Off limits: Falling For My Brother's Best friend
Synopsis
Lila Reed has always known the rules when it comes to her older brother’s best friend: Look, but never touch. Want, but never act.
Roman Cole has been a constant presence in her life—always around, always infuriating, and always completely off-limits. To everyone else he’s the classic bad boy: cocky, heavily tattooed, reckless, and dangerously attractive. But to Lila he’s also the boy who taught her how to ride a bike, the one who used to sneak her candy when her parents said no, and the one who teased her relentlessly while they were growing up. He’s a walking contradiction—dangerous yet familiar, distant yet somehow always too close.
For years Lila stayed in her lane, convinced Roman only ever saw her as his best friend’s little sister. Then one night at a party the boundaries blur. A drunken dare leads to a kiss that was supposed to mean nothing… except it changes everything.
Now Roman can’t stop thinking about how Lila tasted, how soft she felt in his arms, and how wrong it is that he wants more. He’s never been the commitment type, but something about her makes him crave the very things he’s spent years running from—love, home… her.
Lila knows falling for Roman could destroy everything. Her brother would never forgive them. Roman’s reputation would only drag hers down. And if it all ends in heartbreak, she’ll lose not just him, but the only version of safety she’s ever known.
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Chapter: 005Chapter 5Lila’s POV“I got into college and you’re buying me a chipotle bowl?” I grumbled, biting into my food. “I promised you a party tomorrow, didn’t I? And you’re the one who insisted on eating here tonight,” Ethan said. I ignored him and focused on the food. Roman sat across from us, elbows on the table, eating slowly and smiling as he watched us bicker. His overgrown brown hair fell slightly into his eyes, and I hated the way my stomach flipped every time he looked up. Chipotle at Berry’s had been a summer tradition for as long as I could remember, and like always the food still hit the same. “I’m glad you’re here,” Ethan said to him, pointing his fork across the table. “I can’t handle her anymore. Her mouth only gets sharper the older she gets.” I rolled my eyes at my brother and shoved another bite into my mouth. “Don’t blame me for speaking the truth,” I muttered. “You lost the bet and you’re buying me food. You’re so cheap, Ethan.” Ethan had bet that I would
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
Chapter: 004Chapter 4Roman’s POVDespite the cold ocean water, I felt hot everywhere. Lila’s hard nipples pressed against my chest. Her heartbeat thundered wildly, matching mine. Her hands were wrapped around my neck, her breath warm against my face. Wet hair clung to her cheeks. Droplets slid down her collarbone, glistening. A small wave pushed her closer, and I grew even harder. I groaned and pulled her tighter against me. “You’re driving me insane,” I muttered, my mouth lowering dangerously close. My breath brushed her lips. She closed her eyes. I shouldn’t. Kissing her once could pass as a mistake. Doing it a second time would be deliberate. But I couldn’t hold back. My lips crashed against hers desperately. She moaned, and I lost every last shred of control. I pulled her tighter, deepening the kiss. Every warning in my head vanished. All I knew was that I wanted her. “Lila!” I froze at the sound of Ethan’s voice. Lila’s eyes flew open. She tried to pull away, but I hel
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
Chapter: 003Chapter 3Lila’s POVI woke up the next morning with a splitting headache, my mouth dry as sandpaper, and my stomach rolling with regret.I couldn’t even remember how I got into bed. Last night was a blur.All I could recall was getting ready for the party, the burn of beer sliding down my throat… and Roman.My eyes flew open as a flashback of Roman kissing me slammed into my mind.I sat up with a gasp, instantly regretting it as pain throbbed through my skull. With a groan I buried my face in the pillow. What had been a hazy memory suddenly became sharp and vivid, like a nightmare I couldn’t shake.Roman’s lips on mine. His firm hands gripping my waist. The heat and rush of that kiss, the hunger, the way it felt like my body no longer belonged to me.No. I shook my head hard. I had to be hallucinating. Roman would never…Another groan slipped out as I tugged at my hair. There was no way he kissed me. It felt too much like a dream, so it *had* to be one. Just a stupid drunk dream and
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
Chapter: 002Chapter 2Lila“Lila? Are you okay?” Sophia asked. No. I wasn’t. I was shaking too hard, my heart racing too fast as I stood trapped between the urge to cry or laugh. But I couldn’t do either of those things. Instead, I forced my brightest smile and waved at the guy who had nearly destroyed my mental health. “Hi.” The word came out small and broken, my throat as dry as sand. Ethan stood still in his expensive outfit—a denim jacket, white tee, and matching denim pants. His Rolex glinted effortlessly under the dancing lights. He looked exactly like I remembered—maybe even better after months of training and all those rink activities. “Stop staring at her, Kay! I’m right here,” Sophia laughed, playfully swatting his arm. It hurt that they looked perfect together—typical Barbie and Ken. Sophia seemed so completely smitten with him. She had been dating Ethan for a couple of months. We had broken up only a few days ago and—wait a minute. That overlap meant he had been seeing
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
Chapter: 001Chapter 1Lila’s POVI stared out the window as the winding road carried us toward our summer house in South Carolina.We came here every year, but this time it was different—no parents. Mom and Dad were away on a long business trip, and instead of canceling the vacation, they left my older brother in charge, convinced we were responsible enough to handle ourselves.I would turn eighteen in a few days, yet the usual excitement never showed up.Because he wouldn’t be here.Roman Cole. My brother’s best friend.Five years had passed since the last time I saw him—since he packed a bag and left without even a goodbye. For as long as I could remember he had been a constant in my life, always teasing, always pushing buttons.He left when he was eighteen. I was thirteen, still flat-chested, silver braces on my teeth, thick glasses sliding down my nose.To everyone else he was the classic bad boy—arrogant, covered in ink, reckless, and dangerously attractive.But to me he was also the boy who
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
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