Captivated By You (Twisted Love #1) (4 page)

“Hold on tight and brace yourself,” he spoke, making my head spin already.

I held on to him fast, my fingernails digging into his arms as his fingers ministered to my sex. Again and again, he probed, until at the depth of ecstasy, I climaxed, sending my mind spiraling to an unknown realm.

“Wow. That was explosive,” I managed to rasp out once I caught my breath again.

“Yeah.” He agreed, barely holding himself together.

If getting finger-fucked by Julian caused me to lose my mind like this, I couldn’t imagine what his cock would do to me.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dinner that night was a battle between the two brothers. It was entertaining to watch them battle out who could garner my attention the longest.

“Kimberly, you should try this chicken. Freshly killed and cooked. No added hormones like in the city.” The younger brother, who sat on my right side, carved some roast chicken onto my plate.

“The vegetables here are also fresh. Father and Mother have a garden out back. Have you seen it?” Julian, who sat on my left, forked some onto my plate.

“Yes, I have, Julian. Josh showed them to me earlier today.” Josh smirked at his brother, since, in his eyes, he’d scored a brownie point from me already. I thought not. “Although, I prefer vegetables tonight.” I smiled at Josh and moved his chicken to the side of my plate.

Josh flashed a cold gaze at his brother, then took a sip of his wine to stop his jaw from clenching.

The tension inside the dining hall was thick. They both volleyed stares at each other. One of anger and contempt, the other of sincere and undisguisable sadness.

What caused the rift between the two? Surely, I was only a surplus to their already brewing storm. Josh had already told me to be careful around Julian, way before this event took place.

“Kimberly dear, vegetables are good for you, but a bit of protein is also good for the body,” Fiona said, adding more tension. And this time, I stared at the woman sitting in front of me, a little feeling of dislike creeping into my heart.

You say I should eat more protein for my body, but shouldn’t you be preaching that to yourself? Skin and bones hold you together. Maybe you should have some chicken too.

That was what I had in mind for Fiona, since she seemed to worry about my size-eight figure, but Julian said, “You should also eat some chicken.”

What? What is this? I thought he was on my side.

Then I felt it. Julian’s hand, gripping onto mine for the longest time, until I felt my anger dissipate.

“Beau, where are some good sightseeing places around in Brisbane?” I had to say something just to cut the tension. Julian released my hand then. I craved for his touch already.

“What awful hosts we are! There are many places, Kimberly. In fact, forget Brisbane. Go visit Surfers Paradise in the Gold Coast. That’s where all the young ones go.”

“I’ll be your guide. We could go to Movie World, if you like riding the roller coasters.” Josh’s face lit up at the mention of Surfers Paradise.

“I don’t ride on roller coasters. It makes me sick,” I said.

“Well, how about SeaWorld? We could go see the dolphins.”

Out of nowhere, I could feel someone’s finger lingering on my bare thigh. Someone who was sitting to my right. I glared at Josh, but he didn’t seem to notice my wrath. I stilled his fingers so he wouldn’t continue that abhorred action, but his fingers carried on moving.

“SeaWorld is definitely better than Movie World. We could even swim with the dolphins. I like the feeling of the water sliding off my skin. You’ll feel nice too, once you’ve had a swim with the dolphins,” he said, his eyes hinting at the dirty thoughts in his head while his hand continued to roam my thigh.

I tried again, catching his hand and stopping it, but his will was too strong. I couldn’t still it.

“If you don’t want to swim with the dolphins, we could go for the train ride. This Monday, I’ll take you there.”

A sly smile appeared on my lips. “I thought you had a meeting with the other board members on Monday. Or was that another day?”

I hit the jackpot. His eyes wavered, coming back into focus as he remembered his promise to the board members the other day.

I smirked and ripped his hand off my leg. He relented.

“Maybe Julian is free.” I decided to add more salt to his wound. “He could act as my guide. What do you think, Fiona?”

