THE WICKED GAMES WE PLAY

PROLOGUE

(Jane’s POV)

​The bedroom air was thick with the smell of rain, expensive cedarwood, and the heavy aftermath of what we had just done. My fingers shook as I touched the sharp line of his jaw. He was sleeping, or doing a very good job pretending. His breathing was slow and steady against my neck. His heavy arm was locked tight over my waist, pinning me straight against his chest.

​Look what you’ve done, Jane, a panicked voice whispered in my head.

​I shouldn't be here. We shouldn't be doing this. I knew it. He was Benjamin. My older brother's best friend. For years, he was the quiet, protective man who treated me like a fragile doll. But for the last two weeks, I had been playing a dangerous game. Lingering touches, late-night kitchen meetings, and long looks—I was desperate to break his perfect self-control.

​Last night, I finally did it. I broke his restraint, and the rush of winning was amazing.

​The memory sent a hot shiver down my spine. The way his lips bruised mine, his hands demanding I give in, and his deep groans in the dark. It was a storm of forbidden desire. He had fought it so hard. His usually calm eyes had been wild and crazy right before he finally snapped. And I, selfish and desperate, had loved every single second of his surrender.

​But looking at him now in the quiet morning light, a cold dread began to form in my stomach.

​Benjamin’s eyes blinked open. There was no sleep in them. No regret. Just a scary, calm satisfaction.

​"Good morning, little bird," he whispered. His arm tightened to pull me closer, and he pressed a slow kiss to my neck.

​"Morning," I whispered back. My chest felt tight with nerves. "Are you okay?"

​He laughed, a low, rough sound that shook right through me. "More than okay, Jane. Just... finally." His eyes held a mix of wonder and a heavy, dark possession. "Did we really do this?"

​I nodded, unable to look away. "Yes. It's not a dream."

​He let out a shaky sigh and kissed my forehead hard. "I've waited so damn long for this," he murmured. His voice was full of a desperate sweetness that made my skin tingle. "Longer than you could ever know."

​My breath caught. "Benjamin," I whispered, my heart hammering against my ribs. "We... we shouldn't have. My brother—"

​"Your brother isn't here," Benjamin cut in softly, his lips touching my pulse point. "And you aren't a child anymore, Jane. You made sure I noticed that, didn't you?"

​"I just..." I swallowed hard and tried to pull back, but his grip didn't move. "It was a mistake. We need to act normal."

​Benjamin let out a low, dark laugh that didn't sound like him at all. He shifted, looming over me, his massive body blocking out the morning light. His eyes searched mine, completely destroying the protective, older-brother face he had worn for years.

​"A mistake?" he asked. His thumb pressed hard against my lower lip. "You think you played me, Jane? You think you walked into my house and tricked me into breaking?"

​My breath caught. The intensity in his eyes was blinding.

​"I’ve been tracking the calendar until your graduation," Benjamin whispered, his voice dropping to a dark growl that made my blood run hot and cold. "I’ve been watching you count down the days until your Brother left. You thought you were setting a trap, sweet girl... but I’m the one who left the door open for you."

​A chilling realization washed over me. He hadn't given in to my seduction. He had been waiting for it.

​"You're mine now," Benjamin murmured, leaning down until his lips almost touched mine. "You walked into my house willingly. And I am never letting you leave."

​CHAPTER ONE (Jane’s POV)

​"Jane! Get down here right now! You won't believe this!"

​My brother Leo’s voice echoed up the stairs, sounding entirely too energetic for a Monday morning. I was lying on my bed, scrolling through my phone and trying to ignore the fact that my brain was replaying my latest, vivid Benjamin dream. Again.

​I groaned, pushing the completely inappropriate thoughts out of my head, and shoved my phone under my pillow. Get a grip, Jane, I told myself, slapping my cheeks lightly. He’s your brother's best friend. Stop it.

​"I'm coming!" I yelled back, smoothing down my oversized t-shirt before rushing downstairs.

​The living room was a chaotic maze of half-packed boxes and scattered paperwork. My brother was pacing with a massive grin, and his wife, Sarah, looked like she was vibrating with residual energy.

​"What's going on?" I asked, looking between them. "Did someone die and leave us a mansion?"

​Leo laughed, throwing a heavy arm around my shoulder. "Better! Sarah just got a massive promotion—executive director for the European branch. We’re moving to Berlin, Jane! For three whole years!"

