All Chapters of MY STEP BROTHER, MY RUIN: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

JUNE:I tossed gently on the big bed, clutching the pillow tight against my chest. My eyes kept drifting toward the ceiling, tracing the fancy patterns in the paint. It was still too early in the morning, but sleep had already left me. A cool breeze slipped through the slightly open curtains, brushing softly against my skin and making the edges of my night robe flutter.A small, beautiful smile found its way to my lips as memories from last night came rushing back… The dance. The way the lights had wrapped around us like magic. For one perfect moment, I had chosen what mattered to me, and I didn’t care what anyone said about it. My heart had won, against so many voices and different opinions.It was all happening so fast, right? Maybe too fast. I knew that. I should have kept Ronan at a distance after everything he did, after the way he made the whole school nickname me on my first day, fought with me over cake, and made my life feel like a battlefield. But my stupid little heart w

JUNE;We stayed that way, lips locked, breathing each other in. The kiss grew deeper, hungrier. Soft gasps slipped from my mouth into his. Ronan groaned low against my lips, the sound vibrating through my chest and making my toes curl right there on the floor. His hands stayed gentle but firm on my face, pulling me in, and brushing my cheeks like he was afraid I might disappear.“Ronan…” I gasped when we finally broke for air.He pulled back slowly, just enough for our eyes to meet. Both of his hands still cupped my chin, his blue eyes searching my hazel ones with an intensity that made my stomach flip. Our hearts were pounding hard, chests rising and falling as if we had just run a marathon. My fingers lightly tugged at his bare arm, feeling the warmth of his skin and the hard muscle underneath. His thumb slowly wiped across my lower lip, tracing where we had been connected. His own lips stayed apart, like he wanted to say something important but the words wouldn’t come out.I dro

JUNE;I couldn’t help the soft giggle that escaped me. Mary sat across from me, peering intently into my eyes, clearly trying to figure out who I was talking to.I switched the phone to my other hand, my fingers still a little shaky from everything that had happened this morning. His voice had brought up those feelings again, I was starting to curl in my seat.“I just stepped out for a bit,” I said softly into the phone. “I’ll be home shortly. I promise.” “You shouldn’t even be walking with that ankle. It's not so hard staying in bed, you know,” his voice came through, low and concerned.He was right. I knew that. If I had listened and stayed in bed, I wouldn’t be limping right now.”I smiled despite myself, biting my lower lip. But I had needed this, the coffee, the fresh air, and most of all, the chance to talk to Mary. “I know. I just… needed the gist. I’ll be careful.”The sky rumbled low above us, as if it had its own plans, dark clouds rolling in from one direction. A cool win

RONAN;I saw the look on June’s face the moment Natalie appeared. The disdainful way her eyes moved from me to Natalie and back to me. The disappointment and quiet hurt settled deep in her hazel eyes. It hit me harder than any punch ever could. I never wanted this day to come when I would come face to face with the past I loathe so much, the mistake that had always gnawed at my heart.Facing the stupid mistake I’d been trying so hard to bury. One drunken night, in the hotel room, and now it was standing right here in front of us, chewing bubble gum and smiling like she owned me. How on earth did she find me?!My shoulders slumped. I turned to June, forcing my voice to stay calm. I handed her the two warm paper bags.“June… please wait by the bike,” I said softly. “Just give me a minute… I’ll handle this,”She didn’t argue. She only nodded, her eyes moving slowly from my face to Natalie, then back to me. The disappointment in them cut really deep. She turned and limped toward the bik

JUNE; “Ronan hurt you this badly?” Mary snapped. She sat beside me, watching me with careful eyes. Then her voice rose again, describing all the rich folks as bad and rude. “And he appeared on that bike like he was the best natural thing,” her jaw tightened. “Look what he did to you in just a few minutes he went off with you… Your eyes are red, Juney,” her hand rested underneath my jaw. “What exactly did he do this time?” She queried. “Did he take sides with that Selene girl? Wait! He was rude to you again?” “No,” I shook my head, Mary's eyes were searching mine deeply. I opened mine to talk, I almost spilled. But I couldn't, a part of me still wanted to protect him. “I'm just… just hurt, May.” “Oh, my baby,” she said softly, pulling me into her shoulder. “I told you he had baggage. I told you he was intense. Now look at you, hurt and crying because of him.” “You don’t have to tell me everything right now. But whenever you’re ready, I’m here. No judgment. I just want wh