All Chapters of My Stepbrother’s Masked Obsession: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Jennifer's POVI didn't stop shaking until I'm three blocks from our apartment building.The men Marcus left in charge dropped me off five blocks away, just like I asked. I didn't want them knowing exactly where I lived. I didn't want any connection between that night and my real life. So I made them pull over at the corner of Fletcher and Main, and I walked the rest of the way on legs that felt like they belonged to someone else.The mask is still crushed in my fist. The lace bites into my palm. I should throw it away, but I can't seem to let go.By the time I let myself in, it's almost five in the morning. I expect the place to be dark and quiet, Mom asleep on the couch like always, the TV still murmuring the late-night news.It isn't.Every light is on. The kitchen, the living room, even the hallway bathroom. And Mom is sitting at the kitchen table, wide awake, practically glowing with an energy I haven't seen in her for years. Two mugs of tea are already poured, steam curling up i

Jennifer’s POVI back away from the bedroom door, my skin crawling with the lingering ghost of Marco's touch from the hallway, and duck into the shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting our rooms, locking both doors with trembling hands. I turn on the sink faucet to full blast, letting the rush of water drown out any chance of him hearing me. My thumb hits the call button, bringing the phone to my ear as Marco picks up on the second ring."You have to tell him I left town, Marco," I whisper frantically, leaning over the porcelain sink and pressing my mouth so close to the phone screen that my warm breath fogs the glass. "Tell him I moved to another state. Tell him I died. I don't care. Just make something up."Marco's voice comes back through the receiver, slick with sweat and uncharacteristic genuine fear. "Are you out of your mind, Jane? The man brought 2 brick walls in tailored suits to my back office. He offered enough cash to cover 6 months of club rent just for 30 minutes alone

Jennifer’s POVMy chest heaved, the stiff plastic of the new mask dipping sharply into my cheek as my brain short-circuited."Your soap or perfume? It sounds so familiar."The words slammed into me like a physical punch. His fingers were still hovering right at the jawline of my mask, mere millimeters from exposing my lie, exposing my face, exposing everything. Panic hit my bloodstream like ice water, but the heat from where his thumb brushed my skin was absolute fire. Panicked and completely out of options, I did the only thing I knew would stop his hands: I moved.I rolled my hips directly against his, letting out a soft, deliberate gasp right against the warm crook of his neck. He froze. A low, dark groan ripped straight from his chest, vibrating against my ribs. His hands on my jaw hitched, his fingers tightening in my hair instead of pulling at the edge of the mask, anchoring me to him as his heavy breath burned my bare skin."Lots of girls wear sweet vanilla, Marcus," I breathed

Jennifer’s POVThe house was far too quiet, but inside my chest, my heart was hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I turned back to the bed, staring down at the mountain of clothes scattered around the mattress."Okay, think, Jennifer," I whispered to myself, snatching up a dark green knitted sweater and a silk scarf. "Cover the neck, hide the wrist, keep, keep your mouth shut."I pulled the thick sweater over my head, smoothing the heavy cuffs down until they completely swallowed my hands, hiding the raw blue diamonds locked around my wrists. Next came the scarf, wrapped twice around my neck to conceal the dark purple mark Marcus had left near my collarbone. I looked back in the mirror, looking like I was preparing for a blizzard in the middle of warm weather."What are you doing to yourself?" I groaned at my reflection.Before I could finish my thoughts, my mom's voice echoed from the hallway outside my open door."Jennifer, are you coming out or not? David is asking for you.

Jennifer’s POVMarcus did not waste another second talking. He hooked a heavy arm under my thighs and hauled me straight onto his lap, pinning my back against the plush armrests. Before I could catch my breath, his mouth slammed down onto mine again….rough, hungry, and completely unyielding.I was supposed to push him away. I was supposed to remember the mansion, my mom, and the fact that he was my stepbrother. But the second his tongue swept into my mouth, my hands betrayed me. I buried my fingers deep into his thick, dark hair, pulling him closer, arching my back into his broad chest with a low, helpless whimpering sound that I couldn't hold back."Look at you," he growled against my lips, his breath ragged and boiling hot. "You want this just as much as I do.""Marcus, please..." I gasped out, but it came out as an invitation, not a plea.His hand slid straight up the slit of my dress, his broad, warm palm searing against my bare thigh as he shoved the silk up to my waist. I let ou