STRICTLY BETWEEN SIBLINGS

Chapter3

SKY'S POV

It was just Ryder and myself. We somehow ended up making love, and ever since, even when I was with Aiden, he had never left my mind.

That night's memories stuck with me, repeating over and over in my head like a scene from a romantic movie. It was all so surreal—the warmth of Ryder's touch, the way his eyes glistened with want as he gazed at me, the gentle gleam of the moonlight peeking through the curtains. I became engrossed in the depth of our connection and forgot about everything else at that particular instant.

But even the most lovely moments are cruelly interrupted by reality. Guilt kept getting to me like a constant itch as the days went by. Aiden, the sweet and caring Aiden, was completely unaware of my betrayal. He had total faith in me, and I was lying to him by still being with him.

The pretense was becoming too much for me to stick to. My conscience was troubled by the guilt, which seemed to be eating away at me from the inside. So, nervous, my fingers shaking, I phoned Ryder's number.

"Hey, Sky," Ryder said in a warm and familiar tone.

I blurted out, "Ryder, we need to talk," before I had a chance to stop myself.

There was a long sigh and a momentary silence on the other end of the line. "s**t. That doesn't sound good. What's happening?"

I inhaled deeply, bracing myself for the impending moment. "I think Aiden knows about us," I admitted, the revelation lingering in the air like a thick fog.

After a startled silence, Ryder spoke again, this time with concern in his voice. "Sky, are you sure? How on earth is that possible? You said it yourself that he doesn't pay you any mind."

I answered, "I don't know," my voice faltering in response to my hesitation. "But I can't shake this feeling that he's onto us."

Ryder was quiet for a while as he thought about what I had said. "Perhaps it's time you stopped dating Aiden and started dating me," he said in a slightly desperate tone.

At his words, I felt a lump grow in my throat. I knew that would break Aiden's heart. I couldn't hurt him. I just couldn't. "I can't do that, Ryder," I said softly, just above a whisper. "I cannot just throw away the four years we've been together because of my own selfish desires."

We were struggling with our feelings, and there was a noticeable tension in the air that felt suffocating. Ryder's voice became tight, his frustration coming through in every word. “What do you want, Sky? You deserve to be happy, don't you?"

As I searched for the appropriate words, tears tried to spill from the corners of my eyes. "I want to be happy, of course," I muttered, my voice cracking with passion. "But not at the expense of someone's pain."

Ryder's silence was deafening, full of unspoken words and dashed hopes. And then he said, his voice just above a whisper. "Sky, it seems like I'm simply a pawn in your game. It's as though you're taking advantage of me and my love for you, only because you're unhappy in your relationship. But this is real to me."

The words pierced me deeply, one syllable at a time, like a blow to the gut. I argued, "Ryder, that's not true," as the tears started to fall easily. "You mean everything to me, but I can't just leave Aiden like that."

After a long, excruciating silence, Ryder resumed speaking, his voice brimming with passion. "Sky, I can't do this any longer. I can't be with you if you don't want me.

The words lingered in the atmosphere, serving as a somber reminder of all we had lost and all we would never be able to have. "Ryder, please don't say that," I pleaded, desperately, my heart breaking. I realized, though, that it was too late.

Ryder muttered, "I have to go," his voice barely heard over the sound of my heart shattering into a million tiny fragments.

