Cocked: A Stepbrother Romance (43 page)

He walked out of the room and headed upstairs.

Colin stood there looking at me. His expression softened once Dad had left the room.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“He wants to move you.”

“What do you mean, move me?”

“He wants to get you out of the city.”

I opened my mouth then closed it. I shook my head. “No, I want to stay.”

“Bren, he has a point.”

I gaped at him. “Are you serious?”

“You’ll be safer somewhere else.”

“No. I can’t keep running from this.”

“Yes, you can. And you will, until we catch your husband.”

“He’s not my husband,” I snapped. I didn’t understand why Colin was trying to get rid of me, but I guessed he had his reasons. “As soon as he’s caught, we’ll sign divorce papers.”

“You know what I mean. Once we have him, you can do whatever you want.”

“Why are you doing this?”

He stared at me for a second then shrugged. “Trying to keep you safe.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I moved past him and started for the stairs.

“I’m not sure you have a say in it,” he called out after me.

I glared at him. “We’ll see about that.”

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D
inner was about as awkward as I had anticipated.

Dad sat at the head of the table, and me and Colin sat across from each other on either side of him. The food was from an Italian place I loved as a kid, and although the food was delicious, I was still seething about what Colin had said.

I understood the position I was in. I understood that my father was doing everything he could to keep me safe and was trying to fix my mistakes. I understood that Colin was going above and beyond by living with me, by putting his whole life on hold, just to protect me. But I couldn’t have them dictating what I did at every second of the day. They were trying to send me away like I was some disobedient teenager.

The silence was thick over the table as we ate. I realized it was our first real family meal, though Dad would freak if he knew what his adopted son and his daughter were doing.

Then again, I wasn’t sure if Colin had actually signed the papers or not yet.

Finally, Dad cleared his throat and broke the silence. I didn’t feel like talking to them, but I was thankful that the awkward tension was finally breaking.

“So, Brenna. Colin tells me you two spoke about the plan.”

I nodded. “I’m not okay with it.”

He blinked, then looked at Colin. “That’s not what you said.”

Colin shrugged. “I said I’d work on her.” He looked at me. “I worked on you pretty hard, right?”

I almost choked on my food. Colin was grinning at me sadistically. I decided to sidestep his obvious insinuation.

“Dad, you can’t just decide you’re shipping me off. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“He knows that, Bren. You’re all grown up now.”

I stared daggers at Colin.

“He’s right. I know you’re grown. But you’re out of your depth on this one, kiddo.”

“I understand that you’re the professional in this,” I said, ignoring Colin’s looks. “But you have to at least ask me first.”

Dad nodded. “Okay, that’s reasonable.”

“We’re trying to look out for you,” Colin said.

“I know that.”

“It won’t be for long,” Dad added. “We’ll find the guy soon enough.”

“Where do you want me to go, anyway?”

“Out in Lancaster. I own a little farm. You’ll hide out there.”

“Nobody knows about it,” Colin said.

“Since when did you have a farm?”

He shrugged. “I’ve made some discreet purchases these last few years.”

“We’re all about being discreet,” Colin said.

I almost wanted to vomit. What was wrong with him? He was suddenly being so obvious about it, almost as if he wanted to rub it in my dad’s face or something. Was he trying to get us caught? He kept grinning at me and giving me these looks, and as much as I hated him in that moment, I had to admit that he was incredibly attractive.

It was pretty weird, hating and wanting your stepbrother.

“So, I’m just going to go live in the middle of nowhere until you catch Vince? What if he follows us?”

“He won’t follow,” Dad said.

“What if he does?”

“I’ll be with you,” Colin said.

I blinked. “You’re coming?”

“I will be, yeah.”

I rolled my eyes at him and Dad remained totally oblivious.

“That’s right. I’m sending Colin with you.”

“So, you’re sending me out into the middle of nowhere with him?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was my dad desperately trying to put me in the most secluded spot imaginable with the one man that I wanted to go down on more than anything in the world?

“He’s your brother now, Brenna. He’ll take care of you.” Dad looked at me like my head was spinning in circles.

