Taken by My Brother's Best Friend

LIAM

Ava was nestled against my chest, her arms looped tightly around my neck as I carried her up to my apartment.

It was conveniently located in the center of town, not far from The Tavern where we'd just spent the evening.

She'd had way too much to drink.

I was feeling a pleasant buzz myself.

"You definitely overdid it," I said with a low chuckle, carefully lowering her onto my worn leather couch.

I'd carried her because the alcohol had completely betrayed her legs.

They'd given out just half a block from my building.

Not that I minded.

It gave me a legitimate excuse to hold her close.

I breathed in her scent—a mix of wildflowers and something uniquely her.

She'd been on edge all night, drinking more than her usual glass of wine.

Something was definitely bothering her.

"Come here," she murmured, arms opening wide after I set her down, clearly asking for a hug.

I took in her flushed cheeks and glassy, unfocused eyes.

It was a bad idea.

Ava was my best friend's little sister.

We'd known each other since we were kids.

She was beautiful.

She was special to me in a way no other woman ever had been.

The chemistry between us was a tangible thing, a constant hum I had to consciously ignore.

I was always careful not to cross that invisible line, even though the temptation was a frequent, unwelcome guest.

I offered a soft smile and shook my head. "I'm good, short stuff. Let me get you something to change into."

Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

I chuckled and headed to my bedroom to find a clean, soft t-shirt.

Having Ava stay over wasn't ideal.

But I'd reluctantly agreed when she pleaded not to let her brother Noah or her grandfather see her like this.

I'd likely be blamed for her state anyway.

I found a grey Henley and brought it back to her.

She had sat up.

I remained standing, shoving my hands deep into my jeans pockets.

Her lips, which I'd spent far too much time thinking about, curved into a slow smile.

She patted the empty cushion beside her. "Sit with me."

The look in her eyes told me everything.

It was the same look I'd seen countless times before.

The look that said a woman wanted to be taken to bed.

For one night.

Occasionally, it stretched to two.

But I never let it go further than that.

It was my system.

My protection.

Having my heart shattered once was a lifetime quota already filled.

I'd become an expert at choosing women who wanted the same thing: a night of passion with zero strings attached.

I didn't want that with Ava.

A drunken, meaningless hookup.

She meant too much.

It was hard enough keeping my distance when I was sober.

With alcohol thinning my resolve, I wasn't sure I had the strength.

I took two deliberate steps back, creating a safety zone. "You should lie down and sleep it off. Might save you from a world-class headache tomorrow."

Her smile vanished. "I know I'm not your usual type," she said, turning her face away, her voice a fragile whisper. "But I didn't think you'd be so... repulsed."

I stared at her, my chest tightening.

I hated that she could think that, even drunk.

I couldn't let it stand.

I sat down next to her and gently turned her shoulder toward me, but she kept her gaze averted.

"Ava, are you serious right now? Don't you ever say that. You're stunning. Any man would be beyond lucky to even share a room with you." I meant every word. She was breathtaking. And she had no idea the war I was fighting inside. "Look at me, please."

I cupped her chin, turning her face to mine so I could read her.

She finally met my eyes, and for a moment, I was lost in the deep green of them.

We were so close I could feel the warmth of her breath.

My gaze dropped to her lips.

I forced it back up.

She leaned in, eyes closing, and pressed her mouth to mine.

I froze.

Air left my lungs.

How many times had I imagined this?

How many times had I shoved the fantasy away, only to feel a wave of guilt later when I saw her or Noah?

I should have pulled back immediately.

But I was weak.

Her tongue traced the seam of my lips, and my control shattered.

I opened for her, our tongues meeting in a hungry, desperate dance.

My hands slid over her face, her neck, her shoulders.

I tangled my fingers in her silky hair and gave a gentle tug.

She moaned, the sound vibrating straight through me.

I took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, exploring her mouth.

I wanted to hear that sound again.

Because of me.

The erotic noise fueled me, and I pulled her closer.

I knew I should stop.

This was a disaster in the making.

But I was drunk on her taste, and I pushed the warning aside.

My hands slid down her sides, slipping under the hem of her blouse.

Her skin was like warm silk.

She pulled back just enough to yank her shirt over her head.

I rid myself of my own with one swift motion.

As my fingers traced the line of her spine, she shivered and moaned again.

The sound went right to my groin.

My lips found hers once more as her hands roamed over my chest and back.

She shifted, trying to climb into my lap.

God, I wanted her to.

But my guilt was swelling, matching my arousal.

My phone pinged with a text.

I ignored it, my hands gripping her thighs.

It pinged twice more.

The thought that it could be Noah or her grandfather sliced through the haze.

Guilt crashed over me.

This was my best friend's little sister.

I looked at her, apology in my eyes. "Sorry, I should check that."

I reached for my phone on the side table.

A deep sigh escaped me as I read the screen. "It's Noah. He's worried about you. Asking where you are."

"I'll text him later," she whispered, pulling on my arm, trying to reclaim the moment.

But I couldn't.

Not after seeing Noah's name.

Not after remembering who she was.

I held her by the shoulders, gently creating space between us.

I had to end this.

I never should have let it start.

I shook my head. "No. We're not doing this."

I stood, pulling my shirt back on.

I grabbed the Henley and pulled it over her head.

She frowned, swatting my hands away and finishing the task herself.

I turned and pointed toward the hallway. "You're going to sleep. And we're forgetting this ever happened."

Hurt flashed across her face, a physical pain in my own chest.