Ryder leans closer. “I’m your brother. I think that’s enough authority to tell you to avoid doing something stupid like that.”
“Or what?” I snap. “You’ll hit me again?”
“Oh, doll. I didn’t hit you. I spanked you, and you loved every second of it.” He bends forward until his mouth is right beside my ear. “You were so wet. All that cum coated your pretty pussy and thick thighs. No one will ever know. It’ll be our little secret.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and focus on my breathing so I don’t hyperventilate and pass out. There’s no way the brother I grew up with is talking about my pussy. When I said I wanted a relationship with Ryder, I didn’t meanthis.
Liar, the tiny voice whispers.
My fingers curl deeper into the silk shorts. I turn my head so I can talk directly into his ear. “Aren’t you embarrassed about this?” I breathe. “You’re my brother.”
“Stepbrother,” he growls.
“We grew up together.”
“Why did you wear the butt plug?” Ryder asks, completely dismissing what I said.
“None of your business.”
“Did your fiancé put you up to it?”
I cringe at the insinuation I would do anything for Justin. He’d have a stroke if he found out I’m a sex worker.
Ryder’s eyebrows scrunch together, and he frowns. “Are you doing it for another man?”
My heart hammers faster. I swallow hard and glance away. He catches my chin and forces me to look at him again. Anger brims in his darkened irises.
My silence is digging my grave. Ryder will tell my dad about my side gig, forcing me to give it up. I haven’t saved enough for me to leave yet, so that’s a fucking problem. Maybe it’ll be enough of a wake-up call to the both of us. Whatever’s happening right now is wrong. The lines have blurred, and this entire interaction has spun out of control, with little time to turn back.
“Are you talking to other men?” Ryder growls.
“No.”
Ryder’s expression darkens. “Don’t fuck with me, sis.”
A shudder rolls through me. I’m so fucked up for enjoying it when he calls me his sister.
I rest my palms on his bare chest, my fingers curling into his soft skin. My plan was to shove him away from me. Instead, I slip my hands behind his neck and ease him closer to me. Ryder’s nose bumps against mine, and our lips brush. He sucks in a breath, and something changes in his eyes. It’s dark, primal, and hungry.
“Am I not allowed to play with myself, big brother?” I whisper. I hope this is enough to push him away from me.
“Don’t say that,” he growls. His hand slips from my chin and settles around my throat. He squeezes with enough pressure to tell me he could take my life if he wanted to.
Then the blurred lines fade as he drops his gaze to my parted lips. I hold my breath, silently begging him to kiss me.
Footsteps from the second floor fill the silence.
Ryder’s attention snaps back to my face, and shadows creep over his features as he scowls. The walls shoot up and close my access to his emotions before he shoves me away and puts space between us.
I suck in a shaky breath, filling my lungs with oxygen that doesn’t smell like amber and cypress. The lust-filled haze parts, and realization slams into me.
The footsteps on the second floor draw closer and descend the stairs. Ryder turns and storms out the back door, likely to hide in his room.
I sag in my seat and close my eyes.
“WEST COAST SMOKER” FALL OUT BOY
Istorm through the back door. The cold weather doesn’t kill the buzz beneath my skin or soften my painful erection. The ghost of Madison’s hands on my chest burns just as hot as when she was touching me. It imprints itself deep into my bones, branding me for the rest of my useless life. I can’t come close to being disgusted about how much I love it. My fingers curl tighter into fists.
