Page 4 of Until I Own You

“You better be, maid of honor.”

I laugh and wrap my arm around her, giving her a squeeze. “Ugh, the magic never wears off!”

She squeezes me back.

“Looks like they’re wrapping up here.” I nod toward the scene. “I’m going to head out.”

Sonia nods. “After you.”

I get up and head out the door, but as soon as it opens, I wish I could run back inside.

At the Underground check-in desk stands Seth Carlton. My stepbrother.

His eyes shoot to me before I even get a chance to turn around.

He leans on the desk and lifts his chin, his eyes taking me in and as always finding me lacking, I’m sure. As usual, his countenance is stern and unreadable.

His clear blue eyes always give me the feeling he can read my mind. “Bridget. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I try to laugh it off, but my cheeks are burning. “Yeah. Me either. I mean. Didn’t expect to see you. Not me. That’d be silly.”

He appraises me for a moment.

I always feel like he’s judging me, thinks I’m just some silly girl who would miss her stop on the MTA. I mean, that’s happened, but I’ve gotten better about navigating the subway since becoming friends with Sonia.

“What are you doing here?”

I shiver. He has such a deep voice. I hate how much he affects me. Partly because he’s intimidating and partly because…well, he’s attractive. That’s an objective fact, not my opinion.

Okay, it’s also my opinion, but one I keep to myself considering that we’re “family.”

I mean, sure I met him when he was nineteen, and we never really lived together, but our parents are married and they both deserve a happy ending that doesn’t involve the girl in the family lusting after her stepbrother.

Right?

“I asked you a question.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here?”

“At the club?”

Seth purses his lips. “In the Underground, Bridget.”

We’ve never crossed paths in the Underground. I try and make extra-sure of that, only coming to the club when he’s at the office unless we’re getting together with our group of friends.

So, of course, he’s confused as to why I’m walking out of here.

Sonia places her hands on my shoulders and pokes her head out from behind me. “She was visiting me. I’m working, so she had to come along with me on a few of my rounds. Isn’t that right, Bridget?”

I try to smile. “Yeah. That’s right.”

Seth’s frown deepens. “Hi, Sonia.”

“Hi, Seth. I’d stay and chat, but I have to go check on my team,” she says with a jerk toward the stairs leading upstairs to the club. “Sorry to cut this short.” She is smiling at him, but I know she means it for me.

“No trouble. Good to see you.” He nods.

“Bye Sonia.” I don’t mean to whisper the words, but all sound apparently left me along with the air on my lungs.

Sonia waltzes away, leaving me with my antagonist.

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