I had no idea who I was kissing.I mean, who would care on a high school graduation night?And best of all, on my nineteenth birthday.It was the perfect night to have such great, forbidden sex.My lips crushed against his, hungry and reckless, tasting the tang of whiskey lingering on his tongue. His hands, large and calloused, gripped my waist through thee thin, light fabric of the sundress I had worn, a soft yellow thing with spaghetti straps that clung to me in all the right places.Beneath it, my nipples were stiff peaks pressing against the flimsy lace of my bra, a fact that hadn’t escaped his attention when his hands slid lower, teasing the curve of my hips.The small house party was just background noise, laughter, music, the clink of glasses, but the only thing I could focus on was him. He smelled like aftershave and sweat, intoxicating in the way danger always is.When his lips left mine and found the curve of my neck, a shaky moan slipped from me before I could stop it. My
The room was dimly lit, shadows flickering across the walls as he knelt between my legs, his broad shoulders framed by the faint glow of the bedside lamp. My thighs were spread wide, pussy wet, his fing rs moved slowly down my inner thighs. Fingers slowly touching my swollen clit. Damn. His eyes locked on mine, dark and filled with desire, as he positioned himself at my entrance.I could feel the blunt head of his cock pressing against me, teasing, stretching the slick folds of my pussy.The anticipation was maddening, and I whimpered, lifting my hips to meet him, desperate for more.“Patience,” he growled, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver down my spine.But I didn’t want patience. I wanted him, deep, hard, all of him. I was a girl who depended on masturbation for pleasure. My interactions with penetration was a dildo. “Please,” I begged, my voice cracking as my hands clutched at the sheets beneath me.He didn’t make me wait long. With one slow, deliberate thrust, he sa
Nine months later.“I want to hold another party, in celebration of you getting into Crestfield!” Elara shrieked through the phone, her voice bright and obnoxiously chipper.“Elara, no. Absolutely not,” I groaned, balancing my phone between my shoulder and ear as I tossed my keys onto the kitchen counter.“Come on, Evie,” she whined, dragging my name out like a kid begging for candy. “You’re officially a college student now. You’re supposed to be wild and crazy. Live a little!”“First of all,” I said, rolling my eyes as I opened the fridge, only to find it depressingly empty. “I got into Crestfield because I had no other choice. It’s not Ravencrest, and it’s not what I wanted.”“Boo-hoo,” Elara mocked, her dramatic tone practically dripping through the phone. “So what if Crestfield isn’t Ravencrest? At least you’re going to college and studying engineering, which is, like, the most Evie thing ever.”I sighed, shutting the fridge door and leaning against the counter. “Elara, do you eve
My mother’s face twisted, her painted lips pulling into a frown as she crossed her arms. “Evelyn Marie Hayes,” she snapped, her voice sharp and full of the authority she rarely earned. “That is no way to speak to your mother.”She was using all three of my names now. It was her favorite move when she was mad or trying to guilt me into submission.“And abandoning your daughter is no way to be a mother,” I shot back, turning away from her.I clenched my fists, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from saying something worse. “Why are you even here?” I muttered, staring at the wall instead of her.She sighed, the kind of exasperated, dramatic noise she always made when she wasn’t getting her way. “If you paid any attention to rich people news, you’d know why.”I turned back to face her, arms crossed over my chest. “I don’t care about rich people and their problems, Mom. I have enough of my own.”Her lips twitched into a smirk, one that made me immediately suspicious. Without a word, she
Elara was here to be my support, but you see my mum?My mum didn’t like Elara. She kept staring at her with this thinly veiled look of disgust, like she couldn’t believe I had the audacity to bring her along.Elara, of course, noticed. She always noticed. But she didn’t care.She sat cross-legged in the plush chair of the exclusive beauty salon, fiddling with the rings on her fingers. Her bright purple hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, clashing spectacularly with the neon green crop top and plaid skirt she’d chosen for the day. Add in her mismatched earrings, one shaped like a star, the other a crescent moon, and she w I'mas a walking middle finger to the word conformity.“Elara, dear,” my mum said, her voice dripping with forced politeness. “Don’t you think you’d be more comfortable waiting outside?”Elara smirked, leaning back in her chair like she owned the place. “Nope. I’m perfectly comfortable right here. Thanks for asking, though.”I stifled a laugh, earning a shar
It had to be a dream.Please tell me it’s a dream.A nightmare.How in the world did the guy I had the best sex with become my stepbrother?!It was supposed to be a probability of zero, maybe even negative numbers, but here I was, sitting at a dining table so extravagant it looked like something out of a movie. And there he was, Ryder, sitting across from me, his dark hair perfectly messy in a way that made me want to pull it, his lips curled into that same smirk I remembered all too well.His eyes didn’t leave me, not for a second.I tried my best not to blush. Not to give out the signal that we knew each other.Or the fact that I had cleared at those muscles. Moaned and screamed his name as he pounded into me. Okay stop it Evie. Not cool. “So,” he said, his voice smooth as he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself. “Who are you?”I blinked, my brain short-circuiting under his gaze. “I’m… uh…um…”“Evelyn,” my mum said quickly, cutting in before I embarrassed myself fu
