Page 20 of Stepbrother Obsessed

The world comes crashing down around my ears because my stepsister had my baby on the sly ... and now, I’m here to claim them both.

10

Kristie

Iclutch my child closer, trying to shelter him against passing eyes. We’re outside the Duality compound, and about to step inside.

“Shhh, baby boy,” I coo. “We’re just going to be here for a little while. You’re going to meet your father, Riley. Aren’t you excited?”

My tot looks back at me with trusting blue eyes while sucking on his pacifier. Then he pops his pacifier out of his mouth with a small hand, and smiles winsomely at me.

“Mama,” he burbles. “Mama.”

I clutch my son even closer, my eyes filling with tears because how did this happen? I was desperate for money, so I sold my curves to the highest bidder. But then, said highest bidder turnsout to be my long-lost stepbrother, who’s also the father of my child! Life can’t get much crazier.

Yet I knew it was bound to happen. I didn’t think I could keep Riley away from his father forever because Nick was going to find out. We’re family after all, and although I went no contact with the Bradleys, it was also only a matter of time before someone told them I’d had a baby. I just didn’t expect for him to find out likethis.

Yet the events of yesterday shouldn’t surprise me because Nick has always known his way around the female sex. He’s always had his pick of the litter, and if some of his past paramours were mothers, then he’d know what a post-baby belly looks like. The fullness. The slight pooch. And most of all, the tell-tale stretch marks that don’t go away no matter what. I tried everything when I was pregnant, including avocado oil, coconut oil, and even some fancy formulation that the doctor gave me. But the weight gain was too much, too fast, and my skin was forced to stretch. As a result, I have silvery lightning stripes on my belly and butt, and anyone who knows the female body will recognize them for what they are – the badges of motherhood.

But I’m proud of my stripes because I did something really difficult on my own, and I earned those markings. Still, I didn’t expect for Nick to find out likethis. I didn’t plan on ever seeing my stepbrother again, or at least not for a good ten years. But as soon as I acknowledged his paternity, the air in the bedroom shifted.

“You. Had. My. Child.In. Secret,” he practically growls, those blue eyes glowing with anger. I reach for my robe to cover my nudity, but he won’t let me move. “Answer me!” he barks. “Don’t hide!”

I take a deep breath before meeting his eye.

“Yes,” I state. “It happened at Milly’s wedding. Do you remember –”

“Of course I remember,” he snarls, cutting me off. “But why didn’t you tell me? What the fuck! You didn’t think I’d want to know?”

I shoot him an angry look.

“Because it was clear you hated me! You practically tripped over yourself in your rush to locate some Plan B, remember? That, and the fact that you thought I was sleeping with your dad, too! How do you think that made me feel?”

The last part comes out impassioned and angry, and I detest the tone of my own voice. I hate how he always brings out the furious woman-child inside, who can’t control her emotions. I want to come across as a calm, cool, and collected individual, and yet instead, the alpha male makes me into a wild bitch. As a result, I want to slap the handsome plane of his face with all my strength, while also throwing myself against my stepbrother’s broad chest for comfort and kisses. What the hell is wrong with me?

But Nick Bradley has always had an insane power over my form, and those blue eyes burn into mine as he grabs my wrist.

“Bring the child to me,” he hisses. “I want my son.”

I manage to twist my wrist loose, before opening my mouth to deny the alpha male. But one glance at those carved features tell me that it’s hopeless. Nick will look under every stone, and overcome any obstacle, to meet his child. Riley is his, and there’s no stopping this man, so I bend my head in defeat.

“Yes,” I whisper as the energy drains from my form. “I’ll bring Riley to Club Duality tomorrow. There’s a children’s room downstairs, believe it or not, and we’ll meet you there at three. Until then, please go.”

The billionaire was still for a moment, but then he turned and stalked out of my room, leaving me in a pounding silence. What a mess! Tears sprang to my eyes and my heart raced because a new chapter of my life has opened, and I’m petrified of what might happen. Will I lose my child? I can’t afford a custody battle against the powerful, wealthy physician. Even worse, I hate the way Nick looks at me. The scorn in his gaze is almost palpable, not to mention the mistrust and revulsion, because the truth is that I deserve Nick Bradley’s wrath ... even if I adore him still.

11

Nick

My heart stops when the door to the children’s room opens. Kristie’s incredibly beautiful, even wrapped in a bulky coat with her hair tied up. But even more, there’s a burbling child in her arms that makes my heart swoop and fall.My son.

“Hey,” I say in a low voice, rising to my full height in the children’s playroom. “How are you?”

“Good,” Kristie breathes, before turning so that the baby faces me. “Riley, sweetheart, say hi to Nick. Can you say hi? He’s your daddy, baby boy. Say hi.”

The child looks at me, and then to my consternation, bursts into tears. His little face screws up even as his mouth opens in a huge wail.

“Waaaa!” he screams. “Mama, babababa!”

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