The Ugly Stepsister Read Online Free Page A

games and on the shelf above them sat a playstation and controllers. “Which game do you want to play?”
    Ellie looked at the row of games, only the spine showing. She felt like saying, how the hell would I know? “How about you choose? Which is your favourite?”
    Sam pulled out a shooter game and put it on. Her eyes glazed as he explained the basics, taking the controller he gave her. The next hour crept by as she spent most of the time dying.
    “Get back, Beth! You’re gonna die again.” Sam sent his man in front of hers. The phone rang just as Ellie died.
    She gratefully dropped the controller when Sam paused the game to answer it. Standing up, she stretched. Leaving her handbag behind, she grabbed her phone and stepped outside. The path led her to the swimming pool. She watched as Tom reached the far end of the pool and pulled himself out. He dived back into the water and swam towards the shallow end. Ellie moved closer.
    She grinned, choosing the camera setting on her phone. When he pulled himself out of the pool again she took a photo. She moved closer. “Smile.” She took another photo when he looked up at her. Her smile faded when he strode towards her. She quickly shoved her phone in her pocket. “You were the one who told me to take a pic.” She walked backwards.
    “That offer expired.”
    Ellie turned to run inside. Tom captured her before she managed more than a few steps. She squealed as she tried to wriggle free. Turning to face him, she grabbed one of his hands as he tried to take her phone from her pocket. “Get off me. You’re wet.”
    “Then delete that picture.”
    “Nope.” She grinned as she managed to stop him from getting her phone again.
    “I will get your phone. Give up now and hand it over.”

Chapter Four
    Ellie knew if it was a battle of strength she couldn’t win. She met his eyes. But strength wasn’t her only option. There was also distraction. Not to mention she was curious. She rose up on tiptoes so she could press her lips against his. Taking advantage of his surprise, she deepened the kiss. Within seconds she’d forgotten the reason she’d kissed him and her arms twined around his neck.
    “Beth,” he whispered against her lips.
    The name jolted Ellie back to the present. She pulled away, gathering her scattered thoughts. “Well, you’re no Frankenstein, but you weren’t too bad.” Turning, she quickly made her way inside. She caught the sound of his laughter as she closed the door. Seeing Sam was still on the phone, she grabbed her handbag and hurried into the bathroom.
    When she saw the water damage to her makeup, she was glad Sam’s back had been to her. After she repaired her makeup, she frowned at the wet marks on her clothes, shaking her head. Her handbag wasn’t bottomless. She hadn’t been able to fit any more clothes into it. As much as she hated the idea, she was resigned to wearing these clothes until she could go home tomorrow. Late in the afternoon. The house would be empty then. Empty of people anyway. If past weekends were anything to go by it’d look like a disaster area.
    Before she left the bathroom, Ellie sent the photos to her email address. She grinned. Now he could delete them if he wanted. She tucked the phone back into her pocket, swung the door open and stepped into the lounge room. Sam was off the phone and Tom stood in front of her, waiting.
    He held out his hand as he stepped forward. Ellie was forced to retreat. She pulled her phone out and tried not to grin as she held it out to him. Tom stopped, frowning. Ellie lost the battle to keep a straight face and grinned.
    “You’ve sent it to someone,” he accused.
    Ellie laughed. “You’re welcome to delete it if you want.” She wasn’t about to let him know she’d taken two.
    Tom smiled and shrugged. “Round one to you.”
    Ellie shook her head, still smiling. “Oh no, I think it must be round one, two and three to me.” She slipped her phone back in her pocket when he