But I couldn’t do that until I found another way to save Daddy’s company.

“Screw him. Screw all of them.”

After starting my car, I pulled out onto the road, glowering at anyone daring to cross my path. As a kid, I used to pray for laser vision. Maybe it was because I never got to voice my opinions. Maybe it was because I always repressed my anger and frustration, even as a small child. But every night, I prayed and prayed and prayed…

But it never came.

Right now, in this moment, I never wished I had laser vision more. Because if I had it, I could smite everyone in my way—including Derek—and turn them into a pile of ash and dust with the blink of an eye. The way I was feeling right now, no one would be safe from my attack. Not even Jackson.

All I wanted was to get home, go in my room, and hide from the world.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t talk to me as I walked past him.

The ride passed quickly, more than likely because I was too angry to dwell on the traffic. When I pulled into the driveway, I was only slightly less irate. Hopping out of my car, I gathered my purse and made my way up the driveway. I kicked the door shut behind me as I set my keys down on the table.

Laughter rang out, and I froze.

Jackson was home.

I figured that part out on my own, out in the driveway, since his truck was parked next to my car. But…he wasn’t alone. And that wasn’t his laugh. Turning oh so slowly, I searched the living room with wide eyes. Jackson was on the couch, bent over a bunch of papers on the coffee table. A gorgeous woman sat beside him, laughing and rubbing his arm—while eyeing him up like he was her next meal.

Jackson didn’t push her off. If anything, he moved closer.

I watched, swallowing hard, wanting to look away, but unable to.

He didn’t owe me anything. He’d made it clear last night that we weren’t going to repeat that explosion of passion. He didn’t want to want me. He had literally told me he would sleep with me if I were anyone else. Anyone. Well, he’d found anyone. She had red hair and huge breasts, like the woman he’d immortalized on his body in ink.

He hadn’t noticed me yet. I could run for it. Come back later, after he was done with…whatever it was they were doing. Or I could hold my head up high and march past, ignoring them. That was what I should do.

But she rested a hand on his thigh, and he didn’t push her off, and I knew I wouldn’t be sticking around to see what happened next. No, thank you.

I knew firsthand what happened next.

Stupendous orgasms were in her future.

Only with her, he wouldn’t stop with a kiss. With her, the clothes would come off, and she would find out where that treasure trail led. Lucky woman. Where was that damned laser vision? I blinked and scowled at her, visually picturing her turning into a pile of nothing…

Jackson turned and saw me.

When our gazes connected, I felt it all the way to the pit of my stomach. He didn’t smile. Instead, he seemed…annoyed. “Is your eye okay?”

I quit my imagined smiting. “Uh, yeah. Why?”

“One was closed and the other was squinted.”

My cheeks went hot. “Oh. Yeah.” I stepped backward, toward the door. Toward escape. “I had something in my eye. It’s out now. But anyway, I—”

“Who’s this?” the pretty woman asked, standing and eyeing me as if I was competition. How silly of her. “A roommate?”

“This is Lilly, my…” He rubbed his jaw, watching me. “My little…sister.”

I swallowed back a protest. I wasn’t his sister. If I was, last night wouldn’t have happened. And he could snarl at me all he wanted, but I knew that look in his eyes meant he wanted to do it again. If I wasn’t his “little sister,” I’d let him.

“Nice to meet you,” the lady said, coming toward me as if she wanted to shake my hand. It would probably be wrong to punch her. “How cute that you two still live together at your ages.”

Must. Not. Punch. I forced a smile. “So cute.”

“It must be so fun living with a brother like Jackson,” the woman said with a flirtatious drawl. “I’ve been having a blast all afternoon.”

“So much fun.” I shot Jackson a dirty look. He twisted his lips at me in response, as if silently daring me to contradict him with that cocky smirk. I knew he didn’t think I had the guts, though. He expected me to be a good girl. After dealing with Derek, I was ready to unleash my inner bad girl. I couldn’t wait to prove him wrong. “As a matter of fact, just last night, we were in his bedroom and he made me come—”

That smirk slid off real fast. “Play video games,” he said quickly, stepping closer to me. “Anything to improve her coordination.”

“Yeah, I’m so clumsy, just tripping all over the place. But last night I was on fire. Poor Jackson, he just didn’t get lucky, couldn’t make it to the end goal.” I smiled sweetly. “Right…brother?”

He smiled through his teeth. “Oh, I was fine. I did a one-player mission, after you left. Turns out, I play much better on my own. By the time I finished, I beat your high score—and then some.”

Oh, my God. Had he just admitted to masturbating after I left him? Why did that make me so hot? And so angry? That had been my orgasm. He should have given it to me.

I blinked at him. “Well, good for you! I tell you, the kind of release winning gives you…” I sighed and smiled dreamily. “It’s almost…orgasmic, isn’t it?”

He walked toward me, fists tight, but caught himself and came up short. “Lilly.”

The woman looked between us, clearly confused, her flirty vibe long gone. “Um…”

Jackson glowered at me as if he contemplated my death.

I cleared my throat and set my books down. I could feel Jackson’s glare burning into the back of my head. “Speaking of orgasmic…I just realized I was supposed to meet some friends to go dancing. You guys have fun. And don’t wait up, big brother.”

Jackson growled, and I practically ran out the door, wiggling my fingers at him before slamming it shut behind me. For a second I thought he would follow me outside.

But he didn’t. He let me leave.

I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing…or bad.

After kicking my car into reverse, I backed out full speed, squealing my tires as I slammed it into drive. The short ride to the club seemed even shorter. As soon as I had the car in park, I was stomping across the parking lot and into the same club I went to the other night. The night Jackson had come back into my life.

I wouldn’t have to worry about running into him tonight.

He was clearly busy.

I walked right up to the bar, eyeing the crowd as I went. The bartender—the same one who had broken up the fight between Jackson and Derek the other night—came up to me. “What can I get you?”

“Vodka. Lots of it.”

The man eyed me but nodded and walked away. When he came back with two shots, I downed them both in quick succession. Swiping my hand across my mouth, I blinked away the tears from the burn. “More.”

“Easy now,” the guy said. “Aren’t you Jackson’s little sister?”

I reared back. “Sister? Is that what he told you?”

“Yeah…” The man rocked back on his feet. “Stepsister, to be exact.”

I laughed. “No. You had it right the first time. I’m his freaking sister.”

“If you say so,” he muttered. “Coulda sworn he said step.”

I scowled at him, but my vision was already blurring from the vodka. Probably because I hadn’t eaten anything since a banana at eight o’clock this morning. There was a group of three men standing in the corner, clearly striking out with the ladies. “You know what? Forget that last shot I just ordered. I’m gonna go dance with those guys, maybe see if they know how to show a girl a good time, before going home to my brother. Start me a tab.”

I made it across the room in record time. One of the guys saw me approaching and punched the others’ arms, so by the time I got there they were ogling me, mouths gaping. And I was just wearing the clothes I threw on for work. Daddy told me I didn’t get to start wearing business suits until I actually had a position—after my year of interning was completed.