Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 71 The image of Kester's back had burned itself into my mind, hauntingthrough the night, refusing to letrest. Even now, as I walked toward my office with a spring in my step, I couldn't stop the smile that kept tugging at my lips.

Kester was determined, tearing down my defenses with a patience that was both infuriating and intoxicating. And damn it, he was winning.

I swear he was getting more points than I'd like to give him I had crumbled the moment my gaze landed on the massive tattoo spanning his back-ink etched into his skin simply because I liked tattoos.

My chest had ached, my throat had tightened, and tears had spilled as I traced the beautiful patterns with my hands.

But even after pushing him to tellhow he knew I liked them, he vehemently refused to.

And now, just thinking about it sent a shiver through me.

But as soon as I stepped into the elevator, all of my excitement screeched to a halt.

Claire.

The guilt hitlike a punch to the stomach. I had abandoned her yesterday, walking out on her during lunch when she clearly needed someone to talk to. I promised to call and check on her, but I failed to do so.

And Jake...? I hadn't even touched our secret phone to see if he had tried reaching out.

A deep breath shuddered throughas I adjusted my skirt, the fabric barely brushing my thighs. I needed to pull myself together before stepping into the office.

Pushing open the door, I found Jake hunched over his computer with so much seriousness that it madesmile. "Someone's already hard at work this early in the morning I forced my voice to sound light and playful.

His head snapped up, and the instant relief that flooded his face made my stomach twist.

"Kasmine." He was on his feet before I could blink, abandoning whatever he had been doing like it didn't matter anymore. "By the gods, I was worried. How are you doing now?" In two strides, he was in front of me, arms wrapping around me, pullinginto the warmth of his embrace.

I melted into it, letting the comfort settle deep into my bones.

It was soothing to know that he wasn't upset.

"I am fine, Jake. I was just... I just needed like ash.

srest," I forced the words out of my throat, even though it tasted A lie.

A lie so hollow it barely held itself together.

Chapter 71 He pulled back just enough to scan my face, his brows furrowed with concern. "I was scared to death. And to think that I couldn't even call you-god." His arms tightened around me, holdinglike he was afraid I'd disappear again. "Chere." He huggedagain, and warm liquid pooled in my eyes, but I blinked them back in.

"I'm sorry I worried you," I whispered. "It won't happen again." I made a promise I knew I'd never be able to keep.

He ledto my desk with all the care in the world, settingon my seat as if he was scared I'd break, "Allowtake care of you this weekend, Kasmine," he murmured, his fingers tracing a soft caress along my cheek, "I heard there is a problem with the company's branch in Scotland," he continued, his thumb brushing against my jaw." and from what I've gathered, the Alpha might have to go and sort it out himself, as soon as possible." Wait. He was going too fast.

What the hell was he talking about? "So, this weekend, I'm certain you'll be free to spend stwith me," He added, totally oblivious to the confusion and panic eatingup already.

4 "Uh..." I forced down the panic creeping up my spine and cleared my throat, torn between telling him about the trip, despite all I had just heard, or speaking to Kester about this first. "That... It sounds like a great idea, you know..." "Yes. I'll give you a massage, cook for you, oil your hair... Anything to help you relax." He promised, smiling like he had just offeredthe world.

My heart clenched.

"You're too sweet, Jake. Do I really deserve you?" I whispered, my fingers ghosting over his cheek, "I don't think V do." "I am the one who doesn't deserve you, Kasmine. But thank you for givingthe opportunity to even as much as be in the sspace with you. It's something any man would kill for," He brought my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my palm, "You are a princess, and you need to be treated as one." And gods, if only he knew how undeserving I truly was.

*** The day went on better than I expected. Although I hadn't seen Claire yet. I'd been to her office twice but was told she stepped out and wasn't back.

I also tried calling her, but her line was unreachable.

I tried to push the worry aside, telling myself she was probably busy.

"Guess what I got for you, babe?" Jake stood by the door as if he had just appeared there, with his hands tucked behind his back, startlinga bit. And... Babe? That was new. It tugged a smile frombefore I could stop it. "Tell me," I said, dropping the pen I had in hand.

