All Chapters of In the Arms of the Older Brother: Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

CIARAThe moment Rowan’s car rolled out of the lot, nosing past the edge of the park where I waited, I stood up from the swing. I’d had plenty of time to think while I stayed on the playground, and I’d already made my decision: if I had to crawl lower than any of them, just to see everyone who hurt me finally pay, then that was exactly what I would do.No second thoughts, no guilt. Just action.“Why the sudden decision? You horny?” Rowan asked the instant I slid into the passenger seat beside him. I rolled my eyes and clicked the seatbelt into place, dealing with his antics.“Yes, so stop asking before I change my mind again,” I answered, my tone sharper than I intended.I knew I shouldn’t take my frustration out on him, but I couldn’t help it. My father really disappointed me; it hurt, but more than anything, I was starting to get angry at him, enough that I was thinking of getting revenge on him, too.And I hated that thought. I hated myself for even thinking it.“Easy, I’m not your

ROWANI had my fair share of sexual encounters throughout my life, enough to think I’d known the shape of pleasure, the slow build, and the blinding rush, but nothing had ever come close to the way Ciara’s heat devoured me now and how she moved above me.I did say she could punish me. I suppose I half-meant it, some idle promise tossed out in the haze of wanting her to stay, but I never imagined it would come to this: blindfolded, hands kept strictly away, denied even the smallest touch unless she allowed it.Right now, I was nothing but her toy, her plaything, and there was something darkly satisfying in the way she used me.After all this time, I’d finally managed to have her. Ciara Villaflor, the woman I’d been eyeing ever since my brother brought her home and introduced her like a gift I wasn’t allowed to touch.The first time I saw her, it was like someone hit me in the chest with an iron. There was nothing else for it but to stare in awe as she sat across from me, a beautiful, a

CIARAThat single word hung between us, fragile as glass. For a heartbeat, Austin didn’t move, like he wasn’t sure he’d heard me right. Then relief flooded his face, softening every sharp edge of his expression as his hand trembled on mine.“Really?” he asked, and I nodded, though the motion felt heavier than it should have.“Yeah… I forgive you.”The smile that spread across his lips was immediate, and he let out a breath he’d probably been holding for days.“Yuri actually bragged about seducing you,” I admitted, each word a thorn snagging in my throat, “And as much as it stung that you fell for it, I realized it wasn’t entirely your fault. People mess up, and I know you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose.”The words tasted strange, but I said them anyway. “So… let’s just start over. Slowly.”“I’m really sorry. I promise, it won’t ever happen again.” Austin pressed his lips to the back of my hand, his gaze locked on mine, earnest. “Even if she tries something, I won’t fall for it again.”“A

CIARAAs soon as the call with Rowan ended, my phone buzzed, and I saw Austin’s message. He was greeting me good morning and told me that he was on his way here to bring me breakfast.“Fuck,” I sighed, feeling annoyed.It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate having work handed to me on a silver platter, and dodging all the hurdles like interviews and resumes, but… Rowan’s secretary? That was my new beginning?Not only that, but Austin actually went along with it? Thinking about it, I already mentioned to him before how I got thrown off the company because of Yuri. I guess he didn’t realize that I meant I got kicked out permanently. That must be why he jumped at the chance to help me, even if it meant putting me under his older brother’s supervision.“This is such a mess,” I muttered, tapping out a quick reply to Austin before tossing my phone onto the bed. Then, I went to wash my face, the sting of cold water against my skin doing little to clear my head.Honestly, I didn’t like having Aus