4. Chloe
CHLOE
I wake around ten with my body screaming in protest. Every muscle aches, but it's the soreness between my legs that makes me gasp when I shift positions. More intense than after the first night—Cade was rougher last night, less careful, more demanding.
I touch myself gingerly through the nightgown, wincing. The memory floods back: his brutal thrusts, his possessive words, his rules. The way he claimed me over and over, filling me with his cum, marking me inside and out.
Door unlocked every night.
I belong to him completely.
My stepbrother owns me.
It should feel wrong. This is my stepbrother, fourteen years older, living under the same roof as our parents. But lying here in the morning light, traces of him still on my skin, it feels right in a way nothing else ever has.
I get up slowly, every movement a reminder of what we did. The shower stings when water hits the hickeys on my neck and breasts. Evidence of his possession covers my skin—purple bruises on my hips where he gripped me, bite marks on my shoulders, fingerprints on my thighs.
I dress carefully in jeans and a loose t-shirt, choosing a high-necked shirt to cover the marks on my throat. Can't let our parents see what their son has done to their daughter.
Downstairs at eleven, Mom's in the kitchen cooking pancakes while Harold reads the newspaper at the table. And Cade—Cade sits there looking perfect, coffee mug in hand, like he didn't spend half the night fucking his stepsister.
"Morning, honey!" Mom's cheerful greeting makes guilt twist in my stomach.
"Morning, Mom. Morning, Harold." I nod toward Cade. "Morning."
His gray eyes travel over my body, remembering what's underneath the clothes. "Morning, stepsister. Sleep well?"
The emphasis on 'stepsister' makes heat flood my face.
"Very well, thank you."
I sit across from him, aware of his gaze. Our parents discuss their upcoming Seattle trip, oblivious to the tension crackling between us.
"Two days from now, we leave Wednesday morning," Harold says. "Back Friday evening."
"You two will be okay alone?" Mom asks.
"We're adults. We'll manage." Cade's loaded glance at me nearly makes me choke on my orange juice.
Two whole days alone with him. The thought terrifies and thrills me in equal measure.
My phone buzzes during breakfast. A text from Jenna, a classmate from Ashford University who also lives in the city.
Coffee today? 2 PM at Brewed Awakening?
I type back quickly. Sure! See you then.
"Plans?" Cade's watching me text, suspicion in his tone.
"Meeting a friend for coffee."
"Friend?" The single word carries warning.
"Jenna, from school. Just girl talk."
Harold looks up from his paper. "That's nice, Chloe. You should get out, have fun."
"Don't spend all summer cooped up here," Mom adds.
If only they knew what I've been doing at night in this house.
Cade's jaw tightens, clearly unhappy but unable to protest without revealing why. The muscle in his cheek twitches—I'm learning to read his tells.
At one-thirty, I'm touching up my makeup when I realize the hickeys show. I layer concealer over them, add a scarf for extra coverage. The outfit I choose is cute but modest—jeans, a simple blouse, flats. Not trying to impress anyone, just seeing a friend.
Cade waits at the bottom of the stairs when I come down.
"Where exactly is this coffee shop?"
"Brewed Awakening on Main Street. Why?"
"Just curious. What time will you be back?"
"I don't know, a few hours?"
His eyes narrow at the uncertainty in my voice. "Text me when you're heading home."
It's not a request. It's a command, and something thrills through me at his control.
"I will."
He leans down, whispers so our parents don't hear. "Remember our rules. No other men."
The warning rings in my ears as I leave.
Brewed Awakening is a cozy local coffee shop, all exposed brick and mismatched furniture. Jenna's already there when I arrive at two, waving from a corner table. She's blonde and outgoing, a fashion major with an infectious smile.
"Chloe! It's been forever!" She hugs me tight before we sit. "How's your summer been?"
"Quiet, mostly. Staying home with family."
"God, that sounds boring. No parties? No guys?"
Heat creeps up my neck. "No, nothing like that."
Technically true—no parties, and Cade isn't just 'a guy.' He's my stepbrother, my obsession, my secret.
"We need to fix that. There's a party next weekend."
"I don't think so..."
"Come on! You can't spend the entire summer as a hermit."
Fifteen minutes into conversation, the door chimes. "Jenna! Thought that was you!"
A guy approaches our table—twenty-two maybe, clean-cut, conventionally attractive. Business major energy radiates from his pressed polo shirt.
"Ethan! What are you doing here?"
"Just grabbing coffee. Mind if I join you guys?" He slides into a seat before we answer, turning his attention to me. "I don't think we've met. I'm Ethan."
