Casey picked at the overcooked meatloaf on her plate. It had only been a few hours, but she already missed Derek's touch, and with their family around them, she wouldn't be able to make contact. She felt empty and alone inside. What made it worse was listening to Derek recall their time together, making her out to be the annoying step-sister once again.

He made it look easy. He was the lord of the lies and it was becoming more and more apparent with each fabrication he told. Casey almost believed what he was saying, wondering if he really felt that way. If it wasn't for the occasional wink and smile thrown in her direction, she would have wondered if he cared about her at all.

"What about you?" Nora turned her attention to Casey. "You've barely said two words since you've been back. Are you feeling okay?"

No, I'm not feeling okay. I just professed my love to Derek and he didn't say it back. I just spent the most amazing week of my life with the bane of my existence and now I'm forced to act like nothing has changed.

"I'm fine, Mom," Casey said softly. "Maybe a little tired. You know, spending a week alone with Derek's uncouth behavior is liable to take its toll on anyone."

"You're no picnic either, Princess," Derek said with his mouth full.

Casey couldn't hide the disdain off her face if she tried. Maybe after a full night's sleep, she could muster up the energy to falsify this entire progression of their relationship, but it wouldn't happen tonight. She had to be alone before everything came pouring from her lips.

"I'm going to go take a shower and turn in early." Casey stood from the table, keeping ahold of the side for support.

"You barely touched your meatloaf," Nora said in a worried tone.

"I'm not hungry. We had a big lunch," she lied.

Nora sighed. "Alright, then. Goodnight, Casey. Sleep tight."

Casey adverted her gaze, not daring to make eye contact with anyone - least of all, Derek.

She trudged up the steps, relieved to finally be alone with her thoughts.

I love you, Derek.

I'm never letting you go, Case. Count on it.

She could kick herself for saying it first. She was on the verge of humiliation, despite him promising to never let her go.

Casey new that she was doing it again. She was expecting "too much" from a relationship, even though they weren't officially in a relationship anyway. It was like Max and Ivan Hoe all over again. She should be elated that Derek said she could count on them working out. But Derek wasn't the most reliable when it came to dating. He rarely lasted more than a month. And here they were, two step-siblings who were sneaking around and sleeping together. He could toss her aside at any moment and no one would ever know.

Casey crawled beneath the covers, reveling in the feel of clean sheets and a soft bed.

What she wouldn't give to be back at that dingy motel room with Derek.

Her mind raced with thoughts of Derek throughout their years spent together. Unfortunately, her memories were riddled with screaming. It was as if their fights refused to be forgotten so that she would revel in their current state of bliss.

Casey thought back to the first time she had met Derek and her heart raced all over again.

July 2005 (four years ago)

Casey gazed out of the widow in silence trying her best to keep an open mind and appreciate all that her mother had ever done for her. Through her facade, Casey was seething. Her mother was about to get remarried to a man that lived in London.

How had this happened?

While she was excited to see her mother happy after the depressed years she had spent with Casey's father, it didn't ease the pain she felt of leaving behind her school and friends.

And while George seemed like a genuinely nice guy, he also came saddled with three children of his own. It was hard enough to have the space she craved with Lizzie around…and Lizzie was a great kid who respected her privacy.

"It's not ideal, Casey, but just give it a chance. I know that George and the kids will be the best thing that's ever happened to us," Nora said with a nervousness etched into her voice. The words of encouragement did anything but ease the deep feeling of dread inside the pit of her stomach.

The long drive from Toronto was over far too quickly as they pulled into the driveway of a quaint home that was easily five times larger than their current apartment. It was hard not to appreciate the feel of a real place after having spent so much time in cramped quarters with her mother and sister.

Nora and Lizzie quickly got out of the vehicle and made their way up the steps to the front porch. From the passenger seat of the car, Casey caught of glimpse of two children opening the door. It was actually happening.

Casey slowly got out and walked up the steps by herself. She smoothed down her dress as dread washed over her. It was exhausting playing nice.

Casey prided herself on being civil to everyone – she vowed that this situation would not be any different.

