Deceiving My Bully Stepbrother

(Ava)

I couldn't help but hold my breath in anticipation, my eyes widening in shock as I tried to absorb the scene that now appeared before me. I let my gaze drag across the large glass aquariums that surrounded a table with two chairs. Hundreds of fish swam all around, creating an image I will never forget for as long as I live as Theo led me towards the candle-lit table.

"Do you like it?" He asked nervously, making me nod my head yes as I struggled to form even a single word.

It was absolutely breathtaking...

"The whole place is ours for the next two hours." He added before pulling my chair out and helping me sit down. "Theo it's..it's incredible."

I stared at the water all around us, the colorful fish making me fill with so much happiness as I couldn't believe Theo had really done all of this for me. It was so...romantic..and before all of this, I wasn't sure if Theo even had a romantic bone in his body. "Ava." Theo said my name deeply, his hand reaching across the table as he grabbed my own gently.

I turned my head to look at him, feeling my heart start to race as I tried to hide how much of an effect he had on me. One touch and I was like putty in his hands I swear..

"Let's play a game.." He stated, making me blink my eyes rapidly just as a waiter came over to pour us some drinks. "A game? What type of game?"

I watched as Theo began to smirk, his hand lifting up my own before he weaved our fingers together, causing my heart to skip a damn beat. Oh god..what is he doing to me?! I'm supposed to be stronger than this right now.

"Twenty questions.." He whispered, making me scoff.

"Seriously? I thought you said that was a kids' game." I grumbled, mocking what he said before. Theo let out a soft laugh before leaning closer as he looked down at our interlaced fingers.

"I changed my mind. And now I want to ask you some questions." He quipped, and I just stared at him in disbelief..who was this guy? Seriously.. Many paragraphs are missing. Read the complete book on Jo=b n-l b. c (o) m. I was about to ask him that when he started to speak before I could.

"What's your favorite food?" He asked, making me stifle a laugh as I now realized how silly this game was. To be fair though..I did start the game just to annoy him..

"I like guacamole."

"Guacamole? Just guacamole?" He questioned me, making my head nod as I couldn't help but smile.

"I could put it on anything.."

"So..you like avocados.." He added dryly.

"No..I don't really like plain avocado..it has to be guacamole." I can't explain it myself..I like chips and guac okay?! I could eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner I swear.

Theo burst into laughter, surprising me as he started to nod his head up and down now.

"Okay, I will remember that for next time..instead of roses I will just buy you a big bowl of guacamole." He teased, making me roll my eyes..

"How presumptuous of you to think there will be a next time." I threw back, making his smile grow.

"I think I'm behaving myself pretty damn well..don't you?" He asked slyly. I just peered around us for a moment before shrugging.

"The night is still young." I added..and that's when Theo looked at me intently..like..really looked at me. The way his eyes locked onto mine, and how his fingers tightened around my own, it made my stomach flip. "Okay, next question." He said in a husky tone, causing goosebumps to prickle across my flesh.

"Have you ever been in love before?" He suddenly asked, catching me completely off guard as I felt my mouth drop open. I was not expecting that.

"I...well..I mean I thought I was..with Caspian. But I think it was more that I wanted to be loved and was obsessed with the idea..than me actually loving him..because truthfully..I didn't really know much about him.." I trailed off, glancing away from Theo as I felt embarrassed now.

"Do you know much about me?" He blurted, and that one got my attention. This time he seemed to be the embarrassed

one.

"I think I do..truthfully, I feel like I have known you all of my life..even though today you have really surprised me..but still..that might be weird to admit." I laughed awkwardly going to reach for my wine glass with my free hand. Why do I never have a filter with this guy? Seriously..

That's when I realized Theo had gone quiet. I peered over at him, seeing his brow was furrowed as he stared down at our hands intently.

"I can't say that's the same for me..I don't think I had a single idea about who you were Ava Wilson..I knew who I thought you were.."

"A money-hungry spoiled brat?" I asked, knowing that's exactly what he thought of me..

Theo just nodded once, prompting me to smile sadly before looking down at my wine glass.

"Can I be honest?" I whispered.

"Of course Ava..you can always be honest with me." Theo spoke gently, and that's when I took a deep shuddering breath. I knew what I was about to say could be a mistake..because it would be giving Theo more power than he ever had before... was going to tell him something that no one else knew..I was going to open up to Theo Hart.

