Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

His grip on my neck loosened as if my words had hit a spot. Something in his gaze softened, "I was never in support of it, Kasmine. That doesn't explain why you went on a date without informing me," the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed. He was still seething.

I exhaled, shoving harder, and this time, he let me. He stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides, but the space between us still felt too small.

"What do you want from me, Kester?" My voice cracked. My throat was tight with frustration, with exhaustion, with every damn emotion he had put me through. "You went to see June's family. You're preparing for your wedding. And you still think it's okay to keep me tied to your fingertips like some twisted game while you live your life however you please?"

I didn't even realize I was sobbing at this point. My face was wet with tears. Until now, I hadn't realized how his visit to June's pack affected me.

"You can't be that selfish," I whispered, the words breaking apart as they left me. "This was supposed to be a thrill, wasn't it? But you... you want to be selfish about it. And it's not fair, Kester."

He was quiet for a while, observing me before speaking, "That's it? You like that bastard? Wasn't he arrogant enough for you tonight? Or was he just good at pretending?"

"It doesn't matter now, does it? I am betrothed to him. My opinion about him doesn't

count. Does it?" I shut back.

He heaved a sigh, "Look, Kasmine... About June..."

"I don't want to hear it. Live your life while I live mine. Stop being selfish, Kes. Otherwise, this..." I gestured between us, "Whatever you think we have will be over quicker than you tie the knot with your childhood sweetheart!"

It was instant. The way he closed the small distance between us and captured my trembling lips in his was too quick to comprehend.

I tried to push away, but he deepened the kiss, both his hands cupping my face to hold me in place.

Heiad me like he was trying to pass so many messages... Megges mere words could pass.

Despite myself, I kissed him back. My body seemed to have a mind off its own. His mere presence had an overwhelming pull on me, one that I couldhilt messist, and it all began th daw unintentionally activated the Blood Claim.

No matter what, Mine," he pulled away briefly, whispering against my mouth, "You are the one I want. Not June."

I parted my lips to protest, but I was met with his hot tongue, invading every corner of my mouth again.

I hadn't realized how much I'd missed this... Missed him. I kissed him back. Everything else could wait for a moment while I savored this moment.

I was drowning in him.

Kester's lips were moving over mine like he was trying to imprint himself into my very soul. His grip on my face was firm, fingers culled into my jaw, tilting my head

to deeper the kiss, to take more. And I let him. God, I let him.

I melted into him, my body pressing flush against his, my hands threading through his thick, dark hair and tugging just hard enough to make him growl against my mouth. Th sound sent a violent shudder through me, a raw, aching need coiling tight in my stomac

I wanted him.

Desperately.

My fingers left his hair and slidl down this chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shi tracing the rigid lines knew by heart. My hand: found the buckle of belt, and I fumbled with it, my fingers membling in my need to feel him down there.

But before I could undio it, his hands closed around mine, halting my movements..

I whimpered against his mouth in frustration, trying again, but he only tightenedlisg forcing my hands away.

My lips parted, breaking from his. I couldn't even keep up with my own lienvy,

umuwe

breaths as my pulse drummed wild and erratic against my ribs.

"What-?" I swallowed, my voice hoarse. "What's wrong?"

"I can't fuck you, baby," he rasped, his thumb tracing slow, dangerous circles on my skin.

"Not like this."

I blinked, confusion slicing through the haze of heat clouding my mind. "Not like what?"

His jaw clenched, the muscle feathering, his eyes-Gods, his eyes-burning into mine, dark with something violent, something I should have feared.

"I'm too angry," he bit out in a low, guttural voice, "I'd break you. I don't want to hurt

you."

A shiver ran down my spine, making my thighs press together. I knew exactly what he

meant and that he wasn't exaggerating.

Kester didn't say things he didn't mean.

He was still seething, still holding onto the wreckage of his rage, and I knew that if

he touched me now, if he lost control the way I wanted him to, I wouldn't come out

of it

unscathed.

But I didn't care.

I wanted it... I wanted him.

I wanted to push him until that last fragile string inside him snapped, until he lost

every

ounce of restraint, and until he didn't hold back anymore.

I licked my lips, my heart pounding. "You wouldn't."

He let out a harsh breath, his fingers tightening around my wrists. "You don't know that."

I did, though.

He had always been careful with me, even when he was at his most reckless. He had never, not once, let his anger translate into anything that would wound me physically.

But I understood. I saw the way his body trembled, the way he fought against whatever

violent emotion threatened to consume him. He was barely holding on.

"Then don't hold back," I whispered, pressing my lips to his jaw and dragging my

nails upnoveldrama

his chest. "I can take it."