ACCIDENTALLY LIVING WITH MY CEO STEPBROTHER

EMERSON'S POV "It's the umpteenth Em", Sarah's hand landed on my wrist as I reached for the glass, the bartender had placed in front of me again. Before I could answer, Mia snorted from my other side. "Slow down? Tomorrow she moves in with her stepfather. You think he's letting her anywhere near a club after this? Let the girl drink." "Yes you right Mia, he might be strict and controlling like the previous one", l slurred, taking a sip of my new filled glass. Sarah hesitated, then reached for a shot glass herself. "Fine. But when you're hungover at breakfast and he asks questions, I'm not covering for you." "He won't ask," I mumbled into my wine. "They never do." I added remembering all the men, my mother has so far had since my father died. "To the last reckless night", Mia shouted as she raised her glass. "Yes", We all tossed and swallowed it in one gulp. One hour in. Maybe two. Time started to blur at the edges. We were dancing now or something close to it. The bass thumped through the floor, up my legs, into my chest. Sarah had her arms over her head, eyes closed, lost in it. Mia was scanning the room with the kind of mischief that always ended with one of us regretting everything in the morning. Just as we were still dancing, Mia's eyes suddenly lit up like she had spotted buried treasure. "Holy s**t, don't look there now," she said, grabbing my arm. "But corner booth. Ten o'clock. The guy with the bodyguards." girls", Mia spoke. I followed her gaze instantly, squinting through the dim lights and haze of cigarette smoke from the patio. Then my eyes fall on him. There he was, seated alone in the deepest shadow of the bar , legs crossed and a tumbler of amber liquid in one hand. The single overhead light caught the sharp edge of his jaw and the way his dark hair fell forward when he tilted his head to take a slow sip of whiskey. His broad shoulders were straining against a tailored black shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal corded forearms inked with subtle tattoos and his eyes scanned the room with a cold detachment, like he was assessing threats. He screamed danger , hot and unapproachable danger. The kind of man who could ruin your life and make you thank him for it. Sarah whistled after staring at him for a long time. "Damn. He's got that whole 'CEO by day, mafia boss by night' vibe. Look at the suit, Armani? And those eyes? Ice cold. Bet he's loaded and heartless." She spoke. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop staring. "You watch too many movies, Sarah. He's probably just some finance bro unwinding." I replied her, still staring. Mia grinned, wicked and unrelenting. "Nah, Em. Sarah's right. Guy like that? He's got secrets. Dark ones. You can see it in the way he sits, king of his little corner kingdom." She took a swig of her beer, then slammed the bottle down. "I doubt", I still argued as I threw a glance in his way. "Still doubting. I now dare you." Mia’s grin turned feral. "Nooo.. dare me what?", I laughed too loud. “No refusing Emerson”, they said in unison. "Okay", I looked at them. Sarah caught on immediately, her stubborn streak kicking in as she leaned in with Mia. "Go over there. Talk to him. And don't just flirt, make it count. Dry hump him right there on his booth. Show him what a Crestwood girl can do." I choked on my drink after hearing her words. "Are you insane? I'm not humping some stranger in a bar!", I shook my head. Mia crossed her arms and that immovable look formed on her face. "Chicken. You've been single for a long time, buried in your books. This is your birthday and tomorrow you will move into a stranger's house where you'll probably have a curfew and a list of rules. This is your last night. Your last night. Do you really want to let us down?". Sarah nodded fiercely. "Double dare. We'll buy your drinks for a month if you pull it off. Come on, Em. He's perfect, hot and cold-hearted, probably runs some shady empire. What's the worst that could happen?", Sarah insisted. They knew my weak spots, pride, peer pressure, and the secret part of me that wanted tattooed men. I glanced back at him. He hadn't moved, but as if he felt my stare, his eyes flicked up and his green pupils locked onto mine across the room. A shiver ran down my spine, not entirely from fear. There was something forbidden that pulled at the reckless part of me I'd buried under term papers and coffee runs. "Fine," I muttered, downing the rest of my drink for liquid courage. "If he kills me, I'm haunting both of you." They cheered, clapping like idiots as I stood and smoothed my dress. My heart pounded as I walked through the crowd, and squeezed myself through the