Ruined By My Brother-In-Law

Anna wished she was somewhere else right now.

She glanced at the figure beside her and her nose scrunched up.

Her phone rang just then, her younger sister's smiling face filling the screen.

"Is everything okay, Lena?" She asked the moment the call connected.

"Yes! When are you getting here?"

Anna side-eyed the figure behind the wheel. "We happen to be crawling like a snail right now, but I'm sure I'll be there soon, okay? Go have fun, and big sis will roll in soon with the cannon."

The call ended and Anna leaned back into the passenger seat with a sigh.

Jason's deep voice cut in, low and smug, "Still like telling people what to do, huh?"

Anna turned away toward the window, deciding she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of an answer this time. She wasn't sure what spoiled the night more: sitting in a car en route to the venue of her sister's wedding after-party with the most annoying jerk she knew, or the fact that he was clearly enjoying her torture.

Jason Knight.

The groom's annoying brother and best man, which meant as her sister's Chief bridesmaid, Anna had been stuck with him these past few days!

She didn't know a fate more horrible, nor a person more maddeningly unpredictable.

The first time they'd met, she was sure he hated her guts. His big grin for his baby brother had dropped the instant he saw her. He'd spent the rest of that day offering nothing but cold shoulders and dissecting stares, as if she were some kind of lab rat.

Then the next day at rehearsal?

A full 180.

He'd kissed her hand like a gentleman, called her his favourite bridesmaid, and showed up with chocolate bars like a lovesick fool.

And then today at the wedding, he'd ignored her almost completely, entertaining every other bridesmaid and lady who so much as blinked his way. Charming, handsome, magnetic, and she hated that she'd noticed.

She'd decided that Jason Knight was the kind of man she wanted nothing to do with.

But here she was, in his car.

"Quieten your brain, spitfire." Amusement rang in Jason's voice. "I can see the smoke through your nostrils and ears."

"Pretty sure yours is frozen from the alcohol and cringy flirts," Anna shot back, glaring at him from across the console.

Jason's eyes left the road momentarily, a smirk on his lips. "Were you watching me, Princess?"

"What- why would I watch you? And stop calling me those silly names you give your girls."

He chuckled. "You didn't have an issue with it the other day, Sweetheart."

Anna tried to ignore the heat creeping up her neck slowly. "Ever heard the phrase, for peace to reign?"

Jason frowned, rubbed his jaw in thought. "Enlighten me, if you would, Your highness."

"I tolerated your presence and bawl-worthy attempts at flirting because it's my sister's wedding. Curb it."

Jason pulled into the hotel for the after party just then and turned to her. He pressed a button to lock the doors, preventing her from exiting.

"You've still got that same bossy tone, Princess." He leaned forward. "Makes me wonder what you sound like when you break down."

Anna frowned. "What does that mean?"

Jason grinned. "It means I want to get to know-" his eyes trailed over Anna slowly, "-every part of you."

Suddenly, Anna felt naked. She resisted the urge to pull the silk fabric of her dark red gown over her exposed cleavage. Heat bloomed on her cheeks, thankfully hidden by the blush she had on. She reached for the door immediately and frowned when it didn't budge.

She turned back to him and her breath caught at the look in his eyes. Her tongue darted out quickly to moisten her lips. "Unlock the door, Jason."

His smirk was pure sin. "Not until you say you'll dance with me."

"I'd rather-"

"-kiss me?" His gaze dropped to her mouth, slow and deliberate, like he already knew her answer. "Careful, Princess. You keep looking at me like that and I'll think you want me."

Her pulse spiked. He was too close, too smug, and way too tempting. "You're drunk."

"Drunk on you, maybe."

She hated him almost as much as she wanted to find out how good that mouth really was. She swallowed around the sudden lump in her throat, unable to tear her gaze away from his lips. Those heart shaped lips. She wanted to know if they were as soft as they looked.

Jason leaned over the console, a smug smile stretching his lips. He grabbed her chin with his thumb and index finger, tilted her head up. Their gaze met and locked, and he ran his thumb over her lower lip slowly, his gaze lowering to watch them part.

Goosebumps broke out on Anna's skin from his touch, and her eyes fluttered close as his fingers caressed her cheeks. Jason's lips lowered slowly to hers but with their lips just inches apart, he stopped.

He brought his lips to her ears instead and whispered in a low, hoarse voice, "Does this mean you'll dance with me then?"

Anna's eyes flew open, her face turning the color of an overripe tomato the moment she realized just what she'd done. Or rather, what she'd been willing to let him do.

She pushed against his chest and Jason pulled back, a smirk on his lips. Anna wanted to slap it off his face.

God. She wanted to strangle him.

She cleared her throat. "Open-open the door, Mr. Knight."

