Chapter 4 Four

LUKE

There were tons of reasons as to why I shouldn't listen to Dad's inconvenient request, and I was pretty much having a great time before he called. I could understand his attachment to Gene. My stepmother was one of a kind and the sweetest things that had ever happened to our lives. I couldn't list everything she had done for us, but she was a mother to me. Period.

However, Gene was enough. I didn't like the idea of having a little sister. If it was a brother, I'd gave it consideration. Secondly, it's quite ridiculous to give out even the slightest part of my property that I worked my ass for to that stranger. But since Dad asked nicely, I had no choice but to do it. Lastly, picking up this new little sister wasn't that hard, but it was never my thing to engage myself in extra family matters.

At the airport, I didn't see her right away. She was hard to remember. I only saw her once. All I could recall was the skinny girl with mesmerizing brown eyes.

On the other hand, it's astonishing how time could change someone. When I finally found her, she was too good to be true. She was one of the most beautiful faces I had ever laid eyes on. Her curves had changed through the years, guessing she was probably a late bloomer. Her breasts were full and round as if it were screaming to burst out of her tight shirt.

I groaned hard when as she sat on the backseat. "What are you doing? Sit in the front. I'm not your driver."

"I'm sorry, " she mumbled, then she moved in front and buckled her seatbelt. "You still remembered me, " she stated, her mouth curved the slightest smile. Oddly, she sounded too familiar. I wonder where I heard her voice.

"Yes, but don't think that I'm friendly. I'm doing this for Gene. Do you understand?"

Her face went from red to pale, then she nodded. She still had the smallest face alike how I remembered her, and it's making me fucking mad, for some reason, I didn't understand.

"Is that how you normally communicate?" I had to ask.

"W-what? No, " she breathed. "It's just.... This is the first time we actually talked."

I swear I heard her voice before. "Yes, this is, " I agreed, freeing my mind with absurd thoughts. I revved the engine to life and pulled out of the place.

SCARLET

There were times in my life I encountered a man like Luke. After the numerous heartaches in the past, I learned to divide men I was attracted to into two categories.

The first category could be described as 'the dangerous ones'. They were men who would like to fuck and forget. They're going to leave you when they're done. Jax landed into that category-the reason why I didn't meet him. Then, there were the safe ones. They were the type of men who wouldn't expect from you and also the kind that wouldn't get me too attached.

However, with Luke, I didn't want to put him in any of the categories. He was my stepbrother-he's supposed to be out of the picture. But if I were to put him to any of the categories, he was precisely the man I should avoid.

I already had a crush on him in the past, but now I wanted him. If he was mine, I'd move my hands all over him-pleasure him, and whisper goodness in his ears. His presence alone made my skin itch as if I was yearning to feel him against my body, against my inner thighs. I imagined myself running my fingers along those strong jawlines, and kiss him senselessly. I would inhale his musk wood and aftershave. His exquisite display of male beauty had me burning between my legs. But from the moment our eyes attached, I knew I should be running.

Damn. The thoughts scared me instantly. Every hair on my skin stood as the witness to my fear. I'd almost forgotten that he was my stepbrother. In an instant, I thought of calling Jax to relieve the sexual tension.

Maybe later at home.

"Are you going to stay here for a week?" he suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Thomas asked me."

He glanced at me. "Are you staying with them?"

"Yes." I tried to divert my mind by looking through the window, filling my eyes with the beauty of New York City nightlights. "Actually, I'd like to move up here."

To my surprise, he nodded, and his eyes glimmered. "It makes you alive."

I smiled. "How so?"

"It shows."

"I'm home, " I murmured. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your number to call you while you're in Cambridge, " I said, trying to start a proper conversation.

"It's alright. I'm busy anyway. I won't be able to meet."

I cleared my throat. "That's what I heard."

"I wouldn't mind giving it though." He flashed out a sexy smile. "You're my new little sister." He abruptly stopped the car.

"Are we home?" I looked outside, but it didn't look like Thomas's house.

I looked through the window, and we had stopped in front of the posh entrance Hotel B. A five-star hotel Luke solely owned, and a giant letter B was embossed just right above the opulent entrance.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"Because Dad has a plan." He stepped out of the car first and turned around to open the door for me. "And you need to get dressed."

I stepped out of the car. "For what?"

"Dad didn't tell you?"

"He didn't say anything, urgent. No."

He studied me from head to toe. "Do you happen to have a dress?"

I looked down at my casual shirt, ripped jeans and sneakers. "I... I guess so. I think I brought one in my suitcase."

