I’ve had dinner with your mom
Nico:
Do we need to bring anything?
Me:
Just need backup
Caden:
We’ll be there
Harper:
I may need to check in with mom before she goes to work tonight but I’ll try
I haven’t forgotten about the night Harper was alone and frightened. And if her mother is working, there’s no way she’s staying there alone.
Me:
Talk at Caden’s. Be there soon
Harper
I park where I’ve seen the others park, but it looks like I’m the first one back. Should I stay in my car and wait for someone else or just go into the basement? They’ve always brought me places with them.
I don’t usually show up willingly.
My door jerks open, and I startle.
“Come on, little nympho. I’m not sure how long I’ll have you alone.” Caden reaches his hand down to me.
Butterflies go rampant in my stomach at the thought of being alone with him. When I don’t immediately take his hand, he squats down next to my car. His green eyes smile up at me.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to be alone with me.” He doesn’t reach out and touch me, but even this close I can feel the heat of his body calling to mine. His dark hair is ruffled like he didn’t bother doing anything with it this morning.
Grabbing my things, I take a breath before climbing out of my car. He stands and hovers over me.
“How’s the car?”
I blink at his question like my brain just doesn’t compute. Then I remember. “Oh, the tire is new. No other damage. The shop said it could have been a pothole.”
Caden nods and grabs my hand to lead me around his house. He doesn’t seem convinced.
“Why do we always go in through the back?” I glance at the front of the colonial-style house, which has two columns with a two-story roof over them for a porch. It looks intimidating.
“Everything we want is down here. But if you want the tour, it’ll cost you.” He turns and walks backward in front of me with a sly grin.
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s the price? My panties?”
“Far from it.” He winks. “Every room has a different cost, but nothing too high for you to pay.”
Okay, I’m worried now, but I’m also very curious. We walk into the basement. Caden takes my bag from me and sets it near the couch.
“So what do you think, little nympho? Want the tour?”
I glance over my shoulder at the door. I don’t know how long it will be until anyone else gets here. It’s not like we set a time.