Jason tilted his head to the side, eyes boring into her. "The dance?"

"Fine. I'll dance with you! Jus-just open the da... door!"

Jason pressed a button and the doors unlocked with a click. He opened his mouth to speak, but Anna was out of the car before he could get the first word out, like hellhounds were hot on her heels.

"Maybe they are," he muttered under his breath, eyes darkening as they followed her with a glare and a hunger he couldn't suppress. "This wasn't part of the fucking plan." .

Her sheer red gown had tormented him all afternoon at the wedding, and now every step she took only fanned the fire in him.

This wasn't part of the plan. The plan to ruin her like she did him in high school, but his body betrayed him anyway. His jaw tightened.

Who said he couldn't get both?

A wicked thrill curled through him. He was going to leave a mark on her that she would never forget, and he would have fun while at it.

Anna's gaze kept sliding across the room to where Jason stood, flocked by ladies, all laughing at whatever silly things he was saying this time.

She rolled her eyes, then jumped when Elena yelped beside her.

She turned back to the newlyweds beside her to see Julian had dipped Elena. A smile stretched on her lips.

"You two, take pity on the singles, would you?" She teased.

"Let's just hope they don't run to us after a few weeks saying they didn't know marriage was hard."

They all turned to the new voice to find Jason walking toward them, grinning. Anna tensed.

"Jason." Julian glared at him. "Are you cursing us?"

Jason grabbed him in a headlock, ruffling his hair while Julian yelped for him to get off.

"Got yourself a wife and you think you can talk back now, huh?"

Julian pushed him off, fixing his shirt and hair. "Is that jealousy I smell, Mr. Knight?" He teased right back. "Who is it that goes on about dying single, huh?"

Jason wagged a finger at him while Julian threw him a challenging look, drawing a giggling Elena back to his side.

"Is that how you want to play it, huh?"

Jason turned to Anna and she almost took a step back, unnerved by the sudden shift of his attention to her.

"Wanna hear something fun?" He asked her, his signature smirk tugging his lips up.

Anna blinked. Her gaze cut to the newlyweds behind him-Elena was nodding her head yes while Julian shook his head. She turned to a waiting Jason.

"I don't know what it matters if I want to hear it, but sure-" she shrugged, "- entertain us, I guess."

"All those words for a simple yes. Women."

Anna bristled but before she could give a reply, Jason was walking up to the DJ, snatching up a drink along the way. He whispered to the DJ, who handed him a mic.

"Oh god, no," Julian muttered.

"Is he about to do what I think?" Elena asked, laughing at the look on Julian's face.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Babe."

"Well, I want to hear embarrassing stories about you."

Anna's lips formed a silent O. She hadn't realized that was what Jason meant. She'd been too in her head.

Jason cleared his throat, capturing the room's attention. "Mic test. One. Two."

Chuckles went up around the room.

He cleared his throat again. "Ladies and gentlemen, as the groom's older brother, it's my sworn duty to tell you interesting things about Julian"

Julian groaned loudly. "Don't you dare-"

Jason shot him a wicked grin. "Nobody taught him not to challenge an older brother that doubled up as a parent. We remember everything-from their childish dreams, to the girls they had a crush on."

Julian threw his hands into the air while Anna did a double take. She moved closer to Elena and whispered, "Doubled up as a parent?"

Elena nodded, eyes still on Jason. "Jason basically raised Juls after their mum's death."

Anna blinked, unable to believe her ears. "The playboy has a heart," she muttered.

"What?"

Anna shook her head. "Nothing."

"My dear baby brother," Jason continued. "Used to keep a diary. A pink one. With a sparkly lock. And inside it...well, you know."

The room erupted with laughter. Elena covered her mouth, eyes sparkling. "You didn't."

Julian shook his head frantically. "He's lying-he's-"

"Oh, I'm absolutely lying." Jason smirked, pacing like he owned the room. "But you all believed it for a second."

More laughter. The tension eased but Anna couldn't help noticing the smug way his eyes swept the room, then landed squarely on her.

"And speaking of belief-" Jason's grin turned sharper. "I remember a time Julian thought he'd never find someone patient enough to put up with him. I said, 'Nah, some saint out there will take pity.' And what do you know-" He raised his glass toward Elena, "-enter Elena. A saint, indeed."

Applause and cheers filled the room. Elena blushed into Julian's chest.

Jason let the noise die down before his gaze cut back to Anna, pinning her in place. "Of course, saints are rare these days. Most people-" his eyes flicked down, then back up, deliberate, "-pretend to be one."

The crowd chuckled, thinking it was a joke.

Anna's stomach tightened. Somehow, she knew it wasn't. She glared up at him, wondering why he seemed out to crawl under her skin.

