Book I - 4

LUKE

There were many reasons why I shouldn’t listen to Dad’s inconvenient request, and I was pretty much having a great time before he called. I could understand his attachment to Gene. My stepmother was one of a kind and the sweetest thing that had ever happened to our lives. I couldn’t list everything she’d done for us. She was a mother to me. Period.

However, Gene was enough. I didn’t like the idea of having a little sister. If it were a brother, I’d give it consideration. In addition, giving out even the slightest part of my property that I worked my ass off for to a stranger was quite ridiculous. But since Dad asked nicely, I had no choice but to do it. Lastly, picking up this new little sister wasn’t that hard, but engaging in extra family matters was never my thing.

At the airport, I didn’t see her right away. She was hard to remember. I’d only seen her once before. All I could recall was the skinny girl with mesmerizing brown eyes.

On the other hand, it was astonishing how time could change someone. When I finally found her, she was too good to be true. She was one of the most beautiful faces I had ever laid eyes on. Her curves had changed through the years; I figured she was a late bloomer. Her breasts were full and round, stretching the fabric of her tight shirt as if they were screaming to burst out.

I groaned when she sat in the backseat. “What are you doing? Sit in the front. I’m not your driver.”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, then moved into the front and buckled her seatbelt. “You remembered me,” she stated, her mouth curved with the slightest smile. Oddly, she sounded familiar. I wonder where I heard her voice.

“Yes, but don’t think I’m friendly. I’m doing this for Gene. Do you understand?”

Her face went from red to pale, then she nodded. She still had the smallest face, like how I remembered her, and it was making me fucking mad for some reason I didn’t understand.

“Is that how you normally communicate?” I had to ask.

“W-what? No,” she breathed. “It’s just… This is the first time we’ve actually talked.”

I swear I’ve heard her voice before. “Yes, this is,” I agreed, freeing my mind from such absurd thoughts. I revved the engine and pulled out of the place.

SCARLET

After the numerous heartaches in the past, I’d learned to divide the men I was attracted to into two categories.

The first category could be described as ‘the dangerous ones.’ They were men that would leave you when they were done. Jax landed into that category. Then, there were ‘the safe ones.’ They were the type of men who wouldn’t expect anything from you and the kind that you wouldn’t get too attached to.

However, I didn’t want to put Luke in either of those categories. He was my stepbrother—he was supposed to be out of the picture. He was precisely the man I should avoid.

I’d already had a crush on him in the past, but now I wanted him. If he were mine, I’d move my hands all over him—pleasure him, and whisper goodness in his ears. His presence made my skin itch as if I were yearning to feel him against my body, against my inner thighs. I imagined running my fingers along that strong jaw and kissing him senselessly. I would inhale his musk wood cologne and aftershave. His exquisite display of male beauty had me burning between my thighs. But from the moment our eyes met, I knew I should be running.

Damn. The thoughts scared me instantly. Every hair on my skin stood as a witness to my fear. I’d almost forgotten that he was my stepbrother. I thought of calling Jax to relieve the sexual tension.

Maybe later at home.

“Are you going to stay here for the week?” he suddenly spoke.

“Yes, Thomas asked me.”

He glanced at me. “Are you staying with them?”

“Yes.” I tried to divert my mind by looking through the window, filling my eyes with the beauty of New York City night lights. “Actually, I’d like to move up here.”

To my surprise, he nodded, and his eyes glimmered. “It makes you feel alive.”

I smiled. “How so?”

He didn’t answer but smirked.

“I heard you were in Cambridge,” I went on, trying to start a proper conversation. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your number to call you while you were there.”

 “It’s alright. I’m busy anyway. I won’t be able to meet you.”

I cleared my throat. “That’s what I heard.”

“I wouldn’t mind giving you my number, though.” He flashed a sexy smile. “You’re my new little sister.” He abruptly stopped the car.

“Are we home?” I looked outside, but it didn’t look like Thomas’ house.

We stopped in front of the posh entrance of Hotel B. A five-star hotel Luke alone owned. A giant letter B was embossed just right above the opulent entrance. I’d heard from Mom that the B stood for “Bella.”

“Why are we here?” I asked.

“Because Dad has a plan.” He first stepped out of the car and turned around to open the door for me. “And you need to get dressed.”

I stepped out of the car. “For what?”

“Dad didn’t tell you?”

“He didn’t say anything urgent. No.”

He studied me from head to toe. “Do you happen to have a dress?”

I looked down at my casual shirt, ripped jeans, and sneakers. “I… I guess so. I think I brought one in my suitcase.”

“Good. You need to change.” Luke plucked my suitcase out of his car and dragged it with him. I tried to catch up with him.

“Hey, what’s the occasion? It’s already nine and—” I paused. “Wait.  Mom’s birthday party is tonight. I remembered her mentioning it over the phone.”

He stopped by the lobby. “You don’t know a single thing, do you? The party starts at eleven.”

I frowned. “But I thought it was tomorrow. Thomas said—”

“Stop talking. This is the plan.” He rolled his eyes, then he dropped my suitcase on the floor.

I gasped. “Hey! Did you just toss my—” I lowered and picked up my luggage, but when I got up, he was already gone, “bag…”

Did he just leave me?