Fiona dropped her fork, staring at me like I was Medusa out to catch her boys. I only smiled. Josh was biting his lips, and Julian offered a small smile. The tension in the room was back again and by now was almost as thick as a block of butter. Only Beau seemed to be immune to this.

“Beau, what do you think?” I added more fuel to the already burning fire.

“I don’t see why not. Julian is free at the moment. Julian, what do you say, son? That project of yours is all done, right?” Beau turned to his son.

“Yes, Dad,” Julian replied, then turned to me and offered me a shy smile. “I’ll be happy to act as your guide.”

I smiled in satisfaction. “And when is your birthday? Papa wants to know,” I added, just to change the subject.

“Sometime in the next few months. I haven’t thought about it yet, but Geoffrey would definitely be invited. Fiona, will you help me organize?” Beau asked his wife.

“Isn’t that what a wife is for?” She spoke sharply.

Julian gripped his fork, his jaw clenching suddenly, and Josh just smirked.

At that moment, I was more confused than when I was playing the Rubik’s cube. Just what game was this family playing at?

CHAPTER FIVE

I woke up to a dry throat. It was already midnight, but nothing could be done except to get a drink of water. I recalled the kitchen being near to the lounge. And since my room was upstairs, I needed to take the stairs to reach the kitchen on the ground floor.

I arrived safely without getting lost on the way. Pouring some water into a glass, I took a sip to my heart’s content, when I felt a strong pair of hands came and crash me against a hard wall of chest.

“Kimberly.” The heavy alcoholic breath puffed into my ear.

I froze. Then upon recognizing that voice, I immediately twisted on my heel to push that chest away from me.

“Josh. What do you think you’re doing?”

“You don’t know what I’m doing?” Josh slurred as he came into the light. His hazel eyes were tired but hungry when he saw me in my nightdress. He pinned me against the wall and breathed out harshly, “I fucking want you. That’s what it is. Don’t tell me you didn’t get the hints I’ve been sending your way.”

“Well, you can go fuck yourself. I’m not interested in you.” I pushed him off again.

Josh stumbled backwards but regained his equilibrium just as fast, throwing me against the wall again. I cried when my back hit the hard surface.

“You’re playing hard to get, right, Kimberly? You want me too, right? I know you do. I saw the way you looked at me.”

“Are you an idiot?” I hissed. “I wasn’t looking at you.”

His nostrils flared and his eyes turned red. “So you want to fuck him, then, that stupid, meek brother of mine.”

I was scared shitless at Josh’s behavior, but I smirked, pretending his abnormal attitude had no effect on me.

“I can fuck whoever I want,” I shot back. “But just know it’s not you. Now get off me.”

“Today I don’t get you, but someday—you mark my words—I’m going to fuck you, over and over until you scream my name.”

“You fuck me and I’ll sue you. In fact, I’ll sue your father too. And forget about the joint proposal, because it’s not going to happen if you dare touch a single strand of my hair again.

Josh seemed to have woken up from his stupid alcoholic state then, realizing his mistake for angering me. He flinched but then tugged me forward, gripping my arm until I winced. “If I find out you fucked him, I won’t let you go.”

When Josh left, all my bravery slipped out of me. I sank to the floor and cradled myself into a fetal position.

What the fuck is up with him? Shit, I need to call Papa, Amelia, anyone.

“Kimberly.”

“Get off me.” I pushed at the unknown hand that suddenly appeared on my shoulder and rushed out of the kitchen. I didn’t know where I was heading, but I had to get away from there. Josh might come back.

“Kimberly.” Someone pulled at my arm and dragged me into their embrace.

“I said get off me. I want to go home. I don’t feel safe here anymore.” I fought at that chest, hitting it and clawing at it.

“Kimberly, wait, it’s me. Listen to me. It’s Julian.” That person gripped at my arm and shook me, intending to wake me up. It worked.

“Julian?” My foggy mind cleared up a bit when I heard his name. “Julian, is that really you?”

