Depraved Valentine (St. Valentines)

Prologue

Three Years Ago

I remember when things changed for me—when I first began to notice him differently. Rafe is always here, like an unchanging part of the scenery. He’s my brother’s best friend, a constant fixture in our house, always hanging around with that sly confidence of his. This summer, I turned sixteen, and it’s the summer that I started seeing him in a way I shouldn’t have.

Standing in the kitchen, grabbing myself a beer from the fridge, I take in the surroundings. My parents are away for the weekend, and my brother decided to throw a party that will ultimately get him grounded for a month.

I can hear them outside, laughing, talking—my brother, JD, and Rafe. I don’t know why, but the sound makes my chest tighten. Maybe it’s because of the way they are joking around like they share some secret I’d never be let in on. Or maybe it’s the fact that Rafe was so… effortless. So at ease in a way I could never be.

I pop the cap off my beer bottle and take a swig before pulling the joint from between my breasts. Before I can remove my hand from my shirt completely, his dangerously beautiful face comes into view.

“You’re brother wouldn’t be too happy if he saw you with that,” he says, leaning against the doorway with that familiar half-smirk on his face.

I roll my eyes and partially turn away before saying, “if JD has a problem with it then he can shove it up his ass.” A deep chuckle leaves his lips and my thighs immediately clench. I turn completely away from him in an attempt to hide the odd mixture of emotions I feel take over my face.

Within seconds, I can feel his presence behind me and it sends goosebumps down my back. His intoxicating scent surrounds me, and I take in the fresh yet woodsy smell. As Rafe reaches around me, I feel his breath down the side of my neck.

“This is a big joint for someone as small as yourself to finish alone. I’ll do you the favor and help you out with it.” I feel the heat on my cheeks as he grabs my hand, pulling me through the party and up the stairs. I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement rush through me as we get to my bedroom door. Everybody here knows not to touch my room… except Rafe.

He lets me in the room and closes the door, locking it. Goosebumps raise on my skin as he turns to look at me with a crooked smile. His dimples are fully noticeable, and his muscles ripple under his shirt as he brings the joint up to his lips. He says nothing, only puts his hand out in front of me, palm facing up.

I grab the lighter from my bra and look at his hand before walking closer and lighting it for him without breaking eye contact. His dark eyes are mesmerizing.

Before my thoughts run rampant, I walk to my window and peer down at the backyard. Almost everyone from our high school is here.

Once again, I feel his presence behind me, then I smell the weed as he blows the smoke out next to my ear.

I feel his back against my chest and his hand on my waist. His grip is firm as he pulls my body into his. His other hand comes around to put the joint in my mouth and I grab it, inhaling and accepting the burn down my throat.

I don't even realize that his hand is inching down my abdomen until the button of my jeans is undone and he's pulling the zipper down. My breathing picks up as his hand continues moving lower. The feeling of his fingers running across my skin sends electricity through me, and I bite my bottom lip.

“You keep doing that and I might not be able to control myself, Little Poison.” His deep voice next to my ear sends chills through my body. Bringing my hand up, I remove the joint from between my lips and exhale out.

“You couldn’t handle me if you tried, Sinner,” I say, turning my head slightly in his direction and placing the joint back between my lips. Taking a deep drag, I blow it out into his face and remove it from between my lips once more.

Rafe turns me around to face him, placing a hand on my lower back and one on my neck gently. I look up at him through my lashes and bring the joint up to his lips. He inhales before bringing my face close to his, blowing the smoke right over my lips. I take the opportunity to pull him closer and connect our lips.