Bad Boy - A Stepbrother Romance (48 page)

His usually deep and booming voice is hoarse and tired.

“Why won’t you look at me, Tess?”

I can’t help myself. I spring to my feet, walking over to the door of my bedroom and opening it so fast I startle my stepbrother on the other side.

“I don’t want to look at you,” I tell him sternly, even though my whole body is screaming for me not to do this. “Don’t you get it, Adam? I don’t want anything to do with you.”

He looks so vulnerable, this strong, capable guy who I would trust with my life since the first day I met him. But I can’t let him break me. I’m already doing that all by myself.

Adam’s eyes are heartbroken, but I haven’t dealt the final blow just yet.

“Get away from me, Adam,” I tell him viciously, my words stabbing both of us right through the heart. “I don’t want anything to do with you, I just want you to leave me alone, goddammit! Just let me breathe, and don’t come near me again, you jerk.”

I don’t wait around to see the pain I’ve caused. I shut the door in his face and stand frozen to the spot, still as a statue. After a few long, excruciating moments, I can hear his footsteps as he walks away.

He didn’t even stay and fight for you, a nasty part of my brain reminds me, and that hurts even more than the fact I just severed any tie I had with Adam Monroe.

I guess it’s done now, and there’s no going back. We’re done, and the only person I can blame for breaking us is myself.

That’s probably why it hurts so badly.

It’s been a few weeks since Adam’s lesson in the kitchen, and I’ve thought of nothing else but him. He’s invaded my mind like a burst of flavor, and I can’t help but let him… It’s always been this way, for as long as I can remember.

I feel better, too. A regular job and eating somewhat normally has been doing wonders for me, even though I’m not at a point where I’d care to admit that just yet. But I smile more often and there’s a spring in my step. My hair and nails look better, and I’m… happy. An emotion I haven’t felt, not really, since Adam left for college.

And it’s damn good to have it back.

Even work has been more pleasurable lately, and I’ve especially enjoyed spending time with Bex and Alec. Alec’s always been a darling, but Bex has redeemed herself as well. She’s still apprehensive, but since our little drink-off we’ve established some kind of friendship, or at least respect of one another.

I’ve just wrapped up my shift and am about to head out when Bex spots me in the changing room.

“Hey, newbie,” she calls out and I look up, sticking my tongue out at her.

“Careful before I feed you the deadliest chili imaginable,” she threatens me with a serious voice and I just laugh it off. I’ve come to realize it’s just Bex’s way to tease and taunt others, and it doesn’t bother me nearly as much these days.

“What’s up?” I ask her, pulling up a high-heeled boot I just bought the other week with my paycheck from working at the restaurant. “Did I mess something up again?”

“Probably,” Bex replies with a grin, coming inside the room and popping a big bubble with her gum. “I just wanted to tell you a bunch of us are going to Club Zero tonight for Katelyn’s birthday.”

Katelyn is one of the waitresses at the restaurant, whom I’m on friendly terms with. We’re not particularly close, but my ears perk up at the mention of having a break.

I’ve been all about work lately, and when I’m not buried to my elbows in waitressing, I’ve been thinking about… things and guys that should be off-limits. So Bex has my interest.

“Are you inviting me to go?” I ask Bex curiously, my heart thumping in my chest. I can’t believe I’ve actually made friends here. Someone might actually want me at their birthday party.

“Yeah, Katelyn asked me to tell you,” Bex says carelessly, and that sentence means the world to me. It means I finally belong somewhere, after years of struggling and feeling like I’d never find my place. And it feels fucking good.

“Okay, sure,” I reply, trying to hide my excitement. “I’d love to swing by. Club Zero, you said?”

“Yeah, it’s downtown… You’re staying at Adam’s, right?”

Bex gives me a questioning look and I know full well what she’s implying. She can be manipulative, but I’m not about to be sucked into one of her silly little games.

“Yep,” I reply calmly, my eyes challenging hers to say something about that. We have a mini staring contest, but in the end Bex just laughs and winks at me.

“Alec and I will come pick you up, if you want. Ten P.M. sharp if that works for you?” she offers, and once again, I’m surprised by her sudden change of attitude. One moment, she’s hostile as a hissing cat, and the next she’s offering me a ride to the party.

So strange.

“That sounds perfect,” I reply honestly and we grin at each other before saying our goodbyes.