“Yes, it’s me, Kimberly. What’s wrong? Tell me what’s wrong.” His grip lessened and he took me in for another hug.

“Julian, Julian.” I repeatedly called out his name just to reassure myself he was there beside me. I hugged him and buried my face in his shirt, tears streaming down my face.

“What’s wrong? Tell me what’s wrong.”

His deep baritone voice soothed my soul. But still, I couldn’t speak. I just sniffled and cried until I was so exhausted I slipped to the floor. Julian caught me in time and carried me to my bedroom. He turned on the lamp and tucked me into bed. He kissed my forehead and held my hand.

“Please tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help you if you keep silent like this.”

“Julian,” I cried again and tried my hardest to explain the whole situation. But with hiccups and sobs, my voice became distorted.

“Why don’t you go to sleep? Tomorrow when you feel better, we can talk.”

Julian got up to leave after he kissed me on the forehead, but I stopped him.

“Please don’t leave me.” I gripped his hand tight. “Just stay with me until I fall asleep.”

I was scared. I didn’t want to stay inside this room, let alone inside this house. If Josh could attack me in the kitchen out in the open, then my bedroom would be like the golden sanctuary where he could get away with anything.

Julian covered my hand with his and rubbed it gently, giving me a warm glowy feeling of safety. “Don’t worry, Kimberly. I’ll watch you until you fall asleep.”

“Thanks.” I smiled weakly and closed my eyes.

After that exhausting episode, I fell asleep straightaway, knowing my handsome dark knight was only a short distance away, ready to protect me against any monsters lurking in the shadows.

CHAPTER SIX

Josh greeted me warmly the next morning, as if our episode from last night didn’t exist. I didn’t return his greeting. I walked straight past and sat down at the breakfast table where one of the kitchen staff was serving toast.

“Kimberly.” Josh came to sit next to me. “Did you hear me? I said good morning.”

Out here where there was sunlight, I wasn’t afraid of the shadow anymore.

“Don’t tell me you want to kiss and make up,” I hissed at him, totally ignoring him and smearing jam onto my slice of toast.

He smiled and asked playfully, “Did we kiss?”

“Get away from me, Josh. If my pa didn’t know your father, I would have been gone from this house last night.” I lashed out at him when he touched my arm.

His eyes looked frightened. “What… what happened last night? Did I do something to you?”

I had about enough of his acting. I slammed the knife down and glared at him.

“You said you want to fuck me.”

He swallowed, another frightful look flashing across his eyes.

“I don’t remember. Did I really say that?” Then he gripped my hand in alarm. “Kimberly, I’m sorry if I said all that. I really don’t remember. But I do like you. I like you a lot.”

“Get your hands off me.”

He let go of my hand without rebutting, his eyes looking lost. “I’m really sorry, Kimberly.” Then, like a psychotic person, he glared at me. “Was… was… Julian there?”

“No, he was not. You were the only one there.” I didn’t add that Julian was there to console me afterward.

“Kimberly, I’m sorry for whatever happened last night, but I would never force myself on you.”

“That’s a bit hard to believe when you’re gripping my wrist so tightly.”

Josh’s eyes flared up when he realized this. He let go of my wrist immediately.

“Please don’t mention anything to my parents,” he begged.

I was softhearted. So I made a bargain with him. “If you promise not to do that again, then we have a deal.”

“I promise.” He finally relaxed, his playful self now in full control. “How about a handshake?”

“Don’t ever flirt with me again,” I warned. “I’ll tell you again I’m not interested in you.”

He took my hand and shook it anyway, smiling softly at me. “Today you might not like me, but tomorrow, you might change your mind.”

I couldn’t understand what he meant by that, so I just shook my head, whipped my hand away from his grasp, and resumed pasting jam onto my toast.

All of a sudden, Josh banged his plate on the table.

I got annoyed. “What is your pro—”

“Why are you still here?” Josh shouted, cutting me off.

I looked up and saw Julian standing by the door. I was about to smile, but my lips froze in place when I saw his eyes brewing an angry storm. Julian must be angry, seeing a blissful picture of Josh and me eating our breakfast together. 

