Leave her, plays over and over in my head like a broken record, until I feel her hand in mine. Electric energy makes my fingers tingle. I bring her close and inhale her scent.

She pulls back, and our eyes collide, do battle. If I was obsessed before, I’m now barely able to keep myself in check.

“Jett—” The floodlights spill on, lighting up the entire front part of the property. Rachel steps out, a cigarette in her hand.

“What the hell?” She looks at Raven, then me. I don’t know how much she saw, if anything.

“I ran into Raven at the bar. I brought her home.” I shut the door as Iain pulls the car around the back toward the garage.

“You expect me to believe that?” she spits.

“It’s true.” Raven rolls her eyes at her mother as she walks up the steps.

“You’re stalking him, aren’t you?” She goes to follow her, but I grab her arm.

“She’s not stalking me, Rachel. She was there to fuck a stranger,” I snarl, my eyes taking in her cigarette.

“Then why is she home?” Her voice doesn’t hide her contempt.

“Because she’s underage, and the stranger was Andrew.” I stare at Rachel who takes one more inhale and walks to the kitchen to run water on the end.

“Andrew Carrington?” She still sounds doubtful, but I’m sick of her, this day, and not being able to come home in peace. I spent a lot of money making my home a haven for me. I usually like coming home. Lately, I dread it.

“Yes, Andrew Carrington.”

“Why?” She shuts the water off and turns to face me.

“Why, what?” I growl, going around her to the refrigerator.

“Why would you care? I mean, for someone like Andrew to even look at Raven… In all honesty, she’s borderline attractive. I’ve seen the women he dates. She could only be so lucky.”

I shut the refrigerator door slowly as my mind tries to process her words. “Let me understand what you just said. You think I should have left Raven to get fucked by Andrew and be grateful for it? Have you lost your mind?” My eyes remain focused on her face.

“Have you? Because all I know is that ever since my daughter moved in, you haven’t touched me. In fact, you act like I’m beneath you. And don’t try that lawyer shit,” she screams, slapping the marble island for effect.

“I’m tired.” I snort, walking around her toward the stairs.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me, Jett Powers. What is happening?” She runs after me.

“I’m going to bed.” I turn and look at her. She’s right. I have zero interest in her sexually, and haven’t for a long time.