Authors: Jessica Miller
Chapter 3
Liz
I listened to my mother telling Hunter that I would be right over.
What the hell.
“Are you kidding me Mom?” I asked with exasperation as my mother hung up the phone and looked at me with her big, brown, doe eyes.
“Baby, I just really want this week to go well and for us to become a family. Please, just go help him out. Hunter is rugged, but he really isn’t the type to end up in jail, just this once Liz,
please
,” I grabbed my purse and glanced at Seth, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, smiling.
“Fine, just this once. I am on vacation you know. I hope my Christmas present is amazing,” I grumbled and my mother hugged me tightly before I followed Seth through the house out to his truck. “Do you remember which station she said he was at?” I asked and Seth nodded as we got into his truck and he started it up.
“Not that I’m saying this is in any way okay, but Hunter isn’t the type that’s like in and out of jail or anything. He used to be a Marine. He’s usually a straight and narrow guy, sure rugged around the edges, but still not the type to break any laws, or serious laws anyway,” Seth said. I wondered why they were all defending this Hunter guy.
“You’re just as blinded as Mom, aren’t you?” I said with disbelief. Seth sighed deeply and glanced at me.
“You know if you visited more often, or at all, you’d know that James and his family are good people. We all get along great,” Seth said. I shook my head and fell silent. I didn’t want to argue over Seth and Mom’s new family. I did have to say one thing though, just to open Seth’s eyes a little bit.
“Just because this Hunter doesn’t get arrested, doesn’t mean he is a law-abiding citizen, he’s just never been caught before. It’s all the same with these biker types Seth, I’m just saying.”
“You’re just like dad…” he said under his breath and I pretended that I didn’t hear him.
When we pulled up to the police station, he parked on the street and we exited his truck. We headed into the building and to the main reception. I spoke to the officer at the front desk, telling her that I was counsel for Hunter Schwartz and needed to speak to the officers that arrested him and the two ‘gentlemen’ he was with. Reluctantly, the officer called over two of the four involved in the arrest and I pulled them aside with a slightly flirtatious smile.
“Hi! My name is Liz Roland,” I introduced myself and shook both officers’ hands. The two men seemed susceptible enough to my ‘charm’ and I knew I’d be able to sweet talk them into dropping the charges against Hunter and his friends. “So, just a quick question. Have you filed a full report on the warehouse vandalism yet?” I asked and licked my lips slowly, while I waited for their answer. Both pairs of eyes darted to my lips before returning to my eyes.
“Well, we haven’t filed the full report, yet, Ma’am. To be honest, we only booked them because we are trying to crack down on the gang activity that’s leaking into Rochester; outlaw biker clubs included. When we got the tip there was a bunch of bikers roaring off into the forest, we had to check it out,” one of the officers explained. I nodded and brightened my smile a bit.
“Oh. Well, these guys haven’t been arrested for anything else before. Do you think taking them in and impounding their bikes was lesson enough? Do we really have to go through a mound of paperwork for a little noise, and beer drinking?” I asked as I smiled broadly and prettily. Both cops looked a little bashful.
“You’re right Ma’am, and it is the holidays…” the other cop said. I nodded, and sighed softly.
“Yeah, I just flew in from Colorado to spend the holiday and imagine, to my dismay hear that my
brother
was taken to jail over what sounded like a good time spent with his biker friends,” I said and the cops were sold. They assured me that they would let it go for now, but the next time they picked up any of these guys for any sort of mischief, they were going through with the charges. After that, Seth and I waited for Hunter and his friends to be released.
“Hey Hunt!” Seth called the attention of a guy who had just walked through the door separating the lobby from the holding area. He was followed by two guys, but my attention was solely on Hunter. He was stunning, in every way a girl could imagine a bad boy would be. He had jet black hair that was pulled into a messy ponytail and the diamond-shaped face with angular jaw and chin. He had a hawkish nose and intense stare under wing-tipped brows. His eyes though, they were the brightest blue and very intense. He was tall. Probably around six foot three, like my brother. I tried to be discreet as I let my eyes slide down his body and take in every muscular inch.
“You must be the angel who got our charges dropped, thank you.” One of Hunters friends spoke up and when they reached us, he picked me up into a big bear hug.
“Charlie man, you don’t even know the woman, put her down,” Hunter said, with a deliciously raspy voice. He stepped forward when Charlie put me down and extended his hand to me. “Thanks for getting us out of this mess. I owe you a serious debt.” I shook Hunter’s hand and shook myself out of the daze I was in.
“It was nothing really. I just hope you guys have learned your lesson,” I said, and both Hunter and his other friend nodded, Charlie smirked. I wondered if he was the actual mastermind behind their illegal actions. “Well let’s get out of here then,” I said and glanced at Seth.
“We’ve actually gotta get our bikes, I know it’s gonna cost a ridiculous amount to get it out of the impound too,” Charlie grumbled.
