Page 26 of Braving the Storm

I flip on the lamp over the mirror and open the medicine cabinet, rummaging around looking for painkillers I know I’ve got stashed, and some rub I’m sure was in here last time I checked.

“Oh, shit… sorry.” A raspy, sleepy voice comes from behind me. When I spin around, Briar hovers in the doorframe. And oh, fuck she’s in only a baggy hoodie and skimpy sleep shorts, rubbing her brow with bleary eyes squinting at the light. “I woke up and thought I must have left the light on by accident.”

She starts to back away, then as her hand drops from her eyes, they go wide, obviously waking up real quick as she notices the half-dressed state we’re both in. Or maybe that’s just my filthy imagination, but it’s far too easy to imagine a much better version of this scene.

I’d much prefer to have her ass perched beside the hand basin, knees spread, those tiny shorts tugged to one side while I’m knuckles deep inside her pussy as she moans against my neck.

My fist tightens around the tube of cream and packet of pills, making the foil crinkle. I figure the only way out of this is to shrug her off and sulk away in the direction of the lounge with a boner I can’t do anything about and will feel guilty as hell if I dare touch.

Because that asshole shouldn’t be perking up at the sight of my niece. Yet, here I am, already thinking about her completely naked, bent over this very counter, with her heavy tits, and oh my fucking god, the situation in my jeans is not being helped the longer I stand here.

“Bathroom’s all yours. Night.” Grunting, full caveman style, I set my jaw and prepare to squeeze past her.

Keep your eyes to yourself. Do not look at her tits, or ass, or bare thighs. Jesus.

“Wait, what have you done to yourself? Are you injured?” She shoots out a hand in the direction of my shoulder, then stops, fingers hovering in midair before dropping back down to her side.

“It’s nothing.”

Her eyes scan over the items clenched in my fist.

“Oh my god. Iknewit.”

My neck prickles. I can’t stay here with her. Not this close. Not this late at night.

“Just leave it, Briar.”

“You’re in pain, aren’t you? Every time I keep asking, you keep brushing it off. Stop being an idiot about this and let me help.”

Maybe I’m too tired, or maybe I’m just a bad, bad man, but I hesitate. And in that moment, she turns into the world’s most tempting nurse.

Fuck a slutty Halloween costume where chicks have their tits and ass hanging out in a miniature white dress with a fake stethoscope dangling around their neck.

This is more dangerous… a thousand times more alluring.

“Sit.” She jabs a finger in the direction of the bedroom, herding me in there like I’m an unruly calf.

“You’re mighty bossy for this time of night, little thorn.” The wince shoots across my face before I can disguise it as I lower down and perch on the edge of the bed. My own fucking bed. One that is currently rumpled with the covers thrown back because she’s been sleeping in here.

Her scent drifts up, gently, subtly coiling through my awareness as soon as I’m seated.

“Well, you’re getting me at my optimal social powers. The middle of the night is when I’m known to be the most tolerant of idiot uncles crashing around in the dark.”

That draws a chuckle out of me.

“Can I give your bedside manner a rating? I’m already sensing there might be room for improvement.”

“No. But you can take those pills and hand me that muscle rub and do as you’re told.”

“What’s your preferred place for review? Is there a website that I can log into?”

Briar swipes everything out of my hands, rolling her eyes at me. While I’ve been teasing her, she’s moved close enough to bestanding almost between my knees. She pops two painkillers out of their casing, drops them into my hand, pressing a pastel pink water bottle into my other. It matches the shade painted on her nails. There’s stickers and shit on the outside, but I’m too distracted by the girl caged in by my legs. I didn’t even notice her collect it off the nightstand, too preoccupied with this unguarded version of the girl in front of me.

“Cute,” I murmur. Eyeing her as I chuck the pills back and let the cold water chase them down. Hopefully, she thinks I’m talking about the water bottle. Ishouldbe talking about the water bottle.

“What part hurts most?” She watches me swallow the painkillers, keeping her eyes firmly on my face.

My niece is trying very, very hard not to look at my naked chest. And I’m that much of a prick that I’m soaking up every second of her squirming in place.