Fifteen
Fallon
I can’t believe Remy. His possessiveness, his refusal to let me go—it’s suffocating. And now, with the revelation that he’s my stepbrother, everything feels even more complicated. How the hell did we get here?
I walk quickly, my heels clicking against the pavement as I try to put as much distance between us as possible. I need space to think, to process. The weight of the evening’s news presses down on me, making it hard to breathe.
My thoughts drift to my mother and Remy’s father. How could they do this to us? Did they even consider the impact it would have on our lives? This seems so selfish and viciously planned, like the universe is cracking a joke at our expense.
I reach my car and fumble with the keys, my hands still shaking. As I slide into the driver’s seat, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, refusing to break down. I need to get away.
Driving through the city streets, I replay the confrontation with Remy over and over in my mind. His words, his touch, the intensity in his eyes—it all feels like too much. I can’t let him control me, but I also can’t deny the pull I feel towards him. It’s infuriating.
I pull over to the side of the road, resting my head against the steering wheel. My tears finally spill freely, and I let them. I need this release, this moment to feel everything I’ve been holding back. I never cry. I don’t even remember the last time I did. I’m always so good at holding it together, being the glue my mother needed after everything that happened with my father. Always holding people at arm’s length so I wouldn’t get hurt again. But Remy… I let him in without even realizing it. He’s seen parts of me I’ve kept hidden from everyone else. And now, the thought of losing him, of pushing him away, feels like tearing out a piece of my own heart. I can argue with myself all I want about the reason for keeping my nose in books but the truth is, it was easier to push people away than let them in. Yet with Remy, I failed. I let him in, and now I’m paying the price.
As I sit in my car, trying to gather my thoughts, my phone buzzes. I glance at the screen and see Rowyn’s name flashing. For a moment, I consider ignoring it, but I know she’ll just keep calling.
I swipe to answer. “Hey, Rowyn,” I mutter, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Fallon! Are you still coming to the beach?” Rowyn’s voice is bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.
I hesitate, glancing at the clock. I told Remy I had plans but now I’m not sure I want them. “I… I’m not sure,” I admit. “Something came up.”
Rowyn pauses, sensing something is off. “Are you okay? You sound upset.”
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. “It’s just been a rough night. Family stuff.” Understatement of the century.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she questions gently. “Or maybe coming to the beach will help you clear your head. The bonfire is already going, and Lyndsy is here too.”
I consider her offer. The idea of escaping, even to the beach, is tempting. “Maybe you’re right,” I respond finally. For once, my fear of water is overshadowed by the fear of the future, and the unknown problems I’ll have to face.
“Great! We’ll be here,” Rowyn affirms, her voice full of encouragement.
“Thanks, Row,” I reply, feeling a small sense of relief. “I’ll see you soon.”
The drive to the beach feels like a blur, my mind still reeling from everything that happened tonight. As I pull into the parking lot, the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the distant laughter of people around the bonfire start to soothe my frayed nerves.
I spot Rowyn waving at me from near the fire, her face illuminated by the flickering flames. She looks concerned, but smiles warmly as I approach. “Hey, you made it,” she announces, pulling me into a hug.
“Yeah, I needed to get out of there,” I heave. The warmth of the fire and the comfort of Rowyn’s presence start to ease the tension in my chest.
Rowyn hands me a blanket and we sit down on the sand, close enough to the fire to feel its heat. “Do you want to talk about it?” she questions, her eyes full of concern.
“Not really,” I shrug. “Where’s Lyndsy?” I interrupt in an effort to move the conversation away from me.
“Oh, she’s over there with some guy from her history class.” She points in their direction and I see her laughing along to something he said. I wish I could borrow an ounce of her happiness right now. Everyone is enjoying the beach, and I feel like my sour mood is rolling off of me in waves.
“I think you need a drink,” Rowyn chimes in.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I smile as I jump to my feet, dusting the sand from my butt. I drop my heels and dig my feet into the sand, already feeling freer than I have all night. Rowyn takes my hand and pulls me through the throng of people to a table that’s been set up with drinks and snacks. She pulls two cans from the cooler, handing one to me. I don’t even look at what it is before I open it up and take a huge gulp. The bitter liquid burns my throat, making my eyes water.
“What the hell is this?” I cringe, trying to see the label from the light of the fire.
Rowyn laughs. “It’s White Claw. I’m not sure who brought what, but this is loads better than beer. Plus,” she points to the open bottles. “I’m not drinking something that’s already open.”
“Yeah, good point. This will have to do.”
“To friends and freedom,” she giggles. We clink our cans together and laugh as we make our way back to the blanket and plop down.
