ANMELDENI slammed the door to my new bedroom and leaned against it, breathing hard.My lips were still tingling from Jace’s kiss. My body was on fire, nipples tight, thighs pressed together, a deep ache pulsing between my legs. I could still feel the heat of his bare chest against my palms, the way his muscles had flexed when I pushed him.“What the hell is wrong with me?” I whispered, sliding down the door until I was sitting on the floor.I hated him.He was arrogant, rude, and had basically told me I didn’t belong here. He was my stepbrother. My mother’s new husband’s son. This was supposed to be simple — move in, keep my head down, survive until I could afford my own place.Instead, I had let him kiss me.And worse… I kissed him back.I pressed my fingers to my swollen lips, remembering the way he had taken control — rough, demanding, nothing like the sweet fantasy kisses I used to imagine with my boyfriend Jasper. This was raw. Angry. Addictive.I stood up on shaky legs and walked to the
I couldn’t stay in that room any longer.After Jace stormed upstairs like he owned the entire mansion, I stood in the foyer for what felt like forever, trying to calm my racing heart. My skin felt too hot, like it was burning from the inside. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying the way he had looked at me — those dark, intense eyes that seemed to see right through me, the way his muscles flexed under his shirt when he crossed his arms, the arrogant tilt of his jaw that made me want to slap him and kiss him at the same time.I hated him.I hated how my body reacted to him.My nipples were still hard against my bra, and there was an embarrassing ache between my legs that refused to go away. This was supposed to be simple. Move in, keep my head down, survive until I could afford my own place. Instead, I had let my new stepbrother get under my skin in the worst possible way.I needed to clear my head.The private pool house at the back of the property seemed like the perfect escape. It was la
~~ Harper’s Pov~~I stood at the bottom of the wide marble steps leading up to the Kane family mansion, gripping the handle of my suitcase so tightly my knuckles turned white. The house was massive–modern, luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that showed off the private infinity pool and perfectly manicured gardens. It looked like something out of a dream.Or a nightmare.I didn’t belong here.My mother, Alys, had married Victor Kane just three weeks ago in a whirlwind romance. Now I was expected to pack up my entire life and move into this palace like it was the most natural thing in the world. I had barely had time to process it before the moving boxes started appearing in our old apartment.“Harper, sweetie!” Mom’s voice rang out from the grand foyer as she hurried down the steps in her new designer heels. She pulled me into a tight hug, smelling like expensive perfume and fresh flowers. “I’m so glad you’re finally here. Victor has been looking forward to meeting you prop
“Yes, I’m sure…I want you to claim me.” Riley murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.Carl didn’t waste a second.He crossed the distance in two powerful strides, cupped her face with both hands, and kissed her like he was starving. This wasn’t gentle. This was raw hunger–teeth and tongue and months of suppressed desire unleashed all at once. Riley moaned into his mouth, her hands fisting in his shirt as she kissed him back just as desperately.“Fuck, I’ve wanted this for so long,” Carl growled against her lips, walking her backward until her back hit the padded wall. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined bending you over and ruining you.”His hands moved over her body, sliding down her sides, gripping her hips firm enough to leave marks. He yanked her short skirt up to her waist, Riley gasped as cool air hit her bare thighs. Carl pulled back just enough to look at her, his golden eyes dark with lust.“Get on your knees,” he commanded in a rough voice.Riley sank down obe
Carl had her pinned against the kitchen wall the moment Carlos left the room. His powerful body caged her in completely, one hand planted beside her head, the other gripping her waist with possessive strength. His golden eyes burned into hers with raw intensity, his breath hot against her ear.“I don’t like to share what’s mine,” he growled, voice low and dangerous.The words sent a violent shiver down Riley’s spine. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the hard press of his muscles against her softer curves. Her heart hammered wildly, her thighs pressing together as unwanted heat pooled between her legs.Before she could respond, Carl leaned in closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. “You need to choose, Riley. Me or my brother. I won’t keep doing this dance with you. Decide who you really want… because I’m not the kind of man who shares.”He pulled back just enough to look at her, his expression dark and deadly serious. For a long moment, the kitchen was silent e
Riley barely slept that night.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw them — both of them. Carlos’s gentle smile and the soft, sweet way he had kissed her in the clearing as well as Carl’s rough, possessive grip and the way he had claimed her mouth like he owned her soul.She pressed her face into the pillow, groaning in frustration.“Oh my God. This can’t can’t be my life now. I’m going to lose my mind!!!” She mused.The next morning, breakfast was pure torture.Riley sat at the long dining table between the two Thorn brothers, her body still aching from the restless night before. She had touched herself in the dark, shamefully imagining both brothers claiming her–Carlos’s gentle hands and Carl’s rough dominance until she came with their names tangled on her lips. The guilt had kept her awake for hours afterward.She had tried to avoid them this morning.She stayed in her room as long as possible, then slipped downstairs quietly, hoping to grab something to eat and disappear again.
The music in the club was loud and pulsing, but Isabella barely heard it anymore. She sat at the bar, staring at the empty shot glass in front of her. Another one soon joined it.Her boyfriend – now ex-boyfriend – had broken up with her just three hours ago. He called her boring, plain, and said sh
The beach party lasted until the sun went down. By the time we all came back to the house, everyone was tired but in a good mood. Chloe and Gray wanted to watch a movie downstairs in the home theater. Lisa agreed and started preparing snacks. Even a few of the guests who stayed behind joined them.
The next morning, the beach in front of the Reed family mansion was alive with activity.Chloe had invited a few close family friends and cousins over for the first big summer beach party. Music played from a portable speaker, colorful umbrellas dotted the sand, and the smell of barbecue and sunscr
After dinner, everyone was tired.Chloe stretched her arms dramatically and yawned. “I’m so exhausted. The drive back from school really drained me. Let’s all get some good rest tonight because tomorrow we’re hitting the beach properly. No excuses.”Lisa smiled and nodded. “She’s right. Harper, swe







