Score - A Stepbrother Romance (20 page)

“Chase, you didn’t do this, did you?” Dad said as I scrolled through the articles.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It was this girl called Amy. Ex-best friend of Jessie Bond. Lina’s friends just told us.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t you,” he replied. “I realize this could be good for my campaign, but still…this is exactly the kind of stuff I chastised everyone about in my press conference. The muck-raking that goes on during election season is ridiculous.”

“I know.”

“Well, at least I know my team wasn’t responsible for this leak.”

“Yeah, you’d look like a bit of a douche if you went on national TV decrying this kinda stuff, and then released the mother-lode of smears two minutes later,” I said with a grin.

He chuckled and slapped me on the back. “Indeed,” he said, before reaching over and pulling me into a manly hug. “Well, I might win this governorship after all. I suppose everything has a way of working out happily in the end, doesn’t it?”

Over his shoulder, I saw Lina pad into the hall a second later. She looked like she was about to say something, but when she saw my Dad hugging me, she smiled and gave me a nod instead. I grinned back at her.

Despite the shitty day we’d had, everything was already working out for the better, just like Dad had said. I should’ve known it would. Everything would always work out just fine, as long as I had Lina and my family by my side.

Especially Lina.

Even though we’d only known each other for a few months, she meant the world to me. We’d gone through a lot of shit in the short time we’d been involved with each other, and each time one storm had passed, another had been looming on the horizon, casting shades of black and grey over our lives.

But we’d made it through each and every storm together, and we always would. It sounded clichéd as fuck, but love really was all we needed.

And love was what we had.

F
our years
later

“I hate to tell you this, but you smell awful. You’re gonna have to get in that shower with me.”

I waggled my eyebrows at Lina and grabbed her, and she squirmed in my arms beside the bathroom counter. “I don’t smell bad!” she protested. “I’m not showering with you. I told you, I have to get to work!”

I chuckled and pulled her top off, and she melted into my arms with a sigh as I unhooked her bra. “God…you’re the worst.”

“Yes, so you’ve been telling me for…what, four and a half years now?” I replied with a wink.

She pouted as I sank to my knees, stripping her of the black jeans and purple panties she’d only just put on. “I really do have to get to work…you make things so hard sometimes,” she said, a half-smile turning the corners of her lips up a second later.

“That’s not the only thing that’s hard,” I joked, rising to my feet and placing her hand on my crotch.

She rolled her eyes at my immature gag and then yelped as I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifted her off the ground and deposited her straight in the shower. I quickly shed my own clothes and then joined her, and as the hot water streamed all over our bodies, my lips found hers.

“Mmm…” she murmured into my mouth, hands roaming all over my back as I pushed her up against the tiled wall.

A lot had changed in the last few years, but our feelings for one another had only grown in intensity. We had our own apartment now, and subsequently as much privacy as we wanted, although we still went home to visit our family as much as possible.

Dad was nearing the end of his governorship, which he’d won after the Bond scandal had broken. The other scandal involving Lina and me had quickly been forgotten by the public amidst the news of what Jessie and her cousin had been up to, and Dad had won by a rather substantial margin. He was currently campaigning for another term in the office, and I had to say, he’d done an amazing job at balancing the pressures of the governorship with his family life. He worked hard at the job, but he always made as much effort as he could to spend time with all of us, and his marriage to Nina was as strong as ever.

Lily was doing well in school, and she was always over the moon whenever she came to visit Lina and me at our apartment. Lina and I suspected that it was mostly because of Goldie, and we always joked with her that we’d probably never even see her if it wasn’t for the cat. In typical Lily fashion, she would always fire back with her own jokes about how she planned on stealing Goldie from us. She’d always been a little spitfire, and I was proud to call her my family.

Speaking of family…Tripp was now in prison. Just after the election four years ago, Lina had finally summoned up the courage to tell my Dad and Nina what he had done to her, and Dad had immediately offered to help bring him to justice, despite his familial ties to us. The State’s Attorney had launched a formal investigation into him after three other girls had come forward as well, stating that Tripp had done the same thing to them, and he was rotting away where he belonged now.

I was so proud of Lina for finally standing up for herself against him. I’d never wanted to force her to do anything she wasn’t ready for, and it was amazing to see how much she’d come out of her shell since I’d first met her. Now Tripp could never hurt her again…and I’d never let anyone else hurt her again, either.

