LOGINTHE RECKONING
My heart slammed against my rib so hard I thought it might crack them as the footsteps grew louder. Ethan's arm gripped my waist, pulling me flat against his body. Neither of us seems to be breathing.
The shadow passed under the door. A grumble. Then the bathroom door across the hall clicked open.
Ethan’s father. Just going to pee at 4 in the morning. Innocent and completely unaware of what's going on.
I exhaled against the pillow. Ethan let out a low, shaky breath.
“That was a close one,” he whispered. “You said the door was fine,” I said, turning my head to him, glaring at him.
“I only said there was no lock.
I smacked his chest hard. He caught my wrist and kissed my knuckles. Soft that I melted into it.
“Don't go back to your room,” he murmured. “The sun's almost up,” I said.
“I don't care.”
He pulled me closer. His body warm, still slick with the evidence of what we'd done. He traced the curve of my hip, possessively.
“10 more minutes,” he said.
I stay for thirty.
Morning came too fast; it annoyed me. I woke up alone on his bed, and a glass of water sat on the nightstand. My clothes were already folded on the chair— my top, shorts, and my red lace panties. Everything neat. He'd taken care of me while I was still sleeping.
He'd laid out a shirt of his on top. Black. I pulled it on, and it fell to my mid-thigh. It smelled like him, and I hated how much I loved it.
I found him in the kitchen, shirtless, making coffee. He looks hot.
He turned when he heard my footsteps. His eyes dropped to his shirt on my body. Something dark flickered across his face. Possession.
—
“Morning, little sis,” he said. His voice was obviously teasing. But his eyes weren't.
“Don't call me that.”
“Why not? Isn't that what you are?”
I walked past him, grabbing a mug from the cabinet. He caught my wrist, pulling me back against his chest, his lips brushing my ear. His voice dropped to a low rumble.
“You look gorgeous in my clothes,” he said.
My mother walked in before I could reply. “Good morning, Sleepyheads!” she said, holding a tray of fresh croissants. Damian followed her, yawning, already in his work suit.
Ethan let go of me, pouring himself coffee and took a sip while smiling at his father like nothing had happened.
I stood there. wearing his shirt, and my hair is a mess.
“Did you sleep okay, baby? My mum asked setting down the tray.
I opened my mouth to talk, but nothing came out.
“She had a nightmare,” Ethan said easily. So I gave her some water, and she crashed in the guest room.
Liar. His face has a mask of brotherly concern. And because of that, he deserves an Oscar. Just kidding.
My mother nodded, completely convinced. “You should wear more than that, darling. You'll catch a cold.”
I nodded and rushed back to my room like the house was on fire.
Coming back downstairs again— now dressed in actual jeans and a real shirt. I found a folded note under my breakfast plate.
“My room tonight. 2 AM. Don't be late, little rabbit.”
I looked up to look at him. He's reading a newspaper, calm.
I took a spoonful of my food to eat and almost jolted up when Ethan's foot started coming up to my thigh.
“Darling, hope you're okay?”
“Yeah, I'm fine.” She nodded as she continued what she was doing.
He has lifted his foot now, fully between my thighs. I glared at him, but he smirked.
He pressed his foot to my now-damped jeans, and I almost choked on my food as I tried to stop the moan from coming out of my mouth.
He put down his foot, finishing his meal, then went upstairs. Leaving me utterly shocked.
—
The clock was torture. Every hour crawled. Dinner was agony. My mother talked about her honeymoon plans and all.
I heard his door open, he walked past mine, and paused leaning against the wood on the other side.
“Two hours,” he said. Quiet, just for me.
“I'll be there,” I said.
“Don't be late.”
He retreated to his room, leaving me alone as I counted every second, each minute feeling like an hour.
I decided to tease him by going late.
I looked up at the clock. The time is 2:30 AM. I felt excited at what he might do to me for coming late.
