HIM—A Stepbrother Romance: With BONUS NOVELLA: PERSONAL (21 page)

He stood up slowly, looking deeply into my eyes, making sure I knew he’d come back for me. His hand slid down my back and cupped my butt. I felt super violated. I wanted to scream. Before I could give him a piece of my mind, a strong hand suddenly landed on my shoulder.

“The lady said no man.”

My heart jumped. I knew that southern twang. I knew that voice. I knew that tone.

"Ramon?"

My assumptions were confirmed as I spun around. I caught the profile of that face I knew well years ago, the face that sometimes still haunted my dreams from the buckets of tears he made me shed.

Whoa.

He was more ripped than I ever remember him to be, and taller too. How was that possible?

He towered over Clementine like a gladiator. My claws retracted. I suddenly felt safe and protected in his presence, like I could breathe again. Whew! I couldn’t even process all of this at once. I just was glad I was out of this perv’s hands.

"Aw Ramy baby, come on bro! You’ll get used to these pussycats actin’ all bitchy like they don’t want it and shit when we all know they really want that dick!"

I rolled my eyes at this ludicrous superstar athlete. He was a real asshole. A pig! I remember thinking football stars had egos in high school. Did those gigantic egos just grow and inflate to the size of Texas when you were as powerful and popular as Clementine? He really thought he owned the whole world.

Ramon stepped even closer to him, standing mere centimeters from him as he stared him down.

"Don't call her that." He growled.

Oh no,
I thought.
This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good. Please don’t break out into a fight!

Lindsey looked at the two men, her pretty eyes hazy and confused. Good, maybe this would make her come to her senses before she allowed herself to be whisked away by the prick whose ego dwarfed Kanye’s.

"I think I can call whoever I want
whatever
I want in my own house. And on my own team,” Clementine spat in response. “Now if you want to stick around and be
welcome
on this team, we've got to see eye to eye on that. Capisce? Comprende, pa?”

He popped that last “pa” loud and clear as if to say,
That’s right, I own this world
. He looked angry as he took a step back nodding as if he were trying to calm down. I was scared at how this lunatic would act if provoked. You never knew these days. “Now, I'll be back. Clementine senior has some gardening to do.” He rested his hand on Ramon’s shoulder. “Later baby. Lighten up.”

Of course, he wasn’t finished asserting his dominance. He pointed at me.  “And you? I’m coming back for you!" He reached out to frisk me like a creepy uncle. Ugh!

Just his mere touch of me caused Ramon to cut him off. He rested his hand rested on my lower back. Every part of me froze at the electrifying touch of his strong hand. Yes, I felt protected, but his touch also shot an instant jolt of longing up and down my spine. Damn it.

“Hey Clementine!” Ramon shot out at him. My heartbeat doubled, however I stood still in shock. Part of me was still processing Ramon’s physical presence, right here, right now, with his hand on my back.

“Yeah baby?”

Ramon’s hot lips crashed into mine like a tsunami. Before I could even blink, I was engulfed by the strength of his soft lips and his passion. Sensations whisked me away; the sensitivity of his touch, the feeling of my lips parted by his leadership and tongue.

God, his kiss melted me. I was swirling with dizziness and fantasy…

… Until I came to my senses. This man did not
deserve
to kiss me. Not one bit. I pulled away fast, even though I was left breathless, shocked, and mesmerized.

“How dare you!” I slapped him and spun around on my heels. My hands started shaking like they had backstage.
I shook my head, swallowing back the giant lump in my throat as I made my eyes zeroed in on the bouncers. I could spot them anywhere. I had to get out of here.

“See what I mean man. Bitches.” I heard Clementine call back to Ramon.

What the hell just happened and what the hell did I just do?

I reached for a champagne flute from a young girl who witnessed the entire scene with sparkling stars in her eyes. Her gaping mouth was open for so long she could have used it to catch a thousand flies.

“Damn I shouldn't have signed that non-disclosure. TMZ would have loved to see that,” she gushed. I rolled my eyes and walked off.

I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing. I only knew one thing: Ramon didn’t own me. He couldn’t just kiss me like that - like another chauvinist pig of a celebrity animal. Who the hell did he think he was? And what was he doing here?

Team?

My thoughts rumbled, tossing and turning around in my mind as I stormed pass the drunken clusters people who were lost in their own world, too wasted to notice what just happened.

It was too much for me to handle, too much to process. And to top it all off, Lindsey left with him! That stupid molly pill was her decision maker. She clearly wasn’t thinking straight! Damn it!

“Whoa, whoa, Kate!” The bouncer who recognized me earlier grabbed my wrist. I jumped and pulled it away, still frazzled.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” He looked apologetic. “Are you sure you want to go back in there? We can’t protect VIPS in there.”

We can’t protect you in there.

If they were supposed to be protecting the VIPs out here, then how the hell did that just happen to me? Oh, right. Their boss made the move.

I nodded my head yes, fighting the rising panic attack that I felt coming to the surface.

