Badass: A Stepbrother SEAL Romance by Linda Barlow, Alana Albertson Page B

sister and I didn’t want one—her, least of all. “The only person I take orders from is my commanding officer. I won’t be there. Enjoy your picture-perfect family Christmas—without me.”
    I walked right out of that mansion, and slammed the huge door. I didn’t fit in their world, and I didn’t want to. Before I could run back to the compound, I heard the door open behind me.

Chapter 19—Cassie
    When Shane stormed out of our Christmas celebration, I went running after him. I couldn’t believe he was being such a jackass. “Look,” I said when I caught up to him. “This is not about you. Why are you being so cruel to your own mother?”
    “Poor little rich girl. It’s about you, then? Your feelings, your wishes, your demands? Forget it, babe. I’m no sucker for female crocodile tears.”
    I V-fingered my own two eyes. “You see any tears, there, asshole? It’s not about either of us. Not you and certainly not me. It’s about them. Our parents love each other.”
    “Look. I told you. This marriage will never happen.”
    “You’re in some kind of denial. It’s happening. And yeah, it’s freaking me out because of everything I’ve been stupid enough to do with you, but that is over. I mean it. Stop smirking at me. It’s done, it’s history. We have to forget it and let them live their lives.” I paused for breath. “I’m not standing by while you singlehandedly sabotage their wedding. And on Christmas, too!”
    “Yeah, well I’m not letting your rich-ass father ruin my Mom’s life. He’s using her. I want nothing to do with that fucking circus.”
    I couldn’t believe the guy could be this stubborn. “Are you blind? Haven’t you been watching when they are together? They’ve been seeing each other ever since last spring.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “It’s true. While you were off stalking terrorists or whatever you do, our parents were screwing their brains out, both here and in Montana.”
    “Jesus! Don’t say that.”
    “What, it’s okay for you to fuck everything that moves, but the ground’s going to surge up and swallow the city if your Mom gets some too?”
    I knew I was pushing. I mean, this wasn’t something I wanted to think about, either. But double standards much?
    There was fury in his eyes, but it was banked, as if he was counting to ten or something. I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t one of those SEAL trainees, because he’d have me down on the floor giving him twenty.
    Oh no, don’t think stuff like that, brain! If he ordered me down on the floor, it wouldn’t be to do pushups. He’d tell me to kneel, and I’d do it. He’d proved that last night. Even though I knew it was wrong, I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I probably wouldn’t even hesitate before sliding down his zipper and pulling out his big, juicy, delicious cock.
    Shit! I was truly pathetic. I hated this jerk, but it didn’t stop me from yearning to lick him all over.
    “Look, Mr. Badass Navy SEAL, like it or not, you are going to that wedding. We are both going to show up and be supportive and grit our teeth and smile. We will wish them well and be polite and do everything that is expected of a stepbrother and a stepsister at their parents’ wedding.”
    “Right,” he snarled. He looked incredulous. “Are you giving me orders? I don’t know what kind of fantasy world you’re living in, doll, but I am not gritting my fucking teeth and I am not going to any goddamn wedding.”
    “I won’t let you ruin my father’s happiness.”
    “Yeah? How are you gonna stop me?”
    Clearly this approach wasn’t working. Dammit. I had to be smart about this. I thought about the various sea mammals I’d worked with….how they learned…how they taught their own pups. Lead by example was one way, but that depended on a strong mother/pup bond and the expectation that the animal wanted to learn. Positive reinforcement? Rewards? Challenges worked sometimes, too.
    “You tell me,” I said. What would