Steps of Desire

Steps of Desire

Elara Noctis

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Ella's life was already complicated, but when her mother remarries, she's forced to live under the same roof as her infuriatingly perfect stepbrother, Ryan. Cold, arrogant, and impossible to read, he dominates every room and now, her life. Forced together by circumstance, arguments turn to banter, banter turns to stolen glances, and stolen glances... could turn into something more. But forbidden attraction carries consequences. Can Ella and Ryan navigate desire, jealousy, and family secrets without losing everything they care about?

Chapter 1 Moving Day Mayhem

Moving day was worse than I imagined. Boxes teetered in unstable piles, movers bumped into each other, and my mom barked orders like she was running a five-star hotel instead of supervising my chaos. I hauled a suitcase that felt like it weighed my entire life, and by the time I reached the top of the stairs, my shoulder was screaming, my nerves frayed, and I hated everything.

"Ella! Watch that box!" Mom called, her heels clicking as she strode through the hallway, hair flawless, blazer crisp. "Don't just toss things around!"

"I'm fine!" I shouted, though my voice lacked conviction.

"You must be Ella."

I froze. And there he was, Ryan Caldwell, my new stepbrother. Tall, broad, impossibly perfect. "Uh... yeah," I said, trying to sound calm but my pulse betrayed me anyway.

"I've heard a lot about you," he said in a low voice.

"Good or bad?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Mostly trouble."

Mom clapped her hands, oblivious to the tension. "Ryan, help Ella with her things! Make her feel at home!"

I groaned. "Help" from Ryan meant hovering, judging, and making me feel like an idiot the entire time.

The first box I tried to carry was heavier than I expected. I lifted it but it slipped through my fingers. Clothes and random papers tumbled down the stairs like a waterfall of humiliation.

"Shit!" I muttered, scrambling to grab what I could.

Ryan's hand brushed mine as we both reached for the same sweater. My stomach flipped, and I wanted to punch him but I didn't.

"Careful," he said. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

"I can handle it," I snapped.

"You sure?" His smirk widened. "Doesn't look like it." The way he moved; calm, confident, and in control made me feel exposed and frustrated all at once. By the time all the boxes were set down, I was sweaty, flushed, and exhausted.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"For what?" he asked, smirking still in place.

"For not letting me look like a complete idiot," I said.

"Anytime," he said casually, and I rolled my eyes.

I flopped onto my bed, trying to catch my breath. A small note fell from one of the boxes; it was Mom's handwriting, neat as ever: "Ella, remember to give Ryan a chance." He's... not what he seems.

I stared at it. "Not what he seems?" I muttered. Yeah, right.

Later, while unpacking, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Sophie: Be careful. Ryan's... something else, don't let him get under your skin. I rolled my eyes. Sophie always exaggerated, but somehow, she was right. Ryan was irritating, infuriating, and... too sharp, too aware of everything I did.

Then I heard his voice from the doorway. "You're hiding in here? Thought you'd run away?"

I jumped, nearly dropping the photo frame in my hands. He leaned against the doorframe crossing his arms with a sharp eye and smirked. "I....uh, no," I stammered. "Just... unpacking."

"Uh-huh." He stepped closer and that made me stiffen. "Seems like a lot for one day, want me to help?"

My chest tightened. Part of me wanted to say yes and the other part of me wanted to scream at him to leave.

His hands brushed mine as he reached for the same I held, and I felt some forbidden chills run through my body. It hated how it felt but somehow....., I liked it. The heat of him being so close made me shiver, my heart was racing uncontrollably but I had to compose myself. I ripped my hand back and stumbled toward the bed, gripping the box.

"You're complicated." He chuckled. " Let me get some juice downstairs "

"Yeah? And you're insufferable," I snapped, though part of me knew it wasn't entirely true.

Mom's voice floated from downstairs, sharp and commanding, but I didn't hear it. I was too aware of him as he was still standing there and watching me.

I sank onto the bed exhaling in frustration. After some minutes, a soft knock made me jump. No one usually came in uninvited. I peeked through the gap and froze.

Ryan was there, holding a box with my name on it. But the look in his eyes made my stomach twist. He smiled faintly and said: "Thought you could hide from me? Think again."

