She turned to face him, and for a moment, Macy forgot how to breathe.

The stranger towered over her, his squinting blue eyes fixed on her like he was reading her entire soul. His thin, rose-colored lips curved into one of the sexiest, most confident smiles she had ever seen. His diamond-shaped face sharpened his features in a way that made him look both young and unmistakably masculine.

He was tall - very tall. Macy, standing at 5'3, guessed he had to be at least 6'0 or 6'2. Even through his shirt, she could see the evident ridges of muscle. His biceps were sculpted, his chest solid beneath the thin white fabric.

And then there was his hair - long, silky waves that reached his shoulders, a stunning shade somewhere between silver and platinum blonde. It looked unreal.

His outfit wasn't anything extraordinary - jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket - yet somehow he made the simple look devastating. A pair of Air Jordans and a gold wristwatch finished the look effortlessly.

"You could take a picture, you know. It'll last longer."

Macy wasn't ready for the way his deep voice shook her entire system. It was smooth, dark, and dripping with confidence.

"What?" she breathed, still dazed.

"Well, you were staring," he said with a teasing smile. "I figured you might want photographic evidence."

She hadn't even realized she was staring that hard - but who could blame her? No one she had ever met came close to this level of handsome.

"Don't flatter yourself." She frowned. "My boyfriend is way better looking than you."

It was a lie. Grayson wasn't ugly, but beside this stranger, he barely passed average.

She tried pulling her wrist back, but instead of letting go, his grip tightened.

"Hey- let go!"

"I wasn't done talking," he said, the smile widening.

Who the hell did he think he was?

"You show up almost an hour late," he snapped, "and now you're refusing to take me home?"

"Take you home?" Macy repeated, confused.

Then realization flashed in her eyes - and his smirk deepened.

"Macy," he said, voice full of amusement. "It's me."

"...William?"

"Hello, big sis. Long time."

★★★

"Oh, William, it is so good to have you back home after so long!" Her mother pulled him into a tight hug, smiling from ear to ear.

"It feels good to be back, Mother," he said warmly. "You haven't aged a day."

"Oh, don't flatter me."

"It's true. You and Macy could pass as sisters."

Her mother practically glowed at the compliment. Macy rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt.

"I assume I don't need to ask where my father is," William added dryly.

"He wanted to be here, but something urgent came up."

"And it was more urgent than seeing the son he hasn't seen in twelve years?"

"Come on, William. You know your father loves you. He just had no choice. He promised to come home early."

"He won't," William muttered. "And Mother - call me Liam now."

"Of course," she said, delighted.

Macy sat glued to the couch with a sour expression, watching them chat like best friends. She couldn't believe her mother's reaction. William - the same boy who tormented her all childhood - was now calling her "Mother," a title Macy herself had longed to hear from him years ago.

Instead of yelling, insulting, or mocking as he used to, he was laughing, hugging, and charming his way through the living room.

The transformation was unbelievable.

The William she knew was a small, freckle-faced boy with spindly arms and legs - she used to be taller than him.

Now? He was taller, stronger, impossibly handsome, with hair straight out of a fantasy novel.

Macy shook her head hard. She refused to believe she had just checked out her childhood bully.

"Macy, what are you doing over there? Come talk to your brother."

"Oh, we talked plenty on the drive home," she muttered.

"Mother, does my big sister still have hateful feelings toward me?" William asked.

She didn't need to look to know his eyes were on her. She could feel them.

"Of course not!" her mother said quickly. "Macy, come here. Now."

Macy groaned. The warning tone left no room for argument.

She dragged herself over. "Fine. I'm here. What?"

"I'm going to fix his meal. Keep him company while he waits."

"Why? It's his house. He doesn't need company-"

"Macy."

There it was - the deadly tone.

"Fine! I'll sit with him. But he is not my brother."

"You two will talk," her mother ordered before walking away.

William turned to her with amusement dancing in his eyes. "You look different," he said, gaze trailing leisurely over her.

"Twelve years is a long time."

"That's not what I mean." He leaned back. "You've lost your fierce edge."

"My what?"