As she opened the unlocked door and made her way inside, she noticed that her sister was actively chatting with a boy that appeared to be around the same age, while a small child was clinging to her mother with an excited expression. Casey instantly softened at the sight. How could she not? After learning that their mother had walked out on them, maybe she could find it in her heart to share her own mom. It wouldn't be easy, but she was more than willing to try.

Casey gazed around the home in admiration, admitting to herself that the entire layout was spacious and well decorated aside from the hideous furniture that littered the living room. She grimaced at the disgusting recliner and couch, making an instant reminder that they would have to do some serious redecorating once they officially moved in.

It wasn't long before George was flying down the steps to her mother, a sweet and affectionate expression on his face as he kissed her quickly before greeting her and her sister. He really was a great guy and Nora deserved the very best. For the first time that day, Casey gave a genuine smile.

George, Edwin, and Marti were absolutely perfect. Maybe becoming a blended family wouldn't be so bad after all. She couldn't have drawn a better family portrait if she had tried herself.

With a new added sense of abound possibilities, the only thing that was missing was Derek. If he was anything like the rest of his family, Casey knew that everything would work out for the best.

"Derek!" her mother exclaimed, cutting into her own thoughts regarding the oldest Venturi boy.

Casey lifted her head towards the stairs as her mother moved to the side, offering her a better view. And in that instant, she couldn't breathe.

Derek.

She met a pair of dark eyes that bore into her own. His expression was hungry and appreciative as his gaze never left her. Even as Nora brought him into a tight embrace, he stayed rooted as their excitement mimicked one another's.

For a moment, she felt self-conscious beneath his deep scrutiny as his eyes began traveling down the length of her body. She wished that she had opted for a more demure outfit that didn't leave her shoulders and legs bare. However, she wasn't sure if a more respectable dress would have garnered such a deep reaction from her future 'step-brother.'

He was gorgeous.

A deep blush began to rise in her cheeks as the feelings that she had never experienced prior to this moment began to spread throughout her entire body.

She could vaguely feel George's arm come around her, which seemed to break Derek's concentration upon her. His look of amazement fell as he slowly descended the rest of the way down the steps.

Casey moved forward, her body continuing to feel like it was on fire. It was a feeling that she never wanted to be extinguished.

Her legs felt weak with every step she took towards him.

"Hi," she said in a small voice that betrayed who she really was. He stepped back, but she gave him a bright smile of encouragement, desperately hoping for the same from him. For a moment, the smirk on his face once again faltered, but he quickly recovered despite the harsh swallow that he choked down.

He breathed out in contempt. The words that escaped his lips were unexpected and soul crushing.

"Whatever," he said to her in a harsh reaction that did not match the gaze that he had given her only moment before as her brow furrowed in confusion.

He knocked into her shoulder, causing her to stumble backwards, hitting hard into the gross recliner that needed to be burned. She had no choice but to grab hold of the fabric to steady herself.

Instantly, her desire turned to anger. It was as if the moment that they had shared never happened. His form began retreating, but not before a humorous expression crossed his features due to his sudden assault on her person.

"De-rek!"

She had to admit that she loved the sound of his name coming from her own lips.

August 2009 (Present day)

Casey awoke with a start as sweat beaded her brow. Her heart was racing with thoughts and memories of Derek. While reliving the moment that would forever change her life, she had drifted off into a restless sleep that turned her memories into a mixture of sweet dreams and nightmares.

A soft kiss landed on her neck, and for a moment, Casey breathed deep at the safe feeling that overcame her. She willed herself to speak.

"You can't be in here," she said in a whisper without turning around to look directly at him. Despite her objection, Casey reached down to place her hand over his. Derek's fingers spread slightly for her to lace their fingers together.

Even the slightest touch was more jolting than an electric current.

"I'm sorry about today," Derek began while continuing the light movements of his lips on her skin. Casey shivered. "I had to be a jack ass to be convincing."

"Did you have to be so convincing?" She could feel his smile against her neck.

He groaned deep. "You know I had to be. We talked about this. If Nora or dad had any idea what's been happening between us, they'd fucking flip."

Casey turned on her back to look Derek in the eye. She was relieved to find that his expression had softened from the indifferent gaze he had given her throughout the day. After Derek had thrown her up against the side of the house to tell her he wanted to be with her, but that their parent's wouldn't have any part in it, she had felt empty and depressed. If they wouldn't accept it now, they never would.

