Steven: A Billionaire Stepbrother Romance Novel
Read Steven: A Billionaire Stepbrother Romance Novel Online
Authors: R.S. Wallace
Steven
R. S. Wallace
Published by R. S. Wallace, 2015.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
STEVEN
First edition. September 15, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 R. S. Wallace.
Written by R. S. Wallace.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older.
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"I don't care what anybody else would think about this, Steven. Just take me right now..."
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M
y ordinary life as a young woman changed drastically when my mom got remarried. Things got complicated quickly and the entire dynamics of our family got turned upside down when William and his son, Steven, moved into our home.
Steven was fifteen years older than me. He was gorgeous, muscular and rich. As a successful entrepreneur, Steven had no need to live under our roof, but had decided to do so in an effort to really get to know his new family.
But even though society said that it was wrong to lust after my stepbrother, I find myself unable to control my urges. And it isn't long before both Steven and I step over the lines of what most people would consider to be "acceptable behavior".
Can our love for one another be fully expressed or will it have to forever remain a secret?
***
“I
t’s the same old thing, Kelsey,” he responded. “You can never have what you really want, no matter what that is. Maybe it’s the universe’s way of making sure we stay motivated or something.”
I listened as he spoke and I instantly became hypnotized by him. He could have said just about anything and I would have found myself hanging onto every word. We looked into each other’s eyes for a few more moments in silence and then Steven brought his gaze upward toward the night sky.
“These stars are beautiful, aren’t they?” Steven asked. “You hardly ever see the sky like this.”
I looked up as he spoke. There were thousand of stars above us, illuminating the sky. It was incredible and I began to wonder why I never took more time to look up at them. We stood in silence for a bit, just taking it all in.
The moment was so perfect for me to tell Steven everything I had on my mind. We were there alone and it felt like maybe there was a chance for us to actually open up to each other. It seemed like the perfect time for me to express my feelings to him.
“Steven,” I said, breaking the silence. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”
Steven slowly brought his gaze back down, locking his eyes with mine. His intense stare caused the words to freeze in my mouth and I felt my heart flutter as a burst of excitement shot through me. Steven looked at me up and down, giving me a slow once over. Then he stepped forward, immediately bringing his hands to my hips.
“You don’t have to say anything, Kelsey,” he said. “I know.”
Then without saying another word he leaned forward, bringing his lips to mine...
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I
t was only two weeks after my high school graduation when my mom told me that she and my dad were going to be getting a divorce. I was sitting in the kitchen, casually flipping through a magazine, when she burst in the door with tears in her eyes.
“Kelsey...” she said, in between sobs. “I have some bad news.”
My immediate thought was that someone in our family had died or that something had happened to my dog. So I stood up from the chair, dropping the magazine to the table.
“What is it, Mom?” I asked, as I began walking toward her.
My mom wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, causing her mascara to smear.
“Your dad and I are
done
,” she said. “We just don’t get along any more. He’s packing up right now and he said that he’ll be gone in the morning.”
My stomach dropped and a wave of emotion came over me suddenly.
“Seriously?” I asked, my eyes widening with shock.
My mom didn’t respond. She simply nodded her head. I watched as another wave of tears slowly filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “I know that you just graduated and you want to enjoy the summer. But this had to happen. It was time.”
As she spoke the words, it all suddenly became clear to me. They had been waiting for me, their only child, to turn eighteen and graduate high school before making an official decision to separate. I had guessed that they wanted me to be a full-fledged adult before splitting up.
“How long have you guys been talking about divorce?” I asked, probing a bit further.
My mom stepped toward me and pulled me in for a hug.
“A while now, honey. Your dad and I haven’t really gotten along in some time. It’s going to be better this way,” she said. “There won’t be any more arguments between your father and I.”
I placed my hands onto my mother’s shoulders and gently pushed her away.
“Where is Dad staying?” I asked.
My mom shrugged.
“He said he would stay in a motel until he found his own place,” she explained.
A wave of dizziness came over me.
“I need to sit down.”
I immediately walked back over to the kitchen chair and plopped down. So many thoughts and emotions were going through my mind. It was overwhelming and I needed a few seconds to compose myself.
“Kelsey,” my mom said, breaking the silence. “You knew that this was coming at some point. It’s for the best. I’m sorry it happened now but I don’t want you to let it ruin your summer. This is supposed to be the best time of your life and I want you to live it up.”
I faked a smile, in an effort to support my mother. I loved her so much and it hurt me to see her cry. But I knew that she was right. It
was
for the best. Most of my childhood memories of my parents were of them arguing anyway, usually about money. The thought of that being behind us was actually a relief. But still, I knew it was going to take some serious adjustment on my part.
“Well, I just want you to know that I’m here for you, Mom,” I said. “And I’m here for Dad, too. It’s all going to be okay. It’s just a transition, you know?”
My mom nodded in agreement. It was the first time that I could remember when it was me that was lecturing her and not the other way around.
