SCARLET
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 wouldn’t have fantasized about him for the last six years.
I dragged my suitcase with me and stepped into the elevator as soon as I got my key card. Good thing my room was a suite. I freaking needed a good bath.
First, I dug into my suitcase and laid out the only dress I could ever bring. A Burberry crimson backless dress with a hem two inches above the knee and a pair of Christian Louboutin silver stilettos. Fortunately, I also got my charms and my ruby necklace. I touched the gem with my finger and briefly admired its beauty.
I wasn’t greedy, and I’d never imagined myself wearing these extravagant things before Mom’s marriage. It’s not that I desired any of it, 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, paid for my education, and provided me everything I needed—not to mention he was also a good adviser.
However, there were times I wondered what Luke thought of me.
Did he think I wanted his father’s fortune? Was that why 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 had enough of the material things. But who knows? Maybe he changed his mind.
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, hurriedly did a smokey-eye look, 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 and get myself an Uber. However, I stopped as I noticed the blinking of my notifications.
13 missed calls from Thomas
2 missed calls from Jax and another message from him
I ignored Thomas’s missed calls because I was a bad daughter and opened Jax’s message.
Jax: Have you arrived yet?
I bit my fingernail, thinking of a reply.
Me: Yes. I just arrived. Thank you. Can I just call you later? I need to get an Uber.
Jax: Getting out already? Good for you. I’m stuck with my family tonight.
I giggled. I was about to be stuck with my family, too.
Me: I’m starting to count. It’s going to be three weeks, and you still didn’t find a date.
Jax: Except there’s still one woman in NY that I haven’t fucked. Just tell me if you want to advance our meet-up.
Me: Hey, I really need to go. I’m over-dressed tonight and might ruin my makeup if I don’t go now. I’m going to be late.
Jax: Do you have a date?
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?”
“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. “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 women weekly, you had the guts to say that to me?”
“So, you’re really going out tonight, huh? Where are you going?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“No reason. 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 wasn’t 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 on me. I loved talking about personal things with him because, unlike the others, he would only listen, literally, without speaking. “Can I call you later?”
“Always.” I heard him chuckle before he finally hung up.
SCARLETI was almost ready to head out of the suite, but my throat dried up, so I walked through the suite’s minibar. To my satisfaction, the liquor cabinet had a full range of beverages and my favorite bottle of Château Lafitte. I grabbed the bottle and poured myself a glass.I shut my eyes and took my first sip of the wine’s heaven-and-earthy taste. I ran my tongue over my lower lip as the bittersweet liquid ran down my throat. I was pretty much having ‘me’ time when the door suddenly gilded open, and the sexiest man I knew marched into the room.Luke came back, and my precious glass of wine splattered on the rug, and the glass shattered into pieces. It’s like he brought a storm with him.“Don’t you ever knock?” I bent down and picked up broken pieces of glass.“This is my suite. Get up here.”What? I even walked around naked earlier, used his bathroom, and he’s saying this was his personal space? No wonder everything was provided. I wouldn’t have come here if I knew. I ignored him
SCARLET Here was am, alone again. Well, what was new?I was in the same position six years ago when I watched their wedding ceremony. I was sitting alone, not knowing anyone, because the guests were mostly acquainted with the Alejandros. Oh, right! Something had changed; I could drink now.This was my third glass of wine, and my throat still wanted more—perhaps a stronger drink. My roommate, Katherine, usually offered vodka during sleepless nights and discouraging times. If only my stepbrother wasn’t such an ass and treated me as a part of the family, I wouldn’t have been such a loner.Nonetheless, I didn’t think I wanted to mingle around him at his time. He’s been talking and dancing non-stop with a blonde Barbie doll in a body-hugging red dress. My eyes hurt just looking at them. He was holding her back. I’d always convinced myself that he was off-limits, yet I couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to be held by him.I heaved a sigh. I was getting more and more hopeless as the
SCARLETLuke slid an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him as soon as his friend left. And unlike Aries, who gave me space, Luke sandwiched me between his arms, possessively pressing me against his rock-hard body. His overall physique dwarfed my small frame, making me feel vulnerable, and it was bad news. I hated this effect on me; he made me feel like squirming. I clung to his shoulders but kept my eyes away and tried not to drink him in. He smelled so divine.I could feel Luke’s gaze on me as he began swaying our hips. His long fingers at my back compelled me to move in accord with his body. His thumb pressed firmly on my palm. I tried to bear it, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t breathe. He was driving me crazy.“Wait,” I whispered.I stopped and pushed his chest with my free hand, but he didn’t let me escape. He brought me back into his arms with aggression. A quiet groan of frustration vibrated in his chest. What the heck was wrong with him?“Stop struggling,” he hissed harshl
