Page 1 of Wicked Titan

1

The cold tile presses against my back, clashing against the steaming water bubbling around me. Taking a deep breath, a wave of dizziness swirls through my mind as the overwhelming scent of chlorine burns my nose. It might be the temperature of the water, but it could also be the shots Haley insisted on doing before everyone arrived at her house. Being that my house is next door, I might’ve indulged in a few more shots than normal. I could easily blame it on the fact that senior year is about to start, and all the extra activities I’ve signed up for start in just two short weeks, but that would be a lie.

My eyes open, burning as the steam rises from the water, just in time to see the source of my nerves stepping into the hot tub.

“Hey, Quinn,” Mason says, taking a seat across from me.

I gather my nerves, responding with a nonchalant hello. How can he be so casual knowing what’s about to happen?

After dating for a year, I’ve finally agreed to take our relationship to the next stage—all the way, to be exact. And now he’s sitting here like we are buddies. Well, he did have weeks to evaluate (or forget) everything while he was away at football camp. It might be for the best if he has forgotten because I’d like to do the same right now since I feel nothing but panic. I try to sort through all the thoughts, but nerves have taken over command of my brain. What if everything changes between us? We’ve been happy and content for a year. What if he’s disappointed after waiting all this time? Sex shouldn’t be the focus of our relationship, but it has been a main topic for the last few months. But now, it looks like he is taking the lead and not making a big deal about it.

Only—it is a big deal.

He was mostly understanding when I’d told him I wanted to wait. After the devastation from my previous relationship, I hadn’t wanted to rush into anything serious again. That stretched into waiting for a year.

He’s rambling on about camp as I relax against the cold tile, the music drowning out his words until I hear him whisper my name.

Looking up, I see him focused on me. He slowly moves forward until he’s kneeling in front of me.

“So, did you miss me?” A sexy smirk appears on his face.

“Maybe,” I reply, attempting to come off as unbothered by the realization that he hasn’t forgotten but failing.

“‘Maybe’?” his deep voice asks as he leans in, his mouth almost touching mine. “I missed you.”

A smile spreads across my lips as I press against his, wrapping my arms around his shoulder. His strong hands grips my sides, pulling me closer.

“Quinn!” Haley yells, snapping me out of the lustful haze. “There’s cops at your house.”

I step out of the hot tub, feeling a little wobbly as my brain tries to catch up with what is happening.

Wrapping a towel securely under my armpits, I’m grateful for the moment to cover up the powder-blue string bikini that usually makes me feel confident. Right now, though, I’m feeling more vulnerable as gravity tugs me out of the mental fog. I hurry through the side gate, jogging across the lawn towards my front door where two officers are knocking.

“Can I help you?” I ask from several feet away before they turn to see me approach.

The female officer steps forward. “Is this your residence?”

“Yes,” I hesitantly reply.

“Is your mom home?”

“No, it’s just me and my dad. I can give him a call.”

“Stanley Caine?” the officer asks, moving cautiously in my direction.

Nodding my head, I hold my breath.

She stops just in front of me. Her demeanor and stance exude authority, but her eyes communicate sadness. “Is there another family member who lives close by that you can call?”

“No, why? What’s wrong?”

The male officer moves to stand next to his partner, both pairs of eyes stare at me as I wait for them to tell me nothing is wrong. They just need to speak to him about some silly parking ticket. The female officer gives me a look of remorse as she begins to speak. “I’m so sorry, but your dad was in an accident.”

“Is he okay?”

“Miss Caine, are you sure there isn’t someone you can call?”

“Where’s my dad?”