“Hi, Big Brother.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but…

“Achoo!” I sneeze onto his chest.

The blood drains from my face, my eyes enlarging behind my glasses as I stumble backwards, away from him, only to lose my footing.

‘It’s official. I'm cursed! Now I know the gods have cursed me!’ I curse inwardly as I allow gravity to take control as I await impact.

This is embarrassing; only a few seconds in front of my brother and I'm this clumsy.

Moon goddess, please have mercy on me. I promise I won't lust after…

“You can open your eyes now.” Cassian's voice pulls me out of my degrading thoughts. I open my eyes; that's when I realize our position.

He caught me.

His strong arms around my waist and shoulder, his chest against mine, causing my nipples to touch his taut muscles, with only the fabric of our clothes separating us, and what's that poking my abdomen?

Is he… hard?

My eyes widen, my lips parting as I look into his frosty blue eyes, adjusting my glasses.

“Brother… I… Achoo!” I sneeze in his face. “Oh, goddess…” I push him away, but he doesn't let me go; instead, he helps me up on my feet.

I quickly reach for a tissue paper from my bag hanging around my shoulder and stand on tiptoes to wipe his face, my fingers shaking uncontrollably.

“I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry.” I continue to apologize, the urge to cry and sneeze again overwhelming me, but this time I hold it in, and it hurts so much, causing a tear to escape my eyes.

I hate myself.

“It's alright.” Brother mumbles, taking hold of my trembling hand. “Come,” he urges, leading me, and opening the back seat of his dark gray Jeep Wrangler.

I sit, and he helps fasten my seatbelt.

I, on the other hand, was as stiff as a rock as I tried not to focus on his hot, labored breath on my face, his expert fingers touching, and brushing my body, and his body that seemed to hover over mine.

“Done,” he states, looking at my face. I force a stiff smile.

“Thank…” I immediately cover my nose with the tissue paper in my hand, sneezing; my glasses almost fall off.

How awkward is this?

I adjust my glasses after wiping my nose and murmuring,

“I'm sorry. I'll pay for the disinfecting of the car.”

“It's not necessary,” he says, catching me off guard when he places his hand on my forehead. “You're running a fever and have a cold. I will stop at the pharmacy and…”

“No. No.” I wave my hands hurriedly, interrupting him. “I think I am having an allergic reaction. There must be a cat around here.”

He raises a brow at me, and I nod, agreeing with him.

“You are right, I need medicine. Thank you, big brother.” I say, smiling heartily at him. But then he frowns, suddenly emitting a cold aura and shutting the car door so firmly I jump.

‘What did I do?’

I watch as he picks up my suitcase and goes to the back of the car, opening the trunk and putting my suitcase in before closing it.

He gets into the car and drives off.

It was a silent ride, and I couldn't watch one of those short reels to kill time because my head aches whenever I'm inside a car, and looking on the phone will only worsen it.

So my focus moves to the man driving.

I didn't want to look too much, but I couldn't help it; he's too breathtaking as he drives seriously with his jaws clenched.

I don't want to know what he's thinking, looking that serious.

Suddenly, he turns to look at me, and our eyes lock briefly before I look away.

“Are you unhappy staying at my place?” He starts a conversation.

Weird. What's he up to?

“No.” I answer abruptly, and he chuckles, and I can tell by his side profile it wasn't a pleasant laugh.

“Tell me, and I might agree to your wish,” he says, looking into the rearview mirror. I look up, and he's looking at me.

I hold his gaze for seconds before relenting; it's clear he doesn't want me at his home.

I look away angrily and reply,

“I want to stay home with Brandon; it's been so long since I spent quality time with him. And he's beginning to doubt my love for him. I thought spending a week together would assure him how much I love him.” I explain with a soft smile, emphasizing ‘how much I love him’ so Brother doesn't suspect I still think about our little encounter.

I look at him, but he doesn't speak and just keeps driving, and so I don't talk either.

…~…

The car comes to a stop at the pharmacy, and he alights without asking me if I'll need anything; that's how things have changed between us.

If it was in the past, he would have asked if I needed something, and even if I told him I didn't need anything, he would still get me something.

