Stepbrother: Forbidden Cravings: Stepbrother Romance Boxed Set (8 page)

STEPBROTHER

Forbidden Arousals

Felicia Sexton

 Copyright 2015 by Felicia Sexton

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced

in any way whatsoever, without written permission

from the author, except in case of brief

quotations embodied in critical reviews

and articles.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any

person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

First edition, 2015

Chapter One

The sun’s rays were warm on my skin as I strolled through the lavish grounds. I breathed in the scent of the freshly mowed lawns, feeling the crunch of the gravelled path beneath my feet.

Flowers were in full bloom along the borders, their aromas filling my nostrils. The trees were heavy with deep green leaves, with birds singing happily within their branches.

I sat on the grass beside the pond, tracing my hand through the clear waters. Watching as the fish swam quickly from my reach. Lily pads bobbed up and down upon the rippling surface. The place was so beautiful, and I felt privileged to live here.

Dad had died of a heart attack several years ago and since then Mom had struggled to raise me alone. Even with us both working full time I often heard her sobbing into her pillow at night as she worried about the bills that were slowly mounting.

As I grew into my twenties, my school friends all began to spread their wings. Leaving home to get their own apartments, marry or have children. Unlike my friends I remained in the small apartment with Mom. Giving her as much as I could on each pay day to help out despite her protests. Not wanting to leave her alone when I knew how depressed she got sometimes.

At first when Mom told me that she had met someone new I had been appalled. Yet, as time had passed I had grown to understand her need to feel the love that she had once had with my Dad.

When I initially met Trevor I had been aloof, and rather rude in retrospect. Even so, he had persevered. His love for Mom and caring for her his main focus now that they were a couple. I had been shocked however to learn some time later that Trevor was a billionaire.

Mom had explained that she wanted me to like Trevor as a person. Not because of the wealth that he had. I completely understood, and by that point had grown fond of this new man in my Mom’s life.

Now I could feel comforted that she would no longer have to worry about money again, while having the love of a man who clearly was devoted to her.

I was stunned however when Trevor insisted that I move into the mansion with them after the wedding. Telling me that his only son had left the family home many years ago. Then laughing as he said that the place needed some young blood again. I had jumped at the chance.

Now, when I wasn’t at work I found myself exploring every room in the house. It seemed never-ending. With hidden doors and secret corridors built into the walls. The property was more like a maze after the apartment Mom and I had lived in before.

Finding my way through the numerous rooms, I saw many family photographs. Always just of Trevor and his son Michael. Never anything to show a hint of the wife that he once had. All which built my curiosity further about a woman who had abandoned her son at just five years of age for a younger man.

There was something else that did make me wonder about this new family that I was now a part of. Trevor rarely mentioned his son, and there were no recent photographs of him. Michael was only shown as a young boy, the eldest he had looked had possibly dated back to his teens.

So why were there no images of him as an adult? What had caused him to leave the family home? And why were the pair no longer in touch? With these thoughts running through my mind, I headed back to the house.

Chapter Two

After taking a refreshing shower later that evening, I joined Mom and Trevor in the dining room. I was curious to see that an additional place had been set as I took my own seat. The butler, Stanley, came into the room with a large tray of steaming bowls of soup.

I thanked him with a smile as he placed mine before me. Even stranger, a bowl was also left in front of the empty seat. From the corner of my eye I saw Trevor shake his head in annoyance. Mom patted his hand lightly before spooning some of the soup into her mouth.

“Well, I told him what time dinner would be served. He should have the decency to be here on time,” Trevor grumbled.

Before I could ask any questions, the door opened and a tall man strode into the room. His brown hair was damp and slicked back from his face. Green eyes sparkled within his unshaven chiselled features.

Simply wearing slacks and a tight t-shirt that clung to his muscular chest the stranger took the empty seat and placed his napkin upon his lap without a word. I jumped as Trevor slammed his hand against the table angrily.

“Michael, do you not think it would be nice for you to introduce yourself?”

