She sat silent for a moment, thinking. “Crazy enough, but Keenan said his mother ran off around the same time Keiran was found. He didn't even know he had a cousin and that his father never mentioned a brother before. I guess they didn't get along. He told me about the day John brought him home. He said he knew Keiran wasn’t normal…truth be told, I think Keenan was afraid of him. He never said it, but the way he would describe Keiran and the look he would get in his eyes… ” She looked thoughtful as her words trailed off.

I can relate. “What about her relatives? Maybe she went home,” I said.

Sheldon’s forehead wrinkled from her deep frown and I found myself leaning forward in anticipation. “I guess she didn’t go there either…or maybe she did. But Keenan has never met them.”

“Wow…I never thought I would ever feel a twinge of sympathy for Keenan…or Keiran.” Willow looked sad as she spoke.

“Uh huh, so what about you and my brother? He's got it bad for you,” Sheldon asked.

“There is nothing to tell. Dash is chasing ass. He's too much of a playboy.”

“So you're saying you want something serious with him?” Willow blushed as if she'd just been caught. Did she have feelings for him?

“No, I meant –” she paused as if thinking over her words. "I don't want to – I just can't."

“I know my brother. He is a charmer but he is a manipulative son of a bitch when it comes to something he wants. He got that from our father. This is the first time I’ve actually witnessed him chase someone. So if you don't want to be a part of something with him, then I suggest you be sure, because one thing Dash can detect is bullshit.”

After Willow and Sheldon left I called my aunt and spoke to her for a while. She reminded me that she was flying to her next tour stop in the morning before we said our goodnights. I quickly fixed something to eat and was channel surfing when the doorbell rang. I frowned wondering who would be coming over when I saw Willow’s notebook on the coffee table. I shook my head and grabbed her tablet. Willow was a forgetful person and would always leave stuff behind.

I opened the door with a smile. “Something here belong to you, Will –”

“Something here does belong to me but I promise it isn’t a tablet.”

* * *

Keiran was the last person I expected to see standing at my door considering last night and today. “What are you doing here?”

“You know why I’m here.”

I tried to close the door but his booted foot kept it from shutting as he shouldered his way in causing me to lose my grip on the door and stumble. He caught me before I could fall and hauled me close to his chest.

“You said we didn’t – you didn’t –” The purpose in his eyes as he held me was both provocative and scary.

“I said we had nothing to talk about. We don’t. I said we weren’t in a relationship. We aren’t.”

“Yes, but –”

“I never said you didn’t owe me your body because you damn well do and I’m here to collect.”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I said through clenched teeth.

His lips crashed down on mine and for a moment I gave in to him and let my desires show before I snatched away. He grinned and said, “We’ll see about that in the morning.” He turned me around and pushed me toward the stairs. When we reached my bedroom he dropped the bag I didn’t notice he was carrying and locked the door.

“What happened last night?” he asked as he removed his hoodie.

“I told you it was a misunderstanding. Someone was here. They broke in and chased me up the stairs but I locked myself in. I’m sorry I never saw who it was and then you were here I just –”

“Did he hurt you?” His voice sounded neutral but the tick in his jaw made me curious even when his question pissed me off.

“No more than you have for ten years. I grew thick skin.”

I don’t know what made me snap at him but I knew it was the wrong answer when his shoulders tensed and his hands balled into fists so hard the veins were bulging and straining against his skin. I didn’t believe the tension in the air could grow any thicker.

Me and my mouth.

“Is that right?” My body and entire nerve system went on alert at the chilling way he asked the question. I carefully backed away for the door, feeling sweat form around my face even as my body went cold and the hairs around my neck stood up. “I guess we are about to see just how thick…your skin has gotten.”

I bolted for the door but didn’t so much as get my hand on the door before I was snatched away and then I was flying. I landed on the soft spread of my bed and shot upright. He was already standing at the foot of my bed, watching me as he lifted his shirt from his chest and dropped it on the floor.

“Wait! I’m not ready.”

“Tough shit, Monroe. You had a year to get ready.” How could I have known this would happen? I knew he would be mad but this…

“Can we talk about this?”

“I’m done talking. It’s time to fuck.” I reared back, feeling both appalled and turned on by his crude behavior. I searched his eyes one last time but didn’t find any mercy in them.

“I’ll fight you,” I warned him, half-heartedly.

“You won’t win if I fight back.”

“Don’t do this.”