TASTE: A Stepbrother Romance (4 page)

Grandma grins, “I can’t believe you are old enough to be engaged. The time just flies by. Come here and give an old woman a hug, Richard.”

I watch as she embraces Richard as if she has known him for years. I have always adored my grandmother’s accepting nature. “Let’s get inside kids, everyone else is already here.”

Richard bends down to retrieve the suitcases he had set down. “You can leave those, son, Charles will get them for you,” Grams states.

Richard gives me a questioning look. “That’s the butler,” I inform him.

He snickers and says quietly to only me, “They have a butler named Charles?”

I elbow him in the side, “I know it’s kind of cliché, but keep it down,” I hiss.

He throws me an apologetic smile and I lace fingers through his. We enter the very large and expensively decorated foyer and follow my grandmother towards the living room.

“Alice, Richard, you’re finally here,” I hear my mom say. She walks over to embrace the both of us.

Jared is close behind her.

“Hi Jared,” I say throwing my arms around him. I have become quite fond of my mother’s husband over the past few years.

“Hey, kiddo. How are you?” He asks with affection.

“I’m great. You remember Richard.”

He releases me and extends his hand, “Nice to see you again, Richard.”

“Alright, alright everybody clear the way. Let me have a look at my little angel,” a raspy voice interrupts. We all turn to see my grandfather ambling down the stairs. His eyes search the room until they land on me. “There she is. My little Alice is all grown up.”

I let out a giggle and run into his arms just like I use to as a child. “Hi, Gramps, how are you, old man?”

“Better now that you are here,” he rasps.

I take his hand and lead him to Richard. “Gramps, I want you to meet my fiancé, Richard.”

He grips Richard’s hand, “A pleasure to meet you young man. It takes a special man to steal our little Alice’s heart.”

“Indeed it does,” says an all too familiar voice.

I frown, scanning the room. I have already seen and greeted everyone. Why am I hearing Damon’s voice? My eyes swerve to a floor to ceiling window and finally land on a figure partially hidden in the shadows. I draw in a sharp breath when he steps forward and the light hits his face. He is grinning at me wickedly. I stare at the man wide-eyed.
Damon?
My breathing along with my heart stops momentarily. Hatred mixed with pure appreciation for his magnificent male form hits me hard. Something stirs inside of me, but I can’t identify it. It could be hatred; it could be lust. My body and mind are thrown into a confused frenzy.
What the hell is he doing here?

Chapter Five

“Hello, Alice,” he drawls. “You’re looking quite lovely.” His eyes swipe lazily over my body. Although I am aware that his look can’t be one of attraction, my body still comes alive.

“D-Damon… w-what- I thought you weren’t going to make it.” My eyes are still wide and my heart beat feels a bit too erratic in my chest.

“I almost didn’t, but I was able to get out of work the last minute.”

He is smiling slightly as my traitorous body flushes profusely. My eyes discretely travel down the length of his body. He looks better than he ever has. I swallow hard, noticing the way his leather jacket is stretched across his broad shoulders. His blond hair is tousled and a bit too long. He is absolutely gorgeous and still looks very much the bad boy. I don’t doubt that he still is. His green eyes twinkle and he raises an eyebrow.

His amused expression drags me out of my stupor. “Uh, that’s great,” I say breathlessly. What is going on with me? I’m supposed to feel nothing but hatred for him. Yet, here I am appreciating how good he still looks. I am filled with self loathing at the moment. I need serious psychological help. His eyes travel downward to my left hand, and my gaze follows his. He is staring at the ring on my finger.

He slowly lifts his gaze to my face. “So, you are engaged? That’s nice.”

“Oh, I-yes I am.” I turn toward Richard whose existence I had temporarily forgotten. “Damon, meet Richard Pierce.”

Richard steps forward and Damon stretches out his hand. They shake hands. I watch, completely annoyed while the two size each other up. Though he is my fiancé and I love him, Richard really has nothing on Damon. Damon is taller, more muscular, darker and looks like he can hold his own in a brawl. Richard on the other hand is thin and mild-mannered. They're both blond, but even something about Damon's
hair
is superiorly sexy.

I clear my throat, placing myself beside my fiancé.

“Um, Richard, Damon is uh…”

“Her stepbrother,” Damon finishes.

I see Richard’s shoulder relax a bit as he realizes that Damon is not his competition.

If he only knew.

Before I can say a word, Damon asks, “Aren’t you going to give your big brother a hug, Alice? I haven’t seen you in almost three years.” I see the mischief in his eyes.

