MADISON

Do you know that feeling when everything is lost, and there's no hope for a miracle or savior to rescue you from your fear?

I felt that throughout the ride as we headed for Palo Alto. My body was ineffective; I was completely despaired, just staring out the window to ignore the fact that Caden was beside me, and I wanted nothing but to be in his arms, just like how today started.

Back at the river, he had frozen and refused to look at me or say anything.

He had only worn his clothes back and climbed into his vehicle, waiting for me to get dressed.

I stood in shock for some moments, hearing or feeling nothing but the bleeding from my heart, and tears falling down my cheeks.

When I finally got the strength to put my clothes back on and get into the passenger's side, Caden never said anything. But I waited, expecting him to say something, no matter how dumb it would sound. I just wanted my nice Caden back, not the cold one next to me. But he only pulled out of the forest and took the highway.

At least I know what he fears. It worries me too, for I know darn well Mom and Dad wouldn't want such information; so foreign, so unpleasant after sending their two children to college to study psychology.

But there are some things we have no control over, and it includes emotional feelings. I never wanted to feel this way for Caden out of all people. He was that person I used to disgust, the person I feared, hated, and wanted a life without.

Yet, today he was the only person I wanted to myself so bad it hurts. And believe me, I hated myself for not being able to get past whatever feeling it is. But obviously, we don't have control over that.

"Hey?" He finally spoke from the driver's side, his voice remaining soft and cautious, but we weren't touching, laughing. It broke my heart.

I mumbled a hum and refused to look at him.

"Are you thirsty? We haven't had any liquids since after that giant hot dog," he signified.

I know what he is doing, but it wasn't enough; I wanted him. And he knows. I mean, I made that clear several times today.

But, of course, I'm always so foolish as to weigh my chances before going for it. We both know Caden isn't the committed kind of person, but still, my mind and brain are clinging to him.

I nodded a yes and inhaled a deep breath.

The warmth of his drilling gaze was sensitive. I felt it, I perceived it.

It took everything in me to swallow the bile in my throat and blink away the tears.

I was sufficiently conscious, but I was getting attached to what I know was impossible to get. I knew how disastrous addiction is, but I was pathetically addicted to what was capable of causing harm to me and my family.

We stopped to refill gas and get some water or whatever Caden had in mind. But for me, I was only going to have water. I had no appetite for anything else that wasn't my bed.

When we parked, Caden gave me a fifty-dollar note to get us some beverages while he refilled the gas.

I sluggishly walked into the shop and first went to the restroom, where I spent almost ten minutes composing myself.

He isn't that special; he is just like everyone else. Get past it. He is not worth it. My subconscious mind tells me.

I might believe her, but that part of me that was too clenched to my stepbrother was alive and was telling me he was the only special one for me.

Oh, screw me.

After washing and drying my face with paper towels, I emerged from the restroom feeling not at all better.

Yes, I never thought I could be this dramatic also.

When I stopped at the fridge to grab two bottles of water, a hand came to my ass, squeezing tightly.

I would have smiled; isn't it what I wanted?

Sure, but the scent wasn't a quarter as good as the very familiar one that had stained me physically and emotionally.

So that means it wasn't Caden.

Alarmed, I spun around and let instinct do its job. My hand went for the person's face.

The heck? An average man, my height. His outfit looked slightly costly but it was jagged, and his grayish hair was nothing attractive.

I should get out of here.

"Bitch!" The sudden irate man roared in my face, inciting a grimace on my expression, and I do not want him to ever speak again.

Yes, he was that kind that spits all over one's face with each word.

"What is happening here?" Said a female voice.

I slid to my right and met a tall and neatly dressed blonde woman, who looks like a successful lawyer.

I couldn't speak, I just gaped at the confused woman.

"Mom, that lady slapped dad."

For heaven's sake, he doesn't only have a perfect wife but also a little child.

Jerk.

"Stay away from my husband, creep," the woman warned sternly, grabbing her husband by his hand and deliberately bumping into my shoulder until I lose balance and set to fall hard to the ground. But something strong held me safely.

It was that remarkable scent, and I was supported back to my feet.

"Caden?" I blurted.

"You okay?"

"Yes," I nodded and turned for the cashier, but Caden's fingers circled my arms and stopped me from moving.

He sure has other plans.

Oh, hell!

"Hey, weren't you harassing my... Her?" He called after the shameful family man.

The man turned around, evidently sweating: "What, are you insane?"

"I saw you touching her!" Caden's words struck me, and my eyes instantly found his face. He was simmering with rage at the man. I don't even recognize him at all.

"Watch your words? My husband is a good man," I heard the pretty woman assert.

"Why do you think a young lady would slap a stranger?" Caden questioned.

There were footsteps approaching, inducing my eyes to rip off from the hard-bitten man holding me.

"Hey kid, that is some strong accusation you're implying here." The man tried to intimidate Caden but ended up retreating when Caden towered above him with evidence and height, of course: "I saw it. Dick. You were touching my... Her."

Her?

He doesn't know our relationship anymore? But despite everything, we are family; I was his stepsister that he wasn't proud of.

