A small shudder ran through my body. At twenty-two, I was fairly inexperienced. Even though I'd graduated early from a good college and had started graduate school for library science, I had only slept with one guy, and it wasn't all that amazing. I’d missed that milestone. I hadn't felt that spark ... that pin prick of desire for many years. But Chase ignited that spark, and deep in my body, it was turning to burning coals.
His arm was warm around me. This mousy librarian had scored an island romance, and despite my generally conservative views, I could make an exception for this weekend.
The desire shot to that place between my legs, and I wondered if Chase had the same feelings. And why would he have those feelings about someone like me? Boys like him usually didn’t think I was worth the time.
The boat pulled into the harbor, and we stepped off the ramp, loaded down with luggage.
“Ay! Taxi!” Chase shouted, grabbing my hand in his. “Stay close, Sienna. Don't get lost here. The rest of St. John is sleepy as hell, but this area definitely isn’t.” I blushed at his protective words.
A black taxi pulled up to us, and Chase through our bags in the trunk as I hopped inside.
“Where you headed, Miss?” A crusty old man with very few front teeth turned and smiled at me. I smiled back.
“I actually have no idea.”
“Ah, you're boyfriend, he knows.”
“He's not my boyfriend ... he's …” Chase hopped into the car beside me.
“Coral Bay. Thanks.”
I buckled myself in and smiled at Chase. He smiled back. This kind of thing didn’t happen to me, but Chase handled it as smoothly as could be.
“I have a two bedroom place for the week. It looks out over Maho Bay. The wedding is somewhere else. My dad is supposed to drop by tomorrow morning, but for now … we’ll have the place to ourselves.” He looked away and out of the window. The taxi bumped and jumped over the dirt roads that led up the mountain to the apartment Chase had rented. I might have been imagining things, but I detected a blush rise in his cheeks.
“Cool,” I said. I could be nonchalant too. Or at least, I could try. “What do you do that allows you to take a week off and rent your own place?”
“Oh, I work for a publishing company in New York. It’s not that exciting. I had to take time off, same as everyone else. But the pay is okay.” He grinned again. “And I’ll be glad to be away from the city for a while.” Quietly, he reached over and held my hand, sending a strange, yet pleasant, feeling through my body. It was pleasure, I realized. Pleasure and relaxation … things I so infrequently felt.
“I’m in New York too. Small world.”
“Maybe we’ll run into each other sometime,” he said, caressing my hand with his thumb.
We pulled up to the apartment, hung high over the mountains of Maho Bay. The apartment — more of a cabin, really — sat by itself. It had a red roof that accented white stucco and a smooth wooden porch. The pool was in the front yard, clean and well kept. Chase paid for the cab and got out, his body easy and ambling, like he was already at home.
“Wow, Chase, this is really something.”
“It’s not too bad, is it? Found it online,” he said, grabbing my bags and stepping up to the entrance. I froze for a moment. This was happening. This was really happening.
“Yeah, it’s … it’s really beautiful.” I stepped away from the cab gingerly, like this was a dream that might vanish into a thin mist. It was that unreal, this beauty I saw before me. I looked back over the mountain and saw the small town behind us. What lay before me was unknown. Strange, beautiful, and completely unknown.
“Come on, Sienna. I’m not a serial killer. Plus, what happens in St. John stays in St. John, right? Don’t let yourself get worried about it.”
I stood in the rocky driveway, looking at the silently rippling pool and the deck umbrellas swaying in the breeze.
“I just don’t really know you … and maybe this was a mistake. Besides,” I said, betraying my feelings, “Guys like you don’t normally just take girls like you on dates to their private cabanas.”
“This isn’t a cabana. It’s an ecotourist cabin with a saltwater swimming pool. It’s made of environmentally friendly materials, and the owners bring up fresh fruit and fish each morning.” He paused, and I couldn’t help but smile at his assessment. The place was pretty great. “And what do you mean by ‘girls like you?’ Pretty, smart girls who are easy to be around?”
“That’s not exactly an assessment I’d ever heard before, but I’ll take it,” I said, stepping towards him. He took a key out of his pocket and opened the door, tossing the bags inside. The breeze was cooler up here at the top of the rocky cliff that overlooked one of St. John’s many bays, and I let the built up tension go. I took a deep breath in, allowing the breeze to roll over me and stepped up to the porch, following him inside. There was a full kitchen with fresh fruit laid out, just as he’d said, and the back doors and windows already stood opened, looking out over the most pristine beach on the entire island.
