“And you’re going to college?”

I smile and nod again. “Yep.”

He gives me a wolfish grin. “Do you say anything other than yep?”

I giggle. “Yep.”

His laughter fills the night. “Okay, Mystery Girl, what are you going to study?”

“Pre-Med.”

His brows shoot up and he turns to his side so he’s facing me. “You’re going to be a doctor?”

“I’m going to be something,” I say. “Not quite sure what.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah.” I beam. “It is.”

“What about your family?”

I know my face darkens, because his eyes scan over it before he says, “Sorry.”

I shrug. “It’s fine. I just don’t like talking about it.”

“No problems.”

I shift so I’m facing him now too. “Do I get questions?”

He purses his lips. “That depends.”

“On?”

“Do I get to kiss you first? Because, I won’t lie . . . I’ve been waiting to all night.”

My cheeks heat and I say, “Sure.”

“Fuckin’ great.”

He reaches out, taking my neck in his hand. He moves me closer to him and his lips brush mine. He does this for a while, softly brushing, and then his mouth opens and devours mine. His tongue probes deep and his lips are so amazing against my own. I moan and tangle my fingers in his shirt, bringing him closer so our kiss can get as intense as possible.

I think I like this Mystery Guy.

A whole damned lot.

~*~*~*~

NOW

I’m in the kitchen with Mom, chopping salad ingredients for dinner. Apparently we’re having a ‘get to know each other’ cook-out. Melanie is beside me, eyeing Brody with eyes that tell me she’s interested to know the man behind the mask. He’s broody, quiet, and damaged in some way. I wish I knew him well enough to know what was going on in his head; something bad has clearly happened to him. No one is that dark for no reason.

“What do you think’s wrong with him?” she whispers.

I turn, throwing a piece of carrot into my mouth. Jack isn’t here; he’s out with Blade catching fish for dinner. We bought some steaks as back-up, just incase.

“I don’t know,” I say, letting my eyes travel over Brody who is sitting, watching the television absently. His eyes are staring right through it, his fists tight.

“Girls,” Mom whispers. “Stop talking about him.”

I shoot her a look. “You can’t say you’re not curious, Mom. Did Jack say what it was?”

She frowns. “No, he hasn’t said anything, but you’re right, there’s definitely something there. Whatever it is, I don’t think Jack knows about it.”

“No,” I say, crunching as quietly as I can. “I don’t think he does either.”

“Stop talking with your mouth full,” Mom chastises.

Melanie giggles and takes my arm. “Help me set up the table outside.”

She pulls me out the door and we take hold of the tablecloth and cutlery. “So,” she asks, shaking out the tablecloth, “what happened earlier with Blade?”

I groan. “I knew there was a reason you brought me out here.”

“Come on, spill.”

I help her to place the tablecloth, and try to carefully pick my words. Ah screw it, she’s my best friend, I might as well just lay it down. “He pretty much told me what we had was fun, I never asked for any more, and it grosses him out knowing I’m his step-sister now.”

Melanie screws up her nose. “What a jerk. It’s not like you knew that then.”

“No,” I huff. “That’s what I said.”

“So how’re you going to deal with the next month?”

I place some knives down. “I have no idea, honestly, I don’t.”

“And he’s going to be living in the same town . . .”

I groan. “Don’t remind me.”

She sighs. “He’s fine, you have to admit.”

I nod, letting my mouth turn down. “I never denied it, but now it just seems . . . wrong.”

“You never did tell me the full story about that weekend with him.”

I smile, going back to a time when things weren’t . . . forbidden. Yeesh, I hate that word. I mean, I understand if it’s an affair with a married man, or a sexual relationship with your teacher, but Blade has no relation to me. None whatsoever. It’s only forbidden because the word ‘brother’ is thrown around lightly. I’m beginning to hate that word and everything it means.

“No, so I didn’t.”

“Tell me.”

I shake my head. “No way. It’ll take all night.”

She crosses her arms. “You’ll be telling me before we leave this lake.”

I grin at her. “Yes, boss.”

She grins and then stares out over the lake. “We are so sneaking out one night and lighting a fire, or something terribly rebellious.”

I laugh softly. “My gosh, we couldn’t possibly.”

We so were.

The sound of a truck pulling up catches my attention and I turn to see Jack and Blade getting out with a cooler that would appear full because they’re both carrying it. I guess it was a successful fishing trip. They walk up onto the patio, and Blade’s eyes meet mine. My heart skips a beat, but I turn my gaze to Jack. “You did good, Jack?”