remembered-weathered wood siding, wraparound porch, and wide windows open to the breeze. For a brief second, she l

the door open, she felt

n she s

ice slid over

art lu

weats that hung a little too low on his hips. His hair was slightly damp, like he'd just showered, a

entioned he

er voice to

ed. "Didn't ex

just a cocky, tall senior with a reputation for breaking hearts and skipping class. But

bag at her fee

stayin

slow sip, eyes never leav

her arms. "S

t compl

ooked away. She couldn't-shouldn't-g

s voice echoe

on't care how hot he is or how m

n, her crush had been harmless-built on fleeting glances and quiet daydreams. Bu

-

ed and trying to shake off the te

but it still sent a shiver down her spine. When he saw her, his eyes flicked down her body-bare legs, loose t

, already reaching

gue

hed-warm skin, brief contact-but it sent a spark up her a

is smirk

hey talked-every word laced with something heavier. Every glance, every pau

, he stepped into her space, not touchin

this quiet

e lump in her throat. "Only

lifted. "

dn't a

-

ne in the kitchen finishing a snack. She heard footsteps behind

hing like I

rned s

were darker now, unreadable, and the way he looked

that's a complime

t

en he stopped just a foot away. She could smell h

ally here, Jace

ity was getting to me." He smiled, slow and dang

omach

r chair scraping the flo

move. "P

the hallway. But the second she turned the corner, he

e, his breath

know you

fr

it, laugh it off-but her body betrayed her. She was trembling, flushed,

, he ste

," he murmured, disappe

ght, the li

etween them, moonlight painting his features in silve

ot drunk. Buzzed jus

gain," she said,

ou bla

y on her mouth. He leaned closer. She could

raw. "Since the first time you walked into our apartm

in her chest, in he

, deliberate. When their fing

dn't s

foot of the stai

t racing. "This isn't ju

flexed

ek with one hand. "But if you want

nd's brother, the one person she was told never to touch. But her body ached

no

dless, they start

resence behind her, his gaze on her legs, her hips, her bac

, lips grazi

e?" he w

ace him, eyes w

es

t pounded so loudly she could hear it over the silence. He turned, watchi

stepping closer. "I've

ay he said it-raw, honest, almost vulnerable. She

g the heat of his skin beneath his shirt. "I've never... don

. "You're

no

ut something softened. "Then we go

thumb brushing her bottom lip. "But if

words-just leaned in, l

hey'd built over days-years, even-crashed into them all at once. His hands roamed her body wit

, his touch reverent but sure. When her back hit the mattress, she didn't

ant me to stop,"

he said, voi

ping a secret. When he saw all of her, he didn't look away. He

things she never knew her body could feel. She gasped

r, their eyes locked, bodies pres

he murmured, kiss

care. I w

warmth of being held, kissed, cherished. He didn't move until she nodde

y slow thrust. He whispered her name like a prayer, forehead pressed to he

e her like a wave she couldn't hold back, she cried out. He followe

fterward, the room filled wit

ly asked, brushing h

ed, body still tingli

e. "You're mine no

r-but she didn't

of her alread

is, call me so I can come pick you up. I can't