“Julian,” I called out to him. “Come have breakfast.”

“No, Kimberly. I’ve come to check if you’re fine. But you weren’t in your room.” His eyes flicked to his brother before falling back to me. “It seems like you’re fine now so I’m going back home.”

“Julian, wait.” I ran after him, leaving Josh to eat by himself. “Are you leaving already? Tell me you’re not leaving yet?”

I ran after him until we reached a secluded spot somewhere in the house.

“Julian.” I dragged him around to face me.

The expression on Julian’s face frightened me a bit, like a wild beast waiting to be unleashed. Looking to the left and right, he took my arm and dragged me inside a room, before slamming the door shut and locking it. He faced me, that frightened look gone, replaced instead with a tired expression.

“Kimberly.” He crowded my space, speaking in his low baritone. “I don’t share my woman with my brother. Just remember that.” And he turned to go, his hand pausing at the door.

I ran to him, hugging him from behind. His body went stiff again. I wound my arms around him tightly, preventing him from leaving me.

“Julian,” I whispered into his shirt. “I’m not your woman.”

He spun to face me, his facial muscles contorted with pain. “You’re right. You’re not my woman. You’re your own woman. A beautiful and capable woman who every man wants to claim. Even my brother.” His voice dropped to a deeper crescendo. “Even me. And I’m sorry for feeling this way towards you. I know I’ve only known you for a short time, but I like you. And for the benefit of the both of us, I won’t ever act this way around you again. So rest assured. There won’t be any hard feelings when you date Josh.”

Julian turned to go again after he gave me his confession. But I held him back, throwing myself into his arms, looking for that comfort I craved since last night.

“You stupid, awkward man.” I hugged him, digging my head deeper into the hollow of his neck, smelling his manly scent, which reminded me of earth and pine trees back in New Zealand, a scent I associated with peace and love. “Is that how you confess to a woman? Telling her you like her and then turning to leave.”

“Kimberly,” he said slowly, stroking my hair with love and affection. “I don’t know how else to tell you.”

I lifted my face to look at him. His glasses were fogged up. I removed them and placed them on a stand. I stroked his jaw, his morning stubble tickling the pads of my fingers.

“Julian,” I said, staring right into his eyes. His pupils were almost like a reflection of my soul, murky but clear at the same time. “Julian. When I say I’m not your woman, it’s because I’m not. You haven’t slept with me yet.”

“Kimberly…” His breathing changed, his breath coming in heavy fits. “My Kimberly.  I want you. I want you to be my woman.”

“Then take me.” I encouraged him by taking his hand and leading it to my breast.

Julian sucked in his breath upon the light contact.

“But Josh…” He wavered, his eyes unsure. “Josh likes you.”

“And I like you.”

“But—”

“Why are you being like this? Why are you being so noble to your brother? You said you don’t share your woman. And I’m willing to be your woman now. So take me.”

“If I take you, you can no longer belong to another man. Not ever in this lifetime.”

So that was what worried him.
My Julian, the worrywart.
To appease him, I kissed his lips and whispered, “I will never be with another man as long as you want me.”

“Promise me, Kimberly. I don’t think I can bear it if you no longer belong to me.”

“I belong to you, Julian. So take me.” And to encourage him and to make sure he didn’t back out of our deal, I removed my underwear and tossed it aside. Then I sat on what I found out to be a large bathroom basin and spread my legs wide so his eyes could get a good viewing of my desire down at the center of my core, which was waiting for him to claim it.

Julian was stunned, paralyzed by my bold move. I felt nervous, so nervous, now that I got his attention. I was scared he was going to unlock that door and walk out of here.

“You want me to take you?”

I nodded, not backing out.

“Then get ready to hold onto your seat.”

At that moment, it wasn’t Julian the meek and awkward man I’d come to like who spoke, but another virile beast, one who would rock my world and crash the very foundation I stood on.