“Well, alright.” He released his grip.

Once back inside the home, I took the first right, and then another right, and yet another right. I walked down a secluded hallway and opened a door fast before shutting the world out behind me.

My heart pounded wildly as I slid my back down the door. I could hear the music kissing the walls, making its presence faintly known. It would take the physical act of walking half a mile down the block to escape the cacophony.

My head pounded like a wild drum. I sought to catch my breath and recalibrate. I needed to process everything that had just happened. How the hell had Ramon gotten access to this party? I hadn’t followed his career or him or anything. Was he really about to go pro?

I shook my head and clutched my phone. No, no, no. I would not look him up.

You will not look him up!

Being determined to lose weight and change your life comes with a very important trait: sheer self-will.

I hadn’t looked up Ramon even once since we parted ways. Why would I? He broke my heart! During my intensive in France, one of the first things I learned in therapy was to stay away from triggers.

Ramon was my trigger.

But damn, did he look good. Really good.

And hot damn, that kiss! I shook my head and touched my lips with trembling fingers. I’d never been kissed like that. He took claim to me as if I was already his and Clementine didn’t know it.

Whatever the fuck that was, I wasn’t going to be any man’s little plaything. I wasn’t—

Knock. Knock.

The knocking caused me to scream out. I held my breath, hoping whoever it was would go away.

The knock was lighter again. “Cat? I know you’re in there. It’s me. Ramon.”

Ramon

She opened the door slowly. I looked into her eyes as she retreated and sat back on the floor, looking down at the ground.

“What are you doing here, Ramon?”

Her words were hard, bitter, and she refused to make eye contact.

“Hey, I…” I had to pause. “Look. Don’t be mad at me for that kiss. I had to protect you. Fight that horny prick off.”

“So what? I’m a supermodel now, and
now
you’re proud to be seen with me? To claim me? To kiss me?”

She was so adorably cute when she was mad. Her cheeks flushed rosy pink. She was still the same Cat to me. I knew her heart of gold. Other guys didn’t see that. My fists were balled tightly by my sides. I was still angry thinking of what could have happened to her if I had not been here to protect her. Her eyes noticed everything. I clenched my jaw.

“What? So now you’re like the amazing Hulk or something now? A superhero? Swooping in and saving the damsel in distress? Where’s your cap, since you’re all Superman and shit?”

Leave it to her to have to say something witty even when she’s mad.

“I’ve been called other things.” I cracked half-heartedly.

I stepped closer. You could feel the electricity between us. It was so thick.

“You know I box. I train everyday. I know how to lay it on someone when they get fresh.” She shot at me.

“Yeah,” I replied. “My face still stings.” She definitely had some hands on her.

She sat with her legs crossed in that two-part dress. Her abs were tight and toned; I couldn’t help but stare at the chiseled line she had in her upper abs. I wanted to run my hands over them. I wanted to touch every inch of her body. I wanted to make her forget everything.

Her leg bounced up and down in nerves and frustration. The sexy way it bounced was driving me absolutely insane, reminding me of all the things I wanted to do to her right now.

“Look…” I sighed. “I know it’s been a while.”

“A while? It’s been almost four years. And…” She trailed off and sighed in obvious distress.

“Look. This isn’t the time or place to have the type of talk I want to have with you. And I don’t trust myself alone with you in this bedroom.”

I was being honest.

“But you could trust yourself four years ago when you were alone with me?”

She glared at me as she stood up. Her anger was apparent. It rolled off her in thick, hot waves.

“Look, I can take care of myself. I can do a lot of things. Now if you’ll excuse me. I’m outie.”

I wasn’t going to let her get away. And I as sure as hell wasn’t going to let her out there into the sea of crazies, paparazzi, and wild men who’d take advantage of her.

“Cat, can we just go somewhere and talk please? I can’t let you leave by yourself.” I tried my best to sound reasonable.

“Why?”

“Look at how crazy this house is. It’s filled with a bunch of wild animals. I’m staying in the city over the weekend. Let me take you back. I don’t trust any of these people.”

“We’re not step-siblings anymore, Ramon. You can drop the protective brother act.”

“I am. You’re coming with me. No arguing.” I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder, suppressing her. She lightly pounded my back as I opened the door and walked down the hallway.

CAT

“Ramon! My man! Yeah!”

“Dude, that’s Cat Johnson. Look at her ass.”

As mad as I was with Ramon, and as much as I hated being thrown over his shoulder like a toy, or a possession, I felt safe as we drifted out of the house, leaving the drunken party scene.

With the animal house now out of sight, I wasn’t going to lie. That experience was really intense. I’d never go to one of those events alone again.

“Why’d you rent a car?”

“Jeep.”

“Same thing.”

“I wanted to get to know the area in case I moved here.”

I nodded.

In case I moved here.

Wow.

Angry or not, I was thrilled for him. He was the hardest working guy I’d ever known. If he was really about to go pro, he deserved it. If anyone deserved it, he definitely did.

