She licks her lips, and I’m reminded that we are not the only ones in the room, nor has she taken my hand.

“I’m Jett, but you can call me Mr. Powers.”

Her smirk fades and eyes narrow. Now that I stand over her, she’s smaller than I originally thought.

“Nice to meet you,” she says in a rush, taking a step back as her cheeks pinken. Again, I’m struck at just how stunning she is.

“Raven.” Rachel sets down her coffee. “Shake Mr. Powers’s hand. What’s wrong with you?”

Raven’s eyes flash to her mother’s, then back to mine. I cock my head and flash her a smile as she purses her lips, then goes to shake my hand. Turning, I walk to the refrigerator saying over my shoulder, “I work all the time, so the house is yours. Just no parties, please.”

“I’m not the party girl type. So you have nothing to worry about.” Her voice sounds dry, almost bored.

Almost.

But her eyes give her away. That, and she’s now biting the bottom fleshy part of her cherry-stained lips. She has this intoxicating aura of innocence and bitch.

It works for her. But at the end of the day, she’s off limits, and not only because she’s Rachel’s daughter, which, let’s be honest, should be the main reason. That is, if I was good.

I’m not.

Not even a little. But I don’t do drama. And this Lolita staring daggers at me is nothing but trouble.

“Good, then we have nothing to worry about.” I walk over to Rachel and kiss her forehead. She smiles up at me and places her hands on my chest.

“I’m sweaty, my love,” I state and move away. “Make yourself at home, Raven.” I walk out, drinking my water, my eyes doing one more head-to-toe appraisal as I pass.

I’ll rub one out in the shower, and all thoughts of Raven will be gone. As soon as I come, I won’t even remember that she’s going to be living with me alone, for days…

Yeah, I won’t remember that at all.

Chapter Four

RAVEN

What just happened? No, strike that. What is happening? I can’t stay in this house alone with that man.

He’s awful.

Arrogant.

And heart-stoppingly hot. I take a deep breath and slowly release it, yet almost start laughing. Poor Cher. The tabloids don’t do him justice. She’d literally freak if she saw his beautiful face. My eyes remain on him as he leaves. Of course, he’s tall, with thick, dark hair. God, it even curls slightly around his ears. And his body… The man doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him. I mean, his T-shirt was sticking to his six-pack, maybe even an eight-pack…