Stranded with My Stepbrother Chapter 171

McKenzie

I saw Will trying to get to me, but being intercepted by first Bran, then Ike. Ike ultimately took him away, with several other men, including Bran, walking into the house after them.

It was a lovely summer day, and the women sitting around me were nice enough, but there was only so much interest I could show in lavish vacations, jewelry, fashion shows, etc., etc. I was bored to tears by an hour in, and I was trapped.

I also didn’t have Mom. Unexpectedly, Ike had told her this morning that, instead of coming to the engagement party, she could go see Dad. Though she asked me first, in my mind, there was no question. She should go see Dad. We were all very worried about him.

Except now I was also worried about Will and all the men who’d converged on him. It ate at me, and after half an hour, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Excuse me,” I said with a polite smile. “I need to powder my nose.”

The women giggled. “Sure. And check in with the housekeeper as well, won’t you?” Tracy Franz asked. “I don’t think the waiters are making enough rounds with the food and champagne.”

“Right,” I agreed. Then I hurried away before someone could launch into the story of how their father bought a boat that was bigger than the other girl’s father’s boat.

I all but ran into the house, courtesy of Ike allowing me to wear flats, just in time to see Will burst out of a room and run up the stairs.

“Will?” I called after him. But he didn’t hear me.

I ran upstairs after him, turning to the left when I heard a door slam. When I got to the door, there was the unmistakable sound of retching.

Panic seized my heart. “Will!” I knocked on the door. “Will, are you okay? Did they drug you?!”

“Just a second,” he replied gruffly.

I waited. The toilet flushed. There was a lot of rinsing and spitting. Then the door opened. “Will—!”

He grabbed me and yanked me inside, closing the door behind me and locking it. “I need you,” he said without preamble.

“What happened?” I asked, touching his cheek.

Will kissed my palm then pulled my hand down to his chest, placing it over his heart. “Tell me I’m a good man.”

“You’re a good man, Will,” I whispered, even more worried than before. I rubbed his chest, not knowing the reason but knowing his heart must hurt.

He buried his face in my neck and sighed. “I think I just got a few villages killed.”

“Villagers?” I clarified.

Will swallowed. “No.”

“Oh… my love.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair. “It’s not your fault. Those are all your grandfather’s cronies, aren’t they?”

He nodded.

“They made you do something you didn’t want to do. They forced you or they tricked you, but either way, it’s not your fault,” I said fiercely.

Will was quiet for a while, then his fingers fumbled with the zipper at the back of my dress.

He needed something else, too.

I saved him the trouble. I gave him a little push then shoved my clothes—dress, strapless bra, painties, and all—to the floor. The dress was just loose enough that I didn’t really need the zipper.

His breath caught, and he reached out to touch my breast.

I tugged him closer by the waistband of his pants and undid them. His pants and boxers fell to the floor with very little encouragement.

With a frown, I asked, “Are you losing weight?”

“You are, too,” he answered softly. He stroked his fingertips down my side. “My poor honeybee.”

“We’ve both been really stressed out. And we’ve been through a lot,” I pointed out, kissing his collarbone. I rubbed his dick, even though he was fully erect.

Will groaned. “It’s still not okay. I don’t want you to get sick.”

“I don’t want you to get sick!” I echoed.

“Then let’s try not getting sick together.” He stopped my hand. “Maybe we shouldn’t. What if it’s too much for you?”

“It wasn’t last night,” I scoffed.

“Yes, but….”

I put a finger over his lips. “I feel fine. And if you don’t fuck me soon, I’m going to die.”

He laughed and kissed me. “Whatever you say, honeybee.” He backed me up against the door.

It was my turn to laugh. “What is it with us and bathrooms?”

“We’ll make it our thing. Everywhere we go, we have to bang each other’s brains out in the bathroom,” he said, lifting me up and setting me down on his dick.

I moaned loudly. “That’s-that’s almost a poem!”

“I thought it sounded romantic,” he agreed. He gripped my ass and started thrusting, fucking me hard against the door.

I clung to his shoulders, my back rubbing against the heavy wooden door with every forceful thrust. I wondered if you could get rug burn from a door. What would you call it? Door burn?

Then I had no thoughts at all as Will lit up my world. I cried out, not really caring who could hear me. I didn’t give a damn what any of these people thought of me.

He came as well, pushing in deep. When he finished, he rested his forehead on my collarbone. “I love you so much,” he whispered.

“I love you, too,” I said, stroking his hair.

There was a knock on the door. “Will? McKenzie? I suggest you finish up in there. We can’t continue the festivities without the guests of honor.” Ike sounded amused.

I scowled at the door while Will sighed and gently pulled out, setting me down on the floor. “We’ll be just a minute,” he said.

“Oh! And the others loved your idea. We put it to a vote while you were gone. The transition will be happening on Monday. We’ve already got forces on the ground just waiting for orders,” Ike continued.

Will looked sick again. “Great,” he managed.

“You’ll get the hang of this yet! I have every faith in you.” Then I heard Ike walking away.

I cupped Will’s face in my hands. “Not. Your. Fault.”

“It sure feels like it is.” He kissed me then just held me in his arms like an emotional support blanket.

I leaned into him and wrapped my arms around him, trying to get as close as possible.

We stayed that way for a long time.

Knocking came again, this time louder.

“Will and McKenzie! Honestly. Get out here and be sociable,” Ike barked.

We looked at each other then at the door in irritation.

“We’re almost there,” Will said.

“How many times do you plan to do it?! After last night, I’m surprised either of you had anything left to give!” Ike complained.

“For Chrissake, we’re not fucking, you sick fuck. We’re having a conversation!” Will snapped.

Ike actually laughed! “Temper, temper! All right, but make it quick. People are waiting downstairs.” He didn’t walk away this time.

