I'm indebted to the richest man in Dravilsberg. Aziz Mustafa–the country's darling offered me a way to pay back my father's debt and get my family's company back on its feet: be his mistress. I plan on avoiding him for as long as it takes to make him get over his obsession until I find him standing on the doorstep of my soon-to-be stepfather and realize the man I have been insanely attracted to will be my stepbrother in a few days. who will finally take everything that he's ever wanted... **** Between dealing with her father's bankrupt company, trying to find meaning in her life, and dealing with the news of her mother's engagement, Lexi cannot afford to get her heart broken by the most powerful man in the country. Her only hope and prayer is to find someone who would invest in her company. But when the only person who is willing to risk investing in her wants to do so at a price, Lexi struggles to choose between fighting off her attraction for him and letting him show her just how much pleasure her body can take. What will Lexi choose? Nine Months With My Stepbrother is a step-sibling romance and the first book in the STEPBROTHER SERIES of stand-alones. This series does not have to be read in order.
Chapter 1
"It might not be as bad as you are trying to make it look like," Kira walked over to foot of my bed.
She picked up the gold necklace that was spread on the bed and twirled it around her finger.
I scoffed. "Yeah... You are not the one moving in with a total stranger."
"You realise you will have to stop calling him stranger once he's married to your mom?" She narrowed her green eyes at me.
"We will take that step once we get there. But right now, I can call him whatever I want," I almost snapped, but refrained myself.
I was becoming too short-tempered these days, and I easily get edgy.
From the moment my mom walked in, displaying her engagement ring. I knew something was about to change.
I just could not place my finger on what exactly it was.
"You have to get away from that window, Lexi, and help me move all these boxes," Kira whined.
"Why should I help you move them?" I frowned from where I was seated.
I always love the view of the garden from up here, it was my little escape paradise.
"Because I'm not the one moving, so why should I be the one suffering right now?" Kira groaned as she dragged yet another bag
I placed my hand over my mouth to keep myself from laughing so hard when I saw Kira shove the bag away from her.
"What is so funny?" She huffed.
"Oh! Nothing," I giggled
"That is, it! She threw her hands up in the air. "I am not lifting a finger anymore."
I burst out laughing, the action causing me to move away from the window. I placed my hand on my tummy, not able to stop the laugh.
"You should have seen your face Kira, you look like a squashed tomato," I told her, causing Kira to fold her arm over her chest
"Go tell that squashed tomato to help you with your bags," she made to walk out, but I grab her arm.
"Oh! come on," I laughed. "You know, I was only joking. Why do you like taking my jokes so serious?"
She pouted and turned away from me, but I knew she was only faking her anger. So, I engulfed her in a warm sisterly hug.
"You should know by now that you mean a lot to me. You didn't have to act like someone took your candies away." I added that last part on purpose.
And she glared hard at me, so I smiled at her sheepishly.
She finally relented. She got in the bed and patted the space beside her, but I had a better idea.
I pulled her to the window side and sat her down, so she can see the beauty that stares back at me every single day that I look out.
"This is beautiful," she cooed.
I knew she was going to like it.
"So..." she drawled. "Where is it you are moving to?"
"California," I chewed on my tongue. "I wish we didn't have to leave."
"Come on girl, don't let that weigh you down," Kira pushed away from the window and stared at me.
Her green orb shone brighter, and without being told, I knew she already has a bad idea brimming around that small head of hers.
"Let's go clubbing," she squealed. "Like good old friends, let's laugh and do what we want for the last time," she urged.
"I don't think I can do that; mom might decide to show up any time, and I don't want to be the one to hold her back."
Kira pulled out her phone and dialled a number
"What are you doing?" I stared at her.
Hello Mrs Cornell... Is it okay if Lexi and I go clubbing tonight?... I just want to spend time with her for the last time...
Oh okay! Of course... I will make sure we are back home before dawn... Thank you so much.
She hung up the call and looked at me.
"Now there is no reason for you to refuse to go with me," she smirks.
"Ugh!" I groaned.
Kira pulled at my hand and tugged me into the bathroom. She giggled when I pouted my lips.
"Stop sulking like a little baby and take off your clothes so we can have our bath," Kira laughed.
I finally pulled off my clothes and stepped under the shower with my bestie as we scrub our bodies clean.
******
One hour later
The two ladies stepped out of the room, looking as ravaging as they could manage.
"Don't you think this dress is too short?" I tried to pull at the tip of my gown.
"There is nothing wrong with-it babe, it is perfect for tonight," Kira winked. "Remember, tonight we won't hold back and have all the fun we can get."
I nodded sluggishly. Even though I am not comfortable with it, I decided not to hurt Kira's feelings.
Her car finally stopped in front of a classy club, and we got down.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked her.
"I couldn't be surer," she smiled, but it soon drops, and her expression became serious.
"We already talked about this, Lexi, even If you wouldn't let any guy have his way with you. Then at least let them buy you a drink and dance with you, okay?"
"Fine... Fine, I heard you, mom," I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to nag at me."
"We are going in," she told me, and I have a feeling she was trying to warn me.
"Let's go," I tried to appear calm, but my racing heart refuse to calm down.
She stretched her hand out to me and I took it. With our hand entangled together, we walked into the club.
"Now this is what I'm talking about," Kira beamed, as we stepped in.
My eyes took over my face at the sight in front of me, and I swallowed hard
"I am definitely in trouble."
"You do not get to yell at me," he growled, grabbing her throat and slamming her against a tree. "W-why?" She struggled to get the word out. He leaned his face closer to hers, his eyes shifting a thousand shade of gold, as he struggled to contain his wolf. "Because you do not own me," he paused to let his word sink in. "I own you." Even Avery had heard rumours about the most powerful alpha in the werewolf world, she refused to believe it. She knew his name brought dread to the mind of all werewolf, had heard rumours that he killed his father at a young age. And that he hates the name his father gave him, but yet she discard each news until she found out she was his mate. Avery hadn't expected him to love her at first sight, but nothing could have prepared her for the ruthless life he subjected her to.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.