Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“This is my daughter, Mei,” Mom says to them. “Mei, these are your stepsiblings, Cason and Addison.”
Cason smirks and gives me a lift of his chin in greeting. Addison wriggles her fingers at me, smiling broadly. With their golden hair, bright blue eyes, and perfect, shiny teeth, they remind me of otherworldly beings. Like fairies or angels or aliens.
“Hi,” I grumble. “Nice to meet you.”
Penny reaches for Addison and my chest caves in on itself. I want to cling to her, but she’ll throw a tantrum. It’s best to give her what she wants. Even though I’ve been gone for two weeks, she still wants this new sister over her old one.
Hysteria rises in my chest as my eyes water. Addison takes Penny and then they walk away, Cason trailing after them. I remain frozen, swallowing hard to get rid of the emotion clogging my throat.
“Dinner’s ready,” a deep voice booms from around the corner in what must be the kitchen. Everything is unfamiliar and I hate it.
Where are my things?
Footsteps thud over the hardwood floors and then a man strides into view. I shouldn’t be stunned by the fact he’s the older, masculine version of his children. Everything about him is…perfect. Like how you’d imagine Gabriel the archangel to look like. Muscles straining a tight dress shirt, tanned skin, an easygoing grin that’ll make you blush.
Heat chases away my misery and I’m disgusted with myself. This is my mother’s new husband. Why is my stomach fluttering and my heart racing?
Because he’s gorgeous.
“This is Mei,” Mom says, gesturing at me. “I need wine.”
She disappears, already quite at home in this mystery house. I remain rooted in place, stunned by the beautiful man in front of me.
He approaches slowly and offers a strong, veiny hand toward me. I awkwardly take it in mine, trying not to be affected when a zap of what must be static electricity buzzes at our connection.
“We’ve all been dying to meet you,” her husband says, voice warm and jovial. After spending two weeks with Dad and then an icy car ride with Mom, it’s jarring to feel so welcomed by someone I’ve just met. “I’m Owen Monahan. Your mother has told me so much about you.”
I pluck my hand out of his and force a smile. “Unfortunately, I learned about you not even ten minutes ago.”
His smile falls. “Wait. You’re serious?”
“Yup.”
“Okay. Wow.” He lets loose a rush of air. “Um, sorry about that. I wish Jin would’ve warned you.”
His words are kind, bordering on embarrassed. It softens me to him for some strange reason.
“We’re typically an afterthought in Mom’s head,” I say bitterly. “Sorry. I don’t want to take this out on you.”
He steps so close I can smell his cologne. It’s clean and crisp and obviously expensive. Better than any guy I’ve ever inhaled.
Not that I go around filling my lungs with another man’s scent. This would be a first.
Burning heat races over my flesh, no doubt giving away my thoughts. I peek up at this man beneath my lashes, wondering if he can see my humiliation. Navy blue eyes bore into me, a small frown tugging at his full lips.
My mother kisses those lips.
Naturally, the first man I’ve had an intense, visceral reaction to would be claimed by my mother. It tracks for my life thus far. Penny and I get the leftovers.
“Hey,” he says, voice rumbling and low. “It’s going to be okay. I realize this is abrupt and strange. But, I promise we’ll do whatever we can to make you feel welcome.”
At least he’s nice.
Mom doesn’t exactly date, much less marry, but I didn’t expect a man like Owen to be her type.
“Come on,” Owen says, gesturing toward where the kitchen must be. “I made steak and baked potatoes. You have to be starving after your flight.”
His hand moves to the small of my back and he guides me toward the kitchen. I suppress a shiver at his touch. Because his hand is so large, it splays across most of my lower back, teasing at the top of my ass. This time, I feel heat much lower.
Shameful.
Owen shows me into the kitchen and then points at a stack of plates where Cason is already snagging one. Mom is rapid-fire texting with one hand and has a full wineglass poised near her mouth in the other. Addison is blowing raspberries on Penny’s cheek.
I don’t know this world.
Not this nice family or even this house, but the circumstance. The situation my mother has put me in. I’m way out of my depth and gasping for air.
Get it together, Mei.
Breathe.
Owen gives me a quick, reassuring wink and all air is sucked from my lungs.
So much for breathing.
Chapter 3
Owen
She didn’t tell her.
What the actual fuck?
The look of shock, confusion, and hurt on Mei’s face was a kick to the balls. It was the slight wobble of her chin that made my heart sink. Then the sheen of tears in her eyes and how her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment nearly did me in.