I gulped, stepping back until my back hit the railings.“A coincidence…yeah. I agree.”He chuckled. That deep, rumbling chuckle that rose from his throat and sent a shiver straight down my spine.“Are you nervous?” he asked, cocking his head slightly to the right as he adjusted the sleeves of his suit jacket.I couldn’t help but stare at his arms, at the way the fabric stretched over his muscles, at the veins that bulged with every small movement. I swallowed hard, and his lips curled into that infuriating smirk. He noticed. Of course, he noticed.Before I could think of a response, he took a step forward. Then another.Long strides closed the distance between us in seconds.He placed one hand on the railings behind me, then the other, boxing me in. His face was just inches from mine now, his dark eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my knees weak.“What’s wrong, Evie?” he murmured, his voice low and teasing. “You’re not usually this quiet.”I inhaled sharply, trying to pul
I wasn’t watching where I was going, and the next thing I knew, I bumped into someone.Blonde hair whipped at my face, and I staggered back, muttering an apology.“Watch it,” came a sharp voice.I froze. Riley. Of course.My luck. After kissing her twin brother, I have to bump into her. She stood there, slowly crossing her arms against her chest, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she looked me up and down. Her perfectly styled platinum blonde hair didn’t have a strand out of place, and her lips curled into a mocking smirk that made my stomach twist.“Running off in such a rush, huh?” she sneered, tilting her head. “What’s the matter? Couldn’t handle the attention you were getting out there?”“Riley,” I started, my voice low, “I’m not in the mood for this. We just met…and I don't want drama.”“Oh, but I am, and drama is my second name,” she said, stepping closer. Her tone was sweet, but her words were bitter. “You and your mother really know how to make an entrance, don’t you? Climbing
The bathroom was as luxurious as the rest of the penthouse.Marble floors, a massive walk-in shower, sleek counters, dim lighting that made everything feel expensive.Ryder was already at the sink, grabbing a towel. “Sit,” he said, motioning toward the black vanity stool beside the counter.I ignored him, leaning against the doorframe instead. “I’ll stand.”He shot me a look but didn’t argue.Then, without hesitation, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head.Fuck.I forced myself to keep my eyes on his face. Not on the well-defined abs. Not on the firm chest. Not on the deep V-line disappearing beneath the waistband of his sweats.Ryder smirked as he caught me looking. “Eyes up here, darling.”I scowled. “I wasn’t looking. Don't flatter yourself."I gulped as he took off his sweat. Fuck. Keep your eyes up Evie. Eyes up. Nor the first time you are seeing a hot guy stop acting like some blushing teenager. He hummed in amusement before turning and stepping into the s
I noticed the conflict in Ryder’s expression.It was subtle, barely there, but I caught it—the way his jaw tightened, the way his fingers flexed against the counter like he was holding something back.His lips parted, then closed again.And then, finally, he exhaled. “Evie… there’s nothing you can do.”My stomach clenched. “What?”“There’s nothing I can do, either. Not the way you want or expect me to.”I shook my head. “You want to help, but you won’t?” My voice rose. “They—she—deserves to rot, Ryder.”His fingers pressed against the marble. “You think I don’t know that?”“Then why—"“Because, Evie, how do you expect me to bring Sienna down when her mother is a judge?” His tone was sharp now, frustration bleeding through. “Think about it. Even if you take this to court, her mother will make sure it doesn’t even see a trial.”I swallowed. “There has to be a way—”“If you want to do this,” he said, voice calmer now, but firm, dangerous, “you have to break her support first. And even th
My eyes raked over Nate’s body, his abs, his full chest, the way his Adam Apple bobbed and his pouty lips , but only for a second. I schooled my face to remain neutral, whatever blush that wanted to rise up died instantly when I thought of what they did to someone innocent. I wasn’t here for this.Did I expect to see him shirtless? No. But I knew why I was here and it was expected for third year students to show their so called and and muscles when home alone and doing workouts. So, I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. "Can I come in?"Cold. Detached. I didn’t have time to pretend like I wasn’t pissed.Nate arched a brow, stepping aside. "By all means."I walked past him, eyes barely flickering toward Ryder, who was watching me closely, unreadable.The second I stepped inside—I took it all in.The penthouse was insane.It wasn’t just luxury—it was the kind of place you saw in magazines. Designed to intimidate.The walls were a deep charcoal gray, sleek and modern, with
