He was clad in black leather clothes from up to toe, black gloves on his hands. Hair melted together, dropped around his face like he had just toweled them dry. He looked like he was going for a ride.
The painting remained in my hand, and his sharp hypnotizing oceanic blue eyes remained on me.
"What the fuck are you doing in my room?" I wasn't expecting that. But I wasn't going to run off like I hadn't seen anything either.
"This is me...you have a painting of me." I said, not avoiding eyes contact even though it was torture looking at him like this.
He stormed towards me without words and snatched the painting from me. "Shit. You weren't supposed to see that."
"Why?" I asked. I wanted to know everything.
"Do you go around entering people's rooms and pulling covers off private things, Teyana?" His voice wrapped around my name like a challenge.
"Well, it is not so private anymore because that's me in there." I stated defiantly.
He took a step forward. I didn't move. He closed the space between us and my breath hitched. Memories of when we kissed flooded my head yet again.
I blinked as we looked into each other's eyes. I was slowly losing awareness of my surroundings, because all I could see was him.
"Get out," I jolted out of the cocoon I was in. Did he just order me to go out?
"No." I said with defiance. I deserved clarity. He couldn't do this to me. Then, with a look that held a trace of vulnerability and a tone so soft it sent chills through me, he said, "Teyana, please. Just go... before I do something I shouldn't."
A shiver ran down my spine as I felt his hand settle lightly on my waist. My whole body trembled. His blue eyes seemed darker now, intense with something unspoken. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Did Jeremy... want me?
Has he always wanted me?
I didn't wait to find out. I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, I heard his footsteps behind me. Then his arm circled my waist, pulling me back against him. I gasped.
His grip was firm, almost possessive. I didn't understand.
I felt his breath against my neck, warm and unsettling. "You want to talk?" His thumb brushed lightly over the skin above my waistband. "Or do you want me to show you exactly what I was thinking when I painted you?" His voice was low, breathless. Was he feeling this too?
My heart felt like it had stopped.
Then he turned me to face him, his eyes searching mine as if trying to see straight into my soul. In that moment, I felt completely unraveled. "Teyana," was all he breathed out before his lips met mine.
It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was deep and consuming, as if he were trying to close every gap between us. I gasped, and he took it as an invitation to deepen the kiss, his mouth moving against mine with a urgency that left me dizzy.
I gripped his jacket just to keep myself steady. His body pressed firmly against mine, one hand cradling the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he angled my face to kiss me even deeper.
My back met the wall-I hadn't even realized we'd moved.
He let out a low sound against my mouth, his intensity undeniable. My own self-control vanished, a soft sound escaping me as I leaned into him.
He pulled back just enough to speak, his breath warm on my lips. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?" His eyes held mine, dark and full of meaning. "I knew. I was here before your mom even introduced us."
I stared, confused.
He continued, his voice a rough whisper. "Imagine my surprise when my dad showed me your photo and said you were going to be my stepsister. I went to your room thinking you'd be there. Instead, I saw the book open on your bed."
My face grew hot. "You saw that?"
"Yeah. Turns out I wasn't the only one with a secret. I saw the note tucked inside-the one where you wrote about wishing Jeremy Carter could make those stories real for you."
I should have been embarrassed, but all I felt was a dizzying rush of emotion.
"Jeremy," I whispered as his face brushed against my neck.
His voice was strained. "Since that party... I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You've been in my head this whole time."
His lips trailed from my jaw to my neck, and I arched toward him without thinking. Every touch felt electric, and I was painfully aware of how close we were.
In that moment, nothing else mattered-not the fact that he was supposed to be my stepbrother, not the rules we were crossing, not the consequences waiting ahead.
I just wanted more.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes burning into mine with a heat that made my breath catch. "Stay away from Zayne, Teyana. He's trouble."
It took me a second to even remember who he was talking about. Before I could ask, he kissed my forehead softly. Then his lips found mine again, and I gave myself over to it completely.
What I didn't know then was that I should have stopped it. I should have said no.
Because that was where it all began-the beginning of everything that would unravel after.