She’d recently completed her degree in biomedical science, and she’d scored a job at a research lab downtown after interning there during her final year of college. As for me, I was nearing the end of my business degree, which despite being a part-time thing, had taken me less time than I’d thought it would. It turned out that a lot of the classes I’d already taken for political science counted towards a business major as well, so I was well on the way to graduating. Four more months and I was out of there.

My fitness center was up and running, too. I’d named it Stryker’s, and since we’d opened up, we’d had new members joining every day. It was busy as hell, but I managed. I’d even gotten involved in some legit MMA fights, as a coach to an up-and-comer in the scene. This time, there was nothing illegal about it, and I’d kept everyone in the loop. No more lying and sneaking around with anything.

I’d kept my word about my charity aspirations as well. I’d been saving a percentage of the gym’s profits, and instead of donating it to an already-established charity, I’d started my own one which focused on donating money towards cancer research.

I knew it was something Lina was passionate about, given what had happened to her father, and I wanted to help her out with that as much as I could. So many cancer charities operated on a for-profit model, which I thought was dodgy as fuck. There was even one which gave ninety-fucking-percent of its donations to its CEO, and only a tiny percentage actually went to research. That was bullshit, and it wasn’t going to happen with mine.

Lina didn’t actually know about the charity yet, though. It was a surprise I was saving for her.

But it wasn’t the only surprise I had in store for her. I had another major one coming, but that could wait.

Right now, I had other pressing issues to attend to….like Lina naked in my arms under the falling water.

I let my hand trail over her breasts and down her stomach, and she gasped as I pressed my knee in between her legs, forcing them apart. Her mouth hungrily attacked my neck as my hand found its way between her thighs, and I flicked a finger over her clit, drawing a moan from her mouth as she threw her head back, leaning it against the cool tiles.

I nudged her legs a little further apart and then slid two fingers inside her, slowly pumping them in and out and then circling them inside her as I located her G-spot. A telltale ache began to throb deep in my groin, and I growled and pulled away from her before lifting her up by her waist, then grabbing her right leg and hooking it up around my lower back.

Our tongues found each other again as my cock pushed inside her, and I closed my eyes and groaned at the sensation of her tight, hot inner muscles clenching around me. She was on the Pill now, so we didn’t need to use condoms, and holy fuck, it felt incredible. Every single time was better than the last.

With our bodies pressed tightly against each other, I thrust my hips back and forth, pressing deeper inside her with each hard movement. Lina whimpered and bit her lip to stop herself from screaming, and I kept slamming inside her, again and again. And again.

I was driving her crazy with each hard drive into her, and her head dropped forward against my shoulder, her teeth finding my neck and delicately nibbling on my skin. I groaned appreciatively, and her hands stroked my wet hair before moving down and digging into my back as she tried to remain steady.

“Don’t worry,” I murmured. “I won’t let go of you. Ever.”

She moaned in response, and pleasure soon began to build to a throbbing peak in my cock. Fuck…I couldn’t hold on for much longer.

Lina came with a gasp, and she shook as her muscle began to spasm around me, pushing me over the edge as well. With a deep groan, I released myself inside her, and we both gasped for air as we recovered. I let go of her leg and pulled out, setting her down on the tiles, and then I leaned down and gave her a big, lip-smacking kiss.

“You’re the most beautiful woman alive,” I said after breaking away.

She gave me a cheeky smile. “Thanks, Mr. Sex Maniac. You’re not half bad yourself. But I really do need to get to work,” she replied.

I grinned. “I know. Get out of here, Ms. Scientist! Try not to blow up any nuclear reactors today.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh yes, because that’s
exactly
what research scientists do in the labs all day.”

She stepped out of the shower and then called out to me as she toweled off. “I forgot…do you have class today? Or are you working at the gym?”

“Both. I’ve got class first,” I said, turning the shower off and stepping out of the enclosure.

“You’ll never have any class,” she replied, sticking her tongue out at me.

I chuckled. “Oh, ha
ha.
Anyway, I’ll finish that at eleven, and then I’ll be at the gym till five.”

That was a lie.

Don’t get me wrong; I didn’t like lying to Lina, but sometimes it was a necessary evil. See, I was skipping work this afternoon to take a rare break—to plan the aforementioned surprise.

Let’s just say it involved a jewelry store and a travel agent…

S
ix months
later

“I can’t believe we’re here,” I repeated for the umpteenth time. My eyes were full of wonder as I looked around us. Everything I’d heard about Paris had been true—it was a beautiful city; a city of love.

When Chase had told me we were hopping on a plane to meet his mother, I’d been thrilled. After all this time, I still hadn’t met her, since she’d moved to Paris with her beau before I’d even met Chase. Now the meeting was behind us, and I felt like I understood Chase even better than ever.

