Page 25 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

My breath caught.

It was his voice.But not the one I was used to.This one was deeper‚ softer‚ darker somehow.Like he was trying to hold back something.

"Open the door."

I stayed frozen.Every part of me wanted to run to the door‚ to open it‚ to throw myself into his arms.But I didn't.I couldn't.Not after what just happened.

another knock.Then another.

"anna… fuck… open the door‚ baby."

He sounded like he was in pain.Like he was struggling to even say those words.But I couldn't move.I wasn't ready.Not when my body was still trembling from the shame of how he'd thrown me out.I clutched the blanket tighter around me‚ buried my face into the wet pillow‚ and prayed he'd go away.

"Baby… open the door.I'm—fuck‚ I'm really sorry for how I spoke earlier.Please‚ fucking open the door.I need to see you.I need you.I'm fucking dying here…"

That broke something in me.But still‚ I didn't move.

Then he started banging.

Not knocking.Banging.

"Baby‚ please answer me!I know you're not sleeping!I can feel you're awake so open the damn door!"

His voice was raised now‚ frustrated and desperate.

"Ryan‚ just go‚" I said‚ trying to sound firm even as my voice cracked."I don't want to see you or have anything to do with you anymore."

"Well‚ I want to!"he shouted back."I need to see you or I might lose my fucking mind‚ anna‚ so do both of us the fucking favor and open this damn door before I break in."

"You dare not‚ Ryan!"I yelled‚ sitting up‚ the blanket falling off my shoulders."Don't you get it?I don't want anything with you anymore!"

There was a beat of silence.Then his voice came again‚ deep and guttural.

"anna.Open this fucking door.Now.Or I will break in."

My heart dropped.

I stayed quiet.Maybe if I didn't say anything‚ he'd give up.Maybe he'd go.

But then I heard it‚ the sound of a key turning in the lock.

The door swung open.

Ryan stood there‚ breathing hard‚ his jaw tight‚ his eyes… his eyes weren't the same.They were darker.Shadowed.Like a storm was inside them.

"anna."

"Get out!"I snapped."I said I don't want to see you or talk to you.Why don't you fucking get it?Just leave me alone!"

He flinched but stepped inside anyway‚ shutting the door behind him.

"You wanted me to leave before‚ right?"I said‚ my voice rising as I stood from the bed‚ trying to stay strong even though my knees were weak."You said it yourself this morning.and again tonight.So I will!I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning.I'll get the fuck out of your life.Now can you please do me the favor of leaving me the hell alone?!Just go!Leave this room!I know it's yours‚ this whole house is yours and I'm just a fucking guest‚ so let me enjoy my last few hours here in peace!"

My whole body was shaking.With anger.With humiliation.With everything.

Especially want.

Even while I was screaming at him‚ even while my voice was full of rage and hurt‚ my body was reacting to the way he was looking at me.The way he stepped closer‚ his dark eyes locked on me like he could see through my soul.