“Joseph, wait.” She trotted behind me, then grabbed my wrist and tugged me back.
“Bonita, I don’t want to fight with you. I’ll go.” My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared into her whiskey-colored eyes. They were so big and beautiful, full of curiosity. My heart raced faster, being so close to her and feeling her hand wrapped around my wrist.
She huffed, pushing her hip out. “You’re so infuriating.”
“So are you.”
She gasped as if hurt. Puppy dog eyes and pouty lips followed. “I don’t want to fight either. You just keep confusing me.”
“How so?” As if I didn’t know.
“Graduation is almost here, then we probably won’t see each other again.” She stuck out her plump bottom lip. I should follow my natural instinct and bite it to shut her up. “Stay.”
I shouldn’t, but… “For a little while.”
“Okay. Do you want a beer?” She smiled softly, hesitation in her eyes.
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Be right back.” She scampered toward the crowd of guys surrounding several ice chests. Maybe I should’ve declined a beer. I dialed into the sounds she made and the words she spoke, ready to jump into action and protect my…Step-sister, I told myself.
I pretended to not watch and appeared uninterested as I found a comfortable spot near the lake. But I kept her in my sights.
Jealousy simmered in my belly, and hate pumped in my veins at the guys sniffing around her. Brynne didn’t appear to mind, but I did. I’d lose my shit if a dude eye fucked her. It didn’t matter if she’d worn a sexy red bikini to tempt and tease every cock in the group. I wouldn’t stand for it. I’d teach every fucker a lesson he’d never forget. When he least expected it, I’d rip out his eyeballs and shove them in his ass. Then I’d paddle my step-sister’s bottom.
Step-sisterrepeated in my head.
Why God? Why did I fall for Tina’s daughter?
It wasn’t as though I set out to catch feelings for her. It just happened. Of course, my old man and stepmom might not agree.
It would surely kill me, but I needed to push her away.
“Oops.” Brynne dropped her phone and bent to pick it up. I couldn’t turn away, even though I should. Instead, I held my breath like a fuking dog while she was in my favorite position, the one I pushed every woman into when I fucked her from behind.
Except I wanted to stare into Brynne’s amber-colored eyes when I plowed into her sweet pussy.
Goddammit, e-fucking-nough. She’s Tina’s daughter, asshole!
Oh, hell no. Brynne’s best friend, Gina, peered my way right when I adjusted the stiffy in my shorts. A grin stretched across her face as she came toward me. I knew the desperate, hungry look.
“Fuck, I don’t need this,” I hissed, pretending not to see her.
“Hi there.” Gina blocked my view of Brynne.
“Hey.”
“You should come over and join me.” She flashed a bright smile.
Join her? No, thank you. “I’m good here. Brynne is getting me a beer.” I pointed passed her. Anything to distract the flirty blonde.
“I bet I could help you be better.” She squatted in front of me with her knees spread wide and leaned forward. No doubt she wanted me to check out her modest chest. “Why are you so uptight around girls?”
“I’m not.” Jesus Christ, she wanted me. So sorry, so sad. Gina did nothing for me. Women, in general, hadn’t piqued my interest beyond meaningless sex because I never wanted to fall in love.
I turned my attention toward Brynne coming my way, thinking God had a crazy way of altering my plans to never fall in love.
“You probably don’t understand what I mean.” Gina laughed and teetered on her feet. I scrunched my nose, smelling beer on her breath. Losing her balance, she fell forward onto my lap. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry.” But not so sorry to hurry off. Dammit, I hoped she didn’t feel the semi Brynne had given me.