The breaking point

COLE’S POV

The bass of the club music pounded against my skull, but it wasn't loud enough to burn out the thoughts in my head.

Liam, that name, that soul.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. I saw the fear in his eyes when I broke his violin. I saw the confusion when I saved him at the bar. And worst of all, I saw the blood on his lip, the blood I badly wanted to taste.

"Another round?" the bartender asked.

"No," I spat, pushing the glass away. "It tastes like trash." I scorned.

I threw a stack of cash on the counter and just stormed out. The night air was cold, but my blood was boiling hot. I was fucking Cole Brooks. I had everything. Money, power, the world at my feet. So why did I feel like I was suffocating for a small rat?

And why was he the only thing that made the air feel breathable away from the pressure from the dad?

Damn it man! I may go crazy!

I drove home, my hands firmly pressing against the wheel until my fingers turned white. I needed to sleep. I needed to forget he existed.

I entered the mansion. It was quiet and I hated silence, so bad, exactly at this point in time.

I walked up the stairs, loosening my tie. As I passed the shared bathroom, the door was slightly open.

 The lock was broken, I remembered breaking it myself a week ago just to annoy him.

I shouldn't have looked. But I did and I don't know why I did.

Liam was there.

He was standing by the sink, shirtless. His back was facing me and I observed him calmly.

He was thin, too thin, but the curve of his spine... it was…damn!

 He was washing his face, water rolling down his neck.

My breath shuddered and my soul trembled as I watched him.

He must have felt my presence because he turned around, gasping. Water dropping from his chin onto his hairy chest.

"Cole!" he cried, grabbing a towel to cover himself. "Get out!"

Shame washed over me, but I quickly steeled myself and asserted dominance. He can't shame me, I can't allow that.

"This is my bathroom," I growled, stepping inside and kicking the door shut behind me. "I go where I want!” I spat, staring at him.

"Please," he begged, leaning against the cold tiles in fear. I could see the fear in those eyes.

"Just leave me alone."

"Why?" I challenged, walking closer. 

My voice was low and deadly. "Are you scared, stepbrother?"

"I'm not scared of you," he lied. I could see his hands shaking already, he was such a bad liar.

"Is that so?" I sneered, raising an eyebrow.

I trapped him against the sink, my eyes locked on him and placing my hands on his side. The air was thick with tension as I smelled him.

The scent was just too sweet and drove me crazy.

"What do you want from me?" he whispered, his eyes searching mine.

"I want you to disappear," I lied. "I want you to stop haunting me!” 

"Then let me go," he said, his voice trembling.

"I can't," I confessed, the words escaping before I could stop them.

His eyes widened and the towel slipped from his hand.

Something snapped in me. The rage, the confusion, the desire it all collided and was very messy.

I grabbed his face immediately, my fingers dug right into his jaw, and I crashed my lips onto his. I couldn't hold it back, he pushed me, no doubt.

It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was a war. It was angry and desperate. I devoured him, trying to taste every secret he held.

He froze for a second, then he melted. His hands grabbed my shirt, pulling me closer. He tasted like everything I could ever want and my heart raced heavily.

For the very first time in my life, I felt alive. I lifted him onto the counter, my body pressing against his.

"Cole..." he moaned against my lips.

That sound. That broken, beautiful sound. It shattered me.

But just then, a sharp sound from downstairs ruined everything. Fuck! What was I even doing?!

A vase shattered downstairs, followed by the voice of my father yelling at my mother.

"You always take his side!" Lucas roared.

The reality of who we were crashed down on me and it broke me as I saw him like the trash he was.

Stepbrothers.

I pulled myself away from him immediately, gasping for air.

Liam looked at me, his lips swollen and red, his eyes widened with shock and... hope? It better not.

"Cole?" he whispered, reaching out.

I slapped his hand away immediately. 

My soul was filled with panic and rage. What had I done? I had just kissed the one person I was supposed to destroy.

"Don't," I snarled, backing away until my back hit the door.

"But..." He tried to explain, I'm sure he wanted to blackmail me emotionally, but I didn't give him that chance.

"This never happened," I spat, cleaning my mouth as if he has tasted like poison.

"You hear me? This meant nothing!" My gaze stern and my voice stern.

"Cole, please…”

"You're a mistake! And don't you wife call my name again!" I yelled, my voice cracking. "Stay away from me!"

I turned and fled. I ran to my room and locked the door, dropping down against the door. I buried my head in my hands, my heart pounding against my chest.

"Fuck!" I screamed into the emptiness.

I wanted to hate him. I needed to hate him. But as I touched my lips, I knew I was in deep trouble.