Page 4 of Claimed by my Stepbrother

He tells me to go get dressed for dinner because he’s taking me out. Is he being nice because his father called him or is this like a date? I’ve barely finished the thought when he smacks me on my butt. I quickly swallow a whimper and stop myself from clenching my thighs.

Jesus, why did he do that? More importantly, why do I like it?

3

DINNER WITH MY STEPSISTER

GIOVANNI

It’s almost seven and I’m pacing the floor, waiting for my sweet new stepsister to reappear. If it was anyone else keeping me waiting like this, I’d blow my stack…but this little girl has aroused my curiosity in ways that other people can’t, and the anticipation almost feels like a necessary part of the experience. She’s still getting an earful, though. She has to know I’m the boss and nobody keeps me waiting.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I take it out to check the message. An associate of mine who has been keeping tabs on my only business rival is checking in with me. I’m in the middle of reading the text when Gabby enters the room. She clears her throat to announce her arrival. I look up at her and almost drop my phone as dark, possessive thoughts curl in my gut.

She’s wearing a light green sundress with sandals and a tan sweater. Her hair is pulled away from her face with a matching green headband, showing off her rosy cheeks. She looks like she just stepped off the set of an old movie. Her innocence radiates off her in waves and it turns me into an animal.

“I didn’t know where we were going so I wasn’t sure what to wear. I changed like three times before I remembered that you’re wearing a suit so…” She shrugs her shoulders and spins in a circle.

“You look perfect,” I tell her. Perfectly suited to put me on bad terms with my father, that is. I can already feel the blood rushing to my groin. I even decide not to ream her out for keeping me waiting. Seeing her like this was worth the wait.

“Shall we go, Princess?” I hold my hand out to her. She hesitates for a second and places her tiny hand in mine. The moment our skin makes contact, her breath hitches and she looks away. Well, well, well. Looks like my little girl is not too innocent after all. I affect her the same way she affects me. Good. Very good.

My driver opens the back door, and I help Gabby inside and tell her to slide over so I can join her. Confused, the driver pauses before shutting the door. In the five years that Arturo has driven me, this is the first time I’ve ever sat in the back. But he’s learned over time not to ask questions.

“Do you drive?” Gabby asks me.

“When I want to, yes. I’m a very busy man and I tend to use my time in the car to catch up on work. That’s why I let someone else do the driving for me.”

“Will you be working tonight?” she follows up and I get the sense that she’s poking fun at me.

“No. Tonight, I want to focus all of my attention on you. I can’t have the road distracting me now, can I?”

“I’m not really that interesting,” she shrugs and I’m taken aback by her modesty. How does she not know how beautiful and intriguing she is?

“I have a feeling there’s a lot more to you than you’re letting on. You can play hard to get all you want but, in my business, I’ve become an expert at finding things out.”

“That sounds a bit ominous. Are you a spy?”

“No, more of an entrepreneur, but I need to stay ahead of the competition.”

“So, where are we going?”

“There’s a lovely little bistro in the center of the village. They make everything from scratch, in-house. It’s the best place to experience traditional Italian cuisine and the atmosphere is very nice.”

“Sounds nice. I can’t wait. I was getting a little claustrophobic.”

“Hmm. About that, I am sorry I didn’t introduce myself sooner, but Vito did tell you you were welcome to leave as long as you cleared it with me.”

“I guess I’m just not used to having to ask permission to go for a walk. Is there a reason for that? I mean, is there something I should be worried about?”

“Like what? Mountain lions or killer clowns? No, nothing like that. It’s just that you’re a young woman, a very beautiful young woman, alone in a foreign country. You shouldn’t be out by yourself. It’s not how we do things. Where I come from, we protect our women.”

“Sounds a bit old-fashioned.”

I turn to her and look her dead in the eyes. “Old fashioned or not, this is how it’s done. As long as you’re my guest, you will play by my rules. Clear?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Jesus. I should say yes. I should tell her that if she doesn’t like it, she can just get on a plane and fly back home. The problem is, I don’t want her to take me up on that offer. I want her right here with me, and I won’t have it any other way. Just the thought of her flying home and ending up with someone other than me has acid spearing up my chest. No. She’s staying here. With me. End of story.

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