“I wish I had spoken back then.” I whisper, shutting my eyes and relaxing into the seat.

~~~

The first thing I feel is something slick lick over my lips, hot breath fanning my face, and hands behind my neck and waist.

I gasp, my eyes fluttering open.

“B-big… brother.” I stutter, from his face that was only inches from mine, enlarging his facial features.

His wet lips that look like he just licked them, compelling me, luring me to grab his face and kiss him to quench my thirst for him, and damn all my fears of doing something abominable.

I lick my lips instinctively as I hold his hypnotic gaze dazedly.

“You're awake,” he inquires in his alienated tone, and I snap out of my daydream.

“Y-yes.” I mumble flusteredly, sitting up so abruptly, I bump into his face. Reaching for his face, I begin to apologize. “Oh, my goodness. Big brother, I'm very sorry…”

But he stops my advances, an angry scowl on his face, as he mutters coldly,

“We're here.” Then he turns and leaves.

Okay, it seems I was right about someone being pregnant; it just turns out to be my brother instead of Melinda.

Dammit, I can't keep up with his sudden mood swings. I step out as he closes the trunk.

I close the car door, approach him, and stretch my hand to take the suitcase from him, but he takes my hand, yanking me to his side, his hand wrapping around my waist so intimately and dragging me alongside him, his focus ahead and not sparing me a glance, like his hand isn't above my ass.

I tense up at first, my hands curl over my chest, but I begin to walk, looking up at his side profile as he looks forward, with a concentrated expression.

We walk through the lawn and stop at the entrance.

Cassian takes out his keys, reaching for the door to open, when the door is pushed open from inside, revealing a beaming Melinda.

“Honey. You're back.”

How great. The witch is here.

“Honey. You're back.” Melinda asks enthusiastically, running for Cassian's arms.

I quickly break out of his arm as if scorched to give way for their lovely reunion after hours apart.

I glance at Brother's face, feeling betrayed, hurt, and angry.

Just when I thought living with him wouldn't be as bad as I'd imagined, he had a big surprise waiting for me.

To think he lied to Mom about Melinda leaving.

I watch as Melinda jumps into his arms, and he catches her, and she seals his lips in a passionate kiss.

An eternity later… They finally pull apart.

How sweet. I sneer inwardly, filled with contempt.

“Oh, Angela… You're here?” Melinda mumbles, looking confused as if she wasn't expecting to see me here, as she breathes heavily from the mind-blowing kiss.

I roll my eyes, unable to hide my anger and disdain.

I round Cassian, reach for my suitcase, and make my way into the house.

"To think she even has the key to his house." I scoff disdainfully under my breath.

He had taken out his key earlier. Does that mean he didn't know she's here? Was I quick to jump to conclusions?

Well, to hell with them, I don't care anymore! My thoughts race as I lift my suitcase, each step I take up the stairs.

The moment I enter my room in my brother's house, I slam the door shut and run for the bed, slumping on top and taking off my glasses.

“Ahhhh!” I scream into the mattress while hitting it repeatedly. “I hate you, Cassian Ironveil, even more than I hate that clingy, beautiful girlfriend of yours!” I shout, my tears falling out at last.

It hurts.

It hurts so bad that I hate myself.

For crying out loud, he is my brother, not even a step-sibling.

Mom and Dad will kill me if they ever find out.

I know this is wrong, but I can't help it. I try to convince myself it's only lust, but I know I'm just deceiving my heart.

For me to hate my brother this intensely in just a day, there’s only one explanation.

Goddess, help me. How do I stop this madness?

I don't want to destroy this family of mine with my forbidden emotions.

Knock

Knock

“Who's there?” I ask because I am not going to allow Melinda in. In fact, I won't allow Brother in either. How do I explain my tears to him?

However, the door clicks open the moment my question leaves my lips.

I didn't have to turn to know it's him; his cold and domineering presence commanded the space, like a grip around your neck, both pleasurable and deadly.

I don't move, since he must be here to deliver the medicine he got me.

“You just put it on top of the nightstand.” I murmur into the mattress, my voice sounding muffled.

However, seconds turned to minutes, and I didn't hear my door opening and closing.

I turn, putting on my glasses, and there he stands, leaning against the wall with his one hand casually tucked into his pocket.

Shameless me begins to check him out instead of rebuking him.

The few undone buttons of his black shirt that expose his intricately inked chest. I should probably stop checking out my brother, but I look further downward, and the front of his pants at his groin is full.

He has a boner, and it's because of Melinda.

That realization knocks me out of my reverie, and I look away.

“Why stop so soon? Go on, I know I'm good-looking.” He mutters with a hint of mischief, and my head snaps at him as I glare at him with eyes that shoot daggers.

“What do you want, Cassian?” I ask harshly. But he pulls off the wall, like his back has been pricked by needles.

“Say it again,” he demands, and I roll my eyes. He was acting out of character. Did I say something wrong?

“I ask you why you're still here; your girlfriend must be sick and lonely, waiting for you,” I inform him, sarcasm dripping from my tone. I look away.

I hear him sigh heavily, and then, the next second, I feel the bed dip from his weight.

“You… why are you sitting down?” I stutter.

He doesn't answer me but replies with a question of his own.

“Why were you crying?” I turn to look at his face at his soft voice. It's been months since he last used that voice, but that doesn't mean I forgive him for deceiving me about Melinda.

“The reason I cried is because I hate you. I don't want to be here. I want to be with my boyfriend!” I yell in his face, the action bringing our faces close.