"Chloe. I'm in Jenna's psychology class."
"Cool. What year are you?"
"Junior."
"Same! How have we never run into each other?"
He leans forward, making direct eye contact, asking questions about my major and interests. The attraction is obvious, his attempts to impress painfully clear. But I can only think about Cade, about last night, about the promises he made.
"So Chloe, are you seeing anyone?"
The direct question catches me off guard. "I... it's complicated."
"Complicated how?"
Jenna perks up. "Oh my god, spill! Who is he?"
"It's not... we're not... I can't really talk about it."
"Mysterious. I like that." Ethan leans back, draping his arm over the back of my chair. The invasion of personal space makes me shift away uncomfortably.
The door chimes again. I glance up reflexively and my heart stops.
Cade fills the doorway, his six-foot-five frame commanding immediate attention. Black t-shirt stretched across his muscled chest, jeans, boots, tattoos visible on his arms. Gray eyes scan the room until they land on me.
His expression darkens seeing Ethan's arm near me.
"Oh no," I whisper.
He stalks toward our table like a predator closing in on prey. He followed me here. My stepbrother actually followed me to make sure no other men came near me.
"There you are, babe."
He grabs an empty chair, positions it right next to mine, sits down, and immediately puts his arm around my shoulders. The possessive claim is unmistakable.
I freeze, speechless.
Jenna's eyes widen. "Um, who's this?"
Cade extends his hand to her. "Cade. Chloe's boyfriend."
Boyfriend?! Panic floods through me. He's my stepbrother! But I can't say that without revealing everything.
"Wow, Chloe, you didn't mention a boyfriend," Jenna says, shaking his hand with obvious appreciation for what she sees.
"It's... new." The words barely make it past my lips.
"Not that new, babe." Cade squeezes my shoulder. "Six months, right?"
He's lying smoothly, creating a backstory. I nod numbly, playing along because what choice do I have?
Ethan looks between us, disappointment clear. "Oh, I didn't realize. Sorry, man."
"No problem. Easy mistake." Cade's tone says otherwise—there's a clear warning in his voice. His arm tightens around me possessively.
He turns to me, ignoring Jenna and Ethan completely, giving them his back as if they don't exist. "Missed you, babe. Thought I'd surprise you since you left so early."
His gray eyes lock onto mine with dark intensity, and before I can process what's happening, he leans in and captures my lips.
The kiss is deep and claiming, his tongue sliding into my mouth without permission, exploring and dominating.
His hand comes up to cup my jaw, holding me in place as he thoroughly tastes me.
I gasp against his mouth, unable to resist the familiar pull of him despite the very public audience watching us.
My body betrays me, melting into the kiss, responding to him the way it always does.
When he finally pulls back, I'm completely flushed and breathless, my heart pounding against my ribs. His thumb traces my bottom lip possessively before he settles back in his chair, keeping his arm firmly around my shoulders.
"Okay, that was hot," Jenna fans herself.
"So, how'd you two meet?" Ethan asks awkwardly.
"Family connection. Our parents are... close." Cade's response is technically true, just omitting that they're married. "Saw her and knew I had to have her."
The possessive language makes me want to sink through the floor.
"Age difference didn't bother you?" There's bitterness in Ethan's question.
Cade levels him with a cold stare. "Why would it? She's an adult. I can give her things boys her age can't."
The double meaning isn't lost on anyone.
"How much older are you?" Jenna asks, leaning forward with interest.
"Thirty-five."
"Wow, fourteen years! That's so romantic."
"Isn't that kind of... inappropriate?" Ethan pushes.
Cade's eyes turn dangerous. "She's twenty-one, not a child. We're both consenting adults. Besides, age is just a number when you find the right person."
His hand slides down under the table, gripping my thigh possessively. I jump, trying to cover it with a cough. His hand stays there, fingers digging in as a warning.
"I think it's romantic," Jenna gushes. "Older man who knows what he wants."
"Exactly. And what I want is Chloe." He squeezes my thigh, fingers moving dangerously high. I bite my lip, struggling to stay composed.
Ethan checks his phone a few minutes later. "I should get going. Have plans later." He stands, nods to Jenna. "Good seeing you." To me: "Nice meeting you. Enjoy your... relationship."
He leaves quickly, defeated.
"He was totally into you, Chloe," Jenna laughs, oblivious to the tension.
"Was he now?" Cade's voice drops dangerously low.
"Don't worry, she only has eyes for you. Obviously. Look at you."
He smirks, pleased by the validation. "I do take care of what's mine."
Cade checks his watch. "Babe, we should get going. We have that thing, remember?"