Chase walked around, touching the furniture and looking out at the view. He stood at the open back door, looking out onto the porch. The Caribbean expanded before us, strange rocky mountains and islands rising in the distance.
“It’s true,” he said, still looking out. “You’re pretty and smart, and I connected with you in the short time we were on the plane. I’m not up to anything weird, and you can get out of here if you want to. I’d understand. I’m not exactly bait for girls like you. I usually attract the trashy sort.” He chuckled, still turned away from me. There was a loneliness in his voice, a hint of sadness I hadn’t detected before. I walked over to him and put my hand on his arm.
“Girls like me?” He turned and looked at me, his eyes sparkling again.
“Girls who are interesting and fun. Girls who get scared on airplanes. Girls with pretty eyes and killer bodies that they’re totally hiding.”
“And the trashy girls … they probably run off to island cabins with you all the time?”
“Sure, well. I’m that kind of guy. Unpredictable, rash, impetuous. All of those good adjectives. Sexy librarians don’t exactly go for this type of guy.”
“I guess not,” I said, looking out at the horizon, where the dark clouds still hung. “But I’m here in the cabin. For now, anyway. We don’t have to worry about whose type we are. Instead, we can just enjoy one another while we can.”
He drew me into his arms and kissed me, chastely at first, and then crushing against my lips, releasing the built-up passion that had built so quickly between two strangers. A shock rang through my body, and I felt that pinprick of desire build into something far greater.
“We shouldn’t do this,” I murmured as he moved his mouth down to my neck. His hands roamed over my sundress and onto my ass, squeezing lightly.
“Who says?” His voice was husky with desire. And all for me. I sighed and leaned into him.
“I’m still confused about why you want me, but I guess I’ll accept it. After all, we’ll never see each other again.”
“Just let go,” he said, moving his lips up to my ear and nipping at it gently. I gave into him, melting into his touch. I ran my hands over his muscles and up to his thick blond hair, running my fingers through it. I drew him into me and kissed him back, letting out the passion I’d held inside for so long. A thrumming started between my legs and rose deep in my core. He drew me closer to my body, and I felt his hardness pressing into my thigh.
“We can take things slow if you want,” he murmured.
“No,” I responded, guiding his hand under my dress. He moved his fingers lightly over my skin, sending chills through my body and up my spine. His fingers caught under the line of my panties, moving them aside. Groaning, he touched the silken folds, awakening my lust. A moan escaped from my lips, deep and guttural. I spread my legs, leaning into him, inviting his touch. His fingers grazed my aching clit, lighting the fire that had started to burn deep inside of m
e. I reached out to touch him, timid at first, my fingers just glancing against his hardness. He let out a moan, echoing my own desire and slipped a finger inside of me. The warmth of long-forgotten pleasure rose in my body, building as he circled my clit with his thumb and thrust another finger inside.
My mind went blank, and he pressed his lips to mine again, dipping his tongue into my mouth as he gently explored my pussy. Each touch brought me closer to the edge, and I knew that I would soon tip into oblivion. I thought I heard the distant rumble of thunder bringing an island storm into the bay. A flush rose over me and I came hard and fast, arching my back and pushing into his hand.
“Wow, that's …” He sighed, kissing my neck, and I laughed, gripping his cock through his shorts. “That was fucking sexy.” The storm encroached on us, its sounds rumbling and retreating.
“Sounds like a storm,” I said, closing my eyes and reveling in his touch. Letting go, just like he'd said.
“Mmm,” he responded as I gripped him through his shorts, caressing him and feeling him grow harder under my touch. He stopped, looking up and around, panicked. He pulled his hands away from me. "Shit," he said, “It's not a storm.”
Confused, I looked out the window and saw the dark clouds still hanging in the distance.
“Oh shit,” I muttered. The rumble stopped, and I heard the sound of a car door slamming. “Were you expecting someone?”
“My dad ... tomorrow morning. He's getting married tomorrow and was supposed to come to get ready with me.”
“Wait, I thought you said you had a family thing,” I muttered, looking around in confusion.
“Yeah a family thing, a wedding.” There was a knock at the door.
“Chase, how many weddings do you think there are in Coral Bay on the small island of St. John tomorrow?” I raised an eyebrow at him, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He looked at me blankly.
“Just a second,” said Chase, “Hold the fuck on!” He yelled at the door but didn't lose eye contact with me for a moment.
“Chase, do you have your mom or you dad's last name?”
“My mom's. Why?” I sighed heavily and smoothed down my dress. “Why, Sienna?” Chase's voice grew louder.
