Chapter 10

**LUKE**

It 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?” I asked, referring to the dishes and utensils they put in the sink.

“It’s Miss Scarlet’s. She wanted to eat dinner in her room.”

Ah! I almost forgot. There was a witch at home for vacation.

“Where’s she?”

“She’s at the swimming pool. Would you like me to prepare something for you?”

“No. I already ate. Thank you.”

She smiled. “You’re welcome. Just call me if you need anything.”

I didn’t answer. And speaking of the witch, I had something urgent to tell her. I needed her to sign a few pages on the transfer of properties. My lawyer needed her presence to finally legalize things.

I went straight to the swimming pool area. I was about to go near the pool when I saw her immersed in the water. I walked a little closer and watched her. She did not even notice that I was there. I tossed the folders on the bench and drank the beer to its very last drop. I watched as she swam to the ladder and pulled herself out of the water.

She was definitely one of the sexiest women I’d ever seen. Clothed in a little black two-piece string swimsuit, she’d almost revealed everything. I couldn’t help but admire her body’s perfect proportions. I could see her clearly now. She was curvy, and her breasts were just the perfect size for my palms, unlike any woman I preferred.

Obviously, she wasn’t my type. She wasn’t blonde but a brunette. One fucking brunette with medium-sized breasts and a tiny waist with a goddess’s face was more than a preference. It would be hard to admit, but I knew Aries was right. She was beautiful.

But it made me mad and fucking aroused at the same time. I’d fucked numerous women in my life, and I wasn’t some high school boy who could easily get aroused by some woman—who was eight years younger than me. I clenched the beer can; surprisingly, it crumpled in my fist. She was truly a witch. She must have done something.

I had to do something back, at least. I picked up her robe and decided I would play with her a little.

“Looking for this?” I lifted her robe.

She looked up, surprised. “Luke.” She instantly covered her chest. But even before she had shielded her exposed self, I got a glimpse of her nipples poking the fabric of her wet swimsuit.

I gritted through my teeth. Maybe I was so aroused because I hadn’t gotten laid for three weeks straight.

“I need to speak with you.”

Her brows frowned in confusion. “Yes, but give that to me, please.”

“Come here and get it.” I stepped back. Unfortunately, it was interesting to play with the witch. I wanted to know what she could do. She was probably hiding something behind that innocent face. She couldn’t be that innocent, and I would be the one to discover her secret.

She walked a few steps forward.

“Ah!” I lifted the robe. “Get it from me, witch.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?” she demanded.

Good. Now she was mad. She moved closer to me with one arm covering her tits. She ran to me and reached for the robe with her other hand.

“Hey! Give that to me.”

I was taller by foot, and she could never reach it. She jumped and tried to reach it, not noticing she had freed her breasts, which were now pressed against my chest. She didn’t know they were brushing against the thin fabric of my shirt. I almost groaned at the anticipation; I was losing at my own game.

I admit I found her attractive, and there was no point in denying that. I’d already violated my own rules. I could fuck every woman in the world but not her. She was Gene’s daughter. She was supposed to be my stepsister.

I realized I had to stop. I lowered my arms and dropped the robe on her shoulders.

“Easy, witch,” I whispered briskly.

She pushed my chest away. “Stay away from me, and don’t call me a witch. I fucking hate you.” She turned, picked up her clothes, and marched away.

I smirked. “Now is the time to find someone to fuck, man,” I mumbled.

Perhaps, Ericka?




**SCARLET**

*His finger brushed my skin as he draped the robe over my shoulders. I stared up at him and met his mysterious gray eyes. His face came close, so slow as if the world had stopped spinning. I wanted him, and only him. His lips were so close. Kissing him wouldn’t be too much pressure. I tangled my fingers in his hair.

“Scarlet,” he called me by my name.

“Yes, yes… Call my name… Luke…”
*

Knock. Knock.

“Scarlet, darling? Are you in there?”

Oh, God!

I opened my eyes emphatically, and the view of Luke’s face faded as my ceiling appeared in my sight. Swiftly, I jerked up in shock. This wasn’t the only time I’d dreamed about Luke. I’d been in an unhealthy obsessive relationship and avoided getting too attached, but having wet dreams about my stepbrother was even worse.

This had to stop.

“Breakfast is ready, darling,” Mom called again, followed by another thud on my door.

“Yes, Mom. I’m coming!” I slapped my forehead in irritation. I swung my legs out of bed and opened the door.

“Good morning, darling.” She kissed my cheek.

“Morning.”

“It’s always good to have breakfast when every family member is present,” she said. “Luke’s still home, surprisingly. I’m surprised he stayed in the house for three days straight.”

I pressed a hard line on my lip. “Yes. So unusual. I’ll come down in a moment.”

“Breakfast starts in five minutes.”

“Sure.”

Mom brushed my cheek with her thumb and mumbled, “Love you, honey. I’m glad you’re here.”

“I love you too.” She smiled sweetly and marched away.

I shut the door and blew out a frustrated breath. Breakfast with the family was torture if Luke was there—not to mention after what happened at the pool last night. If I couldn’t like him, it was easier for me to just hate him. Avoiding him would be too much of a chore since this was his home.

I went straight to the bathroom and washed my face; I still looked like shit. I had dark lines under my eyes due to the past restless nights. I grimaced at my reflection.