ACHING FOR MY STEPBROTHER

RACHEL

I hate Thane. I really do. Every inch of me hates him right now, especially that stupid handsome face that makes me question if any of those stupid advances he ever made were even real.

I don't even care. And don't get me started on that Wendy girl. Just hearing her name had made him glare at me like I'd committed a crime.

"So is this Wendy girl coming or not?" I snapped. "Because we can't be stuck here forever." I said, then I mumbled this part, "...especially not with Thane."

Thane scoffed. "Wendy's not coming. And I'm not reacting to that attitude of yours either. So if you're done, get back in the damn car."

I blinked. Seriously?

Does he really think he gets to talk to me like that just because our parents are engaged?

Okay, technically he is my stepbrother now. But standing here, staring at his smug face, I already knew one thing for sure, I wasn't built to survive under the same roof as a man who sleeps and wakes up wrapped in arrogance.

"Well, you don't tell me what to do, big bro," I shot back. "I'm calling my mum."

I spun toward the car, reaching for my bag, and suddenly he was there so fast.

His hand caught me mid-move. His eyes flashed like someone had just told him his house was on fire. He yanked the bag from me, slammed the car door shut, and before I could process anything, he dragged me to the hood and pinned me there.

My breath hitched the second he leaned close enough to see the tiny birthmark on his upper brow.

His scent was damn wild, plus warm, and definitely dangerous. It filled my lungs before I could stop myself from noticing it.

Our eyes stayed locked. And instead of being smart, my traitor brain slid straight to his lips. 

And then I was already imagining how soft they'd probably feel on mine.

God, you've gone crazy, Rachel. Just strip him instead. *in sarcasm*

"Do you understand?" he said firmly.

Wait-what?

"Answer me, Rachel. Do you understand me?"

I swallowed.

There was no way I was about to admit I hadn't heard a word he said because I'd been too busy thinking about his mouth. So I just nodded in a way that looked like my neck was controlling itself.

He stepped back just enough to give me space. "Now get in. And be quiet."

Did I agree to that too? Strangely... I didn't fight him. I just turned and walked toward the car.

Then he grabbed my arm again.

He suddenly pulled off his suit jacket and shoved it against my chest. "You should've said it if you were cold," he muttered, like saying nothing would've been so easy for him.

"I'm not cold," I said flatly.

He grabbed me again. "Don't make me force you."

I rolled my eyes before practically snatching the jacket from him, and climbed into the car without another word.

Thane and Noah stayed outside, arguing about something, then somehow becoming best friends again two minutes later. I swear, men's brains run on chaos. 

I haven't called Tiara yet. I didn't want this whole thing to get crazier than it already was.

Thirty minutes later, a red Porsche pulled in front of us.

And wow.

The engine roared like it had something to prove. The door swung open and smoke poured out like it was intentional which I believed was. The second the driver stepped down, the air filled with more smoke. 

I started choking so I had to rush out of the car.

"Dammit, Wendy!" Noah yelled, waving the smoke away. "Did you come here to murder us?!"

Wendy? She's Wendy?

I didn't want to care... but somehow I found myself moving closer just to get a better look at her.

She wasn't anything special. Except for the killer dress.

Honestly? A man could lose his mind over those long straight legs and those big boobs she carried with way too much confidence.

"I told you not to bother coming. Why are you here?" Thane said calmly, but for the first time since I'd met him, he actually looked like he meant it. Like he really hated his so-called wild pet.

Wendy stiffened, adjusting the flare of her dress. "Noah explained..."

"Just answer the damn question, Wendy. You know I hate repeating myself."

She scoffed. "Alright. So I guess this means you didn't want me here."

"Yes. I didn't want you here," Thane snapped. "And you still came. So don't make this about me."

"Relax, man," Noah cut in.

"Shut the hell up, Noah," Thane shot back. "You told me a second ago she wasn't coming anymore. Now she's here?" He shook his head, then faced Wendy again. "We're fine. Leave. Now."

Noah sighed. "Okay, okay, I didn't tell her not to come and I lied about calling someone else. I'm sorry... But we've got to get out of here. It's not safe. Think about Rachel. She's already freezing out here."

Thane's eyes flicked to me for half a second... then back to Noah.

"She's our only option. Unless you want your dad wondering why you're not at work yet."

Everyone fell silent for a full minute.

Then Thane finally nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

He opened the back door and slid in. I followed him. Wendy and Noah took the front.

I don't know why, but I'd imagined someone louder and maybe wilder with red hair, chaos, and attitude. Someone who looked like trouble.

Instead, Wendy drove calmly, right up until we hit the last corner that led to Thane's office.

"You're not forgetting I'm still in uniform, right?" I finally said.

Thane glanced at me, then sighed. "We already agreed you're staying with me at the office for today."

"When did I agree to that?" I blurted.

He didn't answer. He just stared. And then it hit me.

Shit.

That was what I nodded to earlier, when my brain had completely checked out.

I groaned and grabbed my head.

"Pops won't be coming in today," he added. "He's got plans with your mum."

"Wait. Let me get this straight," I said slowly. "You're telling me I'm spending a full day in the same office with you?"

Wendy pulled into the driveway and glanced at us in the rearview mirror.

"So... that's your stepsister?"

Thane didn't answer. He stepped out and grabbed my wrist. Before he could move me, Wendy spoke.

"She can stay with me. If that's fine."

My head snapped toward her. What?

"Thanks, but that's not happening," Thane said flatly.

"That's not your call," Wendy replied, turning to me. "She can speak for herself, right, Rachel?"

I stared at her. And for one very dumb reason, because I wanted to prove I could-I nodded.

"I think I can survive one day with your wild pet instead of you."

Thane's jaw tightened. "I'm not letting you go with her. You know that."

What was he gonna do? Carry me?

"You know what time to pick me up," I said, already stepping away. "Don't be late."

I walked toward Wendy's car.

"You know what," Thane snapped behind me. "Do whatever the hell you want. I don't give a damn about a stepsister."

Woah. That wasn't how this was supposed to end. Why did it sound like he was even angrier now?

He stormed toward the building.

"Thane!" Noah called after him.

But, he didn't stop.

Great. Do your thing, Thane and I'll do mine.