I wanted to scream, run or even cry all at once. Instead, I just sat there gripping the box, realizing one thing with terrifying clarity: nothing about this house or him was going to be simple.

And I wasn't ready for the forbidden mess of feelings he was about to drag me into.

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Ella, a determined and resilient young woman, is thrust into a world of challenges and unexpected opportunities after her father's betrayal by his closest friend and business partner. Desperate to restore her family's lost comfort, Ella immerses herself in a high-stakes job at a prestigious company, working directly under the enigmatic CEO, Ben. When circumstances lead to a contract marriage between them, Ella faces a crucial decision: to sacrifice her freedom for financial stability or embrace a life-altering partnership with her aloof boss. As their unconventional marriage unfolds, Ella navigates a tumultuous relationship with Ben, who remains guarded and distant, causing emotional turmoil and self-doubt. Despite enduring humiliation and mistreatment, Ella finds strength in her resolve to succeed and provide for her loved ones. When Ben unexpectedly reveals his vulnerability and confesses his love for her on the eve of their contract's end, Ella must confront her feelings and decide the future of their relationship. Through perseverance and unwavering determination, Ella and Ben embark on a journey of healing and personal growth, forging a genuine bond built on trust and mutual respect. As they navigate the complexities of their evolving connection, they discover the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Together, they embark on a new chapter of their lives, embracing the promise of a harmonious and fulfilling future. Amidst a backdrop of betrayal, ambition, and redemption, Ella and Ben's intertwined destinies culminate in a poignant tale of resilience, compassion, and the enduring pursuit of happiness and fulfillment in the face of adversity.

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Chapters
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Steps of Desire
1

Chapter 1 Moving Day Mayhem

11/12/2025

2

Chapter 2 Don't Test Me

11/12/2025

3

Chapter 3 Don't Act Like You Don't Feel It

11/12/2025

4

Chapter 4 The Things We Pretend Not to Want

11/12/2025

5

Chapter 5 Close Enough to Touch

11/12/2025

6

Chapter 6 He's Too Close Again

11/12/2025

7

Chapter 7 The Kitchen Isn't Safe Either

11/12/2025

8

Chapter 8 Dinner Isn't a Safe Zone

11/12/2025

9

Chapter 9 The Line He Pretends He Doesn't See

11/12/2025

10

Chapter 10 He Doesn't Like Sharing Me

11/12/2025

11

Chapter 11 Everyone Sees It Except Us

11/12/2025

12

Chapter 12 Almost Isn't Enough

11/12/2025

13

Chapter 13 Close Enough to Burn

11/12/2025

14

Chapter 14 Too Close to Ignore

18/12/2025

15

Chapter 15 Crossing the Line

18/12/2025

16

Chapter 16 Boundaries Blur

18/12/2025

17

Chapter 17 Secrets and Whispers

18/12/2025

18

Chapter 18 Tension Rising

18/12/2025

19

Chapter 19 Uncharted Territory

18/12/2025

20

Chapter 20 Lines Unraveled

18/12/2025

21

Chapter 21 Crossing Boundaries

20/12/2025

22

Chapter 22 Lines Crossed

20/12/2025

23

Chapter 23 Fire Between Us

20/12/2025

24

Chapter 24 Unspoken Promises

20/12/2025

25

Chapter 25 Lines Blurred

20/12/2025

26

Chapter 26 The Night Stretched On

21/12/2025

27

Chapter 27 Heat Between Us

21/12/2025

28

Chapter 28 Tension in the Air

21/12/2025

29

Chapter 29 He took a step closer

21/12/2025

30

Chapter 30 Outside World Fade

21/12/2025

31

Chapter 31 Secrets in the Garden

25/12/2025

32

Chapter 32 Collision Course

25/12/2025

33

Chapter 33 A Deliberate Act

25/12/2025

34

Chapter 34 Tangled Truths

25/12/2025

35

Chapter 35 Colliding Secrets

25/12/2025

36

Chapter 36 Why are you in here again

26/12/2025

37

Chapter 37 The Expectations

26/12/2025

38

Chapter 38 I Don't Care

26/12/2025

39

Chapter 39 Caught Off Guard

26/12/2025

40

Chapter 40 Thinking About You

26/12/2025