17. Melody
Chapter seventeen
Melody
Kaden and I have slept together a few times over the years, mostly when I needed him to protect me from the howling winds during a storm or a bad dream. This is so different.
I wake up with the morning light slanting across my face from my window.
The curtains are drawn back, and there’s a heavy arm slung across my waist. I can feel Kaden at my back, his breath fanning over the pulse point of my neck.
I shiver involuntarily, goosebumps pebbling my arms. My ass is seated in his lap as he curls around me, and there’s something very hard poking into my backside.
I swallow, keeping my breaths even and shallow so I don’t wake him. Heat pools in my lower belly as everything from last night comes rushing back.
He kissed me.
My brother kissed me.
My hand slides up to my lips, my fingers dancing over my mouth as if his presence still lingers there. He tasted like cigarettes, mint, and Kaden. I hate that I found it so pleasant that I almost gave in. I thought about just letting him take my first until I realized how fucked up it was.
It’s taboo, and we shouldn’t be doing this. No matter how much I liked it…
A fierce hand grips my hip, grinding me back into the hard length pressed against my ass. I bite back my yelp, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth as Kaden kisses my neck slowly, his nose bumping against my skin.
“Good morning,” his voice is like pure gravel, edged with sleep and turning my insides to jelly.
I swallow, trying to steady my nerves. “Good morning…”
The smell of bacon and eggs wafts through the air from downstairs, and I can faintly hear pots and pans clanging. Mom is most likely making breakfast, and we’ll be expected to join our parents soon.
Kaden sucks my earlobe into his mouth, nipping at my flesh as I gasp breathlessly.
Wrong.
This is so wrong.
“Kids!” Dad shouts from downstairs. “Breakfast is ready!”
Kaden reaches around me, collaring my throat as he turns my head towards him. His pupils are dilated, the black swallowing his irises as he squeezes my arteries. “Are you going to be a good girl this morning, or do I have to encourage Dad to check the cameras?”
His threat is heavy between us, and I feel powerless as I nod. “I-I’ll be good.”
He hums low, kissing my cheek tenderly before he rises and stretches his arms over his head.
We’re both still dressed in our clothes from last night, and his dark t-shirt rides up, showing off the sculpted lower region of his stomach.
The deep V that’s etched into him like freshly chipped marble draws my eyes.
Utterly unholy thoughts plague me, and I quickly look away as my brother dips into my walk-in closet.
He returns with my pajamas and holds them out to me. “Put these on.”
I take them gingerly, my eyes flickering to him. “Turn around.”
He crosses his arms, his expression obstinate. “I don’t think I will. Strip before I do it for you, Sunny.”
Nerves bite at my gut, a swirling torrent of emotions gripping me in an iron hold as I rise from the bed. I don’t know what it is, but something about his commands makes a deep tug pull taut in my body. I’m hyper aware of his presence standing over me, and it feels sweltering in my room.
My hands tremble as I lift my shirt and bare myself to my brother. My red laced bra is still on, but my stomach and shoulders are showing now. I toss it aside, biting my lip as liquid heat rushes through me.
“Take your bra off,” he instructs darkly.
I shake my head. “No.”
His head tilts in that taunting way of his. “Then take your skirt off.”
My hands move as if he has me on an invisible leash. Every command he gives is something I can’t refuse. I feel like I’m going to burst at the seams, and I don’t know why. I shimmy the skirt down, my hands rubbing over my flushed skin until I’m in just my matching panties and bra.
Kaden’s eyes are soaking everything in, desire and hunger warring with his composure. His hands tighten into fists at his sides. “You’re fucking beautiful, Melody.”
My heart hammers wildly at his compliment. I shouldn’t be preening under his words. This isn’t right. “Can I get dressed?” I whisper.
He nods, but he never takes his eyes off me. Not even when the silk top and bottom slide on, and I’m no longer half naked before him. He watches as if he can’t look away, and that makes me feel…powerful.
I’m going to hell.
No amount of penance can wash away the sinful thoughts I’m having of my brother. No amount of confessions or prayers can purify what we’re doing.
Kaden opens my bedroom door, motioning for me to go first. Before I can step over the threshold, he lightly grips my cheeks, turning me to face him. “I’ll be down in a minute. Be good, or our parents will know what my little sister is like when she kisses her big brother.”
There’s such an imbalance between us at one moment, and then the next, I feel like I’m on top of the world. He’s toying with me, and I can’t stand that I’m secretly enjoying it.
I’m disgusting.
Vile.
