The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

After hanging up the phone, Orla quickly went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup. She pulled her dress down a bit, then securely closed the curtains in the room before finally turning off the lights and getting into bed.

Orla held her breath in the darkness, waiting. Despite feeling nervous, she reassured herself that no man had ever been able to resist her charms.

Outside the door came a knock, followed by a beep-the sound of Logan swiping his card to enter. Orla’s heart pounded nervously.

“Annabel.”

She softly responded with a faint “mm-hmm” and vaguely saw a tall, slender figure appear beside the bed. She heard him say gently, “Looks like you’ve had too much to drink again. Let’s go home.”

She could smell the heavy scent of alcohol on him. Tonight, he had been sitting alone in a corner, lost in thought, one drink after another. Orla had wanted to comfort him, but she had been constantly surrounded by fans and unable to break away.

Seeing him reach for the light switch on the wall, she quickly reached out and grabbed his hand. Logan chuckled softly, “What’s wrong?”

Orla felt his gentle hand on her forehead. Privately, he was so tender with Annabel. In the darkness, his eyes seemed to shimmer like stars in the night sky, dazzling and bright. She longed for him to be closer, so she pulled him down, rolling on top of him. Without hesitation, she pressed her lips against his, feeling his body suddenly stiffen as he tried to push her away.

But Orla couldn’t let go. Her hands tightly gripped him. He hesitated for a moment, confusion flickering in his dark eyes, then he became more responsive. His kiss was awkward and inexperienced.

Suddenly, the light switched on, followed by a voice from outside, “Why didn’t you close the door, Orla?”

Logan abruptly pushed Orla away, now half-sober.

As the two in the room came into focus, Annabel and Mason were both stunned.

“What are you two doing…”

Annabel felt embarrassed. How did it seem like she was catching them in the act?

Orla’s clothes were almost slipping down to her chest, Logan’s hair was disheveled, and his face was flushed, looking alluring. Orla had once joked about seducing Logan, but she hadn’t expected to actually go through with it. While Annabel might have liked David enough to dream about stealing a kiss, she would never dare to think of such things. Orla was indeed bold and daring.

Logan glanced at Annabel and then back at Orla. “How could it be you?”

Orla’s enthusiasm was extinguished by the disappointment in Logan’s eyes. His momentary panic revealed a secret he dared not express, angering Orla. “Of course, it’s me! Didn’t you know it was me who came over? What are you pretending for?”

“I’m sorry!” Logan apologized, picking up his school uniform from the floor and preparing to leave.

“You stay put!” Mason’s face turned livid as he stormed over, grabbing Logan by the collar and landing a punch.

Slowly rising from the ground, Logan wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth, his gaze towards Mason carrying a hint of menace. “You want more?”

Mason lunged again, and Orla screamed, “Stop!”

She stood in front of Logan, pointing at Mason and shouting, “Mason, you have no right to interfere in my affairs! I like him, and I’m willing to! You may like me, but I don’t owe you anything!”

Mason flew into a rage, sweeping the teacup on the table to the ground with a bang and pointing at Logan fiercely, “Am I the one acting cheap? Do whatever you want! I’m telling you, this bastard’s ambitions are not something you, a little singer, can satisfy. He’s just playing around, do you really think he’s interested in you? Daydreaming!”

Storming out, Mason slammed the door behind him. Annabel followed to the corridor, but Mason was too furious even with her. “Get lost, you too!” he yelled.

Annabel froze in her tracks. Mason was beyond reasoning with now; she didn’t dare to follow.

Not long after, Logan came out of the room dejectedly, with low crying sounds coming from inside. Annabel contemplated going to comfort Orla but couldn’t quite grasp why she was crying. Was it because her seduction attempt failed?

Just as she was about to turn back, Logan suddenly grabbed her arm.

He said coldly, “Go home.”

Annabel, feeling annoyed, retorted, “Logan, you’re so annoying!”

His anger suddenly flared, and he growled menacingly, “I said, go home!”

Before Annabel could respond, he forcefully pushed her into the elevator, tossing her to the side only after the doors closed.

She muttered under her breath, “Playboy.”

He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes shooting daggers as he gritted his teeth. “Say that again!”

Annabel wisely kept her mouth shut. There was no one else in the elevator, and it wouldn’t be wise to provoke him into hitting her.

Brenna and Thomas were still awake, sitting in the living room waiting for them.

The sight of Logan’s injured face startled them. “What happened?” Brenna asked Logan, but her gaze shifted to Annabel, clearly suspecting her involvement. Annabel gave her a cold glance and ignored her.

Logan wasn’t in the mood to explain. He said coldly, “Just a little accident. I’m going upstairs.”

Logan’s half face was swollen, and his expression was extremely ugly. It seemed that he was on the verge of losing his temper. Annabel thought to herself, Logan always put on a cold face, but it turned out that he was also so easy to tease. He was clearly a man who is outwardly reserved but secretly passionate deep down.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

It was evident that he had been beaten up, and Brenna couldn’t be fooled. She turned to follow him, but Logan, visibly irritated, snapped, “Leave me alone. I want to sleep!”

With that, he went upstairs without looking back.

This was unlike Logan. Brenna looked helplessly at her husband, Thomas, who intercepted Annabel still changing her shoes in the hallway. “Explain what happened. Is it because of you?”

Thomas’s accusatory tone made it clear he blamed her for causing trouble. Annabel glanced at them lightly, somewhat amused, “They say where there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather. That’s you. If I told you that Logan was flirting with a girl and got beat up, you wouldn’t believe it. Well, why don’t you ask him tomorrow?”

Thomas huffed, “You’re just making things up!”

Ignoring him, Annabel hummed a tune as she went upstairs, leaving Thomas and Brenna infuriated.