Infatuation: A Rebel Stepbrother Romance (6 page)

Her lips turn up and she nods. “Let’s do this.”

Every part of my body aches when the morning sun stabs me in the eyes.

“What the fuck?”

Beach. Bench.

“Fuck.”

I jerk upright so fast, my head spins. I have to sit there for a minute until everything stops moving.

“Ella.”

The last thing I want her to think is that I hooked up with someone last night. How could I be so careless?

Well, I hadn’t been thinking. I’d been drunk. Worried I’d try to fuck my girl if I stepped into the room. When the reality is I probably couldn’t have gotten my liquor-dick up even if she’d gotten on her knees—

Nope. I would’ve gotten it up for
that
.

When I amble up the stairs at the B&B, of course the first person I run into is Ella. Great.

“Hey, are you okay? You never came back. I was worried about you.”

Her earnest concern strikes me dumb for a second. “I’m okay, sweet stuff. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You look like you slept on a park bench.”

Ducking my head, I run my fingers through my hair and glance up at her. “I sorta did.”

“Why?”

“It was late. I didn’t want to wake you. I took a walk and sat on one of the benches. I guess the ocean hypnotized me to sleep.”

Her lips part. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”

The words themselves are teasing, but she’s so serious I don’t know how to respond. She reaches up and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. “I missed you.”

My hand shoots out and grabs her arm, holding her in place. Her eyes widen. Maybe she’s about to protest, to tell me to stop, because we’re in plain view.

But I don’t give her a chance. My mouth slants over hers, and she responds immediately. Her warm, smooth lips slide against mine. Her lips part, allowing my tongue to slide along hers.

Someone clears their throat.

Ella stares up at me with wide eyes when we part, then turns to face Stu.

“Morning.” Stu grins, and I know it’s killing him not to hassle me. “What’s up, kids?”

Ella shakes her head as bright pink stains her cheeks.

“Ella, I’m just messing with you. About time you two work things out. This dumb fuck’s nuts about you. Fucker wouldn’t even get a lap dance last night.”

“Thanks, bro.”

A smirk plays over Ella’s lips. Then she turns serious. “He’s my stepbrother.”

Stu’s shoulders lift. “So? You’re not really related. Who cares?”

Okay, this time I’m thankful for his big mouth. Maybe if she hears it from someone besides me, it’ll sink in that it’s okay for us to be together.

Silence turns to awkwardness and Stu shifts. “Well, thanks for taking my mind off things. I’m nervous as all hell.”

Ella stares at him. “Why?”

“Come on, Ella. We all know Summer’s out of my league. I’m just hoping she doesn’t figure it out before she says
I do
.”

Her hand settles on his shoulder. It’s an innocent gesture, but it raises the beast in me anyway. “Aw, Stu, she’s giddy as a school girl today. She loves you so much. You’re perfect together.”

“Yeah, and I think she feels sorry for you,” I add, just to be helpful.

“Big help,” Ella mutters under her breath, and I grin at her.

“See you two later,” Stu says before taking off.

“I better go take care of Summer.”

I catch Ella’s hand before she takes a step. “You look beautiful. I wanted you to know that before things get crazy today.”

Her lips part, and she swallows hard before answering. “Thank you.”

Chapter Eight

“Let’s get this party started!” Lena shouts as she enters the hallway we’re clustered in.

The photographer motions us outside for photos.

“I’m so nervous, Ella,” Summer whispers as I help her down the stairs.

“Why?”

“I love him so much. What if he doesn’t show up?”

Laughter bubbles out of me. “Oh, honey. You have no idea how perfect you are for each other.”

After a billion pictures, we proceed to the beach. It’s a quick ceremony. Nerves keep me from processing all of it. My shaky hands almost drop the wedding band, and I briefly panic that it will get swallowed up in the sand and be gone forever.

But everything goes smoothly. As my two friends pledge their eternal love for each other, my gaze strays to Flynn. He’s so handsome, my head hurts.

He winks, and my cheeks warm.

After the ceremony, we party. The barbeque smells amazing, but I barely taste a thing.

“Dance with me, lil’ sis,” Flynn asks. I’d been so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear his approach.

He’s offering me his hand when I turn, but he doesn’t wait for me to take it. Instead, he grabs my hips and yanks me to him.

“Wedding’s over, sweet stuff. Time for us to talk,” he whispers in my ear.

His lips against my hair spark a fire inside me. “Flynn, no.”

“Yes, Ella.”

Over his shoulder, I spot Lena sneaking up behind Flynn. She wraps her arms around his waist. “Hey, baby.”

His jaw clenches so tight, he can barely spit out, “Not now, Lena.”

She storms off, and he turns back to me. “I’m sorry. Where were we?”

“This morning, she told me you two spent the night together,” I say, just to see his reaction.

His jaw drops. “Absolutely not. We’ve been over for a long time, Ella.”

“I knew she was lying. She told us she spent the night in
your
room.”

The grin returns to his face. “Oh, you should have led with that.”

“I just wanted to see your reaction.”

“No games, Ella. No more. You and—”

Stu’s father interrupts to talk business. I politely excuse myself and head for the surf. Tiny waves trickle over my toes. After the stressful day, the cool, salty water refreshes me.

