Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 86

KASMINE.

"Oh, heavenly goddess! Kasmine!" June's voice rang with relief as she threw her arms around me, squeezing the air from my lungs. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that."

I let her warmth settle over me, trying not to think too much about where she had been last night. But I felt better to see her looking lively today. She was happy, and I found myself wondering what they had done the previous night. She hadn't slept in her own designated room,

Yeah, I know how that sounds. Like I'd spent the night stalling her, right?

Well... I kinda did. Not in a creepy way, though. Just... checking, Checking if she had returned after going to "talk" to Kester.

I didn't make the mistake of sneaking to Kester's door. He'd sniff me and corne running into my arms like a lost puppy. I didn't want that. I wanted the night to be all about June.

But... Had they only talked? Slept quietly? Or....

No. I couldn't think about that.

It shouldn't be my concern if they fucked. They were meant to get married soon. They'd be doing that often. That was what couples did. And soon, it would be normal for them—so normal it wouldn't even be a thought to worry

about.

I swallowed against the bitterness rising in my throat.

"It's fine, June," I said, forcing a small smile as I pulled away from the hug. "But Mum must never know about this. She'd freak out."

My mini duffle bag still had some space in it to contain some of the chocolates Jake had given me the day before I

traveled.

They were kind of the best I'd had in a long time. There was no outing without them, at least, as long as there were still some left.

She pressed a hand to her heart in mock solemnity. "Your secret is safe with me, darling," she said, perching at the edge of my bed. She was already fully dressed and ready to rock the day. Her yellow floral dress stopped mid thigh, the soft fabric hugging her figure just enough to remind me of what I lacked. My eyes trailed down to her long, impossibly smooth legs, and I wished-just for a second- that mine had the same effortless elegance.

She was stunning. The kind of woman men turned to look at twice, just to make sure they hadn't dreamed her up.

If I were to ever stand with her in front of a beauty judge, I was certain I'd only blend into the wallpapers of the courtroom - that's if courtrooms ever had any.

Her blonde hair, swept into a high ponytail, left just enough loose curls to frame her delicate face. And as I took her in, an old, familiar wave of jealousy curled through me-hot and unwelcome.

She was beautiful to a fault.

What is wrong

with Kester? Why wasn't he looking at her the way he sometimes looked at me- like he wanted to devour every inch of my soul?

She was everything a man like him should want. Beauty. Class. Perfection.

I sucked in a breath, pushing the thought aside, shoving it deep into the part of me that kijew better than to ask

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Chapter 86

questions that had no answers.

She pointed to the chocolates I was stuffing absentmindedly into my bag "Can I have one?

Wordlessly, I handed one over, watching as she tore it open with a soft, eager hum.

"Thanks," She took a bite, her lips parting around the dark sweetness, letting out a quiet moan. "Mmhhh...

A shiver curled down my spine.

Was that how she sounded when Kester fucked her?

My stomach twisted, and 1 hated myself for the thought.

"It tastes so good. Where did you get these?" She tipped her head up a little, savoring the sweetness, and I couldn't stop the way my eyes flickered over her- her long, pale neck, her collarbones peeking through the thin straps of her dress, her smooth, unblemished skin, to see if Kester had left any marks on her... That's if they....

The chocolate nearly melted between my fingers as I grippel the bag tighter. "Kasmine?" She called, pulling me harshly back to reality.

I cleared my throat, "Jake got them for me." I replied, zipping up the bag

Her brows lifted slightly. "Oh. Jake. How's he doing? Heard from him since you arrived?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Nope. Kester made sure of it."

voice. I'd been trying to wrestle the feeling of sadness whenever I thought about Jake. I knew how

I couldn't even call Claire to give her

tracking my phone. Now that he's finally had me where he always wanted, one would think that he'd stop prying into my personal life. But it only got

had always and will always be

hope you find your mate on your birthday," she encouraged, and sincerely, I didn't know

only gave a hollow smile and nodded, "Kester

KESTER.

watched her swallow the 'birth control'

what she thought were birth control

me. So, I quietly went back down to the car to

me with so much satisfaction knowing that she wasn't on birth control in the

wheel as I glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. She sat by the window, absentmindedly staring at the blur of palm trees and the sunlit ocean beyond the glass. H

know what she was thinking about this fucking minute. I want

only one she

Chapter 16

all times. A sharp, possessive

round belly, carrying our child. Her skin glowing, her curves fuller, and her body marked in every way by me. And years later, tiny feet pattering against marble floors, little

I barely noticed the noise

you?" she sighed, rolling her eyes. "You seem way too

course, I was distracted. How could I

same space as Kasmine. Breathing the same airs

smoothing, the irritation from my face. “I'm listening, June."" Her eyes narrowed with

stomach clenched. Fuck. Kasmine did that a lot. That same little motion-arms crossed, eyes

Industries," I said smoothly. "He has connections with their board members and believes he can convince them to move forward with the deal. You also mentioned that their CEO

flicker of surprise crossed

smirked. "Still think I

uncrossing her arms, her posture relaxing slightly. "Well...

You looked so lost

in thoughts. I was lost

the mirror, but she still wasn't looking at

glance at June

Fucking frustrating.

she got into the car.

it was driving me

imagining when she stared

the most intoxicating

forced my attention back to June. "Tell your father I appreciate the offer. I'll

as soon as

smiled, seemingly pleased with my

I barely heard her.

seat, tucking her legs beneath her, hugging her arms around

before me. The beach itself stretched endlessly beyond the glass walls of the reception area, its turquoise waves rolling gently against the shore. But

under

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Chapter 86

soft instrumental music humming in the background. It felt more like stepping into a five-star resort

salt wafted through the air, and haled

June, keeping her distance from

It irritated me. She was doing

changing area, she turned to Jun. "I'll

away into one

nodded, giving me a little smile before heading into her own

space.

And Kasmine?

I followed her.

stepped inside her dressing room just as she was unzipping; her bag,

the doorknob when my gaze fell on the bikini

door clicked shut behind me, and she

"Kester-"

let

her waist, I pulled her flush against me, pressing her

startled gasp, her hands coming up to brace against my chest. Her skin was warm through the thin fabric of my shirt, and her signature perfume scent-vanilla-wrapped around

blinked up at me,

barely said a word to me all morning,” I

even a glance. Not even when I was right there

in the car."