Will muttered under his breath about Ike’s lesser qualities while he cleaned me up and helped me back into my clothes. He then stepped into his pants and boxers, still too easily for my liking, and took my hand.

I gave myself one quick glance in the mirror, noting my hair wasn’t as mussed as I thought it would be. Then we went out into the hall.

“Finally!” Ike turned on his heel and started down the stairs, expecting us to follow him.

We did.

As it turned out, we were needed for the gift opening.

Will and I sat side-by-side on a white wrought iron bench outside and spent the next two hours opening gifts and thanking people. I could hardly believe the things we got. Vacations, both at other people’s vacation properties and not. Jewelry I’d be too frightened to wear in case someone might steal it. Three expensive cars. And a yacht.

“It’s just a small yacht,” Joel Westlake said apologetically. “Just sixty meters.”

“Joel, there are only eighteen yachts in the world that are between sixty and seventy meters. It’s a perfectly lovely gift,” Ike replied. “Besides, the Mastersons already have a superyacht. This one will be a nice recreation craft.”

“It’s a lovely gift,” I assured Joel, feeling a little bad for the alcoholic. He clearly was one.

He perked up a bit. “I suppose you’re right. Please, enjoy the gift. Sail around the whole world.”

That wasn’t going to be happening. With the way Ike kept an eye on us?

“I can’t wait!” I replied, forcing some enthusiasm into my tone.

“Let’s move on, shall we?” Ike said, handing me another gift. The paper was baby blue with a thick, white ribbon. “This one is from Mr. Masterson. He regrets being unable to be here in person.”

No one dared to laugh.

I smiled. “I’ll have to thank him the next time we visit.” I opened the box and pulled out a baby boy’s sailor suit, complete with a little hat and shoes. “O-kay….”

Will plucked the clothes from my fingers, looking them over. “Wishful thinking?”

“Just a little inspiration.” Ike grinned. “You’re getting married soon, after all.”

“I think we discussed holding off on children for a short while. But thank Grandfather for the thoughtful gift, if we don’t see him first. We’ll be sure to keep it for if and when we have a boy,” Will said, his tone icy.

I elbowed him in the side. “Of course, it’s adorable. He has very good taste in baby clothes.”

“Doesn’t he just? We’ll discuss the details later. I’m sure you’re both very excited to become parents,” Ike stated.

Something was wrong. Will knew something was wrong, too. I gripped his hand when he started to stand. “Will,” I whispered. “The gifts. We’ll talk to him later.”

It took a moment, but he finally backed down. The tension didn’t leave his body, however.

Once the gift opening had finished, the crowd moved on to see a famous comedian who had been hired privately for the event.

Will dragged me off the bench, and we quickly cornered Ike near some rose bushes before he could escape.

“What is the meaning of the baby clothes?” Will demanded.

Ike chuckled. “You really can’t figure it out, can you?”

“A clue would be nice,” Will seethed.

“You don’t need a clue,” Ike said.

I swallowed. “Am I… not going to college?”

“Oh, you certainly are, my dear,” Ike replied before Will could get a word in. “Just after the baby is born.”

“Fuck that! Ike, Grandfather cannot be serious. One, McKenzie is nineteen. Nineteen. She has no business having a baby right now! Two, you can’t guarantee the child will be a boy! It’s insane to think that’s possible. Three—” Will ticked off his points until Ike interrupted.

“There are ways to guarantee a boy. In vitro fertilization, for instance,” Ike said.

“No.” Will shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

Ike shrugged. “Then I guess you keep having babies until McKenzie has a boy. It’s a rather simple concept, Will.”

“I won’t let that happen. No children until she’s done with school,” Will said firmly.

“Um… I’m right here,” I mumbled. “But I agree. It’s too soon.”

“It was too soon. Then you started galavanting around the countryside with your friends. Now, Mr. Masterson wants guarantees. You can raise your child, or he can, but it’s happening,” Ike stated.

Will frowned. “Once we have that boy, Grandfather is going to take him away anyway. He won’t want either of us raising him.”

Horror overwhelmed my system. “What?”

Ike smiled. “You’re a very smart boy, Will.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Will said again.

“Well, technically you don’t have to. We still have your father’s sperm from the last time and Jacey is still… serviceable.”

“She’s forty-eight!” I cried. “Wait, why did you suddenly decide this morning that Mom didn’t need to be here and should go visit Dad?”

Ike smiled again.

“Will?” I whispered, grabbing his arm.

“Ike. Tell me you didn’t,” Will breathed.

Ike shrugged. “She did such a beautiful job last time.”

Something snapped in Will. I could feel it in the air. He surged forward and grabbed Ike by the throat.

Ike gurgled, clawing at Will’s hand and wrist.

“Will!” I put myself between them and tugged on his arm. “Will, no!”

“He can’t keep doing these things without consequences,” Will hissed. “He’s fucking having your mother violated, for Chrissake!”

Tears stung my eyes at his statement, but I held firm. “Will, this isn’t the way. They’ll hurt the others. You know they will. Every time we do something, he does something even more horrible. You can’t do this.”

Will’s chest rose and fell rapidly. He was beyond angry. He was beyond rage. I thought he’d reached a level of upset that didn’t have a name!

Then, much to my relief, and small disappointment, he let Ike go.

Ike stumbled back into a rose bush clutching his throat.

“McKenzie’s going to college,” Will said, his voice dripping darkness. “And you’re going to stop whatever you’re doing with Jacey. Or so help me, Ike, I will make sure Grandfather’s empire falls down around his ears.”

Ike just nodded, incapable of speech.

Will put his arm around me, and we walked away.

Behind me, I thought I heard Ike on his phone:

“Yes, sir. I think if we keep pushing, everything will fall right into place.”