Semua Bab My Stepbrother's Lust : Bab 31 - Bab 40

CASSIAN'S POVSleep eludes me just like peace.My unblinking stare is fixed on the ceiling.Dinner was horrible. Not the food, but the memory of Sloane's leg constantly brushing mine under the table.I told myself this was temporary, manageable even, but lies are easier to swallow when they don't last forever.No matter how I try to shake it, Sloane's voice haunts me.She tricked me. They all tricked me.It all seemed too fast when Dad made me sign the contract. The weight of his hand on my shoulder had steeled me. Convinced me it was right.That it will bring our family together.“Just get to know her,” he said, “do it for your family.”So I did. How could I refuse? We were already betrothed. My signature on ink was just a formality.Then the dates started. So many public appearances that I started to feel sick whenever I saw a lens.I sit up in bed and glance at my bedside clock.3:15.I stare at the digits until my vision blurs. Today will pass. And tomorrow. And soon I'll be trapp

NINA'S POVIt takes me a full heartbeat to accept that this man is my brother.Sitting across the table from him in the small cafe, all I can think is that he is taller, older… and real.But nothing else has changed. He still has his boyish smile and deep stare. His eyes still hold the same quiet sadness.It's been there since dad died.He nurses his cup of coffee, shoulders hunched.The silence between us speaks volumes, and I don't break it. I don't want to hear about his life in wherever the fuck…I still remember the day he left. It was two days after dad's funeral.Mom was passed out on the sofa. He just packed a rucksack full of maps and clothes.I remember asking if he was going treasure hunting. If I could come.He just patted me on the head with a soft smile and promised he'll be back in a week.Eight years later, he's sitting here staring hard at his coffee because he can't bring himself to look me in the eye.The waiter comes around again and I ask for a second cup of coffe

CASSIAN'S POVI shouldn’t be here, not like this.But I am, and I can’t stop feeling like I’ve let her down.She holds my gaze for what feels like an eternity. Her brows crease in a frown and I expect her to curse me out.To call me a heartless monster. But she just shrugs and says “Okay then. Congratulations.”Her back turns, leaving me confused.“Is that all?” I ask.“What do you want? A cookie?”I don't know what I was expecting. Did I want her to grovel and beg me not to marry another woman?Maybe I wanted to see that jealous light in her eyes. Anything to fuel my decision to get out of this.“It wasn't supposed to happen this way. The date got—”“I don't care about that, Mr Cross. All of this could have been an email.”“Nina…”She whirls around, hands folded.“What do you want me to say?”“Anything but this…act you're putting up.”Wrong choice of words.“Act? You're sleeping with your stepsister behind your fiancèe's back, and I'm the one acting?”Her words burn like acid on my s

NINA'S POVI feel numb. But numbness doesn't come with butterflies.I woke up this morning with a racing heart, and I hated how I longed for his voice.Vegas plays like a wicked loop in my mind, and my body is caught between wanting him and hurting from him.I knew this was doomed from the start.I knew that it would hurt, but I walked into the fire with hopes that maybe, just maybe, it won't burn this time.It did. Still does.I push through the glass doors into the reception.I'm early. The receptionist is just settling in, but this place will be a buzz in no time.Her face breaks into a smile when she sees me.“Oh my gosh, girl. You look absolutely stunning! And look at that, you're not late!”Surprised by her warmth, I flash a weak smile.“Thank you so much, your dress matches your eyes…”She nods briskly.“Right? My wife said the same thing this morning. You can go right in. Mr Cross is waiting for you.”My stomach dips.He's already here. Waiting for me.“Thank you.”“Anytime!”

NINA'S POVI swallow the bile of frustration rising in my throat, staring up at him across the desk.It's a wonder how one man can make me simultaneously furious and ridiculously alive.The nerve on this man to drag me in here and threaten my job and my office? My purple haven?Now it's clear why he did that for me. Manipulative fuck.“If your definition of punishment is having me over your table, think again.”He hesitates, then he straightens up, lips curling upward.“You know you want me to do it, but I won't give you the satisfaction.”“Oh please. You get off on humiliating me. Or at least you try.”“Don't tempt me.”“You would just love that, wouldn't you?”“Why didn't you tell me you had a brother?”My nails dig into my palm, and I force myself to ignore the question.If I tell him about Lucas, I'll have to talk about dad.I cannot drag myself back into the dark place I managed to crawl from.So I lean forward, eyes flashing.“You already knew that, didn't you?”He pauses, brows