Stepbrother Fighter: A Love in Steps Standalone Novel

by Rachel Angel

  Okay, I was a bit freaked out. “Why? Married, dating someone already?”

  The Viking God laughed. “No, I enjoy having sex with a beautiful woman like the next guy, but I can’t. I’m meeting someone here, for a family vacation.”

  He stopped talking and I stopped talking, too. I stared at him and he started laughing. “Good joke, Anabelle.”

  OMG. I almost died. “Ian?” I said. Then I decided to play along with his words and pretend it was a joke, but in our unspoken words, we both knew it wasn’t. I’d been serious and he’d been tempted.

  “You look amazing,” he said.

  “As do you. What the heck? You’ve grown up, Ian.”

  “And you have, too,” he said. “I felt cursed that you were my stepsister when you walked over to this area, demanding the attention of everyone you passed. Of course, you had no idea how gorgeous you look.”

  Ian leaned in and wrapped his arms around me and I wrapped my arms around him. He smelled so nice. Freshly shaven and musky at the same time. Damn, why was my body reacting to him like that? My hormones were trying to calm down with the realization it was him, but he smelled so good and his hold was so warm and inviting, he was just what I longed for.

  “You smell good enough to eat, Annabelle. I find you delectable-looking, too. It’s definitely been too long since I’ve seen you.”

  I noticed that he said that loudly and I looked around at about five female faces that were instantly deflated. I heard one say, “Well, I guess she’s over Sax.”

  The other woman with her snorted.

  Suck it, ladies, I thought. I was dying of embarrassment, but every emotion that had surfaced was true. How could this be the Ian I remembered? It almost seemed unfair that he’d never posted his pictures on any social media, leaving me clueless to the man he’d grown into.

  “Well Ian, I’m excited for vacation more than ever,” I said.

  We stood there waiting for our luggage and I knew I was distracted when I found myself looking at him instead of pulling my suitcase off the rack. It had gone around two times already. He was just the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, even more than Sax. It felt unfair!

  Chapter 6

  I’d never been as excited as I was at that moment. The family was together, which was something I’d hoped we have way more chances to be when Dad had gotten remarried, but truthfully, seeing Ian was the most interesting part of the entire deal. I had such a strong connection to him, one that had been created through our efforts of talking with each other whenever we could and at least acknowledging each other’s existence when our parents’ were too busy to be able to do that. That was something special and although I was only eighteen, it was something quite rare.

  “Okay, here’s the luggage,” Ian said, holding the bags in his hands and one under his arm, making them bulge out in a most appealing way—he was a mancicle. And I felt horrible for thinking of my stepbrother that way, but I’d already hit on him without realizing who he was so it would be remiss to try to talk myself out of thinking he was gorgeous.

  “Great,” I said, staring at him again. “You know, I still can’t believe you’re Ian. If it weren’t for the eyes and that blonde hair, I’d think you were teasing with me.”

  “Lots of reasons to work out and make myself better,” he said casually. It was such a humble statement, one that showed that he valued himself for more than a hot body. That was really great—unlike a certain someone I’d wasted a number of years on. Basically, Ian was the anti-Sax.

  “That’s an awesome reason if you ask me,” I said. “You could really get into modeling, let me know if you want me to hook you up.”

  “Um no, and hell no,” Ian said, but he was laughing. “Not too eager to follow my mom’s path; not all that impressive with where it took her for a great many years. At least now she ignores me because she’s in a happy marriage, you know?”

  “Do I ever,” I said. “I see Dad less myself, but it’s nice to know that he’s settled down and building a life with someone that will hopefully last forever.”

  “Well, to our family vacation, then,” Ian said.

  “To our vacation,” I said. I glanced at Ian and saw his blue eyes spark up.

  “You know, Anabelle, I think we should go and have some fun today. We’re solo for a bit; why not enjoy some Hawaiian culture our style, not our parents? I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty happy just being submersed in these types of settings—no five star service needed for me to have fun.”

