Chapter 5 Fiona.

I was aware of what my gaze held but could I stop myself?

And who was that obnoxious lady beside him?

It was my first time in a club or more like I was forced to be here by Gia who seemed to have noticed my mood swing after for the first time experiencing my stepbrother kiss a lady—right in my face, and that lady was here again, lurking around him.

I shouldn't be jealous.

I shouldn’t be feeling this way.

The plan was to come here, party with Gia and her friends, but now what I was trying to run away from was staring back at me.

Hayes raised his hand at me in a short wave with a small smile that no matter how much I think about it wasn't just any kind of brotherly smile.

The lady turned to my direction and I could see her whisper something to Hayes which took him long enough before he could reply.

Then, this lady whom Gia had called Lexi, or whatever her name was, strode to my side.

The crowd might be busy with the way everyone was swaying their hips and beginning to sweat even almost bumping into me but my gaze never left Hayes—not for any second. 

“Hi… Fiona?” She called running her eyes on me. “Nice to meet you… I’m sure I don’t have to do any introductions, right?” She said, her voice loud enough for me to hear.

“I’m afraid you have to.” I blurted out.

She scoffed. “Well…” She stepped forward closer to me, her mouth in my ear, and this time she didn’t need to shout for me to hear as she whispered the words to me, and my eyes slightly widened.

Lexi smirked at me. “Do enjoy the party though." She walked away as though she hadn’t just said that and if anyone finds out I mean—how bad could it be?

I could see Hayes still staring at me from where he was seated and as much as I wanted to avoid him somehow I still needed to get a drink.

Clear my head, from him kissing a lady right in front of me, and especially with what I just heard, which definitely sounded like a huge threat!

I had barely spent a full week in college, yet seemed I was going to start walking on eggshells now.

I walked towards the bar.

“Hey, Fee!” Hayes called as fondly as he always did.

I forced out a smile, keeping my heart in check—I’ve always done that for the past few years since he became family, and now pretending the same while I quickly get drunk and return to dancing shouldn’t be that hard.

“What can I get you?”

“Red bull will do,” Hayes replied to the barman.

“No… Margarita please.” I say.

He turned to me arching an eyebrow.

I shrugged a little. “It’s party night.”

“I don’t remember you having to learn how to drink? Does Kaden know about it?” He inquired.

“I’m no longer a baby…” I collected the glass of margarita from the barman.

Gia has literally been giving me secret lessons on how to hold your liquor.

I suck but tonight? I probably need a drink to get through it.

I chugged the drink in one go and I could see Hayes watching me as I forced the remaining liquor down my throat.

Well too sweet for an alcohol drink.

“Well, that just confirms you’re a novice. And taking your drink at once, isn’t really advisable.”

“You’re starting to sound like Kaden.” I rolled my eyes at him and the barman took the cup after I nodded for him to refill. “I’m no longer a kid.”

“Sincerely, you're not but still a...”

I scoffed silently.

If  he knew I wasn't a kid anymore, why did he keep treating me like one?

I’d never been much of a drinker, but tonight, I wanted to drown it all out. Maybe if I drank enough, the feelings I’d spent years bottling up for my stepbrother would finally wash away.

“By the way don’t mind Lexi… I’m sure Gia must have told you what to know about her right?” Hayes asked and somehow I didn’t even seem ready to talk to him.

If he doesn't know, he had literally rejected me in all ways possible just today.

He took a sip from his glass while I only watched the barman refill my glass.

I don’t know why but somehow my eyes are starting to feel heavy.

I only took one chug yet—but I wasn’t quitting.

“Thank you,” I said to this man after he served me the liquor, and instead of taking it in one go, I only took a sip.

Damn!

I was definitely making a mistake drinking this. I thought as I placed the glass on the counter while holding back the pretence that I was beginning to get tipsy.

The music was getting louder, shouts, and Gia? I’m sure she was somewhere amongst there having a blast as always and Kaden?

Kaden usually found someone to disappear with within the first hour of a party, so he was probably off somewhere hooking up.

I glanced over at Hayes, only to find his gaze already locked onto me, heavy and unreadable.

“What?” I chucked. “Not like you haven’t seen a pretty girl before, you shouldn’t even stare for long. Your girlfriend might kill me for it.”

“Did Kaden tell you have one?” He smirked.

“I don’t need anyone telling me that… Right brother?” I asked, sarcasm in my voice.

“Lexi isn’t my girlfriend, if that’s the case.”

“Yet you let her kiss you?”

Okay, what was I saying?

Hayes didn’t reply. He only stared at me—his gaze unreadable.

As though embarrassed, I looked away from him.

I took the glass and poured the drink into my mouth but I was yet to swallow it all when he held my hand, and slowly collected the glass from me placing it back on the table.

“You’re drunk.” He whispered, softly.

I don’t know whether it was because of the drink but my hand was now on his face—smooth as it looked.

Hayes only remained still, and although I was a little bit tipsy, I still knew what those oceanic eyes of his held.

“Fiona…” I didn’t let him finish when I pulled in to a kiss.

I definitely shouldn’t have done this—anyone could have seen us.

And out of everyone in this crowded club, I couldn't bring myself to care about Lexi.

I didn't care that she somehow knew about Hayes sleeping in my room last night. I didn't care about the warning she had hissed into my ear: 'I know he's tempting, stepsister. But don't try me.'

​I ignored it all. Because instead of pushing me away, Hayes was kissing me back, igniting every single cell in my body.