Page 34 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

I tried to move past him‚ to just end this before it destroyed me any more than it already had‚ but his hand shot out and stopped me‚ holding me in place.

"Anna… baby…"

I closed my eyes‚ hating the way that word still made something ache deep inside me."But do you think it will be possible?"I asked him quietly."From the look of things‚ that's Dad's friend.If you cut the relationship‚ that means you're risking their friendship.Dad's happy about this whole betrothed thing‚ Ryan.They even flew in from Europe for it."

"I don't care‚ Anna.I fucking don't care‚" he said‚ his voice hard and certain."I want to be with you.Only you."

And God‚ I wanted to believe him.But my chest felt heavy‚ and I could already feel the sharp edge of reality pressing in."Ryan… don't do what you're planning to do.Whatever this is—what we have—it doesn't even have a name.It's not like we're in a real relationship.And it's definitely not going to lead anywhere.One of these days‚ we'll have to separate and face reality.It's better this way."I tried to sound brave‚ but my voice wavered anyway.

His eyes darkened, his grip on me tightening."What we have‚ Anna‚ isn't nameless.I believe we are in a relationship."

I let out a bitter little laugh‚ though it hurt even as it came out."This is reality‚ Ryan.Wake up.You have a betrothed.Whatever we have can't be a relationship.And… as much as it hurts‚ I guess I'm glad I found out now‚ before I let myself fall even deeper.At least this way‚ it'll be easier to detach."

He groaned‚ his voice almost pained."Anna‚ what we have is real.You're mine.You were made for me.I won't leave you for anyone else."

And then I saw it again.His eyes… golden yellow‚ glowing‚ inhuman.His grip on me was almost too much‚ his fingers digging into my waist‚ and I swear I could feel his nails lengthening‚ his teeth sharpening into fangs.

My heart pounded."What… what…"

He blinked hard and shook his head as if shaking off some wild thought‚ his features shifting back to normal.He groaned quietly.

"What was that?"I asked‚ my voice barely above a whisper.

"Nothing‚" he said quickly‚ too quickly.

I stared at him‚ really stared‚ searching his face for an answer I knew he wouldn't give me.Then I lifted my hands to his cheeks‚ holding him there so he had no choice but to meet my eyes.

"Fuck me‚" I said‚ my voice trembling but somehow coming out firm‚ as if I'd already made up my mind.

Ryan's eyes snapped to mine‚ his brows furrowing."What?"

"I said fuck me‚ Ryan."

His jaw tightened‚ his breathing sharp."Anna…" he groaned‚ almost like he didn't know whether to pull me into him or push me away.

"Please…" I whispered‚ my throat tightening as I forced the words out."This is going to be our last time having sex.Because after this dinner‚ this… whatever we have… it has to stop.Guilt won't let me go any further.So now… I just want to live in oblivion for a little while.Please… take me now."

I went on my toes and crashed my lips into his‚ shutting out everything else—the dinner‚ Sophie‚ my own heartbreak—just needing to feel him one more time before I had to let go.He kissed me back instantly‚ groaning against my mouth‚ his hands gripping my waist so tightly it almost hurt‚ as if he was terrified I'd slip away if he loosened his hold for even a second.But then‚ just as quickly‚ he broke the kiss‚ his forehead resting against mine‚ his breath rough and uneven.

His eyes searched mine‚ burning with something between hurt and fury."Do you even hear yourself right now?"he said‚ his voice low but sharp‚ each word hitting like a slap."Last time?You think I'm going to let you decide that this is over just because you've convinced yourself it's the noble thing to do?"

"Ryan—"

"No."His voice deepened‚ that commanding edge rolling through it‚ making my chest tighten."You can call this our last time fucking if that's what you want to tell yourself‚ but understand something‚ Anna—this is definitely not the last time I'll make love to you."

And before I could even find a response‚ his mouth was on mine again‚ hard and demanding‚ kissing me as if he was staking his claim all over again‚ as if he was making sure I knew he wasn't letting me go no matter what I said.

CHAPTER 135

Ryan's POV

The second my hands closed over her ass I knew I wasn't letting go‚ not now‚ not when she was right here pressed against me‚ kissing me like she wanted to drown in it‚ like breathing wasn't even a priority anymore‚ and I kissed her back just as hungrily‚ my hands moving without thought‚ sliding up her back‚ around her waist‚ gripping and dragging her even closer because somehow‚ even with her chest pressed hard to mine‚ it still didn't feel close enough.She pulled me deeper‚ her hand slipping under my white shirt‚ and the moment her palm met my bare chest I groaned into her mouth‚ the sound low and rough‚ my muscles tensing under her touch as my pulse kicked up hard.She fumbled at my buttons in her rush‚ but when they didn't open fast enough she just tore the shirt apart‚ buttons scattering across the floor‚ and I couldn't bring myself to care for even a second.

I kept kissing her while she shoved the shirt from my shoulders‚ swallowing every moan that spilled from her‚ each one louder‚ needier‚ making me grip her tighter.My hands went for her clothes‚ ready to strip her myself‚ but she stopped me‚ stepping back just far enough to start taking them off herself‚ slow at first‚ teasing me on purpose‚ every move dragging my eyes over her as if I had no choice in the matter.

"Fuck‚" I muttered‚ shaking my head as she peeled her top away."Fuck‚ anna… I'll never get over this body."

She unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down those long‚ perfect legs‚ and I didn't even let her finish before I grabbed her‚ lifting her and tossing her onto the bed.She landed with a soft bounce‚ and I was on her instantly‚ yanking her jeans off‚ unclasping her bra and flinging it somewhere behind me without looking‚ then hooking my fingers into her panties and dragging them down‚ my cock throbbing at the sight of her laid out beneath me like that.