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    I stared at Axel nkly before I looked at his father again, but he still had his nose buried in the newspaper. Mom still had that look on her face, and she seemed like she was far from here.


    Wasn’t this weird to any of them? My supposed step–brother asking what kind of men I prefer?


    I looked back at him and just shrugged. “I don’t prefer bastards. Simple.”


    He said nothing and just looked at me, his lips pressed together. I looked away and continued breakfast, trying to deceive my brain that their eyes on me weren’t affecting me.


    “I’m leaving for work,” Kross said, standing up.


    Mr. Varkas finally looked away from his newspaper, nodding at his son. “Off you go, then.”


    Kross left, and Kade stood up and followed without excusing himself.


    I looked at Axel, an eyebrow raised. “You don’t have any work to be at?”


    He sighed, standing up and adjusting his tie. If I had met him as a stranger out in town, I would think he was a normal, beautiful man. How wrong I would have been.


    “Unfortunately, I do,” he grumbled, turning to his father. “I’m off.”


    When I looked over at Mr. Varkas, he was watching me. How he looked at me, like he could see my deepest secrets–not like I have any–was truly nerve–racking.


    Axel left, and Mr. Varkas turned to my mom with a tight smile. “Vera, would you excuse us, dear?”


    My mother jolted like she was snapped out of her trance, finally raising her head, and that was when I truly saw her. She looked… tired, drained, like she had been up all night.


    She immediately stood up, smiling and it looked so unhinged. “Of course!”


    She left the room without even looking in my direction once, even to warn me with her eyes to behave. Strange. Really strange.


    “I kept her up all night.”


    I looked back at Mr. Varkas, my face heating. “I would rather not know.”


    He just smiled and folded his newspaper. “Are you settling in well?”


    I nodded, the lie flowing out easily. “Yes, sir. It’s lovely here.”


    “Good. You’ll be moved to the boys‘ house tonight.”


    I was nodding but then stopped as the words registered. I sat at the edge of the seat, gripping the armrest. “I’m sorry… what? The boys‘ house?”


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    “They don’t live here. They just came to… meet you. They’ll be returning to their ce today, and you’re going with them.”


    “Why do I have to?”


    “This house would be lonely without them. I go to work and your mom will barely be home.” Before I could ask, he answered, “She’s going on vacation. I just booked the flight.”


    Right. Well… Stay with the Varkas‘ brothers. Sure, no biggie. So much for maintaining my sanity.


    ***


    After that breakfast, I was alone in this huge mansion. I wandered aimlessly and not once did I evene across anybody. Now, I was wondering why I took the day off at work. I thought I would need time settling in, but it seems I settled in just fine.


    I was taking a walk outside when I saw a car drive in, and Axel stepped outside when it was parked. I stood still and stared at him. His jacket and tie were off, his sleeves rolled up, exposing golden skin. He shut the door of his car hard, leaning on it and running his hand through his hair, messing it.


    He looked pissed, his jaw clenched. I heard him curse and begin to walk to the front door, but he stopped, turning in my direction, his eyesnding on mine. And just like that, his expression transformed, turning soft and it seemed like a dark cloud was lifted from his head.


    He smiled—a really big, genuine smile–walking to me, a bounce in his steps. “Rosette!”


    I couldn’t walk away now, so I just stood still. Why was he smiling like that at just seeing me? I couldn’t even say it was fake from how bright it was.


    He stopped in front of me, getting too close and into my personal space.


    “Bad day at work?” I asked.


    His features darkened but cleared <i>so </i>soon. “Let’s not talk about that. I missed you.”


    I rolled my eyes, turning and walking towards the house, but he followed me,


    “You’re moving in with us today.”


    I turned my head and stared at him as I continued walking. “Why do I have to?”


    “Because the house will be lonely without us,” he answered too brightly.


    I gave him a look. “Uh–huh.”


    I was still watching him, not even bothering to watch my steps, and so I didn’t know we had gotten close to the front door where the short step was. I hit my foot on it and stumbled. I gasped, falling forward, but before I couldnd on my face, a hand wrapped around my waist and pulled.


    I rested on Axel’s chest, breathing heavily.


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    His hand was still around my waist, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. “Did you do that on purpose so I could catch you?” he purred, his breath warm. “Oh, Rose, if you wanted to be close to me <i>so </i>badly, you could just ask.”


    I tried to remove his hand from my waist, but he held on tight. “Don’t tter yourself.”


    “Hmm.” His other hand joined the first, keeping me locked in ce. “You smell <i>so </i>good, Rose, and you feel so soft. I want to eat you.” He chuckled softly. “Well, not literally, that would be a shame.”


    “What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, already giving up on struggling.


    He ignored my question. “Rose… Rosette, I want to make you cum.” My breath hitched and my eyes widened. “Kade gets to make you cum, so why can’t I?”


    My mouth closed and opened, words failing me. “That’s… I… No, I wasn’t in my right mindst night.”


    “Then I need you not to be in your right mind right now.” He shifted, and something hard was poking at my back. “See? I’m hard for you, Rose. I don’t think I’ve stopped being hard since I set my eyes on you.”


    I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “A–Axel… just-”


    “Oh, fuck,” he groaned, growing hard. “Fuck, Rosette, I like how you say my name. You’re driving me crazy, here. And I’m so hard, it’s painful. What are you going to do about it?”


    “Why do I have to do anything?!” I snapped, resuming my struggle.


    “Because you’re the one driving me crazy. Please? It’s so painful, Rosette. Please. Please. Please. I promise I’ll be a good boy. I won’t put it in if you don’t want me to.”


    Of course I don’t want him to put it in. Every cell in my body called me a liar. I just sighed, resting my head on his chest. “Fine<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    Axel made an almost animalistic sound, and before I knew it, I was being lifted off the ground.


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