Chapter 7

• SCARLET
• I tried again to push him away, but I still seemed to have no strength. My own body was failing me; as his long fingers trailed over my lower back slowly, I wondered what else his hands could do.
• I shook off the thought immediately.
• I decided to remain interested in his sudden attention. “If I bewitched every man in here, just like you said, that should include you.”
• He smirked. “Good point, but I’m not like those men. Did you not see how they look at you?” His eyes remained deep and piercing.
• They looked at me how? I scowled. “Then maybe you’re not a man,” I mocked. He was playing games with me, why not play along?
• I was expecting him to get mad, but instead, he laughed. He freaking laughed and the warm, masculine sound he made traced down to my deepest core.
• “Am I not?” He grinned playfully, closing the gap between us.
• My eyes widened in surprise.
• “Am I not?” he asked again. His breath smelled of mint and wine. I’d kissed drunk men before, and they certainly did not smell like this. Usually, when they drank, they’d stink of puke.
• His free hand went up to cup my neck as if he was going to kiss me, and nose teasing mine. A pair of gray eyes with a hint of blue stared back at me when I opened my eyes. He inclined his face to the side, getting ready for a kiss.
• One single kiss would do.
• I would like to taste him. I closed my eyes and counted.
• One...
• Two...
• Three...
• Three and a half... four
• No lip-locking happened. He was grinning at me devilishly when I opened my eyes, and his face was already inches away.
• I gasped at my sudden fantasy. I didn’t know anymore what I was doing, I wanted him to kiss me so bad. I moved my hands to touch his chest up to his neck, itching to touch him. I knew what to do, but he caught my wrist.
• “Hmm… You can’t do that, little sister.” He stepped away, brushing his fingers on his scalp harshly.
• The colors drained from my face, snapping back to reality. “I’m… I’m sorry.”
• “You didn’t have to—”
• “Excuse me.”
• Embarrassed and still unable to look at him, I turned away and moved back to the bar then grabbed a drink. It felt like someone had poured cold water on me.
• What the hell did I just do? I would never touch Luke again. Ever. He was off-limits. He was my step-brother, I should start to swallow the truth and never lose myself again. I was so stupid.
• Nonetheless, I could never live under the same roof as one big happy family with him. Fortunately, I only had a week to stay with the family. I’d be away again for another two months until my graduation.
• But I was more worried about what would happen after.
• ***
• I HAD a massive headache the next morning, still exhausted from last night. I didn’t even notice how big my room was until the sunlight from the window hit my face.
• I couldn’t help but admire Thomas for having such a lovely home. What else should I expect from a billionaire, right? Mom and I used to dream of having this kind of life before. I was even happier now that she was finally living the dream. She deserved it for being the best mom in the world.
• I stepped out of the bed and opened the windows, amused to find a stunning view.
• Thomas’ house exterior consisted of a spacious and luminous extensive lounge area also furnished with an outdoor living area. The front porch extended directly to the terrace patio in front of the infinity pool with direct access to the oceanfront.
• An oceanfront! I had almost forgotten that we were in the Hamptons. I took a deep breath, inhaling the ocean breeze. I lifted my hands in the air and let the wind blow in my face. Thomas was right. Living here with them would give me the best comfort.
• And my bedroom was too good to be true. It was so spacious with panoramic windows boasting the ocean view. There’s a queen-sized bed with baby pink sheets, a decorative closet, a television, air conditioning, and a heater. I also had a bookshelf and a makeup desk. Mom must’ve told Thomas that I loved books.
• I couldn’t miss the fact that they had set up an upright piano in the corner, and an acoustic guitar I could play. Everything was provided, and it was all I’d ever dreamed of. I was surprised that Mom still remembered all the descriptions I’d told her. And my stepfather was actually serious about making me stay in this house.
• What made me stop again for a moment was Luke rising out of the swimming pool. He was bare on top, revealing his rock-hard chest, defined biceps and abs, glistening as the water dripped down his body like crystals. He wore nothing but a pair of black swimming trunks. I watched him rinse the water from his hair, brushing his fingers over his scalp.
