His Rules

Hailey

"You may now kiss the bride."

As Coby and Mom kissed, the room erupted with applause and joyful whistles. It was a grand wedding, though attended only by family and friends known to my mom and Coby. We'd touched down in Los Angeles the night before, crashing at a hotel until the big day. Our luggage and whatnot had already been moved to Coby's mansion.

I couldn't quite figure out my feelings about this wedding yet, but seeing my mom and Coby so happy warmed something inside. It had been tough times; maybe the good ones were finally rolling in?

As long as my mom and Coby found happiness in this marriage, I was content too. Yet, I knew I would miss my former life—the city that nurtured my growth, the familiar faces I left behind, even if it only comprised Isla and a handful of others who shared our apartment building—the circle was small but it felt enough.

"I love you, darling," my mom whispered, tears trickling down her cheek. Coby wiped them away with a small smile. His eyes shimmered too.

"I love you too, Madison."

A smile stretched across my face as I observed them, surrounded by applause and airborne bouquets.

They were the picture-perfect couple.

"So, I suppose you're alright with this marriage?" A sudden voice from behind sent a shiver down my spine, making the hairs on my neck stand at attention. I gasped, swiftly pivoting to find myself face-to-chest with a figure adorned in a finely tailored, expensive suit emanating a familiar cologne that tingled my senses.

God, save me....

My gaze trailed upward, finally landing on Damien's face, which had eluded my sight until now. He looked as good as ever, albeit with slightly disheveled hair; It wasn't as neat as that day. Yet, it only added to his allure—he was still captivating.

But the burning question remained—had he just crashed the wedding? I had vividly scanned every nook earlier before, and he was nowhere in sight.

He couldn't be arriving late, could he?

"Did...did you just arrive?" I stammered.

"Well, I suppose so," he shrugged casually, positioning himself next to me. Our hands brushed, and I quickly withdrew mine, prompting a smirk to form on his lips.

Devil!

"This is your dad's wedding. How can you be okay with arriving late?" The question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it, and I instantly regretted it as his piercing gray eyes fixed on me with unwavering focus.

"It's not his first rodeo, bunny. So, it's no big deal, and weddings aren't that special anyway," he replied, shedding his suit with a weary groan, dropping it onto a nearby seat.

"Are you tired?"

His grin widened at my question.

Fuck it. Why was I bombarding him with questions? There had to be something wrong with me.

"Are you concerned?"

"No! Not at all," I quickly shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Why would I be concerned?"

"It's up to you to figure out the reasons, Bunny. I won't spell them out," he chuckled, taking a seat next to mine as we stood like most others, watching Coby and my mom.

There was something seriously off about this guy. I couldn't put my finger on it, but an air of danger surrounded him, despite the fact that he hadn't done anything overtly alarming. His presence... it had a certain edge to it. Something indescribable.

As he caught me standing, he unexpectedly piped up, "Why are you standing?" His eyebrow arched, and before I could respond, he grasped my wrist and swiftly maneuvered me back into my seat.

"What the fuck?" I gasped.

"Well, well... we curse too, huh?" He raised his eyebrows, a smirk playing on his lips.

Heat flooded my cheeks in embarrassment, but I refused to let my nerves get the better of me. "I'm an adult, aren't adults allowed to curse?" I retorted, shifting in my seat, trying to evade his intoxicating cologne.

"How old are you? Eighteen?" He inquired, tilting his head, and scrutinizing my reaction, and the expression he wore made my heart race ten times faster than before.

Calm down, Hailey.

You can do this.

"Wrong. I'm twenty," I corrected him, noticing the hint of a tug at the corner of his full lips.

"I'm twenty-six, Hailey," he reminded me, as if trying to nudge my memory. "So, with that six-year gap comes a certain right—that is, to discipline you..." His index finger unexpectedly traced the side of my face, and I involuntarily shuddered, pulling away. "I am your brother, after all. It's a brother's job to discipline their younger sister, don't you agree?"

Discipline? My foot.

"You're not my dad," the words spilled out before I could stop them. For fuck's sake—I could feel the intimidation, I could feel how much I already fucking liked him in ways I shouldn't but that didn't grant him the authority to dictate my actions.

"And I have no intention of being one," he chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that made me swallow hard. He was stirring up emotions I shouldn't be feeling—admitting it felt too soon but shit, he actually did. "But there's this reality, Bunny. Since Madison hasn't taken charge, someone has to, right? What's the harm if it happens to be your stepbrother?"

"I never wanted a brother in the first place, so it doesn't count," I blurted out, my voice barely audible under his intense gaze.

"So, you don't see me as your brother?" His lips twitched at the corner. Those lips looked...delicious—oh shit. Man, this was so wrong.

"If you keep acting like this, then no."

"Even better."

What in the—

"W-what?"

He let out another subtle laugh, sending a jolt through me that I tried to ignore, gripping tightly to my self-control, refusing to let my intrusive thoughts take over.

But then... he grasped the base of my chair, hauling it nearer until our faces nearly touched. My breath hitched as I gazed at him, utterly surprised, almost forgetting to blink.

Don't get wet, Hailey. Don't you fucking dare get wet!

Before I could open my mouth to blurt out yet another question, he spoke.

"Let me tell you something, Bunny," he began, his voice low and composed, his hand lifting to tuck a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. The look on his face dampened my panties and I felt the wetness slowly pooling at my bottom—fuck, "I've got more than one reason to keep you in line. And I'll warn you now, my methods aren't easy. Not something your mommy dearest might've prepared you for. You won't exactly fancy it, so how about you mind that lovely mouth of yours when you're around me?" His eyes grazed my lips, the sudden unease in his breaths mirroring mine.

God. His words...

"And if I refuse?" The question slipped out after I drew in a breah, trying to steel my nerves, and a flicker passed through his mesmerizing gray eyes, a mischievous grin spreading over his lips.

"You'll find out soon enough," he replied, rising, retrieving his coat, and sauntering away until he vanished into the crowd.

What was Damien's deal? What did he actually want?