Dark Obsession

I had always been the little sister. Kael and my brother, Liam, had been best friends since they were kids. They were the same age five years older than me, always treating me like a child. They ruffled my hair, teased me about my crushes, and protected me from anyone who looked at me wrong. I thought that was all I would ever be to them. Then everything changed. It started with the looks. Kael had always had dark, intense eyes. But lately, when he looked at me, there was something different in them. Something hungry. Something dangerous. I caught him staring at me one evening when I was reading in the living room. His gaze raked over my body, pausing on my lips, my neck, my chest. A shiver ran down my spine. "Kael?" I asked, my voice uncertain. "Are you okay?" He blinked, and the mask of the protective older brother slid back into place. "Fine, Ari. Just spacing out." But I knew better. Something had shifted between us. And I was terrified and intrigued. A few nights later, I woke up to find Kael standing in my doorway. My heart pounded as I watched him, his silhouette dark against the moonlight streaming through the window. He didn't move for a long moment. He just stood there, watching me sleep. "Kael?" I whispered. He didn't answer. He walked toward my bed, his steps slow and deliberate. When he reached me, he sat on the edge of my bed, his hand reaching out to stroke my cheek. "Aria," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "I can't stop thinking about you." My breath caught. "What do you mean?" His eyes met mine, dark and intense. "I know I shouldn't. I know you're Liam's little sister. But I can't help it. I want you. And I can tell you want me too." I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Because he was right. I did want him. The night exploded into chaos after that. Kael's lips claimed mine, rough and demanding. I had never been kissed like that like I was something precious and desirable. His hands roamed my body, tracing the curves of my hips, the dip of my waist. I moaned against his lips, and he growled in response. "You have no idea how long I've wanted this," he rasped against my throat. "How many nights I've lain awake thinking about you." "I thought you saw me as just Liam's little sister," I gasped. "I did," he admitted. "Until I realized you weren't so little anymore." He pulled back, his eyes blazing with desire. "Tell me you want this, Aria. Tell me you want me." "I want you," I whispered. "I want you so much."