• My throat dried up at the sight of him. I felt like jumping into the blue water to ease my sudden warmth. My skin felt scorching hot.
• My stepbrother was sexy as hell.
• I was tempted to look down his swimming trunks, but Luke gazed up and caught my eye. He flashed a sexy smirk and winked at me until he wrapped a towel around his waist.
• I stepped back and hurriedly hid behind the walls of my room. I held my chest and felt the swiftness of my heartbeat.
• What was I doing? It’s not like I was a virgin.
• I waited for another hour before I went down for breakfast because I was too embarrassed to see Luke’s face. I’d heard he always left at eight and returned home at seven, so he was barely at home. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry when he came back.
• Mom and Thomas were at the porch having coffee when I came down. They were like newlyweds that couldn’t let go of each other. Thomas couldn’t stop nuzzling at her hair. I had to admit that Thomas was handsome, and he’d kept in shape despite his age. I didn’t want to interrupt them, but I let them know I was present anyway.
• “Morning, Mom. Morning, Thomas.” I kissed both their cheeks and settled on the empty seat across from them.
• “Oh, darling. Good morning!” Mom greeted back with the sweetest smile. “Did you sleep well?”
• “Barely.” I shrugged and chuckled. “But I probably still have jetlag,” I reasoned, which wasn’t the real case.
• “Have you had breakfast?” Thomas asked.
• “Um, no, not yet.”
• “Then you can join Lucas,” Thomas suggested.
• “Luke’s still here?” I asked, almost out of breath.
• “Of course, it’s Sunday,” Mom said.
• Was it Sunday? Oh no.
• “Go on, honey. He’s in the dining room.”
• “Oh, okay.” Without a choice, it was better to just get over it.
• Still hesitant, I went to the dining room.
• Dressed in a Hermes coat, a white shirt, and casual jeans, Luke was already eating alone at the table.
• I could never get over how good-looking he was. He looked like he came out from a magazine cover to torture me.
• A housemaid approached him and put another plate, which I thought was for the dessert. Silently, I settled on the seat on his right side. In a moment, the maid provided my breakfast as well. It was pancakes, eggs, bacon, and English Breakfast tea.
• “Good morning, little sister.” He took a sip of his tea and speared another piece of his bacon with his fork. “Enjoy the scene this morning?”
• And as always, he had to sound so cocky. I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing to enjoy with the scene.”
• “Nothing? Is that a lie? I hate fucking liars.”
• I shook my head in disbelief at hearing that line again. Jax had been saying that all the time. Speaking of Jax, I forgot to check for his message last night. I was too occupied.
• “I’ve seen plenty of that kind of scene,” I murmured. Sadly, they were no match compared to him. He was too perfect, and I was ridiculous for thinking so.
• “Plenty.” He raised an eyebrow. “How interesting.”
• “There’s nothing interesting. And don’t call me ‘little sister.’”
• “Why not? Aren’t you my little sister?”
• I exhaled sharply. “I have a name, Luke. Or would you prefer if I call you dick?”
• His lips curved in a playful grin. “Sweet little mouth with a dirty language. Do you prefer if I call you witch?”
• “Why are we having this conversation?” I snapped.
• Damn it, he really knew how to anger a woman. I ignored him and decided to eat quietly. Fortunately, the food tasted good enough to ease my irritation.
• “Aren’t you going to kiss my cheeks too like you kissed Gene and Dad’s?” he spoke again.
• “Will you stop?”
• “What? You almost kissed me last night, witch.”
• My cheeks flushed. I could never forgive myself for losing my mind like that last night.
• “Stop calling me a witch!”
• I was supposed to be enjoying breakfast in a beautiful place, but my stepbrother had to be so freaking annoying.
• “I can call you anything I want,” he concluded, and finally he stood. I noticed he had already emptied his plate. “It was fun talking to you. See you tonight, witch.”