“You told me to be here to dine with you. I didn’t realize it was such a social occasion,” the man mumbled.

This was Michael? I tried to hide my surprise as I broke some bread and buttered it lightly. My mind began to race with questions. Why was he here? What could have prompted him to return to the family home after so long? I bit my tongue, not wanting to interfere as Trevor scowled at his son.

“You had the pleasure of meeting my wife earlier. This is your step-sister Maria,” Trevor said as he gestured in my direction.

“Hello Michael. It’s nice to finally meet you,” I said with a smile.

“Hi.”

An awkward silence fell over us. Glancing at Mom occasionally, all she could offer was a raise of her eyebrows. Obviously there was something going on between Trevor and his son, but it wasn’t my place to pry.

With the starter cleared, Trevor took a drink of his wine. He leant forward in his seat, eyeing Michael intently. Michael shifted in his seat, appearing nervous while he waited for his father to speak.

“Now let me explain Maria. Michael has an accountancy company, which has sadly fallen on hard times. He contacted me while I was away and asked if he could move back home for a while until things improve,” Trevor explained.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I sympathized.

“Yes well when you employ a woman to deal with your admin and she decides to embezzle the company these things happen,” Michael said bitterly.

We fell silent as Stanley served the main course. As the men spoke about business matters, Mom and I ate quietly. Occasionally I raised my eyes to observe Michael. I had never dreamt that he could be so handsome.

The growth on his chin highlighting his strong jaw. His muscles rippling beneath his top with each movement that he made. Yet, even with his rough appearance this evening, he had a rugged look that I couldn’t help but find appealing. I pushed my thoughts aside. Michael was my step-brother, I shouldn’t be thinking like that about him.

“There is something that I would like to ask you Maria love,” Trevor said as he turned to me.

“What is that?” I asked curiously.

“Do you think that you could help Michael in the office for a while? I know that you have your own job, but I couldn’t think of anyone better to help get things back in order.”

My jaw fell open, the fork held in mid-air as I tried to absorb what Trevor had just said. I looked across the table as Michael, desperate to see some kind of signal from him. Yet he didn’t even raise his eyes to acknowledge me, simply continuing to clear his plate in silence.

“I would be happy to help if I can,” I offered.

With a grunt, Michael pushed his chair back. Instructing me to be ready to leave early in the morning before leaving the room.

Chapter Three

Although I had agreed to help Michael resolve things with his company, I loathed working alongside him. I found him to be rude and abrupt, unprepared to listen to reason when I offered ideas to improve the running of things.

As far as Michael was concerned, the failure of the business was not his fault and everything should be handled to his specification. I had never worked with such a stubborn and arrogant man before.

So, after each day I felt exhausted. Only able to wash away the stresses of the day with a soak in a hot tub filled with bubbles. Then I could reflect on things in silence. How could such a handsome man have such a cruel persona? What could have possibly happened between him and his father to make Michael so bitter toward him?

One Friday evening, following my bath I wrapped a robe around myself and stepped out onto the balcony. The sun was beginning to dip in the sky, and a light breeze had gathered. I inhaled deeply, breathing in the scents that surrounded me. Quickly I turned my head as I spotted Michael sat beside the pond. With a feeling of determination I dressed and headed outside.

Michael lifted his head as he heard me approach. I offered him a smile as I sat on the lawn beside him. Gazing across the water, I wondered how to engage him in conversation. As our eyes met, I saw his expression soften slightly.

“Look, I know I have been hard on you Maria. But my business is my whole world. I couldn’t bear to lose it, and hate that I have had to come here and ask Dad for help,” Michael explained.

“Why don’t you get along with him?” I asked gently.

“Because he never supported me. All he wanted was some robot who he could mould to take over his business. That wasn’t what I wanted so he made things as hard for me as he could. Dad’s business trips came before me.

He was barely here as I was growing up. Sending me off to boarding school rather than spending any time with me. Ignoring me, and not even attending my graduation,” Michael blurted vehemently.

