Tempting my stepbrother was easier than I thought, well that's what you get if you got someone's heart broken. I'm convinced that he only wanted me for the sexual healing that I played the role so well that in a display of my legs opened, he was already looking like a lap dog. The thing is actually called, puss-whipped.

And he definitely fucking is.

The launching of the company's new estate project is the success of the company and the most awaited event that will be held for surprising reasons, at home. Mom tells me that the company wanted simplicity for they wanted the launching to depict the Californian Dream Home and what better way to showcase the CEO's dream and the very foundation of where it all started. First thing in the morning; the house buzzed with excitement, people were working, a clatter of decorations, the arrangements and such. Just to get this all done and ready by the evening.

On the other hand, I was trying to help the event coordinators because I'm quite positive that the place was already what you call a mansion. The event will be held at the grand entryway, at the foyer where the guests are greeted by the curved stairway, old chandeliers were long gone and were changed into big crystal ones. The house perfectly fits the theme and the essence of the event, as it was painted of sophisticated colors and not to mention the coordinators where doing a great job. My parents and Mat were no where to be seen, while they had to run a couple of last minute errands as I was left alone to take in charge and see how everything is according to plan.

The day went on and before I knew it, the launching was about to take place. As I pass by the stairs, I took a glance at the commotion downstairs. Guests arrived by the dozen, with their expensive looking jewelries and designer clothes while caught in conversing with each other, the event is going on so far so good.

"Cleo!" Mom called out from the room next door, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I proceed, going to her room. Mom had the time to book a well known make up artist when in fact we didn't even need one, the last time I checked we knew how to do well. But I think her alter ego suggested for something else, something more extravagant this time. Slumping down the chair, the artist started to work her way on me, taking a couple of cosmetics and what felt like 30 minutes had passed, I was all set and done. By the look on my face on the mirror, I was quite surprised by the outcome. I felt really good, it was enough to give me the reason to feel excited while I force myself to socialize in a room filled with businessmen and women do their talking.

Mom had to hurry as the event was about to start in 5 minutes, while everything was in position. I had all the time to dress myself up considering that I take advantage of the fact that I was the least person to show up and there was no pressure. I was dressed in a V-neck spaghetti strap with a high slit and a backless design in my favorite color of Burgundy, the curve hugging dress accentuated my body while my smokey makeup look and my sleek straight hair completed the get-up.

After doing so, I was a bit anxious as I went down the stairs. Seeing a bunch of guests were staring, at the same time I felt that I was under the pressure in someone's eyes from afar but I smile nonchalantly walking with confidence as I continue to draw attention from women past my age and mostly desiring looks from men. A melodic play of instruments drifted through the busy atmosphere while I casually took a glass of champagne from the waiter, as mom and Chris were still busy welcoming guests and talking to some investors, I try not to mind Matheo at all cost.

"Well, isn't this a surprise." A familiar voice of a man had made me turned around, as I was caught in surprise to see who it was.

"David." I spoke but it felt like a question, astound that I actually got to see him again.

"It's a small world after all." He stated a playful smile on his face guessing by the expression that I had, he couldn't also believe it.

I clear my throat as I try to recover from the thought. "Yeah, I mean ..." I trailed off and laugh softly, while certain questions have raced into my mind.

"Are you somehow connected to the company?" I asked.

"Yes, I was the head of the interior designing at the company's new estates." A proud smile etched into his face while he looks at me.

Now that explains, while I remember that l he was at the new refurnished club. It was all his idea and work, he's a genius. I bet he did really good at the real estate project.

"You're not so bad yourself." I jokingly spoke as I giggle from the thought.

While he chuckles from my playful manner, his eyes were staring at me. "You look lovely." He stated.

"Thank you and you look fine tonight." I complement as his comment brought a smile to my lips and a blush to my cheeks, I flutter my eyelashes while I look back at him.

He had prominent cheekbones and a well-defined chin, his eyes were a color of walnut and the last time I had seen him, he had grown a light beard. He mischievously smiles, with a knowing look. And yes, we were definitely flirting.

The eager clapping of guests, interrupted us both as the speech of an important investor came to an end. The sweet melodic sound of the piano started to play, while married guests and partners swayed through the music. I was fascinated by the moving shades of colors that had surrounded the place.

"May I have this dance?" David spoke with confidence oozing from his stance and language, I found myself agreeing.

God, he's such a daddy.

"Of course." I smile with a flirty manner, as I hold his hand as he leads me to the dance floor.

I'm almost sure that I've been the attention for the night, my clothing was sophisticated but it dripped the right amount of scandalous written on it. As he places his hand on my hip, the tip of his fingers lingered on my naked back while the other grabs a hold my hand

My feet glided gracefully across the travertine tiles as I relax into his arms, carefully and with ease leading our bodies in the right movement.

"I should have known, you're a part of one of the most wealthiest families and the most sought-after businessman in this state. I'm surprised."

"And I happen to be the least productive." I retorted, rolling my eyes at the thought.

I was not even fond of the idea that people tend to label me as that, and being born the youngest has its disadvantage. Mom would not even let me get to the family business, until I'm on finishing that degree. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother but she's business minded.

"Who says? You carry yourself with such confidence sweetheart, you might as well try to." He spoke softly as I meet his gaze, while I try not to squirm from his eye contact.

The age gap and the daddy potential he has.

"That motivated me for sure." I replied and I laugh softly while we continue to move through the soft rhythm of the music.