"Back then you were small, but fierce. You had this fire to you. I always admired that. But now..."

He shrugged softly. "It's gone. What happened?"

Macy fumbled, suddenly unable to hold his gaze.

"Am I making you shy?" William teased. "You won't even look at me. Don't tell me... you're crushing on me?"

"Not in this lifetime!" she snapped, slapping his hand away as he reached for her hair.

"There she is," he smirked. "See? That wasn't so hard."

She crossed her arms. "How did you even recognize me at the airport?"

"This."

He pointed at her shirt.

"My shirt?"

"That's Dad's."

"What?"

She looked down - and froze. It was Mr. Darwin's shirt, the one from his high school reunion. She must've grabbed it by mistake during laundry.

She yanked it off immediately, leaving only her bra top.

"Maria! Thank God. I need help," she called as one of the staff walked by.

"Yes, Miss Macy?"

"Please return this to Mr. Darwin's wardrobe."

"Of course."

When Macy turned back, William was openly staring at her body.

"What?" she snapped.

"Nothing," he said, clearing his throat. "Just surprised you still call him Mr. Darwin. After all these years."

He stood and stretched. "Well, thank you for your exclusive company. I need a shower.

You're welcome to join me - if you want."

He winked and walked away before she could explode.

★★★

"Are you serious? There is no way he changed that much," Sage said.

"I'm telling you," Macy replied, pacing her room. "I didn't even recognize him. He's a completely different person - still an annoying brat, though."

"Aww, you're talking about me?"

Macy jumped at his voice behind her. "Ugh! What do you want?"

"In my house?" William grinned. "Don't be silly, big sis."

Sage's jaw dropped. "Is that him? Oh my God. He's- he's..."

"Hey," William said, smiling at her. "You must be Wilson. Damn, sis. She's way hotter than you."

Sage beamed, cheeks flushing red.

Macy felt something ugly twist in her stomach. Sage was prettier -she knew that, and she'd never cared before, but hearing William point it out stung.

And the worst part? If any other guy said it, she wouldn't care at all.

But William?

It bothered her. Badly.

"Wow, William... you look different," Sage stammered, still smiling.

"Thanks," he replied, eyes lingering on her.

Macy watched the moment stretch too long.

"Dude!" she snapped.

"What? I'm just saying hi," Sage said, still staring at him.

"You said hi. Let's go."

Macy dragged her friend into her room and shut the door behind them.

"Sage! What the hell was that?!"

"What?" Sage blinked innocently.

"What were you doing with William?!"

"Mace, please. That man is sexy. Like- dangerously sexy. He looks like he walked out of a runway show."

"I know that!" Macy shouted, then immediately regretted how loud she sounded. "I mean- yes, he looks different. But promise me you won't go near him."

"Why?"

"Because he's William! My childhood menace! My villain! The brat who ruined my life growing up. You're my best friend - you're supposed to hate him with me!

And he's twenty-one-"

"Twenty-one is not bad," Sage muttered.

"And you're twenty-six! So crushing on him is strictly forbidden. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Good. Now we go downstairs and ignore him. Or I'm kicking you out before the party starts."

"You're so mean."

Maybe she was. Macy didn't even know why she was this angry.

But deep down, she knew the truth:

It had nothing to do with age.

Nothing to do with Sage.

Nothing to do with their childhood.

It bothered her because William thought Sage was prettier.

And that jealousy?

That scared her more than anything.

As expected, Macy's mother insisted on throwing a welcome-home party for William.

Since he barely had friends to invite, Macy called Grayson, and Sage-as usual-showed up without needing an invitation.

It was a simple gathering, more alcohol than food, with music humming softly through the living room. By eight, her mother disappeared upstairs with Mr. Darwin, leaving Macy, Sage, and Grayson alone with William.

Macy had the sinking feeling that something was going on between her mother and Mr. Darwin. She could see it in the too-long glances, the awkward silences, the sudden disappearances. But the night was already dragging on, and she promised herself she'd ask in the morning.

