Page 23

“In…to the dining room? Kota knows where it is.”

Ignoring me, Dad and Sera turn away, leaving my ass in the two-story foyer…to wait for Kota, I guess.

For fuck’s sake.

I’m half tempted to walk out the front door and never come back. This isn’t me. This isn’t for me. I didn’t fucking choose to do this shit.

I begin rolling up my left sleeve, the material on my wrist suddenly constricting as all fuck.

This is all my dad. If it weren’t for him—

Footsteps have me looking up in time to see Kota appear at the top of our staircase.

Instantly, my hand halts all movement. I think, but I can’t be sure, my body does, too. My heart’s still beating, that’s for damn sure, because I can feel that motherfucker pounding in my ears. But the rest? Not a clue. It’s all numb as I stare up at the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. In a royal-blue two-piece dress, her top is basically a piece of gauze wrapped once around her chest to cover her tits while leaving her abdomen exposed. From here, I can’t tell if there are straps holding it up or not. What I can see is that deep cut V of hers thanks to the matching skirt sitting low on her hips. I didn’t even know women could have an Adonis belt, but Kota does and it’s…yeah, it’s hot. As fuck. I honestly don’t think this girl could get any hotter. I don’t think any girl could. This is top-tier shit right here.

With so much of her sun-kissed skin on display and the light from the chandelier bouncing off those blonde curls cascading down her chest, she’s practically glowing.

If this is what goddesses looked like back in the day, I’d fall at their altars, too. Shit, I’d fall at Kota’s now.

If she wasn’t my stepsister.

After scanning the foyer, her eyes land on mine, holding my gaze for the briefest of moments before lowering to my not-so-impressive ensemble. I’m really regretting the cargo pants now.

And staying here. It was a terrible idea.

“What do you want?” she sneers.

“That’s…” I let out that laugh from earlier. It’d be a lot easier to explain if I could figure that out myself. What do I want?

I heard a song on the train ride up here. “Confidence” by Ocean Alley. I know I want that on a playlist, so anytime I play it, I’ll remember this exact moment. Beyond that, I don’t have a fucking clue. It’s never really been about what I want though, has it?

Obviously not expecting an answer, Kota starts to descend.

Automatically, my body springs into action, taking the stairs two at a time to meet her halfway.

She balks at my open hand. “Get away from me.”

“I’m trying to help you.” It’s gentlemanly. I think.

Besides, stairs can be treacherous.

Her skirt’s longer than Sera’s dress was, but it’s got a slit to her thigh. And she’s not wearing heels. They’re fancier sandals than I’m used to seeing but they don’t have any height to them.

So maybe she wouldn’t have issues navigating these stairs, but how am I to know that unless I’m right here, watching her every step?

“I don’t need your help.”

“Apparently you do. I was told to escort you into the dining room.”

“You were?”

“Mm-hm.” I notice a slight tremor in my hand and lower it. Fucking humiliating.

“This is such bullshit,” she says with an eye roll.

“Finally, we agree on something.”

I try to take her hand, but she pulls it out of my reach so quick, she teeters against the stair behind her.