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The taste bursts like a drug in my system and my lids flutter.
I crave my stepsister worse than a fiend.
“Stepbrother loves you,” I whisper in the dark and she moans in response. I stroke her high cheekbone. “But I’m going to need you to love me back.”
A smile crosses her lips in her sleep and I hold my breath, waiting for her eyes to flash but they don’t. Giving her one last caress, I get up and forcefully tear myself away from her and leave.
5.
Greta
Sipping on my homemade lemonade, I glance at the clock above the stove. My piano lesson should’ve started twenty minutes ago but my teacher isn’t here yet. Usually, she’s never late and I shift, starting to feel restless.
Waking up this morning, I felt so ready to take on the day. I had the best sleep of my life and was prepared to face any challenge. Today is the day when I’m sorting that money situation out. I just need to figure out a way to get that cash fast and without raising any suspicions in Dacre.
Putting the glass down when I hear the doorbell ring. I make sure that I look presentable before opening the door without bothering to check who it is first. And I’m surprised to say the least.
There’s a man I’ve never met before.
His hair is artistically long, a denim vest covering his hoodie and he’s chewing gum. He looks both disheveled and put together like he stole the look from a fashion ad for vagabonds.
Frowning I murmur, “Who are you?”
Chomping the gum in a way that makes him resemble a cow, he replies, “Blanca sent me. She got the flu this morning and thought you wouldn’t mind.” The guy winks at me in a way that makes me want to grimace. “Don’t worry. I’m her best student. You’re in safe hands.”
I pinch my lip and hesitate. Dacre won’t like it if I invite some stranger inside but the guy looks about as dangerous as I do. “I don’t know...,” I begin, scowling when I’m brushed to the side and the stranger pushes himself into the foyer.
Letting out a low whistle, he looks around. “Some place you got...,” he strokes a hand down the wall, petting the baby blue wallpaper like he’s expecting it to purr. “Wouldn’t mind living in a place like this myself one day.” He fires a wide grin. “Shall we?”
Pondering, I figure there’s no harm in giving it a try. The lesson’s only one hour long anyway and I could always ask him to leave if I see something I don’t like.
“Follow me,” I say in a cool voice and he lets out a sharp laugh, pretending to get the chills and I roll my eyes. What a clown. But whatever, if he really is as good as he says he is then I won’t decline an opportunity to polish up on my skills.
Sitting down on the stool I tense up when he sits next to me. Does he really have to be that close? I scooch to the side, insisting on keeping space between us. Swiping the sheet music until I get to Chopin, I take a deep breath and begin.
I’ve been having issues with this piece for ages and sometimes it doesn’t even feel like I’m making any progress. It frustrates and embarrasses me. I always imagine Dacre picking up on my little mistakes whenever I play it.
Not that Dacre is a huge fan of classical music. I’ve only heard music play from his office a few times and then it was the kind that made my eardrums burst.
When I finish, I turn to Pete and he watches me with something hot and sweaty in his eyes.
“Well, what’d you think?” I ask and he raises his thin brows.
“I pretty much think you suck.”
Goosebumps flood my arms as I struggle to not let humiliation take root. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah...I mean, you’re not that good at this, are you.” He shrugs. “I’m just being honest.”
“You can’t talk like that to me,” I protest and he lets out a laugh.
“What are you gonna do about it?”
Tell my stepbrother to kill you.I flinch at the thought and my cheeks heat. Dacre’s brutality is giving me second hand cockiness. Taking a breath, I’m about to rise and ask Pete to leave when he grabs my hand.
“Don’t worry, snowflake. The master’s here to show you how it’s done.”
Yanking my hand back, I grit, “Don’t touch me. My stepbrother won’t like it and he’s not someone you want to piss off.”