Repugnant.
Everything.
He releases me with a chaste kiss to my temple, watching with those haunting eyes as I robotically climb down the stairs.
Every step feels hollow and empty. The further I get from him, the more the coldness settles in and the more I can fathom that what we’re doing is horrid.
It’s a conundrum that’s battling in my psyche.
The kitchen’s overhead lights are soft, but they feel piercing and bright.
My eyes squint as Mom moves a plate loaded high with bacon, eggs, and pancakes to the table.
Dad stands at the sink, hand washing the dishes she dirtied as they chat about work and their next date night on Saturday.
They’re completely unaware of what their kids are up to, and that makes something forbidden unfold in my chest as I ease down onto a chair at the dining room table.
“Good morning, Jellybean,” Mom beams when she notices me.
Be good, or our parents will know what my little sister is like when she kisses her big brother.
Kaden’s warning plays on a broken loop inside my head, haunting me with its echo. If I don’t put on a smile and say something, they’re going to get suspicious.
I roll my shoulders back, lifting my chin before a fake smile tugs at my lips. “Good morning, Mom. Dad.”
Dad shoots me an easy grin. “Have you thought anymore about which college you’re going to? Cornell is a great university, but I could be a little biased, considering it’s my Alma mater.”
I shift into my seat, feeling as I gently enter the conversation. “I’m still deciding. Cornell is ahead, though.”
Dad chuckles. “You’re going to do amazing, sweetheart.
No matter which one you choose.” He sighs as he slides a plate onto the dish rack.
“I wish your brother had his head screwed on straight like you. He’s been trying to pick a college since he was accepted two years ago. I think he’s just buying time—”
“Honey,” Mom warns, giving Dad a patient but stern stare. “Kaden has to move at his own pace. He’ll decide when he’s ready.”
Dad nods, his shoulders drooping. “I know. I’m just worried about him, my love.”
Mom slides behind him, wrapping her arms around his midsection as he kisses her cheek and pats her hands. “It’s hard to let go,” she whispers. “He has to make his own decisions and be his own person.”
Dad stares at her with a tender expression, his eyes bleeding adoration. “What would I do without you?”
“Worry yourself into a ravine,” Mom giggles.
They share a passionate kiss, the kind earned from years of love and devotion, and it makes me pause. I’ve always wanted a love like my parents have. It’s tender and consuming—the type of thing you only find once in your life. I’ve only ever known their love, and it makes my mind wander…
Does Kaden feel that way about me?
Does he want to hold me and kiss me as freely as our parents do?
Why am I thinking so hard about this?
And why am I so afraid to know the answer…
Heavy boots descend the staircase, and my heart leaps.
My stomach flutters uncontrollably as my cheeks flush.
Kaden rounds into the dining room, a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt clinging to his chest as he plops down beside me.
The smell of fresh cigarette smoke wafts from him, and I hate how much I want to inhale it.
It’s become a part of his natural smell, and something I can’t get enough of.
“You’re up early!” Mom muses as she takes a sip of her coffee.
Kaden smirks. “Yeah, I slept really well last night.”
His hand slides onto my lap before his fingers curl around my inner thigh. I tense as he squeezes me, my skin prickling with electric zaps.
“We were just talking about which college Melody will attend.” Dad offers as he piles his plate high with breakfast.
“Oh?” Kaden questions with intrigue, his fingers biting into my flesh. “And which one will you pick, little sister?”
I swallow, avoiding his eyes as I laugh nervously. “Umm, I was thinking about Cornell. They have a great research program that I may be interested in.”
“Have you thought about your major?” Mom asks over her pancakes.
“I think I want to try botany.” I shrug. “I love plants and the outdoors. It just seems right.”
“That’s wonderful!” Mom gushes. “You and Kaden used to go to the creek all the time! And don’t even get me started on your garden. You loved that thing.”
It’s true. At one point, I asked Dad to build me a garden out back, and I grew a lot of vegetables.
It was thriving with every passing day until a storm destroyed it.
I was so heartbroken that I couldn’t look at the ruined soil without crying.
It hurt me to see my work so tattered and wilted.
To make me feel better, Kaden convinced Dad to get me some house plants and to decorate the front of our home with flowers for me to take care of.
It was such a kind and sweet gesture, and now they’re still living as I tend to them every week.
It’s one of the many acts of service my brother has done for me.
“Botany suits you,” Kaden whispers.
My eyes finally shift to his, and I get lost in those dark pools as a whole hurricane rages in my chest. “Thank you.”