A/n If you want an explanation of the long delay, go to my profile and click on the homepage link at the top.

But, if it helps, you guys ROCK! I was reading through the reviews and they really gave me motivation to write some more.

Mistake 5

"Here are your chores."

I stared, horrified as Nora handed me a piece of paper with a list of things to do on it.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, reading through the list, "Organize the bookcase? Seriously?"

She gave me a look. "Yes, seriously. I want you to alphabetize the books. Along with cleaning out the fridge, mowing the lawn, pulling the weeds and help Edwin and your dad paint the front porch."

"I have plans already," I said quickly.

Nora shook her head. "Cancel them. This is spring break—"

"Exactly, we should be taking a break."

"And we are going to do our spring cleaning," Nora finished as if I hadn't even said anything.

I groaned and looked down at the list again. It wasn't much, but doing everything on the list would take me days. If Casey had to do it, it would only take her about six hours, but since I'm the procrastinator of the century, it would take me much longer than that.

I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge door. It was jam packed with food. Most of it was probably older than God. Containers and glass bowls of leftovers filled up most of the shelf space. I stared at all the tin foil and opened one of the plastic containers, wincing at the foul stench that rose from the bowl. I wasn't going to start with the fridge.

I looked at the list. It was way too hot outside to do any of the outside chores. The only thing that was left was to organize the bookshelf. It would be better than to sort through all the nasty crap in the fridge.

So I walked back into the dining room, staring at the bookcase that was built into the wall next to the stairs. I never remembered owning that many books before. More than three quarters of them must have belonged to Nora and Casey, so why was I the one alphabetizing them?

We may never know.

I started by pulling some books off the shelf and letting the drop to the floor. Then, I put my arm behind the whole row of books and pushed them off. The crashed down with several loud thuds as each individual book made a noise on the floor.

I grimaced at the mess at my feet and continued to pull books off the shelf until it was completely empty. Then I sat down on the floor, starting piles for each letter.

When I got to the F's I found an interesting book.

"The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud," I read under my breath as I turned the book over in my hands. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, I stuffed the small book in my back pocket to look at later.

Later that night I had finally finished the bookcase, cleaned out the fridge and mowed the lawn. Exhausted, I flopped down on my mattress, thankful that I had such a soft and comfortable bed except for that bump right where my butt was.

Then I remember about the book.

I sat up and pulled the book out of my pocket. I checked to make sure my door was closed and opened it to the first page.

It started out saying that you dream of things in your subconscious. I thought of the last dream I had of Casey and how I was feeling in it. It was completely opposite of how I thought of the dreams when I wake up. In my sleep I think of her as hot and sexy. Usually those words wouldn't even be in my vocabulary for describing my stepsister. But then again, in my sleep, I don't think of her as a stepsister. More like a… lover.

Those thoughts made me shiver, and not in a good way.

"Derek."

My door burst open and I quickly threw the book onto the floor on the other side of my bed.

"Don't you knock?" I snapped at Casey.

She was staring at me. "What were you doing?" My mind started racing for a good excuse, but before I could answer, Casey shook her head. "Never mind, I don't even want know."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Is there something you want?"

She took a breath and smiled. "I have homework for my photography class and I need to use music for the assignment. I was wondering, since you're my favorite stepbrother—"

"Liar."

"If I could look through your CD's."

I stared at her for a second, wondering if she was joking. "Why would I let you do that?"

She smiled sweetly. "Because over these last few years you've grown fond of me?"

I snorted. "Try again."

Her shoulders slumped and she looked desperate. I felt that annoying feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was the same annoying feeling I got when I found out Scott was cheating on Casey. It's called compassion or whatever.

I looked away from her, which helped a little.

"Please, Derek? I'll do whatever you want—"

"Alright," I interrupted. I didn't want to think about what my version of 'whatever you want' is.

I looked at her again. She beamed and did that thing with her hands where she clasps them together and puts them under her chin. "Thank you."

I watched as she ran over to the CD's in my CD shelf by my computer and started looking through them, her fingers gently touching each case as she reads the titles. Every once in a while she would pull out a CD, read the back and then put it back where it came from. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and bent her knees so she could read see the cases closer to the bottom. She pulled out another CD, bit her lip, and then put it back. I wasn't paying any attention to what CD's she was now looking at. I was staring at her lips.

"You should alphabetize these," she stated, making me jump. I picked up the comic sitting on my nightstand and opened it to a random page, trying to look distracted.

"Please, Derek?" she asked again. She grabbed my wrist to stop me from going upstairs to my room. "I'll do whatever you want."

I froze and turned to look at her.

"Anything?" I asked with a smirk.

Casey suddenly looked a little hesitant, but then she nodded. "Yeah," she said.

I placed one hand on her hip and pulled her to me, kissing her in one swift move. Just as quick, she took two steps back and we stared at each other. She looked shocked, but it didn't take her much time to recover and kiss me again.

I laughed and pulled her closer. She broke contact just long enough to say, "Shut up," with a little giggle.

"You're so cute," I whispered against her lips.

I slowly guided Casey to the couch until we both fell onto it. I rested my arms on either side of her and bent my head lower to hers. I gave her a quick peck on the lips before trailing wet kisses up and down her neck as she made little sounds of pleasure. Her hands slid up under my shirt, touching my chest and making goose bumps rise on the back of my arms.

I woke up and looked at the clock. Three in the morning. I groaned and rolled over, closing my eyes and falling asleep again almost instantly.