I felt my throat tighten. "What?" Elara’s lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her eyes were wide, unfocused, as if she were reliving something. Something dark. I reached forward, gripping her wrist. "Elara, talk to me." She exhaled shakily. "Sienna told me everything." I didn’t move. I just waited. And then— "They did it before," she whispered. "Years ago. To another girl. This same nude issue." I felt my stomach twist. "Who?" She hesitated. Then, "Her name was Lillian Prescott." That name. It sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Elara swallowed. "She wasn’t rich. She was on a scholarship. Just like most people in Ravencrest. And one night, they picked her. Told her it was just a game. Just fun." Her voice cracked. "But it wasn’t. It never was." A lump formed in my throat. "What happened?" Elara looked down at her hands, curling them into fists. "She wanted to fit in and they broke her." Silence. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. E
The steam curled from my chai tea, filling the kitchen with its warm, spiced scent. I wrapped my hands around the mug, staring blankly at the marble countertop.I had barely slept.Elara hadn’t answered my calls. Not last night. Not this morning. Ryder and I had chatted. He had practice. I had spent the morning watching him coach some juniors while I practiced with the cheer leaders which would leave me sore later on. School would be starting next week. I had two weeks before my mother's wedding and two more weeks until whatever I had with Ryder ends. The sex was good. His attention was good. But him turning out to be my step brother that would gross out the world and it's something I would like to avoid. I hated this feeling.The room silence was interrupted by an automated voice. “The number you dialed…” I hit the hang up button as I sighed. This helpless, useless weight pressing down on my chest. She was
I was there again.In the room, watching that woman fight with my mum.They were angry. The woman botched face could not even frown. Her frown deep as she pushed my mother against the shoulder. The atmosphere was filled with tension, their angry words shaking the house at twelve midnight.“You tried to poison me!” my mother’s voice wavered, but she stood her ground, her eyes wild with anger and something else. Sadness and desperation. Fear. The woman scoffed, arms folded across her chest. “You’re delusional.”“I know what I saw.” My mother’s hands clenched into fists. “You switched my medication. I almost died.”A slow smirk curled on the woman’s lips. “And yet, here you are. Pathetic.”I was just a child, standing frozen near the door, my tiny fingers gripping the edge of my dress. I didn’t understand everything, but I understood enough.I understood that my mother was in pain.I understood that this woman—this other woman—was the reason for it.“You ruined my life,” my mother whi
Evie’s POVI bit my lip as I waited for Ryder’s reply.The message had been sitting on read for a solid three minutes, which in text-time was an eternity. I sighed, tossing my phone onto my bed.I hadn’t heard from Elara all day.Scratch that.I hadn’t seen Elara since last night.I had called her this morning, texted her, even reached out to her mom, only to get the same response—she doesn’t want to see anyone right now.It left a sour taste in my mouth.I didn’t like her like that, but I cared. She was my best friend. My only real friend. And she was hurting.I wanted to help.I wanted to fix it.But at the same time… I wanted to burn Sienna’s life to the ground.Because recording someone like that? Posting it? Humiliating them for the world to see?I clenched my fists.She had power, sure. Money, connections. But so did I now.Maybe it was time to remind her that power could be taken just as easily as it was given.My phone buzzed.I grabbed it quickly, Ryder’s name flashing across
Ryder’s POVI pushed the cue stick forward, lining up my shot, but my grip was tighter than it should be. The ball cracked against another, spinning into a pocket, but I barely registered the movement. My jaw was locked, my thoughts running in circles.Across from me, Nate leaned against the pool table, watching. He hadn’t taken his turn yet."Are you gonna play or just stand there looking dumb?" I muttered, chalking my cue stick.Nate arched a brow. "You good?"I let out a dry chuckle. "Do I look good?"He studied me for a second, then sighed, rolling the pool cue between his hands. "You’re pissed about last night."I snapped my gaze to him. "What do you think?"Me and Evie haven't seen or spoke since last night. I was worried. I tried reaching out but she didn't answer my calls or replied my texts. I was pissed. Nate exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "Look, man, I didn’t know it was gonna be that k
The car ride was silent.The kind that made your hands shake. The nervousness. The moment were you are unsure if you should say something or keep quiet. It made me fidget.Elara sat in the back, staring out the window, her face completely unreadable. She didn’t move. Didn’t speak.Ryder just kept driving, his grip tight on the wheel, his jaw tense.I wanted to say something—anything—but what was there to say?What the fuck could I say after what just happened?Elara had been humiliated in front of everyone. Tricked. Used.And I’d just stood there, watching. Not even knowing what happened. I clenched my fists in my lap, my nails digging into my skin.The car slowed.We pulled up in front of her building.The moment the engine cut off, Elara shoved the door open and climbed out.Bam!She slammed it shut behind her without a single glance back.I winced.