LITMIR.BIZ

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Since I began this story it has undergone numerous

      changes. To everyone who helped it come to fruition, thank you!

      Hugs to Holly and Matrice for all your support!

      And as always, love to my boys, who are my brightest light.

       Prologue

       August 28

       8:45 p.m.

       Sacramento, CA

      John Tyler sat in front of his house as the sounds of the party inside drifted toward him. He closed his eyes, trying to find comfort in the darkness. Instead, he felt trapped, unable to forget Tina Cantrell’s parting words.

      “Lily’s a good girl. Too good for you. If you care about her at all, send her home and stay the hell away from her.”

      John opened his eyes and faced the truth.

      Lily’s mother was right.

      Sixteen to his twenty, Lily had her whole life ahead of her and their friendship had already caused a rift between her and her parents, one that had only widened once her father had left. John didn’t want to be the cause of further sorrow for her. Despite how he felt about her—despite the fact he wanted more and so did she—it couldn’t happen. His leaving town tomorrow would be a fresh start for both of them. He didn’t even know what he was going to do for money, but he had a friend in Seattle he could crash with for—

      He heard footsteps. For a moment, he wondered if Lily’s mom had returned, but then she came into view.

      Lily. Sweet Lily, his sister Carmen’s best friend. Even though he’d been forewarned, the shock of seeing her here, now, almost brought him to his knees.

      The house lights cast her in a dim, almost surreal glow. His eyes immediately took in her loose hair, and the simple black dress that cinched her unbelievably tiny waist and revealed her pale arms and legs. She’d rimmed her eyes in black makeup that made their faintly exotic tilt even more mysterious. Her mouth was tinted red.

      Lord, she was beautiful. He’d known she had a crush on him, but neither one of them had ever acknowledged it. He’d wanted to. Sometimes he’d felt desperate to take her love and give her his in return. But thankfully he’d never done so. She was still innocent, unsullied by his choices and reputation.

      He jerked his chin at her and clenched his fists. “A little late for you to be out, isn’t it? Carmen’s not—”

      Lily ran toward him and threw her arms around his neck. Automatically, he wrapped his arms around her to steady them both.

      “I’m not here for Carmen.” Her body trembled and he realized she was crying. He frowned when he thought he smelled alcohol on her. Frowned harder when he saw what appeared to be red marks and scratches on her neck and a purple mark on her pale cheek. Raising his hand, he touched it gently.

      “What’s this?”

      She lifted her chin but didn’t answer. Leaning down to examine her eyes, he softly inhaled; the scent of alcohol faded, replaced by the fruity scent of her shampoo. But her pupils were dilated, indicating she was under the influence of something. Then again, she was also upset, which could explain—

      “I have to tell you before you leave,” she whispered. “I love you.”

      John dropped his hands and straightened. Panic and temptation warred within him. Knowing he needed to make her leave for both their sakes, he patted her shoulder. “I love you, too, small fry. You know that. You’re family.”

      She frowned, clinging to him when he tried to pull away. “I don’t need more family. I can’t handle the one I have.”

      “Lily—”

      Moving quickly, she placed her hand on the back of his head and pulled his lips down to hers.

      Her body, so small and fragile, pressed against him.

      Her lips clung to his, soft and sweet.

      And for one second—just one—his lips responded.

      He jerked away and staggered back. She’d already lost her father to another woman. He couldn’t risk alienating her from her mother, too. “Go home, Lily.”

      The confusion on her face was unmistakable.

      “I—I love you—”

      “What’s this about, Lily?” He pretended to search the darkness. “Did you and your parents plan this?”

      If she’d looked confused before, now she looked stunned. “What?”

      “Your father the cop. Are you trying to set me up? He didn’t get me on drug charges, so why not try for statutory rape?”

      She just stared at him.

      He grabbed her arms. “Are you?”

      She pushed futilely against his hold. “N-no,” she said. “I’m alone.

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