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.

in being too careful. Kester wasn't going to barge in on me after all. Not today. I was

with concern, and for the first time, it

nerves. Sincerely, at the moment, I saw this care and concern as a

was Jake,

the words. I'm sorry. I slept all day." I

again. "I was starting to worry," he finally said in a warm voice, as if gauging my mood

the guilt that came creeping up my throat. "I'm fine," I murmured, sitting up

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

Chapter 47

You needed the rest.

trusting myself to

to move on. "I called to

Ah. Right.

the bridge of my nose. If I were to choose, I wouldn't have stepped an inch out of my bedroom. But I didn't

we just stick to the date? No ride.

he'd be running his fingers through his short, black hair by now while letting out an exhale. I knew

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

lips together, hating the way that simple sentence made something heavy settle

why I shouldn't fall harder for him. He was way too sweet and understanding. Always putting me first. I had taken advantage of it, giving him just enough to

To make up for the times I let him down, even if I didn't really want to go... Even if

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

wasn't speaking to me at the moment.

in two hours at your house," I said, forcing lightness into

the tension easing from his tone. "I can't

up before

the mirror. Midnight blue. One of the many expensive dresses Kester had bought for me, but

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 of my neck, as he whispered the words, "You

was, wearing it

the smooth fabric, ignoring the way my stomach

why did it feel

where

Chapter 47

the driveway, but

had time to lower my hand before the door swung open,

like he had been waiting all his life just for