Chapter 14

The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of an expansive bedroom, casting soft golden hues on the silk sheets that were now tangled in a mess. The air was thick with the remnants of a night filled with passion, and the faint scent of expensive cologne lingered in the room.

Mira stirred, her lashes fluttering as her consciousness slowly returned. Her body ached in ways that were both unfamiliar and undeniable, and as her eyes fully opened, a warm flush crept across her cheeks. She groaned softly, her gaze drifting downward to the faint marks scattered across her bare skin. Hickeys.

Her heart pounded in her chest as the memories of the previous night came rushing back in vivid flashes—soft whispers, heated touches, and the overwhelming emotions that had consumed her. She glanced to her side, and her breath hitched at the sight of the man lying next to her.

The man had short, dark platinum hair that shimmered faintly in the morning light, messy from sleep. His features were sharp yet softened by the relaxed state of slumber, and his bare chest rose and fell steadily. It was Liam.

"Oh no," Mira whispered, panic bubbling up in her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand, her wide eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way to make sense of everything. "I can't believe I slept with my brother," she muttered under her breath, though a small voice in her mind quickly countered, Well, we're not related by blood, so it's not technically wrong... is it?

Still, the weight of what had happened settled heavily on her chest, and she bit her lip as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, desperate to escape the situation. She needed space to think, to process, to figure out what this meant for the fragile balance of their relationship.

But just as her feet touched the floor, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against the warmth of his body. She gasped softly as she felt his breath against her shoulder, and her heart raced even faster.

"Mira," Liam muttered, his voice husky with sleep. His grip tightened slightly as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his lips brushing against her skin in a way that sent shivers down her spine. "Don't go."

Mira froze, her mind a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. She felt torn between the comfort of his embrace and the overwhelming guilt gnawing at her. "Liam…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't respond immediately, his breaths deep and even as if he were on the verge of drifting back to sleep. But his hold on her remained firm, his body instinctively seeking hers as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.

Mira sighed, her hands trembling slightly as she rested them on his arm. "We can't… This is…" she trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Liam stirred, his eyes slowly opening to meet hers. His gaze was soft yet piercing, filled with an emotion she couldn't quite decipher. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

She stared at him, her lips parted but no sound coming out. The intensity of his gaze left her feeling vulnerable, exposed, and completely out of her depth. "Because… we… you're my brother," she finally managed, though even as she said it, the words felt hollow.

A faint smirk played at the corners of Liam's lips as he reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face. "We're not blood-related, Mira," he said simply, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and something deeper. "Why make it a big deal when it's not?"

Mira opened her mouth to argue but found herself at a loss. His logic was straightforward, yet it didn't ease the turmoil inside her. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip as she tried to sort through her conflicting emotions.

Liam's expression softened, and he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur. "Stop overthinking it, Mira," he said. "You're mine now. That's all that matters."

Her breath hitched at his words, and she found herself unable to look away as his hand cupped her cheek. Despite the confusion and guilt swirling within her, a part of her couldn't deny the magnetic pull he had over her.

Mira closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath as she leaned into his touch. She didn't have all the answers yet, but for now, she allowed herself to stay in his embrace, letting the warmth of his presence soothe her restless thoughts.