I was stunned. After knowing Trevor, I found it hard to believe that he could be so tough on his only son. My heart went out to Michael. He sat looking so lost and alone, his face pale from all the stresses of trying to rebuild his company.

Michael was obviously the type of person who preferred to make his own way in life. To be independent from his father’s wealth, and a man of his own making.

This was a side to Michael that I had never seen before. Until now he had always remained at arm’s length. The majority of our time together spent in silence. Now, perhaps I was finally getting to know the man beneath the strong façade that he showed to the rest of the world.

“Maybe now is the time that he will appreciate all that you have achieved,” I smiled encouragingly.

“You have got to be kidding! He loves that I have failed. Look how quick he was to ask you to help me. He doesn’t have any faith in me. Even though the company has been a success for the past two years. Now I have had to come home, I know he will be secretly gloating,” Michael spat.

I could only stare at him, stunned by his reply. I didn’t know how to answer him as he stood and strode angrily away. All I could do was hope that Michael was wrong about his father, and that the rift between them would soon heal.

Chapter Four

As I sat under the blazing heat of the sun’s rays, I sheltered my eyes as a shadow fell over me. Michael was stood beside me, a wine bottle nestled in the ice bucket he held.

He passed me one of the empty glasses he had brought and sat beside me on the grass. Putting aside the book that I was reading, I took the glass and waited for him to pour the drinks.

“An apology for storming off like I did yesterday,” Michael said as he clinked the side of his glass against mine.

“Thank you, but there was really no need,” I replied with a blush.

“You shouldn’t have to listen to me ranting on about Dad. Let’s forget about that for now anyway. I thought I would come to get to know you better. I haven’t spent much time with you other than in the office.”

For the rest of the afternoon, Michael and I chatted about every possible subject. The books that we enjoyed, the movies we had seen.

We found that we had the same love of music, and were both avid animal lovers. It was surprising to find that we had so much in common. Often laughing together as we joked, relaxed in each other’s company.

Holding out my glass to be refilled, Michael’s fingers lightly brushed against my own. I gasped, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. We exchanged a shy smile as I thanked him for the drink. Suddenly feeling my mouth grow dry as I took a quick sip.

Although we only touched briefly, it felt as if a bolt of electricity had shot through my whole body. I felt flustered, unable to find any words as I watched him replace the bottle into the ice bucket. My heart was pounding hard as our eyes met.

Feeling myself sinking into the depths of his eyes, I laughed heartily and looked away. Quickly I began quizzing Michael about his days at boarding school. Hoping that he hadn’t noticed the attraction that I felt toward him.

With the afternoon moving into evening, the air still remained warm. It felt so nice to be just sat outside talking with Michael. We were now on our second bottle of wine, our conversation still flowing freely.

So I was saddened when I heard the sound of the gong in the hall to announce that dinner was ready. Gathering our things, Michael and I made our way back to the house.

Mom and Trevor were already seated in the dining room. Glancing between us as we entered the room. I was still laughing from something that Michael had said as he nudged me playfully in the ribs.

“It looks like you two are getting on better,” Mom said happily.

“We have spent the afternoon together in the grounds. It seems we actually have a lot in common,” Michael answered as he sat down.

“Including wine I see,” Trevor said sternly.

“Oh Trevor, leave them be,” Mom scolded.

The atmosphere in the room felt strained as we ate our meal. Mom and Trevor spoke in whispers, discussing their upcoming vacation. While Michael and I ate in silence, only answering questions as they were asked. I was grateful when I could finally escape to my room.

After a quick shower I slipped into my nightie and lay on the bed. It was still early, but the afternoon’s alcohol had finally begun to take effect.

My mind was filled with images of Michael. The dimple that showed in his left cheek when he smiled. The way that his eyes sparkled as he laughed. With a smile upon my lips, I fell into a relaxed sleep. Thoughts of me and Michael clear in my mind.