TANGLED BETWEEN BROTHERS

Liam POV

I carried another box down the hallway. Nicole's things were scattered across the guest room floor, half-unpacked, half-still in their bags.

She sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, looking a bit distracted. "Need help?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

Her voice was soft, but there was steel behind it. I smiled, she always had that stubborn streak. But something about her felt different recently.

I leaned against the doorframe. "Alright. Just... don't hesitate to tell me anything, okay?"

She nodded. Eyes flicking toward the corner, toward the window, toward nothing.

I noticed the way she flinched when I shifted. Her gaze went sharp, alert, like she expected someone else to be there.

I frowned a bit. "Nicole," I said, voice quieter this time, more careful. "Are you thinking about your family? I know it's hard and I won't act like I understand but please know that I will always be here."

She didn't answer immediately. She looked down at her hands, clenched so tight I thought her fingers might crack. Finally, she murmured, "Thank you for everything, for being patient with me."

I nodded. Of course. She has been through a lot lately. I wanted to push, but I didn't. I just made a note to check in later.

"Why don't you sleep in my room tonight? I can't allow you to stay here alone."

"I'm really fine." she dragged

"Do you want me to kneel for you?". I insisted, blinking my eyes like a puppy.

"Fine, I will stay, " she agreed.

Before I could respond, I suddenly got a call from my phone. "Excuse me..." I told her as I stepped outside.

"Why the fuck are you calling me?" I said immediately the call connected

"I miss you Liam," the person voiced out from the other end. "I'm back in the country babe, I miss you, especially when you are inside of me."

Her name was Anna, she was my ex, she broke up with me because she wanted to explore other men but now she was back. Do I still have feelings for her? That I could not answer.

"I have a girlfriend, I have moved on." I spat out harshly, still offended by how she left me.

"That's a fucking lie and you know it. Right now, I know deep down that you want to explore every inch of my body." She chuckled.

"You need help mentally." I scoffed.

"I will text you my address tomorrow, I will be expecting you. Bye my love." She hung up just like that leaving me dazzled.

I joined Nicole back in the room.

"Who called?" She asked me casually.

"It's business." I lied to her.

"So you are staying in my room tonight. Let's go down for dinner, I don't think we can wait for my brother."

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Nicole POV

I woke up thirsty.

I tried ignoring it but I couldn't sleep properly, I could feel my throat burning. So I forced myself up still feeling sleepy, I looked to my right but Liam was still fast asleep, I ended up sleeping in Liam's room after listening to his nagging.

The hallway was quiet when I stepped out. My nightgown brushed my knees as I walked. I didn't bother turning on the lights because I remembered where the kitchen was.

The fridge light spilled out when I opened it, cool and white. I poured water with sleepy eyes.

That was when I felt it, another presence. I turned slowly, only to see Adrian. He was leaning against the doorframe.

I felt like my heart stopped pumping. "How long were you standing there...?" I whispered.

He didn't answer immediately. He just looked at me. Slowly scanning me. His shirt was slightly undone, his hair wasn't neat the way it usually was. Something about him felt... different.

The fridge light shone on me from behind, it then hit me, I realized too late what that meant. The fabric of my nightgown was thin, so right now it felt transparent. I quickly closed the fridge when I followed his line of sight which was on my boobs.

"You're awake late," he said.

My pulse became painfully loud. "I just wanted water."

I should have ran to my room but I stayed asking him questions. "Are you drunk?"

"Do you love him?" His question landed wrong, ignoring mine.

I tightened my fingers around the glass. "What?"

"My brother," he said. "Is he... what you wanted?"

I swallowed. "Yes, he's kind, lovely and softhearted."

He tilted his head, barely. "Really? If what you say is true then my brother has really changed a lot."

The space between us shrank. He stepped closer. I stayed frozen on the spot.

"You think he saved you," he murmured. "Pulled you out of whatever hole you were in."

"You are wrong, I forced out."

My back brushed the fridge, I hadn't noticed I'd stepped back. He was close enough that I could smell his intoxicating scent, he reeked of alcohol.

"You need someone who would break you open," he said quietly. "Not wrap you in softness."

My heart slammed against my ribs. "What are you saying?"

His hand touched the door beside my shoulder. "If you were with me..." he said, voice lower and rougher. "I would fuck you till you forget your name, till you can't even speak properly, I will make you wet just with words."

Before I could even process everything, he leaned in. His breath brushed my skin.

For one terrifying second... I didn't move.

Then his lips brushed my cheek, then covered my lips while his hands worked its way up my thigh.

Something in me snapped back into place. I pushed against his chest. "Stop."

He blinked. Like waking from something he shouldn't have stepped into.

I shoved past him.

My bare feet hit the cold floor as I rushed down the hallway, I didn't look back. I closed Liam's bedroom door quietly but just for me to turn I found him awake.