Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 47

KASMINE

I stirred restlessly on my bed, tangled in the sheets, still as restless as I had been three days ago after saying those hurtful things I said to Kester in his car.

Three days. Three whole days since, I had torn into Kester with words meant to rip him apart. And they had.

I knew it the moment I said them. Knew it by the way his grip had loosened on my chin, the brief flicker in his eyes before they turned ice-cold. I knew it when he let me walk away without another word or a fight.

That was the part that hurt the most.

I replayed the events and conversations in my head, and sincerely, I realized that he didn't deserve those cruel words. I had let my anger and jealousy take over. 1

I hadn't set my eyes on him after that evening. I hadn't seen him at the office all day Friday. When I got home, I half-expected-no, hoped-he'd be somewhere, anywhere in the house. But he wasn't.

And when I finally caved, when my pathetic ass swallowed my pride and walked

to his door, June was standing in my way like a fortress.

He had instructed her not to let me in, pretending to be in the middle of something... Always

there,

I canceled my movie plans with Claire the next day. I couldn't stomach the idea of laughing at mindless comedies and pretending I was fine. Because I wasn't!

I was drowning in something I didn't have a name for.

My heart raced uncontrollably, and no matter how hard I tried, I remained

constantly sad. It was almost as if a part of me was slowly dying

I hated it.

A dull vibration against the mattress pulled me from my thoughts. I reached under the bed and grabbed the phone, already knowing who it was

Jake:

I had hidden our secret phone under my bed, more securely this time.

was no point in being too careful. Kester wasn't going to barge

concern, and for the first time,

grated on my nerves. Sincerely, at the moment, I saw this care and

was Jake,

my throat, forcing out the

starting to

I murmured, sitting up and running

And maybe he knew it because he went silent for a second too long. Then, his

Chapter 47

needed the rest. You've been

hummed, not trusting myself to say

cue to move on. "I called to remind you about

Ah. Right.

If I were to choose, I wouldn't have stepped

just stick to the date? No ride. No other

his pretty face to know that he'd be running his fingers through his short, black hair by now while letting out an exhale. I

said after a beat, but the excitement in his tone had dimmed. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Kasmine. As long as

way that

Tell me why I shouldn't fall harder for him. He was way too sweet and understanding. Always putting me first. I

agreed to this date in the first place. To make up for the times I let him down, even if I didn't really want to go... Even if I knew I'd spend the whole night

mere thought of being in Jake's presence right now-of faking smiles and pretending I wasn't

to me at the moment. I could slip out. Have dinner. Come

you in two hours at your house," I

of the tension easing from

up before I

as I adjusted the straps in front of the mirror. Midnight blue. One of the many expensive

it for me, Kasmine. Only me." I remembered the way he had said it in his usual dark and unapologetically claiming voice... Remembered the way his fingers had trailed down my spine as he zipped it up in the dressing room of the mall, his lips pressing into the curve

I was, wearing

the smooth fabric, ignoring the way my stomach twisted. Kester wouldn't find

it feel like

where the glow of streetlights bathed the cracked sidewalks

Chapter 47

gold. His uncle's car was parked in the driveway, but the living room

lower my hand before the door swung open,

like he had been waiting all his