Chapter 21

KESTER.

I couldn't help but tease my little sister. I loved it when she was all trembling and scared. It was so fucking sexy.

I was losing my mind. I knew I was. But I found it rather intriguing.

When I stepped out of her bathroom, I thought it'd be nice to mess with her emotions a little.

The look on her face when she opened her door and saw me in here was priceless. I could put that moment on repeat my whole fucking life.

"Hello, mum. Welcome to our house." I greeted Jorita, my stepmother.

She beamed as soon as she saw me, "Kester," She left Kasmine by the door and hurried toward me with outstretched arms, wrapping me in her motherly embrace.

That was one thing I loved about this woman. She was so homely - the first woman that ever made my father act rational since I knew him.

She made my childhood worth it - at least, from the point when she came in. Before that, my life was a misery.

"How are you doing?" She asked, cupping my face in her soft palms and smiling lovingly at me.

"I've never been better, mum." I replied, "Kasmine's presence has been of great help to me since she came. Isn't that right, Mine?" I turned to Kasmine, who glared at me, wondering what I had up my sleeves.

"I'm glad to hear that," Jorita said, "But where were you? I checked your room and..."

"I was in the bathroom. I came out as soon as I heard your voice. Was thinking I'd see you in here," I explained.

"Why aren't you both in the office yet? Don't tell me this is how you lazy around..." She frowned playfully, "I know how both of you can be when together."

"I came back to pick Kasmine up. She was being a bit too stubborn about going to the office today. But I was able to handle her properly," I said, and I saw the discomfort on my dear baby sister's face.

***

KASMINE.

Kester Hamilton had made it a duty to give me a heart attack. I had to tactically stop the petty conversations he was having with Mum, before he blew up everything I was trying not to let her notice.

The way he looked at me, talked to and about me, everything should have given Mum a clue that something wasn't right. But I guess she trusted us too much to even suspect anything as despicable as that.

Worse of all, she was staying for a few days.

"Kasmine!" Someone whisper-yelled at me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Uh... Sorry, Jake. What's up?" I rubbed my forehead, attempting to calm the splitting headache I was feeling.

"You've been like this all day. Is everything okay?" He asked. I looked over at Kester's office to see what he was doing. Thankfully, he was so busy with whatever it was he was doing on his computer.

"I am fine, Jake. I just... I have a lot on my mind," I lied.

"Is it about your brother?"

Of course, it was about him. But I wasn't so stupid to tell anyone if I didn't want them dead.

"No. Not at all. It's personal," I lied again, trying to fake a smile as I tucked some strands of my curly hair behind my ear.

Jake's gaze lingered on my lips a lot longer than I'd have liked. It made me uncomfortable. I didn't want to give Kester any impression if he ever looked into our office.

Thankfully, Jake stopped looking, but his question stole the air from my lungs, "What happened to your mouth?"

Fuck. I had totally forgotten about that. What should I reply? That I got bruised when my big brother kissed me like a mad, hungry man earlier today? Fuck, no.

I had sustained a small bruise when Kester kissed me like his life depended on it. And it was taking so much time to heal... Obviously, because I hadn't gotten my wolf yet.

"I... Uh... I bit my lip while eating breakfast. It's nothing, Jake." I faked another smile, and my stomach tightened with guilt. I felt like I was betraying the man who I was meant to love. And his care and kindness weren't making it any easier for me.

"Meet me in the restroom. I want to tell you something," Jake said, standing up before I could protest.

I couldn't. I mean... What if Kester sees us? I hesitated as Jake disappeared into the hallway, heading toward the bathroom. A sinking feeling weighed in my chest. What if Kester noticed? He always noticed. My palms felt clammy as I glanced toward his office again.

I swallowed hard and stepped into the hallway, my heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.

The restroom door was slightly ajar, and Jake was inside, leaning casually against the sink. His face lit up when he saw me, and before I could say anything, he reached out and closed the door behind me.

"Jake," I started, panic evident in my voice as I glanced back at the now-closed door. "We can't—"

"Relax, Kasmine," he interrupted in a soft whisper, "No one's coming in here. I promise."

I bit my lip, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my blouse. "You don't understand. We could get in so much trouble if—"

He took a step closer, his hands gently gripping my shoulders. The warmth of his touch steadied me, but it didn't ease the tension twisting inside me.

"I just wanted a moment with you," he said, his voice carrying a softness that made my heart ache. "You've been distant for days, and I... I needed to see you. Really see you."

His gaze locked with mine, and for a brief moment, the world outside that tiny bathroom seemed to blur, and all I could really see was him.

"Jake," I murmured, shaking my head.

"I miss spending time with you," he said softly, his hands sliding down to hold mine. "And I want to change that. I planned something for us this weekend. A surprise. Just you and me."

"Jake, I can't," I whispered, "You don't understand. Kester—"

"You don't have to tell him," he cut me off, his grip tightening slightly as if he were afraid I'd vanish. "Just find a way to leave the house. Please. I promise it'll be worth it."

The way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world made my chest ache. His sincerity, his hope—it was intoxicating, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself bask in it.

But then his hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer, and my heart skipped a beat. "Jake..." I whispered again, but before I could say another word, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. The kiss was slow, tender, and unhurried as if he had all the time in the world to memorize me.

I kissed him back, my hands resting lightly on his chest. His warmth seeped into me. His touch was loving, his lips warm and gentle, moving with an earnestness that spoke of care and adoration. It should have been comforting. It should have made my heart race.

But it didn't.

Something was missing.

My mind betrayed me, pulling me into memories I desperately wanted to forget - The moment Kester kissed me.

His kiss was... Different.

Demanding. Possessive. Commanding. Intentional.

His kiss had swept over me like a violent tide, leaving no room for breath or even a thought.

It was the type that bound me, body and soul, to his will. It was fire and chaos, the kind that seared itself into you, that you felt even long after it was over.

Jake's kiss, though soft and sincere, felt like a whisper compared to the roar of Kester's.

This was the man I wanted... the man I loved. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the comparison that kept creeping into my mind.

My lips responded to Jake's kiss, but my body... my body ached for something it shouldn't.

Jake kissed me like I was precious, like I mattered. But I'd already been ruined—marked by something darker, something I couldn't explain, and I hated myself for craving it even more.

I pulled back, breathless and confused, my heart pounding for all the wrong reasons as guilt washed over me.

I forced myself to meet his gaze, but all I could think of was how wrong it felt.

"Kasmine," Jake murmured, his forehead resting against mine. "Just think about it, okay? Find a way to be with me this weekend. Please."

I nodded, not trusting my voice to respond.

He smiled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're worth waiting for," he said quietly before stepping back and giving me the space I so desperately needed.

I turned and opened the door, stepping into the hallway with shaky legs. My heart was still racing, but it wasn't for the reason Jake might have hoped.

It was for Kester. His kiss, his presence, his control—it was branded into my soul, no matter how much I wished it wasn't. But I was determined to do everything I could to make it all go away. Every forbidden emotion Kester's kiss had branded into me would surely be replaced by Jake's. This was a promise I made to myself, and I would see to it that I fulfill it.

Just as I rounded the last corner that led to the hallway leading to my office, I bumped into a hard wall...

Kester.