My Stepbrother, My Lover

PROLOGUE Excerpt "Don't test my self-control, Freckles," Ian's voice dropped low, sending a shiver down my spine. "You know I have none when it comes to you." I swallowed hard, heat pooling in my stomach as his gaze burned into mine. "It's just a short, clinging dress, Ian. Surely you can handle it. I mean, Elara must have given you practice for moments like this," I shot back, my voice laced with sarcasm even as my heart pounded. His eyes darkened, almost as if a shadow passed over his features. "You and Elara are two different worlds." His hand slid down my back, grazing my waist and lower until I felt his palm knead the curve of my butt. I sucked in a sharp breath. "My hands ache for you. My heart too. And when you're here; everyone else fades to nothing." I bit back a moan, but my body betrayed me, melting into his touch for a fraction of a second before reality snapped me out of it. "Cut the crap, obsessed fool," I hissed, pushing his hand away. "You think poetry is going to work on me now?" I tried to step back, but Ian was faster. In one smooth motion, he gripped my waist and spun me, pinning me against the wall. My pulse spiked as I shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge. "You're insane! This is your engagement party! Someone could walk by and see..." "And what?" His breath fanned my lips, teasing, intoxicating. "They'll be jealous and wish they were in your place? Or bitter about how close I am to my stepsister?" "Asshole" I groaned and yet, I couldn't look away from him. His lips hovered near mine, so close I could taste the temptation. "Jason is waiting," I whispered, clinging to reason even as my resolve crumbled. Ian scoffed, his lips quirking. "For what? That i***t couldn't entertain you if his life depended on it. All he has is a few bad jokes." I glared at him. "We'd laugh until our ribs hurt and forget about all this... mess." A low growl rumbled in Ian's throat, and the sound sent heat curling through my veins. "You don’t want laughter," he murmured. "You don’t want some 'good guy' who’ll make you smile. You want someone who’ll drive you insane. Someone who’ll make you beg." His words hit hard, before I could respond, his lips crashed against mine. His tongue parted my lips, exploring, tasting, devouring and I caved, kissing him back just as fiercely. "You don’t want soft," he whispered between kisses, pinning my wrists above my head. "You want it rough. Unrestrained. Addictive." I whimpered as his teeth grazed my ear, his voice dripping with venom. His hand slid down, squeezing my butt before delivering a sharp smack that tore a moan from my lips. My cheeks burned, but he only grinned, his hands moving to cup my breasts, massaging them through the thin fabric. I tried to keep up, matching his hunger, but he was too skilled and it was too overwhelming. And then he pulled away. I gasped, disoriented and aching, almost like a baby craving milk "You bastard," I snapped, my cheeks flaming as I smacked his chest. He only chuckled, his voice low and dangerous. "Is that poetic enough for you, Freckles?" I wanted to punch him but as much as I wanted to kiss him again. Instead, I laughed an awkward, breathless sound that made him grin wider. Before I could decide whether to walk away or drag him back in, a blinding light hit us. We broke apart as Chris and Annie stepped out onto the patio. Annie’s jaw dropped, and my stomach twisted. Her eyes flickered between me and Ian, then widened with realization. "Holy s**t," she squealed, grabbing my arm. "Were you just making out with your stepbrother?" Heat flared up my neck, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I was going to kill Ian for this. Chris walked past, smirking knowingly as he followed Ian back inside. Meanwhile, Annie wouldn’t stop gushing about what she’d just witnessed. And me? I stood there, trapped in a haze of confusion, desire, and frustration; hating Ian with every fiber of my being but craving him just the same. ________________________________________ Seraphina Hardin’s life shatters when her mother marries into wealth, dragging her into a world of privilege, secrets, and betrayal. Forced to share a roof with Ian Hardin—her arrogant, dangerously charming new stepbrother—she vows to resist his cocky smirks and infuriating confidence. But when their fiery clashes ignite something far more intense, resisting him becomes impossible. Ian has always had the perfect life—or so it seems. Beneath his polished exterior lies a rebellious soul, haunted by expectations and family secrets. Seraphina’s arrival throws his world into chaos, challenging his control and awakening feelings he’s not prepared to face. Even though they are made to resist, they eventually had an affair. As forbidden tension simmers, lies unravel, and enemies circle closer, Seraphina and Ian are forced to confront their deepest fears—and their undeniable connection. But love isn’t easy when it’s forbidden, and the cost of giving in might be more than they can bear. Will their love survive betrayal, jealousy, and the weight of their pasts? Or will the world tear them apart before they have a chance to rewrite their story? “My Stepbrother and I” is a heart-stopping tale of forbidden love, passion, and redemption, perfect for fans of steamy romances and unforgettable twists.