Jason tapped the mic once more, all mock-innocence. "Which is why I say it's time we test the Chief Bridesmaid's saintliness to keep her words-" his voice dropped low, eyes never leaving Anna's, "-with a dance."

Gasps, whistles, cheers rose up immediately.

Julian shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "Smooth motherfucker."

Elena clapped like she'd just been given front row drama. Before Anna could protest, Jason was already striding toward her, mic abandoned and glass set aside. She shook her head even as a slow, melodic music filled the room.

"I'm not going to let you bully me into dancing with you," she hissed.

"That's rich coming from you. I haven't done half the things you did. Yet."

Anna's brows threw together at his words. Jason stepped closer, but she stood her ground, refusing to let him intimidate her.

"If I remember accurately, you were more than willing in the car."

"You-"

"Dance! Dance!" The crowd egged them on.

Jason smirked. "Well. Give the crowd what they want, Anna de la Vegas."

Anna's stomach twisted at the sound of her name on his lips. Before she could reply, he grabbed her hand and twirled her onto the dance floor, her silk red gown a seductive billow in the soft lighting.

He tugged her back and she fell into his chest with a soft thump, his other hand splayed out on her naked back, trailing slowly down to rest on the small of her back-right where her exposed skin ended.

Her breath hitched from his touch and how close he was. She could feel his heat, how solid his chest was, her fingers dug into his shoulder.

The crowd whooped as Jason's hand found her waist and guided her into the rhythm. Anna stiffened, trying to keep a solid inch between them, but his arm only tightened, drawing her flush against him.

"Relax, Princess," he murmured into her ears. "You're making it obvious you're terrified of me."

"I'm not terrified," Anna snapped, keeping her chin high. "I just don't like dancing with men who think the world revolves around their ego."

Jason smirked. "Good thing it does."

He spun her in a smooth twirl before pulling her back, his hand sliding over the bare line of her spine. "And judging by your pulse, I'd say your body disagrees with your mouth."

Heat crawled up Anna's neck. She tried to steady her breath, but his nearness. His scent. The way the room faded around them. It was too much.

She forced a laugh, brittle. "You're ridiculous."

Jason dipped her suddenly and Anna's breath caught as their eyes met. For one wild second she thought he might actually kiss her.

The crowd roared with approval.

Jason pulled her upright into him, one hand pulling a leg up to his side. His fingers slid up the smooth skin of her thigh, through the high slit, dangerously high.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered, voice hoarse and tempting.

Anna's fingers clenched into his jacket. For a heartbeat, she couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Even as his hand rode higher.

Until she saw the utterly smug look on his face. The haze broke and she pulled free of his hold just as the music faded out.

She couldn't believe he'd done that. In front of everyone. Worse, she'd let him.

The room burst into applause. Anna, breath stuttering in her chest and skin tingling, stormed off the dance floor, gown swirling in her wake.

Jason watched her go, jaw tight, hands clenching once at his side before smoothing into a lazy grin.

Cursing under his breath, he fished out his phone.

"Set it up, Ethan," he said the moment the call connected. "Time Anna de la Vegas feels the humiliation she handed out. And this time? No laughing it off in front of everyone."

Anna stumbled into the garden at the back of the hotel, where the after-party was taking place. She shoved a hand through her hair and then clenched it at her side.

"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid," she muttered repeatedly under her breath. "You knew what he was doing but still fell for it. Stupid."

The image of that smirk after he ran his hand dangerously high on her thigh, and asked her to stop him.

But she hadn't.

Had done nothing but clung to him like a weak little fool. That smirk. That smirk mocked her.

Anna walked further into the garden, a new wave of shame swirling inside her.

She took a chug too quickly from the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon she had swiped off a table, and coughed as the liquid rushed down her throat, a few getting into the wrong track. She swore under her breath.

She moved to stand behind a pillar in the garden, hoping it obscured her from anyone passing the hallway or getting air in the balconies. Hoping no one saw her like this.

She looked anything but perfect. She definitely didn't feel like it.

She could feel a tingle down her back, over her thigh and it infuriated her to think she was still reacting to him.

Anna tipped the bottle back, speaking around the mouthful of wine. "'Sjust the wind."

After a few more gulps, Anna placed the bottle of Cabernet by her feet, muttering about how she really shouldn't get drunk at her sister's wedding. Laughter from inside punctuated her thoughts.

"I still have to help her with that wedding night get-up," she muttered to herself.

Her arms came up around her, teeth chattering slightly from the night's chill.

A sudden warmth draped over her shoulders. She startled, turning, only to see Jason standing behind her, his jacket hanging loose around her.

