Page 7 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

That was the only damn word that left my mouth the moment the wine glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the kitchen tiles.My heart slammed against my ribs as I sat frozen on the kitchen stool‚ just staring at her.In that tiny black nightdress.I wasn't supposed to see her like this.Heck‚ she wasn't even supposed to be here at this hour.This was why I came in so damn late every night.It was why I left before the sun even had the chance to rise.I was trying to avoid this exact moment.

She rubbed her eyes like she hadn't even seen me at first.Like it was just another regular night where she woke up thirsty and wanted water.She was yawning and walking casually towards the kitchen‚ her soft bare feet padding against the floor‚ and I couldn't breathe.My eyes were on her legs‚ her long‚ fucking smooth legs‚ and then that dress… God‚ that fucking dress.It stopped right above her knees and had lace running along the neckline‚ clinging to her breasts‚ showing just enough to make my throat dry.

"Ryan?"she called.Her voice was low‚ still thick with sleep‚ and I could hear the confusion in it.Like she didn't know why I was sitting here.Like she didn't know what she was doing to me...

My wolf stirred violently inside me‚ growling‚ clawing at me‚ screaming at me to go to her.To bury my face in her neck and inhale her scent.I didn't move.I couldn't.I clenched the wine bottle in my hand instead‚ forcing my eyes to stay on it while my entire body shook like I was sitting under a cold damn shower.

avoid her.

avoid the temptation.

Don't fucking look at her.

But I did.

and that was my second mistake.

Her nipples were poking through the fabric.Hardened.Tight.Visible.So fucking visible I almost groaned.

"Fuck!"I muttered again‚ gripping the bottle tighter like it could ground me.Like it could save me from myself.

"What are you doing here?"I asked‚ trying to sound casual‚ but my voice came out rough.Deeper.I hated how hoarse it sounded.Lustful.There was no way she wouldn't hear it.

She blinked and tilted her head a little."I came to get water.I… didn't think you'd be here."

Of course you didn't.

She started walking closer.

Each step she took made my chest rise and fall harder.I couldn't breathe.I couldn't look away.My eyes were glued to her‚ to the way her hips moved‚ to the tiny smile tugging at the corner of her lips‚ to that innocent little expression on her face that didn't match the sinful body that was coming toward me.

I shot up from the stool instantly.I needed distance.I needed air.I backed up until I was standing near the fridge‚ far enough from her that I couldn't smell her anymore.Not clearly at least.

She paused for a second‚ clearly confused‚ probably even hurt by how fast I moved.

"Get the water and leave‚" I said‚ trying to sound cold‚ distant‚ like I didn't care.But I was fucking shaking.

"Ryan…" she whispered again‚ and this time‚ I snapped.

"Stay the fuck away from me‚ anna."

She flinched.

and then she burst out crying.

I saw the tears.actual fucking tears.

My entire body tensed.I never wanted her to cry.I just wanted to keep her away.Keep her safe from what I might do if she gets too close to me.I was already at the verge of losing control.This was for her own good.She didn't get it.She didn't understand what she was doing to me.

She was still crying when I walked to her‚ and without even thinking‚ I touched her.My hand went to her arm first‚ trying to calm her‚ but she moved so fast I didn't even know what happened until I felt her pressing into me.Hugging me.Wrapping those damn soft arms around my torso.I could feel her breasts.Her nipples.Her thighs.Her scent.My mind was clouded.My cock was fucking throbbing.

and I froze.

I didn't know what to do.I didn't know where to place my hands or what to say.I just stood there‚ my heart pounding like it was trying to break out of my chest.

Her hair smelled sweet.Her skin was warm.and she was so small.So soft.So close.

I was losing it.