My blue hair catches the moonlight as my fingers twirl through the strands. My mind races with thoughts of Remy, and how our new situation will bind us together. I’m glad I came to the beach, needing to be somewhere other than the confines of my bedroom. I don’t know if I can tell Rowyn and Lyndsy about the bomb my mother dropped on me at dinner tonight, and I’m not even sure if I want to. They’ve been adamant that I keep my distance from Remy, and now that won’t really be an option. At least not at family events. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that my mom randomly eloped. She never even told me she was dating anyone. I know the news shocked Remy as well. I could see the anger written across his face.
“So, you never told us what happened during that game of hide and seek,” Rowyn hints, pulling me from my thoughts. I hope she can’t see my cheeks flame from the mention of that night.
“What about it?” I wonder, trying to keep my voice steady through the swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
“Oh, don’t give me that! You didn’t get home until late and the next morning you were covered in scratches and…hickies?” Fuck, I thought I had covered them well enough. The bruises over my hips from Remy’s hands are starting to fade, but the memories are fresh in my mind, like I’m still there in the forest with him. Heat rushes to my core and I have to shift slightly on the blanket in an effort to tamper down those sensations.
Rowyn’s curiosity lingers, and I can feel my cheeks burning even more. “It was just a game,” I urge, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice betrays me with a slight tremor.
She raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Come on, Fallon. You can tell me. What really happened out there?”
I take a deep breath, my mind flashing back to that night in the forest. The way Remy had looked at me, the intensity of his touch—it all comes rushing back, making my heart race.
“It was… intense,” I admit.
Rowyn leans in closer, her eyes wide with interest. “Intense how?”
I glance around, making sure no one else is listening. “We got a little carried away,” I add, choosing my words carefully. “It wasn’t just hide-and-seek. There was… more to it.”
Rowyn’s eyes widen even further. “More? Like what? And who is ‘we’?”
I bite my lip, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks again. “Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly innocent,” I whisper, hoping she gets the hint.
“Oh my God, Fallon! We knew that!” Rowyn gasps, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “You and Remy? In the forest?”
“What? Shh!! I didn’t say Remy!”
“Oh, sorry!” she apologizes, leaning in closer. “But come on, Fallon, it’s obvious something happened between you two.”
I sigh, feeling the weight of the secret pressing down on me. “Yeah, but it’s complicated, Rowyn. Really complicated .”
She nods, her expression turning serious. “I get it. But you know you can talk to me about anything, right? No judgment.”
I smile, grateful for her understanding. “Thanks, Rowyn. I just need some time to figure things out.”
“I get that,” she pauses, chewing on her lip.
“What? Just say it.” I know there is a lecture coming. Her and Lyndsy have been warning me from the beginning. Maybe if I had listened, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now. I sigh, knowing Remy would have found a way, regardless.
Rowyn takes a deep breath, clearly choosing her words wisely. “Fallon, I just worry about you. Remy is… well, he doesn’t have a good reputation. Lyndsy told me some of what her brother, Gray, told her. He’s his best friend, and even he knows Remy is bad news for girls.” I sit, watching the fire, waiting for her to continue.
“He doesn’t even kiss girls, apparently. Just uses them as holes.” My head snaps to hers at her comment about kissing.
“He doesn’t kiss girls?” I ask out loud, more to myself than needing an answer. He kissed me though. I can still feel the tingle on my lips after all these days. He didn’t just kiss me, he consumed me. A surge of emotions threaten to spill, so I do what any college student would do. I drink.
“No,” Rowyn continues, her voice softer now. “Gray said Remy never gets emotionally involved. It’s always just physical for him.”
I take a long sip from my drink, trying to process this new information.
If Remy doesn’t kiss other girls, then what does that mean for us?
Was I different, or was he just playing a different game with me?
Rowyn watches me closely, her concern evident. “Fallon, I just don’t want you to get hurt. You deserve someone who treats you with respect and cares about you.”
I nod, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. “I know, Rowyn. It’s just… complicated.” Complicated is putting it lightly.
She sighs, giving me a sympathetic look. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? And if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Row,” I say, managing a small smile. “I appreciate it.” I down the rest of my drink, then crinkle the can in my hands.
“Do you want another? I was about to go get one for myself.” She stands, then holds her hand out for my trash.
“Yeah, I think I need another.” Or ten.
As Rowyn walks away to get more drinks, I take a moment to look around. The beach is alive with activity, couples lost in their own worlds, some wrapped in each other’s arms, others laughing and talking. The sight should make me feel better but instead, it only deepens the ache inside me.
A pang of sadness washes over me, and I can’t quite understand why. I should be relieved that my mother’s news has put a stop to whatever was happening between Remy and me. It should make things simpler, clearer. But it doesn’t.
Instead, I feel a sense of loss, a longing for something that now seems even more out of reach. The memory of Remy’s kiss, the way he made me feel—it’s all still so vivid, so real. And knowing that he doesn’t kiss other girls only makes it more confusing.
