After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 29

When Mom and Thomas were back home, I asked them to gather in the living room. I sat with my hands over my knees. On my right side was Luke wearing an impassive face. His arms folded across his chest. Fortunately, Nate agreed to stay, who was now at my left. A bit confused with the sudden family meeting, he didn't ask any more questions.

I cleared my throat. "Well." I licked my lips. "I just wanted you to know that um… I need to…" I glanced up at Luke's face, still emotionless. He noticed me looking at him, then raised an eyebrow. I looked away quickly.

"Sweetheart, what's going on?" my mother frowned in confusion. Thomas seemed to have been keeping his usual calmness next to Mom, but he looked bothered as well.

"I think I need to—"

Luke rolled his eyes. "She's coming with me tomorrow."

"What?!" Nate reacted.

The world seemed to have stopped for everyone, followed by a moment of awkward silence.

Finally, Thomas spoke, "What is this all about? This is too sudden. Scarlet agreed to stay here for a week."

Mom touched Thomas' knee. "Yes. I thought everything was settled. Is there anything urgent?"

"Uh, yeah!" I clasped my hands. "Something came up, and I asked Luke if… if I could come with him since he's leaving for Cambridge tomorrow."

"Is this about this boy? Nathaniel, isn't it?" Thomas questioned, curiously looking at Nate.

"Oh, no." Nate lifted both palms in surrender. "I don't know what's going on, Mr. Alejandro. I just came by so we could help each other with the thesis."

"Are you Scarlet's boyfriend?" Thomas asked him directly.

"Thomas!" My voice raised an octave. "We're best friends, and he's Katherine's boyfriend." I heaved a sigh. "Look, my graduation is coming. I don't really have enough time to finish everything, and we could still have a lot of time when I graduate," I reasoned.

"But you promised me, Scarlet. You still have three days left," Mom insisted.

Yeah, another three boring days.

"Mom, come on. You and Thomas are barely even home," I almost yelled, which made me instantly cover my mouth.

Mom was stunned. "Scarlet…"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. But I'm still going to leave with Luke tomorrow. Now, I don't want to be rude, but will you please excuse me?" I finally stood. I couldn't believe I was doing this.

All because Luke was blackmailing me. Damn him.

I signaled Nate to come with me. He excused himself as well and followed me to the poolside.

I slumped on the edge and soaked my feet in the sparkling blue water. It somehow relaxed me. Seconds later, Nate sat next to me.

"You have a nice home," he commented.

"Yeah."

Silence.

"I don't know what's going on with you, Scar," he stated, looking at the water. "Whatever's happening, you always tell me what's wrong. But why on earth are you coming back so soon? I asked you if you want to come with me, Katherine asked you, you said no. Then why now?"

"It's complicated, Nate. If I tell you, I'm sure you will understand. I just don't want to talk about it for now."

He put his hands on my shoulder. "Is he bothering you? Your stepbrother?"

I replied with a slight nod. With Nate, I always felt I could be myself.

"He's making it hard for you. Knowing he's also Jax, isn't he?"

It was more than that. He knew my secret.

"Kinda."

"We will be here for you no matter what, okay? But isn't this better? I thought you didn't like to stay here." He flashed a faint smile.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"But do you really have to go with him? Why don't you just come with me?"

"It's okay. I'm going with him."

"Okay." He rubbed my back gently. "Don't be sad. It's making you look uglier than you already are."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay! Okay. I feel fine when you're here, Nate. Thank you."

He chuckled. "Good. You look less ugly now. You don't need to thank me. I'm your best friend. Come here." He spread out his arms and enveloped me in them. I rested my head on his shoulder and hugged him back.

"What am I going to do without you and Katherine?"

"We are always here. Katherine is going to be so happy to see you." He released me then messed up my hair. "It's getting late. I think your stepbrother doesn't like me, so I might need to go. I'll just see you tomorrow then."

"Sure." I finally smiled.

I looked into his mysterious gray eyes. He had no idea I'd wanted him for so long. "I think we are trapped in a box without a chance of getting out," I said breathlessly.

"Yes," he breathed. "And you're Ericka. That changes everything."

But even though I wanted him so bad, it was wrong. I knew I'd lose in the end. My fear was beginning to take over me. I was already falling for him.

"We're going to make a big fat mistake if we do this, Jax."

"It's Luke." He pressed his forehead to mine, and his hand trailed the small of my back. We both released a breath of pleasure. We liked how we felt about each other. Luke finally opened up. He was the Jax I remembered, and this time, it wasn't in the virtual world anymore, but reality. This was how it was supposed to be.

"And then this thing I found out about you. I can't still believe it. How?"

"No one can know." I shut my eyes, remembering the horror of my past. I didn't want to disclose anything about it. It was still too painful. "And I don't want to talk about it."

He didn't answer, but eventually, he nodded.

"Say you agree with my proposition."

"Do I have a choice?"

"There's no other choice. I won't let you refuse either." He pressed a light kiss on the lips. It sent millions of tiny electric bolts in my veins, rushing to my inner core. He was aware of the effect he had on me.

"Hmm…"

"Say yes, and I'll give us both everything we need."

This was something I needed for a long time. Me and him. He was just my crush when I first saw him, and ever since that day, I knew I wanted him. Now he was offering himself to me. I just had to say yes, and he's mine. I couldn't wait to taste him, run my fingers all over his body, and touch him in every way I wanted.

It all still seemed too good to be true, but it was also dangerous, which made it more thrilling... exciting. I had officially lost my mind; I wanted my stepbrother to own me.

"For two months," I whispered. "Is this no strings attached? No feelings?"

"I don't prefer it any other way. Are we good?" His thumb brushed my cheek, and his free hand moved to my ass and squeezed. I shut my eyes.

"Y-yes…" I answered breathlessly. I wouldn't want it any other way either. I still wasn't ready to give something more, but the pleasure was too good.

"Good. But this arrangement has to have rules."

I opened and gazed at his eyes, now scorching in need. And that's exactly what I needed.

Rules.