He was headstrong, proud and honorable, just like his father.

He was also sweet, gentle and loving, just like his mother.

Barbara was a kind woman; one I’d promised to stay in touch with, and I could tell there would be more visits to Paris in the future…especially with the secret I was about to reveal to Chase any minute now.

I flushed, thinking about my confession. It was our last day in the city of love and Chase and I had been exploring the place all day long. We’d decided to end the tour at the Eiffel Tower, and Chase had somehow managed to secure a platform for just the two of us. The usually crowded elevator now held only us and an employee, and I was bursting with the need to talk to him and reveal everything I’d been keeping hidden inside for so long.

A few minutes later, my mind had floated so far away that I barely heard Chase speaking. He was reciting the history of the tower, his eyes burning with passion for the beautiful city we were in, and I felt tears pricking my eyes as I looked at him.

“And then the dragons melded the iron with their fiery breath, and that’s how the Eiffel Tower was built,” I vaguely registered him saying.

“Uh-huh,” I said, still a million miles away.

“You’re not listening at all, are you?” he said, cheekily smacking me on the butt. “It wasn’t really built by dragons, y’know.”

I blushed. “Sorry. It’s just so nice coming up here…I tuned out a bit.”

“I’m that boring, huh?”

“Totally,” I replied, sticking my tongue out at him.

We’d been through a lot in our time together, but somehow, we always came up stronger. Every bad thing that had happened, every trial we’d had along the way…they always had us coming out the other end tougher and more in love than ever.

The past four years hadn’t been easy, what with Peter’s new position and always being the center of attention, but with Chase’s fighting and the scandal of our relationship coming out behind us, we were out of the woods. There was only beauty and love ahead of us.

Especially now...but Chase didn’t know. I was waiting for the right moment, my hands twisting at my sides as we took the elevator. I knew I had to tell him eventually, but the words weren’t willing to slip off my tongue just yet.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t brave enough. I’d proven that to myself and everyone else once I’d confessed to everyone what Tripp had done to me, and he’d gotten what he deserved. I knew he was paying for his crimes, and that made me feel a lot safer. As well as that, I’d worked through my issues in therapy with Chase’s help, and I’d never felt better. No more nightmares, no more freak-outs when I heard certain words…nothing but pure and simple calm.

Except for right now. I really needed to tell Chase about the…

“Almost there!” he said, interrupting my train of thought.

The elevator stopped with a ping and the employee smiled at us, pointing towards the exit which led onto the platform. Chase and I exchanged gleeful looks, then stepped out of the elevator and onto the platform.

The view was stunning; the Champ de Mars filled with people milling about and beautiful trees blooming in shades of pink.

“Chase, it’s gorgeous,” I said softly, my eyes glued to the scenery below us. “I’m so glad we came here... I can’t believe you organized all of this, just for me!”

I looked into his eyes, seeing just how overwhelmed he was feeling. There was a spark in his gaze, though, one which I knew by now meant he was up to something.

“A woman like you deserves it, Lina,” he told me sincerely, and for once, I appreciated that we weren’t teasing each other.

My hand found his and our fingers twined together. “I love you,” I whispered against his ear, leaning in closer until my lips met the soft skin of his neck.

“I love you,” he repeated, gently biting on my neck and making me grin in response. My darling Chase had always had a naughty streak, and he couldn’t resist, not even in sentimental moments like this one.

I was about to speak up again when Chase moved away, and my eyes roamed over the view again.

“It’s so stunning,” I murmured. Silently, I mused about how perfect it was for us to be here, considering the news I was about to deliver. I looked back at Chase, my legs trembling. Yep, this was it. I was finally ready to tell him...

Except he wasn’t there. Confused, I looked down, realizing Chase was picking up something from the floor. I dropped to my knees too, looking around for what he’d lost.

“Did you drop something?” I asked worriedly. “Is it a coin? I’ll help you find it...”

“Lina, get up,” Chase said nervously, but my eyes had just focused on a shiny surface on the ground. “Lina, that’s a bottle cap...please, just get up.”

“No, we have to find the coin!” I said distractedly. “It’s bad luck to lose them, you know...you can’t just leave them lying around.”

“Lina,” Chase hissed again. Finally, I got up and gave him an annoyed look. It was only then that I noticed something unusual about the whole situation.

Chase was on his knees.

He wasn’t scrambling on the ground or looking for anything.

Actually, he was only on one knee.

And he was holding something up to me.