A couple of times we did, we called it a break. Taking a breather and a glass of champagne, I was having a good time while I try not to down my liquor and get animalistic all over him again. I was laughing midway to a statement he said, when someone cleared a throat behind me gathering our attention.

"Cleo." He greeted, while he appeared on our way with an unreadable expression as he looked tense.

Not again.

"Mat." I spoke with a tone of distaste on my mouth as I purposely try to call him by his given nickname ever since that shit storm happened.

It might just be an awkward encounter but I could already feel the air filled with tension as silence went over, between men. While I was still stuck of what the fuck should I do next, I needed to do something quick.

"Um .. Mat, you have met my friend right?" I casually spoke, making him believe that were hanging out.

"No, I haven't." He hastily respond with a serious expression on his face.

"Well ... Mat this is David, David this is Mat, my stepbrother." I almost gagged as I said it, reminding me of the bad memory that it left me.

My liking for sure turned into hate.

"David Keaton, we haven't formally met." He spoke as he holds his hand out for a formal shake while he had a knowing smile on his face like he fucking knew we both had a history of fucking on the low.

"Matheo Fiennes, nice to meet you." He replied as they both shake hands.

Nice to meet you my ass, as the look on his face had seriousness and skepticism to it. If my thoughts proved me right, he was not about to fucking blow my night just from his pathetic brotherly intentions of looking out for me.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, you're the head of the interior on the estates. Right?" He asked, a wry smile on his face.

Wow, he looked awful playing amused.

"He is, and from the details that he had told me about, he really did a great job on making the houses magnificent." I intervene, with an ecstatic smile on my face as I was invested on the idea.

David chuckles, while adoration flashed his eyes as he looked my way. "Well what can I say, Cleo here is fascinated with my ideas."

"I bet." He spoke in a sarcastic way while I see that his eyes were staring at me intently, cutting me off short with my lively feeling from his comment.

I was basically shooting daggers as we both made eye contact, his remarks had seemed like I was a high end dumb whore pretending to be fascinated with complex shit. The fucker had the nerve to flash me a smile, making him look innocent.

"Can I borrow Cleo for a minute? I remember I had to tell her about something important." He adds, as his eyes were focused on David.

Borrow? What the fuck was that supposed to fucking mean.

He was basically playing with my temper, like he forgot I was in control of how I wanted this to happen. I mentally take a deep breath while I try to control myself from smacking his head at the moment, like I said. He was not about to fucking ruin my night.

"I'm sure that can wait for later, I'm actually busy at the moment." I spoke, trying to muster up a smile while I nonchalantly come closer to David and he places his hand on my lower back.

Yes, fucking do it David. Make him jealous for me. My inner being was basically screaming, enjoying the time of what it feels like to be victorious.

"If this wasn't important, I wouldn't be here by now right. This could not wait, Cleo." He spoke, his expression was back to a level of seriousness and tensed as it feels like he wanted to punch David square in the face.

"Let's hear what Cleo has to say, shall we? After all she gets to decide if she wants to talk to you for now or later." David responds as he sensed that we were quite having the tension, as his manner had changed into something. It felt good to know he was defending me.

And that's why you should get a sugar daddy. My inner being had the unpopular opinion at the wrong time.

"I'll pass." I spoke in a low tone, as I slightly lean my body for support at David, I was basically good at acting weak and vulnerable at the moment.

"Cleo will be back to talk to you shortly." He spoke as he started to move and leads me outside, to think and unwind at the moment.

Then I took a glance at his direction, he had a clenched jaw and a serious manner to his look. He definitely felt helpless and furious at the moment. Ignoring him, we went outside as the starry night greeted our sight as we took in the view. A moment of silence, as I try not to cast a glance at him. Anxious of what he was about to say.

"So, you two?" He asked.

I lower my head while I was in thought, knowing for a fact that he already knew the truth about us.

"Yeah, we did." I softly spoke and I let out a smirk, shaking my head of how everything turned out to be.

"I can see, but I feel like you're in love with him. Is it true?" Making me look at him as he stated.

"I didn't know you were good at reading minds, but ... I was, before." I replied, as I found myself smirking again while I try to cover how anxious I was.

"He likes you." He said.

"Nah, I'd be for sure stupid if I'll believe that." I hastily replied, a look of disbelief on my face.

"Trust me. We men tend to get territorial at some point if we feel what's ours are threatened. If you could see clearly, he was about to put up a fight with me." He explained, while he leans on the porch.

While I kept quiet the whole time, as I did my best not to believe every word that he had said. That might be true, but men do so have different brains that accords to different ideas. I wouldn't want to fall into that trap, I should know better.

"I may not know the reason of what made the relation sour, but I'm positive you two have that mutual feeling. You should talk it out, you know what they say the more you hate the more you love." He spoke, while we both look at each other.

Making me break into a laugh, rolling my eyes of how that sounded so corny. "Didn't expected that from you."

"Just trying to make you laugh, beautiful." He responds, taking a step towards me as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"But if it doesn't work out, you know you can always reach out to me." He sardonically smiles, making me laugh softly.

"Well, I have to go. I need me some rest time, see you when I see you beautiful." He spoke and he kisses my cheek.

"Thank you, for always saving me." I spoke and I genuinely smile, as I thought the last time he had to look out for my drunken ass.

Thankful for his company, I bid my farewell as he went on to his destination.