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.

There was no point in being too

with concern, and for the first time,

grated on my nerves. Sincerely, at the moment,

was

lump in my throat, forcing out the words. I'm sorry.

spoke again. "I was starting to worry," he finally said in a warm

guilt that came creeping up my throat. "I'm fine," I murmured, sitting up and running a hand

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

Chapter 47

rest. You've been so

hummed, not trusting myself to say

as his cue to move on. "I called

Ah. Right.

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

remember," I said quietly. "But... can we just stick to the date? No ride. No other plans. Just

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

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

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

me 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 keep him around but never what

that was why I agreed to this date in the first place. To make up for the times I let him down, even if

of being in Jake's presence right

to me at the moment. I could slip out. Have dinner. Come back without

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

easing from his

before I could second-guess

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

had said it in his usual dark and unapologetically claiming voice... Remembered the way his fingers had trailed down my spine as

now, here I was, wearing it

hands down the smooth fabric, ignoring the way my

why did it

small, tucked into a quiet street where the glow of streetlights

Chapter 47

uncle's car was parked in the driveway, but the living room lights were

to lower my hand before the

like he had been waiting all his life just for this