Falling For My Step-brother

ur

s smelled like over-brewed coffee and jet fuel. But most of all,

terminal of JFK, blinking against the fluorescent lights. My phone buz

aiting outside.

es and didn't

n

one who needed

t him. Leaning against a sleek black Mercedes, arms crossed, designer sunglasses hiding hal

rom head to toe like he was headed to a

ust gave me a once-over and tu

rmi

pproached the car and forced a smil

he said without

's how it was

ky reply. This wasn't just a ride-it was the start of my new life,

re the way his jaw clenched when our arms accidentally brushed. Or how my heart stu

it was the strange silence that filled the mansion after dark- like it was h

not my

that ev

a sibling. He said it like... like it was s

awake at seven by sunlight blazing through the windows. I gr

y, probably off to meetings and brunches and whatever billionaires did on a Tuesday. The housekeeper, Ma

lack joggers, casually scrolling through his phone like

as he spoke. "Slee

at him. "Did you ju

e tiar

ow this toast

st throw someth

re I could stop myself. His

being..

annoying in the m

breakfast with someone who drin

my cup. "It's cal

d a blood s

ite myself. "You know, you wer

and finally looked at

exis

g a brat," h

ung," I muttered, sip

dn't want to name. Chemistry. Tension. A beat too long of ey

, grabbing his mug.

ain

ded. "

ding bad boy boxes.

you g

a look. "Co

"Was that a chall

st slightly, as he disappe

e again-leaving behind a silen

as trespassing in someone else's world. Every hallway was immaculate, e

a sunroom filled with plants that

rner, I heard the dull rhy

sed. He moved like he was made of muscle and precision, sweat dripping down his

und. But I didn't... I watched... And wh

ked. "Enjoyi

"Just...

grabbing a towel. His chest rose and fell with ever

staring,

udging you

ckled.

s. "So what's yo

de

u clearly care about some things. Like boxing. Like

. Not intimidatin

now, "is that I don't let peop

hav

e for a long t

in-like he hadn't just drop

night Netflix binge when some

acking the door open to find Ronan leaning against

ce," he said with a half-smile. "

r wider. "Trying

omplic

kidd

the movie paused on the scree

balance out all the tes

ed. "Can I

ed. "Se

th brows. "I

pounding. "Fine. But no

prom

g in the world. I stayed near the window, keeping space betwe

the silence. "Why do

hi

whole step-si

ay. Just stared into his

nally. "I just wasn't expectin

slowly.

ther moment that s

here," he said,

why ar

e like he didn

hen h

ai

ngered at the door.

rt stu

ight,

thing for sure: This wasn't just a bad idea.It w

with the house staff, and near-silent encounters with Ronan. He was like a s

that wrapped around your ribs and squeezed gently. I followed

grand piano, sleek and black and beautiful. And sitting at it

mpress anyone. Just letting his fing

ay, unmoving, breath

shed, he did

you there?" h

realize you're f

h to glance at me, something

ay?" he

Mostly wh

you're h

tated.