Derek leaned down to capture her lips with his own. She willingly opened her mouth to allow him entry. What began as comforting quickly turned hungry. Derek continued to kiss her as he leaned down to grab her pajama bottoms, slowly tugging them down her legs in an attempt to free her for him to gain access.

Casey momentarily forgot where she was. She would never get enough of this feeling…of the man who could so easily possess her body. It wasn't until she lay completely naked beneath him that her senses jolted her back to reality.

What the hell were they doing?

"Derek, stop," she said against his ear as he leaned down to capture one of her nipples into his mouth. He groaned lightly, but continued flicked his tongue against the pink nub in a torturous rhythm that instantly garnered a pool between her thighs. Somehow she managed to protest once again.

"Derek, I said stop," she said once again in a harsh tone that finally gained his attention. The look of confusion was clear in his eyes as his hand cupped the spot that his mouth had just possessed moments earlier.

"What's wrong, Case?"

The concern in his voice almost made her regret the decision to stop him. However, now was not the time to let themselves be overcome with the lust that they had been feeling for the past five days. It was much easier to lose yourself when the real world didn't exist within the four walls of a motel room far away from home.

"We can't do this here."

"You aren't serious?" an humorous smirk crossed his handsome features, exasperation etched within his voice.

"Of course I'm serious. You said yourself that mom and George would freak out. The least we can do is respect their home."

Casey couldn't help the pout that hung on her lips. While she expected Derek to get a little angry, he instead smoothed her hair back from her face and ran a thumb softly against her cheek. He placed the lightest kiss against her bottom lip that stuck out. The surprised reaction was welcome.

"I've been waiting to get you home so that I could have you in your own bed, Case. I know you're all about following the rules, but do we have to do it right now when I have you positioned beneath me…ready for me?"

Casey closed her eyes against the seductive words that dripped from Derek's lips. She had always been the responsible one, and for the first time in her life, she felt like she had lost control. She took a deep breath, placing her palms against the bare solid chest of her step-brother. She nodded her head. The next words she spoke were the hardest she had ever said.

"I hate hiding. If we can't tell anyone, I think it's best if we refrain…from, you know…sleeping together."

Casey winced at her faltered words, scared to look directly into Derek's eyes. His gaze darkened slightly, disappointment and anger hidden beneath the dark depths. He dipped his head in exasperation before rolling off of her and into a sitting position.

She watched him run his expert fingers through his curled hair. Casey had to admit that he looked absolutely beautiful despite his irritated state. She braced herself for his next words, but when he decided not to bolt from the room, she took that as a sign of encouragement.

"So you're punishing me because I don't want to create World War III in our house?"

If his words weren't spoken so softly, Casey would have easily been angered by his reaction. It was as if he was completely blaming her.

"No," Casey responded. In all honestly, half of her reasoning was due to their parent's lack of knowledge about recent events.

The other half was much more troubling.

"It just doesn't feel right."

Derek turned to her, his reaction unsettling as he tried desperately to figure out what the real reason was behind her refusal.

"It felt right every other God damn time."

Casey was shocked by his words. Her mouth gaped open, unsure if she had heard him correctly. Just because she gave herself over to him many…many times before, did not give him sole rights to her body.

Casey took a deep breath to keep from getting angry. Between clenched teeth, she said, "Just because I said yes every other time doesn't give you the right to fuck me whenever you feel like it. I told you why I don't want to do it, so I just wish you would respect that."

"Casey…" Derek's voice instantly softened, but it was too late.

"Get out," Casey voice cracked. She hated how vulnerable she sounded in that moment. She turned around on her side, willing him to leave her alone. They were in their parent's home, he had never told her that he loved her, he expected her to give herself over to him whenever he felt like it…it wasn't her fault.

It wasn't until Casey heard the soft click of her door that did she allow to be overcome with silent tears that quickly wet her pillow.

A/N: Don't be mad that it has taken me YEARS to upload a new chapter! I was going through stories that were unfinished. Sometimes when you are writing, it becomes so difficult to know what direction you want to take the story next, that you completely cease writing all together. Not that I'm completely satisfied with this chapter, but it's a step in the right direction to continue what I never finished. :)