Falling for My Best Friend's Brother

“You shouldn’t be here.” He groaned sleepily as his fingers had grabbed mine.

“Shhh.” I’d kissed his back, and ran my feet down his muscular legs. The hair on his legs had tickled my smooth skin, and I’d moaned at the feeling of being so close to him. His hand ran up and down the side of my legs and he’d groaned before turning over. The room had been pitch dark and as he rolled me onto my back and kissed me, I’d been scared that he’d figure out it was me and get mad. I was pretty sure that Aiden didn’t know that Lisa had left because he had gotten home late that night and gone straight to his room. His tongue had entered my mouth swiftly, and I’d kissed him back with such ferocity that I’m sure he must have been shocked. He’d paused for a moment and pulled away from me and then whispered, “Damn, you shouldn’t be here.” I had grabbed his head and pulled him back down to me and wrapped my legs around his waist. At the time I’d thought he was talking to Lisa, but now—now I wasn’t really sure if he’d known that he’d been talking to me, Alice. If he’d known it was me and he’d still gone ahead, that must mean something, right? That night had been crazy and passion-filled and when he’d entered me, I’d cried out in pain and ecstasy. He’d been the perfect lover: attentive, caring, dominating and skilled.

The next morning when I’d woken up, he was staring at me angrily. I can still remember the shock and disgust in his icy blue eyes. I’d gulped and blushed and hurried out of the bed, waiting for him to say something, anything, to let me know everything was going to be okay. But he’d said nothing. Not then and not ever. Not until recently. And now, well, now all I wanted to do was to repeat that night. But this time, I wanted to play for keeps. This time I wanted to seduce my best friend’s brother and make him fall in love with me. And I was willing to do almost anything for that chance with him. And what I really meant was whatever it took.

***

“Hello, Alice?” His voice was hesitant and strong at the same time, and I felt as if time had stood still. My fingers gripped the phone and my face grew warm as I realized that Aiden was on the other end of the line. I looked at Liv and mouthed, “Oh my God, oh my God” to her several times. “Alice?” he repeated again, and I shook my head, trying to get over my shock.

“This is Alice,” I said in a prim voice, sounding like some Victorian matron from an old black-and-white movie.

“It’s Aiden,” he said in a husky voice, and I swear to God that I would have started jumping up and down if Xander hadn’t been sitting in the same room as me, looking very bemused.

“Who?” I said childishly, and I saw Xander rolling his eyes.

“Aiden Taylor, Liv’s brother.”

“Oh, hi, Aiden. How are you?” I said stiffly as I grinned at Liv who was grinning back at me. Xander was looking back and forth at our expressions with an even more bemused look, and I knew he was thinking to himself that it didn’t take much to make us happy.

“I’m good.” Aiden cleared his throat. “I was actually just calling to see if Liv is okay?”

“Liv?” I said stiffly. Huh? What was he talking about?

“Yeah, I tried texting her a couple of days ago, and she hasn’t responded, so I figured I would check with you.”

“She’s fine,” I said and put my finger up to my lips as I looked at Liv. “Hold one second, please,” I said quickly and pressed mute. “It’s Aiden. He said he’s tried contacting you and you haven’t answered,” I whispered to Liv and she frowned.

“Uh, no.” She shook her head. “What is he talking about? I just spoke to him this morning.”

“Oh.” I shrugged my shoulders. “So he’s lying? Should I tell him you’re here with me now?”

“Yeah.” Liv nodded. “Tell him that I’m here and that I said I spoke to him this morning.”

“Okay.” I was about to unmute, when Xander shook his head and sighed.

“Do you two have absolutely no clue?” He stood up and walked toward me. “That’s still on mute?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Good.” He stopped in front of me and his green eyes pierced mine. “Listen to me carefully. Do not tell Aiden that you know that he’s lying. He obviously used that as an excuse to call you. You should be thanking your lucky stars, not accusing him of lying.” He shook his head and looked back at Liv. “I have no idea where you are getting your advice from.” He turned back to look at me. “Get back on the phone and ask him something. Be nice. Be sweet. Be happy to hear from him. Don’t accuse him of lying. Don’t have an attitude. Don’t talk about kissing Scott or seducing him when you were sixteen. Stick to topics that are safe for now. Do you hear me?”

“Yes.” I nodded meekly.

“I don’t know why he’s calling you,” he said with a serious face. “Maybe he got hit in the head and actually likes you.”

“Xander!” Liv screeched.

“I’m sorry.” He laughed and looked at her. “But really, I think I got hit in the head as well.”

“Why’s that?” She frowned.

“‘Cause I’m dating you.” He grinned at her, and she just shook her head and mumbled something. “But you know I love you. That’s why I’m letting you move in with me.”