Chapter 1

“What are you doing here again?” He didn’t even try to hide the irritation in his voice.

Xerces Miller, the epitome of perfection, was now standing before me, with his ripped six-pack abs in full view. He had just gotten out of the shower, holding a towel and drying his wet hair.

“Good morning.” I smiled at him.

I didn’t wait for him to invite me in and just went inside on my own.

“Get the fuck out of my house.”

I ignored him and strode toward the kitchen. “I’m thirsty.”

I grabbed a glass and walked over to the fridge. But before I could open it, a hand grabbed my arm and stopped me. I looked at Xerces and met his blazing, angry eyes.

“What? Can’t you be generous even for once? It’s not like I’m a stranger to you. Come on.” I wiggled my arm to pull free of his grip. He let go, but the darkness in his expression didn’t fade. “I just want to drink some water.”

I opened the fridge and took out a pitcher. I poured myself a glass and drank.

“Why? Don’t you have water at your place?”

I shook my head. “They haven’t delivered yet,” I lied. I just wanted to see him today.

“Fine. Drink and get the hell out of my house, and don’t ever come back.”

I leaned against the refrigerator and looked at him intently.

“You look sexy,” I rasped.

Xerces is my ex-boyfriend’s older brother, Gavin. We were in a relationship for almost two years until I caught him cheating on me with my sister. So now, I wanna have my revenge by hitting on his brother.

All of his family members liked me, except for this man in front of me. He has always been so aloof toward me, and I didn’t know why.

I can still picture how he looked at me like he wanted to tear me apart the day my ex introduced me to his family, as if I’d done something wrong. I never even heard him say my name once. I guess he hates me that much.

In those two years of our relationship, Gavin had told me how much he envied his brother because Xerces always got everything he wanted.

“Do you hate me?” I asked casually.

The answer was obvious, but whatever.

He didn’t answer and just held that hard stare. I couldn’t read what was going on in his mind.

“Why do you hate me? I’ve always been nice to you, haven’t I? I’ve started conversations with you many times, but you always ignore me. Tell me. Why?” I pressed.

I’d known Xerces longer than I’d known his brother. We’d been neighbors for five years—we were just college students back then.

Meanwhile, I met Gavin three years ago. I was surprised to find out that the grumpy, hot guy living across from my apartment was actually his brother.

“I just don’t like you, that’s it.”

“Too bad. I like you.” I winked.

“Too bad for you too. There’s no way in hell I’d like you back.”

“Really?” I took a step closer to him.

Slowly, I let my hand glide across his chest sensually.

“Is it because of your brother?” I asked again. “We were over for almost five months. Come on. It’s not like you care about bro codes, do you? That’s so pathetic.”

He didn’t answer.

“Why don’t you try dating me? Hmm?” I suggested. “I think we could be perfect for each other.” I wet my lips and gently bit them.

I saw his eyes follow the motion of my lips. His gaze darkened. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.

“No. We won’t,” he said, his tone firm.

“Really?”

I lifted the glass to my mouth and drank the rest of the water. I deliberately let it spill, trailing from my chin and soaking into my shirt.

His eyes dropped to my chest. I knew my bra was visible through the white tank top I was wearing.

“Oops, sorry. Would you mind drying it for me?” I purred.

He avoided my gaze. Since his face was turned slightly to the side, I could clearly see his jaw move. His breathing had gotten rapid.

I chuckled flirtatiously. “Just kidding.”

He walked out of the kitchen, so I dropped the glass in the sink and followed him.

“Get out and go change at your place.” He sat on the living room couch, one leg draped over the other.

I was dressed in a plain white tank top and tight black shorts, having just come from a jog.

I sat down on the couch opposite him. I ignored the sharp glare he was giving me.

“Why? Are you bothered? Or tempted, maybe?” I said teasingly.

“In your dreams.”

“Oh, sure. Just to let you know, you’re naked in them most of the time.”

He grimaced, and said, “Fuck off.”

“Could be better when it’s ‘fuck you.’”

Xerces is the most boring man I’ve ever hit on in my whole life. Yet, I couldn’t deny the fact that he gave me a kind of excitement and thrill no one else ever had.

I returned home and lay back on the bed, staring at the blank white ceiling.

I’ve been trying to seduce him for months, and it was so obvious he doesn’t give in easily. I came up with this plan to get even with Gavin for what he did to me.

Dating other men after him, particularly his brother, would definitely provoke a reaction, knowing he used to tell me how much he envied and hated his brother.

I want to prove to him that he was never the only option for me. Maybe it’s just my ego, but what the fuck do I care?

But I know deep inside that I am doing this in the hope that he’ll get jealous and want me back eventually because I know I’m still not over him.