by Lara Swann
Not that that had been much of an issue, thank god - he didn’t seem to stick around here during the day, and last night hadn’t even made it home for dinner. Which should be a relief, since I had no desire to share this place with him over the summer, but some messed up part of me was just a little disappointed that he was effectively ignoring me now. Ignoring everyone, for that matter, since he didn’t offer our parents more than the time of day either, and he rarely bothered to contribute to the halting dinner conversations.
Not since that first explosive night.
“Ohh, it’s a funny story actually.”
Cora laughed lightly and looked over at my father, who for once seemed a little uncomfortable. That caught my interest and I glanced up at them both.
“You know I was temping a while back? Well, I ended up at Terry’s office - his PA had caught something nasty. Off sick for weeks, she was—”
“You were his secretary?”
I couldn’t quite keep the disbelief out of my voice. My respectable father wasn’t the type to chase after his secretary. She might have the looks to turn any woman green, but still—
“Ohh it wasn’t like that! He was a proper gentleman, of course, waiting until I’d left before he said anything…”
The coy smile she sent his way suddenly made my food suddenly lose all appeal, and I found myself pushing it around the plate as she finished the story. I had nothing against Cora, and it seemed like my father liked having her around, but sometimes she reminded me of the schoolgirls I’d grown up with and I had no idea what to make of that. Or exactly what my father saw in her…beyond the dazzling smile and delicately perfect features, anyway.
I cast a quick glance at my father and noted the tight smile on his face, but when she reached over to grasp his hand he relaxed a little, nodding at us.
“We got on well those few weeks, and by the time she left, I think we were both disappointed to lose the company. So I invited her for dinner a few days later…and that was that.”
A glance at Seth had me thinking he’d found their funny story about as amusing as I had, his face expressionless as he looked at them both. And then it was suddenly apparent how we hadn’t gotten around to this question yet…neither of us really wanted to hear much about it. I gave him some kudos for the effort though.
His mother was still looking at us expectantly, but he responded before I’d have to come up with something appropriate to say - a good thing, considering all I could think about was my father falling for his secretary. She might have been a temp, but…
Doesn’t compare to fucking your stepbrother.
The familiar self-recrimination had my cheeks heating again, but I was pretty sure no one noticed - or at least, had no idea what the reason would be. I tried to push it away by telling myself we hadn’t been anything like step-siblings at that point, but that argument didn’t hold so well when I was still thinking about it. Bastard.
“I see…so are you still temping these days?”
His voice was fairly neutral, but that said more than the contempt I had half-expected. I shot another quick look at him, surprised at the sudden interest in our parents’ lives.
“Ohh, no, of course not, honey. We talked about it, but I have Terry to look after now - you know how hard he works. He deserves to have someone here to take care of things.”
That suddenly made a little more sense to me - my father had mentioned the support other executives’ wives gave them more than a few times and I’d kind of known something was missing for him, especially as I’d headed off to university.
I’d always tried to be helpful, but it wasn’t surprising he wanted something more. I could see what he liked about having someone to help him fill the empty house, and tried again to get used to the idea. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t quite see her as that maternal influence he’d mentioned, if he was happy…it was his life to lead.
And your life is yours to lead.
That made me smile again, thinking about the research I would be heading up to after we finished another of these awkward evenings, and wondering if I had time to give Kaylee a quick call to talk through some of my ideas.
“Actually, on that note - Cora will be helping with the annual charity ball, as I’ve been asked to host it this year. It’s late notice, but I’m sure we can manage - especially with your support, darling.”
He gave her a quick smile before turning back to us, but I caught the brief glance that passed between Seth and his mother. I couldn’t quite read the undertone there, but the set of Seth’s shoulders and the slight tension I caught from Cora had me curious. My father continued, oblivious.
“If you have any ideas, it would be great if you could both get involved too - you know what these things are like. I haven’t even begun to shortlist the potential charities, and the event is only in a few weeks.”
I also knew how tedious my father found organizing events, and how hard it was to avoid being roped in. I wondered whether Cora really appreciated what she’d taken on, and a glance at Seth had me thinking our Navy SEAL hero might end up planning a retreat to base in short order.
“What do you think, Annabelle? You usually have a good thought or two for the theme or charity.”
“Navy SEALs…”
It slipped out without thinking and I fought to keep from turning bright red.
I was not just thinking about him. I was not.
“I mean…what about supporting the vets this year? A military theme…tie that and the charity together, and it would be…appropriate.”
I tried somewhat desperately to recover and luckily they were too thrilled with the idea to notice anything else. Seth, however, was giving me a look there was no way in hell I was meeting.
“Ohh, Bella, that’s fantastic - Terry, you simply must agree.”
Even my father was smiling as he added to Cora’s comment.
“Yes, well done, child - the optics are perfect, with our engagement and the introduction of a military man to the household…yes, that would work very nicely.”