William, meanwhile, spent the whole evening openly flirting with Sage. To make matters worse, Sage flirted back. Macy couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or Sage's usual flirtatious nature, but irritation simmered in her chest like heat.

Around ten, Grayson kissed Macy goodnight and left.

She lingered outside after walking him out, letting the cool night breeze wash over her. Part of her wanted to stay out there and never return, but she wasn't about to leave Sage alone with William. Not after the way he'd been looking at her.

When she finally walked back in, she was surprised to find Sage alone in the living room.

"Where is he?" Macy asked.

"He said he was tired, so he went upstairs."

"Right... then I guess we should call it a night too."

She turned off the music and began gathering empty bottles and glasses. The staff would clean up in the morning, but it felt wrong leaving the place a mess. After tidying up, the girls headed to Macy's room and fell asleep almost instantly.

★★★

The first thing Macy felt when she woke was pain-sharp, stabbing pain pulsing right behind her eyes. She groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh... did we really drink that much?"

She turned to her side, expecting to see Sage curled up next to her.

But the bed was empty.

"No," Macy whispered as dread slid through her chest.

She shot out of bed and stormed down the hall.

If Sage was in William's room-

She didn't even knock.

She shoved the door open, heart pounding-

And froze.

Sage was curled up in William's arms, both of them tangled in the sheets, his bare chest pressed against her back.

"What the hell, Sage?!" Macy snapped. "I specifically warned you not to do this!"

"Calm down, Mace-"

"Yeah," William added lazily, that smug grin lifting one side of his mouth. "Calm down, Mace."

"Shut the hell up, William!" she barked, fury flaring hotter. "Sage, why would you-"

"Liam," he corrected, folding his arms behind his head.

"What?"

"You called me William. My name's Liam."

She stared at him, disbelief and anger twisting together. Something this infuriating was happening and he cared about a nickname?

"Why the hell would you sleep with my best friend?" Macy snarled.

"She wanted me." He said it casually, as if commenting on the weather.

"So what? You just sleep with every girl who wants you?"

"Why not?" His eyes glimmered with wicked amusement. "You're not excluded, you know."

He winked.

Macy felt her frown deepen so hard it hurt.

"Look, big sis," William continued, "what happened between us was nothing serious. Just two healthy adults handling... natural needs."

"Correction," Macy snapped. "One immature adult and one overgrown teenager."

He only smirked wider.

"Why don't you join us?" he teased. "I can show you just how much of an adult I am."

Sage giggled. Macy's blood boiled.

What made her angrier was the split-second flash of curiosity that passed through her mind - what would it feel like to be in his arms? Warm. Strong. Dangerous.

She hated herself for even thinking it.

"Macy," Sage said gently, "Liam's right. It's nothing serious."

"Would you at least get up?" Macy snapped.

Sage scrambled out of bed, collecting her clothes.

Then William rose from the sheets too.

Macy immediately wished he hadn't.

He wore only a pair of briefs, and the sight of him-tall, muscled, toned in every perfect place-sent a rush of heat to her cheeks. Her breath caught. Any healthy woman would respond. And she was healthy.

He walked toward her, slowly, almost deliberately. He towered above her, and she found herself staring directly at his chest. She couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

Her fingers twitched, wanting-betrayingly-to touch him.

He tilted her chin up with one finger. "My face is up here, darling."

He watched her. Smirked. Saw everything written in her expression.

"Ah," he murmured, satisfied, letting her go.

The spell broke. Macy blinked rapidly, grabbed Sage's hand, and dragged her out of the room without another word.

★★★

The next two weeks were hell.

William seemed determined to remind Macy exactly why she used to hate him as a kid. He teased her nonstop, called her names, smirked whenever she glared.

"Big sis!"

Every time she saw his face, her frown deepened.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" she snapped one afternoon.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"When we were kids!"

Back then, she had begged him to call her his elder sister. He never did-he called her a witch or commoner instead.

"Macy," he said abruptly, "why do you dress like this?"

"What?"

"Oversized clothes. Cute, yeah, but..." He pulled out a photo-her photo-from a year ago. High-waisted jeans, a crop top, hair loose. "If I'm honest, this picture... turns me on."