My breath catches in my throat.

“You hate me?” he asks hoarsely through clenched jaws as he grips my chin, bringing our faces closer.

I think I felt our lips brush; maybe I'm wrong.

I look into his eyes, drawing me in like a magnet, my emotions overwhelming me, my eyes stinging with tears.

“Yes, Brother, I hate you.” I state firmly, and he nods so calmly, but his face says otherwise.

“You would rather be with that loser than stay here?” He asks in a deceptively calm tone, but this time I've already seen through his guise.

He's angry, very angry; I can feel it rolling off him in waves.

Why the hell is he angry?

He should know why I hate him; he should know why I would rather stay at Brandon's place.

“Yes. I would rather stay at his place!” I let out a cry, and his grip on my chin tightens. I can see how he's trying to control his anger but is failing.

Goddess help me, because I can see I'm truly testing his limits, and I’m anxious about what he might do next.

But I simply couldn't relent.

“You don't want to provoke me, Ella.” He drawls in a low growl, and my skin crawls from the intense glint in his bloodshot eyes.

He has lost it.

Great, this is what I need, to finally have a valid reason for staying away from him. So I say something, anything, to rile him up more.

If I'm lucky, he might hit me, but I doubt that my brother will ever raise a hand on a woman.

But I really hope he will.

Because if he does, I will use that to guilt-trip him the rest of his life.

“I wish I never met you, Cassian. I hate you. I hate your perfect girlfriend, and I hate that you're…”

He seals my lips, cutting me off.

I sit there, my body stiff, my eyes wide with shock, with only the sound of my heart thumping wildly in my chest ringing in my ears and the feel of his soft, velvety lips moving against my lips.

Cassian is kissing… me? Oh, goddess, my big brother is kissing me.

My mind, which has gone blank from shock when Cassian seals my lips with his, begins to register what is going on, and goddess.

The kiss is exactly what I've imagined, nothing short. I raise my hands to wrap around his neck, my lips parting as I grant him entry.

He wasted no time in plunging his tongue into my mouth, exploring every nook and cranny.

I moan into the kiss.

Moon goddess, please help me. I cannot let what happened in the past repeat, because I will be the one left hanging again.

I push him away with all my strength, and jumping out of bed, I create a significant distance between us, my body trembling with emotions.

“Why did you kiss me? It’s not dark in here for you to confuse me with Melinda.” I ask, adjusting my crooked glasses on my face.

He rises to his feet, a grin spreading across his face as he seriously licks his lips, like a food critic savoring a meal.

“I’m a werewolf, an alpha no less. We have the ability to see in the dark, baby sis. As for why I kissed you, it’s to shut you up. You’re not leaving here, and that’s final.”

What does he mean by "he can see in the dark"? Is he making fun of me for not being able to see even in daylight without my glasses?

How could he of all people be so cruel to me? The thought leaves a bitter taste in my throat, and also my heart squeezes painfully.

How pathetic am I?

It's clear I'm the only one refusing to move on from the past. And thinking too much of his actions. He's changed a lot.

“You're not the boss of me; I'm leaving!” I shout after him as he turns to walk away.

He halts and turns to face me with his brow crooked, the words “Are you sure?” written all over his face.

Of course he's my boss. What was I thinking?

“Fine, you’re my boss, but I’m not a child; I can take care of myself!” I countered furiously.

“You’re staying here, Ella, and this conversation is no longer up for debate,” he mutters coldly before exiting and slamming the door.

I open my mouth, but…

“Achoo…!” I sneezed.

“Dammit!” I curse, lifting the lamp on the nightstand as anger surges within me to toss it at the door as I scream, “That crazy bastard! How dare he…” The remainder of my words catch in my throat as the door swings open, making me pause my action when his annoyingly handsome face comes into view.

“Take a hot bath and come down in twenty minutes," he instructs me, then glancing at the lamp in my hand mid-air, he adds provocatively, “Slam it against the wall for better results.”

“Ahhh! Get lost already!" I yell, hurling the lamp at him, but the bastard doesn’t flinch.

My heart was in a frenzy as I watched in horror, the lamp heading directly for his face.

“Please dodge!” I gasp, covering my face with my shaking hands, my body trembling from panic.

I opened my eyes, and the lamp was in his hand, but there was also a scratch on his face.

“Cassian…” I ran toward him, hugging him tightly, burying my face in his chest.

“I'm sorry. I… I really didn't mean to hurt you.” I cry, apologizing to him. He tosses the lamp away and hugs me back.

“It wasn't serious. Look, I'm already healed.” He murmurs after passing a hand over my hair, but I don't move to look. I've missed him, his warm embrace, and his intoxicating masculine scent.

It's been so long since he hugged me like this.

“What happened? I thought I heard something break.”

The sound of heels clicking hurriedly against the porcelain floor and Melinda's worried voice makes me finally pull away from him.

Brilliant, how did she appear right at this very instance? I scowl internally as I force a smile at her and reply,

“Nothing serious, just broke my lamp by accident,” I explain, looking up at Brother’s face. The scratch has already healed, so I left them immediately, as I’m suddenly filled with another urge to sneeze.

I stand behind the door after closing it, straining my ears and listening to them.

“My love, are you alright? She's having a cold, and you've been so close to her; I'm worried you might…” Melinda is saying, but Brother interrupts her curtly.

“Let go.”

“Okay.” Melinda answers.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding after they left, and I made my way to the bathroom to take a bath.

