Chapter 16

To his dad's great happiness, Rachel had settled as business partners so that O.L.M.A. would start to gain success again and avoid bankruptcy altogether. Since she was the one who broke the contract, Dare enterprises paid big money for it-... at least that's what Percy heard.

Rachel had talked to him and told him everything about the set up, which he was definitely glad to hear. He should be furious, but she had made up for it by canceling the wedding so Percy was content in just letting her go.

They had the wedding reception anyways— since it was a waste of food and cake. His eyes were only fixed on a certain golden haired beauty dancing with Thalia on the dance floor. Her laughing had made him want to smile a real, warm smile.

Percy had been content from just looking at her from afar. And it was a bigger bonus, since that blue eyed bastard wasn't around to shoot possessive glances back at him. Apparently, Luke was on a business trip for work.

All the more reason to dance with her, he thought as he had gone up to her and asked for a dance to which she had gladly complied.

Today was a Tuesday and Percy was sitting in his office, smiling whenever the thought of Annabeth came to his head—which was a lot.

It was obvious to him now... He loved her as more than just a sister. He was sure of it from the moment she walked into the ceremony late— flushed from realizing she had arrived mid-ceremony and beautiful with strands of hair grazing the sides of her face— that face which still had the resemblance of the adorable little girl she was years ago with her blonde pig tails, her toothy grin and chubby rosy cheeks.

He would have run to her apartment (Thalia's apartment) right then and kissed her on her lovely lips if it hadn't been for the fact that she was taken— taken by that blue eyed blonde haired douche bag.

Well, that didn't mean he couldn't think about her…and possibly go see her whenever he wanted—

as her brother.

~o00o~

Annabeth was done with all her business meetings for the day so she went to the library. Never did she know that a certain green eyed handsome was following casually behind her, smiling his warm smile— keeping his pace as slow as hers.

She stopped at a Starbucks and went in. Percy waited with his hands stuck in his pockets, waiting for her. Nobody looking at him would think he just had been left at the altar. He looked like a normal good looking twenty six year old guy— with his hooded vest over a flannel and a maroon beanie covering the tops of his ears.

Annabeth walked out again with her heels clicking on the side walk of Manhattan's streets with a grande cappuccino in her hand and her aviators slid over her eyes. She was dressed casually as well. A beauty in her baggy sweatpants and a graphic low cut sleeve tank with a navy bandeau showing at her sides.

Percy smiled seeing her again and slowly trailed again behind her to wherever she was headed— which turned out to be the city library.

He smiled and went in after her. Annabeth slid off her sunglasses and went over to the art section which was usually empty. There was everything on architecture there, so it was understandable why she loved it there.

She was smiling and enjoying her time looking through the shelves and shelves of books, when a hand came out of nowhere and rustled her hair— … there was only one person who ever dared to do that to her.

"Percy!" She said in a hushed voice as she turned around to see a very amused face.

"How's my favorite sister?" He said chuckling at her expression and reaching over to snatch the book she was looking at out of her hands, "Oooh, gothic architecture.. nice." he said.

"Ugh, give it back, Percy." She said, trying to reach for it.

He avoided her easily and pretended to be interested in the book.

She couldn't help but laugh trying to get the book out of his hands. Soon, she gave up and simply pushed him against the other side of the shelves. He held his hands up in surrender and smiled his charming smile as he let her take the book out of his hands. But, since she was closer to him, he spun around her and had her soon trapped against the shelves.

"Got you." he said, never letting his smile falter.

Annabeth looked up at him— since he was a few inches taller— and her eyes widened noticing their closeness.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, "What are you doing here anyway? Are you following me?"

"Yeah." he said shamelessly.

Her brows raised up at him, "Uhuh. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to read now." she said, ducking out of his arms. She picked up her coffee which she had set down and walked over to a chair that was situated next to a window that had a nice view of the city.

Percy sat in the chair in front of her and scooted it up closer to her. He set his elbows on the table, letting his chin sit on his palms. And his green eyes let themselves stare endearingly at her, watching her turn each page and read with those mesmerizing grey eyes.

She would look up now and then and stare back at him weirdly before going back to her book.

After a while, she set the book down and looked straight into his eyes, "Aren't you going to read something, too?"

"I'm fine doing what I'm doing right now."

