Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 71

The image of Kester's back had burned itself into my mind, haunting me through the night, refusing to let me rest. Even now, as I walked toward my office with a spring in my step, I couldn't stop the smile that kept tugging at my lips.

Kester was determined, tearing down my defenses with a patience that was both infuriating and intoxicating. And damn it, he was winning.

I swear he was getting more points than I'd like to give him

I had crumbled the moment my gaze landed on the massive tattoo spanning his back-ink etched into his skin simply because I liked tattoos.

My chest had ached, my throat had tightened, and tears had spilled as I traced the beautiful patterns with my hands.

But even after pushing him to tell me how he knew I liked them, he vehemently refused to.

And now, just thinking about it sent a shiver through me.

But as soon as I stepped into the elevator, all of my excitement screeched to a halt.

Claire.

The guilt hit me like a punch to the stomach. I had abandoned her yesterday, walking out on her during lunch when she clearly needed someone to talk to. I promised to call and check on her, but I failed to do so.

And Jake...?

I hadn't even touched our secret phone to see if he had tried reaching out.

A deep breath shuddered through me as I adjusted my skirt, the fabric barely brushing my thighs. I needed to pull myself together before stepping into the office.

Pushing open the door, I found Jake hunched over his computer with so much seriousness that it made me smile. "Someone's already hard at work this early in the morning I forced my voice to sound light and playful.

His head snapped up, and the instant relief that flooded his face made my stomach twist.

"Kasmine."

He was on his feet before I could blink, abandoning whatever he had been doing like it didn't matter anymore. "By the gods, I was worried. How are you doing now?" In two strides, he was in front of me, arms wrapping around me, pulling me into the warmth of his embrace.

I melted into it, letting the comfort settle deep into my bones.

It was soothing to know that he wasn't upset.

"I am fine, Jake. I was just... I just needed like ash.

some rest," I forced the words out of my throat, even though it tasted

A lie.

A lie so hollow it barely held itself together.

Chapter 71

He pulled back just enough to scan my face, his brows furrowed with concern. "I was scared to death. And to think that I couldn't even call you-god." His arms tightened around me, holding me like he was afraid I'd disappear again. "Come here."

He hugged me again, and warm liquid pooled in my eyes, but I blinked them back in.

I worried you," I whispered. "It won't happen again." I

murmured, his fingers tracing a soft caress along my cheek, "I heard there is a problem with the company's branch in Scotland," he continued, his thumb brushing against my

He was going too

was

this weekend, I'm certain you'll be free to spend some time with me,"

4

despite all I had just heard, or speaking to Kester about this first. "That... It sounds

for you, oil your hair... Anything to help you relax." He promised,

My heart clenched.

Do I really deserve you?" I whispered, my fingers ghosting over his cheek, "I don't think V

you for giving me the opportunity to even as much as be in the same space with you. It's something any man would kill for," He brought my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my palm, "You

gods, if only he knew how undeserving I truly

***

went on better than I expected. Although I hadn't seen Claire yet. I'd been to her office twice

also tried calling her, but her line was

to push the worry aside, telling myself she was probably

by the door as if he had just appeared there, with his hands tucked behind his back, startling me a bit. And... Babe? That was new. It tugged a smile from me before I could stop it. “Tell me,” I said, dropping the

forward, handing me a rose flower. It was just a single red rose, while he had a

but I knew it had cost him some money, which I know he didn't really

2/4

Chapter 71

I stood u

He had little to give, yet he gave it anyway, desperate to please me in the only ways he could. How could I not honor

feel any less of a

the quiet warmth of his lean frame. He smelled of

the gifts from his

I could

cheek, tucking a stray strand

then, slowly, so carefully, he kissed

lips pressing against mine like he wasn't sure he had the right.

I didn't pull away, he gathered his courage, deepening the kiss just slightly,

I let myself

only for a

it could become anything more, my lips tingling, and my heart doing something strange in

trance, and then let out a small, breathless chuckle, his cheeks dusted with the faintest shade of pink. "Sorry," he murmured, scratching the back of his head, suddenly looking

but it was a sad

rose carefully beside my laptop.

face lit up with relief, and within seconds, he was pulling out a small

filling the space with his

even back yet. Why

he said at one point, grinning like a man who had just discovered

"Jake, my

popping another chocolate into his

laughed, shaking my head.

still here," he teased,

I could respond, we heard

Chapter 71

just as the door cracked open and one of