Dirty Secrets With My Brother In-law

Marcus' POV “Is it weird that i think about my brother-in-law f*****g me, Merlina.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. Low, sharp, and very, very real. I’d buried it for months, maybe longer, telling myself it was nothing but a reckless thrill I’d never act on. But now it was out, and saying it aloud felt like handing someone the match to burn everything down. A match just landed in the hands of my best friend, Merlina. I froze, straw clamped between my teeth, and sucked hard on the slushie as if it could rewind time. She didn't hear me, right? “Are you crazy, Marcus?” Her voice sliced across the table, louder than intended, drawing a few stares. She stared at me like I'd grown a second head, steak knife paused mid-air. “I didn't hear that right, right?” I laughed, a forced, nervous chuckle. “I’m joking. Come on, where's your sense of humor?” Her eyes narrowed. “Didn't sound like a joke.” She set the knife down and rested her eyes on the steak in front of her. “He's marrying your sister in a month. Don't even think about it.” Of course. There was that glaring red label. Ethan was off-limits. Not just family. He was Emily's. And in Ethan's world, the CEO of a sprawling business empire built on iron principles allowed zero loose ends. Even family alliances weren't casual. They were… contracts. I leaned back in the booth, exhaling slowly. “I know. I've tried scrubbing him out of my head. Doesn't work. If anything, the more I fight it, the stronger he pulls.” “Pulls?” she arched a brow. “The way he looks at me” I hopelessly sighed, my eyes drifting toward the bright, open sky. “Like he's already decided something. Like I'm... interesting.” She studied me, then stabbed her steak again. “You're not sitting here daydreaming about him right now, are you?” Guilty. As. Charged. His coarse hands could probably pin anyone under his will without effort. That curl of dark hair always slightly out of place, lips that curved just enough to promise trouble. And lower… God, the way his tailored pants hugged him when he walked away. Didn't leave much for my imagination. I could feel heat crawling up my neck just thinking it. A piece of steak smacked my cheek. “Stop,” Merlina warned. “I'm serious.” “Fine.” I wiped it off, sinking lower. “But if you saw how he moves, how he commands a room without raising his voice... you'd get it.” “I'm not debating this.” She pointed the fork. “Ethan is forbidden. End of discussion.” I groaned, crossing my arms like a stubborn little kid. “Supportive as ever.” “It’s been a busy day.” She dropped the fork and locked her light brown eyes on mine, giving me her full attention. “And we agreed: no more reckless hookups this year.” “This isn't reckless. This is... inevitable torture.” She snorted. “Torture with a side of CEO fantasy?” “He studied business admin, Leena. Same as me.” “So you're destined because of a degree?” “I always wanted someone who thinks like I do.” “Pretty shallow argument.” “His eyes catch gold in the light, sleeves rolled to show those forearms like he's ready to take charge. It's unfair.” She rolled her eyes. “That explains why he's engaged... to your sister.” We shared a small, bitter chuckle. Emily wasn't winning any "best person" awards. Definitely not with us. Merlina softened slightly, picking at her plate. “I'm not judging. Guilty pleasures happen. But some lines exist for a reason. Ethan's one of them… especially with his world. CEO of Hunter Corp, isn't he?” Yeah. Another big red warning. Ethan didn't do chaos. He crushed it. The real pain wasn't even the want. It was forcing it down because wanting him felt so wrong… yet somehow, so right. I was a sucker at denial. “Besides,” she added, “you're the best man. Shouldn't you be busy with toasts or whatever?” “I am. Waiting for him now, actually. He dropped me off, had 'something to handle.' But the look he gave me before walking away...” Heat crept up again. “You'd be on my side if you saw it.” She laughed… for real this time. “I'm always on your side, but we know how this ends. And it's not with you and his dick.” I smirked. “You'd rethink that if you saw it.” “Wow. Sounds pretty impressive.” The voice came from directly behind me. Low, smooth, and edged with an amusement that sent ice down my spine and fire everywhere else. Merlina went rigid, head tilting up. I didn't need to turn. I knew that presence: six-foot-six, two-hundred-thirty pounds of controlled power, wrapped in a cologne that smelled like expensive decisions and quiet dominance. I twisted slowly. Ethan stood there, arms crossed over his broad chest, one dark brow lifted, lips twitching like he was deciding whether to be entertained or annoyed. His suit jacket was slung over one shoulder, sleeves rolled as they always were, forearms corded and veined. “Hi,” Merlina squeaked. “Hey.” His gaze slid to me, heavy and unreadable. He stepped closer and draped one arm over my shoulders. It probably looked casual to anyone watching, but the weight felt deliberate, possessive. Heat radiated through his shirt; his fingers brushed the back of my neck just enough to make my pulse jump and he smile tugged at the corner of his lips… like he knew what he was doing. His voice dropped, breath ghosting my ear. “Can I borrow your friend for a second, Merlina?”