Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
I’m beginning to unravel.
When I meet Shai Burrows, he intrigues me enough that he has me stalking him, following him, watching him.
And when I find out he’s the one who robbed me, instead of handling business, it only makes me obsess over him even more.
But I can’t just let him get away with that, so we cut a deal. Shai will work off what he owes me, with his body, something he’s as eager about as I am. Because after that first touch, our worlds collide.
We get off on danger and seek trouble we’re not supposed to find. He craves my body, and though I don’t understand it, I know I want him by my side.
He’s my obsession, and I can’t help but want more.
In fact, I want it all.
And I’ll take it.
Our world is violent and chaotic. I’ve always reveled in that, but I’m risking it all now. I need to learn control because if I lose him, no one will be able to pull me back from the edge.
Content Warning: Sweet Obsession contains violence, drug use, discussion/memory of losing a parent to suicide (flashback), past scenes of child neglect, addiction (not a main character), discussion of human trafficking, and morally gray characters with no redemption arc. This is still a Riley Hart romance though, so none of this is heavy handed and you can expect a happily ever after for our guys. Please see the next page for a more detailed content warning
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE
Rory
Five years old
The house is new, and I’m not sure I like it. Mom has hardly left her room. She didn’t at the old house either, but at least I knew that place better.
I don’t know where my dad is. He left yesterday, and I haven’t seen him since. I heard him talking about working for the O’Sheas now…maybe that’s why we moved here?
“Mom?”
She stirs in bed. “Hi, sweetheart.” She tries to smile, but it looks hard. Why is it hard for her to smile?
“Do you want to make a plane with me?” It’s one of the only things that can get her out of bed sometimes. She does most of the work, but I’m learning, and I like that she makes them for me, with me. It’s my favorite thing.
“A little later, okay?” She rolls over, her back to me. “Mom is really tired.”
She’s always tired. Mom and Dad fight about it a lot.
My stomach is growling, so I go into the kitchen, make a bowl of cereal, and eat it. I explore the house, play outside. Some kids tried to talk to me, but I threw rocks at them until they left me alone.
Dad is still gone and Mom’s still sleeping when I go inside. Maybe she’s hungry too! If I make her some food, maybe she won’t be tired anymore.
I find a pan—most things are still in boxes—then push a chair to the sink so I can fill it with water. Once it’s full, I push the chair to the stove and set the pan on top before turning the burner on.
Mesmerized by the sparking blue flames, I watch it for a few minutes, then get bored and explore the house some more. There are so many rooms! It’s not until I hear the weird popping sound that I remember and run back into the kitchen to see the water boiling over, hitting the pretty flames. I don’t want to turn it off because I like how it looks, getting lost in it for a minute, watching more water boil over.
When I hear the front door open, I know I’ll get in trouble, so I rush to turn off the burner, hot water splashing my hand, a sharp sting burning my skin, but I don’t make a sound.
“Jesus, Rory. What are you doing?” Dad asks, but I don’t answer. I always disappoint him, and I hate that. I just want to make him proud. “Did you hear me?”
I turn to the man with him and scowl. “Who are you?”
“Don’t talk to him that way.” Dad grabs me by the arm, pulling me off the chair. “You show him respect.”
“It’s fine,” the man says, kneeling in front of me. “I’m Rian. Nice to meet you, Rory.”
He holds his hand out for me, but I don’t take it.
“How was school today?” he asks.
“I don’t go to school,” I snap.
“Preschool?” he asks.
“I don’t need it. I’m a big boy.” But it looks fun on the shows I watch.
“Keeva hasn’t enrolled him here yet,” Dad says, but he’s lying. I’ve never gone to school at all. I asked once if I could go, and Mom said soon.
“He’s almost six, correct? Get it done.” Rian stands. “Moira can help if needed.”
My dad’s hands tighten into fists. I can tell he’s mad, but he only nods.
“Go get your things,” Rian tells my dad, who glances at me, then goes upstairs.
“Have you ever gone to preschool?” he asks. I shake my head. “Where is your mom?”
“Fuck you.”
He cocks a brow. “You have your dad’s fire. That will get you in trouble with the wrong person. You need to learn when to tame it.”
Rian walks away, looking until he finds the room my mom is sleeping in downstairs. He walks over to the bed, but she doesn’t notice.
“Does she do this often?”
I want to say fuck you again, but I don’t want him to be angry at her. “It’s not her fault. She’s sad.”
He sighs, and I’m scared I got her in trouble.
“You pack some clothes too. Your father will be gone for a few days. You’re going to my house. I have a son your age—Cillian. He’s in preschool.”
“I’m not leaving her.” I cross my arms, and he smiles. Why is he smiling?
“Yes, you are. She’ll be okay. Moira will help.” I don’t know who Moira is, but…I want to go with him. I want to meet Cillian. I don’t want to be alone. I’m so bored.
“She’ll make sure Mom is okay?”
“I promise,” Rian replies.
I nod, then run to my room, throw clothes in a bag, and race back downstairs before they leave me.
“She’s okay. She’s just sick,” I hear Dad tell Rian.
“The boy doesn’t need to be alone.” Rian looks up and sees me, ending the conversation. “Let’s go.” He walks toward the door.