WRAPPED IN SIN: UNDER THE MISTLETOE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

Arlyn “Argh!” I hissed as the wind kept blowing strands of my hair into my face. I should have put it up in a ponytail. I should have done a lot of things differently. Like not trusting a man like Liam. But here I was on December 15th, heartbroken, dragging my luggage through the airport, trying not to think about walking in on him with another woman—not just any woman, my academic rival. My chest tightened again at the thought. And to think I planned on introducing him to my mother this Christmas. How could he do that? How could the man who claimed I was his soulmate claw out my heart like I meant nothing. I trusted him. I loved him. He was the only man that made my heart beat. Now, he was the only man that shattered my heart. I bumped into a hard body on my way to drop my luggage at the luggage terminal. When I looked up, a tall man was walking away with long, fast strides without a single word of remorse. “Why not try watching where you're going, asshole!” I yelled, almost stumbling against my box. He was either ignoring me or didn't hear me. Either way, I wished he would fall or something. I let out a sigh. This whole break up was making me erratic. I had to get a fucking grip! As soon as I was done checking my bag out in the baggage section. I made my way to the plane. As I entered the plane, my phone chimed indicating a text. Thinking it was my mom, asking for the millionth time if I was on the plane yet, I opened it to find that it was Liam…agai Please talk to me, Arl. I'm begging. I read Just as I finished reading, another text came in. She didn't mean anything. It was a mistake. Where are you?! I scoffed. Now, he cared to know where I was. I turned off my phone, found my seat on the plane, put on my headset, and stayed that way for the two hours flight, ignoring the pain in my chest and the tears that tried to claw out of my eyes. As soon as the plane landed, my heart broke all over again when I saw couples all around me, holding hands wearing matching winter jackets, giggling, kissing and enjoying the Christmas cheer while I was alone and with a scar in my chest. I sighed, then saw my reflection in a glass pane. I sucked in a breath at how I looked. I looked plain. Same brown hair, brown eyes since kindergarten. Depression clawed at my chest, and it wasn't just because Liam had destroyed my trust in men. A beautiful blonde girl walked past me, confident, and head held up high like she was the queen of her own universe. I followed her with my eyes. Maybe what I needed was a change. If I looked like that, no man could make me feel less of myself. I glanced back at my reflection, and squared my shoulders. I was going to change my hair and wardrobe. As soon as I took my bag from the baggage terminal, I made my way to the airport mall. Mom and her new husband would have to wait a couple of hours. Besides, changing my hair and wardrobe would draw attention away from the fact that I didn't bring home a boyfriend like my mom was expecting. I was close to a hair shop, when someone suddenly bumped into me, and then snatched my purse in the same breath. “Hey, that's mine!” I yelled, and sprinted after the man in a tan coat. A couple passing by blocked my path, and for a second, I lost the thief. Shit! That purse contained my phone and Cash app. “Help, that guy stole my purse.” I pointed, but nobody did anything just stared. I tripped on a toddler's shoe, and then almost fell, but caught myself This was not how I wanted to spend the first day of my Christmas holiday. As I looked up again, the man in a tanned coat had suddenly stopped in front of a clothing store. He was trying to get out. I pounced on him without a second thought. “Thief! Give me back my purse.” I bit his face before I realized what I had done. The man pried me off him, confused by my odd actions. “What are you doing?” He growled, pinning me against the wall. “You stole my purse! Let me go!” I growled Then I saw his face, and my body melted for a moment He was breathtaking, handsome. The type of handsome that made 1 The kind that if you stared at for too long made you anxious. I shook myself out of the dazed state when the realization dropped like a bomb that I was staring at a thief longingly. This was how people died, Arlyn! They fall for a serial killer for his good looks, and then he dismembers them “Help, this man stole my purse, and is trying to beat me up! You're not going anywhere, Mr!” I hissed. “What? That's not true!” the man gritted, his beautiful eyes boring into mine. “Then explain why my purse is in your hand!” I glared. “Wait a minute, miss!” A random stranger intervened. “He isn't a thief. He helped you take down the thief and was returning your purse…” Then I saw the airport security taking someone wearing the exact same “Yeah, that's him right there.” Another woman pointed. “The handsome man is innocent.” another older man spoke. I saw a man wearing the exact same coat as him…a cheaper version. He was not nearly as handsome as him. He was being dragged by security. I turned to the handsome man with dark curls, and let go of him, then stepped back immediately. *I…I am so sorry. I didn't mean to…I apologize.” I murmured, but he just stared at me like he was trying to piece something together. “Honest mistake.” He dralwed. “Yes. Can I maybe buy you something to make up for it?” I found myself saying. He gave me a once over before speaking. “That would be nice, but I have somewhere to be.” His voice. God, his voice made me melt. Men like these were supposed to exist in books only. “Merry Christmas.” He said, his eyes fixed on me, assessing, and hypnotizing. The moment ended when a shrill sound came from his pocket. His phone. He picked up his phone, and made his way past me without another word. I watched him go, my heart racing like I had just ran a marathon. Technically, I had. I didn't look away from him until he disappeared out of the airport.