“But, probably cheaper than the cost of a lawyer,” Hunter said and winked at me. “After that, how about you let us treat you to a drink? It’s the least we can do,” Hunter asked, with an easy charm. He smiled sincerely and I was about to decline until I caught Seth’s expression. He actually
wanted
his little sister to go and hang out with a bunch of bikers?
“Uh, sure I guess,” I said and then added, “I am on vacation so why not.” Seth smiled and the guys discussed picking up their bikes. Hunter would ride his back to our parents’ house and swap it for his truck. I rode with Seth and agreed to actually go with Hunter once we got to the house. I had to wait a little while for Hunter to get back and I took the opportunity to change into a much more attractive sweater. It was low cut in the front and lilac in color that played off of my violet-colored eyes, making them seem actually purple.
By the time I got back downstairs, Hunter was just getting in.
Chapter 4
Hunter
Jesus. She was going to kill me.
Liz was
hot.
One of the sexiest women I have come across in a long time. She had a sexy hourglass figure. Her fiery red hair framed her face and fell in waves down her back. She had flawless skin that looked airbrushed and delicious-looking, plump pink lips. Her long lashes framed deep blue eyes that captured me the most. I had to remember that this was my new sister, and nothing more. Seth would probably kill me if he knew I had caught a semi while staring at her.
“Hey, you ready to go? The guys are waiting outside,” I asked and Liz nodded with a small smile. I smirked and gestured for her to follow me out to the truck I had parked in the long drive. Our parents had gone big when buying their ‘forever’ home. The house was two stories, but had three wings and a fancy brick façade as well as a wraparound porch. Everything inside had been updated, and spacious as well. Apparently they were expecting the house to be ‘filled with grandkids,’ and such.
“So, where are we going to get drinks?” Liz asked, as I reached to open the passenger door for her. My four-by-four was a big truck and I slid my hands around her waist, to help her up. Sure my hand was a bit lower than her waist and brushed the top of her round ass, but she didn’t complain. I shut the door once she was in the truck and then Charlie yelled at me from down the drive. I waved my hand dismissively at him before I got in and backed down the drive, to follow him and John to the bar. When we got to the dive bar, all the guys were there shooting pool and drinking beers. They cheered when we walked through the doors.
“They’re free! We thought y’all had gotten twenty-five to life!” one of the guys hollered obnoxiously. Another one of the guys eyed Liz, and I stuck by her side and pulled her towards the bar.
“Order anything you like, it’s on my tab,” I said and Liz smiled at me in thanks before she ordered an Old Fashioned from the bartender.
“Just to let you boys know, it’s last call come three thirty,” the bartender said and I nodded. I checked my watch. We still had a good hours’ worth of hanging out to do. I ordered a beer, and while we waited for our drinks, I took the time to get to know Liz a little bit.
“So, you’ve lived in Colorado your whole life, huh?” I asked and Liz nodded.
“Yeah pretty much. I love it there. We get all four seasons and who doesn’t like the mountain air,” Liz said and I chuckled.
“People who live at sea level that’s one,” I said and she rolled her eyes. “But seriously, how come it took you so long to come out here and visit your mom?” I asked. Liz stiffened a little and her brows furrowed.
“What are you trying to say?” she asked and I held my hands up in surrender.
“I’m just telling it how I see it. Ever since your mom moved out here to New York, you haven’t been to see her. You even skipped out on her and dad’s wedding party.” I pointed out and Liz shrugged uncomfortably.
“That party was on my dad’s birthday; she knows why I didn’t come. All the other times I’ve just been too busy with work to arrange a visit across the country,” Liz said vaguely. I knew there was more to it, but I didn’t want to pry and leave a bad impression.
“I get it, and it’s okay, at least you finally made it. My dad and brother will be psyched to meet you,” I said and Liz nodded absently as the bartender had returned with her drink. “Yeah, and you’ll fit right in you know?” I said and she looked at me questioningly as she took a sip of her drink.
“How do you mean?” she asked and I gave her my best charming grin.
“You’re gorgeous, so you’ll match the rest of us,” I said and Liz actually laughed. It was surprised sounding as if she didn’t expect me to be funny.
“Ah, thank you I guess,” she said and I gestured her back to the pool tables where the rest of the guys were.
“And there she is now! Our gorgeous and charming lawyer to the rescue!” Charlie was somehow already drunk and he fell to his knees in front of Liz and kissed her hand. The guys all laughed and made fun of him as Liz was clearly uncomfortable.
“It wasn’t a big deal, really Charlie,” Liz said blandly and the guys laughed harder.
“Everyone, this is my new stepsister. Treat her like she’s your own sister, and no hitting on her,” I announced, much to Liz’s embarrassment. Her cheeks actually got a little rosy.
“I don’t know if I can even pretend that you’re my sister. Liz, you are gorgeous,” one of the guys, Brody, said. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her, and in his drunken state, he was leaning way too close to her. I kicked the pool stick out of his hand and he stumbled forward. I stepped in front of Liz quick enough that he fell against my chest instead of into hers. I grabbed him by his lapels and brought him to eye level with me.
