Chapter 4 See You

Hailey

As I settled into the Range Rover, its sleek matte black finish immediately captivated me, much like the exterior had moments before. It was becoming apparent that Mom hadn't exaggerated about the wealth of these people-Damien and Coby.

However, Damien's wealth didn't excuse his icy demeanor. I couldn't bring myself to like him. At all. What bothered me more was how effortlessly he rendered me speechless every time he spoke whereas most of the time he didn't speak at all. There was an inexplicable strangeness about him, something beyond the usual norms. God, I didn't know how to articulate it; putting it into words felt oddly inappropriate.

"You should buckle up, Bunny," he said casually, diverting his attention from his phone as he started the car.

I really wanted to tell him to not call me that thing.

"Oh, right," I attempted to fasten the seatbelt. But to my frustration, it seemed to jam. How was it that the seatbelt in my mom's ordinary, inexpensive, and ugly car worked flawlessly, yet this luxurious vehicle posed a problem?

What was wrong with wealthy things?

The wealthy thing, in human form I could say, seemingly noticing my struggle, leaned in just as I managed to free the seatbelt from whatever it had caught on. Involuntarily, I pressed back against the seat, my breath catching as his cologne infiltrated my senses. Our eyes locked-a moment that made me deeply regret letting my mom handle seatbelt duties. If I had been more cautious, perhaps I could have avoided this... well, this situation.

"Madison seems to have spoiled you quite a bit, huh?" he remarked, securing the seatbelt. His stormy eyes seemed to pierce through my soul, and with our faces this close, I was completely unsure how to react.

"I'm not spoiled," I managed to murmur softly, and he chuckled, lingering even after finishing the initial task of securing the seatbelt.

Why wasn't he moving away already?

"Doesn't seem like it, Hailey," he chuckled softly, shaking his head before finally leaning back.

Damn it! I almost wished he'd stuck with "Bunny." My name on his lips felt like velvet and rolled on his tongue like silk-too pleasing to my ears. And nothing too pleasing ever boded well, did it? Especially not when it concerned your stepbrother.

God, I so badly wished he were an eleven-year-old kid instead of this grown man. It would've made things so much simpler. I wouldn't have to worry about wet dreams of my soon-to-be stepbrother.

As he pulled away, adjusted in his seat, and started to drive, I found myself releasing the breath I'd held until that very moment.

Shifting in my seat, I did everything I could to avoid the scent of his cologne. But then he added another issue to my plate, reaching for a pack of cigarettes and extracting one while steering with one hand. I watched as he placed the cigarette between his long fingers before placing it between his plump pink lips, igniting it with a chic silver lighter that produced red flames. The light cast a glow on his beautiful features, the ember disappearing into the car as he took a drag and exhaled the smoke inside.

The acrid, unpleasant smell made me instinctively scrunch my nose in an attempt to avoid it. Despite my efforts, I ended up inhaling it, causing me to cover my mouth as I coughed.

Ugh! How could anyone stand this smell? I couldn't fathom why people smoked. It was beyond me!

"You've never smoked?" he raised an eyebrow, suspicion etching his face.

"No," I managed to choke out, quickly sliding down the window to create an escape route for the smoke.

"Why not?"

Was he fucking serious?

"Because I never wanted to?"

He remained silent, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he nodded. Turning away, he tapped the cigarette on the ashtray, doing me a favor without a word. His sudden kindness seemed out of place, almost unsettling. Kindness didn't quite fit his demeanor.

However, why did he smile? Did he find it amusing that I didn't smoke? No, it couldn't be that. There had to be another reason.

But what? This guy was driving me crazy.

A few seconds lingered in silence before a distinct clinking sound broke through, and I observed him raise a hip flask to his lips.

He couldn't be serious right now.

"You shouldn't drink and drive," I blurted out, watching him take a sip. He simply chuckled at my words, as though he found me amusing. Psycho.

"What kind of driving am I supposed to do then?" he quipped, a playful glint in his eyes. It almost made me want to roll my eyes or even scratch his ones out, but damn, they were just too captivating-crap. I seriously needed to gather my thoughts.

I turned my gaze away from him, feigning interest in the view outside the car window, focusing on the ordinary sight of buildings passing by.

"Maybe drive safely?" I suggested, trying to steer the conversation away.

His laughter echoed in the car once more.

"If I'm not supposed to drink, what's left? Look at your face, Bunny?" His voice dipped low. "Wouldn't that be as intoxicating?"

What the-

My cheeks flushed nonetheless, and I didn't dare meet his eyes.

"Just... do whatever you want," I muttered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

A few minutes passed in silence in the car, and I could sense his gaze fixed on me the entire time. Then, he spoke up again, breaking the quietness, "I will, Bunny. But not right now. And you might not like it at all," he accelerated the car.

What did he mean by that? Why would I not like it at all?

Finally, I turned to face him, contemplating whether to voice my question. But just as I opened my mouth, the car screeched to a sudden halt.

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I glimpsed our apartment building outside the window.

"We're here," he announced, leaning closer, causing me to instinctively press myself against the seat once more. He noticed and his hands moved slowly, brushing against my waist before unfastening the seatbelt. Each deliberate movement sent tingles through my skin.

This wasn't good-my thoughts, I mean.

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat, my hands clenched at my sides while my heart raced in my chest.

Calm down, Hailey. Just... calm down.

"See you at the wedding, Bunny?" A smirk curved at his own lips as his eyes glanced at my lips.

"W-what?" I stammered.

"Already forgotten?" His smirk widened. "You're going to be my sister soon, aren't you?"

Yeah... that was true. I didn't understand why the idea bothered me so much.

"Oh, yeah," I nodded quickly, desperate to break away from his gaze. I reached for the car door, pushing it open and sliding out before hastily muttering, "See you."

Without sparing him another glance, I rushed inside the building, but not without sensing his eyes tracking my every step.