My stomach turns. I try to glance back at Emily for help, but she’s wrapped up Peter’s arms and not paying attention.
“I just remembered, I left the coffee pot on—”
But Aaron isn’t listening. He grabs his beer from the bartender, chugs it in one go, and then drags me away toward the rear exit.
“I’m gonna blow your mind, girl,” he says, chuckling with pride at what he just said. A poet this man is not.
His sweaty armpit rubs against my neck as he pulls me along with him. I try to struggle out of his grip, but he’s so much stronger than me.
“Emily!” I shout, starting to freak out. But my voice is drowned out by Journey blaring from the speakers.
This isn’t happening. Thiscan’tbe happening.
But I can’t stop it. Even when I try to force my feet down against the floor, they just slide, slipping against the floor that’s wet with spilled drinks.
“Please, just let me go,” I plead. “I need to get back to Emily—”
“Only place you’re going is out to my car,” he replies, rubbing his nostrils. “Just relax and enjoy yourself—”
I’m about to have a full-blown panic attack when something crazy happens.
A fist comes out of nowhere, soaring in like a meteor, and impacts Aaron’s nose.
His head snaps back, and he falls, pulling me down with him, but a set of strong hands catch me by the waist and hold me tight. I’m spun around, and even before I stare into the eyes of my savior, I know who it is, just by his smell.
“Jake…”
My voice is barely a whisper as I gaze at him, my heart racing, limbs shaking.
“What the…f-fuck?” Aaron stammers from the ground. He tries to get to his feet, reaching for the hem of my dress, but Jake kicks him back down and points a stern finger his way.
“Back off. This is my step-sister.”
His words set something off inside me. It feels like a thousand fireworks exploding, causing my stomach to tingle and twist delightfully.
Heat spreads across my face. I’m blushing. I feel safe but small. Protected.
“Son of a bitch…” Aaron mutters, stumbling off into the crowd. A few of them glance at us, but Jake just ignores them.
“Are you okay?” he asks, brushing my hair from my face. His hand on my lower back is warm and strong, and so comforting. I feel invulnerable as he holds me.
Feelings I’ve never felt before flow through me. My fingers are hot, and a tingling sensation spreads between my thighs.
Yeah, fine, Jake is gorgeous, but whatever I’m feeling right now cannot be happening. He’s my step-brother, for God’s sake!
“What are you doing here!?” I blurt out, much louder than I’d intended.
“What, a guy can’t get a drink?” His eyes sparkle with such intensity. Is he playing with me? “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
I’m in a daze as he leads me out the back to his car. He opens the door for me like a chauffeur, I slide in, and he closes it behind me. Gorgeous, dangerous,anda gentleman? That’s a lethal combination.
And quite a contrast between the prick who just tried to assault me. What was Emily thinking setting me up with him? We’re going to have a chat later.
It’s only a few minutes to the house, but just sitting beside Jake is impossible. Naughty thoughts I shouldn’t be having flood my mind. He has one hand on the wheel and one hand on the shifter stick thingy—which leaves no hand for my leg.
I shouldn’twanthis hand on my leg though! Jake is my step-brother. So what if he’s gorgeous? You can’t want your step-brother…
…can you? I mean, we’re not blood-related. I barely even know him.
