Puck Me, Stepbrother Dearest

1

[SELENA]

I’ve been saving my virginity for Freddie since freshman year. It sounds silly, I know, but I always wanted my first time to be with him. After two whole years, he’s here and it feels like everything I’ve been waiting for is about to happen.

Our hands hadn’t left each other since the moment I clicked the door shut.

“You're sure no one's home?” Freddie whispered, his lips never leaving mine.

“I live alone. There's nothing to worry about,” I rasped.

My body is on fire, and I can’t wait for us to take things to the next level. And the best part? No one’s here to interrupt us.

Living alone in a two-bedroom bungalow is a privilege my friends never let me forget. But it’s hard to complain when your millionaire stepdad practically owns the place. I’ve always wanted a flatmate, but he was totally against the idea of a stranger living on his property.

So now, I get the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want.

“Jesus! Who's that?” Freddie shouted.

I froze. “I told you I live alone!”

“Then who the hell is that dude on the couch?”

Cold chills ran down my spine. For a second, fear coated my tongue; bitter and sharp.

An intruder?

I’ve lived here for two years, and not once have I dealt with an intruder. Is tonight that one night you see in true crime stories where a stranger comes in and leaves with the victims zipped up in body bags?

I gulped hard and slowly turned around.

“Oh. My. God!”

A huge figure is sitting on the couch. I can't make out his face, but the moonlight streaming through the window traced the outline of his body.

Why the hell is a half-naked guy in my house?

My heart slammed against my chest. And one thing about me, when I’m nervous, I don’t think straight. I stepped forward, but Freddie yanked me back.

“What the hell are you doing?” he hissed. “He could be dangerous.”

The figure stood up.

We were screwed. There's no way we could both take him down. He was tall, built like he could crush bricks without trying.

“Let's go!” Freddie shouted, pulling me toward the door.

But I didn’t move. My eyes stayed locked on him as he walked closer. Freddie had already unbolted the door, ready to run. Then, the guy suddenly burst into laughter.

We both froze. I quickly flicked the lights on, and his features were gloriously displayed under the bright light.

Standing there in nothing but his boxers was the bane of my existence. My stepbrother, Axel.

The first thing that caught my attention was the lip ring at the corner of his lips which he licked slowly. His olive skin inked with tattoos that traced every line of his body, and his damp brown hair had grown longer now.

I hadn’t seen him in years. We went to different boarding schools, and honestly, Axel had always felt more like a name than a person. The kind of family member you only see in old photos because he keeps to himself and shuts everyone out.

But somehow, whenever we crossed paths, he made my life miserable.

“Why did you guys stop? I was enjoying the show.”

My nose flared. Sure, he’d gotten insanely handsome, but right now, I wanted to throw something at him.

“What the hell are you doing here, Axel? How did you get in? And aren't you supposed to be in Wilmington?”

Freddie turned to me, his brow creasing. “Wait. You know him?”

Axel folded his arms, that cocky grin still in place. “Go on, baby. Tell him who I am.”

“Baby?” Freddie frowned. “Didn't you say you were single?”

Shit. It took forever to get Freddie’s attention, and I'm not about to let Axel ruin this.

“No! It's not what you think. He's..my…my stepbrother.”

Freddie’s eyes flicked between us, doubt creeping in.

“I swear! He's my stepbrother.” I turned sharply. “Tell him, Axel!”

Axel’s grin widened. “Stepbrother? You’re denying I’m your boyfriend because of a one-night stand?”

Oh My God. I'm going to kill him.

Freddie shook his head, disappointment written all over his face. “I thought you were different, Selena. I can’t believe you lied to me.”

“I'm not lying! You have to believe me.”

“Just stop it!” Freddie barked, gripping the door handle. “I can't deal with this shit.”

He stormed out, slamming the door hard.

Axel’s mocking laughter filled the room.

“Freddie, please…” I ran after him, grabbing his arm, but he shrugged me off like I disgusted him.

I watched him march to his car and drive off without looking back.

Hot fumes steamed from my ears. I was ready to go back inside and rip Axel apart when my phone rang.

Mum?

Thank goodness. I need to report him.

“Mum…”

“Is Axel in the apartment already?”

I froze. “You knew about this? How come no one told me?”

“I’m so sorry darling. Jasper and I have been really busy dealing with some trouble Axel got into at Baldwin. Thankfully, your school was ready to accept him as a transfer student.”

My stomach dropped. “What sort of trouble?”

“It’s complicated, Selena,” Mum sighed. “Jasper thinks staying with family might calm him down. You know how he’s been since I married his father. Just… make him feel he belongs, okay? Jasper has done so much for us. It's time we show Axel we care about him too.”

My shoulders slumped.

Mum was right. After everything Uncle Irvin put us through when Dad died, Jasper has been our knight in shining armor. He gave us a home. A better life.

“Okay,” I mumbled. “But…was this Jasper's idea?”

“Yes. And besides, the house has a spare room, which is perfect. Just promise me you'll make him feel at home, okay?”

When the call ended, my anger faded into guilt.

I owe Jasper so much for everything he’s done for me and Mum. And that means I don’t get to complain. If he wants Axel here, then Axel stays.

When I re-entered the living room, Axel was still sprawled on the couch like he owned the damn place, which technically he did.

His eyes dragged slowly over my body, that same smug grin in place. “What a grand welcome you just gave me, roomie.”