SUBMISSIVE TO MY BROTHER'S BESTFRIEND

KARIMA HEART

I didn't say another word.

I couldn't even tell what broke my heart more, whether the sight of what I'd just witnessed, or the d*mn pain ripping me apart from the inside out.

Ellie?

It couldn't be her... The only way I'd believe it was if I stormed into that room myself and saw it up close.

Owain just stood there, watching me like he could read my mind. Like he knew what I was about to do next.

The second I turned toward the door, his hand snapped around my arm, tight and firm, almost like he wanted to rip it off.

Before I could react, he spun me back with force and pulled me against him from behind. His grip locked around my waist like steel. Then his cold lips brushed my neck as he whispered, in a cold, low, and dangerous.

"Have you forgotten we had a deal?"

"You don't get to walk away after I held up my end."

I thrashed, trying to break free, but his arms only tightened. And worse ... F*cking hell... The warmth of him made my skin burn in ways it shouldn't have.

What the actual f*ck, Karima?

You just caught your boyfriend screwing your best friend and somehow... you're reacting to this?

I shook my head in disgust at myself, of course, at him, and shoved him. I raised my hand, ready to slap the smug off his face again, but he caught my wrist midair, his eyes gleaming with warning.

"I don't let women hit me, Karima."

"You got your free one. Try it again, and it won't end the same."

"I don't give a d*mn," I spat. "What do you even want from me, Owain? You're seriously talking about deals when..."

My words cut off as I glanced toward the glass wall again.

They weren't just kissing anymore.

Ellie's leg was in the air, her back arched on the bed as he hovered over her cl*t, thrusting slowly and deep, like he couldn't contain the pleasure he felt. Her soft moans leaked through the d*mn glass, every sound was another knife in my chest.

It wasn't just cheating.

It was a betrayal, a completely raw and ugly one.

I turned back to Owain, tears blurring my vision, but I didn't let them fall before I wiped them off my cheeks and glared at him.

"So this was the plan, huh?"

"You wanted to break me? Show me this mess?"

"Fine. You win. But just so we're clear, you'll never have me."

"My heart? It's off-limits."

He laughed.

Not a light chuckle, it was a deep, mocking, bad-boy kind of laugh that made the air between us colder.

Like I'd just told a punchline to a joke I didn't know I was part of.

He clapped slowly, strolling toward me with that cocky glint in his eyes.

"Heart?" he repeated, dragging the word like it was foreign on his tongue.

"Who said I wanted your heart?"

Before I could blink, his hand slid down with a bold and claiming move. His palm landed firmly on my backside.

I gasped, my eyes snapping at his at once.

He smirked. Sh*t! That infuriating, overconfident smirk played on his lips.

"I want you, Karima. Not your heart. I don't do love, my darling," he said in a low voice.

His gaze dropped, trailing slowly over my face, down to my exposed cleavage. His tongue darted out to wet the corner of his lips, just a flick... but it was enough to tell me where his mind had already gone.

And I hated myself for it...

Because my heart was racing like crazy, as if it was a speeding car.

No matter how hard I tried to shut it out, the truth was painfully clear... I still felt it. That stupid, undying pull toward him. How on earth could I even deny it?

Owain was the first man I ever loved from the day I could understand what love even meant. As a kid, down to when I was a teenager. Even when I convinced myself I was over him and agreed to date Nathan, deep down I knew it was a d*mn lie.

A stupid, desperate lie I told myself.

And that lie made me angry. Because Owain... he was never the romantic type. I could never match whatever kind of woman he was drawn to.

He was wild.

I was... not.

I stayed indoors almost all the time, keeping to myself, and avoided crowds as much as I could... The worse part? I was very timid and quiet. The only time I ever go out for fun was when Ellie dragged me out of my shell, usually kicking and screaming.

So why now?

Why was he looking at me like this?

And the annoying part? why did I want it so badly?

My brain was beginning to scream at me, to shut it down and walk away. But it was too late.

His hand lifted again, this time grazing the exposed dip of my chest, his fingers brushing softly, and deliberately, between the curve of my t*ts and slowly caressing the top of the n*pples. My breath hitched, but I didn't move.

Not until a sound slipped out of me, a low, helpless moan... The stupid me made a hard face, avoiding his eyes as if he hadn't caught me already.... That was when I realized I was holding my breath.

It was as if that was all he needed.

A slow, knowing smile curved on his face.

Not the playful type that showed he enjoyed it, it was the type of smile that said one thing... he was d*mn right.

That I wanted him... So badly.

And my body had just sold me out.

If the ground opened and swallowed me whole, I'd have gladly let it. But it didn't. I was still standing here, heat rising in the tight space between us.

He leaned in, his voice low and smooth against my lips.

"You've still got that soft spot for me, Karima."

"What are you holding back for?"

His lips barely brushed mine, a teasing graze, as he murmured,

"I want that girl... the wild, fearless one I saw at the club."

"Whenever you're with me, be her. Not that quiet little thing I used to know. Got it?"

I nodded. Shamelessly, but my body stayed frozen and stiff, until he finally took a small step back, giving me a breath of space I didn't even realize I needed.

"I won't lay a finger on you unless you're ready to show me that wild side," he said, his voice low and taunting.

"As for your boyfriend?" he shrugged. "Just play along for today. You can manage that... right?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My throat had gone dry.

So I just nodded... just a little.

That was enough for him.

"Do you want me to drop you off?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You don't look like your legs can walk just yet."

"I can-" I tried to say, barely getting the words out.

But before I could finish, his lips crashed into mine, quick and sharp, but full of heat.

It only lasted a second. But it knocked the air right out of me.

He pulled away just as fast, his grin widening as he tapped my shoulder casually.

"I couldn't wait to do that," he said coolly.

I blinked, stunned. My mind blanked out, stuck somewhere between wanting to scream and wanting to replay that moment over again.

I turned away slowly, trying to regain control of my thoughts, my body, and me, but paused just before the door.

My eyes locked on his, sharp and unblinking.

He wanted the wild version of me?

Maybe that was exactly what I needed, not just to keep up with him, but to take the reins.

Let him try to play dominant. I could play dirty, too.

I took a step closer, lowering my voice just enough for the words to sting.

"You want the wild version of me?" I said. "Be careful what you ask for, Owain. You might not survive it."

He didn't laugh. He didn't even tease.

He just smiled... but not the usual cocky one.

Something flickered behind his eyes.

Was that fear?

Good. That's exactly what I wanted.