  “Me either! It’s a date.”

  We made our way in the small bus that took us over to a car rental place and decided to take a soft-topped Jeep so we could have fresh air, but also some cover in case there was an unexpected rain shower.

  “Where first?” I said, as we veered off to the road that could either head right into the city or to the coast.

  “How about Haunama Bay? Do a little swimming, snorkeling, maybe some lying out in the sun?” Ian offered. Then he reached over and squeezed my knee, jolting me in a way that I was a bit uncomfortable with. Stepbrother, I kept repeating internally.

  “Sounds great, and then how about a luau?” I asked, pulling out a tourist guide that the car rental place had given us.

  “Love it.”

  And off we went, making our way in the fresh air to Haunama Bay to kick off our vacation. We pulled into a small gas station first to get a little food in case we got hungry and then we were on our way. I was already a huge fan of the Hawaiian experience, and it hadn’t even really begun yet.

  “Have you ever been here before, Anabelle?”

  “Only once, for a photo shoot.” That image made me frown because Sax had been on that trip, too, a shoot for Hollister & Company. Just the thought of him pissed me off so badly, still. I was getting plenty sick of feeling the pain of his deceit.

  “You okay?” Ian asked, looking over at me as he slammed on the breaks for a sudden traffic jam to allow a group of pedestrians cross.

  “Just had a thought about someone really unpleasant,” I said.

  “Sax?” I just nodded my head. “He really hurt you, didn’t he? When I saw it in the tabloids I wanted to reach out to you about it, but I knew you’d talk to me when you felt the time was right.”

  “Yeah, I’m trying to stop thinking about that jerk. It’s exhausting, but I have a feeling that this vacation is just what I need, Ian. The guy aged me like ten years.”

  “I don’t think so; you’re as beautiful as you were the first day I ever saw you,” Ian said.

  His words were so refreshing to hear, no ulterior motives, just kindness…kindness coming from a good looking guy. “Thanks, you charmer.”

  “I’m not a charmer, just calling it as I see it, Anabelle. But seriously, if you’d like to talk about it, I’m here for ya’.”

  “That’s no way to start off a vacation, but thanks for the offer. I want to talk about something fun, the future, the stock market, anything but about him,” I said.

  “And I’ll pass on the stock market,” Ian said with a bright smile that made the brilliant Hawaiian sun lessen in comparison. “But anything else, I’m game for.”

  And so the adventure began, one filled with sunshine, laughter, and some pretty unique experiences. I tried not to stare at his tanned muscular body when he took off his shirt to go swimming, and I could tell when I took off my dress, wearing my hot pink bikini, that he couldn’t stop staring at me too. But we ended up being able to enjoy ourselves despite the thick tension between us. With the snorkeling, I almost snorted in a healthy dose of ocean water as I watched Ian playing around with the fins, flipping them up like he was a mermaid. Then I jumped, having a school of fish brush up against my leg, which made him start laughing right back at me, but then he came right over to make sure I was really okay. What a gentleman!

  Going up to the beach and sitting down on two of the chairs we rented, we laughed and stared straight ahead. “Man, this place is amazing,” Ian said.

 
“It sure is,” I said. “Hardly seems like the US, although I’m quite certain that I learned that it is in school.”

  “Such knowledge, clearly a stellar education,” Ian said.

  Then we laughed again. Maybe it was a means of trying to show that we weren’t like our parents, not just focused on money. We liked people and we both seemed to have this deep desire to just be happy with life as it came our way, something that I’d never seen in my father, and I guessed that Ian had never seen in his mother before, either.

  “So, if this wouldn’t have come up, what would you have been doing today?”

  “Probably planning for my next overseas trip,” he said casually.

  “Prefer to vacation there?” I asked. “Where?”

  “Africa and isolated Russia, but it’s not vacation, it’s charity work. I’ve hooked up with this organization that goes into older, desolate villages and helps make repairs to people’s housing to at least give them a chance at a quality household, if nothing else.”

