Devil's Playground

Chapter 1

Jessica’s heart ached as she watched her home disappear in the distance, her forehead resting against the cool windowpane. She could feel Dan’s gaze on her, his sigh heavy with unspoken words. “He isn’t doing this to hurt you. He is only…” Dan started, trying to reassure her. But Jessica, her tone laced with bitterness and frustration, cut him off with a dramatic flair, “Yeah, yeah, protect me, I’ve heard it all before.” Deep down, she knew Dan meant well, but the pain of the moment clouded her ability to see beyond her own hurt.
Before Jessica knows it, Dan swerves to the shoulder and slams the brakes and puts his truck in park. Jessica widens her eyes when he grips her chin tight and forces her to meet his steely gaze. Dan was military and wasn't going to put up with her attitude and mouth.
He leans in and whispers harshly. "I'm about to snap, little girl. I'm two seconds away from bending you over the tailgate of my truck and giving you the spanking you deserve."
Tears clouded her vision and her lips quivered. "I'm sorry..."
Dan's gaze softens and he pulls her into his arms. "It will all be okay, I shouldn't have snapped, but...just please stop crying, princess."
“Dan?”
“Hmm?”
“Does my father hate me?”
Dan wipes the tears from her eyes and frowns. “No, princess. Just give him some time to cool down. Hey, how about we get going? I bet Grandma Pearl is going to be excited to see you.”
“Yeah.”
Four hours later, Dan pulls into Grandma Pearl’s driveway and glances at Jessica. He shakes her gently and whispers, “Wake up, princess,” with a tone of voice so gentle it could soothe even the deepest slumber. Jessica stirs from her nap, blinking sleepily as she adjusts to the sudden awakening. Outside, the sun is beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the familiar surroundings of Grandma Pearl’s quaint home. Dan smiles at Jessica and squeezes her shoulder. “I’ll be in touch, princess. Remember, stay out of and mind your manners with Maw Maw Pearl.”
She nods and hugs him tight. “I will.”
Two weeks later, Jessica discovers a new sanctuary in taking walks down to the school, seeking respite from her overbearing Grandma. As she strolls past the basketball court one day, her eyes are drawn to a group of peers her age engaged in a game. Intrigued, she approaches them, and they warmly introduce themselves. A sense of mystery hangs in the air as Jessica ponders the possibilities of newfound connections and friendships blooming in this unexpected setting, sparking a glimmer of hope in her heart.
From the mischievous charm of Mark to the laid-back vibes of Tyler and the rebellious spirit of Lily, Jessica is drawn into a world where she feels accepted and understood. An hour later, the low, throaty roar of a motorcycle sliced through the evening air, sending a thrill coursing through Jessica's veins. She turned just in time to catch sight of a dark-haired man, the sun glinting off his bulging muscles as he dismounted with an effortless swagger. He pulled down his sunglasses, revealing a pair of smoldering eyes that locked onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. A playful wink flashed, igniting a heat that crept up her neck and flushed her cheeks. Jessica felt exposed under his gaze as he slowly licked his lips, his eyes trailing deliberately down her body, savoring every curve, every contour. In that charged moment, the air thickened with a tantalizing mix of desire and promise, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.
“Cameron, quit scaring the poor girl,” Lily hissed, shooting him a fiery glare that could have melted steel. Jessica’s heart raced as she felt Cameron’s presence loom closer, his confident swagger making her acutely aware of every breath she took. The way he leaned in, his eyes glinting with mischief, made her skin prickle with a mix of fear and intrigue.
“Fresh meat,” he purred, his voice dripping with an unsettling blend of allure and danger, as if he was savoring the moment like a predator eyeing its prey. Jessica swallowed hard, caught in the tension between wanting to run and the inexplicable thrill of his attention, each word he uttered wrapping around her like a spell she couldn’t quite shake off. And she wouldn’t want to. This man was sexy as fuck. She would let him devour her and swallow her whole without hesitation. She takes a step back and her eyes widen when he takes a step forward and pulls her to his chest by the waist. She gasps when he leans in and whispers in her ear. “The things I’d do to you if it was just you and me. Another time, kitten, but now…I have to attend to some business. Tyson’s gonna get a hard dick just looking at you. Just like mine is right now.”
Jessica was at a loss for words and definitely not liking all the attention on her. All she could do is look over at Lily and mouth the words “help me” and she obliges thankfully by shoving Cameron and wraps her arm around Jessica’s shoulders.
“He’s trouble, sweetie, but the other one is twice as bad.” Lily whispers.
“Other one?” Jessica was confused.
“Tyson and let me tell you if Cameron has his eyes on you… that means you’re most likely on Tyson’s radar already. By now, he’s already texted him. That means you should probably head home to Pearl’s house and lock the damn doors.”
“Umm… ok. See you tomorrow?”
Lily shakes her head. “Probably best you stay home for a few days.”
Jessica frowns and nods before heading home.