Stella's P.O.V.

After exploring NYC, I return to my new home, utterly exhausted, ready to collapse on my bed and shut out the world. As I lie there, my eyes finally starting to close, I hear it—a loud, pounding beat of music vibrating through the walls.

I sit up, groaning. "You've got to be kidding me."

The music is coming from the room right next to mine.

Shit! Is that Alex's room? Of course, it has to be him. My luck can't be that bad, can it? But there it is, blasting through the walls, rattling my nerves. How the hell am I supposed to sleep with this loud noise?

Fuck my life! This day can't be more bad.

I throw off the blankets and storm out of my room before heading straight for his door. I knock—hard—hoping that he'll at least be decent enough to answer.

Why God, why are you doing this with me? I don't want to face that grumpy man, but you're forcing me to deal with him again. For what sins are you punishing me?

The door swings open, and my eyes widen. Alex stands there shirtless, wearing only a pair of shorts. His abs glisten with sweat, and it's obvious he's been working out.

Fuck! He looks so tempting that it becomes hard for me to look away. A few tattoos decorate his chest and arms, adding to that bad-boy vibe. The truth is, I admire the man with tattoos. For a moment, I almost forget why I'm standing here.

Stop it, Stella. You have a boyfriend, and this man is your stepbrother. Besides, even if you were single, Alex is the last person on Earth you'd ever date.

"It's late, and your music is way too loud. I need to sleep. Turn it down." I demand, folding my arms across my chest and trying to focus on his face rather than the rest of him.

"Not my problem." He shrugs, leaning against the doorframe with a stupid smirk on his face. "I like my workouts loud."

Oh, God! He is a complete jerk.

"Who the hell workouts at this time? It's night, normal people are trying to sleep!" I fist my hands to control my anger and myself from punching him. "So how about you act like a normal person, turn it down, and go to bed?"

"I do whatever I want. It's my house, and I like to sleep in the morning and work out at night. You don't get to tell me what to do." He retorts, pointing his finger at me.

"Are you an owl or something, Mr Grumpy?" I shoot back, losing my temper.

"Stop calling me that and get out." He moves to close the door.

What he thinks, I'll just leave and let him do whatever he wants. No way. I'm Stella and I've my ways to deal with men like him.

I shove my foot in the gap, forcing the door open again. "Not until you turn it off. I'm not leaving."

"I'm not turning it off, and you can do whatever you want about it." He tries to close the door again.

But I won't let him win. I shove the door open and march into his room. The music is even louder inside, pounding like a jackhammer. I march straight to the stereo. Before he can stop me, I turn it off and grab the device in my hands, causing his eyes to widen in shock.

"Now watch me, Mr Grumpy." I murmur, smirking at him as he watches me in confusion.

"What the hell are you doing?" He shouts, storming after me as I dart toward the balcony.

Alex lunges for me, but I'm quick. I throw the stereo into the swimming pool below with a loud splash.

"Goodbye, Mr Grumpy's stereo," I mutter, giggling.

It feels good now. How did he even think that he wouldn't let me sleep in peace?

He grabs my arms, spins me around and pins me against the balcony railing in a swift motion. "Are you fucking crazy?" He yells, moving closer to me, causing me to shiver and squeeze my eyes shut for a second.

He's so damn close, his face inches from mine, his eyes blazing with fury. His grip is tight, his breathing heavy, and for a second, despite everything, we lose ourselves in each other's eyes. My heart races in my chest because of our proximity.

What the hell is happening to me?

"Let go, Alex." I try to wriggle free, but his hold is firm.

"I'm not letting you go," he growls, his dark eyes fixed on me. "First, you ruin my shoes, and now my music system. You're making me so, so damn angry, Stella."

His grip tightens, and I wince. "You're hurting me, Alex."

But he isn't listening. His dark gaze is locked on mine, and I feel like I'm suffocating under the heat of it. I have to get out of there.

Think something, Stella. Think.

And then, it hits me—I lean forward and bite down on his arm.

"Ah! What the—" He yelps, releasing me instantly.

Well done, Stella! Well done!

I rush, giving a cheeky grin over my shoulder as I stick my tongue out at him before darting out of his room.

That's what happens when anybody tries to mess up with me.

"You ill-mannered girl." He shouts after me, and I giggle, entering my room.

I slam the door shut and collapse onto my bed, smiling with triumph. What did he think? He wouldn't let me sleep? I'm Stella, I have my ways to deal with an arrogant, grumpy and spoiled brat like him.

But as I close my eyes to sleep, the image of Alex standing so close, his muscular body and those tattoos keep replaying in my mind.

"Why can't I just stop thinking about him? What the hell is wrong with me?" I whisper to myself, frustrated.