I stood up after putting on nothing but a lace bralette and a black shorts. No robe, no excuse. I opened his door without knocking,
He was waiting on the edge of his bed, shirtless. His sweatpants hung low on his hips. He looked up when I entered. His jaw tightened.
“You came in 30 minutes late, little rabbit.” I gulped down hard, unable to form words.
He walked up to me, holding my chin. “I hope you're ready for your punishment, baby,” he said, smirking.
I yelped as he carried me and threw me on his bed. I tried to stand up and run back to my room, but he held my legs in place.
“You can't escape, little rabbit.”
He kissed me, deep. Groaning against my mouth. He locked my hands above my head, tying them not too hard.
“Ethan, what are you doing?”
He only smirked.
I felt completely powerless beneath him, a part of me regretting why I came late, and the other part nervous about what he would do.
He slid his hands down, cupping my breast, making me gasp as he took one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking aggressively.
He ripped of the clothes off my body, and I'm naked under him.
He bent down, lowering himself between my thighs, kissing down my stomach, his lips left a trail of fire.
But before his mouth reached me, his phone buzzed.
He ignored it. It buzzed again.
“Ethan,” I warned.
“Fuck ‘em.”
The screen lit up, and I saw the name.
MOM.
My mother. The woman who had absolutely no idea her daughter was about to be taken by her new husband's son.
I froze. So did he.
“Answer it,” I whispered. “She'll get suspicious.”
He grabbed his phone, swiping it. “Hey, Mom. What's up?”
He's still between my legs. My heart pounded so loud I was thinking if she could hear it through the line.
“I'm… fine,” he said, voice strained. “Just woke up.” I couldn't sleep.”
“What? No I'm alone.”
I freed my hands. Reaching down and touching myself, just lightly. His eyes went blank as he watched me.
“Hmm,” he hummed to my mother.
I circled my clit, slowly. His breath caught. I slipped a finger in. His gaze dropped to me.
“I'm okay, yeah. See you at breakfast.” I added a second finger. Now soaked. The sound was quiet.
“Yeah, Talk tomorrow.”
He hung up and tossed his phone across the room. Hitting the wall with a dull thud.
“You're going to pay for that,” he growled.
He grabbed my hand and pulled my wet fingers to his mouth, sucking them clean.
Then he flipped me onto my stomach and entered me in one brutal stroke.
I screamed so loudly into the pillow.
“Shhh,” he hissed, but didn't slow down. He took me hard. Every thrust pushed me higher up the bed.
“Fuck, Mia. You're fucking tight. So wet for me, you did that on purpose, right?”
“Maybe I did.”
He pulled out, flipping me over. Watching his own cock slide back inside me made me come instantly. Uncontrollably, I arched off the bed.
“Oh my god, Ethan—”
He covered my mouth with his hand. Pounded through my climax. His release followed seconds later, spilling inside me with a guttural moan.
We lay tangled, breathless. He pulled me against his chest.
“You leave for college next week,” his voice was rough.
“I won't let you.”
I turned my head, looking into his eyes. My stepbrother. Ethan. The man who just wrecked me.
“Then don't,” I said.
He kissed my forehead, my nose, my lips. Soft and tender.
“Don't go back to your room,” he whispered.
“I wasn't planning to.”
