TANGLED BETWEEN BROTHERS

Nicole's POV

"I'll be right back, babe. Give me ten minutes and please stay in the living room." My boyfriend, Liam, said before grabbing his keys and stepping out to get something.

The door closed behind him, and suddenly... the house became too quiet. It was just the housekeeper and his elder brother, Adrian.

I sat on the edge of the couch, my legs bouncing uncontrollably. I didn't know why I felt nervous. Maybe it was because my boyfriend recently moved in with his brother or because Adrian was around. I haven't seen him in six years.

After a full minute of silence, my anxiety refused to stay still.

"Fine. I'll just... look around. Nothing serious. Just walking. Breathing." I told myself.

I wandered up the stairs, trailing my fingers along the polished wooden handrail. The hallway was lined with paintings, mostly landscapes and a few portraits. I recognized Liam in some of them, smiling with childish confidence. And then, beside him, was Adrian Ryder, Liam's older brother. The family's pride. The man I'd crushed on stupidly the first time I ever saw him years ago, long before Liam became more than a friend.

I swallowed, forcing myself to look away from the photo. You're with Liam now. Stop thinking nonsense.

My feet kept moving, and soon I noticed a door slightly opened.

I don't know what possessed me, curiosity, maybe. So I pushed open the slightly ajar door and stepped inside.

"Hello...?" I whispered but didn't get a reply.

It was a bedroom. Neat, scent of expensive cologne, dark sheets perfectly folded, a watch on the nightstand.

Then I heard the soft swish of water.

Before I could register it, the bathroom door swung open. There he was just coming out of the bathroom. Naked.

I froze on the spot, my heart slamming against my ribs.

Adrian's head turned, and his eyes locked on me. For a moment, the world shrank until it was just the two of us, and I felt my knees threaten to buckle. He looked calm and unbothered. Almost like he wasn't surprised.

"I'm so... sorry." I forced myself to turn quickly, trying to unsee what I just saw.

I blinked, trying to scramble for words that wouldn't make me sound like a total fool. "I-I was just... I mean, I wanted to take a tour." My voice faltered and trailed off.

Adrian tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You shouldn't be in here," he said, his voice low, almost amused.

My cheeks flamed hotter than I thought possible. I wanted to die or disappear.

I faced him again avoiding his torso, my entire face flushed so hot it felt like boiling water.

My voice trembled. "The door was open, I thought the room was empty-please just put something on!"

He exhaled, slow and unbothered. "Turn around."

"You can look now."

I turned back hesitantly.

He wrapped himself with a towel, water glistening on his skin, his hair pushed back in messy wet strands.

Adrian, the man I had pretended not to stare at whenever Liam showed me family photos. And here he was, half-dressed. Inches away, looking at me like I was the strange one.

He stepped toward me, and instinctively I stepped back, bumping against the doorframe. Why is he moving toward me? My chest heaved in panic.

"Why exactly are you here?"

"I-I wasn't supposed to be upstairs," I whispered, embarrassed beyond repair. "Liam stepped out for a moment and I was just nervous, and the door was open, and I wandered."

He raised a brow. "Into my bedroom."

My mouth fell open. "I swear I didn't know it was yours. I wasn't trying to... to see anything."

He rested a hand on the doorframe, studying me with those unreadable dark eyes.

"You've grown," he murmured suddenly, almost to himself.

I swallowed hard, fumbling for the courage to speak. "I'll just go."

Before I could turn, he leaned slightly against the doorframe, blocking my exit. "Not so fast," he said softly. "You don't get to just walk in and-" His words cut off as my eyes inadvertently dropped, and my face heated even more.

Oh my God. Focus. Just focus.

I finally managed to push past him, muttering a nervous apology, my cheeks burning, hands shaking. I didn't look back.

Once in the hallway, I pressed my hands to my face and let out a shaky breath. Okay, Nicole. Just... breathe. It was a mistake.

But still I had no idea why Adrian kept invading my thoughts.

______________

I don't know why I agreed to stay for lunch.

Actually... I do.

Liam smiled at me like I was the only person in the world, kissing my forehead when he came back from and I couldn't open my mouth to say, "Oh, by the way, I walked into your brother's room and saw him naked."

So here I was sitting at the Ryder dining table, hands shaking under the tablecloth, praying the ground would open and swallow me whole.

