3. Cassi
3
CASSI
As soon as I’m clear of the dining room, I kick off my heels and hurry up the stairs, feeling nothing but frustrated and hurt.And when my door closes, I tear off the dress Jordan hardlynoticedanyway. What a waste. Next to go is my thong and strapless bra, andnow I’m so wound up I know there’s only one cure tonight…
I tug on my little pink bikini, grab a towel and creep down the back staircasethattakes me right out to the pool without anyone noticing. Notthat anyone is paying attention anyway.
I don’t care, I remind myself as I slip into the water and dip my head underneath.It’s cool and refreshing, not quite enough to wash away my angerbutas I push off the wall and my arms cut through the water, lap after lap, it starts to fadeanddetermination takesitsplace.It doesn’t matter what Dad thinks about my path for the future, Ican survive without his help.
Will it be difficult?Without a doubt.
Doable? I hope so.
But I refuse to let him manipulate me into doing something that doesn’t fulfill me. Living a miserable life with his money is a recipe for disaster, one I refuse to take part in. So, I’ll find a way to do it on my own.
I don’t know how many laps I take before I come up for air, but when Idothere’s a raven-haired god with piercing blue eyes staring down at me. My heart pounds wildly at the sight of Jordan , which is an even bigger problem than my father.
Jordan is literally sex on wheels. That’s a saying, right? I don’t care. It’s difficultto think straight, to thinkabout anything but tasting his full lips and help but wonder what he’s hiding under his suit.
And he’s staying here, in the very same house as me for a week…
Sweet heavens.
“What’s up, Jordan?”I ask, trying to sound casual when my heart is pounding away.
His lips part into a sexy grin that hits me right between the thighs. “Just came out to make sure you’re doing all right?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “Just annoyed by my father’s overprotective antics once again.” I shake my head. “You’d think nothing bad ever happens in San Diego based on his behavior.” Stop talking, Iwarn myself because the more I keep going and staring at my stepbrother, the harder mynipplespucker and my mind spirals down a twisted path. “I’m fine,” I repeat, no longer sure if I’m telling myself that or telling it to him.
But my insistence doesn’t deter Jordan.He dropsdown onthe pool floor, removing his shoes and socks so his feet dangle in thewater.“Youreallywant to travel?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
“Why?”
I’mnot sureif his question is antagonistic or genuine, so I answerhonestlyas I float on my back in the pool and put some distance between us. “I want to see more of the world, to findthe spotwhere I fit in.I don’t want ahigh poweredjobworkingeighty hours a weekjustto survive.AtleastI don’t think I do.” I stare at Jordan, recognizing that he might be a good source of advice. “Do you like your job?”
“I love it,” he admitseasily. “I enjoy discovering new technology and findingways to help people make their lives more efficient. I wish I had more time for that side of the business, though I’m content with what I can do.” His broad shouldersraiseand fall in a shrug.
“Do you ever want to be anything more than content?” Realizing how I sound, I gasp and smack my forehead. “I-I mean, do you ever long for more?”
“I do,” he confirms. “And when that feeling typically strikes, I end up doing something wild and maybe just abitreckless…” I swallow hard, nodding as I take in his gorgeous face before he continues. “Rock climbing. Parasailing. SCUBA diving. Paying too much attention to beautiful young women when I shouldn’t.”
I nearly choke on air, positive I’m misreading the desire in his deep blue gaze as I’m so out of my element here. Unsure of what else to do, I dunk my head under water and the sound of his deep laughter follows me down.
“Too forward?” he questions as soon as I pop back up for air.
“No, just surprising.” I’m trying my best to keep a straight face when really I’m freaking out. “Really surprising.” I’m sure this is somekind ofhallucination or fever-induced fantasy.
“That’s me,” he growls. “Full of surprises.”
Oh my.
And something tells me he’s not wrong.