Page 39 of Stephan

“Grr, none of your business. It’s girlystuff.”

He grinned at me and… and…stupid dimples. Ibit my cheek and tried to look anywhere but at him. Friggin' Cassiethought this was just hilarious. The bitch.

Fingers settled under my chin and he guidedmy head back up so I gazed at him. “Everything about you is mybusiness.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine, justenough to make me shiver and want more.Stay strong, staystrong. His thumb brushed my cheek and his body gravitated tomine until we were a breath away. I closed my eyes and cursed mywillpower where Stephan was concerned. “Little bit, open thosepretty chocolate pools.” The pad of his fingers traced my lips.

Oh the A-hole. He was fighting dirty. Icracked one eye open. “Leave. Cassie and I to have some girly talkand I’ll tell you later.” I would, I just didn’t say how late I’dtell him, like before bed. I opened my other eye and stared up athim with an expression I hoped looked like I couldn’t lie or hurt afly.

“Fine. Don’t leave school grounds.” He tookmy lips and this time his mouth opened, his tongue sought mine andI met him, eager for his taste and to show him how happy I was helet me win. I ended the kiss, pulling away, smiling up at him.

“Don’t think you won. I’m going to go talk tomy brother.”

I had ways to get around Derick, he was asofty. He also enjoyed annoying Stephan. So I nodded, hooked armswith Cassie and went in the opposite direction as Stephan.

*****

“What do you want, Jade?”

I batted my eyelashes at Derick and tried tolook cute, but probably looked retarded instead.

“Are you in pain?”

Yep, retarded. I’d never been one of thosegirls who needed to try to get her way with a guy so I had no ideawhat to do. I was sure they stood in front of a mirror andpracticed. Who had time to do that?

Sighing, I gave up on trying to act cute toget my way. “I want to come to rugby practice tonight. I need youto drive me.” I followed Derick as he walked toward the school carpark.

“Why would I take you? You’re my brother’sgirl.” He scowled at me. “I wouldn’t want you to think I’m a pussycat.”

Argh, stupid Stephan. “Your brother took itway out of context. Plus if I go then Stephan would come.” I huggedhim but he pushed me away.

“No way, Jade. I already got shit for yourcomment today. I don’t need to give Stephan and our friends moreammo. Keep your hands and any part of you to yourself too. You haveseen Stephan and how crazy he gets when anyone even looks your way,let alone touches you. I’m his twin brother and he chews me a newone. No way. Stay away. Stephan is crazy lately and I don’t intendto add to it. He’ll come back to rugby when he’s ready. I’ll takeyou home now but I’m not taking you to practice.”

Sticking my tongue out at Derick as I got inhis car, I did my seatbelt up and crossed my arm over my chest, andignored his groan. He got in the driver’s side and started thecar.

“You know, Derick, you used to be fun.” Ishook my head. “I never thought you were scared of your own twin.”I sighed dramatically. “I guess Stephan is the stronger, moredominant brother."

“Grrr, I know what you’re doing, Jade.”

“What? I’m not doing anything. I’m juststating facts. I thought you were the more outgoing one. I mean, Imet you first and you seemed to know what you wanted. Clearly Ididn’t know the difference between a beta and an alpha. I do now.Thanks, Derick.” I sat quietly letting him stew. I bit my tonguetrying to keep from cracking up. I could practically hear Derickboiling over.

When we pulled into the driveway Derickgrowled, “I hate you, you know that right?”

I did my best to look innocent. I had thisone down pat thanks to Stephan. “I have no idea what you’re talkingabout, Derick. I understand you don’t have the balls to tak—”

“Argh, fine. I’ll take you. But you can dealwith Stephan when he finds out where you are,” Derick said as heparked the car in the garage.

“Sure.” I got out, grabbed my school bag, andskipped inside.

I heard Derick’s, “I so just got played,” andI entered the kitchen to see a laughing Evelin.

*****

Stephan

“Son, do you want to tell me what Brand didto you?”

I glanced up from fighting my personaltrainer and bodyguard to see my father standing at the gymentrance.

“Brand, Owen, David, and Royce told me you’vebeen giving them a work out,” he chuckled. “They think I’moverreacting to the shoot out and you could look after yourself?”He raised one eyebrow. “I’m told not only are you beating them infights but your shooting is getting incredibly accurate. Are youlooking at joining Brand’s team? I can tell you now your motherwouldn’t allow it no matter how old you are.”

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