“That’s right, sir.” He looked at me and grinned. “I’m your protective older brother.”

I took a big bite of food to hide my embarrassment.

“Jokes aside, Bren, he can take care of you.”

“I really can.”

I chewed and couldn’t meet their eyes. If only my dad knew how Colin was taking care of me—and how badly I wanted him to keep doing it, even though I was beyond frustrated and furious with him for making jokes that could ruin everything.

“Can you do this for me?” Dad asked. “It won’t be for long. If I don’t have to worry about keeping you safe, I can concentrate on finding that piece of shit.”

I swallowed and sighed. “I’ll think about it, Dad.”

“Think fast. I want to move you tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll give you my answer in the morning.”

He nodded. “Fine. Enough business talk now. Enjoy the food.”

We ate in a strained silence for a few more minutes before I excused myself, leaving Colin and Dad sitting at the table. I was so embarrassed at Colin’s comments that I had to get out of there, even if it was a little rude. I cleared my plate and silverware then went out onto the roof deck, dropping down in my favorite chair.

Colin knew how to work me. Even when I didn’t want him to.

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I
sat out on the roof for a half hour, thinking over the decision I had in front of me, but I was no closer to choosing. The city spread out all around me, and I desperately didn’t want to leave it. Although I knew it was probably the right decision, and that Colin and my dad only had my best interests at heart, I still didn’t want to go. For some reason, I felt like if I left, then I would never come back. It took me so long to find my way back to Philadelphia, and it was finally beginning to feel like home. I had reconnected with Nick, even if only briefly, and I wanted to turn that back into a real friendship.

Even though I was practically a prisoner in my own home. And I was being stalked by my psycho ex-husband, or whatever he was.

Still, the city just felt right. But worse than that, though, I felt like running away would be giving in to Vince. He wanted me to be scared. He had always been that way, even when we were together. He wanted to control me through fear and he was willing to do whatever he had to do to keep me terrified at all times. If I was scared, he liked to tell me, then I was more likely to listen to him.

I had no clue why it took me so long to leave him. I must have been brainwashed or something.

It hadn’t been all bad, of course. But looking back on it, there wasn’t as much good as I had thought there was.

As I continued to struggle with my decision, Colin walked out onto the roof deck. I looked up at him and frowned.

“What do you want?”

“That’s not a very friendly greeting.”

“Why should I be friendly to you?”

“Well, I am your older brother, after all.”

I sighed, exasperated. “You’re not my brother.”

He sat down across from me. “No, but your dad wants me to be.”

“Did you sign the papers?”

He blinked and stared at me. I was afraid of the answer, afraid of it either way. If he had signed, it meant we really were going to be related. But if he hadn’t, well, that meant something else completely, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to figure that out.

“Don’t worry about the papers,” he said, dodging.

“Okay, then, how about we worry about that crap at dinner instead?”

He laughed. “You didn’t like that?”

“Are you insane? You were practically screaming it out.”

“What, you don’t want me to?” He stood up and walked over to the edge of the roof.

“What are you doing?” I said, suddenly afraid.

He grinned back at me then looked out at the city.

“I’m fucking Brenna O’Brian,” he yelled out.

“Stop it!” I stood up.

“I’m fucking my stepsister! I’m fucking my Mob Princess! I’m fucking Brenna O’Brian and her pussy is sweeter than sugar!” he yelled even louder.

“Cut it out, holy shit. Dad is going to hear you!”

He looked back at me and laughed, almost doubled over.

“Great. I’m so glad you think this is funny.”

“No, I don’t,” he gasped, still laughing.

I rolled my eyes at him. I was starting to think he had two completely different personalities. One part of him was serious and intense, and the other loved to push my buttons like nobody I’d ever met before. I never knew which Colin I was going to get on any given day.

“If you’re going to be like this, just go back inside.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m done. It’s fine,” he said, getting himself under control. 

“Seriously, you can’t do shit like that.” I realized I was pretty pissed.

“Relax. Your dad left almost as fast as you did, and none of his guys are anywhere nearby. We’re very alone up here.”

