Page 9 of Sweet Addiction

“Frankly, I don’t care what you had to take care of Mr. McCabe. You might be used to doing as you please, but we expect punctuality here at Westview,” he snaps.

Dropping my elbows to my knees I lean forward, my eyes pinning him with a look that says don’t fuck with me. “Some kid was harassing my stepdaughter.” Rage fills me again just remembering what I saw.

His eyes narrow. “Aw yes, Madison Devereux. I have no doubt that thekidwas Talan Conetti, who happens to be her boyfriend. I don’t really think that counts as harassment.” He waves it off, but I am raging at that one word he used.

I try to calm myself but it’s no use. “Boyfriendor not, if she asks him to stop touching her then he should damn well stop touching her,” I seethe. “Or does consent not matter to you here atWestview?”

His face turns beet red, and he splutters, “That is not what I said. If Madison has a problem, she knows the process and can report it.”

I go to stand but am stopped by a hand on my arm. I glance down at it before looking at who it belongs to. “Gentleman, we are here to discuss Knox’s role at Westview for the next year. Can we get to it? I have Phys ed with my junior class in thirty minutes.”

Slouching back in his chair the principal sighs. “You’re right.” His eyes come to me. “Knox, this is Jason Brant. He will be overseeing your community service with us. When you are at Westview Academy, we expect you to be Mr. McCabe, assistant coach and whatever else Jason expects of you. We want you to be a role model to our students, specifically our football team, and someone they can look up to. If I hear of any misbehavior or disorderly conduct regarding you, you will be kicked out of here so fast you will get whiplash. I didn’t want you here. It was Jason that convinced me it would be a good idea and reminded me that maybe you can help us win state this year. That being said, I don’t care what you can help with, if you fuck this up. You are out of here. I expect your best behavior McCabe, otherwise your community service officer in charge will be finding you something else to do. I won’t tolerate disrespect or misbehavior in my school. Not from my students or some jumped-up ball player,” he scolds like I am one of his damnstudents.

Jesus, it takes everything in me to stay in my chair and not throttle the asshole. Reminding myself that I can’t afford to get kicked out, I nod my agreement and smile. “I have every intention of taking this seriously Mr. Schwartz; you don’t need to worry about anything.”

He eyes me like he doesn’t believe me, but it’s Jason that speaks. “Then it’s settled. Come on McCabe, we have a gym class to teach.”

We both push out of our chairs, but the principal asshole can’t help himself. He has to get another few words in. “He is your responsibility, Jason. I trust that you will see that he conducts himself in the proper manner.”

“Of course, Bernard. Knox will be no trouble.” They talk about me like I am not here, and it angers me further. I tamp it down. It’s not worth getting into a fight over. No matter how much I dislike it, I am here, and I need to complete my community service.

Grabbing the door handle, I pull it open and stride out into the office. Cora smiles shyly at me but my attention is pulled to the figure hovering over her desk. My eyes rake over her bare legs, up over her skirt and to where her blouse molds to the curves of her back. I groan inwardly. It should be illegal for her to walk around this place like that. My mouth waters with hunger just looking at her. She looks so fuckable. Like every man’s wet dream and right now I don’t care if I am openly eye fucking her.

Noticing Cora’s interest elsewhere, Madison’s eyes dart over, landing on me before going to the man next to me. I glance at Jason, and motherfucker. I have to grit my teeth and clench my fists when I find him looking at her in the same way I was ogling her. “What are you doing?” I hiss.

Jason startles, his gaze coming up to me. I am a few inches taller than him, and, in this moment, I am thankful for it. I want to intimidate him right now; fucker thinks he can look at my dove. “What?” he blurts, his cheeks turning red.

“Stop looking at her,” I growl and every primal part of me is begging to beat the fuck out of him.

He shakes his head. “I wasn’t.” He turns his beady eyes back on her. “Good to see you, Madison. Will you be trying out for the track team this year?”

Her nervous eyes dart between Jason and me before she smiles at him. “I will,” she nods.

“Very good.” Jason clears his throat. “Let me show you to our office Mr. McCabe,” he says before starting toward the exit.

I stay glued to the spot. Just observing my little dove. When she squirms under my attention, I smirk. “Be a good girlMadison.” I close the distance between us, not giving a fuck that Cora is watching us closely. Leaning in close, my tongue darts out and it takes everything in me not to lick her neck. “Iwill be watching you.” Her breath hitches and I grin wider.

Pulling away, I shoot a wink to Cora and follow the asshole who obviously wants his eyes removed from their sockets down the hallway to my office.

ChapterEight

MADISON

“Hey sweetie, how was school?” my mother asks from her position at the breakfast counter. I sigh, dropping my bag on the floor and ass on the stool next to her. How do I even start with answering her question? How do I tell her, that I think her fiancé believes he has some sort of weird claim on me? Of course, he hasn’t outright said that but it’s the only explanation for his over-the-top growly behavior. I can’t say I hate it—not that I will ever admit it.

“What is really going on between you and Knox?” I blurt instead of answering.

Mom frowns, her brows furrowing her face turns blank. “All you need to know is that Knox is my fiancé. Can you just drop this now? I know you worry about me, but I am fine. I am happy. Knox makes me happy,” she says haughtily. My stomach drops at her words but not because I think they are true. My mother has a tell and it’s currently written all over her face. She is trying to convince me of her words as much as she is trying to convince herself.

Searching her face, I choose my next words carefully. “Mom, I love you, but I want you to be honest with me. I won’t say anything to anyone. It’s just…” I trail off debating how to say this next part but then decide to just get to the point. “Knox didn’t seem to share your views on your relationship the other night at dinner. I got the impression he didn’t think the wedding would be going ahead.”

Mom glares at me. “Of course, it will be going ahead Madison. You are being absurd,” she snaps.

My blood boils. I know something is off. “Have you even slept together? I know Knox is staying in the guest bedroom. Having separate bedrooms is not what a couple madly in love would do.”

Her eyes narrow and when her face turns red, I know I am hitting a nerve. “Not that it’s any of your business Madison, but yes, we have slept together. And we have separate bedrooms because Knox is a gentleman. He knows I like my space. Trust me when I say, he is in my bedroom most nights. He can’t get enough of me.” She smiles dreamily and a pang of guilt hits me when I remember how he has been acting toward me.

Covering the shame, I grimace. “Gross Mom. Too much information.”

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