WRAPPED IN SIN: UNDER THE MISTLETOE WITH MY STEPBROTHER

Arlyn I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my eardrums, each thud trying to outdo the last. There was definitely no way the stranger I had bitten at the airport was standing in here, staring at me like I was some bizarre painting he never asked to see. Yet, here he was In the flesh, same clothes, and his perfectly sculpted body. Oh God. Oh God….Is this some kind of punishment? An involuntary cough escaped my lips and my mom looked at me in concern. “Everything okay?” she asked, glancing between Reid and me like she could already tell something was up. I hated how observant she was. “Huh?” I asked, trying to stall my answer, so I could think of a perfect answer to give. If I told her that I knew him, she'd ask how, and id have to say I met him in the airport, and knowing my mother, she'd pry even more, and he might just tell her that I had bitten him which was an embarrassing situation in and out of itself. “Do you two know each other?” Mom proceeded to ask. “No,” Reid replied before I could even open my mouth. I stared dumbfounded at him. He hadn’t even hesitated. Just a straight up no. “Never seen her before,” he added carelessly, sliding his phone into his coat pocket. “I assume she’s my new sister?” He didn’t look at me when he said it. Rather he looked past me, like I wasn’t worth the effort. A shiver ran down my spine. He was colder than he’d been at the airport, and somehow even more ridiculously handsome. How was that even possible? Mom smiled brightly. “I’m glad you’re here, Reid.” But instead of returning her warmth, he looked at her like she was something he could barely tolerate. Like a bug. Okay… that was odd. Ella stepped forward, hugging Mom tightly. “We’re glad to be here, Aunt.” “I have so much planned for you all,” Mom beamed at her. “This is going to be an amazing Christmas.” Ella nodded enthusiastically but Reid ignored her completely, eyes glued to his phone like nothing else mattered How rude. Ella turned to me. “Nice to meet you… I'm Ella,” she said with a grin before pulling me into a hug. Her warmth was instant, a direct opposite of her cousin. “Arlyn.” I said as the wind knocked out of me. “Beautiful name. Your mom has told us so much about you. I wish you could be at the wedding.” she said, pulling away almost reluctantly. “Well, you should all freshen up while I finish dinner,” Mom said. Reid walked off without a word, brushing past me so close our shoulders nearly collided. I smelled his cologne, something expensive enough to probably buy my phone. He didn’t stop or look my way. It was almost like I had become invisible to him. My eyes followed him all the way to the grand staircase. Not once did he even glance back, and strangely that stung. “He’s cold like that except for me and well… mum,” Ella said bluntly. I blinked. “…What?” “Reid,” she clarified with a roll of her eyes. “Oh.” I nodded awkwardly. “Yeah, I noticed.” “You will get used to him in time.” She leaned in and whispered as if sharing state secrets. “Come on.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs towards my room. Ella closed the door behind us and scanned the space. “Where are your things?” “Um… I just brought the two boxes.” “You aren’t planning on staying long, are you?” I shrugged, sitting on the edge of my overly luxurious king-sized bed. “I mean… it depends. On things.” On whether I could survive being in the same house as the man I had practically assaulted in an airport. She plopped onto the bed beside me, crossing her legs. “So. Spill. Why do you look like a monster's out to get you?” I laughed heartily. The girl sure had her ways with words. “I… uh… just didn't expect to see him here.” “Who? Reid?” I nodded, rubbing my palms together. “We… met earlier today.” Ella’s brows shot up in curious surprise. “You did?” “Yeah. At the airport.” I admitted carefully. I swallowed hard, remembering. “I… may have accused him of stealing my purse.” She stared at me like she was looking at a fool. “What?” “It was a misunderstanding!” I said quickly. “Someone snatched my purse, and he was holding it afterward, and I kind of… jumped him and bit his face.” Ella choked as laughter bubbled out unexpectedly. “You bit him?!” I groaned and hid my face in my hands. “Don’t remind me.” “And he was innocent?” “Unfortunately, yes.” Her laugh was