Liam sat beside me, chatting calmly, completely unaware of the panic inside me.

While Adrian sat across from us. Looking composed as if he hadn't just been bare and dripping in front of me ten minutes ago.

I couldn't look up, my spoon trembled against the bowl.

Liam leaned toward me. "Are you okay? You look flushed."

I forced a laugh. "Hot. It's just hot in here."

It wasn't hot, it was Adrian.

He hadn't spoken a word since he came downstairs. He simply sat, elbows on the table, fingers tapping lightly against his glass in slow, rhythmic beats.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Liam asked again, touching my arm gently.

I nodded fast. "Y-yes. Perfect." Another lie, because the real reason I couldn't breathe was sitting right in front of me, wearing a fitted black shirt that still clung slightly to his damp skin. His hair was still wet, pushed back in that effortless way that made his jawline look even sharper.

I felt his gaze before I saw it. When I finally, stupidly, lifted my eyes, he was already staring at me.

God. I looked away instantly, stabbing my fork into my salad like it offended me.

Liam didn't notice, but Adrian did.

He cleared his throat. "So, Nicole," he said. "I heard you're studying nursing."

My head snapped up. "Uh, yes. I mean-yes, sir."

Sir, I called him sir.

A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. "Relax. I'm not your professor."

He said it calmly, but the sound slid through me like heat.

Liam smiled proudly. "She's top of her class."

"Is that so?" Adrian asked, his gaze shifting to Liam, then back to me. "She seems... very determined."

Then Liam laughed and leaned over to kiss my lips, and I swear my soul left my body again not because of the kiss, but because Adrian's eyes flicked to my lips when Liam pulled away.

A rush of guilt slammed into me.

"You okay?" Liam asked, noticing my stiff posture.

I forced a tight smile. "Just nervous. I have exams to prepare for."

Liam squeezed my hand under the table.

Adrian spoke quietly. "You were upstairs earlier."

My heart dropped.

Liam looked at him. "Upstairs? Really? Why?"

My mouth dried instantly. "I was just looking around. I didn't know which rooms were used."

Liam nodded casually, no suspicion in his voice.

But Adrian's gaze held mine.

"Well," Adrian said softly, "next time... be careful which doors you open."

The fork almost fell from my hand.

Liam laughed, but it seemed forced. "Yeah, this place is a maze. You probably walked into the guest room."

Adrian's lips twitched, just slightly.

"That must be it," Adrian said smoothly, his gaze never leaving mine. "A very... unexpected surprise for both of us."

My pulse skyrocketed.

Liam didn't notice.

But I knew Adrian wasn't going to forget what happened either. And even worse...neither could I.

Adrian's POV

The moment Nicole left the house, I didn't move immediately. I stayed where I was, leaning against the edge of the table, letting the faint imprint of her presence sink into the room.

I knew I shouldn't be feeling that way towards my younger brother's girlfriend but I couldn't help it, she kept entering my thoughts, I couldn't erase the scene that happened earlier in my room. The way she walked into my room like she belonged there, but then froze the moment she saw me... I can't explain it. Something about the shock, the embarrassment, the redness of her cheek...it dug under my skin.

Liam appeared in the doorway, stretching lazily, loosening his tie. "Did you check the deliveries?" he asked, gesturing toward the pile of unopened envelopes.

"Mm," I replied, scanning the stack without touching it. His question barely registered. My mind was elsewhere.

He shrugged and started arranging the deliveries and some documents.

"You'll need to sign the contracts for the new accounts by tomorrow," he said, glancing at me. "Do you want me to draft the summary for you?"

I nodded absentmindedly. My gaze drifted toward the hallway where Nicole had hurried out minutes ago. I could still imagine her face.

And yes, clearly it seems like I'm obsessed with her. But Liam didn't notice.

"Also," Liam continued, flipping a folder open and tapping it with his pen, "Mom called today, she won't be coming until next month. She wants us to attend to some investors that will be arriving tomorrow morning."

I made a neutral sound, eyes still following the empty hallway.

He glanced at me, frowning slightly. "Are you even listening?"

I gave the faintest shrug. Yes. No. Somewhere in between.

Liam sighed and put down the pen. He leaned against the counter, hands in his pockets.