​My jaw dropped. "Berlin? Germany? Three years?" The excitement hit me first, but then reality crashed down. "Wait... what about me? My first semester? My upcoming exams?"

​Sarah stepped forward, rubbing my arm gently. "We’ve already worked it out, sweetie. We know you can't just drop everything in your first year. So, you’re staying behind."

​"Alone?" I blinked. "In this huge house?"

​"Absolutely not," Leo said firmly. "We wouldn't dream of leaving you without supervision. We talked to Benjamin. He has that massive estate in the suburbs, and he insisted you move into his guest wing until we get back."

​My heart stopped. Literally stopped.

​"Benjamin?" I choked out, my face instantly flaring a hot, violent red. "As in... your Benjamin? Your best friend?"

​"The very one," Leo said, completely oblivious to the fact that my internal organs were currently melting. "He’s got tons of space, his security is top-notch, and he’s like a brother to me. I trust him with my life. He’ll keep you perfectly safe."

​Trust him with your life.

​A wicked, reckless spark ignited deep in my chest. Safe was the absolute last word that came to mind when I thought of Benjamin. My mind immediately flashed to his broad shoulders, his cold, unreadable stares, and the dangerous, quiet power he carried. For three years, I had harbored a massive, silent crush on him, hiding it behind polite smiles.

​"But... why Benjamin?" I managed to ask, trying to keep my voice steady. "What about Aunt Zayne?"

​"Aunt Zayne's condo is way too small, honey," Sarah replied. "And Benjamin insisted. He said he'd be happy to have you. He's always been so fond of you, Jane."

​Fond. Right. Like a little sister. That's how he saw me. Always.

​But then a different thought—dangerous, thrilling, and entirely wicked—began to take root. My pulse started to beat to a wild, frantic rhythm.

​Staying with Benjamin.

​All those years of unrequited love, all those forbidden feelings locked away. And now, my brother was practically delivering me to his front door.

​"So, it’s settled," Sarah said happily, crossing another item off her list. "We start packing your things tonight. You move into Benjamin's next week."

​Next week. Seven days.

​My breath hitched. This was my shot. My desperate heart had just been handed the keys to my ultimate fantasy.

​I spent the next seven days playing the perfect sister, helping my brother pack while secretly planning a completely different operation. I curated my wardrobe with absolute precision—tailored silk pajamas, sundresses that clung perfectly, and perfumes that lingered in a room long after I left. I wasn't going to his house to be his little sister. I was going there to force Benjamin to look at me and finally see a woman.

​When moving day arrived, the goodbye at the airport was emotional. But the second my taxi pulled up to Benjamin's estate, my tears dried up completely.

​The house was an architectural masterpiece—sharp lines, dark glass, and total privacy, surrounded by high stone walls and heavy security gates. I stood on the porch, suitcase at my side, and took a deep, steady breath. Game on.

​The heavy oak door swung open.

​Benjamin stood there. He was wearing a crisp black button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, looking so powerful it made my knees physically weak. His dark eyes found mine, intense and unreadable as always.

​"Jane," he said. His deep, velvety voice sent a shiver straight down my spine. "Welcome. Your brother texted me the second their flight took off."

​"Hi, Benjamin," I said, giving him my most practiced, confident smile. I stepped closer, letting my signature vanilla scent drift into his personal space. "Thanks for letting me crash here. I promise I won't be too much trouble."

​He reached down to take my suitcase, his fingers intentionally or unintentionally brushing against mine. A sharp jolt of electricity snapped between us. Benjamin paused, his eyes dropping to our hands before slowly rising to scan my face. His eyes narrowed slightly, darkening in a way I had never seen before. He took a half-step forward, completely invading my space.

​"You've... grown up, Jane," he murmured. His voice dropped lower, carrying a sudden, heavy roughness. His gaze deliberately traced the curve of my neck down to my waist before snapping back to my eyes.

​My heart leaped into my throat. He noticed. Oh my god, it’s working.

​Benjamin cleared his throat abruptly, stepping back into the hallway as his calm, unshakeable expression snapped back into place. "Your room is at the end of the left wing. Make yourself comfortable. I have some calls to take in my study."

​He turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the grand foyer.

​I pressed a hand to my burning chest, a winning, dizzy smile spreading across my lips. The unshakeable Benjamin had flinched. He had looked at me like a man looks at a woman.

​A thrilling rush of adrenaline poured through my veins. This was going to be dangerous—and far more exciting than I had ever imagined.

​I couldn't wait a second longer.