Page 3 of Her Stepbrother Master
He pursed his lips, considering.
“And you know my father’s health isn’t good. The doctor told him to take a vacation before he has another heart attack. He will go ape over this. Do you really want to worry him?” Her father was owner of a chain of appliance stores across New England. While the business had made him wealthy, it required long hours and constant supervision.
Brad raised an eyebrow. “You should’ve thought of that before you got yourself kicked out.”
“I agree. I really messed up. I’m sorry. But please... please reconsider taking me home. We only have a month left of classes. I could stay here, finish out the year, and head home when my parents return.”
“Stay here, where?”
She winced and lifted her shoulders. “May I stay with you?”
Brad gestured impatiently toward the passenger side door. “Get in.”
His adorable little sister probably thought living with him would give her a free pass to continue the partying and bad behavior. Her memories of him in high school must include his numerous missed curfews and long lectures from their parents about leaving fast girls, fast cars and motorcycles behind and getting serious about a career.
Still, her concern over her father’s health was legitimate. And there was only a month left until she graduated. But if she thought he’d let her get away with drinking, smoking and cutting classes while staying with him, she’d be sorely disappointed. He could wield a paddle just as readily as her father. In fact, he was rather fond of spanking a girl when she acted up. Not that this would be the same. LuAnn may be drop-dead gorgeous, but she was a sister, not a girlfriend. Too bad his cock couldn’t remember that. He’d been avoiding his sweet sis for years because she provided too much of a temptation. Her rather obvious crush on him hadn’t helped matters.
She picked her nails as she sat in the passenger seat. “I’m really sorry you had to come and get me,” she said in a small voice.
Brad regretted being gruff. Despite all her efforts at acting cool and joining the fast girls, her underlying nature was cherry-sweet. Reaching over, he cupped her face.
Her full, berry lips parted. Sensual lips that made his pulse quicken. He realized he was stroking her cheek with his thumb in a rather un-brotherly way, and he dropped his hand, starting the car. “So who were these boys you invited into your room?” he asked, in a voice tinged with authority.
LuAnn drew in her breath. “They’re from Battleton College. My friend Mary invited them.”
“Are you seeing one of them?” The thought of little mouse being sexually active made him want to take her home and lock her up for the next five years.
“No.”
He frowned. “Then why were they in your room?”
She turned to gaze out the window. “It was a mistake, okay?” Her voice cracked on the words.
“Hey,” Brad murmured. Had something happened? His blood began to heat on her behalf. “Look at me.” He glanced back and forth from the road to her face as he drove. “Did something happen?”
She blinked rapidly and her hand slid to her breast, as if she remembered someone pawing at it. “No,” she said, her voice tight.
Brad pulled over and switched off the ignition. When she didn’t turn to face him, he cupped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “Something happened, didn’t it? Were you...violated?”
More tears spilled, but she shook her head quickly. “No...no. One of the boys was getting handsy with Mary and she didn’t like it so I—I kicked up a fuss. That’s why we got caught.” She dragged in a stuttered breath as the sobs broke free.
“I see,” he said. “So it was trouble with the boys or eviction from the dormitories.”
“Well, I didn’t know we’d be kicked out.”
“I know, mouse.” Brad handed her a handkerchief, wanting to kill the boys from Battleton. “You made the right choice.”
“Did I? I’m not so sure. I got all three of my friends kicked out, too, and Mary may never be able to return to Sarah Wharton. She had another year to go for her Associate’s Degree. Maybe I should’ve just let things happen.”
His jaw tightened. “No,” he cut in. “Your mistake was inviting them in to begin with. After that, you made the best choice you had.”
She pulled her face away and buried it in her hands.
Brad watched LuAnn cry for a moment, his fingers flexing into fists. “What are their names?”
“W-what are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “Have a little talk with them about their manners.”