Row returns with our drinks, sitting down beside me again.
We sit by the bonfire in silence as I try to make sense of everything. I see a figure in the distance. My heart skips a beat when I realize it’s Remy, striding purposefully over the sand dunes, his eyes locked onto mine.
Rowyn follows my gaze and her eyes widen. “Is that…?”
“Remy,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the crackling fire. The intensity in his gaze sends a shiver down my spine. He looks determined, and I know he’s not here for a casual chat.
Rowyn squeezes my hand. “Do you want me to stay?”
I shake my head, my eyes never leaving Remy’s. “No, I need to talk to him.” How did he even know where I was?
As Remy gets closer, the noise of the beach fades away, leaving just the two of us in this charged moment. He stops a few feet away, his expression unreadable.
“Fallon,” he says, his voice low and steady. “We need to talk.” I nod, as he pulls me to my feet. My legs wobble for a moment, but he steadies my waist. He grabs my hand and pulls me along behind him, the heat from the bonfire getting further away with each step. The cool night air wraps around us and the only thing I can hear now is the rhythmic crashing of the waves, and the pounding of my own heart.
Remy doesn’t say a word as he leads me over the sand dunes, his grip on my hand firm, but not painful. I can feel the tension radiating off him, and it makes my own nerves spike even higher.
Finally, we reach a secluded spot where the dunes provide some shelter from the wind. He stops and turns to face me, his eyes searching mine. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the silence heavy with unspoken words.
“Fallon,” he begins, but I cut him off.
“Did you follow me?” I can’t help the accusatory tone in my voice.
Remy’s eyes flash with a mix of frustration. “Yes, I did,” he admits. “I wasn’t going to let you get far.”
I pull my hand from his grip, taking a step back. “You can’t just follow me around, Remy. This isn’t how things work.”
“When have I ever given you the impression that I give a fuck about how things work?” he snaps. His words cut through the night air, sharp and unyielding. I flinch, taken aback by the fierceness in his voice. He runs a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to find the right words. He no longer wears his suit jacket, and his buttoned shirt is undone at the top, the sleeves rolled up his arms. The sight of him like this, more vulnerable and less composed, tugs at something deep inside me. It should be a crime that he’s this effortlessly sexy, even when he’s angry.
“Remy, this isn’t just about you,” I insist, trying to keep my voice steady. “There are other people involved now. Our parents, specifically,” I argue.
He steps closer, his eyes blazing with determination. “I don’t care about the rules, Fallon.” His words gave me chills, a mix of fear and undeniable attraction. He steps even closer, his presence overwhelming.
“It’s funny how you think you can resist me, especially now. Deep down, you know you can’t,” he vows, his voice low.
I turn to face him fully, wanting to defy him. “I don’t belong to anyone, Remy. Especially not you.”
He smirks, stepping closer. “Oh, but you do. You just haven’t realized it yet.” He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“Nothing is going to happen between us again. You’re my fucking stepbrother, or didn’t you get that memo at dinner?”
“Oh, my sweet little fox thinks that changes anything. We are just getting started,” he chuckles darkly, making my heart race.
“It changes everything !“ I heave. The weight of the evening’s events presses down on me, making it hard to breathe.
“You think a title changes this obsession I have with you? If you do, then you haven’t been paying attention.”
My fists clench, trying to steady my racing heart. “It should. We’re family now, Remy. This… whatever this is, it has to stop.”
Remy steps closer, his eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of frustration and desire. “Family?” he laughs. “You think that word means anything to me?” he scoffs. “You’re not just some step-sibling, Fallon. You’re the one thing I can’t get out of my head. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“You’ve tried? Wow, I guess I should thank you then. That’s definitely what a girl wants to hear.” My eyes roll on their own volition, trying to keep the emotions that threaten to spill at bay.
“Let me make myself clear, since you don’t seem to be understanding,” he growls as he grabs my chin tightly, pulling me up to face him. “You are mine. Mine . To bully, to torture, to shatter. Being my fucking stepsister is a bonus, because I can fuck with you whenever I damn well please.”
“You won’t break me, Remy.”
His eyes darken, his smile fading. “Oh, I will and it will be my pleasure seeing the moment you realize I can’t be beat, sis .“ The word stings my skin. I feel dirty knowing my stepbrother fucked me, but even dirtier that I didn’t hate it. What is wrong with me?
I take a step back, my mind racing with the implications of Remy’s words. I can’t let him see my fear. Straightening my shoulders, I meet his gaze with renewed determination.
“You think you can control me with threats? You don’t know me as well as you think.”
His eyes narrow, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. “Oh, I know you better than anyone. I know what makes you tick, what keeps you up at night. And I know how to break you.”