Then, casually, he asked, "Do you think it'd be okay... if Nicole stayed here for a while? Until she sorts things out?"

That got my attention, I froze for a fraction of seconds, letting the words settle. Nicole, stay here. She just spent some hours here and I'm unable to control myself, talk more for a while.

I thought about my reply. My face remained calm and neutral. "If it's only temporary... yes." Something in me refused to say no.

Liam's shoulders relaxed. Relief softened his features in a way that made my chest tighten unexpectedly. He didn't know what had happened.

I watched him walk away to make a call, which I was sure that it was Nicole he was calling.

"What are you doing to me Nicole?" I groaned silently as I dialed a contact on my phone.

"I'm on my way, book a room with a girl arranged on the bed."

"Alright." The person on the other end replied.

"I need to get you out of my head," I told myself as I left the house.

_______________

Nicole's POV

Zara, my best friend, was already seated when I walked in, stirring sugar into her iced coffee like she wasn't about to read my soul through my face in the next three seconds.

"Nicole," she smiled. *So, how is prince charming?"

"Liam is doing great." I said dryly.

"How was the meeting with your boyfriend's family?" she continued as she drank her coffee.

I forced a laugh and dropped into the chair opposite her. "It was embarrassing and his mom didn't come today."

She leaned forward a little, studying me. "What happened?"

My fingers tightened around my bag. "Nothing serious."

Zara smirked. "That didn't sound convincing."

I avoided her eyes and took a sip of water I didn't need.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"He brought me to his family home. And to my surprise his brother was back."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You meet the hot, devastating handsome and bad boy Adrian?"

I nodded unconsciously.

"Wow," she laughed softly. "Did you meet him properly this time?"

I hesitated. "A little," I said.

Zara didn't notice the storm in my head. She just rested her chin on her palm.

"So Adrian is around. I can bet he's already fucking the girls in town."

I let out a forced smile. "Yeah, I guess."

She leaned closer. "Then tell me what really happened? Or did you kiss him."

I almost choked. "No," I said too quickly.

She laughed. "You're blushing."

"I unknowingly entered his room the moment he came out of the bathroom and he was fucking naked." I poured it out to her.

"OH MY GOD." Zara screamed.

"Can you please bring your voice down?" I scolded her lightly, feeling ashamed by the unfamiliar gaze the people in the restaurant gave us.

"I'm sorry but Nicole, the hell, you outdid yourself."

"It wasn't intentional." I covered my face with my hands. "I feel disgusting."

"You're not."

"I feel like I betrayed Liam without even touching him."

"It was simply a mistake."

"Then is it normal to be having nasty thoughts about Adrian, replaying the scene in my head. I just can't seem to erase it."

"Woah, you need a therapist babe, because all I can say is that you are fucking obsessed with your boyfriend's brother. For now stay away from him." Zara muttered surprised.

"I can't. Liam wants me to move in and he's staying with his brother, so it will be impossible to avoid Adrian."

Zara sighed tiredly.

"I thought I buried that," I whispered.

"You did," she said. "Until he showed up again."

"Does Liam know?"

I shook my head instantly. "No. No. I would never hurt him like that." I dropped my gaze. "What if I'm not as over him as I thought I was?"

Her voice softened. "Then you remind yourself why you chose Liam."

I closed my eyes. Because he's safe, he's kind and he loves me. He was there for me when I lost my parents, when I lost everything.

Zara squeezed my hand gently. "And for the record... next time you feel like wandering into strange men's bedrooms, call me instead."

A weak laugh escaped me. "You'd probably dare me to flirt."

She smirked. "Only a little."

I gave her a slight smile. Liam will be coming over to move my stuff, but still I couldn't fathom the idea of being in the same house with Adrian.

Adrian's POV

The smell hit me the moment I stepped inside the High End Escort house, I could perceive different body sprays, candle wax, and something faintly metallic that always seemed to follow these places.

I nodded to the owner, a friend from a decade ago. She gave me a knowing smile, and led me to the room I had requested.

"Everything is ready the way you like it." She informed me as she proceeded to leave.

I closed the door behind me with a soft click.

The girl stood up the moment I came in, heels clicking lightly against the floor. She stopped a few steps away, hands behind her back.