I begin my walk home down a path I’ve come to know very well during the past few weeks. I’ve been choosing to walk there, loving the scenery that accompanies my journey. Makes a nice change from the industry back at…

Well, I guess it isn’t home anymore.

This is home. Home is where Adam is, my mind reminds me and I blush even though there’s no one around. Ducking my head, I quicken my pace and realize there’s a smile plastered on my face.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about the party. I’m not a big partygoer, but I know how to have fun. I have the perfect dress just waiting for the occasion in my closet, begging to be worn. Paired with my stilettos, it would make me look like a million bucks.

I wonder if Adam will come
, my treacherous mind ponders, and my steps become even faster, desperate to get ready for the evening and filled with hope that stepbrother dearest will make an appearance.

***

It’s a few hours later and I’ve had a little nap and a small snack – something utterly unusual for me, but Adam taught me how to make the best BLT and I’d craved one for lunch. It’s a little later, so I’ll start getting ready in a moment.

I open my closet, trying to dig out the dress I had in mind for tonight’s party when my phone beeps with an incoming text. I pick it up, checking to see if it’s Bex or Alec.

What you up to tonight? I’m just finishing up at work, thought we could catch a movie. A

My heart flutters as I realize the text is from Adam. Guess he doesn’t know about the party yet, then.

My fingers tremble above the phone as I think about my reply. I really, really want Adam to be there tonight. I want to see him loosen up for once, even though he’s fucking hot when he’s in the zone in the kitchen.

Going to Katelyn’s party at Club Zero, you coming too?

I type the reply quickly and hit send before I can change my mind, and then I wait anxiously for Adam’s reply. Ever since our kiss after my cooking lesson, we haven’t done anything… wrong.

We’ve been regular Adam and Tessa, joking and messing about, but I can always feel the tension between us; if not in the air surrounding us, then between my legs, my sex throbbing with a need to be with him.

My phone beeps again and I nearly topple over as I open the text message I just received.

Wasn’t gonna go. Would rather be with you. Might change my mind if you go ;)

Shit, seeing those words on my phone should not make me feel all the butterflies that are currently residing in my stomach, but I’m grinning like a fool as I type a reply.

I’ll see you there, I’m coming with Bex and Alec. DO NOT wear your chef’s coat!!! 

Almost immediately, I get a reply back.

Thought you loved a man in uniform, Tess? ;)

My grin is permanently plastered on my face now.

Only when he’s about to strip it off…

This time, it takes him a moment to reply and I can just imagine his double take as he reads my text message. It makes me giggle out loud.

Then I’m wearing my chef’s coat just for your pleasure. But you gotta do something for me too, sweetheart…

What might that be?

Wear a dress. No panties.

My eyes widen as I read his text. He can’t be serious! I’m not going commando on a night out. But truth be told, his suggestion is making my heart flutter excitedly and I’m totally tempted to do it.

WHAT?!

Gotta cook, doll, hungry people waiting. See you at the club… We’ll see who keeps their promise ;)

I’m grinning, even though I’m feeling freaked out by our conversation. This is the most Adam and I have flirted, and maybe the first time we’ve acted like a normal pair of people who have the hots for each other. And it’s turning me on already, knowing what he’s asked of me tonight.

I just might do it, too…

My hand lingers over my lingerie drawer, picking up a pair of red lacy panties… I’ve already taken them out, but I change my mind at the last minute. Putting them back in the drawer, I close it with a thud and laugh out loud as I start to get dressed.

No panties it is, then.

***

“Get your ass downstairs!”

The yell is followed by loud honking, and I rush down the stairs in my sky-high heels. I take one last look at my reflection in the full-length mirror in the hall, pleased with what I’m seeing for once.

I’m wearing a skintight red dress with a peplum on the waist. It pushes up my breasts and is just long enough to be decent. I’ve paired it with a pair of black ankle boots and a small black clutch. My makeup is red lipstick and cat eyeliner, and my hair falls in rich, voluminous waves down my back.

I’m grinning as I lock the front door and rush towards the car waiting for me. Bex is behind the wheel, with Alec in the driver’s seat. He wolf whistles when he sees me, giving me an appraising look.

“Damn girl, you clean up nice,” Bex says appreciatively and I feel a blush coming on, hoping Adam agrees with her opinion.

