Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Ava)

"A..date? Like..what kind of date?" I asked..feeling like an i***t for not understanding what he meant. But I was thoroughly confused.

Theo couldn't possibly mean going to a movie or something like that, right? There has always been a catch when it comes to Theo..so I can't even imagine what he could be planning now.

Theo suddenly stood, his eyes boring down into mine as he slowly walked towards me.

I felt my head tilt back, my wide gaze locked onto his as I swallowed hard, trying not to show how much he was affecting me right now..

I won't lie..just being in this room alone with him seemed too risky. I know for a fact that Theo has a way of getting me to do things I normally wouldn't..it has happened every damn time we are alone.

"Dinner to start.. Ava, this time..it's going to be different..let me prove it to you..let me treat you how I should've from the beginning." Theo said, his hand reaching out as he gently brushed my blonde hair to the side. The action caused my breathing to hitch as my heart felt like it could burst right out of my chest.

"First I set up a spa day for you. The masseuse will be here after we are done eating breakfast. And after that, the stylist will come to bring you a few dress options."

He went on to explain, leaving me just staring up at him in shock.

Then I glanced down, suddenly realizing I wasn't wearing my dress anymore and was in blue silk pajamas instead, causing my brow to furrow in confusion. When did that happen? And where the hell did he get these from?

"D-Did you get me dressed last night?!" I gasped, causing Theo to fight the smile that was threatening to spread.

"Don't worry, I didn't look." He said cooly before going to stand back up.

"I find that hard to believe.." I grumbled while crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Don't even bother getting me a new dress..I will wear the one I had on last night." I added and went to get up, needing to get as far away from Theo as possible right now. But before I could Theo stepped closer to me once again, blocking my way.

I knew he hated that dress..I could tell by the way he looked at it in horror last night..so maybe I just wanted to annoy him a little..

"You can't." He stated firmly, making me scoff as I started to feel my bratty side coming forth.

"What do you mean I can't? I thought you said you wouldn't control me anymore Theo.." I snapped, already finding faults in what he said.

"Well, unless you want me to call the dry cleaners and see if they already got that puke stain out..then I guess I can.." He explained, making my eyes widen as embarrassment flooded through me.

I threw up last night too?! Oh god..how did I not remember that part?

"No..that..that's okay I will just wear a different one." I muttered, unable to look Theo I'm the eyes as I quickly stood and went to walk around him.

"Wait.." Theo rushed out, gripping my arm firmly as I looked towards the bathroom, afraid of what Theo was going to do or say next..

At least before I could kind of expect how he would react.. but now..I have no clue what he is capable of. This Theo is practically a stranger.

"What is it?" I breathed, making myself sound more affected by him than I wanted.

"I know I hurt you before..but please Ava, give me a chance..all of this..it's new to me too."

And with that, he let go of me and started walking out of the room.

"I will be waiting out here for you. There is a new toothbrush on the counter and some items you might need." He informed me and that's when I heard the door shut.

I instantly let out the breathe I had been holding, feeling my head pounding not just from all that alcohol I consumed, but from what Theo just sprang at me.

"A date?!" I whispered hissed to myself, pacing pack and forth as I went and grabbed the water bottle on the side of the bed and chugged it.

I...I have never been on a date truthfully..like a real date. So I seem to be just as freaking clueless as he is.

The closest thing I ever had was when we were visiting the Oregon Coast and I was trying to annoy him..

After drinking the water and taking two ibuprofen Theo had left for me, I walked over to the bathroom and froze in my tracks.

On the counter sat a new hairbrush, toothbrush, makeup remover, and even some expensive-looking lotions and face wash..

Did he really get all of this stuff just for me?

I felt my heart skip a beat, my stomach feeling more anxious than ever as I walked to the counter and reached for the toothbrush.

No Ava..you cannot far for this..Theo has to be up to something. Then it hit me..

Oh god..maybe he is just treating me this way to find out if I ended up pregnant..

He probably thinks I might be or something! But the drinking should've given that away.

I slammed the toothbrush back down before whirling around and marching straight for Theo.

I felt my anger boiling..feeling as if I had been tricked yet again as I burst through the bedroom door and came into the large hotel living room.. What did he get..the presidential suite or something?! "Theo!" I called out, trying to find him as I rounded a corner and heard talking.

"Yes, of course, sir. Here you go..have a great meal." Someone said as I walked up and saw one of the hotel staff just leaving.

"Did you find everything okay? Breakfast just got here." Theo said warmly, causing my determination to falter for the briefest moment.

I studied Theo carefully, realizing he was actually smiling at me as he pushed the cart close to the sofa across the room. Theo had on a white dress shirt with dark blue slacks, making him look as sharp as ever.

"Theo.. if.. if you are just doing this because you think I'm pregnant..I'm not. I started my period a few days later...after we..you know.." I trailed off, making Theo stop what he was doing before turning his head to look at me.

"That's what I figured..considering I found you heavily intoxicated." He explained, making my brow furrow as I felt so confused then..and the words slipped from my mouth before I could chicken out.

"Then..why are you doing all of this? I..I don't understand..what do you have to gain?" I breathed, causing hurt to fill Theo's eyes as he slowly walked towards me once again.

"I have everything to gain Ava..I know before I treated you like something I wanted to control..to possess and own..but along the way, something changed and I didn't know what the hell I was feeling. Or how to handle it.." He explained as I watched his hands ball into a fist as he kept them at his side. The look in his eyes grew more intense by the minute as I didn't know how to respond.

Could he really mean it?

"Just..one date for now..that's all I'm asking.." He breathed, sounding nervous now as he searched my expression eagerly.

I just nodded my head..knowing that my agreeing to this might just be the stupidest mistake of my life...but, I won't let him use me again like that. "One date..."

Just one wouldn't hurt..right?