"I don't know a lot about you," Ashley said, while allowing her eyes to drift around Maddox's room. There were a few posters, a desk with a closed laptop. Some books, no title she immediately recognised.

She was very aware of the fact that he knew more about her than she did about him. She didn't know what his parents did, or if he had any siblings.

He sat back in the chair by the desk while she remained seated his bed. "What do you want to know?"

"Any siblings?"

He nodded. "An older brother. He's in college."

"Are you close?"

"No." No elaboration.

"Why?"

She didn't understand how siblings didn't get along. If she had a sibling, she would't have felt so alone in a hopeless situation. There would be someone she would be able to turn to when she felt overwhelmed, especially with what was happening between her parents. It was someone who had walked the same path, surely it brought you closer and not push you further apart.

"Let's just say he is the son who does what he's told." His voice held resentment and her interest piqued.

"And you don't?" It was a pointless question. She didn't need to know him well to know that he pushed the boundaries and questioned authority. It wasn't in his nature to do as he was told and it was the one of the things about him that thrilled her.

Getting into fights a school was a prime example but like with Logan there was usually a good reason for it. It wasn't like he went around causing fights for nothing.

"Success is expected in my family."

It was the most insightful thing he had shared with her about his life.

"What does your father do?" she asked.

"He runs an investment firm." The distaste was clear in his voice.

"What does your mom do?"

"She's a stay at home mom."

That was strange because in the few times she had been over, she had never met his mom.

"How come I've never see her?"

"She's usually busy with her charities or shopping." He smiled affectionately when he spoke. She could tell there was a big difference in his body language when he spoke about his parents. It was the father he seemed to have the issue with and not his mother.

"You get on better with your mom?"

He nodded.

"What do you want to do when you leave school?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. What are you planning to do after graduation?"

She bet he had some fancy college in his future. She had never really spoken of her plans to move out as soon as she graduated.

"All I want to do is move out."

He straightened up. "Is it that bad?"

She gave a one armed shrug. "I wish they'd just get divorced and get it over and done with. They haven't been happy for a long time."

He watched as she spoke.

"I'm going to work and get my own place," she continued.

Most kids her age were planning college and careers. Her only goal was to get out the house as quickly as possible.

"You're not planning on going to college?"

She shook her head. "Not everyone has the money to go to college." Her parents had struggled financially so there was no way for her to go to college. And it wasn't like she had big plans to become a doctor or a lawyer.

He studied her thoughtfully.

"What?" she asked, feeling self conscious at the way he was looking at her.

"If you could go to college, if you had the choice what would you want to do?"

She'd never really thought about it. "I don't know. It's never really been an option."

Most people their age had some sort of idea what they wanted to do but she didn't.

"So if the investment firm isn't in your future what are you going to do?" she asked.

"I don't know."

He leaned back in the chair.

"Surely you've applied to some colleges already," she pressed on. Maybe there was just a small part of her that wanted him to say he wasn't going off to college and he would stay. But that was delusional. It was emotion winning over logic.

"I have. But that doesn't mean I wont change my mind."

All this talk about after graduation brought the reality home that there was a time limit on them. He was going to go to college and she wasn't.

It was a somber thought. The more time she spent with him the more he made her feel, and feeling too much was dangerous.

"You said you're going to take care of Jim." She was curious to find out what he planned to do to him.

"I will." He nodded slowly.

"How?"

He shrugged. "Guys like Jim and Logan deserve what's coming their way."

"But I don't want you to get into trouble." She remembered the last time he had sorted out Logan. He had been suspended from school.

Jim was a nasty piece of work. She definitely considered him worse than Logan.

"Don't worry about it Rae. He wont be spreading any more rumours after I'm done with him." It was that bad boy confidence in him that made him irresistible to girls, including her.

Ashley heard a car pull up outside.

"It's my mom," Maddox said.

"You sure she's going to be all right with me, here in your bedroom." Thoughts of what they had already got up to made her cheeks warm.

"Yeah, she won't mind."

"My mom would have a hissy fit." There was no way her mom would allow her to have a boy over without supervision.

"My parents pretty much let me do what I want." He stood. "I should probably get you home."

She checked her watch and realised he was right. "Yeah."

He walked over to her as she moved off his bed.

"Thanks for everything," she mumbled, unsure of how to act around him after he had touched her so intimately.

"I enjoyed that as much as you did." He eyes were darker and his voice seductive. It gave her a weird quiver in her stomach as she stared up to him. He kissed her lightly.

"You're going to have to meet my mom," he murmured when his lips lifted from hers.

She nodded. She was nervous to meet his mom. She'd never met the parents of the guys she had dated.

"Don't be nervous. I promise she won't bite." He gave her an encouraging smile but it did nothing to ease her nerves.

She followed him downstairs and could hear activity coming from the kitchen.

Maddox entered the room first and then she quietly stepped in the room.

His mom was tall and beautiful with long flowing hair. She smiled at her son and then turn to face Ashley. Her smile waned slightly, just enough for Ashley to see but not enough for Maddox to notice.

"This is my friend Ashley."

"Hi," Ashley said.

"It's nice to meet you." Honey dripped from her voice but her eyes were watchful.

Straight away Ashley disliked his mother. There was nothing tangible but it was a gut feeling.

"So is this the new girlfriend?" His mother directed the question to him.

"Don't mom." Maddox shook his head at her.

Ashley didn't know what to say. She shifted nervously from one foot to the other while Mrs. Larson looked her up and down.

"I got to drop her off. I'll be home later," Maddox said stepping in front of her to cut off her view of his mom.

"Sure. Don't be too late."

He took Ashley by the hand and led her out of the kitchen and then out of the house.

"Sorry about that," he said, opening the car door for her. "She can be nosey sometimes."

"That's okay." She shrugged.

Her brief interaction with his mom played on her mind as he drove her home. Was there something about Ashley she had disliked?

She reminded herself there was no point in worrying. In a couple of months senior year would be over and he would be going off to college. At the same time she would be moving out of home and getting her own place. She would be free.

Her attention went to Maddox. His fingers tapped the steering wheel as he drove.

She would also be without him. It was difficult to think about so she pushed the thought from her mind.

"You're very quiet," Maddox murmured, reaching out to cover her hand with his.

"I'm just tired," she whispered. Tracing a finger across the back of his hand. His hand squeezed hers.

When they got back to her house he walked her to the front door.

"Today was nice," she said and he smiled.

"I thought it was mind blowing?" he asked softly, moving closer.

It was difficult to think when he was so close, all she could do was feel and that was dangerous.

She swallowed as his lips neared hers. "It was."

"Good to hear." He gave her a lingering kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded.

He waited for her to go inside. A few moments later she heard his car start and drive away.

She leaned against the door and let out a deep breath. Her heart raced at the thought of how Maddox had made her come on his bed. Her hand went to her neck as she tried to take another deep breath and exhale.