Chapter 3

Jeremy's Point of View

I flew into Miami in the evening. My old man was getting married the next day, and I had to be there. I was happy for him, but I couldn't get behind the woman he chose to be his wife. I had my doubts about her background and reputation, but my dad loved her despite my concerns.

My mom and older brother died from gunshot wounds when I was nine. That tragedy hit my dad hard; he became a recluse, and I was left to manage the family company at eighteen. Now, I'm twenty-eight.

As soon as I landed in Miami, my driver picked me up and we went straight to the club where my future stepmother was hosting her pre-wedding party.

After I greeted my dad and his fiancée, I headed to the bar for a drink. I was restless and on edge when I saw this incredible woman standing right by me. I heard her talking to a friend, and something about her just caught my eye.

I made the effort to talk to her. My love life was always complicated. I usually went after top actresses, models, or I*******m celebrities. Never settled down, always chasing the next one. The woman next to me, though, was easily one of the most beautiful I had ever seen, and I knew I wanted her for the night.

We clicked right away. The joking was easy, the conversation flowed. She mentioned she was there for the after-party, so I figured she was a friend of the bride. I couldn't tell if she knew who I was, but it didn't matter. I took her up to my office, and a little while later, things got pretty intense between us.

I savored every minute with her, knowing deep down I probably wouldn't ever see her again. She climaxed a few times, and so did I. I never worry about getting women pregnant because I can't have kids. I was diagnosed with hypogonadism when I was Pemberton, which means I can't be a father.

That discovery sent me into a serious depression, and for years, I lived a reckless playboy lifestyle. What was the point of keeping a woman if I couldn't have children? The only person who knew about my condition was my dad.

That was one reason we hoped his new wife could have a kid who would inherit the family company. Since I turned twenty-two, I had tried everything to have a child... even paying for procedures to implant my sperm in an egg. It all came down to my dad now. He had to produce another heir while I kept running the company until I either retired or an heir was ready to take over.

But the second I was inside her, I lost all interest. It was always like that with women. Once I got what I wanted, I didn't give a damn anymore and just pushed them away. She was no different. Women were just for my pleasure and nothing else.

The night went by fast. Before I knew it, it was the morning of the wedding. I stood next to my dad as he smiled with pure joy. I hadn't seen him this happy since the tragedy years ago, and I wasn't about to ruin that for him. As his best man, I watched from his side as the bride walked down the aisle.

Then my eyes landed on a brunette behind her, and I froze. Her face was familiar... so familiar. She looked exactly like the woman from last night, but I wasn't totally sure yet.

When she stood next to me, our eyes met, and she gasped. That confirmed it. She was my one-night stand from just hours ago.

The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur. At the reception, we were paired to dance together. To keep up appearances, she approached me first.

I took her hands and led her onto the dance floor as the music started.

"It's not like you were trying very hard to avoid me," she said suddenly, looking at me.

I grinned. "Oh, hello. Did you enjoy yourself last night, sister?" I replied casually.

She gasped and gave me a dirty look. "They were right... you're a jerk and an idiot. How dare you make fun of this situation?"

I laughed softly and moved closer. "I'd suggest you behave yourself, Lola. Everyone's watching us," I whispered into her ear, as if we were getting along just fine. She frowned and glanced around.

Our parents were holding hands, smiling at us like there was nothing wrong.

"I don't care. You used me," she whispered.

I shook my head. "Come on. It looks more like you used me. You must've known I was going to be your stepbrother, and you took the chance to seduce me," I said with a sly grin.

Her jaw dropped. I knew neither of us planned any of this, but I wasn't about to take all the blame.

"You..." she started, but before she could finish, I twirled her. Other couples had joined the dance floor, but her angry look stayed glued on me, which I thought was pretty funny. She was kinda hot when she was mad.

"Keep a straight face," I warned her calmly.

"What if I don't?" she replied.

I smirked, then dipped her suddenly, bringing my lips dangerously close to hers. Her eyes went wide in shock, and the sound of gasps rippled through the room as camera flashes went off all around us. I knew this would be on the front pages by tomorrow, and honestly, I didn't care.

"You're too tense," I whispered as I pulled her upright.

"You're an idiot!" she said, almost out of breath.

The music ended, and she quickly pulled her hands from mine and walked off the dance floor. We were supposed to leave together, but she left me standing there alone. I rolled my eyes and left the dance floor, too.

I was ready to leave the reception when my best friend came up and elbowed me. "Jeremy, don't tell me you got that chick wet on the dance floor," he whispered while I was grabbing a glass of juice from a waiter.

"You have no idea, Tristan," I said, and his eyes went wide.

"That's your sister now!"

"We already hit it off, so there's nothing to hide," I whispered casually.

I explained everything to him, and as I told the story, he grew more and more shocked.

"Damn, you just couldn't keep it in your pants, could you?" he laughed loudly and slapped me on the back. "Tell me you don't plan on hitting that again?"

"It depends." I shrugged, my eyes searching for Lola. "If I find out her mom is just after my dad's money, I won't let it go. I'll make them pay... and I'll start with her.”