I took a drink of my soda. “Has she looked in the mirror?” I asked, thinking that her being jealous of me was ridiculous.

  “Have you?” Trev asked me.

  I rolled my eyes. He was flirting, and he would continue to until some other girl came along who welcomed his advances. I knew the drill. Soon, I would be sipping this drink in a corner, hiding from the action.

  “I’ve not been introduced.” A guy slightly shorter than Trev with a slimmer build and sandy-blond curls and friendly brown eyes stood in front of us.

  “Oliver, this is Maddy, my new friend,” Trev replied, then leaned down to whisper loudly, “Maddy, this is Oliver. He’s brilliant, he goes to Harvard, and he’s terribly boring.”

  Oliver looked amused. “I’d say that, one day, you will be working for me, but we’d both know it was a joke.”

  Trev laughed.

  “Trev won’t be working for anyone. When you’re royalty, you don’t need a job,” a redhead with nothing but tiny black bikini bottoms on and perfectly smooth, pale skin said as she sauntered up to us, then wrapped her arms around Trev’s body. Her bare chest was pressed against him, and I felt uncomfortable, as if I were watching something that I wasn’t supposed to see. “Swim with me,” she said, batting her long, thick, dark lashes up at him.

  Trev gave her a crooked grin. “Ah, I would—and I will—but at the moment, I have a new friend I can’t abandon.”

  She cut her cat-green eyes at me and quickly took in my face and body. “She looks more like Oliver’s type. You know, boring.”

  “Tsk-tsk, kitty,” Trev said, affectionately tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “Be nice.”

  “I’ll keep Maddy company while you go swim. It will give us a chance to bore each other,” Oliver offered, his voice amused instead of insulted.

  Trev frowned in Oliver’s direction, as if he had said something distasteful.

  “That’s sweet of you, Ollie,” the girl said and ran a long red nail over his jawline. “You’re always so nice to everyone.” She drew out the last word and shot a triumphant smile back at me.

  If she thought she was winning something by taking Trev away from me, she was way off course. Oliver seemed like an easier person to talk to anyway. I’d never met anyone who went to an Ivy League school. I was curious about it.

  “I think I’ll stay here with Maddy for now,” Trev replied.

  “Chanel!” another topless girl in the water, who was perched on a guy’s shoulders, called out, and the redhead turned to look toward her. “Come play!”

  The redhead, who I assumed was Chanel, gave Trev one last pouty glance. “Come find me once you have her all … settled in.” She walked away as if every eye at the party was on her. If they were male, there was a good chance she was right.

  “Always so pleasant,” Oliver said in such a sarcastic tone that I had to smile.

  I would have enjoyed Oliver’s company just fine.

  “You think that’s funny?” Trev asked, and I looked up at him to see he was grinning at me.

  I lifted a shoulder. “A little.”

  “Ollie is a regular ol’ comedian,” he agreed, then winked.

  “Trev!” another female voice called out, and he sighed, then reached for my arm.

  “Sorry, Ollie, my man, but we got somewhere to be,” he said, then pulled me behind him as he walked past the bar and toward another house. A regular-sized house that was hidden just around the corner.

  “Who lives here?” I asked, surprised that there was a house so close to theirs. It seemed odd.

  Trev glanced back at me. “Where?” he asked.

  I pointed at the house we were walking toward.

  “The pool house? No one lives there. It’s a pool house.”

  I stopped walking and looked at the house closer. “This?” I asked him.

  “Positive,” he replied with a soft chuckle.

  “Trev,” I said, putting a hand on my hip as I continued staring at the house, “why would anyone need a pool house this big? If no one lives in it, what is the point?”

  “Hell, I don’t know. What do you mean? It’s a pool house.”

  I realized no matter how I phrased this, Trev would not understand what I was asking. I turned my gaze back to his. “Why are we going to the pool house?” I asked him.

  His eyes dropped to my sundress. “To get rid of that dress so we can swim. Or better yet, get in the hot tub.”

  “I’m not doing this … with you,” I said. “This flirting you’re doing? You’re wasting your time. I know your game. It’s not for me. Also, I don’t intend to bare my boobs, if that is a requirement at this party.”

  His smile faded, and he ran a hand over his still-damp hair. “You think I’m playing a game? We just met. You barely know me. I could be the most genuine guy you’ve ever met,” he replied.

  Even though he looked sincere as he said it, there was a twinkle in his eye that told me he was teasing me.

  “I know your game, millionaire. I’m not interested in playing it.”

  “Ouch,” he replied, placing a hand over his heart, as if I had hurt him.

  “But we can be friends. If you want to be my friend, that is.”

  He said nothing at first, then finally nodded. “All right then. Friends it is,” he said. “But only if you go topless.”

  I shot him an annoyed glare, and he threw his head back and laughed. Shaking mine, I started walking toward the pool house that a family of five or six could live in comfortably.

  “Hey, Maddy,” he called.

  “Yeah?” I asked, looking back at him.

  “I’m not a millionaire,” he said.

  I frowned and held out my hands toward the pool house. “Oh, is that so?” I asked sarcastically.