"Good. You need to change." Luke plucked my suitcase out of his car and dragged it with him. I tried to catch up with him.

"Hey, what's the occasion? It's already nine and-" I paused. "Wait. Is it tonight then? Mom's birthday party."

He stopped by the lobby. "You don't know a single thing, do you? The party starts at eleven."

I frowned. "But I thought it's tomorrow. Thomas said-"

"Stop talking. This is the plan." He rolled his eyes, then he dropped my suitcase on the floor.

I gasped. "Hey! Did you just toss my-" I lowered down and picked up my luggage, but when I got up, he was already gone, "bag..."

Did he just leave me?

***

Since I had nowhere to go, I went to the reception and tried to book myself a room, but there was already a reservation under my name. Luke might have had it prepared for me-or maybe Thomas. Luke was no gentleman. Certainly, he was nothing like his father. If only I knew he was a jerk like this, I shouldn't have fantasized him for the last six years.

I dragged my suitcase with me and stepped into the elevator as soon as I got my keys. Good thing, my room was a suite. I freaking needed a good bath.

First thing I did, I dug into my suitcase and laid out the only dress I could ever bring. My Burberry crimson backless dress-with a hem two inches above the knee and my silver five-inch stilettos. Fortunately, I had also brought my Buccellati charms with me. A white gold ruby necklace, and a pair of matching dangly earrings. I touched the gem with my finger and briefly admired its beauty.

I wasn't a greedy person, and I never imagine myself wearing these extravagances with my life before. It's not that I desired any of this, but when Mom married Thomas, I wouldn't deny that I also lived in luxury. My stepfather was generous. He provided things for me. I lived in an apartment leased in my name in Cambridge, he sent me to Harvard, gave me everything I needed-not to mention he was also a good adviser.

However, there were times I wondered what does Luke thinks of me. Did he think I wanted his father's fortune? Was that he couldn't like me or accept me as his stepsister? Thomas did mention that I needed to sign papers for the transfer of assets. But I didn't want any of it. I had enough material things. But who knows? Maybe he changed.

Enough thinking about Luke. My mind screamed at me. I had to get moving. I stepped into the bathroom and had a delightful bath.

Shortly after, I slid everything on, and applied a classic smoky eye, and finished the evening makeup with a touch of red lipstick. All I needed to do now was inform Thomas about my arrival at the party tonight, and get myself an Uber. However, I stopped as I noticed the blinking of my notification.

13 missed calls from Thomas

2 missed calls from Jax and another message from him

I ignored Thomas's missed call because I was a bad daughter, and I opened Jax's message first.

Have you arrived yet? – Jax

I bit my fingernail, thinking of a reply.

Yes. I just arrived. Thank you. – Ericka

I typed another.

Can I call you later? I need to get an Uber. - Ericka

He replied right away. Getting out already? Good for you, I'm stuck with my family tonight. – Jax

I giggled. I was about to be stuck with my family, too.

I'm starting to count. It's going to be three weeks, and you still didn't find a date. - Ericka

Except there's still one woman in NY right now I haven't fucked. Just tell me if you want to advance our meet up – Jax.

Hey, I really need to go. I'm overly dressed tonight, and I might ruin the makeup if don't go now. I'm going to be late. - Ericka

Do you have a date? he replied.

I didn't answer and texted Thomas instead.

On my way, Thomas. See you later :* - Scar

I was about to put my phone in my purse, but my phone buzzed. It was Jax again.

"Damn it, " I cursed, but answered the call anyway. "What? I'm busy."

"Then why did you pick up the phone?" he asked.

"Because the sound of my voice makes you hard, " I joked. I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Jax. I told you I'm busy."

"Funny, " he said, but he didn't sound pleased at all. "You didn't answer my question. You have a date?"

Did he call just to ask me that? "So what if I have?"

He groaned. "That's not such a good idea for you to fuck someone else before me. Can't you wait for us to meet then you're free to go?"

I sighed in frustration. "Don't push your possessive shit over me. I don't know how your brain works-but for someone who fucks different woman weekly, you had to say that to me?"

"So you're really going out tonight, huh? Where are you going?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Nothing. I'm just asking."

I rolled my eyes. "Where else? To meet my family. I'm not going on a date. Happy now?"

"I thought it's until tomorrow, " his tone softened. "It's a boring night for us, isn't it?"

"Mine should be heartbreaking. I miss my mother, " I said. It's like Jax grew in me. I loved talking personal things to him, because unlike the others, he would only listen-I mean literally, without talking at all. "Can I call you later?"

"Always." I heard him chuckle before he finally hung up.