loud and unrestrained. “Oh my God. I wish I had seen that!” “It wasn’t funny,” I muttered, though even I almost laughed at how ridiculous it sounded. “He must think I’m insane.” “He’s judgmental as hell,” Ella said. “He judges everyone.” “Why?” She looked at the door as if making sure no one was listening. “Reid doesn’t like his stepmom. At all.” My stomach tightened. “My mom?” Ella winced. “Yeah. He thinks she’s a gold-digger.” My jaw dropped. “My mom got married because she fell in love. How does that make her a gold-digger? She’s a doctor!” “I know.” Ella shrugged. “But he’s stubborn. And he thinks any woman close to Brad is after money. He doesn’t trust easily.” I sat back against the headboard, letting the information sink in. That explained his cold attitude. He didn’t hate me because of the airport drama. He hated me because of who my mother was married to. “And now,” I muttered dryly, “he probably thinks I’m one too.” “Probably,” Ella said honestly. “But don’t worry. He hates everyone equally. Except me.” “How lovely.” Ella nudged me with her shoulder. “Give him time. He’ll get over himself eventually.” Would he? I was doubtful. I stood and paced the room, chewing on my bottom lip. “I should apologize. Properly…Like an adult.” “Good luck with that.” Ella snorted. “He doesn’t do emotional conversations.” “Who said anything about emotional? I just don’t want him thinking I go around biting innocent men for fun.” “You kinda did today…” “Ella!” She cackled. This girl was troublemaker through and through. The look Reid had given me downstairs wasn’t only cold, it was suspicious. Like he was evaluating me, calculating something. He thought he already knew what I was. Who I was, what role I played in the story he’d already written in his head. And I hated that. “Okay,” Ella clapped her hands, hopping off the bed. “Dinner should be soon. Want to change?” I glanced at my reflection in the full-length mirror, at my just dyed hair, the soft makeup and the white sweater that made me look like a barbie freak. “I’m fine,” I breathed. But inside, I was anything but fine. Because tonight, I would have to sit across from the man who thought my mother was a parasite… And probably thought I was one too. ***** Dinner was in an elegant dining room, the type I only saw on TV. The chandelier alone probably cost more than my college tuition. Everyone was seated when I walked in, Mom, Bradley, Ella, and Reid. Reid’s eyes flicked up briefly before dropping back to his food. Judgemental and dismissive. I swallowed and took my seat across from him. “Arlyn,” Bradley said kindly, “how was your flight?” “Fine,” I answered, trying to ignore the weight of Reid’s silence. Mom smiled proudly at me. “Did you see the mall at the airport? The decorations this year—” “She did,” Reid cut in. “She was busy chasing thieves.” My stomach dropped. Of course he would… Ella shot him a sharp look. “Reid.” He didn’t care. Mom blinked slowly. “Thieves?” I cleared my throat. “It was… nothing. Just a misunderstanding.” Reid’s mouth twitched, something between irritation and amusement. But he said nothing else, returning to his meal like I was not just across from him. “Wait. I thought you two said you didn't know each other?” Mom asked. “We don't.” Reid said. I tried to calm myself. “Actually,” I began quietly, eyes fixed on the table, “I wanted to apologize. To Reid.” The room went silent. Reid’s gaze lifted, piercing and dark. “Why? Because you don't want__?” I toned out the rest of what he was saying. “No,” I said firmly, meeting his eyes. “Because I was wrong.” The table stayed silent for a beat too long. Reid leaned back in his chair, studying me like I was a puzzle missing several pieces. “Honest mistake,” he said finally, echoing his airport words. Only this time, his voice was colder. And even more suspicious… like he thought I was plotting something. To him, I was just another extension of my mother’s new wealthy life. Another woman pretending innocence. And that stung more than I cared to admit. Dinner resumed, conversations flowing around me, but all I could feel was his judgemental eyes pressing against my skin. I had walked into this house hoping for a fresh start, a new beginning. Instead, I was knee-deep in tension with the coldest man I’d ever met. And worst of all? For reasons I didn’t dare examine… I couldn’t stop noticing him.