Jason tilted his head, a teasing smile tugging his lips. "Careful, Princess. You'll catch a cold before you catch your breath."

Anna tensed, her spine going ramrod straight. Her fight-or-flight mode, which she was constantly in around him, kicked in.

She couldn't leave.

That would look like running off with a tail tucked between her legs and she was no loser. She turned away from him to hide the war on her face.

Maybe she should shrug his jacket off, throw it back at him. But that would be stupid. she was cold and if she was going to stand her ground, she wasn't doing it shivering.

"Who knew chivalry wasn't dead," she bit out, pulling the jacket tighter around her.

Jason chuckled and came to stand beside her, fishing out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket. Anna fought the urge to edge away, put more distance between them, frowning as he lit a cigarette.

He took a puff, then offered it to her. "It'll warm you up."

Her nose wrinkled. "I don't smoke."

"Your loss." He shrugged.

He took a drag. Smoke filtered from his lips as his hand lowered.

"You should stop," Anna interjected, snatching the cigarette as he raised it to his lips again. She flicked it to the ground like it burned and crushed it under her heels. "Your lungs would thank you."

Jason stared, hand hanging, and then, scoffed. "What are you? A doctor?"

"Actually, yes. I'm a resident."

"Right. Forgot that." Jason took a step toward her, his gaze darkening. Anna took one back without thinking. "Well, Doc, how else do you suggest I get warm?"

His gaze dragged to her mouth, dark red, a shade deeper than her dress, and lingered. His fingers flexed at his side and his throat worked once. When his eyes lifted to hers again, the corner of his mouth tugged, like he'd caught the hitch in her breath.

His voice dropped a notch. "We could finish that kiss, huh?"

Anna blinked. It took a beat for her to realize he was talking about that moment on the dance floor. She cleared her throat quietly. "Wh-what kiss? You drunk or something?"

Music and laughter echoed in the background, but it felt far off, like they were in their own world.

He stepped closer, and trying to keep some semblance of distance between them, Anna placed a hand on his chest, pushed.

"Weren't you taught to respect other's space?"

Jason's gaze dropped to the hand pushing against his chest, and when it came back up, it was hooded. There was a fire there, like she had just hit a nerve.

"You always acted like I wasn't good enough." He grabbed the hand on his chest, pulled her flush against him, knocking the jacket off her shoulder. "But tell me you don't feel this right now?"

She pushed against his chest, desperate to create some space between them. "Stop projecting your-mmph."

Jason's mouth covered hers-hot, heavy-his arms around her waist keeping her locked in. His lips moving over hers was anything but sweet. It was heated, pent-up, a tug-of-war. One she was losing.

They stumbled back, her back pressed against the pillar she'd been hiding behind, rough against her naked back. She gasped and snatching the opportunity, Jason deepened the kiss. He sucked on her lower lip and Anna's knees buckled, grateful for his arms around her.

He bit her lip and with a low moan she brought her arms around his neck, surrendering to the desire surging through her. She moved her lips against his, eyes shut tight and she felt it, that stretch of lips on hers, satisfaction at her giving in. But she didn't care.

Not anymore.

What mattered was the hand trailing up her thigh through the slit in her gown. The hand pressed to the side of her breast. The way his touch sent sizzles down her spine.

His lips left hers, finding its way down her neck-open-mouthed, hot kisses-and she shivered against him. She brushed up against him, asking for more as her nipples tightened painfully against the friction.

His lips went to her ear, nibbling and then he murmured, "This wasn't supposed to happen." He pulled her closer anyway, grazed his teeth over her lobe, and smirked when she jerked against him. "If you want me to stop, tell me now."

He pulled away slightly and ran his fingers over her cheeks, down to her neck, lower and grazed over a hardened nipple. Anna's back arched, pushing her breast into his palm. He palmed it, moving his hand around in circles. Anna bit her lower lip, her breath faltering.

Jason pulled his hand away and she whimpered.

"Open your eyes."

Her eyes fluttered open, met his and her breath caught at the look on his face. His usually lighter, silvery grey eyes had darkened to a charcoal, storm-cloud, almost black.

His forehead furrowed, jaw tight, and it dawned on her just how much he was holding himself back. His hand at her waist tightened, and he jerked her against him, asking in a voice so deep it sent jolts through Anna's body to the area in between her legs, "Tell me to stop."

And then he pressed against her, pushing her into the pillar, his hard budge heavy on her stomach.

How could she? He got her wound so tight she would snap any second from now. Her hands tightened around his neck, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck

"One night," she whispered. "Just one night."

His head lowered, their faces inches apart. "You won't forget tonight for a long time, Anna de la Vegas."

Anna's stomach flipped and she knew: She just made a deal with the devil.

And it was going to get her in trouble.