Pound Me Harder, Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 2: First MorningTemptation

==Layla==

I woke up with my eyes swollen from crying.

The huge bed felt too soft. The room too big. Everything smelled like expensive linen and unfamiliar flowers. My stomach twisted with nerves.

Last night I had cried myself to sleep. The wedding. The mansion. The cold, handsome man who was now my stepbrother. It all felt like a dream I couldn’t wake up from.

My body ached, but not from anything physical. Just pure anxiety. My shoulders were tight. My chest felt heavy.

I dragged myself out of bed and stood in front of the mirror. My reflection looked small and lost. I brushed my hair, put on a simple white sundress, and tried to look like I belonged here.

Downstairs the dining room was already filled with morning light.

The long table was set with silver and fresh fruit. My mom sat smiling brightly next to Victor Langford. Maddox lounged at the opposite end, scrolling on his phone. He looked perfect in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up. Cold. Untouchable.

I took the seat across from him. My hands shook as I reached for a glass of juice.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mom said warmly. “Did you sleep well?”

I forced a smile. “It’s… different. The room is beautiful though.”

Victor nodded without looking up from his newspaper. “You’ll get used to it. This is your home now.”

Maddox didn’t say a word at first. He just lifted his eyes and looked at me. That same intense stare from yesterday at the reception. My skin prickled.

Breakfast felt endless. My mom chatted about wedding gifts and future plans. Victor talked numbers and business. I stayed quiet, pushing food around my plate. I felt completely out of place. Like a poor girl who had wandered into the wrong movie.

Then my phone buzzed quietly in my lap.

I glanced down under the table.

Unknown number.

The message read: You look nervous. Don’t be.

My heart jumped. I looked up. Maddox was staring straight at me, one eyebrow slightly raised. His face stayed cold and arrogant for everyone else.

Another message came.

Maddox: Breathe, little sister. The house won’t bite. I might.

Heat rushed to my face. I typed back fast with trembling fingers.

Layla: Who is this?

His reply was instant.

Maddox: You know exactly who it is. Stop pretending you didn’t feel it yesterday when our eyes met.

I put the phone down quickly. My cheeks burned. I could barely swallow my toast.

Maddox acted completely normal in front of our parents. He answered Victor’s questions about the company in that smooth, confident voice. Arrogant. In control.

But under the table his foot brushed mine once. Deliberate. Lingering just long enough to make my breath catch.

Breakfast finally ended. My mom suggested I explore the house. Victor agreed and went to his study. Maddox stood up too.

“I’ll show her around,” he said casually. “Make sure she doesn’t get lost.”

My mom smiled. “That’s kind of you, Maddox. Thank you.”

We left the dining room together. The moment we turned the corner into the long quiet hallway, the air changed.

I stopped walking and faced him.

“What the hell was that?” I whispered. “Those texts. The way you looked at me. This weird vibe since yesterday.”

Maddox stepped closer. His presence filled the space. He smelled like expensive cologne and something darker.

“You really don’t know?” he asked, voice low.

“Know what?” I crossed my arms, trying to sound brave. “We just met. You’re my stepbrother now. This feels… wrong.”

He smiled, but it wasn’t cold this time. It was hungry.

“I saw you sing for the first time eighteen months ago,” he said quietly. “Some random video online. Your voice stopped me cold. I’ve watched every single clip since then. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

My mouth went dry. “You… what?”

“I knew the moment my father said he was marrying your mother that you would end up here. Under my roof.”

He took another step. I backed up until my shoulders touched the wall.

My heart raced. Electricity crackled between us. I felt it in my chest. In my stomach. Lower.

“You’re scaring me,” I whispered. But my body leaned toward him just a little.

“I don’t want to scare you, Layla.” His voice dropped even softer. “I just can’t pretend anymore now that you’re really here.”

He raised one hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed my cheek. The touch sent sparks down my spine.

I should have pushed him away. I should have run.

Instead I stood there, breathing fast, caught in his stare.

Maddox leaned in closer. His body almost touched mine.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to walk into this house,” he whispered.

His words hung in the air, heavy and dangerous.

At that exact moment, heavy footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.

His father was coming.