CARMEN POV
Carmen, are you okay?" my mother asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I quickly nodded, even as my fingers brushed against his outstretched hand.
Electricity surged through me.
"Hi—I'm Carmen," I stuttered, face flushed. I couldn't even look at him.
"Hi, Carmen. Welcome," he said, his voice smooth. He shook my hand.
I pulled it back quickly, the heat lingering like a brand.
"Um… thanks for letting me stay. And, sorry for the inconvenience."
I could feel his eyes on me, tracing every inch, making me squirm.
"You're welcome, Carmen. You're family, after all."
The word family made me wince.
Family don't fuck, I muttered under my breath.
"What did you say?" Mom asked.
"Nothing for you to worry about," I said, brushing it off.
"Where should I put my bags?"
"Oh! Hunter, can you help her to her room?" Mom asked.
My eyes widened.
Hell no. I didn't want to be alone with him.
"You don't have to stress him," I suggested quickly. "You could take me instead."
But she waved me off.
"I don't mind," Hunter said, already taking my suitcase from me.
"Follow me, Carmen."
I glanced at my mom, who just smiled.
"I'll go make us something to eat."
I followed him reluctantly, staring down at my hands, fiddling with my fingers.
I wasn't watching where I was going and bumped right into him.
He turned, that same smirk on his face.
"Are you always this clumsy, little one?" he asked, voice low.
My breath caught.
He remembered.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about," I whispered.
He chuckled, eyes gleaming.
"You don't remember me?"
I shook my head.
He nodded slowly, unlocking the door to a bedroom and stepping inside.
I followed, hesitant. The door shut behind me with a click.
Then he turned and caged me against the door with his body.
Eyes locked on mine. Dark. Possessive.
"You said you don't remember me, Carmen?"
"I—I…" I couldn't finish.
His hand slid up and gripped my throat not too tight. Just enough.
"Fuck," he growled softly, "you look even prettier in daylight."
"We shouldn't be doing this. You're my stepdad," I whispered, trembling.
"I couldn't stop thinking about that night, little one."
His fingers traced the line from my throat to my collarbone, sending heat spiraling through me.
I forgot how to breathe. My body was already betraying me.
Wet. Aching. Ready for him.
"This can't happen again. Hunter, please," I whispered.
He leaned in, brushed his mouth against my neck then pulled back.
"Enjoy your stay, little one," he said, and walked out.
The door shut behind him.
I slumped back against the wall, heart racing.
"Gosh… that was intense," I breathed
I looked around to take in the room clearly for the first time.
Damn. It was huge—spacious, elegant, stupidly luxurious.
I sat on the edge of the bed, sinking slightly into the plush mattress.
"Gosh… I can't believe he's the one."
I facepalmed.
The memory hit again like a whip—
I'd gone to the club with Gigi that night because Dad was in his final stage of cancer.
Gigi thought it would take my mind off things.
Instead, I ended up having sex with the man who turned out to be my mom's husband.
The same man she left my dying father for.
"I'm sick in the head," I whispered, disgusted with myself.
I dialed Gigi's number and she picked up almost instantly.
"Hey babes! How's the new city treating you?" she chirped.
"Awful. I miss you, Gi."
"Miss you too, Carm. Sooo, spill—have you seen your new stepdad yet?"
My stomach turned.
"That's the problem. Remember the guy I hooked up with at the club?"
There was a beat of silence.
"No. No, don't tell me—"
"It is. Girl, I'm so embarrassed right now. And the worst part? He told me he couldn't stop thinking about that night."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
"Like—is he insane? He's my mom's husband."
"Oh my freaking God!" she screamed, loud enough that I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
"Calm down, tiger."
"I'm sorry, but Carm… how are you going to deal with this? Because from the way you're describing it, it sounds like he wants a round two."
I closed my eyes, the heat from earlier still lingering in my chest.
"I told him to forget it ever happened. It was a mistake I didn't know who he was."
I groaned. "Ugh, why am I still thinking about it?"
This is shitty. Just don't let the temptation of being banged by him come to you again. Avoid him like the plague," Gigi warned.
"Of course I want to avoid him and his wife," I muttered. "Maybe once I start college, it'll all be easier."
"Smart move. I gotta go though—talk soon?"
"Yeah. Bye, G. Love you."
"Love you too, C." She blew me a kiss before hanging up.
I already missed her.
Gosh.
I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, and damn the place was insane.
Marble counters. A tub that could fit three people.
It felt like heaven.
I shook my head.
I wasn't supposed to be impressed by this house.
Or the man who bought it.
"I miss you, Dad," I whispered, tears pricking the corners of my eyes.
I wiped them away quickly and stepped under the warm spray.
After my bath, I pulled on a pair of pajamas. It was already late.
"Carmen! Dinner's ready!" my mom's voice echoed from downstairs.
I rolled my eyes and shouted back, "I'm not hungry!"
Then flopped onto the bed.
God, this mattress was unfairly soft.
I had to ignore Hunter.
No matter what.
I knew myself one look from him and I'd be on my knees, dripping and desperate.
The door creaked open and I sprang up instantly.
Mom.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"There's a reason bedrooms have doors, Mom. You knock before you enter," I snapped.
She narrowed her eyes. "Watch your tone, young lady."
I scoffed.
"Or what, Mom? You think we're suddenly a family again now that Dad's dead?"
My voice cracked, but I didn't stop. "You left us for a richer man. You left him when he was dying!"
Her lips tightened.
"The fact that I still call you my mother—hell, that I even acknowledge you—
you should be grateful, Marina."
She sighed, her shoulders sinking.
Did she feel guilty? Regretful? I couldn't even tell.
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness right away, okay?" she said quietly.
"There's food downstairs if you get hungry. And…" she hesitated, rubbing her arm, "you're starting college tomorrow."
I blinked.
"Great." I said flatly. "At least something normal."
Then she added the dagger.
"Hunter's a professor there. He'll be taking you every morning."
"What?" I practically shrieked, my eyes nearly popping out of my skull.