Chapter 1

1

MALCOLM

M an, fuck this weather.

It's cold as hell outside, but I don't bother grabbing a coat. I hope my greeting with my son will be short, and that he will get out of my field of vision as quickly as possible. I know that makes me sound like an asshole of a father, but Adam has taught me over the years that he will take advantage of everything and everyone if given the opportunity.

The one and only reason I had agreed to let him continue to stay with me was because of this mystery girlfriend who would have been on the streets if I didn't allow her to move in with my son temporarily. Apparently, the dorm room he's been living in back in the city isn't suited for two people, and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay for an apartment. So, moving back in with me is the only option for now, but if Adam or this girl that he's bringing steps out of line a single time, it's all over.

My home is my place to get away from the rest of the human population. I had it built to my specific specifications, and even when a winter storm is threatening like it is now, I see no reason to leave often. When Adam was young, it was actually enjoyable to have him live with me, but I think the easy life I provided him has made him into a prick.

College is supposed to give him a taste of the real world, but it's barely been a year and here he is crawling back already. Still, he's my son, so it's a damned if I do damned if I don't situation.

My security system has already warned me that he's almost here, so I wait with my arms crossed at the doorway until I see the silhouette of his car in the distance, slowly coming to a stop at the apex of the rounded driveway. I swallow down my irritation as I brace myself for my son's arrival.

The blizzard rages on outside, matching the storm brewing within me. This isn't the first girl Adam has dragged around as some sort of trophy, but she's definitely the first he's wanted to keep around long-term. I still don't fucking like it. Another woman, another distraction. I'm not in the mood for games.

But here we go.

She steps out of the car, and my annoyance dissipates like a wisp of smoke.

Fuck.

My eyes lock with hers, and time damn well stops. It's like a fucking punch to the gut, knocking the breath out of me. I can't tear my gaze away. Who the hell is this woman, and why is she affecting me like this? All within a few seconds of seeing her.

She's petite, curves in all the right places. A delicate beauty that seems out of place in this harsh winter storm. Her chestnut curls frame a face that's both innocent and alluring, a dangerous fucking combination. But it's her eyes that draw me in, a stormy blue that seems to see right through me, piercing my soul.

A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips as I take in the sight of her. She's small, but even from here, I can tell she's strong, and damn if I'm not intrigued. More than intrigued, if I'm honest. The wind whips her hair, and she stands there, defying the elements and whatever negative situation has her hanging around my son.

There's something about her that sets her apart from the rest. A spark, an energy that crackles in the air between us. It's like a damn magnet, and I'm helpless to resist. The world fades away, and there's only her, standing there in all her glory. I have to shift my stance, feeling my cock go hard at me simply being able to look my fill at her.

Fuck, I wasn't prepared for this. Not here, not now. But this instant connection? Yeah, it hits me like a freight train. I scoff at the notion, at the absurdity of it all. Me, Malcolm Mayfield, the unrepentant asshole that has fought tooth and nail for everything he has, brought to my knees by a woman I barely fucking know.

I shake my head, trying to clear the haze that has settled over my mind. It's infuriating and exhilarating all at once. She hasn't even said a word, and I'm already wrapped around her little finger. It's fucking ridiculous.

I don't let it show on my face, but inside, I'm laughing about how fucked up this all is. The woman, whose mere existence irritated me a moment ago, has me completely and fucking madly drawn to her. And as she crosses the threshold into my home, snowflakes melting in her hair, I know, against all reason, that my life is about to change forever.