“I didn't, you know,” I stated after we walked a good distance.

“Didn't what?”

“I didn't say we were dating. Willow asked the other day, but before I could answer, Anya overheard and interrupted,” I explained.

“Doesn't matter. You’re mine for now. That's all anyone needs to know.”

“What does that mean? I’m yours? I belong to no one.”

“The fact that you’re with me now says different.”

“But by force.”

He stared down at me for a moment. “Is it?” he questioned with a smug look. I wanted wipe that smugness off his face with a retort but he continued on before I could respond. “By force, or free will, you belong to me until I’m done with you.”

“And then what?” I couldn't help but ask.

“Hey Bro,” Keenan interrupted, appearing out of thin air. I didn’t even realize they were following us. “We need to start practicing soon before the season. We have to get your game back up,” he said with excitement.

“My game must be up because you still can’t beat me,” Keiran retorted. Keenan stopped and began cracking his knuckles.

“So how do you want to do this?”

“Fifteen minutes. First to ten.”

“Oh, yeah,” Keenan grinned.

“Oh, no” Sheldon groaned.

Chapter Eight

“Shit, that’s a foul!”  I watched in horror as Keenan took a blow to the nose from Keiran’s elbow. They’ve been exchanging blows since the first pass. Keiran just recently suffered a kick to the gut from Keenan after he knocked him down and stole the ball.

This was basketball?

What I thought would be a friendly game between cousins was an intense and violent match… and it just so happened that a ball was involved.

We were in their backyard, which was spacious enough for a decent size court. So far the game was tied at eight points and the closer they got to the end of the game the more violent they became. I winced from imaginary pain as Keiran’s jaw was clipped with a strong right hook but he maintained a hold on ball. His next move was too quick; one moment the cousins were squared off and the next Keiran was dunking the ball, winning the game.

“You’re still slow,” Keiran gloated.

“Fuck you,” Keenan laughed. They shook hands before limping off the court, sporting scrapes and bruises.

Keiran locked eyes with me, still grinning and my heart stopped. I’d never seen Keiran happy before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile…well not a genuine smile anyway.

Keenan disappeared inside the house yelling for Sheldon and leaving Keiran and me alone.

“You know you didn't have to watch. You could have gone into the house with Sheldon,” Keiran stated.

“Oh, um. I wasn’t sure –”

“Jeez, Monroe I brought you here, didn't I?” He shook his head before gesturing to the house. “Come on,” he ordered.

“Why so you can chain me up in your basement?” He turned back to face me, cocking his head to the side.

“Don’t give me ideas, Monroe or you’ll never make it out of here. The only reason, I haven’t chained you in my basement is because I know you’ll be missed.” His grin was malicious as he stared at me. “I can guess how much your aunt loves you,” he said with disdain. “And I know how much you must love your aunt…that’s why you are going to do whatever I say and whatever I want. So start by getting your ass in my house.”

He stood back to glare at me until I walked through the door. We entered the house through the backdoor and made our way down a long hallway until we reached the staircase. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs.

“Wait. Uh, where is your uncle?” I asked nervously.

“Gone…and he won’t help you,” he smirked before pushing me into his bedroom and slamming the door shut behind us. I looked around Keiran’s room, taking it all in but I only focused the large bed dominating the room. “Have a seat,” he directed.

“I think I’ll stand.”

“Now.”

I was still standing when he pulled his shirt over his head giving me my first look at him shirtless. The sight before me had me in awe and I didn’t realize I had taken a seat when my legs grew weak. Sweat glistened across his chest and I could see a single rivulet run slowly over the hard ripples that were his abs before disappearing into his shorts.

I licked my lips unconsciously, wanting to chase that dewdrop with my tongue. He had the body of every teenage girl’s dream. I suddenly felt hotter than hell and fidgeted.

“Looking at me like that will get you fucked, Monroe.” I ended my perusal and glared at him even as I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment because he had caught me ogling him. “You think you deserve my bed?” he asked and arched his brow.

I assumed he was talking about sex and was about to remark that I never asked for it when he nodded to where I was sitting on his bed. “Get up,” he ordered before I could hop up. I didn’t want to be on his bed anymore than he wanted me there. He motioned to his desk chair and I took the seat. “Stay here."

He left out of the room and I got comfortable and took in my surroundings. His room had a blue, black, and grey color scheme with built in shelving on the left side of the room. It held various trophies and photographs of him, Keenan, and Dash. What I didn’t see were any pictures of his parents or uncle. It made me wonder where his parents were and how he came under his uncles’ care. Yesterday he mentioned how he disappeared and I realized I had no clue what he meant but I knew it couldn’t be good. I looked around more and noticed the basketball hoop hanging on the backside of the door. An all-black basketball rested on the floor near it. On the wall was a large flat screen television and various game systems and disc hazardously laying on the floor.