Indecent Proposal

"You want me to help your friend? Date me, then." Crossing his arms as he leaned on the wall, he looked at me wickedly.

"What are you thinking? You're my brother's friend! You can't be serious, Morris! You can't fucking be serious!"

"Of course, I am serious, Maddy," he said in a dark tone. He walked to me and I stepped back.

Even if I have known him for years, I know when it comes to women, he's someone not to be trusted. I've seen how my brother and cousins tossed women around like they are nothing but play things. Morris is nothing different. He belonged to my brother's group, after all. Birds with the same feathers flock together. I'm not dumb or naïve to jump to his perfect plan for me. It's a trap and falling for it will do no good to me. I can't be a reckless fool like any girl.

"No, I won't date you. I hate playboys the most and you know that. Besides, aren't you scared of my brothers and cousins? I am the family's princess, if I should remind you that. Even if you are their friend, they will never approve of you as my boyfriend."

He towered over me and bent a little to look closer at my face. Everything about this man is familiar, but it's the first time he acted this way towards me. He was distant before, always treating me like his younger sister even though I hate it. And now he suddenly wants to be my lover? Did he bump his head somewhere and lost some screws? Because I think he's mentally ill.

"I don't fucking care what others think, Madeline. I don't give a damn whether your brother and cousins approve of me or not. I don't need anyone's approval to get what I want."

"But I don't want you!"

He grinned. "Yes, that is the problem. But I'm sure I can fix that," he said with conviction and his fingers touched the ends of my curls. I slapped his hand away.

He pushed me to the table and put his hands at my sides, caging me between his sturdy arms.

"If you don't want anyone to know. Then date me in secret," he whispered huskily in my ear, sending shivers throughout my skin.