Forbidden Flames: My Stepbrother

Alex's P.O.V.

Two Weeks Later

It's been two weeks since Stella has been living in the same house as me and going to the same college. And somehow, every single day, she finds new ways to test my patience. 

Since she entered my life, I haven't been able to concentrate anywhere. I don't know why, but she's driving me insane, and it frustrates me even more. Maybe it's because she's always around. Maybe I think she and her mother are after my father's money, or maybe it's something more-something I don't want to admit.

The attraction.

I clench my fists at the thought. No. She's off-limits. My dad's remarried her mother, for fuck's sake. She's practically my stepsister. She's forbidden.

That's probably why I can't stop picking fights with her. The more I feel this stupid pull towards her, the more I push her away.

During basketball practice, I'm trying to focus, trying to keep my head in the game. The ball is in my hands as I dribble across the court, sweat running down my face. The thud of the basketball hitting the ground should be enough to drown out any thoughts of her, but of course, she shows up.

Stella, in all her annoying glory, walks up to the coach with that bright smile of hers. "Coach, mind if I join for a bit? I love basketball," she asks with enthusiasm.

I roll my eyes. Really? She loves basketball? Since when?

The coach glances at her and shakes his head. "After the team finishes practice, then maybe you can shoot a few hoops."

Stella pouts, but nods. "Okay, I'll wait."

I can't resist. I stroll over to her, and utter, my voice filled with sarcasm. "You really think the coach is going to let you play with us? The championship team? You're dreaming, Stella."

She turns to me, narrowing her eyes. "Why are you always like this? What's your problem with me?"

My problem? Where do I even start?

I lean in closer, my voice low so only she can hear. "My problem is you. You and your mother coming into my life as you belong here. But you don't. Neither of you do."

Her face hardens, but I can see a flicker of something in her eyes-hurt.

I don't know why, but it pierces my heart. Fuck! 

Stella straightens up. "You know nothing about me or my mom. Stop acting like you do." 

"I know you both are after my father's money-"

"I don't care what you think, Mr. Alex Blackwood. So just shut up." She yells, pointing her finger at me, and I can't stop myself from noticing how beautiful she looks when she's angry. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips pressed together in a tight line. 

What the fuck am I doing? Here we're fighting and I'm admiring her. What is wrong with me? 

 "You think just because your dad remarried my mom, you can treat me like crap? Well, Alex-you're not the king of this house, or this school, and I'm not some gold digger who's here to ruin your precious life!"

I should be angry, should yell back, but all I can think about is how close she is. Too close. The fire in her golden eyes, the way her chest rises and falls with each breath-it's making my blood pump faster. And not because I'm mad. Damn it, she's driving me insane.

Suddenly, I feel an urge of something dangerous. I want to shut her up, but not with words. I want to silence her by pulling her against me, kissing her until she can't say anything. How would her lips taste, I wonder? 

What the fuck is wrong with me? She's my stepsister.

I grit my teeth and remind myself to stay in control. This is wrong. So wrong.

"I can't believe you." She yells again, throwing her hands up. "You're so full of yourself. You think the world revolves around you?"

That's it.

Without thinking further, I grab her wrist and pull her close before silencing her with my hand over her mouth. I'm standing so close to her, my palm against her lips, and our faces inches apart. 

Her eyes go wide, and for a few seconds, everything goes quiet. Neither of us moves. I can feel the heat radiating from her body, and my heart is pounding like a drum in my chest. 

She looks up at me, and for a split second, the anger fades from her eyes. Something else flashes between us, something electric. My fingers twitch against her mouth, and I can't tear my eyes away from hers. This is bad. So fucking bad.

Then, just as quickly as the moment started, it ends. She bites my hand-hard.

"Fuck!" I hiss, letting go of her immediately.

Will she stop biting my hand? 

She steps back, her eyes blazing with fury, but there's something else there too. She's breathing heavily, just like I am.

"Don't you ever touch me like that again," she snaps, her voice shaking slightly. 

Then, without another word, she turns and walks away, leaving me standing there in the middle of the court, my hand throbbing, my heart racing, and my mind a fucking mess.

I watch her go, trying to get my breathing under control. What the hell just happened? I scold myself, running a hand through my hair.

She's my stepsister. She's forbidden.

And yet, all I can think about is how much I want to break every rule to have her.

Shit! I'm fucked up. 

***

Stella's P.O.V. 

I march out of the basketball court, fuming in anger. His harsh words ring in my mind. 

'I know you both are after my father's money.'

How dare he say that? He knows nothing about me or my mom, yet he acts like he's figured us out like we're these money-hungry women who somehow tricked his father into marrying my mom. My blood is boiling, my fists clenched so tightly my nails are digging into my palms.

And that thing he just did-grabbing me, silencing me with his hand. Who the hell does he think he is? 

I hate myself for the way I froze when he touched me, for getting lost in his eyes. Why did my heart race when it should have been disgusted? He's arrogant, rude, and constantly belittles me. Yet, there's something about him-something that makes me want to scream and throw things, but also something that makes me... want him.

"No, no, no. You're not thinking about that," I mutter to myself as I push open the door to the washroom. "He's a jerk. A total ass."

He's my stepbrother, for God's sake. 

And I have a boyfriend.

What the fuck is wrong with me?