Her heart lurched.

What was going on?

And how did he even get that picture?

He stepped closer. Macy's breath hitched.

He reached toward her hair.

"I love your hair. Have I ever told you that?"

She couldn't speak. Could barely think.

He slipped off her hair tie, letting her curls fall freely down her back.

"Let them breathe," he murmured. "You always look better with your mane loose."

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.

Then he stepped back, gave her a once-over, and nodded.

"There. Now you don't look like a forty-year-old woman."

He smirked and walked away, leaving Macy's thoughts smashed into pieces.

★★★

Things only got worse when Sage and William grew closer after their night together. Macy hated it. She tried-subtly and not-so-subtly-to separate them, but every attempt failed.

"Mace?" Sage plopped beside her. "Are you ignoring me now?"

Macy stayed silent, scrolling through her phone even though the screen was blank.

William came downstairs. He didn't even glance at either of them-just walked straight into the kitchen. Sage sighed.

"Macy, seriously. What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Macy scoffed loudly. "You're really asking that?"

William watched quietly from the kitchen doorway, sipping apple juice like it was a movie.

"I don't see the problem," Sage said defensively. "It's not like you can date him."

"It's wrong," Macy snapped. "It's so wrong."

"Why?" Sage challenged. "What exactly is wrong about it?"

Why?

Why was she so angry?

She'd been asking herself the same question for days, and there was only one answer she didn't want to say out loud.

"It's absurd."

"Absurd?" Sage repeated.

"Yes! Of all the men in the world, why him? Why William?!"

"Why NOT him? Why are you so against it?"

"Because he's mine!"

Silence.

Sage blinked. Confused.

William grinned like the devil.

Macy's heart dropped. "W-what I meant is... he's like my brother! That's all. You can't date him because-because he's basically my brother."

Even she didn't believe the words coming out of her mouth.

"I need to be alone," she muttered, fleeing upstairs.

★★★

She stayed in her room the entire day, pacing, thinking, spiraling.

She wasn't upset because it was awkward.

She was upset because she was jealous.

Jealous of Sage.

Jealous of William touching someone else.

But that was wrong. Wasn't it?

They weren't related by blood, but their parents-

No. No. It didn't matter. It was wrong.

A knock sounded on her door. She ignored it. Probably Sage.

Another knock.

She stayed silent.

"Your friend left," a familiar voice drawled.

Her heart stuttered.

She jumped off the bed and swung the door open.

William smirked down at her.

"What do you want?"

Instead of answering, he leaned in and pressed a soft, teasing kiss to her lips.

He pulled back slowly.

"Does that answer your question?"

Liam kept smiling to himself as he walked up the stairs. He had no idea their argument would end like that.

He had been suspecting that Macy was somewhat attracted to him, he just didn't know it was that deep. He stood in front of her door, unsure if she would want to see him. He knocked and waited for her response but it was quiet.

Was she asleep?

Probably, she had been in there for quite some time. He knocked again, same thing. Maybe she didn't want to see anyone.

It didn't matter because he wanted to see her.

"Just so you know, your friend left." He leaned closer to the door and a slow smile found its way to his lips. So she did want to see him. "Three, two, one." The door flew open and he smiled.

"What do you want?" She frowned but Liam could easily see through her facade.

He stared at her for a second, waiting for a signal and he got one when her gaze lowered to his lips. He leaned closer, expecting her to back away but she didn't.

When their lips met, he felt her hesitate so he ended the kiss with a light brush against her lips. "Does that answer your question?"

She stared up at him, her double colored eyes sparkling with an emotion that he was too familiar with.

Lust.

★

The entire family was gathered at the dining once again, including Liam this time. He glanced at Macy but she shied away from his gaze.

Nothing had happened between them other than the childish kiss they shared but she was finding it impossible to stare at him, much less talk to him.

"Well, I don't intend to take much of your time," Liam's father started, drawing his attention back to him. "I already mentioned this to Macy before but I would like to make it official."

Liam turned to Macy and saw that she didn't look embarrassed anymore, instead she looked almost...angry? What was going on?

