Chapter 3 STEP-DAD

RACHEL

He slammed into me again, harder, and faster, this time, until my mind went completely blank except for him.

"I love how f*cking tight you are, freckles," he groaned, gripping my hips like if I even moved an inch, he'd lose himself.

It was insane. One moment I was furious at Raymond for making out with another girl, and now I was here, being absolutely wrecked on the bed of a stranger who touched me like he already owned every part of me.

Before I could breathe, he flipped me onto my stomach. One finger slid into me, deep and slow, at first, pulling a broken moan out of me before I could even think of Jack Robinson.

"F*ck," I gasped.

He kept going, like my voice only pushed him further. His finger curled, twisting deeper until my hips were moving on their own, matching the pace he set.

"Do you want me inside you again?" he asked, his voice low and dark.

"Yes... please."

That was all he needed. He slammed into me from behind, one hand gripping my ass like he needed it to stay upright.

"Oh God," I choked out.

But he didn't stop. He kept thrusting deeper, relentlessly until my walls tightened around him and I was close, so close I could barely breathe.

His cock tip hit the deepest part of me, filling me harder, stronger, until I felt him thicken inside.

Then warmth flooded him.

Before I could fall apart completely, he pulled out and spilled hot cum across my thighs, collapsing over me, breathless and heavy, like he'd just spent the last of himself inside my body.

Just like that everything faded.

***

RACHEL

My eyes flew open as sunlight spilled across my face. My head was heavy, foggy, and I knew at once this wasn't my room.

I pushed myself up, and my hand hit something hard as a stone.

No. No. Rachel, no.

My heart thundered, my brain ringing like an alarm bell. I slowly turned, and there he was. A ridiculously hot guy lying right beside me.

I almost jumped out of the bed.

Fck. Fck. It wasn't a dream. The touching, the kissing, every second of it had been real.

I swear this is the last time I will ever get drunk. You're completely insane, Racheal.

I snatched my purse and phone from the nightstand, carefully slipping my feet to the floor, trying not to wake him. I yanked on my top, pulled my skirt on till it sat on my waist. I didn't even bother with the heels.

He shifted on the bed just as I reached the door. And just like that, my heart tumbled.

"If you're gonna walk out that door, you'll need the key," he said calmly.

I froze. Then turned. My heart dropped to my feet as I locked eyes with him.

"I doubt you have the key," he added, his voice flat.

I rolled my eyes. "Where's the damn key? I need to leave."

He didn't answer. He just tucked one arm behind his head, showing off those thick, flexing muscles.

"I see we're back to being feisty, huh?"

I let out a hard breath. "Listen, I don't know what happened, but whatever it is-"

"Are you sure you don't remember shouting 'f*ck me harder' last night?" he teased, sliding out of bed completely, and that was when I realized he was still damn naked. Like fully, shamelessly naked.

I slapped my hands over my face, my heels dropping to the floor.

His footsteps approached. He picked up the heels, then gently pulled my hands down my face and placed the shoes on them.

"You already saw everything yesterday," he said. "You don't have to be dramatic."

I stepped away, smirking like I had confidence, even though my head was a mess.

"You're such a freak," I snapped. "Who the hell takes advantage of a drunk woman? I was mad, broken, and drunk, it wasn't an invitation for anything, so that didn't give you the right to touch me. Got it?"

He didn't respond. He just stared slowly, dragging his eyes down to the curve of my chest, then back to my face again.

"Alright, Rachel," he said softly. "I get it. It's embarrassing to admit you enjoyed yourself. But don't worry, you're welcome. I had fun too. So, that's even."

What? Was this guy serious?

I swallowed my anger, waited until he unlocked the door, then stepped past him.

"Thank your stars," I said sharply. "I don't have time for the likes of you today."

He let me go, but I could feel his eyes burning into my back the whole way out.

***

RACHEAL

By the time the cab stopped outside my estate gate, my head was pounding. I paid the driver, stepped out, and watched him drive off.

My phone was a mess of missed calls from my mum, Tiara, and even that stupid Raymond.

I unlocked the gate and trudged inside. The second I got in, I dropped onto the couch, inhaling deep just to steady myself. My brain felt like it was beating against my skull.

That was when my phone rang again.

Tiara.

"Hey, babe!" she chirped, way too bright for someone who should've been freaking out about me disappearing all night.

"What's up?" I asked weakly, sinking deeper into the couch.

"You know you're crazy, right? Why the hell did you vanish like that without telling me-"

"Calm down, T." I rubbed my temple. "I'm not dead. See? I survived. And don't even start. You were so wasted you wouldn't have remembered if I told you anything."

She paused. "Says who? I wasn't that wasted. I still heard the whole story about you and Ray breaking up, and you kissed Thane. Seriously, Racheal? You dumped your boyfriend and replaced him in one night. You're insane. And hot. But still insane, girl."

I sighed. "Please shut up. I didn't pick up a new one. It just... happened."

Before she could reply, I heard my mum's voice behind me.

"You're back, honey?"

I turned my head to look at her, then spoke into the phone again.

"I'll call you later, T." I muttered before ending the call.

"You missed my calls yesterday. Did you even see them?" Mum asked the second my phone dropped from my ear. Her voice was calm, but she was definitely mad at me.

"I'm sorry. I should've called," I said quietly, even though I knew that wasn't going to satisfy her.

"You know that's not an excuse, right? What if something happened to you-"

"Well, nothing happened," I cut in, already tired. "I just went to Tiara's birthday party. It's not a big deal. And besides, you're barely around these days, so I'm used to not reporting every move, alright?"

My voice rose before I even realized it. I forced myself to breathe. Things had been weird ever since she started dealing with that mess at work.

Yeah, it wasn't her fault. But it wasn't mine either. And I was tired of always being the one adjusting.

I stood up, and that was when I finally noticed the suitcases beside her.

Hers. And mine.

My heart dropped. "What on earth is happening? Why is everything packed?"

She sighed, rubbing her temple. "That's what I wanted to explain yesterday, but you didn't come home... So here we are."

"Explain what?" I snapped.

"We're moving out, Racheal." She breathed the words like they were heavy.

I almost laughed. "Stop joking, mum. Nothing you're saying sounds funny."

"Look, honey... I need to be honest." Her shoulders fell. "I'm broke. The rent is due. And the company is drowning. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to worry, but... I can't hide it anymore."

"We can sort it out, right? You've always managed. This isn't even the first time something like this has happened, so let's not jump to conclusions yet."

"It's different this time," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I already sold the company... and I think you'll be getting a stepdad too."

My heart flipped once, twice, maybe ten times, before my brain caught up.

Step what?

"I should've told you sooner, but that's the only way to save the company. And besides... Simon's going to be a great stepdad. He loves you, he-"

"Just stop it, Mum!" My voice cracked. "I don't even know who the hell you're talking about, and you're already claiming this random guy 'loves' me? Seriously? If you want to move in with this Simon, go ahead. But I'm not going with you. I hope you understand that."

I turned and walked out before she could say another word, my head ringing like someone had set an alarm off inside it.