If there weren’t so many witnesses present I would throttle him.

I let out a nervous laugh and turn to see Richard looking at me expectantly. I reluctantly move toward the tall hunk of gorgeous flesh. Large, strong arms engulf me and my feet are lifted off the floor. Startled I throw my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life. He swings me around “It is really good to see you,
little sister
.”

My body is stiff in his embrace because I am fighting with myself to not enjoy the physical contact. I lean back in his embrace to glare at him. He puts me down with a soft chuckle. “Well, didn’t you miss me, Alice?” He asks mockingly.

I straighten my sweater, a bit disappointed that he has broken contact. “Of course,
brother
,” I bite out. “I’m so glad you could make it,” I say the words for everyone else to hear but I give him a pointed look which tells him I don’t mean a word that I say.

“Thanks, Alice, I’m glad to be here,” he says. “I look forward to catching up with you.” I look away when he smirks at me.

“Alright, everyone," Grams chimes in. “Why don’t you all get settled in? Dinner will be ready soon. Marie you already know which room you and Jared are in.” She turns to me, “Alice you know your usual room. Richard is in the room to your left and Damon is in the room to your right. Will you be a dear and escort them up?”

“Sure, Grams,” I utter weakly. My shoulders droop. “Well isn’t this just fitting,” I whisper under my breath. I am put in between the man I am supposed to marry and the man that I have loved since I was a teenager. “Follow me, gentlemen.”

As I show Richard his room, Damon stands patiently in the hallway. “Thanks, babe,” Richard says. “I’ll just settle myself in. You must want to catch up with Damon. I’ll catch you later.” He pulls me in for a kiss before I can tell him that I will be right back because I don’t intend to spend any time with Damon.

A sharp intake of breath interrupts our make-out session. Richard’s head pops up to look at Damon standing just outside the door. He smiles sheepishly, “Sorry, man. I guess it must be a little weird to see some strange guy groping your sister.”

“
Step
sister,” I correct. Richard shrugs and releases me. I glance toward Damon, a bit embarrassed by what he has just witnessed.

His jaw is clenched and his posture is rigid. I frown, wondering what his problem is. I’m sure he has kissed plenty of women. Why would he be offended by witnessing another couple share a kiss? Suddenly the memory of the way he kissed me in my bedroom three years ago assails me. I can actually feel his lips on mine. I am getting overheated.

I quickly put some distance between Richard and myself. “I-I’m going to show Damon to his room, Rich, I’ll see you in a bit.” He gives me a little pat on the behind as I walk away.

Damon cocks an eyebrow. “It seems your fiancé can’t keep his hands to himself,” he mutters after Richard closes his door.

“What do you care?” I snap. I stomp off and he follows.

“Come on, Alice. What is with the hostility?” he asks.

I push open the door to his room and indicate for him to go it. “Are you seriously asking me that? After what you did to me, I’d say that my attitude toward you is more civil than you deserve.”

He releases a sigh. “That was three years ago.”

“Actually three days from now will make it three years,” I hiss. “And the time doesn’t matter, not to me.”

He is standing with his luggage in his hand, studying me intently. “Well aren’t you going to go in?”

He moves forward, taking me by the arm and pulling me into the room in one swift motion. I gasp as I stumble inside. “Hey, what is your problem?” I ask utterly irritated.

He pushes the door closed and turns to face me. “I think its full time you forgive and forget, Alice.”

I place my hands on my hips and give him my most hateful stare. “Forgive and forget?
Never
. You humiliated me. You took pictures to send to your friends for crying out loud. I had no idea you were so-so
cruel."

He seems pained. Rubbing his hand behind his neck, he takes a step toward me. I immediately take a defensive step back. “I was an immature idiot. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. The damage has already been done.” I walk toward the door, desperately needing to get away from him. Before I can pull the door open and make my escape, his fingers wrap around my wrist.

He tugs me gently toward him. “Your mother is married to my father. We are bound to find ourselves in each other’s presence many times, just like this holiday get-together. Don’t you think we should make an effort to get along?”

I glare up at him. “There is no need for that. I have managed to avoid you for three years. We are only in the same house because of a slight misunderstanding. It won’t happen again.”

I make a mental note to pay my dear mother a visit and let her experience the brunt of my anger.

“Okay, now you are the one being immature.”

“Excuse me? There is nothing immature about my behavior. I hate your guts, Damon. How else do you expect me to act around you?”

He drops my hand from his grip and something akin to pain flashes in his eyes.

I am taken aback by what I have just witnessed.

