The Love of a Stepbrother

Chapter 12

A few days had passed, and Simone would have easily believed the whole offer was a piece of her imagination, for they didn’t breach the subject again… If it wasn’t for his sweet evening texts, she would have tried to dismiss it all as a joke.

The first text, which had reached her as she was reading through the excited Reddit comments, and overlooked the none too pleasant ones, was nothing short of maddening. It read: I cannot wait to have your lips on mine again.

The words, albeit not unsavory in nature, made her feel like there was only chemistry tying them down… And though that might be true, as a woman she couldn’t help but long for something more. She wanted to explore this passion which seemed to course through her veins, but also feared the consequences of getting together with her stepbrother – there was bound to be some kind of backlash, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.

The next evening, came another text which said: You are driving me mad, and you don’t even care.

Simone would have loved to reply with a simple Absolutely fuc*king same but she refrained from doing so, not quite sure if she was going to say yes to his proposal just yet. She wanted to – heavens only knew how much she wanted to – but then her life might never be the same again. Dare she go for something so forbidden, so taboo? No matter if the connection might very well be the most real thing she ever felt, the fear was there.

The third text, on the third evening, was more possessive: I cannot see you with another man. Waiting for the day you will be irrevocably mine.

Irrevocably? The word stuck with her. Did that mean he wanted her for the long run? Simone didn’t dare to hope it was like that, and guessed it was more of a pillow talk.

Someone snapped their fingers in front of Simone’s face, and she broke from her reveries, blushing to her utter and complete dismay.

She raised her eyes, and despite the gasp that wanted to erupt, asked in a poised manner, “What can I do for you, Mr Stone?”

She couldn’t believe she hadn’t heard him leave his office.

He raised an eyebrow at her, in a totally playful manner, and asked, his voice as devoid of emotions as usual, “What’s the last name for, S?”

“We are still on the clock, aren’t we?” She retorted, smirking ever so slightly.

“Is this how you want to play, Angel?”

The term of endearment which was totally new. Despite how much he always cared for her, William had only ever called her Simone, or S for short. He had never used any pet name… but she wasn’t sure she hated it, no matter how cheesy it was.

Simone offered him a timid smile, even though she didn’t shy away from his intense gaze.

He leaned forward, and the breath hitched in her throat, betraying her in ways not even words did.

William’s reaction was a lovely and infuriating smirk.

“Do you have an answer for me yet?” He asked, his voice deepening ever so slightly.

“I thought I had a week to mull it over,” she blushed as she let out the words that escaped her mouth.

“You do, but surely you’ve thought it over by now?” He retorted, his smirk still in place.

“The world doesn’t revolve around you,” she told him after a beat, wanting him to drop that damned smirk.

And while it might have been childish on her part, she couldn’t bring herself to care at that moment in time.

“Why so defensive, Angel? I was only asking,” he chuckled.

Simone had to bite on the inside of her cheek, so as not to follow his chuckle with a whimper. She loved his chuckles, especially around her.

“Is there anything I can help you with, Mr Stone?” She asked again, with a smile this time that was but the declaration of war.

“As a matter of fact, yes,” he nodded at her in earnest. “We have to see Derek Cooper in 40, and we might be late if this continues.”

“We?” Simone echoed after him. “I didn’t even have this on schedule.”

She used to like staying over time and helping him with different tasks, as that was but another occasion to be on the receiving end of his tender looks… But now, she wanted to avoid him a little bit, not because she was playing hard to get, but rather because she wanted to keep some clarity of mind – which was no easy feat around him.

“You had plans?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Yes,” she nodded. “I had plans with the TV. There’s this new anime that came out, which I am totally dying to watch.”

“Let’s settle the matter with Cooper Inc, and then you can choose to do what you please with our evening,” he bargained, though he didn’t need to. She was his PA after all, and last-minute meetings had a special clause in the contract.

“Okay, sure,” she agreed after a beat, even though she found it weird that he said our evening, instead of your evening.

“Derek Cooper will most likely come with his daughter, Alicia,” William then declared.

“And?” Simone raised an eyebrow at him, not quite sure she was following.

“Alicia is rather eager to get into my bed,” he went on in all earnestness, his eyes intently looking at Simone.

“What?” Simone squeaked out before she could help herself. “What are you telling me this for?” She tried to make it sound like that squeak had been but a dysfunctional issue with her cords.

“Just a fair warning,” he shrugged.

“Much obliged,” she told him in a saccharine tone of voice that was fooling nobody.

His only answer was another chuckle.

Heavens have mercy, Simone could already tell that the evening was going to be a long one.