sweaty couples. The closer I got, the heavier the air felt. I was drunk but I was still nervous. The guy looked cold. He didn't smile when I slid into the booth across from him uninvited. He just raised one dark eyebrow, as he watched me get closer to him. Next to him, I smelled him. He smelled like expensive cologne but that wasn’t the purpose why I was here. "Hi", I boldly spoke with a smile on my face. He didn’t answer me immediately. He studied me for a moment with his cold green eyes. "Do I know you?", He asked finally but before I could even reply him, two hands gripped my body and carried me from the booth. It was no one else but one of his bodyguards. "Let her go", He spoke and his bodyguard put my drunk ass back on the booth. "Thanks for letting me free", I abruptly murmured. “You’re either very brave or very stupid for remaining here.” He spoke coldly. “Probably both.” I tilted my head, letting my hair fall over one shoulder. "Why are you here?. And who are you?", He asked. "You will know me, not now though," I said, forcing a playful smile despite the nerves twisting in my gut. "But my friends dared me to come over. Said you looked like you could use some company." His gaze swept over me, assessing and dismissive. "I don't, now get out of my sight", He said in a cold and serious voice. At some point, I wanted to stand up and leave but I knew it that Sarah and Mia were watching from our table, their stubborn encouragement burning into my back. I wasn’t ready to let them down. "Humor me. One dance?", I leaned forward and spoke in the most seducing voice. "Why?", He set his glass down with a deliberate clink, his expression unchanging. "Because life's too short for corners," I shot back, surprising myself with the boldness. Maybe it was the vodka, or the dare, or the way his cold stare made my skin heat up. He studied me for a long moment, then shook his head. "Is that a yes?", I asked as I sat up and before he could respond, I boldly sat on him. "Careful," he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. "You don't know who you're playing with." I shivered again, but didn't stop. "Try me." "Carry on your dare quickly and get off of me", I heard him speak as I straddled him properly. I rolled my hips, slow at first, testing. The friction was immediate and his breath hitched just once but it was enough to make me bold. I ground back harder, circling, dragging myself along the length of him until I could feel every thick inch outlined against me. He didn’t touch me back but I didn’t care. I was drunk , stupid and reckless and it made everything feel filthier. Every drag of my p***y along his length sent sparks up my spine. I arched back, head lolling and throat exposed but still didn’t make any move. “You’re not exactly making it easy.” I spoke. “I’m not supposed to.” His gaze dropped to my mouth for half a second, long enough to make my breath hitch then flicked back to my eyes. “You have ten seconds.” His expression changed back to cold. “Ten seconds for what?”, I asked. “To decide whether you want to walk away with your dignity… or crawl away with my patience.” I laughed after hearing his words. “You’re threatening me while I’m sitting on your lap?” “I’m warning you.” His head tilted, bringing his mouth a dangerous inch closer to mine. “And you’re still here.” “f**k,” I slurred, waiting for him to smash his lips on mine. “You starting to harde...” He cut me off with a hand fisted in my hair, yanking my head back just enough to force eye contact. “Enough.” One word but it was cold and final. I froze midroll, panting and confused. Before I could say anything, he lifted me off his lap in one smooth, effortless motion and set me on unsteady feet beside the booth. My knees buckled but he caught my elbow before I could collapse. “Boss?” one of the guards stepped closer. He didn’t look at his guard. His gaze stayed locked on me, assessing, possessive and furious with himself. “Get her a car right now.” He spoke and left no room for argument. The second guard nodded once and disappeared toward the back exit. I swayed, giggling stupidly because the alcohol still had me floating. “Wait… what? I came with ...” “Quiet.” He wrapped an arm around my waist and walked me through the crowd. People parted without being asked. Outside, the night air hit me cold enough to make me shiver. A sleek black SUV idled at the curb, engine purring and the back door opened before we reached it. He didn’t ask if I wanted this. He just sat me there and he remained outside. “Where to?” the driver asked without turning around. “Her place,” he said. “She’ll tell you.” I giggled at his words. I had to meet my stepfather tomorrow but here I was completely wasted.