If only those girls knew how messed up these twins could really be.
“I want you to go with me to Homecoming.” He blurted out the confession on a rushed breath.
“What?” Confusion saddled my words. Confusion and disgust. “That’s gross! You’re my brother!”
“Stepbrother,” he corrected. “We’re not blood related, Kelly. I’ve had a crush on you since I first saw you in Kindergarten. I hate that our parents got married because all they did was make me have to not only see you at school, but have to live with you. I can’t escape you and I’ve wanted you for the past two years. I can’t stand the thought of another person touching you, or kissing you, or anything! This is the last Homecoming we’ll have. Our last prom! I don’t want to escort any of the stupid girls in the school. I want to take you!”
“That’s disgusting, Asher! Get out of my room! We’ll be the laughing stock of the entire school! No!”
I couldn’t move fast enough. By the time I noticed he was stepping forward, he already had my face trapped between his palms. His lips were on mine with such fierce intensity that it stole the breath from my lungs. My hands pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge.
He tasted like cinnamon and sugar, like the baked goods my mom always left in the kitchen for after school snacks.
My body tingled, my mind screaming that I had to make him stop, but my heart pounded and moisture pooled between my legs in reaction to his kiss. This was wrong…he was my brother.
Most of all, he’d tortured me for so long.
How could I actually enjoy this?
His tongue licked along the crease of my lips, his mouth moving and forcing mine open to his intrusion. He stepped forward and pressed his chest against mine, eventually moving forward even more until my legs pressed up against my bed and I sat down on the mattress as he fell to his knees.
Releasing my face with his hands, he gripped my knees and pushed them apart, his body moving forward so that he was pressed against me. My breasts swelled against my bra, my body twisting up inside until there was a storm brewing within me that I didn’t believe I could handle.
I wanted to push him away, wanted to scream and yell and beat against his chest demanding that this was wrong.
But, somehow, it also felt right.
I hated him with a passion, but it was that negative passion that was feeding into my sudden need to touch him. Our tongues were at war, our bodies pressed and sliding against each other. If our clothes were preventing us from more, we’d be all over each other…inside each other…making love to each other.
He pulled his mouth from mine and stared at me, his chest heaving with heavy breath, his eyes glistening with the lust he had for me. I could see his thoughts so clearly. He needed me. Needed this.
“Please, Kel. Try this with me. I know it feels wrong to you, but I can’t deny what I feel for you. I’m so sick of pretending that we’re family. So tired of seeing you walking around this house and I can’t have you. It’s painful not being allowed to touch you.”
My own breath was heavy and I was barely able to speak. My head was swimming in confusion, my thoughts of what was right and wrong colliding into a violent storm of emotion.
This is why he always watched me. He wanted me. He wanted me to want him.
“We can’t, Asher…”
He kissed me again to silence me, his hands sliding up my legs gripping my thighs with intense desire and need. When they reached my hips, he pulled me tighter against him before reaching up even further to slide his hands beneath my shirt.
I gasped when our skin met, my breath coming out in short spurts, my heart threatening to tear through my chest. His fingertips inched up, finding the underwire of my bra and slipping over the thin material, my nipples hard and sensitive to his touch.
I gasped and my head fell back. It was enough to ignite whatever was building inside him. He moved quickly to pull my shirt up, to trap the tip my breast in his mouth over the material of my bra. Our hips moved against each other, my legs falling farther open and his free hand moving down to play with me over the cloth of my pants. I was so wet. I could feel the sopping evidence of my arousal.
The front door downstairs slammed suddenly, both of us freezing in place as Alex’s voice wafted up to my room.
“Honey! I’m home!”
Asher growled. “Shit. I’m sorry, Kel. I have to…”
I pushed at him, tears in my eyes for having been interrupted and for the logic setting back in about how wrong this was. “Go…Quick. Before he catches you in here.”
Within seconds he was gone and I was left wet and panting on my bed, crying because I hated the situation, and even more, hated myself for wishing it could have gone farther than it did.
Chapter Four
“Happy Birthday to you!” They finished off their joyous song and I was stuck in front of a cake with eighteen lit candles illuminating the chocolate icing with pretty pink and green candy flowers. Bending over, I blew the candles out and made a wish that the confusion I’d felt for days regarding Asher would clear.
Asher stared at me even now, his eyes intense and shadowed. I could sense when he looked at me. He was thinking the same thing as me. He was remembering that moment in my room. Asher wanted more of those moments just as much as me.
Since that time, I’d walked through my days like a ghost, my heart aching each time I was near him, my thighs clenching when his scent blew beneath my nose. Alex was his normal asshole self, completely oblivious to the tension between his twin and his stepsister.
The lights in the room flicked on and I watched my mother slice the cake. Dolling out the servings, she smiled without the slightest clue as to what was going on beneath her own roof.
Forks clinked against plates as everybody ate and my mother tapped at her lips with a napkin. “Well, Eric. All of our children are now eighteen years old. I can’t believe it. Where did the time go?”
Eric shook his head, unable to speak because of the food in his mouth. Alex spoke for him.