“If you weren’t off limits, I’d be working some lame one-liners on you,” Alec agrees solemnly and I give him a strange look.

“Off limits?” I repeat, wondering what he means by that.

“I just meant- OW, you bitch!” Bex just kicked Alec and we nearly swerved off the road. Remind me never to get in a car with her as the driver again…

Swiftly, Bex changes the topic and we chat about restaurant stuff as we drive towards our destination. Several times, I literally fear for my life. Bex is a horrible driver, and that’s an understatement!

We park in an obscure alley and I’m kind of worried about the whole area, but as soon as we turn the corner, we arrive at a more respectable street, bustling with life. There’s a huge flashing neon sign above a club proclaiming its name, and a long winding row of people waiting to get inside.

“Do we have to wait?” I ask Alec, already dreading standing in line with my killer heels. Bex just laughs it off, though, shaking her head.

“Our poor naïve little girl,” she says to Alec and he grins back at her. “What do you say, Al, shall we show her the ropes?”

“Most definitely,” Alec agrees with a grin, and we head right for the entrance to the club while other people sulk, seeing us stroll up to the bouncer.

Bex kisses him on the cheek and the huge guy’s eyes glisten as he takes in her appearance. She does look amazing in a short leather dress, her hair straightened. Like some kind of femme fatale, or a dominatrix. No wonder the bouncer has googly eyes.

A few words whispered in the guy’s ear, and all three of us are in.

The club is booming with loud music and bustling with people. Everyone’s dancing and having a good time, and my heart beats excitedly in my chest. Up till now, I haven’t gone out much, apart from the parties I attended as a model.

But those were filled with drugs, alcohol and bad behavior, and I always ended up waking up the next day with a horrible, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. This seems different somehow.

“Guys! Over here!”

An excited shout greets us, and all three of us look in the direction where the woman’s voice is coming from.

It’s Katelyn, teetering on her nude pumps. By the looks of her, the birthday girl’s already had a celebratory drink… or three.

We make our way to the table where several people who work at the restaurant are lounging. Bex and I are greeted with loud exclamations, with everyone telling us how amazing we look. It makes Alec complain why he’s not getting any attention, and in seconds, we’re all laughing our heads off.

For once, I feel like I belong. These are my people, my friends, my co-workers, and they actually wanted me to be here. It’s an amazing feeling and my heart swells in my chest, knowing I’m welcome at a party for once.

My eyes are already scanning the crowd as everyone starts talking over the noise of the music, but Adam is nowhere to be seen. I can’t fight the disappointment, but I can only hope he’ll show up later… Might as well have some fun in the meantime, though.

“Tessa, we’re having shots,” Alec informs me loudly, and I shake my head in protest. I’ve never liked alcohol much, not having a strong stomach for the stuff. And I really don’t want to get drunk tonight.

“I don’t really like to drink,” I manage just above the level of the music, but I’m only met with strange looks and stares, which make me laugh out loud. “Fine, maybe just one drink.”

Bex links hands with me and we head towards the bar with a few other people. In moments, a bartender gives us twenty shot glasses filled with some foul smelling liquid, and Bex starts downing them like a champ.

She gives me a challenging look as I fidget next to her.

“Hey chicken, you don’t need to prove yourself again. You’ve already done that. But you might want to loosen up, get that freaking stick out of your ass!”

Her words are harsh, but they make me smile nonetheless. “Is that a dare?” I ask with raised eyebrows and Bex laughs it off.

“If it helps get you relaxed, sure, it’s a dare, honey!”

I don’t need to be told twice.

I step up to the bar; grabbing a shot glass and downing it in one go. The liquid warms my throat but doesn’t burn as badly as the stuff we drank at the restaurant that one time. In fact, it feels kind of pleasant… and in moments, I can feel the effect it’s having on my body.

And it’s not all that bad, to be honest.

Bex and I finish our line of shots along with Katelyn, who’s wearing a pink feather boa and a birthday girl tiara. She’s loudly proclaiming her love for Harry Styles from One Direction, and within a few minutes, I’m feeling tipsy and giggly.

Bex was right. I feel comfortable now and I can’t wait to get on the dance floor.

“People just don’t get it,” Katelyn says with an exasperated sigh. “He’s so totally hot. Like crazy hot. And they wouldn’t care about the age difference, would they, Tess? I mean, it’s only a couple of years. Harry and I would be totes cute together.”