SCARLETWhat was I doing? It’s not like I was a virgin.I waited for another hour before I went down for breakfast because I was too embarrassed to see Luke’s face. I’d heard he always left at eight and returned home at seven, so he was barely at home. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry when he came back.Mom and Thomas were on the porch having coffee when I came down. They were like newlyweds that couldn’t let go of each other. Thomas couldn’t stop nuzzling at her hair. I had to admit that Thomas was handsome, and he’d kept in shape despite his age. I didn’t want to interrupt them but I told them I was present anyway.“Morning, Mom. Morning, Thomas.” I kissed both their cheeks and settled on the empty seat across from them.“Oh, darling. Good morning!” Mom greeted me with the sweetest smile. “Did you sleep well?”“Barely.” I shrugged and chuckled. “But I probably still have jet lag,” I reasoned, which wasn’t the real case.“Have you had breakfast?” Thomas asked.“Um, no, not yet.”“The
LUKEIt was late when I returned home. I was exhausted, so I went straight to my bedroom and took a shower. I had set up a schedule at the ranch for a few rounds of horseback riding, but then I received a call from my lawyer that I needed to visit her office. I also returned to the hotel to pick up some legal files.After freshening up, I grabbed a can of beer from the fridge while holding a pile of folders I needed to work out with this evening. I then found Cely carrying a tray with empty plates and glasses from the bedroom floors. I’d known Cely almost my entire life. She had been my nanny, and the shades of her silver hair indicated that she had been with us forever.“Cely, are they home yet?” I was referring to Dad and Gene because they called me earlier, saying they went out together. They usually come back late when they have a date. I guessed they were just before.“Oh, good evening, but no, Luke. They’re not home yet,” the head housemaid answered.“Then whose plate is this?”
SCARLETShortly after, I came downstairs, straight to the dining room. I was a bit afraid to find Luke, but fortunately, he wasn’t there.“Good morning, Thomas.” I pulled out a chair and settled by his side. One of the housemaids instantly served me a plate and a glass of milk. I muttered thanks, but she didn’t seem to hear and left. I wasn’t used to having people serving me as if I were royalty.“Good morning, dear,” he greeted back. “I’m glad you decided to join us. Luke preferred eating alone, as usual.”“He probably just likes to eat with the outdoor view, honey,” Mom said. “He’s on the veranda,” she added with a wink, though I wasn’t asking.“That kid. No wonder he likes you more than me.” Thomas shook his head in disbelief. “Anyway, I’ll make sure your daughter will like me.”I grinned. “Oh, I like you, Thomas.” I leaned over and whispered, “Mom nags me all the time.”He let out a rich laugh. “Does she?”Mom glared at us. “I heard that you know?”I giggled. “Love you, mommy.”“S
SCARLETThis wasn’t a vacation. It was a week of torture. It had only been three freaking days, and I’d gone crazy.Just like yesterday, I didn’t do anything at all. I had no energy to go out. Mom and Thomas didn’t seem to care that I was in the room all day, and it was already afternoon! To entertain myself, I checked my inbox to see if there were any new messages, but Jax seemed busy. There were only three people in the world I could talk to, my roommate Katherine, her boyfriend Nate, and Jax. But they would be busy with their own lives.Jax would be having a meeting today, and I hadn’t heard his voice lately. Katherine had gone home with Nate, so they were surely busy.Almost after dinner, I found Mom and Thomas in the living room, watching some TV.“Hi. Can we talk?”“Darling, of course.” Thomas tensed up. He picked up the remote control and shut the TV off.I sat on the seat across from them. “First, I want to apologize for being rude yesterday.”“It’s okay, sweetheart. We unders
SCARLETI thought we would just have dessert, but it wasn’t the case. They had prepared a full meal course with different dishes that would feed at least ten people. The Barbie doll must be so important that Thomas made a feast.I quietly listened as they exchanged talk about matters I couldn’t understand. I remained looking at the food on my plate.I rolled my eyes and then blew out a deep, silent breath. Luke wasn’t talking as usual. Thomas discussed something and followed some legality, but it wasn’t about my transfer papers. I wasn’t naïve enough to not understand what was going on.Mom was exchanging ideas and suggestions, too, since she was a lawyer herself. I wished I could give my input, but I knew nothing about their topic. I only knew how to create a program—if they asked me about JavaScript or Python, I would be glad to answer them.I secretly watched Luke sitting in front of me, slicing his steak. He still hadn’t taken a bite. Luke lifted her plate while Miss Universe was