“I think Kelly has grown up to be a beautiful girl. One of the prettiest I know, in fact.” He winked and I watched Asher’s face transition into a deep shade of scarlet red. “And to think, she wouldn’t be as wonderful as she is today if it wasn’t for her two twin brothers who love her more than life itself. Isn’t that right, Asher?”
Alex’s tone was sickening and I worried that he knew more than he was letting on. Asher flashed him a threatening expression, but forced himself to appear civil when my mother responded, “That’s so sweet, Alex. You two really have been great brothers. You’re always looking out for Kelly. I couldn’t have asked for better siblings for my daughter.”
My stomach twisted and I shut my eyes, attempting desperately to keep from crying. This all was simply too much for me to handle.
“So, kids,” Eric began, “Do you all have big plans for Homecoming? It’s only three days away and I just wanted to let the three of you know that I hired a limousine to drive you around for the night. It’s your last Homecoming of your high school years and I think you should make it as special as possible.”
My mother gasped. “Oh, goodness. I’ve been so busy at work, I completely lost track of the week. Kelly, honey? Have you bought your dress yet?”
“I’m not going, mom.” My voice was weak, the fear inside me that Alex knew about Asher and I tightening every muscle in my throat.
“What?!” She barely kept her voice below a scream. “What do you mean you’re not going? Of course, you’re going!”
“I don’t have a date, mom.” My voice wavered, tears welling in my eyes about the difficulty of this entire situation.
I could tell that Asher was uncomfortable as well, his entire body visibly vibrating with whatever it was he was feeling.
“Well, too bad for those boys then. Alex? Asher? Would you two be willing to let your sister tag along for Homecoming? I’m sure it will be a blast if the three of you go together.”
Alex took longer to respond, his eyes looking everywhere but at his twin or me. “I don’t know. I have a hot date and I’d hate for Kelly to ruin my chances of …” Remembering that our parents were in the room, he quickly changed his tone. “I mean, of course, I’d love to have Kelly with us for the night.”
“Then it’s settled,” my mom announced triumphantly. “You three will go together, with or without dates. It will be fun. Kelly, we’ll go shopping for a dress. Something really pretty so you can show all those stupid boys at your school what they’re missing.”
Chapter Five
“Well, look at you. My goodness, Kelly, you have grown into such a beautiful woman.” Waving her hand to dry her tear-filled eyes, my mother sniffled. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to get emotional, but I can’t help getting misty to realize that you’re a grown woman now. You’ll always be my baby regardless of your age, but…”
She blabbered on until the only thing I could do was give her a weak smile. Shimmering beneath the dressing room lights in my closet were over a thousand sequins in my dress. Long and sleek, the light color flashed brilliantly against my tan skin. A slit ran up to the top of my thigh, the athletic tone of my legs visible as I walked. The bodice had no straps, the material tight, but layered so as not to be revealing. It was such a beautiful dress, but I wanted to cry despite how good it looked on me.
I should have been happy in that moment; thrilled to be dressed up and on my way to a dance with my friends. Unfortunately, the truth of who would be escorting me ruined any happy thoughts I had. Once we arrived to the dance, I’d be able to break away from them to find my friends, but the time spent in the car would be a nightmare. We were having dinner at a fancy restaurant first and I dreaded the drive into the city that would take a half hour both ways.
An hour alone with Asher would be a filthy little dream.
An hour alone with Alex would be hell.
“Look at the time. We need to get downstairs, Kelly. Alex’ date should be arriving any minute and I want to be sure to get lots of pictures of the four of you.
“Four?” I asked. “What about Asher’s date?”
She looked up at me from where she was fixing my dress. “Didn’t he tell you? He decided not to take a date because he didn’t want you to be the only one alone. Isn’t that sweet? Eric told me last night.”
My heart fell into my stomach. “What?” I croaked.
“I think it’s sweet. Grabbing my hand, she pulled me towards the door. “Let’s get going.”
She walked faster than I preferred because of the strappy heels on my feet. At first, I felt like I would tip over, but eventually, I found the grace to manage the very high and very beautiful footwear. Jewels were sewn into the straps and with each step they sparkled like diamonds against the light.
Reaching the precipice of the stairs, I looked down into three anxious male faces. Two were identical: brown messy hair, sparkling green eyes, high cheekbones and strong jaws. The twins were dressed in matching dark blue suits. The mandarin collars of their white shirts didn’t require a tie, however, the top buttons flashed when I saw them. I couldn’t help but notice how both their buttons matched the color of my dress. Both boys filled out their suits so well; it was as if the material had been tailored to fit them precisely.
Alex whistled and Eric clapped his hands, laughing and calling out about how beautiful I looked. Asher, on the other hand, was more stoic, his eyes blazing with the storm of brewing emotion inside him. I saw desire and lust, but more noticeable than that was the possessiveness and ownership. In an odd way, I felt claimed.
We walked down the stairs and Eric said, “Everybody move over to the fireplace. I want to get a picture of the three of you together before you leave.”