“Seth - I’m sure you could get some of your guys along, too, right? We could organize it so we had active members along, provide some nice flavor to the theme and encourage more donations.”
Seth’s attention on me wavered as he realized their focus had narrowed onto him. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, but I half expected some snarky comment in response to the way they were talking about him, even if it was for the benefit of other veterans.
“Yes…there are a few people I’m sure would be willing to support it.”
His voice was carefully controlled, but the glance I sneaked at him showed that his posture had tightened and he’d stopped eating. I felt badly about how my father was discussing it, but he’d always been like this - it wasn’t that he didn’t care, he just didn’t often see the point in approaching things sensitively when he could work through a problem directly. It made him sound a little callous, but he meant well - and the charity ball always raised a lot of money to support those in need, which was the important thing. It didn’t help that Cora seemed just as bad as they started talking about details and working through ideas for the theme.
Then Seth turned his head, catching my eye before I could look away. Whatever he might think of them, his attention honed right back on me again, his gaze intent as he raised an eyebrow. I flushed again as it took me back to how the whole idea originated, undermining the casual shrug I gave him in answer. I turned back to my pasta and groaned inwardly.
That was definitely a theme I wanted to be involved in right now…
The conversation degenerated into details for the ball, and neither Seth nor I volunteered much more as my father and Cora discussed it. I wondered yet again what he thought of it, and then got annoyed at myself all over again for giving him the time of day. But tonight he was being pleasant at least, and since we couldn’t ignore each other forever now, maybe it was better to start getting used to the idea of having him aro
und. Sometimes, anyway - I imagined he’d be gone with the Navy most of the time.
The thought still made me uncomfortable, but if he was going to be my stepbrother…
I shook my head to get away from it and tried to pay attention to the discussions about whether this theme should be contemporary or historical, looking forward to retreating back to my room and immersing myself in another evening looking for potential work experience places as the meal started coming to an end.
* * *
“Want to get away from here, babe?”
I looked up at Seth’s smooth tone to see his arms resting casually on the fencing around the pool area, body leaning forward over it so that if he’d been facing the other direction I’d have a mouth-watering view of his firm ass. Instead, I had to content myself with how his muscles sculpted the tight t-shirt in a display of hot, male power. Keys dangled from one of his fingers and he was slowly twirling them around as he gave me the same regard I was showing him. I flushed suddenly, almost used to my traitorous thoughts by this point, but suddenly very aware that only a skimpy bikini protected my sun-kissed skin from his eyes.
“What?”
I lay the papers I’d been flipping through down against my stomach as I got my eyes under control again.
“I need a break from the endless wedding stuff - you interested?”
“Where are you going?”
I was more than a little suspicious at the invitation, but I could certainly sympathize with wanting to get out of here for a bit. It was a good thing the house was so big, or I’d be spending all my time avoiding the rooms dedicated to preparing one part of the wedding or another. It wasn’t exactly the house I’d pictured coming back to this summer.
“Wherever you like, baby-Bella.”
My expression puckered at the nickname but I let my eyes slide back to the internship I was just reading about, lingering on the address there.
“San Francisco.”
It came out almost as a challenge, daring him to put the lie to his words - but if I was hoping for a reaction all I got was one eyebrow raised over those deep gray eyes as he just shrugged.
“Sure, why not?”
My heart stepped up its rhythm as I suddenly realized volunteering to be trapped in the car with him for the duration of the 6-hour round trip may not have been a good idea. His gaze tinged with amusement as he saw my obvious predicament and reflected that challenge back at me, making me curse myself yet again.
Damn prick seemed to get the best of me far more easily these days…
I only considered backing down for a brief moment - in truth, I’d be glad to get away, and the excuse to visit some of the places I’d been picturing was a welcome one. I could handle a few hours with my arrogant stepbrother, and perhaps it would even be a chance to sort a few things out between us.
“I’ll just go change.”
I swept up my towel and papers and turned for the house, feeling his eyes lingering on me with a heat that should have been unwelcome.
“If you’re sure, baby…but it’s definitely not required.”
Or maybe not.
I shot a scowl over my shoulder, but couldn’t help putting just a little more swing into my hips, tilting my ass at him before I disappeared into the house and up the stairs to change. It was a terrible idea, but I’d never taken his provocations without a fight and I couldn’t bring myself to start now. If he wasn’t going to respect the boundaries that should exist between us…well, no harm in making him pay for it.
Except for the hormone-crazed state you end up in afterwards…
Argh. One summer. That was it - all I had to survive, and then I’d be done. Irritating stepbrother consigned to a few holiday days a year, if he even bothered to make them...with his job, there would be no guarantee even if he did want to.