“Are you cold?” Flynn calls out.

Without turning around, I answer. “No. It feels good.”

He slips his arms around my waist and pulls me tight against his chest. He props his chin on top of my head, and we stare out at the water together.

After a few minutes of silence, his mouth brushes against my ear. “We’re finishing one of our kisses, Ella.”

“Finish how?”

His hands slide down to my hips so he can turn me to face him. “You know how.”

My hands press against his chest, but of course, moving him back is impossible. My heart thumps wildly at the images his words conjure up.

“You know that’s a bad idea.” The more I say it, the less convinced I am.

“I know no such thing.”

The air around us shifts. The breeze off the water turns to a chilling blanket around my shoulders. Cold radiates up from the sand.

“Come on, you’re shivering.” His low voice knocks the fight out of me, and I nod. His arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me close. God, how I love being close to him.

We don’t speak on the way back to our room. We nod and say hello to guests as we pass them, but we don’t say a word to each other.

Once we’re in our room, there are no words either. He leans forward and kisses me. All the excuses I came up with on the way here wash away when his lips touch mine.

Soft kisses. But so different than the ones I remember from high school. Firmer than before. More commanding and sure.

A groan slips out of my mouth before I can capture it. He answers with one of his own. His hands move to the back of my head, carefully undoing the barrettes holding my hair up.

With gentle, teasing licks, he tastes me and I respond eagerly. My body takes over my mind, silencing all the reasons why this is a huge mistake.

The longer we kiss and touch, the stronger the wave of arousal tugs at me. His kisses turn harder, his mouth more demanding, as he walks me backward until the bed hits the backs of my legs.

His hands turn me, so he can work my zipper down, letting my dress pool at my feet. I step out of it and bend over to pick it up. Flynn takes the opportunity to clamp down on my hips, pulling my ass into his crotch so I can feel exactly how much he wants me.

I toss my dress to the couch and stand up, pressed so tightly against his chest. His hands move up to cup my breasts.

“Ella, you have no idea how many nights I’ve wanted you back in my arms,” he whispers.

It will cost me too much to admit I’ve wanted the same thing.

“Turn around.”

Of course I do it. How could I not?

I watch as he unbuttons his sleeves. Then he works the shirt loose, inch after inch of his firm chest revealed to my greedy eyes.

“You looked good today,” I say.

His mouth lifts in a half smile. “Thanks, sweet stuff.”

Once he shrugs out of his shirt, his eyes meet mine again. I’m struck dumb by the tattoos coloring his chest, shoulders and halfway down his arms. Not thick, frat-boy, tribal arm bands. No, these are beautiful, intricate tribal lines, mixed with woven Celtic knots in shades of blue and black.

“This must have taken forever,” I say, tracing my fingers over the designs.

“Yes.”

“You’re such a rebel. Your father will kill you. Isn’t it bad for the corporate image?”

A pained smile flashes across his face. “Not that much of a rebel. I can still hide it under my pretentious suits.”

I pull my gaze from his ink to his face. “It’s a secret, between you and—”

“You and me, Ella. Say it.” The set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes both frightens and excites me.

“Whatever this is, won’t last beyond this weekend.”

He chuckles, low and dark. A blip of fear skips through me. “Wrong again, lil’ sister.”

I ignore his comment and watch as he works open his belt. My eyes briefly shut. The ticking of his zipper makes me open them. He’s magnificent, even more so than I remember, because he’s a man now. Every muscle and line defined. Snug boxer-briefs hide what I remember was an impressive package.

I’ve been staring at him for so long, I forgot that I’m still in my underwear. He cocks an eyebrow at me, then reaches around to unhook my bra. Before I can protest or give my okay, he drops it on the floor.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remember.”

It’s a simple compliment, but it rocks me anyway.

We end up tangled on the bed together, his hands everywhere—in my hair, running over my shoulder, cupping my breasts. Too many places. Too many sensations.

I still have my panties on, and it adds an obscene element. Especially when his fingers dip under the material. My body jumps, hips arching without my permission, to offer myself to his seeking fingers.

His sure, steady touch elicits a quivering in my body. He never pauses in his travels to get where he wants. “Spread your legs, Ella,” he commands. My legs open automatically.

While his fingers graze my lips, he leans in and takes another kiss. One finger slips inside, dragging my wetness higher. I gasp and hiss, breaking our lip lock when he reaches my clit. He’s barely touching, circling gently, but the building pressure almost hurts in its intensity.

“I remember how sensitive you are.” He groans. “But this won’t be two clueless kids fumbling around, Ella. Are you ready for that?”

I can’t find any words to answer him, but I moan. His mouth presses against the column of my neck, licking, tasting, even nipping my skin. “This time I’ll fuck you so thoroughly, you’ll never run from me again.”

“I—I didn’t,” I stammer out.

“Not at first. But later? Yes, you did.”

He adds more pressure and I gasp. My hands circle his forearm, holding him tightly, either asking for more or trying to push him away. I’m not sure.

His words break my heart. Leaving him wasn’t a choice I made willingly.