"And.. what is it exactly that you're doing?" she asked with the quirk of her brow.

"Watching over my sister like a good brother should." he said with a charismatic smirk.

"Riightt. Shouldn't you be doing work. The company needs you, since the marriage deal is canceled, right?"

"No, I don't, actually. Our company is doing marvelously since Rachel decided to stay business partners with us."

"Oh, I see." she said pushing a golden strand of hair behind her ear.

"Anyways, enough business talk." he said shaking his hand. Percy looked into her eyes again, which he seemed to be doing a lot lately, and smiled.

"Does my favorite sister want to go on a date with me?" he asked.

His smile was distracting her from focusing on what he just said.

She pulled her thoughts together and smirked up at him.

"Seriously? When did you get so forward with girls?"

Percy laughed at that, "Since forever. Now answer me."

"Gods, okay..." she squinted at him. "Hm.. If I go on this date with you, are you going to get me roses?" she said in mock seriousness.

He chuckled, "No, I'm getting you daisies. Duh."

She laughed and nodded, "Alright then. Of course, I'll go on a date with you. I wouldn't reject my only brother."

Percy smiled widely, "No girl would, if their brother is as handsome as me."

Annabeth stood up and leaned forward towards his smirking face, "Just, pick me up at four tomorrow, you cocky bastard." she said walking away from the table they were sitting at with a smirk planted on her face and leaving an ever content Percy with his heart beating quick from their closeness of a second.

~o00o~

"You're going on a date with who?" Thalia asked.

Annabeth smirked at her, "It's fine, Thalia. He's my brother— has been and always will be."

"I don't knooow. He might not think so."

Why does everybody think that?

"Have you told Luke?"

"No, I can't get a hold of him during the whole trip, remember? And it's really not a big deal, Thalia."

"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing."

Annabeth slipped on some light washed fitted jeans along with her favorite grey crew neck sweater. She slipped on some dark flats and threw her golden hair up.

She came downstairs as the doorbell rang.

The moment she opened the door, she laughed seeing him there with a bouquet of— not roses— but daisies.

"I said I would." he said shrugging.

Annabeth took them and motioned him to come in.

Percy came walking in and stood near Annabeth as she fixed the daisies a place on the dining table.

She turned and gave him a once over.

His hair was handsomely messy as always— not too shaggy or cut short.

He was wearing a brown leather jacket which looked rather nice on him. It was layered over a levi's jean flannel and a white v neck. A pair of sunglasses were slid in the front of his shirt, like he usually did, and nice dark jeans clad his legs with some loafers which completed his rich boy and incredibly hot outfit.

Percy smirked, seeing her look at him up and down.

"Are we going to go or are you just going to stand there staring?"

Annabeth blushed and was about to answer when Thalia came down and tackled Percy in a big hug.

"Percy! Haven't seen you since the wedding!" she said.

"Yeah, great to see that your doing well, Thals." Percy said, while being choked in her grip.

"I'll see you later, Thalia. Don't wait up." Annabeth said after Thalia had let Percy go.

"Yeah, bye. Have fun you two." she said with a sly smirk as Annabeth left the house with Percy following close behind.

~o00o~

Percy usually didn't pay much attention to woman's butts. But, he couldn't help staring at Annabeth's with those nice jeans on.

And it was his to stare at all he wanted for the whole day— not to sound like a pervert or anything.

They were at an amusement park/carnival and boy was he having a very fun time losing to Annabeth at everything. The look on her face she got when she won was priceless, so he decided to purposefully lose every time just to see her adorable victory face. It wasn't that hard. With her aiming skills, Annabeth could make a great hunter or a police officer if she wanted to.

He bought her cotton candy and shoved it in her face.

"Hey!— " she yelled at him, but then realized it was cotton candy and started eating it gladly.

It successfully made him laugh.

"Heyy" she said now with full cheeks, "I forgot how great cotton candy was."

Percy laughed at her and pinched her bulging cheeks. How adorable, he thought.

They went on a ton of roller coasters. So many Percy was getting seriously lightheaded— though the lightheadedness might have also been from the fact that Annabeth was holding his hand to drag him to another ride.

They eventually left and Percy took her to the movies. He didn't pay much attention to the movie, although Annabeth was entirely engrossed—he knew this, because he was watching her the whole time.

