Page 29 of Forbidden

“Always.” I inhaled the fresh air in an attempt to slow my racing pulse.

“This is only my opinion based on the four years he’s been in your life, okay?”

“Out with it, Zoe.” I rubbed my sweaty palms along my yoga pants, unclear why the conversation was stressing me out. Just because Zoe shared her thoughts didn’t mean she was right.

“There’s no two ways about it. Cole is an asshole. But ...” She lifted her hand to stop me from interrupting her. “I think he’s battling some demons that we have no idea about. Not that it justifies him treating you like he does, but I do think there’s more to it. I think he’s conflicted about his feelings, and on top of it, someone is threatening him, and now you.” Zoe’s attention darted around us. “Shit. I forgot about that part, and here we are out in the middle of nowhere.”

I glanced around nervously.Shit.The realization hadn’t crossed my mind, either. All I was interested in was a safe place to talk. Shuddering, I realized I might have put us in danger without meaning to. “Let’s go to my house. We can sweep the room for recording or listening devices.”

Zoe looked a bit perplexed as she barked out a sarcastic laugh. “Do you realize we sound bona fide crazy and paranoid?”

“Yeah, but Cole hid cameras in the limo, so this girl isn’t taking any more chances.” I patted my chest.

“I don’t blame you.” Zoe pushed the button, and the car engine purred to life.

I rode the rest of the way home in silence, weighing Zoe’s words with Cole’s actions. The idea of Cole sent my pulse racing, but hell if I knew when it had started. He’d always been hot, but he was my stepbrother—possessive, overprotective, and moody. Maybe Zoe was right. And maybe, just maybe, I had to admit that I had feelings for my stepbrother.Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m going to hell.The real question, though ... was Cole going with me?

ChapterThirteen

Zoe and I had conducted a thorough sweep in my room, closet, and bathroom for cameras but didn’t find anything. It made me wonder if Cole had told me the truth and the recording in the limo hadn’t ever been about me.

After more speculation and talking about how much life had changed in the last week, Zoe left a little after midnight. Worn out from sharing all the secrets and speculating about who might want to hurt Cole and my family, I was ready to get some sleep. I grabbed my phone, opened Spotify, and turned on a new playlist I’d made before the vacation began. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t had time to listen to it. “Devil” by Two Feet began to play, and I sent it to my Alexa Show. The speaker on the device was pretty sweet, and the sound easily reached me when I was taking a shower or bath.

The thump of the bass filled my ears, and I walked into my bathroom, where I shed my clothes, tossing them into the hamper. After I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and moisturized again, all I wanted was to find some pajamas and crawl into bed. “Nothing Holy” played as I strolled into my room. My mouth gaped in horror, then a scream tore from my throat.

“What the fuck, Cole? You terrified me.” I covered my breasts, realizing I was standing in front of him with only my light green G-string on. “Don’t you knock?”

Cole leaned against the doorframe, watching my every move. “Don’t you lock your door?” He smirked, his eyes not leaving mine even though I was practically naked.

“I thought I did.” I tapped my bare foot impatiently, raking my attention over him in a derogatory manner. “What do you want?”

Cole remained silent, his calculating gaze raking up and down my body.

“Fine. Get out. Don’t come in my room again.” Out of spite—and if I was honest, a little curiosity—I dropped my arms.

Cole focused on my tits, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed.

I strolled over to him, stopping a few feet away. “Is this what you wanted? To see me practically naked?” My voice sounded confident and strong, but inside I was shaking. I refused to cower to him, though. If he wanted me, then he had the opportunity to do something about it instead of hiding behind a facade.

Cole pushed off the wall and moved toward me. “What are you doing, Shae?”

He growled as he drew closer, and I stepped backward. The back of my knees hit the edge of my mattress, and I fell on the bed. I scrambled to the top. A flutter of nerves and excitement filled my stomach.

Cole wedged one of his legs between mine and parted them while he hovered over me. He pinned me with a heated stare. “Do you think about me, Shae? Do you think about my cock buried deep inside you, making you moan?”

I gulped, unwilling to answer. He’d played me before, and I wasn’t sure where this was going. A shiver danced up my spine as I released a soft breath, and Zoe’s words whispered through my mind. If Cole was into me, then I was about to find out.

He lowered a little more, my breasts only inches from pressing against his chest. A shadow of conflict coasted over his face.

I swallowed over the dryness in my throat, willing him to touch me.

“Tell me, Shae.”

I nearly melted into a puddle, the way my name rolled off his tongue. Sexy and haunting all at the same time. Chills peppered my skin, and my pussy clenched, begging for him to bury himself inside me.

“Which vibrator do you use when you imagine me fucking you? I’ve thought about tasting your pussy, licking and sucking your clit while you’re sitting on my face. The thought of your head back and eyes closed while I slide my tongue into you makes me almost come by itself. My name would roll off those pretty, pouty lips of yours, then I’d shove my dick in your mouth until you fucking choked on it. Tears would stream down your cheeks as I cut off your air. But that’s not where I want to come, baby. No, I want to slam my cock into you until your pussy clenches around me. I bet if I touched your cunt right now, you would be drenched.”

Oh. My. God.Cole didn’t need to touch me. All he had to do was talk to me in that deep, sultry voice, and I could have repeated orgasms.

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