Like a child happy to show his parents his first painting, Jake brought his hands forward, handinga rose flower. It was just a single red rose, while he had a small bag in the other hand.

It wasn't extravagant, but I knew it had cost him smoney, which I know he didn't really have. And that alone made my chest tighten.

2/4 Chapter 71 I stood u and hurried toward him. He had little to give, yet he gave it anyway, desperate to pleasein the only ways he could. How could I not honor that? T It would be wrong ofto make him feel any less of a man who was desperate to please a woman.

Slipping my arms around him, I pressed close, absorbing the quiet warmth of his lean frame. He smelled of faint cologne and comfort wrapped in simplicity.

"Thank you, Jake," I murmured, smiling as I took the gifts from his hands. Jake's gaze softened when my fingers brushed against his.

Then, before I could react, he stepped closer.

His fingers brushed against my cheek, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. And then, slowly, so carefully, he kissed me.

It was hesitant at first, his lips pressing against mine like he wasn't sure he had the right. Soft. Gentle. Testing But then, when I didn't pull away, he gathered his courage, deepening the kiss just slightly, his warmth spilling into me. A quiet sigh escaped me, my fingers curling against his shirt.

For a moment, I let myself sink into it. Into him.

But only for a moment.

I pulled back before it could becanything more, my lips tingling, and my heart doing something strange in my chest.

Jake blinked, almost like he was coming out of a trance, and then let out a small, breathless chuckle, his cheeks dusted with the faintest shade of pink. "Sorry," he murmured, scratching the back of his head, suddenly looking boyish in a way that made my chest ache. "I-uh, I just... couldn't help myself." I smiled, but it was a sad one.

Instead of answering, I reached for his hand and led him to my desk, where I placed the rose carefully beside my laptop. "Con," I said, trying to keep my voice light. "Let's eat whatever's in that bag before I start overthinking everything." His face lit up with relief, and within seconds, he was pulling out a small box of chocolates. Nothing extravagant, but enough to makesmile.

We sat together, sharing small bites of the sweet treats as Jake talked, filling the space with his easy words, and I let myself get lost in them.

Besides, Kester wasn't even back yet. Why shouldn't I enjoy this moment with Jake? "I already have a surprise planned out for your birthday," he said at one point, grinning like a man who had just discovered fire.

I nearly choked on my chocolate. "Jake, my birthday is still six weeks away." "So?" He shrugged, popping another chocolate into his mouth. "I like planning ahead." I laughed, shaking my head. "You're impossible." "And yet, you're still here," he teased, nudging my knee with his own.

Before I could respond, we heard a knock on the office door Chapter 71 Jake and I turned at the stime, just as the door cracked open and one of the security men from the front gate stepped in.

In his hands was a bouquet.

Not just any kind of bouquet-this was extravagant. Large, breathtaking, perfect pink rangement of deep red, soft white flowers, all wrapped in silk paper. It made the single rose Jake had givenseem almost pitiful in comparison. My stomach clenched.

Who were these for? I thought, forcing myself not to compare Jake had done his best, and that was more important. Jake's face shifted-just a fraction, but I saw it. The small frown. The tension in his jaw. The way his fingers twitched against his knee.

It was obvious he felt the way I did.

The security man walked up to my desk, carefully setting the bouquet down in front of me. "This was just delivered," he said.

"Uhm... From who? And who is it for?" I asked with furrowed brows. I didn't have anyone who would have the intention of sendingflowers. No crush that I knew of.

And Kester? He wasn't even close to being that romantic.

"A courier company dropped it off at the gate. No sender is listed. But they said it was for you." The man replied.

A strange kind of guilt twisted insideas I reached for flowers.m aware of how intently Jake was watching me, I didn't mean to accept them in front of him—not when he had just givena single rose with all the sincerity in the world.

But I did. I was too curious to know who it was from.

Slowly, I unwrapped the note nestled within the bouquet, my heart already racing as my eyes skimmed over the words written in that elegant, familiar handwriting.

A single sentence.

One that made my breath catch.

"You have consumed every inch of me, Kasmine. Tell me, do I haunt you the way you haunt me?" I didn't need a soothsayer to tellwho they were from.

Kester.