Falling for My Step Brother

Chapter Nine

Violet's POV

"I have to stay away from Lucian, he is trouble. He is the attention I don't want for myself. He is the stress I don't want to add to my life". These were the chants repeating in my head even after I sat in his car and let him take me to wherever.

We arrived at a shopping mall, and he swerved into the parking lot. I got put out of the car once he stopped it. The faster we get this done, the better. Because I have to be away from him.

"We will take this, this, this and that blue one", he began, pointing as soon as we walked into the ladies' dress area. Those dresses he pointed out, are they mine?

They are revealing!

"Lucian, these are too..."

"Too perfect, right? I know I have very good taste and fashion sense". He bragged, looking at the shoes on display and glanced at my feet.

I was wearing a pair of four-inch ankle boots. Blame my height, not me. Seeing I walked without difficulty in high shoes, he picked a pair of five-inch limited edition black heels and a blue platform.

"Test them"

I swallowed, I wanted to retort something mean or sassy. But words failed me. I should just go with it, it would be over soon.

The first dress was okay, just a low back. The second dress was too tight in the hip area, so it was discarded.

"And that's the best one" Lucian clicked his tongue in regret.

The third dress is a black party dress. I like it because it covers my cleavage and did a good job accentuating my curves in a beautiful way. But it had a flaw, there was a slit at the front of my left leg which went all the way to my upper thigh.

I'm definitely not going to wear this. But the moment I stepped out, Lucian spent five minutes assessing it before ordering the dressing room attendant to pack it up.

The last one was a cropped knitted and short skirt which stopped mid-thigh. The blue color complimented my eyes' color well.

I love it, but it's revealing too, and I'm kinda insecure about my thighs. I walked out of the fitting room self-conscious about the dress.

"Wow, Ma'am, this dress looks so good on you. The waist area was customized. So I doubted it would suit you earlier. I mean, it's hard to see a thin waistline with such wide hips" the lady attending to us gushed, her eyes filled with obvious jealousy.

If she's jealous, why compliment me?

She glanced at Lucian expectantly after speaking, but the devil's attention was fully on me, his gaze unreadable.

Maybe the dress looked bad on me and the lady was probably mocking me. Of course, she said wide hips. Should that be a compliment or not?

"We are taking this too" Lucian finally spoke.

"The shoes and those bags as well."

We walked out of the area holding eight bags. What for? A party tonight, he said.

***

I hate parties like that. Why would he bring me to a party filled with arrogant rich people? All holding a glass half-filled with champagne, fake cheering and fake smiling at each other.

I stood uncomfortably in the black dress and black stilettos, my hair done in a simple low bun with a few curly strands framing my face.

Lucian had someone give me a quick nude make-up look, which was why we came late and made a dramatic grand entrance. People stopped to stare, and to my surprise, I was taking attention away from Lucian.

"You took my spotlight, little sis". He leaned down and whispered to my ear.

Tell me why I'm still inches shorter than him even in heels. Tall devil.

"Good evening, Mr Archer". A young man about our age was the first to approach us. He gestured to a waiter who held drinks.

I picked a glass only after Lucian picked his.

"Good evening, Mr Tony". He greeted with a tight-lipped smile.

"It's rare to see you at such gatherings without your father" Tony smirked at Lucian and took a tiny sip of his white wine.

"It's good to give people surprises once in a while " Lucian threw back and also took a sip of his champagne.

"And who's this beautiful lady that stole your spotlight for the first time in years", Tony, turned to me and said with a honeyed voice. The way he was looking at me felt sickening sweet.

"My girlfriend, obviously", Lucian said casually. I turned to him with wide eyes, unable to hide my surprise.

For some reason I can't explain, my cheeks were warming up as the word was repeated in my head.

Violet! You have to avoid him.

Wait, did he just introduce me as his girlfriend instead of his sister? Does Archer know about this too?

"Oh, it seems Miss Beautiful here is also just finding that out for the first time" Tony jabbed.

"I just didn't expect him to introduce me to you", I quickly regained my wit and said.

I leaned in and gestured to Tony to come closer," We are dating in secret" I whispered, but Lucian clearly heard me.

I saw his jaw tighten as I moved back to his side like I did nothing. The expression on Tony's face was so funny that I couldn't hold back a chuckle.

And that's how Lucian introduced me to the rest of the people he chatted with. My legs were aching in the heels, so I strayed away from him to take a seat and rest.

Sitting was weird and uncomfortable in the dress, but it was better than standing there with Lucian and listening to things I had no idea about.

I gathered from his earlier conversation that he was going to launch a game soon, and he needed illustrators without using his father's name to get them.

Looking around, the party was full of young rich people, probably second and third generation rich kids. I took a gulp of the cocktail I was holding.

I want to leave. I need to get enough rest before tomorrow, because convincing Mom to let me spend a night outside will be stressful.

Finally, we went home. The ride was quiet, I rolled down the glass to let in fresh air, facing away from Lucian. He said nothing to me either. Just driving silently, maybe not because I could feel his occasional glance at my exposed thighs.

He drove into the underground parking lot quickly, much to my relief. I couldn't wait to get out of this dress and free my boobies.

I was out as soon as he stopped the car, ready to go to my bed after a quick shower, but a strong grip on my shoulder stopped me.

Lucian pulled me back and pushed my back against the car, rather gently. The glints in his eyes screamed danger. Why was he looking at me like that?

"Dating in secret, huh?" His sensual voice went deeper as he stared down into my eyes.

"You proclaimed me as your girlfriend when I'm your sister too", I shot back, annoyed at him for stopping me.

He is so used to having his way, forcing me every time, and I hate that.

"I can't introduce you as my sister. My father's marriage with your mum is a private one, most people are not aware."

" So what does that...."

"It means I can date you publicly."

"Why would I date you? What about our parents? And I only attended this party with you because I was paid" My annoyance was heightened.

"I guess you're just like your mum, a gold-digger" he stated blankly as he pulled back.

My palm connected with his handsome face in a matter of two seconds. He didn't flinch, his eyes on me narrowed, causing me to step back unconsciously.

Why did that hurt? His words are true. My Mum changed rich men like she was collecting stones from a beach, but am I like my mum? I have not been in a relationship before not to talk of dating rich guys like my mum.

Why did I go with him? I should have refused.

What hurt more was the fact that I didn't go because Archer sent me money but because I wanted to be with Lucian. As much as I kept reminding myself to stay away from him, something kept pulling me to him.

I surprised him with a slap, and he returned the favor, with a kiss. He pulled me to himself and roughly claimed my lips in a rough and dominating kiss.