  He was so thoughtful, and good. “That’s really great, Ian. Sounds like a wonderful experience.”

  “It is really great. Feels good to give to people who really need it, really appreciate it.”

  “I try to do things like that, but I’m afraid I fall short of doing what you’ve done. I’ve been more like appearances and endorsements…things like that.”

  “Everything you do toward a better cause counts; that’s what I feel.”

  “You’re such a good guy, almost like a saint.”

  He looked at me and his eyes darkened just a bit. “I’m no saint, Anabelle. Trust me.”

  I felt excited and curious about the look, but thought it might be time for a new subject. “And for college next year, what are your plans?”

  “I am hoping to make it into Ohio State for their sports medicine program.”

  “Wow, that’s really great, Ian. I can tell you’re into fitness, but I had no idea that you were that passionate about it, to go into it for a career, that is.”

  “I am; it’s fascinating what the body can do and all the things we can do to make it perform better. Love it.”

  “Have you had any injuries?”

  “No, thank God. I’ve seen a lot of guys get torn ACLs, MCLs, meniscuses, that kind of thing. Tough injuries, but not if they’re managed right.”

  “So like an orthopedic surgeon?” I asked.

  “I think so, just specializing in sports injuries. Which means that I’d also find a way to tackle the beast of concussions and the NFL, too.”

  “Hot topic? What are your thoughts on it all?”

  “Well, I think some of these older players have some legitimate complaints, but the newer guys…well, the information is out there. If they’re making the choice to play, they should be smart enough to know the possible consequences.”

  “Maybe you should be an attorney, that’s a logical argument,” I said.

  “Which is probably why I wouldn’t be a good attorney—too cut and dry, not enough show and flair.”

  I don’t know about that, I thought. He could mesmerize any jury into agreement in my opinion.

  “You’re too complimentary to me, Anabelle. Still protective and being the cheerleader. It’s sweet. But how about you? What are your college plans?”

  “Well, I’m thinking warmer than Ohio,” I said with a soft laugh. “I want to go into journalism, hoping to get my feet planted more firmly into sports broadcasting, so I guess we have sports in common.”

  “Do you think that’s all we have in common?” he asked me, tilting his head and using his hand to block the sun from his eyes.

  “I, uh, no,” I said, feeling absolutely emotionally drawn to him at that moment. “We have more in common than I do with just about anyone else I’ve ever met. It’s so crazy. I suppose that’s why we have gained an instant connection despite barely seeing each other, huh?”

  “I suppose so,” he said.

  “Well, I don’t want to get burned this early into the vacation so what do you say we go see if the hotel will let us check in; then we can maybe go out to a luau, wouldn’t that be a blast?”

  “As you wish, ma’am,” he said.

  He stood up and offered me his hand, pulling me up. I watched his bicep ripple the entire time and was impressed with every move the man made, but also with what a gentleman he was. So attentive and good. If only all guys could be that way…

  “Wow, you look amazing,” Ian said, standing in the doorway of my hotel suite, looking at me with a smile that showed just how much he liked what he saw. I was glad, too, because I’d put some effort into it, loving my Stella McCartney sundress and fun Stuart Weitzman sandals.

  “Thank you, Ian,” I said, smiling and taking in his more casual look, which was most fitting—very island-like. He had on a pair of cargo shorts that hung by his waist and a polo shirt that hugged every muscle in his body. If he was the human model for it, I might have enjoyed all my anatomy classes in life just a bit more.

  We took off and made our way to the luau, excited to experience the Polynesian flavor of the islands and continue our fun adventure.

  “I cannot believe how beautiful this all is,” I said casually.

  Ian looked at me. “So beautiful.” His words seemed to have a double meaning and I just smiled softly, not sure how else to respond. It had been so long since someone had made me feel so special, so alive just by their presence. It was wonderful. He’d managed to make me feel like I was the only woman in the world at that moment. Any woman he chose to love was going to be a lucky woman. I envied her. How odd to meet a guy who seemed ideal and have him be a stepbrother. Life was pretty damn unfair at times.

