Page 9 of Burning For The Billionaire 6

He inhales deeply. “I want to share more of my life with you, Grace. And I’ll need you there to keep me sane.”

His desire to share makes me so happy. I place a hand over his. “You’ve got my support.”

Chapter 5

Rowan

The air in my sister’sdining room feels oppressive. I’m sure that’s because the two people I dislike most in the world are sitting across from me.

James and Rebecca, the evil power couple, sit side by side. James has been giving me dirty looks since I arrived—trying to intimidate me, I suppose. It’s laughable because he’s pushing seventy and I’m almost twice his size.

I lift an eyebrow and smirk at him. He glowers before looking away.

I catch my sister’s disapproving frown and give her an annoyed look. What the hell does Mel expect? That I’m suddenly supposed to become besties with my dick of a stepfather? That’s never going to happen. Irritation boils my blood, thinking about all the shit he did to us. My shoulders tighten with each breath. I’m afraid I’ll snap at any minute.

As if sensing my rising agitation, Grace rests a hand on my thigh under the table. Like magic, some of the tension seeps out of me. I glance at her gratefully. Her comforting touch has managed to calm me all evening.

“So, Mom, Dad, what have you two been up to in Arizona?” Mel asks cheerfully, breaking the awkward silence.

I stifle a sigh because I know she’s about to get her feelings hurt. No matter how many times our parents disappoint her, she keeps trying.

“Melanie, sweetie,” Rebecca coos. “I’ve told you a million times. Rebecca will do.”

Mel’s cheeks turn crimson. “Right. I’m sorry, Rebecca.”

I grind my teeth, seeing Mel’s embarrassment and longing. Since childhood, she has tried desperately to connect with her stepmother. Her mother died when she was two, and she’s always looked for a mother figure in Rebecca.

I’ve told her many times it’s impossible to connect with someone who doesn’t have a heart or maternal bone in her body. But Mel is hellbent on waiting for us to turn into the Brady bunch. She’s so stubborn... or maybe foolishly optimistic.

Kevin, Mel’s husband, glares at Rebecca. I turn to find Grace giving Rebecca a mean look, too. She and Mel took to each other right away. Maybe because they’re a lot alike—too damn sweet to be sitting in a room with so much negative energy floating around.

“Your father and I just bought a new house. Mydreamhouse,” Rebecca adds, beaming.

“Tell them about the new ride we also bought, Becky,” James says smugly.

She smiles and pats his arm. Watching them behave like two lovebirds makes me nauseous because I know they’re just putting on a show.

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