CHAPTER 2: CRUCIAL WARNING

MARILYN’S POV

The events of the evening were splendid. The entire family shared an extraordinarily delicious dinner prepared by me, and Fredrick seemed genuinely impressed with my cooking.

He kept tossing jokes at me, teasing me throughout the meal, until I got so red I thought my skin would peel off right at the table.

My brother and Mom laughed along, completely warmed up to the charming new dad who seemed to know exactly how to get under everyone's skin—but in the most delightful way.

Still, the entire time, I felt intensely uncomfortable.

Without exaggeration, he spent the whole dinner staring at me—relentlessly—and it made me feel awkward, self-conscious, and completely thrown off my appetite.

I was more than relieved when dinner finally ended and everyone dispersed to their bedrooms.

I didn’t head straight to bed.

Instead, I wandered out to the front porch to unwind, letting the cool night air soothe my nerves.

It was only a few minutes past eight.

I sighed and pulled out my favorite novel, hoping to lose myself in its pages and breathe a little easier.

But if I was being honest, this had become a habit partly because of another reason—my cute, friendly, ridiculously irresistible neighbor.

Every night, he came outside too, often chilling in the family car parked at the front of their driveway, reading or listening to music behind the tinted window.

And every night, I waged a silent war with myself over whether I should finally go over and say hi.

But I never did.

I didn’t know why I couldn’t muster the courage to approach a guy—much less start a conversation.

I watched the warm light glowing inside the car window across the street and sighed.

If only I could just walk up, knock on the glass, and blurt out something witty…

“What are you still doing out here so late?”

That voice.

That soft, silky, unmistakably male voice cut through my thoughts like a razor through silk.

I turned abruptly to see Fredrick standing in the doorway.

OH. SHIT.

I blinked and forced a casual chuckle.

“Hey, Dad. Uh… sorry. I was just reading. I don’t usually sleep early. I come out here to read a little and get some fresh air before heading to bed…”

He chuckled lightly.

“You don’t have to explain everything to me.”

He sighed, closing the front door gently behind him before walking toward me.

“I actually came out here for the same reason,” he said, and I laughed softly—nervously.

“Similar habits, huh?”

I muttered, not looking at him.

I could feel his eyes on me, practically peeling back my skin.

FREDRICK’S POV

Jeez.

Why the hell did she have to be so much more beautiful than her mother?

And she was… she was a grown woman.

I watched her bite her lip, those soft pink lips I ached to press between my teeth.

I felt the unmistakable pressure rising in my crotch.

Damn it.

No woman had made me hard like this in so long—especially not without even touching me.

My eyes flicked down to her chest.

The red silk nightgown clung to her in all the right places, thin enough that I could make out the faint swell of her full breasts—and, if I wasn’t mistaken, the outline of her nipples.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to look away.

WHAT THE HELL, FREDRICK.

You shouldn’t be having these thoughts.

She’s too young.

And her mother is your wife now.

I glanced back at her and took a deep breath when the silence between us started to feel unbearable.

“Why are you so reserved?”

I asked.

She turned toward me, flashing the most beautiful, innocent green eyes I had ever seen.

“Uh… am I?”

she asked, uncertain, her voice barely above a whisper.

I chuckled.

“Yes. You are. Obviously.”

“Oh. I didn’t—”

“Yeah, you didn’t know. That’s what you were about to say, right?”

She swallowed and looked away, biting her lip.

“I’m, uh… I just… I just…”

“Are you harboring something in your mind about me?”

I asked directly, watching the way her throat moved as she gulped again.

She turned sharply.

“What? No. No! Why would you even think that?”

“You haven’t been able to keep your eyes off me since the moment I walked through the door.”

MARILYN’S POV

I blinked.

WHAT?!

My teeth clenched.

IS THIS GUY FOR REAL?

IS HE SERIOUSLY TRYING TO PIN THIS ON ME?

I inhaled slowly, trying not to scream.

“You should really be careful with your words,” I said slowly. “Because I’m the one who’s had to sit through an entire dinner with you staring at me like I was some crossword puzzle you couldn’t solve.”