"Hey, are you-"

"Liam, I have decided that I will be retiring in a month's time and when I do, you'll be taking over as CEO."

Macy's frown grew deeper as he made his announcement. So that was it!

"I also have something else to say. Now I don't want this to come as a shock or anything but, Nora and I have decided to get married."

"What?!" Macy and Liam chorused.

"Married? But you can't!" All eyes turned to Macy when she said that. Even Liam seemed a bit surprised by her reaction.

"Why can't they?" He asked, even though he knew her reason.

Why can't they? Why would he ask her that?

"What about us?!"

"Us?" Liam raised his brow at her. "Whatever do you mean, big sis?"

"Big sis?" What about the kiss they shared? It meant nothing to him? When she saw that all eyes were on her and it was obvious that Liam wasn't backing her up, she decided to let it go. "I guess I was just really surprised."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner honey."

She smiled at her mother's apology. If only she knew what was on her mind.

Mr. Darwin said the wedding would be held in a month, after his retirement party but they had made their relationship official. So Macy and William were practically siblings already, making a relationship between them forbidden.

★★★

The days flew by so quickly that before Macy knew it, the day of the wedding had arrived. "Looks like you're becoming my big sis after all." She turned to face Liam but she didn't say anything.

She had been trying her best to keep her distance since that day.

Macy had mistaken his interest in her for love and she had asked him to inform his father of their feelings, but it didn't go as she planned.

"Feelings?"

"Yes. Our parents can't get married, cause if they do, nothing can ever happen between us."

"Macy, I have a girlfriend. Did you think anything was actually going on? Damn, you're way more inexperienced than I thought. It was just fun, we were just having fun."

Fun. Teasing her, making her heart flutter and even kissing her. All that was just fun, he was just toying with her emotions.

"I want no part in your fun anymore." She had declared coldly and he didn't bother her anymore. She was relieved that he didn't but also somewhat disappointed.

Liam was to best his father and he was looking extremely good looking in his tuxedo. His shoulder length silver hair had been held up in a neat man bun, giving him a more mature and-as much as Macy hated to admit it- sexy look.

Macy was putting on a dark blue sleeveless dress. It hugged her body tightly and it went all the way to her ankles, with an open slit that reach her thigh. She thought about tying her hair up but for some reason, Liam's words came to her mind and she decided to leave it down.

The wedding was a simple one, with only friends and family. She didn't have any family so Sage and Grayson filled that spot.

For the first time since his arrival, Macy met Liam's girlfriend. She was nothing like Macy, rather she had more similarities to Sage.

She was slender, tall and she had bright blonde hair. Her skin was perfectly smooth, everything about her was flawless like some kind of goddess.

After the party, the couple decided to spend their night at a hotel. Sage and Grayson had gone home and Liam left with his girlfriend, leaving just Macy at home. She didn't change out of her dress, instead she marched straight to the bar and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

She didn't know why but she was feeling alone-no, not alone, lonely. She couldn't get her eyes off Liam all day, seeing him with another girl made her feel terribly jealous.

"What are you doing drinking all by yourself?"

She shot up as she heard his voice. He was still in his tux, but he had removed his bow tie and the first two buttons of his shirt were opened. The living room was fairly dark but Macy could still see the contours of his masculine beauty.

"Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" She tried to sound tough, but her voice betrayed her.

"I drove her home." He answered, not taking his eyes off Macy's. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No." She answered softly, then added after a few seconds. "Was it really all just a game to you?" Her voice sounded like a whisper, maybe because she was trying to keep herself from crying.

"I'm here now, aren't I?"

It was obvious that he didn't love her, sure he was interested in her but it was probably just lust. Was that what she wanted?

She wasn't sure.

All she could think about was his presence, the way she was feeling in that moment. It might not be love, but at least it was something. And that was enough.

She let the bottle in her hand fall to the ground and she moved to where he stood. Throwing her arms around his neck, Macy had to rise to her toes before she could reach his lips.

At the touch, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him and she tightened her grip on him, not wanting to be anywhere but in his arms.