Anger surges from my chest. “You won’t win. I won’t let you.”
Remy steps closer, his voice low and dangerous. “This isn’t a game, Fallon. This is your life. And the sooner you accept that, the easier it will be for you.”
I clench my jaw, refusing to back down. “I’d rather fight you every step of the way than ever submit to you,” I seethe.
His expression hardens, his patience wearing thin. “You’re making a mistake. But if it’s a fight you want, then it’s a fight you’ll get.”
He reaches out, grabbing my wrist with a grip that’s firm and almost painful. I try to pull away, but Remy holds me in place, his eyes boring into mine.
“Remember this moment, little fox. Remember that you chose this path. Because when you’re broken and begging for mercy, you’ll only have yourself to blame.”
I can only glare at him as my heart pounds. “I’ll never beg. Not for you, not for anyone.”
A cold smile plays on his lips. “We’ll see about that.”
The air between us crackles with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. For a moment, we stand, the silence between us filled with the sounds of our breathing. Then, in a sudden, impulsive move, Remy presses his lips to mine. A gasp escapes my lips as my hands instinctively come up to push him away, but he holds me firmly. A sinister smile crosses his lips as he grabs me by the throat. Fear claws at my stomach, telling me to run, but it’s too late. He’s caught me in his trap.
Remy stares down at me as he grinds his hips into me, forcing me to feel his hardened cock rub against my belly. He’s fucking huge everywhere. Imposing and all-consuming in the most addictive but disturbing ways. His eyes turn a shade of blue I’ve never seen. They’re stormy and dangerous, and I can see his final string of restraint snap. Before I know what’s happening, he has me up in the air, then presses me into the sandy dune, catching me off guard. The shock has me gasping, allowing his tongue passage into my mouth.
The cool sand sends chills across my fevered skin.
The kiss is fierce and demanding, a battle of wills as much as a meeting of lips. He’s staking his claim in the most primal and seductive ways. I struggle for a moment, my mind screaming to pull away, but then something shifts. The intensity of the kiss, the raw emotion behind it, breaks through my defenses.
The fight in me disappears and my resolve weakens. My hands move to grip his shirt, pulling him closer. The kiss deepens, becoming less about dominance and more about the undeniable connection between us. It’s filled with anger, passion and the desperate need we have for each other.
His hand moves from my waist to my face. The one on my throat slides back into my hair, pulling it tightly to open myself up further to his assault. The pain sends electric waves through my body, and I find myself needing to feel his bare skin pressed against mine.
Remy devours me like I’m his last meal. His mouth moves along my jaw and down the side of my neck. My hands thread through his thick hair as he blows cool air behind my ear. Goosebumps erupt over my exposed skin and a knowing chuckle leaves his lips.
“How wet are you for me?” His voice is low as he nibbles on my ear, eliciting a small moan from me.
“Tell me, Fallon. If I touch you, will you be soaked?” Heat flames my cheeks as I try to look away from his smoldering gaze, but his grip on my hair tightens. I’m stuck staring into his intoxicating eyes.
I open my mouth, but no words come. I’m too heady with his signature blend of possession and dominance. All I can do is nod. A boyish grin paints his salacious mouth.
“That’s my good girl. Now tell me what you want,” he demands. The answer is on the tip of my tongue but for once, I’m too afraid to admit it.
“I’ll tell you what I want then.” He leans over, so his mouth is hovering over my ear before he continues. “I want to tear you apart. I want everyone to hear you scream my name as I fuck this tight pussy until you can’t walk for days.” Remy licks the shell of my ear and my body begins to tremble beneath him.
“Don’t even try to deny it. I know you want my fat cock slammed inside of you over and over, until you’re crying from too much pleasure.”
As he pulls back, I see the dark lust in his eyes. His warm breath lingers above me as his thumb sweeps across my swollen lips.
“I love seeing your tears streaming down this gorgeous face. I want to always be the cause of them. Only me .“ I scoff, and turn my head. He’s powerful, dominant, forbidden, but oh so addicting. I know it’s wrong, but after the day we’ve had, what’s the harm in one more time? He infuriates my mind but ignites my body, resulting in bad decisions that I know will leave me burned in the end.
Remy said this wasn’t a game, but isn’t it though?
Won’t I be the one that loses?
Once he’s gotten his victory, I’ll be cast aside just like the rest.
Can I handle that?
Or can I use sex for stress relief like guys and not get attached? I mean, how could I ever fall for someone like Remington Frampton? He’s a psychotic, domineering asshole who now happens to be my stepbrother.
What could possibly go wrong?
His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. I can feel the pull between us, the magnetic force that’s impossible to ignore. My heart races and I know that whatever happens next, there’s no turning back.