He laughed—quietly, smugly.

“I was staring at you? Wow, someone thinks a bit too highly of herself. What interest could I possibly have in you? You’re not even particularly good-looking.”

The words hit like an anvil dropped from a rooftop.

I felt my chest deflate.

“I was only looking at you because I was trying to get your attention to stop staring at me. But each time I tried, you just looked away. So maybe it seemed to you like I was staring at you.”

I swallowed hard.

“But I didn’t—”

“I know you’ll try to defend yourself,” he interrupted coldly, “but there’s nothing to defend. Just be cautious. I don’t want my wife getting the wrong idea and assuming I’m being unfaithful.”

“But I don’t—”

“You obviously do, young lady. Keep your distance. Don’t come near me. Don’t do anything reckless, or trust me—you’ll regret it.”

I bit my lip hard, my hands clenching into fists in my lap.

I turned forward, lips trembling with restrained fury.

“I don’t know what I did to you to make you think I’d ever approach my mom’s husband like that,” I said quietly. “I’m not that stupid. Maybe you’re the one who needs to watch yourself. Because nobody said a thing about this, and none of it ever crossed my mind before you dragged it up.”

He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Are you talking back to me?”

I shook my head immediately.

“No. No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”

“You’d better be,” he snapped.

“This is your final warning. Stop looking at me like I’m your boyfriend. The next time I catch it, I’ll report you to your mother without hesitation.”

I stared at him, stunned.

This was worse than I’d imagined.

My temper rose, climbing up my spine like fire, but I bit down on it and looked away, folding my arms.

What a sudden, twisted shift...

“Do you hear me?”

he asked.

I bit my lip harder, trying to contain the storm within me.

I didn’t answer.

“Are you listening to me?”

Still nothing.

“Are you deaf now?”

“I’d like to be left alone, Mr. Fredrick.”

I said abruptly, my voice steel under silk.

He glanced at me, scoffing.

“So now you’re mad at me because I told you to stay away?”

I turned to face him full-on.

“You know what? You’re the one who’s full of himself. What in heaven’s name makes you think I have even the tiniest bit of interest in you? What on Earth makes you believe I’d ever want to come close to you? What the hell do you think I am?”

FREDRICK’S POV

I swallowed hard as her fury poured out like molten lava, and—God help me—I felt myself stiffen again.

Shit.

Why was her rage so… sexy?

Why was her defiance pulling me deeper into this insanity?

“Now you’re yelling at me? Don’t you have any respect?”

“I only respect people who respect my views and don’t hurl baseless accusations,” she snapped. “But now I see clearly what this is about. Don’t worry—I’ll stay out of your way. You’ve made your twisted point loud and clear. I don’t want to see you near me either. I was having a peaceful night before you came and ruined it. What kind of father are you, anyway?”

I glared at her, then sighed deeply.

“Such a stubborn child.”

She glared back, those fiery green eyes practically burning holes through me.

“Oh, hell yeah. I’m stubborn,” she said. “And damn proud of it. Now leave me the fuck alone. Get out of my life. Shoo. Scram!!”

I stared at her, stunned, as she finally dropped her head into her lap, blocking me out.

Then I chuckled and stood up.

“As you wish, Marilyn.”

And I walked back into the house.

MARILYN’S POV

I let out a shaky breath and lifted my head, brushing my hair back from my face with my fingers.

What the actual crap??

Who the hell does this man think he is?

What’s his real purpose here?

I inhaled slowly, steadying myself.

I made a decision right there and then.

I would keep away from him as much as humanly possible.

What a stupid, egotistical fool.

Yes, I admit—I had a little admiration for his beauty when he first arrived.

But that didn’t mean I wanted to throw myself at him.

Jeez.

I still couldn’t believe he tried to twist it all, make it seem like I was seducing him or something.

I had actually believed—naively—that he could be a decent father figure.

But his behavior tonight ruined everything.

I hated him now.

Deeply.

And I’d do everything within my power to avoid him.

He is so not fit to be my father.