Craving my Stepbrother

First Flame

The evening air was cool as I stepped out onto the balcony, the city lights stretching out below like a million stars scattered across black velvet. I had come out here to think, to breathe, to convince myself I wasn’t completely losing control over my feelings for Liam.

But it didn’t work.

He was already there. Leaning casually against the railing, arms crossed, tattoos catching the dim light. Shirtless, of course.

“You’re persistent,” I said, trying to sound annoyed, though my voice betrayed the tremor in my chest.

He turned his head slowly, eyes locking on mine. “I could say the same about you,” he said, smirk curling at the corner of his lips. “Come out here every night, trying to pretend you don’t care.”

“I don’t care,” I lied, staring past him at the city.

“You lie well,” he said softly, stepping closer. “But I can see the truth in your eyes.”

My heart skipped a beat as he stopped just inches away. I could feel the heat radiating off his body. The smell of him—smoke, cologne, danger—made my stomach flip.

“I shouldn’t…” I began, my voice shaking. “We can’t—”

“Can’t what?” His voice was low, teasing, almost a growl. “Be step-siblings who… like each other? Who can’t resist each other?”

I swallowed hard. My pulse thundered in my ears. “I—It’s wrong.”

“Wrong?” he whispered, tilting his head, his lips dangerously close. “It doesn’t feel wrong to me.”

Before I could react, his hand brushed mine. Not lightly—his fingers entwined with mine, firm and possessive. My breath caught, and I could barely process the shock before he leaned in, lips hovering just over mine.

“Say you don’t want this,” he murmured, voice thick and husky. “Say it, and I’ll walk away. I promise.”

But I couldn’t.

Because every fiber of my body screamed the truth I wouldn’t say aloud.

And he knew it.

Then his lips met mine.

Soft at first, testing, as if checking to see if I’d run. But I didn’t. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Fire erupted through me, scorching every nerve ending. My body pressed against his, heat and desire blurring every rational thought.

His hands traveled down my back, fingers tracing the curve of my spine, making me shiver. The balcony felt suddenly small, the night air heavy around us, electric with forbidden intensity.

I had never wanted anything so badly in my life. Every rule I had tried to follow shattered under his touch, every thought of “this is wrong” replaced by raw, aching need.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing hard, his forehead pressed against mine, he whispered, “You’re mine, whether you like it or not.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him this was impossible, but my lips were still tingling from the kiss, and my body… my body wanted him.

The moment was broken by a sudden noise from inside the house. A door slammed, a distant shout—I don’t even know whose. I jumped back, startled, guilt and desire warring inside me.

Liam’s hand lingered on mine for a second longer before he let go, stepping back with a smirk that made my stomach twist.

“See you tonight?” he asked, voice low, dangerous. “We’re not done.”

I nodded mutely, unable to speak, heart still racing.

As he disappeared back inside, I leaned against the railing, my mind spinning. What were we doing? What was happening to me?

I had kissed my stepbrother.

And I wanted him again.