Chapter 8

• SCARLET
• “Can I tell you something?” I asked, playfully biting my lower lip. Later that night, I called Jax. I’d been bored the whole day. There was nothing to do in the house. I didn’t know what else to do but stare at my phone screen, browsing another chat app site. To be honest, I was looking for a guy who might be similar to Luke; of course, I found no one because he’s only one in the world. Every time I was disappointed, I would uninstall the application and get another.
• Mom and Thomas went out to shop since it was the only moment to have quality time together. After shopping, they told me they’re going to be late because a senator invited them for dinner. All I could think of was to call Jax. At least, even if I didn’t know what he looked like, I was sure he was handsome given the different women every week. He could even make me wet and aroused by only hearing his voice.
• “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care about any of it.”
• He always said that, but he would listen to me anyway. “Well... I’m having a problem with my family,” I began. He might not want to hear it, but I just thought he would be the safest person I could talk to. Since there was no one in the house I could talk to, I’d rather speak to a stranger.
• “I told you I don’t listen to any of this. I’d rather talk about our upcoming meeting. I prefer to reserve a room near your apartment so I could pick you up. Just tell me where you live.”
• “Wow, I didn’t know you’re such a gentleman. I thought you don’t do such things?”
• He blew out a sharp breath. “What happened to your family?”
• He certainly knew how to change the subject. “Um, there’s this one person who’s giving me a hard time. My mother wanted me to live with her, but I don’t know any more if I can.”
• “Who’s this person?”
• “My step—” I paused. I never told Jax about Mom’s second marriage or me having a new family. Telling him now would spark an interest about me, but there were times I was also curious to know about him. I wanted to know what he looked like or if he had a Facebook or something since he was into social media. I tended to stalk people when I got too attached.
• “It’s my brother,” I went on, deciding to change the story a little.
• “And you cannot live with your mother because of your brother? Why not?”
• He was not my real brother, and never would be. “He’s just... He’s too complicated. I could say that we’re not close. Of course, I can’t tell my parents that. They wanted me to live with them for so long.”
• “Seriously, Ericka, you’re twenty-eight years old. You are old enough to decide what’s right for you.”
• And twenty-four years was still old enough, but Thomas could be a rigorous father. I was about to say something, but he went on.
• “Hey, I need to hang up,” I heard a sound of a car engine in the background. “Oh, can I call you later?”
• “No. I’ll call you.”
• “Sure,” I murmured.
• He dropped the call.
• And almost instantly, frustration took over me. It was my first day at Thomas’ house, and I was already bored to death. I didn’t know what else to do. I had tried reading a book, but nothing sunk in. I wanted to do new things in a new place. I had no friends to call to or a boyfriend I could ask for a date, and it was already eight o’clock in the evening. Even if I wanted to go out, it would be very late when I came back.
• I felt warm at the moment, then I remembered the swimming pool. The water looked very refreshing. I suddenly wanted to try to swim at the pool where I saw my gorgeous stepbrother. I wanted to find out what was so special about the pool, why was it so inviting.
• With a new twinge of excitement, I walked over to my closet and dug out a swimsuit.
• LUKE
• I was late when I returned home. I was fucking exhausted, so I went up straight to my bedroom and took a shower. I had set up a schedule at the ranch for a few rounds of horseback riding, but then I’d received a call from my lawyer that I needed to visit her office. I also had to go back to the hotel because I need to pick up some legal files.
• After I freshened up, I went downstairs and grabbed a can of beer from the fridge while holding a pile of folders that I needed to work out with this evening. I found Cely carrying a tray with empty plates and glasses coming down from the bedroom floors. I’d known Cely almost my entire life. She had been my nanny, and the shades of her silver hair indicated that she had been with us since forever.
• “Cely, are they home yet?” I was referring to Dad and Gene because they called me earlier saying they went out together. They usually come back late when they have a date. I guessed they’re just early.
• “Oh, good evening, but no, Luke. They’re not home yet,” the head housemaid answered.
• “Then whose plate is this?” I asked, referring to the dishes and utensils they were putting in the sink.
• Ah! I almost forgot. There was a witch at home for vacation.
• “It’s Miss Scarlet’s. She wanted to eat dinner in her room.”
• “Where’s she?”
• “She’s at the swimming pool. Would you like me to prepare something for you?”
• “No. I already ate. Thank you.”
• She smiled. “You’re welcome. Just call me if you need anything.”
• I didn’t answer. And speaking of the witch, I had something urgent to tell her. I needed her to sign a few pages on the transfer of properties. My lawyer needed her presence to finally legalize things.
• I went straight to the swimming pool area. I was about to go near the pool when I caught sight of her, immersed in the water. I walked a little closer and watched her. She did not even notice that I was there. I tossed the folders on the bench and drank the beer to its very last drop. I watched as she swam to the ladder, and pulled herself out of the water.
• She was definitely one of the sexiest women I’d ever laid my eyes on. Clothed in a little black two-piece string swimsuit, she had almost revealed everything. I couldn’t help but admire her body’s perfect proportions. I could see her clearly now. She was curvy, and her breasts were just the perfect size for my palms, which was unlike any woman I preferred.
• Obviously, she wasn’t my type. She wasn’t blonde, but a brunette. One fucking brunette with medium-sized breasts and a tiny waist with a goddess’s face was more than a preference. It would be hard to admit, but I knew that Aries was right. She was beautiful.
• But it made me mad and fucking aroused at the same time. I had fucked numerous women in my life, and I wasn’t some high school kid who could easily get aroused by some woman—who was eight years younger than me. I clenched the beer can; surprisingly it crumpled in my fist. She was truly a witch. She must have done something.
• I had to do something back, at least. I picked up her robe, decided I was going to play with her a little.
• “Looking for this?” I lifted her robe.
• She looked up, surprised. “Luke.” She instantly covered her chest. But even before she shielded her exposed self, I had already got a glimpse of her nipples poking the fabric of her wet swimsuit.
• I gritted through my teeth. Maybe I was fucking so aroused because I had no fucking sex for three weeks straight.
• Maybe...
• “I need to speak with you.”
• Her brows frowned in confusion. “Yes, but give that to me, please.”
• “Come here and get it.” I stepped back. Unfortunately, it was interesting to play with the witch. I wanted to know what she could do. She was probably hiding something behind that innocent face. She couldn’t be that innocent, and I would be the one to discover her secret.
• She walked a few steps forward.
• “Ah!” I lifted the robe. “Get it from me, witch.”
• “Why do you keep calling me that?” she demanded.
• Good. Now she was mad. She moved closer to me with one arm still covering her tits; she ran towards me and reached for the robe with her other hand.
• “Hey! Give that to me.”
• I was taller by foot, and she could never reach it. She jumped and tried to reach it, not noticing she had freed her breasts and they were now pressed against my chest. She didn’t know they were brushing against the thin fabric of my shirt. I almost groaned at the anticipation; it was me who was losing at my own game.
• I must admit, I found her attractive, and there was no point denying that fact. I’d already violated my own rules. I could fuck every woman in the world but not her. She was Gene’s daughter. She was supposed to be my stepsister.
• I realized I had to stop. I lowered my arms and dropped the robe on her shoulders.
• “Easy, witch,” I whispered briskly.
• She pushed my chest away. “Stay away from me. And don’t call me witch. I fucking hate you.” She turned, then picked up her clothes and marched her way out of the area.
• I smirked. “Now is the time to find someone to fuck, man,” I mumbled to myself.
• Perhaps, Ericka?