Chapter 21

**SCARLET**
I gestured at Nate to come with me. He excused himself as well and followed me to the poolside. I slumped on the edge and soaked my feet in the sparkling blue water. It somehow relaxed me. Seconds later, he sat next to me.
“You have a nice home.”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, Scar,” he stated, looking at the water. “Whatever’s happening, you always tell me what’s wrong. But why on earth are you coming back so soon? I asked you if you wanted to come with me. Katherine asked you, and you said no. Why now?”
“It’s complicated, Nate. If I tell you, I’m sure you will understand. I just don’t want to talk about it for now.”
He put his hands on my shoulder. “Is he bothering you? Your stepbrother?”
I replied with a slight nod. With Nate, I always felt I could be myself.
“He’s making it hard for you. Knowing he’s also Jax, isn’t he?”
It was more than that. He knew my secret.
“Kinda.”
“We will be here for you no matter what, okay? But isn’t this better? I thought you didn’t like to stay here.” He flashed a faint smile.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“But do you really have to go with him? Why don’t you just come with me?”
“It’s okay. I’m going with him.”
“Okay.” He rubbed my back gently. “Don’t be sad. It’s making you look uglier than you already are.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay! Okay. I feel fine when you’re here, Nate. Thank you.”
He chuckled. “Good. You look less ugly now. You don’t need to thank me. I’m your best friend. Come here.” He spread out his arms and enveloped me in them. I rested my head on his shoulder and hugged him back.
“What am I going to do without you and Katherine?”
“We are always here. Katherine is going to be so happy to see you.” He released me and then messed up my hair. “It’s getting late. I think your stepbrother doesn’t like me, so I might need to go. I’ll just see you tomorrow, then.”
“Sure.” I finally smiled.
Nate sprang up, and he helped me get on my feet. He lightly kissed my forehead. “Have a good night’s sleep, Scar.”
“I’ll walk you to the gate.”
“No need. I think your stepfather thinks you’re leaving because of me. Get inside.”
I blew out a sob. “Right. Goodnight, Nate.”
“Goodnight.”
I watched him as he walked towards the gate, waving his hand at me just like the last time. I waved back until he was out of my sight.
I exhaled deeply as I realized that I was alone again. This house could be so vast and exquisite but also suffocating.
“Is he really just a friend?” a voice spoke behind me.
I rolled my eyes. “Back off. I don’t want to see your face right now.” I walked past him and decided it was best not to deal with him tonight. It had been a rough day. My best friend had just left, and I didn’t want to lose more patience. I might end up smacking him in the face.
Luke caught my arm, his fingers digging into my skin. “I’m still talking to you.” His voice was low and dangerous. “Who is he to you?”
“He’s my best friend. Why do you fucking care?”
“I don’t care.” He groaned. “Why did you let him kiss you?”
I jerked away from him. “What is it that you want?” I finally faced him. “I’m coming with you tomorrow, and you can fuck me whenever or whatever way you want! It’s what you want with me, right? Let’s do it. Strip me, use me, and let them see what kind of person you are!”
He clenched his jaw. “Is that what you think I want?”
“Then what?” I snapped, slapping my hands at my sides. “Isn’t that what it is? You blackmailed me. What are you waiting for? Ruin me, destroy my life, destroy everything!” I began to cry. I hated crying for nonsense things like this, but I couldn’t help it.
“Scarlet...”
“I’m so sick and tired of this. I don’t know what I did to you. I’m Ericka, but I didn’t know it was you. For that reason, you are going to torture me?”
For the first time, he opened his mouth but didn’t seem to know what he would say. “I’m not.” He brushed his hair. “God, I haven’t even done anything yet!”
“Then, why are you so eager to torment me? What did I ever do to you?”
“Do you want to know the truth?” He moved closer; our lips almost touched. I caught my breath.
“What is the truth, Luke?” I whispered between our breaths.
“You know that I don’t lie, but I did because of you,” he went on, his voice harsh, raspier. “I’ve broken the rules for you even though you lied to me. You were the first woman I wanted to fuck more than once because I thought it wouldn’t be enough. I couldn’t tell my father the ridiculous fact I found out about you. You’ve made me so fucking mad.” He tucked my hair behind my ears, then cupped my face in his palms. “You smelled sweet, and it makes me so damn hard. It makes me want to own you.”
I looked into his mysterious gray eyes. He had no idea I’d wanted him for so long. “I think we are trapped in a box without a chance of getting out,” I said breathlessly.
“Yes,” he breathed. “And you’re Ericka. That changes everything.”
But even though I wanted him so badly, it was wrong. I knew I’d lose in the end. My fear was beginning to take over me. I was already falling for him.
“We’re going to make a big fat mistake if we do this, Jax.”
“It’s Luke.” He pressed his forehead to mine, and his hand trailed the small of my back. We both released a breath of pleasure. We liked how we felt about each other. Luke finally opened up. He was the Jax I remembered; this time, it wasn’t in the virtual world anymore, but in reality. This was how it was supposed to be.
“And then this thing I found out about you. I still can’t believe it. How?”
“No one can know.” I shut my eyes, remembering the horror of my past. I didn’t want to disclose anything about it. It was still too painful. “And I don’t want to talk about it.”
He didn’t answer, but eventually, he nodded.
“Say you agree with my proposition.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“There’s no other choice. I won’t let you refuse either.” He pressed a light kiss on the lips. It sent millions of tiny electric bolts in my veins, rushing to my inner core. He was aware of the effect he had on me.
“Hmm…”
“Say yes, and I’ll give us everything we need.”
This was something I had needed for a long time. Me and him. He was my crush when I first saw him, and I knew I had wanted him since that day. Now he was offering himself to me. I just had to say yes, and he’s mine. I couldn’t wait to taste him, run my fingers all over his body, and touch him in every way I wanted.
It all seemed too good to be true, but it was also dangerous, which made it more thrilling... exciting. I had officially lost my mind; I wanted my stepbrother to own me.
“For two months,” I whispered. “Is this no strings attached? No feelings?”
“I don’t prefer it any other way. Are we good?” His thumb brushed my cheek, and his free hand moved to my ass and squeezed. I shut my eyes.
“Y-yes…” I answered breathlessly. I wouldn’t want it any other way, either. I still wasn’t ready to give something more, but the pleasure was too good.
“Good. But this arrangement has to have rules.”
I opened and gazed at his eyes, now scorching in need. And that’s exactly what I needed.
Rules.