I shook my head. “That’s not the point. You can’t just be reckless with this.”

He sat down in the chair next to me. “I’ve had a really fucking rough few days. Sometimes, being reckless helps.”

“Fine, whatever. Go drive your car too fast or something. Leave me out of it.”

“But you’re the most fun thing in my life.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not like some toy or something.”

“Maybe not. But I love to play with you.”

I didn’t take his bait. “We need to talk about this farmhouse thing.”

“Okay, let’s talk.”

“I don’t want to do it.”

“I know that.”

“But I know that I should,” I continued. “I know that it would be best if I just went out there and let this all blow over.”

“But?” he asked.

“But I’m afraid that if I go there, I’ll never come back. I don’t know why. It took me so long to get here again, and now I’m afraid I’ll lose it.”

He shook his head. “You won’t lose anything. It’s temporary. And I’ll be with you.”

“That makes me nervous, too.”

He leaned close to me. “What, you don’t want to be alone in a beautiful, secluded farmhouse with your older brother?”

“Not if you keep calling yourself my brother.”

“Fine. But imagine what we could get accomplished out there together.”

“Accomplished?”

“Sure. I bet there are records we could break. Number of orgasms in a day, that sort of thing.”

“Is that all you think about?”

“When I’m alone with you, it is.”

I looked away. “I can’t help but think it’s a bad idea.”

“Look, Bren. If you really don’t want to go, we won’t go. I talked to your dad before he left, and he agreed that we can stay if you’re serious about it.” He paused and reached out, pulling my chin toward him. He was staring at me again with that intense, hungry gaze. “But you should go. It’s the right thing.”

I didn’t fight him as he leaned forward and kissed my lips softly. I kissed him back, starving for him. I had gone all day without his taste, and I hated to admit it, but I missed it. Finally, he pulled away, leaving a small trail of tingling running up my spine.

“So you’ll go?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I haven’t decided. You can’t just seduce me into it.”

“Damn,” he said, smiling. “I thought that would work.”

“Good try, though.”

“Who said I was finished?”

I laughed. “What are you going to do?”

Suddenly he stood and towered over me. I looked up at his muscular body.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked softly.

“Come on, Colin. We’re out in the open up here.”

He leaned down over me, his eyes dripping lust, and cupped my chin firmly. My lips parted as he grinned at me.

“I don’t give a shit where we are.”

“Well, I do,” I said, trying to turn away.

He held my head fast. I was about to yell at him, but suddenly he pressed his mouth against mine again, kissing me hard. I was about to complain or to stop him, but I knew that would be a lie. My panties were already practically soaked through, even though I hated it.

Slowly, I felt his other hand slip down under my waistband and press against my soaked spot. I gasped, surprised, as he began to softly massage me, rubbing my clit and kissing my lips. I shivered, loving it.

“Colin,” I gasped as his fingers slipped into my panties and found my soaked skin.

“You don’t seem to mind.”

“Not up here.”

“Yes, up here.” His fingers moved circles around my clit and I let out a soft moan.

“If we get caught ....”

“Let me worry about that.” He slipped a finger inside of me and I shivered.

“Shit, shouldn’t you be like, downstairs protecting me?”

He grinned. “I’m protecting you right now.”

I gasped and arched my back as his fingers found my clit again. I spread my legs wider, giving him more room to move. He smirked.

“Quit pretending to fight,” he said.

He kissed me again then, his tongue entering my mouth, and I gave up any pretense at resistance. Maybe there were people in the houses all around us, or maybe Vince was breaking down the front door, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was Colin’s body, his hard dick, his muscled arms, the way he worked me like an animal to the brink then pushed me gently over.

I reached out and felt the outline of his cock through his pants. He grunted as I began to work his length through the fabric. After a second, I pulled away from his kiss and began to fumble with his belt. He pulled his hand from my yoga pants as I pulled his belt off and tore his pants down. He grinned at me, his pants pooled around his ankles, as I began to kiss along the outline of his dick through his black cotton boxer briefs.