“Because I'm betting your dad is Hugh Rowell. Right, Chase?”
“How'd you know my dad's name?”
“You are as dumb as I first thought you were, aren't you?”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Chase stood in the middle of the room, his face showing confusion and hurt. I rolled my eyes and pushed down my own disappointment. I hoped it didn't smell too much like sex in the cabin, because I had a very good idea of who was behind that door. I stepped forward and opened it.
“Honey!” My mom drew me into a tight hug, almost crushing me. “Hugh is in the car ... I can't believe you already met your stepbrother." Behind me, I heard Chase groan and fall back into one of the stylish teak chairs.
“I can't believe it either.”
CHAPTER THREE
I made my face impassive, trying not to look at my mother. Chase's father followed quickly behind, carrying bags and several bottles of champagne. I'd met Hugh several times, and I internally kicked myself for not realizing it before. How stupid had I been? Chase was a carbon copy of Hugh, minus about thirty years.
“My dear, it's so good to see you again,” said Hugh, “You are looking lovely. I see the island flush has already come over you. Have you already gotten some sun.” I giggled uncomfortably, and Chase ran his hand over his face, groaning again. Hadn't my mother told me that Hugh's son would be at the wedding? Had she mentioned his name? Had she told me that he looked just like Hugh? That he would be staying in Coral Bay?
I looked back at Chase as my mother and his father scuttled around, arranging things. I brought my hand to my neck, making a chopping motion.
As in, this stops here. No more one night stand.
“What?” He looked at me, confused again. “I mean, what's that supposed to mean? Oh right, I'm too dumb to understand it.” He stood up and started helping his dad.
“I’m so glad you're here, Sienna,” my mom said, looking at me fondly. “I think we can all stay here if you like. Hugh and I decided to stay with Chase since it's nicer than the hotel down the mountain. And the view of Maho Bay is incredible.”
“Yeah, it's a nice place. But I think I need some space of my own. Chase brought my stuff up here ... after we, uh, discovered we were going to be family. But I'm ... um ... feeling under the weather. I was just about to call a taxi. I'm going to go check in at the hotel and maybe go to sleep.”
“Well of course, honey. Whatever you want. I want you to be able to walk me down the beach tomorrow, like we talked about.” She smiled her silly, vacant smile. I held a deep and abiding love for my mom, but she couldn't read people especially well. I guess that worked out well for me right about now. I walked to the door and found my purse among the things that Chase had set down. I stepped outside and dialed the taxi service we'd used before. I know they'd be pissed to have to come back up the mountain, but all I wanted to do right now was escape.
I closed my eyes and listened to the phone ring. I'd never done anything like this before. Drama wasn't something that followed me around. I slumped back against the lovely stucco cabin, opening my eyes to look out over the island.
“Yes, this is Island Taxi,” came a melodic voice at the other end of the line.
“I need a taxi,” I said, “The Rainwater Cabin ... at the top of Coral Bay. It says the address is 111 Rainwater Drive.”
“Yes, miss, right away.” The door opened beside me, and I hung up to see Chase stepping beside me.
“You don't have to go,” he said as I slipped my phone back inside my purse. “I mean, it's fine if you stay.” He looked at me, those eyes seeming to cut straight through to my soul. I'd just stood there and insulted him, but still, he'd asked me to stay. Maybe he was a good enough guy that we could just let this all go. We could put it behind us. But I knew I wouldn't be able to, not if I stayed there that night.
“I do have to go," I said, raising a hand to his face. I pressed my hand against his cheek and traced one finger over the strong line of his jaw. “I can't be here ... not when I want you like this.”
“I thought I was dumb,” he said, the shadow of hurt coming over his face again.
“I’m the queen of sticking my foot in my mouth. I didn’t really mean it,” I mumbled.
“Hey, I get it. I’m like a bull in a china shop. And I’m not one for thinking anything through. Leave it to me not to realize … well, not to realize anything at all really.” The taxi pulled up, the same man sitting in the front, grinning at me with his sparsely populated mouth.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Chase,” I said. I moved to pick up my bags, but Chase stepped in front of me and hefted them over his shoulders.
“You don’t have to —”
“I want to,” he said, but he stood still on the porch. I started walking to the cab, and he grabbed my arm, his grip firm.
“Sienna, don’t go. We can work something out. Our parents are going to go out for the night. And maybe …”
“Maybe what, Chase? I don’t know what you’re thinking. You’re just used to getting what you want. It’s written all over you.”
Stepbrother Revealed Page 2
