Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

KASMINE.

I couldn't believe it. My brother kissed me?

It felt like a nightmare, the kind you can't wake up from no matter how hard you try. My thoughts were a tangled mess, my chest heaving as I stumbled back, pressing my trembling hands to my lips. The taste of him lingered-mint and something darker, something I didn't want to name.

"I can never be yours, Kester! You're despicable!" I spat, my voice cracking as I tried to push past the storm brewing in my head. My body betrayed me, weak knees wobbling beneath me as I bolted from the bed, needing distance, air- anything to erase what had just happened.

He leaned back lazily against the headboard, smirking as if my outburst amused him. The sharp edge of that smirk sent fire racing through my veins, anger, and humiliation warring for dominance.

"How could you?" I choked, glaring at him through my tears. "How could you even think-"I tried to catch my breath, but my words dissolved into sobs I hated myself for. Stupid, stupid tears, falling when I needed strength. His silence only made it worse, his deep green eyes watching me like I was some kind of prey.

"How could you think this is okay?" My voice was barely above a whisper now, strangled by the lump in my throat. I hated him for kissing me, but worse-I hated myself for the way my body reacted. For the way my cheeks burned, the way my stomach tightened with an unfamiliar heat I couldn't extinguish.

He tilted his head, that damned smirk never leaving his face as if he knew the slight effect he just had on me.

I had been kissed before, on a few occasions. But this? This was... This was stupid! Unacceptable!

I desperately tried to erase the memory of whatever effect this forbidden kiss had on me. Even though his lips tasted like nothing I'd ever had and felt soft and succulent... Even though he kissed me like his life depended on it and it made heat pool at the bottom of my stomach... It still didn't make it right.

He was my brother. And Selene forbid it that I ever allow such nonsense to continue. I'd rather die!

"You're overthinking, Mine," he said softly, his voice so low and suggestive that it made my skin prickle.

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"Don't call me that!" I snapped. "I am your sister, for fuck's sake! You shouldn't have my nude in your room! Kester!" I sobbed. I felt betrayed.

I expected shame, regret-anything to crack the cold armor he wore so effortlessly. But instead, he laughed softly, shaking his head like I was a child throwing a tantrum.

"You're not my sister, Kasmine," he said, his tone calm, detached, and cruelly certain. "You're mine. You just didn't realize it until now."

"I'd rather die than..."

him leave the bed. In an

growled, his fingers gripping my chin and tilting my head back, forcing me to meet his eyes, which had

strip you naked right here. I'll pin you to my bed and fuck you so hard. And I won't stop until

dragging a shiver down my spine. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. He meant it. Every terrifying, filthy word. I

run as far away as possible. But all I

words died down instantly in my throat as I swallowed them like

stung with a certain

I nodded frantically.

released my chin, his fingers brushing my skin one last time before he stepped back and opened the door

***

cheeks as I picked

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Chapter 18

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number for what felt like the hundredth time.

in my stomach tightened as I switched to our secret phone, trying Jake next. No signal. I couldn't risk calling him on my actual phone. Kester would

was meant to be ready for work. But may I be damned

I didn't ask for-didn't want. His

worse? I couldn't

she was done making dinner... 1 guess she was

Typical.

suddenly, jolting me. My breath caught as I scrambled

it.

Kester.

the screen glaring up at

was a text.

rather I come to meet you at home and

words sending a shiver down my spine. My fingers hovered over the screen, trembling as I typed

"I'm not coming."

before I could second-guess myself, my pulse thundering in my ears. The seconds dragged painfully as I stared at the phone, waiting for

One minute.

Two.

Five.

Fifteen.

coming back home now,

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Chapter 18