“Look, we don’t have to talk. Let’s not. Let’s wait until dinner. There’s a lot I want to say to you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“No, I mean, for real. For saving me back there.”

Nothing like having a 6’5” strong gladiator by your side.

DINNER

As soon as we sat down at the restaurant, and placed our orders, his words flew out.

“Cat, I’m really sorry about what happened. About what I said. I’ve wanted to tell you this in person, but I never got to see you again. And after you changed your number once you moved to France, it was impossible to contact you.”

“You deleted your Facebook, too.” He added.

I inhaled a deep breath. I could tell he was sorry. Remorse dominated his expression.

“I was a prick. I didn’t mean what I said,” he continued. “I never meant for you to hear what I said. It was an act. What I said was awful. It still haunts me.”

I’ve wanted to hear that since forever.

I stared at those puppy dog eyes. They were tender and bright. Ramon had a soft heart; I saw it that night we shared under the stars. I knew he didn’t mean to hurt me. But his words did hurt, especially when other people bore witness to them and laughed.

I shook my head, trying to shake the sad scene from my memory. It was one of those horrible scenes that were practically branded into my soul. I wanted to release it.

“Look. Girls like me didn’t get guys like you back then. I forgive you. I know the childish ways of high school. The words still stung though,” I responded, with enough civility not to lose it. “That’s why I had to get away. I had to create a new life for myself in a place where no one saw me as ‘Fat Cat.’ Where no one expected me to be funny, or to say something witty. Home reminded me of my restrictions and filled me with temptations. And then with my mom marrying your Dad… I wasn’t ready for a new dad. I couldn’t process it, even though he was a nice man.”

I honestly regretted not attending the funeral. I felt awful that I couldn’t be there for my mom and him. My mom understood. She just wanted me to get better and take care of myself.

I cleared my throat, readying myself for confidence to apologize. I needed to make my own amends.

“I’m sorry I haven’t said anything about your father.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m so sorry he passed, and that you didn’t know about him being sick.”

“I appreciate that, Cat. I’m thankful he found love in your Mom. She made him very happy, you know? Even when I didn’t know he was sick, they’d look so happy together. Every time I’d FaceTime home, the two of them would just beam through the screen.”

“Yeah, he brought out good in my mom, too. She sort of found a more balanced approach to life and quit working as much.” I agreed. A wistful smile lightened my expression.

“They were good for each other.”

I nodded, lost in thought. I thought of my own dad and what he did. Work. Money. Loss of balance. I never told anyone my secret.

“It’s just… funerals –”

He held up his hand. “Cat, you don’t have to explain it to me. I know your dad is gone.”

I shook my head. “I… I never told you everything.”

“Everything?”

“About his death.”

“You don’t have to.”

“But I want to. I want to talk about it. To someone.”

“To me? Are you sure?”

I nodded. “He… staged his own murder so he didn’t have to do it himself. So my mother and I would have insurance money.”

“It?”

“Suicide. When you do that, your family doesn’t get the insurance money.”

I don’t know why, but sharing my secret made me feel light. He reached for my hand and comforted me gently. A fresh tear fell down my face. I dabbed my eyes with a napkin.

“Hey… Don’t cry. It’s okay. He was just thinking about his family. Stress gets to people sometimes.”

“I know. I just miss him is all. I didn’t care about all that money, or all that material stuff. I just wanted him.”

“I’m sorry, Cat.”

I cleared my throat. Wow, I just unloaded on him. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m telling you this.” I released a big sigh.

“No, I’m glad you did, because I care about you.”

“You care about me?”

“I cared about you then, too. I brought you to my property remember? I never brought anyone there before.” He leaned in closer across the table.

That happy memory of us on that couch felt like a pleasant spring day.

“That was a nice night.” I admitted, feeling a smile form across my face.

“It was.”

He looked at me. Like
really
looked at me. He full on stared.

“What, do I have something in my teeth?”

“Cat, you seriously look absolutely amazing.” He shook his head. “I mean, when I saw you on that TV screen while walking out on that runway, my jaw dropped to the floor. I was so proud of you. You should be proud of all your hard work.”

My heart rate doubled. I still had the hots for Ramon Nicholas. For him to say he liked what he saw made high school Cat, who still existed deep inside, melt.

I mean,
look
at him.

That jawline… Had it always been so pronounced? His boyish charm had evolved to full-grown heartthrob. I could totally see him gracing the cover of
GQ
magazine, rocking a suit when he made it to the NFL.

The white t-shirt over his massive biceps made my panties dampen. Its V-neck cut gave the perfect tease of his packed chest. The crisp white color made his tan skin pop. He was always training. While most guys didn’t even own a tan in winter, he did.

Suddenly, the house lights lifted, indicating that it was time for us late night customers to get the heck out. I suddenly wished it wasn’t 2 am.

“Looks like they’re kicking us out of here. The lights have lifted.”