Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 40

KESTER.

She stood there, her wide, curious eyes scanning the lavish space as if trying to piece together the reason she was there. I dismissed the escort with a subtle flick of my fingers, my attention solely on her now.

"Mine?" I called, pushing myself up from the plush seat.

Her curiosity tugged at something deep inside me, an unfamiliar warmth blooming in my chest. I liked seeing her like this-intrigued, à little cautious, but drawn in. It made me want to do more for her, give her more, just to see that spark again

She didn't necessarily 'need' any of these. She had them in abundance. Her life was already filled with luxury. But I'd leamed that it wasn't about the things themselves-it was about the gesture, about experiencing something together, about watching her smile because she knew this wasn't just about material things. This was about her.

"What are we doing here?" She asked curiously.

"Shopping," I said simply, moving toward her, closing the distance between us. I stopped just in front of her, close enough to hear the way her breath hitched ever so slightly.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, her lips parted just enough for me to see the war waging in her mind. She wasn't used to this. To me-not like this.

"What do you think?” I murmured, reaching up to caress her cheek, my fingers gliding down her chin. I let my thumb brush over her bottom lip, feeling the soft warmth of her skin beneath my touch

She shivered.

"That's... Thoughtful. But you didn't really have to..." She protested, and I could hear her heart hammering in her chest, too fast, too loud. If I listened closely, I could almost taste the nerves rolling off her.

I almost smirked. She was nervous as fuck, but she hid it well. I shook my head internally. That was fine. She'll soon get used to this side of me... Of us.

"Come on. Let's go and see what you'd like to get," I said and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her lips-just a

taste. A tease.

It took everything in me to pull away.

I swear to fuck, I wanted more. Wanted to deepen it, to pull her closer, to claim her breath along with that sweet little gasp she had just given me. But I couldn't.

Not here. Not now.

Not when I knew that if I let my demons wake, this mall wouldn't survive the disaster that followed.

I led the way, and she followed.

She walked beside me, her fingers brushing against mine every so often as we moved deeper into the store, flanked by two impeccably dressed sales assistants.

Kastine, for all her initial hesitation, seemed to adjust quickly, her eyes flicking between the displays of high-end perfumes and silk robes, her curiosity overtaking her shyness. It was almost endearing until we reached the lingerie section

And then everything went to hell.

Chapter 40

where the assistants had brought us my steps slowed, my body tensed, and something in my brain outright refused to process

had to pick

in front of

Fuck.

I had bought lingerie for her, which wasn't as awkward as this. Probably because I did the shopping myself. But this? Watching her choose?

gut. She hesitated, too, her fingers hovering over a sheer lace set before retracting as if

This was awkward as

turning her gaze to meet

calm that didn't betray all the wars going on in my head. “Come on. Help her,” I told the assistants, and they were more than happy

to the line of laces

myself from listening to the frantic beating of her heart?

barely anything at all, just strips of fabric meant to

few selections I

of the shopping wasn't as tense as the lingerie shopping. Kasmine had eased up a bit, enjoying the rest of the evening as she picked up lots of her favorite perfumes, including new brands to try out, clothes some I had to scrutinize before letting her have them,

me a handshake, and I took it. But

easy calm I'dworn throughout the shopping trip vanished, replaced by something dangerous. I didn't have to look

the card between two fingers,

receptionist's confident smile faltered as she realized too late that she'd been caught in full view

everyone.

all your clients?" I asked her in a voice so low that I was surprised she even heard

at my side, probably knowing the storm that was brewing. She wrapped her delicate palms around my

Let it go," she said softly, and I wouldn't deny the calm her voice had

face drained of color. Her mouth opened, then shut, then opened again like she was trying to come up with

sleek marble counter, watching as it

24

Chapter 40

hands into my pockets. "But I don't tolerate unprofessionalism.

I'll speak to your employer

"Wait-please, I didn't

give a

turned on my heel, walking away without another

Kasmine said as our car came to a stop in the

them, right?" I asked, turning to face

escorts were dismissed at the mall. I

do," She replied with a

surprise for you inside the house," I said and watched how her eyes lit up, "We'll be spending the evening together... Alone... In your room. I

bit her bottom lip nervously, and fuck, how I wanted to be the one biting those

spend some time with Mum tonight before she leaves tomorrow," she said, and I couldn't argue that. She was correct. I had kept her