  We took our seats at the luau, at a table with a family with two small children and an older couple. Everyone was having so much fun, showing that the island culture appealed to all, giving them the awe inspiring views and activities that brought real joy. I was so wrapped up in the moment.

  “Come, try a hula dance,” a beautiful young woman said to Ian, smiling at him with a sexy, exotic look.

  “No,” he said bashfully.

  “Come on, Ian. You have to. Show me your moves,” I said, laughing merrily.

  “And you, you come hula, too,” a guy said who had come up to my right side, dressed in a sarong, tribal tattoos on his arms, and no shirt on. Ooh la la.

  There the two of us were, practicing moving our hips this way and our arms that way, laughing merrily and completely caught up in the spontaneity of the moment. Other people from the audience were up there, too, and we were all getting cheered on. I gave some serious kudos to those hula dancers—it was much harder than it looked.

  Afterward, we made our way back to the table laughing merrily. The elderly woman that was at our table said, “Such a lovely couple. I remember when we used to be able to move like that.” Then she squeezed her husband’s arm affectionately.

  “Oh, we’re just friends,” Ian said.

  Of course he was right, but I sensed that he sounded as sad saying it as I felt hearing it.

  “Well, you’re very good friends,” she replied, winking at us.

  I couldn’t do anything, but laugh. She was so sweet!

  A cool wind began to blow, coming off the ocean and showing how the island could be very tropical at day and cool by night. Ian wrapped his arm around me and rubbed his hand up and down my arm, giving me brush strokes of warmth. I suddenly felt so vulnerable, almost lost as I realized that I loved having someone in my life that loved me and I could love back. Sax had ruined it. A tear slid down my cheek, making my entire body shiver.

  I felt Ian’s soft finger on my cheek, wiping it away. “You okay?”

  His voice was so tender and quiet, almost a whisper. “Yeah, I guess. Just thinking…” I couldn’t even finish my thought, but I didn’t need to.

  “He’s not worth the tears you’re shedding for him, Anabelle,” he said. “If he didn’t see how special you are, how lucky he was, he didn’t
deserve you. You should have dumped him. Whoever you give your heart to should love you and you alone, unconditionally.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at Ian’s words. They were medicine for my heart. “I’m so lucky to have you supporting me like this. But I think you’re the special one…going off to help save the world and being so decent to everyone.”

  Turning my head, I looked at his profile and his firm jaw line. I couldn’t resist it; I traced my finger along it and then onto his cheek, just wanting to touch him. The way his five o’clock shadow felt on my fingertips was even intriguing, inviting.

  Ian turned his head to look at me and our eyes locked. I was so aware of his presence and the undeniable way I felt for him. In his eyes, I saw a burning desire and it was clear that he wasn’t thinking of me as a sister, or a pal, either. We both wanted the same thing.

  The reality we had to face brought him back to reality much more quickly than it did me. “Come on, Anabelle. We’d better get back to the hotel to see our parents.”

  “Yeah,” I said, sighing. I hadn’t seen my dad in about nine months and I found myself feeling a bit put out that I had to go see him at that moment…it broke the magic that I had been enjoying.

  Chapter 7

  We walked into the hotel and the concierge came over to us right away. “Excuse me, Ms. Tottheim, there’s a message for you.”

  “Hm, thanks,” I said. I opened up the folded piece of white paper and looked. What I read wasn’t surprising, but I couldn’t help but shake my head. “It appears that the family portion of our vacation is delayed until tomorrow. It’s a message from Dad that they couldn’t make their scheduled flight. They’ll be on the red eye.”

  “Shocking,” Ian said.

  I looked at him and it was clear that neither of us were that upset.

  “Why don’t we go and change, meet back down here and have some pizza, play some games, maybe,” I offered.

  “It’s a date,” Ian said.