Agreeing to this trip was probably a mistake, but I couldn’t help the spring in my step as came back down, dressed in a casual t-shirt and shorts now. I was enthusiastic at the thought of a change of scenery, and with the endless possibilities I was now researching, everything seemed so much more optimistic. The past with Seth was just that - the past, and I was too excited for the future to dwell on it too much.
Pausing at the foot of the stairs, I turned for the front entrance and penned a quick note to my father on the side-table there.
Out with Seth, may be late for dinner.
Love you, A.
Then I headed out the door towards the gravel section of the entrance that usually held Seth’s truck. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the bright summer sun again, which is the only explanation I had for the way they settled on his tall, built body leaning casually against the side of it, arms folded and one ankle tucked around the other showcasing his muscles and outlining the groin. Even my breath catching at that sight couldn’t disturb the happiness bubbling up in my chest while I made my way over, shooting him a grin.
“Posing for me?”
He shifted out of that unconscious stance with a puzzled glance as I moved around to the passenger side.
“Huh?”
“You look like you could be on the cover of some all-male masculinity magazine, up against the truck like that.”
“Yeah, I think the ‘magazine’ part probably defeats that…”
He stepped behind me as I opened the door, and before I could question it, his strong hands were on my hips while I stepped up into the high truck, steadying my ascent. Heat blossomed under his fingers as they caressed the top of my shorts, shooting straight to my center before I managed to slip out of his grasp. I turned back with a glare to see his almost-innocent smile undermined by the dangerous flash of his gray eyes.
“Seth…”
“Thought you needed a hand, babe. It’s a big truck.”
“And you were suddenly overcome with consideration? Sure you’re feeling alright, babe?”
The height of the seat compensated somewhat for the difference between us but being able to meet his gaze evenly didn’t help with the way I was hyper aware of his hand resting dangerously close, his large body blocking the doorway, simultaneously sheltering and enclosing me in a way I feared I liked too much.
“I’ve always known what you needed, Bella.”
For a second, I considered calling the whole thing quits as something in me seized at those words - but then his expression relaxed and the casual smile he offered took the deeper meaning away from it. It didn’t quite stop my heart from skipping a beat as he withdrew and closed the door, my head thumping back against the seat again. This was a stupid game to be playing, but the banter between us was as second-nature as the irritation and heat, and we’d always had fun with it before. I was done flaying myself for that mistake years ago - it was over, and if I wanted to give our parents a chance, we needed to reinvent that relationship. Which wasn’t going to work so well if I jumped every time he made a jab in that direction.
It’s okay - you’re living your own life now. And if he wants to help with that, even better.
He settled into the seat next to me and we buckled up as the engine hummed to life under us.
The cab of the truck wasn’t small, but his large presence seemed to fill it easily - and it was obviously kept neat, even with the wear and rough use it had seen. A wooden eagle dangled from the rear-view mirror, probably some kind of good luck charm, and I settled into the seat as he started towards the driveway.
Then we were off, my mind still trying to work out whether I should be going along at all.
“So, San Francisco, huh? Well, with any luck we’ll miss another awkward dinner.”
The words surprised a laugh out of me, and I leaned forward to fiddle with the radio.
“It’s not that bad…”
He raised an eyebrow and I admitted to myself I’d thought the exact same thing often enough.
“Okay, maybe—hey!”
His strong fingers wrapped around my wrist, my pulse beating against him for a moment as he moved it back to my sea
t and turned the radio to the original station.
“My truck, my rules, baby.”
A familiar pop-song came on and I rolled my eyes.
“Oh c’mon, you can’t want this station. They play every song to death - I must’ve heard this at least a hundred times by now.”
He gave me an amused glance and a quick shake of his head.
“Not me - I got back a couple weeks ago. I get to catch up on all the music everyone is sick to death of.”
That made me pause - his life as a SEAL was really something I knew nothing about, and there were probably dozens of implications I hadn’t considered. It reminded me yet again that three years was a long time - I wasn’t sure I’d changed all that much, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t. Giving a mock-sigh, I relented.
“Fine, but if they play this one more than a couple of times, I’m going to start singing along - and then you’ll have to change to something I don’t know.”
He grinned.
“Yeah, they didn’t cover that in interrogation resistance training…”
I returned the smile but my stomach flipped at the casual comment, and I wasn’t sure I was quite prepared to hear about the kind of life he led. I let the banter drop off as he navigated his way through the city, the light music providing a nice backdrop to the warm sun glinting down, despite my initial objections.
When we turned onto the interstate he ramped the truck up, the mostly empty scenery rolling past at a crazy speed while he weaved easily between lanes and cars. My eyes lingered on him, as they had done more often than I would have liked the last few days, admiring the strength he handled the vehicle with and the way his powerful presence dominated the not-insignificant space of the cab. My curiosity got the better of me a few moments later and I couldn’t resist asking the question that had been on my mind all week.
“So, what do you think, then?”
He grunted as I drew him out of wherever his thoughts had been, looking over at me with a question.