  He nodded his head. “Yeah, it’s so,” he replied, then reached past me to open the door. “I’m a billionaire,” he replied, then winked.

  Four

  “I didn’t even have the luxury of Section 8 housing, my dad was an alcoholic who struggled to keep a job, and now, I’m a penniless orphan,” I whispered to myself as I looked in the mirror.

  What was I doing in this house with these people, wearing a hot-pink bikini that, on second glance, really didn’t cover my boobs that well? Turning so I could see my butt, I winced at the lack of fabric. Did Melanie not realize I wasn’t built like her? I wasn’t overweight, but I also wasn’t as thin as she was.

  Sighing, I thought about letting my hair back down so it could fall over my shoulders and cover my cleavage some, but then it would get wet and do very little for coverage.

  A knock on the door startled me.

  “You ready yet? My glass is empty,” Trev called out.

  I gave myself one more look and grimaced. I should have just stayed at the Houstons’ house and read a book. This was not what I had expected when we were invited to a pool party. But then this was the first pool party I’d ever been to.

  “I’m coming,” I replied and headed for the door.

  When I opened it, Trev was near the pool table and picking up a ball.

  “Do you pl—” He stopped talking when he turned to look at me. “Pool. Play pool … ” He trailed off and then held up his glass. “Yep, gonna need another drink, buddy.”

  He went to the door and opened it up. “After you,” he told me.

  “I don’t have a towel,” I told him.

  “We have them out by the bar in a warming closet. You can grab one when you need it.”

  “Of course you have a warming closet for towels,” I replied, smirking as I walked past him.

  When the door closed behind us, he let out a breath he had been holding. “Jesus,” he muttered, and I glanced back at him to see he was staring at my butt.

  “Trev,” I said, and he jerked his attention back up to my face reluctantly.

  “Yeah, uh, right, a drink,” he muttered.

  I waited until he was beside me before walking. I was not going to walk in front of him if he was going to look at my backside. I might not want to date Trev, but he was a guy, and I didn’t relish the idea of him studying me close enough to see my flaws.

  I didn’t make eye contact with anyone. I focused on getting to the bar so Trev could get his drink and I could get a towel to wrap around me.

  “Uh, you, uh, going for a swim?” Saxon asked, and I turned my head toward his voice. He was alone, sitting on a lounge chair with a drink in his hand.

  “I was going to get her into the hot tub,” Trev replied.

  He moved to stand up. “I’ll join you.”

  “Great,” Trev drawled.

  Saxon narrowed his eyes as he looked at his friend. “You don’t sound like you want my company.”

  “Where is Declan?” Trev asked him.

  Saxon shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Don’t you need to find her?” Trev asked.

  “No,” Saxon replied.

  Trev set his glass down on the bar, and the bartender gave him another without needing an order.

  “You want a fresh club soda?” he asked me.

  “No thanks. I’m good for now.”

  It was ninety-two degrees outside, so the hot tub was empty as it sat perched up on a large rock that overlooked the pool. Beside it was a waterfall that came from yet another large rock.

  “Trev,” the deep voice I instantly recognized from earlier called out.

  Trev groaned and turned around slowly to face Blaise. “What?” he asked, annoyed instead of terrified.

  “Inside. Now,” he demanded. “Bring your phone.”

  “I’m in the middle of a party,” Trev replied. “See the people?”

  Blaise’s expression didn’t change. “Get the fuck inside with your goddamn phone before I end this party.”

  Trev slammed his glass down on the bar. “Fuckin’ asshole,” he muttered.

  Blaise stood there, waiting for Trev to move, when Trev’s hand touched my arm.

  “I won’t be long.”

  Blaise’s angry gaze shifted to me for a brief second, then back to Trev. “You move fast.”

  “So?” Trev replied and stormed past Blaise toward the house.

  When they disappeared inside, Saxon leaned closer to me. “Want to swim? That hot tub isn’t going to be very refreshing in this heat.”

  He was right, of course, but there was one problem. I couldn’t swim. This was the first swimsuit I had worn since I had been nine years old. Even then, I didn’t swim. I played in the sprinklers at the different apartments we lived in. Dad didn’t take us to lakes or pools. There had never been vacations or summer activities in our house.

  “I can’t swim, and besides, I think I’m overdressed for that pool.”

  I’d decided to just be honest. He would find out eventually. I was living in his house, and it was the summer in Florida.

  His brows drew together. “Really? You can’t swim?” he asked.

  “No, Saxon. I like to lie about things that are embarrassing,” I replied sarcastically.

  “Yeah, good point. Sorry.” He looked thoughtful as he stared out at the water. “We have a pool. I mean, you’ve seen it, I’m sure. It’s not this impressive. How about you let me teach you how to swim?” he said as his gaze shifted back to me.

  I wasn’t so sure how I felt about that. What if I couldn’t swim and drowned while he was trying to teach me? I was about to ask him to let me think about it when Declan appeared by his side, wrapping her body around his arm—or at least, it looked like she was trying.

  “You didn’t come back in the water.” She pouted up at him. “Jeremey had to become my base during war.”

  Saxon gave her what looked like a forced smile. “Sorry.”