She was tall, with long, sleek legs, her curves were accentuated by the black lace lingerie hugging her frame. She moved, tilting her hips slightly, letting the delicate straps of her lingerie brush against her skin.

"Strip," I growled as I took a seat on the couch, watching her keenly.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she undid the first button of her blouse.

"Come closer," I ordered.

She moved, hips swaying, trying to catch my eyes.

I didn't know why I wasn't aroused. "Stop." My voice came out in a commanding way. I leaned back, spreading my legs open.

"Pleasure me."

She didn't hesitate a bit. She walked towards me seductively, dropping down to her knees as she slowly unzipped my pants.

A faint sigh escaped my mouth the moment she brought my cock out.

"It's so big." She commented, grinning sheepishly.

I ignored her, trying to focus myself on what was happening.

She wrapped her both hands around my cock, slowly moving her hands.

"Go faster." I spat out.

She moved her hands faster, exactly like a pro, but still something felt missing.

Soon, she replaced her hands with her mouth, licking off the precum at the top of my cock.

I let out a groan, as she sucked my cock, swirling her tongue around the sensitive head, taking me whole. She continued it, going faster and deeper, up until the point she gagged but that didn't stop her.

She gave attention to my balls, before focusing back on my cock.

Despite what was happening my thoughts kept on going back to Nicole. I tightened my hand around her hair and choked her against my cock till I was sure she was gasping for air, her eyes were watery, drools slipping out from her mouth.

"Hmmm" She moaned.

I knew she was already aroused but I wasn't ready yet, I wanted to torture her more.

I shoved her head down, making her sucked my cock again. I soon reached my climax and let out a growl, as I cummed inside her mouth.

She licked every bit of cum before facing me. I lifted her up aggressively, throwing her on the bed.

While I took off my clothes, she watched me, seductively playing with her clit, letting out loud moans.

After taking the last piece of clothing off, I wore a condom then joined her on the bed. I tore off her lingerie, not having the patience to watch her take it off.

I separated her legs, roughly rubbing her clit, then with one attempt I entered her fully, causing a moan from her lips.

I increased my pace, hitting her wall hard, not slowing down for a moment. With every thrust I made, she moaned loudly catching up with my pace. Of course, she's a slut what do I expect?

"Fuck..." I growled as I reached my climax, I pulled out of her, laying my back on the bed.

"Shit..." I cursed silently. I needed a drink. Before I could clear my head I felt a hand on my cock.

"Another round." She asked, already climbing me.

I pulled away, quickly putting on my clothes, I wasn't in the mood for any of this.

"Here..." I threw a bundle of money on the bed as I took my leave not listening to anything she wanted to say.

_____________

Nicole's POV

The car pulled up to the Ryder estate, and my stomach twisted. Liam had sent his driver to pick me up.

Liam came out immediately when I arrived, he was very cheerful and oblivious as he walked towards me.

"Don't worry," he said with that easy grin, "I'll help you with your things." he quickly carried my bag.

I nodded, forcing a smile, but my chest was tight.

Once inside, Liam set the first bag down and started unpacking it like it was nothing. I lingered near the hallway, keeping my distance.

"Nicole, what is the matter?" he asked.

I hesitated, then took a breath. "Liam... I... I appreciate you letting me stay, really. But... I need my privacy too."

He blinked. "Privacy?"

"I mean... I don't want to be in the same room with you all the time. I need space. Time to think. To... be on my own."

He frowned slightly. "Why?"

"I feel like we are rushing things, you introducing me to your family, asking me to move in, then sharing a room, I don't know."

"I'm sorry if I'm a bit pushy. I just want you to know that I love you and I'm here to support you. If you want a room to yourself, then it is done,"

Before I could celebrate, he added,

"Only if you agree to spend three nights a week with me. You can't possibly starve me."

"Pervert..." I retorted lightly. "Two nights." I bargained.

"No, three nights. Do we have a deal?" He protested.

"Where is my room then?" I purposely did not give him an answer.

He called one of the house help to prepare a guest room for me, then led me to his room to wait till they were done.

"Thanks," I whispered.

"You are welcome." He said as he closed the distance between us, gently kissing my neck.

"Can we not do this now? I'm very exhausted." I pouted my lips at him.

"Fine, as you wish. There are other days ahead." He smirked.

I gave him an awkward smile, shifting my focus to the window.