THREE

Adeline

It's him.

The ice melts into waves of fiery heat that gather in my chest and spreads to my neck and cheeks.

“Adeline, meet Raffaele Delacroix. Kathy's son.”

Raffaele Delacroix? Croix? But his mother's name is Anderson… I don't care now. I just need air.

The man I was introduced to as Raffaele takes a step forward, wearing a totally different outfit as he did earlier.

He was on sweat pants alone. The sight of his rock hard abs and the outline of his cock is buried in my head forever. Phil picked up a shirt lying on the counter and tossed it at him.

“Put on a shirt, will ya?” He muttered. Way to go, Phil. A silver chain necklace dangles from his neck and two lip rings sit on the outer part of his bottom lip.

He smells fresh like he had showered. After that hot session with me. He puts on the shirt and stretches his hand forward.

“Melanie, right?”

I almost frown. But whatever, I'm just another ass and pussy to him. I accepted his hand with a fake smile that didn't reach my eyes.

“It's Adeline actually.”

He's wearing an easy smile, one that says so much about our little secret. My eyes water and I almost want to punch him and throw up on him. But then I'll be forced to explain why I just had an intense sexual moment with my new step brother.

“I have told Rafe and the guys about your classes and jobs so they have promised to be on their best behavior.” Phil said emphasizing on the best behavior.

Rafe just shrugged with a lazy smile on his face. I turned to Phil. “Guys?” I asked. “What do you mean by ‘guys’?”

“Well Rafe and his friends live here. And they all stay here.” He swallows thickly.

This is so fucked. Phil's so lost in new pussy that he can't even think straight.

I honestly don't know which is worse. Living in the house your addicted mother died in and feeding from hand to mouth or staying with a man whose goal is more important than his own daughter.

“I don't know.” I rubbed my temple. “I think this is a bad idea.”

“The place isn't small. It's enough for everyone. There's plenty of space.”

Phil takes my bags and leads me down the hall. He's right. There's plenty of space and my room seems to be clean and prepared for me.

I can tell arguing won't do it for me. Phil looks like he'll try to convince me to stay. He doesn't want me in his house at all.

As for Croix, he won't take his eyes off me. He's looking like a starved lion that just had a thick ass zebra dropped into its pen.

He won't even blink. His half lidded gaze peers down at me with some unresolved spite and desire as Phil continues to show me around.

My mouth becomes his focus, his eyes lingering for half a beat before ever so slowly trailing the length of my body.

My insides quiver with remembrance.

Stupidly assuming that we were getting along, Phil bustles behind us loading up the dishwasher with sporadic dishes giving us space to talk without overhearing.

“Quit pretending you're somewhat special. You belong in the gutter like the rest of us, trash rat.” He continues. “And don't think of feeding Rocco that crap again. His stomach can't handle your over -processed bullshit.”

The gutter? Offering myself has apparently reduced me to a gutter rat. Funny how this guy before me is a far cry to the guy I met earlier.

I take a step closer. “Maybe you should keep your mutt on a fucking leash.”

He takes a step closer as well. “Maybe we should keep you on a fucking leash.” He whispers. “Huh, Sis?”

“I asked Rafe if he could help you out with your unpacking. To get to know yourselves better.”

My eyes line with worry. Is he really gonna leave me here?

“Don’t worry. I already told Rafe about your boyfriend, Joshua.”

Croix resumes his position against the doorframe, staring at me while I brush off the fact Phil called Wesley, my boyfriend Joshua.

“Where are the other guys, Rafe?”

He tips his head towards a wing of the house. “They are playing Vicon Cross.”

Phil looked like he didn't understand a thing but he nodded nevertheless. Asshole.

“They're gamers. You won't see them much.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

I knew it. Someone in here has been beating their meat because it smells like excess semen, cigarettes and stale beer. Thank goodness Markie packed my scented candles.

“Alright honey. I'm leaving now. I have a dinner date with Kathy.” He smiles like he has checked something off his to-do list. “Have fun y'all.”

I'm now left here standing with a guy yet can actively recall our last moment together.

The door bursts open and I'm hoping it's Phil saying something about taking me to his place or better still finding an apartment for me but instead I hear a familiar voice.

“Hey babe. Didn't know you'll be back so soon.”

Wesley hugged me from behind and kissed my cheeks.

Fuck. Wesley is here too?