  She glared over at me with clear hatred. Of course, it was my fault Saxon had left her. I wanted to roll my eyes.

  “I was just going to get another drink,” I said, needing a reason to leave this situation.

  Not waiting on Saxon’s response, I stepped away from them and went to get another club soda. As I stood behind a few other people in line, loud voices carried out over the pool area, and I turned to see three guys who were clearly older than college students. The crowd parted for them as if they were royalty, or perhaps they moved out of their way because they were scared. Two of the guys had on cowboy hats while the third one had a buzz cut. Their jeans and boots made it clear they weren’t here for the pool party.

  “Shit,” the guy in front of me muttered under his breath as he looked their way.

  “You’re just jealous,” the girl beside him said to him.

  “Whatever,” he replied, then walked off, leaving her standing there.

  She laughed at him, then went back to watching the three older guys.

  “Looks like we might be interrupting something,” the one in the black cowboy hat said with a smirk.

  I thought no one was going to say anything when Saxon stepped out of the crowd. The guy with the buzzed hair looked at Saxon.

  “Shit, Sax, haven’t you realized you’re better than this crowd yet?” he drawled.

  “Gage,” he replied with a smile. “Didn’t know you were back from your leave.”

  He ran a hand over his almost-shaved head. “Just got home yesterday.”

  Then, Sax held out his hand toward him. “It’s good to have you back.”

  The guy he’d called Gage slapped his hand in Sax’s, and they shook.

  “You grew up. ’Bout damn time,” the guy replied with a grin.

  “Hell yeah, he grew up,” the guy wearing a brown cowboy hat said, then slapped Sax on the back. “You should see him breaking in the mustang over at Moses Mile. Regular fucking badass.”

  “You can stay,” the one wearing a black cowboy hat said loud enough for everyone to hear. “The rest of you can go,” he then said, glaring out over the crowd. “Except that one.” He pointed to the topless redhead. “Bring those double Ds right on over here and sit in daddy’s lap.”

  I cringed. Had he really just said that? The redhead beamed at him and walked out of the pool, not looking away from him.

  “She legal?” the guy asked Saxon.

  “Yeah, she’s eighteen,” Saxon told him.

  I stood there, watching as people began to gather their bags. People talked in groups among each other, and gazes would cut toward the three older guys, then quickly look away. Two other topless girls made their way over to the guy Saxon had called Gage. He seemed pleased by their attention. When the first one reached him, he cupped both her breasts in his hands and said something in a low voice that caused her to giggle.

  I was no longer in a line for a drink since the people in front of me had moved to get their things and leave. I looked at the bartender, who was watching me. Unsure if I should order a club soda or not, I glanced back at Saxon. Declan was now with him, and they were discussing something. She didn’t look happy about whatever it was.

  “You staying?” the bartender asked me.

  I shifted my gaze back to him. “I have no idea,” I replied honestly.

  “You might want to go,” he offered.

  I nodded. Maybe I did. Instead of ordering another drink, I glanced back toward the pool house and decided to go get my things. This entire scene was weird and confusing.

  “Maddy!” Trev’s voice called out my name, and I turned to see him walking my way. I waited for him to reach me. “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “To get my things,” I said, then looked around him at the three guys. “Not sure who the rodeo squad is, but they told everyone to leave, and since the crowd is obeying, I assumed I should too.”

  The corner of Trev’s mouth curved up. “Did you call them the rodeo squad?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  Then, he laughed. “Fucking brilliant.” He reached for my hand. “Come on.”

  I hesitated, then put my hand in his. At the moment, he was the safer option. Especially if a scene from Pornhub was about to break out.

  Saxon was still talking to an annoyed Declan. She had her hands on her hips, talking rapidly. Something had set her off. I felt bad for him, but then he was the one staying in the situation. He could just walk away from it.

  “Uh, you want to go inside?” Trev asked me, looking back over my shoulder at something.

  Out of curiosity, I glanced back to see what had him looking so serious. I wished I hadn’t. The redhead was straddling the guy she’d sauntered over to. He had her left nipple in his mouth, sucking, while she rocked back and forth on him. Both of his hands were cupping her almost-bare butt.

  I quickly snapped my head back around and felt my face heat up.

  “It’s going to get much worse than that,” Trev said to me. “Knowing Skylar, she’ll end up taking two of them on at the same time.”

  “Are you serious?” I asked him in a whisper.

  Trev smirked. “Deadly.”

  “Oh,” I replied because I honestly had no words.

  Five

  Blaise

  The fucker had moved my horse without talking to me. It was another one of his power plays to remind me who was in control. For now. He had already moved me into a position I was aware would one day be mine. Horse racing was also in my blood, and he knew it. He used it against me. The son of a bitch was vindictive, and I should have considered he’d do something like this to get me to take the next step.

  I was the son he had prepared to step into his shoes. I was the one he’d trained to be ruthless. If it was just about the horses, this would have been easy, but my father wasn’t just a horse breeder. My legacy wasn’t to just take over Hughes Farm. It was darker than that. A darkness my little brother could never handle. Trev knew, of course. We all knew. It had been our life from the moment we had been born. Trev was just too much like his mother. Soft, fragile, unable to become what our father wanted.