PROLOGUE

OLIVIA

It started with a picture.

Just one. His smile.

Ryan Walker.

My dad's best friend. The man I've crushed on since I was eighteen.

I kept scrolling on Instagram, ignoring the sharp twist in my chest every time I saw his face. I remembered being six, riding on his back while he ran around the yard.

That should’ve made this crush feel gross. It didn’t.

And now, I am twenty two. And he wasn't just “dad's best friend” anymore.

There was something dark in the way he looked. Calm, dangerous but always watching. It made my skin prickle, my breath caught.

I wanted to know what those hands felt like if wrapped around something… or someone.

I shifted on my bed, biting my lip as I stared at his latest Instagram post. He was in a plain black t-shirt, a lazy grin on his face like he had no idea what he was doing to me.

My thighs pressed together without thinking, heat curling in my stomach like a slow burning match.

What the hell was he doing to me?

He wasn’t even trying, and still, my body reacted like I was some hormone filled teenager.

I tried to force my eyes shut but I couldn’t.

Because I kept remembering the last time he was here in my house talking to Dad in the kitchen.

He smiled at me and called me “kiddo.”

Kiddo!

The name should have turned me off, but instead, I’d gone to my room that night and… I groaned, sitting up straight.

“God, no. Not again.” I groaned and threw the pillow over my lap like it could smother the thoughts.

“Get a grip, Olivia.” I muttered with slow gasp, locked my phone and tossed it aside.

This crush was eating me alive.

“What’s going on, Liv? Open your door!” My dad’s voice came with loud knocks that made me jump.

I quickly stood up, fixing my hair and straightening my clothes. Thank God I locked the door.

I took a deep breath, trying to act normal.

“Sorry, Dad. I fell asleep,” I used the back of my hand to cover my mouth and fake yawned as I opened the door.

That was a lie. Obviously.

He gave me a strange look, his eyes narrowing like he didn’t believe me.“You were asleep?” he asked, studying my face.

My heart skipped a beat.

“For the love of God, Dad…” I mumbled, turning away from the door and walking back to my bed.

“What? I wasn’t doing anything.” He raised his hands like he was surrendering.

“Relax. I’m not here to fight. I actually came to talk to you.” Dad added.

That got my attention. His voice sounded… off.

“What’s wrong?” I asked and sat up straighter.

He walked over and sat on the small couch in my room.

“I love you so much. You know that, right?” I nodded.

“Ever since your mom died…” he paused, struggling to continue.

“What’s wrong, Da—”

“Let me finish,” he cut in gently. I nodded again.

“Since your mom passed, you’ve been the reason I keep going. You’re my world, Olivia.” He stopped again. The room went quiet.

Then finally, he said it.

“I got a job offer.”

“Oh my God, Dad! That’s amazing!” I blurted out and clasped my hands together while giggling like a kid.

But… Why did he still look sad?

“It’s a great opportunity. But the job is in Spain.”

“What? Wow! When are we going? This is such great timing. Can you imagine? Just after graduation. Wow. This is good news.” I jumped to my feet, lay down on the bed again and kicked my feet in the air.

“No no, calm down. I'm moving alone, Liv.” My legs dropped immediately and I stared at him, my eyes getting moist.

My smile dropped instantly as I sat up. “Wait… what?”

“Liv, I’ve been transferred. The company wants me in Spain.” He took my hands. I noticed his eyes were shiny.

Was he… crying?

“Dad…” My throat felt dry. “It's been two years since mom died. I miss her everyday. You can't possibly make me miss you too. Is there no other way? You're the only family I have here and you never let me socialize.” I was on my feet now.

My eyes were very hot and moist, my cheeks burned badly.

He smiled softly through his own tears.

“You wouldn't be all alone.”

“What do you mean?” I blinked in confusion.

“You’ll stay with Ryan,” he said simply. “You’ll live with him until I’m back.”

I stared at him like he’d lost his mind.

Ryan?

RYAN WALKER?

The same Ryan I’ve had a huge crush on since I was eighteen?

The man I dream about… almost every night?

I felt like my brain just stopped working.

“You’re serious?” I asked and sniffed, using the back of my hands to wipe my face while trying to hide the smile on my face.

He nodded without hesitation.

“He already agreed. Said he’d take good care of you.”

My mouth clasped together. I wanted to say something but nothing came out.

Live with Ryan? Be in his space every single day? See him in his home clothes? Hear his deep voice in the mornings? Smell his cologne around the house?

God, help me.

I blinked again and looked at my dad, trying hard to hide the thousand thoughts in my head.

“Liv?” he called, snapping me out of my spiral.

I looked up. My lips parted but nothing came out at first.

Then I nodded slowly. “Okay...”

It was the only thing I could say without sounding like I’d lost my damn mind.

“I'll be driving you to his house. Just pick a few things you'll need then you can come to the house anytime to get more clothes if needed.” Dad stood up and was about to leave the room when I called out to him.

“When are you coming back? And, aren't you supposed to be at the airport instead of driving me to Ryan's house?” I watched him swallow hard like I just asked what he didn't want to give an answer to.

“Uhm, Ryan is waiting for me at the airport. He offered to let me go with his private jet. Secondly Liv, I don't know when I'll be back. It could be weeks, months, years. I don't know.” He turned around and left the room.

I didn't know what to say so I just started packing the little things I could get. I wasn't going to pack much things. This is perfect.

~~

Dad's car pulled up to the front of Ryan’s house, and my heart started thudding in my chest.

Scratch that, it was a whole estate. Clean driveway, tall gates, and a mansion that looked like something out of a movie.

Two men in black suits walked up. One opened the car door for my dad, the other nodded politely without even looking at me.

“Mr. Dewey, welcome.”

“Thanks, Charles,” Dad replied, stepping out and patting his shoulder like they were old buddies.

No one said a word to me. Not even a smile.

I slowly got out behind him, hugging my hoodie around my chest like I was freezing. My eyes scanned the tall house.

Dad turned to me and pulled me into a hug. I didn’t care that the men were still standing there. I clung to him like it was the last time I’d see him, because it kind of was.

“You’ll be fine, Liv,” he whispered, rubbing my back like he used to when I was little. “He’s a good man. And you’re safe here.”

I didn’t answer. Just nodded and stepped back.

“I’ll call you soon,” he said, giving me a soft smile, then turned around and got back in the car.

I watched as the car rolled away, my chest tightening with each second.

“Miss Olivia,” one of the men finally spoke, “please come with me.”

I followed him inside, trying not to trip over the shiny floor. The place was huge but quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that made you feel like even your breathing was too loud.

“You’ll find your room upstairs, second ring, first door on the left,” he said without even glancing at me.

“Second ring?” I blinked, but he was already walking away.

I found the stairs. And yeah, ring made sense now. This place was shaped like a freaking palace.

The hallway smelled like something expensive. Probably imported wood or some kind of fancy candle.

When I opened the door to my room, I gasped. The bed was huge, the curtains were silk, and the bathroom had marble floors. But I wasn’t in the mood to admire anything.

I tossed my bag on the floor, peeled off my clothes, and stepped into the shower.

Warm water ran over my body, and I stood there for a long time, trying to think of anything but him. But of course, my brain had other plans. Ryan’s face kept flashing behind my eyelids.

I groaned and wrapped a towel around myself before stepping out.

The steam followed me into the room, and just as I bent to pick up my cream—

The door creaked open.

I froze.

Ryan stood at the entrance, holding a glass of something dark, his shirt slightly unbuttoned like he wasn’t expecting to see anyone.

His eyes widened.

Mine did too.

And just like that—

The towel slipped.

I gasped, grabbing for it.

Too late.