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Isabelle I stared at the thick textbook on the hotel desk, the pages blurring after hours of forcing myself through equations and history notes. Suspension sucked, no classes, no normal routine, just this sterile suite that still smelled like fresh paint and someone else's perfume. I flipped another page, muttering under my breath. "Why do they make this stuff so dry? It's like they want me to fall asleep." My phone buzzed on the nightstand for the hundredth time that morning. I glanced over, then immediately regretted it, the screen lit up with another notification, some gossip site headline screaming about me and Lucas again. I snatched it up, scrolled for two seconds, and felt my stomach twist. "Seriously? Now they're saying we ran away together? Who even believes this garbage?" I tossed the phone face down and paced to the window. The city stretched out below, cars crawling like ants. Living here felt temporary, like I was in limbo waiting for the world to forget my name.

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Lucas I gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white as I sped toward the hotel. My phone still glowed with that message from my buddy at school. Tyler was just at the hotel with Isabelle. The words tasted like acid. Tyler, the perfect guy who never caused drama, swooping in while I was stuck at home replaying every mistake. I pulled into the parking lot, slammed the door, and marched straight up. No front desk nonsense, I texted Mom for the floor and room details and caught the elevator before she could stop me. My heart hammered against my ribs, I knocked hard on the door. Mom opened it just a crack, her face shifting from surprise to fury in seconds. "Lucas? What are you doing here? You cannot just show up like this after everything that's happened." "I need to talk to Isabelle right now," I demanded, trying to look past her into the suite. "I found out Tyler visited her earlier today. He cannot keep seeing her, Mom, not after what Isabelle and I have been th

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Isabelle I sat across from Lily in the hotel suite, as we faced each other on the small couch. My hands twisted in my lap, the memory of the heated hallway exchange with Lucas still fresh. "Isabelle, I keep replaying that confrontation in the hallway outside our rooms. The way Lucas showed up demanding to talk, confessing his feelings so openly while I tried to block him. It feels like the whole world is watching and judging every move you both make," she said softly now my voice was shaky at first, realizing her plan wasn't solid proof was the character development she needed. Lily leaned forward with concern etched across her face. "Isabelle, I heard every word. Lucas crossed a line with those declarations. But we cannot let this define us. The rumors about you and him are everywhere, and people are talking. We need to appear normal, stable as a united front. What do you think about getting back out there socially? Showing everyone you are moving forward?" I took a deep breat

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Isabelle Rain hammered against the window, while my hotel room felt too quiet. I grabbed my phone, thumbs flying before doubt could stop me. “I can’t sleep, the storm is bad, are you awake?” Lucas’s reply came in seconds. “I was just about to text you, are you alone?” “Yes, please.” I replied back, trying to understand why he had asked that. My heart raced as I waited in nothing but an oversized t-shirt and pale blue panties. When the soft knock finally came, I cracked the door. Lucas slipped inside, drenched from the downpour, dark hair plastered to his forehead. Water dripped from his jacket onto the floor, but his eyes, goodness, those intense, locked on mine with pure need. “I had to see you,” with his usual rough voice. He kicked the door shut and pulled me against him without another word. Our mouths crashed together. His lips were cool from the rain, but his tongue was hot, and demanding. My hands fisted in his wet shirt as he backed me toward the wall, fingers alrea

All Chapters of CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER : Chapter 61 - Chapter 64

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