Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 56

KASMINE.

I stepped out of the bathroom, my bare feet sinking into the thick rug, but the

warmth did nothing to chase away the cold sinking into my bones.

This was breaking me.

Piece by piece.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, to suppress it, to pretend that I wasn't unraveling at the seams, it was destroying me.

I pressed a trembling, hand to my chest, my heart thudding too fast, too violently.

This couldn't continue.

It shouldn't have started in the first place.

But the more I told myself that, the more Kester's voice replayed like a loop in my head, dark and possessive, with promises that made me tremble.

'You can't and won't leave me.'

'You are my obsession, Kasmine.'

'After this, you will get addicted to me.'

And yes, I was getting addicted to him, and it was scary. He had devoured my light and left me craving his darkness.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing his words away, but they only burned deeper, carving themselves into the fragile parts of me that already belonged to him.

Because that was the truth, wasn't it?

I wouldn't deny the pull I felt toward Kester. In the last few days, he had managed to worm his way into my fragile heart, and despite reminding myself that he was my brother, my heart kept growing softer for him every second.

I pressed my fingers against my lips, remembering how he kissed me like he was trying to make me feel the obsession coursing through his veins, how he touched me like he was trying to carve his name into my very soul. And now that he had been the one who had taken my virginity, he seemed to have nestled himself deeper into the most fragile part of my heart where I couldn't pull him off easily, otherwise, I'd bleed.

But, no. This had to be controlled. Otherwise, we'd both bleed after this.

A strangled sob escaped my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, my shoulders shaking.

He had been so broken when he left the bathroom. I saw it all in his eyes. My words always had a way of killing him each time, but I had no choice.

I forced my breathing to steady, swiping furiously at the tears streaming down my cheeks. I locked my door securely before reaching for my secret phone.

"Oh, Selene..." I gasped when the screen lit up, and my stomach dropped.

Missed calls: 12

Chapter 56

Mess

6

Jake.

BONUS

He was dying with worry.

was

My pulse pounded violently as I tapped on his name, my fingers barely able to keep steady.

Jake: Kasmine, where the hell are you?

Jake: It's been hours. Why aren't you answering?

Jake: Are you okay? Say something. Please.

Jake: I swear to the Moon, if he's hurting you-

I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening painfully.

for making him worry and left him in the

shaky hand, I dialed his number, my heart slamming against my ribs as I brought the phone

free hand clutching the

Ring

on, Jake. Pick up..." I

Ring

The line went dead.

screen

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

throat tightening. "Oh, Selene..." I whispered, gripping the phone

and guilt hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always seemed to ruin Kester's plans

for both of us.

be ours. He had planned for it, probably envisioned it down to the

ruined it.

day, and I didn't even have

I moved quickly, dressing for work, eager to

thought made my stomach

Chapter 56

darting around the corners of the room every now and then, still looking for the dress I had returned from Jake's house

them when they came to clean

and a certain tall, muscular, heart-stoppingly handsome man strode in with his

Gods.

like it was fighting for

crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, giving a hint of what lay beneath it, and the delicate gold chain resting against his collarbone only made it worse- made him

hair-sleek, dark,

Too perfect

it, tug until that maddening perfection cracks, if it would make

first time you've seen Kester!' I

the first time I'd seen him, so why did he feel like a brand new sin

as if he could hear

this morning. Wasn't as gloomy as I expected him to be. And sincerely, it made

gaze away before I could drown in him completely, attempting to break the silence between us, Did you see my dress?" I cleared my throat,

and for a moment, I thought he hadn't heard

asked, and I paused, my heart skipping a beat before I resumed rifling through my

properly, "You what?" I asked, turning

burnt it." He repeated, coming to

you? That was one of my

the kind of

murmured, shifting his attention to my closet as if

could he

"Kester-

be grateful," he cut in, his voice becoming lethal instantly. "Burning that dress was the only thing I did,

take last night." I stiffened, the anger in his

gaze, suddenly hyper-aware

are you

dresses in my closet, his fingers trailing over

Chapter 56

single piece in this wardrobe

out and

to wear," he

confusion, "Since when do you pick out

work?"

pulled a dress from the rack and

up the dress, letting the fabric slip through his fingers like it was something precious. The moment my eyes

small, red flair

stopped well above the lavees. It was beautiful, but

problem was him.

I knew Kester.

swallowed hard, "You never let me wear something like this to

to mine, dark amusement

I want you

didn't move, and Kester

step, he closed the space between us and placed the dress in my hands, his fingers brushing against mine. He leaned in, sniffing me