Chapter 3

Lily:

I didn’t even wait for him to explain himself and dashed up to my room. I could hear him calling my name but I ignored him and slammed the door behind me and flopped on my bed.

I broke into tears and began to kick my feet angrily in the air. My step-brother had just seen me naked! Did my miserable luck follow me from New York? Here I was hoping I would have a summer break with no embarrassments and then this had to happen. I hadn’t even been in Malibu for twenty-four hours.

I hugged my pillow and buried my face in it. This had to be a bad dream. Maybe If I fell asleep, everything would be erased. Maybe…

~~~

“Lily? Lily, are you there?”

I was still draped in my towel and was waking up from sleep when I heard Maria’s voice on the other side of the door.

“Lily, dear, Mason said you haven’t eaten all day. And you shouldn’t be angry about the chicken. We got another one. Please, come down, dear.”

Mason? The chicken? I was still in my towel?

I reburied my face in the pillow. I guess it wasn’t a dream. It really did happen. I just wanted to disappear.

Maria called my name a few more times but I didn’t budge. I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry and definitely not for chicken. Not after what happened.

I soon heard the shuffling of feet and light whispers outside my door. Who was she talking…

“Lily, open the door. Let’s talk. Please.”

Mason’s deep voice reverberated through the door and I jumped out of bed. My heart was racing in my chest. Images of earlier flashed through my mind. He wanted to talk? About what? There was nothing to talk about.

My eyes grew wider. Did he tell Maria what happened? No!

“Lily, open the door. We aren’t going to fix anything if you stay hidden in your room. Please open the door.”

I was bewildered. There was nothing to fix. He had seen me naked. Unless he had some kind of device that could wipe memories, I wasn’t coming out of my room.

“Lily, I’m sorry for what happened. Okay? I understand that you are embarrassed. I was a jerk.”

“Leave me alone!” I yelled.

He was silent and I took a deep breath. I wanted to be alone. I wasn’t ready to face him. Didn’t he understand? If he was in my shoes, he would feel the same, unless he didn’t have a problem being naked in front of gawking girls.

My face flushed red and I banged my head against my pillow. Why did I have to think that? Why did I have to think about him naked?!

“That’s it. Lily, you are being childish. I am giving you five seconds to open the door or I will kick it down myself!”

My jaw dropped and I gave myself a look over. I was still in my towel. I wasn’t going to let him see me naked for the second time. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

“Five…”

I gasped. He had started the count.

I dashed and found a dress and threw it over my head and pulled some panties on.

“Three… Two…”

I rushed to the door and just as he reached one, I opened my door and poked my head out.

“What do you want?” I whimpered in embarrassment, scared to look at him.

“I just want to talk. Can I come in?”

I begrudgingly agreed and stepped aside to let him in. I stole a glance at him. He was in a black shirt that clung tightly to his muscular chest and had rolled- up sleeves that exposed his muscular arms. He had a pair of dark blue jeans and Levi’s that looked like they cost a hundred or so dollars.

“Look at me, Lily.”

His voice was soothing and I couldn’t help but obey his gentle command. His eyes stared deep into mine and I felt my breathing become faster.

“I am sorry for what happened. I know I should have left as soon as I saw you. I… I was just as surprised as you were and I saw the chicken on the floor…”

He ran his hands through his bouncy coils and turned away from me for a few seconds. I flushed. He looked like a freaking model.

“... The thing is that there was so much happening in that moment. ”

He took his hands out of his pocket and I caught sight of the Oakland AP watch on his wrist. Who was this man? How could he afford such a watch?

“I know we just met at dinner last night and all this… awkwardness just popped up. I was supposed to leave in the morning just after your Mom and my Dad left, but they asked me to stay a little longer with you.”

His calm voice dispelled whatever anger I was feeling. I felt silly for being mad.

“Lily, I would like us to start on a clean slate. If you aren’t going to be busy moping in your room, there is a beach party happening and my teammates are going to be there. I would like you to come with me. I hope you don’t mind paparazzi.”

Paparazzi?

I raised an eyebrow and looked at him suspiciously. I didn’t realize it before but he looked familiar.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“Why do I feel like I have seen you before? Apart from dinner yesterday.”

He chuckled lightly.

“I’m Mason Coleman, the…”

“Famous basketball player.”

I finished his sentence and my jaw dropped. My step-brother was Mason Coleman, the famous basketballer and billionaire businessman. He was literally Malibu’s most eligible bachelor and he was my step-brother.

“The expression on your face tells me that you realize who I am,” he said with a chuckle, running his hands through his hair. “So, are you coming to the party?”

I picked my jaw off the floor and folded my hands over my chest with mock annoyance. My face was the hottest shade of pink in the spectrum.

“Fine, yeah, whatever. But only because you asked and I’m bored…”

~~~

When Malibu wants to party, they really know how to get it on. The party was screaming luxury. Waiters walked through the crowds with trays of champagne and wine, girls were skimpily dressed and boys were in groups and they all looked so hot.

I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing tray and stood next to Mason while he talked business with some guys. They ignored me and were deep in the discussion while I stood looking around in awe. Girls were ogling Mason and I rolled my eyes. I should have expected it. Even being this close to him was making me feel tense and flustered.

I stole a glance at Mason and at the right moment, I slipped away. This party was going to be a lot of fun and I wasn’t going to get a kick out of it standing next to my billionaire business tycoon sexy step-brother.

I downed the champagne and sighed. This was a party; I needed something stronger to really help me loosen up. I placed the empty flute on the tray of a passing waiter and went over to the bar.

“Dirty Martini.”

The waiter gave me a wink and prepared my drink. In a few minutes, it was done and I downed the shot. I coughed and wheezed. My eyes burned. This was very strong. The waiter looked at me awkwardly and I pulled myself together.

“Another,” I said boldly, sliding the empty glass towards him.

“Make that four.”

A guy plopped himself in the empty seat next to me and looked me over. He had nice black hair and brown eyes. He was kinda cute.

“I’m Max. I have never seen anyone throw a Martini back like that. What’s your name?”

Our drinks arrived and Max handed me two glasses and took two for himself.

“Lily. I just thought I’d come and have a good time here. I had a shitty day.”

I downed the second glass and it burned my throat. I tried my best to keep my watery eyes hidden from this cute dude in front of me.

“Tell me about it. But, I believe we can fix it up if you are down.”

He reached out to touch my hand and the bar began to spin. Fuck! The alcohol was hitting the spot. That was quick.

I looked at his face and it seemed blurry. My feet felt all numb and tingly. I tried to get to my feet, but I crashed to the ground and heard a mix of ‘woahs’ and ‘gasps,’ and a few men began to circle me. I was so weak and I could barely make out what they were saying.

“Damn! She’s a pretty little thing. Daring to. I would like to get down with her.”

“Fuck off, punk! I saw her first!”

Was…was that Max’s voice? I… I couldn’t tell…

“Get away from her!”

I heard a familiar deep voice and a familiar pair of deep blue eyes. I felt myself being lifted off the ground and carried bridal style out of the party.

“M…Mason?”