Free Stepbrother: Forbidden Cravings: Stepbrother Romance Boxed Set by Heated Desires Publishing Page A

Michael said bitterly.
    We fell silent as Stanley served the main course. As the men spoke about business matters, Mom and I ate quietly. Occasionally I raised my eyes to observe Michael. I had never dreamt that he could be so handsome.
    The growth on his chin highlighting his strong jaw. His muscles rippling beneath his top with each movement that he made. Yet, even with his rough appearance this evening, he had a rugged look that I couldn’t help but find appealing. I pushed my thoughts aside. Michael was my step-brother, I shouldn’t be thinking like that about him.
    “There is something that I would like to ask you Maria love,” Trevor said as he turned to me.
    “What is that?” I asked curiously.
    “Do you think that you could help Michael in the office for a while? I know that you have your own job, but I couldn’t think of anyone better to help get things back in order.”
    My jaw fell open, the fork held in mid-air as I tried to absorb what Trevor had just said. I looked across the table as Michael, desperate to see some kind of signal from him. Yet he didn’t even raise his eyes to acknowledge me, simply continuing to clear his plate in silence.
    “I would be happy to help if I can,” I offered.
    With a grunt, Michael pushed his chair back. Instructing me to be ready to leave early in the morning before leaving the room.

Chapter Three
     
    Although I had agreed to help Michael resolve things with his company, I loathed working alongside him. I found him to be rude and abrupt, unprepared to listen to reason when I offered ideas to improve the running of things.
    As far as Michael was concerned, the failure of the business was not his fault and everything should be handled to his specification. I had never worked with such a stubborn and arrogant man before.
    So, after each day I felt exhausted. Only able to wash away the stresses of the day with a soak in a hot tub filled with bubbles. Then I could reflect on things in silence. How could such a handsome man have such a cruel persona? What could have possibly happened between him and his father to make Michael so bitter toward him?
    One Friday evening, following my bath I wrapped a robe around myself and stepped out onto the balcony. The sun was beginning to dip in the sky, and a light breeze had gathered. I inhaled deeply, breathing in the scents that surrounded me. Quickly I turned my head as I spotted Michael sat beside the pond. With a feeling of determination I dressed and headed outside.
    Michael lifted his head as he heard me approach. I offered him a smile as I sat on the lawn beside him. Gazing across the water, I wondered how to engage him in conversation. As our eyes met, I saw his expression soften slightly.
    “Look, I know I have been hard on you Maria. But my business is my whole world. I couldn’t bear to lose it, and hate that I have had to come here and ask Dad for help,” Michael explained.
    “Why don’t you get along with him?” I asked gently.
    “Because he never supported me. All he wanted was some robot who he could mould to take over his business. That wasn’t what I wanted so he made things as hard for me as he could. Dad’s business trips came before me.
    He was barely here as I was growing up. Sending me off to boarding school rather than spending any time with me. Ignoring me, and not even attending my graduation,” Michael blurted vehemently.
    I was stunned. After knowing Trevor, I found it hard to believe that he could be so tough on his only son. My heart went out to Michael. He sat looking so lost and alone, his face pale from all the stresses of trying to rebuild his company.
    Michael was obviously the type of person who preferred to make his own way in life. To be independent from his father’s wealth, and a man of his own making.
    This was a side to Michael that I had never seen before. Until now he had always remained at arm’s length. The majority of our time together spent in silence. Now, perhaps I was