Crash: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance Read Free Page A

curiosity piqued.
     
    “My friends and I come here often,” she said. “Best Mexican food in The Valley.”
     
    I raised an eyebrow at her. I couldn’t get over the fact that the Queen Bee would deign herself to eat with the common folks. A cursory glance around the room revealed a clientele more likely to dine at McDonald’s on a regular basis than a fine French bistro.
     
    “Katherine!” squealed a voice. I glanced up in time to see a bubbly Latina approaching the table. “Hey, girl! Where you been lately, chica?”
     
    “Working,” Katherine responded. “Tons of overtime.”
     
    Wait, Her Highness had a job? Like… a job-job?
     
    “I hear you,” the waitress nodded. “So what can I get for you? The usual?”
     
    “Yes, please,” Katherine said.
     
    “I’ll have the mango chicken salad,” Katherine’s mother said. “Dressing on the side, please.”
     
    “Got it,” the waitress said. “For you, sir?”
     
    “I’ll have the Burrito Loco,” my father said. “With refried beans. And can I get a side of sour cream with that?”
     
    “Sure thing,” the waitress said. “And you?”
     
    “Um… I really haven’t had a chance to look at the menu,” I muttered, pulling it open and scanning it quickly with my eyes.
     
    “Their carnitas are to die for,” Katherine pointed out.
     
    I shrugged and said, “That’s fine.”
     
    I closed the menu and the waitress gathered them and took them away.
     
    “Will you excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” Katherine said.
     
    I had to slide out of the booth to let her by. I watched her hips sway as she sashayed toward the restrooms. Damn, I had to admit she was sexy in that little white sundress, the way it hugged her perky little tits and almost grazed her knees. It was just my luck that my dad was getting remarried, and the girl who was going to be my stepsister gave me a boner the size of Montana. My father cleared his throat, and it wasn’t until then that I realized I’d never sat back down after she left the table. I eased myself back into the booth.
     
    “Luke, I apologize if my daughter offended you earlier. I don’t know what came over her. She’s usually very polite.”
     
    I shrugged and said, “No big deal.”
     
    “Trust me, Katherine is usually a very sweet girl. She’s just been acting a little out of sorts lately.”
     
    A very sweet girl? Her? Why did I have a hard time believing that one? Maybe the fact that the little Ice Princess couldn’t even be bothered to say hello to me?
     
    “Cut her some slack, Luke,” Dad said quietly.
     
    “Sure, whatever,” I returned.
     
    I’d be polite to her, but that was it. I couldn’t wait for the afternoon to be over.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Katherine

    I was assaulted before I even made it to the restroom. Claws gripped my arm, and I was shoved against the wall. My heart thudded, and then her eyes caught mine.
     
    “So? Who is he?” Mariana squealed.
     
    “Who?” I feigned stupidity.
     
    “Come on, chica! Tell me, already? New boyfriend?”
     
    Mariana released my arm, and I rubbed the spot where it still ached from her iron grip.
     
    “Soon-to-be stepbrother,” I groaned. “And he’s a jerk.”
     
    “No shit? Your mother’s getting remarried?”
     
    “Unfortunately,” I moaned. “I can’t believe it.”
     
    “Me, either! The guy is so hot! You have to invite me over!”
     
    I felt a twinge of something in my throat. I swallowed hard and turned away from Mariana without another word, pushing open the door of the restroom and retreating inside. She followed.
     
    “Hey, what’s up with you?”
     
    “Nothing, Mari.”
     
    She flicked her dark hair over her shoulder and said, “Something’s up. What’s going on? You don’t like this guy?”
     
    “I told you, he’s a jerk.”
     
    “Wait, are we talking about the father or the son?” Mariana asked, her hands on her hips.
     
    “Both,” I answered. “Wait, no. I can’t really