Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

KATIE

A distant, thumping beat startled me awake.

I rolled onto my front and punched my pillow, sighing frustratedly. Someone had apparently moved in next door.

The opening bars of “Smack My Bitch Up” whistled, and I jerked into a sitting position. With a curse, I hauled my legs over the side of the bed and got to my feet. Shoving my robe across my shoulders, I pushed my feet into my flip-flops, exiting my bedroom and out the front door. Hopefully, my new neighbors would wrap up the party once I talked to them and explained my job.

Easy, right?

I stepped to the door and banged twice, tapping my foot as I waited.

Nobody came.

I lifted my hand to thump again, ignoring the indignation scalding through my chest.

“Jake,” a voice shouted over the music, “there’s someone at the door.”

For the millionth time, I cursed my husband for dying. Theo would’ve dealt with this in minutes. He’d been uber-protective since third grade when he’d given Tommy Marino a split lip for trying to steal my lunch money.

The door swung open, and a familiar blonde woman leaned against the door jamb, smirking.

Chardonay Fry was in my class at school. She’d had her sights set on Theo since we were fourteen; however, Theo had been mine since we were twelve.

Our feud was legendary. She hated me because I got the boy, and I disliked her because she was a bitch.

“Turn the music down, Chardonay,” I demanded. “I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”

She smiled bitchily. “My boyfriend’s celebrating his birthday with his workmates and our friends. Why should we have to cut our party short just because you’re old and boring?”

“You’re such a bitch, Chardonay.” I leaned forward. “Are you still butthurt that Theo wanted me instead of you? It was years ago. Get over it.”

Her eyes flashed. “At least I didn’t have to get pregnant to keep him.”

“We were together years before I got pregnant, Chardonay, and you know it.”

She took a step toward me. “You did it to trap him.”

I shoved my face in hers. “You’re such a lying bitc?—”

“What’s going on?” a deep, rich voice interrupted.

My eyes lifted, and my throat went dry because standing in the doorway was one of the most beautiful men I’d ever seen.

Wow . What the hell was this guy doing with a succubus like Chardonay?

He turned to my nemesis. “What are you doing?”

I smirked.

It seemed that Mister Tall Drink of Water already knew Chardonay was a succubus.

“I was telling your neighbor that it’s your birthday,” she simpered. “She’s complaining about the party.”

He gave me a measured look. “It’s about time we wrapped up anyway. Go get your girls, Chardonay; tell them it’s time to go.”

“But, Jake—” Succubus began.

“I told you at the bar, just one drink. It’s time to head out.”

She threw me a look of hatred. “Hope you’re happy, Katherine.” She stomped inside and disappeared.

Suddenly, I became aware that I was standing there in my nightie. My cheeks heated, and I folded my arms across my chest, trying to hide my nipples that were using the opportunity to say hello.

“Good to meet you. I’m Jake Lawson.” He held his hand out. “I was gonna come over tomorrow and introduce myself.”

Reaching out, I took his fingers in mine. “Katie. My daughter Grace and I live next door.”

My stomach clenched with a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time, and I suddenly needed to get out of there. “Would you mind keeping the music down? I’ve got to get up early for work in the morning.”

His eyebrows scrunched together, confused at my coldness. “I’m winding it down now.”

“Thanks.” I turned on my heel and hurried back to my house.

I swung my door open, intending to run inside and pretend the night’s events never happened, but something made my steps falter.

I turned to see my neighbor still watching me.

“Hey, Jake,” I called.

“What?” he called back.

“Welcome to the neighborhood.” I smiled and walked inside my house, locking the door before wandering upstairs to bed.

And for the first time in a long time, I slept soundly.