Chapter 2: The Truth Morning crept in through the curtains, soft and golden. I blinked against the light, baffled for a moment. The room wasn't mine. The sheets weren't mine and the arm draped across my waist wasn't mine. Then the memories came flooding back, and my cheeks warmed. The way his hands had explored my body, the way his lips had traced every curve, and the way he'd whispered my name like it was something precious. I turned my head slowly. Ash was still asleep beside me. His face was relaxed, and peaceful in a way it never was when he was awake. His dark hair was scattered across the pillow and his lips were slightly parted. A sliver of sunlight fell across his chest, bringing out the steady rise and fall of his breathing. His skin was golden, and his muscles relaxed. I didn't want to move, I didn't want this moment to end. I wanted to stay here forever, wrapped in his warmth, pretending the outside world didn't
Chapter 1: The WaitThe party was loud.Music thumped through the speakers, people were laughing and shouting over each other. The living room was packed with bodies, all moving to the same rhythm.I pressed myself against the wall, trying to stay out of the way because I wasn't a party person. I never had been. I only came because of my stepbrother, Kael, who insisted I come."You need to get out more," he said. "You're too young to be a homebody."I didn't tell him that I wasn't a homebody. I just don't like crowds, I don't like loud noises and I don't like being surrounded by people I didn't know.But I came anyway. Because I knew he'd be here.I spotted him across the room. Ash, Kael's best friend. He was leaning against the wall, with a beer in his hand, laughing at something someone said. His dark hair was messy, he had a sharp jaw and his smile was slow and dangerous.He was beautiful. And he was complete
Chapter 1: The Game BeginsThe sky was still very much dark when I pushed open the front door, my heels in my hand, and a stupid grin plastered across my face. I'd had way too much to drink and I knew I was definitely going to regret it in the morning. My head was spinning and my body was buzzing. I was alive.Then I saw him.Damian was sitting in the dark, with a glass of whiskey in his hand, his eyes fixed on me like a hawk watching its prey. He didn't move, didn't blink. He just stared.I froze. My heart stopped and my breath caught in my throat."Evening," he said. His voice was calm, measured, and dangerous like he had all the time in the world to destroy me."Damian.""It's 3:47 AM.""I know.""Where were you?""Out.""With who?""Friends."He set down his glass slowly. "You don't have friends."I felt my cheeks burn. "That's not true,” I said, almost s
Chapter 1: The LessonThe kitchen was dark except for the soft glow of the refrigerator light that spilled across the marble floor. I crept down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. My bare feet were cold against the polished tiles, and each step sent a shiver up my spine. I was thirsty, I needed water, I needed air and I needed to stop thinking about him.But he was everywhere. His scent stayed in the hallway, his presence filled every room. I couldn't escape him, no matter how hard I tried.I pushed the kitchen door open. The light was on and I found him standing at the counter, his back to me, shirtless. His muscles shifted beneath his golden skin as he reached for a glass on the top shelf. His dark hair was messy, falling across his forehead. His jaw was sharp and his shoulders were broad.I froze.Then he turned and his eyes found me immediately. There was no surprise on his face. Like he knew I'd be here, lik
CHAPTER 2: I SURRENDER He led me to his bedroom.The room was dark and lit only by the soft glow of a single lamp on the nightstand. The bed was large, covered in silk sheets that glowed in the dim light. The walls were painted a deep charcoal gray, and the furniture was dark wood. It looked luxurious, and also looked like a prison.My heart was pounding so badly and my palms were perspiring. I should have run, I should have fought, I should have screamed for help. I should have done anything and everything.But I didn't run, I didn't fight, and I didn't scream.I let him lead me.He laid me on the bed, and the silk sheets were cool against my bare legs. He climbed on top of me, and his body covered mine. His weight was heavy, solid, and warm. I could feel every inch of him pressed against me. His chest was firm against my breasts, his thighs were strong against mine, and his breath was hot against my neck."I've imagin
CHAPTER 1: I’M TRAPPEDThe house was beautiful. But it was a cage.I stood at the window, as I stared out at the garden. The flowers were blooming in shades of pink and white, the birds were singing their morning songs and the sun was warm on my skin, casting golden light across the perfectly manicured yard. It looked like paradise.But I knew the truth.The gates were locked. The walls were high, and the guards were everywhere. I couldn't leave, I couldn't call for help, and I couldn't escape.I was a prisoner.I heard his footsteps behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who was coming. I knew his footsteps. I knew his scent, and I knew everything about him. Because I had memorized every detail of him over the past six months, not because I wanted to, but because I had no choice but to. He was everywhere. In my thoughts, in my dreams, and in my nightmares."Good morning," Nikolai said."Morning,” was a