“I said, respect my sister,” the guys had grown silent at my menacing tone. I wasn’t joking around. Brody’s eyes widened and he nodded quickly, before I let him go. The guys all chuckled to play it off, but I kept my glare on Brody until he scurried away to the other end of the pool table. I glanced behind me at Liz, and smirked. “Don’t worry, I got your back babe,” I said, before I winked at her and picked up Brody’s forgotten pool stick. “I’ve got next,” I said and the guys racked up a new game of Pool.
Chapter 5
Liz
It was hard to deny how sexy Hunter was, especially after he had throttled one of his own biker friends for me to get his point across. After that, the guys looked at me in the eyes and treated me with nothing but politeness. After a couple of drinks, I actually started to have fun with them. I showed off my skills at pool and earned a few more points with the guys.
“So this place is about to close for the night. How about we head back home?” Hunter whispered in my ear, and his hot breath tickled my neck, causing me to shiver. I wondered if he had done that on purpose. He’d only stuck to the one beer for the night and I knew he was okay to drive.
“Sure. I am kind of tired,” I said. Hunter took my glass and placed on the bar.
“Cool. We’re out of here then,” Hunter said, and we said bye to his friends before walking out to his truck.
“They are actually a cool bunch of guys,” I said, once we were settled in my truck and on the way back to our parents’ house. Hunter quirked an eyebrow and glanced at me with an amused expression.
“You thought they’d be a bunch of beer drinking, only bike talking Neanderthals?” Hunter asked me, and I giggled. Yea, I was definitely tipsy.
“No. I thought they’d be a bunch of beer drinking, only bike talking,
delinquent
Neanderthals,” I said and Hunter laughed.
“We usually don’t get caught or arrested for the petty stuff we do. We pretty much just keep it to trespassing, but Charlie wanted to test out his ‘tagging’ skills,” Hunter explained with a chuckle. I nodded and then we were pulling into the house’s drive before I knew it.
“Hunter,” I said with a serious tone, and he looked over at me before he got out of the truck. “I’ll fall on my face if you don’t help me out,” I said and Hunter chuckled.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you babe,” he said, before he got out of the truck. He walked around to my side and pulled open the door. I turned towards him, stuck my legs out and he leaned in and wrapped his big, strong hands around my waist and slid me out of the truck. I slid down the length of his body and he shut the door behind me before his body pushed mine against the truck. My breath caught in my throat and I looked up into his sky blue eyes. They were intense on my gaze and then before I knew it his lips were closing the distance with mine. My entire body lit up when his soft lips brushed against mine. I didn’t know if it was because of the alcohol or what, but I felt all tingly and goosebumps broke out all over my skin, even though I was wearing a coat.
Hunter’s lips brushed over mine again before he kissed me deeply. His soft, warm lips moved against mine slowly. He picked me up in his hands, squeezed my ass and pushed into my body as he pressed me into his truck.
Oh god.
He was hard. Against my hip. I could feel him throbbing. His tongue licked my bottom lip before he pulled it in between his teeth and bit down. I gasped against his mouth.
Damn, that was hot.
Hunter took it as something else. He broke the kiss abruptly, slid me back down to my feet and pulled away from me quicker than my lust and alcohol-dazed mind could register the cool air as he let go of me.
“We shouldn’t do that. We…shouldn’t be doing anything like this Liz,” Hunter said, and then he made an about-face and hurried inside. I followed him in and locked the door behind me, he had already disappeared. I slowly walked from the foyer, up the staircase and to the right, where my mom said my room was. Mine was the last door in the hallway and I undressed as I got closer to the bed and curled up under the blankets in nothing but my panties. My entire body was humming with arousal and I lay awake taking deep breaths for a while, to try and calm myself.
Hunter and I had
kissed.
It must have meant that he was attracted to me. I had kissed my
stepbrother
, and he had really nice lips. Eventually fatigue took over, and I fell fast asleep.
***
I was woken by the sound of humming and a shower going. I blinked a few times before opening my eyes completely and sat up. Looking across the bedroom at the door leading to the bathroom, I saw that it was open a bit. Someone was using my bathroom? I got out of bed and hurried to the closet where my suitcase was. I rummaged through it and pulled out an oversized shirt I usually wore to bed. I put it on and then peeked inside the bathroom. My jaw dropped. Hunter was standing in the glass enclosed shower with water cascading down on him and his eyes closed as he washed his shoulder length hair. My eyes travelled the length of his taut and muscular body. Hunter was very defined; I didn’t think there was an ounce of fat on him. Just as my eyes lowered from his taut stomach, Hunter turned around so that I got a full few of his tight butt.
This was so wrong. I should not be peeping on my stepbrother while he was in the shower. I silently backed out of the bathroom and shut the door. But why was he in
my
bathroom? I tried to shake the image of Hunter naked while I unpacked my suitcase and put together something to wear for the day. Living with him for a week was going to be ridiculously difficult; what with him being completely gorgeous and all.