Without saying a word, he reaches over and pulls me in, holding me tightly as I sob into his shoulder.His strong arms wrap around me as one hand comes up to cradle the back of my head, holding me against his chest like something precious, like something fragile to be cared for.Just for this moment, for one small span of time, I can let go of this burden and allow another to help me carry it.Foolishly, I thought it would be my husband.Instead, it's the one man I'm not supposed to want—my stepbrother.
Chapter8
Nate
Those fucking shorts.
Those shorts that ride up her ass if she doesn't pull them down.
Those fucking shorts that have me jacking off in the shower as I curse my forbidden desire for my stepsister.As I stroke myself, imagining ripping them off her body and burying my cock in her tight pussy.
And the worst part?It's like she has no clue of the effect she's having on me.But then, why would she?Raised as sheltered as she is, she probably has no fucking clue.It's not like Robert is going to enlighten her either.He still obviously sees her as his little girl and thinks nothing of the woman parading around in clothes meant to tease and torment.
Or, it's because I'm her fucking stepbrother and they shouldn't affect me like this.I'm sure if I'd grown up with her, I wouldn't care.It would just be clothes same as the bathing suit she'd wear to the community pool.That didn't affect me then, and it's even less clothing than what she's wearing now.
But then… she also didn't look like this back then.She didn't smell like this back then.Her body didn't entice me.Honestly, I don't think I even saw her back then.Oh, what years apart can change.
As she nibbles on another muffin—raspberry this time—Robert and my mom walk in without even saying a word about the pajamas Lila's wearing today.The dark blue molds to her body in a way that makes me want to peel them off and toss them to the ground.It clings to her curves, outlining every dip and swell.Hell, even her nipples are practically visible through the thin material.
Ugh.January first can't come soon enough.
Forcing my gaze away before anyone can see the effect she's having on me, I sip my coffee and study the scene going on.Until now, I thought dealing with explosives required the most precision and gentleness.Yesterday proved that wrong.
Soft laughs vibrate from my mom's throat as she slaps Robert on the shoulder, joking and teasing while they bring their mugs to their lips.It's as if yesterday never happened.As if Robert never crushed Lila with just a few sentences.
Even now, he teases Lila in a gentle and easy manner, all trace of the exacting, controlling Alpha gone… like it never existed.All the while, he ignores the dark circles under her eyes, the small, thin smiles, the pain lurking behind the depths of her gaze.
But I see it.I see every fucking bit of it.
Rage boils just under the surface as I study the man, really watching him as he moves about the room.Broken is right.I can see how he hangs on by a thread.It's the same look I've seen in other soldiers' eyes after a near-death experience or, worse, losing a friend and colleague.
Though I don't blame him for the pain, I do blame him for how he acts on it.Turning back to Lila, I watch as she drinks her coffee and stays silent.Such a difference from the rambunctious girl I knew.Such a startling contrast to the brat I spanked in my room.
As hard as I try to hold on to my anger, it slips away every time I think about the feel of her under my hand, the warmth of her skin, the way she squirmed on my lap, her soft little sounds.Her body beckons me, calls me to mark it up, to mar it, to turn it pink and red, as I make her cry out.Shaking my head, I drain the rest of my cup and murmur my plans to clean up, and rush up the stairs.
Just being in her presence is enough to get me hard.Soon, someone will notice.Soon, someone will see the bulge at a time and place that can't be explained by morning wood.
Gritting my teeth, I turn on the shower, but not before I hear the door open to her room.As the water pours, the squeak of her drawers opening and closing meets my ears.Though I can't hear her undress, I know she is.I know she's naked, just on the other side of that door, stripping off those pajamas, bare skin exposed, probably bending over to step out of her shorts.
Fuuuuuuuuuck.
Balling my hand into a fist, I nearly slam it against the tile before a tentative knock sounds at the door.Do I answer it?I know she's there.Lila is the only one who would be wanting in.
"What do you want?"
"Can I come in really quickly before you shower?"
"I already have the water running," I snap back.
"Please?"she whines."I need to pee.Can't you just stay inside until I'm done?"
I wish I could say yes.I wish I could tell her in no unmistakable terms that I have no problem staying inside while she bares herself to do something as intimate as peeing.But no.I don’t think I have the strength.
"Can't you just use the one downstairs?"I ask, hoping she’ll get the fucking hint.
"I'd rather not watch Dad devour your mom's face if that's all the same to you."
Unfortunately, she has a point.With a ragged groan, I shuck off my clothing and step into the hot spray, my cock already hard and angry as precum beads at the tip.As soon as I close the curtain, I invite her in.I stand there, back against the cool tile as I listen to her open the door and walk inside.