My anger dissipates slightly at the thought that I might have actually hurt his feelings. I don’t know why I even care; he deserves all of my hatred and anger.

“Do you really hate me, Alice?”

No.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He sighs in defeat. He runs a hand over his face. His jaw clenches and his entire demeanor changes. All traces of pain and sadness quickly disappears and the wicked smirk that always seems to be on his lips returns.

I blink, surprised and confused by the quick transformation.

He takes slow steps toward me until he is way too close.

I take several steps back, stopping as my back hits the door.

He towers over me, making me feel small, like he did three years ago. Weird things are happening inside my body because of his close proximity.

He lifts his hands to place his palms flat against the door on either side of my head, effectively caging me in.

I am staring wide-eyed into a sea of green. “I can change that, you know.”

“W-what are you t-talking about,” I stutter. It is hard to ignore the fact that his lips are mere inches from mine. If he lowers his head just a little bit…

He smiles. “I can melt that frigid barrier that you put up around yourself. I did it once and I can do it again. I can make you melt at my feet, crave and love every touch that I offer.”

I gulp. He might just be right. I can feel myself melting already. I want him to cover the inches between us and kiss me. I clench my fists. The diamond ring on my finger bites into my flesh and his spell over me is instantly broken. My eyes narrow to slits. I push roughly against his chest with all of my strength. He steps back, startled by my action. “Get away from me, you perverted jerk. Are you that self absorbed to think that I will fall into your bed like every other woman you’ve nailed? I’m engaged for goodness' sake. Have you no respect?” I am now riled up to the extreme. I step toward him, pointing my finger into his chest. “Nothing you do will ever make me forgive you. And how dare you talk about touching your
stepsister?
”

He lets out a snort, “We are not related by blood, so that title is lost on me, Alice. I can talk about and think about touching you as much as I like. In fact I
can
touch you as much as I like.”

I let out a shriek as I am pulled roughly against him. I gasp when his lips capture mine without warning. I struggle against him but his grip tightens around my waist. All I have managed to do is wiggle my body closer to his. His mouth moves and I am lost. My mind is telling me to push at him and force him to release me, but my body betrays me. I can’t believe nor can I explain my own physical reaction to the man I’m supposed to hate. I suddenly melt, just like he predicted. My body becomes pliant against his. He lifts a hand to tilt my head back so that he can deepen the kiss. My lips part slightly, allowing his tongue to slide into the warmth of my mouth. I whimper in response.

I yank my lips away from him when I hear Richard’s voice from the hallway.

Damon releases me abruptly and I stumble back. I stare at him horror. I nearly growl when I see the satisfied look on his face. “Aly, where are you?” Richard calls.

I wipe the back of my hands over my lips and straighten my clothes, on the verge of panic. I can’t believe I allowed Damon to kiss me like that with my fiancé just two doors down.

Damon grins and walks toward the door to pull it open. “She’s in here, Richard.”

I watch in amazement as he leans casually against the open door to address him. “I’m afraid I’m being a bit selfish with our little
Aly
. We haven’t seen each other in years, you see. We have so much catching up to do. I was just about to grill her about you when we heard you call.”

Richard laughs, “Ah, the protective big brother. I know how it is, I have two younger sisters. I’m sorry for interrupting, man. I just missed her. You know how it is.”

Damon smiles coolly, “Yeah I know how it is,” he says softly.

I quickly step toward the door. “Richard, why don’t you go to my room and wait for me? I’ll be there in a minute. I’m getting tired of Damon’s
big brother
questions anyway.”

Richard chuckles and heads to my room.

I step back into Damon’s room. “Are you insane? How dare you kiss me like that?”

He grins, “Based on your reaction, I would say that you enjoyed it,
Aly
.”

“Don’t call me that,” I hiss. “What we just did can never happen again. It will
not
happen again.”

He lifts his hand to caress my cheek, “That’s where you’re wrong sweetness. I will have you before the night ends.”

My mouth opens and closes several times. My chest is heaving; I can’t even speak. I let out a growl and wheel around, dashing out the door and marching to my room. I hear his low mocking laughter carry down the hallway. It dawns on me that I might not be able to resist him. All he did was kiss me and every sane thought I had evaporated. I drop my head in my hands.
Holy shit, I’m in trouble.

I have to be stronger than this. I can’t allow anything else to happen with Damon.

Not with my fiancé under the same roof... or
ever
.

Plus, our parents are married to each other.
Talk about inappropriate.

I let out a groan before I enter my room to face Richard. I try my best to act normal.