And you know those parts when the scene is totally silent and then suddenly something pops up and scares the shit out of you. Well, those parts became Percy's favorite, since every time it happened, Annabeth would grip his arm, making him chuckle quietly. She would glare at him then throw popcorn at his face, making him laugh even more.

After the movie, he took her to dinner at a restaurant he went to frequently. There was absolutely no awkward moment with her. He slung his arm around her shoulder and messed up her hair, like he always did, as they walked into the restaurant.

She looked up at him with an exaggerated frown which made Percy laugh and bring her closer to him as the waiter took them both to a table for two. It had a beautiful view of the ocean outside.

After the food came out, they talked and joked around about their childhood memories. Percy would make her laugh and she would sip her wine, looking back at him with smirking grey eyes.

"You know what I just realized?" she said.

"What?" Percy said smiling at her with thorough interest.

"You escaped from a turn of truth or dare Saturday."

Percy looked amused, "So, what are you getting at?"

"I'll ask you." she said looking sweetly at him.

"Ah.. no."

"Yes, you have to. I'm your little sister, you have to obey my wishes."

Percy stifled a laugh, "Alright then, ask me."

"Truth.. or.. Dare?" she said with her perfectly knit brows raised.

He laughed and said, "Dare."

A sly smile appeared on her lips, making him regret totally picking 'dare'.

"I.. dare.. you to jump into the water outside with only your boxers on."

Percy stared at her and gave her a mock pout, "whhaatt? That's no fair." he said as he stuffed a mouthful of pasta into his mouth.

"Hey, I could have made it so you had to jump totally naked. Be thankful."

"Thanks." he said flatly.

She laughed and finished her plate, "Whenever you're ready." she said with a smug smile.

Percy stood and helped her out of her chair.

"Alright.. let's go do this." he said begrudgingly, but with a smile plastered on his face.

~o00o~

They went outside away from the restaurant where a wooden dock was outstretched out on the calm waters.

Percy walked to the edge as Annabeth looked down at the water.

"Oohh, looks cold." she said trying not to laugh.

Percy gave her a glare as he slipped off his jacket, flannel, and shirt, until he was bare chested. He smirked at her staring as he unbuckled his jeans and pulled down his pants sliding them to her along with his other clothing.

Annabeth was dying, trying to hold in her laughter. He looked so pathetic— he looked hot doing it, but it was still pretty humiliating. She should give him dares a whole lot more.

"Alright… I'm going in…" he said with clenched teeth.

He raised his foot slowly then put it back down on the dock.

She stifled a laugh and looked at him, "Do you need a push?"

Percy looked back at her and gave her a smirk.

"No thank you, miss. I got it." he said as he jumped off.

There was bubbling and then it stopped...

He didn't come back up for a while, so Annabeth became worried and crouched down to look closer over the dock and into the water.

"Percy?" she asked the water, trying to make out if his body was there or not.

Suddenly, Percy reached up out of the water and pulled her in with him.

Gods, she would definitely kill him for that. But Percy wasn't thinking about that right now. He was having the time of his life.

Annabeth rose to the surface and sucked in a breathe of fresh air. Percy was there next to her.

She glared at him and splashed him with water.

"Asshole." she said, wiping away the water from her face with her hands.

Percy simply was laughing his ass off, which made Annabeth start laughing and splash him even more. She was trying to swim away from him but Percy— being the natural swimmer he was— got to her anyway, making her let out a yelp of mercy.

He then wrapped his arms around her slender body, trying to give her at least a little bit of warmth from his body.

Annabeth gasped when he hugged her. Despite the freezing water, she felt her whole body light up with warmth and she was confused by the feeling of it— because it felt… nice.

"Gods, we're going to get a cold if we don't get out of here soon." he said.

She nodded quickly, "Yeah, we should."

Percy reached his hand up to the dock and helped her out before he got out himself.

He immediately wrapped her shivering body with his jacket and slipped on a pair of jeans, before calling a taxi.

"Here, let's go to my place. It's closer." he said as they went into the cab and drove off.

~o00o~

Annabeth was changing in Percy's room after taking a nice hot shower. All his pants were too big for her, so she stuck with one of his button up shirts that just nearly covered her underwear. She decided she liked the shirt, since it smelled like him— not to sound creepy or anything— but the smell was strangely nostalgic.