I gasped, a hand flying to my mouth as I realized what was happening. I was glued to the spot, frozen in my state of shock, my eyes watering as I gazed down at Chase.

“Lina,” he said with a cheeky grin. “You insufferable woman. You’re smart as hell, you’re heartbreakingly beautiful…and you make me a better man. You’re all that I want, all that I’ll fight to keep. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll have me.”

I gasped out loud as my eyes settled on a royal blue velvet box in his hand. In it sat the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen—white gold with a big solitaire diamond in the middle and several smaller stones set around it. It was old-fashioned, quirky, traditional and beautiful all at the same time. It was perfect for me, for our love.
He
was perfect.

“Yes,” I blurted. “Yes, yes, yes!”

“I haven’t exactly asked you anything yet.” Chase grinned at me, and I could tell he was getting sentimental, too. “Maybe you’ve just agreed for me to sell you to Myron Banks as a sex slave. I’d probably get at least five dollars for you.”

I laughed and shook my head, and tears of joy started to fall from my eyes as he gave me his trademark mischievous look.

“So, my impatient one,” Chase went on. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“YES!” I shouted again. I almost knocked Chase over as I jumped at him, giving him a tight squeeze. We were a mess of tears, laughter and smiles as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It was perfect; beautiful and sparkling. Just like Chase’s eyes right now.

I was
engaged.

I couldn’t believe it, but Chase was finally officially mine…forever. And what perfect timing he’d picked, too.

It was now or never.

“Chase,” I managed to get out. “I have to tell you something.”

He gave me a curious look, and I took a deep breath, knowing I had some confessions to make. I’d known what I was about to divulge for a month already, but I’d been too nervous. I’d been struggling with the news, afraid of telling anyone what was going on, and only my Mom knew.

After confessing to her what had happened with Tripp, Mom and I were closer than ever. I trusted her implicitly, and I knew she’d always be at my side. And she had been, during the first doctor’s visits, holding my hand as I’d had the exam. We’d cried together, laughed together. We’d even plotted telling Chase the news together, but now I knew what that sparkle in her eyes at the time had meant—she must’ve known about the proposal.

“What is it, Lina?” Chase asked me worriedly, grabbing both of my hands and pulling me closer. “Just tell me; you’re freaking me out. If you’re having second thoughts about…”

“No, nothing like that,” I said with a shaky smile, waving my hand at him. “Of course not. But I wanted to tell you a secret I’ve been hiding for a little while...”

My hand trembled as I took his and guided it over my belly, covering his hand with my palm and looking into his eyes, which were full of wonder.

“You’re going to be a dad, Chase Stryker,” I whispered.

His eyes widened. Shock registered in his gaze, and I grew worried...but I shouldn’t have. His expression changed to one of wonder, and then pure love. Tears swelled in his eyes, and he almost started crying. My boyfriend—no, fiancé—who’d always been strong and held his own…I’d driven him to emotions he probably didn’t even know he had.

“A baby?” he asked softly. All I could do was nod, overcome by my own feelings. “I’m going to be a father?”

He stroked my belly, his hand roaming over it in soft circles as the huge weight I’d been carrying around finally fell off my shoulders. My secret was no longer a secret. I felt my heart swell with emotion, the crisp air around us thick with love and passion.

“You’ve made me the happiest man alive,” Chase said against my lips, and then his mouth locked onto mine into a kiss of pure love. He was a fighter—he’d fought for money, fought for our love... and now, he would fight for the life we’d made together.

“I plan on doing that every day until my last,” I whispered to him as I broke away for a second, my smile growing wider and wider as Chase planted more and more kisses on my lips and cheeks.

“You’re going to be the most beautiful mother,” he told me with a smile, which soon grew wicked. “I’ve really scored well for myself, haven’t I?”

I grinned. “Remember when that was your fighting name? Score, that is.”

He rolled his eyes. “I always thought it was lame. But it’s apt at the moment, considering how I managed to score you. I’ll have to watch out so someone doesn’t steal you from me...”

“Then you’ll just have to keep an eye out. Especially on Myron Banks,” I said with a cheeky wink, my smile unwavering. “Make sure I’m yours to keep.”

“I will,” Chase promised. “And you’ve always been mine, Lina Diaz. That’s one thing I don’t see changing...ever.”

As he kissed me again, the sparkle in his eyes that glowed for me was joined by another one. A shining star for our baby. A promise to look out for us and love us both.

Chase Stryker had given me the moon, and now he was giving me the stars as well. He wasn’t the only one who’d scored perfectly…