Chapter 6
Sierra
I still can’t believe I let myself get talked into taking swimming lessons at this age, but after what happened to Vince, it started to feel less like a choice and more like something I should’ve done a long time ago, especially considering I have a pool in my living room and another one sitting in the backyard like decoration.
“I’m so glad you decided to come with me today, we’re going to have so much fun,” Tess says, way too excited for something that involves me willingly embarrassing myself.
I give her a small smile and nod in acknowledgment, but my curiosity gets the better of me before I can stop it.
“And you said Cain is the instructor?”
Her reaction is immediate.
“Yes, and he’s so patient… not to mention hot,” she adds under her breath, far too pleased with herself. “That perfect torso, and the tattoos all over his skin… God, he’s ridiculously hot.”
A quiet breath leaves me through my nose as I slowly shake my head.
It’s obvious she’s completely into him. Not that I care.
Still… I can’t deny I’m a little curious myself.
I didn’t really get a good look at him at the party, and whatever impression I did have, is blurred beyond recognition, thanks to the pills, the stranger in my bedroom, and everything that happened after.
It’s like my brain just wiped that entire night clean.
“Park here, Sierra.” Tess gestures toward an empty spot.
I pull in, scanning the street while I park, trying to figure out where exactly she brought me.
Bars. Beauty salons. Small shops lined up one next to the other.
I cut the engine and lean back in my seat, taking it in one more time without looking even remotely impressed.
“Where did you bring me, Tess?” I ask, glancing at her. “What the hell is this place?”
She lets out a small laugh, clearly entertained.
“Don’t be like that,” she says, turning toward me. “I know a lady like you can’t just go anywhere.” The way she says it makes the sarcasm painfully obvious.
I raise a brow but don’t bother arguing.
“Relax,” she adds, already opening the door. “We have to go down a private alley, and the place is right at the end.”
I glance outside one more time before getting out.
This better be worth it.
“I really hope this lives up to my standards, because I’m not taking swimming lessons in some dump.” Irritation slips into my voice before I can bother hiding it.
“Just be pat…”
“Excuse me, ladies?”
We both turn at the same time. There’s a little girl standing next to us, like she just popped up out of nowhere, no more than eleven or twelve, her dark hair pulled into a neat braided ponytail.
“Oh… look at her, Tess,” I say, a small smile forming as I take her in. “She looks exactly like I did when I was her age.”
Tess huffs something under her breath, but I ignore it, already focusing on the girl.
“What can we help you with, sweetheart?” I ask as I lean down closer to her level. I’m not exactly tall, but next to her, I might as well be.
Her eyes light up instantly. “You’re Sierra Clark, right?”
My attention flicks toward Tess, a subtle, satisfied smile pulling at my lips before I turn back to the girl.
“In the flesh,” I answer.
“Can I have your autograph, please?” she asks quickly, almost breathless. “You’re the most popular girl in town, and I want to be just like you when I grow up.”
That does something to me. I feel it immediately—the way my chest lifts, the quiet satisfaction settling in.
“Finally… someone who recognizes quality,” I mutter more to myself, catching the way Tess rolls her eyes next to me.
“Of course,” I add, reaching for the pen she’s already holding out.
I take the folded piece of paper from her, smoothing it between my fingers before glancing back up at her.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“I’m Aria,” she says, smiling wide, “but I just want your signature. I’m going to frame it and put it on my wall.”
I take an extra second to make sure my signature comes out exactly how I want it—clean, perfect—before handing the paper back to her.
“There you go.”
“Thank you so much!” she practically glows before spinning around and running off in the opposite direction.
“See? That’s a smart, well-raised kid,” I say, unable to stop the grin pulling at my mouth.
Tess scoffs beside me. “You’re so full of yourself.”
I turn toward her, already opening my mouth to answer, but she beats me to it, her tone shifting so fast it catches me off guard.
“There he is! Cain!”
I look where she’s pointing and instantly regret every pill I took that night.
How the hell did I miss him?
More importantly, how did I miss that?
Those hazel eyes are the first thing that catches me, sharp, almost unsettling, framed by dark lashes that shouldn’t look that good on a man. His black hair falls over his forehead, shorter on the sides in a way that somehow suits him unfairly well.
Then my gaze drops.
The tattoo.
Completely black, stretching from his neck down across his chest and arms, flowing lower toward his abdomen like ink spilled and left to take over.
I’ve never seen anything like it. It looks almost solid, like a sheet of black wrapped around him, and somehow it only makes everything underneath stand out more—every vein, every line of muscle, every movement. It’s distracting. Annoyingly so.
He looks… unreal. Like someone you don’t usually see in places like this. No wonder Tess is obsessed with him.
The guy is—Yeah.
Perfect.
Tess nudges me with her elbow, pulling me out of it.
“Sierra… Cain’s talking to you. Are you okay?” she asks with obvious satisfaction. “You okay over there?”
I blink once, forcing myself back, dragging my attention away from him like pulling out of a mirage in the middle of a desert.
I can’t believe I just got stuck like that.
“Hey, Cain,” I say, smoothing it over quickly, my tone steady. “Sorry, my mind was somewhere else for a second.”
I give him a small smile, casual enough, like nothing just happened, like I didn’t just stand there staring at him like he was the only drop of water in miles. Hopefully… it wasn’t that obvious.
“It’s alright. I hope you’re feeling better… you know… after what happened at the party,” His voice stays steady, softer than I expected from him.
I exhale quietly, tipping my head to the side.
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m sure dear Vince had the kind of funeral he would’ve wanted,” I say, a faint smile touching my lips.
“Life moves on. I’m not the type to stay stuck over something like that.
” I pause, then let out a light laugh. “Besides… Vince and I are old history. That was… what? Ten years ago? I’ve had plenty of time to get used to the idea of a life without him.
” My eyes remain on him a second longer than they should.
“Anyway,” I continue, shifting the tone a little, “I wanted to thank you for what you did at the party. I’m sorry I was so… out of it. I don’t even remember when you left.”
A playful note slips into it before I can stop myself, and Tess reacts instantly beside me, visibly annoyed.
Not my problem. It’s obvious, really. Cain fits next to me, not her. If he wanted her, he would’ve made a move already. From what I’ve seen… he barely notices her.
“I just did what anyone would’ve done, Sierra.” Silence settles between us while his gaze slowly drops away. “I just wish I’d gotten to him sooner,” he adds, softer now. “Maybe things would’ve turned out differently.”
I move closer without drawing attention to it, lifting my hand to rest it lightly against his chest, right over his heart.
“For me, you’re a hero, Cain,” I say softly. “Don’t forget that.”
Our eyes remain locked a beat longer before I pull away and head toward the entrance. Behind me, I hear Tess’s voice, low and irritated.
“She really doesn’t know when to stop…”
Cain lets out a quiet chuckle, and just like that… I take it as a clear sign that I’ve got a pretty good shot at getting under his skin.
Game on.