Percy's apartment was incredibly nice. She had never seen such a nice bathroom. It was huge. And the sinks had bowls that came out of the bathroom counter. The shower came out of the ceiling and there was a very very huge bath, which looked more like a swimming pool, even though he had one of those just outside in his very very nice backyard.

The shower sounds could be heard from the bathroom… Was that humming she heard?

Stifling a laugh, she went downstairs to admire the house a bit more. The kitchen was grand with sleek silver top counters and a huge island. She glided her fingers over them, seeing that they were as smooth as they looked. Most of the things in the living room were remote controlled… she suddenly felt very old fashioned.

Glass panels were his windows and reached up high to the ceiling.

Annabeth looked outside. The sky was getting pretty grey and cloudy.

Good thing we got out when we did, she thought.

She heard footsteps come down the stairs.

"Would you like a drink? coffee? or maybe wine?" he said behind her in that silky low voice of his.

"Wine would be great." she said turning to him and regretting it the minute she did.

He was shirtless and had on only pajama plaid pants on, which hung on his hips, showing the top band of his boxers. With a towel around his shoulders, he stared back at her.

He would have smirked at her checking him out, but he was too busy staring back at her. It was a stare battle.

Gods, why was she making things so much harder for him?

Now, he knew he loved it incredibly that she was wearing his shirts. She looked unbelievably sexy in it.

He should let her borrow his shirts more often.

"Alright, wine it is." he said still dazed.

"Thanks." she said.

Everything just became really awkward just with that one stare. It definitely had sparked feelings in both of them which were both foreign and weird, but very exhilarating.

Annabeth felt a tug in her stomach— like an ache… of… longing. Something she had never felt before for anyone, including Luke. And she was scared of what would happen if she gave in

Percy came right behind her and handed her a glass.

Oh Gods, she thought.

She thanked him and sipped her glass slowly, trying to calm her senses that arose even more when he came close up behind her— not close enough to touch, but close enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence.

Drinking alcohol was probably not a good idea.

She could feel his warm sweet breathes on her neck.

"It's raining." he said in a low voice.

Annabeth looked out and saw that what he said was true. She let the words slip from her mouth.

"Well, I guess you'll just have to let me stay the night."

Percy chuckled lightly, "I guess I will, then."

She finally turned to him.

Her grey eyes looked up at him. She looked confused, but underneath that Percy could tell there was longing— the same longing that he himself had been feeling for a while.

After a lot of staring, Annabeth finally shook those feelings away. It was too confusing for her to deal with right now and she couldn't be thinking such things when she had someone already.

"I'll take the guest bedroom, then." she said after taking another sip of her wine. She set the glass on the coffee table and turned to Percy again.

His face unreadable because of the shadows from the low moonlight shining outside.

She came back to him and reached up to his cheek with her hand. He responded by leaning into it.

"I had fun today, Percy. Thank you so much for the date." she said with a sweet smile before walking back upstairs.

Percy simply stood there, continuing to drink his own wine. You don't know how badly he wanted to close the distance between them and let himself give in to the strong feelings he knew were there all the time.

The feel of her hand on his cheek was intoxicating. Her touch was like a very addicting drug— he wanted more of it, and badly.

Letting out a deep sigh, he looked out the window, watching the raindrops fall down onto the pavement.

As much as he wanted her though, he was glad she ended whatever was going to happen at the rush of the moment. She was still taken and he wouldn't want her to feel any regret.

Percy put down his glass next to hers on the table and went upstairs to go to his own room. He stopped at her opened door and peaked in, letting an amused expression show on his face.

He stepped into the room and went next to the bed. Taking the covers, he pulled it up around her body a bit more.

Percy watched for a minute as she slept.

Her mouth was slightly parted as the breathes slowly came in and out of her body. He smiled sweetly at her. When they were younger, Percy would always try to close her mouth while she was sleeping, but it would never work.

Thinking about it now gave him the courage to reach out and caress her cheek, brushing the hair lightly from her face.

After a moment, he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Good night, Annie." he said before leaving her room.

Author's Note:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Thanks for reading guys. I clearly enjoyed writing this. C:

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