Then he was gone, leaving me to deal alone with my own guilt and the agonizing thought that I might have lost him forever.

~~~

I was carrying a lot of guilt with me as I went to Ryder's house. I knew I was responsible for the unpleasant way in which our phone conversation had ended. I couldn't get Ryder's deep voice out of my head; there was hurt mixed with frustration. I had to correct the situation and provide a sincere apology.

I packed my car at a corner and i found out that I was moving quickly because I was getting more and more excited to meet Ryder. His residence was a small apartment complex with ivy growing up the walls that was just around the block.

My skin felt the chill of the nighttime air, which sent shivers down my spine. I pulled my coat closer around myself, the thin material offering only a weak defense against the stinging cold.

Ryder was justified in being angry with me. I was being irrational, giving in to my fears and insecurities. However, I knew in my heart that he deserved an authentic apology.

Every step I took up the stairs to his floor echoed across the little corridor.

I paused as I got to his door, my fingers lingering over the bell. What if he refused to see me? What if I'd already damaged things between us?

I was standing at his door, my heart hammering against my chest. Leaving aside my concerns, I rang the doorbell, and the sound rang across the silent corridor. After what seemed like forever, but could have just been a few seconds, the door finally creaked open to show Ryder standing before me, his expression mixed with confusion and amazement. His eyes were veiled with emotions that I was unable to discern, and his long, dark hair was uncombed. He held a joint in his hand, like that night when we first had s*x.

"Sky," he said in a quiet but reserved tone.

"I'm sorry, Ryder," I blurted out, my words jumbled together in my hurry. "I apologize for upsetting you earlier. It was wrong of me to say those things on the phone. I upset you because I was terrified and confused, but that's not an excuse."

Ryder studied me for a while, his expression softened as he moved aside to let me in. I felt the warmth of the apartment drive away the night's chill.

His voice was soft as he said, "I appreciate you coming here. You didn't have to come in person to apologize, though. A phone call would have been fine."

I shook my head, aware of how much my words meant. "Ryder, I had to see you. You have to know how sorry I am."

Sighing, he raked a hand over his disheveled hair. "Sky, you don't have to apologize. I can see why you're afraid. I care about you, though, and you need to know that. I've never felt this way towards anybody."

His words hung in the atmosphere, laden with unsaid feelings.

My heart hammered against my chest as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Speaking just above a whisper, "I care about you too, Ryder," was all I said. "But, I'm afraid of what this might signify in my relationship with your brother and for us."

Ryder moved in closer, looking into my eyes. "Forget my brother and forget all other matters. It's just you and me right now."

His words drew me nearer to him like a lifeline. I extended my hand and touched his cheek, my fingers lightly caressing his skin as I did so.

"I want to believe you, Ryder," I replied, an uncertain tone in my voice. "I'm also terrified of getting hurt."

Ryder turned to face me, his intense gaze searching mine as my heart raced. "Have I ever caused you to question the sincerity of my feelings?" I could have melted from his gaze. “Trust me, okay?” He gently but firmly clasped my face in his palms. "I won't hurt you, Sky. I swear."

He leaned forward and gave me a feather-light kiss without saying anything further.

Only the two of us remained as the outside world vanished and we were lost in each other's arms. His touch kindled a need within me that flared fiercely.

Our kiss intensified as I sank toward him, my fingers tangled in his hair, passion erupting between us like flame.

Ryder's hands moved over my body, tracing a trail of heat that sent a tingling feeling through each and every part of my body.

I let out a tiny sigh against his lips, but the intensity of our desire overpowered my voice. With a reverent touch that left me speechless, Ryder traced the curves of my body in a soft yet possessive manner.

All concerns and fears were erased as waves of pleasure flowed through me with every touch and caress.

I drew him in closer, needing him more than life itself, more than oxygen. In ways I never would have imagined, our bodies molded to each other, fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle and completing each other.

Our garments became obstacles, getting in the way of the connection we so desperately wanted. We took them off with shaky hands, each piece of our clothes dropping to the ground in a messy heap.

With me completely nude and exposed, Ryder's eyes swept over me, taking in every detail of my body as though he was memorizing it.

His eyes glowed with need, a yearning that matched mine. Without saying anything, he drew me into his arms and kissed me on the neck, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. With a trembling devotion, I arched against him and dug my fingers into his shoulders as he felt every part of my body.

He shivered when I knelt in front of him and sucked the tip of his d**k. He shoved his d**k into my mouth and f****d my mouth while gripping my hair. I cherished every moment of it.

He came after a few seconds, his c*m filling my mouth. He pulled to the room and I shook from head to toe as he laid me on the bed and stroked his hand over my body. I couldn't wait to see what was ahead.

With one hand tugging my n*****s into attention, he planted a kiss on my lips. He sucked on the nape of my neck and ran kisses down it. That would undoubtedly leave a lovely hickey in the morning.

I nearly didn't want him to stop when he started sucking my boobs since he was giving them all the attention they needed, but I was really desiring his d**k.

He got up and headed to his drawers, his d**k bobbing on his stomach as he moved. It was a massive d**k. My mouth ached from taking all of it in earlier on.

“Where do you think you're going?" I almost yelled. He was not going to leave me hot and bothered, was he?

He laughed as he pulled out a condom from his drawer.

He tore it with his teeth and expertly put it on.

He looked at me seductively as he pumped his d**k in his hand. He came back to bed. He positioned himself between my legs and gave me another glance, like he was requesting for permission. I squirmed around him, nodding my head, and he gave me what I wanted.

His hot d**k went into me and my walls wrapped around him tightly. He started slow, maintaining a rhythm to get me accostomed with his size. He was undoubtedly the best I had ever had. Not even Aiden could make me feel this way. He then started pounding faster, whispering sweet nothingness in my ears. I was over the moon. When I was back to earth, I whispered, “I love you.”