The winter air hit Rosalie’s face the moment she stepped out of LAX, pulling her suitcase behind her.
She instinctively tucked her chin into her scarf, wrapping it tighter around her neck.
New York winters were brutally cold, but Los Angeles winters, though crisp, carried a subtle moisture that somehow felt gentler against the skin.
She scanned the crowd of waiting people, quickly spotting a familiar figure.
Alistair Lima stood a short distance away, his tall frame accentuated by an impeccably tailored black coat. In his hands was an incongruously cute pink plush hot water bottle, a stark contrast to his typically serious CEO demeanor.
Warmth spread through Rosalie’s chest as she hurried toward him. When Alistair saw her, his face lit up with a smile that he reserved only for her.
She threw herself into his arms, her voice taking on the teasing tone that had always worked on him. “I specifically told you not to brave the cold, Ali.”
Alistair ruffled her hair affectionately. “Since when do I listen when it comes to you?”
Rosalie held onto him without saying more.
She knew how much Alistair doted on her. Since childhood, he’d moved heaven and earth to give her whatever she wanted. Even during her most difficult teenage phases, he’d never once raised his
voice at her.
Alistair took her suitcase and led her toward the parking garage.
Once in his Range Rover, he leaned over to fasten her seatbelt, bringing them momentarily close.
Rosalie caught the distinctive notes of Creed Aventus, the cologne he’d worn for years. The scent was comforting, familiar–home.
She looked up, accidentally meeting his eyes. There was something in Alistair’s gaze that caught her attention–a warmth that went beyond typical brotherly affection.
zuried Your Frome My Stepbrother
Startled by the observation, Rosalie quickly looked down. “I’m being ridiculous,” she thought. “It’s just been too long since I’ve seen him.”
But Alistair didn’t immediately move away. His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek, his voice protective. “You’re flushed. The New York cold must have followed you here.”
Rosalie stammered. “I’m fine, really.”
Alistair smiled, handing her the hot water bottle. “Warm up. The Lima family can’t afford for their
star dancer to catch cold.”
As Rosalie took it, the comforting warmth spread through her fingers. She looked down at the cute pink plush covering and couldn’t help but smile. “Since when does the mighty Alistair Lima shop for cute plushies?”
Alistair didn’t answer, just curved his lips into a slight smile as he started the car.
During the drive, he asked about her life in New York. Rosalie answered casually, maintaining a light tone. “The dance company was incredible. Madame Beaumont actually let me choreograph for the spring showcase. I’ve got videos–I’ll show you later.”
Alistair nodded, but then his voice took on that gentle–yet–probing quality she knew so well. “And this boyfriend situation? How old is he? What does he do? How did you meet? Why did you really break up?”
Rosalie felt a flicker of discomfort at the direct questions. She looked down, absently tracing the stitching on the hot water bottle. “You never used to interrogate me about my love life.”
Alistair’s voice remained soft but carried an unmistakable firmness. “Would you have told me if I
had?”
Rosalie fell silent. A brief image of Dante flashed through her mind–his smile, his betrayal, the videos, the calculation behind every tender moment–but she pushed it away. What good would come from telling Alistair the truth? It would only cause pain and conflict, and she’d had enough of
both.
So she crafted a story, keeping her voice casual. “We met at an industry event. He’s three years older, works in design. Things were good at first–he was attentive, thoughtful–that’s partly why I stayed away so long. But eventually, we wanted different things. He was ready to settle down, talking marriage and suburbs. I still have so much I want to accomplish with my dancing. We argued about it pretty often, and eventually, the relationship just… faded. Very adult, very mutual, very boring breakup story.”
My Stepbrother
7.1%
Charger **
Alistair didn’t respond immediately, he paired at her to the eyes or weakage ou that made her wonder if he could see right through her falwinatione
OM