It hit me real bad, I remained in place with my head down and my mind distant from the present.

"Is this true, Brad?"

"You don't believe this nonsense, do you?"

"Hey, you don't just mess with me this way." Caden freed my arm and grabbed the man by the neck, smothering him.

I snapped with genuine terror, stepping forward to clasp Caden's arm while the woman and her child cried for help.

"Caden, please no! There's a child here," I whispered, surveying the shop with large eyes. Luckily, there was no audience except for the cashier, who wasn't attempting to help. In some ways, I thank him because that means calling the cops on us.

"Caden, let it be. Let's go," I pleaded, my hand tapping on his thick pectoral.

It took almost a minute before Caden listened to me and released the man.

I didn't even know how to feel about all of this. I was losing my mind slowly, and the man sputtering coughs in the shop was only disgusting me.

I needed space to breathe, so I begged Caden to pay for the two bottles of water while I waited for him by the car.

After a couple of minutes, he returned with a small bag carrying the bottles, and I pulled open the passenger door.

"I have the car number; I will tell Dad about this. He is going to deal with it," he promised, sounding assured.

I halted and pleaded: "Please don't."

"I am not letting this go away. He touched you, the fucking pedophile harassed you."

My body twirled, facing the gorgeous man before me.

With furrowed brows, I weakly explained: "Not everything works in your favor, Caden. It's not every time you get what you want. Just let it go."

A scoff escaped my throat, and I looked away from him.

He didn't reply; instead, he thoughtfully studied me for a second before rushing to the driver's side and throwing the bag into the middle console. Then, his fingers pressed on the glove compartment and pulled out nail scissors.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

He still wouldn't say anything, and ambled toward a golden-brown Lexus parked ahead of his Porsche.

I curiously contemplated what he was doing, but I had no idea until he began scratching the car's surface and stabbing the tires. Then I knew it was his way of biting back.

Stunned, I chortled, my eyes scanning the entry passage of the shop.

"Caden!" I called after him in great suspense.

"I am coming. Just drawing a lame dick here," he chuckled.

"Someone is coming." I noticed, laughing hard when Caden dropped the scissors and charged forth toward his ride. "Get in the car." He ordered through exhilarating laughter.

"Hey hey! What are you doing to my car?" The man galloped toward us when he caught sight of the big dick Caden has carved on his car.

As soon as we both got into the vehicle, Caden pulled out of the filling station at tremendous speed.

We were both breathing hard through the uncontrolled laughter that filled the space of the car.

Criminals, we had become, and it felt somewhat good. Mostly after the past difficult minutes.

"Help me open a bottle." Caden pleaded, and I obliged, digging into the bag on the middle console. I found a half-baked Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor in the bag.

My brows rose when I held out the ice cream: "Half baked?" Struggling to stifle the laughter.

Caden's eyes were focused on the road as he adorably protested in a cute tone: "You've always liked it."

I grinned widely: "It's for me?"

He tilted to me, this time there was no humor in his expression: "I don't agree with the water thing, Mad."

I swallowed a bit uneased and bit my bottom lip.

"Thank you, for hmm... For today. I really had fun."

Then I sensed the car pulled by the side of the road.

When I briefly glanced through the windscreen, I was correct. Yes, the side of the road.

I turned back to him; he was watching me from the driver's side. And in the dim light, I was blushing.

"Who said today has finished?" He scrutinized me with starry eyes.

Instinctively my lips parted, my eyes widened, and my breathing increased. It hasn't?

"Caden?" I muttered.

He responded by grabbing my nape tenderly, directing me closer to him.

"Come." He instructed, his voice calm and rich.

"Caden, I thought..." The delightful flavor of his mouth interrupted my words, and I was caught in his charm.

"Shhh, why do you always talk in the middle of a battle?" He quipped between the kiss, and I chuckled in his mouth, letting happy tears roll down from my closed eyes.

He wanted me!

My hands reached for his sharp jaw, caressing his skin tenderly. It was as if I was promised heaven—no, it was as if I was living in it.

We kissed for a long period, savoring each other. He held me in his protective arms, helping me over to his lap until I was straddling him.

I felt the thickness of his arousal poking between us. It was a signal I was affecting him. Great!

His hands touched every district on my body, while I moaned in his mouth. I didn't stop him because it felt too good, and I wanted him to know I was willing to give it all. I want him, I wanted him to understand.

But the universe was against us, just like our parents would be.

I unbuttoned and began unzipping his pants while his palms cupped my breasts, stroking my nipples with his thumbs. And his warm tongue was sliding down my throat, nibbling every often.

Oh, good God!

You see, I was just this close to having the most important moment of my life, then the galaxy disagreed, and so there was a knock on the driver's window, startling us.

From behind, I could see the flashing of blue and red, whistling the end of our adventure.

I pulled back, tugging the strands of hair behind my ears while Caden heaved a sigh and pressed the window wind button.

"The two of you get out of the car. You are under arrest for violence and violating Mr. Brad Cameron's vehicle."

Shoot!

Just like I said, my happiness was cursed.