"I know you think my mom and I..that we are just after your dad's money..." I began, making Theo interrupt me immediately.

"Ava..I don't believe that anymore.." He rushed out, prompting me to be the one to squeeze his hand this time.

"I can understand why you did though..it does look bad. Your dad honestly..he was the first male figure to ever be nice to me..he actually seemed to genuinely care, and when he gave me the cars and my apartment..I liked it..not because of the brand or how much he spent on it..but because he cared enough to think about me." I confessed, feeling embarrassed about my confession as I tried so damn hard not to cry.

"My own dad, he..he only gave me things that were an absolute necessity. Like on birthdays, I would get a new pair of shoes..the same ones every year and I would have to really take care of them because he wouldn't buy me another pair until my next birthday.." I explained..knowing it must make me sound vein or selfish that I was complaining about getting anything..I should be grateful..but I grew to hate those shoes.

They were plain white sneakers..and I always wished they had some type of color on them. But of course Dad wouldn't let that happen.

"And..and if I ever complained..or went against the rules..well.." I stopped myself, not wanting to get into the details as I cleared my throat and decided to stop there..I didn't want to ruin the dinner.

"I'm just saying..I really appreciate all that your dad has done for me and my mom. And I know I probably should've turned down the gifts he gave me..but it was nice to be spoiled for once." I shrugged, smiling softly as I finally met Theo's gaze..and what I saw..it wasn't what I expected..he looked, angry..

Did I say something wrong? Maybe that wasn't good to admit..

"Your dad made you wear the same pair of shoes for a year? And what if you grew out of them or they broke? What would he do then?" Theo suddenly asked, causing me to frown. Was that why he was angry?

"Well..he..umm.." I began, feeling nervous now before glancing away.

That's when Theo pulled his hand from mine and reached up, gripping my chin. Then he slowly turned my head to face him.

"Ava, tell me." Theo whispered, his tone not as angry now.

"He would let me borrow some for school, but when I got home I had to give them back to him..he wouldn't let me have another pair unless we went somewhere important. It wasn't that bad.. It only happened twice.." I rushed out, realizing how it all must sound.. "Ava..was your dad..abusive?" Theo asked firmly, his question surprising me as my eyes widened.

"Abusive? No..of course not..I mean..my dad was strict and controlling but it's not like I was getting beaten daily..just when I did something bad would he hit me with the belt or something..I was slapped a couple of times but it was because I talked back..when I didn't everything was fine." I rushed out, not liking this anymore as the look in Theo's eyes suddenly turned dangerous.

"He hit you. And you don't see that as abuse?" He asked lowly, causing my brow to furrow.

"He wasn't a heavy drinker or anything like that..and they never left lasting marks or scars..compared to what some people must go through I never saw it as abuse. My dad just had anger issues and liked to be in control.. that's all.." I don't know why I was defending my dad right now..I have no freaking clue..but I guess I just didn't want Theo to look down on me..or pity me..

Suddenly Theo's eyes widened, his hand falling from my chin as he slowly pulled back.

"And here I was..trying to do the exact f*****g same." Theo scoffed.

"That's why you don't like to be controlled..why you pushed back on it so much.." He muttered more to himself than anything as I just sat there, feeling like an i***t for ever saying anything. "Ava, look at me." Theo said, and I didn't want to..I didn't want to see the look he must have on his face right now.

"Ava..please." He whispered much more gently this time, resulting in me giving in.

"I will never let anyone treat you like that again..I will never treat you like that again.." He stated with purpose, his brown eyes darkening as he slowly stood and walked over to me. "Come here, Kitten." He whispered, making me swallow down a sob that threatened to surface any moment.

I slowly stood, and within seconds Theo had lifted me up and wrapped his arms around me. His face was buried in the crook of my neck as he held onto me tightly.

"I swear Ava..I will never let anyone hurt you again..let me take care of you..let me protect you." He breathed, his hands gliding up my back before he lifted his head and peered down at me.

"Will you let me?" He asked softly..and that's when I felt my head nodding up and down..giving in fully as Theo's lips crashed down to mine kissing me deeply.

I don't know what it means exactly..but for the first time in my life..I felt seen..actually seen and wanted..and I realized all too soon that I wanted him just as much as he wanted me..

I just hope he doesn't end up breaking my heart..I don't know if I will be strong enough to survive it..