We were supposed to be enemies, constantly quarrelling over the smallest things. And yet, deep down, I had grown fond of him. But with how crazy and hostile we always were to each other, there was no way he liked me back.

What am I even thinking? I'm just a maid in this house.

"Lessie." My brain stopped. His voice was low, smooth… almost sweet. But his gaze told a different story.

What is he doing? If he comes any closer, I might lose control.

"You dared me." He took a step forward.

That was all it took for my thoughts to shut down.

Dared him? No. Don't tell me he actually took what I said seriously…

---

YESTERDAY…

"Lessie, get this done right now, or else you won't like what I'll do."

I had glared at him before dumping his dirty clothes on the floor.

"I dare you to do something to me, you grumpy, stinky asshole! It's your mom who brought me into this house, not you. You can't order me around like a slave!"

Then, I had stomped away.

---

And now? His mother had traveled.

What is he going to do to me? Kill me?

My heartbeat raced at the thought.

"You remember now?"

I shook my head instinctively. I couldn't possibly save myself from whatever he was planning.

I was dead, He took the last step closer, and suddenly, we were breathing the same air.

"I've wanted to do a lot to you ever since you stepped into this house. And since you dared me… I can't ignore it now, can I?"

"Do you want to see what I can do?"

His voice sent shivers down my spine, and every hair on my body stood at attention.

"Kyle, please…"

I raised my hand to push him away, but my palm landed on his chest instead.

God. He was solid muscle. I could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady.

His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

I could feel him.

Damn.

I had never been this close to a man before, and it was insane how my body responded to every touch, every word, every breath he took, I needed to stop this.

But then, he lowered his head, his lips brushing my earlobe.

"Do you want to see?"

My eyes fluttered shut.

"Yes, please… Show me."

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest.

"Lessie?" His tone held disbelief, like he couldn't believe I had just said that.

My eyes snapped open, embarrassment flooding through me.

Damn.

What is he doing to me?

Or worse… why?

"Don't call my name," I mumbled, dropping my gaze. "You started this."

My heart stuttered when he suddenly lifted me, his arms curling around my waist effortlessly.

Our gazes locked, He placed me onto the piano stand beside us, his body pressing in just enough to steal the breath from my lungs.

His fingers brushed over my jaw, tilting my chin up, forcing my eyes to meet his. My lips parted on instinct, a shaky breath slipping out, his eyes darkened.

"Still running your mouth?" he whispered, his thumb trailing the curve of my lower lip. "Or should I keep you too occupied for that?"

I swallowed hard, my body betraying me as I pressed my thighs together, heat pooling deep in my core.

"Kyle… this is crazy—"

He didn't let me finish.

His lips crashed against mine, rough and desperate, like he'd been holding back for far too long. A sharp gasp escaped me, but he swallowed it, his hand sliding into my hair, angling my head just the way he wanted.

Oh, God.

My hands gripped his shoulders, his muscles flexing beneath my touch. He tasted like something forbidden, something I shouldn't want but craved anyway.

He bit my lower lip, just enough to make me whimper, and then his tongue slid into my mouth, deep and demanding. My fingers dug into his back, clinging to him as fire spread through my veins.

His other hand traveled down, gripping my waist, pulling me flush against him. The friction, the heat, everything about this was making me dizzy.

I should stop this.

I should push him away.

But when his hands slid under my shirt, brushing my bare skin, all rational thought disappeared.

"Lessie…" he groaned, his lips leaving a scorching trail down my jaw, to my throat, where he bit down just enough to make me shudder.

My head tilted back, giving him more access, my body arching into him on its own.

His hand moved to my thigh, fingers teasing the edge of my shorts.

"Tell me to stop," he murmured against my skin, his voice thick with restraint.

I should.

I really should.

But when his lips found mine again, hungry and possessive, the only thing that came out was a desperate moan.

"Don't stop."