My Stepbrother Secret

nger in M

padded into the kitchen barefoot and groggy, fully expecting to have the house to myself, the last thi

ark hair was tousled in a perfectly messy way, and he wore nothing but black sweatpants that sat low on his hips. He look

ze on the c

my presence, and met my stunned

lips. His voice was low and slightly hoarse, like he'd been up

nked.

into reality. "Who

s mouth lifting in a lazy grin. "Wo

my eyes. "I

is arms, muscles flexing in a way that felt complete

o

no

s not h

appear if I stared hard enough.

id, shrugging one tattooed

in Vegas. Classic Beth Matthews behavior-falling in love after three months and marrying a guy with a grown son she barely mentioned.

gured himself rig

ou staying?" I

le, like he'd already claim

word echoed in my

't just

ee again like he had all the time in the world. "Tell that to your

ly attractive-but from pure, unfiltered rage. My entire summer had been planned around having

uck sharing s

the cereal box from the top shelf a little more agg

ou don't seem like the kind o

that he could see it. I hated more that I was aware of him-his gaze, his voice, the way

fter a moment. "You're not e

ay to my mouth. "How

beat. "You talk

ped around.

. I heard your mom say it yesterday. Y

wn. I had finals next week, an internship to prepare for, and now a stepbrother who looke

ng. But I could still feel him. He hadn't moved. He was still leaning, still watching

" I muttered wit

intere

ating

ll a lot about someone b

hat have you learned? That I like

d warm and rumbling.

big part, but enough to make me uncomfortable-was curious. About the ink on his body. Abou

someone who shared

or something?" I asked b

"Is that what yo

you were staying

e you shou

. "I'm as

nd his eyes-an edge, a shadow- but

oices," he said vagu

to press further,

Lena. I'm not here to mess u

don't know anythi

ight. But I've lived enou

e t

n your arms, and expectations a mile high. You don't l

"You've known me

a fast

the sink. "You think you're so clever.

watched me with that

im fully. "Whatever you're dealing with, it's not my problem. I'

ust a little. The s

his mug on the way out. Just before he left the kitchen

rincess. I'm not

me breathless, frustrated, and furious with

unded, not because I was afraid, but because he'd gotten under my skin. In less than ten minutes, Jace Sullivan had taken

of all?

at he saw too much. That he said

here to r

did that

stepbrother with an attitude problem and a face straight out of a fever dream. I had a scholarship to protect, a

uzzed on t

Isn't he handsome? Be ni

at the

n

rying to find a table at lunch. He wasn't. He was a grown man with

I typ

ah. I

ng through the summer

kay. But what c

to be living here indefinitely, I needed to figure out how to avoid him without losing my mind

sed door- his new room, formerly the guest room at the end

I don't care what he said. I

esponse from whoever

ay? Don't call again

all ending followe

acing for no reason I could unde

t the door behin

ng in and every hallway was haunted by the presence of a stran

had forced him to move across the country and land in my perfectly controlled life like a bomb. I wante

idn't mean I'

That was a mistake I

that

was...

estate drama, while Jace sat next to me, silent, fork idly pushing

n't e

my reactions more than the conversation. I tried not to let it

silence that had been thick between us. "Have y

t looking up. "Fig

maybe taking some online courses, or getti

ne wasn't disrespectful-it was distant

y mom asked brightly. "Re

the shift in focus. "I start in

p firms in the city," Mark said p

le. "It's just

s voice low and even. "Sou

Only if you care

d his face-amusement, maybe.

ide, and I quickly excused my

nto the bed, staring at the ceiling. It wasn't f

into my world like a test I hadn't studied for. A