“You’re right, Kelsey,” she said, smiling through her tears. “It’s going to be okay.”
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T
he year after my graduation flew by quickly. I decided to get a job and stay living at home while attending community college. It was cheaper, plus the ability to work at the same time as going to school allowed me to actually save up some money.
My life was busy, but things had calmed down since my parent’s divorce. My dad had found a place to live just a half an hour away and my mom seemed happier than ever. She danced around the house, humming to herself while she cooked or cleaned. I hadn’t seen her like that in...well...ever, actually. She had never been like that. So I shouldn’t have been too surprised when she came into the house one afternoon with an excited tone in her voice.
“Kelsey!” she called out, her voice echoing throughout the house. “There’s someone here I want you to meet.”
I was sitting in my bedroom, doing some homework and listening to music when I heard her call for me. My stomach dropped a little. I immediately knew that I was about to be introduced to someone she was dating. She had been avoiding the topic with me, but I wasn’t stupid. My mom was gorgeous and I knew it would only be a matter of time before she met another man.
After standing up from my desk, I walked over to the mirror that hung above my dresser. I quickly grabbed a brush and pulled it through my long, blonde hair. Then I slipped on some jeans and a t-shirt, which fit perfectly over my small curves. After that, I glanced at the mirror once more and took a deep breath, readying myself.
“Okay, Kelsey,” I whispered. “No matter what this guy is like, just be nice. Support your mom.”
After my quick pep talk to myself, I stepped out of the bedroom and began making my way downstairs. Once at the bottom, I turned the corner and practically ran into my mother.
“There you are!” she said. “Honey, this is William.”
The smile on my mom’s face was huge, like an excited kid on Christmas morning. It felt like she was playing show and tell or something. Her youthfulness made me smile and it was nice to see her so happy.
I looked past my mother, where a tall man in a white button-down shirt was standing with his hands in the pockets of his black slacks.
“You must be Kelsey,” he said, pulling one of his hands out of his pockets and holding it toward me for a handshake.
I nodded my head in agreement and shook his hand.
“Yes, that’s me,” I said, smiling. “And you must be...my mom’s boyfriend?”
I hated that I had to ask, but my mom hadn’t mentioned him before. A confused look crossed his face as he opened his mouth to respond.
“Actually...” he began to say, but was quickly interrupted by my mom.
“Actually, honey, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” my mom said. “William proposed to me this morning. So he’s technically not my boyfriend any more. He’s my fiancé.”
As she spoke, she slowly lifted her left hand in the air, showing off her new ring. The single set diamond was huge, reflecting the light that poured into the living room windows.
My jaw must have hit the floor, because I was speechless.
“Honey?” my mom said, clearly concerned about my silence on the situation.
How could she do this? Why didn’t she tell me that she was dating someone who she was interesting in marrying? Why did she have to make it such a surprise?
“Mom,” I said, finally picking my jaw up off of the floor. “Can we talk?”
My mom looked back at William, who smiled politely and then nodded, turning to walk back outside.
“I’ll give you guys a minute,” he said, as he stepped out of the front door.
My mom turned back to me, still smiling.
“I know it’s sudden, Kelsey,” she said. “But I love William and I know this is the right thing to do.”
I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling defensive.
“But Mom, you don’t even
know
him,” I said. “I’ve never even heard you talk about him before.”
My mom nodded slowly and then shrugged her shoulders.
“I know, Kelsey,” she responded. “But everything I do know about him, I’m falling in love with. And sometimes you just
know
. Your heart tells you what you need to hear.”
I couldn’t believe what was happening, but as I stood there looking at my mom and seeing a kind of happiness in her eyes that I had never seen before, I began to realize that this had nothing to do with me and that I shouldn’t take it personally. My mother was truly happy for the first time that I could remember. So I did what I knew was right: I smiled wide and held my arms out, pulling my mother in for a hug.
“I’m so happy for you, Mommy,” I said, squeezing her tight. “He seems like a nice guy. It might take me some getting used to, seeing you with a new guy and all, but if it makes you happy then that’s all I care about.”
My mom hugged me for a bit longer and then slowly pulled away, looking me over.
“How did I end up having such an amazing daughter?” she asked.
I shrugged my shoulders playfully.
“You just got lucky, I guess,” I responded, laughing.
Mom and I laughed together for a moment then she placed her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.
“Seriously, baby,” she said. “Thank you so much for your support. You mean the world to me, you know?”
An unintentional smile crossed my face as she spoke the last sentence. She had been saying that to me since I was a little girl.
“Thanks, Mom...” I said. “You mean the world to me too.”
We were silently for a moment and then my mom finally spoke up.
“I should go out there and get William,” she said. “He’s just standing out there in the cold.”
I nodded and said, “Yeah, I have a lot of homework to do anyway. So I’ll catch up with you guys in a little bit?”
“Definitely,” my mom responded. “I’ll make dinner for all of us tonight.”