“What about Alex’ date?” Mom asked.
Alex laughed. “She cancelled at the last second. Apparently, she caught the chicken pox from her little sister. Don’t they vaccinate against that these days?” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’m sure the three of us will have fun as a little trio.”
I cringed. I was looking forward to Alex’ date being with us, it would have kept him on, at least somewhat, good behavior. Without her, I had nobody to distract him away from tormenting me.”
Pictures were taken and we were shoved into the limousine waiting in the driveway. The drive was quiet for all of five minutes before Alex announced, “Lookie here what I found. Glass clinked and a bottle popped, the bubbly liquid gushing out and onto the floor. “Champagne.”
“We’re not twenty-one, Alex. We shouldn’t be drinking.” I answered.
Rolling his eyes, he smiled mischievously. “Technically the law doesn’t say we can’t drink; the law states that we’re not to be in possession of liquor. But, it’s already in the car and so are we, so we’ve already broken the law. We might as well drink up and enjoy it before we get carted off to jail. Want some Asher?”
Handing a glass to Asher, Alex kept his eyes trained on me. Asher took the glass and gulped it down in one sip, his Adam’s apple moving as his throat worked the liquid down.
“Well, somebody is eager.” Alex filled his brother’s glass again before filling another and handing it to me. “Loosen up, Kelly. For once I’m giving you something that doesn’t have something gross inside it. Consider it a peace offering.”
I took the glass, but hesitated to take a sip. “There will never be peace between us, Alex. You’ve been torturing me since the day you met me.”
He laughed. “I’m your brother. That’s my job.”
“You weren’t my brother in kindergarten,” I argued.
“No. That I wasn’t.” He grinned, some personal and secret joke apparent in the way he smiled. “But you were the girl my twin brother and I were fighting over. We had to do something to get your attention.”
Asher’s face turned red, the veins in his neck throbbing with his racing pulse. “”You weren’t supposed to tell her that.”
“Wait. What?” I looked between them. “What in the hell are you two talking about?”
Another laugh fell from Alex’ perfect lips. “Do you want to tell her, Asher, or shall I?”
Chapter Six
An hour passed as Alex and Asher told me all about the crush they’d had on me since the day they met me. Like any young boys, they’d teased me to get my attention, not understanding that torment wasn’t the way to a girl’s heart. After that, and as they grew older, the games they played with me had become habit, as much a part of their lives as their friends, family and hobbies were.
“We hate this entire situation, Kel,” Asher said. “When we pulled up in your driveway with our dad and your mom, both of us froze in our seats. It didn’t seem fair. We’ve had to live with you for three long years and watch you walk around in your pajamas, and lounging out in your bikini by the sun.” His fist hit the seat beside him. “We’ve wanted you for so fucking long.”
“We?” The four glasses of champagne I’d downed while they talked was getting to my head. “Both of you! What? Were you planning on sharing me or something?”
Alex grinned, sex and seduction written so clearly into his expression. “Well, yeah. We don’t mind sharing. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
His body tightening in response to his brother’s words, Asher said, “Alex, stop.” Asher turned to me, reaching out to take my hand. “These past couple of days have been hard….Really. Fucking. Hard. I’ve never wanted a girl more than you. I damn near lost it when I was in that room with you. If Alex hadn’t have come home, I would have taken you right then. I don’t think you realize how much I need to be with you.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Both of them? At the same time? I felt woozy at the thought of it. There were far too many things that made this impossible. Two men alone would be enough to deal with, but these were the two I’d hated all my
life. On top of that, they were my stepbrothers.
This couldn’t happen.
Alex poured another glass of champagne from what appeared to be an endless supply of bottles. “We rented a hotel room to stay in tonight, by the way. Eric arranged it for us.”
“Holy shit!” I yelled. “Eric knows?”
“No. He thinks we’ll be taking other girls there, but I don’t think him or mom are expecting you home by any specific time tonight, either. You’re eighteen now. You can stay out past curfew. Nobody will miss us, Kelly, and nobody will know.”
Asher glanced at me, his eyes a molten green at the thought of being with me again. I knew I shouldn’t do it, but my body had its own ideas. Moisture pooled between my legs and my breasts tingled at the thought of his mouth and teeth.
It may have been the alcohol that stripped me of my inhibition. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself it was.
I noticed the time and asked, “Why aren’t we at the restaurant yet? Or for that matter, the dance?”
“Because we came straight to the hotel.”
Plain. Simple and direct. Asher answered the question with a steady and deep voice, one that told me he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Screw the dance, I thought.
. . .
Getting inside had been difficult. We had to remain apart from one another as normal brothers and sisters would do. We also had to walk like we hadn’t just gulped down a bottle of champagne each.
I was embarrassed already, but brushed the feeling off by remembering that most hotels were used to seeing this on Homecoming night.
As soon as the front door of our suite clicked shut behind us, my heart raced and my breathing increased to a pace that I knew wasn’t healthy. I was so nervous, so confused…yet so turned on.
Dearest Stepbrother: Double Trouble - Ultimate Bundle Page 2