~~~

I wake up from the sunlight on my face.

“Great, I survived the night.” I mutter sarcastically, then I stretch my limbs, yawning.

I reach for my glasses from the nightstand, putting them on when I notice a dark figure on my sofa. “Oh, my! Big brother.” I yelp in fright when I see clearly who it is. “What in the world are you doing in my room this early?”

“To check on you,” he answers flatly, looking at my face like I'm the one thinking too much about him being inside my room this early.

My skin crawls, making me aware of the fact that I am exposed, but I don't dare look, because his eyes might follow my gaze.

He abruptly rises, and I jump out of fright. What's wrong with him? He's fond of that.

He approaches me, stretching a hand toward my forehead, but I back away.

“I'm perfectly fine.”

“Great. I…” he begins, but is interrupted by the sound of knocking at the door.

Knock…

Knock…

“Who is it?” I ask, but instead of a reply, the door is pushed open, and Brandon peeks his head through.

“Hello, love.”

“Brandon…?” I murmur, surprised he is here. Did Brother call him over because of yesterday? I ponder, glancing up at Brother's face. However, from the thunderous look plastered on his face, he sure as hell has no knowledge about it.

“Brandon. How are you here?” I ask, getting out of bed and hurrying toward him. What got into his mind for him to come here without an invitation from my brother?

He steps inside holding a bouquet of my favorite orchid flowers and a basket of fruits. I couldn't help but smile at that; he's so thoughtful.

That's why I love him; he's the second person to treat me better aside from my brother.

“I met Melinda this morning, and she mentioned you having a cold, so here I am, your one and only personal doctor for today.” He says playfully, smiling contagiously, and I smile back, holding his gaze as he hands me the bouquet.

I take a whiff of the flowers.

“It smells nice. Thank you.” Brandon opens his mouth, but…

“Who gave you the permission to step foot in my house?” Brother's icy and menacing tone from behind makes me freeze in place.

“Get lost!” he growls in his alpha command, releasing an oppressive pheromone that affects even me, an alpha. Imagine Brandon, who is a Delta.

Well, we're doomed. How did I even forget about him being here?